I went to the funeral last night. I won't bore you with details except I have never heard the song "Army of Helaman" sung in such a melancholy way. The youth, which took up over half of the seats in the chapel and the cultural hall, got up and sang that song for the opening hymn. I saw many of my good friends with shiny eyes and quivering lips, trying to hold it all in. Singing with them went on my list as one of the hardest things I've done.

After the funeral, some kids in my ward went to the pool. One of them is a manager so he got the whole pool just for his friends. It's been so long since I've been to the pool, I forgot how much I love swimming and jumping and splashing and playing and sliding. It helped me forget about all the things that have been bothering me lately.

Highlight of the night: Playing water basketball with the guys. Not to brag or anything, but I totally dominated. Blocked shots. Made shots. It was fun. We even made plays. (Be proud Coach T.) I played with the boys and beat them. And then I gloated. And now I won't let any of them live it down. I can't help it if I'm so awesome that I can beat them. (ha-ha) Needless to say it was a blast and a half.

Song of the day. -- Kind of a cheesy version but you get the idea.

I think I've been avoiding my blog lately. This week kind of went crazy on me.

A boy who went to my high school took his own life on Wednesday. Heartbreaking. I didn't know him very well. But I did know him. I can't help but wonder the "What ifs". What if I could have done something to help him? But I wouldn't have known to reach out to him because he seemed like one of the happiest kids I knew. He was the one bringing comic relief to the crowd. Always had a smile on his face. I stole his ring pop at a football game. He chased me down and stole it back. We then proceeded to cheer our classmates to a victory.

Things like this make me think. Carpe Diem, right? He died at 17. It makes me think how fragile life is. I'll remember him.

On a brighter note, I got two awesome books this week. One of them will be a coffee table book when I move out. Just call me a hippie. Because I am. "All you need is love." It's very awesome. It's... gooeyooeyastic! (I make up words sometimes. Deal with it.) The other, well, lets just say I think this guy is becoming one of my idols.

I'm thinking that the guys who sang to me on my run this morning are calming. Knocked some sense and reason into me. It just gave me a good start for the day. I'm looking up. Still slightly melancholy, pondering. But good.


Song of the day. --Awesome, right? It fits me today.

I haven't had much to say. At all. My brain is kind of empty. Here are some randoms.

• I have two kneecaps on my left knee. A.K.A. west nile virus. I can't NOT scratch it.
• I'm sick of being in between right now. In between school and a job. In between dreams and reality. Sleep and awake. In between people with bad communication skills. And more.
  
• My brain really isn't empty. Just most of the stuff inside I don't really care to share with the world.
• I'm considering sending something to Postsecret. Just for fun. MWA HAHA.
• "Life's too serious to be taken seriously."
• I think this book that I'm reading is making me think funny. I think I'll finish it pronto to get it out of my system. Good idea.
• I find people very very interesting. There's so much I don't know about people. Even people I know pretty well. I'm just curious.
• Two words: Tuna Cheesies.
  

That's all. I've resolved that I need to go on more walks, have more adventures, and try more new things. What do you think? I don't know. I think I just feel like I'm wasting my days. Probably because I'm STILL JOB SEARCHING.

Song of the day. -- It's just GOOD MUSIC. I love everything about this song. The instruments and how they work together to create climax, energy, emotion. The lyrics. How everything fits together. I love it all. My favorite right now.

P.S. "There are few things more pathetic than those who have lost their curiosity and sense of adventure."
~Gordon B. Hinckley

I really like that.

So, I've been home since Sunday. Sorry if any of you worried about my not blogging. You probably sat there wondering if I died in a freak car accident just moments after I crossed the state line. You probably shed a tear or two. Probably. I apologize. I'm alive. To make up for causing you so much grief, I'll ramble on a lot in this post. Mostly because I feel like it. But is that really making up for anything? No. It probably makes it worse. In that case, feel free to ignore this post.

First things first, I'm so glad I got home in time to go to the Father's day BBQ. I love my family. I missed you all so much. So much. I thoroughly enjoy your company. Sometimes I look around at all of you and think, "Wow. I am so lucky. I can't believe I got THEM." Really. I couldn't ever want anything different about my family. Love. Much of it.

I had a hair appointment today. That girl is awesome. She makes hair look so easy. Also, she still (still!) thinks I'm going to marry her brother. Who is on a mission. Who I have never met. And I probably won't. Sorry. I bet he'll come home and I'll be in a non-dating phase. Like now. Because I feel one of those coming on. No more silly boys. I just want to read or something instead.

Anyways, I'll be in this anti-boy mood. Then a few months later, (like say... January 2010?) I'll magically come out of it. And by magic I mean that one person will come home. I'll catch up with my best friend. And run through fields of daisies. And find rainbows. And chase clouds. And eat ice cream. And float around, hanging from a bouquet of balloons.

And of course somewhere in my future lies twelve kids and a perfect garden that everyone wants to... ruin. Because it's so perfect. Too perfect. Same with my house. (Because it will be neat and tidy always.) And my twelve kids. (And by twelve you meant six, right?) And me. And my husband. All perfect. Because me? Yeah, I'm so perfect. Always.

Do you remember when I predicted that the Celtics would be NBA champions? I think I may have mentioned it in passing. Well they won. I have a sixth sense. Sometimes I just know things.

So my question of the day is this. Am I still so perfect when I take gloating to my friend, a Laker's fan, about Boston's victory too far?

Didn't think so. Sorry.

I'm pretty much at a loss for words to describe today. I'll let pictures do it. First things first.

Oh, baby.

Then we saw this awesomeness. I was in awe, gaping.

This picture does nothing.

I wanted to do the hike up there. Very badly. But time, or lack thereof, made it impossible.

I scratched my knee climbing up there. Battle wound.

Pretty much, this guy is a genius.

He said that a third of the time spent on Jefferson was in refitting or relocating it so the nose wouldn't have a crack in it. Rad.

And that's basically it. We drove and drove the rest of the day. And we finished our book yesterday. We just had music. It didn't fly by. Bummer. Tomorrow is home. Yipee!

Song of the day.

We wanted to go to the National Music Museum yesterday, but it had closed. So we stopped for the night and went this morning.

Buildings like this intimidate me.

They had headphones and a hand-held player so you could hear what the different instruments sound like in every gallery of the museum. It was beautiful. And fantastic.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Looking at those pianos, my fingers itched to touch. I wanted to sit and let my fingers dance along, playing some unknown melody. I bit my lip instead.

I wanted to hug it and smell it and play it. Simultaneously.

This was awesome. The colors, the patterns, the turns.

Doo-doo-DOO! Doo-da-doo.

And this. Well. This just made my Friday the 13th.

All you need is love.

Then we were driving, and billboards taunted us every couple of miles. Clever. Using phrases like, "Prepare to be a-maiz-ed!" and "You're almost ear!". We couldn't resist. We just couldn't!

Corn. Corn corn corn.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the world's only corn palace. All those pictures are made out of CORN.

CORN.IS.EVERYWHERE.

Did I mention corn? No? Huh. Well, CORN.

Naturally, we followed them.

They led to this.

If I knew anything about photoshop, my sister's heads would be in the two empty holes.

And a store at which I bought the coolest ring ever. And earrings. Awesome.

What a charmer. His name is Zack.

Somewhere between the Corn Palace and where we've stopped for the night, I was thinking about this trip. I wondered why I was enjoying this so much. I mean, most people wouldn't be too thrilled about driving across the country with their mom. Especially at my age. So what's so special about this? I was racking my brain for a reason why this is so fulfilling. So inspiring. So meaningful. I came to a few conclusions.

Firstly, Mom and I are connected on this super-natural-mind-reading level. This has made this trip highly enjoyable. We want the same things out of it. Spontaneity. Adventure. Experience.

I want to travel. See the world. This shouldn't be news to any of you. But as I was reading this book, I realized that before I can try to experience other countries and their cultures, I need to experience my own. I grew a desire to see this country. And here I am. Seeing it. Experiencing it. This is so awesome for me because it's the beginning. This is where it all starts. And I am inspired. And bursting with excitement.

Beautiful country.

Song of the day.

P.S. I got invited to this today. Do you hear that? ... Sounds like a woot train. ... WOOT WOOT! =)

We were on the road again by 8 AM this morning. We had only been driving for about a chapter or two of this on CD, when we saw the billboard. We quickly exchanged smiles and a few words of excitement. Twenty miles later, we exited to Nostalgia Ville, USA.

Even wilder dreams came true.

Have mercy.

The second we pulled up, I knew I would like this place. Here's why.

We parked in that very spot. Check that one off my life list.

Like I was saying, many dreams came true inside that store. Like this one.

Didn't buy these. But they have an online store. I think I need them.

And this.

There's a sign with those exact words painted on it on the way to the Slinker farm.

This reminded me of you.

Don't we have coasters like this or something?

And I bought a Beatles light switch cover. I'm very excited about it. It's going on the minute I finish unpacking. (And in just in case that didn't prove it to you, i.am.awesome. and fabulous.)

After spending way too much time in Nostalgia Ville, we got back on the road and pretty much drove the rest of the day with some pit stops along the way. I'll let Mom tell you about her highlight of the day.

By the way, I'm adding more pictures from the store to my side bar. Be excited. Or else.

Song of the day.

Follow us step-by-step on our trip through twitter. I have updates on my sidebar. Day four post is minutes away. Stay tuned!

We left Lexington at a decent hour. Began driving to Louisville while listening to our theme song (among others). Soaking in music, sunshine, and nature. Also enjoying this yummy smelling creature.

Given to us from one of our sponsors.

So, we were driving along. Enjoying the ride. Loving life. We got about halfway through Indiana and spotted a special sign. A very special sign. We exited the freeway. Then, there was another sign.

Try to imagine my excitement. Just try.

Yes, folks, you've got it right. That IS the name of the town. Just you wait. It gets better. We saw ANOTHER sign indicating wondrous adventures. Naturally, we followed it. To this.

A CASTLE?! He has a CASTLE?! Wait, wait wait. A CANDY CASTLE?!

In case you can't read that sign, it says, "Santa's Candy Castle". We bounced. We bounced and bounced and bounced. And then we went inside! And it was fantastic! Words can't describe it.

We signed our names in the book.

That's my name. Right... there! See it? My mom's is right below it.

I wrote him a letter.

I was overcome with joy. Hence the hearts.

And mailed it.

My excitement and joy=incomprehensible.

Gave him a hug.

Probably the coolest thing I've ever done. Probably.

And got a delicious treat!

Frozen hot chocolate. Yum.

This went on my life list of things to do, was accomplished, and crossed off the list. All in a matter of minutes.

We then drove on with a high from our little adventure pulsing through our veins. We sang loud, danced much, and giggled the whole way back to the freeway. After a few hours we stopped at a Walmart and met one of the coolest guys ever. Just made me laugh. And now we are dead. D.E.A.D. DEAD.

To be continued...

Today we went to Walmart. As you probably already knew. Nothing too terribly exciting today. For me at least.

Random bits from the day include:

• Kentucky is hot. Really hot. Even Kentucky's cold is hot. I took a shower and the second I stepped outside I felt like I needed another.
• I secretly wish I was still seven because then I could get away with wanting Hannah Montana bedding. But I'm not. So I can't. And I don't. Lie. Maybe I want them just a tiny little bit. But not enough to really WANT them want them. You know?
• This book is super yummy. I feast on the way she says things. Voice and words. Awesome.
• Elaine is tiny. Teeny-tiny. Really. I didn't recognize her at first. But don't you worry. She's still funny as ever.
• Suan. You rock. That game thingy? AWESOME. I'm addicted. In fact, the only reason y'all (See that? Right there? It rubs off on me. I love it.) are getting a post is because I was "hogging it" and it was "my turn". Sheesh.
• I kid you not, people, we really did have this conversation.
• Mom: Turn right, here, do you see?
• Meg: Yeah, I see the the signs.
• Both simultaneously: I saw the sign. I opened up my ey-- (giggle, giggle, chortle, laugh, laugh.)
  

Tomorrow, we ship off! Woot! We planned our route today. I know, livin' on the edge, baby. We have two major tourist spots we are stopping for. They are a bit out of our way, but we think it's worth the few extra hours. It just means longer driving days and no other stopping for tours. But don't worry, I made Mom promise that if something fantastically WT presents itself (Like, say... a fifty foot ball of yarn? Or something.), we're stopping. Free spirits, we are.

Updates tomorrow!

Song of the day. (Please listen to this. And enjoy life the way I do when I hear it and remember my childhood.)

P.S. I so almost typed "Much Love" just then.

I think the one and only good reason for waking up at the unholy hour of FOUR! A!M! is the sunrise. As we were driving to the airport, the smallest hint of yellow was peering through the lowest valley of the mountain, making me want more. I thought, If I could just jump high enough to peek over the mountain, I would see that huge ball of fire. I imagined that if I stood at the highest peak, I could look down the other side of the mountain and jump. Land on the sun. Ride it up into full daytime. Big, yellow, bouncy ball.

GandG picked us up at the airport and drove us home. Gma told me all about her station and horses and fields and ponds as we drove by them. You see, other people take care of them and she just enjoys them as she drives by. She doesn't have to own them. As long as she gets to enjoy them, they're hers. Of course.

We toured their new house, which is beautiful. Kim came over for a bit to visit. So did Carolyn. Then we toured Carolyn's new house (which is just down the street). Carolyn is so awesome. She has forever mirrors, and a Garfield blanket, and a hoo-la-hoop that goes behind her couch. I imagine she breaks it out rainy days to beat her latest record. Who knows.

These are along the sidewalk leading up to Carolyn's front door.

I love them.

They make me think, "Okay, I think I will."

For some reason when we went to bed, I couldn't sleep. Then there was lightning. No rain. No thunder. Just lightning. I asked Cha Cha if it was possible. They said that supposedly it is, although lightning is formed by water droplets rubbing together so there would have to be humidity and clouds. Makes sense to me. I mean, I feel like I'm drowning every time I step outside. Rad. I pondered for some time on how cool it was. Then the rain and thunder came to sing me to sleep.

Song of the day.

Summer. Is. Here.

It surprised me the other day that it's really here. I thought, "Wait, after I graduate, the weather gets warm? Really? Like, it becomes summer? Like, I could go swimming if I wanted? Really?! Rad."

All I really have to say about this is finally.

Song of the day.

I figured it would be redundant to post about all the contests when my mom is doing so beautifully. So, if you haven't been reading her blog too, go check it out. There are contests galore! With Prizes! So awesome, right? I know. All the more reason to not miss out!

Disclaimer: This may just be the most random post I've ever created. Please note that I am tired.

oh.my.gosh. BED! Why didn't you tell me you were waiting for me? I was upstairs being really lame and you didn't even call my name. It's okay, I forgive you. Know why? Because you are soooo comfy. Bed, this might sound really weird and random, but as I was preparing to meet you tonight, a series of questions came to mind. They are as follows. Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Can you tie them in a knot? Can you tie them in a bow?

Signed up for something called college today. The sadists who run the establishment claim to be able to arm me with all needed to succeed in this mad, wild world. (Oh baby, baby it's a wild world.) I say, whatever. Maybe because it's late and I'm tired. But seriously? What if I think I can figure the world out on my own? As in, without the pontifications of professors who are oh, so wise. Yes, maybe I'm really just too tired.

"You are a brilliant wizard." -I totally said that today. And! it wasn't considered weird.

My brain is sprinting right now. It's not even accomplishing anything. This frustrates me.

I'm loving her today. A lot. My favorites? This, this, this, and most definitely this. This very possibly sings directly to my heart, reminding me of something I still struggle with.

The Celtics will mutilate the Lakers. I know it. I can feel it in my bones. I have a knack for these types of things. You could go as far as saying I'm psychic. Because I am. Ps- I love you.

I enjoyed quietly harmonizing with my sister today at the office.

I've recently come to realize that because I tend to naturally get along better with guys, the next few years of my life will be spent saying goodbye to my closest friends. For two years. It's already begun and I can feel it continuing as more and more farewells make their appearances on my calender. I don't want to be consoled. I'm just throwin' that one out there.

Attempting sleep now.

Saturday morning my mom and I were talking. She had an idea. We kept saying things like, "Are we crazy to think we can do this?" "Will it work out?" "We could really do this!" "Let's do it!" And by Saturday afternoon we had made the decision.

We fly out to KY early Monday morning. As in THIS COMING MONDAY. (Look at our spontaneity.) And we spend the rest of the week on a ROAD TRIP!, promising to return home safely by the following Sunday.

Here's the deal. We need your help! YOU pick our route. YOU pick our stops. We post our many adventures on our blogs and YOU win prizes! Mom has it all worked out here. So check back to both our blogs every day and you can win prizes and read of our adventure.



By the way, do you love my new blog design? I do. All thanks to Kenna.

Song of the day.

I'm joining the Summer Book Trek 2008 over on LDS Fiction blog. Looks easy and fun. Plus I was told that I have.to.join. So here I am. If you want to join, read this. Then go here to sign up. kthanksbye.

My list is:

• Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
• Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George
• Meet Your Match by Stephanie Fowers
• The Host by Stephenie Meyer
  
• Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
• The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner