10 years ago

My mom and I had planned to go for a walk around a park before my school started at 9:30, but in the morning she called me on her way over and told me that she was pretty upset and we wouldn't be going for our walk that day. She was upset because someone had flown some planes into some towers in New York.

I had no idea what that meant. I was only 11 years old. I had never heard of the Twin Towers before, or of a Terrorist Attack. We watched the news in the living room of my dad's house for a while and then I had to go to school, but at school we had the news on the tv in the classroom also. I still didn't really know what everything meant or what was going on, but I remember my 6th grade teacher having us write down a journal entry about that day. She said that someday we would want to remember our experiences that day, so maybe that is why I remember it the way I do even though I was only 11.

I remember that everyone was really scared for a while, waiting for another attack. And everyone bought US flags to hang up, especially the ones that you place on your car windows. Those were everywhere.

I don't remember when I really understood what happened on September 11, 2001. Maybe I still don't fully understand it. But now I am proud of those who willingly went into those burning towers to help those in need.  I am grateful for those who serve this country to keep us safe. I am now 21 years old and I will always remember September 11th.

Life is just awesome - - but busy

I can hardly believe that this summer is over. I looked forward to Summer 2011 for so long that it is strange it is pretty much complete! I had the absolute best summer and I am so extremely happy with life :)

It was a different experience to stay in Utah all summer rather than packing up and going back home like usual. It was nice to spend time with Scott, work, and see another side to Provo than I was used to, but I'm glad that I was able to make trips and attend family vacations though, cause I sure love my family!

Once Summer term ended for Scott we both flew out to Virginia to spend some time with the Whitlocks in Ashburn. That was an awesome trip! I had the best time with the Whitlocks and I am so grateful that they invited me out there :D I stayed for 10 days and then had to come back for work while Scott got to stay a full 2 weeks. We made the most of our time and had a really good balance of fun active adventures as well as relaxing times.

Here's a glimpse of our trip:
-attending Ashley and Mark's wedding reception in New Jersey
-water skiing at Lake Anna
-hiking the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac river
-picking our own Raspberries
-celebrating Mike and Shannon's 23rd wedding anniversary
-watching the entire 6th season of Lost [thank you Netflix!]
-Kayaking near some memorials in DC on the Potomac
-hearing Scott speak in church

Plus lots of sleeping in, hanging out, great dinners [with cooking lessons for Scott :)], etc. I was so sad to be leaving Virginia- I was very tempted to just stay with the Whitlocks rather than return to work and school... :)

I came back late on the 21st and then had a crazy busy week with my cleaning check to be completed all by myself on the 22nd and then I worked about 34 hours Monday-Friday. I was very tired by the end of the week and REALLY looking forward to picking up Scott at the airport on Friday night :D We had a great weekend together and then on the 29th my last semester of classes on BYU campus started. It was a whirlwind of a couple weeks! Like I said- life is busy, but it is just awesome :)