Road Trip!

I've been putting off this blog for a long time because there is so much to talk about, and Idon't even know where to start! Im going to start of by saying that this blog is going to be super long and potentially boring. You don't have to read it. I treat my blogs like a journal basically and want to be able to remember every moment of the good times that I have so this mightcomeoff as super wordy and not very entertaining. If you want to know every detail of my life...keep reading. This post is mostly for myself just so I can remember these good times.Ill make sure I post more that will be more entertaining to you and not just myself.So not lastwednesday but the wednesday before I got up at 5 in the morning to take a greyhound bus to Logan to meet up with Erica because I really had no other way to get there unless I wanted to be selfish and have someone drive me 2 hours each way. I would have felt bad to have someone do that so I took the lovely greyhound. I got on and it was a little sketchy tobegin with because there were some interested characters on the bus with me but most everyone was asleep so it wasn't too bad. The bus stopped in Salt Lake and I had to transfer to a smaller shuttle bus but before I did that I had to wait in the Salt Lake bus station for about 2 hours. It was pretty bad. Not the 2 hours, but the bus station. It just didn't have a good feeling about it so I went far from where everyone else in the station was and sat in a corner where I felt safe by myself. 2 hours later I got on the shuttle and there was only one other person there, who was a

friendly Utah State student. It was a much more pleasant ride. So I got to logan and Erica picked me up with the kids that she nannies! She had a class so we went to that. In order for me to get internet I had to have like a username and password (which the computer made for you)

and the password got me and Erica busting out laughing in the middle of class. Lets just say it was a naughty word. We could not stop laughing. It was hilarious! After class we went to the house that she nannies at and had some lunch. Then we went over to her friend Jakes house and watched the kids swim. We chatted for a bit and then it was time to take the kids home. We dropped them off then Erica and I did a bunch of things. We went to Walmart to get snacks for the road and happened to get a free photoshoot on our way out. We took a bunch of super cheesy

pictures and they were put into a collage and we got it for free! Random moment of the day haha. I kinda forgot the order of some of the things we did that day because there was so much. We also played volleyball with some of her friends, got our nails done, went to Cafe Rio (ate way too much), got penny candy, and went back to walmart to get a wedding gift for Molly! Probably one of the most productive days I have ever had. The next morning we woke up super early and were on the road at 4am. We made pretty good time and got to Washington in the early afternoon. Best 13 hour drive I have ever been on. We had so much fun jamming out to Disney music and Justin Bieber among a lot of other good music. We got to her house and she showed me around. Her friends were there

within 10 minutes of us getting there. I got to meet all of her best friends from high school. We

took her brother to soccer practice and stayed at the park and played volleyball and muff. Muff is a game that I think her friends made up. I don't really feel like explaining but it was a lot of fun! After that we went back and changed and went to Applebees for dinner! My first time! I had no idea it was so good! On the way back to Erica's we did a Chinese Fire Drill in the car, and little did we know there was a cop driving right past us. It was pretty funny but nothing happened.

We crashed when we got home. The next day we

went to Ericas high school to see her best friend. I got to see where she went to school and met some more of her friends and teachers. This was Molly's wedding day. We thought it was in Seattle because thats what we were told, so we were expecting like an hour and a half drive. We weren't able to get a hold of our only source of information until like 45 minutes before the reception. Turns out, with the awful washington traffic, that it would take us like 3 1/2 hours to get to the reception (which wasn't in Seattle). Erica needed to be back to go to graduation parties so we ended up not even going to the wedding which was the reason why we even took the trip up there haha. I didn't really mind because that gave me more time to see my family. Instead of going to the wedding, Erica

dropped me off at my cousins house and I got to go to dinner with them and spend the night. I love my family so much and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I wish that they lived closer and I got to see them more than I do. They make me feel so comfortable and special all the time. We went to dinner, watched a movie, made a fire, went fathers day shopping, uncle doug made me an amazing breakfast without even hesitating and they just really show how much they love me. I love being around them. Erica picked up Jaymee from Tacoma and me in Puyallup and then we were on the road again! More disney and Justin Bieber. We got to Boise and stayed the night there. On the way to Boise we made a couple stops, some funny, some sketchy. We stopped at a Safeway and Jaymee had never been to a safeway. She didn't even know it was a grocery store! She was in complete shock the whole time we were there, and on top of that she was freaking out because one of her friends was serving a mission close to where we were! We also stopped at a kinda freaky rest stop/bathroom place. I wont get into the details of that. So yeah, we made it to Boise. Got up the next morning, ate breakfast and drove the rest of the trip. We stopped at Ericas apartment in Logan and got cleaned up, the drove to Jaymees house in Ogden. It was fun to see where she lived and to be able to meet her family. Now they need to make a trip down to Arizona and see where I live! haha. Jaymee and her mom were nice enough to offer to drive me to meet up with my parents so I didn't have to take the bus again. We met up with my parents and then went to Fathers Day dinner at Aunt Marthas! This week I was going non stop. The whole family was there minus the Sorensons in Washington, but I saw them the day before so I was lucky enough to see everyone in those two days. I have the best family and no one else's can compete. We had dinner and talked and then spent the night there. Lindsay, Spencer and I woke up early the next morning to get back to Provo because it was the first day of school. Talk about an insane week.

There were several things said on this road trip that couldn't be forgotten so I wrote them down in my phone. No one will appreciate these as much as I do except Erica and Jaymee. Well they might be funny without an explanation too.

Stupid question, but what does the A stand for? -Zoe

(All the cars in logan had an A sticker on them and it really didn't make sense to me because I knew it had to have something to do with Utah State but the A just didn't click...its for Aggies."

Thats like a mile of cows! -Erica

It would be so boring to be a cow. Life would suck! -Zoe

That's appropriate! -Zoe

Zoe. This is my opinion. Hit it and quit it. -Jaymee

(This was a every unexpected comment thanks to Jaymee Shaw)

This is a safeway? Safeway is a grocery store? Ive never been to safeway before. -Jaymee

Im a vegetarian, except for the chicken. -Erica

Erica I hope you appreciate these! Enough for this post.

Welcome to the real world Zoe.

Today it hit me. It hit me hard. Im not living the easy life anymore. This is the real deal. It scares me a little bit. I don't want to avoid reality, but living in Hawaii, I just had it so good. Very few worries and I just enjoyed myself and my friends company. So now I wonder...do I like that lifestyle more? Is it more fit for me? Did I make the wrong decision? Sitting here, its a little overwhelming, but then I think 'what if I were to stay in hawaii and think that that is real life? what kinda of crazy shock would I be in when I had to enter the real world after living there for 4 years?' I feel like I haven't even experienced everything yet and this is definitely going to be a learning and growing point in my life. I needed the experience of going to Hawaii because it helped me open up to people. It taught me about myself and what kind of friends I should have. It made me more confident in who I am and what I believe. Now, I have this experience of living in the real world, where things aren't just amazing all the time. I cant wake up from a nap and be in class the next minute anymore. I cant walk across the street everyday to get food that is already made for me. I cant take a 5 minute walk to a gorgeous beach and enjoy the scenery. Im cracking down to business ladies and gentlemen. I really hope that Im going to be able to handle such a big change in my life but Im definitely looking forward to the good that will come out of this.

On a less serious note. Today was a pretty good day. When my plane landed, I literally BOOOKED it through the airport to get to a different gate. My friend Matthew Child, who I met at OYA 3 years ago, was about to leave on a plane and we both really wanted to see each other! My plane landed at 10:20, his left at 10:40. So when I say I booked it....I booked it. Let me tell you, I have mastered airports thanks to Hawaii. Man, Im practically pro now. Anyway, so I got to see him for the first time in 3 years! We couldn't believe it! He's such a great guy. We only got to talk for a couple minutes but it was the most unreal, crazy couple minutes ever. He's about to go on a mission to Argentina! Alright, so he had to get on his plane so I went down and got my bags. Lindsay and Spencer picked me up and we ran a couple errands before we stopped by my new house. Luckily I was able to get in and met one of my new roommates. Her name is Natalie, but I don't know much else. All I did was drop my bags off then I went over to Lindsays' place. We sat around and talked for a while and then made some dinner and went to the movie theatre and saw Thor! Such a good movie. I honestly had no idea what it was about and never saw any previews for it. I was pleasantly surprised. Now, Im sitting on their couch, thinking about life. I think about life way too much. Thats probably why I get so worried about Hawaii vs. provo. But I chose Provo and Im not going to live with regrets because regret not good.

Overall: June 13th=success

Finally.

Tomorrow is the day! Im going to Utah! Im pretty much packed, but I gotta put all those last minute things in which normally takes a little bit of time. I am so excited to go but definitely sad to leave behind all of my friends. I made a couple of really great friends at singlesward while I was here and I wish I could hang out with them more, but I know that they will still be here when I get back. This is going to be the craziest week of my life. Tomorrow, I fly into Utah in the morning and Lindsay and Spencer are going to pick me up. When I get to my place (if I can get in..). The rest of the day will probably be spent unpacking and getting settled into my house. Im probably going to be super lonely because Shelley and Melissa don't move in till wednesday. Tuesday I have an appointment with a counselor to get my schedule figured out so that I know what transfers and what I need to take to graduate. So tomorrow and tuesday are the only days that I have to prepare for school. Wednesday morning I am taking a bus to Logan where I will meet up with Erica! I cant wait! She and I are going to get our nails done and go shopping and all that stuff that girls love! The next morning, we are going to wake up early and drive to Seattle! ROOOADD TRIPPPP! So pumped. I haven't really ever been on a road trip like this with friends so Im getting excited! Pray that we make it there safe. When we get there, we are goingto meet up with Jaymee who was Ericas roommate in Hawaii! Love the girl to death. Cannot wait for the reunion! Friday is our friend Mollys wedding which is the reason why we are taking the trip out there. We will be there all of Fridayand like half of Saturday. Im hoping to see my cousins while Im out there but I gotta figure out all the details of the wedding first! Saturday afternoon me, Erica, and Jaymee are going to drive to Boise and stay the night there ( I think) and then drive the rest of the way back on Sunday morning so that I can make my 1:00 bus to Salt Lake where my mom or sister are going to pick me up and we are going to go to a big Fathers Day dinner with my whole family and cousins and everyone! Its practically Christmas! Then I go back to my house and wake up the next morning to go to school. Yayy!

So Im trying to think of what I did this week but like nothing is ringing a bell. Oh. I know. Wednesday morning I got a hair cut. My hair is split

end free! Its a little shorter than it was before but its healthy now and my hair grows fast so its all good! Wednesday afternoon/night I went to the lake with Aliese, Tanner, Kirk, and Matt. It was great! To start it off we did a little bit of cliff

jumping! Then tubing. It was a perfect day for tubing because it was really windy and the water was really choppy! Tubing is the best. We had 2 tubes out and would have wars. Kirk and I were on one and Aliese and Matt were on the other. They literally flew over us. It was insane! The first picture is after that all happened. I wish we had a video of it! All in all it was a blast! After several hours on the water we left and ordered

some pizza from dominos! We stopped at a random gas station in Anthem and my cousin was there! It was definitely a pleasant surprise. We picked up our pizza and went to Tanners sisters house and ate and then left. Good day. Thursday I went with my parents and Sierra to a play that my cousins were in. They are amazing performers and all have awesome voices. 2 things I wish I was better at are singing and dancing. Maybe one day haha. Friday I ran a bunch of errands. I sold some of my clothes at Platos Closet and Buffalo Exchange and made $55! Then I returned a couple things that I didn't end up needing. Total income on Friday $140. That should cover most of my Seattle trip! Booooyaaaa!

On the downside "Life is full of things you don't want to do."

-Sierra Theobald

There are a couple things I don't want to do. One of them...packing. I am almost done with it but right now the one thing I don't want to do the most is get shoulder surgery. So I found out that I have a glenoid labrum tear in my right shoulder which is a rare injury but requires surgery to recover unless you get like a miracle or something. There is no good time to get the surgery because I cant be going to school during recovery. I have to keep my shoulder still in a sling for 6 weeks. Graphic Design major and not moving shoulder....don't mix. I would like to just get the surgery next summer so that I don't have to miss a semester of school, but even that is a bad time. If I waited until next summer I would have to put up with the pain for almost a whole other year! My brain is going to explode from thinking about all my options and none of them are even that great. It sucks.

The craziness of my life.

So last night I hosted a Bridal Shower at my house for one of my very best friends. I think that it turned out really well and there was a good amount of people that showed up! It sort of started to put things more into perspective for me and I bet for Marie as well!

Today at church I ran into a kid that I know I have met before, because he CLEARLY knew who I was or else he wouldn't have come up to me and hugged me and started questioning me about my life. He looks super familiar but I cannot figure out where I know him from or what his name is! I had to pretend I knew who he was, but I really had no idea. I think I met him in Hawaii? He mentioned the beach so Im assuming he went to BYU Hawaii but I honestly don't remember how I met him or anything! I feel super bad. He's totally oblivious that I had no idea who he was. Oh well. It was a nice conversation.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day! To start it off, Im going to take my mom to work. Then Im gonna go to the gym, then I have to get an MRI on my shoulder again (which I will explain later), and then I get to see my favorite Aiono girls!! Taylor and Sidney are really good friends from BYU Hawaii that are from Arizona! Their family just moved to California so Im not exactly sure why they are here but I don't care! Because I get to see them tomorrow! We're going to shop at Last Chance! Ill be sure to update on that reunion. Im sure lots of pictures will be taken! I love these girls to death and am about to pee my pants thats how excited I am to see them!

I never imagined that I would see so many of my Hawaii friends outside of Hawaii, but I was definitely wrong! Next week, when I move up to Utah, I get to see Erica, Karla, Jason, Kelsi, Kelts and a couple other people, and then when I road trip to Seattle with Erica I get to see Jaymee and Molly! I cant imagine what my life would be like had I not had the experience of going to Hawaii. I wouldn't know any of these amazing people that I get to see so soon! Ive been so blessed with great friends and opportunities!

Ok, now Im going to explain my shoulder. Sorry for jumping around so much in this blog! :) So the past two years of my life have practically been a lie. Two years ago, on July 18th, 2009, I was in a really bad car accident. From the impact of the collision, I injured my right shoulder. For a while I was seeing a chiropractor. We went through some physical therapy that seemed to help in the moment but not so much over time. I got an MRI and was told that I had Bursitis. Bursitis is a condition where there is inflammation of the bursi (fluid sac thing...don't really know the purpose of it). They told me that it would heal over time but I had to lay back on the volleyball and not be so active with it. 2 years later, and it feels no different. The pain is very random. Sometimes it is a sharp shooting pain, other times its just a very uncomfortable feeling and sometimes its just a little achey. Nothing really triggers the pain. Its just constant. I don't really ever complain about it because it has become such a normal feeling. Ive just got used to it even though it still hurts really bad. So about 2 weeks ago I went to see a different doctor; one that knew more about my problem than a chiropractor would. I brought in my old MRI's and he was able to point out a few different things that looked wrong. He mentioned that I might have a tear, or somethings wrong with my rotator cuff, and something about extra fluid that shouldn't be there (maybe has to do with bursitis? no clue.) Anyway, this entire time I thought I had bursitis, but little did I know that it was more than that. A tear?! I could possibly need surgery! This isn't funny business people. This is the real deal. So tomorrow I have to get another MRI, but its a little different than the first one I got. They have to inject blue ink or something into my shoulder before so that like veins or something show up on the MRI. The only upside of having this injury is that the worse the injury, the more money the insurance company gives me for my "physical and emotional pains". We're talking big bucks here guys. Im stoked to see how much money I get haha. Its sad that thats what Im excited for. My friends brother was in a car accident a while back and got a stiff neck for a couple days. He got $1000. Can you imagine what kind of money Im going to get?! Me either. Its unreal. Also, If I do get surgery....I smell a handicap parking pass coming my way! Oooooooohh yeaahhhhh. Be jealous.

Sorry friends, I took a blogging vacation but Im back!

It has been way too long since I last posted...totally unacceptable, which is why Im changing my ways. I've been home for a little over a month which blows my mind because I haven't done much while I've been here besides almost finishing all 6 seasons of Lost. Pathetic, I know. But besides that, I've got a lot of extra time left over to think. Think about life. Think about my friends. Think things I wish I had done, and the things Im glad I did.

This whole last week I was with my family in Tennessee for Jason's graduation. It was nothing like I expected there. I don't even know what I thought it was supposed to be like but Tennessee is beautiful. My senior year, an assistant volleyball coach from a Christian college called me wondering if I would be interested in playing for them. I said yes, but I didn't think anymore about it. My first thought was "Tennessee? ehh." Little did I know, Tennessee is an amazing place and this is one thing that I have been thinking about a lot recently. Pretty much ever since my injury and club season ended, It's been killing me not to be able to play. Had I taken one of the college offers, I wouldn't be in this situation. But all I can do now is tell myself 'shoulda coulda woulda.' Theres nothing I can do about it now. It would have been a great experience, and I could be doing the thing I love the most. But then I realized that wishing I would have done something differently in the past is not going to do anything for me. I've got to reflect on the good things. A lot of peoples dreams became my reality. This last year was the best year of my life, no doubt. Living in Hawaii didn't just get me a really nice tan, but taught me a lot. It taught me about true friendships. You don't have to know a person for 19 years to find a true friend. I made the most amazing friends in Hawaii and it kills me not to be going back to them, but I know that they will always be in my life. It taught me open up to people. I didn't just go to college with half my senior class, but I had to go out of my way to meet people. That was probably the scariest part of going out there. Little did I know, it was probably the best thing I ever did. I have a whole different perspective on a lot of things. It taught me how to be independent, and how to have self motivation. It showed me a whole different world that no one would ever understand without experiencing it themselves. I couldn't be more grateful for Hawaii and everything that it taught me and cannot wait to see whats going to happen once I am moved in in Utah.

One night in Tennessee, we ate at PF Changs. We all got our fortune cookie's at the end and read them to each other (as a side note, we like to say "in bed" at the end. it makes them 1000x better). Spencer's said, "Don't put off till tomorrow what can be done today." First off, putting "in bed" and the end of that one was perfect but I've been thinking a lot about that fortune. Earlier I mentioned how recently I've been thinking about the things I wish I had done. There are some things in Hawaii that I never got around to doing because I would always put them off for another day and then something else would get in the way so it would get postponed again. Now, I totally regret putting off a lot of those things. Lesson learned. So from now on, I'm gonna worship that fortune. Not really worship, but I think you get it. I don't want to keep regretting not doing things, so I'm not going to let there be anything to regret! Inspirational thought of the day by: Zoe.

Lastly, I just thought I'd summarize my Tennessee trip with a few photos. Enjoy!

Somehow we all kinda matched.

Partyin, Partyin...YEAH!

So delicious.

Strawberries. Enough said.

I'd say we look pretty dang good.

TACO MAMACITA!

On our way to Pinkberry for like the 3rd day in a row!

Mawaddge is what bwiings uss togetthaa todaay.

A ton of crazy things are happening and Im starting to feel other than I actually am. 2 nights ago, 2 of my best friends got engaged! I couldn't be more happy for them.

Im going to start with Emily. Emily is engaged to Jeremiah Denton. They knew each other for a whole 3 weeks before they got engaged! That my friends, is true love. When you know, you know. I met Emily my freshman year during volleyball tryouts. She noticed that I was wearing an EFY bracelet and thats where it all started. We had seminary together and some classes throughout high school together too. Ms. Greenfields class was probably the most memorable one and if you know Ms. Greenfield, then you know why. I am so excited for Emily and Jeremiah. They look great together and are perfect for each other. They are a great example of what a truly happy, and in love couple should be like.

Now for Marie. Marie is engaged to Steven Llewellyn who has been in my stake for as long as I can remember. It kinda makes me think...am I going to marry someone that I already know too? Someone that has been in my ward or stake for all these years and it just hasn't clicked yet? Oh the possibilities. Its hard to believe she's getting married but I am truly excited for her and Steven. They are an amazing couple and work really well with each other. Im looking forward to what comes next. Now for some more pictures...

Words cannot explain how excited I am for all of them. They have come so far and this is a really exciting time for them and I get to be a part of both of them. Emily is getting married in the Mesa temple and Marie is getting married in the Bountiful temple. Im so excited to be a bridesmaid for the both of them. I hope that one day I can be where they are now, engaged to the most amazing man for them. It gets me thinking...am I going to be engaged within 3 weeks of dating someone? or am I going to marry someone I've grown up with? My thoughts are all over the place. I know Im most likely not going to be getting married any time soon. Im not exactly ready and I don't really want to yet either. The dating scene for me hasn't been that great, ever. Im hoping that it picks up sometime in the near future. I could use a boost of self-confidence in that area. I am very confident in who I am, and I know that everything in my life is happening for a reason, so I try not to get down on myself when I see all these people dating and getting engaged when Im just not. One day it will be my turn and I definitely look forward to that day. In the mean time, Im just going to live my happy single life just the way I want to until the time is right for me to find my man.

Last day of work.

So last thursday was my last day of work and its tradition in the food and beverage department that when its someones last day, they get soaked with water in some way shape or form. A week before my last day, two guys quit and all they got was sprayed but a hose. But no, my last day was taken to the extreme. I got thrown into the lagoon. So nasty. My uniform still reeks of that dirty water even after washing it. Anyway, I was not expecting that at all but it makes a fun memory! I had the time of my life working at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was amazing and I will never forget it. Here are some pictures throughout my time there. They're in a super random order...sorry.

Last day with as many people I could find. (Left to right: Tiare, Liz, Roger, Larissa, Caesar, Me, Anthea, Lana)

Before.

After.

My girls behind the scene.

Cesar. Love this kid.

Karla! My favorite Chilean friend.

Most of the gateway workers.

Cesar again.

Clocking in/out.