I never saw blue like that...

Today I took a walk up the street,

Picked a flower and climbed the hill above the lake

And secret thoughts were said aloud,

We watched the faces in the clouds

Until the clouds had blown away.

And were we ever somewhere else?

You know, it's hard to say.

But I never saw blue like that before -

Across the sky, around the world -

You've given me all you have and more.

And no one else has ever shown me how

To see the world the way I see it now.

Oh I never saw blue like that...

I can't believe a month ago I was alone

I didn't know you, I hadn't seen you or heard your name.

And even now I'm so amazed

It's like a dream, it's like a rainbow

It's like the rain.

And some things are the way they are

And words just can't explain.

But I never saw blue like that before -

Across the sky, around the world -

You've given me all you have and more.

And no one else has ever shown me how

To see the world the way I see it now.

Oh I never saw blue like that before.

And it feels like now, and it feels always

And it feels like coming home....

I never saw blue like that before -

Across the sky, around the world -

You've given me all you have and more.

And no one else has ever shown me how

To see the world the way I see it now.

Oh I never saw blue that like that before.

Oh, I never saw blue that like that....

by Shawn Colvin

Just rollin' along...

Yes, I know it's been a while since I posted something to my blog. These past couple months seem like a blur. Having been out of work for the past two months has been frustrating, especially for someone like me who likes to be busy and productive. But my extended illness has provided me lots of time to spend with family, to read and to cultivate good habits (maybe...), so I am grateful for what this trial has taught me. I am incredibly thankful for those who have been so loving, supportive, patient and kind during this incredibly stressful time.
I'm looking forward to returning to work tomorrow. I feel the same excitement I felt to get back to school after a long summer holiday. I'm looking forward to whatever the future holds, especially looking forward to graduate school and all the adventures that will bring. I got to teach Primary today and had such a wonderful time....kids are amazing, eh??
For those of you who have read "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O", my subject line will make perfect sense. I still feel much like the Missing Piece did, but I am slowly learning to roll and I'm sure once a few more of my rough edges are chipped off, the rolling will become easier. :)

Saturday Afternoon Musings...

It's been an intense few weeks. I've been studying for the LEED exam and I just passed it! I moved out of my parent's house a few months back and now I'm living in 4S Ranch with three wonderful roommates. Work has been crazy busy...I feel like I always have too much to do, but I love the challenge and I love my coworkers, who are all so fun. I just received the calling to be a temple worker in the San Diego temple. I work on Saturday nights and I look forward to it all week long. There is such a peace there, the love in that beautiful place is tangible...I didn't think something like that was possible. I love being a part of something so beautiful, love to be serving with so many others who are such good people.

I miss my family. I only moved out a couple months ago, but I guess you never really realize how accustomed you are to having the ones you love so close until they are not so close. The two newest loves of my life, my niece Kaylee and nephew Dallin, can always bring a smile to my face. As I watch them growing bigger and bigger, I am becoming more and more aware just how fast time flies. I can hardly believe I'm almost 30, but I look back on my life and realize that I have had a lot of great experiences and have been surrounded by wonderful people, so I have much to be grateful for.

My dream right now is to get accepted to graduate school, hopefully the University of Virginia to get a double master's degree in Architecture and Architectural History. I would also like to learn a new language, maybe Spanish. My dream job would be to restore historic architecture around the world so that future generations can marvel at the architectural masterpieces of the world and be inspired and awed by them as I am.

My other dream right now is to continue to regain my health. I have suffered from general anxiety disorder for the past 5 years, and it has been a constant silent struggle. I never realized how devastating and life changing a health problem can be, especially one that is invisible to and not understood by even those closest to me. But I can say, that I have learned a lot over these past 5 years, and I've learned to smile even on my toughest days. I have come to recognize that everybody has their struggles, most of which are carried inside where nobody can see, and I am learning more and more just how much of a need there is for kindness in this world. And maybe we don't need to understand everyone and everything.

The greatest loves of my life are my sisters. I am constantly amazed by them and the women they have become. Being the oldest of 5 girls, I grew up feeling like I had to watch out for them, protect them, etc. But they each have become women that I am so proud of, with so many amazing characteristics that I admire them for. My sisters Gretchen and Lora are wonderful mothers. They work so hard and love so much. My sister Clara is so creative and artistically talented. She can make anything beautiful. Katie has a magnetic personality that draws people to her and makes them feel loved. Is anybody surprised why I love each of them so much??

I am looking forward to a wonderful summer full of new friends and new adventures. I'm sure there are great things on the horizon. :)