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. :)
