dad's sweater

Today has just been one of those days. 

The ones you want to sleep off and pretend they never happened. 

So around 2:00 I popped on this little sweater. I bought it for my dad right after I came home from Kenya with hope that it would up his fashion a little. I guess he never wore it. 

It came back to me. 

I am so thankful it came in the mail a few days ago. There is so much comfort wearing my poppy's clothes.

I needed this sweater today. 

Tomorrow will be great. I know it. 

materialism

There is this constant internal struggle that I have. This struggle is something that came on because of Kenya. People there live so simply and only have the bare minimums. There is no money or time or need to be materialistic there.

I love this way of thinking.

This weekend I have been going through all my clothes and other isha that I just never use anymore and seriously just takes up space. I don't need it anymore. Let's be honest... I most likely didn't need it to begin. So far I have one trash bag exploding with goodies for the DI and many others that will most likely join that bag. I feel good about doing this and living more simply but the struggle is still there.

My struggle is as simple as this:
I am trying my hardest not to be materialistic in a society that suffocates me with thoughts of "I need more," and "I need the best version." 

I found myself today just wanting more and more and more.
No! No! Megan! 
I have what I need.
Who really needs 500 pairs of shoes and 400 shirts? Freaking no one. There are not even that many days in a year.

What I really need to do is give more or go back to Kenya.
Most likely the sweet combo of the both.

I challenge everyone to live more simply. I know it makes you more happy.

President Uchtdorf said,
"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."


We don't need to go out and buy things to make us happy. Happiness is all around us. 
No need to be materialistic. 

These are the journals I got. Which one do you like more? 

They are perfect for everything. 

Sunday notes

Devo notes 

Journal entries

Making lists

Etc. Etc. 

I choose the one with the elephant. Aren't they the most precious things you have seen in a long time?

I also found these lush bracelets. I love them so so much. They are super stiff. I am hoping that they will loosen up. They look great with the rest of my collection. 

slumber

Starting on Thursday of this week we begun slumber. Every night starting on Thursday we have been sleeping out in the living room. Only Alica, Haley and I were home this weekend and we have been making the best of it. Not to hate on my roomies but I thought this weekend was going to be so boring with the three of us but it has been so great. 

The others don't need to come home. 

Alica needed to do a service project with 10 men hours. She got together a little group and we all indexed for an hour plus each. It was so great. It was just fun to all sit around and talk about dead people. Let's be real. That is really what happened. Trying to figure out what some of these names and places they name is like trying to solve the hardest puzzle of my life. I swear they either had high grandma's write these census reports or 5th graders. There is really nothing in between. 

The weekend is young and the Hunger Games was great. 

Thank heavens there is no school tomorrow. 

little updates

I know I have said this a million times but I do have a goal to be a better blogger. I just wish my camera was not MIA getting fixed for the zillionth time.

But on the flipside... I am so grateful to have a camera .

Kaleigh bought me two pairs of oxfords. I am trying to add them to my everyday outfits. It has been a struggle but I did get compliments on them the one time I wore them. I guess that should give me the confidence to keep wearing them.

I have been on a skirt/dress kick lately. Forget the pants at home. There is a negative of the skirt/dress kick. I swear that the heavens have opened and let loose the winds of Satan. This is no joke. I have flashed 100% of Rexburg in this last week. I am so sorry for the innocent people. Luckily I rock the biker shorts under just in case.

I filled  (the kids in Kenya filled) my journal. I have been in dire need of a new one. Journals are expensive and nasty looking most of the time. I have been on the hunt for a little beaut that will be blessed with the words of Megan Butler. Let's be honest... I haven't been looking at all but I would like to justify my purchase I made today of two journals. These are the cutest journals I have seen in a very long time. Target and all those other places have nothing on them. I couldn't choose the one I like more in the store so I got both of them. The reject is headed in Kaleigh's direction. It is far from a reject. They were also only $9.00. I feel like that is a good bargain for a fabulous journal.

Totally justified.

Kaleigh and I are trying to think of a good fundraiser to go back to Africa. We are going to do a yard sale/ bake sale again because that was a hit last year. We raked in about $600. I was so thankful for that. If you have any good ideas send them our way.

While your brain is flowing also think of fun activities that I can put on at I-night. I challenged my co-manager to come prepared to share 5 new ideas with me and I said I would do the same. Please help me out.

Well got to go to the Hunger Games!!! It is my first time seeing it.
Write more later.

god bless the usa

Sometimes I just love America
Like today after a good talk with a best friend since basically forever.
It is almost one am.
Then the perfect song came on as I drive off in my car instead of being squished in a matatu.
It was a beautiful moment.

These times are rare but they do come.

These are my roommates this semester.

Talia, Haley, Alica, Kathy, Bailey and I.

We are Carriage House 213.

We all get along perfectly. We have wonderful girl time. 

It is a dream. 

internship

I have one year of schooling left. 

This means an internship is right around the corner. 

For reals. 

I just told my mom that I would rather give child birth right now over looking for an internship. 

The most frustrating part is that I know that going to Kenya this winter can count but they want me to explore my other options and see what else there is out there. 

Basically what it comes down to is they want the students to get paid and not volunteer for their services. 

Haters.

This means I am currently looking for an internship where I work in recreation on a international level. 

Yeah... doesn't that sound like an easy internship to find?

Not. 

If you would love to help a sister out if you see or hear anything I would love you forever and ever. 

Like no joke. 

Pray for my soul. 

calling

I wish my calling cards would work.
This is all I want.

It has been over a week.
A simple hello is all I need.

we found love

My friend Devin facebooked me this video. 

It was insta-love. 

Just try to take it all in. 

I don't think you can.

fairy tale

I like this guy. 

I think everyone knows that by now. 

I have been trying to figure out how to do a blog post about it. 

I really have no idea how to. 

Bare with me.

There are a few problems. 

Like maybe an ocean or a few countries in between us. 

Minor details. 

We met at a YSA dance. Typs Mormon. 

The twist is it all happened in Kenya. 

Here I am and he is still there. 

We started to court for the last half of my time there. 

Did we break up? No. 

Are we still courting? We both think so. 

We both still like each other. 

And that is all that matters.

He likes to take things slowly anyway.

This is a great way for us to really get to know each other. 

I honestly can say I never saw this coming.

You can ask Kaleigh.

Journal entry from the first day I met him:

Feburary 14, 2012 

"Oscar is my new crush."

Who ever guessed he was feeling the same thing?

I am not stupid. I realize that one day it might end. 

But for now... he is my little fairy tale. 

back

I have been home from Kenya for one month this week. I cannot believe it. It feels like I been home for years and it only has been one month.

Since I have been home I have done a lot. 

I got my hair cut. Leighann Peters is a beast. 

I got back to school and instantly got way involved. I really have no idea how it all happened but I am sso involved that it is ridiculous. I am one of two people that are in charge of I-Night. I go to meetings once a day for it. Once a day. Holy cow... I had no idea what I signed up for. 

I am super grateful I am involved with this. I love having something to do at basically all hours of the day. I fall asleep planning I-Night. 

I-Night is the largest party that BYU-Idaho plans. There should be about 3,000 people that go to this party in the fall. It is the largest one yet. 

The picture is from a retreat my council went on before we all started to plan things. 

Because Kev and I have like 100% opposite lives we never really see each other. We have had maybe one or two times to hang out. He is still a great friend. 

As roommates we went to a mocktail party. We got all dressed up and went to this classy party. 

I rocked my African dress to church one day. It makes me look like a baller. 

It took a long time for me to get the pictures but I finished my board. I love it. Everyone loves it. I don't have a picture of it but above my window there are some super cute animals that Addie helped me draw and cut out. 

Addie and I have had ample hang out time. She has a long distance relationship and I just haven't really been  feeling not super social on the dating scene. You most likely can guess why. 

I love her so much. We love going on walks together at Porter Park. We just walk and walk and walk laps. It is so fabulous. 

For Alica's class she had to plan and go on a group date. She asked us roommates to find dates and go. Of course I asked Kevin. I was going for the boy with the least commitment. He understood and totally was a gentleman and went with.

We played wallyball, played games and ate a homemade cookie monster. Honestly it was super fun. I got to laugh a lot.

We have had multiple photo shoots. My roomie Haley is a photography major and just needs models all the time. I am more then happy to except the offer. 

For this photo shoot I picked out everyone's outfits. It was awesome. I think that they all came together really colorfully and beautifully. 

And that is my semester thus far. 

Nothing too exciting and nothing too bad. 

reason 571

I love Kenya because...
when I am there I never have to worry about my little tosh problem.

I forget about it.
It never acts up.

And then I come home and it is Hades all over again.

whole flipping life

I went to the doctor yesterday.
If you have been a faithful blog stalker then you already know that I have this lovely problem with my tosh.
I just went in to tell them it was acting up again and see what are the next meds I need to start taking or who I need to be referred to.

This is like my 9th time going to the doctor for the same reason.
Maybe it is like the 6th doctor that I have talked to about it.
This is nothing new to me.

But this time I was hit with the reality of it all.
I have no idea why I never asked this before:

I asked, "So, am I going to have to deal with this the rest of my life?"
The doctor, "Yes. This is something you will always struggle with."

Forever.
My whole flipping life.
Fabulous.

The way to make it so I am not in pain everyday is to change my diet.
I have gone through all my food.
I gave away a bunch of it.
No more dairy. Little meat.
Junk food? No sir. (maybe every once and awhile) 

It basically feels like I get to be a super relaxed vegan.
My diet is now all high fiber goods, tons of fruits, veggies, flax seed galore and whole wheat.

I am trying my hardest. I realize it is the first week but I am trying.
Already I am noticing a difference.
I wasn't in pain at all today. That is such a blessing.

Cheers to the rest of my life.

airport

Worst experience ever. 

We got in the taxi and drove to the airport. 

It was awful. 

I don't know how else to describe it. 

The taxi guy dropped off Gabby, Oscar, Kaleigh and I. 

And we had to just walk away from them. 

We gave them hugs and forced ourselves to walk away. 

You can just fathom how fast we lost it. 

The best part was when we were getting our luggage checked and this lady asked Kaleigh how she was doing. Bad question. Kaleigh LOST it. There was no stopping those crocodile tears. 

We got on a plane. After a while it all stopped. 

All the tears. We were dry. 

We let it all out.

We crashed. 

We had 3 months of constant go that finally caught up with us. 

last night

After we goodbye to the boys we went to Nairobi. John and Babu took us to the hotel we were staying it our last night. It reminded me so much of New Zealand and the places that we stay when we are there. After we got settled there with our bags in the rooms, John drove us into the city and dropped us. Kaleigh and I got in some good retail therapy at Mr. Price. That store was incredible. I got two dresses and one skirt. We went shopping while waiting for the boys to meet up with us. 

They finally showed up and we went to the Giraffe Center. Kaleigh wanted to go there so bad. It was a super chill trip. We had a great time just being together. 

Giraffes are such amazing animals. You have to see one in person... super up close. I swear I can stare at them for hours. The park closed and we needed to head back into town. We went to Tusky's to get treats. The boys were so hesitant to grab things. We encouraged them to get whatever they have ever wanted to try. Oscar went for pringles and Gabby wanted a doughnut. I forgot what the other boys got but it was funny to see their choices. We also got pizza and headed back to the hotel.

We played truth or dare. These next few pictures are of that. Brian hates sour and I made him eat a huge pack of sour gum. I thought that he was going to die or something from the facial expressions that he was making. 

Oscar got dared to lick my forehead. It was the weirdest feeling ever. Poor boy most likely got 5 diseases from it because I hadn't showered in a few days and sweated a lot. 

He also got dared to do a flip on the trampoline. This is no big deal for him because he did acrobatics many years. The trampoline made it easier for him. 

We were super loud all night long. Well, the boys were so loud. They got talked to about it a bunch of times.     We stayed up until 2 or 3 before Kaleigh and I went to bed. It was just one of those things... the sooner that we went to bed the sooner that our time in Kenya was over. The boys said that they didn't sleep at all.

To say the least we were so tried and way emotional in the morning. 

kwaheri

Saying goodbye to these boys is never easy. 

They are the owners of my hearts. 

One is hurt I am hurt. 

Like the momma bird syndrome. 

There are no words for how much I love them. 

I can call them all by name and most of them I can call them by both of their names. 

I know their cries and the songs of their hearts. 

To say the least... saying goodbye was still hard the second time. 

No, it was not easier. 

I knew what to expect but my heart still ached. 

I love Kenya. 

I love these boys. 

I will see them again and most likely have to say goodbye again. 

I hope it is awful saying goodbye in the future because that is when you know that you have spent your time well and given them all of your heart.