God knew how hard it would be, so He gave us each other.

We joke about being the same person...but it's true. What are the odds that I would meet a girl who lives just minutes from me, who is as new to California as I am, as scared as I am, and as homesick as I am? What are the chances that we would have so much in common? From insanley simmilar boy issues to the same grandparent situation (we both just have our grandmother on our mom's sides), we discover more similarities everyday. Being able to understand each other's struggles, we help each other immensley. We learn about ourselves by helping the other. I am so greatfull for you Meredith, you have no idea.

Except you probably do, because we're the same person.

I hope they know.

I just hope they realize how special and unique this friendship is. I hope they are treating each other well and never taking each other for granted. They are so blessed to be together, and I hope they know it. I'm so blessed to know them, and I'm blessed with the knowledge that I will know and love them forever.

It's starting to make sense.

I had such an amazing night with four of my new friends. After a long day of school, football, incredible pizza and frozen yogurt, a sleepover  seemed the be just the thing we needed. We were well provisioned with lucky charms, peanut m&ms, cheeze-its, and rather suspicious leftover Chinese food. The Parent Trap was the movie selection for the evening. 

As I sat there watching Lindsay Lohan return home to her father's amazing mansion/vineyard  in Northern California, I could not help but laugh at the circumstances I'm now living in. I've seen The Parent Trap more times than I can possibly remember, but not once did it ever occur to me that I would end up living in Northern California myself. How did this happen, and why? I wasn't willing to see any positives at first, but now I know God's blessing me with something amazing by bringing me here. How else would I have met Meredith, Stephanie, Lindsay, Lesley, Missy, or Olivia? They are so awesome, yet I would never have had the gift of their friendship if I stayed in Kingwood. I feel spoiled beyond belief, having a beautiful network of friends in two states. This isn't the terrible exile I had prepared myself for, this is a blessing. Yes, if I were home right now I would die of happiness. However, if I were home right now, I wouldn't have been able to listen to the beautiful song Lesley wrote on her acoustic guitar, and I wouldn't have been able to learn it as we sat in a tent in her backyard. We took turns practicing the masterpiece and alternated the duty of holding up the flashlight for whoever was lucky enough to be holding the guitar at that moment. Meredith, already a song writer, is going to try to come up with some lyrics. I have no doubt that they will be wonderful. Missy's going to make up another guitar part. Though we joked about developing a violin accompaniment, I feel blessed enough just being able to watch Lesley's beautiful song grow. Yes, if I were home right now I would die of happiness. But I wouldn't have heard the song. 

It's a good song.

My New Abode (This, Lindsey, is for you)

Oh, take me back to the start.

Nobody said it was easy.

Oh, it's such a shame for us to part.

Nobody said it was easy,

No one ever said it would be so hard.

I'll never find words that express my state of mind more clearly.

Thanks, Chris Martin.

I miss you all so much. What wouldn't I give to be back with you? 

There are so many good memories I want to relive.

Please, take me back to the start.

CLP 2009

This summer I gained a new family. We spent every waking moment together, from learning life guarding and first aid to realizing what it takes to be a great great counselor at Camp Olympia. We spent endless hours in the pool, chasing kids, and building beautiful, deep, and lasting friendships with one another. Oh, and we climbed mountains in Colorado. I've never had a more amazing three weeks in my life. It's true that I've said that about camp every summer since I was a mere 7-year-old, but this time it's true. Those three weeks changed me as a person. 

The hardest, most difficult and seemingly impossible challenges in our lives are the times that make us who we are. That's when one's true colors are revealed. What do you want people to see?

Tainted Beauty.

California's okay. However, I miss my life. 

When I'm upset, I normally turn to my ipod for comfort. Sadly, every song seems to have memories mixed in that cause me pain to relive. They are good recollections, but I want so badly to return to them that it hurts. Time for some new music. Suggetions are most welcome!