It's good to be home

I've been back in Colorado for some time now and let me be the first to say-it's such a great feeling to be home. Classes are going perfect and I'm making a lot of new friends. However, it's nice to find comfort in the one place I call home with growing relationships and new adventures. Even with the temperatures dropping, I am having the time of my life. The feeling of constant growth in my new life is one of enjoyment. Everyday keeps getting better and better. (Also, I am currently learning how to dress for my first winter-wish me luck!)

Outfit breakdown: pants- Forever 21, boots- Charming Charlies, scarf and blazer- H&M, hat- gift

What I've learned

In just a few short days, I will be heading back to my home. To say the least, I am beyond excited. Even though my last few days in Mesa are filled with long boarding dates, day trips, and hikes, my mind cannot help but reflect on my past semester. I've learned so much in the past four months it's felt like five years. I love my new life in Colorado and I am grateful for all I've learned in that short amount of time. A feeling of excitement is all I feel when I look forward at my uncharted life. Here is a video I made of my first semester and a few life lessons my good friends and I have learned.

• Doing laundry at three am is the best time.
•  "God knows the true desires of my heart and satisfies them at exactly the right time." -Abigial
•  "God is always faithful, no matter what my opinion or plan is.” -Aaron
• It doesn't matter where you sit during Tiger Ball, you're never safe!
• "Trust and thank God in every situation good or bad, and if we want to be there or not because He is in control."-Jon
• Baking is always a better choice than homework
• If Taylor Swift starts playing loudly upstairs it's time for a dance party.
• Let it go
• "How funny and weird some of the people on campus are and yet how we still love them more than anything."-Jon
• If you don't go to bed, the birthday fairy won't come.
• Get the help you deserve.
• "Procrastination is still a bad idea." -Tami
• Pinterest is the best thing to ever happen to any college girl.
• "Don't goad someone into praking you." -Chris
• "Harry Potter is incredible." -Tami
• Stand up for what you believe and find out what you don't.
• “Don’t worry about God’s plans for life. In my new stage of life at college relying on  God’s plan is so important.” -Mackenzy
• Admit when you made a mistake.
• “God gives us natural talents/gifts and passions for a reason and we need to respond to His call by using them for His glory and to fulfill His purpose for us.” -Katie
• "It's a bad idea to talk to Sarah Norris before she is fully awake." -Tami
• Never trust the printer a couple hours before a major paper for FYI is due.
• "Nerf guns are the best thing to have in college." -Chris
• “It may look like chaos down here but God has everything in control up there.” -Sam
• "Don't trust Cockpit." -Tami

Home sweet home

After a long day of traveling, I am finally home from Mexico. It was seriously one of my favorite trips. The whole week was wonderful and relaxing to the point where I had the time of my life. Most of my time spend there was filled with sight seeing, driving around, shopping and lots of eating. Trust me, I never wanted to leave the food. It is beyond amazing and I was a very spoiled girl. I got to try all these new types of dishes and if Mexican food wasn't my favorite before it is now. However, beans with every meal is no joke. I had so much fun meeting all new people, "trying" to speak the language, and meeting all of Zac's family. I am so glad that I finally had an good experience in Mexico because I would love to go back. Nevertheless, it's good to be home.

I found Mexican frozen yogurt everywhere. One point for Mexico!

Check out all the photos from the trip here.

Cheater, cheater ice cream eater

Before I left for Sedona I did some research on some place to eat in the small town. My findings brought me to Black Cow ice cream; a ice cream shop that makes all their flavors fresh everyday. Since my frozen yogurt obsession originated from my ice cream addiction I had to check this place out. While in Sedona Zac and I tried to go in a couple times but the line was out the door. So finally we got our chance and it was totally worth; ice cream can make any great day better. Black Cow's freshly made ice cream is to die for and they present a lot of different flavors. Since it was hard deciding I got Peppermint Chip and Zac got Espresso Swirl and we shared. Both flavors where delicious and I was reminded how good ice cream is. Even though I feel like I cheated on frozen yogurt, Black Cow's ice cream is my only exception.

I thought this was so funny. Zac didn't think it was as funny as I did but who wouldn't laugh at a tip jar that said "cow tipping."

Zac loves ice cream too.

A few of my favorite things

1. Going off Campus As seniors we receive the special privilege of going off campus for lunch. During my fall semester, I hardly ever took advantage of this. Now I try to make it off campus everyday. This and going to spouts for the sandwich special has become one of my new favorites.

2. Popsicles I totally forgot how much I love Popsicles till one of the editors brought a box to yearbook one day. The coolness of a yummy Popsicle is truly unbeatable. It was the best part of my day when the staffers compared the change of color on their tongues.

3. When other people fall I have been known to fall, trip, and stumble from time to time so it's refreshing when my follow clumsy friends take the big fall to the ground. It's nice not to be the only one who trips over nothing while simply walking.

4. Church camp "This one time at church camp.." now that that's out of the way. I love church camp, I compare it to family vacations. This year was my last one and it was one of the best. It was most likely the most calm weekend I've ever had at camp and it was also the perfect get away from the craziness in my life at the moment. It was also strange to think that just four short years ago I was afraid to get into the van to go to my very, first camp. As camp came to a close, it made me more and more sad to know it was my last camp ever. Hopefully, I will be running one of those camps sometime soon.

5. Mini me Meet one of my best friend's little sister, Kendall. I swear this cool kid is trying to be the next Melanie. When I went over to Kaylie's house for our usual Gossip Girl night her sister only did something if I did, had soda if I had soda, and desperately wanted to sit next to me during diner. She actually only put on her PJ's when she saw I had mine on as well. Yes, it's always nice to be admired and copied.

6. Best friend time My best friend Dahlya has a history of being kinda busy. Whether it's travel, school, or auditions Dahlya has a full load. For this reason, when she has a free moment for best friend time I take it. She makes my days better and brighter so spending time with her is a must. Honestly, these past couple weeks she has been the best possible friend ever and every time I spend even a ounce of time with her I become more thankful for her presence in my daily life.

7. Dance parties Every year at church camp we throw a dance party. Last year, it was 80s themed and this year was neon. It got a little crazy and the best part was at the end when all the seniors got into a huge huddle to spend the last song together. My youth group is cool.

Looking back I'm not sure where the past two weeks have gone. I was thinking about it earlier today and I had a lot of fun but my business has consumed me to the point where I don't remember falling asleep. But, I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I was reading my journal the other night and I came across a paragraph I wrote on December 19, 2010, "I feel so lucky sometimes. Even when I'm really stressed I am still loved by God, I still love others, and I am still loved by others. Even when I have a lot of problems going on I am still forgiven. I have faith." This still rings true in my life today. As my best friend once said to me, "Life is too short to be sad about anything."