First Impressions

"I shook your hand, looked deep into your soul. So far into it that my image went straight to your heart. I then rolled out a piece of parchment paper, pulled out a scroll, dipped it into fine black ink, and wrote Alex." 

-Alex, last name unknown

(He didn't write his last name down on the parchment.) 

I have this tendency to get a little over stressed in new situations. First impressions are big with me and I am one of those that makes an opinion of a situation right off the bat. For example, last year when I moved to Utah I was set that my new roommate was a prude. She has now turned into my best friend. Moving into the HH scared the heck out of me because all I could see at first was the blue, dust, old, and the blue. It however is shaping up to be a great experience and turning into a perfect little home for my prudent best friend and I. 

So with the different transitions that are coming up I'm looking to make the best of them. I'm doing my best not to swiftly cast judgement and keep my parchment paper judgement free.

Pictures of the improved version to come.

Hog Wild

Being home has been great. I have had a chance to relax, get some important things done, but most importantly go hog wild with my family.

A rose between two thorns or something like that.

This is how we play just dance in the Rieske family. (The wrong way.)

My brother is applying to med school. We went to town working on his application. 

This is the end result. Richard was pooped after pulling two straight all nighters so I had to drive him to turn in his application. 

While waiting for Richard-Ross, we went on an adventure. I hope that when I am 84 years old I can look as good as this woman.

Remember the great drought of 2011? Debo will point out every brown tree in the near area. It was an appropriate picture to take. 

I love old Arkansas and I'm sure going to miss it and my family.

Dollar Dollar Bills Yall

"For I don't care too much for money, money can't buy my love."

-The Beatles

Everyone my age is suppose to be broke right? I keep saying that to suffice for the fact that I spent pretty much my only pay check of the summer on a Wii. At the moment it seemed like the most logically sound finacial decision I could make and since then I have justified it in many ways.

1. It is way fun. (Mature right?)
2. I can use it as a DVD player (which I don't have.)
3. No cable at HH + Netflix /Wii= Entertainment.

So what did I do last night? I went to possibly one of the most redneck weddings of all times. Complete with beer right when you walked in and three stuffed rams that at one point where humped by a drunken, very tan, old woman. From one of the guest wearing crocks with socks paired with short cheer shorts to the golden tooth that blinded me while taking pictures, the night was magical.

The best part is that I came home from that magical evening to spend the rest of my night playing Just Dance and Mario Cart with my mother. What do you spend your Saturday nights doing? I bet they don't even compare.

It's Getting Hot in Here

"He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire.  Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient."

-W.J. Cameron

I froze last winter living in Provo. I thought that I would get to spend some time at home laying by the pool and enjoying the Arkansas heat. Little did I know how much Arkansas heat I'd get. It hasn't hit below the 100's for weeks and my entire town is brown. Did the mother nature get us mixed up with Az again? Az and Ar are very different states. 

Last week some kids were playing with fireworks and set the military grounds that butt up to city limits on fire. The damage has been substantial and it seems like it "sparked" a new trend. Literally. Since then fires have been popping up all over town. There are smoke stacks everywhere you look. 

So it's hot. Summer is almost over. And I hope we don't burn down. 

Hmmmmh

"My philosophy in life is that we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work at hard to that goal, we never lose -somehow we win out." 

-Ronald Reagan

This past week I spent at Special Olympics Sports Camp. It was an amazing experience where I saw amazing strength come from individuals that have so much going against them. Out in the world they are seen as having special needs, however I saw through their example this week that my needs are much greater. I saw how much they trusted others by guiding a blind man in water. I heard their encouraging words as they watched their friends accomplish hard task. And I felt how much they loved by the sweaty hugs they gave me. Such a great experience. To sum it up here are some of my favorite quotes from this week. 

David (A blind black man while sliding down a water slide): I'm about to be baptized in the name of Jesus.

Heather (The most amazing woman who is one of the area directors): The sinker? Oh yeah- he is mine.

Joey (After being at camp 4 days): I forgot. All four days. (to brush his teeth)

Joseph (The sweetest.): Mhhhmmmmm. Caramel.

Davis (One of my athletes): Brittainy- I love you. You dance me?

Kirsti (Found the tallest guy in the room to dance with.): laughs.

Such a fun week. Now back to reality. 

Start Spreading the News

“They say life's what happens when you're busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you're waiting for a table.”

-Sarah Jessica Parker

That's right ladies and gents. I am now in the process of making plans to go to NYC in the fall! So exciting! I haven't been in a few years so another trip mid-way through the semester will be exactly what the doctor ordered.

In other news, I think Ashley is a emotional nut case and say that both Mickey and Blake are better off without her. If she says Bentley's name one more time I'll flip.

For reals. Who would you pick?

Now stepping off my bachelorette soap box.

Chapter 1

"If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page" -Mark Houlahan

One year older and wiser too. I have had a blast with my new experiences and life at BYU. I knew that I would enjoy my time in Utah but I never could have guessed it would lead to the wonderful friendships I've formed. I have made new life time friends (the complete opposite of "superficial"), learning life lessons, and can tell you all sorts of statistics about cohabitation. Just ask. I'll tell you. ;)

I'm home for the summer and will enjoy being home. I've already eaten steak, washed my car, and had a load of laundry done for me. This is the life.