Life as Lil' Red: May 2012

You must go to Kauai.

So apparently, I AM TERRIBLE AT BLOGGING!! I mean, it's only been like half a year since I've posted. Whoops. So all of you people out there that think that life in Hawaii only consists of going to the beach, surfing, cliff jumping, snorkeling, getting sunburned, and eating shaved ice- you are way off! Well, not too far off to be honest... that is my typical weekend. But during the week, I am 100% a college student. Meaning, that yes, I actually study. Hard to imagine, I know.

I think that life just got crazy right after my last post with the end of the semester. And then I started one of the hardest semesters of my life (which really I've found out that each semester just. keeps. getting. harder). Not to make excuses or anything. And definitely not to complain. I LOVE MY LIFE. Let's just make that clear. But my life (or my want to just relax when I get free time instead of so "tediously" blogging) makes posting a little complicated for me. So I'll work on that.

So instead of a long and drawn out explanation of each exciting or life changing event that's taken place since my last post, because no one wants that, I'll just give the briefest overview I know how to do. Ready go: I went home for Christmas and had a great break with my family. It mostly consisted of my sister Coleen's wedding planning, day, and receptions and stuff but I love all of that. Everything turned out perfect I thought, and Coleen and Scott just looked so happy :) I was a little disappointed though because it didn't snow! Sounds weird, but I was looking forward to a change in weather.

Then I came back to Hawaii for Winter Semester, which was a pretty intense semester, but I learned a lot. Which is the point right? My major is still International Cultural Studies with Communications, and my minor is Hospitality and Tourism. Right now I'm in the first session of Summer Semester which is six weeks long, and I'm taking Destination and Marketing Management, World Cultures Literature, and Physical Science- which I had to take because I found out my science from Idaho didn't transfer. Boo. Anyways I love the other two classes! But I can say that I'm definitely putting in my time for them. But I'm also seeing how I can maybe pursue a career in the tourism industry but with a focus on applying culture into tourism, which is perfect for me!

I have had many MANY adventures the last couple months, I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just have to post pictures for all of them, plus if I talk about them too much you all might get too jealous! The main adventure though was definitely when a group of us went to Kauai in March!! It was seriously incredible. I might even consider it to be the best weekend of my life. Kauai is such a beautiful island and we were able to experience so much of it while we were there. Look out for the pics below because they are breathtaking. Also, Chase and Lauren came to visit me in March, and my Mom came in April. I am so blessed to have such incredible people in my life who love me so much!

And now as always, I have to post what I've been learning. It seems like life never stops throwing things at you, and even though I've experienced some crazy, hard, confusing (really confusing) and weird (really weird) things over the last little while, I'd experience them all again because of how much I've gained from them. I find it insane how much I can continually learn, especially when I look back to when I was eighteen and thought I knew everything. I was so wrong. I've learned so much more, but I've learned that really, I know nothing! So I'm ready for whatever else comes. I am so incredibly grateful for the Gospel in my life because it makes all of the difference. I have really learned the importance of the Savior's Atonement, because through it I have the opportunity to be BETTER and to try to find my potential. Which is so awesome. I'm so glad that after I experience hard things or make mistakes, that I don't have to be stuck that way forever. I CAN change and I have learned the happiness and growth that comes from taking advantage of that ability. That really has been the theme of the last few months for me, and not just for me to be better, but to help others be better too. Because I've seen how awesome it can be, I want to help others along a brighter path. So life, keep it coming.

I cannot express how much I am deeply in love with this place and with the people who are in my life. It was a little difficult when this semester started because the majority (like 99%) of my closest friends went home for summer and about half of them aren't coming back. Needless to say I've spent a lot of time alone the last month or so, which is weird for me, but I've come to find that I needed alone time. I've realized a lot of things and gotten to know myself so much more, and I've been able to handle hard trials that have come my way by making sure I'm doing what right and then I can have the strength of the Lord. I'm actually really looking forward to going home in a little less than a month, I have a lot to look forward to! My best friend Danny is actually coming to visit me the last week of classes and then we'll fly back to Reno together, so that is keeping me motivated!! Then the summer will include the rodeo with my family, going to Utah to help Christine before and after the baby, Disneyland with my friends, working (tbd at where), trips to see family, spending time with my best friends, and hopefully many trips to San Francisco. Then I head back to Hawaii in September. I'm saying this now so it's in print: I will do my best to keep updating posts!! No more laziness on my part. Anyways, sorry for the long post but it really is cut down seeing it covers six months. Enjoy the pictures!