Home again, home again

So here's something. It has been TWO YEARS. No one ever thought two years would actually come and happen and end. But it did, and now all the beautiful people in my life that left to serve full time missions for the LDS church are coming home!!! For example, the girl in the middle? Lauren. She just got home from France this week and gave the most marvelous homecoming talk in church today.
How I have missed my friends. Also, let's not even try to hide the fact that we get to eat so many amazing meals at homecomings :) Thank you, Utah.

And this is just the beginning! Now I have the following months to look forward to Natalie and Jen and Dani and Connor and Mary and Matt and then MY SISTER. Bring on the sweet reunions, folks.

But, with beautiful reunions also comes terrible goodbyes...

My homeboy, twin separated by two years, brah, broseph, goofball moved to LA. He's gone. I miss him terribly. And I hate that I couldn't go on the car ride to take him out there like I had promised. When he took me to dinner before Italy, we thought that would be our last goodbye until Christmas, we were both really sad and even shed tears about it. We aren't the crying kind, Robert and I. Then when I got home from Italy, and he was still here, I was OVERJOYED. The jokes and talks never ended. Then the real goodbye happened. I hated it. He wants me to come visit though, so that's a plus.
Luh you, 'berto.

Here's to escaping to my cabin tonight, so I don't have to think about school starting until Tuesday... aka the first day of school.

Happy weekend, y'all

Breathe Deep, Breathe Clear

Ok. First, I LOVED the movie If I Stay. I've seen it twice now... It cut me deep. I was a hot mess in the theater, and I found myself relating to things I never thought I would relate to. It made me ponder on many a different situations I have experienced. I was definitely not emotionally prepared for that one. But I highly recommend it. The music is especially perfect. Adam's voice is flawless and melts all listeners into a puddle of love, so beware. My favorite song is "Heart Like Yours." When you see the movie you'll understand.

CDT is amazing, kids. I am cursed by being tall and various other things that are always going to exist, but I feel more at home here than I ever have on a company post-high school (dance-wise. Still working on the social aspect). I feel so alive, and even though I'm exhausted, I can already tell I'm getting stronger. And in two short weeks, I'm learning so much about how to control my long limbs better. It's the best.

So this one time I was gonna quit my job, but then I realized I had a severe case of what I call "The grass is greener" syndrome. I fixed my attitude, and things are still hard and dramatic at the good ole pack n ship, but other opportunities have opened up that are actually better than if I had taken that job in Draper. Also, I have some pretty rockin' friends at the pack n ship, so I think I'll survive being thought of as the spawn of Satan by my student manager. #shakeitoff #hatersgonnahatehatehatehatehate

D&C 50:40-42. It's a good one.

Good night, loves. I want to write something poetic for you, but I need to find the inspiration first. So Cheers for now.

Miss me yet?

I think I left part of my soul in Italy. I feel incomplete. An outsider in regular conversations.
I also think I left some of my new-found confidence and sophistication in the land of gelato and pasta. I keep saying, "Oh, In Italy..." and tell stories, but I really don't want to become the snob that has the "Oh, well when I went to this exotic place, I had blah blah blah blah I'm better than you"attitude goin on. So sorry 'bout it if that's how it comes across. That's definitely not how I meant it to be. You have to understand that Italy is the craziest, most exciting, and most adventurous thing I've done so far in my entire life. It literally changed me.

So, here are some pics while I try to clear my thoughts. Sorry if you thought I was done with these kinds of posts, and sorry if there are repeat pictures... Also, one last thing: A lot of these pictures were taken by other girls on this trip, and I sneakily asked to have copies, so I wish I could take credit. Anyhooter:

"I have magic hair that glows when I sing!"

 Thuggin in Venice

So... Miss Teen World is my friend... #bragging

How did they get this sculpture of me and any male that tries to partner me?

"We are the muses. Goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of heroes"

Good morning, Venice

golden arches fail.

You have NO idea what this store did to me. I am OBSESSED with all things weddings, so I stared in the window of this shop for too long. I would have stared longer if the rest of my group wasn't two blocks ahead of me. *Side Note: Danielle and I are going to become wedding planner certified as soon as she graduates from college, so you can bet I will be fulfilling one of my wildest dreams.

Penny, the best tour guide in the world.

The Mouth of Truth from Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. 

We searched and searched for it for hours, and we finally found it.

On my way down from the top of St. Peter's basilica. 

aka Sweaty hot mess after 600+ steps and über small spaces.

"You hoo! Big summer blowout!"

piccolo bacio for Cristiano Ronaldo

Throw a penny, blow a kiss. Close your eyes, make a wish.

we got rull good at selfies

ciao, bellas

                                                      August 1 Celebratory gelato

(Excuse the ratchet face) 

photobomb= success

My piccolo boyfriend, Samuel. 

Guys, never have I seen such an attractive 13 year old. 

Just imagine how flawless he'll be in 10 years... 

From the tip top of St. Peter's

(I am Katniss, hear me roar. Also, homeboy...)

ARRIVEDERCI.

This is what I need. I need summer to stay, I need my Italian sass back, and I need gelato. I need to go out for a night on the town, but I need to find a better town first (no offense, AF. But you're not full of night life and sophistication...). I need to strut my lil Italian strut down the street and turn some heads (hahahaha I think I miss this the most of anything!) I also need to go shopping for european clothing. But that's actually a want, not a need...

Ahimè.