breaking spring

So... I know that I'm only a part way through this spring break, but I think I broke spring break. I had so much fun the first couple days of the break that I'm not even sure if the rest of it is necessary. 

To start it all off, Tristen, Landon, Nate, Trudi (Tristen's sister) and I drove to Vegas after classes on Friday. We dropped our stuff off at Tristen's family's home, picked up her niece Sierra, and went to first Friday which is a type of art festival that happens every first Friday of each month. The art exhibits were beautiful. It was fun to see the artists that were working on new pieces as we walked around the various galleries in the art district of Vegas. My favorite pieces were ones that were more comic art, though I did find some really compelling collage pieces. 

When we got back to Tristen's family's home after First Friday, I crashed in my hammock in their backyard. It was amazing to be able to gently sway to sleep in the warm spring air. I remember that right before I fell to sleep, a symphony of sirens began to echo inharmoniously through the streets singing me to sleep. I woke to the spiritual sun hugging my face with it's warmth. Those hammock moments were a time machine to the best days in Brazil, waking up to the warm equatorial sun and Amazonian breezes at 6:30 am. It made me miss the jungle and all it's hisses, howls, and hums.

The first part of our Saturday was spent in repose. We had pancakes with homemade syrup and planned what we would do later. In the afternoon, we visited some more of Tristen's nieces and nephew at their home close to the Vegas temple. We looked for scorpions in the backyard and did Acro-yoga, which is acrobats and yoga mixed together for two people. Nate, who weighs significantly less than me (first guess would be at least 50 pounds less), balanced me on his feet. It was amazing. He didn't even seem to struggle to balance my full weight on his feet as I straitened my feet and arms in the air like Superman. 

After that, we drove across town to MaximuM Comics 1.0 to see Sina Grace who was doing a comic signing there. We waited in line with some of the coolest people I've randomly met in a line. Sadly, I don't remember their names. There was a black lady that was there with her son who told us about her days growing up in Alabama in the 60s. She told us about how she was bullied by KKK members in full white Klan garb. It made me appreciate how far we've come as humanity to hear how bad it used to be and made me want to try harder to make the world better for those who will come after me. 

We were also served muffins in line from one of the staff members. He told us that the person who provides Scentsy products so that none of the comics stores smell like B.O. brought the muffins for us to enjoy. They were amazing triple berry muffins. I love how MaximuM Comics have always provided some sort of treat when I've gone to their signings.

Sina was so great. He always is. He drew a picture of the girl in front of us as Harley Quinn. He signed my copy of Not My Bag with his brush pen and didn't even have to ask my name or how it was spelled to personalize it. He just remembered from Facebook and the last comic signing where I saw him. He also drew me a picture of Li'l Depressed Boy as Max from Where The Wild Things Are. It looks so good next to my Li'l Depressed Boy under the Giving Tree. 

The other fun part of the signing was that Sierra won a Star Wars gift pack in the raffle that they were hold as a part of the signing. She was so excited and I saw her post recently on Facebook about how much she loves a tee that she got as a part of the prize. She also said that her mom said that she was such a nerd for loving the prize and that she didn't care about that. I wondered what that said about me for being the one so excited about going to the comic signing in the first place. It was so wonderful to have my group of friends humor and support me in going to see one of my favorite artists at that signing. 

We spent the evening on the Vegas strip. It was fun to walk around the buildings, see the fake Eiffel Tower, see the Belagio gardens and even talk to people in Portuguese. As we were walking, I notice some people talking in my favorite language, so I turned and asked if they were from Brazil (in Portuguese of course) and they said that they were from Fortaleza. They asked me what part of Brazil I was from and I had to tell them that I had only lived in Brazil for a bit. They told me that I hardly had any accent. We talked about Brazil and where I had lived in Belem and Macapa. One of the guys asked me what sin I committed to have to be in the heat of Brazil. His friend hit him and then asked me what sin I committed to have to leave Brazil. Both were good questions. ;)

Sunday was a good day of rest. We went to church and then spent some time walking around the Las Vegas temple barefoot. Well, I know I was barefoot. Not everyone walked barefoot. The grass was so soft on the palms of my feet and the bricks of the walkways were smooth. After the temple we went back to Tristen's home and had amazing tacos with her family. 

We went to play games with Julia's family in the evening before we came home. We played Ticket to Ride and Julia only beat me by 10 points because she had the longest continuous rail. It was fun to be in their home and enjoy their company. 

Back in Cedar, I had to work early Monday. I got to see my brother for a minute when I got off work and then I spent some time with my roommate Jordan later in the evening. We had dinner and then invited Tawny over to watch I, Robot. 

Today, Tuesday, March 11, I went to watch Singing in the Rain for the first time with Julia and some other friends. I remember a few years back when we got a toy for Grandma Walker that sang Singing in the Rain, because it was one of her favorite musicals. I remember it always being in front of her bed as the final stage of MS took over her body and she no longer had the control she once had. She was so patient in what would have been unbearable suffering to me. Sometimes I forget how much I learned from grandma. I remember one day when she could no longer really talk and could only really move her head how she said my name. I don't think that anyone else really heard it, but after giving her a hug she said my name so clear. I didn't get to know her as well as my older family members, but I did get to know her and I miss her. I'm glad that I got to watch one of her favorite movies today. It was such a happy movie and it made me think about how happy we should all be in life. It made me happy that grandma had that reminder of happiness next to her bed. 

In the afternoon, I read Sina Grace's Not My Bag which is a wonderful book. It made me think about the things that I worry about in my life that don't really matter. I want to worry less about things that don't matter and work more on doing the things that I know will bring me true happiness. I loved how the book talked about finding true happiness in yourself and not worrying about the past, fashions, opinions of others, etc. We just need to do our best with what God has given us. We can all help make the world a little brighter with our talents. I know that Sina's book made my world a little brighter. 

After that, I went with Jordan and Tawny to St. George. Jordan had to buy a pair of shoes and the Zumiez at the mall had the exact pair that he wanted. We also got dinner and mimicked the faces of people in the ads around Walmart. It was fun to be with two of my best friends. They have both helped me through so much. Jordan has been my best friend since 8th or 9th grade, and Tawny has given me so much good advice since I've been home from my mission. She has been like an older sister to me. 

We got home from St. George and watched We Bought a Zoo which is a wonderful, uplifting film. It made my soul smile. That was how I ended my day and it's only Tuesday. I still have 3 days and a weekend before I have to go back to school and so many wonderful little things planned for those days:

1) A date with a beautiful young lady tomorrow

2) Game night with cousins the next night

3) Some improve for Friday?

4) A temple trip with Brittany and Harrison on Saturday

5) and whatever else decided to come up. 

My life is amazing. I am happy!

new adventures for a friend.

"I've heard it said

that people come into our lives 

for a reason

bringing something we must learn

and we are led to those

who help us most to grow

if we let them

and we help them in return..."

In the summer of 2009, I had the opportunity to move to Cedar City soon after my high school graduation and start a part-time, college job as a janitor. When I got here, I didn't have many friends. One of my friends, Sam, introduced me to Eric and we became the best of friends that summer. We went on hikes, played in the park, and had dinner often with either his parents or my grandparents. We even found out that we share a middle name. That's how cool we are.

The summer ended and Eric left on a mission to Washington DC. I had to go to a year of college before I could leave on my mission to Belem, Brazil. I wrote Eric on occasion and he responded on occasion. Our letters were always comical, and I know that his always came right when I need them.

After the mission, Eric and I still hang out all the time. We celebrate Guy Fawkes Day with "eggies in a basket", sing karaoke, un-bury baby Jesus from the snow, make dream catchers, or just talk over a quick lunch about how life is. We had a Resort and Hospitality Management class together and did a group project together. I would say that Eric is one of my best friends. 

"It well may be

that we will never meet again

in this lifetime.

So, let me say before you part:

so much of me

is made of what I learned from you.

You'll be with me

like a hand print on my heart.

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have rewritten mine 

by being my friend."

Eric is leaving. He's going on a new adventure selling art on cruise ships. I'm excited for him and know he's going to do great. I'll miss singing "The Fox" with him at karaoke, having lunch, and sharing conversation over anything. I don't know when we'll see each other again. I'll be leaving Cedar City soon to go on my own adventures. Hopefully, our paths cross again soon. 

I'm so thankful for the example that Eric has been in my life. He has such great faith in God that has helped me in times when I have questioned my belief. He doesn't seem to care what people think about him and is just himself. He's always there to listen and be a friend. I will miss him. 

Last night was our last karaoke for awhile. I'm sure there will be karaoke in our future. We got to be a part of Gavin's Crew for the second time. Gavin is a kid who started going to karaoke with his mom a few weeks ago. He loves coming and talking to us. It was fun to be a part of his crew for Eric's last karaoke.

PS He was also the first person to comment on one of my blog posts and to date has the most comments on my blog. Thanks Eric for taking time to read the cerebral vomit that I publish here.