When the Best Friend Returns. . .

We party.

My very best friend in the entire world got home from his mission on May 15th, 2014, and it was extraordinary. Zac Velarde, being the good friend he is, sent me snapchats of the entire airport meeting, because I threatened to hurt him if he didn't. Oddly enough, my heart was pounding when Velarde told me they were waiting for him, and then I was elated when I got these first two snaps.

But the burst of happiness came when I got the picture of the two best friends united after two long, hard years of separation. It was always hard to hear Velarde talk about how much he missed Zack because something about their friendship just sort of pulls at my heart- they really are the best of friends. It's like at our high school graduation, I only started crying when I saw the two of them hug and tear up.

Anyway. I got to go out ATVing with Zack's family the day after he got home. He taught me how to drive, and while I'm no expert, it was pretty darn fun. Personally, I think we really rock the helmets like nobody's business. #thuglife

Then, for Memorial Day, the Jarvis family was gracious enough to invite my roommates and myself down to their cabin in Munds Park for the extended weekend, and we had such a blast. It was the perfect weekend. We played a lot of Michigan Poker (and had a game where Zack lost ALL of his chips which I have never seen happen), rode around on the ATVs, played LOTS of volleyball, and told some pretty ridiculous jokes. Oh, and ate lots and lots of good food. Which is always a big plus in life. Also, can I take a moment to say how much I adore my roommates? There is never a dull moment in this apartment, and we all get along amazingly well. We're supportive of each other, we laugh, we cry, we party, it's just the best, and everyday I'm thankful. Also, we really missed Cicily on our trip, she went home for the weekend. 

So yes, life has been a party since Zachary William got home from his mission. It's still a bit unreal that I can just ring him on the telephone and talk to him whenever I want. It seems like eternity has passed, and at the same time, it seems like he never left- we're still that good of friends.

Friends are what make the world a better place. I'm convinced of that. Luckily, I've been blessed with some of the very best and everyday, I just wonder how I got so lucky- I guess God must really love me or something. #boohya. But in all serious, I'm so thankful for these people in my life. They make everyday better, brighter, funnier, and more exciting. I'd be pretty lost without them.

Life is good.

Love always,
Ems

Croissy: My future home!

Monday was a monumental day because I got an email from....

MY HOST FAMILY!

It was completely in French and for the first time since I've known I was going, my study abroad felt real.
I was so excited all I could do was research the city I'll be living in, ogle at the beauty, tell everyone I knew, and talk nonstop about it.

My roommate, Kate (who I absolutely adore and know we will be best friends forever), and I will be living with a wonderful couple in the beautiful town of Croissy- about 30 minutes west of Paris.
Our host family's house is literally steps away from the bank of the Siene. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen via google maps and... I.am.living.there.

I cannot even tell you how excited I am. We have a ten minute walk to the nearest RER station then a 30 minute ride into Paris (via the RER A, M1, and M8 trains), but I could not care less- Croissy is so incredibly beautiful I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Here's to 23 days and counting!
#parisorbust

Love always,
Ems

My Best Friend's Wedding.

Happiness in marriage and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other happiness

-James E. Faust  

-----

And all at once, my best friend is married and off to start her new life with her wonderful husband. Yesterday, I was privileged to spend the day helping with my best friend's wedding. Ms. Naomi Billings became Mrs. Naomi Shumway and it was fabulous in every sense of the word. Never have I felt so much joy nor been so excited for a single event. You see, in high school, Nams and I liked to joke that we lead parallel lives. We would always line up our "cast of characters" and oddly enough, funny/sad/exciting things would always happen at the same time for us. That is, it all happened at the same time till I broke up with Dear Mr. Garrett and she got engaged to Peteypete. Then our lives went *bloop* and switched to different planes. But I've never been happier for her. I remember exactly where I was when my phone started ringing, "Pretty Young Thing" and I realized she was calling to tell me that her and Peter were engaged. I couldn't believe she was engaged, but now, after the blur of yesterday, I can't imagine her as anything but married to Peter. Peter is the perfect addition to Naomi- one of the few boys she dated that I actually liked (she'lll testify to that). He is kind beyond compare- the type of kindness where he paid for my Bahaman Bucks (and Nam's, and Ted's) the first time I hung out with him and Naomi (it's a big deal, ok?). He's weird just like Naomi and loves life just as much as Naomi.  I really have grown to love Peter so much even though I've hardly been able to spend any time with him because I've been at school. Peter treats Naomi like the amazing woman she is and I know that he loves her more than anything else in the world (even more than his brother Ted, which I thought might be impossible- even though we love Ted).

Their reception was perfectly Naomi. Jars, flowers, old cameras, and old suitcases- everything she'd been collecting for years put together for her perfect night. An abundance of people flooded her backyard, each genuinely happy for the couple and their happiness. The outpouring was amazing and really quite heart-warming. I think the number of people that showed up shows just how wide-spread Naomi's influence is in people's lives. You can't meet Naomi and dislike her; for, simply being with her, you feel that your life is better and that there is an infinite amount of joy to be found. That's part of my love for weddings- seeing everyone come in support of the bride and groom. People spill into to support their love, support their happiness, support their growth, support the life they'll live, rejoice in the lives they've lead, rejoice in their stalwartness to get to this point, rejoice in the beauty of friendship and family.

The best part of the night I couldn't name a best part of the night, but a part I will hold on to forever was the all fateful bouquet toss. I've never actually caught a bouquet and as Kyle said, "I knew you were serious when you handed your phone to me". I wasn't I'm-going-to-trample-the-child-in-front-of-me serious, but I was pretty darn determined to catch that thing. She tossed it back, and praise the bouquet toss gods, it landed in my out-stretched hands. Naomi turned around, we both screamed, then ran to hug each other. I dunno about her, but I oddly had tears in my eyes- excitement, joy, pure happiness? Regardless, it was everything I ever wanted a bouquet catch to be. Can't express how happy I am that it was at my best friend's wedding.


Mrs. Naomi Shumway, I will love you forever. You have made my life wonderful in more ways than I could possible ever say and I will forever be grateful for the memories we have – you best believe that I expect many more memories to come. I'm  so grateful your Darcy finally came and that the two of you were sealed for time and all eternity. I know that life will bring you every happiness and that you and Peter will never have a dull moment. You will always be an example to me in every way and I know that I'll be able to count on you whenever I need you. I expect that you, Peter, my future husband, and I will get along and spend time together laughing, chatting, and playing Mario Kart. I can't believe you're all grown up and married, but there's no one I would rather run around in the hundred degree heat for all day. ;) Best of luck to you and Peteypete- not that you need luck, for you already have happiness.

Love always,
Ems

Happy Earth Day, Folks!

Isn't our world just the most amazing thing you've ever seen? Yesterday, I was on the ultimate high on life; I think it was a combination of finals coming to a close soon, talking to my family, and then our excursion up Rock Canyon. Let me tell ya, almost everything in the canyon was still dead from winter, but it hit my soul like a meteor hits the earth- mad explosion of amazement and gratitude. I couldn't contain myself and just kept repeating, "Earth is amazing!!!" It was so beautiful and majestic to be wandering up this canyon with gigantic mountains on either side- even while I was wearing ballet flats!

I love that nature can do that. So often, I get trapped inside my little city bubble that I forget that I live in such a beautiful and amazing place. I forget that the Wasatch Front is absolutely breathtaking and that those mountains are right at my grasp. Why do I do sich a ridiculous thing? I dunno, but I do.

So this week, in honor of our wonderful planet and this celebration called Earth Day, go out and love your earth, ok? I promise you'll be amazed at what you find.

Love always,
Ems

A Progression of Friendship.

   

 

As you may be able to tell from the photo dump that is currently all over your screen, Morgan Davis and I have been friends for an incredibly long time. I believe that it started long ago in nursery. We were probably two and a half when she, Jessika Bodrero, and myself met for the first time. I bet nobody could foretell that we would be forming an everlasting friendship in that fateful Adobe Ward Nursery room. Since that time, we've remained the best of friends. Growing up, there was nothing that Morgan and I did separately   We were on swim team- together. We danced- together. We were in ELP- together. We played the violin in Southwest Stringers- together. We read Jane Austen's Emma without understanding a word of it- together. Our ward eventually got split, and then Morgan was pretty much a part of The Greenfield ward with Jess and I. The three of us continued to be friends until those separating Poston Jr. High cheer try outs. They became cheerleaders and I became the student council nerd (a position that had been my fate since the fourth grade student council). Morgan and I were still friends, but we started to discover ourselves by doing different things- imagine that, becoming your own person! 

Anyway, eventually, student council would bring us back together for good. I became Jr. Class Spirit commissioner and she was Jr. Class President. We were once again doing things together and my life was once more complete. Granted, we had to put up with the ornery Ms. Scott,  but it was well worth it. We spent countless hours at Hobby Lobby, Toro Stadium, covered in glitter while decorating for dances, painting new posters, and avoiding Ms. Scott.  

It was bliss all over again, kind of like being a kid again and you know your best friend will be your best friend forever.  I loved every second of planning Jr. Prom with her, even though we still think that it would have been a lot cooler in the air hanger than Lavender and Old Lace. That's a different story, though. Senior year our old friendship continued and we graduated as best friends- the three amigos (Morg, Jess, and me) reunited at the end of our public education career. 

I could not have ever asked for a better best friend. I mean, who else is willing to play piranha popcorn with you- ya know, where the burnt popcorn pieces are piranhas and you can't touch them as you sit stranded in the middle of the tramp. Who else will try and clean up your dishwasher that has bubbles flowing out of it before your mom gets home because you put hand soap in it instead of dish soap and you just know it will be the end of the world if your mom comes home to find her kitchen floor is now a bubble bath. Few people would put up with my need to be the youngest girl when playing house (thanks Jess and Morg) or my awful Nintendo 64 skills (thanks Jess and Morg, again). Even fewer people will always be there for you no matter how old you get, how many dumb boys you date, or how many times you lick their face on accident (now that's a long story). 

However, somehow, through all those things, I still have my very best friend by my side. I cannot even express the immense gratitude I feel for Morgan. Through thick and thin, she's been there. She knows every part of my life. She knows the Barton family secrets, she knows the names of all our former pets, she even knows our garage code! She's been to California with my family more times than I can count. She's seen my mom singing into corn cobs, she's gotten in fights with Caleb, and she was an excellent support in making Seth and Shan kiss when they were four (which we got in trouble for). 

My life without Morgan would be boring. I wouldn't have someone to make up emoji stories with. I wouldn't have someone who loves Wii Party as much as I do. I wouldn't have a friend who is an expert "Emma shopper" and I wouldn't have someone to run to Last Chance with when we only have an hour left till it closes. Essentially, I wouldn't have anyone who is always up for spontaneous  crazy, sometimes idiotic things.  She doesn't stop me from being idiotic, which I guess is a good thing? Well, I mean, she stops me from doing really idiotic things, just not from making a full of myself in public. 

So, Morgan Davis. I hope that your 20th year is filled with lots and lots of good things. Like funny videos, and lots of photobooth pics, and funny letters from our good friend Maeser. I have no doubt that we will continue to stay best friends for life, I don't think it'd be possible for us to stop being friends- it'd be like taking away all the air in the world. Maybe not that dramatic, but you get the point. I love you to the next galaxy and back! 

Love always, 

Ems

Birthday Girl, Bexs!

This, is the lovely Rebecca Udall outside of the Louvre. She is my roommate, my dear, dear, friend, and I really just adore her to the ends of the earth.

I've known Becca since she moved back to Arizona in third grade. We had the same teacher through sixth grade and we've also been in the same ward since she moved. These 12 years (isn't that crazy?!) have been filled with countless memories. Like the time we pretended to be pirates in her front yard with our IBC root beer bottles. Or the time that we made a Ms. America movie. Or when she introduced me to the Movie Uptown Girls. Or the time we listened to Ingrid Michaelson as we sat on the second level of our tour bus driving through the Greek countryside. Or the times we had singing and dancing parties in our dorm room. Or our fabulous Waffle Saturdays in the Cannon Center.

However, my favorite moments with Becca (aside from the crazy fun moments that constantly happen) are the times that we are able to havec meaningful conversations about life, our concerns, and anything else that intrigues our curious minds. I indeed miss our setup in the dorm room- perfect late-night conversation setting. It's good to know that I can always count on Becca to understand my thoughts and feelings and listen to everything without judgement.

I love lots of things about Becca; her humor, her voices, her wanderlust, her studious nature, her dancing, her well-read brain (yes, I love her brain), and her love of memorizing all the countries in the world. She is just such a well-rounded person, how could you not love her?

Becca, I have the highest wishes for your 20th year! I hope it's filled with lots of cute elephants, happiness (I know, super vague), lots of amazing times spent among friends, and plenty of Miranda Sings.

I love you tons, Becca!

Love always,
Ems

Oh, Life.

Happiness.  That is how I would describe this fabulous thing called life. Happiness amidst all the crazy cold and snow. Lemme tell ya, I'm not a fan of the snow and after the dry winter of last year, I'm dying. Snow and cold weather are a serious problem when your closet mainly consists of skirts and dress.

Weather rant aside, this semester has started off like a firework. It's been full of excitement, changes, amazing classes, and of course, some budget office craziness- life isn't complete without some budget office craziness. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my job? I love my job. Also, craziness of the month (well, part of the craziness of the month) was realizing that Jacob's uncle is a professor in the Physics department! Say what? Why I didn't piece this together sooner is a mystery to me. Other notable events from the budget office include: another brownie failure (it's officially the guillotine of the office), another hundred pieces of fruit being polished, and pushing Melissa around the 4th floor on the scooter-cabinet-file-mover (we are professional). 

The changes in life have come in break ups (it's ok, we're still friends), decisions to go to Paris, becoming party animals (seriously, we are at a party every weekend- say what?), making lots of new friends (and becoming their friends by playing Keys...oh my), deciding to go off sugar for a month with Sophia (why we picked February, we'll never know), oh, and trying to figure out where I want to live spring/summer (too many options). 

Things to look forward to this month: warmer weather (a girl can dream), CALIFORNIA with the six amigos, Alex and Becca's birthdays (!!), starting my study abroad class, and maybe surviving the guillotine of the office by successfully making brownies for Nan (assuming she unbans me from brownie making). 

Favorite things of the moment: Valentine's Day lovin', Pitch Perfect CD, Keats's poetry, Dr. Walker's class, Frankenstein, my Poem a Day book, Taylor Swift, snuggies, The Gentleman's Game, and Kara's RIPPED class (Sophie and I can hardly move after her class). 

People, life is so incredibly wonderful. I'm feeling extremely blessed over here. 

Love always,

Ems

p.s. I apparently have a new thing for parentheses? 

The View from Twenty.

I've now been twenty for a grand total of two and a half weeks. Let me tell you, I love it.
Mostly, I love the people who made my birthday magical- yes, magical.
Over the years, I feel like I've always been blessed to have wonderful, wonderful people in my life and that has not changed as I've gone away to college. I've found more and more that the Lord puts amazing people into my life to change my life and make it oh so wonderful. Let's take an examination of my birthday to prove this point.

Garrett. He started off my day full of 20 love notes hidden in my apartment AND at work. He involved my friends and made sure that I got all of them before coming over for the final part of the present- with flowers in hand. He wanted to make sure that I felt special throughout the day, and boy howdy did I. Not only that, but all the little notes that he gave to Sophia to hide at work kinda made Nan begin to start to approve of him. Good work there, Garrett, you sneaky boyfriend. His gift was also extremely thoughtful. He knew I had been looking for the Anastasia soundtrack for ages and so he found it for me! Gotta love a boy who keeps track of the little details of your life.

Next, we have Ms. Sophia Giler. Hi, I love her. Sophia is my work friend who became my real friend that I text almost every day. We love each other. She convinced Nan to let her make a cake for me and then invited Alex over to our office for secret family pictures in order to document my birthday. She is the reason that my roommates and I love Pretty Girl Rock and the reason that I love work so much. The fact that we are working almost all 20 hours together next semester makes me ridiculously happy for our lives. She's been such an amazing friend to me and made sure that I felt the love on my birthday- even if she forgot one of the notes that Garrett had written to me. I still love her.

Last, but most certainly not least, we have my amazing roommates. They took me out to Ihop on my actual birthday and all bought me books and then, on Saturday, they absolutely surprised me by planning a surprise party for me that included all my favorite people, bowling, and ice cream cake. Can a girl ask for much more from her best friends? I don't think so. I adore those girls.


So yes, the view from twenty has been magnificent and I feel incredibly blessed. I'm also incredibly happy to be home with my crazy family- it's funny how much I just want to be around my family now that I don't live at home. I can't wait for a fabulous twentieth year of life and feel very grateful to have made it this far surrounded by so many fabulous people. I am one very lucky girl.

Love always,
Ems

Occasionally, I take Mirror Pictures.

Saturday night, I found myself out on the town with this guy named Garrett--
he's a pretty neat guy. I mean, I like him.
One of the activities we went all out on was our Ikea trip.
I have this strange obsession with Ikea-- I love it more than normal.
I love walking through all the show rooms and looking at all the
weird Swedish books that are on the shelves (because I don't
know if you've ever noticed but all the books are in Swedish)
and pretending like I can read them all-- what a joke.

The best part of the night was that Garrett played along with me
even though he confessed that he felt like he was playing house--
which we were, just grown-up style.
It was probably the most fun I've had in a long time--
and essentially, it made me ridiculously happy.

It's the simple things in life, ain't it?

Love always,
Ems

Shout Out.

While everybody else is talking politics, I'm sitting here wanting to scream to the world, "I AM SO HAPPY! HEAR OF MY HAPPINESS!!!"

So here's my shout out to happiness. I cannot even begin to explain how incredibly happy I've been feeling recently. There are no words. I'm beyond elated. I'm enthusiastic about life and the possibilities it brings. I'm in love with life, and it seems that nothing can ruin that at this moment in time.

World, hear me out: I am ridiculously happy. Please, somebody leave the politics bandwagon and join my on the happiness-mobile. It's much more fun, I promise.

Love always,
A Very Happy Ems

Friendship

There is much to be said for friendship. There is much to be said for finding new friendship and relishing in it. There is also so much to be said for strengthening old friendships that never seem to fade, no matter the things it's been through. In my time at college, I've realized how vital that feeling of friendship is to me, and more recently, I've realized how incredibly lucky I am to be surrounded by the friends, both old and new, that I have.

We had some friends over for dinner yesterday, and it was lovely to sit around the table and talk about all sorts of things; the feeling of friendship was almost palpable in our apartment, and in that moment, I was so incredibly happy. Then again today,  I sat in the library with a friend and my heart was full of a different happiness that I haven't felt for a while; a feeling of camaraderie and laughter that seemed to fill every part of my soul. When I came home to the roommates that I love, I was once again filled with that happiness, knowing they were ready and willing to listen to any exasperations or excitements that had happened today- I was just as eager to hear of their days. And as I went about the duties of the day, a dear, dear friend called me for advice, and I felt that we were both strengthened and uplifted by the conversation that ensued.

Knowing that you have people who truly care for you is an amazing blessing. It's incredible to see how friends reach out to you without even knowing how much you needed that hug or  that five minute phone call. I hope beyond all hope that I'm as good a friend to those I love as they are to me.

Love always,
Ems

One Month.

London 2012.
I am so excited I cannot even contain it.

Love always,
Ems

Riki and Rick Can Get Confusing.

Here's the thing about this Disney life.
I live in an apartment of six girls.
In that apartment, there are precisely 2 Emmas, 2 Katelynns, 1 Rachel, and 1 Mary.
Normally, there is also usually 1 Rick and 1 Riki.
So, obviously, it can be pretty confusing when names start getting thrown around; you say Emma and two people whip around. Say Rick and usually Rick and Riki will turn to your attention. Apparently though, we can just start calling Riki Rick because that's what her name was on the rotation at work today... Let's just add to the name game, Typhoon.

Regardless, my roommates and I have spent some quality time "stalking" Rick at work. Saturday we warned him we were coming and so we went to Boardwalk and talked to him and then went to Yacht & Beach for Ice Cream. Tuesday night, we spied on him and took stalker photos. There is a possibility we need something more to do in our lives past the 10 o'clock hour.... 

Rick also stole my glasses only to deem that they make it harder for him to see... Mind you, they are total hipster glasses, but he still insisted they made his vision blurry.... Maybe it's a Dutch thing. I guess we will never fully know. 

Life keeps moving along, happy and busy, with magical moments every day- it's a Disney thing.

Love always,
Ems

Name Tagged.

Yesterday, my friends, I finally got my name tag.

It was a happy day indeed! Mickey brought them to us at Disney university so that just added to the magic that is the Disney College Program. 

Honestly, these past two days have been amazing. I can't even express how happy I am that I chose to come down to Florida to do this program. There are lots of hard things about it, mainly being so far away from family and the hours that I'm going to be working, but Disney World is so magical. Everything about it makes me want to skip everywhere and I get to spend my entire summer here. What else could I ask for? 

Yesterday after our Traditions hooha we went into The Magic Kingdom for a fabulous afternoon. We spent the rest of our day there and hit every major ride. We are seriously pros at this Disney amusement park thing. Best part of the day? There were two. 

One: getting stuck on Splash mountain for about 45 minutes. Luckily, we weren't stuck on a hill. Man that would have been the worst. 

Two: Talking to our little Canadian friends who were standing behind us in Space Mountain. It was a fine day indeed. If it hadn't been creepy I would have gotten a picture with them but that would have been creepy. 

Also, I was asked to time the line for Space Mountain and so they handed me this fancy red plastic thingy that I had to take through the line. I almost lost it while playing the games that they have in the waiting line of Space Mountain (they are awesome! Who needs a fast pass when you can play games while you wait?!) so that would have been disastrous. Happy to say, I safely got it to the ride loader and they were able to update the wait time. 

 I really love Winnie the Pooh. He's such a classic.

 Below are our two Disney World Novices. Kyle (in the back) had never been to a Disney park at all and Andy hadn't been to Disney World and so they called their parents on the ferry ride home (uh ya, hello, magical) and I just had to take a picture because they were both so ecstatic about how great the day had been.

Training starts on Sunday then it's off to the races with work. 

Regardless, life is great. 

Love always,

Ems

Happiness Haps.

Here are some things that were pure happiness these last weeks....

1. Painting with the Mr. Ladd. I'm impressed with our water coloring skills, but no worries, it was mostly him. I only did the sky. Which actually, I think looks quite lovely. Man, I want to go to Paris

2. Hanging out with Cosmo at the last home gymnastics meet. Just the norm.

3. Hunger Games. I'm obsessed. Definitely cried throughout and still, it is the hottest topic at our lunch table.

4. The Holi Festival of Colors. So much fun, so much color. Definitely a must-do if you're ever living near Spanish Fork, Utah.

5. Less than a month till I am in Orlando and working at Disney World! Seriously, I cannot wait. Looking forward to lifeguarding, visiting the beach over and over, and meeting lots of new friends. It's going to be the life.

Gosh, I'm so excited for life. Hello, last two weeks of school, could things be any crazier? I think not! So many things to look forward to in the future, and although there is some sadness and the fact that I currently do not know any of my male friends in the fall, (this is what happens with missions.. girls have no male friends going into fall, it's cool) I am so excited for life. I see life as this wonderful thing that just is happiness crammed into an overflowing ocean of joy. I don't even know if that makes sense, but that's about how gigantic life is for me; an ocean, but one of joy.

Ain't this life the best?

Love always,
Ems

Date Nights are Happy Nights.

After a long and crazy week, I had a wonderful double date night with Josh and Sarah, and Jacob and I. We made pizzas, played some games, made cookies, came up with a story about Harry Potter and mummies, and then watched Raising Helen. It was a night of good things. 

Here's the thing, I love Josh and Sarah (and Jacob isn't too shabby either) so spending a Friday night with those three people pretty much made my crazy week all worth it. I love Josh and Sarah because they're so in love and so crazy. Of course, they got in a flour fight. Jacob and me, being the responsible ones, restrained from such silly things, and just made our pizzas- Jacob to perfection, me to satisfaction. And even though they made a mess, we really didn't mind, because we just got to laugh at them. I love those two. 

 The couples. 

 The responsible ones. 

 Sarah's heart pizza on the right, my odd shaped pizza on the left. 

So Josh and Sarah have these goblets that have the cameos of Martha and George Washington on them and I think they're the dandiest things. Jacob apparently isn't as entertained with them as I am, but that's only normal, I'm easily entertained. Regardless, they're classy goblets. 

Life is still happy. And even happier is the sole month of school that is left. I'm desperately waiting for the Florida sunshine that is just over the horizon. I can't believe my first year of college is almost up. This is crazy business right here. 

Love always,

Ems