Home for the Holidays (and reveries of high school days)

I sang at a funeral today.

Coming home is great for my self-esteem. All the adults at church thinks I'm wonderful. It's really nice.
Although there are awkward times... Crazy people and noisy sacrament meetings are still in great abundance. On the other hand, I was reminded today though of all the great people in my home ward--there are quite a lot of people I look up to and admire.

I hung out with old high school friends yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. I spoke of them in my last entry of them and realized we were losing touch. Sometimes I have a few negative connotations with high school--all the insecurities involved and growing pains. However, seeing them yesterday brought back a lot of good memories. I honestly can't complain--I had a large, close, good group of friends. We meshed in a lot of ways I do not quite click with college friends. We had similar interests--after all, we met because of our similar interests and goals, namely AP and other advanced classes. Some were in choir and other similar extracurricular activities with me too. We are all still nerds who are studious but clever and funny. We just plain click even though we don't all stay in touch. A few of them have different values, but on the whole they are just good people. Being in the Bible belt, most are religious too.
Some stay in touch better than I do though. It is interesting hearing of their college experiences--they are different than mine. On the whole, most (definitely not all) have not made as close, lifelong friends as I have had. The social scenes of other colleges are very different than that of BYU. They are not as conducive to the making of close, lifelong friends. High school friends, thus, have an even closer spot to their heart because they are the closest friends they have ever had.
It is interesting interacting with them though. I have grown up--more social, more mature, and more confident--a me they don't really know. Thus, this me does not really appear. This me is not the me they know nor expect and this me doesn't know how to interact with them. Thus, it is the old, quiet, unsure me that appears to be present. I don't know if that makes sense. It is hard for this more mature me to interact with any group that doesn't know this me because they don't expect it. I hope that doesn't seem shallow because it's not. Perhaps, it is just a sign that I am still learning and growing, and there is definitely more room for growth. :)
However, I realized last night though that I had no reason to ever, ever, ever doubt their friendship. They would have continued to be my friends and will always be my friends. My closest friends won't forget me even if we lose touch.

In sum, I am having a great time, and so my summer plans are still being debated... I was pretty sure I wasn't coming home, but now I'm not. After all, I could save a lot of money, and I have a job waiting for me. However, then I remember that 4 months is a long time and none of my friends would be in town...

In honor of lifelong friends...

And then there were two...

Well, another one of my close friends, Jenn got married on Friday! Woo hoo! I am so excited for her and Aaron!

So, I was at her reception, and as we were leaving, she said something along these lines, "Ya know, we will always be friends." It really started my wheels a spinnin'...

With finals over with, I have plenty of time to think about whatever I want now.

I told Jenn we would all always be friends. After all, we are probably all each other's last close girlfriends before marriage. We've watched each other grow up, and we watched relationships evolve into marriage. I am pretty sure that if we had to choose friends to stay in touch with, we would all be on each other's list. We all have fond memories, and as cheesy as this sounds, they all hold a special spot in my heart. I have learned a lot from them--from recipes to good music, from dating to my relationship with Our Savior. Even if it is just Christmas cards and visits when we are in the area, we will stay in each other's lives. However, in this world of facebook and blogging, I would be willing to bet we stay closer than that.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was honestly the perfect movie for us to watch at Jenn's Bachelorette Party!

So, yeah, I've been thinking alot about how lucky we are. I don't think everyone leaves the college scene with such close friends. I remember debating who to live with freshmen year--I almost lived with Chelsie, a close friend from home. However, Chelsie and I will always be close, and I wanted to get to know some new friends better. To think I almost missed out on making some of the best friends I've ever had! That's honestly not an exaggeration either.

I had close friends in high school and some fond memories. We formed an exclusive group of girls called the "Yistas," and we were pretty tight. I also made many close friends in my AP classes and choir. I will never forget them. However, I am beginning to kinda lose touch with many of them, which is just as much my fault as theirs. However, our lives are heading different directions, and we have different interests. Also, adolescent insecurities are also associated with this era. And although I had fun, I never opened up as much as I have with my roommates. When you live with friends, you grow much closer and get to know them on a whole new level.

Meagan and I felt on the lonely side this year with Jenn engaged and Monica on a mission. However, Monica comes back in about a year. I am sure we will also have some fun with Jules when she returns in less than a year. And, we are so excited for Jenna and Jenn--they have found wonderful men they will love for time to all eternity.

So, here's to the memories and love of lifelong friends!

Carol of Joy

I love the Christmas season! I love the chance it provides to worship and praise our Savior. Honestly, the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provides great reason to rejoice! There are 3 important aspects of the Atonement: He saves us from death, saves us from sin, and can comfort us in our afflictions. This gospel really is "good news." It brings peace and joy into our lives. My heart is just so full of gratitude at the moment.
At the "Celebration of Christmas" concert, we ended with the song "Carol of Joy." It was my favorite song on the program, as well as for many other people. This is actually our second year singing it. The lyrics are by Eileen Berry, and the music by Dan Forrest. It is quite the moving song. It has brought me nearly to tears while singing many times (which is a very dangerous thing...).

Carol of Joy

Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky;
Lengthening shadows, dark closing in;
Then through the stillness, carols begin.

O fallen world, to you is the song!
Death holds you fast, and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy;
Sweet to your ears, a carol of joy!

Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold, barren hillside shrouded in snow.
Deep empty valley, veiled by the night;
Hear angel music hopeful and bright.

O fearful world, to you is the song!
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong.
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound,
Carol of joy, a Savior is found!

Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies.
Look up, sad-hearted! Witness God's love;
Join in the carol swelling above!

O friendless world, to you is the song!
All heaven's joy to you may belong!
You are are lonely, laden, forlorn:
Now unto you, a Savior is come!