Liverpool, Russia, Zambia

 I’m gonna lay it out for you guys. This past weekend was a

ROLLER COASTER: Of fantastic, and overwhelm. I was really excited to go home for my buddies mission farewell, and to hang out with familia, etc. I left Logan at 5 a.m. and was feeling SO GOOD, ready for an amazing drive whilst being left with my thoughts and my music, and my beverages of choice. And was going to get home at a really decent time so I’d have another day in my city.

THEN, Priscilla (my car of almost 3 years) DIED on me. I was 13 miles out of Filmore, and she took her last breath.

So I chillaxed on the side of the highway while Priscilla was in between the merging lane and the right hand lane.

like so..

Luckily it was pretty warm out, and not snowing or other nonsense weather that Utah gives us. Blessing #1

I got a tow, never had to do that before. But it went very smoothly. Blessing#2

For about the next 5 hours I hung out with men of this sort.. really kind, old cute small town types. Blessing #3

then I had to say goodbye, which was sorta weird. You know what i mean when I say you get attached to cars.

Memories in this BEAUT. gotta check out this one, & the beaver incident, & here, lastly, the beginning.

Since I didnt have transportation I got to take the shuttle from Filmore all the way to Vegas. Luckily I hadnt missed it yet. Blessing #4  But I had a crap load of stuff from my car that i had to clean out. I looked like a traveling Gypsy. The locals HAD to have thought there was something wrong with me.

In fact I had plenty of time to explore Filmore. Which is basically one street

When i finally got on the shuttle, things started looking up. I met an amazing girl that is transferring to USU next semester and we had great talks about traveling and  why Utah State is FANTASTIC. We plan on keeping in contact and maybe even living together next semester.

A car dies, but a friend is born. ha  Blessing #5

Then I got on my second shuttle in St. George. I met some really intriguing amazing people.   A lady from Liverpool, England. A man from Russia, and a kid from Zambia.

They all had the coolest stories to tell and i was just eating it all up.

Lady from Liverpool Story:

Her husband used to work for Paul McCartney’s father way back in the day. One day her husband heard Paul downstairs in the house, and asked if he could go meet him and his other children, etc. Paul’s father said, “uh, yeah i guess so… I don’t think Paul will go very far in life…”

Little did he know.

Russian Man’s Story:

This man was in St. George for the Senior Olympics and had been traveling all over the world for this senior Olympics. Apparently he’s a big deal in the games as a swimmer. I was intrigued.

Zambia boys story:

This kid was who i sat next to, and he told me about how he was adopted by a soldier from Michigan when he was 12, and it now 21. But that in Zambia he was beat by his family and considered sort of a slave on the farm he worked on. Now, his inspiration is Michael Jackson, and travels the U.S. to dance, and is trying to make it big in the Dance world. Next stop: Miami.

The whole trip became worth it through meeting these people, when i wouldnt have met them and had these personal conversations other wise. Brought me joy when I was having a rough day.

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When i finally made it home i was welcomed by my parents telling me we were going to finally get the exchange student we had been waiting for. I was ECSTATIC!! and once again thought to myself how could this weekend get better considering the circumstances of Thursday, but they absolutely did.

Vegas sunsets make the most beautiful treat. Almost looks like cotton candy. But my favorite part is the reflection of the rich pinks and purples in the gutter water. Simple, but I love it. blessing #6

Saturday was pumpkin carving party day. We had chili and corn bread and family and friends over.

MEET: CATHERINA!! She is my Italian sister. This was her first time carving a pumpkin. Oh, and earlier in the day we got her, her first slurpee. I love spending time with her, and learning things about her culture and life. It never gets old to me, I can never stop learning. BLESSING #7

One of my besties Kat came and joined in the festivities.

Jack Skellington, king of the pumpkin patch.

Brandeis and Jeri, Melina and Jeff and the kids also joined.

After this crazy weekend of new and unexpected events, i had to say goodbye and head back up to school. Catherina already feels like a sister of mine. The little sister I never had:D

Oh i never told you guys how i’m getting up to school .. well i inherited the Cadillac in our household. Blessing #8. Her name is Cruella the Flow Rider. I like her. Even though i feel sorta like a granny in her. OR! like a thug. More so the latter, because DUH, i’m a thug at heart.

couldnt believe the view driving back up. The lighting was so beautiful, and picturesque. I had to share it with you guys. blessing #9. So even though the trip started in an unfortunate way, i was blessed so much and everything fell into better place than i could even imagine. Last day of shorts mix coming soon…