Déjà vu

So lately this totally weird thing has been happening to me. Everywhere I turn, I think I see someone from back home. The other day I thought I saw my friend Sara LeCheminant. She had the walk, and was wearing this plaid green shirt and I almost yelled out to her and ran over there. The girl turned and talked to her friend and only then I could see that it wasn't Sara. Then later that day I was walking back to my room after lunch and could've sworn I saw my neighbor Robyn! I was SO ecstatic that this time I did kind of pick up my pace. But when the lady turned the corner it definitely wasn't her and my brain was kind of freaking out. I've seen my cousin Rebecca, my friends Bergen and Sam, and my Aunt Cynthia all within last week. Man, I seriously need some face time with my friends and family so I can stop seeing them everywhere. Or better yet, they could all just come to Hawaii!! ;)

Have you laughed today?

This last week was extremely stressful for me. I was sick, I felt like I had a ton of responsibilities and felt like I had no time to get them all done, and it was only the second week of summer semester. So, by the time that Friday rolled around, I was so grateful. I was on call that night with Becca and it gave me some time to relax. When all was done, the two of us were stuck in the office on a Friday night until 10 pm with not much to do. Becca suggested we watch this funny video she found online. She told me it was like an hour of these pranks people were pulling. They were just gags on strangers but they were hilarious. And it really was an hour long! We laughed for SO long. We just kept finding funny videos to watch to make the time go by. When we were done for the night, I couldn't help but continue to smile for the rest of the night. So, if you need a good laugh, here's a five minute video just for you. :)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7U-EDE8G5g

Some Assembly Required

             Ok. So I know the whole world is raving about The Avengers movie, but I live on this planet too and I'm about to rave about it. J I loved this movie. Like loved loved loved!! It was SO good! I was even expecting a lot because of the trailers, and it definitely exceeded my expectations! Let me just chat about this movie for a minute.

            I was not expecting it to be so funny!! Oh my goodness! It was hilarious! Everyone had funny lines! And it seemed like they just kept coming! I think I was laughing for the majority of the movie! I think I might've missed some serious plots points because I still was laughing about the scene before. It's not that I'm slow or anything…ok it was midnight so maybe, but my funny bone was just so tickled!

            The men in this movie. Good heavens! I haven't seen that many attractive men in one movie since the Oceans movies!! And I love those movies! They put like one attractive woman in there. And mind you, Scarlett Johansen did an absolutely amazing job as Black Widow. She was awesome! But, let's be honest, every guy in there was drooling over her. Naturally! Yet, they stick like…five of the most attractive men on this planet and expect us girls to pick a side! Oh come on! Let's talk about them now! My favorite part in all reality. ;)

            First, Mark Ruffalo. Honestly, I had to IMDB his name because I didn't know who he was. The entire time I kept thinking to myself, 13 going on 30 guy. And MAN! He stole the show superhero wise for me. I was not the biggest fan of either of the Hulk movies. I didn't like the actors or something like that, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. But the way Ruffalo played Dr. Banner was so good! Such inner conflict just to turn out to be an awesome giant green monster thing! Amazing. But, he couldn't really hold a candle to the other guys.

            Next, I ADORE Robert Downy Jr. Iron Man was probably my favorite movie of all the Avengers by itself. There were two of them, and they both were good. He had the best lines, the best look, and some of the best action scenes. This man is brilliant. I loved him, but he wasn't quite my favorite. Don't get me wrong. They're all extremely close in my book but I think he took a back seat for me compared to the other people.

            Only a few points ahead of this guy is Chris Evans. Aka- Captain America. I only have one question: Why didn't he get more face time?! Captain America was supposed to be like one of the founders of the Avengers, and he hardly had anything to do with it! But, I have to say, every time Chris Evans face was on screen it was definitely good face time for me. I just think he's super duper cute. haha.

            Chris Hemsworth or Thor, falls at the top of my movie superhero people who got their own movies. Sure I might be a teeny tiny bit bias to the fact that his man was born on August 11^th which just happens to be my birthday too. Even if it was 10 years apart, let's be honest, anyone that's born on that day is basically my favorite person ever. The coolest, most talented, people are born on this day. ;)  PLUS, this guy is smoking hot! I loved the movie Thor too. He just plays a pompous god like figure so good. I am such a fan.

            Now, my personal favorite was Jeremy Renner. AKA Hawkeye. Don't ask me why. I honestly have no idea why I'm such a fan, but I am. haha. I think it all started with Pink's music video "Trouble." I'm not the biggest Pink fan but when I saw this music video, Jeremy Renner was like the only thing I could focus on. Also, I remembered him from the newest Mission Impossible movie. Ghost Protocol! Man, that movie was good too. But my favorite part was Jeremy Renner's character! I don't know if it's because he's a good actor or because he's pretty, but either way he's my number one from this movie, and essentially a whole bunch of other movies to come. He's going to be in the new Bourne movie. (Bourne Legacy), and you can bet your bottom dollar I'm looking forward to that one!

            All in all, I'm definitely a hard core Avengers fan. I seriously want to see it again, I want to buy it when it comes out on DVD, and I want to know everything about this movie, the comics, and more. I think I've just graduated into the super nerd club, and I'm so excited. :D

Until We Meet Again

It's the last week of winter semester. When were my finals going to end? When was I going to get a break? When were my friends leaving? Where did the time go…? The last two questions had been weighing on my mind the most. All the answers to these questions were answered in one week. Monday consisted of studying and planning the last week of fun with everyone. It had been decided that a Kahuku Grill trip was desperately in need. Tuesday night it is! That meant I only had a day to figure out what to do for my friends. I've been known for letters so I'll just stick with that. After the first one, my heart feels heavy. After the second, I'm crying so hard I can't even see straight. Sleep is needed. The next morning is spent working on take home finals, last days of classes, and more planning. Kahuku Grill trip tonight! My emotions move from super excited, to dreading the trip in a matter of minutes. I still have three letters to write and a couple of hours to go. I write two more, with just as much struggle as the first two. The last one seems to be the hardest though. I struggle through it because I have too much to say and not enough time. I address envelopes, put Disney stickers on them, and stick them in my bag. I run to meet everyone else. Parker, Sar, Hannah, Esther, Kelly, Kevin and Camron are all there. We cram into Kevin's car, and with music blasting, begin our awesome party. When we finally get there, I can barely feel my legs. We walk up and it's super busy. I'm secretly excited because the more time we get to spend with each other the better. We order our food and take our seat at the regular picnic table we always sit at. We decide to go around the table and video tape as each person says what they're going to miss about the person next to them. It gives me warm fuzzies and I realize I already miss these kids and they're not even gone yet! We play "Two Truths and a Lie" multiple times until the food comes. After we eat, I decide it's time. I hate making "the speech", but I do. I just tell them how much I'm going to miss them and that I had to get them something. I hand out the letters (apologizing to Camron that I didn't have one for him, and telling Kev and Esther they'll get theirs when they actually go home) and tell them they can read them now or later. I secretly wish they would read them later but I can already hear the seals of the envelopes being ripped open. The awkward silence starts as they all begin to read and I feel my heart beat start to race. Small giggles from each of them as they catch my inside jokes, cheesy lines, and get the overall feeling of my heart in each of their letters. Hannah's done first, which sucks because by the time she comes over to hug me, I'm already crying. Sara's next and even though she won't shed a tear, I know her heart's in the right place. It's just not connected to her tear ducts. Kelly next and I start to feel the tears again but I do my best to keep them internalized. Parker hugs me last and I know that this letter writing thing is going to have to keep, because I can't stand not talking to this kid. Everyone breaks out their cameras and start taking pictures. I wish that I could freeze time right then and never let this moment pass, but I'll settle for a group photo instead.

Wednesday morning is the first day of finals. After a long day of horrible test taking, I meet up with a bunch of other people for our last tennis night. More people show up than ever did any other night. I think it was for the food, but I can't say for sure. Time flies and it's 11 pm and soon security will start showing up. Plus, we all still have finals the next day. Another group photo shot and as I leave the courts I realize I may never see some of these people again. My closest friends aren't leaving yet, so I force that thought to the back of my mind. By Thursday the finals routine is getting so old. I just want to be finished! But…if I'm done, then so are my friends and they'd be…gone. I find out that Thursday night is a Uno filled night of fun. Parker, Sara, Kelly, Hannah, and I meet up in the cage for what may be the last time we've all ever together. I'm determined to make it the most enjoyable night ever. And it is. We play Uno for a while, and then play Spaz. 10:00 is the darkest hour as we all decide that we should probably split up. Parker's flight is tomorrow afternoon and with the last of finals, we probably won't see him again. Tearful goodbyes are exchanged and I leave before I have another breakdown. I had planned for a run so I drop some items off at my room and head outside. It went from decent weather, to pouring rain. Good enough for me, and I start to run around the outside of the circle. A few times around and then I'll be done. I'm running by the stake center when a pang hits my heart. I can't decided if it's because I'm super duper out of shape, or because of the fact that all my friends are leaving, and I've been repressing that thought. I decided to run to the temple and by now the rain's let up a little bit but I'm already soaking wet. When I get there I press the shuffle button on my iPod and the song that comes on, plucks a serious heart string and as the rain starts up again, so do my tears. I listen to the whole song and just let myself cry. I'm pretty sure I've got a hold of myself, but when the next song comes on I start to do this weird, cry/laugh thing. The song is super ironic and I'm pretty sure it's the universe laughing at me. I run back to campus and think of the amazing memories I've had this past semester with some of the most amazing people ever. Friday I say goodbye to Sara, Saturday to Hannah and on that next Wednesday to Kelly. In less than a week, all but one of my best friends here in Hawaii was gone. I'm pretty sure I spent the next couple of days looking through Facebook pictures and crying myself to sleep. I realize something though. Even if I won't see some of these kids for 5 months, 8 months, 2 years or longer, we'll always have the memories in Hawaii. And those will last a lifetime.