in recap

I feel like I hit the ground, running, ever since I've been back in Rexburg. I've been working non-stop at the alumni office and it's good to be back in the swing of things. I spend a ton of time with the girls I work with, which is equally nice, because they are the only people (besides Symone and Trish) that I know in Rexburg right now.

I got my hair done yesterday in a final attempt to fix the damage that the Chinese did to it while abroad. I love it. And, to top it off, I got the sweetest note in the mail from Dustin and I got to hug my favorite Puerto Rican grandma. Camie came over later and Melissa joined us for watching really sappy love movies late into the night. Welcome to a quiet life in Rexburg during the seven week break.

Not only did I get to take a nap today, but I got to catch up with Juli and Brett and my Mom, have homemade Pizza Bread with Symone and Ryan, read some Jane Eyre and then video chat with Joe, my cute third grader from my homeroom!

I miss my students every day; and it drives me nuts at times to not know what they are doing. It was so awesome to have a piece of China and the love that I felt from my kids during my funny conversation with Joe. His English has gotten rusty from being on summer break, but he showed me pictures of his family and his grandparents and proceeded to tell me that it wasn't bed time and show me how bright it was outside in China. I had to explain to him that it was night time in America (and only got the point across with a translator). Regardless, it was wonderful to chat with him and to feel like I can still keep in touch with my kids. I love them. 

Tomorrow is pot luck monday at work (hawaiian haystacks). Symone and I are going to work out. I'm going to read and put a letter in the mail.

Life is good here. 

my greatest fear

I was angry. And that gave me the strength to fight.
The ground became illuminated by the stars
and I reached up and outward;
not caring. not wondering.
just fighting.

You refused to speak to me
and the silence was filled with worn tires on pavement.
The roads we have driven before;
the paths that knew our footprints.
but you did not know me.

you did not know me.

Snapshots on Sunday

When I was home, I had the awesome opportunity to take some photos of my littlest sister, Katie and her BFF, Elaine. We went to one of my favorite locations to shoot; the Hampstead Conservation park. This field is just pure magic, and in the late afternoon summer sun, the lighting is perfect and the colors are vivid and you really get lost in the environment. I had so much fun trying out a few new tricks and poses and now I'm having a ton of fun learning new editing techniques as I work on the photos. Here are some of my favorite shots!

Pepponi

The incredibly talented Piano Guys came to BYU-I on Thursday and I got to go on a Best Friend date with Symone and see them! AND IT WAS AMAZING! Check out this gorgeous African translation to Coldplay's Paradise, that I got to hear LIVE!

Random Rambles

Rexburg is a college town, and when that college is on a summer break, Rexburg is empty. Parking is easy to come by, roads are easy to navigate and the line at Costa Vida takes 5 minutes, tops. The town quiets down, minus the constant sounds of hammers and drills at the various construction sites around campus.

I'm in a new apartment complex and have new roommates. New photos hang on my wall, my student's cute faces beaming at me. They remind me of the person who I became while I was in China and the person I want to be. I think about them often; wonder how they are and what trouble they are making. I miss them.

My hair is practically unmanageable these days because it's getting so long. I don't even know how to style it anymore. But I love it. It's a physical, tangible reminder that my past is my past and that I have nothing but a bright and shiny future ahead of me. I am cancer free.

I did almost nothing worth while today. I mailed a package to Dustin, cleaned out my car and took it through the car wash (which didn't do anything to the bug guts splattered across the front). I started to watch the olympics, but then I fell asleep and dreamed about walking in the streets of China hand in hand with my best friend. And I know where my heart lies.

i know, i fail

but i'll write all about my road trip and being back in Rexburg soon, I promise!

Teacher Beth

There are times when I miss being a teacher in China so much that it takes everything I have to not start crying. 

I miss my students. I miss their little faces and hugs and giggles and constant shouts of "Teeeecha Chelsieee." I miss the way they would light up when they saw me coming to tuck them in or play with them on the play ground. I miss working my tail off in order to give them the best education I could.

I miss being a teacher in China.

And my head teacher posted this photo today of one of my favorite students, Beth. This was one of the last days of teaching and I let her wear the apron and be "Teacher Beth" for the day. She was ecstatic, and so incredibly helpful! She kept on telling everyone else "English Only!" and wanting to give out strikes to those who spoke Chinese.

And I saw this photo and felt a physical ache in my heart where she, and the rest of my second graders are supposed to be.

Being her teacher (and sometimes letting her being the teacher) was one of the greatest things I've ever done. And I'm feeling pretty lost without my students these days.

South Dakota

Oil lights

hail storms

and post cards to home.

we wander through black hills and I think of you.

ungrateful

you made fighting easier for me.
and touched my feet without gloves on your hands.

I don't think I have ever said thank you until yesterday.
and I'm sorry.

Back to listing

1. I decided that the word "catalog" looks weird and consequently, is tricky to spell.

2. I downloaded an app that has a bar-code scanner and will tell me how many calories are in something that I scan in; and keeps track of my daily calorie intake. I've never EVER counted calories before; but since being home, I've noticed an extreme difference in the way I feel after eating over-processed American food as opposed to relatively fresh Chinese food. So, I'm trying to be better about what crap and how much of it I put into my body.

3. I go in for my six-year scans and blood work this Thursday. I'm a little nervous, as always. But, after I get that over with, I get to take engagement photos of a dear friend I grew up with around the grand city of Boston. I'm excited!

4. It's official: Monster's Inc. is my all time favorite Pixar movie.

5. Dad and I are leaving for the great out West on SUNDAY!