Livin' the HI Life: March 2011

My 6 Months in Paradise

On December 30th, 2010, I began my 6 month adventure of attending BYU Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I boarded a plane at 2:30 pm after a short delay due to a Utah snow storm. Soon I arrived at my layover in Seattle where my best friend Janae and her husband Blake were able to grab a bit to eat with me until my next flight was boarding. I then left for an almost 6 hour restless flight to Honolulu. I was greeted by my aunt, uncle and a bundle of cousins. My cute cousin Alyssa ran up and put a lei around my neck...my little Hawaiian initiation! After a long day I was ready to catch up on some sleep. The next morning I woke up to an orange bird chirping and a warm breeze coming through the window, so nice having come directly out of Utah winter weather. The sun was shining and there was lots of exploring to get up and go do, and so my little journey began...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

GAHHHHH!!!

There are several things that I need to blog about, and I just haven't taken the time. Those will come soon, but right now, all I can think of is that...

MY FAMILY COMES TOMORROW MORNING!!!!

My mom, sister Becky and brother in law Adam will be landing here on Oahu at exactly 11:47 tomorrow morning. I can't wait. My dad will come at the same time Saturday morning, and they will all be here until next Wednesday. A whole week with my family is going to be sooooo incredible. This is the longest I have gone with not seeing any of them, and I think I have done pretty good with it! Many people thought that I would have a panic attack within the first few weeks, and I haven't had one yet.

Last week I started feeling really sick, so my aunt and uncle took me to their house where I ended up staying for the next few days. I went to the Health Center on campus, where I tested positive for strep. I hate strep. I've probably had it 30 times in my life and it sucks just as much each and every time. Luckily with strep though, once I started on the antibiotics I quickly started feeling better. I was back to 100% within about 24 hours.

When I first started feeling sick, I went home and took a nap. I woke up feeling a hundred times worse. It was then that I started getting the most homesick that I've been since I got here. I knew my family was so close to coming out, and that made it so much worse that I was laying there alone in my bed feeling like garbage. I miss my family so much. I know that I am having the time of my life out here, but I also know how much of the little things I'm missing out on at home. As much as I obviously miss everyone in my family, who do I miss the most?? ALISON!!

I miss that little 3 year old more than anything or anyone. I miss her every single minute of every single day. I get to talk to her all the time and Skype her every week or so, and that helps, but what I need is to HOLD her! I need her hugs, and kisses, and to chase her around.

I am going home on May 13th, and as sad as I am to leave, I know that I have Alison, my family, and my friends to come home to. I'm just crossing my fingers that that little princess is waiting at the airport when I get there! Well that's enough venting about my homesickness for one post. I can't wait to post about my family's trip here!

My Family

I am technically the 3rd child out of 4 in my family, having beat my twin Katie to this world by a mere 6 minutes. Katie is recently married to Danny Wiseman. I have an older sister Becky, who is married to Adam Young, with Baby Young on the way. I also have an older brother Mark, married to Michelle, and they have given me the most adorable 1st nephew Daxton. I have another older "sister and brother-in-law" who are unofficially adopted and have 3 young boys: Colby, Brody and Porter. They are like nephews to me and they are all as much part of my family as my other 3 siblings. My awesome parents are Allan and Andi. They've put up with me and my siblings all this time, which makes them the best parents ever! We have a lot of fun, they are always there for me, helping me when I need it most and even when I don't. I have the best family ever!