Welcome back.

Well, I guess it could be time to update you on my life.

I've been back in my favorite place, Cedar City, for two weeks now and have officially begun my sophomore year. It's been interesting to say the least!

The first week I was here was the week before school started. I'm a Presidential Ambassador this year, so I had to come down early for the retreat. This was where I met a bunch of really great people that I will be working with, played lots of volleyball, and got vacuum sealed into a garbage bag.

I'm also working as a reporter for the University Journal, which means as soon as I got back from the retreat I had to rush to the newspaper office to begin Workshop Week. This was where I met more great people that I will be working with, played with Nerf guns, and learned how to write news stories.

That Saturday Marissa and I went to a cute parade down Main Street that consisted of little kids dragging wagons that they decorated to look like storybooks. We got snow cones and walked to an art display, went shopping, played soccer, and ended the day with my cousin's gorgeous wedding reception.

Sunday I drove back home to go to Cort's mission homecoming. It was almost surreal. I can't believe it has been two years!

This was also the day the last of my roommates finally moved in! My roommate is Katey, and we also have Marissa, Dylan, and Keiranne. I'm sure you remember them all from last year (except Katey, who is a freshman. She was in my ward at home).

Monday, school started! I must say, I'm not sure I was prepared for everything that was thrown at me at once. This week stressed me out and I realized I might have been a little too ambitious when I decided to take 18 credits, have a job, and do PAs. So I downgraded my class load and now everything is wonderful.

Welcome Week is one of the best weeks of college, in my opinion. This one included free food, casino night, a tailgate and movie, a mentalist, and a crazy dance party.

Casino Night

After the paint dance

Overall, a pretty solid first week of school.

Life goes on.

One of the saddest things about life is that it goes on.

Why can't I still be that blonde-haired, wide-eyed little girl that ran without looking where she was going? That recited nursery rhymes and sang "Little Bitty" and asked so many questions full of wonder? That wore her hair in curls and bows on top of her head and never stumbled over words?

Why can't I still be that barefoot, wild tomboy that would rather play soccer all day than play with dolls? That spent every hour outside in the backyard that was her universe? That had poison ivy more often than not but didn't care? That wrote endless amounts of stories and dreamt up millions more?

Why can't I still be that awkward, crooked-toothed twelve-year-old that drew comics and played the clarinet? That discovered there was other music out there besides country and made lots of radio station requests? That caught tadpoles in the lake and was allowed to go yard-sale shopping without supervision? That climbed trees and washed dogs and jumped on trampolines and got bit by ants and only needed a shoreline and a surfboard?

Why can't I still be that boy-crazy, dramatic middle-schooler that grew out her bangs and took a theatre class? That sang Disney songs in talent shows and joined yearbook committee and burnt cookies? That went down slip-n-slides and played night games and hated French long before she loved it?

Why can't I still be that shy, curious sophomore that transferred schools and signed up for hip-hop lessons? That drove a little too fast and listened to music a little too loud? That ran track and dressed like a skater and sat in the hallway during lunch? That dyed her hair every color and got lost on her first day and rode bikes everywhere in the summertime?

Why can't I still be that reckless, carefree junior that went dancing on the weekends and watched movies on the weekdays? That got a job and made girl friends and bought too many clothes? That joined Key Club and went to Idaho and choreographed to the Backstreet Boys? That went to concerts and drove around aimlessly and played ping pong? That held nothing back and fell in love and had her heart broken and learned to forgive?

Why can't I still be that responsible, hard-working senior that longed to leave high school and begin her real life? That spent every day at school, work, or both, and became Key Club president and a shift leader? That applied for colleges and scholarships and fixed both eyes on the days ahead? That finally went to prom and learned to curl her hair?

Why can't I still be that nervous, excited college freshman that moved away and learned who she is? That made new friends but treasured the old? That played guitar again and learned to love French and rediscovered her passion for writing? That left her comfort zone and went to France and worked two jobs? That was scared or was lonely or was happier than she had ever been? That fell in love with life, with people, with the world?

I'm not any of those girls anymore. 

I'm all of them. 

That's the amazing thing about life: It goes on.

So long, so long.

My summer is over.

And as much as I've complained about it and said it has been hard (which it truly has), I am so glad to know the things I have learned this summer. I think these four months were given to me for a reason, definitely.

A list of things I'm thankful for, pertaining to this summer:

• The ability and opportunity to have had not only one, but two jobs, where I made new friendships and continued to learn to work hard and be patient.
• A healthy body that let me walk all over France; work twelve hour shifts; and hike, bike, and run all over Draper.
• My extraordinary friends that have the courage to take two years out of their lives for the service of the church and the people all over the world. I'm not sure I would be able to leave my life behind for two years. This amazes me endlessly.
• My family that provides for me, encourages me, and supports me in (almost!) everything I do.
• My huge puppy that likes to hold my hand and still loves to fall asleep on my lap at night. What would I do without him?
• My stellar friends that entertained me on many a night and listened to my rants about life. That called me when I needed it the most and spent time with me doing absolutely nothing. It meant so much to me.

A list of my favorite quotes, pertaining to this summer:

• "You can stomp on the flowers, but you can't stop the spring."
• "Be afraid, but do it anyway."
• "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it - always." -Ghandi
• "Don't count the days, make the days count."

A list of my favorite books that I have read this summer:

• Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosnay
• The Help - Kathryn Stockett

Tomorrow I will be back on the road, en route to Cedar City for my second year of college. While last year was a little bittersweet, what with leaving home for the first time and going to a place where I didn't know a single soul, this year is different. This year I know my roommates (who you will meet soon enough, patience my friends) and even though many of my best friends from last year won't be returning, I know that this is going to be one amazing year. I can't wait to see what it has in store for me.

So long, summer.

Conversations.

I've met a lot of interesting people lately.

Thursday, at the Twilight Concert:

It was supposed to be Passion Pit playing but apparently he had a mental breakdown due to drugs and couldn't make it. So instead, Rachel, Rosie, and I got to see Austra and Divine Fits (whoever that is). If you saw three girls dancing their hearts out right in the middle of the crowd... Guilty!

Guy drinking beer next to us before the show: Man, I'm so bummed that Passion Pit canceled!

Me: Yeah, so are we!

Guy: Did you hear he's in rehab or something?

Rosie: Yeah, we heard he had a mental breakdown for drugs.

Guy: I just don't get why he couldn't just come play this show first! It's probably because it's Utah. He knew he needed to sober up to come here.

Girl standing in front of us while we were dancing (to her boyfriend): I'm gonna join them.

Girl (to me): You guys are fun! (starts dancing crazy)

Hipster boy behind us: You guys are by far the hardest rockers at this show.

Rosie: Hey, you could be!

Boy: Teach me your moves! Please! I'm just going to copy every single thing you do.

All in all, great night.

Friday, at Plato's:

Okay, background story on this is that I was just chilling in the guys' section straightening denim (which is like the bane of my existence. I don't know why guys jeans have to be so heavy that they fall off the hanger by themselves, and then everyone who shops them just rip them off to make it worse) when I hear this lady talking. No one else was back there.

Lady: Is it just me, or does anyone else think that's really weird? I just think that's really weird.

I didn't think she was talking to me so I just looked away and she walked off. I went back there to see who she was talking to, but there was no one there. Next thing I know, she's behind me, tapping on my shoulder.

Lady: Do you not think that's weird?

Me: Uh, think what's weird?

Lady: The words to the song.

Me: What did it say...?

Lady: "I'm looking for something dumb to do, I think I want to marry you."

Me: Um, yeah, I guess that's weird.

Lady: I just think that is sooooo sad!!!

Me: Okay...

Then she walked away. I'm so glad I have one last crazy customer to remember Plato's by. As if I didn't already have like five million. (Read about more here, if you want.) Also I feel like all these conversations were probably a lot cooler/funnier for me, in person, but whatever.

In other news, my dad broke his arm last week while mountain biking. And when I say "broke", I mean he compound fractured his arm and got life flighted off the mountain. Another day in the Doty household...?

Due to this, I got to spend a day with my brother in Park City last week. We went to the PC Arts Festival and saw Batman (my third time). It was pretty chill and Oakley, where he goes to school, has got to be among the most beautiful places out there.

I also went to Nitro Circus 3D with my other brother. Our family friend known as Jeremy Rawle invited us, so we went. I would highly recommend anything with the words "Nitro Circus" in the title.

Yesterday, I woke up at the crack of dawn (6:30) and went to the hot air balloon festival before work. Then I went back that night to see them glow. Then I played ping pong and N64 Mario Kart with my friends. I'm a pro at both so anyone who wants to challenge me, please do.

And last but not least, I quit both my jobs! I'm a free bird again. Cowabunga and Plato's are behind me, for good this time. Which means (drum roll please) it's back to Cedar on Friday! Ask me if I'm excited. Because that's an understatement.

PS: Special shout out to Instagram for allowing me to create these wonderful, square, vintage style photos to share with you all in order to illustrate my life.

Check up.

It's August first. Which means about 16 days left of "summer" for me. (I put that in quotation marks because the majority of my time is spent at work and by the time I get off at night I have like three hours of summer a day.) (But it's okay. It's not a bad thing!) Which, in turn, means it's time to check up on the summer bucket list.

• Tennis
• Swimming
• Draper Park
• Draper trail
• Geocaching
• Scootering/Ripsticking/Biking
• Learning to cook
• Floating the Provo River
• Hiking
• Dance Central
• Make videos
• Rock climbing
• Cowabunga Bay
• Drive in movie
• Camping

I've actually done better than I thought! I need to get cracking on the last few though, seeing as I only have two weeks left. I had to take off skydiving and paragliding because, unfortunately, I'm not made of money. And let's be honest: if I ever am, I will probably just spend it on food.

On the plus side, this summer bucket list has allowed me to find things out that I've never known. Or maybe just forgotten. Like how much I love rock climbing and playing tennis even though I am awful at both. Like how much I've missed hiking and swimming and the tree of life at Draper Park. Like how cold drive in movies can be.

Mostly, though, I've rediscovered my love for bike riding. (And yes, I know I kind of already blogged about biking once but I'm going to do it again.) This summer I have switched out my usual running routine for a biking routine, mostly because it's more fun and I got way out of shape as far as running goes while I was in France. So I've opted for a bike most of the time, and it has been amazing. Not only do you get a great sense of accomplishment when you finally make it up the giant hill you live on top of, but it's also the best way to explore. So far I have found four deer (which include a baby and a buck), a zebra, two emus, a dinosaur, and a new secret treehouse (since my old one is rotting away).

So, I guess this summer has yielded a few benefits. It's definitely been an interesting one. But I'm so ready to go back to Cedar!

Scattered showers.

Guru Pathik once said, "The greatest illusion in this world is the illusion of separation."

And yes, I did just use a quote from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I've had a lot of time to think this week due to the fact that I drove down to Cedar City to visit Marissa and take a tour of our apartment for the fall. I didn't have any epiphanies or anything, and I still don't know the meaning of life, but sometimes it's nice just to think about things. And what I realized was that every single person I have ever known has had a profound impact on me and helped to create who I am today. I'm so amazed by and grateful for that. We are all part of a bigger picture; a web; we are trees with roots all tangled together. And even when someone is gone, for a little while or a long time, many times their impact is still there, still shaping you. We are never truly separate or alone.

So anyway, I don't really know what I'm trying to say. There's my thought for the day.

I saw Batman. Not only did I see it, I became Catwoman in honor of the occasion. Complete with a velvet Halloween costume made for a ten-year-old girl, leopard print moccasins, and ruby red lipstick. Rawr.

I could rave about it for hours, but I won't. It was absolutely amazing, and anyone who disagrees can get out because this is my blog and I say that to be here you have to like Batman. So either change your opinion immediately or leave.

My heart goes out to the people of Aurora, CO whose movie and lives were cut short before they should have been. May that town and especially those families have comfort.

I went to a REAL game. They are the best, especially when my team wins (which they did) and there's a fireworks display after (which there was).

I've noticed that my eyes don't squint when I smile like everyone else's. Is that creepy? I feel like it is. Maybe it's just in pictures.

I went to Mike N's mission farewell and I think he went into the MTC today. Add him to the list of letters I need to write! Since then I have been in Cedar with Marissa. We didn't do much, but we watched some cute movies and went to a beach party. It was a much needed vacation from my crazy work life!

Tomorrow: Back to the grind. But each day brings me closer to moving back down to Cedar, so I will continue to embrace it! I'm so close!

I guess I will stop rambling now. Maybe someday I'll have something exciting to blog about but until then you can just attempt to read these scattered updates from my life. Have a good night, my friends!

Friends.

Well, hi.

In case you were wondering, I made it through this weekend. But I doubt you were since I have basically disappeared from the Internet for three whole days and you have no idea what I've even been doing. Which is like, unheard of.

Let me just start out by saying I have the greatest friends ever. This past week and a half has been made so much easier by a few select people that I am so grateful for. You know who you are... and if you don't, not to worry because I'm about to write about it so you can just look for your name.

Sierra, Madi, and Annie: What would I do without these three? I don't know why we waited half the summer to have our reunion. I will forever be grateful we all worked at Plato's so we could be brought together. Snow cones, IHOP, and coffee shop conversation were just what I needed last week. Spending a bunch of money at F21, maybe not so much. But I have no regrets. I love you guys.

Cam: I seriously can't believe it has been four years since we met! A lot has changed since before your mission but I'm so glad that we have stayed best friends through it all. Thanks for taking me on motorcycle rides and for our long conversations about life and arguments about cars this week. And of course, our bike ride tradition is still kicking. Summer wouldn't be the same without it!

Tyler Deboer: I don't know how you knew to come pick me up from my house, buy a carton of cookies and cream ice cream, and drive to a park with a swing set to talk, pig out, and look at the stars, but it was much needed. Plus, how would I ever find good music to listen to without your advice?

Mike Lee: Let's be honest, GHA was the best thing to ever happen to me. Without it I would have never ended up at SUU or met this quality kid. This whole past year and especially this summer just would not be the same without his hilarious texts and Facebook statuses to keep me entertained. And I know I will have something exciting to do at least once a week when one of us makes the 45 minute drive to hang out!

Mike Nash: The fact that our friendship has survived all this time also kind of shocks me. I remember all the way back to ninth grade biology when we met. Middle school wasn't exactly my shining moment but I guess that didn't matter! We've been through the highs of crashing sweet sixteens and definitely the lows of a certain house by Draper temple. But we made it through it all and now you are also weeks away from the MTC and a mission. Loved that joke of a tennis match and Arctic Circle ice creams this week.

Danielle: What can I even say? I know that I transferred schools and randomly joined the track team sophomore year for a reason and I'm pretty sure it was so that we could become friends. No matter how long we go without talking or seeing each other, nothing will ever change. You are my best friend and I know I can always call on you whenever I need someone to talk to, hang out with, or get free food with (which was our purpose this week. Cow Appreciation Day!). You're the best, seriously.

Marissa: Can't forget this girl! We were both kind of MIA this week but a midnight Skype date last night got us caught up. I'm still amazed that I was lucky enough to get a roommate this cool. I literally cannot wait for fall semester. Come faster!

So you see why my friends are awesome. Other than all of these adventures, I spent around 50 hours of my time at Plato's/Cowabunga, which was just as awesome (that's me being sarcastic). Except for yesterday was Grab Bag at Plato's, which really was super great. Basically, you stuff all the clearance items you can into a grocery bag, and you get the whole thing for ten dollars. When I got to work at 8 am, there was already a line outside the door and we don't even open until 10. The people in the front of the line said they had been there since 6:30! This was the line when we opened our doors. You can't even see the end of it. People are crazy.

I was in charge of dressing rooms, which I have never done before, and it was madness. However, the best part of Grab Bag is talking to everyone, which was kind of hard to do in the past when I was on registers, because you have to go so fast. I loved finding out everyone's story: how long they had been there, who they were shopping for, and their strategies to fit the most into the bag. There were old ladies braving the crowds for their grandchildren (One sat down right in front of a dressing room to sort clothes and narrowly missed getting a black eye from the door opening.), couples in search of a cheap date idea (Okay, I might have made that up. There were couples but I hope they weren't on an actual date.), and moms dragging their little kids around hoping they didn't get trampled (This is my personal pet peeve due to the fact that I spent half the day being attacked by small children with balloons.). My favorite was the woman and teenage boy I met that were friends only because they see each other at Grab Bag twice a year and the boy taught her how to stuff the bags. It's pretty much my favorite day to work at Plato's Closet, even though it might look like the worst.

In other news, I have successfully gone 6 months and 15 days without drinking soda, which is a big deal. It might be the first new year's resolution that I have actually kept. I've been doing pretty well at working out four times a week but it was difficult in France, and getting back in the habit is even more difficult.

Now I am just sitting on my bed eating European chocolate and dreading tomorrow when I have to start another 40+ hour work week. It gives me something to keep me busy though, which I am grateful for. Plus, Dark Knight Rises comes out on Friday and I cannot wait. If anyone wants to join me sometime this week to watch the first two, feel free!

Thanks again to all of my fantastic friends. I'll see you guys soon.