9)Trek to Provo Utah

So here I was. Driving eleven hours from little El Dorado California, to the bubble of Provo Utah. The drive seemed like days. I was stuffed in my tiny car with more possessions than should have really fit in my trunk and backseat. As you can tell I was bored out of my mind. Don't get me wrong, the mother daughter heart-to-heart we shared was something to remember! I was ready to get my new college life started, but I-80 seemed to never end. The thought crossed my mind a time or two that Nevada should just sink so that the drive to Utah would be cut in half. That way I would be happier, and what Utahan wouldn't be happier to be closer to sunny California? Its a Win Win!

On our adventure through Nevada, we hit a thick fog and some crazy rain. Coming from California were it was in the worst drought it's seen in decades, and pretty much half of California was set on fire because it was so dry, I was hoping that even just half this rain storm would find its way towards my hometown. Nevada has a depressing vibe and driving six hours on a straight road in this dismal state made me think a little. It made me think that i would have to drive this stretch EVERY time i wanted to go home. These extra six hours are in the way of me and my home.

It seemed as though things were looking down. Just when I thought the worst, like I'm not gonna make any friends, I'm gonna hate my roommates, or I'm gonna get so homesick... there was a sign sent from God in all this misery.   Not a small rainbow, but a full rainbow. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It made me practically slap myself in the face for thinking the worst. Why do I always make situations seem worse than they really are. I mean how bad could BYU be right? All I've ever heard is good things from this place. At this point I was still a little nervous. I had chosen to live off campus and skip the traditional "Freshman Experience".

I knew this would back fire and blow up in my face. I was nervous about the regret I would feel for not getting to know more people. This is where I was thinking if i did not like my roommates, then there is no turning back. I could not just walk down the hall to find other friends to turn to.

As I pulled into my apartment I was nervous to even walk up my stairs. This was it and this place was my new life. Things were awkward at first. I didn't know what to think. Did I like my new old dingy apartment? And the awkward small talk with the roommates. I wondered if this would ever feel normal. At that point i couldn't tell if we were gonna be friends or just acquaintances. If we'd enjoy each other's company, or if we'd just stick to the casual "hi" on the way through the front door, then go into hiding in our rooms.


This was our first roommate picture. We awkwardly sat in the living room and awkwardly suggested a roommate picture. After this picture I'm pretty sure we all went our separate ways without saying a word. Don't let our smiles fool you. It was Weird. After a couple days we started to have real conversations with each other. We actually got to know each other!

As of now I feel so blessed to know these girls! Even though we are all completely different, these are girls I'll never forget. I am so grateful that I have met these amazing people, and they have become some of my best friends. From that first day, I'd never believe that I'd be this close to these people. And I'm so glad things turned out the way they did. We share so many laughs and great memories. And I wouldn't trade this experience for any typical "Freshman experience".

There is never a dull moment with these ladies!