The Big Apple

New York City couldn’t be more iconic. I feel like I know exactly what to expect when I get there because I have heard so much about it and seen so many movies and TV shows that take place there.

At the same time, I know it’s going unexpected because that’s what New York makes New York. You can’t understand it until you’ve been there.

I leave for NYC Saturday. Since I’m going for work, I won’t have a lot of time to explore. But I’ll be taking the subway, eating local food, and talking with hair stylists who live and work in New York. I’ll also probably be battling my people claustrophobia.

Wish me luck!

Staying home

My family is on vacation. I am not. I had high hopes of joining them at the end of the week, but the powers at be thought otherwise. I will be lucky if I get a few hours up at the cabin.

My summer has been quiet and pretty empty, until now. Now about fifty different commitments are vying for my attention and time.

It's hard to remember how fun the musical is supposed to be when your sweltering under the hot stage lights, crammed next to other sweating people. The air conditioning is off, and we still aren't even in full costume, and so we have yet to realize how hot it's really going to get. And we do the scene over and over and over because we can't get it right.

I need to practice my Gibson Girl hair some more. I'm stubborn. I will settle for nothing less than a brilliant pompadour. People wore their hair like that every day--and some people still do--so I should be able to get it right. This should not be out of reach. I hate skimping on something so iconic as hair. I don't want a lousy low bun without any body. No sirree.

Then there's work too, but that hasn't been too bad. It's good to be back in the office. I had to stay home for the musical anyway, so work isn't too much of a burden. It's flexible anyway.

So yes, pity me in my misery. No, don't really. I just needed to vent.

Anyway, have a nice day. Especially if you're riding horses. Have a brilliant day.

-Meg

Oh a day of quiet

There was rain today, and it curtained the doorway. That is why I stayed inside and watched the family come in and out of the water, rushed but happy with their pattern of Monday.

I enjoyed just being me--cozy and comfy. A slight disappointment in a cluttered room, happily obsessing over mindless puzzle games. I wrote a bit, and enjoyed the luxury of not forcing it out of me.

I am glad not every day is this lazy. But oh, how I enjoyed today. And how I loved that when my dad asked me what my plans were tomorrow, I said:

"I'm going to run, maybe. Finish my article, and clean my room."

And he rolled his eyes.

-Meg

Last of Mexico

Today was the last days of classes. I came home, ate a kit kat, took a nap and decided to do some reliving of more exciting days. AKA, cruise to the Mexican Rivera.

Ironically, we never went to a beach in Mexico. Don't ask me how this worked out, it just didn't. But San Diego was ours for about a day, so we rendezvoused there.

We went to the temple, and it was so busy. But the day was beautiful.

I'm getting good at making outfits that are appropriate for both the beach and the temple... (it's a talent.)

I love the beach, La Jolla especially. Once I figured out that it was "la hoy-ya" NOT "la jo-la."

My grandma broke her foot two weeks before the vacation. She was such a good sport as we wheeled her around everywhere! (We figured if you have to put your foot up somewhere, it might as well be on a cruise ship.)

(This pic is from Mexico. We are on a catamaran to Santa Maria Cove in Cabo San Lucas where we snorkeled. It was the closest we got to a beach.)

-M

More Mexico!

I miss Mexico! And my cruise ship. The Oosterdam...

So here are some more pictures!

It was really important to me that someone take a picture of me as I took my first steps off of U.S. soil. I had this expectation that I would have a grand, glamorous photograph of my first disembarkment. Um ... this is what happened:

Compare to:

Lindsey and Austin. Movie stars.

Adriana. Movie stars.

More proof that I actually left the country.

Austin, my cousin, just turned 18! I loved cruising with not only my immediate family, but my cousins and my grandparents.

At sea, we played lots of games, and ate lots of food.

See my darling prima, Isabell? I did her hair. Yes, I did. I'm so proud of myself. She's so adorable!

Isabell and Adriana swam a lot. I didn't because 1) I got sunburned and 2) the pool was too cold. Too cold even for Mexico.

Dolphin! I swam with one named Tonko. It was pretty special.

In other news:

I feel so sick.

Over the past few days I've had a cough and sneezes. Now I feel sick to my stomach. I just feel really weird. I can still function, although sleep has becoming something which I avoid because it is so unpleasant. Every time I drive I get motion sickness. I never get motion sick. My body is really messed up.

Finals are right around the corner. I think they'll be fine.

I'm helping out with the University of Utah's endangered language conference. It's going to be sweet.

-Meg

Episode 2: Mexico and cruising!

That, my friends, is the flag of Mexico.

Adriana--my sister

Lindsey, my sister; Austin, my cousin; Adriana, my other sister. Going to our canopy adventure.

Outside: the sea. Inside: a nice elevator. (My mom and aunt.)

See that skin of mine? Burnt to a crisp. Even Lindsey, the tan one, got scathed by the wonderful hot rays of the star that our plant orbits around.

This is the store of Alejandro, one of the nicest men I've ever met. I practiced my Spanish by speaking to him while buying my bag and vanilla. My mom is super great at not only speaking Spanish, but bargaining and bartering! We were afraid to go to the flea market without her!

Watermelon pie! (Sorbert and chocolate chips.)

We are Dutch, sailing on Holland America. Suffice it to say... we ate twice our weight in sweets. Oh how I love a good sugar rush. Mmmm.

Hospitably--flowers and

...towel folding!

The sea!

And it was made possible by my wonderful parents!

More updates to come!

-Meg

Scenes from the week

The Wedding

Coming out of Mt. Timp. Temple

Brittni

Me(g)

Cami

Bridesmaids with awesomespice shoes.

Doing our duties

Mexico

More is coming! I just have to sleep and unpack and do laundry and school and all that fun stuff. I had a blast, and I just need to catch up and get back to reality.

-Meg

Two days until take off...!

Above: Sneak peak at super cool origami projecto!

OK you guys! This is it!

I just have to go to school today.

Get waxed.

Go to Lehi.

Sleep.

Wake up, get ready, get the bride ready.

Go to the temple.

Go to the reception later that night.

Fly away to my cruise.

-----------------------------------------------

I'm so close! I should be in class right now, but considering I have about 3 hours of sleep, I figured it would be pretty futile. I'm going to try to get stuff done... You guys... I'm so crazy....

You don't even know...

I probably won't blog until after my cruise, so peace out and expect a heck of a report! And LOADS of pictures! I love you all with all my heart and soul!

-MEG

p.s. I'll miss you!

Much Ado about Shakespeare

Dear Shakespeare,

I love you. I love that you never ONCE say "There are no words to describe how I feel." You always have words.

But you left me more than words.

You left me people. I see myself up there, reflected in those characters and I that frightens me but I don't care. I give the actors the credit they deserve, but you are the one who wrote them there. You gave them people and places to interpret.

You make me miss Elder Hill. Oh, he is Benedick. Benedick is he! I was doing so well at hiding and suppressing everything. I was distracting and stiffening myself until I saw Benedick and Beatrice and Shylock and Pip and Biddy and Portia. Now I'm an emotional catastrophe. I'm emotional and romantic. I watched 2 chick flicks today! (Actually they were rather dull and utterly boring compared to your work, but, after all, romance comes in all colors.)

"Serve God, love me, and mend"

"Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humor? No, the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married."

There are many more quotes, and I will find them as I reread this play. I am sappy and romantic and tired. And there are shooting stars that are all the easier to see in all the darkness of the country.

-Megan

Here, there, and everywhere

{edit} Internet is Working, so here are some pictures!

Behold the Sego Lily. The State of Utah's flower. They are beautiful, and edible, but I've never tried them. Legend is that the pioneers ate them to survive on the prairie.

My mom being so brave! Her horse, Society, stepped on her toe. She's soaking it in cool stream water to keep the swelling down.

Me wincing after getting stinging nettle during a photo shoot of some flowers. I always get into trouble when I go into the wild brush to take pictures of rare foliage.
My daddy looking so swell in his ostrich cowboy boots and cowboy hat.

My beautiful sisters! We made a music video, that will be uploaded shortly.

Me, Megan Many-Faces. We relearned the meaning of that nickname this trip. ;)

The deer that came up right by the deck!

Cowgirl sisters!

Ah, the view is beautiful! I love riding horses.

Okay, now the blog post:

I just keep wondering if I'm ever going to be sorted out quite right.

I'm here,

and there,

and everywhere.

I wanted to post some lovely pictures of my vacation but alas, my laptop isn't getting wi-fi today. It's like Peter Pan, lost its shadow. After 4 days of no internet, I'm DYING to get on! I'm such a tech nerd, and I'm so addicted. Right now I'm on my grandma's computer, which somehow is blessed with internet connection.

I left my make-up and brush and scriptures up at the cabin. Luckily my family is bringing them down for me. I'll see them on Saturday, we're all running the 24th of July 10k.

Everything is crazy, and I can barely keep up with everything. Looks like I'm not going to be failing my English class after all, though. I have a lot of work to redeem myself though.

I love the cabin. It is so romantic. I want to take the love of my life up there someday, and we'll ride horses here and there and everywhere, all around the valley. Now that I'm back in SLC, I'm bitter about all things love and romance; I'm back to normal! I just don't know what I want, actually.

Okay, now I'm going to go make myself some avocado toast.

-Megan