HEFY Peru: After the Trip

 So...basically I don't think I need more words than: It was great and I miss it a lot.
I have attached a small portion of the pictures I took in hopes to give a small idea of how much fun I had...so ya...:) most are self-explanatory:)

HEFY Peru: Before the Trip

Well...I"m getting all packed:P
I have all of the essentials:

• Clothes
• Hygiene needs:P
• Money $$
• Camera
• Everything else that I am too lazy to say:P :)

The only thing that I am missing now is...
My courage to go:P
Don't get me wrong, I am really excited to go...
But the idea of me flying by myself and being in a different country...
Well let's just say it kind of freaks me out:P
but it will all be good once I get there and meet people right?!
Yes. That's my mindset.
That is how I am leaving UTAH,
I guess we shall see how I am once I get home right:)?

Graduation Take #2.

Well I graduated from high school this past week:) (:P)
My graduation day started out by signing yearbooks and eating food at UCAS and Seminary,
Then slowly the time approached when I would walk across the stage...
Actually, more slowly than you would think:P
The waiting persisted indefinitely until...TADA, I could finally at least sit down...
Then speeches, musical numbers and a lot more waiting.
Each person's name was read, their selected school and major, plus scholarships earned/received.
But you know...while the information was read, I observed each person would just stand awkwardly on the stage while they waited to receive their well deserved high school diploma.
I knew I didn't want to stand there awkwardly so I started to devise a plan.
As my time approached, my heart was pounding as I was raking my brain for something to do.
Unfortunately my time came too quickly and I robotically walked up the steps to the stage.
The lights were shining in my eyes as I looked out to the audience and then...
"Sydney Ward will attend..."
I had to do something different and fast, I thought. I did not want to be awkward and stand there!
Without even thinking about what I was doing, my hand shot up into the air while the other went to my hip and I did the classic hip-arm pose while smiling the smile that was given to me by my parents.
My heart raced as I held my pose for two seconds and I got a few laughs from the audience.
Everything went blank as my cheeks filled with a deep red and I continued across the stage to receive my diploma.
What had I just done?!
Feeling rather embarrassed as I walked past the administration I got a few high fives from my classmates as I returned to my seat, relieved that this moment had finally past.
The procession of 123 students came to an end. It was over.
The senior class president stood in front of us as we all stood and moved our tassels from the right to left...I was in a daze.
Had this really just happened? Had I finally completed the battle of following curriculum to earn a diploma?
I was in awe as I walked to the back of the ballroom to return my stoles and get my *real* diploma.
I saw my parents waving at me from the back as I finished sliding my diploma into its folder.
Pictures were taken, money and gifts were received from family and then I was leaving.
Hours later after a few post-graduation activities, I drove into the UCAS parking lot and into the AC for the last time...ever.
I knew what I had to do: I had to have fun and enjoy every second I could with my classmates, but how could I when I knew it was all over...?
Nevertheless, the activities happened, food was eaten, prizes were won, and people were hurt.
All night turned out to be what felt like a few short hours as high school officially wrapped up.
I will admit I cried. As hard as I tried not to cry, I couldn't resist and tears came in steady streams sliding down my face as reality slapped me in the face.
High school was over and there was nothing I could do about it.
The never ending roller coaster of life had started and the control man started it without my permission.
It was inevitable of course. It always was.
But where had the past 18 years of my life gone?? How did it already come to this?!
The only place to go from here though is forward. Forward into oblivion.
So while the ride is going, you might as well hold on tight to what you got and enjoy it.
Enjoy the wind, enjoy the ups and down, the spins and drops, everything.
Because what else can you do?

Ironic Isn't It?

Ironic how we complain about something,
Expecting it to change, but knowing it can't,
Then when it doesn't change,
We get upset and start complaining about it again.

It seems to be a never ending cycle of stupidity.
Awesome.

Free?

I have had this serious urge to just clean up everything.
Yesterday I went through my Facebook friends list and...
Tada!! I only have 84 friends on Facebook now,
and honestly, most of them are family:)

And the past few days, I've spent 8 or so hours decluttering my room.
I have a big trash bag just full of crap that I don't need/want anymore.
My closet is really empty now too.
I used to have 2 huge boxes full of crap...and now I don't have any boxes:)
I used to have things covering my desk and shelves,
but now they only have a few things here and there:)
Huzzah!!

I feel slightly free from so much crap.
as weird as it sounds, it's just nice:)

If I Could, Then I Would

Oh mistakes:)
Hint to you all:

DON'T LET YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS TEXT FOR YOU.

It sucks.
Way bad.
Haha, but no matter.

I am loving the weather.
I can just sit on my bed with the window wide open to let some fresh air into my bedroom,
without freezing my butt off:)
I can drive around with my windows down,
I can go to school without a jacket now,
I can start wearing other things besides pants,
((although I already wore skirts a lot before))
And the best thing:
I can get my "feel good" sunshine rays naturally,
versus using my "happy light" ((but it worked well when I used it during winter:)))

I still love cloudy days where the sun doesn't shine,
and the clouds make shapes across the sky as rain is released from them,
and the puddles form everywhere,
but every so often, the sun's bright light,
and clear blue skies, and warmth
can be quite comforting:)

Another thought I had today as I was walking across campus...
I have decided to change "grumpy day" soundtrack.
I usually listen to Pandora when I need fresh music,
and I started today off by listen to my hard music because I wasn't too happy.
But as I was starting to walk to my class,
I decided to make a "LDS Hymns of Worship" station.
Rather than making me remember all of the reasons why I was upset,
making me even more down and angry,
it made me think of things that actually matter.
It made me think of the Savior and how I can turn to him to comfort me,
It made me look around and see others as Children of God
and it made me happy:)

It is now my new favorite way to "de-tox" from things I don't need to worry about it.

Try it. It's great:)

haha. and the part that made me the happiest inside,
I was walking around the hallway with my headphones in,
and no one would have ever guessed that I was listening to church music:)

Valentine's Day:)

Well,
Nothing special really happened..But I don't care:)
I took care of my family so my parent's could go have fun,
Most of the time I was at my house, blasting love songs, DANCING:)
My dog thought I was a little bit crazy:) haha.
I did a few small heart attacks for my family for their rooms
((Which took awhile to cut out:)))
//Aarron is making fun of my typing...I can't type now...Gah.
//still watching Frozen:) Fun stuff.
I then came over to Shawn's house and we are just chilling:)
//Frozen for the......16th/17th time? :)

I "found" a "quote" about Valentine's Day:)

On this Valentine's Day, if you don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, it doesn't matter. This holiday is about love. Love is all around you and it doesn't mean it has to be directed towards a single person. You love your dog, your friends, your family, so focus your attention and energy on them. And if you don't do that, focus on loving yourself. You have to live with yourself 24/7 so loving yourself is imperative. So on this Valentine's Day, don't wallow in self pity over that one person you don't have and focus your attention on the people that you do.

I like it:)
Enjoy your day of love:)
Love you all:)