Flashbacks [July 25]

This past week has been eventful—so I’ll just hit over a few of the highlights. I’m missing other good things too…but at least I can capture a taste of the last seven days.
Wednesday
“I brought my camera, but I left it in the car.” I really was disappointed, there I was sitting on the grassy knoll just outside of Brigham Square on the BYU campus, surrounded by freshmen and snuggly couples at an event called Acustic Explosion. But because this environment lent itself perfectly to boy-watching, I nudged my cousin Morgan and the two of us scoped out event. I decided for the fifth time that they were all too young for me, but got excited when Morgan spotted one. Poor Trey, my brother sat next to us on the grass—voicing again his disappointment at not knowing about the event sooner so that he could have tried out.
I really was going to run back to the car, but Morgan pulled out her camera with the promise of sending me a copy of our pictures. A couple of snaps and several songs later we starting walking back to the car figuring out what we were going to do next. We had already stopped by Trey’s favorite dining haven—Denny’s—and stuffed ourselves with all the breakfast food that the fine dining establishment could provide. Next it was on to conquer the Y.
Now mind you it took some coaxing to get Trey to set foot on the trail, he was sore from working all day at a construction site with my cousin, but the hike just wouldn’t have been the same without him posing as our Aussie trail guide and periodically yelling out “Cougar!” Morgan only believed him once—and that was when a stray dog came out of now where in the dark.
When we did get to the top it was dark and I convinced Morgan to set the capstone to her Y climbing experience by laying down on it upside down (don’t dis it until you’ve tried it). We really could have used a flashlight on the way down. “I have a flashlight in my car.” I offered helpfully. I am so glad that I’m so prepared…too bad it was in my car at the bottom of the hike.
We topped off the night with Jumba Juices—a sweet end to a terrific evening. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Friday
It was the night of the July 24—Pioneer Day 2009—and my roommates (Jackie M. and Melanie) and I sat in a tangled mess in our entertainment room, trying to rev up enough energy to get off the couch. The whole day had been lazy for me and I won’t lie; I was loving every minute of it. But now we needed to get over to Liberty Park if we didn’t want to miss the fireworks show.
When we got there we found the park was full of vendors selling jewelry, trinkets, and food. We shifted in and out of the sea of people all being moved this way and that by the sights and smells. What a plethora for the senses! The smell of funnel cake wafted in between the savory call of Hawaiian chicken and plates of hot Mexican food. Every so often we’d pass a booth for Henna Tatoos or T-shirt airbrushing. But the whole park seemed alive with neon glowsticks. Just looking out into the darkening grassy knolls you could see them in people’s mouths, around their necks, and being swung around like the night weapons that they surely are meant to be.
We had come nearly the length of the park when we met up with our other roommates (Lily, Jackie, and Cassie) had saved a perfect firework watching spot. It really was perfect—we sat there at just about the crest of a hill overlooking the pond. The water was surrounded by a sea of people who were making their presence known by shifting and stirring their neon glowsticks. This promised to be an unforgettable fireworks display. Let me assure you that not one of our high expectations was disappointed. The sky simply shimmered and sparkled and I was in awe. Whoever invented fireworks deserves a monument.

Saturday
“You’re going to have to go to the other side of the city,” she said pointing helpfully towards Salt Lake. Grrr, why didn’t I look up the address before we left? I have a very reliable sense of direction—always 94 percent off. The kind-looking grandma standing in her driveway gave me directions that I repeated until I could get them straight, and then Morgan and I were off to the This is the Place Monument.
We pulled up just in time to get a family to snap a picture of the two of us next to a statue of Brigham and Joseph. This was going to be a good day. After getting our little pink wrist bracelets we ran into the park…well, walked briskly…to catch sight of the anvil shooting. They really did blast an anvil 20 feet or so into the air. I was impressed. Next we hurried down to Main Street to watch the parade…complete with Brigham Young, handcarts decorated like floats, and small children enlisted to walk and waive…it was cute. We stopped in several buildings: the apocathery, Mary Fielding Smith’s home, an Shashoni Tipee, a Navaho Hogan, the boot shop, the grist mill, the hat shop, the observatory, a meeting house, the Bowery, Brigham Young’s home, etc. But I have to admit that my favorite place was a stone house replicating a home of a pioneer settled south of St. George. The house was made of stone and had darling balconies and a chic backyard patio. I wouldn’t mind a stone house one day.
Before we knew it the settlement was closing and it was time for us to grab a bite. Leaving the place that was “more than just a monument” we went across the valley again to Temple Square. Morgan had never eaten at the Lion House and I wanted to be the one to introduce her. We found a romantic spot for two next to window overlooking the flowers. It was a charming nook of stone and I loved it. It was good to catch up with events from home, adventures of the summer, and plans for the future. I definitely recommend making friends with your cousins—they just make life better.
The food was delicious—it always is—but what made the night even more pleasurable was the fact that they let us trade out our Lays chips for corn muffins! Please! We had to get pictures with them we were so excited.
We had two more hours on our parking pass so we decided to attack Temple Square. After listening to the Christus message we watched the Family Exhibit—and I cried again. I remember going there for the first time before leaving for New York. I sat there with all of my family just thinking about how good I had it. Speaking of which…what an awesome day. By the time I got home I was exhausted. The sun and walking from our adventures in Salt Lake compacted with tennis with Caroline that morning, and my class at 24 just afterwards. I was ready for bed.
The screen fades and the flashbacks close. It has been a crazy week—but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Life is sweet.