I'm going to blame the general party and celebration climate that is Utah in July. As Movoto was kind enough to mention, as a state we tend to go a little crazy for Pioneer Day. What they didn't mention (to live here is to know): we don't exactly turn the party all the way off between the 4th and the 24th. Between Independence Day and Pioneer Day, Utahns have several town/city festivals, and even if we don't go to those we will have BBQs/picnics/hikes/general outdoor celebration and eating, because 'tis the season.
Of illegal fireworks.
My own hometown of Roy had some serious fire problems with the Roy Days show this year (which is bizarre, we never have problems), but I missed all that. I was driving home because I caught the office cold.
The only reason I don't feel like Cameron here is that my sweet best friend delivered me some Bolivian Chicken cure-all. Delicious and vicious (for viruses, that is).
Luckily, before the sickness hit in earnest, I got to spend some time at the Ogden Temple Open House! Hannah got tickets for me and it is GORGEOUS!
I wish they had pictures of the interior up because (and I never thought I'd say this when it was the 1972 design) guys, I think I'd almost rather get married here than in the Salt Lake one!
So just while I was writing that last bit it started flooding here in Provo, the kind of rain that we jokingly termed "Hurricane Lavell" around this time last year when such sudden rains almost stopped the football game with the Texas Longhorns (almost). I love to run out and dance in rain like this, not only because I'm the token waterbender of our Avatar: The Last Airbender-loving friend group; in a turn of events that is probably weird for a born and bred LDS girl like moi, I feel a deep spiritual connection to the earth when it rains.
So even though I still have a box of tissues beside me and getting rain-soaked is probably not the best idea, I went out and danced in it. I've not felt so fantastic in months. And even though it wasn't the safest move, it felt right.
For a long time I've been playing it too safe, never taking a risk for any reason. But some risks are worth it, like striving and attempting to grow professionally or forging new relationships. Some are not, and sometimes I will mix the two up. But I grow tired of stagnation, and I'll never grow if I shut myself up in a safe little box.
You know what? I'm headed out to the rain again while I still can. Ciao, bellas!
