Recent

The following are real life events that have occurred within the past week

I went home last Friday and stayed away until yesterday morning.  

On Saturday I went to the eye doctor for the first time in six years.  Yep.  My eyes have gotten worse.  Dr. McKell informed me that my "good eye" actually isn't that good, and my "bad eye" is still awful.  Had he not been so attractive and single I would have felt a little more anxiety at paying for the contacts he had prescribed me.  At only 8 years older than me, maybe I stand a chance.  After all Jane Austen heroines have been known to marry men more than 15 years older than them. 

Also this weekend, my roommate, Melissa, asked me to feed her fish while she was gone.  But then I left... I came back and Lester, that's the fishes name, wasn't on the counter anymore.  I was petrified I had starved it to death, perhaps it could have died of neglect.  But, no worries... I snooped in her room and found him on her dresser.  

Here's a picture of him, happy as can be.  

Another groundbreaking event that ought to be documented.  Yesterday I needed to buy milk, but I didn't want to buy a whole gallon because I'm moving on Monday and I won't drink it all in time.  So...  I bought the half gallon and as I walked out with my groceries I realized my milk was screaming, 

 "SINGLE, LONELY, AND ON THE VERGE OF OSTEOPOROSIS!"

Why do I feel that way?  Let me explain.  Let's think about it.  Really, only women who have nobody to help them drink their milk, and don't even drink milk... except with late night oreos while living vicariously through yet another romantic comedy, only they buy half gallons. 

Next thing I know, I'll be collecting porcelain cats like my 

 friend Sam, who "is slowly becoming the crazy cat lady down the street, except he is a boy."

But, you know what?  I'm okay with all of that, and the world could probably use a few more porcelain cat collectors, am I right?

Next, I've done a very monumental thing.

  I've had these shoes since the 10th grade.  They've been a faithful companion for 5 years, they've done me proud and got me through several dances, long days at school, walks in dreary winter weather, and vacations all across the country.

Considering I can feel the pavement under my feet when I walk, yesterday I decided it was time to retire them... 

A moment of silence, please. 

.

.

.

 Thank you.  

In other news, today has been a long day.  When I got home from work today I contemplated beginning to pack for the move on Monday.  Just thinking about it made me even more exhausted.  So, I decided to go for a bike ride to the grocery store to buy garbage bags so I could "pack" my clothes.  Once back from Smith's, I gave into the temptation of a nap.  It was about 6:30 PM and I hit the sack.  Approximately two hours later I woke up in a panic, as I checked my clock, it said 8:19 and I lunged from bed running into the kitchen shouting at my roommates, 

"CRAP!  I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT WORK 19 MINUTES AGO!!!"  

I was positive I had slept through the night and it was 8:19 AM.  

Jokes on me.  I felt a little foolish when I realized it was still Thursday night.

Am I experiencing a bit of subconcious anxiety about work and PA's right now?  

So it would seem.   

But I'm okay now.  Nothing a little Barry Manilow can't take care of. 

God Bless Us, Everyone.  

Cheers,

Sydnie Juniper

The Close of a Teenage Dynasty

Here's the thing.  

Today is my birthday. 

HOORAY!  

But not just any birthday.  I'm now officially 20 years old.

That's cool... I guess.

The idea of being 20 is taking a bit of time to warm up to.  I hear that now that I'm not a teenager I can't get away with doing crazy and random things anymore. 

(Not like that'll stop me, but the taboo is there).

Where's the glamor in getting old?

For Pete's sake!  I had to use "anti-aging" body wash this past weekend.  

What's next? 

The occasional grey hair and wrinkle?

Menopause and MORE hot flashes?

Gosh.  I'm not ready for old age!  I've got a life to live!

Things to learn.  Friends to make.  Boys to kiss.  Tea parties to attend. Talents to develop.  Food to taste.  Forgiveness to ask.  Sites to see.  Goals to achieve.  Barriers to break. 

The list goes on and on.

And I want to soak it all in.

But then I suppose that really is the glamor of it all.  

It's just a matter of perspective. 

We'll all be old in the end, but we'll all take different paths there.

Life in the fast lane?  

Not for me, thanks for the offer anyway though. 

That's all about crossing things off the list, not so much the actual experience.  

I don't want the fast lane. 

How about the scenic byway?

Yeah.  Alright.  That sounds delightful!

Don't get me wrong.  I'm excited for retirement as much as the next person, but until then I won't be dreading getting older.  

Just living my life. 

Happy as a clam.

I may get older, but I'll never grow up. 

Cheers, 

Sydnie Juniper

Well, it's Been a While.

Not just since I last posted.

I'm talking four years here. Four years and two weeks to be exact.

Four years and two weeks ago began the biggest life lesson I have ever learned. Travis, my brother, was killed in a fatal car accident on that day, and I have never been the same since. It isn't something I share with everyone all the time anymore. In fact it tends to shock a lot of people when I do tell them. But really, it's okay. I've had a while to learn how to best cope with it.

A little over two weeks ago I participated in an incredible thing. To summarize it as a ten day leadership camp would be an understatement. The Governor's Honors Academy was ten of the best days I've had in a long time. I won't go into too much detail as that deserves it's own post. Nonetheless, on the second day of the academy my dad showed up, completely unexpected. He was in the proximity of Cedar so he stopped by to surprise me. And trust me, surprise me he did! He went to The Pizza Factory with us, and at dinner we had a really good conversation with Melinda, the GHA Coordinator. As she began asking about our family, I felt it approaching, we were going to end up talking about my brother.

Whenever people ask about family, they ask, "how many siblings do you have?" "Where do you fit?" "How old is your older brother?" "Is he going to school too?" and other questions that lead to what have become scripted answers on my part. I always answer honestly, and try to direct the conversation in a direction that will stay away from being awkward, or embarrassing for the other person. Whenever they ask how old Travis is, I just answer as if we celebrate his birthday every year. He would currently be 22. As we made it past that question she inquired if he was going to school somewhere. When you make it to this point it's harder to dance around, so we ended up telling her the whole story. From the accident, the letters written to our family, the funeral, to the legacy he's left. Virtually the whole package.

We wound up the story, and told her that the coming Saturday would commemorate the four year anniversary of his death. I told her of my plans to give a presentation based upon him to my group, and we discussed ideas to make it even more special. When the conversation was winding down, Melinda thanked us for sharing with her and then excused herself so we could continue chatting. I said goodbye to my dad, and we carried on with our activities for the evening.

The next day I was approached about giving out a daily award at GHA to a student that was being inclusive, enthusiastic, and that helped bring smiles to the other students. The award would be in my brothers honor. Touched by the idea, I consented and we called it the "Deen of the Day" award. I really loved it, and I am especially thankful to Melinda for coming up with it. She has such a good heart.

Four years is a long time. I have grown in so many different facets. My life has been led in new directions, I've had extraordinary experiences, met incredible people, learned to love life so much! While all four years haven't been a cake walk, I can honestly say I am grateful for my trials for they have shaped me to be who I am today.

I have such a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation, I absolutely know I will see Travis again. I know that death is a necessary part of life. We live to die, and die that we might live again, all through our Savior, Jesus Christ. The mercy of the Lord is great, and I am thankful to be a partaker of the love it offers. As my brother would advise:
"find joy in the journey"

Life is good.

Syd

Alma 46:39 "And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing."