"Tears form behind my eyes, but I do not cry. . ."

Today was my last day at Cafe Rio. I was so sad to come in and find out that Elizabeth, Alejandro, and Taylor were all off tonight. I don't know if I will ever see them again, and it really makes me sad. These were 3 of my very favorite people I worked with. Elizabeth and I could hardly talk to each other because she only spoke Spanish and I only speak English, so it was kind of funny because we would always have Pancho translate for us, but Elizabeth and I were always good friends. Alejandro was always so funny and he always made me feel so good about myself. I always looked forward to seeing him walk through the door and call to me. He would rub my shoulder as he clocked in and say "Hola guapa! Como estas?" :] I am going to miss him. And Taylor! Haha. Boy, that kid and I had some fun times this summer. He and I would always try to mess up each other's to-go orders by pressing lots of random buttons, muting the phone while customers were talking, and pouring ice down each others backs while we were taking orders. Good times I wouldn't trade for the world with that boy, mi novio :) haha j/k that was our little joke. Well, basically it was hard having this as my last day because I don't have any closure with these people I am so used to seeing every day. I am going to miss them all so much. I am glad that Katie and I got to work together tonight, as well as Pancho and Kylie. That made it easier. AND Armando even came in to say hi for a little bit so at least I got to see him one last time before I leave. My manager, Jesus, bought a cake for me tonight to say thank you for working at Cafe Rio, and then he thanked me over and over for being such an amazing worker and that he wished I could stay. But in the end he wished me good luck and I told him I would be in on Monday for just a little bit to get some more pictures and turn in my uniform. He was making leaving to hard because he was getting so emotional :P

Yesterday, I said bye to Erica. That was so weird. I have spent the whole summer becoming such close friends with Erica, and she is gone camping this weekend, so we decided we would have to say goodbye on Friday because she wouldn't be back until I was already gone. So we went to Walmart and had some of our pictures from the summer printed, and then we just went and got dinner. I was sad because Stephanie was going to come but at the last minute wasn't able to make it to hang out. Anyway, we went to get food and a couple of Erica's friends came too. It was just weird to think that it was the last time we'd see each other until Thanksgiving break. Sitting there talking just felt so normal, and it was hard to think that we wouldn't be doing that again for months to come.

On Monday morning, I am going to have breakfast with Katie and Stephanie to say goodbye to them. Then I will be cleaning my car, packing, visit Cafe Rio, and start driving to Idaho. I will probably get there around 7 I'm thinking, so I'll hopefully have time to say hi to Andrew and Shannon that night. I'll spend the following few days just making sure I have everything I need for college, a little last minute shopping, learning how to cook basic recipes, and finish my scrapbooking. I'll go visit all of my besties in Boise, and then on Thursday morning Mom and Dad and I will start the drive out to Rexburg where I'll move in, get all of my books, meet my roommates, and start the college life :) It is going to be a very busy week.

Well, I am extremely tired. I've been working since 11 this morning. I started at FroYo and then went to Cafe Rio for the evening shift so I am beat. I have church at 9 too, and then Jamie's farewell is at 1. I don't think there will be any time for a Sunday nap tomorrow so I am going to hit the sack. I'll keep updating my blog this week too, so please keep checking back. Leave a comment or two. It will make my day to know at least someone is reading my ramblings =]

<3 Jen

Summer Lovin' - Had Me A Blast

Wow!! I feel like so much has happened in the last 3 months, and so much more will happen within the next few years. I decided it was finally time to start a regular blog so my family and friends will all be able to see what I've been up to.

In May, I graduated from Timberline High School! Class of 2008 baby!!!

Right after graduation, I moved to Utah again for the summer. I've been living with my Grandma. She is such an incredible woman!! I look up to her so much for almost everything she does. I want to be just like her. She is absolutely amazing and she makes me so happy. I just love spending time with her. I am really going to miss her when I leave for Rexburg next week.

My Aunt Brenda works for corporate at Cafe Rio. In January, she told me that I should consider working for Cafe Rio when I came here this summer. I thought about it for a little while, and finally decided that I would like to work at Cafe Rio. She totally hooked me up! I have been working at the Cafe Rio in AF and I looove it!! My manager there is so great and he made me feel so welcome right from the start. I have met some of the happiest people at Cafe Rio. Erica and Stephanie are two of the nicest, sweetest, and happiest people I've ever met and I'm so glad that they are now two of my best friends :]

Jessica and I started going to a single's ward this summer, too!! We are in the BYU 217th Ward and we LOVE it! Everyone there has been so friendly and we love being with them. I am so sad to leave this ward because its so great, but I will look forward to visting on the holidays.

And of course, I love coming to Utah because all of my relatives are here. I love being here for all the Sunday dinners and family home evenings, and WEDNESDAY LUNCHES!! Those are probably my favorite, even if I do get picked on the whole time for being the "oddball" or not knowing which way is "east or west, north or south" haha. We have had some good times at those lunches and I will miss them. Most of all, I will miss Jamie, Jessica, and Nicole soo soo soo much!! These are the 3 girls who are not only my cousins, but my very best friends. I go to them everytime I feel lonely and they can cheer me right up. They make me happier than anyone else.

Jamie- You are going to be such an incredible missionary!! I am so excited for you to have this experience. For as long as I can remember, you have fantasized about going on a mission someday and you get "to be a missionary now!" Make your mission be the best it can be, and everything you've ever wanted. Forget life back here in Utah, leave behind all your fears and worries about the future. Forget yourself and go to work. You are going to be the best in the field. I KNOW IT!! I love you so much James and I am going to miss you like crazy, but I am so excited to see you in 1.5 years!!!!!!

Jessica- I don't even know where to start! We have been through soooooo much together. Through thick and thin we have always had each other's backs. Don't think that is about to change. Even though I am leaving again, I am only going to be gone for a little while, really. Think of it this way: Less than 3 months to Thanksgiving, then less than a month until Christmas and I'll be here for almost a month! Then I'll be back again for whenever Trevor leaves on his mission, and back again mid-April!! And I won't be very far away. Only a phone call, text message, email, or tiny 5 hour drive!! haha. I am always here for you sweetie. I love you so much. Don't ever forget it!!

Nicoley- You are so strong! After everything you've been through this summer, I would be ready to crash, but not you! I really admire you and I hope you know that. I am always here if you need someone to talk to. You also are doing so great at your cosmetology school! Good luck with that and your senior year. You are going to be the one I come to whenever I need a haircut or eyebrow wax ;) haha. I love you doll!!

This summer has really been one of the best experiences of my life. I am so sad to leave, but at the same time I am so excited to start going to school. On Monday I am going back to Boise for a few days just to relax and visit my family and friends, but on Thursday I am moving to Rexburg. I will have new roomies, start taking classes, and get a new ward. I am way excited to make lots of new friends and start on my way to becoming a teacher.

Life is good =)