My best friend's wedding

My little darling got married! Sarah's wedding fantastically ended my 5 year chapter in DC. Sarah was one of my first friends in DC when I moved out there 5 years ago. Not only was Sarah funny, smart, spiritual, silly, and service-oriented but she accepted me with open arms and helped me to adjust to life on the East Coast. She was a huge part of my life in DC and now she's a married woman! It's so good to see my girlfriends find these men that love and adore them. 

In no order, here are some pics from that beautiful east coast day. A day to remember!

Look at those two!

We are the cutest

Cheers with Stephen and Chris!

Her DC girlfriends

The first of many selfless

Hahaha. We are so funny!

Sarah's got attitude

Her bridesmaids

We're being so weird here MJ doesn't know what to think

Temple selfie!

temple selfie #2

temple selfie #3

Reception selfie with Ryan!

It was a magical day to always remember. Congratulations Sar Sar! 

The PEOPLE that I love in the CITY that I love

In 4 days I am leaving the city that I love. Obviously DC is a magnificent city on its own for very obvious reasons. But to me, it holds a special place in my heart because of the many dear friends I have made in the last 5 years. These pictures explain it all. 

My amazing roommates. Talk about women who have taught me everything from hosting a good party, to wearing the right color of lipstick, to how to be a great listener. 

Early morning Cherry blossom run circa April 2014.

LJ and I in our 80s garb

Wardies at the Legwarmers Concert--awesome 80s cover band

Kathryn and I in Amish country. Rhubarb anyone?

Nats game, eh!

Eastern Market breakfasts are the best--especially with some of my favorite ladies

Wilson Prom with Matt. Then my students started calling him my "boo." Lol.

He even got me a corsage! 

With my cute pregnant coworker, Patty! Best teacher roommate, ever!

Last faculty meeting with Kristin and Aimee. Peace out Wilson!

 

Our 7th period planning posse at work. Always up to one shenanigan or another. 

My mentor, Margot and Reynauld, our guest speaker about the Civil Rights Movement.

Oh Sean. I love this kid. At the Nats game.

Teresa and I at Ben's Chili Bowl!

Megan and I in Georgetown!

Logan and I at Meridian Hill Park in DC.

Sarah showing off her lingerie at her bridal shower. Raar. 

All the people who love Sarah and excited to see her get married!

Bachelorette weekend with these ladies. $27 spent on the slot machines too. :/

We so cute. I love this girl! Atlantic City beach board walk.

National Harbor Ferris Wheel. Love this woman too. 

Dudesie Fest 2014. I am going to miss this girl like no other. 

My dating "expert" and elliptical buddy, Annette. 

Doug, Jeremy, Jeff. Good guys.

Brigham, my book club friend! We've shared some great books and moments together!

Known these ladies for 5 years and we are just missing Stoker. I love these girls. 

This post is making me sad. How will I live without these people? I love you, DC friends! I will miss you, DC…like…seriously. :( 

The PERFECT Fourth.

It was a 4th of July of a lifetime. I don't know what it is about holidays, but it's so important to me to really celebrate them. Last year on the 4th of July I was in Peru. And although that was pretty awesome, I also missed out on America's birthday and felt the pang of homesickness down in South America. So one year ago I promised myself that I would have the best 4th of July ever--in DC, of course!

And it happened. It all started with an early morning run with my friends, Lindsay, Trent, and Lee. We ran to the Air Force Memorial and then to the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon.

Side note:  l love that on our runs our conversations go like: "hey, so should we run to the Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, WW2, Capitol, FDR, MLK, Air Force, or Pentagon memorials today?" You know you're in DC when…

Anywho, back to the schedule. The jog was beautiful. Afterwards, we headed to the country--which by the way is like an hour away from DC, which ain't bad. Here is one of the views below. It doesn't even do any justice. The greatest thing is that we were rocking out to Motab's Spirit of America album while driving down these country roads. It was exhilarating.

Oh, and have I mentioned that the weather was 80 degrees with NO HUMIDITY???!!!! Wow. My mind was blown. The heavens were in our favor that day!

After enjoying a scenic drive, we hung out at my friend's parent's house in this country estate, I mean, it was amazing. No pictures shown but we swam, went four wheeling, watched the World Cup in the theater room, laid out by the pool, made synchronized swimming videos, ate watermelon and apple pie and enjoyed the day in the country where we couldn't even see another house. How much more American can you be?!

Later we had a BBQ at another friend's house. Delicious burgers--with guacamole. Yum. Great conversations all around too. 

Oh and the day gets better, people. We went on a bike ride to the Jefferson Memorial, hung out in the 80 degree NO HUMIDITY weather, took some patriotic pics--see below--and chatted the night away while we waited for the fireworks.

Oh and don't worry, the fireworks over the tidal basin were spectacular. This pic doesn't even do justice. I love America. I love DC too. 

We even got some awkward pics in there too. Jeff loved all of the attention he got from us ladies. I swear, men have it so good out here. 

And lets not forget my partner in crime, Lindsay who was my wing-woman the entire day. I love this girl to pieces! Do you like my patriotic outfit, btw?

The day ended with some fro yo. I was pretty exhausted by midnight but I went to bed with so much joy in my heart. I love DC and I love the 4th of July. God bless America. It was the perfect 4th!

5 years, 3 take-aways

I am wrapping up my time in Washington DC and it's hard to believe! I have about 2 weeks left until I venture back to the west. Many people are asking me how I feel and, honestly, I still feel quite emotionless which is funny for me since I consider myself a pretty emotional person. I have a feeling it will hit me when I'm in the middle of my road trip or when I get to Utah and I have no friends. But needless to say, the time is coming to a close and I can't help but think about the things that I have learned since I've been here.

I've been doing a lot of reminiscing; thinking about my experiences, friends, opportunities, and trials that I have gone through since I permanently touched down in DC in August of 2009. Because I am big on application and take aways, I think I have narrowed down my top 3 take aways--or things that have really hit home to me as a result of living in DC.

1. Trust in God's plan for me. Unless you're new to my blog, none of you have to wonder why this has been such a big deal to me. My life has turned out so different than what I expected. I think I have said that very same statement in at least 20 posts throughout the years. I really believed that when I moved out here, I would find a job in a suburban school in Virginia and within a year find my eternal companion. Neither of those happened. In fact, leaving DC, still single and moving back to Utah is huge humbling step for me. However, I trust in God's plan. Like I mentioned in one of my posts a month ago--"God is a God of Irony"--His plan has worked out much better than my own. Who ever thought I'd survive and thrive in an inner-city school for 5 years? Or camp out in 3rd world country for a few weeks? Or visit my mission by myself? Or overcome heart ache the way that I did? Or come to have so many AMAZING friends? I guess what I'm saying is God's plan, as different as it was from mine, has continually thrown me for a loop, yet it has been perfect for me and it has taught me some eternal lessons that have become so sacred to me.

I love 2 Nephi 4:

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rockof my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

I have to constantly remember to put my faith in God and not man. God is my rock. I must trust Him.

2.Thrive on faith: I've had many faith promoting experiences while I've been in DC. One of the major ones began when I moved out here. I took a leap of faith in August of 2009 when I had no job but I knew it would work out. And it did, 5 months later, but it worked out! That's amazing. I've had similar experiences in the dating arena and although none of them have panned out to an eternal marriage, I feel confident to leave here knowing that I have given the DC dating scene my all. On the other hand, I have have moments and months when my faith has been destroyed. In those times of despair I had to come to the realization that it's much better to have faith than to have fear. I have learned to thrive on faith. As I do so, I am much happier and feel more confident.

I love the simplicity of this verse:

Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

It's simple, right? Be faithful, be faith-filled.

3. Choose happiness. Thriving on faith means that you are choosing faith over fear, which also means you are choosing happiness. An expansion on this lesson learned is to not only choose happiness but to choose to live your life to the fullest. I have felt so empowered in my time here to not just stand still and let life pass me by, but to make the most of it! Do hard things, become more educated, travel to different places, serve others, and recognize that each moment is for my good and that happiness can be found in any circumstance. I am proud to say that I have made the most of my DC experience. I have truly lived!

 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

Undoubtedly, DC has served me well in many ways. I will forever cherish my time here, my friends, my experiences, and will forever be grateful for these lessons learned.

Thank you, DC, for 5 years well-spent! I will miss you.

Peace out, Wilson! :(

Well, it's been real Wilson High School. After 5 years of teaching I am leaving and moving on to Utah. I haven't cried about it yet, but I know it will come. This place gave me a job out of BYU in the middle of a school year. I have had so many hard experiences at this school with students, coworkers, parents, and administrators. Many days I wanted to teach somewhere else--at a school where kids were more respectful and desired to learn. Instead, I ended up here where apathy runs rampant and kids swear at you in the hallways when you tell them to get to class. But there's no doubt in my mind that it was meant to be. Teaching in the inner-city has given me some thick skin...and provided many funny stories!

Here it is in the flesh.

Oh those doors. How many times have I walked through you on good days and bad?

The atrium of the school. It's legit, right? So nice. The classroom on the lowest level, on the right side, closest to the stairwell was mine this year. Does that make sense to anyone out there?

My empty classroom. My desk, promethean board and everything in between!

My social studies department.We are actually missing 3 peeps too (Stephanie, Matt, Heckler). From left to right: Julie, Michelle, Julie, Mark, me, Garbus, Ashley, Jim, Jennifer, Jon, Aimee. Below; Sylvia, Rob, and Kristin. I will miss ya'll!

My principal, Mr. Cahall. He has seen me since the beginning and has always believed in me as an educator.

Molly and I. We taught this English/US History cohort this year with Juniors. It was great to have someone to collaborate with and to align curriculum with!

Julie. Totally different backgrounds, values, and interests, but we became friends and respected and loved each other despite some major differences in life style. A true example of what life is all about. I will miss her and her crazy antics!

Kristin, Aimee, Cahall, me. We are all leaving Wilson this year and are moving on to the next adventure!

It's so strange to say goodbye to a place where I have grown tremendously as an educator and individual. No words can describe my gratitude for working at this inner-city school and being around a lot of amazing teachers and students. Although the job had many difficulties attached to it, I am forever grateful that this school has supported me throughout the years.

As happy as I am to move on and to do something different I am also extraordinarily sad. So I say "Peace Out!" with many reservations.

Wilson, I will miss you. Thank you for a hard, crazy, never-a-dull-moment, joyful, fun, and character-building 5 years!