Dinner to Satisfy Even the Hungriest College Student! :D

I, being a poor college student look forward very much to Sunday dinners at my cousin's house.  This Sunday especially.  I was getting so tired of rice, so the idea of grilled chicken, mango salsa and a variety of fruits and veggies sent my taste buds tingling!  I got there and was met by smiling and welcome faces of all my cousins.  They are all older than myself, so they have beautiful families.  Their children range in age from newborns to 14 year olds.  I love chasing my little cousins around, getting in tickle fights, pushing them on swings until my arms get tired and best of all, getting hugs from every single one of them.  I love my family up here dearly.  They make college life on my own a little more bearable. We spent the whole night in their backyard.  It's so beautiful this time of year.

Their backyard is the mountain.  I love it.  I can't wait to sled down it in the winter!  They are spending as much time as they can out here while the weather is still so nice. 

The flowers bloom in their gorgeous garden and if you're lucky, you'll spot a deer curiously approaching in search of food.  I guess it's not so lucky for their garden, but I love it. 

Tonight's conversation took an unexpected turn.  My cousin Becca's brother, Seth, has decided he is going to set me up on dates since guys at BYU are just not asking girls on dates.   With most of my cousins married, I guess I'm next or so they say.  My little cousin Kaitlyn asked me on the car ride, "Christina, when are you going to get married?!"  I laughed and was surprised, but her mom, Becky, saved me from having to answer.  She replied that I had a few years to go.  I was laughing so hard.  I love little children's directness and curiosity.  It always allows the most interesting conversations.  I can't wait for the next dinner.  Hopefully my brother will be there with his beautiful wife. Until then, I must come back to reality and finish my homework that has piled up on my desk.

Discovering New Oceans

I have always been intrigued by blogs, but I have never been brave enough to create my own.  Well, my wonderful roommate has finally convinced me to do so.  I named this blog "Discovering New Oceans" because of my favorite quote.  "You can't discover new oceans unless you have courage to loose sight of the shore."  Well, that is exactly what I'm doing.  I'm on my own for the first time, in a new city and state and I'm letting go of everything that tied me down before.  I'm venturing into the unknown and to be honest, I'm terrified.  This is my first year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  I have already been here for a semester over the Summer.  So, when all the moms and dads were saying their tearful goodbyes, mine were back home.  We'd already exchanged our sentimental farewells last semester, so this move into my new dorms was nothing new.  I'm settled in and already over a month has passed.  Time is flying and I can hardly keep up.  My roommate and I get along better than I could have dreamed.  We're both nutty and crazy when tired and have the same affinity towards sugar, which means our daily trips to the gym are that much more needed.

Life is getting easier.  I am an undergraduate, majoring in Civil Engineering.  My grandfather, father, uncle, cousins and multiple other family members are civil engineers as well.  I guess it runs in my blood.   A love for math however, does not.  I have been told that as long as I stick it out, I won't ever have to use Calculus again in my chosen career.  I am desperately hoping this is true or I am in trouble.  I do, despite my distaste for math, love engineering.  It is so fascinating to me.  I have always wanted to discover new things and getting into the green movement is calling my name.  I am intimidated by what lies beyond college, but I'm ready to take on the challenges life hands me.  College has its ups and downs, but the positive things make the hard moments worth it.  I hope I can press forward and have courage to loose sight of the shore.