Around the world and back again, that's the sailor's way.

4 months and an entire semester later, she lives! I fell off of the face of the blogging world (as sweetly pointed out by the lovely Cindy Davis) last semester, but you can thank lots of work, social activities, and stress for that! Winter semester went so quickly, and was full of so many blessings! I met so many wonderful people and had so many awesome experiences. If I am honest though, I have to tell you that I DO NOT miss walking to class in 0 degree weather, and that this blooming 66 degree Rexburg is tolerable. Very tolerable!
 I got to spend 10 days  at home inbetween the end of Winter semester and the start of Spring semester. It was unbelieveably refreshing! I didn't realize how much I had missed my sweet family until I got the opoportunity to see them, only to have to up and leave them again! I am excited about being able to spend more than 10 days, or just a weekend with them come July!

After 10 crazzzzzzzzzzzzy days with the kids, and grandparents, and unfortunately the interstate, I came back up to Rexburg to meet the new 401 Family. Jen, Quinci, and Mandy (all roommates from last semester) went home, so Cassie, Adell, and I got three new roommates! We found out before we met them that they all knew each other, and that they had been roommates since the dawn of time. (we were pretty excited not to have any first semester girls! although if we had, we would've taken good care of them.) First new roommate is Marissa! She is from Nebraska, and she is obsessed with superman. Superman everything. Think of an object. And she's got it..with superman on it. Shae'la is from Texas! I don't really count Texas as "the south", but when I found out I was going to have someone NOT from up north in my apartment, I was so excited! (Not that I don't love my yankee girls, because I DO!) Amanda is from Nebraska too, but she was only here for a couple of days. She had to go back home to take care of some health problems. We miss her!

I am so blessed to have these lovely ladies! (From left to right, Adell, Marissa, Cassie, Shae'la, and yours truly.) Speaking of new people, we have another super awesome home evening group this semester. Cassie, Adell, and I got to stay in the same ward as last semester-which we were really happy about. So we have the same bishopric! Who we LOVE! We have good feelings about our ward, and our home evening group for spring :)

Feeding the ducks!

Edwin!

The boys, Brother Byington, and Bishop Brown!

Get it offa me.

I could tell you that our awesome FHE group, or my amazing roommates, or the fact that this spring  is just plain easier than winter is the best thing about this semester. But the best thing about this semester, is my man! After talking for a long looooooooong time, meeting all of each others family, and crazy road trips from Provo to Rexburg, Rexburg to Provo, and from all the way across the COUNTRY to Rexburg, I officially have the most amazing boyfriend. Tommy is the best thing about this semester!

This past weekend was memorial day weekend, and I found myself flying across the country to see my family, my boyfriend, and his family too. My parents got a cabin in Fort Payne, right next to Little River Canyon. We left on thursday night, and stayed until saturday morning. I took Tommy with me, because I couldn't have it any other way. So he spent the weekend with raw Allens...and I think he is still sane. If not, then he is very very good at not showing it.

When Tommy and I got back from Fort Payne Saturday, he helped me unload the car and all of the coolers (which was strange, I don't think we ate any of the food that we took..), and then went home for the first time in three days! He came back later that night though, so that we could go on a date. He took me to Zaxbys, which he knew I'd been dying for, and then took me to see Battleship! I think I might have liked that movie more than I liked the Avengers! (which I also saw with Tommy!) Not that the Avengers was bad, because it was awesome. But Battleship was just...really awesome.

Sunday I went to church in my home ward, and had a major reunion. Haley, Claire, and I were all there-the unseperable trio was reunited. And Jessie, who moved away four years ago was back visiting for the first time! It was so good to be reunited with all the girls and to talk about all of our "remember whens." On Sunday night I went over to Tommy's to meet his brother Jamie, his wife Paris, and their two boys- Banx and Thad! Cutest little family ever. They were all so sweet, and I love being with the Greens. When I am with them I find myself silently marveling at how similar they are to my family, and my extended family! Its almost like I'm sitting at home in Mobile again with the whole family!

         I made it home after a long day of flying yesterday-and today was the first day back in the Burg. Back to the old grind-time to hit the books. Until next time. And yes, there will be a next time, a next time that is NOT four months away.