Semester in "summary".

This is a lengthy post on events occurring from August until now.

There are several pictures with captions.

My mother took captured many of the photos.

Grazzi, Sayuri.

August: Summer ends (boo), but my sister meets a guy and decides to start a family (yay!).

Her wedding was beautiful. This is us with the rest of her bridesmaids. (In case you hadn't gathered that.)

The appointed Christmas card photo this year.  

Did I mention that my family is UTE OBSESSED? My decision to transfer to the U this semester was, needless to say, a good one. This precious photo of the young Foster children is a reflection of our early university influence. Red=Happiness.

Without Sarah, Jocelyn, and Jessica, I would have died this semester. Although though, as pictured, we did want to pull our eyes out more than once. Sarah is pictured on the left, and Jocelyn on the right. (Keep reading for more on them . . .)

Jessica! What a smile.

Just getting comfortable in our second home. Food-check. Whiteboard-check. iPod-check. Larry-check.

And once in a while we DID have some fun. This is at the last game. That we lost. Anyone know of a good kicker??? MUSS= Mighty Utah Student Section. Thus, Jocelyn's oh-so-clever MUSStache!

Enjoying some pre-game traditional grub at HIRES.

Continued hearing lots of great updates from brother Stephen! Who is absolutely loving his mission, btw.

PIE NIGHT! The holidays most definitely kept things upbeat throughout the semester.

I love it when my best friend and her husband come and visit me.

Glad you kept reading, because this photo is of Jocelyn, Sarah, and me outside of the library. Miracles happen.

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Thanksgiving the next day- oh my. My mother kills it! Every time.
Corriney, Aunt Sheri, Madre, Grandma Japanese, Me,

Chatting with my pops on his couch.

Sayuri got things rolling in the kitchen this fall! Here she is, getting ready to demo some fudge making on 2 News.

She started up a fantastic cooking program at South Fork Hardward in North Salt Lake. She was constantly cooking for some of the classes (allowing me to act as her assistant), and bringing in several others to share the secrets of success in the kitchen. Curt Cutler's cookie class was easily my favorite. A) He is hilarious.  B) His family owns Cutler's Cookies! I needn't say more.

Gingerbread cookies with butter cream frosting. Click here if you want the recipe. You're welcome.

The craziest event of this fall: "the" storm. Destruction, power loss, and an incredible amount of uprooted trees.

Sooo many trees destroyed.

Coming home to Mother and a candle lit house? Priceless. Isn't this adorable? It is.

Hanging out with Jake after not seeing each other for literally days at a time. 

One of my dearest friends in the world leaves for an 18 month mission. Goodness I miss her.

The disgusting bruise she had the day we said goodbye. You'll have to ask her how she got it.

If you're wondering what a typical night in the Foster home looks like, there you have it.

Jack's been a real good friend to me this semester.

Also, he successfully learned how to use his iPad last month. Gooooooood dog!

A visit up to the cabin with friends for a weekend getaway. 

One of the absolute gems I captured that weekend. 

I also held two jobs this semester. Job number one: clean a doctor's office five nights a week. The job was super flexible and so convenient for my schedule at the U. This Sobe water bottle was there on my first day and was still being used when I left. I resisted the temptation every day to throw it away and replace it with a new one. Whatevs.

Job number two: hostessing at Settebello Pizzeria. Decent pay and delicccccccious food.

Another female friend has decided to serve a mission! She leaves this spring and will be serving in Vina del Mar, Chile! Took a visit down to P-Rove to say our goodbyes for the next 18 months. There were quite a few lovely photos, but this one was the true reflector of our friendship's reality. Love to you, Nattles.

What happened this summer.

Thoughts
School began last week. Monday. Drove back from West Yellowstone that morning. Good gravy the summer flew by. Just as always, I was devastated to leave. Happy to kiss goodbye 80 hour work weeks but so sad to say farewell to so many people I care about. Onto the next.

Work
Work was good. Day shifts in the Saloon. Lots of encounters with locals during this day shift. Just loved the clientele, wearing whatever I wanted that day, and eating lots and lots and lots of pizza. Night shift at the Bar N Ranch was rather nice as well. My first experience waitressing in a fine dining environment. It was nice to work at a place where the food at the restaurant was truly the priority. The restaurant I served at was gorgeous. Brand spanking new cabin-esque building decorated with all sorts of taxidermied animals (think Cabellas). Commuting to Utah a few times a month also was also a large part of the summer. Pulling into Logan at 3 a.m. (or later) became normal, and orientation at USU was a blast- i especially enjoyed getting to know the others on the orientation staff. Did not especially enjoying the 6 a.m. wake up after 2 or 3 hours of sleep.

Free Time
Hiking, swimming at Hebgen Lake, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, boating, cruising through the park, biking, you name it. Managed to also take a few moments at the Three Bear outdoor pool. Does it pay to have connections? It does.

Personas
Lots of visitors from back home. Absolutely loved this. Why is it- that we can see someone back home or where we've met them, and it's nothing special. But the minute we cross paths in a different location or setting it's the happiest thing on earth? I do not know. But the phenomenon I just described was a recurring event this summer. Friends and family constantly saying hello or meeting up with me. It was great. Also had the opportunity to meet many many people. Tourists- the absolute bulk of my interactions. Co-workers and locals occupied most of my spare time. Became extremely close with many and found much satisfaction through good conversation, various outings, etc. The only bad thing about this remains a constant- goodbye is always just around the corner. Bleh.

This summer as compared to others
 The best. More difficult in some ways but overall a top notch summer. Excellent living accommodations with one of my closest friends, an appreciation better than previous summers for the gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous outdoors, a full summer to utilize the cruiser, more familiar faces, less early morning shifts, a fresh fruit stand on the corner, and many many a good times.


And the random assortment of photos that I had to throw in there.

Our friends/co-workers were wed this summer. Melissa and I decided to join in the festivities.

This is the view from the restaurant I worked at.

This is a photo of my thumb after I decided to cut the better half of the top off (slicing limes).

I LOVE Island Park. Dear friend Joseph and I canoed down this beauty not too long ago.

Spending just enough time to get that Vitamin D. Ahem.

I missed Jack. Mosely was my step-puppy for the summer.

Meleesa.

Brett and Diane's fam. We met up for church and dinner at Old Faithful.

Harold and Kaari's fam. Enjoying breakfast at Bar N Ranch. (Delicious)

Trying to look somewhat conscious at orientation.

I. Love. Hebgen.

Gearing up for my 2nd attempt at wakeboarding.

Cal is amazing. This was my attempt at photographing one of his many tricks.

Learning that I could get up and stay up for longer than .5 seconds. Success!

Melissa- picking it up like it's nothing. Her athleticism- impeccable.

Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Drying off in the sun. Before Parker decided to push me in the water (again).

Saying farewell to Bean, my favorite local.

Sunrise off Denny Creek Road. Until next time, Montana.