Cod-Fish-Fun

Cod-Fish-Fun, originally uploaded by reasonenoughtocelebrate.

My next-to-last shift at the UMart was tonight -- it also happened to be my last shift with my pseudo-wife Danielle.

She just got a tattoo done on her stomach and it hurt really bad -- but she couldn't squeeze down in her seat or anything. So instead, she kept squishing her face together. They thought she looked like a cod fish, so her and our coworker Darren were busy making cod fish faces behind the register.

Danielle and I were also refilling the frozen yogurt machines. Since this was our last shift (and honestly since we really didn't want to even be there) we were goofing off like crazy.

I kept dumping the liquid into the machine too fast for her and telling her to hurry up... when all of a sudden she yelled, "COULD YOU JUST HOLD ON A MINUTE!!!!"

A really tall, cute boy just happened to be getting frozen yogurt at that EXACT moment.

He looked up -- stunned -- with this "little boy just got yelled at" look on his face and said, "I--I--I'm so sorry. I thought it was okay.."

It definitely, definitely made my night.
Maybe I don't hate the UMart nearly as much as I say I do...

I may (just may) even miss it a tiny little bit.

Can I Get an A-Men(zer?)

sundayblog, originally uploaded by reasonenoughtocelebrate.

I got another letter from one of my favorite people in the world today.

Aaron Menzer is just reaching the end of his mission in Idaho. He's been gone almost two years... yet he still makes me smile. I've been glancing at this photo all day -- just because I can hear him laughing when I look at it.

Yes, he's riding a pig. As I said - he's in Idaho.

He also thinks I should move to Chicago.

"Good luck in deciding where to go. That' s a rough decision... I say Chicago. Don't really know why. Just find comfort in the fact that you could make Bumville, Armpit of the U.S. exciting and fun just because you are you."

Like I said... always makes me smile.

Girls' Night

Girl's Night, originally uploaded by reasonenoughtocelebrate.

Elisa and I went out for probably what will be known as our last "Girls' Night" before we are both settled... wherever we end up settling.

We spent some time at Tucson Mall, trying on different things to wear to weddings/graduations we are attending. I bought a dress (for the first time in God-knows-when.) We ate at this New Orleans-style place called The French Quarter. We went out on 4th Ave. We Viva-Burrito-ed.

I honestly had the BEST time last night -- more fun than I've had in a long, long time. But it couldn't help but feel bittersweet. I couldn't shake the reality that I don't know where I'm going to be living... which directly relates to when I'm going to be able to have an Elisa-and-Kari night out again.

I'm going to miss my moo-face, that I know.

Kevin eventually met up with us and we ran into some of his friends. Unfortunately, things headed downhill early in the night when I glanced at my drink and realized I had lost my straw.

Kevin and Elisa found it though.

In my hair.

Nubia

Nubia, originally uploaded by reasonenoughtocelebrate.

"Yet we all keep trying. We all keep searching - trying to make our dreams and realities become one. I live in the most beautiful state and I am surrounded by skies so big they constantly remind me what a small part of this world I am.... I live in a place where the sun is always shining (unless of course I am trying to do laundry) and I live in a place where everything should be perfect. Because it looks perfect. However it doesnt always feel perfect." --My diary entry, Sept. 4, 2004.

It's amazing to see how much has changed (and how much hasn't) in the 4 years I've lived in Tucson, Arizona. What is even more amazing (and perhaps -- more unbelievable) is how much my life will continue to change (and lack perfection) over the course of this next year.

So here I am. Documenting it through photos.

This will be my life starting just two weeks before graduation in Tucson... and who knows where it will end a year from now. Maybe I'll even learn to accept (and embrace) the imperfections of my life.

16 days until I graduate.