As a new BYU-Idaho graduate with apparently no marriage prospects I knew that technically I could go wherever I wanted to go and do whatever I wanted to do. But, at the same time I knew I had to face the reality of finding a job and starting some kind of career. Moving back home to work in the cornfield wasn't easy. I was getting a little burned out after 9 previous summers and I was even more worried that I didn't really have a plan that I could count on. I was constantly worrying, planning and analyzing my options for the future.
Most of this worrying, planning and analyzing was centered around my plans to move to Provo. I liked the idea of Provo because it meant I could have a fresh start... you know, make new friends, meet new guys, etc. But, on occasion, I would think back to the end of my last semester, wondering if Brandon and I really had hit it off during that April snowball fight, or if it was only my wishful thinking. The good news was that my mom, Angie, Marcie, and I were all planning a mother-daughter weekend in Idaho Falls. The fact that I was planning to use some of that time in Rexburg to see friends was mentioned to one of my FHE brothers from the previous semester who just happened to be Brandon's roommate (Spencer Brown). Apparently Spencer had mentioned to Brandon that I was planning on coming to town because I found the following post on my facebook wall from Brandon: "Jennifer, What is this I hear about you coming to the great Rexburg. I sure hope that you make some time for me to see you. Let me know what is going on in your life. Thanks for being you. Bye bye for now."
Of course this created some excitement. I hoped that it was a confirmation of the hope I had held for the last several weeks. So, of course I replied to let him know I was going to be there and would enjoy seeing him if he were not too busy. Brandon said he would make time to see me and mentioned that Spencer was having a birthday party (that I'd actually already been invited to). To my delight I ended up spending most of the time at that party talking to Brandon. During our conversation Brandon mentioned that his cousin was getting married in August and would be having a reception in Boise. He suggested that he would enjoy visiting me on that occasion if I had time. I agreed that it would good to see him if he had the opportunity.
When I left Rexburg the following day I pondered the conversation that had taken place on Saturday night. The question in my mind was not of his good intentions, but rather if he would actually follow through. I wanted to hold on to the hope that he had given me in mentioning his cousin's wedding but previous experience had taught me not to count on it. And so I wondered as we drove away, was my first impression right... Was Brandon really different than anyone I had ever known?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
"Expect the Unexpected"
In response to some some car problems with my Grandparent's old pickup truck Keith had given me the advice "Expect the unexpected." That was definitely true for that old '82 pickup but I also feel it is applicable to everyday life. So, on that note, I begin the story of my post graduation life.
But first, I must note that the inspiration for this blog happens to be the main subject of my story. Brandon Carney. He is a key player in my post graduation life. But before I get ahead of myself I must first go back to April of 2011, where it all began.
It was finals week, I was about to graduate, and I was facing the unknown. The unknown scared me but I had a plan. I was going to graduate from BYU-Idaho, move back to Nampa, Idaho (where I grew up) to work in the cornfield for one last summer, then move to Utah, get a job, and save up for a year or two so that I could start on a Masters Degree, and then I was going to find the man of my dreams. Today I look back at the life I had planned out for myself and smile, realizing that once again, I am glad I didn't get everything I thought I really wanted.
But lets go back to finals week where the story unfolds. I was ready to be done with school, but sad to leave my friends. But still I felt that I was getting too old for the Rexburg scene (at a school nicknamed "BYU-I Do" being a single girl at 23... going on 24 isn't always easy) and I was sure there was nothing left for me in good old Rexburg. I never expected that one day (well, more like a few hours in that day) would be the start of this incredible journey.
It was simple really, how it all happened. Brandon was being a helpful friend (though he really didn't know me all that well) and bringing me a few things from my sister's house that I needed for graduation (and to those who don't know him he would do that for any friend because he is just that kind of a guy). When Brandon got to the apartment Justin and Shay (a couple of our mutual friends) were already at our apartment to say their goodbyes at the end of the semester.
To all who don't know Brandon, Justin or Shay, I think I could safely say that each of them fit the theme of this post. Before I knew it one of them had grabbed my roommate Angie, slung her over their shoulder and rushed outside. (Unsurprisingly snow had fallen on the ground that day... though it was more like slush by the evening). Moments after laughing at the squeals I heard coming through the doorway I found myself in the same perdicament... but I wasn't about to let them have an easy fight. So, Brandon, Justin, Shay, Angie and I all ended up in a snowball fight.
Finally my hands felt too frozen to keep going so I rushed inside, only to be followed by the rest of the group into the apartment. The snowball fight ended but the fun didn't. It turned into a tickle fight until we were all too tired to continue. I sat down and to my surprise Brandon sat down next to me. We all enjoyed talking and laughing about all the fun we had had. The time had rushed by (as it always does when you are having a lot of fun) and soon it was time for the guys to leave for curfew. I remembered feeling a tinge of sadness as I hugged each one of them. I was going to miss Rexburg and all the friends I had made, and I had no idea when I would be coming back... after all, I was never going to live in Rexburg again... or so I thought.
But first, I must note that the inspiration for this blog happens to be the main subject of my story. Brandon Carney. He is a key player in my post graduation life. But before I get ahead of myself I must first go back to April of 2011, where it all began.
It was finals week, I was about to graduate, and I was facing the unknown. The unknown scared me but I had a plan. I was going to graduate from BYU-Idaho, move back to Nampa, Idaho (where I grew up) to work in the cornfield for one last summer, then move to Utah, get a job, and save up for a year or two so that I could start on a Masters Degree, and then I was going to find the man of my dreams. Today I look back at the life I had planned out for myself and smile, realizing that once again, I am glad I didn't get everything I thought I really wanted.
But lets go back to finals week where the story unfolds. I was ready to be done with school, but sad to leave my friends. But still I felt that I was getting too old for the Rexburg scene (at a school nicknamed "BYU-I Do" being a single girl at 23... going on 24 isn't always easy) and I was sure there was nothing left for me in good old Rexburg. I never expected that one day (well, more like a few hours in that day) would be the start of this incredible journey.
It was simple really, how it all happened. Brandon was being a helpful friend (though he really didn't know me all that well) and bringing me a few things from my sister's house that I needed for graduation (and to those who don't know him he would do that for any friend because he is just that kind of a guy). When Brandon got to the apartment Justin and Shay (a couple of our mutual friends) were already at our apartment to say their goodbyes at the end of the semester.
To all who don't know Brandon, Justin or Shay, I think I could safely say that each of them fit the theme of this post. Before I knew it one of them had grabbed my roommate Angie, slung her over their shoulder and rushed outside. (Unsurprisingly snow had fallen on the ground that day... though it was more like slush by the evening). Moments after laughing at the squeals I heard coming through the doorway I found myself in the same perdicament... but I wasn't about to let them have an easy fight. So, Brandon, Justin, Shay, Angie and I all ended up in a snowball fight.
Finally my hands felt too frozen to keep going so I rushed inside, only to be followed by the rest of the group into the apartment. The snowball fight ended but the fun didn't. It turned into a tickle fight until we were all too tired to continue. I sat down and to my surprise Brandon sat down next to me. We all enjoyed talking and laughing about all the fun we had had. The time had rushed by (as it always does when you are having a lot of fun) and soon it was time for the guys to leave for curfew. I remembered feeling a tinge of sadness as I hugged each one of them. I was going to miss Rexburg and all the friends I had made, and I had no idea when I would be coming back... after all, I was never going to live in Rexburg again... or so I thought.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)