i think this world smells so good

Such a busy last few days! To divulge just a few details,
– I spent a week with my family (minus my dad.. so sad). My mom and Brikki came to drop Brassy off here. I miss them so much already. Usually when they come I try to think of things to do in Tuscaloosa, or things they MUST see while they’re here, and usually I just can name some restaurants they need to try. I took them to City Cafe to sample some delish southern food, of course. But my momma had the idea of driving to Lake Tuscaloosa. I couldn’t remember how to get there so we had to put it into a GPS. It was a very lovely trip and oh it would be so very nice to have a house on a lake! Right??

– I’m moved into my new house! I’m about 90% unpacked. I am currently searching for nightstands of some sort that have drawers so I can put a few more things away. And I need a chair for my desk. Our little home is much bigger than I remembered when I saw it for like 10 minutes and then agreed to sign a lease. We also have a huge backyard and a big deck so I’m thinking we should invest in some outside furniture.

– Today I had orientation for the Community Journalism Master’s Program. And oh boy I know my way around the journalism building now! I think this year will be really great. I feel like I always look at school in terms of a big year-long list of things to do, if that makes sense. But this year, even though I’ll have things I do have to do, I get to really explore topics I want to explore. Not like I couldn’t do that before … I guess this year I’m just excited about exploring those topics. Who knows. Anyways everyone was nice and I think this will be fun!

– I had to really speak Spanish for the first time this whole summer. I can’t believe I went that long without speaking. Well I spoke to Grandpa on his birthday and I’ve spoken online to some friends, but that isn’t the same. But I got to translate for a couple families at Tuscaloosa County High School’s open house. I really reallllly love that job.

– I got a french press! Yessss.

Oh, and I find it funny how when I go to church, the sermon will often be about something that has been on my mind. At Riverwood, Pastor Lein talked about the gifts God has given us, and how each of our gifts are essential to the entire body. God doesn’t ever give us the wrong gifts.

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear where would be the sense of smell?” 1 Cor 12:17

My sister was interviewed for Alabama Action at Echols Middle School

the botanical gardens in birmingham, across the street from our apartment complex.

The sun keeps hiding behind the clouds. It’s come out every once in awhile. And I keep thinking the day is going to stay sunny. Then it disappears again. Last night as I was heating canned green beans on the stove and sprinkling cheese dust over Kraft macaroni noodles, I listened to the waterfall of rain over Birmingham. Lighting flashed out of the corner of my eye and thunder rattled our windows. It’s stormed so much this summer — one of the lovely privileges of calling Alabama home. I can’t believe it’s already August. For the last four years, this has been the most exciting part of the year: after having driven for about four days, the Texas desert suddenly becomes dotted with trees, bushes and grass. More and more green takes over the landscape and soon you can hear the bugs that inhabit all that green. As we roll into Arkansas, the trees stretch high up and the air is sticky. Adrenaline and excitement pump through my veins as I anticipate seeing friends for the first time in months, starting a new year.

I suppose this August will be different, though. I’m not missing Alabama like I normally do.

As I pack up my life once again to move it back down to Tuscaloosa, I’m reflecting on the incredibly fast summer we had.