Hooray, Hurrah!

So this last week has been full of celebration and the start of a long summer apart. Most of last week I spent my time getting things prepared to leave for Pittsburgh, so needless to say even after finishing finals, I still felt like I wasn't done with school. I had to start back up on my Doctoral Project because it had come to an abrupt halt and I had a meeting with my Chair Ed, luckily he thought I was coming along and liked my summer plan...now hopefully I make time to stick to it in between my internship work and the traveling/tourist plans I have!

Tuesday evening Matthew and I decided to go do some sealings at the temple. It was a wonderful experience; three other couples joined us, which made for a wonderful session. At the end one of the couples (the Henderson's) came up to us and asked if Matthew knew the Bowens in California. Now, most of the time when this happens the answer is easily no because there are so many Bowens around. But after asking about some first names, Matthew said that he did know them and in fact they were related, even though Matthew didn't know them well. It was kind of fun to once again realize how small this world really is!

On Wednesday after my appointment with Ed I went to an interview at Shiners Hospital for an internship spot. I really liked the facility and thought that it would be a wonderful opportunity, but I found out yesterday that they did not select me. This was very disappointing and hard for me to hear because a few weeks ago I also found out that I did not get the Primary Children's Medical Center spot. I would like to think that I am somewhat of a marketable person, but at the same time I feel that when I am up against some of my peers I have no chance, they are just that amazing. I am pretty bummed out about it, but hopefully I can find a great opportunity that will give me what I need to know how I feel about working with children and give me direction as far as my career goes.

Later that evening I went to the Branch Home Teaching Meeting with Matthew. He taught again this month because of the change in Presidency. We are excited for the change even though I know that it will most likely be more work for Matthew until everyone settles in. Matthew told me that this past Sunday they called a new second counselor and the new branch president would like to call a clerk so that will help.

On Thursday morning I got up early so that I could join some of the branch members at the temple. Again because of the changes in the presidency, there were not enough members to drive those who are unable to, so because I am out of school, I volunteered! We went to the Bountiful Temple and it was wonderful. I was tired during the session, but I could still feel the spirit and it was nice to be among the members in such a sacred place. The rest of my Thursday was spent doing laundry and packing for Pittsburgh.

Friday was Matthew's big day; Graduation! It was a fun day. Matthew still taught Seminary in the morning and was evaluated by Brother Hardy. The class went well, but not as good as it has the past few weeks. Matthew and Brother Hardy talked afterward and Matthew got some good guidance, but I think he was a little bummed. I told him that celebrating graduation was the perfect way to get his mind off of it for a little while! So he graduated and when they announced his name, Matthew's parents and I yelled out, "We love you Billy!", which is a little joke Matthew and I share. It comes from a few different sources; the first being that in Junior High Matthew decided he wanted to go by Bill Bowen instead of Matthew because there were too many Matthews and the second, from the movie "Two Weeks Notice". There is a scene with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock where he asks if she has ever been in love and she says, "Yes, his name was Billy," and then Hugh says, "Did you tell him? Did you say 'I love you Billy'?" I then turned to Matthew and said, "I love you Billy."

After he graduated, we met him outside the Huntsman Center and took some pictures. He then awarded me is "Stole of Gratitude" which is the sash you wear while walking. Someone had told him earlier that after he graduated he was to give it to the person he was most grateful for helping him with his education.

After pictures. Matthew's parents took us to lunch at Bucco di Beppo, an Italian restaurant that serves food in a family style fashion so that when one person orders something it is enough to feed multiple people. It was wonderful food. We also exchanged graduation/birthday/Mother's Day gifts with each other. Matthew's parents decided that since I would be away for my birthday that they would give me my gifts now. I received a travel size Hymn book, an Atlas and some travel bottles that I can put liquids in like shampoo and lotion when I travel by plane. Matthew received a card with some money and we gave his mom (along with my mom) a candle warmer and a candle to warm it on. I kind of feel bad getting them the same gift, but we thought they were wonderful and something that both of our mom's could enjoy!

After lunch, Matthew took a short nap while I finished my packing plans and then we prepared for the Ice Cream Party we planned for our Graduation/Going away party. Luckily, our amazing friends Cory and Danielle were once again willing to let us have it at their home since it is significantly bigger than our apartment. We had many friends come and enjoy ice cream and conversation and in the end we bought way too much ice cream, but that's okay.

Saturday morning came the exciting, yet sad departure from my Matthew, luckily I had to drive so I wasn't allowed to cry and Cynda was there to help me think of other things like; water, state license plates, 50 cent ice cream from Little America, crazy animals (like bulls, horses and wild turkeys), how many miles and hours it would take us to get to our destination for the night, which way is the right way to get on the freeway (which we did wrong twice or so), buying food from the Village Inn and Subway within an hour of each other (what! we were really hungry..hehe), booking a hotel room at the Holiday Inn Express as "Mrs. Bowen" from SLC, UT..."I'm the 'new bride'", and Gary Indiana...never mind...Portage Indiana sounds perfect!

I know it is hard to make much sense of some of these things, but I will explain some of them.

It took us 3 days to travel because neither of us really like to drive in the dark especially when we are going through a big city with a lot of signs to figure out and I needed plenty of breaks for my leg. So we played two games while on the road; one, how many different state license plates we could find (we found 30 I believe) and the second we started in Nebraska when Cynda remembered that some of her boys used to see who could call out "water" the fastest when it was seen.

The first night we stayed in North Platte, Nebraska and I called around to some hotels to check prices and availability. We decided upon the Holiday Inn Express and when they asked me for an ID code I gave them one that Cynda and Steve have and they lady said,"Is this under Steve Bowen's account?" I said, "Yes." She then asked, "Is this Mrs. Bowen?" I said, "Yes." because I am Mrs. Bowen! She didn't ask which Mrs. Bowen! Later Cynda took the joke a little further saying that it would be funny if when we checked in the receptionist asked which of us was Mrs. Bowen and we both said, "I am." and then explaining that we were from Utah and that I am the "newest bride". That last part didn't happen, but we got a good laugh just thinking about it.

As far as why we bought two dinners within an hour of each other...we didn't want to have to by food on Sunday, so after dinner at the Village Inn, we stopped by Subway to get a couple cold sandwiches for the next day.

On our second day of travels we decided that we wanted to make it to "Gary , Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana!" (insert singing) Many insisted that it wasn't possible, but we showed them...and once we got there we decided that we didn't want to be there anymore. Unfortunately, Gary seems to be a scary place for two women to be in, especially after dark. And besides that, we were unable to locate a hotel. I said to my mom later that the nicest thing about the place was the sign we passed that said, "The people of Gary welcome you!" Sad, but from what I saw, true. And to be honest, our travels, at least at first, in Indiana were the most frustrating. I wish they would make their signs a little more clear because that is the reason why we got on the freeway the wrong way once and almost took the wrong exit. There was one point in our journey that I was stopped at one of the splits because I wasn't sure where I should go (I know it's not safe, but what's a girls to do?!). When I finally figured it out I had to put the petal to the metal so that a semi-truck wouldn't crush me.

Other than that, Cynda and I made it to Pittsburgh without much trouble and we arrived with perfect timing; my Aunt Kristi had just finished making dinner and it was indeed yummy...BBQ chicken, green beans and potatoes! Kristi had to leave for work shortly thereafter, but Cynda, Uncle Leland and I stayed up pretty late talking.

On Tuesday Cynda and I continued to talk with Leland and also Kristi when she got home and before she went to take a nap. I unpacked all of my things with the help of Cynda and then I continued to work on Carl's book while Cynda read her book/fell asleep on the couch. After awhile we put in "Fiddler on the Roof" and at the end we had beef enchiladas that Kristi made in her "spare time"; she is amazing, she just keeps going. If I were in her shoes I don't know if I could do all she does. After dinner Leland had to go to work and Kristi had a meeting so Cynda and I played a board game and not long before we were finished Kristi came home and we had a conference call with Matthew on Skype! After we were done talking with Matthew we played speed Scrabble and Cynda wiped us with the floor...as per usual. We then began to prepare for the next days errands and head for bed.

On Wednesday Kristi and I drove Cynda to the airport to send her back home. It was a little hard for me because it helped me to realize that I was alone in terms of connections to Matthew and those I had been used to surrounding myself with on a regular basis, but luckily I still have family and Leland and Kristi are very hospitable. Kristi then drove me to where I would be doing my internship and I picked up some paperwork and then to a lab so that I could get my blood checked. It was nice because we found one that is not too far from her house and in between there and work just in case I have to do it on the way to or from.

For the past few days I have been somewhat lounging about, watching a couple of movies, working on my project or on Carl's book, calling Matthew about this or that just so I can get small doses of him and checking my email, my grades or Facebook every few minutes, needless to say I am ready to get started so that I don't freak out about being away. Not to say that I am not excited to be here...I am excited for this adventure, it is just hard to be without My Matthew.