Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

September 11th

"Where Were You " By: Alan Jackson"

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

As I was watching CNN today the New caster said everyone will remember where they were when they heard about September 11th like the generations before where they remember where they were when they heard John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. I will always remember right before I went to school that day when I was in my family room watching the plan crash into the building over and over and they replay it and also sitting in school watching the television the rest of the day. I was 12 years old and thinking that America isn't invincible anymore.

Life is so precious and we should never forget the people that died today. Maybe today is a good day to start talking to some one you are angry with or smile at the people that pass you by in the grocery store. Lets not let this be a holiday but a day of celebration for those 3,000 people that died and gave there lives to rescue the people. I couldn't image heading up into the building to find people when everyone was trying to get out.

Celebrating July 24th

I love Summer, especially when I am in Utah.

Don't get me wrong I had a blast spending my Summer in Italy, but there is nothing better than being around my family and friends. I was very happy to be back to celebrate July 24th. I love fireworks and gathering with people I love. It was so much fun to be able to catch up with everyone and their adventures for the summer.

~Fireworks~

Dinner Time...yumm!

a little taste of my adventure....

Italy is amazzzing.

I cant believe I have lived here already for over a month.

I love the food and especially the fruit...always fresh and amazzing.

I have loved the families have lived with so far.

My first family I lived with for two weeks. They were amazing people and took such good care of me. They have a little boy named Alessandro, he is 6 years old. They took me to Rome for two weekend in a row and showed me so many things. I was very sad to leave them. The next family I went to was in Fiuggi, which they had three girls that were 9, 10, and 14 yrs old. It was a lot of fun spending time with them. Every night I would go and hang out with little 14 year old years. it was pretty hilarious. But the cutest thing was when Elisa the older girl was crying when I was leaving....presh. haha

I have had the opportunity to visit so many places while I have been here.

Towns I have visited:

Sanremo, Genova, Rome, Giudonia, Fiuggi, Forlì, Rimini, Trivolgiona, San Marino, Bologna, and Tivoli.

Its been so fun to have the opportunity like this. Even though some days are hard and the kids are a pain. Its been worth it to experience the things that I have. I love Italy and would definitely come back next year. I love coming here and opening up my eyes to things that I have never seen. From the culture to everyday life. I feel like my life has changed for the better.

Some moments from my adventure.....

Tutor and Helper group from Forlì

Top left to right: Breon, Sarah, Heather, Cady, me, Andrew, Patrick

Bottom left to right: Nicole, Amy, Giulia

Heather and I in San Marino

All the girls

Sarah, Heather, Cady, and I

My cute family from Fiuggi

Heather caring a bike home after the tire blew up on are way home.

We laughed the whole way home which took about 45 walking.

My group in Fiuggi (11 and 12 yr old)

Chiara and I she was so adorable.

Fiuggi camp doing there final show about "Grease on the Titanic"

The kids wrote me a cute note and read it to the audience on how they loved me.

My "Olympic group" From Fiuggi

First camp in Giudonia

Two girls from my class

Cute Alessandro (my host brother) and Lucrezia

Dont know how to flip, but friends from orietation in Sanremo

YAY!!! World Cup

(Waka Waka eh eh!)

First site of Italy! I was very excited and tired!

Sanremo for orientation

Sanremo for Orientation

Orientation site seeing

First pizza in italy yumm...

Miracles

Everyday you hear about people surviving the most horrible tragedies and you think,

"Wow...some one is watching over them."

I never expected to be one of those people that were "lucky" to have survived.

As most know Lindsey and I were involved in a car accident where a semi-truck didn't see that traffic was at a stand still and lost control and hit the back of Lindsey's car, which caused 6

other cars to get hit.

About 30 min before the accident.

(I dont think we would be smiling if we knew what was about to happen haha jk!)

Crash Site

This was the first time we saw the car, which was the next day.

Life is so precious, just one second could change your life. I will never take anything for granted anymore. I will tell my family everyday that I love them, I wont let the little things bug me, or even making sure to thank people for being in my life.

Though I am in a lot of pain I just have to keep on telling myself that this is temporary. I am so grateful for being able to walk, talk, and even being able to function, when things could have been worse.

From the moment that this sweet couple(who were are guardian angels) came to the car to help Lindsey and I, they stayed and comforted us until we left in the ambulance, they kept on saying what a miracle it was that we didnt get completely smast in the car and how lucky we were that the car(yay for volvos) held up to a semi going freeway speeds. I feel that we were lucky and god was with us through everything we went through and that He still performs miracles everyday.

Tik Toc Tik Toc...

I can't believe that I am leaving to Italy in a month. (I am going with the organization called ACLE.) It seems so unreal to have this opportunity to be able to live in another country while having a job. I am so excited to experience another culture and to live like an Italian. Even though I have a month before I go there is so much to do in this amount of time. I have a list that seems to have 50 things I need to do before I leave.

San Remo, Italy

(This is the place where I will start my journey.)

The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.

~G.K. Chesterton

I want to be that kind of traveler that sees everything that I can and embrace it how it is. I want to have adventures and not expectations. It seems like when ever I have expectations it never lives up to what I want it to be through my eyes. I want to have an open mind to everything around me. I want to leave footprints behind, but to come home with the knowledge of living in a different country.

I will keep you posted on my adventure.

the beginning...

Yes!
I am officially a blogger.

I never imagined having a blog, but with all the peer pressure I am getting from someone in particular*cough, cough Lindsey jk!* I decided why not. Sooo here a go on my blogging adventure to be able to write my thoughts, dreams, and maybe sometimes my frustrations. Also, I hope this will keep me connected to my friends and family if I am gone this summer.

Today I came across this quote online.
It is from Lil Wayne's blog(and if you don't know he is a rapper that is in prison for a year.) I know randomness, but it made me really think about life in general and how we are all at different levels in life but through the good and the bad, God is always there.

Give me the patience that I need
To keep my piece of mind,
And with life’s cares, I hope, Dear God,
Some happiness to find.
Give me the courage to face life`s trials
and not to from troubles run.
Let me keep this thought in mind.
“Thy Will,” not “Mine,” be done.

- “Pray”

p.s. I came across this picture and it reminded me of the simple days where we would all be together. I miss that :(