Back to reality.

Indiana. Check.
Illinois. Check.
Iowa...almost check.

So the adventure begins again. I am currently sitting in my hotel room in a little town called Stuart, Iowa (just west of Des Moines). I would take pictures, but frankly, it all looks the same. The one cool thing about Iowa are the windmills. My pictures would scarcely do them justice. I just copied a picture from google that gives you a better idea. On the way out here, AP and I saw some windmill blades being transported on semi trucks. They are the biggest things I've ever seen.

Beautiful, no? 

Leaving Indiana was a different feeling than any other time before. Maybe it's because I started getting used to being "home" again. As we drove further and further away, I felt like a bit of my heart stayed there this time. It was my longest visit home since my venture out west, so perhaps it was expected to settle into my hometown's beautiful landscapes and warm feelings of family and friends. I miss everyone already. I'm looking forward to returning again for another visit. No matter where I go or what I experience in my life, Indianapolis will always been home. It will always be where I learned to walk, ride a bike, drive a car, get my first job, graduate from high school, where my family is, where my mother is buried, where I have experienced so many things. 

As I return back to Idaho, I do so with the excitement of seeing friends who have become near and dear to my heart. I do so with knowing that everyday I will get to hear and experience music. This break has once again given me time to reflect and re-adjust my perspective and my goals and desires for the semester. I have a few pictures from the break, but I really need a new camera. 

Here were some highlights (in no particular order I assure you):

• Going to Ohio to see my sister. "Tookies and Aunt Tortney"
• Spending the day with my Dad. I learn more from him and about him all the time. I love it.
• Seeing Hunter and Allyson sleeping every night when I came home. Hugging them whenever I wanted and seeing them on the first day of school. I can't imagine what I will feel when I have children of my own to love because I know how much I love them...
• Being able to spend time with Adam. The Mach 1, seeing (and hearing up close!) a drag car for the first time, MotoGP, late night redbox movies, Southeastway Park, Sailboats at Eagle Creek, The IMA and the baby deer with her mom, The urban garden downtown, Romeo and Ozzy, driving around on 31....the list goes on.
• Going hiking at Eagle Creek Park with Charles.
• Red Velvet Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. OH. MY. GOSH.
• Spending time with Chris and Jennifer.
• Seeing Tiffany, Lana, and Tammy. 
• Going to the cemetery to see my mom's grave for the first time in 12+ years.
• Sleeping in :)
• Reading Eat. Pray. Love. (which I finished on the drive today! Loved it!)
• Walking the canal. 

The list could go on and on, but those things stuck out in my mind. I'm sorry to all those that I didn't see. It isn't because I didn't want to or because you aren't important. Honestly, I sometimes feel like the time went by SO fast. No time at all and it was done. Back to reality I guess. 

Love,

Courtney