New York City.

back on july 3rd i began my 18 day journey out of town. 2 weeks of those 18 days were spent out of the country. it was a dream come true for this girl who hasn't ever been anywhere more exciting then hawaii (which is a pretty exciting place, but i mean, italy is really cool too.)

the journey was off to a rough start when we were on our way to the airport and i realized i had forgotten to weight my GIANT suitcase.... we get to the airport, i pay $25 to check my bag, we weight it, and realize it's over 70 pounds.... if i wanted to check it it was going to be an additional $250. so i called my mom, she pulled back up the the curb and i started parting ways with certain clothing items that i thought i could do without. i dropped my bag about 14 pounds, but it was still too heavy. my flight was already boarding and i didn't have time to empty anything else from the suitcase, so i paid an extra $100 and ran to my gate. i BARELY made it to the gate in time. they had just made the last boarding call and i was the last one on the plane. phew.

just a hot mess, running through the airport with half on my belongings in my arms, and the other half stuffed in my personal item.... and still $100 poorer because despite my mad efforts, the checked bag was still too heavy.

my trip started in new york city, where i met up with indy, tristen, and some of their friends from their india trip that they took earlier this year. i had a red eye flight, so i arrived in new york around 6 am. i got to our apartment and immediately fell back asleep. i woke up to tristen's phone in my face, and him inviting me out to brunch.

brunch at "the butchers daughter." utah needs one of these!

also take note that we had the dopest apartment EVER. the view was unbelievable. 

after brunch we returned to the apartment, and got ready. we stopped at bread and butter, which was right next door to view 34 (where we were staying) and we loaded up on food for a picnic. we journeyed to central park where we ate, people watched, and relaxed. then we did some shopping!

it was the 4th of july, so after a day of shopping and exploring the city we headed back to the apartment to freshen up for our party. kudos to indy, we got it HOOKED UP and we were invited to a BBQ on the rooftop of the view 34 building. we ate hot dogs, chips, cake, and watched the maceys firework show from up there on that tall building. it was so surreal and such a magical night. i swore i'd never seen a firework show as magical as that one.

the next morning i walked back down to bread and butter for some more of there fresh fruit. the day was pretty similar to the day prior. we shopped, ate yummy food (including dough, which has been on my bucket list to visit), and just enjoyed the city! the most important part of the day was when i bought a carry on suitcase (for $70) to stuff half of my shit into. i was originally against having more then one bag on this trip, but getting a carry on (to lighten up my big bag) was a no brainier considering i had 8 more flights ahead of me. i was NOT down to spend over $1000 on overweight luggage fees for the rest of my trip.

this room will be missed. i'm still in awe with how amazing it was!

that night we packed up our bags, took a train to new jersey, and caught our first international flight. from newark to iceland we went!

Tribute to my Granny Bird

Alison was born in Perth, Western Australia on August 7, 1926, to John Whitton and Annie Elizabeth Badelier Whitton. Alison talked with joy of her early childhood in Glen Forest, West Australia., where her family lived at the edge of the Great Australian Bush, allowing her the freedom to roam the hills and forest at will. 

As a teenager living in Claremont near the beaches of Perth, Alison loved to swim in the Indian Ocean, once escaping a shark alert by scrambling onto a buoy where she waited all afternoon for the "all-clear." At Perth Modern School, Alison was a member of the Women's Basketball Team, described as "dependable, a good dodger and a very good jumper," critical skills given her five-foot frame.

As WWII was winding down, Alison met a sailor, Grant Reeder, who was deployed as an Electrician's Mate on the USS Blower, stationed at the U.S. Submarine Base in Freemantle, W.A. Grant sought out and attended the local LDS Branch in Perth and the Whitton's, known for reaching out and befriending all, invited Grant to their home for Sunday dinners. Decades later, Alison recounted the first time she saw Grant, she knew she would marry him. Their first kiss occurred on V-J Day, when Japan surrendered, ending WWII. The streets of Perth were crowded with celebration and Grant, along with other sailors, were randomly kissing all the pretty girls in the streets. Grant only realized afterwards that he had just kissed Alison, "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," as Alison loved to sing. He then spent the rest of the celebration with Alison. 

After the war, Alison and her family immigrated to "Zion." She described playing in Utah snow for the first time as a pure delight, but she was never comfortable driving on slick roads. She did however love driving through puddles of slush; the bigger the better. Alison worked as a seamstress in Ogden, Utah while Grant served his LDS mission. They were married in the LDS Logan Temple on December 29, 1948 and lived for a short time at the family farm in Corrine in a small, one room building, with no running water and an outhouse across the street. It was in Corrine where Alison's kindly mother-in-law (Ada Madsen Reeder) taught her to bake bread in a coal fired oven. She baked bread and rolls for the rest of her life. 

Alison created a refuge of peace for her family in every home, first in Logan then in Salt Lake City. By the time Grant completed his education they had three boys, living in a small, two-room apartment at the U. of U.'s Stadium Village. Boy's 4 and 5 were born while living in Garland, Utah, Grant delivering the fifth boy late on New Year's Eve due to an absent doctor. In Bountiful, Utah they welcomed boy number 6, then finally a girl (wahoo for Alison!) and then another boy. 

Alison was unwavering in her faith, always a reminder to her friends and progeny of what mattered most to her throughout her life. In her quiet, unquestioning way, she could answer a searching voice with love and concern without criticism or condescension. Alison served many callings in her LDS wards, her example of service was without equal, especially helping with the aged and infirmed without prompting. In her mid 60's she was called to serve as a private aid to President Ezra T. and Sister Flora Benson. She initially refused the calling, being overwhelmed with their positions, but when reminded of why she was called, she accepted and then served them with a gentle love and respect through the end of their lives. In their late-70s Alison and Grant served a full time LDS mission in Cochabamba Bolivia.

Alison is preceded in death by her husband Grant, her son Mark (Linda Lloyd), her parents, her sisters Grace, Jean, Margot, Mary and brother Ian. She is survived by her sisters Helen and Eluned, children Brian, Stuart, Russell (Holly), Bruce (Christine), Owen (Kara), Suzanne Hill (Gary) and Joel (Andrea), 33 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren (including a chubby, great-grandson born eight hours after Alison left us) and many loving nieces and nephews. 

1926-2018

it was so good to spend extra time with my sweet granny during her last few months of life.

however, it was heartbreaking to watch her decline. a couple months ago we found out she had cancer, it really took her body fast.

my mother, brushing her mothers hair during her last week

my mom moved in with her for a few weeks to take care of her as her health got worse each day. sadly, on friday june 29th, around 2:30 am, we lost her.

my grandma was such a big part of my life, and i had such a close relationship with her - we all did. that has made the loss that much harder, but i wouldn't change that close knit relationship for anything.

our granny bird was spunky, sassy, strong, independent, giving, generous, kind, and SO so lovely.

 

it's surreal. i always dreaded this day. my heart is broken, and i don't want to know this earth without her, but i'm also so excited and happy for her. she was so ready to be reunited with her husband, parents, and siblings that had passed on before her.

because of my trip to europe i had to miss the funeral, but i was able to go dress her body, and help move her into her casket. it was one of the hardest things i've ever had to do, but it was also so special and spiritual. i got to paint her nails, and put her lipstick on as well.

life without her won't ever be the same, but lucky for me, i know this isn't a forever goodbye. because of my grandma's death i know i now have a guardian angel who will be with me each day, helping me make the right choices, so i can return to heaven and see her again. the thought of not making it, and not being with her forever, is a thought i simply can not bare.

one of my favorite memories of her is when she put my fake eyelashes on. she was always so fascinated with my lashes.

not only will i see her in heaven again someday, i know i can feel her with me here on earth. i look forward to each of those moments.