See You Later, Not Goodbye

April Newsletter

So this month has been the best month I’ve had in forever. Like, literal best month of the year, and I’ve had a wild year lol.

Okay, so to start it off, on day 1 of the month, we headed from Paris to Canada. The flight sucked, but I kept forcing myself to fall asleep so I wouldn’t be super tired when we arrived in Canada. I honestly had been looking forward to Canada more than anywhere else. I know it’s kinda funny that I was most excited to go to the country closest and most similar to mine, but it is what it is 🤷‍♂️. So we arrived in Canada and it was literally everything I wanted this whole time. Our friends were there and it was just amazing.

We were only there for 1 week, but it was so much fun. Just being able to hang out with old friends and people I’ve wanted to see for over a year was so good. I got invited to my super close friend Mackie’s whole family dinner, and that was honestly so much fun. I just thought it was so random that I’ve been so hyped up for so long and then actually got to have dinner with the entire family 😂 (I’M SO IN!!!). That entire weekend was so fire. I just got to hang out with my favorite people for the week. I loved it so much.

While in Canada, we went skiing… in April… We were there on the very last day of the season. Bro, it was like skiing in slush. We were actually avoiding bald spots and puddles lol. Also turns out I can (kinda) ski, but also (kinda) snowboard. I figured my longboarding skills would transfer, but I didn’t know how good, so I’m honestly proud of myself.

So I guess my sister and her friends had a “surprise date” for Mackie and I, so they turned the house we were staying in into a super high-end upscale restaurant, with an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Elli, my little sister’s brownies are actually the best, like I’m not just saying that. There was also a show performed by Rio, which was some improv horror/thriller play thingy lol.

While in Canada, I started running junk jobs remotely. It takes a lot more planning, but I was able to have my bro Calvin, who’s in Tennessee, run jobs while I handled the backend of everything. So all payments, quotes, scheduling, everything, I handled it all remotely. I actually am so happy I learned that skill. I feel like it’s huge!

It was hard saying goodbye to everyone in Canada, but I keep saying, “It’s not a goodbye, just a see you later.” I know I’ll come back after the mission.

After Canada, we went to Utah for a few days, and that was way fun. I got to see my family and friends that I haven’t seen in forever. I love my family out there, and also my friends out there.

While in Utah, I got to hang with my boy Kaleb Shelly. He served his mission in my home ward this time last year and was literally the chillest missionary I’ve met. So while out in Utah, we got to hang out, grab some In-N-Out, and catch up.

Immediately when I got home, I started working junk jobs. I had a few scheduled out, and oh my gosh, it feels so good to work again. Also, I’ve been collecting vinyls 🤫. My new hobby. Lmk your suggestions I should get.

So I’ve felt like I’ve been changing a lot recently. I’m just doing more, which is a good thing. For example, I’m with my friends Ezra and Griffin, and we see these cool cars at this one shop, so I yell, “Pull over bro!” And we go to the shop and meet this super old dude who has a few sick cars. Like, we sit in them and rev them and everything lol. I’ve been doing that a bunch lately, and it honestly feels so good. To just do, and not think about everything and how it’ll turn out.

My truck exploded. Not fully, but we got the engine replaced in it recently and it had been acting a little quirky. Like, for example, when I would press on the gas, the gauge cluster would go out, so I didn’t know how fast I was going or how much gas I had… 😬 And the worst part about it is Maroon 5’s debut album, Songs About Jane (I found the CD on a junk job and threw it in my truck’s CD player because it’s silly 🙃), keeps going out every time 😠.

So one day, I’m going to an early morning job pulling the trailer with Griffin, and we’re just going. I turn on the hot/hotter AC, and somehow the gauge comes back on. I’m happy for a little, then realize it smells like rotten eggs. Whatever, right? Maybe a skunk? Turns out the battery was literally smoking. So we finally get to the job site, and I pop the hood to see the entire battery just smoking and stinking like I’m standing next to Old Faithful in Yellowstone or something. We buy a new battery and find out that it’s an alternator issue. Luckily, everything is working great now! Shoutout Behemoth the truck. Still no AC tho 😞.

So I went to prom. I got in with a friend group and then paid them back for tickets, but prom was absolutely amazing. There was so much going on, and eventually I ended up in a Waffle House around 3 in the morning… fun night.

So yeah, really I’ve just been working a bunch. I bought an electric scooter so I can go and do door hangers faster, which has been way too much fun lol. I have plans to go and take boys road trips and be on my shenanigans until I gotta lock in for the mission. I still am 🔒 in.

Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. See y’all next month.