My life really isn't that exciting.  Obviously, I'm not still in Santa Maria.  It was nice having three weeks off to be at home with the family and not in Utah with freezing temperatures.  But now I'm back.  Whatever.  When I was home we went to Santa Cruz for Christmas with some family.

Here's my mom and I on the Boardwalk:

My mom and I also spent a day in Pismo.  It was such a BEAUTIFUL day.  It was clear and sunny and NOT windy and about 80 degrees.  It was perfect.

We also took Nathan to Oso Flaco one afternoon.  I really really miss being so close to the ocean.  The mountains are okay but nothing compared to the ocean.

Then I came back to Salt Lake.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Utah.  It's just not home.  It's not the Central Coast.  And it's not Me.

I started interning at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as soon as I got back to Utah in January. The IRC is a great organization that helps refugees come to America from countries that are currently in some sort of turmoil.  I am working with two Iraqi caseworkers.  We are currently seeing a lot of Iraqi refugees.  There are also quite a few Nepalis and Sudanese coming to Salt Lake.  There are certainly more countries with refugees, but this is just what I see the most of.  The IRC really is a great organization with very limited funding and if you're looking for a place to donate unwanted/unneeded goods you really should think about donating to them first.  They need EVERYTHING.  When refugees come to us all they bring with them is a suitcase (or 2) and it's our job, IRC's job, to set them up with an apartment with the bare essentials.  A bed for each person to sleep in; 1 couch; one table with 1 chair per person; 1 plate, cup, bowl and set of silverware per person.  It really is quite basic.  Anything more is just a want.  They rely on donations.  Just something to think about.  Go HERE to learn more.

So this last weekend my Mom and Mary were in town; with a mission to find a dress.  A wedding dress to be precise.  Yeah, so Mary is still getting married.  Silly girl.  But she found The Dress.  That certainly is a relief.  I didn't take any pictures though while they were here.  Actually, that's a lie.  I did take quite a few, but they were just all of Mary in different wedding dress possibilities.  I've since deleted them since The Dress has been purchased.

Anyway....That's my life.  Like I previously said, not that exciting.