#47 FHE Groups

Being away at college, you can't exactly have family home evening each week. So the college wards organize everyone into home evening groups to achieve (more or less) the same purpose. And I have to say, I have a really awesome group this semester.

Take tonight, for example. My roommates' parents live nearby, so they ditched me to go home this weekend. I hate being home alone, so when I couldn't stand it anymore, I paid my FHE sisters a visit. It was a major lifesaver to be around people that time of night, especially ladies awesome enough to yell at reality TV with me.

#46 Sammy's

I spend my most stressful and celebratory Rexburg moments on College Avenue, seeking cupcakes, chocolate or craft supplies. When I first arrived in Rexburg, there was one empty building on the corner with this GORGEOUS big gold door with nice tiles all around it. I may or may not be in love with the door. I was camera-less at the time, but vowed to return and shoot there! 

 

(See? I totally did.)

When I came back this fall, it wasn't empty anymore. It was Sammy's, a place that, as far as I knew, did shakes. With pie in them. I still don't understand why I didn't get on board with that sooner. Turns out they also do burgers and have a small venue for bands. 

That's what got me there last night. My neighbor wanted to go see her cousin's band play last night, so I went with her. I was impressed with what lay behind that fabulous golden door. It's a fun place to be--open, friendly, and (must I repeat?) PIE SHAKES. I left last night with many questions in my mind, but the first and foremost (that I'm willing to share, anyway) was "why the heck have I not been to Sammy's before?"

And the band we saw? Eargasmic. You should click this link here and vote for them to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, because they deserve it.

#45 Sledding at the Sand Dunes

Rexburg is strategically located just a short drive from the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. In the winter, they are just perfect for sledding, something that I really hadn't done before yesterday. I did go tubing at Brianhead when I was maybe eleven or twelve, but it's not nearly as dangerous (or fun).

Unfortunately, I am "snow-tarded." Snow and I don't get along very well. I fell multiple times climbing up the hill and once the sled came out from underneath me. I was just covered in snow. My hands were numb within minutes. I left soaked and exhausted and feeling like I'd made a total fool of myself.

I loved it. Beneath the snow lays the faint smell of sand. I felt a little like I'd spent the day at the beach.

#44 Huckleberry EVERYTHING.

I was nine the first time I went to Idaho. My mom and brother and I went on a summer trip with my mom's friend and her daughters. We spent two weeks playing in sunshine and floating down rivers in inner tubes...well, except for the two or three days it rained. And we were in Utah for a while as well. But that's not the point! The point is that it's where I had huckleberries for the first time. And huckleberry shakes. And huckleberry candy. And pancakes with huckleberry syrup. I was in love. 

I didn't have huckleberry anything again until tonight. My roommates and I split the cost of a gallon of huckleberry ice cream and I'm in love all over again. 

#43 More Efficient Health Care

I'm sick. My roommate took me to the student health center, but I wasn't able to get an appointment anytime soon. The girl at the desk advised us to go to urgent care. As we walked back to the car, I suggested that we go home first for books. In California, a trip to urgent care means waiting at least two hours in a miserable and crowded room before you're called in.

My roommate looked at me like I was nuts. She said we could go back if I wanted, but she doubted the wait would be too bad. And she was right.

In the time it would have taken me in California to wait to be called up, I was seen by a doctor, tested, given a prescription, picked up that prescription, and went grocery shopping. Maybe I've just got low standards, but that was impressive.

#42 Porter's

Porter's is a local craft supply store. I would describe it as Michael's cool grandma. It has everything you need for about anything you could think of making--sewing supplies, scrapbooking supplies, art supplies, two entire walls of vinyl stickers, seasonal decorations, picture frames, and even office supplies. I spend a lot less time there than I would like to because I like having money for food. While Heather was here this weekend, we came to Porter's seeking something fun to do. I thought of a cool picture frame I had decorated with paint and scrapbooking paper last semester, so we applied the same concept to other adorable wooden things. She made a peace sign hanging for her wall, but left before I could take a picture of it. I decorated a clipboard.

#41 Craigo's...er, Pizza Pie Café

My aunt Katie went to Ricks back in the day, so she's more or less familiar with Rexburg. Every time I talk to her about school, she asks if Craigo's is still there. And yes, the beloved local pizza buffet place is still there. It's just called Pizza Pie Café now. The sign will tell you Chuck Norris made them change, but I've heard it came about from legal complications while trying to expand to other states. 

Doesn't matter what it's called. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. Also, they have dessert pizza.