I Need me a Bawlmer Christmas now, hon!

Ok, it's December 13th and I have yet to Hear "Crabs for Christmas" on the radio or go to the D.C. festival of lights. And then I remember it's because I'm still stuck in Utah. Don't get me wrong, I have grown quite fond of this mountain surrounded dessert.

At first all I could see was ugly little houses around Provo. Its only redeeming qualities seemed to be the majestic mountains and even then they only had charm when they were green but they seemed to turn brown before I fully appreciated them. Oh, Utah. Thank goodness my attitude changed. I feel slightly guilty for thinking that for so long. Camping in Southern Utah this summer was probably the most fun I have ever had out here. Actually, it was without a doubt the most fun I've had out here. One of my favorite pictures from my trips to Arches is the one below. You can see Delicate Arch in the distance. The picture does it no justice. Seeing the beautiful red rock contrasting with a jade blue sky, sleeping under countless stars, and hiking rich green canyons with steady rivers was a slap in the face. Utah is indeed a different kind of beautiful.
Utah is also surprisingly charming. I do come from Charm City, Maryland...that's kinda hard to beat. Not. My little Columbia is super cute and charming and fun, but Baltimore is busy, noisy, dirty and ghetto. Blieve hon. Translation-- "believe, hun"! That's our motto. After visiting temple square on a few occasions and spending Thanksgiving in Morgan with my friend, Susie, and her wonderful family, I decided small towns and even big Utah cities are pretty great! I prefer the small town feel though. Susie had like 600 kids in her entire high school! I had almost as many in my graduating class! Cute, right? The cozy houses were already lit up with Christmas lights when I visited. The crisp air reminded me of the country side of Columbia and there were trees. How I miss seeing trees everywhere! I am homesick for greenery!

That brings me to the point I want to make here; yes, Utah is a pretty great place. It's fun, it's pretty, it's busy and quiet. You just gotta know where to go. But Maryland...oh, Maryland is home! Maryland is where I can go to the Chesapeake Bay if I want to see a snow covered beach, where the trees surround the highways and towns and small villages, where the beautiful sound of crickets is constantly heard and the fireflies surround you in summer, where you can always smell the evergreens and maples, oaks, and birch and hear the shy streams that lead to the Potomac. This is where the green blanket covering the slopes turns to a shimmering blanket of white when it snows. Like this picture to the right shows! This was after a snow storm at home. The sunset was so clear! This is the place where you see the smoking chimneys all around Old Ellicott City. My Maryland! We actually have fresh seafood! I've decided I'm eating crab cakes as soon as I can. My mom makes the best ones! If you don't like crabs, you live a sad life. Just kidding! I guess I'm just trying to say, I need to see home. I need to be home. I need to hear my sisters running on the wooden floors upstairs while I try to sleep in in my basement room and smell the warmth of our kitchen while my mom cooks her delicious anythings. Gah! Home! Only 11 more days guys! I'm so excited, I could wet my pants! Boy will it be bitterly cold. Haven't experienced a winter quite as cold as home yet. 11 more days!

I guess until then, I will youtube "Crabs for Christmas" and "A D.C. Christmas Medley". Cheers friends. Thanks for making Utah my home away from home :)