C47

Today a heap of objects were placed before me. I was told told to pick up the item that best described my summer. Without hesitation, I picked up a C47. I had the most memorable summer of my life and I owe it all to the month I spent in Windhoek, Namibia.

In the film industry we call clothespins (C47's). You may think this is the perfect symbol for my study abroad summer because it was filled with digital media restoration that contained working on a documentary shoot of the 5-year program. However, the C47 reminds me of the clothesline.

One and a half weeks into the trip, on a Sunday afternoon, I shoved a pile of my clothes into the tiny washer in our kitchen. Hours later, I removed my somewhat clean clothes and hung up piece by piece with plastic C47's on the clothesline. I listened to protestors outside of the Polytech shouting their cometojesus beliefs. Before walking back inside the house, I looked up to the sky, it was cloudless and blue. At that moment, it hit me. I was in Africa.

The day before we left I did one last wash. The sky was still blue, the protestors still believed in Jesus, and I knew it was time to leave. I had done everything I wanted to do. Today I sit on my couch in Orem, my dryer is running in the background, the sky is filled with clouds. It just hit me, I am in Utah.

Desert Love and Cameras

I have no idea what to expect. This is the moment I have been waiting for since my first week at UVU. It was welcome week and I walked around the courtyard following around my sister, TeAnna. Having the traveling bug, she walked to the Study Abroad Booth. I followed. After giving information to my sister the man turned to me and asked me what my major was. I laughed as I told him Digital Media followed by an excuse of "you wouldn't have anything for that." He replied by handing me a piece of paper with the words "Namibia Africa" scribbled across the top. I gasped.

You see, it wasn't the first time I had thought about going to Africa. Years earlier I joked around with my sisters about the craziest places we could travel to that would give my parents anxiety. The only destinations I actually remember are my dad traveling to space and as for me, I would go to Africa. My mom hated the idea of my dad going to space much more than the idea of me going to Africa.

Since that moment I made it my goal to travel to Africa. I had no idea what my purpose in going to this continent would be, I just knew I wanted to go. Call it fate, or the stars had aligned just right, call it whatever you want, but when I took the paper from the man at the booth, the universe was telling me it had listened, and now it was up to me to make it happen.

Flash forward 8 years...At this very moment I am making a new playlist called, "Desert Love and Cameras" for a 15-hour flight. Because tomorrow I fly to Africa.

I have no idea what to expect and I am in love with the idea of the unknown. I know I am going with a purpose. The best part is I get to use my passion for storytelling by filming, documenting stories, and by teaching. Although, I have a feeling my purpose is much much more than storytelling.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. I will keep you updated along the way and thank you for taking this journey with me.

P.S.S. I love you

P.S.S.S What are you shouting out to the universe?

Like Me

The nightmare-- they walk like me, talk like me, listen to the music I listen to, wear what I wear. It stemmed from my youth when all the "cool" kids were wearing Hollister and American Eagle. I couldn't even step inside the stores because I had a fear of being like every other person in my little town.

In the end I have realized that I am indeed like everyone else.That is society for you. But I am an individual. I have my life and I live it the way I want to. I like what I like not because other people like it, but because I like it.

I am coming into my own. I am growing up. I am Krystal.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

P.S. Impressionism

Grape Popsicles

I have a fear of moving forward and losing who I used to be. I'm afraid of love because I'm afraid of loss.

I use the word "friend" loosely because I like connecting with people.

I am attracted to music and people who are genuine.

I like to memorize popular rap songs, but prefer boy meets guitar. Girl listens on the grass.

The other day I introduced my old life to my new life and it wasn't scary.

I am a better version of who I used to be.

Beyonce just told CNN to "continue to work hard and not give up on my dreams....with hard work and a goal, love and positivity we'll be fine." There ya have it. Thank you B!

LOVE LOVE LOVE,

Krystal Dey

P.S.

That Moment!

Routines and the Fearless Damn Cat

I've been thinking about life and love of the little things lately. We are people that are controlled by the conversation of how much gas costs and yet we still drive our little robot cars to Costco and fill up. We continue to do the same thing over and over and over because we need to survive or if we're lucky because we like to do it and it helps us survive.

I want this bike so I can stop blogging about gas prices:

Sometimes we forget how important the little things in our daily routines are because our lives are...routine. And then one day they're gone and we realize that the little Damn Cat "DC" that greeted you at the door made your night a little better. And when she made you angry because she wanted food and you had to walk back outside in the cold to feed her, you were just being ridiculous. But hey, at least you were feeling. And that feeling is a lot better than the emptiness you feel now when she isn't there to greet you.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. Life is good, but don't make it routine. My new goal is to switch it up so I can appreciate the little things a little better.

P.S.S. RIP DC love you forever!

My Eyes are Dry and Music is Not

My eyes are dry. I should probably go to bed, but it's summer and only 10:40 pm. In order for me not to stamp the letters LAME sauce across my head I'll write a blog. OOPS still LAME!

Music is my one true love. If you love me and you never know what to get me for my birthday or for random acts of kindness I will accept music of all kinds and Amazon and or iTunes gift cards. Please, thank you, love you.

When I hear that perfect song I can literally visualize a movie montage or credits rolling up. I love it! Every time I hear a song on that is super bass while I'm driving I could drive for hours. It makes me want to go on a road trip to anywhere. Lets go, I'm ready.

I love playlists and I make one for every event. I make them for waking up, sleeping, working out, running 5k's, various vacations, months, holidays, birthday's, you name it and I've named it.

Love Love Love,

Krystal Dey

P.S. I'm going to Africa in July. I think I'll call my July playlist "African Safari", "Time for Giraffe's" or "Desert Love and Cameras"

P.S.S LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU MUCH!