Tawna Perkins: This One's for Jenna

I have made a new tradition for myself, that every year during President's Day weekend, I am going to go on a trip to celebrate my birthday. I started it out last year with going to Washington, D.C. This year I decided to fly to Knoxville, Tennessee as a gift to myself. One of my most dear, wonderful, amazing, best friends, Jenna Ann Glover, currently lives there while she completes her internship at the University of Tennessee. She will be graduating with her Doctorate degree in Psychology in May. Yes, She will be Jenna Glover, Ph.D. Not many can say that! I met Jenna over 2 and a 1/2 years ago. We were in the same ward in Logan, and ended up serving in the Relief Society Presidency together. We became instant friends and it just grew from there!

I absolutely LOVED everything about Tennessee, from all the trees, to the accents, to the Smoky mountains, to the big beautiful houses. I felt like a part of my soul came alive on that trip. My trip started out early, with a flight to Chicago. First of all, can I just say how much I thoroughly enjoyed my flight from Denver to Chicago?! I have never been on a plane so huge! When I got to my seat, there was a pillow, blanket and free headphones waiting for me. I was in love from that point on. One of my favorite books to read aloud to my students every year was "City of Ember." I have wanted to see the movie since it came out. And guess what? It was showing, for FREE (well, besides the fact that I paid for the plane ticket, but still) on the plane ride. I will say I love the book much better. When I got to the Chicago O'Hare airport, I had a slight panic attack because I have never been in an airport so big. It took me a good 5 minutes to calm down and figure out where I was going (Thanks Megg, for helping me through that!). After a 2 hour layover, I was headed to Knoxville on a tiny plane. The Knoxville airport was so tiny compared to Chicago, but I loved it! There were rocking chairs everywhere, including the bathroom! Jenna picked me up, man I was so excited to see that girl! She showed me around her house, we went for a little walk on the cutest path ever and then went to her soccer game. I tell you what, from the first time I heard an accent, I was hooked. All I wanted to do was listen to everyone around me talk! After we got food at Buddy's Bbq and I ate hush puppies for the first time. I am craving them right now, they were that good!

I gave Jenna Dr. Mario/Tetris for the Super Nintendo for Christmas, and every night we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to have challenges. Friday she had to work, so I got to sleep in because the two hour time change was not something my old body was used to. I was able to have lunch with her and the other interns, and that was a lot of fun to meet the people that have become a part of her life there, and to put a face to a name. Again, loved the accents! She went back to work, and I went for a walk to the local WalMart. That night, we went to dinner on the river at Calhouns. Yummy! And the river was so beautiful, I LOVED the bridges all lit up. She then took me around the University of Tennessee, showed me her cute office, and downtown Knoxville.

Saturday, we didn't leave the apartment until 5 PM. But it was the greatest day! We spent a few hours having deep, spiritual conversations, leading me to tears more than once. We also spent a few hours having the Dr. Mario/Tetris battles. Then we decided we wanted to drive to the Smokies. It was so beautiful, all the fog in the mountains. It really did look like smoke was everywhere. This just so happened to be Valentine's Day, so as we were coming out of the Smokies, we approached a cute tourist town that was PACKED. So we headed for Pigeon Forge, another cute tourist down. It was super crazy as well, but we decided to have some fun and went to Wonder Works. People, I can't even begin to tell you how awesome this place was. First of all, the building is shaped like an upside down house. That instantly caught my attention. There are over 120 (According to Jenna 125 but I believe I'm right) exhibits and we said we were going to hit them all! They have everything from a fake earthquake ride, pitching games, rock wall climbing, pretending to be in a space ship, to a virtual roller coaster. We were pooped after 4 hours of fun with Nail Nancy, out of control teenagers, and hitting a majority of the exhibits. We decided we needed to make a trip just for Pigeon Forge, there is so much to do there!

Sunday, I really wanted to attend a Baptist church because there are churches literally on every corner and I loved all of them! But we stayed up too late doing the challenge, so we just watched a service on TV. This time, we didn't leave until 3 PM, we had too much fun dinkin around, but hey that beat 5! Secretly, I've always wanted to eat at the Perkins Family Restaurant. That dream finally came true for me! It wasn't the best food, but it was the experience that counted. We then went for a Sunday drive. She loves to ride her motorcycle and has discovered a lot of awesome paths and roads there that she willingly shared with me. I could have spent days traveling those roads and been content. It ended with the most beautiful Sunset. She then took me to McKay's, a HUGE used book store. Again, I could have spent days in that one store. I was pleased with what I was able to get for so cheap.

Monday we ate breakfast at Chick Fil A (who knew they served breakfast?) And then went to the Cupcakery, a cute cupcake shop. When I first walked in the door, I thought I was seeing double. Miley Cirus, AKA Hannah Montana was working there. Not really, but Sara Cirus as I like to refer to her was her identical twin. I couldn't stop staring! And it was the yummiest cupcake my teeth have ever sunk into. We then headed for Nashville, a 2 and a 1/2 hour drive away from Knoxville because I was flying out from there. What a great car ride we had, again with me in tears. Don't worry, Jenna can make me cry but in a good way. We were able to drive around the Grand Ole Opry, with my personal favorite sight being the Speed Limit 24 sign.

It was a wonderful trip overall. I don't think I've laughed or cried so much with someone in a really long time! I left Tennessee feeling rejuvenated and more at peace with myself. Thank you Jenna for letting me come and taking time out to spend with me, and for the great conversations and laughs we shared. It was perfect. I chuckin love you, and so do the geese! Can't wait for Pigeon Forge!!

On the river, with the beautiful bridge behind me.

OH MY GOSH! So I have believed myself to be 5 feet 0 inches. But while at Wonder Works, I learned that I am 5 ft. 1 inch! I can't tell you how excited that made me. I'll take that inch and run with it! I also learned that I can beat Jenna at a mind game. Who would guess?!