BYU, Adieu!

I've said for months that I would do this post, and it's finally here! This is more for me than it is for you, but if you would like to relish in my memories with me, please feel free.

Two weeks ago I said my final farewell to BYU-Idaho. I love that school with all my heart! Here are some important moments and memories of why it is so special to me.

Two days after I graduated from high school, I moved to Rexburg, Idaho. Most people in my situation were fearful to start afresh, but not me! I was excited and ready for the new adventure that awaited me.

My I-team became my greatest friends! We had SO MUCH FUN together! I truly thought college was just a big party. I even kind-of dated the cute Mexican next to Whitney ;) Whitney Carrizales was my first roommate, and we stayed together our entire college career. We tried to live together the next semester, but I already had a contract at Royal Crest, and they were full, so by some miraculous event, I ended up living with one of my best friends from high school, Whitney Balls (girl in the middle).

 

 

My Royal Crest roommates were a lot of fun as well. Jessica made weird noises while she slept, Angie was naive to everything of the world, and Whitney and I reformed our Annoyed Persons Anonymous group to deal with the annoying people of the world. That semester I also dated Erik (from my I-team) who I grew to care deeply for. Although our relationship did not work out, I learned a lot from him, and I have deep gratitude for the things he taught me.

 

I moved home after that semester to work during my off-track. It was the only semester I lived at home for the remainder of my college career. Come Spring semester, Whitney Carrizales and I decided we wanted to live together again (Whitney Balls, man-hater that she is, got engaged). We almost signed contracts for Colonial House, but at the last moment decided we wanted move to Kensington. I did not know it then, but that was the best decision I ever made!

My first semester at Kensingon was good, but it was also very stressful. I took 17 credits and also taught a one-credit GE course. On top of that, I had a crazy roommate and family issues. I lived with Nicolette (Whitney's cousin) and we had a lot of fun together until she got engaged. I love Nicolette and we became really close friends, really fast. Our relationship changed drastically after she got engaged. I still regret to this day that we grew apart as fast as we became friends. Needless to say, the second half of the semester was not very fun. I fought quite a bit with my roommates and I went home a lot to be with my dad. Luckily, my crazy roommate was moving out to get married (not Nicolette, though she, too, was moving out), but another roommate I had also had a lot of problems with was staying. I decided I did not want to deal with all the drama with her again, so I decided to move out. I told Whitney she could come with me or stay, and she decided to stay. I practically begged Alisha (my apartment manager) to let me move into 207. Katelyn Ericson was my visiting teaching partner as well as Relief Society president, so I had a lot of respect for her. I had also bonded with Sara Simnitt at one of the ward activities, so I knew I would have a good time with the girls from 207.

That first semester was the best semester ever! Seriously. It was by far my favorite semester. We had a lot of fun with Apt. 9 and we partied hard. I don't know how I got anything done because someone was literally at our apartment every night. It was a blast!

We also threw the best parties that semester. I introduced everyone to Swedish Twister (or as Bishop calls it, French Dancing). It spread like wildfire.

We had the best Halloween party EVER! We embarrassed Ross by pretending to kiss him. That poor boy who we thought would struggle in getting a girlfriend was the first to get married out of that apartment!

 My roommates made a bad dream turn into a wonderful reality. I've never turned that red in my life!

Probably the funnest night of my life! The power went out and we crammed about 30 people into our apartment and played Murderer in the Dark. We were so loud, the managers kicked everyone out, but as you can see, some of Apt. 9 trickled back to our apartment minutes after they were told to leave... That night, we also learned how theatrical Chris and Dan were through their tell of a golf adventure.

 I experienced the most intense snow fight of my life, all for the sake of Cherise's school project.


Sadly, that semester had to come to a close. Cherise & Sara moved out, and Jen & Jessica moved in. It wasn't the same, but we still had a lot of fun!

 We went to Jessica's farm in Cody, Wyoming...

And did the "kissy face" in honor of Katelyn not being able to make it.

I also did my internship that semester for the Rexburg Standard Journal, where I got to ride in a limo!!

A couple of weeks before the semester ended, I went to the Festival of Colors with Jen. A week later, I went to the Tulip Festival with Whitney. This is our engagement picture :)

My last semester in 207 was rough. Jessica & Cherise were both gone. However, I couldn't stay away from Jessica for too long. I went to Cody again, and this time brought Kate & Sara with me!

 Jessica and I had an "Anne of Green Gables" moment. I think she was Gilbert...

Allison came back from Europe that semester and she was my saving grace. I felt very alone, but she always made an effort to include me in everything. We ended up having one of the craziest final weeks of my life!

My time at 207 came to an end. I decided to move to 105 in order to room with my two beloved friends, Jessica and Cherise. By that time, I had also become friends with Cherise's friend, Krista. We would spend the next three semesters together...

 

The ice couch

 Girl bonding time. 

We all laid our heads on the same pillow and took crazy photos. I couldn't resist showing my love to Jessica :)
 

In spite of our move to a different apartment, we could not let our love for Apt. 9 go, so...

 

we pranked them!

 Apt. 9 was also our FHE brothers, so we went to the Haunted Mill together...

 Chris just had to ruin our all-girl picture! I think he was secretly jealous.

We also won the Ward Triathlon because 105+9 = Amazing! 

The next semester (Winter 2011) Allison moved in.

We kept our love strong for Apt. 9 by going to their basketball games.

Allison and I even kept stats!

We also created fake surveys to meet boys. It was a brilliant idea!

Allison got the opportunity to take photos for The Craze, so that meant free laser tag, miniature golf, and pizza for everyone!

 
Jessica got engaged and we all (except Cherise) got to help plant the ring.

My last semester finally came. I don't know how I made it through it in one piece! I took 17 credits, worked at least 15 hours a week, and was the manager of Broadway Revue. I took 3 literature classes, which meant I was either reading or writing papers ALL THE TIME! In spite of my busy schedule, I still made time for fun! 

 Visiting abandoned buildings on Friday the 13th

 Canoeing at Bishop's

Bigger or Better game--returning a dentist chair to Apt. 9 that we originally put there two years ago (Fall 2009)

At the Drive-In theater watching Cars 2

Atop the juvenile delinquent school's rooftop (right next to Kensington) eating ice cream 

 Rock climbing with Porter (my first time ever!)

 Return to the 90's with rollarblading

Epic Tetris party!

Boy Meets World parties

Our last time together before graduation

Throughout the course of my time at Kensington, I also experience a lot of "firsts" and adventurous activities--mostly either through the hands of Daniel Johnson or Brother Kerbs.

Driving a four-wheeler for the first time

 One of the many times we went boating with Dan

 Jumping into a freezing cold pond at a ward date. I was the 2nd person to attempt the feat.

 

First time snowmobiling!

 

 Jumping into the river at 10:30 pm. Also, not pictured is canoeing down this same river at 10:30 pm (later on in the year when the river was low).

 

Driving a CASE back hoe for the first time (my dad was so proud!)

It also wouldn't be fair to do this post without mentioning my "relationship" with Chad Young. For those of you who know what that's about, lucky you! For the rest of you, let's just say we experienced A Whole New World together.

As you can see, it was not about the academics of BYU-Idaho. It was the people I met and the things I experienced (many of which are not pictured or documented here. If I went into any more detail, it would become the longest novel!) I have learned so much about living a balanced life (academics vs. work vs. fun). I have also learned a lot about friendships.

I finished my last full semester at Rexburg in July 2011. Then I went on my amazing trip back East. Fall semester 2011 I finished my last class, FA 100. As much as I thought I was done with Rexburg, I just could not stay away...

Our amazing Rockband. We're going to make it big someday!

Halloween get together. 

Yes, I hang out with married people now.

When I couldn't make it to Rexburg, I would still get together with my beloved friends somehow, whether it was in Utah, Pocatello, Blackfoot, or some other place.

The short-lived Us Meets World

BYU-Idaho, I am so grateful for all that you've given me! For all my friends, memories, adventures, and experiences that have strengthened my character and testimony! I will always be forever fond of you.

However...

I am glad to be done with you :)

Hello graduate school!!! Here's to new memories and adventures! :)

So Grateful!

I know this post is a little late. Thanksgiving was last month. And I did feel grateful last month for everything I had, but it just didn't feel like it does now.

Thanksgiving was wonderful! I loved going to Utah and spending time with my family. We had a lot of fun and it was great to miss a few days of work :) However, the week after Thanksgiving was horrible! I don't know exactly what happened, but I hit one of the lowest points I've ever had in my life. It was really bad and the reason why it was really bad was because I hated myself. Seriously, I was consumed with a loathing for myself that I did not know how to get rid of. Part of it was due to my frustrations at not being able to get a job outside of Kesler's. Part of it was believing that I was not good enough to get into BYU. Part of it was boy drama. Part of it was stress at taking the GRE that week. And part of it was Satan getting into my head and telling me I was essentially worthless and would be to anyone and everyone for the rest of my life. It was bad (did I say that already?).

But sometime during the middle of this despair, I was able to remember my divinity and the fact that I was a daughter of God. Suddenly there was light again, and I was grateful. I can't tell you how sweet that spark of hope tasted, but I began to realize everything I did have and everything God had given to me.

I became resigned to the fact that yes, I would be living at home for the next few months, and yes, I would be working at Kesler's during that time period. I don't know why this is how it's supposed to be, but I do know that it is where I need to be. Perhaps it's to test my faith and my patience. Or maybe it's to help someone at work or in my single's ward. I honestly don't know. But I'm grateful. I'm grateful I have job and that I'm learning how to better work with people and love them in spite of their faults.

I'm grateful for my single's ward. It's very different from a college ward, and it was a hard adjustment for me considering my parents aren't there this time. I have to be a big girl and make friends all by myself now! As the next semester starts and a lot of my friends leave to go back to school, I know it will be another big adjustment, but that's life, right?

I'm grateful for the opportunity to write the Christmas program for my ward. It really helped me to have the true Spirit of Christmas in my life this year, which is something I haven't really focused on much before. I feel lot closer to my Savior and I am SO GRATEFUL for his birth and for his sacrifices. I love Him and I want to sing praises to His name. I want to celebrate! I'm also grateful I got to write the program because it increased my confidence in my abiilities. Writing that program is exactly what an editor does--taking a bunch of pieces and putting them together so that they flow smoothly. Although some of the musical numbers struggled a bit, the Spirit was there and it was a wonderful/beautiful performance. I'm grateful I got to play a part in it.

I'm grateful for my education at BYU-Idaho. Graduating was an amazing experience and I was so blessed to have Elder Cook not only at Commencement, but at my Convocation at well! It was awesome to shake his hand and have him tell me "Congratulations" on graduating. I love BYU-Idaho. It's a wonderful school and I learned a lot of important lessons there. But most importantly, I'm grateful for the friendships I've gained while I've been there. I've never had much faith in friendships before, but I've met some real kindred spirits (people I never expected I'd be close to!) and I love them very much. I hope our friendships continue to last for a while yet--especially my 207/105 chicas. We've been through A LOT together! Those girls are amazing, especially to put up with me for so long!

I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue my education by going to graduate school. There have been a lot of people that have questioned my decision. They think I'm crazy because I'm not actively searching for a husband or preparing for a mission. Those are both wonderful things, but they are not for me at this time in my life. I used to be a bit angry/sad/scared that I didn't find a man at BYU-I Do, but I realize now that if I had, I probably wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to go to grad school. I know it's where I need to go, and I know that with God's help I can do it. I can be successful! I will be successful! :)

I'm grateful for Michael Buble. His music makes me feel SO HAPPY! I'm also grateful for Christmas movies and music and everything to do with this wonderful season. I'm in the middle of watching White Christmas right now for the first time ever, and it's SO GOOD! I love this season of giving and receiving and being jolly and I think I'm beginning to understand what it's truly all about.

I'm grateful I don't have any boy drama right now. For the first time in a really long time, I am not pining over anyone, I am not heartbroken, and I am not in some delusional Cloud 9 state. It's wonderful! :) I can just focus on what really needs to be focused on. Do I want to get married? Yes. But am I stressing about it right now? No. There's no point. In God's time, it will come, but for now I just need to focus on making myself the kind of person I want to become. I have faith it will happen all in good time.

I'm grateful for my family. They have been such a strength to me these past few months. My parents have alwasy been very supportive of anything I've put my mind to, and I'm very grateful for that. They supported me concerning my trip back East, they support me in my decision to go to grad school, and they support me in everything else I'm trying to accomplish in my life right now. My sibings do the same. One of the sweetest moments yesterday was after I walked, my brothers all called me to wish me Congratulations and their regrets that they couldn't be there. I told them "It's really not a big deal" and Lance said "It is a big deal. Graduating college is big." I can't explain it really, but it just made me really grateful that my whole family is very loving and supportive and excited at what I do and achieve.

Finally, I'm grateful for the gospel. I thank God every day for the knowledge I have. I don't know how I am so blessed, but I am. I'm grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for His atoning sacrifice. He has done so much for me already, and I'm only a quarter of the way through my life (that I know of...). I love our Prophet President Monson, and I'm gratefulf for his divine guidance. I'm grateful for the other Church leaders that lift and inspire us. I'm grateful for all Joseph Smith did to bring the restoration to pass and I will always cherish those moments I had visiting the different Church History sites this past summer. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!

I am so very grateful for these blessings I've listed and many more. As Sister Gee pointed out in a devotional a few weeks ago, I am at a flat period in my life. But as Elder Maxwell said, "The seeming flat periods of life give us a blessed chance to reflect upon what is past as well as to be readied for some rather stirring climbs ahead." I have had ample time to reflect, and I'm grateful for this flat period in my life so that I could see all the many blessings I do have. Praise be to God for all blessings I've been given! Life truly is worth living. :)

If I had a nickel for every time I heard...

I work at a grocery story, where I meet a lot of different people and hear a lot of different things. One reoccurring conversation I keep having with customers is marriage/relationships.

This got me to thinking: If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say one of these things to me, I would be rich!!! Now, the first one is not related to marriage, but it is the top thing I get said to me, so it goes first.

1. Does anyone ever tell you that you look like Anne Hathaway?  The first time someone asked me this, I was stunned to silence. Partly because it came from a man who told me in front of his wife he thought Anne Hathaway was hot. And she confirmed it.

Now, it's not at all uncommon for me to go someplace random and get asked this question, to which I reply "Yes. People tell me that quite often, actually." However, I have also been told I look a little bit like Hilary Swank in Freedom Writers.

2. You're not married yet?! I thought you'd have been long gone by now. Most of the time this makes me feel good because it's from men. But then I realize that these men are all older and married. So, I appreciate their confidence in my abilities at being a wife (even though most don't even know me and are just basing it off of looks!) but I wonder why the younger, eligible men can't see the same thing. Then I get depressed because I'm not married and I feel like I'm failing society (just kidding!).

3. You have a pretty smile/Keep smiling! This one makes me feel the best because, let's be honest. I have a large mouth. It's a fact of life. But people compliment me on it, so I guess that's good! I'm grateful they find one feature on my face attractive ;)

These are the three most common things said to me by completely random strangers, but I'm sure there are more I just can't think of. What do people say to you the most? I want to hear what other people get told a lot by strangers!