Happy Easter Thoughts

Just going to blog about two really important things in one post. Hopefully it doesn't get out of control.

Last week, on March 27, 2013, I received an acceptance letter from my #1 choice of grad school at Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland in a Masters of Arts in Screenwriting program. I have researched this school and pondered about actually going to grad school for over a year. It was not a decision I made lightly.

It's a huge decision - the expenses will be paid for almost entirely with loans, so I will be incurring more debt than I've ever had. I will be moving to a foreign country - alone this time - to live - alone - for a year. I will be completely on my own when it comes to everything I need to do to survive, from eating to writing a full length feature film. Some of it will be easy, because some of it I've done before. Some of it won't be, because there are some things I will have to do that I've never done on my own before, or I've always had a fail safe Plan B for.

The feelings I felt knowing that I was in the program, and that I was doing what I was supposed to be doing - what I feel like I was made to do - were astronomical. It really was too much for my body to comprehend. Then of course, there trickled in the gravity of what I was really doing. I was consciously taking my whole life, and hefting it into a higher plane of existence. A place that I hadn't known it would go. And that was followed with doubt - how am I going to pay for it? What if the loans don't cover enough and I don't save/earn enough, and I end up homeless in Scotland, or worse, have to leave? What if I don't have the talent it takes to get a career, or even a job, from this degree? What if I fail my classes? What if I get kidnapped? Each doubt more irrational than the one before (cause we all know I'd never get kidnapped - I'd kick their trash before they could take me).

I was battling these feelings - all the while still knowing that this was the right path for me to take - this morning. And then I began to remember this:


Of course because today is Easter, but in my stake, we've had the privilege of studying about the Atonement all month with this amazing 30-day study guide: http://atonementofjesuschrist.blogspot.com/.

And I combined what I'd learned from studying about the Atonement into what is going on in my life right now. What I learned was:

1. Heavenly Father loves me, and each of us, so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to stuffer every pain imaginable (physical, emotional, and spiritual) so that we would never have to be alone and we could always receive strength from Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Christ also paid the price for every sin ever committed on this earth, and if we accept that payment (by obedience and our own sacrifices), we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus in glory forever.
3. We only need to call on our Father and Brother to receive the help and strength we need. We should talk to them all the time, really, because having a closer relationship with them makes everything in our lives happier and easier.

Well, here I am, desperately needing help, and with this beautiful knowledge that it is there, waiting for me to take it.

It's still scary, but I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I also know that the Lord will provide for me to grow to the capacity I need to be at to handle the challenges, as well as provide solutions to the challenges I will face...for the rest of my life.

I never would have made it this far without Him, but also wouldn't have made it without a few other people/experiences:

1. Obviously my parents, as well as all my sisters, who have been in examples to me in ways they probably don't even realize.
2. BYU-Idaho, where I realized my passions and purpose, and also learned how to be my own woman and truly find joy in life. As well as meet my two best friends, Diana Toronto and Kristen Cox, and Stephanie Palmer who introduced to me the idea of going to grad school in the UK (and is also a wonderful friend).
3. Living in Germany, which taught me that I am smart and capable, and I can stand on my own two feet without falling. I also made many new best friends there who taught me how to love (Miriam Blanchette), work hard (Hiu Tung Hung), and be patient (Kurt Thatcher).
4. Living in Draper, which has helped me refine so many edges of my personality that I feel like I'm a completely different person because of what I've learned here. I am so grateful for a bishop who challenges me to be more than what I have become. Also so grateful for my other best friend Jill Christensen who has rocked my world into epicness, and Andrew Clark and Jenna Bowman who probably have no idea what a stellar influence they've had on me. :)
5. The opportunity I've had to go to the temple and learn about Heavenly Father's plan for me and all of us. The knowledge I have gained there is more precious than any knowledge I will ever get from school. Also thanks to Rachel Fisihetau, Candace Larsen, and Stephanie Palmer for getting me to go regularly and keeping me going regularly.

I know that I am watched over and loved by a Father in Heaven who knows every bit of me. I am grateful to know of His amazing plan that allows me to return to Him and reach my full potential. I am excited to live His plan and do amazing things with my life (even if I don't know how it will happen!).

What I Learned from Britney Spears

So I went on a cruise to Mexico over this past week. I'm not going to blog about it. Sorry.

But I am going to blog about one experience that I had on the cruise, the highlight of the cruise (or at least the parts where we were on the ship) for me. A truly life-changing experience.

They had a show called Carnival Legends where any old person on the cruise could audition by going to karaoke and singing a song by one of the legendary artists they were going to present at the show. I thought there was no harm in trying out. At the very least it'd give me some experience and feedback for my voice lessons.

So I went, and I signed up to try out for Madonna and Aretha Franklin. Unfortunately there were some women (who were awesome) that pleased the crowd a little better than I did. But then the DJ announced that no one had signed up to audition for Britney Spears. So I thought, why not. Another girl signed up right when I did, and I sang terribly for the audition (Britney's always been a little low for me). But when the crowd cheered for me, they erupted! I was seriously hit by a wall of screaming and clapping. It was the craziest sensation I've ever had. And thus I became Britney Spears for the show.

The girl who was Madonna actually offered to switch me, but I decided to stick with Britney because I knew the song better (Baby One More Time) and because for some reason, it just felt right.

The night of the performance came and I didn't feel nervous. For once I just felt...I practiced, I'll do my best, I'll let go and have fun and who cares what the outcome is. My friends did my make up (which I hadn't worn at all in months) and I looked fantastic.

I sang terribly. My dance moves were probably hilarious (I haven't watched the DVD yet). But the crowd of 900 that was watching me cheered. I entertained them. My off-pitch singing and my naive, curvy white girl moves were entertaining.

Afterwards, I felt great. Even though I knew I'd not sung to the best of my ability. I went out in front of a larger crowd than I ever had, I had fun, and I entertained. I was Britney Spears.

 (Sorry, I cannot get the pic to upload vertically). I loved the way I looked and felt so much, that right then and there I made some changes in my attitude.

1. It's ok to get made up and pamper myself, even if it costs a lot sometimes. Because I deserve to feel like I look amazing, and that will reflect in my mood and attitude and how I interact with others. So it's worth the extra money and time sometimes.

2. I don't have to perform perfectly in everything I do. It's ok to be human and to be less than the best, as long as you are your best. So just live and have fun. You don't have to be perfect at living. You just have to actually live. So you let go of control, and you dive head first into whatever you want, even if you have no idea how long it will last. Because if it makes you happy, helps you grow and learn, or changes you for the better, it's worth it, even if it's fleeting.

So, I came home and colored my hair a darker blonde and got bangs cut in. Because I needed to feel different and special, and also needed a physical reminder of what I've learned from Britney Spears.

Also, I listened to 3 country songs today, all the way through. Because I decided that part of jumping in and appreciating growth and change in myself should involve branching out and exploring uncharted territory. Am I a country fan? Not yet, but I think I might find some virtue in it. :)

July: Month of Action! 2nd Weekend

So the second weekend, on the 8th, was one of the best nights ever!! The Karaoke Cafe, where my friends and I often go to sing our hearts out and have the greatest fun, was having an 80s party. So I went with my sisters Camilla and Sarah, and my friends Rachel Fishetau, Rachel Lund, and Rio Zirker. It was so awesome!!

They had a costume contest, so you know I got all into that. I actually made it into the final round, but a kid dressed up as Prince won. I am happy to admit his costume was way better than mine. It was pretty legit.

All in all, we were able to sing a bit, although we weren't able to sing together as a group as much as we wanted. I personally sang: "Jessie's Girl," "Shot Through the Heart," "Sweet Child O' Mine," and "We're Not Gonna Take It." That was pretty fantastic. :)


Then on the 9th I had a wedding reception of a dear, wonderful friend, the older brother I never had, Mark Shepard. He married an awesome, sassy girl, Kirstin, whom I am a big fan of. They got married on June 18, but had a wonderful (I'm sure) 16 day honeymoon in Hawaii, then came home and had their receptions. :)

 

I guess that weekend wasn't quite as adventure filled, so since the next one is, I'll spill into the next week on this post. :)

On the 12th, Kristan and I went to get our vaccinations for Peru. Normally people don't get very excited about shots, but when they are crazy South American diseases and they mean that you are one step closer the the adventure of a lifetime, they are awesome! Plus I've got kind of a sick things for needles, as in I like donating blood and plasma and stuff. I know.

So we got Yellow Fever shots and Typhoid pills full of live bacteria!! Whoo!! For some reason I think it's awesome to be blood-full of exotic diseases...maybe it makes me feel dangerous?

Well, more on the next two weeks later!

July: Month of Action! 1st Weekend

For some reason, July has been incredibly busy. I seriously think it's been weeks since I got a full night's rest. I had made all these goals about finally being good at this blogging thing and keeping it up, but July kinda swept away in a frenzy of adventure! So I will try to quickly recap.

The first weekend of July, I took Kristan up to Rexburg to introduce her to the concept of BYU-Idaho. We got there on Friday night, too late to go to the play we planned on seeing because there was an insane traffic jam between Idaho Falls and Rigby (it took us an hour to go 3 miles). So instead we rounded up some of my friends, former roommate Laura Denton, former FHE brother Keith Rose, and favorite literature friend Remington Jarvie and went up to the sand dunes. We rustled up some random wood and bark and Laura, the wilderness survivor, made a fire. Laura and I analyzed everyone else's personalities, and it was quite delightful.

Saturday morning, we went with former FHE brother Travis Moffat and Remington to hike R mountain, a large hill with an R painted on the side. It was lovely fun, and Remington had a jolly old time throwing rocks down the side of the mountain.

After that I met up with former Jacob Lakers, Laurel and Alison Greathouse and Brianna Malone, along with Travis, and we went to Rexburg's new waterpark, Rexburg Rapids. Don't ask me why Rexburg has a water park. It's a good idea for 3 months of the year... (I didn't get pictures :( ).

Then we went to dinner with Travis and his roommate Cory, as well as some other friends, Daina Nielson and Maryna Polonska. After that we met back up with Remington, and we decided to do the most reckless and dangerous thing I've ever done in Rexburg! Let's just say I'm glad I'm not a student anymore, otherwise getting caught would've been a lot more terrifying. :)

On Sunday, we went to church with Laura and then to dinner at Remington's; he made us egg rolls. :) That night I met up with more former roommates/friends, Bethany Hirsh, "Dello" DelloStritto, Mike Wilson, and Michael McCormick and we played games.

The next morning was the 4th of July, and we went to the Rexburg parade with Laura and Remington, and Brianna met up with us. My favorite part of it was the little Phillipina woman who joined us, Early. She was so awesome. Also, I got a picture with Darth Vader. :)

After that, Kristan and I headed back to Utah to have fireworks in Morgan with our family and Aunt Sandi. Which is always lovely. I really like the fireworks in Morgan, because from Sandi's house you can see a lot of different people setting off their personal fireworks in every direction. So you get a pretty sweet show. I'm not the hugest firework fan, but this year was pretty spectacular.

So it's become clear to me that it's impossible to make this short. So there's my first weekend of July. I will break up the rest of July by weekends and continue this blog post in a moment. :)

Jacob Lake Adventures: Revisited

So I started this post right after I returned from this trip, but for some reason at that time I was unable to upload the pictures. It only took me a few months to fix that problem...but here it is. My President's Day Weekend:

I visited a dear friend, Joseph Weatherford, at Jacob Lake this weekend with my other dear friend, Heidi Collins. We left on Saturday and returned Monday (thank goodness for national holidays). My family kept asking me why I went back to Jacob Lake since they thought I had been miserable there. Well, I wasn't completely miserable: there is no way to be miserable when there are opportunities to be epic in nearly every moment of the day. Jacob Lake is where I started running, where I took an hours long off-trail-adventures, where I hiked across the Grand Canyon, where I made a perfectly symmetrical sweet roll and perfect bread. I did a lot of awesome things there.

Friends were one of the most epic parts of Jacob Lake. Heidi worked with me in the bakery, and Joe and Chad worked in the service station. The four of "Us" hung out all the time, stargazing at the Grand Canyon, singing "Lake Ponchartrain," and walking up the road a mile to climb the fire tower at night. Also, we played the question game a lot, so of course, they quickly became some of the best friends I've had.

So that's the background of this weekend. Well, when we got to Jacob Lake, there were two feet of snow on the ground, and another foot fell on Saturday night.

 

We decided it would be a brilliantly epic idea to hike the mile uphill to the fire tower in the three feet of snow, then climb the 80-foot tower in a blizzard:

 

After that, we played cards and watched August Rush. That night, we played the question game in our room until we all fell asleep (don't worry, Joe was in a different bed!)

On Monday morning we hung out in Fredonia, Arizona, which is the most sad place I have ever been. Haha. Don't go live there. Then Heidi and I drove back up and on the way we found this sign in Orderville, which we thought was fantastic. :)

Although it seems simple, it was a fantastic weekend. I finally was able to buy my Mexican hoodie from the "Guns Ammo Lotto Beer" gas station in Fredonia. I mean, it was wonderful. And now I can tell my kids and my grandkids that I once had to walk a mile uphill in three feet of snow. Besides, the best kind of friends are the ones where it doesn't matter if you do epic things or not, because every moment together is epic. :)

Jacob Lake

So we finally got fast enough and reliable enough Internet here at Jacob Lake so I can update my blog and let you all know what it's like! WHOO!!

In case you were unaware, I am working at Jacob Lake, 45 min north of the Grand Canyon in Arizona (also about 45 min south of the Utah/Arizona border). It is a small lodge on the side of the road on highway 89A. We have about 5 cabins, a motel, and a hotel (not sure what the point of differentiating the two is; I guess the motel is cheaper/smaller rooms?).

I work in the bakery, where I make either hundreds of cookies or lots of bread and rolls, depending on what day it is. My bakery partner, Heidi, and I switch off doing bread and cookies every other day. Let me just list for you the kind of cookies we make:
Chocolate Chip
Chocolate Chip with Walnuts
Peanutbutter
Peanutbutter with chocolate chips
Gingersnap
Chocolate Parfait (like chocolate chip but with MUCH richer dough and chocolate pieces the size of quarters)
Lemon Sugar
Lemon Zucchini (with pecans)
German Chocolate (with the nasty frosting)
Cookie in a Cloud (chocolate cookie with a marshmellow melted on top and chocolate frosting)
Oatmeal Raisin
Six Grain (I don't know what the grains are but it's one of my favorites)
and starting yesterday: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip (the best recipe I have ever tasted)
My favorites are the Six Grain and Gingersnap (thankfully the healthy ones). Chocolate Parfait sounds divine but is actually my least favorite. It's too rich, you can practically taste the 16 1/2 pounds of margarine, 42 eggs, and 30 3/4 pounds of flour. :P

I start work at either 6:30 or 7:30 every day (depending on whether I'm doing bread or cookies), have a 2 hour break, and get off between 4:30 and 5:30 (depending on when I get everything done). After work, I either watch movies, go to Kanab (the happening place for us, but still too small for a Walmart), or go watch the sunset (usually at the Grand Canyon; I think I've been 4-5 times now).

Once a week we get a day off, and everyone who has the day off together goes on some adventure, usually in Southern Utah. So far I've been to Kanarraville (outside Cedar City), Sand Hollow (around St. George), and Lake Powell. At Kanarraville, you hike through a river until you get to some natural waterslides, Sand Hollow is a reservoir with really beautiful sandstone, and Lake Powell is generally well known. I've had some really awesome adventures that I might expound on sometime. For now, I'm giving an overview.

It has been amazing. I should also later give you some character profiles of the incredible people I have met here. I feel very blessed to have these people in my life. In about 5 min, we are going to start Thursday night at the movies, so I am going to wrap this up really quick with some pictures:

My old roommate Laura stopped by on her way to New Mexico and we went stargazing at the G.C.

An off-trail adventure at Kanarraville with Sean Wright, Brianna Malone, and Lauren Jones.

My Little Mermaid pose at Sand Hollow.

Adventures in Kanab: going out for ice cream, Hunter posed this question to a couple of teenage boys.

At Lake Powell with Courtney Lopez.

Watching the sunset (can't remember the name of the place, it's not the G.C. though) wiht Laurel Greathouse.

YAY! I'll try to give more details later.

Defying Gravity

So anyone who knows me for more than a day should know that I am fascinated, if not completely enraptured, by gay guys. Many straight men have tried to figure out why, but I can't give them a straight answer (Puns?! Who AM I?!). Because of this fascination, clearly my favorite character on one of my newly favorite shows, Glee, is Kurt Hummel, who is both gay and of German descent. In one of the episodes, Kurt wants to sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, but since it's a song traditionally sung by a woman, this of course causes some commotion. This episode is based on a real experience from the actor's (Chris Colfer) life.

I was slow to jump on the Wicked train, just as I was slow to jump on many trains, and it took quite a while for me to separate Idina Menzel's voice from her character, Maureen, in Rent, and Maureen clearly does not belong in Wicked. But it was this song, "Defying Gravity," that was the last leg-up onto that speeding Wicked train.

A combination of these two things has led me to listening to Chris Colfer's version of "Defying Gravity" probably 30 times in the past four days, about eight times in a row as I type this. Really listening to the lyrics has provided me with some insights. In the Glee episode, Kurt tries defying gravity by singing a song traditionally sung by a woman. In my life, it is also time for me to defy gravity.

Something has changed within, something is not the same. Through a couple of choice experiences in my last semester of college, I came to realize a lot of things about myself and about life. Many came from my Doctrines of the Gospel class, where I came to realize how utterly worthless I am, but with and through the Atonement of Christ and the Plan of Salvation, I can receive more light than a mortal body can hold. I, nor anyone else, cannot afford to miss a single opportunity to partake of that light. I also realized some of my personal philosophies on life that don't allow me to live in mediocrity.

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Because a life ordinary isn't good enough for me, I can't just take what's given to me. I have to make my destiny for myself. I can pick and choose what parts of what I've been given to take with me and build upon, but ultimately, I will make my life out of my own self. I have to go out and take what I want out of life.

Too late for second guessing; too late to go back to sleep. I've graduated now, and I can't start over fresh. I have to figure out a way to mold what I've learned into what I want, even need, to become. The only way out is up.

It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap. Here I am, on the eve of moving to my first great adventure after graduating, moving to Arizona, a state in which I never felt a need to travel, much less live, to a place I've never been, with people I've yet to meet, at a job I've no real experience in, and if I surgically remove that part of me that slams on the brakes when it comes to change, my feet would leave the ground in ecstasy at the unlimited possibilities before me.

I'm through accepting limits, cause someone says they're so. Lately I've been pondering grad school, and everyone asks me if I just want to teach. Even if that is what I wanted to do, why is that "all?" Recently I have seriously missed the study of biology, but thankfully, I learned how to read in college, and that study doesn't have to be over. Why should I just read novels and write poetry for the rest of my life? Why can't I, in addition, buy biology and philosophy, and perhaps even some physics textbooks and study them? Who says I have to be in school for that? I am interested in essentially everything, and I'm going to learn about whatever I want for the rest of my life.

Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I'll never know. The only limitations I see ahead of my are within myself, and the simple way to overcome that is change. That's what life is for, anyway, to scrape the natural man off our divine souls. That is the great lifelong challenge that I am ready and willing to face head-on.

Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost. Well if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost. There has been only one regret in my life, and that concerns the choice not to pursue a certain relationship at a certain time in my life. Often I have reflected on how different my, and his, life would be if I had followed my heart and not my head in that case. Happily married? I wouldn't doubt it. But I've also just realized: limited. Half of who I am has happened in the past four years. How could I live with only being a fraction of what I should be? True love won't limit you. And in the past, I haven't been whole enough to sustain true love. Some people have to learn that through a different path, but I learned it through the loss, and I praise the Lord that this was the path provided for me, because now I know that better things are over the horizon for me. And by better, I mean unworldly better.


It's time to try defying gravity. I think I'll try defying gravity; kiss me good-bye I'm defying gravity, and you won't bring me down. In the wise, wise words of the screenwriter for Little Women: "You have so many extraordinary gifts, how can you expect to live an ordinary life?" I want to experience anything and irrevocably change people's lives by shifting, molding, or shattering their paradigms. How can I do this while staying on the ground? I can't.

Many people have asked me why I can't just stay in Utah; why I'm always leaving. Let me ask you this: Can you leave a peach in the same spot for 24 years and expect it to still be soft, tender, and juicy when you bite into it? I'm not willing to let myself rot.

I'm including this fantastic solo so everyone can ponder what ways they can defy gravity in their own lives. If you can't handle the fact that a man is singing this, please open another window so you won't have to look at his (gorgeous) face while listening. Come, fly with me.

The Bay Area is my Most Favorite Place in the United States!!

I just spent the last weekend in the San Fransisco Bay Area because my parents were awesome and gave me the happiest graduation present possible (maybe besides a trip to Germany, but San Fransisco is literally only an inch below Germany on the Most Amazing Places on Earth Scale).

My old roommate, Jessica Kenney (now Knudsen), got married in the Oakland temple on Saturday (July 31), so I flew out on the 29th and stayed with her and helped her set things up for the wedding the day before. The fabulous thing about this wedding is that Jessica and her mom handmade everything. All the decorations and the food for both the reception and the luncheon. It was amazazing.

Jessica hand made all the boxes (that look like cake slices) to fill with candy as the favors.

This is how the backyard was decorated. They bought the chair covers and ribbons and tablecloths, but hand steamed and ironed all of them. It paid off, it was beautiful!


The best part about the wedding was that out of the 7 of us who lived in that apartment with Jessica, only one was missing!! And the great thing about that is that this set of roommates was BY FAR the best set of roommates, the closest friend, and the most amazing women I had the privilege of living with. Sorry everyone else I've roommed with. I don't even know how to express how amazing this apartment was besides to say that we'd come home from classes, around 1-3 pm, and once everyone was home, we'd all sit in the living room attempting to do homework, but we'd end up talking until 2-4 am every single night. We went out to Craigo's (pizza) or steak about once a month, and had margarita nights about once a week, sometimes more. Anything we did, we did it all together. We were inseparable. Seriously. Best friends of my life.

From left to right in this picture: Emily Haycock Gatewood, Sandy Depew, Jessica Kenney Knudsen, Diana Hawkes Toronto, Tina Erndt Braegger, and me. Missing: Tara Cottle Martin

This is all of us plus Emileigh Norling, who is like an honorary roommate because she grew up with Diana, Tina, and Jessica in the Bay Area. Also plus Emily and Tina's babies, Hannah and Olivia, respectively.

So now 5/7 of us from that apartment are married. I'm the only one not yet endowed, as Sandy served a mission. The best part about all of this, is that all of us are still righteous, as we were together someone was bearing testimony of something about every five minutes. Alma 17:2 describes perfectly how I felt. It is SOO wonderful to have this sisterhood with people and to feel and know the support will always be there because your sisters are steadfast in the Gospel.

Now for some pictures of the wedding and the couple:

The Oakland temple is one of the most majestic I think. I almost wanted to make sure I marry someone from that area so I have a good excuse to get married there, but I think I'll stick with the Timpanogos temple.

So after the wedding was over, I stayed with Sandy at Diana's house and we went to church there (in the Los Altos ward) and on Monday we went with Diana's mom and sister, Melanie, to Chinatown. It was a blast! Who knew Chinatown would be so amazing? Sorry I didn't feel like verticalizing the picture, but you get the idea. This is the gate to Chinatown.

Sandy had a very old Chinese man try to kiss her at the fortune cookie factory. It was hilarious. :)

On Tuesday I spent the day with my Uncle Robert and his wife, Shon. We went to the Golden Gate Park where we visited the Japanese Tea Garden and the California Academy of Sciences Museum where they had a rainforest, aquarium, and an "extreme mammals" exhibit. We also went to the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square. Perhaps best of all, we met up with my favorite Clay Brown and ate at this hole-in-the-wall French/Southern place called Brenda's (on the corner of Eddy and Polk if you want to know) where "oral climax" (Clay's words, not mine) is achievable. It was pretty amazing, let's be honest.

Robert and Shon in the Japanese garden...again, too lazy to fix the picture.

View of the city from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Clay and I outside of Brenda's

To sum up, I LOVE San Fransisco because it is SO much like a European city, particularly a German one because of the weather. I'm seriously considering moving there. I love everything about it; there are nice suburbs as well as exciting city life, but it's not crazy or scary city life. I love it so much my heart is pretty much still bursting from being there for five days. :) :) :)

GRADUATED!!!!

So I'm finally getting around to writing about my graduation...maybe now that I don't have to be in classes and writing papers and doing projects, I will be better at blogging in general.

Elder Richard G. Hinckley came up to speak at our graduation, along with the General Commissioner of the Church Education System (can't remember his name). I actually don't remember much from the commencement ceremony besides a lot of standing, clapping, recognition of the professors, parents, and students. President Clark got really emotional, on the verge of tears, while he told us how much he loves us. One thing I really love about my alma mater.

My convocation (where we walk and they hand us our diploma covers) was combined with the College of Performing and Visual Arts (mine is the College of Language and Letters). Elder Hinckley and President Clark came to speak at our convocation; Elder Hinckley said he wanted to come to ours because he thinks there is a lack of people who appreciate beautiful and correct language and art, and that our skills and knowledge are extremely valuable in the world today. I think I can say that was the most gratifying moment of my entire college career. There is a purpose to what I've chosen to fill my life with (but not yet a job...).

It hasn't quite hit me that I'm done...that I don't have to go back to school if I don't want to (but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for an MFA in Creative Writing, or possibly a Masters in counseling and guidance). I think that'll be more definitive when I recieve my diploma in the mail.

As for now, I am grateful for the time I spent in Rexburg. For many many reasons I think that going to BYU-Idaho was probably the best decision I've made. I feel confident and prepared for whatever life hands me next.

Family and Consumer Science Major

So during this, my last semester, I have been wondering why I chose the major that I chose. I've loved it...except I don't want to do it as a career. Now that I think about things that I wouldn't mind doing as a career, I'm convinced I should've stayed with Biotechnology (my original plan when I was in high school), which I would've gone to the U for. Instead I came up to BYU-I and did English, and while I'm sure I learned a lot, it doesn't really feel like it.

Anyway, I am taking a homemaking class this semester, and so far we have had our home decorating unit and our sewing unit, where I made a throw pillow cover and an apron out of my old jeans (yes, I almost had an annurism cutting up my Vanity jeans, even though I hadn't worn them in almost two years). Next week we will start our cooking unit off with orange juliuses.

As I finished up my apron today (I had to turn it in or else I'd have pictures up) I was thinking how I really could get good at sewing if I had the opportunity to practice more. Just in the four weeks of this unit I felt that I improved significantly from the sewing I attempted in high school (reference to my Murray High quilt that is an inch or more wider on one end). I would've made wedding dresses (and I would've done it right) if I had majored in family and consumer science (and I would've spouted off advice to the brides during the fittings). As it is, I am probably going to just make wedding invitations since I can write, edit, and design (yes, I am obsessed with weddings. I am just like the girl on 27 Dresses, and I've almost been a bridesmaid that many times, too).

Anyway, this got me to thinking about my friend's house in Martinez, CA (just outside of San Fransisco). His mother was a master interior decorator. Here are a few pictures (I photographed nearly the whole house because it was amazing):

Kitchen

This was the faucet in the bathroom

This was a canopy over their patio

And this was their dog. Who's surprised?

It's Been a While...

So I haven't posted in almost two months. This is because I have been crazy busy with school, I suppose. Even though I am taking three classes that don't really count for anything, two of which never have homework, I still am ridiculously busy. I am in class/at work from 9-5 every day, and then I go home and do homework from about 5:30-1 a.m. with a few breaks, usually do to my calling and eat. Awesome.

However, I do have pretty awesome roommates and phenomenal FHE brothers. Something about that apartment (I had other awesome FHE bros that lived in the same apartment) guarantees amazingness I think.

So my roommates and brothers like to do a lot of bonfires, play Rock Band, family dinner on Sundays, and "homework parties." It's very fun, casual, and a great way to take up my time when I can't stand doing homework any longer.

Other than that...I went to a concert by the Young Ambassadors from BYU a few weeks ago and it was pretty awesome. I went to a lot of show choir shows in high school and pretty much expected the same, but this was actually much better. Not only were the singers way more accomplished, of course, but the dance numbers were, for the most part, way less cheesy, which made the show entirely more enjoyable.

Also, I took a random road trip to San Francisco over May 1, because one of my friends was getting married in Oakland. I went with my roommate Kristen, and I was able to meet up with some long lost friends so it was pretty much the best weekend of my college career. I'll throw down some pictures:

The most adorable couple! Daniel and Elizabeth Perry

Kristen's friend Michelle, Kristen and I at the Oakland Temple

At Pier 39, Kristen, Me, Michelle, and Cory (old FHE bro; sorry it's sideways: I didn't feel like fixing it)

My most favorite friend ever, "Clay" Brown and I in front of the Bay Bridge