Interning

Ash put it best when she described us as a "package deal".

Not only did we serve in the BPHA presidency together, and live next door to each other, we also did an internship together this past year for the Ouelessebougou Alliance.

We were there to collect donations for their annual dinner auction. We spent months sending letters, and e-mails making phone calls and pick ups and blasting JT on our biweekly commutes to Murray.

The first week of May we spent each day finalizing the little details, and mastering our cute bow tying skills in order to make the big event a success-and it was! The Little America ballroom looked stunning, there were so many people who came, and the items we had collected for moths were quickly sold.

The auction was not only a success but a lot of fun! It was so fun to get all dressed up, mingle with such exciting people, and to see all our hard work pay off to support a worthwhile cause. It made me so happy to be involved with such a great organization and such great people. Mostly though it was especially great to do it all with one of my best friends.

And because of that a little love note is in order:

Ash,

You were right-it really was our year in so many ways. Now-lets claim this next one too. And perhaps the one after that? And the next one?

PS Sleepovers and brunch for life. After all we're "classy"enough for it now.

Not only did I get to work with Ashley though-so many people I love and care about came out to volunteer or attend the event. It felt so great to have the support of so many people, so thanks to my friends and family who helped make this event so great! It truly was a wonderful opportunity.

Graduation

After 5 years at Brigham Young University, and 13 years of school before, the day that always seemed like just a dream finally came.

And went.

I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree on April 26^th in Provo.

I’m not sure what really to say about that day, and my convocation the next day, other than that it happened, it actually, finally happened.

This day I had dreamed of, hoped for, planned around, and worked tirelessly for had finally arrived. When it did it felt sort of surreal-as if this couldn’t actually be happening. I was exhausted from finals, work, and a busy social life. However, much to my delight, when the time came for my name to be called, and to walk across that stage all I felt was complete excitement. And oh so proud!

So proud of all that I had accomplished, all the work, sweat, blood, money, worry and studying had paid off-I did it!! I graduated!!

A couple days before graduation I was talking to a dear friend of mine, although one of the most adventurous friends I have-she has a pretty hard time with change. Without really thinking she blurted out “Graduating is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to a person!”

A year or so ago I would have agreed with her. And a year or so ago it would have been true for me. But now, now it just feels right. To graduate. To move on. To figure out what is next for me out there in this “real world” people speak of.

And in that way- graduating is absolutely the best thing that could have happened to me.

So world, lets see what you hold. I hear your mine for the taking. 

I can’t post about graduation without attempting to express the extreme gratitude I feel for those that made it possible. So many teachers, employers, friends, neighbors and fellow students helped me on my journey. However my deepest gratitude goes to my family. To my sisters who supported me, and were patient with me when I was stressed and exhausted. To my Pops who told everyone he met in his last couple months of life that I was at school at BYU, beaming with pride. To my grandparents who were able to be there when no one else could. To the Childs for countless dinners where I left not only full of food, but of love. And most especially to those parents of mine-who invested time, money, gas, food, tears, late nights and all the love they have into helping me achieve my goals. Dad and Mom-thanks for teaching me to love learning, and that I can do anything I set my mind to. My life is what it is today because of you-and I quite like what it’s becoming.  I love you all.

...................................................

PS. I may or may not have had my parents reenact the statue with me.... which was the only graduation present I needed.

Priceless.

Nerd Alert

 For the past 18 years of my life I have been going to school.

That's 18 years with the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, 18 years of books, of back to school outfits, of tests and 18 years of studying.

And you know what these 18 years taught me?

That I am a nerd.

So it was only fitting when Ash and some pals in the ward announced that the IDP (Ipod Dance Party) being held before finals would be nerd themed.

Monday I tracked down some suspenders, and a superman t-shirt, rolled up my pants, pulled up my socks, downloaded the playlist and embraced my inner nerd.

It was fantastic.

(Note: the only articles of clothing I wore that I owned are the glasses.... and lets face it, they are pretty great)

 

 

It was such a treat to see Brooke and Blythe there

Honestly, I think I'll remember dancing my heart out on top of the Wells Fargo building forever. As I looked out and saw all of Provo beneath me I couldn't help but remember so many of the great experiences I've had here. Dancing and laughing up there was the perfect way to start off my last week of class, and my final finals.

One Saturday, a couple weeks back I went from this Tea Party....

To the shooting range...

And I have to say-I've never felt more well rounded. So here is to living life in dresses and jeans, and trying everything!




PS. In case you were wondering, I'm a horrible shot. However I am excellent at eating tea party treats. You win some, you loose some I guess.

Girl Rising

I was born into a family that believes in empowering women.

My mom is an independent spirit. From her I got my determination to prove any disbelievers wrong. If you want to get either of us to do something, simply tell us it can't be done.

My father is a lover of education. I still remember driving in the car as an 8 or 9 year old and having him make me promise that I would go to college, or get some kind of training, so that my future would be full of opportunity.

Together they taught me that as a girl I could not only do as much as my male counterparts, but that I could do even more. They taught me to be a woman of strength, courage and kindness. One who stands up to the chauvinists she encounters, and defends herself as well as others. A woman who does not let fools tell her that she can not be or do what she desires, because she is a woman.

I am grateful to have been raised in such a family.

Tonight I had the privilege of watching Girl Rising, a documentary telling the story of 9 girls from 9 countries. This movie showcases the power of education, and the strength of women.

As I sat in awe of these 9 girls I remembered the last lecture I received from Professor Valerie Hudson. She mentioned that she believed that when we were all in heaven, before coming to this earth, our Heavenly Father sat us all down to warn us about the things we would face during our time here. Some would suffer starvation, others AIDS, poverty, broken homes, or fear.

Then there was us. Me, and you. To us he said we would witness all these tragedies from the comfort of our homes, where we would always have enough to eat, and the support of good parents. However, he cautioned us, because of the situation we were to be in we had a great responsibility to take our privilege and use it to help those less fortunate. In fact, we even raised our hand and promised that we would do so.

Now, this is not doctrine, but it's something that has stuck with me over the years. And tonight, as I cried over Amina's strength I had the distinct impression that I did in fact make that promise.

I told my father I would use my gifts to bless his other children. I would use my education, the strength my parents gave me, and my innate desire to help to do just that-

to help.

I may not yet have a job after I graduate, or even know where I will be six moths from now, but there is one thing I do know-that my life is to be spent helping others. 

It is what I was made to do.

Exactly One Month From Today...

I will graduate.

Logically I've always known graduation would come. However there were so many long, awful days-days where hours were spent at the library, days where tears were held back walking home from the testing center, days where I ran solely on prayers and Diet Coke-basically there were days where I thought BYU would be the death of me, and that graduation was simply never going to come.

And yet, somehow, it is nearly here.

Of course, now that it is here-I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I guess that's what happens with big changes though. When something big, and good and wonderful and hard comes to an end it is sort of bittersweet.

It'll be good to be done, but it may break my heart to actually move on.

However, I am determined to make the most of this last month. So-if you'll excuse me, I still have a few items on my BYU Bucket List to cross off...

A Birthday of Favorites

As I mentioned before, my sweet roommates decided to throw Melissa and I a little combined birthday party Saturday night. The theme was all of our favorite things. They had our favorite treats (the Samoa cupcakes were outrageously good), our favorite snacks (the homemade salsa was to-die-for), our favorite drinks (so much Diet Coke!) our favorite music was playing, our favorite people were there, they even had the guests write down their favorite things about us!

It was fun to share so many of my favorite things, with so many of my favorite people. Mostly though it was fun to share it with Melissa-one of my favorite friends.

Of course we failed miserably at taking pictures, but here are a few we got from the fun night!

Actually this one is my favorite from the night.... it's really our true personalities 

Keeping in the theme of favorites, Monday night my roommates and I built a birthday blanket fort to celebrate. It was so fun to have a little slumber party. And then on Tuesday I bid farewell to 22, and welcomed 23!

Hanging out in the blanket fort, reading one of my favorite gifts

My actual birthday involved so many more favorites: my roommates surprised me with Einstein's for breakfast, Ash joined me for bagel lunch/fort hang/Friends watching, my family came and took me to dinner, friends came for dessert, other friends called and text me throughout the day.

Basically it was a perfect day.

All these kind words made my day

Surprise treats at work

Sunday we finished the week of celebrating with the traditional chicken roll up dinner, and dessert with the Childs, some of my very, very favorite people.

Honestly though, and yes I'm about to get cheesy, the very best part was celebrating with my favorite people. I say it in every post here but I am surrounded by the very best kind of people. I didn't need a party, bagels, JT's new CD, Diet Coke or even a blanket fort to have a good day-really all  needed was them. So thanks pals and family-with all of you in my life how could 23 not be the best?

Escaping Provo

It's been a rough couple months around here. I'm not sure if it's due to my impending graduation, and all that growing up stuff or if it is due to the extra cold weather that seems to have come around this year.

Although I'm uncertain of the cause, I'm very certain of the cure-a weekend away! My family had plans to head to St. George for President's day weekend for months now, and after Christmas my friends got the idea to go camping down there for the extended weekend. Honestly, it was a dream come true for me to have so many of my very favorite people in one place.

My sisters and I drove down Friday night, met up with the parents, hit up the local Target (I had to get that InStyle) and of course grabbed dinner. The rest of the weekend was full of hours spent at the Parade of Homes, hot tubbing, delicious food, church, a visit to the temple, and enjoying that 60 degree weather.

The highlight of the trip was on Saturday night, when my friends and my family all met up and went to the Pizza Factory together. It was fun for me to have my parents meet this crazy "family" I have in Provo, and for my friends to meet my family and see just exactly where I get my crazy laugh from.

On Sunday, after church and a visit to the temple, I headed out for a lovely little nature walk with my friends in Snow Canyon. We climbed in some caves, and then tromped all over the giant stones. It was heaven to be outside in such a beautiful place in such wonderful weather.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend away from the cold, school, and Provo.

Thanks George, Abraham, Ronald and Barack for doing what you did/do! (and giving me a holiday!) God Bless the USA.