My BYU in Review... :)

This is the first time that I have ever had a spring break and I am absolutely loving it! That is one of the perks of being a school teacher! Being an intern and teaching 5th grade has left me feeling disconnected from BYU since August. I decided to take a little walk down memory lane and reminisce on my fabulous college experience. Plus, graduation is in a week! What better timing could there be? :)

SO HERE'S TO...

My Favorites

*The BYU Telefund...the source of the majority of my income throughout college. This place provided me with a fabulous social life! friends and boyfriends alike. This was probably my most favorite part-time job ever!

I met this lovely lady at the Tfund!..my life would not be the same without the darling Richelle.

*My 21st birthday mocktail party...a 4 apartment themed party to end the summer = perfection. I'll remember that night forever! Not to mention the beginnings of many fab friendships.

*Hiking the Narrows at Zions!

A fabulous beginning to the semester!

*Club Style and the gangsta thug it brought out in me and Kirsten Bowe.

*The lovely random roommates who turned out to be some of my greatest friends!

*Participating in the largest water balloon fight with Erin!

*The semester that consisted of John Bazyk, Erin Peterson, and Nate Sell...one of the BEST semesters of college!

*The romantic relationships i had while attending BYU..only positive memories from all those fun times.

*Fro Yo...enough said.

*Country dancing. with short mexicans AND caucasians.

*Festival of Colors

Here's to...

My Least Favorites

*The stairs of doom by the RB and the Smith Fieldhouse...hated walking those things. I don't care who you are...it wipes you out!

*C- in American Heritage...that blasted class was way too hard.

*Getting kidney stones. The drugs were nice though... :)

*Unnecessary "midterms". I'm sorry...but classes should not have 4 midterms. it's called a midterm for a reason.

Here's To...

The Moments I'd Love to Relive!

*The evening I got offered a job to teach 5th grade at Rocky Mountain Elementary!

*When I got into the el ed program and opened the fabulous letter!

*That winter term with Jessica and Jamie! quite possibly one of my best semesters at BYU. I miss you girls!

*Freshman year when Kyle and Whitney still attended BYU! Taking New Testament with Kyle and D&C and HEPE with Whit! I loved that year.

*The many getaway trips to Vegas to see Kjerstin and Steve..those kept me sane!

*Teaching 5th grade at Rocky Mountain Elementary! I love those kids. :)

Here's to...

The Things I'm Still Laughing About

(aka the more stupid things I did in my college career...)

*Running from Wyview to 200 N at 2 am...in the snow. in shorts and tshirts. haha This night was epic. Jas, Erin, and Britt..I love you!

*The dance party we went to where the roof fell in and the cops came. scary!

*When i wiped out in the library atrium..for all to see. by myself. I had a bruise the size of a basketball on my thigh for about a week. :)

*Studio 600 nights and all the other fabulous dance parties!

I've LOVED my experience at BYU and I've learned so much. I've met some fabulous people and there are way too many great memories to touch on them all! I'm glad I chose to attend such a wonderful university and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to receive a top notch education! To all those who have supported me and loved me, THANK YOU!

And Here's To...

What lies ahead. I'm looking forward to the future! :)

Back to School!

Well it is that time again...Back to school! I have to admit that I'm happy to be back in school. I feel bad for people who have to work part time jobs all year long. I couldn't do it. kudos to those who do! I enjoyed my summer off though :)

I am finally in my major with all my GE's out of the way. Hallelujah! I actually look forward to going to class and I actually want to do well. Kinda funny how that happens when you get to study what you want. Its been interesting because it seems that this semester is simply a test for time management skills. They have all of the elementary education majors start out with the Arts semester and then go into 2 cohorts and then student teaching. Right now I'm taking music in the classroom, dance in the classroom, theater in the classroom, art in the classroom, math ed, writing, and physical education in the classroom. Its pretty fun but it seems like busy work. I'm always doing projects and assignments. Its fun! but I'm excited to actually get IN the classroom next semester. Should be fun :)

Today was the first day of General Conference. I love this time of year. What could be better than listening to the counsel of our prophets? I enjoyed both sessions today....particularly Elder Scott's and Elder Uchtdorf's talks. I've realized that I do need to slow down a little bit and do what I want to do for ME. not for anyone else. Happiness comes from ourselves and from the Lord. I came across this quote just the other day and I really enjoyed it....

'Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life.' "

-Harold B. Lee

Isn't it true? It takes so much less effort to be happy than it does to be angry/frustrated/stressed/sad/etc. I've decided that I need to try my best to be happy. After all, thats why I'm here...to be happy.

Anyway! Time for sleep. Goodnight!

Caution: This post is probably going to be very very long. :)

So...I decided it is time that I actually update this thing on a regular basis. :) Its summer so I have plenty of time now! Speaking of summer, its crazy to go back and think about the past semester and see just how much has changed...So. I decided to do a recap of my semester. Good idea, huh?

So. It all started with a wonderful Christmas break! It was so nice to see everybody. It just reminds me of how much I love my family and how lucky I am to have parents and siblings who care about me SO much. I love you all.



Part of the fam! Kyle and Jessy came later and I got to see Tyler, Jen, and the boys on the drive back to Ohio. How lucky! :)



Such a wonderful family thanks to Momma and Daddy...I love you. :)

Next, Chantelle moved to Provo and John moved to Salt Lake which meant lots of hanging out and playing/ "gorilla"-ing. haha And figuring out Future roommate plans! Chantelle and I are going to be living together next year in Centennial II apts! ghetto. but only $235 flat. Can't get much better than that!





And THEN there's all of the fun adventures I've had with Whit, Kj, and Steve. :) I'm so lucky to have awesome siblings!







Next was FESTIVAL OF COLORS! This was so much fun! It was at some temple in Spanish Fork and they were celebrating spring. You throw colored chalk at each other...a college kids dream. getting messy! I went with Nate and Erin and it was very very fun :)





I also found out that i got in to my program!! So I will be starting my arts semester for Elementary Education in the fall and graduate in April of 2010..right on time! I'm very excited though because I am completely done with GE's and next semester I'll be taking Art, Music, Drama, and Dance in the classroom, along with math and writing. sounds like fun to me. :)

Another amazing experience this semester was being able to attend Colin's baptism. I am so proud of him. He has been so strong and I hope he is doing well with everything and the church. His long investigation process finally led to baptism. :) I have never witnessed anything so amazing before. The spirit was so strong and it was wonderful to have Mom and Dad there also. His confirmation was beautiful and I know there are so many great and spiritual experiences in Colin's future. I'm so happy that i was able to introduce him to the Gospel and be a part of his conversion process.

Colin with Brother Hovermale and Sister Malupo and Sister Latu

Momma, Daddy, Colin, and I

Exciting! BRIANNA GOT MARRIED!!!! and I was one of her bridesmaids. haha I'm pretty sure she is very very excited about it. :)



I've also been very lucky to have such wonderful people and friends here at BYU. This semester was probably the first out of all four that i really enjoyed my social life. I'm grateful for all of the close friends I've made and the positive influence they've had on my life. :)

The Favorites also had the opportunity to do a photo-shoot! I love these girls...Here are some of the pictures. :)






Another update! Nate left for Ecuador today...He will be gone for three months for an internship. I'm very excited for him! but at the same time, It won't be very fun to have him gone... Fortunately, three months isn't that long. :) He came over yesterday before he left and brought me two dozen red and pink roses. very sweet of him. :) Here are a couple pictures that Erin took of us yesterday!




This semester was very eventful and I learned SO much. In school, about myself, and other people. Life is about change and it is always happening. It is our choice how we are going to handle that change. I'm happy and I've learned that you are happy because you CHOOSE to be happy. Everything is a choice. And if we choose to live following Christ, things seem to become a heck of a lot easier...I'm so grateful to have the Gospel in my life and to be surrounded by people who support and love me and who just so happen to have the same beliefs. :)I am so fortunate to come from a loving family. :)Thank you.

My first post!

Hey!! I'm excited to write my first post.  So today, I'm with Kjerstin and she's assisting me in making this fantastic blog. I love her the best. We went to Jessy's bridal shower today and had an amazing time. We're excited for her and Kyle to get married in two weeks. (p.s. Kjerstin wrote this post.)