Besides a Degree, I've Learned...

I have been in school for 15 years of my 20 year life excluding summers. That is 75 % of my life. That is a long time and yet I'm going to go for 2 more years! Yes, I'm crazy. The other day I wondered why school has to be such a big part of our lives and then it hit me. Besides reading, writing and arithmetic, I have learned so many life lessons that I never would have had I not been in school.

Here are a few of them...

1- People will always perceive you how they want to, until you show them differently. 

In other words, no one can really know who you are or what you are all about until you show them. People can make judgements of you easily but it is up to you to prove that you are who you want them to see you as. I'm not saying care what other people think. I'm saying care what you want to be perceived as. You can take on the identity of anyone you want to be but stay true to your standards and values and just be YOU! If you prove to people who you are and they still don't like you. Forget about them. Other people will accept you and you will suddenly find yourself surrounded by people a lot like you who love you for you.

2- The most pleasant surprises come at the most unexpected times.

Clark Saville is the perfect example of this. I had just come back from Christmas break my freshman year, a single woman ready to date a million college guys. I found lots of guys to date when I came back and then this tall, handsome stranger took some interest in me. He was the best surprise at the MOST UNEXPECTED time. I will always love him for how he stepped into my life when I needed him most.

3- Trials really do make you stronger.

I took Andy Anderson's Anatomy class my freshman year Spring semester and it was the most difficult class I've ever, ever had to experience.Andy Anderson is notorious for his tricky questions and thorough testing. He is a great lecture to listen to but he toasts you with his tests. That same semester my pleasant surprise arrived at my doorstep, my roommates decided they didn't really like me too much and my grandpa passed away. I still look back at that semester and know even though it was awful at the time, there was so much beauty in it. I found out how strong I was. I found the love of my life and I gained the strongest testimony I've ever had that families can be together forever. I don't know how I got through it. I would never choose to relive it, but I'm glad I did live it. Oh and I got a C+ in Anatomy if you were wondering. (I'm still trying not to care about that detail.)

4- Take advantage of family time.

Lots of college students, even those that live close to home, choose to never go home. They say, "My life is way too busy. I have to study and work and I need to socialize."  Those things are all true that they say but they say these things and then they NEVER see their family. I took advantage of going to many ball games, dance recitals, plays, Jr Misses, dress shopping, award ceremonies, Christmas programs etc. I will never ever regret that point I missed on a test because I didn't get every single minute of studying I needed to in, or that money I didn't get from the work shift I gave away, or that sleep I desperately needed the night before the big test. I cherished the time I got to be with my family. I was able to have the college experience and see members in my family succeed and accomplish great things. If I had to do that part again, I would do it exactly the same.

5- The Savior is my biggest advocate, my best friend and my constant companion.

I know that through my schooling I could not have done it if I didn't have the knowledge that my Savior lives and loves me. I know that He was watching over me through all the experiences I had. He wept with me when I couldn't handle everything. He gave me peace when I asked for it and when I didn't ask for it. He forgave me when I made mistakes. He rejoiced with me when I succeeded. He gave me family members and a spouse who love me and take care of me. He gave me health and confidence to perform to the best of my abilities. He listened to and answered many prayers. He strengthened me when I was weak. He helped me move mountains I thought were immovable. He helped me realize my potential and continually helps me realize how to be better and do better. I accredit Him for my accomplishments. I believe He can be all He was for me to anyone else who seeks Him.

These are 5 of the most important life lessons that I learned and I'm so grateful I did.

What have we been up to?

STUDYING!

Which means this blog won't be updated until after graduation on Saturday! So stay tuned for some dress shopping pics and graduation pics and a whole lot of good news! Once this week is over, we will be on Cloud 9!!!!

Life...

Nothing too exciting is happening here in Logan. Just school, work and study... We are gearing up for finals next week. We both have four finals. It is going to be one busy week but when it is over we are going to PARTY!!! I don't know if I have mentioned this, but I'll mention it again! Clark surprised me with a graduation trip to Cascade, Idaho. We are staying in a B&B and taking our bikes. It will be so so so relaxing.

Today I have clinic. Friday is my last session and it is a little bittersweet because I really am going to miss my client, but I'm ready to be done with this semester.

Today I also have Oceanography. Friady is my last day of that class and it is not bitter at all just very SWEET. I have despised learning about waves, sand, beaches etc. It just makes you depressed to study Oceanography. Why?
 #1- You have to study something you are not interested in.
#2- You wish you were at the ocean instead of in a class about oceans.

Today I also get to go to a COMD awards ceremony where I'm getting awarded for my scholarship I got for grad school. My parents and Clark are coming and then my mom, Addie and I are headed to Rexburg for the evening to watch Delaney try on WEDDING DRESSES!!!!  I'm so excited! This is my life right now and I love it.

Likes and Dislikes...

I'll start with the dislikes first because it's always good to end positive.

- I greatly dislike that the fan in my bathroom does absolutely nothing to help the steam reduce after taking a shower. This unhelpful fan causes the smoke alarms to go off almost every single day and is that pleasant? Not at all. How would you like getting out of the shower vigorously, jumping into your robe and fanning the smoke alarm until it turns off while you stand there dripping and cold? You wouldn't like it at all.

- I dislike fake eyelashes. Sorry if I'm offending anyone but I have 3 reasons why I detest them:
#1. They are fake. I don't like fake anything. I like seeing people how should be, as themselves. Adding 5 inch eyelashes to your face is really unnatural and not YOU at all.

#2- They make girls with real natural big beautiful lashes look like they are fake. Come on let's let those girls have their unique not-fake beautiful eyelashes!

#3- They make girls with short beautiful eyelashes (like me) feel like their short beautiful eyelashes are ugly. Well, guess what... I'd rather have my eyelashes than have to glue some on.

- I dislike group projects. I don't think I need to explain this one but really, even if I enjoy my group immensely it is the HARDEST thing to schedule 5 different lives to work on one thing at the same time.

- I dislike the weekend ending.

Now for the Likes...

- I like Clark. He is the perfect husband.

- I like when my family comes and we go to Olive Garden for dinner and hang out the rest of the night in my small apartment. I also like when I get to go watch JD perform in promenade and when my Mom, Addie and I all dance with J at the same time and he wants to do a triple dip. Triple dips are really awkward/funny.

-I like church and the spirit I feel when I go. We learned about immortality in Relief Society yesterday and it made me want to live better. I have come to the understanding that no matter what lesson I have in church, it usually results in me wanting to improve. I think this is a very good thing.

- I like Oreos.

- I like the beautiful trees in Logan. They emit this wonderful smell and it is making this campus one of the best places to be during Dead week.

- I like Dead week. It gives me time to prepare for Finals.

- I like that on Wednesday I get to see my parents at the COMD awards ceremony and that I get to go wedding dress shopping after with my cousin Delaney.

- I like Monday Morning runs!

- I like this song... This little girl is amazing. Price Tag

Have a Happy Monday!