My First Semester

Well I've officially finished my first semester of college at the U of U and honestly it was fantastic.

I seriously love college.

And especially the U.

I am so glad I am where I am at in my life

and I am enjoying every minute of it.

So here are my thoughts now that I've finisihed one semester of college.

 



Dorm Life

Really it hasn't been all that bad.  The dorms really aren't that noisy.  I guess that could be because everyone on my floor is antisocial, but whatever. Also tip - top floor is the best...it may suck when you're moving in...but then you don't have to worry about the people above you making a bunch of noise through the floor.  Other problem is the HC food. If you have to have a meal plan with your dorm, than im just warning you now, even if you think it tastes pretty good the first week...you will get sick of it.  Also single room is the way to go for sure.  It's always nice to know I have my own space to come to when I get home from a long day of classes and work.

 

Roomies

Take time to do fun things with your roomies!  And if you feel like you don't have time to do fun things with your roomies MAKE TIME. Honestly I'm so busy that sometime I feel like I just don't have time to have fun.  But taking time to celebrate holidays or watch movies or eat dinner with your roommates is the only way you will become good friends.  And taking time to be a good friend is worth it.  Plus these are the things you are gonna remember from college.  Also it helps if you have awesome roomies like I do ;)

 

 

Getting Involved

Freshman Council was the best decision I've made coming to college.  Honestly I love these people.  Making a difference on campus, participating and planning fun activities, being a part of student government on campus...these are all good things.  But thats not why I love FC so much.  It is because of the people.  It is just so nice knowing that I have 50 other people at college who are going through the same things as a freshman that I am and that I have friends there to support me.  It is so great to know that I am a part of something and I belong somewhere on a big college campus.

 

 

Homework&Studying

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yeah that doesn't only apply to math homwork. but pretty much everyday in college. ESPECIALLY FINALS WEEK. okay so yeah college isn't easy. and yeah i've definitely learned a thing or two that I can work on next semester with my studying habits. But just study hard and do your best, and thats all you can do.

 

 

 

Which School?

THE U OF U. Okay maybe not for everyone...but what I'm getting at is pick the right school for you. And whatever school you pick, have pride in your school. Go to sports events. Participate in activities on campus. Pick a school that is gonna offer the major you want and give you the education you need. The U was the right school for me, and it has been everything I have hoped for.

The People I'm Most Thankful For

My Dad - He has always been so supportive of me and taught me to never quit.  He reminds me to enjoy life and go out and make memories.  I am so thankful for his strong testimony of the gospel and that he holds the priesthood.  I am so grateful for the way he loves and treats my mom (even if sometimes we joke around and tease her), but I know he truly loves her and that has been the biggest example to me of what I want in my future family.  He has given me so much and I don't think I will ever be able to repay him.

My Mom - She is my biggest role model.  I do not know where I would be without her.  She is always so encouraging and willing to listen.  Even though I tell her she needs to stop worrying so much, I am glad she does, because it shows how much she cares.  I am so grateful that I have such a good relationship with her and that we don't fight.  I will always be her little shadow and I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her for all she does for me.  We have so many good memories together that I will never forget.

My Brother Colby - I can always count on Colby to put a smile on my face.  More often than not he is the one that brightens my day when I am having a rough time.  He is always doing those small and simple things to show he cares, and they make the biggest difference.  I always enjoyed partying with him at home, whether it was cod/homework parties, slurpee runs, or blasting music.  His surprises whether it was for my birthday, or just french toast in bed on saturday mornings were always the best.  Still his phone calls and texts just to check up on me are what keep me going throughout the day.  He is someone I know that is truly there for me.

My Brother Ryan - Ryan is my hero.  Literally.  He saved my life when I was four years old.  But more than that I really look up to him as one of my biggest examples.  He is always encouraging me to do the right thing and I appreciate that.  I also appreciate him putting up with me and all he has done for me.  Letting me use his car while he was on his mission, and then being forced to let me have his spot in the garage when he got back haha. I always get a good laugh around him just because of his quirky funny self.  I miss all of the funny things he used to just walking around the house.  I always enjoy spending time with him and I wish I got to more often.

I don't know what I would do without my family.
Love you all (:
Happy Thanksgiving!

Days to live for

You know those days
Not the bad kind of 'those days'...
But the days where everything actually seems to be going right?
When you are just so happy?
For every reason and no reason at all.
Those moments when you happen to glance in the mirror,
and you catch yourself smiling.
These are the moments when you know you are truly happy.
And these are the days to live for.

limbo

Can someone please just get me to college already?
I know I'm really gonna miss Springville, and my house, and my parents, but I honestly cannot wait any longer.  Only fifteen more days, and it's killing me. I'm just so ready to start fresh and new.  This summer has been great, just like senior year was, but I just need change. I've been letting go of all my past thought on what my normal life used to be, because all I can think about is what life is gonna be like in college.  I can't wait to meet new people.  I'm so ready to just be able to be myself, instead of like in high school where I felt like I was limited by what people expected me to be or thought I was.  And not even just meeting new people, but I'm even excited to be in classes again. Yeah I know, nerd. But after this summer break I'm ready to study hard and learn new things.  I have high hopes for what college life is gonna be like and I know its not gonna be all fun and games and I know things aren't gonna be exactly as I dreamed them to be, but even if they aren't. I'm ready for it.  I'm ready for new.  And I'm ready to leave my old life as memories.  I just need to get up there. And I just need to get out of this limbo.

Someone Real

I'm not a very open person.
And I'm aware of this.
Especially not as open as I used to be when I was younger.
Over the past couple of years I've kept more to myself.
Sometimes it comes off as shy, which I guess is true.
And I'm fine not being the most outgoing person in the world,
I don't care to have all of the attention on me anyways.

But these days
I really just want someone who will take the chance
to actually get to know me.
Someone who actually wants to get to know me.
I want someone who will let me take my own time to open up,
when I'm ready.
I want someone who will just sit and talk with me
about everything and anything,
no boundaries, and complete trust.
I don't want anyone who just wants to use me.
I want someone who wants real friendship.
Someone to go get snowcones and sit on my front lawn with and watch the cars drive by.
Or someone to drive around at night with just listening to the radio.
Even someone to shoot hoops with in my backyard late at night...and I don't even like basketball that much.
Someone who will just make me laugh.
A person that can tell when I'm faking my smile,
and make it a real smile.
Someone I can be completely honest with,
and not have to hold anything back.
I want someone who is real,
and someone I can be real with too.


*yes i know this is such a typical girl blog, sorry, but its whats on my mind*

The Last Eight Count

The Last Eight Count

by Sarah McKinnis

My heart grew heavy as I stepped onto the floor

I took my position and prepared to soar

My dancing sisters to my right and my left

Girls that within 10 lifetimes I could never forget

Those who had been with me through times that were bad

With whom I shared the best times I've ever had

I kicked my highest and I spun my hardest

I smiled my widest and I leapt my farthest

All so that I could walk away and know

I wanted to dance my best and I had done so

With all of my heart and my soul

With gracefulness, style, and control

I danced my last eight count with the team by my side

I walked off the floor smiling, but inside cried

How do you lose something that you love to do?

Without it how can you still feel you're you?

That night as I laid down my head

I prayed a prayer to God as I stirred restlessly in bed

"God, please whatever you do,

don't let the worst fear of mine ever come true

I'll be whatever you want me to be

Just don't let that be the last eight count for me"

Then God looked down at me and smiled

"Why should it ever be, my child?

As long as there is muisc and love

As long as there are stars above

The gift that I gave you will be there

You can dance anytime, anywhere."

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My new favorite poem.
These are my exact feelings after our shows this weekend.
Thank you ADC
You have done all of this for me.

5 reasons I am not attending the singles ward

first i just have to say ive definitely been slacking on posting. hopefully now that i got this new laptop and its summer i can post more :)

but today is sunday
which means church
and lately all the talk is how everyone is now going to the singles ward
and for a little bit i was thinking dang i kinda want to go...
but
here are the 5 reasons why i am not attending the singles ward:

1. I just recently got the calling to teach primary. and i love it. and i wouldn't want to quit right after i got the calling. and i think im learning more from having that calling than anything.

2.  Singles ward meets at 1pm. which is the worst.  yeah 9am church sucks too but at least i have the rest of the day to do whatever.

3. Really lets be honest, i dont really want to see all of those people from school.  yeah there are some people i miss and it would be fun to go to church with...but its not worth being around all the drama.

4. Doesn't the singles ward meet in like provo? ya i think they do...and if so i don't want to waste gas money when i can just go to church two blocks away. plus im late to church a lot as it is....i cant imagine if it was farther away.

5. This is the real reason. I don't want to have to actually get ready and look cute for church...that just takes too much time and effort.  I'd rather just barely get ready and go to my normal ward where I don't have to worry about impressing anyone.

so there you have it.
i'll be staying in my home ward
for another three months
until college
than i'll start the whole singles ward thing.

My Grandpa Shirl - Always watching over me

I meant to write this a few days ago but I just didnt get around to it.

On February 5th, 19 years ago, my Grandpa Shirl passed away.
only at the age of 57.
less than a year before I was born.

I am the youngest grandchild and so I am the only one who didn't get to meet my grandpa here on this earth, and I often wonder why.  I constantly am hearing stories about my grandpa and how much he loved spending time with the grandkids.  My grandma always tells me how much he would have spoiled me and how much he would have loved to come to my dance performances and piano recitals.  I wish he was still here to be with my grandma, and with the family at our parties.

My grandma and my parents always joke and tell me that he picked me out special and sent me down to our family.  Although I don't know if that is necessarily true, I know that he is watching over me.  I've never met him, yet I feel close to him.  I have felt him by my side at different times in my life.  I try to make him proud, and I can't wait to be with him and all of our family again together someday.

Families Are Forever
Love you Grandpa