Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

what I'm going to miss about Heritage Halls and freshman year

The triangular half step on the stairs that I always trip down.

Having a grocery store ten steps away. Really ten steps.

My ward. Ward, I love you all.

Our main floor creeper window. Making friends is so easy with it.

Being a freshman and blaming behavior on that simple fact.

Never using the land line phone.

Having the majority of the boys be preemies so we really are just friends- they have missions!

Cheap laundry- 75 wash/ 25 dry

The basement piano that is played at all hours of the day.

Playing 1, 2, 3, He's Mine!

The fun of our litchen- living room/kitchen

Automatically having $30 on my signature card every Monday.

The original quote wall :)

Hall meetings.

The people outside my bedroom window that play games at all hours of the night.

The Lawbrary.

Double boys. That's right. Our ward had twice as many.

Having a main lobby and fireplaces.

Ironing in the kitchen as everyone stares at you.

Having the dumpster and recycle bins around the corner.

Tunnel singing.

Having The Chronicles of Narnia- University 101 version in our window all year long.

Living two minutes from campus.

The pictures of random men on our fridge- Dustin, Anthony, Troy, Jesse Marsh, Becham, Henry, Todd.

Using the backdoor as the front door.

The make-out space outside the backdoor- perfect place for late night talks.

Being close enough that I can go home for lunch, naps, forgotten books...

Being locked out of my bedroom and asking Kelly for help to get back in.

Church at the Conference Center.

Tons of cupboard space.

RAs- really they're awesome and I love them.

The trees outside with their gorgeous pink blossoms.

The cinder block, non-soundproof walls.

Dead silent sacrament meetings.

Getting into the house through the window.

Shenanigans- and how we get away with them because we're freshmen.

Living with five of the most incredible girls ever.

Friday, April 17, 2009

taking a breather during finals

It's nearly the end of finals. Wow. Freshman year has really flown by. College really is a time for learning, although I'd have to say that the majority of my learning this year hasn't necessarily been academic. While that's something I'd like to improve upon in the future, I've found that my learning has been more geared to juggling my many responsibilities. With a full load of classes, I've also been working in the HBLL up on the 6th floor, volunteering in the BYUSA office, had my ward VT Coordinator calling, been helping with NRHH, gone on a service trip with Kaiizen in Mexico, and been keeping up with roommates and making many new friends and acquaintances.

College really is unlike high school. Especially here at BYU, I've learned that I'm not necessarily the smartest. While I was top ranked in high school, it's been important for me to have a true understanding of who I am and to value myself just for being me.

Here are some truths I've learned over the past year:

1. Procrastination really is a bad idea.
This is something I've known since elementary school yet I still indulge in it all the time. This is definitely something I need to change about myself. I resolve to now complete my work, especially papers, a week in advance. To really have time to enjoy life, I need to be on top of things.

2. Daily scripture study and prayer is vital.
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a testimony of the restored gospel. Reading my scriptures daily is something that helps me keep an eternal perspective. Prayer is a way for me to speak directly to my Heavenly Father and be calmed whenever I experience fear and apprehension.

3. Proper diet and exercise gives you energy.
Living away from home, I am completely in control of what I ingest. This can be either a good or bad thing. At times, eating right is expensive. I plan to join a dinner group and create wonderfully delicious and healthy food that doesn't make me feel like crap. Also, working out is good. I'm not especially fond of running, but I may just have to suck it up. Expect to see wet swimsuits hanging in the shower in the near future. I've always loved swimming.

4. Early to bed, early to rise.
I am probably the worst night owl ever. Being down here has really made me see the errors of my ways; productivity really does plummet late at night. My current bedtime is 10:30 and I've been pretty good about that. Rising has been attempted to be close to 7. This is to be altered as needed.

5. People come first. Always.
It is so easy to get caught up in yourself living at college. So many things make you want to think that way. It's important to be service oriented in everything you do. Everyone in this life is going through their own personal set of trials. Having a friend and someone who will really listen can make all the difference in another's life.

6. Optimism makes every situation better.
Wake up every day and decided to be happy. Having this attitude will make every task quicker to complete. Your relations with others will improve and you will gain more friends. Be genuine as you do this. You'll also come to be seen as a leader and someone to count on.

7. Your word is your bond.
If you say you are going to do something, do it. Trust is one of the most important things you can have with another human being. As you become someone that is dependable and reliable, you will grow in your own personal level of happiness and it will become easier to complete other tasks in your life.

8. Approach every individual with an attitude of Christ-like love.
We are all sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us for who we are. As we approach one another with this attitude, we create real relationships. Serving others is the most important thing that we can do in this life. Always seek after opportunities in which you can show your love for others through simple acts of service.

This is all I have for now. Back to studying I suppose. It's good to know that finals are but a small moment in the eternal scheme of things.

Friday, April 3, 2009

just a freshening up..






Where did freshman year go? It's hard to get through my head that we only have about two and a half weeks left- then the whole thing's done. We move out of Heritage, say my farewells to all these amazing people and may never see them again. I thought it might be wise to post some pictures from the last while as just a means of reminiscing while I can't sleep on this early Friday morning. And Emmie, HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY BSE!