FIRST SEMESTER AT BYUI!

Well it's been almost 2 months since I finished my first semester at BYU-I and can I just say that it was ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, perhaps the GREATEST adventure that I have had this far! I was beyond nervous to start college. Just the thought of it almost brought me to tears (okay more then not). Having to cook EVERY meal, shop for EVERYTHING I needed to survive those first 4ish months was a little stressful and overbearing and not to mention not being able to come home and cuddle with my kitty on the hard, lonely days only made it harder to leave. But when the time came, I packed up and moved to my new home...and that is when the adventure began.

After my mom and brother left, I was left all alone to figure out where to put everything and organize all my stuff. I then (with my newly met roommate Alyssa) headed to freshman orientation, otherwise known as Get Connected, where I ended up meting a couple people who became some of my greatest friends. *Side note: I had made a couple personal goals for myself to do at college and a couple of them were to reach out and talk to people first and to be nice to everyone I met. I learned great lessons from both of these goals (good and bad) and I know that it was because of the goals that I came to meet some very good friends.

As the semester went on, I learned how to live and share small spaces with 4-5 girls, and also how to live on my own (which I found out isn't as hard as it seemed, it is actually REALLY fun!) I was able to grow very close to my roommates which I know for a fact made everything better and easier. As the semester started coming to a close I started to panic because honestly, as much as I wanted a break from school and "adult life", I wasn't ready to leave to come home for my semester break. I realized that I loved living on my own, taking care of myself, meeting new people everyday and living with some of my best friends. I realized that even though everything wasn't perfect, I was happier then I had been in a long time, and I didn't want that to be over.

Looking back I know I learned and grew immensely and I met many people who influenced and changed my life for the better. There were times when I felt the spirit so strong I couldn't deny the truth of what I was learning, and there were times when I felt like I couldn't get everything done, that I couldn't pass a test or figure out an assignment...but through all those times I KNOW that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were there, helping me EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! Without their help I know I couldn't have done many of the things I did, especially when it came to tests. They were always there helping me, many times without me even asking...and I can't even begin to say how GRATEFUL I am to them. I know they live and I know they love every single one of us!

Highlights and a few favorite pictures:

room decor

So I finally got everything in my room here at college all how I want it. I figured out ways to hang up my necklaces, scarfs and even some pictures so now my room is complete...the only problem is that in 4 weeks, I will be taking it all down and packing it all away. haha but now I have the set up for future semesters. :)

Halloween!

So Halloween isn't my favorite holiday. I am not a big fan of dressing up and going trick or treating in the freezing cold (maybe trunk or treating in my childhood ruined this) but anyways, I didn't have any plans of dressing up or leaving the apartment tonight. Of course, those plans changed. My roommate Stephanie is from Rigby and she invited us to come and go trick or treating around her neighborhood so me and my other roommate Kaylie went to DI to find costumes. She found her dream Deb costume while I found a shirt to use for my nerd costume. DI is such a wonderful place to go for oldie stuff. Anyhow, we then came back to the apartment, put our wonderful outfits together and set off to Rigby with out other roommates Lindsay and Katie. We went trick or treating for about 20 mins, got really cold and then headed back to Rexburg. Even though my previous plans didn't exactly work out how I planned I will say that it was fun dressing up and looking a little crazy...plus, a little candy never hurt anyone.

Nerd

Deb...aka Kaylie

Nurse Lindsay, me, Katniss Katie, Deb Kaylie, and Stephanie 

sadly we are missing Alyssa...darn homework 

the real us

college is the best thing ever.

Well look at me. Here I am, a college student. I remember this time last year I couldn't wait to get out of the house and live on my own. But as the time came for that last week, I didn't feel ready at all and to be honest I had a couple mental breakdowns. As the days got closer to moving and starting school I started freaking out more and more inside. I didn't want to move at all and I started wishing I would have asked for the winter track to give me more time to prepare.

But here I am, after my first day of actual college and all I can say is...I LOVE IT!!!! It is so fantastic, so awesome and SO SO fun! I really like my roommates, my apartment and the people I've met so far! It's only been 4 days and I seriously can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. I've already made a couple good friends and other great people. This seriously is the best thing ever. 

Here are pictures of my room that I promised people...enjoy! :)

My first day of college classes were a success! 

My awesome roommate Lindsay

Me, Liberty, Lindsay, Der and Whitney at our ward social. 

Summer 2013

This is bad..this is very bad. I have had my blog for 1 day and I think I am already addicted. I decided to turn this blog into a picture journal because I am a horrible when it comes to writing in my journal, so now I can write less and picture more! :) plus, a picture's worth a thousand words, right?!

So school starts in one week...ONE WEEK!!! and I will officially be a college student. ahhh that scares me! So I'm going to pretend that this isn't happening for a little bit and enjoy my last week of summer. It's been a fantastic, busy, stressful summer and probably one of the best so far...

  To start off the summer, I went to the Hogle Zoo with my fam...

I was able to go visit my friends and leaders at girls camp for a couple days...

Got to see this life flight helicopter land, super awesome and exciting! 

I got to stay the week as the babysitter (or as I like to be called the "mom") of these two crazy girls for a week! for sure one of the highlights...

Got to hang out with some dang cool Canada boys...

went to a super fun family reunion and wedding in St. George, Utah..

(got to do baptism's in the beautiful temple)

went on a Young Women/Personal Progress trip...

(we went to the Playmill, floated the river and had lots of fun!)

had a photo shoot with Amy...

(thanks McKenna Rachelle Photography)

and of course partied with friends no stop...

this summer has been super! and I am not ready for it to end at all...but I am grateful for all the memories, money and fun I was able to have!