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: