where did september go?

Did you know that today is the last day of September? And that tomorrow will be October?

You did? It's just me who can't quite figure out where September went? Oh.

Something happened I'm sure. Let's see...

I went to Cedar City and Provo for Labor Day weekend.
[Have I mentioned that I love road trips? I do. And sunset was the perfect time. Goodbye Vegas, hello hugs! I was so hug deprived before getting to Provo!]

I got a second roommate.

I went to lots of church activities.
[FHE, institute, CES firesides, Relief Society.  The best one of all is coming up this weekend... General Conference - you can find out more here if you are interested!]

I watched football
     [& cried over the BYU v. Utah game.]

I went to an Italian Festival.

I went on a date to a Maroon 5 concert.

I donated blood.

I got dressed up and had dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants I've ever eaten at.

I went to Lake Powell with my family.

I got a paper accepted to the Strengthening the Family Symposium to be held in Provo on October 28 and 29 and found out I get to present at the conference.
[I would LOVE it if you could come and attend my presentation. Friends and family there would mean everything to me. If you would be interested you can click here to register to attend. I'll be presenting at 11:00 on Saturday, October 29.  Email or text me and I'll give you a promo code to make it cheaper.]

I spent hours on the road commuting and trying to get used to this city girl thing. [not working super well. Remember how I'm from the country and I like it that way? ]

I fell in love with cactus. 

[UNLV's grounds may not be BYU but I really like them.]

Oh, and I attempted to settle into grad school [which is apparently going great since I'm procrastinating a paper right this very second].

So, yeah I guess life has been a bit busy. That's where September went. Sorry that I went MIA for so long. I pinky promise to do better. I promise I'm not dead. :]


I've also been just a little bit preoccupied because there's this boy... 
But I'm not quite ready to tell the internet about that yet. :]

Small Things

It's that time again... the beginning of a new semester, and for me a new program, a new school, a new city, a new ward, a new apartment, a new roommate, a new life really.

I have always been a big fan of fresh starts. I love the chance you have to sit back and reevaluate life, set new goals, try to improve. Refocus. Though this one has been harder than others to be sure. I am far away from everything that I know and I can see very little of the road ahead of me.

But I'm ready. I feel like this new adventure - all of it - will be such an opportunity to push myself to grow. When we were little when we'd go ice skating, roller blading, skiing my mom would ask if we had fallen. Because she said if we weren't falling, we weren't learning. I like that. I'm sure I will fall a few times in the next while. But I will definitely be learning.

My theme for this semester is coming from the Doctrine and Covenants. A book I treasure and love.

D&C 64: 31-33
31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.
32 But all things must come to pass in their time.
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

I picked this scripture for two reasons. One because of verse 32. I am trying to learn patience. Trying to learn to accept Heavenly Father's timeline as my own. The second is for verse 33. Small things. I am going to try to stop constantly worrying and stressing about the HUGE goals I am reaching for, the BIG dreams I have. Instead I am going to focus on consistently doing small things that can and will eventually help me achieve those. And I'm going to let those be enough. This is my foundation time. The other things will come in their time.

So I've set specific small goals for this semester that I think will help me reach my longterm dreams eventually. They are back to basics, but will be so important to me as I reach for bigger plans.

The picture was from Monday, the first day of school. It's your classic, must-have first day picture. Taken mirror style since my mom wasn't around to take it. :]

My first days have been really good. I am so happy to be a student. I love being in a classroom. Surrounded by eager peers and led by a professor who wants our success. I love the atmosphere of campus. I love the chance I have right now. This opportunity is incredible. I know that classroom is where I am supposed to be. I've been envious of friends serving missions, afraid that I made the wrong decision. But I had a major confirmation that this is right, right now.

"If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don't give up when the pressure mounts. Don't give in. Certainly don't give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. 'Cast not away therefore your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

So here goes everything. The next two and a half years are going to be the opportunity of a lifetime and I can't wait to see all the things they have in store. I am not the same girl who started at BYU four years ago and I imagine that I will look back and be able to say that I am not the same girl who started at UNLV by the time we are done.

Fabulous...

Welcome to Fabulous LAS VEGAS!!!!

Last Friday I had a grad school interview at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). I left Thursday night and picked up my sister in Cedar City and after having dinner with her and her boyfriend (whom I think is great) we drove the rest of the way to Vegas. 

Thursday night we drove the Strip first thing as neither of us has ever been to Vegas. I've never seen so many lights in my life! 

Friday I interviewed all day. I liked UNLV. I didn't love it as much as I loved Nebraska but I could definitely go to school there. 

Then Friday night we went to Claim Jumper, watched the fountain show and saw the gardens at the Bellagio, walked through the Cosmopolitan and walked through the Tiffany Store. :) 

Saturday, Megan left early and I drove back so that I could miss the storm, which I did for the most part. I also made it back in time to see BYU's awesome game against San Diego. 

Saturday night was my regular movie night with Christine. This time was Life As We Know It. Absolutely fantastic. I LOVED it. 

You're sitting on a chair IN THE SKY

This was a marvelous weekend. I ditched class (again) and flew to Lincoln, Nebraska. My flights were lovely. The way to Minneapolis I sat with a lady who had been in my major years ago and on the way to Lincoln I sat with a soldier on his way home from an 11 month tour in Afghanistan.

We landed in Lincoln and I was greeted by the sunshine and 65 degrees. Let me repeat for emphasis... 65 degrees. It was beautiful. I was SO happy to see the sun!

I settled into my hotel room and changed. Got picked up by one of the current grad students [who was LDS so I got to hear about the LDS scene] and went to dinner with the grad students and other interviewees. I got to hang out with his kids first and I became buddies with his three year old. It was awesome. :)

Friday was interviews. I loved it. Everything about it. My text to my dad was "Done. And I think I'm falling in love with Nebraska." His response was "Really?" And to that I say, Yes, yes I think I am .

I loved the program, I loved the professors, I loved my conversations with them and with the grad students. I loved the feeling of the campus. It felt right.

Plus it was 70 degrees. And there was sunshine. I got to sit outside for 30 minutes.

They told me it was false advertising. But it sold me.

My airport experience back was less than ideal. They couldn't find my itinerary. And then security didn't even open so I was just waiting... turns out I could've slept in for another half hour. Lincoln to Minneapolis was fine. But then Minneapolis to Salt Lake City. Not my favorite flight.

I had book reader on one side who insisted on taking the middle armrest and not the one on the window side. And then on the other side there was a little bit bigger than average joe and so he was kinda in my space. The whole time.

I couldn't even use my laptop because it turns out you can't type with your elbows scrunched into your sides. All the homework I'd planed on doing. Couldn't. And I was annoyed.

But then I thought of this clip. 

"You're sitting on a chair IN THE SKY." 

Why on earth was I complaining? I was flying through the air at hundreds of miles per hour. I could get from Nebraska to Minneapolis to Salt Lake in a matter of hours. And maybe not first class. But quite comfortably really. 

So what I'm saying here is technology rocks and I probably shouldn't complain when something is a little bit not my favorite. 

Saturday night I was with Christine. We made brownies and were watching a chick flick when 4 boys came into our apartment and asked us one word each if "we. wanted. to. go. on. a. date. somewhere. to. get. ice cream." 

So we went out. It was a little unclear for a minute whom we each were on a date with. Spontaneous group dates have that potential. But it was way better than a Saturday night alone and it all worked out in the end. And it was fun. We ate YoZone [always a favorite] and laughed. What a good night. 

Sunday I got to sing with choirs twice. And we had boys over for dinner. And then my roommates and I had a sleepover. A legit, real sleepover. We pulled our mattresses into the living room and girl talked into the wee hours of the night. It was happy. :) 

Today, after an adventure with Lyss and Dan, I took a 2 1/2 hour nap. Oops. Oh well. :) 

So... basically my weekend was rockin' awesome. Except for the part where I have a 5 page paper due tomorrow and only have like a page written. Oh well. Tomorrow will be a new day. 

Also, you should go check out this post by my new friend Tenery [who always makes me laugh and is totally rad - I don't know why it took us so long to become friends.]. It was dedicated to me. :) Also she made me pumpkin pieish deliciousness today. Basically she rocks. 

So go over and read her fabulous blogposts. And while you are there leave her some lovin'... everyone likes comments. 

Especially me... so tell me - what fabulous things did you do with your weekend?

And to end this post, a random quote from Sunday... "We should live in the living room. LIVING room!" Thank you Andrea. :) 

How to Travel Across the Country & Back (in Less than 48 Hours)

[or of Grad School Interview #1 - University of Rochester]

1. Shower the night before so you don't have to get up and do it in the morning. Unless you are a morning person. Then by all means go ahead and shower at night. But if you are like me and don't really like to be awake without the sun then shower before you go to sleep. Added bonus: it eliminates the need to blow dry.

2. Pack the night before so you don't have to remember things like deodorant when you are stumbling around in the dark at 5:00 in the morning. That way you also don't bother your roommate too much.

3. Check in ahead of time and print your boarding passes. No need to wait in lines if you don't have to be there.

4. Don't check a bag. 48 hours is far to short to need that much stuff and you'll spend an hour waiting on bags. Or they will get lost. Just don't do it. Longer trips sure. Every girl needs her shoes. I know. But three extra pair will fit in a carry on. Trust me. :)

5. But plan ahead for security. Put your liquids (like foundation, perfume, contact solution) into a ziploc at the top of your bag for easy access. Be ready to pull that out at security. Also, wear easy on and off shoes and don't forget to take off your coat. You don't have to take out e-readers but occasionally they don't go through well so just take it out before hand.

6. Now. This part you don't really have control over but in order to have the most comfortable plane flight you should try to have the entire row of 3 seats to yourself. Let me tell you. That is the way to fly from SLC to JFK. Spread out and feet up. Yes please. [In fact, 3 of my 4 flights I had no seat mates. Glorious way to travel.]

7. Smile very nicely at the flight attendants and do exactly as they ask. Seat back up, tray table forward. Keep your seatbelt fastened. Turn off ALL electronic devices as soon as they ask. Say hello and how are you. This will be important for step #8.

8. ALWAYS ask for the Biscoff cookies when flying Delta. You do not want peanuts or pretzals. You want these fantastic little spice cookies. If you've been nice and good in step #7 you'll probably get lucky and get a flight attendant who hands you more and says "Here, have some extra. I know it's hard to stop once you start." :)

9. Buy a Kindle [This actually should happen prior to your flight. :) But you understand.] It makes traveling joyful. You can have your textbooks and your pleasure reading all together in a light little book that fits conveniently in your purse. On a similar train of thought, you should have an iPod available to you by now. [Meaning, you don't have to own one - just make sure you can steal your child or siblings for a few days]. If not, get one. And before you leave home, prepare several rockin playlists [favorites, genres, moods, you know so you can just push play on one and get exactly what you need].

10. Read The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story while listening to country music. You will be happy. [WARNING:  This combination of activities may enduce a compulsive need to find and date and kiss and marry a beautiful cowboy. You have been warned. Also, beware that odds of finding said cowboy to New York are slim to none. Not that I was looking.] [Also, you don't have to be traveling to do this. You should probably do it no matter what.]

11. Always travel with an extra pair of socks in your carry on. On the way home I stayed in my tights and wore extra socks because I'd been so cold on the flight to JFK. Apparently when the temperature outside the plane is like -70 degrees the inside of the plane gets cold too.

12. DO NOT buy a pre-made sandwich in JFK airport. It WILL deceive you. Buy your Vitamin Water [go-go zero - my traveling must have], buy cracked pepper chips, buy something fresh but don't get a sandwich in a package. I'm 2 for 2 now in JFK on AWFUL sandwiches. They smell bad and taste bad. So just DON'T do it.

13. If at all possible, climb onto a plane with the real steps, not the airport gate. You will feel famous and important. Cold, but like a VIP. :)

14. Make sure you can read. This seems obvious but really you won't survive multiple airports without the ability to follow signs.

15. Allow the shuttle or taxi person to help you with your bag. Yes, you are a big girl and dragged it through three airports and lifted it into overhead bins all by yourself. But it's their job. They get paid to help with the bags and open doors, so let them.

16. Plan your outfits in advance but if you are an indecisive outfit picker like me [I typically put on 3 in the morning before I'm satisfied] make sure you bring something extra so you have flexibility. Like I just wasn't in a grey sweater mood so I went with a black sweater and red accents that wasn't originally planned into my outfits but was my spare. Also, probably ask for advice from your roommates. They may pair things you never would have for a killer outfit. And on the note of clothes... make sure you are conscientious when packing so that your slacks don't come out wrinkled or with shoe prints on them. Common sense but easy to forget.

17. Act like you own the place even if you have not a clue what you are doing. Confidence is attractive.

18. Be yourself at your first introduction. How you start off your introductions sets the tone for the rest of your interactions with them and you don't wan to give them a first impression of something you aren't.

19. Once you finish your nightly activities, if you have a hotel room with two flat screen TVs make use of both of them. At the same time. A chick flick and ESPN. CNN and CMT. Does it get better than this? I submit it does not.

20. Sleep in a king size bed with a down throw and 7 pillows all to yourself. You will sleep like a baby and feel fabulous in the morning. :)

21. ALWAYS request a wake up call. Even if you set three alarms on your cell phone and set the alarm clock in the room. The phone call will be different to ensure that you get UP.

22. Take a minute to wake up by opening the window and saying good morning to Rochester. Find the beauty in it. Get excited for your day. Then you can start your getting ready routine.

23. Pack granola bars or some other quick food to eat when you wake up. Your body is going to feel weird with time zones and even though you'll probably eat a fabulous breakfast later it will help.

24. Do NOT count on the hotel having toothpaste available in their forgotten items selection. You may have to rely on mouthwash and hurry into the campus convenience store upon arrival to purchase said toothpaste.

25. Listen to your "I'm awesome" playlist while getting ready. You'll feel ready to take on anything by the time you finish. Plus then your brain can't run away with crazy "what if" or "i'm inadequate" thoughts.

26. Be happy when you finish. Love your hair, makeup, outfit. Your confidence about yourself will be reflected in everything else you do and it's not worth letting your appearance decrease that confidence in yourself.

27. Don't be surprised if you are riding the bus to campus and boys don't offer you a seat. You aren't in Kansas anymore Dorothy. And remember to be grateful for chivalry and say thank yous when you get back to BYU and Provo.

28. ALWAYS eat yogurt and granola when on the East Coast. It's fabulous. It's not a sweet yogurt - [you've been warned] But add the granola and it's a killer combo.

29. Be ready to make small talk. You are being evaluated all day and you are going to look stupid if you don't know how to talk over breakfast but then want to talk when you get into the faculty offices.

30. Take advantage of group interviews. It's way comfortable to be there with three people and gives you time to think. But then when you have the floor make sure the things you have to say are worth while.

31. Ask a million questions while you have current graduate students accessible to you. They are one of your best sources for knowledge. Especially when it comes to housing. Or financial aid.

32. Always take a picture of yourself. Even if it's awkward to ask someone to take it for you. You'll never regret taking a picture, only NOT taking one. [A lesson I learned in London.]

33. Note to self: get a GPS. Then when you are driving from the University back to the Hotel with a nice girl you won't get lost. Bonus points if it speaks to you in a British accent.

34. Read a Kindle in a hotel lobby wearing a stellar slack, sweater, heel, and pearl outfit. [WARNING: This may cause attractive men to hit on you beginning with asking a spelling question because you look intelligent. Note to self: Practice spelling. Result: Nothing. Because just as we started really talking my ride to the airport came. Bummer.]

35. Change out of said slacks [less ironing later] and back into jeans for traveling home once you are into the airport. In a bathroom preferably.

36. Don't change your flight to reroute you through Atlanta when Delta offers. Stick with your original plans. [The change was scheduled to put me home 5 minutes later so I didn't want it and then it turned out that the Atlanta plane had technical difficulties and never took off anyway.]

37. Catch up with your sister for an hour while you wait for your flight. Talk just quietly enough that you aren't rude to other people but it's for sure the best use of your sitting and waiting time.

38. Make friends while trying to figure out where your plane is when the Atlanta plane is still in your gate and the screens haven't changed. That way you are at least lost with someone else and not all alone.

39. This was mentioned before, but always, always choose the Biscoff cookies. You will not regret it. :)

40. Don't worry about the calories from the cookies. To burn them off just plan to catch a connection in Detroit when your first plane lands at the far end of concourse C and your second plane departs from the far end of concourse A. This will require racewalking from the end of C, down, through a tunnel, up and down a bajillion long terminal. Technically there is a train but no need. Just move it and you'll get there with calories burnt ready for one more flight.

41. Even if you really want to watch the inflight movie, if you are tired just accept it and go to sleep. You won't make it past the title anyways and you could've had another 10 minutes of sleep.

42. Try to sit closer to the middle or back of big planes. Then you don't have to sit and watch the spoiled passengers in first class.

43. Always write down not only which shuttle stop you need in the economy parking lot but also which row you actually parked in. The lot won't look the same at night and it will prevent you from having to push your panic button to locate your car.

44. Blast the music on the way home. Have a dance party while you drive. Don't worry if people judge you. You don't know them. Enjoy every second of it. You deserve it.

45. Crash into your bed and sleep until 11:00 the next morning. Say amusing things in your sleep to make your roommate laugh.

46. Unpack as soon as you wake up to prevent I'm-home-but-don't-really-want-to-be-and-have-no-motivation-to-do-anything syndrome from allowing your room to hurricane into a disaster area and making your roommate hate you.

47. Download pictures off of your camera and write a blog about your trip. :)

And that's that. Now you know how to travel across the country and back for a grad school interview in less than 48 hours. Or at least now you know how I did it.