Hello!
It has been way too long since I've posted ANYTHING on my blog. But, now that I am out of state, I figured I would try to be better at posting.
I guess this post will be a short little update on the past year...
Last year about this time I was starting my final year at Weber State. I was moving in with some of my best friends, still working at the bookstore, and ready to have an awesome year. And it WAS! I had so much fun, learned so much, and grew a lot too. Looking back, I can hardly believe how much the lord has blessed me!
If you had asked me that in February, I might have said differently. I had spent the few months prior finishing the grueling process of graduate school applications. I applied to 7 schools for a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology. As my luck would have it, I planned and God laughed and I didn't get into any of the schools.
I was really thinking about taking a year off, and trying again. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't right! Dr. Fowler (just one of the coolest people I know), told me to look into some master's programs and that's what I did! I applied to 3 different schools for a master's in neuroscience.
Time went on, and I was busy with graduation and finishing my last semester. It was such a great semester. I loved TAing for Dr. Shaw, learning how to snowboard, and finishing my capstone research project.
Graduation was a blur. A few weeks later a got a letter from the Teacher's College at Columbia University in New York City. I got IN!!! I was so happy! I couldn't believe it. I started looking up where I would live and what I would do. I couldn't believe that I would be moving to NYC. So crazy. A few weeks later I got letters of acceptance from both Tulane University in New Orleans, and the University of Texas at Dallas. Uh-oh, now I had a choice to make.
I spent a lot of time seeking advice from professors and contacts. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. NYC just seemed so glamorous and amazing. I finally decided that UTD would be the best fit for me. I went to the Bountiful Temple, and while sitting in the Celestial Room I had this amazing sense of peace that Texas was the next place for me to continue my journey. With renewed faith I accepted my offer to UTD, and declined my offers elsewhere.
The summer went on, and Tara moved home! We had a whirlwind two weeks together, cramming in as much as we possibly could.
Sunday, August 17th was probably one of the hardest days of my life. My cousin, Mallory, got home from her mission and was speaking in church, and it was great to see her and her family. I spent the afternoon with my family, procrastinating packing as much as possible. Trevor, Charlee, and Brecklyn had to go back to Logan, and that was the beginning of my goodbyes. When I look at the the past three years, I am so grateful for the three of them. Just 3.5 years ago, I didn't even know who Charlee was, and now she is one of my best friends. She is crazy, but she is great. So grateful to have her as a sister-in-law. She is a great mother to my niece, and the perfect fit for my brother. Trevor is the best brother I could ask for. He is so great, and I have always looked up to him and wished I could be just like him. I am so proud of him for the great husband and father that he has become. And little Brecklyn is just the light of our lives. She has so much personality, I can't wait to see what great things she will do with the world. Her Uncle Bubbles loves her!
Later that night, I asked my dad for a father's blessing. In my family, we have a tradition of getting father's blessings each year before school starts. The blessing my father gave me was just amazing. I don't remember all of the details, but I do remember the feelings I felt. That God loves me. He has a plan for me, and he is looking out for me. He is aware of my needs and desires, and I just need to trust in him. I was also so very aware of the blessings of my family. Both those still on this earth and those that have moved on to the other side of the veil. I felt the many prayers being offered in my behalf, and felt a great peace enter my heart.
The next morning I woke up early, loaded up the last of my stuff, and had to say my final goodbyes. I said bye to Dad the night before. I am so grateful for his leadership and his spirituality. He has taught me so much in my life, and it scares me when I find myself sounding just like him. When people tell me I am like my dad, I feel warm and fuzzy inside.
My dear, sweet mother is an angel. She has always been there for me, to counsel, to laugh, to advise, and to love. I for sure don't know where I would be without her. I hope the tooth fairy comes and is very nice to you mom!
Saying good-bye to my sister was also very hard. She has been my best friend for so long! It just seems dumb that two weeks after she comes home from a year away, I then leave. We must just be too awesome to handle in the same state for very long! I definitely think the rest of our family would go crazy! Thanks for being there for me Mimi!
I got to Texas safe and sound yesterday. It was a long drive, and there were moments where I was sure I was hallucinating. Either that or Superman really did fly out of a cornfield to save Dorothy Gale from a tornado in Kansas....
All I know is that the next few years will be exciting and wonderful. I have no idea what to expect, but I'll be ready!
