Well folks, it happened.
I graduated college.
It took just over 4 years. Considering I spent a semester abroad and didn't even choose my major until the second half of my junior year, that's not too shabby! I don't even know what to think about it. It feels surreal. I feel excited, apprehensive, grateful, terrified, relieved, and a lot of other emotions. I never could have done it without the amazing people in my life. Looking back, I'm overwhelmed at the opportunities I've had, the people I've met, the things I've learned, and the person I've become since I started 4 years ago.
Here are some of my favorite memories/things I've learned.
1. Time flies when you're having fun.
I swear it was just yesterday Caitie and I were moving away from home and into our new apartment...we had no idea what we were in for, but got a glimpse when our toilet clogged the first night and we didn't know how to fix it...
2. Roommates are the greatest.
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| High school and college graduations. Nothing's changed, right? |
2. Roommates are the greatest.
3. Trying new things is fun.
Sharing a fridge with 5 other people? Not so much. :)
4. Grocery shoppping isn't nearly as hard as it seemed that first time...
5. They mean it...
6. Some people just "get" you.
6. People aren't so different on the other side of the world.
7. Inner tube water polo is actually an intramural at BYU...and it's really fun!
8. Sometimes really bad ideas...
...turn into really great memories.
9. Utah rocks...ha get it?
10. BYU's campus is really beautiful.
11. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh...
12. Hiking the Y is fun...
...hiking Timp to see the sunrise is even better...
...and hiking Mt. Sinai to watch the sunrise is the best.
13. Jerusalem is the most amazing place in the whole world.. (I might be a little biased).
Egypt and Petra are pretty alright too...
14. It's okay to get a little dirty sometimes...
(And yes, I did actually wear that swimming suit to the Dead Sea...)
15. Not everyone gets married while at BYU...
Buuuut, a lot of people do.
16. Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities.
....and has blessed me with so many incredible people in my life.
(Wow, sorry for the plethora of pictures...)
(Wow, sorry for the plethora of pictures...)
17. Sometimes, you may feel like you're drowning in everything you have to do. But hold on and you'll get through.
AKA working 35 hours a week+taking 15 credits=bad idea.
18. You can't graduate from BYU without a picture of Cosmo.
19. They do not have Hot'n'Spicy McChickens in Jerusalem.
Now that was a great reunion. (It was good to see you too, Scottie).
20. Some things you only do once...
...like sleeping in a snow cave...
...and witnessing the best chemistry magic show of all time.
21. Whether in Cancun, Mexico...
...or in Gooding, ID, fun can always be found.
22. You don't always have to look good when you go out in public.
23. Quote walls are cool...right?
24. Cooking is fun!
Even when you almost burn down your apartment complex...
25. Some of the best Christmases you've ever had come a week early.
26. Why have a normal bunk-bed when you can have a triple bunk-bed?
Plus, bedframes make great ping pong tables.
Also, the hallway is the perfect place for SNS (that's Slip and Slide for all you rook-a-dooks)!
27. Potatoes go bad...and they turn into aliens?
28. Moving sucks...
Eight times in 4 years. :S
29. Doing laundry can be fun!
30. Beckham gets way more excited to see you when you don't live at home.
31. Sometimes life is rough...
...but having good friends can help get you through it.
32. Christmas Eve is way more fun when we're all together.
(And look how big lil' Nate has gotten!)
33. Change is good...even when it's uncomfortable at first.
I felt this every time I moved into a new place with new people. Eventually, it always came to feel like home.
I felt this every time I moved into a new place with new people. Eventually, it always came to feel like home.
(Long live the Bunker!)
34. People are amazing.
I am so grateful for my job and the things I learn there! I've met so many incredible woman and have (hopefully) made a small impact in some of their lives. I've learned that I need to do something that will allow me to work with people.
35. You can learn a lot from poems...
...and more from the people who read them.
36. All those late night study sessions? Worth it.
Next stop, PA school??
I take way too many pictures...
37. I have an awesome family. Understatement.
38. Lastly, I know my Savior lives. I already knew this, but I know it even more now. I know this probably sounds cheesy, but I really have learned so much about Him through these last few years. I am so grateful for the role that He has played and continues to play in my life.
36. All those late night study sessions? Worth it.
I take way too many pictures...
37. I have an awesome family. Understatement.
38. Lastly, I know my Savior lives. I already knew this, but I know it even more now. I know this probably sounds cheesy, but I really have learned so much about Him through these last few years. I am so grateful for the role that He has played and continues to play in my life.
Yay for all the things I've learned. I know it's nothing special, but it was fun to go through my pictures and remember all these great memories. Now for real life? Yeah, right. :)
