Class of 2011

This is long overdue, but...I did it!! Let me tell you right now. If I can graduate from college...anyone can!

I graduated from ASU on Friday, May 13th. (Pretty lucky!) Upon arrival that morning, I was so ready to be finished! I wanted the festivities over with and done.

I wandered to the sea of caps and gowns to await the procession. As I stood there by myself among the other grads, I had 15 minutes to think about what was actually happening. I looked at everyone there and wondered about their journeys. How had they come to stand where I was now? Was their journey as long and hard as mine? Was it worse? What are their plans? Do they have great expectations for their future? How much of a relief was this graduation? Or was it one more step toward their other academic goals? Was I the only one who was not planning on getting this far?

Anyway, as I was pondering these thoughts, I was also anxious to get the ceremony over with. (I was tempted to ditch out-I ditched my MCC one a couple years ago) Finally, we walked into the Arena and I could hear the pomp and circumstance music playing. I knew my family was there watching me. And all of a sudden...I was overcome. I had made it. This is real. I was literally weeping with joy and relief.

Here are some photos from that long awaited day!

With my family! (Brooke White took this photo!)

If you don't know who Brooke White is, click here or here. She was a contestant on American Idol. A Mormon girl from Mesa! Her brother graduated with me. We were taking photos right next to her family. So cool!

With my parents

Finally!!

"I reached the light at the end of the tunnel! Thanks to my parents for the gentle pushes and to my Heavenly Father for the guidance."

Wahoo!!

For those of you who know me well, you know how much I do not like school. Ironic since I teach...

anyway, from Day 1 (January 22, 2007) I was a wreck:

(and I'm not joking...I was not a happy camper)

Well, apparently life goes on even when things are hard. With some community college in there, I finally ended up turning into one of these:

I can honestly say that I literally endured college. Yes, there were some great times, but also some not-so-great times. I regret that I wasn't happy about it all the time, but I don't regret it enough to do it again. I am grateful for the experience. I am grateful to have a degree. I am grateful for all the things I learned in the last 4 1/2 years. Mostly, I am grateful that it is over. (Now, I have to find a real job and work forever, but that isn't until next week)

Now, on Day 1643, I can feel like this:

Next up: Graduation!

Get Me Outta Here!

The clock is winding down...Only THREE more days until I can officially call it quits. Homework will be a thing of the past. First, I have to get through these last 3 days. 2 exams and 1 major paper.

Wish me luck!

Why Didn't I Realize This Sooner??

I am taking a break! I am going to Vegas! Again :)

As a result, I have gotten WAY ahead on all of my homework and gotten everything in order for me to be gone for 5 days. It took me until my last semester of school to realize, not just how to get ahead, but what getting ahead feels like! I should've been taking week-long vacations every semester in order to stay this far ahead on my school work. I've found more time for callings, socializing, and even exercising! (PS, I am going to be in the Pat Tilman Run on Saturday!)

I am treating this as a much needed mental break as well as an early graduation gift to myself.

Wow, this is going to be a good week, I can tell.

First Day of Spring Break

I really am a clean person...so these pics are a little embarrassing...

However, this is what homework overload does to you:

Before:

-3 loads of laundry (for one person!)

-4 rags of dust

-lots of shredded papers

-2 bags of trash

-4 hours of hard work

And this is what the first day of Spring Break is really for:

After:

Just picture me face first on the bed in exhaustion.

Now, onto the rest of my break :)

Spring Break Goals

Spring Break is only one week away. And this, my friends, may be my last Spring Break ever! This is my one last week of zero school and zero work. I am free to do whatever my little heart desires!

And just what does my little heart desire?? A trip to Disneyland of course! But, sadly, that is probably the one thing I just cannot do this time :(

So, this Spring Break, I will take advantage of my free time to accomplish the following:

1. Go on a hike

2. Sew an apron

3. Watch LOST (hopefully season 6!)

4. Hang out with friends!

Whew...quite a list right? Just kidding, it isn't that impressive, but I only have a week! Yes, a week. One...WHOLE...week. How often does that come? In my lifetime: one a year. In my future: not so often. I am totally looking forward to it!

First I have to get there (that means finish my homework).

Blast.

To My Not-So-Lovely Homework

More specifically: my research paper. We are not getting along. I understand that we haven't know each other long, but do you understand what is at stake here? In just over 2 months I expect to graduate from 4 1/2 years of college life. I cannot do this if you do not cooperate with me.

I am begging you...please, please, please either leave me alone or don't make me fall asleep at my computer. I'm either going to have to take another nap and work late at night when I'm actually awake or I'll have to resort to blogging/Facebook to get me through. Frankly, I'm a little sick of Facebook every 30 minutes and my poor blog can't handle too many "Homework" subjected posts.

Soon, I will have to turn to incentives. Perhaps rewards like Yodipity/Yogurtland every x number of pages. Or, no American Idol/Amazing Race until you are finished. Please don't do that to me.

What do you say? Can we get along?

Graduation, Here I Come!

It is official! I have applied for graduation! Now, all I have to do is wait for my application to be accepted and finish the semester! Whoohoo!!

In ALL honestly, I never thought I'd see the light at the end of this looong, dark, and damp tunnel. But, let me tell you...it is there!

I am officially out of shape!

I just ran a quarter mile (as a homework assignment). I am out of breath. I got only half way through (what, like an 1/8th mile??) and I could barely keep it to a jog. Almost started walking.

What does this tell me? I am more out of shape than I realized.

My new goal: Take this "Concepts of Fitness & Wellness" online class seriously. I will be able to run a quarter mile by the end of the semester.

Ow...cramp...can't breathe...I can barely type...gotta go.

Ever Start Something Seemingly Difficult?

Ever finish that seemingly difficult task? Did you look back and say, "Wow, where did the time go?" or "It wasn't really that hard after all." Perhaps the response was: "That was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'd never want to do it again." or "I'd do it again even though I know how hard it was." After every hard thing in my life, my responses have ranged from these to similar ones.

Well, on Tuesday, I begin my last semester at ASU. I will finish my college experience and move on to the working-full-time-and-trying-to-support-myself-like-adults-should-do experience. Wow.

My mom can testify that from day one of college, I was bawling my eyes out because I didn't want to go. However, somehow, I stuck it out. And here I am. On the brink of a new and final semester. Yay!

It is a little scary knowing that I have to leave my comfort zone of being in school and step out into the new world of "being responsible." Yikes. I don't know if I'm ready or not, but the time for preparation is almost past. So, I'm gonna have to do the best I can.

Wish me luck.

October Break

When we see the word break--what does that really mean? Of course, I had to look up the definition and found this. Of the many, many definitions of break I finally found it! I found that break can be defined as "to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period" and "to get away by overcoming restraints or constraints." Translation: When I see that October Break is coming, I have every right to assume that I will have a brief period to get away from my occupational constraints. So, naturally, I expect to have time for fun things. Oh, you want to definition of fun? Here you go. It only makes sense that break & fun would go hand in hand.

With this attitude, I began my one week of October Break with a 12 item list of fun things to do! These were the things I really did need to get done, but things that I wanted to get done also. No one told me that I was going to spend three of those days doing homework! Ok, ok, it was my fault that I totally underestimated (since we are defining words here is that definition) the amount of homework I really had to do. As a consequence (ahem) I had to sacrifice my fun To Do list for my necessary (click)To Do list.

Until now!

I am finished with homework this week and I refuse to do any more until next week! Time to celebrate!! I think that I will begin by finally adding another post to my blog. (Hey look, all done!) Tomorrow is Friday. That means I have two whole days (did you hear that people? Two...whole...days!) To start in on my 12 item list. Ah...the sigh of sweet relief. You may say that my break is about to end and, technically, you are right. But, I say, it is just the beginning!

And, if you haven't noticed already, I learned how to use the link feature today! Try me!

Busy, Busy

I wish I had more time to blog. Life is so busy. Busy with school. Busy with switching schools. Busy with needing a break from school in general.

What? This weekend is Labor Day weekend?? Fantastic. That means only 6 weeks until October Break.

I think that the Lord gave us national and religious holidays (Christmas, President's Day, etc) not only for observance of wonderful purposes, but He also knew that sometimes we need a break. Not from life, not from stress. But, just from our busy schedules.

Little breaks make the whole trip a little easier.

Back to School

It is here. It has finally come. The official end of my summer vacation. Yes, tomorrow I go back to kindergarten for the fourth time. I'm excited, but it is a little bittersweet to be starting my final year at Whitter. However, it is SWEET that I'm ending my final year of college. Yes, I will begin my senior year at ASU next week.

I'm used to this double school business. With the exception of one semester, I've been working in kindergarten and going to school in the evening my entire college experience. It has been awesome working with such a great teacher and in such a great kindergarten department. I love the teachers and the aides are fantastic. It is truly the best job. With many funny stories. I love it.

It is getting late and as I was just reminded..."6am comes fast!" So, without further adieu (is that the right usage of the phrase?) I'll close this little blog post and get ready for my, once again, busy-busy life. Wish me luck!

Summertime Blues

Isn't summer fantastic? It is a time to chill near the water, spend time on a hobby or goal, go on vacations, and do pretty much anything relaxing or fun. Right? Well then why am I sitting at the table for hours on end (or rather days on end) doing homework? Oh yes, it is because I am grown up now. I've been up at 6:30am everyday. By 9:30am I've been to school and am already working on homework. I don't finish that homework until late afternoon. If I wasn't doing this then I'd probably be working and spending my time behind a cash register or babysitting.

Oh children of the world! Do you realize how chill your life is?? Or as The Office would say, "a cushy-nerf life." I miss the summers of swimming lessons, sprinklers, and sleeping in. Will it ever come back? I dare to dream.

Thank goodness we have blogs and Facebook that can distract from homework when you need a break. I'm going to need to find something else to distract me soon. I can only stare at a screen for so long. Otherwise, I'd watch TV. At least I'm learning something this summer right? Yes, I guess that is a good thing.