Recycling

Is it just me, or have other people noticed that companies are recycling commercials? We are in a recession, and when you think about it companies don't need a new commercial every month. It just cracks me up to see these old commercials I haven't seen in years. Some of my favorites include the Folger's commercial with the Irish dancers, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie-pop?" and some of the original FreeCreditReport.com commercials. It cracks me up.

Finished!

Well, Graduation was Thursday and yesterday. It was nice but REALLY, REALLY long! My major is under the college of Family, Home, and Social Sciences which is the largest college at the University; our convocations was two and a half hours.

My parents flew out for graduation late Wednesday night. Thursday morning they helped me load my car (miraculously, everything fit and we even had room for a few things my friend needed to get home). Then we went to commencement, followed by dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. My grandma and two aunts came to convocation, followed by lunch at Cheesecake Factory.

We took about a million pictures and I have more to say but right now I need to go put gas in my car and buy "survival food" for the drive to Georgia. My dad is flying home at 11:00, then my mom and I are leaving. I will post pictures and more details after we get home.

The Reason I am Leaving Utah

You may think these pictures were taken a few months ago. That would make sense, everything is covered in snow and snow falls in the winter; winter ended weeks ago. These pictures were, in fact, taken within the last eight hours. I took the first one just a few minutes ago and the second one last night right before going to bed. The weather over the weekend was great, it started to snow again. I am not a fan of snow. It is pretty, so I like it if I don't have to go out into it, but I definitely do not like to drive in it. I have to drive up to Salt Lake around noon so hopefully it will start to melt by then.

No more classes, no more books...

Today I attended my last undergraduate college class ever! I still need to finish up a little bit of independent study, and I have a final paper due next Monday, but I am done going to classes. It's kinda weird. I actually enjoy school so a part of me will miss it, but that is a very small part. Now I need to focus on finding a job. Unfortunately, the family history industry is kinda dead at the moment, people who can't pay the mortgage don't hire professional researchers. I know I'll find something, I just have a hard time with the unknown.

Happy Easter!

I love Easter, it's one of my favorite holidays. Growing up I loved dying eggs, having an Easter egg hunt, and searching for my hidden Easter basket. If I was at home, I'm sure I would be participating in all those things. But, like Christmas, Easter isn't really about all candy and treats. I love Easter because I get to live with my Heavenly Father again! I think sometimes we make Christmas the only holiday to celebrate the Savior's life. But, while his birth was certainly important, we would be nowhere without the resurrection. He suffered for each of my sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, he hung on the cross, and three days later he rose again. (If you would like to know more about my beliefs, click here). I love Easter because I know I can live with my Heavenly Father as long as I strive to be the best person I can be while I am on this earth. I'm not perfect and I don't have to be; the Savior paid for my mistakes in the Garden. I know that my Redeemer lives! And because he lives, I will see my Heavenly Father and my family again.


I love when Easter falls on April 12 (this is only the second time in my life) because it is also my Grandpa Grande's birthday! He was born on Easter in 1925 and he always told us he was hatched out of an Easter Egg on the kitchen table. When I was really little I never knew whether or not I should believe him. I didn't think it was possible, but I was sure Grandpa would NEVER lie! He passed away about three years ago, but he loved when his birthday was the same day as Easter, so I had to post this just for him! Imiss him, but it's the same way I miss my family when I am in Utah and they are in Georgia. Because of the atonment and the resurrection, I know I will see him again. This is what Easter is all about!

Countdown

That's right, I am getting close enough to graduation that I can start a count down:

6 Days until my History490 paper, Famous Female Civil Rights Activists, is due
12 Days until my final History 480 Paper is due
12 Days until I pick up my cap and gown
14 Days until my last day of work at BYU Imaging
14 Days until Mom and Dad arrive
15 Days until Commencement
16 Days until I move out of my apartment
16 Days until Graduation
17 Days until I stuff my car and drive home

The Singles Scene

I have always known that I wouldn't marry super young. My senior year in high school my friends in Sunday school starting guessing which of the four girls in the class would be married first; nobody guessed me and several guessed I would be the last one standing (that wasn't difficult, Tatiana was married by the next May, Kendall got engaged the same day Tatiana got married and was married by August, and Ashley was engaged by that Christmas and married in August). I don't mind being single, I have my whole life to be married so I am just enjoying life, I just find the dating scene really amusing, especially in Provo.

Blind Dates
I never say no to a blind date. I don't particularly love them, especially when people think they know my taste but they don't. But, you never know who you might meet. My parents met on a blind date and it certainly worked for them, so I give each one a chance. I have had a good time on a few blind dates, but none have ever developed into anything. I have also had some REALLY BAD ones. My two worst dates of all time were set up by coworkers of mine in the BYU Imaging office. The first was clearly not happy to be on a blind date. If he didn't want to go, I'm not sure why he agreed because he was miserable the entire time, making it really awkward and uncomfortable. The second one was awkward, but now is a really funny story. My friend Carrie was going to Octoberfest with a good friend and it was supposed to be a triple-date with two of his former mission companions. One of the guys had only been home from his mission three weeks and was afraid to ask anyone, so Carrie's date asked her if she knew anyone who would like to go. I had only been home from my mission six weeks, but I was starting to feel a little more comfortable with the whole dating thing. My date, however, was not ready to be back on the dating scene; poor guy, he was so uncomfortable the entire time. I did have a really good time on that date though because I was with Carrie and everyone else was friendly and talkative.

The Difference between men and women
When I go on a date, I dress for it. I comb my hair, put on a fresh layer of makeup, and I take time choosing my outfit. I don't dress like I'm going to the prom but I at least try to look presentable enough to be in public. Guys don't always do the same. Most guys I go out with show up looking like they have just come from school or work, one guy even came straight from the gym and was still in his sweaty clothes. I don't want a pretty boy, but I would love for someone to show up at my door looking like they cared enough to wear clean clothes.

At least dating is one of those things that always keaves me with great stories, because I love to tell stories.