College

I have discovered that I can talk myself out of things quite well.  I first noticed it when I started my Spring semester at school with Accounting classes.  People suggested Accounting and it sounded good so I set my major, planned a schedule to go around accounting, and after a few weeks I decided I did not like it.  I started going less and less, and it definitely did not help that my Accounting class was my only class of the day.  As for my other classes, I started going fewer times to those too.  Most don't take attendance, post notes online, and all the homework is done online too.

I would wake up on time only to think about if I really needed to go to school or not.  Sometimes I would take a shower in the morning and by the time I got out, my mind would be made up to stay home.  Other times I was really planning to go and then as time went on I slowly began to realize that I wouldn't be missing anything by not going.  Sometimes before I even went to bed the night before my mind would be made up.  My mother thinks I am failing school and I am going to drop out.  But I have never been the type of person to get bad grades because I won't let myself.  So even though I don't seem like the best student because I often miss class, I am doing just fine.  I just cannot wait until next semester when I'll have better classes.

Photos via tumblr.

Washington D.C.

In the fall of 2011 I went to Washington D.C. with a group of students from school.  Sixteen kids and two teachers with their wives.  We got to ride the metro everywhere and see so many things.  It was exhausting but we all got along well and had so many fun times together.

Day 1: Red eye flight, we stopped in New York for a few hours before getting to D.C., Air and Space Museum, National Archives, settled into the house we stayed in.

Day 2:  White House tour (we even got to see President Obama leave and get into a helicopter), Bureau of Printing and Engraving, Supreme Court, United States Capitol tour and meeting with Representative Jason Chaffetz, National Portrait Gallery, dinner in China Town which was by far the best night of the trip with everyone.

Day 3: Mt. Vernon and National Treasure Tour, American History Smithsonian, bike tour of most of the monuments.

Day 4: Ford Theater, Holocaust Museum, Natural History Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial.

Day 5: We had to get up early to pack our bags.  I shared a bed with Melanie who decided to not wake me up on time because I looked peaceful.  To say I was rushed that morning is an understatement.  We went to Colonial Days at Mt. Vernon and flew home.

Back row: Justin, Mike, Melissa, Mckinley, Jorgen, Chantelle, Shaner, Mikayla, Tiffany, Jentrie.

Front row: Dave, Melanie, Alisa, Justin, Abby, Katelyn, Claire, Max.

Utah Valley University

I find this school to be so beautiful and I am so glad I chose to go to Utah Valley University.  I still don't talk to very many people while I'm there and the classrooms are a little plain, but I enjoy most of my teachers and walking around the halls.  One of my favorite parts of the school is the Hall of Flags where flags are going down both sides of the hallway, the walls are completely made of windows, and chairs line the walkway.  It's slightly awkward walking down this part because so many people sit on the chairs staring at you as you walk past, but I also love walking through there because sunlight is streaming through the windows with green grass and a fountain in view.  This school is a good place to be.

The One and Only, Mr. Downs

Mr. Downs and I

If I had to say one thing that I missed about school, the first to come to my 

mind would be this man.  I had him for English Honors in 10th grade and AP English in 12th grade.  Luckily, my last year 

of high school was his last year of teaching.  I am fairly confident in saying that he is the best teacher ever.  He truly 

cares about his students and teaches them well.  I always enjoyed going to class to hear 

him tell stories and interact with the students.  Except for those days when our political issues paper 

or explications were due.  But even then I knew that as long as I did those assignments I would get full credit.  

Most days this is how class went: 

Bell rings to start class, talk, maybe tell a story today about his first dance or about his job in the orchard growing up, keep telling the story--students asking him to tell something else--so he'll talk about articles he has written and have been published, his family and how he only got sons because his daughter would've been called Epiphany, twenty minutes left in class now, pass around one of our daily paper assignments and evaluate each other, bell rings to end class, pass out new prompt for a paper due next period.  

He had a little retirement party the night of Spring Fling and most in the group had him so we went to see him before 

going to dinner.   It was fun.  Especially being dressed up like we were going to Gatsby's party.

Spring Fling 2013 group with Mr. Downs

You gotta love Mr. Downs.

OHS Graduation

Yes, I do realize it's been two months, but here are my sisters and I on the day I 

graduated from high school.  After so many years of loving school and wishing it would never 

end, it came to the point of just wanting that time to end.  I think the main reason I made it through my senior year is what awesome friends I have made this last year.  My mom also blogged this occasion here.

Four years ago on Kelsie's graduation day...

...Two months ago on my graduation day.  Crazy how much we've both changed in four years.

On the day of graduation, I got caught up in the excitement of lining up, walking through the 'O', getting handed the diploma, listening to the speeches, moving the tassel to the other side, taking pictures, seeing friends.  This was on May 31, and I sat between two boys on the stand who would be leaving on their missions so soon.  One on June 5, the other on June 12.  It was hard to believe that school was really over and missions, college, and working would take place of the easy, simple, and safe environment of high school.  My friend Matt made this video for graduation to show at the very end and everyone loved it.  My family loves the fact that I'm the last one shown on the video because they think that is some secret message.  Trust me.  There's not.

After pictures were done, Austin and I went to Brick Oven with our families and grandparents. 

Then I went to my house for dessert and Paul showed me the hope chest he had made me. 

And yes I cried when I saw it if you can't tell by the picture.  But it's beautiful and I love it!

Later I went to my friend Max's house for a dessert bar with friends and then there was a senior all-nighter that night.  My high school experience ended so abruptly that I still feel like I'll be going back to Orem in August.  Looking at all the pictures of this day, I miss those times.  I had some really good friends and memories of that place.  But I am excited to start at UVU in the fall.

    

Ballpark 27

It's election week at Orem High for the student council next year.  I don't even know who these two boys are and I am probably the only one who thinks this, but their video is hilarious!

School

School starts in eleven days.  I just barely started doing my summer homework for two of my AP classes.  One of them is biology.  I am not a fan of science so I'm not really sure why I decided to take an AP Biology class.  In my book it says, "...Biology is a quest, an ongoing inquiry about the nature of life..."  It sounds interesting but I have a hard time remembering what I learn and getting really interested in it.  So my goal for this year is to study hard and try and make it interesting for me.  I know it will be a lot easier for me if I want to learn about Biology.  

One Month Exactly

I have been a junior now at Orem High School for one month.  It is crazy to think that in just two years I will be going to college.  So weird!  I have pretty good classes this year, mostly because of my teachers.  My math teacher is very quirky and hilarious and my medical anatomy teacher, who actually went to school with my mom, is funny.  However, my favorite class ever is seminary.  My teacher is THE BEST and it just makes my day going to seminary.  Brother Judd always has the best stories to tell us.  He went to school with Ashlee and married Lindsey's friend.  Kind of weird, and sometimes he mentions how he used to watch James Bond with my dad.

I like going to the football games and we have actually won a couple of games so far this season.  I went to homecoming but I will blog about that later.  It's been a fun year so far with my teachers and friends!

This is the inside of Orem.  Not very colorful and kind of ugly.  You get used to it but it is getting better.  My mom loves to talk about how she wishes they put blue and gold (the school colors) in the school.

What Most Likely Worsens My Day

School ends in one week, which means biology also ends...

Biology. Some may say that it is their favorite or they are going to major in it or whatever. But I think I would have to go with biology being the WORST subject in the world. Yes, even worse than spanish or computer tech. It could be that I am being too opinionated, or I could have a bad teacher, or it is just a bad subject to begin with. Either way I am so glad to be done with it!!! I am so sick and tired of learning about biology and seeing the insides of animals. I've only done about three dissections so far but it seems like a lot. Who, in their right mind, would ever want to dissect an owl pellet, worm, or frog? Simply disgusting.