I Learned from Her...

--I have learned to work hard and not complain.
--I have learned to love.
--I have gained self-worth as she compliments me undeservingly.
--I have learned to serve unselfishly.
--I have learned to laugh. I love her laugh.
--I have learned to respect others.
--I have learned to cook, clean, and be creative.
--I am who I am because of my mom.



She sent me this video. I wonder if she realizes it reminds me of her.

Leaving BYU, I will miss...

Friends. BYU. Spring tulips. falling asleep studying in the grass. being productive in the library. Petitions Office. good guys who treat me so well. Coworkers. Zupa's. 63rd ward. smiles. crunching snow. people working to be better. ambition. learning. roommates. the atmosphere. the MOA cafe. power naps in library cubical. BYU carrot cake. EFY kids in summertime. scruff on the guys on non-test taking days. marshmallow coats. dance-off's vs. W10 through the window across the street. EFY reunions. learning to serve from my roommates. relating secular knowledge to gospel principles. having church on campus (ok...maybe not). the student section at BYU football games. Salt Lake. being so close to the temple. Brigham City getaways. no drinking. grandma's peaches. "when courting..." catchphrase. peanut butter trails ice cream. roommate reunions. running into old friends late in the library. married people. always something to do. Jamba. flowers. Costa Vida. stress. the testing center. devotional. the list continues...

What do you love most about BYU?

Problem...

I deleted all the links of peoples blogs somehow? Please send me your link so I can add it again! Thanks :)

Thankful

I really am blessed. Sometimes it takes really hard times or really great times to recognize this. These past few weeks have been really difficult for me. So many life changing decisions have decided to pop out of the woodwork. I'm grateful for such incredible friends and roommates who have helped me through the process of doubt and fear. Life really is great.

Last week, I went to the McKay School Scholarship Office to see about receiving a loan. I'll be going to Washington, DC next semester to student teach and we do not get paid. I've worked my entire college career and I just didn't know what I would do with tuition, a car payment, rent, travel, etc. I asked what I needed to do to receive a loan. He said that my application was lost and asked me to tell him about myself. I told him I am from Georgia but my family lives in California. All of a sudden he started frantically typing. A few minutes later, he handed me a form showing that I had received $2,040 to cover tuition. Apparently, there is a non-LDS benefactor who gives money to California students in the education program. I honestly could not believe it. I was floored. I still needed to figure out how to cover rent and travel expenses, so I asked about a loan again. He said there was no funding. I jokingly asked if it was too late to apply for this semester. He said it wasn't! He awarded me an additional $2,040 for tuition this semester that will be refunded to my account. Then I can use it for rent! I cannot even believe how fortunate I am.

Here are some other things I am grateful for...




Whoever you are, thank you so much for your generosity. I owe so much to you. Thank you. Thank you.

Proud to be an American

In one of my classes, I am writing a historiography on the Declaration of Independence. My studies have really made me appreciate the great privilege it is to live in America. I am so grateful for the Founding Fathers. Their courage and thought will influence the world forever.

While the influence of the Declaration of Independence has contributed to the structure and motivation used in the development of similar declarations worldwide, the evolution of the phrase "all men are created equal…with certain unalienable Rights" continues to evolve over time in America.

It really has...I LOVE this youtube video. Love it.

BYU Petitions Office--This is Amber.

Halloween: The Hairspray Cast

I have spent thousands and thousands of hours at this job. That is right THOUSANDS. Here are a few reasons why I love my job. I have learned:

--How great it is to be surrounded daily by people I love and care for. I have the greatest co-workers, past and present. They do so much for me and are so generous. They really have attributed to my success in college. To show an example of this generosity, one day, I got to work and kicked off my shoes. I promise there was standing water in them. My socks were soaked. About an hour later, Missy came back from lunch and had purchased me a new pair of dress socks. To her, it was no big deal. She handed them to me and said, "Here. I hate when my socks are wet." She bought me socks!! Service. That is how everyone is in the BYU Registrars Office.

--The importance of being professional and on-time.

--That you don't really get to go to class straight out of bed. Work has improved my wardrobe. That is right, we are required to dress business casual. I've been through 3.5 years of college and probably have only worn jeans to class on about ten days (spirit days at work, of course).

--The importance of a sense of humor. Remember the time...

• Yesterday, I was talking to my coworker when a guy came up to the window. It sounded like he said, "Who are you?" with a slight attitude. I bluntly responded back, "Amber. Who are you?" He replied, "Mike--but I said, how are you." My coworkers were laughing so hard they had to hide in an office. I felt like an idiot and the rest of the conversation was a little awkward (to say the least).
• Or when visiting Records, Laura, Mike, Bryan, and I were discussing a x-ray Laura received. We were discussing the pouch they lay across your waist to "protect" your posterity. Well Mike asked if it was put there "so your ovaries don't fry like an egg?" Then Mike realized what he said...and it was hilarious.
  
• Or the other time when I had my leg propped up on the counter with my plant leg hiked up showing off a bruise and a student walked up and looked really worried...
• And many, many other times...Feel free to comment with any other awkward moments :)

--Since entering college, I have become much more bold. I attribute this to the nature of the petitions office. I am always telling students and faculty they are "welcome to petition, however, it is extremely unlikely that their petition will be approved." Being the first person the student talks to, usually I offer a lot of counsel and, honestly, come across a lot of really rude people.

When all is said and done, it's a really great job. I've learned so much. I'm really sad to leave such close friends behind as I leave BYU.

Prop 8 and Wicked?

So I just logged on to helpprop8.com to make phone calls to California from my computer. I logged on and my sound was muted. Since there was a training course first I figured I should turn on my volume. I was amazed to find out that Gravity from Wicked was playing. I told my roommates excitedly (and wondering why in the world this was happening) that they played music from Wicked while the training session loaded. Well the training started and the music didn't stop...apparently my blog was open in the background and I have Wicked on it. Hmmm...who would've known? hahahha--but, seriously, how great would it have been if www.helpprop8.com played pump up music from Wicked in the background?

It's Official--DC Here I Come

That's right. I'm not happy with the presidential picks, so I'm going to do something about it. Ok, that's a lie. Well, sort of. I'm moving to DC to do my student teaching. I will be doing it at one of two schools: Woodrow Wilson High School (click here) or Duke Ellington School of the Arts (click here). Crazy, huh. I'm really excited to go, but it is kind of bittersweet. I am really excited for a new experience, but I am sad that it is my last semester of college and that it won't be spent at BYU. I'll leave for DC from home after Christmas break and fly back to Provo for graduation in mid-April. I'll probably get a job in the area and then get my Master's in Educational Administration in a year or two. CRAZY!!!

Vote Yes on Proposition 8!

I am voting Yes on Proposition 8. That is right. For once, I am excited to vote in California. My presidential vote might not matter, but this one will. This is an important election. So much will be impacted--the economic crisis, the war in Iraq, taxes, insurance. Honestly, if forced to do so, I can handle increased taxes. The repercussions of ending the war early could be devastating, but we would hope the Iraqi people are ready to govern themselves. Times of crisis will recover. However, changing the definition of marriage to include same gender marriage, that will influence the world. It really will.

Elder Ballard, a leader of the LDS church said, "the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? Traditional marriage provides a solid and well-established social identity to children. It increases the likelihood that they will be able to form a clear gender identity, with sexuality closely linked to both love and procreation. By contrast, the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. "

The Family: A Proclamation to the World says, “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” I'm voting for Proposition 8. Are you?

Learn more at:
http://www.protectmarriage.com/
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/#current

Funny things happen at the HBLL

Picture this, if you will.

Setting: NoShhh Zone. Thursday. 5 PM. Circular (Ovalcular?) table. Six computers. Six strangers.

Occurance: Everything was typical in the NoShh. People frantically printing off papers at the printing stations. Facebook pulled up on 75% of the computers, gmail on the other 25%. People fast asleep on the soft chairs by the window, while individuals at the group work tables are flirting with a hopeful eternal companion. Back to my own world, I was working on statistics when the guy next to me just started laughing. LAUGHING. Alone. Just laughing away. All of us at the computer looked at each other awkwardly while trying to hide our grins. He didn't stop. We struggled to contain our smiles and covered the bottom half of our faces with anything avaliable--hands, notebooks, paper. Neighboring tables began to look. They started to smile. The guy kept laughing. Louder and louder it got.

Then it happened. The girl next to me laughed outloud. It was contaigious. We all started laughing. We hid behind our computers, not to embarrass the laughing guy. Another stranger down the table had veins popping out of his head because he was trying to suppress his laughter so fervently. As we tried to suppress our laughter, the guys laugh got louder and louder. He kept looking at his computer, never allowing his eyes to leave the screen.

He was laughing so hard and everyone--EVERYONE--looked. I looked at him to see if he noticed us. He didn't. Belly laughs came out from the guy...tears rolled down his face.

And then. He wiped the tears from his face, put his glasses back on, and...continued typing. The end. No, "hey, this is really funny" or "sorry, funny article." Nope, nothing. He just wiped his tears and kept on typing.

It was seriously the funniest time of my life. No exaggerations.

Maren--Ma-ren is What Brings Us Together Today

Maren is one of the best people I know. She is so genuine, so loving, so concerned. Freshman year, we were randomly paired to live together. At first, it appeared that we were total opposites. She was very studious, I was very social. As the year progressed, we both rubbed off on one another (which was very good for my GPA). By the end of freshman year, I could not believe how close we grew. I think I appreciated her more than I vocalized, but I learned a lot from her. She was my constant. We are both extremely logical and we would bounce ideas off of one another (and talk sense into one another) daily.

I have so many memories with Maren. Lot's of late night talks lots of random phone conversations. I love that our relationship can be picked up so quickly. We don't require a lot of time spent with one another. A random phone call or ice cream trip will catch us up after being away for months at EFY or months in Belgium.I really appreciate her example and desire to always do good. We have had so many deep conversations and discussed many of our fears and aspirations.

Maren got married to Patrick Perkins on August 22, 2008. She looked so beautiful. She will be the first one to tell you, she did not think she would be married so quickly. But it works. It always works. She looked gorgeous. The wedding reception was the most beautiful, perfect reception I have ever been to. My mom was running around the yard taking pictures of random artistic formations for "one day". Sorry, Mom, that day isn't coming any day soon, but I'll see what I can do. Anyways, Maren's wedding day really was perfect. I felt so flattered to have been asked to be a bridesmaid. I know that Maren has really made an impact on my life. I really value her friendship and know that we will be friends for a long, long time.

I'm so glad Maren and Patrick were able to be married in the temple--for eternity. What incredible truth we have! I love that we can be with the person we love most forever. That makes everything worthwhile. Congratulations, Maren and Patrick!!!

Football and Family

My family came to town. They took me grocery shopping (if you are in college you know how that is one of the greatest gifts ever) and we went to the football game together. The tickets they ordered on ebay almost didn't get here on time. My mom tracked down the postman on the way to the game. Thankfully they were in the mail truck!

Have you ever...?







I'm not going to lie. Some times I catch myself doing this in class. (the pen holding...not the teeth brushing)...
Now that is love.

New Roommates!

I have new roommates :)
Nicole is my room roommate. She is so much fun to be around. She is always so positive and encouraging. She is incredible and always trying to serve us as roommates.

Amy makes great cinnamon rolls (amongst other things). She is always waiting to ask me how my day was and to make me laugh. I love being around her.

Carie shows her love to us by serving. She is always asking what she can do to help and really loves real conversation.

I love living with these people. They are such great examples to me of charity. We really all have a good time and enjoy being around one another.

Family Time is the Best Time

Since I've been off to college, my family does a lot of stuff. Don't get me wrong. During my childhood we did a lot of stuff--but now I think I'm just realizing it more because I'm missing out on it. I really love spending time with my family. I find myself turning down opportunities to spend time with my friends when I go home so I can spend time with my family. I love them and miss them. They are so good to me. Good thing families have the potential to be together forever, right? (Picture taken at the Angels vs Dodgers game)

Hard to believe, I know...

I updated...slightly. I guess it isn't even "updated' since i posted on month old news. More to come. Promise.

The Summer Fun Continues...

Ok--Let's be honest. I don't want to write humongous paragraphs of this past summers events and you probably don't want to read them. So--here is a play by play accounting for you. Enjoy!
The UW Geologists left their baby pool and water slide out. After games night, we capitalized on this opportunity. As everyone on the team knows, the presence of water always leads to water fights. Thist picture could have been taken many, many times this summer. This is BYU Team 3.
Wet...Thanks Emily and Glen.
Brother Galke invited us to their incredible house near Yellowstone. This is the only picture I took...It was such a beautiful, beautiful place. We fell out of the swing.
The Musical Program was my biggest fear entering EFY as a BC this summer. It turned out to be the greatest experience (twice--I had it 2 of our 8 weeks). I (re)learned that my Heavenly Father loves me and won't let me fail--even when I face tasks that sem impossible. I had 108 incredible youth in it :) Such good, good kids. This is the boys half.
Welcome to Ephriam, UT. Here on the left, we have sheep. Yes that is correct. They are running down the middle of the road. The main road. Who knows...
This is the only team formal picture we took. We hate banquets!!! And apparently hate looking at the camera.
We were told to flash our legs. Note--Juls actually showed some skin. HAHAHA it was hilarious.
Now here's a story. Chelsea and I headed up to Montana a few days early to set up the Dillon sessions. We stopped in Rexburg, ID to go to the new temple and drive around BYU Idaho. It was such a great little stop, complete with Applebee's, which everyone knows i LOVE. Anyways, we went to get back on the road. However, instead of getting back on I-15N we got on Highway 20. We didn't notice we were on the wrong road until we reached Yellowstone National Park. We thought we were about 10 minutes away from Dillon when we stopped for gas. Little did we know we had another 4 hours to drive. It was quite the experience!!! haha--and makes a great story.
These are the youth we worked with all summer. We crammed these 500 youth in this small room for a dance. Boy, that smelled great.
When in Ephriam for the session, we drove to Manti went to the temple again as a team. Sunday we went back with a fun group and hung out on the temple grounds for a few hours. We relaxed, read, and slept...and even found an old cemetary with some of Chelsea's family members.

We missed the olympics on tv...so we had an Olympic game's night.
The boys are always working on their serenading...
New Cannon Center food is SOOO GOOD!!! Get the eggs!!!
Team photo--complete with Ben Socal. Thank you Matt and Brendan.
Brother Wilcox invited Kenneth Cope and Sister Dalton to come speak to us.
Montana games night--with 130 youth. So little! And, remember those geologists who were so mad when we kicked them off the field?
We LOVE JORDAN!!! We met Jordan in Montana. She is incredible. She helped us a lot throughout the week and, along with all the campus contacts, was just so good to us. We really miss her. Come to Utah!!

1/2 the team left. This is who was left of us!!! Common trend throughout the summer...
Ephriam bonfire!! Thanks to Jessica's sweet connections.
Happy Birthday, Brendan! Look out girls and boys--he is mine on July 9, 2010 if he isn't Jessica's first ;)
And...let's not forget this summer without THE Brittany Dahlin.

It was an incredible summer. Very different than past summers...but good nonetheless. Sad that it is really over, but made so many priceless memories and quality people along the way.