Camp!

I forgot to mention in my last entry - Camp starts this week! Tomorrow is Administrative Staff Training in SLC. After we're done we're heading down to Trefoil Ranch where everyone is supposed to show up on Tuesday. I can't believe it's camp time already - it feels like just yesterday that camp was ending!

Look forward to camp stories very soon! (Hopefully I'll be better and blogging this summer)

Snickerdoodle

Graduation and Life After

Why must we make the most important decisions without knowing how they'll turn out?

Four years ago I made perhaps one of the biggest decisions of my life; I decided to continue my education by attending a small college in Cedar City, Utah. I was completely terrified by my choice. I would be attending a school a considerable distance from my house where everyone was a complete stranger. This was a huge leap for me as I rarely did anything alone. As the time grew near to leave for my first year I tried to look for every excuse to get out. If only I could attend the local community college for just a year I'd be more ready to head out. No one gave me permission however and not wanting regrets I packed up my favorite things and I left for the unknown.

I knew I'd made the right choice the minute I moved into Juniper Hall. Everyone was so nice. My roommate was amazing, my hallmates were very friendly and everyone else I met seemed to have a permanent smile attached to their face. As I walked around campus the following week I began falling into a rythmn. I already had a large group of friends (friends that I swear I had known for a lifetime not just a week), my teachers and classes were wonderful, and the student ward I attended felt like a second home. I belonged. I belonged in this place that a week earlier I had been dreading coming to.

I look back now at my freshman self and am so grateful that I followed through. I can't imagine what my life would be like now if I hadn't gone to Southern Utah University. So much of who I am today has been shaped by that institution and the people that attend there.

On Saturday, May 2, I had the bittersweet opportunity to don a cap and gown and attend graduation. This event that could never come fast enough I soon found came too soon. Four years is far too short a time. As I stood in line waiting to walk through campus towards the centrum where the commencement was to take place, I started thinking about all of the wonderful memories I've had at this place. I suddenly felt sick at the idea of leaving. How could I leave when I hadn't done all I wanted to?

Walking through campus in the graduation line was so surreal. It honestly felt like a dream... The day went by in such a blur that only a few highlights really stick out to me:

1. All of the professors line the sidewalks and have the graduates walk between them. While the graduates walk past all of the professors are clapping and cheering for them. This was definitly one of the things that really choked me up. What an honor!

2. The speakers at graduation were amazing (Yes - including President Monson!). They all had great messages and words of wisdom for the graduates.

3. Family. All day I had the constant companionship of my family. I am so grateful for their support and their love!

4. Walking into the School of Business Graduation Ceremony and seeing so many of my favorite professors (and getting hugs from a few).

5. Feeling incredibly anxious as I waited for my row to be led up to to the stage. They had seperated all of the HRHM graduates by last name and mixed us with Business Management students. Right before we got to the stage one of the HRHM graduates called out to the others and we all jumped in line in front of others (with their permission!) so that we could all walk one after another. It was amazing!

6. Hearing my name and walking across that stage. This was it. What I had worked four years for. It was finally here... I shook hands with the Dean and posed for pictures from photographers. After them I was greeted by my brother and my Dad - got hugs and then went back to my seat. I couldn't stop smiling :-)

7. I gave my parents a quick tour of campus and ran into two of my favorite professors Dr. Lisa Assante and Dr. Sophi Sukalakamala. My parents talked with them for a while and my professors kept praising me - I blushed a lot...

8. Taking pictures with my friends. Dani, Lindsey and I met up on campus and took pictures together. I love these girls! It was so great to be with these wonderful people who had made such a dramatic impact in my life. I would not be who I am today with their love and friendship.

Its been a few weeks since that eventful day. Although I've had some time to let it sink in... it hasn't. I can't believe I've really graduated! Eventually it will sink in but definitely not for a while :-)

Since I've been home I've had a few eventful things happen:

1. I got accepted in the the MBA (Masters of Business Administration) program at SUU. I'm SO excited to be going back in the fall! I know that it would probably be a smarter move to get my Masters degree somewhere else but the transition into the program was easy, the program is highly accredited and has great professors, and I get to be in Cedar City for another year with my friends! That and it wasn't really a question of where else to go - When I first started considering the masters program (in the beginning of April) I knew it was a long shot I'd get accepted since I had made this decision late in the game. When I started pursuing the program however, everything fell into place. Everything. I'm still so amazed by it all...

2. I've worked a few events for the Girl Scouts and have been able to help plan camp and spend time with camp buddies

3. We got our adorable puppies! Cookie and Sheila - they have definitely made life interesting in the Nielsen household! It's literally a 24/7 babysitting job

4. I have been able to spend a TON of time with my best friends. I love our wacky selves and our crazy adventures. It makes my life a whole lot better :-)

And now for some pictures to sum things up!

Graduation:

<-- My whole family and me! <-- Professors Lisa and Sophi
<-- CJ and me!

<-- My Dani and me :-)

<-- This picture just makes me smile

<-- Lindsey and me!

Rockclimbing with the Girl Scouts!

<--Bryan and Tim Tam Slam!

<-- Snickerdoodle and Kat

<-- I love this photo of us!

Our New Puppies!

<-- Attacking Dad

<-- This is little Sheila
<-- This is Cookie!

Parties with friends:

<-- Dani and me (precious huh?)

<-- Our fun BBQ! From left: Kate, Sarah, Lindsey, Steve, Kelly, Dani and Bryan

<-- At Dani's Bridal Shower :-)

< -- Kidnapping Bryan for his Birthday :-) Kate and I took him to Ikea in a blindfold and when we finally let him take it off we were waiting with a Twinkie and candles (FYI Bryan hates Ikea :-)