a really long post dedicated to a really amazing year

a really long post dedicated to a really amazing year

I'm convinced that everything in life happens for a reason. People tend to tell me that I am way too emotionally involved when it comes to some things. Especially when it comes to things concerning fate. I have had more than my fair share of experiences to prove my theory right. But for now I will just tell you of one:

When I was a little girl I visited my aunt Toni in a faraway land (ok, maybe not THAT far away, but humor me here people.) Her husband attended a fancy looking law school that reminded me of a Milano cookie. More commonly known as, BYU law school. While he was attending school, she took me to work with her one day. She happened to work at a nifty looking building on the bottom of a big hill. Also known as the Smithfield House. She gave me a tour of the building and showed me the big shiny swimming pool. She typed away on her little type writer, and I associated with random people throughout the day. I even got to meet the author of my favorite primary song. I felt pretty special. She bought me the most delicious tasting ice cream, and as we left I remember driving by a white fancy twisting walking path/bridge, and hoped to one day return to this magical land.

I had to of been about only six or seven years old at the time, but my memories are still vivid. From then on I wanted to return to that special place aunt Toni called Provo.

About 8 years passed.

I went back to this foreign land to experience one of the greatest weeks of my life. EFY. The Especially for Youth Program is designed for Latter-Day Saint youth to get acquainted with other teenagers around the country (sometimes globe) who have the same beliefs as them. It is social, spiritual, and service oriented. Yay for alliteration.

Anyway, back to the subject.

I fell in love all over again. I stayed in the mysterious looking high rise towers, also know as Desert Towers. That same summer they tore them down. I journeyed across the beautiful campus, and I once again, told myself I would one day go to school there.

It is odd that I was so committed to this one particular school. None of my family had actually ever gone there. It's the kind of school that families have gone to for years. It's a generational sort of thing I guess. But no matter, I never really seem to fit the norm anyways.

It's also curious that I was so committed to this prestigious University because the chances of my acceptance were pretty much slim to none. However, in the famous words of mr. Bieber, "never say never"

I applied. I waited.

and I got in. I had to start in the summer—but who cares. We are talking the school of my dreams here!

So here I am. At the end of my Freshman year, wondering if it all really happened. It did, and it was wonderful. The past nine months literally FLEW by. Pretty much everywhere I go, and everyone that I see has the same question, "So Alex, how was BYU?" I always respond with, "It was amazing! I loved it so much. I can't wait to go back!" I never get sick of them asking either.

Some people have noted the BYU mentality of "holier than though." It's not that for me, I don't think I am better than you, I am just so grateful with how blessed I was to attend such a unique University. I know I am getting an experience that no other college student in the country is getting.

Having the gospel intermixed into lessons was one of the greatest things about BYU. Praying before class made me so happy! At first it was a bit weird. But after awhile it was great! I love how everyone is so happy. I would get random smiles daily. And comments from complete strangers like, "you look really pretty today, I just thought you should know." Who does that?

And now fate has taken its course, and I ended up at the magical castle. And it was where I was supposed to be. I just know it. I just can't describe how happy I am at this point in my life. My scholarship helped it so I really could to go BYU. And why I received that scholarship I'm still not sure, but it is a HUGE blessing in my life.

and now. . .

25 things I learned my Freshman year at Brigham Young University:

1. Provo really is a bubble. The first week I was home, anytime I heard a swear word I would cringe. Definitely not the college norm.

2. Chicken Cordon Bleu on Sundays is probably the best surprise a girl could ask for.

3. Getting mail is the highlight of anyone's week.

4. Family really is the bees knees.

5. Rebecca Black is a crying shame.

6. The honor code really isn't that bad. It's kind of funny now that I'm home, whenever I see short-ish shorts, I think to myself, "Oh no, she's going to get into trouble!" Or when I see a boy with scruff on his face, I think, "He's going to get kicked out of the testing center!" Silly me!

7. It's socially acceptable for RM's (Returned missionaries) to date freshmen girls. I'm still afraid of guys that are older than me, but I can't say the same for most of the girls my age.

8. The rivalry between the Y and the U is very real.

9. Freshmen fifteen is very real.

10. BYU sports are the B O M B.

11. Eating weird food is actually ok. Who knew that there were other dressings in this world besides ranch.

12. It's really hard to be surrounded by two shopping malls when you are from Cedar City, Utah.

13. It's not weird to automatically check the left hand of the opposite sex immediately after meeting them.

14. Costa Vida followed by Sub Zero is always acceptable to celebrate any sort occasion. Even if that occasion is just doing your laundry for the first time in two months.

15. Keeping track of an ID card is really hard to do.

16. Facebook can be really addicting.

17. Finding a decent job is near impossible.

18. Freshman Girls can sometimes just be a little crazy. It's expected.

19. Reading a textbook is not always as fun as it sounds.

20. Exams in the testing center are frightening, smelly, and you can almost cut the tension in half. NOT a great place to spend Friday nights. Unfortunately I put myself there on weekends waayyy too many times.

21. Having your two best friends leave you the EXACT same day kind of sucks.

22. College wards are the best!

23. Sleeping at night is only an option. It isn't always necessary. However, naps are quite wonderful. I can't believe I refused to take them as a child!

24. You gotta stay true to who you are! It's hard not to compare yourself, but when you don't you are most happy!

25. Heavenly Father loves me :)