BYU thoughts

Lately I've been really thinking about how much I truly love BYU. Sometimes I take for granted how lucky I am to attend such a great school. I let myself get bogged down by the fact that some of the classes I take aren't easy and actually take effort, or the fact that there are so many incredibly talented people here. However, being here in the summer has really made me gain a greater appreciation for the school.

I never realized how much I just love walking around campus. Since I haven't been taking classes this summer, the amount of time I have spent up there has dwindled exceedingly. However, the times that I do go up there, I take my time doing what I went for, and just walk around. The campus is so beautiful, and all of the buildings have interesting things about them. One of my favorite things to do during the fall and winter was walking through the Wilkinson Center and just reading all of the signs on the wall. Kind of random...but I loved it. Along the same lines, whenever I had a free moment, I would wander around the BYU Bookstore. As lame as it sounds, I could spend all day in there (as well as in Deseret Book!). I love picking up random books and reading the beginning of them, looking at all the decorations, or just any other random product that happens to be being sold at the time. It takes a lot of willpower to never buy any of the things, but I definitely enjoy being there.

There is a definite spirit that resounds on campus. Everything is just so...clean and pretty. Last semester in my news writing class, I had to ask random people what they felt the biggest issue on campus one. One particular guy, after stating that he felt like the dances "reeked of Babylon" (obviously, he's never been to a high school prom), stated that he felt that no one appreciated the trees. I kind of laugh at this response every now and then, but it's true, that there are so many beautiful plants and trees around campus. That sounds totally lame and nerdy as I write it out, but it is a beautiful place. Sometimes I'll be sitting at home and I'll just randomly think how much I miss being there every day. A few weeks ago, Forrest and I went on a Sunday walk. As we were walking by the stairs that lead up to campus, I told him how much I love campus and miss being there all the time. I know he thought I was kind of nerdy for saying that, but he suggested we walk around up there. It was so fun just to wander around campus on a Sunday when there weren't very many other people there.

Another thing that I didn't realize was how wonderful of a job I have here and how much I enjoy working on campus. Because I wasn't able to get a full 40 hours at the BYU comprehensive clinic during spring and summer, I unfortunately have only been subbing for the other receptionists every now and then. Today is one of those days. As I sit here writing this, I can't help but feel so grateful that I am able to have this job in the Fall and Winter. I often complained about it, but now, after working at the Census, this job is a dream. It's an awesome environment and I consider it a blessing that I'm able to work here. At one time, I had started considering getting a degree in marriage and family therapy. However, after deciding that I didn't think my grades would be good enough to get into the program here at BYU (some refer to it as the Harvard of MFT), I decided otherwise. But just being here always makes me kind of wish I was still doing that. I really think that the services they offer here are so cool. I love this place and I hope I can work here until I graduate!

I honestly cannot wait until Fall semester starts. In the past, I haven't done too hot in my classes, and I really hate to admit that--because I know I have the ability to do well. This summer I have really felt strongly that I need to put more effort and diligence into my school work. I can't wait to start learning more things and expanding my knowledge of secular and spiritual things. I will be applying to my Journalism program in September, and I can't wait to start those classes in the Winter. However, since there aren't any classes in my major I can take until Winter of 2011, I am trying to finish up some GE's and one of my classes for my editing and home and family living minor (I just really love the the SFL classes...haha). I really try and pick the least boring sounding of the GE's...sometimes I'm successful, other times, terribly wrong in my guessing. The classes I am taking in the fall are:

Joseph Smith and the Restoration with Sister Black. I am SO excited about this class. I have only heard amazing things about Sister Black, and I'm super stoked that I have been able to get into one of her classes finally. Back when I was 13, my ward came on a youth conference to Utah, and one of the things we did was visit BYU. We sat in on a lesson from Sister Black, and I still remember that the spirit was so strong. Religion classes are my very favorite kind to take, so I'm really interested to see how this class helps my testimony grow and the things I will be able to learn about Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel!

Intro to the English Language: This is for my editing minor. Believe it or not, I think this is going to be fun. I've read reviews on the teacher, and they all seem really encouraging. Secretly, I want to become an expert on the English language and then critique how everyone speaks and spells...just kidding. All I really want to do is make "integriftul" a real word. Because it's one I use on a regular basis....hehe.

Intro to Human Geography: Okay, I am least excited about this class. However, it's pretty much inevitable that I have to take some sort of Geography class from a GE. I signed up for this one only because Hilary is taking it, and I feel like I may struggle actually going otherwise....haha.

Family Finance: I am taking this from the MFT minor, but I think it will be a very rewarding class. I need to be better at handling finances and budgeting, and I think this will be great. It seems like a lower form of Economics...which I don't think I would take unless someone paid me. haha. But the teacher sounds really cool, and this will definitely be a class that will benefit me for a long time!

Persuasive Writing: I figured that I might as well take a class to sharpen my writing skills, as well as to take care of my Advanced writing GE. Daniel, my brother, took this class last semester and he really enjoyed it. I LOVE persuasive writing, so it will be fun to take this class. I think it will definitely help me out for the journalism program...assuming I get into it. I think it will be challenging, but fun at the same time.

and finally...this one I'm not so sure if I will take this one, but as of right now, I'm signed up for a beginning soccer class. As I've mentioned, I have come to enjoy the sport of the past few months. However, I am terrible at it (despite people saying "oh no, you aren't terrible!". I know they are lying). I really wanted to take an exercise class in the fall, and when I was looking around, this was the only one open. I probably will keep it...but we'll see. I'm afraid I'll be pulverized in it :)

I am also going back and forth on whether or not I want to try and take University Chorale again. Lately I have really been missing singing.

So if you're still reading this, you may be wondering...what inspired me to write about why I love BYU so much? Well, simply put, I'm sick of seeing and hearing so many people complain about how much they hate BYU and how dumb the Honor Code is and how they wish they didn't go here. I just want to slap them! That's kind of violent I suppose...Maybe I just want to reprimand them. I don't think I've gone a day without someone complaining on their facebook status about BYU or Provo.

Okay--Provo isn't the prime place for exciting things, but it's not that bad. But I can understand people not liking it. But when people complain about how they hate BYU, yet they go here, that's what gets me. I don't understand why they are going here if they don't want to be here. A lot of them will say "oh my parents will only pay for this school" or "they gave me a scholarship" or whatever...and to them, I say, no one is forcing you, despite what you may think. Every person is an agent for themselves, and they should be able to do what they want, regardless of the consequences. There are SO many people I know that would love to go to BYU but haven't been able to do for one reason or another. I'll admit, I know that at times I haven't been the most grateful for being able to go here, so don't think I think I'm perfect...but it bugs me. It also bugs me when people complain about the honor code. When you enrolled at BYU, you signed it. You knew what it entailed. Because of that, you have no reason to complain. And really...is it all that hard to follow? Maybe for some people it is, but to me, I feel like following it really is pretty much just doing the things I've been taught all of my life. Oh and religion classes...this is a private, religious university. They have every right to require religion classes. Which I think is awesome anyways--because I love them (not saying that everything I love is correct...haha).

Sorry if that last bit sounded a bit condescending or rude. It just bugs me, especially lately when I've been hearing about friends or acquaintances who want to go here so much. I've been told by someone in the past that I shouldn't be taking up the space of someone who actually wants to "make something of themselves" because one day I want to be able to stay home with my children, which I think is absolutely ridiculous since we have been counseled to get as much education as we can. However, but when someone is here and they truly don't want to be...that's what I think is unfair. But that's all. I love BYU...and I am really trying to not take my time here for Granted :)