Reasons to love BYU

I was BYU-bred, born and raised to go there. I'll have to get a picture from my mom of little Jarelle in BYU gear...I was cute!

But, I never have to go back to campus and I'm missing it. So here are ten reasons why I love BYU: (not in any order)

1. The religion - you get accustomed to it, but it is so nice to be surrounded by good people who do good things, to have prayer and testimony as a common occurrence in class, and to study the gospel regularly in a class. It is a beautiful thing that happens in few other places like it does at BYU

2011 - I was in the 16th row!

2. The campus - I love the campus, it is beautiful. The grounds crew does such a good job in every season - having hundreds of trees and raking leaves in fall, putting up Christmas lights in winter, planting thousands of flowers in spring, and having wonderful plush lawns in summer. BYU has a beautiful campus

3. The professors - they aren't there for the money, they are there for the students and that is obvious in their work. These are my favorites: my two supervisors, and Larry (Stephen says his class is very husband's nightmare;)

4. My dance team - I feel so lucky that I kept dancing after high school, and that it led to a huge awesome 4 years that made my college experience. I don't know how many shows I did or places I went, it's all blurred together, but I made wonderful friendships and experienced people from other countries in a way that is only possible through the International Folk Dance Ensemble. It was incredible!

Nauvoo, my first year - these people were (still are) my role models

a lot of theaters - what happens back stage is magical, I love it back there

the sweetest little girl, in Hungary

Luba, from Ukraine, we were friends - blonde, center

5. My roommates (my other sisters) - one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love my roommates. From the first day of freshman year, we have been together. These girls helped me become a woman as I was growing up, fresh from home. I love them dearly and dread the day we will all be separated...

probably the last time we would all live in the same place - Summer '12

6. Mating grounds - I love that BYU is where people meet their eternal companion. I found mine before, but I had a lot of fun while he was gone;) Love is always in the air at BYU

back when I was single...

7. The wards - BYU wards are their own entity, their own beast, and way of life. But there is such spiritual power among the people in Provo. The wards are filled with spiritual giants. I love hearing their testimonies and comments, it strengthens me

8. Provo - I LOVE Provo. Even with bad drivers and snow and construction, I love it. The "little" town, the 2! temples, only one of some stores, the mass population of 20yr olds, "The Strip" with bowling fast food and BYU, 4th of July, beautiful seasons, the families that actually live here, the cleanliness (in most parts), the MTC, etc. I'm going to miss it

I love 4th of July in Provo

9. The tradition - BYU is a name. I only applied to BYU. Not because I was sure I would get in, but because I didn't want to go anywhere else. I still remember finding out I got in (I was with Stephen:) and of course our children have to go to BYU, and their children, and their children's children...

10. Who I became - one of my favorite things about BYU is who I am now.  I came in as a little girl, knowing nothing of real life and I'm leaving as a woman who is trying to do small things to change the world (at least my small part of it) Reasons #1-9 changed me, in good ways, and that's why I love BYU

Done!

Yesterday (and it spilled over to today) I finished at BYU... completely!

Even though I have been teaching the whole year and doing everything "teacher" and not "student" I was still under BYU supervision. It's like they didn't trust me to educate teenagers without ANY experience or supervision...weird!

But yesterday I went to campus and turned in all the needed assignments and my supervisor said "that's all, good job, good luck" and I walked away. I feel such freedom now, but also very alone. My supervisors would check on me so often, I felt so loved. Now it's me and the teenagers...

But, today as I finished submitting stuff I felt so relieved - I'm graduating!! It was hard work that is for sure!

Yesterday I was with all the other interns and student teachers, about 25 girls. I was one of the very few that has a job for next year - I felt bad as my friends raised their hands saying they were looking for work. I only have a job next year because I got an internship at the right school this year who keeps interns. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father made me scared last year interviewing three times before getting an offer, which put me at the right school long before I thought I would work next year. Certainly, Heavenly Father can make more of our lives than we can imagine!

the past two months of my life...

Any suggestions of what I do now, I really don't know what to do with my time...blog:)

I also stopped by my dance team practice for a few minutes at BYU. It was so good to see old friends and my director. It's hard to not miss that old life, it seems so easy now - dance all day, travel, perform with a little bit of cooking and sewing classes thrown in there! Needless to say, I loved my time at BYU and I do miss it. But it's pretty cool to see how I've changed and grown up in the past year. Here's to being a grown up...

I used to frolic around in red boots, a skirt, and flower headbands... (and I used to be tan!)

moving into my classroom, I had no idea what was ahead of me

We're Back

I'm not sure why the blog has been neglected. School got easier, but then I was introduced to the TWS (Teacher Work Sample) thesis for teachers - so all my time has been spent on that.

But, now we're back...here's our last two months in review in pictures

Threw a bridal shower for Caitlin - oh showers, they are funny and weird...

School (teaching) is going well. The following pictures happened over a three month span, not every day do I get such treasures. If only I could capture the rotten moments on camera...

Really yummy cookies, only one made it home to Stephen :)

yes, this paper made me cry. I am so impressed by these young people, they have strong testimonies and deep faith - they are the future of the church

Mini apple pies made in class, I thought they did a great job

Another preschool, one class had 21 kids come!

Valentine's Lab - 6 different recipes

made a temple dress for Caitlin - it came together surprisingly easy, which I think was just heavenly help to get this done in time for her wedding

Three married women - we're so grown up

A family funeral - I am so thankful for eternal families

My principals know I'm a princess and that my dreams come true!

Birthday dinner at La Jolla Groves

Birthday party

it was almost  warm this day, so we went running...and tanning

Stephen's birthday present to me - Dallyn Bales concert

1 Year Anniversary Trip to Zermatt Resort in Midway, UT

Midway is beautiful this time of year. I have such a romantic husband who planned a wonderful weekend for us, I love you baby!

Married 1 year, we've got this whole eternity thing down!

I signed my contract for next year... days with teenagers for another year:)

I am thankful that getting my job back wasn't too difficult

These cute people got married on March 30. I love having Maggie in our family, she is such a good person and look at the smile on Carlen's face...enough said:)

3 Fuller weddings in 1 year - something in the water I guess...

Right after the wedding we drove to San Diego to be part of these babes' blessing. We had a wonderful 12 hours with family, it was such a fun trip within a trip - thanks Romney's

Fishing gummy bears out of ice cream and wouldn't wear dress because it "was dirty"

She loves to hold and wear "lips" (chap stick/lip gloss)

Stephen went back to school in Provo, then I stayed in Arizona for a few days during my Spring Break (love public school!) I spent a lot of time with this cute girl, boy does she have a personality, she is a crack up - good luck Aleasha when she's a teenager

I watched a t-ball practice in Arizona

Carlen, Jason (bros), and David (bro-in-law) coach the team for Caleb & Cohen (nephews)

My dad was helping this day

I loved being a part of my family's activities that I usually miss out on

that's us for now, on to April now...