Re-introducing: Awkward and Awesome

It may be because of the obscene amount of cover letters I've been writing lately, but I'm feeling my writing juices coming back.  Who knew cover letters could do that for a person?  Not me.  

I also think that a new Sister Hyde and the continued tradition of Awkward and Awesomes got me itching to blog.  So whether cover letters are to blame or the fact that another missionary A&A is fast approaching, that old Ann Marie is resurfacing.  You know, the one who chooses to blog over sleep.  And she is excited to revisit her A&A days.

And thus we commence this week's events:

Awkward:

• Shooting up in the middle of the night to a tapping on the window.  I woke up Husband because I was sure someone was breaking in.  He asked me if I wanted him to get his gun.  I said no, but made him do the checking.  My heart was pounding when he opened the blinds.  Turns out it was just a poor little kitten who had fallen in the window well and couldn't get out.  Little kitty and I both had a scary night.
• My husband lost his wedding ring.  In the bottom of a pond.  While kayaking.  He says it just slipped off his finger.  I think there's more to the story.  Anyway, back off ladies.  Thanks to Amazon he will be remarried in approximately two business days.
• I started refinishing a table and some chairs.  But I ran out of primer.  Twice.  After going back to the store, buying more and running out again, I gave up.  A battle for another day.

Awesome:

• I have officially claimed favorite aunt status.  Baby Broadbent really likes me, guys.  Really.
• I have a job interview!  Stay tuned folks...
• I found a new favorite blog.  It's a commentary of each week's episode of The Bachelorette.  The author nails it.  Every.  Time.  I was literally cracking up.
• Spent today relaxing, kayaking, and eating delicious food with Justin and Kylee.  There were some crazies biking off a jump into the pond, so Justin decided to show them how it's done.  The crazies asked Justin if he was "skilled enough," so Justin borrowed their bike and did a backflip off the ramp.  How's that for skilled enough?  Put their flailing to shame.

It's been a pretty good week I'd say.  And we still have one more day of weekend :)

My Top 5 College Takeaways

It is sad for me to admit that I haven't written in over a year.  Not here nor anywhere else.  At least not for me.  I've written for school and work.  But not for me.  So tonight, on the eve of my last day of college, I thought it appropriate that I write for me.  And maybe a little bit for you too.  We'll see...

I actually spent the evening writing.  My last college paper.  As an English major, I've written my fair share of papers, but none as emotional as this one.  It was a pretty simple one actually - just a reflection on what I learned in the class.  But somewhere in the last page, it turned into a reflection on the last six years of my life.  A year and a half of which I spent as a missionary for my church.  My time in Cache Valley as well as my time in California has taught me more than just what was taught in classrooms or in books.  And I wouldn't trade it for anything.  

Benjamin Franklin said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

I have invested more than I ever thought I would while attending college, and I'm not just talking monetarily.  (Although that was quite an investment!)  And you know what?  That Ben Franklin was right! So far the interest has been tenfold, and I expect it will keep coming.  So, in my meager attempt at coping with change and entering the real world, I thought I'd share some my nuggets of wisdom gained as a college student.

1.  Its okay to fail.  It turns out, I'm human.  As we all are.  And the fact of the matter is we are going to fail.  Sometimes it’s Math 1050 and sometimes it's more than that, but in those failures we can learn some of life's greatest lessons.  And I learned that no matter how many times I take that class, I'm never going to be good at math :)  (I do hope you realize I'm talking about more than just math here.)

2.  Everyone is just as worried about what you think about them as you are of what they think about you.  I'm still not perfect at not caring what others think, but I'm a lot better.  As I've learned to do what I want to do without worrying what others are thinking, I've found that I'm a lot happier and more confident, which is how I wanted others to see me anyway.  So relax, be you, and you'll realize there was nothing to worry about in the first place.

3.  Don't be a snob.  In my religion we have the opportunity to receive a special blessing, called a Patriarchal Blessing, which serves as a guide or road map for life.  It promises blessings as you live faithfully, and sometimes it gives warnings.  In mine it warns me not be a snobby kind of person, but to seek friends from all walks of life.  I never thought I was snobby or judgmental, but I made a decision my freshmen year of college that I would be friendly and kind to everyone.  I probably wasn't perfect in that resolve, but as I made an effort to be a friend to everyone and not just people whom I thought would make me look cool or would benefit me in some way, I've developed some of the most meaningful relationships with some of the most unlikely people.  And for that I am grateful.

4.  Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.  Margaret Shepard said that.  I wish it was me, but I only became so wise in college.  Really though, taking a leap of faith can be the hardest thing to do, but rarely, if ever, does it leave you flat on your face.  Sometimes you know where you want to be, but you don't know how to get there.  And when that happens you usually need to trust and step into the dark.  I truly believe in the living reality of God.  I know He has a plan for us, and that plan is not for us to fail.  He just asks us to have faith in Him. Faith, people.  Faith brings answers.  Faith brings blessings!

5.  Education doesn't stop when school does.  This one may be premature seeing as I am still in school.  For one more day at least.  However, I am a firm believer that life is an education if only we will allow ourselves to be taught.  I've learned so much in college, and all my years of schooling prior to it, but more than anything I've learned how to learn.  And I think that is the most important thing a person can do.  If you are humble, teachable, and willing to work, you really can do anything you want.

So there you have it.  Growing up is hard, and graduating college is scary, but I've done what I came to do, and I got more than I thought I would.  I've truly loved my time at USU and I'll always be an Aggie, but now it's time to move on.  So, ready or not, here it goes!