One semester down- fifteen more to go

WE MADE IT!!!

This week was finals week. Otherwise known as "dead week", "hell week", "suicide week". That being said, I MADE IT! Hallelujah!

This first semester of college has been one of the most crazy time's of my life. I can't even begin to explain this crazy ride that I have been on. From the growth I experienced during soccer season to the amazing friendships that I have made- I can honestly say that this has been an AMAZING first semester of college!

I remember over a year ago when I had first heard of this place at Time Out For Girls, I had no inclination to come here. I was leaning towards Oregon State University and wasn't interested in changing my plans. Again. (Fun Fact: I met one of my very best friends Mac Cottle at a fireside in Beaverton that SVU held)

The Day I left for Christmas Break

Suddenly, it seemed like all the pieces of the puzzle seemed to fall into place. At the booth that SVU had, my mother kept asking questions (embarrassing right?), and we finally decided that we were going to attend the fireside that they were going to hold in Beaverton the following night. (Nice to meet you Mac). Again, at the fireside my mother was full of a ton of questions. (I think at this point in time my 17-year old self is thoroughly humiliated). We stayed after and had continual questions. Looking back, I am SO glad that my mom asked those questions. It was the answer to the questions that let me know that I was supposed to go to SVU. I knew it without a doubt. This was where I was supposed to be. On the flip side of that, how was I going to pay for it? How was I going to move my life that I was comfortable with 2500 miles across the United states? I didn't really have to answer those questions just then. All I knew was that I needed to find a way to get over here.

All the midst this is happening- I am trying to make it through high school. I am trying to get decent grades in my AP calculus class- trying to get recruited for soccer- trying to maintain somewhat of a social life. The idea of college was always in the back of my mind, but it didn't press itself into the forefront of mind until the spring. Spring was also crazy. I was still trying to pass my classes- still trying to get good grades so I could get scholarships. To top it off, I had gotten a job. My life was insane. Graduation, prom, school, friends, work, applications... Even after graduation it didn't calm down. In the summer I was working two different jobs. I worked 7 days a week. I was exhausted but I was determined to be able to pay for college. 

The Dynamic Four- Feat. Al-Tay-Kynna-Me

I remember one night in the middle of the summer on my way home from work (around midnight) I was having a panic attack about how I was going to be able to do it all. My typical "therapy" for my panic attacks when I am driving is to turn on really loud angry music. This time it was different. I put on my "Hilary Weeks" Pandora Radio Station. The Song "You're not alone" by Meredith Andrews came on. I'm pretty sure I was PMS'ing so I was super emotional. I had to pull over to the side of the road. I finished my panic attack- and I got the overwhelming feeling that everything was going to be okay. That this was the road that the Lord wanted me to be on, and He was going to be with me every single step of the way. From that point forward- I haven't doubted that this was where I am supposed to be. And I am SO glad that my mom decided to ask an insane amount of questions- because they got me here. 

Back Row: Zach-Ash- Austin- Mac-Jake-Nick
Front Row: Kadee- Sierra- Uri-will
(AKA SVU FAMILY)

The first months here were insane. It was hard for me to find my footing. That I indeed was living in a different state with people whom I had never met before. That I was playing collegiate soccer and making my way towards a college degree that would let me reach my dream. The first few months were hard. It seemed like I was exhausted most of the time simply because of soccer and how late study hall was. At the same time I was trying to figure out where I fit in on the team- and what purpose that I filled being there. (It's not like I was adding a bunch of skill). I felt like I was learning A TON, but I wasn't contributing in any way. At the same time as all that- I was attempting to find the friends that everyone kept talking about. The friends that will always be there for you. The friends that they say are actually going to last you a lifetime. The same friends that would be there when I got married. The same friends that would be there when I started pushing babies out of my vagina. (Gross- hopefully that is a good 7 years down the road). The friends that I would count on for anything and everything. 

It was hard for me to find them. Luckily- Every single one that I found had been there all semester. (Thank You Soccer!). Half-way through the semester we started hanging out- and now at the end you could say that we are pretty tight! A little fact about me: I suck at building relationships with people. I am loud and obnoxious- but I find it hard to put myself out their emotionally and to make connections with people. Thankfully, playing soccer with these ladies made that transition so much easier! Just another reason to be so grateful for the amazing sport! 

Little did they know- I could NOT twerk

Mac&Sierra=The Best

My Bestie

Exhibit "A"

She always has too much swag for me

So I met this awesome chick- who is way too swaggy and WAY too cool-- Like why are we even friends? Home girl (me) can't hang... (is that even a saying? I'm not "swaggy" enough to know). Despite all that- I love her to death! She is awesome! She laughs at my stupid jokes, laughs at my crappy dance moves- watches a half hour of fail videos with me, we have hours worth of piano jam sessions, have late night philosophical discussions about stupid things (some things aren't stupid...but whatevs)- we laugh until our abs (your abs, my fat) hurt! We send THE UGLIEST snap chats (exhibit "A" see above), I feel like I can talk to you about anything (even if it is how the Caf food gives me the runs), I appreciate how we can tell each other what we think (except how we both hated that stupid food show with all the cheese), and that I can scream and tell you all my crazy ideas and you don't judge me. That and 100 more things! Darling, I am so glad that we met this semester and that we are friends! Next year is going to BOMB!! (This year is too, but living together.... AH!) I hope that we are friends forever! <3

These two are seriously the best people ever! What would I do without you guys?

Mac: I love your wit, your sarcasm, your soccer skills, your farting skills (ahahahahaha)- your dancing skills, your farting skills, your nunchucks skills, your crime fighting skills (name that movie!). I would love to get into a really huge argument with you because we are both SUPER stubborn- so that could be a bloody, yet entertaining argument! I love how we both represent Oregon... and I love how you don't show emotion unless you are talking about your brothers & Jamison. Or if you are being irrational... (but we won't go there). haha. I love you girl! Living together next year is going to 

be awesome!!!! 

I have made amazing friends here! They are hilarious- considerate, and they make me want to be a better person. That is something amazing about SVU. I have never felt the camaraderie that I feel here among my friends and among the student population. It is amazing to feel that unity- each one of us with the same ideals in mind. I wonder what it would have been like if we hadn't have chosen to come out here. Where would we be, and who would my friends be? I know that this place isn't for everyone- but it most certainly is for me. The knowledge that I have gained and the life experience that is going to shape me into the person that God wants me to be is priceless. To all who have made this experience what is has been- thank you!

And now here I am- one semester under my belt- after being in Oregon all of my life. 

From our first time meeting in the training room- to all the goodbyes we had to say to go home for Christmas- you guys are wonderful! Thanks for making college everything that I wanted it to be and more! I love you guys! And boys- good luck on your missions! It's going to be weird not having you guys here next semester- But senior year is going to be awesome when you all get back! Good luck and God be With You Til' We Meet Again! 

Thanks SVU for an awesome first semester of a higher education! 

Ashley, I adore you! And you are a wonderful example to me of the type of person that I should want to be! I love your beautiful face and you are going to be an awesome missionary! I love you !!

Kadee, I mean this in the best way possible. I LOVE YOUR IRRATIONALITY! I don't feel so bad when I act like a crazy person, because sometimes you act crazy and that is OKAY! At the same time you can be crazy, but you have a way of looking at life that I have never thought of before , and it gives me a fresh perspective! And I love it!

P.S. I think our favorite memory is when we drove home from the airport belting out dramatic musical lyrics!

Happy 4 Months BV!

It's been real BV. I'll see you in a month!