when one door closes, another door opens.

Cliche of all cliches. But this one actually makes me feel better. A big part of my life (and especially my heart) is missing right now. There is definitely a lot of emptiness in my soul, and a lack of understanding as to why these things have to happen. But at the same time, I have the faith that they are happening for a reason, even if the reason is unclear to me. And I know that although this chapter of my life is ending, the story isn't over. One thing that I have noticed over the last few years is the way life turns out is NEVER what I expect. The things that I do and the people that I interact with are not things that I imagined when I was younger. But in a lot of ways, this is a good thing. So although I know the road to the unimagined, wonderful things that are awaiting me will be paved with a lot of unimagined, sad things, this isn't the end of the world.

hope.

It has been a bad day. :( But one thing that I have been reminded of today is that I need to hope for the best no matter what is happening. Because sometimes (often) (maybe always) life will surprise us, and things will be ok.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience, and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5

finals = done

I took my final for Microbiology 221 today, and I got an A. It's so good to have a nice taste in your mouth at the end of the semester, instead of wishing that you'd put in a little more time or worked a little harder (or cursing your schedule because more time just wasn't physically possible). Too bad I have approximately zero easy classes left in my undergrad career.

I have to say though, the Testing Center is a total zoo. The thing that bugs me the most is when I am sitting at the desk and someone is standing right next to me, so close I constantly bump them as I am trying to write, because there are no seats. I think the TC should not let additional people in when all the seats are full. Better to wait outside in a nice, open area than to be penned up with hundreds of stressed out people, some of whose futures are riding on the line (whoever said "it's only a test" has never been to college).

But that's ok... it is all over now. Until Tuesday, when summer starts. :) Now I can just relax, do cleaning checks, and not think about microorganisms or conservation of energy.

jumping on the bandwagon

I've experimented with blogs for a long time, either with private online journals that no one had access to, or travel logs like when I went to France, and even a couple of sites where I would publish poetry and other weird stuff from those angsty high school days, haha. But I have decided I am going to be just like everyone else and try this out! We'll see how it goes.

And with that little introduction I just have to say that life is so good right now! (A huge statement coming from me during finals week!) Here are just a few of the amazing things about life right now:
*My schedule was pretty easy for spring term, and I have had my first chance to really relax in about a year.
*I have great roommates and a great ward, and I have had the chance to reconnect with a lot of friends this spring (amazing what not having a packed schedule will do for your social life).
*I have a challenging but interesting job.
*I'm dating an amazing guy.
*I have a lot of exciting opportunities this summer (starting research and taking a guitar class, yay!).
*The church is true!
*The mountains in Utah are amazing in the summer! (And I have time to hike in them!)
*I'm going home in two days for the weekend
*I'm going to California in a week
*I'm going to Oregon in two weeks
So basically... life is great. :)

And now... I have to go back to studying for that Microbiology final.