Graduation

Johnny and I graduated. We are packing away our things and can hardly wait to start our adventure in DC. 

I often joke that school is not my thing, or that I've set records for most days missed, or least effort put in. But that isn't the truth. Ever since changing my major to Human Development I have found my schooling to be invaluable. I have participated in some of the most stimulating discussions, interacted with some of the most brilliant minds, and stretched my thinking in ways I couldn't have imagined upon entering BYU almost 5 years ago. 

I have not only learned an incredible amount of information that will serve me in my daily life, but I have learned how to be a scholar. I can still remember my first class that addressed critical thinking. I sat there, thinking confidently that I was a critical thinker, unaware of my complete inadequacy in this area. I was so used to reading statistics, and ingesting them as facts, no matter the source, biases, and confounding variables. I paid little attention to validity and reliability, and gave no thought to generalizablity. 

Now, as a college graduate, I can confidently say that I am on my way to becoming a critical thinker, I am leaving BYU with all of the tools in hand that I will need to assess information as it comes to me, and then develop opinions regarding it.

BYU has been a safe haven. It was the place the I discovered myself, found my husband, and the place where we, had our first child. It has served as a home, a place to hold many memories, and an opportunity to expand my mind. 

As we embark on our DC adventure I will hold close to me the memories Johnny and I have shared here:

Our bike rides all over campus

The arguments we had that were cut short due to impending classes

 The panicky moments prior to turning in final assignments

 The impromptu picnics outside our work

 Our duo-troubleshooting in the Mckay tech lab

 Holding hands tightly as we walked the treacherous icy winter roads

 Hunger pangs after late night swims

Laughing at my inflexibility and oddly johnny's flexibility in yoga class

The tears shed (mine) on the way home from 12 hour days at 8 months pregnant

Skipping summer classes to bike the canyon or head to the rope swing

Passionate discussions after a day full of classes and new ideas