In January, I started the second semester of the Elementary Education program at BYU. I also celebrated my 21st birthday by going to in-n-out at midnight, breakfast in bed, and a cupcake party where we made over 320 cupcakes!
In February,my roommates Cami and Kirsten along with my brothers Matt and Jeff and I went down to Las Vegas for President's Day Weekend. We went to the Strip, shopping at the Outlets, and visited the beautiful Las Vegas Temple. It a crazy weekend, but I loved it because it was warm and I was with people that I loved.
In March, I started my first practicum for the Elementary Education program. I was in a first grade at an elementary school in American Fork, Ut. Those kids taught me so much! They taught me to love others unconditionally, to respect myself, and how to keep trying, even if something is really hard.
In April, I did not pack up and leave like most BYU students. I decided to stay for Spring Term to play, work, and take classes. It was an amazing experience because I got to meet so many people and just have fun while I was at BYU and not stress about classes 24/7.
In May, I joined my ward's kickball team and we made it to the finals! Wahoo! I also got to spend some time at my aunt and uncle's house in Gunnison, Utah going four-wheeling and helping clean out my grandparent's freezer that had stopped working a few days earlier.
In June, I moved back to Las Vegas and said good-bye to my brother Jeff because he left on a LDS mission to Scotland. I also started working for the 4th summer in a row, at Bernhard and Williams Photography.
In July, I spent most of the month with my brother Corey. When I was not working, I was spending my time with him. However, he died suddenly on July 22nd and that has forever changed me as a person. I have learned to get to know everyone around me because everyone has a story that they want to share and everyone is different and that is okay. My brother was a friend to all no matter what shape, color, or size. That is what I am trying to do and I am sorry if I have ever offended you or anybody, so I am sorry, but I am trying to be better and love everyone!
In August, I moved back to Provo for my senior year at BYU. It was about the hardest thing I ever had to do because I went from being at home where people understood or was conscious of what I was going through to barely anything at all. I also left my parents constant and they were one of the greatest strengths during this time.
In September, I went to several outdoor concerts in Provo onto of a rooftop of a parking garage. They were amazing and were something I needed to get me out of the house and meet new people.
In October, my brother Matt and I were able to go home for a weekend. It was something that we both needed. I was able to get recharged for the rest of the semester and to be at home, which is always amazing.
In November, I started my second practicum, this time in Orem, Utah in a 5th grade class. This class came from homes that were broken (single parents, poor, parents using drugs, neglecting their children). It became very evident through the month that I was there. The students were struggling and just did not show any respect to any adult. It was heart wrenching, but made me appreciative of where I grew up and the parents that I have. I also was able to go home Thanksgiving and during the break, my family was able to do the Temple work for my brother Corey. I was not able to be in the session because I am not endowed, but I was able to do baptisms for the dead and I knew Corey was there that day because I felt him all around me.
In December, I sat through my last class at BYU and took my last set of finals! It was an odd feeling to be done with those feelings because those things were a part of my life for so long. Matt and I were able to come home for Christmas and we were able to talk to my brother Jeff for 2 hours over Skype. It was so neat to see him and talk him because I miss talking to him on a daily basis. Further, my mom and several ladies in my home ward took my brothers' shirts and made them into quilts for myself, Matt, Jeff, and my parents. Those quilts will always be precious to me because I have part of Corey with me.
2010 was a great year and I learned and experienced a lot. Those experiences have made me a better person and I hope I can always remember the lessons that I have learned.
