Words of Wisdom.

This semester I was blessed to take all my classes from two of my favorite professors. Prof. Matt Barton & Prof. Ellen Treanor. They are incredible people and have heavily influenced my educational experience while in college. I don't think I will ever have enough words to thank them for all they have taught me. So instead, let me share with you their words of wisdom for a college grad.


Matt:
"Whatever you decide to do in life, do your best at it. Throw yourself into it. Be willing to commit to your work or whatever you are doing. Do it like you are the only one who can accomplish it. And remember, be persistent, not discouraged." 
He also shared a line from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Be not dumb driven cattle. Be a hero in the strife." Which I love.


Ellen:
"How did you feel about it? What works? What didn't? And what would you change if you had the opportunity to do it again?" She is always pushing her students to be better, to always improve. But when I asked her what her advice would be, she simply said, "Never give up." She is a woman who has never given up, and quite frankly, never will. She can accomplish more in one day than I could in an entire week. And if she won't give up with all that is on her plate, I can definitely keep pushing through.


And something they both taught me, from Honest Abe, "Whatever you are, be a good one."

P&B

did i ever imagine this moment? when i actually say goodbye? no.... just let me have this one sentence.
I just need to say that I am having a really really hard time saying goodbye to this part of my life and I am going to miss college, my friends, professors, this campus, the tiki shack, homework assignments, late nights in the ELC, SUUSA, SUU Athletics, my apartment, Gregory, Bailey, Whitney, my nomad groups of people, running up 'Le Hill,' bonfires, summer nights, hiking, the wind, the Bell Tower, the scheduling office, my coworkers, intramural sports, my coordinators and associate directors, my advisors, mentors, homecoming week, entertainers, the Living Room and Dining Hall, seeing Sharwan everyday, pick up soccer games, eating cereal and string cheese and granola bars, fruit dip, waking Whitto up every morning, being a college kid, living from pay check to pay check, picking up Bai from the school every night, watching White Collar all night every night in the summer, playing games till 2 AM, Thor the Thunderbird, FHE, doing the thunder train, getting a bread loaf from Chartwells, scheduling 20 hours a week, walking past President Benson, Provost Cook, or VP Donna Eddleman and having them say 'Hi Jenna,' watching a play every month, the Shakespeare Festival, hitting golf balls off of the C, midnight hikes, getting hugs from my favorite people all the time, SUU's Dancing with the Stars, ODK, the sassy attitude from Matt Barton, the COMM department, Krave, The Pastry Pub, the amazing Cedar City Community, parking in any parking lot that I want because of my TBird license plate, #ellentreanorquotes, the 'Lake' on the Hill, Discovery Park, late night drives to look at those houses, city league softball, True TBird Night, mud football, the dolphins by the library, our collection of movies that we've watched 2000 times, finals, the bowling alley, walking from the Hunter Conference Center to the Centrum back to the Hunter Conference Center every day, learning about Apologia, visits home because I was at school, visits from home, Spring Break, Christmas Break, the 500 Mexican restaurants, my Cedar City dentist, being a senior, the couch in my room, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Kanarraville, Red Cliffs, camping, skinny dipping, temporary tattoos from Hermies, Cherrie Fresh Limes from Brad's, listening to my talented friends play the piano, guitar, uke, and sing, late nights, all nighters, study groups, retreats, being the girl at school who loved everything about SUU.

college has been really really kind to me. i'll miss all of this so much. thanks for the best times of my life. p&b. 
(peace & blessings)

I shred coupons for a good time.

I was sitting on the couch. Just minding my own business. And then I hear (insert paper ripping sound). My roommate had just ripped the Arctic Circle coupon in half!

Excuse me!?



To say the least, it turned into a coupon-shredding-dancing-yelling-stress-relieving-PARTY.

That's what normal people do, right? Shred coupons to relieve stress?

Here's to finals. And us losing our minds.

Finals Week. Feat. Court & Bai

This will be my last time listening to this song as a student. We've got this guys. Finals week is almost over. 

p.s. I've never slapped Sharwan's hand for luck before a test. Today, I will give Sharwan a little love. 

Thoughts at 3 AM.

How come you never seem to know you have cuts on your hands until after you put the hand sanitizer on?

I should never ever end a sentence with a preposition. And how many times can I say "you" in a sentence?

Tomorrow's to-do list keeps getting bigger and bigger while I lay in bed. There are 27 hours in a day on the 30th, right?

I miss my little brother like crazy. He's been the only one missing lately at family functions. Including graduation this weekend. Man he's the best. And I miss him.

My sunburn is starting to peel. Shoot. I'm going to look like a lizard with dandruff on graduation.

If I win money playing Bingo, do I need to pay tithing on it? Awkward.

Why is it 3 AM, and I am still awake?

I have major hiccups right now. Like the shake-your-whole-body-hiccups. So excuse me while I hold my breath, upside down, and swallow a glass of water.

For the first time in two years....

I am not going into work at 8 AM on a Monday morning.



Hallelujah.

What do you think of Thailand?

Tell me people, what do you think of Thailand?

Thailand is a serious consideration for Fall 2013. You all know I still have absolutely no plans, and graduation is in 6 days. So I'm thinking. Work summer job. Work another summer job. Maybe work a third summer job. And then travel, travel, travel come September. I think I would like to start in Thailand. And teach English. And get paid to teach English. cause ya know, it's a 'big deal' when you have a degree. Then go to the next country of choice. And repeat. 

Just until I know what I'm doing with my life. Ya know? 

Anyway, what do you think? Also, do you know of any good programs that would pay to teach? Because I really am serious about this one.

Binge Blogging.

To all of my loyal followers, all 20 of you,

I will be binge blogging for the next few days. I'm sorry. I know you wait diligently for my next blog post, but this might be too excessive. Please let me explain. I'm taking a class. A social media class. I need to have posted on this blog a certain number of times. 30 times.

I have 16 posts.

If you went to any kind of school in your lifetime, you know that I have 14 more posts to go. Within like...the next couple days. cue the music. dun.dun.dun.

Please find it in your heart to forgive my binge. And I mean...if you still have it in you to look at every post, it will help my grade. (insert puppy dog eyes, followed by a kissy face). I think you are all wonderful human beings. 

I'll make them good. Promise. Quality posts. 

And maybe I'll make every one cookies. Cause I make some dang good cookies. Loooots of butter in those bad boys. 

Anyway, love you all. 

Let the binging commence.


<3 Jayduh.  

Bryce. Arches. Cedar Breaks. Zion. FREE!!

Listen up people. This is important.


Starting today...it is FREE National Park Week. And in honor of free National Park Week, I am going to bombard you with a gazillion pictures in efforts to convince you to go. I don't bombard with picture often. So you know it's important. 

I live a pretty rad life. Now go get your free on at a National Park. Serious. Parking is free too. I'm even giving you permission to blow off that study session. Cause I can do that. Take your friends that you aren't going to see all summer, and take a break from studying.
Just go. Really.
Why are you still here?

Saturday. I love a Saturday.

I love me some weekend time.

• I'm playing soccer in 15 minutes
• My parents are coming in 4 hours
• Old roomie is here
• I get to try on pretty dresses
• My room will finally get cleaned
• Packing up all my crap...moving.
• TBird Awards!!!!!!
• The Thunderbird Ball (masquerade style!)

Yay.

Also...I slept until 9:00 AM! The best.

The to-do list of a graduate.

TO DO:

• Spend as much possible time with my people. 
• Make the snow melt. 
• Fly kites. And sidewalk chalk.
• Eat at all my favs in Cedar. 
• Make one more fort in my living room. 
• Tag the sheep tunnels.
• Make two batches of cookies and deliver happiness. 
• Stay up late every night.
• Get a killer dress for graduation.
• Finish 20 million homework assignments. 
• Passport. Passport. Passport! 
• Grad announcements & thanks yous. 
• Maybe like..get a job.  
• Eat Lunch.
• Walk under the Bell Tower.

And.........

• Graduate. 

14 days. 22 hours. 40 minutes people. 

The Proposal.

I was just sitting in the Rotunda today, like any other Thursday, chatting with a friend.

And then I heard the music. I instantly looked toward the west and saw him coming up the stairs. All black suite. Handsome as ever. Rose in hand. My heart stopped. Was this really the moment?

Then I was lifted up, in my chair! And taken to the center of the Rotunda. Seconds seemed like forever as he grabbed 10 single roses, making his way toward me. He got down on one knee, handed me the elegant roses, and with the sweetest words recited, "Oh darling, I love you so much. Will you  marry me?"

Time froze....

What are you lines Jenna. What are your lines?! Oh yeah..."YES!" 

Of course I was supposed to say yes. What was a mock proposal PR stunt without the yes? 

The rest of the stunt went off quite well. We talked about how I don't have time to plan a wedding. He said there was a bridal showcase. We rode off into our decorated car with hearts all over it. Blah. Blah. Blah.  And the whole school thought for about 10 seconds that I was getting engaged.  

I would just like everyone to know that I am NOT engaged. Although we planned a stellar proposal (future Mr. take notes) and Ryan is a hunk, we're not getting married. But I am here to tell you that there is a 

Brides Unlimited Showcase from 2-6 PM in the Hunter Conference Center tomorrow 

sponsored by Power 91 and Wedding Decor & More.

And if you are in Cedar, you should definitely come. Because this was my first PR stunt for my first real PR campaign. I know you are going to say, "But Jenna, I'm not getting married." Or, "But Jenna, I've already been married." I don't care. I just got engaged. Fake engaged. So you can come and win some cool prizes. Married. Not married. Gonna get married. Brides Unlimited is the place to be. 

And I know you are all dying to see my proposal. So I will post a video shortly.

And remember. Jenna is still single.  

My People.

Remember that pity post yesterday? And I asked to bring on the love. Well I'm definitely feeling loved. This is why.

my people. 

The kin. Let me tell you, I have the best family ever. FaceTime, texts, surprise visits, bribes to get me to live next to them. They are constantly telling me they love me. And I'm not just talking about the sibs. I have pretty rad parents. I told my mom I wanted to backpack Europe for a month, and she was way excited for me! My dad will just randomly put money in my account when he has no idea I'm on my last $10 for the month. They have this amazing ability to support me in any capacity. So my family is like aca-awesome. And don't even get me started about how adorable my nieces and nephews are. I could go on for pages.

The besties. Marci and Sara have been my best friends since I was two. 2 That's a long time. They know me better than anyone, I dare say. The great thing about them, they aren't going away. Even if they wanted to. They're like oxygen to my flame. hahahahaha CHEESY! And they WILL be wearing those embarrassing bridesmaid dresses on my special day. Muah!


The teamies. aka Roomies. Don't judge us because we have a cool handshake, talk about how much we love SUU every day, and practice saying all of the US Presidents in order. I also only send the ugliest of snapchats to them. That's true friendship. Annnnd....we all have nicknames. Multiple. I've also been through 75% of my college career with Whitto and Bai. Solid. Right?


The games crew. I play games with these fools...like every night. Till 2 am. I wasn't really a 2 am kinda gal until they introduced me to kemps. And not only do I play games every night with them, but they've adopted me into their little family. Like they came and watched me play intramural soccer in negative one billion degree weather. Intramural. They're the bees knees. Oh. And I've only really known them for about two weeks. Can you ask for cooler people? No. No you can't.

The peers champions. Peers sounds so...academic. And yes, I met them all while I was at school, but they're not just my peers. They are champions. Champions of being awesome people in my life. Some of them are graduated, graduating with me, and others are gonna be at SUU for some time. But it's everything they have said to me the last four years that have really kept me going while I've been at SUU. They remind me to make lemons when life hands me lemonade. i love modern family.

The professors. My professors are the bomb dot com. Specifically Ellen and Matt. sorry not sorry about the first name basis. They have made my academic college experience outstanding! Hats off to their incredible ability and efforts. They are remarkable human beings.


So pretty much the basis of this post?

I am surrounded by so many people who are cheering for me to succeed. And that is more than I could have ever asked for.

I'm going to say that you do as well. There are so many people who love you and want the best for you. One of my friends said this yesterday after I posted about joining the circus:

"Life if forcing itself at us, and we have nothing else to hold on to other than each other. And we will hold strong."

Yeah. Hold strong people. Take a moment to see how many individuals are actually cheering you on. It's overwhelmingly powerful. And it truly helped me today. So thanks to

my people.

p.s. it's hump day! half way to the weekend.

Maybe I'll Join the Circus.

23 days. 12 hours. 50 minutes.
I am a college graduate in 23 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes.
COLLEGE freaking GRAD! Awesome right? Yeah, way awesome.

Except for the fact that I have 1,000,000 zero plans come 23 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes. If you ask anyone I've talked to in the past week, they will tell you that I am freaking out. I mean, I've always been the girl with a plan. And a stellar plan, if I might add.

And now nothing. Nada. Zipadeedooda zilch. Panic mode. Can you tell? But...this blog post isn't just about me freaking out. It's about a break through.

Let me rewind a little bit. I've always known that I'm going to be okay. I know that I'm not going to whither or instantaneously combust because I don't have a plan right now. There are worse things that I could be dealing with, and I am grateful to live such a wonderful life. I'm okay. I do know that.

I think the reason I'm in this baby ridiculous panic mode is because it feels like everyone else and their pet hedgehog, Dexter, has a plan.

I have the same conversation every day.
Insanely nice person, "Oh, Jenna! You're graduating! That's exciting. What are you going to do next?"
Me (wearing my sassy pants), "I DON'T KNOW!!!!!! Join a convent, or the circus. Travel to Antarctica."

Okay, maybe I don't entirely yell at them in caps lock. And I'm never serious about any of those options. But it seriously is the same everyday. I. Do. Not. Know. efff. 

Here is the breakthrough portion. Today I stumbled upon a blog called The Unlost, and I found a post entitled, "Why It's OK to be Lost and Confused." Man did it come at the right time! This girl, Therese is brilliant. She wrote about how it's okay to not have it all figured out. In fact, more than okay. Which I think I know, but coming from a complete stranger, who doesn't know me, was real.

And when I say real, I mean like John Mayer talent real. Not like Taylor Swift..."real."

The jist of her story: 1. same sitch   2. realized it was OK   3. went and did remarkable things anyways.
So...breakthrough. Ask me what I'm doing after graduation. Really ask me. I still don't know.

But my reply this time (without the sassy pants), "I have no idea. But whatever it is, it's going to be remarkable!"


And if you have any suggestions on what remarkable might be for me, I am taking them openly. Bring on the love.

SKULLLZ

i'm super hard core now. i own a skull scarf. and there ain't nothin you fools can do about it.


but seriously. i really can't do anything about it. i accidentally bought a leopard print (which is unusually anyways) scarf with day of the dead skullz on it.

i know you are asking, "how do you 'accidentally' purchase a skull scarf you crazy white girl?" it's super simple. and if you're dying [punny!] to know, anyone can do it.

1. i bought it. 
2. i unwrapped it.
3. i realized i was SKULLLLLZ woman.
4. they don't have a return policy for scarves-or any other accessories.
5. aaannd...i bought it in california. 7 hours away from where i currently reside.

so now this white girl from utah is going to be rockin' a leopard print, skull scarf. back off bro!

i just can't wait till nov. 1st & 2nd to wear it again. you know i'll be rockin my day of the dead skullz scarf.

death by snowshoes.

fresh white powder. moonlit sky. good company. what isn't to love?

don't let the picture deceive you. i died that night. it was death by snowshoes. 

have you ever been snowshoeing?
did you know that it's the equivalent of having your legs filled with concrete and dragging them through wet sand while your sweat is instantly freezing on your forehead .

okay. so it wasn't that bad. i'm really glad that we snowshoed eight miles in the middle of the night during the dead of winter through fresh powder. 

but. i crossed it off my bucket list. and now my thighs and calves are buff.  

in all seriousness, i took a moment to catch my breath that night and experience the beauty and majesty of God's creations. i love nature. i love my friends. i don't love the cold. and i love that i can say i snowshoed eight miles. uphill. both ways. it was so worth it.

what's your hardest work out experience? have you had a better snowshoeing experience? what should my next outdoor adventure be?