the logic model....

Today in my program evaluation class we did a logic model of the Law of Consecration.  Pretty much one of the coolest learning experiences you can only get at BYU!

Yes we took pictures of the whiteboard.  #1 because we had a hard time drawing that model on our computers fast enough and #2 because it was just that cool.

Shoe break

I am in the middle of studying, writing ethics papers, researching nonprofits in Mexico, preparing law exams on affirmative action, job searching, evaluating reading programs for the United Way...and just before my brain explodes, i'm all of a sudden looking at shoes.

  Beautiful boots, preppy pumps, flirty flats.  And the world is good again.  

It's like I subconsciously knew that if I didn't take a break, I would turn into a homework zombie. No worries though - the imagined smell of leather cured my stress headache, and now i'm ready to go back to the real world. 

With vissions of Madden girl preppie boots in mind, I can once again handle my homework. 

Thank you DSW for the much needed homework break...

Public Service Announcement

These are now available in a grocery store near you. 

Buy them. Eat them. Be HaPpY!

Just checking in

to say that life is great!

Living with my brother has to be one of the biggest blessings in my life right now.  Second would be how much I am LOVING school and I guess third would be that crazy football game last weekend. Lets just say that life is going my way and I'm quite enjoying it. Bring on the late nights and early mornings and fun times in between.

Here's to the 18th grade! Better make the most of it! 

The MPA program

One year ago, this was me: 

I was nervous, a little overwhelmed and had no idea what was ahead of me. I didn't know these gentlemen sitting around me, but it turns out they came to be my Provo family!

Look at these people - I had no idea who they were and I was forced to play all sorts of strange games with them.   What an amazing bonding experience for my team.  I went to the ropes course last week with all the cute new first years and they felt so uncomfortable, but by the end they were having so much fun. May I just say that my program is the coolest ever - what other masters program takes their students to a ropes course for bonding? 

I LOVE my program! 

revisiting the bucket list

This morning when I woke up for my morning run it was SO dark outside. By the time I was dressed and outside, it felt like the middle of the night. Running by moonlight is such a winter thing to do, and it is STILL summer ... at least for a couple more days.

It got me thinking about that good ol' summertime bucket list I made. So now, please indulge me a bit while I return to see if I got it all in.

*Movies Under the Stars at the Capitol - check. Despicable Me gets funnier every time I see it and I like that I can now quote it with my brothers. (Sky, this one is for you: "Why are you sooo OLD?")

*Get a few good sunburns next to the pool - check (sort of). My really great sunburns came from a week at Lake Powell which is about 100 times better than an afternoon at the pool!

*Farmers Market (Saturdays at Pioneer park) - shoot, I have one chance left, but it doesn't look too likely i'll make it. I think there is something sort of like this in P-town though... i'll look into it.

*Read lots of books that have nothing to do with school - check. And now all my school books are on their way to my home. I even have my first reading assignment, lucky me.

*Scrapbook - CHECK. In fact, I have a confession to make. I am a complete addict to scrapbooking online. I really may need an intervention...but let me finish the 2 projects i'm working on first. ;)

*Find housing for fall - check, Check. CHECK! And I'm as happy as a Ute in P-town can be! I found a little house close to campus and the very best part is that i'm living with my brother. Oh my heck, dreams coming true all over the place!

*Rodeo - check. Thanks to the wonderful Kristalee. It was so fun to go to the Days of 47 rodeo with one of my days of 47 sisters! It was wonderful to see her family, get caught up on her fun life and oh ya, see some amazing cowboys ride the bull! :)

*Days of '47 Parade - check. This one is all thanks to Jessica and her devoted (slightly crazy) family and the wonderful tradition to sleep on the route so that my family could have wonderful front row seats.

*Clean my closet - um... I think i'll do this in conjunction with the packing/moving process.

*Camp out at the cabin - sadly there was no camping...just work trips this summer. But i'm getting so excited for when it is all done. We may still be able to squeeze in a couple fall time trips before it's snowed in. And I guess we could always hike in this winter.

*Go star gazing - check. Though the stars at the cabin are great, I had forgotten how awe-inspiring the stars in Lake Powell are. It is impossible to fall asleep on a clear night because of how absolutely beautiful the stars are.

*Drive-In Movies - Still haven't been in years. Too Bad!

*SUGARLAND CONCERT - This Saturday!

*Go dancing - very little. I got a few ballet classes in this summer but I didn't go country dancing once! There is something very wrong with this picture!

*Catch up with friends that I miss like crazy - CHECK! I had such a wonderful time catching up with collage, pageant and Lambda Delt/ SGC friends this summer. We need more reunions!

*Have an EPIC Chuck party - check...a few of them. ;)

*Spend every minute I can with my Bestest Friend Sky - Check. You better believe it!

Overall I would say summer has been a success, and I still have a little more to go.

And as a consolation prize for it all being over, these are always nice for fall:

10 hour days are killer!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my 3-day weekends. And come Thursday night at 6 o'clock when I tell everyone to have a great weekend, I adore working 10 hour days.

But around 4:30 on a Monday, I can barely imagine how i'll make it through...