Cry baby

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Well folks, i've been reading a lot lately, and it's been simply delightful. 

I finally read The Hunger Games, and by read I mean devoured. 

It took me a little while to get into the first one because I had to try to recreate characters in my head after already seeing the movie, but once I got the characters just perfect I couldn't be stopped. I read the second and third book in the space of 5 days. 

But on to the real point of this post... I cry over books. 

I'm actually really embarrassed by this because I kind of hate to cry. Mostly I hate to cry in public, which means that I cry more when I read a book than when I go to a movie.

{I'm not going to sit there and cry in front of all those strangers.}

I tend to get really attached to my characters. I feel like I know everything about them because I've put so much of me into them!

I thought this was normal, but after being caught crying over a few different books (Harry Potter, Hunger Games, The Help...) and having those individuals think i'm totally crazy ~ I'm starting to wonder.

Regardless of how normal / crazy this is, I think i'll continue to put my heart and soul into my characters so that I can feel what they feel... and read in private where I can cry freely. ;)

Right now i'm reading an old favorite, Pride and Prejudice, while I decide what new adventure to go on next. Any suggestions?   

A quick update on life

Lets be honest - being out of school has been simply delightful, but i'm ready for a little structure! I have loved having time to spend with Sky before he takes off to Cali and working on projects around the house with my mom is one of my very favorite things ever, but it is now time to start a new chapter of life. A big- girl stage. Also know as full-time employment. oh boy!

Before that little adventure I thought I would catch you up on all the things that have kept me busy while waiting for my background check to clear. {I know - you were all a little worried I wouldn't pass. ;)} And even further back when I was just too swamped to do things like blog about the highlights of my life. 

First a shout-out way back to the end of March at the Administrator of the Year Dinner.  To be totally honest I don't remember much about any of the speakers - just a lovely evening with some of my dearest Provo friends. 

Ben, Dianne, Morgan, Me, Patty, Laura, Matthias

I already miss so many of them, but it's fun to hear all the cool things they are accomplishing and the adventures life is taking us on!

Also end of March - I had the lovely opportunity to go visit the cutest Aggie I know! Thanks Girls for letting me crash your party.

Me & Marry

Jess even let me do homework in the car so that I could fit it all in - I'm not that fun of a road-trip buddy, but Jess is a great friend to let me come anyway. 

little blurry - the security guard is not a photographer in his spare time ;) 

Mary took me to the place my school adventures really began - 24 years ago I was an Aggie! I accompanied my dear daddy to all of his classes his senior year.  Don't worry, he graduated in spite of all of my help.  It was fun to return to a place that I know I spent a lot of time...even if I don't remember it. ;) 

Moving right along... here is a pic from the MPA closing social.  These are my carpool girls, and I was really missing them the other day when I was driving to Provo all on my own.  I wouldn't have made it without them!

Karla, (cute Ruby - honorary member of the carpool), Me, Marianne & Erin 

 Let's see, what else have I been up to in my little break...

We've celebrated birthdays

Gigi is 47...again :)

William is 9... and Jaden couldn't stop from helping blow out the candles 

Had some fun at the park

My favorite is the swing

The little boys actually made themselves sick by spending a little too much time on this

Even Brock had fun

A quick cabin trip

Bowling at the U - turns out my boyfriend is a professional bowler.  He says I bowl like a pageant girl...I don't think that's a compliment.

Me and Chance

Aug and Sky - serious bowlers 

 A fun IC reunion

Me & Rachel aka: TWIN

Sweet Jessi and her adorable son. 

Lots of fun cleaning / organizing projects (cleaning the pond is epic enough that it was documented with pictures - I guess the others weren't).

The pump exploded a couple of times and poor Sky was in the way every time. 

And of course celebrating Mothers Day with a call home from sweet Elder Landy-pants. My dad wasn't there so we had him on one phone and Landen on the other.

So there you go - the grand update on life after graduation. 

Grad school - CHECK

Ladies and Gentleman,

I am now a Master! This means I now have time to clean out my email, do laundry, take my car to the mechanic, go running, read for fun AND update my blog! {ah, the little things in life}

So, as you may remember, going to BYU was kind of a big deal for me. {See here if you don't remember}  But I am here to say that I LOVED my time down in good old p-town. Don't worry- there is still a place in my heart for the U but I am not a cougar hater any more.  In fact, I am proud to say that I Starlee Holman am a BYU alum!

Just a few things that won me over: praying in class, being surrounded by some of the most service centered individuals i've ever met, a beautiful campus (walking to school every day with Sky was my favorite), going to parties and knowing that these people are just that crazy - no drug or drink needed, having a phenomenal network (we call it the LDS church),  having gospel applications in every subject I study, professors that are nationally recognized and yet they are humble and concerned with each individual, outstanding extra curricular groups to get involved with, great religion courses, an inspirational message every Tuesday (or sometimes a much needed study break that people feel guilty scheduling anything in) and the most beautiful mountains in Utah, just to name a few.

I learned so much durring my time in P-town... some lessons I wanted and some I didn't.  However, all of these experiences have shaped who I am today and i'm grateful for the opportunity I had to grow.

Mostly I am grateful for the wonderful people I have met over the past two years. Here are a few of them:

Me, Kristin, Erin & Marianne
My lovely Salt Lake crew - who knew carpooling could be so much fun?! 

Me & Patty
I have been so blessed to have this AMAZING woman in my life. Sometimes I wonder if I was supposed to go to BYU just to meet her.  She has been my best friend, study buddy, tutor, Spanish teacher, comic relief, guardian angel, stand-in roommate, boy advisor, double date partner, and all around support system.  I am so blessed to have found this kindred spirit!   

Beautiful Laura - This gal is going places! She is so smart, kind and one of the most genuine people i've ever met! 

THE GINGERS - need I say more? 

Tommy, Dominique, Me & Hugh AKA The Mighty Maki's
This is my first semester team.  We knew how to work hard and play hard - they were my Provo family! 

When everything is accounted for, this redhead just may bleed a little blue after all.

 {Except when my cougars play my utes... some things never change}

THE 'to do' list

I'm DONE!!!!!!

This was my very last 'To Do' list in Grad School and I just crossed the last thing off!

Well, except for picking up my cap and gown (which I will do in about 4 hours) and GRADUATE!

I am a very happy girl right now!  

And here is a random photo of some of the people i've spent the last 2 years of my life with. What a wonderful group! :)

Inspirational homework break

This is often what my homework breaks consist of. This one was too amazing not to share. I've watched it 6 or 7 times, and i'll probably watch it a couple more times after I post this.  THEN i'll go back to my grantwell report...

It's complicated

* Dressing up fancy is a must, but I get excited to go home and change into big cozy pajamas

* Long walks on the beach at sunset are nice, but I love standing on the top of a mountain looking down on the city at sunrise

* I adore my high heel shoes, but every now and then I enjoy some sassy red flats with my skinny jeans

* School days are a delight, but i'm excited to be so close to graduating 

* Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite, but going weeks without sugar is so very rewarding

* Lady-like manners are extremely important to me, but now and then I get excited to throw a few punches

* I love a night out-on-the-town with my friends, but spending a night in with my family is priceless

* I'm so very excited to be living in SLC, but my time in Provo is also very dear to me

* I love action movies, but Anne of Green Gables will always be my first choice

* Eating out is fun, but nothing beats my moms home cooked meals

* I crave exciting adventures, but i'm usually too cautious to break out of my comfort zone

What oxymorons frame your life? 

Nerd Alert

Sometimes the Tanner building reminds me of Hogwarts.  

{Crazy, I know - but just go with me on this one...}

I've been reading Harry Potter with William as of late, and it is solidifying my many random Hogwarts experiences.  

Here are just a few:

• There are staircases (and elevators for that matter) that randomly end before you get where you needed to go.
• We have houses - the MPA's are Gryffindors, MBA's would be the Slytherins (don't worry - they know it) and as for the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws - that would be the MACC's and MISM's, oh and the RMYL's are in there somewhere too. ;) 
• We have common rooms where we all congregate, do homework and sometimes sleep.  There is no 'fat-lady picture', but there is a password.
• We have a mail room - there is a lack of owls, but it still works.
• We learn magical things like dancing line graphs and PPT skills that would leave you speechless.  
• Our ceiling reflects the weather outside at all times.

Who knew grad school could be so magical?! 

{especially in such an non-magical looking building}