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}

Snow run

Ok, another running post.  I couldn't resist - look how deep the snow was on top of Mary's mountain this weekend. There were a few times when the snow was so deep that it made me fall right on my face!  

Knee deep for daddy-o.

Mid-thigh snow - at some points I felt like I was swimming more than running. 

Flash Back:

Here are a few pics from Landens last run for 2 years.

Take a look at that view - that's the reward for all the hard work!

Love this kid!

Landen loves being the 'wise man' at the top of the mountain.

Spring Break Epiphany

I haven't been to school all week.  My own personal spring break I guess, since BYU dosen't think I need one.  Having this lovely week off has made me realize something:

I think I'm suffering from a combination of ADHD {Attention Deficit at HOME Disorder} 

and Senioritis.  And it's getting worse!

  

I have no desire to do my homework anymore - this started when I was in Provo, but now that i'm home there are so very many distractions!

there is cleaning to be done

movies to be watched

friends to hang out with

brothers to distract me, and distract me they do!

nails to be painted

stories to be told with my mom

errands to be taken care of

running buddies to work out with

 I should be reading but i'm blogging. When I should be doing homework I am playing.

Looks like i'm finally ready to leave my school days behind.  I'm ready for a new adventure... perhaps one with less homework....

Now I know why BYU doesn't give us a spring break.