Big University, Big City, Little Lessons, and my Little Playlist

Did you know that the University of Utah campus is 6 times bigger than the BYU campus?

I didn't.

But I learned that this week in Institute.

Institute is amazing by the way.

Just in case you were wondering.

I would recommend the Gospel and the Productive Life class.

We're only two classes in and my mind has already been blown away.

Seriously.

People on big campuses and in big cities don't say hi to people as they walk by.

And they look at you like your insane if you say hello to them.

True story.

 I not only found all of my classes, the library, and the institute building but I also found the grocery store this week, all by myself.

I was impressed.

I'm starting to recognize people from my ward, institute class, and classes.

I rode the bus to class for the first time ever in my entire life.  (OK, so it was actually a campus shuttle and I was already on campus, but I'm counting it, because I really have never rode the bus to school).

I'm going to have super strong leg muscles by the end of the year from walking to class.

I've already had more mail the past week then I had all last year.

Applying for jobs is a pain.

But a necessary pain.

On my to do/see list:

• Temple Square/Downtown Salt Lake/Church Headquarters
• Ride Trax
• London Store

My Playlist this week:
"Don't Forget To Remember Me" by Carrie Underwood (my theme song from when I moved away to SUU)

"Holding On" by Cherie Call (my theme song from when I moved to St. George)

"Movin' Out" by Billy Joel (because it's about moving, sort of, it has a good beat, and I just like it!)

"Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift (my theme song for moving this week. i'm also learning how to play this on the piano.)

"This One's For The Girls" by Martina McBride (this one came out when I was 13 and my mom related to the 42 part even though she wasn't that old then, now I relate much better to the 25 part.)

"A Place In This World" by Taylor Swift (because I still feel this way sometimes)

"Lessons Learned" by Carrie Underwood (because I have a feeling I'll be learning lessons in this chapter of my life like I have been my whole life)

"Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood (because all of us are in a "temporary home" and in a temporary stage in life and no matter how good or bad it is, it's temporary)

"Uncharted" by Sara Bareilles (because all of this change is uncharted for me).

So that's life so far this week.

Bitter Sweet

Another semester has come to an end.  This is a bitter-sweet time for me because I'm extremely excited for summer and to take on the new challenges and changes that life is going to bring my way.  At the same time I'm sad to be closing another chapter in my life.  I'm going to miss the mountains, the wind (I know it's a shocker I'm going to miss the wind), the beautiful (small) campus I'm about to leave behind, the wonderful ward with a rock star Relief Society President and an Amazing Bishop, and all of the friends I have made at this place.  It's been an amazing two years that I wouldn't trade for the world.  I have learned so much and grown up a lot.  I'm going to miss it.  But so life goes, when one door closes another one opens.  So let's see what's behind this next door!

To the great white north I go!

Tomorrow I drive by myself for the first time up to the great white north for a long weekend. I'm nervous and excited for this adventure. I hope to find a job up there, find good housing with good roommates that is also affordable, get through orientation as quickly as possible, sign up for classes, practice my city driving skills, and just become more familiar with the great white north. I also hope not to get lost. Because I get lost really easy sometimes. A GPS should help with that right?

So I'm having some thoughts... that I would like to share with you...

I want to eat these pears!  (Just kidding)

I consider myself to be a country girl.  Now I know some in my family would laugh at this statement because I didn't grow up in Small Town, USA or Smaller Town, USA :) I've lived in the "suburbs" (I guess you'd call them that?) my whole life; I'm not a huge fan of the great out doors (I can stand it in small increments); I'm kind of allergic to Small Town, USA; I don't own any animals; and I've only been to one demolition derby in my entire life.  But I love visiting Small Town, USA; I LOVE country music (it's the music that I feel closest describes my life); I'm currently living in a small town,  and my roots are very country.  So while I'm probably more of a "wannabe country girl" I am a country girl nonetheless (in my own eyes at least). 

When I transfer to the U of U I will be moving to a big city (at least it's what I consider a big city, I mean SLC is no NY or DC but it's probably the biggest city in Utah, I guess it's all realitive right?)  I don't exactly consider myself a city girl, but I've got this crazy idea in my head that maybe it would be fun to live somewhere like New York or Washington DC or London or Boston.  I realized that this is going to be my chance to see how much I like "city life."  I absolutely LOVED the week I spent in Washington DC about two years ago.  I felt so legit getting on and off the metro, surrounded by business men and women getting off places like the Pentagon or George Washington University.  I picked up on the vibe of the metro, you don't talk to anyone, you listen to your ipod and type away on your laptop or read the newspaper.  I loved walking around the city.  But actually living in a big city and visiting a big city are two entirely different things. So we'll see.  Maybe I'm more of a city girl than I think.  I'm definitely not the high fashion, high matientince city girl, but maybe I could actually live there.   Only time will tell.