25 things I learned as an undergrad

College is fun.
College is hard.
College is tiring.
But mostly, college is fun
I have compiled a list of things I have learned as college student to celebrate my final semester. 

enjoy

1. I learned how to think critically
2. I learned how to ask questions, important ones
3. I learned how to accept it when my beliefs are being challenged
4. I learned how to get fired up in a passionately polite way
5. I learned to chase my dreams, the time is going to pass no matter what. Go for what makes you great.
6. I learned that not all my questions have answers and that's okay
7. I learned to have an open mind
8. I learned how to balance everything
9. I learned how to be myself. And that doesn't mean always knowing which way to go, but knowing that the paths in front of you can lead you to anyone you want to be.
10. I learned to be on the hunt. I have a thirst for knowledge I never thought I could have. I want to read everything. I want to know why I do what I do. which leads me to my next thought...
11. I learned that faith doesn't mean blind obedience
12. I learned that there is a certain percentage of people who are never going to like you, and I got over it (not completely, still working on it. JUST LIKE ME! OKAY? I'M COOL, I PROMISE)
13. I learned that the friends you have now are probably the most true friends you will ever have. Anyone who can put up with my neurotic personality and busy school schedule is a true friend of mine.
14. I learned that relationships are EVERYTHING. If you don't build good relationships with people you might as well be non-existent. (Even Liz Lemon, a real loner, had Jack Donaghy)
15. I learned that the application process for FAFSA makes me cry... every year. 
16. I learned to be okay with the fact that I am probably going to be poor because I didn't choose a money-making major. At least, I can love what I do.
17. I learned how to have and be a support system. 
18. I learned that college life is a constant battle of what should I eat and when should I shower?
19. I learned that  if I can sign up for classes every semester with UVU's unorganized and frustrating registration software without killing anyone, then I can do anything.
20. I learned that I never want to to do math again
21. I learned how to be a professional procrastinator
22. I learned how to stretch my dollar (however, I may have already known that because my mother was an excellent teacher and example)
23. I learned that planning a wedding during midterms is not a good idea. ever.
24. I learned that Disney is sketchy
25. I learned that life happens and its so much happier if you just roll with it. 

I have loved my college experience, especially at UVU. 

I loved my professors and adviser. I will truly miss it.

Soon I will be applying to Grad school, if anyone has any advice for me I would LOVE to hear it. Thanks for stopping by my super exciting blog about my awesomely adventurous life. 

p.s. I think this is really cute and if you wanted to get it for me as a graduation present... I wouldn't be mad. not. one. bit.

Summer Reading

I finished my last final for my last summer class today!! hoorrraayyy!!

Now I can continue my summer reading list..

I just finished a super good book that I want to share with the world, it is called The Anatomy of Peace Resolving the Heart of Conflict

This book is probably my favorite read of the summer thus far. It was very educational but it didn't feel like I was reading a text book. This book was so relevant to my life right now and I honestly think it was divine intervention that lead it into my hands.

"when you begin to see others as people, issues related to race, ethnicity, religion and so on begin to look and feel different. You end up seeing people who have hopes, dreams, fears, and even justifications that resemble your own."

Because of this book, my heart that was at war is now at peace. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book. I now own it so if you want to borrow it, give me a call.

August 3rd, GET HERE!

Dallin got me tix to see Sara for my birthday and I can not wait, especially after listening to this. My love for her is beyond creepy. 

enjoy.

Summer Lovin'

I love Summer. I love sunshine, and swimming and I LOVE when my freckles come out. Dallin and I have been doing some fun things I thought I'd share...

 Dallin and I had a random day off so we took off and headed up for a day playing at the lake. Scout had a blast and Dallin looks like a lobster. so, so red!

One of my sweet primary kids dropped this off to me on Sunday. Yummy

The Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday. We had an awesome day. I ran the Murray 5k and then we watched the parade with our families, then we went to breakfast! After breakfast Dallin and I went home and took a nap, watched some soccer, went shopping and ate dinner. We watched fireworks at Murray park with friends and family and then ended the night with some board games. It was a wonderful day!

I got to go to the zoo with my favorite little ones, Cooper and Dez! The seals were my favorite. 

Dallin and I waiting for the drive in movie to start :)

Dallin and I made plans with friends to go up to the mountains and have a fire, we drove up Cottonwood Canyon only to be told all the camp stations were going to close in an hour. So I called up my parents and they let us come over and have a fire in their backyard. It all worked out perfectly. 

Siri is so mature.

In May Dallins sister's family took us with them to Las Vegas. 

She's my friend

Celebrated my birthday at the Lake with Mel and Sar. 

Little Scout is a cutie

Enjoyed some cake and ice cream with my best friends

They love me.

Went to an RSL game with the fam and Melanies team from Iowa. GO RSL!!! 

Played some tennis with melzers

Longboarding all night long

Dallins soccer team won a championship! so proud

Finally painted my coffee table (6 months later haha)

GO USA!!!!! I have had a blast watching this World Cup

Hiking with Mel and the puppy

SHES SO CUTE!!!!!!

Headed to the Energy Solutions Arena to watch the USA vs. Belgium game

TIM HOWARD IS THE MAN!

Really, she's the cutest

I love summer!!!

xoxo

meg

Fathers

Being a dad would be hard, especially if you had a psycho like me for a daughter! I am so so blessed to have some pretty awesome guys in my life that show me what it means to be a "father."

Daddy Dean

My favorite memory with my dad was on a cool Sunday in the fall. After church we, as a family, decided to go for a walk along the Jordan River. My dad is a man of adventure and walking along the paved path didn't suit his liking so he lead the way into the overgrown wilderness ahead. We walked far away from the path and could no longer see any signs of human life, my dad quickly stopped and turned to us and said "Did you hear that?" He said it in his best Australian accent which lead me to believe he didn't actually hear anything out of the ordinary but I played along, like good older sisters do. For hours we walked around the marshy surroundings while my dad pretended to be Steve Irwin (RIP) I was approaching an age where make believe wasn't cool anymore but on this Sunday I forgot all about that and dove into "The Outback." 

Thanks Dad for all you do, thanks for allowing me to be weird and grow to have my own opinions. Thanks for being my first love. Love you forever, like you for always 

Grandpa B

I have so many great memories I want to share about this guy, but they are so special to me I will continue to be selfish and keep them to myself! However, one of my top ten favorite memories with him was a time we were driving in the car together and he was listening to some oldies love songs. I was giggling at his choice in music and he said not to laugh because these songs explained exactly the way he felt about Grandma.  (awww) We pulled into a gas station across from Kingman High School where he and my Grandma once attended many ages ago. We got out of the car and he put his arm around me and pointed across the street to a field and said "right there is where I first saw your Grandma, and I liked her, I didn't know why I liked her because I like my girls HOT and she was not HOT." They had their first date on Valentines Day that same year. 

Thank you Grandpa for teaching me the way a girl is supposed to be treated, thank you for teaching me to stand up for myself, and most of all thank you for accepting me for all of my flaws. You are the closest to Christ I will ever get to experience while here on this Earth. I love you!!! 

Mr. Verl Greenhalgh

My favorite memory with Verl is actually semi-embarrassing, but I will share it anyways because it explains him so perfectly. Dallin, Melanie and I traveled all the way out to the Great Salt Lake one day so I could work on an assignment for my photography class. After finishing taking all of the pictures we started to walk back to the car when I realized I had locked my keys in my car... whoops!! I tried calling my parents and no one was answering so I hesitantly allowed Dallin to call Verl. Verl hardly knew me, Dallin and I hadn't been dating very long and I was also very shy around Dallin's parents so I was really reluctant to call Verl because he didn't know how adorably forgetful I am. He was going to think I was a silly, young, irresponsible girl.  Verl was there in fifteen minutes trying to break into my car while being attacked by tiny, annoying, biting bugs. After several failed attempts he decided to call a locksmith. Verl felt so uncomfortable that we were all there waiting with him while being eaten alive by bugs that he practically forced us to head back home while he waited for the locksmith. When Verl arrived back home with my car he looked like he had contracted chicken pox. He was covered from head to toe in bug bites!! I felt so terrible. After he handed me over the keys he said two things 1) I think you should invest in some spare keys and 2) you really need new tires, I could lend you some money just let me know how much and you can pay me back anytime. 

Not only did Verl not make me feel like a silly, irresponsible girl  he made me feel comfortable. I feel so much joy in knowing that I have Verl as my ally! Thank you for all you do Verl, and most of all thank you for your hugs that make me feel like I am your real daughter, I am incredibly blessed to know you. Thank you for raising Dallin into the smart and righteous man that he is today. Love you lots. 

Dallin 

I know Dallin is not a father yet but I know he will make a great one. He has been surrounded by so many great fathers for years that I have no doubt he will make an amazing dad. Dallin, I love you so much and I can't wait to live in our big house with our 76 children that will all be named after us. You are who I want standing next to me when all my dreams come true. Love you to the moon and back. 

(sorry this post got real mooshy, real fast)

xoxo 

It's Okay

Presenting a new segment called, It's Okay

It's okay that you haven't washed your hair in four days, really it's okay.
It's okay that the milk in your fridge is 4 days past due.
It's okay that you refuse to turn on the air conditioning because you are so broke (some people don't even have the luxury)
It's okay that you ignore all texts and phone calls from friends and family because you are buried alive in a pile of text books.
It's okay that you wear tennis shoes with jeans... just kidding  THAT'S NEVER OKAY!
It's okay to wear the same outfit you wore Monday, I mean, it was sort of cute.
It's okay to write six papers the night they are due.
Finally, It's okay to make macaroni and cheese for dinner four nights in a row.

It is all okay because VEGAS!

2 more days and Dallin and I will be taking a break in sunny Las Vegas. You probably won't be able to reach me.

Sorry, not sorry! (was I supposed to use a hashtag there?) "in my day that was a pound sign"- Grandma B. just kidding she never said that.

P.S. It's okay that I am delirious

xoxo

please, anything but another textbook

School is out and I am devouring any books I can that aren't text books until I start summer school next week.

 Book #1- Bossypants- Tina Fey

Tina Fey has always been one of my heroes! I have been dying to read her book (school really screws up my leisurely reading) anyways I wanted to share a little excerpt from the book that really made me smile for some reason.

"Amy Poehler was new to SNL and we were all crowded into the seventeenth-floor writers' room, waiting for the Wednesday read-through to start. There were always a lot of noisy "comedy bits" going on in that room. Amy was in the middle of some such nonsense with Seth Meyers across the table, and she did something vulgar as a joke. I can't remember what it was exactly, except it was dirty and loud and "unladylike."

Jimmy Fallon, who was arguably the star of the show at the time, turned to her and in a faux-squeamish voice said, "Stop that! It's not cute! I don't like it."

Amy dropped what she was doing, went black in the eyes for a second, and wheeled around on him. "I don't f***ing care if you like it."

After reading this I decided Amy's words are my new motto (sorry for the language, but as I have learned from my wonderful mother sometimes that swear is certainly warranted)

Do you.