Good Decision

Yep, last week proved it. I made the right choice when I decided to major in physiology and developmental biology (I still hate how long the major is though...it sounds so nerdy). I picked it kind of on a whim before I even started college so I have always been worried about whether or not it was the right thing to do but I totally think it's right.

I thought this semester would be way overwhelming because I have all science and math classes, but it really isn't. Last week I had three tests (physiology, genetics, and biochemistry) and a pretty major quiz (organic chemistry lab) so I had to study more in one week than I think I have all semester...but I didn't even mind. I LIKED studying for these classes because I think they are super interesting. Weird. And...after studying quite a bit...I understand the concepts and the material...and I was able to do well on the tests.

That's how I know I've found it, I like learning the material, I like studying it and practicing it, and I understand it. I hope this doesn't sound like bragging because I don't understand a lot of things (just ask Sarah or my mom about my lack of understanding in English or ask me a question about physics because I probably can't answer it) but I know I am doing the right thing because I get physiology type stuff and I LOVE it.

Now...if I could just find a job I might have a shot at getting into PA school :)

True Blue

Every year BYU floods Helaman fields with gallons of blue foam. They have slip-n-slides, foam football, music and people everywhere! It is so much fun...especially with this group of people.

Ryan, Jess, Andrew, Blake and me, before the attack of the foam.

Jess, Ryan, Meegan, Andrew, me, and Blake...a little blue. We had all just finished having a massive foam fight after sliding down the slip-n-slide. Meegan and the boys' shirts used to be white...I wonder if they will ever be the same...

All clean...well...as good as it's gonna get.

There really is nothing like a field full of blue foam...or going home and dying the shower blue...or scrubbing blue off of our skin for weeks...haha but it was all totally worth it.

Good Advice

Friday in class my biochemistry teacher said something that really got me thinking this weekend...so I decided to share it. Maybe if I talk/write/type enough about it I will never forget it.

He was telling us how to prepare for the test we have next week (1 of 3 for me)...saying all of the normal stuff - study the slides, do practice problems, get a good night sleep before, eat a good breakfast - but then he said something I have never heard before - get dressed up. Now, I don't know about you but if I'm preparing to spend a good two or three hours in the testing center, the last thing I want to do is put on a skirt and some heels. But, then he explained...do whatever you have to do to make yourself feel good, successful, and cool. He said the concept is simple, you can't be cool and stressed at the same time. If you walk into the testing center feeling like a rock star, you can't be worried about your test.

It was all really funny when he was talking about it, but the more I think about it the more it comes down to self confidence. BYU has a tendency to do funny things to people self confidences...or at least mine. Its something my dad warned me about before my freshman year and I still struggle with it now.

I got back from London this summer feeling like a whole new me. I felt like I had conquered a foreign city by myself and I was ready for anything. I could feel something different in me - I was confident, sure of myself, and stood tall. Then I came back to school where everyone is amazing. There is always someone smarter than you, prettier than you, funnier than you, happier than you, more talented than you, so its really hard to find your niche...where you fit in. This can take a toll on one's self confidence and, without even noticing it, it has taken its toll on mine. I can feel myself smaller than I was this summer (if that makes any sense at all to anyone but me) and I don't like it.

So I guess the point of all this is that I plan on taking Dr. Herron's advice (probably the only thing I've learned in that class that I will ever use again) and applying it to my life. Everywhere I go I want to feel like my best self...because then I will be my best self. I can't feel good about myself and be nervous about what the guy next to me thinks about me, or be intimidated to talk to new people...they just can't happen at the same time. This doesn't mean I am going to be self absorbed, just confident in me and who I am.

After discussing this with a friend, he mentioned that there may be a lot of people with more talents, or greater abilities, but no one exactly like me. No one can do what I am supposed to do, in the way that I can do it...and the job I am supposed to do can't get done if I am hiding who I am or pretending to be someone I am not. So...here is to feeling like my best self, standing tall and being me - and hopefully doing well on my biochemistry test this week ;)