BYU Grad!

April was a month full of chaos, stress, and so many family events, in particular, my graduation from Brigham Young University. But it was so great to be with family and celebrate this life milestone with them!

As for most Seniors, graduation couldn’t come soon enough! My mom flew into town a week early and we had fun going shopping, eating, and getting spoiled by her as usual! Amid all the fun I had to find the time to study and take my finals which was tough when I just wanted to play with the family. Finally, I came home from my last and toughest final, happy to have done well enough to Ace the class. To my surprise, Travis had decorated the living room with  Cougar Blue balloons, a bouquet of roses, and a graduation present! I opened it and couldn’t believe my eyes, it was an Apple Watch!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Never in my dreams did I think I’d own such a savvy piece of technology! Little did I know, Travis had opened up a secret savings account where he was staching away some extra money to buy it for me without knowing! I was shocked at how long he’d been keeping this a secret (since January!) because Trav is so horribly terrible at keeping any surprises from me, haha ;)

Finally the day came to walk at Commencement, the opening ceremony of graduation, where the BYU graduates parade from the Abraham Smooth Administration building to the Marriott Center, where the ceremonies take place. Somehow I ended up first in line leading the parade which was so fun! I remember the distinct overwhelming feeling that came over me as all the graduates walked into the building to the Pomp and Circumstance March and the entire audience stood up clapping and cheering! I nearly cried and was so incredibly full of gratitude, not only for my accomplishments and the blessing that I had to receive an education and strengthen my testimony at BYU, but also for all those who made it possible like my mom, sister, husband, professors, friends and especially my Heavenly Father.

It was a memorable ceremony with great speakers and formalities declaring all students eligible for gradation. In the end we all got to go ring the victory bell as a tribute for our graduation; A BYU tradition which has gone on for decades not only during graduation, but any other victory the university has had such as winning games and other celebrations!

Afterwards, we went to Texas Roadhouse with the family to celebrate, of course, they made me ride the saddle haha! Then it was home to rest up for Convocation the next morning.

Convocation was a much longer ordeal since BYU’s Life Science Department is the largest in the university. It felt like it’d never end, but finally the moment came, the moment where I officially walked across the stage and shook the Dean’s hand and was passed my “diploma”! (It really was the cover cause the real deal is sent to you in the mail.) 

After a photo sesh on campus, we ended the day by going out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory to celebrate! I couldn’t of asked for a better graduation day celebration surrounded by those I love.

During these past 2 days of graduation my mind was flooded with all the incredible memories and experiences I’ve had at BYU…

I remember my first time on campus for EFY and the incredible spirit and prompting I felt (after not even considering to apply to BYU) that THIS is where I needed to be and receive my education.

I remember the nerves I felt after receiving an e-mail from BYU that more applicants than ever had applied that semester and that many more than usual would be denied. That week I went to the temple and prayed about my future and whether or not I would get into BYU, the exact date was February 13, 2010. And as I sat in the lobby of the temple I received this answer in D&C 59:22-24 “22 Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets; wherefore, trouble me no more concerning this matter. 23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. 24 I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.” A great feeling of peace and assurance came over me that it would all work out, and four days later on February 17, I received my acceptance letter to BYU! 

Ever since I stepped foot on that campus for my first day of class one early summer morning, I made and was surrounded by incredible friendships and people, I was challenged by professors who were passionate and masters in their field, and my testimony was strengthened by weekly campus devotionals, religion classes, and classroom prayer. Gaining an education at BYU is a unique experience like no other, and I’d do it all over again if I could! Go Cougs!!!

(Photo cred to Passafras Photos)

Valentine in Moab

It was the weekend of love! And it came at the perfect moment because it was a 3-day weekend and I had Monday of work and school! That Saturday we decided to stay in, Travis built us a fort and we watched moved and had Chinese take out for dinner.

We also exchanged gifts, Travis got me a cooking apron I’ve been begging for since we got married cause I love to cook and bake and can make such a mess sometimes. I got Travis the 5 senses, smell was cologne he’s been wanting, taste were donuts from beyond glazed- yum!!!, sound were some Shel Silverstein poems about love that I read for him, touch was some massage oil, and sight, well let’s just say it was something for his eyes only X)

Sunday came and we were ready for our 3 hour trip to Moab! Trav drove most of the way as usual, he’s just so great like that, and after driving through beautiful canyons and valleys covered in snow we finally arrived! It was too early to check-in to the hotel, so we decided to walk down main st. after getting some lunch at subway and visited the cute little boutiques and souvenir shops. Once at the hotel we decided to spend the rest of the evening in the hot tub which was completely vacant and watching some cool shows on HBO! 

The next day the real adventure began, and after out continental breakfast we headed out bright and early to Arches National Park! It was Travis’ first time (even though he’s lived here all his life) and I was so excited to share it with him. We saw Balanced Rock, the Windows, and the infamous Delicate Arch. The weather was cool, but sunny making the hikes absolutely perfect. Getting to Delicate Arch was a little sketchy cause part of the trail was covered in ice, but we made it! We were also able to bust-out the go-pro we got for Christmas and it works awesome! Overall, it was an amazing day, and after some good Mexican food we made the drive back to the bustling town of Provo. Going on little adventures like this is what I live for, I can’t wait for the spring to come so we can experience the great outdoors again! 

The Windows

Balance Rock

Ancient Petroglyphs

The famous Delicate Arch

Birthday Bash!

Another year means another birthday, and this year I turned 24! As my first birthday married it was definitely one of the most epic! I celebrated with family, Trav’s family that is,  and we went over for Sunday dinner and cut me an ice cream cake! Ice cream cake is my absolute favorite kind of cake and I typically won’t eat any other kind. Don’t know what it is, but when I’d go to birthday parties as a kid I’d never eat the cake. It was just too sweet and artificial tasting, that is, unless it was ice cream cake.  

The actual day of my birthday we had dinner at Tucano’s, one of our favorite places to celebrate. Few things can beat all you can eat stake, roasted pineapple, and Brazilian lemonade. 

 

Friday was a layed back day to celebrate with friends. We got one of the most delicious ice cream cakes from cold stones and just caught up and talked about old times. Birthdays are about celebrating life, and there’s nothing better than to be surrounded by those you love most in life- family and friends.

A New Year’s Kiss

You see it in the movies and on the TV, one of the most romantic traditions of the New Year, kissing your loved one when the clock strikes 12. I always wanted this to happen to me, but I usually found myself single or home from college for the break. That was, until, I started dating Travis. It was actually my first Christmas break and New Years in Utah last year, There were several reasons why I decided not to go home that year, it was a bit emotional for me since I’d barely come home from my mission and only got to be home 2 weeks before leaving for school. But being with Travis definitely made up for it! And I finally got to have my New Year’s Kiss <3

Unlike last year, where we spent New Year’s Eve walking around Down Town Salt Lake and doing all sorts of fun activities, this year, we both got a cold. It was the worst week of my life! I had the worst migraine-attack, followed by congestion, vomiting, and sleepless nights. Travis, as most spouses, caught my cold, and we both found ourselves staying home on New Year’s Eve, but I was not gonna let staying in suck-up my fun! So I planned some funny, but REAL, Hispanic traditions  to do with Travis while we welcomed the new year in our apartment. We ate 12 grapes and made a wish/ goal for each one, we swept our porch for a fresh start, we walked in 12 circles pulling a suitcase to travel, and we held $1 in our hand during the count-down for a prosperous year! Travis was such a good sport about it, but he said we’re never gonna do any of these crazy traditions when we have kids! LOL 

In the end it was all good fun, we made goals to travel to Honduras, get a puppy, and of course, I got my New Year’s kiss! :-*