The Realm of the Pachyderm

Crazy, right?

That said, I figured a recap of the semester/my college education would be much better written not as a haiku. Let's admit it, I'm not a crazy good poet by any means. Once I make it to one hundred poems, I think I'm going to try my hand at something a la Suzan Lori-Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays by writing an incredibly short play a day for one hundred days.

We'll see if that pans out. We all know that my resolve is...well, a touch irresolute at times.

On to the recap!

There is absolutely no question in my mind. My last semester of college trumped every other semester COMBINED. There were some notable drawbacks--Rock n' Chop's absence, being freshly dumped, and Dragon Lady's class--but for the most part, I can't think of any other semester that has been so flawlessly excellent. Let's enumerate a list of some of those high points in no particular order, shall we?

1. Frisbee and Foursquare
+Neon/blacklight foursquare/dance party
+Writing ridiculous emails and making ludicrous announcements at ward prayer
+"Eyyyyy, Foursquare!"

Two. Auto/biography Unchained with Dr. Phil Snyder
+A perfect score on my capstone autobiography
+The desire to continue writing while seeking publication

iii. Hamlet!
+Balloonshop videos
+"Who the FREAK ate my lambas bread!?"
+"The best part of lasagna is you two bein' DEAD!"

D. Brawgs and Chrrrls
+Chrrrl = Chick + Girl
+"CHRRRRRRRRRRRL SQUAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!"
+The sheer lunacy of the competing factions

Cinco. Bananagrams/Scrabble
+Becoming the 2011 Speed Scrabble Champion for the English Department!
+Hours upon HOURS spent playing word games rather than toiling over homework

1 + 5. My Spelling Bee Birthday Party!
+Coming in third in my very first spelling bee
+Training for the larger BYU-wide spelling bee in which I placed fifth
-"Odontalgia"--curse you!

Se7en. 2011 English Symposium
+Presenting my Brit Lit to 1500 term paper
+Putting together a rockin' Powerpoint
+Actually getting some laughs while reading a relatively dry paper

Ate. Relief Society!
+Being a part of the best Relief Society in all of BYU
+Hangin' and looking up to all the members of the presidency
+MAKING PANTS AT THE FERRINS'
+TEMPLE AND CREPE NIGHT!

Zehn. The Leavitts!
+Spending time with a real family in an actual gorgeous house
+Costco. Seriously, Costco.
+Being integrated into one of the most bomb families EVER
+Planning my life as the wife of a man with a sailboat and a wine collection

Rhymes with "Heaven". Skiing!
+Two awesome ward trips to Sundance
+One amazing birthday trip to Wolf Creek with Snootch
+Actually feeling like I can ski

Deacons and Beehives. Sadie Hawkin's Dance
+Matching tie-dye skirt and blazer with Alex!
+Dancing like a maaaaaaniac
+A shout-out to the 177th ward over the mic that resulted in a room EXPLOSION
+Late night foursquare after

I know I'm forgetting about a million great things that happened this semester, but you get the idea. I had a great four months.

Looking back on my college education as a whole, I can't honestly say that the whole thing was fun or that I enjoyed every semester equally. This semester hit the right balance of studies and sociality that I'd been struggling to find every semester previously. However, all told, I'm so astoundingly grateful for the opportunity I had to attend BYU. I wouldn't have traded the last four years for ANYTHING. I'm so much closer to being the person I want to be in every aspect. I've felt myself grow intellectually, emotionally, and, most importantly, spiritually. I know now, more than ever, how much Heavenly Father looks out for His children. It is by His grace and love alone that I had such a tremendously beneficial experience. I am a better daughter, sister, friend, Latter-day Saint, and human being because of the ways my Heavenly Father has nurtured me during my college experience. I am forever indebted to Him for his kindness.

On that note, it's three in the morning and I need to hit the hay. My real life in Maryland begins today and I'm thrilled!

Wish me luck, kiddos. When you check back here, expect a haiku detailing the search for a car :]