Andrew Michael Conley.

The chemistry majors?… I feel like it's a tradition of sorts, but the boys wanted to put me on the outside of this picture, so it'd be easier to crop me out of the photo in case I changed my major… Needless to say I snuck myself in right where I belonged. :)

Andrew Michael Conley. BYU graduate. Chemistry major. Business minor. 2011.

After finals I rushed to the commencement exercises in the Marriott Center to support Andrew in his graduation, the beginning of a two day event. Leslie talked on the phone with Andrew while he was walking in to the Marriott Center, so we could visually follow him to his seat from across the way. They recognized all the graduates, giving the master's and doctoral graduates special recognition, which weirdly embedded a strong(er) desire to get my masters/PhD. Besides the "hooding" ceremony slash the "hood" itself, they seemed to enjoy a substantial amount of perks (best seats/receiving more flower leis etc). Elder Scott spoke (how cool is that), and I oddly got emotional (this is very odd for anyone that knows me), but I just felt so blessed to be at BYU, and I was overcome by Andrew's accomplishment. He is the first child in our family to graduate from BYU, and Elder Scott's words spoke directly to me as a student attending this beautiful university. Andrew was one of 15 chemistry graduates this April.

In a brief "interview" with Andrew via facetime I learned a little bit about his experience at BYU. Andrew suggested that I look up some quotes by Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill-"someone who people wouldn't know who said it, but they'd know it wasn't me," in the words of Andrew. (He learned how to utilize his resources/the internet in college). Both Honest Abe and Prime-minister Churchill had worthwhile quotes for the occasion. The first from Churchill, "Difficulties mastered are opportunities won," and the second from Mr. President, " All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother".

Was it worth it Andrew? …silence… "On a scale of one to seven, with one being worth it, it was a negative one." This gave me hope, only being a sophomore in the same major. Andrew said that he "loves BYU," and his only advice for me was to, "change [my] major," with a slight laugh… His favorite class was physics 123, which I will have the privilege/torture to take next year. Andrew became very familiar with the Benson building throughout his stay at Brigham Young University, and we even spent time together studying in the fishbowl (although my favorite place to study is the fourth floor conference room). I look up to Andrew as an example and mentor. Whatever he decides to do I know he'll do it well and be of great service! :)

Spring Skiing?

Today is April 30th, and today I went skiing in 17 inches of fresh powder at Alta. I could hardly call it "spring skiing," but it was fantastic.

27 Palace Court.

MY LIVING QUARTERS IN THE FALL

I have learned a lot about London through my "London Prep" class this past winter block. We met for two hours a week where we read about the history of England, presented our findings, discussed collaboration of all kinds, welcomed guest speakers, and most importantly… got excited for London. (As if I need any help with that). Kelsie and I already speak in our best British accents, nightly/daily…. always?…

I have also learned a lot about the culture of London and my about-to-be experience. First rule: Never say fanny. Fanny pack, my fanny, Fannie May, fanny fanny fanny… Just don't do it. Second rule of thumb: Clubbing is condoned (by my professor). I didn't know if he was referring to the same clubbing as I was?… He encouraged us to go clubbing for the experience, but to be careful because some clubs could be bad like, "Hippodrome-- if you want to get groped, that's where you go…. So if that's your deal?…" That is never my/anyone else's deal. Rule three: The human body isn't private. But apparently nudity can be enhancing to the play? (I'll do my research before purchasing my tickets). Rule four: British boys are forward. I was a little excited to hear this, because I have a London Bucket List, and of course one of my desires is to go on a date with a British boy. Rule Five: No dating. :) Rule six: It is a pleasurable thing to write on good paper. Rule seven: Weekly markets will be frequented by me, as will Primark (the store that is so cheap I should probably be concerned for little children in China?)

My London class has been such a fun experience, and has prepped me for many more to come. I never thought I'd be old enough for this. And somehow still don't think that I am. In my mind I will forever be sitting on my porch overlooking my playground with squinty eyes and a popsicle. An event that marks my childhood, but not for too long, because that playground was always calling my name. I think there's a new kind of playground calling my name these days, and it will be an adventure.

Immediacy

Today Derek Marquis spoke at the weekly BYU forum/devotional. Derek Marquis is the managing director of BYU Broadcasting and shared some insight regarding our responsibility as a Latter-day Saint living in this connected world. Everything is just a few clicks away on the internet, whether it's looking up your "blind date" (thanks to facebook there is no such thing), sharing pictures, checking your grades, shopping, blogging, or listening to music, the internet can perform it. You name it, the internet does it. This idea of immediacy makes it so easy for Latter-day Saints to share the gospel, and so we should. Today, I read this from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He relates the difficulties a missionary might face to the Savior's Atonement. I would always like to remember Christ's Atonement throughout any difficulty with I am faced.

“Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

“You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? . . .

“. . . When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions” ( “Missionary Work and the Atonement,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 14–15 ).

Semester in Pictures…

My favorite family visited this winter… THE DALUGAS

We made a stellar igloo that we could all fit and stand up inside.

Rock climbing has become one of my favorite activities!

And obviously skiing is always my favorite winter activity.

Skiing at Park City with the Dalugas and J Long and Zane

Nighttime hike up Rock Canyon. classic.

Race up the Y… it's tradition and Clayton will always win.

Representing our schools. I will forever be a cougar.

Once again… Jimmer Jersey. I do most things in this attire.

The cougars had a good season.

"Krishna Krishna Krishna" They almost had me converted….

Festival of Colors!!! My first time ever. :) The sky was black and

breathing didn't come very easily, but it was a riot. Afterwards we

obviously went and fed the llamas.

Nissin's Goodness in a Cup.

I have been horribly sick this past week (horribly, because who likes being sick?). As instructions go for sickies I tried to get "proper rest" (what even is proper these days?…), drink lots of fluids, eat lots of soup, and indulge in comfort foods... Oh, and according to my roommate, "take lots of NyQuil to knock you out". Anyways, my friend, Riley, gave me Cup Noodles: much more than a soup! to help with my recovery. This concept of noodles in a Styrofoam cup was all new to me. I think I've had Ramen once maybe, and I don't even think that I made it for myself, because following instructions are always hard for me. Tonight I braved that fear of sorts?… I read the instructions probably five times, used my dorm-mate's microwave to boil the water, closed the lid and let it stand for 3 minutes. (It may have been 7 or 10? Time doesn't really matter).

It was actually pretty good! I now just need to master the art of eating these kinds of foods… A spoon is a no go, so I moved on to a fork… and I'm thinking I might invest in a few knifes if I'm going to keep eating like this. But truly the best part is that it's "ready in 3 minutes" or 7 or 10….

Motto for Life

Each year I adopt a motto to pattern my life after?… It's been the same motto since 2008, so I'll keep the tradition of sorts.

"2011: I do what I want." :)

(It's worked so well)