what makes you itch? how would you really enjoy spending your life?

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I felt strangely inspired by this video when i saw it. Marcus and I have been discussing this matter, of what we really want, for sometime.  We both went to school and got our degrees--one of us enjoyed that schooling more than the other, but we both came out of it not feeling really passionate about our career options.
We did what we were supposed to do, which was pick a major and graduate within the allotted time, but we're not sure we want to commit the rest of our lives to those paths we decided upon in our teen years.
I think it's rather amazing that some people can make that choice so early and feel satisfied in their decision. 
I envy them. 

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I wish there weren't so many things I feel like I could love doing.  I wish people around me wouldn't have told me those things weren't practical when I was younger. And even more, I wish I weren't too scared to try any of them--for fear of getting into something--investing that time, that money, and then either not being successful at it or not loving it like i thought i would.

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So, instead, I find myself doing something I sort of enjoy for very little money and taking a few classes at a community college, exploring some topics of interest, in hopes of finding that thing i can be truly passionate about.
Marcus is lucky, he at least knows what that thing is, he just doesn't know if he could actually support a family doing it. After i saw this, i told him he should try, I told him we were young, we didn't have any debt, so why not?

 He got a huge grin on his face and said he had the most empowering feeling just thinking about actually doing what he knows he'll love. It made me happy to see that. I want to see that everyday. I pray we'll be brave enough to try and passionate enough to succeed... 

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Because like the video said, "better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way."

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How did you decide? Have you decided?

a free-write on putting things off.

I'm sitting in a long line at Mesa Community College for the second time this week. I've been here for about an hour, earlier this week I spent two hours here before Marcus called for a ride and I had to give up my place in line.
It was last Spring that I decided I wanted to sign up for at least one class this Fall, but naturally I waited 'til the week before school started to get my butt down here, and appearently, by the current wait time, the rest of the Mesa student population had the same plan.
Just a moment ago I logged onto the college website to confirm the course number of the class I am here to sign up for, and it appears that the class is full...and closed.
I'm stuck here for at least another hour because Marcus has the car and is busy across town.

My first thought was, "This is so lame, why can't they have more than 30 people in class, they should just let me in...blah, blah, blah, complain, blah, blah." But as I sit here, I realize this is my fault--school starts in 3 days. I'm the lame one for waiting this long to come down here, when I know my life is not really that busy--but maybe that's exactly the problem, I also have "plenty of time". I've noticed myself saying or thinking, "Well, I'll just do that tomorrow, I don't really have anything going on..." and then I fill my day with things that are not the things I needed to get done yesterday, and so the things that I should have gotten done yesterday get pushed out to undefined tomorrows. And I end up sitting in libraries full of fellow procrastators, no longer with a reason to be there, and I have a realization that maybe my mom had a point all those years ago--that maybe, just maybe, I need to stop "putting off for tomorrow what i could get done today."

{Top Five} Friday

Here's that post that was supposed to post this morning...but I'm not complaining, at least it wasn't lost forever!

Well, I'm off marching in my cap and gown in an adult pretend game of Hogwarts, hoping I don't trip (it is Friday the 13th, afterall).

So, I leave you with my

{Top Five} Things I Learned From College:

1. Judging People is a Waste of Time. 

You have no idea what they've come from and what they're dealing with.

I attribute this knowledge to my major/related elective classes (Family and Human Development+Sociology) and the opportunity I had to make acquaintances with an array of people I normally wouldn't have interacted with. That's what college does--mixes you in with people from all walks of life; It's pretty amazing like that.

2. High School Drama Doesn't Matter.

I loved high school. I had the greatest friends ever, and I will always look back at it with fondness, but along with the joys of High School seem to come the catty girls you thought you'd loath forever more.

 Turns out, after high school, you never really think about it again, and you realize none of it really mattered.

3. College Goes by Insanely Fast.

Make sure to take it all in. 

Sign up for those crazy classes you might not need, but will make you a more interesting person. 

College opens up so many opportunities you may never have access to again. Take advantage of it! 

My favorite classes were my crazy ones--Argentine Tango, Acting, Ballet, and Costuming. Sure, I probably could have graduated early had I skipped out on those, but what's the rush?!

4. Critical Thinking is Critical in Life.

"If there's only one thing you learn in my class this semester, may it be to think critically." 

If you go to university, you may have heard this from more than one of your professors--it seemed to be the main goal at mine, and for good reason. Growing up we're taught to fall in line, and we tend to accept whatever we see, hear, or read, but in a world where anyone can write anything, we've got to learn to question things and find out truth for ourselves. I've always felt like a good critical thinker, but college has refined that skill in me and I hold that it as one of my most prized.

5. Rate My Professor is a Lifesaver & University Bookstores Rip You Off.

There are few things worse than having to spend an entire semester with a horribly {mean, obnoxious, boring} professor, when you don't absolutely have to. So check out what other's have to say about them before you sign up for a class. The professor makes a huge difference, and thanks to this handy dandy website, I had so many amazing ones!

If you're lazy and/or rich, then you should buy your books at the University Bookstore. Otherwise, you should buy/rent your books online. I can't tell you how much money I saved using a website called BIGWORDS. It searches all the textbook sellers online and shows you their prices. Then you get to choose the best deal. This semester alone I saved around $230.

Do you like how I slipped two into number 5? I make my own rules 'round these parts...

The way my mind works and how I see and interact with people has completely transformed (for the better, I think) thanks to my time at ASU and I'm seriously so grateful I did it!

Now, feel free to send me flowers, and gifts, and direct deposits--I'll even accept a cruise if you so desire...;)

p.s. I was featured over here this week. I'd love it if you'd go an see.

Sundevil.

I had a lovely post all written out about my {Top Five} Things I Learned and Loved about College, but stinkin' blogger has been having some serious issues for the past for days and the scheduled draft is gone...

(are they ever coming back???)

Maybe later I'll re-write it.

Until then, I'm going to lounge around in my new ASU maroon welovecolors leggings--which happen to be the best leggings ever! 

Mmm, I may just be living in these for the next few days...

Here are pictures from graduation:

Commencement Night:

dotted tights c/o We Love Colors

Ladies and Gentlemen, you are witnessing pure, genuine magic right there. 

I would simply tap my foot, and **Vwalah**, my robe would appear! It really kept the crowds entertained.

Until the fireworks show caught a nearby mountain on fire--then my attentive crowds were lost...Crazy night.

Found out I graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Which basically just makes me feel cool, because, um, did you read that title outloud? 

It's just cool.

Turns out moving your tassel from the right to the left after your degree is conferred upon you feels pretty awesome. I love traditions like that.

Convocation Morning:

I woke up to the most awesomely decorated car ever! 

My big sister wasn't able to come to the ceremony, but she showed her support via car art. It was amazing. and yes, that does say 'chizarts.'

This dress was my mom's in the 80s. 

I'm in love with it, and it happens to be one of my school colors.

So, naturally, it was my graduation dress of choice.

It was a great last few days. I feel so good--and I strongly endorse graduating! :)

A-S-U,

A-S-U!

Crazy Loco.

Did I ever tell you that I'm completely insane?

Oh, well, I am.

I'm a senior in college. 

I'm graduating this semester. 

It's finals week and I'm up to my shoulders in papers and projects.

And would you like to know what I decided to do???

Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party for my very large family. 

Ya, like I said, I'm crazy.

Here are some of the party preparation pictures to further prove my insanity:

homemade piñatas

trip to the mexican market

tissue paper flowers

Hopefully my vision comes together and I can show you some beautiful Mexican inspired party pictures later this weekend!

deséame suerte

Scenes from Grad Weekend

Oh, what a lovely weekend we had! 

We were visited by The Boss and Ma Nielson, who treated us to dinner and dessert at Carino's before Marcus's pinning ceremony Friday night.

Then Saturday morning we woke up early and went to the boys graduation from the Nursing Program. 

I felt a lot like I was in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry--all the professors in their fancy gowns and hoods, it was awesome. 

They even gave Marcus a rose that he used as a wand for the rest of the day.

I thought after I graduated with my Bachelors degree in May that I would surely be done with my formal education, but those amazing robes really got me considering a master's program...Do you think that's why they wear them, to lore the kids who are suckers for costumes?

After having lunch at Craigos, we loaded up Ma & Pa Nielson's truck with most of our belongings and sent them off. 

Sunday we feasted on Fondu and Marcus used the Red Plate.

While I'm not the biggest fan of the aesthetics of this plate, I do love the tradition that goes with it.

When ever someone is being honored (birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations) they used 'The Red Plate' and they sign their name on the back along with the date and the occasion. 

I think the kids will like it, don't you?

As we were eating, we had visitors:

4 Teenage sized deers and 2 babies! 

It was so precious. We sat and watched them for about 30 minutes before they leaped away.

Then we took an exploratory drive around the farmland of Idaho.

Along with one beautiful sunset, we saw a llama farm, a moose, a pony, two falcons, 10 baby cows, three long horn bulls, and at least 30 peacocks perched in the trees. 

It was so delightful! 

I think we'll be going on a few more of these before we hit the road for Arizona next week.

I hope your weekend was magnificent! 

I'd love to hear the highlights!

{Tunes} on Tuesday Electric Twist

This is what I'll be doing all week. Wanna know why?


Because Marcus graduates this weekend! 
And people, an event like that definitely calls for some electric twisting, no?

(Gimme Red Hair!)

{Tunes} on Tuesday

Today I am in the library. 

I opened my e-mail to find out that I completely spaced an Advanced Marriage and Family Exam that was due this weekend.

 If you didn't already realize this, 
that is very bad for my grade. 


My big brother once told me that while he was dating his now-wife he got the worst grades of his life; once he married her, his fate changed and straight A's filled his report card.


I was wondering why this was not the case for me. 
I used to be a straight A student,
 for 3 years I saw nothing but A+, A- and just plain old A on my grade sheet. 
Then, my last year of college, I got married.
 Now I am getting...well not A's. 


I blame it on the extra laundry. 
Or perhaps the fact that playing house is way more interesting to me than 
Technology and Society or Women and Health. 
Sorry, ASU, but it is.


So, while I mourn the downward spiral of my GPA and intend to pay closer attention to future "Due Dates"
I am comforted in knowing that I am learning. A lot. 
...maybe they're just not the things ASU thinks are important. 


So, here is a song I like to listen to. 
It gets my mind off my forgotten test.
 Enjoy.

If I Give You A Dollar Will You Get Something To Eat, 
My Skinny Friend?


Do You Think {Tunes} on Tuesday 
is a Good Idea?


Have You Entered the Giveaway Yet?

Oh, Deer!

Today I was supposed to be reading two very extensive chapters about Technology, Science & Society and then writing an insightful and opinionated discussion post on whether technology affects/controls how our society progresses or society controls how technology affects us. Gripping, I know. Instead I did this:

Isn't my bedspread darling?

I'm sure the discussion board would have been truly stimulating and yet, I'm almost positive I enjoyed listening to Whitney Houston (The Guardian Soundtrack) and painting kindly creatures found in my backyard even more.


In other news, my dad's surgery went "perfectly." He is very sore, but doing well.


May your day be glorious and your weekend even better. Go do something creative--it feels good!