learn, do, become

You know that Allstate commercial when the man says "It's back to basics. And the basics are good"? Well, that's my motto for this spring. I've been trying to revamp my basics in the last few days, but here are my general guidelines of things to do for spring. I figure blogging them will make me more accountable, so feel free to check up on me.

I'm going to eat right. More fruits and veggies. Less cookies. For lunch today I made a turkey and hummus pita with blackberries on the side. It felt good. Then I bought marshmallow chocolate cookies. Not so good. I'll work on that.

I'm going to read my scriptures every day and go to the temple once a week. I am so blessed to have a temple so close, and it's time to really take advantage.

I'm going to savor learning. Outside reading, not just Harry Potter, going to a variety of lectures and devotionals on campus, and really trying to excel and participate in my classes.

I'm going to write missionaries. No more than two weeks to get a response back to them, none of this six weeks junk.

I'm going to sleep more and appreciate mornings. Early class will do this to you, but I'm quite excited. And I'll go to bed earlier. Starting tomorrow night.

I'm going to focus. Less facebook. More CNN.

spring reading list

• Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism
• The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It
• The White Man’s Burden
• Development as Freedom (these are for my polisci class, but I'm excited to read them)
  
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Muhammad Yunus: Banker to the Poor
• The Twenty-something's Guide to Spirituality
• Learning in the Light of Faith (for work)
  
• Angels and Demons

I think I need more fiction in my life. Suggestions please?

things I will miss about cinnamon tree...

Relaxing afternoons chatting, napping, or studying on the roofmaking a mad dash across the street to yo-zone

(the emotion in this picture isn't staged)walking past the creepy river by taco bell on the way to campus
every day...especially in the dark.

But mostly, I will miss living with these lovely ladies, who are some of the
best roommates I could ask for.

I'm excited for new adventures, but it sure has been a great year living here with these girls.

on the fringe

After a few hours of pestering my roommates yesterday, I decided to get bangs for the first time since I was 11. My lovely roommate Wallis did the honors. And now I have bangs. I still have to learn how to say it right, but I think they're sassy.

dear parents...

See? I do study.

I study on the roof in the sun. I study on the couches in the Tanner building. I study at the eating table in the newsroom, in my living room, in the basement of the Wilk, and at my favorite table in the depths of the HBLL.

I feel like all I do lately is study, which is a lovely collegiate activity and all, but the end is in sight. I am one beastly accounting test and one article away from the end of finals! And just in time for the great spring weather

Now, back to SR-VC-FC=NI...

start the countdown

In just one month from today, I will be in a van bound for Mexico! It's a 17 hour drive and the trip of a lifetime. I couldn't be more excited.

Cuahtemoc, the first city we will be working in

Barranca del Cobre- we get to backpack down the canyon and work with the indigenous Raramuri people.

“Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it.”

(A slip n slide in the rain may not seem sensible, but it was the greatest
way to gear up for finals this week)

a letter to the DU

Dear Daily Universe,

You know, we’ve had some good times over the last semester. But I think it’s best for us to go our separate ways. Trust me, it’s not me, it’s you.

I think our relationship is verging on unhealthy. I spend hours upon hours in your newsroom, reporting, writing, and watching that patch of grass out the window. I have lost countless hours of sleep over articles and have alienated people with my pesky reporting skills. For the past four months, you have defined me. When people ask how I am, I have stopped responding “very well”, and instead give an update on the articles I am working on, sometimes even including an amusing anecdote from the life of a student reporter.

You are a cruel taskmaster and we really have had a rollercoaster relationship. You have teased me with the thrill of the front page, and then brought me back to reality by putting me somewhere in the back of the paper, or worst of all—being web-routed.

Even though it’s been rough, you have taught me a lot. Thanks for pushing me beyond my comfort level, giving me a crash course in deadlines and time-management, helping me overcome my fear of talking on the phone and for helping me build great friendships with my fellow reporters. It has been tough, but totally worth it. You have made me realize that public relations is the career for me.

So here we are, just a few more days until you are out of my life forever and I am free to walk across campus without my official reporter notebook. It’s bittersweet, really. I’ll miss you, but I’ll always have my expired press pass to remind us of the good old days. I’ll go back to my life as a casual DU reader, because despite the occasional typo, you are quite wonderful.

Sincerely,

Michelle

refreshing

I know this is on lots of people's blogs, but I think it is absolutely wonderful. How blessed are we to have living prophets and apostles who have such great wisdom!

words of wisdom

The newest addition to my bulletin board is this lovely poem Gordon B. Hinckley wrote when he came to a devotional at BYU in 1983. I came across it while researching for this article. I love his loving words to cherish each day on this campus, even when it is rough.

If I were you, what would I do?

I'd enjoy every day of my stay

On this campus of Brigham Young U.

And so, if I were you, what would I do?

I'd drink of the nectar of knowledge,

A great, full draft of its richest brew.

If I were you, what would I do?

I'd walk humbly with God and my Savior, too.

If I were you, what would I do?

I'd fall in love with a girl named Sue,

Or a boy named Lou,

And plan for the day we'd be married,

We two.

If I were you, what would I do?

I'd live with my love with integrity true—

And welcome our children, many or few.

If I were you, what would I do

If courtship and marriage didn't come through?

I'd fret, but I'd say, "There's no time to stew.

Get busy. Find something important to do."

By now I'd just say, "Good-bye and adieu,"

With a prayer in my heart for each one of you.