proof

I got my lovely personalized (fill in the blank) email from the graduation photographer yesterday. Turns out I'm official enough of a graduate to get hit up to order pictures.

Most of them are normal enough, like this:

 But then there is this one:

yes that is real. thanks jimmer, for always watching over me.

grad grad grad

Well folks, I am officially done with BYU. What a weird feeling! It was fun to have a few days of celebration with friends and family. I was especially grateful that both my parents and Andre's parents were able to come to Provo for the festivities.

 PR friends before we hiked to the Marriott Center for commencement

 

Whitney and I were the only ones from our freshman group who walked, and it was fun to run into her

Lauren and I did a lot together when we were roommates, even graduate together in PR!

 

All the Comms graduates sat on the stage at convocation, which made for a dramatic welcome when they opened the curtains and everyone cheered for us

 

Adam, Andre and I have been great friends since the very beginning of our freshman year. It was great to have both of them at convocation. 

school's out

 

First day of college-September 2007

Last day of college--April 2011

Yesterday was my last day of college classes ever. It was a little surreal to sit in my comparative government class and realize I'm in the last few days of BYU undergrad status.

All that stands between me and graduating in a week is finals, job interviews and moving.

separated at birth

the two biggest things to hit BYU lately: 

Jimmer 

Mark Zuckerberg 

 

separated at birth?

minus the chin, I think so.

both wildly successful and famous

both slightly awkward

both have a unique sense of fashion (Jimmer wears uggs and cargo sweats in public, Mark chatted with a senator in front of 10,000 people in a hoodie and jeans)

the only difference--Mark couldn't shoot a three worth beans.

then and now 2.0

a continuation of my nosatalgia.
one month til graduation, folks!

sports

 

first BYU football game--August 2007

 

last BYU football game--November 2010

BYU basketball November 2008. the good old days when we only showed up 30 minutes early for good seats

 BYU basketball February 2011--showing up 2 hours early for somewhat decent seats

rise and shout.

I got a little emotional during the final home basketball game Saturday.

This video for the seniors gave me chills.


There's a lot of love in my heart for this team, espeically these guys who I've been cheering on for years. "Shimmer for Jimmer"? Yeah, we created that when we (and Jimmer) were freshmen. "Woosh Cecil" after freethrows? We were the pioneers. Now everyone does it and he gives us a thumbs up each time and its sweet.

It's hard to pick a favorite moment from this game, let alone this season. But on of the most epic things was getting all 5000+ students in the student section to dance, flash-mob style during a timeout. We practiced, we stretched, we were pumped. It was awesome! A standing ovation from the entire crowd, even President Samuelson and Elder Nelson? even better.

Watch this one to get the epic magnitude:


and this for the detail:


it was a rough week for Cougar fans, but today made it all better!

so proud to be a Cougar!

on the honor code...

I forget how much of a bubble Provo is until things like this happen and suddenly the nation attacks and questions the standards I so strongly believe in.

It may seem odd to people that 33,000+ college co-eds actually want to come to a school that restricts their language, dress, curfew, relationships and just about everything else. But these students would be living most of these standards even without the Honor Code. We chose to come to BYU and live the Honor Code.

In nearly four years at BYU, I have had more memorable experiences, learned more, grown more, built stronger relationships and had so much more fun than I would have had at any other university because of the Honor Code, not despite it.  I have seen in my life and the lives of others that living the Honor Code makes people better.

Yes, campus has been in a comatose state for the past 48 hours. Yes, I too am devastated at the loss of a great basketball player. But I am so proud of my school for how they handled the situation and taught the world that honor and commitment is more important than winning championships.

(And I still believe BYU will have a great March)

skillz.

Some people are better than others at bowling

(in my defense, I rocked the first game and the first few frames of this game were bowling left-handed, eyes closed, hopping on one foot. and you get bonus points for sending a ball down the wrong lane, right?)

beginning of the end

this week was my last first week of school ever.
ever.
crazy.
I'm already getting nostalgic to leave BYU. sunday night games nights, the cold walk to campus on the first day of class, meeting up for devotional, all made me sad this week.
It's been a great 4 years.
But this semester will be great, too. Even though I'm done with my major and taking huge intro classes to finish my generals and minor, I'm excited for things.
Highlights:
I started an internship in the Marriott School's external relations office this week which will be awesome.
I'm still working at the Bradley Agency. One of my projects this semester is to be the account executive for Project Hope, a health initiative taking place in Dallas the weeks before the Superbowl. Yep, that means I get to be working media relations prior to the Superbowl. awesome.
oh, and I'm taking a flexibility class that sounds very promising.

So even though this semester will and bittersweet, I'm excited for what the future will bring.

we're kind of a big deal

DC was awesome
I loved being back in my city
and soaking up the PR goodness.
(more on that to come)

But perhaps the best part?
Recieving my PRSSA National Gold Key Award?
Not quite (but still awesome)
Winning the Outstanding Chapter Award over more than 300 other schools.
Basically, it means our PRSSA Chapter is the best in the country.
I spent two full weeks putting the application together this summer, and it is so good to see it pay off.
BYU has a great PR program with great students, professors and advisors.
If I learned anything from conference, it was to be so grateful for my BYU education.
so yay for winning!
(and we sure looked good doing it!)

an end to small talk

The scene: any BYU classroom at any time during the last two days
Person 1: Hi, is anyone sitting here?
Person 2: (nervous grunt) oh no, go ahead.
awkward pause
1: So, what's your name? Major? Hometown?
2: answers
1: Oh cool, you're from Sammamish? do you know so and so (also: insert Jake Heaps comment here. He's from the other side of the plateau, people!)
2: No, sorry.
1: Oh, ok
awkward pause
2: Looks like this will be an interesting class
1: yeah
awkward pause as both people nervously check their phones and countdown until the professor comes in.

My new campus initiative: Let's end the small talk! I mean, there are only so many ways you can spice up how to say your name, major and hometown.

Let's just dive into real conservations, people!

The beauty of having all comms classes today was that I knew most people in both my classes, but yesterday was full of awkward encounters. In my pledge to get rid of the ridiculous amounts of small talk on this campus, I just started diving into conversations with people
To the boy in my world politics class wearing slacks, fancy vest and pink dress shirt: "Wow, you look daper on the first day of school"
To the nervous freshman girl on the other side of me: "Gotten lost yet?"
Art History girl in global comms: "Cool, art history. Tell me about your favorite painter"

other than my plight to rid this university of awkward conversations, my last first day of school was fairly uneventful, although I did score a free water bottle on my way to campus.

tradition. spirit. honor.

fall is nearly upon us.
you know what that means...byu football.

let's face it: we probably won't be winning any national championships this year, but I look good in navy and it's my senior year, so this is going to be awesome.
plus, it means the return of the football face, which first graced us with its presence last season:
(Remember the team's epic win and 2 am airport pickup? awesome. football face loved it)

This year will also require some more creativity with our sign creation.
Last year brought us this gem:but Harvey peaced out of Provo after an hco. vio (honor code violation, obvs), so it's back to the drawing board.
So far in the running we have:
In Bronco We Trust
Jake Heaps: Sammamish's favorite son
Austin, get back here. (Oh wait, you almost won the Superbowl)
BYU Football: the wives and babies are our biggest fans
Win it for Cecil.

obviously, the signage is a work in progress. suggestions?
but what better way to kick off the season but against UW in Provo? This will be epic.

and to pay a small homage to the departed #45, I dug this out of the vault to remember the happier times of rushing records and gummy savers. rip BY-Unga.
(this novel-length post shows my devotion to the team)

practically famous vol. 2

check it out.this is the BYU homepage. see me surrounded by some of my favorite people?
why did this happen?
BYU has a pretty amazing PR program that I'm blessed to be a part of. We were recently named top 5 finalist for the PR Week PR Education of the Year award, along with some other leading schools. It's quite the honor. PR Week is the best of the best.
But I can't say I'm surprised, because BYU PR is the best of the best. I have learned so much during my time in the PR program, love my classes, professors, fellow students, and opportunities to learn and become a real professional.
The winner with be announced in March. It's tough competition, but I'm excited.

it's that time again

welcome to my new favorite thing for the next few months...



BYU Basketball!

The home opener was last night, and it felt so good to be back in the MC with the team.
welcome back, Jimmer, Jackson and Charles. I'm excited to spend the next few months with you.

and we won. it felt great.
loved that coach rose was back after a hard summer, loved that michael loyd jr is playing this year, but didn't love the new beyonce intro song. really?

but r.i.p. lee. you will be missed.

I love football!

I have never been more proud to be a BYU Cougar. Not only did we take down Oklahoma last night (in more ways than one...get well soon, Sam)


But Provo turned into the most un-Provo celebratory place I have ever seen. Cars honked for hours. We cheered for ever and literally danced in the streets. Spontaneous stadium celebrations? love it.


But the true fans welcomed the team home at the Provo airport in the middle of the night. Bummer to be short, but so fun.

Hundreds of fans + 2am + winning football team = best rally ever.
here's to a lot more where that came from!

back to school flashback

Today was the first day of class. I think it's kind of lost its luster after this many years, because I feel like I'm in the swing of things already.

Why is periodicals so busy already?
Why am I so busy already?

I can hardly believe that I am a college junior. The thought elicited a little back to school flashback.

Today, junior.
Lessons learned: getting ready for an 8 am class and having nice hair apparently don't mixed. Also, 8 am business students are intense.

Last year...just chillin and happy to be thereFreshman. Bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Here's to another great semester!

on top of it all

This is the SWKT (Spencer W. Kimball Tower...Swicket...the tallest building in Provo)

The other day a dream of mine came true when I finally climbed the flight of stairs past the 13th floor and went on the roof. We went on a tour of campus from the roof of the SWKT. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful view of Utah Valley.

We talked about focus and looking past just the academic part of school to service and ultimately to the temple. It was a great reminder of BYU's focus on education for eternity.

The northwest corner of campus...the Tanner Building, Hinckley Center, and the football stadium in the distance

Looking straight down from the SWKT to the keyhole planters on the JFSB quad and the library across the way

The southwest corner of campus..the JSB, Testing Center, and my home, the Brimhall Building in the middle, hub of BYU's Department of Communications.


Also, today is my mother's birthday.
She is the best lady I know.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I'm sad I'm not there to celebrate with you, but I hope you have a lovely day!

rise and shout

Being a Y Group Leader at New Student Orientation this past weekend was such a fun experience! It made me think back to my own freshmen year, which seems like it was yesterday even though it was two years ago. I had a slight palpitation when I realized that I'm getting pretty old.

I loved being a fake freshman for a few days. The freshmen are so excited about everything that I am used to and take for granted about BYU. I am truly blessed to go there.
A sampling of things I have a renewed appreciation for:

• Saying prayers and singing hymns before each meeting and class. I forget how unusual and wonderful it is.
• Weekly devotionals that allow me to de-stress and feel the spirit
• A beautiful and huge library that is full of so many resources
• creamery chocolate milk
• The award-winning Department of Communications
• BYU sports, and athletes with standards
• The Honor Code. People give it a lot of grief, but it really is an amazing thing.
• The ability to combine spiritual and secular learning and to gain a love for learning.

Oh how I love BYU!

(I took this picture outside my apartment the other day. Provo is beautiful, even when it rains in June)

an interlude...

This has been my surroundings for the past week, mostly in the library but recreated on my desk because I've had enough of periodicals.

Two 15-page papers in a week. Joy.

But the end is in sight and they will all be done and turned in by midnight tonight!

utah is pretty

Had a lovely time hiking the Y at sunset with the FHE group last night.
Oh, how I love springtime!