Things are not as they seem.

I think JD said it right. I think I'm past the point of complaining about how much less-cool college is than high school was. I've moved on from a lot of habits, experiences, and people, and it was well over-due. This semester I was forced to pick an educational path and follow it, and I couldn't be more happy with my choice. I went into this semester thinking that it was going to be the easiest piece of cake that I would ever put on my plate, but boy-oh-boy was I wrong. I had no clue how difficult art actually is. I had this huge mental breakdown the first week of school over a painting of a watch. Tears were involved. I'm actually really glad that it's hard though. I love a good challenge, and I can't stand to be bored, so it's for the better.

Also, can I tell you this weird thing that's happening to me? It is mentally impossible for me to currently procrastinate projects. Say what? I know, it's kind of awesome. I literally got so excited about an art assignment last week, that I had it finished before the day that we were even supposed to start it. Now, it wasn't a photography project, because naturally I get those done asap because I get so flipping stoked about them, but I was genuinely excited to draw this picture, or whatever it was. In retrospect, I'm stoked about the fact that I'm so stoked about art. I think it kind of solidifies that I'm doing the right thing, don't you think?

I think there might have been some people disappointed in me for changing my mind on what I thought I wanted to do with my life, and I was really worried about that for a good few months. Like, I was so pathetic. I wouldn't let my parents talk about me changing my major, because I was afraid of what people might think. But you know what I've realized? If I had stayed down the path that I was originally headed, I would be disappointed in myself for not doing what I've kind of always knew I should be doing. I've realized that no one's opinion matters to me about this choice more than my own, and that's exactly how it should be.

I guess the point of this all is to say to someone, or maybe more importantly to myself that everything is finally falling into place as it should be. I think I've finally found the part of college that everyone talks about. The part where you figure out who you are, and what you're meant to do, and you end up loving it. I've found the part of college that puts high school to shame! I'm finally giving myself the opportunity to be serious about something that I am so passionate about; and I'm super proud of myself, because after all of the hard work that I've done to put myself through school, and keep my scholarships, I deserve to do something that I love.

I can't wait to see what lies ahead. 

xoxo. 

So, College Really Isn't All That Bad.

(Sorry in advance... I don't have a photo depicting how great college is, so you get this photo of Maddie jumping on a couch in the desert. You're welcome.)

I feel like this whole blog has become an I-hate-college blog.

Well, I am here to tell you that it just isn't so.

(Fair Warning: When I say "College" I really mean College life... like I have stated before College, much like High School, is a state of mind for me. Social, Family, Work, School... everything is included.) 

I'll be the first to admit that the fact that approx. 95% of my friends are gone is a bummer. In fact I probably was the first, and the second, and the third (etc.) to admit it. I constantly complain about it... but the last couple of semesters have helped me realize that even though some of my friends were gone, all of my best friends are still here. The 5% of us who didn't go on missions are a pretty close group. In fact, some of the people that I went to high school with, but wasn't necessarily friends with, have become my friends, and it's great!

Secondly, I recently switched my Major to Photography and Design. I'm planning on getting my Bachelor's Degree in Photography, and then coming back for an additional two years to get my second associates as a Radiography Technician. The photography and art classes that I've been taking are so boss it's unreal! For example, I thought that I knew pretty much all there was to know about my camera. I mean I practically live on the dang thing, so I should right? I was wrong. Though a lot of the things that we learn in Beginning Digital are VERY basic, some of the stuff is actually quite interesting to me. I'm learning a lot of things that I never even knew existed. 

I'm also taking Film II for a second time, and I'm loving that class even more the second time around too. I absolutely love the teacher of the class, and I love the satisfaction that I get from taking a great film photo. Everything about film photography is so difficult. It's hard to expose right, to develop the film right, to develop a page right... there are so many factors, many of them chemical and it's hard to get them all right! Which is why it is so rewarding when you do get it right.

Be Glad At Life.

Okay, so now I want to switch gears a little bit...

I don't remember writing about it, but last semester I decided that I was going to finish the Book of Mormon, cover to cover. I was so sick of being so lonely, depressed, and confused about what I was doing. The night before Fall Semester started I think that I truly hit rock bottom. I was so discouraged about my social life, and my family life that in all honestly the only thing I had going for me were my grades. I knew that I needed something to help me through the semester, and since I had never fully read the good book, I decided it was time. Every single day of Fall Semester I read four pages of the Book of Mormon. I finally finished a few days before New Years. 

Now, I know that that last paragraph didn't really seem like it supports my topic of how great college is, but in reality it's just the opposite. Because I was so lost, I was directed to the Book of Mormon. Reading every word of it really changed my life. I now have a true testimony of the Book, and if it weren't for College... I wouldn't have that. I know it sounds really bad, but it's one of those situations that it took a trial to turn me to the Lord.

Case number two, the beginning of this semester sucked. (I don't know what it is about semester beginnings, but they always seem to be life-changing events.) I was, again, so depressed and I felt myself getting so agitated and annoyed at the people around me. It didn't matter who they were, or what they did, it made me mad. It was the worst! One night on my way home, I just broke down. I think that I prayed the best, most sincere, and most life changing prayer ever. My mindset about life was completely altered that night. The previous week had been one of the worst weeks of my life, and the following week turned out to be one of the best.

This is where "Be Glad at Life" comes into play... Sometimes you just have to take ten seconds, breathe, and let everything go. My yoga teacher (Yeah. This hick girl is taking a yoga class and she loves it.) said that what you think about, is what will come about. For example, if you think that you're going to get a crappy grade in a class, then that's probably what's going to happen; however, if you have faith in yourself, and just trust (in the Lord) that things will work themselves out, because you did your best, then chances are they will be. 

Okay... so here comes the finale of another one of my successfully random rants about what's going on currently in my life. Hopefully I got some sort of point across, and hopefully these words will be able to uplift someone out there.

Moral of the story is, life is what you make of it. So make it a good.

For more uplifting information about making the best out of life, visit the link below!

Come What May And Love It - Joseph B. Wirthlin

xoxo