Roommates, college, and going home

Ahhh! Exactly three weeks from this moment I will be on my flight to Mexico! I can't believe it has come so fast. I'm still just as unprepared as I was on the last post... the lack of a car makes shopping a bit of a difficulty... BUT! I'll be back home in Meridian in a few days and then I can start my mad scramble to get ready. Anybody have any ideas about how to choose what you'll need for a four month long trip? Because I am most definitely at a loss.

Anyway, all my finals are over and my parents will soon be here to take me back home for Christmas. As I leave my first semester of college, I had some thoughts (sorry they have little to do with Mexico, but they're important nonetheless!)

First of all, ROOMMATES!

Kailey, Nichole, and Alex

All of us - shout out to Jacob for being so patient through the taking of this!

These ladies seriously mean more to me than I ever imagined they would. Coming into college my biggest fear was probably that I would have hard roommates, but I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to spend this semester with! Whether it was Alex teaching me about Mexican culture, Nichole and I sharing a hilarious moment that no one else was immature enough to notice, Karlie and I stuttering over our words because we're both too tired of studying to think anymore, Rachel with her amazing food, or Kailey and the craziness that is how similar we are, I had so many amazing, hilarious, and unforgettable moments with each of them! They've become my best friends, family, and everything else I lost when I left home. I don't think they know how much I'll miss them! I'll certainly never forget all of the great times we had (awkward eye contact!)

Second of all, COLLEGE.

This is where I live! Pretty, isn't it?

Man alive did this one throw me for a loop. When I left home, I was sure I had everything all figured out and was totally prepared to dominate in college. Ha! Those first few weeks were so hard! But this semester stretched me and helped me to grow more than anything else could have. I learned so much! Some serious, some funny, but all true!

1. This was definitely the biggest and most important thing I learned: Heavenly Father wants you to succeed! No matter what it is, He will help you. I can't even tell you how many times I prayed for help just to get through Spanish class or for help finishing all of my homework. And it made all the difference. If you're ever going through a rough patch, just pray! Nothing else can make such a big difference.

2. Don't start a conversation with your roommates and think you can walk out whenever you want and continue studying. You will be there all night.

3. You can survive on canned food for a very long time (thank you Grandma!). It's cheap, easy, and lasts forever. GET SOME.

4. I didn't make this one up, but it's so true. College offers you three options: Good grades, sleep, and a social life. The catch is you can only pick two. Good luck!

5. You can do hard things! Haha that was the theme for a trek that my ward went on a few years ago, but I didn't realize the truth of it until this semester! After the first two days of college I was ready to throw in the towel and head back home to community college, but I stuck it out and it turned out great! Things don't usually turn out the way you want, but they do turn out as long as you work hard and do your best!

And finally, GOING HOME.

Good ol' Boise. Oh how I love you.

Honestly, I'm not sure how to feel about this one. It's been almost six months since I've been home and I have no idea what to expect! Will I love it and not want to leave? Will I have a hard time living in my parents' house? Will things be the same between my friends or will we all have changed too much over the past semester? Who knows. Either way, it will be nice to have someone else making my food for me and to sleep in my own bed. And to have a car at my disposal to help me get ready for Mexico.

I think it'll be good. Just different.

Anyway, sorry this is so long again! I love you all and I'm so grateful for all the support I've gotten for this trip. BYU people, if I didn't mention you here it's only because there's too many of you to mention by name! But all of you have had a huge impact on my life and I'll never forget how awesome you made this semester!

Three weeks from today I'll be starting the greatest adventure of my life! Espero que venga muy pronto :)

Adios!