Institute Boys

*Disclaimer: This post is very "chick-flickish"*

It is interesting, the way that boys at the LDS Institute on campus, particularly the Return Missionaries are so very different from any other boys around.

The picture there is of a young man I met at the Hill Cumorah Pageant, he was in my cast team. He is one of the many examples of sweet guys that I know. This picture was taken in the Sacred Grove, which is very near to the Hill Cumorah.

There are two particular boys in my Book of Mormon class that really now how to make a girl feel good. They notice when something is wrong without it being obvious, they do little things that just make you feel warm and fuzzy all over. They show how well-read they are without being boastful. They are willing to contribute at any time during the class and are chivalrous in how they treat a lady.

One of these RM's is named Tom. He just had his 24th birthday on Monday and I really like the way he treats me. Yesterday, I was having a tough day and I was sitting there as the devontional was going on and he looks at me, (I can see this through my periferal vision) and he leans over and asks "Are you OK?" Well, there is no lying to him, he knows how to read feelings so I shook my head, "no." He asked me to tell him about it and I whispered back to him that now wasn't the time to talk about it because we were in class - "later" I said. Then I asked him how he knew I wasn't feeling good today and he said, "it was in your eyes."

I thought that was so sweet, that he can look into my eyes and tell what I am feeling.

The next thing I knew I found a piece of paper with nicely lettered handwriting on it declaring that I should, "spill." I had to be careful about what I told him, because as much as I like him, I don't know him all that well - yet.

I explained, very briefly and somewhat vaguely what the problem was that I was having. His concern was genuine and his words were kind. As I read what he had to say in reply to me it was if he was giving me a hug.

The things that were talked about in class were also very helpful - he just expounded upon it in a personal sense.

Class ended and I took an extra few seconds to pack up, but he waited for me by the door. We walked down the stairs and to the main entrance hall and I expected that he would leave to go to his next class and I would stay and take a nap on one of the Institute's comfy couches. He insisted that he talk to me more, because his talking to a beautiful young woman right now was more important than getting to class.

I said, "no, you need to get to class, you can't be late." But he insisted that his teacher, who is a bishop, would understand that he was late because he was consoling a beautiful young woman. I am not jazzing this up by saying beautiful. He really said that! I didn't want to believe him, but I let him stay.

As I spoke to him, I couldn't bear to look into his deep blue eyes because they were so full of concern that it made me ache to see . I, instead, looked at my feet. We talked for a few minutes. But there came a point when I didn't really want to talk anymore, and he seemed to pick up on my hint so he said that he would see me on Wednesday and that he was heading to class.

I watched him leave, just because, and to my amazement he didn't hurry off to class. He saw that a young man was having car trouble and he stopped, without hesitation and helped him. I couldn't believe how full of service he was that day. How humble and kind he was.

My questions for you are these:
What do you think of what he did?
What qualities do you think are mandatory for your ideal husband/wife?
What do you think I should do about what he has done for me - if anything?

Feel free to add any other comments. Thanks for reading.

~Holly

Attack of the Trade Technology Carpet

Well, as many of you know, I have quite the history with falling and hurting myself. Whether it be at girls camp and tripping over a rock or falling out of the back of a truck I have always been a little accident prone.

For the first couple of weeks at the university I went the whole duration without mishap. Last Wednesday, however, memories came flooding back to me as I once again encountered what it felt like to collide with the ground.

Given that we have 10 minutes to travel from class to class, I usually have a lot of time to get to my class, but it is five levels up in the Trade Technology building, which is different than the building in which I start. Wednesday my professor let us out later than 9:50 and I had to rush to class.

There was no way that I was going to sprint 5 levels of steep stairs along with a heavy backpack, so I decided to sprint for the elevator instead. The elevator was a good idea, the sprinting part – not so much.

I was hurrying along the corridor and I called out to the people who were filing into the elevator, “Hold the Elevator!” So on I dashed to save time.

All of a sudden the threads of the carpet below me seemed to come to life, they wrapped their spindly thread fingers around my foot and I came down to the evil carpet below me. Landing on all fours, knees and hands. Though the threads thought it was funny I did too. It was one of the first times that found my accident prone-ness to be humorous.

Though I am a little battered and bruised, I found humor in my flaw, and I think that is the most important lesson of all.

In Between Classes

Well, it is the time in between classes here at UVU and I don't really have anything to do so I thought I would post this. I just came from ASL 2 and I am waiting for Band to start. Actually my ASL project group was supposed to meet at 11 but only one other person, besides me, decided to stay after... Oh well.. I am really tired today. It seems like there wasn't a weekend at all. All I did, sadly enough, was watch movies, surf the internet, and maybe eat and sometimes sleep. This is so crazy. I need to get a life away from the internet - I have homework to do people!

Well, among internet news, Hogwarts College is being really weird right now. Many people are having a hard time posting and sending personal messages and I as a staff member can't submit points. (Sorry Viper) According to Professor Putt, everything will be sorted out soon.

Oooh, I also wanted to tell you guys that I downloaded Yahoo! Messenger to my laptop, so when I bring it to school I can be online. Just for your 411, my username is hollywx07 - quite ironic that that is my username for this too ;)

So today, I need to go to the ASL lab, Campus Connection and the Library. We are required in ASL to be in the lab at least 1 hour a week; so because I have Institute today at 5:15 I think I will have enough time to go to the lab. I have to go to Campus Connection to put more money on my card. "Yeah!!!" and then I have to go to the Library to research for my Persuasive Essay in English 1010 - an introduction to writing.

Well, seeing as how I won't get out of band until 1:45 I think I should eat a snack or two. Here's to Cheese and Crackers!!!

Lots of Love

~Halls

First Week At School

Well, it is labor day and I am already procrastinating homework. I am loving the college atmosphere. So far, everyday has been an adventure. The race to get to class on time, finding new ways around campus, exploring the buildings and areas where I haven't been before...

My schedule is as follows.

Monday
9:00 Class For Success
10:00 ASL 2
11:00 Break
12:00 English
1:00 Institute - Book of Mormon, part one

Tuesday
9:00 Music Theory
10:00 ASL 2
11:00 Break
12:00 Band
1:50 Break
2:00 ASL 2 Lab
3:00-5:00 Break
5:15 Institute - Teachings of the Living Prophets

Wednesday
9:00 Class For Success
10:00 ASL 2
11:00 Break
12:00 English
1:00 Institute - Book of Mormon, part one

Thursday
9:00 Music Theory
10:00 ASL 2
11:00 Break
12:00 Band

Friday
9:00 Break
10:00 ASL 2
11:00 Break
12:00 English

I like most of my professors so far, although, I am not too sure about my English professor...

Well, I guess that is all for now.

Letter to Friends and Family

This letter was written on Sunday, May 27, 2007:

After much time and effort I am graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.95, as well as 31.25 credits, which is 4.25 credits more than the 27 I needed. I am also graduating with four honor cords. The first honor cord is for high honors, which entails maintaining a 3.75 GPA as well as taking AP and honor classes every term. The second cord is for Family and Consumer Sciences, which entails taking two or more FACS classes and being an active member of FCCLA (the new FHA). The third cord is for music. In order to get it you must have taken 3 years of music classes, earn a superior rating in a large and small ensemble group and have A grades in all music classes. The fourth cord is for foreign language. In order to earn that one you must have A or A- grades in the foreign language classes and must have maintained a 3.75 GPA and have completed all levels of the language as well as passed the State Skills Test. I competed those requirements for American Sign Language.

This year, I have been very busy with all sorts of activities – extracurricular, leadership, and work. For all of my high school years I have been involved with pep band, which plays for the boys basketball team as well as the football team. I have many good memories with the pep band and the times when our basketball team went to State. I have also been involved with many clubs: National Honor Society, of which I am vice president over service; FCCLA, of which I am president; Psychology Club, of which I am vice president over senate/service; and I am a member of ASL Club and Chemistry Club. After school, mostly on Fridays, I have worked at the on-site child care center. It has been a joy that has provided me with an opportunity to apply what I have learned in child care, child development and psychology.

The highlights of my year have been the trips I have gone on with groups from the school. Right before spring break, I went on the Science Trip, where we went to Las Vegas, southern California, Six Flags, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Medieval Times, Old Towne, Sea World, Disneyland, and California Adventure. Right after spring break, I went on the Music Trip. Over 200 students came. We competed against other schools from across the nation at band, orchestra, and choir. In every category, Woods Cross swept the department and received superior ratings and gold plaques. We celebrated by going to Seaport Village, the USS Midway, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Old Towne, and Sea World.

The main achievement from this year is becoming Sterling Scholar in the Family and Consumer Science Department. This required much work even before my senior year, as the judges require that you take many classes in the department that you represent and that you have much activity in the community as well as activity in service. After many long hours, days and weeks, and months of hard work I became a state finalist. Becoming a Sterling Scholar opened doors for me that couldn't’t have opened myself. I was offered scholarships at four different colleges, and so just had to decide which one to take!

I am going to college in the fall. I’m going to major in American Sign Language with an emphasis in Interpreting. I’ll probably minor in music or child development. That’s the plan right now, anyway.

Well, I am looking forward to a good and busy summer before I head to college. Christine and I are going to take a road trip to Palmyra, New York and we are going to be in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. The whole trip will probably last a little more or less than a month. The duration at the Hill Cumorah will be about two weeks, and we’re exploring a little of New England before and after the Pageant.

I think that is about it. Thanks for reading and celebrating my graduation with me!

Holly

hollywx07@yahoo.com
http://hollyelizabethsblogg.blogspot.com
http://www.xanga.com/hollywx07

Graduation is Almost Here!

Well, graduation is one week and two days away from today. I don't know what to think. It is kind of surreal, the fact that I am going to be gone from this place that has really been so much of a home to me. I spend so much time here (I say here because I am at school now). Tonight I am staying late because I have my last high school concert. It is the last time that I will perform on that auditorium stage.
Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to graduate - to be done with high school classes. I am even excited to be away from some of the immature boys that dwell in my English class. But the part that I hate the most is the fact that all of the friendships that I have ever formed in high school might cease to exist.
I hope that people remember me, I hope when they plan their get-togethers they invite me and they don't just think that because I live outside of the district I won't want to come.
Another thing that is weird is having the Juniors and Sophomores look up to me for wisdom and guidance, when really I am not that much older than them and I wonder what I could really do to effect their lives.
As Dr. R. always says, "You are the best person someone knows," and it is true.
The last thing that is weird is talking to other senior classman and discussing who is going to what college or who is going on a mission or who is going into the armed forces.
Young adulthood as we know it is on the brink of nonexistance!!!
Well, I have got to go, I will post more later.
LOL
~Holly

My First Entry

Well, I have been officially accepted to UVU!!!
I plan being an ASL Interpreter once I have completed my schooling at UVU.
I was given a scholarship there for $1000.00 for being a Sterling Scholar.
I already have my class schedule.

The classes I have are...

• Class for Success (required by Scholarship)
• ASL 1020
  
• English 1010
• Music Theory
• Symphonic Band

I am so excited - I am going to College!!!
Well, I will post more soon.

LOL

~Holly