Photos at the Greenhouse

We took pictures at the greenhouse on campus for photojournalism this week. It was nice and warm! Our focus (pardon the pun...) was narrow depth of field. Here are some of my shots. (I don't have a macro lens, I just got as close to my subjects as I possibly could.)

Service

Tonight I did something a lot more meaningful than anything I've done for a while. I participated in the "Adopt-a-grandparent" program through the University. Early on this semester I decided I wanted to do this. I've actually wanted to do this for a while now, but my schedule has been so crazy/busy in the past. I finally decided to just make the commitment to go once a week for about an hour. Transportation is even provided. I went tonight and was in a group with 2 other girls. We knocked on some doors at the rest home. We could hear someone come up to the door at one particular place. They looked through the peep hole and didn't answer. We knocked some more and some people didn't answer. Finally, one lady let us in and we talked. I cannot tell you how much this reminded me of my mission! The feelings came flooding back. We just chatted with this lady. Such a simple thing, but it was great. We later learned that this particular lady isn't always open to visitors and often makes excuses. But, for some reason, she decided to let us in. And, she wants us to come back.

As I came home tonight, I thought about the experience. I think the reason I loved my mission so much was that I got to meet so many people, listen to what they had to say (ok, sometimes that wasn't always the funnest), and learn to love them. It wasn't about me. Service is so awesome because it's not about you. When you serve you can forget about yourself- your problems, etc. What I honestly hate about this time of life is that it is all about me. College/single life can be a very selfish time. I have a lot of time to think about my life. (Yes, there are service opportunites around me, which I do seek out, but still, ultimately, I do have to think about myself and my life a lot.)

Anyway, service is great. Although we do service to bless others' lives, I know we too are immensely blessed.

Dream Job.

Today is one of those days where I'm really wanting to be done with school. I just keep telling myself I only have 6 months of coursework left. I can do it.

I occasionally search job listings to see what types of jobs are out there and what organizations are hiring for positions in my field, just to kind of be aware of what I'm getting into a year from now. I came across the following job posting, which I am really interested in. The explosion of social media in recent years has created a lot of new jobs. I was talking to my brother a while back about my interest in social media public relations and he said, "So, you want to be a facebook-updater?" Yeah, pretty much.

Social Media Administrator
Description

Responsible to build the online social media presence for [the corporation].
Responsible to create content to serve business objectives for marketing and communications, sales, investor relations, and public relations.
Launches and manages social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other relevant Web 2.0 sites.
Works across departments to ensure proper messaging is being executed online and is relevant to organizational goals.
Manages online discussions and responds with relevant content.
Responsible to monitor and track social media activities by competitors, assess implications and trends, and integrate learning's into social media strategy.
Monitors trends in social media and apply to strengthen and increase the use of social media.
Provide updates to management on site.
Prepare reports on usage statistics.
Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Requires a Bachelors degree in journalism, new media, communications, marketing, public relations or a related field and 2+ years professional copywriting experience including advertising, collateral, direct mail, websites, e-communications, or editorial/public relations writing.
Some experience with creating and managing company profiles on social media sites.
Experience working well in cross-functional team environment.
Financial industry experience preferred.
A combination of education and experience may meet requirements.
Working knowledge of and experience with key social media sites including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written with a flair for using 'social networking speak' and online jargon.
Understanding how design, layout, and photography work with copy in producing effective communications.
Strong attention to detail and outstanding organization skills.
Ability to manage multiply projects.
Strong computer, software and technology skills.
Online search expert able to track and monitor postings relevant to the brand.
Must be a collaborative team player able to integrate with a diverse team.
Experience in corporate environment preferred.

This job sounds so awesome!

I'm looking forward to moving into the workforce, earning a paycheck, and moving forward with life! (Don't get me wrong- I really want a family- but if this is the direction my life is headed in, then I may as well make it the best I can make it.)

Pants on the Ground

Now, I'm nowhere near where I want to be with my weight, but I just have to say... it's a beautiful thing when you have to buy new pants because your pants are too baggy to stay on (and you don't want to look like a fool with your pants on the ground). Yup. It feels good.

Recent Pictures

These are some pictures I've taken for my photojournalism class recently. This morning we took pictures outside during classtime. It was 7 degrees and snowing- just a little chilly! Other than that, it's been fun. :)

Good to See You

Dear Blue Sky: It was good to see you in Rexburg today. It's been a while. Love, Carrie.

Grateful to be at BYU-I

Tuesday was the first devotional ever held in the BYU-Idaho Center. I was there and it was amazing. President and Sister Clark spoke.

Sister Clark spoke about the history of BYU-Idaho. She spoke about the "Wagonbox Prophecy." Basically, when the pioneers came to settle this area they were discouraged (I don't blame them!). It was cold and the growing season was short. The area was full of tumbleweeds and lava rock. Wilford Woodruff held a church meeting one day in 1884, where he stood on a wagonbox as there was no chapel. There were only a few people in attendance at the meeting. Here's part of what he said:

"The Spirit of the Lord rests mightily upon me and I feel to bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. I promise you that the climate will be moderated for your good. I can see these great sagebrush prairies, as far as the eye can reach, turned into fertile fields. I bless the land that it shall yield forth in its strength. Flowers and trees and fine homes shall grace this great valley from one end to the other. Schools and colleges of higher learning shall be built to serve you that you may learn the mysteries of God’s great universe. I see churches and meetinghouses dotting the landscape, where the God of Israel may be worshiped in spirit and in truth. Yes, and as I look into the future of this great valley I can see temples—I can see beautiful temples erected to the name of the living God where holy labors may be carried on in his name through generations to come."

A video was shown as this quote was read which showed all of these things which are now here- temples, fine homes (P.S. There are some FINE homes in the boonies of Rexburg. REALLY nice!), meeting houses, etc. What this area has become is amazing.

President Clark then spoke about facing our personal "frontiers" with faith. His talk was the most amazing devotional address I've ever heard. It can be read here: http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2011_01_11_Clark.htm.

I've had some moments this week, including Tuesday as I sat in that brand new building, where I've been reminded of the fact that I am where I am supposed to be. I can't deny the fact that the Spirit told me to come here. Sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I wish I weren't here (especially when it's so cold!)... I wish I were done already. But, the truth is, if Heavenly Father wanted me somewhere else at this time in my life, I'd be there.

I came here mostly because I had a strong desire to attend a church school. I wanted the gospel to be integrated with my secular education. It's amazing to be able to attend devotionals, pray in class, and talk about the gospel with people around me.

I received my scholarship and grant money this week and I am soooo grateful for that. I wouldn't be here this semester if I didn't have that.

I'm grateful for the widow's mite which makes it possible for me to enjoy this campus. It's a beautiful campus that is subsidized by tithing funds. Many people who faithfully pay their tithing will never even be able to see and enjoy the beautiful buildings where I attend school.

I really have so much to be grateful for. I'm getting an amazing education.

Cupcakes and Photojournalism

I'm loving my photojournalism class! (P.S. I've been wanting to take this class for a couple of semesters now, but it fills up fast and I haven't been able to get in until now.) It's great to have homework that allows me to go out and take pictures- otherwise I don't always have time to. This week's assignment was to take pictures of people at work. There is a floral shop near my apartment and I thought that'd be a great place to get some good, photojournalistic shots. I walked there in the snowy, bitter cold weather only to be r-e-j-e-c-t-e-d! Why don't people want to have their picture taken? C'mon- help a poor girl out! I went to two more places and was rejected both times, until I finally got a nice girl to let me take pictures of her. It was at a cute little cupcake shop in town. There were absolutely no customers at the time, so I had to do a little posing. Here are some shots from that. Just thought I'd share. (P.S. Don't those cupcakes looking amazing!)

A Visit to the Animal Shelter

This afternoon Morgan, me, and my former FHE brother went to the animal shelter here in town to play with the kitties. We just thought it'd be fun.(We looked at the dogs too. There were some cute little puppies there!) I came to realize I'm not really a fan of the whole shelter thing, though. It's kind of sad to see the stray animals. Also, it smells bad and the dogs are really loud. But, it was still good. We each got to take a kitty to a little room and play with them. I love cute kitties!

Back to School Again

Well, I made it back to Rexburg. It was kind of stressful to get back here. I got a ride off the ride board, and we know how that seems to go. My ride first told me we'd be leaving at 9 a.m. Then, a few days ago they texted me and told me it'd be more like 1 p.m. I was ok with that, that'd be manageable. So, 1:00 rolls around yesterday and I texted the driver. They said their flight got in late, but they were on their way (they had to go to Provo first). I heard nothing from them for 2 hours. I was getting pretty nervous. I finally heard from them and we left Lehi around 4:30. Well, then we had to go to the airport to get someone's stuff. We finally got in to Rexburg around 9:00 last night. There was no heat in the car and I was by the window. It was freezing! There were 3 of us squished in the back seat. I'm pretty sure these are the moments I'll remember the rest of my life. Being poor and car-less makes for some fun ride board experiences.

Anyway, today was the first day of classes. My first class was Early Childhood Development (different from the class I took last semester). The poor teacher was so nervous. It was his first day of teaching. Oh, and a girl I know from Modesto is in that class, which is fun.

My next class was PR Writing and Production. The teacher walked in in a lab coat and goggles. Interesting. He said he needed it because we'd be writing in class and sometimes "writing gets a little messy." He didn't go over the syallabus or anything-he just gave us a writing assignment. We had to have it in by a certain time today. That was a little stressful, as I had another class after that one and wouldn't be able to spend a lot of time on the assignment before it was due. I like to have plenty of time when I write so I can think through things.

After that I had Math. Dun, dun, dun. I really do not like math- at all. My professor wasn't there today. She is taking her son to the MTC. The TA was there, however, and explained a few things to us. The class is mostly freshmen, which I figured would be the case. Most people take this class their first semester. I, however, am taking it my second to last semester.

I am loving the fact that on M.W.Fs I am done by 12:30. That gives me the rest of the afternoon to do homework. Maybe I can actually have a life this semester! That'd be great!

Tomorrow I have Photojournalism, Family History, and Events Management. It should be a good day.

I feel at peace and really good about things. It's so nice to know I am where I am supposed to be.

Time Flies

"Time flies on wings of lightning." That statement has never rung more true (is that correct grammar?) than it has in recent years.

Here we are in 2011. Where did 2010 go? On a smaller scale, where did my Christmas break go?(Oh, wait... I know where it went... I was sick with a terrible cold for most of it.) It seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. It's now time to go back to school. I feel like I need a few more weeks to prepare!

I remember when I was younger I heard older people say "time goes by so fast when you get older." I had no idea what they meant. We all have the same amount of time. But, it's really true. Life speeds right on by.

At the end of this week I will mark 2 years of being home from my mission. In a few months I will be 25! And, by the end of the year I will be done with college. I can hardly believe it. I think I am having some sort of pre mid-life crisis. I think it has kind of hit me- Life really does move on! Time goes on, things change... we change. It's all part of the plan.

I guess it's important to enjoy the moment. I know I'm guilty of wishing my life away at times or dwelling on the past. But, I'm trying really hard to find joy in the journey. We're here to be happy. I love this quote by president Monson:

“Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it.” -President Thomas S. Monson

May we all have a happy, healthy, wonderful 2011!