The Beauty of Change

The past four months I have lived in Utah have been an experience to say the least. Time has gone by so fast since I got here, yet I feel like I've lived here for years. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful experiences I've had since I've been out here. Starting from the day I left Ohio. The night I left I was a little distraught because one of my brothers wasn't there to even say goodbye to me and I had to leave a lot of my clothes behind. Once we had packed the van as full as it could get we headed off. It was a very long car ride, but I enjoyed the time with my mom and Cory. The week they were here we toured around Salt Lake and did a last minute crash course on living on my own. It all became very surreal when my mom got in the car and drove away to the airport. I wasn't sure what to do, or what I was going to do without my family. I was so happy to have Kirsten there. It was here first time on her own as well and I knew we'd figure it all out together. I was so nervous when school started. I've always been so shy, I was sure I wouldn't make any friends. Somehow I totally opened up. I was hardly shy at all. I loved all of my classes at the start. I love being able to talk about the gospel in the middle of class, and even though it's math or nutrition, the subject can change to church. Everyone that has come into my life since I've been here is amazing. In the beginning I kind of wanted to shoot myself when I found out I had six roommates, but I love every single one of them. I had to learn to love them for their differences. We all had to learn how to get along with so many different personalities. Haleigh, Kirsten, and Ali have especially helped me a lot this past semester. They have seen me at my very worst, and have still been there for me. They are the best roommates I could have asked for. Some days I've just been so annoyed or angry I could just cry, but they always make me smile. 

I've learned how to push myself out of my comfort zone and not worry about what others think. If I hadn't tried things I would have never done before I came here, I wouldn't have had half the awesome experiences that I have had. I've loved like I've never loved before, and I've been hurt like never before, but it has changed me and made me stronger. I have learned not only a lot about myself, but also about other people. Things aren't always going to work out perfectly the way I'd like them to, but in the end, it ends the way Heavenly Father intended it to. A lot of people thought that I was moving out to Utah just for a guy. Which might be kind of true, but this is how it was suppose to end up. I'm no longer going to BYU Idaho this winter. I'm still not sure exactly why, but I'm suppose to be in Utah. I mean who wouldn't want to be? The view I get as I walk every day is amazing. I get to see the capital and the temple. Oh and the mountains. You can't see them that well in the city, but once you get out of the city they're gorgeous. I'm not a huge fan of student wards, but I really like my ward. I have an awesome bishopric and everyone's testimony strengthens mine. Being around so many people from so many different backgrounds is an experience in itself. 

I've found out who I really am. Since the beginning of high school I was always trying to be someone I wasn't. I'm happy with who am really am. And everyone here likes me for who I really am as well. Instead of saying "I wish" I say "I will." I'm not afraid to take a chance. Of course taking chances doesn't always turn out the way I'd like, but it's a learning experience every time. 

What didn't I know about myself before I moved out here? Let's see..

I love college football. After I went to a BYU game, I started watching it every Saturday. All day. My roommates didn't appreciate it.

I'm a serious control freak. Okay maybe I did know that..But I seriously hate when things don't go my way, and I fight for it until they do. 

I would love to be a photographer. Kirsten and her Nikon inspired me. 

I'm not afraid of change. My life hasn't stopped changing since the day I moved out here, so I figured I better get used to it. 

I hate being alone. At my house it was nice to be alone every once in awhile just to have sometime to myself, but if I'm alone here..Wait I'm never alone. One of my roommates is always here. 

I've had some complaints from roommates that I snore. 

I actually like doing laundry. I just recently did all of Haleigh's laundry for her. Why? I'm not sure.  

I don't need to be in a relationship. I haven't not been in a relationship for more than like two weeks since my sophomore year. Being single is not a bad thing. 

I no longer like Forever 21. Working there kind of killed it for me. I don't even want to step foot in the mall when I go home. I thought going to the mall every day would be fun..Yeah that thrill wore off pretty quick. 

I like cats better than dogs. Kyle's cat, Shelby helped me decide that. 

Meeting new people is fun. I wasted way too much time being shy my whole life. 

It's okay to ask for help. People are willing to help if you ask. That kind of goes along with being shy. 

Blogging helps relieve a lot of stress. :)

I should have been more grateful for my mom and my house. When I get home, I'm going to roll around on the floor. Just because the carpet at my house is actually clean enough to do that.

Frozen dinners do make you gain weight. Even if you do walk everywhere.  

I'm not sure what the future holds for me out here in Utah. I just know that moving 1,708 miles away from home has turned about to be more of a blessing than I ever imagined. I miss home and I can't wait to go back tomorrow, but I love it out here. I'm so thankful for Heavenly Father guiding me out here. I can't wait to see what next semester has in store for me. I know it will be just as amazing as this semester. College life feels like one big sleep over sometimes and some days I'm just so exhausted I don't think I can go on, but all the fun I have, it's worth it. I'm going to have fun now and live my life to the fullest. I'm just going along for the ride and seeing where it takes me. There's no hurry for anything and no reason to fret when things don't go exactly as planned. This time last year I was so upset because I didn't get on fall track for BYU, now look where it has gotten me. Like I said, I'm still not sure why but I know there's a reason I'm out here in Utah.