Life.

It's funny how life turns out. When I first got to college I had no idea what would happen in the next 5 years. Even the idea of a study abroad terrified me, but not quite enough to stop me from dreaming about it. And here I am, after living in Paris, Guernsey, Prague, Ceské Budějovice, Brno and Plzeň, and now back in Provo at age 23. I would have never guessed that I would have the opportunity to travel the world so much. I thought that maybe I would major in English, become an editor, pursue my love of reading. Or perhaps History, although I didn't want to teach. But I was positive that I didn't want it to involve math or science.

A couple years later, I was an anthropology major, with no idea what I was going to do after I graduated. All I knew was that I loved cultures and history and travel and learning about different ways of life, and anthropology seemed like a good way to follow those passions. And then in Guernsey I realized, that while it was such an important experience for me to be there, that I really didn't want to be an anthropologist, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. I didn't want to be in academia, and I wanted to do something practical, something useful--to contribute to the world. 2 years ago I thought that I wanted to go into linguistics, perhaps grad school when I got back from the Czech Republic. Or maybe business anthropology. But I was lucky enough to be able to put those vague plans aside and concentrate on other people, on serving.

2 months ago, finally back in the U.S, I was back to square one. I didn't really want to do linguistics anymore. I didn't think I was cut out for the business world, and I was still tired of being in school, even after such a long break. So grad school didn't sound too appealing either. One day while visiting family in Montana I went on a walk/run with my dad. In the middle of big sky country, we were talking about the future, hashing out what kind of career I might be interested in, trying to narrow it down. And I made a list on my phone of my dream job, laughing to myself that there is no way that a job like that even existed:

one on one work, no committees
practical, applicable skills
focused on ideas
sense of accomplishment
about macro human behavior
involves research
opportunities to write
involves teaching, talking to a group
flexible hours, but good pay
evolving, stays interesting

After a whirlwind two weeks at home/travelling I was back in Provo, back at college, trying to transition back into real life. I missed my mission so much it hurt, and was trying to find purpose in my life as a student again. I had decided to take a genealogy/family history class because my mom had gotten really into it, and she had a feeling that I would like it. So I dropped some of those linguistic classes that I wasn't that into anyway and signed up. And--

I loved it.

I had no idea that a major like that even existed. Or that an entire career field--one of the fastest-growing career fields--existed. That I could use my research skills, love of history, languages, and writing to help people with something they really cared about AND get paid for it. It was amazing.

But I was an anthropology major.

I had two classes left. I was about to graduate. I didn't know hardly anything about genealogy, at least not compared to these people. There was no way I could do that.

But I felt so good about it. I had finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life--a question that had been hanging over my head since I was 5, when people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up--and I didn't have an answer. I was so relieved.

That was my first week back at school. The next few weeks were just as miraculous. I got a job as a research assistant at BYU's Family History Center, despite being an anthropology major with little experience. The 3rd week I turned down a job to work at the MTC as a Czech teacher--the dream job I had thought I wanted--because I knew that my current job at the center was where I needed to be.

The last month I've been waiting to hear back about my application to be a family history minor, knowing that there was such a slim chance of them approving it. I'm already in my 8th semester, about to graduate, why would they let me stay an extra year?? I waited and waited, and then last week I finally got the email.



"Your petition to add the family history minor has been approved."



...as long as I graduate in December 2015. So I'm here for another year! As much as I would like to be out of school, I know that this is the best path for me, and I'm so grateful that everything worked out the way it did. I will have a whole year of job experience, classes and internships before I start applying for full-time positions. I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. So while I'm still not quite sure why I needed to take such a round-about path through anthropology to get here--I'm excited to see how it all turns out. Here's to the next 5 years! Who knows where I'll be.

Grateful

I absolutely love Sundays, I think they are my favorite day of the week. Truly a day of rest. It's funny that I manage to forget how much I need that during the rest of the week. Church today was just amazing--everything I needed to hear and to be reminded of. I am so grateful for the blessings I have. This semester has been so great in so many ways--I honestly can say I've never been happier, especially in college. Just having the assurance that I'm doing exactly what God wants me to do right now is the best feeling in the world. I feel like I've finally grown into myself--I know who I am and who I want to be, and I am so so grateful for that. I've been thinking of this quote all day:

I just love the attitude that it captures. I'm optimistic about the future. I know some days will be really hard--that's life. But I also know that I am so blessed, and those blessings will only increase. Aaaah I just love life right now. I get to go home for Thanksgiving in 2 days and I can't wait. First of all I love that holiday, and I haven't seen my family since summer, and I get to go through the Portland Temple on Friday, which I've only been looking forward to for my entire life. So excited to see everybody, and it will be an awesome break from school. Oh and also I get to go shopping for missionary clothes, which will be so fun. Annica needs them too, and her mission call should get there while we are home! Which is so crazy, but awesome. 

Since I never have pictures on here anymore--I never take any during the school year--I thought I would post some pictures of the Czech Republic. They are gorgeous and it makes me so excited to live there!

Trilingual

Yesterday I looked up the masters program in Linguistics at BYU, and guess what the requirements are:

LING 330, the GRE, and 2 foreign languages, one at a 200 level, and one at 300.

I was like that's it?? Then mom reminded me that the 2 foreign languages requirement is kind of a big deal...and I got really excited, because I realized by the time I get back from my mission, I will be trilingual!! Aaaaah. I'm already at a 300 level for French, and after living in the Czech Republic for a year and a half, I will be at a 200 level in Czech (at least hopefully. I'm going to work for it). So. I'm petitioning to add a Linguistics minor, in addition to French. (Just last year I was wondering why I decided to minor in French, like that was ever going to help me get a job, but now it just might get me into grad school!). So that will give me a year to study for the GRE, try to get my thesis published, apply for grad schools and wrap up life as an undergrad. Pretty crazy. I can't believe it, but at the same time, I just want to have a job. It would be so nice to go to work and then not have to bring any of it home with me!! But that's all a couple years away, I'm sure I'll be ready by that point. Plus Linguistics is the only thing I've been excited about doing, so that's the plan for now.

Also, there are only 4 1/2 weeks left in the semester. Which is freaking me out. I have so much to do!!  The rough draft of my thesis is due on Monday. It's bittersweet. I'm so excited to go home and spend time with my family before I leave in January, but at the same time I'm having so much fun here. I absolutely love my ward and I have some pretty great friends--it will be sad to leave them because it will never be the same again. Most will probably be married by the time I get back, which is becoming more and more normal to me, strangely enough.  College is a strange transition, and I know it has to end at some point, and I want it to end. But it's still weird.

This semester has seriously been awesome though. One of the best I've ever had at BYU, honestly. It might even be THE best. I've had so much fun, I'm almost done with my major, I'm writing my senior thesis, and I'm going on a mission! So many things that make me happy. Life is good, and Thanksgiving is in 3 weeks. Also, Les Mis and the Hobbit come out next month. Get excited.