BOISE STATE GRADUATION 2013

My baby sister--who is not so much a baby anymore--graduated from Boise State last weekend with a master's degree.

I am so proud.

Rebecca Jolley is a master of English, rhetoric, and composition. 

The graduation ceremony was a miserable, three-hour affair. BYU-I ingeniously divides up the majors into different buildings to makes the ceremonies go faster. 

But not Boise State. After the 2,000th student's name was announced, I was ready to sell my LIVER on the black market to make. it. stop.

In my defense, I was sick. And I had forgotten my phone back at Becca's apartment, so I had nothing to do but wallow in misery. But then, as if to make up for what they just put us through, glitter rained down from the ceiling for the last 10 minutes. 

Apparently, falling glitter makes me happy. 

Becca was blessed with some awesome friends during her Boise State experience.

Her best friend Kevin, graduated with the same master's degree.

A Hawaiian friend in their major, had the matching leis made for her and the other 4 master of English, rhetoric, and composition graduates.

We continued to take many, many pictures, but I'll only share the few successes. It's not that Becca isn't pretty to look at. 

She just seems to have an inability to be photographed with her eyes open. 

Lovely lady.

This is my new favorite picture of my family.We had such a wonderfully happy weekend and this picture just seems to illustrate that. 

With the Big D.

I think our parents did alright by us, don't you?

In exchange for the cost of her master's program, Becca accepted an assistanceship and taught 100 level writing classes. Here she is in her classroom. 

And here she is by her desk...looking all professor-like.

Then Becca showed us around Boise. We picnicked, window shopped, admired local art and mocuments, and watched giraffes fight at the local zoo. 

Seriously people, if you have never seen giraffes fighting, you're missing out. Go YouTube it. 

We also oohed and awed over countless geese and their new hatchlings. 

Don't mess with the mamas. They mean business.

Goslings in a row. 

I took more pictures of these guys than I did of Becca. It's embarrassing, really. For your sake, I'll only share 5% of them.

Last one.

I suddenly have the urge to snuggle something. 

And finally, Becca's happy dance. It had to be shared. 

Next time you see her, ask Becca to demonstrate this happy Snoopy dance. It is hilariously accurate.

Bursting with Love and Pride,

Rachel

GOT IT.

I had a dream last night. {Just let me preface it by saying that this is NOT an announcement.} Now that I have that out of the way:

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I had a dream that I was on a makeshift bed in my doctor's living room...his entire family milling around...while I was in labor with my first baby. Even worse, nobody knew where Andrew was!
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Despite this ridiculous, terrifying setting, all I could think about was the fact that I was about to lose my last opportunity to get a picture of myself with a pregnant belly. Nothing stressed me out more than the fact that I COULD NOT FIND MY CAMERA! This MUST be documented!
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Apparently, my subconscious priorities are a little out of whack.

Yesterday, I submitted an eighty-something page paper...for my master's program. It took two months, and I can't tell you the relief that followed after finishing it. It had lots of graphs and tables and scanned documents...but STILL...that is an insane amount of typing.
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I feel a strong sense of pride and accomplishment in the idea that I compiled such a project myself...which is probably why I'm bragging about it to all of you. I like the sound of it. Here. Let me say it again:

I just finished writing an eighty-something page paper.

No big deal.

And only 2 classes left to go before I get this darn degree!!!

Um, yes actually. I got time. I gots lots of it. Not only was my big paper just turned in, but are both currently church calling-less. All within a few weeks, Andrew was released from a bishopric, and I was released from a Relief Society Presidency.

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{Bishopric and ward member at ward social}

I can hardly comprehend the amount of extra time we've got floating around in our lives right now. No meetings, no phone calls, no e-mails, no home visits, no lesson prep...
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Andrew now wanders aimlessly through the house, while I spend entirely too much time watching YouTube tutorials about designing your own blog header. {Which reminds me...you like? See Above.}

Anyway, we'll see how long it lasts...

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: READING WITH AN EMPHASIS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

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Mind-numbing textbooks
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Late, stressful nights.
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More mind-numbing textbooks
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Papers to type. Research. Works Cited. APA format. Bleh.
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Grad School.
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It's official. I have begun my Master's program. I never dreamed in a million years that I'd be heading down this road one day. I was soooo happy to be finished with research papers and textbooks for the rest of my life, and yet, here I am, starting all over again. Just saying the name of this darn program wears me out (see post title).
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And quite honestly, I pictured myself happily at home with two kids by now. All of this deviating from my blueprint is very discouraging. Has anyone felt depressed by nothing and everything all at the same time? But, I must keep repeating the mantra that has helped me find humor and focus through many past deviations from my plans.
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"The surest way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans."

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I mean, God knows what he's doing, right? Marrying Andrew was NOT on my plan. And yet, I'm kind of glad I did.
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Tonight, after tears, profanities, and several sincere announcements that I was dropping out (it's a long dramatic story I doubt you care to hear)...I finally submitted the first paper for my first class.

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Then, I informed Andrew that he was to take me on a date this instant, that he had to plan, and that had better be fun. With obedience highlighting his great wisdom, Andrew immediately grabbed the car keys and drove us to Cold Stone Creamery.
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We shared the Birthday Cake Remix, in case you were wondering.
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You'll all understand if my blog gets neglected more than usual, right? Can we still be friends?
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Wish me luck as I dig into this new phase of my life! And then send a prayer my way...or twenty while you're at it. Much obliged.
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