It started out like this.

We're officially in. It's a little weird. However, it's probably the best thing we've ever done. Hanging out with random strangers until the wee hours of the morning, and exploring a campus that is too big for our own good. We go to sleep at like 11....(just kidding, HI MOM!) And wake up at seven in order to get to a class that is a huge waste of time. [disclaimer: we do not share a bed. This was just for the sake of sending a picture to my mom of us going to bed, on time.]

Kelsey and Lauren are Utah State Ambassadors, so they get to go to spiffy leadership conferences and spend the week in Bear Lake. [Hey guys. Come home. We miss you.] So while they get to go to these conferences, they also get food. Being the wonderful roommates that they are, they bring us back coookies since we are starving college students and all. But Kelsey leaves us a note that says they're from homeless men....and I freak out that we're going to get some disease for an extended period of time...until they inform me that it was just a joke and they are actually from the USU Catering Services. Yeah. NOT COOL OR FUNNY. [disclaimer: I didn't die, and they were actually quite delicious. Thanks roomies.]

Since today was the "first day of school," we all had to plan our outfits out like we were children again.  Emi and I accidentally planned the same shirt...and she also wore hers with matching shorts, just so she could be a salmon. [accompanying fish dance included, and no, she didn't really wear this to school. Thank heavens.]

We're cute. That's the moral of the story. We had to take pictures of us being big kids and going to college and the like, so this is us commuting around to connections. Yes, we are in the same shirt, and yes, our hair is done the same. No, we are not twins. Thank you. 

Last, but certainly not least, I Skyped with my family tonight. Yeah, they're only an hour away, but it was fantastic--other than the fact that they've already taken over my room. It's whatever. I leave the house for 3 days, and they move in to my domain, and Britt breaks her finger. I can't leave these people alone. 

So. Basically college is wonderful. I'm on new people overload, and we're all slightly scarred from the welcome dance today, but we'll live. We're not starving--yet, and we've all gotten our homework done on time--so  far. There are people in our apartment constantly and I still have no idea who half of them are, but yay for new people and not being in high school anymore. A majority of Davis High may live in Snow Hall, but other than the few boys who seem to live on our couch, we don't see much of them. Yay for college, new people, and grocery shopping by ourselves. [which was weird. super weird.]

Almost there, just one more second.

While doing my usual pre-bedtime blog stalk, I read Maddy's blog. (Check it out here, if you don't already.) And she made this list of high school memories. Seeing as we have less than a week of school left before we hit the "real world," I figured it was only fitting for me to do the same. Here's a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I Remember:
1. That first day of high school, walking in feeling like I was completely lost. But so proud of my tan--recently acquired in Oregon, and my newly dyed hair. I had my priorities straight?
2. Helping Maddy do her hair for Homecoming sophomore year, and knowing that it would be a whole year until I could go to a dance was awful. BUT. That marked the first time we all got ready together.
3. AP World History just about killed me, and I remember feeling like the biggest idiot in that class, and in math. Not a good year for academics, other than English. Photography was also eye-opening. I think Anna and I did more in Photoshop than anybody else that year.
4. I remember taking Intro that year with Kelsey and feeling so cool that I had Terri for two whole class periods.
5. I remember taking family pictures November 20, and then randomly getting a text from Bronson, who I hadn't spoken to since the last day of ninth grade. He invited me over to his house, and I was the ONLY Davis person there. That was the first time I met Jared, Sam, Jackson, and all those kids. It also was the beginning of a long string of events.
6. I remember talking to Bronson two days after Christmas, and asking him how his family vacation was going, and being surprised when he told me he was coming home early. Why? "To say goodbye to Brian." I stayed up later that night talking to him than I ever had before.
7. New Years Eve sophomore year was the best one yet. Huge party at Hannah's, and everyone got together that night. The musical revue that next week was great, and watching Brian Regan at Bronson's house after was the first time of many. Poor Carla. Only one there without a boy.
8. I remember crashing Jessie Reid's birthday party at Flip's to bring cookies to everyone, and then leaving and documenting the entire adventure on camera.
9. I remember voice lessons with Karen Stephens trying to get ready for Musical Productions auditions, and being scared out of my mind for weeks.
10. I remember Emi and Bronson studying with me the night before my grandma died, and the bouquet of flowers that made everyone jealous.
11. I remember being at a family dinner, and preparing for the funeral when the Musical Productions list was posted, and being so stressed over telling my mom that I didn't make it, on top of everything else.
12. AP World Test. First of way too many, and being so scared I wouldn't pass. I did. :)
13. Sleeping over at my grandpa's with Emi the night before we went boating with everyone, and talking about purple roses and unicorns and asians. Then Maddy being stressed the next day because we were late to the party.
14. My 16th birthday party, and Megan running into Candace's car in her driveway. My first date, and Megan, Jared, and Bronson singing to me over cupcakes and a camp fire.
15. The Junior Committee parade float, and the picture we took that is quite literally the epitome of summer.
16. I remember my first day of junior year, feeling like I finally knew what I was doing...then getting to calc and AP bio, and regretting everything.
17. Homecoming, both Viewmont's and Davis'. Joy Luck, and lighting the table on fire at Jorgen's. Tearing the sleeve of my dress, and being the only one in my Viewmont group in a non-neutral. Pictures, both times.
18. HALLOWEEN. Go big or go home, and Joe's editing of Taylor Swift in the car. Epic face paint.
19. Christmas, and the scavenger hunt Jackson sent me on to answer. Revenge is sweet?
20. New Year's. Helping at the Kaysville City party with Emi and Dallin, and then hanging out at Annie's. Most awkward experience of my life.
21. Going to see HP 6 Part I with Annie, Jared, Sam, Emileah and Jackson. The snowball fight in the parking lot after, and Jared freaking out that a girl was in the car.
22. Viewmont-Murray hockey game, and driving with Emi and Annie in the middle of a blizzard. The phone call with Bronson on the way home, and the texts later that made everything okay again.
23. Sleeping over at Emi's while my family was in Oregon. BYU basketball game, and escorting for Mr. Dart, with six other girls.
24. Anaheim with D-TV. Winning best in show for layout, meeting the Ling sisters, Disneyland, the Tower of Terror 12 times, and calling Emi the second she got home from prom.
25. Crashing Viewmont's prom, and trying so hard to keep it a secret from everyone. The look on Morgan's face when she saw us, and the way she almost started crying. Dancing until we were bruised, and Danny leading the mosh pit during Sandstorm. Dancing in the fountain, and awkwardly running into Mal and Bronson when they walked to their car. Going out at 2:30 a.m. because my parents wanted me to tell the boys to leave, since they were still talking in the driveway.
26. Kyle's 18th birthday, and the list we made on postits. Hiding with Emi and Braxton in the neighbor's driveway, and nerf wars in his circle.
27. Girls' State with my best friends, and rooming with 3 complete strangers. Discovering that I hate politics, and trying to figure out where on earth half the girls were from.
28. Ragnar. And running Ragnar hill/hell. Jumping in East Canyon when it was 42 degrees.
29. Lake Powell. No cell phone service for a week, and sleeping outside under the stars every single night. Coming home the day before my birthday, and having my best friends in my driveway the next night. And coming home to the AP results...failing AP Biology.
30. Relationship counseling sessions with Braxton and Spencer on my hammock.
31. Starting senior year, in a totally new position, and spending time with Davis friends. Homecoming with my best friend of 11 years, and the biggest group known to man. Seeing all the Viewmont kids while we were at dinner, and the conversations that ensued.
32. Halloween, Christmas, Sadie's. All with my friends and the largest groups in the world.
33. First prom, with my favorite ginger. Driving in the corvette and watching How to Train Your Dragon afterwards.
34. The stress of D-TV. Figuring out who did what, and finally settling into a rhythm, in April.
35. The relief of finishing my last AP test.

Chronologically speaking, those are the most prominent memories, but I could go on for days really. The real point is though, that high school is almost over; and we're leaving behind the most influential time of our lives. We're so close to the real world that we can almost taste it, and the future is close enough to touch.
It's going to be a long five days before we can say we're through, but it'll come faster than we expect. And then? We're off.

We don't owe anything to anyone.

Posts are more interesting with photo evidence. So here goes...again. 

D-TV is basically a party period now that all our broadcasts and parodies are done. So Cat and I (and Emi, she just wasn't in this picture) have contests to see who could fit the most pretzels in our mouths. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. 

Wednesday, we had an assembly. The senior assembly, to be exact. Emi, Taylor Dayton, Becca Rose, Annie Tanner, Morgan Miller, Nate Johnson and I were the leads...and after our rehearsal that morning, we were all a little tired. That's Taylor, sleeping shirtless, in the green room. Yes, shirtless. 

As if an assembly and youth court weren't enough, my ward then went to the cannery for mutual. Why? To fill the largest order the cannery has ever received. (YOU'RE WELCOME SOUTH BENCH WARD.) Also, we learned that we'd look great as lunch ladies. Thursday didn't get photographed, but Davis played Brighton for the boys' soccer state finals game. We won, and there couldn't have been a more perfect ending for our last game as Darts. 

Last night was Senior Cotillion, and we figured it was only fitting to get ready one last time together. So while we curled, primped, and sprayed....

Hailee did this. She was hiding from Maddy, but then realized how comfortable it really was. So she stayed. All while discussing her love for a boy who shall remain nameless..

And finally? We attended our last dance. Cotillion is a "no-date" dance, so the three of us went with Randy. Zupa's for dinner, and dancing with just about everyone in the senior class--that we actually cared about. 

When the dance was over, and people were getting ready to leave, we noticed that all the "tools" were having major meltdowns in one corner. I guess they realized that the glory days of high school are over. And while we didn't cry and sob, it was a surreal experience. In less than 3 months, we'll be out on our own. It'll be pure chance if we see most of these kids again, and some of them we never will. The boys are leaving on missions, and the girls are going to get married. We're not growing up, we have grown up. And it's still weirding me out a little bit. 

But strangely enough, I think we're all ready. It's weird to think that we're finally where we are, but it happens to everyone. 

Besides, I'd rather be an Aggie any day. :) 

One day down.

I graduated from seminary today. (!!!!!!!!) One graduation done, one to go. Basically, I'm terrified/scared/nervous/stoked/amazed/excited to be graduating. Because for soo long, we all dream of graduating, of moving on; and now that it's here, I really don't know what to do. So as I sat on my driveway pondering life with one of my best friends, I started thinking about everything I've done/wanted to do/never accomplished.

-I wanted to be a photographer. I took photography classes sophomore year, and have mindlessly searched photography tips for hours on end. But I guess I don't have the patience, or something, because it never worked out. However, I have had the chance to do shoots with some fabulous photographers, and I hope I get to do some more soon.
-I wanted to be a class officer/SBO. Ran twice, but it never worked out. Looking back though, it's better that way. I had the opportunity to do so many other things that I wouldn't have been able to if I was busy being official. I did however, get to be part of the junior and senior class committees, which was basically the same thing without the jacket. I'd recommend it to anyone. :)
-I've always wanted to be a designer. I love clothes, color, and fashion, and I stalk websites and blogs continually. This year, I got to be part of the design board for the 2012 Prom Line at Kathleen's Bridal and Formal Wear in Kaysville. It was just a small realization of a silly dream, but it happened. And my prom dress was even more special since I got to help design it.
-I wanted to sing and dance on stage. I have an almost unhealthy obsession with Broadway, and I would have loved to be a part of that. But Musical Productions never worked out, and I haven't been able to find the time for any outside theater either. I have gained a better appreciation for the "arts" though, and I never miss a performance that my friends are in.
-I wanted to be on TV. Stupid, huh? But by participating in D-TV for the last 3 years, I had the chance to do just that every single week. Sure, it wasn't national television or even a local news network. But the people I was with everyday saw it, so it was kind of the same thing.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I've done just about everything I wanted to in the last three years. No, I'm not some world renowned photographer, and my voice will never sell millions of CDs. But I'm proud of who I am, and the things I've done. And? I'm more than a little excited for the future.

In a somewhat related side note, I may or may not be participating in the Miss Kaysville-Fruit Heights pageant. We'll see.

Prom. Prom. Prom. Prom. Prom. Prom. EVERYBODY.

Senior prom is a win. I'm just saying. So you people get to hear about every second of it. [kind of.]

Last Saturday, we spent the day at Thanksgiving Point; driving golf carts around the gardens, playing in the fountains, and visiting the dinosaur museum. It was a blast. But the real party was this weekend.

I had a hair/makeup appointment, and the best part of that was the eyes. I'm telling you people. Amber Woffinden has magical powers. SHE DID PEACOCK EYESHADOW FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Seriously though, blue and purple feathers, on my eyes. However, it was daarrrrk. Like hookerish dark by the time we put mascara on, so we lightened it, and nixed the feathers. Downer. My hair was fabulous, and she incorporated everything I wanted into it. I'm telling you, magic.

Then my date, Matt Mansfield, picked me up in his uncle's amazing Corvette. My parents were down in Salt Lake setting up for the pictures, (my dad always plays dance photographer. Handy, really.) so I was fending for myself. Guess who put the boutonniere on flawlessly, the first time, with no help?? Me. That's right.

Then we drove to Salt Lake in the POURING rain for pictures and dinner, where finding parking was an adventure in itself. Ate, got photographed, and made our way to the State Capitol Building for the dance. That place is magical.

We danced til we dropped--almost literally, but not quite--and Matt was a sweetheart. Making sure I was always happy, was dancing with who I wanted to, dancing every slow song with me (and not doing it awkwardly. We actually looked like we liked each other. Winner, right there.), and basically just making me feel like a million bucks. We're both spazzy dancers which meant we moshed, and we moshed hard. My feet will be bruised for weeks.

When we were getting ready to leave, we realized it wasn't raining. I knew my hair would get ruined, but.... If it meant driving with the top down, I was willing to do anything. So we did, and blasted fun. the whole way....to the Bountiful exit, where it promptly started pouring, and we had to put the top back up. Oh well.

We changed in record time, and ate out of a chocolate fountain at the McRae's. Then we migrated downstairs, and claimed a spot on the best LoveSac to watch "How to Train Your Dragon." I'm fairly certain I was asleep for the majority of the movie, and Matt's entire right side of his body probably was too, but I think he was far too interested in the show to notice.

We made it home by curfew, he gave me a hug and spun me around again, and left.

It wasn't a huge deal, and it wasn't extravagant. But the kid is a gentleman, and I absolutely adore him. That's the moral of the story.