The dogs:
Poli and Ari got along SO well and just loved eachother! Poli definitely improved when we got Ari, and he loved having a buddy, although he had to learn to actually play (which is really just him barking and playing chase, but it's adorable when he and Ari chase each other, especially when he's chasing her). Ari had her problems - which happens when you have relatively no training for the first 4 years and then in addition you're an outside dog for at least two of those years - but she was wonderful. Sadly, as I prepared to graduate from BYU, I realized that I'd need to move - the plan was Boston, but it just didn't work out... LAME.
Ari needs owners who understand her and can handle her. She was difficult for people when they "babysat" her, and if she got out, I'd be chasing her for more than an hour. I realized that I couldn't just leave her with anyone, so in January/February I felt that the best thing for her would be to start looking for a new home. I found her one that seemed perfect: husband and wife with a new son, she was a stay-at-home mom, he worked at the aquarium and had had arctic breeds before. They have a 6ft fence and wanted to keep her as an indoor dog, but could let her out without worry when she wanted to go. I did an interview with them, and it was rather surreal how she just bonded with them. She stood next to the husband (whose name was literally Ari) and just let him pet her. she didn't stay by me at all, which is strange for her.
Anyway, after much thought, prayer, and fasting, I realized that they were absolutely perfect for her and it seemed right to give her to them. When they actually picked her up, she got nervous when he went out to their car. It was so strange, but I knew that she recognized them as her new family. She didn't even hesitate to leave with them. Poli struggled for a week or two, but my mother was visiting and could stay home with him while I was at school. We all adjusted, but it was hard. We'll always miss her, but know she's where she needs to be!
Graduation:
I've finished school, and I'm so happy to be done! My senior course was the bane of my existence, and I managed a B+ despite my teacher's attempts to thwart me (and the rest of the class, apparently). That made my overall GPA 3.58 (my first year was dismal because I had decided not to worry about keeping my scholarship... then I grew up). I was hoping to do an internship with Little Brown and Co. in Boston over the summer, but it didn't pan out, so I explored many other options.
I searched and searched for jobs, applying here and there. Oh, the life of a humanities major! Anyway, I'm still looking, but I've basically moved to Pullman, WA to be with my parents. I've missed them much more as of late, and I felt very strongly that I need to be with them right now. I'm up here "visiting," but once I have a for-sure job, I'll drive to Orem and move up here with all my stuff - and Poli! It's been wonderful hanging out with my lovely mother, and weird to have meals almost always prepared for me! I love the area, the community, the wards, and the culture, so I'm hoping it will work out.
I miss my old job at the BYU Bookstore though. It was a blast working there for 2.5 years! I had to leave because it's a student position... and I'm no longer a student, believe it or not! I'll miss every one of my coworkers for different reasons, but they were all wonderful. One of my last days I just started explaining the things I loved about each of them (at least those that were there towards the end)... I'll list it here just for fun!
- Ashley: Ashely was rather adorable. She helped me to keep a positive outlook no matter what I was facing in school, work, or life in general.
- Julia: I only really knew her for my last two weeks, but she is just so fun and spunky! It was so much fun to work with her and she just gave me a whole new perspective of Utah life!
- Nicole: Nicole was my adopted daughter, and was a hoot! She always made me laugh and just let me feel so at home in the office.
- Alex: Alex was gone my last two weeks for her honeymoon, but I got to say goodbye to her before that. she was so fun and different (in a GOOD way), and just added a new aspect to the office.
- Joe: Joe is an awesome mexican chef and awesome friend! He would get so many songs in my head over and over, but it was fun. He is just a powerhouse at work and - as far as I know - in church. He's such an example!
- Steph: Steph was practically a hipster, and told me more about current news than I ever found out on my own. She always added flavah to the workdays, and knew how to have fun amid stress!
- Sara: Sara was a genious in the office. She knew the ins and outs of every system and how to fix any problem, but never condescended. She was a sweetheart and always a friend.
- Erika: Erika was such a leader and knew how to enjoy work despite whatever was going on. I loved talking with her, and she would always make anyone feel better, just with a chat.
- Stehly: Stay-fresh was our California addition who knew just how to have a good time. I kinda think of him as the one who brought the partay to the office. He was a hoot!
- Tyler H: Tyler was only there about a semester before I left and worked a completely shift, so I barely knew him, but he seemed like a solid, good guy, and I know those who worked with him loved it.
- Griffin: Griffin was just funny in his own way. I really didn't work with him much, but he was always laid back and helped all of us relax even when staying on task.
- Tyler O: Tyler just made every day funnier by his comments and attitudes. He could talk with you forever and the time would fly by.
- Clark: Clark was a fun guy, and a great friend - one of the few who loved fantasy and sci-fi as much as I did. We had so many discussions about books that I can't remember them all, and he's such a smartie! He could point out things I'd never even considered.
- Linny: Linny was just plain "awesome-amazing"! She and I could talk through our shift while still getting tons of work done, then hangout later as if nothing was different. She loved fantasy and chic. lit. as much as I (if not more) and we were instant buddies! One of my bestest friends!
- Holly and Sarah both left before me, but I'll miss them both as they were both fantastic!
Anyway, after that exhaustive list... off to other things...
I finally had my interview with Learn to Be, and I'm now a full-fledged tutor! It's entirely voluntary, and it's all online, so it works out perfectly for me! I'm so excited. Now I just need to find a new way to serve at the hospital (In Utah, I visited the UVRMC for their sacrament services once a month to help bring the sacrament to the patients and employees who wanted it). I'll also miss visiting my grandmother, but at least she has other family around and now I'll be closer to my mom. The closest temple here though is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away and you MUST make an appointment, so that's going to be a HUGE adjustment! We'll see how it goes once I figure my life out!
