Summer Classes

This semester is the last semester of my nursing program. I cannot believe it is almost over! For my last clinical rotation I am working with the nurses at American Fork Hospital in their Level II Nursery. I am so excited to start! I love working with babies. Some people don't understand it, but I absolutely love it. 

I am also taking Spanish for Medical Providers and a class on nurse leadership, so the semester should keep me busy. 

Carson started his Spring term class, Statics, a few weeks ago. Let's just say it is not his favorite class. Good thing there are only a few weeks left and before he switches to Mechanics of Materials for the Summer term.

Even though taking classes during the summer isn't the most fun way to spend our time, we are both trying to work hard because the end is definitely in sight. 

Why I Haven't Been Updating...

Thirteen books for five classes. Yeah...its keeping me pretty busy. I promise I'm working on it though.

Does This Make Me a Traitor?

I now have one of these in my car and a University of Utah ID in my wallet.

Why? Next week I will be starting school here.

I am super excited for this opportunity. Fourteen straight months of school and next August I will have a degree in nursing!

No, Carson and I aren't moving to Salt Lake...I am commuting. Tomorrow I will try out the bus on my way to orientation. It should be interesting, but at least I don't have to deal with traffic. 

Wish me luck!

A New Semester

Unfortunately, the end of the holidays means the beginning of school.

What subjects are we diving into this semester?

Carson:

computer-aided manufacturing

materials science

calculus

and an internship

Sam:

microbiology

microbiology lab

The big news of this semester is Carson's internship. He is working for Fast Fill Systems - "a company that specializes in the manufacture of diesel refueling nozzles for mining equipment used worldwide."

(Those are the first words Carson himself has actually typed onto this blog. This is an epic moment folks.)

Anyway, Carson was brought in to establish an in-house foundry and to improve their powder coating processes. (Yeah...I am a science person so a lot of this goes over my head. But if you understand it then there you go.)

Unfortunately, this internship means he has to quit his job at BYU, but he is really enjoying his work at Fast Fill and hopes to be there for a while. 

As for me, I am still working at the Courtyard at Jamestown. I was recently told I did not deserve to call myself a Latter-Day Saint (by a resident who doesn't know any better and will not be judged for his words) just because I tried to push his wheelchair into breakfast. So yeah...its still pretty entertaining. 

This semester looks to be as busy as ever, but we are blessed with a lot of time together and with family and we wouldn't want things to be any different.

Back 2 School

Yep. It is that time again. Time for the books, the highlighters, the studying, the tests, the papers, the stress, and most important, the learning. I don't have a classic first day of school picture because Carson said it was cheesy and I couldn't take one of him, and then he had left for the day by the time I was ready, or I totally would have done it. Oh well. We both looked fabulous. Just trust me. Ha. 

Wondering what we are studying this semester?

On his quest for a manufacturing engineering degree, Carson's line up includes: 

Chemistry

Trigonometry

LDS Marriage and Family

Manufacturing Leadership

Material Removal

My line up:

Psychology of Human Development

Nutrition 

If some of you are thinking wait, Sam, didn't you just graduate...what are you doing back in school, I will explain. No, it is not because I am a nerd and I need school in my life and I thought these classes would be fun for my spare time. Even though I am a nerd, the real reason is that I am now applying for both PA school and the accelerated nursing program at the University of Utah (I know... I know...) for next fall. The only problem is I still have a few prerequisites for the nursing program. Hence, more school after graduation. 

Along with school we are both still working so we will definitely have a busy semester, but so far things have started off great. As tough as school is sometimes, I am excited to see what this semester will bring. 

It's Officially Official

I am a BYU graduate! 

(and obviously still behind on my blog)

My transcript even says so (after a frightening post-graduation meeting with my counselor, but don't get me started).

Here is a video in case you missed it, or want to relive it again and again (I'm wearing the pink lei).

I love my family for all of the support they have given me, and graduation was no exception. It meant so much to me to have so many people sit through the ceremonies just to cheer when my name was called. 

My family/fan club

I am also extremely blessed to have support from my new family. Because of his position in the university, my father-in-law was able to greet me on the stand as I received my diploma.

My in-laws and sister-in-law Jess, who graduated in my college. 

My family

My mom has been a huge support through all of my schooling. I can't tell you how many papers she read for me, how many projects she helped me with, and how many nights she stayed up while I was working on homework. 

My dad has also been a huge support of course, the picture with him just turned out really bad. While my mom helped with the reading/writing part of my education, my dad dealt with the math/science areas. I don't know which was harder, but I do know that math usually came with more tears. 

Sisters

Even though I ended my BYU education just as we began our married life together, Carson has been a huge support to me and I know he is behind all of my future education goals. Even when they change weekly.

Grandparents...

And more grandparents

I am grateful that my uncle and his family could drive up to Utah for my graduation. They have always been full of advice and encouragement as I worked through school.

This girl has been with me for my entire college experience. It started with a knock on my dorm room door almost four years ago and through the years we went from being cousins, to best friends, to roommates, and now sisters-in-law. I couldn't have done it without her support and distractions (one semester my dad told her to make sure I didn't get straight A's). I am so proud of her graduation from dental hygiene school and I can't wait to see what adventures the future brings us. I love this girl.

 I am also very blessed to have this Jess as a sister-in-law. We have so much in common and I am excited for us to grow closer.

I am a lucky girl to have my best friends turned into family.

It feels great to be a college graduate, but I am kind of sad at the same time. School has been part of me since I was five. I know I will have to move on and work in the real world like everyone else eventually, but for now I plan to continue with school and further my education. The only question is where. Stay tuned!

This Semester

Okay, I know the semester is almost over, but I am still in the process of catching up. So, for documentation purposes (and probably not reader interest) let's see what Carson and I are studying this semester.

Sam:

advanced molecular biology

advanced molecular biology lab

Yep, only two more classes until I am done. They aren't the most interesting classes in the world, but they are necessary.

Carson:

american heritage

computer aided design (CAD)

technical communication

new testament

He is lucky enough to have both his brother and his mom taking american heritage with him, so they should all do great. CAD takes up a lot of time, but Carson loves it and is really excited about getting into his major.