Thanks, Kid President

This made my day. Exactly what I needed. Happy Monday!

And if you haven't seen it, check out his pep talk.

Utah

Once upon a time I moved to Utah to go to school. I hated the winters, but loved my life in the bubble of BYU. After successful completion of a bachelor's degree, I moved away, ready for a change. I swore I would never move back. 

Fast forward three years. I moved to Utah to go to school. Again. After living here for three years, wishing I could move, longing for something different, and finally successfully completing a master's degree, I find that I don't want to move. At least not right now.

So, folks, I guess it has happened. It is official. I have become a lover of Utah, particularly a lover of SLC.

I love the diversity of food options.
I love the beautiful sunsets from my porch.
I love the autumn leaves in the canyons.
I love the cooperative community members.
I love that the center of my life is in the city center.
I love the public transit system.
I love nature at my doorstep.
I love the surprising diversity.
I love the plethora of culture.
I love my house.
I love the silent movie theater.
I love the farmer's market.
I love my family here-ish.
I love my friends.
I love my life.
I love SLC.

The Waiting Place

Have you read Oh, the Places You'll Go? I am sure you have, and you may have felt like I do, that life is like this. Almost every place in the book I have been. I have been in a slump. I have had great things happen. I've had bang-ups and hang-ups. I have been left in a lurch. I have done magical things. I have succeeded at things. The great things are great and the hard things are hard, but none is harder than the "most useless place: The Waiting Place... for people just waiting."

This is where I have been for the last few months. Waiting. Simply waiting for a few things to get sorted out in my life. Things I could truly do nothing about. It really is the most useless place. There is no progression. There is no control. There is no opportunity.



But as the book says: "Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing." And so I have. Maybe I don't hear any boom bands yet, but things are moving forward. Progression and opportunity have returned. I am once again riding high "with banner flip-flapping."

Graduation(s)

You may now address me as Master Holmes

While I walked at Commencement a couple months ago, it is now official (and rather anti-climactic). All papers have been turned in. All classes have been passed. Just now waiting for them to mail me a diploma. The whole process has got me thinking about the various graduations I have had. I have been in school for a crazy long time!

Here is my first one: Joy School 1988 (or somewhere close to that). How cute (and blonde!!) was I?!


I was before the time of kindergarten graduation ceremonies, but I did pass that. In fact, I went to full-day kindergarten, so that has to count for something, right? Here is me with Mrs. Wagner, my kindergarten teacher. Please ignore the bowl cut. It was cool back then.


Elementary School graduation happened somewhere in there too. 1996 to be exact, but it seems those pictures have been lost to the void.


However, 8th Grade Celebration (aka graduation) will always be remembered due to this lovely gem.

But none of that ever goes on your transcript, or your resume. Those are just about getting to the next thing, High School. Class of 2003. Lance looks really excited to be there.

Then on to college. After 4 years at BYU, I was pretty excited to be done. Jumping for joy with my roommates. Class of 2007

And now, after 20 years of formal education, I am done. (Remind me of that if I ever start talking about getting a PhD.)
MPA. 2013.

And a tremendous THANK YOU to my wonderful parents who have been there for those important moments, but more importantly helped me get there. I couldn't have done it without your support (physical, mental, and emotional).

Thank you for all you do. 

And now the traditional parents-flanking-the-graduate poses.