Graduation

I graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts degree on a cold, drizzly day last week. All my family came to support me and I felt wonderful, despite the fact that my gown was designed to fit a beluga whale and my cap was designed to fit a watermelon.

My aunt Lorie graduated from law school. I saw her at Commencement the day before.

Here I am walking down the ramp with an empty diploma cover, smiling because I saw Russell clapping furiously for me.

Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs made it.
My family! Love them all.

I can't believe I'm a college graduate. I have loved, loved, loved my time at BYU. Some of my favorite experiences from college are:

• My freshman year in Helaman Halls.
• Professor Grierson, Professor Ostenson, Dr. Lee, Dr. Erickson, Madame Thompson, and Brother Fluhman. Best instructors ever.
• Devotionals.
• Making new friends.
  
• Asiago cheese bagels from the Cougar Express.
• Ernestly Chocolate ice cream from the BYU Creamery.
• Amazing roommates that I still keep in touch with.
• Pilates, StepKardio Fusion, and Yoga classes. Made me start to enjoy exercising.
  
• Some hard times with not-so-amazing roommates that forced me to learn things about myself as well as be more patient with other people (including people who insist on cooking spicy Asian food at 2:00 in the morning and stinking up the whole apartment for hours, making it impossible to sleep, let alone breathe).
  
• That one football game that I went to. On second thought, forget it. I was bored out of my mind and cranky and sunburned and left an hour early.
  
• The BYU Games Center, where I worked as a desk attendant since fall semester 2006.
• The Harman Building, where I worked as a Human Resources assistant for a year and a half.
  
• Earning a 4.0 GPA two times in a row my last two semesters.
• Paris Study Abroad, fall 2007. Changed my life in so many ways, and got me a husband too.

Third Time's A Charm

I am pleased to announce that after two completely poopy interviews, my third one was highly successful and I have landed a teaching job at Midvale Middle School! This fall, I will be teaching French 1, 2, and 3 to grades 7, 8, and 9 and I couldn't be happier.
Don't worry. My next post will be chuck full of cute pictures of graduation.

I'll Miss It

Yesterday, I went to the BYU Language Fair with 30 of my French II 9th graders. They participated in all kinds of activities including a knowledge culture bowl, spelling bee, reading and writing exams, and learning about Madame Guillotine. The best activity was the choir. I led them in singing "Dirait On" and they sounded incredible. Later we found out that our choir won second place out of about 20 schools! I was thrilled and swollen with pride. My meager directing skills must not have been a total bust. Move over, Mack Wilberg.
Here we are in the courtyard of the JFSB, squinting in the sun and deliriously happy to be second best. I love these kids.
Here I am in front of the school. I can't believe I was a student here. I used to dread coming here, as my days were filled with loneliness and desperation. My best friend went to a different school and I roamed the halls awkward and alone. Just me and my training bra and retainer and khaki overalls. I would have given anything for people to notice me, to shout my name in the hallway and give me a high-five. My, how the tables have turned. My second experience at the junior high has been much more positive and such a boost for my confidence and self-esteem. I can't walk down a hallway without someone yelling "HEY, MADAME LEE!" at the top of their lungs. They like me. They really, really like me. I'm popular now. People know me. They think I'm funny and cool. I feel like Josie Grosie, like I got a second chance at the whole school thing. And this time, I had the time of my life. What a comeback.
This is a giant card that they made and signed for me before I left. Have I mentioned how much I am going to miss these kids? I still think about them all the time. I won't ever forget any of them. I'll always be thinking about them and hoping that they're living up to their potential and excelling in school and going to college and being kind and responsible. And I hope they all invite me to their weddings. Is that too much to ask?