2017 has been a quite a year. There have been many new challenges, but also many new wonderful experiences. I've done a lot of thinking the past few weeks on what things I've learned over the past 12 months.I suppose that I wanted to impart some of the wisdom that I acquired. So here it is. 17 things I learned in 2017.

1-Things do get better. Life is full of ups and downs. I know that we are told this all the time by so many people. It is absolutely true. There were times this year that I had to make a goal to just get through the week or even the day. Everyday is a fresh start, remember that.

2-Become best friends with everyone. For reals, it makes life so much more enjoyable. I am so thankful for the people I have met this year. From classmates to roommates, from cashiers to the waitress at who showed me her monkey impersonation at one in the morning. 

3-Follow spiritual promptings. I know that my life was changed because I followed promptings. They don't have to be big or impressive, but they are important and those prompting are intended to help us in our lives. 

4-Pet as many dogs as possible. When my dog passed away this year, I was heartbroken. I miss him every single day. So every time I come upon a dog (that seems friendly) I pet him. There is one on my way to class that brings such joy into my life. 

5-Kiss as many people possible. Not only is it fun, but you can learn a lot about what you want in a future partner. Be wise my friends. However, be gentle with hearts. They are fragile and need to be cared for.  

6-Overuse "I love you". I believe that people don't hear it enough, people needs to know that they are thought of, loved, and never alone. If you haven't heard it today, I love you.

7-Self-care is vital. This can be a tricky one. It is also something that I am still learning. I push myself hard because I want to succeed. Slowing down and taking a break is ok. Taking care of ourselves is ok. So read a book, watch a movie, go on a walk. Care for you. 

8-Take risks. This year I did my best to take little risks everyday. It could be speaking up in class, or talking to somebody new. Do one thing everyday that scares you. It's healthy to take risks. I applied for a job that I didn't think I had a chance of getting. I took that risk and as a result I was hired on the spot. I have the chance to get experience in the career field that I want to end up in. 

9-Be kind to everyone. I firmly believe that when we are kind to those around us they will be kind to us. Even more important, we may be helping someone who is struggling. I try to smile at people when I cross their path. I don't know if it helps them, but it helps me. 

10-Complement others. Have you ever had a random person tell you that they like your shirt? It makes me feel all happy and giddy inside. So be that person for others. Don't you think they'd like to feel good too? 

11-Laughter is the best medicine. If you're not laughing you're probably crying. The past year I have pranked and laughed and had the best of times. I have had to learn to laugh at my funny mistakes. I relate to Anne of Green Gables in this way. She was always getting into scrapes, and well I am too. 

12-Buy the funny socks. I made new friends bonding over silly socks. Friends that I will have for a very long time. I also like knowing that I have a little bit of happiness all to myself. 

13-Write, write, write. I'm 97% sure that nobody will ever read this blog. And that it totally fine with me. I write to get my feelings out. It also helps me to understand myself better because I'm able to articulate the things that I'm dealing with.  

14-Embrace vulnerability. I have flaws. I have so many flaws, it is impossible to count them all. It really suck at times. I hate that I have shortcomings, but knowing that I have them helps me to overcome them. This is something that I know I will be working on the rest of my life. I have resigned myself to that fact. 

15-Call your parents. I don't do this enough. Whenever I cal them I feel so much better about what is going on in my life. I know that they love me and they want to know what is going on in my life. So call them, text the, or even email them.

16-Humble yourself. Yet another quality I have personal struggles with. But I know when I do humble myself good things come. 

17-Learn to love who you are where you are. Life is full of different experiences. Sometimes it is easier to believe that the grass os greener on the other side. Or things will get better after you get a new job, new boyfriend, new whatever. If we never give where we are a chance we will never be happy. Happy is what we can to be, so give it a shot. Make the best of where you are. 

Although this past year has been challenging, it has also been very rewarding. I am thankful for the new things that have come into my life. 

That is all for now. 

--Aubs

A year ago yesterday I returned home from my mission in the deep south. I loved that I was able to serve the people in Mississippi and Louisiana. I learned so much and I continue to learn new things each and every day. I suppose I want to take this time to review my year to remember some of the highlights.

When I first got home I had to relearn to be myself without the nametag. That was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I felt awkward and uncomfortable around everyone aside from my sister. I had to come to terms with a lot of things that had changed with my family and friends. I guess I had this idea that things at home would be the same as when I left. I felt like my life had been fast forward without my knowledge of it. 

I also had to get used to being back at school. It was good to be in a routine, but it was hard. I had one professor who challenged me on many different levels. He constantly belittled my religious beliefs in class and made fun of thoughts and ideals that my classmates and I shared. There were some in the class who shared his ideas, they made it difficult to want to go to class. I had to learn to stand my ground and keep what I knew to be true close to my heart. 

Raina and Kyle were my saving grace. We were always together. We didn't have to be "doing" anything, but it was so nice to be around people who loved me and cared about how I was doing. They helped me to become "normal" again. They were so patient, although they didn't hold anything back. They told me when I was being a weirdo.

During the summer I worked two jobs. Often times I would work over 50 hours a week. I was tired all the time, however I had to put on a happy face for customers everyday. Hard work is something that I have and always will admire in people. My dad describes it as grit. I think that is the perfect way to think of it. He also says I have a lot of it. Perhaps he's right, I hope so. 

Hard work is a lesson that I have continued to learn every day. It comes from school and from different jobs. I just got hired at a new job, this makes number five this year and number three at this time. I did the math, and if I'm right next semester I will be working on average 25 hours a week at these jobs. Add to that being a full time student who strives to get A's in every subject. It will be a challenge, but the best kind of challenge. 

I'm going to switch gears a little. Boys. Boys can be great, but they can also suck a lot. There have been a few this past year that have done a number on me.

When I first arrived home, one elder told me he was in love with me. I believed him and I got my heart broken just a little. One day he was calling me love, beautiful, his sweetheart, then the next day he had a girlfriend. It took me a long time to open my heart up to someone new. 

In May I went on a few dates with another guy. He stole my first kiss. Sometimes I think about what happened with him and what could have been if we only lived closer to one another. I don't know if I would have been happy with him or not. 

There was one that I went on a date with this summer. He was very shy and timid, but her was my favorite date this summer. I actually texted him first. It was the most bold I've ever been in my entire life. I never heard from him again and I wonder if I scared him away. I think I felt something special with him. But I suppose I will never know. 

I did have one boyfriend this year. It only lasted three weeks. I've come to the conclusion that I liked the idea of having a boyfriend more than I liked this boy. I guess it's a good thing I ended it soon. I think he wanted more out of the relationship than I did. His family started talking to him about rings and marriage. It really freaked me out. I know that I am not ready for that step in the least. Not for another five years or so. People always tell me that when the time comes I won't wait. But what they don't understand is that I am not like normal people. It takes me longer to trust someone, and to trust myself with that someone. 

This past semester has been one of the best. I have been so blessed with wonderful roommates and friends. There has been no drama, fights, or anything of that sort these past months. That is quite amazing seeing as there are six girls who live her with all different personalities. I have come to love theses girls.

This year has had its fair share of hardships. But it has also had it's fair share of blessings. I am happy. Of course I still have those hard days, but they are becoming less frequent and easier to cope with. "Things are good" has become my new catch phrase. And I really do feel this way. things are so good. I have loved this year. Even with the challenges.

Things are good.

--Aubs  

I believe that some people are put into our lives at specific at specific times for either us or for them. I wasn't supposed to stay at Snow College another year. I actually graduated last semester. However, I felt like I needed to stay for some odd reason. At that time time I didn't know why, and to be quite frank I was pretty upset to come back to Ephriam. I felt that I had outgrown this little town (I still feel this way). In the end I decided that it made the most sense financially to stay here a little longer, seeing that I had a full ride here and all. 

All summer long I wondered and worried about what I needed to do and or be. I changed my class schedule more times than I care to admit. What I had picked just didn't feel right. However, I finally settled on a major and I haven't looked back. I am happier doing what I am than I would have been otherwise. Other reasons that I know I was meant to be here is because of the people I have met. 

Bonnie is one of my roommates this semester. And real talk, she is one of my favorite people I have ever met in my entire life. We have very similar personalities and we play off of that. There have been a few people tell us that we should have our own comedy show. Annnnnnd they're not wrong. We are so hella funny. I love this girls so much that we are going to live together next year when she goes to BYU and I'm at UVU. I have a fear of living with strangers, but now I don't have to worry about that because I will have that chicken wing with me.

Brianna from microecon is another person I am so thankful I met this year. We bonded over silly socks and bad puns. She reminds me a lot of myself and my younger sister. She is a bright girl what has a lot going for her. We even put it together that our dads were in the same unit in the National Guard. Honestly, I don't know how I would have survived that class without her. I don't know how I'm going to do macro next year. I wrote about Kerry in my last post... So that should give you an idea of what I am talking about.

My Bishop and his wife are two other people I love dearly. They are quite possibly the kindest most genuine people that I know. They have had my roommates and me over to their home a few times for dinner. I tell them about the pranks I've pulled. Sometimes I think they think I am crazy, but they love me anyways. I feel like they could be my third set of grandparents. We talk about everything with them and I always feel so comfortable with them. We've all admitted what our favorite swear word is for heavens sakes.  

Of course there are many more people that have helped me this semester. If I had the time I would write about them all. But all in due time. 

--Aubs 

Often the week before finals week is referred to as "hell week." I would have to agree. And maybe I could blame this week on the weather, stress of school, or the lack of a boyfriend in my life. Whatever it was that causes hell week is something that I loathe. 

I'm not implying that I had to walk on hot coals or encounter Satan himself (although I do have a few questions for him) I think that weeks like this one happens so that we can learn to appreciate the good ones. And now as I look back, all these thing that have happened have been pretty funny. And if you're not laughing, well than you're crying. And nobody likes that mess.

Let's start with Tuesday. There were a few people in my econ class that were going on about missing graphs on our last test. I was freaking out and nearly in tears (actually I did cry a little). I have done very well in that class and I didn't want to mess my grade and all that. I went up and talked to Kerry after class. He put my mind to rest by telling me that I would probably be just fine. This added stress piled on top of everything else put me in that state of mind when you just need to cry. You know that feeling?? No fun. Anyway, right after that class I had to leave for work. I was riding with one of my friends and we were talking about our days and such and I was explaining to her how I was feeling when the following conversation happened.

Me, "You know when you are in the mood for a good cry? That's where I'm at right now."
Her, "I totally get you girl."
I responded completely serious with a deadpan face, "I scheduled one on Friday, but I ran out of time and missed it."
Uncontrollable laughter on her part.

I mean you do have to admit that it was pretty funny. It helped relieve stress getting that out. I am a firm believer that laughing is a better stress relief over crying. 

I guess since we are on the economics train we may as well keep riding it all the way to the end of the tracks. There have been rumors floating around in the business department that Kerry drops the lowest test on your final grade. He wouldn't admit to that no matter how often and who asked. All semester this has been a mystery to me. and I never really knew what was going to happen. Thursday was the last day of class, he talked about the final, but he failed to tell us when it was due. So that evening I asked him when it was due and what my current grade was. He responded and I quote.

"Maybe. Your current grade is an A."

What am I supposed to make of that. Maybe, freaking maybe? What the fiddle sticks. I was very upset. I was raging all over my apartment. I'm pretty sure that my roommates think that I am clinically insane. One of them kept telling me to calm down. But I wasn't about that business. So I kept on with making my fearsome animal noises. I was really upset all evening. Can you blame me? It is frustrating when people play mind games. Like for real. just give me a straight up answer.  

So I continued stressing out and fearing for my poor little grade. Until this afternoon. He emailed the class and said that he will drop the lowest test score. Well my lowest score was a 93%... So I don't have to take this final. Although knowing me I probably will. I have a fear that I will fail because the professor will change their minds and I will have missed the deadline. 

This is the drama from just one class this week. I could tell you how savage I am with business law, or how much my accounting class stresses me out. Buuuuuuuuutt I really need to work on these finals... 

So adieu for now.

--Aubree 

The highlight of my week every week comes on Monday mornings. I know that is an unusual statement for a college student to make. But remember, I'm not your average Aubree. Far from it I would dare say. 

No, the reason I love Monday mornings so very much is because I get to hear from my two very best friends in the whole wide world. Raina and Kyle are both serving missions in Florida and Bulgaria, respectively. To say I miss them is an understatement. I miss them terribly every single day.

When I first came home from my mission it was very hard to adjust. There were a lot of thing going on in my own little world that I wasn't aware of. They were there for me when I needed them. Raina understood more than most of what I was going through.

I know that I spent more money on food while hanging out with them than any other friends! We would go buy hummus, crackers, and doughnuts and sit in Kyle's car venting about our days and different people. I miss this so much. I don't have anyone like that within three thousand miles.  

Just being back at school without them is so hard. I can't get myself to go to Roy's Pizza, despite how much I love it, without them. Being here on my own is much harder than I thought it would be. I wish I could spend an evening with them right now. I really do.

But enough of my whining, back to how great these two missionaries are. They continue to be wonderful examples to me, even though I am older and that's meant to be my job, not theirs. Kyles has been out seven months and Raina four. I feel like it's been five million years. 

A saying I would use on my mission was, "the weeks feel like days, and the days feel like weeks." I feel it is even more true that I am on the other side. It is hard for me to imagine my life without them for the next year or so. 

I love these two with my whole heart. I could brag about them all day; however, I need to go do my homework.

Later.

--Aubs 

It's been a while since I've written.  I would say that I'm sorry, but yo be quite honest, I'm not. I've been a busy busy person. I mean I spent over 40 hours in the library studying this week. I didn't even get paid (which I think is bull crap...) 

There were some funny highlights this week. For example, I was studying in the library Monday evening. Across from me was this awkward kiddo... he asked my friend and I an very awkward question about how we felt about the law of chastity. He continued to pry and ask and it was just really really uncomfortable. Well this kid is now stalking us a little. We see him around all. The. Time..... oh well. It's a struggle being so hot.

I also took a trip to the SLC temple to see the lights. I was not planning to go at all. Then somebody mentioned chick fli a. And oh boy do I love that chicken. So I went. And it was such a good trip. My brother ended up coming, and it was nice to be with him without fighting. Good friends are so important and I'm so thankful that I have them I am so blessed.

I'll do better at writing when finals are over. I can't wait. I'm not going to lie, but I am counting down the days.

--Aubs