backpacks and chiropractors

I am celebrating!

This is an interpretation of a conversation I frequently have with friends, parents, teachers, strangers... you name it. I even got a weird pick-up line one time about a backpack. It went as follows:

Strange guy: "Hey, your backpack's real big."

Me: "Umm, yeah. Thank you?"

... and that was the end of that, thank heaven.

Bbbbbuuuuttt... today is the LAST day I will carry this lovely 27-pound wonder to school and back again. Trust me, a big backpack is something like a signature Courtney thing to have (of all things). Just ask one of my school chums. Not even joking.

So, this is goodbye to the ridiculous back-breaker of the century... for at least 8 weeks anyway. :)

mi madre

Are you ready for this??

This is big. Real BIG. Ok. Here goes.

My mama and I carpool to school together. That is, until today. My mother has been going to school for the past 7 years. Yes, she's finishing a Master's degree, it's not just one long bachelors degree like mine... she actually accomplishes stuff.

Mom packed her school bags and started her college journey when I began 8th grade. At first people would tease and say, "your mom goes to college!" thinking they were funny like Napoleon Dynamite or something. It was junior high, okay? In reality, they were right though. My mama was going to college. I gradually got used to the fact that mom would pack a lunch the night before, have homework, and think about tests at school just like me. We would be racing to get out the door or sometimes share the bathroom to do hair in the morning. This got to be the norm.

Once I started college, she and I have stressed about finals together, laughed about lame tests, take drive-thru runs just to get some chocolate in the system, and study for countless late nights until we both nearly fell asleep on our books. The last item happened WAY too often, let me tell you. She has played the role of mom, student, editor, teacher, motivator and friend for the past 7 years and somehow has juggled it all very well in my mind. How she did it? I'll never know. My mom is Wonder Woman people. Face it. She is.

Don't get me wrong, the last 7 years haven't been stress-free, care-free, or a 100% joyous ride, but they've had their moments of glory. These little mercies came when tests were passed, professors worked with us, or we simply made it to school on time that day. I've learned so much from watching my mama go to school. The following is a compilation of things that have gone through my brain when I consider the last 7 years that I have learned from watching her...

- Nothing is impossible if you stick to it long enough.

- Fake it until you make it.

- If you think you've studied so much that your brain is saturated, study some more.

- Don't give up.

- Don't forget to pray. It gets you through things.

- Hard work pays off.

- Time will go by whether you set goals or not.

- There are three options when it comes to the outcome of an assignment: good, better, best. Choose one.

- The best effort you give to something doesn't always turn out to be the letter grade you get at the end of the semester. But, if you give it everything you have, it will be positive.

- Quitting is not an option.

My mama has been my inspiration throughout my whole life. She's someone I look up to and love. I'm so proud of you mom!

NOTE: To those of you who find it offensive to get up and yell during graduation ceremonies, I apologize in advance. I am coming to support my mother and am bringing a sign. A big one. I may also wear the most annoying color you can imagine so she can see where my family is sitting through all of the bright lights as she crosses that beautiful stage and gets the empty diploma holder. That's all. Thank you :)

events and happenings

Hello.

Yes, I'm still alive.

The last few weeks have been a little nuts around here. School is in full swing for Spring term but may I remind you, it is rapidly coming to a close! Hallelujah! There are a whopping 4 DAYS between the end of Spring term and the beginning of Summer term (both of which I am a participant) so maybe I'll get lucky and get out there to play some tennis for a few moments... wouldn't THAT be nice! :)

A few things of note have happened in the past few weeks that I wanted to let you all know about! ... yes, all 6 or 9 of you that happen to glance at this blog when you're bored out of your mind. I'll number for the sake of forgetting chronological order or something...

1) My sweet brother has graduated from the University of Utah and has started the masters program in architecture there! So proud of him!! Congratulations Scooter! This is a big deal. I'm so glad to see you follow through with your dream of going to college. You're a great example. The best brother I've ever had I'll say. Love you man.

2) I officially tested out of my first class in college. Woo! It wasn't too bad but this one was a relief when it was over.

3) My cute brother has so much happening in his life that this post may seem a little bit focused on him... but let's face it. He has a much more thrilling life than me at this point in time. I'm so happy for he and his wife - they just moved into their first home! I'm so happy to know that they are finally moved in and enjoying life right now. Scotty was in Haiti on a school trip with some classmates and professors while Michelle + family moved them into their new home. So happy times - they are proud owners of their first home!

4) I have nearly made it through Spring term! Classes go by so quick but it's going well and hopefully will end well next week... :)

5) I have rediscovered my love of tennis. Yes, that's right. I played last week for my first time and was so pumped that I want to play every day in summer! To remedy this craze for the sport I even signed up for a Beginning Tennis class in Summer term. I have a racquet, I may as well use it!

So... life is plugging along! I'm really excited for my family. These events have brought us together so much and I know that there will be more happy moments to come!