Monday, January 14, 2008

Back to the MAcc

In the last week, there have been many changes/ milestones in my life. Monday marked the beginning of my final semester of law school, of grad school, and of school in general. Because I am marrying a man who has more years of school left than I know what to do with, school will be a part of my life for years to come. However, never again will I be the student.

Tuesday I started back in the MAcc program. As I suspected, instead of being at the younger end of the students, I am headed to the older end. Almost three years have passed since I last stepped foot in the good ole' BuC. Not only am I three years older, I feel as though I am much wiser. How bad can this be? I have been to law school (or law school hell depending on the day), this is nothing. My classmates have thus far seemed impressed with my education and capabilities. I had one girl ask the professor if I could be in her group because she was hoping to have "the expert" on her side. (Only because the group project had cases to brief :) ).

Tuesday also marked a quarter century for me. I turned 25. That seems so old, but oddly enough, I have very few regrets. Twenty-five seems like a good time for the changes I am about to encounter. I will graduate with two graduate degrees and marry my sweetheart. I will take the bar exam. I will hopefully get my first real job. All very big things, but things I have looked forward to doing for many years. How the years do fly!!!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

It's Christmas!!

You have no idea how glad I am that it is Christmas break. Even though I have to finish a 30 page paper by January 8th and have yet to make it beyond the second page, I am still so glad to have the time off. Christmas began at 3:35 pm on Wednesday, December 19th. That was when I finished my last law school final. Not just for the semester, but for law school. Never again will I have to take one of the dreaded little buggers (although I am sure the Bar Exam is 10 times worse). I had an enjoyable weekend and was finally able to spend some time with my honey. We went to his parents ward on Sunday where his father is the choir director. His choir did an amazing job, and Brad even sang "O Holy Night", which brought me to tears. Spencer and I then went to my parents ward for a less impressive Christmas program. We had dinner with the Dyes. On Monday, I had Christmas Eve lunch with the Woolleys. We then spent the afternoon with them. Spencer left for work at 4, and the Woolleys and I ventured across town to see Michael sing in a Madrigal performance at the Methodist Church Christmas Eve Service. They did an amazing job.

On Christmas morning, we had breakfast with the Woolleys. Then we retired to the family room to open gifts. My future in-laws were much too generous with their gifts. In addition to several books, they gave me a gorgeous bracelet with garnets, blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, and peridot. Much too sweet.



We then ventured to the Dyes for Christmas brunch. Although still full from breakfast, we (or Spencer when it came to the meat products) managed to eat our fair share of steak, Christmas mushrooms, eggs, bacon, funeral potatoes, and crab. After brunch, we retired to the living room for gift opening. My parents gave Spencer and I a mattress for Christmas. So comfy. I love it. In addition, I got a new camera and Spencer got some random items such as a blue bathrobe with his monogram on the front, Star Trek Season 1 (silly Dad has made my life interesting with this gift), and a pen and pencil set.

Spencer had to leave for work and I spent the rest of the evening with the parents. On Wednesday and Thursday, I spent much of the day helping Daddy with home improvement projects. I promise to post the pictures when we are done.


All in all, I had a very enjoyable holiday. I was so glad to spend time with my wonderful family.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Attitude of Gratitude

As this week is thanksgiving, I have had cause to reflect on the blessings in my life and the wonderful year this has been.

What am I grateful for this year?

1. The love of my life: Spencer was the biggest and best blessing this year. He is an amazing person and I am daily amazed that he loves me despite my flaws.

2. My education: I can't believe that this is my last year of school. I am shortly upon my last set of law school finals. I can't say I have loved every minute of the last seven years (or the last 20 for that matter), but I am grateful for where I am because of my education and the opportunity I have had to get an education that many only dream about.

3. My family: I have the greatest family and I am grateful for their example as I begin my own family. I am also grateful for Spencer's family. They have welcomed me into their family with loving arms, for which I will be eternally grateful.

4. My friends: I have wonderful friends that also love me despite my flaws. They have been a wonderful support in my life, and especially over the last year.

5. The Gospel: I am grateful for the influence of the gospel in my life. I love the strength it gives me. I love the truths that are in my life because of it. Most importantly, I love the testimony it gives me of the Savior.

What more could a girl ask for?

Sunday, November 11, 2007

A Candlelight Dinner with My Honey

Emily is going to be very upset that I forgot to take pictures...sorry Emmy.

Because Spencer was in Denver on his birthday, we decided we would celebrate this week. I carefully planned all the details and tried to make many of his favorite foods. I had the table all set with fancy glasses and candles. It was beautiful, and Spencer was so surprised when he arrived.

We started with a raspberry walnut brie. For dinner, we had salmon on lemon rice with pear Gorgonzola salad. We held hands while we ate. It was magically romantic.

For dessert, we had my mother's contribution to the meal, her amazing lemon meringue pie. The parents came home with Kim and Kade after dessert and we all just spent time together as what now constitutes our family. I had a wonderful time.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

ABC's of Chel

I think Emily may go on blog strike if I don't get "the November post" out early.

ABC's of Chel

A- Attached or single: attached
B- Best Friend: I am a stages of life best friend type of a person. Until my honey came along, the last few years have been spent with Emmy. Before that, it was Cory-Ann. Before that, it was Aubs. The list goes on. Amazingly I am still close with all of them, even after years spent apart in some cases.
C- Cake or Pie: Pie. Pumpkin and Chocolate Satin.
D- Day of choice: Sunday. I get to spend most of the day with my honey.
E- Essential Item: McDonald's coke and tylenol. (Cures what I like to call the law school headache)
F- Favorite Color: Pink
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Love the worms
H- Hometown: Holladay, Utah
I- Indulgence(s): My nails and Bajio, I love that place.
J- January or July: January! It is my birthday.
K- Kids: Two. Three or four if the husband to be gets his way.
L- Life is Incomplete Without: Spencer. The parents. The kids (as I affectionately call them)
M- Marriage Date: 5/8/08
N- Number of Siblings: 2 sisters, no brothers.
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges.
P- Phobias or Fears: The Bar Exam. Law school finals
Q- Quotes: "The greatest things in life aren't things."
R- Reason To Smile: The semester from hell is almost over.
S- Season: Spring
T- Travel Destination: I have come to LOVE Colorado. Specifically Breckenridge. Enough that we have decided to honeymoon there.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I think my sister is one of the funniest and coolest people I know.
V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: Vegetarian since I was 10.
W- Worst Habit: Closing my eyes when the camera flashes. I have so many good pictures with my eyes closed. Can't wait to see how the wedding photographer deals with that.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds. Yes, I have had several. Weird since none of them was for pregnancy. Of course, since I have yet to be married, none of them should have been for pregnancy :)
Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican. Spaghetti Squash.
Z- Zodiac: Capricorn.

Monday, October 15, 2007

The October Post

As Monday morning (and reality sets in), I have been reflecting on the past week and specifically the past weekend. This was a very important weekend. This was the weekend the two most important men in my life had lunch. Not just any lunch, this was THE lunch. The love of my life asked my father's permission to become my eternal companion. Yes, I am almost 25 years old and really don't need my father's permission. But then again, I think I do. So, if for no other purpose other than tradition, my love asked for my hand in marriage. It feels real now, and I am so excited. I love this man so much more than I ever thought I would love anyone. He is everything that is important to me, and is in many respects my better half. He has an amazing family, who have in just the last two days, welcomed me with open arms and loving hearts. I feel so blessed.

Monday, September 10, 2007

A Day in the Life...

Monday's are bad. They are very bad. I have so much to do, and not enough time to do it all.

On a traditional Monday, I talk myself out of bed by 5:45 am. I then get dressed (I have taken to showering on Sunday night as to avoid getting up at 5:15 am). I haul my very large load of weekend homework downstairs in order to pack it up for school. I put a bagel in the toaster and make something to take for lunch. I am out of the house by 6:40 am.

I then enter the world of commuter's paradise. It takes approximately 45 min to get to the law school. I start my first class at 8:00 am. Secured Transactions. In secured transactions, we talk about liens, lien priority, and how to perfect a lien. We finish at 9:15 am. I then take all my books from the weekend homework to my carrel. At the law school, we each have a desk/cube like thing called a carrel. Our carrels are our homes away from home. They have a bank of drawers and two locked shelves where we can keep our personal effects/textbooks.

I then work on getting ahead in a class for Wednesday, and go to Wills and Estates at 10 am. I then have an hour break from 11 until 12 when I work more on Wednesday's homework. At noon, I go to Business Associations. I have another break from 1 until 3 when I can try to finish Wednesday's/Thursday's homework. At 3 pm, I go to Debtors and Creditors. I am there until just before 5, when I go to Civil Trial Practice until 6:40 pm. I usually get home shortly before 8pm. I then work on more homework and try to be in bed before 11 because I have Institute at 8 am on Tuesday.

Not much of a life these days, but all a means to an end.