Dear Family, I’m a college grad!!

Dear Family,

After finishing up my degree in December, I can’t help but reflect back on my college experience. I loved it! It was such a great experience that has truly taught me so much and has helped me to grow as a person. I’m so grateful for everything that has happened, the ups and the downs.  Throughout it all, I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father.

Last semester, I embarked on the final part of my degree—student teaching. I had told myself all summer it was going to be challenging, but nothing I can’t handle. I could do this. How intimidating were 12-year-olds, anyway?! Then August came, and just a few weeks before I was about to start student teaching, I panicked. I felt sick all the time and kept thinking that this was a mistake. I couldn’t be a teacher. I didn’t want to do this. I just wanted it to be over. What a great way to start out, right? And I hadn’t even started my student teaching yet! I was terrified that the next few months were going to be one of the most miserable experiences of my life. So I turned to my Heavenly Father, and just prayed that I could get through the whole thing.

(Me and my co-workers in the office where I worked most of my college career!)

He answered my prayers. I was blessed by having an amazing mentor teacher who welcomed me and supported me the whole time. I had amazing support from other teachers, friends, and family.  Student teaching wasn’t easy, by any means, but I had the confidence I could do it and the strength to work hard because of the support I had. Anytime I was struggling, I turned to the scriptures, and I always found the comforting words I needed to keep me going. Student teaching was an amazing experience for me, and I know I could not have done it without the strength, comfort, and support my Heavenly Father gave me along the way.  I know that he’ll always be there for me, offering the guidance and support I need, no matter what circumstances I’ll be in, and I am so grateful for that blessing in my life.

I’m a college grad!!

-Emily

Hello Family, Love NYC

Today I’m writing to y’all from New York City! I find this city so fascinating and I love it here so much! I thought this would be the perfect place to write everyone a big apple update.

First Some Exciting News

So while I’ve been here I’ve stayed with two great friends of mine. While I’ve been staying here at Elisabeth’s she experienced an exciting life opportunity. On Tuesday Elisabeth booked her first broadway show! HOORAH, it was so exciting. On Tuesday night I went to see Matilda, the musical with Carter, and after the show he told me the exciting news!!! I about died and I was making all sorts of a scene yelling about how cool that was – and Elisabeth wasn’t even there! So we called her and took her out for gelato to celebrate.

I also got to meet up with my friend Oyoyo who is also out here in rehearsals for her first big show! She took us to this little thai restaurant just around the corner from her studio, and then after lunch let us come up to see their rehearsal space at Pearl Studios. I was so excited, and I’m so happy for her.

The more I’m here and the more I picture my future life in NYC, the more I want to be singing and performing out here! I can’t wait to be auditioning for shows and giving this crazy life a chance.

Michael, a BYU friend who was also in NYC for Adweek and I made a visit to the NYC public library on our way to an Agency visit.

The Real Reason I’m Here 

Ok, so let’s be honest the real reason I came to NYC this time, was to see shows and run away from school 🙂 haha. But my other, more logical reason for coming was Advertising week.  Adweek is a national conference for all the latest and greatest news and ideas in the advertising world. As students we weren’t exactly excused from school to go, but our professors supported those of us that choose to come. So about 18 of us from the advertising program left for the week to meet agencies and advertising big wigs during the conference out here. I has been neat to be able to envision more of what my life will really be like when I move out here in a few years.

Katie and I posing like the poster before we saw Cinderella!

Broadway

Of course I had to spend my nights at the theater while I was in NYC. With a friend landing her first big broadway gig, and my love for musical theater of course you’d find me at the theater. Among other shows two of my favorites were Cinderella, and Big Fish, a newer musical! There is such a fun nature about an evening at the theater that I just love.

After being in NYC 6 months ago and not seeing The Book of Mormon musical I couldn’t not see it this time. So a few days ago, after the beautiful Cinderella matinee, Katie and I decided to try for standing room tickets at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre. Long story short, WE GOT IN! And for super cheap too. It was so funny! It was well written and the talent on stage was top notch! I was dying and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Before the show started while we were waiting in line we talked to the people around us and told them that we were “real mormons!” It was exciting because people would talk to us about our church, and during the show they wasked us if it was accurate, etc. It was a fun opportunity to talk to people about what we believe and meet some new friends in NYC!

Meaning From My Visit

While I’ve been here I’ve been reminded of how fast paced this city is, but I’ve also been pleasantly surprised to find that I’ve found many moments to think and ponder about life, and my future. Although I didn’t find any remarkable revelatory visions, it was good to get away and think about things that are important to me. It’s neat that no matter how busy our surroundings, we can always find the peace we need to keep moving.

Did I mention that I love it here? I might just miss my flight tomorrow and have to stay here for a while longer. 🙂 Maybe forever!

Hope y’all had a good birthday weekend for mom without me.

Love,

Your Big-Apple Brother

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• “The Book of Mormon” is on a mission to entertain (denverpost.com)