Happy (re)Birthday to me!!

4 years ago today, I was baptized. That's starting to get to the point where it was a long time ago. I was a different person then. It's not like I'm a completely different person now, but I think in these past 4 years, I've come to know myself better and have felt more comfortable in my skin (of course I'm always going to be shy/awkward/etc. but you get what I'm saying). Last night, I attended a lecture given my Truman Madsen on Philosophy and Religion. It was so fascinating. He has this calm, kind voice, and it was so refreshing to hear a more or less secular/philosophical lecture filled with so much truth. The whole time I'm like, "wow, this makes so much sense, I love my religion." Today as I had the opportunity to sit in on a missionary discussion, I was filled with the same feeling again just hearing a basic outline (for the umpteenth time) of the plan of salvation and sharing (for the umpteenth time) my conversion story. I guess it's hard to get bored with the truth. We pretty much rock.

So, I've had senioritis for about 7 years now. I'm glad I only have 4 more months of senioritis ahead of me. On that note, after two weeks of grueling papers, midterms, and presentations, I was given my last midterm of this quarter. It's a take home with the option to work on groups. Doesn't sound hard, right? However, upon reviewing all 15 pages of the test, I've concluded that the devil may have had a part in drafting it. Here is a sample question/answer: Question: "prevalence estimates for severe psychopathology withing the general population of children are approximated at 15%, based upon a random sample of the population" T/F "Answer: False. In such a sample, the estimates are 8-10% (Mash and Dozois)." Notice how when the answer is false, you have to correct the statement and site a reading. Okay okay, I understand I'm a graduate student, we're supposed to work hard, but really.

On that note, let me say that I'm starting to feel like an adult. This has really hit me lately since (as previously stated) I am DONE with school in 4 months. I've been so used to school for my whole life, it will literally be a different world when I graduate. As I see the direction that my life has taken, I often marvel at how every little thing - good or bad - has led me to this path I'm on and has made the person I have become - for better or worse. It's also so amazing to see the lives of my many friends unfold. Whether through passive facebook observance or active keeping in touch, I love seeing how some people are growing up and how others are fighting so hard against it. It's fun, really. People are doing such amazing things with their life, my life seems so boring in comparison. : )