Life is sooo Hard sometimes

I just finished my last final however, this semester... wow what a semester. I lost my good friend Erik to cancer, got mono and pneumonia. THIS SEMESTER WAS SO HARD FOR ME. I feel like I've been beaten down and stomped on by college. On top of that I'm not 100% sure about my major. I also had a teacher accuse me of cheating, which I didn't do, so for two weeks I was on trial with her until she realized the truth that I didn't do it. She threatened to fail me (she didn't in the end).

On top of those bad things there were a lot of good things as well though, don't get me wrong my life is still amazing. I traveled to New York City and California, a tweet of mine went viral, I made the front page of my local newspaper, started writing more songs, did President's Cabinet at USU, made Blue Crew for next year at USU, met Jimmy Fallon, saw 3 broadway shows, made a lot of new friends (lost a lot of friends), performed in front of thousands of people, was awarded hardest worker for my division in Presidnt's Cabinet, moved to a higher up position at my job, gained a lot more confidence and respect for myself... Honestly my life is a whirlwind.

The truth is I think I grew more in this semester than people normally do in 10. I was put in the refiners fire, which means God is probably preparing me for something big. I know this post seems more like a journal entry but I felt like I needed to put this on my blog for some reason. I don't think anyone will even read this, so maybe it's more for me.

It's summer now, as of today. My goals for this summer are to focus on getting myself completely better from all this crap in my system leftover from mono and pneumonia, focus on my music, take it easy and not overwork. I would love to pursue music more than anything right now, maybe that's just me being sick of school, but I can't wait to see where it takes me.

Lauren K. Morrill

Equality

     Men and Women are equal. They are different obviously but that doesn't mean one gender is more important than the other. Both men and women  have noses, eyes, legs... well most of them. That seems pretty trivial, but so does the thought of men and women even being treated differently. WHY are women still getting paid less than men working at the same job? (Link). I wish I had an answer, however my opinion is that of most other women in the world, and most men. Women and men should have equal rights, one gender is not better than the other. Different but equal.

Graduation

     My sister, Brooke graduated from UVU with a bachelors degree in photography 3 days ago. I couldn't be more proud. I was literally the person crying in the audience. She is a big role model in my life. She transferred to 4 different colleges, changed her major like 10 times, and she did it. She never gave up hope. She is eight and a half years older than me, I know we look like twins. Love you, Brooke! 

Future Plans

     As a college student, others plan out our futures for us. It sounds a little like a check list:

1. Date
2. Do service for an organization (or religious missions)
3. Get married
4. Get a degree
5. Get a job
6. Start a family


This whole concept scares me to death. I just want to do my own thing and stay young like Peter Pan forever. Honestly what is wrong with that? Nothing. I've accepted that it is perfectly fine to go at my own pace, and disappointing my aunts at family reunions is fine. So what if I change my major 5 times? So what if I have to retake a class? If I mess up so many times, at least I will know without a doubt which way is the best way for me. Choosing the road less traveled by makes all the difference (Robert Frost).

Nick, Justin, Paisley, Eric, Karen

Suicide is sad and real and I just learned last weekend of another friend taking their own life. It is such a taboo topic but when it happens it leaves a monstrous cavity in everyone's lives. I've had too many friends taken by it! Please please PLEASE if you need help, reach out to someone! I know it seems dark and like the end, but if you just wait a while longer I PROMISE the sun will shine again.

You are loved

You are needed

You matter

You and your future are worth the fight.

Where you are now is not where you will be forever. Just remember that.

Sorority Girl

     

     I feel like I am the person you would least expect to join a sorority. However I did, and I LOVE it! It was the best decision I have made so far at Utah State University. I have made lots of life long friends, and gained a significant amount of confidence in myself. I know at any given time there are always 120 girls that have my back. If I am having a problem, I can pick which one will help me the best. Kappa Delta is my home away from home. I will forever be proud of the emerald and pearl pin I wear with my business attire.

     Some common misconceptions people have about sororities are:

1. We buy our friends. Honestly all of our money we pay is meticulously routed to events, fundraisers, philanthropies, socials, electricity, and t-shirts. Just like any other club. So to you that think I'm buying my friends, that's the best money I have ever spent.

2. We pay a TON of money, and everyone has to be rich. NOPE. Not true. We pay as much as you would think a high functioning club would pay. Which surprisingly isn't that much. I have a part time job during the school year, full time summer, and I pay for my own tuition, clothes, food, fun, housing, and yes. Sorority expenses.

3. We party. Okay this one can be true, but I am here to tell you that I am not a party animal and have never touched alcohol in my life. My idea of partying is hanging out with a group of friends and maybe having a dance party. Or making crepes, or singing karaoke... My sorority does NOT condone under age drinking, and does not allow girls to post pictures on social media of them under the influence. When there are problems that arise with girls and drinking, it is a standards issue and it is taken extremely seriously.

4. Girls who don't care about school. Actually the girls in my sorority have one of the highest GPA averages of any organization on campus. Academia comes first, after all isn't that why we are in college in the first place?


     Sororities and fraternities aren't for everyone, and each one is different. However in my opinion they are extremely underestimated. I have grown so much just in the year and a half I have been in one. I know I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am now, if it weren't for Kappa Delta.

1 Year

     It is my one year anniversary for working at the Utah State Research Foundation Space Dynamics Lab in 3 days. Yes on May the 4th, I'm a nerd I know. It seams like I started just a couple months ago. I love it there, I mean there are occasions where I get sick of the engineers saying math terms that go way over my head, but I really do like it. I feel so lucky to work in an actual industry while still in my undergrad. I'm pretty sure the only reasons I got my particular position was because I was the most passionate candidate, and a couple good references.

     A lot of people get a degree and go to work in their chosen industry, and realize they don't like it. I get to realize now what I do and don't like about the space industry, or if I even want to be in it. It's hard work, but very rewarding. I also get to network a lot. I have met NASA and SpaceX representatives who gave me the best tips I have ever received on getting into the industry. One CEO of a satellite company even took me to fly his plane (first time flying, so cool). I just hope I can use all of this knowledge and networking for later, to get a good job.