i'm a dreamer.

The quote written on the wall behind my bed that I see every day says:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams;

live the life you've imagined. " -Thoreau

I wrote this up after I realized I would not be able to go for my dream of spending this summer interning in Washington DC because I did not have enough credits. I always thought summer '12 in DC was perfect. It was an election year, I love the city and all it stands for. This quote motivated me to go for something else, another dream. 

 

So then I decided summer '12 could be good for something else, maybe traveling the world? So I applied for the Global Marketing Study Abroad. One month, six countries, and an amazing experience. I didn't know how I would pay for it, and I knew my decision to apply was rash, but I knew everything about it was perfect. Perfect countries, perfect for my major, and I was perfectly interested and excited about the new possibility. 

 

After I applied I realized my GPA was less than impressive and was worried they would weed me out because of it. I called the director and tried to plea my case. He told me the interview was what really mattered in their final decision. My interview was scheduled during finals week. 

I was already way over my head with studying and I was so nervous for my interview. But after it started it was great. I felt so at ease and I felt the assistant director, who interviewed me, and I clicked really well. I had high hopes but something in me told me not to get my hopes up. 

Then last Friday I woke up and had the perfect morning after reading an email that went a little like this..

"During our admissions interview before the semester break with me or Asst. Director Ashley Porter, we were very impressed with your maturity, enthusiasm, and commitment to make a contribution to the program.  Each one of you can bring something unique to the program, it was obvious.  Having considered it at some length, we HAVE therefore decided to ADMIT you to the Global Marketing Study Abroad program for Spring 2012--congratulations."

I emailed the assistant director who interviewed me an got an unexpected boost when I read this:

"Thanks for the email.  I definitely remember you from the interview.  Just so you know, I felt very strongly that we needed to accept you on the study abroad.  I think you would be a great student to have on the trip and would love the experience. "

 

For the first time in a long time I felt like I wasn't a complete BYU reject. I felt like I had accomplished something worth being proud of here, and like I really deserved it. 

It became real today when I got two emails about how to proceed to prepare for it all.

I'm so excited for this opportunity. I was so scared, but I feel like this study abroad is somewhere I really need to be, and like it says it really will be life- changing. 

Ida Scott Taylor once wrote: Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.

When I was going through all the complications with DC I was also really confused with my major and my summer plans. I noticed that this is the time of my life I've been waiting for, and this is when it all needs to happen. So instead of waiting and worrying about the future, and putting things off until then, I want to live in the present and be constantly achieving those goals I've been dreaming about my whole life. 

I can't wait for this opportunity. I'm so grateful that it's happening and that I have such great family and friends who pushed me to give it a try and take a chance :)