It's a Great Day to Be a Republican

Delegates & guests at the Utah State GOP Convention

The hallways of the convention center were aligned with thousands of campaign signs

I finally got to meet Governor Herbert

Today was the Utah State Republican Convention. I wasn't a delegate, but had the amazing opportunity to be a volunteer. I woke up at 5am this morning & made it to the convention center by 6:20am (truly, a Saturday miracle). I checked in with the volunteer booth and snagged my purple t, then headed over to my volunteer duty. I helped run 2 of the county elections. I checked credentials & counted ballots. I met some great people and love love loved being apart of the election process.

The first election (at 7:30am) was for a representative seat. The incumbent won the election & gave a great speech. His opponent was very heartfelt and sweet, but was very stuck on illegal immigration for 90% of his six minute speech.

The second election was for a state senator seat. Both of these men gave great speeches & had passion. Unfortunately, there was not a 60% majority, so both of the candidates have to keep campaigning and have a primary election in June. 

After the two elections I was let loose & was able to wander around the convention. I was able to meet candidates and hear their opinions. And after much stalking, I was able to find Governor Herbert's booth. I listened to him answer questions for about ten minutes, then made my move. He was happy to take a picture with me and I thanked him for all he does. Then I got a Herbert candidate button. Score. 

 Next, (of course) I wandered over to the Romney booth. He wasn't there. Supposedly his son Josh was, but I never saw him. I got a nice Romney sign & plenty of stickers. Maybe I'll put them over Obama 2012 bumper stickers. Hmmm. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Mitt? Oh, I have...well, I just don't want you to forget.

The best part of the State Convention was my realization. Over the past month or so I have been absolutely consumed in stress about what I want to do with my life. I'm 19...but I am finished with my general courses & needed to for sure decide on a major so I could register for classes this fall. Political Science has been my priority since last August, but for some reason I started doubting myself. Can I really do this? Will I be able to find a job? What would I do with this major? 

I've been stressed, and truly, I still don't have the answers to these questions. What will I do with a Political Science (american government) Major? Obviously I won't be the president, but maybe I could be a mayor or run a campaign. Or maybe I could be like my dad who has his major accounting & is a database architect. Meaning, do something that has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Or maybe I could work at the Utah Capitol. 

There are so many possibilities and opportunities.
The thing I do know, is that I love America. I love our republic & I love the electoral process. I truly want to serve this nation and be a part in continuing to make it great and strong. 

After much consideration & praying, I went ahead and registered for three political science courses next fall. I don't know what I want to be, but I sure know what I want to be about. 

I Said I Wouldn't Do It...

But I did...

My college plan was focused only on academics. Get a scholarship. Go to class. Do my homework. I wanted only to get done as quickly as possible....But if you know me, you probably can guess this has been incredibly hard.


Here's some back ground...

I started in elementary. I was on the student council in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. I started a newspaper (that was really a flyer). I designed the school t-shirt (that one that said Oquirrh Rocks, the ugly green one? That was me). I was a captain of the student softball team that played against the 6th grade teachers. I loved elementary.

Then I moved to middle school. I didn't know how I'd ever make an impact on a school that was so big. My first day was so scary. I felt so little and lost in the halls. By the time I was a nineth grader I was involved with NJHS and held a posistion. I was able to plan meetings, plan activities, and be in charge of (small) things. I was on the high school soccer team. I was friends with countless teachers and had some great friends.

Then I moved to high school...and again I didn't know how I'd ever make an impact. The school was even BIGGER and scared the heck out of me. By the time I was a senior, however, I had made my impact. I was involved with countless clubs and groups. I was a class officer, a newspaper editor, a (true) debator, an NHS member, a junior delegate in the Utah Senate, varisty tennis captain, and more. High school was a great time and after three years, I left my mark and made my name known.

So here I am, at a new even bigger school. My plan was to just attend class and float by. That plan has since changed. I can't NOT be involved. I can't not meet new people and be friends with professors and realize great opportunities. That's just not me. I am happiest when I am busy and improving myself. Yes college is about academics, but for me, it has never just been about academics. This last semester was good, but I want my college expirience to be great. I want to leave my mark in some small way. Today I made the first step. I joined a political club (big surprise) I also have been gathering information about programs and opportunities throughout the school for students to be politcally active. Sign me up.

Oh...and I joined Romeny's campaign.

Here's to a new semester! Here here.

Librarian Hair

Two words: Sock Bun

yes I have a sock in my hair and yes I am wearing fake glasses (they're ash's)

hello college student meets librarian

See that thing on the ground in both my pics? It's a letter from elder. And it was pretty cute :) I hope he can appriciate my sock bun hair

Only in College

Some days are more interesting than others. Today was one of those "some days."
I got on the bus and as soon as we drove away someone began playing the ukulele. Seriously. ALL THE WAY DOWN TO OREM. People, this is not hawaii.
THEN...after my first class I was hustling to meteorology and there was a girl dressed as Pikachu. WTF. She had ears, a tail, and pikachu pajama pants. Have you no shame? At all?
Oh people, it gets better.
The other night chelsea told me she saw some strange people walking around at BYU with cloaks on. Yes, full on, hood and everything, just walked out of harry potter, cloaks. I laughed, thinking "only at BYU."
I was mistaken.
In my meteorology class....someone had on a full on green cloak. Nothing says fall like a hooded cloak.
Take your pick, today was a day full of  college weirdos.
Thank goodness tomorrow is friday.

Top Ten Thursdays!! You know you go to UVU when....

10. Every boy that bends down has garments on. We are in utah valley after all.
9. You don't have a football team. Don't worry though, we have cheerleaders. That makes everything better.
8. You're walking to the liberal arts building and see tents out on the school lawn...still don't understand.
7. Your professor schedules an appointment with you to get to know you better. I love small classes.
6. More people wear BYU shirts than uvu apparel.
5. You spend four hours a week on a bus. and enjoy it.
4. You don't like talking to guys with rings. They're married, why bother?
3. You walk down the hall of flags at least three times a day and get stared at every single time.
2. You know what the BA building stands for.
1. You know what a wolverine is. and how to spell it.

I love college and this new part of my life :)

Provo, Utah

For those of you who know me well, you most definitely know this is one of my all time favorite youtube videos...this and the bed intruded song. I love them! and the girl that showed them to me...the provo girl herself and I hung out tonight! At her apartment! it was the best. Here's our night..
i get out of class at 6:45.
i walk outside and watch the parking lot shuttle pull away.
i decide to walk to the next shuttle.
i see kjeld and i chat with him.
i miss the shuttle again.
i call chel and get on the shuttle.
i drive to chel's apartment....REUNITED!! haha okay okay. that sounds so creepy, but I got to see my friend again :) i was happy. she made us her speciality chicken and grape and apple and celery salads.(healthy...) and gave me the tour of her little home. it is a happy place :) then we treked around provo to find a yogurt-land-type joint. our favorite. And we chatted and laughed about the awesome culture that is...provo. (that video i posted sure describes it well) it is such a different place. EVERYONE runs there. like seriously....everyone! i felt like i was going to run over someone! and there are lots of people on dating or trying to court one another. seriously you would have thought it was a friday date night, but no, just an average day in provo. It is a great place though. very happy and safe. I love happy valley in general, provo is just the creme de la creme. unfortunately chel and i were on a date with each other. i even paid for the yogurt (i hate being the man) and im pretty sure the cashier was creeped out when chel told her we were together. we will never live the "life partners" title down...
haha anyways...i had a great night with chel in good ol provo! here's to many more to come :)

my FIRST day of college

things from today:

i met a super sweet lady on the bus.
the super cute lady asked me if i was married.
i learned that if i walk faster than the "chelsea pace" i can get to my classes with time to spare.
i learned that when i walk down hallways, people stare at me. why? i don't know.
i searched everywhere for a bathroom.
i eventually found one.
i have the greatest meteorology professor.
his name is Dr. Dinkledge.
i made it to the library.
i found a microwave...in the library! bring on the leftovers for lunch.
i have a pretty cool american government teacher...he's australian. go figure.
i look at my watch a lot.
i suck at choosing spots on the bus. (at least on the way home)
i get home around 8:30.

good first day at college.

first day of school!

I am an official wolverine. what ever that is :)

Meet Figaro

He is soooo little

my new snuggle buddy

Figaro: The newest member of the Stober family...and quite possibly, the cutest :)

Happy Sunday! I hope you all had as good of a sunday as I did. I went to my home ward today to have my fantastic bishop give me a "start of school" blessing. It made me feel so much better. I feel like I will be able to balance school, work, family, and church better. I am so thankful for bishop. He and his family are such an example to me and there are always there for me. It is good to know you have support in lots of different aspects of your life. This week is going to be interesting. I start school on tuesday. (Deep breath) I am nervous, but thanks to my blessing I know this is going to be a great expirience for me.

Here goes nothing. Ready (or not) here I come.

PS. Hurricane Irene has left philly and virginia. Now to see what she left.