Lauren's Happenings

Christmas Happenings 

I have been home for almost a week now. When I started to move my stuff back on Sunday, I had a rough time. I started to miss my life in Tucson and was pretty nervous about adjusting back into my life here. Change is always hard. Monday I tried to move some stuff in, and started to think about potential roommates. I decided I should figure out a job first though.

I was going to go to Vanita's FHE since it was the easier thing to do, but I decided I should be brave and go to my own. I was hoping one of my old ward members would be there, but none of them were. I wanted to turn around but I ended up staying. We went Christmas caroling in a huge decked out extravegant trailer.

Just to clear up any confusion…
1. I graduated in 2.5 years.
2. I got my Bachelors.
3. Yes it's possible.
I'll explain why.

In high school I got dual enrollment for a lot of classes, plus some AP credits.

Every summer while in high school, I had to take summer school. My junior year, I decided to do something I enjoy and I took Sign Language 3 and 4. Then the summer after my senior year, I took 2 online college classes.

When I entered the UofA, my counselor told me I needed to stop taking online additional classes because I was too far ahead. I had pretty much finished all my gen ads but couldn't apply to the interpreting program until February. Fortunately, since I had already taken Sign 3 and 4, they let me start taking the general classes in the interpreting program. When it was time to apply for the program, I didn't even really have to apply. All the teachers already knew me, so I didn't even have to do the interview. It was great.

I need organization in my life, so I was always very on top of my credits, what future classes I needed, etc. One day I realized I could graduate in 2.5 years rather than 3. I presented it to my counselor and she said I should go for it! It was all a great plan as long as I passed practicum 2 my first time (A year before me, 2/3rds of the class had to retake it). I fortunately did pass it and that was when it hit me I was soon graduating.




I am so grateful I decided to come to Tucson and faked it til I made it.

When I first moved here, I HATED everything about it. The roads were awful, the people were different, I had to start over socially, I had to cook for myself and I didn't have my family there. I was taking classes with seniors that all knew each other and were ready to graduate. I was just barely coming into the program so I wasn't so competent. I kind of doubted if I could ever be an interpreter.
I mentally told myself to give it a chance for one semester. Then if I still could not bare it anymore, I would move home.

Fortunately, my attitude changed. By the end of my first year, I didn't love it but I could tolerate it. I made friends from going to football games and from hanging out at the institute.

My second year at UofA, I DOVE in.
A) My roommates liked to go to all the social events, so that motivated me to go.
B) I was a FHE mom again, so that helped me meet even more people.
C) I was on the institute council, so I got to meet people in another wards and get involved.

This was the prime time for my major as well. I had practicum 1 and 2, which is when you get to finally interpret. Just like high school, my junior year was the hardest.


By the end of my second year, I fell in love with Tucson. I still hate how awful the roads are but I enjoy being in Tucson. When we have breaks, I find myself being excited to go back.



My final year was perfect.
My classes were easy and few. I got to interpret in a middle school and fell in love with the kids. I also had a mentor that really pushed me and helped me grow.
I had a calling in RS which helped me to get to know more girls in my ward.
All around it was perfect.

I AM SO GRATEFUL I MOVED TO TUCSON.

To be honest, I am sad to leave.

I just have to jump back into my Mesa life with two feet.

Here are some pictures from graduation day.


I got some awesome selfies pre-graduation.