Lots of Love.

Today I am doing a guest post over at the wonderful blog Cardigan Empire where I will be joining the Beauty-full Tuesday series.
I feel so lucky because so many amazing women have been apart of this :) 
So check it out!

 ALSO
 Just in case you guys didn't have the chance to see the
series I was apart of called Women Who Love.

I wanted to share what I wrote, here on my blog!

Alycia

Age: 22

Love: History and Traveling

How long have you been studying history?

Technically I have been studying history since I started school right? History has always been one of my favorite classes in school, along with all of the Social Studies courses. This is why I decided to get a Social Science Teaching Major along with a History Teaching Minor. I get to study history, geography, politics, government and anything else you can imagine when it comes to people, places and how those relate to each other.

How has studying history made a positive impact on the rest of your life?
I believe that the more you understand a person’s history and culture, the better you can relate to them. I guess my love for history really comes from a love for people.

How has it given you confidence?

I believe that being informed and educated about the world you live in empowers you. When you know where you came from, you have a better idea of where you are going, and what you want to do.

What's your favorite memory of learning about history?

My favorite memory is probably when I was on a bus traveling through Japan. Our tour guide was amazing and she told us old Japanese tales while we traveled to different places. I learned so much about Japanese culture and the people through those stories.

Your favorite historical story?

Oh there are too many to choose! I think for a long time I was most fascinated with Roman history and their stories. Roman history is straight out of a movie, which is why there are probably so many! When I was in Rome I got to see the coliseum. A lot of people know that they use to have gladiator death fights there, but what most people don’t know is that they also would fill the coliseum up with water, put boats in there and have actual pirate battles! Incredible.

Has learning history impacted your love for traveling and culture?

I would almost say that my love for traveling and culture impacted my love for history. When I was in the 7th grade I won a writing contest and was able to be an exchange student in Japan. At the young age of 13 my eyes were astonished at this culture that was presented to me, it was so different from my world. Being there sparked something inside of me that made me want to learn more about other places and people. I developed a strong desire to see and learn about all the other places out there and to meet people different from me. Since then I have been able to travel many other places. So for I have mostly been around Europe, but I can’t wait to see even more!

This love of history is something I want to share with others, which is why I want to teach. I think it is so important for kids to know about their country, their rights, and their ancestors’ stories. In my opinion, understanding your Government and History are vital elements in helping young students figure out what they really want in their lives and in their futures. It helps them figure out who they are.

Do you have any advice for women interested in learning more about history?

Sometimes people think of history and think “boring.” But there are so many avenues that relate to history that are so exciting. I think it is important for women (and everyone) to learn about their families’ histories and the worlds histories so we can continue to learn and grow. I think it is also important to celebrate our successes and unite with people from different parts of the world. Not everyone can travel the world, not everyone can go back to school and learn more about history. But there are specific things women can do every day to play an active role in their learning and growing and participating in history. I think women should be knowledgeable in politics, and VOTE! We didn’t always use to have this right, and it is such a valuable one that helps shape our nation. Women can also document and put together family histories that can be passed down to generations where we can learn about our ancestors, and the things they did for us and their country. I also think women in America can take advantage of the fact that there are such a variety of cultures here to learn from. Women should gather together and have culture nights where they cook and share stories about where they are from and where they come from. Share traditions, stories, culture, celebrate LIFE.

In one sentence, what are your feelings about the importance of learning about history?

Understanding the history of countries, peoples, and places will help you learn how to understand and relate to others, as well as teaching you lessons that have already been taught, that will hopefully make you a better person.

sneak peek.

Can't wait to share more of what this is with you guys :)

p-town.

Top: Billabong Dress: BCBG Outlet Boots: Steve Madden Belt: New York & Company

First day of the 30 for 30, kind of excited, kind of scared :) Lets see how I can stretch and assemble these items. Ready, set, go!

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So if you are from Utah you would know that p-town stands for Provo. As you guys have read, Trevor is going to BYU Law School in the fall, which happens to be located in Provo. I have a confession to make to everyone. I swore to myself that I would never live in Provo. Sorry to all you Provo folks out there! I mean no offense :) Growing up Mormon outside of Utah I think is very different then growing up as a Mormon in Utah. Anyone else agree? Even though I am a Mormon, moving to Utah was an extreme culture shock to me. Everywhere you turn there is an LDS church, there are Temples scattered all over the place, when you run into someone the chances they are Mormon are pretty good... I mean this place is covered in Mormons and the culture of our religion is everywhere. I am not saying this is bad, it is one of the reasons I decided to go to college up here. But it sure is different. It is really different if where you grew up there are only a handful of Mormons at your school, and some people don't even know what a Mormon is. Provo gets a bad rep outside of Utah, and if I am being honest, even sometimes in Utah. It has been called "the bubble" many times. While I have grown to love Utah, the strong presence of the church here can still be very weird for me. I grew up somewhere where your religion just didn't really matter to anyone else because there was so many people, there was no such thing a dominate religion. In Utah so many people are dominantly LDS that I am sure it can make some people feel "out of place." Even as a Mormon I am still getting use to it. Trevor insists that I will love it down there, and so many of you commented that I will as well. Some of my older siblings went to school there and loved it. I am sure I will love it too, but I am still trying to get use to it here in Utah, even after four years!

I guess it is time for me to change my attitude about Provo, and embrace the town for all the good things it has to offer me :)

Graduation!

Well remember last year when Trevor graduated? Well I have officially joined him in being a college graduate from the University of Utah! I loved having my family drive all distances to come and be with me at my graduation. I love that I have family willing and able to do those kinds of things. My parents drove up from San Diego, and Trevor's parents drove up from St.George to come to my graduation. Trevor's sister Courtney and her husband Eric don't live too far away, but they made time to be with us as well.

Having them all with me just added to the excitement of the day!

I wasn't planning on going to my commencement, but then I heard that Mitch Albom would be speaking... you know the American best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, dramatist, radio and television broadcaster and musician. You may recognize some of his books, like Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. So of course I had to go simply to see him, and I am so happy I did. He was amazing. He stole the show! My parents who have been to countless commencements said it was by far the best one they have ever been to or heard. I don't mean to sound corny, but the whole experience was kind a little life changing... I will have to get into why later, because that is a whole nother story! I decided to not dress up and sit with the other graduates at the commencement and just enjoy sitting by my parents, I mean they live in San Diego and I miss them, and I am happy I had that experience with them.

After the commencement we had decided to meet up with everyone for a big lunch. Unfortunately my college's convocation wasn't until 6:45 that night. Can you believe it was so late? We stuffed ourselves silly at the Cheesecake Factory... um yum. Then we went back and rested our big fat belly's until it was time for me to get all dressed up in my cap and gown. I was happy my friend Chelsea was at the convocation, because only SIX people graduated this semester in my major! It would have really sucked to sit by myself through convocation. It was fun sitting with her because it was just like all our classes we took together, we just chatted up a storm. The speaker at our convocation wasn't that great in my opinion, which made me even happier that I had gone to my commencement. Walking to get my diploma and hearing my name was exciting. I can't believe after all this time I have graduated. For those of you who are wondering, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Social Science Teaching Composite and History Teaching Minor. I couldn't be more excited to go out and really help young students find a passion for learning and their education. To help them find a passion for the world around them, the histories of their families, countries, and cultures.

My education has taught me so much about myself, and what I am capable of.... I can't wait to go out and give the world what I have to offer.  

 

 

 (Don't you just love Trevor's little hair that is sticking straight up in all of these pictures?! haha)

GO UTES! :) CLASS OF 2011

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This is why I am going into Education...

Children are the future. It is time to use the confidence of our youth to our advantage and empower them with a good education so they can be successful.