Numbers and Letters: June 2009

6/19/09

The Day has finally come!

After 13 years of under-undergrad and 5 long years of undergrad (that's 18 years!), Stephanie Dawn Boizelle can officially take her place among the ranks of diploma'd people! Hurray! It was a long time coming, but now that it's over, I can say that it was worth it. I learned a great deal in school (both before and during college), but the most important thing I learned is that most learning originates in the home. My parents were the ones who taught me to love learning. They were also the ones who taught (by example) how important school is. Many were the nights they stayed up late helping me finish projects or break through mental barriers (that's for you, Dad!). I doubt I would have made it so far if I hadn't learned solid principles like discipline and hard work before I ever stepped one foot into an institution of learning. So I would like to say thanks to my parents. This diploma is just as much their's as mine. We worked hard for it. And the fake gold leaf is so shiny... ;) Thanks mom and dad!

The inscription reads

Brigham Young University-Idaho, on recommendation of the University Faculty and on authorization of the President and the Board of Trustees, has conferred on Stephanie Dawn Boizelle this Bachelor of Arts in English Education together with the honors, rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. Given in Rexburg in the State of Idaho the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine.

Signed by Thomas S. Monson and Kim B Clark.

6/14/09

I met my dad in California!

Jon and I were walking around Hotel Coronado on Coronado Island, and we stumbled upon a series of statues celebrating the life and works of Dr. Seuss. And would you guess who was there? You got it! My Dad, immortalized in bronze! This one's for you, Dad!

My take on Cali!

Jon forgot to mention some of the important details of our California trip, so I thought I'd get on and set the record straight. While most of you probably got the impression that our trip was a blast (it was), Jon never mentioned that he's been practicing his romancing skills. I must tell the world that this lover-of-sleep whom I call husband woke up at 5-ish in the morning to watch the sunrise on the beach and collect seashells with me. He also spent almost two hours driving the coast of California looking for a tide pool so that I could fulfill a childhood dream. So, for those of you who thought you'd never see the day, it has arrived! Who ever would have thought that Jon Paul Boizelle is a romantic at heart?

P.S. Jon posted an awful pic of me by Space Mountain, so for your viewing pleasure...

(His finger is a hook. Like a pirate! Arrrg)

Moscow, we're here (no, not Russia)

Because my career requires 150 credit hours of college to sit for the CPA exam, I need to attend graduate school. After a number of acceptances, we decided to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow. We didn't know much about the town or campus, but felt good about attending here and they gave me a scholarship.

We pulled in this last week and were very surprised. Moscow is a town of about 21,000 people situated in rolling hills right on the edge of the Idaho-Washington border. It is green and beautiful. Campus has an ivy league feel with old, ivy covered red brick buildings. And since the Washington State University is eight miles away, shopping is much better then we expected. We even have a mall with a Macy's and a Bed Bath.

We found a nice little apartment about two blocks from campus. It has two bedrooms and has a beautiful hillside view of campus. We love it. Add to it that people have been extremely friendly. We are very happy with our situation.

The town is fun. People often travel by bike and they have a farmer's market downtown each Saturday that sells produce, breads, and other artisan wares. We went and bought a pound of snap peas for $1.50. An hour later, they were no more.

A funny story about the farmer's market. We have been told that there is a bit more of a hippie influence in the area. While you can see it in the occasional person, we did get a kick out of a sign at the farmer's market. It notified us that the produce was organically grown, but that the market couldn't advertise that because the government passed a law requiring licenses for 'organic' businesses. These laws made it easy for big producers like Wal-Mart to obtain licenses, but very difficult for small businesses. The small time producers refused to buy into a system that forced them to share cherished values with corporate giants like Wal-Mart.

Although we didn't enjoy driving the moving truck through the canyons on the way up, we really love it here.

The view out the front of the house. Yes, those are hilly fields.

The view out our back windows. You can see campus as it climbs the hill. The golf course is off the back of the hill along with the arboretum/botanical garden.

The living room.

The kitchen.

California Screamin'

For those who don't know, we took a last-minute vacation to California in May to celebrate our one-year anniversary. For those who knew, here are some of the pictures we took (late, I know).

After deciding to go to California, we ended up deciding to go to southern California. We almost went to San Fransisco (we wanted to see Wicked and drive the coast highway), but we decided southern California was more within our ability. And since Steph had never been to Disneyland, we had to go.

Disneyland was a blast! We bounced back and forth between the California Adventure and Disneyland and tried to ride everything we could in two days. We ended up riding the Indiana Jones ride five times, Pirates of the Caribbean four times, and California Soarin' twice (and saw San Fransisco and the coast). They were awesome. We even got soaked on Grizzly Peak Rapids!

I am a roller coaster fanatic. Steph on the other hand, hasn't been much of an enthusiast. However, she was a trooper and decided to try some of the bigger rides. She even got on California Screamin'! While that was a one and only, she loved Space Mountain and I don't know how many times we rode it. Disney was a great time for both of us.

After Disneyland, took a drive down the coast from LA to Oceanside and stayed at a resort for two days. The resort was right on the beach and was beautiful. It was Steph's first time in the Pacific and she loved the sight and sound of the waves. It was also her first time in the surf. We had a great time walking the beach and looking for shells.

On our way out of town, we briefly stopped in San Diego, went to the temple, ate in Old Town, and went out to Coronado Island. We even walked around the USS Midway! It was a great time.

The San Diego Temple. Steph is in the bottom right of the picture.