This time last year and I was sitting in a smallish hotel room overlooking the parking lot and trying to maintain peace and order in the University of Utah's Guest House. If I wasn't in that room then I was probably roaming the dark portion of campus that was housing looking for lights that had been left own or open doors that should have been locked and closed. Although, I did not take a gander into the future, and note it, guessing where I would have been at the end of 2009. This location, that being my parent's house watching television with them, would not have surprised me one bit. Surely, the best place to spend one's time is with one's family and that is doubly truthful during the holidays.
I haven't posted for awhile so I suppose it is time to mention what has been occurring over the last few weeks. My last post, if I remember correctly as I'm not working with the post in front of me, was just before my last two finals. My second to last finals was Contracts and I must admit that that final may have kick my butt. It was not what I was expected, but I think I'll do okay as I still feel really good about my grasp of contracts. The last final was Civil Procedure which I scared the living crap out of me beforehand. I singlehandedly studied more for that final then I did for any of the others. It probably paid off. Although we won't receive grades back until after the first week of next semester, I feel like I hit that test out of the ballpark beautifully! Once testing was over there was nothing to do! I had the missionaries over for dinner on Saturday night and then I headed up to Natalie's and Jacob's to spend the night. We drove to the airport on Sunday morning and then dropped me off and I waited for my flight. The flight was smooth and non-consequential. Courtney, Mom, and Dad picked me up and I'v been with them since then.
The most important thing that has occurred since I've arrived home occurred on the 27th of December. On that day, my father ordained me to the office of an Elder. We had quite a lot of family over to experience the moment with me. It was well worth the wait. Other then that everything else has been pretty vanilla. Christmas was very good as we had the entire family together and some points. Silly Chris and Amy had other commitments during the time so we only saw them sometimes. I fly back to OKC on the 13th and till then I don't have much planned. I guess the vanilla continues.
Since it is the New Year, it seems only appropriate to reminisce about the top moments of the last year. In reverse order.
5. Kansas
On February 6th, I experienced the greatest college basketball that could ever exist. My father played with Bill Self at Oklahoma State. As such, he challenged an individual who he buys products from and said if my dad could get basketball tickets then Shaun had to buy airline tickets and hotel rooms. My father was able to contact Bill and he did provide. Thus we, my father, mother, and my self, flew to Kansas City on the 5th and then traveled to Lawrence to watch practice and meet with Coach Self. On the 6th we traveled back to Lawrence and we experienced what has to be the greatest college basketball atmosphere ever. The fans were amazing and the sport wasn't ruined by artificial noise. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to attend such an event again.
4. Law School Acceptance
On February 3rd, I received my first acceptance to law school. Although it was to the University of Tulsa, where I didn't end of attending, the first acceptance truly was the sweetest. It was an acknowledgement that I was going to be going somewhere at least. I remember the excitement of looking at that envelop and opening it up. Although I would be accepted to two others schools, including the University of Oklahoma, that first acceptance from Tulsa was the sweetest.
3. Turning in the Final Paper
August 6th, I finished the culmination of 2 ½ years of academic work. On that day, I turned in my final paper to my senior thesis professor. Although, I didn't receive my grade for a week or two later, I remember turning that paper into Professor Castle's box and being so excited because I was finally done and because I knew nothing was going to be in my way in regards to attending law school. My senior thesis was on the effect of negative editorials on the percentage of elections that are contested. My findings seemed to implicated that my hypothesis was incorrect but that is okay.
2. November 1st
November 1st, while all of my other moments to this point have been rather secular, academic or sporting, November 1st was quite spiritual. November 1st started in Stillwater at Natalie and Jacob's and ended in the institute parking lot in Norman. In between we attended a ward conference with President Eyring and I received my patriarchal blessing in Ardmoore. I don't know if there is anything I can say that will describe what an event that day was.
1. Law School Orientation
August 20th I started a journey that will culminate ultimately, hopefully, in my graduation from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. The whole experience didn't become real until after my father and I stepped into the Bell Courtroom for the first time and I was suddenly hit with that feeling of belonging and a realization that I had achieved what I had set out to achieve at the beginning of the year.
Although, I have list just five major events of the last year, there have been many other events that have occurred that have shaped me into the person I am.
Over the next year, I'm hoping that I will continue with academic success and do well this spring. As well, I'm hoping spiritual development will continue as well and I will get the opportunity to serve a mission somewhere where I am called.
Well, I'm typed to much and I haven't proofed this at all so hopefully it's not too bad. I'll leave you with my New Years Resolutions:
1. Be a better person every day
2. Achieve academic success this spring
3. Be called to a mission and serve worthily
4. Have a good time
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