This Semester

This semester I took Humanities of Asia, American Humanities part 1, Intro to Humanities, and Criticism and Theory for Literature and the Arts. That last one, HUM 250, was the transition-to-capstone-class, and I thought it would be hard, but it really wasn't. We read undiluted philosophers, probably 30-60 pages per week. It really is very difficult material, but I surprisingly understood it completely.
This semester I learned that I can understand almost any concept that I read about(math and science are hard though!). I learned this in my 350 class, because when I read the material, I understood it and could analyze it in very intelligent ways.
I also learned that I am a very skilled and promising writer. I learned this through my writing job, where I wrote emotionally and clearly about LDS women. I learned it in my 350 class, where I learned to write like a scholar and philosopher. I learned it in my Hum of Asia class, when my teacher told me that I have substantial intellectual promise and beautiful, fresh, vivid language. I learned it when I sent in writing samples to edit a book, and he was impressed. I have learned it because every job I have gotten, I have gotten because of my writing.
I learned that I am very intuitive, more than I thought I was. I learned that I will be an excellent teacher. I learned that I like to be in charge of students and that I am good at taking charge and being assertive. I learned these things from my TA job, from my classes, from teaching Relief Society, from conversations with friends.
I learned that I am learning how to be a real and true listener. I learned what being a good listener means from some of the people in my life - especially two people who have been true listeners to me - Katrina and Tiffany. I am finally learning what listening and caring mean.
This semester I have written about 40 papers, from 3-4 pages to 11 pages each. That means I have written over 200 pages in 100 days, for school alone. I have taken 14 exams. I have memorized over one thousand words, names, and dates. I have had four fantastic jobs, and for two of them I have done pages and pages of writing. I even helped write a book.
I got better grades than I ever have before, and have hardly been late to anything or missed important meetings or classes. I have exercised and have been living on a tighter budget. I have learned how to take care of people and feel love in my heart. I have had a hard and fulfilling calling. I have used my time better and have only gotten stressed a few times. I have developed relationships with all of my professors. I have been making a list of graduate schools, and know exactly what I want to study.
Thanks to my roommate NaTausha, I have never felt so at home - since I was little - as I do in my own apartment. Our apartment has a loving and peaceful spirit, just like I want in my someday-family's home.
The point is, this has been probably the best semester I've ever had. I feel so grateful for my Heavenly Father who has given me every good thing in my life. He has helped me meet my goals, has given me a family and loving friends and roommates, and has put inspiring things in my life.
I don't even care if I am not perfect! I don't care if I am a goof and say weird things and don't know how to dance. I don't care if I just ate peppermint ice cream AND chocolate truffles in one day. This semester has been the best, through and through, and I can't end it without saying a million little prayers of thanks, and for taking time to thank all of the dear people in my life. So I am going to.