Year in Review

One year ago yesterday, I remember it well. I was rushing around like any bride would be, making sure I had my hair did, my bags packed and of course my temple recommend in hand. I remember my dad helping me into the car, leaning over and saying, "you look beautiful. just enjoy the day." And boy did I enjoy that day. I never stopped smiling for a second. 

And now one year later I love this man more than ever. Marrying Michael was the best decision I've every made, and I realize that during the tough times and the good times. Although our life has had up up's and down's, I never fear what life will bring us when I have Michael by my side. I'm happy to report that the rumors are true - love grows. And I can't wait to see what year two, three... and forever will bring us.

so to recap you all on the last year of our lives, here are my top 12 moments...

A Fond Farewell

Yep today was the day. With my backpack on tight and laptop in hand, I walked the paths of BYU campus to turn in my last final ever!!!!


I typed up my very last article at my computer near the window. I've sat at that window for a whole year now and have loved my view of the Hinckley Center every morning. I then bid farewell to wonderful people at work and celebrated with a lunch at the all too famous Cafe Rio. 

And yes, when Michael came to pick me up I did shed a tear or two. I've always hated growing up (i.e. my 18th birthday when I realized I was technically an adult. hard day).

So..... see ya later Cosmo. I'll always be your biggest fan.

Library, it's been fun. But all good things come to an end, and it's that time. See ya later, suckaa!

Ugh, I will 100% not miss those late nights in the HBLL. However, the Loons (Megan Looney) makes any place fun, even after midnight. 

So I am now a graduate! Michael has been the best support ever as I've finished up these last couple classes and even waited on the whole law school thing so I could finish up with him by my side. I can't wait to celebrate our one year anniversary with the love of my life!

I'll be doing this come April, with cakeball in hand of course. Thanks for dealing with a sappy BYU week. I apologize, a little. Now it's off to CA for Christmas break!

BYU adventures

Thank you BYU for bringing me great friends and so many adventures. I have had so many adventures be it taking a french and italian cinema class or living in a dorm for a year. Eating mysterious food at times in the cannon and studying in london. spontaneous roadtrips to vegas, colorado and bonfires in provo canyon.

But of all my adventures, some of my sweetest memories are chilling on the couch, late night talks with the roomies and realizing that the Lord brought me into the hands of wonderful friends. * I told you this week was a tender one. *

Love Letter

Dearest BYU,

Today was my first, last day of finals week. ever. And I have to say, this week will be a tender one. When I think of my favorite places in the world, the following five spots come to mind:

my home

california

london

my bed

and

byu

It was at BYU where I found myself, some of my greatest friends, my career, and my husband. There aren't too many places that can give you all that. 

For this past semester I have walked your campus everyday, passing buildings, hallways, vending machines, lecture halls, cougar eats and people that I have passed for three and a half years now. BYU will now become a memory lane where I can say...

"That's where I fell asleep in class and woke up with a huge gasp."

"That was the room I was in when I realized 15 minutes into the class that yes, it was the wrong class."

"This is the table that Michael and I studied at for our first semester of dating. fourth floor, south west side."

So this week, BYU, I will continue to show my love and remind you of all the things I'm grateful for.

Go Cougs,

Staley 

Freshman year: my very first finals week. Yes I love/trust all of you enough to share this picture of myself.

#unicomchristmas

Today was the "student training" (Christmas party) for all of as that work at BYU's University Communications. I haven't blogged much about my job, so allow me to enlighten you.

Almost exactly a year and one month ago Michael Smart, the BYU Media Relations guru and Michael Scott Wanna Be, came to my class to present on how to engage in social media. He also happened to mention that they were starting to accept applications for an internship. I made sure I asked questions during his presentation - some call it brown nosing, I call it smart relationship building. Talked to him in person the next week, and boom! Staley got the best job she's ever had.

So after a year of writing articles like this one and that one that show up on the BYU homepage, I'm sad to say that graduation will prompt me to bid farewell, but there will always be a place for Unicomm in Staley Carter White's heart (that's what they call me. never just Staley White :) They also tease me a lot for eating a baked potato and cottage cheese everyday for lunch. don't know why. That's totally normal, right mommy? I'm normal I swear!

To get to the point - I'm a writer. I should be able to do that - at our Christmas party today we started off with a compliment circle. You pick one person to compliment then that person picks another person... and  it was just good feelings, good vibes all around. And I thought, this is what Christmas is all about - spreading good cheer.

So with that, I hope you all get the chance to make someone's day, to share a compliment or two. It really does wonders to know that someone cares. It's the gift that keeps on giving...

Oh, Christmas Tree

Everyone, meet our tree.
Well actually it's Grandma Carters, but we very appreciate her lending it to us.

Trimming the tree is my favorite tradition of the Christmas season! I have so many memories of decorating my favorite tree (well second favorite after tonight) the Carter Family tree. 

Joke of the family was that although we all spent hours together decorating the house, singing along to Christmas CD's and munching on treats, mama Carter would patiently wait until we all settled down for a long winter's nap. Then tip-toe to the living room, look over her kids' mess of a tree, and redo the entire thing. Just kidding, but she's got tree-trimming down to a science. Hope I made you proud, mom.

But this year was my first tree ever as a White, and I am very very pleased with my new favorite tree!

 

Things started out a little shaky, literally.



We could NOT get that tree to stand straight. Michael gave it some TLC and all was well.

Merry Christmas

be still

I've been playing with InDesign all day today, as you can see from our "Christmas Card" header. 

It's just another way to spread Christmas cheer

Awesome

The Lights

Yes. Yes. Yes.
It's the holiday season and I finally don't feel guilty about sneaking in my Christmas music when I'm riding in the car alone. Now Michael and I "can spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear" all the day long. ahhhhh.

So after a filling Thanksgiving dinner with the Croft side of the family (my mom's side) and a wonderful time shopping on black friday, the Christmas spirit landed safe and sound into our hearts when we visited Temple Square.

Fa la la la laaaa la la la la
Happy Holidays!

The S.C.

*Home Sweet Home*

      

Countdown to California

Mostly I'm so very excited for our sibling caravan across the dessert so we can watch our little Anneliese-Piza dance her heart off, take family pictures, eat my mama's cooking and enjoy time together. 

So I guess what I mean to say is...

Amen. See you soon Carters!

All Hail Hump Day

We made it to Wednesday. I love hump day. Now I just have to make it two more days until all the Carters unite in California for Anneliese's big Senior Dance Showcase.

Halloween Recap:

The Probsts and Ashworths threw a killer Murder Mystery party. Ironically, mine and Michael's role had a secret love affair. He was the father of my illegitimate child! Not real, people. This is just a game.

Party Attendees:

Skeleton

Sailor Moon

Occupy Wall Street Protestor

Senior Missionaries

The NBA Lockout

Jenny and Forest Gump

And....

Al Borlin and Hiedi from Home Improvement 

*thank you Kai and Mandi for the tip*

Sister Hayes converted me to Mormonism. Thanks, Sister Hayes! You changed my life!

Another shout out for the week- Claire Pingree is off to Deutschland again! We were all so happy her medical problems were at an end, and she is back in the MTC again. Love that girl, and I'm so happy for her. 

And remember: What time is it?
Tool Time.

Match Batch

Anna and I went to our Helamen Halls Freshman Year reunion and how did we appear? matching. typical.

I couldn't help but bust out laughing when I saw her approach the car in her pink gingham. So, I hold up my sleeve and she goes, "Ahhh. Should I go change? Why do we do this!?"

Naturally, we had to take another twin picture. And I know I posted about this in the past, but you have to see these pictures side by side.

As for the boys? They are making fun of us. Don't be fooled - they aren't that cute.

But they were nice enough to join us for Footloose. 

Our first..

...little Punkin!

No not a baby, come on people. A real pumpkin. Ha. Got ya! No babies yet.

For Family Home Evening on Monday The Probsts and The Ashworths came over for some pumpkin carving. Maybe Michael and I are just total carving pros, or maybe we are lacking on the creative side. But either way we were the first ones done by far! Some would say our pumpkin is simple. I think it's simply scary. Props to our friends for their masterpieces.

Using our camera timer. Test number one. Oops, I'm a little bit front and center - so obnoxious.



Test number two. Perfection



So fun. But I'm still stressing about a costumer for me and Michael. Any ideas? (think cheap)

Thriller: the show

I've never been all for Halloween. I don't like being scared, I have zero creativity when it comes to costumes and a pagan holiday that celebrates death, curses and black magic isn't really my thing. However, one thing I like is Michael Jackson's Thriller. I'm not just saying that so my post has a little umph. I really love it, and that's probably because in high school Shannon and I watched the music video three thousand times as an attempt to learn the dance. We failed.

BUT, the Odyssey Dance Theater nailed it! This show was awesome. It was more funny than scary, and was filled with everything from river dancers who were shot dead in their tracks to Hip Hop scare crows. 

 

Oh yeah. And the dancers were wandering about scaring people before and after the show. As a graduate of Canyon Crest Academy's Theater Conservater I admit, ah-hem, they were pretty convincing. (Haha. I love name dropping "the academy." I'm really not as cool as the academy makes me sound. I was just the dumb blond in every show... casting directors are so stereotypical these days.)

Speaking of dancing, David asked me if this brought me back to my days as a dancer. I sadly had to admit that I was no dancer. When Anneliese and I started to take classes, I was like 14 and she was 10. We were in the same classes cause she was so good and I was, well, very mediocre. Mediocrity starts with "me!" - especially when it comes down to dancing.  

I dropped dancing pretty quick and Anneliese, well she turned into this.

I could totally do this too back in the day, the camera man just never timed it right. Ugh.