Roommates

Pancakes at Totally Inappropriate Times

Unless you are way too familiar with Ihop, you may not recognize the window I am behind. But as I already revealed it is in fact an Ihop. I am trying to remember the exact time, but a safe guess puts this picture being taken between 2 and 4 in the morning on the last day of classes my first year.

Something about being young means that at times when you should just go to bed, you go out for pancakes instead. Maybe it is the whole no drugs and alcohol thing, but we find our own sober ways of acting ridiculous. I remember this night because I was there with my cousin Kris, and we ran into like 60% of my Freshman Ward. We all had the same brilliant idea that staying up all night was the only way to properly celebrate the end of the semester. I wish I could say this was a Freshman thing, but no, sometimes pancakes in the middle of the night still sounds better than sleep.

We Call Them BYU Endorphins.

According to Wikipedia endorphins, "...resemble the opiates in thier abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well being."


Obviously I am not any sort of science major, my information is coming from Wikipedia, but endorphins make you feel happy. During my sophomore year we used the phrase "BYU endorphins" to refer to stuff that actually is not that awesome but is so cultural to BYU that we all act like, maybe even believe, that it is in fact awesome. Like Hiking the Y.


I know I put it on my BYU Bucket List, and it is something everyone should do once, but only once. The hike isn't that awesome. It isn't long enough to feel like you accomplished something, or scenic enough to make you really appreciate nature. The view is lovely but not breathtaking. Mostly you walk for while up hill and then that is kind of it. But for some reason, despite it's obvious lack of awesome, it is still one of those experiences you have to have while you are here.

Food

One of my favourite things about Provo is all of the delicious places to eat. Seriously, there is no reason to ever set foot in a disgusting fast food chain while you are here. I am going to mention just a few that I love, but I am always looking for suggestions of new places to try!

Thai Ruby, located at 744 East, 820 North in Provo is fantastic. During my second semester at BYU my friend and I went almost once a week, and I still go every chance I get. We had been wandering around south of campus with a map, trying to find a building where her class was supposed to be when we found this place instead. Best being lost experience ever.

Communal, located at 102 North University Ave, is incredible. The menu and the environment, it really all works together to create an awesome dining experience. Plus I feel all cute and trendy when I eat there.

Sammy's, located at 27 North, 100 West is always a good idea. They serve pie shakes, yes pie in a shake, and it is one of the best things I have ever had. Actually everything I have ever had there I thoroughly enjoy. The price to quality ratio is a definite win.


J Dawgs, located at 858 North 700 East is awesome. Sometimes all you want is a really good hot dog (or polish dog) and J Dawgs is the best. Plus you cannot complain about the distance from campus, and the people who work there are the best.


La Jolla Groves: 4801 North University Ave #610 is incredible. Everyting on the menu is superb, and they are so accomodating of people with dietary restrictions. It also has great variety. You can take anyone and they are going to have a great experience.

Once I Was A Freshman...

This picture is of my very first day as a student at BYU. My roommates and I are walking to our very first class ever. I think it was Sociology...Anyway being a Freshman is an insane experience, everything changes all at once and there isn't really any way to prepare for that. Living in Heritage Halls was fun, becasue we were all in the same boat; deciding who we were going to be and figuring out how to share a tiny bathroom with five strangers. Whenever I see a unicycle I immediately flash back to Freshman Year and the girl who would ride her unicycle around Heritage and practice juggling. I didn't know any better, so I just assumed this was what the college experience entailed, along with mostly sleeping during the day and eating ice cream for breakfast.

Bathrooms on Campus

A fabulous blog (http://www.byubathrooms.com/) exists on this topic, so I will take just a moment and tell you which ones are my favourite.
-Fourth floor of the library.
-Basement of the JFSB.
-Fourth floor of the JFSB.
-The one next to the Games Centre in the Wilk.

BYU Bucket List

-Hike the Y, and watch the sunset.
-Stand on the fourth floor balcony of the JFSB, and [pretend] to flick ice cream at the people
below.
-Nap in at least one totally inappropriate place; a floor, a bathroom, in class...
-Get someone's phone number in the library.
-Eat BYU Mint Brownies, and drink BYU chocolate milk.
-Make smores on the lights at the Bell Tower.
-Get into the Police Beat.
-Write a letter and get it published in the Daily Universe.

BYU

Attending BYU right now is an average of 34000 students, which means there are an average of 34000 individual experiences being lived simultaneously, not to mention the experiences of past students. The only experience I can talk about is my own, with some input from my friends. I want this to be an honest exposition, not just stats and activities that they list on the BYU homepage, or some bitter rant against the honour code and homework, but a real look at life as a BYU student, well my life as a BYU student.