That is SO BYU...

People say that a lot. And usually in a negative way.

"Oh my gosh, that girl got engaged after only three weeks? Ughh... that is SO BYU."

PS Don't do that.

Well today I felt a huge pride for all things BYU. And I think being "SO BYU" is a great thing.

This morning I went to the Homecoming Opening Ceremonies in the Marriott Center. Bronco Mendenhall, the football coach, spoke. He spoke of the high standards the football team has. I respect him. He's a good man. Dave Rose, the basketball coach, spoke. He has cancer. He spoke about enjoying the journey and being grateful for each and every day. Everyone had goosebumps. Cecil Samuelson, the president of our university, spoke. I always feel the love he has for all of us, every time he speaks. I love hearing from him week after week. We heard an essay read about Harvey Fletcher, a scientist who got his start at BYU. He did lots of research to help the hearing impaired.

Everything was so uplifting. So inspiring. So BYU.

We heard the Cougar Marching Band play. And we sang the fight song. I love the fight song. I swear my heart just bursts with BYU Pride every time a huge crowd sings the fight song. It is just so BYU.

I went to the library. Someone opened the door for me on the way in. So BYU. I ate a peanut butter jelly sandwich. I went to my science class. We had fun and laughed a lot. My teacher is the BEST. He makes me love learning. So BYU.

I left class and passed a group of adults touring the campus. I overheard one of them say "This is such a beautiful campus!! And everyone is just so nice!" Yup. So BYU.

I crossed the street. People smiled at me as I passed them. Complete strangers. I had to go to the International Symposium on Law and Religion for one of my classes. It was in the law building... across the street from where I ate my peanut butter jelly sandwich.

I walked in and there were representatives from thirty-six countries around the world. They were all wearing power suits and carrying briefcases. I was wearing jeans and polka-dot rain galoshes. I sat in the back.

I pulled out a notebook as the session began. I got to hear from delegates and intellectuals from around the world discuss their opinions on religious freedom and human rights. When someone started speaking another language, a woman offered to go out in the hall and grab me headphones to hear the translator. So BYU. I listened to brilliant people discuss politics and religion from Chile, South Africa, Ukraine, China, Israel, and India. All within one hour. Across the street from where I ate my peanut butter jelly sandwich and went to science class. And a five minute walk from my front door.

Had to sneak a picture! How legit is this?

These are the modern thinkers of our time. They were wrapping up three days of discussion and debate on ways to improve the world! They came to learn from each other and take back to their countries ideas to make a difference. How amazing, I thought, that I am at a school where I can learn from people of prominence from all over the world.

All of the speakers mentioned how well-organized the conference was and how well taken care of they felt. And what a great university they came to visit. So BYU.

So if you are a BYU student and one of your friends says "Ugghh... You are SO BYU".....

Say "Thank you." Because it is a compliment.


P.S. I should also mention that at the conference, a boy from my class came and sat next to me and I started chattin' it up with him thinking he was cute.... until I realized the wedding ring. Always check right away ladies. Because this also, is So BYU... ;)