From the Beginning

So, let's start, as the title says, from the beginning.

You can just refer to me as the college student that we all know; the one struggling to find a definitive path for the future, without, hopefully, screwing up their chances at a decent one. Unlike most college kids, I didn't try to get as far away from my family as possible. I actually, weirdly, decided to stay close. In the end, I chose my college, not by my career choice, but by the idea that, if I wanted to visit family, I would only have to take a quick, three-hour flight and tada! I would be at their doorstep.

Word to the underclassmen: don't do that. Choose your college based on what you want. Don't be silly, like me.

Now, I'm in a college that is as far a cultural shock as being sent to the moon in your birthday suit.

This isn't to say that I don't like my university (Brigham Young University - Idaho). I guess it should be noted that I'm not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nope, I'm Catholic. So, I guess some people may understand why I feel just a little bit out of place. The Mormons are wonderful people, really they are. Let's just say that their teachings sometimes get in the way of learning.

Now, as to not offend, if you are attending a religious school, kudos to you. It's just not for everyone. Yes, I'm Catholic, and yes I practice, but I'm not all incense and Latin hymns. (I almost just spelled 'hymns' wrong. That should be a clue.)

Okay... so beyond everything else, this blog stands to document my stay here at BYU-Idaho in the lovely city of Rexburg, Idaho. This will be a third-party, stepping-away-from-the-scriptures-look into what it's like to truly be a fish out of water. I'll be learning the LDS religion as if I'm starting seminary (which I'm told, is like the elementary school of learning the religion). I'll point out the good, the bad and the ugly, hopefully staying away from offensive thoughts. (I was raised to respect each other, regardless of opinions.) These will be the facts; what I see, how we as students learn, and basically, what happens inside the walls of BYU-Idaho, from a non-member's point-of-view.

We can now throw the proverbial champagne bottle; let it begin.