Graduation

This week I finished my Master's of Public Administration (MPA) degree. I have learned so much about nonprofit management and evaluation. I have had the chance to work on interesting and meaningful projects. The part that has had the greatest impact on me is the individuals I have had a chance to meet and work with doing my time at the Romney Institute. I have loved spending the last two years with talented people trying hard to make a difference--this includes students, faculty, and community partners. I am going to miss it, but I am also so excited to apply what I have learned.

Yep graduate degree robes make you look like a wicked witch with bat wings. Even more so because mine is so wrinkled. I'll miss these ladies (including Lauren Laws who took the photo).

Brooke finished her law degree as well! We have been going to school together since we were 19 :)

How's married life?

We have people ask us all the time how married life has been. I think the best answer is busy. We are hoping things will settle down once we move to Belize next week. I know that sounds funny, but at least we will be living in the same place. Two weeks after we were married, I went to do consulting work in Costa Rica with an Ashoka Fellow. Two weeks after that Adam went to London on a business trip and next week we move. It's been busy, but it has been a lot of fun as well. We can't wait to both live and work in the same place this summer.

Surveying high school students about entrepreneurship in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Our team with the director of Fundacion Accion Joven, our community partner.

 Looking around a research institute

Those who know me, know I love animals. I love monkeys from a distance--they are quite mean up close.

Yeah I'm starting a blog...

I am starting a blog because I don't journal any more. My last entry was the day Adam proposed so I hope I did better with this blog. For the first post I'll answer a question I have been asked quite a few times. Why did we get married in Panama? We got married in the LDS temple in Panama so Adam's parents could attend. While we were dating, his father was called to be a mission president in Panama.

I have always loved Panama. I served an LDS mission there almost three years ago. I never imaged that Panama could be any more special to me. Sharing Panama with my family and friends who came to our sealing made that country even more dear to me.

 Props to our amazing photographer Lauren Laws.

 Someone called this one marching into eternity. I like that title :)

My first day in Panama as a missionary (Feb. 2010).