Back in America :)

Time is flying! I really can’t believe that it has been three weeks since I returned home from Italy. Three weeks since I spent 24 hours straight traveling in heals, without sleeping. The first American airport I got to was definite culture shock, I kept accidently saying ‘no grazie’ and ‘si’ instead of thank you and yes.

Surprisingly, the first thing that stood out to me was that the American women paid far more attention to me (smiling and making small talk) than Italian woman, and that the American men paid far less (no winks, cat calls, excessive compliments or anything of the likes!). I got home and suffered from reverse jetlag, hardly sleeping. Strange, I know. The first time I used the restroom, it took me three tries to figure out how to flush the toilet—I pressed on the wall first, then the top of the toilet, before remembering that American toilets flush differently, and reached for the knob to flush. Mamma mia! (<< a phrase I still constantly use and one that my family gives me a hard time for).

I had two cheese burgers in my first three days at home, went shooting, and made my way over to Seattle for a major league baseball game with the family—does it get more American than that? I’ve attended two weddings as well—my little sister, Kalei Riggin’s, and one of my best friend’s, Codi Kubik. It’s funny, as many weddings as I’ve attended, I feel like I’ve missed even more—I got on Facebook and saw that several friends are either engaged or married, people whom I swear were single when I left three months prior! I guess that’s Utah. 

Mariner's game with the cousins :)

Thanks for all you do Grandpa Bob!

The siblings at Kalei's wedding

Shooting with my brother and grandpa

Codi's Bridal Shower at the Melting Pot in SLC

Caught the bouquet at Codi's wedding; Dun dun dunnnnn ;)

I already walked in BYU graduation in April, but while I was in Italy I was informed that I was valedictorian and was asked to speak at convocation! So, graduation: take two! Speaking was an absolutely AMAZING experience, and was made even better because the chair of my graduate program—an outstanding woman named Leslie Feinauer—was also speaking. Everything felt surreal and now that it’s over, it almost doesn’t even seem like it happened. I remember sitting there—in the front row of the stage—hearing the presenter announce my name. For a split second, I considered staying put, but found myself walking up to the podium and, before I knew it, started speaking. I had my printed-off-speech in hand, but didn’t look at it once—everything just seemed to flow. I wasn’t anxious or nervous at all, but just felt calm. Even now, it seems like a distant memory, but it happened! And I am so grateful for that opportunity and hope that the things I shared touched a person or two; they were from the heart.

Valedictorian Poster in the JFSB

Kierea Meloy, psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology, the daughter of Michael and Jody Riggin, and the late Jeffry Meloy, is from Selah, Washington. Kierea recently conducted an independent field study in Italy. She served in the presidency of Psi Chi, worked as a Freshman Mentor, interned with Dr. Michael Larson in his neuropsychological lab and with the Flourishing Family’s Project. Kierea presented at the Mary Lou Fulton Conference and was published in the International Neuropsychological Society Journal. Kierea was a four year recipient of the Marine Corp League Northwest scholarship. Kierea volunteered with BYU’s Special Olympic Program, for the campaign team of BYUSA’s president elect, and with various other organizations. She enjoys rock climbing and racquetball, has won BYU’s Division 1 intramural volleyball championship and BYU’s Bowling League. Upon graduation, Kierea will attend BYU’s top ranked Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s program and aspires to open a private practice.

Valedictorian Medallion 

My brother, Tanner, and I

Honestly, the last three months of my life hardly seem real. I feel so lucky to have gotten to spend that time in a beautiful country, to have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, and to have experienced things both hard and wonderful that have truly changed me in more ways than I can even express. Things feel easy here in many ways—like the fact that I can ask any random stranger a question and there would be no language or communication barrier. Or that I can go to Wal-Mart and get everything I could possibly need in one stop (including peanut butter!). I’m sure life will not seem quite so easy in two weeks when I start my master’s program. I’m not worried though, I’m looking forward to it—it’s exciting to get to study exactly what I want to study (Marriage and Family Therapy). So—once again—I’m not exactly sure what my next phase of life will hold, but I couldn’t be more excited to find out!