So long 2014;

I'm sitting here waiting for mom to let me know she's on her way home from work so I can finish dinner. 

It's 31 December 2014. New Year's Eve. 

I can't help but to reflect on this last year. And all its craziness. 

2014 started with spending 4 days in the twin cities at TCX with college students through the upper Midwest at Cru's winter conference. This year I'm finishing 2014 at home, until I go with friends later. And it's hard tonight... Introversion is kicking in. Oh, well... Haven't seen these guys in eons! So I'm making myself go (and by myself I mean my best friend Sara). LOVE YOU! 

I have so much to reflect on... I've gotten life somewhat under control, and by that I mean time management and stress/depression so I can be a "functional adult" in society. Still gotta work on that whole money thing... But it's getting there. 

And I think I got a bit more of this school stuff done, which shouldn't be too surprising as credit wise I'm considered a senior! Still consider myself a freshman though. 

But, when it comes to the people in my life, both old and new, I couldn't be more blessed! The community I have in Cru is unbelievable! I love each and everyone of you! 

My work life, I love my job so much at Family Christian primarily for my coworkers. It really is a family there. Thank you all for being so amazing and making me feel so welcomed from my first day, and everyday I walk in (especially the days I dread coming in; introverts get at its best). 

Now, the more broad category of college itself. I honestly could not have been placed with a better roommate by chance! Megan, I freaking love living with you, even if you are a cheese head. 

I've also met so many new people that I now considers friends from my theater minor classes, never thought that that would've happened! 

Looking back it's been a crazy roller coaster, with the year ending much higher than it started. I only hope next year is much of the same.

Here's to 2014! 

Here's to well wishing and blessings to all for 2015 (and maybe a guy for me??? Just kidding!) 

Lord bless you tonight and be safe! 

So proud!

I just want to take a post and brag about my little sister. She's 14, and sometimes our 6 year difference is hard on both of us. I remember 8th grade, and the things she's going through now, a lot of it I did too. Only difference, I only knew my friends at this point about a year and a half as we had just moved there, but she got to grow up with these kids! And she gets the annoying, "oh! Are you Tori's little sister?" ;) 

But, I'm so glad that we have such an amazing relationship that she is open to asking for help and advice. The other day she face timed me on my break at work just so I could help her on her science homework. It was fantastic! 

The real reason I want to blog about Miss Punky is because of how proud I am of her! She got her first major injury the other day... A sprained wrist! Granted, by her age I've already had a broken arm, but she's got me beat. She found a sport she enjoys more than any other. SWIMMING! This child, I tell you, is a fish! I'm so proud she found something to call her own, because for so long she was always wanting to be a Mini-Me. I know practically nothing about swimming (last year I new nothing at all) but I love being able to watch her swim and enjoy every minute of it. It makes my heart happy seeing her happy. And, her captain from this year, I knew in high school as she was a few years younger and we were in band stuff together, is such a good influence on her I can't help but be thankful for her too. 

Back to her wrist, is it bad that I'm proud of her for that?! I mean, I don't want her going out and intentionally hurting herself, I sorta feel like the big brother of the situation though. I'm glad it's nothing too serious like a concussion or whatever, I mean, it's her non-dominate wrist so she can still write fine. And I face timed her last night just to see how she was feeling about it, so I care, but I still think it's awesome she has her first major injury. :) 

I just love my sister! Punky, I can't wait to be home for Christmas! I miss you so stinking much! MWAH! 

 There she is! She's the tall one with the green cap. She's even taller than me! The butthead... 

And this is the family cheering her on at a meet. :) 

End of the line...

Well, obviously my New Years resolution of blogging more didn't happen... I don't even know where the year went! It's finals week here at school and there's just a lot going through my mind so I thought it's time to blog! 

Finals, oh my goodness the overload of papers this semester! I thought being a science major was hard each semester with like 4-5 finals to study for, but this last semester I took only one science class and the rest generals or classes for my theater minor. THERES SO MANY PAPERS! Never again will I complain about one or two papers for finals... Just give me a test to study for and I'll call it good. 

I'm minoring in theater so yesterday I had my acting final. I had a scene partner and we performed our scene. Two hours we sat through the final so all 10 groups could perform. I had such a fun time in the class! I didn't know what to expect, I just took it because it's required for the minor... I only ver wanted to do behind stage stuff, like managing the stage! But it was fun acting for once, though I was always nervous as all get out before doing scenes or the monologue. But, my classmates were the best! I'm going to miss them come this spring as I'll be on science class overload again. 

Next up, papers for mythology, intercultural communication, and a lloooong journal entry for my acting class... Not excited. If I wanted to write all these senseless (in my opinion) papers I would've been an English major. I don't even like writing reports for my science classes! (I joke and tell people I'm going to hire a ghost writer for when I do research in my future.) But, such as life. Guess we all know what I'll be doing tomorrow before working all night! 

Oh my goodness, WORK! The last couple of weeks I've been trying to figure out why I was so far behind on homework, it was work! First is Thanksgiving extended sales with a million people that just wipe me put, and now, December has extended holiday hours! I'm at work an extra hour or two almost every night which cuts out of homework time. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my job... I just need to learn to better prioritize my time and schedule better. Oh being a functional adult... But, money pays for things like a phone and food. And gas, and insurance... Who knew growing up would be so exhausting? 

Oh, right. Our parents. 

Well, good luck on finals yall! Enjoy Christmas Break and enjoy the time at home away from college for a few weeks! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!