Chaos of Life...

Sometimes in life you just get so caught up everything... and by everything?

• stepdad getting a lung transplant
• course fully loaded with senior classes
• trying to stay on top of homework
• keeping up on projects for future presentations
• work
• living situations
• puppies
• car troubles 
• new boyfriend

And all the anxiety that comes with it... 

It's become such a whirlwind of emotions and I can't handle it anymore.




                                          I
                                               Can't
                                                        Handle
                                                                    It.




What do I do? What can I do? My depression is horrible tonight. I'm so frustrated I just want to yell... I'm ready just to give up. I just want to cry. Who cares anyways? Sure doesn't seem like anybody does. They say they do, but nobody really seems to show it.

I feel like I'm barely holding it together most days.

It's summer!

Summer means: 

-heat

-beaches

-hanging out

-vacations

-family

-friends

-adventures

And...?

-work?

-school? 

Adulthood. 

That's what this summer brings for me, becoming more of an adult. And just because I say becoming an adult I don't mean becoming a bore (which I feel I am most days anyways, but that's another matter), I mean becoming an adult and facing the responsibilities that lie ahead of me. Paying bills, saving money, budgeting wisely both time and money, affording to put gas in the car. 

We're so quick as kids to wish away "the easy life" expecting bigger and better things on our own. And don't get me wrong, I have had some of the bigger and better moments, but if I could go back and tell younger me something it'd be this:

Don't wish the "easy life" away. Enjoy being home everyday, take the time to respect your parents having you do chores because once you get out on your own, they ain't gonna be done themselves. Take the time for family as well as friends. I have so much time with friends being away from home (as they essentially became family) that there never seems to be enough time with family when you are home. And remember, one day you'll wish you had it all again. But there's no going back, only forwards. 

Being an adult is hard sometimes, more often than it is easy. I often complain "I don't want to be an adult", "I don't want to adult today", or even "who made me adult?! Adulting is hard...". 

I'm sure many can relate, but whether we want to or not, we have to. Nobody said growing up (AKA becoming an adult) would be easy, in fact we often times stare in disbelief at the crazies that tell us otherwise! 

"What could be hard about making your own rules?!" one normally asks... 

-bills

-budgeting

-job

-money management 

-time management; both recreational, job, and educational

-house chores

-car responsibility 

I'm sure the list could continue for quite awhile. 

Essentially, what I'm trying to say, especially to those just getting ready to start a new adventure whether it's starting college, starting grad school, new marriages, whatever it may be! 

Enjoy the season of life you're living, because whatever comes next will be a new adventure you'll have to embark on. And if you sit back and try to reminisce about what you had before, you'll be missing the adventure in your hands. 

Spring Break 2015

Well, it's Thursday of spring break and I'm packing up all my stuff to head back to campus early. Adulthood requires, you know, like working and stuff. 

The last couple of weeks my saying has been "I don't want to adult!" because I really don't. I sometimes wish I was still in high school and home everyday simply because I miss my family. 

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being at college and the life I have their, I just love having time with my family and though I had nothing to do, my sister was at school, mom at work... And than there was church stuff a few nights during the week while I was home so I didn't get as much time as I wanted with all of the loved ones. 

There's never enough hours in the day. 

But, that doesn't make me any less thankful for the time I did get with them. Mom, Dad, grandparents, step-parents, little sister, a few friends. I just wish I had more time. 

Though I'm going back to college for the rest of break, I'm still going to have fun! I absolutely love my job! It's the greatest work environment with some of the best coworkers. And a Fargo Force hockey game on Saturday with some of my friends! First hockey game of the year! Literally, I haven't gone to a hockey game since last season... 

Guess I should go make sure the rest of my clothes are dry, pack up the car and some lunch, and hit the road! 

Hope you're enjoying your break and being safe! 

Being A Christian

When you hear the word Christian I assume most like to think of a person who's got it all together. Their life is perfect, especially if they grew up in a Christian home. If you're like me you think that everybody around you has had a perfect life, that it is perfect. I realized something tonight... 

The broken down, tired of life, struggling through their days, are the ones who seem the happiest. 

People that are just. like. me. ... 

I'm a Christian. I truly believe that God sent his one and only son Jesus as a living sacrifice for our sins. But I always thought I was the only one lost and broken down. Which was absolutely ridiculous because I know so many details of my fellow believers lives. Past and present. So many times I've prayed for them. 

It took me until tonight to realize not a single Christian's life becomes a happily ever after the second they begin believing. 

I've been a Christian for many years now and I still have yet to find that happily ever after. But through the struggles I do find peace knowing I have a loving, caring, holy being by my side with me always. 

This may all sound cliche but it's true. I know words can never truly express what one feels. 

Jesus loves you. He loves you for you. Your mistakes, failures, He's willing to carry your burdens. He loves you for your triumphs, your good deeds, your love you give to others. 

But most importantly, He is there for you! 

He doesn't promise that everything will get better the instance you accept Him into your life, but He does promise He will be there through it all. 

Every person who's ever been hurt by another human, anytime you've felt alone, anytime you rejoice, He's been there. Nobody has ever had a perfect life, Jesus didn't even have one.  He was put to death in the cross by the ones He loved! 

But the story doesn't end there, oh no! 

We know the ending to the story, Jesus wins. We will live happily ever after. For eternity! Though we all go through the sins of a fallen world now, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, one in which there is no pain or suffering. One where every Christian will have a perfect life full of love. 

If you look around now and seeing those whom say they have a perfect life, especially if their non-believers, don't believe it for a second. Every Christina I know has their struggles. But it's the love of God and fellow believers in which peace can be found. It's the times of hurt, of anger, of struggles that brings the love of Christ and the happiness that will alter your view on life's perfection. 

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! 

Oh my gosh!

So much for keeping up with a new year's resolution, right?! Two posts in 10 months?! What can I say but college is busy, and being a student is even busier. There's always something to do and you can never seem to find free time, because it's quickly filled with work, homework, and for me random cleaning! My dorm has gotten to be such a mess on my half, it's chaotic!

As I was reading my post from January, I can say things are better in aspects. I have a job I ABSOLUTELY love, and I wouldn't want any other job right now. I work at Family Christian, it's a christian "retail" store. We sale bibles, and books, and movies, and kids' toys, and various gift items, the amount of stuff we have is crazy! And it's legally a nonprofit so everything that's purchased goes to orphan and widow ministries, and as employees we're required (after working there a year) to go on a mission's trip to the villages and other countries in which our 'profits' help. It's so incredible hearing some of the stories of my coworkers, once recently just getting back from Haiti!

And, my roommate this year is the greatest ever! We get along so well and have so much in common! I feel like we've been friends forever yet we've only known each other since moving into the dorms! It only took my three years to get a good one... Last week was her birthday, and of course she got lucky enough to have all classes cancelled, so I did as much as I could to keep it somewhat entertaining for her :) and I guess I did a fairly decent job as she said she had a great day.

And than there's the craziness of the college student schedule... classes, work, homework, tutoring, Cru. Oh my goodness does it seem crazy or what?! I suppose it doesn't sound too exhaustive of a list, but each piece entitles a lot of effort and time. Who knew being an adult could be so stressful, right?!

Oh, but I love my crazy life. And it's a lot easier now getting through it when I have help with making my moods normal. Depression I tell yeah.

I'm so incredibly blessed in my life, and especially after this weekend spent at Fallapalooza, I can really start to count my blessings. I'll be making a separate post about that in a bit. For now, it's off to hit the books and get ready for the week! I've only collectively had 8 hours of sleep over the last two days where I normally have 8-9 a night!

Mugs n Muffins

My home church of Cornerstone has a once montly women's event called Mugs n Muffins. Here, the ladies of the church get together with their mugs from home and spend a bit of time just getting to know each other and enjoying muffins (and cheese and chocolate!) while we wait for a lady (or two) come up front and talk.

These talks are always focused around God and what He's doing, has done, taught, or is teaching us in their lives and how we can use it in our own lives.

It's truly a blessing.

Well, April's Mugs n Muffins I was asked to record as Miss Ann wasn't able to be there and really wanted to see it. The topic was Mentoring and being Mentored.

The first video covers most of the event, but unbenounced to me it stops recording after a time so I bit is missed between catching the last bit in the second video. The second video, I believe towards the end, has more of randomness that's unrelated. :)

ENJOY! And God bless you!

New Year, New Me

Well, here's 2014. I know it's almost the end of January, but you would not believe the craziness of this semester already! So this is how the story starts:

I started off the new year at TCX again this year, met some pretty great people, like "Onsie Boy" as he's been dubbed in my circle of friends, and relationships with my friends flourishing. And the best relationship that's had growth is my relationship with the Lord. Looking back onto 2013 I can see the change in myself. After TCX brought in the New Year, I traveled home with Mindy so she could leave from my house back to her home in SD.

Little background story, before Winter Break I had talked with one of our Cru Staff and she talked about a vision trip overseas during spring break in March. I so wanted to go, but I had to find $3,000 on top of renewing my expired passport! Talk about a leap of faith! Fast forwarding a couple of weeks; at TCX I decided I was going to commit to going on the Vision Trip no matter what it took. I already had approval from my parents so now it was a matter of finding the funds. During a main conference one of the nights I felt moved to head up to my hotel room and write out my support letter I would be sending out.

I told Heather (Cru Staff mentioned earlier) that I was going up to my room instead of doing any of the activities they had that night, and she seemed surprised. Out off all the letters I've handed out to family, friends, complete strangers, and those I somewhat knew I've received over $1,000 in support! In a little over two weeks!

On top of worrying about not making the funds for the Vision Trip, I also am out of a job this spring semester. The reason for this is depression. Yeah, depression. For the longest time I didn't even want to think it would ever effect me, I always thought, "Just because it's in the family doesn't mean I have it. I'm different."

(Interjection: If you're feeling depressed you don't always think suicidal, I was never in any way suicidal, there was just many days of feeling hopeless and having zero motivation to do anything! There was many skipped meals, days between showers, and sometimes week before studying! I promise you there is no shame in asking for help from professionals! I can promise you that medications seem scary, but I can also promise you it is SO incredibly nice waking up feeling happy and content everyday compared to not even wanting to see or talk to your best friends!)

Back to reality, last semester I really had a hard time with classes, stressing out over a roommate situation, and feeling like I wasn't doing any good for anybody. I have stress induced depression. It's not going to ever go away, bur right now, with medication I feel absolutely wonderful! I feel motivated to go to class, I feel motivated to check off items on my 'To Do' list! And the best part, when I do check off assignments it's a glorious feeling and it motivates me even more to get stuff done!

Now, I'm not saying it's solved all my problems. I still only have $3.00 in my bank account, a maxed out credit card, and trying to find time to donate plasma so I can have a little bit of extra spending cash for cereal and milk at the least! On top of relying on family (which I very much dislike doing), I've come to truly fully rely on God (F.R.O.G.) and have faith that He will provide. And He does provide, in ways you wouldn't dream of!

I know a few of you may be starting out Spring 2014 semester feeling a little overwhelmed, and for you, I just want to say find some time just to relax. And I don't mean watching TV or playing video games, I mean finding a quiet place, and if you're a believe than just take time to thank God for what you are blessed with every day, and take time to focus on the little things. It's crazy to think how multiple pair of jeans is a blessing compared to other countries where they may only have one or two outfits their entire life! Or electricity and running water! And if you're not the religious type, find some soothing music, plug in, and just think about things in your life that you may take for granted, sometimes there may be a person or two in our life we never realized how important they really are. And I guess that could go for the believers too. :)

For those that are starting out the new semester and year in a decent place, reach out to those who may need a little uplifting. A smile is sometimes the easiest and best way! Say hi to somebody new passing by! And take time to remember that there will be times when things get overwhelming but better things do and will come your way. It may not seem like it's going to be right away, but it will.

Part of my New Year's resolution is to keep updated on my blog! I say that to myself all the time! But I think I truly mean it this year! Maybe I'll even start another "more spiritual blog" for those needing some uplifting or just to know they're not alone in trials.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year and let the good times roll!

Coming to an end...

I hope as summer draws to an end and school starts up that everybody has made the most of it.

In my last few weeks of summer before returning to college, I'm looking back upon my summer and remembering.

Just last week I returned from the East Coast with my dad. He owns his own semi truck and was hired by a company who was hired by The Home Depot headquarters to go and make manufacturing repairs to carts. It was a two man job, hence why I went along. Horrible. I honestly, ugh, worst job I've ever had! It wasn't the actual job, it was the majority of people we had to work with, being confined in an extremely small space with two people when both of us were out in hot humid weather from morning until after the sun went down, Boston rush hour traffic absolutely SUCKED! (Thanks for the warning AFTER the fact, David...) and being dirty for two, sometimes three, days in a row.  Best part of the whole trip was when we took off a Sunday and went to Hershey Chocolate World in Hershey, PA.

We ended up leaving with over $100 worth of chocolate! On top of making our own chocolate bars, packaging Hershey Kisses... Seriously, it's almost as great as Disney World! Every man, woman, child, EVERYBODY needs to go some point in their life! Unless you're allergic to chocolate, then don't, because there is so much chocolate you'd probably go into anaphylactic shock just walking in the doors.


During those two weeks, the family I babysit for actually asked me if I'd like to run a 5K mud run with them.... I'm not a runner, in any sense of the word, but guess who's doing a 5K mud run in a little over a week! I may just die... Wish me luck! 


The rest of the summer I've spent babysitting the kids. I love them almost as much as I love my little sister :) The summer's also been spent getting computers fixed at MOA, unpacking just to find out we're moving again, barely a week before I have to move back into school! and conversing with my new  roommate, she's an exchange student from England! :D I was so SO excited when I found that out since my great friend Jess and her sort of knew each other. I'm looking forward to meeting her on the 21st and spending time together.  Sounds like we may be planning a weekend to Canada while she's here! 

Oh, and the very first week of classes, I've gotta leave early so I can make it home for my dad and step mom's wedding... because that will totally look good to my new professors. Well, that's life for you I guess.

Life, it's what you do...

Well... life; it has it's ups, downs, side ways, and upside downs.

The hardest part is when you finally think you're coming to a smooth road in all of it and WHOOP! giant drop off. You know, it's hard getting over one dilema when another is shoved in your face.

I have a job I love, but many people are telling me it's not a good enough job, so I sit here feeling like I'm letting everybody down while all I want to do is be happy... Yeah, I may not be making as much as I would like to afford a new camera or decent running shoes to finally get into shape, but at least I'm happy.

And my friends... I don't even want to go there! I love them so much, but sometimes, more often than not, I feel like nobody cares. That nobody even remembers I'm here, like I don't matter... And it doesn't entirely help when I'm still single while my closest friends practically found "the one". Feeling left out doesn't even start to describe it some days.

 A big part of my summer has been dealing with drama, which was the number one thing I did not want to worry about after my first year of college.

Just the other day I had a couple girls over, yeah it was great to see them, all of them my best friends, but for some odd reason throughout the entire summer I felt like they didn't care about me as much as I did them.  Like they were reluctant to even spend time together and did it out of pity.

The other thing with that is feeling like you care more about how they're doing and trying to help them out while they don't give two cents about you. It's hard feeling like that, trust me I know.

And then, there's the family drama... On top of having limited money due to health and past financial dilemmas, it's just complete chaos with the attitudes of two teens, step parent, and a stressed out parent. And it's even harder when you're a 17 hour drive on the east coast working when your little sister calls about a giant fight ensuing and there's absolutely nothing I can do to help.


I know, trust me, how hard it can seem at times. How the whole world is falling down, like nothing is going right. And it is at those moments, especially when I have no person I feel I can turn to, I turn to God.

A bible verse came to me once, Job 5:18 "For he wounds but he also binds up; he injures but his hands also heal." and that to me is the basis of why I know I can rely on God when the going gets tough.

And if you're not too keen on the bible verses, a band by the name of Switchfoot, they have a song, a song I absolutely LOVE called The Shadow Proves The Sunshine. The essence of this song is the fact that, like on sunny days, there will be shadows from clouds, proving the sun is shining, so when you're in a shadow of bad times, know they sun is shining down on you waiting to embrace you in it's rays of warmth.

Summer Excitment!

HERE IT IS! Summer 2013! 

Agenda for the summer? Monday through Friday I babysit an adorable three-almost-four-year-old girl, some days I will have her older brother and sister too, but it should be quite the adventure. My first day on the job was Wednesday this last week so I've worked a whole three days. And let me tell you, she's such a cutie! She can have a bit of an attitude sometimes, but what kids don't these days? :) 

Next weekend I'm actually going back to MOA with the Brownie girls I helped lead (and some of the Juniors) for Sleep with the Sharks. Along with that, I will be going to MOA with my mamma and hopefully get my iTunes and iPhone fixed. Stupid technology. 

The weekend after that I'll be camping with my dad, step-mom, little sister, and her two friends. It should be quite the adventure... There's so many of us and so much camping stuff we're going to have to take two cars! 

I hopefully plan to have many a bonfire and girls nights with my girls :) I love my friends so much and I miss them dearly. 

I also have to get my door replaced and my car finished fixed from my car accident back in October. I'm so thankful for my dad fixing it donuts driveable. I didn't realize how much I missed my car until it was gone for so long. 

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay... SURVIVOR! (of my first year of college)

Well... here I am, blogging... first time since March.

This first year of college certainly was an adventure, but I survived (barely). I may not have had the great weekends of fun that everybody else seemed to have, or met the Prince of my dreams and fallen madly in love, oooor made friends that are forever, I somehow managed homesickness, depression, high stress levels, and lonliness. 

In all honesty I pretty much slid under the radar for my first year of college. I wish I hadn't sometimes, I think that if I hadn't been so... so... boring I might have actually made some great friends that aren't an ocean away (miss you Jess!), found a boy, and had fun with people other than my family.

The other hardship I survived was not being on academic probation! End of first semester I ended up on Academic Warning because my GPA was horrid so I basically had to meet with an academic counselor and talk about how to study better and manage my time better and blah, blah, blah... you know. At the start of second semester I aimed to get at least all B's. When finals came around I studied to the best of my ability, knew I could've done better still, and felt confident.

Less than a week later when I got my final grades I had a D in Quant Bio. I called my mom and BAWLED, to the point she thought one of my rats died. I was so afraid I was going to end up on Academic Probation, lose my job in the Cancer Research Lab, and fail out of school for a semester. I felt like my life was going to be over.

But, in the end, I'm not on Academic Probation, I wish I did things differently, and I have the future to look forward to. 

So basically, for future college students or anybody struggling with anything right now just remember this: work as hard as you can now, and if you know you could probably be working harder than do it! You may have the future to work on things but it's easier to maintain a higher GPA than to raise it end of your sophomore or beginning of your junior year before graduating.

And have fun but stay responsible! If you know you probably shouldn't stay out too late on a weekend, don't. I'm sure many friends you meet will be more impressed with somebody who can say no to partying when they need to say yes to studying and actually excel in school. Don't worry about partying, worry about grades because the parties can come after you graduate top of your college class.

Guess I've been slacking a bit!

Jeeze! I haven't posted in a LLOONNGG time! Sorry guys!

Well, here I am, my first ever College Spring Break! What have I done? I traveled to the oh so wonderful... wait for it... MINNESOTA! Yeah, I went real far coming home for break.  Today is Friday, I go home Sunday.  10 days straight at home, it's been nice but seemed like I only came home yesterday.

Here's what I did!

Last Friday:

• Drove home with Ivan, got to Litch around 4:00, met Ivan's mom and her friend at Swan's so he could go home to the Cities
• Watched Cannen for a bit so mom could run some errands; of course we played dinosaurs and finger puppets! 
• Picked up Mari from Drippin' Dragons Swim practice (she's like a fish! haha), I surprised her actually because she had called mom and mom said I wasn't home yet
• Went to Jimmy's Pizza for dinner with mom, Leah, and Miss Mari before Mari had to go to play practice at 6:00 for Honk Jr. 
• Being that it was inconviennt for anybody to drive home then back into town less then two hours later to pick up Mari, Leah, mom, and I went to Walmart to waste some time.  After that I headed over to the High School to wait half an hour until she was done.
• FINALLY! At 9:00 I was home, home.  :) 

Saturday:

• Went to Hutch with mom and Mari where we visited with Starr and Doug, bought Mari a new swim suit, mom got a cute new outfit, I got a $50 pair of jeans for only $10!! and we ate some Taco Bell! Twas quite yummy!  
• Went back into Litch to bring Jude his birthday present because he was at his Auntie's house with his mom instead of in Hutch
• Anything else I forgot about... 

Sunday:

• Church! I love Sunday's :) Mom wore her new outfit and looked super nice in it! 

Monday:

• Went to the clinic to get shot in the arm... think I caught something from somebody there, which sucks!
• Had an eye appointment, my prescription in both eyes changed, my right eye more then the left eye.  I got to pick out new glasses and everything! Hopefully they come today! They'll be nice to have at school, and maybe I'll start wearing them more often because they look fairly decent on me... Just wish I had transition lenses due to my light sensitivity. Go me!
• Went to Walmart to exchange a tank top for a larger size... I had to go from Lime Green to White because they didn't have any green in large, man was that depressing! After shopping around for other things I had a panic attack thinking I had lost my keys! D: I back tracked everywhere I was at, which was just the nail polish area and the pet section (gotta spoil the rats!)  Found out I left them in the car... another, Go me! 
• Had lunch at King's Wok with mom, Shawn, and Leah.  It was pretty good.  Chinese is always a fun treat.
• BEST PART! Going to my best friend's house to celebrate her 19th birthday! Happy birthday Sara! There we watched Wreck-It Ralph, Pitch Perfect, and Rock of Ages and ate tacos and ice cream cake! I met her RA/College Best Friend and her boyfriend, they're super nice. So glad she has good friends at school :) 

Tuesday:

• No recollection as to what I did other then getting my hair cut... I think I lounged around the house mostly that day.  Which is always exciting.

Wednesday:

• I baked a cake! I got tired of vacuuming the house (Damn lady bugs >:| They are everywhere!) so I decided to bake a cake. I used the recipe I got from Grandma E. years ago for Three Hole Cake and added strawberry jello mix to it, it's so yummy! mmmm!
• Went to dinner at church with mom, Mari, and Leah... Shawn stayed home because he wasn't feeling good after having a reaction to his first infusion.  Mom went home after dinner while I spent a good part of the time chatting with Charissa.  After awhile we raced in a sack race, I totally won :) and almost died because I was starting to feel icky that day.

Thursday:

• I was not feeling good that morning and mom took the day off to take care of Shawn... she made both of us go in, of course after I took ibuporofen I was just fine but still, the clinic I went.
• I just had a cold, Shawn's mysterious swelling arm, no clue.  We had to run back and forth between the clinic getting his arm checked out to the hospital to get a chest CT and to Willmar to get an arm Ultrasound to check for clots or anything... Let's just say it was a long day of stumped doctors.
• After getting home from Willmar we went home for less then 20 minutes before bringing Mari in for her Drippin' Dragons Swim Meet.  I hope she sticks to swimming until she graduates because she's such a fish in the water.  I'm so proud of her :) 

Friday (Today):

• And here we are, up to date on the adventures here in Litchfield.  I'm currently upstairs in my room curled up in blankets with iTunes playing, my laptop, and listening to the munching and gnawing of the girls (Rose and Ivory, the pet rats) chewing away at once was their house.  Goofballs.   
• I have to meet with Mac later today in town to give her her Girl Scout Cookies she ordered, hopefully get my new glasses and if I'm not too sick I will be having dinner with my dad tonight... his semi broke again so he was forced to come home for a few days even though he wasn't planning on it... I'm not gonna complain! :) 

I think I may try to nap a little before getting ready for my evening adventures!  Hope all is well in life, and if not, lemme know and I'll try to help. :)

It's about time!!!

Well, I haven't posted since around Thanksgiving... in that time Templeton passed away, the pnemonia couldn't be cured.  It was real sad but she is buried under one of the trees in our front yard.  I miss her dearly but to finish Mari's science experiment we got two more rats.  Ivory and Rosalinda or Rose for short.  Rose is a beige hooded fancy rat, Ivory is and all tan-ish colored dumbo rat with the sweetest face ever.  They are just the most adorable girls ever! And so full of energy!

We also moved into a new house a few days before Thanksgiving and had 16 people over on Thanksgiving, it was crazy! 

Over Winter Break though, I went to TCX, Twin Cities X-perience, which is a Christian retreat put on by Cru.  It was so much fun praising God with almost two thousand other Christians and not worrying about being judged for loving Jesus.  I learned so much, too.  I do need to keep up on my Bible Studies though! #NewYrsRes

At TCX we had a day of outreach, MSUM students went to a local homeless shelter and delivered lunches and talked with them, a lot of Vikings/Packers tension because it was Football Sunday.  It was great fun learning that people who have so little can love so much, and have such a passion for football still.

After I got home from TCX I caught some sort of bug and ended up sick on the couch ALL day... it was rather depressing.  My sister came home from school and tried getting me to do stuff with her, once she was informed by me I was sick she changed her attitude to trying to help me as much as possible.

And here I am after Winter Break back at my second semester of college, classes are going a bit better so far but it's only been a week.  My biggest worry I think will be Quantitative Biology (Bio Stats).  I hate statistics already, but a friend from High School and I have practically the same schedule so all day Thrusday we get to hang out in Quant Bio and Quant Bio lab and Gen Chem lab.  Thursdays are going to BIZ-AY! 

Well... I'm going to wrap up this blog and go finish watching Surf's Up with my cousins and aunt... spending the night at their house again tonight haha :) Family Rocks.

Busy, busy, BUSY!

Finals start in.... TEN DAYS!! 

Scary how fast this first semester has already gone.  Everybody that I've talked to is saying the same things: "I feel like three weeks is so far away, but it's really not!" "It feels like school just started!" "Winter break cannot come soon enough!"

Lemme tell you something! Break is super close and if you're not careful it'll be here along with failing grades! So close to that in my own life! Lately I've been trying to balance homework, keeping my dorm clean, and supporting my family, and just general school stuff while trying to keep a social life.  I'm writing this post in a rush because I am so busy even today! 

Being part of a group called SMART Start here at MSUM you have to meet with almost all of your professors while getting to five SMART acceptable meetings, and turn in this passport thing which involves filling out information on different things on campus.  If you don't get that done than you can't be in the group next semester! (And if you don't get the 5 meetings you miss out on free $300!! But luckily I did all mine!)  I have a meeting with one of my professors in 20 minutes.

The only thing I can give as advice to future college students, or any students struggling down USE A PLANNER OR CALENDAR!!!!! I know it seems so cliche but it's true! I went and spent $5 on a calendar last week just to hang up on my closet door so I know everything going on! I've been doing To-Do lists constantly the last couple weeks as finals are coming closer and I'm trying to get late homework in so I can at least some what pass classes! 

And that brings us to the lovely stressing out and getting sick.  Everybody around me has been sick lately; home and at school.  And when my family is sick I just wish I could be there to help them out! It's tough sometimes being so far from home and all you want to do is help out! Honestly, the only advice I am going to use that I've learned so far this first semester of college is this: stay on top of EVERYTHING! Write down EVERY. SINGLE. ASSIGNMENT. and do it!  It's better to say no to people than go out every night and be exhausted.  One, you'll get homework done, and two, when it does come to crunch time for an assignment or finals you can breathe better.

I know a few of my friends are starting to stress out massively right now... I just want you guys to know I love you, I believe in you, I have loads of faith in you, and I will ALWAYS be here for you.  Any time, any where.  Breathe, relax, stop stressing, stay beautiful and before you know it, Winter break we'll be having loads of fun :) Christmas and New Year's will be great!

Excitement in the little things.

It truly is amazing how a package can make your week. Last week I got a package from a family at church; chocolate, tissues, lotion. Even drawings of pigs :) and today I got a package from my mom... She sent my a pot for cooking noodles and some butter so I can now eat my cinnamon raisin bread.

Cards from people just saying "Hey, I'm thinking of you" are just as great too. The few of those I've gotten are in my cork board and every time I see them I smile :)

Nothing is better than knowing that people miss you as much as you miss them. Thanks to everybody who's sent me a package or letter :) or if you're thinking about it, just do it. Or to any other college student. I know all students really love getting a little piece if home.

College Organization!

I learned a few things I've learned for college:

1:  When moving into college, use totes not boxes! You will use them for storage later! 

2:  Bed risers!! If you cannot loft your bed you NEED to get bed risers! They are wonderful!

3:   Wonder Hangers... They are SO worth the money (though I found some at the thrift store)! They really work!!

4:  If you cannot loft your bed and you have no room for a side table, head boards are so nice! 

5:  Extension cords and power strips are your best friends!

6:  Mini fridge with a separate freezer (the two door ones) will be your best friend too...

7:  Just enjoy every day as it comes, if you get stressed, just nap! (And don't get behind on your homework...)

8:  Don't be afraid to talk to people! It's the only way to meet new people and to have way of knowing things around campus when you befriend upper class men. And it's always nice with people saying hi to you all around campus :)

9:  STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! I know you have been hearing that for ages but seriously, it is so SO crucial in college.

First Ever Post!!

Well... Here I am, a freshman in college... already almost halfway through first semester! 

Move in day quite a few weeks ago was fairly easy (I moved in four days early so I didn't have to fight for parking spots or hallway traffic).  When everybody else moved in I met my roommate, Holly.  She's awesome! 

The door to the right of us is two girls from England, the door to our left is another room with two girls from England... And than there's Miss Jess two doors down on the left. :) 

Last weekend was Fall Breather so we didn't have class Monday or Tuesday.  Jess came to Litch to spend the weekend with us.  Between pumpkin carving, mustache craft day, and a trip to St. Cloud, we came back more exhausted than rested... well worth it though.

This weekend is actually going to be my first weekend actually on campus!! Be proud!  Hopefully Holly will be around haha!