Applications

So for Christmas "Santa" agreed to help me pay for Greece this summer. This means that I am about 90% sure I will be going. I am so unbelievably excited! I have been wanting to go to Greece for as long as I can remember(well...since I saw the sisterhood of the traveling pants). It is going to such a scary, exhilarating, and educational experience. I will probably be using my blog to share all of my wonderful experiences so stay tuned. The next few months will be filled with reading travel books, making plans, daydreaming, and most important DIETING. Thank goodness for new years resolutions. First of all, though, I have to get this darn application in. I have filled out many applications in my life and this one is definitely thorough. Not only do I have to get numerous references, transcripts from three different schools, and paper work filled out by UK, but I have to write four essays. I just keep telling myself that it will be all worth it.

On top of the Greece application, I also have my even more in-depth Teacher Education Program application that is due in less than a month. It has been one of those things that seems so far into the future then all of the sudden it jumps up out of no where. Not only does this application decided the rest of my college education, but the rest of my life! If I do not get into the education program, I do not know what I will do. I often have to remind myself that what is meant to be always find its way. In the end though, I think the hard part will be waiting after my applications are submitted. So in the mean time, cross your fingers, pray, wear your pajamas inside out, anything you can think of to bring me good luck.

As 2010 draws to a close, I am thankful for such a great year, but with all of these exciting, life changing events ahead of me, I think 2011 will be the best year yet. Happy New Year every one!

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

Well, can't say I didn't warn you I was bad at updating things. Anyway, so its almost a new year and with a new year comes resolutions. Let's just say that I have quite a few this year. One of them is to keep up with my blog. We will see how well that goes!

So to catch you up.... I just ended my sophomore semester at UK. It was a great semester! Other than working a lot and finding myself stressed out quite often, I had a blast! At the beginning of the semester I decided to try out for club volleyball. I hadn't been very good at keeping up with my exercise so I thought it would be good for me. Plus, I missed it a lot! I am so glad I did it. At first I was a little intimidated because it had been awhile since I played and all the girls are really good. It is not fun feeling washed up. So, I had to put in a lot of hard work but in the end it paid off. I really love all the girls on the team. There is just something about sports that can bring people together and I love it. Of course, with that many girls and that many opinions, there is going to be some drama. But, I'm used to it. I have learned that the more you run from it, the more it follows you. You just have to deal with it with as much class as you can muster.

This semester I really enjoyed my classes. I have started to get into my prerequisite education classes that introduce you to lesson plans and incorporate teaching methods while still teaching you material. I took geology for teachers, math for teachers, art education, philosophy, and western literature. I loved my math class. Yes, the girl who hates math just said that. I have come to realize that I actually like math. It is nice to know that there is a definite answer to something. When I heard the name of the course I thought it was going to be adding and subtracting and that it would be an easy A, but I was wrong. In this class, we had to explain why different mathematical procedures work and how we would explain it to children who don't get it through traditional explanations. I learned so much in this course and actually really enjoyed it. I think it was also because of my awesome teacher! The only class that I struggled with was western lit. English just is not my favorite. I did discover, though, that I really liked Dante's Inferno. I did manage to keep my 4.0 this semester! Pretty exciting. We will see how long I can keep it though. I really want to try to graduate early and graduate with a 4.0. Those are some high aspirations though.

This semester I also realized that it sucks working at a coffee shop in the library of a college. Talk about sleep deprived students during finals week. UGH. But I have to say, I am pretty lucky when it comes to my job. I work with the greatest people who have become some of my best friends. I have learned so much through my job. Sounds corny, I know, but its true. I've learned to give people a chance. I have a tendency to judge right of the bat if I like someone or not. But, this semester, I realized that it you take some time to get to know people, they will surprise you.

If I had to put a theme song to this semester, it would be Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood (one of my favorites : ) ) I learned that I love to cook. I have tried to get better and cook as much as possible. Through this I also learned that even a little bit of smoke can set of the smoke detectors, if you don't use eggs, the flour will fall right of the fried chicken, and that I will never know how my mom worked all day then came home and made delicious dinners for us every night growing up. Thanks mom.

I have learned that no matter how good of friend you try to be, you won't always get the same in return. But, that doesn't mean you give up trying. People will disappoint you, but they can also surprise you. It is just important to learn who your friends are and don't fret so much over what people say and do. You have to learn how to not get offended and take things people say with a grain of salt. I think everyone in our life serves a purpose, and sometimes they aren't meant to be around forever.

And lastly I learned how important and amazing family is. You know that saying, you don't know what you've got til its gone? Well, its true. I think I took quality family time for granted while my parents lived in Lexington. Now that my parents are in Charleston, I find myself sitting at home wishing they were there more often then not. I look forward each month to my mom's visits to Lexington and at times I contemplate jumping in the car and driving the 9 hours to see them. Also, my sister Meghan was on an LDS mission in Boise, Idaho for the past year and a half. I could only email her once a week to talk to her. It was no fun even though she was loving it. But, our Christmas present this year was that she got to be home with us! It was so exciting getting to see her and hang out with her. It was like nothing had changed. We still giggle and make stupid jokes, and of course we still argue. But it is awesome having our family together.

Christmas has been great. I think it was because I didn't care as much about the presents. Instead, I cared about hanging out with the family in our new home in Charleston. It has been more than I expected. We have had fun playing games, shopping, and of course eating. My mom got a wii for Christmas. We joke that they waited until the kids were out of the house before they got their first gaming system. We have been playing Just Dance 2. It is the most awesome game ever! I bet anyone looking in on us from the oustide is laughing hysterically. Mom kills us all at it. She rocks, even though she struggled alittle with the hiphop.

Well I guess that's all for now. I hope to blog atelast once a week. Let's see how it goes.

oh we can't forget the most important part of my blog: Lexcapades....

Lexie is doing great. To everyone who said, "Wow she is going to be huge," You were wrong. She is small. Who knows how a German Shepard/Huskey turned out to be a medium sized dog. She must have some sort of small dog in her. I am so curious that I have considered doing a DNA breed test on her. Maybe someday.

She is as quirky as ever. Her favorite things... Chewing gigantic bones, hiding bones, looking out the window, playing in the snow, going to the dog park, playing with her sister, and snuggling. She really is me in dog form. She is stubborn, free-spirited, caring, and sponateous. I don't know if I am biased, but I am pretty sure she is the best dog ever. She has her bad moments(chewing my window sill and occassionally running away) but she has the kindest heart and the funnest personality. Many people told me that she was going to be a lot of work and that I was going to regret it. I have been thankful for her every day. At times I have groaned when I had to get up in the middle of the night and take her out, but those moments when she sits by me when I am upset or does something silly to make me smile totally make up for it.

well, until next time...

life's simple pleasures

life's simple pleasures
I haven't been good at blogging already. I am sorry. But I did warn you! I have been very busy lately but at the same time I feel like I have done nothing. It is quite a weird feeling. I think this feeling stems from the fact that I wake up at 6:30 every single morning of the week. This is a huge change from all of those summers when I would go to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning then wake up at 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I have realized that the day seems so much longer and I am more productive when I get up early.

Last weekend was the 4th of july. It was the first time I had been in Lexington for this joyous holiday in 3 years. Saturday we went to red, white, and boom. I told Jake like 4 times that we needed to bring chairs but of course he did not think that was necessary. So, when we got there, we took a lap around the place, realized there was nothing really to do, and then stood in the sun for there for the next 3 hours watching all the crazy people and wishing we had chairs. (If only men listened to us women more often.) The acts this year weren't that good. There was one good song from each person and that was about it. The highlight was the fireworks and I guess I have to say the standing and waiting was worth it. Sunday we went to Cumberland Lake. We hung around the campsite, swam, and fished and then slept in a tent. I love being outdoors. We had a "primitive" campsite and it was so nice just enjoying nature and not worrying about all of the modern amenities. Monday we rented a pontoon boat and went out on the lake. We brought rafts with us so we floated around on those all day. It was such a nice day and so relaxing. I have realized that this, floating on a raft in any body of water, is one of life's simple pleasures. What a great weekend. We have decided that we must go back to the lake soon!

Work has taken over my life. I work from 7 to around 1 every day and I feel like I live there. I opened and closed 2 days in a row. It was crazy. So last week I decided I deserved to treat myself. I went and got a manicure and a pedicure. I usually go with my mom to do this but of course, she has abandoned me here in Lexington so I went all by myself. It was so nice to relax, catch up on the stars in the tabloids, and be waited on. Pedicures, another of lifes simple pleasures, or my guilty pleasure. The manicure could have been passed up though because I had to take my nailpolish off the next night after I chipped all of them at work.

I have realized that it doesn't take much in life to make me happy. A good conversation with a friend, taking a nap with your puppy, drives in the country, holding hands with the one you love, a shopping trip. Whenever I get down I just think about all that is going well for me right now. I am at the most exciting, free age of my life and I should enjoy every minute of it.

Thoughts and News:

There are only like 5 weeks left of summer! ah where has it gone? I have so much left to do! But I am ready for school to start again and get back in a routine. Is it weird that I like school? I just can't wait to get into my education classes and get some teaching experience!

I got a promotion at work! I won't go into detail because I don't like to brag but it's pretty exciting.

Julia comes in less than a week. AHHH I can't wait.

I decided (well a long time ago) that I want to learn how to cook. I mean I can cook now but I feel like I have so much to learn and so much I want to make. Shelby (a friend from work) told me about some complimentary technique classes at williamsonoma that I think we are going to go to. I am excited!

Lexcapades: Lexie is losing her teeth! It is so cute. Her 4 front teeth were missing for awhile and she looked like a hillbilly. It was great. Oh and I took her to the lake with me. She loved it! She always stayed near us and if she ventured off she would come back when I called. And she loved the water. She would run in and bite it or swim around. It was cute and I felt like a proud mommy!

Africa

So right now my best friend Julia is in Africa right now. I am very depressed because I was supposed to be there with her but because of certain circumstances I couldn't go. Her mom sent me some of her emails today and it seems like they are having such a life changing experience. I love serving others and giving up my time to touch someone else's life. I just really wish I was there because I feel like I need service in my life right now. I feel like I am so focused on myself and my busy life and I just need to take time out to help others. Maybe I should try to find something I can do here during my spare time.( Ha what spare time?) I was thinking about volunteering at this nonprofit daycare in town. I love being around kids and I need hours for my education portfolio so what better opportunity.

Anyway, it seems like Julia and the group are having a really awesome time and that the kids and people of Spring Valley are really enjoying having them there. Julia talks about the kids in her emails and I really wish I could meet them! here are some exerpts that I liked from her emails...
"she was fascinated with my blonde hair and kept brushing it and when the other kids around her would try to touch my hair she would swat their hands away." " They walk 10 miles to school and back everyday! "

So for now I am living vicariously through Julia. I cannot wait until she gets home so I can here all of her stories and see all of her pictures. And I cannot wait until she gets back to Lex so we can have some adventures. And I also cannot wait until next summer when I either A. go to Africa or B. go on a Semester at Sea.

I have to decided to name the puppy part of my blog lexcapades. So here are the Lexcapades of the week...

I took Lexie to the dog park last week. She kept getting inside the water bucket, yes her whole body, and then dumping it out and rolling around in it. So she was a little but muddy at first. Then she kept following this bigger dog around. I couldn't find her so I went down the hill. I see this little brown dog running up the hill. I thought, "that cannot be Lexie." Sure enough it was. She had fallen in a hole that had mud at the bottom and was covered from nose to tail and smelly brown mud. Don't worry, I have pictures to document this great event. I tried to make her sit in the back of my car on the way home but of course she jumped over the seat and onto my lap.
The second picture is my bathtub after I gave Lexie a bath.

help!

So tomorrow is my first day off in like 3 weeks so therefore I will be updating my blog with a very long post. But for now....

Someone please help!! How in the world do you insert a template into your blog. If that's even what its called. I have one from a site that I really want to use so if anyone out there knows what to do just let me know. THANKS!

overwhelmed

So I am a little overwhelmed by this whole blog thing. There is so much I want to share and write. I feel like I need a focus to my blog like a theme or one thing that I write about. But, I don't think that will work for me so now I guess it will be an accumulation of random stories and thoughts.

Yesterday I got a chance to play volleyball. My friend from my high school volleyball team asked me to play with three other girls in a league at a park. It is so sad to say but I hadn't played volleyball seriously since my very last game senior year. Even more sad, I probably have only worked out a few times since then as well. My daily exercise consists of walking up the stairs to my apartment. I have played volleyball since I was 11 and it was always such a big part of my life. I loved being active and working really hard at something. I also liked being part of a team and always having something to keep me busy. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to not play for this long, even though there are times that I have really missed it. But last night when I was playing, I realized how much I really do miss it and want to play again. It took me a little while to get warmed up but like my dad told me, its like riding a bike, you never really forget how. It didn't help that I was out of breath five minutes into the game. I also realized how much I enjoy being active and how much better it makes you feel than being lazy. So I have decided that I need to make a goal to get more exercise. My boyfriend always makes me feel very lazy because he is so motivated and runs and works out every day. But he has something to actually push him since he wants to be an officer in the marines. I have also decided that I am going to try out for the club volleyball team at UK next semester. I think it will be a good way to get some exercise and really enjoy something I love doing.

Thoughts of the day

I really should have studied more for this Statistics online final I have in an hour. This is the first pass/fail class I have ever had. I like it because I can totally slack off but it is so weird not having to worry about my grade, since I usually obsess over my grades. I am pretty sure I will pass the class though. Even though it sucks having class during the summer, I am so glad I did it because now I don't have to worry about it during the semester.

Lexie really is the best puppy ever. I took her to my volleyball game last night and tied her leash to a table. She just sat there in the shade enjoying being outside. She also LOVES kids which is a total plus. A bunch of kids at the park played with her and she did very well. She took a nap with me today and it made me remember why its so great having a pet. Also, she does so well in her crate! She doesn't have any accidents and doesn't bark. I still hate leaving her in there though.

here it goes...

I read a lot of blogs and have always really enjoyed them. I love hearing the stories and witty things people have to say. So, I thought it would be interesting to start my own. Even if I am the only one who ever reads my posts, I think it will still be worth it. I have had some not so successful experiences with journaling. Last year when I was cleaning my room at home before I moved out and into the dorm, I found 5 or 6 journals with about 10 pages used. Each post said, "well it's been awhile since I've written." Considering my past attempts, I am pretty sure this might not work out that well...but hey here it goes.

Here is how my life is going right now... I am going to be a sophomore in college at the university of kentucky. I am majoring in early elementary education. I want to be a kindergarten teacher and I cannot wait to be out of school and teaching my own class! I am currently working 3 jobs for the summer. Starbucks is my main job which I work during the school year. It is actually a lot of fun and I get so much joy out of making people's day just by making them a drink. I never knew how much of a difference customer service can make in someones day. I also have a nanny job... which is a very hot and cold experience. I will leave it at that. My third job is just a sporadic thing at the gym daycare I used to work at. I really wish I could work there more but I have no time. I loved working there but had to quit last year when I started UK because it was taking to much time out of my day to get there. It just wasn't worth it. Most people might think that working in a daycare would be awful but I love being around kids and learning from them.

I just moved into an apartment and I love it. I have always been very independent so living on my own fits me very well. I like responsibility. Which is kind of weird for people my age. I love having things that I have to take care of. I like having to clean and do laundry and even cook, even though I am pretty sure it will get old fast. And its a good thing I like responsibilty... because I just got a puppy! I just couldn't resist her cute little face when I went to the humane society with my roommate. It was one of the most spontaneous things I've ever done. I have never been so happy though. Even though there are times when I have been frustrated cleaning up pee, finding chewed up toilet paper (tp is way expensive! especially for a struggling college student), and not being able to do whatever I want whenever I want, I have been enjoying every minute with the cutest huskey german shepard puppy ever. I am pretty sure this blog will turn into the adventures of Lexie because she is always doing to funniest, cutest things.

Well I hope that I can give everyone a laugh or amaze you with my wittieness, but I'm thinking that all I'm going to do is bore you with my not so amusing life. Especially since I realized my level of creativity is rather low since I had to google, "cute blog names" and came up with nothing. So if you have any wonderful, cute, or insightful names for my blog...Let me know!

Thoughts for the day

Summer was created for a reason...to have a break from school. That is why you should never take a summer class (even though it is inevitable that I will take atleast one class in the summer every year). Trying to learn how to do statistics and get a tan at the same time doesn't work out that well.

Who knew that dishwahsers don't clean pots with dried on food... oh wait I did. Now if my roommate would just realize it too.

Dogs really are mans best friend