Love That Dog

This is perhaps one of my favorite parts about going home.
I love seeing my family, of course. But there's just something about a dog. It may have something to do with me wanting to be one when I was little...
I can always count on Toby to be excited to see me, no matter how long I've been gone for. Good days and bad days, the fluffy, feisty Toby is there, barking and ready to be held.
Love him.
I went home to work this past weekend, and boy was it busy! I love working at a vet clinic, but it has its share of craziness too.
My dad was visiting my sister Catherine in Seattle, so I got to housesit and take care of Toby - we had some good bonding time. He didn't exactly join in when I blasted my music and danced around the house, but I think he enjoyed the company.
I got to visit with friends from high school Friday night - always fun to catch up!
My sister Carolyn came up from Chicago on Saturday, and we went to Lake Geneva with my mom and enjoyed the beautiful weather. We walked on the beach, and Carolyn even braved it in the water for a photo. It was so nice spending quality time with them. A great way to end an extremely crazy and busy week!
Now, it's back to school to finish off one more week before Spring Break! I must say, I'm rather excited. I hope this weather keeps up!

I'll end with some things that I'm thankful for: when the weather is warm enough that my car's blinker turns off by itself, surprise blessings in the mail, family, friends, dogs, the end of group projects, and homework-breaks to play guitar.

It's a Beautiful Life

I'll be honest: this coming week is probably going to be the busiest week of my entire life.
Am I ready for it?
I have no idea.
But let's forget about that for a moment. I had a blast this past weekend. Friday night I went swing dancing in Madison with some friends from InterVarsity, and it was just as epic as I remembered! I laughed and smiled so much that it hurt to smile by the end of the night. I can't remember the last time that's happened.
Saturday I visited my brother Kyle and my lovely sister-in-law Andrea. It's always nice to catch up and hang out with family. It's never easy to leave, though.
Today we leapt forward into Spring! That means more sunshine to enjoy. And the weather today was gorgeous. Too bad I was inside working on a paper. Group projects are the bane of my existence. This next week is supposed to be even more beautiful, and I'm looking forward to it!
To add to the excitement, I found out on Friday that I was selected to be a Campus Assistant! That means next year I'll be giving tours around the Whitewater Campus! It was an intense interview process, and I'm overjoyed to have been selected. I think it's going to be an amazing experience. So excited!
Friday was perhaps not the best day concerning my car, though. I have a tire that's leaking air, so after fighting to fill that up (which meant scrounging for quarters and having to trade two dimes and a nickel at the cash register at the gas station), I hit the license plate that was being held on by zip-ties, and one of the zip-ties broke. So now my license plate is being held on by masking tape. Super cute.
Oh. And here's my two cents for the night: if you ever park in a parking garage, don't lose your parking ticket. Paying $20 for what should have been $4 is not cool. Thank God for friends though!

Even though life is crazy, it's still beautiful.

Not-So-Glorious Moments

Last week was filled with many things, many of which, sadly to say, were not my most glorious moments.

For example, I skipped my first class ever in college so far on Tuesday to go help with my high school's forensics meet. I felt like such a rebel.

I was given the honor of mediating an argument between 2nd graders on Thursday.

Was I ever that dramatic?

Friday, I woke up at 8:58 for my 8:50 class. Got ready in 4 minutes and made it to class by 9:10. First class I've ever been late to.

After my 3 hour CA interview on Friday, my car didn't want to back out of its parking spot because of all the snow, so the kind man in the car next to me first tried to help by pushing my car, and then ended up moving his own car so I could get out. Bless his heart.

Saturday, I lost my favorite pair of gloves at the UC and was pretty bummed. 

(But I checked the Lost & Found today, and they have been FOUND!! Such a blessing!)

I woke up Sunday and did not feel well at all, so I went right back to bed. Great decision. I only left the room about 7 times.

And today... Today was a good day. Sure, I'm still battling a cold. And I have homework and group projects that are demanding my attention. But the sun was shining, and the promise of Spring is in the air.

So.Incredibly.Excited.

To the sneeze that has been taunting my nose all day, yet refuses to come out...

It's on.

.Leap Day.

Some days just have a sense of magic to them.

Even when you're running on 4 1/2 hours of sleep.

When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining, and the weather was just gorgeous. Couldn't help but smile. However, it didn't take long before the rain and sleet came rolling in. But that's ok. Joy still bubbled up in my heart as I thanked God for all of His wonderful blessings.

Today being February 29th, I felt giddy. I don't really remember what this day felt like last time it came around, but there's something special about a day that you have to wait 4 years for.

These past few weeks have been incredible. I love seeing God working in my life, and in the lives of those around me. Each and every day is an opportunity to learn more about Him, and I just can't get enough! I am so blessed. Even though life has been busy - rewriting lyrics to the tune of Justin Bieber's "Baby" for my CA interview introduction, working on 2 group projects, studying for exams, going home to help with my high school's forensics meet, and somewhere in there finding time to sleep - I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I know I'm here for a reason. There's magic in ordinary days.

So, another thing that made today special was my dad came up to Whitewater and took me out to eat before we went and saw the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I loved spending time with my dad and listening to some amazing instrumentalists. It helped that we were in the second row, front and center.

Up close and personal.

Starstruck

via

I had an amazing weekend. And now, it's coming to a close.

I went to Camp Wakonda with InterVarsity, and it was such a good break from the hustle and bustle of college life. I learned so much about my relationship with God, and was challenged to pursue the relationship that I have with Him to a far deeper level.

This weekend, I was able to strengthen current friendships and build new ones. I love how even small adventures, which may seem insignificant to some, can create lasting memories. It's in those moments that I remember that life is grand.

Another thing that happened this weekend is I rediscovered my love for stars. I've always loved stargazing, but I forgot what a glittering night sky can look like when you remove light pollution.

Absolutely stunning.

I was able to go out and walk under a canopy of stars and just talk to God.

I love how God reveals His glory to us through the numerous amount of stars that fill the vast night sky. I am blessed.

Although it's hard to let go of a weekend like this one, I know life must go on. After all, I can't go on new adventures if I try to hold tight to past moments. It just doesn't work that way.

If you get a chance, listen to this song. Can't get it out of my head!

Be Mine

It's been a long day.

From a restless night's sleep, to a pain-filled Bio lecture, to reading with 2nd graders, to a surprise lunch date with my big brother Kyle, to a canceled class, to a group project, to an interview, to a dinner date with my Valentine Kaitlin, to worship practice, and then everything in between... 

Yeah, I'm ready for bed.

But still, it's been a good day! Even though it's not always easy, I love life. I am continually reminded of how blessed I truly am.

Oh!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thank you to everyone who wished me the same!

Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!

Slowing Down

This weekend did not go as I had planned.Yesterday as I was getting my stuff out of my car after work, I twisted my back wrong, which spiraled me into a night of pain and tears. At first I thought I just needed to stretch it out - when that wasn't working, I took some Tylenol and got some ice, only to ultimately end up bawling on the kitchen floor after my dad asked me what was wrong. I hate being in pain. That's probably a silly thing to say, because NO ONE likes being in pain, but I feel like I especially do not handle pain well. I really had no idea what exactly was wrong or what had happened. But I couldn't (and still can't) bend at the hips at all without being in excruciating pain, and I hobble around like an old lady. I spent the rest of the night alternating between an ice pack and a heating pad, hoping that it would provide some relief. No such luck. I woke up this morning thinking I would feel better after a night's rest, but if anything, it was worse. I had to call into work, which I absolutely hate doing, and I waited around all morning until my chiropractor appointment.

Praise God I was able to get into see him, because it turns out that two of the vertebrae in my lower back were out of alignment. (Side note: I usually love driving stick shift, but let me tell you, I hated every minute of driving stick down to the chiropractor's office.) Sometimes I wonder if I really am in as much pain as I think I am, or if I'm just being a baby about it, so it was a relief to know that I wasn't just imagining things, and there was something he could do to fix it. He cracked my back into alignment, and then told me I really needed to come in for a follow up. Which means I'll be missing a class for the first time in my college career on Monday. Rebel student that I am... But I am really happy to know that there's something that can be done to make my back better. And my dad got me an early Valentine's Day present (love him!!) to cheer me up.

I wasn't able to get as much done today as I had planned to. Funny how that works. But in reality, even though it's never convenient to get injured or sick, I think sometimes God allows it to happen so we can take some time to slow down and relax. I feel like I've just been running, running, running for the past 4 weeks, and today I was forced to lay down and rest because I literally couldn't get up and do anything else. I can't say I'm thrilled with being in pain, but at least I was able to get something out of it. Also, I now can empathize much better with anyone who suffers from chronic back pain, like my mom. To all you valiant souls, I don't know how you do it. So, I got to end my day with cookies, white mocha, and Chariots of Fire with my dad. Though I can't say this has been the best day ever, I do think it's one that I'm not going to forget anytime soon.


I'm not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me. I don't want your pity - this could have happened to anyone. If you'd like to say a prayer for me, awesome, I'd really appreciate it. But I just wanted to share a bit of what's going on in my life, in truth. My life is far from perfect, but still, it's the only one I've got.