DISNEYWORLD!

Well, it's official. One week ago to Orlando--leaving May 11th, that's a Wednesday. Kat is also flying out. Her, Amanda and I are going to have fun in the sun at Disney World (for free!) on Thursday and Friday, a full day of sunshine at the beach on Saturday, and then on Sunday--Kat will fly home and we'll be starting our road trip. I am SO EXCITED. I have always wanted to go to DisneyWorld. I was pretty bummed we couldn't go in August when I drove there with her--although we did go to Downtown Disney, it just wasn't the same--but it's just so expensive!! Now, we get two days in DisneyWorld... for FREE! Ahhhh.. I love it.


I am SO excited to do Road Trip #2! Two road trips, across the country, in less than one year. I am so excited I have this opportunity, yet again. Last August we went through Nebraska, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc...and This time we will be traveling through the lower states--going through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico.. What an experience. Ahh..

I find so much joy in traveling. In fact, I don't think joy is even the right word to describe it.. more like.. bliss.. I get this overwhelming feeling of just, tranquility.. I love traveling places. I love exploring new places, I love chaos in the fact of being somewhere different.

Woohoo! Just thought I'd post an update!

Life goes by so quickly!

This past week my friend Kat and I went to the park and took some pictures for me to put on an announcement, and I ordered them on Wednesday! And, on Thursday I bought the rest of the stuff I need for graduation. Graduation! In about a month I'll walk up on a stage, and receive my Bachelors degree. It seems so surreal, I don't wanna graduate yet! haha Life is crazy, it seems to change much quicker than it should. I can't wait, but yet, I want to go back! I am not sure when I'll come back, but I am assuming this won't be the last of me hittin the books.

Oh, and Rascal is Camper of the month at his daycare, Camp Bow Wow! This is what they put in their monthly newsletter for him:

Rascal is another dog from the cool crowd in our “littles” yard. In cooler weather, Rascal wears a Harley Davidson’s jacket to prove his street cred. His regular rest perch is on the top of the play set so he can keep an eye on his people and his puppies. Rascal was particularly fond of our Camp Counselor, Dustin, who left us this month, but Rascal seems to be rebounding nicely. He is one of the sweetest and most polite Campers we have at Camp Bow Wow. He is so used to the routine here at Camp that he usually stays pretty calm and collected, but when he gets to playing --- look out! We love this adorable little Shih Tzu! (In this picture he is getting smacked in the face by his pal Ricky's tail.)

Can I tell you how proud I am? I know it seems silly--but this little guy is my life, and I am glad they treat him so well and give him so much love. :) I don't think he gets anything more than being displayed in their newsletter and on their monthly bulletin board in the facility, but I still think it's adorable and it makes me chuckle. Especially this picture they got of him--he's definitely a little Rascal.

Amazed

Three years ago this past Thursday night I single-handedly totaled my new, short lived Kia Sportage... I was in an emotional rush to try to get to Price through Indian Canyon and "save" what I thought was my life--oddly, if I would have lost control not even ten more feet down the road, it would have undoubtedly taken my life. When I lost control, I let go of the wheel and grabbed Rascal to hold onto him, preparing for whatever it was that was going to happen. Instead of rolling down the 1300 foot drop, my vehicle did it's 360 degree turn, landed on the other side of the road, and started to roll, but landed in a snowbank...right side up. Only the passenger side was affected.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't stop to reflect just how thankful and happy I am still here today-- I walked away with a pretty bad concussion, back problems, and an experience that truly changed my life..It could have been so much worse. Never, ever, ever take anything for granted.. I thought I was invisible and nothing like that would happen to me--but reality hit hard--I was able to walk away from it.

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life." -Zig Ziglar

Graduation Announcements!

I finally ordered my graduation announcements! It is so crazy to think it's really here--almost seems surreal! I am so excited, and I hope they turn out as well as I think they will!

Life has nothing but a chaotic mess lately, in so many ways than one.. but I am SO grateful to be able to say I'm graduating in May! :D

A bunch of random thoughts.

I wonder...

How life sometimes seems to circle around me as I stand still?

How I don't regret some of the most painful times in my life?

Why do I look at people, who are my age, and sometimes feel like I'm not as "old" as them..while others I look at and feel I'm not as "young"?

How life can change in what seems like an instant, although, it was in fact more of a gradual thing?

Will I ever get what "I want"? Do I even know what that is? And if I do, am I afraid of actually getting it? Sometimes the repetition of something so expected is so comfortable, that I tend to become fearful of stepping out of that comfort zone.. this can't be a good thing. It's almost like I'm afraid to grow? Or is this just me being more cautious because of previous experiences I've had?

Why does chocolate taste so dang good? I mean really--what is it about it that I crave? Geez.

Why is it easier to gain weight than it is to loose it? That's not very fair..

Am I really graduating this semester? It seems surreal to me--I don't want to be a grown up. Yet, I think maybe I already am? Or am I? Is this where my life truly begins..or is it just a continuation of when it already began? When does a life begin?

Why is it easier to read a book when you're not expected to for a class?

Why does sunshine make such a difference? I love sunshine, it makes me happy.. the warmth, it's just--a great feeling. But why would temperature and amount of sunlight make a difference with internal emotions? Crazy!

Will I ever stop biting my nails!? Ugh! It's frustrating..

Where will I be in five years? Heck, what about two years? It's crazy to reflect back on where I've been, where I've wanted to be, and where I thought I'd be.. oh how things can change.

These are just a few of the random questions I have right now. Maybe I'll expand on some of these ideas later, as some really reflect some internal confusion I'm having right now. I just wanted to blurt some of it all out before I forget it all. :D

I want to travel the world.

Why does it cost so much to travel? I honestly find nothing else more soothing, comforting..and self-rewarding than traveling. It is one of my passions, and I truly wish I could travel more often than I do. I want to see the world. I dream of visiting different countries, different cultures, different lifestyles-- and intertwining myself within them, taking in all of the memories, lessons, and experiences they would bring me. I want to live, I want to feel like I'm accomplishing my life dreams--living with no regrets. I just wish it wasn't so dang expensive. I don't know how to accomplish this, but I know I will--someday.

I have such a list of places I'd love to visit---I want nothing more than to live my life, and experience the knowledge of other people around the world. There is SO much more out there, I don't want to be stuck here...I have my whole life to be stuck in one place. The world is SO big, yet, SO small all at the same time. It's crazy to think that just with a few simple steps, I could be on my way across the world--of course, I would need money-- but just knowing that traveling is so much easier now than it was years ago makes me hopeful.

Traveling brings me a sense of happiness, a sense of peace--I love learning, exploring, and broadening my understanding of not only myself, but others too. I almost feel like I have one of those wild souls, always wanting to develop more through adventures and discovery.

Somehow, I'll find a way to travel more often. If only I could find out the secret of how everyone else who travels and stays on top of their finances...

Awake.

I think I've snapped out of the slump I was in--it took only a few realizations for me to finally understand why I was there, and how I didn't want to be there anymore. It feels nice, and I think things can only be gettin better from here on out. :) I'm so thankful I'm such a strong person!
Anyways, starting tomorrow, a co-worker and I are going running Monday-Thursday mornings before work! YAY! I can't wait.
SooOOoo I need to go to bed. :D
I'll update later!
Woot!