Louisiana, Grad School, and Friends :)

So I'm back! Actually, I've been back for a few days... I've just been lazy with my blogging lately. :) Due to uploading time... I think I will only upload a couple pictures of my trip. But, if you want to see more, just go to: http://umhb.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017895&l=af10b&id=183000054 :)

We went to an alligator ranch!! We touched alligators, and even fed them MARSHAMLLOWS!! It was pretty neat! The kids seemed to enjoy it, too :)

We also did other fun things, like bowling :) I love these kids! Now, aren't they just the cutest? :)
I had a great time in Louisiana. I learned that states are different in very funny ways- Lousisiana has a lot of TREES and WATER. I saw my first Pine Tree (I know, I know) and about a million others!! It was neat :)

During my trip, I talked to my friend Rachel (the mom in the family) about my future plans. We talked about how time flies (I'm graduating in a year!), about guys, and about careers. I told her that I had become interested in Speech Pathology for the past semester, and wouldn't you know- her best friend is a Speech Pathologist. Isn't that wild? I got to meet her (Amy) and she was so encouraging. So, now that I'm home, I've been doing my research, and I am seriously thinking of moving on towards gradaute school. As of right now, I'm looking at Texas State, Abilene Christian University, and Our Lady of the Lake University. They all require a few prerequisites that I don't have.. but I'm not going to let small obstacles stand in my way. I've already had 2 of those schools call and e-mail me to help me out! So I guess I'll keep you posted on that ;) The reason I'm even interested in Speech Pathology is because I really have a heart for children that have a hard time speaking for various reasons. My two younger cousins have difficulties with this- and I would love to be able to help in some sort of way. Anyways, in all, I would be in school for 3 more years, but that's just one year longer than most students who go to grad school. So if you can, just keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lord's will for this.

Anyhoo... I feel like my time in SA has been short, probably because it has. I haven't had much time to do anything because the few days that I've been here, I've been working! But I did have time to hang out with my friend from school, Analy. We did the typical San Antonio things: browsed the mall, walked the river walk, and ate Taco Cabana! :) Now that's a fun day :)

I head back to Belton on Sunday, and I'm sure that there will be many fun times (and picture posts!) :)

Vacation!

I think that time is so weird sometimes... Somehow it makes sense when I think about it, but when I say it... "This break feels like it's going by so fast, but it's taking forever!!" I mean, come on, how weird is that?? How can a period of time be slow and fast??

I have no idea. :)

Since finals, I have worked at my new job in Temple at a place called "Paperdoodles". This place is exciting- I get to sell paper (and other knick-knacks, too)! I get to look at pretty invitations and help brides pick out the best ones... (By the way, did you know how expensive invitations are? It's absolutely crazy!) After a couple weeks at Paperdoodles, and enjoyable, peaceful days in Belton, I drove back to San Antonio. The very next day, my family and I drove to Fredericksburg to seem my mom's side to celebrate Christmas. We had a wonderful time, and it's always fun to see family and catch up. Since Christmas I've been working at the retirement home serving food too all of the residents. It's fun to see them again- their smiles make me happy :) Tomorrow I fly out to Louisiana! I'm visiting the family I used to babysit for. I can't wait to see Nathan and Anna!! They are the cutest kids ever... I have some proof:

I wish I had a recent picture of her big brother, but I will after I get back from my trip! I'll be there until New Years day, when I fly back. I'm very excited! I'll be taking a ton of pictures because I got a camera for Christmas, which is very exciting!! So, I guess all I can tell you is, "Stay tuned!!" :)

Back to School (and other ramblings...)

So can you find the grammatical error in my last post? :) I must have been very tired when I wrote that one!

Well, lets see.... I have not felt like blogging in a long time! It's not like me at all, but it's true. :( I will try to catch you up, just in case you'd like to know!

I'm still working at the retirement/nursing home, and it has been going well. While I've grown to really enjoy the old folks, I'm ready to go back to school. Sometimes being a waitress can be really tough work, and I don't know if I could do it for a consistent amount of time. Luckily, I go back to UMHB on Wednesday!

I'm very excited about it because this year holds so many opportunities. I'm looking forward to moving into the house and the many get togethers that will take place there. I'm also looking forward to pageant. I'm still nervous about it... but I know God has it all under control. I've never ever performed anything in front of a large group (much less the whole school!) so this will be a stretch for me. I'm feeling very comfortable with my talent, and while it needs a lot more practice, it's something that I know has a message and is still very cute and funny. If you haven't heard, I will be miming for my talent, and no, I'm not kidding! :) I think it will be a ton of fun to get to know all the other girls participating, and to be a part of UMHB's history. Not every girl gets the chance to do this, so it will be a ton of fun (and hard work)!

I'm also taking quite a few classes that will demand much of my attention! In no particular order, they are: Shakespeare, Advanced Composition, World Literature, British Literature, and Creative Writing. I am looking forward to all of these, but I also know that if I don't have a strict study schedule, this could be very, very bad! But it'll be fun, I know it. I'm really interested in Creative Writing (it may produce many blog posts!) and World Literature.

I'm currently applying for a tutoring job at a high school near UMHB, so that will be fun to get to know what it feels like to "teach" at the high school level. It will probably be very different from my other job on campus as a tutor for college students, but I'm up for it. It may sound crazy that I'll be working 2 jobs (3 if you count babysitting on Saturdays!), participating in pageant, and taking a full load of upper level English courses, but I know it will be great. I know that I thrive off of this type of schedule, but I also need to find times to rest. Maybe you can pray for me as I start this semester.. please? :)

On another note, my dad comes home by the end of the month! We are very excited to finally have him home and safe. I can't wait to give him a huge hug and tell him to never ever leave again! ;)

My last day of work is on Monday, and then I go back to Belton on Wednesday! I'm very excited about getting back into the groove of things! I can't believe it's my SENIOR YEAR. Seize the day! :)

Great week!

Lauren and I got accepted to live in a house that we have been calling "our house" ever since we applied for it! :)It includes a loft and a breakfast nook!! I can't tell you how excited I am to be sharing a cute, cottage-like house with one of my best friends!! :) This is by far one of the greatest things that happened this week! I am so excited about having dinners and movie nights, and inviting all of our friends over all the time. A part of me is very sad that I won't be living in Huckins because my dear friend Allie was going to be in there as our RA, but I promised her she will be at our house as often as possible. I'm so excited!! So, if you have any furniture (maybe an old kitchen table?) that you want to get rid of, please let me know!! :)

Another great thing was the time I've gotten to spend with all my kids out at Children's Ministry. A few of them got to participate in the Easter Pageant again this year (which was amazing!), and I enjoyed every moment. For some reason, when I'm around them, I feel like everything's great. They bring something out in me, and I'm sure many of our volunteers that come out each week, that just makes you feel closer to God. I love that. I don't know if it makes sense, but I love it. Plus, what's cooler than being in a play about the life of Jesus with kids that you love?

God has brought me to a place that I've been praying for. That place where I don't worry about the future and what will happen in any area of my life because I'm in His hands. Now if only my stupid human flesh would stop wondering about it all... I promise it's just as bad as worrying!!

I'm leaving tomorrow for home. My mom has some awesome plans for us. We are going to try to get free trees at this huge plant/tree celebration. I don't know too much about it, but I'm all for getting free trees! I'd get to plant it in our yard, which is always way fun! :)

Airports

Oh man, today was quite the eventful day.
To spare you the lengthliness of my story, I'll give you the summarized version:
- Wake up
-Doctor's office w/ Aunt and Cousins
-Drive to Airport
-Dad calls, flight delayed for an hour due to storms all over TX.
-Go home
-Go to Airport
-Stand in long lines to receive our military pass
-Mean people work at the airport
-Dad calls- flight cancelled
-WHAT??!
-Dad calls again, rents a car with another soldier
-After waiting for about 5 hours, I was finally able to pick up my dad!!

Today seemed like it would never end. I think it was definitely a lesson on patience. But he's here, and he's asleep! Our family feels complete with him.

Tomorrow will bring many joyful moments and I am so excited!!! :)

$800.00

I think I'm beginning to learn the reality of becoming an adult. I'm only paying half... but wow, I guess I underestimated the price of car repairs. The good news is-I'm okay.

Tomorrow morning I have a written screening test. I'm not too worried about it, but it is one of the requirements to be accepted into the school of education.

I'm really trying to not let the beginning of this week take over my mood. I think a nice warm shower is in store, as well as some good sleep.

An Eventful Day

Well, yesterday morning I drove home to get my braces off. Anyone who has had braces knows the importance of this day. My day was extremely important, and turned out to be more eventful than I expected.

In my previous posts about my car, I ended on a good note. I thought my car was fine, but the possibility of still having a problem with it was in the back of my head. As I was driving home, my speedometer stopped working and my air bag light started flashing. Every time I tried to signal, the lights would barely dim. This is all in addition to a flickering brake and battery light that then seemed to dim away as well. Then I noticed that my speedometer began to work again at a speed of 40 and below. I called my 'adopted dad', Jason, explained the problem, and was advised to keep driving because the car sounded fine. Once I hit SA, I called my mom, who told my to go straight to the dealer. I arrived safely, went inside, and explained the problems to the first mechanic I saw. He said it sounded electrical, and since I had school, he asked if I felt comfortable coming back on the weekend to have it fixed. I accepted, and went out to start my car. Only, here lies the problem.... it didn't start. So now, my car is at the shop, and will hopefully be fixed by lunch, because I have important meetings to go to tonight. If I don't go... that will be bad. One of the meetings is for a class, and it's the only meeting of this week. If you can't tell.... I'm a little panicky.

Incase you're wondering about the diagnosis... it's what I thought it was all along, plus some.

-Alternator gone bad
-Alternator belt gone bad
-Top right boot leaking (???)

I don't know the exact amount, but I know it's expensive. This is so sad :(

The good thing is, God got me to SA safely, and of all places to have a car not start- the dealership. So praise God. And hopefully this solves this series of car problems.

Oh, and I'm extremely excited about my new smile. Pctures to come up soon, hopefully! ;)

Updates on the Car :)

So yesterday I tok my car to the place where I get my oil changes done, and he recommended a different mechanic that he said I could trust, so I took my car there this morning. I will find out later what is the problem, and I will be sure to post about it. :) Hopefully it is something minor, because yesterday, they when they did a free alternator test, they said it didn't seem problematic. I really hope this is true (and that it is nothing major)!! Thank you for your prayers, and I will continue to update it throughout the day! :)

*edit*

I called the mechanic and they think it is the Cluster. I asked how much it would cost to replace, and he said $600 or so... yeah, I don't have that kind of money to throw away.

Is a cluster even important? He said it's what tracks your speed....

I don't know.... I'll know more in an hour or so.

*edit 2*
I went to the mechanic and he told me that the car will be fine if I don't replace the cluster. He said that it only controlls your speedomoeter, and that my speedometer is working fine. Praise God! I don't think I will ever want to replace a $600 part that isn't all that important! This mechanic didn't even charge me for checking it out. That part totally shocked me in a pleasant way, and so I will be writing them a Thank-You card and giving them a tip- I can't not pay them anything! Thank you all for your concerns, help, and prayers. I truly believe that God had this in His hands, because all signs pointed to the alternator, and it was almost nothing! I love Him!!

Car TROUBLE!

I drove here to Belton on Monday. Right when I hit the Schertz area I almost panicked because I saw warning lights on in my car- warning lights never come on in my car. There was something weird though, because they were only flickering. These lights were my emergency brake light as well as my battery light. I stopped at a gas station and called some friends, but I still had no idea what was going on. All of them told me to get back on the highway since the car sounded fine and they were only flickering. Well, I noticed that the lights only began to flicker when I got to the speed of 70.

Luckily, I arrived to Belton safely. Praise God for that!

I've googled it, and found out that these are the symptoms of a bad alternator. :( I told my mom and she says we've already replaced the alternator.... I called a mechanic yesterday, and he said it sounded liek the alternator but he couldn't know ofr sure until he looked at it. Well, as soon as my dad calls and talks with me about it, I'll take it in to the mechanic. If it is the alternator, I pay 200-300 dollars :(. Let's hope it's just a fuse!!!

Please pray for me because I don't exactly have a ton of money. I am still saving up for summer school as well as a new car. So, please pray!! Thanks.

On the road again....

That's right! Only one more meeting and two more classes a way until I'm on the road again!

San Antonio, here I come!!