TMI

I need to write down my summer adventures before I forget (and in case anyone was interested in knowing):

So far this summer, I have been to Ireland, Scotland, England, and France. Newark Airport. Washington, DC. Rock Eagle. And Athens (twice).

I wished that I could go to Spain, Africa, Italy, Australia, China, California, Michigan, Arizona, Alaska, Maine, Mt. Rushmore, the moon/outer space.

I've been to the pool zero times. and twice to the lake (once on a boat). My terrible tan line still needs to be fixed.

I've seen He's Just not that Into you, Made of Honor, the Proposal, Away we Go, and When Harry Met Sally.

I am working at the soccer office answering phones, entering data, handling people's money, and above all, making people feel at ease about spending money on their kids.

I am 99% sure that I'm going to buy a car.

I bought a Wii fit and only used it for 5 days :( I still swear it was the best purchase I ever made.

I'm currently working on overhauling my room. It still needs a lot of work. By overhauling I mean getting rid of junk and dusting.

My sister painted the bathroom and I hate it.

I'm super excited about my living arrangement next year. I bought some super awesome stuff at Walmart. I can't wait.

I failed at keeping theYkid updated even though I'm getting a ton of comments from it.

I am addicted to farmtown, farmville, bejeweled, and my guilty pleasure: sorority life

I recently found some girls of facebook that I went to school with when I was in Nicaragua for a month. Its the craziest feeling to find someone you thought was lost for good.

I still don't like to cook

Relay For Life

Today I had one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. For some strange reason I felt compelled to participate in Relay for Life even though I've never felt like cancer has directly affected me. But while I was there tonight, I thought about all the people I knew that have had cancer or were affected by it. Cancer is a pretty big deal. Cancer doesn't discriminate; I am not immune. And as I walked the silent lap, I thought about how I will probably get cancer sooner or later. But then I also thought... it doesn't have to be that way... that's why we are all here isn't it?

I also thought about how lucky I am to have the people that I have in my life. That I shouldn't take them for granted and that I should live every day to the fullest. Seeing the survivors in the Survivor Lap really touched me... these people are strong and have so much courage. They have been through so much and beat the odds. What challenges have I faced? Have I battled them 100% the way they battled cancer?

This is for all of the people that I don't say "I love you" enough to. You are important in my life and I thank you for being there for me. This semester has certainly been a ride, but things are finally going right. I can't forget what it's like to be at the bottom and take the good times for granted.

If you ever need someone to talk to... I don't care who you are. Please call me and talk to me: 7704909328

A New Year

365 days ago I was in Nicaragua listening to the mass chaos that's new years there. We were upset last year that it didn't quite feel like the holidays, but this year wasn't much different lol. Not in a bad way though, I've really enjoyed celebrating Christmas and New Years from a different perspective.
This year was about as hot as last lol. But at least we also had our cold; it flipped flopped from extremes. It was nice being able to enjoy Christmas mass, spending time with friends, and seeing all of the decorations.
Being at college makes the Holidays come up unexpectedly and the economic slump didn't help either. I felt like I didn't have money to spend on gifts. Most people don't know, but my dad has been without a job since last spring. Even though we're doing fine, and my mom has a great new job, we've still had to cut back. Luckily even with little, we're good at making a lot. We bought a great new car for my mom since she crashed the Camery. My family bonded over the Wii, and my mom did a great scavenger hunt for us on Christmas morning to make opening presents more fun since we had picked everything out.
And now I'm spending New Years with my friends and can't wait for what's in store in 2009. I survived a rough year which gives me confidence that I can make it through next year.
I hope everyone ends this year a little more wiser and starts off the new year on the right foot :)

Life @ Nov. 25

In the month of November I:

• Voted
• Made good grades on my tests
• Went on a Saturday getaway to North Georgia with the girls
• Turned 20
• Made a kick ass powerpoint
• Got closer to God
• Knit something other than a scarf
• Got my first caricature made
• Rubbed elbows with the agriculture elite
• Hiked 5 miles (and survived)
• Woke up at 6am so I could go to work with mom
• Applied for a credit card
• Applied for a loan

So I guess you could say I'm moving up in the world haha. I can't wait to study abroad and I am itching to get an internship. I'm getting close to publishing my first website/blog (more to come later). I'm trying to stay afloat in English with a poetry collection and portfolio due next week, so I wrote a terrible poem today:

"Apples"
My tree has a sturdy trunk
With two thick branches,
Loaded with sweet red apples.
Half taste Nicaraguan, half Puerto Rican.

Tree always growing, apples keep coming:
8 big apples 13 medium apples 2 little apples
7 big apples 15 medium apples 9 little apples
More than plenty for apple pie.

My apple family of 5 is tiny in these branches,
But it is just the right size.
It joins two families together
Creating this one big tree.

When we all come together,
Don't expect a normal family gathering.
It’s a party, an overwhelming celebration
With food, laughter, and dancing!

My poetry collection is on family trees and she said it would be good to have a poem you wrote yourself so why not. I hate myself for writing corny poetry...

Thanksgiving is coming up and then November is over and then 2008 is over. Where does the time go?

San Francisco

I was thinking today about the trip I took to San Francisco last month and really it was like celebrating 2 centuries of being alive.
I was actually born in San Francisco (well really Santa Clara if we're going to get specific) 20 years ago and moved away after the earthquake in '89. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to go back and see what this place was like. This was such a big dream for me that I couldn't say no when the opportunity came up.
Unfortunately I built high expectations for myself. Its not really that great of a place other than to say you've been there. I wouldn't want to live there. While I was there I didn't really enjoy it. But looking back on it, it was a great trip. I think what really made it worth it was seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. I got chills.
So after being gone for 20 years, I went back and saw the places my parent's talked about. And I did it all on my own... well mostly. It was my first big adventure without adults really (although the Savannah trip comes pretty close). Even though it sucked having to pay for it on my own, the trip was that much more mine.
So giving myself a 400$ birthday present to see the state I was born in on my 20th anniversary of being alive was totally worth it.

As a side not I learned the most crazy thing today. Monkeys open their bananas from the opposite end then us. Its actually quite effective. View the instructional video for more details!

3 things I learned about Arizona in San Francisco

1. Arizona has Agriculture

Who would have thought stuff (other than cactus) would grow in the desert? Turns out Arizona isn't all rock and sand... some parts even have forests. It has the perfect climate for growing cotton and citrus. I have a feeling this has a terrible impact on whatever river they are irrigating from.

2. Road Runners Exist

The Arizona gal couldn't believe our amazement at such an animal being real. What she failed to tell us is that they don't look like the cartoon. They are short fat birds that run across the road really fast. She says you barely ever find them as road kill. Also, contrary to belief... these birds do not go BEEP BEEP!

3. Scorpions are Everywhere

While Scorpions and Arizona go hand and hand in my mind, I didn't realize how invasive they were. Apparently Scorpions just LOVE making homes out of piles of clothes you left on the floor. I feel that I would have a big scorpion problem seeing as I leave clothes on the floor 90% of the time. I guess I would just have to get really good at shaking them out. Supposedly you can get more than one to hide out in there. And they're also pretty good about hiding out in your shoes so check those before putting them on too.

My Hat, It has 3 Corners

I was recently in need of a hat, but I didn't have one with me at college and didn't want to buy one. Therefore, I came up with THE GREAT NEWSPAPER HAT INITIATIVE and made one myself out of newspaper.
As Alyssa can attest, this made my side of the room look like a newspaper bomb had exploded. Overall it was WAY fun. Much more fun than doing homework too. Not only did I learn how to make the traditional 3 corner type, but several other less known types as well. So if you ever need a hat made out of newspapers, you know who to call! Because trust me, I'm a pro :P