This was November ....Piece of the Story

Wow,another month I've missed writing for. but at least my track record overall is decent(13 per year crazy that I've kept it up for that long). Writing is not my forte or something I particularly enjoy, it's always more of a struggle. I don't really know why I write this, oh well. I'm not sure where the last post left off (sorry I didn't bother looking) but I had a pretty significant event happen in my life in November.
I'm engaged!
The story: We'd been dating for a year steady and decided to celebrate by going on a weekend trip to get out of the city. For fun, my Fiancé decided to surprise me as to where we were going. I didn't ask a lot of questions ahead of time because I was enjoying the adventuresome nature of the surprise. That said I way over-packed(this is a normal tendency anyway but was exaggerated by not knowing where I'd be going or what I'd be doing)! When we started on the road, I let loose with questions trying to gain some hint of where we were going; he was almost annoyingly good at not giving anything away. About halfway we get on this one highway that I know goes to where one of my closet friends lives and one other town that I could think of. So I ask some other defining questions that I thought for sure would lead to at least one yes, I was wrong. I was very very confused, there is nothing else on this highway that I could remember. I fell silent racking my brain for some piece of geography I was missing. Right as I was about to give-up(I'd begun to think he just told me no to throw me off/confuse me) after 15 minutes or so the proverbial light-bulb went off. I of course asked if the place was it and he said "maybe" in his way that meant yes. This confirmation got me to thinking about how this place was kind of significant for us as being something more than friends all the way back in 2006(yes it's really been that long). Neither of us had really been to that specific location since 07. We'd been a town away last year. The siginifcance of the place got my mind wandering down the path of maybe it'll be this weekend(we had previously discussed a tiemframe to get engaged) but I quickly stopped that thought because I knew it would come at the right moment and I wanted to be surprised(I was). We get there and I'm excited the concierge even made a comment when we checked into our rooms. I made the comment that I was happy to be at the beach, away from the city, and not at work. (Little did the concierge or I know that I would have even more reason to be excited that weekend!) We drop off our stuff and head out for a walk on the beach. It was a beautiful clear fairly warm afternoon for mid/end of November. It was really nice and relaxing. After a little bit we head back in, clean-up, and went to explore the area. We found the local mini-golf and played a nice, fun, and challenging round. I'm normally awful and he is really good, but I'm very excited to say I got not 1 but 2 holes in one! He still ended up beating him but I tied him on the back nine. Alright back to the story. After mini-golf there was a playground next door and I'm a sucker for swings so we swung for a few minutes because it's just fun to be a kid. Next we went to find a place for dinner, we ended up at a local restaurant that we had eaten at the 2 years we were there for retreats. Last we headed back to the hotel grabbed jackets and went for a moonlit walk on the beach. (I guess this is where the story really begins but the whole weekend was amazing.) The night was perfect (I'd say picture but you can't capture those kind of evenings) It was cool and breezy, full-moon, gentle-waves crashing, white sand, got it pictured? Good, now think 10 times better. We start walking along enjoying the time spending with each other and he begins to say things. It starts to become a blur but I remember he said that: "You know most people wait their whole lives to find someone to spend it with and I'm so glad to have found you already." (heart melting? good, mine was too, still is) We paused for a moment and he said "I know we agreed not to get gifts for our anniversary but I have one for you and I think you know what it is." (At this point yes I did) He reached in his pocket pulled out a ring and said "I'm going to get down on one knee .. (he does) .. Will you marry me?" I'm not sure exactly what I said but I know the all important "Yes" was there. Then he said "so how do I do this? Which hand/finger?" Me: "This one" (helps him get it on the correct one) He stands up we hug and celebrate! I don't know if I can describe how happy I was/am and his face had probably one of the biggest/best smiles I've ever seen from him which only made me happier! The rest of the evening was spent in relishing the moment, calling important people in our lives, retelling the story, and then crashing.
If this is not a detailed enough account of the story, I'm sorry maybe if you asked questions it would trigger things I forgot or didn't think you'd be interested (such as what we ate or were wearing).
I'm tapped out on writing for now, enjoy!

Another month

Living in a new city, check. Learning a new job, check. Trying something new, check. Missing family, check. Missing boyfriend, check. Missing friends, check. Missing my horse, check. Regretting moving, not at all. It hasn't been easy but I'm glad to be trying this adventure. It's made me think about the future a lot and what I really want out of life. No definite conclusions as of yet. It's evident though that any decisions now will certainly have a ripple effect on the rest of my life.

This from my last blog still stands: "I know this job is what I need to do it'll be a great learning experience not only education-wise but also spiritually. I will be forced even more to depend on my Savior."

Side note: I've read several books over the past week and it felt so nice and natural. Read: I read for fun because I wanted to, amazing!

I'm not sure what else to say, I really just wanted to have a post for October before it was over.

This is simply beautiful:
http://debrablack.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/for-my-dad/

New Life Imminent

So once again not in a real writing mindset but still here it goes.
In 4 days, I'm moving to a new state to start my first full-time career after college. My room is a mess and not nearly packed as I had hoped. I haven't been able to get all I've wanted accomplished. At the moment I'm kinda out of it. (Brief rabbit trail: I discovered yesterday that I'm allergic to another form of medicine, sulfa. This involved being so itchy all over my body I wanted to tear my skin off. The medicine they gave me made me want to crawl the walls, I was so restless and miserable. I spent about 4 hours at the after-hours doctors office then was transferred to the hospital by ambulance because I wasn't showing enough improvement to go home. I then spent another several hours there. That experience was awful. Today I've been just tired all day stupid medicine. end trail)
So back to moving, Yes I'm excited but I'm also a little sad, scared, and nervous. It'll be awesome to be on my own, meet new people, and explore a new city. As much as those are awesome they are kind of a bummer as well: I'm not exactly a people person but I like to be near people (I think this is also why I always have music on besides the fact I love music), I love my friends I have now and we'll miss seeing them often, and exploring a new city can be overwhelming for me on my own. Did I mention I'm leaving my boyfriend here? 6 months is a long time though not that long at least that's what I keep reminding myself. We survived me being in Europe for the summer and have no doubt we can and will survive this, it'll just be tough. I know how much I missed him while I was on my trip (he's my best friend and I love him.) which makes me not look forward to feeling that again. I know this job is what I need to do it'll be a great learning experience not only education-wise but also spiritually. I will be forced even more to depend on my Savior. I'm excited about this because this is a huge area I struggle with. I tend to be extremely self-sufficient. I know this causes problems not only in my relationship with God but with my friends and family as well. I'm sorry when it does and sometimes I don't realize when it's becoming an issue until to late. To those I've hurt I'm sorry.
Ok, maybe that was a bit deeper/sad than y'all wanted to read, oops. But I guess I was in a writing mood and need to get it off my chest.

Changes imminent

Links I've liked recently:
- http://blog.swiftkickonline.com/2010/07/valedictorian-speaks-out-against-schooling-in-graduation-speech.html
- http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/08/not-knowing-whether-to-sprint-or-be-still/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+stuffchristianslikeblog+%28Stuff+Christians+Like+-+Jon+Acuff%29
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=business

Life...
I'm not really in the writing mindset but have been meaning to update this. Maybe later I'll write more.
So updates:
-I'm done with college, I don't ever have to go back unless I want too!!!!!!!!
- My brother has a girlfriend!
- I have a job, details to come next time.
- Life has been busy/fun/relaxing/stressful since I graduated a couple weeks ago.
- Life will be changing a fair amount real soon, details to come. (scary, nerve-wracking, bittersweet, exciting, mix of everything)

That's all for now, sorry.

Oops not exactly in June

Hey Y'all,
Sorry this one is not exactly in June so my 1 per month posting is a bit inconsistent but I do believe there were 2 for May so one of those can count.

Anyways, update I'm almost done with my trip abroad just 1 week left. It's been long and quite a range of emotions and events. Nothing too terrible but I will openly admit I'm ready to be home. I would not be terribly disappointed if I was told I had to go home today. Part of the problem is I'm exhausted and part of it is my frustrations with the professor for this last class and our TA. There is no order and we waste so much time often making our days really long. (tangent)I'm not a teaching expert but I feel I'm a fair judge of teaching skills and lack there of. I've grown up around it, I've taught in a couple different formats over my short life. It bugs me so much when a professor is so knowledgeable but can't convey that information due to lack of ability to teach. Teaching is a valuable skill and should be held with higher regard than it is today. To teach is a gift and a talent few have anymore. I've seen teaching change lives, it can take the most difficult and uninteresting subject and show a student why/how/desire to learn more. I was getting do frustrated one day I wanted to cry so I started to write (shocking, I know) to give me something to do. Here's what I wrote: (not eloquent or deep just something I wanted to type so I would have another record of it) "There is no joy when the heart yearns to learn but is shut out due to a lack of understanding. The soul cries tainting any glimpse given of some famous work. To compare to experience to harken inspiration to draw.. " That's all I got down before I was told I had 10 min. to explore an entire museum and then proceed to get left behind when they left before 10 minutes was finished. Those emotions in the words remind me that I am a student and make me think this might be how other students feel sometimes before they are forced to give up because they never benefited from a great teacher. Teaching is a difficult job and more often than not thankless. I guess I say all this to say take a moment and write a teacher you know a Thank You note.

k, back to updating on life (sorry for the long tangent). When I finally get back from my trip I will have to complete: research paper, refine field notes, create a formal journal, create a presentation to turn in for the scholarship I was blessed to receive, and look for jobs. Then I will graduate and more than likely still be looking for a job. Beyond that is unknown. Scary, frightening thought, It's been a long time since I've not had any idea as to what I would be doing in a month. It's somewhat exciting when I think about maybe God has something really unique in store for me ... that sounds bad, everyday is a unique blessing.. I think part of me is hoping for some mission-esque type opportunity where I can use my engineering to help others. I have no idea how but I'd love to do that in more of a way than a normal office position would allow for. I know that every place/position is a mission-field.

... this trip has been hard, I'm not surrounded by my Christian awesome friends or even have close access (aka phone call away). It's been a fight to stay on top of doing a daily Bible reading, to be a Godly example (what does that look like), to be me. I've been really convicted (had it on my mind a lot lately) about my attitude and how it's not been pretty lately. My desire to be in my comfort zone is overpowering and I want to choose God. I think this might be how Paul felt when he wrote about flesh wanting one thing and spirit another. I pray I will not succumb any longer to my selfish desires. I need God's help. I hope people realize I'm not perfect and can see that my God is.

Well, I think this is more than enough for now, sorry for the verbal vomit.

Slow yet Slammed

... oh my... sigh.. it's been crazy since my last post only a couple weeks ago. None of it has been bad that I can remember (except leaving friends and family at home) just so busy.
- So I'm on my 3rd day of class, plus getting to Athens Saturday. (So it's really day 5) I've already taken almost 900 pictures.
- Already the days are starting to blur together, it's overwhelming. To be honest I got homesick a little I miss my friends and family dearly. I'm a little disadvantaged sometimes b/c I don't always know all the architecture terms and such.
- The city here is.... divided. The tourist plako(sp?) is a stark contrast from the natives' portion of the city. The tourist area is smattered with ruins all centered around the Acropolis. It's kept clean and pristine full of color and shopping. There's tons of vendors with people hawking(sp?) wears on the street and walking around. Athens is extremely dense the coastal harbors are what you know of in pictures.
- It's been fun to explore and walk around the city. We stick out, all the tourists stand out so much. There's no hope to blend in.
mmm maybe I should start from the beginning with thoughts (sorry if they're not all coherent)
- panic in the airport a must? for me apparently
- flying: at night is beautiful to look down over the cities all lit up

- I wish we had more time to leave the airport in London
- I don't do well with not eating for a long time
- airplane food is odd
- The saying "that's greek to me" is so true, I can't read signs much less receipts.
- American specials are not necessarily great deals
- Time change is hard to calculate and keep track of
- Hotel roofs are gorgeous

- smoking is more common here
- Went to a Church here, it was cool to worship with other Christians
- lots and lots of walking/hiking
- I was excited about a isthmus/canal more than architecture people. They don't understand how big of a feat this is.

- I'm an engineer at heart. I love how they put stuff together more than how cool it looks.
- Gyros are ok, great that they're cheap
- Gelato is yummy and reasonably priced
- Few people smile here
- Small harbor towns are my favorite.
- I love color, the flowers and doors/windows that pop against the walls

- I'm an adventurer yet not reckless
- Breezes make a huge difference
- I can't keep up with shows
- Judgements are made fast and off set to hard
- diversity is it's meaning, sometimes difficult/offensive
- God is in control and is here.

... I can't think of my other thoughts at the moment. We're on a break before we go to one of the museums here. PS it's 2:35pm here.
Still to come:
- 73 days 'til Graduation!
- Look for jobs

Dangerously Close

Why Hello May, How are you? You're in an awful hurry why don't you slow down and stay awhile.

Mmm update on what happened as mentioned last post to come:
- Classes Finished - Check!
- Best Grades ever for a semester - 3 As and 2 Bs oh my!
- Flag Football - 3rd place tough way to go out, it was fun though
- Last time seeing friends for a long time - went by way too fast, I miss them already and can't wait to see each one again!
- Moved home, unpacked, repacked, organized, disorganized - who knows when I'll move again?
Now:
- Spending time with family!
- Falling in Love again with my horse, He's such a blessing to me!
- Praising God for His amazing creations: sunsets, animals, people
- Starting on work for Summer classes
- One week left til a crazy adventure I'm not ready for!?!
- 87 days 'til Graduation aahhh!
- Look for jobs
- Playing on the lake and hanging out with friends

Wow, that's all I can say. I don't think I ever truly thought I'd make it this far. Truth is I didn't. God has carried me through so much, nothing is mine, I didn't get myself this far, He brought me here. Everything has been/is preparation. What's next? I have no idea but I'm excited and think I'm ready to go.

PS Don't forget to slow down, stop, and smell the honeysuckle!