I am so so so excited about this summer!! At first, I was hesitant to accept the job offer to watch my girls Emma and Alexis again this summer, but mainly because I ran out of ideas of what to do with them so quickly last summer! But now, since I know so far in advance (and since I'm now best friends with Pinterest, which I didn't know existed last summer), I have been pinning my life away and I am so excited!
I also have a lot more ideas on my own than I did last summer.
I have already sent each of the kids a letter asking them to create a Summer Bucket List of their own so they have ideas of what THEY want to do. One of our biggest set-backs last year was that no one knew what they wanted to do every day so we would sit at the kitchen table every morning and try to figure it out. And once we did, we usually didn't have the supplies or resources. This way, we'll be better prepared every day. (:
Another idea that I have is for each of the kids to set goals for themselves. I know that each of them has something or other that they would like to accomplish (i.e. read 20 books, learn sign language, get better at counting change, etc...) and I'd like to help them do so.
And finally, my last idea is to celebrate every holiday of the year in the three months that I'll be with the girls. My theory behind this is that I always find holiday themed crafts on Pinterest and can never do them because the only holidays in June, July and August are Father's Day, Fourth of July and my birthday. (: However, when I start watching the girls in June, We can kick of the summer with a mini New Year's party! and we can end the summer, in August, with a Christmas themed day. I haven't talked to the girls about it yet, but I'm sure they'll love it.
I seriously cannot wait until this summer starts! I am sooooo prepared!!
(:
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Some Creativity on My Part
My first crayon art piece. :)
One of my favorites, inspired by my best friends <3
Another one of my favorites, inspired by my sisters at Kappa Alpha Theta <3
Went from a mistake to a masterpiece.
For one of my favorite little girls, Alexis.
LOVE the black canvas, can't wait to do another!
Also love the splatter paint. <3
I found the idea for the crayon art on Pinterest and fell in love. I started dabbling a bit and apparently, everyone else fell in love as well. (: I've gotten many requests and sold lots of pieces. I've loved making every piece and love the idea that I've helped people decorate their walls.
<3
One of my favorites, inspired by my best friends <3
Another one of my favorites, inspired by my sisters at Kappa Alpha Theta <3
Went from a mistake to a masterpiece.
For one of my favorite little girls, Alexis.
LOVE the black canvas, can't wait to do another!
Also love the splatter paint. <3
I found the idea for the crayon art on Pinterest and fell in love. I started dabbling a bit and apparently, everyone else fell in love as well. (: I've gotten many requests and sold lots of pieces. I've loved making every piece and love the idea that I've helped people decorate their walls.
<3
Friday, March 30, 2012
13 by 2013 *First* Update
13 Goals to Reach by 2013.
1. Attend a mind-blowing concert!
Still working on choosing the right one
2. Lose at least 35 pounds.
I'm down 10 pounds since the beginning of the semester.
3. Save at least $2000.
I'm up to $125...
4. Buy a new pair of TOMS.
Once I get the money, it's happening.
5. Get a tattoo.
DONE AND DONE!!
6. 3.2 GPA
We'll see at the end of the semester.
7. Buy a car.
Like I said, I'm only a little bit past $100. Not so close to this one..
8. Run 3 miles straight.
Last I checked, I'm still under a mile. We'll see next week..
9. Learn sign Language.
On the waiting list.
10. Participate in and finish the COLOR RUN 5K in San Francisco on July 28, 2012.
Registration hasn't come around yet.
11. Spoil my little <3
Don't have one yet.
12. Live, LAUGH, Love, Forgive more.
Working on this one every day.
13. Live every day to it's fullest.
Well, I got a freakin tattoo today. If that's not taking the opportunity by the neck, I don't know what is..
<3
1. Attend a mind-blowing concert!
Still working on choosing the right one
2. Lose at least 35 pounds.
I'm down 10 pounds since the beginning of the semester.
3. Save at least $2000.
I'm up to $125...
4. Buy a new pair of TOMS.
Once I get the money, it's happening.
5. Get a tattoo.
DONE AND DONE!!
6. 3.2 GPA
We'll see at the end of the semester.
7. Buy a car.
Like I said, I'm only a little bit past $100. Not so close to this one..
8. Run 3 miles straight.
Last I checked, I'm still under a mile. We'll see next week..
9. Learn sign Language.
On the waiting list.
10. Participate in and finish the COLOR RUN 5K in San Francisco on July 28, 2012.
Registration hasn't come around yet.
11. Spoil my little <3
Don't have one yet.
12. Live, LAUGH, Love, Forgive more.
Working on this one every day.
13. Live every day to it's fullest.
Well, I got a freakin tattoo today. If that's not taking the opportunity by the neck, I don't know what is..
<3
Thursday, March 29, 2012
New Traditions
I just discovered this new idea on a friend of mine's blog and i've decided that I want to start up one of my own. This year, I'm going to start making a number of goals to accomplish before the New Year. The number will depend on what the next year is, i.e. 13 goals for 2013, 14 goals for 2014, etc.. And I'll also post updates on how my goals are coming along every few weeks(:
My goals to complete before next year are:
1. Attend a mind-blowing concert!
2. Lose at least 35 pounds.
3. Save at least $2000.
4. Buy a new pair of TOMS.
5. Get a tattoo.
6. 3.2 GPA
7. Buy a car.
8. Run 3 miles straight.
9. Learn sign Language.
10. Participate in and finish the COLOR RUN 5K in San Francisco on July 28, 2012.
11. Spoil my little <3
12. Live, LAUGH, Love, Forgive more.
13. Live every day to it's fullest.
And I put each of these goals somewhere where I would always see them. <3
My goals to complete before next year are:
1. Attend a mind-blowing concert!
2. Lose at least 35 pounds.
3. Save at least $2000.
4. Buy a new pair of TOMS.
5. Get a tattoo.
6. 3.2 GPA
7. Buy a car.
8. Run 3 miles straight.
9. Learn sign Language.
10. Participate in and finish the COLOR RUN 5K in San Francisco on July 28, 2012.
11. Spoil my little <3
12. Live, LAUGH, Love, Forgive more.
13. Live every day to it's fullest.
And I put each of these goals somewhere where I would always see them. <3
On This Day in History...
my daddy was born. (: I figured that since today is a pretty big day, I'd post a little thing about my dad. He's definitely one of the best people I know and I have never stopped loving him, even through some of the stuff we've been through together. Since I was born, he tried to be around as much as he could, but the Marine Crops hindered that ability a little bit. Since we moved to California when I was 7, he was assigned two tour in Iraq and was gone about one weekend a month for training, but for the most part, he was around and he was a great dad. For the last six years, since him and my mom have been divorced, I don't see him as much as I would like, but let's be real, I'd like to see him all the time so it's a little hard to make that happen. When I lived at home, I usually saw him once or twice a week and he was always around for the important things. He came to the awards show at school when I got four scholarships for college, he came to my exhibitions and watched me ring the bell after my PG/SL, he came to graduation and he was always around for my birthday. Since I've been at school, we talk about once a week or more if something important is going on. He always does things for my best interest and helps me with anything I need him for. He always tells me that he worries about me all the way out here in the boondocks, but knows that i can take care of myself and that's really all i want, for someone to be there when I want them but to also trust my better judgement.
My father is a great man and I can't wait to see what shenanigans he gets himself into in the future.
I found this blog post on Pinterest and it definitely made me think of him. He epitomizes this list and i love him for that.
http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters
(copy and paste URL to see original blog post, all credit to Michael Mitchell)
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
<3 you daddy!
My father is a great man and I can't wait to see what shenanigans he gets himself into in the future.
I found this blog post on Pinterest and it definitely made me think of him. He epitomizes this list and i love him for that.
http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters
(copy and paste URL to see original blog post, all credit to Michael Mitchell)
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
<3 you daddy!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A Piece of My Mind
Someone is definitely getting one tomorrow. I hate that it's only my second post and it's already a rant. As I mentioned in my last post, I was an Elementary Education major last semester and I recently switched to Speech Pathology. This basically meant that I was now in harder classes, but also that I would get paid more and have a better career path under my belt in the future. However, I was disappointed that my classes last semester had been a waste of time since I had taken mostly education classes, including Math 135, which I called "Third Grade Math" because we literally talked about adding, subtracting, fractions and percentages and played with blocks all semester. Now, this semester, because it's a requirement for my new major, I've been getting my ass kicked in Math 115 (linear equations and probability). However, tonight, I found out that Math 135 now works for my general math credit. I am sooo annoyed that they changed this requirement for the Speech Pathology major after i've wasted half of my semester in it when i didn't need to!! I could have filled that time with an actual requirement for my major or something that didn't kick my ass. :/
i have a meeting with my advisor tomorrow and i'm going to see what she says about taking it credit/no credit and if i can do that, i think i'll just stop going to class and doing homework and such. stuff like that..
bottom line, I'm really annoyed right now.
:/
i have a meeting with my advisor tomorrow and i'm going to see what she says about taking it credit/no credit and if i can do that, i think i'll just stop going to class and doing homework and such. stuff like that..
bottom line, I'm really annoyed right now.
:/
New Beginnings
So, this is the first blog I've done that doesn't have a specific purpose, so I'm just going to jump into it. This is a place where I want to be able to post my thoughts on various topics, post pictures (and possibly instructions on how to make) of my artwork and random little crafts that I do, and possibly post neat stuff that I find on Pinterest and in a way, want to double repin! Boy, do I love Pinterest! my Pinterest addiction (which started halfway trough last semester) has definitely curbed my Facebook addiction (which I've had for coming on four years now...)
So, in case people I don't know in person start following this (which I definitely DO NOT mind! I'm not all Stranger Danger on here[: ), I guess I 'ought to introduce myself. I'm Emily. I am a freshman (almost a sophomore (holy crap!)) at University of Montana (GO GRIZ!!) in Missoula. I am a member of the Alpha Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and I love every single moment of it. Home is not Montana, but in a far away land called California. Central Coast to be as exact as I can and people still know what I'm talking about. I moved to Montana with two girls that I've known since grade 2, and am roommates with one of them. It's been great having them here since I didn't know anyone else when I got here. I have one other roommate. She is from Montana (Helena, 2 hours away from Missoula) and goes home about every other to every three weekends and I usually miss her. Carly (the one from home), Emilyn (the one from here), and I make up our little pod in Miller Hall. It's a pretty great combination; Emilyn is the determined pre-med major, Carly is the ambitious Wildlife biologist and lil' ol' me is the street-smart Pre-Elementary Education turned SPEECH PATHOLOGY major that hopes she passes American History and Math 115 (linear equations and probability, bleck!).
Since I've moved here, I've met some people that I KNOW will be lifetime friends and cannot wait to live in a house with them all next semester. They are my friends, and my sisters. There's my big sister, Ashley and her big sister (my grandbig), Kate. I think I love them best, but mostly because they're my direct line. Ashley is an English Education major and basically has the same life as me. We have so much in common that I'm never surprised when people ask if we really ARE sisters, and not just sorority sisters. I love her to death. Kate is a health and human performance major and can't wait to start her life as a health consultant? i actually have no idea what she plans on doing with her major. And of course, there are other amazing girls in my house that I love to death. There's Shanna, Renee (<-- they're roomies and its the cutest thing ever), Hunter and Meghan (my pansy pals), Lynsee, Lauren, Betsey and Caroine (our newest members), and honestly, wayyy too many people to even list. There are 62 girls in the house, do you really blame me?
Also, I have a biological family, almost forgot, whoops. (: just kidding, i love them. My Mom and Dad (i'll just call them mom and dad.) have been divorced since I was like, 12? I think. It's been too long, I can't even remember anymore. Dad is remarried and has been for about the same time as he's been divorced, so like, 6 years. Karen is his wife and she has two kids, Kayla (22) and Ben (10). Mom has been dating Mike for about 4 or 5 years now and he has two boys, Andrew (17) and Alex (14?). They're all pretty nice, I've definitey gotten used to them being around. But there's always Zac. He's my big brother and I absolutely adore him. h is my role model, my best friend, my hero and the rock I lean on when shit hits the fan. He recently turned 22 and is preparing for his turn at the Basic School for the United States Marine Corps. He will graduate from Arizona State University in May and I honestly couldn't be more proud of him. He takes after my dad with the whole Marine thing. Dad was a Marine from the time before I was born until June 2010, totaling out to be 26 years. He retired as a colonel and had racked up time in Iraq (2 tours for the current/most recent war and one tour back in 1993 when I was born for Desert Storm). I'll never know what he did over there because every time I ask, he tells me that if he told me, he'd have to kill me and that he's grown too fond of me to do that. (: Now that he's retired, he works for a company that prints state standardized tests and textbooks, so as a student, i tell people that he works for the enemy. i usually get a chuckle out of that one. Mom, on the other hand, has never been into the whole military business. when i was a kid, she was a Creative Memories consultant and since then, she has been a paralegal, and then after a few years of schooling and a round or two of colon cancer, she is a massage therapist and a retail specialist (they like to make it sound important) at a homeopathic pharmacy back home. The three of them are definitely the best family I could ask for. Sure, we have had our ups and downs, but honestly, who hasn't? They are all the strongest people I know and even with all the stuff we've been through, we always stick together and work through it as a team.
I also have friends back home. They are the best people I know and I couldn't have asked for better friends to have in high school. Evanne has been one of my best friends since freshman year when we were in geometry together and I really wanted to meet the chick that wore the bright yellow skirt to school and literally laughed at all my dumb jokes. She has been a friend, a sister, a rock, a dinosaur, some dirt, a chef, oh wait. I'm just listing random things. but really. she is my best friend. Miss Elyse is one of my other best friends. we also met freshman year and i'm pretty sure i met her through evanne because they were in the same advisory. she is the one that keeps me sane and calms me down when I'm overreacting about something. and at the same time, if I'm not overreacting, then she stands by me and has my back. she has been the one i go to to vent and to have fun all at the same time. Emma is one of the strongest, most imaginative people I know. We also met through evanne freshman year, but they had known each other since 6th grade. she's always up for talking and I can always count on her to answer her phone when i'm walking home from the theta house late at night. and stephanie. i have known stephanie since grade 2 and she's been the most awkward, most hilarious, and best friend I've had for that long. i can always count on stephanie to make a planned half hour Skype date into a two hour one because we can't literally talk about anything. Evanne is at UC Davis studying wildlife biology, Elyse is at CSU Monterey Bay studying marine biology, stephanie is at UCLA studying business management and Emma is the only one of us that stayed home to work on her relationship and their future together.
You see, I have a great family and a great group of friends back home that i left behind to come to the boondocks of the US, montana. people never understand why i left all of that and the seemingly great life that i had back in california behind to come here. "why would you leave the sand and surf?" they ask me. "why would you leave your friends and family?" they ask me. what no one understands until they come to montana to visit is that this place is beautiful. i am surrounded by mountains and boy, they don't call this place Big Sky country for nothing. it is legitimately the best place i have ever lived in and i don't think i could picture myself anywhere else. i don't now what ill do or where i'll go after graduation, but for now, and for the next three years, i am positively content right where i am. sure, i left biological family and high school friends behind, but i also gained my theta family and my college friends here. and i won't leave it for anything. [except maybe spring break, which is next week and i absolutely cannot wait to go home for a few days!]
<3
So, in case people I don't know in person start following this (which I definitely DO NOT mind! I'm not all Stranger Danger on here[: ), I guess I 'ought to introduce myself. I'm Emily. I am a freshman (almost a sophomore (holy crap!)) at University of Montana (GO GRIZ!!) in Missoula. I am a member of the Alpha Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and I love every single moment of it. Home is not Montana, but in a far away land called California. Central Coast to be as exact as I can and people still know what I'm talking about. I moved to Montana with two girls that I've known since grade 2, and am roommates with one of them. It's been great having them here since I didn't know anyone else when I got here. I have one other roommate. She is from Montana (Helena, 2 hours away from Missoula) and goes home about every other to every three weekends and I usually miss her. Carly (the one from home), Emilyn (the one from here), and I make up our little pod in Miller Hall. It's a pretty great combination; Emilyn is the determined pre-med major, Carly is the ambitious Wildlife biologist and lil' ol' me is the street-smart Pre-Elementary Education turned SPEECH PATHOLOGY major that hopes she passes American History and Math 115 (linear equations and probability, bleck!).
Since I've moved here, I've met some people that I KNOW will be lifetime friends and cannot wait to live in a house with them all next semester. They are my friends, and my sisters. There's my big sister, Ashley and her big sister (my grandbig), Kate. I think I love them best, but mostly because they're my direct line. Ashley is an English Education major and basically has the same life as me. We have so much in common that I'm never surprised when people ask if we really ARE sisters, and not just sorority sisters. I love her to death. Kate is a health and human performance major and can't wait to start her life as a health consultant? i actually have no idea what she plans on doing with her major. And of course, there are other amazing girls in my house that I love to death. There's Shanna, Renee (<-- they're roomies and its the cutest thing ever), Hunter and Meghan (my pansy pals), Lynsee, Lauren, Betsey and Caroine (our newest members), and honestly, wayyy too many people to even list. There are 62 girls in the house, do you really blame me?
Also, I have a biological family, almost forgot, whoops. (: just kidding, i love them. My Mom and Dad (i'll just call them mom and dad.) have been divorced since I was like, 12? I think. It's been too long, I can't even remember anymore. Dad is remarried and has been for about the same time as he's been divorced, so like, 6 years. Karen is his wife and she has two kids, Kayla (22) and Ben (10). Mom has been dating Mike for about 4 or 5 years now and he has two boys, Andrew (17) and Alex (14?). They're all pretty nice, I've definitey gotten used to them being around. But there's always Zac. He's my big brother and I absolutely adore him. h is my role model, my best friend, my hero and the rock I lean on when shit hits the fan. He recently turned 22 and is preparing for his turn at the Basic School for the United States Marine Corps. He will graduate from Arizona State University in May and I honestly couldn't be more proud of him. He takes after my dad with the whole Marine thing. Dad was a Marine from the time before I was born until June 2010, totaling out to be 26 years. He retired as a colonel and had racked up time in Iraq (2 tours for the current/most recent war and one tour back in 1993 when I was born for Desert Storm). I'll never know what he did over there because every time I ask, he tells me that if he told me, he'd have to kill me and that he's grown too fond of me to do that. (: Now that he's retired, he works for a company that prints state standardized tests and textbooks, so as a student, i tell people that he works for the enemy. i usually get a chuckle out of that one. Mom, on the other hand, has never been into the whole military business. when i was a kid, she was a Creative Memories consultant and since then, she has been a paralegal, and then after a few years of schooling and a round or two of colon cancer, she is a massage therapist and a retail specialist (they like to make it sound important) at a homeopathic pharmacy back home. The three of them are definitely the best family I could ask for. Sure, we have had our ups and downs, but honestly, who hasn't? They are all the strongest people I know and even with all the stuff we've been through, we always stick together and work through it as a team.
I also have friends back home. They are the best people I know and I couldn't have asked for better friends to have in high school. Evanne has been one of my best friends since freshman year when we were in geometry together and I really wanted to meet the chick that wore the bright yellow skirt to school and literally laughed at all my dumb jokes. She has been a friend, a sister, a rock, a dinosaur, some dirt, a chef, oh wait. I'm just listing random things. but really. she is my best friend. Miss Elyse is one of my other best friends. we also met freshman year and i'm pretty sure i met her through evanne because they were in the same advisory. she is the one that keeps me sane and calms me down when I'm overreacting about something. and at the same time, if I'm not overreacting, then she stands by me and has my back. she has been the one i go to to vent and to have fun all at the same time. Emma is one of the strongest, most imaginative people I know. We also met through evanne freshman year, but they had known each other since 6th grade. she's always up for talking and I can always count on her to answer her phone when i'm walking home from the theta house late at night. and stephanie. i have known stephanie since grade 2 and she's been the most awkward, most hilarious, and best friend I've had for that long. i can always count on stephanie to make a planned half hour Skype date into a two hour one because we can't literally talk about anything. Evanne is at UC Davis studying wildlife biology, Elyse is at CSU Monterey Bay studying marine biology, stephanie is at UCLA studying business management and Emma is the only one of us that stayed home to work on her relationship and their future together.
You see, I have a great family and a great group of friends back home that i left behind to come to the boondocks of the US, montana. people never understand why i left all of that and the seemingly great life that i had back in california behind to come here. "why would you leave the sand and surf?" they ask me. "why would you leave your friends and family?" they ask me. what no one understands until they come to montana to visit is that this place is beautiful. i am surrounded by mountains and boy, they don't call this place Big Sky country for nothing. it is legitimately the best place i have ever lived in and i don't think i could picture myself anywhere else. i don't now what ill do or where i'll go after graduation, but for now, and for the next three years, i am positively content right where i am. sure, i left biological family and high school friends behind, but i also gained my theta family and my college friends here. and i won't leave it for anything. [except maybe spring break, which is next week and i absolutely cannot wait to go home for a few days!]
<3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)