In the past year....

So I kind of stole this idea from my friend, but it feels so right to do this. My junior year at Concordia has been one I will never forget. I was honored to be a Resident Assistant and met some really wonderful people who are going to be lifelong friends through the experience. I was a little scared and unsure of how I would be an RA, but from day 1 of training I felt so comfortable and knew it was going to be a great year! I made some new friends and didn't want to go home as often because I wanted to spend time with them.   It was a new adventure that I was going to take on - and ready! Methods classes were going to begin, with new professors and new experiences. I continued working at the Early Childhood Center and babysitting (to help pay for my new car!).


That first semester was the start of great friendships that I know I will have for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, I did end up on crutches for a few weeks with back issues again, but then I was off of them and feeling better - so I thought. Finals week all of a sudden it just happened again and the back spasms and pain was back --- this began a long trial of doctor visits, MRIs, Xrays, etc. Christmas and New Years was nice to be home, but then I was soon ready to come back to school. Spent many days with Cheryl at home and watching her crazy MTV shows ;) We bonded a bit over the time when she was home and it was nice to have someone help and take care of me. Spent a lot of time with my bestie, Jessica and her son Kaiden and just enjoyed not having classes and relaxing a lot....maybe a little too much!


Moving on to second semester. This would be the semester of growing friendships, finding my faith, and really figuring out my relationships with others in my life.


I was still dealing with crutches and trying to figure out what was going on with that, but it was nice to back and there was so many wonderful things planned for the semester! My brothers both turned another age older - which was weird for me because they are no longer the little munchkins they used to be. I was also going to have a milestone birthday - 21! The plans for Las Vegas were delayed due to my health issues, but it was still a great birthday! My BFF/Roomie joined me and my family and my bestie at the Casino and going to a few different places to have a drink. It was definitely a great way to spend a birthday! Came back to school and classes were bogging me down, but still had so much to look forward to: Relay for Life, The end of the Semester, getting better and off crutches, and the SPRING weather! The weather came first --- it was absolutely gorgeous outside and that same day was day #1 without crutches! After being on crutches for 5 months, it was so nice to be able to walk again and Physical Therapy was definitely helping!

I learned a lot about myself this semester. I decided that the relationship I was in was with a great guy, but he just wasn't the guy for me. We have so many memories that we will take with us, and we both learned something from the other throughout the 2 1/2 years we were together that we will always keep with us and not make the same mistakes in our future relationships. It was definitely not the easiest time for me, but with the love and support from those around me, I was able to still have a smile on my face in the end. I also decided that I loved my brothers, but it was time for me to try this summer on my own and I am going to be staying on campus this summer and working at the Early Childhood Center. I will be an assistant teacher with two other teachers and they have asked me to help plan lessons and activities for the kids...as a jumpstart to student teaching which I will be doing in the spring of 2013!

I also learned more about my faith this past semester. I am learning to trust in God when things get tough and sometimes, saying a prayer really can make one feel better. We cannot control people, just your reactions to others and although it is a hard concept to understand, I am beginning to learn this. I enjoy attending contemporary worship and I plan on implementing some of that into my daily and future life.

Thank you to everyone who has ever been there for me this year, physically, emotionally, or just a shoulder to cry on or a sleepover to be had. You all are fantastic, and I love you all. I hope I can return the favor and be there for you when you are in need...and just be a great, loving, and supportive friend like everyone has shown me over the course of my lifetime.