Back to Dorm Life?

After graduating from Concordia in May, I was able to enjoy a few days off before working again. My dad had back surgery (thankfully all went well) and It was nice to be home and take care of him, see my brothers on their last days of school, and participate in their school events which I have not always had the pleasure of doing. One of my best friends had her bridal shower, spent some time with Grandma, and also celebrated my nephew's 1st Birthday! 

I was so excited to come back to campus to work here over the summer in the Infant Room and also live with one of my BFFS - Jordan :) Although this summer is not going quite as I planned, I have enjoyed very minute of time I am able to spend with my Concordia family. I have accepted a job in Indianapolis, still am looking for a job with benefits and possibly better pay, but I will be moving down to Indianapolis at the end of the summer to start the next adventure of my life; living in the same town, let alone the same apartment as my boyfriend! It will definitely be different, but we are both looking forward to having dinner together and cuddling up on the couch with a movie on the tv. 

I am learning how to manage my time this summer between working full time and babysitting and still having somewhat of a social life. :) I am also learning how to budget.  I have had my share of insufficient funds fees and I am so over it ;) I am learning how to budget and stretch money to last longer than what I am used to. 

Mainly though, what I have learned my last four years at Concordia is to not sweat the small stuff, walk another day in someone else's shoes, and just live your life the way YOU want, not how others want you too. Sure, people may think I am crazy because I love little kids and would rather hang out with a five year old without receiving any pay than watch tv alone. :) I also get excited about the little things and deep down, I know I am a big kid at heart. I have also learned my inner strength and that is inspiration from those around me. I saw friends go through break ups, divorces, grades, family drama, and financial hardship and I have learned that if they can still have a smile on their face when it is time to get  up and moving in the morning, I can too because I chose to stay on facebook those extra 30 minutes and I chose to procrastinate til the very last minute.  All in all, my Concordia experience, I learned way more than just academics. I learned how to be a mature, responsible, and spiritual adult. I am by no means prepared for EVERYTHING I will face in the future, but I am ready to grow and learn some more and face what God has in store for me.

2013: A New Year

As I'm sitting on the couch in my new fleece jammy pants and fleece blanket, watching a movie with my little brother, I look back on 2012 and think ahead to 2013. I will graduate my undergrad degree at Concordia in May after the next 16 weeks of Student Teaching. This is something I am very proud of for accomplishing, and I know my Grandpa will be in the audience looking down and feeling proud too.

I am also very happy to say that Anthony and I realized we are right for each other and we just had to work some things out between the two of us. Back in July, we became a couple again and things have been so great! we still have our disagreements and we still have our quarrels, but the difference is we are leaRning to communicate more with each other and compromising. Anthony started his new job today down in Indianapolis, IN and I'm so proud of him for overcoming every obstacle and living in his own. I will definitely miss him and miss just being able to drive over and see him, but 3hours isn't that far away and we will both be very busy.

My brothers are growing up to be so e very adorable little men and I have enjoyed getting to spend as much time with them as I have this year. Looking forward to being home this semester and getting to see them more often.

I am also looking forward to the "real world" which has started for me. I am applying for jobs, paying off my car and student loans, and budgeting. In 2013, I look forward to spending more time with my family and friends, bettering myself, putting 110% into Student Teaching, and just being more optimistic about life in general. :)