Needless to say it was a day filled with antique planes, old fashioned cars, lemonade & cotton candy, loud engines, and hott rays of sun

My entire family went and minus all of the waiting, we had a blast!

So I think that is it in a nutshell, I probably left out a bunch of other exciting news, but as I think about it I may post. Also within the last few months I have learned a great deal about my self and constantly learning about self discipline. Graduating college is like nothing I have ever experienced, before, but to be honest I do not think it has quite hit me yet.

I am still in town until August working at my internship and the same restaurant, some of my roommates things are still at our apartment, and I have not began to pack anything up. My fear is that it will hit me most when I move back home with my family and football season in August starts up. I wouldnt say that I dont hate change, but I guess I dont really love it either. I’ve found that it takes me a little time to get used to it, more or less adapt to the new concepts. Probably not my best quality, but I think it has a lot to do with my relationships with people.

I absolutely love getting to know new people and I really care a lot about my friends, so my prayer is that I will be able to adapt to the new changes coming my way. Whether they are what I am expecting or not.

I hope the rest of you all have enjoyed your spring and are looking forward to the summer! I leave for vacation next week and I cannot wait! Just a side note… if you do not have a vacation planned for whatever reason, take a day for yourself…one day to relax, eat, sleep, read, get some sun whatever. It really does the body good!

So today’s post will be quick, just wanted to post some of my most recent pictures! Let me know what you think; I am still working on trying to improve, so I will take any feedback ya’ll want to give! Enjoy the weather today no matter what it looks like outside because it can be refreshing, I promise!

It was been way too long and this time I mean it! I honestly do not even know where to start except for the fact that I have a brand new camera Nikon D3100! I love it and that is an understatement, I have so much fun playing with it, but i’m still trying to figure out how to manually work it.

So I hope to be posting some fun pictures if not anything. I am also in the process of updating my resume and trying to figure out how to start a portfolio for myself. As an extremely young Public Relations professional who knows what it will entail, but I am trying to make myself not just black and white… ya dig?

The next new issue is my Bateman Competition Team! Sounds boring right? Wrong, well at least we are not trying to make it boring haha! There will be more to come on this also, but for the mean time the weather has been wonderful this week and most everyone has positive attitudes.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the little things and I would love feedback on my photos if anyone comes across them!

I feel like the first week of classes, there is a huge rush of emotions every year. Im happy, sad, confused, stressed, and worried all in one week. To be honest it’s pretty gruesome, but I know that I am not alone because pretty much every college student I know feels that same way!

This year is obviosuly different though because I am a SENIOR (WOW) my last year in my little box of a world, until I actually have to grow up and work a “legit” job (hopefully). Part of me is excited, but then nervous again because this whole summer I have heard from people all over the place saying that “majoring in Communications just is not a steady job and those are the first to go when a company is cutting down… etc etc.”

When I hear this I immediately freak out, but then again I don’t because I love what I am learning. Over the past few years I have been trying to figure out what I kind of want to do for the rest of my life and people that is friggin hard to figure out in 4 or so years of your life… let me tell ya!

Anyways, I think I want what most people want, which is to be successful and happy right? I know that right now I have a year left in college and I  do not want to wish it away, but to just enjoy it.

I am actually taking an elementary Chinese class (woah baby), I have no clue why I decided to do it, but it will definitely be something new and challenging. For me, what is the point of going through out life without challenging yourself…

I hope to take you all through out the journey of my senior year because a lot can happen in a year and I have a feeling this will keep me “sane”…sometimes… but on that note, I am finishing up my last day at my internship, tear!

Not to fear though I will be continuing it throughout the semester, I need all of the experience I can get or as I like to say soaking up all the knowledge I can ha.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer and taking advantage of everything the comes your way, you never know what God has in store for you so keep your ears and your hearts open. I leave for my family vacation in a few weeks and hope to post some great pictures! See you all soon.

MOVIE REVIEW: I went to see the movie SALT last night and let me tell you…AHHMazzin’! Even though the story line is a bit like the Bourne Identiy series, I really enjoyed it and may even go see it again when it comes to the dollar theatre!

I think that if I had to do it for a job position I would be a lot better at updating it, but then it may not be as fun or I may not be able to write whatever! I have this feeling  though that my next few posts may be about work unfortunately.

By no means do I think of myself as a work-a-holic, but I do have an issue with saying no! This week I have had only one day off (which is fortunately today and the reason why I am updating my blog ) and I am honestly not complaining because I do need the money, but

Oh and there is always a but right?

The restaurant business is crazy and for me I always seem to get put on the shifts where I have to close the restaurant, does not sound too bad right…

WRONG–

This place of business closes at 2 am which also does not sound to bad, but let me break it down for you. I arrive to my shift at 4:00 in the afternoon and the restaurant does not get steady until 7/8:00 so between those few hours I will have made a total of 5.00 maybe in tips and a whopping 9.00 or so in my paycheck. Then it finally picks up and gets a tad bit busy.

I enjoy this time because I am not constantly looking at the clock wondering what time it is and how long till I get off. When I do get a chance to take a peak at the clock it is about 10:00 or so and we tend to get a little steady around then also. Most of the time (there are though times when its quite boring) this time seems to entertain me because we normally will have a band or karaoke or a late night special and I get to interact with the guest and I am not as bored.

If I am not working in the bar/ patio I will be in the dining room and around this time is slows way down so your really just hanging out. So from here on out its really not too bad until you have to do your “closing work.” Which consists of cleaning and organizing everything in site (it is not too bad once you get in the swing of things) so now the time is 2:30 and I normally get on the road between 3-3:30

and my exciting f.y.i for this time we get “clocked out” at 2:00 when the guests all leave so for the last 2 hours or so I am cleaning unpaid…not cool.

I guess that is how it is and may not change, but just stinks sometimes when your working 25-30 hours a week that is a chunk of money I am missing.

Anywho enough about work, I am really enjoying my summer! I am meeting new people and hopefully forming new friendships/relationships and its amazing. The internship is interesting and up and down at times, but I am just so thankful that I am getting this experience for later on!

The difference between this summer for me and the last (other than the fact I was enrolled in summer classes at school) is I miss everyone at school. I was there pretty much a whole year or so and when I moved home at first I really needed the break, but man I never realized how tough it would be for me.

It really has got me thinking recently that what in the world is going to happen to me when I graduate? OH LAWD!

I know that I will be fine as long as I keep strong in my faith and know I always have someone to lean on!

I hope everyone else out there is having a wonderful summer also and takes at least one vacation whether its 2 days off work laying by a pool or a week or 2 at the beach!!

Title: Resting in the Mystery of What I Can’t understand– This is one of my favorite songs recently, its called Unpredictable by Francesca Battistelli and I just love the lyrics. Its facsinating sometimes when God puts a song into your life at just the perfect time….

Can I get an AMEN!!

am I the only one, or does anyone else agree with me?

I end up getting a job and working strenous amounts of hours because I want to make enough money for the demands of the upcoming school year. I do have a few vacations I make time for, but I never really just get to sit down for a week and relax.

I mean since I have worked in the resturaunt business for a little while now, I do have days where I get all day off, but I have not really gotten anything done that week already I normally stay busy with errands etc.

This thought has been on my mind lately and I feel like even though I know I am busy, where do I put in time for God? Ok, sunday mornings during service and I usually have my own little worship service in the car before and after, but then what…

I feel like most people maul over this question a few times a month, so for me it has been this month. I have started my new restaurant job in town and when I went in originally my only avaliabiliy I was concerned about were the days I needed off for my internship, but then I was asked if I needed sundays off…

Well my first answer was no…REALLY? Did I just say that (the thought that came rushing through my mind), I was just concerned about making money, but then the next thought was OH NO, what did I just say. So I mentioned that I would actually like Sunday mornings off.

Of course then it was to late, his next response was

“well we have had a lot of people not work sundays, so I may need you to work a few, but not each week.”

At the time that made me feel a lot better, but oh wait I work in a restaurant so most of the time if you tend to be a “good worker,” they take will possibly take advantage of you. So far (almost a month) I have not had a Sunday morning off.

My relationship though right now and always I feel like is constantly growing with God and on my end, the effort being put into it right now is tapering off. I need to get into a routine because once I have a routine I normally stick to it, but being home has thrown with me off and has added a lot more emotions that I am normally faced with.

So I have decided to set a goal this week, to each night read a chapter of the bible (maybe more or less) and talk with God for an hour. I also do not think I am feeling this way because I feel guilty, but in a weird sense I sort of miss spending time with God.

I would also like to work on learning a verse a week and making it my “theme” for the week… does anyone have any good ideas?

Hopefully when I report back again next week, I will have met my goals. My biggest fear/problem I am facing is prioritizing my time whether it be at work or with my friends and family.

Oh I also have a great new assignment this week for my internship, I will be writing a section in our magazine called the “Bella Muse,” where each month they feature a woman and her business, but mainly focus on her businesses products. My article for August though will be about SOAP!!

I have never been obssesed with soap before and I would not say that I am too obssesed now, but local products and handmade things seem to be my new favorite these days Hopefully I will get a link to the article when its done to put on here.

Have an inspired… motivated… world cup soccer… bright, rest of the week.

Until next time,

Peace.Love. Joy

I sit at a white table with blue chair which are exteremly comfy… so bland right? Well I guess since I have not been in this sort of atmosphere before I enjoy it a lot. My first assignments started back when I was still taking classes (love that I can say that is a thing of the past at the moment)

The first thing was Bella’s “our favorite things,” section and the theme was summer and blue, or as I would say pure greatness haha. The next assignment was a shopping guide write up and I saw the two come to life a few days ago when the June Issue of Bella came out.

WOO HOO, I can finally say I have been published, in something other than just around town at school, even though this is not such a large publication either! I had a picture of myself in the June issue also.

Right now we are working on finishing up July and starting some early talks about the August one. I am mainly writing right now, while adding in a few product ideas. I am not too sure what else I would like to do, maybe plan some events… that’d be a lot of fun.

My task to get finished this week shall be interesting. I am writing about a new store that has opened in the area and it is for women who have undergone breast surgery. I went and spoke with the store owner and she was such a doll so nice to speak with and my hope is that I can do this article justice and get her story out there!

We shall see how that goes as I start my outlining later this evening. I also start at my restaurant job for real “for real” this week. I am a bit nervous, but those butterflies normally go away after the first few tables!! I am also thinking there is a UFC fight this weekend too, so that shall be interesting!!

As I leave you all today, just wanted to give you an update and a great picture of my new favorite item for the summer! Also here is the link of our blog here at Bella, ENJOY!!

Lets see where I left off; I finished up the semester with a 2.9… not too great, but better than the last, I have a new, oh and first internship, and also a paid job too (each of those a story in themselves.) My internship was such a blessing from God and I am so thankful to be a part of an exciting and fruitful atmosphere with so much to learn. I will be writing for (and hopefully planning some events) Bella women’s magazine!

The rest of my days will consist of working at a restaurant from school, that we also have at home. Not exactly where I thought I would be, but I am going to open my heart and follow where God wants me to be.  I think this will be a new change for me, and btw the word C.H.A.N.G.E seems to scare me as I have gotten older…so a good word different!

These past few days at home have been sort of eye opening and “different,” for me. The last time I actually lived at home with my family was over a year ago and as much as I love my family, of course they can be aggravating (it’s the best part that makes up a family.) I think that this summer is going to be full of learning in many areas of my life. And yes I would like to think that I have learned a lot already and I’m done, but I know that I am oh so far away from that which I also like.

Its weird in high school all I wanted to do was leave my hometown, to get away from everything that was here and all of the people, have a new start. Once I got to college, I missed my family the most and the fact that I needed to grow up. I came home a lot that first year, but then the next few not so much. I have seen a change in myself and I like it, but I wouldn’t call it the new me because I enjoy the old me too ha.

So I am home, and I know that things will be “different” for me and I guess I can only expect that, but the Lord has his plans for me too and I don’t want to miss out on them so as much as I do not want to work as this restaurant I know that there is a reason.

I also know that my friends play a huge role in my life and they always have. My friends are my world (I have found this out within the past 5/6 years), but they change. Ah yes the word again scary right! They leave, stay, come back etc. and it takes work to keep them, but there is only so much one person can do.

And as you stay, leave, and come back, you change! As much as you think you want friendships to last sometimes they aren’t meant too or maybe they are and that extra work being put into them is tiresome. Just know that there are two people in the relationship and relationships take a lot of work, but the result in the end is a beautiful friendship is both people are willing to share.

Everyday since I have been home, I have thought about my life at school. My friends, work, the town, etc. anything and it has almost brought tears and I don’t understand why, I love being home and was so homesick before finals. So why do I miss it? I enjoy hanging out with my friends from home and fitting back into my families activities, but its not the same. Ah I feel the “C” word creeping up again…

I am almost done with college (maybe), and I am not going to lie it is EXTREMELY scary. I want to remember this summer for all of the good things it brings. As much as I miss every part of being away at school, I want to enjoy my time at home too. My life at school is going to have to cooperate with my life along with my families routine here at home and if not I will have to accommodate.

Sorry for such a sappy post, but I hope to use this as a learning experience in a latter post. Being young is fun, exciting, tiresome, scary, different and all of those things in between, but my goal is to learn about all of it and experience the living word as it grows in me!

I cannot wait to write more about my internship and I am sure I will have plenty of stories about work, until then keep reading and feel free to comment, I would love to know if anyone is reading!

• To leave off on a happy/sad note, went to go see Letters to Juliet tonight with momma and I recommend seeing it, two thumbs up (f.y.i-chick flick see it with your mom/daughter/grandma/sister/friend lots of fun)

Of course everything is running through my head from clothing I would love to purchase, summer jobs, and a wedding shower I am helping to plan, so I get a new idea and then ask my BFF  GOOGLE to find me more information. I thought about turning my computer off and that will probably happen after this, but man oh man my focus is just off tonight.

The past few days the aura of graduation and making a life of my own has been just mingling above my head taunting me in a way and I have been trying to dissect it and understand it. I am having mixed feelings… part of me is excited to see what is to come, to find new adventures of my own and make a new path for myself, but (oh yes and there is always a BUT…) the other half of me is scared to leave everything, college, my friends/ family, the everyday “routine” that I have made for myself, sort of like my own little world/box.

My Mom is constantly telling me get out of your box, make new friends (especially when there is friend drama) and I do not have a problem with that, but will I just abandon everything I already have? Just drop everything… The other day my roommate since freshman year has (sort of) decided she may be graduating early and for some particular reason resonated with me really badly.

Kind of like reality smacked me in the face and was like YUP here I am face me and I am not going to lie I became a nervous wreck, so as I am studying for these last few finals of my junior year I know that once they are completed it will end and I will become a Senior. I am constantly looking to the Lord and asking O.K where do I go from here and he always reassures me that tomorrow is another day, another day for him to guide me through his footsteps.

My summer plans were all a mess less than a month ago and as soon as I let some things go and fully relied on God,  all of the pieces just fell into place and I am so thankful to say that I have an internship and a summer job. As I talk with friends, everyone seems to be in different places some with no clue what they are doing this summer and some with amazing opportunities else where in the country.

Going through finals is nothing new for me now, yes new classes and maybe a few new ways of doing things, but the reward and the satisfaction of knowing your did your all and finished up the semester is exteremly refreshing. If you are in this situation of panic/stress or as I like to call it the emotional roller coaster of college, just know you are not the only one and it is not the end of the world…

So just sit back, manage your time well, sleep and enjoy these days (as cliche as that sounds) because they go by quickly and before you know it your done

Also for your entertainment please enjoy my new girly video of the week…the one and only Miley Cyrus

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b179357_exclusive_miley_cyrus_cant_be_tamed.html