Packing Adventures and My Last Night At Home

So, packing was an adventure in itself. Thank goodness for my mom because I don't think I would have been able to do it without her! She is a genius when it comes to making odd shaped things fit in even odder open spaces in a suitcase. It was amazing watching how much stuff she was able to stuff into 2 checked bags and 2 carry on bags. Oh, and don't forget, checked bags have to be 50 lbs. or less! Let me tell you, it was a nightmare trying to get the bags to the weight requirements. But, it was kind of funny watching as my dad kept standing on the bathroom scale with each of my suitcases in turn. In the end, after countless hours of repacking and rearranging and double checking to make sure I had everything I needed, I am proud to announce that I am packed and ready for Walt Disney World!! However, according to my mom, the minute I open my suitcases in Florida, they are going to explode like a can of trick peanuts from a joke shop! (Oh, I really hope THAT doesn't happen!)

This is my last night at home. I spent it with my family and my boyfriend, Michael. It was decided that we would have hamburgers on the grill for dinner (my sisters have also decided that this is going to be my welcome home dinner in January) and watch the movie "Up in the Air" with George Clooney and  Anna Kendrick (from the Twilight Saga movies). However, we had to keep pausing it because the phone kept ringing or the dogs were barking. And then my mom, sisters and I took a 30 minute field trip over to my grandparents' house to pick up some dress clothes that my grandma was altering for me (thus leaving Michael and my dad together along. Still not sure if that was a good idea or not. LOL.) In the end, er only made it about 40 minutes into the movie because none of us found it very entertaining. Maybe one day we'll finish it, I guess it's suppose to be really good or funny or something. (If you've seen it, let me know when it starts getting good.)  So, needless to say, we opted out of movie night. For the rest of the evening, Michael and I, and occasionally my sister, too, talked, laughed and played on facebook and YouTube. I had a blast just hanging out with my family and Michael tonight. I am going to miss each of them so much. And as funny as it sounds, I was doing everything possible not to start crying over my hamburger just knowing that it would be the last home-cooked meal my parents will have prepared for me for the next 5 months. All night long I was choking back tears; sometimes I was successful, other times the flood gates opened wide.

The hardest part of the evening so far was saying goodbye to Michael. Before he left, I made him eat his very first EVER snowman ice cream bar. He saw the pictures I posted of us eating them during our Christmas in July celebration and mentioned once he'd never seen them before. So, me being me, decided it was time to fix that problem. So, I took pictures of him eating his ice cream and then we took one final picture together (in my garage of all places! Hahaha!). It was so hard watching him pull out of the driveway and head for his own house. I had tears rolling down my cheeks long before he even made it out of the drive. I knew it would be hard to say goodbye, I just wasn't expecting it to be that hard. So that was my night in a nutshell. Time to get some shut eye, because I've got a plane to catch bright and early. The next time you hear from me, I will either be in the air or in Florida. Until then, good night and sweet dreams! :) <3

Sleep Facts

1. The last thing I do before going to sleep is plug in my cell phone and turn on the radio.


2. When I can't sleep I toss and turn, trying to get comfortable. When that doesn’t work, I read a book with a flashlight. Within 30 minutes I’m usually tired enough to sleep.

3. The first thing I do when I wake up is crack my back. LOL… sad, but true.


4. When I'm tired I get moody, it is usually accompanied by a migraine.

5. My dream bedroom would be described as calm. It would remind me of the ocean. The walls would be different shades of blue with accents of grey. There would be big windows, French doors with a balcony just outside. The atmosphere would be light and airy. There would be book shelves and an area dedicated to relaxing with a good book. The comforter and pillows would be comfy, soft and plush. My room would be set at the perfect temperature, a little cooler than the rest of the house.

6. If I could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning it would be on a beautiful tropical island in the world’s most comfortable bed.


7. The longest sleep I've ever had was when I was really sick last semester. I think I slept for 15 hours or more every day until I felt more like me.

8. I sleep on my side, however it varies depending which side becomes comfortable first. But I seem to favor my right a little more.

9. When I sleep, I like to wear shorts and a tank top. Maybe a hoodie if it’s really cold.

10. My bedtime is usually sometime between 11:30pm and 12:30am.

Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my family to yours! My family and I celebrated "Christmas" with snowman ice cream bars. It was a fun night. However, my sister Megan wasn't feeling the festivities, so we started calling her Ms. Scrooge! But we still love her! Here's some pictures from the celebration! ;)

The picture proving what day it is! Hahaha.

My sister Macayla and I enjoying our snowmen ice cream bars!

Ms. Scrooge herself

Working is SOMETIMES fun to do.....

Well, it's summer, and that means working full time. It's not that bad though, I like my job. I work with a great group of people and we have a blast together everyday! Well last week, we were shifting books around on the floor trying to make more space when we ran into the most awful thing..... DUST BUNNIES EVERYWHERE! And they were HUGE! So, being the model employees that we are, we form "The Cleaning Patrol!!" 

We busted out the Swiffer Duster and the Swiffer Wet Jet and went to town dusting and scrubbing the shelves. We couldn't believe how gross it was! To the three of us, it appeared as if the dust had been collecting for 20 or more years (here's hoping it hadn't been!!) Those shelves were looking good by the time we were done with them.... a NOTICEABLE difference in the color and all the sticky and stained messes were removed! If the books could talk, they'd be singing our praises due to our mad cleaning skills!! :)

After cleaning maybe 7 shelves... Yes, they really were that disgusting!! 

No dust bunnies, dirt, grime or caked-on messes stand a chance against me and my Swifer wet! We are a dangerous force to be messed with.

In other news, the countdown to Disney continues! There are only 50 more days remaining before I embark on my Disney adventure!! And it's crazy, I still have so much to do! I'm discovering that time is disappearing and I have no clue where it has gone! But, I'm on top of the situation as I have started compiling a list of all the things I need to remember to take with me. I still feel like I'm missing important things on that list! Ahh!!!

Question for you all, if you were leaving home for 5 1/2 months, what kinds of things would you take? Your apartment has a bed, desk, locker, fridge and other small homey touches like dishes, pots and pans. Remember, whatever you take has to fit in your suitcase because you are flying down, or in a box that you family will mail after you get your address. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

First Day of Summer!

Classes are done. Finals have been taken. Project and papers have been turned in. Summer has officially started! So how did I spend my first day out of school yesterday?! I spent the day at the park with Michael. From there I went to a doctor appointment and then it was on to Wal*Mart where we wasted time before going to see Iron Man 2 (which was SO much better than the first one). Overall, it was a wonderful day...no worries, no stress, no strict schedule to keep. Just what I've been needing for the last few weeks. And to top off the evening, a severe thunder storm hit (that I got to drive home in). I love storms, they relax me as weird as that sounds! But anyways, here are a few pictures from our adventures in the park.

Relay for Life 2010

We each walked for different reasons, in remembrance of different people and with our own experiences to guide us. But together, we walked to have a say in the fight against cancer. With each step we took, it was a deceleration that one day, however near or far away that is, that one extremely joyous day, a cure will be found. That one day, we might live in a world where lives are not ruled and lost to this terrible disease.

We pounded the track through the cold, wind and heavy rain for 24 hours. And still, that is nothing compared to the fight people young and old are in to reclaim their lives from cancer. Our feet may be wet and tired and sore now, but we are helping to build a stronger, brighter and happier tomorrow for so many people.

I walked in remembrance of my Uncle Al. I walked to give support to a great organization. And I walked so I could be surrounded with individuals that are stronger mentally and emotionally than myself, so that one day I might be able to follow their example of strength and courage.

This was such a great experience and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to participate. I was touched deeply by the speakers, one from a cancer survivor who is only a few weeks older than myself and then from a care-taker who had lost her father and grandfather to cancer, and her little sister who is 15 is currently battling cancer. After they both spoke, the lights went out and the music was turned off, and together, everyone that was at the track at 11pm Saturday night walked a lap in silence to honor and remember those that have passed. As I walked, I read every name on the Luminaries.

On Every bag there is a name, for every name there was a person, and for every person there is a story that should never be forgotten.

For me, this event represented fighting for life, love and happiness. I pushed myself farther than I ever have before. When I wanted to quit and go home to where it was warm and dry, I pushed myself harder, knowing that whatever I was going through would never compare to the pain and suffering of those with cancer. I gave everything I had, and left all my doubts, fears, blood, sweat and tears on that track. I pushed past the pain and kept on walking, even if it meant at times I was barely moving forward.

I set goals for myself and I held myself accountable for them. And when I reached that goal, I knew I had the strength to make and complete another. And that's what I did! I told myself I wanted to walk at least 30 laps. I reached that goal by Saturday early afternoon. Then I decided I could walk 50 laps. I took my VICTORY LAP (lap 51) at 9:09am Sunday. That was a total of 12.75 miles, and when I saw how close I was to completing a half marathon (13.1 miles), I KNEW I had 2 more laps left in me. And I am proud to inform you that I completed my first half marathon at 10:19am Sunday. For my 53 laps, I ended up walking a total of 13.25 miles, a little more than a half marathon! I was near tears as the realization of what I had just completed overwhelmed me.

It was then that I knew with all certainty that I had done my part. It was then that I felt I could stop. It was then that I discovered what kind of individual I am striving to become. It was in those moments that I knew nothing in this world will ever slow me down or keep me from reaching my dreams and goals as long as I am willing to put forth the effort to fight for them. THAT is what I have taken from Relay for Life 2010. And I am already looking forward to next year's event!

And this Ladies and Gentlemen, was when I reached 13.25 miles!!! In other words, a HALF MARATHON!! :D

I would also like to publicly thank the 20 people who came out to walk with our team. They battled the cold, rain and wind when they could have stayed home. We would have understood, but we were so glad that they were dedicated to helping our cause. Also, I want to thank everyone who donated to the American Cancer Society under my name. Your support and faith in me means more than I can express to you in words. So thank you.

Relay For Life

Dear Friends and Family,

On Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 , I will be helping save lives from cancer by taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, and I’m hoping you will support me.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives people in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

In addition to helping people celebrate, remember, and fight back, Relay For Life also helps raise much-needed funds and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer and create more birthdays.

Please support me in my efforts by visiting my personal web page to make a secure, tax-deductible online donation.

Every donation really does make a difference. I know that times are tighter than normal for many of us, but any amount you can give truly can help save lives.

You see, thanks to your support, the American Cancer Society can:

• Help people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it’s most treatable
• Help people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience
• Find cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it
• Fight back by working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rally communities worldwide to join the fight

Each of us has our own reasons for caring about the fight against cancer … whatever your reasons, I hope you’ll choose to make a difference by making a donation online to support my efforts. I’m so grateful to have great people like you in my life who want to see an end to cancer in our lifetime. Together we can save lives.

Thank you, and I will keep you updated on my progress.

To learn more about Relay For Life, please visit our Relay For Life information page.