A New Chapter

As of today I am completely done with my undergraduate career. I have given my final presentation and turned in my last portfolio. There was a loud cheer (and scolding) as all the Spring 2011 interns gave away their portfolios. Yesterday was the final day of my internship and it was bittersweet. As much as I have loved being there, I'm definitely ready for a break. Working full time at an internship, part-time at a job, and going to class two days a week can get to a person. I'm thankful it has come to an end. It was nice to see everyone today and talk about our internships and future plans. Some have acquired jobs though their internships, some are going to graduate school, and other still do not know what they want to do; however, we were all thankful we had the opportunity to do an internship to get a taste of the "real world".

After our internship meeting I had the opportunity to get lunch with some wonderful ladies (and man) and just talk. It was great to catch up because two of the girls were interning in Atlanta. It was also very encouraging at a time when things are so uncertain with graduation only 8 days away.

 Casey, Jackie, me, Rebekah

After lunch I was blessed to get to spend time with two more friends and head to Macon to search for a graduation dress. It was much needed stress relief after a semester of interning and going to class.

Overall it has been a very wonderful day filled with blessings. I have wonderful friends, I'm about to graduate, and I'm going back to school. I'd say I'm one lucky girl.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

--b

So, I Guess You Should Know....

At the end of last week I found out that I had been accepted for the summer! I will be taking my final two prerequisite courses for the MAT program in the Fall. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. HOPE does not cover anything past your undergraduate degree, so I will have to take out loans. I have had numerous people tell me it will be worth it, but it still hurts to feel as though I'm signing my life away. Regardless, I'm thankful to have an education and the ability to obtain the money I need to cover the cost of my education. I know that I'm one blessed girl and I am constantly reminded! It's a week and 5 days to graduation and I give my final undergraduate presentation on Thursday. It's also the last week of my internship. I can't believe it's almost over. The past 16 weeks, not to mention the past four years, have flown by so quickly. As I take the time to look back I can't help but notice how much I've grown as a person. I've learned so much about who I am, and I am so thankful for that. 

The Most Spectaular One Year

This past Saturday Kyle and I celebrated our one year anniversary. All last week I wanted to know what, if anything, we were doing; finally I wore him down to telling me he had a plan. I was told later in the week that plan fell through, but he wouldn't tell me what it was because I would be mad.

So, instead, we went with our friends Casper and Alyssa to the Liberty Antique Tractor Pull. I joke that he bought me McDonald's and a t-shirt for our one year, but I had no idea what was to come. Surprisingly I had a great time at the tractor pull and really want to go to the next one. We talked about doing a cook out Sunday night since I was off and he would be off early. If I haven't mentioned already he's a wonderful cook!

He called me Sunday when he left work and told me he didn't feel like cooking. Immediately I asked what we were doing instead, I was hungry! I suggested the Golden Coral (or the Den Ral, it's actually pretty good!) but he said no. When he got home he told me that he had plans, and then said that I needed to be ready to go dressed nice by 6:30. All he would tell me was I needed to wear a dress. I got ready and he came to pick me up. He looked so handsome, but he still wouldn't tell me where we were going.

After about 45 minutes we ended up at Linger Longer at the Ritz Carlton in Greensboro, GA. It burned about a year ago and has just recently reopened. I had no idea we were going there. When we arrived the hostess already knew we were celebrating our anniversary, actually everyone did. My favorite was the waitress who told us "congratulations". Anyway, I digress. We were seated and our waiter came over and asked if we wanted drinks, after ordering he came back and told us Oliver had wine for us. He had a 2004 bottle of Syrah, the best red wine I've ever had. We were then brought an appetizer of scallops over creamed corn.It was all so good. Kyle ordered the lamb with steamed asparagus and I had the fillet mignon with a loaded baked potato. All evening our waiter told us to save room for dessert, but I had no idea the chocolate souffle would be so wonderful. When our waiter brought the check he also brought us homemade cotton candy! It was delicious!

After dinner we went to the hotel to take a walk around. It is a beautiful place!

It was the most amazing one year date night I've ever had. I'm blessed to have such a wonderful boyfriend!

Catch up!

So let me catch you up on what's been going on recently.

Things have been hectic and life is moving 90 miles an hour! Especially since it's the end of the semester. Sadly our kids didn't place at poultry, or even do well really. But it was an all around good day. Sadly; however, I didn't sleep that night because among the many gifts my mother has given me she also gave me restless legs. So about the time I would fall asleep I would immediately be woken back up. It was a very long night.

I'm also trying to focus on the positive things right now. Such as:

• I passed the US History test!!!!
• I graduate in 24 days!
• I've had a wonderful internship experience
• I've got wonderful friends who are there for me even when I fall short.
• I have a wonderful family, all of which are so supportive!
• I have a job, even if it sucks, it's a job.
• I've had the opportunity to touch the life of a child. And that's the best feeling.

Speaking of touching the life of a child, one of my favorite quotes from 4-H has been said by Dr. Bo, our previous State 4-H leader:

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch the life of a child.

--b

The Storms of Life

It's been storming  a lot lately, and, if you know me, you know I'm terrified of storms. However, I'm learning to appreciate them. When Monday's storm passed through around 2 a.m.  I had just arrived downtown to pick my boyfriend and his friend up after a night out. No sooner had I told them to let's go then the storm began. Now, keep in mind I'm in Amici in Milledgeville when this happens. They have giant floor to ceiling windows, so I have  a front row seat for the entire thing. About 5 minutes after the storm begins the lights go out. This was definitely a new experience. However, with the lights out and the rain coming down sideways, I noticed how powerful storms are and how it really is a metaphor for life. This is definitely relevant to my life right now with everything that seems to be going wrong. As I was researching for a Bible verse about the storms of life I was reminded of the Matt Redmon song "You Never Let Go"; more specifically the part that reads:

And even when I'm caught in the storms of this life

I won't turn back

I know You are near.

-- Matt Redmon

This is something else I am working to keep in mind. After the terrible storm that occurred in the early-morning hours on Monday I've noticed only beauty. The sky seems more blue and everything has began to bloom. I am learning to appreciate what life has to offer and live in the moment. As graduation approaches (in 30 days!) I am working to enjoy every last moment of my undergraduate career, despite what the storms of life hold for me. He knows the plan, thank goodness.

--b