"You can give love and kindness to everyone. You can share love and kindness with very few."

Your love is greater than whatever may come.

Clearly I really suck at doing a blog. Updating it a few times in one year is a failure. So I promise to start trying to be better. Not that anyone reads this.

I am in New Mexico. In one years time I have lived in three different states. I have traveled through 17 states. I have gotten my Masters, but really I have gotten so much more. I have grown as an individual and as a human being as a whole more than I ever thought I would.
I have learned what and who to truly love and value in my life, although that one was a lot harder than I'd like to admit.

The past year is one that I will never be able to fully put into words. It was incredible, a struggle, life changing, tough, fun, and so much more. I found out who my true friends are, and as cliche as it sounds, it's true. I met someone who is the love of my life, that gets me (and puts up with me) no matter what. But also isn't afraid to put me in my place when I need a reality check.

As we grow some things never change. And I've learned that's ok. But as my aunt has said lately,

"Your love is greater than whatever may come."


That has proven to be the truth the past year. And not just the lovey dovey romantic love. I mean the true love of friends and family and strangers, just wanting to support you and be there for you. The love that can save one's life. The love that through think and thin, is always there.
And I am so thankful for that love. Because without it, I don't know where I would be.

A little YMCA- Muncie Style

A few of the many pictures I've taken...

The SAAHE Cohort 2010-2011 @ Wessel's House...

Great girls who I admire oh so much...
CHIRP CHIRP!!

The boy... :)

Great friends... great memories
Not everyday do you see camels.... in Indiana...
Amber's birthday...
Pretty Fall leaves...

A random trip to Ohio one night...

The Chili Cookoff in Farmland, IN
The Fort Night... What started it all...
DAVID LETTERMAN!!!
Josh stopped by Muncie to say hi!!

Holy Crap

So it's been almost 6 months since I last blogged. I can't believe it. I have no idea where to start, as there are too many memories and not enough words to explain everything.

In the past months, I have grown up so much.

I have finally learned how to be ok by myself. And not in a depressing way. I've finally learned how to be ok with spending a Friday or Saturday night by myself, doing something for me.

I've learned I really enjoy to bake or cook random things- even if they aren't always the best. Cupcakes are my stress reliever, and I am finally a true Hoosier as I have made no bake cookies and buffalo chicken dip. Win.

The past six months I have certainly learned who my true friends are, and who I can always count on.

One thing I've learned- no matter how far I am, my family are the closest and most reliable people I can have here for me. My parents and sister are so incredibly supportive, and even so far away I feel like I can lean on them no matter what is going on here.

It is a weird thing to be across the country in a one year program. I've noticed that everyone changes, whether you are in the situation or not. That may not make sense, but when I moved here I got down that everyone at home seemed to change, and I was staying the same. I in fact was the one who had changed the most. I had moved away, and I was completely alone. I was learning the ways of a new town, a new school, and not living in the residence halls. It was all so wonderful.

The past six months I've lost a friend to a tragic war, let go of an old love, lost contact with someone I thought I would have in my life forever, checked out a book from the school library, went to the James Dean festival, fell in love with the Windy City, fell in love with a boy from Iowa, got a tattoo with my sister, got a cat, spent New Years Eve in Times Square, baked over six dozen cupcakes in one night, did a happy dance in my apartment tipsy to Rihanna, slept in way later than I ever had, experienced my first drag show (that was kick ass!), met David Letterman, survived Snow/Icepocalypse 2011, wrote a 25 page paper with over 20 references, and made some lifelong friends, among many, many other things.

I've learned that I only have me. And in the end, we are all alone, but at least we are all together in that. Thank God for P.S. I Love You. I am so thankful for everything and everyone that has come in and out of my life.

Life is an amazing thing. I'm so lucky to have everything I have. I have experienced love and loss. I have experienced tears and smiles. And I have experienced the smallest thank yous and the biggest hugs.

So I'm (for the most part) all settled into my cozy apartment in Muncie, IN. My roommate Maren did such a great job finding the perfect apartment for us. I have a kinda small room, but perfect for me because it restricts how much stuff I can have in it, which will help with moving. And bonus- my room has a walk in closet, which i LOVE. Storage room, closet, dresser, it's all perfect.

Lately in Muncie it's been bout 85 degrees, but with 80% humidity the heat index has been at about 98 degrees. So if you are outside for more than 1.4 minutes, it's miserable.

I was SO lucky to have my dad here to help me move in and settle in my place this past week. I had such a great time with him! We moved in and settled one day, explored Ball State the next, did some more exploring of Muncie the next day (Model Airplane Museum= Win), and went to Indianapolis the day before he left and went to the Indy 500 Speedway and explored downtown Indy. I loved it. It was so nice to have him here to help with the logistics of everything.

Also, my roommate is gone for a week and a half, so I would have been by myself until school started, but I was lucky enough to have him here to cook dinner for and watch pointless television.

This town is amazing. It's totally a college town. I love it so much. I keep thinking the campus is going to be way too big to figure out in such a small amount of time, but surprisingly I've got it figured out. I stopped by my office (The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs), and instantly fell in love with everyone I met in there. I have a great office, possibly the size of my bedroom, and I'm so excited to start working with students.

Since I suck at this blogging thing, I will probably post another blog with pictures of my place, campus, etc. Just as I was about to leave to finish up the little things like payroll, parking pass, etc, the maintenance guy showed up at our place. So I figured why not blog?

I start my assistantship this week and am stoked. I dont have a set training date to start right now, but pretty much this week I get to welcome the freshman and hand out pens and stuff like that. It's like ASUU all over again! I can't wait! Then next week I'll start having my set hours and everything in the office, along with start classes.

Last Friday I went to dinner with about 15 people from my cohort and it just added another level of excitement. We have had a SAAHE group on facebook and were friends with each other on FB, but it was great to finally meet people and get to know them better. Some of us are going to dinner tonight which will be really fun. I love getting to know people who are as excited as I am about student affairs, Ball State and life. Also, it's fun to explain Utah to them ;)

Well I am off to explore the depths of campus and melt in the humidity and heat, but I will post pictures soon. :)

I miss Utah terribly, but I also am so happy here it's hard to be down for too long.

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you."

GADDRT Part 3!!