Plans Change. And That's Okay.

"For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans for your well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11

It took the most drastic life change this summer to convince me that over the course of my lifetime the plans we as mortal beings make are forever subject to change. The possibility of change doesn't just exist, but it is by our own hands that a change can occur.  Our plans can never be definite, nor will they ever be. The only plans that exist that will always remain the same are the ones that the Lord has made for us, individually and collectively.  In no way are we capable of changing those plans, let alone becoming knowledgable of what they may be before they happen.

Sometimes our plans collide with His. When this happens, our plans are the ones that fail, and it is at this time that we might doubt the course along which our lives are going.  But the question is "WHY?" Why would I begin to believe that everything will crumble, that I will not succeed, that I will not be happy if my plans do not work out? Why would I ever even consider that my plans are perfect, that my plans are right?

I thought I had everything figured out; where I wanted to go to college, what I wanted to study, who I wanted to be. But my version of my future was quickly interrupted by the news that I would be moving to a different state, 3,000 miles away, for my senior year. My world shattered. Everything I thought I knew didn't make sense anymore. With a bitter heart and absolutely no acknowledgment of God's bigger picture, I made the trek and spent the summer away from the only friends I thought I would ever have. I couldn't have been any more wrong.
Sure, the transition was difficult at first, but things began to look up and the pieces of my formerly dismembered life began to fall into place. The level of comfortability in a foreign place increased, I was making friends very quickly, and I was finally feeling happy again. Right after that initial feeling of official settlement, applying for college needed to take place. I had dragged my idea of an ideal college experience across the country, assuming that it could still apply here. Close-mindedly, I refused to take my parents' suggestions and requests to heart because I thought I knew what was best for me. Again, I couldn't have been any more wrong.
It took enduring kidney malfunctions not even 5 months after my last episode to realize that I don't know what I'm talking about. My plans are not perfect. They are not right.

My plan for the next part of my life has changed.  It has only changed because God's unalterable plan for me has continued to unfold, revealing several surprises and a few sorry wake-up calls. I've decided that going to back to the east coast for college isn't going to work for me; leaving the state may not even be the greatest idea. I've also decided that going to school even just an hour away from home isn't as bad as I previously conceived it to be. In fact, that may be what I'm supposed to do, it may be what I will do.

I hate to think that God knows me better than I will ever be capable of. His version of my future is much better for me, much more individualized than I could ever make it.  The life that He has laid out for me is the one that I want to live, however, sometimes my plans for myself get in the way of remembering that.  Having moved here has opened my eyes, splashed some cold water on my face; my former life with my old friends, at my old school, in a different state, has ended. This doesn't mean that communication won't take place or that visits won't occur, but it does mean that the plan isn't what I thought it would be; the outcome will change, and that's okay.

Every chapter in every book has an ending, including the first chapter of mine.  This plot twister was not in my version of my life story. However, it is indubitably in God's, which then leads me to believe that this is only the beginning of the next chapter. It's as if God is saying to me, "Welcome to Chapter 2," also known as "The Best Thing (Thus Far) That Has Happened to Me."

What A Blessing (I thought this posted a month ago)

Wow. I apologize for my extremely slack-ish attitude towards this blog. I hope no one has been waiting on the edge of their seats for a new post... not that there's any reason for anyone to get excited about my entries...
So much has happened in the last couple of months: I went back to NC by myself the first week in August... and it finally hit me that I don't live in NC anymore. Pretty depressing if you ask me. Though I had tons of fun, I hated having to do the whole "cries and goodbyes" thing again. MAN, DID I MISS THE BEACH! I cannot say, however, that I missed the weather. Driving by my old house was so melancholic...

Following my trip to NC, school started. It is amazing. Who would've thought I'd love it so much! I'm meeting amazing people and I'm surprised by how happy I am here. Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings... Of course I wish I could have all of my besties here with me...

I wish it was easier to put all of my experiences and feelings into words, but it's not at all.  The past two months have been CRAZY busy but CRAZY amazing.  My school has made going to school incredible. I've been missing out on so much, whether it be the classes, the worship opportunities, the people, or the activities that go on here.  This is all just such a blessing.

Man Oh Man Oh Manning!

   I finally got a paycheck... and I only got paid for 16 hours. It's kind of annoying that they need 6 buffer days before they release the paychecks... which means I have to wait until the 6th for the other 40 hours... This is dumb. I want my money! :P
   My grandparents flew back to Tennessee yesterday, so after dropping them off at the airport, my family went to the ZOO!! It's awesome. So, so awesome.  A new elephant exhibit just opened, and if you know me, my mom didn't have to ask me twice about going :P  I got some pretty awesome pics, I'll upload some as I just realized I never do that anymore. My bad...
   Today, my family of four went to the Broncos' open practice and I saw PEYTON MANNING :O However, it started pouring on us and they cancelled the practice, so we left. I think we are going back on Sunday because we can get autographs and pictures with some of the players :D
   I've finally been able to admit that I like my job.  I've been working so much lately and honestly,  sometimes it's better than sitting at home. I have a lot of fun there, depending on who's working with me. Lately, I've been with my favorite manager so there's a lot of laughing and crazy stuff going on when we're not busy.
   Today was my day off and for the first time this week, I've been lazy ever since we got home... I'm so tired today!! But I woke up with a sore throat and a headache that refuses to go away regardless of things I do to try to make it go away. Hopefully whatever this is will go away before I leave on Tuesday. Oh yeah, 4 more days guys!!!!!!! If I wasn't working nearly everyday, I would be pathetically anxious every moment that I'm awake. Thankfully, it's been able to take my mind off of thinking about how much time until I get to leave. I'd rather get excited the night before instead of freaking out for a week about it.
   Colfax Avenue and Broadway downtown Denver. Music heaven. 3 records stores and, like, 4 theaters, two of which I'll hopefully be going to in the fall! I cannot wait to collect a little more bank and then hit the record storessssss! I'm really excited about that if you couldn't tell. And there's some really awesome eateries all over the place! Too bad there's not enough time in every day to do everything!!
  After listening to the new Passion Pit album on a loop about 10 times in the last two days, I decided to see if they were going to be touring in my area soon. Of course they WERE. Yeah. They were scheduled at Red Rocks the 7th of August (the day I come home from NB) but they CANCELLED THEIR PERFORMANCE. WHAT IN THE WORLD? WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING.  So, then I decided to see if they were going to be anywhere else near me. Yeah. They WERE. In Boulder. BUT THEY CANCELLED THAT SHOW, TOO. WHYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  I'm just a tad bit upset about that.
   If you've never heard of WAKEY!WAKEY! you should look it up. Good tunes. Really, really good tunes.
Okay, that is all. Now I must go battle myself...To work out, or not to work out....

Here Comes The Sun

I was supposed to get my pay check over 4 days ago.... what the heckkkkk!
I went shopping with my mamaw today and I hit up some fantastic sales at the nearby outlet mall. Pretty awesome. Gotta get some new cute stuff to wear in New Bern next week ;D
This evening, my parents are grandparents are at James Taylor's concert at Red Rocks. And I am jealous. Except, apparently it's been raining off and on, causing Mr. Taylor to leave the stage while they wait for the rain to stop, then they have to dry off everything, and then he come back.  I guess he wasn't in the mood to get electrocuted today. What a shame. I GOT AN EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT TODAYYYYY!!!!!!!!! I am handed this 10 pound box, thinking, "what the heck is this?!" And then I open it enough to see what it is.... AND OH MY GOOODNESSSS GRACIOUSNESSSSS. The UK Beatles Collection box! With 14 LPs! A "Rarity" album, and all of it is in INCREDIBLE CONDITION, having been owned by my dad's dad. Released in 1978... not all of the albums have even been listened to! I wanted to pee all over myself I was so excited. Talk about one of the best birthday presents EVER. I've been listening to The Beatles for about 3 hours now.. Only gotten through 2 and a half albums... currently on Abbey Road. (: THANK GOD for having a record player and an extremely musically interested side of the family. I also got a bunch of other records that aren't in as great of condition, but they're still awesome... Steve Miller Band, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver, Neil Diamond... some great stuff. Yeah. So that was kind of the purpose of this post. Because I couldn't think of anything else to say and I've been slacking off on this thing, which pokes at my guilty conscience a little bit.. so YEAH!
Oh! Darling(s) I AM SO HAPPY.

My Feet Hurt.

    Well, I'd love to say that I haven't posted in a while because I'm have enormous loads of fun, so much fun that I totally forgot I swore on my life I'd keep up with the blog... BUT... instead, I've been working my booty off (yes, I got a job) making moolaah to pay my parents back for the tank of gas I needed AND the PLANE TICKETS TO GET ME HOME FOR A WEEK. Yes. I am coming back to the bern for the first week in August. I'm staying with one of several families back home (the Hopkins') and if you wanna do something or just see my lovely face that you have missed ever so much ;), text me or call me of FB me, and hopefully we can arrange something.  I do know for a fact that the majority of the time I am in NC, my butt will be chilling in the sand at the beaccchhh.. So, yeah.  See you the first week in August...call me maybe?
   So, to make up for the failure of keeping you updated on life out here, it's been crazy.  As I posted previously, I had been on a serious job hunt... that was not going so well. At the point at which I had shared that info, I had probably only applied to 10-ish places... try tripling that before I actually got my first job offer. Of course I had to take it, even if it wasn't my first choice of venue... it's still a job that puts some cash in my pocket. It's a burger/custard place... I really don't love the actual job part of it, but the majority of the people working along side me are awesome. I've only been working for a week and I've already picked out my favorite managers and coworkers who love me. It's super fun, actually. We joke around, laugh, and somehow make such menial tasks entertaining.  I'm currently the favorite newbie... I'm already buddy-buddy with two of my managers, one of which asks me to stay late because she doesn't want me to leave, and the other is super appreciative of my quietness (and because I burn her CDs. (: ) The custard is so amazing... if anyone ever comes out to visit me, I can ya hook up with some free deliciousness!
    There's also this place a few minutes from my house that makes the best french toast I've ever had, and you get free pie with every meal on Wednesdays. So great.
   I honestly don't know what else there is to share....... I've been working so much lately, and then going to the dentist and doctor.. So yeah. Life isn't exactly exciting.  My grandparents are coming to visit for a week, but I'll be working a lot during their visit.. So yeah.
  OH! I went to see my new guidance counselor to set up my schedule for senior year... She doesn't like me. And the whole thing stressed me out... I can't really successfully take Latin next year and I'm BUMMED AS ALL GET OUT. I do get to take an advanced science class that combines organic chemistry, biochemistry, and astronomy... I'm kinda excited! I'm also taking a ceramics class and I joined the worship team which is supposed to uber amounts of fun. Calc AB, Brit Lit, College Writing Prep, Gov't, Women's Health & Christian Choices, General Fitness... Late starts every other week I think..... Yeah, I think I got it all. I think it'll be okay.. minus no latin. Sum tristis. :(
  I keep finding out that ALLLLL of my favorite bands are playing somewhere within minutes of my house and it repeatedly makes me extremely excited. How about a little more Kimbra, some Best Coast, followed by some Two Door Cinema Club? Yes please. Want an even legitimate reason to come out to Denver? The music scene is crazy unbelievable.
So.... I think that's about it, for now at least... MY SISTER TURNED 21 TODAY! Happy Birthday, Bridgetttttttttt(:
I'll try to do a little better with keeping this thing updated! Sorrrrrryyyy for the delay, if anyone has really been intently reading this... haha if it's not worth it, let me know... :P
LOVE YOU GUYS!!! <3 I MISS EVERYONE'S FACES!!!!
 

I Got A Job

Guys, I got a job.
See you in August. (:

You Don't Know What A Rave Is Until You've Been There

In light of the recent absences of new posts, I'd like to begin this entry by saying I've had a wonderful past few days. I got to see family this weekend, brought my cousin Abbey home with me for a few days, and just returned from the MOST FUN AND AMAZING CONCERT EVER.
   Sunday, we drove up to Beaver Creek (where my family vacations to ski and where my grandparents have a condo) because my mom's family was in town.  I basically didn't see the adults much because I spent time wondering around town with my cousins and my brother, which was surprisingly enjoyable. I went out to lunch at the best pizza place ever with Abbey, had a fun photo shoot at a beautiful park in the mountains, and then had an amazing dinner, just the kids, at a delicious restaurant.  Then, after staying up extremely late watching One Tree Hill with Abbey (who is now addicted), I drove home and brought her with me!!! We spent today at the mall, getting lost, and attacking the most enormous Forever 21 I've ever seen. If you know me, I cannot go in that store without going through it with a fine tooth comb. Abbey didn't exactly appreciate the third time I went into the dressing room.... and only left the store with 2 shirts. :P  Then we rushed home, after getting lost again and driving behind buffoons who go 45 in a 75 WHILE IT'S SPRINKLING. We then rushed home to get ready to leave for the long-anticipated Foster The People concert.
    We got stuck in traffic... and somehow still managed to get amazing seats with a general admission ticket.  I can't even adequately describe the concert. Let me begin by saying that the venue was INCREDIBLE. Red Rocks Amphitheater, if you ever get the chance to go, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. So gorgeous.  Kimbra opened for them... and she is phenomenal.  She will be coming back to Denver on her own headlining tour and I'm soooooo excited--I hope I get to see her again!! Mayer Hawthorne and The County... I thought were terrible prior to the concert... but, they were really awesome! A lot like Elvis Costello, if you're into that kind of that stuff. And finally... FOSTER THE PEOPLEEEE. SO. MUCH. FUN. There were drunk people and weed smokers everywhere, but I didn't care. I was jumping up and down, screaming, dancing, calling friends so they could hear their favorite songs--it was a total rave, no lie. For Meg's entertainment, there were hipsters all over the place, and a packed theatre of 10,000 people.  It was so awesome.  I used all of my phone memory and most of the battery trying to document the entire thing because I don't want to forget it... Kinda wish I had put the phone away and just enjoyed more of the concert without being behind the camera.... Our seats were incredible. I could see everything. Row 20 or so I think... I'm exhausted now... and I have no voice whatsoever.  Pictures to follow! And maybe videos!!!
   Miss everyone! <3 Hope everyone is having a fantastic summerrrrr!!!

AHHH! I forgot.

Well, hello there, readers. It's late here in the west...and even later out on the east coast.  I randomly reminded myself that it's been a little while since I last posted, and since I'm doing anything but something productive, it'd be a good time to write.
   A couple days ago, I found out that my sister, Bridget, got into a serious accident--she was thrown off of a horse.  She is slightly injured, but considering the potential afflictions she could be facing, she is very well-off. She and I both greatly appreciate all of the love and prayers sent her way.  Hopefully she will recover as quickly as possible. Due to this small adversity, both she and Brittany will not be visiting :( But, if it is for the best, then so be it.  Along with that, my family found out that my great-grandmother passed away. I did not know her and we did not have very close relations with her. But despite all of that, it was still a sad day for my mother and her family and again we appreciate the love sent her side of the family's way especially.
    Besides all of the family "surprises" we have faced, I've been working very intently on my room.  I painted some really awesome stuff on my walls (which was the surprise for some of my friends) and I am happy to say that I finally finished, at least for now.  (Picture to follow.)  The inspiration came from a song called "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." which is the main piece of art on the wall.  The song has been both an anthem and a motto for myself and my best friends as we endure this great challenge. I found it more than just appropriate that I be able to look at it every single day to remind myself that everything will always be okay and this is not the end of the world.  Along with the actual title of the song there is a picture of a whale because the artist of the song is a band called Noah and The Whale. Get it? Good. The rest of the phrases are lyrics from either that same song or from other favorites, all representing something important to me.  "People wear their history like a map on their face.": this is from L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. It's one of my favorite lines from the songs probably because it's a reminder that I'll always wear my past and I shouldn't be afraid that it will go away or that I'll forget it. It's always there. "What you don't have now will come back again.": This is from that song as well. It's there because I'm constantly needing to hear that my friends will always be my friends and I won't be alone for long. Mostly, I see that it means whatever is missing in your life will be there again at some point. Happiness, love, companionship, whatever.  "A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh, a kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs.": This is from "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap.  I painted part of this on the side of a little box for Meg. It's one of the best things in the world simply because it describes everything I share with all of those special people in my life, it's kind of like every kind of memory in words. "I am what you see, I am not what they say.": "You'll Ask For Me by Tyler Hilton. Underneath my mirror, most likely because it makes sense. What you see is what I am. I am nothing else. A reminder to be myself maybe? Especially with having to make new friends... i don't want to change who I am just because I need new friends. They aren't worth it if they don't like me for who I've always been.  "I don't want to be how they want me to be.": "How They Want Me to Be" by Best Coast.  All the same reasons as the previous one.  Hopefully, I'll get to painting some more on the wall because I think it's really cool and it's a way to put a thousand special moments or memories in a few words so that I can be reminded of them every day.
    The last two days I've been filling out and submitting my first job applications... so boring.  So far, I've applied to Gap, Justice, and Claire's. The lady at Gymboree told me to bring back my application in August after all the college kids leave and then we'll talk.. sadly, I can't wait that long. I'll probably still take it back in case I don't like whatever job I land soon... hopefully.  I still need to apply to a lot of other places...any suggestions?
     Dana and Madison FaceTimed me this morning which was so lovely. (: I love beginning my day seeing the beautiful faces of my wonderful boofizzles back at home. They were at the beach, though, which made me SUPER JELLY! August, baby! I'm coming back to stick my toes in that sand, my face under that sun, and my feet in that ocean!!
    I finally bought a pair of Steve Madden "Laura Ingalls" boots today... and I wore them without legitimate socks. Dumbest thing ever. I think I only wore them for about 3 hours... came home, ripped them off so quickly because I felt like my feet were going to fall off, and found a very large blood stain in one of them and two extremely torn up heels. Don't think I'll be wearing those for awhile...or anything with a back for that matter. :( I really like them. They're cute.
   I finally posted pictures from my last two weeks in the Bern.  It was really depressing to look at how happy i was then... I miss everyone so much.  However, I can definitely say I don't think I would've changed anything about the last two weeks home.  It was sad to leave, but I was happy before I left.
At dinner this evening, there were 5 girls about my age sitting at a table behind us. They were giggling and having fun together. Reminded me of all the amazing outings I've had with my besties. Though I wish I still had them around to do stuff like that again, I'm still pretty content with extremely fond memories of those same kind of evenings. Hopefully I can have some of those again soon. I miss you guys. SO MUCH. <3

I Almost Blew Away Today

I'm currently chilling on my back porch in yoga pants with an iced diet coke, a warm breeze, and a pretty incredible view. I guess the only thing that could make my current state any more comfortable would be if I had a handful of people relaxing out here with me. But, you know, there's not much I can do about that so I'm going to be content with how things are at this very moment.
    It's been pretty lovely being able to sleep in every morning until 11 without being reprimanded by parents or awaken by an overly persistent alarm clock at 6:30 every morning.  However, the past few days have been boring and monotonous. Day after day of unpacking and moving furniture and looking for misplaced items that are found in some mislabeled box on the other side of the house.  I cannot wait until we are finally moved in and this is finally over. Yesterday I started my day by called the security system guy "mom" (an accident, I swear) and lugging SO many boxes up and down stairs. The rest of the day consisted of unpacking and occasionally taking my dog outside to urinate and screaming at her for scratching the wood doors.  Last night we met my dad in Denver to go to Dave and Buster's, which was a lot of fun. I traded in my 760 tickets for a bunch of candy, then watched the Rangers/Rockies game on a big screen over a cheeseburger and sweet potato fries.  Following that madness, we went to my dad's office around 9-- he's pretty proud of it. The entire office space may only consist of about 5 separate rooms, but it's still pretty cool since he is the "site manager." There's even this room with a padlock on the door that is going to be a "restricted, authorized only" area. In the words of my father, "I can bring you guys in here because it's not restricted...YET."
   Well, I just received news from the twelve year old that the power is out. Why, I wouldn't have a clue. But, the wind is picking up and I'm holding onto my Mac Air pretty tightly before it goes up into the air....and now I'm going inside.
     Anyways, today my padre hooked up the TV and hung my curtains finally, and now I only have to hang stuff on the walls before I'm pretty much finished. I do have one last project for my room before I will post any pictures of it. Hopefully I will get to work soon and have it finished in a few days.
   I'm pretty hooked on One Tree Hill.... I watched the freakiest episode this morning.... Just thought everyone should know. Everyone should also know that I unboxed my unwatched seasons of Gilmore Girls finally and we all know what that means.... ;) My blu-ray player is calling my name as soon as the dang power comes back on... I don't really have much else to share at this point besides a ton of pictures I've been taking, so I'll post those soon! Toodaloo! <3

Sleeping with a pillow pet and my old duvet...

Not Much To Say Todayyy

I was both incredibly happy and flattered to hear that so many people have been reading and following the blog. I've been putting in so much effort to make sure everyone could be somewhat involved in my distant life since I've moved!  My day began with my dog attacking my face because I'd slept in until noon and she needed to use the bathroom very badly (apparently she can't hold her bladder longer than 12 hours). After a pretty rough wake-up call, I unpacked nearly all day...well, afternoon. My closet is officially finished and I only have about 6 boxes left, then I have to get my dad to hook up my TV and hang stuff on the walls. I can't wait to post pictures once it's finished! (MEG HOPKINS, MORGAN GERDES, DANA MCLAUGHLIN: I'm putting something realllllyyyyy special on my wall and I hope you'll remember the day when you see the picture of it.)  I cooked dinner for the family while they continued to unpack things... We have a deal-- if I make dinner, I don't have to help with certain unpacking projects. I'll take it. Especially since my room is taking FOREVER to perfect, I don't want to have to do any more than I absolutely have to.  Anyways, tonight I made beef and chicken fajitas, and I must say, they were pretty delish.  After dinner, I got to see most of my favorite faces (minus a few) over a FaceTime call, which was definitely the highlight of my day. I wish I had actually been there with everyone, but I'm glad I at least got to see everybody at once. It made me both extremely happy and sad, merely because I miss seeing and hearing from everyone all the time. The time difference is definitely a pain in the butt. By the time I'm getting ready to chill for the evening, everyone else is going to bed.  I hope it doesn't suck too much once the school year begins...  Well, now I'm getting ready to unpack a little more and then watch some One Tree Hill to wind down.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll complete the unpacking that is left and go to Lowe's to get some paint fort some refurbishing projects I have planned! I've got some pretty interesting ideas of things to do over the summer--I'll keep everyone posted! Love you guys! Goodnight!! (P.S. Sorry this wasn't as long as the others have been! Today just wasn't very interesting, nor eventful!)

Yes please!!

Life At It's Craziest

        Good morning, world! Today is not a beautiful day in Parker... it's in the 60's right now and the smoke from the wildfires in surrounding areas is covering up the view of the Rockies from my house, which is one of the only things I was excited about when we moved.  Yesterday consisted of running errands to the bank and Lowe's with my father (pain equivalent to that from fingernail removal) and incompetent moving companies failing to successfully carry out a seemingly simple task--removing our items from the moving truck and carrying them into the correct room. However, instead of doing just that, they decided that they "cannot get the truck up the driveway." So, my dad had to go rent a Uhaul into which they would empty the truck somewhere down my street, drive the Uhaul up the driveway, and then finally begin moving our items into the house.  Let's just say they didn't leave until late last night, after I'd already showered and gotten ready for bed. Watching them trying to carry my $12,000 baby grand piano was one of the most stressful things ever, and don't even ask me about how I felt after I saw the movers had stacked about 50 pounds of boxes on top of a very small vintage table that probably shouldn't hold more than 20... At this point, the kitchen is practically done and that's about it.  Other than that, only small pieces of my bedroom are put together and semi-putaway.
        Today, I woke up at around 10 Mountain time (12 NC time) which marks the first day of sleeping in!! I woke up to an empty house while my family made a Home Depot run, and then I got to eat an everything bagel (not nearly as fantastic as Mrs. Hopkins') while I watched my dad altering things in the breaker box, playing electrician. Let's just say that after he told me I needed to have my non-existent CPR skills on stand-by, I held my phone tightly in my hand, and then we threw a mini party when he exclaimed he had averted death. Well, he's playing electrician some more right now, but he's still alive at the moment. I'll let you know if anything changes.
        Other than babysitting my dad as he dangerously plays with electrical things, I'll be beginning to unpack, organize, and decorate my new room. Pictures will be coming soon as things start to actually look decent.
       Hmmm... what else... Oh! For all of those to whom my dad said mosquitoes didn't exist here, well, he admits he lied.  We had the doors open nearly the entirety of yesterday and there were bugs everywhere. Mosquitoes exist, and I have the bites to prove it. PEOPLE ARE SO DANG NICE HERE!!! It's the strangest thing... People don't cut you off several times a day, the EMPLOYEES AT WALMART ARE PLEASANT (who would've thought someone at Walmart would ever wish me a "nice afternoon"), and pedestrians actually have the right-of-way here! It's crazy. It was quite hilarious to see workers from the moving company in NC doing nothing, while the workers we hired here worked their butts off! The work ethic that exists here is definitely different... and honestly, generally more pleasant.
      My parents are physically and emotionally exhausted. They have been working non-stop to move in quickly since my dad really needs to go back to work.  Yesterday, I learned how to remove and replace a light fixture with my dad (two people balancing on a ladder is not safe, so kids, do not try it at home) and the washing machine basically exploded water everywhere at around midnight last night, which explains the movement I heard upstairs while my parents sopped up detergent-filled water.  My mom and dad both painted my room, which required about 4 coats of paint AND the ceiling had to painted... I'm pretty sure I'm lucky I got out of doing that.  My brother is annoying ever, who knew, but he is very excited for all of the potential adventure here, more than I. He enjoys making "Goodtimes" custard shake runs with me, and let me tell you, BEST FRIES AND SHAKES EVER.  Anyone who comes to visit, we will be going there very often! (PEOPLE COME VISIT ME, I'M LONELY!)
     Melanie, my black lab, absolutely loves it here.  I don't know if it's because there are rabbits all over the property that need a good chasing, or the fact that it's not humid and sticky here. Last night I did get a feeling of homesick, which she shared, when I unpacked the box of all my bedding that smelled of my old house.  When I transferred the insert of my duvet cover to the new one, I left the old one on the floor and found Mel cuddled up in it asleep.  There are only a few things that still smell of home, and she and I both revel in it when we discover it.
     At the end of June, we will be making our way up to Beaver Creek, where my family goes skiing, to see family that is staying there.  July 3, my sisters, Brittany (22) and Bridget (almost 21), will be flying out here from VA to spend a week with us AND we are going to see Foster the People and Kimbra in concert (((((((: Later in July, my dad's parents will be visiting for a little while, and then I should be making my way back to NC early August!
    OKAY! Well, I need to go babysit my father so more, and then I will continue unpacking... Pictures to follow soon! I send everyone back home my love and I miss you guys so much!! Continue to keep in touch, it's awesome to here from everyone since I'm pretty secluded at the moment. (: <3

Unpacking is MISERY!!

Gruesome, tedious, and mundane. The end.

Honestly the most delicious custard milkshake I have ever consumed. And also the first. Blackberryyy (:

Everything Happens For A Reason

After a 2,000 mile cross-country car trip in a small car with a dog and my 12-year old brother, I can officially say I've reached my destination: Parker, Colorado. My family has been anticipating the relocation to the colorful state of Colorado since November and my dad moved out here back in March to begin his new job. Separate living conditions were pretty challenging, especially considering my mom was left with the entire house to pack on her own while juggling her role as a mother and a business owner.  My house in New Bern has been rented and the business closed with the building put back on the market.  So far, I can definitely say that the state is gorgeous and the area extremely pleasant. However, I can also say that my heart aches for those I left back in New Bern.  Due to this relocation and alteration to my family's lifestyle, I'm having to sacrifice the ideal senior year of high school that my friends and I have been dreaming of for years.  Even though it hurts to think of an entire year without my favorite people in the entire world, this transition will be a reality check for both myself and those I left behind. This adventure to be had will be one spent closely with my family and filled with new experiences. So far I've planned on getting my first job, attending several concerts with my sisters, making my first solo trip to New Bern at the end of the summer, and indulging in the many wonderful other opportunities this new place will provide me.
We arrived in Parker Sunday, June 17 after 3 12 hours days of driving. We traveled through Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado, stopping in St. Louis for an hour at the St. Louis arch park in beautiful weather, while also driving through an atrocious thunderstorm in Missouri. Kansas is pretty much green fields scattered with piles of cows, oil derricks, wind turbines, and the most vast blue sky I've ever seen. Colorado is flat for the first couple of hundred miles until suddenly a cloud moves and BAM! The beautiful Rocky Mountains, people. I experienced hours of traffic, some flippage of the bird in my general direction, 80 mph speed limits, and long hours with a pestilent 12-year old in the passenger seat trying to navigate the United States using a road atlas for the first time (thank God for the GPS). Despite the frustration, anger, anxiety, and sadness I've felt the past couple of days, I am grateful to say that my last week spent in the place I'll always call home could not have been any better. The people I left behind will always be dearly missed but never forgotten. If there is one important lesson a handful of the most fantastic people have repeatedly pounded into my cranium very recently, it is this: Everything happens for a reason. Even if that reason is not immediately apparent, don't think for one second that all of these detours are useless or detrimental to sufficient life. God is in control and everything will work out for the best, regardless of the way it feels at first. I hope they're right.