The Missing Links...

Yes, I'm sitting here at the library once again. And, yes, I still have oodles of time before my last final on Monday night. But in the wake of my mass amounts of time, I remember how little of time I have before the ones I love here at Ohio University leave. This past weekend has been full of "goodbyes" to many of my friends until early January, but there are two friends in which I will not be seeing come time for class. These two friends are very close to me and have added to my college experience here at Ohio University.

One of my friends, a Canadian, I have spent a good 2 and a quarter years with. I remember meeting her for the first time in the family room of Sander's house. I remember hanging out with her last year and naming her house, "The Beach House". We created some great memories in the Beach House, from wrestling, movies, sleep-overs to AIA. I will never forget how she would always help me out when I had a crucial photography assignment due. She would always lend a hand, or a smile in my case, to a friend in need. I'm going to miss this Canadian and the fun times we've shared together.

The second of my friends, a Floridian, I have had the pleasure of playing soccer with. Not many people go through trails and tribulations together, but I feel like we endured a lot together. Two words: Lake Hope. She has added to my life in ways that I can't actually describe. She has taught me a lot about my self and a lot about the warm weather in which I desire to live. I'm excited that I had a chance to play soccer with her, but I'm most thankful for being able to be a sister with her. Athletes in Action to our road trip to the AIA conference in Lima, Ohio, I will never forget. Good times, good times.

I want to give a shout out to the two of these beautiful ladies and thank them for all the great memories we've experienced together. You are pure sterling and I thank you for just being you. I pray that you embark on the journey's of life and never look back. Remember to always remember your girl and I look forward to the memories to come!

Home, Home on the Range

What comes to mind when one hears the word "Home". I think of the song. Even though Missouri can not claim "Home on the Range" as it's state song ...it's close enough for me. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST HOME IS APPROACHING, and yet it seems like it will never be here. Stupid finals.

As I sit here and in the oodles of time before my final...final, I've been racking my brain and trying to come up with all the fun things I can embark on once I return home to 111 Shoreview Ct., Lee's Summit, MO 64064, (for all of you who would like to send me a lil' somethin' somethin' in the mail over break ...) And here's what I've come up with:

- Visit the family. It's been way too long.

- Visit my beloved friends. I think they might have forgotten who I am, haha.

- Go thrift store shopping. I'm deprived.

- Rest my body.

- Yoga. It's fun, relaxing and I always enjoy saying "I'm going to yoga class"... Besides it's a winter break ritual.

- Working out. One can only take so much rest.

- Visit my high school. One word: Weird.

- Shop around with friends for a new home church. It needs to be done and I'm excited to be doing it with friends!

- Go to the Plaza. Dressed to kill and having fun: my new motto.

- Visit Westport. Hey, I'm 21 and I've never been...eh, why not?

- Get a massage. A pedicure. A haircut. And a realignment. Pampering, my favorite!

- Shop. I wouldn't be a girl if I didn't!

- Hang out with my girl, Sara, and show her what KCMO is all about!

- Visit the Nelson Art Gallery. I haven't been there since I was 8...time to brush up on my art.

- Play some pickup soccer. If I can't make a team officially, then unofficial it must be!

- Watch a ridiculous amount of movies. Nothing like a cold night curled up by the tube!

- Visit my peeps up at Northwest Missouri State, yeah!

- Go swing dancing. If I can't salsa...bring on the swing!

- Tailgating and Chiefs games. So, they aren't doing as well as I had hoped, but I'm no fair weather fan that's for sure.

- Road trip to Texas. Who knows, we'll see.

- Eating at the Melting Pot, Houstons, Habaneros and Master Wok. Fabulous.

- Going on a carraige ride at the Plaza. Maybe I can convince some fellow to ride with me, haha! So romantic.

- Taking a bubble bath and drinking a nice glass of wine. I miss my tub and the relaxation that it gives me!

- Going to Barnes and Noble and spending way too much time there! Making my book list even longer!

- Keeping in contact with all the awesome friends from OU and OSP!

I don't know if this completely covers EVERYTHING I would like to do once I'm home, but I think it will do. Hope you enjoyed reading it even though it's pretty long! If anything, know this: HOME HERE I COME.

Ode to Finals

As the dreaded week of finals approaches quickly, I'm not so sure that I dread it. If anything it means I'm that much closer to going home, which is always a joyful experience. But, I suppose that it's the dread of the actual "final"...those exams, projects and papers...It's never the thing that people look forward to. And as I sit here in the library on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with the luminous light pouring in through the windows, I wonder to myself, "Why me, why do I have to write this dreaded 4-5 page paper!?" Although, I look on the bright side because I might, just might, have the better end of the stick compared to those unlucky 10 page souls. Let's take a moment......okay.

Recently I've been learning a lot about contentment of the heart, and with that I've been challenged to be grateful in every situation. I've been challenged to have an attitude of gratitude. It's not as easy as it sounds. So with this in mind, my attitude towards finals and the fact that I have to support the educational giant of learning that I've seen things in a different light. Just walking to the library was very fulfilling. With iPod in hand and the lyrics of Seal's "Crazy", I had this amazing feeling sweep over me. I'm thankful that I'm able to be here in Athens, Ohio and to be learning. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have the time and carefree spirit of a college student. I'm thankful for collegiate athletics and the break from it. I'm just plain thankful.

So I hope you can find the amazing joy of just stepping back and being thankful. Take a look around you and admire what we so often take for granted. I may be a photojournalism major and appreciate light more than the next guy, but, really, take a look around. Well, here we go...the time is now. This 4-5 page paper doesn't know what's about to hit it! Mahalo.

Mahalo

It's a strange thing, these blogs. They grip you and call your name...beckoning you to write a little something, to create something or to say something. Well, here I am. I guess I've joined the club. I'm not gonna lie, I've been a blog member since the winter of '04 but on a different site. I enjoy sharing my thoughts, feelings and whatnots online. But sometimes change is good. We'll see where this may take me so I hope you enjoy the ride!