The Journey

The theme of the retreat was The Journey. It wasn't as mind-blowing as last year, but still good. The freaking awesome speaker from last year was back, but he only did one group meeting. His mentor did the rest.

It was a really good time of healing some relationships that have been broken since last year. I also feel a lot better about our club as a whole. Last year they were so clique-ish (I have to admit I was part of the problem for awhile, we had our "sophomore girls" clique). After the rest of my clique left, I was alone and realized just how terrible our group was about that. This year they aren't at all, and I'm really excited about that. The leadership team doesn't feel that they are above everyone else and are actually able to co-exist with the rest of us (:-O) and the freshmen are also involved, don't feel like they have to stay back timidly. Soo good. I had a really good time getting to know a lot of people. There were about 400 college students plus staff there. I had some good conversations with people from all over the place. Also some good time with God, of course. We all had an hour for quiet time on sunday morning. The problem is there were very few places to go, and 400 students. The main lodge was so full of people and some were talking so it was really hard to get connected and have a good quiet time. Still good though.
The majority of my group ^

Now I'm back to reality, with a ton of piled up stuff to do :(

Fall Conference

I'm heading out in a few hours to what hopes to be a Wonderful weekend! 2 1/2 days at the beautiful YMCA of Estes Park. This is my second year going to the Navs fall conference. This year, however, is world's different from last! Last year I trekked up there with about 6 close friends and never left their side the whole weekend. We had an incredible time- full of God and learning things that are still close to my heart, a year later. This year is a whole new story! All of those friends except for 1 are gone. The 1 I didn't even really know that well last year. So this year I'm going on a total step of faith. I had decided weeks ago that I wasn't going to go for several reasons- Too expensive, don't really know anyone, no one to drive with, and too much to do. Well let me tell you: in the last week or 2 every last one of those has crumbled right under me. Someone offered to pay over half of my reg. fee, a ride for me just came out of the blue and completely convenient for me, and I wrote 3/4 of a paper in 2 nights! Both of the nights I wasn't feeling motivated and just decided to maybe read what I had of the paper and write later. 2 days later, I have a 7 page paper almost finished! Soo weird!! So, alas, I have no more excuses. Okay, God, I'm going! I'm really hoping I won't be a loner though, that's the thing that still remains. God's been good so far, I'm hoping He won't leave me hanging on that one :-/ Either way, it'll still be a good getaway and some great buddy time with God.
Last year while there, I prayed like crazy for this new potential boyfriend. Tonight I will going just 1 week shy of our year anniversary. Isn't that cool?!
I'll be back on Monday to update on how it went. Also be sure to check out the comments of my last blog for that update.

Ups and Downs

Went to Buena Vista this weekend. Had a great time, as usual. Also met God in a very big way, and because of such have really exciting news.

Unfortunetly it's shadowed by something else that happened this morning. I was tired, frustrated, late, and it was cold and dark out with my windows frosted. Because I was late and so tired, I decided to just go and my defroster would take care of the windows. So I was backing up and apparently tired and stupid go hand in hand, because *CRUNCH*!!!!
I guess in my inability to see out my car, I failed to have the knowledge of another car innocently parked in my way. The other problem is that in my groggy stage I figured it was a tree. I was angry with myself and decided I would pull over when I got to the next town to see the damage cause I didn't want to get out. Did you add it all up? Yep, hit and run. I looked over and just happened to glimpse what I think was a truck and not a tree. I don't know who's truck it was, but I have a pretty good idea that it was my boyfriend's boss'. The whole day I've been feeling this really sick feeling that I did that to another person. and someone I know. I didn't do the noble thing and own up to it, I left!! Tony is going to check and see who's vehicle it is and offer them my life savings, so if he can find the owner than I'm only half-way a bad person! My tail light is broke and there's a big hole in my bumper :( I can't even afford to fix my own, forget someone elses'!

Good weekend and crappy monday.... figures.
Congrats go out to Brit and Dave who are now completely legal! yay!!

Discontentment

I'm having a really hard time being content lately. I'm not happy with anything right now. I don't really deserve to be discontent, either. By that I mean that I'm far too fortunate to be unhappy. I don't really have enough to do nowadays and I can't do lonely so I fill my time trying to pick up a million extra hours at work, wasting time on the computer, and of course- sitting around and being unhappy. I think the problem is that my happiness has for a year now come in very large quantities from one specific person. That person is backing away from me more and more as the days go on so now I'm just left to sit around thinking about everything that I would like to be different. I want to be married, I want to be out of school, I want to be sure of everything, I want friends again, I want less bills, I want, I want, I want. When I get married and am out of school, I'm sure I will look back at these days with longing at times. The security and routine of that will probably get old fast. So then what? I'm really sick of this state. I'm so incredibly unhappy right now and I guess maybe I just want to find contentment in my current situation, again. How do I obtain that?? And how do I find good healthy things to do with my time so that I don't go crazy???

Ouch, I got tagged!

Amelia tagged me, so here goes.

5th line of my 23rd post.... turns out I just barely made it with enough posts! phew.
It says: "It's coming with a vengeance too, really dumping out there."
sounds kinda dumb, now that i'm reliving it :-P

I'm thinking about doing a photoblog too, cause I just got a new camera and have a ton of great pictuers!

Brit: I miss you too, tons! It's just not fair that you left me :( Oh well
Les: I really don't like that I can't comment on your site! I love your last 2 posts, your brilliant honesty makes me laugh really hard :) I'm so glad I've met you in person.

Pictures! (Tonys smug)

New photo link!!! In my very biased opinion, I think they're wonderful. I hope you enjoy as much as I do, and feel free to check back regularly!

oh, and here's that same bridge- after our snow this week

Beautiful, eh?

Now GO! check it out :)

Let it Snow

Tonight has become the first snow of the season... October 9th.. incredible! Last year our first snow was on Halloween. It's coming with a vengeance too, really dumping out there. I guess it wants us to know that it means business this winter! Usually we get flurry's for a few days and that's it, but oh no this is some serious snow business! Cross your fingers for school being cancelled so I can spend the day drinking hot cocoa and making snowmen! (Yeah, right!)

(disclaimer: that isn't a real picture of my backyard, it's just one that looks a lot like what it really looks like outside my window!)

I love fall!

This is where my boyfriend lives.... isn't it incredible? The last one is one of my favorite pictures in the whole world

Y Strong

STRONG
spirt. mind. body. That's what the back of my shirt says (my YMCA staff shirt). Everytime I see it, I want to flex my biceps (what would be biceps if there were anything there :-/).

I got a fine in the mail today, for running a toll-booth!!!!!! It was on the way to pick up a dear friend from the airport (okay, so I didn't know you yet, but you're a dear friend now, so does that count?). I don't want to give any details away on my town, but I had a pass in my windshield so there's no way I could've even run it!!! I'm going to call them tomorrow (if only I could be in person to 'bat my blue eyes' as my mom calls it... that always gets me what I want!). I'll update you on my fate as it proceeds.

I just submitted a paper proposal in my religion class. The point of the proposal is that he reads it and comments on your topic, your proposed outline of the paper, etc. I've been excited about mine and spent a ton of time on it. He sent it back with "I have no problem with your arguments, if in fact they are yours."
I'm sooo sad, and not to mention offended!!!! I didn't steal it!!! Of COURSE it's my own work!! It doesn't even sound smart or published, it's completely my own words. I actually didn't even do the required amount of research meaning it's all my own words instead of getting some insight from other people (except the boyfriend). BAH! How dare he make assumptions and offend me in such a way?

Hockey season is starting tomorrow..... that means as of tomorrow night I'll become a hockey widow. I'm determined to become a fan and somehow become less of a widow. I'll let you know how that goes. Before a year ago, I'd been to 1 hockey game in my whole life and had never seen a whole one on TV, so this could be interesting. I do like trying to be a part of his passion and it's fun to see him so excited about something, but like any typical girl I'd rather that something be me. Don't get me wrong, he's still excited about me, but just not obsessed, like hockey. I'll just focus instead on the privelage of stepping into his world and being a part of what he's loved since he was tiny. Go LA Kings!

Tonight at work I took care of my best friends' cousins kids... such a small world! The oldest is 3 and I haven't seen her since she was a baby. They also have an 8 month old that I didn't know about. As a result I got to talk to said best friend for the first time in way too long!

This weekend I went to dinner with Brittanie and Dave. It was a really fun dinner and a really good conversation in the dark on the playground followed. Really great night of fellowship and God. I'm sure she'll agree :)

This is such a long post! I've been so crazy busy lately that this is what I'm forced into! Oh well, read it and enjoy!! And comment to your hearts content ;)

On that note, I'm going to bed now. Have a fabulous day everyone!