Looking Foward

One thing I realized from my journey to Texas is how little information there is about moving out. Now I understand most people have their parents to look to when they are moving out, but for the few of us doing it on our own there is little help. I am the kind of girl who loves to be thorough. I am a list maker, a double checker. So in a sense I guess you could say a perfectionist... With this realization at the lack of information avialable to us newbies at living alone. I have decided to take it upon myself to compile as many lists, articles, and tips to help those of us taking the step out on our own. Lists of basically everything you need to start up YOUR home. Tips and articles that will help in the moving process. Things I had know before. Granted right now I am still fine tuning my lists be here is a great example first timers often over looked items. My first item is in a way a first aid kit. Things we dont thing about until we are sick in bed, calling someone to bring use cough syrup and soup.  Here is a list of things that are good to have on hand as well as a picture of my "first aid station":

 



Ibuprofen 

 Advil

Aspirin

 Tylenol

 Thermometer

 Cough medicine

 Sudafed

 Lozenges

 Benadryl

 Hydrocortisone cream

  Calamine lotion

 Pepto

 Laxatives

 Gauze, Bandages, Medical Tape

 Hydrogen peroxide

 Neosporin

 Aloe Vera

 Eye Drops

 Claritin or Zyrtec

 Tums

 Heating pad

 Ice Packs

Home Again

After nearly two weeks home and what seem like nearly a years worth of unpacking and cleaning, I have finally found the time to sit down and do somethings for my self. For example, writing this post or a couple photography projects ( look for them later in the post). But before I go into that I would like to take a moment to play some catch up since my last post.

I am back home with my family, enjoying catching up on time I missed while I was away. Adjusting to have to clean nearly everyday and pick up after people ( I did not miss that while I was gone) but also like that fact that the bathroom I share is with only two other people not a dozen! My dog has been extremely clingy, practically laying on top of me any chance he gets to make sure if I move he knows I am. My room has come together quite well and after finally finishing all of my unpacking, I realized I need something to keep me occupied until work begins later this month. So I started a couple of projects, mostly photography projects which will be posted lower but also some craft projects which I haven't finished yet seeing as I seem to be missing some parts to it. Any ways I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I did taking them! Ill post back soon with news and updates about school and future plans!  

The Closing of a Chapter

After my ranting and raving, and all the excitement behind my recent journey to become a student at Texas State University (which of course have neglected to actually talk about on here like I said I would. But don't worry you didn't miss much other then studying, sleeping and playing a couple games.) I am disappointed to announce that I am returning home due to a lack of funding. However as disappointed as I am by this I always try to find the good in things, such as being back home with my family, my dog, and not to mention to be there for my sister who is having her first child. As much as I wished for this journey to continue and for me to experience as much of college as possible, I do believe all things happen for a reason.

I came down here knowing one person, who although was like a sister still lived nearly 45 minutes away. I had never been out on my own and had always had my family close by. At the end of the semester, I will be departing this chapter of my life taking away much more then what I brought with me. I have learned so much about myself on this journey, things I couldn't even put in words, I have learned life skills and have met some amazing friends that I will without a doubt be taking those friendships home with me. This post is dedicated to all the memories I made in Texas, the moments of sorrow and of happiness,and to remembrance, that although things might not go as planned it was better to have experienced it once then never had the opportunity at all.

Eat 'em up, Cats! 

Long time no post huh?

So I have realized that it has been quite sometime since I have actually posted anything, but to my defense, I was moving and I did not have Internet for the first two weeks I was here. Today is my first official day of Internet! Thanks to my father who ordered me an Ethernet cord!

Anyways, since my arrival I have made a couple of friends and started the school year off with reading, reading, and more reading. It seems that it will be a reoccurring trend in my classes to assign as many reading assignments as possible. Now, I love to read don't get me wrong, but some topics are just a bore to read. This semester is proving to very difficult yet very eventful as well. In fact, today I climbed a 53 foot rock wall! Yes, me! I climbed it in under 5 minutes. Oh did I mention, it happened to be my first time climbing a rock wall? Well lets just say that fear had allot to do with my motivation to make it to the top! I did not want to be that girl who could make it about a foot off the ground before giving up, even if I was terrified to climb all that way and look down to see the ground and the people getting smaller and smaller. My person (the one who holds the rope just in case you fall.... not sure what they are called) was very kind and supportive, sure glad he made sure I could ALWAYS feel the rope tight. otherwise... I would not have made it.

Needless to say quite a bit has happened nothing note worthy for me to post on here but I will be posting pictures later on after I have charged my camera of my dorm the campus and possible the girls I have meet. Really sweet people, two are the girls that live next door the other is my former roommate. Long story, nothing bad we still hang out, but lets just say the dorms are not the best if you catch my drift to any of the other college goers.

Well, its almost 11:30pm here and I am extremely tired after an interview and rock climbing so I am going to head out and hope to get more persistent in posting for you all... who ever you are.

Saying GoodBye....

Today was my last (last academic) day at work... One thing that I find truly heart breaking is having to say goodbye, even if you know eventually your paths will cross again. Life has an interesting way of bring people into your lives when you need them most and that is exactly what happened with my co-workers. Now none of them, in fact I dont really think any one knows im writing this blog, but without the support and love from everyone at work I truly do not think I would be going on this journey. They have taught me so much and I am so greatful to have them be a part of my life. I read a quote today that related very much to me moving and leaving them behind... well let me just give you it... you will understand the relation: "The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart". Which with the bond and depth of the friendships I have created with my co-workers, no matter how far the distance, they will always be there to support me and I love them for that. Words can not express the gratitude I feel for spending the last two and a half years in there presece. Each day with them was a gift and I will cherish every moment with them.So this is to all my coworkers who truly became great friends. Love you all and cna not thank you enough for the joy and happiness you all have brought into my life.

XOXO

Fearless

Recently I was reading around the interenet when I came a across this quote
"To me, Fearless is not the absence of fear. It’s not being completely unafraid.
To me, Fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them.
To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death." quoted by Taylor Swift after the release of her Album Fearless. For me these words take on a new meaning as my departure day crawls closer and within the past week or so there have been quite a few developments...

Last week, I was giving my room assignment as well as my roommate, who I have to say seems to be the sweetest person and I really cant wait to meet her. However, even with the potential of a great roommate, my housing.... well lets just say its not what I was planning for... I am the new resident of a coed hall with a community bathroom... Now dont get me wrong, Im not completely and utterly against these things... just, well, a little worried.... I mean community bathrooms? coed hall? This will truly be a college experience...
I will keep you updated on that when the time comes...

Now Im not sure if I had mentioned before that my dad and I were planning on driving down there, and if I hadnt... well now you knew, because again as of last week, things changed. I am not flying solo to San Antonio, Texas were Lisa and her husband Cody will graciously take me in for a couple days and then on top of that help me move in to my new room. I am truly thankful for those two they have been nothing but helpful through out this whole thing. And I really do not know where I would be with out them.♥

Now, as scared as I am about this journey of mine,  I will not let it keep me from living my life. This is my story and although its in writing and I don't know where it may end up or what might happen... I'm willing to take the chance to find out. I know that in the end, everything experience in life is worth the hassle. I'm just so thankful that I have been blessed with some amazingly supportive people (Brianna, Lisa, Elise... just to name a few)

Count down: 25 days until Departure....
Fear? no match.

xoxo

Untitled

I can only assume that many people who will read this will wonder why I have named this post "Untitled" and so to give a brief explanation before plundering down the road to other tales, I simply named it untitled because I will be covering several topics and it would be extremely unfair to the all the material being covered to generalize the title based on part of the past, thus eliminating the sentimental value of the topics. Now, with that clarified, shall we continue? I think so!

Where to begin!

Last weekend I was given the great pleasure to visit Texas State University! Yay GO BOBCATS! The campus was beautiful even under the shadow of the bleak clouds that for loomed the entire duration of my stay. However gloomy the weather it didn't hinder me in trying make great use of this time and become as acquainted with the area as possible by checking out where I might live, the campus, and possible places to work.

Now, yes don't worry I did get some time to enjoy myself! This happens to have been spent with my best friend, Lisa, and her husband Cody! They were so sweet and took me out to lunch to this wonderful place called The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar in Gruene Historic District which is a wonderful little place that overlooks the Guadalupe River. The view was amazing, the food even better and the company well let’s just say it was some of the best in town.

After lunch we headed down to the Gruene Hall which happens to be the oldest dance hall in Texas! Its passage through time is shown on the wear of the wood floors and the marked up tables that have held the drinks of many cowgirls and cowboys as well as many rising stars. In fact, The Gruene Hall was the birthplace of many big time singers such as George Strait and has functioned as a film set for movies such as Michael starring John Travolta! After two steppin' in time in the good old Gruene Hall we made our way down to a lovely crafts fair, that was home to so many talented and creative individuals. The craftsmanship was just astounding! We concluded our outing with a tour around town guided by none other than Cody, who led ultimately by picking a path based on him wanting to see what was done the road. This, of course, was all right with me! Prior to that I had seen only what you could see from the interstate and immediately around the campus, so being able to see things off the beaten path was very, well breathe taking. Texas, unlike Virginia prefers space, LOTS and LOTS of space. Which, to be honest is just amazing! To be able to look around and to see the crest of the earth and the details of the trees and the world beyond it is just unspeakable. I love the country; I love the smell of the trees, grass and most of all the sight. Being able to see what nature has to offer is calming, and rejuvenating.... But let me stop myself before I go on any longer about my love for the country! So needless to say, I believe I should continue with the original purpose of this post! Sadly our lunch outing came to an end, but to my surprise it was not a tearful good bye. I think knowing I would be back in nearly a month helped quite a bit.

The trip continued until Monday when we departed San Antonio with a short flight to Houston where we barely made my connecting flight to home. After that it was smooth flying, we even reached Virginia 45 minutes early. The trip was fantastic, I loved getting to see the campus and area for myself and of course being able to spend the afternoon on Sunday with Lisa and Cody. It was very much so a worthwhile trip and I look forward to my move in January.  

Upon my return, I had lunch on Tuesday with my very lovely sister Brianna. We talked about the trip amongst other things, she is one of the few people I could honestly be around and no matter what the conversation is I am truly comfortable with her (and even when I'm not we know each other so well she points it out). I am so grateful to have her and I love her so much. So on top of her being nothing but supportive about my move to Texas, I find on my facebook page this evening a tear jerking message that only solidifies the depth of our bond. Here is her beautiful expressed letter that not only brought me to tears but expresses the true depth a bond between two sisters can go...

"To have a strong relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident -- it is to have a soul mate for life."

So, in a couple weeks or so, you will be heading out on your own into this big, crazy, scary world we call life! It is crazy to think that after living together and being with each other for the past couple years - it's time for one of us to move on to something bigger and better. I am so damn proud of the young woman you have become before my very eyes. You've grown up so much in these past couple of years, it has truly been a pleasure to watch you blossom into the person I had always imagined you being. A smart, sophisticated and beautiful person, friend and sister. I love you so very much and am going to be so sad not being able to start every day with seeing you! I know you are going to do something incredibly amazing with your life - and I can't wait to see what that is!

Love you.

Always & Forever.

Brianna ♥♥

.... So here is to Brianna, my sister and best friend. You have guided me, supported me, and stood by me when no one else would. You have shown me how deep one bond can be, how much one can love, and how strong one can be. You have taught me to be a dreamer and to hold on to those dreams until I make them true. We have walked along the path with each other by our sides, even when that path got rough. You have shown me to be confident in myself, and to not be afraid of the unknown. Words cannot describe the love and compassion and faith I have in you. You deserve the world, and nothing less. You work hard and have shown me that nothing can hold you back as long as you have perseverance on your side.  I love you for that, for all the lessons you have taught me, all the skills you have given me, and most of all the faith you have had always had in me. You are my sister and my best friend. I love you always and forever....

__________________________________________________________________________________

On another note, I do recall that I may have mention something about taking pictures during my trip and to my dismay during the rush of getting to the airport on time I left my camera behind. So sadly, there are no pictures to share from this trip. However, come January my father and I will make the 24 hour trip and I will be sure to load some if not all the pictures to my flickr account which you can look at by clicking on the tab on the side bar of my site. So until the, or until the next post…

  

P.S. Here is a new quote:

"Life is a Journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom."-Les Brown

Xoxo

Danielle