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

Holding on to the Holidays

As the holiday season begins its full swing and we leave thanksgiving and plow down the days to Christmas I continue to count the days I have left in Virginia. Thanksgiving was a blast, I enjoyed being able to lounge with the family and watch holiday movies, and not to mention the delicious food that inevitably required me to change into something less restricting. But through all of that, I have found I am still looking forward to moving to Texas. I'm not saying that I wont miss these days, and being able to sit around and listen to the obnoxious gun fire emanating from my brothers computer games, or the parade of feet scampering out of the kitchen as the dogs tussle over a toy. None of that is replaceable, but neither is this experience. I have realized this maybe a little to late. Considering last week RIGHT before the holidays I had a slight break down (instigated by my father) about my move to Texas. But as you can see, things are doing MUCH better!

Now, after that slight and very unnecessary update about my mental well being regarding my move, here is an actually update about my Cherish Book which I mentioned in my last post... Its not finished... Yes, I know I have been highly unproductive and have achieved nothing but a decreased time frame to complete the book in, BUT I do have to say I have been taking pictures to put in the book... I'm hoping that counts for something... hopefully... maybe?

Anyways, the real purpose of my writing today is to inform you all (whom ever you may be) I have acquired a trip to see where I will be come January. Now, this trip is primarily to get acquainted with the area and possible look at some housing options.But I will make sure to take tons of pictures and post anything I find well, interesting regarding my journey. But until then I suppose, always remember that...

Life is a Journey.   

xoxo

Danielle

For Standing By Me

Yesterday, I was able to briefly talk to one of my tuesday night bffs and during the conversation, I was able to hear how sincerely happy she is to be at the school of her dreams. Which was blessing to hear, not only to know that she was very much happy, but kind of a confirmation that following your heart is the most important thing to do. That even if you're scared of leaving behind everything you love and know, eventually things will fall into place.
As Bruce Crampton said "Life is a compromise of what your ego wants to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do." My ego desires to be where I feel my heart belongs, my experience tells me that it's time to spread my wings and head out on my own, it also reminds me of how little I have truly experienced with out my family standing by my side. But with persistance, I plan to allow my nerves to guide me, to go where my heart is being called, and allow my experience of the world to grow, and where eventually my nerves will begin to subside until there presence in but a shadow of there former existance.
I know through all of this I will grow as a person ultimately, but I would like to thank several people who have helped me follow my heart and not let the nerves get the best of me. This is for those of you who have stood beside me....

Dad

All though It will be hard to not have you with me, I know that the distance is nothing compared to the capcity of our relationship. I appreciate you offering to drive me down, and I can not wait to spend those days with you stopping at as many diners, drive-ins and dives as we can along the way. You are an amazing father, and I am glad I can do this and know Chance has someone else to look to for comfort and love.

Brianna

You are my sister and best friend, and Im so glad I have been able to turn to you through the good and the bad, and always know that you would be honest and true with me. You are an outgoing person, and helped me stick to my guns and keep with it. I love you and wish you could come with me!!

Lisa

Your an amazing person and I cant wait to hang out with you once I get to Texas!! Your my best friend and I owe you so much for all that you have taught me! You taught me how to be an amazing teacher, friend and all around good person. To accept who I am and be proud of it as well as comfortable. I have missed you these past couple months and have been counting down the days until we can go shopping again. (less than 80 days to go!!)

Lizzie-Poo

Your an amazing person, and I am soo glad that we took those breaks together and go to know each other before the end of the school year!! To have someone going through the same fears as me and understood exactly what I was going through and then being to tell me that it is all worth it is the best gift I could ask for. I love you and I miss you terribly and I believe a visit to Texas this coming summer is in order my dear!!

♥Without you all, I would be lost♥

Cherish Book

After yesterdays realization of how different life on my own and being away from my family and my dog will be, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to make a Cherish Book. Basically, I will compile all the things I will miss about home and document them in a scrapbook to take with me. I know some people might be like "How is that going to help? wouldn't that make you even more upset looking at all the things you left behind?" and my answer is this:
I believe being able to look back on times that have come to pass and being able to enjoy the moment rather then regret the that time has disappeared into the past like all other moments to only be remembered in ones memory is important in being able to deal with change and both the gains and losses that come with it. I don't have to think, "oh, I'm never going to see him (my dog Chance) again" or " I will never be able to have the same relationship with my family as I once did before". I believe, perceiving is everything. Think about it, if a person looks at their life and thinks "My life sucks" do you believe their are really going to strive to seeing anything but a negative situation. Even in the worst of situations, there is always a beckon of light guiding the way to a happier life. But the only way to get to that happier life, is by believing that it is possible. Therefore, I believe that even through the sad, there is always good. So although I will be reflecting on the past I will still be able to enjoy what the present has to offer. After all, "there is no better gift than the present"♥
On another note! I have the perfect scrapbook to use for my Cherish Book, ironically it was given to me by my best friend who has just recently (over the summer) moved to San Antonio, Texas about 30 minutes or so away from where I will be. (Thank goodness I will have her!!) Here is a picture of the exterior of the Scrapbook:

Chance

OK, so its decide, on top of missing my family and all the times we have had together, one of the things I will be missing greatly until I graduate is my puppy dog (he is really 7 but will always be my puppy) Chance. We have literally been through everything together and depended on each other when we both felt alone. I got Chance when he was 9 months old and had been to 5 homes, one of which he was abused, before he ended up with me. He is the sweetest, most wonderful, lovable cutie ever and it will be weird not having him by my side. But until I get a place for us to finally call home, he will be staying with "grandpa", as my sister so kindly puts it, for a while but there wont be a day were I don't think about his little face

P.S. here is a picture to show you just how cute he is ♥

I love you Chance, Forever and Always♥

A Journey of My Own

Within the next couple of months, I will be embarking on one of the most exciting and yet the most terrifying journey's I have yet to experience. On the first of January I will set forth on a 25 hour, 1,529 mile journey from my home in Centreville, Virginia to San Marcos, Texas where I will be not only be pursuing an education as a student at Texas State, but a life of my own.

The purpose of this blog will be to document the journey along the way, capturing every aspect of it in its purist form. It will be the home to all the joyous moments, the days of doubt, and the story of eventually finding home of my own. As Matsuo Basho said “Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” and this is....

A Journey of My Own