not wanting to study.

So, I have two tests tomorrow, and I don't want to study for either of them. The first one is History of Design II, and I'm not going to get credit for it when I go to ASU so it's hard to have the motivation to do the work for the class... I made an A on the last test, but he said this one is going to be quite a bit harder so I am kinda worried about that... But after I write this blog (my way of putting off the studying) I'm going to study.

The second test is Sociology. So, I'm hoping it will transfer to ASU because it's a basic course. So doing the work in there isn't as hard, and it's a lot easier. So I don't really mind the work. But for the tests there is just so much information you have to know. And here, the tests aren't all on a scantron like they were at ACU. They are matching, fill in the blank, multiple choice, and essay questions. It's a little harder.

I know I'm complaining about studying and everyone has to do it, but like I said, I'm just putting off studying. And it's the only thing on my mind right now.

Well, I hope everyone is having a good week, and hopefully I will get to see most everyone at Thanksgiving! Can't wait!!

Snow!!

For my sociology class, we have an assignment due next week that requires us to do something out of our norm and then write a paper over it. It's called a deviance assignment. I've been thinking about it for a while and trying to figure out what I'm going to do that's new and different for me. So, when Seth asked me this morning if I wanted to go snowboarding with him and his friend for just the day, a bell went off in my head because in order to go snowboarding, I would have to skip my class today. And, I am definitely not the type to skip class because I feel like it's not worth it. But, I mean, since it was for another class's assignment, I really didn't have a choice... :). So, we drove about an hour and a half at six o'clock this morning to Arapahoe Basin and snowboarded till about lunch. It was snowing like crazy and the wind was out of control, but it was a TON of fun!

I was a little nervous at first because it's been a while since I've been boarding. I was always terrible at getting off the lifts, I would pretty much always fall flat on my face and then they would have to slow the entire lift down just to give me time to get out of the way. So embarrassing! BUT...I got off the lift every time like a pro. It was amazing. I didn't fall once. The funniest thing though is that the first time we rode the lift, Seth and I were talking about how getting off the lift really sucks for boarders, and I told him that I apologize ahead of time if I run into him or something and that I will probably fall flat on my face. Ha! Needless to say, Seth was definitely the one to face plant! It was absolutely hilarious! Then, when we were going down the mountain, it just seemed natural. I think the only thing I have left to learn is jumps, but I don't really see that happening. I'm perfectly fine with just cruising down the mountain and having a good time.

We had planned on boarding the whole day, but it was ridiculously cold and the wind was blowing really hard. We went all the way to the top at one point, and the wind was so strong and it was snowing so hard that you couldn't even see 2 inches in front of you. It was crazy! But, if I had the choice to go again, I definitely would. I was also kinda sad because since it was snowing so hard I couldn't take any pictures, but hopefully there will be plenty more times to do that!

I went ahead and put a picture from another time we went boarding - gives you the right idea :)

Daily Devotional

Julie Kretschmer started sending me the daily devotionals from the purpose driven life e-mails. They were always something I really needed to hear at the time. So, I signed up to have them sent to my e-mail each day. It has been a very helpful tool in building my faith back up. I was warned that college would test my faith, and I didn't listen because I felt I was solid in that area. Oh how very wrong I was. Going to ACU, for some reason I felt like going to chapel every day was good enough to keep me strong in my daily walk with God. Without realizing it, I drifted further and further away from Him the two years I was there. I lost sight of the importance of going to church on Sundays, and most importantly, personal time spent with Him on my own. Now, by no means am I saying that I have significantly improved in my daily walk with God, but I am finally admitting to myself that something needs to be done.

One of the defining moments that made me realize that I am so far away from His path was a conversation I had with Cody. I'm actually quite humiliated about this, but he asked me one simple question - "Do you pray?" I hesitated before I answered, but I was honest with him. I told him, "I'm going to be completely honest, and say no. I don't know why, but I have probably gone as long as a week at a time without even thinking about Him." I was truly ashamed in myself. Looking back on how strong I was as a person in high school, and now, looking at who I am today, I was very embarrassed. I have a lot of work to do. After I hung up with Cody, I prayed for the first time on my own in a really long time. It felt really good. But, I still don't pray every day. And with Cody being in the military, I feel like the only way I can make sure he is okay each and every day is to pray. I've got to make a conscious effort to pray every day.

So, I know that we all have very busy lives, and I'm sure most of you are way ahead of me on this, but I just want to stress how important it is to have a daily relationship with God. And prayer is the only line of communication between Him and you. Without communication, there can not be a successful relationship.

Best Friend

Life as I know it...

Well, life as I know it is going very well. I do not have much to complain about. I have a loving family, wonderful friends, and an amazing boyfriend. I miss my family and Texas very much, but I will soon be with them, and I am definitely excited. I will also get to spend more time with some of my friends that live closer to home. And, well, my boyfriend, Cody...I couldn't ask for anyone more perfect for me.

I am currently living in Denver, Colorado going to school at the Art Institute of Colorado and studying Interior Design. Just recently, I have realized that being a business woman is not how I want to live my life. I am also not a huge fan of the big city life. I miss the wide open plains of Texas very much! So, in December, I plan on moving back home and attending Angelo State University to study to be a high school math teacher. I know-a huge difference from Interior Design, but I don't believe it will take me that much longer to graduate, and math is truly what I love. I love drawing and doing artsy things, but I will definitely continue to do that-just on my own time, for fun. One thing that makes me a little hesitant in this decision is the fact that my dad worked very hard and spent a lot of money to move my brother and I up here. I have talked to him about this, and he's concerned about the living situation for Seth, but he wants me to be happy as well. I just really think moving back home is what I need.

Another thing I'm looking forward to is being able to hang out and catch up with my friends from home. Something I've been realizing lately is that my mind set has completely changed from when I was graduating high school and about to just start college. Then, I thought that I needed to go away to college and forget about all my friends and my childhood and move on. BUT, what I really needed was to hold on to those friendships and memories, because that is who I truly am. I've realized that I will make new friends, and experience new things, but they will never be able to replace what I have in San Angelo, TX. I am very blessed to have grown up there.

And then there's Cody. Where do I begin? Honestly, this is one relationship that I thought I needed to forget about the most. We went through many roller coasters while growing up. We met for the first time in the 8th grade, and my life has never been the same since. For the first few months of college we didn't talk at all. I was determined to move on. But, like the jerk that I am, when I needed someone to talk to, I called Cody. He was wonderful, and no matter how bad I treated him, he was always there to listen and give me advice. It may have taken me 2 years to mature, but the decision to finally say yes when he asked me to be his girlfriend, is the best decision I have ever made. He is truly the love of my life. We have only dated while he's been in the Navy, and there have been some tough times-and many more to come-but there is nothing that will ever come between us. The love we have is constant.