Hi Friends,
It’s been forever since I’ve written. I’ve been meaning to sit down for several months now and mark down all the updates, but it seems there is never any spare time for such leisurely activities. And life moves on, adding even more to catch up on. So, if I remember correctly, my last post was from early February. Wow!
Well…
Here it is, nine months later, nearly through my first semester at college. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
About mid March I started contemplating my options for college. Something sparked an interest, for up until that point I never dreamed of continuing my education. I had always thought of being an accountant, but never more than that. It was simply a, what I thought, passing desire. First it was Canadian University College (in Lacombe, Alberta). But that was soon ruled out and replaced with Union College (Lincoln, Nebraska), where I was ultimately accepted and planned on going. Then I mysteriously received a brochure from Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, Tennessee). Long story short (more information is in the post below), Southern won my heart!
In early April we went to OKFCM as usual. It was a blessing, especially to have the McCombs and Berdahls there!
In late April I decided last second to fly to Idaho to surprise my best friend for her 18th birthday! She hadn't the slightest idea of my plan and the shock on her face was priceless.
We went to Montana for the weekend, to visit her grandparents. Her boyfriend and his brother came too, as well as the three dogs. It was lots of fun. We went dirt biking, hung out, built campfires, and went to the hot springs. J
Once we were back in Idaho we just chilled around the house and surprised the boys one day after school. We hid behind the trees and ambushed at the stop sign, jumping into the bed of the truck. It was raining and we were dressed in rain boots and ended up sliding all over! They didn’t know what hit them when they heard the thud from the backseat…
;) We went dirt biking a lot that first week.
Taryn and I went on a hike at Tubbs’ Hill and she jumped into Lake Coeur d’Alene… Crazy girl!
The following weekend was prom. Jaz’s life long dream of going to prom was fulfilled. She was absolutely gorgeous! I was so glad I was able to be there for that. While she was out, I went to the movies with Scott and saw “The Last Song.”
The next day we met JJ at McDonalds for breakfast and went hiking for a little bit at Tubbs’ Hill. That afternoon her dad graduated with his BBA.
And two days later she graduated HS with her GED. The night of her graduation we went down to Hayden Lake. Good times! Afterward we stopped at the Mexican restaurant and picked up some (virgin) margaritas. Back at the house we celebrated with goodies and cheesecake.
In late May (and again on their way home in June), the Halder family stopped by on their way up to Washington. It was so good to have them over and spend time together. We went hiking at Faulty Trail and we “kids” had a good mud “fight” and built a dam at the spring head.
That Sabbath evening was Sandia View’s graduation, which we attended and they afterwards went out to eat at Dions! The second week they visited, we girls slept in the tree-house. But other than that the activities were virtually the same, minus graduation and pizza.
My dad fixed my truck! J
In June my dad, mom, and I flew out to Tennessee to check out Southern. My dear friends, the Dobbs, happened to plan their trip at the same time! It was blessed to see them; it’d been a few years, but we picked up the friendship right where it’d left off.
But before we got to Collegedale, we stopped in Knoxville to visit Aunt Patsy, Uncle Gary, and John. They’ve lived out here for 25 years and we’ve never visited. (Funny though… Later on, they move to NM the week I move to TN) Aunt Patsy showed us downtown Knox and then we ate supper with her and Uncle Gary at someplace that I know was called the Tomato or something or another. We had Italian ice from Rita’s and met up with John back at the house. But all too soon we had to head down towards Chattanooga.
SAU’s campus was beautiful, even in humidity levels that made it feel as if you were breathing water. Southern fed us well and gave us tours around campus. They also took to Rock City, which was super cool! We saw the Neffs Sabbath afternoon.
The following week, back at home, was camp meeting, which was, for once, in Albuquerque, though it was nothing like a traditional camp meeting. We went everyday and a couple of the afternoons I hung out with my many friends from Quemado.
Oh, that summer I discovered my allergies to many things: chapstick, Band-Aids, lotion, soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, etc.
In late June and early July, my sister and I drove up to Colorado Springs to visit our family! We enjoyed lounging around the house, shopping, eating downtown Denver for Aunt Jeannette’s birthday, and walking down 16th Street Mall. We went and saw Toy Story 3 as a family. That movie series has a close place back to our hearts and we all cried at the ending. (Consequently I was leaving for college, just as Andy was).
In July, I discovered Parkers’ Greenhouse, just down the street. I still can’t believe it’s in New Mexico, let alone my little town. It’s way too green in comparison to the desert it’s surrounded by, but it’s a lovely oasis. One Sabbath afternoon Dad and I went to photograph the many flowers and scenery there.
Our sweet friend Karen was passing through in July and we were able to see her for a little while.
My sister turned 15 that month and we celebrated at the bowling alley and Dions!
In late July/early August we family-vacationed in Ouray, Colorado, my absolutely favorite place. We went hiking in the rain, window shopped, ate at little shops, had an Olde Thyme portrait taken, toured the silver mine, drove the historic district (the whole town is historic), walked through the museum, went to Cascade Falls, and Jeeped. Jeeping was a blast! J Parts of the trail were treacherous, but we found screaming to be an excellent way to let off the adrenaline. I would love to go back and do it again!
The morning after we got back home I took off again, this time to Idaho. Up till that point, it’d looked like I wasn’t going to be able to fit that trip in, but a flight came up at the last second and I jumped on it. Summer without Idaho, well it really isn’t any summer at all. We went swimming nearly everyday for the first part of my visit and huckleberry picking twice. I gathered approximately half a gallon and brought them back home to save for cheesecake. We spent a couple days/evenings at the Carns, who were hospitable as always. One day we went out to Twin Lakes and knee-boarded before youth night at the Backman’s. Jaz and I had an interesting time with Ed’s truck… Taryn and I spent almost an entire day playing Monopoly and the morning before Jaz’s surgery we went out to eat at IHOP. Jazmine has jaw surgery and the last few days there were spent taking care of her. Nevertheless, I enjoyed our laid-back time together.
I wrecked my truck a couple days after I got back home, backing it into the gatepost, knocking out the taillight, and scraping the side. It has a pretty paint job now! ;)
The wonderful Junelle and I went shopping for college stuff and we had a little too much fun, I think! J
Even though I was gone more than I was home this last summer, that’s the way I wanted it. I now have the best of memories.
Mid August came the time for me to move. We packed up all my necessary stuff and headed out across the United States, adding three new states to my list (Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama), making a grand total of 28.
And then school started… the rest is a blur, but I’ll highlight some exciting times! The first week here (with my parents) we went to Apison Church and visited with the Neffs.
I reunited with Bradley and was introduced to his amazing Marissa Hagan! We clicked almost instantly. :D She has been there for me so many times.
I went rock climbing twice until actual classes began.
The second week we went to East Ridge and later on a hike at Red Clay State Park. It’s an amazing miracle how I ended up in the friend group that I did. And maybe I’ll share that sometime!
Joel Miller came for the weekend and the group of us had fun talking a Sabbath stroll down the Greenway, to the Veteran’s Memorial.
Kaylie and Joseph Dobbs came to visit me for my birthday!
I went to part of the Joker Release party, which was a… joke!
I got a lot of mail the first part of the semester, but it has dwindled down now to my monthly statement… **hint hint** I love care packages!
We had a fire drill at 12:02 the night of/after my birthday!
Week of Prayer was cold, but good. Worship and Convocation credit!
We had the most awkward vespers one evening… :/
There’s a guy who brings a teacup of pencils to PreCalculus…
Some of our group from East Ridge went hiking one Sabbath afternoon! It was lovely!
The following Sabbath evening another group of us went downtown Chatt one evening and later on I went to All Night Softball until curfew.
I went house hunting with Janelle Glass; we had a great time and found the most adorable abode.
Kristen, Michael, and I went to Indiana Family Camp for a very short weekend. And my brilliant roommate and I forgot sleeping bags and blankets... We were not happy campers! I was exposed to the wondrous colors of autumn. Such a beautiful sight! :D It doesn’t get better than this!
I made up a slogan for Southern…
South East Youth Conference brought in Samuel Pipim. The messages were so motivational and inspiring.
I started dating a wonderful guy, Joseph Dobbs!
Skype makes everything better, especially with Thomas Mitchell!
Some random creeper guy got into the girls dorm.
I went home with Marissa (and Bradley) for midterm break. I had a fantastic time, just relaxing and hanging out in Fletcher. Royce let me drive his truck! Mr. Hagan bought me a pomegranate! And I went to the Dobbs’ for Sabbath!
My midterm grades are four As and two Bs, but by the end of the semester I’m hoping to have at least five As.
We experienced two days full of tornado warnings…
Andrew Peterson came to concert and I am officially hooked on his music!
The Canvasser Club for Christ had their harvest festival, which was loads of fun!
I began exercising, but haven’t kept it up… It was helpful for the time being though.
I discovered wi-fi from my window… So if I ever run out of bandwidth, I know where to go!
KR’s is open Saturday evenings and it’s a great hang out place to escape the chilly November weather.
My sister came for AcroFest and my mom and Nana drove up from Florida to come see me (and Naomi)!
I bought MS Office 2011! LOVE it!
Somebody hacked my bandwidth… Grrr you!
I went to Southern’s Symphony Orchestra concert! It was splendid, especially while studying and sipping hot cider.
Hans Von Walter was on Jeopardy!
I donated blood with Marissa! First time ever (for me).
Last night we went over to Ken Smith’s and played games and made Christmas cards for SMs. Well I just sharpened all the pencils… :P
Now, I need to get this posted and get started on the little bit of homework that I have. Two more days of classes and then come Thanksgiving break! :) Oh joy!
