Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Updates & A Look Ahead

Seven months pass by so quickly, especially when big plans are in the making.  I have purchased my one-way ticket to Sydney Australia; I will be leaving December 27th with just enough time to ring in the new year in a new country.  Within the next few weeks I will be purchasing international health insurance and applying for my visa.  I am also working on my "to do" list before my departure.
This past weekend I took a quick trip down to Disneyland with a friend of mine and while I would love to tell you that the weekend went smoothly but unfortunately it was not my brightest hour.  This little mousketeer got sick, sick, sick (in addition to an already sprained ankle).  I did my best to soldier through it with a smile on my face but it was a bit of a rough ride.  I think we had a good time overall and made some great memories.
In October I have a fun, quick, weekend trip planned for Southern California.  I can't give too many details about this trip just yet but will fill you in when I can!
I am also planning a road trip up through Oregon to Washington with the same friend I went to Disney with.  We are thinking of stopping in Seattle on the way to a sleepy little town that lies on the coast and has recently become known for its night-dwellers.  Needless to say, I am beside myself with excitement for that trip.
My efforts to stay busy are all in an attempt at squashing down the nerves and tears surrounding my move.  I am very excited to go and know it will be an amazing time for me, but I will be leaving my home, family, and friends.  It is a very bittersweet, double-edged sword type of a situation.
With the sights and smells of Fall approaching I feel as if the final chapter of section one in my life is coming to a close.  I am very excited to keep this blog updated with all the adventures of section two.



Disney smiles!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

The List

I have started mentally making note of things I want to do ( in America) before I move.  Here's what I've got so far:
* Disneyland- I've lived in Ca my entire life and have only been twice.  Kind of crazy!  Thinking of going around Halloween.
* Trip to see friends in Minnesota- Spring break.
* Comic-Con-  This is probably a long shot but I want to sooo bad :)
* The National Forests in the area- The ones with the big trees you drive through..yeah, never been.
* Give away everything I'm not taking with me to friends and family.
I will probably think of other items to add to list; must do it all!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Re-watch the Shows of Your Youth

Re-watching the same things but "with feelings".  There is no quicker way to knowing your true self.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Feel Good Songs

January Feel Good Songs

* Catch My Breath- Kelly Clarkson
   Click here to listen

* Feel Again- One Republic
   Click here to listen

* Home- Phil Phillips
   Click here to listen

* Hollyhood- Joey Ruckus ( When I feel like getting my swagger on at the gym)
   Click here to listen


Sunday, January 27, 2013

New Year, Renewed Spirit

So, if you couldn't tell from the complete lack of posts from July of last year until now, fall/winter just wasn't my season.  Being underemployed and searching for a job for months on end all while my savings kept dwindling did not help to put me in the best of moods.  On top of that, I was in a car accident just before Christmas, totaling my car and messing up my back.  My depression came back for a while and in all honesty Christmas 2012 came and went without so much as a Tis' the Season or a Jingle Bell from me.
All that said, the past month has been good, comparitavely.  I have started a new semester, was able to find an affordable and reliable car, my back is doing much better and there are plans afoot :)
Some exciting things to come in 2013:
*Finishing my A.A. degree in the field that I truly feel is where I am meant to be.  (It took long enough for me to find it and now that I have I am uplifted)
*Enrolling in an online college to complete my Bachelors degree.  (At this point I am looking towards Applied Behavior Studies)
*I will be starting a giveaway contest sometime in the next few months to clear out my apartment of my belongings in anticipation of....
*...My January(ish) 2014 move to Australia!!!
I am so thrilled that this is happening.  I have been wishing and dreaming of getting out of my hometown for years, with Australia being in the plans for about 2, and with my schooling (in town) finally coming to a wrap it will be attainable.
My dreams that I have had for so long, that I had anticipated happening far sooner, come at exactly the right time.  The journey that has been my 20's (so far) reminds me of a blog post from Big Mama in which she talked about "Walking to your future":

http://thebigmamablog.com/10612/walking-to-the-future/

I was so moved by this post that I emailed Melanie on it and within her response to me she wrote:

Hey Stefani-

I just wanted to encourage you with something I know for sure.  God redeems everything.  Even our messed up twenties!  I know because I made a lot of mistakes.  Just keep your eyes on Him and He'll turn your ashes into beauty!

Love,
Melanie

This is something I have carried with me for that past year and a half that I go back to for encouragement and now it is a truth that is deeply imbedded in my soul; that I might not be getting where I want to go as fast as I planned or wished, but if I keep my eyes on the right things I will always get to where I am meant to be.