5...4...3...2...ONE!

Countdowns...

Whether you are counting down to the end/start of a school year, until you leave for a vacation, until your favorite movie comes out, counting down the days til you see someone or even counting down to something you are dreading it all ends the same. That feeling of "wow, its over?" always finds away into your mind. Well, this happens to me at least.

There is nothing better than the day a countdown drops into single digits.  It becomes easier to keep track of and the excitement builds. I'm currently counting down to a couple of things and as I am writing this I'm thinking to myself... does counting down make time seem to be going faster or slower? Maybe if I didn't countdown to everything (I'm that girl who has a countdown to football that starts the beginning of summer...43 days left!) when the countdown expired I wouldn't wonder where the time had gone. Think about it though, if you start a countdown at 70 it will be at 20 before you know it. It's kind of like wishing your life/summer/school away.

Just some thoughts.

Katie

Just Some Thoughts

4 years ago I was getting ready to embark on an amazing journey and probably sitting where I am now. Orientation had been completed, my life was slowly being packed each day into boxes. I'm not going to pretend I was enjoying this process. I daily questioned if UGA was where I wanted to go. What did 5 year old me know about where I wanted to go to school and start the college chapter of my life. Turns out 5 year old me knew exactly where I would be happy....I'm a Dawg! After the doubt (which every upcoming freshman struggles with) I went through with my plans loaded the cars and took on the life of a "big girl". My parents left me, I cried when I felt my dad's heart beating fast as he was telling me goodbye, I waited until I was back inside and in the elevator and I wanted to call right then and say "COME BACK I CAN'T DO THIS". I didn't I went up to my teeny tiny room and I started my life. Anyway, the point of this post is to reflect on the fact that where I thought I would be 4 years ago is nowhere close to where I am. So here goes...


My thoughts 4 years ago

* Before my senior year I will be in a serious relationship. Getting married. Getting a job- nope. I guess I have hope of this extra year I'm taking. Maybe now before I graduate?
* Graduation date: May 2011- ummmm no
* I'm dreading this. These next few years are going to drag by- if only I could go back to Freshman year. I don't think I enjoyed the first 2 years enough. Fastest 4 years ever!
* I don't paint my nails, especially not pink!- I now paint my nails all the time especially when I'm stressed. Current color: pink 
* I won't join a sorority- false. I've now been in 2 and I love SAO and all of my sisters.
* I'm so quiet I'll never make any friends- this is a good one to prove wrong! I have opened up so much and I now have the best friends a girl could ask for 
* Pre-Med/Bio- HA! who was I kidding. That didn't work out so well
* Remember where I came from and what I believe in- check. This one stayed the same
* Graduate on time- nope. 
* Figure out who I am- still working on this one 
* Grow up-I'll always be a kid at heart but I do know when it comes time to be serious 
* I don't cry- I can't say this anymore. I have learned when crying is appropriate 
* I will never date a boy from Tech- I almost didn't go here. I guess I technically didn't date him. Yeah, I'll say that.
* I'll make my parents proud- I work hard at this everyday. 
* etc...

I love my life, I love my friends and (some days, lets be honest) I love what I'm doing with life but I have had a few regrets along the way. I won't get into those but I decide they aren't so bad after all every day. Everything happens for a reason. I know this and  I know I have used this verse before but it gets me through the days-

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

From a 17 year old girl to a almost 22 year old things may not have always gone as I had planned and I may not be doing what I sat here 4 years ago thinking about but I take comfort in the fact that my future is planned out. I may hit a few roadblocks along the way but after the detour I will find out what is waiting for me. With my faith in God anything is possible and I will get my happily ever after :)

my summer (so far)

Happy 4th of July! Obviously I'm not doing anything exciting this year because its 9pm and I'm at home writing a blog post. Its storming outside so going to the fireworks wouldn't have been a success anyway. My grandmother and my brother's girlfriend came over so we just had a family dinner +2 and made homemade ice cream. yummy in my tummy!

Here's what I've done this summer...

** Family Vaca! We went to our normal location, Myrtle Beach, SC, where we have been going since I was about 1. 7 years ago, or so, we fell in love with a place and we stay in the same condo every year its kind of like our home away from home. We vacation the first week of June, always. Its so early for a vacation and is much needed once school ends but now a month later I want to go back! It was a fun week. My brother's friend Matt, who is like my 2nd little brother, went along this year and we had a lot of fun. Give me the sand and a book with the ocean breeze and I'm a happy girl.

family

me & the boys

** Klare! My baby cousin was born. She is just the cutest little thing in the world. There is 21 years difference between us and I am no longer the only girl on that side of the family but she is just so sweet. I can't wait to watch her grow up. She was born while we were on vacation and I haven't seen her since she was 4 days old. I'm trying to schedule a play date. She is the newest little bulldog, I've already told her who the good team is :)

** Work! My summer plans were changed from trips back and forth from Athens & Rome because I got a babysitting job at home. I have only made it back to Athens twice for about 4 days total. I've worked 3 times at my job at McPhaul. I'm just glad I got to tell my babies in the 4 year old classroom goodbye the last time I was there. I'm going to really miss them! I do miss it and I miss my friends! I'm babysitting 3 kids. 2 boys and 1 girl and they are 11, 8 & 7. The boys (oldest 2) stay to themselves and their video games for the most part which leaves me and the little girl to watch tv and color and stuff. On good days they play and I sit on the couch and study and do whatever I want to. Not to mention they have a totally awesome coffee maker!

** Roadtrip! I went to Albany to see Sara & April. I have really missed them. I was with them a Sunday-Wednesday and we didn't document my journey with a single picture which is not like us at all. BUT it has been a highlight of my summer so far. I love them!

** I'm studying for the GRE. That is definitely not the highlight of my summer.Throw in VBS, church baseball and swimming adventures you have my typical summer. I haven't seen many people this summer so its been kind of boring sitting around my house. Its giving me time to think about things but its nice since I need to study. Lots & Lots of family time which is nice considering my brother moves off to college in August! I'm reading a lot and working on figuring out my life. I do love summer!

** Things to come:
-  Ansley's birthday
-  GRE 
-  Another spontaneous Athens trip (I hope)
-  My brother moves to college
-  School starting :(
-  My birthday (I'll be old)
-  Trying to decide if I want to cut my hair (I know, such a tough decision)
-  Seeing my friends!!!!!! (this will be my favorite)

A day in the life...

This is a completely random post but I'm bored and babysitting. Which is basically what my summer has consisted of. That and road trips. I'm really missing my friends this summer so last week it was nice to visit Sara & April at home and to see peeps in Athens! My little trip around Georgia was just what I needed. I love to drive and think. Anyway, as I digressed, back to the post!


Currently I am:

listening: to the tv. The kids are watching the new series on Disney Channel "My babysitter is a vampire". Which is ironic considering they are watching with their babysitter.
eating: nothing
drinking: coffee with caramel vanilla creamer... yumm
wearing: My favorite Nike running shorts and SAO My Tie t-shirt
feeling: happy
weather: gloomy. Its going to rain all day
wanting: someone to come home
needing: a really really good hug. And breakfast.
thinking: about all the stuff I have to do between now and August 15th 
missing: my friends
enjoying: summertime :)

I'm a proud sister!

My baby brother graduates high school this weekend. Tomorrow is his last day of high school. This makes me feel so old. Sidebar..I had a freak out because I'm turning 22 in 3 months the other day.. I've watched my little brother grow and become a great young man. He really is my best friend. We've always been close for a brother and sister. I can probably count on 1 hand how many real fights we've had over the past 18 years. Actually I only remember 1. Anyway, he's a great friend, a great little brother and we share a lot of interests. I only wish him the best in everything he does.

Babies!

our favorite place :)

Easter this year.

Region golf champions :) this is his passion

Up Next.... Graduation picture

I also wrote about little brother here

See ya later!

Recently I said a lot of goodbyes. I hate the term goodbye because for some of those people its not a goodbye. Sure, some of the people who graduated and my paths will never cross again but they had an impact in my life and I will never forget them. Some of these people I met freshman year and we managed to stay friends throughout 4 years of college. Some I was with non-stop that first year when I thought I would be so lonely. I needed them now and who knows, one day I may need them again.

Other friends I said goodbye to for the summer. A lot of friendships aren't cut out for summer friendships. You know, those 3 months between the end of school and the start of school. Summers bring about adventures and catching up for most people and sometimes friendships just aren't cut out for distance. The good thing about most of these friendships is that you are able to pick right back up where you left off when you return back to school. I'm glad to say that thanks to modern technology it makes summer friendships a lot easier!

Then there are those friends who I said goodbye to who I know where they are headed on this next stage of their lives. Its not going to be easy to be in Athens without them but I know that our friendships will remain intact (at least I like to think they will).

It doesn't take me long to start missing people. Really, 1 week and it starts. There are those people I see daily and talk to on a regular basis that missing them is something that can't be controlled. So, when I say "I miss you" I really do mean it. When someone responds with "miss you too" I often wonder if they really mean it or if they are just saying it because its what you are supposed to do. I don't know. Anyway, that was a slight digression from my point.

Ah, yes my point ( a few paragraphs later). While looking on Pinterest which I am addicted to now I came across two quotes from Winnie the Pooh and I always  knew he had the best advice. These pictures made me curious so when I googled some of the quote I found a youtube video of Winnie the Pooh talking to Christopher Robin about a day when they are no longer together. It gave me some peace because it is true.... "As long as we are apart together we shall certainly be fine".

True friends remain friends no matter what distance. I can say a million goodbyes and if all 1 million of those people and I remain friends it was meant to be. At the same time if 5 of them and I stay close that would be okay too.

If ever there's a tomorrow we're not together...

To those of you who graduated and are moving
 on to bigger and better things... CONGRATULATIONS and good luck! To the others See ya later (in August to be exact)

I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart...

 

Today at church we talked about JOY. We were reading from Philippians. I have never really spent much time on Philippians but today I learned I really enjoy it. Joy is something we should have everyday. Joy is not the same thing as happiness and no one can take joy away from us as long as we have God. 

 The 3 things that were said to be "joy killers" were 1. Worry 2. Stress and 3. Fear. I needed to hear this today because for the past few weeks all three of these things have been a part of my life. Worrying and stressing about school, life, future plans and all that fun stuff. Fear hasn't been as evident and as often but it does come into my life sometimes. I don't know whats going to happen tonight, tomorrow or even 10 years down the road but I can't control it. If I try I am losing some of my joy. 


So, do you have JOY? Do you show it everyday? Just think about it. It was nice for me to sit and listen to the things that were said.

Katie