Here's a short little update for all of you who don't read this. I'm home in Alaska, the one place I can truly call home. This summer has rocked my world. I have been an emotional mess and feel as if I've been thrown into adulthood without my consent. But here I am, trying my hardest to be a responsible adult. My parents moved to Maryland and the only thing keeping me sane is the fact that I'm busy...all...the...time. I'm grateful for that due to the fact that I'm making money. I have a wicked-awesome full time job with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, complete with health benefits. All I do is drive around and wrestle fish all day, and it's all in the beautiful Alaskan outdoors. Along with that I have a couple other odd jobs that I do on my day's off from fish and game. It's good. God is good...and I'm constantly trying to keep that in mind, because it's the never-ending truth.
This summer has been a challenge. I believe in the end it will grow and strengthen me in ways I can't even imagine. At least I hope so.

Rainy days.

It's raining again today. It's been like this for the last couple days. Rainy and dreary. It is rather refreshing, though. As much as I don't like walking in the rain and getting to work with soaking wet feet, there are other things that I love even more. There is nothing like the sound of rain on the roof to fall asleep to, or the clean, fresh, smell of outdoors after a good rainfall, or me imagining the hallelujah chorus coming from the plants and trees as they rejoice in the blessing they have been given.

Even the thought of rain kind of blows my mind. I've never been much of a scientist, so I don't understand the logistics of it all, but all I know is that when there gets to be too much moisture for the clouds to handle, it falls out, forms into little droplets, and wahlah!...rain. Oh, and if the temperature is just cold enough, it forms into perfect unique flakes, and there you have it...snow. Just think about it. Did you hear that? Yup, that was my mind being blown.

The wonderful thing about rain is that when it soaks into my shoes and makes my feel wet...when given a little time, eventually dries up, and I'm left with clean, dry feet :)

The Notebook

These last two weeks have been a blur. I'm even at a loss for where to start.
Well, for one, I graduated from Grace College with a degree in Counseling and Criminal Justice. It's a relief being done. I waited so long for that day to come and now it's done just that - come and gone. Graduating is a lot more than just receiving that diploma. It comes with a lot of baggage. My friends are gone - the ones I care about the most and have grown to love these last 3 years. We've all gone our separate ways. Graduating had only reinforced my dislike for change. I've finally gotten to a place I love, with the people I love, only to see them changed forever. Everything changes, and I hate change. I can't say for certain that I'll ever see some of my dearest friends again, and it breaks my heart.

I love my job. I love the people I get to see everyday when I come to work. I could have the crappiest day ever, but it wouldn't matter, because I can know for a fact someone will make me laugh. I know what's expected of me and I love coffee. It doesn't get much better than that. But, alas, I leave next week. I going to miss this place. My goal is to live in Winona Lake at least one summer over the course of my lifetime.

The plan is to come back this fall for grad school at Grace. I'm thinking part time, and perhaps some online. I was told my job will be waiting for me when I return, which is a relief. One thing I can be sure about. All I have to do is turn in my application, research airfare for a return trip, and find a place to live. I really wish I could take some time off, you know, no loans to pay off for a while, just work and enjoy living, maybe do some traveling with Kelsey. *sigh* that would be the life.

I'm finally reading for FUN. I have been wanting to read The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. It's wonderful.

woierhdkjscn,mn!

Last paper! I'm surprised I'm writing this considering I'm sick of writing at the moment! UGH! I can't wait for this last one to be done. And then I'm done...like really done. Ah!
Thats all for now. My brain hurts.

Not much to say here.

Sooo...graduation is in less than 2 weeks. 13 days to be exact. I'm excited but freaked out at the same time. I have two more papers to get done before graduation can actually become a reality. Have I mentioned before that I hate writing papers?! Gross. I am lacking all motivation at this point. The stress level that is increasingly getting more and more intense is my only real motivation to do anything productive these days.
These last couple weeks are starting to get bittersweet. Lots of changes to come, that's for sure.

Breathing time.

It's Spring Break and it's Saturday! I'm all moved into David's place as of yesterday. it's cute there minus all the creepy crawling things, aka spiders and lady bugs. I was attacked by a spider last night, but I killed it. Pretty talented, I must say, considering being blind from lack of contacts or glasses. About 5 smacks from a converse shoe later and that thing was long gone.
Kayla came to visit me at work yesterday to inform me, not ask me, that her and Jeremy were taking me out for dinner at nowhere other than Ceralean. I was happy to comply, almost to the point of tears. I just love them :) So after excitedly walking home and changing into more appropriate (aka CUTE) clothes they picked me up. I was just really excited to wear my cute orange boots. Anyways, as much as I LOVE Ceralean, I do not enjoy figuring out what to order. Everything sounds delicious, and half of the things I have no idea what they are, ha. We did eventually decide what to get. Kayla and I shared the following: Complimentary fresh bread with multiple flavored butters, Unagi roll, Alligator roll, edemame, pork tenderloin with balsamic strawberries, and asparagus with yummy goodness. OMG, most amazing dinner EVER. We couldn't finish. And to top of the evening we went back to their place and watched All About Steve. Sandra Bullock = hilarious/love her.
That was a good day.
I'm not working today but once again I am spending my day at work. Gotta take advantage of this free wi-fi! I love it here, plain and simple. I'm going to read for fun. Wait...what's that?! I guess I'll find out.

Maryland

Well, it's done. My parents are moving. My dad was offered the head pastor position at a church in Hagerstown, Maryland. My parents are MOVING. I don't believe it quite yet. It's still too surreal. I am happy about the fact my dad has a job now, no more searching and waiting for him! I don't know exactly where I'm suppose to go after graduation. Do I go back to AK or follow my parents? There are just too many options now that they are leaving. Me + many options + indecisiveness = no good.
One thing is for certain...I love the Goo Goo Dolls, and Iron and Wine, and Ray Lamontagne. Yup.