Realizing Nothing's Changed

There are some friendships that will remain valuable no matter how much time you spend apart from each other. I love the realization that despite all the time away we can pick up right where we left off.

Thanks for being you.

New Jobs

Money allows me the freedom to live where and how I want.
I can't wait to get started.

Reuniting With Best Friends

It had been five months since I had seen my best friend as she traveled Europe and caused mischief all over the world. Today, she came back and I could not be more grateful. There are certain people in your life that you just need to be there with you and she is that person for me.
Welcome home.

Thanks for always being there, even when you're across the world.

Productive Meetings

They're long, they're tedious, but they're totally necessary. Through the hours of discussion and voting something big and important gets done and I'm grateful for the results. I see big things in the future.

Thanks.

When Concerts Turn into Giant Dance Parties

It's my two favorite things at the same time. Dancing and live music.
Thank you Brett Dennen. You never cease to amaze.

Changes in Plans

I have a tendency of trying to plan out my life. We all do. We like to believe that we have any amount of control over where things are headed. We don't. I need the constant reminder through spontaneity and unpredictable days that my plans mean nothing.

I am so grateful for the reminder to let go and let God and see where the universe takes me.

Innovative Ideas

I love things that challenge me to look at my life in a new way. Today we strapped glowsticks to our bodies and turned off the lights in ballet to study our alignment. Not only was it an interesting and helpful study, but it was also a lot of fun.

That Crucial Bit of Information that Helps You Make A Decision

After months of debating, wondering, analyzing incessantly it's such a relief to finally learn the last bit of information that makes everything seem so clear. Even when the outcome isn't favorable, it's still nice to not have to worry about it anymore. A weight has been lifted and it feels so good.

Thanks for clearing things up.

Surprise Visitors

I'm so grateful to have friends who will just swing by when I least expect them and add a little spontaneous excitement and joy to my life. You guys are beautiful.

Thanks for this week.

Distractions

Slow down, that papers not that important anyway. More than anything you'll remember the times you had with your friends; the laughs, the craziness, the giant cuddle sessions. One paper won't make or break you. I'm counting on it.

Thanks.

Inside Jokes

Not just because they're funny, but because they bring people closer too.
There's so much laughter in this house.

Thanks Scraggles. ;)

Secret Missions

The plan was perfect and it was executed flawlessly with the help of some super sneaky friends. What a rush.

Thanks everyone, it wouldn't have happened without all of you.

The Good News that Follows the Bad News

The other day I got some really bad news. A close friend and her children were hit by a car. The youngest kid was flown to the hospital; she's two-years-old. Phone calls and emails went out to the community, as this family is deeply rooted in and well known and loved by the whole county. Love and prayers came pouring into their lives instantly.

Two days later everyone is scratched up and bruised both physically and mentally BUT everyone is home, everyone is well. The kids are playing and laughing and neither of them have any permanent damage beyond the scars on their hands and faces. Praise the Lord! What a blessing.

I'm so grateful everyone is ok.
I love you guys! Stay strong.

Really Really Busy Days

I never know what to do with free time. I like to be on the move, be involved. I get bored easily and feel unproductive. Sometimes I have a hard time relaxing because I'm so used to being busy that I get anxious that there's something I should be doing. That's why I love the days where every minute is scheduled with a million different activities with a hundred different people. At the end of those days I feel accomplished. The day was worth it and I got stuff done.

Thanks life for keeping me on the move.

This Song

Today I walked outside into a warm, sunny, spring day, turned on my iPod and this song was playing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvARxJoLirE

It's a positively beautiful day.
Thanks India.

Impromptu Trips to Anywhere

Forget doing homework, organizing for committees, preparing for meetings... we're going to steak and shake and we're going right now!

Thanks spontaneity, you're fun!

Friends Checking in on Your Stressful Week

Things aren't going according to plan and you need someone to talk to... suddenly the phone rings and you get this message: "How are you doing? How can I help?" Perfect timing.

Thanks for being there.

Getting to Celebrate Friends' Accomplishments

I have friends all over the world doing great big beautiful things. It's such a blessing to get to celebrate the amazing things they're accomplishing with them. Let's face it, I have awesome friends.

Thanks and congrats!

Wild Weekends

Getting away, dancing, eating, random wanderings, new cities, soooo many friends all in one place. These memories will last a life time.

Thanks formal weekend.

Seeing People You Haven't Seen in Awhile

Even if you just get to hug them and say hi it's nice to know they're still around.

Thanks old friends.

Shoes

Thursday was TOMS One Day Without Shoes. Being an avid TOMS fan and campus representative it's a cause I'm very passionate about. Last year I gladly and willingly shed my shoes and enjoyed every minute of the warm spring ground beneath my naked toes. This year was all about learning to be grateful for my shoes. My feet weren't happy as I dragged them across cold, wet, stony parking lots; they weren't happy when they sunk in the mud; they certainly weren't happy when it snowed. They were stressed and in pain and numb to the bone.

Some people live every day this way... barefoot on stone, in mud, and in snow or rain. Shoes are something I certainly don't lack which makes them easy to take for granted.

Thanks TOMS for being the change.

http://www.toms.com/

Naps

Sometimes a nap is all you need to jump start, restart, refresh, and brighten up your stressful day. Plus, they're awesome. http://1000awesomethings.com/2010/04/08/531-the-big-night-nap/

Finishing That Project You've Been Working On Forever

A million sources of research, weeks of typing and editing, thousands of words, hundreds of pages (or so it seems).

So much work.

But it's all done and it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I feel accomplished. I can finally focus on the next task.

Thankful to be finished!

Hometown Glory

We didn't win, but we put up a hell of a fight. It's amazing to see how everyone bands together when the home team makes it to the big game; everyone cheering, everyone a Bulldog. For once I'm proud to be a Hoosier.

Thanks Butler!

Easter

Christ is risen! It's hard not to rejoice and be grateful! Easter is a time to remember and celebrate the sacrifice of my savior and I am forever indebted to Him! Yay!

Museums

I love history. I love learning. I love playing. Museums offer all of those things.

Thanks museums!

Concerts

I love concerts. I went to my first concert back in 1996. I was 7-years-old then and the headlining performer was none other than blues legend, B.B. King. After enjoying the live music of other greats like Kenny Wayne Shephard and Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers, B.B. took the stage. I remember hearing him play a few notes then announcing "I'm B.B. King and this is my guitar, Lucille!" before I crashed and slept through the rest of his performance. Since then my attention span and ability to stay up late have improved and I've been to countless more concerts. Last night I saw Tegan and Sara for the second time and with each concert my love for live music is reignited. I can't get enough.

There are few things I love more than the feeling of the bass beating in my chest harder than my own heart. The lights dim, the crowd screams, the speakers boom, and music becomes your life force.

Exceeded Expectations

I was pretty confident things were going to go well, but they went perfectly and I left more confident than when I got there! Win.

Thanks.