Updates

Sheesh. It's been almost a year since I've written anything. Let's catch you up on the essential changes that you need to know about, shall we?

Current Location - Arizona. After 23 years of rain, snow, hail, humidity, and everything in between I decided to move to the desert. It's been great so far but I miss thunderstorms and everyone says I have an accent. At work I've earned the nickname "Kansas". It's awesome.

Current Employer - A law firm. I won't say which one, but if you know me it won't be hard to find out which one it is.

Current Living Situation - My wonderful aunt and uncle have been extremely generous and have let me move into their guestroom in their house. I really enjoy living in an actual house instead of an apartment. However, I now have two new housemates in the form of my older male cousins (and my aunt and uncle of course). Here's how that's going...

• I have been banned from recording overly girly shows on the DVR
• I have learned to write my name on anything in the fridge that I want to eat. Even then it's not a guarantee that I'll actually get to eat it.
• Most of the groceries are gone within 30 hours of being brought home.
• Any type of sports show overules anything that I would be interested in watching.
• I have to schedule a time to do my laundry because the machines are always running. Always.
• I now live with a dog that barks at everything. Absolutely everything. And he's sacred of everything. Absolutely everything.
• My uncle will make not so sublte hints about me moving out about three times a week. But he doesn't mean them...at leat I'm pretty sure he doesn't.

BUT  I love living with my family. I'm so happy that I've gotten to know my cousins better. They constantly make me laugh and let me tag along with them. I am truly blessed to have my best friends in Arizona also be my family. There is no way my transition would be as smooth as it has been without them. Thanks guys :)

To sum it up - I'm really happy that I moved to Arizona. Yes, I miss my Kansas friends, family, rain, and thunderstorms but I've learned a lot about myself and have grown up a lot by moving out here. And it feels great to be writing again. I didn't realize how much I've missed it.

Employed

Let me start off this post with one simple statement... I GOT A JOB!

After months of looking, praying, interviews and more resumes than I want to count, I finally have a job. I'm working in the Public Administration department at KU and I'm couldn't be more excited. I'll be making travel arrangements for the department's professors, helping with the department's budget, and planning events that my department puts on (and yes, I'm aware that I used the word "department" three times). I will have to drive to Lawrence every day, but I love my apartment and I don't want to live in Lawrence anyway  so that's a sacrifice that I'll have to make. I'm incredibly thankful for this job and I really feel like it's the right one for me. I know this post is short, but I'll post again when I have more to say about my new job. My first day is Tuesday the 31st! To everyone out there that's still looking I have this advice - don't take the first job offer that comes your way if you really don't want it. Hold out for a good job that you'll like and want to do every day. It will happen, you just have to be extremely patient.

First post from the "Real World"

I've been living in my apartment by myself for a whole week now. It's weird getting used to living on your own when you've always lived with family or roommates. I don't have to share the TV remote, I can set the thermostat at whatever temperature I want, and I only have to clean up after myself. Overall, I like it a lot. I do miss my old roommates and it does get lonley sometimes, but it's been pretty good so far.

I'm still working two part-time jobs as of now, but I've been interviewing for a job at KU and got called back for a second interview this week. I'm very excited and I think I could do really well at this job, but it's in Lawrence and that's going to use up a lot of gas and time every day. That's the only negative about the job and I'm trying to decide if it's worth it.

My not-so-little sister is graduating from high school this Sunday, I think I'm having a harder time realizing that she's actually graduating than I did with my own. She'll be coming up to Olathe for college, so it'll be nice to have her close again.

So there's just a litte up-date on what's been going on these past few weeks. Hopefully I'll have more exciting news to put on here soon.

DIY Chords

It's been awhile since I've written, mostly because I haven't been able to think of a topic to write about besides graduation. I absolutely cannot believe that it's 18 days away. I officially have senioritus, and for the first time since I can remember, my nerdy self has no motivation to write papers or do homework. I've worked ahead since kindergarten and I think I've used up all my desire for wanting to get things done. Don't get me wrong, I'll do it, but I've never wanted to procrastinate this much on homework.

One thing that I didn't realize until all these forms for graduation came was that you have to pay to join all these Honor Societies out there. My grades have always been very important to me and I've worked really hard to make sure my grades were above average every semester. I was excited that I had been invited to join all these societies until I realized you have to pay to be a member. To be honest, I just wanted some chords to be able to wear with my cap and gown, but you have to pay to join the society and then pay to have to chords too! I told my friend Sarah about this problem, and we came up with a solution. We're going to Hobby Lobby and we're going to buy our own chords. Then we can pick out the colors we want and not  pay to join any society because all we really want is the chords anyway. So Sarah and I will soon be headed to Hobby Lobby to design our own chords exactly the way we want. Because we deserve it, dang it! Try and stop us, Dr. Ed. Just try.

On another note, if you haven't been to the website whenparentstext, you should check it out. My sister told me about it and I swear it made me laugh out loud. All these texts sound exactly like something my parents would text me. It's hilarious. I also recommend cakewrecks, but be careful, this website has made me laugh so hard that I can't breathe. DO NOT go to this website if you're in class. It'll get you kicked out for sure.

Look for me and Sarah Dickenson at graduation! We'll be the only ones with the cool chords.

Counting My Blessings

Life has been really stressful lately. It's easy for me to get caught up in everything that I have going on and trying to figure out my life after graduation. Sometimes it feels like my life is a mess but that's not true. I have a life that other people would love to have, and too many time I forget about all the blessings that God has given me. I've made a little list of things I'm thankful for so no matter how hectic and stressed I get, I'll always be able to remember how good my life really is.

• I'm thankful for my parents. They gave me a great childhood filled with love and laughter and made sure I always had everything I needed. They sacrificed to put my sister and I in private schools and are paying for my college education. I'm going to graduate with no loans or debt and that is something I can't even begin to tell them thank you enough for. They are my biggest fans and even though I'm not sure where I'm going to be living or working, I know they will never let me go homeless or hungry. It's such a comfort to know that I'll be taken care of and always have a home to go to no matter what my situation is. 
• I'm thankful for my sister and cousins. Jill always pushes me to be a better person and I know I can always count on her to give me an honest opinion about anything. We haven't been the best of friends for the 18 years we've known each other, but I know that no matter what I do, she will always be my sister and nothing can ever change that. I have also been blessed to have a wonderfully close group of cousins, especially Phil, Doug, and Steve. All of my cousins are special to me but I was around those three the most when I was growing up and they're more like my brothers than my cousins. I know I can call any of them and they'll be there for me. I feel sad for families that aren't as close as ours.
• I'm thankful for my friends. I'm so lucky to be able to live with 3 of the best friends I've ever had. When I think about all the horror stories some of my friends have experienced with roommates over the years, I can't believe how blessed I am to have never had a bad rooming experience. I met Andrea in Chicago when we were both visiting Olivet - who would've known she would become my roommate and one of my best friends for four years. You can really see God's hand in the story of how we became roommates. He provided me with a wonderful friend who fit my living style perfectly. The same goes with Taylor and Becky, who I had never met until the day we moved in. We all get along so well and have so much fun together. I am truly blown away by God's blessings in this area.
• I'm thankful for another person in my life who will remain nameless. When I think about our relationship, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for supporting me and sticking with me for all these years. Your support and approval mean the most to me and I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life. We've been through a lot and the fact that you're still here and want to be here amazes me. I can't imagine my life without you and I honestly don't want to. I don't know what I would've done without you. All I know is that as long as you're still here, I'll be here. Thank you for everything.
• I'm thankful for my God who has never turned His back on me even though I've done things that have disappointed Him. Knowing His arms are always open to me is a hard concept to grasp. I do not deserve His undying love but I am incredibly thankful for it. I don't think I could ever be as patient with someone as He is with me. I know for a fact that there is absolutely no way I could have made it the past 22 years without Him. 

This list is in no way complete, and when I realize how many more things I could have listed, it overwhelms me. I am so blessed. There is no need for me to complain about my life and how crazy it is. God has given me all these blessings already and He will continue to provide for me throughout my life. Knowing that I am loved and taken care of by Him is the most reassuring peace.

Have you met my pet Peeve?

Laundry.

It's a simple task to master. You put your clothes in, put your soap in, and here's the most important part - you take them out when they're done. Seriously, people. We are in college. What is so hard to remember about getting your clothes out of the washer when they're done? Apparently this is too much to ask of certain people but I just don't understand it. So, yes, I am one of those people who puts your wet clothes on top of the washing machine when I need to put mine in. I used to put them in the dryer, but then one time I got chewed out by a girl who told me I shrunk her clothes when she found out it was me who was trying to be nice when she left her clothes in the washing machine an hour after they were done. Leaving your laundry in the machine is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Another thing that drives me crazy is when people have their window wipers on high when it's sprinkling. I get this overwhelming urge to chase them down and tell them that it's not pouring and there's no need for their wipers to be going so fast. Don't they get annoyed by that squeaky/scraping sound when there's not enough water on the windshield? They're just wearing them down faster and going to have to spend more money replacing them. Just writing about it is making me tense. I have know idea why this bothers me so much but it really gets to me.

So here's the question, what's your pet peeve? I'm not asking for things that annoy you, I'm asking for things that make you queasy, upset, even angry. And if you're out driving when it's raining and you see me running behind your car trying to get your attention, it's more than likely because your wipers are on too high. Or you left your laundry in the machine.

I Need A Home

As of today, March 18, I have exactly 51 days to find a place to live or a person to live with. Here's a rundown of my options...

Option 1
Get the summer internship that I interviewed for and stay in Olathe for at least two months. I won't know if I get the internship until sometime after March 25, which makes planning difficult but I really want this internship. It's with a marketing company and it's paid, which is amazing. I really hope that this works out, but it still leaves me in need of a place to live for two months while I'm working.

Option 2
Get an apartment and take one of the first full time jobs I find so I can support myself. This would be better if I could find a roommate, but so far I haven't had any luck. Everyone I've talked to is either moving back home for the summer, living on campus next semester, or already has committed to living with someone else. I could afford a one bedroom, but money would be tight and I'd rather not.

Option 3
Move back home. I would save a lot of money, but this is my least favorite option. I've lost touch with pretty much all of my friends in Wichita and I would be farthest away from the friends I've made in college. I'll do it if I have no other choice, but for right now this is my back-up plan.

So in the spirit on apartment/roommate searching I've posted the following ad I found on Craigslist. They're looking for a roommate, and while it sounds promising, I just have a funny feeling that it wouldn't be the best living situation...

Hello,

I am seeking out a roommate. I've had several the past 3 months that did not work out so well and am hoping to find "the perfect housemate." I think it can be done!

I do have a few rules that need to be followed, but other than that, we should get along fine!
I request that you listen to all music via headphones. I have mild tinnitus and the sounds from most Hi-Fi equipment sans headphones really irritate me. I am open to discussing music, but sadly we cannot directly share it as my ears can't handle rapidly changing frequencies. (If you'd like to share lyrics, I'd be more than delighted to oblige!)

If you are going to cook, please do not use the following spices: curries, paprika, anything Cajun, and dill. The smells of these things turns my stomach. (If you have any scents that you'd like to avoid, by all means let me know and I'll do you the same honour.)

You must brush your teeth at least twice a day. If there is anything I cannot stand it's filthy teeth. (Believe me, I've had a couple roommates who just could not handle this simple routine - your gingiva may not mind, but I certainly DO.)

If you are going to watch TV, please let me know in advance which programs you'd like to watch. I do have TiVo, by the by, and I have certain shows that I simply must watch when they originally air. I cannot be too flexible with this because I cannot stand to wait to see my programs. You have to understand that I simply have to watch them when they originally air or I will get a little batty. Most of my programs are on public broadcasting and do not tend to run during prime-time spots.

I do not appreciate unannounced house-guests. I need to know at least two days in advance that company is coming - I need to know the duration of the stay, and the nature of the visit. But, I am open to any and all visitors, I just need to know the specifics involved.

I have reduced rent drastically because I realise that some of my requests might seem slightly stringent. I will pay the bulk of the rent in exchange for your understanding, your commitment to the house, and your humouring of my quirks.

You must be ok with my upholstery hobby. On every third Tuesday of the month I request that you vacate the house between the hours of 4 pm - 11:45pm while I upholster various pieces of antique furniture. I am a perfectionist and require complete silence in the house. I've tried this with housemates who've promised to stay in their rooms, but this proved impossible as bathroom habits demand a regular schedule that interrupts my artisan work. That said, I will give you a small stipend on these days if it will assist you in finding something to do with that block of time.

No newspapers or magazines. The ink gets everywhere and the gloss irritates my eyes. Sorry! You are free to read them on the front porch, but they must be stored outside of the house (perhaps in your car?)

This is not to sound discriminating, but, if you speak either French, Urdu, or Afrikaans, I kindly request that you not speak them in my vicinity as the cadences used in these languages are grating to the ears and nerves, for me.

I have fresh produce delivered from an undisclosed location to my home every Wednesday afternoon. Please do not purchase fruits or vegetables and bring them home. You can request any that you desire and I will add them to my order queue. (I am fastidious about potential-GM produce and pesticide usage - I will not tolerate either!) Also, if you insist on preparing red meat dishes in the home, do cook the meat thoroughly. IT MUST SIZZLE.

No cellphone tones in my home! Please use silent mode only!

You are not to use paints in the home. The noxious odours will aggravate my allergies!

That's the summary of my requests! I do actually have a handbook which I will provide for your perusal during our interview (yes, there will be an interview for final-stage candidates) that outlines all of my more particular requests.

If you are interested, please email me the following information:

1. Name
2. Occupation
3. Age
4. Allergies
5. Favourite author