The saying, "Growing up is hard to do," is so true!  I didn't think it was going to be this hard to be grown up.  And no I'm not talking about paying bills, school/job, boyfriends, or friendships...

I'm talking about transforming into an adult!  Being an adult...  It is so hard!  I'm talking about growing up on the inside.  Qualities such as upholding your word, being the bigger person...  Let me give you an example.  My dad & I have never been that close.  When I was a child, I was always hurt because I got a phone call maybe every 2 weeks.  Once I got into college I thought that things would get better.  I was wrong!  If anything, we became more distant! 

God has been kicking my butt lately about growing up!  My friend B just wrote a blog about being half-assed at everything and it really hit home.  God has called me to do a lot of things but if I don't get up off my butt I'll never achieve them.  One of the first steps I took was starting to write my dad weekly emails to keep him updated about my life.  I'm horrible about callin people and keeping in touch so I decided to email! 

I am getting off my butt and upholding my word to God and others in my life!  I am going to be the person that God wants me to be.  I know that the road to Growing Up is not going to be easy; yet again, nobody ever said life was easy!

This year has passed by so fast with numerous trials that have come and gone.  I graduated with my bachelors.  I didn't know what I was going to do after that... but a few days later a miracle came.  A scholarship letter came in the mail for graduate school!  I am now working as a graduate research assistant & attending graduate school full time for my masters.  I just finished my first semester with all A's!!!  It was really difficult but with the Lord by my side I did it!  I have also been blessed with an amazing relationship with a wonderful guy!  I found that learning to let go is an important lesson to learn... and in my case, God brought Mike into my life!  We have been together for 10 months now!  I have also made new friends this year and rekindled some old friendships.  I share an apartment with my sister (also my best friend).  And the fact that I have an amazing family that supports me in following my dreams...what an honor on my part! I have battled a lot this year... The Lord pulled me through it and sent many people in my life to help me through it all!  As the year is ending, I wanted to thank the Lord for such an amazing year in which I learned more than I have through all of my education!

Here's how you play: Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment ("You're It") and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see your answers!

1. I am an 80's child to the core... everyone laughs at me when I start singing the theme song of Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles.

2. I snort... and sometimes when I'm really going I snort some more!

3. I am a crazy mad lady... I graduated in July and started my M.S. program in August.

4. I love taking random road trips to Alabama... well or anywhere else the map/road will take me.

5. I have really soft cartilidge in my nose so I can bend it all the way to my cheek (left or right)!

6. I have been in a wonderful relationship for the past 9 months... :)

7. My friends here know me for my notorious word scramblers... just ask me for an example!

8. Last year, (only a once in a lifetime event) I ate a can of spam in 2 whole bites!!!  lol... It is possible!

9. I have been driving my red lil' station wagon for 4 1/2 years.  All my friends love the Hula Girl I have on my dash.

10. I recently adopted a puppy named Oreo!

I chose Mikey because he's my wonderful boyfriend who I love so much.

I chose Beth because she's my sister.... and she loves me.

I chose Cassie because she said I probably didn't have anything weird... lol!  And she's an awesome person!

I chose Ryan because he's odd!!!

I chose Kris because she's a wonderful mother and one of my closest & dearest friends.

I chose Fuddy because I haven't seen him in awhile... Interested in what's going on in his life!

I chose Danielle because she's my other half!

I chose Lennie because she likes to learn!

I chose George because he likes odd facts...

I chose Meagan because she's known me my whole life... Let's see what kind of odd things she will tell.

Hey everybody!  It's been awhile since I've posted a blog.  Since the last blog, my step-grandfather passed away about a month ago.  I have also been trying to adjust to grad school and all the work that goes along with it.  I am doing well but I still have to kick my procrastinating butt most days to get the work done.  Lately I have been reading the "Autobiography of Malcom X" and it's been great! 

There was a quote in the book that says, "Every moment of your life up until now acts as ingredients to who you are now." 

Just when you think that things aren't happening like they're suppose to.... I read this quote that reminds me that every event that takes place is for a reason!  It helped me to keep my faith in the Lord and know that He is watching over me.  All the tests and trials He puts me through is to mold me into the person I need to be to serve Him.  Although some of these events aren't happy or exciting, events such as death gives a person a reality check.  Reality checks in your walk are awesome because they keep you from becoming bored and mundane in your walk.  They may difficult and you may not see the "light at the end of the tunnel" (so cliche) but have faith and you will persevere through it with the Lord's help.

Life throws a lot of different trials your way.... and you can't give up!  To succeed you must find your faith and hold on for the ride. 

I just found out this afternoon that my grandmother's husband, Ted, doesn't have much longer to live.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago.  He fought back with God by his side doing numerous treatments of chemo.  There for awhile we thought that he was getting better until recently.  He just found out that his cancer has moved into his brain which is not good. 

I have known Ted my whole life.    Ted has always been the kind of ole' man to push your buttons but that's the way he shows his love.  When he found out he had cancer, he gave his life to the Lord and for the first time he said I love you to me! 

This made me think that you have to learn how to deal with some life events.  They seem not fair... 

"After a While" by Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises and you beging to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child and you learn to build all our roads on today because tomorrow's ground is to uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you lean that even sunshine burns if you get too much so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure you really are strong you really do have worth and you learn and you learn with every goodybe, you learn....

My Grandma Baker gave me this poem when I graduated high school.  At the time I really didn't understand it, four years later (when I'm about to graduate from college) I finally realize the very meaning of the poem.  I just moved into a new place and I was going through some old momentos.  I came across this poem and it just hit me that this was life.  This poem represents every female out there...  I could say that for a while now I've been trying to figure out the meaning of my life and where I am supposed to go; yet,  I have realized that I can't figure that out by myself.  The Lord gives us our life experiences for a reason and each experience takes us closer to that path.  In Ecclesiastes *may not be spelled correctly*, it talks about there is a season for everything.  I have had a rough time this summer.  Things all of a sudden seemed like they were beyond difficult and I was all by myself.  I had forgotten that the Lord was right there by my side and that He had given me my family and friends for support.  He let me find this poem again because He reminded me that everything, every little experience has a purpose in my life where I see it or not.  Things may not always go the way I want; however, I need to retain to my faith in the Lord and He will guide me down the path that He wants me too.  I just have to be patient...  Thank you Lord for that light in the tunnel!!!!  :)

 I will be graduating officially in a month!  I'm already done & I can't believe that I'm about to start the next chapter of my life!  I am so excited...  Well to all my friends... I don't know if I will be staying in Carrollton this year.  I've got some job offers across the United States and I'm trying to find the path that God wants me to take.  Please pray for me... Also I've got great news for my closest friends... But you have to call me & find out!  (let's just put it this way... IT'S BIG!!) 

I just wanted to say that I love all my friends.  Thanks for being there for me when I first moved to Carrollton and accepted me into your hearts.  You have made Carrollton my home and if it weren't for you guys I don't know what I would have done without you.  God has blessed me with a family and I thank him everyday for that!  Love you guys!

The line of which to cross... Do you spill your feelings for someone or not?

That is such a hard question to answer. 

Do you want to risk the chance of rejection or find out that it could possibly turn into something great?

I've learned that life is short.  If you see something that has turned into a possibility, take a chance.  Rejection does hurt a lot; however, the flipside is awesome.  Rejection prepares us for the answer we look for.  The hope keeps us searching for something more.  If we didn't have rejection, *that answer* that we so desperately yearn would not matter much.  Rejection actually makes us stronger... gives us hope for the future... and is the key to the preparation for when we do hear *that answer*: YES!

So risking chances... a good thing I have figured out!  It can hurt... It can make you cry sometimes..

On the flipside, if you never try, then you'll never find that one!