I need to write.

I just don't know where.

Here? A new blog?

A journal? A napkin?

Somewhere.

The End’s Not Near, It’s Here (Again)

I’ve been reflecting on this little ole blog. I haven’t written here in ages.

And so much has changed in my life since I started writing here so, so long ago.

When I first started blogging, I was just a wee one in high school and now? Now I’m on the cusp of my final semester of classes for my undergraduate degree. Where did the time go?!?! When they say the time goes by in the blink of an eye, they aren’t joking! I can only imagine how quickly the next 12 months will be here and gone.

I met so many fabulous people through the wonderful world of blogging; many of who I still keep up with quite regularly, whether it be reading their blogs or having connected with them on other social media sites. And will continue to do so.

This blog has seen me through many highs and lows in my life; the comparison from the present to last June or even three Junes before that is just absolutely astonishing. I thought I had it all figured out three Junes ago—oh how naïve I was. The important things to me have changed as has my worldview on so many topics. I have grown from a quiet girl to a college-educated woman ready to embrace the future and all that it has to offer me. The world is my oyster and I cannot wait to take it on.

With the transition from student to teacher before me, I think that it’s time to make another change: it’s time to close up this here blog and begin anew elsewhere—a “big girl” kind of blog. (For those of you who’ve been with me, email me and I’ll send you a link so you can stay updated!)

I may post a few more times to wrap-up my adventures in this little corner of cyberspace or this may be my last post. I haven’t decided quite yet.

It has been a wonderful experience, having this blog, and I cannot say thank you enough to all my readers and the wonderful men and women that I have met along the way.

Thank you for the last 4 years.

Thank you for being a part of my journey on my quest to finding the key to being me.

I’m another step closer :)

And for posterity’s sake…pictures of 4-years-ago-me and the me of today. (Can’t imagine how much different I’ll look in another 4 years!)

Endure.

 

Do you ever see people on Good Morning America or read about them in the newspaper and you’re just naturally drawn to them? Like you think to yourself: “Man, she looks like someone I would be friends with!” or “I bet he has the best laugh.”?

I remember being a 10-year-old girl and watching the TV in wide-eyed disbelief over the Elizabeth Smart case. Her disappearance. Her amazing return. And the life that unfolded afterwards.

For most people, that would be it: the astounding miracle that occurred before our eyes. Life goes on.

But for me, she’s just always kinda stayed in the back of my mind. I was fascinated by her. I felt connected to her in some way. And tonight, I found out the reason why.

Elizabeth Smart came to talk at my college as part of our convocation series this semester. She shared her story with us—with a smile on her face, wit and charm in her words, and an incredibly infectious and lovable personality. It was incredible to hear her reflect on that time in her life and  have her share the knowledge and wisdom she gained from the experience with us.

She had already wowed me with her (and her mom’s) message of choosing happiness in every thing we do. But when it came to the Q&A, when a brave soul asked the Bible verse that got her through her kidnapping, my mouth fell open when she shared with my peers, my own favorite Bible verse.

“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)

For anyone who knows me, this Bible verse has been my favorite for some time, as it’s gotten me through quite a few testings. It’s also one that I’ve been patiently waiting to have inked on my wrist; endure, that is. (And, I’d just like to note, it’s not your average “favorite” piece of scripture!)

And I suddenly realized why I had always kept Elizabeth Smart tucked back in the corner of my mind. As she said tonight, had her ordeal not happened to her, she wouldn’t have been standing before me tonight. But she was. And the path that I’ve taken in life, and the things that have happened and the choices I have made, led me to my seat (after waiting 2 hours) to hear her speak tonight.

To hear her tell me to choose happiness. To share my favorite verse.

I was supposed to hear her. To meet her.

We endured. And we will endure.

Every thing truly does happen for a reason.

Kelly’s Show Us Your Singles Friday!

 

This post isn’t for me, but for my dear friend Meredith.

Meredith was one of the first people that I met upon my arrival at college and she has been a central facet of my life here on campus ever since.

Meredith is an intelligent, hard-working, caring, and beautiful young woman. She loves animals—especially dogs. After completing her undergraduate degree from BC in May of 2014, Meredith plans to attend a vet school to become a small animal veterinarian.

Meredith is 20 years old and from Maryland, although she attends college in Virginia where she is very involved with campus life. She enjoys being outside, watching football and baseball, and playing tennis.

Meredith enjoys Broadway productions and a good book on a cold winter day. She loves, loves, loves her music! She’s always humming along to some song or another—especially Maroon 5. Meredith is also a self-confessed anglophile, too! She plans to visit London next January and hopes to catch a glimpse of Kate Middleton—her favorite fashion idol! :)

Meredith’s looking for a guy with a great sense of humor and someone as driven and goal-oriented as she is in her life endeavors.

Our friends and I want only the best for our Mere! She’s a loyal friend, a hopeless romantic, and we want to find her prince charming!

Week One

Well I started writing my letter. And then I came back to school…and the letter kind of went out the window. So I decided to simplify it.

I want happiness. I hope that I look back in May and smile, remembering the happy. Happiness with myself, my friends, my choices, my…everything.

I want to be irrevocably happy.

And I’d like to say I’m rather confident it’s going to be a pretty attainable goal if the last week is any indication of what the future holds :)

I am having the greatest time with some of the best people. The circle is widening, the light is shining even on the dreary rainy days, and I carry this happiness within my chest like a glowing orb of light. Poetic, eh?

I've already crossed off taking a trip to the 24/7 diner (at midnight) and a night of star-gazing on the baseball field from my To Do List.

Now about this whole love thing… ;)

Things are good. I’m good. Life is good.

Now I say this all pre-classes-starting aka pre-stress. But tomorrow’s the big day so only time will tell!

Until next time :)