Summer 2014

My summer is going to be filled to the brim with service, working, and school. But, I am looking forward to it!

Camp Barakel June 10-16
In less than a week, I will head to Fairview, Michigan to serve a week as an "engineer" at Camp Barakel. I got the opportunity to go for a weekend in January with my youth group, and fell in love with the place. As an engineer I will work in the kitchen, assist with hand crafts, and help in the camp store. I am looking forward to meeting new friends and worshipping God in the nature.

Blockie

Mackinaw Island June 23-25
Just one week after I get home from Barakel, I will head up to Mackinaw Island with my boyfriend, Seph, his family and their extended family. It is going to be a great few days of exploring, biking, and FUDGE. They say the fun starts when the last ferry leaves!

Downtown Mackinaw

Usiak Cottage July 2-5
I am blessed with a beautiful cottage right on Lake Michigan. My dad's parents bought it before I was born and it was recently renovated to accommodate my whole family of 16. (It has 14 beds!!)Even if I just get to go up for a few days, I couldn't ask for anything else. Tanning, swimming, going to the farm, and spending time with cousins is something I always look forward to.

Okemos Outreach July 6-12
Mr. Fahy is taking a group of kids to Roseland, Chicago. This part of Chicago is inner-city and very poverty stricken. I am nervous to say the least, but am so excited to be a positive influence on the lives of kids who truly need it!

On Goal July 15-19
This summer camp is one I have participated in for years. I started going when I was just 6 years old, and now I get to be one of the coaches. With all the little kiddies running around, what more could I ask for? It is faith based and is something I look forward to every year.

Don't forget cross country practice, babysitting, my 2 LCC classes, and AP class summer work. I have a very busy summer ahead of me, but I can't wait to see what it entails! 

What are you up to this summer? 

Amazing Women

With mother's day coming up in a few weeks, I reflect on all the amazing women in my life. I am so blessed with hardworking and strong role models. 

My Mom

My Mom is SO amazing. She is an elementary school principal, and loves her job. She gives 110% to everything she does. She is almost done with her doctorete degree which is many years in the making! With balancing her job and being a single parent, it is crazy that she finds time to work out. She goes to workout class at 6 am and then will run at night. I desire to have the drive that she does. The best part is we are the same size in everything, so I get double the wardrobe. My mom truly is a SuperMom!

Grammy

My Grammy is the best person in the world. (yes I may be slightly bias) She knows how to make everything better and always has the perfect things to say. Her kind nature makes you want to spend every moment you can with her. She has a heart of a giver and will do anything to make sure you are okay. My Grammy is so supportive in all the things I do in life. 

Jody

Jody is an incredible woman of Christ. She truly loves everyone. I am so lucky to have her as my second mother. She has great advice and really cares about everyone she comes in contact with. When I think of a great role model, I instantly think of Jody. I do not think I would be where I am without her and her affection towards me. Her attitude is always positive and on the bright side of life. 

Jody and I celebrating our birthday's, which are one day apart!

I am so undeserving of these three great women, and so many others!

Comparison

When I found out I wasn't going anywhere for spring break, I was upset. This would be my second year in a row staying at home. When I was growing up, I got to go somewhere every year. Who wants to stay in cold Michigan, especially after the winter we had? Not me. My friends are all headed on cruises, or to Florida, or even out of this country. But, I am stuck here. I asked myself, how is this fair?

                  Why are we so quick to compare our lives to others, when we have everything 

                                                       we need right in front of us?

This is not easy for me to apply to life. I am constantly thinking, "well they have such a happy family with two loving parents" or "she gets whatever she wants at the swipe of her parents credit card." I need to just be content and thankful for what I do have. Comparing our lives to others, will never help us accomplish our goals. We will be stuck and we will never be satisfied. 

“Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don’t compare yourself with others.” Galatians 6:4 (CEV)

Now break is almost over and I just got back from a run and am sitting on my deck enjoying the 50 degree temps., the bird chirping, and a great view of the lake. (Yes, I am going to work in an hour to work a 9 hour shift, but why let that spoil this moment.) I have gotten to go to a women's Christian conference, gotten my haircut, done a TON of shopping, and made money from working. 

Now matter how much you compare yourselves to others, you will NEVER have everything. It is not an easy thing to learn, and I am not even close to grasping it. Don't let envy ruin your happiness. 

Dream Travels

With spring break coming up right around the corner, it makes me wish I was headed somewhere around the world! I will satisfy myself by looking at pictures of amazing places. It is not exactly the same thing, but I can dream!

1. Paris, France
    This place is probably on everyone's list.. because it should be! So stereotypical, but I long to visit the Eiffel Tower and eat at famous cafes, wearing a beret.

The Eiffel Tower, Paris

2. Barcelona, Spain
    My Spanish teacher went here last year, and would show us a new picture of the city everyday. It is a very vibrant city where boredom would never occur. The Barcelona Cheetah Girl's Disney movie is their best film.

Park Guell in Barcelona

3. Santorini, Greece
    The Kardashians (bad but oh so good) went here on a vacation last year and it is GORGEOUS. And we can't forget Mamma Mia. The white buildings and the bright blue sea is breathtaking.

Sunset in Santorini

 
4. Swiss Alps, Switzerland
    To me, mountains are breathtaking. One day I would love to own a cottage in the mountains. The Sound of Music and Julie Andrews are a few of my favorite things.

A church in the Swiss Alps

5. The Great Wall of China, China

    I am so mesmerized by this amazing, long wall. I would never be able to cover the whole 5,500 miles, but I would love to walk or run as much as possible!

The Great Wall of China

These are a just a handful of the many spots I'd love to go to. I hope to hit all these places and more! Becoming a world traveler is on my to-do list. I am such a sucker for amazing views.

What are some of your dream vacations?

Steps to Choosing a College

When you are a junior in high school, everyone asks the same questions over and over again:

Where do you want to go to college? 

and 

What do you want to go to college for?

These two haunting questions spin around in my head constantly. 

College:

 There are so many different choices when choosing a school. 
 -location
 -price
 -size
 -quality of majors offered
 -extracurricular activities
 -campus 
 -religious affiliation (if any)

With 4,495 different colleges to choose from, where do you start?


1. Talk with your parents about money. Who is going to pay for college and if you have any money saved. This can play a large factor is where you choose to go. 

2. Make a list of your must haves. 
        ex: I only want to go to college in Virginia. or
                 Tuition has to be less than $25,000 a year.

3. Write down colleges you might have interest in and search for more. List the colleges on a piece of paper or word doc with enough space to write about the location, price, size, and anything else you find important. 

4. Know the admission requirements. If lasts year average excepted GPA was a 3.7, and you have a 3.3, you might want to reconsider. 

5. Go on a college road trip, and visit the schools! Take tours or walk around the campus at your leisure. Talk to current students and meet with professors. The best way to get the feeling of the campus is to visit it. If you have potential options all over the US, this might not be possible. But, try to visit as many as you can.  

6. After your tours, you probably will be able to eliminate your list down to 5 schools. 

7. In the fall of your senior year, apply, and wait! This can be a long process, but don't forget to be patient. 

College is an important and not an easy choice. This will be the place you will live for 4 years or longer! 

Choose wisely!

                    
                           

Balancing Act

Steps to balance it all

I live a very hectic and crazy life, and I love it. I always seem to function better when I am busy, but it does get overwhelming.        I have created a list that helps me keep life balanced. 

http://brightdrops.com/dr-seuss-quotes

1. Feel free to say no

        This is something I struggle with greatly. I want to do everything on my own. I am a people pleaser and don't want to let anyone down. But, I have to remember that people understand, and there are others out there that can do it instead!

                         

2. Do what you love

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Type-Posters-Inspirational-Quotes/5391679

     If you are going to give up your time and energy, why not love what you're doing? It's not always going to be this way, but why not strive for it. I always do my best work when I am passionate about the things I am doing. Look for opportunities that accomplish this goal.

3. Ask for help when you need it

    Help is OKAY! I am a complete control freak and, sometimes, believe no one will be able to do it as good as me. But, we all get overwhelmed and it is not realistic for us to do everything on our own. There will always be someone around that is willing to help. You just have to ask!

4. Make Lists

   Lists are my best friend. Nothing feels better then creating a list, and then being able to cross something off it. I make lists on my phone, on paper, in my planner, ect. Lists help you see and organize everything you have to do. And there's nothing better than checking off a completed task.

5. Know how to relax

http://piccsy.com/2012/12/follow-for-daily-quotes-amp-motivation-1e544ac25

     Relaxing? What's that? It is hard to take time for yourself. But, the most important thing is to listen to your body. I find myself pushing myself to the point of sickness because I choose to go, go, go. Take a bubble bath, read a book at the library, go shopping (my #1 choice). You will never regret taking time for yourself. 

Not everything on this list will work for everyone. It is all about what works for you and how you can fit it into your life. At time when you feel like your head might explode and you want to break down and cry from stress (it's not only me, right?), take a step back and breathe. 

What are your go-to methods to balance your life?
Let me know!

Finally

    December 1st, 2012 was the day my mom finally decided to move out. When I say finally, I mean finally. The two people fighting, arguing, yelling that had gone on for years and years would finally be separated. When the words came out, "we are getting divorced" a sense of relief came over me. People can sorry all they want, but it has always been a finally to me. 

Cameron, Ty, Bryce, and I in Chicago last summer

    I have a cool dad, growing up he was my favorite parent. I was such a daddy's girl, and wanted to do everything with him. Go to soccer practice, go hunting together, and have him take me to all the places I needed to go. My mom was gone a lot while I was in middle school. She worked long hours and it wasn't uncommon for me to go a day or two without seeing her. This made me more and more attached to my dad. Although I was mature for my age, my opinion on my mom was based off of how my dad acted. If my dad was mean, I was mean. I thought he couldn't do wrong. Many of my memories from childhood are my mom laying on the floor crying, or my dad storming out of my house and leaving for hours, or calling my grandma balling in the middle of the night because my parents were fighting and I didn't know what to do. 

My mom and I

    In November of my freshman year, my mom and I, along with my best friend and her mom, went on a cruise to Mexico to celebrate my 15th birthday. We arrived back from the vacation on Thanksgiving day and my eyes were finally opened. I treated my mom so horribly. I knew something needed to change. It wasn't my mom's fault the whole time, it was how my dad had been treating her. I know my mom isn't perfect, but she was not the one I should have been blaming this whole time. And at that moment I switched "sides". My dad has resented me ever since then. He doesn't support me in much, and I rarely go over to his house. I hope one day this will change, but for now this is how it has to be. The fighting hasn't stopped, and probably never will. But I am so thankful for being in a better environment ever since my parents have separated. 

Divorce sucks. But for some people it is a finally.