Italy and venturing the world?

I changed my major- for the millionth time. I am an elementary education major for those of you who don't know. For the past week all I can think about is going to Study Abroad. I haven't even applied or been given the OK from my parents, but I HAVE to go. I am at the age where I want to experience the world, and see what else is in store for me. I have the biggest urge to just tell my parents I'm moving to NYC and finish college there, I'm sure I could find a job there no problem...back to the Study Abroad. The School of Education at KU offers a program of teaching in Italy for 6 weeks, Carpi, Italy not to be confused with the Island of Capri, Italy. It's $6000 and I would stay for any extra 2-3 weeks to travel Italy and some other parts of Europe. This is a once in a life time trip and I really want to go. I would live with a host family (who spoke English) and I would teach everyday in an elementary school, helping teach the students English. On weekends I would travel with the KU group and go explore Venice, Rome, Milan, etc. and every Thursday meet with the KU advisor for wine and tell her how the week went.

For those of you reading my blog have you ever been abroad? What is it like? I am trying to start saving now and talking to family members that will help sponsor me to go on this trip. I am not only going for the adventure, but also to teach. I think it would be an amazing experience of being able to learn the culture of Italy but also teaching kids English. Carpi is a beautiful city and I would be going the May-June of 2013. I am beyond excited to even apply for this trip.

Back to other news in my life. Today is Valentine's day...and nope I didn't have a Valentine, but what I did have was my family and friends. All of us went to dinner and had a great time. Even if you are single you can still be around people you love, just not a significant other. To those of you who don't know- I got another tattoo. I'm still trying to figure out how to tell my dad that I have two of them...I probably should have told him about the first one a year ago when I got it. Now telling him will be twice as hard. Hopefully he gets mad and gets over it. If not, looks like I'm stuck paying for everything by myself.


xoxo

It's Been a While.

After finally getting into the routine of college I figured I'd better start writing again, and this time being more consistent. First semester was everything I thought of and more, everything from joining a sorority, to going out on school nights, to not doing so hot in my classes. Don't worry I got a C and above in every class, so definitely didn't fail.

College is supposed to be the time of your life. I can definitely see how some people go completely crazy. I have to admit, I did. Daddy didn't like the $55 bar charge at the Hawk on my debit card- I should maybe take his name off my account, but then again he transfers money in it randomly so he needs to stay on it. To all of you who thought I wouldn't survive a month at KU, you owe me money, I absolutely LOVE it here :).

First semester was a learning experience to say the least. I learned how to manage my time, along with trying to have a social life. I joined a sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I have the best sisters in the entire world, and have already made some of my best friends. I also learned how much I hate my science classes, and can't imagine myself in the medical field. I am now an elementary education major and hope to get accepted to to School of Ed in October! Everyone keep your fingers crossed please. I've been shadowing and I know I want to spend the rest of my life teaching.

As for my little brother, Cole. He makes me more proud than anyone. He has been playing basketball and let's just say he is a BEAST. He had 18 points in just one game. I know I can't make it to every game, but I'm there in spirit as his biggest fan and biggest pain in the ass.


xoxo,

KE

College life!

As many of you know, going into the adult world can be exciting, nerve-wracking and just plain expensive. I've been at KU for over a week now, and I can say I absolutely love it!!! I started classes yesterday and all of my professor's are awesome-so far.

The hours of college classes are so much better than sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day! yesterday I had school for 2 hours and same for today! I could live like this for a long time ;) on the negative side, the books are the most expensive things in the world. $450 for 2 of my 4 classes?? Almost need a loan to pay for books!!

Rush is now officially over, I'm proud to say I am a GAMMA PHI BETA, and all of my sisters are awesome :) Rushing for a sorority is so much more than I thought, these girls are really people you connect with, and it's nothing like the movies! It's so much better, for any girl reading this that is younger...JOIN! It is an awesome way to stay involved and the experience is awesome! A lot of the girls in the house are majoring in pre-pharm also so they are very nice and willing to help me out!!

It is weird to wake up and not see my family every morning, but I love that they got an iPad so they can keep in touch with me ;) Last night I skyped just my parents, and I managed to wake my brother up from 30 min away, I'd call that a success! The beds are pretty comfortable here, and the rooms are so much bigger than I expected!!! There is no rules or people telling you that you can't stay out until 4am, you can honestly do what ever the hell you want! Tonight is going to be a big night, I'm going out with all of my sisters :) I've never had sisters before but now that I'm a Gamma Phi I have many sisters!


I'm sure many people reading this may get some texts tonight! So be prepared! :)

It's gone by way too fast

It's exactly one month until I move to college. 31 days until my life changes and a new chapter starts. A lot has happened in the past 2 months. One thing that has really gotten to me is the Casey Anthony case. She was proven not guilty, but not guilty to me doesn't mean that she isn't innocent. I just don't understand how someone could ever kill another person, let alone their own child.

On Tuesday I leave for Florida with tthe family for 12 days- I am so excited!WE are going to Destin, Fl which is one of the best places I have ever been! We are planning on going snorkeling and renting a boat!

Cole and them just one their last tournament of the year (he finally listened to me about moving his hands the last 2 at bats, and he cranked the ball so far)...Buddy, if you ever read this, just know your sister is always right.

Today as I sat at the games watching Cole play, I realized how much I'm going to miss him next year. Everything is going to change, including our relationship and how close we are. I know that it won't change a lot, but I'm scared to lose my little brother, and miss out on his special events. He means the world to me.


This week I'm supposed to be getting my information on Rush in the mail :) I'm so excited- Mrs. Borjon has helped me out an extreme amount with finding letters of recommendations!!!


The song "You're gonna miss this" is completely true, I had always rushed growing up, and now that it's here, I'm ready to slow down.

Mom, Dad, and Cole, you are all my role models and I love you all so much. I know I'm not the perfect daughter or sibling but you all mean the world to me and I would do anything for you 3. I know next year will start a new chapter in all of our lives, but just know I'm going to miss you all, no matter how much I say I won't. You all have helped shape who I am today, and without you 3 Iwouldn't be anything.

The end of senior year

Senior year officially came to an end today! It's crazy to think that for the past 18 years of my life I've had everything so easy, and now after Sunday I enter the real world.
I hadn't really thought about it until today

I completely lost it when my dad started crying about me graduating, he NEVER cries.
Last night Cole started crying and telling me how he didn't want me to leave! I still have 100 days until I move in to KU and it's only 20 minutes away. It's finally dawned on me that I'm going to miss my family like crazy, i'm not just "getting away". I'm actually starting a new chapter in my life and my family won't be in it every day like they used to be!

Saturday- the big day of my party! Boy, I thought I could handle anything, turns out I can't. I don't think I could've done this day without my mom, she did so incredibly much to help out for my party. I was a complete grad party-zilla, can't imagine how I'll be on my wedding day. :/ The party was such a great turn out. All of the people I love and am very close to came! We had a dessert only party, and let's just say it was a hit! Graduation parties are probably one of the most fun parties I've been too, I'm still continuing to write thank-you letters to everyone that came and dropped off their generous gifts to me :)



Sunday-This was the day that brought me down emotionally. I thought I was ready until I found out my dad had been crying all morning, and read the page long note he wrote me- if you're wondering yes, I did cry, in fact I cried like a baby. I made my brother read it and then he started crying and just buried his face into my shoulder- I lost it again. I never realized that my dad and brother were this sentimental, it meant so much to me. Graduation was awesome, except for Mr. Beam announced us as the Class of 2010- that was so last year ;) other than that it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!

I couldn't ask for better family and friends. Thank you to everyone that was able to share this special weekend with me, and thank you for the gifts. I will keep everyone posted as I make my way to college. without my friends and family I don't know where I would be.

Class of 2011- I will never forget the memories I've had and the friends I've made. I hope that everyone continues to stay in touch. I wish everyone the best of luck as you make your journey through life!

I will update more Sunday after graduation and my party :)

Heaven has a new angel

On Friday as most people know, I have games. Friday to me is known as game day, and mentally I am always prepared to play on Friday. During my first game I hit one out . After my second game I went to talk to my Dad, and he told me something had happened. Instantly I knew something was wrong, someone we were extremely close to had died. I broke down. I think me hitting a home run was her looking out for me, I believe in angels and Heaven, I think this was her way of saying she was watching the people she loved. I think God has messengers, and these are his Angels, I also believe that they do send messages to us on Earth to let us know they are thinking of us and watching out for us.

I personally don't think life every prepares for the loss of a loved one. No matter how much warning they give you ahead of time, it never prepares you for the loss, and the realization that you will never get to speak to them or hear their voices. It hurt me very much to see her go. When my mom was in the hospital she was the first person to take care of me, and keep my mind off of seeing my mom in pain. Her daughter was my best friend at the time and she will always be a life long best friend that I can count on. Without their support I never would've made it through this tough time. She was a wonderful woman, and you knew you could always count on her.

She would give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it. The world doesn't have many people that are willing to be like that. Even though I know she was suffering and in pain, we will greatly miss her, she is in a better place though because living in pain is not living life to the fullest. I will be here for her family every step of the way. She will be greatly missed, but she will also be remembered as one of the best people I have ever met. I am glad that I can say that I knew her, and how much of a wonderful person she is. R.I.P. and we all love you.

Easter and more :)

Since I last wrote a LOT has happened!
The school softball team is now 7 and 2! Way to go girls! :) Bad thing is that every game has  been cold, miserable, and wet. It's almost May and none of our games have been above 55 or sunny! C'mon, it needs to get nicer!

There are now 14 days left of school, 20 days (including weekends) until graduation, and 113 days left until I move in to Ellsworth with Kaitlyn :) This morning on my way to school it finally hit me. All year I haven't been able to wait until I graduate, but now as time is literally flying by I want it to slow down. I realized that after these 20 days go by, I will never play softball again, and that I will never EVER see some of these people again also. The whole softball thing made me extremely sad. I've played since I was able to walk and after 20 days I'm done with it....Another thing that made me sad, is that I'm moving out. Mom and Dad, and Cole won't be there everynight. I won't be able to go to dinner, or sit around and help Cole with his homework. The smallest things are hitting me the hardest. Being a teenage girl can be so unfortunate with the emotions that come along with it!

Adam and Dana are in town with the kids- they leave tomorrow. Let me just say, their kiddos are the most adorable thing in the entire world. Ry started saying Ky-Ky and it made my entire week! One day I hope that my little kids will look and act like Ry and Abby! Cole just adores both of them, and has been wanting to spend every extra minute over at Gramps house.

Easter was on Sunday and let me just say, I love my family, and all of the food they bring to Holiday parties! I was able to meet a new cousin, his name is Tyler! He's extremely nice and I'm glad that he was able to meet the rest of the family! The weather turned out beautiful and the kids all had fun on the Easter Egg Hunt. Everyone surprisingly got a long and had  a wonderful time! Next year I will miss the random family get togethers, but I'm so thankful that all of my family lives close that I can still come and see them for every Holiday.

For graduation Emily, Brooke, Morgan and I and of course all of our moms, are talking about going to Mexico for a week for a graduation party. If we were able to do this it would make my entire life. Not only would it be the best present ever, but it would mean a lot to me to be able to spend this time with my mom before I go off to college. This would be a vacation of a life time. :)