Thoughts

Today, I  am having just one of those days. One of those days when you realize just how lucky you really are and you take the time to count your blessings.

Last Saturday, one of the call center workers at my work collapsed while walking back in from break and was gone before he made it to the hospital. He was 32 years old.  Tuesday morning after the long weekend, the building had this eerie feel about it, a quiet. The only kind of quiet that a loss like that could give.

One of the girls who was on the Synagis team was a close personal friend of his and I can't imagine what she has been going through.

But its times like these that makes me realize how lucky I am for everything I have in my life. Recently, I was able to move to a new townhouse in a much better area. Not only do I feel safer (and willing to take my dog for a walk), I no longer have to worry about the upkeep as much as I did at the house I was renting. Now, I'll miss that house. It was a cool place and had a great layout. But the stress that came with it (and the crazy water bills) are not something that I will miss. 

Right before moving, I was promoted to a higher position. Though it has been a time of great change as it is my 3rd department in the year that I have been with the company, I have learned a lot and I am welcoming this new position with open arms. I love my new team and the fellow leads who I work with. Everyone has been so inviting and patient with me as I learn the ropes.

And I have amazing people in my life. Not only do I have great friends who make me smile all the time, I have the best boyfriend in the world. He makes me feel like a queen and helps me feel beautiful when I'm not so sure. Though we have our moments (what couples don't), I know that someday, I'm going to marry that boy...and for that I cannot wait.

Life is so exciting when you get the chance to experience it. I feel so lucky to be continually growing and being. Though there are people in my life that I miss all the time, I know that I will see them someday and it will be wonderful. I have the best group of guardian angels up there watching out for me and helping me get through the tough stuff. Sometimes with a bunch of determination (and a few tears) you are able to get through those hard moments.

It doesn't rain forever, you just have to wait for the sun to come back.

Here's some pictures from the past few weeks:

Moving On Campus: What To Bring/What Not To Bring

Every fall, thousands of students move on campus. For some of these students, they have never lived away from home before. For these students, what should they bring and what should be left at home.

Bring

1. Clothing: bring enough clothes to make it through. If you aren't moving too far from home, only bring clothes that will bring you through a season. You can always switch out when winter comes. There is little room in a dorm, so the least amount of clothing (and shoes) you can live without, the better.
2. Hangers: You'll need hangers to hang up all those clothes!
3. Bedding: Most dorm beds are Twin XL, which means that a twin sheet just isn't long enough. Make sure you bring bedding that will fit, pillows, blankets, etc. as they won't be provided for you.
4. Bathroom Items: This means towels, wash cloths, soap, toilet paper, shampoo/conditioner, brush/combs, deodorant, lotions, perfumes, make-up, shaving cream, razors, bathrobe, first aid kit etc. Most of these things are NOT provided (except some campuses will provide toilet paper). 
5. If you have communal showers, you'll want a bathroom bucket. This holds all your bathroom items so you can carry them down the hall to the bathroom. 
6. Cleaning Items: Bring a broom, sponge, dish soap, cleaning sprays for bathroom/kitchen, plunger, toilet brush/cleaner, vacuum (if possible). YOU will have to keep your room clean, and you'll need the supplies to do it!
7. TV: Most dorms have cable of some sort. Make sure you bring your own co-ax cable too!
8. Microwave: Make sure you don't already have one (the dorms I live in do!) but if they don't you'll want this kitchen staple!
9. Mini-Fridge: Also, if your dorm doesn't have a fridge, you may want to bring one of these along.
10. Laptop/computer: You'll want this for school work, trust me!
11. Small set of dishes: You won't need too many as most students have a meal plan, but you'll want something to make some coffee in, or some late night Ramen. Make sure you have plates, cups, and all utensils (spoons, forks, knives). You'll also want to throw in a can opener!
12. Alarm clock: You are going to need to get up for classes, make sure you have a working alarm clock thrown in.
13. Hair dryer: You know what this is for!
14. Fan: If you live in a dorm that doesn't have AC, or you tend to get warm, throw in a fan for your comfort.
15. Laundry Items: This includes laundry soap, dryer sheets, hamper/basket and a roll of quarters. Laundry isn't free and those quarters will become your best friend.
16. School stuff: notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, calculator, backpack, planner, books, etc.
17. Camera: You'll want to document you time away from home.
18. Chargers: make sure you can charge your phone, ipod, computer, etc. Also, have some batteries on hand.
19. Games/sporting equipment: Have fun board games? Bring them. Like to throw around a ball? Bring it. You'll find other people on campus who will join you.
20. Snacks/food: The cafeteria isn't open all day and night, so it's good to have some back up food and snacks on hand if you get hungry. If you live in a dorm without a meal plan, you'll need to plan meals more.
21. Lanyard: Trust me, you'll want one of these. This can hold your room key, ID card and other important keys to get you where you need to go. They will always be around your neck so you won't forget them places!
22. Coffee Machine: If you need caffeine in the morning, make sure you have this with the coffee.
23. Small chair: Something like a butterfly chair that can fit in a corner. Can also be a beanbag.
24. Gaming systems: If you have them and don't worry about them, bring them. You'll find other gamers to join you.
25. Matress padding: You may want to invest in a memory foam pad for your bed, the mattresses aren't the most comfortable

What not to bring

1. Furntiure except mentioned above: Most dorms are fully furnished. That means they have a bed, desk, closet/dresser, etc. Call ahead to see what the dorm has/does not have
2. Candles: No live flame in dorms. This can cause fires which can be bad news bears! Also, no incense!
3. Toasters, hot plates, toaster oven, etc: These have open heat elements that can also cause fires.
4. Pets: Sorry, but you can't bring them along :( Some dorms allow fish though!
5. Waterbeds: Yeah, you're gonna have to deal with the dorm beds, and these can cause a flood.
6. Nails/screws for portraits: Command Strips will be your best friend when hanging photos
7. Alcohol: Most dorms are dry, leave it at home.
8. AC Units: Sorry if your dorm doesn't have them, but you can't bring them either.
9. Weapons: All campuses are gun free, so keep it that way.
10. Heaters: These can cause a fire too!

Life Just Flies By!

So, I finally have a moment to sit here and think about the past few weeks of my life and how so much has just happened. Life has just been crazy but amazing all at the same time. 

For one, I graduated. May 5th, 2013 will be one of the proudest days of my life. I walked across that stage and completed one of the last promises that I ever made my mother. I remember when I was young, I promised her that I would graduate college and she would be there to see me. Now, sadly she wasn't there in person to see it happen, but I know somewhere in the universe, she was smiling her huge smile as I walked across that stage in front of those couple thousand people, shook the hands of the heads of the University and received my diploma cover. In a few weeks, I'll receive my diploma in the mail and the package will be complete. I am so happy, and will be able to look back on my 5 years at UM-Flint as years of great learning, great growth and amazing memories. 

Later that day, unknown to me, Kevin planned me a graduation party. Though now that I know, I could see where he got really close to letting go the surprise of the whole thing. But he didn't. When I pulled into his driveway that evening, I was welcomed by 30 or so of my closest family and friends who were there to celebrate me. It was one of the best gifts I could be given by anyone (and another thing crossed off the bucket list). I got to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Yup, he got me!

The week after that was moving week. I had just signed papers on a 2 bedroom/2 bath home in a lovely neighborhood in Flint. My friend Hoffa moved in with me so we could split the rent and the bills. That week was full of friends help (thank you guys sooooo much!), a frenzy of boxes, much cleaning and saying goodbye to Riverfront where I had called home for 3 years. 

I got in and settled a bit before I started my new job at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy. Yup, I got the official job offer and start date in the middle of my packing and started training on the 13th. Now that I have had 2 weeks of training, I am very excited to start in my department and very excited to be working for this company. I can wholeheartedly say that they care for their employees and it is going to be an amazing place to work, if for only a few years or the rest of my working life. Who knows? The sky is the limit currently and there are MANY chances for advancement within the company.

Lastly, last night was my first official party of the new home. 25+ friends of mine came out to celebrate and hang at my new home. We played games, laughed and just had a lot of fun. It truly was an amazing time and I am so happy they all joined me. It was also Brittney's birthday, which we also celebrated :)

For now, life is pretty good. I can't complain too much! I am so thankful for all my friends and family who have helped me get to where I am now. Of life!

Oh A Change Is A Comin'

Today I am in officially 26 days until graduation. As for classes, I only have about 2 weeks. Eek! It is all coming so fast and though I am pretty excited for most of it, I am also nervous.

With graduation, my job as an RA comes to a close. As I think back on this past year, I leave with both happiness and sadness. The job itself was a challenge and frustrating at times...but I still loved it very much. I will miss it once I leave.

But I am on to bigger and better things. Last week I had a job interview with Diplomat Pharmacy and I feel that it went pretty well. I should know hopefully today if I got the job. I am rather ancy to get that phone call, tell you what! But we will see. All my fingers, toes, eyes, legs, etc are crossed that it is a positive phone call later today!

I am also working on getting an apartment. My friend Hoffa from Lapeer is coming to live with me, so we have been on the hunt for a two bedroom apartment or townhouse and haven't had the best of luck. The current one, the one that I want to live in, has been making me run around and get a bunch of information. It has been frustrating. If everything falls into place right, hopefully an offer letter from Diplomat will be the last thing I need. *once again, crosses everything*

That has been my life the past couple weeks, just trying to get all that in line. I am also working on finishing the last of my class work so that I can graduate. I completed my exit exam last week also, which was interesting for sure but I am glad that it is done.

Now I'm on the homestretch and waiting. Waiting sucks because well...you just want to know NOW! But I have hope that it will all turn out like it needs to and don't you worry, I'm not going to let any of this pass me by. I am doing everything to keep it in motion as much as I possibly can. I'm sure I have annoyed the ladies at Grand Oaks over the past few weeks with all the status checking I have done.

Other than that, life is life. It is going along. I can't complain too much.

Have a wonderful day :)\

Blast from the past! My brother, mom and I at a concert when DTE was actually Pine Knob (It always will be for me anyway!) My Aunt Jane took this picture :)