God Works in Mysterious Ways

I had a horrible night at work, which is usually the norm these days. Anyways, when I got home I found this Web site in my mailbox. An unlikely source, my childhood best friend Heather, sent this to me. It's funny, I haven't seen her in years and yet sometimes I think we still know each other like we did when we were 6. This message was exactly what I needed on a day like this, or in my life at this point. Hope you enjoy!


http://www.eightprinciples.com

The goals

I have decided to put up a picture each time a post

so here is one of Scott and I in Poky.

I know that it may seem rather odd that I am posting so soon after another blog but I decided to make a list of goals and put them on my blog. So here is my lifetime goals.

Lifetime Goals

Run a marathon

Compete in the Ironman

Write a book

Visit all 50 states

Marry and start a family

Win a Pulitzer

Live the life God wants me to

Cover an Olympics

Be fluent in some language

Raise babies

Travel to Ireland, Austrailia, China, Alaska

Own a boat

Daily goals:

Pray more

Read more

Stop biting my nails

Appreciate life more

Value my friends and family

Stopy worring

Work harder

Swear less

Ok those are my goals. Maybe I'll update them as I go.

Missing all

(NOTE ABOUT THE PICTURE: Scott and I took this at the beach in Blackfoot. Not sure why, but I really like it.)

A few weeks before I moved to Idaho, a friend of mine told me I'd really appreciate South Dakota once I left. This friend had left the home state a few years earlier for the beauties of Florida. She told me that although the beaches are amazing, they'll never replace the glory of the plain state.

I knew she would be right, I just did know how right.

A couple of days ago, I made my first visit back to South Dakota. The first visit came a couple months earlier than expected and was a last minute decision. Basically, Scott had been planning a visit to potato land. He bought his ticket over a month ago, and was set to leave last Thursday. That morning he called and said his grandpa died and was unsure of what that meant for his trip. After four tear-filled back and forth hours and help from his wonderful sister-in-law, Lorienne, he was able to catch his flight that night but the trip would have to be cut a couple days short. My mother offered to pay for a ticket to go back with him for the funeral and I flew back on Sunday.

I was there only for two days, but as soon as we entered the state, I felt a deep sting in my stomach. I didn't want to leave again.

We spent most of the time in Milbank, but on Monday night we came back to Brookings. As we approached the town, I knew that once I saw a certain familiar shape in the skyline, I would lose it. And sure enough, once I saw the Campanile, I cried. As we drove through town, memories and tears swelled and I just lost it. Scott, who never really understands how to handle my over dramatic emotions, sat confused. He gave me a hug once we got to his place, but I don't think he could really understand how much I miss South Dakota. And him.

Leaving SD was something I have wanted to do for years, and now that I finally did it, it lacks all of the glamour I had envisioned. I am broke and lonely. Some days, I am full of ambition and hope, wanting to make a good life. And other days, I can't get out of bed and life seems mute.

I was talking to a friend yesterday who lives in Nashville, and we were discussing his future plans. He hopes to go back to SD to gain more experience in his profession. Then we started debating whether we really missed SD or just college.

Each day, I try to make the most out of my life in Idaho. And really, things aren't as bad I portray them in the paragraphs above. But sometimes, they feel that way. Life will get better, I know it will. This is a transition and a hurdle. I have said this before, and I will say it again, attitude makes a big difference. So I will pray and put on a better attitude, knowing that life will get better. I just have to make it happen.

Since I haven't blogged in a while I will do mini-updates in my life for all those deeply interested (all of two readers).

JOB

The job is an up and down basis. Some days I love it, some days I hate it. Some days I think I am getting it, some days I feel like I don't have a clue in the world. I know there is vast room for improvement, I just feel like I don't know how to improve. I guess improvement comes with time, and I need to be patient, but I just want to be better. My work load will drastically increase in a couple of weeks once the fall sports start. I am pretty sure that I will be handling mostly volleyball and cross country, with sprinkles of football.

My coworkers are good people, who I have learned a lot from. One of them, Dan, has become my movie buddy. I think he appreciates me being a woman so he has someone who will give him female advice. Tim, Kellis and Joe are also fun guys, though there aren't many other females at work I interact with. The paper just hired a new Web editor, and she seems very nice.

APARTMENT

My financial situation sucks, so I decided to get a roommate. I found a nice ISU student, Annabel, on a Web site. She is currently in Wisconsin, but will be moving back to Idaho in a few weeks. It will be very nice to have someone else's company, and split bills.

VISITORS

Amy and Faith visited me a couple of weeks ago, and it was exactly what I needed. We drank wine, ate chocolate, and had good old fashioned girl talk. We even went dancing at Charlies. It was a wonderful time. Scott was just here, and it was perfect. We went to the lake, miniature golfing and a few movies. Mostly, we spent time with each other. In a few weeks, my family is coming. I couldn't be more excited. My parents and both my brothers are coming, so I am excited to see them.

SCOTT

Long-distance relationships suck, and after all the depression and anxiety that I went through with Bryan, I vowed not enter in to another. Oh, but Scott Mueller is worth it. We talk on the phone everyday, and sometimes it's not pleasant conversations. But we love each other so much that the fight is always worth it.

Scott is definitely a different type of boyfriend than I have had before. He doesn't fall to my every want and need, and he doesn't put up with my crap. I feel my self start to develop habits and feelings that I had in past relationships, things that drove me and that person apart, but I try to snap out of it quicker. I want this to work, so I try to relax more and not let my insecurities and jealousy ruin our relationship. He is a wonderful man, and I hope someday in the near future, we'll live in the same town again.

I met his family at the funeral this week, and there were amazing. Meeting the family is always nerve raking, and usually I hit it off with them, but Scott's family was different. It felt more natural.

OK, so there is a quick update. I will do my best to keep this updated more, but sometimes with my job, the last thing I want to do is write.

God Bless to all.

Attitude

I fee like a pregnant woman.

No, I am not pregnant, but my emotions could be compared to that of a woman in her third trimester. What and see:

People always say how good college is, but they quite explain to you how hard it is to leave that lifestyle behind. How to move on and be adult in a world where everyone expects so much from you. Why didn't they teach me this in college?

I knew coming out to Idaho would be hard, but I didn't think it would be this hard. Part of the problem is my attitude. It's hard to get out of bed and do things that I usually love to do like running. I hate running here. And when I meet someone new, all I can think about is that these people will never compare to my real friends back in Brookings. That is attitude is what makes me cry at night.

The job is ok. There is the potential for me to be good at my job, but I just can't seem to do things right. I don't write like I normally do and I just can't think clearly.

It still hasn't sunk in that I am not going anywhere in the fall. I will be here. I won't see the beautiful fall colors against the Campanile and I won't ring my blue bell at a Jacks first down. Nope. I will be in Poky, and that thought brings me to tears.

The people here are nice, but making friends takes time. I don't feel like myself. I feel like a stranger who is trying to do the best she can but can't quite seem to make it.

I had planned that Idaho would help me discover who I am but I didn't know it would be painful. Jeremy once warned me that self-discover is tough because you learn things about yourself you don't like and you have to be willing to go outside the comfort zone to change that.

Life right now is rough, but then I have moments of sunshine that tell me I am doing ok. I know God would not have put me here if he didn't think I could handle it. I pray for strength everyday, and He gives it to me. I just don't use it right.

Anyways, this is all over the place but I just needed to say something to someone. Sorry that you caught me on a "bad attitude day," as I call it.

God Bless all.

Greetings from Idaho

So I guess a lot has happened since my last post. In the month of May, I: left Daktronics, graduated college, signed a lease for a new apartment, watched one of my best friends marry the love of her life, said goodbye to the people I love the most, moved two states away and started my first job in the real world. Big changes!

My last week was absolutely perfect. I had lunches with wonderful friends, spent three pitchers pouring my heart out to a close friend and danced the night away at Danny's Lounge with some of the best people that I know. My last night in Brookings ended with a surprise party that my wonderful boyfriend and friends threw for me. It was absolutely amazing and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my last night in Brookings other than with the people that make it so special.

Then came Friday-- the day I had been dreading for two months. I packed up the car, said my last goodbyes and headed down Highway 14 for the last time. I cried a lot that day. In my empty room, in Scott's arms, hugging Gianna as I said goodbye, taking one last, long look at the Campanile.

When I got to Pierre, I was just confused and emotional mess. But my mom wanted my last night in South Dakota to be special so she surprised me by inviting all of my friends in Pierre over for a BBQ. That was a lot of fun, and then we to Zesto and to the pool so Paula could do an errand. Being at the Pierre City Pool was like putting my life in perspective. It was good to see that place one last time, like a visual to the end of an era.

My mom and I drove the 14 hours to Poky the next day. My stomach started tying up in knots once we hit Rapid. I cried a few times when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my mom following me. It hurt to know she won't be physically behind me anymore.

The next few days were a blur. I was mostly cranky because it started to sink that this my new home and wasn't sure how I felt about that. Then money issues started to occupy my thoughts and I just wanted to cry every moment. Life got a bit better after I bought some furniture and a couple of friends from home called. I started to feel better about things and my apartment slowly began to feel like home.

Then I started work. The first day was awkward, but that is to be expected for a first day. But by the second day, everything felt right. I began to get that feeling in my stomach then creeps into my veins and eventually giving me goosebumps. It's my journalism high.

Friday was a bad day. My mom left that day. The loneliness started to take over, and I felt defeated at the end of the night. Scott tried to bring my spirits up, but I still wanted to stay in bed for a few days.

My social life has been one of the hardest adjustments for me. It's hard going to the grocery store or a bar and not seeing one familiar face. And it rots my stomach knowing that I can't just call a friend to watch a movie or have lunch. But Saturday night a couple of guys from work invited me to their favorite bar after work. I met more people that, and even experienced my first gay bar! It was a good night and it definetly put me it a better mood.

Everyone was curious as to what would happen when I left with Scott and I. It was a really hard decision and something I thought about a long time. The decision came down to our last final moments together and we decided that we care too much about each other not to try. So we are trying. It isn't easy, and sometimes I hate it so much I scream, but that man makes me crazy and he is worth it. He is coming to visit and I absoulty can't wait.

I had the last couple of days off and I am ready to go back to work because I really don't have much to do. My mood changes each day. Sometimes I am happy. Sometimes I am sad and lonely. But overall things are getting better. I do wish I would meet more people, but I haven't found the best way to do that. Hopefully, it will come.

I still miss home a lot, but things are feeling more familiar here. I went for a hike the other day, and I realized how blessed I was to be able to enjoy the beautiful mountains here.

Oh but I guess I have to take it one day at a time and trust God that he wouldn't have put me in a situation I couldn't handle.

I am going to leave you with a few differences between South Dakota and Idaho.

Until next time.

South Dakota vs. Idaho

1. Instead of Catholic of Lutheran Churches on every corner there are Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints synagogues.

2. Everyone is married.

3. They REALLY like potatoes.

4. Every woman is pregnant.

5. This is a college town, but most people seem older.

6. There fast food options are quite different than ours.

That is really the jist of it. They are actually very similar states.

The good kind of scared

We often associate being scared with negative feelings or situations, but sometimes that isn’t always the case. A good kind of scared exists.

It can hit you when you have your first child. Or are walking down an aisle that the love of your life is standing at the end of. Or, in my case, graduating from college.

Tonight is a monumental ending—my last Collegian, ever. That paper has been my heart and soul for four years, and I have never invested so much time and energy into something. At times, I wanted to quit, but I am glad I never did. I love that paper and it will probably be one of my fondest memories of SDSU.

But the endings continue on Saturday when I graduate from South Dakota State. Wow, even four days away from the event and that fact still shocks me.

As I was walked into The Union yesterday, I began to tear up. In a few short days I will no longer be an SDSU student, and in a few short weeks, the place I called home for the last four years will no longer be home. That is quite a transition.

Unlike many of my fellow classmates, I am lucky enough to say I have a job for after May 5. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a job at the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello, Idaho. A town that is 4.6 times bigger than my hometown. A town that is more than 16 hours away from my family and friends. A town where I don’t know a single person.

When I came to SDSU, I knew people from high school and my hometown. I knew people from other towns that I met through a variety of activities. All it took was a phone call and I could see a familiar face in five minutes. That won’t be the case in Pokey.

I will be on my own, living on my own. I am leaving ALL of my friends and family behind. And it scares me to death.

But this is the best type of scared. I am starting a new life with a great job in a beautiful (so I am told) part of the country. I am not settling for anything, and that makes me happier than anything.

There are consequences. My stomach twists in knots each time a friend says “Don’t go.” Or when my boyfriend looks at me knowing our relationship will die in a matter of days. Or when my mom tells me she’ll miss me while I am in Idaho.

But I have to go, and everyone knows why and actually encourages me to do so. They know I need to spread my wings, and they are behind me a 100 percent, no matter how much they’ll miss me.

I am very fortunate that I have a built-in back up plan. The editor of the Argus believes I still have a future at that newspaper, and I agree. He wants me to go to Idaho because he understands my need to get out of South Dakota, but someday he wants me to come back and work for him. Who knows what will happen it Idaho, but it’s nice to know I have options if I hate it.

So tonight, I put my last Collegian to bed. Saturday, I graduated. And on May 30, I begin work at the Journal. May has the most life-changing moments of my life. That scares me, in a good way.

Just for Christi

So this is going to be an update because a wonderful co-worker of mine would like an update into my life....

So the segements:

Spring Break

That week in the sun was exactly what I need to relax from the hustle bustle of my-so-called-life. It was a good time to deal with things and events that I honestly hadn't had time to handle. We spent most of the week sipping cocktails and soaking up the sun. I did some fun things like parasailed, kayked and drank rum in the ocean. I also danced on a catterman.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was the last day we were there. I went down to the beach and sat on a dock just to think and reflect. I made an important decision about this summer, thought about a dying friendship and finally let go of harsh feelings that haunted me the past 12 months. That day, I made a lot of decisions about the person I was going to be and and the life I was going to live.

The Job hunt continues...

I am still not sure where I will be next but my options expand weekly. I want to talk to the Argus Leader but I am having troubles getting a hold of the editor, hopefully we can talk soon.
One job opened up in Idaho (yeah, the potatoe state). It is pretty close to what I would want, so I wouldn't mind moving so far away to get it. My nerves are starting to shake a little more as graduation gets close, but I have faith in God.

I am really sorry this post lacks luster but it's an update. One other piece of riveting information for those of you who live by these words: I had a date! I haven't had a date in a really long time, so it was super nice to go out with a nice guy. The last time I went on an actual first date (with someone I hardly knew) was way tooo long ago. My last boyfriend sucked dating right out of me, but then I got over that and just started to have fun with my friends-- and it has been amazing! But I met a really nice and cute guy, and we had a super good time. So I hope to see him again, but who knows.

Anyways, there will be more insightful and reflective words next time!

Here's looking at you kid...

Sometimes I don't trust myself, well in fact, most of the time. There are two evident reasons of that this week.

One happened just today. In about a week, I leave for a week in the sun. It will be amazing for several reasons: A) No school. B) No Dak. C) No Collegian. D) No Brookings. Heck, I won't even be in the country!

I digress, anyway, in my pathetic attempt to begin packing early, I was looking for my sunglasses from Paris. Although the sunglasses have yet to appear from my landfill-like mess, I did find a journal that a friend gave me. I opened it up and opened to a journal entry on Aug. 22 2005. The journal entry was written about my boyfriend at the time and it talked about how I could love him for ever, I just didn't know if I wanted to. Then it talked about how I just am not sure if he is really the "one."

Fortunately, he isn't the "one" but it took me a looooooong time to come to terms with it when he said I wasn't the "one." Now he is getting married, and I am honestly happy for him. Deep down, I never wanted him to be my "one." Sure I wanted to be his "one" but in addition to a couple other guys. I am greedy like that.

Anyway, my other moment of clarity came Thursday. This week the executive editor of the Argus was on campus, talking to different classes. His lectures changed a bit, and I sat through about four of them, but they all had the same centralized theme: passion. He said he wants journalists who have a passion and have prepared themselves for life beyond the diploma. He gave specific examples that could have been about me. He talked about a college student, at a different university, who spent weekends and holidays working at the sports desk. Sounds familiar. Anyways, have the last session he was talking to my advisor and told her that he would hire me in a minute. Basically, if I want a job at the Argus, I just need to ask.

I have been busting my butt for four years, trying to give myself an edge in this highly competitive field, and I think it has paid off. I have always doubted myself as a journalist, but that day I realized I am good at this, not perfect, but good. I can succeed I just need to go after it.

So now here I am boyfriend less and jobless, but it's ok. The potentials for both remain optimistic. The next few months the job thing is going to be my number one priority, and then I think the boyfriend will follow. But now I just need to trust myself... I do know a thing or two about myself.

Glance from a Stranger

Ah, the day of love. Single people all around the world are supposed to despise this day, claiming it’s cruel of Hallmark to make the unattached lonelier than they already are.

Let me tell you a secret—I don’t hate Valentine’s Day. And I am actually happy that I get to spend this one single.

It would be lie if I said I wasn’t envious of the roses and boxes of chocolates that are swarming the office. But unlike previous years, I am not dwelling on the fact that I have no Valentine but actually celebrating it.

You see I have been on my own for a year now, and it feels pretty darn good. I do feel lonely at times and complain about stupid men, but truth is, I am blessed by single hood.

Sure, loneliness can get the best of me, especially when I see how happy exes are with someone else. Not that I want to be that someone else, but I want to have someone else too. But I have learned a neat little trick that has gotten me through those moments of lapse: I think of the future.

Past boyfriends always felt like a settlement, not a dream come true. With everyone ounce of my faith in my body, I believe there is a dream out there for me—it’s just not the right time for it come to true. And when it does, it will be better than anything I had and everything I had imagined.

In the next few months, I am going to embark on some of the biggest changes of my life. I will be moving (as to where, I don’t know so don’t ask), getting job, finding new friends and completely starting over. And I found that these changes and decisions I must make are better on my own. Why? Because I know myself and I know that I would let some boyfriend influence my decision even if it isn’t what I really want. Now I have no influences, just dreams. And I can chase them without second thoughts, without regrets. That is a great feeling to have.

I was walking to class the other day and noticed a man walk diagonally. For some reason, his height caught my attention (he was rather tall), then his well-groomed appearance. He was cute and he glanced at me, knowing in a few moments our paths would cross. When we did meet, he looked me directly into my eyes and said hello. I didn’t know him, in fact, I had never seem him before. But there was something about that moment. (I know I sound like a cheesy romance movie, but here me out). That half a second eye exchange showed me that there are thousands of possibilities for love in my life. I am not sure why a stranger’s glance game me revelation, but it did. Someone some day is going to make me happy, and I think moments like this are God’s way of telling me so. It’s just a feeling I get.

So today, I am glad I am single because I know that I won’t always be single, and that to me, is worth the wait. Plus, I get to have fun with my friends today, which means more to me than anything especially at this point in my life.

Tonight, in the spirit of the holiday, I will hate Valentine’s Day and singledom. I will drink with bitterness and complain about failed relationships and awful Feb. 14s. But most of it will be pretend remorse, because I am really not that hateful of this day or exes. Just don’t tell my friends.

When it all comes down to it...

In the movie "Office Space" the main character recalls something a high school career counselor once told them when they were exploring career options. "If you had a million dollars, what would you do? That is what your job should be."

Although I don't think a satirical comedy should guide me life, that statement has been on my mind a lot lately. Every time I turn around, someone new is asking me "What are you going to do after graduation?" My preferable response would be to shout "I have no freakin idea, so leave me alone!" Instead, I simply laugh and say "That is the million dollar question." And it really is because it's all I think about these days.

From the time I was a junior in high school, I have flirted with the idea of becoming a journalist. That idea has diminished and rose again throughout the years, but it's something I always come back to. Here is the deal: being a journalist is not a fabulous career, and I am painfully aware of that. The money is poor, the hours are long, the public scrutiny is crushing, and damn it, it's hard. But for all of it's negatives, there is something delightfully addicting about this profession and it has captivated me in away I can't explain.

As I look for jobs, I become more aware of the field's competitive nature. I would love to move to a city right after college, however, it's more difficult than that. I don't have the experience for a metro paper, nor do those papers usually take recent grads. So I can stick with a grass roots publication or something smaller, which could be really fun. However, both types of jobs don't pay the type of salary it takes to live somewhat comfortably in a big city.

So I started looking at my options. I could do PR or some type of office work right away, just to get my feet wet. Those jobs don't pay real well, but better than what I would make at a newspaper. Plus, I like doing little things like running errands, scheduling and answering the phone. And those jobs are a heck of a lot easier to find.

But as fabulous as the corporate sounds, and it does sound tempting to me, something reminds me that isn't really what I want. Because when it all comes down to it, I am a story teller.

I tell stories, and it's what I have done since I was little. There is something so invigorating about telling a person a story that makes them cry, laugh, fume or simply smile. I have always been eager to be the information relayer, whether that information was that so and so are dating, the city council was working on such and such plan or that it was going to rain today.

As I think about jobs, I just know that I want to write and I want to work with people and I want to write about people. I guess that is where sports come in.

Last August, I had to cover media day for the Jackrabbit football team. I really didn't know much about the team, let alone the sport. Football games were for tailgating and socializing, that's it. Now I had to write about a team and their upcoming season without the slightest clue how to do it.

So that night I studied the roster, called friends who followed the team and read whatever I could about the team. As I walked to the football field for interviews with the players and coaches, my heart began to pound. I had never been this nervous for an interview before. I was shaking when I interviewed the first player, a sophomore receiver. His kindness quickly eased my nerves, and I got through six player interviews and one with the coach pretty neatly.

Later, I wrote two stories about the team's lack of maturity and tough schedule. The players I talked to had some overly optimistic goals for the season, like a conference title and a win over rival North Dakota State, but it captured my attention for the season. After their first game, my doubts seemed right as the team lost to a Division III school in a game the opponent dubbed "David vs. Goliath." Three losses later, and the team had pretty much killed all hopes of accomplishing their goals.

Then came McKneese. It was the ultimate comeback, as the team rallied from 14 minutes behind with five minutes in the game to win against a ranked team. The quarterback went for two, and the Jacks just sneaked by "the big guys." It was one of those "once in a life time" games. It happened three more times.

I remember sitting in the bleachers watching the Jacks play UC Davis, the second best team in the Great West. They were down going into the fourth quarter, but I knew it wasn't over yet. See the team had developed a "we believe" mantra that they followed throughout the season. They believed in themselves, and they believed they could win. My sports editor sat next to me during the fourth quarter as the stands had started to thin out with the increased wind and loosing score. But I stayed because I knew it was about to get good.

And it did. My sports editor told me half way through the quarter, "That team knows they can win this game." And they did. They came back and scored the winning touchdown with a little more than a minute. It was another one-point victory.

Afterwards, the team stood in front of the stands and clapped. They thanked the fans still there for believing.

That week I wrote a profile about the backup quarterback and his wife, a prominent runner for the SDSU cross country team. They were the super couple: good students, good athletes and good parents to a 1 1/2-year-old boy.

That is the week I decided to be a sports writer.

The Jackrabbits taught me about ups and downs. They showed me the beauty and thrill of competition. They taught me to hope and to believe. I make their story to sound like it deserves a motion picture script, it doesn't. But what it does is deserved to be told. I knew that I wanted to tell those stories.

I started writing for the Argus Leader sports' section. It isn't always riveting but I have covered some pretty good games, including a back-and-forth SkyForce game right after the team loss the best player in the D-League.

As I get deeper into my last semester at SDSU, I am constantly fighting with thoughts of what will I do come May. I just don't know. But what I do know, and it isn't much, is that I that I like to tell stories. It's the only thing that I can do halfway decent. So I guess when it all comes down to it, I am a story teller who likes sports.

More last firsts

Tomorrow is my last first day of school ever.

I walked into the Union the other day and realized that my time n that building is limited. I can walk in the building a thousand times before I die, but only a few times as a student. I love SDSU and all that it has done. But there is new things to do and new places to go. What I will do? Only the good lord nows.

Now, it's time to just do it.

Remember

Through the presents, the fat man in a red suit, the stockings and the blinking lights, remember the real reason
Through the crowded malls, the annual update letter and the hordes of concerts and plays, remember the real reason.
Through the goodies, the time around the table and the enjoyment of friends and family, remember the real reason.

The real reason for the season is a little baby boy who was brought to this Earth so that we may enjoy all those things in peace. Remember what one man and one woman went through to bring that baby to life. Remember Jesus Christ and the wonderful things he has given you.

Happy Birthday, my Savior.

Thankful

A simple list of the blessings I am thankful

Things I am Thankful for:
The Minnesota Twins
Fall
My silver Grand-Am
When my entire family gets together
Laughing with my friends
Worship time at bible study
Hearing “Ring the Bells for South Dakota” as the football teams runs on to the field
Hearing the Campanile Bells as I walk to class
Reading the newspaper in the morning
Writing/reading a good lead
Watching the Twins play while drinking a tall at Cubby’s
Hearing “A little less Sixteen Candles a little more touch me” play when someone calls
Reciveing an email facebook saying that a friend has posted on my wall
The Missouri River at Sunset
The drive from Brookings to Pierre on Highway 14
Walking into the Union Wednesday afternoon and seeing people reading the fresh copy of the Collegian
A campfire surrounded by friends
Ringing my cowbell when a Jackrabbit scores a touchdown or a three-pointer
A run through LaFramboise anytime of the year
The day when Brookings is alive again because it’s move-in day at SDSU
Running into a friend at the Union
Reading a well-written story
A full congregation at the Newman Center on Sundays
Seeing a Daktronics board at a distance stadium
Seeing the yellow house on Euclid for the first time in months
My campus run that takes me by most of the res halls, Coughlin and the Campanile
Doing stair steppers at Coughlin
Smell of fresh cut grass
DDR
Not seeing my friends for months and then picking up where we left off
Facebook photos
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Hallmark Greeting Cards
Karla Morrow’s ability to say the right thing to make me smile
Late night talks with my roommates
The “There is only one” video before home football games
A sky full of stars
The smell of fall and cross country memories it brings back
Two Thanksgiving dinners—one at the Reinke’s, the other at the Fishers
A drive down Capital Ave.
Getting an education at the best university in South Dakota
Group prayers at Bible study
Chasing a good story
Dunzo, my beta fish
Knowing my future lies in God’s hands
Making someone smile
A good song on the radio
A good cup of coffee Wednesday morning
Sleeping in on Saturdays
Catching up with a friend
Inspiring photography

But most of all, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family, friends and Jesus Christ.

Bleeding Yellow and Blue

My heart is broken, yet again.

Tonight, my eyes welled with tears and the Jackrabbit football team walked off the field ever so slowy, with their heads down. Some stopped to touch the astroturff one last time, and others just stood their as the NDSU team celebrated a well earned victory. That was hard to watch.

We left the Fargodome, titleless and an ending one remarkable football season. It must be hard for those seniors to end their careers this way, but maybe not. They gave a fighting shot and did the best they could. In the end, the Bison was the better team. But it hurts.

It hurts me too. I don't play football nor am I really close to someone who does. But I have put an interest in this team. They are part of my school, something I hold very close to my heart.

As we pulled in tonight, and I saw the Campenile and Coughlin-Alumni Stadium I began to think of my feelings for SDSU. I love this school. I love the people, the location, the opportunities-- everything.

SDSU has its problems, but the good out shine the bad. I love being a Jackrabbit and I love seeing blue and gold together. Tonight as we walked around the FargoDome, my eyes lit up with every person that wore an SDSU t-shirt.

I like to think that from my work at the Collegian, I have contributed somewhat to the SDSU society. But this university has given me so much. It has given me wonderful friends and unforgettable memories. It has shown me who I am.

We may not be Great West Football Champions, but man are we a good school. We are school that is a family. One that cares for each other.

There is a framed saying in the University Bookstore that says "From the outside you can't understand it. From the inside you can't explain it." That is SDSU.

Leaving this place is going to be one of the hardest things I ever do, and I am not ready to do it. There is a slight possibilty that if this internship comes through, I will be gone as of December. The internship is the opportunity of a lifetime, but I am just not sure if I am ready to go yet.

I guess until that moment, I am going to be the best possible student I can be and soak up as much SDSUness as I can. Someone once said that I bleed yellow and blue. To me, there is no higher compliment a Jackrabbit fan can have.

The next 22 years

I am wasting time in the Collegian office between page edits while avoiding studing for PR, so I thought I should make a list of my life goals here on out. (Mainly, I am writing them here for my own sake, so I can look back at them and try to accomplish most of them.)
-Learn to surf
-Pray at least one time every day
-Travel to Ireland
-Live in a big city
-Learn to play the guitar
-Run a marathon
-Write a novel
-Give to the poor
-Marry the man of my dreams
-Buy my dream home
-Vacation to an exotic island
-Know that my friends and family are aware that I love them
-Rock little babies to sleep
-Donate time, money or skills to an organization that fights poor body images in young girls.
-Do at least one thing per year to help a family in need
-Try to have at least a little change for the collection plate every Sunday
-Live by the Phil 4:13, "I have strength for everything through Him who empowers me."
-Run at least twice a week
-Make time for the little things
-Keep writing
-Gossip less
-Find my dream job
-Live near water


I am sure there are many more, but I really need to go study. I will update if I think of more.

Only the Good Die Young

This blog is result of emotions that have been milling in my head and heart for the last week. I've wanted to pour them out but haven't had the opportunity to do so. Never the right time, the right person. And I am slightly better at the written word than the spoken, so this seems like the best avenue to finally release these feelings.

I will probably never forget the moment I realized that Jason Shephard was dead. I walked into the building, and at the bottom of the stairs, was Steve. His face was white and his eyes black. He looked at me then glanced away, and I knew immediately what that meant.

I came upstairs and there was nobody in our cubicle. So I turned to the Internet and the news said the same thing Steve's expression did: they found Jason, who had been missing for two days, and he wasn't alive.

As I read the words from the Pennsylvania newspaper, my heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. I couldn't believe it, and that is when Steve came back to his desk and began to cry.

I sat limp in my desk not sure what to say or do next. Although I am an emotional person, I don't handle other's emotions well so I just sat there and watched the tears fall from his eyes. I couldn't cry, I wanted to, but I couldn't. I instead mouthed the words "I am so sorry" over and over.

He left and eruption of tears came from two cubicles over, Karla had found out. I found her and Crystal with red faces, drenched in tears. I sat with them and mourned the loss, but I still couldn't cry.

I later went back to my desk, but just sat there, not knowing what to do next. I would get up and find random co-workers who also wore the same red, tear-drenched faces Karla and Crystal did. I checked the news again later in the day and they had Jason's photo up. My heart broke into a million pieces, still no tears.

Steve got up from his desk often that day. He looked like a zombie. I told him to go home, but he didn't want to. Instead, we sat at our desks and he told me stories about Jason and the crazy things they would do. He told me about the time he met Jason's parents, and how Jason was going to go home with him to help farm. We talked for about an hour, then I had to leave. I didn't want to go, I wanted to be with Dak people, but other responsibilities needed to be taken care of.

I was chosen to judge Mr. SDSU that night, but my mind was not on the good-looking boys on the stage, it was on Jason, wondering what actually happened in Pennsylvania. That night Lucinda called me and told me how Jason died. I burst out into a fit of tears and shakes.

From that moment on, I have thought a lot about Jason and what happened to him. I had spoken to him only three or four times and we were barely acquaintances. But his death still had a major effect on me.

I didn't know Jason very well, but I was looking forward to getting to know him better. Next month, sports sales is moving to another building and we are going to be divided by regions. The map has me sitting between Steve and Jason. Although I complained about it, deep down I knew it would be fun sitting next to those two.

Since Jason's death, I realized what an amazing person he was from the outcry of devotion and love for him that is on Facebook and in the news. He was a young, cute man who had the whole world in front of him. He loved and was loved.

Jason was only on this Earth for 23 years, but he touched so many people's lives. He is an inspiration on how to live life. He lived it to the fullest and always welcomed people with open arms.

He makes me want to be a better person.

He didn't deserve this fate, no body deserves such a horrible and wretched death. But for some reason the good Lord decided this was the way Jason needed to go. I don't know why and I am not sure anyone will ever know why. The Lord needed Jason more than the Earth did.

His funeral is Sunday, but I don't think I will attend. Like I said, I barely knew him and I don't want to take the seat of someone who was close to Jason and is tragically affected by his death. However, I am going to send a card because I just want his parents to know how he has touched my life, someone he barely knew.

Jason's death has been another brutal reminder to live life to the fullest and not to take what you have for granted. And I don't plan to forget that anytime soon.


Rest In Peace, Shep. I wish I could have gotten to know you better.

The beginning of the end

Today I started my last first day at SDSU. A bitter-sweet moment, that I really didn't get to enjoy. No, my busy school, newspaper and work schedule took precedent over my emotions, yet I still feel them.

I will never forget the feeling of terror in my stomach when I saw the Campenile as I turned off Highway 14 August 2003. It was move-in day and I was scared out of my mind.

I didn't want to come to SDSU at first. I had my heart set on being a Husker, but fiances, family and fear drew me to SDSU, and I am thankful.

For a while, I wanted to leave. I wanted to go anywhere but here. The high school life I wanted desperatley to forget followed me and I tried to out run it. But I couldn't and soon realized I was right where I should be.

SDSU has been great to me these last few years. I have met some amazing people and did some amazing things. I have traveled to two countries, fallen in love, had my heart broken, learned some tough lessons, realized the importance of family, interviewed some pretty cool people, discovered the difference between real and "real" friends, fought an eating disorder, let my rebelious side come out, got a better idea of who I am and learned to rely on God in everything.

It's been a wonderful ride and I am sure this year will be no different. I am coming off of an amazing summer.

I was worried going into this summer about what would happen, but I had a lot of fun. I met a lot of great people and had some really fun experiences. I am still on a high for this summer and hope that that inertia will carry on to a great beginning.


Today, it was more evident that ever that this is my last year. Not because of grad applications or the elderly feeling I got as I watched herds of freshman wondered the campus. It was the question that everyone asked, "So what are you going to do after graduation?"

I feared the question because I fear the anwser. I honestly don't know, and that scares me. But I have a year left and time to figure it out.

This will be a good year, I can feel it. The Collegian is my life, and I kinda like it that way. I love putting my heart and soul into that newspaper, even though I get so worn out.

I am living in a wonderful apartment with wonderful roommates and I can tell my living situtation is going to produce some wacky, fun times.

Men are kinda absent from my life at the moment and that is ok. Sure, I have crushes and I don't object any developments, but I just don't think it will happen, and that is ok. I am busy with my own thing and my own goals right now. But who knows, maybe Mr. Right is around the corner.

Anyway, today is the beginning of the end. As I ran past Pierson Hall today I was reminded of my first day and all the hopes and dreams I had in store for this place. Many have come true, heck I still have a year left. But it is time to embrace this place one last time and get ready for the time I see the Campenile in the rear view mirror.

Be my escape

In 9 short months, I will be wearing a cap and gown and will offically have my ticket out of this town, out of this life.

I need to leave. I need a new place, a new job, new dreams and new experiences.

I do love SDSU and the wonderful people hear and it has been good to me. But it almost seems as though things are quietly telling me there are sick of me and now it is time to go.

I feel like I have nothing left here. My friends all love me, but they are moving on to the world of husbands and kids and leaving me behind. I like my job, but not enough to stay here and make peanuts.

I have no romantic relationship, which sucks and rocks at the same time. I want to be with someone, but I refuse to let someone stand infront of my dreams.

Anyways, I will enjoy this last year and I will try and make the most of it. But I need to leave. Where? I am not sure. What? Don't know that either. All I know is that whatever I do has gotta pay the rent and whereever I go can't be Pierre, Brookings or any other South Dakota place.

I need adventure, life and finding.

My girl's ex-boyfriend

So today I recieved some rather tough news, my ex has a new girlfriend. I knew it was coming because many of my friends love me dearly and wanted me to know that he has been seeing a girl and more than likely are dating. Well today, I found the confrimation and was upset, but only for a few moments. I described to one of my co-workers as like peeling off a band-aide, I have been working on it and this was the last little sting.

So why does this upset me? Do I want him back? No. We weren't right for each other and I was super unhappy. That's the key, I was unhappy. So it in my mind, I would be the first to move on. But he is the one who has a new relationship.

However, I started to think about why I am not in my relationship? I have had the opportunity to be in one? Yup, I've actually had a couple of persuers. If I really wanted to be in a "re-bound" relationship, I could have a long time ago. But that just isn't my style. And none of those guys were right for me, like I said before, I will never settle again.

I have had some interesting thoughts about my ex. To be honest, I don't like the guy. He hurt me so bad when he told me he didn't love me. I understand the relationship didn't work, but still that hurts.

It was hard getting over him and I am so glad that he isn't around anymore and I don't have to see. A friend of mine told me that I give this "I-want-to-throw-up"look everytime someone mention's his name. I really dislike him. If I were to see him, I would probably walk away in the other direction.

We tried to be friends, but I couldn't do it. He thought we could just pick up where we left off, nope. When he brought his soon-to-be-girlfriend around me for the first time, it wasn't pretty. We ended up fighting over skeltons in the closet, and I made a vow not to talk to him until I was ready to, if I ever again.

While fighting, I told him I hated him and I meant it. I don't like him. I don't like the way I feel when he is around and I certainly don't like the pain he has caused. I would love to invoke half the pain I went through on him, just so he knows how I felt. But he is an easy-going guy and usually lets things roll off his shoulder, so I am not sure how I would get at him if I ever wanted to.

One of my friends is still pressuring me to be his friend. I don't want to be. I really don't want anything to do with him. There may come a time when I can be friends with him, but I don't think that time is in the near future. Darcy said I shouldn't be friends with him because I don't owe him anything. She thinks staying away from him is probably the best idea, but then again she doesn't like him very much.

Anyways, I have all this pent up anger at him, but I had an interesting "ephinany" if you will yesterday. My ex helped me get out of a situation I couldn't get out of. He forced me out. I didn't want to be with him anymore, but I just couldn't break it off. I was terrified of what would happen. And by letting me go, he actually helped me. I can now do things that I couldn't with him. I can also meet a guy that I won't feel like I am settleing with. Someone who really is the man of my dreams, the love of my life.

I think whoever is "the one" will apprecaite my ex too. I was looking at the lyrics of this song called "My girl's ex-boyfriend" and basically it is a guy thanking his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend for breaking up with her, because now he has her and he won't let her go. I think the man of my dreams would be thankful for my ex.

That thought alone makes me want to forgive my ex for the hell he put me through. But acutally, the last few months have been amazing. I am learning about myself and God. I have made new friends and have really enjoyed myself. So you could say the hell he put me through has led to my current happiness.

In the end, I have forgiven him. Will I tell him that or thank him for good things I will eventually embrace? Nah. He can tell by happiness I have, the happiness I couldn't have with him.

I will find my Vanessa, my Vince, my Keith

For some reason unknown to myself, my live has become about one thing: men. Well not just men, but I spend much time thinking about potential boyfriends, men who may be interested in me and finding that one.

I have recently decided that I want a boyfriend. I thought for the longest time, I didn't, but I do. At first, I just wanted someone to date inorder to get over my ex, but I am over him and don't need a guy to do that. Anyways, I just want to meet a nice man that I could have a great relationship with.

To be honest, I want to meet my husband. I am only 21 and there is a lot I want to do in my life, but I really want to share it with someone. Although I would love to meet this man tomorrow, I know I will meet him when the time is right. In the mean time, I am gonna date.

So in my last post I mentioned guy X. Well I decided, after much debate, I couldn't date guy X. Don't get me wrong, he is super cute and I loved to talk to him, but I just don't see anything lasting with him. And I just wasn't in to him. I have had this bad habit of being in relationships where I am not happy and not being able to get out, so I thought it was just best if I didn't enter this one. Plus, I am tired of setteling. I need to find a guy that I shouldn't talk myself into liking, and my previous boyfriends were not those guys.

It was weird because I walked away from a guy I actually liked, but it had to be done. Sometimes, I still want to see him, but it is best that we end up as friends. Haven't talked to him (other than a facebook message) since I said we shouldn't see each other anymore.

Now enter guy Y. Guy Y is an interesting character in my life. He has been a friend of mine for awhile and we have flirtacious friendship. We have always teased about hooking up and what not, but it is always harmless. It drove my last boyfriend nuts and he was insanley jealous of Guy Y. Over the past few months, my friends continually tell me that they think he has feelings for me. I thought they were nuts, but now I am wondering. He called me today, and I was excited. I am usually excited when he calls, but even more so today. I have always denied feelings for him, but now I am wondering. I don't think anything would ever happen because he won't ruin friendships, but I still wonder. Who knows, I guess I will just have to see when school starts again.

There are other random men in my life. Ones that hit on me, that I crush on for approximatly a day and the ones that call. It is kinda nice to have all of this male attention. In high school, boys didn't look at me twice. Then I date a boy for two and half years, we broke up and six months later, dated another guy for about a year. Now I am single and loving it, but still waiting for someone to come along. But it has to be the right guy. I will not settle again.

More and more I honestly believe the right guy is out there. A man that is all of my dreams and that can treat me wonderfully. My first boyfriend was a good guy and then the next was pretty good, so I believe my next boyfriend will be wonderful.

A friend was telling me a story about an old friend she ran into the other day. She was talking about her latest boyfriend and how he was different. She said that she has used the "L" word on past boyfriends, but this time she means it more than ever and it feels different. I want to find that and I really truly believe I will.

I have a theroy. I was absoulty devasted when my last boyfriend and I broke up. Everyone thought we were the perfect couple, but perfect couples break up like Tom and Nicole, Brad and Jen and Nick and Jessica. Well one member of that so-called perfect couple, moved on right away, who was also the instigator of the breakup. The other took their time and finally moved onto a better relationship looking like the better person. I think that will happen to me. Like Jen fround Vince, Nicole found Keith and Nick found Vanessa I will find that great guy who will be the best for me.

Until then, I continue to flirt and enjoy comments from 30-year-old men about my pretty smile and nice body.