From the heart: November 2010

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by and I'm officially a year older. As a child, the age I couldn't wait to be was 22. I just knew that I'd graduate from college and get married when I was 22 because that's what my mom did. Of course I had no idea at a younger age what would happen when I was 22. As is turns out, I did graduate from college and I did get married. I don't know why I never thought past the graduation and marriage but now I'm living my life without knowing what comes next! Twenty three was a good year for me. It was different from others in that I feel more "settled" with life, whatever that means. Everyone probably knows by now that I love pictures so I'll post some pictures that highlight my 23rd year of life:)

It started with finishing my MA in Professional Counseling

And celebrating our first anniversary

And throwing lots of baby showers for friends

Walking for graduation

Being the matron-of-honor for my best friend's wedding

Taking weekend trips with girlfriends

Spending the 4th at the park!

Visiting Philly

Rocky steps

Chincoteague

Hiking

Getting a new cat

And finishing my 23rd year with the annual turkey dinner!

Excited to see what happens in my 24th year!

It's been a while since my last post...things are really picking up at work (9 and 10 hour days) and then the class I'm taking right now has a lot of work to do each week. I'm starting to get reallllly tired and am wondering how in the world I am going to be able to take two winter intensives and then three 8-week classes from January to March. I've already started taking four hair vitamins a day so that my hair doesn't fall out from stress! That's pretty sad! It'll be over quickly and for some reason I just keep going back for more!

Anyway, last weekend I was driving home from Lynchburg by myself and had some time to think about random things. I had seen some of my Europe travel buddies over the weekend (so exciting!!) and started thinking about Ellie in Korea and how badly I want to see her while she's there (We didn't win at monopoly so basically I didn't win a trip to see her)! As I was thinking about Ellie, I started thinking about traveling in general. Those of you who know me well know that traveling is my favorite thing to do in the entire world. I love going places that I've never been and I started analyzing (of course) what it is with me and traveling. This is what I came up with:

Ever since I can remember, I have been a go-getter. I see something I need to do, and I do it (I wish this applied to cleaning our house!). I've always felt like I needed to be grounded, practical, and predictable to achieve the things I've been going for and it has worked. It didn't seem like a big deal to me that I finished my Master's in the time I was supposed to finish my Bachelor's and honestly it gets embarrassing when people tell others about that! Then I started thinking how traveling to a new place is anything BUT predictable. I think that's why I love it so much. I like the challenge of figuring out where I am and I love seeing new things and having these experiences that I would miss if I didn't let myself take some time out and explore! God's creation is amazing and then he allowed men to have the knowledge to build these incredible things all over the world. It's fascinating to me! I feel like I thrive when I see someplace new and I feel so excited and giddy when I think about going someplace new or remembering places I've been. I even get excited about little trips close to home when it's something new. I am very blessed to have traveled as much as I have and I look forward to any other experiences of traveling in my future:) It's also a great feeling knowing that you have a place to call home when the traveling is done! Maybe one day I'll be a traveling counselor or something:) Who knows what God has in store for me but he knows my desire and I know he will provide when it is his will!

Since it's November, I'll attach some pictures of things I am thankful for!