Is this close to heaven?

Today, I thought I was close to heaven. I flew out from Houston with Steve-O to Denver, Colorado to take part on a short business trip. And I'm very thankful to be here because it has been 7 years since I have been to this beautiful state and been able to participate in the family business. When we were close to landing, I peered out of my window at the acres of farmland and small towns. Denver has a very well kept airport and it was nice to just be in a non-hectic zone after all of my travels this spring semester. As we waited for Gail patiently by the curb, it put me at ease to know that I had to worries here. Of course, Dad and Gail are asking if I would like to go look around or shopping or to the movies but I'm just here mainly to be put to work. Haha - Just kidding! I'm here to just be with two of my favorite people and to journey around the countryside. But what really took my attention was the weather and the sights that took me back to my childhood. I can't believe we almost lived here at one point. It was a cool day, with late showers and strong breezes and a beautiful sunset. I can't explain the sights and sounds that took my breath away as I tried to soak in everything, from the present and past. I kept thinking to myself I could live here one day and would be so happy. Although it's not the great state of Texas, the land around Brighton is a place that I could call home. Plus, there is plenty of land being developed that is called "horse property," which is totally down my lane! If I had my adapter, I would've posted some pictures I took this evening after Dad and I walked 3 miles around the farm. Sorry to say that Emily has kept that for the past week...oh well, hope it's not too hot and humid because if it is, I just may NOT come home! We'll see...toot-a-loo!

Procrastination

So I practically promised everyone I would keep them updated on our South Pacific trip but does to show what I prepared for! There was internet available at our hotels but for a fee! Gosh, people are so stingy these days! Then I remembered that I could post blogs through text messages. Well...1) I forgot what number to send them to and 2) I turned my internet off on my phone while we were away. So smart thinking Miss Alexis!

Hopefully soon I will get my pictures printed although my mother has not asked Shelby and I about ordering albums yet to put our photos in. Plus, our group will have a picture party to exchange group pictures and other pics that we want or our cameras died...lol! So I'll post a handful of great shots on here soon!

Excitement Begins and so do the Nerves...

My day began very odd. I actually slept a full nights rest and woke up when my alarm started singing "Stick Around" by Reckless Kelly. I knew I had to get up and clean my room but what was really happening today didn't sink in until about 45 minutes ago and now I feel rushed and anxious. You see, every time my family takes a vacation or just an important trip, I can never sleep the night before. But because of the frequent flyer miles and anxiety management, I seemed to have the best night of sleep I've gotten in about 3 weeks. I'm glad I did because my ticker is going to be really off the tick-tock this evening when we fly out from L.A. at 11 pm and jet down under to Auckland, New Zealand. I'm going to try my best to keep you all posted as the trip progresses. Hopefully, I can find a computer with a good internet connection to keep in touch with my family and friends. Also, please pray for us as we travel the South Pacific & the Thonsgaard & Jones' families, who lost loved ones in a tragedy this past weekend.

Have a great beginning of y'alls summer! xoxo

This Time Next Week...

I'll be on a plane from Dallas to L.A. to begin our trip of the South Pacific! This week is going to be jammed packed with getting things buckled down, packed, and settled before we leave on Monday, the 8th for a two-week trip to New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii. There is only 10 in our group and will be joined by three other groups from Arizona, Tennessee and Utah. My two high school softball coaches are our sponsors/caregivers. And mainly close friends are going on the trip, my best friends, Emily Bergstorm and Kristi Michaelsen, my birthday twin, Lindsey Marik, and my sister and one of her friends, Megan Martin.

Before the time comes, today I helped Mrs. Kresta, my HS yearbook sponsor, catch up with the yearbook sales at school. I was in charge of the money the past two years so it wasn't that hard for me to get back into the groove of things. I'll probably go back one more day to help create ads and import data/pictures. Shelby is having a graduation party at the river Wednesday but Mom is having china cabinets installed so I volunteered to stay home with the carpenters. Oh well, I'll get some quality packing time in! That evening, I think Mom and I will travel to CS to get some more clothes of mine and to clean a little at my house, which is really needed. Thursday night is the first summer fun-filled dancing night at National Hall in El Maton. The Emotions always put on a great show and my group of friends have been dying to be ALL together since I missed out when they went to Kyle Park in CS without me. My friend, Bay Dickey, who is related to Haley English, is coming down from Huntsville to spend the weekend with us and her boyfriend and one of my closest friends, Trey Kulak of Boling, TX. Bay and my best friend, Laura, share the same major at TAMU.

Friday, Shelby graduates at 8 pm. I can't believe it. It feels like this year has flown by. She is graduating 20th out of 236 in her class...I think and will be attending Texas A&M with me in the fall to study Finance! I feel old...I've lived by myself for a complete semester but now that I am back home, I don't know what to do with myself. Well, I do but I'm just not doing it right now. haha...I'm going to go play a few new songs I have found on the Internet with easy chords. Maybe one day, I'll sing at the ol' Texas Hall of Fame!

No times a wastin' here!

Do y'all recognize that from a song? Well it's the song "Time's A Wastin'" by June Carter. I'm actually babysitting wittle Brooks Goerig, who is now snoozing, while I watch the movie Walk the Line. So that's where the song comes into play.

Not much has been going on since I arrived back in EC but it seems I'm either really busy or really bored. I've finished with softball for the summer and I'm not sure when I have to return in the fall. I also know what classes I'm taking when I return to Aggieland. Right now, I'm registerred for 12 hours consisting of: Women's Psychology, Music Theory, State and Local Government, First Aid, and Fundamentals of Coaching. I may add Biology if I can get into a class at Blinn that will work with my schedule. I may have stated that I might add another minor but I'm really wanting to take floral design with Laura so that could go towards my Ag Journalism minor in fact. ;)

Before returning to EC, I layed out by the pool with Jeanne and Alex Arbuckle, cut a few inches off my hair, run a lot of errands, and even got a massage! I took a trip through Houston before I came home to EC and picked up some beads and stones off Harwin to start making my own jewelry! So far, so good! Shelby and I have researched dogs and I don't know if we can officially decide between a Minitature Schnauzer or a Boxer. Our concerns are the small backyard we have and protection.

I hope summer doesn't pass by too quickly because I have so much to do and see and participate in. I say that because Emily wants us to run a half-marathon or something like that with her. It's possible and do-able but that's a lot of hard work! I just got back into running but we'll see!
So I'm going to pay attention to this movie because I've never gotten to finish it!
Happy Trails! (in my southern accent...lol)

And they rode off into the sunset...

Today was a bittersweet day. Although I'm finished with softball games, I'm going to miss the seniors very much. Holly, Erin & Savanna made this season worthwhile after the long hours and strenuous practices I endured. I do feel selfish for wanting the season to be over but it wasn't as enjoyable as it should've been if we were winning and having more fun. Mary and I made the best of our last weekend hotel stay together for our first spring season but we sure did tear up with those three girls had to leave their cleats at the field. We'll be back in College Station tomorrow evening and I'm not sure if we'll have to report to work on Monday or not. I know we have some organizing duties but I don't think it'll be that much.

As for school, which officially ended the 13th, I didn't do too bad for having a demanding job and trying to manage my time better than last semester. I think I'll be receiving two A's in Nutrition and Bowling, a B in Kinesiology, and two C's in Sports Psychology and Nat'l Government. Kinda disappointing but I'm going to work on that. I plan on graduating TAMU with a 3.0 or higher! I have also been wanting to add another minor or maybe double-major? I'm not sure yet just that I would really like something with Journalism if I ever wanted to pursue a dream job of being a sportscaster for ESPN! lol...Yes, I know, dreaming big aren't I?!?

As for the summer, I'm sure I'll be back and forth between EC & CS until Shelby's Graduation on June 5th. We'll be leaving June 8th for a 2- week EF Tours-guided trip to New Zealand, Austrailia, & Hawaii! It's going to be amazingly awesome especially since my two besties are going - Emily Bergstrom & Kristi Michaelsen! After that excursion, I'll be prepping Shelby for the big move to our house before her New Student Conference July 1-2. In between working for Dad and helping Mom around the house, we'll be playing down at the river on jetskiis and relaxing in the "lake." Oh I can't wait! So much to do and I know time is going to fly by until July 13th rolls around and Shelbs & I start a math class at WCJC at 8 am! That'll be everyday for a month and my parents & I will scoot sis off to Fish Camp and I'll party it up and get stuff ready for the fall semester. Currently, I am enrolled for 12 hours at TAMU but I'm trying to add Biology or Chemistry at Blinn to correspond with my class and work schedules.

Well I'm going to finish reading Twilight and start reading the second book, New Moon, this week! I hope to see y'all soon and hope that everything is well and hot in Texas!