I'm Home I'm Home! (Until tomorrow)

Thank GOODNESS my hectic week is over with. 3 tests and an interview... I'm all tuckered out. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great week for tests or interviews, but that's ok I guess. I didn't do terrible on any of them, but not as great as I had hoped/expected. I went through the interview process for Union Board but did not get on it. It was an interview experience unlike any other I've ever had before, so it was a great experience. I also learned from several people on UB that most people don't get on it the first time they apply. It takes 2 or sometimes 3 tries so I'm encouraged to apply again in the fall. (The current VP of UB had to apply twice, for example.) So while I would have rather just gotten on this time instead of having to go through this again, I'm not really upset about it. I'll simply apply/interview again in the fall. It was a good experience too.

So Monday morning at 6:00am, I had a tapping on my window as I was pulling my hair into a ponytail. It was the boyfriend saying "hurry up!!!" We had agreed to start running on MWF at 6am together on the track. And on Monday, boy was it COLD!! But I ran it anyway. And went back to bed. lol. I didn't run it on Wednesday because he "let me off the hook" because I helped him tremendously with his lab report. He ran a mile and then did a lot of sprints at 3 that morning (after pulling an all-nighter). He didn't sleep until the following afternoon when he slept for 14 hours straight. This was also after swimming a ton of laps. Boys are crazy. I needed the sleep too.

OH. However! I'm not getting much sleep because 1- the people upstairs are still insane and keep me awake and 2- we now have a construction crew working on the apartment I'm LIVING IN at 7am! There's no hope for sleep I suppose.

I had mentioned recently that I've been feeling sick all the time. Well it hasn't really changed much, no surprise there. My mom ran into one of my nurses from my clinic and mentioned my problem. My nurse said that they have new enzymes out with really great results and has made some chronically ill-feeling people feel better! I've never been a friend to change, but this one might be worth trying. Also involves fewer pill numbers....

It feels so good to be home. My weekend is going to be spent with family and with the highway. I drove home yesterday, spending today here, and then driving back tomorrow. Then, on Sunday, my mom is coming to my church to watch me sing in the Easter service. Then I'm riding back home with her to spend more time with family. THEN on Monday, I'm riding BACK to college with the boyfriend. Got all that? So that's a total of 4 trips. Lol! 4 trips in 5 days. Whew!

Happy Birthday to the Reasoner twins!!! They turned 1 year old today! Keep fighting Brett!

Tonight is the Good Friday service at my home church. After that, I'm going to Barnes & Noble to visit a friend, Betsy, who is having a book signing for her latest book that was released yesterday! Read about it here!

Recently, I sat through and I read a large chunk of my first posts. It was really interesting to me because this is somewhat like a diary. My passion for soccer drove my enthusiasm to stay well, even when I rocked a PICC. Sometimes I feel like that passion has drained out of me. That is very frustrating to me. Sometimes it's hard to fight for something you don't even know if you'll get. So lately I've been trying to fight not only for my future, but for the present and my friends and family. These are the people who will be with me for the rest of my life and I don't want to hurt them. So I must stay strong if not for myself, for them.

To all my Catholic friends (and others who gave up things for Lent), you've almost made it!!! Don't give up!!

Alright, time to finish getting ready for the day. My brother, sis-in-law, and nephew are coming over soon. Can't wait! I love seeing family!!!

-Annie

Crawfish, Interviews, and Bunnies... Oh my!

This morning, I went and supported a fellow sorority, Kappa Delta, in one of their national philanthropies. They host a 5k/Mile Fun Run to raise money for a local Children's home and for the Prevent Child Abuse America. The 5k is a serious 5k because it's very hilly. Not my style. I also haven't run in a while, and I didn't want to attempt something so.... legit. So I ran the 1 mile fun run! It's actually 1.25 miles. I'm not sure how fast I ran it, but I did well for not having run in a while. I was really proud of myself. I had a little motivation on the last 1/2 mile...

Before I continue, you need a little history. You know those Easter Bunnies that sit in the malls to let little kids take their picture with them? Or the mascots that run around at football games and hug you even if you don't want to hug them? Or the clowns? Or the Santas in the mall? Well, I'm scared of all of them. I'm less wary of my own college mascot, but I still won't run up to him or anything. Also, know that my favourite branch of the military is the Marines. Ok, moving on.

The 1 mile run was around a lake, so it was somewhat curvy. I came around a curve a little over half way done and I saw him: the Easter Bunny. Walking against the runner's direction clapping for people and giving high fives. I had no choice but to pass him. I picked up the pace and ran past him, giving him a slight smile and a nod. Sigh of relief. Until I heard it: footsteps running behind me. I turned and looked, praying it was just another runner, but no... it was the Easter Bunny and he was chasing me!!!!!! I kept going and he caught up pretty quickly, unfortunately. I pretended to play it cool, smiling at him again. I can't even begin to tell you how creepy it was. I took another good look and I noticed something new: showing through the white/pink skin was a USMC (United States Marine Corps) shirt. My brain didn't know how to process that. Was it a Marine in the costume? Did the Bunny eat a Marine? Should I fear Marines now or love Easter Bunnies?? I let my mind wander to thinking about how heavy the head part of the costume must be. So I said something, "That's impressive." The bunny just looks at me. So I clarify. "That's impressive running with the costume on. Especially with the head part." The bunny looks at me again (remember we're still running!!). Then, the Marine inside pulled the head off!!!!! And it was Jon, my Big Sis's boyfriend!! My mind/heart could rest at ease knowing that I was safe. He ran the rest of the race with me, with the bunny head on, and every person with a camera took a picture of us at the end of the race. So there's proof! I'll find one of those pictures and put it on here later.

Yesterday, I went to a charity crawfish boil. (Look at me and my philanthropic self) The March of Dimes was having a crawfish boil where for $20, you get 5lbs, corn, potatoes, and a drink. The boyfriend and I bought 10lbs. We ate 5 at the event and 5 back in my apartment. We waited around, eating the first 5, to see some friends of mine I knew were coming.

Also, yesterday was the day that the Union Board list for interviews got put up! My name was on the list and I'm pretty excited about it. I have an interview this Thursday (April 1st) and we'll see if I make Union Board.

That's all for now!

-Annie

EDITED to add the picture of PROOF!!!

Spring Quarter, well, so far

I'm on day 2 of Spring Quarter and I can tell this quarter is going to be a doozy. My biology class, even with the same professor as last quarter, jumped up about 100% in difficulty. My psych class may not be hard, but it will be hard to focus! The room is long and narrow, and filled to the brim with students, and I'm about 9 rows back sitting behind a large boy. Not to mention I have 4 sorority sisters in that class with me. So seeing, hearing, and listening will be difficult! My chemistry class I will really enjoy. My professor moves at a fast pace, but I've seen all of this material before so it won't be bad. My math class... ugh. I don't predict it will be very hard either. The professor goes at a crawling pace for those who are taking the class for the 3rd time. No joke. And lastly, my bio lab, which I haven't been to yet. We'll see how that goes.

So about 1/2 the classes will be difficult, for one reason or another, and the other half I just have to not get behind. The most annoying part is the homework. Last quarter, I had minimal homework and it was wonderful! This quarter, I have online math homework, online chemistry homework, and the psych professor assigns stuff regularly. Not to mention bio labs being due. And while it looks like my biology class is being kind and not assigning homework, the studying will take up all of my time anyway! Unlike last quarter, each test is cumulative. Oh fun.

I applied for being a camp counselor for (mostly) under-privileged students in the area for over the summer and I got it! They assigned me to 3 different weeks of camp: one session in June and two in July. During those weeks, I'll be living on my college campus working with middle school and high school students from 8-5 every day, at least. I will be TIRED but it will be rewarding. I'm a little nervous (fear of the unknown) but also really excited. I know it will be a great experience!

Right now, I'm also filling out an application for my college's Union Board. I'll find out March 26th if I've made it through the first round of cuts or not. Then an interview. We'll see about that too!

I'm really trying to get involved more and build up a good solid resume'. I sometimes feel I have too much down-time, and I really want to be involved more!

So in 11 days, the boyfriend turns 21. How crazy!

Oh, and in case you hadn't noticed, I have clearly pulled out of my depression slump. Finals + TOBI + no sleep + monthly cycle + winter weather + homesick + just the normal ups and downs of life = the depression slump. It happens, ya know? But it's a new quarter, wonderful weather, and while I don't always want to go to class (already! haha) I love seeing a whole new group of people and friends I may not have gotten to see that often previously. :]

Also! My big sis Liz chopped off all of her hair over break!! She also donated it to Locks of Love. What a sweet family we are. ;]