Tuesday, June 14, 2011

College Confessions

Things are definitely about to get real here.

Confession #1:
I didn't ever want to go to Cal Poly. 
I had my heart set on UC Davis, but I didn't get in.
 But somehow I managed an acceptance to Cal Poly? 
Weird.
 I was heartbroken and quite angry I had to move to San Luis...just ask my parents they were the one's dealing with my attitude issues.

Confession #2:
I went to college fully expecting to receive my "Mrs. Degree".
Alright ladies, I know most of you were thinking the same thing...
I was going to find a wonderful, Godly man and get married when I graduated. 
After all that's how it happened for my parents and one of my sister's right?
Cal Poly had a 4 to 1 guy/girl ratio when I entered, you would think the odds were in my favor... 
After a pretty cruel heartbreak my second year, I slowly started to realize this may not happen the way I planned it to.

Confession #3:
I thought college would be a piece of cake.
Ha-this one makes me laugh.

Confession #4:
I assumed I would graduate in four years.
Don't ever assume anything.

Confession #5:
Five years ago when I started college, I was a stubborn, grumpy and extremely immature 18 year old 
who had her own plan of how the next few years would go.

Confession #6:
I had no idea my little world would be rocked to the core. 
I had no idea that God was going to take my plans and make them completely obsolete.

It is obvious that nothing about my college experience was part of my "plan".
The first word that comes to mind when I think of my time in college is 
HUMBLING.
A word that wasn't in my vocabulary 5 years ago.

The Lord used my time at Cal Poly to show me that His plan is so much greater than mine. He showed me that on my own, I am NOTHING without Him. Cal Poly was a rough place for me and I never felt that I truly belonged there, even after 5 long years. But, I can look back on it all and see God's faithfulness shine through it all.

Cal Poly is where..
 Most importantly, I found my true identity in Christ.
I met amazing sister's in Christ who have encouraged me every step of the way.
I formed beautiful relationships with classmates, coworkers and roommates.
 I found that even with learning disabilities, you can still graduate college...booyeah!
 I learned to push myself harder.
 I learned to handle criticism and then do something about it (this one took a little while).
I discovered that grades, though important, are not the most important thing in life...at all.
And on that note, going to office hours will get you the better grade (in most cases).
I learned how to stick up for myself and how to fight for things I believe in.
I realized no matter how desperate you are in a situation, God will ALWAYS pull you through.
I learned to truly appreciate and respect my parents, my biggest advocates in life!
I realized how much of a nerd I really am and how much I LOVE plants.

There is a reason why I didn't end up at Davis. 
There is a reason why I didn't find "Mr. Right".
There is a reason why college was extremely difficult.
There is a reason why it took me five years to complete my degree.
In fact, there are probably multiple reasons why each of these happened!

My biggest fans--Dad & Mom.

But, all I know is that I'm thankful my plan didn't happen.
Because God's is so much better than mine!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Build Your Own Terranium, Wait I Mean Terrarium

Rewind to a few weeks ago.
I got the most adorable birthday gift from my roommate Stephanie.
A Build Your Own "Terranium" Kit.


Clearly she knows me well.
My adorable roommates were all introduced to terrariums when I moved in.
Stephanie can never remember what they are called and refers to them as "terraniums", ha I love it!

Check out how adorable this kit is!



She picked out rocks from a beach town 30 miles north of here.... 


Heart shaped rocks.


These past few weeks have been crazy with traveling, midterms, finals, moving out, etc.
and I've been having a hard time finding the right time to put my terrarium together.
But, today was the perfect day!

My adorable succulents, picked out by Stephanie and Bre.

Adding the pebbles and activated charcoal.

Layering on the soil and prepping to place the plants.

And walaa, my bubble bowl terranium, excuse me, I mean terrarium :)



 I even had a little extra material to 
make a miniature mason jar terrarium!


Thank you for the sweetest and most thoughtful gift ever Steph, 
you are so wonderful!

Now its time to get back to cleaning, packing
 and maybe studying for my last final....

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Lord, Thank You For....


My current roommates
My new roommates for this coming year
Good music
The past year with my bible study
My beautiful family
Your timing
My new supporters
Unexpected relationships
New beginnings
Adventures
The excitement I feel about what's ahead
Skype
My planner that goes with me everywhere
Falling asleep to the sound of rain...in June
My cap and gown that are hanging up in my room
Good dreams
Finishing and submitting senior project
Last minute trips
Good friends marrying the men of their dreams
Everything I learned this year
My car
My running shoes
Always pulling me through
Fields full of pretty flowers




Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I'm a Garden Moocher

I don't have a garden of my own (serious bummer).  
One day I will, I'm crossing my fingers.
So until I do I'm just going to be a garden moocher, gardening in other peoples gardens.
 If you ever need anything done, you know who to ask!

This past weekend I got to do some gardening in my Great Aunt's backyard.


She needed some work done and I was more than glad to whip out my gardening gloves and "dig in"!
My Aunt could not understand why I liked getting my hands dirty.
I can still hear her saying in her adorable southern, Alabama accent,
 "Oh my, I can't believe you".
"I like doing dishes...you like being in the dirt".
Ha, little does she know I love doing dishes too, but that's another story.

While working in her backyard I dug up some soil and did some cultivating.


Planted some pretty (thorny) rose bushes as well as some African Daisies.


I also transplanted, diagnosed, fertilized, and watered.
It was the perfect day to spend out in the garden.
Those few hours went by too fast.

My great aunt Betsy.

All finished.

I can't help but day dream about what my garden will be like.
I really do hope that my dream comes true one day...or at least something close to it.