Let's see, so it's been nearly a year since I've written anything on here. One might ask why I would bother updating at this point. For my own benefit really. I like to remember. There have been a lot of monumental events in my life this past year. Several items were checked off my life list. Where oh where shall I start? I think the beginning is a good place. :) Last summer (2008). Sucked. But at the same time it was probably exactly what I needed. Kalisa, Jesse, and I moved into our first house on Kell(e)y street. I worked two jobs and completed my Intro to Biochem course. VMCAS and studying for the GRE soaked up whatever remnants of free time I might have had. With no time to go back to Joplimo, I was homesick a lot of the time, and altogether just... anxious. I turned 22 on August 13, 2008. There was no party. No trip to the lake. I had volunteer hours I needed to fulfill at the animal shelter and money that needed to be made at the clinic. Diamond and I got up early that day. We climbed to the top of the Harmon to watch the sunrise and to put some things in perspective. As we welcomed the new day, I had tears in my eyes. I felt that familiar twist in the tracks beneath me and knew... that everything was going to be okay. Somehow. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, friends and family cannot be easily distinguished from one another. Those that have been there for me through all these changes are more important than I can ever say. Those of us that met in Fayetteville recognized that this was probably going to be our last great year together. We sucked the marrow out of it. Bikes, Blues, and BBQ on Dickson is always good for a laugh. And Joe, I will never forget the conversation we had going home that night. Razorback football games were not to be missed. *high fives* after every touchdown! And oh yeah, we beat LSU in Little Rock! Devil's Den never disappointed us. Hikes, wades, caves, and tent togetherness... That was my piece of peace. Looking at old entries, I have a private post. Just a simple list to remind me to fill in details later: | Need to write about: Dad and election COLDPLAY Travis/hope |
I guess now is a good time to fill in those details. :) History happened last fall. We had an election and I had a chance to participate. Obama vs. McCain. Now, if you weren't aware, my dad is a pretty much a staunch Republican when it comes to voting. I, on the other hand, tend to just vote based on the individual platforms, not the party. And this time, we didn't exactly pick the same person. I expected to catch a lot of grief for this. Instead I found the opposite. You see, my grandmother (whom I love) was very very very concerned about the election. And wanted me to pray about my decision, which I did. I told her the truth when she asked which ballot I would cast, and... she voiced her concern. My dad found out about her pressuring me and called me up to say something along the lines of "I didn't serve in the military so someone else could tell you how to vote. You make your decision, and stick by your guns." I was so proud. Thank you, Dad. Sometime in late August or early September, I caught wind of a certain tour that would be happening to correspond with an album recently released by a certain favorite band of mine. That's right. I got to see Coldplay. Live. In Oklahoma City. *marks one off the life list* John and Richard accompanied me for this magical show. Now, I've been to a lot of concerts, and really really enjoyed most of them. But, you know those old films of girls getting panicky and faint-y at the sight of Elvis or the Beatles? Yep. That was me when Coldplay took the stage. John and Richard quite literally pointed and laughed. I didn't care. Lights... brilliant... stage presence.... powerful.... music... surreal. As I described it after the show, "If I had to imagine what it would be like to be high on drugs, have the ability to fly, and fall in love all at the same time--- that would be it!" Amazing. As it turns out, the very next day marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Travis Youngblood and I became a couple. :) This story actually has a very long and complicated beginning, but it is simplified to this: I got to know Travis in the spring of 2008 on a Pre-vet trip to national symposium. Starting with a random conversation about counting to ten in Korean, we found out that we both enjoyed TaeKownDo, had similar interests in music, and really disliked how the UF students handled being in charge. Over the summer we became friends and were there for each other when life seemed to be drop-kicking us. With the fall came quiet evenings of hot tea and freshly baked cookies. Eventually, we admitted we had grown quite fond of one another, and the rest is history... or maybe just the beginning. :)
It does exist. And I got to experience it. Travis has become my closest friend. I can literally talk to him about anything. We can truly be ourselves and not worry about being abandoned for it. Everything we do together is like a new adventure. I love him. Excerpt from freshman year Life List: "Let myself fall in love with someone who reciprocates said feeling" ...... *check* If you know me even a little bit, you know how huge this is. It is by far the most beautiful sensation I have ever experienced. I spent my last Thanksgiving and Christmas in my childhood home. It was bittersweet, but I could feel the pages in this book changing, so this only seemed appropriately timed as well. Mom and Dad sold the house and the property in Carterville for a bigger piece in the middle-of-nowhere between Neosho and Diamond. They hope to build a house there. Notice this is written in the present-tense. They have a loft above a garage right now. But the view is beautiful. They're on a hill overlooking a valley and creek. I just hope everything works out because things are kind of tense right now. Anyway, back to the past. Fall semester wrapped up, VMCAs were submitted, and finals were... finalized? My family and I celebrated our last Christmas at home. I will always keep the image of our living room Christmas tree in my mind. Travis came with me to Y2K9, which was every bit as crazy as the year before. Holidays are my favorite because of the people that surround me. Spring semester proved just as significant as fall. Starting with.... The Ice Storm. I capitalize that because it was epic. A week of no school. And no power. And no heat. A glistening disaster, downed trees lined the streets. It basically destroyed Old Main Lawn. I literally teared up the first time I saw my sanctuaries all dismembered like frayed rope. But, that's what spring is for: rebirth, growth, and healing. We toughed it out about three days before becoming exiles. Kalisa and Byron were kind enough to let us crash at their apartment, and Jesse sought shelter back in Gregson. On the drive to Rogers, Travis and I had the windows down on 540 as traffic had come to a halt (we weren't the only ones heading to electricity and warmth). "It's not that bad out today." I said. Then I looked down at the thermometer. It was forty degrees outside. I had lost all concept of temperature! By the end of that week I was in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Kegley, Dr. Powell, John R, and I went to present our research at the Southern Section of Animal Science Conference. My thesis was finally complete! Well, mostly. While working in the nutrition lab I had the chance to run an experiment on cattle. I won't get into the details, but it involved zinc and snot. Haha! I was really nervous for my presentation, but as a stranger from Auburn explained to me, "They won't eat chya." Before my semester was over, I presented my thesis four times, won the Sigma Alpha competition, and passed my defense! Yay!! *check* In the end of January I had my very. first. vet school interview. It was at KSU on my mom's birthday. I remember sitting in the lobby waiting for my turn thinking, "This is it. This is what all the hoops have been for. This is why I've been working so hard for all these years." I thanked God for getting me that far and for all the people I'd had supporting me along the way. A couple weeks later I had my second interview at LSU. While visiting with Mom, Cecil, Aunt Caroline, and Aunt Rita, I got a phone call. It was Jared Granier, Admissions Director for Louisiana State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
I. Was. IN. I was admitted into veterinary school!!! Let's just say I was ecstatic. I quickly called and texted everyone I could think of that would care. It was a liberating feeling to know that I had at least one post-graduation option. Travis and I spent our first Valentine's Day together in San Antonio.... For Block and Bridle National Convention, of course! We actually had a really great time together and got to see some really beautiful parts of that city and surrounding area. On the ride back from that trip, I got a text from Kalisa. I had a letter from K-State come for me in the mail. I got home and opened it------- I made it into my #1 choice! I screamed like a little ninny and leapt into Travis's arms. In the end, I was only rejected by Georgia, didn't go to my Mississippi interview, and was accepted by K-State, LSU, OSU, and...Mizzou. I had to pick between my #1 and my in-state. In the end, I decided to follow my heart. I am currently a student at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. *check* Just because I was accepted to vet school did not mean I was finished with undergrad though. I continued to work two jobs (Crossover and the lab), and took parasitology, death & dying, diseases of livestock, sheep production, and scuba (taken with Joe and Travis)! ...okay, so some of those were fun. I delivered a lamb in sheep prod! And I didn't drown in scuba! Both major pluses. Haha! I worked part of spring break. But the part that I DIDN'T work was a lot of fun. Travis and I took a few days to go see where he comes from. We stayed with his mom and her family for a night, and then continued on to Eureka Springs. We competed in a 2 mile run/race and actually came in 7th and 8th! He showed me the places he used to frequent, and we even dropped by his old high school. We poked around shops and art museums, and watched as a St. Patrick's Day parade wove its way through the cute little hippie town. Travis and I ate dinner at a really nice restaurant, then went back to snuggle away from the drizzly air in our cozy bed and breakfast. It was really nice. The next morning we got up, intending to go to church. Apparently the Thorn Crown Chapel has very strange, seasonal hours. But at least we got to see it! (beautiful). The school year ended and ...... I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science!!!!!! Summa Cum Laude. With honors distinction. That's right. *checks another from the life list* Most of my family came to support me, and my mom cried she was so proud. Even Travis' parents came! Dad took off right after commencement though. We'd been going through a rough patch and hadn't spoken in a while. It kind of hurt, but I think maybe it was just his way of dealing with me growing up. Summer started, but didn't slow down. I took a trip to Manhattan, Kansas with my soon-to-be roomie Ashely to pick out a place of residence. We found a house very close to campus that had a fenced backyard and didn't require a pet deposit. Perfect! Or so we thought, lol! Mom came up to see the house we picked that same week. She and I had some quality mother-daughter time; we went to a movie, enjoyed the Nelson Art Museum in Kansas City, got lost once or twice, and just had fun. I loved that. I discovered that there doesn't always have to be mileage between two people for there to be an overwhelming distance. Sadly, I lost touch with a couple friends, but not for lack of trying. A relationship is like a bridge, and a person can only make it so far without the other side reaching across too. I only hope that bridges can mend. I spent the rest of my summer in Fayetteville, working, enjoying time with friends when I could, and spending every extra second I had with Travis. The fourth of July was spent blowing stuff up and eating way too much. Very American of us! I unfortunately left my camera to the mercy of the morning dew. It died. EPIC FAIL. On July 11th, I got to be a part of Kalisa's big day! I was a bridesmaid; Travis was a groomsman; we witnessed the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen in person. She and Byron were so happy. I wish them the best. P.S: I caught the bouquet.... ;) Caitlin came to visit me this summer! She brought Oliver and, along with Diamond and Maddie, we had a dog party! We played soccer, traded vegetarian recipes, stayed up way too late, and spent some much needed time catching up. On and off the field, we still have each other's backs. :) The best part- she approved of Travis! Caitlin has known me since the third grade, and we've basically been sisters. For her to say this meant a lot. Later that same month was Travis' birthday. We made the most of it by going to the lake with the dogs, getting lost on a backwoods creek, dinner at Hugo's with friends, and Harry Potter. Oh, and a new ferret addition: Pocket. Oh my, lol! Not to be outdone, Travis planned the biggest surprise party for me I've ever had! My friends from Joplin and Fayetteville joined us for Sushi at Blue Fin, and we spent the evening hanging out and being loud. They came to wish me well on my move to Manhattan, and a Happy Birthday as well! I had missed them so much, so seeing them was just exactly what I wanted. It was fantastic. :) I moved to Manhattan, Kansas the very next day. It was very sad. I didn't want to tell Fayetteville, my friends, my home, or Travis goodbye. So I said "see you later" instead. I came home on my actual birthday, had a small get together with my family, and met up with the Joplinites for an evening of Shakey's, blacktop basketball, and District 9. Leadfoot was good enough to let us stay at her place, and this time Travis got to meet Levi, too! I had a lot of fun. Travis took the next week to help me in Manhattan as I adjusted to "orientation" classes. He cooked for me and reassured me when I became overwhelmed. He even took me to the mall to find "appropriate" khaki pants for when I shadow in the clinics. Brave man. He had to leave when before our classes started the following Monday. Parting again wasn't any easier. This was the farthest I'd ever been from home. Five hours from the nearest hug. My first day of vet school was very hard. Dr. Schultz *shudder* welcomed us with a worksheet that made me question whether or not I should have been admitted. I called my mommy and cried. It has gotten better though. I just have to keep things in perspective. I just have to keep my eye on the big picture, my dream. The classes challenge me just as I hoped they would. I have learned more in the first weeks of class than... well, let's just say I think my brain has had to make room for all this information by tossing out little things like... *shrug* common sense. Travis and I are making this work. We talk everyday. Often several times. It's my favorite part of the day because it's when I feel closest to home. Anyway, that's pretty much as much updating as I am currently capable of doing. Life is going well, and I am cherishing every moment. A lot has happened in the last year. And I have a feeling that, just like every other year, this is just the beginning. *hugs to all* Buh-Bye! | 
