"I believe in pink, I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.

 I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.

 I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.

 I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. 

I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." 

- Audrey Hepburn

One of my new favorite quotes by my favorite actress.  To me, Audrey Hepburn has always been the epitome of class, grace, style, and elegance.  She was an exquisite person with a great outlook on life despite her living through World War II during which she suffered from depression and malnutrition.  I hope that throughout my life I sustain half of the elegance, class, and positive outlook on life that Audrey did through her lifetime.

Homeless People Ride Buses...Why Can't I?

Yesterday was my first day of class at UF... and wow was it a day. It all started with me completely freaking out about the bus system and not being able to figure it out (yes, I am a college student and yes, I did get into UF). So that really made me feel mentally deficient especially because if the toothless bum that talks to himself and runs around downtown punching the air can do it, why can't I?
After I figure out how to actually get to my class, I finally walk in to my Design 1 class to find out that three girls my age are teaching it... yay. THEN on my way home from class my parent's car completely breaks down on me in the middle of the busy intersection of 13th Street and 39th Avenue. So I get out and try to push and steer it out of traffic in my flip flops and I got pretty far (like 5 feet) when luckily three men come to my rescue and gallantly push me into the AutoZone (ironic, huh?) a couple of yards away. No problem, right? I can just whip out my handy-dandy, twenty-first century, high tech calling device and call help. If only, much like my car, it wasn't completely dead. Luckily, again, I had my charger with me, just no where to plug it up. (And just a side note: No one should make fun of my ginormous purse anymore because in times of dire emergencies, it comes in quite handy!)
So I shuffle into AutoZone on the verge of tears to see if they would be kind enough to let me charge my phone so I could call my sister or Misha to come get me. So one of the really nice men from behind the counter ask me how I was doing and I replied, in the biggest voice I could muster while trying to sound like I wasn't about to bust into tears and sobs, "I've been better...." He of course asked me if he could help me with anything so I held up my dead cell phone in one hand and my charger in the other and told him my car, along with my cell phone, was dead, and if I could just plug it in for a quick second so I could call someone to come pick me up.
Of course, he let me and he plugged it in behind the counter for me. So I try to call Missy on my cell phone, which by the way, the cord only streaches two inches from the counter, so picture me leaning over the ENTIRE counter with my face planted to my cell phone and my butt in the air for everyone behind me to see and tears streaming down my face, splattering onto the newspapers below. It now is EXTREMELY funny to think about.
So Missy came to comfort me and I was able to call road side assistance which towed me for free to an auto repaire shop that the guys from AutoZone highly recommended. It turned out all to be quite funny (especially after Missy got there). But I'm not so sure how funny it'll be when I get the autoshop bill. Ek!

A New Chapter

I am getting ready move down to Gainesville this Saturday... officially! It's so strange that it's all finally coming together. I've got an apartment... a job! I'll be starting school next month... Wow! I've been working so hard for so long to make this all come true and it finally is all falling into place. Monday I start working at the new Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Gainesville. The construction isn't through yet, but they are going to start training me as soon as possible.

I'm so ready to start this new chapter in my life. So ready to learn new things, meet new people, take on new challenges, and experience new things. It's going to be hard, but I think I can do it. God has opened so many doors for me and I am so blessed and so thankful for each opportunity that has been put in front of me. Now I just have to tackle head first, the Architecture degree. Let's hope I'm strong enough and smart enough to get the job done!

"Creating a new theory is not like destroying an old barn and erecting a skyscraper in its place. It is reather like climbing a mountain, gaining new and wider views, discovering unexpected connections between our starting points and its rich enviroment. But the point from which we started out still exists and can be seen, although it appears smaller and forms a tiny part of our broad view gained by the mastery of the obstacles on our adventurous way up."

- Albert Einstein

"Do your duty, to the best of your abilities, for the Lord without any selfish motive, and remember God at all times - before starting a work, at the completion of a task, and while inactive."

- Bhagavad Gita

To all the amazing women in my life...

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

-Maya Angelou

To all of the phenomenal women in my life that have

influenced me and touched my life in such a special way...

(in no particular order)

My good friend and coworker, Tiffany.

My close friend, Rachel.

My best friend and my sister.

My mother.

My friend and coworker, Karen.

My best friend, Gena.

My Aunt Judy

Missy's Engaged!!

Misha proposed this past weekend to Missy after about 10 months of dating!! They've known each other exactly a year now where they met on a mission trip in Ukraine where Misha is originally from. He's been planning this for weeks and got me in on it about two weeks ago... it has been SO HARD keeping it from Missy. First because I tell her everything and second because she can read me like a book. But we managed to keep it somewhat a suprise.

So Misha's sister, Natasha and her fiance rented a condo in Weeki Wache which is right outside of Tampa for the weekend. There were 10 of us that went down to hang. Me, Missy, Misha and a bunch of our friends. The house was amazing! There were 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, a closed in pool, jacuzzi, game room, big screen TV, pond in the backyard... everything!

So Saturday night Misha was diligently working on the fireworks (which is not unusual seeing as he is a Nuclear Engineer) while we were all hanging out and eating. Finally about 11 o'clock we all walk outside in front of the house to shoot of the fireworks where Misha's show was set up. There was a huge board with fireworks strapped to it and Misha pressed his ghetto-rigged remote control to start it. It said 'Will you marry me?' in fireworks... but it didn't quite work the way he wanted it to... Here are some of the pictures I took from that night.

The ring box

The ring

This was the start of the fireworks.

This was suppose to say 'Will you marry me?'

But it kinda blew up and caught on fire...

She never really said 'yes' by this point,

but we all pretty much knew her answer.

Admiring her ring :)

I love this picture of them!!

Poor Misha was so nervous he

had to change shirts because

it was soaked in sweat!

Missy's friend Alona

was SO happy for her

and Misha.

Missy & Alona

Missy, Alona, & David

I think she may like it just a little.

They were both glowing :)

Misha & Missy

The hefer got a manicure right before

we left for Tampa. Said she wanted

to be 'prepared.'

Going to check out the scene of the

fire the next morning.

Thought this was cute.

The proposal site.

This is the condo we stayed in.

Absolutely beautiful!

Missy & Misha

There was ash EVERYWHERE! They

even had to bust out the fire extinguisher!

It's still alive!

My orchid is still alive after one week!!  This is a new milestone for me!  It's gotten even more blooms!  Started out with two and now it has four.  Now granted, the man did give us detailed instructions on how to keep them alive, but still.... pat on the back for me.   Lets just hope it survives another week.

Farmer's Market in Gainesville!

Last Saturday, I was down in Gainesville hanging out with Missy for the weekend and we decided to go to a Farmer's Market right down the road at Haile Plantation. It was too cute! The small street was lined with vendors from local counties and farms selling all of their produce. They had everything from organic vegetables to spicey hummus to plants to fresh fish and even guitar lessons... random, but very cool. We got there a little late so I'm sure most of the vendors were already packed up and gone. But they have it every Saturday in Haile Plantation from 8 to 12. We will most definitely be going back!

Me and Missy bought these beautiful orchids for

only SEVEN dollars and they usually go for eighty.

Lets just hope I don't kill mine... Missy is totally the gardener

of the family. I've been cursed with the black thumb... which

has been known to kill even cacti.

Me and Missy possing at the Farmer's Market

Missy & Lyuba!

This is the street with all of the vendors and

the cute little shops! So adorable!

Changes

My plans have changed.... yet again.  Shocking, I know.  But over the past couple of months I have been comparing and contrasting, creating pro and con charts, analyzing the best possible ways, and debating in my head what I am going to do with school and my living situation!  All while I am suffering in complete and utter horrible agony about whether or not UF was going to accept me or not!  My first plan after applying to the University of Florida was to also apply to Santa Fe Community College as a sort of back up plan in case I didn't get in (which I figured I more than likely wouldn't) and I would study Graphic Design there and just re-apply to UF after I got my degree from Santa Fe.  Then I started re-thinking and analyzing that plan.  I thought maybe going to Santa Fe with OUT OF STATE TUITION to get a degree that I could get at Valdosta State University for FREE in probably a better program, wasn't exactly the smartest financially or academically.  

So plans changed.  I made the decision to stay at Valdosta State and get my Graphic Design degree, continue working at the courthouse, and continue living with Earl then re-apply to UF for architecture later on.  It was definite!  I made up my mind (as hard as a decision it was to make) and told my parents.  They were relieved of course.  They hate to see their baby go sooo far away.  Parents!  I told my friends and co-workers.  Everyone was happy.... except me.  Although I had made the decision, it was a hard one to make because I had wanted so badly to begin studying architecture.  And when I get something in my head, it is very hard to change it and I usually want it done right then.  As I told my parents, I had to make a 'big girl' decision.

Well all of that decision making happened within a three day span at the beginning of one week.  That very Friday, as I was talking with a co-worker about the pros and cons of possibly taking on a full time job at the courthouse (I love me some pro/con lists.  Can you tell?) when I pulled up the Application Status check on the University of Florida's website.  I had been checking the status of my application  almost religiously for the past four months and I had stopped for several weeks because I was tired of the overwhelming and disheartening disappointment of my unchanging 'application status.'  But as I pulled it up that morning, expecting to see the same status of 'still processing' the first word that I saw was 'Congratulations!'  My heart pounded, my hands began to shake.  I'm sure my eyes widened in complete and sheer bewilderment.  I stopped talking in mid sentence.  I had been accepted!!  I was so shocked and so completely ecstatic! 

I immediately called my parents and sister to tell them the good news.  Needless to say, my parents were a little confused because they thought I had just made the decision to stay at VSU... well, duh!  That was because I thought for sure I wasn't going to be accepted into UF!  But now I AM!!  That changed everything!  So, now I am working on Financial Aid, getting an apartment to rent with Missy and a friend (the cottage ended up being WAY too expensive for a middle class college student's budget), and a job!  I'm praying everyday that God helps me follow whatever path He has for me.  He has already opened the door for me to study architecture at UF so I know that He will provide.

It's all finally sinking in!  I thought for the longest time after I checked my computer that day that I was eventually going to get a letter in the mail from the admission office that said, "Yeeeeah.  About that being accepted and everything?  We were just kidding!  We take it back."  Well, luckily, I haven't received that letter.... yet.  I'll keep everyone posted if I do.  

So I am officially a Gator now, much to my family's dismay.  But I just ask that everyone keep me in their prayers because I know this process and this degree is going to take a lot and it is going to be very, VERY stressful.  But I know that it is something that I want to do and that I will be good at.  

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."  -Anatole France 

Spur of the moment always make the best memories

One Sunday after church, Paul, Rachel, Don and myself decided to accompany Santiago and his friend down to Gainesville, FL to go rock climbing. OH MY GOODNESS!! I was so excited. I had never been before and I have always really really wanted to try it. Sooo... Don, Paul, and Rachel all piled into my little blue bug and drove down to Gainesville to go to the Gainesville Rock Gym.

This was towards the end of the tripwhen I

was about to make my last climb of the day

Nice faces, huh?

Paul and Santiago climbing

Gainesville!

As most people know, Missy is now living in Gainesville, FL and working as the Event Planner at the Hilton Hotel at University of Florida. Her dream job. (Which she is doing amazing at and absolutely loves it!) As most people also know, me and Missy are attached at the hip and we have recently come to the conclusion that we just may DIE if we aren't in a 50 mile radius of each other. So therefore, I have decided to move down there and go to school down in Gainesville as well! It is just a matter of the schools accepting me or not.

I have applied to the college of Architecture at the University of Florida and am also applying to Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville for Graphic Desgin. My hopeful plan, as of now, is to attend Santa Fe Community College and go ahead and get my degree in Graphic Design, then re-apply to University of Florida to receive my Architecture Degree. But, as I have had a hard time learning in the past few years, is that your plans always change, even though your goals remain the same. Sometimes the course changes, but the destination never alters.

In the meantime, I have been looking for jobs down in Gainesville. And I have my first interview tomorrow with Cottage Grove, the college living community where Missy and I will be living! We are estatic about living there and cannot wait to move in! Now I may even be working there! It will be such a convenience to be able to walk to work. I know that God will open the right doors for me and close the wrong ones. I know it will all work out.

This is our little duplex. The Sugarberry!

My very first post!

Ahhh. Yes. I have officially started a blog! I have jumped full force onto the banwagon, computer humming, mouse ready, and ideas swarming in the air. Now granted, I do not have my own little family that I can brag about. There aren't going to be any cute stories about what a child said/did last night to share or even cute pictures of a dirty little face after eating a bowl of spaghetti for the first time, but I like to think my life is interesting enough... enough to make a blog about anyways. Haven't quite achieved 'autobiography' status yet, but give me time!

This blog will be more of an update on my life and the things I am doing with my life. It could be anything from how I am feeling to a passing thought and I may even touch on theories of the psychoanalytic theory based on the findings of Sigmund Freud. Ha! But more than likely, not. Oh, wouldn't you be so lucky? Well, stay tuned and just see!