The Second Year!

Two years...that's how long it has been since I started this blog. I can tell you one thing, it doesn't seem like it has been two years since I have began this great venture, but, somehow, it has.
As I did last year, I went back to my original post just to see what exactly was happening in my life, and it was relatively similar to how my life is now, in a few respects. However, it amazes me how much my life has changed since then. (Here is my anniversary post from last year.)

As far as the similarities go, it was excruciatingly hot, I was preparing to go back to school, and I was babysitting my nephews. Now, it is still hot, I am still getting ready for another year of school, and I still babysit my nephews. Okay, so the similarities are vague and somewhat of a stretch, but it works!

Let's recap a few of the highlights from this past year of my blog!
-I finished my Freshman year of college. What a ride Freshman year was! I experienced my first time out of the walls of Pioneer High School, and what a difference that makes! I experienced dorm life (sort of), I had my first roommate experience, and I met all sorts of new people (good and bad). I had all sorts of fun times with Carissa, and later in the year, Tonisha! I also had my first real encounter with Calculus and ITV...unfortunately, those two coincided. :/  I had kooky professors, stern professors, and a few fun-loving, interesting professors. I did all sorts of activities for PLC, including attending our president's investiture, meeting the regents, and going on a Segway tour of Bricktown. (Somehow that last one just doesn't seem to fit, but it happened!)

-I have a new nephew! At this time last year, adorable little (well, actually, he's big now) Cole was still just Baby Moody. I had no idea that we would have another ornery little boy to add to the mix. I absolutely adore him! (I have to post some pictures soon...it has been much too long!) He is now 7.5 months old, and is a whopping 31" long! (Yes, you read that right...he is that big!) He is on the verge of walking, and is babbling away! He can wave and somewhat say "hi". Yes, Cole was definitely a highlight in my life!

-I ran my first 5K! Actually, I have now run two, and I am getting ready for my third in about three weeks. Well, I say getting ready, but I'll honestly say that my workout program has gone by the wayside because I like sleep too much to wake up at 4 AM to find "cool" weather, and I don't want to get a heat stroke at 9 PM, like I almost did the last time I tried that. Life goes on. More than running the races, I had my first ventures of not having a "mandatory workout" (aka Athletics hour). I realized how much more of a priority that you have to make it, when it's all on you. I can't say that I was consistent, but I can say that I made a conscious effort to stay active. I had pretty good luck in both races, and, even better, I accomplished something off of my bucket list! I can't say that a 10K is anywhere in my foreseeable future, but I could be wrong...maybe I'll do that in this next year!

-I experienced my first time living away from home. So, technically, I lived only twenty-five minutes from home and I went home every weekend. That happens. Even so, it was the biggest adventure I've ever been on. It was also the first time that I lived in that close of proximity to a bunch of people my own age, which was definitely different to me. Like I mentioned before, I had my first time living with a relative stranger. Thankfully, I had a wonderful experience with that...here's hoping that this next year will go at least half as well as last year did! Carissa really was one of the best people that could've ever entered my life, and I don't think she'll ever understand how much I appreciate her for that. She was perfect for helping me make the transition from being a naive high-schooler to a college kid. Now she is married, and hopefully enjoying her new life. I really need to call her up sometime...

-I experienced new cultures and surroundings. If you would've told me at this time last year that I would be relatively knowledgeable about the Mennonite culture, and live with a Holderman Mennonite, I would've either freaked out or said you were crazy. Turns out that it is a religion very rich in tradition, which I have gained a better understanding of. Not only have I attended a youth volleyball game with them, I have also attended a wedding. Wow. I also took to attending church with Tevis, who is of a different religion than I. Not only have I attended, I have grown to deeply enjoy the services and the people I have met there. Even better, I think that it has helped Tevis and I to deepen our relationship by having a new common bond, and an excuse to spend time together at least once a week.

-Oh, Tevis...I really enjoyed living close to my boyfriend for once in my life. I loved the fact that we could literally make plans at the drop of a hat, and it wouldn't be a big deal of logistics. Not that he minds driving out to my house, or I to his, but still. We really got to just spend more time together, which was my favorite part. This past year was the year of us knowing each other better, and I am hopeful to see what this next year will bring!

-I made a few technological advances, which aren't too noteworthy, but are big for me! I started texting, and I got my first iPod! I have to say, now that I can text, I love it! Technically, if it wasn't for PLC, I still might not have this feature, but that's how virtually all of the communication is done, so that was a must. My iPod was one of the best birthday presents I have ever received! I get so much use out of it while running, going on trips, or trying to fall asleep at night. I love it!!! (Thank you Gina and Emily! :) )

-I got my first job! This was probably my biggest milestone! Okay, so it isn't a job with benefits or paid vacation, but it's a start for a college kid! I sort of fell into tutoring, but I did enjoy it for the most part. There were a few days that left me happy to go back to my room for the day, but, overall, I loved the feeling of purpose I had with that job. It reinforced my knowledge, and, most of all, my desire to pursue teaching as a career. The best thing I learned from my job was how to better interact with people of all sorts. I helped all kinds of people in my one year as a tutor. I learned that out of all of those people, no two people learned math the same way. Each time, I would have to explain something in a slightly different way, but usually I would find something that would help the person. That is definitely something that I can carry over to a future career in education, and something that I must remember. Now, I am in a different position as a student assistant. I will tutor some, but I really get a hands-on look at the behind-the-scenes world of a math professor. My boss is awesome, and I can't wait to see what all I will learn from her during this year!

Of course, not everything has been perfect during this past year. There have been bad weeks, stress, and some untimely deaths, but I guess you have to take the bad with the good. Overall, I have had a relatively good year blogging, and I can't wait to be back in a year to examine where I have been and what I have done! Thank you to my readers for taking the time out of your life to read my ramblings, and I appreciate all of the feedback I have received! Here's to the past year and to another good year!