"All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Because, I don't care how cheesy it is, how "over played" it is, this Song became a classic for a reason; and that reason is that everyone has a person in mind when Mariah Carey's Christmas classic comes on the radio every year.
I know I do.

So yes. All I want for Christmas is that special "you" and I don't care how cheesy this post is. I will wish for a special someone every year until I have them and then I will be grateful for them every single year after.

HOWEVER. The real point of this post is to say:

Merry Christmas everybody. I love you all, siblings and friends, near and far. Each one of you has a special place in my heart and I wish you all the happiness and joy that Christmas brings.
Remember the real reason of Christmas and honor it.

"Oh Holy Night"

because it is Christmas time and this IS my Favorite Christmas song: Oh Holy Night... <--this is my favorite celebrity version, but truth be told (not just to be super proud), my brother Isaac singing this song will always be my favorite.

So. My very first semester of LSU is OVER. Done. Finito. And I finished it pretty damn well, if I do say so myself!!!
A--3
B--1
C--1
P--1
Overall GPA--3.4
:) I am quite proud of myself. I worked VERY hard this semester and it was honestly one of my hardest semesters in college ever. Next semester will be much harder, much busier and much more demanding but I will be in classes with many of the girls that I have become good friends with this semester so that will help a lot. I really like the program I am starting in and I am so excited to continue the observations that are required for some of my classes. At first figuring out the time in my schedule to go out of my way to observe classrooms was annoying, but after the VERY first one, I was done being annoyed. Those kids--I am so excited to have my own classroom someday because I know it is challenging in so many ways but those kids just make it worth it.

I am scared for next semester. 18 credits is A LOT. I fear I will have more of a school life than a social life, but I have enough determination to make it work. I NEED to make it work. 25 is just too young to feel so old. I can do this. I WILL do this. I can have fun in all aspects of my life. Besides, I'm almost done. Two years is NOTHING. I'm almost there....

Another thing that comes with being done w/ my semester is Christmas break--a freaking LONG one! Spring semester doesn't start until about the 17/18th of January! I am so very thrilled to be able to have a month off of school and about 3-ish weeks in UT to spend with my nephews (and yes, new niece!) and my mother and siblings and friends that I have missed so very much. 3 weeks will not be enough. We will just have to fill every minute. Deal?

Good.


One more Christmas song to continue the spirit of the season... (my second favorite)

"Just A Kiss"

The whole story of this song is beautiful..."

I was going to wait until my actual birthday to do this post but, it has been on my mind for way too long to wait anymore. :)

I am going to be 25 this year. TWENTY-FIVE. What the hell? A quarter of a freakin' century. I don't know how I feel about that. What have I tangibly accomplished in my life? Not a damn thing. Sure, I graduated high school but no big right? Sure, I am currently heading in the direction of finishing college, but I'm 25 and a significant amount of my friends have already finished their bachelors and are starting or finishing (or have finished) their masters. I have had ONE (count it, ONE) relationship in my life and I was 14/15 and it was Jake and, let's face it, it was more of a train wreck than a relationship. Plus, I was 14/15. I have friends that have husbands and children!

Despite my bitching that you have ALL heard, those aren't the things I consider accomplishments in my life; or rather, unaccomplished things. Those are things I strive for (sometimes desperately), and want at some point.

Want to know what I feel I have accomplished in my life of 25 short years?
1) I have become the best and most dedicated and loving aunt to my nieces and nephews that they will ever need.
2) I have been fortunate to be BEST friends with some of the most amazing women I have ever known. They made me stronger, better and they never doubted me and what I could do
3) I have been able to live my life in a way that I found out what I want to do with my life through life experience rather than numerous classes
4) I have been considered a loyal and good friend. I have made mistakes, but those who have considered me this, know that I am just an idiot who sometimes just gets in my own way.
5) I have had more opportunities to see the country than most people my age and in my circumstance do in a lifetime
6) I am aware of myself and what is best for me, regardless of the views of others (as hard as it may be sometimes)
7) I know when and how to ask for help.
8) I have developed a love for service that will carry me far.
9) I have an intellectual mind as well as a compassionate one.
10) I have developed a geniune love and compassion for people around me

I know to a lot of people that really doesn't seem like much but to me, right now, that is enough. I will eventually achieve the tangible accomplishments that are heading my direction (college degree, Peace Corps, relationships, etc), but until then I know I have lived a good life. I have had experiences that have been very very hard, but I have had experiences that have made me so much better than I ever expected. There are so many people who have been a part of that. Just to be fun (but to be clear this is in NO WAY the only list), I put together a list of the people who have been my Best Friend's at the "5's" in my life:

5 yrs: Valarie
10 yrs: Megan, ShaNae, Ashley
15 yrs: Megan, Ally, Deysi, Jess
20 yrs: Sarah, Rachelle
25 yrs: Emallie, Taylor, Nicole

I am not thrilled about being 25, because of the non-tangibles but I am thrilled that I have the chance to try again....and again....

Just for the viewing..er..hearing?...pleasure, here is another song I have been LOVING lately.

"I Hope You Find It"

Whatever "IT" is, I hope that I find it...

Finals.

Yep. A whole semester has come and gone already....insane............

This week is the last week of class. Next week is the dreaded FINALS week. I think I will just barely make it out alive. Seriously. 8-\

What do I have to show for my 4 months in Louisiana?...Honestly, other than a few new friends, not much (I don't have final grades yet).

But in about 3.5 weeks I will be in Utah for a 3 week visit! Yay!

Then I'll be back...for the semester from HELL.

Okay...must sleep while I can...

"Looking Forward to Looking Back"

Because I really am looking forward to looking back. But in a good happy way.


On Wednesday I had the opportunity to do a little volunteering with my friend Emily Richard at the Volunteers of America for Greater Baton Rouge. At the beginning of the semester LSU had a club fair with all the clubs from LSU and affiliations that work with LSU and I immediately went and found out about all the volunteer/service opportunites. I signed up to find out more information about a bunch and the Volunteers of America was one of them. I have been on their email list and have been waiting for an opportunity to help out.
Truth is, there have been a lot of them. I have just made the classic excuses of "I'm too busy; I have homework; I don't have anyone to go with me". The were all just that--excuses. Then as the semester continued on, I found myself getting more and more stressed out and continuously more distant within myself. I was trying so desperately to find a place for my social self while still maintaining good grades that I forgot about myself and what actually makes me happy. I have seemed to find that in my life, I feel most at ease, most comfortable and most focused when at least some significant portion of my life is focused on service and volunteering. I feel the most happy when I am not just worried about myself. I forgot that. I let that part of me go and I felt a true difference. I won't let that happen again.
So like I said, my friend and I went and volunteered on Wednesday. We helped wrapped 33 presents for 33 children in need. We wrapped books. It was truly so much fun! I got to know a friend from class better and it was in general a good experience. I even enjoyed the too early Christmas music and decorations! :)

I have also let my active status slip in the Habitat for Humanity. I hate that. I think someone read my heart and mind because there is a build this Saturday in Lafayette. I immediately jumped at the opportunity. So excited!!

What I need to remember always is this: There is always time in person's life for service, it is just about perspective--and good planning. :)

"Fall To Pieces"

Nothing behind the song, just...yeah.

School. Three weeks left of it. Can anyone else believe that I have been here that long? Cuz....I can not. Nope. Not true. It is just not...possible that this semester is almost over. Panic. 8/
Okay, it is not that bad. I am doing...fine. I am at least above water instead of under it (is that a cliche thingy?). It is just wow. WOW!

Also, something random for the readers pleasure...(aka my sisters and mother): I think--THINK--I have finally begun to appreciate the fabulousness of my curly hair. Sometimes. I wear it down almost everyday and it usually lasts until about 7 or 8 o'clock at night before it is whipped (you all know the "whipping" motion I am speaking of) up to a ponytail/bun. This for me, is a GIGANTIC improvement.
But I have also ventured into expanding my headband obsession into the addition of hair bows instead of ponytail ties and braided headbands (as in my hair is the headband) instead of regular headbands. They are so cute!

That was random.

Louisiana is cold. NO ONE TOLD ME! WTH?? South=hot; west, north=cold. Duh! It isn't (so far at least) like deeply cold, like I need a winter coat, gloves and a scarf cold but it is COLD. I was not expecting that. It is warming up some, but geez. Warn a girl, won'tcha?

And lastly, I will be in UT for a much needed winter break! Almost a full 3 weeks! YAY! Nephew, family, and (OF COURSE) friend time galore! Yay yay yay! :)

And that is all for now. :)

"Losing Touch"

Because I LOVE The Killers right now and that is why I'm Losing Touch. Ha!

But seriously. The Killers are freakin' amazing!

Okay, enough about that. School/Louisiana. That is the point of this blog.
I feel like I'm going to EXPLODE with information and sunflower seeds (my study snack of choice)!
It has been in-freakin'-tense all up in here! I have had paper after paper after presentation after x,y, and z over here! I need a breather alright! But alas, no.

I have a test and presentation Monday. I have a research paper due Tuesday. Then I can breathe for like a day. Then I have another presentation, another research paper, many more tests, etc, etc.

Is it Christmas break yet?

GAH! So maybe I wasn't lying when I said I am losing touch. (see how I linked the song twice? that means LISTEN! :) )

Oh, and I just have to say that I am so so grateful for my GOOD friends back home. I miss you guys so much and I am so lucky that I have your support in this new adventure of mine. It sometimes feels like I was CRAZY for even attempting it, but you all in your own way remind me that I am not. Thank you Thank you Megan, Serria, Taylor, Nicole, Kari, Ashley, ShaNae, and Emallie. I love love you guys!

"She Will Be Loved"

Because someday this song will be about me. ;)

Well. The stress of a busy, full semester is getting to me. I'm doing fine, but I'm struggling. Contradict much? Let me explain.

I am doing all of my work and I'm doing it well, BUT I am procrastinating more, I'm introverting more, and I'm sleeping less (too catch up on my procrastinating). However, I am not worried about me, which means that no one else should be either. I am just someone who struggles with my emotions a little bit more than others, and that is okay. I let them get away from me from time to time, and that's okay too. Because, I find my way back. I am much more emotionally stable than I was the last time I was in college full time and away from home.

I am also having a little more of a difficult time finding my place here than I'd like. I don't mean apartment; I mean socially. I am doing fine, but it is not the same. I miss my family, friends and my life (as crazy as it was). I know without a doubt that moving was 150% the absolute right thing for me to do, but I won't pretend that I hoped for a little bit of the "Boston" situation to follow me. I guess I was just unbelievably lucky and fortunate to make as many friends as quickly as I did and with as many incredible people as I did. I couldn't even fathom replacing those friends, nor would I ever try, but I did except to have a little of that luck follow me. It isn't that I'm not trying--I am. It is just harder. I am almost 5 years older than the majority of people in my classes which isn't a HUGE gap in actuality, but in interests and ideas of "fun", it is a GIGANTIC gap. I guess it is harder to make friends as you get older. But I'm not giving up, I'm just a little frustrated and a tad disheartened. The friends I have made however, are great people. I enjoy them quite a bit. :)

I really had absolutely no point to this but to release some feelings of disappointment, frustrations and stress. This is not to worry any mother of mine that is reading this. ;-)

That's all.

"Someone Like You"

This song is just...perfect.

Well. I have conquered midterms. My 6 classes boil down to this: A, A, A, B, c, and the last is a P/F class so I won't know officially until the end, but I'm for sure passing. :) I'm doing damn good. I am loving it. Now, it is most DEFINITELY time for fall break.
I have just discovered a wonderful study spot on campus: this old amphitheater surrounded by trees and since the weather is almost constantly a perfect beautiful 80 degrees, it is perfect for outside study. I can get a tan, listen to music and get some pretty serious text book reading done. Look how beautiful it is!

Last Saturday I somehow managed to get a ticket to the LSU v. Florida game. Now, not only is LSU football a religion in and of itself here, going to the Florida game is like Christmas. It was pure insanity! I mean look at the stadium! It was packed full and then hundreds more! That doesn't even cover the people who didn't go to the game but were tailgating outside of the stadium. Don't get me wrong- I had fun, but unless you are getting drunk and love navigating for HOURS through pedestrians who think they own the roads on gameday, then tailgating is just NOT worth it. It just isn't. But seriously, look at that stadium!












I am most definitely having fun here. I am not a full blooded Gold and Purple tiger yet, but I'm having fun getting there.

Oh, and I get to register for my next semester classes and summer classes in 2 weeks. CRAZY!! However, super fun and excited!!

"I Want It That Way"

You ALL knew it was gonna happen. Don't act all surprised by the post title song. ;-P

So. Midterms. I hate them. Mine honestly haven't been bad. Truly, truly. Next week is TECHNICALLY midterms but teachers have been mean and try to cheat the system, aka they want their fall breaks early. This week I've had 2 papers (both 2-3 pages, so not awful) and 1 test. Next week I just have one test, but the rumor is that it is pretty harsh. :-/
No worries though, I have plans to study my ass off alone and with a friend. :D (i'm apparently all about the emoticons...haha)
I don't feel too worried about this weeks stuff, but you never really know until you ACTUALLY know right?...
I am SO excited for Tuesday though!! Grandma and Grandpa Bickmore are coming to visit!!!!!! I am so so excited to see them. I do not see these grandparents nearly enough and I am so happy that I was able to visit them by myself before I left and now again! It will be Fall Break from school while they are here so dad, Dana, and I will actually have real TIME to spend with them!

Once fall break is over, it is only like 6 more weeks of school this semester!! WTH?? Where in the world did the semester go???? However, with my estimations of how classes are going, I won't make any real predictions of grades because I don't want to jinx myself but let's just say if I was still get paid for my grades--I'd be getting BANK! :D

I have a few friends now. I'm working my way up! I'm happy here. I just wish my social life was, ya know...social.

as tigger would say~
TTFN!!

"Changes"

It is definitely time to make some Changes.

Today, I had the chance to do something I have NEVER done before: help build a house. A HOUSE! As in when it is done, someone will live in it. How cool is that! I have joined the LSU chapter of the Habitat for Humanity organization and the main organization needed volunteers for a build today and I was able to go (obviously)! It was hard work, but it was fun. It was HOT, but it was worth it.










Today, we were just helping to put up the frame of the house which meant a lot of nail hammering, wall building, wall lifting and some wall holding. I even got to use a power saw. Oh yeah. I got to wear a nail apron and gloves and goggles and everything.
It was extremely hot though. Seriously.
The thing about families that are getting the homes that are built don't get them easily. There is a lot of work on their part--literally. Each family has to put in 225 hours of house building time, which can include the mandatory requirement of working on their own home. I got to work a little bit with the homeowner and it was kinda cool. She has done a lot to get to this point and a lot beyond that. The Habitat organization is great. The people do amazing things and the people who receive the homes genuinely earn it. I am so happy and proud to have been a part of even just a little part of one of the homes. And I can't wait to do more. Heat be damned!

Oh, and the volunteer addition to my Peace Corps application doesn't suck either! ;-)

"I Will Follow You Into the Dark"

I will follow you into the Dark. Fitting...

There are so many MANY flaws with the death penalty and it is never the right thing in my personal opinion. But it is most definitely NEVER the right thing when there is even a shadow of doubt about whether or not the person who might be executed is innocent. Too many people in the history of the death penalty have later been proven to be innocent at the presence of new evidence, but it doesn't matter because those people are dead. This is not okay. This is NEVER okay.

This morning in the LSU student paper was a story about LSU students mourning the death of a Georgia man executed for a crime he may not have committed. Where is the justice in that?

I don't see a future where I will believe that there is ever a justifiable reason to put another person to death in the name of "punishment".

"Forever Young"

Because, I really do wanna be Forever Young (yes, intentionally this version).

For some of my classes this semester, I have to do some observation hours in classrooms; to see if this is the career path for me and see if the age group I want is really what I want to do.

I have been to the same preschool class 3x and it has been great. They are such great kids. Truly. Sweet, kind, smart kids. The teacher I observed was excellent. She was beyond the expectations, because in my classes I have come to expect horror stories. She was truly not only beyond the expectations, she was the exception-I'm sure of it. She is highly educated and trained, and she loves what she is doing. Oh, and she fights the "inappropriate government" measures--within reason. It was so fantastic to see. Now that I have observed her classroom 3x, I have to find another school to observe. I'm not necessarily worried or scared, I'm more sad. Those kids! :( They are so friggin' cute!! I have now come to know almost all their names, and now I'm leaving. I did leave my email with the teacher and asked her to contact me if she ever needed help with field trips or anything else that would be beneficial with other helping hands.

In further reflection though, I honestly can't say if this is my CAREER. Do I think I'd be good or even great as a teacher? Hell yes. No doubt in my mind actually. I just don't feel like I'd do well in a settled career. I really don't. So, I have concerns with that. I know being a teacher is in my future, but I do not know in what capacity. One thing I know for sure is you don't have to be a teacher in a formal setting to be a teacher. So maybe that's me.

"Lighters"

Lighters....**explicit lyrics just fyi...









How far will I go? I can only guess. But my hope is that I go far. I don't just mean career, or education. I mean world wide. I don't know how to calmly or rationally explain how strongly I believe--no--how strongly I KNOW, that I am meant for more than a standard career. I'd be a great teacher, I really believe that but I just know that I belong somewhere that is struggling. That doesn't have anything easy. I know that I can't change the WORLD, or a country, or a state alone, but I do know that I am meant to be a part of the change. For as long as I can remember, my life's dreams/goals haven't been the common "doctor", "teacher", "police", etc answers. I have wanted to write, I have wanted edit, but more I have just wanted to travel. I haven't ever really pictured myself in a career, not really. I my wants and desires change so often and sometimes so drastically that I don't think I could handle a career well. I don't sit still well. The only thing in my life that I think has ever really stayed constant is my love for kids and my desire to travel. When I rediscovered the Peace Corps about a year and a half ago, I was suddenly hit with the answer I have been searching for. That is my life goal. I don't know how, I don't know when, but somehow I will do that. So That is my focus. That is my endpoint. That is my goal. That is what keeps me going. That is what is keeping me focused and going in school. I need my degree to join the Peace Corp and so that is what I will do. Graduation and the Peace Corps. That is what is next for me.
May 2014. Now, that's not so far away is it?

"Gone"

Fitting, I think.

Gone is my former reality that
consisted of work and
play
Play that wasn't always good.

Gone is the first month I have
lived
In my new state of Home.
Louisiana.

Gone is the first 1/4 of school.
Busier yet to come, but
happier to become.

Gone is the visit of my sister
and nephew. Ten days will never
be enough.
Family far is always hard.

Gone is my past.
Yet to come is my future,
Gone is my bad decisions,
Yet to come is my future.
Gone is my sadness,
Yet to come is my happiness.
Gone.


*my attempt at a poem. I don't do it often...

"Back to Black"

No particular reason, just like the song.

LSU is going swell. I have been in classes for almost 3 weeks now and it is going well. I am really enjoying all my classes and almost all my teachers. I am branching out and actually talking to people in my classes. It's great. Still super busy, but it's great. I will hopefully be starting my observation stuff tomorrow but if not FOR sure next week.

I went to the LSU Student Involvement Fair today to get involved in stuff on campus, particular the volunteer stuff around and I came out of it with a bunch of free stuff (I'll sign up for just about anything if I get free stuff!): a t-shirt, a bandana, a thermos thing, and a pen! I'm excited about it all. Yay for opportunities to serve (and meet people!!)

That is all.
Enjoy! :)

"Heal The World"

Just do. Heal the World.

LSU is great, classes are awesome very excited, blah blah blah.
What is really on my mind, what is REALLY going on in my life is this:

I have this huge desire in my heart, my soul, my gut, my everything to DO SOMETHING GOOD in the world and for the world. Starting with the sad state our country is in. And I do not mean politically.

I hear about the horrible state that our education system is around the country and I think about those kids. Those kids who are in situations that are unintentionally (or in some cases, it is likely, intentionally) setting them up for failure. Every child is smart enough and capable enough to learn if there are teachers who give them a chance! Yes, I fully understand that there are home life situations that make it difficult but who in the hell cares. There have been parents for centuries that don't give a damn about their children and those children make something of themselves. Can I play the "poor black/hispanic/other minority" card even though I'm white? No? Good. I don't believe in it. Every single child regardless of background, financial difficulty, race, or otherwise has the opportunity to learn if the teacher does not give up on them. I FULLY understand that without the proper and necessary help and support of the school system and state funding and politicians it makes the teachers job all that harder. But living in Georgia and Louisiana has shown me that it is those above difficulties that allows teachers to let the perceived "poor kid" card into play WAY too much.

Next, has no one seriously learned from all the horrible wars that have been fought over CENTURIES? Have those "reasons" been lost on people?? There is absolutely no place for racism, religious prosecution or gay-bashing (figurative OR literal) in our world today. What was the point of the civil war and the civil rights movement(decades apart, I am aware) if we are just going to continue to be just as segregated? What was the point of WWII if we are just going to be convinced that every Muslim is out to get us or is less than us? And what in the hell is the point of our country at all if we are going to kick everyone out if they aren't just like us and speak our language immediately? All of us didn't even speak our language immediately! This country if FILLED with descendants of immigrants. If you descend from a non-English speaking immigrant and you are wanting to kick out non-English speaking immigrants then feel free to leave yourself. As for the 75%+ of Americans who consider themselves Christian in one denomination or another, I ask this: Who in the world are you to judge/persecute ANYONE? Does God not say "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone"? I personally do NOT believe that being homosexual is a sin BUT if it is, God is the one and only who is to judge that. Not a single person here on earth has that right. I do believe Jesus said "Love EVERYONE" not, "love those you choose too".
I do not believe this country is a world power as many still do because instead of the continued progression that we once had, I feel we have either stopped or digressed. It saddens and frustrates me.

THIS IS MY OPINION. I MAY BE WRONG, AND I MAY HAVE FACTS WRONG. I DO NOT CLAIM TO KNOW WHAT IS 100% RIGHT.
However, if you wish to share your comments, contradictions, etc, do so kindly and with respect.

"Extraordinary Machine"

Because that's what I am, an Extraordinary Machine.
Okay, the song is just awesome and pretty fitting.

I don't have much to say about LSU, etc this time so, I'm just going to post the lyrics to this song because it is rocking my world right now.

I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes
-And-
I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot and by foot, it's a slow climb,
But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so
I can't stop changing all the time

I notice that my opponent is always on the go
-And-
Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice
He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as
They go fast from whence he came
- But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so
He can't stop staying exactly the same

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me due to clean my view and be at peace and lay
I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say,
I've been getting along for long before you came into the play

I am the baby of the family, it happens, so
- Everybody cares and wears the sheeps' clothes
While they chaperone
Curious, you looking down your nose at me, while you appease
- Courteous, to try and help - but let me set your
Mind at ease

(Chorus)

-Do I so worry you, you need to hurry to my side?
-It's very kind
But it's to no avail; I don't want the bail
I promise you, everything will be just fine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine


This is it. The song of me.

"Losing My Religion"

Never fear folks, it's just a song. :)

Today marks the last day of the first week of classes.
So....yay. I made it. However, to literally no fault of my own, I'm already behind in my reading (not far behind, but behind nonetheless). I ordered one of my books online the Monday after I got here and it JUST showed up Wednesday night. So I'm only one day behind which in an upper level class is actually 5 chapters in one book and 2 chapters in another. YES, THIS IS FOR ONE CLASS. Fun right? But this is why they don't have class on Saturdays right? :(

I really will be juuusssst fine. Right? Seriously, RIght???
Haha, I'm just kidding. I'm truly not worried. Okay. I'm worried but only because I am signed up for 19 credits because I don't want to give up an awesome Biology teacher but I know that I can't keep up w/ all the readings, papers, observations, notes, and flashcards. My anxiety will just get the best of me. 16 credits is enough this first LSU semester. So bye-bye awesome Bio teacher, here's hoping you teach this class spring semester!!

The very broad overview of my classes is this: interesting, but full and busy. Excitement is my emotion (when nerves go away).
Still trying to figure out my flow and get into a rhythm with studying and I think once that happens, I'll be good to go.

Now, just to get involved on campus so my father is not my only source of entertainment (not a bad source, just shouldn't be my only)....

"Unusual You"

Today's song: Unusual You




My view of campus from the library.

Oh. You can't see the campus because of the Amazon jungle like trees? I know. It's gorgeous. ;)

"Something That I Want"

Today's song is: "Something That I Want"

It is the first day of school....for at least the 15th time. But. It is still exciting, scary, nerve-wrecking and fun. And heavy. Seriously. My backpack is heavy. I have got to figure out a better way to carry everything.

My schedule is 4 classes on MWF and 2 (maybe 3 if I can get added which would make MWF 3) classes on TR for a grand total of 16 credits. Not too shabby.

So far I only have one class w/ homework. But it's kind of a lot.

Welcome back to college right?

"Sunshine In My Sky"

Yep. It's really happening. It is NOT a figment of your imagination. I am actually writing a new post on my blog! Who'd would of thunk it? Ha ha. This isn't going to be a long one by any means, but it is just to say my blog is alive and revitalized.

Each blog post title is going to be a song title that I currently relate to or just plain enjoy/like. I will then post a link to the song (linked to youtube probably...unless someone can tell me a better way to do it).

This time around it will be about my progress at LSU and life in Louisiana as it unfolds. So far, the only thing to report is this: LSU has the most beautiful campus I have ever seen and I'm pretty sure it is the most beautiful campus ever. See picture for proof. -->
The entire campus looks like that. It is awesome.

Classes start Monday and I'll be taking a steady 16 credits. It will be a very busy semester but I have complete confidence that I can do it.
well. I have confidence I can do it. But I am very excited about the program here, the opportunities here and the experiences available to me here.

Well. That is it for now.