Live from San Marcos

Apartment living: so far so good. I'm enjoying the freedom and the space. I dont feel very independent though; I still rely on my family for lots of help. I think I always will though. I've thought about this before, so it doesn't frighten me too much. I know I'll always call my mom or dad if my I'm sick or if I'm having a hard time financially or physically. It's nice to depend on them but I hope I dont always have to. I hope to really, truly, grow up one day. I think I grew up fast when I was in high school but now, I've slowed down a bit. I see my older sister Barbara and her husband and they are grown ups. Maybe being married/being your own family helps you grow up more. I think once I start my career I'll feel a lot more grown up. Heck, maybe it will happen this year when I turn 21, who knows.

I start summer school on monday, that should make my days feel a little fuller.

I got a doggy... well Ryan and I did. haha. He's great. His name is Shane and we got him from the Paws Animal Shelter in Kyle. He's sleeping by my bed as I type. He'll sleep on the bed when he feels like it; he's strong willed, says Ryan. He's a 1 year old border terrior hound dog mix and I'm pretty sure he might have some other stuff in him.

He likes to cuddle and he's really nosey. He'll put everything in his mouth just to see what it taste like. He's only gotten a hold of one of my flip flops and the blinds in the living room. For some reason he likes to drink fish bowl water too. AND he's potty trained... the perfect dog. haha.

I think I'm kinda finding out who I really want to be this summer (not just for the summer, but who I am period). I'm away from home and I spend a lot of time thinking and hanging out with girls my own age and I'm spending a lot of time with Ryan. I hope to find out by the end of the summer. I've also had quite a bit of time by the pool so that's been nice too. hmmmm

Summer read I reccomend: Jesus for President by Shane Caliborne and Chris Haw. The title is, I guess, intense, but the book itself, not so much. I know it's an election year, blah blah blah, and we do have quite a bit of control over that, but really, as this book goes on to say, if you do believe in God than you should want God to be your president, not a man or woman that lives in a big white house. I dont know what else to say, Im bad at explaining it, but the book gives a recap of all the kings the world has had and the effect they have had on the people and visa versa as well as how, in the end, God assures the people that he is in control. It's reassuring, so far. I'm only like 50 pages into it so maybe I'm just a little biased. haha.

I hope you're all having a great summer so far and lets try really hard to prevent fires. that was random but they've been on my mind lately.

p.s.

It's May!

I'm excited about it too. Sophomore year is out the door and Junior years is walking in. This semester was wondeful. I'd been excited since the spring semester of my Freshmen year. New people, new friendships, strengthening continued ones, and rekindleing past ones. I'm still just as excited for the fall to get here.

Spring has gone by so quickly but I am ready for summer to start. I have a feeling I'm going to grow up a little more this summer. I'm going to be in an apartment for the first time! I'm a little nervous, but a ton more excited and anxious. I love my roommate, Emily, to death and I'm so excited to spend all kinds of quality time together with her. I'm gonna love Jen too, how could I not? It's going to be a blast, and everyone is welcome to come over and spend the night with me. I'll share my bed... unless you're a boy - you can have the couch... in the living room. I plan to go visit my Dad and the rest of my family that is in Louisiana this summer too. I miss them, all of them, a whole bunch. It'll be nice to be in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of farm animals... i love animals.

I want to adopt an animal - a puppy named Nellie to be exact. I think she's waiting for me at the Kyle Animal Shelter. (that's her)

I think the Lord has blessed me with the ability to love - to love more than I thought I could. If you've seen me with animals, you might've gotten a glimpse of this. I used to share my twin size bed with my dog Isabelle (she's a doberman pinscher... a big one too). That's why I've gotten into the habit of sleeping up against the wall, even when there isnt a 70 pound dog in my bed. haha. I love to love. I love to make people feel better. I love to bring a smile to a sad childs face. To help bring back the hope they once had in the world, into their eyes.

I like this verse. It helps me understand what the Lord has blessed me with.

The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3

It brings me hope. I'm hurt pretty easily, I'd even call myself a big baby, but the Lord loves me in all that, and he will bring sunshine back into my cloudy day. I'm thankful for that.