Recap; 2011 Style.

I know.. I know... It's been a WHILE... Sorry!!

Here's a recap of the last few months... (: My last post of 2011!!!!

Thanksgiving-

Being back at home was wonderful. It had been a really stressful few weeks and a little escape to Mulvane was needed. Jessica was coming to Lawrence to stay the night and I wasn't allowed to leave since I had a late test, so we got to see each other after a LONG time. (: I really didn't see many friends when I was home since everyone was spread out at families and I was only home for less then five days, but I got to see my entire family and that was great. And of course Thanksgiving food!! (:

Cousins! :)

A little of Mom's Side of the Fam!

Picture Perfect :)

Aunt Lisa...

&& Uncle Corey.. :)

Finals Week-

Oh. My. God... I have never been so tired in my life after finals week. I had three "test" finals and one paper to revise and then I was coming home! They were spread out across an entire week, so it was nice, but it also added to my stress level because I was freaking out for so long. I also was forced to work fifteen hours in three days (which isn't a lot, but I was used to 3 hours every three weeks... culture shock!). So my stress level is through the roof.... and I wasn't sleeping. Out of the entire week, I probably got around 20 hours of sleep total... and thats a high estimate... realllllly high... Thank goodness all-nighters are my specialty... However, it wasn't so fun coming home and being taken to Immediate Care and being diagnosed with Laryngitis!

Last day in Lawrence :( 

Christmas-

Oh Christmas Break.. a whole month at home with no work or school.. and James was coming home! So it was panning out to be a good Christmas. I went shopping no less then FOUR times BEFORE Christmas, and I'm still not done! Lol Jessica picked me up and we went shopping for her mom, Katie and I went to Sherlock Holmes, and Allyson and I went shopping a few days later. My mom and I spent the entire day before Christmas Eve shopping at the mall, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Walgreens... It was exhausting. Christmas Eve is always with my dad's side and Christmas Day is always with my mom's  side. Just a lot of relaxing and sleeping (and a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother") during the first half of my break...

Juli!

Christmas Eve!

Grandparents and Mom, Dad and Sister!

Family Pic!

New Year's-

Unfortunately, James had to fly back to California today... His dad and I went with him to the airport and eventually, he'll be on his way to Alaska. I have no idea when I'm going to see him again, but I am grateful for the times I got to see him the last few weeks and the previous seven plus years... those memories aren't going anywhere and he'll always have a special place in my heart.

But it's not all sad... I'm going to Amanda's tonight for a New Year's bash and we have a girls day coming up! Pics soon!

As painful as it is to lose James, I know it's all going to be alright. Life goes on and not at a better moment. It's a new year, lets start over. I feel like every year of my life has a theme...

2009- Patience. I was beginning to discover just how amazing life could be with just a little patience.
2010- Courage. Stepping out of my comfort zone and fighting back is never easy, but I did it in 2010.
2011- Change. So. Much. Change.. From graduation to moving, change is inevitable... but manageable.

2012- Acceptance. I have to learn to accept things that I can't change or shouldn't change.  I can't fight everything and I can't hold on to everything... sometimes, letting go is the best option.

I just have to accept it first...

<3

..i miss you already... i am so proud of you... <3 b="b">

Day 2

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

James and I have been friends since the sixth grade sitting next to each other in Mrs. Cottrell's class. We played in band together, I cheered for him in football, and I have even dated him a few times lol. He finally took me to the Christmas dance like he promised my freshmen year and now he said he'll take me to prom! (Like he also said he would freshmen year ;) ) Seven years is a long time to know someone and allow them to know you and watch you grow up (which is scary) and allow them to stay that close all these years. I'm gonna miss him so much when we go our separate ways this fall, but he promised to write to me and that we'd always stay close.
I love you, James :)

NOW:

PS. Even though you still drive me up a wall, I miss you like crazy and I'd give anything to be able to go to your house at 12 am to play Sims 3 or make a late night Dillons run. Thank you for writing to me during Basic and calling me once a week. It was quite possibly the closest we've ever been, even though we were the furthest apart. Stay safe, enjoy California, and come visit me. (:

Love, Tay

<3

Sleep or No Sleep?

I am still getting the hang of this college thing. I thought I had it.. but I most definitely do not. I am very, very grateful I have wonderful teaching and lab TA's. They are working closely with me to make sure I do as well as I can here at KU and beyond... it's such a blessing. Especially since I keep getting sick! Living with all these people and all these germs is kicking my immune system's behind.

Halloween was a blast here! I didn't go out much, but I still had an amazing time with my friends in my costume. I can't wait for next year!

Big Mac's Hall Gov!!

Best Friends!! (:

Mitchell from Ells!! Love that kid!

Tonight, I talked Jessica into going to Walmart with me to pick up Harry Potter 7 Part 2 at midnight!!! It's the last time I'll ever get to go to Walmart at midnight for a Harry Potter anything... I've been watching it since the moment I got home. I have CHILLS! And TEARS! Its only the second time I've seen it having been shipped to StuCo Workshop the day of the premiere. Usually I see Harry Potter movies in theaters four times.. so I have a lot of catching up to do! (Goodbye July! and Midnight Tickets are my other blogs about HP7P2.)

Mom, Dad, Erynn, and Shae are coming into Lawrence on Saturday to see us play Baylor and hang out with me. Erynn and Shae are even going to stay with Claire and I in our room! Ironically, that morning, I have to go to KC with my Honors class as a community service trip. And that Sunday, I have to work at E's... and do my homework. So it's going to be a fantastically busy weekend. (: But with Thanksgiving and Christmas so close, it's hard not to count down the days and be anxious to go home (35 days, 16 hours... for Christmas). James and Chris are both coming home that day as well, and it will be wonderful to see them again. I even got permission from James to see him at the airport because I will be in KC at a Med Center visit. (: I am wayyy too excited.

Next time this week, I will be at the Breaking Dawn Midnight Premiere! This is honestly what I love most about college; practicing my skills at staying up late and/or all night. I have successfully pulled two all nighters here at KU and many, many late nights (such as tonight). Some are homework related, others are friends keeping my butt up late... Moral of the story, however, is I wouldn't change a thing. (:

Today is 11-11-11.. supposedly a very special day. I intend to see that through. ;) Sleep or no sleep.

<3

♥Thank you to all the Veterns who have served, and are serving. You know how much you mean to me. (:

One Year Later!

Can you believe it?! I have been blogging for ONE YEAR!

It's been a horrible day here in the magical land of Lawrence. Daisy Hill's water line broke this morning and there was no Mrs. E's or showers, and it's bitterly cold, and I am thinking I have the flu... Ugh. So I wanted this blog post to be positive to try and help my day out a little. Plus, we all know how much I enjoy reflecting and reliving my favorite memories.

As I've said many times before, October of 2010 was one of the happiest and most memorable months of my life: everything was going great, I had a fantastic boyfriend, and I was well into my Senior Year. Some of my early blog posts, (Senior Night, KU Bound, and It's Time for a Break) are really good for me to read to remember what was going on in my head a year ago... and to evaluate my life now and figure out what I need to do to return to that happy place.

College is new. Let's be honest. It's an adjustment to me... and I will still be adjusting for a while. I am not as settled as I was a year ago. I am learning way more about myself now, and I am very excited for my future, whatever it may hold... but one year ago was a much simpler time...

*I had a set schedule.
*I had someone to wake me up in the mornings.
*I had someone tell me when to (try and) go to bed.

*I had an easy job.

*I had easy classes (for the most part).
*I had a wonderful boyfriend and second family.
*I had a best friend I could see whenever I wanted.
*I had my family.

There are of course many things college gives me that high school didn't...

*I can go for a food run at 1 am.
*I can take a nap at 1 pm.
*I can run a ELISA Test in a lab.
*I can handle NaOH in a lab.
*I can stay in a library until 2 am.
*I can have a sleepover with my friends whenever I want.
*I can (eventually) travel abroad.
*I can learn to manage my time better.
*I can make (more) lifelong friends from all over the world.
*I can mange my money.

And most importantly...

*I can wake myself up in the mornings.

But this isn't even the whole list! College and I are a perfect match, but with all couples, there has to be rough patches and bumpy spots. If there aren't, this would be a very boring and unsatisfying ride...

Typical day with Ty (:

The Three Musketeers!! (: I miss you both!!

Cheering and being a Senior!! (:

I Miss You So Much... <3

My Mom and Dad (:

My Girls!! (:

Visiting KU almost exactly one year ago (:...

Goodbye July!

First off, I am SO SO SO Sorry I haven't blogged in a sold MONTH! That is so unlike me; it's just been super busy here. I'll give you a quick update on July and throw in some detailed stories when I get a chance!

July 4th

Absolute blast! Katie and I took a walk to Sonic (we take lots of walks now) and bought some noise maker fireworks. Then we met my mom and sister at my grandparent's neighbor's pool and swam and set off said noise makers! That night, after dinner with the grandparents, we went to High Park in Derby to watch fireworks instead of buying a million of them. It's been so long since we've been in town for the fourth; we didn't even know what was going on around here lol. The fourth has always been my favorite holiday though, and it was really nice to get to spend it at home this year. (:

Pre-fourth Fireworks :)

Shooting off noise makers!



Sparklers :)



Night of the Fourth :)

July 7th

FINALLY! I turned 18 this month and it was the best thing ever! That day my mom and I got pedicures, we all went to Olive Garden, and that night, my mom, Katie, and her parents and I went to the CASINO! It was fantastic, I was up 50, 60 bucks on the Black Jack table (which I'm really good at) and then they switched dealers and somehow I lost it all! Oh well... It was the best 18th birthday anyone could ask for :)

Road trip to OK!!

Ouside the casino!

This is an illigal pic.. but oh well!! :) i love it!

July 9th

I decided to have my party on a Saturday so hopefully more people could come and it was a complete success!! My friends and family came from all over to see me and it was so touching… I have the best friends and family ever. WE grilled out and had cookie cake and (even though it was still 102 at 10 PM) s’mores. It was so nice to have everyone together again before we all start to go our own ways... Definitely the most memorable birthday party <3

Levi (or anyone for that matter :P) didn't like my flash!

Sarah fell outta her chair! lol Love that girl <3

Just chillin around a fire in 102 degree weather ;)

Brogy and Trent!

The gang :)

Erynn and James got into it.. lol he won.

July 11th-12th

It's finally becoming more real! I am an official KU JAYHAWK! I spent these two days in Lawrence with my mom for my New Student Orientation. It's a long and tiring process... but it was so informative and helpful, and I mapped out (basically) the next four years of my life! (Those of you who know me super well are going, "Well, duh!") I also met some of the people I’ll probably spend the rest of my life with… how cool is that?! (: Move in day is August 19^th!! I can’t wait!

Biology- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 - 9:50 AM
English- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Biology Lab- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 12:50 PM
Chemistry- Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 - 9:15 AM
Calculus I- Tuesday, Thursday 2:30 – 3:45 PM
Honors Program Seminar- Every other Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Chemistry Lab- Thursday 11:00 AM – 1:50 PM

My Student to Student group! The three girls around me and the fourth guy in were my "posse" and we all still text and can't wait for move in!

July 15th


HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART II @ MIDNIGHT! I have to say, this night was something that I had been looking forward to, and dreading for a long time. I have grown up with Harry Potter… It’s engraved and intertwined into my childhood. I basically cried throughout the entire movie… mostly because I was so sad my childhood managed to come to a screeching halt in my mind… also because Harry and I were “graduating” at the same time, and I had just enrolled a few days earlier… It was a big leap of faith to take all at once; accepting my new age and social status as an adult and ending my ten year romance with the wizard with glasses… it was a very emotional night. It was absolutely amazing though. David Yates is a genius and I couldn’t be more proud.

ohh yeaah :)

Those glasses were awesome!

July15th-22^nd

StuCo Camp… (: So much to say… so little time! I will write one or two more blogs on this week because it’s so special to me, I don’t want to leave anything out! So here are some pictures to try to begin to explain why it was (so far) the best week of my life and how I am so irrevocably changed from it. <3

My AMAZING council :)

My second family (:

Best buddy Rod!

Council J.. we rock :)

Brogy and I rode up there and home together! He was a great friend and I'm so glad we got to ride together :)

We hung out in the JC Lounge a LOT!

Rod and roommate Jordy and our fabulous glasses :)

Jake :) this kid is awesome.

ELI!! (:

The running shorts gang. :D

Barret <3

Natalie and Vanessa :)

July 28th-30^th

I have never been the partying type… but this weekend I had a taste of what it could be like. Thursday, Katie, Allyson and I ventured into the world of clubbing! We went to Doc Howards Lounge and had the best time! We danced, had Monsters, and just enjoyed hanging out since I had been gone for so long. (: Friday, the Wichita area JC’s from camp got together and spent the day terrorizing Wichita! We ate at Chipotle, Orange Leaf, and Gobi Grill and I loved getting cultured by these guys. I was not a Mexican or Mongolian food lover… but I am now! We chilled at Wal-Mart for a couple hours, played Just Dance in Rod’s basement, and went to the Drive In and saw three great movies! I picked Barret up at noon and we didn’t get home until 5 AM! It was such a great day; I can’t wait for our big reunion soon! Saturday was Girls Day and the six of us went to Applebee’s for our traditional Back-to-School dinner and decided to go BACK to the club afterwards…. It was such an exciting weekend!

Thursday;; going clubbin!

Friday;; fun at wal-mart with Tabatha, Rod and Barret!

Besst Friennds :)

Saturday;; going clubbin.. again!

This is my July in a nutshell... such an eventful and exciting month… Let’s hope August is the same!!

<3

PS. good luck James;; we miss you already. <3