Rambling

3 weeks from today I will be in Owasso. I'm excited. I can't wait. In one weekend I will get to see my boyfriend, my best friend and their family. You can't get a much better weekend than that.

The weekend before I'm going with the College of Social Work to explore Chicago. I can't wait for that either. It's me, about 8 other girls and 1 or 2 guys. (That's generally the ratio in our classes too.) Chicago is the home of social work, and they have some pretty innovative practices around the city. I feel like we're very lucky to be able to go and explore with such a small group.

Tomorrow is my last day at Kroger. I'm really excited about it!! I unfortunately missed most of my 2 weeks, from turning my notice in, due to swine flu.

Oh and if you think swine flu isn't that bad...you my friend are very wrong. It's exhausting and I was a very lucky person to have my mommy come take care of me!

I've learned a lot the past few months, about myself, my major, and what I really want from life. I've been so blessed to have friends and family that have stood by me in the past year. Even through all of the changes they have been there.

If you don't know what I want to do with my life check out "Do Something." I want to do research and help develop curriculum for high schools and colleges teaching about dating abuse and healthy relationships.

Swine Flu

Yep, I've got it. It's incredibly stupid and icky. I am not allowed to leave my apartment until Monday, and that is the earliest. But the good thing is my mommy is here. She has re-arranged my furniture, cleaned my kitchen and wants to clean my carpets. Her theory is "I have to have something to do while you sleep!" I guess she's right. She's having fun and likes taking care of me, especially since she lived so far away last semester and all summer.

I am already very very behind in my classes. Thank you Swine Flu.

Changes

Well today after a long talk Ben and I decided that it would be better for me to fly into Tulsa, and he would meet me up there. We will then get to spend that weekend with his wonderful fam. I can't wait. I seriously almost can't stand it.

You know how sometimes people surprise you and the only reaction is crying. That was me tonight, Ben makes me cry like that a lot (it's all good cries, no worries). But sometimes when he makes a decision because he knows it will make me or someone else happier, I feel so gosh darn proud of him.

My sister will find out if she is going to be in a sorority tomorrow. (Alpha Sigma Alpha)

I guess I can say it now, I'm joining Phi Sigma Pi. It's a National Honors Fraternity (co-ed). It's exciting. It will look good on the resume.

Acceptance and Trips

So, I have accepted that soon I will be jobless. Due to my current job situation, I am unable to see my family. I also am finding it difficult to get my homework done or even semi-done. Eat healthy? Nope. Exercise? Nope. In general, it's a terrible situation. I like the work. But the amount of time they believe I should commit to it, ridiculous. So next week, I am quitting my job.

Also I am very excited to say that I will be seeing the great state of Oklahoma soon. It will be wonderful. I fly into Oklahoma City October 16th. I am saying that this trip is a birthday gift to myself. I'm really excited to get to see Ben. I miss him.

Also my father is turning 50 soon (the 28th). And I will be going to my parent's house for the weekend. YAY!!

My sister is Rushing this week. Yep, Sarah Stewart may soon be a sorority girl. She's hoping for Chi Omega.

Last week I started my classes. I am already overwhelmed by my classes, work, volunteering, etc.All of my classes are for Social Work stuff, and let me tell you...If you think Social Work is an "easy" major, you my dear friend are sadly misinformed. I have cried more in the past few days over the realization of what my life as a social worker will entail than I have cried in a long time. And the course load is ridiculous, I have NEVER read or written this much.

I am hoping that I will be able to just buck up and plow through this semester and get to the glorious senior year in the spring.

I'm starting "Finding Fish," for my Child Welfare Services class. This should be a good book, (see the movie Antwone Fisher)

I on Tues/Thurs there are like 10 people that I have all my classes with. There is this really cute and sweet couple that are in that group, they are having a baby. I can't imagine going through social work stuff and being pregnant. For her sake I'm glad she isn't taking Child Welfare Services.


While I can I'm going to be very blunt about what I'm feeling for Social Work. I know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. But my heart hurts knowing that I can't talk about anything I'm doing. I will need to find someone that I will be working with that I can decompress with. I think it's hard because when something happens at work or school right now, I talk to my Mom and/or Ben. Not telling them why I'm upset or feeling like I'm crazy will be difficult. Thank goodness they understand, and are there anyway.

On another note, it feels like mid-October right now. It is wonderful. I always feel so refreshed when it's crisp like this and I can wear sweaters. It makes me appreciate the way that God made places so different. When it's too hot or too cold I don't take the time to look at the amazing stuff He has made, but days like to day are just amazing.

On Tuesday nights there is a family from my church that opens their home to college students, they make us free dinner. I love this family. And as a person who appreciates a good meal and a family environment, full of hugs and love; I love Tuesday Night Dinners. They haven't been going on since July...Tonight is the first night back. I can't wait.

All summer I have been filling water balloons...Why you ask? The Christian Student Fellowship held the World's Largest Water Balloon Fight on Friday. It was insane!! We had 119,411 Balloons, and 3,902 people....that equals 2 Guinness World Records!! Because of it I got to talk to some of my classmates about Jesus.

http://www.ukcsf.org/

I have also gotten to tell some of them about why I am passionate about Dating Abuse and Violence. I try to be as positive as possible when I talk about my experiences and how they have changed my life and I am better for it. But when these people don't know our Jesus, they just can't understand how I can be ok with the things that happened.