Gifts and Goodbyes

Hi! I know it has been over two weeks since my last blog (Nichole). These past two weeks have been incredible and difficult in so many different ways. Even though I am getting ready to travel to South Africa (in 2 days!!!!) I am saying goodbye to some really important things in my life. I have spent this year living and learning alongside 29 incredible women. Some of those residents won't be returning to APU next year, and I will miss them. I have also had the opportunity to work with a staff of 9 wonderful women, who are now some of my dearest friends. 5 of those women will be graduating this year and moving all of the world! I will miss them.

The point is that goodbyes are hard. They are sad, and they mark an ending to an experience. I will be sad to say goodbye and not know when I will see that person again, or when I end an experience and know I will not get to do it again next year. However, I can remember the gifts that I have received from this year. All of those gifts are invaluable to me. They have been gifts of friendship, laughter, dancing, or late night snacks. There have been gifts of support and scrapbooks to remind me of how wonderful these women are. God has been good in providing me with a good group of girls to cherish and have fun with!

All of this to say, it has been great! I've been more than absolutely amazed by Adams Hall 2010-2011, and especially with 1st East!

My room is packed, and my suitcase is all ready to go. I am just awaiting my next adventure, and remembering that as I say goodbye there is still a lot to take away and to keep with me. I'm sure my trip to Lesotho will not be an exception.

I will be sure to write about all my adventures as I am traveling, but also when I return! Please pray for safety as I travel!

SPRING BREAK!

I feel like I have been awaiting this break, since January 10th, the first day of the Spring semester. I can't believe that there are two weeks of school left, and then I am off to Africa! Time is flying by, and I still need to find a place to live this summer, a job for the summer, and finish fundraising for my trip. There is so much to do in a little bit of time! I do however appreciate this brief break before we take off once again.

So far I have done nothing besides lounge by the pool, get a pedicure, and spend time with some people that I appreciate the most! It has been the best way to start Spring Break!

In the beginning of break, a few friends and I went to the Ellen DeGeneres show! We ended up being asked to go to a secret taping with Ellen, and we were able to be on camera and interact with Ellen! It was such a surprise, and we had so much fun! We were even guaranteed tickets to come back for Ellen's 12 day giveaway in December as a thank you for going to the secret taping! It was amazing!!

I am so excited for Easter, and an ending to a very special chapter in life. 

Happy Sunday, 

Taylor!

Internships, Internships, Internships!

Next year I'll have two internships, and I'll have a job on the side! Senior year isn't supposed to be relaxing! That's a lie.

The first internship I applied for and was chosen to do is a position as a Residence Life intern... I am so excited about this position since I have loved my time in RezLife so much this year! I am able to continue to plan events, and help be an aid to the new RAs next year, as well as work in the office with some of my absolute favorite people. I don't know why, but I just love sharing from my own personal experiences. Maybe I'm conceited? Just Kidding, but I do like to share my successes and failures to other people who are in the same boat as I was or currently am. But hey, some people have to learn from their own mistakes, and their own successes. Cheers to that!

My other internship is something I have been anticipating my entire college career. The senior year social service internship....dun dun dun.... This is like the final release before I enter the real world, as a graduated BSW student. I will be working in Santa Anita Family Services with teen aged parents, and domestic violence victims. I am so excited for this opportunity and I can't wait to see how this develops me professionally, and as a person. I need to look into buying myself a woman's pantsuit- It's time to get on the horse and get going!

There's an I in intern but no I in Taylor!

I'm growing up so fast!

Hey Faithful Blog Readers,

I have so many updates for you! First of all, I have just under $1,500 left to raise for my trip this summer! I am so excited that it is coming up before I know it, and I am becoming more and more prepared and learning more about the area I will be serving in.

If you are interested in giving to me (which I would be more than appreciative about) the link is: http://apps.facebook.com/fundrazr/activity/7e8a30fe69584af9a3b72d42b2818625?srid=ee493021d3eb4d5b8ab2a0f5b53c2431&ref=nf

or my address of course: PO Box 9521 Unit 4110 Azusa, CA 91702

Secondly, I just registered for my last fall semester of COLLEGE! I can't believe I am going to be a senior next year. I am graduating before I know it, and it crept up on me so fast! I find out where I will be interning on April 5th, which I am sure you will be hearing about once I find out. I will be at a social service internship 16 hours a week, and the possibilities are endless.

Lastly, I have been working with some fifth graders at a local school based on the topic of self-esteem! It has been such a joy and an incredible learning experience working as a group facilitator. I feel so blessed to be in a hands on learning major that I truly get so much enjoyment out of. I go to the school every week, and I work with eight 5th grade boys and girls, and we talk about self-esteem and do exercises that encourage deeper learning and growth.

I am so looking forward to next year, when I can get straight to the point. I don't need to go to stats, or Spanish, or any other classes, but I can just focus on what I am earning my degree in! Life now is good, and I realize attitude is everything. So even though, I am looking forward to this summer and to this next year, the moment now is sweet, and stretching. Therefore, I am working on enjoying the now... Don't be fooled I'm not a perfectionist at this by any means. :)

Embracing the now but excited for the future,
Tay

Balloon Rides and Pool Side

This past weekend was a blast, and just what I needed since our Spring Break isn't for another 10 years.

Men, listen up because I'm about to let you know about a perfect spot to take a date to!

Okay, so this weekend my staff and I took a trip to a helium balloon in Orange County. This is much differnet from a hot air balloon but basically serves the same purpose! A ride in a giant balloon! Best part- it was all free! The parking, the balloon ride itself, and there was a carousel to jump on after the balloon ride.

Needless to say, it was fun even though I am incredibly terrified of heights!

Big Balloon! 

Before take-off!

Mid-air!

This experience was so wonderful because I got to share it with great people! The women on my staff have truly been life changing. We have seen bumpy roads together, and smooth roads (metophorically speaking and literally) I couldn't have picked a better team to work with! We ended the day poolside at a little hideaway apartment complex, it looked like a rain forest! Now I understand what Taylor Swift is singing about (see song"Best Day" if you don't know what I'm talking about!)

In love with  my Adams Staff!

Taylor

 

Patterns

There are a few things I've noticed about myself throughout the past few days, months, and years. Some of these patterns I've developed I like and I dislike. For example, I have a pattern of misinterpreting first impressions of people..some of the people I didn't "like" at first are now some of my best friends. I have a pattern of working best at the last minute. I have a pattern of not making my bed in the morning. You get the point.

This past week I found out I would be living in Adams Dorm for the 3rd year out of 4 years here at APU. Many people switch around their living places, and possibly never live in the same place twice while at APU. This is not the case for me. In fact, this is a very rare situation for students here. My freshman year I lived in Adams, and then moved in to the apartments my sophomore year. For my third year, I was selected to be a Resident Advisor in Adams AND for the grand finale, my dear friend (who I agreed to live with next year) was selected to be a Resident Advisor in Adams next year. Does anyone else see a pattern?

I laughed knowing I would be back in the same place again next year. Especially as I have spent so many years making memories in this building. Each place holds a special memory. I have spent anniversaries, birthdays, sleepovers, making new friends, engagements, fire alarms, move-ins, and move-outs. It's all happened here. I love what this building has been for me, during my college life. 

Looking forward to another year as an Adams girl!
Tay

Life as we know it??

There are many questions that are asked, that we aren't supplied an answer for. Questions about life and death, questions about tomorrow, or questions about God. No one really knows the truth to these questions but they think they might have an idea. The only thing I really know is that I don't know anything for certain. I can plan for tomorrow, or next year, but I don't know for certain that those plans will follow through. Things change, circumstances arise, and life looks different. (this might be one of those posts you hate me for)

BUT I don't feel in despair or worried. I actually feel relieved knowing I'm not in control. I can't imagine picking out everything that my life will hold. All I can really do is each day.

I feel like I have changed so much in these past two years, from long dark hair and red lipstick, to a hiking helmet and NO makeup and even though these are appearances that have changed, the inside is different too. I would have NEVER thought I would be in this place that I am today. I'm in a very wonderful relationship, I am in a leadership position I wouldn't change for the world, and I have such an exciting future ahead (well at least some exciting plans, they could change though :)) Even though life has been more than exhausting and just hard, I've changed for the better.

With love from serious thoughts on Sunday,
Tay