That time of year again...

At this point in the academic year, everyone wants to know what you are going to do next year. What classes are you going to take? Where are you going to work? Or live? There are so many questions I don't have an answer to.

The reality is, I don't know what my life will look like next year. For as much as I know, I am only guaranteed today. I am glad I don't know where I will be next year. I am learning to take it one day at a time, and trust I will be taken care of.

To follow up with that, I have been more than blessed and taken care of by others around me. Some people have supported me to go to Africa this summer and I am amazed and can't describe how wonderful it feels to know someone cares for you and will rally around you when you are in need. I am not just talking about donations, because many people have encouraged me with the words or actions. However, this morning I went to check my mailbox and someone had anonymously placed a letter and some money for Africa. Whoever you are, THANK YOU! I really can't put into words how much it means to me. I just feel so right in this choice, right now. I don't know what my next year will look like, but I know this year and this trip are right and align with the plan the Lord has for now.


Giving Thanks,
Tay

And just like that.....

.....My Summer Plans 2011 are set!

 For those of you who know, I will be taking a trip this summer! Now, normally during the summer many people take trips and go on vacations, but this trip is especially special to me. I will be traveling to Lesotho, Africa this summer for a study abroad opportunity. 

Many people I have talked to don't know much about Lesotho. Here are a few little facts: it is a landlocked country and entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over 11,500 square miles in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. It's capital and largest city is Maseru.  

This trip is being hosted through my school and more specifically with the Social Work program, which for those of you who don't know is my major. During this trip we will be assessing the community in light of social services and even in comparison to American social services. We will have the privilege of working in an orphanage in the city of Maseru, while also following a curriculum designed for this study abroad trip. I have never had the opportunity like this before and I am completely thrilled and excited about the possibilities of this trip. International Social Work has always been something that sparks my interest and I believe this trip will be a true learning opportunity and I can't wait for the adventures to unfold. 

Through my learning in my social work classes, I have learned a great deal about compassion.. It is something I feel like all social workers must have to make it through the end of the day. I believe this trip will teach me a new definition of compassion, but that it will also teach me the importance of social services throughout our world. The thing about being a social worker, is that there is no glory involved. Many people misunderstand our purpose or our intentions. I am fully prepared for these realities of the job. Even though this is most often the case, I still feel like this is what I am supposed to do with my life. Being accepted into this trip is another learning opportunity for me, and another way to show compassion that God has shown me.

Lastly, this trip is rather pricey as in $5,450 pricey... I currently am 1/5 of the way there on fund raising, but if for some reason you are reading this blog and it is in your heart to donate to me, my address is PO Box 9521 Unit 4110 Azusa, Ca 91702. I would be more than appreciative and truly do consider it such a blessing!

Currently awaiting summer,

 Taylor

 

Good to be back!

I already have such high hopes for 2011 especially since my New Years Resolution is to only wear sweatpants once a week! That is an easy enough goal... well unless you happen to love sweatpants like I do.. However, I am calling this year my year of thanks. There are so many things to be thankful for that slip right out in front of us. I don't give thanks to God enough for the blessings I have been given.

I am mostly glad to be back with my roommate, with my friends, and with my residents. It was an eventful winter break (more details on my last post) and I am glad to get back into the swing of things.


Most importantly, Happy Birthday to Buck Rice!!! There are so many things I love and appreciate about Buck. One thing is his new haircut which is an improvement from his uncut hair of one year. But really, I love you and am so proud of the man that you are. I couldn't be happier to have you in my life, and I couldn't have chosen someone else to love me and support me better than you do. You are a wonderful boyfriend and I can't wait to see where life takes us together! Happy Birthday :)

All my love

Surprise Surgery!!!

Winter Break quickly approached this year, and I was eagerly looking forward to taking a break from my daily life stressors. I spent a week in Arizona with my family and friends and then hopped on a plane to Colorado to spend the rest of my break with family! However, my trip in Colorado took a turn for the worst on the first day of the New Year. I was experiencing extreme pain that landed me in the emergency room, yay! I spent that night in the hospital that evening and woke up the next day wanting to go back home. Feeling like an 80 year old, the doctors pried me out of bed and asked me to take a walk up and down the hall before I was able to be released. The moment I got back from that mini walk I knew something was terribly wrong. The pain I was feeling earlier came back much worse than it had before. The next thing I know I am being rushed into emergency surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst that I was diagnosed with a month before.

There is a positive side to this of course. My ovary was saved! The way that the cyst had twisted was cutting off the blood flow to my ovary, which is NEVER a good thing. The bad thing is that I am a terrible patient. I hate sitting in one place for any amount longer than a few hours, and I especially hate being in pain. I also have discovered Morphine makes me a meanie!

I am recovering at home now and feeling much better that my ovary is now no longer in danger. I also gave the pictures of my cyst to my mother to frame since the cyst is the only grandchild she will be getting from me!


Rushing Recovery,
Taylor

What is a blog really about anyways?

Today I realized I wanted a blog makeover. I've been so focused on writing about the big events that I miss everyday life. I wanted this blog to be away for family and friends to keep up with me when we can't always connect daily. I got caught up in the glamor of blogging, and already tired my self out before I had even started!

The fall semester has already ended, meaning I have completed 5 semesters of college so far. I have 3 left until I finish my undergrad college experience. To be honest, I don't really know where time went, I can't remember anything except wishing for this moment. I wished for time to slow down, for school to end for a short winter break, and for rest. I still am not resting, but I find myself wishing for the next moment. Life is filled with many moments but I've been missing them because I want the next moment. I'm swarmed with time commitments, events, and classes and I just realized I will always have those time fillers there.

 The reality is that I don't have an answer.. I have just always been a kid wanting to grow up (or a kid who grew up before I needed to) Now that I enter my adulthood, I am excited for more of my life to happen. I am so excited to graduate college and start my career, I am more than excited to one day get married, and I am excited to see where the Lord places me and asks me what to be. I do know that I can't get to those places without the going through the places I am in right now. Everyone has to start somewhere.

 

All my love

My secret....

I am about to share with you all something that I feel I should I have said long ago. I want to tell you about this thing in my life that brings me great joy. I mean it has been really, really important to me in my life. Enough with the suspense, I'll just tell you. I love cats. It isn't like I want to own a lot of cats, I just think they are hilarious. Matter of fact, I received a cats and kittens book for my birthday..this last year. I also watched a million cat videos on YouTube last night. Cats know what life is all about. For example, I think cats have special universal permission to be beeeyatchs. It isn't only a word for dogs anymore. No one gets mad at cats when they are mean, I personally think it's funny.  How do cats earn that right in life? No one thinks it is funny when I am being a beeyatch. There is just something to learn from cats.. They eat, and then they sit wheresoever their little cat hearts desire all day long. If they want affection they get it, and if they don't you won't even see your cat that day.  They can go on little cat adventures, and they are immune to scorpion venom. No one ever describes their cat as needy.


You go cats! Get it.

RIP pickles :(



Meow,
Taylor

My official second post

Today was one of those days, where it kinda feels like fall the whole day. I don't have much experience with season changes (Arizona didn't give me much variety, and Azusa is second best) but the weather has that perfect blend of cloudy skies and cool air. It has been so perfect that I have spent most of my day relaxing, and it has led me to be very thoughtful. Even though this is my so called comedy tour, today will be one of those days that I'm not as funny as my typical hilarious self. Today you get thoughtful Taylor, and in my opinion she can be quite the handful too. This past week has been one of those weeks where when you reach the end you aren't sure whether to laugh or cry. It hasn't been a bad week, just a busy week, one where you almost lose sight of yourself because you need to get everything done. I spent more time in the library this week than I have during finals week, which is unusually odd. Therefore, after clearing my plate from the week, I had a veeeerry important, and specific weekend plan.

My weekend goal was to catch up on all of my favorite TV shows which include, in specific order...
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Let's be honest the rest are just time fillers. 

but, I do love my TV binges! 

I took a break from my weekend plan and I've spent most of my day spending time with the people I want to spend time with, and even a 25 minute phone conversation with my dad :) and it has been such a breath of fresh air. Sometimes, I get so caught up with the task at hand that I forget about myself. I actually think this is a default for many more people than not. I don't have any words of wisdom, and I am practicing on not giving any adivce this year, so don't look to me for the answers! I just found it an important thing to think about. However, if you are looking for some wisdom I pass this on (I read this in a candy wrapper and it has changed my life) Take 5 deep breaths. Seriously try it if you haven't. It almost feels like the world just gives you that moment to take those deep breaths. As best said in the movie Just Friends "Be yourself". Don't forget about you.

All my loveeee from the thoughtful me.

P.S. I don't actually own this horrible head decor, but if I did it would totally be my thinking cap.