1 year.

It would seem that I have dropped off the face of the blogging world. I can not even say honestly that I am back to stay. I enjoy blogging, but sometimes I just don't have the time and I don't know what to share. BUT this is something I want to share, and The Old Porch Swing seemed like the best place to do so.

Josh and I have been dating for a year (yesterday). September 21 2011. It has been amazing - challenging and rewarding, and amazing. This man is the love of my life. In this time we experienced the difficulties of long-term dating - I left and moved to Italy for three months. Hardest thing (relationship wise) that I've ever done was getting on that plane January 1st. Most rewarding thing was getting off that plane and running back into his arms April 4th. It definitely made us stronger. I doubt that I would be able to repeat that separation though.

Anyways, back to the subject of today's post. I had class until 8pm yesterday night. Wednesdays are the roughest day of my school schedule. But Josh and I have made it habit that I stop by his house on my way home for a cup of tea. Lovely way to end a long day. When I arrived he presented me with a bouquet of Gerber daisies - my favourite! Then we proceeded to make our tea and relax on the couch. Not seconds after I finished my mug he instructed me to wait inside for a few minutes. When he returned he guided me outside with my eyes closed...

A paper lantern heart with a table and chairs in the centre. A bottle of red wine and a plate crackers and cheese. After sitting and enjoying the moment we moved the table out of the heart and danced. What a perfect evening.

The countdown is on!

I leave for Italy in 10 days. WOW!! Christmas shopping is done, Practicum is done, all that is left are the holidays and any remaining Italy preparations. It has been an emotional roller coaster getting everything ready, and in some ways I really just can't wait for it to all be done. As part of the preparations I've revived Cobblestone Chronicles. So I am not totally sure how this is going to work. Should I blog on both? Or just stick to my travel blog? What are your thoughts on this?

The time is near!

Have you ever experienced a moment where you need to stop and remind yourself to breathe?

Life is crazy busy. Good. But busy.

My ongoing to-do list leaves an anxious knot churning in my stomach, but it sure feels good to check things off my list!

The remainder of this update basically falls under three categories: Practicum. Social Life. Italy Preparations.

Practicum

Spending my days teaching is so much more fulfilling than sitting in university classes. Mentally exhausting? Yes. A lot of work? Yes. A huge learning experience? Yes. Worth it? YES. As I had hoped, this experience has been a confirmation that I am in the right career path. I'm definitely making mistakes (and hopefully learning from them), but I'm loving every second. Heading into teaching I had always thought I would want to teach high school, and never junior high. Now, however, I definitely feel the pull towards junior high. What an interesting age group! Granted, I hated junior high. But it is much more fun when you are the teacher! Chemistry is a lot of fun to teach, and I've learned that there is a LOT of prep work that goes into everything that teachers do. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've also learned that when I forget something, stressing over it makes me slightly crazy. I have awesome mentor teachers who provide me with really good feedback, and overall the experience has just been really good. I finish December 17, and I know I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when it is over. But I also know I'm going to miss these kids and teachers.

Social Life

M & C - the two sides of my triangle - are insanely busy with school, since they are both trying to graduate this year. Add that to the fact that I'm not at the University right now, but rather in Spruce Grove, and it isn't surprising we don't see each other much. A further complication is the limited amount of free time I seem to have with all this planning/prep for my practicum. On the flip side, most of my free time seems to be spent with J. A certain somebody that I seem to like... a lot. And for some strange reason he seems to like me back. Curious to see where this is going to go with time. God is at the wheel of our lives and our relationship, so I can hardly wait to see what is in store for us!

Snowboarding season is finally upon us! Hoping to get to the mountains once (maybe twice)... before I give up my season for Italy.

Italy Preparations

Flights booked? Check. Leaving Jan 1st, returning Apr 4th. Insurance in place? Check. Funds in place? Check. Allow me to elaborate on this one. I have been really stressed about having enough money to relax while I am away, so I applied for a few scholarships. 1st one - a discount on my accommodations while I am gone, based on financial need. 2nd one - actually not a scholarship, I appealed my loan to get a bit more money. 3rd one - I forgot about it. I applied wayyy back in September, never thinking I had a shot. 1st one - Check! $1000 off my accommodations. Following this one I examined my situation and figured I needed about $1500 to make it through. 2nd one - Loans informed me they could give me ~$500 more. 3rd one - What a lovely surprise email informing me that I was receiving a $1000 scholarship. Necessary $1500? Check. Praise God! He seems to know exactly what we need, and when we trust that He will provide... He does.

After Dec. 17, when I no longer have to worry about practicum, the final details will begin to fall into place. Packing and tying off loose ends. This is going to be an adventure of a lifetime! Now, about leaving J behind. God is at the wheel, and if this relationship is something He wants for us... I know we will make it through. This doesn't mean I'm not going to miss him... a lot. Nor does it mean it will be easy. But it does mean that when I come home... that moment will be awesome.

Nervous, Excited and Anxious!

Nervous

- Finals this week and next week! I am almost done my last assignment, and only have two more days of classes. So close I can almost taste it!

- I'm teaching the "Matter and Chemical Change" Unit at Greystone Centennial Middle School, come November 15th

- I'm applying for an Schengen Visa (basically a Europe visa), and I NEED to get that application moving. Part of it is an interview, and interviews make me nervous...

- I'm applying for a bursary from the university to help with finances for Italy, and it also has an interview component...

- I leave for Italy in 2 months... and I will be gone three months! I have never spent that much time away from my family before.

Excited

- I can't wait to be done with finals, and spend more time in the classroom! So far, being in that Grade 9 class has been a real affirmation for me that I am heading in the right direction, career-wise.

- I leave for Italy in 2 months! I can hardly wait to immerse myself in the culture of Cortona!

- Flights are booked, I have travel insurance in place... almost ready!

- I found out that I do NOT have to quit my job while I am away. It just makes those preparations easier and more convenient... both for me and my boss.

- Looking forward to a few weeks off from school between semesters, spending time with a certain somebody and prepping for Italy!

- Josh, Colin and I went to the Ski and Snowboard Show this past weekend, I can NOT wait to shred some powder... come on winter!

Anxious

- There is so much to be done before I leave, just little things... but it is overwhelming!

- Finals always make me anxious, I just want them to be over with already!

- Teaching on my own... eep!

- I leave for Italy in 2 months! I am growing very fond of a certain somebody, and I'm not looking forward to being gone for three months... but the return home will be that much better!

- Finances will be tight, it makes me very anxious not knowing how everything will work out. I am trusting God to help things fall into place, it will all work out in the end.

Tagged...

So I probably should be doing homework right now.

Keyword is should.

But I was tagged in More from Second Street and I feel quite compelled to respond! The idea is that I now have to answer her questions, and then tag more people and have them answer mine! However, I don't actually have a lot of blogs that I follow, so the second half is going to be skipped. Sorry!

1. Who do people say you look more like, your mom or your dad?

Well, I don't really look like either side of the family. Sometimes I joke that I am adopted. But the similarities that ARE there point to my Dad's side.

2. If you were given an exorbitant amount of money and were told you had to spend it all in one place immediately, what would you do with it?

The caveat here for me is the all in one place. Hmmm. Pay off loans? Travel Agent? Mini Cooper? Buy a house? Build my dream house?

3. What was your favourite Christmas gift?

Last year my parents bought me new snowboard boots... that was pretty awesome. Definitely top 5 if not my favourite. I tend to forget exactly what was a birthday present and what was a Christmas present. Favourite all time gift? I got a Canon Rebel XS for my birthday last weekend and I'm in love with it.

4. If you could spend 6 months traveling any one country in the world, which one would it be?

Well, I DO get to spend 3 months traveling Italy... so I think I can't count that one. I would LOVE to travel the United Kingdom. Either Ireland or England would be awesome to spend 6 months in!

5. What is your least favourite household chore? Most favourite?

Least favourite: Probably cleaning the bathroom. Unfortunately, that one is specifically MY job at our house.

Most favourite: Probably cooking/baking - I don't even mind cleaning up afterwards if I'M the one who made the mess. I dislike cleaning up after someone else - when you have to clean up after yourself, you tend to clean up as you go. Know what I mean?

6. What is your strongest pet peeve?

People who probably shouldn't have their drivers license.

Or professors who are only hired to do research, and really shouldn't be standing up at the front of the room talking at you.

*Shudder*

7. Would you rather spend this coming weekend with your family, your friends, or alone?

Am I allowed to say family/friends? Or one specific person? I want to spend this weekend with JB. :)

8. If you had to choose one food to eat exclusively on a deserted island for the next year, what would it be and why?

Ignoring the nutritional value of only having ONE food in your diet... I'd probably have to say potatoes. However, that is only if I get to season them.... which I'm assuming you can't do on a deserted island. BAH! Most of my favourite foods need the seasoning/cooking! I'm gonna stick with my answer though... potatoes it is! Mmmmm

Footprints in the Sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you.

Life as we know it

Realizing that yet again I've neglected to keep you updated on the happenings around my side of the world...

Reasoning for this? I'm surprisingly busy! I don't know how I do this, but my plate is FULL this semester! First off, I'm doing my first practicum - called my IPT. This involves a condensed semester at the University, with interrelated assignments and endless readings, followed by a 5 week term in a high school placement. Whew!

Secondly, I have signed up as a PartyLite consultant and it's a bit hectic getting that business onto it's feet! I do enjoy it though, it is so flexible! As Rachael likes to put it, I'm getting paid to show off amazing product, meet new people and eat good food!

Third, I'm still working as a lifeguard at the LRC. Lifeguarding and teaching lessons - routine and easy. I love the people I work with and I love my job. Most days. All jobs have their ups and downs, and I'm always grateful that I have the job I do.

Fourth! I'm preparing to go to Italy next semester! There are a lot of preparations involved for studying overseas, and part of that is ensuring that my finances are in order. I can't wait to explore Europe again and immerse myself in the culture! I really hope to begin to gain an understanding of the Italian language as well. Preparations include: student loans, flights, orientation sessions, student visa applications, travel insurance, etc...

Lastly (but certainly not least important), I've been getting to know someone. This relationship has indeed taken off and I'm enjoying every minute of it! However, I'm not going to dish details all over my blog...but I thought I would insert that tidbit of information as it pertains to my busy life.

It is always hard to get back into the routine of a new semester at school, but once that routine is figured out it's much less stressful. Now it's making sure I have time for everything I have to do, and then things that I want to do. Wouldn't life be easier if those were the same things?

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On a completely different note, I'm planning to have an appetizer party for my 21st birthday with (hopefully) lots of people. But I need some more ideas for appetizers! Already on my list: Thai Ribs, Spinach & Artichoke dip, Chocolate Fondue (dessert), Stuffed baked potatoes, chili con queso, maybe wings....

Any other ideas? What is your all-time favourite appetizer?