Well, let's just start with the bad news. I got bottom braces on Thursday. Well, at first I was told I would not have to get bottom braces at all. Then uhhh I guess right after I got back from Christmas they confirmed that on April 1st my bottom teeth would be bogged down by metal brackets. So I go in on Tuesday expecting the worst. Only to come out with spacers and brackets, because the lady who scheduled my appointment did NOT have me come in first for spacers. Then I had to go back thursday to get the wire put in the brackets...OH AND RUBBER BANDS!!! That is right, I have rubber bands going from the inside of my top molars to the outside of my bottom molars. This, my friends, is NOT a fun thing. Overall summary, I have been miserable for the past three days in which I have not eaten anything and have not slept much, either. I do have a saving grace in Abilene, my boss/ close, close friend/second mom (Shelly....remember that name because I'm not going to keep repeating out long connection every time) who brought me a protein shake and a little medicine to get me through Saturday, because I begged her not to come in and hang out at home. So pray for the braces, because I am going to be VERY tempted to just take the rubber bands out, like I did this afternoon---SO much relief.



Today was phenomenal. Confession: I havent really been to church this semester. I fell into the trap of "I go to chapel three times a week (I have an exemption for T/Th for work) and Sunday is my only day to sleep in and get anything done." I was talking to Shelly about it a few weeks ago and how I feel bad about it, but I have never been one to go by myself or to be the third wheel of a couple. Come to find out---she generally goes by herself because her son oversleeps and her husband is kind of sparatic in the whole thing. So this morning was my first time to go. We went to Pioneer Baptist Church and attended The Gathering. It was a very interesting experience for me. I was really uptight at first because there were two boys on stage playing the guitars and one on the bongos (?), which I am obviously not use to. A gentle hand found it's way to my back and I leaned over and admitted to Shelly that this was my first time at a church with musical instruments. To this, she giggled and said not to think about that just to worship like I always do. So I started to follow the motherly directions and found out that I really did like it. During meet and greet a nice boy from Hardin-Simmons introduced himself to me and we kind of hit it off. Which was even more comforting to me that they like to make an effort there. We are going to another church next week and then will see if we like on a lot more than the other. It was good and felt good to be back in a real church again.

Then after we took a quick trip to Walmart, Shelly brought me back to my apartment and I changed clothes and took of to Sonic before going out to Hawley for Austin's (Shelly's son) play day. Play day is something totally out of my comfort zone, again. Basically, it is where kids as young as 2 (accompanied by parents, of course) to older adults ride their horses in different events to keep their horses in practice for bigger events. I rode a horse today, and I am pretty sure it was the first time I have ever done that..and I only did it because Austin asked me to. It was amazing what they can make horses do...and the horses are so gentle. A water fight broke out between me, Austin, and his girlfriend by the end and it was just an amazing time. I never would have thought I would be out in the country, on a horse, watching races...weird.


Lesson of today: Stepping out of my comfort zone can be a very good thing!

I think I have blogged on this recently, but it seems to be the biggest thing on my mind. When i was growing up, I had responsibilities, but none were every make or break deals. The world wouldnt come off its axis if I didnt clean my room, no one would have emotional breakdowns if I didnt unload this dishwasher. Mom did laundry, Mom cooked, and I didnt work til the Spring Break of my senior year.

I sat down last night after a phone conversation with my boss/second mom/closest friend in Abilene and realized what exactly I have been doing this past semester.
I take being emotional support as being one of my biggest responsibilities. It is definitely not a needed one, but it is one that I took on a couple of months ago and am in no way willing to give up now. Its to the point where I feel needed and every girl likes to feel needed, especially when I'm only 21 years old. It has been a rough road and a few have questioned my loyalty to this situation. But its for the friendship, its for the person who I know will be there for me whenever I need even though she is having a hard time, and it is for the love that I rarely give out. I am here to stay til the end.

Work is a totally different thing. I have somewhat become head manager due to some unforeseen (okay i saw them coming) circumstances. We still have the same manager and she is doing as much as she can, but I have been picking up the pieces for a couple of weeks. At first I was really overwhelmed with all the new responsibility, but now I realize it is just getting me ready for the future. I mean, I graduate in a year and a month... gotta start getting things under control. Im working about 36 or 37 hours a week. It isnt as bad as last year, but it gets busy.

School is good. Like it a lot. Still able to concentrate on it. Taking 15 hours. What else is there to say? I mean, thats a responsibility.

Next semester is going to be good. I will go to school for 18 hours, observe about 70 hours in the semester, and work about 24 hours a week. My boss said she isnt going to let me work that much, but I will be done every day at 6....just like I am now....so I'll work that much.



I just make myself laugh when I look at how much I am taking on. Never in HS would I have thought I would be doing as uch as I am now. I dont think anyone who knew me would have imagined it. lol.



Its a good thing, responsibility