For Friends...

"Crisis breeds camaraderie. It turns total strangers into cherished confidants. We're relieved to discover someone whose experience bears a striking resemblance to our own. It gladdens us to know we're not alone. We will always enjoy our childhood friends, but when we grow up, our needs change and God provides friends of a different kind- friends who are formed in the School of Hard Knocks, companions who've come from the classroom life. "

from Hugs for Friends

"A good friend isn't surprised by your mistakes. She expects them. Somewhere, fairly early in the relationship, a good friend will find out the truth about you. She'll witness your weaknesses firsthand. And it's at this point that your friend, if she's really a good friend, will decide to stick by you anyway."

from Hugs for Friends

Two of my very best guy friends are getting into photography. So to help them build their portfolio they asked if they could do a "photo shoot". So of course I agreed, and I invited Suzie (the boys love her too!) So this evening off we went. They took a ton of pictures and they turned out AMAZING! These are two of our favorites but there will be plenty more coming from both of their collections from the day.

Thanks boys again! You guys are great!!!

Bitter Sweet

So for those of you who know me, you know that running is an extremely important part of my life. I have been running and/or coaching now for 9-10 years and I enjoy every second of it (yes I know that sounds completely insane)! So I sit here tonight torn about what I need to do with the decision I have on the line. Most of you know that this is my senior year at Winona State. I have spring semester of classes and then next fall I will be student teaching. Here comes my decision...I will have some NCAA eligibility left after this season, do I try to run and student teach at the same time-or will Saturday be my last actual race that I ever run? I have given myself many different ultimatums, however next fall I wouldn't be able to go to any practices and I would only be able to run in Saturday meets...is it worth it? From what I have heard on numerous occasions is that student teaching runs your life (which is understandable), I think I know what my answer is but I just hate to face the reality of it. For as long as I have said that I just want to move on to the next point of my life, I do. However, this is the one piece of my youth I would love to hold on to. 

Any advice or insight that might make me feel better would be much appreciated! As of 7:30am tomorrow I am going to be off to South Dakota to run in the NSIC Conference Championships...wish me luck! But like I said, any insight would be amazing!

F-R-I-E-N-D

F- a friend never fails to be faithful, even when others falter. She won't say, "You're fat," (even if you are) or focus on your flaws. She is the first to point out your finest features. A friend will fortify your fragile frame. She will free you to flourish. A friend will never forsake you. 

R- a friend is a rare and ready rock you can run to in the rain. He will rescue you from rushing rivers- regardless. He will revive your heart, refresh your soul, and reassure you of rapid recovery.

I- a friend is not impatient or impolite. She will inquire about your day and include you in her plans. She will identify your most incredible ideas and ingenious innovations. A friend is interesting, inspiring, and indispensable. She is the keeper of your most intimate secrets. 

E- a friend is a friend till the end. He is eager to listen and easy to talk with. He's your most energetic encourager. A friend will embrace you even in the midst of your most embarrassing encounters. 

N- a friend will not nag (unless it is absolutely necessary). Naturally, she knows your deepest needs and is also nice enough to nudge you when you're neglecting your nest, being too nosy, or contemplating nonsense. 

D- a friend is devoted and dependable. Her destiny is to divert you from defeat, and her devices for depression usually involve the delicious. It's a friend's divine duty to drown your disappointments and dispose of your dismay, and many times she does it in a most delightful way! 

from Hugs for Friends

This is just a little something I found and enjoyed a lot. I have found myself lately struggling more and more to figure out who is really there for me and who isn't. It amazes me that the people you never expected to stay by your side are the ones who are there, and the ones that you thought you would have for your lifetime leave you. Although when you have your "best friend", you are supposed to be able to let your guard down. I believe that there are VERY few people in a persons life that you can let your guard down with. So as harsh as this may sound just know that sometimes in life, no matter how close you are to someone...it may never be safe to completely let your guard down. 

Weekend Get Away

So this update is WAY past due! I have been so busy with school and cross country that I haven't had time for ANYTHING! However, that is why this last weekend was so great! This past weekend I didn't have a cross country meet, so I agreed to travel to Milwaukee and Chicago with Suzie Thursday-Sunday. We had the time of our lives! We arrived to Milwaukee late on Thursday night. We were both running behind because of our school schedules and packing, and then we had to stop in Madison to pick up her brother. So as soon as we arrived, we unpacked a little and got ready for bed. 

On Friday morning Suz and I woke up and got ready for the day. We went to the library (a very nice one at that), and then began our travel to downtown Chicago to tour Roosevelt University (a graduate school for Suzie). We made it with plenty of time to spare. We decided to do a little bit of exploring and went to Millennium Park. It was so nice because it just right across the street. I had never been there before...so I got to have my first experience at "The Bean".

This is "The Bean". It is a massive mirrored bean. It was really cool! Suz and I (as you will see below) had quite a bit of time to take some photos. We took so many! Below is one of our favorites!

Suz and I took a lot of great pictures, but here is one of the favorites!

Being in Millennium Park, I wanted to see the venue for concerts. Of course, it was right next to The Bean so it was very simple. Seeing this venue makes me want to go there some day to see one of my favorite concerts (perhaps DMB). It was a beautiful day, and it is open to the public. There were so many people just laying out and reading to enjoy the nice weather. 

Finally we made it to the tour of the school. This was a view from the Library on the 10th floor. There was a lot of history that goes along with that school. It was founded by President Roosevelt, and it was the first Hotel/Auditorium with electricity. So not only is it a Chicago landmark, but it is a national one as well. So if you are ever bored...google: Auditorium Theatre Hotel.

After the tour, we met with a friend and went for the infamous Chicago style pizza at one of the best pizza places in Chicago. We then ventured home and had MANY interesting experiences on the drive home...(no not scary ones, just some that were very ironic for Suz and me.) The rest of the weekend we celebrated her dad's birthday, went out with my sister and a friend in downtown Milwaukee, and attended her cousin's wedding reception. We had a BLAST! It was a much needed weekend away!

Barack Obama

The other day when receiving the news that Barack Obama was going to be in La Crosse, I made the decision that I was either going to camp out to make sure I could actually see the speech, or I was going to go there around 4:00am. Needless to say, we didn't camp out because there was only one group there last night. So this morning at 4:15ish Jake and I ventured off to downtown La Crosse. Jake was excited to see Obama, but needless to say wasn't too thrilled about leaving so early. 

Once we got there, we realized that it was the perfect time to go. There were only a few people in front of us in line. Also, it was perfect because shortly after we got there the line began to grow. It ended up (like I said above) that we chose the perfect time to go because we got FRONT ROW!I have always been an Obama supporter, however, I never really realized how amazing of a man he really is. Today was an extremely inspiring day for me. After listening to him speak about the future of our country if he is the one to become the next President of the United States, I now have no worries. Yes, as Americans we do have numerous difficult years ahead of us, he is a great new face that has given me hope.

Me with Obama speaking in the background.

He spoke about the state of the economy today, the future of the young kids and adults, the future of education, and our future as Americans. We have learned that this is not going to be an easy road, but after all there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

The best part of waking up so early was not only getting to hear an amazing person speak to me and my other fellow Americans about our futures, but also getting to shake his hand....TWICE!

Apartment

As most of you know, Jake and I moved in together in March. I have yet to get pictures up for those of you who haven't seen it. I finished taking some pictures (I hope they turn out ok). They aren't in any particular order, but here they are...

We live in a BRAND NEW complex. This is the view from the outside!

This is the view when you walk into the door.

When you walk into the door, this is the kitchen. It is on the right as you walk in.

These next few are of the living room.

These are of the bedroom. There is a bathroom that connects to the bedroom as well. Those are the pictures below.

This is the second bedroom. We have turned it into the office.

This bathroom connects to the office and the living room. We have recently turned it into a Badger bathroom....GO BADGERS!

Right off of our living room we have a deck/balcony (as you can see others in the picture). We put a table and chairs out there so we can enjoy it out there in the nice weather. We also have a beautiful view. The only thing Jake doesn't like is the fertilizer they use on the fields across the highway (swine manure). It's not that bad...I promise!

This is the gazebo out on the front lawn. The have put a table, chairs, ceiling fan, and lights out there so we are able to enjoy it for a get together at night.

As you can see, in the Fall and Winter we have a BEAUTIFUL view of the sunset. There will be plenty more pictures of this. Lately they have just been amazing.

This is the apartment for the most part. Believe it or not, we also have our own laundry room! There are a few things I didn't photograph to put in here though. We do have an underground heated parking garage...wonderful for the wonderful winters in Wisconsin. We also have a fitness center and hot tub for any one's use. Not too many people use it, so that's nice. They also have a "community room" on the first floor. It is a huge room with a massive kitchen, leather couches, big TV, fireplace, and a lot of seating for get togethers. Jake and I had Easter there this year and it worked out wonderfully. Each floor also has its own small community room with couches, bookshelves, and other things to occupy you if you just need to get out of your apartment. 

I personally don't feel that these pictures give it all the justice, but it is a good little glimpse of what is home.

Also as many of you can see, we are still in the need of some decorations to cover the white walls! If you have any suggestions that would be GREAT! (Kim, you may need to help me on this one!)

Little Green Monster

Yesterday I was on my way home from running errands and I thought I would call Kim to see what they were up to. It had been WAY too long since I had seen Bennett, so I wanted to visit. She told me to come on over. When I got there, he was as happy as can be. We played for about an hour or so. I even got to see his ADORABLE Halloween costume!

Everything was going great...until I took my eyes off of him to talk to Ryan and Bennett who was standing up holding on to the table fell straight back and hit his head (really hard at that) on the floor.  :(     I have never heard him scream like that. I felt horrible!!! Not only was he getting cranky because he was over tired, but now his head was throbbing because he hit it on the floor. Good job Auntie Kelly...