Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve went very well. I was a bit nervous knowing I was going to be meeting a bunch of new family that I had never met before, that in itself is a little scary. But everyone was so nice and loving and made me feel like part of the family already! It was very nice! I even got a few gifts from family I had never met before :)

Christmas Day was amazing as well. Woke up early and had my Papa's blueberry pancakes that i haven't had in a really long time. Then we went to church, which was pretty hard because I miss my grandma a lot and all of her old friends were there. But that is ok. Then we opened more presents at home. Later, I got to meet more people. People who aren't technically family, but may as well be. They're all super nice :)

Boxing Day, for those who don't know, is the day after Christmas. Everything is on sale. So, kind of the same as Black Friday in the States, except we have that too :P Anyway. Joel and I went to the mall to see what kind of deals there were. I got a pair of sweat pants that were originally $35, for $10. They are super comfy :) Then I got my new phone! Got the iPhone 5 for only $30!!!! How awesome is that?!

Hope everyone else had a super amazing Christmas and got to spend lots of time with friends and family.

Final Day of the Trip

We left Lewistown at about 6:15am and made it home by 11. 

The car ride today was pretty uneventful. I slept for a good portion of it. I'm extremely happy to have made it to my new home without any problems with the weather or any trouble at the boarder. 

Now, I just have a lot of paperwork to fill out and figure out and have to meet with people at the University. 

Travel Day #3

Well... I got a full 7 hours of sleep last night, which felt amazing! 

Today we left at 5:50am (Chicago/Minnesota time), always early when traveling with my papa. It was only 8°F out. TOO COLD!!!!! Got to watch the beautiful sunrise at 7:45 temperature dropped to 5°. Of course we were headed west so its completely behind us. Good thing for side mirrors :) We got breakfast at 8 at Burger King, were back on the road in less than 15 minutes, we are people on a mission, if you can't tell! Made it to North Dakota at 9, definitely the land of absolutely NOTHING. I ended up sleeping most of the way through North Dakota. We stopped around noon to have lunch in Dickinson, had Dairy Queen since everywhere else was super busy. I think every fast food place in that town is understaffed, just in case anyone wants to move to North Dakota for work. :) 

Made it to Lewistown, Montana before 5:30pm Mountain time. That means we were on the road for a little over 12 hours. Needless to say, I am sick of being in the car. 

Got dinner at Pizza Hut and now we are just relaxing. 

Weather was cold all day and pretty windy. For a little bit in Montana in snowed lightly, but the roads have been really clear, thankfully. Supposed to get some snow tonight and going to super cold!

The day as whole was pretty uneventful and I napped a LOT. Almost caught up on my sleep from not sleeping at all Thursday night. 

Tomorrow we have about 5 hours in the car, plus however long it takes at the boarder. I'm not really looking forward to dealing with that. Hopefully they decide to be nice for once. 

Will write again tomorrow night!! 

Love you all!! <3

Day #2 of my Trip West

Today went pretty well. Except for the fact that I only got about an hour and a half of sleep last night, and we were in the car leaving Holland at 3AM (Michigan time). As we were leaving Holland, and headed out of Michigan, the weather was a bit scary. Extremely windy and raining like crazy, thankfully it was still warm so none of it froze while we were still in Michigan. The raining stopped once we got through Indiana. Snow started appearing shortly after the rain stopped. We made it to Chicago around 5:30AM (Chicago time, so it took about 3 and a half hours to get there). Around 7AM (Chicago time), we stopped to get gas and have breakfast at McDonald's. That stop was very short. Somewhere between 8 and 8:30 (I ended up taking a nap), we made it to Wisconsin. At 9, we stopped in Wisconsin Dells at another McDonald's to get coffee, after that I called my mom and talked for a bit :) At noon, we stopped in Hudson for lunch, we got Taco Bell. After that we were headed to St. Paul, Minnesota to go see my little Miss Jaden and visit her for a bit in the hospital. We arrived there around 12:45, Jaden was still in PT so we had to wait a few minutes before she got back to her room. It was worth it! She is such a trooper and doing really well in her recovery! I just love seeing her smile. While we were at the hospital, I made up my mind that being a pediatric nurse instead of just an RN is really where my heart lies. Might take an extra year or two of schooling, but I'll figure it all out and it'll be worth it. After the visit with Jaden, we still had 2 hours left in the car until we arrived outside of Brainerd. Around 4 we arrived at the Bardolph's. We had a nice time chatting and catching up and had an amazing dinner. It was pretty hard at first being here without my grandma. The last time I was in this house, she was here too. I miss her like crazy.
After a long 13 hours in the car, a whirlwind of emotions, and next to no sleep, I'm finally sitting in my bed for the night and ready to fall asleep!
Starting our day tomorrow at 6am, have another LONG day in the car ahead of us. 12 hours! We'll be staying the night in Lewistown, Montana (I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's where).
I will write again tomorrow before going to bed!
Hope you enjoy reading about my journey across the country!
Love you all! :)

Day #1 of the Big Trip

Officially moved out of Ionia. Today was an extremely emotional day. Saying goodbye to family and the only life you've ever known can never be easy... can it?
Didn't do much traveling today, just from Ionia to Sparta to have dinner with my dad and siblings and get to say goodbye one last time, now we're in Holland for the night. Going to be leaving bright and early in the morning (3am, so, not too bright) so we're able to miss all the Chicago traffic.
Must try and sleep as much as possible tonight. 11 hours in the car tomorrow, not looking forward to it at all.
Love you all!

Days Like Today...

Really make me realize how few people are actually there for you when you truly need them. Everyone is so quick to be there for you when they need or want something, but they are the same people who are no where to be found when you really just need a shoulder to cry on.
I also realized that in a world like this, you can only trust a few people. Very few people. The others you may think you can trust, but they will just turn around and hurt you.
A good thing I realized is that in this crazy, messed up place we call Earth, there are still a few good people out there. Those are the people I'm very thankful to get to call my best friends. They mean the world to me and I know they'll always be here for me no matter what. Just as I will always be there for them. That's how friendships are supposed to work, and I do my best to make sure that is how they work. :)

As some (probably most) of you know, I'm moving to Canada for school and to start my life. I will be leaving Michigan in 5 days. On my adventure across the country, I'll be taking a lot of pictures and writing blogs every night for anyone who wants to read what happened each day. Once I arrive at my new home, I'll be blogging once a week about how my new life is unfolding. I will also have a goal every week to help better myself and slowly, but successfully mold my life into what I've always wanted it to be.
I really hope to get a few readers, the more the merrier, and to also get comments to let me know I have a support system and possibly suggestions on what I can do differently.

Last thing.
No matter where you and I stand. If we're friends, not friends, complete strangers, anything... I will always be here for you, the only thing I ask in return is that you're here for me. If you ever need someone to talk to, let me know! I'll help in any way possible!
Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend and will go on to have a great week.
Remember, life is a precious gift, don't waste it!
<3

Random thought

God puts everyone in our lives for a reason. That reason usually isn't clear right away, and sometimes never is. Even the people He knows will hurt us. He gives us those people to teach us and to strengthen us.

I'm so sick of everyone saying they care, but doing absolutely nothing to show it. They all expect me to feel good about myself, and be happy. But they are never here for me when I need them. I'm always here for everyone all the damn time, and I don't have anyone here for me. No one keeps the promises they make me, no one does the things they say they will... no one cares unless they want something from me.

Just Smile!

Sometimes when you meet someone, you instantly fall in love with them. You firmly believe that they are the one that you will spend the rest of your life with. When you start dating them, you fall more in love with them each and every day. You give them your all, your entire heart. You would give your life for them, would do anything just to see them happy. In rare cases, they will do the same exact things for you, and will love you unconditionally and love you for all of your faults. They will give you the world, and never leave you no matter how hard things get. However, there are more times when they will make you think that they are like that. Make you believe that they will give you the world and love you forever no matter what happens. And one day they change their mind. With no warning signs, without talking to you about it, they decide they can not stay with you. Not necessarily that they do not love you anymore, but that it is just in their best interests to no longer be with you, and to let you go and travel down their own path. You can not make them stay nor change their mind. As much as you want to, you just can not. It kills like no other, and makes you feel like your life is over, and like you will never find anyone who makes you as happy as they once did. But that is not true. 

The guy I have been dating just broke up with me yesterday. I did not really get a straight reason as to why, but I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that I am going to be moving 2,000 miles away in a little under a month. It kills me to know that I am no longer with him, he really is an amazing guy and I was so very happy with him. But, everything happens for a reason and I just have to keep telling myself that it will all end up alright in the end. Sometimes relationships just do not work out, it is not fun, it is not easy, but it happens. A lot. If you find yourself in this situation, and feel like you no longer have any hope in the world to be happy, do not worry, you are not alone. The best thing to do is to surround yourself with friends and keep your mind busy and off of the things that make you sad. I have my closest friends (actually my only friends) on speed dial, they all know what is going on, and have all told me that I can call, text, Facebook, or Skype them whenever I need to. I have also been keeping myself busy. I am in the middle of making a baby quilt for my baby sister that is on the way, and I decided to make a bowl today, just because I did not want to think about the break up. 

Keep your head up! Things seem tough now, but they will not stay this tough forever. 

As my "fat kid" (what he calls himself) told me earlier, "I can't tell you why you hurt, but I can tell you that hurt doesn't last forever". I will leave you on that note, and let you think about that and keep it in mind when you feel as low as I did earlier. 

And... 

Boys vs Men

How to tell if you have a man in your life, or just a boy. 

Men...

And boys.

'Nuff said. 

Just kidding... well, sort of. 

The difference between boys and men has nothing to do with their physical age, and everything to do with their mental age and their state of mind. It also has a lot to do with the way they were raised. 

Here is just a comparison chart that I came up with:

Now, a few of these may have exceptions, and there are a TON more differences, but these are just some of them. I don't know about you, but I would MUCH rather have a man in my life than a boy.

My original Facebook status that sort of inspired this:

"A boy tells lies, makes you fall for him 

then doesn't catch you, leaves you when things get tough, 

doesn't have a job, car, or his own place, 

(there are exceptions to that), 

talks badly about his mother, is overly guarded about having feelings, is focused on sex. 

A man, has a full time job, a reliable vehicle, 

has his own place, takes care of his mom just 

because he can, not because he has to, 

loves his family to no end, does random cute/romantic 

things just to let you know he's thinking 

about you, sticks around no matter what 

(even if you're moving 2,000 miles away from him), 

will do anything to make things work, 

loves you to no end, and isn't afraid to show it, 

and would rather just spend time with you 

and be silly and make you happy than focus on sex.

I would soooo much rather have a MAN!"

Well, whoever is reading this, I hope you like it :) I'm going to really try to start doing this once a week! 

Dangers of Facebook...

It is okay to have fun, that is not the problem. When people start posting pictures of their friends drinking, when everyone in the picture is under 21, that is the problem...

When you post a picture on Facebook, the whole world has access to it. Even if you set it to private, people can still find it and make it so anyone can see it. Pictures and posts are on the internet FOREVER! No, I am not perfect and sometimes post things that others may not agree with, but I do not post things about underage drinking or doing illegal drugs.

It really upsets me to know that people today do not care about anything. When someone is saying things about you that you do not like, it is ok to not care about what they are saying. But when the not caring is about future employers and people who mean a lot to you, that starts messing with how your life is going to end up... 


Please start using your head before posting something that could potentially ruin something for you... just use your head before you post anything. Its really not that hard. 


It is ok to go have fun, it is not ok to do illegal things, and it is really not ok to mess up your future by posting about the illegal things on the internet.

http://acreelman.blogspot.com/2010/12/think-before-you-post.html

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...you should go to the nearest store, get some sugar, and make lemonade (using water and ice from home). Then, sell it and make a profit from your free lemons. :)


In other words, when are faced with an obstacle, take that obstacle and make the best out of it. That way, the end result will be that much sweeter.


Always make the best out of every situation, no matter how hard it may be.

http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/dwlemons-make_lemonade.htm

Staying Motivated

No matter what you are trying to accomplish, it can be extremely difficult to stay motivated and stay on the right track to reach your goal. One of the main ways to help keep yourself motivated is to constantly have reminders of what the end result is and to have a trustworthy support system. 


If you are trying to lose weight, have someone you can depend on to be there for you, workout with you, and encourage you to eat well. This person should be someone you trust 100%, someone you can take constructive criticism from if you start slacking or are getting farther from your goal. You can also purchase an outfit that you want to fit in after you have lost the weight you want to and hang it up somewhere that you will see it every day. That outfit will remind you each day of what you are trying to accomplish, and it is a positive reminder.


A support system and positive reminders are both good ways to help keep yourself motivated and keep yourself on the right track to achieve anything in life you want to do. 

http://name-fame.com/wordpress/tag/self-motivation/

How to Win a Girl's Heart:

I am not materialistic, but there are things a guy can do that are sure to win my heart over. They are pretty simple too, and a lot of them will work for other girls as well :)

1. Show you care, don't just say you do... Actions speak louder than words
2. When she tells you things about her (favorite color, food, movie...etc.) pay attention, remember them, and surprise her later on with something that has to do with that information
3. Take her out in public... if she's anything like me, she won't care if it is just to a park or even McDonald's! She just want to know she is important enough to you that you WANT to take her out and show her off to your friends
4. If you do take her out somewhere fancy or buy her something expensive, do not hold it over her head for months after, that was your choice, she most likely did not ask you to
5. Do not hide things from her... Most times she will not care if you want to hang out with a friend of yours that is a girl, as long as you are honest about it
6. Get her flowers! (unless she is allergic) Even if she will not admit to it, most girls really do love flowers. Even if you are just on your way to her house and see some on the side of the road, stop and pick some. It does not matter where you got them, it is the thought that counts
7. Do not give her a reason to think you are hiding something from her. Deleting messages, hiding your phone, acting strange when you tell her where you were, those things are signs that you are not being honest. Girls do not investigate a situation without having reasons to (generally)
8. If you want to know something about her, just ask her. Do not beat around the bush or just expect her to tell you. She more than likely wants you to ask her questions, especially in the early stages of a relationship
9. Do NOT try and pressure her to have sex, she will when she is ready. It is okay to ask, but if she says no, leave it be for a little while. She will let you know when she is ready. In the mean time, cuddle with her and watch a movie. Let her know you will not leave just because she does not want to have sex right then
10. If you do not love her, do not tell her you do. It will get her hopes up and break her heart when you leave. If you do love her, tell her and show her! Prove to her that you are not like other guys and that you will not hurt her or leave her. Be her prince in shining armor! 

http://www.aaanything.net/40518/pictorial/quotes-pictorial/wise-quotes/

Having a Bad Day?

Trust me, you are not the only one. Everyone in the world has things go wrong now and then. Unfortunately, it is a simple, slightly irritating part of life. There is no way to avoid having a bad day, what matters is how you deal with it.
Some constructive ways to deal with stress and/or a bad day:

• Talk to someone you can trust 100%, tell them everything that is on your mind
• Start a journal, it can be just as effective as talking to someone, but you're the only one who will read it
• Go for a walk/jog/run, helps get your mind off things AND it is good for your body
• If you have a dog, play with it, they are generally able to put a smile on your fast faster than any human could
• Babysit, kids say the most random things that can make your day a lot better
• Watch a movie, funny or sad
• Let yourself cry, crying is cleansing, you may feel tired after but you usually also feel a lot better
• Last but not least, always remember, "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end"

http://www.balorina.se/sv/citat/517-everything-will-be-okay-if-it-s-not-okay-it-s-not-the-end.html

Things I Like About Life

1. You really can not take it(life) too seriously, no one makes it out alive anyway :P
2. Even when things are tough, it could always be worse
3. Smiling is contagious
4. So is laughing
5. After every storm comes a rainbow
6. Thunderstorms are cleansing and refreshing
7. When you live in Michigan, you are never too far from a body of water
8. If you do not feel like being around people, you can always get a dog, they are just as much fun and do not talk back
9. We are no longer expected to be married with a family at the age of 16
10. With the technology we have today, we are able to connect with people instantly, even if they are half way around the world.
11. Best view in Michigan...
    Lake Michigan at sunset!

Taken by me Summer 2010

Day one:

Not quite sure how to start this... So I am just going to wing it! :)

Since I am now done with high school, and moving on to the next step in my life, I thought I would try something new. 

I want this blog to be something positive that anyone and everyone can read. Each day I will find an inspiring quote, take an inspiring picture (or find one), or list some reasons why life is truly good. I just might throw in some extra things along the way. 

Since this is my first post, I will start with something simple:

I have seen way too many people giving up on their dreams because of social influence or because their family did not approve. This really makes me sad. Everyone should be encouraged to chase after his/her dreams. 

If you have a dream, go after it! Do not let anyone tell you your dream is "stupid", or that you will never make it. Anything can be possible with some faith and a lot of hard work!

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1366&bih=643&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=kh1A25THqjLtMM:&imgrefurl=http://manifestomedia.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspirational-quote.html&docid=CJ5Xw9l2cp_1tM&imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-LZxhXlNXY/SciHsOuQBZI/AAAAAAAAKBc/lRjZuoCO85A/s400/inspirational-quotes.jpg&w=400&h=294&ei=xlrXT-rSMcSM8gG5mviNBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1063&vpy=182&dur=3841&hovh=192&hovw=262&tx=142&ty=103&sig=105067118331325800539&page=1&tbnh=126&tbnw=170&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0,i:156