The One Where We Reminisce

A year ago today, I began the greatest adventure of my life. I had no idea what my time in London would bring, and as I stood there naive to the impact my experience would have on my life I took the first steps and boarded that plane. The rest is history. I made memories that I will always hold dear, but I made friendships that I will hold even closer.

Tonight, we all reunited to celebrate the fact that our great journey began a year ago. It was simply refreshing to all be together again. There is a connection with these people I will never share with anyone else. We all shared our favorite memories and simply reminisced on our time spent together in Londontown. Although we have all been pulled in numerous directions since returning, we picked up right where we left off. We are a family. See.

Here's to London and all it gave us... including each other.

It's All In How You View It

Oh my, so much has happened. I do this every time... I never really share the end of my adventures. I would like to blame it on time, but it is really so much more. It’s hard. You know? Endings are not my favorite things, and it seems the past year has thrown so many in my direction. London ended. Junior year ended. Apartment life ended. Relationships ended. Lives ended. To be honest, it has been hard. Maybe that is why I never share the end, but I learn so many things about life, myself, and others through all of these closings of chapters. I need to be reminded of that often; these experiences have molded me. They have changed everything about me. These endings lead to new beginnings, and for that I am beyond grateful.

The current new beginning is... are you ready for this? SENIOR YEAR. That’s right kids; this girl had her first day of senior year today. It is such an exciting beginning; I cannot wait to spend this year with some of the people I care about most in this world. I am living with my dear friends Brooke and Caroline again, and we also have a new roommate, Sarah. I have been reunited with the people I missed most, and many hugs, stories, and laughter have already been exchanged. I am beyond ready to share my life with these friends again. They mean the world to me.

My friendships are one of the most important aspects of this college life to me, but my classes are also pretty intriguing this semester. I am taking a forensic psychology course, social dance (that’s right... we get to wobble in class), North American landscapes, physiological psychology, and my senior research. Sounds like a legit semester to me. Right? It is crazy to look back at how my interests have changed. I mean I fell in love with geography this past semester... who would have thought that the girl who once got so lost she had to simply follow the hospital signs till her mom could come pick her up would declare a geography minor? Not me, that’s for sure.

Anyways, I am beyond ready for senior year and all it has to offer. Come at me. 

Here's to seeing a new beginning and not an ending. 

Seeking

The world is so vast. 

I want to change it. impact it. better it. desperately. 

This is my passion. 

How will I do this?

I am seeking... 

Sometimes You Just Have To Treat Yourself

 It’s been a week, and I still am at a loss for words to describe Tonja’s visit to the Magic City. I am pretty sure I could not do it justice, so I have decided to just use some of her own words to paint the picture. Brace yourself.  

“Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.” Jane Marie gets the credit for this, but Tonja decided to make it her life motto for the weekend."

“We have taken over this place... you two take over everywhere you go.”

“Queen Tatiana (umm... your name is Tonja...) needs some water... I mean could you put some more ice cubes in it”

“Will this make it on the blog?”

“Oh, you better not put this on the blog Christine Pappas!”

“He was very nice, but he is no Rex.”

“I would pay $80 to see her in Vegas!”

“Is this the world’s largest Krispy Kreme?”

“Oh, you shouldn’t come here at night Christine...”

“Her voice... her laugh... I hope you’re not like her when you grow up Christine.”

Well, those are just a few of the gems Tonja left me with. She is truly the best.

Here’s to a mother’s wisdom...

Hear my cry

I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2

Enjoying the Moments

"Stop. Slow down. Enjoy the moment. We are making memories, Christine." I can not tell you how many time my mother has said these words to me. It is true... I do get caught up in reaching the goal and often miss the small things.

As I have reached adulthood, I must say these moments are slowly taking precedence over the larger outcome. This visit home had no particular "goal," but that allowed for me to slow down and take in all of these smaller moments. Here are just a few.

I held baby Maddex for the first time! He immediately stole my heart, and I can not wait to watch him grow into a man. I must confess, I have never found myself attached to a baby. I could take or leave them but not Maddex... He hooked me instantly.

I spent an entire day with one of my favorite people in the world, Abbie Roberts. We canned pears, made dinner, did some crafts, and ended on a meaningful discussion. The Roberts family is one of the biggest blessings I have, and I cherish each one of them.

Tonj and I had more simple moments this trip then we ever had. We watched the opening ceremonies, got pedicures, saw a movie, had breakfast together, shopped a little, and simply laughed. It was joyous from start to finish.

There you have it. Just a few of the memories from this weekend. There were so many more great moments, and the trip was a great reminder to slow down and appreciate all the little moments.

It is funny how the words I once rolled my eyes at are the ones defining who I am and who I want to be.

Here's to stopping and enjoying the moment for all it has to offer.