More Traveling?!?!

(Caution: the photos uploaded backwards... just work with me on this one!!)

You know me, I can't stay put for too long!! As if traveling for almost 2 months this summer wasn't enough, I've already been on 3 trips since being home (in between closing on the sale of my house, moving to a new apartment, interview for a new job, registering for grad classes). The first was the first weekend I was hope to Noel, Missouri for a float trip (see previous post).

Tommy's 21st birthday was at the end of August. I thought that sounded like the perfect excuse to hop on a plane and visit my Georgetown friends. I left on Friday, August 28th for DC!

I'm slightly in love with this GIANT green chair. Naturally, I made Kevin take a series of photos of Jo and I on the chair... and then I couldn't get down :)

REUNION!!!!!!! Oh ya, Happy 21st Tommy!!

Jo was so excited when I made her do fun tourist things around DC on Saturday afternoon

I forgot how beautiful DC was!

Jo and I posing... What you don't see if the creepy Brazilian that wanted his photo taken with us for taking our photo..

How could I forget that Jo likes to document my "creeper" moments. And my creeper count was only 4 for the entire weekend... Thanks guy! :)

I live there..

View of DC from the Washington Memorial

Camera set up in the Washington to film Ted Kennedy's funeral procession

I kept saying I needed to get out in Indiana before school/work got too busy. I had my graduate orientation on Wednesday, August 19th. Orientation got over at 8 PM.... and I called Sarah up and told her I was on my way (Yup, I started a 450 mile, 8 hour roadtrip at 8PM.. not considering it was 9PM in Indiana). With the help to several friends that entertained me on the phone.. I arrived at Sarah's a little past 4 AM. I spent all day with Sarah on Thursday doing our usual shopping and pedicure routine. I stopped by my grandma's that evening for her typical "Happy Hour" (Yup, she's a baller) before heading back to Sarah's house. We had plans to go hit the college town specials to catch up with old friends. I love visiting Indiana and seeing everyone!!! On Friday, Sarah and I had lunch with my grandma before doind a little (uh huh.. little?) bit more shopping. I stopped by my grandma's Friday evening to show off my pictures before heading up to Greenwood to see Mandy, Chris, and the boys. We had a low key Friday, playing games and chilling in the hot tub. On Saturday, I went to watch Jake's first flag football game. I seriously love the innocence of sports at the age of 6!! Our little MVP scored 3 touchdowns!! Mandy and I decided to head to the outlet mall Saturday afternoon (notice a trend of what I do in Indy!?!). On Saturday night, we built a bonfire and sat around hanging out. I love my time with the Becherts and they are one main reason I would consider going back to Indy some day!

Two of my favorite boys in the entire world!!

Mandy and I

I had brunch with Jeanie and her crew on Sunday morning before meeting Sarah and her parents for lunch. Sadly, I headed back to Kansas City Sunday night (just in time to start work and school on Monday!!). I might have taken a little break in St. Louis to see Ian!!

The travel continues!!

August 19-23: Indiana

August 28-30: Washington DC

September 4-8: VEGAS

September 25-27: Huntington Beach, CA

October 2-5: Austin, TX

More stories to come :)

I'm Still Out Here!

Hello Blog, oh how I've missed you!! Life has been a huge whirlwind since I have returned to the states. I have started my blog about my last week in Australia (hint: learning to scuba dive, sky diving, white water rafting through the rain forest, and a scenic flight), but have not had time to attach pictures (Thank you Internet for being fast enough again!!!).

It was hard to say goodbye to all the amazing friends I met this summer. From the time we left Cairns, Australia until we finally reached Kansas City International (Sarah stopped in KC to spend the night before flying on to Indy), 28 hours had elapsed. How weird is this: I watched the sun"rise" twice in 2 different hemispheres on the same day. Freaky huh?? Sarah and I did nothing but relax (And cure my crazing for Minsky's Cheeseburger Pizza and Diet Dr. Pepper!!) on Monday evening. I dropped her off at the airport and headed up to Maryville. In case you missed the earlier post, my house sold and was set to close on July 31st. Mind you I returned to the states on July 27th and had yet to pack up anything in the house.... Standard :)



Selling the house was a great feeling. It was the last step before I could completely close the book on my "old" life. I still stand by every decision I've made in the past 6 months and feel like I've finally gotten my life more of where I want it. I hurried up and got the house packed up (but not without help from my dad and brother!).

Since being home, I have participated in another Race for the Cure. I have decided I'm going to make it a goal to participate (run or walk) in a RFTC in every state before my mom's 10th anniversary. After this September, I will have hit 3 states already (Indiana 4/09, Missouri 8/09, California 9/09). I have slightly over 4 years to achieve my goal. With my traveling record, I'm up for the challenge!

I've always wanted to run through the fountains at Crown Center...

Great attendance KC!!!

The "would be" weekend has come (and now gone) since I have been home as well. Having the amazing friends I have, we decided to go on a float trip in South Missouri for the weekend. We packed up on a Friday evening (a total of 5 cars full!!) and drove the 4 hours to Noel, Missouri. I had never been on a float trip before and boy was I in for a treat!! No details needed, but it was the perfect way to spend the weekend!!

Taking a break to jump off a rock

Party Foul!! :)

Water balloon wars...

I've had more life updates!! I'm starting to think my father was right when he declared it a full time job to keep up with me.

To begin with, after a series of unfortunate events, I have moved AGAIN!! This is officially my 3rd apartment in Kansas City since January. I have moved to an apartment that is off the Plaza. I'm so much in love with it and have had a BLAST picking out furniture and decorations. It really adds to my life change to be able to create my own perfect apartment. Mandy is coming out for the weekend to help me decorate my little place. Chris bought her a plane ticket when I called the wedding off (standby in case I needed ANYTHING) and we decided it would be perfect for her to use it to come out here and help me decorate the new place. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a puppy, but I've decided I need to slow down a little bit before getting a dog.

I also met with my advisor at UMKC and got settled into a schedule for the fall semester. I am taking a total of 12 hours, 3 accounting classes and an entrepreunership. I have class on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-9:45 and Thursday from 7:00-9:45. It is really fitting that UMKC's mascot is a Kangaroo :)

As if all of that isn't enough... I started a full time job as well!! I'm working in Lenexa, Kansas for RTS Financial, a factoring business. Without boring you all too much, basically I'm an account representative that handle everything from purchasing receivables, mailing out invoices, doing minor collections, and keeping good customer service with my clients. I start grad school and my new job all on the same day. So far, it's been working out just fine working and going to school. I really enjoy the new people I've met at work and school!!

I promise I won't be a stranger for this long again!! :)