North Carolina, you better raise up!

AHH, I love North Carolina so far. We are living in a small-ish town called Goldsboro. It's the biggest town I lived in since leaving home, but it is still lacking a lot of fun. However, we are living in possibly the coolest house EVER. It was built a loooonnnggg time ago by a very eccentric man. And you can tell by the decor. (pictures to come!)

While we are here we are working for Habitat for Humanity. Building two houses, and LOVING IT. Our sponsors are absolutely amazing. I am learning so many new skills, that will help me when I become a homeowner. For instance, the other day, Matt and I built and entire deck. Anyone in need of a deck? I can build you one!

For Memorial Day weekend, my team leader, two teammates, and I took a vacation to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina to soak up some rays. Atlantic Beach is the cutest beach town I have ever seen. And they have a killer aquarium that costs only 8 dollars!!! If you are ever looking for a place to vacay, choose Atlantic Beach.

I really love working with Habitat for Humanity. Just the other day, I was working along side the future homeowner of the home we were working on. You could tell how excited he was to have such an amazing opportunity presented in his life. Habitat is not only an amazing corporation, but it is an amazing life changer. Get out in your community and find a local Habitat for Humanity to volunteer at. It is well worth it.

They tell me I'm {beautiful}

Going into Americorps there was a lot I didn't know. A LOT.

But one thing I defintely did not know, was that my confidence would be sky rocketing.

Complete strangers tell me I am beautiful.

They tell me I am beautiful when I haven't even tried.

They tell me I am beautiful every day. 

And the reason they do it is not because they feel like they have to, but because they want to. 

The word beautiful has never been said to me this many times by virtual strangers.

I don't know what I did to deserve this sort of princess treatment.

The people of Americorps NCCC are special, lovely people that I wouldn't be happy without. 

The people are what makes the program so enjoyable.

Amanda and Taylor. My girls. My support.

Destine to be BFFs since we first Facebooked! <3

My main boys. George and Brendyn.

Matt. Teammate and awesome friend.

Some of my favorites before a night out in Vicksburg.

Nick. The best hugger EVER

Joe. <3 <3 <3 

Katelyn! The first person I met in the airport. Sweetest girl ever.

Class 19. The best class ever. Love them all.

arrival in the new place

Hey everyone, I have finally made it to my destionation in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The first couple of days have been emotional, hectic, fun, and insanely tireing.

The feeling of homesickness is not fun. Let me tell you.

And I am only 3 days in.

Even though I know this is good and all, I am scared, worried, and also, sick.

I will keep everybody updated with what I am doing as soon as I start the fun things.

So far it has been all classwork, paperwork, and SHOTS.

I have met some really cool people though, so that's awesome.

flight itineraries & three days.

Although I am leaving in a mere three days, I have just barley received my flight information.

They like to keep ya on your toes, I guess!

I am very excited to start this adventure and boarding three different planes in one day.

Twin Falls -- Salt Lake -- Dallas -- Jackson -- Vicksburg

And even though I am feeling sad, happy, a little bit frustrated, and a lotta unpreparedness, I know that everything is going to work out. 

And since I do only have three days, I am going to make them the most stupendous three days ever.

Starting right after 4 p.m. today.

I hope that I find time to see each lovely face of my closest friends.

I am going to try my very hardest.

And ready or not

Monday will come

I will jump on that plane

then another

then another

and make it to Mississippi

where my dreams will be realized

and my passion will be renewed

I can't wait.

‎1 week. 7 days. 168 hours. 10,080 minutes. 604,800 seconds. Woah.

I leave in a week.

ONE WEEK.

and I can't even explain my feelings right now.

People ask me if I am excited.

I say yes.

People ask me if I am nervous.

I say yes. 

People ask me if I am ready.

I say yes.

People tell me not to go.

I say yes.

People tell me they are excited for me.

I say yes.

People tell me it will be a great experience.

I say yes.

I say yes becuase I don't know what else to feel.

I have no emotion about this.

I am excited, scared, nervous, ready, happy, sad, mad, overwhelmed, ect.

But how many feels can one girl feel? 

Apparently, a lot.

And in a week; hello new home. 

Weekend in Washingtonnnnn

birthday weekend of extreme proportions

I can't even.

I can't even explain or start to say how awesome my weekend was.

Everything that happened, in bullet form. 

Thursday

• drive to Boise
• plane ride to Seattle
• bus ride to Ellensburg
• meet Kable's friends
• stay up till past midnight for the first happy birthday of year 19

Friday

• lunch with Kable and Dennis
• exploring the Burg
• air mattrass fun
• group messages
• millions of phone calls/texts
• dinner with friends
• amazing party
• Happy Birthday singing by an entire party of strangers 
• deep conversations

Saturday

• breakfast with Kable and Dennis
• sit in on tap/ballet class
• bus ride to Seattle
• crazy hobos, shuttle drivers, waitors
• night in Seattle with Kable
• trying to get tickets to The Book of Mormon
• dinner
• cheesecake

Sunday 

• 5:30 AM alarm
• crying at the airport
• saying goodbye to my boo
• crying some more
• plane ride to Boise
• shopping with Mom&Dad
• drive to Twin Falls
• birthday dinner
• presents

But the best parts were the people, the memories, the conversations. 

I want to go backkk. 

**pictures soonnn**

When you're about to leave...

you realize who really cares about you
and who doesn't
you talk to new people
you feel alone even in a crowded room
you realize how much you have yet to do
you make 500 lists
you wish it was tomorrow or a year from now
you get stressed out
you cry over everything
you hug your mom all the time
you start packing early
you scramble to get everything done
you feel like you'll never make it
you research everything
you get really excited


it all depends on the day.
but moving on, leaving, changing...
are all good things.
and i am ready.

now boarding the plane to birthday fun.

I just purchased a ticket to go see Kable over my birthday!!!!!

Next Thursday I will be boarding a plane to Seattle and I couldn't be happier.

Or more excited.

Best birthday present ever. 

Thanks, self.