Summer is FINALLY beginning!

I am so excited to say that I finally passed the last part of my certification to become a teacher. All I have left to do is my final internship and I will be an alumni of Florida Gulf Coast University. I can't hardly believe that I started the process of becoming the first college graduate in my family back in 2006. December will be here before I even know it!

Now that I have the Elementary K-6 test out of the way, I can finally concentrate on enjoying my summer and relaxing. My new thing is trying to make working out a habit. I am trying to work out with friends in places that I am comfortable at. I am also trying to switch my workouts up a little. I am hoping to keep myself entertained with the idea of working out.

I am so excited to relax. Cameron and I begin our road trip next week. I can't hardly wait!! I am already thinking of great road tunes and fun snacks to bring along. I am excited to see new places and meet many new and wonderful friends!

Scooter has the right idea...

Relax Time!

moving... yes, again!

Life wouldn't be right if I was not keeping with my record of moving every 7 months! 

This is a necessary move in my life with Cameron. Hopefully, we will be able to save for our future together. Even though we are moving into a condo that is 3x's smaller then the house we are living in now, life will be great. Mainly, because it will be less cleaning! Plus, the community we are moving into is so beautiful and has many AMAZING amenities... including: golf, club house, pools, tennis courts, workout rooms, etc. 

More changes... thank God I am a master mover :)

Cooking...mmm

So, I started tackling one of my goals. I dusted off one of my cookbooks and got inspired to make Beer Can Chicken. It was the most amazing meals.

1. Go to Target... in the camping area you can get the contraption for the beer can to rest in and the bird to sit over... the prices range from $3 to $20. I got the more expensive one so I can put veggies at the bottom.

2. Prep the chicken as you would normally do (clean it and take every thing out of the inside).

3. I prepared red potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and grilled onions at the bottom of the holder.

4. I added the beer in the holder and placed the bird over it.

5. I then made a spice rub for the outside of the bird. (basil, parsley, red pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic, and EVOO)

6. I placed it right on our grill and cooked it for one hour and then removed it.

It was YUMMMMMMMMY!

Wonderful Weekend...

I had the most amazing weekend... Last week I got a crazy hair and decided to see if I would qualify for a loan... I did and I got approved for a decent amount! I began searching around and doing my homework on which SUV would best suit my needs as well as Cameron's and our little "family". I was torn between the Ford Escape and the Jeep Liberty. In the end Cameron and I decided the Liberty would better meet our need with towing, space, and adventure. Plus, it was aesthetically pleasing to my eye. :)

I found a dealer with a great model, 2008 with only 18k miles and a MOON ROOF...that is where the whole roof opens... not just the front. I fell hard. But, quickly I realized I would have to play hardball and with the encouragement of Cameron I walked away when the dealer refused to come down on the price. Within in 24 hours I had sealed the deal and was driving my NEW JEEP LIBERTY home.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Of course Cameron has detailed it for me. I have almost blown through a tank of gas because I am so excited to drive it. I did shed a tear for my Pontiac as we were driving home... bitter sweet.

"Voom voom voom..... whose got the keys to the Jeep..." 

summer time...where the living's easy.

Where to start...

    Well, first I must apologize to my friends and readers who updated themselves through my blog. Life has been going 100 mph. Over the past year I have dove into college head first. I was president of an honor society, had 15 credit hours plus an internship, I was on the advisory board for the COE as a student representative, and I worked, took care of my pups and my boyfriend. Somehow I managed to travel and enjoy my friends on top of it all.

   As quickly as it all started it will and has finally come to a screeching halt. I am soooo grateful that it is slowing down. I am looking forward to a quiet summer. I plan to get back to the gym (gained the freshman 15 my senior year). I also plan to hone in on my sewing, scrap-booking, and cooking skills. I really enjoy sewing and cooking/baking and would love to become really really good at them both.

   As the summer progresses I plan to update this blog with how I am doing with my goals. I am a strong believer in writing them down and making yourself accountable. So, here they are:

1. Get back to my normal weight of 135 (currently at 148)
2. Start and finish Cameron's scrap-book graduation gift (from December) 
3. Learn to bake and make cakes with fondant and pretty decor
4. Try new recipes outside my comfort zone from my cookbooks
5. Go somewhere I have never been before

   I believe these are attainable goals... and I will have fun completing them. YAY SUMMER... YAY RELAXATION! 

Back from Spam Land

Not quite sure what happened to my blog for a while there. I guess some strange person decided to hack into my blog and redirect the viewers to their site! NOT COOL! Now that I have resolved the issue and changed my password, I thought I should update my little electronic blog!

I have been staying VERY busy with school, work, and my relationships with friends, boyfriend, and family. Since I wrote last I celebrated my 25th birthday! For those that do not know... I am not going to be aging for the next five years. Until my 30th birthday... I have decided to remain 25 years of age. I don't see the big deal of gaining another year of knowledge and another year of wrinkles... too much hassle. I am just going to bypass all the worry and stay 25!

On my birthday I had the opportunity to celebrate a night out with some of my closest friends. I appreciate each one of them. Everyone I associate with helps to make me who I am.. well, for the most part!

It is crazy to think of how much I have accomplished and what I have endured, overcame, and conquered. I cannot imagine what the next 25 years will have for me... it is so exciting and overwhelming! What a great ride it has been and will be!

Just a couple weeks ago I received my Associate of Arts degree! Finding this certificate in the mail, helps to solidify the path I am on. I can see my goals being accomplished and I am very excited. It gives me more strenghth to continue on!

I am so excited to be a in block one of the college of education. I am finally focussing on what I need to do to become the best teacher possible. Some weeks are more overwhelming then others... but I work through them, one day at a time. I was recently accepted into Kappa Delta Pi, National Honor Society for COE. I am very excited for the opprotunity to serve my community and university.

Finally, in my novel update on my life... Cameron and I are doing great!! I can hardly believe we have been seeing each other for 5 months!! The time is flying and I am enjoying every moment. We have the most fun and do so many different things. I truely love him and I am so glad God brought him into my life.

Poem

A new great friend of mine, Kristin, sent me this poem today. I absolutely loved it. It touched her soul at one point of her life and now mine. Enjoy!

After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child

And you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way
Of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers

And you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
With every good bye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoffstall

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

I hope your holiday season was spent with...

Your Family

I hope you laughed so hard you cried...

ate one too many sweets and still want more!

I hope you spent time with the people who matter most to you...

And just acted goofy!

I hope 2010 brings everything that you deserve. I am excited to start fresh and embark on an exciting journey that every year brings.

Happy 2010 all!

My Christmas Vacation

To get in the spirit of the holidays, I booked a flight to Lynchburg, Va. Christin, a close friend of mine since we were seven years old, had just moved out on her own and I wanted to check out her new pad! With all the changes occurring in my life, this trip was well needed. Two single ladies tearing up the Bible Belt!

The trip was amazing. I got to see an area where some of our country's richest history occurred. I spent the day with the Brandt family discovering downtown Lynchburg and meeting new friends. All the while Christin was making a Pro/Con list of why I should move up there. Unfortunately, I think the list made me appreciate my little home in the tropical environment. As much as I love the cold weather, my face was dying for moisture! Maybe one day I will have a second home somewhere up north so I am able to go back and forth. But no to living up there full time! (Sorry girl) :)

During all my traveling back and forth from Virginia, I had a lot of time to think about all of the situations occurring in my life. Shortly after moving out and becoming a single lady, I met someone. Honestly, I had known this person for quite a while, but we were just friends. As the weeks have progressed I have been able to discover what an amazing man he is. He is the type of man who opens car doors, who walked me to my front door on our first date without coming in to wish me good night, he always texts, calls, or emails me to let me know he is think of me. He has made a point to let me feel comfortable with the speed of getting to know each other. He has let me carry the reigns through it all. I appreciate him so much. I think I appreciate him more now then I would have ever in the past.

Life takes you different places. Sometimes the places can be fun, sometimes they can be pretty tough. All the while, the journey is preparing you for your future. I believe that life and the decisions I have made, took me to this place. I had the experiences in the past so I would be able to understand the sweetness of the moment I am in now. Going on my trip made me realize that taking things extra slow was not my style. Calculating every step meticulously to make sure I don't get hurt was never me. I jump feet first with everything I believe in. I believe in love and laughter... so I just jumped in... all the way.

I am excited to see what the new year holds for me and my new life. This world is ever changing and I am loving it!

Great Quote by, Eve Ensler

I was recently reading my Glamour Magazine and came across this amazing quote from Eve Ensler. Enjoy!

"Cherish you solitude.

Take trains by yourself to places

you have never been.

Sleep out alone under the stars.

Learn how to drive a stick shift.

Go so far away that you stop

being afraid of not coming back.

Say no when you don't want to

do something.

Say yes if your instincts are strong,

even if everyone around you disagrees.

Decide whether you want to be liked or admired.

Decide if fitting in is more important than finding

out what you're doing here.

Believe in kissing"

Like Old Times...

I went to visit my mom this past weekend and ended up driving a U-Haul back to Estero, full of stuff I had been storing in their home. After hours of moving my new bed and other furniture around in the guestroom, I finally decided on the best set up for the small little room. As I started to unload my yearbooks and scrapbooks I had put together so many years ago, I began to flip through the years of memories I created so long ago. It was such a nice time reminiscing of great friends and good times.

As I flipped through the letters and pictures, it made me yearn for the days that love, life, and friends came without hesitation. In those days, you did not hesitate to fall deep and fast in love. Although the love I experienced then is a lot different from the love I experience now. Love and life was a lot less complicated. You always had a song for someone special in your life, whether it was your boyfriend, best friend, or enemy. The sensation of holding hands or that first kiss consumed your thoughts and heart.

I long for those silly school girl feelings. I want to fall fast and hard. I want to live, like I once did, with little caution when it comes to laughing, loving, and living. I want to sing in the car at the top of my lungs and not worry about what the person next to me thinks. I want passion and romance. I don’t want to worry about what others say or think because I live for me and the moment.

At the end of my life, I don’t want to look back and think, wow, I live a smart and cautious life… I want to think WOW! I live vigorously and loved every second of life and took part of everything that was thrown my way.

What I am Looking For

A couple days ago, someone asked me what I am looking for in a guy... my certain "type". This question caught me off guard. For the first time in my life my type did not consist of physical features or specific backgrounds or even futures... my type has transformed into something much more.

As I thought about my specifications and my past relationships, I realized I want a man who loves me. Regardless of their paycheck, or the status they have, or even physical perfection... I want someone who is going to love me old and grey, as much as they loved me young and vibrant. I want a man that stands by me through thick and thin, encouraging me the whole way through. I want a man that regardless of what i say, think, or even look like, will love me just the same. Without love there is nothing. Of course I want a man who loves family and friends, who is just as out going as I am, and has a wonderful outlook on life.

I believe that you only have one shot at this life, you have no choice but to live every second to its fullest. Not to live it up would be a crime.

So Good

For the last several weeks I personally thought I was doing well. I had no regrets about any decisions made and was marching forward. The only time I had shed a tear was when I was informing JKJ that I was leaving.

I am not sure if it was the lack of sleep or because I had just completed my first trip without him that had caused me to breakdown...

I had attended my first NASCAR race down in Homestead, Miami with some of my close friends. We had a fabulous time seeing all the amazingly sculpted mullets, bodies, and redneck outfits. The race was one that went down in the history books with Jimmy Johnson getting his 4th championship in a row!

On the way back to Naples to drop off a friend, I just started to feel a flood of emtions in my head and heart. None of regret or want... but of why. As I explained to my friend, my moment of craziness, I felt for the first time tears fall down my cheeks. Why after 31/2 years I was just able to walk away and not get stopped. Why I unable to get the love I needed. Why... Why... Why...

My dear friend was able to talk some sense into my heart and brain so I was able to sleep that night. The next day I did what I only new how to do and texted the source of my problems. The best thing we both did was be open and honest about all of our concerns and fears. In the end no one but him and I could have answered the questions I know I had... and I am sure he had.

We all have a choice in our lives of which path to start down. I am able to start down my healthy, refreshed, and ready for my new life. For me, I realize now it was probably not healthy to have had an absent of emotion. I am a person filled with emotion. Not to cry or to feel anything ,would not be human for me. I was able to work out some of my feelings I just tucked away...

Hopefully one day JKJ and I will be able to be friends. We have shared too much not to be apart of each others lives in some form. I know I will always have a certain love for him... regardless of where I am in life.

Because I Can

One Way Ticket (Because I can)
LeAnn Rimes

Standing on the border
Looking out into the great unknown
I can feel my heart beating faster as I step out on my own
There's a new horizon and the promise of favorable wind
I'm heading out tonight, traveling light
I'm gonna start all over again

And buy a one-way ticket on a west bound train
See how far I can go
I'm gonna go out dancing in the pouring rain
And talk to someone I don't know
I will face the world around me
Knowing that I'm strong enough to let you go
And I will fall in love again
Because I can

Gonna climb the mountain
And look the eagle in the eye
I won't let fear clip my wings and tell me how high I can fly
How could I have ever believed
That love had to be so blind
When freedom was waiting, down at the station
All I had to do was make up my mind

And buy a one-way ticket on a west bound train
See how far I can go
I'm gonna go out dancing in the pouring rain
And talk to someone I don't know
I will face the world around me
Knowing that I'm strong enough to let you go
And I will fall in love again
Because I can

Well, I have walked through the fire
And crawled on my knees through the valley of the shadow of doubt
Then the truth came shining like a light on me and now I can see my way out

I'm gonna buy a one-way ticket on a west bound train
See how far I can go
I'm gonna go out dancing in the pouring rain
And talk to someone I don't know

I'm gonna buy a one-way ticket on a west bound train
Gonna have my breakfast with some pink champagne
I'm gonna sail the ocean, I'm gonna spread my wings
I'm gonna climb that mountain, gonna do everything.

A New Kind of Blog...For a New Kind of Life.

I recently have changed my life in more ways than one. With that said, I am going to switch up my blog a bit. I have left the security of a full time job for higher education, I have left my boyfriend for a life of fulfillment that I was unable to get with him, and I have also decided to live without a roommate, in order to find my place in this world.

I am a single 20 something woman who is ready to take on life by the horns. I was unable to blog about my feelings when I needed to the most, because of a respect for my ex. The many issues I was dealing in the past was something that had to be taken care of in private. Now that I have figured out the path I want and need to be on, I would like to let the world know that they are not alone.

I hope you enjoy my blog of singleness. Being single does not mean being lonely. In order to be in a successful relationship both people must be comfortable with whom they are within. I am on a search for who I am and what I want out of life. I hope you enjoy stories of dating, schooling, working, and many more adventures.

When I was in search of an apartment and making my final decision to walk away from someone I loved and had been with for over three years, I read this poem and it moved me so much.



When We Two Parted
Lord Bryon

In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted
To sever the years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder, thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold
Sorrow to this.

The dew of the morning
Sunk, chill on my brow,
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,
And light is thy fame;
I hear thy name spoken,
And share in its shame.

They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me...
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew thee,
Who knew thee too well..
Long, long shall I rue thee,
Too deeply to tell.

In secret we met
In silence I grieve
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee
After long years,
How should I greet thee?
With silence and tears."

Volunteering Like a Good Little Citizen

Today I completed my first day of volunteering at the Alzheimer's Association. I tell you, it is good to be back in an office. It is really good, because I only sit there for 4 hours a week! My job is to assist Catherine (the regional director for education) with her office stuff and the hotline. People call in with their issues or questions and I help them find a solutions or calm them down. I can already tell this will be interesting. I have a special place in my heart for the elderly... specially ones with Alzheimer's. My grandparents both had forms of Dementia and I watched them deteriorate into nothing as the years past. I know the strain it puts on the caregiver, the family, and their friends. Sitting in the office, talking to these people really hit home. I pray that they are able to find a cure soon or ways to prevent this disease.

With volunteering for the organization I am also helping with the 5k in November. At first I thought it might be fun to run the race and quickly realized how hard it was to run 5k's when I was young and in shape. So instead I will help with setup, registration, and cleanup. I will also cheer on the people who decide to run... If you want to run/walk in the event let me know. I can hook you up with the information you would need to participate!

On a school note... I officially completed my first paper as a full time student! YAY... I think. :)

Now to write a zillion more and study for many quizzes!!

Happy Weekend to you all! I will be at the beach tomorrow, thinking of everyone who has to work!

This picture is my very own, shot at Fort Myers Beach at Sunset....

My Favorite Time of Year!

So, my favorite time of the year has officially started.

FOOTBALL SEASON

With football brings a weekly stream of visitors to my house. Every Sunday, you can guarantee that if you walk into Jake's and my home, you will be greeted with the NFL Ticket, food, friends, and fun! Sundays have always been my fun-days (God needed his day of rest, so I take one too), but NFL and College Football bring and added dollop of YAY to the day.

This time of year brings holidays and beautiful weather. I love the fall! I love when I can finally open up the windows and let the sunshine and breeze in. Of course this fall I am a bit busier because I have a few extra classes then normal... but, I know it will still give me that same "uhhh" relaxing feeling.

School is starting to pick up for me. I think I might have made a mistake by taking American History to 1877 online... LOADS of reading and I am not to thrilled on the subject. My midterm is next month... I am waiting to see how I do, before I make any rash decisions. Besides that I am doing awesome! All my fears of not being able to survive or changing my habits of spending is working out. I had the opportunity to pick up extra shifts at the bar job but graciously turned them down. I realize this might be the only time in my life I have control on how much or how little I work. I am choosing the little part. Thanks to the many lessons on how to budget from my mom... I think I will be okay.

I thought I would miss working my full time job, but I am really glad to be out of the situation I was placed in. Toward the end of my stay, life was beginning to be very stressful. At one point I thought I was going through puberty at 24 due to all the zits on my face! haha... I loved what I did and the members I met, but I am glad I handed my torch on and am pursuing my dreams.

Happy Football Season to all!! Hopefully I will see you over one Sunday!

A New Way of Life

I did something out of character last week...

I left a full time job with a guaranteed salary and full paid benefits + retirement. I left all this behind to embark on a new journey.

SCHOOL

After high school I chose not to go to college. I thought that I could make a life with out it. At 21 I decided to enroll in college part time. At 24 years old and three years later, only considered a sophomore with my credits, I realized I need to make something happen. I decided to pull out loans like everyone else has done and go to school full time.

As you can imagine, my life starting tomorrow is about to drastically change... the joys of needing something and swiping a card or pulling out cash without a second thought... are behind me. Starting tomorrow I must stick to window shopping. I now have to carefully calculate every dollar that comes in and out of my pocketbook.

I know that this is the first risk that I must take in order to better myself and my life. If you don't take a risk, you wont ever know if something could be better.

Thank you to my parents (mom and daddee) for your support and encouragement as I take on a new way of life. Thank you to Jake for letting me feel at ease about my life changes and encouraging me that we will be fine and work together at making life fun, these next two years.

I know there are some people who won't understand why I can't pick up and go on trips or go shopping at a drop of a hat. I know they will have to learn or move on with our friendship. I am realizing the people who are close to me and have my best interest at heart, won't make me feel bad for bettering myself.

My new chapter in life begins tomorrow. My new title will be: Christal Mylisa, Full time student with a part time bar job. :)

3/50 Project

I found this idea on Thinking Outloud Blog, that I recently stumbled over. I think it is a great way to "Stimulate the Economy".

Go out and support your local business'. When our economy is turned around, we still have those great little spots to shop or eat at...