as of late

I have been crazy busy at work as of late.

We are in the process of moving from our current location to the new location up town. Our new building is not quite ready yet, but it should be within the next week or so. We have gotten a lot busier these past few weeks with a lot more jobs to do. So we are trying to get them all taken care of before we move.

I recently celebrated my 23rd birthday. Honestly, I don't feel too much different than 22. I'm just a little bummed I can't sing T-Swift's "22" anymore. I got some new TOMs for my birthday and my plane ticket to NYC.

Speaking of NYC...Another one of my friends from college got married. And he happened to be getting married in NYC. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to go to New York and see my friends. So my friend Becca flew from Texas and my friend Allyson flew from West Virginia, and the three of us met up in NYC. We stayed with Becca's uncle who happened to live only five or six blocks from the church our friend got married in. Friday morning I flew out from STL and went to New York. I got to eat dinner with my grandma's first cousin. She's such a sweetheart. She even took me to dessert at Cafe Lalo. It was delicious, and so great to spend time with her. Saturday, me and my friends explored the Chelsea area of the city before the wedding. Then we went to the most beautiful little ceremony in the city. I'm so glad I went. After the wedding, we walked around the city some more and even walked to Times Square, and had some dinner. The next morning, I had to wake up super early to fly home. I was  actually home in time for church.


Since then, I've been working like crazy and working out when I get the chance. I got another day off this past Monday for Memorial Day. Mom, Ang & I went shopping in Marion and Carbondale. It was relaxing and nice to just be chill. I got some new tops and a new bathing suit. Just getting ready for summer time.

1. "Baptism Sunday" at LCC, over 35 people baptized into the faith. Praise the Lord!
2. celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Taco Bell with my best friends
3. doing a little freelance designing for a friend
4. birthday TOMs
5. my baby cousin graduated 8th grade & was valedictorian --- his speech was about a rubik's cube
6. Kleinfeld's in NYC
7. Flatiron Building in NYC
8. art in the park in Madison Square Park in NYC
9. wedding dates
10. the dates with the groom!
11. Times Square in NYC
12. leaving NYC

life as a college graduate

graduation.
yes, as you may have heard, I am now officially a college graduate.
as of May 5th, I have my Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications Design from the University of Evansville.
it's so crazy, but exciting all at the same time.
and I know your next question... "So, what are you going to do now?"
well, I don't have any plans at this very moment.
I am enjoying my time off from school and real responsibility.
I plan on putting applications in at lots of places in lots of cities.
and I'm putting the rest in God's hands.
only He knows what's going to happen.

my favorite college professor, Larmann [he taught me everything I know about painting]

getting my diploma from President Kazee

delicious cupcakes for the mustache bash

my awesome mustached friends

4 out of 5 roomies

UE graduate

graduation was wonderful.
so many of my awesome family and friends were able to be there to celebrate this milestone in my life.
it felt so good knowing I have so many people who will always support me no matter what.
we had a "mustache bash"/shrimp boil at my campus house afterwards.
it was delicious and so much fun.


22.
since graduation, I've celebrated my 22nd birthday.
I had a wonderful lunch with my momma.
got to go out for dinner and a movie with my awesome friends.
and then I went out the next night for dinner at Red Lobster with my parents.
overall, nothing too special.


my momma.
lastly, I know I've almost missed the boat, but I want to mention my momma.
I know Mother's Day was yesterday and I should have done this then, but I didn't, so I'm doing it now.
everyone likes to say that they have the best mom, but I'm pretty sure they are all wrong.
my mom is the best.
she's always been there for me, no matter what.
even when we don't see eye to eye, she's always there supporting me through it all.
she loves me unconditionally.
I have been blessed with Christian parents who have set a Godly example for how I should live my life.
there are so many people who don't have that, including some of my best friends.
I'm so glad I have parents who are able to step up and be parents to those who don't have an example at home.
I've also been lucky enough to have lots of "mommas" in my life who have had a positive impact on my life.
Mama Mel, Aunt Marsha, Grandma Freda, Grandma Linda, Gigi, Mrs. Small, Aunt Denise, April, Leslie, BO.
the list really could go on and on.
I'm so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, especially my family.

my momma, the new 'grammy'