Brother from another mother

A few weeks ago I had lunch with my oldest friend - as in the person I have stayed friends with for the longest time. This friend happens to be a male and he {R} is my absolute best friend. Even if we haven't seen each other in over 6 months, we can pick up right where we left off. Our friendship has been going on for over 10 years now and he just gets me. We graduated high school together, we graduated college around the same time (though we went to rival schools), and now we are finishing our graduate programs at the same time. Of all my friends, R is the only one who ever knew my Dad, even though it was just for a brief amount of time. My Dad passed away just before we started high school and that was around the time our friendship began. At first, I will admit, I had a crush on him, and he knew this. It never went any further than that though and I'm so happy for that. We played tennis together. We were the two best players of the freshman on our team. We went to the same tennis academy. We stuck together through all of high school. Some of my best high school memories are with him. I was crushed when he decided to go to a different college than I was going to. I had always thought we would go to college together because we were both big FSU fans, but he chose UF in the end. I made frequent trips to Gainesville my freshman year. It was just a 2 hour drive away and home was a 6 hour drive, but Gainesville was my home away from home, away from home, during that first year. It was like I was visiting my brother. That's what he has been to me.

I think God puts certain people in our life for certain reasons and I am so thankful for this friendship. I wouldn't trade it for the world. At times, throughout college, when we would go a couple of months without talking to each other, I would be worried that our friendship wasn't as important to him as it was to me. But he always has a way of proving to me that it is. We don't have a regular chatting schedule, but timing has been everything in our friendship. He helped me get through my first year of college. He helped me get through my first major breakup in college. When I dated my ex-boyfriend, deep down I knew it wouldn't work out because he told me he wasn't good enough for me. His opinion is important to me and he gives great advice when I'm having guy issues. I just feel so blessed to have a friend I can count on, and have been able to count on for most of my life now. 

I read this quote below and it is so fitting for our friendship.

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar ~ Robert Brault

Linking up: #yolomondays

Graduated

This post is super short and sweet but I have to share some thoughts.

Yesterday was amazing! I am on cloud nine. I can't believe I have finally earned my Master of Arts in School Counseling. There were times that I didn't think I would finish my undergraduate education and I can't believe I have made it this far. I've been fighting back tears all day. I am so proud of my classmates! Three short years ago we began this program with around 30 people and 12 of us stuck it out. I have made some amazing friends along the way and learned a lot about myself as well.

Now, can somebody please hire me?

A long journey and giveaway time!

Well, I was suppose to be guest posting on another blog today. I guess that is no longer happening. I understand that things happen in life, and some we can control, but some we cannot, but that sort of irks me. I spent a good amount of time working on that post and really didn't have much energy for it.


Yesterday was the first day I didn't have anything to do. Literally, nothing. I haven't experienced that in a few years. I went to the grocery store. That's it. Graduate school is officially over. In 4 days I will walk across the stage in my Hogwarts-like cap and gown and have my name read as earning a Master of Arts in School Counseling. If you had asked me when I graduated high school if I was going to get a Masters degree, I would have looked at you and said "huh?" I went to Florida State with the intention of becoming a high school English teacher. In high school, I earned my high school diploma as well as an International Baccalaureate diploma. The IB programme was a rigorous college prep program and when I earned that diploma, it helped me begin my freshman year of college with 30 credits. So, on day one of college, I was really starting out as a sophomore.

High school graduation - May 2006

By the end of freshman year, and then almost classified as a junior, I had no idea what I wanted to do. But, with almost 60 credits at that point, I was accepted into the College of Education. Funny enough, the only time I ever stepped foot in that building was to chat with my advisor about changing my major. I didn't officially make that change until right before my junior year began. Sophomore year is what I refer to as the "dark days." I was really depressed. I saw a counselor. I wanted to move home. I wanted to quit going to school. Thank goodness my Mom encouraged me to keep going. I registered for a lesser number of classes and kept with it. My GPA was terrible. Embarrassing, even. I never earned below a C- though. The summer before my 3rd year at FSU something finally clicked. I went into my junior year with my head held high. I switched my major to Family and Child Sciences. I started studying and caring about school. I worked my butt off. I credit this change a little to myself but a lot to my best friend J who was working her butt off in school. I realized if I worked hard, I could do well.

Me and J

In my junior and senior years of college, I only earned one C, in an 8 a.m. class of course. During my senior year, I made it on the Dean's list. I was really proud of myself. I became more involved in extracurricular activities and joined RENEW, a peer counseling group that worked closely with the University Counseling Center. I did one-on-one peer counseling and gave presentations to student groups. I put in over 100 hours of community service in my senior year alone. All while making (almost) straight A's. I earned a B that year in public speaking which was my least favorite class. I graduated with my best friend which was something I had not expected a couple of years before.

During my last semester I began applying to graduate programs. I really wanted to stay in Tallahassee, but unfortunately FSU had done away with their School Counseling program. I applied to their Mental Health Counseling program anyway, but was not accepted. So I looked at the university back in my hometown: FGCU. When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to move as far away as possible, while still remaining in Florida. After 4 years of being away from my family, I was ready to come back home. I applied for the School Counseling program, had a phone interview, and was accepted to begin in the Fall of 2010.

It's so hard to believe that the picture above was taken exactly 3 years ago. So much has changed in my life. I can't wait to see what the next 3 years bring.


Now, for the giveaway! This giveaway is brought to you by Natalie, blogger of At Home With the Hinkleys. I have loved working with her this month. She has a Meet and Greet post on her blog today. Be sure to go check it out! And now, enter away!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

high five for friday (9) + raise up

It's Fridayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

1. I submitted my last graduate school assignment last night! ::doing a happy dance::

2. I decorated my cap for graduation with my good friend A. Weird coincidence: we both lost our dad's - they both passed away in July (the anniversaries of their deaths are 8 days apart) - they both had birthdays in the month of August. I swear, we were destined to be friends. 

via Instagram

3. Today is my last day of internship. I feel mixed emotions about this. I'm sad I won't be spending my time there everyday. I'm sad I won't be there to serve the students and help support teachers and staff. On the other hand, I'm excited to relax and hit up the beach during the work week.

4. It's my brother's 23rd birthday tomorrow! Happy birthday, B! You're growing up way too fast. Which means I'm getting older.

5. My fur child is on the mend after a scary episode Tuesday evening. The vet told us had we not taken him to the animal ER that he was concerned he would not have survived the night. Super scary. 

Enjoy this real old school jam

Linking up!

Wonderful Wednesday

Pinterest has done a great job of sucking up my time lately. I still love it though. 

Linking up with The Vintage Apple.

Tomorrow's outfit, possibly. Wish I had a bright yellow blazer, but my hot pink will have to do!

                                                                        Source: data.whicdn.com via Angela on Pinterest

I need this view ASAP!

                                                                             Source: wookmark.com via Angela on Pinterest

I love how the curtains frame the bed. Dramatic.

                                                                      Source: heavenlypins.com via Angela on Pinterest

Fireplace beside the tub = love <3

                                                                               Source: foodfiend.co.cc via Angela on Pinterest

True friendship, to me, is this:

                                                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Angela on Pinterest

high five for friday (5) + just a friend

It's my favorite day of the week! Mostly, because I love reflecting on the past week and remembering the high points of it for the High Five for Friday link up. It's my spring break this week (from internship) and there were definitely some high points.

1. I got to see my best friend! R was in town for just a few days and I sent him a text at just the right moment this week. We met for lunch Wednesday. It is always wonderful to catch up with him - time apart does not change our friendship at all and that's what I love most. Expect a post about this oldest friend of mine at some point because he has been there for me when I have needed someone most.

2. Another good friend moment for the week. I work myself up over a lot of things, and J has been there for me a lot these past few years. She does a great job of bringing me back to reality and not letting me beat myself up too much.

3. I get to see those 2 smiling faces this weekend: for Easter lunch and {hopefully} babysitting them with my brother. H (the girl) + B (the boy) are my cousin's twins and they have brought infinite joy to our family since their arrival in 2011. Byron and I enjoy babysitting them because it's brother and sister hanging with brother and sister.

4. I'm going through with the big decision I posted about last week. Thanks to you lovely ladies who commented on that post. And, thank you to E who I had a long conversation with over the weekend about this decision. That woman gets me. I'm a lucky lady to have her as a friend. Expect pictures, and a story, to follow, it's happening today!

5. My big meeting this week was so worth it. I was a nervous wreck but it had a very positive outcome and I hope I have more to share in a few weeks! If nothing comes of it, I at least learned that people appreciate when I take the initiative, which is something very outside of my comfort zone. I'm in a weird place right now - a mix of fear and excitement and I'm hoping by the end of April the fears will have vanished and the excitement will be even better. Countdown to graduation: 43 days!

6. OK, this is a bonus one! Check out the giveaway I am co-hosting this week. The contest closes in three days!

Now, please enjoy these tunes from Biz Markie. 

I nearly cried when I saw this song was from 1989 - it's almost as old as me.

Linking up with Lauren and Whitney!