Planes, Sunshine and Mountains

This is: 

the first spring break that I haven't had to drive 14ish hours one way to get to my destination. 

the first time I haven't gone "home"

the first time I've seen mountains since... August

the first time I've seen my mother since August

the first time I've had a spring break where I can legitimately relax (for the most part)

the first spring break involving a hot tub

the second time I've been in this area of Colorado

the last spring break I have before I get married

my last spring break. 

It's amazing how the mountains make me feel calm, collected, and yet surpassingly excited. I think I could stare at them for hours, take hundreds of pictures, and still be ready for more. The contrasts of colors, lights, air, sounds, it's amazing, and I'll never lose my love for them. I am so happy!

This semester I've tried to recount my experiences in college, especially some of the ones that have really influenced me. One of my conclusions (more of those later on), is how exhausting college is, and that in the business, I forget to mention how excited I am most of the time. I hate getting distracted by stuff that doesn't matter much, that is just... silly. 

It's great to see my mom, and it's so awesome to be in Colorado. The sky is so blue, the mountains so snowy and perfect, and not to mention that I got to see a wild turkey today, and they look pretty funny. 

Time for sleep. Relaxed, peaceful sleep. 

Thankful

Right now I'm constantly aware of the power of time.

I'm on the edge of drastic changes in my life- all coming right at once

1->I'm graduating college and leaving the rigid academic structure that I've known for most of my life.
2->I'm getting married and leaving the single life which I've known my entire life despite been in serious relationships for a decent part of it by societies definitions (I suppose?)
3->I'm moving to a city and leaving the culture of life I've ever known.

And... again, these will all happen in the course of 2-3 weeks. Wow.

Needless to say, when people ask me how I am, how things are going, etc., I'm kind of at a loss for words. Wouldn't you? Wouldn't anyone? How do I necessarily describe what it feels in the calm before some sort of whirlwind? Especially when the "calm" is really the last few months of my senior year at a crazy difficult college that isn't calm at all...

I'm bracing myself for change, and I'm very excited. I'm also very scared. Putting the balance into feelings, words, or actions just seems impossible.

My options then remain to go about every day as I know I... should? and do as much as I can. But the certainty of each day is this: thankfulness.

So what am I thankful for?

-right now... spell check.

-late starting mornings when I'm up till 3:30 writing

-friends- not just acquaintances. People who are willing to be a friend even when they see me for who I am.

-my siblings who've allowed me to adopt them into my life and have done likewise

-my amazing fiance, who not only puts up with me but is excited to share the rest of our lives together as a grand adventure as best friends :)

-rain

-free laundry.

-God's forgiveness- someone who sees my every sin and flaw and doesn't turn me away or worse is still and will be- the most amazing thing ever.

-long walks

-freedom

-my church. I'd be nowhere without it.

-being able to sing

-having lots of different job experiences

-Spring break next week- going to go see my Mom in Colorado is going to be amazing and so, so necessary!

-whiskey on the rocks: slowly sipped, contemplatively

-salsa

-shotgun class

-people who bother to actually get to know someone

-stuffed animals

-my car, and the chance to make long road trips or just go driving

-nail polish

-restraint. I'm thankful that I'm not a slave to my desires, because then I'd end in ruin.