GRADUATION... its almost here

Graduation is May 13th. Its amazing how quickly it is approaching. I can't believe that I will finally graduate and have my bachelors. Most people are really happy about this and say it was a long road, blah blah blah. But for me, it was a much harder road. It took me 8 years from high school graduation. I wasn't in school the whole time, as I was deployed twice, but it feels as though I was in school a lot. I never really got that whole "college experience" except for one year, and that was one of the best years of my life. I met some great friends and got to play Rugby. It was awesome. I even drank a little bit, not much but a little. It was fin going to BW3 at 11am with my coach and having drinks at the bar after classes. This is when I found out what I had been missing for so long. Just having good friends makes life so much easier. But after that year I decided that I would move to New Orleans for a boy that I met. Of course the boy only lasted 3 weeks, butI decided to stay anyways. It was probably one of the best things I could have done for myself, because I learned more than I ever thought possible about myself. I went to school full-time online and worked full-time. It was crazy, but I did great that first semester, 4.0GPA. The onlything that suffered was my social life, but I was used to this. Then, in 2008 I decided to go back into the Marines full time. That was good and interesting. I had always wondered what it would be like if I did active duty again, but I realized that it wasn't for me. I got out after 6 months and moved back to NC with mom. That brings me to where I am today. One paper away from graduation, still having to realize that I actually did it. I actually did everything I needed to do to get that piece of paper. And now things are moving right along. I start my internship for AIT next month, and then I will be an administrator. I will have a career, and a good one at that, and one that I know will fit me and my personality perfectly. I think that this is the best job choice I could have chosen. Its weird how things are starting to fall into place. At times it felt as though I would never be at this point, and there are times when I am waiting for someone to shake me and wake me up. It can't be true that life is actually working out, but it is. Life is coming together.
I even got a new car, well its used, but its new to me. I never thought I would ever get one, well at least not in the next few years. Its amazing and I love having something that is dependable and really nice. I mean I can roll the windows down with the push of a button. The lights turn on at night when I am driving. The driver's seat moves with the push of a button. Its just amazing to have something that is nice. My parents have helped me out with the car, but I really want to start working so I can pay them back. I am not used to having to have other people help me out financially. I have been on my own for so long and haven't had to ask anyone for help. But its nice knowing that they are there and willing to help.
Things with Adam are going well also. Again, this is weird for me, since I am not used to having a boyfriend. He's a great guy though and I enjoy his company. Currently he is in the Appalachian mountains hiking for the week. I think that its good that we can both do our separate things and still be happy. I do miss him, but know that I need time to get away and so does he. Its good for both of us. Time will tell with him, as my Mama always says.
So I have learned a lot these last couple of years. Things have been hard and good. Life is never what one may expect, but I am really happy the way things have worked out. I wouldn't have learned so much about myself and life if I didn't choose the road less traveled.... and that has made all the difference.
I will definately post some pics of me receiving my degree.

The Beach

Today is Wednesday and the last day at the beach. I was invited by Jennifer to go to the beach for 3 days 2 nights. She paid for the room and said all you have to do is show up. Its been nice. I figured that I would come and try to learn how to do the vacation thing. Actually relaxing and enjoying being away. Well let me tell you, itsnot as easy as one may think, well not for me anyways. I am trying to learn to be in the now and enjoy everything and not to worry about everything I have to do. Its hard for me. I don't know how people are able to do this for an extended period of time. I always think about what I could be doing at home or what I should be doing. Its hard for me to be out of my little bubble with the little amount of structure I have created for myself back home. I don't know why. I thought I was doing really good and relaxing, but it was pointed out to me last night that I need to loosen up. I am too uptight. The girls said it in a nice way and weren't trying to hurt my feelings. They said that I need to let go and just have fun. Well, I was for me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything. I am just uptight, but that is ME! That has always been me. I don't think I will ever be described as a laid back person. God just didn't create me like that. But Lord knows I am trying.
I wrote most of my paper yesterday, and that really helped my stress level. I was almost panicking about it. I should have written it a long time ago but never did, and now I just wanted to write it and be done with it. So the girls left me alone for the day and I wrote about 20 pages. It helped that I had written a little while I was in England. Now I only have 5 pages left. Once this paper is finished I just have a few little tests to do and I am done, then I will graduate.