"Life is All About Stages & Changes.."

Us humans are pretty adaptable. We learn new things and adjust ourselves to them fairly quickly and without problems.
When we graduate high school and are scared of college, we overcome our fears and get out and meet new people and learn how to self-motivate.
When we graduate college we have to decide what path to take, and quickly assume new responsibilities.
We do these things, some with more grace than others, but that does not necessarily make them easy.

It's never "easy" to leave your comfort zone. But if there's one thing I've learned over the past few years is that you are never allowed to stay in your comfort zone for long. As soon as something becomes routine or normal, it gets mixed up.
Whether its professors with ridiculous expectations... living on your own for the first time.. or the last hug goodbye before your boyfriend moves 2 hours away for school.

These things are NEVER easy.  But you adapt, and you grow stronger. If nothing else, you will have thick skin and can say "I remember when I thought *this* was going to defeat me, but it didn't."

So here's to responsibilities and changes, and other things that have not and will not get the best of me.

He Will Not Fail You

As 2012 gets on its way I am forced to once again realize and be in awe of God's faithfulness.

2011 was an amazing year, but it definitely had it's moments. Hospital visits, kidney infections, sickness amongst family and friends. Of course, I made it through all of these trials, but only because of God's hand.

I suppose the most trying of all the events in 2011 was when my Dad's cataract surgery somehow went wrong and he lost his vision in the affected eye. Seven long weeks went by with us not knowing what would happen, or if he would be able to get his vision back without having surgery that he was told might not even work. I had never prayed so hard for anything in my life as I did for God to heal him.
And it was a Saturday morning, and I was at Truett's waiting tables when I got the call from Mom that he woke up and could see again.

It was God who gave me the strength to not give up all the nights I was up until 2am working on financial statements and marketing plans for my summer class that I swore was going to kill me. And He also provided me with the financial means during the months I wasn't sure I was going to have enough to make ends meet.

So I have faith that He will also be with me throughout 2012, holding me up on the days I have trouble. He has already provided me with some awesome opportunities that came at just the right time.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

2012 - Resolutions and Ramblings

January 1st 2012.
I'm assuming that later in the year I will come back and read this blog and wonder exactly how I felt on the first day of the new year.

Well, its 4:51PM, I just got home from Justin's house. He was home all this past week which was very nice. I'm not used to getting to see him more than two days in a row. We went to a NYE party last night which was fun. So now I'm laying in my bed, watching Food Network, have clothes in the dryer, and just finished putting up some new posters on my music wall. I am happy but not content. I'm ready for the next step in life. It's time for some changes, now that I have graduated college. So that's how I felt at 4:51 on January 1, 2012.

Now for some resolutions.

I resolve to be more kind and patient. To not let people who will not matter in the long run influence how I feel. No one will dictate how I view myself or how I view what I am capable of. I will be a better musician. By summertime, I will have the best body of my entire life. I will have a new laptop [hopefully sooner than later]. I will visit either Seattle, Washington or Bar Harbor, Maine. I will have my student loan completely 100% paid off and continue to live within my means.

Can't Tell Me Nothin'

The only thing I do not like about having recently graduated college is that EVERYONE seems to have in their minds what I should do with MY life.

"Get a job doing so-and-so, it's the best way to start off, and at least you'll be building your resume.."

"Apply for that job! I know it's not what you want to do - but it pays good!"

"You should start off in sales. No one can go directly into marketing without having been in sales first."

Um. Excuse me?

 I didn't work my butt off for 4 years to be miserable and have a job I do not enjoy. And as for saying I CAN'T get a job in marketing straight off. Can't? Sorry, the word is not in my vocabulary. Not to mention, I have never let anyone else dictate what I am able to accomplish.
I had people try to tell me what I was capable of my whole life and I proved every single one of them wrong.
So I have no problem proving these people wrong who think they can plan out my future for me better than I can.

So, I will just continually pray about the next step.
All other people - back off. God and I have got this on lock.

2011 A Year in Review

Graduation went amazingly well. I had a blast with my friends and family =)
So there's only two more weeks of this year, which is absolutely insane to think about. This year has flown by and has been quite possibly the best year yet! My senior year of college was a memorable one and I met some of the most amazing people that I can now call friends, and made some amazing memories. So I think the best way to go about this is to post pictures from the year, starting in January and working my way through. So... here goes!

                     The ice/snow that hit in early January. This was taken January 10th

Saint Patrick's Day at Buffalos, March 28  =)

Lauren & Emmy coming to  visit from Cali <3 Also in March

80's Day during Truett's Grill Customer Appreciation Week - April

Mother's Day - May

Cousin Andrew's Wedding - May

Happy 22nd Birthday To Me! - August

Sweet Summertime in Savannah - September

The Fair - October

Thursday Nights with The Guys - October

Thanksgiving with the Family! - November

UGA Graduation - December

The Anticipation is Killing Me

Three days until graduation. YIKES!
I am so excited but I am also a complete nervous wreck about getting everything together. Making sure my outfit is ready, and practicing how I'm doing my hair. Making sure everyone knows how to get to the campus before Thursday so my phone isn't blowing up WHILE I'm doing my hair/make-up Thursday morning.  AHHH!!
*pulls hair out*

On the bright side, I have gotten a ridiculous amount of stuff done around the house though now that I actually have time to do stuff other than working/studying/sleeping. I have also had more time to dedicate to my music which has been wonderful, to say the least. If you haven't already - PLEASE check out my Youtube Channel. I have recently added some new videos, but I have some of my older stuff on there too.

http://www.youtube.com/user/andmusicwasmyrefuge/videos

This is the First Day of my Life

Day 1 of no longer being a student.
So far - so good. I had a good day at work, and then a fun afternoon in Fayetteville.

What am I looking forward to?

• Starting a career
• Having more time for ME
• Having more time to make music and record more
• Having more time to get back in shape

There's nothing quite like that feeling of knowing you're exactly where you are supposed to be in life. A few weeks ago I was intimidated by graduation and scared of its arrival, but now I am welcoming the new chapter with open arms. I'm excited about this uncertainty, for once in my life.