[Earn that sleep, Babygirl]

안녕하세요.

How was your semester? Crazy, I hope.

Oh, gosh. It has been awhile since I wrote a blog. A full semester, actually. My bad.

Anyway, I decided it was time to get another one written and slung out onto the interwebs. My first semester at Iowa State was fantastic. The issue with Lincoln (I think) was that I was bored, uninterested, and uninvolved. Here I was busy. I was exhausted every night and filled my days to over flowing.

It. Was. Awesome.

I have a very strong belief that you need to earn your sleep. If you don't do all you can do, why do anything at all? For some, like me, its getting involved with whatever interests you, making friends and being busy. For others, its about staying focused on your studies or planning your life ahead, not necessarily being busy. That is OK. Better than okay, its wonderful. Being yourself to make you happy...gosh its just delightful! :)

This semester I took on two jobs, one at dining and one at HyVee. I began to write for the Daily. I joined a sorority, which is completely  different than I thought it would be...good thing I love it. :) I made wonderful friends through those activities and through Cyclone Bible Fellowship, which I was blessed enough to become involved with. On top of that I had class, ya know, the whole reason I was there.

Most of my awkward and beautiful family

I was stressed.

I was tired.

I was grumpy. 

I was happy.

I felt like I was making a difference, like I was working toward something of importance. The beauty of being busy is that while you're stressed and crying, you realize just how freaking blessed you are to have the opportunity to be busy and crying. You realize just how important all these new people have become to you.

In all reality, I was finding stuff to fill time. I went to bed exhausted and woke up exhausted every day. Because of this I found my three beautiful future roommates, tons of AOII sisters, and how passionate about advertising and journalism I am. I found how incredibly messy I can be if I get busy. I found myself. I remembered the old me...the busy, stressed, happy, me.

Future roomies right after our sketch lease signing!

Its hard. Its always going to be hard, but the key is to surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people. Friends, family, coworkers. Whatever. People who lift you up. If you're a natural introvert, make sure to find time for yourself. Life can get crazy, and will get crazy, take some time to yourself. Remember, if you're feeling down, feel free to take a moment, pout, and hop right back onto the crazy train.

(Is it sad I didn't even have to Google this image...it was already on my computer)

I'm still running strong with summer courses and two jobs. (I work with flowers and I love it!) I encourage you to earn your sleep. God gave us sleep so we have the energy to work towards something greater. He gave us exhaustion so we know we are doing something right.

Sorry about this silly post, and all. Time for summer homework, and ice cream. Yummm!

진정으로

Shannon


Korean in honor of my crazy boyfriend and the support he has given me over this past semester. 

[You Can't Spell College Without Christ]

Hi!

How's it going?

Its been a few weeks since my last post, but I moved across the country, back to my hometown in Iowa for about five days, started dating my best friend (again), and then moved to Ames to start my VERY FIRST SEMESTER AT IOWA STATE. EVER.

Okay. I know. Its second semester, everyone is ready for summer, but give me some credit. The excitement will fade in two weeks, max. I promise.

So, last Sunday I went with Steven to church, and to a Sunday night bible fellowship called CBF (Cyclone Bible Fellowship). Now, as some of you know, I haven't had access to a church while I was in Florida. At the time, I was upset, but as I started working and living at Disney it just slipped my mind. I forgot my Bible in Iowa, so every once and awhile I would get my Bible app and read through a few verses. (Jeremiah 29:11 was always a go-to). When I was upset, or homesick, I would read through a few verses. That was about it, though. I was not "actively," being Christian, as a friend likes to say.

The first time I went to church since moving down to Florida, was when I moved home. I tried to go on Christmas Eve, but I had to work. Christmas, I didn't have a ride. It just wasn't happening.

I went to church after coming home, and I almost cried. I was so happy. I was so....I don't know how to explain it. It was exhilarating. It was like God said, "Dude. Shannon. Finally. I've been waiting for you to come home."

I've realized that this is what I needed. A little shake. A little wake-up call. A little Jesus. (Sorry, my sassy side came out). I've been reading my bible more, been letting potential employers know that I would like to have Sundays off, been feeling happier.

I'm pretty pumped for this semester. I've met great people, I live with great people, and my best friend is closer than 24 hours away. This is going to be a great semester. A Lord centered semester.

Thanks for listening to my rants, and for all those lucky college kids out there remember: Coffee!

Sincerely,

Shannon


I'm not one to "preach." I have a lot of friends, with a lot of different backgrounds and beliefs, which I respect, but I expect respect in my beliefs in return. (:

[Hugs and Tears]

Hi guys,

I have a story today. Please just bare with me. I'm sitting in my apartment, listening to smooth jazz, and eating chocolate at 4am.

---

I'm slowly walking toward my apartment at 3am. Now, this generally isn't something new. I usually work until 1am and then go eat or hang out with my work friends, or my "beaches babes." (I work at Beaches and Cream), but this time I have tears flowing down my face. People walk by and kind of nod and keep going towards their destination. I don't get any surprised or confused looks...not even concerned. Would you like to know why? Because my program (Fall 2013) is coming to an end and many College Program Participants are nearing the day like I had today. The day to say good-bye. Or how I'd like to see it is a "See ya real soon!"

My good-byes started yesterday with a few friends at work and my friend Jourdan, who I've become very close with. We've only known each other for four months. Four months. But. But when it came time to say good-bye, we sat in her car and bawled, and bawled, and bawled. And I cried walking home. I'm going to miss the IHOP dates, and the jokes during work.

If I thought yesterday was bad...today was worse. Although, I guess the word, 'worse' isn't exactly right. It was wonderful and awful today.

It started out normal. Get up. Go to work. Change into my rainbow costume. Start scooping ice cream.

We were fine until about nine o'clock when I turned around to see one of my best friends, Taylor, looking at me. She had tears in her eyes.

"We should probably go back stage."

So we go to the back, and hug, but we compose ourselves, and head back out to do our job. (Today was my last day, and tomorrow is Taylor's. She is from Mississippi). Later on I get to say good-bye to all the servers, and other fellow cast members, whom I will miss very much.

We eventually closed, and started cleaning. When it hit midnight we all cheered, and hugged, then went back to cleaning. Finally we finished closing around 12:30am (of 2014!). Once we were checked by our manager, we went to the back hallway and Taylor and I kind of let go. Tears started rolling down our cheeks, we hugged tightly, told each other through the tears that we were going to miss each other immensely.

*Shout out to my poor manager who gave us our space, and didn't realize we were bawling. You go, Bill*

Finally we are calm enough to clock out and change...which ended up with me crying and hugging Leslie. (Lord. I am going to miss all of you wonderful ladies so much.) Anyway, we finally have all changed, and I've checked in my last costume. We start walking towards the bus stop where most of us will be waiting for our bus to go back to our apartments. I feel bad for keeping them, but I didn't want to say good-bye. So we all hug. Pictures were taken. More tears (with mainly Taylor and I). Isa being silly and speaking Portuguese. Then we decide to go to McDonald's. So I say one more teary-eyed good-bye to Haley, and jump in Leslie's van with Alex, Isa, and Taylor and we head to McDonald's.

We sat in McDonald's for two hours. Talking, laughing, taking pictures, making faces. I didn't want to go home.

Eventually we had to leave. Once we arrived at my apartment, I gave one last hug to everyone. Promised to text, snapchat, facebook, etc and walked home.

This is Taylor and I...saying our good-byes.

---

This program. I don't even know how to express my feelings right now, which is rare. Man, I am so excited to see Iowa, but...but I don't want to leave all of these people who have become family while I've been living in Florida.

I now have family from Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida...and the list goes on and on.

The people you meet and grow close to on this program is what makes it worth it. I hated Beaches, but I loved my beaches babes. I love hanging out. Joking. Even venting to each other took the weight of being 23 hours away off of my shoulders. There were days where I wanted to pack up and move home to Iowa, but I didn't because of my friends. When you have awesome people like this that you see day, after day. Month after month...saying good-bye seems out of the question.

I'm going to miss everyone so much. I have two more good-byes, before I step foot on my plane. To Danielle, my best friend, and to my roommates. Then on to new and exciting adventures that await me in Ames.

Everyone who made my stay worthwhile. Thank you. I love you all. I didn't expect to meet some of the best people, when I signed up. I will be back soon to visit, promise.

---

And after hugs, kisses and tears, its time to go home. In 10 hours I will be boarding a plane to go home.

The Disney College Program is a life changing experience. You grow up, and get to meet these amazing people that will be with you the rest of your life.

See ya real soon.

Sincerely,

Shannon