[Giving Thanks...1300 Miles Away]

Merhaba Beyler!
(Its in Turkish today...get it? Turkey day...Turkish? ha)

Well, tomorrow is the day! In an hour and a half the day we all fill up on food that will put us into a coma exactly four hours later, will be here. The day that my two Australian, and one Brazilian roommate don't, quite, understand. Its THANKSGIVING.

Now, this year is a little different from past years. One, I won't be going to bed right after our Thanksgiving meal and getting up to put up the doorbusters and advertisements around ShopKo for 14 hours. (Did I mention dealing with insane customers?) Second, I'm in Florida, when the rest of my family and friends are in Iowa and Nebraska. Which, I'm going to be completely honest with you, puts a damper on this holiday. While my family will be gathering, laughing together, playing board games, and eating delish foods, I will be working my normal 5pm-1am shift at Beaches and Cream. Well, damn.

That's my face because I'm not home for the holidays.

BUT. I need to tell myself to look up and appreciate this new experience. I mean, c'mon. I'm living Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World! This will probably never happen again. Here are my top five blessings. I have so many, but I don't want to bore you too much. :)

1. The Disney College Program-

I'M LIVING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD. Its said that 30,000 college students apply but only 7,000 are accepted. Why wouldn't I be thankful for this? I get incredibly homesick, yes, but I turn around and I see Cinderella's castle at night, and remember why its all worth it. I'm doing this awesome thing that when I look back six months from now, I won't want to change it for anything.

2. Health-

Guys, I feel this is an obvious one. There are so many dangerous crap that can get into your system, and make you sick. You can get hurt in a matter of seconds. You can pass on at any moment.

I'm blessed for my health. I'm blessed, that even though I have tendinitis/carpal-tunnel in both wrists, and I have migraines, that those are the extent of my discomfort. I pray for those who are dealing with much more. I pray for my friends who have a gluten-allergy and have to have a special Thanksgiving, those who are in the hospital during this time. Give thanks, and pray for those who are unable.

3. Our Soldiers-

I'm going to flat out say that I don't like, and don't believe in the war. I absolutely hate it. It makes me sick. But. But, I put full support into our soldiers. I have friends in the military, navy, etc. I get homesick in Florida? What about those who are putting their lives on the line that are in Afghanistan, or Iraq? Now how is that fair? They're putting their lives on line, defending our country, they don't know if they will see their loved ones again, yet they are still giving thanks. So far away.

Screw Superman. These are the gentlemen and ladies that deserve the hero award.
(Credit: Squidoo)

4. Friends-

Never, ever, forget your friends. I have so many. I've made great ones here, and I have my old ones back home. I don't know what kind of person I would be if I didn't have my friends. Really. I would name each and every person, but I can't. Special shout-out to Brittany Rupp, because she's my bestfriend, but I couldn't find a small enough picture. : (

5. Last, but not least: My Family-

I am SO blessed, for these insane people. My mom, dad, and brother. I just...I don't even know how to describe how happy they make me. And how incredibly mad they make me too. They're family. Whatcha going to do? I love each and every one of them, and will be missing them immensely this holiday season.

That's my brother and I. We're extremely hot.

Alright, guys, remember to give thanks. We take shit for granted everyday, but that's because we're human. If  we're given a day to literally, sit, eat, laugh, and give thanks, you better do it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Içtenlikle,

Shannon

[Roommates]

Hola a todos!

How's everyone doing today? I'm great! Thanks for asking!

These past couple of days have just been full of all sorts of roommate things. Good things, don't worry.

Currently, I am living with two girls from Australia, one from Pennsylvania, and one from California. We're a pretty diverse group of girls. Which is fantastic! (:

So yesterday, we (my four other roommates and I) had a stranger knock on our door and say that she was moving in and she had just flown in from Brazil. BRAZIL. I don't know why, but this excited me. She moved into my room and seems extremely sweet.

As I was talking to her, the subject of why exactly I was the one that was living in a room alone, rather than my other roommates. (I live in a three bedroom apartment, with two girls per room). I told her that my other roommate was forced to leave since she was insane (long story). She laughed! I like her already! So, while I'm getting to know the girl I'm going to be living with for the next six weeks, I skyped my future roommates back home in Iowa!

I've been having trouble finding someone to live with in Ames because I'll be going back in the middle of the year. Not many options to chose from. Finally, someone suggested Craigs List. Well, I was skeptical, Craigs List can be kind of sketchy. Turns out, this time it was a good idea!

I found an apartment I should be able to afford (If I can ever get a job in Ames!) with four girls living there now, and about 10 minutes from campus. Perfection. Well, like any normal person they wanted to meet me so we had a skype date tonight. One of the girls is getting married which is why my future room is opening up, but I got to meet her and the other three roommates. One is from Iowa, one Wisconsin, and one from Colorado. I'm pretty pumped. I was afraid it would veryyyy awkward but it was awesome. Continuous laughter from everyone is usually a good sign. (:

I've learned from going through, and meeting, new roommates is that living with someone is a two way street. Don't expect someone to change their life style in two weeks just because YOU want it a certain way. Now, they are going to do stuff that I going to drive. you. up. the. wall. BUT. In order to be a good roommate you need to let it go, and if it gets out of hand communicate. People who don't communicate are just setting themselves up for failure. If you communicate and work things out, you can have a friend AND a roommate.

That's all for me tonight,

Sinceramente,

Shannon

[I'm Here!]

Hey Everyone!

I hope your Monday wasn't too terrible. I tried last semester to start a blog, wrote a few blogs, then it kind of puttered out when I got busy. (Ya know, finals and junk like that). WELL. I would like to try again! This time I'm not going to advertise it until its a habit. ;)

So...Hi! My name is Shannon. I'm from a little big town called Council Bluffs in Iowa, but born in Nebraska. I attend Iowa State University as an English Education and Advertising major. I plan on being a high school journalism teacher after I graduate...maybe. I'm still in the process of figuring that out. Check back later.

Right now, though, I'm living in Orlando, Florida and participating in an internship called the Disney College Program. Basically, I live, eat, and work at Walt Disney World for six months, then go back home in January to go back to school. Sounds pretty cool, huh? I thought so. So I'm enjoying my time here until I have to move all my crap home.

I have a little brother named Russell, a little sister named Bryce, two moms and two dads. Confused yet? Good. I love my two wonderful families to the moon and back. My family I live with in Iowa actually came and visited me two weeks ago here in Florida! Ahh...so good to see them, but you know how after spending too much time with your family, you get sick of them? Well...yeah. That's all I'm going to say about that since my mom will probably be reading this. Love you, guys! 

I'm 5 foot 1 inch, with blond/brunette hair (its weird...) with multiple best friends. I love naps, books, and collect lipstick for some reason.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sincerely,

Shannon