I made it!

The last 24 hours have truly been filled with blessings. It all began when I went to the airport, checked in, had absolutely no problems with luggage or paperwork, and sat down at my gate with an hour and a half to spare. The plane ride to Paris was uneventful, although I did watch four movies! I was very impressed with their selection this ride, and I finally made my 10th trip to Paris yesterday! Yeah, I know, I've been to Paris 10 times and have yet to get off the grounds of the airport! I made my way to my next gate, while visiting with a woman and her grandson who also came from Houston and were heading to Holland for a month where they had family. The boy was in 5th grade, and we had a lot of fun talking.

My next flight was only about an hour long, and I ended up on the plane with two of my professors from previous classes! They didn't recognize me, which I thought was quite funny! I guess my hard work this year has paid off, and even today they were still making comments about how much weight I've lost!

So I finally made it to Geneva, bags were there, perfect timing, I went to the LAS help desk, along with a bunch of kids going to summer camp at the same school, and put my name down for the free bus ride to the school. Little did I know how long the wait would be, but I did discover I could call from my cell phone, and although I'm sure it will cost me a pretty penny, I called mom to let her know I made it to Geneva. Thankfully, I found a friend at the airport, Carolyn, who was also with the Endicott Program, and was beginning her first summer. She flew in from Boston, so we were both dragging a bit. Thankfully, there was room for us on the bus to the school, and for the next two hours, we sat in front of Russian kids that wouldn't stop chatting! God sure has a sense of humor.

The ride the to the school was breathtaking. As we rode around Lake Geneva, the views were amazing, and unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood to dig for my camera, so you'll just have to see it for yourself sometime! We got to the main campus, had to switch cars, and a lady who works for the school drove us up the mountain a bit more to where we are now. It's quiet, peaceful, and secluded. The rooms, which I have failed to take a picture of are like hotel rooms. My views are amazing, and I am ready to get started!

I ran into a few old friends yesterday, but am excited to see Kirsty and Hanaa today! Everything is at our fingertips here - I only have to go three floors down for the cafeteria and class, but when venturing out, it is only uphill or downhill. So much for me worrying about not getting enough exercise! I should be in really good shape by the time I get back home!

These next four weeks are going to be busy with class, but I am thankful for the old and new friends I have met, and for the beautiful scenery that I can enjoy. I have been thoroughly blessed in my preparations of getting here, and for all the many prayers along the way.

I have updated my Facebook page with more pictures, but if you don't have Facebook, here are a few that I took in the past 24 hours. Enjoy!

This is the view from my bedroom when I arrived yesterday. They supposedly had a storm come in, and the clouds were still lingering in the sky.
This is the building where we are staying.
This is the end of the building where my bedroom is...I am on the third floor, on the corner. We have a great balcony!This is the train station. In downtown Leysin you get on a cogtrain, which takes you up the mountain to here, close to where we are staying.The flowers are gorgeous!They told us the views would be better this morning, and they were right! These were all taken this morning, from my bedroom window.

Just a Day

So I know this is going to be posted today, which in reality, I am referring to the day which ended an hour or two ago, but does it really matter?

It wasn't "just a day" I suppose, it was a day which started late, had its high points, its low points, and is ending much later than when it began. Due to going to bed around 3am the night previous, I was actually able to sleep until 8:30, was too lazy to get up, fell back asleep, and then drug myself out of bed around 10:45am. I had no definite plans for the day - there was a ton to do, but I just didn't have the desire! I spent the next few hours watching Jordan scramble to get everything together to head to Super Summer at UMHB, and took a few hours to catch up on the latest happenings of my Facebook friends - it has become such an addiction!

I said my goodbyes to Jordan, who I won't see for the next six weeks, and then sat in silence for the next few hours. I knew I had a birthday party to go to in the evening, so I literally sat on the couch, avoided everything that needed to be done, and accomplished nothing! HGTV has been great for relaxation and cat naps!

As I think back though, there is one thing I did get done - I wrote in my journal. This might not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, my journal is my lifeline, my place where all thoughts (or most of them) can stop circling in my head, and get written down. It's a place where I get it all out, my hopes, my fears, my frustrations, my dreams, and my prayers. I often read through past entries, which most often results in laughter, but there are those days when I look back and see all the great things God has done, and how he has answered my prayers in so many different ways - ways that I never thought possible.

Usually when I write in my journal, I read the previous day's entry and then start writing. What's happened though, is that in the past few weeks I have refused to write in my journal. The last entry I had was at the end of April, and that's crazy to say, seeing as how I had previously written in it almost every day! I know there is a deeper reason for me not picking it up, and much of it has to do with the fact that once I write something down, it becomes real - it becomes something that I will reread and have to relive in my mind. I know subconsciously I didn't want to write a lot of things down due to me reliving disappointment. If I don't write it - then it really didn't happen, right?! LOL, yeah, I sure wish that was the case! So the whole month of May and the first 18 days of June were missing from my journal, and I spent some time today writing. Writing about all the changes that have taken place in recent weeks - writing about the highs and the lows, writing about my prayers of discernment and contentment, writing about my fears of what is to come. I've missed writing in my journal, and although I have found some time to write on my blog, there is nothing like taking a pen and taking time to put thoughts to paper. I cherish the written word. I have cards saved from my grandparents who have passed on, and letters from old friends. I even have cards saved that my parents exchanged when they were married - they probably don't even know that! There is something to be said about taking the time to write, and I hope that I will soon resume the snail mail that I once was so passionate about writing.

So that is the randomness for the day - my main accomplishment was writing! :) I was able to go to Glorya's 66th Birthday, which was fantastic, and I have found time to stay up entirely too late once again. But I hve to say thank you dear blog, for giving me an outlet to share! For hopefully offering a laugh or insight into someone else's life. There are many pages left in that wonderful journal, and I look forward to picking it up once again and getting everything on paper - what a treasure my journals have been thus far!

I leave you tonight with a prayer of peace and contentment. Sweet dreams blog world!

Online Dating

So a friend sent me this link today, and I have thoroughly gotten a good laugh out of it! If you have ever ventured into the world of online dating, then you are sure to enjoy this clip!

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/14029775

4.0 and 49 lbs. gone!

So today I got the official news in the mail - I still have a 4.0! Hooray! I was a bit concerned with my GPA - it's been a tough semester, and although I was hoping I still had an A, I also know that I could have put more effort into it. With that said though, I can move on to my next classes and start fresh! This picture has been the 'wallpaper' on my computer this year, trying to offer me inspiration! So far it's worked, although at times I never thought I'd make it to Leysin!

This is also a video I found on youtube. It's advertising the Summer Camps they have at Leysin American School, where I will be. It looks like fun, and I'm hoping my classes will be as exciting as theirs! :)

And now to the 49 lbs. So yeah, my goal was to lose 50 lbs. by the time school was out, and yeah, you see that that hasn't happened, but I still have faith, and as great as that glass of wine and cheesecake were the other day, and all the other wonderful treats I've eaten, I WILL hit my goal before I head out of town! :) Thankfully, I still have eight days!

Two Weeks from Today

The past twelve months have been a blur. Not only have I been involved in more acitivites/organizations than you can imagine, but I have struggled through graduate courses that have offered a true challenge! At the end of June 2008, I flew off to Madrid for a month, where I had the time of my life! I met so many new friends and experienced all that Spain had to offer. It was hot, busy, and chaotic, but was a nice step back into life overseas.

The Fall brought two classes that were actually quite enjoyable, but kept me oh so busy. It's funny to look back and realize that my new "supper club" friends know me mostly as the girl who leaves the room to log in to her school or can't hang out on the weekends because she's tied to her computer!
My two Spring classes brought on a whole new challenge. My classes were tough - had many, many assignments and papers, and it was also TAKS season in Texas, as well as the Charity Ball, Spring Break (which wasn't much of a break), the Rodeo, and so many more events. I struggled and stressed, and didn't really know if I was going to make it to the end. I was behind in one of my classes, but as the day drew near for the classes to end, I realized that I wasn't the only one having difficulties. What got me through those classes was not only prayer, but the support of my fellow classmates, who were all in it with me! Between group projects across the ocean, which is so much more difficult than you can imagine, and daily readings and postings, I just couldn't get it all together, let alone dealing with the things happening in my personal life!

May 15th marked the end of my Spring Semester. The week prior to that was mass chaos. No sleep, stress, and a weight that would not get off my shoulders. This was supposed to be a fun process, right? I had lost all zeal for the actual content of the courses, and I was hoping that a few weeks break would remedy all negative thoughts about the program!

It's been a little over three weeks since then, and I have to say, I don't think I'm ready to start this all over again! I know, there really is no turning back, from all that has been invested in it, but I just can't seem to get it all together! This, being my first week of summer, I was thinking I would be lounging around the pool, soaking in the sun, reading some books and doing as I please. LOL...yeah, right! Not only have I not been at the pool, but I have been feeling the stress once again, and all that leaving for five weeks entails! Are the bills paid, who is going to take care of the plants, who is going to mow the yard, who is going to get the mail, are my pre-assignments done, oh, wait, I just ordered my books - are they going to be in on time, is my bridesmaid dress going to get here before I leave so I can at least know how much weight I have to lose to fit into it, will I really be able to lose weight when I'm in the country of bread and cheese...and the list can go on and on. :) I know I'm crazy - and I'm ok with that! :)

So now it's Friday once again - one week past the last day of school, and two weeks from my departure. As I wrote in a previous post, these past two weeks have been difficult, but yet amazing. My only fear for this next adventure, is that my mind remains back here in the States. I know that's a bit hard to understand, but so much has gone on lately, I just pray I can take with me what I need, and let things happen the way they are supposed to back home. I want to be able to focus on the task at hand, have the time of my life with my old friends and new friends in Leysin, but also want to have something to look forward to when I come home. Is that so much to ask for? I know, still sounds confusing, but as busy as I am, and as crazy as my life has been, it has given me something to look forward to.

I am excited that my Mom and Aunt KK are flying over at the end of July to see me graduate. I am thrilled that we're going to get to travel together for a week afterwards and see some more of western Europe together, but I know once I land at the airport in Houston on July 31st, reality will soon hit. The beach house is reserved that next week, to hopefully have a chance to lounge by the pool and celebrate my 30th with friends and family on August 4th, and then there is Leah's wedding to look forward to on August 15th, and then on the 17th the start of my new and exciting job, but then what? What does the future hold for me? Will I be able to just sit back and enjoy, or will I always have the thoughts of something more?
Gosh, I'm going to be 30 - I never, ever thought my life would be where it is today. I was the one who was supposed to get married right out of college and have a bunch of kids by now...God sure has a sense of humor! Not to get too far off track, but this past week, while I was in San Antonio with friends, I got a real dose of reality. I was with a friend who did what I thought I was going to do with my life, and then another friend whose last thought right now is to be married. There I was, in the middle, leading the life that one wanted, and then yearning for the life of the other. It was wonderful to sit back with a nice glass of Chianti and chocolate cheesecake and realize that I am not in control. I am blessed, far beyond I ever dreamed, but I also realize that God has greater plans for me. It's just a bit frustrating sometimes not knowing what the future holds - I am sure you understand that as well.

So with all of that written, I just wanted to share with you that I'm just at a loss today. I want to be super excited about my trip to Switzerland in two weeks, and if you ask me, I'll probably tell you I am, but the honest truth is that I'm a little uneasy about it all. I feel like I'm leaving things behind, and life will go on and I will miss out on it. People dream of doing what I am doing, so I need lots of prayer as far as being content. What an opportunity this is for me and I have to remember, I will only be away for five weeks. It will be five weeks for me to meet new people finish this degree, and get ready for a new start to a new chapter in my life, although I'd really like a synopsis on what's going to happen! :)

I hope you have a blessed day, and yes, I will be updating my blog while I am away so you can keep up with this crazy life I lead! It's time to get out in the yard and relieve some stress with the lawn mower, so adios for now!

The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Naumann and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson

As I mentioned in previous posts, it seems like this past year was full of Moscow engagements. Marti (my roommate my second year) was married this past April, soon after her return from Russia. Leah (my roommate my first year) was engaged and asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in August, which I am so excited to be a part of! I have yet to meet Tyler, but am looking forward to finally meeting this guy that swept her off her feet! There have been two other engagements/marriages as well with friends that I met there-Amanda and Preston.

Now, the trend has continued, and once again, a dear friend of mine from my days in Moscow is engaged! I am so happy for Angela and Jason, and will finally be able to meet him at Leah's wedding in two months. Even though we're not related, he shares a great last name with me! I can't believe I haven't made it out to California to see them! It's interesting to see the different phases of life for so many - to know them and spend time with them while living in a foreign country, but being able to see them grow and experience so many new things where God has placed them now.

Angela and Leah are two very important people in my life, and I truly do not know what I would be doing without them! We've traveled the world together - from London, to Moscow, to Kyrgyzstan to Egypt. Even though we're spread across these vast states, I cannot wait to have a reunion with them in August - and meet these men that are so incredible - from what I've heard! :) Congratulations girls, and Angela, enjoy this special time! I am praying for you both!

Angela and Jason's Proposal

Leah and Tyler - http://www.tyleahwedding.com/

A Different Kind of Beginning...

I know it's been weeks since I last wrote. The weeks seem to have flown by, filled with school acitivties, meetings, and various places to be. I have finished up my graduate classes (with a 4.0 still remaining), played in a Kickball tournament, got sunburned on field day, spent hours packing up and moving my classroom as well as Jordan's, rode in the boat for a couple of hours watching the talent of my friends who are brave enough to wakeboard, and have lost countless hours of sleep learning that God brings people into our lives for a reason, and we're not always able to understand why.

On top of that, I just got back home from a few days in San Antonio with good friends, catching up and trying my best to relax - but wasn't very successful at that. I found out yesterday that although the director of my program thought I had paid my Housing for the summer, he was wrong, and had to apologize due to confusion in the accounting department - supposedly there is a new student with the last name of "Neuman," and to think I thought a family member surprised me! Also, I was delighted to hear that my friend Ang is now engaged! Hooray! She is now going to be a Naumann! (No relation to me, but I claim that she has always wanted to be just like me, so she decided to marry someone with the same last name!) It's truly amazing to look back on the past ten days and see all that has gone on.

I also know that many of you are wondering how I am doing. I haven't been in contact with many of you over the past few months, and I know I have just seemed stressed and busy, and yes, I have been!

To be honest, there isn't enough time to tell you all that is going on in my mind right now. Let's just say that the past ten days for me have been absolutely amazing, but yet some of the toughest days I can ever remember. I have been able to actually let my guard down for once, and truly risk letting my emotions show. I have learned that I don't have all the answers, and that it's ok to not be in control. I have learned there are people in this world who I can connect with on a deeper level - I had truly begun thinking that maybe there was no one for me to talk to that actually understood what made me who I am.

I have also been reminded how much it hurts when something you truly treasure is taken away just as quickly as it came into your life. This has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I have been taught that crying is not the end of the world - it's actually a great release. Shocking, I know, and I doubt you will ever see me do it, but for those few friends that did see me the past few days, thank you for being there for me, even though you didn't understand everything and I didn't feel like explaining. It is an emotion that is rare in my life, and I couldn't believe it was actually happening to me, but on the flip side, I have never felt so willing to risk that emotion, and for that, I have no regrets.

The past ten days have left me desiring to grow closer to God, to truly find my purpose and what he shall have me do next. The next two to three weeks are going to be trying for me - to have to move on so quickly, and prepare so many things to get this degree finished. I am excited about heading back overseas, but I am desparately searching for answers. I know it all lies in God's hands, and I have to let him take control. I wish I had all the answers to those questions circling in my mind, but for now, I need to get some much needed rest. I have no clue what the coming months hold, but I do know that I am blessed. Even though you might find me "venting" about my days, I truly feel like I am right where God needs me, even if I don't understand the "why" of it all. I hope you each know how special you are to me, and that I am continuing to pray for you as well. Until next time, enjoy each day and make the most of it!