April 17, 2007

VT - unimaginable

Having spent the first 14 years of my life living 7 minutes from VT Campus - I can hardly imagine something of such magnitude occurring in my small home town. I grew up on this campus - with both my parents working there at different times. My childhood memories are in this small town - and my siblings were all born there. I can remember the Hokies Flags, the doughnut shop down town, the HUGE Christmas tree on campus, walking through campus with the multi-colored leaves falling - crunching them as I ran - attending the many school field trips - FFA trips - and hanging out in the Theatre watching the musical presentations of the groups, helping to put colored gels on the lights for my dad to hang, listening to students practicing - and taking clarinet lessons from a student - wondering if I could ever go to the best school in the world and be as amazing as they were. I think of going to school and church - the countless parades down main street - and Stepp'n-out in August. I remember the devastation of finding out I was possibly moving from the place I knew and loved- wondering if I would ever make it back to the best place on earth.

Many of my elementary and middle school friends go to VT now --- and to think someone could come in and opening fire on students there - unimaginable.

My heart goes out to the place I grew - up --- to my friends and their families. To the students who attend there, as well as the families of the students attending VT. To the employees and faculty of the school who put so much time and effort into their jobs. My heart goes out to the President of VT, as well as to the police force and those involved in making the decisions made today. I am sure they had no idea such an event would occur not once but twice in one day. I believe they truly made the best decision they thought for the time.

I pray for healing and trust to be reestablished on a great and beautiful campus. I pray for those who were wounded and for those families they belong to. I pray for the families of the students who fell victim to this tragedy. I pray for the shooter - and for his family. I pray that nothing like that happens on any other campus.

April 2, 2007

I Love Life!

I love life! This weekend was an amazing weekend - and I am amazed by the spirit that can be felt in any meeting of the church. (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) I am grateful for the many opportunities and blessings that comes into my life.

I was really worried before I left because somehow I acquired 2 contracts for the summer semester. I was stressing about it all week - wondering how I was going to get rid of the contract before next semester - which starts in 2 weeks. After many rounds with the managers - and being told it would be sent to collections if i was unable to find a replacement for my spot or did not pay - said managers sent me an email on Saturday stating a girl had come in to sign a contract - and since I did not pay the deposit - or first rent payment - they would be willing to just have me sign a transfer document and it would all be over!!!!!!!! SOOO amazing and lucky am I!!! honestly - I was really stressing out because to my knowledge it had been canceled weeks before and it is something I will NEVER do again.

And then conference was amazing this weekend. I am so grateful to have inspired men who lead the church. While they spoke about seemingly basic things - I realized how much we need those 'small and simple' reminders. how easily we forget to do the simple things. well - At least I do. I also hope that I can become better than I was before.

The other fabulous part of this weekend included visiting Heather in her "Doll House" --- ;D I think that I would like to move in there this fall!! ;) That was quite a riot of a time! And then seeing Rob - pretty much amazing! This weekend encompassed an amazing balance of fun, learning, spirit, socializing, friendship, and NO HOMEWORK!!! only a sign of what is to come!! yes yes yes!!

Graduation Count Down: 5 days!!