A, C....natural.....E...flat...ural!

I feel very optimistic today.

Last week was spring break, and the preparation for that was brutal. I had so many things due and so much reading to catch up on that I was very overwhelmed. I made it through about three major papers, two books, a few short responses, more than a few essays, and hours of wind ensemble rehearsal.

Spring break was a lot of fun. Wind ensemble went on its annual tour, and this year we went north, with the apex of our journey residing in Vermont. I was able to see Washington, D.C for the first time, and we stopped in Manhattan, N.Y.C. for a couple of hours. I stayed in Amish country and in Harlem, and I had the most epic of failures during my snowboarding attempt while in Vermont. Spending so much time on a charter bus that just fits our 58-person roster was definitely interesting...we all got on each others' nerves at one point or another; I even cried. Twice. It was a fantastic learning experience; I learned to be appreciative for the things I have, thankful for the things I don't have to experience, and how to be friends with another person under close quarters. I made a stronger bond with a few girls over this trip, and got to know a few more people that I had not known before. :D I'd like to promise that I would post pictures, but I never seem to get around to doing that.... Perhaps I'll do a few picture-and-caption posts later on. I don't know.

Spring break provided me insight, relaxation, and mental rest, all of which I was desperately in need of. I am back at school feeling more positive about the rest of the semester and the rest of my time at Liberty. I register for classes at midnight after tomorrow evening, and I have sorted out the other three semesters. It's very real that I am graduating very soon. I feel organized, and I realized that my academic loads won't be as stressful. With my intended schedule for next semester, I will be done with my classes by noon, I will be able to work daytime study hall, and I will able to spend time at home most evenings, which will be nice because....

WE ARE GETTING A HOUSE! My dad and I live in a townhouse apartment right now. We've had it longer than we expected because of financial stuff just not clicking last spring. But now, everything was approved well enough in advance, and we've got the green light to make our selection. This weekend, we will choose our new home from 4 houses. I am so excited. I think that having more space will make my relationship with my dad stronger and it will make/keep both of us happier more times than not. I cannot wait to tend to actual household chores. Also, we are going to be keeping my brother's dog, George, with us since my brother will be on location for a year for the Army. It will be beneficial for us to have a pet again; pets generally make humans happier, and when I am gone, my dad will appreciate having someone to hang out with, even if the dog has ADHD (he actually probably really does!).

I am doing my best to be ultra supportive of Taylor in every facet of his life. I listen to his song drafts, give my opinions...I help him with his music theory homework. Today I made him flashcards of the main chords he needs to know, since he's not so good with accidentals. Since he's a worship major, he needs to be firm with his classical musical background training...the basics are a must! I quizzed him today on some of them, and he did alright, but there's still room for improvement. I told him that he should keep the flashcards with him all of the time, and that I would quiz him periodically. He will also have them for reference in case he is ever confused. I hope that he is active in using them, though, because they will help a lot. I'm very thankful that Taylor and I have awesome problem-solving methods. No matter the issue, we always work it out soon after or even during the fight. We do not let it bake. Because of this, we always end up perfectly fine and stronger than we were before. :)

My mom called and wants to fly me home for Easter. I really would like to go, especially since my brother's birthday falls on Easter, but that would leave my dad here by himself. He's unsure of whether he wants me to go or not...I don't blame him. I might tell my mom that I'm not going to come...I do not want my dad to spend any holiday by himself. Hopefully she will be able to fly out to see me sometime in April.

Things are going so well. The big one-year anniversary is coming up in about 2 weeks...I couldn't be more excited or in love! Taylor made me try on some rings at the jewelry store yesterday (we were there to pick up a necklace chain that I had broken before...gold sauntering is the most amazing thing!). Of course I couldn't refuse! He's been keeping his eye out on prices and designs...everything is finally seeming real!

Awaiting Vermont!

It's been far too long since I've posted. So, here's a brief update.

1)My mom is A-OK!! She has no cancer, but we've found out that she is anemic. That's not such a big deal compared to the big C...she just needs to take her prescription and eat right, and she's all set!

2)I received a first round of the HPV vaccine. It's always a good thing to be protected from a few of the main cancers, especially when there's a history of it in your family. I go next in April, and then August.

3)Taylor and I had our 11-month mark yesterday. It's been a whirlwind so far, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

4)My friends keep getting engaged. I found out about one last week or so, and another one last night. I'm getting antsy. Haha. When you know, you know, right? Right!

5)I'm officially swamped with schoolwork. There is no end at the light of the tunnel. At least until May.

I've been trying really hard to achieve a balance between school, work, family, and boyfriend, but it is really hard, especially when it's hard to even make time for the Lord. I've been scrambling to get things done in time for Spring Break, which is next week. The wind ensemble is going to Vermont for it's spring trip, and I would like to get paper writing out of the way so that the only thing I will have to worry about (actually be able to do) on the trip is reading.

I'm really excited to do my lesson plans. I feel more and more confident in my new major. I changed last semester from music education to elementary education, and I really do feel like I fit better in this field. Everything just adds up and works out right!

I'm pledging Kappa Delta Pi this semester. It's not a typical sorority...it's the "professional society for education majors." Add a couple of service projects and fundraisers on to the other 3850928 things I have to do, and you have a bald Hilary. I'm not losing my hair yet, but I've been yanking it for 2 months straight.

This is what I love though. It's sick. I LOVE schoolwork. I absolutely love everything about it. I love to be busy, I love to learn. So I guess I secretly like being stressed.

It burns calories.