Lots of things are different now. Finished all the Monk DVDs that are out. That was enjoyable. Started my job and seem to be enjoying it. And before I get too far, Phillip & I ended things.. I dunno what else to say about that other than the obvious, I'm sad & definitely down about it. I still love him but I don't know if we'll ever try again...some things just aren't meant to be, ya know?
As you know, I transferred home to IU East's campus to save money for Grad School. At the time being I liked it & felt good about the whole situation. I'm not so sure now. I'm not a small town type of gal...I get antsy in my pantsy. haha Not to mention I have too many memories here from Phillip...every day is a little sad, passing places and seeing people. I'm sure after I heal up it would be okay, but mostly I just don't like Richmond. I had been planning on living with a friend from High School in an apartment for the next two years but now I don't know if that will happen. She's awesome and fun..but I can't force myself to stick around here for just a few people, ya know? So I've been reading tons & tons & TONS of info about what I could possibly do. Looked into the Peace Corps, Transferring back to Morehead, Traveling, even...the NAVY? haha...The Navy is out. I think I would last & like it, but I get burnt out on things so easily..and you can't just stop being in the Navy. lol
So this is my plan.. tentatively speaking...take a breath...it's just my ideal situation.
So I have my job now to bring in a good amount of money...keep that in mind.
I won't be living/paying for an apartment (keep that in mind)..
and I can mostly loaf off of my parents while I'm still here. (keep that in mind) ..
Hokay, so...
Thanks to Kyle W, I have now been formally introduced to www.couchsurfers.com (I'd heard of it, but never really looked...) Anyways.. It's basically a network of people that have made their homes/couches available for cheap travelers looking to see the world..on a dime. haha It's free! To stay with them anyways..
So again, [ideally], I would like to hit the dusty trail around the end of May, no later than the end of June.
Fly out of JFK and into London (seems to be the cheapest way to get to Europe)..and do a helluva lot of couch surfing...until I can't stand it anymore. I would plan on coming back in time for fall classes.
 But!...if by some chance I just can't get enough of traveling and still have money to live off of...who knows..I could stay til Christmas! haha But I'd probably get back in time for classes...for financial aid reasons. I could always go back (traveling that is) the next Summer.

This has a l w a y s been a dream of mine...
I have experience traveling the world...but never with out an agenda. Before it was teaching/mission trip related. This would just be..for me. No agenda, no rules, just me. Woo. This has been my first and only happy thought since everything went down with P. To get to finally do something for myself that I've always dreamed of..
I'm old enough...I'll be financially stable enough..and I'm confident enough to do it finally.
So pray for me! Because I would be sooo thankful for this opportunity! I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to travel with my Hubby one day (hopefully he's an adventurous guy)...but there are things I want to do while I'm alone and just have myself to worry & think about.
There are lots of other things I still want to do and see..but this is definitely my longest running/most exciting dream. I'm such a dork..I've already been making a budget, lists, figuring out how to pack, etc. Ooo how I like lists I think way too much.. about w a y too much..and lists are always there to think with me

So for now...these are the things I need to nip in the bud:
(here we go with a list haha)
-Finish this STINKIN' semester. Gah.
-Get the eff outta Richmond, by whatever means necessary.
-Buy a new digital camera to replace my 35mm that is currently...a little sandy
-Save every penny!!
-Buy some better/more suitable luggage
-Start coming up with an idea what route I will take...
-Transfer to Morehead for next Semester?? Maybe..ehhhhh Praying about that.
-Finish a few more books that I bought
-Get some new music
-Maybe...God willing...start running. haha...scary. Basically, get in better shape. Ow ow
-Have a rockin' birthday with an old friend in Morehead
-TRY to make the best of this place while I'm here
-I could go on...but you would get bored. Even more bored than you already are. hahaha

No one even reads this..it's xanga. But it helps me get my thoughts sorted. So if you did read...well gee, thanks


Milly ----> you're not taking the name.

The past week has been strangely long & slow, yet a lot has happened. I got a job on Wednesday! I applied there about a week after I came home for Christmas break in December, so that was neat! I'll be working at Foundations in New Paris (The old Cedar Springs). It's a learning/housing facility for the mentally retarded. I'm pretty jazzed about having a job but a little nervous too..Pray that everything works out & goes well.

Our bathroom (in the basement beside my room & Eli's) has been out of commission for lots o' months. Everything has been running fine, but we took out the shower a while a go because the original owners that put it in did a crap job and it was ruining the walls because water was getting behind the shower walls. So the plumber came and put in a new bath tub/shower combination on Wednesday and it is ready to go now! I'm not using it until the whole bathroom is re-done though. We bought tile for the floor yesterday, hardware and paint to re-do the entire room. It's going to look bangin'! Hopefully Philly can help me paint/tile, but it's looking like I'll be doing it myself...well not the tile, Dad will have to help me if Phillip can't because I don't want to mess it up.

Thursday night was great too! I got done with classes and headed in to town to meet David for a cup o' joe at Crosswalks. We just had time to talk for like 20 minutes and then we both had to head to different places. I went down to Oxford and met up with Phillip. We decided to make the best of our long/free night in every way Dinner was delish. We made our own breaded chicken, rice/pasta combo, and a sauce for the chicken (and I used it over my rice too) that was soo yummy. It had a white wine, onions and thick whipping cream in it. Sooo yummy! Phil (Phillip's roommate) had a friend over to play guitar hero so we ate it in Phillip's room with some good music. It was really relaxing and totally enjoyable on all levels. Dessert was even better.
After taking our time with our dessert we went to see Juno at the Princess. It was really cute. We both kind of thought they tried a little too hard to be indie, but mostly it was funny.

Yesterday (Friday), I babysat for my Aunt Tami while she went to get more tests done at the hospital. Still pretty worried/scared about her. I wish they could tell us more. Had fun with Becky & Josh even though Josh was a turd. Talked with her for a little while after they got home and then I headed home. Me, Dad and Lainie went to Richmond to meet mom at Steak and Shake for dinner. Yummm. Went to Lowe's and got all of the bathroom stuff and then I drove Mouse to the mall to buy a pair of shoes she'd been eyeing. Sandlin texted me about coming down to go to Brickstreet...ended up just staying at his house and relaxing instead. There were a few random people there..besides all the boys. But it was enjoyable still. Always happy to have time to hang out with Sandlin. After I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore..literally..contacts were driving me nuts..walked over to Philly's and crashed. Well...took out my contacts, brushed my teeth, kissed on Phillip, talked for a little bit about our evenings...then crashhhhed. I slept so well! I was still mega tired when we woke up though. He had Fraternity stuff in the morning at like 10:00 so I just headed home. I've just been relaxing with the family and/or watching Alias season II the entire day. Phillip, his cousin Jared, and his brother, Adam are playing Halo all night in celebration/one last hoorah for Adam before he ties the knot a week from today. That will be fun..(the wedding I mean). I look forward to spending lots of time with the Cobb/Moore clan and Phillip of course. It will be fun getting all snazzy and dressing up together.

Tomorrow is reserved for homework, church, and Alias. And mayyybe bathroom work. Hopefully!
Looking forward to another good week!

♥

At the new Taffy's...forget the name...in town. (coffee shop).
Came in and did some stuff for school, applied to Hastings online, bought my last text book, fixed my financial aid for IUE, and sipped on a caramel latte all at the same time. Productive much? Yes! hehe...
Now I'm just sitting & enjoying the musicians that came in. It's open mic night I guess bc there have been three so far and it looks like at least three or four left to go. I wish Phillip was here..he'd like it here. I sure do.  Much more cozy than Charlie's..
I miss him : ( It's only been a few days but I just miss his company. It's nice to just be with someone and not talk but also not be alone. Stinks that our last week together had to be a crazy, busy and sad one. I'm hoping to see him sometime soon but he has fraternity stuff & doesn't want to do stuff afterwards so it might not be until next week. That stinks : (
In better news, Tiff is probably coming to spend the weekend with me next weekend..so at least I won't be alone then & I of course want to see her! Yay!
My classes are crazy this semster...hope I can handle it. It's a great chance...my GPA is completely scratched & starts over again since I transferred. Chyeah..I'm really trying to make it awesome this semester! : )
Well I think I'm going to get off of here and probably leave in the next half hour or so. Who knows..wish I would have brought my book...haven't had much time to read lately..wanna finish my Cuckoo book.

Have a good night