What do you want to be when you grow up?

When we were younger, we were always asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 

Now as a "soon-to-be college graduate" I'm asked "What do you plan on doing once you graduate?"  My response "I have no idea."  Earlier this week I picked up my 10 year old cousin from school and he asked me that question and when I responded with my typical response he told me, "you better figure it out."  I was taken back and the rest of the walk home I couldn't get my mind off of his response, and since then I've thought about what I want to do with my life.  

As children we tend to say we want to be a movie star, a princess, an explorer, a super hero...etc.  It's weird to start thinking about what I want to do with my life and actually be serious about it.  I've thought about it alot over the past couple years, and I've come up with the following:

• Nursing
• Marketing
• Sports Marketing
• PR
• Student Affairs

Nursing is crossed out because (honestly) I'm not that good at the Sciences.... haha  

I hope my work experience at HousePR will help me figure out or at least cross off something on my list.  I also hope these next two months will do the same.  In a way, its terrifying!  I am basically deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life.  (I know it doesn't have to be permanent, but I hope I can make a decision that will make me happy and I can stick with the decision for the rest of my life.)

Moving to London

Well I've been in London for a week and I'm in dire need of a social life. haha  I said goodbye to Julie last Friday and last night I had dinner and said goodbye to Jake.  My Mom, Aunt and I agree that I need to get out and make an effort...so I'm going to jump out of my comfort zone and force myself into the world.  (I'll let you know how that goes)  Yes, I'm a social person but honestly it takes alot for me to do it by myself.  Its easier to meet new people when you have at least one other person with you.  I went to Harlaxton because of that...I was with other people I knew at the beginning...therefore it was easier to meet new people.

Now if you're worried about me getting bored (like I am), I have been looking up stuff to do here in London.  Amazingly enough there are a bunch of free events being put on everyday.  So...next week I'm going to try to do something every day.  I also help out my Aunt with my cousins and around the house, so no worries; I'm not  moping around the house with nothing to do.  I also have a two week work experience set up at a PR firm called HousePR, starting the 7th of May.  I am pretty excited about that, and I hope that can give me a possible insight to what I want to do with my life...hopefully.

I'm excited to see where my journey takes me in my final 2 months here...I'll keep you updated!

View of the street I am living on...well not literally, the house is on this street. 

View from my room!

The end is near...

Last fish n chip Friday :( 

Two of my favorite refectory workers...serving my last favorite meal...fish n chips :'(  

They're both so lovely...what am I going to do????

Last night out :(

Me, Addy and Sara ready to go out for one last night

Me, Cherish, Sam, Jay, Matt, Sara, Addy, Callum and Connor with the pint.

Me, Diogo and Julie. (Diogo is another refectory worker...he looks alot different without the funny hat)

Even though I have 2.5 months (leaving June 30th) left in England I still can't believe how quickly time flies!  This entire experience has been absolutely amazing!  I cannot believe at how much I have changed as an individual.  I have found that I can actually do things without my parent's help (well kind of...thanks Mom and Dad for funding everything...and the whatnots), I can find my way around a foreign city, I can meet new amazing people (well I guess I've been doing that my entire life...but I can do it!), and I can call a cab! (I haven't been able to hail a cab just yet...but I plan on being able to do that within the next 2.5 months)  

I'm never going to forget the people I've met while I've been here.  Heck people if you're reading this, you're more than welcome to contact me up if you ever plan on making it to Kansas!  I'd love to show you around my flat (yet hilly) state.  Although, I must be realistic.  We are separated by a huge ocean and we will most likely never see each other again. BUT I will keep my American optimism and will not say good bye but rather...see you later! 

Last Day of Classes

WHAAT!?


Today is the last day of classes already?!

No way!


I'm not ready for this to be over, but I am definitely going to enjoy it as much as possible before I leave Wednesday.  Yesterday a group of us went bowling to celebrate the end of the semester.  Tonight we had our Valedictory Dinner.  I can't type too much because I'm already emotional....  This has been an amazing semester for me and if I had to go back, I'd do it all over again...maybe I would have made some smarter decisions along the way but nonetheless I am so glad I decided to study abroad.

Jules and Ellie

Classic Shoe Photo

Action shot of Jake

Not only did we have bumpers, Dani used the kiddie bowling thingy-ma-jig

CJ bowling like a pro

She got a strike!

This is the epitome of Jules and Jake's personalities

Me and my gorgeous roommate Katy

My castle

Just a little photoshoot

I'm going to miss her laugh

aww

He is making me cry

friends!

Addy!

American Sweethearts who hang out with British Hunks (Me, Sara & Addy)

Kathy and I

Me and my boys (CJ & Jake)

My babies!

I got my diploma! (w/ Dr. Green)

Oh yea!

Love those two!

I was crying when they took this picture...I get so emotional

gotcha!

16 Days

I can't believe the semester is almost finished!

I have 17 days until my British Studies final...but I still have 89 days (roughly 3 months) left in the UK!  I also just enrolled for my Senior year of University! (that's what they call College here...well they have College but its more like schools that provide people with certificates rather than degree's)

This makes me think about how much time flies.  I can't believe that 4 years ago I was in High School thinking about how I was one year closer to being in College...er Uni. (University shortened...I'm slowly thinking in British) Now I'm thinking about how much I've changed these past couple of years, let alone these past 3 months I've been studying abroad.  In a couple of years I will be graduating with a Masters (hopefully) and be forced into the real world. I will have to grow up (I don't want to) and do adult things. Now I'm thinking about how in 10 short years I'll be 30! By then I could possibly be married with children.... THIS IS INSANE!

Life is mayhem, but I definitely appreciate the blessings that I encounter daily.  I'm not a "religious" person but I definitely am so glad God gave me the strength to be here today.

The day of my Baptism

This is one of my favorite photo's its framed in my room back at home

Shortly after my cancer diagnosis, we had just shaved my head before this photo

Me and a dolphin, taken during my "wish" trip to Disney World

Vacation in Colorado

Christmas at my Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's house (We've all grown since my baptism)

Hanging out at home

I love cheese

Relay for Life with my dad, my parent's are by far the best supporters in my life.

I love this photo because my friend Danielle and I went to an outdoor concert and we got stuck in the rain...we tried to stay dry by staying under a blanket...not too successful.

My big brother Jake and I the day of my High School graduation.

Senior Picture

Freshman year of Uni! 

Sophomore year of Uni!

End of my Sophomore year on Mom's Day at my sorority Alpha Chi Omega

Junior Year at Uni! Working the Football Game with some of my best friends and fellow Student Athletic Assistants. 

ME TODAY!

So much has changed over the years...I'm proud of who I am today and I don't regret the decisions that have brought me to where I am. Life is a gift I cherish daily.