Exciting news has been released!!!

This has been a very good week and weekend...Kudos to who make it all possible.. haha

So the week... was busy. I was running around, going to classes, doing homework, meeting with people at the library, reading, and all that fun school stuff. I was just so pumped that I got to go home this weekend that nothing else mattered really! I got my first field exercise (article) from my News Writing class. I got 88/99 on it, and they said I did pretty well for it being my first one. So that made me happy, even though they tore it to shreads and I had to revise a lot of it. But I feel confidant in my writing skills and I think I could probably pull of an A! Pray! Hmm... what else about school??? OH! I was part of a historical moment at Winona State University! I had gotten an e-mail from the school saying that everyone should go to the boys basketball game tonight because this guy, David Zelleman was 5 points away from breaking the all time shooting record or something that was last set in 1971. So yah.. I was there, took pictures, he did it.. it was cool stuff. The rest of the game went pretty fast and it kind of made me miss playing basketball. Granted I wasn't any good and I quit in 8th grade, but still... a little piece of me still loves it dearly. Besides that...I got my Instructional Speech for my public speaking class confirmed. I'm teaching everyone how to make paper snowflakes!! Yah... you might be asking how that relates to the audience? Well.. we have parents who can teach their kids, people babysit, and they have younger siblings, AND at college they are fun to make and put on your windows. so WAH AH AH! I win.... that's school life....

Now to the best part of everything... the weekend! I just whipped through my classes on Friday, not really paying attention cuz I was too stoked about seeing all my friends. I was a little sad that I was leaving school cuz some of the girls on the floor wanted me to stay and such... or at least that's what I'm thinking they were getting at. Oh well! So, I finally get outta here by a little after 4:00 and I listened to my music and didn't stop until I got into Plymouth. Of course by doing that, I got a terrible headache because I hadn't eaten all day long. So now it was 6:45 or so, so I decided to stop at Panera to see who was working. My favorite manager John was working and so I went in back and talked with him a while. And Graham was back there doing dishes. ::Girly little giggle:: what can I say.. he makes me feel funny. I don't even know why. I like fall all over myself. Not that we could ever happen.. I'm pretty sure he's not a Christian and he has a girlfriend...but I dunno, something attracts me to him. Anyway, we slightly flirted for a while and then I got some food at ate it at home. Now the headache was still there, and getting worse, so my mom gave me her migraine medicine and I layed down for a good 15 minutes, but that was enough time for it to be a dull pain now. So I went over to Justin's house and played Risk and Settlers with Nate, Melanie, and Justin. I had never played either of those games but in Risk I took over Asia for a while, and had Australia to the bitter end. Nate and I basically tied for second. It was amazing. THEN I was winning in the Settlers game but the thing is.. I'm a door mat when it comes to Justin.... good lord!! He was trading with me, and he looked so innocent, and so I gave in and he WON. Bah!!! I suck totally. I can't believe I fell for that. But yah.. we had moved the party to Med's at midnight and we were there until about 3:00 or so. LLAAATEEE NIGHT... but I love them so it's okay.

So Saturday was early because I had a parade, and had to shower and be at the fire station by 10:00. Yah, that's right, I got about four hours of sleep, but it was still great. I love Karrah and we drove down and had a good talk about Laura and parades, and school, and everything in between. The parade wasn't that great because we did not know a lot of the girls there, and Karrah didn't feel well. On top of all of that, the weather was kinda cold, and then it started to drizzle/snow and it was just not so great weather. But when we got back, Karrah felt better and so we watched the Delano Dance Team at the Wright County Competition that was acutally held at Delano this year! OMG I HAVE NOT SCREAMED THAT LOUD IN A LOONNG TIME!! IN high kick, the girls did amazing. Wow. I have not seen that great of a dance for a while! Waconia did really good too, and Anna said they should have won, but they got 2nd and Delano took the win. Karrah and I almost cried we were soo happy. We are dance lovers, but suck at it, so we just watch and cheer on the team. It was really nice. Jazz funk could have been a better but it's okay, they still did decent. I didn't lose my voice during all of this... but it became rather raspy by the end of the night. Haha what can I say, I'm passionate about things!!

So Karrah decided not to join us at broomball so I headed over there afterwards anyway. The only thing was it was kind of a sloppy wet day and the rink was either going to be frozen over and that would equal death for me OR it was going to be like swimming on the ice and I would get soaked to the bone. So I just decided to stay on the sidelines and talk with Adam, Nate, and Mike. We then went in the house to watch some tv and talk. They have this new tv and it is soooo big! We were watching the Great Escape with Steve McQueen... the most amazing man ever (It says in his contract...hahahah... only a few of you will get that) Anyway, eventually people started to wander in and we were all talking and having a good time. Justin we sexually harassing Adam as usual, and Jesse joined in for a bit of fun. Of course I let this occur.. just cuz you gotta have a little enjoyment in your life right? lol. I got to hang out with John for a while and Anna too! That made me really happy! I go from upset with them, and then extremely happy. Wow... I'm special...

Well Nate and I were getting really hungry and most people were leaving so I coaxed Adam and Justin to come with us by offering to buy them a muffin from Perkins (they accepted) Who turns down free food? So it was just the four of us that ended up going, but it was such a good time. I got pancakes, Nate got the Tremendous Tweleve, and the two other boys got muffins. And Justin ended up eating my last pancake cuz I don't ever eat a lot. It's how the system works. But wow... we just got to talk about so much stuff. I can't even recall everything we touched over but it was a lot and it made me happy. I love deep conversations and I guess I was getting somewhat frusturated because it seems that I never get some time with Justin anymore. I want to know what's going on with him and it's pretty impossible when there is more than you and him. Cuz I mean I talk to Nate, Adam, Anna, Kara, and so on all the time, and we can usually get some good talking in. But Justin doesn't have the internet, doesn't write back to e-mails, and it's just really hard to get a hold of him on the phone when he's at school. So everytime we are both home I'm always trying to just spend SOME time together... and it never happnes. But the Perkins night was good enough.. I got a bit out of them. lol. But anyway, we were there till 4 AM (got there at like 12:30) So yah... I was exhausted.

Well this post is getting long so I'll shorten the rest of the stuff I am going to say.

Pastor Dake from Village Church resigned as of yesterday and it's really sad cuz he was a good man, but he's not going the same direction of the church and it's really the work of God. Something good will come of this, and so I have no doubt in my mind that this was a bad decision. I just hope everything works out for him, his family, and the church as well.

Sunday I hung out with my mom all day, and I really enjoyed myself. She did too. It makes her feel really good to just be with me sometimes... so yay family sometimes!! I also visited Jenny on Sunday night, and didn't get back to school until 11 p.m., it was crazy. But it was worth it so yah... no complaints.

Now the best for last: Karrah's Dad knows and used to work with someone who is a publisher and... he's going to talk to her about my book and stuff!!!! I COULD GET MY BOOK PUBLISHED!!!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT?!?!?!? It has made me even more motivated to finish the book soon! Wow... it just makes me soo excited and happy and like woah.... my dream may actually come true. My Travis story could be a real book, in a real book store, and I could really take part and do something for Travis. Oh wow... I'm just so excited. But yah... I better go... sorry for such a long post! I love you all!

Sister in Christ
Amy <3>
College Moment: My floor made Bandana Necklaces and ate PB&J sandwhiches! It was really fun and the necklaces are really cute! YAY floor programs!

I love fishies cuz their so delicious!

That's right.. Goldfish rock! haha Just thought I'd tell you all of that......

My weekend was actually really good and I'm surprised. Friday was fun because my friend Britney invited me to watch this Disney movie with them and then go out to a movie and I was really pumped! Well, to say the least, the Disney movie was below acceptable.. haha. It was a made for TV movie on Disney called "A High School Musical" I mean in a way it was cute but at the same time.. hah most people would laugh at it. Some of these girls were obsessed with the movie and had downloaded all the songs prior and were singing along to it. Wow... that's all I can say... just wow...

After that movie we went to the theater and saw Tristan and Isoldode. Now THAT was a good movie. I think it's a movie that both girls and guys will like. The fighting scenes were very well, which of course made me cringe a bit, but then the love scenes made me smile. The ending was sad but it happens. The funny part was after the movie Britney's car door would not shut! It like broke and it would just swing open again. Hahaa. We finally got it to work somehow, but I just sat in the back and laughed. I felt bad but I mean it was just a funny situation.

Saturday was a pretty relaxed day, and I did SOME homework, but then I just didn't feel like doing a whole lot of it. I met up with my friend Matt (AKA SNOWFLAKE) and we watched the movie "Fever Pitch" and wow, that really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I just thought it was ALLLL about baseball, but it was a pretty good love story. It made me smile! After that we watched an episode of That 70's Show and then just talked for a couple of hours. He's an interesting guy.. and NO I'm not going to date him just in case anyone was getting those crazy ideas in their head.. Tisk tisk. lol. I'm single and I'm sticking to it until I FEEL right about dating someone. I have to be sure. That's me! Well, Ali had gone out so I kinda waited up for her and then I got hooked on the movie The Sphere. It's such an interesting movie! And then I was flipping through to watch a more happier movie, but then I found Pitch Black but I eventually turned it off one because it was like 3:00 AM and two it was starting to scare me cuz I was alone. Yep... Amy's a fraid of the dark and proud of it. lol. I'm usually okay when Ali's here, but on my own.. who knows what could happen?! Anyway I turned on my little lava lamp so there would be some light. Ali finally came back.... at 11 AM! haha

So yah I went to Target because Ali was sleeping, but it was really fun. I love to shop by myself, I get to go the pace I want, and just wander. It took me like an hour to go through the store, but I got what I needed and just had a good time. Is that odd? I hope not. And my sad little confession: I bought the movie TITANIC. hahah. They have ALTERNATE ENDINGS! I JUST HAD TO! Honestly, who could say no to that? I guess like the movie isn't the best ever, but the whole story of Titanic interests me immensely. I kinda wish I had been on the Titanic sometimes. But yah, that was my big expense yesterday, a whole $19.99. Lol. But it was fun.

I did homework the rest of the day and hung out with my RA and then watched Grey's Anatomy with a bunch of people down the hall, and then watched Pleasantville with Ali while she did some of her homework. Just a relaxing Sunday, cuz that's what they are here for. I also did some reading in the bible for my Bible as Literature class, and it raised some questions! Like okay, so Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel (they also had Seth but that was a long time down the road).. but Cain killed Abel because Abel was praised by God. So God told Cain to leave and whoever found him would see his mark and kill him. But then it goes on to say Cain had a wife.. where did this wife come from?! What I'm Thinking is that Adam and Eve had daughters also but at that time women weren't that important so it's just not mentioned? if this is wrong... write in my blog.. cuz I'm QUITE curious....

The only other thing I have to say is my sister just called me and told me that a kid from my high school, Justin Walker, overdosed on heroine on Saturday. He was only 17 and had just gotten back from rehab on Friday. My heart hurts for him and his family. I can't even imagine that. I mean I lost Travis but at least I KNOW where he went for sure. I can't say that about Justin mainly because I don't know him that well, but from what I do know, religion wasn't his thing. That's just twice as hard to deal with. So yah... not the best start to a Monday, but yah. If you want, you guys should pray for his family. With that I will leave, have a lovely day everyone.

Sister in Christ,
Amy <3>
Christmas Time Moment: It was my last day to see my lovely Alyce and so I made her take a picture with me! She's now in college, out of Greenpeace and so yay for her! Gotta have a special place in my heart for her...

Busy Busy Busy

So I have come to the conclusion that this semester is going to be CRAZY BUSY because of all my classes! I love them all to death, but it's like wow... first semester was a joke! Which I already knew but still... what this means to all of you is, I can't write as much! I'm hoping that at least once a week (probably on the weekends) I will be able to get a little bit down in here, but if not I'm terribely sorry! I'm sure everyone will be just fine...

I've had about a full week of classes, and have chosen my two favorite classes: News Writing and Reality Fiction (who didn't see THAT coming..??) News Writing is fun because it gets me back into that journalistic mode that I have not been in since 11th grade, and even though I feel stressed out about 35% than usual, it's worth it. Reality Fiction is amazing because the teacher is very laid back, and I mean we READ books and talk about them, and do a little extra here and there. I get credit to read, and if I do say so myself, that's just amazing. So yah.. other than that, the classes are kinda meh. I dread Public Speaking, but I only have it twice a week and so that way I have a four day break from it. Same with Bible as Lit. I find it very interesting, but it seems a bit over my head.. As pictured below you can see why this book (although the bible) will be kind of intimidating. But I've decided to stick with it. And of course Math... it's like my "special" math class I took last semester.. only this time I get CREDIT.. sigh sigh.... Justin would be rather ashamed.

My social life here has been up and down so far. I got to see Nolan on Friday and Saturday and although I still don't know him that well, it's still fun to see people! We did not do a whole lot except talk, but at this spot in our friendship, that's what is needed. Sunday was a different story though, I did not leave my room except that one time when I moved my car from Main campus to West. To save me from my pit of dispair, Ali watched How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days with me, so at least I had SOMETHING. Monday was much better though! I sat at Mugby Junction (coffee house) with Lissie Bendell for like three hours! We talked about a lot and it made me really happy because she is a lot of fun and I'm just amazed on how much we really relate on.. especially when it comes to WSU. After that I had a mini movie night with Laura (the RA) and Matt (aka:snowflake) We watched EuroTrip.. and wow.. that is something I would not recommend ever again. Then I watched Finding Neverland while reading my King James Version Bible! Woo hay! So yah, although I miss my friends at home a lot, I will survive the rest of the semester, if it goes the way it's been going.

Jenny is coming to visit me tomorrow and I'm excited! ANOTHER VISITOR!! YAYAYA! That'll keep me busy Thursday/Friday and then Saturday, if all goes well, is the Sheehan Hall "Ski with Me" trip! Basically I go skiing with people from Sheehan Hall for about $20! Talk about cheap. Only other problem is that there is no snow! So hopefully it'll all work out anyway...

Yes, that be my life thus far!
College Moment: Yah.. just took this.. but I had to show you guys the BIG BIBLE! Haha.. intimidating isn't it? And my face.. yah.. that may be more intimidating than the bible!


Sister in Christ,
Amy <3

That's right! New Year, New Stories... phew

What can I say... the last month has been crazy.. extremely crazy. The last week ESPECIALLY! I don't know how on earth this is gonna lay out considering it's been so long since I've written, so bare with me my lovely readers.... and let's see where this takes us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!! It's so refreshing to re-start isn't it? Like starting new classes, a new job, a new assignment, new is usually pretty decent... but does new always make a good change? That's my philisophical question... Wah ah ah, I feel I've become maybe more wise this year... But of course I can't judge a whole lot off that considering it's like a very few days into it!

So, Winter Break was amazing! IT was soo nice to be gone from Winona, from a town I was hoping never to see again. Anna moved out, and we rode back home together. It was almost drama for that because her parents didn't want us to come home cuz of the huge snow storm we got. OH well, we made it back and it was grand. Unfortunately I can't remember everything that happened, but I know a lot of it. We all spent a lot of time at Adam's house and Nick's house. We did our fair amount of bowling, talking, puzzles (yes... puzzles... go figure), card games, broomball, pool, fooseball, darts, movies, and everything else in between. I'll try to think of some really good times. I worked a lot... it was insane. Checks were good, but at the same time over break, my car took in a whopping $700 for repairs... let's jsut say that's more than my income... Merry Christmas to the car right? haha... it's all good though. God provides, and I know it'll all come together nicely. It always does! Zach was home!! Yay! It was really good to just spend some time with him before he heads back to Mississippi and then to the frightful Iraq. I think he was really glad to be home as well. Robbie got surgery on his leg, and even though he still has to be off it for the next three weeks, he's doing better, andI'm glad for that. I got to be with some of the older Panera crew for a night at Bucas which was nice. There was only a small amount of us, but I haven't seen some of them for at least 2 years. I'm still positive I'm going to have a Panera table at my wedding.... give love to Panera! I also got to see the 8th floor of Marshal Field's set up for that thing they do every year. This year it was Cinderella, and it was cool to go to. Marlise had a friend, Cammie, come visit from school, so it was nice to meet her. Oh yah! we also had a Secret Santa christmas party lke the week we came back, and there were like twenty of us, but it was so fun! Everyone was there (minus like Laura K. and stuff) but it was a good turn out! I was happy to be surrouned by friends after my oh so crappy holiday season (let's just say, christmas is not my family's strong point... cough cough...moving on..) So yah! I got a really cool nut cracker man from Mitch Pemberton! It was really cool and now is sitting in my room.. woo hay!

Moving right a long.... Oh I got my highest bolwing score ever! It was like a 162 or something down right amazing! It'll never happen again so I figured I'd post it so it'll never be forgotten! Okay, moving right along to New Year's... So Jen had two friends visit her (Elliot and Nolan) who are from South Dakota. Well they came for New Year's and went to Kelly's yearly broomball New Year's thing! It was really fun cuz there were people everywhere! In the basement, upstairs, playing broomball, etc. Well, towards midnight, I had been playing broomball, an dJen's friend Elliot was coming after the ball, but slipped. Well he kept sliding... right into me! So he hit me pretty hard cuz next thing I knew.. I was on the ground feeling pain through my lip! I moved my hands away from my mouth and yep... blood. So yah. Basically what had happened was that My top tooth went THROUGH my lip and created a huge hole thing and I spent my New Year's in the bathroom crying because of the blood and pain. Besides that, I loved New Year's... it's just always so crazy.

Well, the next major event would probably be Comedy Sportz. Nate, Justin, Kara, Rachel, and I went to Comedy Sportz just last weekend because we all thought it sounded like fun and Justin still had not gone. But the bad part was that I had gotten sick that day. To put it in a sugar coated way, I threw up about six times that night.. and the worst was prob. when we were coming home from the show and we were on 394 and I was doing it out a car window... but we won't go there here.

SIDENOTE: It's just been confirmed that our Miss Koenecke will be staying Morocco for another two months.... so she will be home in APRIL! Ahh! That's crazy long but we must all support her in her endeavors so all be praying for her alright?! God has some amazing things planned for that young lady... I can guarantee it!

Ok, so the most difficult thing this break was the boy drama. There has been a lot of it. I won't mention names for the sake of the boys, but the count was up to... 5? It's all been dealt with and final just over with, but it was crazy. i know, it sounds so terrible of me to be like, dang I had five guys liking me, what a terrible thing. I mean it's honestly really flattering.. the bad part is hurting them in any way considering all of them are my good friends and I would never want to cause problems. So love to you all, seriously, no hard feelings correct? I think what made it a little harder was the fact that it all errupted upon me in the same week. Intense... very intense... but it's safe to say all is well again.

Break has been officially over for 48 hours now, but believe me the last 72 has been a struggle. I had a jam packed day Wednesday because I had royalty photos earlier in the day, and then I had to get my car fixed, but it took forever (time and lots of money) so I didn't even get it back until 5:30, and then by the time I packed and got everything together, it was a little after 6:00. I made few stops, but finally got here around 9:30... and the hard part was that Anna was not here with me to do it all over again. I was completely solo. To put it in not so many words, my roommate was not very welcoming, and I ended up parking my car over on West Campus, called some people, and cried while I sat in my car in the parking lot. It was not a joyous time. To comfort myself, I called Justin while I waited for the bus. Turns out the buses were either not running, or not running a very regular schedule... so I had to walk two miles back to main campus in the dark late at night... so again, I cried. It was horrifying and I just kept praying to God that I'd be okay. He got me safetly back to campus... around 11:00 or so, an dI was soo tired. Not a very good way to start the new semester. Then I only have 12 credits from last semeseter (long story) and 12 this semester, meaning I won't be a sophmore next year! HORRIFYING!! But I was able to sign up for another class, so at least I have 15 this semester. My classes are pretty decent, and I'll be really busy, but that will be nice. A Sidenote from classes, this girl Britney that I met in my Orientation class just moved up one floor from me, and she said she'll be visiting a lot, and tha tmakes me happy. It's like Anna is gone, but I'm getting all these other oppurtunites for othe rpeople to be with, so I'm hoping it stays this way... Everyone keep praying for me because it's going to be crazy, and as some of you have already witnessed very well, I get very emotional...... again sorry Mark, Anna, Lee, and so forth. Heh. They got the brunt of it basically.

So yah, that's my life in a very large nutshell.... is that an oxy-moron or what? Mr. Berrgeren would be proud.

Now tha tI have officially worn out my welcome, I will gladly leave! =) Until further letters, I bid you ado! Keep on smiling all... God always makes it better and well worth it to be alive!

Love Always,
Amy <3>

Yay College-Type-Moments: Cammie, Marlise, and I all tried on these fetching hats at Marshal Fields.. aren't we just oh so cute?