And it starts...

Wow, no, I haven't abandoned you, Xanga, but instead I have moved into a fantastic apartment with no internet connection (due to my poorness). However, thanks to the wonderful fastfood chain known as Whataburger, we will still have one another. :) I know you can't contain your enthusiasm.
Where do I even start? Last Saturday, with the help of my padres, brother, and Andrea and Steven, I moved into a great little one bedroom apartment. Then, Mom and I shopped for decor and a bed. I got a super cool bed from IKEA. Oh, my dearest IKEA, what would my apartment be without you? Anyway, after many purchases and my summer savings being depleted, Mom had to go home. So, this week has been filled with organizing, building (oh yeah, I hung all my own curtains, put my bed together, and even hung a mirror with a big bolt thing), and cleaning. And it's all done. woo hoo!! I'll post some pictures later, but it is in fact complete. :) yay!
Then Tuesday night, I began a new (yet very familiar) chapter in my SAGU life. I started cheerleading. We met for dinner and just some get-to-know-you time. We have an amazing squad. We have 3 returning cheerleaders, 2 brand new freshmen, 4 transfers, and me. :) Oh yeah, that's 10! Then Wednesday-Friday we had cheer camp. It was no joke- we met at 8:30 am and left about 10:30 each night. I promise you that I have never had so many muscles and tendons hurt in my entire life. We learned cheers, chants, dances and some great stunts. It's going to be a good year. :) Anyway, here's a few of the girls. I'm so glad I'm getting to do this.
Ashley B and Ashley R:


Tiffany and Kollette:


Me, Tiff and Ashley (we were having pictures, thus the uniforms):


So, we have cheer sisters for accountability and prayer and things. This is my beautiful little cheer sis, Ashley:


Bev took us to Campuzano's on Friday night (yum!!!). Here's Brennan, Krystal and Leslie:


Kim, Tiff, and Donna (our captain):


Me and the Ashleys again:


Here's the squad- Krystal, Brennan, Tiffany, Me, Donna, Kollette, Ashley R, Ashley B, Leslie and Kim:


Though I'm super tired, it's been a great week. I can't believe classes start this week though. ugh. Oh well, today should be fantastic. ;)

Christen

Blingo!

Hey guys, sign up for Blingo! Win with me!



It's a search engine powered by Google. You don't have to buy anything or fill out any surveys; it's just a search engine. They give out prizes like iTunes $ and iPod nanos. No joke! My friend Taka won a nano just this week. Plus, as you sign up friends under you, if they win, you win!! So, Jeremy who got Taka to sign up ALSO won a nano. Sweet, huh?

Anyway, you should do it. What's it gonna hurt? I would sure like to win something when I'm gonna surf the internet anyway.

Christen

Vacation 2006!! woo hoo!

What an amazing week! It couldn't have been better! I hope you're ready for some pictures because that's what you're getting. :)

We left last Friday and drove through the night to reach Platoro, Colorado. Now, when I say we were in a remote camping area, I mean, Platoro is not on the map, nor are the roads that lead to this place. But it was beautiful and peaceful, and I had a blast with my family. Sunday, we went fishing, even little Eli.
I'm not a serious fisherman. Yeah, that's People in my lap, and Pride and Prejudice on the ground. haha


Aren't Grandpa and Eli cute?


Mark fished while Eli hung out in the little sling:


Even Grandma did some fishing:


Yeah, he stands up with a little help. I can't believe how big Eli's getting. He's seriously laughing here. :)


How gorgeous is this place!?


Monday, Mom, Sheila, Scott and I went horseback riding. It was a guided tour where you followed the leader, but our guide took us on some cool trails. We went up in the wooded mountains, by some old mines, and through the river twice. It was fun and beautiful scenery.

Here's my ghetto brother:


We stopped to let the horses eat a little:


Monday night, Scott drove up from Colorado Springs to hang with the Carter clan. It was good to see him. On Tuesday Dad, Scott, Mark, Sheila, Scott and I went white water rafting in Durango, which was a total blast. For the Spring Hill readers, Jarrett Brelsford was our guide. Good times.

Here we are going through Smelter. It was the only level 3 rapid of the day:



Then on Wednesday, Scott and I headed back to the Springs. I got to hang out with him and Justin for a couple of days. We watched movies, went to the batting cages, ate some good food, went white water rafting at the Royal Gorge with Erik and his sister, met some friends and family, and toured Aurora and Denver. I had an absolute blast.

I flew home from Denver in order to go to Karla's wedding on Saturday. The only down side was the airlines lost my luggage. Supposedly, it didn't get transferred from Continental to American during the layover in Houston. boo I was so tired (and obviously emotional) that I just stood there and cried for a few minutes. I was SO frustrated! Oh well, it made it back to Longview Saturday night (which was of no use to me in Arkansas). Anyway, here we are dropping me off at the airport:


Saturday, I got to attend Karla and Dallas's wedding. So beautiful and special. What a great day! I got to see several friends too. Oh, and yes, this concludes my summer of weddings. woo hoo I attended 6 this summer.
Here's Danae, Melissa Hall, and me:


Here's some pretty girls, Viema, Danae and me:


My old roomie K-Ross and me (it was great to see her):


Isn't this a cute little cake? It has Karla written all over it:


What a gorgeous bride!!


SAGU was definitely represented on Saturday. All these people are alumni except me (I'll graduate someday, I promise...haha):


Me and the very lovely Andrea Bazan:


Well, vacation was fantastic. I loved every minute of it (some more than others). ;) Sadly, I have to go back to work in the morning. :( Oh well. I move back to Waxahachie in less than 2 weeks. Can't wait.

Christen