Well my friends, I'm off to Houston.  It's really sad...I just packed my ENTIRE life into my car...and there's still empty space.    I hate packing and moving.  Funny, huh? cause I love change.  I really like for things to be different, and moving is a significant change, but for some reason, I hate it.  Oh well, I'm off.  I'm not sure how often I'll be on here, but don't forget me friends.  I love you.

Christen

P.S. I have on the same shirt today that I have on in that picture.

Wow, I really appreciate the comments!

I've realized this past year that I love a good book.  I went into being an English major liking the grammar tons more than the literature.  However, my appreciation for literature has grown tremendously.  For instance, I breezed through 10 young adult lit books last semester because I loved them!

Right now I'm rereading Redeeming Love.  I read it in high school and really liked it.  But now that I'm older, and I've experienced a crappy relationship and observed really healthy relationships, this book means so much more to me.  I've literally devoured it over the last 48 hours.  I can feel Angel's hurt and understand her longing to be whole (obviously not it the same way through since she's a prostitute).  Anyway, it's an adaption of the story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible, and it's incredible.

Christen

What a week!  I'm exhausted.  haha.  My grandparents celebrated 50 years of marriage yesterday.  Pretty incredible, huh?  You don't see many people these days who can say they have been married for 50 years.  Someday, I will.

Do you ever wish you could be someone else?  I'm not talking jealousy.  I don't really know what I mean.  But if you were, things might be better or just different.  Hummm...

I leave for Houston on Wednesday.  Did I tell you that I'm interning for my brother this summer?  I'm so excited.  Then I leave for Rockford June 1st.  I need Rockford.  It's home to me...so refreshing, so many friends, ahh...

Oh, I didn't tell you about my epiphany.  I was staring at a picture of Karissa and me the other day and thought, "I don't look pretty, my hair looks flat..." Then I thought, "Wow, Karissa's so pretty." At that moment, she walked in and said, "I hate that picture.  It's not very good of me, but you're so pretty." It just hit me.  When we (I'm kinda lumping all girls into this we) look at pictures of ourselves, we pick out all the flaws, but we only see the good things about our friends.  Isn't this true of real life?  We pick ourselves apart, yet people love us and see us for who we are.  It's just made life easier.  I don't always have to reapply make up or fix my hair right.  My friends and family love me for me, not how I look.

Christen

Thank you all for your prayers and condolences.  The funeral went very well.  I love my family so much.

I'll be in Longview for the next 5 days so if you want to hang out, just call.

Check out my adopted pet at the bottom.  I think I'll try him out for a bit.

Christen

Well, I'm home, but everything's crazy.
Last night, my great-grandfather, Paul Hightower, died at 91 years old.  He was my last living great-grandparent.  It's so weird cause when I was born, I had 7 great-grandparents alive.  In the last 2 years, 4 of those have died.  My family lives long lives.  That I am happy about.  Tomorrow night is the visitation and Wednesday is the funeral.

I leave for Houston next Monday most likely.  This is going to be a great/busy/exciting/stretching summer.

Christen

Another semester...done.  I'm sad.  Even though I'm not a big fan of classes, I absolutely love my friends and don't want to leave them for the summer.

We had our 3rd JRBBP (Joint Room Bagel Bite Party) tonight.  Ang, Karissa and I made bagel bites, queso, and blackberry cobbler for Russell and Andy.  Those guys are a blast.  They brought pina colada mix (virgin of course) and made us drinks.  It was so fun.  We picked up Scott and went and saw the Interpreter.  Great night.

Tomorrow Ang graduates.  I can't believe it.  We're so old. hehe  And I move home for a week on Saturday.  Then on to Houston the 16th.

Christen

Guess what!?  I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!

Sure, I've known for a while, but I haven't really been able to tell everyone.  Last month I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law, and they told my parents and Sheila's family.  It was SO exciting!!  This baby will be my parents' first grandchild and my first niece or nephew.  I absolutely can't wait.  Sheila's due the 3rd week of November (Thanksgiving Day!!).  I got to see the sonogram a few weeks ago.  Anyway, I'm so excited!!

Christen