Carrie, the Event Planner...No thank you

This past weekend I celebrated the birthdays of some friends from back home. Last August, my friend Kristin and I planned and awesome surprise party for our friends Lacie and Bethanie. It was such a hit that we decided that we would do parties for the rest of our hometown friends. This time it was Kristin and Dorothy's birthdays, and I had hoped someone else would pick up the ball for this one.

It was getting too close to time, and I really wanted them to have a great surprise, so I started making some phone calls and soliciting some help. I was pretty stressed to say the least putting all of the party details together from five hours away. When I called the events coordinator at MagiQuest I think she thought I was crazy for calling a week before the party date...or maybe it was that I was planning a 21st birthday party at a children's place? I don't know, but I felt a little crazy.

Somehow, it all turned out. There was food and cake and fun all at the right time. And we had a great time at MagiQuest, even though there were four year olds that were doing better at the games than we were. I didn't take any pictures the whole weekend, because I was busy making sure everything turned out right and on time. By the time we got to MagiQuest, I just wanted to relax and have some fun! And that we did!

I'm Back & in Graduate School

Where to start? I can't believe it has been half a year and no blog updates from me...whoops!

To ease you back into my life, I'll start with grad school. In August, I moved to Atlanta and started Richmont Graduate University. Richmont is a very small school built specifically as an integrated counseling program from a Christian worldview. It's exactly what I was wanting in a graduate school but never would have found it apart from God's providence.

You see, even people in Atlanta haven't heard of it before. In a city of big name schools such as, o let's see, Georgia Tech or Emory, Richmont is an ant. We have four classrooms. FOUR! I know almost everyone in my class, and I know better than to try to study in our library. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character. It's not perfect, but I can think of no where else I'd rather be.

Last semester was a tough one. I had decided to try and get this thing done in two years, so I took 17 hours. That was seven classes, and although I pulled through with all 'A's, it beat the life out of me. I had other students on board with me, but I was one of only a few that was new to Atlanta and living by themselves. Yes, you got that right. I haven't changed. I'm still a little crazy.

So that was me last semester. Seven classes. In a giant metropolis of new everything. Alone....only by the grace of God did I make it through.

It was no surprise that by the end of my first semester here I was reevaluating a bit. And after several chats with friends and family and the Lord, I switched to the three year plan and added a year to my stay here in order to keep what bit of sanity I already had.

Now, I am here. Year one of three. Semester two of eight. I have class two days a week. No job (currently). Plenty of time to make Atlanta my home, to get connected and live in step with the Holy Spirit. That's my desire.

I wish I had a picture of my school, but I've been slack with taking pictures. Maybe soon?


PS It feels good to be back. :)