It's summer, and I'm back!

One day, I shall have this whole blog-on-a-normal-schedule thing down.
I just seem to have trouble figuring out to make it part of my daily routine right now.
I say the summer is the perfect time to practice.

I actually have a lot I want to blog about and get out there, but we'll just play a game of catch up for the time being.

If you had asked my just 2 weeks ago, I would have told you that this summer, I would be solely in Muncie. I was supposed to be design editor for our Ball State Daily News student-run newspaper (which I will often refer to as 'the DN'), continue my internship at The Star Press, Muncie's local paper, and take a few classes.

But one phone call shook up my plans.

Now, my time is going to be divided between Muncie and Indy. Half away, half at home.

The Indianapolis Star called me during finals week, asking me to step in to fill a Pulliam Fellowship position that somebody had dropped. The Pulliam Fellowship. Now that was something I couldn't turn down.

So while I had to back out of continuing at The Star Press, I am maintaining my position as design editor for the university paper. And while going back and forth each week will be a lot of gas — a lot of gas — I will be, let's just say, very well paid altogether.

For now, I am living just in Muncie working for the DN and The Star Press, until I start working in Indy in June.

So what can you expect me to share with the blogosphere this summer?

• Lessons I learn while getting my first taste of living on my own, outside of the dorms.
• New experiences of working in a real city and a bigger internship.
• Inspiration I find for design and DIY projects and cooking and...anything.
• My own DIY projects and planning as I prepare to move into an apartment this fall.
• Weekly themed posts floating out there from other lovely bloggers.
• Random tidbits of the rest of my life, from the music I'm listening to, new goals and dreams, or just my latest rants and raves.

So here's to being a better — and hopefully more interesting! — blogger :)

More Than Corn: Canal Walk

So a long, long time ago, I created this post with the intent of seeking out the exciting parts of Indiana.
Until last night, I had not taken any initiative. (Oops.)

Better late than never.

Canal Walk

While I forgot to take my camera last night, it wasn't hard to find multitudes of pictures online of the canal in downtown Indianapolis. I love going there. The 3-mile loop around the entire canal makes for good leisurely exercise, especially when you're with friends who always make it a good time.

You can walk, jog, bike, even rent a paddle boat or gondola. They even have segway tours. You can check out the beautiful war memorial (the teal construction on the left side of the canal in the picture above). There are also gorgeous apartments and condos located on the canal. If I by some fate end up in Indiana when I grow up, my dream home would be one of these apartments. They are super expensive, though.

The canal is part of the White River cultural district, one of Indianapolis' six cultural districts. (I hope to make it to each district before I give up on this "More Than Corn" challenge!)

It's a Wonderful...Wednesday

I haven't had a day off in quite a while.
While I should have made this empty day extremely productive,
by catching up on my online classes,
or cleaning my disaster of a bedroom,
I forgot the luxury that comes with a free day...

So, I slept in.
I surfed the web in my PJ's for a while.
Watched some TV.
Took a long shower.
Made a new summer playlist.
And now, I'm feeding my social media addiction.

Don't judge me.
You'd do the same ;)

"I'm coming back to the world..."

One small accomplishment today, and...

BAM!

I'm starting to feel like me again. :)

The hour glass of summer is trickling away faster.

And I feel like there just are not enough hours in the day.

But...

(I'm going to be okay.)

I'm in for a crazy couple of weeks,

but I feel the stress starting to fade.

I know what I am capable of now,

and I'm not afraid to face the challenges of a new day.

To the clouds and back

Clouds?

Yes, because for part of the trip,

the clouds were so low,

they swallowed the tops of the mountains!

Anyways...

Thursday

we just did some grocery shopping,

then let the boys play at the park

while Jenn had softball practice.

Then we ate some Texas Roadhouse

since Jenn was working anyways.

Afterwards, we took the boys and

Jenn's crazy, wild, yet adorable, dog Harley, on a walk.

Well, Harley took me for a walk...

Friday

after some party shopping, Jenn had to work again.

SO...

Angela, the boys, and I headed down to Draper.

First, we ate at In-and-Out Burger.

The midwest NEEDS one of these!

Mmm. :)

Then we went to the best creation ever...

IKEA!

It was Angela's first time and it won't be her last!

Saturday

was quite the adventure...

Jenn had an awesome LEGO party planned for Caleb,

an outdoor LEGO party.

Well, thanks to 50 mph winds whipping through the valley,

this was not feasible.

So some last minute tweaking turned the event into

and indoor pool LEGO party.

And yes, it was still a success!

Then after it was all over,

I sought out the Bountiful B :)

Sunday

we made our trip to the mountains.

We took the tram to the top of Hidden Peak at Snowbird.

To put it simply, we were in a cloud.

Literally.

Pretty cool when you think about it though...

Oh, and it was snowing.

In June.

Enough said.

We also had a little bonfire that night,

complete with hot dog-roasting and s'mores-making.

Then after I took Angela and Jared back to the hotel,

I headed up the mountain to watch the sunset :)

Monday

was our last day,

and we spent it at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, UT.

I have to admit, this place was pretty cool,

and a great deal.

For just short of 30 bucks,

we got to explore the Dinosaur museum,

pet and feed farm animals,

(the boys got a pony ride!),

go to the Discovery Gardens,

see a free movie

(which we had to pass on because of time),

and got some free ice cream and popcorn.

Like I said, a great deal.

Tuesday

should've been a simple day,

with a flight, a layover, and another flight,

then home by 4, right?

Not so much.

Our flight out of Salt Lake was delayed,

so we missed our connection in Denver.

10 people got on via stand-by on a 2:55 flight,

but not my sister and I

who were traveling with 2 children.

Children should have been a priority.

So, we left on a 7:30 flight,

and got home around midnight...

Trying to entertain two kids for 8 hours

in an airport

is not and easy task.

So while getting home was a challenge,

I still had a great time :)

I'm alive, I promise

I'm just in way over my head right now...

With a to-do list a mile long.

Lots of homework to do, cleaning to do, and benefit planning to do.

And church softball starts on Monday.

So basically I won't get to breathe again until...

August.

Funny, I thought summer was supposed to be less stressful.

Anyways, I am back from vacation,

(which I will post about next with pictures!)

and back to work.

On the happier side of my life...

I designed my FIRST front page last night!

I still have a long way to go,

but this was my first shot at it,

and my editors agree that it was a dang good one :)

Also, while life may be hectic,

good times are ahead.

Saturday

I am heading to Cincinnati with a couple friends

to attend the Bamboozle Roadshow.

15-some bands for about $20,

yes please :)

Sunday

my dad's family is coming over for Father's Day,

which will be nice since we only see them a few times a year.

Tuesday

my family is heading down to Santa Claus, IN

for some Holiday World fun.

It is also my nephew's 6th birthday!

Wednesday

I'm heading back to Muncie to do some page design,

then driving to my grandma's because...

Thursday

my grandma, mom, sister, nephew, and myself

are driving to Chicago

to go to

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER.

And yes, I am 19 years old,

and wayyy excited for this!

Should be a good week :)

Stressful summer?

Last time I checked, summer was supposed to be relaxing.
Obviously, this has not been the case, for I haven't posted anything for almost 2 weeks now.

I PROMISE this will change.
I just have to get my life together.

Right now, I am all work, online classes, and still working on getting stuff moved back into my room.
And I am up in Muncie one night a week designing for the newspaper.

But soon, I will be doing all of this, and having free time for things such as taking naps, hanging out with friends, leisure reading, and, oh yeah, blogging.

Patience please. :)

Oops.

Well haven't I been the bad little blogger.

It is now MAY.  I have survived my freshman year of college, leaving Muncie with good grades, great memories, and amazing new friends.  I'm not going to lie, I'm excited to go back in August.

So I left the stress of finals week with the desire to sleep, sleep, and, oh yeah, SLEEP.
I slept for about 8 hours Thursday night.  It was nice, sort of like sleeping in compared to what sleep I had been getting.
BUT, since Friday morning, I've been up before 8 am every day.  Sometimes before 6 or 7.

Work, work, work.
I worked 9 hours on Saturday alone.
And between Monday, Tuesday, and today, I've worked 28 hours.

I'm EXHAUSTED.  Now, I watch my cousin's kids tomorrow, Friday, and Monday.  (Oh yeah, and I'm working on Saturday.)  Then I work the next Tuesday and Wednesday.

THEN, and only then, do I get a 2 day break.

I feel awful about complaining, because a lot of people cannot even find a decent job right now.
I was just lucky enough to land one a couple years ago and find a way to hold it while away at school, leaving it here waiting for me in the summer.

My fear is when I have to give this job up for an internship.  It is going to happen either this fall or next summer for sure.  My hope is to land something that I can transfer around with, like a Target or Starbucks, you know, something that is a popular chain EVERYWHERE.

Well, I guess only time will tell.

TOP TWO TUESDAY -> summer

Yes, I know it is Wednesday, but I just was overwhelmed with free time yesterday and decided to catch up on The Hills before the premiere.

And I just have to say: Kristin Cavalleri, get outta here.

The show was so much better when Lauren Conrad was on it.

As for Mrs. Pratt, she looked prettiest when we first met her as Heidi Montag.

Anyways, on to my top 2 favorite things about summer!

1. TRAVEL

I love getting on a plane and getting out of Indiana for a while.

Or in car, or on a boat...heck, I'll take a train!

I always have at least a few places I go each summer, near and far.

This year, I'll be heading to Salt Lake City (once again), Gatlinburg, Bloomington (not very far, I know), and possibly a weekend in Virginia.

Oh, and a couple day trips to Chicago and Cincinnati.

Bring on the sunshine and good times!

2. SOFTBALL

I play so much softball in the summer and love it.

I'm in such withdrawal since I've been and school and can't wait to get back on the field.

It's pretty much how I spend my Sunday, Monday, and Friday nights in the summers.

And there's always other little tournaments and added nights. :)

It's...April?!

When did the days just start flying by? I am now down to...

1 month and 5 days until my freshman year at Ball State is over,

1 month and 5 days to figure out the gist of my summer plans,

4 months and 17 days to find a job for the next school year,

9 months to fulfill my New Year's resolutions.

I guess I should get started on some of that.

Luckily, most of my summer plans are set in stone...

In June I will return to Salt Lake City for a visit with my sister, nephew, and brother-in-law (better known as The Gwynns).

At some point I will be spending a week in Gatlinburg with some of my closest friends in one of their family's cabins. Yes, this is a similar view, and yes, there is a hot tub. :)

Also at some point I am going with my friend Kelly and some company up to Chicago to a Cubs game. I hear the seats are killer!

As for the rest of my free time...

I will be working when needed at the bank...

taking online classes...

and making the most of summer. Well, I'll do what I can. It is Indiana.

But hey, I do have my More Than Corn challenge...

What are you doing this summer?