Overwhelming and Amazing

Major events have occurred! 

After 5 years of wanting to volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, I was finally able to do so this past weekend! It was intense.  I'm so glad I finally was able to go but I think, in a way, it was a good thing I hadn't gone right after my mom's death.  Don't get me wrong, I loved being surrounded by cheerful people in remission and those loved ones standing by them.  Sadly though, I couldn't help but see the groups of people walking/running in memory of someone.  

I assisted with the start and finish line. Once people started getting ready and in their designated sections (i.e. 5k/competitive/non-competitive/walkers/etc.) things started getting intense.  It was like people were multiplying by the dozens. It was crazy! 

Once the race started I walked around a bit and unfortunately, my emotions got in the way.  It was difficult coming to the realization that my mom and I would never share in that victory of her overcoming cancer.  My mom and I dreamed of going to the race and everything. It was just sad, but I composed myself kind of quickly and payed a visit to the Tribute Tent. I felt that it was a way to pay respects to those who had also lost their lives/loved ones to this sucky disease. 

In happier, news, sorry for being such a Debby Downer guys, I received a scholarship at my school's Honor's Convocation this past Sunday!  The scholarship is in memory of a fellow student who passed away suddenly after graduation.  His mother and my professor formed a friendship after his death and have a scholarship in his name.  The teacher that nominated me for this scholarship gave such a beautiful speech and ended it by saying "I know your mom would be very proud of you." 

(Or something to that effect). It was just amazing. I teared up. 

Mickey surprised me before the Honors Convocation with red carnations (MY FAVORITE) and this cute flower pot.   He took this candid picture of me. :)

Mrs. Curnutt and Dr. Greenberg. :)

I even got a glass thingy-majig. It was awesome.
I do think my mom would be very proud of me.

And now, I embark on to finish my final spring semester in college.  I'll be applying for graduation shortly and then, before I know it, I'll be attending my final semester of college!! 

Where did the time go?? 

But, one thing at a time, tomorrow I'll be filling in as Entertainment Anchor for my school's television station! It all happened very recently, 

one of the anchors for tomorrow's LIVE broadcast is feeling very under the weather and so, I will step in.  Sometimes, things just work out a different way than you planned them to. 

So, here's hoping our previous anchor feels better and that I do a very good job tomorrow! :)

Growing Inspiration

I've been meaning to blog for a very long time but things keep getting in the way. So here are just a few things that have occurred that haven't been mentioned are very worthy to be put in this blog.

I have now officially closed my old bank account.

Can you say "grown up"?

I had switched to Chase but needed to get stuff settled with my older bank

I had been using this old bank since I was about 16 years old and it was bittersweet to close that account when it feels like yesterday I was there with my mom and my aunt.

I have to admit though, it was nice to switch to Chase and start new. It felt amazing.

Mickey and I attended a gala at our university for our Comm Arts dept!

I assisted with several things, it was insane but in the end, it was wonderful!

Mickey has a job with the radio station on campus!! So proud of my talented man!

I helped set up this promotion event with one of our local tv stations! :)

Just a few Comm Arts peeps!

I got a full-length picture of what I wore! (Which was the same outfit I wore for Valentine's Day!) Hoorah! A picture was taken! And yes, I'm an outfit repeater. Lizzie McGuire and I share that. ;)

Also, I've come to the conclusion that because my college career is nearing it's end [Yikes], I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and pressured about my future. I had mentioned it a while ago but I feel like I haven't found my niche. Lately, I've been seeing lots of talented individuals go on to further their careers by enrolling in grad school and doing so much. 

I hate to admit it but I compare myself to people and I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough. Like, I'm not where I think I should be. Granted, I shouldn't beat myself up but I can't just keep thinking this without doing something. 

So, I know that my schedule is crazy busy but I have consciously started to make an effort to be better at everything. To improve on everything. I'm going to try harder and harder because I know what I want for my future and I know that it'll take work but it will be so worth it. 

I found this quote that I absolutely fell in love with by Maya Angelou.

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. 
 Life's a *itch.  You've got to go out and kick a**."

I mean, dang! Ain't that the truth. I want to be THAT girl. 

Tomorrow's schedule:
{class}
{Sports broadcast-Yours truly is one of the anchors!}
{Big Law and the Media test...dun dun dun.}

And come thursday evening...
spring break. spring break. spring break. 
!!!!!

Excitement awaits. 

I've got the power!

So, I will not talk about who I voted for but instead on how blessed I feel that women now days can vote.  This past summer, Mickey and I took a Women in the Media class and I was introduced to so much more information I wasn't aware of about the Women's Suffrage movement.  We watched Iron-Jawed Angels and oh my, I still remember certain scenes of it that are ingrained in my head.  It's crazy to think that there was a point in time when women couldn't vote.  That we were seen as inferior and not able to make important decisions, such as electing our nation's leaders.  So, today, when I went to vote for the second time in my life (the first time was in a small election), I realized the true blessing it was.  I was majorly excited and sported a cheesy smile as I walked in to the country club near my aunt and uncle's house.  I was in and out of there in 10 minutes! I was scared it would take too long but I went in around 10:30 am before my noon class and did my part!
It's crazy because I remember voting in the small elections with my mom and acting the exact same way so that people ten miles away knew it was my first time voting.  My mom was so happy for me! I'm so glad we were able to share that together.  I remember going with her to vote for other elections but there's a different feeling when you can vote yourself, it's indescribable.  I will treasure that moment we had together.

So, here's a bit of an update on life since I last blogged:

1. Dia de los Muertos happened.  Mickey and I went to a festival at his high school program and then we went to an exhibit.  It was all very nice.  It's weird because I don't even remember what I did last year.  I think I was still in a daze from my mom's passing.  At this event, Mickey and I touched a burmese python! It was insane!!!

2.  I have 4 projects/presentations this week.  I've completed/presented 3 of them, so here's to the last one!

3.  Halloween was fun.  Mickey and I went to Chipotle and each had ourselves a $2 burrito! It tasted so much better knowing it was only $2.  We then went to his parent's house and celebrated a bit.

4.  For my social media class I made a PSA for this organization I founded.  I've gotten such good feedback that I'm excited to continue with it for our final project! Susan G. Komen (the city organization), American Cancer Society and Lane from Gilmore Girls shared the video on facebook making me the happiest girl in the world! Mickey and I met our Congressman and even got a picture with him! Here's the link to the video and don't forget to 'like' our facebook page here!

I will attempt to continue keeping y'all updated on life and all it's happenings!

O Rome-o Rome-o! Wherefore art thou Rome-o?

Okay so Mickey and I have been super stressed about this whole study abroad situation.  Well, actually mainly me because those of you who know me know how I can be a worrywart.  So, this is no exception.

Here's a little recap:

-So apparently, I came into college with 32 hours from high school, which basically put me at sophomore standing.  Now, I'm considered a senior in college, even though this is only my 5th semester!
-Mickey and I went to talk with a teacher who basically told me I could graduate this coming May, which isn't that surprising to me because I heard about this last semester.  The thing is that many of my Comm Arts teachers kind of don't care about my minor in Theatre.  Actually, a lot of people don't, which is weird because I wouldn't be minoring in it if I didn't absolutely love it.  They only care about my BA in Communication Arts which is cool and all but I am also minoring in Theatre for a reason.
-The thing is that apparently, there aren't really that many classes that could transfer from Rome to my college here because at my current senior standing, I need certain classes that are only available here.  I was told by this teacher we saw that I would only need my History class.
-Later, Mickey and I went to talk with an advisor I've gone to since my mom passed.  She said that I could take about 3 classes that would most likely transfer here.  She reiterated the idea that she just cares about the Comm Arts stuff and another thing that people have told me since, that I could always go visit Rome.  The thing is that visiting and living in Rome are two completely different things.  She, along with Mickey, realized that I had gotten very stressed.  I've got some people telling me that studying abroad right now would be dumb and others that say do what you feel is right.  
-Here's the conclusion I've come to:

"She believed in her dreams but she also believed
in doing something about them."

I would have never even slightly considered studying abroad if my mom were alive.  Technically, I could possibly graduate this coming May but I know myself and I'm not ready.  I may take my time to do certain things but I do them in my own time.  I'm getting there but I'm not ready yet.  I need to do some more growing up.  Studying abroad would allow me to do this.  I would learn to live on my own even more than I do now.  If I could make all of this happen right now, I would feel so beyond proud of myself.  I've gotten an extra job and have cut back on expenses to make this a reality.  It hasn't been easy but I don't want to live my life with regret.  I don't want to wonder in 10 years what would have happened if I'd study abroad.  I want to look back and realize that even though I graduated in 3.5 years,  I was able to get the most out of college.  I want to live life, I want to experience as much of it as possible.  I want to talk to people of all countries, I want to explore new things.  I want to study abroad in Rome this Spring 2013 semester.

I have asked my mom for guidance in helping us during this process and I've been surprised to find her ways already working.

So, wish us luck as Mickey and I continue to embark on this adventure as we figure out how to make this crazy dream of ours come true.  I will try to keep y'all updated and apologize for the scattered nature of this post.  :)

1 whole year. ♥

To say that it's been a year since my mom passed away feels like a nightmare.  I honestly intended to fall asleep way before right now, almost 4 o'clock in the morning.  I'm proud of how far I've come you know? I've learned to drive on highways, I've flown on my own, I have two jobs and go to school.  I pay my own bills, I do things on my own.  To say it's been a year is an accomplishment for me.  Yet, there is that overwhelming sadness that I feel just thinking that it in fact has been a whole year since my mom passed away.  A whole year.  365 days.  It's been 365 days since I held her hand and hugged her and it's been even longer since I last talked with her and laughed with her.

I still don't understand why she's gone.  I don't understand why she even got the disease in the first place.  Selfishly speaking, I was only 19, I was an only child, I don't really have a dad (biologically speaking, duh but he's not even in the picture), I don't have the whole package you're supposed to have when your mom dies.  You're supposed to be married, have kids, have a career.  She's supposed to be a grandmother, she's supposed to spoil your kids.  Tell you advice on how to raise them and in my case she was going to be there to walk me down the aisle.

I know that once today passes (and the 29th, the day of the viewing), things will kind of go back to normal but for the time being, I guess being a big ball of emotions is understandable.  Wanting to cry and scream is part of the package that comes with the 1 year mark.  I guess I was hoping today wouldn't be such a hard day and that's why I've been trying to avoid thinking about it but truth is, there's no avoiding today.  Ever.

I started getting body aches this past weekend and they've been coming and going.  I took ibuprofen earlier and, if you know me, you know I hate taking meds unless I absolutely need to.  My eyes were tired and felt like I had been crying for days.  I don't know if it's my body realizing it's been a year or what.  They're not allergies because those would be consistent.  All I know is one thing: I'm still alive and that's something.  I had my mom for 19 wonderful years and I'm blessed that I was fortunate enough to be chosen to be her daughter.  No matter how angry I get because older adults have their parents, I must realize that my darling mother was special enough to go to heaven sooner, a VIP I guess you could say.

No, this doesn't mean I hate the world or people whose parents are still alive, on the contrary, I feel happy for them because I know how precious that time is.  This also doesn't mean that I'm depressed and down in the dumps, I mean, I am my mother's daughter, heck, we were born tough! I guess it just means that today will be one of those harder days.  Today, is unfortunately, semi-chaotic as far as school goes but I know just need to focus on being strong and letting God take over.  I need to focus on what I have and who I have as opposed to who I don't have and what I don't have.  Count my blessings.

So here I go about to attempt to go to sleep and wake up in 5 hours to finish stuff.  I will pray my heart out for strength and for my mom to be with me as I face today, especially tonight.

Most importantly, I just wanted to say one last thing:

I love you mommy.

6 months. ❤

Before.

Mickey and I have been together for six months as of today! (9.18.12)!!! I cannot believe it's already been half a year.  Seriously, that just flew by! So to celebrate we went to this fancy restaurant and stuffed our faces.  He had a hefty giftcard and we definitely did put it to good use.

Here's a summary of our wonderful experience at Fleming's:

-His first time eating calamari (he liked it!)
-Our first time eating filet minon! IT WAS SO FREAKISHLY GOOOOOOD!
-His first time eating lobster!
-His first time seeing the waiters "comb" the table for crumbs.

-AND MOST IMPORTANTLY... OUR FIRST TIME EATING CREME BRULEE!!!!


-Oh my goodness was it delicious or what!


So, here is a little information about us and how we got to where we are now.

We met in our Intro to Mass Comm class our first semester in college and we were kind of friends, we didn't have each other's numbers but we knew each other.  Second semester, we had a class together, Audio Production, when we exchanged numbers so if we needed to get a hold of one another we could.  We started becoming closer friends then.  That's when Mickey met my mom! It was awesome!
That summer 2011 we didn't talk too much although we began texting because I told him about my mom's health situation and our friendship just grew immensely.

Mickey ♥

During the fall of 2011, we had Video Production I together.  He helped me out with our first project, which was a countdown.  I did mine with gummy bears.  My mom got to see it and she loved it! During that semester, Mickey and I became even closer of friends.  That friday, September 16, he along with his girlfriend at the time and Katie, along with other very important people (Deidra and her family) were there for me during the hardest time. That's when Mickey saw my mom again.  That evening when they all came over to the hospital room, my mom basically told them to take care of me because this was going to be the most difficult thing I was going to have to face.  I feel Mickey has definitely done this.  

Mickey visited my mom and I at hospice.  At this time, my mom wasn't really conscious but I know deep down, she knew he was there.  He went a couple of times while we were there and it meant the world to me.  I mean, there I was.  Looking like a zombie, with hair all over the place, wearing scrubs and looking like poo and he was there for me.

When my mom passed away, he immediately asked me what he could do. He was there through it all, especially the day of the viewing.  I remember he got there early with Katie and they stayed there the entire day! He gave me hugs when I needed them and let me vent when I needed to.

After

After the viewing, through the healing process and my visits with Dr. Tucker, he stuck with me.  He never got annoyed by me or ignored me.  He let me cry my eyes out and then made me laugh.  He became my best friend.  The new year came and he was single and then, the rest, as you could say is history.  March 18, 2012 we got together! (A day after his mom's birthday) Yay! I know cheesy story right? But you have to admit it's one for the books.  I'm a lucky girl.  

So, that's a small little bit of my life I never really shared before! I hope y'all enjoyed this super positive post.  Here's to making this 19th (the day my mom went into hospice) an okay day. And here's to making the 26th an okay day as well.

Thank you Mickey for everything you ever did and for everything you continue to do.  These six months have been my most favorite and I look forward to everything that is to come! ;)

Numb.

One year ago today (Sept. 16, 2011) my mom and I were basically told she was dying.  We didn't know how long she had but we realized her time had become increasingly limited.  I won't go into the details of this because I feel writing it will only make certain things worse. Just know that I've already told one person pretty much exactly what happened.  Here's what happened today, 2012.

I went to work at Cracker Barrel and got a good amount of tips which helped me pay for gas and buy college-style groceries and even watch Finding Nemo on 3D, which leads me to my next point.

I remember watching Finding Nemo with my mom and her friend back from middle school in Mexico, I call her my Tia Lety.  Anway, we had gotten to the movie theatre a bit late and the only spots available were a bit scattered.  I sat next to my mom and my Tia Lety sat close-by kind of.  I remember really liking the movie but that's about it.  Today some of us went to watch it in 3D, throughout the movie, I kept getting random flashbacks of my mom and how she did anything and everything in her power to make me happy.  Not spoil me, but make me happy.  She would have swam the ocean if that meant finding me.  I don't know if any of this makes sense but it all just got too overwhelming when the movie finished.

I cannot exactly described what happened except that I was breathing heavily and my hands were tingly and felt kind of like they did when my mom and I were in the hospital when we were given the news.  Everything just gave me a big flashback of everything and it became too much.  We were there with two other people and I just basically needed to get out of the movie theatre.  Mickey was a definite help as I was having an emotional breakdown right outside.  Everything became so numb.  I guess these next 10 days are just another big bulletin board reminding me every second of every day that my mom isn't here anymore and it sucks, you know? I just hit a low today but I know things will get better.  I am my mother's daughter after all.

I remember all the times when I didn't think my mom and I could do it.  That we thought, how is this even possible? And then thinking, myself, once my mom passed how I could even get back to "normal" (whatever that was) again.  And here I am now.  God really does give his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers.  I know I can do this. I know I'm not alone and I know that the worst is behind me.  I know that although a year ago today, my world was changed, that doesn't mean that I won't eventually be okay.  I will be.  I will.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow.  But things will get better.  They will.  I just need to leave it up to God and trust in him and everything my mom ever taught me.

So, here I embark on the next 10 days as September 26 comes.  I can do this.  I can.  I'm my mother's daughter.

One more thing, I wanted to say thank you for all of those of you who went that friday, September 16, 2011 to the hospital.  It meant the world to have people there supporting us.  Also, thank you to all of those of you who prayed for us and helped us in any other way.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Worrywart.

Okay, so this isn't news to me but I worry. A LOT.  And well, Mickey has kindly pointed that I need to relax.  It's true.  I am always worrying.  The thing is that I over-think pretty much everything.  What if this happens? How will I be able to pay that? What if they don't let me do it? What ifs and Hows and Whys tend to run my life and I've been working on not stressing out about every single little thing! I mean, can you imagine how quickly that will age me?

See, when my mom was alive I worried about her all the time.  Most of the times it was the healthy kind of worry, you know because she was my mom and I loved/love her.  Other times it was the kind of knot-in-my-stomach-, clammy hands, can't-eat-can't-sleep kind of thing and that's when it wasn't good.  Trust me, this was the last thing my mom ever wanted for me.  But the truth is that when your mom is diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer when you're 16, your priorities shift.  I still kept being my happy, bubbly self but in the back of my mind there was always that fear of losing her. Don't get me wrong, we had PLENTY of good times even after her diagnosis and such but I was still worried.

Credit: Mickey Martinez

Now, after her passing, my worries have shifted to being able to pay bills and life after college and not having enough money or time.  Overwhelming stress-ers for a 20-year old, don't you think? I mean, it's the same story, I work hard and I have fun but I'm still stressed.  And here is where the challenge begins: I NEED TO STOP WORRYING MY BUTT OFF.

Mickey has definitely helped me with that.  And well, today we went swing dancing at a burger joint! I know! It was as fun as it sounds! We do so many fun things together and this was a definite success for blowing off steam and de-stressing.  It was even a good way to exercise! Let's just say, it is truly a blessing to have Mickey in my life.  It's almost as if God and my mom were bringing us together to help each other out in life.  It's cheesy, I know, but I really do believe that.

So, with the help of Mickey, yours truly, will focus on not over-stressing, over-thinking, or worrying too much about stuff I am already working hard for.  Wish me luck!

Happy Labor Day! Happy Tuesday!

Hello, my name is Amy and I'm a college senior.

Okay so, where has the time gone? I'm a freaking college senior! I became one after last semester but it's still like, what? Anyway, I think this semester is going to be a VERY good one! So here's my review of it thus far. 

Tampa! 

Aesthetics of Vision and Sound

-LOVE the teacher, I've had her before (the same semester my mom passed away) and she was so very helpful to me throughout the whole process

-The class sounds like it's going to be a blast! I'm so excited!

-This is part of my Comm Arts major requirement stuff

Speech

-The teacher is funny and young

-I know somebody there back from freshmen year of college and so that's nice

-The class seems interesting!

-There's a guy from Australia there and a girl from West Africa!

Intermediate Acting

-BY FAR, MY MOST FAVORITE CLASS OF THE SEMESTER

-I met the teacher during the Fall 2011 semester (the semester my mom passed) during an audition in which I didn't do so hot. I was running late and everything was a mess.  I performed two monologues and they did laugh but my goodness, the song sucked! I was so nervous and I was still recovering from running.  Well, anyway, my acting teacher at the time was talking to him (my new teacher) about me so that was cool. Anyway, yes, I have him now for Intermediate Acting and the first two classes have been absolutely fantastic & wonderful & amazing & awesome!!! I'm so excited for the rest of the semester.

-My only worry is we have to impersonate someone for our first performance.  It sounds fun but the list only includes theatre folk and I don't really spend time there because I'm not a theatre major and it may surprise some of y'all but I can be shy.  But, you know what means? Somebody is going to be casually observing some people from the list! Wish me luck guys! I'm excited!

-I've only told one person this and I don't really know where it came from but I want to study acting more.  Go into it further.  

Roma! 

-I'm so excited to get assigned scenes!!! AAAAHHH!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

Creative Writing: Non-Fiction

-The teacher is super nice and funny!

-It seems like it's going to be a really fun class! And, as y'all can tell, I love writing!

-I presented this review I had written which was assigned the first day and she complimented me on my presentation!! :)

Theories of Communication

-The teacher seems nice.

-It's a once-a-week class so I'm glad about that!

Social Media

-I had this teacher my first semester of college and so I know his style, he's pretty cool

-The class seems like it's going to be fun!!!

-I'm excited

So, four more things!

1. One of my closest friends, Sydney, got married August 11 in Tampa and Mickey and I were able to go! I was a bridesmaid and it was so much fun! I still cannot believe she's married! She looked absolutely beautiful!! The wedding was on a ship and it looked so nice outside! 

2. Mickey and I are looking into both being able to study abroad in Rome next semester and we went to talk with the Study Abroad Coordinator and she remembers me from December 2011! She's so nice and helpful, she gave us a bunch of information!!! We are crossing our fingers that everything will come through!

Weight loss!

3. So a while ago I went to a casting call for a show that a student at my university was starting.  I almost didn't go because of time constraints but Mickey encouraged me, he even helped me memorize the script the night before! I went ahead and had his support and guess who is the host of Off Broadway???? Yup! Yours truly! 

I will keep y'all updated with all the happenings of that but as of now, I'm finishing up the script and we'll begin shooting next week! Wish us luck!! Mickey even gets to be in charge of lighting and stuff!! Yay!! I'M SO BEYOND EXCITED FOR THIS! 

4. Lastly. I've got some wonderful news! WEIGHT for it! I've lost... 20 POUNDS!!!!! It may not seem like a lot since May but trust me, you can see the difference! I'm a size 6 now!!! My goal is to be a 4.  I'm so freaking proud of myself and I'm even getting compliments! That's nothing compared to Mickey's 44 pounds! He certainly got a lot of compliments himself too! We look really good! I'm so happy for us! We are continuing to exercise and I'm looking at starting Zumba back up again, I miss it.  I've been running a mile on the treadmill every other day and it's been fun! 

Well, tomorrow I have work at the chapel and then it's an 8-hour shift at Cracker Barrel on Sunday and then school on Monday! I will do my best to keep y'all more updated! 

Birthday & Family

HAHA.

So, fellow readers, yours truly is officially no longer a teenager! Whoohoo! That's right ladies and gentlemen, I'm 20! As of May 25, 2012 7:28pm I officially turned 20.  I am still in shock I think.  This week and especially my birthday were overwhelming and hectic.  I will recap it of course.

My aunt had her balloon procedure (heart) on the 24th.  She got out at around 3pm on the 25th.  She's doing very well!!! :)

So I've previously mentioned "my special someone", well, his name is Mickey, yes, like the mouse.  Well, this past week was especially tough for him and his family.  His grandmother went to heaven and this thursday and friday were the services.  I was honestly so blessed to have met her and talked with her a few times, she made me feel so comfortable.  I, unfortunately, can relate to his mom and his aunts and uncles as y'all know about my mom's passing.  The viewing was held on thursday (24th) and the burial on the 25th.  It was difficult but I feel my mom would be very proud of how I did with everything-even with all the tears.  I won't go into much detail but I learned a lot about family this week.

I've mentioned before how I'm not that close to my family.  My maternal grandmother passed away before I was born and the rest of the family (for the most part) didn't treat my mom with respect.  AT ALL.  We lived in Mexico for four years and that's where pretty much all of our family was located.  Now, they are a bit more diffused but still, we aren't close. My mom and I moved back to my hometown when I was 8 because of major family issues and we stayed here ever since.  I've been contacted by some family members (distant family members) through Facebook so it's pretty cool.  I find it interesting how things work, you know? My mom had wanted to get in touch with the family because she didn't want me to be alone and now it's like tadaa!! I don't know if this makes much sense but I'll say this.  I came to find that family is whoever treats you with respect, protects you, loves you, makes you happy and all those warm, fuzzy things.  Just because you're blood-related to someone may not necessarily make you family.  Family is much more than that.  Which brings me to my next point.

Spending this time with Mickey's family really made me happy.  Like cheesy happy.  Despite all they've gone through, they are so strong and they stick together.  They are there for each other through everything.  Even on the 25th, after Mickey's grandmother's burial, we all went to her house and they had this big family get together.  One of the many things I learned about Mickey's grandmother (during the viewing/services) was that she loved to make a bunch of food and invite everybody over to her house and just enjoy each other's company.  That's exactly what happened after the burial-which just so happened to be my birthday too.  They, get this guys, they made me a cake AND sang me happy birthday!!! It was seriously the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.  I feel like it's something my mom would totally have done! IT WAS SO NICE.  I almost cried tears of joy.  No joke.  I felt so welcome and part of the family, as cheesy as that sounds.  I absolutely love spending time with all of them and feel like my mom is so beyond happy.

This is kind of what the cake looked
like except it was much better!

The rest of my birthday celebrations were nice too.  It's kind of been like a birthday weekend.  So it's been nice.  Here was my birthday weekend in a nutshell:

Fri. May 25th-BIRTHDAY!
-Had like two hours of sleep the night before.  I have no clue why I couldn't go to sleep.
-Went to periodontist appt at 7:30am.  I have perfect teeth!
-Got a taco from local mexican restaurant my mom and I used to go to! LOVE THAT PLACE!!
-Went to burial.
-Went to family get together.
-Went to work. Got paid!
-Mickey and I went to Red Lobster.  Happy Birthday was sung to me!
-Aunt and Uncle gave me wonderful presents!

Sat. May 26th-Day after!
-Woke up 30 min. after I was supposed to be at work.  Everything was okay.  I just felt super guilty even though everything was already taken care of, they just wanted extra help.
-Ate first meal of the day at almost 5pm-with Saundra! (My boss)
-Had small get together with Brianna and Mickey. The rest of my friends couldn't make it :(

Sun.  May 27th-Two days after!
-Went to Target. Got gorgeous dress! (Mickey's present for me!)
-Went to movie theatre and had dinner theatre.  (We saw MIB 3-really good)

And it's not over!!!!

Sorry for this post being so overly long, I just had a lot I wanted to share! :)

Please pray for my aunt, Mickey and his entire family. Thank you!

M.I.A.

Recycling.

So I've realized I've been missing in action for about a month.  I guess I just needed a break from blogging because everything has been in fast forward since I last blogged.  But, here are the highlights.  Oh and I will try to blog more frequently.

-I was invited to join Alpha Chi which is an honor society for juniors and seniors!!! I'm pretty freaking proud of this accomplishment because I know my mom would've been so proud of me.  Oh, and the inductions? Yeah, those will be held on my mom's birthday.  Coincidence? I think not.
-It's been 6 months and four days since I've lost my mom and today I had a meltdown.  A GINORMOUS one.  One of those super draining ones, yeah, it was pretty bad.  I was expecting it to be at the 6th month mark but I guess it was delayed.  Sometimes, it really hits me how alone I am.  Don't get me wrong, I have friends and such but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't want my mom here.
-Last week, in my Intro to Technical Production class, we had to climb really high up to look at some technical aspects of theatre and oh my goodness, that was scary! Another thing, I killed a bug in my room like two days ago.  Another tremendous accomplishment for Amy! My mom would've been freaking proud.
-School will be over in about a month and I'm SO BEYOND EXCITED!  I'm not gonna lie, this has been one of my less favorite semesters.  I'm looking forward to the Fall 2012 semester so I can get back to acting! :)))
-Speaking of which, in my Video Production II class, we filmed our "How-To" videos and that was nice. I was director this time which was kind of empowering but the fun part was actually helping a friend and her group out.  I was one of their talents and oh dear! It was SO MUCH FUN!!! I basically did a semi-Good-Morning-America-esque kind of a segment. It was live for class so it was way fun! I love being in front of the camera :)

I think that's it for now.  I'm missing a lot but I will keep y'all more updated. :)

No more FH!

That's right. We don't have to go to the funeral home any more!!! Yes! We went a total of 5 times.  So I was pretty over going there a lot, it's just so depressing you know? Well, actually, I hope y'all don't know because that means having a close relative/friend pass away but anyway.  So I will once again make a list of important stuff going on.

-I have my mom's ashes. [We picked them up on 10.01.11] It's nice having her here with me, if that makes sense. I also have her death certificate [which we picked up today].  It's nice to have all that stuff done though, now it's just focusing on a few more things like bills and stuff and canceling services, etc.  We are almost there though!

-Getting back into the swing of things at school hasn't been too too bad, there are some classes where it's a bit more difficult but there are those (like Beginning Acting) that I enjoy so much that it's okay if I have to have homework, I like that class as well as Country Western Dance (don't judge), haha.

-I need to find a monologue (1m. 45s. long) from a play.  It has to be contemporary and age appropriate (I'm 19) so if y'all have any suggestions please help me out! If any of you guys have seen a play and liked it please let me know the name.  

-I've been okay.  I cried a little more than usual last night but I was venting with my aunt, it was pretty nice to be able to vent with her.

-The sisters where I go to school are honoring my mom at the Second Sunday mass this Sunday. They are so sweet and it will be nice seeing people still supporting my mom and me. 

-I'm probably missing a lot of stuff but I wrote most of what's going on.

I don't know why but this song reminds me of my mom.  

Maybe it's because of the "Don't worry baby..." part. Enjoy!