First Few Days

where do I begin? There has been so many memories already. Good, funny, embarrassing....

Friday: Moved in, met my roommate/suitemates. First meal in the caf, met some of my professors, worship at sunset and ice cream on the lawn.

Saturday: We listened to some student panels, and then we headed out to Convoy of Hope and we bagged rice! It actually was a ton of fun!!! Our team bagged enough rice for 60,000 meals for their hunger program. 

Saturday night we had a comedian and then coffee in the Joust. I'm trying to meet new people and get connected. baby steps.

Sunday: Chapel service for all incoming freshman and my fam! BBQ lunch and then came the sad part. goodbye :( yes I know my house is only an hour away, but still. My family prayed for me and then hugged me goodbye. I did okay until my dad hugged me. He teared up. I am his little girl! We are so close.

Sunday night we watched started watching Avengers, and then ended up going to Walmart and buying snacks. Yes that happened. 

Monday we had a ton of sessions for academic prep, EU student life etc etc etc. Last night, we went downtown and ate at this cute little bistro, shopped a little. Our night ended with watching a massive fight on the square that ended up with us calling the cops, an ambulance, cussing and some blood. Cray cray. 

Today, we had our first chapel, and now we have chill time until a dorm meeting and activities on the lawn. Yes I understand these types of posts are long and boring, but I'm trying to remember all the little details.


Here are some funnies:

Tessa (suitemate) "It's OK everybody's butthole stinks" In response to me telling her we needed Febreeze in the bathroom. Classy

"I have a VI" (va jay jay itch)

Me: "Tessa look I found this earring in your cupholder" Tessa: EWWW!! It's sticky!! *proceeds to chuck the earring out her window, while driving" hahaha


Every night has ended on the couch with Jenae, watching Pretty Little Liars! I'm hooked!!

I'm off to lunch!!

oxox,

Emily 

Move-in day: Evangel Bound!

I moved into college today!!! 

SO many emotions! SO many people! SO many things to do!

Here's a quick pictures of my room! It's pretty much done, and I LOVE it :) 

PS: my roommate is awesome! and she's adorable!! :) 

I've gotta run! orientation, activities, and meeting my professors are on today's agenda!!


oxox,

Emily 

Seester Date!!

I have one full day left at home. That's so crazy!

I decided tonight that me and my little sis needed some time together. I picked her up from youth, and we headed out for her choice of treat (Andy's, Cold Stone, Starbucks, Orange Leaf)! She chose Cold Stone! 

isn't she cute? :)

She had a bunch of homework tonight, so it was a pretty quick trip. Ice cream, laughing, and TONS of dancing on the way home. I gave her my iPod and let her pick :) so.much.fun.

And I totally didn't turn at our stoplight and kept driving! down the highway with the windows rolled down and singing at the top of our lungs!! Homework could wait ;)


Making memories worth repeating!

oxox,

Emily 

Change.College.Crying.

Change is something I usually don't welcome with open arms.

It usually means that something has to give, positive or negative. It may be a selfish this for me to say, but I hate change.

I like routines. I like order. I like plans. I like knowing what will happen at all times. I'm a planner and an organizer. 

As I'm getting ready for college, I realized today, how fast and furious that change is coming.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and reminiscing. This time, it's about growing up. It's about the memories I've made, good and bad. It's about the friends that I've laughed with, cried with, and shared life with. It's about making mistakes and learning from them. It's about the stupid inside jokes and laughs that I've shared with people I adore. 

For some reason, heading off to college, I seem extra sappy lately. Maybe it's because my closest friends in high school are going to colleges, thousands of miles away. Or maybe it's because most of my other friends are all headed to a college nearby and I've going to college an hour away. I know it's only an hour, but I'm still leaving.

I've shed my fair share of tears the last few days too.  

I look back through pictures, journals, and old blog posts and think time flew. And yes, I know I blogged multiple times about wanting time to fly. I was ready for graduation and I was ready for a fresh start. 

But now that that fresh start and change is coming, I second guess myself. Will I survive? Will I make new friends? Will my roommate and I get along? Will my friends in Branson remember me? Will I get the grades my parents are wanting me to get? Will I succeed?

I question myself so much, because I want to make sure that everything is going to be ok.

The what-ifs constantly plague my head and I over think every situation. But honestly, which girl doesn't over think and play things out in her head? Let's be real.


With college just a few days away and a to-do list a mile long, here's to hoping that this change is exactly what I needed. That this fresh start will be what I've needed; to get me out of this funk.

Because I know if I've never stretched and bent a little, I'll never grow. Sometimes change is necessary.  

Midnight Hammocking

Today, my friend Chelsey heads to nursing school 25 hours away: Arizona. :( 

We had a ridiculously late night, last night. Making memories and being us.

Friday Funk and Funk-busting

I'm going to be real honest. 

I hate goodbyes. I hate them. I despise them. 

I've grown up with these friends and saying goodbye to them yesterday was just downright torture. I have friends headed to Arkansas, Arizona and other places in Missouri. 

I tried to hold it all in last night, and I did ok until the drive home. It was raining and of course I had on some sad music and I lost it.

I woke up this morning and I was in a total funk. 100% ican'tbelievemyfriendslefttodayidon'twanttotalktoanyone funk. I sat in bed and sulked. Yes. I am a child. 

These are the friends I've grown up with, fought with, laughed with, cried with, and lived life with. I know that people grow up and time marches on. It's part of life, but it doesn't make it any easier.

annnnnd, if I was leaving for college today, it'd be no big. But I have one more week at home and y'all can just pray that it passes by real quick like.

I decided that getting dressed up and going out would be good for me. Starbucks and some unnecessary shopping at Target with Kyle would do the trick. 

And blasting music and singing at the top of our lungs was part of our afternoon. 

Just getting a little bit of fresh air and getting my mind off it. Sometimes, that's all you need.

Oh and working a double tomorrow too.


Tell me what your funk busters are. I'd love to know. 


I'm out.

Calling all guest bloggers!!

I need help! I leave for college in less than TWO weeks. I'll be moving in and will have to time to blog for about a week.

I'll be doing all the new student, freshmeat freshman orientation, dorm stuff etc etc etc.

I'm excited. I'm nervous. ya ya.

 If any of y'all would like to guest blog for me, I'd LOVE that. Seriously, I'd love you.

 I need at least 5!! you can talk about college, dorm life, really anything college/growing-up related!!

If you want, shoot me an email: eduncan93@gmail.com or comment on this post and let me know!!


oxox,

Emily 

Summer Giveaway: Ad Space and Sponsor Intro

It's Giveaway Time!!! 

3 Months of Ad-Space and a Sponsor Intro on my blog!! 

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm having a bad day, I love to do something to cheer me up and get my mind off it. I thought today would be perfect for a lil summer giveaway!! 

Enter using the Rafflecopter tool below!

oxox,

Emily 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chick-Fil-A, Chewing Gum, and Caramel Macchiados

Thursday morning I had a doctor's appointment in Springfield. My ears had been popping really bad and I didn't know if I had fluid in them, swimmer's ear, or what was going on! 

Side note: my file hadn't been changed to my "adult doctor", so I ended up going to my pediatrician, that I've gone to the past 8 yers. sups awk and embarrassing. I told my mom that was my birth control for a while :p

I ended up just having fluid in my ear which was making my jaw pop in and out of socket. It also was because my fender bender caused some whip last and screwed it up for a few day! So my homework/prescription was to chew sugar free gum and blow bubbles at least 30 minutes a day. Best homework assignment I've ever gotten!! 

After I was done, I wanted to visit my daddy's brand new office building! super huge and gorgeous! We signed in, got our guest passes, took a tour of the building and met some of the executives. I was all over this! I'm a business girl through and through. PS! They have this incredible espresso/latte/cappuccino/heaven on earth machine. I made a killer caramel macchiado. so good. 

We grabbed some CFA, which is yummy and I haven't had it in over a year. so, so good. I could LIVE off their chicken nuggets and ranch. seriously.

My mom and I haven't had a ton of one on one time this summer because I work all the time! It was so good to be silly and just talk. It was much needed. I'm treasuring these times now, because in two short weeks, I head to college. 

oxox,

Emily

Monday Mail: Week 2

SO excited for week 2 of Monday Mail!!! Here we go!!!

Y'all know I'm president of the itty bitty titty committee. I saw this ecard yesterday and I laughed out loud!! probably my favorite!! 


Happy Monday!

oxox,

Emily 

Sunday Social: Food

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Potatoes. Hands down. Baked, twice baked, mashed, roasted, fried....my mouth is watering.

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Cheez-its or raw cookie dough. 

What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

Fried Rattlesnake. You know you live in the Ozarks when.....don't judge me.

What foods do you avoid at all costs?

I really hate on things that have weird textures: lobster, calamari, SPAM, etc. I'm really not a picky eater tho! 

What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Mac and Cheese with hot-dogs! 

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Shoot! This one is really hard! My mom is such a good cook and we ate and still eat really well! I love her potato soup and homemade rolls in the winter time! so good!! 

Happy Sunday!! 

oxox,

Emily

It's OK Thursday

It's OK to be anxious about leaving for college

It's OK to hate that your best friends are going to colleges far away. Like 25+ hours away

It's OK to STILL not have all my dorm stuff

It's OK to think that a Brita water filter is a must!!

It's OK to love talking with my roommate and get excited by the fact she's bringing Zumba dvd's to school

It's OK to be ticked that I won't have a car for my freshman year

It's OK to be in love with my comforter, one of the only things I've bought so far.

It's OK to be a little bit excited that I'll be in the only co-ed dorm on campus

oxox,

Emily 

Monday Mail!!!!-

I'm SO excited for today!  The very first Monday Mail Link-up! 


Here's the deal: super simple.


Link-up and show me your favorite some e-cards. Easy as that. They can be super random or have a theme. Ok!!! Here we go!!

Make sure to link-up and spread the word!!! 

As always,

Happy Monday!!! 

First Car Accident

Yes. That happened yesterday. 


I was headed to a scholarship dinner (thankfully only in nice jeans and the event t-shirt) and then it happened.


Car 1 didn't put on their turn signal and made a hard left turn. Car 2 slammed on his brakes and then I slammed on my brakes, only to hit Car 2. Or Truck 2.


It scared me so bad. I was shaking.  


I've had my license for 2 years and I've never even been pulled over, let alone been in an accident of any type. It could have been alot worse, but I only hit the back of his truck, his trailer hitch to be exact. 

It made a nice, loud dent in my bumper. It could have been my hood or hit something like my radiator, but this was the damage done. I'm so thankful.

I hit an older man who was honestly the best possible person I could have hit.

I got out and we both looked at the damage together. He was totally understanding and reassuring. He asked if I was ok. He said he wouldn't press charges or call the police, because there was no damage done to his truck.

Legally he said it would have been my fault even though I was barely moving and far enough behind me. I'm very blessed that there was no damage done to his truck.

I called my dad, who happened to be on his 25th anniversary trip in Cali. Of course that would happen to me, while my parents are thousands of miles away. Honestly, my dad was super cool about it and we're going to talk when he gets home. O_o

I got the nice man's information and we were both on our way. 

I arrived at the scholarship dinner and happened to see Addie, and I had literally just texted her about what happened. And no, I wasn't texting and driving!

 I was a hot mess. Sometimes, all you need is a giant hug and a friend to be there for you. Seriously. 

Yesterday was quite the day. I hope I don't have a post like this for a good, long while. Fender Benders are no good :(

Here's to the weekend and working lots of doubles to fix it!

Happy Friday!

Emily

PS: I talked to my Pop-Pop today and he said some people are just stupid a$$ drivers. I'm glad you're ok and make sure you pray to the highway gods tonight and thank them! hahahah I love him! 

It's OK Thursday

It's OK to plan a day off a month in advance for a birthday party on the lake. Lord knows I needed it.


It's OK to really want to sponsor Neely's blog again. I'm supa bummed July is over :(


It's OK to hate that it's August 2nd and the Summer is almost over.


It's OK to LOVE the Monday Mail Link-up Button! Lauren did a fab job!! 

It's OK to still not have bedding for college. Actually anything for that matter. I really need to shop!!

It's OK to be sick of all the ridiculousness going along with CFA Day

It's OK to stay up late and watch the Olympics every night

It's OK to steal pizza from guys at work. I was starved last night and totes snuck a piece. Sorry not sorry. (they love me. it was fine)

It's OK to have a slightly sappy moment when you realize that your youth group welcomed in the new 7th graders and you got kicked out.

It's OK to have a major crush on Ryan Lockte. But who doesn't?

It's OK to be obsessed with half price appetizers from Applebees after 9pm. Perfect for post-work, i should have eaten dinner nights. 

What's OK with you?

Homeschooling: the inside scoop and I need your help.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was homeschooled. You may be surprised. You may not be. 

I have purposely chosen not to talk about this very much because it was a very bitter experience for me.


I was homeschooled my entire life. K-12. All 13 years. 


People homeschool for different reasons. Religion, their child's needs, etc. My parents have a long story on how they came to homeschool us (I have 3 sibs)...pretty much from the beginning, they chose to homeschool us. Lucky me.


I have an older brother and he was homeschooled the entire way as well. I graduated in May and I wrote a little bit about it here. Both of my younger siblings will be going to school starting this fall. I love how my parents put them in school the summer after I graduated. I'm not bitter at all.......


I enjoyed it when I was younger. All of the fun groups and fieldtrips during the middle of the day. I mean who wouldn't love that! Then as I begin to enter high school, I began to realize how the world viewed homeschooled kids. And most of the kids that I took classes with in high school, were those kids. and quite honestly, I wanted nothing to do with the stereotypes. 


Maybe that was my problem. I care too much about what people think of me. Then again, when people hear that you are homeschooled they automatically think about the most extreme stereotypes. They also ask: 
"Oh do you have as many siblings as the Duggars?" 
"Do you do school in your PJ's?"
"I bet you don't have to take tests!" 


(I can't wait to talk about all of this, this week) 


Homeschooling has its positives and negatives. But it is also not for everyone. If you do homeschool, you have to have a mom that pushes you and makes you work hard. Thankfully, mine did. I took tests. I worked hard. I took my ACT (4 times). I went to games at the local high school. I tried to be as normal as possible. I did my best and made the best out of this situation.




This week, I'll be talking about all the nitty gritty details. I would love to get some feedback from you on what you would like to know. I'll be touching on my experience, graduation, homeschool humor (or lack of), academics, and socializing to name a few. 


If there are any questions that you want me to answer, or something you want to know, leave me a comment or feel free to shoot me an email: eduncan93@gmail.com!! I'd love to answer your questions. 




Keeping it real,


EDunk