Dublin and Belfast

We've only been here two days, and so far it's been incredibly nice outside.  We spent our first day in Dublin right after our flight exploring the city and took a three-hour free walking tour seeing Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and St. Stephen's Green.  Today we got into Belfast and have had a nice time just relaxing at the hostel tonight after a stressful day driving around Ireland.  Here are a few pics, including some from a photo shoot in our room tonight:

On Graduating

With everything going on, I think it just now hit me that after five long years at Washburn, I am graduating tomorrow and receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History.  What I am going to do with this degree, I have no idea so please don't ask!  :)  But at least I will actually have a specialization in something, that's pretty cool!!  

It's been a crazy week, and it will be an even crazier weekend, but so many exciting things happening!  First, my fiancé whom I haven't seen in a month will be there for my graduation, and I am picking him up at the airport tonight!!  Also, my sister and her husband are coming just for tomorrow and part of Sunday and it will be my first time seeing them since their wedding.  I am really excited to have all of my close friends and family there celebrating with me!  I am also leaving on a month long trip bound for Williamsburg, Ireland, and Miami next week, so I am also preparing for that.  Ireland looks beautiful and I'm thrilled to be seeing its beauty and traveling to Europe for the first time with Tricia!!

Despite everything going on, finishing college is a huge deal and I've spent entirely too much time writing papers, cramming for Art History tests, doing presentations and other tedious homework.  So, I'm going to enjoy the day tomorrow and soak it all in.  It's been a life-changing, wonderful yet awful, difficult, challenging, growing, and rewarding time, but I'm ready to be done with this stage of my life.  I'm no longer a college student!!!

Rain rain, go away

Come again another day...

Or not.

I love these engagement pictures...

This is from the 100 layer cake blog, and I love this photo shoot!  Just getting some ideas for Israel and I's photo shoot this weekend!  :)  

Today is the last first day of finals!!!!

That is all.

Nostalgia

My blog's 2-year birthday is coming up next month!  It's pretty crazy to think about what all can happen in your life in just two years.  I don't think I imagined that this blog would still be around after two years when I first started it.  I'm glad I stuck with it though, since this is the mode in which I met my fiancé!  

I had my last day of classes at Washburn yesterday.  I'm never going to have another class in Room 118 of Garvey anymore, where all 10 of my Art History classes have taken place.  Needless to say, I have spent a lot of time in that room.  I will never be taught by Dr. Janzen again nor write another tedious, painful paper for her!  I don't think it will hit me for a while, once the Fall semester starts and I'll realize that for the first time in five years, I won't be going back.  How craaaaaaazy!  I really can't believe I'm done with college.  

I think I've grown up quite a bit during these years.  My freshman year, I used to stay up until 3 in the morning with the Rachel's, wake up at 6, and go to my classes.  Until the last few months, I have maintained a pretty early-to-bed schedule and have actually become more responsible.  Not only will I be done at Washburn, but I'll also be losing my work-study job at the museum.  So weird!  So many changes.  But I'm excited for the future.

Five years is a big chunk of time when you're only 22, almost 23.  Life full of homework and tests, late nights, little sleep, and procrastination is all I've known lately!  It really is perfect timing because soon I'll be a wife in a new place, working full-time eventually at a "real" job, and being able to see my husband everyday and have a home of our own.

I'm graduating in a week.  So adult right now.

Save the Date

Before you get the official card:

September 9, 2010

On this day, I get to marry the most wonderful, sweet, caring, handsome, and loving man! :)  And my name will become Elena Sánchez!  

Life is busy!

Soon and very soon I won't have to write boring blog posts about papers anymore!  I'm about to write my very last paper (I've had about 13 just in the last few weeks) of the whole semester, and the last of my college career!!!  I know, some of you say never say never, but at least my last paper as an undergraduate! :)  Although right now, I have no desire to continue on with more school, because this year has for sure burned me out.  I've never written so many papers in my life!  

The next week and a half is pretty jam-packed:

-finish up school

-finals

-start getting things ready for Ireland/pack/buy food and other miscellaneous items

-work my last week at the museum

-Hopefully address and send out save-the-date cards

-Pick up Israel from the airport Friday night (!!!!!  :) Yay!!!!)

-Graduation!!!!!  And graduation parties!

-Take engagement pics with Karen!

-Meet with the pastor and Israel

-Leave for my month-long vacation to various places: Williamsburg/Ireland/Miami!!!

-Return June 22

the end

2 papers

1 presentation

3 finals....

And my life as a college student will come to an end!!!!

A paranoid thought

One little confession:

Several months ago, I pinned a white paper lantern above my bed using a thumb tack and a piece of yellow string.  I never could figure out the instructions to actually install a light in the lantern (ha, a pun on my last post?!  heh heh), it seemed way too complicated.  So I opted to just stick the thumb tack into the ceiling.  

Something I often think about before falling asleep is:  What if the tack falls down from the ceiling during my sleep and pierces my eye?  

This is what keeps me up at night.