As the semester comes to a close...wait, what?

Maymester is truly a semester...squished into two weeks. Two very long long weeks! Four hours of library time in the morning, six hours of class in the afternoon, and two hours of library time at night. My life 8-8 every day. But tomorrow I have exams and then I'm done with school until June 1...it's not a very long vacation, but I'm going to enjoy it.

On the downside, my great grandmother, Vassie Lucille Ramage Jenkins to be properly said, is about to pass away. She's 88 years old, born 1922. She worked at a fabric factory and lived through WW2, Vietnam, Korean War, and everything else that's happened since then. Sad thing is, she has Alzheimer's and can't remember much. She's amazing though. She used to always sing. It wouldn't surprise me if she knew every hymn ever written. She eloped with my great grandfather and didn't tell her parents for two weeks. She stood up for her family and was a strong woman. I'm going to miss her once she is gone, but I won't ever forget her. I've been practicing Amazing Grace on the guitar like crazy for her funeral. I guess that's my way of saying an official goodbye.

It's kind of heartbreaking but relieving at the same time. Death is never easy, but it's not a tragedy. Life is short, but Heaven is forever. And I can't be sad that my great grandmother is going to paradise after working so hard here on earth.

Love,
Chelsea Leann

Maymester

Hello everyone! So for the first time ever, I'm taking classes and not having to rush to work before or after. My classes were scheduled to go from 9-4 but have recently changed to go from 12-6. However, there's a lot of homework to do, so I can use my extra time for work. In fact, I have two tests tomorrow. That's craziness, but I love it. Because by Friday of next week, I'll be finished with these two classes! Kind of. It's a weird little system. However, I am  currently borrowing a teacher's science book, because financial aid hasn't come through yet. That's embarrassing, but I feel so bad asking my parents for even more money. I just hope it comes in soon. I've called the financial aid office twice, and they keep saying that they're working on it. It's just an aggravating process when everyone else has been awarded their stuff and I'm left hanging.

I've been a little crazy lately. Mood swings of a giant, cupcake cravings, and I have way too much energy. Poor Alex has been get the brunt of the stuff, but I'm glad he's sticking by my side.

Anyway, I'm off to get ready for class. Have a great day!

Oh, and Alex, I love you.

Chelsea Leann

First Weekend as a "SENIOR"!

Well, this weekend has been spectacular! Well, atleast yesterday was. And by yesterday, I honesty mean from 3-7, because before 3 was absolutely terrible. I had to take the dreaded Praxis 2 (CIA and PLT) and for some reason scheduled it all in one day. If you have to take it in the future, don't do it! Not because it was difficult, because it truly wasn't. It was the people and the scheduling. Goodness me, it took them forever to let us in the room, forever to hand out the test and answer sheets, forever to tell us how to fill them out. For instance, the first test was scheduled to begin at 7:30, with us showing up about ten minutes early so that they could check us in. They didn't let us in until 7:45. By the time everything was handed out and filled out, it was 8:30. I finished at 9:30, but we had to stay until the end (bummer). The second test was set to start at 10:45, but we didn't get in the room until 11, and didn't start the test until 11:20, and didn't get out until 1:20. My afternoon plans were just thrown all out of wack. But, my afternoon. Well that was an adventure!

Amy came roadtripping with me to Kosciusko to the Natchez Trace Festival. We got there at three and I was quite ashamed. I had talked about the festival all week, remembering things from when I was a small kid, how fun it was and how many booths were around. We get there and there are probably fifty booths, all packing up to go home. In the old days (am I really already saying that?) the festival went on into Saturday night. But, I did get my mother a present for Mothers Day. Amy and I then went in search of Alex. She finally met him! I was very excited for my best friend and boyfriend to meet. 10 months in the making! We all went to the station, hung around, and then Alex took Amy and I to El Rodeo for some Mexican! Amy's Assessment: Pass! Well, I mean, Alex passed her approval. Now, he just has to meet Kayla and he's pretty much set for the friend area. That sounds like I only have two friends, but it's just those two that I really hang out with outside of school. But YAY for Alex meeting Amy!

Amy and I were supposed to lay out today, but it was cloudy :( However, it is important to be thankful for what I have. After seeing the destruction of the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Smithville, and East Webster, I am terribly reminded of last year's catastrophe in Yazoo City and Chester, MS. I am also thankful for my 4 A's! I am wating on TWO more grades to be posted so I know the verdict of the semester. I am slightly terrified, as one of my teachers has only given us one of twelve grades all semester. She's a terrible grader and if I could redo her evaluation, I would give her negative feedback, indeed! It's ridiculous for her not to grade our papers until last minute. She did not even come to class for about five weeks. It was just one thing after another. So far, she has a project to grade, a final paper to grade, a portfolio to grade, and something else that I'm not even sure of. Dr. T, if you read this, please get your butt in a hurry to grade those! That's the only class I'm really worried about, because of a mishap with a missed test...and all those missing grades. This class could possible result in a C (even though I worked very hard). In the instance that it DOES turn out to be that low, I will hauling tail to Memphis to argue with her! This is a class that I absolutely CANNOT make lower than a C in. I am ready for her to post! AH!

So here I am, cuddled up with Millie, wishing Alex were here. But, sadly, he is not here. Last day of work for two months is on Wednesday, then four days of freedom before super summer session starts. Pray for me!

Love,
Chelsea

If one more of my friends pops up pregnant, I am going to personally start handing out safe sex pamphlets. Just saying.

Finals, anyone?

Finals. That word should bring joy to my heart. The finality of Junior Year. Needless to say, I'm excited about that part. I am not, however, excited about the paper I'm about to begin writing. That's been my life for the past few weeks. Paper Paper and Paper. BUT, I have a new distraction. Her name is Millie. Here are some pictures!

I adopted her from the Grenada Shelter. Meagan wasn't pleased at first and Alex was against it....all until they met my sweet Millie. She's made me laugh so much in the past couple of weeks. It's amazing how great an animal can make you feel. Even a teeny, tiny, five week old kitten that's a mut. She looks Siamese, but she's really a white and tabby mix. I almost called her Coon because of her tail, but mother dear said that would be inappropriate.

Alex and I are still together and doing great. He drives me crazy, but as long as I'm the only he drives crazy, it'll be okay.

Kayla and I, along with our mothers and her sisters, went wedding dress shopping. We were in love with every dress she tried on. I even got to try on a dress so that Kayla could compare two dresses side by side on someone's body. It was a little awkward and made me break out in slight hives, but I did it for her. I guess I just don't want to get married yet. I could be engaged. Engaged is okay. But married? Or close to a wedding? No way. It's not the fear of commitment. It's just...well, Alex and I just aren't ready for such a big step. I love him very much and know that I will spend the rest of my life with him. But we're so young. I don't have to get married young. I can have a career and do things I want. I can think of me. Now, of course, if he asked me, I would say yes without a doubt. But the wedding would probably be about two years away.

Anyway, Kayla looked gorgeous in all of her dresses, we found a bridesmaids dress that's super pretty on everyone, and mother and I did some shopping.

It was Easter today. Alex was unable to attend with me, but he's going to have to face the family one day. They're getting antsy about meeting him! You hear that baby? They're going to come find you soon if you don't come to them. Just a fair warning.

Anyway, it's time for me to settle down, close all extra web pages and focus on my year end reflection of Middle Level Education.

OH! I found out I will be student teaching at French Camp this Fall! This means that I have to move back to Weir, but I am so excited about it! I should be placed in 7th and 8th grade English. I keep telling myself to be excited about rushing through everything, all the while asking myself WHY am I graduating early. Oh, I am a crazy girl sometimes.

Love, always, pray for me,

Chelsea Collins

Engaged! wellllll, Kayla is.

Kayla and Patrick finally got engaged, and I am MOH. That means my life is now spent in a wedding frenzy every night googling wedding info. We're currently on the search for an inexpensive wedding photographer. If anyone knows of anyone else in the Starkville area, please let me know!

It's finally April, which means it is the last month of school. I have never been so READY for school to be out.

Alex and I went on another adventure! We went to the NAS in Meridian to watch an airshow...except the clouds were too low, so we didn't get to really see anyone fly. But we did get to see them taxi and blow up some gas bags!

We've been dating for 9 months. I love him more every day, and it amazes me how lucky I am to have him.

Anyway, I'll update later. There's projects to be done and homework to be finished!

Love always,
Chelsea Leann Collins

Spring Break...Not!

So, over the past few weeks, I have paid my ridiculous cell phone bill and settled on their 100% unlimited plan so I won't EVER get charged extra again, found a baby kitten to adopt, found a new roommate for the Fall semester, and turned in my educational internship application. It's been a LONG couple of weeks! Now it's Spring Break, and I'm sitting at work instead of in Natchez at the St. Patty's parade or on the beach drinking ice-cold lemonade with a little umbrella guarding me from the sun.

Speaking of sun---my skin is in desperate need of some Ultra-Violet multiplicating power in the melanin! So, today starts my tanning place search, and I believe I have found a place! Rain or Shine in downtown. They have a Level 2 Premium bed Unlimited package for 42.50 a month. I think that if I go everyday for a month, I'll be back to my normal tan, don't you? I hope so. I've been avoiding wearing my favorite dresses because of my paleness. Ask my mother-I am not a pretty pale person. In fact, this is the whitest I've ever been. NOT COOL.

This weekend is Alex's 24th birthday! I'm so ready to see him on Sunday :( Spring Break has sucked even more because I haven't gotten to see him. Gas prices are so high that we can't afford the trip. So I'm going home Friday, and I will see him on Sunday. But...I might see him Saturday, too, if I don't go to a pageant. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Anywho, there's only one month of school left. Everyone is celebrating, but I'm freaking out, because there is SO much to do and so little time!

Until next time,
Chelseaaa

Goodbye February, Hello March!

The past couple of week has been quite hectic! Things are still fabulous between me and Alex, Meagan says that if my mother gets me a kitten, it's okay, and I applied for my Fall Teacher Internship.

AH! I can't believe that I'll be graduating in December, a semester earlier than expected. I had to write a ridiculous educational statement that actually made me think about my future. I also had to pay this huge amount of money to take my Praxis II. However, I am very excited. My life is slowly unfolding, and it blows my mind.

Alex came and visited for a few short hours last weekend, but he is supposed to come up here today.

Those are the good things.

Bad things: I have to start practicum over, because my partner lost her mind and temper over me going to finish up an assessment without her. Apparently, I am immature and need to act like an adult. My bad, I thought getting your job done was mature and focused. I also have a ridiculous head ache, am broke, and kinda hungry. So I'm going to take a nap and eat an apple.

Bye friends,
Chelsea Leann