Rochester Day 3 (A bit behind) Day 4 and 5 Included

Hello All,

So, I completely forgot to post on here.

Today we found out some great news. Well, I think it's great, but who knows! Mom and Dad were up at out of the hotel at 6:00AM to get on the shuttle. He had blood work done and then he went to the eye doctor. The doctor told him that he had cataracts. That's good news! We were afraid it was going to be something awful -- like a tumor! Then mom and dad came back to the hotel, we packed up our stuff and then we went back to Mayo to meet with the eye doctor again. He told dad that surgery would help clear it up and that the surgery could be done in Sioux Falls.

We drove home and we found that we will be able to be home for Christmas as well. Mom and Dad went back Sunday and came home today. Dad had a sleep study done, met with the endocrinology doctors and pump therapy nurses, and finally had a psyche test done. It was to test his memory and things of that nature. He said it wasn't too bad and they are glad to be home for Christmas. We will all go back on Jan 5. to meet with the final doctor and get everything figured out.

Hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas. Those of you traveling, travel safe! Can't wait to see most of you on Christmas!

G'Night

*~*Aubrey*~*

Rochester Day 2

Today we started the whole doctor process!

The weather isn't terrible. It's very cold, but they are predicting 2-8 inches of snow tomorrow and Friday. I hope not!

We got on the shuttle this morning around 10:15AM and drove it around til we got to the clinic. We had lunch at the cafeteria, listened to an eight year old play music, and listened to some college students sing while a lady sang using American Sign Language. It was really cool.

We checked in at 12:15PM and went up to meet with the first doctor. I was not allowed to go in the appointment. Apparently he did an extensive background and then talked about where to go from here. He scheduled blood work for tomorrow and also an eye exam. My dad is really excited for that and we will have more appointments tomorrow.

As of now, we are on the right path. I hope it continues to get better every day!

I will do my best to keep you all posted! Tomorrow is an early morning so I better get some sleep!

G'Night!

*~*Aubrey*~*

Rochester Starts....

Today we bared the terrible weather and it was awful!

We did however make it to Rochester and will start the process tomorrow. We are starting the first doctor tomorrow at 12:15PM. I will write nightly to let you know what happens!

We hope to be home for Christmas feeling better!

Mom's yellin' so I better get going!

G'Night

*~*Aubrey*~*

Life Never Ends...

Well, considering I haven't posted in like A MONTH, many things must be happening.

I don't really even know where to start so I will try to catch you all up from the last time I wrote.

Semester at Sea is going very well. I have registered for a cabin (place of where I'll be living). I have also started working on what classes I'm going to take. I have started working on funding. I sent in my work study information but I have no idea when I will hear back from them to let me know if I was accepted. I do hope that I hear back soon. I also sent in information for a need-base grant to try and get more money, but we'll see how much money I get for that. And then I'll probably apply for loans, but the less "loan" money I have to take out would be for the best! I'm starting to research the countries that I'm going to. I will post later about each country and some interesting facts.

The pump is going well. I really enjoy it and I genuinely feel better. I always feel good and am ready to get up and do anything. I like feeling good!

Lately I have been trying to work out. I have been doing well for the past two weeks so I'm hoping that I can continue and lose weight by Christmas and continue to lose weight before I go to London! Only four months to go!! I think that losing weight can be accomplished! I just gotta stick with it!

I am almost done with all my extra curricular activities. Next semester I will serve as PHC's Interim President until they decide how to find a new executive board and I will also serve on the Order of Omega Executive board. Other than that I will no longer be serving on Chi Omega's Executive Board. I'm excited to be done and be starting a new semester with less stress. I am hoping to maybe pick up more hours at work so that I'm able to start saving to pay off loans quicker.

I have looked into Augustana as a college for next December after I graduate. As for now that's the only school I've really had time to research. I'm hoping over Christmas break to research a few more schools so that I can get all the information I can for where to go to school next year.

I will be moving out of my Apartment this upcoming Friday and will be moving to Chester with my Aunt. I am very excited about living with her because her and I get a long very well and we always have a good time when it comes to crafts and hanging out. It should be a great semester and I will keep you posted on what happens.

Well, I think things other than all that are well. I have been super busy with school work, class projects and preparing for speech tournaments. I have to admit that I will be very excited when this semester is over and I feel as though I can start from scratch.

I soon will be getting my letters of me out with other information!

Better get some sleep. I am in Menomonie Wisconsin for a speech tournament! Rest is needed!!

G'Night

*~*Aubrey*~*

It gets better....

As all people were told the other day...I was accepted into the Semester At Sea program.

I talked things out with family -- basically about where I will be for the next few years -- and we talked about finding funding from other places and also finding things such as will these credits transfer, what classes can I take, etc.

I found out that I could take another $9500 out for the classes, a ticket to Nova Scotia and back from Virgina, textbooks and other expenses that incur from the trip. In addition to a need-based grant and a work study program, I should be able to afford this without going into thousands of debt. (Well, debt, but nothing to worry about until I graduate!)

Without my parents help and support this never would have happened. I appreciate that they remember there is a bigger picture and that living for the moment is nice, it's not realistic anymore. After talking things through, I have decided to continue education after I graduate in December (2010), and take classes from a school that offers American Sign Language Interpreting (Communication Disorders). I have also decided that I will do my student teaching in Sioux Falls. Realizing that I don't want to take out more loans to student teach in a location where I don't want to live.

This is a lifetime goal that I have worked hard for and am REALLY excited about. Thanks for all of your support and helpful words of encouragement!

Better get some sleep!

*G'Night*

*~*Aubrey*~*

ACCEPTED!

JUST WANTED TO INFORM EVERYONE THAT I WAS ACCEPTED TO THE SEMESTER AT SEA PROGRAM!!!!!

Now it's times to find money! If anyone knows of any good places to receive financial aid
PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY!!

*~*Aubrey*~*

Another Day....

It's been a few days since I have posted and I guess a lot has been happening.

I have had the pump in for a few days. It's going well. I have had to change it a few times which isn't too bad. I actually enjoy the pump more than I thought I would. It makes me feel better and also allows me to eat more of when I want and what I want.

It's been a rough few weeks dealing with school and roommates. I don't know if it's because I've never had siblings or what, but I apparently don't do well with living with people. I have been walked all over by my roommates this semester and everything is for the better of them. I have decided to start looking for a new apartment. Who knows If I actually will ever move out or anything, but it is nice knowing that I could do it.

I found out today that all of my Semester at Sea information has been accepted and now it's just a waiting game. I hate it, but I'm also VERY excited!!

I'm excited for Halloween! I have been busy with Chi Omega stuff and different things of that nature, but Halloween marks the downhill slope to being less busy! I now know that doing so many things in one semester is a terrible idea!

This past weekend I got a new phone! Blackberry Curve! I'm very excited about it and love it a lot! It's a very nice phone! Crazy what technology you can have in your hand!

My parents have been very helpful to me throughout the hard semester (due to roommates) and I want to thank them for that! It's been rough and hard and most days I hate it, but I know that being who I am and sticking to my values is what I was taught. Thanks for teaching me great values!

These past few weeks I have had mid-terms and I have done really well. I have received all 'A's on tests and papers that I have done! That's never really happened before and it makes me happy!! So on that note I guess the semester isn't all terrible!

Anyway--I think that's about everything exciting that has happened. I'll try to write sooner!

Better study!

*~*G'Night*~*

Aubrey

It only gets better...

Today I got to get my pump! The whole process took about three hours. It was very simple and easy. I'm excited for it. I think it will help me feel better all the time and not go through highs and lows all the time! I'm very excited about the whole thing.

What I'm not excited about...the snow! Yes--that's right...it is snowing in South Dakota! I am now home in Sioux Falls, but was informed that it is snowing in Madison, Flandreau and Brookings....which leads me to believe that it can only be worse tomorrow driving back to school! Hopefully it's not too bad...but yes it is snowing in South Dakota!

Better start studying!

G'Night!

*~*Aubrey*~*

Do parents always have to be right...

So Justin's mom's boyfriend's dad passed away the other day. We were told the funeral would be Monday at 11AM, so we decided that we would go. Neither of us knew this man but thought it would be good to go and support his mom and be there for anything she needed. I talked with my mom and dad and told them I would be going and they said ok but I knew it wasn't really something they would agree with. My mom and I got into a huge discussion about my decisions and the fact that I would need to make decisions on my own that my parents or other people will not always agree with. I felt awful that my mom didn't agree with my decision of going to Lincoln NE for the funeral, but at the same time I knew that my decision wasn't hurting anything or anyone so I was proud of making my own decision.

Today while sitting in class I started thinking to myself why are we going? Neither of us really know the man who passed, nor do either of us really want to miss class / work, and neither of us want to waste the gas to go down there. I asked Justin about it and he said he was going because he thought I wanted to go and he thought it would be nice to see his mom but it wasn't worth the gas waste to go just for that when he wouldn't really see his mom. I explained that I would prefer to not miss class, Chi Omega, or things of that nature. It turns out that it was a huge miscommunication!

So...after this long ordeal I realized...parent's do know best. Why is that? Why do they have to know everything that is right? It's so nice to know that I have parents who care and I guess the guilty feeling in my stomach was me knowing that they were right but I wanted to be an adult. I guess being an adult means making the right decisions for myself. Growing pains are very hard. I have had many of them, but it always seems to turn out that my gut instinct is correct (which is what my parents taught me). I guess it's good to know that my parents have taught me to be a good person and to make the right decisions.

Thanks mom and dad! I love you!!

My apologies go out to Patty and Mark.

Gotta get some homework done on a Friday :)

*~*Aubrey*~*

Can It Get Better....

I posted a very long post the other day, but I forgot to add a few good things!

Only 8 more days until I get my pump!! So exciting!!

For the first time in my life I went to Wal Mart and I bought ONLY THE STUFF ON MY LIST!!! This never happens for me. I am really cutting down on "wants" vs. "needs". This week I become a big sister for Chi Omega and I only bought the stuff for her presents for the week. I was very proud of myself for this!

Finally, on Friday Justin and I celebrated our one month anniversary! One month is always exciting! :) We celebrated by going to the comedian and spending time together that night! Which was all previously posted, but I wanted to share with you that it has been one happy month!

I think that's all the exciting news for now! Better get to bed...it's late again!

G'Night!

*~*Aubrey*~*

Not What I Planned...

It's been a few days since I have posted and it seems like so many things have happened!

Last Thursday I had my first Rural Sociology test. I was not completely prepared, but I ended up doing ok. I got a "C". I know that's not awesome, but we are able to throw out one of our tests, so I'm hoping all my tests get better from here and that's my worst one. I'm glad it is over.

On Friday and Saturday SDSU hosted the Jackrabbit Joust. It's the first tournament of the year for many schools that participate in Forensics. It went well. We had nine teams show up and compete. It was a lot of work sitting at the ballot time because people came and yelled at me for things that were out of my control. It was a good weekend, but I think I like competing more than working a tournament.

Friday, after the tournament ended, I drove home to Sioux Falls to go to a holiday work party for Justin. We saw Tom Ryan, a famous comedian, perform. He was very funny. It was a good time and it was nice going out and doing something nice like that with Justin. I got to meet all the people he works with, or many of them, and I also was able to hang with his brother. (They work together). After the party was over we went out to Jono's, a local bar, and hung out for a while. His friends Mike and Ken came out with us and we were all able to hang out. Justin has many friends that are tons of fun so going out with him is always a new experience.

On Sunday I was home and we went to Church and then came home and did some chores around the house. It's crazy how you can hate doing chores when you're at home, but you actually look forward to them when you go home. It's odd that chores are when you spend the most time with your family is when you do chores. I enjoyed spending time with my family and always do. I also like helping out. We made homemade noodles! It was fabulous and very fun! They tasted real good too. I always love homemade noodles!! Sunday afternoon I went over to Justin's place and hung out with his family. He lives with his aunt so I spent time with her and then I also met his cousin Laura. She is really nice and she has two little kids, Mackenzie (2) and Nathaniel (8 months). Mackenzie hooked on me real quick and we spent time talking and playing and just hanging out. It turned out to be tons of fun! Chris, Justin's brother, wanted us to Hollywood video, which turned into a 2 hour ordeal! I enjoy hanging out with them though! After eating our homemade chicken and noodles with my aunt and grandma, we hung out some more and then went to our friend Chad's. It was a lot of fun! I finally was able to meet his family! I enjoyed spending time with them! We played Rock Band! I ALMOST beat Justin (Me Singing him playing guitar!) It was a lot of excitment and fun and the night couldn't have gotten better until we were leaving... Justin's car ended up getting broken into! The only thing stolen from the car was his VERY EXPENSIVE CD player. We called the cops and everything, but in all actuality there's nothing to do. So it put a HUGE DAMPER on our real fun evening!

Monday I got up and packed and then mom, dad and I went for lunch at the best resturaunt EVER! TACO BELL!! I am pretty sure that everytime I go home I HAVE to go to Taco Bell! After that we went to the movie "Mamma Mia". I wasn't sure what my thoughts were on this movie, but it ended up being FABULOUS! I laughed, cried, laughed some more! It was so good! I can't describe how great the movie was!!

All in all it was a great weekend! It's hard to believe it's over! I have class all day tomorrow and I'm also starting a work out plan! I'm very excited to get it started! I am going to do my best to stick to it!

It's pretty late and I finally finished my unpacking and cleaning of the room. Time for bed!

G'Night!

*~*Aubrey*~*

Always Seems To Be A Good Day

This weekend was a great time! It was Hobo Days (homecoming). My friend Todd from Fargo and Andy from Minneapolis came down. They both graduated from SDSU, so they enjoyed the time too. We went to the bars MY FIRST BROOKINGS BAR EXPERIENCE! It was a really good time! We ended up losing the football game in the third overtime! Overall the entire weekend was a great experience! I had so much fun seeing old friends!!

I also found out today that I will be doing all my insulin pump stuff on October 22. From then on I will NO LONGER deal with 4 shots a day! I am super excited for this moment in my life!

I also finally sent in my Semester at Sea application. I went and got my official transcript and had the judicial affairs forms filled out! We are on our way! I'll keep ya posted on what happens with that!

It rained all day today! It's supposed to be like this all week! I don't like the rain. My pants get all wet, my socks get wet, my bookbag gets wet...it's just a bad day all the way around!

I gotta get to bed. Tomorrow's a long day!

*G'Night*

Aubrey

A Win....A Victory...

On Tuesday the speech team traveled to Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. We left at 7AM and came home around 1AM, but it was a great trip!! When we got there we attended an informational session on Parliamentary Debate. This was the second time I had sat through this session, but it was helpful and fun. In the afternoon we paired up into teams and competed in the actual event of Parliamentary Debate. My partner, Amanda, and I had a great time competing. We always seem to enjoy events more when we are together. At the end of the three rounds, we were told who was going to the Bronze round and who had already made it to the Gold Round. We were already placed in the Gold Round because we had a 3-0 record! UNDEFEATED!! After we sat and had dinner, we went and watched another one of our team members round. They ended up losing their round, but Amanda and I were now in the final round of the debate tournament. At the awards ceremony, we found out that we had won the round to give us the Gold Award and we also went 6-0. All judges voted for us! It was a VERY long day, but it was also a great experience and tons of fun!!

Other than that excitement it's been a pretty dull Hobo Days. Tonight the drumline is performing in Volga for the Best Choice (it's a real estate something or other?) we perform there every year. Tomorrow we go to Volga at 8AM and then Saturday is the big game! It should be tons of fun!! We're excited!

I better get some homework, or something done.

Talk soon.

*~*Aubrey*~*

Everyday goes by....

It has been a few days since I've posted last. Nothing new has really happened.

Last week while I was home I dealt with drama all over the place. I have decided to part myself from some of those friends for a while and let all that cool down before I go back. So this weekend, Justin and I decided to just take a relaxing weekend and go to Lincoln to see his family ....and away from the drama!

I went to Lincoln, Nebraska this past weekend with Justin to meet his mom. I had the best time down there. She lives with her boyfriend and his two sons and they live in a very quiet nice home. Justin has five dogs: Lady, Dexter, Shelby, CiCi, and Sally! They are all cute and fun to play with. Reminded me of Dutch, which then made me happy to play with them but sad at the same time cuz I do miss her often! We got down there around 11:30AM and then sat around and talked for a while with his mom and her boyfriend, then we went to lunch at Olive Garden. That's a good place for lunch. It was delicious. We then went shopping cuz Justin's mom wanted to get us Cornhuskers stuff. It was a lot of fun shopping because the mall was huge!! When we got done there we went to Sam's Club to get some snacks and stuff for the big game that night. Nebraska asgainst Virgina Tech! We got back from there and then we were all exhausted so we just hung out and relaxed for a bit and sat outside and played with the dogs. We watched the Cornhuskers lose...which sucked, but they were playing a really hard team! We then got up Sunday morning and hung for a bit and then came back to Sioux Falls. My parents had made steak so we ate with them and I came back to school. The weekend was so fun! It was really nice and relaxing and just fun!

Other than that nothing else is very exciting. It's Hobo Week (HOMECOMING) this week, so I'm busy with all the activities that involves. I am also busy with speech tournament tomorrow and Sunday. Should be fun! I'm competing with debate tomorrow so I hope my partner and I do well!

I had my first test last week in Nutrition and I did well. I studied hard, but it's one of those classes that doesn't use memorization, it uses application knowledge, but it went well.

I'm excited to say that I have receieved my pump (diabetic) and am now waiting to get it attached to me! I guess I should say that the post office has it right now, but it is in SD finally!! I am not sure when we will be putting it in, or anything but I do finally have it! :)

I am counting the days to go home for the long weekend! Spend a relaxing weekend with my family!! October 11 can't come soon enough! :) I'm ready for vacation!! School is crazy when you're so busy!!

I better get back to the fun homework! G'Night!

*~*Aubrey*~*

It happens....

Justin and I hanging out!!!

Chad and I! We will be friends forever!

I look like a thug in Justin's amazing Tar Heels Hat!

Awww....Amazing! :)

So this weekend I was home spending time with family. I really enjoy going home and spending time with family and my parents, but sometimes I feel like its hard going home. It is sometimes hard for me to go from Brookings to Sioux Falls. At SDSU I come and go as I want, but I do know enough that being out late or whatever isn't a good idea. I know that my parents really care about me and that they love me more than anything, but I just get frustrated. I know that with time this will get better, so I hope they know that I love them too!

For the weekend I had so much fun! Last week I was working on speech stuff, and one of my coaches came and I was getting really frustrtated with the piece I was working on and she basically ignored me. I was so hurt that I wanted to quit the team. (There's way more to the story, but I don't really care so much to type it all out). So after crying for about two hours, I decided that I wasn't going to worry about my persuade anymore. And I am just going to enjoy the time I have with friends and family (which is the advice my mom gave me :) )

So for the weekend...on Friday I went to The Pocket with Justin! Steve was also there with us which was lots of fun! We threw darts for a few hours! I had so much fun! The best part of the entire night --- BEATING JUSTIN AT DARTS!!!! That will never happen again, but I still had fun throwing! I also got to meet Matt and Lee. Matt is one of Justin's best friends so meeting him was WAY cool!! He seems really nice, so we'll hang out again soon I'm sure!! We then went to Fryn' Pan to meet Amanda and Ryan. It was so fun talking and hanging out with them. They always make for a good time!! Saturday during the day I played softball with some of my old teammates from the summer! Also a great time! I love softball more than anything! I am pretty sure that I would play everyday if I could. Saturday night I went to BINGO with my parents. I love playing Bingo! I really just enjoy going cuz it's something my family does together, but all in all we had a good time. We didn't win, but not everyone can! Then I went out with Justin and Nate. Nate is one of Justin's friends too. I really like him. He has a little bit of drama with an ex girlfriend, but oh well! He's a good guy!! Our friends Ali and Chad were there too!! All of us all hanging out is such a great time! We hung out and played darts. We played and teams and Justin and I won!!! It was the fun that my mom had told me I needed!

So..now I'm back at school. I enjoy being here and being busy, but I will also be happy when things calm down. I guess it is like 1AM...I should get some sleep!

Night All
*~*Aubrey*~*

First Day Starters

So I decided that today would be a good day to start my own blog. I have tried numerous times, but today was a good day to do it. I would love to keep my family updated on my life and things like that so this was the easiest way to do it!

Nothing is really going on with me as of right now. I am home for the weekend, so tonight I'm going out with friends. I'll let you know when more exciting things happen!

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