Things That Made Me Happy in March

Here is what made me happy this month:

• Getting my cap and gown for graduation
• Getting graduation pictures taken
• Ordering graduation pictures
• Buying cookies from a Girl Scout Troop (I LOVE Tagalongs!!)
• A girl scout giving me a hug when I bought cookies from her troop
• Getting a packet of information for the Joni and Friends Retreat I will be going to in June
• A guy in my food and beverage cost control class asking me to help him study for a test in one of his other classes

March was a slow month, but it was good. Here's hoping April brings good things with it!

My First Joni and Friends Retreat

I have been wanting to go to a Joni and Friends Family Retreat for years, as an STM, but haven't been able to for financial reasons.

But, this year, I finally get to go!!!! I am SO excited :D

The retreat is five days long, filled with worship, fun activities, and just a good time. I am really looking forward to it!!

This year's theme is One Way Ticket, which is based on the verse John 14:6 which says: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

We are asked to come dressed as someone from the travel industry, or with an outfit from a favorite place we like to visit, from around the world.

After submitting the application to be an STM, I went through the process of filling out a background check online, my references were asked to fill out some questions about me, I had to do a phone interview so they could get to know me better, and to match me with a family that I will be serving during the retreat, and I had to raise the money needed to be able to go.

I am still in the process of raising money, but I have the means to reach my goal, so this won't take too long.

It took a while for this process to get going, and to be (almost) completed, but I am so happy it is done, and finalized, so I can go.

Even though I am very excited about this, I am also very nervous, as I am quite shy, and this is way out of my comfort zone. I want to do things out of my comfort zone, though, and do the things I really want to do, to have a more fulfilling life that I can be proud of.

To even submit an application for this retreat was a big step for me, as my shyness made me question if I could do it. But, I am glad I did, as the people I have talked to so far seem very nice, and understanding.

So, I am one very excited girl right now!! I can't wait for June to get here, so I can go to my first retreat!!

Closing in On Graduation

In about two months from now, I will be graduation from college, with my baking and pastry certificate.

When I first started college, graduation seemed so far off, and now that it's here, I can't believe how fast the time went!

I took a year off after high school, just to have a break from school, and then another year after my mom died, so it took me longer to get to this point than it normally would have otherwise.

Graduation has been on my mind a lot this semester. I just can't believe it's almost here, that's it's actually going to be happening soon.

I am currently taking my very last class, Food and Beverage Cost Control, which, to be honest, isn't very interesting (at least to me, it isn't), but it is necessary.

Cap and gowns will be available starting next week, tickets for the ceremony will be available next month. I am going out this weekend with a friend, to look for an outfit to wear. Graduation is mid-May.

After I graduate, I will be taking a well-deserved break, and when I am ready, I will go back to go for the degree.

I don't know when I will do that, but it is something that I want to do at some point.

Baking is one of my big passions, and has been for as long as I can remember. I want to be able to bake things that people will love and enjoy, and that I will love and enjoy making.

I can't wait to get started working in the baking industry, and to see where it takes me in life!!