Welcome to the big D. A. double L. A. S.

Can I just tell you that I am blessed and super excited about my life here in Dallas?!?!?!
Things are going so well, and it's so wonderful to know that I know this is where God wants me to be. Just yesterday I got offered a job teaching private voice lessons in the Plano School District. I never thought I would say this, but I am going to be a teacher! Wow. It was totally a God thing, and I knew the minute I was doing my mock lesson with a student that this is what I needed to be doing. I am still at Starbucks, no worries :), so I get my benefits and I still need that money, but in the fall I start as a private lesson teacher! Wooohooo!! Things are falling into place which reassures me that I'm in the right place. Post college life is kinda/REALLY awesome. I'm really poor. But I really don't care. Although, I should care. I work, lay by the pool, run errands, cook, read, and have no homework ever! I know this won't last forever but never the less I am enjoying this time in my life and adjusting well to Dallas!!
Well, I just wanted to give an update....sorry for pictureless post, yet again. I really get bored sometimes with no pictures. :(

Hope all is well!
Nicole

My plan is to experience.

I made it to Dallas!! After a long weekend of packing, graduating, and driving I am here safe and sound and really loving it. I have to tell you it really has not sunk in that I won't be going back to school, or that I really live here. I still feel like I am on vacation.
So, graduating was incredible and I feel very accomplished. I still feel like a thirteen year old girl with my whole life ahead of me, which is comforting and a little naive all in one. My parents moved me to Dallas on Sunday and we had a sweaty, frustrating, funny, tiring day. I think they would agree on all of those adjectives. :) I started working at Starbucks on Monday and I absolutely love it!!!! I really do, I love the atmosphere, I love having to wear my hair in a pony tail everyday, and I love serving coffee to people and telling them to have a great day. Oh, and I love getting free coffee, pastries, and insurance. :)

This is a whole new chapter in my life and it is so exciting. I feel like a woman. I was talking with one of my best friends Sarah today and she told me that her goal in her life right now is to experience. Not to experience anything in particular, because neither of us really know what we want to experience at this point in our lives, but just to experience. I want to experience the everyday, and not let a day pass me by that I am not thankful or really living in the moment. I am young with an open heart for God to work and change me for the better everyday. He is control and I know that He has great plans for me in His time.
But in the meantime, my plan is to experience.

Nicole

I will post pictures from graduation soon!!!

Barista: a person who works at the counter of a coffee shop

You are looking at Starbucks' newest barista!!

I know, it seems silly that I got a college degree and I am working at Starbucks and excited about it. But....I just don't know what I want to be when I grow up yet. I have auditioned for the Dallas Opera Chorus and have an audition for the Houston Opera Chorus next week, although that won't cut it on it's own even if they want me. So, Starbucks has great benefits, long hours, and coffeee!!!!

I have been praying about my future for a while now, cause I know if I didn't let God take this situation, I would be totally lost and overwhelmed. I knew He would take care of things. I didn't get the internship I applied for in Santa Fe, which I knew God was in control, and I guess He didn't want me there. I applied for other jobs and haven't heard back yet, but Starbucks came so easy (and it's sorta hard to get a job at Starbucks!) and I really feel at peace about being there. I think that with something I have been diligently praying about, and that's important to me God wouldn't just let anything happen. He has a plan. Maybe this could fulfill one of my ministries, or I could meet people that would be important in my life. Who knows?! All I know is that I am super excited about moving to Dallas, and beginning my job at Starbucks until God leads me to another opportunity. :)

Nicole