best friend

I read once, "Friends are like the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life." Well, I'm not a huge fan of bacon bits so this didn't resonate with me very much. I then thought of a salad with feta and craisins....and it finally made sense. So let me rephrase that quote with my edits,

"Friends are like the feta and craisins in the salad bowl of life." Yum. I get it now.

I am privileged to have a combo salad. Not only are my feta and craisins my friends, they are my best friends. And not only am I lucky enough to have more than one best friend, I am proud to call my mother one of those best friends.

My mom has taught me what it means to be strong and supportive. I have learned what true selflessness and sacrifice means by observing and experiencing my mom's love and actions. She is who I call (probably too often) when I need to talk, she is who I lean on when I need support, and she is who puts me in my place when I am over-reacting...which never happens. :)

Mom, without you I don't know where I would be. I hope I can be the mother and wife you are and have been one day when it's my turn! I love you.

eight days

Only eight more work days with NiSoft. Where on earth did this summer go? I can't believe how quickly it has passed.

8 days until the end of my internship

9 days until mom flies to Colorado

11 days until we drive to Azusa

15 days until we fly home to Seattle

23 days until I see my best friend, Ana, in Eugene

27 days until I drive back down to APU

36 days until I begin my senior year of college

I don't even know what to think right now! Where has this summer, this year, my time at college, all gone?! Looking back though, I realize how much I have done and I am so grateful for the time I have spent in Denver. I was at dinner last night with Doug and we were discussing how wonderful it has been for both the company and myself to have this internship. The employees have learned a lot by having to teach me about their job. The company has benefited from my input, ideas, and completion of projects. And I have learned and grown so much in these past 9 weeks I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! What a blessing to walk away from a work experience with that mindset.

I feel so prepared and confident going into my last year at school and beginning some very intensive business classes. With real life experience under my belt, each topic, term, and case study will make much more sense and mean so much more as I can refer to my time at NiSoft as I am learning in the classroom. I have such positive feelings about this school year, I can't wait to begin.

in a perfect world