Well both Dustin and I are finishing up the semester and we each only have one left till graduation. Dustin is still waiting to hear back from ASU and we're still confident he will be accepted there for the graduate assistantship. So Dustin has his plans set for after graduation, but as for me, thats another story.

People have been asking me for the past year what my plans are after graduation and I have absolutely no clue. The only thing I have so far is hanging my degree on the wall so I can see what I just spent four years doing. Who knows what I'll do.

Dustin is the type of person with the plans, but as for me I just go with the flow. It might be a bad thing that I don't know what I'm going to do, but I don't look at it that way. I see it as an opportunity for discovery.

With my educational background I am flexible enough to go wherever Dustin needs to go in terms of jobs. I am fully supportive of his work and understand the passion he has for what he does. I can make that commitment to him to go wherever he needs me to go.

I am excited for what the future brings and I know there are going to be a lot of positive changes in the next year ;)

Meet The Parents (continued)

So this past week my mom (Sandy), sister (Dominique), and myself flew to Arizona to meet Gina's parents and sister. Gina (as you can tell) was very nervous and anxious about this event and there was no calming her down :)

We flew in mid-afternoon on a Tuesday and things already felt weird to actually have my parents with me in AZ. We first went to visit ASU (hopefully my future place for Grad school), but not until eating at Oregano's. It was a must to introduce my family to the all famous "Pazookie" and both of them fell in love with it just as I did when I first ate it. We had a nice lunch and some Chicago stuffed pizza that had way too much "stuff" on it. After we left there we went through ASU to show my mom and sister the sights. We also looked at apartment's while we were there. It was weird looking at places to live because I'm not even sure if I'll get the GA spot with Sports Med there (but I'm keeping positive.....gina). We looked at a place called the Grigio and it was defiantly a nice place. We also checked out a place called Grigio Metro, which was on a later day, and was nice as well. Once we were done at ASU we went to the hotel and just relaxed for a while before we made our way to Gina's house. On the way to Gina's house she was freakin out and getting all excited while the rest of us (Melvin's) were laughing at her. When we arrived, we were casually walked through the garage (inside joke) and into the house. To make a long story short everything went well, both parent's talked and enjoyed each other's company and really went smooth. Dominique would occasionally get bored and start texting (your average 15 year old teen girl), but she did enjoy the stay in AZ and loved everything about it.

On Wednesday we went hiking in sandals. Gina took us to some area where there was mountains and cacti. My mom and sis both wanted to see cactus's and take pictures so we ended up just walking around and next thing we know we are on top of a "mountain" (more like a big hill). The sight was amazing and was worth the hike. Afterwards we went to Gina's house to meet Meredith. My mom and sis stayed over there in the evening while I took Gina out for dinner. At this point I have to get off subject a little bit because this is the moment EVERYONE thought I was going to propose to Gina and sorry if I let anyone down but that did not happen. So to say the least Meredith was quite upset about no ring on Gina's finger (haha). But to get back on track....we went to the Melting Pot and this place was really really good. We could have just went for the cheese and chocolate but it was our first time so we had to go all out. The place was nice and we got to sit in a booth with a curtain cover so it was very romantic. Once our date was over we went back to the house and talked for a little with the parents. Then later that night we went to watch "New Moon" and I watched Gina and Meredith go crazy during the movie like 13 year old girls at a Backstreet Boys concert. But the movie was good so I can't rip on them too much :)

Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Amadee's and it was very nice and again everything went smoothly. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome than what we had. We all had moments to share and had good laughs.

Friday we went shopping because of BLACK FRIDAY. We went to a lot of places and spent most of our time at the Fashion Mall in Scottsdale (I think that's right). The mall wasn't too packed and everyone did their thing and got at least something for their selves. Later that night we went to Rustler's Rooste to eat and we basically went here for my mom and sis to eat somewhere new and fun. We all had a good dinner and ate SNAKE, plus we got T-shirts to prove our gutsy act.

Saturday me and Gina went to IKEA and some other places to shop. IKEA was HUGE and we basically went there to look at furniture for hopefully my future apartment :) We then went to the Amadee's and said our last goodbyes since we were leaving in the morning. The day before I leave is always the worst cause you have to pack your stuff and it's just a depressing moment.

Sunday came too quick and that is when we had to depart in the morning for Indy. The trip out was perfect and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome from the whole experience. So as many can see this was a big step in Gina and my relationship. This brought us closer, as does anytime we see each other and now we just have to see if ASU calls and hopefully everything falls into place :)

Meet The Parents

So Dustin and his mom and sister will be here tomorrow (well I guess it's technically today). This will be the first time our families have met and even though I'm excited I can't help but be a little nervous. I mean its a big deal when the families meet and I want to make sure everything goes well. It's so weird to think about it and every time I do I start to have a lil panic attack worrying and making sure everything is perfect. I know it'll be fine, but still.

So we will have thanksgiving all together at my house and I'll take them around to show them the sights of Az.

Its hard to believe that the day has finally come. We will see how much sleep I get tonight because I'll be running through plans in my head. I'm probably just psyching myself out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So it has been quite a while since the last blog...

Dustin and his mom and sister will be traveling out to AZ in a week to spend thanksgiving here with my Family. I'm excited and anxious and a little nervous because this is the first time our families have met. I don' have any doubts that it will go well, but i mean its a big deal! So they will be here in a week and I'm so excited to see dustin and to take his mom and sister around and show them AZ!

Well I've been waiting the past few weeks to see if purdue football made it to a bowl game....because if they didn't dustin would be able to go on vacation over new years. Well Purdue lost and will not be going to a bowl game this year. Its a bittersweet thing for dustin because one one hand he wants a vacation, but on the other hand it would have been pretty cool to go to a bowl game. Since dustin will be off, the plan is for me to fly out to indiana on christmas day (its cheaper plus i get to spend some christmas with him!) then on Dec. 27 he will work at the Colts and Jets game and I will get to see him do that. The New York Jets offered him the opportunity to work with them that game because it will be at the colts stadium. I'm sure he will be wearing a colts jersey underneath that Jets Athletic Training uniform.

After the game the plan is to drive....yes drive, from Indiana to Colorado to go skiing. Now I am not a skier at all, i'll do the bunny hills once or twice. Buts its so pretty up there in the winter and it'll be nice to have that vacation time with him.

and we are still waiting for Dustin to hear back from his Graduate application to ASU. I have absolutely no doubt that he will be admitted for the assistantship position and I can't wait until we know it is official and we can start planning his time out here!

I am excited for what is to come with Dustin and I. I still cannot believe that my life has turned out the way it has. I am so lucky and thankful to have someone like him and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

i love you.

So I just got back from another trip out to Indiana. I hate leaving more than anything and no matter how positive I try and stay, I can't help but be sad.

But it was defiantly a great trip and a much needed vacation.

I flew in Wednesday night and the next day dustin had class and practice but we had lunch together then i went to the mall while he was at practice. That night we went out on our date for sushi and then went over to his friends house where we totally dominated at BP. I surprised both myself and him by how good i was. lol

Friday I just chilled while Dustin had practice then we went down to Lebanon for the Lebanon High School football game. It was the first time I went to a high school football game where it was actually cold outside! I was kewl to see him watch his old team and be there with him while he talked about when he played.

Saturday Dustin left early b/c he worked the Purdue/Ohio State game and I waited for his mom and sis to come up so we could head over to the game. Once again it was cold! But a good game. Purdue was defiantly expected to loose and they ended up beating Ohio who was #7. After the game we went back down to Lebanon and went out to dinner.

Sunday dustin had practice again so i got to spend the day with his mom and sister. Just like Dustin's said about my family, I've really come to love and see his family as my own. They are comming out to Arizona for thanksgiving and I am very anxious because this will be the first time our families have met! We then went to dinner with his dad that night then headed back up to Purdue.

Monday was the day I had to leave. Dustin had a test early in the morning then I got packed up and went back down to lebanon to hang out before I had to go to the airport. I hate saying goodbye, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel because we are winding down on our time apart.

Dustin submitted his application to ASU for Grad school and I am so excited at the idea of us no longer being separated! They said it'd be a little bit before he hears a response but we are both fully confident that he has absolutely nothing to worry about!

So the next time I'll see Dustin will be thanksgiving and it will be along with his mom and sister.

Week of Excitement

-------------------------------Pumpkin Carving Last Year----------------------------------

So Gina will be here in 3 days and I couldn't be more excited! This week will start off slow but I have a feeling that Wednesday will come here before I know it. Seeing Gina is more than I could ask for and just thinking about seeing her soon gives me the chills. One thing about Fall here at Indiana is the tress start turning colors and the cold weather kicks in (and Gina freezes to death at a temp of 40-50 degrees). But that is OK because it gives us more reason to cuddle up, drink hot chocolate, and watch a movie. I can't wait to see her soon and I am very lucky to have her in my life.

Another note about this week is the Graduate Assistantship opens up on the 15th for Sports Medicine at ASU. I have my resume and cover letter ready to go, all I am waiting for is the posting. Once I submit that letter, it is all up to the training staff on if I will get a spot or not. I feel confident about the position but there is always that chance and you never know, but I don't like to look at things that way and just know that I will get in. It will be nice to have Gina by my side when I submit my letter to ASU. I will also be waiting every second for a phone call from them. If I were to get the position everything would be perfect and fall into place. But even if I don't things will still be amazing and will always work out and Gina and I will find a way to see eachother a lot :)

So this week is one that I have been looking forward to and it has gone from weeks to days and soon will be in minutes. I can't wait and I just wish Wednesday was here already.

So Fall has finally arrived in AZ (hopefully) and I am so excited that I'll soon be off to Indiana where the seasons actually change! But most importantly I am so excited to be with Dustin ;)

Like I've said before, the week before we see each other time seems to go by slow. We are both so anxious that perhaps we slow time down ourselves. But regardless the time always does come and we're off to see each other.

I've always thought there is something more romantic about the fall/winter. It's cold outside so you get to bundle up and keep each other warm. But we both know we need no excuse to cuddle up :)

I am so ready to go back to indiana and be with Dustin. I wish it could last forever but it's not too long until this distance is over.

Dustin's getting ready to send out his applications and resume for grad school and while I'm confident he'll have no problems, its still make me nervous. I can't believe that we will soon not have to worry about distance and we'll be together.

always and forever baby.