Feliz Navidad!!

Hola! Merry Christmas!

Life is going pretty well. I'm officially on Christmas,or shall I say, Winter Break. It's so wonderful! :) I still have lots of shopping to accomplish, and will hopefully get all of that done today and tomorrow and be able to enjoy the weekend. My whole familia is going to be here, so we'll have a blast for sure.

It's funny how I don't really know what to say, yet there is so so much that I haven't said since August 8th. Wow.. August 8th... I'm sorry. The semester went pretty well, actually. I had some amazing students and some that needed a little extra encouragement...discipline... whatever. I love all of them, though, and it will be rough next semester to have 6 classes full of many new and different students. I'm full of anticipation! It's so weird to think I've been teaching for a year now. It really doesn't feel like it should have been that long.. yet it has.. man, how time flies! Life gets so filled up and busy, and I just get overwhelmed and give into the busy-ness of it all.. then I look back and wonder where life was in all of that? It's a super-weird feeling. It kinda makes me miss college sometimes and the true "ease" of it all--even though, those of you who knew me in college would probably never think that I found ease in any of it.. always studying and working away.  Nevertheless, I would still find time to just sit with a cup of coffee from time to time and think. I just beg for moments like those now... It's just a totally different "phase" of life, I guess. I don't know... I just guess.

So, what else has been going on in my life?

I moved into a house (I'm house-sitting for a year for a couple who is currently in the Netherlands). I love "my" little house and it's nice to have my own place to live in and decorate and feel semi-independant in. I can still get mail from the other address, so if you ever happen to feel like writing a letter/card to me, you can use that same address. If you don't have that address, e-mail me and I'll let you know. :)

I'm tutoring some neighbors in Spanish. They are learning super quickly and it's just a blast! Every now and then I'll wonder if I'm really cut out to be a Spanish teacher, but then I look at the progress these two are making (as well as my students at school, of course) and I'm really encouraged. Of course, realizing that it's not within myself to be able to do this, but through God's grace, truly.

It's weird that I can't think of anything else... I'll let you know (Maybe) as soon as I remember. :)

Well, this is kinda long--and who likes to read long entries?--so, I'm gonna go. Please forgive me and my inability to update very often. I love you all!

Merry Christmas! Feliz navidad! Joyeax noel!

Chelsea

Currently Listening Simply Nothing By Shawn McDonald see related

Hi Guys

This stinks. Summer is almost over. "Life" is almost starting up again. And I still haven't truly updated about all that I've been up to at all. And how can I? How and where from does time commence? Well, God of course. But, I mean... it's not like I can just ask for an extra 4 hours each day.. think about all of the schedules for people in this world that that would ruin... then I'd feel bad... I guess I'm just going to have to rearrange my time. There you have it. Chelsea is officially going to get organized with her time. 

Well, last you really heard, I was going to be going to Myrtle Beach. And we did. And it was wonderful!! My brother couldn't go, but the four sisters for sure had a blast...and I think my parents did, too. :)

 Me and my sisters.

 Me and my youngest sister working on a sand castle

 The pretty sunrise.

Once I got back from vacation, I dogsat for a week. The little pug puppies are so so cute!

Last week, Alan and I were out hitting some golf balls around and I go to retrieve my ball...and you won't believe it.... I sprained my ankle again! This is getting outrageous!! I'm planning on getting into the doctor in a week or two here to see what he can do... but, seriously, this is already the third time just this summer! I just don't get it.

Oh well, enough of my ranting. Besides that... I'm moving into the house I'll be living in for the upcoming year in two weeks. I'm really excited. It's such a cute house and the people that live there (who will be living in Europe for the year) are two of the greatest people ever. School starts in two weeks also... I'm not totally prepared, but definitely more than I was when I started the job in January. I'm definitely not thrilled, but for sure I'm in great anticipation for the new school year to start and to meet my new students and everything.

I love to teach. I love Spanish. I love to teach Spanish.

I'm also going to be tutoring two people in Spanish a couple times a week and taking dance classes and working in the youth group. 'Twill be an eventful year, of this I'm sure.

OH yeah! I learned how to shoot a gun on Sunday! Can you picture me holding a little revolver...or a long rifle?? Well, I was. My shoulder hurts.

Well, I'm gonna go for now. Hope to hear from you!

Currently Listening Nothing Left to Lose By Mat Kearney see related

Wowsers. It's been awhile.

Who's the worst friend ever? Yes, my hand is raised.

I'm sorry I haven't updated recently. I mean, really there hasn't been much to say. But I will let you know what I have done so far this summer:

-Watched two of my dearest friends become engaged.

-Been to see Riverdance live.

-Played ultimate frisbee every week with the youth group for which I am a leader

-Translated on and off for some Spanish speakers at a local Catholic Charities.

-House-sitted two adorable pug puppies.

-Been blueberry picking.

-Practiced my golf swing.

-Began planning for school next year.

-Watched two of my dearest friends (not the ones mentioned before) get married.

-Learned how to do a front hand spring on the trampoline without killing myself

-Been biking or running or rollerblading in the beautiful sun almost every day.

-Found a house to live in next year.

-Found out that my family won't have to move after all!!

-Learned how to cook at least a couple dishes.

-Watched fireworks twice.

-Got bruised playing Spoons.

-Been given gorgeous flowers.

Yeah, so I'm sure I've done lots of things not mentioned above, but oh well. My memory isn't perfect as we all know.  As for the next coming weeks (since I'm certain I won't update before than...)--

Going to Gull Lake with the Youth Group.

Going to Myrtle Beach with the fam.

Finishing my planning for next semester. (fingers crossed)

Finding a new church (since ours disbanded, oh I guess I forgot to mention that)

Enjoying the rest of the summer.

I love you guys!!

Currently Listening No Name Face By Lifehouse see related

Yay!! Summer is finally here for me! Yesterday was my official last day of the school year. I was one of the very first teachers to have completely cleaned out their room, turned in all of their paperwork and leave the building. It was a GREAT feeling! I got home and took a 1 1/2 hour nap. And how I needed it. Well, the year ended well. Enough about school, though.  My family still doesn't know when they're leaving. Probably sometime in July, it's looking. So what does a teacher do in the summer???---you might ask... Well, she.... hmm... I'm not sure yet. Maybe she takes trips to Texas and Michigan, and maybe even goes to Indiana to visit her recent Alma Mater.  

Speaking of... Man, Taylor seemed to have suffered too much just weeks ago. Now, I can only imagine the heartbreak taking place. It's almost as if I don't know how to pray, but I do anyway.  Those poor families. Our Great and Marvelous God, though... He is in control. He is a God of justice and righteousness, and also of comfort and compassion.

Senor, usa esta circunstancia para promover tu gloria por todo el mundo en una manera que nosotros no podriamos comprender... por favor. Consuela a esta familias y a la familia de cristianos. Danos la habilidad de consolar y comprender. Danos tu sabiduria para saber como reaccionar a estas noticias con palabras consoladas. Gracias, senor.

I bought a car! It's so pretty :). It's a 2005 Honda Civic EX in black. I really like it. :)

Other than that... I'm teaching non-stop and trying to get caught up with life. I am loving Spring. I wish it would last so much longer than it is going to. Why? Well, my family's moving at the end of May... I don't yet have a job for the Summer, and there are just so many things I still have to do it seems. I really really miss being at Taylor right now! I probably say that at least once a day. I just miss all of you! Granted, I love being here... I do! There are just a lot of things I miss about being at school as well. Like Chapel, classes, homework... well, above all, everybody in Swallow and even those of you that I know that aren't. I think I may come for Swallow Robini in May. Is that ok? Will I be able to stay with anybody? If not, that's ok, I'll sleep in my new car! :)

Well, I hope that you all have a Happy Easter!!

I hope that I'll write again soon(er than last time:))

Hasta luego