RIP puppy car....

Today I said an official "goodbye" to my car.

I've owned four cars now. Just got a new one 3 weeks ago.
My first car was a gold '89 Honda Civic He lived for 6-7 months until I got my second car. He was there for my Junior year of High School. The civic was handed up to my brother who promptly ran her into the ground. Not even a month after the transfer, the poor little darling was dead.

My second car was a little blue 94 Ford Escort hatchback. He lived over the summer after Junior year of High school. Over the summer, there was a day that my brother's AC didn't work, so he borrowed my car. The highway was not his friend that day. Mr. Hatch was no longer a hatch. He was just a "hat". That's when "smale car rotation" number 3 happened.

My third and most loved car is my '90 Subaru Legacy. (how she looked in her prime) Zut was a 5 speed, beautiful car! Yes, she had rust on almost every corner. Yes, she had her flaws... but she was a wonderful car! We had her for 6 years. 130,000 miles! I had her since senior year, through 4ish years to and from college, then from KS to KY to IN. I love love loved that silver 5 speed! (I won many a race in her! but shh...) In her last few months, she fought back. Without mentioning the "Tommy Boy" hood flipping onto my windshield incident, I'll say she went down gracefully.

Well, I had to get a more reliable car now that I live in a new city which happens to be in a new state. Car number 4 is a light goldish '98 Mazda Prodege Haven't named him/her yet... but I'm working on it. So far it's doing really well! It's not a stick, but other than that, it's wonderful! low millage... and it's mine!! Fun story about how I got it! My friend told me her Gramma has a car that she doesn't drive anymore and needs new dentures. So, they were going to sell the car for dentures. 57k miles for a '98 driven by a gramma... deal of a lifetime!

I didn't tell of The subaru's death because it didn't happen until tonight. Zut's story is also a conversation starter. I parked her at my friend's house when I first got the new car. (I couldn't drive 2 at the same time) Her mom was going to take it to the church so I could get a ride there- then drive her to the car ministry here at my church for parts. She was going to, but the battery was dead so she went back into the house. Well.... about 14 seconds later she heard a small noise. She went outside and looked. no car. She had forgotten to put the parking break on. My car backed itself down the hill into the tree. now my trunk is an accordion. (Kinda funny.. I laughed! sad sight but it was kinda funny)

So I went tonight to get the last bits out and they're going to tow her tomorrow. She'll be parted apart soon. Parts of her will be all over Louisville. She was a wonderful car. I'll miss her dearly!

I had to write a small tribute to my Subaru. She had been such a huge part of my life. She got me though senior year of HS, 3 years of college, a fall trying to get back to Poland, a trek to Kentucky, who knows how many road trips, and around cities. Zut, you'll always have a place in my heart. Never will I drive a manual car without thinking of my first love.

~a sad and reflective just.julie

too. life. fast. going. is.

Moving on with the cruse set on 55mph.
Because that is the speed limit. And the state troopers' lair is on my exit.



These are my friends :)
(Justin, Seth, Kelsey, Brent, Shane, Meagan, Todd and me)

We spent many an evening after watching The Office and playing cards. Whether it be nerts, poker, apples to apples, bananagrams (not cards) or just standing around talking- it was always one of the best parts of my week. The girls made countless desserts, we had many dinners (some pot luck, some not), we had grilled burgers (thanks to the guys) and a few special dinners (kebabs). We played softball, volleyball, basketball, and of course ping pong.

This year of interning has been one of the best years in my life. All the interns have grown so close. But it has to come to an end sometime. We have to move on. We have to grow up. We all knew the day in May would come... but none of us wanted it to come. I started early then ended early but still was at Southeast Christian Church for 14 months. I was able to grow close to my mission team as well as the interns. We are all around the same age and in similar early stages of adulthood. Being in these situations, we've grown into family.

As I start my 4th week at my new, real, official, adult job tomorrow... I think of how fast our lives are going by. The weeks and months are starting to pick up speed! I love my job for multiple reasons, one of which that it's close enough to Louisville that I can keep up my friendships I've worked on for a year and a half. (I'll talk about my new job soon... but this time I'm just thinking back.) The switch over to Southern Indiana from Louisville could be easier if there was a clean break from the life I had before. It would be easier to get connected with new friends. But, I'm glad I don't have to cut connections! I'm blessed to have such a great group of friends and interns and "family" that I can carry over into another state!

This group of friends will always be like family to me. We got through a softball team, a few new card/tile games, an Office season, who knows how many ping pong balls, a wonderful trip across the ocean to Ethiopia, a few too many "that's what she said" jokes, and an amazing year full of memories. I know we've all learned so much and grown so much. I can't really put it all into words how much they all mean to me. Love is a word to just to begin to describe these friends.

But I don't want to end this part of the chapter...

my family in pictures....

this is my talented brother....




My Handsome Father....




my Beautiful Mother...

and me... as a blonde.


and there you have it. my family in pictures.
(it's called being a little bored, finishing one, and having to do the other three)
Enjoy!
~just.julie

Week 1-under my belt

This week has been crazy but amazing! so much to take in... and try to absorb.
But it's been great :)

Derby is tomorrow... and I love it! Louisville goes crazy these 2 weeks. It's hilarious! I love how everyone all of the sudden cares about hats and horses.

I love it though :)
Although I live in Indiana now... just across the bridge... I still love it :)

Although sometimes it feels far away from Kansas sometimes, I love it here!
That's all.

(still trying to absorb from the last 5 days at my wonderful new job)
Olivia and I are watching Invincible. Nothing like a great football movie and a great friend.
~just.julie