It’s Been A Week

No matter how hard you try to avoid them, bad weeks happen. I’ll save you the details because truth be told, I’m sure I’m not the only one the black cloud has followed around this week.. Whatever the explanation is for the trouble that flooded my week- whether that be plain old bad luck, karma, or if I was being tested- I’ve discovered a few things about myself this week that I may not have recognized otherwise:

1. I am a germaphobe

It’s as if the realization hit me all at once today. I’ve always been aware that I consciously make an effort to wash my hands, clean/sanitize the counter tops, etc. regularly to kill germs and avoid getting sick as much as possible (I don’t feel as though this is unordinary compared to others); however, I noticed that I may be a little too hyper-focused on this idea during my linguistics class today- because the class is about “computers and language”, the classroom is naturally in a computer lab.. at a large university.. where I’m sure many.. many.. MANY students have touched and sneezed all over the keyboard I was now touching. I mean whatever, no harm done right? It’s not like I’m sticking my fingers in my mouth… That’s what I thought until my professor tells the whole class to literally stick our fingers in our mouths. And of course, my dumb luck, I’m sitting in the front row so I can’t hide and not participate. I must have been looking confused as I stared blankly at this man, questioning his humanity, because he made sure to stand directly in front of my computer and peer down at me while repeating his instructions enthusiastically.. “Common guys, stick your fingers in your mouth!”. Gross. Absolutely gross.

2. I avoid having a panic attack/freak out by quietly laughing to myself like a crazy person

Having my tire blow out far from home or my credit card numbers stolen and used should have been instances this week where I would have normally cried, had a mental break down, or anything really that entails childish cries, pouts, or temper tantrum based behaviors. Somehow, through it all, I kept my sanity. How you may ask? I was simply past the level of “this can’t be happening” and “you’ve got to be kidding me”. I never imagined that as being possible, but somehow I found these horrible situations to be almost comical. “Ha Ha Ha OH! You wanted to get groceries and do laundry today?? NOPE! Spend $300 dollars on a tow truck and new tire instead”   “HA OH! You actually needed that credit card this week?? NOPE! Shred it and wait for your new one in the mail!”  Whatever it was, for whatever reason I was being put in these situations, it sent me to a level that I never knew existed in the plethora of human emotions.

3. I do extraordinarily weird things in my sleep when I’m stressed

perfect representation of a what it looks like after a full day of puppy sitting

I’ll keep the details to a minimum because I don’t want to completely make myself look like a lunatic- Throughout this week, I’ve discovered that when I’m stressed, sleep Kassi (me when I’m asleep) loves to take hanging pictures down off the wall and place them next to my bed. It has happened on numerous occasions this week. What is the obsession with the pictures?! I don’t get it.. Sleep Kassi also LOVES to fling out of bed every night and start making it at 3:30 in the morning so that pretend people (that sleep Kassi believes are actually there) can sit on the bed.. Don’t ask, I don’t get that one either..

Let’s hope I can keep these ‘new’ discoveries to a minimum this coming week.. I am exhausted.

Kristin Crestejo Training Videos

I’m sure that I am not alone in my search for the best training videos, books, articles, and do’s and don’ts of training a new dog/puppy. As I have mentioned previously, my boyfriend Mason and I are going to be getting a border collie puppy around the month of May. I wanted to share a few tips and tutorials that I have found helpful with anyone else who may be interested. This particular trainer’s name is Kristin Crestejo, and she is amazing. I’ll be posting more of her videos soon!

Growing Up With Molly

Molly is the most amazing dog that I have ever had the privileged to love, train, and share my life with. I have so many things to thank her for. I got Molly when she was a tiny 6 week old puppy when I was 8 years old. She was a gift from my parents after by older brother passed away from neuroblastoma the previous winter. What a blessing she has been to my life and to so many others. Soon to be 15 years old, Molly is loving and living her life at my wonderful grandparents house in my hometown while I am away at college. Although it breaks my heart to not have shared the past four years with her as I had all years prior, my retired grandparents ADORE her and provide her with the constant love and attention that she deserves. I have to remind myself that a cramped college apartment in the city is no place for her.

As my my boyfriend of five years and I begin our own life together this May, we are considering getting a puppy together. My mind races with fear and excitement at the idea. I know that there will never be another Molly. She came into my life when I truly needed her most. She was my partner in crime and my best friend. There is no comparison to the love and the joy that I feel when I look at her. I can only hope that I can provide the next puppy that enters my life the same undivided attention and love that I was able to give Molly. I hope to take the lessons and knowledge that I have gained raising Molly and give the new puppy the best life that it could possibly have. Although I say that I raised her, she helped raise me as well. Molly taught me patience and unconditional love. She mended my heart in a time of sorrow and gave me the best childhood I could have ever ask for. I hope to honor her life and memory as I soon begin this new chapter in my life.

The Beginning Found In Goodbye

Saying goodbye to something you’ve known your whole life can be one of the most difficult and unbearable transitions.

I grew up on an amazing dairy farm. I learned here, I laughed and played here, I loved and cried here. It was my home for 21 years of my life. I owe so many experiences to this place. It was my home, and it’s where my mind travels when I recall nearly every memory I have of my childhood. I lost my brother here, and my family was torn apart. I was able to raise the most amazing dog on this farm. She became my best friend when my brother could no longer be. This is where my journey began.