First week back- The re-cap

What a week (and a few days) it has been! I flew into RDU July 22 and I don't think I've stopped since.

First, I had Friday through Monday to go and see various friends and family that I hadn't seen since April. Which was awesome. Including my 2 year old little man nephew. He is so FUNNY! He almost had a heart attack when I walked in, and said "Aunt Kawa" about 500000 times. (Roughly). We had a great visit.

Tuesday, my things from California arrived on the moving truck at SEVEN FORTY FIVE IN THE MORNING! My sleeping schedule is still messed up from the time change... and Tuesday REALLY messed me up. But, I got through almost all of the boxes that morning and afternoon. I had rearranged my room the day before and I just really needed to unpack and place things where I wanted them. Cameron also has a nice box that I get to mail him next week. It's full of things that I took that I thought were mine... Oops! But, that's what he gets for not supervising my packing.

Wednesday there was more unpacking and shopping at Target for organizational items. I have a very VERY small room so finding places for things can sometimes be tricky. Cameron actually came into Wilmington on Wednesday to see his brother and some friends. He came by and saw me for about an hour and a half. It was great seeing him. In a way I think we both needed that.

Thursday my car arrived. In a torrential down pour of rain. Seriously, I have not seen that much rain since January. I came from the land of LA. No rain. Mom and I left to go meet the guy in the mall parking lot, the trailer was so huge that we had to meet there. Even just walking from our porch to the car at the house, we were soaked. Standing outside under a crappy umbrella, in rain that was getting all Forrest Gump on us and going in ALL directions, we ended up coming home, changing, and walking back outside to NO RAIN and BLUE SKIES. ughh I was not happy. But I was THRILLED to be able to drive MY car. Friday mom and I spent all day dealing with car issues. By this, I mean going to Burgaw for an inspection... finding out that I didn't needed inspected until November. Drive back to Wilmington to go to the insurance place to get new insurance in my name. (Mom switched the title of the car to my name, and I had insurance in Cali) Got the insurance and went to the DMV (because now that the car is in MY name, of course I have to have new tags- great- I JUST learned the old license tag number.) Get to the DMV and what do you know, I DO have to have the car inspected because the last time it was inspected was under Mom's name. I have to have it done under MY name. Lovely. This is at 3:30pm- DMV closes at 5. Luckily there was a auto shop directly across the street, so we went there, got it inspected, back to the DMV and BAM, new tags. But at least that was finally done, and we don't have to worry about it again.

Tonight was a huge surprise birthday party for one of my best friends (Marcus) his dad. His Dad was just told that he had 2 inoperable brain tumors last month, and had already undergone a lung removal and chemotherapy for Lung cancer earlier this year. He had NO clue about the party. It was such a great time. (And food!)

I'm really excited about the upcoming weeks. I have a couple of trips planned into one 4-5 day stent across NC. I'll be heading to Pilot Mountain to see best friend Keri and her family August 10-13. The 13th I'm heading to Asheboro to see Dora (Cameron's mom, but there's no way I'm letting her out of my life. She's just too AWESOME). The 14th I'm heading back home and stopping to visit friends Steven and Heidi near Fuquay to see them and their new precious daughter, Cara! (Pronounced like my  name, just with a C, and I can overlook the C as long as it's pronounced the Correct way!) Then home that night to celebrate my cousin Sarah's 22nd birthday. She moves to London in less than a month to start graduate school. (Although, to me she is still the sweet little pest that bothered the heck out of me, and strived to be just like me... luckily she's her own amazing person now!)

That's all for now. It's late, and I have to be at the 9am service in the morning! (Hopefully!)

But, as I'm sure you have gathered, I have had a productive first week and few days back Home.

On a happier note...

I know that the last post from a couple of hours ago was a little sad and unexpected... So I thought I'd blog about my trip home. 

I attend St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wilmington, and have since I was a baby. Baptized, confirmed, and one day I'll get married there. Some of my best friends have come from St. Paul's. And so many life changing events were because of being a part of this church/youth group. I've been through hell and back with the people there. And they've been there for me through out some of the hardest times in my life. In recent years, I've had the privilege of meeting several new friends that I call my family. I have so many WONDERFUL and AMAZING friends from church. But I saw a post on another friends blog a few weeks ago where she called out a few people that meant a lot to her, and I am going to do the same. And for even more embarrassment, for the ones that do not follow the blog, I'll invite them!  So, here we go!

Norma- I don't remember exactly when I first met Norma, but I'm sure we just clicked. Over the years Norma has been there for me through so much. We've enjoyed many dinners and services on Wednesday nights. And joking about who we should save seats for at "our" table. She lived the apartment buildings down from me when I had my very first apartment. My favorite memory of Norma was when she was my Christ Kindl (secret santa type deal at St. Paul's). I had no idea it was her, and I couldn't make it to the reveal because of work. So she came all the way down to Mayfaire to bring me my final gift. And I think we both cried. She gave me a beautiful Angel that holds a candle. It was a candle to light on December 23, the day my father passed away. That holder traveled with me to each apartment I lived, and even to California. I'll never forget the meaning behind the Angel, or the great friend that gave it to me. 

Allison- I met Allison when I was on church council and was required to go to the New member's class meeting to talk about my role on church council. Allison was in the new members class and was going to be joining two weeks later. I paired up with her, and found that we had SO MUCH in common! She was a teacher, and I wanted to be a teacher. She was crafty, and I tried to be crafty. I decided that I would be her sponsor for the Sunday she would become a New Member of our church. After that, it was all over with! Allison has become the "Big Sis" (as I call her!) that I never had. She is such an amazing person and so motivated and driven to help children. I hope to always be able to call her my big sis! And that our friendship only grows stronger!

and last, but CERTAINLY not least... 

Emily- I'm not even sure where to begin when I think about the story behind Em and I. When I first met her, I had no idea that I would later become part of the Clamser Clan. Em has helped me through so so so many things. She was there when my grandma ann died, and my Dad. Em has provided me with many meals, shoulders for tears, a place to go for comfort, and so much more. I call her Mom. Because to me, that who she is. She's my second mom to whom I'm more than grateful for. (As is my own mother... sometimes I can be hard to handle, crazy to think.. I know). Through out the years, there's been some rough times, but she's always been there. No matter what time of day, where she was, where I was, or what she had to do in order to get to me. And she gave me a second family. 

To the three of you wonderful St. Paul's people, I love you and I hope you know that. And how much you mean to me. 

I may have to do this again... I might start to feel guilty if I don't talk about other wonderful people in my life. Especially from TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and my wonderful best friends in general. We'll see what tomorrow's blogging holds! :)

An Update

I haven't really been looking forward to this post. Which is perhaps why I've put it off for a while... but seeing as somethings have changed, I feel that I should also update the blog. I don't get to see or talk to everyone who does keep up with me on here, and I won't be blabbing about it on Facebook. 


After moving to California to be with Cameron, we have decided to go our separate ways. It was not an easy decision to come to, and while it has shaken up both of our lives, for the two of us this was the right thing to do. And in no way was it a bitter break-up. (Just for clarification). 


As of July 22, I'm now a Wilmington resident again. I'm hoping to get into school to start and finish my bachelor's in elementary education. 


Even though it is the end of one chapter in my life, it is the beginning of a new one. And while this is a private matter, and it's mainly just between Cameron and myself, I won't be going into details for both mine and Cameron's sake anywhere online. I did just want to update on the things that had happened. I will also continue to blog about my life and what is going on with me! 


To all my friends and family- You all are amazing and awesome and I love you all dearly. 

Relay for Life....Santa Monica Style!

Well it's that time of year again... for me at least! Relay for Life was in April for Wilmington, NC. And for the first time since I was in 4th grade, and my senior year of high school (because I was grounded, but that's another story...) I missed RFL in Wilmington. And, of course, THIS was the year that my grandma (Wayway) and great aunt (Aunt Rose Jane) decided to participate. It's been 6 years this month since Wayway found out she had ovarian cancer, and one year since ARJ found out she had breast cancer. So naturally I was a little upset that I couldn't do the survivor lap with both of these amazing women. Especially since I'd wanted Wayway to participate since day one of her fight against cancer.

So, since I  missed out on RFL in Wilmington, Cameron saw a flyer while we were in Santa Monica a few weeks ago and showed it to me. The dates worked out with both of our schedules so I signed up.

Now here are some differences with RFL home and RFL here:
HOME: *Survivor's register for free and are not required to participate on a team or to raise money- but are encouraged to do so.
HERE: Survivor's register for free, but are required to raise a minimum of $100.00 in order to receive their event T-shirt and walk in the survivor's lap.

So, long story short, I registered. And I put a link on my Facebook and updated my status frequently about helping with donations and what not. Then at the beginning of the week, one week from RFL I had a $100 goal and $0 raised. So I put up another status. Then, to my shock and surprise I received an email from the American Cancer Society saying that my fundraising goal had been reached. I figured that a few people had made donations and that I got to $100. Wrong. My cousin Amanda, and her husband Nic donated $500.00 to RFL. Luckily I was seated, so I didn't need to worry about falling over. I immediately signed onto Facebook and grabbed Amanda on the chat feature. Thanked her for everything, and signed off. Miss Julie donated $25 and my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tommy donated also.

So my grand total is $550.00 for RFL Santa Monica!

The walk starts tomorrow at 9am, survivor's lap at 9:30 and I'm sure Cameron and I will stay around and walk some laps and enjoy the activities that they have planned and what not. I'm excited to see what all they will have planned and everything. And really excited to walk in an event that is this big. I'll post pictures from the event after we get back and I get them uploaded!

Happy walking!

Recapping the last few days

I realize that it's been awhile since the last post! To which, I apologize! But it's been a little busy and crazy!

We had a great holiday weekend, including Cameron being off of work on Monday. Saturday night we went out in Santa Monica with a friend of his from Asheboro that also lives in LA. We were doing some early celebrating for her birthday and July 4th. Sunday we lounged by the pool for the afternoon, and then grilled some burgers on the George Forman and had our own little "mini" cookout! (Indoors!) Then with full stomachs we settled in on the couch to watch all of the different 4th of July firework specials on TV!

Today I'm cleaning up the apartment and hoping to get some laundry done if I can scrounge up some more quarters. I really hate coin-laundry. Although I'd hate it even more if I actually had to take it somewhere to get it done. So I shouldn't complain. But even when I lived in the dorm at UNCG there laundry facilities there took your "First Card" that UNCG supplied you with. Come on! It's 2010!!! Get another way of payment for those machines!  But maybe I'll get lucky and find some change in Cameron's pockets... or the couch. That's always a great place to look for spare change. !