Reflection (2015)

Wow, what a year it's been for me and it's not over yet! I've been faced with several obstacles, but somehow managed to overcome them all. Beginning with heartbreak, loss of our family dog, and overall a depressing half of the year. What about the good obstacles though? Finding an AMAZING partner who loves me, an AMAZING group of new and old friends, an AMAZING family, and AMAZING myself to be a better person. I'm not complaining about everything that's happened this year, but I want to show you how strong a person can be through CHANGE and that it's okay to be VULNERABLE. If it weren't for every good and bad situation, I wouldn't be where I'm at today! 

As the year 2015 comes to an end, I want to say "THANK YOU" to everyone who's come into my life. At the end of this week, I'll be starting a new adventure in North Carolina and I'm excited for what the future holds! (SIDE NOTE: I'm definitely not going to miss the variable Kansas weather!!)

↓ PHOTOS ↓

♥♥♥

IN TODAY'S NEWS...

---

(University of North Carolina Greensboro Campus)

In case you haven't heard, I'm moving to Greensboro, North Carolina! I'll be furthering my education at UNCG (University of North Carolina Greensboro) and starting a new chapter of my life with Joe. 

I'm excited for what the future holds for us both!! 

Meritrust Tiger Trot (2015)

Meritrust Tiger Trot 2015 

(Photo credits to Tanganyika Wildlife Park)

Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I've made a post to my blog. This past weekend, I ran in the Meritrust Tiger Trot 5K. I ran my BEST TIME (22 mins. 11 secs.) and placed 10th overall/1st in my age group. I'm proud of myself for running the entire 5K and not giving up from start to finish. I'm excited for future races...(possibly a half marathon?)...I'll keep you updated on my decision! ;)

Here are the 5K overall and age group results:

       MERITRUST TIGER TROT AT TANGANYIKA 15K/5K
                  SEPTEMBER 20, 2015      WICHITA, KANSAS
                               5K    RESULTS
                       ***DIVAG DENOTES AGE GROUP***
Place Div/Tot  Divag Bib Name                 Ag S City         St Time     Pace     
===== ======== ===== === ==================== == = ============ == ======== ===== 
    1   1/9    M2529 230 CONNER DRENDEL       26 M WINFIELD     KS 16:54.96  5:27 
    2   1/6    M3034  58 JEREMY WARNER        34 M OLATHE       KS 19:36.08  6:19 
    3   1/10   M4049 264 JOHN KRIEGISCH       45 M WICHITA      KS 20:14.55  6:31 
    4   1/13   F2024 294 CASSIE DRENDEL       21 F WINFIELD     KS 20:21.89  6:34 
    5   1/7    M3539 175 JUSTIN THOMAS        37 M DERBY        KS 21:16.59  6:51 
    6   1/11   F2529 134 KAROLINA MOSA        28 F WICHITA      KS 21:27.53  6:55 
    7   2/9    M2529 122 MATTHEW MCANARNEY    25 M WICHITA      KS 21:27.90  6:55 
    8   1/14   M0113 266 CARSON WRIGHT        10 M WICHITA      KS 21:59.87  7:05 
    9   2/7    M3539 239 LANCE MICHEL         37 M VALLEY CENTE KS 22:04.92  7:07 
   10   1/3    M2024 148 COLBY SMITH          21 M MAIZE        KS 22:11.23  7:09

    ********  MALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 24 ********
Place Bib Name                 Ag Town               St Nettime     
===== === ==================== == ================== == ======== 
    1 148 COLBY SMITH          21 MAIZE              KS 22:11.23 
    2 246 ALEX KESSINGER       21 WICHITA            KS 22:19.78 
   3  11 NICHOLAS MUELLER     24 WICHITA            KS 30:10.86

(Credits to Oz Endurance)

Chicago (2015)

AMAZING...is the word I would use to describe my visit to Chicago! My family and I had LOTS OF FUN on our vacation. Here are the things we did...

Day 1: Woke up at 4 A.M. for the 10 h 53 min drive to Gurnee, IL. We stopped in Des Moines, IA to eat lunch at Zombie Burger (VERY INTERESTING LUNCH). Arrived in Gurnee by 4 P.M. and ate dinner by the Waukegan Harbor. Lake Michigan is beautiful! 

Day 2: My family and I spent half of our day at Six Flags Great America! My favorite rides were Superman & X-Flight! After, we headed to East Chicago where we planned on staying at Ameristar Casino for the night. Unfortunately, kids (referencing my younger step-sister) aren't allowed to stay at the casino hotels in Illinois like they can in Kansas. Instead, we found a Best Western close by to stay for the night. No FIRST time gambling for me! :(

Day 3: I visited my grandfather's grave for the first time in East Chicago. By the afternoon, we arrived in downtown Chicago! We stayed at the Hyatt Regency for the rest of our days/nights in the city. The hotel views were spectacular! In the evening, we rode the train to Millennium Park and stopped by the Bean and Navy Pier! (WORD OF ADVICE: Don't walk from Millennium Park to the Navy Pier because your feet will hurt...#LONGEST WALK EVER!)

Day 4: My step-dad, step-sister, and I went to watch the Chicago Cubs play the San Francisco Giants for the afternoon/evening! This was my first time attending a major league baseball game. How would I describe this experience? AMAZING! Before the 7th inning, we went back to the hotel and got ready to go eat dinner at Lou Malnati's. I loved the Chicago style dish pizza! After dinner, I went back to the hotel and packed my bags, then taxied to the Marriott to spend the rest of my weekend with Joe! 

Day 5 & 6: Joe and I enjoyed our weekend by visiting the Bean, Navy Pier, Northalsted Market Days, and saw our friend Amy! I ate at a SUPER FANCY restaurant called Rosebud Steakhouse. The food tasted great! On Sunday, we headed to the airport where we went our separate ways to head home! :(

THANK YOU to my parents, step-sister, and Joe for making this the BEST vacation! 

↓ PHOTOS ↓