State of the Ashley

It has DEFINITELY been quite a while since I have updated my blog.... 5 months to be exact. To be honest, the only reason why is because LIFE HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN. I just haven't had the time! As soon as school started, I took off! Classes, pageants, music, etc., etc., etc.... It feels a little starnge to even have time to sit down and get back to normal life.
Well, what has happened since the last time we've talked? Well, September was pretty smooth... Just getting back into the swing of school and excited about beginning my junior year (that much closer to graduation!). I got back to working during the day as a group exercise instructor, and moonlighting as a musician :-). However, much of my free time was devoted to the Queen of PINK, which would be taking place in October. I wasn't quite biting my fingernails yet, but boy was I close!
Then, October hit me. Like a brick. The first weekend in October was the Queen of PINK orientation (a pageant that I direct), as well as one of my best friend's birthday. It wore me out picking up gifts for my firiend and the PINK contestants, making sure there was adequate food of the orientation, copying pages to hand out and hoping that all of my committee members would show up! It ended as a fun experience, but it took some energy getting there! The next couple of weeks were absolutely horrendous! I had late nights and early mornings for about 14 days! Geez Loiuse... Who knew that so much planning went into the successful production of a pageant? Yet, it all paid off, and the Queen of PINK Pageant went out without a hitch on October 24. The event raised over $3,000 for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, and I could finally go to sleep! Well, I thought...
November and December were a complete and total blur. I remember there may have been a holiday or two in there, but that was it :-). Between family gatherings, exams AND work, I was a walking zombie. If I never saw another plate of turkey again, it would be too soon.
Well, finally, I made it to the New Year! I brought it in with a vivacious church cermeony and then breakfast with family and friends. But personally, I brought it in with a new attitude (and a new car to go along with it! YAY!). I was tired of putting my own wants and desires aside because others did not approve of them. I was ready to experience life, Ashley style. I mean, so what if nobody thinks I'm cool? I'll buy a puppy!!! They're pretty loyal... HAHA!
The whole point is that when you lose sight of who you are, you lose sight of your purpose for being here. You lose sight of what the past can tell you in order to assist you in your future. You lose sight of what makes life fun! Very few things in this world should be boring, especially if I have anything to do with it!
Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest... WHEW!!! Goodbye for now, but if I were you, I would keep your eyes on Ashley. You may not be expecting what you see next.

TA-TA!

-Ash:-)