YOHO ...6, 5...

Happy "Hump Day" everybody...the week is more over halfway over! :)
Today's post focuses on my "home" and the people that made me feel at home in Lincoln.

6. Lakeside

I'm probably one of the very few people that I know that was able to live in the SAME apartment for all  three years off campus, and I loved every day of it. It had a great location not far from campus, was right by a BEAUTIFUL lake (runners' paradise) with dream homes, had the handiest workout room, and of course, the pool. Countless hours were spent in the summer hanging out poolside, and we certainly made sure it was always the place to be on our days off. 

Pool Party! 

Could totally be a Venus commercial...

Lakeside Apartments was pretty much the place to be for a number of other friends and athletes. At any given time, I knew at least one other person in my building and it was super handy (and fun!) to be able to run over somewhere else across the hall or complex and hang out dorm style! We also had a ton of adventures regardless of season, including walks around the neighborhood, sledding down a hill on snow days, riding bikes to find secret spots, porch sitting with people watching , and all kinds of random get togethers. 

Snoooowwwww Daayyyyyyyyy!

Found a little pet by the lake, but unfortunately couldn't keep him :(

Just another Tuesday night...

I am known to be a pack rat/hoarder, so the thought of boxing up all of my "junk" that has accumulated over the last three years terrifies me. Luckily, I have all May to complete this task...so if anyone wants to help/keep me sane, call me up! With all the awesome memories here, it's going to be a sad, sad day when the keys to the 206 are turned in. I'm so fortunate to have been able to live in such a beautiful, safe, and convenient complex!

P.S. If anyone just happens to come across a lost Lakeside parking pass...could ya get that to me before May 31?!

I'd really appreciate it ;)

5. My mentors

I can't even begin to count the lives of the people that have helped shaped me into the woman I've become in the last four years. They've certainly seen me at my highs and my lows, yet have stuck with me and made sure they could do everything is their power to help me succeed. Although I hope to continue to keep in touch, it will be a bummer not seeing all of them around everyday and waving "hi" as a walk past their offices and stopping in for a usual chat. However, I've so fortunate to have crossed path with all of these and many others! With graduation around the corner and another chapter in my life almost summed up, I have to give a HUGE thanks to:

Coach Cook

Who always believed in what I could do not only as a player, but as a person.

Dennis LeBlanc

Who helped shape my career path and worked miracles with my class schedules.

Keith Zimmer

Who showed me the importance of being involved and giving back, all while having a good time.

Laura Buttermore

Who always believed in my strength and appreciated my work ethic in the weight room. 

Jolene Emricson

Who always was there to patch me up, heal my injuries, and keep my butt fired up. Literally!

Lindsey Wisch

Who always offered an honest opinion, good laugh, and trusted to put me in charge of things. 

And no, campers, we are NOT related.

Dan Meske

Who's been a friend, manager, and coach who was always willing to do whatever. 

Professor Young 

Who was one of my favorite teachers and a wonderful thesis and career advisor.

Must have done something right that match...

A fellow Lifter of the Year :) Miss you!

The party doesn't start until Jo-ey gets here

Scout Team All-Americans

With such a beautiful place to live along with fabulous mentors, it's no wonder I've had such a great experience here. If any of you are moving off-campus this summer or in the next couple years, I strongly suggest you check out Lakeside for obvious reasons...you won't be disappointed! My mentors have shared priceless advice with me and have helped me Build more Briges than I could have ever imagined, and for that I am forever grateful.

To be continued...