Summer and Reflection

Well, friends, I made it. I have survived my freshman year of college. That is a slightly unnerving thing. When I look back over the past year, I find it incredibly difficult to believe that I graduated from high school, and have completed 25% of my undergrad. I feel like graduation was just the other day. Time seriously does speed up the older you get, and it really freaks me out. I know this is all mushy and nostalgic, but mostly, it's weird. Don't get me wrong, it's a fabulous weird, but weird none-the-less. All of a sudden everything is much more grown-up-y, and there is so much more responsibility.

Here is a list of things I learned this year at college:

1. You are going to have professors you like and professors you don't like. And I'm just going to leave it at that.
2. Some classes are going to be good, and others are going to teach you nothing but patience and self-control. I especially learned this this past quarter. There were moments when I literally wanted to throw things because certain material was complete and utter hogwash. God held my hand through a lot of frustration in the past 11 weeks.
3. Pay attention when setting your schedule. Yes. Going to school twice a week and getting five GE's knocked out in one quarter is superb. But after having scheduled them so tight that making it from one class to the next is a hassle, I've learned to pay attention to where my classes are when I register.
4. Don't lose your syllabi. Personally, I didn't have this problem as I pride myself on my organizational skills, so  I always knew where they were. But if I did lose one (or more), I would have been in VERY bad shape.
5. Talk to people. While this kinda seems like a no-brainer, it's not something that I did too much. I almost missed out on a couple of great friendships because it was halfway through a quarter before I realized that we had nearly EVERYTHING in common. Friendships aren't going to happen overnight, and they take effort. It's up to you to seek them out and cultivate them.It is also helpful to know at least one person in all your classes so if you miss a day, you can get notes/email them assignments to turn in for you.
6. Sleep is good. I'm such an old lady and I love my sleep. It is actually true that you perform better (ie-learn more, test better) when you aren't fighting to stay awake during your lecture on Death of a Salesman.
7. Make your professor know who you are. Speak up in class. Ask questions. Email them. They'll love you (or at the very least, appreciate you) for it. And when you're on your professor's good side, your academic life is a much happier world.

Basically, college takes a bit of getting used to, but it is definitely manageable. And like every other year that I've been a student, I am more than a tad excited to have three glorious months of no class to encroach on my reading time. =)

Matthew 5:6-10 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Summer and Tea Parties

It is getting to be the end of the school year. YAY!!!!! This means last minute paper writings/finishings/editings, prepping for finals, seeking out opportunities for extra credit, and trying to hold onto my sanity. The past few weeks have been slightly eventful and more than a little frustrating. I have shed my fair share of angry tears, and taken off more time from work than I would like in order to complete things. I have been in a constant state of negativity, but my Father has preserved me and given me strength to make it through the most trying of days. Now it is down to finals week. Two days, two extra credit assignments, and four finals. That is all that stands between me and a summer of freedom.

To celebrate my upcoming free time, I'm in the processes of obtaining a Pinterest account. I really don't know a whole bunch about it, but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about it, so I'm quite excited. =)

On a different note, I hosted a tea party yesterday for the junior high girls at my church. We had an overabundance of food (I'm pretty sure the two of us that planned it were overcompensating for a dismal tea party we went to last summer...), seven types of teas, and six adorable girls. It was probably the greatest tea party ever. We totally played Just Dance 3 and hung my mom's good silver spoons from our noses. One of the girls accidentally stuck her face into a bowl of soup in one of her fits of giggles. Despite our attempts to make it semi-fancy, it was...not quite there. But that doesn't even matter because each of the girls had a blast, and that is what we were going for.

Here's to a happy summer!!!

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth drives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power though his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Mourning Into Gladness

Sometimes, we have days that are just hard. Seven days ago, a friend of mine passed away. He was one of the truest, most genuine, godly young men I've ever met in my life. He always had a smile on his face, despite everything he had to deal with and he could always boost anyone's day. I don't know of a single person who didn't get along with him. Everyone should have a friend like him.

He had been battling pain, medications, and treatments and visiting doctors and hospitals for quite some time. But not anymore. Now, he is in the presence of his Savior. Pain-free. With all the joy he could possibly imagine and then some. No more worries. It brings a smile to my face when I imagine him worshipping his King.

Tomorrow is the celebration of life for this young man, and I ask that you join me in prayer for his family, girlfriend, and close friends. It's going to be tough, and I know that they all appreciate prayers for comfort right now. Despite the sadness we feel now, we rejoice in the knowledge that we will see him again.

Jeremiah 31:13b NIV
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Mom

This morning, I was about to write another annoying post about how much I'm over school and how ready for summer I am, but then I realized that my last three posts were along those lines. So I need to switch it up. Then I thought, why not dedicate a post to my mother?

Yesterday was Mother's day, and I absolutely love my mom. We had a little bit of an unplanned mother/daughter date. After Church, we went to lunch (as we do) with a couple other families. When that was done, we decided to join them in seeing the Avengers. I don't think that was my mom's favorite part of the day,  but she still enjoyed it...I think. From there we went to Target where she felt the need to find a chick flick to make up for watching such an action movie. I found it humorous. And then we went and got fro-yo. We like fro-yo.

The only downside to the day was that my dad couldn't go, due to not feeling well. But in all, it was a wonderful day. I love spending time with my mom. We don't get to hang out and spend the day together too often, so when we do, I treasure it. A mom's job is so often overlooked and thankless, and yet it borderlines being a superpower. So here is a shout out to my mom and all moms everywhere: You guys are awesome! You're truly are amazing for everything that you do, and for being so selfless. You are the BEST!

Proverbs 31:28-29 ESV
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Most women have done excellently, but you surpass them all".

Joys and Woes of Quarters

It's days like today that I really hate college quarter system. Now, before I go on my rant as to why I don't like quarter system, I'm gonna start with what I like about quarter system. I like that if I don't like a class, I only have it for 10 weeks. I like that it allows for super long breaks (i.e., a month at Christmas) I like that I get to take three chunks of classes each year instead of just two. I like that my school is a whole heck of a lot cheaper than other schools. Granted, it doesn't pertain strictly to quarter system, but it is a nice plus anyway.

On to what I don't like. I don't like that I start and end a month after everyone else. When all of my other college friends are starting school in August, I don't start until September. And when they are going away to school, that means they leave. And when they are all taking their finals in the spring, I've still got another week until I have to worry about midterms, then another  few weeks before finals. So while everyone will be coming home within the next week or so (YAY!!) I won't be able to do much with them because I still have homework.

I guess this entire post sums up my thoughts about college. It has it's pros and cons, but it's not anything super spectacular nor dismal. It's just another stage in this process called "growing up" and today, I'm not a huge fan of it.

Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...

One of Those Days

Today is shaping up to be one of "those days". You know what I'm talking about. The ones where Murphey's Law hits and everything just doesn't seem to go right. It's only 8:30 and I feel like my day has been awful. So, I stopped by the Starbucks on campus to boost my morning. Yeah. Instead of ordering a hot drink, without even thinking, I got a cold drink. Not what I wanted, and my day wasn't exactly boosted.

Now. I have two options here: I could either continue in my sulky-ness and allow my day to carry on in this less-than-ideal manner, or I can get over what has already happened and work to fix the rest of the day. I think I'm going to try for the latter. Shoot, even just writing this is making it a little bit better: I've acknowledged that things aren't right and recognized the fact that I can change my attitude and try to fix it. So, as of right now, the score stands Bad Day: 1, Me: 1.

So in an effort to make the most of the day, I hereby declare myself fully awake, upbeat, and positive! Here's hoping the rest of me catches up with my thought process. ;)

Exodus 15:2 ESV
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

Observation

So, for an assignment for one of my classes, I had to "shadow" someone in a field that I might possibly consider going into. I thought about it and decided that no chefs would let me hang out in a kitchen, and there aren't any publishing companies around, so I decided to shadow a teacher. I ended up in my friend's middle school science classes and merely observed. Here is how my morning went.

8:08--Leave the house later than I wanted, searching for this school that I didn't have any clue where it was.
8:27--Arrive. Phew. That wasn't as problematic as I expected.
8:36--Get lost looking for the classroom. Decide I should ask for directions.
8:38--Random kid wearing a straw hat similar to a Fedora tips his hat to me. I smile.
8:40--Lost again. Ask person number two.
8:41--Success! Found the room. Chat with teaching friend; make sarcastic remarks about his wall decor.
9:00--First class. Get random looks from every student who enters.
9:20--Some Junior Higher wolf-whistles at me.
10:00--Class two. More confused looks from students.
10:30--Decide this is not actually a science lab, due to the lack of Bunsen Burners.
11:00--Class three. Ignored by students who enter; listen to lecture on the Circulatory system...again.
11:15--Student to teacher: "Who's she?" Teacher: "A friend" Student to me: "Hi, Friend!" Me: "Hi, Student". Laughter.
11:48--Leave during class activity to beat the mobs of students at lunch on my way to the car.

In all, it was an...enlightening experience. I discovered that at the end of the school year, they just want to leave. Also, they don't stop moving. My conclusion is this: maybe I could be a middle school teacher. I might have to throw that option into the mix of possible life careers. I'm also considering observing a lower elementary class as well, before I write the essay on my experience. Just because.

Psalm 119:9 NIV
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."