Friday, April 19, 2013

One Year at Lee

Okay, so I feel terrible that a year ago I vowed to write on here everyday. That was a stupid vow. Though not impossible, it wasn't very likely. I have learned a lot here at college. 

First, I learned a lot academically, as everyone expects to. I've learned my studying habits. I've learned my procrastination habits. (That last one is more prominent than the first one) I've learned lots and lots of information that I am not even go to begin to bore you with. I've learned how to take tests and exams, and write papers. I've learned how to survive classes that just don't seem possible. I've learned never to grieve over a current grade. As long as they are still current, and the class is still going, grades can always change. I have also learned to never be overconfident about a grade because as long as they are still current, and the class is still going, grades can always change. I have learned that speaking with your professor is probably one of the best things that you can do. I have learned that conquering procrastination, and making best friends with your planner and organization is one of the best things a student can do. However, as surprising as it may sound I have learned much more that can not be put on an academic scale.

Coming here has been one of the hardest, most enjoyable things I have ever done. I knew that coming here would change me, but I underestimated just how much. The first few nights I was here I was in tears at night as I laid my head on my pillow. I was happy to be here, but all I could think of was my family and friends back home. However, I did eventually grow out of that. So for all of you out there who find yourself in the same situation, please don't let it keep you from succeeding. Though they may be a little further away the people you are missing are still there for you and are always just a letter, phone call, Skype session, Facebook post, tweet, text message, email, and so on away. Don't be afraid to be the person to reach out and make contact.

The title of this blog is "'There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men.'*College*" This is a quote from Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar, you know, minus the *College* part. The quote states, "There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bought in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea we are now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose ventures." The character speaking is commenting that there is a time in your life when you are going to need to make a decision. When a captain is trying to decide when to go out into the ocean they watch the tide. There is a right time and a wrong time to go out onto sea, and the captain has to keep a watchful eye in order to spot the right time. Go too late, and you might miss an opportunity. Go too early, and you might find yourself in a wicked storm. Just as captain watches the tides of the ocean, we must watch the tides of our life. We have to keep an eye out for when we should jump in. If we wait too long we could miss an opportunity, but if we get in too early we could run into a wicked storm that we are unprepared for.

This is college. College is all about ceasing the moment at the right time. You have to find out where you fit in. You have to find your comfort zone, and push its limits. You have to find what inspires you, and hold onto it. You have to find out what you want to study. There are opportunities around every corner, and you have to decide if you're going to take it or not.

A few months before I left for college I wrote a blog titled, Going Under: Rising Back Up. I spoke about the feeling that I was being pulled under by a very strong current, but it excited me. I knew that the was something for me on the other side. I knew that I was going to be ripped under, and feel for a little while that I was drowning, but in the end I was going to rise up as stronger person.

I was right. I did get ripped under. I came to a point where I felt overwhelmed, and had many breakdowns. I missed home. I missed my family. I missed my friends. I missed the familiarity. My grades were suffering. I bombed a quiz. I bombed an exam. I got sick. Nothing seemed like it was going right. I felt like I was drowning. But I rose back up. It is obvious that I am different, but in a better way. I am now more willing to step out of my comfort zone thanks to a project I did called The Yes Man Project. I am now more talkative. I am now more outgoing. I am able to be okay in a place where I know no one. I have risen up a stronger version of myself.

There is so much that I am grateful for. I grateful for the people I have met. My roommate. My friend's roommates. The girl's on my hall. Everyone here has had an impact on me, and I am so grateful. I am going to miss some of them next year as some move away, and I move to a different dorm. I have grown academically, socially, spiritually, and physically, and I am grateful for that. I am grateful for what God has done for me. I am so happy that I decided to follow His call for me to come here to Lee.

If you ever feel that God is calling you to do something, don't turn away, run towards it. It might be scary. It might make no sense. It might seem like the polar opposite of what you want to do. But I promise you it will be more than you could ever ask for. I could have never predicted how much moving here to Lee has been such a blessing to me. It has taught me that if I follow God I will land in places I could have never imagined.

Overall, moving to Lee was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I am so excited for the summer, and being able to reunite with my family and friends. But I am also so excited for next year. I have learned so much. I have seen so much. I have done so much. It only gets better from here! :)

College Assignment #5:

Keep a Journal

I know that I did not set a very good example with this for I told you I was going to keep a journal of sorts on here, but throughout this year I have been keeping several journals. I know that it does not sound interesting and it seems pointless, but it is a great way of keeping your thoughts together at a time when you feel like you're losing your mind. It is also a great way of seeing how you have grown. You do not have to go public with it, and post a blog, but at least have a journal. Guys too... That's why I called it a journal, not a diary. :)

Don't make vows, unless you intend on following through, and know that it is possible.

Follow God's call that He has for you




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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Coming Soon

Hey guys! I'm really sorry I haven't blogged in a while, but I am starting a new blog. (Imagine that) :) It's a 30 day project. I am going to post a link on here, but it won't be for a while because I want to have it started up for a little before people I know view it. Once things get exciting again I will check in on here! See you later!




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Friday, August 31, 2012

Day 15

Hey guys. I am really sorry for not writing you in a while.

 I just took a quiz in New Testament that I am fairly certain I got a 75% on. I know that does not mean much to you. Basically though it represents my stability right now as far as classes go. I hate the first few weeks because that is the time period where your main goal is to discover your teacher, their methods of grading, and their methods of testing. So you tend to get some things wrong, and it can become discouraging. To survive this you HAVE to find the positive. Yes, I just flunked that test, but at least I am now prepared on how to study for the next one.

Yesterday was Victoria's birthday! It was so exciting. We started the day by taping a trash bag to her door with balloons stuffed in between the door and the trash bags so that when she opened the door all of the balloons rushed in. Then Victoria and I landed front row seats for chapel. When we walked in I turned to her and asked, "What if I told Paul Conn in Psych this morning that it was your birthday and he may or may not have arranged for the entire congregation to sing Happy Birthday to you...?" She freaked out. Haha. "What?" "Haha, just kidding. I just thought of that idea." So no happy birthday song in chapel. :( But it would have been great. Then we decorated her room with all sorts of things. Then we took her to dinner, in the cafeteria! Very special dinner night. haha. But we sang happy birthday and got the entire cafeteria to do so as well. Then Laura and her roommate brought Victoria brownies. Then we went to Chris and Elyssa's where we made and ate cake. There were these trick candles that not only refused to go out, but were like mini sparklers. It was scary. Then we finished the night off with a video of everyone back home saying happy birthday to Victoria. It was a great day.

Today a lot of our roommates are visiting their homes so we decided to have a family dinner/ movie night. We're making chicken fettuccine alfredo mixed with broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, and rolls. It should be great! Then we are watching Lean on Me, and the Lorax. I am excited.

Anyways, I should probably get back to my math homework.... Hope ya'll are having a great day! See you next time!






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Friday, August 24, 2012

Day Seven

Hey guys, sorry I have not been writing. I just have not found anything interesting enough to tell you. I have my first writing and reading assignments, but they are all pretty easy. I was working with Brenda yesterday on her first paper! She's actually not bad at it. Then we went and did a light one hour, unplanned, work out. We are also going to workout today.

I got a care package yesterday from my parents. It has a lot of food!

Sorry if things seem broken up on here, but I am trying to write in between events so that I do not forget any details.

So far all of my classes are easy, but being in college before, I know that that is only an inception, and my classes will become more difficult. I have not really made many friends quite yet. It does not really bother me though. I have met a few people, my roommate and suite mates, my core friends from home's roommates and suit mates, but that is pretty much it.

Like I said, Brenda and I worked out for our first time yesterday! It was amazing! It felt so great afterwards! Tonight we are going to meet up after her last class for pictures, dinner, homework, and then more working out! I am so excited! To all of you who sent mail or are hoping I am sending you mail, I have written letters it just cost a little bit to send stuff so I have to raise money before I can send you something. Sorry. See you soon!





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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Fourth Day

Hey guys. Things are getting a little better. This morning I woke up early so I decided to get some things done. I went to the university store but they ended up not having what I needed. So I went to go get my P.O. box number. Turns out that was a great idea because those who went later in the day had to wait almost two hours to get their's. So later when Victoria and Rebekah went to get their's I mailed my first envelope. Also my roommate and Rebekah's roommate Jessie decided to go to Walmart and asked me to join. I did so I could get an expo eraser, what I was looking for earlier.

I ate at the cafeteria and had A TON of food! It is so much better than I thought!

Then we went to hang in my dorm, Rebekah, her roommate Jessie, my roommate Laura, and Victoria. We watched some of FRIENDS season eight. Turns out Jessie and Laura both love FRIENDS! Yeah! It also turns out Laura is also partially lactose intolerant! Now I am chilling in the lounge waiting for my family to skype me. Though it is kicking up a little it is still a little uneventful. Sorry... Talk to you guys later!

I also have like a million bug bites up and down my arms!





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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Third Day

Okay, so things are starting to get a little rough. I have to say my final goodbye to my Dad and it's going to be really hard. Last night I realized how much I am going to miss him, and how much I actually rely on my parents. I am starting to get these random bursts of emotion and I am not sure how to handle it.

Today we have to go to a required Deke Day event. It's a thing where everyone goes out to serve. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I am excited because I love serving. I am nervous because I have a stomach condition that has been acting up lately and I am afraid that there will be no opportunity to go to the bathroom there if something were to happen.

Some of my friends are going to church this morning. However, I am not because I want to say goodbye to my dad. So once he leaves I was planning on doing a devotion.

We haven't gotten our P.O. box assignments and won't be able to until monday. This frustrating because everyone back home wants me to give it to them.

Lately, I have been reading up on politics. I figure that since this is my first year voting I should know about the candidates. I know, that I am probably a little late, but I think I will be fine.

Anyways, I don't really have much more to say. I will see you guys later. Bye!




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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Second Night

So this is my second night at Lee. I have to make this quick because it's late and my roommate is asleep. Things were rocky at first with my roommate, but I think it is all going to work out. I have lofted my bed, which saves A TON of space, however I am high up and afraid of falling so I am investing in a railing since I am known for moving in my sleep. Nothing too interesting has happened yet. I will try and post more tomorrow morning. Goodnight! :)




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