Friday, November 2, 2012

Grounded

I guess I should start telling some stories about college. :)

I absolutely love it here. The professors are fantastic, the food is spectacular, the people are some of the kindest, most loving people I've ever met. The greatest thing about this place, is that I feel like I really belong here. It seems completely silly that I was even worried about this place. It's like my second home now.
I think most of the reason why I like it here has to do with the people that I've met and come to be with. All the P.E.O.s that talk about Cottey are always happy to share that "you'll meet your friends for life there." When I first got here, I was trying so hard to fill that expectation because it's what I so desperately wanted. Before I came, it was really hard to say who my closest friends were, because there wasn't really a 'group' for me anymore. I was tired of high school, and I was tired of the same people every single day. For awhile, I was actually thinking I might be depressed. I was ready to move on. And now I have, and it's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.
I have found five, amazing girls, that I spend most of my time with here. I know I can count on them, and they can count on me. I know they are my friends for life.

A lot of things have happened since I've started school here, but I'll try to fit it all in here as best I can.

I take French, College Algebra, Chamber Singers, Dramatic Literature, Writing 101, Beginning Ballet, and Yearbook. The homework load isn't too bad, but it's definitely enough to fill up my nights will some stress. I could go as far to say that I'm less stressed here then I was in high school though, which is another plus. As I said before, my professors are really great and I'm actually learning a lot in my classes (except maybe Writing, because I took AP English classes my Junior and Senior years).

Most of the time I'll work on homework or I'll spend my time watching some shows on Netflix. But I also hang out with my five friends: Katie, Meghan, Rebeka, Jackie, and Ellen. When we first started hanging out, we would have movie nights watching Disney movies and Marvel hero movies. Once we all started getting busier, it was having dinner at someone's suite, going to Wal-Mart, going to school events together, and just recently, going trick-or-treating together. We've already made countless memories and inside jokes in just two months.

At the beginning of the year, the Student Activities Committee (SAC) put together a dance for the girls at Cottey. About two hundred girls showed up, which was a good turn out, and we danced until midnight with glow sticks, great music, and flashing lights.
We also went to a man's house named Mr. Noble, who attends Katie and Ellen's church. We watched Facing the Giants and ate cake and popcorn.
We went to Dr. Perkins' house for a Fall Festival. We drank hot chocolate, bobbed for apples, and there was a fire there to roast smores. Most of the time we were there I stayed with the cats though. :P
We've been to Wal-Mart several times, goofing around and hanging out...because there's nowhere else to go in Nevada, really.
And just recently, Jackie, Ellen, Katie and I got dressed up for Halloween and went trick-or-treating around the different Residence Halls.

Traditions are another thing I absolutely love about Cottey. They're unique and they'll always be remembered. It all started with Step Sing, where our Seniors sang to us at Main Hall. They told us the waterfoul poem and the reason behind why we can't say the "D" word. It's really fun, and I have yet to get pranked. Hehehe. There were also the Virginia Alice Cottey and Giant Pancake traditions that were extremely fun.

Right now, I'm also in a play called The Servant of Two Masters, as Clarice. Rehearsals have been taking up most of my time recently, but the performance is next weekend, so it shouldn't be stressful for much longer, and its also a ton of fun.

Other than that...I haven't really been doing much else that I can think of right now. If you have any questions, you can just ask. :)

Monday, September 17, 2012

The College Life

It's a lot of what you make of it. The decisions you make can depend on what you feel like doing. It's so strange being so independent. I guess I've been more independent than a lot of people I know anyways, making conscious decisions for myself and the like, but it's still weird to just know that I'm here because I decided to come here. I'm here, because it's what I wanted to do. I'm here, making my own decisions every day, for myself. It's strange. I mean for goodness sake, I could decide not to go to class every day. I would never do that, but still. I could choose not to.
I just have to take this moment to thank my parents for raising me in an environment were I could choose good morals over not-so-great ones. I'm happy with the decisions I make for myself, and I'm happy with the morals I've created for myself to live by.

Anyways...

Life here is pretty routine, just like any life of someone who attends school. I have Algebra and Chamber Singers ever Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I have French every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I have Dramatic Literature, Writing, and Ballet every Tuesday and Thursday. It's a great schedule. It's a fantastic schedule. I'm happy with it. College is definitely different in the way of scheduling events. Sometimes things are in the middle of the day, even though you might have class. You can either attend or you can't. You have to make the decisions of what clubs or organizations you want to be part of, and then meetings are held whenever they can. It's strange trying to keep everything organized, because now I can't just remember everything in my head like I could at highschool. In highschool, the schedule made sense because everyone had the same schedule. Now, it's a little different.

I do enjoy my classes. I actually, just this weekend, went on my first field trip to see Three Tall Women with my Dramatic Literature class and it was pretty fun. I'm actually able to grasp the concept of Algebra, I'm doing well in Writing, I'm understanding French, and Ballet is a blast! I can never remember that I'm only taking Semester classes though, and that it's all going to go by so fast. I think, "Oh, I don't have to worry about any exams until the end of the year! Wait..."

I think the best part about College here at Cottey is being able to meet some wonderful people. There are so many open opportunities to take part and get involved, and the people involved in these activities and clubs are awesome. Just today I went to a SAC (Student Activities Council) meeting and hung out with awesome girls while discussing possible decorations for the "NEON RAVE" dance that's coming up this Saturday. We even made some posters to hang up around the campus. So many people here are just so caring, and willing to meet you, and it's so great to discover all these different perspectives and knowledge from people I never would have known to meet in my life. It's just a cool concept.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Lukewarm Christians

Luke 9:57-62 reads: As Jesus and his disciples traveled along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Then Jesus said to someone else, "Follow me." He replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead. But you go and spread the news of God's kingdom." Someone else said to Jesus, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those in my house." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand on the plow and looks back is fit for God's kingdom."

At my first Christian Alliance meeting here at Cottey, we discussed this passage and it really spoke to me. Basically, it's saying that like most beings have their 'place' in the world (somewhere they can settle down), Jesus is always on the move. He has no place to rest. Therefore, if you follow Him, you're following Him for life, and you're going to go places with Him. You can't expect to stay in one place.
Once you commit to God, there can't be any 'half-in, half-out' business. You're either all-in, or you're not at all committed to Him. There's no looking back after you've committed, and that's because God doesn't want just part of you. God wants all of you, to have and to hold, and to use for His purposes. When you accept Christ, it's as if you're 'born again,' because you've begun a new life with Him. And you can't begin a new life if you're still holding on to your old one.

I think one of the things that really bothers me the most is when people say they're a Christian, and never act like it. And I don't mean, they're trying but they occasionally slip-up and sin, because hey, after all we're only human. I mean, people that go to church, or youthgroup activities, and mission trips, and claim that they Christ is their saviour, and then turn around and do something completely un-Christian-like. What really really bothers me though, is that they're usually the ones that 'label' the rest of the Christian community.

You can't choose to be Christians some days, and then not others. It's a life-time commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's a relationship that you can't just walk away from. Because we can rely on God, and he should also be able to rely on us.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The Next Chapter

So, it's definitely been awhile. Guess I should try to get back in the habit of blogging as often as I can.

I've recently just started college, only been going to classes for about two weeks now, and it's been spectacular! I've already been able to learn in grow in new and exciting ways. :) It's different, not having to ask my parents if I can do certain things, or go certain places, or meet with certain people. But I feel like I grew up in such an environment, and that my morals are strong enough, that I won't do anything I would regret later anyways. It's a comfort knowing that I can be so strongly willed.
Classes are a lot like highschool. The only huge difference that I feel here, are the people and the living arrangements. Most of the time, I don't feel like I'm far from home in my suite, because I still have all of my things with me, and I still keep in touch with the people that I love. But it is different, and there are times when I remember that I'm still so far away from home, and that I can't just walk out the door and meet up with people that I want to see. So that makes it tough sometimes. But most of the time I'm so immersed in homework and activities here that I don't even think about it, which is nice. People here seem to be a lot nicer than other people I've known in my life. I suppose it could be that I juts got tired of seeing so many of the same people for so many years, and it's good to get around and meet new people, but it really seems like people are are just nicer in general. It's also exciting to meet so many people from so many places. I know people from Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri, Ethiopia, Arizona, Utah, and more! There are so many cultures coming together and getting along, it's just awesome.
Classes are going really well. I haven't missed a class yet, and the homework load so far has been bearable. I'm just hoping to stay on my toes and get things turned in when they're supposed to get turned in. I don't want to fall into procrastination and staying up late every night because that affects your work, and your mood. So far so good. All my professors seem to be really great. I haven't had any major problems with them yet. Aaaand, clubs are beginning to fall into place, and traditions start next weekend. :) I can't wait.

The only thing that's sort of tough while I'm here is trying to keep everything in perspective. I don't really have a way of knowing what's going to happen next, who I'm going to see, what I'm going to do, or how I'm going to handle it all. It's just sort of happening and I'm going through it as it comes. At the moment, I'm not too worried about anything. It's just sometimes hard to keep juggling everything, and sometimes my Faith isn't at the top of my priorities. Which, is bad...but I think that once I get settled down a little more, and a set schedule starts to take place, I'll feel more comfortable with everything. I have been able to keep up on a daily devotion, which is nice because it's great for meditation, getting into a completely different mindset, and it only takes a couple of minutes. I've also been making my way to church every Sunday morning, which is nice as well, because they have volunteer opportunities coming up that I can take part in.

It's all so new, but it all seems to work out. I think this year is probably going to go by too fast. :P

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Isaiah 66:9

I saw a picture posted by one of my friends on Facebook the other day and it was this:

and it's had me thinking for the past couple of days.

As many of you may know, many fires have broken out all across Colorado, causing grief and worry, evacuations and pain for many innocent families. But because of these fires, I've also noticed other things. People have been gathering together to keep an eye out for whatever arson is causing some of this chaos, people are keeping a sharp look-out for any fires that start up so they can (hopefully) be extinguished immediately, and communities are coming together to help and pray for all of those firefighters who are risking their lives daily to help us live in peace.
Good things have come from the bad.
Maybe these fires aren't entirely bad.

I've also had time to think about all the precious things that I hold dear to my heart, and just how quickly these things could be taken from me, if one of these fires is to reach my home. We started to gather some of our things just in case we need to evacuate, and I realized that even though I won't be able to take everything if I do have to go, I don't need to, because I will always remember them. They are a part of me. I think that's why I have to disagree now with the saying "Home is where the heart is." I think your heart is with your family, friends, and memories that you've gathered from being at home. They'll always remain with you. And yes...it's still a tremendous loss. Of course. I don't disagree with that. But the best things will always be with you.

However, after all of this chaos, and all of this worrying, and all of this pain, I think something good will happen. Because God always has a plan. I mean, something good is happening right now, and it's unity. Maybe that's something we all just needed right now...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Next Step

You know what? This year went by really fast. And looking back on it, I kind of wish that it hadn't. It was a spectacular year that will always be with me.
It was hard at first, since it seemed like I was starting from the beginning again. I had lost a best friend the year before, and most of my friends had graduated the year before. I had a lot to face, and a lot to learn.
Once I got my foothold though, it was one of the greatest years of my life. I got to become closer to so many people I never thought I would, and it was quite the experience being a leader rather than a follower. It was different.
I still haven't even really processed that I am, in fact, graduating in two days. Wow...two days. It just seems so surreal. It seems...unfinished in a way. I feel like there's still work that needs to be done, and it hasn't fully clicked that I will no longer step into that highschool for classes again. It just feels like any other year after school is finished for the summer.
I learned so much from my teachers this year (well, most of them) and I appreciate all the effort they put into teaching the courses. I wouldn't be where I am today without their encouragement, support, and determination to help me learn. I supposed I am where I am today also because of my family and friends and their support as well, and I will forever be grateful for them.
I also learned that people are important. I mean, yes, I've always known that people are special, but I don't think I really appreciated it until this year. Because I know some really special people. I've learned to cherish them, and to cherish every moment I have with them, because I know the moments don't always last, but that they are spectacular, and I know the memories will always remain.
I've also been able to take part in some of the most wonderful moments of my life, like winning third place in marching band, being part of 'Bye-Bye Birdie,' meet so many great people, take part in Madrigals, direct some shows in Advanced Drama, and play one of the leads in 'The King and I,' and I will always remember those special times.
My relationship with God definitely took at turn this year. After feeling lost for awhile, and alone at times, I learned to completely rely on Him for all of my needs. Things were going good, and then I couldn't decide what to do with my life. I prayed and prayed and prayed, and prayed some more about it, and I would never get an answer. Until finally, my youth pastor suggested journalism, and thereafter, journalism would just keep popping up. My youth pastor mentioned it to me, and then she described an internship opportunity for journalism with Compassion International for college students, and she suggested I write for DEVO magazine, and anyone I talked to about it said they could see me doing journalism or becoming a news reporter so I thought, why not?
Ever since then, I can't say my Faith or relationship with God have been perfect. I've been angry with Him a lot this year, I've been thankful for a lot of things He's done for me this year, I've neglected Him, and I've also tried to spend time with Him. It's been quite the ride. I also know that it will be even harder in college. I won't have my parents here to urge me to go to church in the mornings, and it will seem like I don't have any time to spend reading my Bible or doing some devotions, but, I think I can pull it off. It really grabbed my attention when the college I was visiting had a Methodist Church right across from the campus. It just seemed to perfect. And I know it's up to myself to push myself to make those decisions to study, and pray, and meditate, and just let God rain down on me. And it'll be tough, but I think that if I stay on top of it, I can really pull it off. I'm just hoping I'm right.
And you know, looking back on all that I've been able to accomplish this year, especially since, at the start, I was a complete mess, college doesn't seem like such a scary thing. I mean, I know I need to experience it first before I decide that, but it really doesn't seem as intimidating as it did in the start. I feel like I'm more prepared, since I have a place to go, and that I can accomplish things for myself while I'm there. I know I can gain leadership, and while I'm there, I feel like I'll be able to make the right decisions for myself, and really decide what I want to do in life. I feel like I'm ready.

I have to apologize for taking forever to blog. In fact, I haven't really blogged at all this year, and that's because of a lack of time, and too much commitment to other activities. But seeing as how the summer is now here, I should be posting more often, and probably in much more detail. :)

Monday, January 2, 2012

Ridiculous

I really feel the need to blog about this...again, but I suppose in a different way. Because apparently, people are crazy, and I really hope I'm not the only one who thinks the way I do about it...
For the past week, I have been seeing people post on Facebook about how they NEED a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or their whole WORLD will just fall apart and they'll be consumed by depression and loneliness for the REST of their LIVES!!
God forbid...

Seriously though, doesn't anyone else find this to be just a little immature?

One of the statuses was literally "I need a girlfriend." And on someone else's status that was slightly similar, I posted something like:
"I think it's funny that there are people commenting on this status saying they NEED a boyfriend or they NEED a girlfriend. I'm pretty sure if you NEED something (or someone in this case), you'll just end up using them until YOU'RE satisfied...but them where does that leave the other person?"

It's like a competition out there. 'See How Many Girlfriends You Can Get and Earn a Prize!' 'If You Don't Have a Girlfriend/Boyfriend, you Suck!'

I also, conveniently, found a quote today that goes like this:
"Immature love says: I love you because I need you. Mature love says: I need you because I love you."
- I don't remember who said this, so if you read this, and are appalled by the fact that your name isn't in this spot...I'm sorry.

The guy that I posted that status to even texted me later that night asking me if I was okay because I "seemed a little cynical." Why? Because I believe a relationship should be a relationship out of pure joy out of each other, and not because you 'needed' one?

Maybe this has been going on for an eternity. I mean, yeah, it happened in ELEMENTARY School, when we felt like it was the end of the world, and we didn't get enough attention because we didn't have someone to, maybe, hold hands with for a day. But really...it's sickening to hear that people NEED a significant other...because what does that mean when that person doesn't want their significant other anymore? No real emotions exist, either. You're just going with the flow because it's the thing to do.

If you want to be in a relationship, stop trying so hard. I'm serious. Stop trying to LOOK for that person, and maybe they'll have actually been there the whole time. You've got your whole life to keep expecting someone. Don't rush it. It'll happen. But until then, don't make yourself believe that the only way you can be happy is with someone else that you're just going to use.

You can't rely on other people to make you happy.