tests

I'm not quite sure why professors feel the need to give tests on a Friday. I mean, Wednesdays are the perfect days for tests: You don't have to study over the weekend, but you aren't totally drained from the rest of the week already... which is my case tonight. I have two tests tomorrow, and my brain is really tired of learning for the week. Besides, pretty much every college student knows that Thursday is the new Friday. Professors should know that by now.

Also, when I know I have something important I know I should be studying for I can't bring myself to do it and end up doing random, strange things instead. For instance, last year, Poddie Whittaker and I stayed up past 3 am learning how to Bollywood dance and eating Swedish Fish after watching Slumdog Millionaire instead of studying for finals. Do I regret this decision? Not at all. It was one of the most memorable school nights I have ever had. I am having a similar situation now... although it isn't quite as fun. I'm sitting here with my Geology and Management books open on my bed and my notes all over my lap, but I am blogging and watching NCIS... it is quite nice =)

I have learned through my years at college that sometimes you have to do things that are impractical in order to have memorable experiences. That is something I was never very good at doing pre-college. So what if I made a few points lower on a Bible final? I had fun, and got closer to a friend.

I am so glad I decided to go to school here. I will be the first to admit- my first couple of years here were not very good. People always had told me what "college" was, how everyone makes like 25373838 friends, and how you have to be involved in every little thing for it to really be college. And because of that, I went through my first couple of years not really liking things because college was not living up to its expectations. But finally, when I stopped trying to meet everyone else's expectations and trying to participate in things that just made me feel awkward (and more lonely) I started having a lot more fun and gaining confidence in myself. As cheesy as it sounds, I now feel like I know who I am and like I have found myself. So what if I am not a social butterfly who wants to be out and about all the time? That is just not who I am. I have my good friends and the things I enjoy doing, and to try and form myself to anything different just won't work as I have realized.

Another thing I have loved about going to school here is my professors. There are very few schools where your profs will have you over for a BBQ, or invite you over to play Deal or No Deal at their house for bonus points on a test. They are also godly people who encourage me and make me want to do my best.

In other news, my roommates and I are currently "house hunting" and it is not an easy experience! When we finally find one we like and decide we would like to pursue living there, the owner (who previously had impressed on us that no one else is interested) calls and says someone is thinking about buying it. Or the houses are too expensive. Or they smell like smoke. Or they are way too far away from campus. AGH!!! But I know something will turn up soon. It always does, and then I regret worrying about it so much.

I also realized that coffee truly does work. I usually cannot stay awake in Business Law for the life of me. Like seriously... someone could set loose a wild money in the room and I would still have droopy eyelids. But today, thanks to the power of delicious vanilla hazelnut coffee, I actually remembered what we talked about!

My textbooks are calling my name... Blessings to you all

yay!

Oh man... I am so excited about everything that is coming up! First of all, my birthday is coming up really soon and I am so glad I get to spend it at my grandparents house with all my family! They will definitely spoil me =). Next, there is graduation, and it will be so fun! I can't wait to have my loved ones here in town with me. It will also be good to know I am finished with yet another phase of my life that has involved copious amounts of schoolwork.

Also, I can't wait to move into my new house in May. It will be so nice to live with two fun, and wonderful friends who will be a huge encouragement to me. It will also be really nice to not be in an apartment again. People in the surrounding apartments are so loud and my room is so tiny! I love decorating and getting new things for where I will be living =)

I joined a health club recently and I am really loving going to combat, yoga, and RPM classes. Other than that, it is just life as usual for me: school, work, cooking dinner, homework, and (hopefully) sleep.

p.s. I really want to go to Israel! The culture of that area and the history of it has always fascinated me. However, I wish that area of the world was more safe and peaceful. Wouldn't the world be a better place if people spent more time on trying to love than on trying to get back at people who have wronged them?

Mouths

While I have 'known' it my whole life, I don't think I ever understood the full importance of it until recently- The importance of what comes out of our mouths. Sure, the tongue can be "as sharp as a sword" but I don't think we really understand that most of the time.

As a college student surrounded by peers, I am constantly amazed at the effortless flow of crude language from people. Words that I used to think were just beyond horrible and shouldn't even be mentioned, I now hear probably 30 times a day (if not more). When all that people hear out of your mouth is nastiness and words not accepted in public by mainstream society, how can you blame them for judging you? I know people should not judge each other, but you should not be offended or surprised when people do judge you based on what they consistently hear you say. I can tolerate most language (while I am not desensitized to it), but one phrase I will not ever get over hearing people exclaim in anger or frustration is "Jesus Christ!" To me, it is just totally unacceptable and sacriligious to take a name that should be holy and set apart and use it as a common curse word.

So come on people- clean up your mouths. If you want to sound vulgar,common, and nasty go for it. But no one will aplaud you. It is much more enjoyable to be around a well-spoken, graceful, and humble person.

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On another note, spring is almost here! I could not be any more excited about seeing the blossoms in the trees or noticing the gradual change of jeans to capris. This spring and summer, I fully intend to be "girly"- wearing cute sandals, flowery skirts, and frilly blouses are a few of my favorite things=) No more dry skin, large sweatshirts, or hair full of static!

I am also really excited for spring break. Being home with my family, taking my dog on walks, playing tennis, and having Dad make me waffles in the morning is the best.

I live in a constant state of amazement at the blessings I have been given. I am so thankful for my friends and my wonderful family. I love you all =)