I am back roarin' and ready to hit the books for next semester! I have a few more days left of vacation...and I have a feeling I'll regret my eagerness later...but for now...I cant' wait!
Goodness Gracious!
I can't believe it has already been a month since I've written. Life can get so busy at times that I am merely surviving the ride! Things here at college are going so well. My classes are getting more in depth and interesting, and I see a lot more connections with my major through the courses I'm taking. It is very encouraging. I think the thing I like the most is in the way that they are life-applicable. It's almost like a taste of homeschooling again.
Speaking of, I really wish I could home school again sometimes. I feel as if some of my instructors are teaching me directly from the book without applying anything with substance to it. I can do that on my own...but the the thing that is most frustrating is that there is an attendence policy that is 10% or more of my grade! I guess I am just used to a public college professor who didn't care whether you came to class or not, you were paying them to teach you, so either way, they still get paid. I know this is a Christian college and the professors do care, but I don't feel that it is right that they should go as far as to implement that into the grading system. It should be the student's decision and responsibility to know the importance of attending class.
Now, I am not one to skip class, but if there is a time where the class is covering information I've already studied on my own and have completed the homework, I want the freedom of being able to make the choice of whether or not I'd like to sit through the class period anyway, or possibly do other homework for another class. There is always other homework that needs to be done anyway, whether it be due the next day or in a week. It's always nice to get a head start. If you miss more than 3 class periods, the professor wil begin docking your grade. I don't agree with that...but that is a classroom standard for every class. There is no way that could get changed bcause it would probably be too big of a change. I know I am not the only one who feels this way...it's just frustrating knowing that I can't do anything about it.
But ya know what? Despite my frustrations, I truly love the content of each course. It just reminds me of why I want to be a Social Worker. This is what I truly love, and I feel like a spounge that is just flourishing with all the academic nourishment that I am receiving! Even though I may not always agree with my professors teaching methods, I absolutely enjoy every minute of what I am reading and learning from my own, personal studies.
Ahh well, life goes on. I have two more weeks left of volleyball and I must admit that it was a great season, but I am ready to be done. I want to be able to apply myself more fully towards my courses and work, and it's hard to do that when I've got 3 or 4 games a week and then practice on the nights we don't have games. It is fun and I love the game (It's something my dad and I have always shared...I think that's half the reason why I love it so much), but I hold my academics so much higher, and I know I can be doing better than I am. B's aren't bad, but I really want to try for A's. I want to break the mold of being a B student. On top of that, I want to be able to sigh with relief knowing that my school/work day ends at 5:30 and I can be back in the dorm or doing something else instead of going constantly until about 10 at night and then having homework waiting for me after that.
Ya know, I look back at this, and, yes, college doesn't have it's most magnificent times...but I wouldn't trade it for the world. All these trials are worth every moment and future grey hair. I already feel so accomplished and independent, and truly feel a direction and purpose in my life. College has been one of the best experiences thus far, and I am excited to see what's around the bend. My main focus is October 13th...I'll finally be able to go home! I haven't been home since July, and it truly does wear one down. I just need to feel a sense of true belonging and homeliness. The dorms are nice, but it is even nicer to be able to sleep in a bed at a house...but not just any house...your home. Oh I can hardly wait! I am so excited for the cooler weather as well. I can't wait to be able to snuggle up in warm sweaters and have rosy red cheeks from the chill in the air. I love the smell of autumn, and this campus is gorgeous this time of year. We have over a 100 species of trees on campus (it is a national arboretum), and I am excited to see what they look like when the leaves turn colors!
God's creation is truly magnificent...and I am beginning to understand the meaning of being fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen. :)
I woke up this morning at 6:45 because of the intense humidity and heat in our room, and then went outside to study at about 7 until 9, then went to the caf to study unti 12:30.Mike then came to join me and he sat and wrote a narrative for college writing while I continued to study Sociology. We took a break to eat and then moved to the student center where we studied until 5. I stopped studying about 3 and took a nap on the couch next to us while Mike did pre-calc. My brain hurt. Haha, I have never had that happen before. College does things to you. I woke up about an hour later and then quizzed him on the periodical table for Chem. Crazy amount of work for the classes! We went to pick up my car afterwards...only to find they had closed at 5. It was 5:45. My poor baby red. How I miss her. Afterwards, we went out to eat and then I had volleyball practice. I am totally pumped for the game tomorrow. It's gonna be great!
Alright, well I am turning in for the night. Just wanted to recap my day
Well, this weekend has been going quite well!
Yesterday, I sang special music with my roommate at church while her brother preached the sermon. It went wonderfully! Our friends were there to support us, and it was nice to be up front and singing for Him again. I forgot how exhilirating it was. Afterwards, Mike and I went back to his house and enjoyed some much needed R&R and spent some time with his family. After sundown, we had the whole gang over and had a poker night! I held up my own there for a while, but when it came down to 5 people, I was gone. The guys played for money ($5), but since it was my first time they just let me play for fun. Yea buddy!
This morning it was so hot and humid in our room. Oh how I anxiously await for autumn in full-swing! We have four fans in our room, but it seems to have little effect. Ahh well, it's more than nothing. Today I'll be studying for Sociology and World Religions, and then who knows what this afternoon, and then scrimage in volleyball tonight. Tomorrow is our first game! It should be a blast! School is going really well. For the first couple of days, it completely stressed me out, but I'm getting the hang of it now. I still need to work out some kinks, but I'll have the system mastered by the end of the semester...easy. 
haha, we'll see.
Alright, well enough procrastinating on my part. I'm going to go do something productive. Until then, have a wonderful day!
Hello there!
One of the sole purposes of this is to keep up with my DM while I am away at college. It truly has been rough not to have her around. I truly do miss our morning talks while the boys run rampant through the house, or should I say, their perpetual, imaginary play ground. Their imaginations are far greater than mine ever was, and it warms my heart to see them zooming space ships they've created with legos through the air with the spit action going to make the sounds of the roaring engine. It may only seem like noisy spit to us, but to them it is the revving V-16 (hey, they can dream, 
) engine with speeds ranging from 0 - the sky's limit. Oh how I truly adore them. I adore my whole family, and, though I am having the time of my life up here, I feel incomplete without them around. I can't wait to see them up here next weekend. It will be the highlight of my year so far! I get all excited just thinking about it! Okay, well it's time to get ready for church. Hope you have a wonderful Sabbath. Enjoy what He has lovingly created just for you. Go and find Him today, He'll be waiting. 