hello NY!

"back at the yack" was the most common facebook status this past week as we all moved back into the dorms...so now here we are, second day of classes over and it's the weekend! halleluiah because I am sick and I just need to sleep.

This semester I am taking nutrition, anatomy and physiology, new testament, global literature, and human growth and development. Sixteen credits in all, more than last semester but I think that since I am used to the process now it'll be a little easier to stay on top of things.

other than already being sick of cafeteria food and knowing I should be doing homework right now...not much to report. for now!

2012 :)

When I think about the fact that it is the year 2012, I sorta understand what adults mean when they say that time starts to fly by as you get older. I think about how twelve years ago I was a little girl anticipating a double digits birthday, staring in toy store windows at dolls that I wanted for Christmas, and just discovering that boys could be oh so annoying but oh so fun to play with...

Twelve years later...my jaw wants to drop, I want to scream, and I just can't believe all that happens in a little over a decade. Or that I am less than six years away from being done with a formal education...never thought that day would come. Adulthood becomes scary at about this moment. Yet also exciting!

I have less than a week of break left before I head back to Nyack for my second semester. Honestly, contemplating last semester I can't say I am excited to go back, but I am trusting that there are new things in store these next few months so I am eager for change and new things!

To recap last semester, it was hard. It was stressful. It wasn't what I expected from my first semester at a Christian college. But it was eye opening. And I believe than challenges are opportunities to strengthen faith and grow. So I am thankful.

Other than going to school at Nyack this spring semester, I don't know what 2012 holds. I don't think I'll be coming back to Colorado for spring break, so I could be going four to six months without seeing my family...a big challenge! Summer plans are still under prayer.

My prayer for this year:

nothing like a cold bagel with frozen cream cheese!

to start off, I want to say something: this is not a complaint! I am surrounded by people who are complaining about our situation, but in all honesty it's not that bad, especially when you think about situations that other people live in.

The east coast--especially New England area--got bombarded with a one-night blizzard that took out power in multiple towns across Connecticut (my location when the storm hit) and additionally half of the buildings on Nyack Campus. I was at my roommate's house over the weekend and on Saturday night, probably around 5 in the evening, we lost power. It was a crazy night...there was a small fire, lots of smoke, two fire trucks came, I was sick, it was cold, there was no hot food...a night to remember for sure!

We got back to campus last night to find that tree limbs were down, power lines are hanging low to the ground, and one of the girl's dorms has no power while ours has only half power. Thankfully Ellary's and my room has power but no one has heating or hot water. I don't mind the hot water part, it just means I have an excuse to wear the same sweats until everything gets fixed!

There are still classes today, even though some teachers are cancelling anyways. I have a feeling none of my classes will be cancelled, though. And since I believe that, off I go to study...

I guess videos don't really work

This past week or two has been full of homework homework homework! With little highlights here and there like going to a church across the Hudson (and Panera bread--guess what Coloradans, out here they deliver!). Also watched The Lion King and Mulan with a bunch of kids from school, which was pretty much awesome! Next weekend is homecoming weekend...I didn't know colleges have homecoming weekends but whatever. I am actually going to the dance. My first dance. I am actually excited yes! Going with some girlfriends, don't worry I don't think I'll have my first slow dance ever this time around!

My hardest class this semester is microbiology...which I have many names for but in all reality maybe I'm just complaining too much. No exaggeration, it is a very difficult class, but so far I haven't passed out from stress (although I have had stomach pains from it!). I got a considerably good grade on my quiz for it today and the grade I got on my first test was better than I expected. So far God is answering my prayers and for that I am very thankful.

I am also thankful that He is challenging me. I don't know in what ways I'll grow because of these challenges but His hand is on this time.

My roommate is awesome, I think I say that a lot but it's true! Ok, so I'm the one who gives her massages and takes out the garbage and washes the dishes, but I couldn't have asked for someone more compatible, and I think God is using us to teach each other new things.

:) Ok, got a test to study for. TIC (this is college),

Olivia

why is it so hot in September??

sorry it's so big! I didn't know how to shrink it any further...well I do but I'm too lazy :P

so yes, it is like 70 degrees everyday here. I am wearing shorts and a tshirt this morning. I can't wait for the snow to come!

In the picture above is my and my roomie! We stayed up last night until 2:30 am talking about everything under the sun...I am exhausted now but it was such a blessing of a conversation. I see so clearly that God has put us together to learn from each other and help one another grow...this is such an answer to prayer and my heart is overflowing with gratitude!

On my prayer list is my microbiology class. Not only is the topic really hard, but we have a huge workload and I have a difficult time learning the concepts because most of it we are expected to learn from reading the textbook and I don't really learn well from reading. So not only am I working hard in that class (even still falling behind) but that prevents me from putting 100% into my other classes. So I am praying for time management skills, hardcore concentration ability, and a little bit of supernatural understanding from up above. :)

I want to share a verse that we learned for one of our classes:
Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

My roommate almost just kicked me in the face!

since we bunked our beds, Ellary has said she wants to jump up onto the top bunk instead of climbing up. She just tried...twice, both times epic failures. It was very amusing, however.

So for dinner tonight we did take-out Chinese. For one, the cafeteria was JAM-PACKED. For second, they close super early! And thirdly...I'd take Chinese over cafeteria food anyday. Plenty of leftovers. :)

Today was our second day of classes...I am one of the fortunate ones who only had two classes in all over these last few days. My roommate, on the other hand, had all of hers, so she is stressing out over homework whereas I will probably be at that point next week. It's sorta funny, though, to see all the freshmen freaking out about homework, all the upperclassmen telling them that it will become more natural as time goes on, and they still freak out. Haha, I love having experience this already...

Tonight Ellary asked me how I am doing with my parents being gone and stuff. It's really hard, but in a different way than other freshmen might be feeling. Since I've already been away from my family for the length of a semester I think I've gone through that initial separation stuff. But it's still hard...I am ready to move on, but that doesn't make it easier.

Spiritual stuff. We had our first chapel service on Wednesday. The speaker (one of my professors) gave an absolutely amazing message. She talked about how Abraham did not just hold to God His promises, expecting Him to keep to them and that is all he got out of his relationship from God. He loved the presence of God more than the promises of God. And I was like: oh my word. I have been repeating to myself, "He is faithful. He promised this will be a good year. I am going to trust Him." Yet never once have I thought, "Enjoy God in this place." So I needed to hear that, and God served it up.

if you would like to pray for me, please pray that I would remain faithful in engaging in community with Him. I have promised my life to Him, so I need to follow through with that.
also please pray that God would bring the people into my life that I can bless in some way, but that I would also be open to being loved by others.
and also please pray that I would not despair but find joy in the morning.

:)
from my heart.

lazy day + rain

I woke up this morning half an hour before I had to go take a writing test so I scrambled to get ready, ran out the door to see that it was raining. But I was too in a rush to go back for my umbrella so I just got a little wet. Turns out after the test it went from raining to pouring so I got even wetter, but it was ok because I had to shower anyways.

So now I am in my room, all warm with my snuggly blanket, watching The Office and chilling on my last day with nothing to do. They say that the worst thing to do at college is stay in your dorm room but I recharge when I'm alone and I definitely need some alone time.

I brought three bottles of bubbles with me, which I knew was a good idea. A big blue bottle that blows lots of them, a little bottle for my purse, and one that is shaped like a popsicle and smells like chocolate. My roomie thinks I'm crazy but they make me happy!

I'm all settled in now, packing and unpacking-wise. Our room is very spacious and cozy and there aren't a ton of girls on our floor so I don't think showering will be too much of an issue.

I have met a few people already who went to Gabon, more of them to meet, so I am excited. PLUS, I am pretty sure it's set in stone, but I will be seeing some awesome Gabon people in NJ this fall, too!

All in all, it's still the first week and it usually takes me a while to settle in, but i know that God is faithful and I am not doubting that He has me here for a reason. I just want to be His vessel.

I haven't taken any pictures (yet)

People keep telling me they want pictures of college life, and I PROMISE you will see some. At some point. Here's the thing you need to know about me, though. It's really weird, I don't know why I'm like this or how to overcome it, but I don't really put myself out there in social situations or make instant friends very easily. So yeah, I've met some awesome people and I'm excited to live with them in community for 4 years, but it's gonna take me a few weeks to get to know them and see them as a family. So until then I am just gonna chill and let things take their natural course.

College is weird...it hasn't hit me yet that I'm really here for good. I haven't even unpacked or organized stuff, but they've had us running around campus for the past two days so we have no time to do anything personal. I'm dead tired, too, and skipping some meals to sleep. Not that the cafeteria food is something we go flocking to with anticipation.

Trying to remember that God is faithful.