a little zen moment

It's a rainy evening and I take a stroll outside, apathetic to the rain.

Umbrella-less, it doesn't matter. The cool rain is landing on my

face, and actually, it's quite refreshing. Each drop that lands on me is bringing a smile to my face. Perhaps it's the most rejuvenating thing I've felt after a long day of classes and work. Rushing from one thing to the next, there's always been more to do. A break feels nice. Absorbing this rare moment of peace, my mind still continues to work, even though the rest of my body has relaxed. As I'm walking, I am reflecting on some words my professor told my class: "you are all on the horizon of the known". At first, I didn't understand. What's that mean? Thinking about it, I'm advancing towards what I know is out there. Here I am in Grantham, Pennsylvania. I present myself to you as a young college student, avidly seeking to become something great. To better myself by what I learn here and to almost, become a baby again- to absorb everything around me and to learn by what I am shown. I'm on a continuous quest for finding who I am and what I will become- and somehow, that's okay with me. For now, I am squinting my eyes to see what's ahead and even without glasses, at least I can tell it's bright.

home from college

There was one day, somewhat recently, where I had an over-abundant urge to hug my dogs. Really, it was the only thing I wanted to do- just hug my dogs. As weird and childish as it may seem, embracing them makes me feel at home. And when you're away at college, well... you start to miss those small things you took for granted when you lived at home. My divergent longings have not only extended towards wanting to hug my two dogs.. but they have far surpassed that. I've come to a crazy realization of how much I miss being woken up by my dog, Chex in the morning, instead of brandon heath's muffled singing voice from my cell phone. Interestingly enough, I sort of miss Chex's high pitched whining in my ear at 6 in the morning. sort of.

Never before have I been more grateful for my dad's cups of tea. Seriously, Lottie Nelson's caffeine products just haven't been cutting it. It was a glorious morning this past week to have been woken up to a fresh cuppa under my nose, the smell of that perfect cup of tea wafting under my nostrils. The warmth it provided for my chilled body- since I seem to have trouble retaining any sort of body heat (ever).

The family dinners- gathered around our quaint round table. To be together.. there's really nothing better.

Nothing quite like waking up in the morning, jumping out of bed, and having the smell of pumpkin pancakes drift up the stairway from the kitchen.

I love being home.

Passion

My brain has been stretched farther than ever before.

To think creatively in such a way that any creation of mine will stand out among others, that will pop out, say something, catch the eye of onlookers. To think like this and work quickly.

For the first time in my life- I'm being asked (for a grade) to do what I love.

a n d i t i s w o n d e r f u l .

Some may chose to have stress override original and innocent passion- believe it, it's happened to me. Where the question "why the heck am I even doing this" dominates your thinking. You can't get past how annoying or tedious your task is.

but try looking at the bigger picture. you're doing this because it is what you love. and if it's what you love, why not go ahead and fully captivate yourself with it. learn every detail there is to know about it.

Don't loose sight of that original passion. hold on to it, because it's gonna be a long ride, my friends. and that passion may be the only thing that'll carry you through.

I'm pretty sure I need to invest in a bed like this..

messiah.

It's been just about a week, and where has the time gone? It's flyin' by faster than

I even thought it would.

I'm slowly yet safely declaring Messiah College as my absolute right choice.

For the first time in my life, I'm surrounded by students and teachers in school that are mostly of the same like-mindedness as myself... and it's AWESOME.

Today was my first day of classes. As busy and tiresome as it all was.. I really enjoyed it. I've never been able to experience a classroom setting where the teacher openly discusses the Bible with students, and I'm thanking God I got to experience that today for the 1st time.

Not only that, but the friendships that are forming are a blessing. Really. For example- my friend Chimene is a photographer. We've done things together like editing and photoshoots and hanging out.. overall just enjoying the company of one another. It's so fantastic to just hang with her cause she's so cool! I'm thanking God for our new friendship.

Even more, my roomie Nina and I are getting along really well! We've become good friends, and I'm really just blessed to have been given such a wonderful roommate. That doesn't always happen for everyone in college...but I guess I'm just lucky.

Overall things are great, aside from a slight caffeine withdrawal headache every now and again. The community here is greater than anything I expected..

How can every aspect of things at college be so good? I guess it's just a God thing.

time is winding down

So my days here in the jerz are winding down for the time.. as I pack it up to the state of Pennsylvania. Not so much frightening...rather a sad separation from the familiar. Feeling impartial to it all for the most part, but it'll hit me at the weirdest times. IM LEAVING HOME.

Not something I'm afraid of, but not something I'm totally enthused over, either. It's gonna be a totally new environment with new people and new opportunities. I'll be left without the familiar comforts of home-made tea and nights of gathering around the tv to watch another episode of dog the bounty hunter with the family.. but that doesn't mean things like that are gone forever.

In fact, once I'm home from college I believe simple moments like those will be cherished and appreciated even more than they are now.

I've been told to always try new things. And I am totally for that. So here I come Messiah College.

passion

Passion: the opposite of apathy.

a day of slight self-evaluation-

I tend to be on the insane side when it comes to running.

Not that I overdo workouts, but its crucial that every day

I get my run in, or else I better give myself a darn good excuse

as to why it's not possible to run that day.

I take my camera with me everywhere. It's a love relationship

I have with an inanimate object.. and our love shall never die.

photography is transitioning from hobby to obsession.

I love my dogs and all animals with every ounce of compassion

thats bottled up inside me. Every time I see them my heart melts

into a squishy ball of fluff and the 'baby talk' flows from my lips like

I'm under some sort of spell. It may be weird, but I really love my dogs. a lot.

Its safe to assume that I love many things.. and its all made possible

because it's backed by passion. Without passion, there'd be only apathy.

and having just apathy would be totally lame.