I'm obsessed with this song by Relient K. It's called "College Kids" and it's just really funny. Especially since I just got to college. And of course, I decided to blog about my college experience thus far.
I moved in to VT on Thursday morning, and my roommate right after me. It was great. We exchanged pleasantries, hugs, handshakes between her and her family and my mom, and we started setting up shop right away! It was fun, as we decided how we were going to arrange everything, and decorate everything. Her bed is lofted, and she put her desk and little bookshelf underneath, mine is about half way up the wall so the 3-drawer dresser can fit under it, but it's still low enough to where I can jump into bed. It's wonderful.
We bought curtains, and a rug, and a chair, and we each have our own set of little decorations, which kind of actually match, and we have our pictures at our desks and whatnot, and it's super cute. There are 2 closets, with a sink and a mirror in between. It's been working so far.
Oh yeah, and there's a fan that sits at the window, and she has a little one clipped to her bed. It's quite warm in the summer with no air conditioning. Oh, and our fridge is in that corner as well.
We do not have a TV, and I am very fortunate of that.
Her name is Allie. She is my roommate. And after 5 days, she's my very dear friend.
We spent the first few days before classes getting to know each other, and meeting each other's friends, and exploring campus and the good places to eat, and fixing our room just the way we wanted it. (Also we're close to the same size, so that could come in handy at some point).
Well, I started classes Monday (yesterday) with Calculus at 8 am. Yes, I love calculus, but no, I don't like getting up early, then falling asleep in class because I forgot to get coffee. After calc I had Music Theory/Harmony followed by Sight Singing which were in the same classroom, different teacher. They were okay. I'll just need to pay attention and keep up. After that I had about a 40-50 minute break before I went to Philosophy: Morality and Justice. I'm not a fan so far, but we'll see how that plays out.
Today (Tuesday) I had my second day of classes. Vector Geometry was at 8 am, and I hated it. I fell asleep at least 9 times, and got almost nothing out of it, only to find out that he doesn't require attendance to lectures, but only to recitations. So I can go to the recitation, ask questions there, and take the weekly test after that. Anyway, after that I had a break for a while until 12:30 when I had psychology which only lasted 20 minutes because today was just an intro. I don't see that class being entirely too difficult. Then at 2:00 I had to go to a weekly convocation for music majors which was just informative stuff, and directly after book it across campus to Intro to a Research University (which will be easy, but it's so completely pointless).
Wednesday is the same as Monday, but with an extra hour of Geometry recitation.
Thursday is the same as Tuesday with psychology instead of geometry, and without a convocation (and plus a piano meeting this week).
Friday is the same as Monday but with a philosophy recitation instead of the actual class.
I still have yet to sign up for my 2 different piano times, so I'll post those as soon as I know. Chances are they're going to make my schedule even crazier (p.s. I'm taking 20 credit hours this semester).
ANYWAY. Besides all of that, my overall college experience has been a good one these last few days. My roommate and I have gotten along great, and I'm pretty sure it's going to continue that way. I believe that we'll become really great friends.
More on my roommate: we've already had some intense bonding experiences. We've done a lot of stuff together, eaten meals together, walked around and hung out together, but today is when we kind of began/defined our friendship.
You see, she's been feeling really homesick, like the whole time she's been here. And I mean, I kind of could tell that she was a little, because she told me she's super close to her family and all this other stuff, but I didn't think a whole lot (I say that loosely) about it until today. She had one class, and it was over at like 10:45, and by the time she got back to the room I was already back from my 8 am which ended at 9:15. So we're sitting at our desks just doing our own things, stressing as normal, and then she turned kind of in the middle of her frustration with "classes" and basically just said I'm feeling really homesick.
So I let her cry it out for almost an hour I think, trying to comfort her but mostly just being there. I tried to be a good friend, I really did. But then I had to go to class, but I made sure to check up on her, and then I got back and it was basically okay (I mean she's still not great, but she wasn't super upset). Then I left to do my thing and she did hers, and when I got back she was already there, and she was upset again, I think on the phone with her family. After that, I was like all right girl, we're going to the bookstore and getting sleeping pills right now (because she's been having trouble sleeping as well). So we did, and basically we just talked about life and each other along the way, and I think this little breakdown of ours was the beginning of a very understanding and compassionate relationship.
Well anyway, she took her sleeping pill at approximately 10:35, and she looks like she's been asleep pretty solidly for about a half hour, so hopefully when she gets up in the morning she will have slept through the night.
Anyway, college is great, I'm going to be super stressed at some point most likely very soon, but I've got tons of support, and a mostly level head that's helping me actually get my work done.
Also, VERY IMPORTANT, please lift up your prayers for my roommate that she may find peace and come to know that God is taking care of her even while she's away from her family. Pray for me as well, that I can somehow be there for her in a way that's helpful to her.
On a lighter note, I'm not behind yet, and I've yet to fail anything! :D
Song of the moment: Salvation is Here, by Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHzXMVk6FOs
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A Week of Lasts
Since the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year I've gone through a whole list of things I will do "for the last time". I went to my last high school football game (as a student), my last Homecoming dance, my last 5th Quarter (as a student), my last Fall Retreat (as a student), my last D-Now (as a student), my last Prom, my last high school play, and the list goes on and on.
But this week is different.
This past Wednesday I went to my last C.Re.W. (Christians in the Real World, youth). I also went to the pediatric dentist for the last time (which is actually quite funny). Also on Wednesday, I'm pretty sure I saw my best friend Emily for the last time before we go to college. I didn't even realize it.
Tonight I went to the eXtreme (Sunday night youth) planning get together which we do basically every Saturday, and we planned for weeks I'm not even going to be in youth any more. It was an odd feeling to say the least. But this was my last one. The rest of them will continue on, but I won't.
I'll be in college.
Tomorrow night is my last eXtreme ever as a student, and honestly I don't think I'm even going to realize it or feel it tomorrow night. It's what I've done every Sunday night for the past 7 years, so why should this one feel any different? It won't be until I come back and experience it again from the other side that I realize how truly incredible it was.
Monday will be the last time I babysit for the summer.
Monday will also be the last day I see friends, Alexa and Kate, before college.
Tuesday will be the last day I see my friend Jasmine before college.
Wednesday will be the last time I see my sister before college.
Wednesday will also be the last time I go to Frogurt before college.
Wednesday will, most importantly, be the last time I see my best friend, Christie, before we go to college.
Wednesday night will be the last time I sleep in my bed until October 7th.
Thursday will be the last time I drive away as a "high school student".
Needless to say, I have a lot of feelings.
But they're good feelings, mostly:
I feel excited, to continue my life's journey.
I feel relieved, to be getting rid of some of high school's baggage.
I feel happy, that my very first class is Calculus II.
I feel okay, about making new friends.
I feel sad, to be leaving my friends, but I feel hopeful because I know that I'll see them again.
I feel calm, about changing everything about the way I live my life.
I feel at peace, with starting over with people, but continuing in Christ.
I've just been doing a lot of "flashbacks" this week with the songs we listened to in grades 6-12, the movies we saw, the videos we watched, the phrases we repeated, the things we did. I have a lot of good memories (and a lot of funny pictures to prove it), and they're what will keep me going. Remembering the good times, and making more good times.
Well, that's all I have to say. I suppose the next time I post I'll be living in a dorm, so sayonara from the "old" Katie! (:
Song of the moment: Billy Brown by Third Day, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06NZu2tmLc
But this week is different.
This past Wednesday I went to my last C.Re.W. (Christians in the Real World, youth). I also went to the pediatric dentist for the last time (which is actually quite funny). Also on Wednesday, I'm pretty sure I saw my best friend Emily for the last time before we go to college. I didn't even realize it.
Tonight I went to the eXtreme (Sunday night youth) planning get together which we do basically every Saturday, and we planned for weeks I'm not even going to be in youth any more. It was an odd feeling to say the least. But this was my last one. The rest of them will continue on, but I won't.
I'll be in college.
Tomorrow night is my last eXtreme ever as a student, and honestly I don't think I'm even going to realize it or feel it tomorrow night. It's what I've done every Sunday night for the past 7 years, so why should this one feel any different? It won't be until I come back and experience it again from the other side that I realize how truly incredible it was.
Monday will be the last time I babysit for the summer.
Monday will also be the last day I see friends, Alexa and Kate, before college.
Tuesday will be the last day I see my friend Jasmine before college.
Wednesday will be the last time I see my sister before college.
Wednesday will also be the last time I go to Frogurt before college.
Wednesday will, most importantly, be the last time I see my best friend, Christie, before we go to college.
Wednesday night will be the last time I sleep in my bed until October 7th.
Thursday will be the last time I drive away as a "high school student".
Needless to say, I have a lot of feelings.
But they're good feelings, mostly:
I feel excited, to continue my life's journey.
I feel relieved, to be getting rid of some of high school's baggage.
I feel happy, that my very first class is Calculus II.
I feel okay, about making new friends.
I feel sad, to be leaving my friends, but I feel hopeful because I know that I'll see them again.
I feel calm, about changing everything about the way I live my life.
I feel at peace, with starting over with people, but continuing in Christ.
I've just been doing a lot of "flashbacks" this week with the songs we listened to in grades 6-12, the movies we saw, the videos we watched, the phrases we repeated, the things we did. I have a lot of good memories (and a lot of funny pictures to prove it), and they're what will keep me going. Remembering the good times, and making more good times.
Well, that's all I have to say. I suppose the next time I post I'll be living in a dorm, so sayonara from the "old" Katie! (:
Song of the moment: Billy Brown by Third Day, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06NZu2tmLc
Friday, August 5, 2011
We'll See
Clearly I'm doing a lot of pre-college reflection. It's fun though. (:
'We'll see' has become my motto over the past several months. For one thing, it's just funny, but I'm starting to realize that it goes a lot deeper than that.
I'm pretty sure it first happened in English class this past year (awhhh yeahhhh!). I said it once when I was asked a question (one which I do not remember) and it stuck.
So Katie, are you going to make the dean's list?
-We'll see.
So Katie, are you and your roommate going to hang out together with clubs and organizations?
-We'll see.
So Katie, are you going to shower regularly?
-We'll see. Oh yes, we will.
And I mean that's all fine and good, and it's not like I'm trying to give a short answer for the sake of not talking, it's just that...well...we'll see.
I say it's my motto, but I must confess that sometimes I do use it apathetically because I really am sick of talking. Recently, however, I've begun to figure out how it actually makes sense. It kind of reinforces our faith in God. How you ask? Well maybe you didn't ask, but Imma tell you anyway.
God tells us to have a game plan that's glorifying to Him, but at the same time not to always expect it to go the way you want it to, because He has a better plan than we do. It reminds me that I can't always know exactly what's going to happen at any given time, on any given day or hour, but that I can rely on God who already knows everything that has happened, that is happening, and that will happen. It's 'We'll see' because it refers to humans, people, you and me. We are the ones blessed enough to see God's will and His work revealed to us, IN TIME.
We're too impatient sometimes, and it sucks. Really, it does. We want it here, we want it fast, and we want it now. I can attest to that fact from personal experience. Something pretty cool, though, that I've heard a lot before is that when you pray for patience you don't "get" patience. You get tested. God puts you in a situation in which your nerves and patience are tested, and YOU have to make the choice to decide what you should do under the circumstance (though we ought to have patience in EVERY circumstance, but you know how it is).
Basically, I'm working on having patience with everyone and everything, and also not putting myself in situations where I could lose my temper and become inpatient. I feel this will be especially helpful as I am about to have to live with someone I don't know for the next several months.
'We'll see' has become my motto over the past several months. For one thing, it's just funny, but I'm starting to realize that it goes a lot deeper than that.
I'm pretty sure it first happened in English class this past year (awhhh yeahhhh!). I said it once when I was asked a question (one which I do not remember) and it stuck.
So Katie, are you going to make the dean's list?
-We'll see.
So Katie, are you and your roommate going to hang out together with clubs and organizations?
-We'll see.
So Katie, are you going to shower regularly?
-We'll see. Oh yes, we will.
And I mean that's all fine and good, and it's not like I'm trying to give a short answer for the sake of not talking, it's just that...well...we'll see.
I say it's my motto, but I must confess that sometimes I do use it apathetically because I really am sick of talking. Recently, however, I've begun to figure out how it actually makes sense. It kind of reinforces our faith in God. How you ask? Well maybe you didn't ask, but Imma tell you anyway.
God tells us to have a game plan that's glorifying to Him, but at the same time not to always expect it to go the way you want it to, because He has a better plan than we do. It reminds me that I can't always know exactly what's going to happen at any given time, on any given day or hour, but that I can rely on God who already knows everything that has happened, that is happening, and that will happen. It's 'We'll see' because it refers to humans, people, you and me. We are the ones blessed enough to see God's will and His work revealed to us, IN TIME.
We're too impatient sometimes, and it sucks. Really, it does. We want it here, we want it fast, and we want it now. I can attest to that fact from personal experience. Something pretty cool, though, that I've heard a lot before is that when you pray for patience you don't "get" patience. You get tested. God puts you in a situation in which your nerves and patience are tested, and YOU have to make the choice to decide what you should do under the circumstance (though we ought to have patience in EVERY circumstance, but you know how it is).
Basically, I'm working on having patience with everyone and everything, and also not putting myself in situations where I could lose my temper and become inpatient. I feel this will be especially helpful as I am about to have to live with someone I don't know for the next several months.
"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." -Galatians 6:9
"And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men" -1 Thessalonians 5:14
And one of my personal favorites: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." -James 1:2-3
Song of the Moment: So Much Love - The Rocket Summer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPNGGiZxVI&ob=av2e
(and this music video is awesome!)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Not About Me
It's not about me; I guess it's not, huh.
I mean, it's not that I'm suddenly having this revelation because I've been overly selfish my whole life or anything, but I mean as humans we all have desires and wants that we misconstrue as being needs, and we put them above everything and everyone else. Lately I've been reflecting on how that ISN'T good.
Hear that? Yielding to your hearts desires isn't always a good thing.
It even tells us in the Bible, in Jeremiah, Matthew, Luke, etc., that the heart is deceitful and brings forth evil. It's where desires come from, and it's easily manipulated by the devil. Our minds have to over come it-mind over matter. With our minds we can think, make decisions; it's where we talk to God sometimes, and where we listen to Him (it's kind of in our heads a little bit), and through that we can over power our hearts by telling them that they can't always get what they want.
Is it hard?
Absolutely.
But is it possible?
Of course-Philippians 4:13!
I've just been thinking about this a lot lately because things are happening in my life that are beyond my control-things in the youth group that I will soon no longer be a part of, things at school, things at home (typical chores, mom's rule, all that jazz), and other areas of my life. I try to put others before myself in every aspect of my life, but now that I'm not getting my way, I have to take a step back and do a little evaluating.
It's not about me.
Today I was talking to a friend of mine via social networking and we've been trying to plan an event where about 6 or 7 of us can all go. It hasn't quite been working the way we'd hoped. So, she suggested a potential solution tonight, and I wasn't thrilled with it, but I pretended like I was, but said she should ask the guys in charge about it. One agreed, one we haven't heard from.
I kept thinking to myself, "I don't want to do that. Gosh, I really don't want to do that."
DUDE?! WHAT THE HECK?! Who gave me the right to be so selfish? That's just silly.
In this time of reflection, I've realized that there's a lot more I can do to put others before myself. It's going to take A LOT of effort on my part to always be conscious of decisions that could possibly be detrimental to others, and to also be aware 24/7 of other people instead of myself.
There's a quote I heard on the radio once (the area Christian radio station) that being humble isn't thinking less of yourself, but that it's thinking of yourself less. I liked it. It really hit home with me, and I'd like to start living that way. I usually have the mindset of Katie Katie Katie, but God's pulling at my insides telling me to knock it off, and I've really got to listen.
It's not about me.
"He must increase, and i must decrease." -John 3:30
Song of the moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuPuc8zbQ5s
I mean, it's not that I'm suddenly having this revelation because I've been overly selfish my whole life or anything, but I mean as humans we all have desires and wants that we misconstrue as being needs, and we put them above everything and everyone else. Lately I've been reflecting on how that ISN'T good.
Hear that? Yielding to your hearts desires isn't always a good thing.
It even tells us in the Bible, in Jeremiah, Matthew, Luke, etc., that the heart is deceitful and brings forth evil. It's where desires come from, and it's easily manipulated by the devil. Our minds have to over come it-mind over matter. With our minds we can think, make decisions; it's where we talk to God sometimes, and where we listen to Him (it's kind of in our heads a little bit), and through that we can over power our hearts by telling them that they can't always get what they want.
Is it hard?
Absolutely.
But is it possible?
Of course-Philippians 4:13!
I've just been thinking about this a lot lately because things are happening in my life that are beyond my control-things in the youth group that I will soon no longer be a part of, things at school, things at home (typical chores, mom's rule, all that jazz), and other areas of my life. I try to put others before myself in every aspect of my life, but now that I'm not getting my way, I have to take a step back and do a little evaluating.
It's not about me.
Today I was talking to a friend of mine via social networking and we've been trying to plan an event where about 6 or 7 of us can all go. It hasn't quite been working the way we'd hoped. So, she suggested a potential solution tonight, and I wasn't thrilled with it, but I pretended like I was, but said she should ask the guys in charge about it. One agreed, one we haven't heard from.
I kept thinking to myself, "I don't want to do that. Gosh, I really don't want to do that."
DUDE?! WHAT THE HECK?! Who gave me the right to be so selfish? That's just silly.
In this time of reflection, I've realized that there's a lot more I can do to put others before myself. It's going to take A LOT of effort on my part to always be conscious of decisions that could possibly be detrimental to others, and to also be aware 24/7 of other people instead of myself.
There's a quote I heard on the radio once (the area Christian radio station) that being humble isn't thinking less of yourself, but that it's thinking of yourself less. I liked it. It really hit home with me, and I'd like to start living that way. I usually have the mindset of Katie Katie Katie, but God's pulling at my insides telling me to knock it off, and I've really got to listen.
It's not about me.
"He must increase, and i must decrease." -John 3:30
Song of the moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuPuc8zbQ5s
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