It's Not Camp, it's College!

So, I'm here- I'm officially registered and on campus for the SU fall semester!

For now, the freshmen are getting used to their new surroundings by participating in some fun activities- that makes us sound like the new addition of animals to the zoo, doesn't it?

But a zoo it is not! Well, maybe a bit. I'm definitely running around enough like a frenzied chicken at certain times of the day. Just yesterday (which was "getting to business" day) I power walked from the lunch hall across campus to the registrar's office, only to be sent back to the lunch building and back again!

Among power walking, I've also been doing a lot of other activities. So far, I've met a lot of new people and made some great new friends, went to a casino night, played a campus-wide Simon Says game, volunteered at an exotic animal enclosure, and set up my academic year more fully. It's a big difference to fully take care of myself and my needs. I don't have my mom telling me to be assertive and ask the right questions anymore. That's up to me. And you know what? As daunting as it was, I'm getting the hang of it.

Though SU has gone above and beyond to make Welcome Week fun and exciting for us, it's been the smaller, quieter traits of the campus that makes me feel at home. The cool, crisp, fresh air in the mornings as I'm walking to breakfast. The regal gonging of the chapel every quarter hour. The beautiful wooded, grassy scenery that envelopes me in peace as I have some quiet time. The friendly smiles of friends and new classmates. The wise old tree that I get to watch change colors throughout the year outside my bedroom window. And I couldn't forget the numerous eccentric squirrels that pose for pictures.

God has blessed me with so many wonderful things here at SU- friends, scenery, good food, a wonderful dorm, great academics. But honestly, my brain thinks it's summer camp or something. Any day now I'll have to pack everything up and head home again. But, surprise! I'm here for seven more weeks! But I'm trusting God that He has everything under control. I'm sure I'm in for a great, challenging, fun, and engaging seven weeks.

Yup, I think SU suits me quite well
. Now, let's see what happens when classes roll around....

Packing and Good-byes

It's a heart-breaking combination, isn't it? That moment when you're standing in your room... and so many things are missing... that moment when you leave from your friend's house and realize you won't hug them again for months....
It's a hollow, aching feeling that can be so deep tears don't come.
I felt that as I was driving home tonight from a movie night with some friends. I couldn't cry; I could only take a deep breath and keep driving. Partly because driving and crying isn't a safe combination. Driving home was quiet and still and heavy and dark. I thought about the fact that I only had one more day before I left.
It's amazing, isn't it? We dream about this day for weeks and months and wring our hands to get out of high school, only to hesitate when that big door opens. Well, at least for me. That door represents a new transition in my life, the transition to becoming an adult, taking on more responsibility, preparing for a career.
I should tell you the movie we watched was "Treasure Planet."
It felt pretty lonely and scary as I thought about it. That ache in my chest is the ache of not seeing my friends everyday, of stepping into new waters, of saying "until the holidays" to so many people.
But you know what? As hard as it's going to be, I think we're ready for it. I think it's time to take that next step. For now, this is right where I'm supposed to be- packing and say good-byes. I know that when the sun rises tomorrow, the ache may still be there. But there will also be the prospect of new adventures- just a tease of them- right on the horizon.
So, kind of a heavy post. But you already knew I'm sentimental.
In other news, the packing is almost finished! We just have to throw in the clothes, and then I'm set. Here's to everyone packing and saying good-byes, like me. :)

I promise I won't ramble too much....

Well, hello there! I'm glad that you've taken an interest in reading some of my posts!
Honestly, I didn't think I would ever start a blog. I mean, I wanted to start one, but I was afraid it would just be me rambling on and on to myself about things going on in my life, that no one else would ever read and....
I hope I'm proved wrong on that point.
Really, this blog's main purpose is just a way to keep connected with people back home while I'm away at college- SU- Susquehanna University! But we'll see where it goes.
So. To start off, I'd like to introduce myself in goals, since most of you already know me well enough personality-wise. This coming school year, I want to....

1. Join the hand bell choir. Like, really, REALLY badly. I've only ever played the hand bells one other time in elementary school. I had three notes. This year, I want to upgrade to at least five.

2. Drink more tea. There's something refined, relaxing, and romantic about curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. Plus, if I swear off coffee for the rest of my life, I need a substitute.

3. Keep writing! I set these wonderful, encouraging goals for myself, and many times just slowly slip away from them. Hopefully the breath-taking scenery of Selinsgrove will inspire ideas within me, or just have me chasing butterflies around campus.

4. Learn to French braid hair. I'm currently in need of people to practice on. I apologize in advance if I pull any hair.

I was going for a complete "five goal description," but it's late and I'm tired. Until the next post, where I will be tackling a hard transition in life: packing for college.

dum-dum-dum!