Currently …

It’s late, but I thought I’d share what’s going on this week.

Still trying to “digest” all that happened this weekend and see how I can put it into practice.

I’ve been buying clothes for my San Fran trip which is just two weeks away … no, I’m not buying clothes specifically for San Fran, but I needed some things anyway and it seemed like a good time to buy things.

I am starting to apply for jobs and seriously look for jobs. It’s quite intimidating and I have a lot to think about. I have a general idea of what I’d like to do, it’s just a matter of putting it into action, but I’m still not sure if it’s really what I’m supposed to do.

I still need to slow down. I’m so looking forward to going home this weekend, and I’m hoping I can sleep in and just take it easy.

Tomorrow I’m supposed to meet my dad for brunch. I wish I could be spending more time with him as he heads into this surgery. On that note, my step-mom’s mother is in the hospital this week and she’s still really weak, and they called the family in tonight because there were issues.

And lastly, I have to say that I just love my friends. We went to the church after Common Ground tonight and played basketball and listened to Christian rap and just goofed off and it was wonderful.

Making changes

This weekend I went to a conference with my church that challenged me in a big way.

Even though I’m still tired, still concerned about what I have to get done in the next few weeks, I’m absolutely loving life. I feel changed; I feel hopeful and I’m ready to let God work in a mighty way.

Imagine looking around a stadium and seeing 3000 college students (one from China!) dancing and singing praises to God!? It was awesome. I left with an open heart and even though it was a jam-packed weekend and I was driving in some crazy traffic trying to keep up with two egotistical male drivers, I was forced to think about some stuff that I always push out of my mind.

Certain songs just got to my heart and made me challenge myself. I surrendered myself to God again; asked for a clean heart and a fresh start. I called my family and told them I had some major changes to make in my life and as I’m preparing to graduate with no plans, I keep thinking about the testimonies of people my age who left home to do mighty things for God and I’m faced with the realization that God could ask me to do that. I’m really willing to whatever he wants.

I haven’t even had time to talk to my parents much; I shouldn’t even be here writing this because tomorrow I have two tests, but I had to share this. I wish I could go home and just spend time with my folks. I wish so badly I could take a couple days off and just go home and spend time with them. I don’t spend nearly enough time with them. I know they’ll be reading this tomorrow at work and I just want to tell you I miss you and I love you oh so much. You have no idea.

I called them Saturday night as I was getting ready to get in my car and drive four wired girls two hours on unfamiliar roads and started crying and blubbering; it was such an awesome experience and gave me so much to think about.

It’s time to stop screwing around and do what matters; it’s time to live a life that makes God famous. It’s time to stop sulking and praise God in the good times and the bad.

I’m still singing the anthem’s of this weekend; I still just want to dance and “sing sing sing” and this weekend will be one of those moments that I’ll never forget. It’s right up there with breathing in the fragrance from Walden Pond. I’m telling you, seeing 3000 students dancing and jumping for God instills this energy in you like nothing else.

Be well!

Sometimes I wish things were simpler.

I miss my family and sometimes, even though  I really like growing up and being independent, I want to just go home and not have to worry about everything else.

Aside from the day that a football player came in and confronted me, today has probably been one of the longest days as editor of The Picket. I’m getting tired of running a mediocre paper and essentially babysitting people that should be smart enough to do their jobs without holding their hand. There are only a few staff members that are causing issues; the majority of them are wonderful and I’d be lost without them, but it’s difficult to coordinate everything.

I’m getting anxious. I need time to apply for jobs and talk to my family and just be and it isn’t happening.

I wish things were easier sometimes.

It’s been one of those days …

This morning I went through my (new) routine; I got up early, sat in bed and read from my Bible, turned my computer on, went out and turned the coffee pot (which I set the night before) on and took my shower. A while later, as I was getting ready to head out the door I filled my thermos and was surprised to find not coffee, but hot water pouring into my stainless steel thermos. I poured the rest of the pot down the sink, grabbed my things and headed out to my internship.

I finished my story and my last source called me back in time. Then, the photo editor came over and asked if I would be able to do “person on the street” a little early, which I agreed to. We set out, the photo intern, Nate and I. Me with my reporters notebook and pen and him with his camera and pen. We got to the library to do our assignment and my pen was basically frozen; it wouldn’t write. All I was getting when I put the pen to paper was indentions. Not good when you’re doing an interview.

After borrowing a pen from someone at the front desk and I re-wrote my notes, we resumed our assignment. This week’s question was “What do you think is the biggest issue facing the U.S. as we head into a presidential election and why.” We went through at least 15 people to get our  required 8 people, which made for a long, cold hour or so.

I’m finally starting to feel like I’m “part of the team” at the Herald and no longer feel like I’m a burden.  I’m still anxious about where I’ll go after graduation. I don’t like not having a plan.

I have two tests to prepare for. Meh.

What I’ve learned this week.

I have much to write about. It’s late, so I’m going to summarize and then come back and fill in the blanks.

This week we had some icy weather, which cancelled our Tuesday night prayer meeting and classes on Wednesday, giving my roommates and I some vegging time. It was this time last year that we were off on Valentine’s Day due to snow and Casey and I went to the bakery for creme horns and coffee, and this year, it was the day before Valentine’s Day that we were off due to snow and went to the bakery.

I’ve realized I’m spreading myself too thin again; trying to please everyone by being the little social butterfly and still try to do what I have to do; it’s not working out too well and I need some structure. I also need to learn to say no even if it means disappointing someone.

I feel like I spend every waking moment with my roommates or Picket people and I’m ready to pull my hair out. I need some quiet time. Last week I drove out River Road in Hampshire County to take photos and it was nice, and I need to do that more often.

Last night a bunch of my friends and I went out to eat in honor of Valentine’s Day and had a blast. It was good to get out and have fun regardless of our relationship status.

Tonight I went with my dad to our alma mater for a basketball game to shoot photos for the paper. I went down to my old journalism classroom and looked around and took photos. It brought back a flood of old memories. I took photos which I’ll post this weekend.

I realized that I enjoy that dad is in charge when I’m home; I no longer have to worry about taking care of myself and everyone else’s problems at the house; I don’t normally walk on egg shell’s like I tend to do when I’m in Shepherdstown trying to make sure my roommates and I are getting along and no one is offended.

Structure and good changes are hard to do, but they must be made and done.

I’m utterly exhausted, and I have to add “sleep schedule” to that list of things to be structured.

Weekend!

I’m home for the weekend, enjoying entirely too much good food.

The realization that I’m graduating in approximately 3 months exactly set in last night. I started looking at jobs today and I’m going to start applying, or at least sending out my resume.

This morning I realized I have furniture! Good furniture too. We were talking about furniture when my step-mom told me I was going to be allowed to take my bedroom suit which I like pretty well. Thanks to my parents getting re-married, I got a pretty sweet TV and stereo.

I’m also starting to think of finally getting a chocolate lab and going to concerts at Wolf Trap this summer and all the other  wonderful good things about summer. Like corn on the cob and hiking trips.

I’m going to the Valentine’s banquet at my dad’s church tonight – solo, but I’ll get to see a lot of family members which always means a good time.

Today I detoured on the way home and drove out River Road further than the line goes on the pavement. I stopped and took photos and got strange looks from passersby. I need to do that more often. Every time I come home, I can’t help but notice the mountains and today I just needed to see the river and the mountains of Hampshire Co. It was beautiful.

Photo

I added a bunch of photos to Flickr and updated Project365.

I think I’m in love …. with a Nikon d40x.