The blog is back!

Man, it's been a long time since I've been on here.

When I started this blog about a year ago , it was because I was going to travel abroad to Malawi, Africa (which I just realized that today is the one-year anniversary of when I received my acceptance letter!). I had so many different emotions and I needed to keep track of them! It definitely helped that my best friend was going on the trip with me, as well as my brother's news about moving to California that helped my parents not be as worried. I wanted to write down everything that happened to me before, during, and after my trip.

After I left Africa and told my story, it felt like this blog didn't have a purpose. I felt lost, confused, and had no idea why I was still writing.

This time, I'm not so sure why I'm re-starting. Part of me missed blogging and expressing myself in ways I wasn't use to (such as writing down my feelings and such). Another part of me is interested in developing my skills as a writer, especially since I will be working in Marketing or Advertising where there will be writing.

Now, back to the one-year anniversary thing.

Originally when I applied to Africa, I had no idea what made me want to go. Maybe it was my desire to study abroad (and be able to graduate on time). Maybe it was my need for adventure. Or maybe it was a sign that showed me how big the world really is. I mean, I went through 3 different continents to get there! I've stepped foot on nearly half of the world at this point. And my desire to see the world hasn't changed, in fact, it's gotten even bigger!

While I don't promise my posts will relate to Africa, or anything earth-shattering, I will promise to write on my blog for the sake of writing. Whatever is going on in my life, I will find a reason to write about it. This will not only help me develop as a writer, but also find a creative way to make my life sound more interesting and exciting.

At summer's end: to new beginnings

It has been exactly 3 months since I've returned from Africa, and now that Orientation training has officially started, it's safe to say my summer is officially over. A lot can happen in 3 months, which became very evident this summer.

Tionana

It's great being back in Grand Rapids! Although I'm still not completely settled into my new house, it's amazing how much progress I've made so far. Oh the things you can do when you don't have the Internet to distract you....

Not According to Plan

I'm done with summer school! Sweet freedom!

Er, sortof.

Go Big Or Go Home

My desire to go abroad again hasn’t changed. In fact, I want to go again even more! I'm also open to the idea of moving to another state next summer. I know this will be my last summer home, but I don’t know what I want to do………

Time is Love

Since it is officially summer, that means my love for country music is evident! No matter what, Kenny Chesney's "Summertime" is on my playlist each summer. I have a pair of cheap shades on hand, a spirit of adventure, and, as of the end of this summer, possibly a tattoo.......

Cabin Fever

I’m not homesick; I’m sick of home. This was my unofficial catchphrase last summer.

Journey of Life

Serenity Prayer:

"God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannto change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference."

It's the start of Exam Cram. I'm not as worried about my exams as usual. I'm getting more worried about other useless things: flying on a plane, finding a job for next fall, and of course, my accounting class. I spend most of my time worrying about the future that I sometimes forget how far I've come in my life so far, especially from one year ago.
At this time last year, I was getting ready for my oldest brother Mike to graduate, trying to grow my hair out from a previous bad haircut, preparing for my first summer away from college, that kind of stuff. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do that year in the future, but let's be honest, I wasn't expecting much of myself. I got cocky, assuming everything would work out without putting much thought or effort into ii. I was very reluctant of my summer job (as my manager put it "bitter", ugh I hate that word) and having to live at home away from my friends in college. Of course I had hopes and dreams, but they were nothing compared to now.
Looking back on all that has happened so far this year, it's hard to believe how much I've truly changed in just one year. Everyone says the first year of college is when you start to grow up, but for me, I don't think that was the case at all. It was mostly this year, my sophomore year, when I realized what I have to offer the world and what I want to potentially do with my life. I've been more grateful for things in my life, and learned that not everything is going to go your way. People have always said that but I'm starting to realize just how true it actually is. Don't get me wrong I still don't fully know what I want to do with the rest of my life, but I do know what I don't want to do and that I need to be my own person, so that's a start.....
Of course I have had some difficult times this past school year: a horrid living situation the first part of the year, losing some good friends, not getting to be on court for Michigan Apple Queen, accounting (yes it's that bad), losing my dog Mac, having my brother move all the way across the country for a job, etc. But even through those hardships, my faith in both God and myself have guided me through those difficult times. I've met new people in my life who not only challenge me, but also teach me to be a better person. With God's help, I've grown (and will still grow) in courage, wisdom, and acceptance.

Jeremiah 29:11

Lately I've been evaluating my life and what the future has in store for me. I feel like I'm so behind compared to everyone else. It seems like I was missing on that one day when everyone decided what they wanted to do with their life.