Blogging

It has been a terribly long time since I had blogged last. It has been an even longer time since I had blogged on a regular basis. Sorry folks, but for some reason there is nothing really to complain or talk about. And if there were, its probably better to complain or talk about it with people.... Not that you faithful readers out there aren't people, but I think you get the picture. But regardless...

The truth is I have tried to blog in the past, but I never end up publishing those blogs. Believe me, if you saw how many drafts I have saved, you might just wonder why I try to blog at all. There are a multitude of reasons I could give as to why those are there, but it has a lot to do with me deciding its nothing worth reading about or having other people worry about.

Anyway... I am doing well. Life still has its road blocks and speed bumps, but I manage to find my way around. There are plenty of people to help me through those things, and I am very grateful for them all. Things with schooling are rather up in the air at this time. As of now, I am going to finish out my junior year at Dordt, but only the Lord knows what will be decided in this upcoming semester.

This upcoming semester in itself should be very exciting and present new challenges and adventures for me to enjoy or conquer. I will be in 4 biology classes and 2 bio labs, planning a few fun events, being part of a wedding, and finding time to spend with people just to relax. Some people are coming back and some people are leaving or moving away. And most importantly, there will be no breaks until a third of the way through March. There are a few things that are certain at this point, as for the rest, I leave it up to God and his guiding power.

Thank you all for caring enough about me to check in and see how things are going. I hope you have an eventful New Year! Until next time, practice fire safety while playing with fireworks...

Time for Round Three:

In an instance we have all been grasped from the inviting warmth of an Indian summer and cruelly clutched by the icy vise of winter's wrath. Not but a few days ago were we outside lolling in the sun's delightful rays without a care as to when winter would arrive. Now we retreat from the outdoors as quickly and cautiously as possible, as to avoid further exposure from the elements.

This is now a time for changes to be made, transitions in one's lifestyle in order for survival and minimal angst. To begin simply, a change in attire is required for those who would prefer not freeze whilst making a trek from point A to point B. I myself tend to wear leggings under my jeans, and tucked into my knee-high tube socks, with a camisole tucked also into my leggings, underneath a long sleeved shirt. This is only my basic and most essential layer. Then of course you add the boots for footwear (chique and functional), a scarf, mittens and hat for thermal preservation and to top it off, a long wool coat. Yes, this is the only way I have been able to survive the past few winters I have spent here.

Next thing to change is the way one plans their day. For those who have not lived further than a stones throw away from the Campus Center or Classroom Building, will soon learn how to meticulously plan out their day so that time spent in the cold is cut down to a minimum. Lists usually help if you're not good at mentally planning things out.

Finally, as the ice begins to form on the ground people begin to change their approach to walking outside. Steps become lighter while synchronously their speed becomes quicker. The lightness of step is key as to avoid a potentially very embarrassing blunder on the ice. Despite my own attempts to maintain the "lightness of step", I have fallen a grand total of six times during my career here at Dordt. These usually occurred while descending hills, but I hope to make an improvement on my record this year.

Well, I believe it is time to cease these ramblings and to get over the fact that this deluge of snow, wind and ice will not desist until late April. Adieu fair weather pleasures...

One Word:

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...............

It's been a while...

Life has been good so far this school year. As of now, its been one of the least stressful and most pleasurable semesters since the beginning of my college career. Admittedly, at the beginning of year, I wasn't all that excited to be back, nor did I feel mentally prepared for the tasks that needed to be accomplished. But since Tri-state has come and gone, I have been able to get the rest I need and things I wanted to accomplish finished in order to feel the level of preparedness that I normally like to feel in order to function normally.

That being said, I am not at all suggesting that this semester has come with its fair share of stresses. For instance, I already have freaked out about both of my science classes and the major fear that they will not go well. Tied to this, is the fear of the possibility of me not getting into the desired Medical Technology program next year. Another difficult thing to overcome has simply been able to find a rhythm to my day and my week. This is largely due to the adjustment of apartment living, but it finally seems to be settling down.

Taking all this into account, yes there have been good times so far and yes there have been highly stressful situations so far, but on the whole, I feel enormously blessed with the entire year. It has not only been academically rewarding, but even more spiritually rewarding. It is easy to look forward to what the next day may bring, the challenges which may be presented, the fellowship which may be enjoyed, and the simple moments where all that can be done is sit in awe of how amazing life is despite its many, many drawbacks. A lot of the time, it is still difficult to remain upbeat about the state of this world and how its being run, but to choose to enjoy the junctures that make this life worth living is enough to balance it out.

Well... now it is time to stop blogging and to start doing other more productive things with my day. Tot de volgende keer!