Moments... or maybe Hours...

Whew. Its the weekend. Thank the Lord.

These past few weeks have been absolutely insane. From tests to quizzes to papers to article reviews to studying to presentations... I feel as if my head is spinning from everything my professors thrust upon me. I feel its too much, but I know its only the beginning of my very long, very difficult road. Ive been trying to keep my head above the water (no pun intended - as I am in Lifesaving) but I feel as if Im having a hard time... I need someone to save my life! Joke joke. And in the midst of all the academia Ive been trying to accomplish, Ive dealt with other obstacles I did not expect. Needless to say, this semester was not how I dreamed it would be. But I have been trying to keep a smile on my face. I have been trying to maintain a positive attitude and take out my stress in a constructive way. This, for me, is not an easy task to succeed at on a daily basis. Its been a struggle, but Ive been trying.
Well though it seems as if I just want to complain about my week, I had little things each day that proved to be God working, telling me to take a time out, if you will. Each day brought a good conversation, a new revelation, a reason to praise our amazing God. Though I dont keep a journal of each days' events, therefore I dont remember the exact date and time of each thing, I remember that they meant something to me. Recognizing the little things has been something my mom always mentions. And now I read my sisters blogs, which are often celebrating the little moments, or blessings, we should cherish.
I saw an acquaintance who became a good friend during the conversation. Actually, this happened with two people.
I saw one of my all time favorite people and ra (theyre the same person) a few times this week and was able to connect, yet again, with her. She is one of the cutest people I know and is always uplifting, even if its just a quick hug.
I hung out with my roommates several different times this week. I feel weve been bonding and I really appreciate it. I think living with them has been a huge blessing. God has a plan for it all along. (Obviously...)
I find myself being so incredibly grateful for the people who surround me in my Microbiology and Organic Chemistry classes. And theres a lot... Im making lots of friends in there - we connect on the basis of feeling as if were victims. Anyways. Grateful for people. Especially my two guy friends (who both have girlfriends, just as a clarifying statement). They have been encouraging, without even realizing it, Im sure. They have provided me with some laughter when I just really needed a laugh.
[I would like to make a disclaimer that I really am not the most "people oriented" of people... I manage to keep to myself a majority of the time. But I think in the midst of trying to focus on what I needed to accomplish and stressing out about various assignments and tests, God put these people in my life at these times as if to say, "You are not alone. People understand." Or something like that. Relationships with people are important... even though I may feel as if I could live with my bunches of dogs and be totally fine... people relationships are important.] Anyways. Continuing on.
Somehow I got everything done. I dont know how. I felt as if there just arent enough hours in the day to complete everything that needs to be done, but somehow everything got completed to turn in. I may or may not have stayed up until 230 last night/this morning to finish some things, but the important part is that my brain stayed awake with me. Thank you Lord!
I made a conscious decision to miss my creative writing class on Monday. First class I missed all semester... This professor is extremely strict on his attendance policy, so I skipped with a twitch and worked on my short story (which was supposed to be done... which was why I didnt go to class). Wednesday, I went to class, but nobody was there. Knowing there were conferences all week during class times for our short stories, I figured we would share in our groups what we had while he talked with people... I guess class was canceled. And my USC football friend, who I saw later that day, informed me class was indeed canceled unless you had a conference. (And he was excited to see me! Ive realized I get excited when people get excited to see me. It makes my day.)
I wrote a huge majority of a short story for my creative writing class just in time to send it to my professor before we met to discuss it today. I didnt finish it, but I didnt know how. I expected him to be encouraging, but also be a little disappointed I didnt finish it. Instead, he showered me with compliments of how impressed he was and how good my story was. Hallelujah! Especially after 4 false starts on stories...
I FINISHED my Science and Faith class! Last class was last night and I even feel as if my presentation I gave on my abortion paper (due last week) went pretty well! That was quite the relief.
Im sure there were a few other little things Im forgetting. I wasnt expecting this blog to be this long though, so Im sure youre getting anxious to potty or something... Sorry. Now its the weekend. And I am so thankful for that. Even though these 2 short days will be compacted with studying for a Micro exam on Monday, I am grateful for the break from classes and waking up early.

Thank you, Lord, for getting me through this week... We got more work though! Lets GO!

A Humbling Moment

I am enrolled in a Creative Writing class. Though another English class is a requirement for me, I chose to wait for a fall semester when this Creative Writing class is offered. I like to write, though I dont usually have a whole lot of structure or point to my stories, I sometimes get a bug where I feel like writing. So anyways, I thought it would be good for me. Its also my "release" class. All my other class (with the exception of Lifesaving) are pretty tedious (and Im using the word "pretty" VERY loosely).
And so far, it has been my release class. This week, more than any others so far, has been crazy. And if I do say so myself - just a bad week. I had 2 tests, each in my more difficult classes. Neither of which I felt prepared for. I had 2 different article reviews to type up, having to find the articles on my own too, (which if you dont know, is just a hassle in itself). I had a partner presentation in my night class, which we had to put together, then prep for, then present Thursday night. I had a quiz in another class. I also had a lab report due in one class. Study sessions all throughout the week. Plus trying to get all my homework done. Needless to say, it was just a very stressful, very trying week.
But Creative Writing is my class where I didnt have anything that was mandatorally due (yes I believe I just made up that word). Creative Writing was my class where I got to sit, listen to people around me speak, listen to my professor talk, read different poems (which arent my favorite, but at least its not formulas in Organic Chemistry), and take a few deep breaths. I even had to turn in my journal last week and got it back from my professor on Monday - he had good things (and bad things) to say. He was encouraging and thought I was entertaining and have a lot of ideas. (He didnt read most of it though, cuz they were short stories and we are focusing on poetry right now.) But he was encouraging.
Anyways. In the midst of all this hecticness of the week, we got in our groups in Creative Writing on Wednesday. Though none of us had written anything, we sat and just chatted with each other anyways, getting a better idea of who each of us were.
Let me paint you a picture. Theres me, two other girls, and a guy. Were all different from each other, but we each bring something to the table. The one guy is mildly short and wears black a majority of the time. Hes not scary, but at the same time, hes not a small guy - hes tough looking - I wouldnt mess with him. The first day we got in our group I thought, hmmm this will be interesting. Not knowing what to expect, but already forming my own opinions (which is normal for me). I knew he must have a soft spot though, because he was wearing a Mickey Mouse watch. The first poem he read to us, that he had written, was a prayer to God, thanking him for the things he had given him. It was completely unexpected, but I was intrigued. I knew at that moment I had him all wrong. I still wouldnt pick a fight with him, but I knew he had a story, a passion for his Lord.
So Wednesday, in our groups, we began sharing how we came to CBU. I am the only one who didnt transfer, so my story ended up going last. David went first. It began by a comment made by another girl about him and he began asking us what our impressions were of him. I said, "You seem hard core to me." His response? "Why? What do you mean??" In my head, I feel like, I know Im not the least intimidating person. But Im not surprised when people tell me that. Why does this comment surprise you?? But I continued to explain that I wouldnt mess with him. Still confused, I elaborated. "Ok. If I had to walk down a dark alley and needed someone to walk with, I would walk with you. I would feel safe with you. (Which, to you readers, is not something I feel with a lot of guys.) I wouldnt want to walk with a guy who I feel I would have to protect." He laughed and understood. So anyways. Back to the story.
He began telling us he transferred from USC. Obviously, transferring out of USC is a bit of a big deal, seeing as so many people want to go there. We asked him why he came to CBU and he said, "Religious reasons." He really didnt want to reveal a whole lot on his own... I found out why a short few sentences later. We continued probing him, asking him why he left. Finally he said, "Well, I played football there... I just wasnt a playboy. All the guys on the football team had women all over them and would drink and I dont do any of that. At all. I would never do that. So it came down to I didnt want to be around that anymore." Hold up... Back up. "You played football at USC???" He kinda laughed and nodded. I really dont know a whole lot about college sports, but I know that USC football is a BIG deal. No, its a BIG deal. Come to find out a bit later - he was not only on the football team, he was a starter. Think you know cool people? Lets compare stories.
I was completely and totally amazed. He told us his dad and grandfather were pastors and that was always his calling but decided USC was for him. After some time, he and his dad decided it wasnt for him. And he came to Cal Baptist. He wasnt all roses though - he admitted sometimes he misses it. Misses that, but knowing where he could be right now, terrifies him and hes more than happy he navigated away from it and towards God. Its also bittersweet for him because hes going to have a lot of debt once he graduates from here, so knowing he had a full ride for football at USC was comforting. WHAT?! Who the heck is this kid??
And the whole time he shared with us, he continued to say, "Please dont take this comment as if Im arrogant, because I really am not and I strive not to be." Knowing how many guys are walking around campus, with their chests puffed out because they play on a good intramural flag football team, or something like that, is appalling. Knowing where this guy comes from and the fact that he goes about his business and doesnt even wear his UCS FOOTBALL shirts is inspiring.
Further talk came to reveal he is from East County and went to West Hills, a high school that is in my high schools district. It is such a small world... even with over 6 billion people living in it.
I hope you were as amazed at this guys story as I was. I seriously am in awe. He came from the cool of the cool. I feel like football players at USC often get drafted into the NFL... but I could be wrong. His life could have been so different. He could have had anything he wanted. He could have gone to school for free. He could have a huge ego. But he didnt. And he doesnt. He is cooler than a lot of guys I know. Sure, because of what hes done, but mainly because of the decisions hes made. He gave up everything to come to little Cal Baptist, who lacks a football team, and will now be in debt, all because he wanted to serve the Lord and pursue after Him with everything he had. I dont know about you, but in my opinion, that is very humbling.