Finals went well. They weren't as bad as I had thought. I had a pretty easy batch of finals, but I'm just glad that they are over. Now I can focus on having fun with my friends this summer!

I've had so much fun this year, and I've learned so much. I've definitely become more independent and have learned how to better manage my time and activities. I've met some of the greatest people in the world, and I've made some awesome friends. Although I'm happy that I'm finally home, I am very much looking forward to returning in August and going through a second year!

It's been an honor writing this blog and getting to share the ups and downs of my freshman year. I hope that everyone has enjoyed reading this blog just as much as I have writing it. It's been great to have a place to share my struggles and triumphs. And I hope that I've been able to give you some great insights into the life of a TLU freshman!

Have a very safe and fun summer everyone!

Life is full of beautiful moments, and I love to experience those moments. It doesn't matter where the moments come from; it's just important to enjoy them on a daily basis. It could be laughter or a picnic with friends. It could be sitting outside for ten minutes, enjoying the beautiful weather. It could just be thanking God for my existance. I absolutely love experiencing beautiful moments!

Yesterday was a nice renewal for me. Plus, today I got a nap! I haven't had a nap in a long time. It was lovely. So now I feel renewed both mentally and physically. Now it's time to dive into finals!

I started taking some of my stuff home this past weekend. Just a box of books and other unneeded things, as well as some of the clothing that I know I won't need. As I was going through my t-shirts I found that I have colleced many this year from many events that I've gone to. I barely had any TLU shirts when I began school, and now I have an entire drawer that is full of them! Luckily I could just cut down to the basics. Taking some stuff home now will make moving out just a little bit easier later on.

Although this semester's coming to an end, I still have so many things to do before the end actually comes. I still have papers, projects, and finals... it's never ending! All I have to do is keep going for just a few more weeks... just a few more weeks... I can do a few more weeks, right? I've already survived for almost a year!

Right now I'll just focus on getting to the end. It will make me feel so much better.

Registration for classes is this week, and I'm hoping to get into all of the classes I've planned on taking next semester. I should get into everything. I don't see why I wouldn't. Last week I went through the task of choosing classes, and for some reason it was very hard. After lots of thought and glancing at descriptions in my course catalog, I came to some concrete decisions. And (hopefully) after tomorrow I won't have to worry about registration or anything. Then I can move on to the next task at hand...

It just seems like there's more and more and more to deal with on a daily basis. More reading, more papers, more activities... it's just a lot of hard work. Hopefully I will continue to find the motivation to keep up (although it may be kind of hard...)

More later!

This week has been crazy, but has gone by fast. All week I have been thinking about classes for next semester. It blows my mind that we're already registering for the fall. I've just gotten used to all of my classes for this semester! Time is flying by really fast. I just can't believe it.

Well, I do have class this morning, so I should probably finish getting ready. I just couldn't let this week go by without posting to the blog. I realized today that I hadn't posted anything yet! That's just another example of how quickly the days go by. It's only a few more weeks until the semester ends!

More to come...

I've only been back for a few days and yet my life has been very hectic. Melancholy Play opens this week so I've been busy with rehearsals. Plus, I have my classes and homework. I have had a couple of late nights for these reasons, but luckily I can find just enough energy to get me through the day. It might seem a little bit hard in the morning, but once I get going I just keep going until I can go to sleep again.

And all I want to do is keep going. I want to get this week over with. I want to finish out this semester! Although I love being at TLU, I'm ready for summer to arrive. It's even getting warmer outside, so I'm becoming more anxious waiting for the summer! I just have to keep going... and it will end...

...eventually.

The weather right now is driving me CRAZY!!! Last Friday I could wear shorts to class, but 24 hours later it was windy and freezing cold outside. It's hard to judge the temperature from your dorm room. It's a matter of putting something on in the morning and hoping that you'll be warm when you walk to class. Luckily I have my favorite sweatshirt, so things can't be that bad. But I would like the warm weather to come back right now!

Well, my normal busy day will commence in a few minutes when I leave for class. Although sometimes I wish that I could take naps in the middle of the afteroon, I am quite content with being busy. It keeps my mind going. Now I just have to hold out for a few more days before having a break...

More to come soon!

Since we are approaching the midpoint of the semester, this is the time when all of my papers are due and exams are coming up. I have a couple of pretty big due dates in the next few weeks, so I'm busy working on those projects. I have one exam this week, then some projects and papers due the following week. And then we have a week off (except I know that I'll have homework to do during the break)!

I am anxiously awaiting spring break... but until then, I will just work hard and get everything done. I need a break, but I'll do my best until then.

More later...

I have found that college is full of triumphs and defeats. Each and every day I am challenged to stretch my limits; I am challenged to work hard and be my very best. Although I am sad when I feel defeated (from an exam or from lack of sleep), I am absolutely overjoyed when I complete a difficult task or find out that a defeat was really a triumph. Learning how to deal with positive and negative outcomes is important in preparing for life, and I feel confident that by the time I graduate I will be ready for any challenge that the world has to offer.

Today I've also realized how grateful I am to have such amazing friends who love and care for me. I am so blessed, and I thank God every day for the wonderful friendships that I have been given. Friends to celebrate with and friends to cry with... I love them all!

My schedule's changed so much since last semester. Since my class times have changed, so has everything else: time for homework, time for friends, even time for just relaxing and checking my email! I've figured out a new schedule for this next semester, but it has definitely been a matter of adjusting. It's going to be like that every semester, I know. But I guess I just wish things could stay the same as they were in the past.

I should go and do more work. Even finding five minutes to write this post has been hard...

More later!

Friday night was so much fun. It was the first coffee house of the semester, and I went with some friends. Then afterwards we made s'mores in the chilly weather. What I loved the most about the night was that we all just got to stand around, laugh, tell stories, and hang out. I am very lucky that I have friends who are excited about hanging out and who I can laugh with. We've done many things together so far this semester, and every time I find myself thanking God that I have a group who understands and loves me for being, well, me.

I know that my college experience has been so wonderful partly because of my friends. They are there for me through anything, and I'll always treasure all of the friendships that I have made this year.

Now it's time to start another week... things are slowly getting busier...

I guess the biggest change for me this semester is that I have new classes. I'm not used to coming back from Christmas break and going to new classes. It was nice not having any homework over the break, but coming back and seeing a new schedule was a new experience for me. Over the past couple of weeks I've had to make time to do more homework (since my schedule is slightly more hectic than last semester), read new textbooks, and meet new professors. It is a nice change, but it seemed wierd at first.

Christmas break was nice. It felt good to take some time and relax. After the stress of finals, a break was well deserved. Although I had a wonderful time seeing family and friends, toward the end I was looking forward to coming back to TLU. I know lots of my friends felt the same way, too. I guess we were just ready to start another semester!

This semester is going to be fun. It's only a few months until the summer! It's going to be full of new experiences and learning opportunities. I can't wait to see this semester unfold.

Until next time, have a wonderful new year everyone!

It's weird being back after such a long break... Though it was long it did go quite fast... They always do

I'm a little nervous about this semester compared to last. Though I did well the first semester of college, I feel this semester is going to be quite different... I hope i'm not too overconfident in my studying habits, which aren't great...

I'm having to do scheduling changed and I really hope i can work it out... It's so frustrating when they change the professor on you...

More Later...

I am extremely happy that finals are over because it was a crazy week. My schedule was all different, and I had to study, study, study! When my last exam was over I was extremely happy (I was especially happy that I made it through my first semester)!

But for now I'm going to enjoy the break and look forward to next semester. Plus Christmas is coming, and I came home to a decorated house! I love Christmas! Anyway, all I'm going to do is relax (and work....) and enjoy my time off, because I know that I'll be busier than ever next semester.

Have a very, VERY merry Christmas and an even happier new year!