Life Lessons of Fall Semester '11

You know, I have been at a sort of loss lately as to what I want to talk about on this little blog of mine. It's not that I have lacked topics to talk about or lack of any feelings to sort through. Actually, it has been the exact opposite. I've had tons of thoughts running through my brain. The problem, honestly, has been the fact that I don't know how to write exactly what I want to because I don't even know what it is that I am feeling. But if there is one thing I have learned this semester, it is that writing is my outlet: I may not be the best writer in the world, but I genuinely love it because it is my tool for self-exploration and self-understanding. So, here we go.

I have a new appreciation for the gift of life. I don't mean to bring these rough situations up again, but yes, my brother almost died. My best friend and her family dealt with a tragic death. And my roommate lost one of her closest friends and teammates unexpectedly just two days ago. And then, of course, my boyfriend and I went to see the new movie "In Time" and it really just hyperbolized the fact that time is limited, and you never know when your clock will run out.

So with such a short life, where does that leave me? Let's be honest here: I am nothing but a piece of dust on the timeline of eternity. And so is everyone else. It's only in eternity when my life becomes dust no longer, but becomes a stone: permanent and stagnant. Your life will become permanent one day too: the question is, where will it be?

I pray to God I can spend eternity with Him. And I pray even more that my family and friends will be with. And that is where this whole re-evaluation on life has lead me: the need to reach out to the ones I love.

Here we go Taylor: It's time to stop being a coward. Stand up. Speak up. And stand out. And whoever is reading this: You do the same. I've decided it is time for me to stop taking my relationships for granted. I've decided I am taking my relationships off the backburner, and putting as a top priority, and reach out to those who desperately need something more in their life.

Another thing I have learned lately is the true definition of love. No offense to the Disney movies, but they don't exactly portray realistic love. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Disney and probably more than a normal human being should. But the love they taught me is the love I believed. I believed that love is a feeling, an emotion, or an immense sense of happiness of sorts. In a way, yeah, that is kind of true. But, it is not the whole truth. It is great to "feel" something for someone, but I hate to burst your bubble: no matter how much you love someone, that feeling will not last.

If you don't understand what I mean, think about it this way. Jesus Christ. If my relationship with Him was emotionally based, like we are bred to believe love is, then I would not be a follower of Christ. If faith was emotion based, the moment something bad happened or the instant we became upset or stressed, our belief in Him would diminish. Sorry, but that is not how it works. In my relationship with Christ, I have to make a conscious decision to lean on him during the good, AND the bad. Now, if that is how my relationship with Christ works, why should my relationships on Earth be any different?

Love, I have learned, is a decision. It is a life choice. It is a promise to remain faithful even when you are completely hopeless. It may not "feel" good, or "feel" like the love we have been taught, but that doesn't mean that the love isn't there.

And the last thing I have learned: the future is scary. I don't mean that in a negative way. I just mean that I have to learn to come to the realization that I am not a kid anymore. It's a sad truth, but I guess I can't ignore it forever.

Okay, don't judge me...

...but I love Tangled. And yes, I do realize I am dressed up as a dude. But, come on, the costume is AWE-to-the-SOME. I may or may not have enjoyed myself to much. And I may or may not have eaten my weight in the delicious homemade sugar cookies that Rachel's mom made. And the next night, Rachel and I may or may not have attempted cone-ing (If you don't know what that is, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WygNjMSllLQ ) I realize it may or may not make sense, but it is funny. But we may or may not have failed horribly at it; the guy knew what we were doing and put it upside down in a cup. He may or may have been really rude. And what is even more exciting, I may or may not have signed a lease to live with Rachel, Brittany and Kirsten next year! Woop woop!

Oh, I'm told that I say "may or may not" a lot. Do you agree?

It's all in good fun :)

@ Peace

There's something strangely peaceful about God; and I mean that in the best way possible. I just mean that he has this sense of peace so great that I can't help but recognize him as my God. 

I should have a lot of things to worry about: money stress, midterms, internships, and so on and so forth. In fact, I just did finish taking a test while being sick (I seriously feel like I have the flu right now). So I am pretty sure I did not do well on it all.

Yet here I am, sitting in Festival thinking: Man, I'm happy. No stress? Nope. Actually, most of my thoughts were centered around the delicious crepe I just annihilated (Complete with bananas, strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, Nutella, powdered sugar, caramel and chocolate sauce. Yes, that was my lunch; don't hate.)

I just wanted to say Thank God, for being so....awesome. 

Fall Days

I've decided that living in the mountains ain't too bad, especially in the fall when everything is just so...pretty.

It's just so nice outside. Such perfect weather. 

So perfect, in fact, that it makes me want to jump and scream.

Apple cider is so delicious. But my newest find tastes even better: APPLE DOUGHNUTS. 

Nom nom nom. I ate them so fast.

If you have never picked THE most perfect apple on a tree: DO IT.

It's the best feeling in the world. 

I hiked up some really tiring hills today. Good gravy, Taylor is SO out of shape.

But the view was worth it, eh?

I fail at these things...

I really do fail at blogging everyday. The thought of doing a 365 day project was a good idea, but I just stink at committing to blogging everyday. So I am just going to call it quits. I know, I know: a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. But it's whatever, I can accept that fate. I'll just blog whenever I feel like it, but I promise that will be a lot more than it was over the summer.

Day 6 {I bet those people are secret spies.}

I just realized I never poster yesterday; my bad. But nothing exciting really happened. I woke up feeling like scum so I decided to bypass my one and only class for the day and sleep. It worked; I felt good after almost twelve hours of sleep. I then went to work, worked on a group project, and hung out with Brandon.

We went to the movies and saw Abduction. It's a good thing that Brandon knows everyone and their mother at the movie theater, otherwise we would have had to of paid full price for it. Granted, Taylor Lautner is good looking, but boy, he just cannot act. And whoever wrote that screenplay; kudos for being the most predictable movie ever. It made me laugh because Brandon kept making predictions the entire time (I bet there is a bomb in the oven. Ten bucks says his dad shows up and saves the day. I bet those people are actually secret spies. Watch; that guy will be dead in 10 seconds) and every time he was right.

Come on people, let's be creative here!

Verse for Today: Psalm 119:28

{My soul melts from heaviness, strengthen me according to Your word.}

Day 5 {H20}

Courtney, Hannah and I helped out Steph and the rest of IV Justice team today by advertising the H2O project. They are trying to raise money to build a well in Africa, raise awareness for the water crisis and making a difference on the JMU campus in regards to pollution and being green. It was really refreshing to help people do something that is bigger than this college campus.

Think about it: What would you do if you didn't have water available? No clean bath water, no clean drinking water, and no clean dishes, etc. It is heartbreaking to think that millions of people don't have that. They have to walk miles a day to get only a couple of gallons of water for their entire family. It's heartbreaking really.

Todays Verse: Philippians 4:6-7

{Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds through Christ.}