The unfortunate incident that occurred on my first day of school

So here's what happened.

7:45 A.M.   I decide to set my alarm for this time. My first class doesn't start until 9:30 but since it was the first day of college, I didn't want anything to happen that might hinder me from getting to class on time. Especially my art history class. I've heard some things about the professor that really make me want to stay on her good side, including having a nice first impression. So after getting ready, eating breakfast and packing up my backpack, I have plenty of time to kill before making my way up to Biggin Hall.

9:05 A.M    For those of you who are unfamiliar with Auburn's campus (I could very well be included in this group), Biggin Hall is right across from Toomer's Corner at the very outskirts of campus. It's about a 15 or 20 minute walk from where I live so I leave my dorm at 9:05 so I can find my class once I get to the building and get a good seat.

9:15 A.M.    The main stretch of sidewalk to Biggin is at a gradual incline. While I am making my trek up this hill, I get a little bored so I decide to look over my schedule.
Art History----check
Biggin Hall----check
9:00 A.M - 9:50 A.M -----...........
I think I stopped breathing. At this point, all I can think of is the email my professor sent us about how if we aren't in her class on the first day, we will be dropped from the roll so those on the waiting list can take our spot.
Cue power walk.
The sidewalk is right next to the main road so I'm sure I got a few laughs as people driving by watched a distressed freshmen walk/run up a rather long stretch of hill.

9:20 A.M.     I burst through the doors of the building and run down the stairs to where my classroom is. When I open the door, the lights are out. Good. Maybe class is cancelled. ....Of course not. A slideshow is up on the screen and a very small lady who looks like she fixed her hair by sticking her finger in a light socket is teaching. I awkwardly whisper sorry after about 50 heads turn my direction and take my seat.

I'm hoping this woman can't remember faces or just couldn't see me in the dark classroom. I might wear a hat Friday just to be sure.

Well, that was quick.

Oh man, the month of July has flown by. Back to back camp and family vacation have seriously sped up the summer clock. My last week of summer before moving to Auburn has been managed very well so far if I do say so myself. A couple of days ago, I took a road trip with my friends Emily and Lauren to surprise our friend Gina who moved to Memphis. We spent our time exploring downtown Collierville, taking plenty of pictures, learning how to play the ukelele, and of course singing along to spectacular music (Gina always has the best taste when it comes to music about Jesus).

On Sunday I made my final debut as a part of the youth group at Shades. I always thought this moment would be sad but it was actually more weird than anything. All the Auburn kids said their goodbyes but I really don't feel like it's hit us yet that we aren't coming back next week.

On that note, I am so so so so so excited about moving to Auburn on Saturday. My dorm room is separated into piles and bags spread out through the dining room. Seeing my soon to be bedding tied up in a garbage bag makes me more excited about decorating my new room every time I look at it. I have been checking Facebook (more times than I would care to admit) the past few days for pictures of friend's dorm rooms and fantasizing about what my own will be like. Yes, it may sound like I am more concerned about designing my room than going to college but that is not true.....it's just a pretty big part of it at the moment. I like to the think of it as the future designer in me flourishing.

Even though having a new place to live will be fun, it's going to be very weird not living at home anymore. I think it has finally hit my mom that I'm leaving. She bought my favorite food to have for dinner the next few nights and has covered every detail of the essential supplies I may need next year, including bandaids and a lint roller. My dad on the other hand, does not understand her thoroughness. The day he left for college, he walked halfway out his front door and shouted, "I'm leaving!" His sweet goodbye was returned by his mother as she yelled, "You'll be back!" from another room.

And that was that.

Today.

I've tried twice now to write about everything that has happened within the past few weeks. Somewhere between trying to explain the details in going to New York and college planning, things started getting a little out of hand and my quick blog post was quickly turning into a small novel. For this reason, I will spend time trying to organize things and for now will simply write about my day because I have not been a frequent blogger lately.

Today I spent my morning working on my grade's skit for summer camp. Though most groups don't plan their skits until the week of camp, I have come to learn that senior skit means serious business. We started working on it in April and have finally pulled most of it together. I cannot say anymore in fear of underclassmen or senior guys reading this (skit plans are always huge secrets).

After a lot of hard work, the majority of the people at skit practice ate lunch at Moe's. I got to try out the new drink machine there that allows you to mix all sorts of different flavors with coke products...it's one of those things that can change your opinion on the entire restaurant. My brother came home extremely excited about it a few weeks ago and claimed that he would eat there all the time now because of it. I tried the strawberry lemonade (safe but still taking advantage of the whole mixing flavors thing). After this I went home and played solitaire (my go to game when the boredom sets in) and then decided to entertain myself otherwise.

By this, I mean that I decided I wanted to perfect my sewing skills....or more like obtain the sewing skills that I don't have. I've sort of gotten this fantasy going on lately that when I grow up and have kids and grandkids, I want to be able to sew and knit all this awesome stuff for them. I couldn't just sit and sew in silence though so I turned on music which led to me practicing guitar for about five minutes which reminded me that I needed to buy more music to make my friend Mary a birthday CD. Needless to say, I didn't get much sewing accomplished...none actually.

Despite the lack of concentration in the afternoon, I was completely focused after dinner when my dad pointed out this awesome moth outside on the deck. I spent about 20 minutes taking pictures of it from every angle possible and came inside literally dripping sweat from the crazy Alabama humidity and had a few new mosquito bites but it was worth it. Call me crazy but I just absolutely love having a nice camera.

I've spent the majority of the night on itunes and have begun a Disney playlist after my recent obsession. I never realized how good it all was until I started a Tarzan Pandora station! Haha! On that note, I will end this with the best Disney song I've bought all day. Sorry about the blandness of this blog post....I will try to make it up with a more interesting one later!

Picture Takin'

My camera finally came in!!! What better way to celebrate than to take random pictures!

In the depths of Your love I find peace makes me whole

On Wednesday night I faced one of my worst fears and did something I never though in a million years would be possible. I got to speak in front of a hundred or so 7-12 graders on Ephesians 3:14-21 and was hardly phased at all. A few years ago I could hardly get up and make a presentation in front of 15 or 20 people.....30 or more would have probably caused me to like, die or something. But for no special reason at all, I signed up to speak and was not afraid. Things were different this time for one reason alone.

The Holy Spirit was at work.

Thats right, there is absolutely no other way to explain it. Before I went up to speak, the worship band played a song that I had never heard before called I Love Your Presence. It was perfect. The lyrics were so simple and I felt this crazy rush of peace. Not only did I hear the perfect words at a time when my heart normally would have been racing but it was as if God was telling me that He was there and had everything under control. I even got to talk about how ridiculous it is for people to make excuses about how they are too scared to do something. You see the thing is, Jesus did not die on the cross and send us the very Spirit of God so we can just ignore it and live our lives like we are no different than everyone else. As Christians, we are called to something different. We are called to a life of no fear and believe that God can use us in ways that we never thought imaginable.

God is good, God is powerful, God is worthy of praise, and God is definitely worthy of our trust.

Thoughts while sitting on the back porch

Any day now I will become the proud owner of a Nikon D3000. I am SO excited. I think getting this camera will be the start of something great and bring about some sort of new found love for photography. I'm planning on taking it everywhere with me. Or at least as many places as I can. Yesterday on the way home I looked up at the sky while I was driving (probably not the best idea) but the way the sun looked behind the clouds was so beautiful. I thought how if I had my camera right now I would pull over and take a picture of it. Yeah, I've basically been dreaming of these kind of moments nonstop since I ordered the camera.

On another note, I had to get shots today for college and such and can hardly move my arms which is great considering I sort of challenged myself to a basketball game with my friend Aaron tomorrow (again, not the best idea, even with arms that work). Yesterday I finally finished all of my thank you notes from graduation and will be attending the first night of Monday Night Bible Study for the summer tonight! It is looking to be the start of a fantastic week.

Ode to Bangs

I must admit, things started off great
But the more I think about it, it is you I hate
I always thought after this haircut my life would be complete
Except I have a cowlick and that is not so neat
You curl and split apart, you must have your own way
Flat down to my head you just won't stay
It is quite bothersome and often annoying
Having to constantly blow dry and straighten you I am not enjoying
Maybe things would be different without the summer humidity and sun
But for now, fighting this battle is not so fun
I guess the risk I took was better late than never
But if you could grow out soon I would love you more than ever