Valparaiso, Indiana is definitely a place where I am enjoying myself. I have already made some great friends, and had awesome times with them already. :)
Life here is good. I love my classes and the teachers are great, too.
My room could probably use a cleaning today, though.
One of my favorite things about being here is the fact that I get to focus completely on music. I have 2 non-musical classes, and they're great classes, but I am excited to just study music. Musicianship, Music Theory, Piano Lessons, Piano Colloquium, Jazz Band, and Kantorei (choir). It's seriously going to be an amazing year.
One thing that I noticed is what I talked about with Heather. She said it's going to be easier to practice here because everyone around me will be practicing.
That is so true.
Everyone is already practicing. Freshman are already practicing. Non-music majors are already practicing. It makes me want to play, and I have gotten opportunities to since I've been here.
I have gotten involved with 2 different ensembles, (jazz band and choir), and they are both already a TON of fun. :)
AND (since this is the reason I actually started the blog) I got to workout yesterday, and we're going again today! So maybe I'll actually lose something this year instead of gaining the freshman 15.
Enjoying yourself is an important part of life. If you don't ever enjoy yourself, and you just feel sorry for yourself, then what kind of life are you living?
Life is meant to be enjoyed! It's meant to have fun! Laugh a little, cry a little, yell a little, whisper a little, and enjoy every second of it! Because life is going to pass us by, and before we know it, we're gonna regret not being happier throughout life.
We'll look back on the stupid things we got mad at, and wonder why we didn't just enjoy ourselves instead of being mad at nothing for a week. That was a week that we missed out on enjoying life.
SO paint your life the way you want to paint it, but enjoy it! Life is an art, and is meant to be fun! God gave us emotions, and yes, sometimes life will be hard. But don't let it get you down forever!
Even though we can't be happy all the time in this hard life, we can still enjoy whatever in our life is going right. There's always something going right in life.
You still have a house, you still can eat, you're still alive.
Live, laugh, try new things, pray. Everyday.
Because tomorrow's always a new day!
Enjoy it.
And we'll let tomorrow teach me whatever it wants to.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Art of Responsibility
Responsibility is something learned.
I'm on my own now, braving the cold, harsh world.
and homework.
Classes started today. But even before classes started, there were things that I needed to be responsible for.
A major thing was signing up for choir auditions. The only downside to this was (besides my laziness) the fact that I signed up, then auditioned the next day. They told us when auditions were a while ago, but it hit me then. I was going to audition the next day. But, I had to be responsible. I signed up, auditioned, and got call-backs for the VU Kantorei. :) This is a good thing. So I did the responsible thing, and signed up for a time to audition again tomorrow.
I had to be responsible today for my classes. I had to get up early enough on my own to shower, get ready, and get to CORE class by 10:10. I had to know where the room was, and find it. Then I had to eat fast, and head to German class. I had to know where the building was, but I got lost and had to ask someone.....
[it's literally a 15-minute walk to my german class from my dorm. UH-nnoying.]
And of course, I had to do my homework. I had to write an informal paper, and answer questions in german that I had no idea what they were saying. BUT! That's okay! :) Today and this weekend was awesome, and I am loving every single minute of college.
But I have to say, to my lack of followers reading this, I miss all of you. I think of everyone back home all the time. I love you all :)
So far, I'm having the time of my life. I've made awesome friends, got to play piano with people I didn't know, leaned to say things in German, and walked for miles so far, and there's much more to come.
This part of my painting of life is going really well.
Because, life is a painting. I am painting this part of my life in the way I think is best for me. My friends and family will always be in the painting, but there are new friends that are added. And I love that.
Every day is a new day, and tomorrow's portion of the painting will be something totally different.
Life is good.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of enjoyment.
I'm on my own now, braving the cold, harsh world.
and homework.
Classes started today. But even before classes started, there were things that I needed to be responsible for.
A major thing was signing up for choir auditions. The only downside to this was (besides my laziness) the fact that I signed up, then auditioned the next day. They told us when auditions were a while ago, but it hit me then. I was going to audition the next day. But, I had to be responsible. I signed up, auditioned, and got call-backs for the VU Kantorei. :) This is a good thing. So I did the responsible thing, and signed up for a time to audition again tomorrow.
I had to be responsible today for my classes. I had to get up early enough on my own to shower, get ready, and get to CORE class by 10:10. I had to know where the room was, and find it. Then I had to eat fast, and head to German class. I had to know where the building was, but I got lost and had to ask someone.....
[it's literally a 15-minute walk to my german class from my dorm. UH-nnoying.]
And of course, I had to do my homework. I had to write an informal paper, and answer questions in german that I had no idea what they were saying. BUT! That's okay! :) Today and this weekend was awesome, and I am loving every single minute of college.
But I have to say, to my lack of followers reading this, I miss all of you. I think of everyone back home all the time. I love you all :)
So far, I'm having the time of my life. I've made awesome friends, got to play piano with people I didn't know, leaned to say things in German, and walked for miles so far, and there's much more to come.
This part of my painting of life is going really well.
Because, life is a painting. I am painting this part of my life in the way I think is best for me. My friends and family will always be in the painting, but there are new friends that are added. And I love that.
Every day is a new day, and tomorrow's portion of the painting will be something totally different.
Life is good.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of enjoyment.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Art of Change
Change is everywhere in my life right now.
Change of friends, change of relationships, change of state, change of school, change of life.
Change started with work. I took the job at Jillian's thinking that it would just be a job to get me some cash for college. But it turned out totally different than I had planned. I made real friends that I didn't know I would actually miss. I want to go back to see them, which is completely different from my last job. I'm so glad I have something like that to come back to.
Obviously, the biggest change in my life is my moving to Indiana to attend Valparaiso University. That changed my whole life. My friendships, my home, my attitude, everything. It's all different now.
For starters, I moved to Indiana. I've never ever moved in my life, so this is a huge thing for me. I actually live somewhere else. That in itself is kind of a big deal to me.
Also, it changed my relationships. I have a roommate, who is awesome. [:)] I have a whole new set of friends. I won't see my high school friends for a really long time. And I'm just now realizing that. All the people that I grew up with won't be there anymore. That's weird to wrap my head around. [I'll miss you guys a lot. :( ]
Everything in my life is changing right now, and it's weird, but totally awesome. I don't understand everything about it right now, but it will definitely be a good change. I'm super excited about everything.
Classes start Tuesday. :o
[this is the blog post with the most faces i've typed i think]
Pray that I practice piano a whole lot.
Life is awesome right now, because life is an art. We paint each day however we want, and the end result of our painting of life.
And so, tomorrow is a new day of more changes. And I freaking can't wait.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of responsibility.
Change of friends, change of relationships, change of state, change of school, change of life.
Change started with work. I took the job at Jillian's thinking that it would just be a job to get me some cash for college. But it turned out totally different than I had planned. I made real friends that I didn't know I would actually miss. I want to go back to see them, which is completely different from my last job. I'm so glad I have something like that to come back to.
Obviously, the biggest change in my life is my moving to Indiana to attend Valparaiso University. That changed my whole life. My friendships, my home, my attitude, everything. It's all different now.
For starters, I moved to Indiana. I've never ever moved in my life, so this is a huge thing for me. I actually live somewhere else. That in itself is kind of a big deal to me.
Also, it changed my relationships. I have a roommate, who is awesome. [:)] I have a whole new set of friends. I won't see my high school friends for a really long time. And I'm just now realizing that. All the people that I grew up with won't be there anymore. That's weird to wrap my head around. [I'll miss you guys a lot. :( ]
Everything in my life is changing right now, and it's weird, but totally awesome. I don't understand everything about it right now, but it will definitely be a good change. I'm super excited about everything.
Classes start Tuesday. :o
[this is the blog post with the most faces i've typed i think]
Pray that I practice piano a whole lot.
Life is awesome right now, because life is an art. We paint each day however we want, and the end result of our painting of life.
And so, tomorrow is a new day of more changes. And I freaking can't wait.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of responsibility.
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Art of Peace
So I have been really bad about writing in this lately. My bad.
Peace.
Definitely been a part of my life lately. It's a great feeling, being peaceful. It's a feeling of not worrying, and knowing that you're gonna be okay, no matter what.
Life is gonna suck sometimes, but it's gonna rock other times.
So yeah.
Tomorrow I move to Valpo. Talk about not a peaceful night. I'm way too excited and nervous to be peaceful. But laying on my couch, writing this, and just being quiet in the night, I realize how important this is. This isn't just me moving out, and making new friends and having a good time. This is a huge step in my life. This will probably determine how the rest of my life will play out. And that sounds like a lot more pressure put on me, but for some reason, I'm totally peaceful about it. I have friends and family that get me through stuff, and I know they will always be there for me. And that gives me peace.
I also learned a different kind of peace tonight. An apology was made towards Jim and Donna for my wrecking their car, and now I have a peace about that. I was super scared the whole time, and they were so nice, and the whole thing is just over. That is something huge off my chest. Accidents suck, but it was made to suck less.
Peace is something I need to learn over the next 4 years in my life. If I am never peaceful, and just sometimes sit, and do nothing, then my life will be chaotic. Bahh! It wouldn't work.
So here I am, practicing peace. Sitting on my couch, loving life. Cuz life is awesome right now.
Cuz life is an art. Peace can flow over us like paint on a canvas if we just let it. Let a peaceful day paint itself, because everybody deserves a break once in a while. Even a break from life.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of change.
Peace.
Definitely been a part of my life lately. It's a great feeling, being peaceful. It's a feeling of not worrying, and knowing that you're gonna be okay, no matter what.
Life is gonna suck sometimes, but it's gonna rock other times.
So yeah.
Tomorrow I move to Valpo. Talk about not a peaceful night. I'm way too excited and nervous to be peaceful. But laying on my couch, writing this, and just being quiet in the night, I realize how important this is. This isn't just me moving out, and making new friends and having a good time. This is a huge step in my life. This will probably determine how the rest of my life will play out. And that sounds like a lot more pressure put on me, but for some reason, I'm totally peaceful about it. I have friends and family that get me through stuff, and I know they will always be there for me. And that gives me peace.
I also learned a different kind of peace tonight. An apology was made towards Jim and Donna for my wrecking their car, and now I have a peace about that. I was super scared the whole time, and they were so nice, and the whole thing is just over. That is something huge off my chest. Accidents suck, but it was made to suck less.
Peace is something I need to learn over the next 4 years in my life. If I am never peaceful, and just sometimes sit, and do nothing, then my life will be chaotic. Bahh! It wouldn't work.
So here I am, practicing peace. Sitting on my couch, loving life. Cuz life is awesome right now.
Cuz life is an art. Peace can flow over us like paint on a canvas if we just let it. Let a peaceful day paint itself, because everybody deserves a break once in a while. Even a break from life.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of change.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Art of Patience
So, when I said I was going to learn the art of patience, I never dreamed it would be in this way of learning.
I was thinking, "okay, there's nothing special coming up in the next couple of days, so I'll most likely lost patience with some customers at work."
I was kinda off.
On thursday afternoon, a beautiful day, I was on my way to Barnes 'N' Noble Bookstore to read, and have some coffee, and kill time before work. But it took me a little longer to get there.
I ended up being stupid and looking away from the car in front of me at the exact wrong time. She stopped and I failed to see it happen. So what else happens, but I rear-ended her. No one was hurt, and the airbags didn't even go off (Thank you, Jesus). But I broke her tail light and seriously dented the back corner of her car.
The car I was driving wasn't damaged at all, except for the need of a new license plate.
The thing about this accident that really got to me was the money. (It's always about the money). I'm standing there, Chris is talking to this woman, and the only thing I can think is that all the money I've been saving up for college is now going to this womans car. Working over the summer, overtime weeks, and dealing with stupid customers was all for her car. I couldn't stop crying, with the mixture of that and feeling shaken up because, well, I mean, I hit someone's car. That will always shake you up, right?
Anyways, so I just kept praying and asking, "Why, God? Why me, and why now, and why in this car, and why all my money?"
So the woman had decided she wouldn't call the cops, and we would pay her out of pocket, and that would be that. We both went on our merry ways, her to her grandchildren, and me to my books.
Lo and behold, a couple hours later, I get a call from the cops. Then I get a ticket for 120$.
As you can imagine, this makes my day WAY better, and I start crying again.
So, I'm getting a little impatient with everyone by this time.
The hardest thing to learn was to still do my job. In order to be a good waitress, and actually make good tips, the customer can't really know you're having the worst day of your life - that you just got into a car accident and lost all your money potentially and their tip is going to be the best part of your day. So patience was learned in one way.
Patience was learned in waiting to find out how much the car was going to cost. (between 100 and 1500$ worth of damage).
Patience was not being a brat to people when they didn't do anything to me, and I was just in a bad mood.
Patience to learn what was going to happen, and what the result was going to be.
Patience with God, trusting that He protects me. Always.
Ending result - I pay the ticket, and that's it. There's no deductible on the insurance, and they will cover the cost of her car. I don't have to give her any money, and all the money in my account is going to stay there.
God always protects us, and I'm sad that it took an accident for me to see that He's always here.
And so, again, life is an art. We must paint every day a little different. The past few days have sucked, but it's what makes life, well, life.
And trust me, the ending result of the painting of life will be beautiful.
And so, tomorrow is a new day. (thank God.) With every new day, there is something new to be learned.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of peace.
I was thinking, "okay, there's nothing special coming up in the next couple of days, so I'll most likely lost patience with some customers at work."
I was kinda off.
On thursday afternoon, a beautiful day, I was on my way to Barnes 'N' Noble Bookstore to read, and have some coffee, and kill time before work. But it took me a little longer to get there.
I ended up being stupid and looking away from the car in front of me at the exact wrong time. She stopped and I failed to see it happen. So what else happens, but I rear-ended her. No one was hurt, and the airbags didn't even go off (Thank you, Jesus). But I broke her tail light and seriously dented the back corner of her car.
The car I was driving wasn't damaged at all, except for the need of a new license plate.
The thing about this accident that really got to me was the money. (It's always about the money). I'm standing there, Chris is talking to this woman, and the only thing I can think is that all the money I've been saving up for college is now going to this womans car. Working over the summer, overtime weeks, and dealing with stupid customers was all for her car. I couldn't stop crying, with the mixture of that and feeling shaken up because, well, I mean, I hit someone's car. That will always shake you up, right?
Anyways, so I just kept praying and asking, "Why, God? Why me, and why now, and why in this car, and why all my money?"
So the woman had decided she wouldn't call the cops, and we would pay her out of pocket, and that would be that. We both went on our merry ways, her to her grandchildren, and me to my books.
Lo and behold, a couple hours later, I get a call from the cops. Then I get a ticket for 120$.
As you can imagine, this makes my day WAY better, and I start crying again.
So, I'm getting a little impatient with everyone by this time.
The hardest thing to learn was to still do my job. In order to be a good waitress, and actually make good tips, the customer can't really know you're having the worst day of your life - that you just got into a car accident and lost all your money potentially and their tip is going to be the best part of your day. So patience was learned in one way.
Patience was learned in waiting to find out how much the car was going to cost. (between 100 and 1500$ worth of damage).
Patience was not being a brat to people when they didn't do anything to me, and I was just in a bad mood.
Patience to learn what was going to happen, and what the result was going to be.
Patience with God, trusting that He protects me. Always.
Ending result - I pay the ticket, and that's it. There's no deductible on the insurance, and they will cover the cost of her car. I don't have to give her any money, and all the money in my account is going to stay there.
God always protects us, and I'm sad that it took an accident for me to see that He's always here.
And so, again, life is an art. We must paint every day a little different. The past few days have sucked, but it's what makes life, well, life.
And trust me, the ending result of the painting of life will be beautiful.
And so, tomorrow is a new day. (thank God.) With every new day, there is something new to be learned.
Tomorrow, I learn the art of peace.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Art of Friendship
Friendship is probably one of the most important things in my life.
I have probably learned to appreciate my friends more this weekend than I have in a long time.
It started off with Liz taking my shift at work. She didn't realize it, but it was seriously important to me that I got Sunday morning off.
[friends take shifts for friends.]
That made me appreciate friends just as a beginning.
But the real reason that I appreciated her taking my shift so much, was the reason I needed Sunday morning off.
Amelia is moving to Washington State to attend Moody Institute, and I probably won't see her again until next summer or after.
For those of you who don't know, Amelia [meia] is the longest friend I've ever had. I don't remember meeting her, because we were babies. We did everything together for years, and when things went down with church stuff, we kind of seperated for a while.
But we've been reconnecting again for about a year, and now she's leaving again.
Sunday morning was her going-away party. Although I had to leave early to work the night shift [that i didnt get off], it was a Sunday morning well-needed. I won't see her again until we're both back next summer.
It's weird, growing up. Moving away from friends and such. I've had really good friends in my life, but I don't have a memory from my childhood years that doesn't have Amelia in it. She's definitely one of the best friends I will ever have in my whole life, and I know that we will stay friends for the rest of our lives.
So, goodbye, Amelia, and all the rest of my friends who are leaving, and whom I am leaving. New friends are ahead of us, but there will always be friends to come back to.
Love you, Meia.
Friendship is a huge part of the painting of life. Without friends, the painting of life would be one person - you. However you paint your life, put people in it that will last your whole life. That's what will make the painting beautiful.
Paint life however you want, because life itself is an art. We paint every day differently.
And so, again, tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow, I learn the art of patience.
I have probably learned to appreciate my friends more this weekend than I have in a long time.
It started off with Liz taking my shift at work. She didn't realize it, but it was seriously important to me that I got Sunday morning off.
[friends take shifts for friends.]
That made me appreciate friends just as a beginning.
But the real reason that I appreciated her taking my shift so much, was the reason I needed Sunday morning off.
Amelia is moving to Washington State to attend Moody Institute, and I probably won't see her again until next summer or after.
For those of you who don't know, Amelia [meia] is the longest friend I've ever had. I don't remember meeting her, because we were babies. We did everything together for years, and when things went down with church stuff, we kind of seperated for a while.
But we've been reconnecting again for about a year, and now she's leaving again.
Sunday morning was her going-away party. Although I had to leave early to work the night shift [that i didnt get off], it was a Sunday morning well-needed. I won't see her again until we're both back next summer.
It's weird, growing up. Moving away from friends and such. I've had really good friends in my life, but I don't have a memory from my childhood years that doesn't have Amelia in it. She's definitely one of the best friends I will ever have in my whole life, and I know that we will stay friends for the rest of our lives.
So, goodbye, Amelia, and all the rest of my friends who are leaving, and whom I am leaving. New friends are ahead of us, but there will always be friends to come back to.
Love you, Meia.
Friendship is a huge part of the painting of life. Without friends, the painting of life would be one person - you. However you paint your life, put people in it that will last your whole life. That's what will make the painting beautiful.
Paint life however you want, because life itself is an art. We paint every day differently.
And so, again, tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow, I learn the art of patience.
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