Drum Roll Please

In my last post I mentioned the possibility of going on a missions trip this summer, and the final answer is in. I will be spending one month this summer in: badadadadadadadada (drum roll)

THE AMAZON

Are you surprised? I sure am. The opportunity presented itself, and within about a weeks time it became official. It's funny because I wasn't looking for an opportunity to go on a missions trip this summer, but the opportunity unexpectedly found me. At the beginning of last semester they did presentations in Chapel about the different missions opportunities that the school provided and gave information for applying. None of the trips really seemed to call my name and I figured that I really need to work this summer and save some money so I didn't even seriously consider applying for any of the trips. I guess somewhere around 90 people filled out applications for the Amazon trip, 20 people got interviews, and then 12 were chosen (6 girls and 6 guys).

I was getting coffee with a friend, who happens to be on the Amazon team, on a Friday night about a week and a half ago and somehow the Amazon trip came up in our conversation, and she told me that a girl had to drop out and they had an open spot. All of a sudden the Amazon trip sounded interesting so I told her to give the team leader my information. She did on a Saturday. I met with the leader that Monday and I had an interview. He had me fill out an application. I turned it in on Wednesday, and at our meeting yesterday (Sunday) I found out that I was on. My references still have to clear (References, you know who you are. Don't let me down :) ), but once they do I can start on support letters and getting my passport and the proper shots, etc.

So I will be spending May 6-June 10 this summer on the Amazon river, living on a houseboat with a missionary couple and pretty much doing whatever they need us to do. I know we will be ministering in churches along the river and doing VBS type activities for the kids, but other than that I guess I'll be doing whatever is asked of me. I'm not so excited to meet some of the wildlife, like alligators and piranhas, but otherwise I'm pretty pumped. It's going to be an awesome experience and it's just been really cool to see it all fall together so quickly.

*On a side note, here are some pictures from this weekend: We tried to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but to get a table for 14 meant waiting 3-4 hours so we had to settle on T G I Fridays. It was still fun though. They didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few.

(Don't ask about my face. I don't really know what I'm doing other than that I'm weird)

Much Ado About Nothing

No, wait...... that's Shakespeare. Rather, if the play were about me it would be called "Much Ado About Much". Many things have happened since my last post. I didn't realize that Thanksgiving break was the last time I had updated. Since then I've had Christmas break, a new year has begun, I started a new semester of school (after this one I'll be half way done!), I am now a sassy, sophisticated 20 year (adios teenage years), I've gotten a new job, and the list could go on and on.

Let's start with the new semester. I had this thought in my mind when I started the semester that I could pick one day a week and make that my "Blog Update" day, that way I would be updating at least once a week. However, I'm am nearly done with week three and and I must apologize to my faithful 3.7 readers. I'm sure that you have been hanging on the final words of my last post for over a month longing for an update. Ok, that may be a little dramatic, but the point is that I had good intentions about updating, I just didn't get to carry them through.

To label this semester as "busy", would be a gross understatement. Just look at this picture if you don't believe me. This is a picture of my daily planner for this week alone. It's a little full wouldn't you say. [Here is where you nod your head in the affirmative so that I know you understand and I don't have to feel badly about not updating. Thank you. You may stop nodding now]
I've been busy since day one of the semester. The first week was...... overwhelming at best. I think first weeks always are. You have to stabilize yourself after suffering syllabus shock long enough to run around trying to buy the books that you need to do the homework assignment that you just received on the first day of class and it's due later this week. You also have to take a large step back into reality after spending 3 glorious weeks on vacation from anything school related. First weeks are definitely the hardest.

The second week was better. I had my books and my schedule figured out, and while I was busy with homework, I at least had it under control. I found out that I got my new job in this second week. I haven't actually started yet, but I expect to very soon. I am moving up from my job at the snack shop to an office-y type job in the Financial Aid Department! I'm trading in my hat and apron for a computer and a rolley chair and I couldn't be more excited about it. I look ridiculous in hats and I wish the food service industry would realize that and make an exception for me. I guess I'm just not destined to work in the food service industry. I also had a birthday. I am now 20 years old, and no longer a teenager. This is the first birthday where I actually feel older. 20 seems so much older than 19. It's like I actually have to act like an adult now, whatever that means. :) My birthday was good. I got phone messages and facebook messages. I played wally ball for the first time (that's just volleyball in a raquetball court and you play off the walls). It was a long day, Tuesdays and Thursdays are my really busy and super long days, but it was still good. Then on Friday my unit and our brother unit celebrated January birthdays so I got cupcakes! It doesn't get much better than that on a college student's budget.

That weekend I made a surprise visit home and it was good to be home for a little bit. It was kind of a boost that I needed after 2 busy, stressful weeks, but when I got back sunday night I realized how much homework I had to catch up on after not doing any. I've been playing catch up all week and I feel like I'm at the point where my head is above water. I plan on spending a good amount of this weekend in the library so I'll be good to go by the start of next week.

This week has been busy trying to catch up with homework, but it's also been busy for another reason. I will wait until I have a definitive answer before I give specifics (that will be for another post) but I have been busy interviewing and applying for a missions trip this summer. So if all 3.7 of you wanted to be praying about that, you could be. I plan on hearing an answer within the next week or so, but when I know, you will know..........eventually. :)

Aside from homework this weekend I will be going to the Cheesecake Factory! It is my RA's birthday pretty soon so we are surprising her by taking her out Saturday night. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures taken so I just might put a couple on here. You'll probably be able to see them on Facebook sooner than on here, but that's the way it goes.

So, like I said, "busy" doesn't really begin to describe it, but I'd rather be busy than bored; therefore, I cannot complain. Lots of exciting things are happening and life seems pretty good right now. I am one happy blogger. :)