Merry Christmas to me: Aggie Ring

Although I am never very good at playing the "what do you want for Christmas" game, as I really don't need anything and am always content just being with family and friends over the holiday, my parents really got me good this year!

Since we are heading up to Iowa tomorrow, we had our family Christmas last night. And this was the first thing I pulled out of my stocking!

My parent's are helping me to get my Aggie Ring in the Spring!! Only 111 days until I have my little piece of gold!!

A Father's Provisions

Father's love to provide for their children. My Dad is a perfect example; he will go out of his way to do even the littlest thing to place a grin on my face. And our Heavenly Father is no exception!

I had spent a good bit of time last semester looking into jobs for the spring in College Station. I looked into working at preschools, nannying, teaching swim lessons, tutoring... you name it, and I more than likely looked into something very similar.

Unfortunately, nothing worked out with my schedule. Water polo takes up every evening, and then Mondays/Fridays I'm completely booked with observations. Tuesday/Thursdays I'm only free until 2:30 -- that takes out any sort of nannying/tutoring shindig. It was rather frustrating to consistently not be qualified or able to apply for anything.

It's not that I NEEDED a job. More of, I wanted to have a bit of extra money so that I wouldn't have to be as stingy with money. So that if friends wanted to go out to supper, I could go too and enjoy myself, not worrying about what I was going to skip out on later. I want to have a little bit extra so that I could provide for my friends -- you know, surprise them with a Sonic drink, buy their movie ticket just because, things like that.

Granted, after this last semester, I began to doubt if taking on a job was even a good idea. Did I really need to add one more thing to my crazy schedule? Ultimately, I decided yes. I decided that getting a job would give me something else to do, essentially providing a break from the chaoticness of what college is.

When finals hit I pretty much gave up on looking for anything. I had struck out too many times.

Isn't it funny how when we give up, our Father then is able to step in?

On Monday I received an email from one of my Spring professors, offering me a job within the education department at A&M. This is a job that you can not apply for, rather you must be recommended by 2 individual professors before you can be considered. So, I am pleased to announce that I have accepted a job as a University Peer Mentor (UPM) within the College of Education at Texas A&M. Essentially, I will be similar to a TA. I will be assigned a professor with a writing-intensive education class and will be responsible for helping the students in that class with all of their papers and writing assignments. I will do a lot of editing of papers and probably a fair share of grading. I will only work ten hours a week, 5 of which will be when I host my own Office Hours. I will get a good "in" with all of the education professors, while maintaining a prestige job based only off of recommendations.

I guess you could say I'm stoked with this incredible opportunity. And the Father only placed it in my life when I quit trying to make other things work. He always provides, yet I saw those provisions as me applying and interviewing for a job, when really He took that entire process away, granting me a job without me even knowing about the opening, without an application, and without an interview. He just needed me to quit trying on my own.

Y'all. Our Father provides. Sometimes we just have to humble ourselves down enough to trust in Him.

My 2 Rules

Today was an incredible day with Katie and Myriam. Katie graduated on Friday from Texas A&M and then came to Cypress for a few days to stay with Myriam and hang out before heading back to San Antonio. Since Myriam and I only live 20 minutes from each other, it made it easy for us to spend today together!

We went ice-skating, walked through The American Girl Doll Store, looked at wedding dresses and baby clothes, and then went to see Santa. It was an incredible day! When we got back to my house came the part of the day that I was dreading the most: saying goodbye.

In two-weeks Katie will be leaving for Turkey where she will spend 4 weeks in training, and then she will move to the Tunisia in the Middle East where she will spend the next year working in a school. After a tearfilled goodbye, this is what I wrote to Katie on facebook:

This girl has been by my side through thick and thin over the last 2.5 years. She is one of the most compassionate and caring people that I have ever met, and has a true love for life. Today represented our friendship perfectly: trying something new, laughing at ourselves consistently, and allowing our kids-at-heart selves to take control as we posed for pictures with Santa. Although we won't be able to walk through life hand-in-hand anymore when she moves to the Middle East, there is not any amount of distance that could separate us. So Katie, as you follow your dreams, remember that we are proud of you! And also remember my 2 rules: 1) Stay safe and 2) When you find the man of your dreams, you have to bring him back to the States so we can approve.

Have a blast on this journey, Katie, and always remember we are so proud of you!

Leadership Ladies

For the first time since we all were asked to be on Cho-Yeh's 2014 Leadership Team, all of the ladies were in the same place! And we couldn't be more excited to love each other and catch up on life! 

From left to right:

Hanna Kuhn (the one laying across us): I have known Hanna for over 4 years now, and she is incredible. We were co's once and although we are VERY different people, we have the same irks and annoyances, as well as the same overflowing passion for Cho-Yeh. Hanna will be the Sweet Gum Super this summer (the supervisor over the elementary girls campsite), and therefore she will be my roommate!

Cambria Dotson: I met Cambria in May when she was in my staff training cabin. She slept on the bunk above mine, and every morning I would force a smile on my face to tell her no when she asked if she had shaken the bunk much the night before, although truthfully I was woken up about every hour. From that week that I got to live with Cambria, I knew that she was leadership material; Nate and I called it week 1 of camp as well. Cambria will be leading the Work Crew program this summer!

Katy Dodd: Of all the girls on leadership, Katy is the one that I know the least. Although we had several heart to hearts last summer at Lake Livingston, our paths didn't cross much last summer when we met. I am so pumped to get to know her better though! Katy will be on Program Team this summer, leading all of the evening programs, rally, Alpha/Omega initiation, and all things programy!

Erin Begle: I have known Erin for over 6 years now. Erin and I were campers in the same cabin back in 2009, and have been friends ever since. We almost lived together my sophomore year when she was looking at coming to A&M, but ended up deciding to play softball for the University of Dallas. This summer Erin will be one of the two Hickory Supers, leading the middle school and high school girls campsite!

Me: ACTIVITIES TEAM! WHOOP!

Allyssa Bradburn: I have know Lyss for nearly 2 years now, but we just got close last summer. She is one of the most loving and caring girls that I know, and was by my side all through when I was struggling to figure out where the Father was calling me for this year. She is going to be joining Erin as the other Hickory Super, and I know that she is going to ROCK leading those older girls and counselors!

So that's all of us. These are the girls that I will be living everyday life with this next summer, and I can't wait to serve our Father together with each and every one of them!

Enjoyable? Maybe Not. Good? Most Definitely.

Well, I did it. I have officially survived the hardest semester of college thus far.

There wasn’t anything “easy” about this semester. I came in not honestly wanting to be in College Station. My heart longed to be at Cho-Yeh where I had the opportunity to take a year off of school and see what camp ministry was all about. That decision to date has been the hardest choice I have ever made. Unfortunately, nobody really understands the toughness behind that because nobody truly knows what camp ministry means to me.

So not only did I start the semester off in rough patch to begin with, I encountered several roadblocks this semester. I had to cancel our annual fall water polo tournament, failing my first job as president. I ended up supposedly breaking my foot. I dealt with reoccurring stress-induced headaches. I had my fair share of roommate drama. I put myself out there and was vulnerable with a guy that I liked and was hurt. I struggled with unreasonable professors and a professor who tiptoed the line of sexual harassment. I let my emotions get the best of me on several occasions.

This semester hasn’t been easy. But I can honestly say it has been good. Did I “enjoy” this semester? I don’t know. That one is still up for debate. But it has been GOOD because I can honestly leave College Station knowing that I have been taught, shaped and molded this semester. The Father has taught me to slow down and the importance of taking care of myself. I’ve been taught how lost I am when I don’t make it a daily priority to sit down at His feet. I’ve been molded into a more patient person. I have learned to view what were annoying tasks of cleaning up after my roommates as a way to serve and love them. I’ve been reminded time and time again about the unfathomable magnitude of my Father’s love for me and how he cares for me even in the daily mundane parts of my life, because nothing is mundane to Him as he orchestrates every minute thing for the good of those who love Him. For the good of His sons and daughters. For my good. Because as flawed as I am, I am His. He loves me in spite of me, messes and imperfections included.

Despite the challenges, heart-aches, teary phone calls an struggles, it is these things, these lessons, that have made this semester GOOD. 

Economics Hours

Monday, December 2nd: 4 hours
Tuesday, December 3rd: 6 hours
Wednesday, December 4th: 14 hours
Thursday, December 5th: 11 hours
Friday, December 6th: 5 hours
Saturday, December 7th: 8 hours
Sunday, December 8th: 12 hours
Monday, December 9th: 16 hours
Tuesday, December 10th: 7 hours

Total Time: 83 Hours.

Do I feel confident in the material? Not really, but at this point, I can't look at this any more. I gave up on getting an A in this class a while ago and am just shooting for my B. I just can't wait for this to be over with!!!

Who Does She Think She Is, Hermione Granger?

During finals week, the library becomes an interesting place. And by "interesting", I mean incredibly boring, but you are so overwhelmed and stressed out that everything becomes interesting.

The library system at A&M is pretty good about providing stress-relieving techniques. They offer free massages at the library on West Campus, last night there was stress-reliever dogs in the lobby of Evans, and Christmas carolers outside. The library also provided hot chocolate from 10 PM - 2 AM! We might have gone down for seconds and thirds...

By far my favorite stress-reliever of last night was when a little girl came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. She couldn't have been older than 7 years old. She handed me two pieces of gum and a "good luck penny" to put on Sully while she wished me good luck on finals. Her momma stood a few feet behind, proud grin filling her face. It was absolutely precious.

And the last stress-relieving/laughable moment of the 16 hour Evans marathon. At one point the girl at the table next to me was talking pretty loudly to somebody else at the table. At one point this is what she said, "I actually enjoy finals. It's like professors are giving us a present to improve our grades at the end of the semester  ... Uh, who does she think she is, Hermione Granger?

Countdown to Christmas Break: 17 hours.

"It Takes a Village" - Finals Style

The famous African proverb says "it takes a village to raise a child". I have come up with a spin off of that quote to fit around finals week: "It takes a village to survival finals"

It takes a friend calling you up on Thursday night when you're in the middle of a stress/panic attack to speak scripture over you and tell you it is going to be okay.

It takes your parents coming up to take you out to dinner and get your mind away from school.

It takes a movie night with your best friends where you spend so long laughing that you don't even know what happened in the movie.

It takes Rachel getting up early before her final to make breakfast, and make enough so that you can have some too when you wake up.

It takes watching the SEC championship game while you copy economics notes.

It takes wearing gloves IN the library while you study. And it takes determination to outlast the cold and not just close the books and leave.

It takes giving yourself time to just "be" (aka painting your finger nails, watching a movie, etc.)

It takes your best friend checking on you daily to make sure you aren't stressing out too much, while reminding you to make sure you shower and eat meals and sleep...

It takes an hour long phone conversation with a friend to pull you out of the world of finals and back to reality where studying isn't the only thing.

It takes lounging in the living room with Rachel, enjoying moments of just being roommates.

It takes knowing when to call it quits and remembering that sleep is a critical component in survival.

It takes a Father whose love is not dependent on final grades or exams.

It takes a lot to get through finals, but with the right support, love and reminders, it is possible! Only 58 hours left until CHRISTMAS BREAK! ... Not like anybody is counting!

These are a few of my FAVORITE things!

For some reason, "The Sound of Music"'s song "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" has been stuck in my head all day. So, as a study break I decided to share some of my favorite things that still happen during finals week!

• Candles making the entire apartment smell like winter
• 85 degree weather
• Worship outside
• Afternoon naps
• Christmas movies as I copy notes
• Rachel's playlist that is filling the living room
• NOT getting sick from spaghetti sauce (... because that happened today)
• Walking through campus with Rach making Native American noises
• Driving with the windows down
• Fingernail polish
• Saving $30 on our electricity bill this month
• Huge headbands that cover up the greasy hair that is proof it's finals week
• Singing in the shower when aforementioned greasy hair is just too gross to deal with
• Fruit Dip with EVERYTHING.
• Lots of time with friends (even if that just means sitting at the same table studying)

I was reminded today that although it is finals week which definitely means any semblance of normalcy and sanity is thrown out the window, there are still good things intertwined within the craziness. Even if those "good things" are as simple as throwing on a happy bright blue cost of nail polish on your toes for a study break. There are good things in every day, and these are some of my favorite things!

"Statistics, not smoking!!"

Hour 4 of being stuck at the library:

Myriam: "I failed my statistics test, even with a 25 point curve..."
Me: "Ugh.. I have to take that class next semester"
Myriam: "Yeah, but I'm in biostatistics... so it's like regular statistics but health related. They really like smoking and lung cancer."
Me: "That's what I'm going to be doing when I don't have class on Wednesday's next semester!"
Myriam & Katie: "Uhh..."
Me: "Statistics, not smoking!"

Yep... We've been here too long.

Also, for a pretty accurate description of my next week, check out this BuzzFeed article. I'm currently on stage 9!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/spenceralthouse/the-33-stages-of-finals-week-a078

Here's to finals week: the week when all good eating habits and sleeping patterns are thrown out the window, the week when calories don't count and showering daily is optional! Just kidding about that... but kinda.

10 Days.

That's it, just 10 days until this semester is OVER with!

This semester hasn't been the easiest. I had my doubts of whether I was even supposed to be in College Station this year. I struggled with being motivated to do well. There were days when I didn't even care about school. I worked through a "broken foot" (who knows if it was actually broken/fractured or not...). We had our ups and downs with polo. There were roommate/apartment tensions.

Regardless, this semester hasn't been the easiest, but it is almost done. I have TEN days until it is over with. I have 2 days of classes, 2 "dead/days" (aka study all day because all classes are cancelled), and then finals begin on Friday. My last final is Wednesday the 11th and then I'll be DONE!

So to celebrate, Rach and I are having a Disney Pandora "name-that-movie" study party. AKA, Disney pandora is playing and every time a new song comes on we race to see who can name the movie the song is from... Yep, we are 5 year olds at heart :)

Lazy Days with my Best Friend

Finally it is Thanksgiving Break! I got back to Cypress around 6:30 Monday night, and loved spending the evening relaxing with my family.

On Tuesday I got to head to Livingston for a girls day with Laura. Geeze, I am so blessed by her friendship! We were super lazy and watched movies, went out for supper, and made hot chocolate. She played with my hair and we had deep heart to hearts that aren't always easy to have over the phone.

There is something about this friendship that is more like a sisterhood. I loved getting to go over to her house and lay on her couch and just enjoy her company. I loved getting to talk into the wee hours of the morning and share life with each other, even if only for a day.

We talk about everything under the sun: families, boys, school, work, classes, holiday plans, camp, friends, wedding dreams, my upcoming 21st, educational philosophies, dream jobs... literally EVERYTHING. I don't think I've ever had a friend that has known me as well as Laura does.

After staying up way too late talking and giggling, we woke up this morning and made cinnamon rolls before I helped her pack up her dogs so that she could head to the Woodlands to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family and Wayne's family, and so that I could head back to Cypress to spend the rest of the week with my family and Grandpa.

I consider Laura part of my family, and so I'm thankful that I got to spend part of this Thanksgiving with her, and now that I get to spend the rest of it with everybody else.

Why It Is Hard to be Picked On.

Growing up, almost all of my memories with my grandfather revolve around one of 2 things: either playing Hand and Foot or him picking on me. Almost all of them.

This is how the picking on would go. Grandpa would begin to torment me and then my Gramma would step in and go "Gene. Cut it out!" at which point Grandpa would stop picking on me, atleast for the next 10 minutes or so.

Now that my Gramma has passed away, it is so hard for me when he picks on me. Now he picks on me more because Kole eggs him on and gets a kick out of it, but I still wait for my Gramma to chime in and chastise him. Gramma and I were always a secret team. Now the picking on doesn't stop, and it often brings me to the brink of tears. Him "tickling me" or poking me or pulling my hair or yanking on my ears doesn't upset me - it's the fact that never again will my Gramma come to my rescue that always has the water works welling up in my tear ducts.

It's hard to be picked on.

Registration Woes, It's Almost Over, & For The Kids

Registration is always a nightmare. I always plan the perfect schedule, then all those classes are already picked before I get to register. So, this is what next semester is looking like

Monday: Observation in the elementary from 7-5
Tuesday: Multicultural Reading from 2:20-3:35, Statistics from 3:55-5:10
Thursday: Statistics from 3:55-5:10
Friday: Elementary Curriculum from 8-10:50, Dynamics of Managing a Multicultural Classroom from 11:10-2.
And then I'm taking an online ESL class.

It's not nearly the schedule I was wanting, but I was able to get all of my classes that I need to take this semester, so I guess that is all that really matters.

Then the realization came that I only have to register for one more semester at A&M. I am finishing up my 5th semester here, then have 2 observation based semesters, and then student teaching. It's almost over!

And thankfully, there is a point to the madness I call this semester. Spending 10 hours working math problems has a point. Writing a research paper every week has a point. Group projects out the whazoo - they too have a point. In a year and a half when I'm hopefully teaching my own class, it will all be worth it, because it is all for the kids.

You Can Tell Based on my Hair

I have come across the realization that anybody can tell what kind of day I am having based on what my hair is looking like.

Let's see if y'all are any good at this guessing game:

Well, what are y'all thinking? Do any of the following words come to mind? Stressed, busy, chaotic, hectic, sleep-deprived, exhausting, or insane? Because that is what the rest of the semester will be like! With only 6 days of class left and a billion things left on my to-do list, this will be the hairstyle I'll be rocking for the rest of the year! It says "I tried to look put together today by attempting a braid, but it just wasn't happening!"

Pictures from Georgia

I Did It!

And on that note, all 14 of us are back home in College Station safe and sound! WHOOP! I'm so proud of myself for pulling this trip off and getting to serve my team in this way by taking care of them!

Be ready for a billion pictures tomorrow. For now, I'm rewarding myself with SLEEP because I DID IT!!!

"But MOM!"

If only everybody knew the number of times that I have been called "Mom" in the past 36 hours...

Me: Does everybody have their seatbelts on?
Car: But MOM!!!
Me: Tina -- that includes you! Is your seatbelt on as you lay down across the backseat?
Tina: You won't wreck! You won't even speed! Mom!!

"Mom! What time do we play?"

"Where are we going to supper, Mom?"

"When are we leaving, Mom?"

"Mom! Pay attention to me!"

"You looked like such a proud Mama when I scored my first goal!"

"Mom, can we have dessert instead of dinner?"

"How much is the student discount, Mom?"

Stranger: How'd you get stuck having to be all of their mom's this weekend?

"Mom. You take the fun out of everything. You won't even let us go play ding dong ditch with the prostitutes next door!"

And it goes on. And on. And on.

... Obviously I am a fun-sucker and I know the answer to everything... Welcome to water polo weekends!

Here We Go!

Well, ready or not in about 12 hours we will begin our trek to Atlanta, Georgia! We are hoping to leave College Station around 10:30, get to Dallas by 2, be in the airport by 2:30, checked in and through security by 3:30, then have an extra hour to go walk around the airport!

We scrimmaged tonight where I took a shot to the face that had me out of the pool for a good minute or two until everything stopped spinning. It gave me a vivid reminder of what it was like when I got (what we all realized about a week later) what was probably a concussion last fall. That's one of the things that gets me nervous about traveling. Somebody always gets knocked around or drowned in polo games. Concussions are actually pretty frequent, as is dislocated shoulders, broken noses, etc. Knowing that I will be the one on point for taking care of anything that happens is nerve wracking, but all of the responsibility also provides me an incredible opportunity to handle leadership with grace and love. To love the girls through the INSANE learning curve that this weekend will be. To love the girls when we are losing, as well as when we are winning. To love the girls when we are out on the town Saturday night. To love the girls as we are navigating airports. I have such a huge opportunity this weekend, and I am so excited to be given this leadership role as a blessing!

So on that note, I should probably go finish laundry and pack! HERE WE GO!

Happy 20 1/2!

It's no secret that I like to make a HUGE deal out of my friends birthdays during the year. I pull out all of the stops, and love getting to see their faces when I surprise them with something they weren't expecting.

The best thing about this, is that I'm NEVER here for my birthday, so they are never able to get revenge. It's great.

Well, that changed last night. You're right, November 12th is not my birthday. But, my best friends decided that because I have a summer birthday they were going to celebrate my half birthday! They told EVERYBODY about this, except for me of course.

So when I walked into the pool last night I was greeted with banners, cupcakes, flowers, cards, and lots of singing. As much as I hate celebrating my birthday and hate surprises, I loved the thought that they put into this. I sure do have incredible friends!

Katie, Me, Myriam and Jen with the birthday banner they hung at the pool.

When You Put It That Way....

There are some "big things" that I am proud of accomplishing, such as graduating high school, making an A in college calculus, being the sole girl on a team of 6 guys last summer, making the decision to come back to school this semester, being elected as water polo president, and living in an apartment this year.

But I don't think any of those things will compare to the accomplishment I will feel at 11:00 Sunday night.

On Friday I will be responsible for getting 14 people safely to Dallas, through check in and security at DFW and then onto an airplane to Atlanta, Georgia. Then I will have be responsible for 2 rental vans (through the university) and 4 hotel rooms for 2 nights. I will be responsible for getting 14 people to the tournament, warmed up, and run subs throughout our 3 games on Saturday. Then find some safe, non-alcoholic form of entertainment for Saturday evening. Oh yeah, planning dinner for 14 goes in there too. Then back to the hotels and at it again on Sunday. Only one game on Sunday, then back to the airport to return rental vehicles then the whole security shabang again, before landing in Dallas. Then driving 3 more hours back to College Station! When we get everybody home safe and in one piece, I am going to be SO stinkin' proud of myself!!!

Stress, Sleep Deprivation and Everything Else College.

Reality check: college isn't all fun and games. It's not just football days, elephants, friends, tailgates, concerts, and road trips home. It's not even just studying and doing homework and editing papers for hours.

College is stressful. I can't think of the last time I actually sat down and didn't have anything I had to do. I can't think of the last weekend where I got to just enjoy time off. No. I have spent at least 8 hours in the library every Sunday for the last 4 weeks.

I haven't slept through the night in months. I wake up every hour, my brain reeling with everything that needs to get done. I am up and showered by 7 almost every morning, even on the days when I don't have class until nearly 1:00 in the afternoon. There's just too much to do.

And water polo is a HUGE cause of it. I can't just have the luxury of skipping practice when I don't want to go. I have spent so much time planning our trip out to Atlanta, and although I'm excited to get to play, I can't wait for it to be over with. I went to the office FIVE separate times today for various things Atlanta related. And the office isn't even on main campus! Talk about some good treks to and from that building.

Thankfully, friends make it worth it. Myriam and I often spend the long days in Evans together, treating ourselves to 5 minutes of talking after an hour of solid productivity. Rachel and I keep each other company during the wee hours of the morning while we both try to cram more information in our brains.

College isn't all fun and games. There's a bunch of stress and sleep deprivation that goes along with that!

An Aggie Filled Weekend

Junior E-Walk was on Friday afternoon, but that has already been covered in a previous post.

Later Friday night was Midnight Yell. Although I generally go to one Midnight Yell a year and that's enough for me, this one was particularly important. It was Dr. Loftin's last Midnight Yell before he retires as the President, and it was also the last Midnight Yell in the original Kyle Field. So of course, my tradition crazy friends dragged me along. And it was worth it, the atmosphere was CRAZY!

Saturday morning Laura surprised me and came into town early before the game and we went out to lunch with her mom. I have never seen so much maroon in one restaurant!

Then Saturday afternoon was The Game. The last home game of the season. The last game in the original Kyle Field. The last home game potentially with both Manziel and Evans. Katie and Jen's last game as students. Golly. It was a great game, we had lots of fun, and we won! WHOOP!

This morning was the last Kyle Field Clean Up. Having survived eight KFC's this season provided for an exciting LAST one! I brought donuts and we had a little party before we cleaned. Then Myriam, Katie, Jen, Jenna and I went on an adventure around Kyle. It's crazy the amount of renovations that have already started!

All in all, a good weekend! Now spending the rest of the day studying just like every other Aggie on campus today. Then a 4-day weekend before we head to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia for a water polo weekend!