Moved In & Ready to Begin

Well, I am back at college and so much as happened! I got all moved in and got rid of all the extra stuff I was just holding on to as my security blanket. It felt great to get rid of stuff I don't use or even care about anymore. I was surprised when I moved in how small my bedroom is. I mean, yes, it's a good size for a college kid but, I just have to be super organized so I don't take over the room. hehe Also, I used to have to "jump into bed" when I lived in the dorms but, now, I literally have to JUMP to get into bed. It comes up above my stomach! I have not had a bed this tall/taller since I was a kid! I mean.... I still am a kid.... I'm referring to when I was not a teenager.... there. So, as I was saying, I got all moved in and I was a little shocked to find what I did. After moving in, I began being a Y-group leader for NSO. Seriously- I was not super excited at first because I was nervous. How could I help freshman feel welcome to college when I was still finding out stuff for myself? Well, it worked out. I have loved seeing my group. They are all so fun and neat people. I have been blessed by getting to know them. Who knew you could find so much joy and peace in befriending Freshman? I think this has made the start of my sophomore year the best it could be. Sure, I'm not meeting people I live near as well yet but, I have the whole school year to do that. Working with the freshman reminds me of my freshman year and all the great people I met and the wonderful learning experiences I had. College is a great time of learning and growth. It is amazing how much you find yourself when you leave home. Well, with the last night of NSO is tonight and then, the school year will begin. I cannot wait. Let's see what the year holds in store for me!

Time Spent with Mommy

Well, I'm down to two days until my flight back to Utah. So, what do I do? Aside from sitting around a lot, I've been watching the Anne of Green Gables movies with my mommy. [Yes, I still call my parents Mommy&Daddy] Well, after watching several hours of them, my mom and I started to think why we were just now doing this and why we didn't do this all summer. The answer? We were just too busy and didn't think of it. It has been amusing for me to see just how much I am like my mother. I had wondered where some of my attributes came from (such as my stubbornness :P ) and, I am now seeing it is from my mom. It's funny how for years I would look at other mother/daughter relationships and I didn't understand how their mom was their best friend. Now, I understand and I have found I love my mom more than ever. Same goes for my dad. It's funny how much you can learn and finally see in a summer when you're older. Parents do things because they love you and want you to have the best. They're there when you need them and I wouldn't change anything about them.

Reflections on My Summer

Well, this summer has been filled to the brim with learning opportunities. Looking back, I realized I did a lot of babysitting and other "sitting" jobs. I also had a lot of personal reflection time and personal growth. I've realized, even though I did not get an official "job." I had the best job ever. I got the best of both worlds, so to speak, as being a babysitter. Let me explain:

As a babysitter, I got to have the learning and practicing all in the same environment. Some of the things I've learned have been: unless they're not ticklish, kids have the same tickle spots( and there are several of them), not all kids in a family like the same things (I knew this  but, it was a nice refresher), I learned tricks to get kids to be more well behaved about getting things done and how to prepare them for things they don't like to do. Just like adults, kids don't quite like surprises. I learned some really neat toys and activities exist such as colored dots instead of number coloring pages. I learned a lot more but, I'll stop there. It was a great blessing to learn more about being a parent and having plenty of practice to try and "prefect" those techniques.

Another awesome part about my job? I got to go into some beautiful houses and see how they decorate to get ideas for my own future home some day. Who doesn't like seeing new ideas for arranging your furniture or how you set up little things such as instruments??? At one house, they had their instruments able to hang up nicely so they looked more like pictures of antiques but, they really play them! No bulky cases lying around in the front room!

Lastly, the kids. I love kids and I have met some of the sweetest, cutest, craziest, laziest, hyperist, everything else "ist" this summer. It has been such a blessing to learn what works with what type of child. Some are content to play puzzles for hours while others need stuff to do every other five minutes.

What a summer. It has been hectic and I've had to learn a lot but, looking back, it could not have been better. As I drove to Institute tonight (evening adult church class once a week), I looked toward the horizon and saw the start of a sunset. It had been close to rain all day and I'd had a bit of a hectic day but, this was such a "light" to my day. I felt peace&love and thought of how the Lord works through small things and the beauty of life and the Lord's temples. It was a great experience and it helped me put myself in the right mood for a class full of inspiring messages.

Getting Ready to Return

This was me at school before I came home... this isn't everything... 

Well, the countdown for Utah is 16 days. I'm trying to get everything in order before I fly back to the land of no humidity and more Mormons [Latter-Day Saints] then you could imagine. Today I found out my new roommates for this next year. After getting to chat via facebook, I must say, I am even more excited to return to school. The only thing I'm nervous about is moving. Sadly, I've accumulated a lot of stuff in my life and, being a bit of a pack rat, I like to keep it with me but, a dorm does not fit all of it. I am now trying to mentally go through everything I own between here and Utah and figure out what I can throw away/donate and what I cannot live without. Some things I know I'll need to keep to cook/eat and keep good hygiene but, trying to remember all my clothes right now is proving to be difficult since I'm used to only wearing what I have with me plus some of my sibling's clothes. Sometimes it is hard being a girl and trying to look cute and feel good about yourself when it seems you have too much but, if you get rid of anything you feel you'll have nothing. Well, it is time to start changing my mind set and getting ready to go on an adventure of going through all the boxes/bags/baskets/crates/etc in 16+ days. This will be tough (especially when I thought I'd have an apartment to myself for a few days to do it)  but, it is possible and I can do it. Who knew growing up could be so tough? haha Well, I am exhausted and should get some shut eye before another day of babysitting and another day of adventure begins. Good night World. Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite & sweet dreams.