May the road rise to meet you

Well... I am terrible at keeping up. 

So much has happened! I have been crazy busy these past few weeks, just figuring out life and living it. It's been a whirlwind.

School has finally begun to feel like home, which is certainly a relief after the first few weeks of being there. 

We've had our fair share of adventures: floor art night, white water rafting, Boomsday, farmers markets, late-night pizza, lots of The Office, volunteering, and so much more! 

. . .

And now I am finally home. It is strange to be here, I feel like I am in limbo, a little bit.

But things I love about being home:

FOOD. So much good food. All the time. 

Having my laundry done for me.

My awesome, hilarious, wonderful parents.

Actually seeing my brother.

Seeing and loving on this crazy kid:

(Missed her to death)

A bed that is full size and NOT lofted seven feet in the air. 

Couches.

Driving and singing at the top of my lungs.

Realizing why I loved growing up in Murfreesboro. 

. . .

You know, although I realize that a lot has changed in these past 6 weeks, I still feel like everything makes sense. 

So here's to fall, and all the glorious inspiration that comes with it. Here's to home and familiar faces, to hugs and lovin'. 

I'll be here when you wanna come back home

It's been rainy around here lately... 

Today's rainy day playlist:

know your roots- still time

blood- the middle east

holocene- bon iver

in the dirt- s. carey

white winter hymal- fleet foxes

funeral dress- william fitzsimmons

.  .  .

Labor weekend was a grand one, despite the rain. My friend Em planned to come visit this weekend, and come, she did. And also, I got a surprise! Lauren! 

It's safe to say it was a fantastic weekend. 

A list...

First UT football game!

Lots and lots and LOTS of rain

Cuddling and hugs

Papa John's and movies

Boomsday!

Birthday ice cream cake

Lazy monday

and a few other crazy things

Say hello, say hello to a new beginning

I see the future in your eyes,

you seem so free,

like nothing's ever gonna keep you down.

So say goodbye say goodbye to the you I knew before,

say hello, say hello to a new beginning...

.  .  .

It is no small secret that adjusting to being here has been a struggle for me. I mull and wonder about what things would have been like if things had turned out the way I thought they would back in February of this year. So although I wake up some mornings here, just as the sun is coming up, and I wonder.... why am I here? I hold on to a little ounce of hope that says there is a reason. I am not saying that I've completely come to terms with my presence here or that all my doubts have subsided, but I am beginning to see the new beginning. 

Today I woke up quite ill, having gotten little sleep. I even took two naps between classes today. I knew that I was expected to go directly from my French class to volunteer at Pond Gap Elementary for a volunteer outreach program I am involved in. I grudgingly made the walk over to the pick-up location, and I can gladly say it has been a wonderful afternoon full of promise. I learned about some very exciting, very plausible opportunities, and I got to mentor some great kids! Pond Gap is an elementary school full of kids from 23 different countries, all with home lives I can hardly imagine. A professor, his students, and many volunteers, have made Pond Gap into a full blown community service center including after school extracurriculars, learning, literacy classes for parents, free dinner for students and parents, and even circus classes! They are transforming a community by giving students an uplifting and educational opportunity to succeed. I got to meet so many awesome kids and teachers today! I can't wait to see where some of these opportunities lead. 

.  .  .

Not to mention I got to go for a bike ride and eat dinner with my brother tonight! 

Cheers for family time! 

This weekend is going to be a great one.

.  .  .

"There is a light that is coming for the heart that holds on"

Good Morning World

Have a happy day, and share the love.

say hello to a new beginning...

Say goodbye, say goodbye

to the you I knew before

Say hello, say hello to a new beginning

I see the future is in your eyes

You seem so free

Like nothing's ever gonna keep you down

.  .  .

Thank you  music for making my life. 

It's the little things that count, right?

Like my inspirational cough drop wrappers...

"Conquer today."

.  .  .

Things I love:

speed-friending...second dinner...natesanders...blogging to save the world...

packages in the mail from my em... letters from my grandmother...

chocolate covered almonds... clarinet...

musical genius... new friends...

donald miller

N'dakasimba kana makasimbawo

P.S. Last night I got to see my lovelies :)

Missed you crazy kids

There is so much more.

.  .  .

I think I need this reminder every day. I need to post it above my head so when I wake up, I will never put my selfish thoughts before others.

Being away from the things I feel called to do, and the people I love certainly wears on me. It is no secret that if you'd asked me six months ago where I'd be today, it would certainly be far from here. 

So as I adjust to living out this current story in a meaningful way, I must remember that there is so much more. More than my wants and desires. More than this place. More than just going to class and living in a dorm. 

I've just got to figure out what "more" fits into this context. 

Oh the places you'll go...

A day of adventures indeed. Imani and I set out for the farmer's market around ten yesterday morning... After a peach slush, some delicious lunch at Tomato Head, and a nice conversation with Nate we decided to explore. We found a crepe shop, and let me tell you those crepes were delicious. We also saw The Help, which was a fantastic movie. 

I really needed those adventures to get my mind off of things.

 

 

 

However, the most important thing I did this weekend was make a list of goals. A tangible list of all the things I want this semester to be. 

So here goes nothing...

Shosholoza.