College: mid-terms to finals

17 weeks (16 spent at school), 67 letters written, hundreds (ok, that's a rough guesstimate) of hours talking on the phone, and 7 classes later: I'm back at home!  My first semester of college as a whole was a huge learning experience in so many ways.  I'm really thankful for the people I've met and the lessons I've been taught yet again (until I learn to get it right!).
Mid-terms to finals went even better than the first half.  Taking 7 classes all at once became less of a shock and the assignments went down a little easier.  Finals weren't exactly "the most relaxing time of the semester" (in the words of several professors); but considering my lack of studying, they did go surprisingly well.

My roommates (^) and other friends made college a very memorable experience with a lot of laughing.  Many thanks to Erica (^) who gave me my first partial attendance class penalty and provided many laughs in and out of our most miserable class.  It's because of her that English 102 became a very humorous class.

Thanks also to Hannah (^) for being a great study buddy and dorm neighbor.  I couldn't have asked for better there.  The many "study" sessions together were a great comfort to my heart and a good intermission from the books.

Not pictured here, I am also thankful for Thanksgiving break (which finally arrived after mid-terms) with my oldest sister and my incredible cousins who looked out for me above and beyond.  All these great people made my semester more than just tolerable.  

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Every mile-stone throughout the semester deserved celebration.  Mid-terms came and went and then November also finally rolled around.  The temperature decreased, and I realized that even the south can be cold on occasion.  This came as a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one.

Even with the cold weather, though, southern weather is very unpredictable.  I barely had a chance to get excited about the rain before the sky was entirely blue again without a sign of rain for another very long time.  The quickly passing rains never impressed me very much.

Although the studying (^) sometimes grew old (ok, more than sometimes), getting packages (^) and mail never wearied me.  Little pieces of family and friends always kept me going and gave me much-needed distractions from the monotonous studying routine.

I can't deny that I got to enjoy some pretty epic sunsets, which are all so unique and colorful.

One of the biggest treats of the semester was a surprise visit from my mom just before Thanksgiving break.  After many weeks apart, it was very refreshing to finally talk in person and see each other.  Phone calls are nice, but they don't capture everything.

We enjoyed several days together, which included Artist Series "Much Ado About Nothing" at BJU, a relaxing pedicure, and even a salad with a fly tossed in.  (Yes, we ate  the whole thing before finding this little friend..)

This was by far the largest caterpillar I have ever seen.  He looks awfully juicy, and I'm glad I missed stepping on him in the parking lot.

As a consolation for my mom's going away after 5 too-short days together, the cousins took me out to a pizza buffet.  So many choices!

I learned pretty quickly that even standing in line couldn't be wasted time.  I still managed to pull out some reading assignments and make a little progress while waiting

It was a weird--really weird---feeling when finals were over and I had absolutely no reading/writing assignments to think about or tests to cram for.  It had been a very long time since my life had been that way.  I can say that it was a rather welcome feeling.  Pizza and gingerbread house making was in order for celebration.

Of course, this holiday season wouldn't be complete without an eggnog latte...or 3 or 4.  I love it when these come out.

As I got on the plane to fly alone for the first time, it still felt unreal that I'd just completed finals and my first semester of college.  Around this time last year I didn't think I could possibly handle college of any kind.  And that would've been true if it weren't for God's gentle faithfulness.  I see His goodness everywhere I turn.

Now I'm home again and ever-so-glad to be here.  This break---this family---is just what I've been needing.