MAJOR UPDATE
Ok…now that I’m back in Chicago, I get to choose between updating or studying; guess which one I chose?
So since the last time I updated, a lot has happened
I stopped going to Sanctuary for the drop-ins on Thursday nights. I think I got scared by all the challenges that were being placed in front of me and also very confused between what was right, what was good and what was safe. Needless to say, I spent a large part of my summer feeling guilty for quitting, especially since it seemed like I had let God down. Praise God for His love and for surrounding me with such great brothers - who just let me cry and whose encouraging words reminded me that God’s not done with me quite yet. It gives me hope and I’m ready for a new start and a new school year.
I read a lot of books other the summer, not very many I would recommend to anyone. I find that most novels for adults are so predictable that I often forget the storylines now. It’s so bad because I actually started reading this one book only to realize that I read it before...I guess the back cover made it more interesting than it really was for me to forget the title. The only one I would suggest is the 6th Harry Potter. There is something about children’s books that I love…I think it’s the creativity. I could stay at the 4th grade reading level and be completely content. Remember Robert Munsch, Ronald Dahl, Encyclopedia Brown, Gordon Korman? *sigh* Those there the days.
I had joined an elective course from my school over the summer to observe an optometrist in practice. It was an eye-opening experience (haha…sorry for the pun) and made me appreciate how difficult it is to really open up your own practice. I guess I never realized just how much effort was required. I admire all those doctors with their own practices so much more for their perseverance. I got to learn a lot from the doctor that I observed and also by comparing this practice with the one that I worked at. It’s interesting to see what works and what doesn’t work; and just the difference in specialized patient groups and general atmosphere. However, this being me after all, I decided that learning all this stuff was enough and that doing assignments were just waay too much effort for a credit that didn’t need in anyway. So basically, I went through the entire manual but dropped the course once I got back to Chicago.
I also went to Hawaii with Steph right before I left for Chicago. I had an awesome time. I won’t go into too much detail but I will say that if you ever get a chance to you, you MUST go to Pearl Harbour and the Polynesian Cultural Centre. The memorial was very moving, especially when you read the survivors’ accounts of what they experienced. When you think about it, a lot to the men who died were around our age or even younger. It’s crazy when you think about their sacrifice and the fear they must have felt. I regret not getting the audio tour along with it…I was too cheap to pay 5 bucks – but this gives me an excuse to go back again! The PCC was breathtakingly beautiful and all the shows and guides were very entertaining. It’s very expensive but worth it…my other regret is not being able to go to all the different demonstations and talking to the students who work there to learn more about their cultures. If you want a better idea of what we did that week go to Steph’s blog. It’s all true except for the renting surfboards incident; you can read her comments to hear my side. She should have pictures up soon. I don’t really know how to add pictures on but I’ll try a couple.
Before I left for Hawaii I got a chance to meet up with a ton of people. God really does answer prayers. After almost 4 years, a broken friendship is finally starting to heal. I thank Him for teaching me patience and to trust in His timing. I am so incredibly blessed to have so many friends, old and new, who were willing to spend time together. I hope that we will be able to continue share with one another where we are at and to encourage one another to be where we ought to be. And to those I didn't get a chance to get together with before I left, we WILL the next time I'm in town (ie. November - Tee & Dennis!)
Being back in Chicago is great, especially during orientation week. I had so much fun getting to know the incoming first years and spending time hanging out with my small group. I’m trying to do my own version of a caring ministry here just being a friend/mentor to those just starting. I know I sure could’ve used sometime like that. We’ll see how things go once school starts to pick up…I think I’ve put too much on my plate again thinking that I can handle everything and in the end accomplishing nothing. My mom says that I should change my “list of goals” to “list of dreams” since goals are dreams without any action. I find that I go into short spurts of action and that I burn out easily. I’m leading my first bible study tomorrow night. Feeling nervous and unprepared.
“All I have is yours…”
Trying to remind myself that my heart and mind must be in the right place above else. Here goes…
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