I'm back!

I'm back from break, and it was wonderful.  I think the best way to describe it is to say that Caitlin and I watched an entire season of Grey's Anatomy.  We were that active.  But it was a much needed break, and I can now face the quarter with some enthusiasm.  My classes are looking pretty good, but then again, I've only had one day of them.  For some reason, Cal Poly gives us Caesar Chavez day off, which meant I had one day of school until I went on my mini vacation.  It's been great though.  I met a friend in Atascadero for lunch, watched the last hour of Lord of the Rings (I can't decide...Aragorn vs. Legolas...tough call) and then practiced my frisbee skills.  By the end of the day I had improved my aim, if not my catch, considerably.  Overall, a great way to ease into the quarter :)

So Close

This is how I feel about Spring Break.  Personally, I think it says it all :)

Amy Wyosnick: A Tribute

Today Amy (the lovely lady pictured above) moved out to study abroad in Thailand.  Although we are all very excited for her, we are very sad that she's gone.  Not only is she a great friend and absolutely hilarious, but she also is a great cook :)  As Caitlin would say, "I don't waaant you to go!"  Last night we had a great "last supper" for her going away party and Laura's birthday.  It was fun to spend some time with all five of us.  And fortunately, we live pretty close, so we will be able to see her over the summer before Caitlin, Laura, and I go to Europe to study abroad (we're getting quite cultural in 506). We'll miss you Amy!!

Changes

Do you guys like the changes?  I can't decide, so I could use some input.

Linnaea's

Today Caitlin, Laura, and I went to Linnea's to study.  It's a great little cafe that is everything Starbucks tries to be.  People are always in there reading and studying, so we went out on their adorable patio to soak up some sun while we studied.  It was so much better than studying in my room :)  We all took our cameras and tried to be artistic, so here's the result!

Finals and Funfetti

The very best and the very worst, all in one day :)  Actually, studying hasn't been too bad. I've actually been able to get a lot done, and I got a total of 4 1/2 hours of studying in this afternoon.  While it was horrible in one sense, it feels great to have it done.  And what better way to take a study break than baking a funfetti bundt (because Caitlin loves her bundt cakes) and catching up on my blog?  

I am soooo excited to go home for break.  It feels like I haven't been there forever, and I miss my dogs (and my parents, of course!).  Nine days at home without homework sounds fantastic!

Another post on love...

I am so thankful for God's love, and even if this sounds cliche, it's so true!  When you think about it, it's such a gift and a wonder that the God of the universe delights in us.  So often I get caught up in ordinary things and forget that God has made my life extraordinary.  Last night I went to a missions conference at my church, and the speaker was talking about letting God interrupt our lives.  It gave me a lot to think about, and not just in terms of missions.  Am I letting God interrupt my life?  Or am I just doing what I want?  And how can I be content with following my own will when I know that God has something amazing in store for me when I follow him?

Feeling loved

As you can tell by the title, I am currently feeling very loved.  I got a package today from a woman in my church, Ellie, who makes care packages every year for the college students in our church.  It was full of candy, little gifts, and (best of all) her fabulous baked goods.  My roommates and I are beside ourselves!  So thank you so much Ellie, and the rest of my home church as well, for being so loving!

Refreshed

Wow, it feels like forever since I've done a new post, especially one longer than two lines.  Today was so refreshing.  After my 6 am meeting I took a three hour nap, which was fantastic.  Such a great way to start the day :)  In addition to the nap, I had my piano lesson today, which is always relaxing (in comparison to my high school days when I would try to hide the fact that I hadn't touched the piano in the last week), and then had a great quiet time.  I drove out to Montana de Oro, a great state park only 30 minutes away from campus.  It was so beautiful!  I sat on the beach and just soaked in God's grace.  My mom sent me an email today about Rick Warren, and I thought of something he said while I was sitting there.  This is part of the interview: "When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do."  I have been so focused on fulfilling my to do lists lately, whether they are spiritual or material, that I was exhausted and frustrated.  Having some time just to spend alone with God and relax was such a gift.  It is such a wonderful thing that we don't have to work for salvation, he did the work for us.  So yeah, that was my wonderful, refreshing afternoon.

By the way, I don't take credit for the picture.  I forgot my camera today, but I needed to put one on, so I found one on the internet.  I think I've been doing too many research papers lately...I feel like I need a works cited :)