Blue-Eyed Breather

It's football season in Texas. If you're not from Texas, you may not understand the weight that sentence carries. Let me try to explain. Football season in Texas is CRAZY. Everyone rallies around their team to cheer them on, even if they know nothing about football. There's so much excitement in the air! You don't miss your team's game. Period. And if you do, you pretend you watched it. It doesn't matter what the weather is like, you WILL be at home games, rain, shine, heat, or ice. Saturdays are consumed with watching football. Rivalries are like none other. I can't fully describe football in Texas, but know that it is an atmosphere like you've never experienced before. Baylor's first home game is today against Wofford. I know, who's Wofford? (It's some school from North Carolina). But even though this game should be a piece of cake, I will be there in the 100 degree heat, cheering my bears to victory! I am just as excited as everyone el...

This past week has been a mass of chaotic studying, reading, and stress relieving. It's that time of year that everyone dreads all semester but also looks forward to seeing the end result--finals week. Needless to say, my brain has been working in overtime. I am the kind of person that plans a VERY detailed study schedule and sticks to it as much as possible. I'm also the kind of person who is done studying for the day by 8pm at the latest so I can let my brain rest for the night by watching TV or reading a book for fun. Studying for me is all about time-management and practical planning. After all, if you don't know the information the night before a big test, cramming and staying up until the wee hours of the morning will not help you remember the information on the test. Instead, I study steadily throughout the year, so once finals season comes around, I just have to review what I know. On my schedule, I wrote down the times I will study, exercise, eat meals, and sociali...

Even though it's only November 26, the Christmas season has begun. A short walk through any sort of shopping area and you see busy buyers, rampaging the store's shelves in search of this or that gift that Johnny or Susie just have to get for Christmas. Public places are decorated with festive lights and Christmas trees. The weather hasn't caught the seasonal memo, but everything else is pretty much on board to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas is such a fun time. For starters, it is a celebration of the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords. What a cause for jubilation! Secondly, Christmas is a time to enjoy family and friends and a time to show love to others. I love finding the perfect gift for the precious people in my life and watch them smile as they open their presents. It brings me joy to make them happy! Thirdly, although I always have to have a course of IV antibiotics over the holidays, I don't have to worry about school work, deadlines, or tests....

I apologize for not blogging for several days now. I've been very busy! That's college life for you, I suppose. This past weekend was parents' weekend at Baylor. My whole family came to Waco, which was loads of fun. I enjoyed having my family in my home away from home because I got to show them why I l love living here. I believe that God has placed me in Waco at this time in my life for a specific purpose, and while I'm here, I will make the most of every opportunity I'm given, including the opportunity to explore and discover a new city. People don't always appreciate Waco for the city that it is. From the outside, it does look a little sketchy. And I don't recommend walking the streets at night. However, Waco has many hidden gems nestled in its antique exterior. It is home to one of the best universities in Texas (of course, I may be a bit biased.) The city of Waco cares deeply for the homeless and has many opportunities for people to get involved ser...

And in the blink of an eye, it's that time of year again.... College football season. There's nothing more exciting than the atmosphere at a college football game, especially a game in Texas. If you're not from Texas, football may not be quite as big of a deal. Down here, though, a school's football record determines the popularity of the school and settles many rivalries year after year. Football is  the fall semester, not just a part of it. Weekends revolve around tailgating, losing your voice, and spending far too much money at the concession stands. Such is the life of a college football fan. Baylor's opening season game was tonight against SMU. Not to brag or anything, but we wrecked shop. Nick Florence, our new quarterback did an incredible job. Anyone questioning his abilities were shut down tonight. As we scored touchdown after touchdown, the whole stadium knew Baylor was out to win--and win big. We pulled off the victory, completely dominating SMU. ...

I have been a failure of a blogger recently. I apologize! It's hard to get into a new rhythm of life after being in a different swing for many months. Speaking of changes, sophomore year is going to be a big change for me. I am no longer a helpless freshman, new to every single experience that comes my way. I no longer need to leave 45 minutes before my class starts just in case I get lost along the way. I am not second guessing my major or even trying to choose one from among many. I am no longer questioning my ability to be independent and manage CF. It's a liberating feeling to know I navigated freshman year successfully! But, like I said, this year is also full of changes. This is my first time learning phonetics and the entirely new "alphabet" that goes along with it, which I will use my entire working life. This is my first time living in an apartment with a kitchen, allowing me to cook my own meals. This is the first time I am in a God-given leadership posi...