Fall

Growing up mainly West of the Mississippi, tree's were a rare commodity. There might be one solitary tree changing colors with a pathetic pile of leaves surrounding it, not worth raking up. So the vibrant myriad of golds, reds, and browns splashed across the city and countryside has been a glorious feast for my eyes. Its hard to believe that I only have one more week of classes and then finals, and then I'll be halfway done with my Senior year of college!!! Next semester I'll only be taking three classes and Choral, or at least that's the plan. But I'll also be focusing a little more hard-core on my internship with the Kentucky WMU ministries to international students. I have had lots of opportunities to hang out with International students through the Seminary, and a few off-campus with some sweet Turkish ladies who feed me and my fellow classmates very well. ;-)

I've also had time to hang out with my significant other about once a week. He's been very good about gently reminding me to stay on top of schoolwork, but also making fun times during breaks. He bought tickets to see my family over Christmas break. We're both excited, although I suspect he's a little apprehensive about the cold. Since he's never lived above the Mason-Dixon line nor West of the Mississippi, so the extremity of the High Plains will be a new experience. However I am confident that he will rise up to the challenge with excellence as always ;-)


I have FINALLY got my internship sorted out, and this weekend has been a very fun experience of jumping in without much training and getting to interact with 450 odd students from over a dozen countries, most of which being the Middle East and Asia. I must say I was a little intimidated when I had to be a co-leader for a small group. But once again the glorious dynamic kicked in that I have encountered before: international students are far more open and curious about religion and faith conversations when they are over here than when they are in their home country. Its been fun watching them grow from shy introverted quiet creatures looking around with thinly veiled curiosity, to exuberant chatty teenagers making friends and memories.



Another funny thing this weekend is that Cambellsville University brought three vans of students and leaders, and a couple of them have been folks I've already met through my boyfriend. I only met them once before, so we've spent a few minutes doing double-takes across the conference room before walking over to one another laughing. My internship supervisor, MaryAnne, and I went exploring during the break and discovered a few little shops that are a flea-marketer's dream come true. The majority of the stuff wasn't really worth stopping for, but then there were a few reeeeeeally cool finds tucked away here and there (like the amaaaazing home made fudge from scratch. We stopped inside a western/gun/knife store for kicks and the proprietor told us if we walked across the street and told the lady he sent us, she'd give us a 10% discount on her fudge, which she did! And I am savoring the chocolate-mint fudge as I type) which made it all worth it.



So that's whats up with me. I'm hoping next semester I will be more diligent about blogging, but I think I always say that. Oh well. If you want more regular posts go to my Mom's blog (http://goldengrasses.blogspot.com)


One of the fun things about blogging, though, is it gives me a chance to see why I'm always so tired. I do a lot! And its fun. Someone asked if I was looking forward to graduation, as I'd get a chance to slow down and not do as much. Ha. A dear friend of mine graduated last May and she's been going non-stop with the ministry she is now working full-time for. Its looking like I may be in the same boat; there is a job-opening in a ministry that I'm applying for, and I'm hoping to start pursuing more education in ASL (American Sign Language) to be a certified translator. But we'll see; that's a way away. Right now my goal is to survive the two huge papers I have to write in the next week. :-)