I ♥ learning!

I started college straight out of high school and finally received my associate degree after 6 years (rather than the commonly achieved two). What can I say? Quick decision making has never been my forte. While there are some things I certainly could have done better or differently, what is done is done and the hands of time cannot be turned back, but even if I could go back in time, I probably wouldn't. The experiences I had along the way, the people who have weaved in and out of my life, and the lessons learned, have all contributed to the shaping of my persona. Sometimes I feel a bit frustrated, like I am "behind", since most of the friends I graduated with (and even several younger than I) have a bachelor degrees and are now plowing through grad school, and/or have spouses and children even. It is often a daily struggle to remind myself that it is okay that my life is not a cookie cutter of a young adult in this geographical area. It's okay and I am right where I need to be, learning and experiencing the things that will most benefit me and I trust that the Lord will direct my paths as I look to Him for guidance.

Going on Week Two of my University career, I feel like a "big girl" now. Figuratively speaking, I gave up the diapers and upgraded to real undies. The night before my first day at the "big school", my dad gave me a blessing and I felt like a kid frightened for the first day of kindergarten. My mom wrapped me in a hug as tears quietly rolled down my cheek.

Lucky for me I have a friend in my same major and in 3 out of my 4 classes this semester. This helped calm my nerves greatly (especially because if I got lost, which is something I am famous for, then I wasn't alone! hehe). For the record I didn't get lost. Well, we had to stop and ask some students if we were anywhere close to the building we were looking for, but actually we were right by it, woo-hoo!

During these past few days I have become very aware of something: I love learning.
My classes are awesome! I am learning so much and my mind is constantly flooded with ideas and concepts that interest me and make me want to look into it further. It's really exciting! Maybe it's the fact that I actually have a goal I'm working toward now, or because it's a fresh new start. or probably both! In fact, even my Stats class is proving to be interesting (and I am NOT fond of math).

I feel really lucky that I have the opportunity to go to the University and learn from others, hear different perspectives on the world in which we live, understand my own thinking and behaviors in a clearer way, and see how everything is connected. I am also fascinated to see the things in our world that aren't working so well and hope to make some kind of contribution change those things. I feel blessed to have a loving and supportive family that encourages me to succeed and is there to help me, and for kind friends who check up on me every now and then and make sure I take the time to play and do fun things!

Sorry about this post being "Dear Diary"-like (I try to stay away from that), but I couldn't help it. I just wanted to share that learning, by formal education or otherwise, is WONDERFUL! I will try to post stuff I learn from my classes and find interesting (in addition to whatever random stuff I decide to put on here). Enjoy and feel free to comment! :)