Christmas is tomorrow?

With finals officially over and having been back home for a week now, I'm caught in a time warp. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just different...first, I don't feel like the semester is over and I should be going back to school on Monday (but I'm glad to be done!)...second, there's Christmas, which apparently is tomorrow. It's not like I've been hiding in a box and was unaware that tomorrow is Christmas, but it kinda feels like it. I mean, when I'm in school (and every other college kid can attest to this) December doesn't feel like the holidays. Rather, it's scrambling to finish last minute projects, cramming for final exams, and occasionally sleeping if you're lucky. So, after I'm all done with that I come home and only have x-amount of days to prepare for the holiday...it's weird. Oh well, it's tomorrow and I'm excited to be with my family :)


Finally, there's this whole South Africa thing. Ya know, the thing that stimulated this blog in the first place. I didn't believe my friends who had done the South Africa program last year when they told me that it didn't really hit them that they were leaving until they got to the airport, but now that I'm leaving in less than a month I'm beginning to understand. I have lived in the United States for 21 years, have never traveled outside of the country and yet in exactly 28 days I will be getting on a plane to live in a foreign country for 5 full months...don't get me wrong, I'm still excited and I'm definitely not having second thoughts, it's just all part of my mental processing. 


On a lighter note, I don't start my part-time job (and by that I mean my 2 week job) until January 3rd so I'm excited to catch up with friends next week and relax a little. I also finally conquered my school stuff and have it all packed away and now only have to sort my clothes, yipee! Well, it being Christmas I best finish wrapping some gifts. Merry Christmas everyone! ♥

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
2 John 1:3 


Many blessings and much love,
Janelle

There's a light at the end of the tunnel...

After being thrown into the fiery pits of end-of-the-semester-hell, I am halfway through and can see the light. Starting last Wednesday, I had 2, 5 page papers, 2 presentations, a 20 page paper on Thursday, and a spanish oral  interview today. Thankfully, my exam schedule isn't bad: 3 total, one each day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 2 Spanish online oral recording exams due Tuesday, and then my interview for Marquette's Physician Asssistant Program at 12:30 on Tuesday as well. Needless to say, I've been a little stressed out lately and not getting much sleep (thank you to my all-nighter Weds for my 20 pager :P ) But like I said, I'm almost done. All I can do now is press on, head down, pushing through towards the light...3 more days and I'll be home free :)


I'll be home free and able to focus on my next journey. A week and a half ago I actually got to meet all the students in the South Africa Service Learning Program, whom I'll be living and stuyding with next semester. Funny story, of the 4 students that came to Marquette from my high school 1 is currently in Spain and the other 2 are coming with me to South Africa - crazy right?! So when I get homesick we can lean on each other for a real taste of home, since we all have shared experiences from our hometown. The rest of the group is great - everyone seems really friendly and although this may be my optimism speaking, I think we're going to have good group chemistry.


Well, español is calling my name...tres días más y estoy en casa ♥


Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 
Colossians 3:17


Many blessings and much love,
Janelle

Home stretch!

After fighting with the bureaucracy of South Africa (AKA applying for my visa) for the past few days I have some advice: if you are applying for a visa make sure to triple check all your paperwork and do not, I repeat, do not wait until the day it's due...oh procrastination how I loathe you sometimes...grrr O_o

On a lighter and more philosophical note, I realized yesterday that in two weeks I will be officially done with the semester and half of my junior year...I have mixed feelings about this. While I am excited to be done with school work and be that much closer to being in Cape Town, I don't know if I'm ready for the semester to end yet. This has been an incredible semester: I have loved all my classes and all my professors (1st time since I've been at school), I have enjoyed my job working as a desk receptionist at McCabe, I had an awesome 21st birthday, made several great new friends, got accepted into South Africa, went on an amazing retreat with Campus Crusades for Christ, and I have formed countless memories with amazing friends ♥

More and more I am realizing the value of my college experience. Yes, grades do matter (I'm not taking thousands of dollars worth of classes for nothing) but in the end it's about the people you meet and the experiences you share. To the point, when I am stressing over an exam and have the option of studying instead of attending Campus Crusades for Christ, having dinner with a friend, or whatever it may be, I often remind myself "Ten years from now I won't look back and say 'Wow, remember that one time when I studied all night for that Biochem exam instead of going to CRU? Man that was awesome.' Ridiculous, right? No, instead I will look back and cherish the fellowship with my fellow CRU members and nurturing my friendships.

I've heard a thousand times "College years are the best years of your life. Enjoy it while it lasts - it goes by all too fast." And that's exactly what I am striving to do. 

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Many blessings and much love,
Janelle

57 days...and counting!

Less than two months...I can't believe it. In 57 days I will be leaving for an experience of a lifetime. It's so surreal. I have a feeling it won't hit me until I start packing, or rather, attempt to pack...goodness knows that'll be an experience itself! (check out the survey on the right). How am I, the soccer mom, supposed to fit 5 months worth of clothes, appliances, and stuff into 2, 50 lb suitcases?! O_o I should start packing now...and part of me is not kidding :P

Being my first entry, I should outline what you can expect from my blog:
- my goal is to update at least once a week
- I will be writing about everything and anything so be prepared for the occasional ramble
- comments are welcomed and very much appreciated it!

...as for pictures, I know I've been horrible about posting them on facebook and getting them to people in the past, which is why I am making it my New Year's resolution to post within one week of an event/experience. I must warn you that my access to the internet will most likely be limited, only because I have to pay for it as I use it. But I do not want to lose touch with home so I will do everything in my power to keep this updated!

Finally, it being Thanksgiving I want to thank you in advance for checking out my blog - while I am stoked for this experience it does not cancel out the feelings of apprehension and sorrow about leaving the comfort of loved ones. I am extremely grateful for God blessing me with the gift of life, my faith, my family, my friends, the Chick Evans Scholarship, this incredible opportunity to study abroad, good health, clean water, and I am also thankful for the beauty of being alive, right here, right now.

"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done" 
Psalm 105:1

Many blessings and much love,
Janelle