Final Stretch

My summer is officially over, and I have completed two days of my senior year at Millsaps. With the type of summer I had, it really wasn't too depressing to get back into the swing of things. This summer challenged me and somewhat changed me. I spent it studying for the OAT (Optometry Admissions Test), taking it in the middle of July, and completing my applications. I had many ups and downs, but my family and Michael were consistently by my side, and for that I am grateful. I'm looking forward to see what God has in the works for my immediate post-Millsaps plans. I drank many a mocha frappes from McDonalds and even got to read a book for fun (The Help) near the end of the summer. I still haven't finished reading the book, but I cheated and saw the movie. It was such a great film! I highly recommend it.

I wrapped up the summer by visiting Michael in St. Louis and had such a fantastic time! I really enjoyed seeing his city and meeting his friends. Here we are at the top of the arch:

My mom did some amazing cooking this summer (I must be really tired of the Caf because I had requests for each night). When Michael visited for my last few days at home, she went all out! So much fun. Here's Michael preparing his shrimp for the grill:

My first days back in Jackson were fine and the usual adjustment. I'm living in the same dorm that I have for the past three years, but I've upgraded! I am now on the "outside" portion of the building enjoying my own bedroom and a common living room area. Don't get me wrong, Casey and I love each other, but we're loving having our own space. My classes are fine so far (no organic chemistry this year...can I get a hallelujah?). I took the traditional department senior picture with the rest of the biology majors on the first day of class thinking, "I'm finally here!" It feels great.

Mocha Frappes

What am I loving right now? McDonald's mocha frappes. They're $2.51, tax included, which is definitely less than those at Starbucks. Although I adore Starbucks and all of the wonderful local coffee shops in Jackson, McDonald's is a great option for when I'm in Magnolia. I also made a homemade mocha frappe earlier this week, which is an even cheaper alternative! I was pleased with how it turned out.

Unsettled

"I have a test tomorrow."
"I have to write a paper."
"I need to get some sleep."
"I have to go to a meeting."
"I have so much homework to do."
"I should go to the library."
"I am so stressed out."

What do all of these statements have in common? Yes, you got it...the word "I". I'm realizing that these four years of college, no matter how involved one is in extracurriculars or volunteer activities, is very self-serving. It causes me to become irritated when my views get so skewed that I think my tests and academic success (or the lack thereof) is the only important thing in this world. Unfortunately, I fall into that belief often. What a joke! With professors on my back and students constantly achieving academic success (which is great!), it is easy to slip into this mindset.

Now that I'm in my third year of college, I have been able to pinpoint my source of occasional discontentment with this chapter of my life. I want to invest my time in something other than constantly myself. However, I must remind myself that these four years of college (and hopefully four years of optometry school) is the time I'll be putting in to prepare for the long-term lifestyle I desire. This lifestyle will allow me to do meaningful activities and build/maintain enriching relationships and "success" in all aspects of life--not just the academic one.

I'm thankful for my Millsaps education and for the friendships, experiences, and life lessons I've gained here because there is, after all, a time for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

(1) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
(2) a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
(3) a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
(4) a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
(5) a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
(6) a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
(7) a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
(8) a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.