Growing up...

Grovers exist outside the bubble! The fusion of my home and school world.

Rachel Lee, this one's for you! It's always great to see Grovers outside of school. I love importing my school friends into the real world--it's weird, but I like it. I met up with some friends downtown Inner Harbor. They were at the Next conference, which is like a Christian conference with speakers like CJ Mahaney and Joshua Harris. I think no matter where we are, we'll always be Grovers. It's comforting to know that there's a huge network of people to support and encourage you, even if you're not on campus anymore. This may be even better, because there's no Noodles & Company in Grove City.

Here's some moments when I felt grown up/mature this past week:
- Going to the dentist BY MYSELF and having my wisdom teeth pulled. Hopefully my wisdom didn't leave with my teeth.

- Getting a tax refund and making a money budget. Don't forget to tithe!

- Talking to my mom about traffic and what is the best route to take to work.

- Using public transportation and paying the full rate (not the student rate!)

- Taking my car into the body shop to get an estimate after getting rear-ended. I remember the days when I rode a bicycle everywhere...

I'm embracing growing up and making the transition into the real world. It's both exciting and scary, but with every moment, I am learning that I can be independent and that I am been prepared to handle these situations. Even though I'm learning to be "independent," I am reminded that I am not in this alone, that my friends are in the same boat and I can count on them for comfort and support.

Blessed be Your name...

"You give and take away!
You give and take away!
My heart will choose to say...
Blessed be Your name."

So post-graduate life is something else. It's like a strange purgatory between childhood summer days and mature monotony. In the past week, I've read so many books, watched re-runs of Friends, started a scrapbook of college memories, and actually cooked a couple of meals. I was trying to build some sort of routine but it's hard when there's nothing to do.

My life lacked purpose. I didn't feel bad for sleeping in because there really wasn't a reason to get the day started (and I'm not really a morning person). I think that's what I needed: purpose, a reason to get up in the morning.

After the season finale of LOST (which brought even more closure to this part of my life), I got an email from a family who needed a babysitter. Their 7-year-old daughter couldn't go to school so they needed someone to take care of her during the day. They sounded desperate, and I guess I was too. I figured I could use the money for next year and it'll be a good growing experience.

It's been three days of babysitting. I honestly don't know how moms can do this for a lifetime. It is a roller coaster of joy and frustration, silliness and sternness. At least I had an excuse to color and make snowflakes., and sing and play guitar. And we bonded over singing Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." :-)

Tree 63's song "Blessed Be Your Name" was playing on the radio on the way to babysitting today. I was thinking about how life is a series of blessings and trials, and how they can be at the same time. It's always better to look on the positive side of things and appreciate the fact that we have a purpose in life.

GCC Graditude

Our "High School Musical" moment once we graduated from College.

I graduated from Grove City College! I am officially a "big girl" with a B.S. in Elementary Education! It's been a crazy four years...from field experiences to road trips to funny pranks! I'll never forget the relationships that I have built with the best friends ever! I am truly grateful to have known all of you and will remember you everywhere I may go!

This season of my life has come to an end, but I am about to go on a life-changing adventure! My journey began in the Fall when I was a student teacher in two different schools in Western PA. My favorite memory was when I got to teach the students Chinese culture, language, and calligraphy. Teaching 40 5th graders and 30 3rd graders how to differentiate between "mother" and "horse" was hilarious. In my entire student teaching experience, I have never seen kids so eager to learn than when I taught them how to write the character "Fu"-meaning "Good Fortune." We even learned things like multiplication and stars!

My future was unknown then, but I knew a couple of things: I wanted to teach, I wanted to expand my cultural horizons, and I wanted an adventure. After a series of events, I have the opportunity to teach English and Western culture to college students. So, basically the opposite of my student teaching experience. I know that my strengths and passions are perfect for this job, and I am thankful to do something that I love. I am looking forward to being on my own, not being so selfish, and experiencing life to the fullest.

So...I'm a blogger!

Welcome to my blog! I am excited for the opportunity to teach English/Western culture at New Day Learning center! Join me on my post-college adventure!