Just got back from the Sigma Chi Formal and it was AMAZING! I had a
great time. Thanks to my  wonderful date, Nathan Bainbridge,
and all of  the great Sigma Chi fellows that I met, the whole
weekend (the first of many formals, I hope) went off without a hitch.
Not to worry….pictures will be made available quite soon! It
really was a lot of fun, and Traverse City is a nice place (even in
late winter!). Alright, well considering that I haven’t done any
homework yet, I’d better get to work! Hope everyone had an equally
fun/satisfying weekend.

Thank God for Friday!!!

    Every day this week has sorta felt like Friday
(don’t know why) and now that it’s finally here, I can rejoice! Why,
you might ask? Well….I shall tell you. All week I have been looking
forward to two very exciting events that will occur this weekend:
             1) The Kappa “Draft a Date” Party (tonight!!)
             2) The Sigma Chi Formal (tomorrow night!!)
    Both will be loads of fun, I’m sure, and I’m excited
that the weekend is finally here so the goodtimes can roll! Also….
7 more days till I’m home in GA!!!!

P.S. no worries, I’ll take lots and lots of pictures

   Have you ever listened to music that you haven’t listened
to in a while and suddenly been overwhelmed by the feelings you might
have been experiencing the last time you heard that music?? Talk about
whoa. It’s a total memory-rush, let me tell you, even for things that
occurred not too long ago. It’s amazing how the brain connects certain
thoughts, feelings, etc. with outside influences (ie. music). It’s a
good thing, I think, that this occurs. Some things are beneficial to
forget, but most are not, for in most cases it is something that can be
learned from, whether it is an awesome memory or a not so awesome one.
Anyhow, I just thought I’d share that little tidbit of insight into my
thoughts/memories….

I am not sure anymore where I stand.

    I know where “I” stand of course….I know what I
think and believe and feel….I suppose the issue is that I do not know
what it is that anyone else thinks and believes and feels. Or if I do,
then I am doing my best to block it out of my thoughts. This cannot be
good. I wish that I could just once know a person with whom I feel
completely comfortable sharing my inmost thoughts, doubts, fears,
worries, joys, complaints, randomness….. God is, of course, my most
reliable Friend in all times of need, but sometimes I just want a human
face to look at and tell me all about their own personal joys and
struggles. And I want to know that, when they say it, they are being
completely sincere. My family has always been this for me–mother,
father, sisters–they have always been dearest to me when it comes to
expressing the way I feel about things. Perhaps because I was just
always around them and because we share our convictions and beliefs.
But now that I’m not constantly around them, I am left with a certain
small void.
         It certainly puts a
different spin on a relationship to put so much emotional/psychological
effort into it. The thing is, I know that no matter what I say or do
(within boundaries of which I’m fully aware) my family will always love
me. And I suppose even if I crossed those lines (pray to God I never
will) they will still love me. God’s love is the same. But what about
the love of a friend? There are perhaps only 2 or 3 non-family members
I can name who fall into the category of ever-loving friends…and none
of them go to Hillsdale. I want that to change. So talk to me. Tell me
your thoughts, dreams, hopes, cares, fears, loves….

P.S. The whole family-dependent thing….? Totally Southern. If you
don’t understand, you’re probably not from the South. If you would like
to convert, Dr. Stewart might tell you that it is impossible. However,
I can tell you that at least one Canadian has been completely saved
from the mindset of the North and it is still a possibility for any who
are willing….

Hoorah for KKG! Inspiration week was wonderful, initiation was even
better and now I’m a full-fledged Kappa! YAY Not to mention that my
MOTHER came and surprised me!! What a wonderful weekend. It’s been
wonderful and I want to thank all of my amazing Kappa sisters,
especially my mom and sister.

Love to all!

   Despite all the work that seems to be piling up for this week, I have really had a good past three days. “Inspiration Week” was aptly named–every day, in the face of loads of homework and worries about various and sundry things, I have still felt inspired to get up and be happy about life. Why? Because it’s worth it! Beauty is all around me–in God’s creation and in the faces and hearts of my friends, my family and my Kappa sisters. Love is a constant driving force in the actions of everyone that I know–whether it be the love shown in the concern of a friend or that given in a hug from your sister! [We love because He first loved us.] Goodness is not inherent to our weak race; nonetheless, we are daily gifted with grace in order that we might live a life that expresses goodness to all. I have learned so much from Kappa already–in spiritual as well as social aspects of my life–and I am so blessed to be a member (soon-to-be active) of this wonderful sorority!

In other news….

   I truly enjoyed hearing Scott Cairns last night. He is an amazing poet. His verses typify the genre of poetry that I  myself might make meager attempts to write: faith-based, observational poems that examine the world and the self from a God-centered point of view and that ultimately come to the conclusion of unworthiness in the self and ultimate adoration and salvation in God. While this theme is not apparent in every single one of his poems, it seems to be an underlying theme. Half of what astounded me about Cairns was simply his presence–his speaking voice and the emotions he conveyed as he read aloud his own writing. I was immediately drawn to the sound of his voice–it’s inflections, dialect and warmth–the slightly halting breaths between phrases–if you didn’t like his poetry, you must at least admit that he was intriguing to listen to! I am so excited to hear from Dr. Cairns again this evening (if I can get out of work :-\ …) and looking forward to reading more of his poetry! Thanks to Dr. Somerville for bringing in such a talented poet to share his love for God and words with such as us!