The Wheels Are Turning (Part 2)

I'm back again! So... stuff has happened since I last wrote. Like I said previously, I have been accepted to the University of Northern Colorado to major in Theatre Arts. Well, I have made the decision to go there instead of going to Capernwray. Even though I would have preferred to go to Capernwray before going off to college, I believe that God wants me going down this path. Currently I am searching for a roommate who is hopefully also a Christian. I've been talking to two girls, one of which already has a roommate, and I'm planning to meet up with the other sometime soon so we can get to know each other before making any decisions about rooming together. We have some of the same interests/passions and we're both Christians, yet we seem like pretty different people, so let's just hope this works out. It's pretty scary trying to get all these things done-- applying for housing, finding a roommate, finding friends, applying for FAFSA-- it's all really stressful. But as far as Capernwray, there's nothing stopping me from going after college. This is five years away, but right now I have this sort of plan to go to Capernwray and spend the rest of the year traveling in solitude in order to find myself and find God. I know, it sounds kinda hippie-ish, but the other day I was watching a TED talk by writer and lecturer Susan Cain. She began talking about solitude, and her words got my attention. She said this:

"...solitude matters and... for some people it is the air that they breathe. And in fact, we have known for centuries about the transcendent power of solitude. It's only recently that we've strangely begun to forget it. If you look at most of the world's major religions, you will find seekers-- Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad-- seekers who are going off by themselves alone to the wilderness, where they then have profound epiphanies and revelations that they then bring back to the rest of the community. So, no wilderness, no revelations."

This got my attention because I realized that I haven't had a genuine moment of peace and freedom since, like, Preschool. I have obviously had many peaceful moments and many happy moments, but I don't know if there was ever a time that something wasn't hanging over my shoulders. Even over breaks, there's always homework you need to do, a job to go to or look for, people counting on you and watching over you, etc. After college, no one needs you to find a career right away or get married and have kids right away, so what's stopping me? Now, this may not ever happen, but to think that I could spend a few months with fellow Christians to focus on God, then go out on my own, away from other people, just to be with myself and ponder, worship, read, write, pray, etc., is a calming thought. We shall see what God's will is for me.

As for other news: I have a job now! The whole process was terrifying and stressful, but I got the job just like that. What happened was that Thomas (my younger brother, for those of you who don't know) discovered that the new Village Inn in Longmont was having open interviews, so naturally he applied, went in for the interview, and got his first real job as a dishwasher. The moment he announced the good news, my spirits dropped. I thought, "Great. Now I'm officially the last one in my family to get a job. Everyone is probably going to think I'm lazy and careless". My family strongly suggested that I should also go in for an interview because they were essentially handing out jobs. I refused because I couldn't see myself working in a restaurant, but they pushed and pushed and pushed me (even off the edge at one point), but eventually I gave in and went. The interviewers were extremely friendly and made the whole thing so comfortable for me. I believe I presented myself to them very well. So now I'm a busser at Village Inn! Work hasn't started yet and it won't for a couple more weeks, but wish me luck! Feel free to drop by once it's open; you might catch me clearing the tables!

I am determined to make it to at least Disneyland this summer. My dear, lovely mother is 100% on board with it, thank God for her, and Thomas seems to want to go too. I think both of them would also really like to spend time in Los Angeles and/or other places in California, so hopefully we can make enough money for that. I really don't know how some people can afford a lengthy trip to California. I see people going all the time, and I just don't know how they do it. There's gas, food, lodging and entertainment to pay for, and stuff is so expensive. It was easier to travel as a kid when there wasn't college and gas to pay for; it's not so easy to get away now. Still, I'm determined.

To finish up my post, I present good news. First of all, I have over a 4.0 GPA! I'm not completely sure of my exact GPA as of now, but it's definitely over a 4.0. That's definitely a miracle... I feel like I had almost nothing to do with it... but yay! Lastly, I would like to say that Star Wars. was. awesome. I was violently squirming in my seat and excitedly banging my hands on the arm rests the moment the neon blue words "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." popped up on the screen. Then... DAAAA DA DA DA... BUM BUM BUM BUUUM BUUUM BUM BUM BUM BUUUM... you get the point. It was epic.

That's all I've got for you today. I'm hungry and my eyes hurt from staring at the screen for hours, so I'm leaving now.