Guitar

Guitar, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

Okay, I took this picture today and figured why not post this while I'm on my blogging spree?

I love my brother. ^_^

Recap: January

Coffee, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

Okay, even though it's only the 12th, this still counts as a recap, right? Right?

Well. Yesterday I came down with a cold. Again. What was it, two days I was actually healthy? That's ridiculous. But I'm hoping that since I have had a bug twice on break, it's out of my system now. For some reason, I don't think it works that way. I must have developed a weak immune system at school. That's what stress does to you, you know. And I don't even think I was that stressed!

I went to Dunn Bros. on the 3rd. My friends and I always go to this one when we get together. It is a restored little old house. They let their customers go upstairs and in all the rooms to chat and hang out. It's very cozy and nice. While I was waiting for my friends to arrive, I took this picture of the bean sacks.

I forgot to say in my previous blog posts that 1) I got a new laptop with Windows 7, and 2) I got a 75-200mm lens for my Nikon. These are very exciting advancements.

Yeah, and other than hanging out at home for the rest of my break, going back to school, that's it for January! ;)

Recap: December

candles, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

December barrelled its way in with my first final: Speech Devotional. So scary! But it went well, and I got an A on it, which is /extremely/ good, when you know me. I loathe speech. And I got an A in the class overall anyway! That doesn't mean that I'm excited for another whole semester of it, though.

My other finals commenced. One art project, a second art project. A written speech final. A history final. An English final. A Bible final--and that was it! Being an art student, I do not have very many scantron finals, but I think that my work on projects make up for it. I know finals week wasn't as stressful for me as it was for some people, and I'm thankful!

Of course, they packed the last week at college with more than just finals. We had our Christmas program, White Glove (intense room cleaning), and packing for home all on the same day.

Once I was home I promptly began working again. My grandma was home too to spend Christmas and New Years with us. We had my mom's family over for Christmas, and it was different, to say the least! I got a cold the day after, which made my life rather miserable for the next week and a half.

December also hosted many happy get-togethers with my friends from my high school days. I got ice skates for Christmas, which I am excited to try out.

So. 2010 was probably the hardest year of my life, to be honest. But I say, let's bring in 2011 with hope, joy, and love.

Recap: November

lookin' cool 2, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

November was one of those months in which time crawled as slow as possible. But I had fun, still, even under the pressure of final projects during the end of the month.

My roommate took me to see the Blue Angels show with my suitemate. It was so cool! We weren't there for the whole thing--just when the Angels flew. We spent a majority of the time walking to and from the show--we had to park a great way away. But I got some pretty epic pictures of the Angels! I chose this picture to share though, because... well, I just like it. He was plugging his ears as the planes flew over, and then looked up when they passed, and that's when I snapped this.

My grandparents also flew down for Thanksgiving. I had a very nice time with my cousin, sister, and them. We drove out at sunset and saw the beach, but I didn't take very many pictures.

And that was it for November.

Recap: October

019, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

Really. October wasn't that interesting of a month.

Yeah, there was the first Fine Art Performance. Brilliant string orchestra, girls all dressed up in gowns and boys dressed in suits or tuxes. Enjoyable.

Yeah, my birthday was in October. I received a wonderful package from my dear sisters in Colorado, which made my life infinitely better.

Yeah, midterms were in October. I got all A's, so that's good, right?

Yeah, I had fun photographing a few students in my art class, like this lovely lady.

But that's pretty much it. Really.

Recap: September

dorm, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

The beginning of September marks my very first time living at college. A college so far away from home it could have been an entirely different world.

In fact, I'm pretty sure it is a different world. Everything is different there. The culture, the people, the food, the thought, the atmosphere, everything.

I had a friend who called it "the butt-crack of America." Now this may sound a little harsh, but the first word I would describe this new world is, in fact, "dirty." But then you walk on campus, and it's as if you step into a world inside a world, and everything is trimmed and clean. The sidewalks practically shine--there is no gum on them, no cigarette butts, no trash anywhere. The ocean wind plays gently with the palm trees and the grass is thick and green. From the outside the buildings are grand.

Of course, my dorm building is an exception. The "ghetto" girl's dorm on campus. I live a few floors up in a cramped room with two other girls. Thankfully, I have quite a bit of closet space.

Here is a picture of my room. My bed, of course, is the top bunk. Freshman, you know, always get the top. Pecking order. There is another bunk bed, but only one girl sleeps there, not two. My roommates are not the neatest of characters, but I can't say I'm always tidy either.

In addition to this new environment, I also received a new schedule. Classes, chapel, homework. A strict and timely regiment I was unused to due to my years of homeschooling. But not unwelcome. As with many people, I eventually was automatic, much like a robot, going from class to class, building to building, without even a thought or second consideration. Days passed. Days which could be identical to the previous, or the next.

They weren't, of course. Every day had a new situation. Something funny, something interesting, something awkward, something exciting. They weren't always exciting, or even exciting for the most part, but they always involved people. And people are always, without fail, at least somewhat amusing to be around.

Recap: August

DR 271, originally uploaded by mylla7777.

Since I have been MIA for the last __ months, I'm going to write short posts for each month, beginning in August.

Two major events occurred.

On the 11th, I traveled overseas to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with some youth from my church. The DR is a beautiful place, but the people are starved of God. Most come from Catholic backgrounds, but do not attend church. My group had the opportunity to work alongside some natives to help rebuild their expanding church in the heart of Santo Domingo. We took a day at the end of our trip to enjoy the breath-taking island and returned August 18.

During the trip, I gained experience and knowledge of working with Christians from other cultures. I had a blast, but I also worked hard. I feel as though I did not press myself as hard as I could have, though. I pray even though our trip may not have been very visibly impacting to the people there, that it would have long term affects that would better both the Dominicans and the team.

On the trip, I learned that one of my family had passed away. It was hard to accept this while in a foreign country, and it was harder to come back home and sing at the funeral. The end of August was buried in chaos while I prepared for my first semester at college.