semi-final destination :)

Did you know that the geographical coordinates of Bogotá and Philadelphia line up longitudinally, almost exactly? I did, because I googled it. That is so much fun. And with the help of Skype, all those latitudinal lines separating me from a beloved continent seem to fade.

Here I am, headed out to my home for the next four years: the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. I’m glad for many things at this time—not the least of them being excellent goodbyes from many diverse groups of friends. Glad for the van that can contain all my crap from here to there. Glad for the hand of protection over our vehicle. Glad for the changes, glad for the old. Glad for the prospect of meeting lots of neat new people this year. Glad for the friends I leave behind. Glad for the new Mumford T-shirt. Glad for the PA hills on all sides right now and for four more years.

But, more to the point, I guess I’m thankful. It’s been a while since I had such a cool way to spend my time as digging in deep to academia. I welcome the daily challenge of returning to schoolwork. I even welcome the tests and quizzes that will inevitably come (but just ask me in two months). And this time, it’s not just school; I get to have the fun of dorm life added on! If we’re being honest, I have awaited this time of life since the first day I set foot in high school. I recognize, now as ever, that none of these blessings are earned by my Wheaton-North-worthy GPA, my list of extracurriculars, or the work experience I have gained this past year. Nope. All are God-given gifts to spur me on my journey in the path he hasn’t hesitated in forming for me.

            If the next decade could play out exactly as I am dreaming it would (which it won’t, and I am okay with that), it would look a lot like this:

            Four excellent years of undergrad at THC, gleaning knowledge in all topics that interest me and learning from truly great minds. Grad school—either in Costa Rica (there's a particularly good program there) or here in USA—to add to the palatability of my resume. Then, off to Bogotá or Buenos Aires to work for Globant. That’s the sueño.

            Other than that, the plan is to enjoy the heck out of the next four years at college. What a bummer there are only four, and they’re going to fly. I’ll not waste a day.

            With regards to the blog, I think I’ll keep going. Why stop a ball that’s already rolling? Plus, there are some people in the world that read it. Thanks, guys. :)

            Blessings on you readers, wherever, whoever, however. May your autumn bring you such excitement and novelty and joy as I am almost sure to have. And thank you for sojourning with me through this most marvelous Gap Year.

HERE’s where Bunny’s got to.

Shalom. xox

Back in the USA. What a beautiful evening to be here. For the whole entire day, actually.

Due to the again-impressive storm last night that certainly cooled things down a tad, today was a brilliantly sunny day. Definitely of the variety that makes me stop and think, wow, life is a beautiful gift. It did also help that I got to wear my cute new rose-colored blouse today. Pretty outfits are best appreciated, by me, on beautiful days.

My sisters and I sang in church today, and I loved it. Maddi played guitar, and Bella and I sang. It was also my last Sunday at Immanuel Presbyterian Church for a while, and we had communion. I don't know what that's like at many other churches, but at ours, it's nothing short of beautiful. After all going forward together, we return to our seats and wait until everyone's been served. Then, to close the service, we join hands and sing as a congregation the first and last verses of "Amazing Grace". I was sitting with my family in the balcony today because we were up there to sing, and I had the privilege of looking out over the whole congregation as we sang. The congregation that so welcomed our family, fresh off the plane from England, about 13 years ago; the people that taught my Sunday school classes all through schoolyears, and those with whom my parents arranged play-dates. I have grown so much in the time that I have attended IPC, and I have loved it as it is, but the family that I have accrued there will continue to grow and change even while I'm not there. I am okay with that. It has helped and nurtured me carefully for long enough--now I'm going to college.

I am going to college. And I cannot wait! School supplies are just the most material/commercialist joy of starting school again--joys which range from studying to having roommates to extracurriculars. I leave in only eleven days. So much to get ready before then! But that's a good thing, because without activity (as this summer has laid painfully obvious) I go bonkers. I await the goodness this year holds quite expectantly--but the excited kind, not the nervous kind. I will be saving my nerves for my first paper in over a year, my first exams in over a year.

Heck, I'm even looking forward to papers and exams: it's definitely time for school. :)

xox