There and Back Again: A College Tale

At this point, I am basically done with my freshman year of college, minus a few finals next week. That is just unbelievable to me! Why does everything have to go by so fast? Here are some highlights from April! April 4th Ben and I spent the day in Cookeville. We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and then went to see Burgess Falls. It was beautiful, and since it had rained the night before, the water was really moving. We didn't get as close as we had hoped; you can walk down to bottom if you want. It was super misty and slippery, so we didn't make the trek all the way down to the water. But, it was still a fun day! Ben and I really enjoy hiking, and seeing the falls was well worth the walk. (Although, if you really want a fun hike, you should try out Cummins Falls, which is also in the Cookeville area. It's incredible! You walk through water almost the whole time. There's also a swimming hole, but I must warn you: the water feels like ice!)   My grandpa

Today was a big day. I submitted my visa application! After weeks of preparing documents and getting everything in line, I finally clicked "submit!" Now, I have to send my passport to the visa application center in Washington D.C., and another round of waiting begins. I got some good news, too! This whole time, I thought I was going to have to pay a visa fee of close to $250. But, the US and New Zealand have a deal where student exchange visas are free! (Yay! ) Also, we bought plane tickets today! I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship a few weeks ago to help me pay for the tickets, which turned out to be a lot cheaper than we anticipated. (Yay, again!) My itinerary is set, and I have a window seat on all my flights! (Even the one across the Pacific Ocean.) I've never been out of the country, and I've never flown longer than a couple hours. Getting to New Zealand will be an adventure in and of itself!   It's amazing to me how everything is comi

March was such a magnificent month! Despite the busyness and the rushing to and fro, March has turned out to be quite wonderful.   Test Week Because of relentless snow and ice during February, so many classes were cancelled and as a result, exams were postponed... all to the same week.  The week before spring break, I had five tests in 48 hours, along with a five-page paper due and regular homework. (Biology, Statistics, Psychology, and two Chemistry tests. Yes, you read that right. Two. Chemistry. Tests.) Needless to say, I was a bit stressed. But with endless studying, prayer, and amazing support from my family and friends, I made it through, with flying colors, I might add. As it turns out, everyone else had faith that I could do it. I just need to have a little more faith in myself and God.   Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7 The Music Man If you know me at all, you know that I adore musicals