There and Back Again: A College Tale

Things we Hoots have done since we last talked... Texas Vacation Ben and I visited Ben's grandparents and extended family in Texas during my spring break. It was my second time in The Lone Star State, and we had such a great time! We spent one night in San Antonio and the rest of the week at Ben's grandparent's home. It was so nice to finally meet Ben's extended family; they were all so welcoming and kind. The main event in Texas was definitely eating. From the famous three-pound cinnamon roll to all the Texas fast food chains, I feel like we spent the majority of our time eating! Girls' Trip Grace, one of my best friends, got married in May, and the week before, we took a quick trip to Nashville and Franklin to celebrate. We stayed at an Airbnb for the very first time, and it was incredible! The place was so nice, and we had a wonderful time together. It is very rare that the four of us get to spend time together these days, so having almost two whole da...

Happy 20th birthday to me! It's my second birthday being away from home, and it does feel pretty strange not being with family and friends on this special day. Thank you all for the birthday wishes! They mean so much, especially from all the way across the Pacific! Dear 19, Being with you has been fun. It's been a lot of fun, actually. I've learned so much from you about life, love, people, and God. While you were still around, I experienced my freshman year of college, made tons of new friends, and travelled the world, among other things.  No offense, but I'm actually a little excited to leave you behind. We both know it's for the best; we can't be together forever. Not that being with you hasn't been great, because it has! But, the time has come to move on. What I'm trying to say is, it's not you; it's me. I've got to let go and move on to bigger and better things. I mean, come on, 20 is in a completely different decade! You un...

Today and yesterday were filled with sessions for international students to help us get acclimated to life in New Zealand and at Massey University. I've met so many people already, and I've found a group of people that I know will be great groups of friends. It's been so incredible meeting people from all over the world, like the US, Switzerland, and India, just to name a few. There are over 100 countries represented at Massey University, and I can't wait to meet people from every one of them! It's always been amazing to me how quickly people find the people like them. I've made so many friends with people who actually have a lot in common with me, from small things like whether they also have two little sisters or played volleyball in high school to bigger things like finding others who are saved and living for God. I'm so thankful that I've found some girls who are followers of Christ and don't want to live like the rest of this world. (Y'...

With less than two weeks left until I leave for my big adventure, this will probably be my last update until I land in New Zealand. (Ahh!!) I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by; it feels like it was just yesterday when I walked into the study abroad office to talk about my interest in spending a semester in New Zealand, and now I'm actually going!  Accommodation I'm sure many of you are pretty curious about my living arrangements in Palmy North; I've been asked many times if I'm staying with a host family.  That was an option, but I decided that I would rather live with other students than with a host family. From what I've gathered so far, I'll actually be living in a "flat" with six to eight other international students. I'll have my own bedroom with a twin bed, a desk and chair, a dresser, and a sink, but I'll be sharing a bathroom, kitchen, and living area with the other students. I can't wait to meet everyone I...

As soon as I sit down to study, so many thoughts run through my head.  I have discovered that I am a productive procrastinator, meaning that instead of putting off studying by wasting time on Pinterest or Facebook, I clean. Or do laundry. Or workout. Anything to keep me from having to study biology! These are the thoughts I had just yesterday when I needed to be studying: (Enters dorm room.) Hmmm. There's no way I can study in this room. It's a mess! We haven't vacuumed in... well, who knows how long. I know it's not my turn to vacuum, but what would Jesus do? He would totally just vacuum the room. Then, He would study for His biology exam. I mean,  "Let all things be done decently and in order," right?  (Vacuums room with ultra-cheap Dirt Devil from Target. Finishes 15 minutes later.) That looks so much better! Now I can--Wait. Is that toothpaste on the mirror? How did that get all the way up there? Good thing I brought some Windex from home! I kne...

I never thought I, of all people, would have a blog. In fact, I always said that I didn't have anything to say that people would want to read. I thought I wouldn't have the time, nor the know-how, to adequately put my life onto a blog for all to see.  Have I changed my mind? No, not exactly. I still feel as though my thoughts and feelings are nothing extraordinary, and I know for a fact that time will be an issue. But, with all that is going on in my life, from school, to study abroad opportunities, and beyond, it would be lovely to have a place to write about whatever I want and not have to worry about essay prompts, word counts, and draft deadlines. (Plus, it would serve as an excellent method of stress relief!) So, here goes nothing! My name is Diana. I'm a freshman in college with the amazing chance to spend a semester abroad in New Zealand. (And of course, I will use this blog to post the hundreds of pictures I plan to take in one of the world's most scen...