autumn

Well, i've decided to start this up again. Partly because i feel bad about not updating the rest of my travels this summer and partly because i'm sitting in the language lab listening to Swahili tapes of which i only understand one word every other sentence.

If you really want to hear about my trip this summer, just ask! But in short, after Switzerland i visted Vienna, Munich, Paris, and London. It was a whirlwind but definitely one of the most incredible experiences thus far in my life. There's really no other feeling quite like running after your train that you've just missed and realizing you don't have anyone to rely on but yourself to get you to your next destination. Clearly, i gained quite a bit of independence and respsonsibility. I hadn't really noticed a difference in my everyday life after returning but now that i'm in the swing of school, i've realized i have a pretty different mindset.

For one, my room has remained tidy and clean (are you reading mom?) and i'm much more organized with school stuff. Another thing, that i'm not so thrilled about, is that i wake up earlier than noon and have yet to oversleep a class. Shocking, i know. This is mostly do to the addition of my sweet golden retriever puppy Stella waking me up at 8 am to pee. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

Yesterday was the first day of fall, which i prefer to call autumn. Fall has multiple meanings, but there is not doubting the definition of autumn, plus it just sounds prettier. The changing seasons always remind me that i'm growing older and supposedly more mature, though i'm not convinced those two go hand in hand. Usually i get a sick feeling in my stomach when i think about the fact that i'm actually a junior in college...But today i have peace that i am exactly where i should be. Not necessarily in the language lab per se, but spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I matured in numerous ways throughout the summer and though my experiences have changed me, they have done so for the better.

Happy Autumn! May you have a a prettier one than i am currently experiencing in Waco.