Originally Posted 12/20/2013 on Phantasmagorias
To those of you who read this blog, I promise I haven’t forgotten about it! With finals, Christmas shopping, and tour, things have been a little hectic. But now I have a Starbucks drink in my hand and some time to kill before soundcheck so I thought I’d update you all a little bit.
The first semester of college is finished! I took all my finals (and made wonderful grades in all my classes, yay!), packed my bags, and headed home about a week ago and have been going ever since! In the past week I caught up with friends I hadn’t seen in months, spent much-needed time with family, bought last-minute Christmas gifts, recovered from a yucky illness, spent a few hours in the dentist’s office, and finally hopped on the bus and headed out for the last shows of the year. Luckily, I was able to sleep in a bit as well. This time of year just seems to get crazier and crazier! I’m sure you all have your own crazy weeks and days.
Though I do miss my roomies and school friends, it’s so nice to be home and done with the first semester. Being away at school has definitely allowed me to grow up a lot and has opened me up to so many new ideas, books, life-lessons, and so much more. It has been a great time for me to explore what I love, hate, want to know more about, believe, etc. I have been able to grow intellectually and spiritually. Living without the people who have defined you for your entire life makes you really think about who you are and where you are going. It’s odd to realize that you actually haven’t lived life that much and you have to begin a life on your own.
I know this time can come as a shock to a lot of people and many chose to completely change who they are and what they believe. I’ve been lucky enough to have parents and family who have always allowed me to form my own opinions and ideas about my beliefs. I have always revered my family for teaching me what was right without forcing me to believe it. I think, because of this, I have agreed with them on faith and morality because they taught it to me in a way that makes me realize the truth in it, not in a way that seems forced or imaginary. I think that is why now, as an adult, I am able to apply new ideas to what I know is true, rather than be overwhelmed by so many unknowns. I love that my parents taught me to keep my mind open when it comes to new ideas and test everything by the Bible. It makes the world a much less-scary place. It’s even cooler knowing that I believe what I believe because of me and not because of what my parents told me to believe, but that we still agree. It definitely makes my faith seem real and validated.
One thing I love about coming home is sharing what I have discovered and explored while I have been gone and discussing it with my family. Some of my favorite memories with my family are those when we all sit around and just discuss old and new ideas, faith, problems, politics, etc. Even my nine-year-old little brother loves doing it. Whenever I come home I love to bring new ideas to the discussion to explore and dissect.
I can’t wait to spend this vacation around the people I love and to make some great memories with them! I hope you all enjoy this time of year with your loved ones as well, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. No matter your belief, this is a great time to rest, enjoy your loved ones, and celebrate life. I sincerely hope each and every one of you enjoys your holiday!
The first semester of college is finished! I took all my finals (and made wonderful grades in all my classes, yay!), packed my bags, and headed home about a week ago and have been going ever since! In the past week I caught up with friends I hadn’t seen in months, spent much-needed time with family, bought last-minute Christmas gifts, recovered from a yucky illness, spent a few hours in the dentist’s office, and finally hopped on the bus and headed out for the last shows of the year. Luckily, I was able to sleep in a bit as well. This time of year just seems to get crazier and crazier! I’m sure you all have your own crazy weeks and days.
Though I do miss my roomies and school friends, it’s so nice to be home and done with the first semester. Being away at school has definitely allowed me to grow up a lot and has opened me up to so many new ideas, books, life-lessons, and so much more. It has been a great time for me to explore what I love, hate, want to know more about, believe, etc. I have been able to grow intellectually and spiritually. Living without the people who have defined you for your entire life makes you really think about who you are and where you are going. It’s odd to realize that you actually haven’t lived life that much and you have to begin a life on your own.
I know this time can come as a shock to a lot of people and many chose to completely change who they are and what they believe. I’ve been lucky enough to have parents and family who have always allowed me to form my own opinions and ideas about my beliefs. I have always revered my family for teaching me what was right without forcing me to believe it. I think, because of this, I have agreed with them on faith and morality because they taught it to me in a way that makes me realize the truth in it, not in a way that seems forced or imaginary. I think that is why now, as an adult, I am able to apply new ideas to what I know is true, rather than be overwhelmed by so many unknowns. I love that my parents taught me to keep my mind open when it comes to new ideas and test everything by the Bible. It makes the world a much less-scary place. It’s even cooler knowing that I believe what I believe because of me and not because of what my parents told me to believe, but that we still agree. It definitely makes my faith seem real and validated.
One thing I love about coming home is sharing what I have discovered and explored while I have been gone and discussing it with my family. Some of my favorite memories with my family are those when we all sit around and just discuss old and new ideas, faith, problems, politics, etc. Even my nine-year-old little brother loves doing it. Whenever I come home I love to bring new ideas to the discussion to explore and dissect.
I can’t wait to spend this vacation around the people I love and to make some great memories with them! I hope you all enjoy this time of year with your loved ones as well, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. No matter your belief, this is a great time to rest, enjoy your loved ones, and celebrate life. I sincerely hope each and every one of you enjoys your holiday!
Our lovely Christmas tree!