1. I got Shingles! I know what you're thinking, "Don't old people get that?" The answer is yes. But also, for those who have had Chicken pox before, the Chicken pox virus remains in the nerve roots of your body and could cause you to have Shingles, especially triggered by fatigue, stress, or illness. The pain was unbearable and I had to skip class and do nothing but lay in bed and watch a movie for an afternoon. This was surprising because it FORCED me to rest.
2. One weekend in late January, I had heard that my sister was having a bad week. Even though I didn't have a car, I just felt like visiting her! Sure enough, I found a way to visit her!!! :) No, I didn't get to do as much homework as I had hoped that weekend but the time together was precious and much needed. :) Oh, and DOUBLE SUPRISE! Sharon came too!!! :)
3. Every Thursday night, my unit gets together to have "Nail Painting Party!" We're girls and we love to paint and design our nails! :) Don't judge! But in my schedule, nail painting lasts from 8-10pm. But most nights, they go much much later. The conversations though, are hilarious and unforgettable. :) I love Robyn, Faith, Callie, Emily, Shelby, Mackenzie, Kim, Taylor and Mariah SOOO much for coming almost every week! It always leaves me going to bed with a smile on my face! You guys rock!
4. Sad news but also exciting news... Brad and Katelyn moved to Cleveland, OH! Brad and Katelyn have been our Sunday school or Christian Teaching and Training teachers at Redeemer Presbyterian since the middle of last semester. They served us with so much love, so much generosity, so much FOOD, and so much vulnerability! They announced that they were leaving 2 weeks before they moved! :( While it was sad to see them go, God had opened so many doors for them in Cleveland.
5. For the first time, I decided to budget my money! So with the income I received, I rationed out what I could spend and what I should keep in my savings. When Midwinter rolled around, I really wanted to go see Christina dance!! However, tickets were $17 and I simply did not have that money in my budget. So, I decided to try to get a free ticket. This was a LOT harder than I thought. That morning, I prayed REALLY hard and asked God to give me a free ticket and told Him how I was trying to budget my money! It was one hour before Midwinter and a free ticket STILL did not turn up. I wanted to just skip out on going. However, I really really wanted to support Christina! She is so so passionate about dance and this is one of the ways that I want to love her--by watching her do what she loves! I stood in line for a ticket wondering why God did not answer my prayers. Just then, a girl at the ticket booth turned around and asked everyone in line if they wanted a free ticket! MY HAND SHOT UP IN THE AIR! And just like that, I got a free ticket! And believe it or not, just as I walked into the theater, Christina's mom was right there! :) Christina danced beautifully!
6. During the most stressful week of my semester so far, Christina and I were in charge of making a faux float for the Mardi Gras celebration at Butler. We didn't think it would take too much time but it ended up taking us about 7 hours to make the float! In the process of making the float, I got to hang out in the diversity center meeting new friends! I had no idea how awesome that place was! I loved meeting and getting to know KK, Brittany, and Ciara. And also getting to hang out with Alicia and Taylor! :)
7. Over winter break, Vivian shared with me that she got an interview with Golden Apple Foundation! This is exciting because it is one step closer to getting the $25,000 scholarship, admission into the summer intensive program, and guaranteed a job at a school immediately following graduation. However, she was nervous and fearful about what the future held. We both decided we would pray about it and trust that God has something great planned for her whether she got the scholarship or not. Sadly, the interview did not go as well as she had planned. She didn't quite connect with the person who interviewed her. :( She wanted this scholarship so bad! Today, I received a phone call and SHE GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP!!!!! It was anything that we expected!! Even in our doubts and fears, we just gotta remember that, "It is good. It is VERY good." :)
I love this girl SO SO much! She is one of the hardest working people I know. She teaches with such a passionate and giving heart and she's gonna be the best teacher in Illinois! :)
9. The weekend that I was sick with Shingles, my parents and sister came to surprise visit me! :) I had hoped to just stay in and get homework done since I was on duty for Resident Assistant. But instead, it was so good being able to see my parents, stay up late talking with my sister, and just being plain GOOFY with the Pua Family! I love them SO SO much!!! They are so great for showering me with love and comfort when I need it most! (P.S. I know my brother would have come too if he wasn't impossibly far away in MN!)
10. The online application to Study Abroad for one month in the summer was having so many issues. I had filled out my section of the application a month before the deadline (February 22). However, the recommendation forms, parent agreement and release form, transfer credit approval, and adviser disciplinary check was all having problems! I was worried that if I did not have my application submitted in time, I would lose the $1,000 scholarship for the trip and risk not being able to go! It was a frantic few days of exchanging phone calls, emails, and running back and forth between the offices. But in the end, it worked out! I am officially going abroad May 10th to June 8th!!! :) So exciting!!!!!!
Needless to say, everything didn't go as I planned. Although many things happened that may have seemed devastating at first, I am grateful that even in times when I do not have it all planned out, Someone (up there) does. And I know, it's always for the better.
