Update on my life!

I should update this generally about my life, because soon I expect another crowd of anxious blog-readers to start pouring in here, reading all about me and my recent events and the circumstances of my life and all that good stuff! Considering how most people just thought this blog was for my (our) Europe trip last summer, they haven't read it since. And actually, I didn't use it for awhile after the trip, so I can't hardly blame them!

So, what's new with me? Well, last December I road tripped down to CA to check out colleges that I might attend. I'm planning to major in English, with intentions of a) teaching it overseas for a couple years, possibly as a second language, b) teaching it on the mission field, in boarding schools or something, c) having my own LCLC-style school where I can teach it, d) teach in a community college (Yes, I'll have to get my master's for most of those). Other options include using it to communicate in whatever career I may end up in if teaching doesn't work out, writing books, or using it for song writing (haha!)... We'll see. I'm pretty up in the air right now.

Anyhow, I applied to California Baptist University and was accepted with a $10,000 scholarship, $3,500 of it is a music scholarship which I don't really want to get tied up in. I also applied to Simpson University, and I'll receive at least $9,000 from them, possibly more if I get the President's Scholarship that I applied for... They're cheaper than CBU, though, so the cost out of pocket would be less.

I also just found and applied to school in Rome, Italy, though. After going there last summer, I LOVE the city! It's seriously awesome. John Cabot University has an English Lit major, with either an international affairs (or something like that) minor, or a communications minor, either of which I'd be interested in. John Cabot University is about $33,000 a year, though, which is pretty spendy! And they're not Christian, they have a Catholic background - the school is housed in an old convent even - but they do have a pretty teachers, it sounds like. I'm still waiting to hear back from them, though. And I think I'm too late to apply for financial aid.

I decided to apply to schools in Cali last fall because the weather was dark and rainy and nasty, and I'd just come through a couple experiences that made me want to just LEAVE this area... I wanted to go someplace warm, and different. But I kind of limited myself to Cali because I needed some way to narrow my options. Cali doesn't seem quite... adventursome enough now, though. I know I'm a bit of an adventure junkie, but mostly just in the sense of traveling. I LOVE to travel. I can't expain it, but traveling is just so invigorating. I mean, sure, I get jet lag, and I do get tired of being gone and eating weird food and picking up and moving every couple days, but seeing new places, visiting with new people, trying to absorb new cultures, it's just cool!

On top of that, I feel like people in the US have had many opportunities to hear about Jesus. There are churches all over the place, tons of Christian music artists, and evangelists on the radio and TV. People in other cultures don't always have that. There is NOTHING that is more important than having a relationship with Jesus... and these people who haven't heard need to hear! Maybe my love of traveling and foreign cultures was put God-appointed to be used for that purpose... I dunno. I know I am supposed to share the news of Jesus with people, but whether or not that will include overseas stuff long term, who's to know? Other than God, of course *smile*

So anyhow, for the short term, I am going overseas soon... which is VERY exciting! I hope to keep all of you faithful readers updated through this forum, actually. So come back for my recounting of current adventures, 'K? *grin*

As far as schooling right now, I finished my AA last week (yay!), and I'm taking one class down at WSU-Vancouver for kicks. I'm really enjoying it too, actually! Between now and when I leave, I'm trying to earn money, work on some projects for my parents at the house, and seeking God's direction in what school to choose. I'm not crazy about this whole "limbo" stage, but at the same time, it's kind of nice because I don't feel committed to anything. Sometimes committing to things scares me, you know? It seems so... permanent!

Anyhow, I'm supposed to be on chicken duty, so I best hop on outside and take care of that... It's raining here, which is seriously hampering my enthusiasm... I should go running, also, but I might very well just continue being lazy!

Love and Peace and Joy to all y'all... two dear readers! *SMILE*

Seven weeks!

And counting... I leave in seven weeks. Wow, what a thought. I've got a lot to do before then, projects, work, school, decisions to make, praying to happen, people to see, relationships to invest in. It's all a part of this messy spirituality thing called life.

I'm getting really excited, though!

K, so I know this is super-duper short, but I've been IMing and myspace blogging, and I'm out of words, energy, and caffeine in my blood. So I'm off to go rest my head, close my eyes, and dream of drinking sweet, hot mint tea and hearing the call to prayer. Peace out!

Other blogs

Oh, and by the way: I tend to split my time writing blogs between this page, my personal myspace page (www.myspace.com/daniL012988) and my music myspace page (www.myspace.com/dlouisemusic). Just FYI! That's the reason for sometimes excessive blogs here, and then long dry spells.

Nine weeks

The plane ticket has been purchased (part of the way, at least), emails sent to the people I plan to meet up with (awaiting responses and actually connecting with them to talk), only 3 weeks left of classes at my school of the past three years, and 8 weeks left for my brand new school that I hope to soon leave behind. It's so crazy!

I hugged my friend Tim goodbye this morning. He departed for the lovely (well, I haven't been there, but I assume so!) city of Nashville, Tenn. Musical central for the US of A. After spending countless hours practicing on my stuff, he gets to go learn how professionals produce music. I've known for months that he was leaving, and I've known that I would be leaving soon after him, but now that the day has actually come, wow, it's weird! Tim has been.... a dear friend in the past couple years. Especially the past year, I guess. I met him in dance class back in the day, and I've been in youth group and cellz with him for the past, what, 3 years? We both graduated last June, and I recall taping our senior video to show at church.... what a blast! Anyhow, not only has Tim been a friend, he's been one of those people in your life that you need to remind you of God's truth at times. Like a big brother. But a cool brother, not an annoying one! Actually, I don't have a big brother, so I'm not sure how a big brother should act... but if I got to have one, I'd pick one like Tim! I'm gonna miss him... but at the same time, I know that I'm soon to follow in pursuing my own dreams, so I think I'm just going to be able to share his excitement more than miss him! And I've got high hopes of somehow finding enough money to buy a ticket out to Nashville sometime come fall (Labor Day weekend, perhaps?) and spend a weekend in the studio recording with him... how cool would that be?!?!?! A REAL dream come true!!! *smile* Lord, please!

But nine weeks. Until I fly away across the ocean. I just started thinking of all the things I want to do in the next nine weeks. All the people I want to hang out with, all the projects I hope to accomplish... all the MONEY I need to earn! *grin* Bummer the realities of adulthood! And even the decisions I will make - especially the big one of what school to go to next year.

I'm rather ambivalent, actually. I think I'm a fairly adaptable person, so I think wherever I go I'll make it work. And I hope to do one, if not two, study abroad programs, so wherever I end up at won't be full time for the next two years... Hopefully I'll only be on campus for 2 semesters! In which case, I should really choose the cheapest one. But I don't know if I want to do that, because I'm afraid come the end of my two years, I'll end up back at home and not experience the city life that I'd like to try out... But then again, I know I'd like to do some teaching overseas, especially in Asia someplace, so I'd probably get plenty of opportunity to live in an apartment and use the public transportation during that time. And who knows, maybe after living in a city all summer I'll terribly miss the open expanse of the country and want to go to the cheaper, rural college... *sigh* See what I mean? I'm bad at making up my mind!

But NINE WEEKS! Until I leave my family and (temporarily) move to the other side of the world. Saying goodbye to Julie and Heath is gonna be HARD, not to mention my grandparents, parents, Max and Liv, and the cell group people... and all my other groups of friends! It's scary! What about if something happens to one of them? I won't really be in the position to just pick up and fly home. My friend LeAnna was in Europe when a mutual friend of ours died... I would have a hard time not coming home to be with everyone.

Is this what it means to leave behind your father and mother and take up your cross to follow Jesus? Because it's hard to face! But somehow, I know the sacrifice will be worth it. I know it will be MORE than worth it! If for no other reason than I've ALWAYS wanted to do this, and finally getting the chance is a huge blessing!

I'll be gone for eleven weeks. But I'll make it. And I'm confident of this, "that He who began a good work in you will complete it..." That's my promise! That and "he who seeks me will all his heart will find me..." Also good!

Poli Sci homework calls my name. Cheers!