First week... done

And so ends my first week of my College Adventure. I experienced my first frat party, and sorry... nothing too super cool, no dance floor so... there was nowhere I could bust a move, which was really depressing. I was expecting to draw guys over by my awesome dance moves, but to no avail. Sigma Chi is really spread out so, maybe they should take that into consideration? I had been practicing for so long, *sigh, if I only had a comment card.... that was definitely an example of sarcasm.

First of all I am absolutely in love with all of my art classes. My Art 111 class is immediately after my Math 108 class (yes, math isn't my forte, but that's why God made other people better at math...), and it is seriously such a release. No joke, this Thursday our assignment was to sit outside and draw... BEST! I also have to do a sketch a day, which I will promptly do after I am finished with this entry. Mostly this week was scrambling to figure out how i'm going to pay for sorority fees and art supplies and books, but God works things out for good, because a few other girls offered to share their books with me at half, so at least they're cheaper. Also a wonderful older sister said she would let me borrow any and almost all of her art supplies, so life is good!

What seems to be the coolest aspect of college for me is that there is always someone doing something. I get asked almost all the time if I want to go to a movie, get some pizza, or swing dancing at Theta Chi (single-handedly the BEST fraternity on campus). Of course I had to say no to quite a few things, which is strangely quite freeing.Also, I can go downtown whenever I want (ten minute walk), and the walking actually isn't too bad! And maybe the most confusing thing is not finding where my classes are, but figuring out Blackboard, the evil online returner-inner thingy that enjoys eluding me to my assignments and purpose in life. I did not realize how technologically illiterate I was until I came to college. I guess the best plus is that I don't have to use a lot of paper and printer ink. Although I have a sweet printer that scans, prints, and copies papers, gotta save money.

Since I have been down here I have experienced the wonderful Resonate church, and Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ). Both are very encouraging and I can assure you all that I am getting connected. Last night was actually my first night, and it was bliss! lots of cool people who have been through life and sweet events to participate in.

For those of you who are wondering how in the world you live in a house with eighty other girls, it's not as horrible as it sounds. Which is funny for me, because I have never lived in a house with any girls for that matter (besides me ma), and i'm absolutely loving it! Also, we're not all together at the same time... I think I would definitely lose my mind if that was the case. The closet space was not as much of a problem as I thought it was going to be either. I ended up getting rid of a lot of clothes, so if you see something around town that looks like I would have worn it and the girl wearing it says she got it from Plato's Closet or Beau Monde Exchange, it's probably true.

Moscow is so cool, because everything is seriously a ten (maybe 15) minute walk away, but it feels big enough to where you don't and mostly won't know everyone. I feel that my next few years will be very blessed and quite an adventure.

For those of you who are praying for me, thank you so much, it is greatly appreciated and I feel so blessed to have people like you in my life.

Well, I guess that concludes this entry for August 26th, looking forward to a fun weekend in the great Moscow area with great friends, and inexpensive ideas to hang out... I am a college student after all!
~Alyse :)

Owls, Keys, and Fleur de Lis...

So, this new chapter of my life is shaping up nicely so far, however; it is such a different atmosphere. All summer  God was definitely preparing me to test my mettle, asking if what I loved and believed in was actually what I loved and believed in. The past few days, that test has been as strong as ever, and i'll have you know that i'm sticking to my guns, not just my perfectly toned and nicely shaped biceps, but, oh... you catch my drift, yeah?

Anyways, this is me on Bid Day at my new home Kappa Kappa Gamma with three ladies I greatly esteem...

They are perhaps some of the most BEA-utiful ladies you will ever meet inside and out, and definitely make living in the house SO much fun. Unfortunately I do not have more pictures than this, but fear not! There will be more!

To close this entry (i know, small one today, but just wait) I would like to "assign" some homework. Really just check it out, Romans 12:2. I feel like i'll be living by this verse this next year.

Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to post a comment!

Goodbye ya'll! I'll be back soon, promise.

So, it is the night before I leave. I am not sure if it is a defense mechanism or not, but I keep on pushing away the thought that I am closing a chapter in my life. For the past ten or so years (we moved here Labor Day of 2001) I have been going to school. While other friends and family have graduated and moved on before me, I realize that I am taking a large step into independence and life. A life of my own. Full of my own choices, decisions, realizations, mistakes, triumphs (with God's help), sorrows, blessings, and ultimately; growth. I am sort of scared, but like i said, instinctively I am choosing not to think about it, because I feel like some part of my is going to cling to my door jam crying: "MOMMY NO! PLEASE ANYTHING BUT COLLEGE!"

...however...

Perhaps the greatest step towards being who God's created you to be is TRUST. Huh, now there's a novel idea... the very virtue that God has wished for us since creation is what is necessary to make the toughest and wisest decisions {check out Proverbs 8). Faith is along the same lines of course, and if you're wondering what "Faith" is exactly, check out Hebrews 11:1, and after that check out the rest of the chapter, and just keep going, and once you brave the horror-story known as Revelation, start at the beginning I guess :) Find someone who you can discuss questions with, and importantly let me know and i'll try to pray for you. Or let believers around you know and they can support you as well, because my friend it is a Constant Battle. Ephesians (another sweet book in the New Testament) describes this battle, and i encourage you to check that out as well, specifically Ephesians 6:12.

It is definitely my hope and prayer that with this blog that I can truly honor and glorify God. I also pray that i say what He wants me to say, and if you want to join in, I would definitely appreciate it. I realize that there are hundreds of other people doing the same thing, and i cannot promise how consistent this blog will be once school gets rolling, but I will definitely try, and until then enjoy this nice long run-on sentence, and I hope that I at least made you smile today :)

~Alyse

p.s. enjoy these photos that give me inspiration!

The Countdown

So, only a few more days until i brave the ferocity of rush week at the University of Idaho. That was a joke, i'm actually anticipating it to be a ton of fun. Anyways, if you're looking for a magnificent work of grammatical correctedness within each of my postings, i can assure you there will be no such thing, and i gather you have gathered that evidence yourself from the last few lines.

Packing is never fun, and i actually really do not enjoy it at all. I am one of those people who needs a list when shoving my items into those magnificent cardboard boxes, and no such list has been given to me. Also, this is not a weekend sleepover either. I'm packing for the year (or at least semester) and being the last sibling of three I do feel a sense that i am abandoning my family (okay an hour and a half away is not necessarily abandonment).

The thrill of being out on my own is eclipsing any sort of nervousness i have right now. I'm sure once that first week has passed it will hit me, and the story will be a little different, but right now... LET'S GO!! So many things to take care of however.

I think my biggest mindset is preparing my spiritual body armor right now. Though it's hard when you've been so busy, but that's really never an excuse with God. He made time for me, the least i can do is set aside some for him, yeah? Welp, that being said i am going to use this time to get to know the creator a little bit.

Thank you for reading! I'll be posting more soon :)