My obsession with upbeat, happy songs is not restricted to seasons, because i just stumbled across this little gold mine and i've been listening to it on repeat daily through YouTube. So please, check it out and see why my life was drastically changed by it's smooth rhythm and hypnotic beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7gzJFwB0JzE
That was by a band called "Walk off the Earth" that I am currently obsessed with, and if you know me at all, you know that songs like this and ones similar to it by artists such as: Eric Hutchinson, Sara Bareilles, Band of Horses, Needtobreathe and so many others are the artists that know my heart without ever meeting me. I even have a playlist riddled with music like this that just makes me want to dance the day away and go frolic in a field or something. And in all actuality if it's a sunny day, and i'm listening to any of these artists and i'm walking to class you might see me with the biggest smile and a little skip in my step, because they have that effect on me. It's practically involuntary as they invade my muscles and force me to move along with their rhythms and beats.
Going into college I thought I would have to pick and choose my passions, as I did not have the opportunity to exercise all of them. This was true to an extent, because I cannot major in all of the arts that I greatly esteem, but I can find other avenues to exercise them on my own time. I have so many opportunities at Resonate, the church that I attend here in Moscow, and at Cru (formally know as Campus Crusade for Christ).
Every week I am thankful for the support system that I have been surrounded with, both at home, and through the friends I have made at school. I know that my mission and purpose for going to U of I would not even be remotely successful if I did not have them in my life.
Ecclesiastes1:2-5 says, "'Everything is meaningless.' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!' What do people do for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again." It has become apparent to me, that this is more true than ever. Sometimes the motivation to engage in every day responsibilities takes every ounce of will-power I can muster and then some. It is also very hard to get used to putting every ounce of effort into studying only to fall short of my goal on a test... I guess it's one of the many lessons i'm learning about college (and, as so many people have so kindly pointed out, life lessons) and I should get used to it. Unless of course I get myself a nice sugar daddy and all of my money problems will be solved. THAT was definitely a joke... yuck.
Since we are on the subject of marriage, and in the spirit of Valentine's Day, and to quote a favorite movie Court Jester (check it out) "When I marry, I marry for love". AND that dude better have his head on his shoulders and stuff together, because there's NO chance. In fact, to all the boys out there: stop being so scared of everything you hide in your room constantly fussing over life's problems, and whether or not a girl likes you, and fricken PURSUE HER. I guarantee you that if you dig up the dead idea of chivalry, and treat her like the daughter of God she is, give her genuine compliments instead of fake empty ones, you will have a date. Sheesh. Be confident in the Man of God you were meant to be, trust in His ultimate plan, don't plan so far in advance that you're married in your mind, live day by day, and enjoy life while you have it, you WILL have a good date! I think every one needs to stop obsessing about finding their "one and only" because the truth is that no man or women will ever satisfy that hole you have in your heart that you're constantly stuffing with the crap that King Solomon was talking about in Ecclesiastes... that turned into a rant about something that's a little larger than a simple date I guess, but hey the information got out there somehow.
I apologize if this post is choppy at all, because i'm multi-tasking by watching the musical "Hello Dolly" with Barbara Streisand. Fun fact: did you know that Gene Kelly directed Hello Dolly? That's the same guy who also directed and starred in "Singin' in the Rain" which is my all-time favorite musical, and a large reason why I love them so much.
Well, that pretty much concludes this entry. It was kind of all over the place for many reasons, and I think I let a little bit of my opinion slip... but whatever, all the more entertaining, right? Thanks so much for reading! And if it inspired you, tell a friend!
Sincerely,
~Alyse :)
About Me
- Alyse.neal
- A simple way to keep everyone up to date on my life as a young adult and college student.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Late Nights
For a short while it was a New Year's resolution of mine to go to bed early, but as the semester has progressed, my old habits have come back and i'm seeing sleep around midnight to 1:00 a.m. I have decided that if I could just absorb energy from the sun, that would be optimal. Then, I could stand in the sunshine for say, an hour, and then quickly get back to various tasks throughout the day, and stay up into the night. Oh well, i'm sure God knew exactly what he was doing when he made us to sleep.
As i said before, the past few weeks have been largely spent hanging out with girls who are in my PC, as we are all living on the same side of the house. It is funny to me how much closer we are getting by just living on the same side of the house. A few weeks ago, we had a spur-of-the-moment movie day/night and laughed as we watched the late Heath Ledger woo Julia Stiles in all of its 90s glory.
The other day as i was walking across campus I got the distinct feeling that I was a lot farther from being a child at the beginning of the year. It's weird, because I can't even really describe it. It was like, all of the sudden i'm more of an adult, making my own decisions, and caring a whole lot less about the opinion of the world as opposed to last year, or two, even three years, when practically every decision I made was based on what I thought other people would think.
God has been continually restoring my faith by his usual methods. Love notes. These have been mostly been taking form in compliments from my sisters, lines in love songs, or just moments when I take a deep breath of fresh air, and I am suddenly very thankful that I had the blessing of being able to do simply that; breathe.
Speaking of love notes. A few weeks ago, we had an assignment in my English class to write an essay entitled "This I believe". The guidelines were obvious, write about something you believe in, but not necessarily the stereotypical, or general things one would immediately revert to. I decided I would write about the love notes that i receive from God everyday.
This is what I wrote:
As i said before, the past few weeks have been largely spent hanging out with girls who are in my PC, as we are all living on the same side of the house. It is funny to me how much closer we are getting by just living on the same side of the house. A few weeks ago, we had a spur-of-the-moment movie day/night and laughed as we watched the late Heath Ledger woo Julia Stiles in all of its 90s glory.
The other day as i was walking across campus I got the distinct feeling that I was a lot farther from being a child at the beginning of the year. It's weird, because I can't even really describe it. It was like, all of the sudden i'm more of an adult, making my own decisions, and caring a whole lot less about the opinion of the world as opposed to last year, or two, even three years, when practically every decision I made was based on what I thought other people would think.
God has been continually restoring my faith by his usual methods. Love notes. These have been mostly been taking form in compliments from my sisters, lines in love songs, or just moments when I take a deep breath of fresh air, and I am suddenly very thankful that I had the blessing of being able to do simply that; breathe.
Speaking of love notes. A few weeks ago, we had an assignment in my English class to write an essay entitled "This I believe". The guidelines were obvious, write about something you believe in, but not necessarily the stereotypical, or general things one would immediately revert to. I decided I would write about the love notes that i receive from God everyday.
This is what I wrote:
I believe in
looking at the mundane to find joys in every day living. Finding joys
throughout the day are a great way to add value to a struggling college
student, because often times college can be strenuous, boring, stressful, etc.
This belief largely stems from my faith, which is that God would send his only
son to die on a cross for all of humanity so we could be in relationship with
him. These little joys serve as a reminder that His promise to do this was
fulfilled. I guess it could be the romantic in me, or the artist, because
searching for beauty is not what every person who believes what I believe, does.
I’ll never forget, though, the several instances where I have felt overwhelmed
because of the natural beauty around me. Once, just last semester when I was
walking through the Admin Lawn at the University of Idaho
Another time was
when I was a child, playing in our backyard. It had just snowed and I had to
have been six or seven. My older brothers were at school, and I was hanging out
by myself like I usually did. Snow was falling and it was the most silent I had
ever heard the world to that point. Being an imaginative child, I had been
playing all day fighting against snowmen and women to maintain authority over
the backyard using the snow leftover by the day before’s dump. Until the
present snowfall, I guess I had not fully experienced it. The effect of
watching those giant flakes was magical, and I was almost certain the world
around me had ceased to exist for a short moment, and that I was all alone in
my backyard just me and the world. I felt a distinctive ping of individuality.
That I was the only one like myself, and that I could accomplish whatever I set
my mind to.
As I grew older,
so did my appreciation for different joys. Small joys could be anything from a
genuine compliment, to a friend asking you how you’re doing, to that
just-after-the-rain smell. In my case it was the rippling natural cathedral of
the University of
Idaho
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to our essay, we had to present it in class. I was extremely nervous for this, but God totally provided with other students who also had a little Jesus in their lives, which greatly encouraged me. When i was finished with my presentation, I wasn't greeted with an angry mob like i had prepared myself for. Class went on as usual, and we were excused without incident. When we received our papers back, i saw i had received one of the highest grades in the class.
Lesson: God provides. Obvi.
As i conclude this post, it is indeed, true to form, 12:22 a.m. and I am heading to bed... eventually. I have a response to an article due, and I guess I should just get used to late nights, because that is one of the many lessons of college. Like learning to laugh at yourself, being productive even when you don't feel motivated, and so many others, time management is definitely a lesson of college.
I hope this blog has been encouraging to you, and if it is, tell your friends! A huge thank you to my support system back home! I couldn't do life without you, literally.
~Alyse :)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Falling
Well, in reference to the weather, this week could be accurately described using a simple phrase... if i wanted to do figure skating, skiing, or any kind of Winter Olympic sport, I would have used my time in my childhood and adolescence to do so. Seriously, the combination of the hills in Moscow, with the snow, ice and freezing rain makes for an interesting usually 10 minute commute to class a twenty or forty minute commute depending on the state of your shoes, where you go, etc. Luckily, the view from the windows in the top floors of my house make for perfect people watching (yes, it happens) which is incredibly entertaining.
We recently switched rooms this is wonderful because now i get to experience life with girls who are in my PC (pledge class) and oh the many memories we've been making this week. Every day it seems as though God gives me something else to be thankful for midst the trifles of being a young adult.. which is a weird concept to me still.
Just today I was thinking about how much I have grown up. It's weird how scents, over all the other senses bring back memories the strongest. Today there was a breeze blowing in my room, and as i was alone i was going to shut it, but as i bent to pull the window down, my nose stopped me before I could and as I closed my eyes i was instantly six years old again laying in the snow in my backyard looking up at the clouds wondering what i was going to be like when i grew up, and knowing that i had my whole life in front of me (ever since i was a child i thought about EVERYTHING). Honestly, those times i had to my own devices as a child in little Challis Idaho were probably some of my favorites. I never had imaginary friends when i was little, but I almost always conversed with Jesus like i was talking to my mom or a best friend. It's interesting now, because throughout my various (and incredibly minimal) life experiences, i have leaned heavily on the fact that Jesus is always there for me, and will always know what to do. A reality I still rely heavily on now as a young adult, with responsibilities mounting upon me. I'll have it known that I never had a desire to grow up. If I could have maintained a five-year old persona in Neverland, it would've happened. However, I do want everything God has for me and a five-year old Alyse could probably not accomplish what an eighteen or whatever age Alyse could accomplish for his purposes.
Another thought that has been recurring in my mind has been that in two years I will be twenty years old... I have had yet to feel old, but it is definitely been becoming familiar as i let my mind mull over this. I know it's not OLD but just the thought that i've been around for two whole decades is big. I also feel like 20 is the official mark for being an adult. Legally i'm an adult, but 20 doesn't have teen in it. Yuck. I'll officially have to grow up then... or not.
Thursday was a pretty big day, because we got the news we had a snow day, the fire alarm went off, and then the power went out all in a span of three hours. Some of my favorite memories were made that night, however. As with most power-outages, an adventure is born when your home is suddenly turned into a magnificent land when something as simple as the lighting is affected. I know that growing up, many a hide-and-go-seek was the best when all of the lights in the house were turned out (man i'm getting a little teary-eyed here).
The past few weeks have been spent making new relationships midst trifling with work from classes each day. Thank goodness the snow's gone, because with the hills around here it was getting to be quite the work to get off of campus.
--this post will soon be followed by another as this was obviously written a few weeks ago, haha. I was positive i posted it, but i guess not!--
~Alyse :)
We recently switched rooms this is wonderful because now i get to experience life with girls who are in my PC (pledge class) and oh the many memories we've been making this week. Every day it seems as though God gives me something else to be thankful for midst the trifles of being a young adult.. which is a weird concept to me still.
Just today I was thinking about how much I have grown up. It's weird how scents, over all the other senses bring back memories the strongest. Today there was a breeze blowing in my room, and as i was alone i was going to shut it, but as i bent to pull the window down, my nose stopped me before I could and as I closed my eyes i was instantly six years old again laying in the snow in my backyard looking up at the clouds wondering what i was going to be like when i grew up, and knowing that i had my whole life in front of me (ever since i was a child i thought about EVERYTHING). Honestly, those times i had to my own devices as a child in little Challis Idaho were probably some of my favorites. I never had imaginary friends when i was little, but I almost always conversed with Jesus like i was talking to my mom or a best friend. It's interesting now, because throughout my various (and incredibly minimal) life experiences, i have leaned heavily on the fact that Jesus is always there for me, and will always know what to do. A reality I still rely heavily on now as a young adult, with responsibilities mounting upon me. I'll have it known that I never had a desire to grow up. If I could have maintained a five-year old persona in Neverland, it would've happened. However, I do want everything God has for me and a five-year old Alyse could probably not accomplish what an eighteen or whatever age Alyse could accomplish for his purposes.
Another thought that has been recurring in my mind has been that in two years I will be twenty years old... I have had yet to feel old, but it is definitely been becoming familiar as i let my mind mull over this. I know it's not OLD but just the thought that i've been around for two whole decades is big. I also feel like 20 is the official mark for being an adult. Legally i'm an adult, but 20 doesn't have teen in it. Yuck. I'll officially have to grow up then... or not.
Thursday was a pretty big day, because we got the news we had a snow day, the fire alarm went off, and then the power went out all in a span of three hours. Some of my favorite memories were made that night, however. As with most power-outages, an adventure is born when your home is suddenly turned into a magnificent land when something as simple as the lighting is affected. I know that growing up, many a hide-and-go-seek was the best when all of the lights in the house were turned out (man i'm getting a little teary-eyed here).
The past few weeks have been spent making new relationships midst trifling with work from classes each day. Thank goodness the snow's gone, because with the hills around here it was getting to be quite the work to get off of campus.
--this post will soon be followed by another as this was obviously written a few weeks ago, haha. I was positive i posted it, but i guess not!--
~Alyse :)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Closing a Chapter
Well, it's official. This week concludes my first semester at the University of Idaho. And honestly it's a little bittersweet because I know that one of the easiest semester of my college career is coming to a close, as far as academics go. However, I am so looking forward to the additional memories i will be creating in this wonderful white house on the hill that has, with everyday, increasingly become my home away from home. To those of you who do not know, or particularly understand sorority life, i encourage you to, like many things, not judge a book by its cover... or rather... covers that have been placed on it. Sorority life is so misjudged and misunderstood by the different views that Hollywood, and word of mouth places on it. I can assure you that, (at least in my chapter) nothing can be further from the truth.
Living in Kappa Kappa Gamma has truly been a real support system for me, and i know that without the help of my fellow sisters, especially in classes that i struggle a great deal in (Math, you know who you are) I would not have had nearly as successful a first semester. This has solidified especially in the last month, where everything is finally gaining a rhythm and i'm getting used to the ebbs and flows of the collegiate life (you like that last sentence? College is doing me good! i'm learning big words! ;)
God is so good in his provisions for my life. Every day, almost within seconds of me feeling the least worn down, or out of it, I find encouragement from someone in my life, lifting me up and motivating me to go on. It never ceases to utterly AMAZE me that God cares so much for my well-being, and the well-being of those around me - even when I am not spending time in His word. This is evident in lieu of the recent baptism service we had at my Moscow church, Resonate. Before every baptism, they have a short video of the person telling their story. I was filled with such inexplicable joy after every video I had a hard time containing myself, and I felt the need to talk to every single person that was baptized that night, but i'll have you know i refrained, because I know that I can be a little overwhelming to people the first time i meet them (this was a lesson learned the hard way when i was a kid, and that's another blog for another time).
To list a specific instance where God used someone else (namely a child, as always) to brighten my day, i'll tell you about one of my work study experiences....
To catch all of you up on my adventures in the last few weeks, I have needed to be rescued from different situations by my wonderful Big Sis Kara Siers. These adventures mostly involved me dropping my brain somewhere on the asphalt beside the vehicle (if you know me, it's true and you're laughing right now), and this almost always ends up resulting in a dead battery, or the keys sitting in the cup holder in view from the driver's window in the parking lot of Moscow Rosauer's... was that too specific? It is a wonder to me why my brother lets me borrow the car still. Honestly. And, i have a panic attack every time I come out of work study, even though i've double checked and rechecked that the lights were off, and the keys were in my hand. People probably think i'm crazy, because i'm walking out to my car in the dark of night (thanks to earlier sunsets at literally 3:00) saying under my breath "Oh dear God please let there not be a dead battery, oh please oh please oh please!" Now, it almost always works, and there's really no reason to fret.
The weeks following Thanksgiving have passed as fast as I thought they would, and have caused me as much stress as i anticipated. I had two art projects, two portfolios, and one final to study for. Thankfully I only had that one real final, because it should be common knowledge that i am a horrible test taker. My art projects went over well, and paid off with the work I put into them. I like to think that i saved all of my creativity for my final projects, and if I slacked off all semester to save up for these, it was worth it. Doing my art projects, I realized just how much I am in love with the arts, and how much of myself is devoted to them. It truly was my joy to do them, and I know without a doubt that at least one of my majors is what I will be doing for the rest of my life.
Here's a few of them:
We also went serenading last week, we sang Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas, is you", much to the delight of fraternity men on the campus. Which was pretty cool, because i've only been in like three of the fraternities before that, but I think i'll keep on hanging out at the two i do hang out at... because they weren't as cool as the ones i spend my time at.
Other than being needed to be rescued once every week, the last few have mostly consisted of asking myself: "what's due this week? and what's the least that I have to do?" Which is so not what i'm used to asking myself. And for me, thanksgiving break could not have come fast enough, and now that it has, i'm looking forward to Christmas. I'm just worn out, and next semester the 18 credits might be challenging, but i'm sure it will work out. It's weird, all semester when i've felt the least bit overwhelmed, I feel almost an instant calm as well. I know that's from all of the prayers my brothers and sisters all over have been saying for me. And in lieu of the season coming up, thank you so much for the prayers! And also thank you for reading!
As always,
~Alyse :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Living in Kappa Kappa Gamma has truly been a real support system for me, and i know that without the help of my fellow sisters, especially in classes that i struggle a great deal in (Math, you know who you are) I would not have had nearly as successful a first semester. This has solidified especially in the last month, where everything is finally gaining a rhythm and i'm getting used to the ebbs and flows of the collegiate life (you like that last sentence? College is doing me good! i'm learning big words! ;)
God is so good in his provisions for my life. Every day, almost within seconds of me feeling the least worn down, or out of it, I find encouragement from someone in my life, lifting me up and motivating me to go on. It never ceases to utterly AMAZE me that God cares so much for my well-being, and the well-being of those around me - even when I am not spending time in His word. This is evident in lieu of the recent baptism service we had at my Moscow church, Resonate. Before every baptism, they have a short video of the person telling their story. I was filled with such inexplicable joy after every video I had a hard time containing myself, and I felt the need to talk to every single person that was baptized that night, but i'll have you know i refrained, because I know that I can be a little overwhelming to people the first time i meet them (this was a lesson learned the hard way when i was a kid, and that's another blog for another time).
To list a specific instance where God used someone else (namely a child, as always) to brighten my day, i'll tell you about one of my work study experiences....
I was at my work study, switching it up a bit and playing with the boys, because i usually do the craft with the kids at the craft table, and I decided i wanted to branch out. We were playing with plastic dinosaurs, and lions, and tigers, and sheep, and rhinos, and other various forms of animals in God's Kingdom. Either way, one of the little boys walks up to me, and says: "Alyse, you're exquisite!" to which i replied: "Why thank you Tommy, do you know what that means?" And he said: "Yeah! It means like super pretty or something! And that's what you are!" I said: "Wow! Yes you're sure right! Did you get that word in your vocab list this week or something?" And he said: "Sure did". At this point, one of the other little boys chimed in and said: "Yeah Alyse you're really pretty!" and then another little boy agreed as well.
I don't know what it is about the children at my work study, but they are perhaps some of the sweetest children I have ever met. I will greatly miss working with them next semester. What is also a blessing from God is, he has provided me with the financial means to not need work study next semester, which opens up free time in the afternoon to build relationships with people that have been placed in my life. I am so incredibly excited for this upcoming semester, even though I will be at 18 credits. I say... Bring it on crazy semester! I'll be all rested up from Christmas break, and i'm used to most of your tricks by now! ...honestly, we'll see how that goes, but who accomplished anything without a little confidence??
To catch all of you up on my adventures in the last few weeks, I have needed to be rescued from different situations by my wonderful Big Sis Kara Siers. These adventures mostly involved me dropping my brain somewhere on the asphalt beside the vehicle (if you know me, it's true and you're laughing right now), and this almost always ends up resulting in a dead battery, or the keys sitting in the cup holder in view from the driver's window in the parking lot of Moscow Rosauer's... was that too specific? It is a wonder to me why my brother lets me borrow the car still. Honestly. And, i have a panic attack every time I come out of work study, even though i've double checked and rechecked that the lights were off, and the keys were in my hand. People probably think i'm crazy, because i'm walking out to my car in the dark of night (thanks to earlier sunsets at literally 3:00) saying under my breath "Oh dear God please let there not be a dead battery, oh please oh please oh please!" Now, it almost always works, and there's really no reason to fret.
The weeks following Thanksgiving have passed as fast as I thought they would, and have caused me as much stress as i anticipated. I had two art projects, two portfolios, and one final to study for. Thankfully I only had that one real final, because it should be common knowledge that i am a horrible test taker. My art projects went over well, and paid off with the work I put into them. I like to think that i saved all of my creativity for my final projects, and if I slacked off all semester to save up for these, it was worth it. Doing my art projects, I realized just how much I am in love with the arts, and how much of myself is devoted to them. It truly was my joy to do them, and I know without a doubt that at least one of my majors is what I will be doing for the rest of my life.
Here's a few of them:
We also went serenading last week, we sang Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas, is you", much to the delight of fraternity men on the campus. Which was pretty cool, because i've only been in like three of the fraternities before that, but I think i'll keep on hanging out at the two i do hang out at... because they weren't as cool as the ones i spend my time at.
Other than being needed to be rescued once every week, the last few have mostly consisted of asking myself: "what's due this week? and what's the least that I have to do?" Which is so not what i'm used to asking myself. And for me, thanksgiving break could not have come fast enough, and now that it has, i'm looking forward to Christmas. I'm just worn out, and next semester the 18 credits might be challenging, but i'm sure it will work out. It's weird, all semester when i've felt the least bit overwhelmed, I feel almost an instant calm as well. I know that's from all of the prayers my brothers and sisters all over have been saying for me. And in lieu of the season coming up, thank you so much for the prayers! And also thank you for reading!
As always,
~Alyse :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In regards to finals, here is what i learned:
1. If you can get out of a test with a portfolio, do it.
2. Art projects are always better accompanied with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies.
3. Being an art major rocks, because there are no written tests.
4. REST.
5. Study sessions with your sisters are THE BEST.
6. When it feels like your brain is going to fall out of your cranium, you've been studying real hard - good job.
7. The internet is the devil, quite literally - especially Pinterest.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Midterms, Kappa Inspiration, and a wall
So, two weeks ago was midterms. I actually didn't have that many tests (only two) and I feel very fortunate, but i think my homework load almost equaled the stress my fellow sorority sisters were feeling this week.
Still, with those two tests, combined with stuff for the house and everything else going on in my life my mind was pretty much mush by the end of the week, and i'm surprised i have anything to talk about in this post... or if it's even intelligible at all, so we'll see how this goes.
Honestly though, I really can't complain too much, because my homework and week was not even that bad.
Still, with those two tests, combined with stuff for the house and everything else going on in my life my mind was pretty much mush by the end of the week, and i'm surprised i have anything to talk about in this post... or if it's even intelligible at all, so we'll see how this goes.
Honestly though, I really can't complain too much, because my homework and week was not even that bad.
Anyway, a few weeks ago, I made a post on Facebook with a whole bunch of quotes of thoughts I had for that day, and that I would talk about them in this blog post!
Those thoughts were:
"Hey there Jersey Shore"
"Hey ma, if I return home with monster thighs, will you still love me?"
"Having it be 80 degrees outside with the sun setting earlier messes with my head"
"Kids are genuine, their honesty is the best"
Well, The comment about Jersey Shore was on my second day of work study at my new location, and I was riding my bike downtown and this guy, who totally looked like he was a hardcore whitey New Jersey wannabe from the Northwest, was on his phone, walked out really slowly in front of me, and when i looked annoyed that he did that, (because my brakes are going out... life of a college student) he gave me a once-over with an expression that was a mixture of a disgusting "Hey-there girly" and "who do you think you are?" very confusing, and i'm not sure I will ever be able to ignore the notorious Moscow-Men-Stare either... although it is not a prevalent to me now as it was the first week of school.
Aaaaannnd, on a slightly more recent note (considering i started this post like two weeks ago... ptsh, as if that wasn't obvious) I am officially a Kappa Kappa Gamma of the Beta Kappa chapter at the beautiful and WONDERFUL University of Idaho. This has been a week of mostly reflection (when i have time) showing me how much I have grown in at least the last year. This is even more prevalent when I look at pictures and am reminded of where i was at, and what I was thinking in that picture... I'm loving it. I cannot wait to live my life, i'm so full of it, and I hope that when I am a seasoned adult I will still feel this feeling through the continuous renewal of life from my wonderful creator. Today, I just outlined my classes for next semester, and it is looking like I will be very busy with some art classes. This is slightly funny to me, and i bet a lot of people back where i am from (holla PF!), because in High School I did not take a single art class, and was incredibly involved in all sorts of performing arts... believe me i've heard it enough times. Either way, I am enjoying the challenge, and through various circumstances in my life I feel like God has truly prepared me for this season in my life.
I must confess I am suffering from serious withdrawals from the performing arts... I have the shakes almost on a continuous daily basis. However, there is just simply no time for any classes not relating to my major. No time has never been a real determent for anything related to what I want to do, and being on my own has given me quite a surge of confidence.
This past week (Oct. 24-29) I officially hit my motivational wall. A boy what a wall it was. It was my first time fully experiencing what it felt like to procrastinate all week and cram a four-page essay into one night. I can hear the laughter now. One of my professors pretty much put it into perspective. Since it's halfway through the semester, and we just got done with a gruelling week of Midterms, everyone is really tired and in desperate need of a vacation. Isn't that the truth.
For the most part, after having Midterms and my Inititation into KKG, my life finally feels like it's quieted down and I have entered into the routine of college. Just in time to schedule new classes. I met with my art advisor last week, and sometime in the next two years I apparently need to take a figure drawing class. For those of you who do not know me, or know what a figure drawing class is, this is quite a shocker.
#1: a figure drawing class is when you draw a real-live person in their birthday suit, and no there is no confetti or birthday cake.
#2: just think of me in this setting and i'm sure you're going to get your laugh in for the day...
I swear this will be like something out of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, and i usually don't blush, but i'm fairly positive my face turned a nice shade of crimson.
On a spiritual note, be praying for me, the last few weeks have been especially challenging getting any sort of quiet time, and my soul is definitely suffering from it. Although the other day i was on a walk through the admin lawn, and I happened to look up into the beautiful burnt orange, yellow canopy above me to see the natural stained-sky with the warm sunlight shining behind it, and i'm positive that I got a glimpse of heaven, because my soul leaped for joy. I felt so carefree in that moment, which is saying something, because I have had only a few moments in my life these last few months where I have had the blessing of feeling that way. No complaining, just dealing with young-adulthood.
Anyways, this last week has been pretty lax, meaning "relaxed" (in order to be cool in college you have to learn to abbreviate well). And there's really nothing else to report! I honestly do not know when my next post will be, but i'll try for next week... there's really no promises though haha. I hope all of your lives are going great, and thank you so much for reading, it means so much to me to know that people care this much about my life!
Keep Calm, and rest :)
In Christ,
~Alyse :)
Aaaaannnd, on a slightly more recent note (considering i started this post like two weeks ago... ptsh, as if that wasn't obvious) I am officially a Kappa Kappa Gamma of the Beta Kappa chapter at the beautiful and WONDERFUL University of Idaho. This has been a week of mostly reflection (when i have time) showing me how much I have grown in at least the last year. This is even more prevalent when I look at pictures and am reminded of where i was at, and what I was thinking in that picture... I'm loving it. I cannot wait to live my life, i'm so full of it, and I hope that when I am a seasoned adult I will still feel this feeling through the continuous renewal of life from my wonderful creator. Today, I just outlined my classes for next semester, and it is looking like I will be very busy with some art classes. This is slightly funny to me, and i bet a lot of people back where i am from (holla PF!), because in High School I did not take a single art class, and was incredibly involved in all sorts of performing arts... believe me i've heard it enough times. Either way, I am enjoying the challenge, and through various circumstances in my life I feel like God has truly prepared me for this season in my life.
I must confess I am suffering from serious withdrawals from the performing arts... I have the shakes almost on a continuous daily basis. However, there is just simply no time for any classes not relating to my major. No time has never been a real determent for anything related to what I want to do, and being on my own has given me quite a surge of confidence.
This past week (Oct. 24-29) I officially hit my motivational wall. A boy what a wall it was. It was my first time fully experiencing what it felt like to procrastinate all week and cram a four-page essay into one night. I can hear the laughter now. One of my professors pretty much put it into perspective. Since it's halfway through the semester, and we just got done with a gruelling week of Midterms, everyone is really tired and in desperate need of a vacation. Isn't that the truth.
For the most part, after having Midterms and my Inititation into KKG, my life finally feels like it's quieted down and I have entered into the routine of college. Just in time to schedule new classes. I met with my art advisor last week, and sometime in the next two years I apparently need to take a figure drawing class. For those of you who do not know me, or know what a figure drawing class is, this is quite a shocker.
#1: a figure drawing class is when you draw a real-live person in their birthday suit, and no there is no confetti or birthday cake.
#2: just think of me in this setting and i'm sure you're going to get your laugh in for the day...
I swear this will be like something out of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, and i usually don't blush, but i'm fairly positive my face turned a nice shade of crimson.
On a spiritual note, be praying for me, the last few weeks have been especially challenging getting any sort of quiet time, and my soul is definitely suffering from it. Although the other day i was on a walk through the admin lawn, and I happened to look up into the beautiful burnt orange, yellow canopy above me to see the natural stained-sky with the warm sunlight shining behind it, and i'm positive that I got a glimpse of heaven, because my soul leaped for joy. I felt so carefree in that moment, which is saying something, because I have had only a few moments in my life these last few months where I have had the blessing of feeling that way. No complaining, just dealing with young-adulthood.
Anyways, this last week has been pretty lax, meaning "relaxed" (in order to be cool in college you have to learn to abbreviate well). And there's really nothing else to report! I honestly do not know when my next post will be, but i'll try for next week... there's really no promises though haha. I hope all of your lives are going great, and thank you so much for reading, it means so much to me to know that people care this much about my life!
Keep Calm, and rest :)
In Christ,
~Alyse :)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lost
As a precursor to this entry, please read Luke 15:8-10
...supposing you just did... that is what this post will mostly be about this week!
The reason I chose that is because literally the day after i made my last blog post half of my junk on my shelf fell behind the bed/wall space, or a.k.a. the "no man's land". This was the, shall we say... a cherry on top? (or crescendo?) to so many other things falling behind there. I had been putting off rescuing all of those lost knick-knacks for weeks, but finally it was imperative that i rescued them from the abyss of the dirty, dusty prison in which they had fallen. So, much like the woman in Luke 15:8-10 I rescued a mirror (which broke, *sad face), a bobble-head turtle, and something else... now it's been a few weeks, give me a break. So, in all actuality they weren't items that were detrimental to my existence, but it is one of my quirks to not leave things behind or lost... even if they're inanimate objects. Seriously, when I was little it was ten times worse, but even today a green pepper fell off of a shelf at Wal-Mart and i wanted to rescue it. I think this is a result of movies/shows like Toy Story or The Brave Little Toaster, they gave life to stuff that doesn't talk! Whatever... this isn't what this post is about...
To get to the "No-Man's-Land" that all of my stuff fell into, i had to move my dresser with all sorts of other junk in it, and being American, there's some substantial stuff in it. If you're at all familiar with the amount of upper body strength that i possess, you would be greatly impressed to hear that I actually moved this HUGE dresser out of the way to get my knick-knacks who were being held ransom by the abyss behind the bed/against the wall/to the right of my dresser... anyway... much like the woman n Luke who was actually searching high and low throughout her house for something that was worth more than my helpless knick-knacks, I pursued my inanimate objects with vigor and in the process, rearranged my second shelf so things would not be so easily lost in that horrible area behind/beside/between the wall/bed/dresser.
...supposing you just did... that is what this post will mostly be about this week!
The reason I chose that is because literally the day after i made my last blog post half of my junk on my shelf fell behind the bed/wall space, or a.k.a. the "no man's land". This was the, shall we say... a cherry on top? (or crescendo?) to so many other things falling behind there. I had been putting off rescuing all of those lost knick-knacks for weeks, but finally it was imperative that i rescued them from the abyss of the dirty, dusty prison in which they had fallen. So, much like the woman in Luke 15:8-10 I rescued a mirror (which broke, *sad face), a bobble-head turtle, and something else... now it's been a few weeks, give me a break. So, in all actuality they weren't items that were detrimental to my existence, but it is one of my quirks to not leave things behind or lost... even if they're inanimate objects. Seriously, when I was little it was ten times worse, but even today a green pepper fell off of a shelf at Wal-Mart and i wanted to rescue it. I think this is a result of movies/shows like Toy Story or The Brave Little Toaster, they gave life to stuff that doesn't talk! Whatever... this isn't what this post is about...
To get to the "No-Man's-Land" that all of my stuff fell into, i had to move my dresser with all sorts of other junk in it, and being American, there's some substantial stuff in it. If you're at all familiar with the amount of upper body strength that i possess, you would be greatly impressed to hear that I actually moved this HUGE dresser out of the way to get my knick-knacks who were being held ransom by the abyss behind the bed/against the wall/to the right of my dresser... anyway... much like the woman n Luke who was actually searching high and low throughout her house for something that was worth more than my helpless knick-knacks, I pursued my inanimate objects with vigor and in the process, rearranged my second shelf so things would not be so easily lost in that horrible area behind/beside/between the wall/bed/dresser.
...and, everyone, that's what today's post is about...
What are we doing with our lives? What are we pursuing? We may not have stone idols to commit adultery on God with, but we have something almost more sinister. Our idols are what consume most of our time. They're hiding under the thin veneer of our happy little lives. What are you devoting your time to? What am I devoting my time to? To be honest... i don't even know half the time, which is still probably the same thing. Scratch that, it is. if we're still riding the "Honesty Train" most of the time I'm thinking of what I need to do next, and am never present. All the while there's a banner in my head that reads: "Welcome to college and being an adult, Alyse" with a welcoming committee shaking my hand, saying "so glad to have you here, so glad..."
--right about now is when i'd insert one of those adolescent stars with the word "sigh" after it, but that's just so juvenile, but i'm so far from that now...
I've decided that when all is said and done, and i've come to the end of my physical life, I want to be satisfied with everything I have done in my life. I don't care if I make mistakes**, I just want to say I put my all and everything into all and everything that God had for me in this life. I want to be used greatly by God in all of his works everywhere I am, and I want to live my life knowing the people I come in contact with. Darn it, i'm going to LIVE! I'm going to double and triple God's investment in my life, even though i'm the worst person with finances, and struggle with self-control. God will use that to refine me in the fire. God, bring it on, I want to be all you've created me to be, mold me so when you look at me you will say "Well done my good and faithful student".
Recently, a man I didn't know that well passed. He was a respected Police Man in the Northern Idaho area. It saddens me I didn't get the opportunity to know him better, but no matter, because the people that he touched have also touched my life. He was a man I looked to as a brother in Christ and it comforts me that one day I know i'll get to see him someday in heaven, and have the rest of eternity. I am fairly certain God has told him that beautiful phrase: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Luke 19:17). R.I.P. Jonathan Mathew Franco, you've affected this area more than you realized.
God is good. God is great. God is eternal. There is nothing in all creation that could separate us from Him, or His love. God is God.
Thanks for reading, I hope it was an encouragement to you, and never forget the strength of the One who we serve.
In Him,
Alyse Emily Neal
**What I mean is: I am not going to go through life living the 'morning after' gospel, messing up and then asking God's forgiveness, what I mean is I'm going to live wholeheartedly with what God has for me, abiding in his voice, and meditating in his perfections
Here's some pictures for thought:
Friday, September 9, 2011
Plastic Red Cups (or blue, whichever)
So, it has been made apparent to me that red plastic dixie cups are the staple of all things related to College Parties...
Correction: i've known this for a while, but either way i'm putting it in this new post. This staple is so apparent that in various job trainings I have had, they highly suggest that you remove any pictures of you on social websites that have you with those shiny Red Cups (or blue cups).
Food for thought:
if Red Cups (also blue cups) are such a strong symbol that for hiring purposes you have to remove pictures of yourself with them from social media, can you apply that to your life? i.e. what do YOU stand for? Do you even want to stand for anything? It is funny to me that some people read articles that have titles like: "what you can tell from a person's shoes...." well, of course you can tell what a person is like by their shoes, they picked them out? Are you picking up what i'm putting down?
Well, this last week has certainly been interesting to say the least. I experienced my first mixer at Delta Tau Delta (spelling? Sorry boys!), and i must say it was very classy. And no, I did not have any wine... just to reassure those of you who doubt my extremely iron-clad will. They were kind enough to provide sparkling cider for those of us who did not want to drink. Once again, very classy :)
Labor Day weekend was a very fantastic rest from all of the business of the first two weeks of school. I believe in my last post i expressed some worries over financial issues, but as always God has totally provided means for me to stay at Kappa Kappa Gamma, and has showed me some creative ways (from the advice of several of my extremely beautiful and wonderful Kappa sisters) to manage my time as far as homework goes. Sticky notes are a friend when space in your planner is full, AND using your online resources such as CALENDARS (who knew right?) which your teacher suggested the first day, and making an intelligible list of your classes so you can check them off is quite a good idea :)
This last week has not gone exactly how I would have wanted it to go, however. I have had absolutely no time to journal or read my bible. Even now a memory of my mom saying: "you make time for the things that are important to you"... *sigh* it seams that mothers are always right. Well, either way i'm going to make time, because tomorrow, Friday, I am going to run away from Kappa for an hour or two and seclude myself somewhere and MAKE time for some good 'ol bible reading. Whew! Now let's see how it works out...
The hardest thing so far in my college experience (at least this week) is definitely time management. And, I may have already said that in my last post, but hey, this is definitely not a high-end blog, and I also highly doubt that it will blow up like, oh, say, a certain cooking blog having to do with Julia Child? Whatever, I'd have to put so much into this thing, and i'm a full-time student! Okay, so again "you make time for the things you want", well then, my priorities are elsewhere... nice execution of time management ay?
Well, that concludes this week's entry. I'm also not promising one will be here next week, but keep your eyes open on facebook for links, because that is usually when I have made a new entry. Thank you all for your prayers, and keep them up! I think the biggest thing is discernment and wisdom with my time and where I put my attention. Love you all! And share this with anyone you feel would need any kind of encouragement!
Some verses to check out that are good for praise to God:
Psalm 50:1-6
Psalm 65
(basically any psalms)
For some awe-inspiring ones:
Psalm 91:14-16
Job 38 (extremely humbling)
And just a good one that we did in service for Real Life Post Falls:
Acts 26
*basically, there's a whole lot more where this came from, and if you're really interested, God's the one behind it all, and I or definitely someone in your life is probably aching to talk with you about Him. I hope that this was encouraging to you, and I pray that that is what it would be to my fellow brothers and sisters, as well as a sort of catalyst for change.
In Him who is my life and breath,
~Alyse :)
Correction: i've known this for a while, but either way i'm putting it in this new post. This staple is so apparent that in various job trainings I have had, they highly suggest that you remove any pictures of you on social websites that have you with those shiny Red Cups (or blue cups).
Food for thought:
if Red Cups (also blue cups) are such a strong symbol that for hiring purposes you have to remove pictures of yourself with them from social media, can you apply that to your life? i.e. what do YOU stand for? Do you even want to stand for anything? It is funny to me that some people read articles that have titles like: "what you can tell from a person's shoes...." well, of course you can tell what a person is like by their shoes, they picked them out? Are you picking up what i'm putting down?
Well, this last week has certainly been interesting to say the least. I experienced my first mixer at Delta Tau Delta (spelling? Sorry boys!), and i must say it was very classy. And no, I did not have any wine... just to reassure those of you who doubt my extremely iron-clad will. They were kind enough to provide sparkling cider for those of us who did not want to drink. Once again, very classy :)
Labor Day weekend was a very fantastic rest from all of the business of the first two weeks of school. I believe in my last post i expressed some worries over financial issues, but as always God has totally provided means for me to stay at Kappa Kappa Gamma, and has showed me some creative ways (from the advice of several of my extremely beautiful and wonderful Kappa sisters) to manage my time as far as homework goes. Sticky notes are a friend when space in your planner is full, AND using your online resources such as CALENDARS (who knew right?) which your teacher suggested the first day, and making an intelligible list of your classes so you can check them off is quite a good idea :)
This last week has not gone exactly how I would have wanted it to go, however. I have had absolutely no time to journal or read my bible. Even now a memory of my mom saying: "you make time for the things that are important to you"... *sigh* it seams that mothers are always right. Well, either way i'm going to make time, because tomorrow, Friday, I am going to run away from Kappa for an hour or two and seclude myself somewhere and MAKE time for some good 'ol bible reading. Whew! Now let's see how it works out...
The hardest thing so far in my college experience (at least this week) is definitely time management. And, I may have already said that in my last post, but hey, this is definitely not a high-end blog, and I also highly doubt that it will blow up like, oh, say, a certain cooking blog having to do with Julia Child? Whatever, I'd have to put so much into this thing, and i'm a full-time student! Okay, so again "you make time for the things you want", well then, my priorities are elsewhere... nice execution of time management ay?
Well, that concludes this week's entry. I'm also not promising one will be here next week, but keep your eyes open on facebook for links, because that is usually when I have made a new entry. Thank you all for your prayers, and keep them up! I think the biggest thing is discernment and wisdom with my time and where I put my attention. Love you all! And share this with anyone you feel would need any kind of encouragement!
Some verses to check out that are good for praise to God:
Psalm 50:1-6
Psalm 65
(basically any psalms)
For some awe-inspiring ones:
Psalm 91:14-16
Job 38 (extremely humbling)
And just a good one that we did in service for Real Life Post Falls:
Acts 26
*basically, there's a whole lot more where this came from, and if you're really interested, God's the one behind it all, and I or definitely someone in your life is probably aching to talk with you about Him. I hope that this was encouraging to you, and I pray that that is what it would be to my fellow brothers and sisters, as well as a sort of catalyst for change.
In Him who is my life and breath,
~Alyse :)
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