Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Joy Surprise

I'm settled in and smiling. The room is roomy, the roommates intelligent. One of them has a 4.0, and it's not me. One's pre-med, one's doing her nursing homework while working at the library, and I haven't been late to class yet. Well, I was, but the professor didn't show up, so it was okay. At least for me.

My desk is already a mess: postcards from Singapore, a cinnamon bark box filled with céntimos, my vitamins (which I haven't taken in a week and a half), a parking ticket (oh, strife!), my new water bottle, some financial aid letters that are perhaps significant, the key to Sol Duc employee dorm #4, a list of things to do, and a list of things to buy. And a bouncey, bouncey ball.

Today I had one class that actually occurred. The professor's articulate English reached into parts of my brain that haven't been used in quite that way in about… 8 months. In all seriousness, I felt the ache of nerves reconnecting. A good kind of pain, but it made my eyes droop. I have downloaded the audio of Beowulf, so I can start my homework.

There's so little chaos here. I had to tell you about my desk, because that's the messiest spot in the suite. This is different than Sol Duc. I'm practically on community overload right now, but I still haven't gotten sick of the smiles. Have you noticed that if you smile at someone, they'll smile at you, which makes you happier? And it doesn't smell like sulphur here.

And this is different than a year ago. The things I was confused about have been made clear. I am full of hope, not dread. And I am not ashamed.

I have some places to add to my list of places I've slept. We'll say that Sol Duc Room #4 was #60. So:

61. Sol Duc Room #2 on the night that there was a drinking game going on in my own room.
62. Tom and Karlene's house.
63. Nate and Hannah's.
64. One and a half (actually, half and a one) nights in Ft. Collins.
65. Johnny and Christina's.
66. Four nights at the hotel in Minneapolis, where all of Ryan's family stayed for his sister's wedding.

67. Alumni 123. The best suite ever. That's what I've decided. And I will do everything in my power to make it so. Where will I get that power? The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Plus, I have a boyfriend who prays for me.

3 comments:

Hannah said...

Your room sounds nice (the people I mean).
Half and a one, I like that!
What is your new water bottle like? I got a camelbak one to follow your family's trend. My students were intrigued by it today: "Hey, you got a different water bottle than last year!"

Unknown said...

Yeah, I have a Camelbak one. It's green. Ryan bought himself a red one and me a green one. I like it.

g'mavw said...

Sounds as if you have some nice things happening in your college life. You're in my prayers also!
Love, g'ma