Since my last blog, things have remained steady! I’ve still remained incredibly interested in my Psychology class and feel I did well on my last test which I’ll recieve tomorrow *crosses fingers*… I participated in my first track meet and felt proud with what I accomplished. It was nice to have my teammates cheer me on during the meet as well. I ultimately feel closer to my team after attending the meet. I attended a team dinner the night before and it was cool to have all of my teammates bring different things and make a meal all on our own. I chipped in with a bag of salad, and thought it was such a smart idea to have them.
I find myself having more “down time” with myself and focusing on the things that interest me most. I’ve decided I have to find a way to explore outside of McMinville because I am very curious to see what’s out there. I’m looking at possibly taking the bus to visit friends in Portland that I miss quite a bit. Especially my best friend, Jack. I’ve been walking around the downtown area of McMinville quite a bit enjoying the sunshine and the shops here. I’ve been cooking at my dorm more, and eating at the dining halls less. Dare I say I’m feeling…rambunctious? Through all the classes I’ve been taking, they’ve reminded me just how curious I really am to explore different philosophies as well as study my surroundings. This has pushed me to the conclusion that I’ll need to study abroad at least once in my college experience. Because I do believe that’s where I belong and what I should be doing. I look at my senior friends and admire how close they all became after going on a study abroad trip to Ireland. Some moved in together, some became best friends…it seems to really bring people closer together and both experience the feelings associated with entering a new country, a new atmosphere.
If I were to study abroad, I know I’d have to go somewhere exotic. To me, I feel that there is a big difference when looking at a trip for education and a trip for recreation. Of course there is time for recreation in studying abroad, however, i believe when choosing a country to study abroad in you should look at a place which WILL make you uncomfortable and have you learn to respect other ways of being and living as well as what happiness consists of. What I mean by this, is that when looking at a country such as India or Guatemala, you will find more opportunities to see less emphases on the things that we hold important, and more emphases on the things we take for granted. And whether we agree with this opinion, you know this way of living at least exists and thrives just as our own culture does. As much as I’d love to study abroad in France, England or Germany, I feel as though I should look for a place that has more differentiation from my own ways of living such as possibly a place that doesn’t worry about cell service, traffic or being late for a job interview. A place that could have me feeling much more in tune to what life is like for those that live such an opposing life to my own.
Hopefully, I can study abroad by my Junior year. However, I really need to look into where and when I could go. I’m thinking I’m overdue in visiting my counselor and figuring out more of my schedule. I feel I need to take more of an initiative to figure out and organize all these grand needs I want from my college experience. I look at my friend, Jack, who has been offered to go to Berlin, New York and San Francisco over the summer and think that I’ve been travelling the world far less than I should be. Hopefully, I can try to find more ways to differentiate my life through travel and have more of a “can-do” attitude in achieving this goal. Thanks to my work study job, maybe I could save up money for the rest of spring semester in order to travel somewhere beautiful over the summer. That is the great thing about Linfield, is that I’ve been given the opportunity to plan out my life and make beautiful things happen. I just need to step up and plan the ways to make this all happen. If anything, I can appreciate the fact that these dreams I have could even become possible.
Spring break is coming up and I feel mixed thoughts on it. I’m very excited to visit my family in Roseburg, Oregon and celebrate Easter dinner with them. However, I feel almost not ready for a break. It feels like things are going very fast! Midterms are following Spring Break and it feels like Spring Semester has just begun. If anything, I know I will enjoy my break and will try to relax as much as possible. However, I have so much on my mind I’m not sure how much relaxation could be possible. It still is hard to believe I won’t be back in California till the summer. In a strange way, I’m not homesick. I feel I am starting to find a place here in Oregon where I didn’t as much in California. And as much as I miss it, I love how open I feel about myself here. Whether it’s more of a personal change than a geographical change, I feel much more that I have a voice here than I did back home thanks to Linfield.
If anything, I’ll be going with my friend to the coast on the week following spring break, which I’m excited for. It’ll be nice to feel mobile and see another beautiful part of Oregon. My favorite part of Oregon, in fact.
P.S: Oh, and if you’re wondering about the picture, that’s me at a nearby park in McMinville just thinking and dreaming. I often go to that beautiful park to think about all of these dreams I have. Also to study. Of course!
P.S. Again: The weather has been beautiful here! The sun’s out and reminds everyone that spring is upon us (Oregon’s best season!!!) Which keeps me optimistic and keeps me going. Love it!
