Sweet Tea #4

Hey again!

I know, I posted not too long ago (like yesterday), but this is to make up for all the weeks or months or however long I didn't post this semester. Let's have another round of Sweet Tea, shall we? :)

My Life

So far, hectic. These past couple of weeks I've been hard at work studying and writing all kinds of papers (short stories, poems, responses, bibliographies, news stories, feature stories, etc.). It's been really challenging to write in such different ways, but I'm glad that I'm growing in my writing and just in my study habits in general. 

Tonight, my hall did a little scavenger hunt event with a guys hall from a different dorm building on campus. It was really fun to get to know some guys I'd never met before, and they were really great to hang out with. And there was a dessert reception afterwards. Yuuumm...

But yeah, life is going. There's been a balance of good times and rough patches this semester already, but God has been faithful in just teaching me so many things and allowing me to grow in faith. I've actually been attending counseling sessions for the past few weeks, just so I can get my thoughts and feelings out in the open and hear feedback from a professional. 

And so far, it's been so amazing. Every time I leave, I feel like I've learned something new about myself and I've also learned how to change things in my life that need changing. It's been so refreshing to get a different perspective on my life and to see the way I think and  react to things change.

I'm currently trying to learn that, yes, I can care for those I love when I have the opportunity and resources to do that, but I have to take care of myself too. My counselor told me this analogy: the heart pumps blood through the entire body, but in order for it to do that, it has to pump blood into itself first. So basically, in order for me to invest in other people,  I need to invest in myself first. Not to a point where I become prideful, but I just need some me time: drinking coffee or tea, watching some Netflix, writing, reading, napping.

I'm really excited to start paying attention to just treating myself every once in a while for at least 30 minutes!

Tunes

WHEW! I have been listening to A LOT of things lately! I feel like every week I find a new artist that I'm just absolutely in love with! So, I'll just pick a few of my recent favorite artists to rave about!

1. You Me At Six - umm, how have I never listened to this band before? I remember last semester Bria had mentioned them to me and I'd listened to them a little bit, but I was so absorbed with Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, and Mayday Parade that I kind of just fell of the train. This British pop-punk band is too good! They recently released a new album called Cavalier Youth and I am just IN LOVE with it! My favorite songs from this album are "Too Young to Feel This Old", "Forgive and Forget", "Fresh Start Fever", "Win Some, Lose Some", "Cold Night", "Be Who You Are", "Carpe Diem", and "Champagne Wishes"! Such great music and lyrics! Definitely check them out when you get the chance! And their acoustic song "Starry Eyed"...*sigh* so great!

2. Royal Pirates - I actually discovered this Korean-American rock band through f(x)'s Amber's Instagram account. She had made a video of her watching Royal Pirates' Drawing the Line MV and then she went to a whiteboard and drew a line. I thought the video was hilarious, but I was really interested in the music on the video. So I looked them up and realized that they'd released a small E.P. called Shout Out in 2013 and that they had recently released their first official mini album Drawing the Line and, like with You Me At Six, I fell in love with their style of music. It was like KPOP, only with a rock twist to it. Favorite songs by them so far: "You", "Drawing the Line" (both the Korean and English versions), "Shout Out", and "On My Mind". "Fly to You" is growing on me right now too, actually. Seriously, go check them out too!

3. This Century - So, Bria is slightly peeved, I think, that I'm just now listening to this band because apparently she tried to get me to listen to them last semester. Like I said, I was so stuck on Pierce the Veil and company that I didn't feel like I needed new music introduced to me. But this punk band is really good. Their latest album Biography of Heartbreak released in 2013, and it is simply delightful! My favorite song of all time on that album is "Slow Dance Night." Other songs I really like from that album are "Love Killer", "Biography of Hearbreak", "Bleach Blonde", "Fool's Game", "Skeletons", and "Sideways". 

4. We Are The In Crowd - If you like Paramore, I think you'll like this pop-punk band. I was actually shocked to hear a girl's voice when I started listening to them, but oh my word, the lead vocalists Taylor Jardine (also the keyboardist) and Jordan Eckes (also the guitarist) sing the best duets ever. They also just released an album called Weird Kids, and it is just ROCKIN'! Favorite songs: "The Best Thing (That Never Happened)", "Manners", "Attention", "Remember (To Forget You)", "Don't You Worry", and "Reflections". 

5. "Favorite Girl" by The Icarus Account - okay, I didn't flat out say that The Icarus Account was my favorite band because honestly, I've only been listening to this one song for the past few weeks. It was featured on the Snapchat Valentine's Day video, and after hearing the small snippet, I decided to check it out. Still don't regret that decision. This song is super sappy sweet, which I haven't usually been into, but this song is so happy-go-lucky, shoot, how can I not listen to it on the weekends? :D

The Word

So, I've been getting up an hour earlier than I need to in order to do my devotions at breakfast. But this past week has been awful when it comes to my Bible study time. I could explain a million things going on in my life and tell you the excuses I have for not really getting deep into the Word, but I won't. I'll just say that I've been struggling lately.

But, when I do read my Bible, I'm reading the Proverb of the day and I'm going through the book of 2 Corinthians again. I just LOVE that book, and I'm wanting to use the inductive Bible study method my pastor taught us a couple of weeks ago. I've slightly done it, but I want to be able to bring my journal in at breakfast and fully focus on what I'm reading and studying.

Challenge for next week: truly start the inductive method Bible study! :)

Threads

Jackets, hoodies, and coats galore! It's been SO COLD on the mountain (I mean, we had three or four snow days, for crying out loud!) Last week, the weather started warming up a little, so I started wearing a t-shirt hear and there. I even wore my new mint green vest with the golden spikes on the shoulder blades one day...

But then this week, winter decided to come back again. :( I'm really hoping that spring weather comes to stay soon!

Create!

Well, in regards to arts and crafts, I'm creating nothing. But I have been writing A TON because of my creative writing and journalism classes. The assignment I turned in for today was a fairy tale re-written in modern times. I chose Aladdin and actually got into it. I want to continue it!!! :) Maybe I'll work on that...

What I'm Watching

Oh man, guys. 

Well, during the snow days, Netflix was me and my friends drug. We watched so much TV it was ridiculous. Yes, we still got homework done, but shoot, when we had a free hour or so, we watched shows.

We started Bates Motel and finished the whole first season. Thankfully, the second season is starting up in March! :D

Then, Taylor, Hannah (a hallmate of mine), and me started watching Twisted, but Taylor and Hannah lost interest in it after the first episode. I decided to give it another chance and watched the second episode. And the third. And then last weekend I finished the entire first season. And the second season is playing on ABC Family every Tuesday at 8 or 9pm. AND I'M MISSING IT! :/

Oh well, hopefully Netflix won't take too long to put season 2 up! It is so freakin' good! I'm not going to even try to explain both of those shows. They are just way too deep to be explained. I encourage you to watch them for yourself and see what you think!

I will warn you, Bates Motel is not a happy show. There is so much depravity within it and it truly does depict how Norman Bates of Alfred Hithcock's famous Psycho film became the way he was. There are some disturbing and somewhat graphic images. Just warning ya.

Here&Now

Here and now I am...trying to finish this post before midnight! So it still counts for February! So you won't mind if I just finish this post, like, right now without officially signing off, right? Sweet!

#luvya

~ Mishy. (^^) <3

Updates, Announcements, and Encouragement

Hello out there!

First, let me start by apologizing for the title of this post. It's so boring and unappealing, I wouldn't have blamed you for skipping out on reading this one and demanding something with more substance. But it's been over a month since I've been on, and small updates, a spring break announcement, and a bit of encouragement are all I have for right now. Forgive me! My schedule is so demanding this semester that I gotta stay on top of things!

Again, so sorry for the title and for being so silent lately, but ya know, college is college and it seeks to completely take over my life.

These past couple of weeks have been more hectic than usual because of all the snow days we've had. Snow days are all fun and games until you get back to classes the week after and realize you're going to have two tests back-to-back and then next week you're going to have three papers due within two days.

Yeah, that all happened to me. 

Thankfully though, I am passed all of that. I can slightly breathe a sigh of relief and kick my feet up for like five seconds before I have to start another assignment. And school's not the only thing I have to worry about. I've had to deal with summer employment applications for my school and call the jury office this week or I would be required to show up for jury duty next week.

Yes, I was summoned for jury duty a few weeks back. It's now been pushed back for the summer time, thankfully. It still seems really surreal that I have to actually sit in a courtroom and listen in on a case. So crazy.

I am SO PUMPED for spring break though. The end of last week and the weekend displayed springtime weather, encouraging all of campus that spring was definitely either on its way or here. Shorts, t-shirts, tanks, and flip flops appeared all over campus. Sadly, the cold weather has returned :( But, this weekend it's supposed to heat back up again, and I'm hoping that means the warm weather is here to stay!

So, about that spring break announcement...where will tha SHAWTIES (aka Bria, Caylin, Taylor, and I) be going for our spring break adventure this year? 

Drum roll, please...

*BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA*

Okay, most of you probably don't even know where that is, but it's Caylin's hometown! :D And we'll also be taking a day trip to Tallahassee, Florida to go to the beach! SO EXCITED! And this year, Taylor will be able to come with us! It's definitely gonna be a SHAWTY SPRING BREAK  for the books!

Caylin was taking orders on what type of food we wanted during spring break. Just hearing what we'll be eating and making plans to read, write, and accomplish different projects is making me even more antsy for spring break. I'm ready to kick my feet up for more than five seconds and embrace the time we have away from work and class.

So, about that encouragement...lemme say this...

To be completely honest, y'all, I've been struggling so much to stay motivated and to truly rest in the Lord. Every day, something different demands my attention: school, work, outside business (such as jury duty or US Census Bureau papers), friends, and the list goes on and on.

I've been really discouraged in my writing lately. I'm taking three English courses at the same time (and I sometimes ask myself, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"), each of them teaching different styles of writing. In my Intro. to Creative Writing class, I feel that my writing is too simple and I'm not very good at describing details or creating interesting characters and settings. In Journalism, I struggle with getting all the details into short, article form. I sometimes forget to answer the simple questions within the news stories I write. And in Restoration and 18th Century Literature, it's difficult for me to read every single story or poem for the next day when I have papers and articles due in the other classes. Poor, Dr. Tate. I spoke up so much in class at the beginning of the semester, when I actually read for class and answered questions. My voice is now fading out.

I'm beating myself up so much about these classes because they're a part of my major and I want to do well in them. Not to mention, I'm considering a journalism job or an editing job after college, so these classes are crucial for me. I know that in order for me to learn, I have to stretch my abilities and struggle in order to grow. But knowing and understanding this concept doesn't make it any easier to go through.

I was talking to Bria the other night and I told her, "Man, I feel no peace whatsoever." And she said something along the lines of, "What do you mean by 'peace'? You know that having peace doesn't mean things are going to be easy, right?"

And, yes, that sounds like a given, but that statement truly stopped me in my tracks. Because she was right. Here I was, fighting for the things I truly wanted to do well in and constantly being pushed day after day. It was hard to remember in the midst of it all that 1. In order for me to grow, I have to go through hard times and 2. Having peace and rest in the Lord doesn't mean that life is easy and perfect.

After hearing what Bria had to say on the matter, I longed for peace within the storm. I asked the Lord to help me rely on Him through this difficult time of me being challenged in areas I'm not really confident in. Of course, just because I prayed that prayer doesn't mean that I'll automatically be given peace, but I will be given more opportunities to trust that God will allow me that peace during my struggles.

It's kind of scary to think that the only way I'll be able to grow past who I am now is to face some challenges. But if I continue to give my worries to God and trust in Him (which is NOT EASY by any means!), I will be able to stand in the storm and be confident that, even though things in my life are hectic and not going the way I want them to, I have Jesus as my Solid Rock, who will give me the strength to get through it all.

If you're going through some rough times and everything seems completely hopeless and you feel like you can fight no longer, know that Jesus wants to fight for you. He is waiting for you to come to Him with all your troubles and worries and say, "Here they are, Lord. I can't do this alone. I give them all to You and trust that Your will will be done and that You are with me and not against me."

My heart is so full of joy just constantly being reminded that we never have to walk through this rough life alone. I say it so many times to people, I'll write it a million times on this blog, but when situations come into my own life, I'll admit that I lose sight of the Truth. But Jesus is so much BIGGER than my forgetfulness. He is so patient with me, showing me mercy as He reminds me over and over again how great His love is for me. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is bigger than the struggles, challenges, and rough spots in your life. I know we're told this over and over, but sometimes, we need to be reminded. I pray that whatever you're going through that you'll be reminded and encouraged that Jesus is with you. That He is willing to take the burdens you have. He took the biggest burdens - the sins of the entire world - on the cross at Calvary and defeated them all so you don't have to pay the consequences for them. So you don't have to walk this fallen, depraved, difficult world alone.

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

Ahh, sweet Jesus. I am so foolish, constantly straying from Him. And yet, He patiently leads me back to Him.

" ' I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My Name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.' 

"His disciples said, 'Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.'

"Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.' " - John 16:25-33

Praying for each and every one of you! God bless you all!

#luvya
~ Mishy. (^^) <3