Finding Peace Through an Australian Sunrise

Most people view studying abroad as an extended vacation, a bunch of college kids traveling for a semester, seeing amazing sights, making the best memories. But during my first few weeks, I have learned that most people studying abroad are here for a reason. It’s not just an entertaining trip, everyone here is searching for more than just a good time. From people who had rough years, to people who fell out of friendships, suffered health complications, lost themselves, or simply just trying to figure out life: everyone came here for a piece of peace.

Byron Bay Lighthouse at dawn.

One morning in the vibrant Byron Bay during the ISA Orientation, we woke up at 5:00 am packed into some hippie van and drove out to a lighthouse up the coast to watch the sunrise. Little did I know this would be one of my most beautiful memories of my time in Australia.

Byron Bay Lighthouse standing alone on the cliff.

An Odd Year

Someone once told me it’s the odd number years. Those years are the hard ones. It’s usually the constant pull of highs and lows and the good years are the even numbers and the bad ones are the odd numbers. After this year I think I agree.

2017 was a year of firsts. It was a year of letdowns. It was a year of confusion. A year of realization. 

It happens so fast, like a car wreck you didn’t see coming. One wrong move and everything changes. 

The start of 2017 consisted of high expectations while coming off the high which was the year 2016. You think everything is great so of course, your positive outlook and gracious attitude will carry on to the next year because the date is only changing not your life. But for some reason that truly did mark the moment when things began to change. As spring faded to summer so did my feelings of infatuation with my new life at college. Not that I was necessarily unhappy, just maybe going through a rough patch. I was ready for summer to go back to how things were before I moved across the country. I wanted to go back to the city and be surrounded by my high school friends and hang out with my dog. Nothing too out of the normal. 

Through the summer months, I fulfilled those homesick cravings and I was ready to go back to my college life and take on the world. I had high expectations. I couldn’t wait to live in my adorable new cottage with my best friends and have my other gal pals a few cottages down. I just knew sophomore year would be the best yet. And I felt that way until two days before I moved back to school.

Twenty Years of Realization

It's 12:00am November 2nd, 2017. It is my birthday and I am now 20 years old. Two decades of life. It's ironic how we look forward to something for so long and by the time we finally reach that idolized point in time we are ready to move on to the next stage of life. 

College was my idolized stage of life from the age of twelve onward. I knew "those would be my years". I looked forward to moving away, making new friends, getting to finally create my own life for myself not the one I was given by circumstance growing up. Freshman year of college I would tell everyone that college was everything I ever imagined and more. It felt so right. I was thriving. It was exactly where I was supposed to be. But as seasons fade so did those awestruck feelings. After getting the crave for change out of my system I realized everything I had left back home. They always tell you you don't realize what you have until it's gone and man let me tell you, they were completely right. It's not that I gave up some spectacular life back home, it wasn't life changing or anything, but what I tried to replace it with did not suffice. 

I have learned to appreciate everything about 110% more than I ever did before moving away. I didn't realize how impactful the place I grew up was to me. How the plentiful opportunities shaped my interests and needs. How much the quality of conversation and the quality of friendships meant to me. I thought I knew before I left. I thought I knew so much. But really I was blind. I was the poster child for tunnel vision and I had absolutely no clue. I believed there was more out there. Not in a big world picture but in a relationships and sense of belonging. 

Exploring: The Dallas Botanical Gardens

A Photo Collection of the Dallas Botanical Gardens 

Dorm Shopping on a Budget

The summer before you begin your first year of college revolves around "preparing for next year" and that includes shopping for your very first shared 12x12 room!!! Dorm shopping can get expensive really quickly, you are buying al new living essentials! So here are my favorite places to dorm shop on a budget.

My top 5 stores to buy college must-haves

1. Target

Okay well Target is the perfect place to buy anything and everything for your dorm. I constantly find myself going back to Target to buy more and more dorm room stuff. So far I have purchased bedding, an ironing board, a Britta water filter, and a hamper from Target and I'll probably buy more things from there next week lol.

2. Bed Bath and Beyond

In my opinion Bed Bath and Beyond is basically just like Target when it comes to dorm shopping. Bed Bath and Beyond also always has 20% coupons so that is a plus.

3. Tuesday Morning

Tuesday Morning is definitely a hit or miss, but when I went this past week I would categorize it as a hit. Tuesday Morning has an abundance of odd and random things you probably forgot you need to buy for college. I got all of my towels from here (they were just as nice and WAY cheaper compared to Bed Bath and Beyond and Target), as well as some thin felt hangers.

4. At Home

I'm not sure if this is a new store or what but let me tell you it is a GREAT time, if you're into the whole home decor/interior design scene. Just make sure you're not in a time crunch when you come here because it's huge and time consuming.

Exploring: Waco, Texas

I know where I live I have heard people complain about how Waco is gross and there is nothing to do there other than Baylor. But in the last few years I have found myself in this college town a few times and found that those people are wrong. Maybe Waco isn't a great place to live, but the small town has some great attractions that are unique.

This is the first post in a new series I am going to be doing throughout my blog where I talk about some of my favorite spots or activities in various cities etc. :)

Here is a list of some of my favorite spots in Waco, Texas

1. Spice Village

Spice is every college kids one stop shop. It may be a little overwhelming at first, but find a pattern to walk the whole store and you'll be set. Spice is so wonderful because it makes name brand's and trendy items available in a small town. Honestly one of my favorite places to tool around!

2. Magnolia Silos Market

Whether you watch HGTV's hottest show Fixer Upper or not, Chip and Joanna's Magnolia Silo's is a great place to spend an afternoon. The property is so scenic and has such a peaceful and friendliness vibe even though about 25,000 people visit a day. The courtyard surrounded by food trucks is adorable.

How To Make the Most of the Summer Before College

Senior year of high school was probably the busiest time of your life so far. Once June rolls around all anyone wants to do is relax, but once July sneaks up it's already time to start packing up the last eighteen years of your life and move on to the next stage of your life - college.

Here are thirteen tips on how to make the most of the summer before you head off to college!

1. don't sleep in until noon EVERYDAY

Sleeping is probably one of God's greatest gifts; however, sleeping until noon everyday wastes too much time when you're counting down the days. So try to start waking up a bit earlier everyday and do something productive!

2. go on a family vacation

This summer I had the chance to go to Cancun with my family for a week. Most likely you won't be at the beach at school and family time is important when you're finally moving out after eighteen years. Think of it as a last hoorah or something!

3. make a day trip to a local outdoor attraction with friends

Spontaneous trips with friends make for the best memories. Research some nearby area's that none of y'all have been to. My friends and I went to a state park where we float the river, had a picnic, and hiked trails. It's an inexpensive way to do something new and spend time together before you go your separate ways!

4. spend time with your pets

I don't know about you but I think I'll miss my dog more than my parents sometimes. Sadly they're no pets at college so make sure you tell yours how much you love them, take them on walks, and play with them as much as you can. My worst fear is my puppy forgetting about me! :(