Oh, To Be Blessed

I didn't think I would end up making friends here in North Dakota. I felt like three weeks was a pretty good effort and that I was probably gonna be a hermit. I was okay with this. As I was walking through campus one day, there was some sort of fair happening outside of Memorial Union, but I was in a hurry and had no time to gander at the little booths set up. As I walked through and passed these booths, I got tapped on the shoulder by a guy wanting me to fill out a "short" survey. He said it would take 30 seconds. I figured having my roommate wait an extra 30 seconds wasn't THAT big of a deal so I grabbed a survey card and began to fill it out. The group was called "H2O". Cheesy, I know. My thoughts exactly. On the survey were questions such as (on a scale of one to five): How much would you be willing to do a bible study? What would you rate your priorities? How interested are you in serving?

I quickly answered these questions and provided them my name and phone number. Over the course of the next few days I noticed some missed calls. I never call back unknown numbers. Never. But, I was venturing on my long 5 mile walk back home from class and decided I might as well see who has been trying to get a hold of me. Laura. Laura wanted to set up a meeting and discuss the H20 organization. I tried to act enthusiastic, but it just didn't sound appealing to meet up with someone I didn't know to talk about a group called H20. I set up a meeting, but forgot my roommate's schedule and had no ride to make it to the meeting. I also lost my cellphone and had no way of rescheduling. Later on, I found my phone and saw a text from Laura.

'Are we still on for 12 at Stomping Grounds?'

I felt so bad. I had to apologize. She then proceeded to invite me to a "get to know" bonfire. This sounded just as "exciting" as the meeting did, but I said yes. I never say yes to things like this. Laura picked me up from my apartment and brought me to a house on Hamline St. Apparently this group was an international group. Long story short, I had a great time and was invited to a cabin on a lake the next day in Minnesota. Turns out not a single person I knew was going on that trip and I got picked up by two girls I didn't know. They were AWESOME.

All this to say, I had given up, but the Lord provided for me, once again. I have no reason whatsoever to fuss and pout about anything. I'm so worthless. But God acts as if I'm worth something. Why? I don't know. But I'm grateful.

Also, my classes here have been great. The unfortunate part is that I have an uncontrollable desire to go to Greece. I physically react to the mention of Greece. I get way too excited. My legs start to shake, my stomach drops, and my head feels light. I look up airline tickets, Eu Pair positions, and all the likeness DAILY. I need to control these emotions and reactions :)

I can read.

Oh, did you WANT me to read this to you? BECAUSE I CAN. :)

I spent a lot of time here in Grand Forks alone and at the apartment. It was great, but I won't lie, I was a little depressed because I thought I might go all through school being a little hermit and spending too much time to myself. That needs to change. I don't mind it, but I hate being "that" girl. When my roommate (Sarah) arrived, she was kind enough to be willing to drive me around; whereas before I was biking everywhere (biking against 40mph winds=biking in place...). Sarah has just proven to be a great roommate and I am looking forward to this semester. My other roommate, Kaitlyn, is just as sweet and is also kind enough to drive me places! Things started looking up once classes began.
Day 1: Latin, Ancient Greek, and Humanities.
Latin was slightly boring, merely because it's beginning Latin and unfortunately I already know this... Once Ancient Greek came, I couldn't have been more excited. It's my favorite class by far. I was scared that I wasn't going to like my professor (who I had met last spring), but as lucky would have it (or God's good grace), a new professor took his place. He's young, hilarious, and has a great teaching style. He is also my professor for BOTH Latin and Greek! My humanities professor is also funny and requires very little. This will make my 18 credit semester easier.
Day 2: Latin, Ancient Greek, History of Ancient Greece, and Western Civilization 2.
My history professor is unique and very boisterous, but I think that he will be great. All in all, I am blessed with great classes and professors. What's better than having all classes you thoroughly enjoy?

I was stressing about finances starting out here. I was given a Federal Work Study scholarship, but I had to get a FWS job. I was told that these are terribly hard to get. I was able to score about 5 interviews, but the position I really wanted, Tour Guide (most flexible and wanted job on campus), seemed too good to be true. I really needed this scholarship, and the extra money (paycheck every two weeks) would be very helpful. I went in and interviewed and was told that I would hear back in 5 days. The next day I got a call saying I got the job!!!! THE LORD IS SO GOOD! I have no reason to deserve such provision. However, I also know that I cannot rejoice in the Lord simply when he gives me what I need or want. I need to rejoice in all things.

All is well, and all will continue to be well for the Lord my God is on my side.

-Donica





My new home.

College and such.

Left my dearly beloved Alaska on August 13th to migrate down to the Lower 48. I landed in Chicago first to visit my dearly beloved brother and meet up with my dearly beloved mother. We all went to the Field Museum of Natural History (FINALLY!) and Stephen and I went to an Avett Brother's/John Mayer concert. It was frustratingly humid, but I loved getting to spend time with the bro. I'm bummed because the concerts I've been to, cameras weren't allowed, but they were at this one!!! Needless to say, I have no pictures of that. But here are a few from the rest of the trip.









I'm moved into my apartment, it's very nice sized but unfortunately is 3 floors up... moving in was quite the adventure. Also, it's humid here. I hate that part. BUT, it will be a fun semester.

We'll be in touch.

Masochism?

There was a lack of summer this May through August here in Alaska. Apparently two days of partial sunshine was enough.

Also, fishing was terrible. I went fishing three times, none from a boat, and dipnetting once. I caught nothing those three times, and then only caught two with my net. Oh well. Fortunately I was able to keep busy with working 4 tens for the borough (Monday through Thursday. Great schedule.). Thursday night the sun started to peak out and of course I couldnt' help but get my longboard out. I used it twice this summer. It was neglected along with fishing. A game of ultimate frisbee was being formed and I used my long board as my chosen mode of transportation to get there. Proving to be a true Alaskan, I wore shorts and a t-shirt simply because the sun was thinking about showing itself. It was 54 degrees. By the time I arrived at the fields, I had warmed up to a survivable state. We played a few games of frisbee and I decided to leave early because I knew I had to board back home. There was a headwind. The temperature had lowered and I was miserable. I just wanted to sleep. A truck full of hooting men honking the horn drove by and I ignored their obscenities; however, as usual, trying to ignore them never works. My foot snagged under my back wheel and I tumbled. Awesome. I composed myself and returned to boarding against the terrible headwind. Trying to ignore honking vehicles and complete embarrassment gives one a lot of time to think. I mainly thought, "Why the heck do I long board?" Long boarding is humiliating. To go out and board in public takes guts for a socially awkward girl.
1. You have to be okay with looking like a complete idiot.
2. You have to come to terms with the fact that you WILL look like a complete idiot. It's just impossible to avoid the occasional (in my case, frequent) fall.
3. Whether or not you're okay with looking like an idiot doesn't matter. You got on that board. That's how you're getting home.
I decided that the reason I return to the board isn't merely making use of a financial investment, but it helps me feel a sense of accomplishment. IT may have been humiliating and miserable, but I survive each time. Another example of this masochism: this last month my little sister and I attempted the Lost Lake trail. 15.75 mile hike (run, walk, whatever mode you choose). It was slightly raining at the bottom, and we thought that running shorts and long sleeve shirts were appropriate attire. We packed our coats in my backpack and headed off. To even explain what happened would take too many tears and too much time, so, in summary, 5 hours later we arrived at the end of the trail. Our fingers were so frozen we couldn't unzip our coats, untie our shoes, or take off our wet clothes. The sight of other mankind made us cry. We couldn't believe we survived. The thing that makes this story at all relative to the above story is that I would do that hike again. The feeling of surviving self torture is so satisfying, it makes it hard not to return to.
A short list of thing with the same principle applied:

-Going in public without makeup and shower. People think you're butt-ugly. You do it anyways.
-Eating bad foods. You'll feel like crap after. You do it anyways.
-Watching sappy movies that you know will make you depressed. But you watch them anyways.

Posting terrible pictures of yourself. :)

Anyways. Those were my thoughts for the day. Cheers.

-Donica

Another sicky sick day...

I had to call in sick again today. I decided I should try to stay happy (instead of fretting about losing two days worth of wages... oh to be a college student...) I kept my spirits up with Kaladi coffee, reading, Odwalla, and cleaning up after Jersey who left a fantastic mess for me this morning (can I say POOP EVERYWHERE???).
My work station while out with the cold.

Three things that have kept me surviving.

This is my partner in crime, who fakes being sick just to make me feel better.

He unfortunately left me poop and urine all over the basement, along with scattered underwear shredded to bits. Yay. Just what I wanted to clean up on my sick day.

On my own.

Drove up to A-town and dropped off the family at the airport this last weekend. Won't be seeing them until December!


Last night I was up drugging myself so I could sleep with this terrible cold I have. Nothing worked. Needless to say, I had no choice but to call in sick (right???). Unfortunately I have a lot to do before I go so I can't really just sleep, but I thought that I could rent some movies to watch while I "work", just so I can get the nostalgic experience of staying home sick. As I walked through Blockbusters, I couldn't find myself wanting anything but a documentary. And then the more I looked in the special interests section, the more I realized how much I dislike watching movies. On that note, I went to Kaladi's and got myself a perfect Americano and went home to read this book I bought on my A-town trip called "Wild at Heart" (bought it at a bookstore; another guilty pleasure of mine. I could live in a bookstore).

It's written for men, but I thought what better way to understand men, right? So I crawled up on top of our roof with a blanket, americano in hand, and my book and read. I realized that I feel most alive when I read (that is, when I read non-fiction). Life can be wasted with movie watching and pointless activities. Before this book, I read "Don't Waste Your Life" and was entirely convicted. I reccommend this read. Anywho, all this to say, I see a high value in reading and educating oneself, and I love life :).