Fresh Meat

Being at school early, I have been able to watch people move in. This weekend, freshmen arrive for the first weekend of their college experience. It's kinda fun to watch them and speculate about what is going on in their minds at this point in time, thinking back to what I thought during those first days at school as a freshman. Those poor kids, I remember it being a time where I was so self-conscious and nervous about meeting strangers and being forced into friendships with other kids just as ackward as I was. Austin and I walked through a hoard of them getting ready for dessert at a professor's house, and we commented on how they could be meeting their future spouses- crazy! Austin and I met the very first weekend at school.

Switching gears... I am quite proud of myself for this morning I installed a new CD-ROM drive into my computer...

All By Myself.

I know, old school CD-ROM drive in my hunky-chunk of a desktop-- for which I am very thankful. But you may be saying, "C'mon Elise, welcome yourself into the 21st century." Hey it does the job, and has for 3 years, I hope it lasts another year, at least.

Those freshmen get to look forward to great accomplishments of life on their own, such as my leap into tech-saviness... as an independent adult woman (well kinda independent).

Have I mentioned I love to sing?

I am back at school participating in RA training. At the beginning of each day of the formal training, we get together to eat breakfast as a staff and then gather with the rest of the dorm staffs for a time of praise and worship. Well today, I just loved singing with the rest of the RAs and staff members. I get so excited for heaven when we all sing loud to our Creator. The beautiful harmonies I hear as I sing with such a group make me smile so big, as I think about God's incredibe creativity manifested in His people. And then to turn it around and give it back to Him as an offering, it's so neat. I love it. When people are so captivated by the beauty of acting as one voice in praise to our Maker, I get shivers. It's probably one of my favorite things about the Body of Christ.

Because my sister did...

Michelle is quite the trend setter since she has been married. She seems to find the best clothes and deals everywhere. And when she buys new clothes, I notice that I am getting behind the times. She's pretty much my personal shopper. I hardly shop for myself anymore. She is also my event planner. I don't know what I would do without her and my mom for this big party we are throwing next August (a.k.a. Austin and my wedding). Anywho, a while back when I met my family in Charlotte for my cousin's wedding, Michelle showed up with popular girl bangs, as I call them. I thought to myself that I wanted her popular girl bangs too, so I cut some for myself a few minutes before we were to leave for the wedding. Well, today they needed a trim, since I need to keep up this look, not to compete with my sis, but because the bangs make me feel cool like my sister. She is quite cool.

I am now back at school early for training to be an RA of 15 other girls. It should be a rip-roaring year. I'm hoping.

Just two week and lots of planning...

I have arrived home safely... and as Michelle says, now the planning begins. Mom, Michelle, and I have been going to appointments like crazy, looking at dresses, reception venues, churches. I got a little overwhelmed the other day after it was dedicated to finding places, dresses, looking through magazines, and talking about details. I can understand how some people might say that planning a wedding is somewhat stressful. But the stress is waning as my team of expertise (Mom and Michelle) know the right questions to ask at each place. It helps too that my sweet fiance, Austin, is as patient and encouraging as possible on the phone, telling me everything is going to be just wonderful as I vent my concerns and ideas to him. I think that is a good sign that he will make a wonderful husband (sappy points to me!!!) I love them all.