One of the things I love about college is that it pushes me, often beyond the limits I thought I had. Just when you think you've had the hands-down, 100% hardest week/day/just single afternoon of the semester here, another one follows close behind to prove you wrong. When I first came to BYU, I hated it. I mean I've always loved challenging myself (I climbed a mountain last summer for heaven's sake), but I sure as heck didn't like being pushed so hard every day. I'm definitely more of a "go with the flow" kind of person who likes to just chill in their comfort zone for the majority of the time. But I'm seeing that that's changed over the past 6 months. I feel like I'm mentally tougher than I was before; when a challenge comes up in my path, I wanna tackle it! Show it who's boss instead of sidestepping it like before. And I'm having to do plenty of that tackling business; usually on the daily. I'm thinkin I should just try out for the rugby team. At the beginning of fall semester I just wanted to go home or transfer to Idaho where the atmosphere is smaller and more personal. But as I payed my second to last payment for my living & dining plan yesterday, I got to thinking - I'm almost done with my first year of college. I've learned so many things about myself by coming here. I see why my prayers were always answered with an impression to stay here. I needed to be stretched beyond what I was comfortable with. I needed to grow.
That being said, the past two weeks have definitely been the hardest of my semester (knock on wood). Midterms just came at a bad time & were pretty rough. One of my best friends is now only reachable by weekly letters. We just passed the halfway mark in the semester, and things are really starting to pick up in my classes. And for the first time ever, I am really truly homesick. But despite all that, as I look back, I can see I learned some pretty important lessons through all the rough times. I wrote an enormous list in my journal, and I've decided to share a handful of 'em on here.
Life lesson #1: The ipod is an extension of the soul. Not only does it allow Sting and Norah Jones to soothe my stressin' self, but I found a marvelous app that plays all sorts of ambient noises includingggg (drumroll please...) RAIN! Excited Hannah, right here. Pop those earbuds in my head and I'm right back in woods of my good ol' MV with that Washington rain drumming on the roof.
Heaven.
Life lesson #2: Having a roommate who finds the fun in any task is very valuable indeed!
Life lesson #3: Forget about Gossip Girl and The Secret Life; I can't get enough of BYU
TV's archive of past devotionals and firesides. The perfect boost when I'm in need of some spiritual food. [:
Life lesson #4: Any lecture instantly becomes amazing when your notes are taken with these bad boys.
Life lesson #5: It is important to take time outside of school to hone other skills. With Tasha as official FroYo-coning tutor, my
"pile-de-la-creme" effect has never looked better.
Life lesson #6: When the going gets tough, sometimes all you can do is pull a face and just keep pushin forward.
Life lesson #7: The library is... kinda huge. But a certain sense of confidence comes when one successfully learns how to navigate through those five floors & millions of books to check out four of them for her Humanities essay.
Life lesson #8: Nothing puts a spring in your step (literally) like new running shoes can!
Thank you, Mommy. [:
Life lesson #9: Up at 7am to run, eat a square breakfast, shower and do a half hour of scripture study before class is the best way to start the day, no questions asked. The difference that daily scripture study makes in my life is indescribable. I may be turning into a morning person just because I enjoy my running route and morning routine so much.
Weird.
Life lesson #10: We miss Brandon Davies. But, Jimmer is superhuman. That is all.
Life lesson #11: L. Tom Perry is the man. He came and spoke to us on Sunday evening and all I can say is... that felt good. [:
Life lesson #12: You'd think after three years on my high school cross-country team I'd remember how important it is keep the toenails trimmed when you're running every day. Yeahh about that... Ow.
Life lesson #13: Missionary mail is my favorite. Hearing about the amazing experiences my friends have as they do the Lord's work all over the world is so inspiring to me, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
Life lesson #14: Subway has joined forces with Satan. Check out that strategy.
Life lesson #15: Having a long-term somethin to look forward to is quite the incentive. My best girlie comes to visit me in... FIVE DAYS.
[: [: [:
Life lesson #16: This is easily one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received. I have it right above my bed and, along with the pictures of my family & friends I've got on my walls, it's the perfect thing to look to when I need a reminder of what's really important, and that I've got people who love me & are rootin for me.
Life lesson #17: Something about hot soup just makes life slowww down for a minute. I'm talking bliss in a styrofoam cup, ladies and gentlemen. Don't get me wrong, the Cannon feeds us well, but I still keep a precious stockpile of one cup just for that one day where hot chicken broth and noodles are very needed.
Life lesson #18: Forget diamonds. A planner is a girl's best friend. Especially a girl as scatterbrained as this one.
Life lesson #19: Any challenge becomes conquerable when you face it with um... a smile. [:
Life lesson #20: Roasting marshmallows on the (blinding) bell tower lights does actually work. I went on a date Friday night and after seeing Tangled in the dollar theater (still my favorite movie; it's even better the second time), we enjoyed an evening of smores & marshmallow volleyball. So worth the fact that we couldn't see anything but colorful spots in front of us on the walk back home. [:
And then last but not least... I get to be with my family in 38 DAYS.
Of course those aren't the only things I learned here, but the rest of the list doesn't need to
be shown to the world haha. One thing I know for certain; life is tough sometimes, but it also is good.
Very, very good. [: Always.
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