ONE YEAR!... wow

I was updating my blog layout to look more 'fall-ish' when I noticed something. Looking at my blog archive, my very first post on here was on September 24th. That was right after I had been accepted to the University of Alaska Southeast. I remember the day. I wasn't really expecting the letter to come. I thought maybe I needed to send another transcript or something when I ripped open the letter and saw my new school had let me in. It all seemed surreal and looking back, I really had no clue what to expect.
But I took a leap of faith. I had so many ideas in my head. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I thought I had finally figured out what God wanted me to do with my life. I was so far off! After arriving in Juneau, I learned very fast that I did not know what God wanted for me.
Today, I think God brought me to Juneau for a reason. He wanted me out of that small town I grew up in. He wanted me to grow not only through him, but also as a young adult. He wanted me to see that going to seminary was not the best choice for me. I can help youth through teaching. I can be a mentor and good role model. He opened my eyes to a world I had never seen before. And to this day, He has helped me overcome some situations that would have cracked me very easily in Richmond. Here I have grown in many ways and met many amazing people. I have finally found a church that feels like an awesome fit. I have made friends, lost friends, given advice, taken advice, but most importantly I have watched it all unfold before my eyes.
I think back to when summer was first arriving here in Juneau this year. People said it would be a horrible summer like last year because we had had such an unusual amount of snow fall. They were wrong but anyways...I remember going to The Shrine for the first time, once the snow had melted. It was so green and so bright. It seemed as if it had just grown overnight into this beautiful place that no one knew about but me. It was peaceful. I remember looking out over the water and finally comprehending the fact that I was miles and miles away from my family, everything I had grown up with, everything I knew...and I was doing just fine. Better then fine actually. I was on top of the world.
I love this section of that original post:

"I cannot possibly put into words how excited and nervous I am about this decision. A lot still has to fall into place in order to make this possible... However, God has paved the way thus far and I am sure will be at my side for the rest of the trip."

Little did I know that I would stumble across Era, my summer job. If you have followed this blog or know me today then you know that I LOVED that job and will be returning this next summer. It has changed my life in a great way! Era sparked a passion in me to learn about Helicopters. Seeing some of the amazingly independent women that I worked with and that came through daily, made me want to be more independent. It made me realize that the education I am finishing now really will count for something and that the more I have going for me, the less I have going against me. I'm sure God put his hand in on that one.
What an incredible year it has been. One of ups and downs, twists and turns, and especially one of growth and maturity. Now as the snowline drops down the mountain side, and yes it is already dropping, I am finding it a reminder of how lost I was when i first flew in through those mountains and into that snow. It is a reminder of where I have been and where I will go. A reminder that I am literally and figuratively on top of the world.

♥ Melissa

"Carry your candle, Run to the darkness.
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.
Hold out your candle for all to see it.
Take your candle and go light your world."

Walk Out On The Water,You Have No Control.

(Me and my new roommate Kalah)

This past week has been very trying. So many things have gone so wrong and I am beginning to get down in spirits. It doesn't help that each day is getting closer to winter meaning each day is loosing sunlight. I am trying to keep busy, not like that is hard these days. My classes have me so swamped with homework that I could literally stay in my room all the time and work on school work. That would only make me depressed though. I have been trying to get out of the house as much as possible to keep myself happily entertained.
The other night I went to a play on Douglas Island. It was sooo weird. It had to do with the depression and WW1 but yet there was a pet dinosaur and mammoth. It was very odd and I must admit I was lost most of the time. Haha But the point of the play was new beginnings. It also had a lot of religious quotes and themes throughout the storyline.
I have been working on a Biology lab in my basement. No I have not blown the building up yet. That has kept my quite busy but I AM seeing results. That is exciting and last night I went over to Katies to help her set up her Biology lab and the final part of mine. We are working together in this class because it is somewhat difficult and lengthy to do alone. While there I got some disturbing news from my mom about a message she received over facebook from a friend, well used to be friend of mine. It was hard to hear but...we move on. With a little bit of prayer and some homemade spaghetti made by Katie, I am feeling a bit better about the whole situation. Plus, tomorrow I am attending a new church I have heard a lot of great things about. Life is all about taking risks and hoping they turn out for the best, even if it's not exactly how we thought it should. It's all about "walking on the water" I guess.
On the subject of taking risks, today I placed myself under my car and learned how to change my own oil! Hey! I think that's risky haha.
Tonight I am hanging out with Era people at Katie's house. There are a few who will be leaving the state soon. :( Hopefully it will be a fun night with lots of laughs.
♥ Melissa

Get In Or Get Out, Cuz You're Holding Up the Train.

The past few weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I'm not exactly sure where to begin. Hm...Well...Books...That's a good place. I have had books ordered forever and three have not shown up. Two of which i am having a test over a week from today. That's cutting it close. One that may not get here until the end of the month. Sigh.
On a lighter note, I got my cell phone, cell phone covers and my NEW COMPUTER! It's nice to have a laptop that isn't on life support. Yes it is huge and heavy but I have made it pretty and I have made it Mine. It runs really great too. (That's probably what really matters). Classes have been off and on this past week. My PE class has still not started and will not start until the 30th. That leaves me with only two "in class" classes. My psychology class has been canceled this week because the teacher is at some conference. That class is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This leaves me one class, Gov't, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My week has been boring. I have been getting all my online homework finished though. I am not complaining about the lack of time either. I have really gotten the chance to get to know my new roommates but the extra time has made me a bit homesick as of lately.
The roommates....well I am enjoying their company. It's very sad though...living in the same apt with new people. It's ...strange. Some days it is nice to see new faces around the house and get to know everyone's backgrounds and stories etc. Most times it just reminds me of how close of friends the four of us were last year and how now...everything is backwards. None of us are really close anymore. The memories are hard too. Sometimes a new roommate will say something that will trigger a story of one of my lost friends...nearly brings tears. This is where I remind myself that everything really does happen for a reason. The people who are in my life now are here for a reason and those who are not, are not here for a reason. This is where faith comes in. Faith that there is a bigger picture.
I should focus on the more important things, like how I just returned from watching one of my favorite bands play an amazing show. The title of this blog is actually from one of their songs, a GREAT one! I am going out for the roomies birthday tomorrow night. Some work friends are joining in on the fun. Hopefully it will be a fun night of dancing. Since I have tomorrow off I will be sleeping in, doing laundry, cleaning, research, homework in general, and anything else I can think of to fill the time. Sunday I am joining a friend from school in church. I have heard some great things about this church and so I am very excited to go. It has been much harder finding a church that "feels right" up here...more so then I ever thought it would.Maybe this is the one.
Well, I should get off here and get some rest for once.
♥ Melissa

Sept 14th-Where has the time gone?

Oh man, the time is flying and we are almost half way through the month. My classes have all started except my PE class, which will begin on the 30th. The distance classes require a lot of reading. A LOT! But that's okay. I am doing okay and I never would have thought I could manage. My in class, classes are going well. I have started recording one of the teachers and studying over my notes while listening to his lecture again. It is boring, yes, but I think it is helping.
As far as text books go, I still have not yet received the majority of them. I still need my biology and my gov't books.
On a side note, I am waiting for a new computer now. Mine is dieing. I guess I have had it for a while now and it is time to let it go. Matt helped me pick out a new one and he has assured me it is the best I can get at the price I want. Yay. It's ugly, but I will make is pretty :) Anyways, that arrival date was Fri 11- Monday 14th. So, maybe I will get it today? GOSH I hope so!
Moving on, yesterday was my last day at Era. It was a sad one. Luckily, we flew the entire day with not weather cancellations. It helped keep my mind off how much I was truly going to miss the place. So, after many warm hugs and wishes I promised I will be returning to work there next year. (Hopefully my favorite co-workers will be joining me.) Then I handed in my faded Era jacket and left for the last time. What a great summer job it was and I am already excited to return again.
After leaving and feeling slightly depressed, Robert and I took my car and aired up all the tires...something I had no clue how to do. (I know, it's easy! But no one ever showed me!) Then we went and picked up my bike from my old apartment and transferred it to Campus Housing.Next...I am learning how to change my own oil!
Okay okay, enough rambling for one day. I have classes to get too! Hope your week starts off great!
♥ Melissa

Classes

Today was the first day of classes. I had only one class and am super nervous about it. It seems as if it will be super hard. AH! Also, my text books have not yet arrived. That's making the nerves even worse. My distance classes have not started but should be beginning here over the next week.
I GOT A NEW PHONE! YAY!
I think i posted a blog about how i left my phone in the airplane on the return trip from Missouri. Well, I have not yet heard from the airline after filling out forms and calling them numerous times. SO, I ordered a new phone and it is here and it is working! I feel connected to the world again.

Melissa