Insanity

It's obviously been a few days since my last post. I think this is because the word "busy" no longer accurately describes my life..."insane" is probably more like it. I recently sat down with a friend and found that after all my scheduled activities, I have roughly 4 hours of free time per week. So I have started keeping track of my time and how I spend it. I have been amazed to see just how much time I'm really spending on school...and also how much time I waste. I am definitely a work in progress when it comes to time management.

I got kinda scared yesterday. For really the first time this semester, I took a quantitative look at my grades, and wasn't pleased with what I discovered. I found that I have one A, three B's, and one C. NASTY! Those aren't horrible grades, but considering I have a 4.0 GPA up until this semester, those grades are far below my normal performance. While the discovery was rather unpleasant, I think it was exactly what was needed to remotivate me. It is still possible to pull out an A in every class, although it would take a miracle to do so in Dynamics (the class I have a C in right now). Good thing God's in the business of doing miracles! I also heard that the teacher may actually curve a little bit at the end of the year....if he does, that may just be my saving grace. But ultimately, all I can do is my best, and just let God handle the results.

Another thing adding to my busy schedule is a Bible study that I am starting up with Michael. He's a Resident Advisor on-campus, and has several kids in his hall that are interested in the study. He didn't want to run it completely himself (the University is pretty touchy about stuff like that), so he asked me to lead it. I am the primary facilitator, but he is of course there for backup, to stimulate discussion, etc. It's mostly evangelistic in nature, but there are one or two believers that will be coming as well. It makes me a bit nervous, because I've never led a Bible study before, but I think it will be a good experience. I just hope God uses us in the lives of these kids.

Beyond that, life goes on. The fleas still aren't completely gone, but they are fading slowly. The cat still hasn't returned. Work is going well, but I'm not getting the hours I need right now. Finances as a whole are still pretty tight, but my grandpa is flying me up to his place in Tennessee for Thanksgiving. That is such a blessing...I remember what a huge relief it was last year at this time to just dump everything for a few days and spend time in total relaxation. The absence of anything to do (which would normally bother me) was exactly what I needed.

I am already starting to joyfully anticipate my return home. It's always a weird dichotomy. In one sense, I miss my Florida friends (whom I grow closer to all the time), but in the other, I'm so insanely happy to go home. There's no comparison as far as the climate goes. One friend told me when I mentioned I was considering NASA at Cape Kennedy for a career, "But you hate Florida!" I wouldn't say I hate it...not unless you do a qualitative comparison between Florida and the NW. Then, yeah...I pretty much hate Florida. But it's not a bad place, all in all. I just wish all the people I love could be in one place. I know....I'll make Embry-Riddle and all my Florida friends relocate to the NW. Then I'd never have to leave. It's a nice thought anyway. I guess the lack of separation will make Heaven all the more joyful, huh?