Old Dominion Universtiy. Changing Lives.

Isn't that O-DU's motto or catch phrase? If it is, I like it. I think it kind of fits. Well at least it does to my life. Everyone takes something away from their college expereience. Whether it be good or bad. As of right now, if I were to be done with college I would say that I am taking away something very good and positive. Then I think about all the people that can't say that. I wonder what they did during their four years here. Did they venture out of their bubble and try to meet new people and expand their horizons? If not, why? I know that when I first came here I didn't really talk to anyone because I thought I was going to transfer the next year. I didn't want to be here and I thought that making friends would make it harder to leave. Well, I am glad to say that I didn't continue with that frame of mind. I have made some amazing freinds here, and if you're reading this, I'm sure you've heard this before.

But it makes me wonder if it's not just the student's fault that they don't take something positive away from here. How much of an impact do our teachers have on us even at the colegiate level? I know that in high school I was really close with some of my teachers, and spent a lot of time talking to them outside of class. Will that be the same here? I think that once I get higher up in my field of study I will have the same teachers and they'll get to know me better. I feel that having even a basic relationship with a teacher outside of class can make your time at the school that much better.

The other day I was bored and made a graduation plan for myself. I decided I wasn't going to double in French and Spanish, and just stick to Spanish. I planned out the rest of my semesters here and I will be done with all my classes in Fall of 2009. I'm not scheduled to graduate until 2010. I know I want to study abroad, so if I do that then I won't have to worry about what classes I take there and can just take a bunch of fun electives for credit. I decided I want to go to Argentina. I was reading the study abroad pamphelt and it sounds really good. They offer areas for Spanish majors, with history, literature and film classes. I know that I would really enjoy all that. And I've been told that Argentina is beautiful.

I've also been thinking a lot lately about going on a missions trip next summer. I've been wanting to go on one since last November and now I think I'm ready to do it next summer. I want to go to Bolivia. I was reading about it in the STIM pamphlet and it requires a strong knowledge of Spanish, and it will stretch me in ways that I didn't know I could go. I facebook messaged this girl who went to Bolivia one year and she said that it was really tough, but overall extremely rewarding. I hope that I can go there and learn more about myself and what God has planned for me. Also, as to how I can help spread the word of God to people who might not have heard it before. I think it would be extremely difficult to talk about God in Spanish, but the only way to find out is to do it. It's something that I need to continue praying about, but I feel that I need to go.

If I go to both of those places I will be getting a lot of exposure to Spanish culture. I also have a free trip to Spain in the near future with my high school Spanish teacher, Eva. That will be exciting too! This also makes me wonder how some people aren't passionate about anything. I feel extremely passionate about languages and I wonder how people never find what they truly love. Thinking of the future excites and scares me at the same time. I have no idea where I'm going to be, all I know is that it's going to allow me to rely more on God and discover what His plans for me are.

Well that's all I've got for now. Time to start the day.

PEACE