The way to my heart? Coffee and argumentation.

I finally found a café that meets the standards of what my blogger persona and Bon Iver listening self thinks it should be. Since I now have a Caramel Soy Macchiato with two shots of espresso in my hand I am much more satisfied with the day.
One of the classes that I had today was Critical Thinking and Argumentation. When I first got to the class the instructor quickly corrected the student that called her Ms. Teacher-person, when really she preferred being called Dr. Teacher-person PhD. As soon as she did that I thought to myself, "Of course. It's THIS kind of class". The type of class that makes you cringe and whine when it comes times to attend. I came to find out rather quickly that I was very wrong about the atmosphere of the class. Not about the teacher though. She was exactly the type of professor I thought she would be. The formatting of the class started out with a nationally recognized court case being brought to our attention. It was the case of Terry Schindler-Schiavo. I remembered hearing about this case back in 2003, but of course I couldn't tell you why I was following this story at the age of ten. After we were given all the facts of both sides we had the opportunity to ask her questions that helped us pick a side. After everyone picked a side and moved to that side of the room, we spent the next 45 minutes arguing to the opposing view why we thought they should change their opinion. It was the most fun I have had in a class in a LONG time.
For the people that really know me, this shouldn't come as a big shock to you. "Wait... Lindsay likes to argue? Even if her point as no actual merit other than making her SOUND right?" In the midst of the discussion I pissed off one guy and made a friend of another. I really don't think people should enroll themselves in a debate if they are just going to get their wittle feelings hurt. Long story made longer, I think that is going to be my all-time favorite class.


Men who kiss their wives in the morning live five years longer than those who don't. I think a women just pulled this statistic outta nowhere.

Mr. Armstrong.

I joked with my parents a couple times before I got here about fact that I now attend a "home school" college, but today it seemed almost true. This morning I had a meeting with the campus minister, Ashlee Alley. She talked with me about joining the Discipleship Southwestern program this spring and what that would entail. While we were chatting about campus, my classes, and different clubs I have the opportunity to be involved in, I offhandedly mentioned that I had a class this evening at 10:40 p.m. She laughed at me and said I must be mistaken because they would never have scheduled a class at that time. I giggled, cackled, and snorted politely along with her and then said, "That's what I thought, but my advisor told my mother otherwise on the phone". She then stared at me a moment and said, "Nope. I'm positive it is a typo. It should be a.m."
Well at the risk of being wrong and missing my first class of The Jazz Story - which would be a REAL shame - I decided just to stop by where my class was and see if anyone was assembled. Guess what? It turns out that they DON'T schedule classes that go until midnight. SURPRISE! I'm really glad that I went by and got to listen to an hour of Miles Davis and then tell my instructor afterwards what the piece "did for me". When I say that it seems like a "home school" or "fake" college I mean that it seems like people really don't take anything seriously around here. It's kinda of exciting and relaxing to not worry as much over classes and trivial things and be able to get up in the morning and do my devotions and drink my coffee without thinking about cell biology or critical thinking.
More exciting than that though, is the fact that I am going on the Discipleship retreat this weekend. If I haven't met anyone by then I will definitely come back from "camping?" with life-long buddies. If anything can bond people it's going to the bathroom in the woods and knocking sticks together.

When I was getting ready this morning I was listening to Hillsong United on Pandora and a song that repeated the lyrics, "You are all I need" came on. I have sang that song countless times over the year at church, youth group, several camps, and conferences, and have never really had to be in a situation where I feel like I really DO have nothing but God. In the last couple days I have realized that I really have nothing left to cling to.
I don't know many people here, but that will change soon. The only thing that will be the same tomorrow and the days to come is the fact that even if I never make any friends for the rest of my life, I will still have Jesus.
Later this evening I met some girls in my discipleship group and some girls on my floor. I am also being recruited for the cheerleading squad, but we'll see how that goes. Busy first day of classes and I am pooped. Watching Some Kind of Wonderful and laying in my QUEEN sized dorm bed. Yes, I may have pushed my two beds together because... I can. It's pretty awesome.

Lance Armstrong is the biker, Neil Armstrong is the astronaut, and Louis Armstrong is the musician. Don't get that wrong in jazz class. It could be embarrassing for you.

New Year. New School. Old Friends.

           This morning I decided to take a little advice from a friend. The probably flippant comment, "Lou, you should start a blog. I'd read it.." got me thinking that starting the year 2012 at a new college might - hopefully - supply some memories and stories to share. Right now though the only thing I have to share is a little bit about myself and who I want to be. After waking up this morning to a new smell, the type of smell that makes you realize that you're not home, I quickly jumped into my car, called my mom, and had a meltdown. I started spewing sentences out of my mouth like, "Don't leave me here", "I can't do this", "I have no one". I was feeling hopeless and alone. I know - MAYBE - two people at this school and don't even know them that well. What was I thinking in leaving everything I had to come to Winfield, KS for no reason? Wait... what WAS I thinking? This place could have so many opportunities for me and I didn't feel drawn to this place last September for no reason. God must have a plan for me here. I have always been the one to think I know what's right for me and maybe now is the time to let God lead me.

           After getting off the phone with my mom I realized that if my attitude was that I was going to miserable here then I probably would be. I marched myself right over to the student life office and got transferred into Cole Hall, which apparently is the social-butterfly dorm. Probably because it's mostly filled with freshman girls. I then went to get my student ID and laptop. When the office assistant gave me my laptop he also gave me a Southwestern College coffee cup and told me where I could get it filled for a discount. Any place that understands the need for coffee can't be THAT bad. Oh, the tech guy also told me that if I ever had a problem with my mac I could come in and ask for him and he would take a look at it. He's apple certified, thank goodness. I don't know how long I am going to be able to use this Toshiba I was given.
           I am now listening to Florence & the Machine, drinking coffee, and waiting to get into my new dorm room. Which by the way, I get all to myself. I'm not saying that I won't have another meltdown about being here, but I'm going to try my best to be content where I am. Someone told me recently, "Perspectives aside... You will never be fulfilled or happy without satisfaction in Christ." True dat.

Almost forgot. The technical term for a cat’s hairball is a “bezoar.” You're welcome.