Happy New Year!!

Obviously I'm going to do a stereotypical new years blog post. Who doesn't love those, right?

Well in the year 2011, I graduated from high school, started attending my dream college, started living on my own (ah!), got involved with campus ministries, made so many new friends, and discovered more about myself and what I want for my future.

Going off to college made me become more independent. I also learned that I don't need to constantly be surrounded by people. Being with friends is nice, but so is having alone time to focus and think. I've also discovered that church in college is way different than church in high school. In high school, kids go to church because their parents want them to and you can't really determine who is there for the right reason. In college, if you don't want to go to church, you don't go. Everyone is so much more genuine and I LOVE it.

I also discovered that I want to eventually teach children with learning disabilities (aka special education). I've had opportunities this year that were totally God given that showed me that he can really use me in ways that are out of my control.

I have made new friends that influence me in a positive way and we all have a love for God. It has been so amazing to go from my high school friends which included a couple of Christians, to my college friends who I met from church related events and activities. I love love love it :)

So honestly, 2011 rocked. I know that 2012 will be even better, because I'll make it that way. Nothing is great unless you are determined it will be great. Will I keep my resolutions? We'll see. I'm more focused on how well I let God be in control of my life. So far he's doing an amazing job.

Happy New Year, guys! I hope 2012 is as amazing for you as 2011 was for me!

Music

Obviously I'm pretty obsessed with music. Next year I think I'm going to start making playlists every year. I'll put in awesome music that has memories attached to them. They don't necessarily have to be from that year, though. I'm super excited! Also today I've been listening to some chill hipster music. I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but 8tracks.com is the greatest place in the world to find new music. I.love.it.
http://8tracks.com/marinn-young/everyday-i-m-studying
^^ This happens to be the playlist I'm listening to atm. It's pretty great. Check it out :)

Just an update for ya

Exams are over. Somehow I managed to get decent grades. Well, except for Calculus. Math has never been my friend. So right now I'm home with absolutely no agenda. So I'm reading. GASP! What is the reading? For fun? People do that? Yes. They do. When they have time of course. I've been reading the Hunger Games trilogy and right now I'm in the final book Mockingjay. It's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! Like, for real. But Peeta needs to be himself again. I am in LOVE with him I swear. He's just... for no better way to say it... supermegafoxyawesomehot. Yep. I said it. So needless to say he needs to get better. Because I miss him :( in other news: you see that boy in my profile picture? yeah the derpy blonde one who doesn't wear his glasses ironically? well, HE'S COMING HOME SOON! I miss his face. I also miss Worthy, of course, but I've seen her quite recently so it's not as intense of missing. but oh my goodness he needs to come home like... now. right now. so I can attack him with a hug and not let go until like... 5 minutes pass by! Yep. That's really all I have to say right now. must go back to reading! AHHHHH PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expensive Friendships?

oh.my.goodness. Let me tell yall a story. So I have this friend who I never really hang out anymore. why? because I introduced him to another friend of mine maybe 2 months into the semester and he decides that I'm no longer worth his time. So obviously this is annoying already. THEN, they create this group of friends and name their group and never hang out with anyone outside the group.

So #1 problem: This is a clique. in college. really?

ANYWAY, so they have started talking about their group like it's a fraternity and finally my friend tells me that they are trying to actually make it a fraternity. Then the boy proceeds to ask me if I want to rush next semester. I told him that I would love to, but I'm not going to pay money. and then with a disappointed look on his face he says, "oh okay." He seriously thought I would PAY to be his friend? Who does that???

Seriously, who does he think he is? If you want me to pay for your friendship, you are not worth being my friend. It's as simple as that. So go ahead and have your little clique. I thought we were over that by high school. The fact that you completely forget my existence after creating this inclusive group of friends hurts. So good luck with your "fraternity". I hope that works out for you and you get a lot of people who want to pay for your friendship.

PS. SERIOUSLY????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curse of the Squawk

This weekend I went with some awesome people from my church college ministry to Tennessee for a retreat. It was great and fun and I learned lots of stuff and whatnot BUT that's not the point of this blog. I have another story for you. My friend, Turtlepants**, and I were talking on the bus ride back. Since she was sitting in front of me she turned around so we could talk more easily. Eventually we made a really sharp turn, and I hope you see where this is going. As these things tend to happen, her body wanted to stay in the same position it was in despite the movement of the bus, resulting in Turtlepants hanging onto the chair for dear life. Usually in these circumstances, "dear life" is about a five seconds, but Turtlepants just hung there for a good minute! Finally she fell down and we all laughed about it, because it was just ridiculous.

I tell you this story because as lovely as Turtlepants is she has this curse. Whenever there is a boy who's even semi-attractive or shows some interest she has this problem of embarrassing herself in some way, shape, or form. It's quite hilarious, really. She'll disagree, but it's definitely one of the funniest phenomenons ever. Of course there will be that special boy one day who things all of the things she does is incredible, but until that day comes, it's funny to see how she embarrasses herself. So this shall be a new series. The Chronicles of Turlepants.

**name has been changed to protect privacy AND add hilarity

Halloween

Why is October 31st a holiday? I mean, candy's cool, but why is there a holiday about it? Obviously, I don't care too much for Halloween. I wasn't allowed to trick or treat until 7th grade, and then I was a little old to be doing that. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE fall! I love carving pumpkins and going on hay rides and the smell of Bath and Body Works' Fresh Market Apple hand sanitizer! The problem arises when scary movies, slutty costumes, and alcohol are thrown into the mix. To quote one of the best movies of all time, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it". Degrading much? Those girls who go dress like that and then get upset when a boy doesn't treat them with respect need a good slap in the head to get back to their senses. As for what I'm doing this Halloween, I will be studying for an exam I have in the morning and then go to praise band practice. I might even slurge and get some Reeces Cups. ohhhhh man. I'm gonna party hard tonight.

So... Happy Halloween :)

Giving God the Pen

I tend to have this habit of having crushes on boys and then having my heart broken before a relationship even starts. I try to go out and pursue these possible relationships and boyfriends that only end in disappointment.

Well, while talking to my Bible study leader tonight I decided that I'm going to give God the pen. What does that mean? Well hang on a sec and I'll tell you :) Instead of me writing my love story and trying to be in control, I'm letting God have full control over it. I hear all the time people talking about surrendering your life to God, and I've done that for sure. It's definitely a constant thing, though, and one thing I think I try to hold on to is my love life. In the world we live in everyone thinks that having a boyfriend/girlfriend is what we need to focus our thoughts on. I didn't even realize this until recently, but this coming Christmas is going to be the first Christmas in a VERY long time where I don't have a boyfriend. Honestly, I'm super excited about it! I don't have to worry about what to get him and if he'll like it and who's family I'm spending time with on Christmas day. I'm so excited to have a relaxing day with my family and remembering what a great gift God gave us!

What I'm trying to say, and don't know if I'm actually getting this through, is that I need to guard my heart. I can't just allow any guy to build up my hopes. When the right guy comes along, he'll come after me. I won't need to chase him or try to impress him, because... it'll just be right. I'm so excited for that day to come, but for now, I'm giving God the pen. He's going to write something far more beautiful than I could ever hope to imagine. :)

Goodnight internet world <3