Jess's Journal: Life Unscripted

Over the past couple of weeks, I have reflected on a lot of things. When I was rejected from the teacher education program at Union, my life suddenly stopped for a moment. A curve ball had hit me straight in the face. Understandably, I was in tears. I couldn't handle what would happen next. I felt that I had let everyone, including my friends and family, down. I thought, now what? The next couple of days were the roughest, as I was performing, with Union Harmony, in front of so many people including the professor who flat out told me that education is not the right fit for me. I held back my anger and tears, knowing he was a major reason that my aspirations were crushed. I had a dream, and it was put on hold. I wanted nothing more than to just prove to him along with everybody else in the department that I will be successful in the teaching field, despite their thoughts that I wouldn't thrive in it. However, it is all over now, and there is no reason to have bad blood, or reg...

It has been almost a year since my last post. While reading through the previous blog posts I have made, I have realized that I have come so much farther than I did not realize. When I have written "Illusions", I had quit journalism and life was falling apart. I have since moved on from the experience and looked back with a smile. Yet, there are things that happened in college that are beyond my control. When I started my second year at Union College, I was an education major. I wanted to teach high school students. Due to events that were not of my control, I ended my career as an education major and am now continuing on as an English major. This was completely unexpected. Although life is not falling apart at the same capacity as it did when I quit journalism, there is still somewhat of a grudge and resentment. During my time as an education major, I was frustrated beyond belief. I lost a part of myself that I could not get back. I also have wasted two years on time and...

The last time I blogged about life, I was beginning a new semester of college. Now, it is summer and it's time to reflect on things. Oftentimes, the uncertainties of life bring forth many questions that sometimes can be left unanswered. So far this summer, I've managed to dive in to so many questions. I'm also in a new small group at church, which is an exciting experience.  Prayer   Over the summer, I have decided to integrate prayer in my life. How does prayer enrich my daily life? The way I can answer this is that prayer is a conversation with God. It's more than just praying when a test comes up or on Sundays during worship. It's constant communication. It's persistent prayer that helps lead to action. It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  The Greek word for without ceasing is adialeiptōs, which also means without i...

Since I have last updated this blog, I have found out that I have made the Dean's List for the fall semester. And since fall semester has come to a close, a new semester begins! Monday, I have to go through the process of confirmation. And classes start Tuesday. Welcome to another round of hard classes and nearly sleepless nights. I hope to return with some updates throughout the semester. Until then, see you later peeps!

From UCE to getting ready for my first finals week, my first semester has been rather memorable. Here are some highlights, in pictures!  1. Taking on the Spiritual Life Book Club and Reading Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality Well, the Spiritual Life Book Club discussed Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality . I thought that would be an interesting book to read. However, there were not that many people that were  interested in reading this book: one, the timing conflicted with many activities, and two, people just don't like to read more than what they can. Basically it flopped like Soul Pancake . There were some aspects of this book that I didn't like, but overall, I thought it was relevant because of the genuinely honest discussion that followed. I plan to brainstorm some ideas that would get people talking.  2. UPraise at the Spirit Rock Chapel had officially broken with t...

UCE week starts tomorrow guys! Can't wait to blog about my new adventures. Hope to have a new post soon!

Since I don't have to go back to school until August 25 (except for the fact that I have to go to UCE activities starting August 16), this summer for me should be a time of reflection. Promotion Sunday was an effortless transition. The College/Career class I'm in now, is a co-ed small group for college students. Bible lessons will be completely different than high school. The only takeaway is that when fall semester rolls around, I may have nothing to do on Wednesdays besides worship praise team practice, and sometimes nursery. I'm also getting my health back on track, since senior year was obviously the early Freshman 15. AP Scores come out in the first full week of July. I'm honestly nervous, but this past year I only took two exams in favor of having an easier senior year and still managed to graduate with the distinction Distinguished with Highest Honors. Hopefully, the rest of the summer will be smooth sailing. At least I think it will.