That time of year again...

At this point in the academic year, everyone wants to know what you are going to do next year. What classes are you going to take? Where are you going to work? Or live? There are so many questions I don't have an answer to.

The reality is, I don't know what my life will look like next year. For as much as I know, I am only guaranteed today. I am glad I don't know where I will be next year. I am learning to take it one day at a time, and trust I will be taken care of.

To follow up with that, I have been more than blessed and taken care of by others around me. Some people have supported me to go to Africa this summer and I am amazed and can't describe how wonderful it feels to know someone cares for you and will rally around you when you are in need. I am not just talking about donations, because many people have encouraged me with the words or actions. However, this morning I went to check my mailbox and someone had anonymously placed a letter and some money for Africa. Whoever you are, THANK YOU! I really can't put into words how much it means to me. I just feel so right in this choice, right now. I don't know what my next year will look like, but I know this year and this trip are right and align with the plan the Lord has for now.


Giving Thanks,
Tay

And just like that.....

.....My Summer Plans 2011 are set!

 For those of you who know, I will be taking a trip this summer! Now, normally during the summer many people take trips and go on vacations, but this trip is especially special to me. I will be traveling to Lesotho, Africa this summer for a study abroad opportunity. 

Many people I have talked to don't know much about Lesotho. Here are a few little facts: it is a landlocked country and entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over 11,500 square miles in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. It's capital and largest city is Maseru.  

This trip is being hosted through my school and more specifically with the Social Work program, which for those of you who don't know is my major. During this trip we will be assessing the community in light of social services and even in comparison to American social services. We will have the privilege of working in an orphanage in the city of Maseru, while also following a curriculum designed for this study abroad trip. I have never had the opportunity like this before and I am completely thrilled and excited about the possibilities of this trip. International Social Work has always been something that sparks my interest and I believe this trip will be a true learning opportunity and I can't wait for the adventures to unfold. 

Through my learning in my social work classes, I have learned a great deal about compassion.. It is something I feel like all social workers must have to make it through the end of the day. I believe this trip will teach me a new definition of compassion, but that it will also teach me the importance of social services throughout our world. The thing about being a social worker, is that there is no glory involved. Many people misunderstand our purpose or our intentions. I am fully prepared for these realities of the job. Even though this is most often the case, I still feel like this is what I am supposed to do with my life. Being accepted into this trip is another learning opportunity for me, and another way to show compassion that God has shown me.

Lastly, this trip is rather pricey as in $5,450 pricey... I currently am 1/5 of the way there on fund raising, but if for some reason you are reading this blog and it is in your heart to donate to me, my address is PO Box 9521 Unit 4110 Azusa, Ca 91702. I would be more than appreciative and truly do consider it such a blessing!

Currently awaiting summer,

 Taylor

 

Good to be back!

I already have such high hopes for 2011 especially since my New Years Resolution is to only wear sweatpants once a week! That is an easy enough goal... well unless you happen to love sweatpants like I do.. However, I am calling this year my year of thanks. There are so many things to be thankful for that slip right out in front of us. I don't give thanks to God enough for the blessings I have been given.

I am mostly glad to be back with my roommate, with my friends, and with my residents. It was an eventful winter break (more details on my last post) and I am glad to get back into the swing of things.


Most importantly, Happy Birthday to Buck Rice!!! There are so many things I love and appreciate about Buck. One thing is his new haircut which is an improvement from his uncut hair of one year. But really, I love you and am so proud of the man that you are. I couldn't be happier to have you in my life, and I couldn't have chosen someone else to love me and support me better than you do. You are a wonderful boyfriend and I can't wait to see where life takes us together! Happy Birthday :)

All my love

Surprise Surgery!!!

Winter Break quickly approached this year, and I was eagerly looking forward to taking a break from my daily life stressors. I spent a week in Arizona with my family and friends and then hopped on a plane to Colorado to spend the rest of my break with family! However, my trip in Colorado took a turn for the worst on the first day of the New Year. I was experiencing extreme pain that landed me in the emergency room, yay! I spent that night in the hospital that evening and woke up the next day wanting to go back home. Feeling like an 80 year old, the doctors pried me out of bed and asked me to take a walk up and down the hall before I was able to be released. The moment I got back from that mini walk I knew something was terribly wrong. The pain I was feeling earlier came back much worse than it had before. The next thing I know I am being rushed into emergency surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst that I was diagnosed with a month before.

There is a positive side to this of course. My ovary was saved! The way that the cyst had twisted was cutting off the blood flow to my ovary, which is NEVER a good thing. The bad thing is that I am a terrible patient. I hate sitting in one place for any amount longer than a few hours, and I especially hate being in pain. I also have discovered Morphine makes me a meanie!

I am recovering at home now and feeling much better that my ovary is now no longer in danger. I also gave the pictures of my cyst to my mother to frame since the cyst is the only grandchild she will be getting from me!


Rushing Recovery,
Taylor