Day 14: The Suite Mate Chronicles, My First Day of Classes, and a General Blog Post About Settling In

28 July 2014

The Suite Mate Chronicles

My suite mates finally arrived yesterday. It was a bit scary at first since I was preceding to take my official Sunday afternoon nap when I heard the front door open. At first I panicked just a bit: Should I go in there? Should I not? What if it’s NOT my suite mates? (Because you’re privileged to that information you already know that it was them.) So I went out and met Kierra, Ashley and Benjamin. Well, I haven’t exactly MET Benjamin yet, I’ve heard him and his door was opened a crack last night so I kind of ASSUMED it was him. (I guess it could not be him, but we won’t think about that possibility.) 

Momma & Baby Kangaroo On My Way To Campus

The trying part about being in a dorm with suite mates for me, is that they all already know each other and then, here I come not knowing anyone. I feel like the odd one out. There’s also the tiny factor that I’m living with complete and total strangers. (Who’s bright idea was dorm life anyways?) But as Cath from church told me today on our lunch date, maybe this is for a reason. At least I sure hope so. 

Some of My Organizational Tools

School today was pretty normal. I had my first Physics class this morning which actually wasn’t that bad. Teaching Culturally Diverse Classrooms is a really interesting class as well. I loved the readings we had for this week all about Australian Indigenous People Groups and the struggles that they have had and are still experiencing here in Queensland. Do you know that many Aborigine children come to school without knowing standard English? The Aboriginal History is a diverse one as I’m learning and I’m excited to learn more about Australia’s Natives. Plus the class doesn’t have lectures every week. (Big plus!) 

JCU Campus

Honestly, studying abroad is the hardest thing I've ever done. Way harder than I imagined it would be. But I am learning to pace myself. I’m used to always being busy, but when I start to miss home or get overwhelmed, I'm beginning to allow myself to rest instead of trying to just push through it. I’m realizing that it’s okay to miss home, it’s okay that things are hard. And each day I discover a pocket of determination and perseverance that I never knew I had. I am learning to trust God even when I can’t feel Him and to realize that I’m going to be okay; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. For now, that’s all the assurance I need.