Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday.

Okay, I won't continue.  But you really have to admit, it's catchy, even in all of its annoyingness.

Hooray Friday.  Fridays are awesome.  On Fridays, I only have two classes and I'm free at 11:50.  And thank you Jesus for that considering I barely made it through that.

I headed to lunch at the dining hall after I got out of my 11:00 class, and I barely made it there before I had to have a worker help get me lunch because my blood sugar dropped so low I almost fell out on the tile floor.  So that was sweet of her.  I love this school. :)

My big exciting Friday evening has consisted of a nap because whatever has been plaguing me for the past week just won't give. it. up., tuna for dinner, and lots and lots and LOTS of homework. 

Which is pretty much what Saturday is going to consist of, save for a change in meal ideas and probably no nap considering I won't have to get up at 7:30 tomorrow. ;)

All I know is I've GOT to focus.  This is a list that has to be completed, and it's probably going to take me every possible second this weekend.  Here we go.

One last question, though.

That song is still in your head, isn't it? 

Hehehe. ;)

I will be the first to admit it.

I AM SENSITIVE.

I do not have a thick skin.  Most bullying victims don't.  I can not handle people making fun of me well, and I get upset when people publicly point out my flaws.

But you know, who made the rule that being sensitive was some punishable offense?

Rememer a few weeks ago when I mentioned that a guy went off on me in the middle of class and my professor had to talk to him because the cruel things he said really upset me?  Yeah, well, a different guy, unsurprisingly a guy who sits right behind him, for some reason decided to raise his hand in the middle of class, after I said something and then the professor said something, to basically tell me in front of everyone that I needed to keep my mouth shut because he was tired of listening to me.

Yeah.  Not even kidding.  Thank God for Dr. Mero who stuck up for me as much as he possibly could.  I stuck around long enough to hear him tell this guy that in his class, he wasn't just going to talk at people for 80 minutes, he wanted people to talk, and if he didn't like that then he could go get a withdrawal form.  But then, despite all my fighting, I couldn't get my tears under control, so the girl who sits next to me told me she'd email me the notes, and I just left.  I still feel terribly sick, and I just didn't have the energy to deal with it.

And that was when I felt God wrap his arms around me.

When I got to the door of my dorm, a girl was sitting on the back steps smoking, saw me trying to stop crying, and got up and comforted me and was just really sweet.  All I know is her name is Elizabeth (I'm pretty sure) and she lives on the third floor, and if I ever need a friend, to just go to her.  I've never met her before.

About fifteen minutes later, I got a knock on my door and it was two girls from class who came by to make sure I was okay.  They told me that I wasn't alone, that a good portion of the class was upset at what the guy said and thought he was out of line, let me know that Dr. Mero held the kid after class, and just made me feel better about myself and got me out of the "blaming myself" mentality that I frustratingly naturally get into because of my past.

Then I checked my school email and had an email from a girl who told me what I missed at the end of class and told me she was sorry for what that guy did and that he was out of line.

Then another girl from class came by and talked to me.  She basically told me what the other girls had, and said that after Dr. Mero dismissed, a bunch of the girls talked to each other about how "unbelievable" the guy's actions were.  Which helped me not to feel alone, like I felt in the moment.

Then I had dinner with Amy and Elizabeth and they reminded me again that I am a good person.

That's five separate instances within three and a half hours of God making something that I struggle with every single day crystal clear:

He's got this.  He's got me.

*Edited to add at 10:26 pm:* And I just got the kindest email from Dr. Mero. Instance number six.

I never knew a virus could suck so badly.

The head pain, nausea, and lightheadedness was so bad today, I seriously almost went to the hospital.  The only time I've ever felt the way I did/do today is when I had staph meningitis in 2009, so I was admittedly a bit freaked.

I texted my mom to get her to call me because I didn't want to end up going to the hospital for it to be nothing.  When she finally called me back, I told her what was going on, and she told me that she has the exact same symptoms.

Weird, huh?

Considering the chances of us both getting meningitis at the same time would be astronomical, I immediately calmed down.  She said she'd been on antibiotics but they hadn't done anything, which pretty much means it's a virus.

I've never had a virus this aggravating.  Aside from the constant nausea, lightheaded feeling, and head that pounds any time I stand up and walk, I feel fine.

Ugh, oh well, it will pass soon enough. 

Also, thank you Jesus for my English teacher extending the deadline on our rough drafts!  My procrastination has gotten the better of me lately, and now I am not freaked out about getting it done.  That's a huge gift.

Okay, I've already stayed up way too late.  I must go!

I'm baaaaack!

I actually got my computer back yesterday, but I was feeling super sick and ended up going to bed at 7:30.

Not even kidding.

I still didn't feel great today.  Luckily, French was cancelled, but I skipped Music and made it to State & Local and my meeting and concert tonight.

I can't believe it's already 11:00.  I'm going to bed now.  I've had a headache for 3 days now and have been feeling lightheaded and nauseous. 

But I can't miss class tomorrow, so I have to suck it up.

Over the next few days, I'll be going back and posting for all the days I missed.  I apologize if it blows up your dashboard, but I'm doing it for me. :)  This blog is kind of my journal/diary/whatever, so I don't want to break the streak.  Plus, I have some fun stuff to post that really SHOULD be remembered.

Love you guys.  Thanks for still caring about me.

Must. sleep.

(posted after the fact due to computer disaster)
Today was pretty lovely.  Aside from the fact that I feel like absolute crap.

I got permission from Faithe Beam yesterday to come to CUW today because Monday CUW is only for freshmen and The Vespers were playing again.  :)  Absolutely awesome, surprise surprise.  Then, after my 11:00 class, I went to the dining hall and had lunch with them before they left.  To be 100% honest, I missed them as soon as they pulled out.  They're that special. :)
Also really super incredibly totally fantastic??  I got my computer back!!!  And it's okay!!!!!!!!!!!  Aside from a few files being deleted that I could either reload or didn't really need, it's like this thing never even happened! I AM SO RELIEVED.
For the first time in a long time, I'm not staying awake for my weekly TV shows.  I think I'm just going to climb in bed here shortly.  I need my sleep.  And whatever is going on with my body is taking a toll.  So...peace out.

Free Entertainment

(posted after the fact due to computer disaster)

Thanks to my digital camera and Youtube.  The Vespers: "Railroad Boy" is from Sunday night, all the others are from this morning at CUW. Some I've posted on here before (like "Railroad Boy", but it sounds different than last time), some are new (I'd never heard "Lordy" before yesterday!)















I saved "Lordy" for last because it's my favorite.  I never thought a song could replace "Railroad Boy" in my heart! :)  Check them out if you haven't.  I know I'm persistent, but they really are spectacular.

I am lucky.

(posted after the fact due to computer disaster)

Lucky to go to this school.

Lucky to have the opportunities I do because I go to this school.

Lucky to have friends like Taylor, Callie, Bruno, and Phoebe who teach me new things about myself, life and God with every conversation.

Tonight was beautiful.

I got a tweet from Taylor (thank you Jesus for phone alerts) about 4:00 letting me know they were here and headed to the dining hall, so I grabbed my stuff and headed down to Marshbanks.  Faithe Beam (the campus minister, and I still can't figure out why someone who came from such a religious family has parents who spelled faith unusually) came with them because she was paying for them to get dinner, and out of the blue, as I reached in my purse to grab my ID card (that is swiped as part of my meal plan) and she said, "Oh go on, Mallory, I'm paying for you."  No one would get that kind of treatment at a big public school.  :)

We spent all of dinner talking and catching up, and then went back to D. Rich to hang out till 6:00 when the show was scheduled to start.  D. Rich is one of the classroom buildings in the center of campus that also has a huge auditorium.  The boys were watching football (I think it's awesome that they have a TV hooked up in their van!), and Callie and I were hanging out in the "seminar room" with Bruno's computer.  She was checking Facebook and emails and stuff online because apparently she doesn't have her computer, and we talked about a million things.

But the most meaningful part of the whole conversation was when we started talking about things we had learned from each other.  I told her about how much of a good lesson she and the others had been for me, and how they'd helped show me how to live rooted in the Truth and unashamed of who I am.  How I don't have any strong Christians in my family, and to have not only people I know in person, but people who are from my generation is such a special thing for me to have.  How, even though I know they're still sinners like me, I have learned so much from them that I could never repay them for.

And then, she told me what they've learned from me.  How I've inspired them to find the joy in life even when they're frustrated because I find the joy in life.  How Bruno was practically speechless the day they left back in February because of what I'd told him.  How humbled he was, and how humbled they were when he told them about it.  How grateful they are to have met and know me. 

I was blown away.  It was just another instance of God granting my prayer to understand the reason He's given me the testimony I have.  Again, lucky.

And then, they played for almost an hour and a half.  A few songs I'd never heard live before.  (The next post is gonna be a bunch of videos I took. For your enjoyment.)  And it was just as spectacular as every other time I've heard them.

The last surprise of the night?  We were hanging out in the front hallway of the building where they were meeting all the people who came.  They are so sweet with all of their fans.  Even Taylor, who was visibly exhausted, still answered all the questions and signed all the stuff and took all the pictures he was asked.  I even made sure to get a picture with them.  How could I not? :)

I didn't realize how blonde my hair still is till I looked at this picture!

Then, after most of the people had left, I was looking at their merch table, and I saw they had two new t-shirt designs.  Bruno was standing next to me and asked me which one I liked, and I pointed to one with a cream background and blue writing.  He said "What size? They're a men's cut" just as I added, "But I don't have any money."  He looked over at me, grinned, and said, "You don't need any money."  I was unsure, but he asked me again emphatically, "What size?"  I finally answered him, and said I felt kind of bad taking something for free when performing and selling merch is their only income, and he told me, "You're kind of our most dedicated fan.  I want to do this.  Take it."  So once again, Bruno gave me something free, just because he's that nice.  And when Phoebe saw it, she assured me they all were fine with it, that Bruno never would've done it if he thought any of the others would have a problem with it, and that I deserve it.

Nicest. people. in. the. world.

I'm so lucky to know them.

I bleed red and white.

(posted after the fact due to computer disaster)

We won!!!! WE WON!!!!! 38-24!

The game was amazing.  I don't know if the Central Michigan quarterback was just tired or what, but the poor old sap threw FOUR interceptions!  That coupled with the fact that someone clearly lit a fire under our defense's butts, and it was like I was watching an entirely new team out there on the field.

We spent way too much money there.  A) Mom felt the need to buy me a new State shirt and Blake some State stuff and her a new State shirt and B) sports stadiums are almost as overpriced as movie theatres, it was sweltering hot outside and Mom told me to wear jeans.  She's too good to me sometimes.

Then we went to Ruby Tuesday's and ate some real food (as in not complete crap) and saw Holly because she was bartending tonight.  We ate and sort of talked to her as she ran around like a chicken with her head cut off, but it was nice to see her in action.  I got these quesadillas that I've had a bunch of times at the RT in Jacksonville and love, so I was jumping at the chance to eat them again, but they were way spicier here!  I ate two but had to stop because I was literally sweating.  And I love spicy food!  Mom probably would've cried if she'd eaten them.  Oh well, it wasn't a waste - Holly said she'd eat the other two. :)

Good, good day.  And tomorrow is going to be better!

Success

Quick blood draw.

Good news from my gynecologist.

Quick appointment at the orthodontist.

All successes.

You know what's better, though?

My mother surprising me today with tickets to tomorrow's NC State football game. :D  There is nothing like being in a packed football stadium listening to thousands upon thousands of people screaming around you.  Not to mention, Carter-Finley Stadium was apparently my dad's most favorite place on the planet, so it's very special to me for that reason, too.

GO PACK!

What a journey.

Starting with an AWESOME appointment at Duke

a bypass through good food

a quick stop at picking up Chelsea's gorgeous wedding dress and the MOST AWESOME BRIDESMAID DRESS EVER

and finally reaching the destination of sitting on my mom's bed snuggled up with my crazy, wild, cuter-than-words Blake man.

I call that a good one. :) 

I'm glad to be home, even if it's for 36 hours.

On to tomorrow!