What I learned in College

    Because it is my last semester of my undergraduate career I thought it was only fitting to write about what I learned during my 4 years of college. And I find it more fitting to write posts in bullet or numbered form... they just look better right?

1. I met THE ONE... no not Cam, he is my two and I was lucky enough to meet him in high school. My freshmen algebra professor is an angel... seriously. I plan on writing a whole post about this sometime, when the time is right. 
2. It is perfectly fine to look like a homeless person... actually the more homeless you dress the better.
3. Sleeping in when it is pouring outside instead of going to class is ok... actually doing this will prevent many problems... like looking like a wet dog.
4. Grades are not the end all, be all. Those people in the real world will not give a hoot about your 3.87 GPA. Promise. 
5. Making friends is important. Unfortunately I learned this lesson a little too late. Yes... this could be a whole post in itself too. 
6. Believe it or not learning to live like a "broke college student" is important... it also sucks. You will get used to it... Ramen noodles will never taste good. 
7. It is perfectly fine to eat cereal (fruit loops) for breakfast and dinner. 
8. Work hard. Nap Hard... I might have taken these words from Uncle Si. 
9. You can google just about every thing.
10. It is ok to not know exactly what you want to do... that realization will come with time. 
11. Do not schedule 8 am classes... you will not go.
12. Also do not schedule classes on Friday, if possible. I waited until the last semester to do this... why I have no idea? No class on Fridays is the best. 
13. Have fun. Enjoy it.

Love Makes The World Go Round

    The other day I was reading my daily 1-minute devotional that I get from You Version on my i phone... The topic was "divorce prevention" and it provided a startling statistic. It stated that 1 in 2 marriages will fail... I knew the divorce rate was high and I have actually seen the new textbooks say the divorce rate is 50%, but seeing the numbers 1 in 2 really blew me away.

The devotional passage went on to state that there are 12 words that should be spoken and lived out daily.
     These words were:
       " I love you"
       " I admire you"
       " I was wrong"
       " Please forgive me"

The passage also stated that expressing love and admiration are the ingredients for divorce prevention. I could not agree more... If only we humans could love as God loved. If only we could look past all of the issues and the ugly stuff. This also got me thinking about the love dogs show us.

I have written about a dog's love before, but I do not think I expressed the need for this type of love. I just wish that we could all love as our dogs love us. A dog's love is always unconditional. A dog's love never comes with "ifs, ands, or buts". A dog's love is never untrusting. I was reminded of this excerpt from the movie and book "Marley and Me" and I think it explains the love we need to have quite perfectly.

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. 

A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. 

It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. 

As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it took a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see."  ― John Grogan

I just wish that everyone in the whole world could have a love so pure, but I know that is near impossible. I also know that type of love is waiting for me in heaven and I could not be more grateful. I wish I could see more of it on a daily basis down here on Earth... Until then I will continue to cling to the people who do love me and hold tight to the many dogs that hold a huge place in my heart.