2 Weeks Down - 14 To Go!

So it's been a while since I last posted. It's not really that I've been too busy, cause classes haven't gotten super hard yet, it's just that I have a hard time articulating what I want to say in a blog. So here goes.

2 weeks of classes down, with 14 more to go. I am now a certified driver of Chaminade vehicles, and a member of 3 clubs. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I have classes from 9 till 2pm. Chemistry, Biology, Pre-Calculus, and "World Religions". (Quote marks on world religions cause it's all from the perspective of the Catholic church so far.) Tuesdays I have no classes, so it's a day to do homework, read, or just lay around being lazy. Thursdays I have 2 labs. Chem lab from 11-2 and Bio lab from 2-5. Most of my classes are populated by 17 and 18 year olds, which makes it a little disheartening to know that this is my life right now. It does, however, make it easier for me to stay loyal to Jason, cause there are no cute guys here to try to steal me away.

I'm not really a very social person. I prefer quiet and solitude. But I'm trying to be more outgoing while I'm here. I'm trying to "grow as a person". This is kind of working. I've made a friend, Alicia. We were kind of destined to be friends since we're the only 2 active members of the church who go to Chaminade. Plus, I'm cool and can drive the van, and she's the president of our club (LDSSA) so she gets to make up activities for us to request to use the van for. Like, let's go to the beach! or let's make a trip to Target! Also, since I'm a member of the Rotaract club, which is a service club, and she's also president of that, I automatically get to go on our trip to the Maui invitational.

But even with the new friends and activities to help fill up my time (not to mention sharing a bedroom, so lack of privacy), I still get homesick when I'm not in class or engaged in an activity.

Sunday, one of the councilors in the Branch Presidency asked me to give a talk next Sunday. Well, first he asked if I wanted to. When I just sat there smiling at him, he changed his question to 'would I be willing to'. So now in addition to homework and readings I have to do this week, I also have to write a talk. This is actually pretty easy, since I have all my lessons from RS back home with me. So I'm just re-working one of those into my talk. I just don't want to do it.

Yesterday, Labor Day, Alicia and I went on a trip to the beach. Our club advisor was out of town, so we couldn't request a van, so instead, we took the bus. Waialae beach was pretty. I'm very glad I brought my water socks. The sand had rocks and things growing the whole stretch of water out to the break. My feet were safe, thanks to the water socks, but Alicia didn't fare as well. She cut open on of her toes. I got some color, which was red yesterday, but is a nice tan today. I'll probably have skin cancer by the time I leave Hawaii in 3 years.

I get to talk to Jason every night, which actually helps with the home sickness. I try to talk with everyone else (Jacq, Mary, and my mom) atleast once a week, but this time difference from Hawaii to back home (or to Texas) makes it difficult sometimes.

I miss you guys! We'll definitely have to get together over my Christmas break. I'll be home from Dec 11 - Jan 9. Hope you all are doing great making your houses homes.