Greetings from the big TX!

This is really happening! I'm really actually updating my blog like I've been meaning to since I moved to Austin almost 2 months ago!
I'm just sitting at the counter waiting for the dishwasher to finish so that I can pack a spoon for tomorrows lunch and listening to some nice Christmas-y tunes, so I figured if not now, when?
Life is good for me. Austin is a really cool city, lots of things do do & lots of cool places to eat! Living with Patrick and Riley is a little weird because we barely talk, but they're nice and I like having my own space. School is SO exhausting. I like it a lot though, and I'm learning even more. I've made good friends at school and I have no job. That's a brief summary of my experience so far!
I've learned a lot about myself since I've been here, way more and in different ways than I would have thought possible in such a short amount of time. I bake and cook tons on my days off, and I love doing it. I've learned better than ever about the value of a dollar and how to make money stretch. I've learned to appreciate having friends who encourage me in my faith. It's been very challenging for me to be so far from that, and I've really had to rely on God to speak His wisdom into me. It's just exhausting sometimes, but it's also interesting to see and hear other perspectives. I've learned that I love living on my own! I love my days off when I have the house to myself to get done whatever I need to in my own time. It's a great sense of freedom. I've learned that I actually don't hate snow & cold, I just don't care for it after January. It's weirdly warm here. I've learned that I love Chicago! Austin is so artsy and fun, but it's really made me value where I come from and see it in a more positive light. I've met some really cool people at school. Definitely some that I will keep in touch with after we end in May, and some that are really teaching me a lot. I'm the youngest in my class of 14 girls and that in and of itself has proven educational. A lot of girls with a lot of life experience! I've learned that I am secretly an over achiever. I guess I get it from my mom. Mostly I've learned that I am loving this exploring process, even though I get homesick on some days. It's so different here and it's really been a blessing to me and an eye opening experience to see options beyond Illinois. I'm proud of myself for the way I'm handling all of the responsibility I have right now. It makes me really excited for the things to come in the next few years! I keep having to remind myself that I'm only 19 and I have a lot more infront of me than I do behind me God willing. It's equally tiring and exciting to think about, but I am ready for the challenge! I go home to Chicago for the holidays on Sunday morning, just in time to see little women & go to a party! Starting my trip off strong! I have 4 11 hour days of school in between me & some much needed time off, but I am well on my way to being prepared for it! And I am SO excited for Christmas!