The Life of an Otter

My body slowly sways with the car, lulling me asleep as rain kissed crops speed past. I notice the soy beans have already been harvested. Every few seconds the train whistle blows.

My thoughts zip through my head like the rows of corn we pass. I have decided I like traveling after all these years. In the past month I have gone out of the city three times. I keep telling myself "this is the last time!" but then I can't resist that gypsy itch.

Some might think that I keep leaving the city because it doesn't agree with me, but actually I have liked Chi-town better than I thought. My professors are very helpful, and go out of the way to give us the best experience possible. I have been learning so much. Graduate school has been very different in that most of our learning comes through reading a ton, discussing and then writing a ton more. Thankfully I learn better through this kinesthetic route, then through studying information for a test and have been able to keep up with classes pretty well.

When I am not studying, I am participating in church activities and hanging out with friends. I have grown to love the people from Moody Church. Once again I have found a family away from family. One of the trips I took recently was a retreat with the college group. My roommate and I recently threw an International party as well. It was great meeting and talking with people from places such as Iran, Chile, Uganda, and many others.

Soon, my time will also be spent teaching art at an afterschool program. It pays well, and works well with my class schedule. This job was an answer to many of your prayers! Pray now that I have the wisdom on how to best teach children whose first language is not English.

Pray also that I am able to balance work, school, and church activities.

This may sound pretty corny, but I recently took an animal personality test that showed I have the personality of an otter. I feel that it described me the best out of any personality test I have had to take, and psychology students have to take a lot of them! One trait describes the otter getting easily distracted by many brain engaging activities, but that when a challenge arises, they are ready to try to conquer it. I have a lot of good activities going on in my life right now, but hopefully I will be able to figure out which challenges are the most important, and keep striving to conquer.

Thank you all for your friendship, prayers, and support as I try to conquer life's challenges!