Dear everybody,It hasn’t been extremely long since my last letter, but so much has happened in this short time. First of all, thank you to everyone who has sent packages letters, or whatever. I’ve gotten several things in my mailbox, always making me feel special. It’s nice to get mail. Especially being so far from home.
I started classes on Monday. My first class on Monday, Wed, and Fri is World History 1, followed directly by Speech class. Both classes are shared with the same twenty-something students. I like it that way. Having familiar faces in both classes. They also tie for second place in the “favorite class so far” competition I’m running in my mind. World History is quite interesting, aside from some evolution ridiculousness that pollutes the first chapter. It’s intriguing to read about the other cultures and where their culture has brought them and why. Then Speech. I’m sure all of you predicted my love for speech class. Since I love being in front of people and love an audience. The best part is that they’re obliged to listen to me. More than once I might add. *grin* We did our first speech yesterday, a three minute blip about ourselves. I tried to focus on one facet of myself—mostly talking about traveling, more specifically Africa. After those I have some free hours before my next class at 1:00—Spanish 3.
Spanish was the class I was most apprehensive about. Will I remember enough? I went into the class scared pretty bad, but trying my hardest to trust God. He, after all, controls my life and thus my schedule. I soon discovered everyone in the class to be just as forgetful as myself, if not more. The first and second days were spent in review and practice. Hopefully the teacher will continue to be as helpful as she has been. I volunteer for every speaking option possible just because I need the practice, and I want the participation grade. I find myself becoming a little more comfortable and confident as time goes on. I can do this; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Then on Tues and Thurs I have two classes. At 9:30 AM you’ll find me in the front row of “Introduction to Philosophy” which is thus far my favorite class. We are reading Erasmus’s book “Praise of Folly”. I began it with the preconceived notion that it would be boring. After all it was written in the 15th and 16th centuries by a philosopher. Wouldn’t you expect to be bored? After reading it my thoughts changed enormously. Erasmus is hilarious! He has this dry sarcastic humor that puts down foolish people in a comical easy to understand way. I loved the book. Finished the required reading part yesterday. But this morning I was surprised to hear so many of the students sharing that they started to read it and couldn’t get through it very far. They were confused or bored. Maybe I’m different because I’m used to studying old literature (the Bible), and because I am well versed in the Bible I can relate to so many of the points he makes and scripture he quotes.
One point in Philosophy class that was incorrect however: this morning my teacher told us that Erasmus made up the character “Folly” who narrates the whole book. When, in truth, Folly appears in the Bible (A book that Erasmus was well learned in). Look up Proverbs 9. It talks about Folly and Wisdom. I sent my teacher an email this afternoon gently pointing out that it's possible Erasmus could have taken the character from scripture.
I think I’m the only Christian in the room, or maybe the only one who studies the Bible.
After Philosophy I have the whole rest of the day to relax, study, do laundry, whatever, until 5 PM when I have “Introduction to Mass Communications”. That class promises multiple debates, and I have a feeling the teacher and I will be butting heads. But he made it clear that that is what he wants. Expression of opinions and such. I don’t know if he knew what he was asking for...
Other than classes I’ve been trying to get somewhat involved in campus stuff. I’m going to be a tour guide (one of the people who shows perspective students around the campus), starting during Fall Break. On Sunday I have a meeting with the on campus Improv group, and tonight I’m meeting one of the Christian groups. As well as having signed up to go to Campus Crusades on Friday.
Busy is the word. With reading the first chapter of every book for every class, reading 64 pages of Erasmus, and along the way writing 6 (this wasn’t assigned, but I had so many opinions they just begged for paper), and some worksheets and campus activites, it gets a little crazy.
I still find some time though to sit down and write emails, even if they are brief, and to chat with my roommate and new friends.
Oh yes, I know you’re all wildly curious about my roommate. She’s a Christian, and she’s so great. We get along like...um...uh.... well I don’t know who we get along like, but we get along really well. She’s neat and clean. I’m neat and clean. She’s a Christian. I’m a Christian. I think she appreciates that I understand her accent. Apparently she gets asked to repeat things a lot. Which is strange because her accent isn’t bad at all. I ask her to repeat sometimes, but simply because she’s soft-spoken and I’m used to hearing my own loudness.... ha. We chat when we’re in the room. It’s a welcomed break in between fits of studying and such, and we both end up going to bed around eleven o’clock. She is a morning person though, and gets up at 6 AM. No huge deal because I have to get up at 7 to eat, do my quiet time, and get ready before classes. And besides that, she’s absolutely silent. I don’t hear her at all. Both of us respect each other’s space and feelings. In short, she’s great. I’m blessed.
Well, that’s it for this edition. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.
Amanda
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