Janice’s Blog

It's been a little over a week since the semester ended, and so far my summer has been..
Eh, I'm not going to finish that sentence because I actually head right back in about a week for summer sessions. So it's like school never let out and instead I'm on an extended break.. I assure you that more excited than I'm letting on, though. Honest!

For the first class, there's a bit of pre-course work to be done -- which usually isn't something to celebrate, but for this particular class one of the things we have to do before the class starts is read a commentary on Daniel called "The Might High God"~ an excellent read, if I do say so myself! Everyone and their cousins learn about Daniel during Sunday School, to the point where a lot of us think we know the book of Daniel better than really do. Hah! No worries, this commentary breaks down Daniel nicely and gives you that second-glance at details that your eyes might have glazed over.. (it happens)

The funny thing? I've realized over the past few years that I actually really like reading commentaries. Bible commentaries. Who would have thought? I mean, reading has always been a hobby of mine -- but back during my high school years it wasn't like I went searching for Bible commentaries or anything of that sort. Find five people I went to high school with and tell them that Janice enjoys reading Bible commentaries.. that ought to earn you some laughs! But it also just goes to show I've come a long way. Yeah? (:

Now to share a ridiculously cute photo with all of you -- the little girl is Haley, my pastor's youngest child. She's a ball of adorable♥ photo credits belong to Lisa sahmo (Haley's mother) who is a simply amazing photographer. Forreal.

Posted by Janice at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

THREE. MORE. DAYS.
(left of the semester, including today!)
Student Life provided the entire student body with free milk and cookies today as a "mini break" from finals week. Right now I have a little carton of chocolate milk (still cold!) and some Oreo cookies. Yesssss.

I remember this one particular day, towards the end of my senior year of high school. I had just finished my shift at work and stepped out to the parking lot, closed my eyes.. and breathed in. This feeling of peace and utter contentment washed over me, and as I made my way to my car I recall thinking to myself, "Ah, my stream of life smells like Flemington."

I was a strange kid :P

But really, don't we all have moments where we're suddenly filled with conviction and the only thought that runs through your mind is "Yes, Lord. Thank You.
Tthe other day I was making my way back to Penndel from main campus (because it finally stopped RAINING), and as I was crossing the campus I found myself on top of the hill that overlooks the pond. As I lifted my head the sun struck the water in such a way that my breath was literally taken away.

I must have stood there for a good five minutes, just soaking in the beauty that lay in front of me. Just personally, I've often wondered.. when you experience something so majestic that it leaves you in silent awe, how can you deny the Creator credit for His work?

Posted by Janice at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am.. unbelievably tired right now. Welcome to finals week!

So I got up bright and early this morning to attend SIFE Nationals! It was all too convenient for us PBU-ers to get there, really, because Nationals was held in Philly this year -- a mere train ride away (: the fun technically began last night with a rally and continues on till tomorrow (the final rounds that determine which team(s) are being sent to the SIFE World Cup), but today.. our dear ol' PBU SIFE team presented.

When I say "our team did a fabulous job, as usual" please note that I don't say it because this team happens to "belong to me" in the sense that we attend the same University thus I have no choice but to love them the most. It's really not like that at all. You know how some mothers are convinced that their kids are best lookin' specimens in the world, even though you might have a slightly different opinion? Yeah, that's not what I'm trying to get at. But our team honestly puts so much effort into what they do, and they pull it off gracefully and it seems almost effortless.

Our team did a fabulous job, as usual!

The following photos are credited to Jul Hoober :D

And last but not least...

Like I mentioned before, it's finals week. People seem to be holding up fairly well, which is always a good thing (: please pray for our sanity this week!

Posted by Janice at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today was the 22nd birthday of a dear friend of mine -- and of course the only way to properly celebrate such an occasion was by eating some yummy Pad Thai :D

(The group minus me -because I'm taking the picture, fyi- and one other. Birthday girl is on the left!)

Come to think of it, she was one of the first people that I became friends with here at PBU. I remember it like it was yesterday... which it was kind of was, but only 3 years ago.
So I was brand spankin' new to this school and didn't know a soul. I had gone to the room across the hall with my then-roommate (her friends lived there, it wasn't like we just waltzed in) and we were just standing around, you know, exchanging pleasantries. Then a knock sounded at the door, and two girls poked their heads in. I was introduced to both girls and it was during this time that it was confirmed that the girl on the left was Korean, to which my then-roommate responded enthusiastically: "So are you!"

Indeed, I am. "We should hang out sometime. Watch a drama or something" I said.

"That'd be cool. See you around!" she chirped.

A couple days later I'm walking back to Heritage when I see someone parked right outside the main entrance. Said someone is waving at me all happy-like -- at first I thought to myself "who IS that?! Why is she waving? Is she waving at ME? Do I KNOW her?!!" but as I got closer I realized.........................

Thus began a beautifully unique friendship. We've watched our fair share of dramas and Law&Order episodes. We karaoke at the most inappropriate hours. We formed an imaginary K-pop duo, and I am convinced that I need to learn how to rap. We've made countless late night coffee runs, pop by and bother each other at work, text each other about the nonsense in our daily lives, wander around on the nature trails at the park, and all sorts of other friendship-ery things.

It's a good life.

Posted by Janice at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Termination, in social work terms, is defined as "the end of the professional social worker-client relationship"..

Today was the last day for my one-day field placement. Sigh. It's strange, because as relieved as I am that it's over and that I made it through this crazy year.. I think I'm going to miss the unexpected hectic-ness that I've grown rather fond of. Reflecting on this past year I realize just how much I have learned and experienced through this internship -- funny how this "learning and living" thing occurs without my knowledge ;)

So with the two other girls that intern with me at this agency, we met with our lovely supervisor for the last time to review our evaluations and other sad "this is the end" things. At one point our supervisor called in the lady who was filling in that morning for the administrative assistant (who simply cannot be called a "secretary" -- she does too much!) and had her duck under a giant desk and retrieve three little gift bags. For us!

"..the crosses you all have to bear" our supervisor said.

Yes ma'am.

Posted by Janice at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)