Snippets of the Bethel Life

I find myself back at school and beginning yet another phase in my life. I'm still in shock that I've finished my first semester of college and am now a week into my second. Not only that, but I've transitioned from living with a roommate to being on my own. I've stayed in my same room that I've had since the beginning of the year while my roommate moved floors. As weird as it was the first couple of days, I have to say that I'm really enjoying being on my own. I haven't had my own room since roughly fifth grade and it's a whole new experience being able to be completely by myself. Of course, I still have my wonderful and beautiful suite mates, but no one actually living in the same room as me. 

Last semester taught me a lot about who I am. It taught me some things about myself that I'm not so proud of, like being a complete pushover, but I also learned that I'm very true to who I am. If I don't think that something is right, I won't do it. And I still don't care what people think of me for the most part. I was always nervous that that was just a trait I acquired because I wasn't around people that often and I would lose the characteristic after arriving to college, but it's remained true. I'm confident with who I am as a person. For the most part I am a kind, caring, and really awkward person. And I'm coming to terms with the fact that I'm not a risk taker at all, and sometimes am a really big baby when it comes to things that might get me in trouble. 

I'm so excited for what these next 4 months have in store for me. Everything from my 8 A.M. Sight Singing and Ear Training class to trying to find a church that I really enjoy attending. I want to make the most of these months, and learn as much as I can. In and out of the classroom. I want to make the most of everything that is offered me, such as going to the gym {I'm on day four of going, guys!}. 

Hopefully I'll be able to write regularly, but if I skip a few days please give me some grace. If you ever really want to see what's going on in my life follow me on Twitter... I update a lot. And I've been Tumbling a lot recently, as well. I'm around for anyone who wants to chat, I hope I hear from you!

May you have a peaceful Wednesday, and may you accomplish everything that you have set out for yourself today. 

With Love,
Hannah 

The College Experience.

I miss blogging so much, and I'm going to try really super duper hard to get back into it! I miss you guys, and the whole atmosphere of my blog. It's such a great stress reliever and I really think I need this fun place for me in my life! 

You can follow me on Instagram @hannahbyard 

I'll be writing again soon! 

Elements

On Saturday my friends and I went out Goodwill shopping and afterwards out for lunch. I've never eaten Chinese before so that's where we went. First of all: I loved it. Delish. Secondly: The owner was just the sweetest little thing. She came and pulled up a chair next to us and asked us what we had been thinking of getting, we told her, and she described the entire dish to us and if we weren't sure about something she told us something else we may like. She was just the sweetest little lady ever. 

I can't tell you how much I am sincerely loving it here. Sure, I miss home like crazy. I miss it so much. I miss my bed, and Hunter, and Mercy-Roo. But I love so much of being here. The fact that I have friends, real friends, is one of the best things. I love sitting in our rooms talking about useless things and sometimes really important things. 

Show-N-Tell

Every time I get the urge to show you all something I just bought, or some "cool" thing in my room I feel like I'm in Kindergarten again trying to pick out something to bring for Show-n-Tell. But there is no way I could not share my recent purchase with you! Mainly because I'm head-over-heels in love with the darn thing. But can you blame me? It's so pretty! 

Before you jump to conclusions:

No. This is not a Vera Bradley bag. This is called Stephanie Dawn. Stephanie Dawn actually has quite the story. The people who make the Stephanie Dawn bags used to be employees of Vera Bradley. When she started outsourcing to China, bada-bing bada-boom, she laid off workers. Those workers started their own company: Stephanie Dawn. And yes. All of their bags are made in the US of A. 

Anywho, now that my lecture is out of the way. I'm in love with this duffel. I love how the sides tie down so it can be small, and then you can untie them for more room. I love the colors. The print. I've been wanting to get a nice duffel bag before I go off to college {in roughly a week!}, and this is the one. I'm just completely in love with this bag, if you couldn't already tell. 

In Which I Talk About Being Homeschooled

Remember back in March when I went down to Bethel College to audition for the music program and for a potential scholarship? Yeah. So do I. And ever since then I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for a letter telling me about what the outcome was. And then I went on vacation. During which time my letter came. 
*Insert squeals of excitement* 


I opened it yesterday, and just had to tell you all what officially happened. Drumroll puhlease! 


I just received my second, count 'em one and two, scholarship from non-other than Bethel College! Stellar right? All my worrying, and practicing for months has payed off. I now have an academic scholarship and a music scholarship! 


In so many ways this is just freaking me out more about leaving, like it really is gonna happen. But then I'm so excited. I know this is not only where I want to be, but where I need to be. All these years of being told and believing that because I was home schooled I wasn't going to be prepared, and that I was missing out, and it might be hard to get into college has just been proved completely wrong. Being home schooled certainly isn't for everyone, and I will never go out and say it's the only and best way to be schooled because everyone is different, but it is effective and anyone saying anything else simply doesn't know what they're talking about. 


Maybe I won't be able to go to prom in a few weeks (although i personally think it sounds quite fun), and maybe I won't be able to walk with a (tacky and polyester) cap and gown on to get my diploma. Sure, I may not have as many high school friends as the average Jane. But, I can tell you I never missed out. I went to a homecoming, bad decision by the way, I have the best lifelong friends anyone could ask for. Heck, I've even dealt with the not-great parts of high school. Like mean girls, and drama that I didn't know I could be a part of when I don't even know the people. 


My high school experience may be different from "normal" people, but I've never claimed, or wanted, to be normal anyways. But guess what? It worked for me. I got into the college I've wanted to attend forever, and I even got a few scholarships. And really, that's what's important right? Doing what is best for you. Getting the education that you personally need. For me it was being home schooled. For you it may be public or private school. 


When it comes down to it, I'm so grateful for how my education turned out. And now I'm excited to start a new chapter in my schooling. I'm nervous, scared, petrified, and so pumped.