Book Review

If you're looking for a painfully hilarious

yet utterly profane and offensive 

gem of a novel

about high school sucking

and also cancer

but not in a sentimental or heart-rending way whatsoever

then might I recommend

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

by Jesse Andrews

but probably don't give it to your mom when you're done

because it is seriously inappropriate 

also it has a killer cover.

“If after reading this book you come to my home and brutally murder me, I do not blame you.”
― Jesse Andrews, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

College is a Time for Growth

Freshman year:
Leggings are positively not pants.

Sophomore year:
Leggings may or may not be pants.

Junior year:
Leggings are always pants, all of the time, in all of the situations.

Lexapro

I hate that little white pill that I take every morning
almost as much as I hate the orange one.

The one I'm currently weaning myself off of
so that my body doesn't explode or something

while I try to find another assortment of chemicals
that will do the job it is failing to do,

that will make me happy.


I hate having to swallow my happiness in a pea-sized capsule every morning
almost as much as I hate
when people fling their opinions at me
that Christians shouldn't take anti-depressants
they should just find more joy in God
as if that isn't the most offensive statement you could make
towards me at this very moment in time


I hate dominating the side effect list of every pill I ever swallow:
"excessive sweating, insomnia, inability to focus, loss of appetite, abnormal dreams, restlessness."

and not being able to sleep for two weeks
while I "figure out the right balance for my body."

I begged God for help
and He gave me this pill
and that doctor who gets me
and that other pill for when this pill stopped working.

And I hate that answer

almost as much
as I thank God for it every day.

This Semester

It's been the hardest semester yet.
In terms of classes and relationships and life happening and all of the other little loose ends.
And I am really glad it's over.
And I am really ready for a new start in January.

But in the meantime, here are some of the awesome things me and God did this semester:

developed a serious passion for my major
candlelit yoga
7 a.m. runs with a fantastic running partner
found a new best friend by the name of Kim
the Color Run
joined the best small group I've ever had the privilege of being a part of
long bike rides in the country getting lost and almost dying
kind of played tennis once
witnessed so many friends get baptized 

fully committed to the Fuel ministry
found a new church that feels like home
survived the absence of my best friend for SIX months
grew to understand and appreciate true friendship so much more
recovering from a terrifying missions trip and stolen life dreams
finding God in all of it
signed a lease
taught a sign language lesson to a group of college students
learned to accept and love the support of family - because I need it
read so many great books
developed a possibly unhealthy addiction to Pinterest and the #hashtag
identified a lot of my health problems!
didn't break or twist my ankle
celebrated my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary
attended an incredible night of worship
strengthened old friendships and discovered new
found humility in the brokenness
started knitting again
grew back the half of my hair that was shaved
made a rockin' cheesecake
wrote some pretty impressive papers
was handed a random book scholarship that I didn't even apply for
found my doppelganger
made friends with professors
found best friends in my roommates for life
watched the Cardinals in the World Series
witnessed people step up to sponsor Ethiopian darlings like it was their privilege
learned some serious life lessons

Or, as my friend Kim said,
"I've just grown stronger."

Never once did I ever walk alone.