Friday, June 21, 2013

The Enchanting Land of Orcas Island


After all the graduation festivities, my parents plus Mike and I ran away to the San Juan Islands. Mike and I were only able to stay for 24 hours because of work, but we fell in love with Orcas Island.


The ferry ride alone is a dream come true


Looking at maps and planning excursions 


We drove (though you can hike... that will be for next time) to the top of Mt. Constitution, the highest point on the island. 





Sun in our eyes and loving it. 



We enjoyed this glorious sunset at 9:15 pm. I love the long summer days up north


Breakfast with a view


morning coffee with this handsome man. Good Lord.


Enjoyed yummy, way to expensive, "my parents are in town and paying for it" organic cereal


It was short, but oh so peaceful. Much thanks to my gracious parents for letting Mike and I tag along.

Graduation Weekend

I realize today is the first time I have updated for quite a while. My absence might have had something to do with finals, graduation, 20 or more family members being in town, a short vacation, a new job, and moving into a new place. It has been a whirlwind, but a blessed one at that.

The whole Babka Clan came to Seattle


We went on a certain touristy boat/land tour around town. I cannot name its name because I must save my reputation... okay fine, I rode the Ducks; please don't hate me.


Super touristy thing part II. The top of the Space Needle. 


Had  delicious brunch at Toulouse Petite before graduation


Temporarily tattooed MT (for music therapy) on our nucks. Hardcore much?


Was so grateful for Mike's family to sit through their 6th (for some even their 8th!) SPU graduation ceremony. They are too kind.


Got my diploma holder! No real diploma for another year though...


Sweetheart, I appreciated all the surprises on mondays because you knew they were hard for me, all  the emergency ice cream runs when things got rough, and all the sweet words of encouragement. Spending time with you was the best study break a girl could ask for!


Mom and Pops, thanks for all the support and love from these past four years! 

The Void that was May

So May was a black hole. But now, a month later, I reflect because it is never too late. 


Snapped a shot of this pink bus while eating mexican food on a curb. Can we say dream?


Rode a ferry to Bainbridge with my fellow music therapy nerds


Bonded with these housemates in our last month of school... so many papers!


Enjoyed the wonders of the beachside house of our professor


Made a trip to Portland for an interview


And of course Stumptown was included


Detoured to Multnomah Falls


Oh and did I mention this kid came with? God gave us the sweetest blessing of both having the same day off, which is a rarity in this season of life.


Adventure buddies for life



My favorite flower burst into bloom


I rode my bike to the shores of Lake Washington and took my first swim of the season!


And I finally put the chacos to work and got a suntan; summer bliss.


Monday, June 3, 2013

Coming to an End (for the most part)

In about a week I will be sitting in a crowd of my peers wearing a long black gown and a funny looking hat. This will be our graduation ceremony, it will be four hours long because small liberal arts schools don't like to do separate ceremonies. We will be mature and listen because we are adults now, we are graduating from college for goodness sake. (Little do they know I plan on bringing a book under my gown, 4 hours can make a girl go insane).

It seems strange college is over (well... for the most part). In the past four years so many unexpected events have come about, and to think I thought I knew so much in the Fall of 2009 when I moved out and started my freshman year. I changed my major twice, I changed schools, I moved out of state, I fell in love, I discovered that pain can have devastating effects and that bitterness is a fickle friend. 

Looking back on these 4 years, I am in awe of God, the fact that he could still love me now is incredible. Through all my raised fists and rebellion, through my efforts to try and control everything and to fix myself, and through my pride He is still around. Sometimes I look up and say "Why? Can't you see this is a lost cause?" and always He stays, always He loves. It is a phenomenon, the Love of God; and perhaps that is what life teaches us, that God's love is unreasonable.

College was really hard, way harder than I ever thought it was ever going to be. No one tells you college is going to be rough because all you see is facebook pictures of people having fun and looking pretty. It is a lot harder to document anxiety, fear, self-hatred, mental illness, discontentment, financial trouble and insecurity.

Though it was hard, I am grateful. I have learned so much about the world, my God, and myself; which in the end is all I could have hoped for. In some areas I have learned that I know nothing and in other ways I have learned enough to go out into the world and make a difference. 

And things will change, they always do. Isn't it silly how change is inevitable yet we do everything we can to avoid it? It will come anyway, it is an unstoppable force and college has taught to me to let it take me where it must.