Nostalgia

I realized today that I am nostalgic for time periods I wasn't even born in. As I explore the Erskine campus, I most enjoy its older features. The 150+ year old poetry books in the library, dedicated to literary societies that have gone on at Erskine for over a century, the old entrance to memorial with the piano from who knows when and the plaque dedicated to Mrs. Mattie Boyce, an affiliate of the Due West Women's college in the late 1800's to early 1900's. The towers of the Erskine building rising above the campus, and the halls of the Philomathenians and Euphineans standing tall for generations. Euphie Hall even had a potrait and a letter from General Robert E Lee. I spend a lot of time imagining different historical periods, with the aid of books and accounts, and I can't get enough. I could easily spend hours in the McCain library just enjoying the smell of years past, and reminiscing about a time before I was even thought of. I suppose you could say I live vicariously though the lives of those who walked this campus before me, and left their mark in the form of books and journals and tales passed down through generations. Sometimes I get lost in these stories, and forget that it's 2011. I think 1911 is much more interesting.

Fall Break and loss of wisdom...

I am writing this entry from home! It feels so good to be here after 6 weeks away. Fall Break is a much needed thing for the weary college student, but for me it came with it's hassles. This morning I had my wisdom teeth removed. Boy was that painful! I had a local anesthetic to numb the pain during the operation, but once that wore off the soreness and bleeding set in. I got all 4 wisdom teeth extracted at once, so I'd never have to deal with it again. I'm sure glad I chose that rather than have another break ruined by an operation like this. The dentist says I should be back to normal in a few days. Here's hoping...

Life comes at you fast

Today a local schoolteacher was shot and killed by her husband, who then shot himself. I didn’t know this woman personally but I know many people who go/went to her school and knew her and her family. It’s so sad to think about what their children must be going through. One of them is in college at UNC, and one goes to the very high school her mother taught at. Imagine losing two people you love, and knowing that ne killed the other. The idea of a sudden and violent death brought back all too clear memories of the death of my friend Donnika. She was shot and killed this May, and I’ve never felt the same since. I’m all too aware that the next moment of life is not promised. I’m determined to live my life to the fullest every day because tomorrow might not come. I will love and serve people and hope to shine the light of Christ wherever I go and to whoever I meet. God help me never forget that life is short; That’s why I’m so happy to have hope in Jesus Christ and a promise of life with Him forever.

 "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." ~James 4:13-15

Ouch!

Today it seems I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my calf. I have no idea how I did this since I am not the least bit athletic. I just woke up from a nap this afternoon, stretched out my leg, and cried out in pain. I sure hope this goes away soon. If not I’ll have to head to the infirmary tomorrow. I got my oral report grade back this morning, and I got a B! I was so happy to see a good grade on a seminar project. I also got my first draft of my Vautrin paper back. I think I’m headed in the right direction, and I’m going to go to the Write Here center tomorrow and get some advice. I had a math quiz today that I hope I passed. Math got hard all of a sudden, and it’s really frustrating! Our SI does a really good job, though. Math and pain seem to coexist really well. One hurts my brain and the other affects everything else.
Ouch!

The World of Famous...

One thing I heard from several people during my time here at Erskine is: "I didn't know you were homeschooled!" Some say this in the same tone they might use to say "I didn't know you were from Mars!" I always find it amusing when people seem to assume that to be homeschooled is to be strange, antisocial and walk around in clothing much like the Amish wear. Think I'm exaggerating? Not much.


Don't get me wrong, there is something different about the homeschooling experience. I was an only child until I was 7 years old. What does a 6 year old girl who doesn't have any siblings or go to a conventional school do to entertain herself? The possibilities are endless. I could be Pippi Longstocking one day, and Nancy Drew the next. I could be Harriet Tubman saving the slaves, or I could be Joan of Arc, risking my live to lead an army. One thing I had perhaps more of than the average child, was imagination. I even had my own imaginary world. I called it "The World of Famous" why? I'm not really sure, but I think it had something to do with hearing the terms "World of Disney" and "Hall of Fame" many times and combining them...
I was the benevolent ruler of the World of Famous, (whose inhabitants were my many stuffed animals and dolls) and I enjoyed creating scenarios and acting them out with the good people of the land.

Books were always a huge delight of mine. Since I was 4 years old I could read, and I haven't slowed down since. In books you can be anything, when you sprinkle in imagination. The biggest inspirations for my scenarios were things from books. I loved acting out the scenes and often putting myself in the starring role :) Books are a release I hope to never take for granted. That's part of the reason I spent some time tutoring children to help with their reading; I think everyone should learn!

I also never let things stay what they appeared to be. An umbrella and a towel, became the makings of a beach in the living room. My mother's scarf tied to a broomstick, became the sack I carried over my shoulder whenever I "ran away from home" just like the kids in the cartoons. A chair tied to a toy horse and toy truck (Both fairly large toys) with some jump ropes became Santa's sleigh at Christmastime. Like I said, the possibilities of what I could do with my imagination and resourcefulness were endless :)

Imagination is a tool every child is born with, and like any tool, it would be a shame to let it dull with age. I guess you could say in some ways, I've never quite "Grown up", and frankly, why would I want to?

Save the Octopi!

Music Theory: By far the hardest course I’ve ever had to take. I’ve always been somewhat musically inclined but this class is ridiculously detailed and difficult. I pray every day that I can make it through with a passing grade; I’d hate to have this class drastically affect my GPA. I do really like the teacher of that course though. Dr. Parker is such a sweet guy it’s hard not to like him; He's a beastly pianist though he never gives himself enough credit, and he's really good at explaining things when the textbook we use makes no sense (which is most of the time). Recently we had a ridiculous conversation about saving ink for the sake of the Octopus, Mountie  Herman. He named it Herman which I felt was completely random, and I called it Mountie because that’s what I think of when I think of Canada, where Dr. Parker’s from. Just today I stopped by his office on my way through Memorial for no particular reason, and we ended up having this 20 minute conversation about different stuff. I really admire Dr. Parker’s commitment to Haiti. He goes there every year to teach music camp and talks about how beautiful it is all the time. I feel that Haiti is often forgotten by most people, except immediately after a crisis like the major earthquake earlier this year. It’s refreshing to meet someone who genuinely cares about it all year round. It’s also refreshing to be at a school where you can have interesting and/or silly conversations with your professors and know things about them, something you just wouldn’t get at a huge school.

So remember, save ink when you print your papers. Mountie is counting on you!

Getting to know me

Hello! I'm Erynn, what's your name? I'm an 18 year old freshman at Erskine College in a teensy little town called Due West, South Carolina. Living in Due West is kinda like living in Mayberry. I half expect Sheriff Taylor or Barney Fife to come rolling around the corner any second. But living in Small Town, USA has it's advantages. Everyone's so much friendlier for one thing. Everybody knows your name. But enough about Due West, I said I'd tell you about me: Well you already know what school I go to and how old I am, I guess you should also know that I'm a big fan of court shows and legal dramas, I LOVE books especially old ones, if sweet tea was a person, I'd marry it, and I love the LORD my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is my Rock and my salvation, my shelter in whom I take refuge. If you get to know me I hope it becomes obvious, I'm not compromising that for anything. I'm kinda weird and random, but I like myself :) Sometimes my mouth moves before my brain does, so if I say or do something that offends you, I certainly didn't mean it; and you can feel free to let me know. In fact I'd rather you come to me than go to others and talk about me. I tend to march to the beat of a different drummer. I love people but sometimes I'm a loner. If you ever need or want to talk to me though, I'm available! I LOVE to sing and play my guitar.
I like animals and politics and law. I'm a CNN and FOX News addict. I love to read the classics. I love my friends and family. I'm far from perfect but I am a work in progress, and I can't wait to see what God has for me in life :)