Final Weeks in Paris

Three weeks. Three weeks until my time in Paris will come to an end. The past five months I have spent in this city have changed me in more ways than I can count. Being on my own in a foreign country thousands of miles away from the comfort of my own home has been one wild ride, to say the least. There have been ups and downs and twists and turns, but I made it out just fine. I have been challenged and have been taken out of my comfort zone, but I have adjusted. I have had moments of frustration when I am not being understood or when I can’t explain myself in a language I am still learning how to comprehend and speak. I have been sad when when realizing how much I miss my family and friends because sometimes seeing someone’s face on a computer screen isn’t as good as seeing their face in person. I have been angry when I am stared at on the metro when all I am trying to do is go home. And I most definitely have been frustrated when learning about all of the cultural differences that exist here, but not in the states.

But, I have also had moments of happiness. More than moments actually. There have been days when I wake up to the sun peeking its way out of the clouds and have never been more thankful for choosing to study and live in this country. Sometimes the best days were when I walked around with no set destination. That was when I was able to see for myself the different parts of Paris and discover new places I never would have found on a map. I have also had the chance to visit other countries I only dreamed of visiting. I never understood the importance of traveling until now. Traveling absolutely changes you and makes you a more well-rounded person who is aware of the different cultures and people in this world. Staying in one place for so long only makes you see one outlook, one point of view. Until you travel to another country and live how the locals live will you see that it’s okay to be open.

As much as I was excited to embark on this new journey, deep down I was also incredibly scared. I had my doubts and fears of how I would be able to adjust without being around those who knew me best. But, with the support of those back home and with a lot of prayer and reflection, I was able to push those feelings aside. My friend Rudy faithfully sends out daily inspirational quotes, which have gotten me through tough times. A few days ago, I opened her email with the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that said: “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” Since coming to Paris, I have tried to follow that advice. Sometimes the things that scare us the most are worth doing because they make us realize how strong we are. I really am proud of myself for making it through this experience, bad times and all.

More than anything, I am thankful to have found friends who have accepted me and who have taught me on the days of anger and frustration the importance of making the most of my time here. I will truly miss the times we spent together, exploring the city, laughing about the funny things French people do, and just getting to know each other. Thank you for making these past five months some of the best five months of my life! You all know who you are if you’re reading this 🙂

Who knows when I will be back in Paris. Only time will tell. Until then, I will make the most of the three weeks I have left.

Exploring – St. Joseph, Michigan

Hello!

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday. Last night I was in St. Joseph, Michigan, for my sorority’s Spring Formal. The hotel that hosted us was just kitty corner to the downtown. I was surprised at how cute the town was, and thought I’d share in my blog post this week. St. Joseph is only an hour away from Hope, and makes for a pretty great getaway.

View above the beach!
Downtown St. Joseph

The streets were brick, which I loved. I love the feeling of being in a small town. Below the street was the beach, as you can see in the first photo. In the lit up building is a carousel and game center; we wanted to go in, but there was a prom going on inside.

Once we saw how pretty the sun was going down, we decided we needed ice cream to go with it. So we found a little place called the Chocolate Cafe. Here they had live music playing and tons of chocolate treats, including the ice cream that we wanted.

The Chocolate Cafe
Just some of the many ice cream flavors!
The Chocolate Cafe, St. Joseph
The Chocolate Cafe, St. Joseph
The Chocolate Cafe, St. Joseph
Our ice cream!

It was $4.00 for a scoop, but they gave us so much that it was worth it, not to mention how good it tasted. Quality ice cream, if you’re looking for some. They also had cakes and other baked goods. I even saw some fancy hot chocolate. It’s a pretty great idea for a store, if you ask me.

When we got to the beach it was pretty dark out, but that didn’t stop us from jumping on the swing sets and enjoying the night. When it got too cold, we decided to head back up. It was on our way back that we found a Falafel Shop, The Beachside Deli, and one of the guys in our group stopped to get one.

The beach!
Outside The Beachside Deli
Outside The Beachside Deli
The Beachside Deli counter

After that we head back to the hotel to just hang out. It was really nice to get away from Hope and explore somewhere else for a bit, even if it was just an hour away. I’m so glad there was stuff to do downtown, since dancing and all that formal jazz isn’t really my thing.

Have a great week,

Brooke

If you have any questions for me you can contact me at brookelyn.wharton@hope.edu, through Facebook, or my twitter @hopebrooke18! I’d love to answer them!

Why I Love Chapel at Hope

Hope’s Chapel is unlike anything I have ever seen. It is not required for students to attend, but it is often filled with so many students and faculty that we have to sit and stand in the aisles because no seats are left. There are three 20-minute chapel services throughout the weekdays, and a 75-ish minute service on Sunday nights called The Gathering.

Chapel

The building itself is beautiful, especially on sunny days when the light comes streaming through the stained-glass windows and illuminates students’ faces with even more joy than usual. The people who fill its four weekly services are a broad range of students who cross majors, activities, and social and spiritual “categories.” Those who have called themselves Christians for their entire lives as well as those who are trying to figure out what faith is all about are welcomed to the services and can find something there to help them grow or learn or be at peace.

The music ranges from familiar old hymns to the most contemporary of worship songs and even songs written by Hope students. The songs always seem to hit me exactly where I need them. It’s so great to have a break in so many days of my week that allows me to refocus why I am here and what my life is really about, and singing is one of my favorite ways to do that.

In Chapel

The talks come from chaplains, community pastors, and senior witnesses who give testimonies of what God has done in their lives. I love listening to the broad range of topics and viewpoints. Some are very biblically based, as each year we go through a book of the Bible in Chapel and The Gathering (this year is Acts), while speakers tell stories that teach us lessons about God while also incorporating Scripture. I love the way Chapel ministers to each of us in different ways and gives us an opportunity to grow together as we hear from people that we see around campus every day.

Today in Chapel, a senior witness spoke. She quoted the Heidelberg Catechism, and one line of it really made me think: “…all things must be subservient to my salvation.” I really needed to hear that today, and things in Chapel always seem to do that. Chapel points me back to God when things get busy and chaotic. The Chapel and Gathering services that we have at Hope are such gifts to us as students, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to worship with my peers as the body of Christ.

Thanks for reading! Keep up with me on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), or email me at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu!

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

— Psalm 30:5

Reasons Why You Should Go To Admitted Students Day

April 18th is approaching, and there are questions out there about Admitted Student Day, so I thought I would answer them for everyone! If you can’t make it, just remember that it’s completely OK! You won’t lose priority in choosing your roommates and it won’t put you “behind” by any means. What this day is intended for is to give you a taste of what happens at Hope, and it also provides you opportunities to take care of some business!

If you can’t decide whether or not you should come, let this blog post convince you to come. Here are reasons as to why you should come:

1. If you’re committed to coming to Hope, it’s a wonderful excuse to come and explore campus again (or for the first time!) It’s pretty during all seasons, so you might as well get a little taste of what Hope is like in the spring! Exploring Holland can also be advantageous. i mean, you will be living here shortly, so why not explore the town?

2. So many students will be here! It is a wonderful opportunity to meet those who you’ve been in contact with on Hope on Facebook, or just to meet fellow Dutchmen! Maybe you can get your roommate situation settled, or just meet other with your same interests. In addition to other students, important faculty will also be here. President Knapp will be there, and other key Hope faculty that will definitely be an integral part of your Hope College experience!

3. Other than students and faculty, organizations and clubs will also be present during Admitted Student Day! You can meet with clubs you may be potentially interested in joining. And those weirdos whose blogs you have been reading all year will be there, too (myself included!). It’s a great time to ask any questions you have about Hope, transitioning from post-high school life to college, and just any other general questions. (By the way, us student bloggers are AMPED to meet you)!

4. Admitted Student Day is another chance to convene with other with your similar interests, including fields of study. I definitely think this is something to take advantage of. Experts from various disciplines will be present to answer any questions you have, and they also want to meet you!

Here's a cliché Hope College picture. I challenge you take on while you're here!
Here’s a cliché Hope College picture. I challenge you take on while you’re here!

Hopefully, this is enough to convince you! Admitted Student Day is truly a blast. You will be able to get all of questions answered, hopefully making you less nervous! Us student bloggers as well as the entire Hope community are very excited to see you and meet some of you! If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! If you haven’t already, make sure to follow me on both Twitter and Instagram!

P.S., I dare you to take picture with anything Hope and post it on the Hope on Facebook page!

Dorm Room Food

I don’t know about you guys (but I could probably guess…), but I love to eat. I snack more often than I probably should. I usually keep a decent amount of food in my dorm room. It’s always the times that I decide not to grocery shop that I need a snack to keep me awake during a late-night project. I have learned that it’s a good idea to buy things that don’t go bad right away, like pretzels or cans of soup. Since I’m usually the only one eating the food I have in my room, there’s no telling when I’ll actually finish an entire big bag of something, so it’s good when I can keep munching on things for a while without worrying about them going bad. Here’s a glimpse into what I usually keep in stock!

Fridge
Here’s a look inside my fridge!

My fridge is pretty empty right now. Usually, I have more, like a carton of lactose-free milk (for cereal and the occasional box of Kraft mac & cheese), coffee creamer, carrots, hummus, and whatever fruit is on sale at Meijer (it’s usually some sort of berry, yum!). I also make a conscious effort not to keep pop in my fridge, but my parents gave me a six-pack of Dr. Pepper, my favorite, when I went home for Easter and I couldn’t resist. I keep a can of whipped cream to top my coffee and a bottle of Powerade because that really hits the spot sometimes. The butter is for mac and cheese as well, chips and salsa is one of my go-to snacks, and the beautiful block of cheese is left over from a presentation I gave in class that I had to bring snacks to. Excellent leftovers if you ask me!

Snack Bin
Here’s what’s in my snack bin at the moment!

Unlike my fridge, my snack bin has gotten a little out of hand at the moment. Like I said, I tend to buy things that don’t go bad right away, so they’ve piled up a little. I have cereal and granola bars for breakfasts in my room (Jif peanut butter cereal is my favorite), tortilla chips, peanut butter, soup, pretzels, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies (so much better than Goldfish! I like the extra cheddar kind!), rice, pre-popped popcorn, and crackers (Ritz roasted vegetable are the BEST). I try to avoid buying things like potato chips and Oreos because I know I would eat a whole package in one sitting. But really, I bought a bag of potato chips about a month ago and the whole thing was gone in less than 24 hours. It was very bad. I also often have Veggie Straws (GREAT with hummus) and some sort of dried fruits or vegetables (dried mango is my favorite!). I also always always ALWAYS have coffee K-Cups. Can’t live without those.

I’m just now realizing how full this bin is right now. I’m going to need to do some major snacking to get rid of all this before school gets out in three weeks!

Mostly, I try to keep enough of a variety of foods so that I am able to kick a sweet, salty, or savory craving if I really have to. I also have this weird tendency to nap through dinner, so I try to keep things like soup and rice so I can create a somewhat substantial dinner on my own if I need to. I avoid buying super unhealthy things like pop, cookies, and chips, but allow myself the occasional box of mac and cheese.

Most importantly, I drink a ton of water. I try to fill up my Nalgene at least three times a day. I keep my water bottle right in front of me on my desk in class so that I remember to drink my water throughout class. It also helps me wake up on those mornings that seem to come too early! Sometimes I drink all 32 ounces of my water in one class without even realizing it. It’s so easy to let your body get dehydrated, but I’ve realized that I feel way better, and more awake, when I drink the water that I need!

What’s your go-to snack? Let me know on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), or via email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu. Thanks for reading!

“You also will command nations you do not know,
    and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”

— Isaiah 55:5

Wrapping Up Senior Seminar

There’s officially 11 school days left in this academic year and I have quite a few mixed emotions about that. On the one hand, I’m so excited to be graduating and moving on to other schooling and adventures. However, I’m going to miss the comfort that Hope has provided me, as well as seeing all of the familiar faces I’ve grown accustomed to each day.

Senior Seminar is one class in particular that has allowed me to reflect on my time at Hope and made me analyze the past few years as well as my years prior to college. I had mentioned in a previous blog that I had to write a paper called “What Moves Me” for this class and the ideas and realizations I had from writing that paper allowed me to write my “Life View” paper. This past week I had to present this paper and discuss my life view with the rest of the class. I’m not much of a public speaker but this presentation was a lot easier than I had thought going into it. Everybody in my class is so comfortable with each other so anything I said or revealed was going to be supported and respected. Although I was able to find meaning in the experiences in my life thus far, I really enjoyed listening to my peers and their stories.

The remaining time we have left in the class is solely dedicated to presenting our own life views and I’m actually looking forward to it. So far I’ve listened to only a few and they are such a joy listening to because people really open up about what makes them who they are. Some people take a humorous angle while others discuss the losses and personal tragedies they have faced, presenting a wide range of life events that my peers have faced. I feel so fortunate that my classmates are willing to share such personal things and I have a greater understanding and respect for each person because I’ve been able to get to know them better. Some presentations have actually inspired me and have challenged me to see from different perspectives. It’s crazy how much you learn simply from your peers and see what different obstacles everybody has had to deal with and how they cope.

I found it so beneficial to take this specific course and take a step back to analyze my life. It seems like something that everybody should do occasionally and learn from oneself and one’s experiences. Without this class, I wouldn’t have been able to decipher why things really happened or didn’t happen to me and having this understanding really helped me grow and appreciate people, situations and events in my life. I’m sure I’ll stumble across this paper a decade from now and really enjoy reading my perspective as a young adult and see how much I have changed since writing it and if I can find even more meaning that I didn’t see this first go-around. I strongly encourage you to simply sit down and take the time to see what you value in people, relationships, friendships and yourself. For me, I gained a new perspective of myself and I’m very grateful that I have found meaning through my actions. Even if it’s just writing in a journal, keeping track of your thoughts will be interesting and beneficial in the future looking back. See if you can learn something new about yourself!

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @hopeleslie15.

{Leaving College}

The past few weeks, my fellow blogger Marvin Solberg has done some awesome posts on being a senior in college. This week, I wanted to add on to his most recent post about being ready to graduate college.

Hope College has been an amazing place to spend the past several years. I am constantly reminded that attending this school was a wise decision. Hope has allowed me the time I needed to grow spiritually, academically, and emotionally. However, as great as it’s been, I know that my time in college is coming to an end — and I’m okay with that. Here’s why:

Hope College has prepared me to go out into the real world and be successful. Now, I’m not saying that I have life perfectly figured out, but I know that I have the basic skills and tools needed to succeed. My professors have taught me the importance of thinking critically and having an inquisitive mind. They’ve taught me that no matter where I go in life and what I achieve, I’m never too smart or too old to stop learning. And my professors have taught me to find joy in every job or experience.

Now it’s not always easy to think critically, have an inquisitive mind, or to find joy in what seems like meaningless tasks; however, at my time at Hope, I’ve seen so many great examples of these behaviors from advisors, mentors, faculty members, and staff. My hope is that as I leave this place, I will take with me all the memories and examples from the past four years. And that’s how I know my time in college is almost done. I know that when I leave this place I won’t be completely lost in the “real world”. Instead, I’ll be able to take the lessons I’ve learned, along with my experiences, and pursue a new life in a new city.

So here’s the deal — if you’re currently a high school senior, struggling to make a decision on where to attend college, think about what you want to take away from college. Do you simply want a degree? Or do you want more? If you want more, take it from this senior, Hope College is the place for you.

Tulips - What Holland, MI is Famous For!
Tulips – What Holland, MI is Famous For!

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” – Marcel Proust

Here’s Why I’m Ready To Leave College.

Firstly, I would like to thank all of those who read my last blog post, “Things Seniors (STILL) Don’t Want To Hear.” It was a stunning success, and I appreciate all of your continual support and positive comments. This is why I love my job so much, being a student blogger and all.

With that interjection out of the way, let’s cut down to the chase. Whether I believe it or not, (believe me, sometimes, I’m in denial) I am ready to graduate and leave college (23 days!). The days continue to fly by and I am closer to liberation from higher education and transition myself to adulthood.

Kinda.

1. I always tell my closest friends and others the following: “I’m ready to be done with school, but I’m not ready to leave my friends.” Despite that I have my best friends here in one place, I really want to be on my own. Having my friends not even 5 minutes away has been a fairy tale for the past 4 years, but I have to think to myself that it’s just not like that outside of the college world (with a few exceptions, of course). I’m ready to take on this challenge by leaving. If I made friends in college, I’ll be able to make friends at my workplace or outside of my workplace. But hands down, leaving my friends WILL be the hardest thing. I am forever grateful to Hope College for bringing these people into my life. Without them and their support, I would not be where I am, and where I am headed.

2. The point of college is to have social experiences, academic experiences, and learn from the two. For 4 years in a row, I have been in classes and situations where I have learned so much. Now, it’s time to actually apply what I have learned. What’s the point of learning all of these concepts and ideas if you don’t actually use them? (there goes all your $$$)! I mean what’s the point of nursing school if I’m not going to be a nurse?

3. The college bubble has been so good to these past four years, but simultaneously, I also want to pop the dang thing. Graduation is my way of popping the Hope College bubble. It is SUCH a warm and welcoming community; that’s one primary reason I chose this fine institution! Again, we ALL have to realize that wherever we end up, the social atmosphere might be vicious or unrelenting. Those are powerful words, but it’s the truth. As much as I want to live in the friendliest of all cities, it’s just not realistic. We will have to work with people who are not as cheery as us, and by leaving college, we will get the experience doing so. Just let me go already!

4. This one goes out to all of the parents too, but I am done spending crazy large sums of money that I don’t have. I am so glad I have the education I do, it’s one of the best investments you can make! But, money does not grow on trees. And even if it did, that tree is obviously not budding yet. I just want to use what I learned throughout these four years, do them, and get money for doing them.

5. Lastly, have you heard the phrase “college is the best four years of your life?” Let me tell you, I am not a believer in this. If college are your best years, then shoot, what’s exciting about the future? Nothing. Another reason I’m excited to dart out of here, all of the experiences, memories, and opportunities that lie ahead of me! There is so much outside of the college world, and I’m about to take in as much of that as possible. I mean, college has been the best part of my life, but I’m still young. There is just so much out there; I’m ready to do all of it!

College Friends!

College has truly provided me with the tools and opportunities to help me become the man I am today. My values, ideas, and interests have been molded by my college experience. In return for such a wonderful and priceless experience, I am ready to become a productive citizen of the United States and give back to those who are deserving. I thank God for putting me in my dream vocation of nursing to help those in need. Hope College has been so great, but it’s time for my next chapter!

Thanks for reading another senior related blog post, all! Again, thank you all for the support by reading and providing feedback on my posts. That’s when I know I’m doing a great job. If you haven’t, make sure to follow me on @HopeMarvin15 on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram at MarvSolberg!

Easter in Chicago

This year I spent Easter weekend a bit differently.

I am from Pennsylvania so I wasn’t able to spend the holiday at home for the first time ever. Instead, I took the train on Good Friday and met my sister in Chicago where she goes to college. We did all of the touristy things: saw a play, ate Chicago style deep-dish pizza, went to Sprinkles, and visited my favorite thing in Chicago (besides my sister)—the Bean.

I was able to meet my sister’s college friends, catch up with her in person for the first time since January, and it was nice to spend Easter weekend with at least one member of my family. It was strange being on the other end of the phone as we talked to grandparents who had all the great-grandkids over for the Easter egg hunt and parents who were busy within the usual Easter schedule of church and family time. But overall it was a really fun weekend in Chicago that I am glad I got to spend with my sister.

Thanks for reading!
~Erin

You can follow me on Twitter (@HopeErin18) or Instagram (@e_delaney333) for little thoughts and lots of pictures from my life at Hope 🙂

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5 Reasons You Should Bring a Futon/Couch to College

Prospective Students: LISTEN! If you don’t have a futon or a couch for you freshman year, here are some reasons why you should try to get one before you move into college.

1. Allow for a social space

friends animated GIF

Couches and futons make friends.

2. Futon = NAPS

parks and recreation animated GIF

You are going to take some naps. They are unavoidable in college. Don’t pretend you won’t.

3. You will want a place to sit besides your desk chair

bear animated GIF

Whether you are doing homework, playing a video game, or watching a movie, it is nice to have a more comfortable place to sit.

4. Sleepovers

by The Barkers animated GIF

The more the merrier!

5). Gives a little bit more spunk/hominess to your room

way animated GIF

Make the room your own!

 

My freshman year, I didn’t have a futon, but I have one this year as a sophomore. It has been so much better. I didn’t like taking naps in my bed, so  people would always find me sleeping in the strangest places (the library, a dorm lounge, or maybe even a table). My room this year in comparison to my other room my freshman year allows for much more of a communal place, a lot of which can be attributed to the futon.

Therefore, don’t worry about space and get a futon! (Side-note: If you are living in Dykstra, due to the cluster system, you don’t need and probably won’t be able to fit a futon)

Also, you can always wait until you come to school and then you can thrift for a couch (this really makes it cheap too).

In the words or Nike, “Just Do It.”

For more about me, follow me on twitter @hopejohnluke17 or on Instagram at johnlukehawkins. If you have a question you can email me at john.hawkins@hope.edu. Until next time!