On being 24

Holly: 23 was a rough year for us.  I found myself, at 23, in various up and down stages of my life: I watched my sister graduate from Berea, all the while celebrating my first (whole) year of being a Berea alum and not a college student.  We moved again, and don't see ourselves moving for a long time.  I started my first full-time job.  We allowed an alien time traveler from Gallifrey to enter our lives and take us to places we'd never imagine.  And then there were the downs: a friendship coming to an end, some difficult family circumstances that I'd rather not mention (God knows and things are great now, but will never be the same), working multiple jobs and struggling very much so financially, to the point of almost moving back home, and losing Grandpa.

I woke up at my usual time this morning, but with a bit more pep in my step, so to speak, as I am always grateful for my birthday.  It's suffice to say that birthdays are usually a lot less exciting when you still have to go to work, but I digress.  This year, I'm 24.  24 is my favorite number.  And while I'm another year older and I celebrate that and thank God for that, the day didn't go without its share of sadness.  Today also marks the one year anniversary of Grandpa passing away.  One of the things that inspired me the most about my grandpa was his faith; Jesus was at the center of his life and he lived, breathed, spoke that reality every day of his life, right until the end.  I was driving on the interstate, praying and thanking God for my grandpa, listening to K-LOVE and an acoustic version of "I Can Only Imagine" came on.  Knowing that my grandpa was with Jesus and his family, living out what I can only dream of (being with Jesus eternally), I started crying and wasn't sure I would stop.  It was a mixed moment: I miss my grandpa more than words can express, but I rejoice that he is with the One whom he loved more than anything.

24.  Another year older, and the first year without my grandpa.  I'm looking forward to being 24, and I'm open to new possibilities and opportunities.  I'm praying for clarity; God has a plan, and He knows my heart and my desires.  I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I used to be; God has brought me through so much and I find myself craving more time spent with Him.  I pray that God will open doors and strengthen my faith as I start my 24th year.  I truly believe the best is yet to come.

Kelly: I don't look it, but some days I do feel myself getting older. Woke up this morning with a few aches, but I woke up. God has been very good to me. This past year of being 23 years old was without a doubt one of the hardest years of my life. Some very good things happened though; I finished nursing school, graduated, moved again, took/passed the boards, got hooked on Doctor Who and started my job that I am currently holding. However, I also endured my fair share of hard times; losing my Grandpa (on this day of all days), said goodbye to an almost 10-year friendship, saw my family be (almost) ripped apart, struggled with a lot of anger and frustration and at one point or another thought about throwing my potential career away. 23 was a very difficult time, but out of those difficulties God really taught me a lot about not only His grace but showed me how much through Him I could handle. And let me tell you, I can handle a lot now. He made me a stronger, better and happier person because I got to a point where I let things fall into His time. If it wasn't for His time I'd still be holding onto a toxic friendship and a lot of other things. I'd be miserable. But today, as I sit here and write this, I am far from it.

I'm not sure what being 24 will hold, but I know God has a plan and that it will be good. And the year 2014 in of itself is already promising to be a good and interesting year. I've found myself starting to think about things I normally didn't have the time to think about while I was in school. I know it's a rubbish excuse, but being out of school really does free up so much of your time. You think about things you don't normally, you do things you used to do but couldn't (I've been READING so much more!) and you get to see and enjoy yourself more. Seriously. But one thing I've been finding myself thinking about is the idea of relationships. I'm at that point I believe in my life that God is planting a seed that could potentially blossom into either a really great friendship or something much more beautiful than that. Either way, I'm very happy. And this person knows that I'm happy he's in my life....and no I don't feel the need to constantly broadcast it all over every social media site every single day. But our relationship...is a very unique one. God is up to something, but I'm just not sure what it is yet. Anywho....yeah. A year sure goes by fast. I'm not the same person I was, thanks be to Him. I am so blessed and pleased with where I am right now. I'm thankful that this past year has taught me to grow despite of my struggles. I'm also thankful for new places, faces and experiences. 24 will be better than 23, I am determined to make it so.

30 Days of Writing: Something you're proud of

Kelly: In light of recent events, today's topic is highly appropriate. There are a lot of things that I am proud of, but what I'm going to talk about today is simple; my college degree.

To obtain a college degree is an excellent achievement, of course. However, obtaining a Berea College degree in my opinion is much more...different, for lack of a better word. I was blessed to have worked with wonderful educators who helped me get this degree. Some I knew for quite a while, some I only had one semester. Yeah...about that. One of the most influential professors I had I had my second to last semester, for just one class (you know who you are...). Others I had for the majority of my time here and were just THERE. If I needed them, they were in their office; I didn't have to channel jump through a plethora of graduate students just to find them! That's why Berea is what it is! Thank you God and for everyone He put in my life to get me through! ^_^ 

Holly: I'm proud of two things, really: first, and obvious, is my degree from Berea.  I know, I know, that's what EVERYONE says.  But seriously, I don't think many people realize just how big of a deal it is graduating from college, much less Berea College.  I put a lot of work into it, I have a lot of fond memories attached to Berea, I've formed some lifelong relationships as a result of my education there, I've become a more educated and well-rounded individual and young woman, and my faith in God strengthened and was pushed and challenged as well (which, trust me, is NOT a bad thing). 

The second thing I'm proud of is that, for the most part, I have succeeded in living on my own and holding my own.  Yeah, there's been some scary moments, there's been some moments in which we weren't sure how we were going to pay next month's rent, there's been a lot of phone calls to Mom and Dad, there's been A LOT of penny-pinching (there still is), but when I look back I am proud of where we were and how far we've come.  I've also learned, in these days of apartment-dwelling and semi-tight budgeting to become dependent on God.  Completely dependent!!! He's brought us through and I know He will continue to do so! :)

The beginning of the end, part 2 (aka KELLY graduates from college!)

The last of the Korb twin dynasty has walked across the stage.  A pretty special (and chilly and wet) day! :)

30 Days of Writing: How important you think education is

Holly: You've probably heard the saying "knowledge is power."  I find it to be true.  Not literal, brain-esque power.  There are thousands of people around the world who want to attend school but simply can't.  I'm thankful each day for my Berea College education.  I wish all young women my age could have had the college experience I did.  Sure, I gained textbook knowledge, I learned how to write a decent paper, but I learned so much more than that: how to be independent, how to think critically and for myself, how to manage my time (sort of?), how to ask for help, how to properly communicate with people different from me...the list goes on.  Education helps you to gain and recognize the potential you have.  It becomes a part of something that's bigger than yourself.  It drives you, gives you something to work for.  At least it did for me.  Like I said, my Berea College education is worth a lot more than the piece of paper hanging up in my living room.

Do I think it'll give you a leg up in the world? Maybe.  I suppose it depends on where you end up.  Do I think all who are able should go to college? Yes.  But it's your choice.  I just think any education, especially college, teaches things about yourself that a mere job or other life experiences can't.  Education also opens doors: if I never went to high school, I never would have gone on my mission trip five years ago.  If I never went to college, I never would have been able to study abroad.  Because of those two educations, I saw parts of the world that I probably wouldn't have been able to otherwise.  Yes, school is difficult, yes, it is stressful and time consuming, but I would go back in a second if I could.

Kelly: Though I think education is very important, I feel that it is a choice of the individual. People argue that good jobs require a college degree, and while I agree in part to that I have friends who are doing fine in the world without one. I'm not going to sit here and force feed some "you need to go to college" to my future children if I have any; I will leave the choice to them. I will strongly encourage going to college, because in my opinion I think it makes you a better person. At least it did for me. For me, I'm going to not only talk about why I think education is important, rather why I think a Berea education is important and the impact it has had on me.

In almost 2 weeks, I'll be graduating from this place. Since I was 18 years old, I have called Berea my home, and still continue to do so. I've known I wanted to go into nursing since I was probably around 14 or 15, but little did I know how much of a challenge it would bring me. And yes, I have been challenged greatly, but I'm better for it. There have been times where Berea has completely knocked me down flat on my face. I remember one time last spring, sitting up late on my computer researching the process of changing to an independent major. I had a backup plan; I was certain that nursing wasn't going to work. But one of the major parts of me nearly completing my journey at Berea has been my walk with God. God has moved mountains for me to finish here, and I would not be where I am without Him. Berea is a unique and special place in my opinion, and it's by His grace that I ended up here. Sometimes I think about where I would have possibly ended up if I didn't end up here; probably still at home or close to home. I'd probably have my ADN degree and working somewhere around there...who knows? Not that I'd be miserable, but I know that my experiences would have been a lot different. Like going abroad; would I have had the opportunity to do that? I don't know.

Yes, this road has been long, tough and very VERY difficult. I have no regrets though. None. I wouldn't trade my education here at Berea for ANYTHING, and it saddens me that some did not have the same positive outcomes and experiences that I did. I will walk across that stage knowing that I did my best, I trusted God and I came out a better, stronger and wiser person.

College student confessions; yes, you can do it too!

Kelly: My name is Kelly Korb. I am a fifth year senior. I have never pulled an all nighter and have never skipped a meal. I have also remained relatively low-stress this year. Want to know how I did four years of that as a nursing major? I will tell you.

Set a limit of when to "shut-off": My cut off is midnight. After midnight I stop doing homework and go to bed, even if I still have work to do. Absolutely nobody is forcing you to stay up all night. Your body needs rest and the ability to recharge. You're not doing anybody any favors by overworking yourself. Also, we are not all as busy as we say we are. Are you really doing homework the ENTIRE night you're up? Doubtful. Turn off the computer, the cell phone and SLEEP.

Just EAT. Plain and simple. I hear the excuse "I don't have time to eat." Sure you do. Again, this goes back to the we are not as busy as we say we are. If you can't make it to food service, carry snacks with you to have during the day. Again, speaking from a future health care provider's stand point, your body needs food to keep you going. So like I said, you're not doing yourself any favors by skipping a meal. However, I do know some people who skip lunch just because they can function on two meals a day. Did that a lot in the summer. But if you NORMALLY eat 3 meals a day but find yourself skipping one, two or all 3 periodically, you might want to do some minor adjustments...

MOVE IT! Since May, Holly and I have been walking every night, just to do it. Neither one of us need to lose weight, but we were tired of sitting around the apartment all day. Remember hearing those kid commercials "get up and play an hour a day?" Well....do it. Again, I hear the "I don't have time to exercise" or "I can't find something I like to do." WALK. You want to know why walking is easy? Because we do it all the time! I find that ever since I've started walking every night I can't sit for longer than an hour. Nobody's doing anybody any favors by sitting around all the time. I have read study after study after study that says sitting for prolonged periods of time can be detrimental to your health.

Examine your daily schedule...and re examine as needed. This relates to the theme I've been saying. How busy are we really? Think of a typical day for you. How often do you spend doing homework? Or housework? Texting/calling people? Spending time on Facebook? You'll be surprised at what you find when you actually sit and think about it. Yeah, now that you've thought about it, you realize you're not as busy as you say you are. I'm not as busy as I say I am. But like I said: never skipped a meal or pulled an all nighter. Those were a result of choices I made, and I'm not trying to brag. I'm just saying you can make those choices too. Anyone can.

Holly: Hey...is this thing on? Ok, big college-kid lesson:

ABSOLUTELY NO ONE OR NOTHING IS FORCING YOU TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER! 

You hear me? Need me to spell it out for you? Do an interpretive dance? Ok...good.

So stop it.

Pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things you can do to yourself.  You're screwing with your sleep schedule, you're putting unnecessary stress on your body, and if you're studying, there ain't no way in Hades that you're going to remember everything you studied.  Chances are you'll be more concerned about how freaking tired you are.  You don't have to.  Straight up.  I went through four years of Berea and never did.  You know why? Because I prioritized.  I made a plan of what I needed to do and I did it.  Now, that goes without saying that I never didn't just DO it.  Of course I procrastinated.  But I goofed off when I needed to and I buckled down when I needed to.  But I think more often than not, I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

Sometimes prioritizing includes making sacrifices.  That's just the way it goes. You get a text from your bestie asking to go out, but you know that you have a test on Monday and you need to study this weekend.  Sometimes you have to be the big responsible grown up kid and say no to fun, your friends, etc.  Bottom line: You NEED to say no to your friends sometimes.  Contrary to popular belief, school is more important than hanging out with your friends.  Yeah, it stinks, but when you get all your stuff done, then reward yourself.  Worked wonders for me...sort of like extra incentive to trudge through all the academia.

Another thing: Listen to your body.  If you've been working on homework for hours on end and you feel like you can't read another word or keep your eyes open for one more second, put the homework away and go to BED!  Don't push yourself.  Sometimes being a good student is knowing your limits, knowing when enough is enough.  Even if you have to do more work the next day, at least you won't be falling over exhausted.  For me, even just doing something small every day was enough.  At least it was something!

Hey, sorry to lay on the tough love, but if you want to survive somewhere as tough as Berea, you have to work your @$$ off.  Take it from someone who survived: You have to do the work.  But I still had plenty of time for fun.  It's all about balancing.  Or drinking obscene amounts of coffee.  Whichever you prefer.  :)

P.S. Get some sleep.  Just do it.

Internet, TV and Wiley; first apartment post!

Kelly: And at last, this small space is starting to feel like home. The three of us are on the newly installed internet, the TV is on and Wiley is running around playing. In case you don't know who Wiley is, he's our cat. And we all love him dearly. He loves to play...and wake me or Holly up at 2 in the morning to do so. He loves to cuddle too; there's nothing like coming home from a long day and seeing that furry gray face purring. It's as if he's saying "hello. I'm happy to see you. I hope you had a good day."

Yes, that picture is him. I love him. It's like having a child. Ok, enough about him for now. The remainder of this blog will most likely include something he did. You all have been warned. Anyway, I am really starting to get into the swing of being on our own. I'm actually enjoying it. I won't enjoy paying the bills that will soon be coming, but for now I'm choosing to enjoy it and focus on my summer class. Ew. Since the subject of my class is about humor, I'm thinking about doing my project about Whose Line is it Anyway. Thoughts? Let me know! :] Ok, now I've got to do some more homework. Life never ends for a student, doesn't it? And sis just popped me on google talk. Ahh, there's never a dull moment.

Holly: I just posted an album of pictures on Facebook titled "Post-Berea".  I provided the disclaimer that the contents will include mostly Wiley and our second cat Yoda, who has not entered our home yet, but will perhaps by the end of the week (trying to settle into a routine still...).  

As it stands life is pretty stagnant for me right now.  I am still not employed, but I have my third interview for a job on Thursday.  This involves a commute to Lexington, upon which I have never driven before but have been several times.  Prayers/good vibes would be greatly appreciated as I would REALLY like to have this job.  I'll post more about it later.  Until I become employed I'm just trying to relax and rest and keep the apartment clean.  

It's sort of strange being a Berea alumni.  I graduated almost two weeks ago and it's so weird being in Berea and not having the student mindset.  I don't have to worry about homework or tests or papers or any of that stuff, and I find myself growing bored and restless at times.  Yesterday I was on campus trying to find a printer for Kelly and I was just walking around thinking "Wow, I'm done.  I'm going to miss this place." Hopefully the internet and more campus visits will help.  I need to visit people.  I miss so many Berea College people, it's ridiculous.  

I'm getting loved on by a fluffy gray purring mass.  I hope all are well.  <3