Christmas Day.

I did a lot of thinking today. Haven't overthought like that in a while. Life really is what you make it. Today didn't really feel like Christmas. I haven't been in the Christmas spirit this year, not like I usually am. The weather wasn't feeling the Christmas cheer either. It rained.

This morning I realized how awful I can be. I wanted to stay in my room with my door locked and just listen to music all day. Maybe read a few books. Just not deal with people. Especially family. I blamed a lot of my problems on my dad. Terrible, I know. I'm so frustrated with him. I feel like its his fault that I'm dealing with some of the problems I have to face. Perhaps it is. But even so this man loves me more than anyone else in this whole world and would do anything for me. I know he will always be there for me and no matter what he believes in me. I like what he texted me today. We may not have the life we want, but we must live the life we have, otherwise we aren't living. He's been through a lot. A whole lot more than I have. I do love my daddy but it's so easy to get upset with him over the small things that bother me.

Norwich University

I've just completed my first semester of college. Almost all of my grades have been posted-all but calculus. I'm majoring in mathematics and minoring in social psychology so math shouldn't be a problem right? (haha, pun :D) It isn't usually a problem. Right now I'm facing the possibility of having a 3.59 or a 3.49 based on what I get in calc. If I made at least a 90 on the final exam, I will maintain my 90 for the course, an A-. If I scored below a 90, It will drop to a B+, bringing my total down to .01 away from the President's List. Either way I'll at least make Dean's list, but .01 away.. oh how annoying that would be.
God answered my prayers for good Christian friends and influences.
I'd like to take the time now to brag on Pastor Rake, Rev, and Joel. These three people have helped me stay focused on Christ in the hardest times. My faith has no doubt been tested, tried, and grown. I've fallen many different ways but I'm learning from my mistakes. Pastor Rake is a humble hardworking man with four daughters and a loving wife. At Norwich, I don't have very close friends. I don't trust anyone. Pastor Rake's youngest daughter, Angela, and I got along all too well. We would giggle and carry on like 3rd grade best friends. I was able to go to the Rake's house after services Sunday mornings and Mrs. Rake would cook a delicious lunch. This was one of the rare times rooks* like myself were able to kick back and relax. I got to do things like take naps and watch tv. Not allowed to do that on campus during rookdom**.
Reverend Wick is widely known all across Northfield, VT. He knows his greek and hebrew and His Bible, but most important, he knows his God. My God. My Savior. His Savior. Personally. He spreads God's word like none other. This man has a loving wife who bakes CBCs***. They are amazing! He also loves snow and skiing. He's one of the few people at Norwich who does not complain about the snow. Its uplifting to know I'm not crazy and that its okay to like things about Norwich even if it is college and cold. He encourages the college kids regularly. If someone asks him if hes got a minute he'll always say of course. The man's schedule is constantly packed but never turns a person in need down. He pushes paper not people.
Joel. Joel Heller. What to say about this person. A true Vermonter. He is also a mathematics major but minoring in education. God's called him to teach. This semester he will be doing an internship so he won't be at Norwich. This guy has been my closest friend besides God. He has a true love for the Lord that has greatly influenced me and constantly reminds me of who God is and what He's done. He comes from a wonderful and beautiful (he showed me a few pictures) Christian family that guides and encourages him. I asked him a lot of questions. He answered all of them and some of his answers took me by surprise. When I asked about Christian friends in college, he told me he hasn't really had any. Just the people back home and his family. We come from two different worlds, but I know God brought us together to serve Him. I've got a funny feeling I'll run into Joel again later on. He'll still be right smack in the middle of God's will.
Thank you to each of you. We face battles everyday. It helps to fight side by side and remind each other God's already won the war.

*Rooks-freshmen in the Corps of Cadets at Norwich Unversity
**Rookdom- the experience of being a rook equipped with many restrictions and a lot of pressure.
***CBCs-Chocolate butterscotch cookies

Whirlwind of Emotion.

The Norwich experience so far has been a whirlwind of emotion tied with physical activity and academics. I've made friends and made plenty of people angry in such a short period of time. I absolutely love it here but in spite of that everyone has at least thought about leaving. I feel torn, not about Norwich but home, about my home back in South Carolina. Norwich University is truly becoming a home to me. Where does that leave Cayce? Coming to Norwich was a big step but what I didn't realize when I took that step was how much harder it is to remain loyal to your hometown. I'm torn because I miss it and I don't miss it. I miss my church family. I miss taking care of the kids. I miss Mrs. Partlow and her family. I miss my lamp and sheet set and string of Christmas lights that were kept in my window for a record amount of time.

Lessons Learned at Norwich

You are beautiful even without boys telling you that.
Spending time with people is important.
It really is better to be five minutes early.
One of the hardest things to do is to tell your superior he or she is wrong.
Sometimes its okay to spend money on yourself.
If you run 3 miles and eat a brownie later on that same day, it was worth it.
If you don't run 3 miles but do eat a brownie, it was worth it. ;)
Ice cream just isn't as good when its in the single digit degrees outside.
Snow sparkles! (glistens)
If you study before and during exam week, you will still be nervous before the exam, but when you take it, its a peace of cake.

To be updated as the year progresses

Understanding Thought Process

One of the key ingredients of friendship is choice. Its amazing how much control we have in life. The power of perception can build up or tear down relationships. Interpersonal skills seem to be my most difficult issue to address. I try to break things down to the motives and the only true motive I will ever know is my own. I have focused a lot on my Intrapersonal relationships. I like knowing how to work with people. Unfortunately, I often find myself tied up on my words creating difficult situations when I attempt communicating with others. Also, my brain goes way ahead of me. Often I'm told that I think too much. I do. This creates unneccessary worry in my life. My thoughts interupt themselves and my brain goes into overdrive during conversations. I'm thinking about the conversation itself, the person who is speaking with me, anything pertaining to that person and anything outside the conversation that relates to a specific phrase spoken by the other person. Even a mere word can send me off thinking about something that if blurted would seem completely random. Whats worse is how quickly it then jumps from one thing to another. Apparently like I have done in this blog post. Perfect example.