Fun, Blessing, and Sorrow

Yesterday was so much fun! After the luau at school, my parents took me back to the hotel with them to stay another night there. I got to sleep in which was glorious! Then, we walked along the beach. It wasn't too hot until the very end. There were cute little sandpipers that always hunch up when they run away from the water and poke their beaks deep into the sand in-between. I picked up some little shells as well. I even got to see some people surfing for once.

We finished getting ready then loaded in the car to go back up to St. Augustine. I tried to mess around with my little GPS device on the palm I got for being in the Honors' program- we needed to find a Sonic Drive-In... my favorite! We went to one in St. Augustine, so by that time, we were starving! I got french toast sticks, an extra long coney, and a banana cream pie shake. Yum!

Next, I wanted to see the Gator Farm! I can't believe how many alligators and crocodiles there are! This place had every one of the species, too. I saw albino ones, ones 15 feet long, ones with swordfish-like snouts, ones with bug eyes, baby ones, and ones that ate fat rats for dinner. They also have tortoises, parrots, and other exotic birds like the stork (Which is actually one of the ugliest things I've ever seen! I hope they don't bring babies- I think the poor kids would die of fear!). The only part I didn't like was seeing HUGE spiders. I'm really hoping they're not the norm on campus. They are bright colors with long segmented legs and make mondo webs! After shuddering at the arachnids, we watched a few feeding shows (birds and crocs) then went through the gift shop. I just got my typical smashed penny souvenir and mom got some postcards.

Next, it was on to dinner at the _____ (I'll think of the name later...). We had talked to the concierge at the hotel who set up a VIP thing for us. So, we enjoyed the cheaper early-bird special which came with the salad bar. Our waiter was a very nice redhead who was willing to put up with our chatter and jokes. I even got to use his crumb scooper thing. It really gets them off the table and apparently you do it every time you take a plate away from the guest. Who knew? Dad ordered prime rib with mashed potatoes and I got shrimp scampi. Mom ordered clam chowder to have while Dad and I ate our salads and fruit that we chose. He also brought us a nice assortment of bread. We even got free dessert which was lava cake! But, wait, I'm not finished yet... Mom and I got roses just 'cause. We guess the concierge used the excuse that I was going to college as a celebration thing. Pretty fun!

To be completely ready for college life, we of course had to stop at Wal-Mart where I picked up some last minute things.

To top it all off, we went back to the hotel and enjoyed the Lazy River tubes again. Then, I discovered the hot tub and tried swimming around the (now) chilly pool. Finally, Mom had heard a rumor that fireworks were going off that night over the ocean on a barge and sure enough... we saw the whole show from the pool deck.

Today was pretty amazing too. We went to church and the similarities were crazy. Well, sovereign, of course! They named the mini-streets in their parking lot: Calvin Court, Spurgeon Blvd, and Edwards Rd.!! Plus, they have a hallway devoted to the Reformers (nice plaques with pictures and info), and Bible translations (some of the original pages are in the frames!). Pastor Roy Hargrave was right on and is in close contact with Grace Community, Master's Seminary, and even Phil Johnson! The college preacher even quoted A.W. Tozer! Whad'ya know? I really enjoyed meeting everyone and can't wait to come back next week. Mom and Dad were so thankful to God for the church. It's just what I needed to find to grow in the midst of this secular university. I've already had my eyes opened in several ways... but, in a way, I always knew this kinda thing was out there. I don't feel that I was naive... just protected. I know He will continue to do so as I look to my first classes tomorrow.

After church, we had our "last supper" at Bubba Gump's. Hehe. We had hush pups, coconut shrimp, and caesar salad. I even got a cool light-flashing cup with the blueberry slushie I ordered. Somebody got rich off of making a restaurant off of Forest Gump... crazy.

Finally, we headed back to the school.

It was SO hard to say goodbye to Dad and Mom. Dad's visiting in 2 months and in 4, I see everyone again... but, sometimes I still feel like a little girl. It's not that I can't handle college... It was just the realization that life will never be the same. I'll never truly be a daughter in that Arlington house anymore. I'll just be a visitor. I know we are meant to be taught and nurtured by our parents and then we are let go. But, in my case at least, it's only because I'm too big for the nest, not because I don't want to be with my family. New friends, new family, new home. Thank the Lord that He never changes, remains the same, and had me live in the 21st century so I can call and e-mail and IM and everything else with the people I love and miss.

As my beloved Mrs. Frisk and Tozer would say:

"So let us begin with God."

Home Sweet Home- The Wood Penthouse

So, instead of talking forever about all of the offices and people I've visited this week, I'm just going to make a list:

Orientation Check-In
Housing Check-In
Health Insurance Booth
Study Abroad Booth
University Bookstore
Residence Hall Meeting
Meal Plan Office (Because I get 19 meal plans a week and this week started on Wednesday, I got to stock up on drinks, cereal, chips, and bagels by using up 10 of them! Now I have plenty of snacks or things when I don't have time for a meal! :D)
Campus Security Office
Orientation Group Meetings
Free Box Lunch on Lawn
College Receptions
First Year Advisement for Courses
First Year Office
For Women Only
College of Arts and Sciences Dessert Reception
Honors Program Meeting
and tonight I go to the Luau
Finally on Sunday there is "Bands, BBQ, and Ballgames"

Whew!
Classes start on Monday


I got/won these free things: pens, pencils, laundry bag, 1 free meal at Einstein Bros Bagels (1 of the restaurants on campus), and a free Cessna-172 simulator ride

It's hot, hot hot! But I'm enjoying this week of relaxing schedules and no studying. I have the weekend to hang with Dad and Mom, go to church, and then it all changes... I know I can only succeed with God's help! Just look at this 1st semester schedule:

Engineering Physics 101
General Chemistry Lab
General Chemistry
Graphical Drawing & CATIA
Honors Seminar 1
Calculus 1

My Future Begins

Thought I'd put up a quick greeting from Florida! The flight was so much shorter than the recent one to Germany, so I didn't find it too difficult to deal with a 3 hr ahead time zone. It was glorious driving through Jacksonville in a Buick Rainier with the blue sky and nearly stifling heat. I didn't mind because there wasn't a whole lot of humidity to accompany it. We stopped in my sister's old stomping grounds, St. Augustine and visited some of our favorite places: Cafe' del Hidalgo, Savannah Sweets, and various chocolate, kitchen, and accessory stores. Next, we made our way to Daytona. I took a nap and woke up just in time to take pictures of the signs entering the city. I love how there is an overflow of green everywhere although it's different than WA flora and fauna. Upon arriving at the hotel, Ocean Walk Resort, we were delighted. The room is an amazing suite with 2 bedrooms each with their own full bathroom and every window has a beautiful view of the ocean. There's of course a common room, TV in each room, a stereo, and a full kitchen. I wish my dorm room was like it! They have indoor mini golf, gaming room, internet room, indoor pools, outdoor pools including a "lazy river" you relax on tubes in... I can't even begin to explain or figure out everything you can do here. It's just wonderful. Thanks to the guy on Craig's List who needed to use his points. Then, we went to another classy joint- the Sunset Harbor Yacht Club. We had a tasty dinner and were given amazing GPS, Wi-Fi Pocket PC's and enjoyed meeting profs and hearing their encouragment. I met a very nice girl named Kaliegh from Illinois and then eventually talked with my roommate Kerry and her family afterwards. What a fun evening. I'm finally starting to feel like I can make this place my home for 4+ years. Well, better get going and let Mom use my laptop. Goodnight from Daytona!

My Five Seconds of Fame

"Grace Academy valedictorian heads to the moon"




Grace Academy sent 23 young people off into the world last month, including from left, top row; Thomas Bethel and Andrew Conklin. Next row, valedictorian Natalie Spencer, Andrea Cline, Stuart Montgomery, Kimberly Weinberg, salutatorian Kaitlyn Retherford and Nicholas O’Kelly. Next row: Erik Larson, Rodion Novozhiov, Courtney Webb, Levi Wennersten, Ian Lugg, Derek George and Eric Munneke. Front row: Dolly Singh, Angela Roberts, Trechie May Tubera, Nicholas lee, Jason Plumb, Esther Martin and LaShani Rios.

Matt Doran 04.JUL.07

MARYSVILLE — Aptitude plus attitude equals altitude.

When Natalie Spencer of Arlington heard that phrase, she took it to heart and hopes someday to take it all they way to outer space.

The Grace Academy class of 2007 Valedictorian soars both in and out of school and takes her faith as seriously as her studies.

With a perfect 4.0 grade point average, that says a lot. And the 18-year-old had a lot to say at when she graduated along with 22 other seniors last month at the Christian school next to Cedarcrest Golf Course.
Spencer touched on the work of God in her address and later explained how the beauty of creation spurred her to get a pilot’s license and aim to be an astronaut someday. She will study engineering but the race is for space, she said.
“I’ve always just looked up at the sky and how beautiful it is,” Spencer said, stressing that every thing God created is beautiful, including space, something she described as “A beautiful, untouched place that I would like to explore. When I found at that you actually can go up there, I was fascinated. It was an impossible dream only a century earlier.”
She will study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where she will major in engineering physics. She’s aware that a male-dominated field might be tough, but Spencer said that kind of academic pedigree will help her chances of working at NASA.

“I think it can be a challenge in some ways,” Spencer said. “I think women have to be careful.”
Often women breaking new ground for their gender say they want equality but often don’t want to bear the consequences, according to Spencer.

“It’s all about the person, the individual’s skills and not the gender,” she added. “I am going to be careful, I want people to judge me by my skills. I don’t think it’s an issue as long as people don’t make it an issue.”

Spencer has a huge list of activities that make you wonder how she fits it all in: yearbook editor, tour guide, six years on the student leadership council, National Honor Society President, varsity soccer, basketball and track, as well as playing on the golf team and serving as a page in the Washington State Senate. In addition to earning her pilot’s license Spencer was a volunteer with the Future of Flight during her junior and senior years. She also plays the saxophone, likes playing with computers, baking desserts and performing in choir.

Her list of awards and honors are literally too numerous to mention — they would look like General MacArthur’s ribbons. Suffice it to say that in addition to a scholarship from the Marysville Rotary, she earned seven others from various organizations including her chosen school and the Museum of Flight. The daughter of two public school teachers, Spencer is quick to commend the smaller environs of Grace Academy.

“It’s a great education,” Spencer said. “I did fine on the SAT and all that. It’s home away from home.”
Her graduation speech reminded the graduates of the long line of believers who have kept and spread the faith for 20 centuries. Being part of that chain can be confining, Spencer said, but it is also a reassuring tether that keeps a believer from wandering off the correct path.

“There is just a legacy of people who have been willing to stand up for Christ,” Spencer explained a few days after commencement. “It’s something we can’t break, we have to continue the legacy.”

- The Marysville Globe

The 'Ol Switcheroo

I know I mentioned this before, but I'm officially switching over to my senior year blog until next fall.

Check it out! :)

http://www.graceacademysenior.blogspot.com

Thanks for readin'!