As of Saturday evening, I decided upon changing my major. I was at the best coffee shop in Eugene (The Wandering Goat) with Carina after a fabulous day frequenting the Saturday market and the Whitaker neighborhood bloc party. We were sitting at a high table sipping our delicious lattes - made with hazelnut milk - and talking about life. Somehow the subject of what we're studying in school came up, and all my doubts about my chosen career path came out. Don't get me wrong, I've loved [almost] every bit of my engineering courses, and I picked chemical engineering in the first place because of my passion for math and chemistry. However, the more I've thought about life after school and the more I hear, "oh, chemical engineering and french? interesting. what do you plan on doing with that??" I realize I can't foresee an enjoyable career in engineering. When people ask me what I want to do after I finish school, two things usually come to mind: travel and maybe teach someday. So, after a 45 minute discussion with Carina, I decided I was going to change my major. I'm going back to school this fall to study mathematics and secondary education (along with my French) - I'm going to be a high school math teacher. Looks like Mr. O'Donahue had a big influence on me in AP calc.

Sunday morning rolled around, and at least six people at church asked me what I was studying. With most people I shared my thoughts from the night before, but not with everyone - because I hadn't even told my parents yet. Mom was out of town. Sunday afternoon I told my parents, who are ever supportive of whatever I want to study. (Thank you!) Monday I contacted the school, was assigned a new advisor, and informed of what classes I'd need to take this fall instead of engineering statics and dynamics, physics 235, engineering math 232, and C++ computer programming. Instead of these fun - but at the same time miserable classes, I'll be taking math 256 (linear algebra and something something else) education 102, french 215, sociology 151, computer science 108, the same two choirs as last year, and an aerobic dance PE class.

As of yesterday I have my class schedule all fixed and all my books ordered. I leave for Grand Rapids in the early early morning of August 27th, out of Portland. I'll be sad to leave Eugene again, but I'm so excited for this school year. I feel nervous about the complete change in plans, but very excited and at peace about my decision. And I so dearly miss my many friends from Calvin.

I'm looking forward to classes. I'm looking forward to my new job (desk receptionist in the dorm I lived in last year). I'm looking forward to baking bread two or three times a week again with Carsten. I'm looking forward to sharing an apartment with Carina. I'm sad that my good friend Leo won't be returning. I'm anxious to go back to my church. I can't wait to start learning Handel's Messiah. I look forward to going apple picking at the orchard. I can't wait to see my old room mate again. I hope to play another game of eucher with Pole (yes, that's 'Paul' with an English accent). I excited for what God has in store for me this year.