#22 Moving Away Changes The Way You Look at the World.

Growing up in a place with a population larger than Canada's exposed me to lots of different kinds of people. Even so, I still had a pretty limited idea of what the rest of America was like.

(click the images to enlarge)

My map of America before college

Then coming up here taught me that there is civilization in the landlocked parts of this nation.

My map of America now


If my notes are completely illegible, contact me for details on why certain states ended up in the category they did.

#11 Learning to Listen to People Who Know Better

A while back, I was talking to Luana, who I look to as a third grandmother. As I told her about what was going on in my life, I brought up a guy. She stopped me right there. "Brooke," she told me in her ever-lovely New Zealand accent, "don't be so anxious about that. Girls your age are so anxious. Now's the time to get to know Brooke."

I just couldn't understand. Isn't that what I had done all through high school? I was in college now-I could have it all.

Wrong.

I know who I am. I know what I believe in. I even know a few things I'm good at and a bunch of my flaws. But I haven't a clue of what I'm really like--what's really me and what's a facade for others. And what better place to figure that out than a dedicated campus?

And the guy I'd been talking to Luana about--we're no longer on speaking terms, and good riddance to him. It's not something I'm worried about anymore. I'm 18 and have only ever been on one real date (nothing that happened over Thanksgiving break counts, Mom). I've got time to ease myself into the Game. Everything in due time, right?

#10 The Best Roommates a Girl Could Ask For

Until September, I hadn't shared a room since I was five. The only other woman I had ever lived with was my mother. I tend to be more comfortable around guys than girls. Coming up to Rexburg, I was terrified of living with three girls I'd never met before.

I got so lucky.

Iris, Laura, and Shayna have been huge blessings to me this semester.

Then when we "took in" Lyndsey and Chelsea, things got even better. It's amazing to see how we've helped each other grow these past four months. Even though I burn food sometimes and "don't know how to speak Girl*," they're there for me.

I love these girls. I'm going to miss them when they all abandon me are off-track next semester. Except Chelsea. She'll still be here!

(left to right: Iris, Laura, Lyndsey, Me, Shayna, Chelsea)

*Apparently, you can't comment on the face a girl is making in the presence of a guy. No matter what it means or how obvious the situation is to everyone else.