Sincere Smiling

Aloha All,

Never in my life did I think that I would write a blog. I saw blogs in movies and thought they were weird. I had never heard of people writing them back home and honestly, I didn't think they were even still around anymore. Suddenly I get to college and some of the first friends I make are bloggers, who love it. I started to read their blogs and slowly started to become interested in it. Tonight, with a little encouragement from my friend Kenzie, I decided to make one. I figured it would be something fun to do, and a way for people to keep up with my life if I don't get to talk to them as often as I would like. So here I am, and I hope you enjoy.

Well, I find it only appropriate that I make my first post about college. I'll make it more of a general one, but about college nonetheless.

For those who didn't hear, I am attending Brigham Young University Hawaii and am majoring in Music Education. I am currently in the Concert Choir and plan on joining the Samoan club and the Gamer's Club next semester. I am currently taking Piano lessons and will be starting vocal lessons next semester. Along with that I currently have the calling of Laie 4th Ward Relief Society A Secretary.

I love it here. There is not a doubt in my mind that I am suppose to be here. I have already told many people the reason that I chose and BYU-H so I am going to focus on another part of it for tonight. I may make another post some other time more specifically about how I came to chose BYU-H. Tonight I want to focus on the joy and happiness that came from that decision. For those who don't know, I struggled a lot in the last year before college. My senior year started out great, but by the middle of the year things had gone down hill. I was ready for summer. Well, summer didn't go much better. Don't get me wrong, there were good moments, but overall I wouldn't say it was the best few months of my life. I had really started to hit a low when it came time to leave for college. As I was getting ready to leave it was difficult to leave my family and really close friends behind, but I knew that it was my time to go. My time in Illinois was up, at least for now. My first week here was not the smoothest if I am being honest. I did not make friends and I was slowly giving up on the idea that I was suppose to be here. The second week everything changed. I met the sweetest set of twins who changed my whole perspective. They reminded me of the MJ that I was with my family back home. I started to be myself again. Since that day things have only been up hill. I have a sincere smile on my face at least once a day, and there has yet to be a day that I do not have a good laugh at a joke a friend has made or at them trying to make me laugh. I can say that I do not remember the last time I was this happy. I walk around campus with a smile on my face, thanking my Heavenly Father for allowing me to come to this beautiful place. Yes, it is hard to live so far away from family, but I know that this is where I am suppose to be.

To all my friends and family back home, please know I miss you and love you more than words can descibe. I know that I am not always the best at communicating, but please understand the time difference and college work load is a lot and I really am trying my best. I love hearing from you and knowing what is going on. To everyone who helpd me get here, thank you. I promise I am where the Lord wants me and I am doing my best to follow the plan He has set for me at this time.

I'm not sure if this was too long for a first post, but thank you for reading either way. Take a break to smile, it is definitely worth it.

What has made you smile lately? Please comment and let me know! :)

Much love,

MJ