“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday 19 June 2010

Where the streets have no name

Today was first first day flying solo, my parents left early this morning, and I actually woke up with a fever. Not exactly the way I wanted to start out my first day in my new city.

Anyways, today has just been a relaxer, from such a stressful week. I visited with friends from home, and finished putting together my apartment! A worthwhile Saturday if you ask me, but in my alone-time today, I realized that for the first time in my life, I'm in a place where--to quote the almighty Bono--"the streets have no names." What I mean by that is my WHOLE life has existed in a little bit of a shadow. I've always been Carley and Ada's daughter, or my brothers' sister. As I've gotten older, I've definitely made my fair share of friends and contacts, that are solely my own, and I've never really minded living in a little shadow, but for the first time, It's just me. To the people of South Carolina, I'm just Jenny Dodd, and I am truly excited to show them what that means! The best part is that when I show them Jenny Dodd, they will see little bits of my life in Texas, parts of my family and friends that I've grown from, and those parts will shine through me.

My Streets of South Carolina have no name yet, but they will, very soon.

Thursday 17 June 2010

Best Email Ever

This is an email that I just received from my little sister from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We were paired for 4 years while I was in college, and she recently moved back to Russia with her Family to do mission work.

She's 9, and read the part about ministering...Adorable! And a good reminder of how I want to live my life!

Hey! Can I call you sis or what would you want to be called?Did I say I got an iPod or an iPod touch?Anyway, I meant I got an iPod touch.Somebody else got it for me as a goodbye gift. This summer I will be going to my grandparents for month.I get to see all my cousins.I only have 2.One girl and a boy.I am older then them.Anyway, do you have any tips for how to make my little pesky sister to stop bugging me?We have not found a school for us to go to.If my mom does not find a school for us, she said she'll home school us.Russia is.... well.... I don't know how to describe it.About 1% of Christians are here.I know it's sad but,I'm probably going to start teaching them about God and the bible. Mom has a best friend here and she has a boy named John.We're best friends too.Same age,born on the same year to.Only his birthday is on July 5th and mine is on September 1st which is the first day of Russian school here in Russia.I'm out of time! have to go! Try to answer all these questions!TTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Columbia?

These past couple weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, but now, I have my very own apartment, a new home. in Columbia? Itstill feels like a dream, but here's my start to a new life...

We arrived Tuesday afternoon, filled out the paperwork, and walked into 500 Gills creek Parkway apartment #1313 Columbia, SC (feel free to write, or send cookies :), and to say the least, that apartment is nothing extraordinarily special, but I Absolutely LOVE it!


Why I love my apartment?
  • Despite the stark white walls, and rather unfortunate furniture, We've fixed it up with color and a little Texas lovin!
  • Location (discussed later)
  • Maintenance men--the world's best invention for all those do-it-yourself kits that you can't ever seem to do...
  • I'm directly between two Piggly Wigglys, If that doesn't scream excitement, I don't know what does
  • and mostly, It's my FIRST apartment of my own!
Location
My apartment is located a little further from campus, about 10 minutes, in a subdivision called Shandon. For every concerned parent out there, This choice is dedicated to YOU. This is one of the safest areas in town, with beautiful old Victorian homes, on the next couple streets over. My complex is gated, and behind that is a lot of forested area. It's well lit, has a pool and gym, and has serious security.Right around the corner is Target, Panera, Starbucks, Pier one, and Much Much more! The area is know for the arts, so there are a lot of cool studios I hope to check out soon!

This Week
This week has been a wonderful nightmare! My amazing parents have taken on a mission to get me really settled into my new house. They've driven me all around the city, buying desk, vacuum cleaners, and every other household item, that you NEVER think about until you don't have it. We've finished up almost everything, and the last item on the list is a desk chair, then I'm done.

Big Girl
Alright, I will admit, going to ACU I was spoiled. I'm have a week before I begin orientation, so in between now and then, I'll be buying books, finishing homework, and most importantly, tomorrow I buy my first Big Girl suit! On our first day of orientation, we have to wear a suit and smooze with a bunch of Big Wigs from several international corporations! I'm nervous, but can't wait.

Columbia Culture Shock
There have been three major culture shocks so far moving to SC, and I'm sure MORE to come.

First, Humidity is a KILLER, walking from target to my car, I felt as if I was swimming rather than walking. West Texas heat is not exactly my favorite thing, but I think I might actually prefer it. Good skin though, right?

Second, Traffic. 5:00 traffic in Abilene Texas looks like a morning joke compared to a state capitol city. During rush hour, I don't go out. For now anyways.

Finally, being the minority. Don't take this as racism, but rather this is part of my journey from small-town girl, to Big City Woman. My whole 22 years of life have been spent in private Christian Schools, in West Texas. Not exactly the cultural center of America. Today, I now live in a city, and towards a part of town, where I am definitely the minority. We talk and talk in school about minority issues, and I honestly thought it was a non-issue because I have NEVER been a minority. I finally understand. I'm going to post more about this soon, because it's been a weird experience.


My parents leave early Saturday morning, and I honestly don't know how I will do it! Feel free to schedule your vacation to Columbia, starting Saturday afternoon. I'll cook, clean, and take you to the beach :) What more could you need, right?

After I put everything away tomorrow, I'll post all my pics!! I miss everyone back home a lot, it's gonna be weird starting over in a new place. Prayers always appreciated

Love YOU ALL!
GameCock Jenny Dodd

Friday 11 June 2010

Last Week in Texas

My Last week here in Texas has been amazing, I've done all the things I would possibly had dreamed of doing!

I started out the week with a visit to my Granbury family, hanging with Tommy and Menielle.We shopped, swam, and ate GREAT food, with Great Company! What more could you want?! It was perfect!

I came home and finished my packing, but my but my decision-making skills were definitely put to the test. I was supposed to get a camera for graduation in December, but true to form, I couldn't decide which one to get. I had finally narrowed it down...and thought my mind was made up, until I arrived at the store...nikon, canon, newer older, bigger lens, more mp.....so many choices! I paced the store for over an hour, before finally making my decision. Drum roll please

The CANON EOS rebel T1i, and I LOVE it!
Good Decision.

This weekend, we had the Dodd Family Annual retreat weekend! Where we made the world's longest slip'n'slide--or so we like to think--and we swam, ate WAY too much good food, played a lot of games,and just got to be our nerdy wonderful selves. AWESOME PICTURES TO COME, I'm having trouble uploading.

Well, I have been thinking a lot in this last week, that I am absolutely CRAZY for leaving Texas, but today I was reminded exactly why. This morning we had Dodd family church, with all my brothers, spouses, and kids. It was great, and at the end of church, they gave me a blessing and charge for my upcoming year. Everyone went around and said things that they admired and appreciated, all nice, but the one common theme was that they saw ways God had been preparing me to go out into the world of my great 22 years of life, and how much they not only looked up to me, the BABY of the family, but that I inspired their lives. So if for nothing else, I want to take these next couple years to be an example for my family, nephews and nieces, and to make my way in the world outside of my small bubble, AKA Abilene.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a long journey, both physically and mentally, I Can't Wait! Your prayers are definitely welcomed, as are your phone calls over the next two days, cause I have 20 hours of road time! Can't wait to be in Carolina!

Thursday 3 June 2010

Work or Family. Always Fam


Important decision. choose people.

I have quite a bit to do before I leave for South Carolina, but, today I drove to Sweetwater to babysit my amazing kids all day Friday. I'll be done by Friday night, and I could go home, but I'm choosing to forego work....for some quality family time!! Saturday, we're family the world's largest (or we hope) slip and slide, downhill on their land! and Saturday night, is Riley's Dance recital. besides, how can you pass up this face:
I've got a lot to do before a week from Monday when we leave, but I plan on spending quality time with ALL my family. It's important now, and it will be even more important when I enter the working world and start a family! I've got a good week of friends and family ahead!

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Decision MADE

Well, about a year and a half ago, I heard about a school called the University of South Carolina, and their program called the IMBA, where you get an MBA, but also travel the world, and learn a foreign language (right up my alley). So throughout the following year, I did everything in my power to get there, and almost exactly one year later after learning of the program, I was accepted!

Now I'm officially a Gamecock! This week, I made my first Big Girl Decision and picked my very own, first apartment! It's safe, gated, and most importantly...HAS a POOL! This morning, my parents and I spent about 4 hours deliberating on where I should live, in the end, It came down to just making a decision...because they were all good, so we prayed, and this is where we landed!

Decision made, and now I have two weeks to get ready before it's off to Carolina, and Beyond!!