Sophia's Food for Thought

 I went to Carlton Landing this past weekend, and it taught me a lot about how to make a road trip actually fun. I used to think a good trip meant having every stop planned out, but the best moments were the ones we didn't plan, like pulling over just because something looked interesting. Snacks made a huge difference, because nobody stays in a good mood when they're hungry. Downloading our music and maps before we left was a smart move too, since the service can get spotty once you're out of town. We made a habit of stopping to stretch every so often, and it made the drive feel a lot shorter than it was. I also learned that I have to sit in the front seat, because otherwise I get carsick and the whole ride is miserable. Once I was up front with a good playlist and a snack in my hand, I could actually enjoy watching the road go by. Now I know a road trip isn't just about getting somewhere, it's about making the drive part of the fun.

I went into this thinking the Millerites were just some people who got a date wrong, and honestly that's how I'd heard them described my whole life. William Miller turned out to be a farmer and War of 1812 veteran who spent about two years poring over the book of Daniel before he ever told anyone what he'd found. He figured Jesus would return sometime around 1843 or 1844, and somehow that idea took off through newspapers, lectures, and huge camp meetings. When the first date came and went, a preacher named Samuel Snow pointed to October 22, 1844 instead, and that's when things got intense. Some people sold their farms or left their crops unharvested because they figured they wouldn't need them. Then the day just... passed, and the heartbreak was so bad it got its own name, the Great Disappointment. What got me is that it didn't end there, since groups splintered off and kept going, including the one that became the Seventh-day Adventist Church. After comparing t...

A main theme of what I learned last week: time flies when you're having fun. I already knew this cliché, but this week I really lived it. I went to Fredericksburg, TX, for one of my freshman roommate's 21st birthdays, and we spent most of the trip in disbelief. We met three years ago, and now we're wrapping up college later this year. We reminisced, and even the most mundane memories felt valuable in hindsight. We also drove four hours there and four hours back, talking the entire way. That might annoy some people, but I loved every minute of it. The four hours flew by, passing through small Texas towns, staring out the window, talking about nothing and everything. It completely filled my cup. Coming back to school after that trip felt like a slap in the face. I still feel mentally stuck in summer, senioritis is creeping in, but the first couple weeks of work are already behind me and it's time to lock in. Crazy how fast that shift happened. So the lesson isn't ju...

What I've Learned Lately I recently started my senior year of college and took a trip to Dublin, Ireland. It was a bit of a crazy week, but I had a lot of fun. Going into senior year, I'd already accepted a job offer from my summer internship, so I'm officially set for after graduation. That's awesome, but somehow my motivation is at an all time low. Going through the motions in my classes feels way too routine lately. I am really grateful this year for my honors classes though. They pull me out of the usual business coursework and actually make me think, instead of just chasing the right answer. It's a nice break. Outside of school, my trip to Dublin taught me a lot about what kind of traveler I am and who I travel well with. I went with a friend, and we have pretty different travel styles. She tends to tire out more easily, while I'm the type who wants to wake up early and pack in as much as possible before I leave. I also learned I'm just not frugal. I ge...