Slowing down at the 'borough.

Having finished my fourth busy semester as a Tar Heel, I can finally slow down a little bit before heading out to Zambia on the 19^th. These past four months were fun and very rewarding, but I made a decision of not working two jobs alongside school again. Although my grades haven’t suffered (really only by the grace of God), the physical and mental stress of constantly being short on time was quite overwhelming. I admire and commend any student who works 2+ jobs, and I pray that soon someone figures out a way where all students can come to the university to focus primarily on studying.

Forgetting all the stress, I will be spending the next two weeks in Hillsborough with my friends, an amazing family who have been taking care of me ever since I first arrived at RDU airport 2 years ago. Sometimes, to make things simpler, I call them “something like my adoptive parents” when my school friends meet them moving me in and out of the dorm. They have also housed me a year ago during Christmas when my flight to Slovakia got delayed by 10 days due to a snowstorm. They embraced me as a part of their family, and I spent one of my most beautiful Christmases with them. I’m learning tons from them about being hospitable and welcoming to anyone, at any time. Many people would call it the Southern hospitality, but I think it wells up in their hearts regardless of being Southerners. It's one of the things you can carry around the world with you. I will dearly miss them next year.