Life is Good

So I haven't written anything in quite a while due to the heavy load of schoolwork. My first exam for this semester was this past Monday. The email of our responses and the actual answer key were sent out today, so you can calculate your raw score. That's where my day turned sour. However, that's not the purpose of my blog today (or hopefully any day). When I got the scores in my email, I had also received an email from the post office telling me that a package had arrived for me. I know that getting actual mail has lost it's appeal in the States and isn't really something to be excited about anymore. However, when you're on a tiny island and all your loved ones are at home, getting something from them is more exciting than Christmas! My parents mailed me two packages about 3 and 1/2 weeks ago...and today was the day I finally got to enjoy them. They sent all sorts of things, like sticky notes with my initial on them, body spray, and my absolute favorite thing to get down here...FOOD!!! It's hard to find a lot of the normal conveniences of home when you're in Dominica, so in a way (and yes, as cheesy as it sounds) it was like getting a piece of home today in the mail. :) However, my favorite thing out of the two boxes was a green handbag they send. it's a canvas tote from the brand "Life is good". I love their stuff just for the sense of optimism it brings. Not only was the bag green, one of my new favorite colors lately, but it had a daisy (which are my favorite flower) on the front and read "Life is good..." above the daisy. The bag couldn't hvae been more perfect for me and I've already made use of it.

I guess the point is kind of like..."when life hands you lemons, make lemonade", but so much more. I'll be the first to admit that I was absolutely angry and sad all at the same time about my test scores this afternoon. I sat alone in the building I study in with my hoodie over my head frantically writing notecards and getting to work on my new material...determined to rock the next exam. I was short with anyone that even attempted to talk to me. However, I won't blame anyone else for my own mistakes and I take full blame...and although I was rather upset this afternoon, I finally realized that although the frantic studying was good and I was rather productive, the attitude in which I was doing it was completely wrong. All in all, the tote bag I got in the mail today was so much more than a bag to me. It was an instant reminder that I've been blessed...absolutely BLESSED with an AMAZING life. I get to live on a tropical island while pursuing my childhood dream. I have two wonderful parents that are my biggest supporters and never fail to show it, even through something like a care package from home. I have a brother that I absolutely adore and my life would not be the same without. And for the last three years of my life, I've had the most wonderful man standing beside me, facing every giant I do and telling me how much he believes in me. The gifts God has given me, which I completely do NOT deserve are uncountable...I can't wait to see what he has next in his line up! :)