leaving, on a jet plane...

im sure everyone had their early starts of blogging from those old school blog sites. i am NOT ashamed to say that i started with the faithful xanga haah that has long been abandoned and definitely makes me madd embarrassed whenever i need a good laugh and happen to look back on old posts. what was i thinking when i blogging?! hahah seriously.

so i decided to start a blog to document my study abroad experience this coming semester. i will be attending the university of auckland, in auckland, new zealand- hence the long. and lat. coordinates above. haha. yes i know i am quite witty..also lameO. oh well :) i will be leaving on july 2 and coming home at the end of nov..

i started my blog at vanderbilt with how far vanderbilt was away from home..and according to googlemap about 14 hours 32 mins driving. so just for fun, i wonder how long it would be from here to auckland..and wikianswers say that its about 20hours and 45min on a non-stop flight. haha wow quite a difference :) looking back on old xanga entries at around this time..2 years ago, i realized that i have the same feelings i have now about studying overseas as i did when i was preparing to head off to the unknown south for college. aahah coming from new york and then starting the next chapters of my life in nashville, tn at vanderbilt is definitely something different to say the least. i am scared and nervous for what is ahead. i guess its semi human nature to be scared about what lies ahead bc we always sorta want to be in control and sorta know whatsup. but then i also know that this challenges my faith. how to be able to completely give up my control and my want to know whats going on and truly believe. faith without boundaries. bc time and time again, i have seen God at work in my own life through numerous experiences and i know that only in His time are things perfect and beautiful.

so i will hope to use this blog to keep ppl updated with whats happening on that side of the world..my experiences there and how God is using this time to show me more of His heart as well and using it to teach me and just yea how He's working in me there in nz. i think sometimes its easy to not think that there isnt a purpose in going to another place if it isnt necessarily called a missions trip, but that God still has a plan for us whereever He sends us. so i also ask for your prayers over the time i will be in nz..although i travel quite a lot, this will be the 1st time i will be away from home for so long and ill be pretty far also. also, please facebook msg or email me (vanessa.yu041@gmail.com) your skype name (mine is vanessaaa041) and your email address so i can add you guys unto a list to email updates and such and your mailing address if you want me to snailmail you a postcard. :) i wont find out my mailing address until i get there, so i will fb msg or email that anyone that would like to have it. i will have my cell phone with me and im pretty sure that texting works the same and charged the same also- i'll find out. and i will have an international number that i can also let those who want it know.

some of my prayer requests:
* please pray for traveling mercies going there, while im there, and coming home
*that i will be able to adjust to their culture and way of life rather smoothly and quickly
*that i will find a campus fellowship to get plugged into and a church to attend
*to learn to give up my control and let God really lead..for me to really learn what it means to live a life of complete faith
*and lastly that i will be vulnerable and genuine in my friendships and in sharing my heart and faith..even though itll only be a short time and i dont know when the next time i will be back..to not hold back bc of that fear

also, please update me on how you guys are doing and up to as well! :) that would be great.
- vaness