As I slowly work myself back into the rhythm of my schedule, I find myself in the library for the first night at the library this semester. Between projects for Networking Concepts and papers for the Honors Program, I should be overwhelmed and yet I am actually happy and contented. The difference is the view that I have before me as I type.

To my left sits my sorority sister, Atlantis (affectionately known as "Lost City,"), who tries to focus on her bright orange laptop in her comforting Methodist University sweatshirt with her sister talking to her about music and assignments. She gives me a new view on life as I handle unprecedented outcomes because she has been there before, being the oldest of three daughters in her home. Her experiences have helped me to adapt and move through, while her current lifestyle shows me how to use the information available to me and apply it as the situation seems fit to.

Directly across from me is my twin in all senses of the word. Taiya shares my love of music, style, sleeping, and all of the types of food. She also has the same problem as me and argues over some of the dumbest and smallest things imaginable. Even as I write, she is arguing with Atlantis over some of the things they have done as kids. However, it's all of this and how she randomly sings all kinds of songs (with the exception of country music), that created our friendship. She pushes me to try things that I would have never thought to do in the first place and she gets on my last nerve sometimes but without her, I wouldn't have my sisters or have half the friends I have now.

At the table next to ours is my "big" sorority sister, Sharon, who is currently helping a mutual friend of ours on one of his papers. She is everything that I strive to be because she is the perfect role model. Between being involved in multiple organizations on campus and going to church every week, she still manages to find time to spend with her friends and complete her assignments while she prepares for her first semester abroad. She isn't perfect and balances this humble opinion of herself with the most natural form of self-confidence.

On my right sits my newest friend, Mike, but by no means does that mean that I don't know him. He is the closest thing to a brother that I have on campus after only knowing him from the beginning of the semester. From his jokes to his attitude on politics and the world in general, you'd think that he was a cousin who fell off the family tree branch. He is always helping someone, including now how he is helping Atlantis take a test on her laptop. I swear the man doesn't have a mean bone in his body, but I know he would do everything to protect his friends and family.

I just hope that after tonight, this feeling won't escape me because this is the most at-home I've felt all semester. I love being surrounded by my family at Methodist and I hate that I am just now realizing this. I am so grateful for these people in my life, and the many others that I have met since coming to Methodist.