Wow! It feels like this year has gone by fast so far. I feel like it was yesterday that I was starting to make connections with friends again, but this semester is almost half over! I have a busy schedule this year; I'll be taking Analytical Mechanics and Electronics for my Physics major, Choir, Piano Lessons, and Song Leading for my music minor, and Art & Theater Humanities for my general education requirement. Although it has been really busy so far, it has been a fun year.

One of the things I have really enjoyed this year is the new housing situation I have. Because I am a junior, I get to live in small group housing. A bunch of close friends and I are living in Kulp South. This is a house with a common living room, bathroom, and kitchen area, and there are four bedrooms for the six of us! We decided to split the rooms in an interesting way, though; we have a bedroom (where ALL of the beds are), an office (where all of the desks are), and an entertainment room (where the TV and sound system is). The house has been awesome, and I really enjoy getting to know my friends better. Living in small group housing has the benefit of community living, but also has a good amount of responsibility. We have to keep the place clean, wash dishes, buy food, etc. We also get the chance to have a group bible study every Wednesday night and a community meal every Sunday.

Other than that, I have loved getting to connect with Goshen College students outside of school. Two weekends ago, I went to the annual Elkhart County Relief Sale and bought lots of awesome Mennonite food. I also got to see friends that I haven't seen yet this year and see other Mennonites from Indiana that aren't usually in the area. Last weekend, I went to the Sing & Swing, which was part of an hour after, an activity that the Campus Activities Counsel puts on. Our jazz band, Lavendar Jazz, was there playing, and there was food and swing dancing. The setting this year was awesome because they closed down a street in downtown Goshen and set up a tent for the event.

I hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about me and my personal life as a Goshen College student. Until next time,

Zach Yordy