my harding bucket list

 So I go to school at Harding University.

And the thing people asked me when I first started coming here was...what do you do? I mean, you're in Arkansas. In the littlest podunk town called Searcy. Where it seems the most exciting thing to do on a Friday is make a Walmart run, stop by the Goodwill (official brand of Harding students) and hit up Sonic happy hour on the way back. All conveniently located on the main road in town, our beloved Race Street.

But there is so much more, my friends, let me tell you.

Spend a few months on campus here and you'll slowly discover the treasures that wait for you in Searcy, AR.

Here's my bucket list of the crazy/adventurous/weird/amazing things that I've been working on. Some are Harding related, others are around Searcy/Arkansas. Some are great for your body or mind, and some are just plain ole good for your soul.

1. Visit Treble the Zonkey in Kensett 
2.  Rock climb at Zion
3. Jump off the cliffs at Heber Springs
4. Thrills on Wheels roller skating. (It sounds cheesy but do it.)
5. Go to the White County Fair
6. Climb Sugarloaf...at Sunrise
7. See the Living Nativity during Christmas time
8. Go ballroom dancing in Little Rock
9. See a $2 movie at the Rialto
10. Play in a corn maze
11. Reach the top of Pinnacle Mountain
12. Hang out at local events - Get Down Downtown
13. Stay up all night for Relay for Life
14. Go camping somewhere. Anywhere.
15. Little Rock River Market
16. Run a 5k Glo-Run or Highlighter Run
17. Searcy Super Bowl. Yes, the bowling alley. 
18. Two Stepping in Heber with the precious old folk
19. Eat at KJs, Maddies, or another local dining place. Become a regular.
20. Get some puppy lovin at the Searcy Humane Society

More than this list, one of my favorite things about coming to Harding has been the opportunities it gives; for me, this means the opportunity to grow spiritually, to travel, to learn more about myself and about the world around me. I'm not the person I used to be in high school. I'm not even the same person I was when I came here, or when I went to Greece. Everyday is a learning experience. And I never imagined it would be like this. I never knew I could be so loved and find my home away from home in a place like Searcy.

Don't limit yourself here. Branch out. Say yes to new adventures, to meeting new people, to absorbing everything around here. Because sooner or later, you'll wake up to your junior year wondering where the time has flown.