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Well, today was the first day of school. Woo! Or..not really. But still, it wasn’t that bad. Only had one class(Microprocessors), BUT it was two hours. And started at 7:25 in the morning. I have got to find a place to get coffee before I go there, otherwise I’m not going to be able to pay attention. But after that class, I was free for the rest of the day! I stopped by work to check in and see what I needed to start on and after that, went to the BCM noonday with Dream and Rob for some sweet food and fellowship with people I haven’t seen all summer. It was weird remembering my freshman year and the first time I went to the BCM for a lunch and how I didn’t know anyone but Dream. Now I feel so old!

Anyways, after that, we walked in the incredibly hot sun to get some books for Dream. After that and my lack of sleep, I had to take a nap back at Keys. When I got up, me, Rob, Rach, Laura and Dream all went to Publix to do some shopping since we all needed to stock up on food. It was sort of cool, my first time doing all the real shopping for myself, now that I have a kitchen and a will to cook(and eat, haha). Me and Rob made spaghetti and I made the inaugural salad of the year. Truly a glorious event!

And tonight, Danika and Devin came over and the four of us played Lord of the Rings Risk…been so long since I played it, took a while to acclimate to the map again. We also watched Return of the King(Extended) on Rob’s laptop while we were playing, so we kept getting distracted by the marauding Orcs and glorious Rohirrim(Forth Eorlingas!) So we never did finish it(I think Danika was winning), and now I probably should get to bed. Thus was my first day of school. Farewell, all!

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Ok, posting an entry I actually wrote a few days ago, on the 18th. But the Internet wasn’t working then. It is now, FINALLY. I don’t really feel like writing much now, but tomorrow’s the first day of school…and I wish it wasn’t here quite yet. Here’s the entry:

I am writing this on Word right now because for some reason the Internet in here is being stupid and refusing to work. And where am I right now, you might ask? Well, I’m in Gainesville, YEAH! That’s right, the boys are back in town. And today has been such a long day; I really should be sleeping now. Nah.

So I woke up this morning at 3:30 AM. Yep, a little early. Katharyn had a 6 AM flight to California(she’s going to The Master’s College there), so me and my mom had to take her there. Her suitcases were ridiculously heavy, but we got them(and her) to the airport all in one piece. After getting home, I collapsed for a couple hours before getting up around eight to finish packing.

Said goodbye to my family and drove up with David to Gainesville! It was so great seeing the city and campus again – every year I’m here, I just love it more. I got to my room at Keys(which is an awesome apartment style dorm; we have our own kitchen/living room and two bathrooms and private bedrooms) and relaxed for a couple hours as I unloaded what I brought with me. Dad’s actually bringing most of my belongings on Tuesday, so I have to survive until then with my two bags of stuff.

I called people(like Dream and Rob) but no one answered until finally Rob got in town! It was so sweet seeing him again. We unloaded his car and then went and played disc golf with his dad and Liz. I haven’t played all summer, so I was pretty rusty, but it was still great fun. After that, me and Rob stopped by Taco Bell for some sustenance and then just chilled in our awesome pad(where he gave my birthday present – just a little late – Return of the King extended edition..so awesome!) This is going to be such an amazing year – I can already feel it. Our third year at UF…a great adventure is continuing! Hope everyone is doing well…I can’t post this now(stupid Internet), but I will probably post this as soon as it’s restored.

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Ahhh, I’m so frustrated right now. I know I said I was tired a few minutes ago, but I really really wanted to get some writing done(hmm, maybe I should have been packing instead), but for some reason I just CANNOT write a poem to save my life. I know the subject, I know the feeling, I know the passion…but for some reason, my fingers cannot express the words that my mind feels. Ah well. I guess it’s just not meant to be. At least tonight.

Anyway, while I’m up, just thought I would express a few thoughts on my upcoming third year in college…first of all, it’s just so hard to believe that I’m actually entering my THIRD YEAR. Whenever I met a new coworker at Sweetbay(mostly high school students) and they found out I was already in my third year of college, I received surprised looks at being so old and “advanced”. I was reading through some of my old posts from back in 2004, my senior year at Gaither, and I can’t believe that I’ve already gone through two years of college. In some ways, it’s sad, because I feel I was so much more innocent back then, but I’m also grateful for all the things I’ve learned these past few years, for all the growing(emotionally, mentally, spiritually) that I’ve done. But still, I’m twenty now and I have the feeling that more is expected of me now. I’m not just a high-school student. I’m not just a college newbie. I’m expected to learn how to make my way in this world we live in. Scary, yes. But also inspiring. Because I know I CAN do these things. Sure I’ll struggle(and I already have) but by the help of God I will do amazing things in my future.

And I wonder, what will three more years bring? Three years ago, when I first started this journal, I had no idea what I’d be like in 2007. I had no idea what my direction was or who my best friends would be. But now I know what I’m doing, know that I want to be an industrial engineer, know that I have some awesome friends in my life, people I didn’t even know three years ago. But it’s what I don’t know now that intrigues me. Three years from now, where will I be working? Or will I be working? Will I still be in school? Will I have someone special in my life? I can sort of foresee the answers to at least the beginning questions, but as to the last one, I have no idea. Sort of fun to wonder though.

And that’s another thing that I’ve been thinking more about lately, about having a girl in my life who would be my friend, my love, my future…I know it sounds a little mushy thinking like that, but I do get lonely sometimes for that kind of relationship, despite all the great friends(and great God) that I have. And I wonder what my future holds in that regard. And I pray.

But enough of all that, and back to the future. Or, er, the present. I really am getting rather tired and suppose that I won’t get any writing done now. For real now, goodnight, all!

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So, last day of work today! And in a few days, Gainesville!

Tomorrow my dad leaves to go to a church reunion in Ames, Iowa and then on Saturday morning Katharyn leaves for California, so tonight was our last night together as a family until Christmas. We got some awesome pizza from Pizza Hut(mmmm, so good) and of course, I made the salad. We also played our final games of Spades for a while. My family is so awesome..as much as I love Gainesville, I am going to miss them, as always.

I’m tired…so g’night!

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Wow, so I’ll be back in Gainesville in about four days. I am so super busy this week; either packing, shopping, or seeing people before I leave. Also, helping take all of Katharyn’s boxes to be mailed out to California. It’s weird thinking she’s going to be farther from home than I am. Today I went to Wal-Mart to grab some kitchen supplies and also bought a couple DVDs, Air Force One and The Matrix. Now I just need to buy Reloaded(I love that movie).

Oh and I only have two more days of work! I thought I’d be really happy when work was over and done with, but now that it’s getting to the end, I’m sad…I’m really going to miss the people I work with. You know how you hear horror stories about people’s co-workers/bosses? Well, none of that here. Come winter, guess where I’ll be working again? That’s right, Sweetbay. One other note here, I got the “Service Clerk of the Month Award”. And yes, Service Clerk=bagger. Ok, that may not be the most glamorous of awards, but I’m pleased that God’s given me the ability to work hard at whatever I do…including bagging groceries.

And I just realized last entry I wrote about the beach day coming up, and yeah, that was definitely awesome. I only got a little sunburnt, and it was great seeing Laura again. And Dream, too for that matter, seeing as I’ve rarely hung out with her this summer. She gave me my b-day present(only about four months late, haha), “School of Rock”! Wooo, that movie is super sweet.

And I am annoyed with my muse for having left me all summer…I have gotten no productive writing done at all. Ah, well. When it comes back, I’ll be ready.

And now, I am off. Farewell, all!

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Ok, big news here…I have a cell phone!! Please don’t fall out of your chairs…I know I must have been the last person without one, but I finally conformed and got one. Mostly, I was just tired of not being able to communicate with people when I’m out somewhere. Anyway, I’m not going to post the number here, but anyone who wants it, email me or send me a message on Facebook.

So yeah, I went to T-Mobile today and picked one up and it’s awesome. I’m still playing around with it. Also went to Wal-Mart and picked out a bunch of cooking ware and plates, cups, etc. I’m going to have a kitchen this year, so figured I needed all my supplies(I feel like Sam Gamgee, with all his pots and pans)

In other news, looking forward to beaching it tomorrow with Dream and Laura! Haven’t been to the beach in at least a month and I haven’t seen Laura for at least 3 months! So pretty much, tomorrow is going to be sweet. And now, going to get some sleep. Peace out!

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Less than two weeks before I’m back in Gainesville! Wow, I cannot believe the summer’s flown by so fast. It feels like I’ve barely gotten out of school and now it’s going to start up again. But I can’t say I’m not looking forward to being in Gainesville again – I miss seeing people too much!

I’ve been having a pretty good couple of days lately; I haven’t been working too much, so been hanging out with family a lot. Played mini-golf on Friday with family and somehow I didn’t win a single game…hmm, my skills are slipping. Saturday I got called in to work early, so I ended up working almost 10 hours. Wait, so I guess I have been working sort of a lot…anyway, that was a long day. And Sunday I got to just relax at home watching golf(Tiger won, of course – by 8 strokes) and reading. That night, went to the church youth group for the first time in forever! Since I usually work Sundays, I don’t get to go. Anyways, it was much fun, despite me being older than everyone by at least 4 years. We made homemade pizza and played football in the field…which got me really excited for intramurals coming up this fall!

Today I went out shopping and I spent over $100 on clothes and such…I felt like such a girl, spending that much. No offense to any of you ladies out there, of course. But still, I only bought a shirt, dress loafers and a new belt…and somehow that came out to $102 dollars. Well, I guess I’m working for a reason…

Tonight we(Mom and Maryanne and Laura and I) watched the second half of Fellowship of the Ring with ice cream…fun times, since my mom has never seen it before, so we had fun explaining all the little details to her. Now, I’m thinking I should probably get some sleep, since I had a pretty bad headache earlier. I took Tylenol and a nap, so I’m feeling a little better now.

Anyways, hope this update is sufficient for now. Good night, all!

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Well, not a lot has been going on lately…except I’ve finished HP7…the last Harry Potter book. And it was AMAZING. It’s interesting because I haven’t been involved with HP the whole time like some people…my first exposure was watching the 4th movie. After that, I read the whole series thus far and realized what I was missing…so this was my first time reading the book as soon as it came out. I just have to give props to JKR for such a storytelling masterpiece. I’m not going to say HP is “great literature”, but you know what? I love it anyway. Most “great literature” is depressing and contains much I’d rather not read about anyway.
So part of the reason I loved this book so much was that it DID have a happy ending…Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all lived…and the ending, with all of them married and with children was SO happy and awesome, that I was very pleased. I just have to say, her whole series was a beautifully crafted tale that while not on the level of Crime and Punishment maybe, is sure a whole lot more fun to read. And I must admit, as Voldemort killed himself and the wand flew into Harry’s hand at the end…I almost got teary-eyed. Almost. And believe me, that NEVER happens to me…especially not when reading. So I have to give credit to JKR for that.
I’m just very pleased and satisfied with HP7 and must say that it is, hands down, my favorite of the series, with Half-Blood Prince close behind. If anyone hasn’t read any of the series yet, give it a try. I did, and her amazingly created characters and alternate world made me sorry I’d missed it for so long. My sister’s reading it now, but I can’t wait until they’re done with it so I can read it again…

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So yes, this is a little earlier in the day than I normally write entries, but I’m awake so I figured I might as well. Got up at about 5:15 this morning to go with my mom to take my dad and Katharyn to the airport. They’re off to Iowa for about 2 weeks to visit relatives…I was going to come back and sleep, but once we reached the airport, my dad realized he forgot his briefcase, so we had to rush back and get it and then go back to the airport AGAIN. So by the time I got back here, I was definitely not going to be able to fall asleep again. Well, at least now I have lots of time to do something before I go to work at one. For one, I could write my poem that I’ve been thinking about…yet I don’t feel in the proper mood. For some reason, my best thoughts always come late at night.

Anyway, not too much has gone on since my last entry. I finally got a day off from work yesterday after working seven straight days, so it was nice to relax. I went to Best Buy to pick up some cables for our computers here, and while there stopped at Lifeway and got a couple CDs – they had the new Relient K and Switchfoot albums on sale for $10 each, so it made me happy to pick both of them up. I’ve only listened to the Relient K one so far, and it was pretty good. Definitely a little more serious than their previous albums, but I still enjoyed it.

Well, I think I’ll eat breakfast; I’m sort of hungry now.

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Ok, I must write this poem…I feel so bad, not having written ANYTHING creative for the past few months, and now, the past few days, lines have kept popping into my head. I got to use them for my facebook status updates, but I must put them into some kind of poem…we’ll see how it turns out.

The green hands slowly parted
allowing
He touched the silver doorbell.
An envoy from the deep green sky.
He dived into the blue inescapable.
And