It is now July. Wooo! And I’m feeling pretty tired right now. Actually, it’s probably because I’m getting sick. No fun at work tonight – hard to feel cheerful when you’re sick. Ah well. If I can just take enough vitamins to head this off at the pass, that’d be nice. Anyway, I’m sure no one wants to hear about me being sick, but it’s really hard to think of anything else that has been going on lately. All that I’ve been doing is working and hanging out at home, mostly. Looking forward to Gville this fall!

And I really wanted to write a poem tonight, but I don’t think I’m in the proper mood(too tired/sick). So I shall leave you with one line(as a reminder to myself, too)…

And he touched the silver doorbell

Goodnight all!

So, was working at Sweetbay tonight and had a very interesting time. The power went out, smoke was pouring out of the liquor store, the whole store was evacuated, and six fire engines showed up before it was all over. Don’t worry, I’m still alive.

Actually, it wasn’t as bad as all that… Around 9:30 or so, the power went out and it was dark for about five seconds before the backup generators kicked in. All the lights outside were still dark, but we had power to our registers and dim lights overhead, so business went on as usual. I joked with the customers about finding their way around the store, but everything seemed to be all right. Around 10, I saw fire trucks pulling up to the store and one of the service leaders told me we would be evacuating. It was hilarious though because the customers didn’t want to leave and kept coming up to the registers to be rung up. I rung up one more person and then we made the customers leave before we did, as the firefighters came in the store. We stood outside for about half an hour, keeping our eyes on the propane tanks and wondering what in the world was going on.

Well, we found out that when the power went out, an AC unit in the liquor store blew and eventually started smoking(we could smell it from outside). And that was the whole story…it must have been pretty bad because when we went back in the store, there was lots of smoke in the liquor store. But no fire. So the fire trucks went home, the store stayed closed…and we got to clean up. Oh joy. So, no exciting ten-feet tall flames or anything like that. Still, I got to stand around doing nothing for an hour. And while I was there, some of my neighbors came by and called my parents, since they knew I’d be working then. So my dad came over to make sure I wasn’t dead(since they had told him, “There are firetrucks everywhere but we don’t see James at all!”

So there’s the story of the Great Sweetbay Fire of ’07. Except it wasn’t so great. And it wasn’t really a fire. Meh, that sounds too cool though.

Ok, work tomorrow, so goodnight!

Having an absolutely awesome day. And by that, I mean I feel totally relaxed and free. I really do love summertime…I don’t work until 7 tonight, so am just enjoying being with my family and watching the US Open with my dad. Tiger’s tied for the lead right now – hopefully he can pull out the win. I was just thinking about a couple months ago when I was in school, and how Sunday would always be a horribly busy day full of studying and homework – now I can enjoy relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, not even having the thought of homework looming overhead.

Wrote the previous paragraph a few hours ago – now feeling very satisfied after a great shrimp and salad dinner for Father’s Day. Still watching the US Open and hoping Tiger can come back to win it. Going to work pretty soon, but wanted to write about how amazing yesterday was.

It was Steven and Liz’s wedding day!! Andrew, Dream and I went up to Gainesville together – pretty uneventful drive. We got there early because Andrew was the official photographer and had to take all the prep pictures. So I saw Rob and others and hung out at Creekside until it was time to start the ceremony. And what a beautiful ceremony it was…weddings are such happy joyous occasions – Liz was radiant; Steven was smiling non-stop…I’m just so happy for them!! Pastor Parker did the ceremony and he did a great job. Rob was a groomsman and Katie was the maid of honor.

Afterwards, the reception was in the fellowship hall and it was just as much fun as the ceremony! We started off with snack-type foods while the wedding party got photographed, then Steven and Liz came in(“Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy!”) and we had the main meal…lots of meat, salad, pasta shells, green beans, potatoes…mmm, so delicious. I was at a table with Dream, Andrew, Rob, Mary, and others. When it came time for toasts, Steven’s brother gave one, along with Katie and Rob. Rob’s was awesome because it was dedicated to God and how He is the one that brought Steven and Liz together. So true(afterward, Liz also thanked God and gave all glory to Him!). Well, then there was a slideshow of Steven and Liz’s lives…great fun seeing them as children and as they grew up. After the reception, they ran through clouds of bubbles to their car as they went off to Colorado…I’ll see them next in the fall. It was great seeing other people that I haven’t seen for a while, like the Lebos, Rob’s family and relatives, Mary, Lisa and Shawn, and others.

Well, this is a pretty long post already, but basically wanted to write all this to commemorate what a fantastic day yesterday was. Going to watch some more golf now. Hope everyone’s summer is going great!

Just got my first paycheck from Sweetbay…Hurrah! Finally my bank account balance will be going up again. Today I don’t have work, so just doing some chores around the house and spending time with my sisters…anyway, now to the real reason I started this entry:

Stolen from Becca:

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense.
NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today?
Keiji(means careful or cautious in Japanese)
Ooshima Michiru

Whats your outlook on life?
Departure of the Fellowship
Howard Shore

What does your family think of you?
Hammer to Fall
Queen

What do your friends think of you?
Think of Me(HAHAHA…I found that amusing)
Andrew Lloyd Webber

What do strangers think of you?
Arrius’ Party
Ben Hur soundtrack

What do your exes think of you?
Dammit(hmm..)
Blink-182

How has your love life been so far?
The Temple of Doom(Hahaha)
John Williams

How will your love life be in the future?
Sailor Stars Song(If it’s as fun as this song, I’ll be happy)
Kae Hanazaya

Will you get married?
The Training of a Jedi Knight/The Magic Tree
John Williams

Will you have kids?
I Can’t Take my Eyes off of You(can’t believe this is on here)
High School Musical soundtrack

Were you good in school?
Never Surrender
Marty O’Donnell(Halo Soundtrack)

Will you be successful in life?
1812 Overture
Tchaikovsky

What song should they play on your birthday?
King for a Day(Haha, good one)
Green Day

What song should they play at your funeral?
Yoda and the Younglings
John Williams

Soundtrack of Your Life:
He Trusted in God 🙂
Handel’s Messiah

You and your best friend are:
Feeling Good
Muse

Happy times:
The Long and Winding Road
Beatles

Sad Times:
Bring Me to Life
Evenescence

Every day:
Easy Way Out
Charlotte Church

For tomorrow:
The Wrong Company
Flogging Molly

Your Intimate Life:
I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo
BBC Big Band

How are you going to live your life?:
Your Name is Holy
Skillet

Is anyone going to repost this?:
Muscle Museum
Muse

Fun times..some of those were almost on target!

Hmm, been a while since I posted in here. Lots of things have happened since then…I turned twenty, for one. And I am now officially a working man again. Well, at least part-time. Working at Sweetbay isn’t too bad, because the people there are pretty cool and I’m getting the hang of manning the register.

Anyway, I really can’t think of what else to write here – not sure why I started this entry! I actually have to go bed fairly early these days because work starts at eight. Ok, ok, that isn’t that early. But compared to having a 12:50 first class back in the spring semester, eight seems REAL early.

Hmm, maybe I shall write a poem. Nope, don’t feel in the mood. 16 days until Steven and Liz’s wedding! That’s going to be so exciting – can’t wait! And now, think I will get ready for bed. Too bad this entry isn’t that substantial, but since I’ve already written it, I might as well post it. Good night, all!

Ok, so this is my last day – last night! – as a teenager. Tomorrow I turn 20. Wow, that’s weird. I felt so old today; I went to Laura’s Ben Hill 8th grade awards ceremony. I remember when I was in that, about six years ago! Everyone looked so much younger than I remember eighth graders being, yet I remember my time in my eighth grade Spanish class so clearly…I’m so proud of Laura, doing so well in all her classes – it was fun meeting her teachers and her cool friends.

I also went to orientation at Sweetbay today – yes, that’s where I’ll be working this summer. Unfortunately, I’m only going to get part-time hours. Maryanne and Katharyn will be working there as well, so we’re going to have a Hogan monopoly on the store – pretty awesome.

This summer’s still been going awesomely. My dad’s been keeping me busy with chores around the house, but hey, it’s better than studying for exams. Katharyn’s grad party is this weekend and a bunch of relatives are coming in from Iowa/Nebraska – should be lots of fun! I’m also going to Eric and Melissa’s wedding this weekend. I can’t wait!!! I do love weddings. After that, I’ll be going with Karen up to Gainesville and go to Creekside on Sunday before coming back for Katharyn’s grad party. And Dream’s still in Korea – it’s sort of weird to think of her being halfway around the world. Anyway, it’s so fun reading her blog and seeing her pictures of her trip…interesting, what a different life it is.

Ok, think I will get some sleep(maybe read a little first!) as I end my teenage years..

Good times in Tampa…

I still can’t believe the school year’s over. I know that must be getting old by now, me saying this all the time, but I just LOVE the freedom that the end of the school year brings. Last night was able to go over to Andrew’s place and hang out with him, Rachel V, and Sweeney, and talk, eat popcorn…and just relax. No having to worry about upcoming tests or project due dates. Just fun with friends.

And today was just awesome. Around 12 or so, April and Marcy picked me up and we went to Dunedin beach. Dream and Stephanie Mecca came later and we just soaked in the sun and enjoyed the beautiful summer wind. Ah, how I love the beach. We took multitudes of pictures(whatever did we do before Facebook) and talked as we watched sun slowly set. What a lovely day! Came back home and Mecca and Dream talked with my family for a while…ahh, last time I’ll see Dream for a while since she’s going to Korea in 2 days!! And then I called Rob and we caught up on the last few days since we left Gainesville.

Oh, and I got my grades back today. All A’s except for one B+ in Statistics. Ah well, I can’t have ’em all. Praise God for the abilities he’s given me to do this well!!

Now, I’m pleasantly tired, slightly sun-burnt, and deliciously happy with the way the summer’s gone so far.

Being back in Tampa is great. Even though it’s so weird not being able to see most of my friends on a daily basis now. I love eating my mom’s food again and being able to lounge around at home. So wonderful after always being stressed in classes, just to relax and be with my family, not a care in the world…

Saw Spiderman 3 tonight with Chris and Dream – was definitely a fun movie, although it was all over the place. Three villains, crazy plot..but I liked it for the popcorn flick it was.

I sort of want to write a poem or something, but I currently lack the inspiration. Ah well, maybe another night.

SCHOOL’S OUT!!

Finally, my last exam of my last class is over. Math stats exam was at 7:30 this morning – I feel absolutely wiped out right now. I’m not even going to say how late I was up last night studying. Before the exam, I got two large cups of coffee and went in and dominated. I think. We’ll see in a few days, but either the test was easier than I thought it would be or I just remembered more than I thought I would. But for the grace of God…

I was so happy when the exam was over…no more school for the summer! I was singing and praising God…here’s the song I was singing:

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thy great power
Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens
And the earth by Thine outstretched arm.

Nothing is too difficult for Thee
Nothing is too difficult for Thee
Great and mighty God
Great in counsel and mighty in deed

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing
Nothing is too difficult for Thee

So glad all my classes are done…as I’m sure all of my readers can tell. I think my grades turned out ok – I will update when I’ve found out my final grades for the whole semester(Oh, I did find out one grade – I aced my last Operations Research test!) Now, I will crash and get a little much-needed sleep. After the exam, I stopped by work and I was starting to get dizzy from lack of food and sleep. I went to breakfast afterwards, so I have food. Now I just need sleep.

Leaving Gainesville tomorrow!! Bittersweet..

It’s getting late and I’m tired. But I must last only 3 more days and this semester will be over!!

I have to say, I’m going to be sad going back to Tampa though. As much as I can’t wait to see my family and Tampa friends, I’m going to miss everyone up here. Today(or rather, Sunday), went to Creekside for the last time this semester…sad saying goodbye to everyone. Had a sweet lunch at Red Onion Grill before working on my project for 3 hours. Then Rob and I went to play disc golf with the Lebos and his mom…a good break from work, I must say. After that, went out with Dream and Laura and Heather(Laura’s sister) for our last Ben and Jerry’s run of the semester. Ahh, good times…I will miss my mint chocolate chunk goodness.

Ok, so it seems that I did lots of things besides working today, but I really did get a lot done. Yet, there is so much more to do. I’m working on my AutoCAD project right now(well, technically I’m writing this entry, but shhh) and I have my Math Stats final on Wednesday at 7:30am. And then I’m DONE. Hopefully my grades will turn out ok. I should have an A in Intro to ISE and Financial Accounting(depending on the curve for the final) and Operations Research. Math Stats depends on the final. And AutoCAD, I’m not expecting an A…but we shall see. Anyway, I can’t wait until I don’t need to worry about grades for the whole summer. I will be working in Target over the summer instead, since I need to rebuild my badly depleted bank account.

Well, this was a nice little break from work. Back to making concrete wheel-stops in CAD. Sounds fun, huh?