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!

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 was pleasantly cold today. And by cold, I mean 60 degrees. But that temperature for an April day in Florida is pretty rare…I’ll take it, that’s for sure! So nice walking to class in the crisp fall-like air.

I woke up around 6:30 to go to my accounting lab. Wow, that class seems like such a high school class. One, because it’s actually easy. And two, because it starts at 7:25 in the morning. A few people were definitely sleeping in there today.

I’m going home to Tampa today for Easter weekend – even though I have a lot of homework/studying to do, I’m still looking forward to spending time with the family! Now, time to walk to Stats class. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wow, another unbelievably amazing championship run by the FLORIDA GATORS!!! Is it great to be a Florida Gator, or what? I’ve been here two years, and we’ve won a basketball championship, a football championship and ANOTHER basketball championship. April 2nd was a glorious day!

Unfortunately, I had to go to classes for most of the day, but around 5:30, me and April went to stand(or sit, rather) in line at the ODome. I’ve never seen a championship game in there before, so I figured I had to try it out…eventually Carolina, Xuan, and Said showed up and we all went inside at 7:30. We got awesome free T-shirts(“Billy-ball: The Gator Nation of Domination”) and got so hyped up in the couple hours before the game. Dream and Laura eventually joined us after their late classes.

It was such an unbelievable loud and excited environment inside the ODome – all of us felt so confident the Gators would win. And once the game started…well, I got a little nervous as we got behind, but then Corey Brewer started sinking the threes. Chris Leak talked during the halftime show and that was awesome. But even more awesome was watching the rest of the game. Even though most of our big men were in foul trouble, we still dominated on Ohio State and WON, 84-75. What a game!!! We all counted down the last few seconds and then the ODome erupted!! Hugs, high-fives, big smiles…NCAA Basketball National Champions, 07.

All of us ran out onto University Avenue then, for a celebration that has become relatively frequent these last couple years. The Gator chants, the upraised arms, the V for Victory. The masses of students all wanting to celebrate our Florida Gator basketball team. And what a team it’s been. #42 Al Horford. #13 Joakim Noah. #12 Lee Humphrey. #2 Corey Brewer. #11 Taurean Green. What a magnificent five.

And despite all this championship glory, I must again be reminded that true glory does not come from winning sports titles, but all glory is God’s. How good it is to remember that.