So I know this is my third post of the day-- I'm aware I'm on the verge of entering into the pathetic realm of the blogosphere, but I just had to post THIS. It's hilarious. Maybe I'm biased because I'm dating the guy who writes it, but I forgot how funny he is (is that sad?).

I miss the Beatles.

School is out for the summer, and I have just finished my freshman year of college. I can't say I am disappointed, nor can I say I'm thrilled. As lovely as it is not to have to write papers and juggle work with school, I am going to miss learning in the classroom setting this summer.

Taking a year off school was probably the best thing I have ever done. It gave me a taste of freedom while also showing me that learning is necessary for success. Through this year, I've fallen in love with learning. I hate that college has to put a grade on my learning skills, but I have yet to figure out a more efficient way of measuring those skills, so I can't complain too much.

Now that school is out, however, I've taken up a hobby. I've never really had a hobby other than reading, watching tv, and surfing the internet (I don't really count those as hobbies). I'm learning to play the ukulele. In the past weeks, I've been astonished to learn how many people don't know what a ukulele is. My demographic comes from a small population (the people I work with), but I was still surprised. I thought everyone knew what a ukulele is.

Apparently not.

Borders and Barnes & Nobel don't even carry books on them in their stores; you have to order them. The WilCo Library doesn't have anything either. I know I can use the internet (which I have been) but I hate sitting in front of the computer all of the time (especially now that I'm confined to a desktop since my laptopm is not cooperating). But so far I've learned the chords for Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow, The Shirelles' Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Beatles' I'll Follow the Sun and Here Comes the Sun, and The Sherman Brothers' I Wanna Be Like You (the Jungle Book). I've mastered none of them, but it's fun to practice. It is only my first week and a half, so I think I'm doing alright even if I get frustrated because I don't play like brudda Iz. Maybe when I'm confident in a song I play I will post it up here. We'll see.

I'm a Hamiltonian

and I agree that the American population is politically and historically stupid and should not be allowed to vote.

That's just my opinion.

(but I'm not really a Hamiltonian because I don't choose parties)

Class

So for the past two days I've woken up at 6:30 because of classes. I've been to 3/5 and 2/3 are jokes. That physical education class is a glorified middle school gym class minus the organized sports (which I can't say that I'm too disappointed in because organized sports are not my forte). My art class isn't that bad, but you can't have a fraction over a fraction, so I round up to 2. The teacher is just awful. Not a good public speaker, and he's kind of an idiot. I'm looking forward to my 2 history classes though.

In My Physical Education Class...

...Students will discover their fitness levels and will learn how to maintain fitness levels. Students will be evaluated for strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness, body fat and lung capacity. An exercise and nutrition program will be developed to meet the needs of the individual. Participants in the course will also learn how to reduce personal health risk factors, improve nutrition, control stress, and learn about cultural differences and its impact on health and wellness. Students will also become proficient in C.P.R. and A.E.D. essentials.

I am so excited.

Get a Grip

We're told that Christianity is tough. That we'll be persecuted and that the kingdom of heaven is ours because of this. In fact, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." I'm tired of people getting shocked and outraged about this. It happens. Unfortunately, those who are getting angry about it don't probably read passages like this. You aren't going to change it, so stop complaining about it, and do something to change their perceptions about Christianity. Actions speak louder than words... if you're not doing anything, they aren't hearing what you are saying.

Extra! Extra!

So I saw Andy last month and I miss him terribly. I get to see him in 7 days though, and I can't wait!

School's almost out. One more final tomorrow. It will be as easy as pie... which pie isn't really easy to make, but it is easy to eat-- just like preparing for this final will be tedious, but it will take me 25 minutes (not that it takes me 25 minutes to eat pie... unless it's the whole pie). I'm sure all of my grades will be awesome.

Anyway, big news in the family. My brother is now engaged to Cat which really weirds me out. I don't really see him as being engaged. When I say it weirds me out, I really mean it. I don't really like it because I see him when he was 6 or seven and I was 4. He's my big cool brother... too young to be married. I'm sure he'll be just as freaked out when I'm engaged, but that still doesn't bring me any comfort.

I saw the Strother family last friday and it was a meeting and a half. I do really miss that family. I was very thrilled to hear they were adopting a little (baby)boy from Nepal. What an exciting time in their family. You can read about the adoption process and other little things in Tanya's blog, Strother Stories.

I'm watching Hannibal and it definately doesn't bring me any comfort. It's a really awkward movie.

A year ago, it was my first major holiday away from home in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, so Hannah Jackson threw me a girls get together and Hannah Williams made me this coo...biscuit.

I'm really thankful for all of the people who helped me feel at home as possible. I'm thankful for the experience I had there.

I'm also thankful for my friends and family. And warmth.

I Want to be Back in Georgia.

I miss you, Andy. Damnit.

I am a Procrastinator.

and I hate it.

I'm going to see Andy today (because it is after midnight now). I'm trying to work on a paper for English and I can't focus. I'm going to have to lose some make-out time to finish this stupid paper this weekend. It's not really stupid... that's just my frustration. I really do enjoy school though. I love being there and I still love homework. It takes missing something to really appreciate it.

Marine Ball tomorrow. I'm very excited about that as well.

Remind me to relate relationships and war in my next post. It's kinda interesting... at least to me. I have to go work on some humanities stuff now.

I go to Columbia State Community College

That's right. Also, I'm not stupid, and neither are the rest of us who go there. Just in case some were wondering.

I'm really excited to see Andy in less than a month. I can't even wait.

I really hate stepping on snails. It's a really sickening sound to hear their shells crunch. I've done it barefoot once.

I miss Hannah Jackson, and I miss Hannah Williams being around.

I want to be married already.

Why are people more likely to help the destitute in other countries than give a few bucks to a stranger on the street?