i took a trip out to the country yesterday, to mow my grandma's lawn. she lives on an acre or two with about 50 trees so it was an all-afternoon event. country people get stereotyped easily into that 'simple' lifestyle, though in my family's case, its true. its so quiet, you almost miss the sound of traffic or other people being loud. but then you realize you hate those things, and so you enjoy the quiet. i went over to my cousin jay's house in the evening, where they have 4 (that's right, four) trans-ams. 1980, 1987, 1989 (i think) and 2002. i drive a honda.
anyway, i'm chillin here in the tech lab now, printing off some resumes, about to pick up some applications around town. i'd really like to work in a photo lab somewhere, or maybe outside at a greenhouse. but i'll pretty much take whatever comes my way.
my new apartment lease starts friday. i need to pack.
pinewood derby at hocking hills this weekend. can't wait.
********************
thumbs up: family
thumbs down: rain
quote: "so what do you say we go into town and get some beers?" - my 17-year-old cousin, with a beer already in his hand. ah, putnam county
cd rotation: get up kids: eudora
ahhhhhhh....
thats me taking a deep breathe, letting out a huge sigh, and beginning my summer vacation.
i graduated, with justin actually, though unlike him i didn't even sit next to someone i knew. i graduated with honors, summa cum laude in fact, which was one of the driving forces behind all of my hard work these four years, though this year especially. i was also recognized for completing my senior honors project which was very nice. most of time i try to be very modest and truth be told, i probably undersell myself a lot. well, for those few seconds of applause, when i was standing up and saw my family clapping furiously, my mom's eyes all red and a tissue in hand, i felt proud that i had accomplished something. something so great as to be recognized in front of a few thousand other people for it. and for that feeling, it was worth it. though ultimately the feeling i prize is knowing i gave school my best shot for four whole years and ended up on top. God did some incredible things to me, by making my mind soft and quick and pointing me in the right direction; in this case, the physical direction east. i have no doubt that it was God working this entire time, from my dorm room in kreischer to the 4th street apartment and now the beloved Q4. as justin said, its been an incredible ride, though now its easier to look back and see God's hand on everything, just like i remember praying for just over four years ago.
i have so much more to write but nothing more to write. maybe i'll take some time off from writing here, i'd like to take my journal back up. we'll see what happens i suppose.
but now for some much-deserved thank-yous:
mike: for eating lunch with me three times a week, for being intellectually curious, for wanting to go out and get it.
justin: for dreaming, then following those dreams. for letting me be a part of your movies, its an honor. for staying true when our friends waver and backslide.
heidi: for adventure stories. for wanting to change the world. for realizing that living life is important.
wags: for caring so much when it seems few others do. for taking the straight and narrow path as people at work quit and fire rumors at you. for doing the best you can.
andrew: for sticking to your guns, for building relationship with people, for realizing who we are and who God is.
suzy: for your giving, the church may not even realize how much you do for it, but i'm sure the "Church" does. for your heart, and reaching out to your friends. for wearing your prom dress to pinewood practice!
tim: for following your desires and doing what you want to do, learning what you want to learn, and, well, farting when you want to fart. i think all three are immense talents we all wish to have ;)
kelly: for being mature when others are not, for consistency in the youth group.
franklin: for making me laugh so hard my stomach hurts.
kathy: for encouraging me, for building me up, for seeing some fun in a shy 16 year-old. for getting me out of my shell.
kurt: for caring about school and having decent conversation about it. for wanting to do something with your life. for knowing something about everything.
alaska j: for that laugh. its enough.
katie a: for not agreeing with everything i say. it shows you think.
ray: for being the smoothest guy, for relating, for being everything a roommate should.
there are lots of other people and i'm sorry if you've not been mentioned. i just tried to think of the readers.
********************
thumbs up: sleeping in until 11
thumbs down: 50 is not only the temperature but also the wind speed
quote: no quote here, but when greg was hit in the nuts while batting in whiffle ball it was pretty dang funny
cd rotation: fsf: how to start a fire