I'm not quite sure that I have completely grasped the concept of how one can live in a particular location for 18 years, yet feel so out of place in said location. Chances are good that if you've spoken to me during these 3+ weeks I have been in Virginia, you've gotten mixed opinions about my time here thus far. Perhaps my expectations were too high when I arrived here that I would get that warm feeling of "home" in my stomach and automatically fall back into my old routine of arguing with my parents, hanging out with my best friends on a daily basis, and working at a low-wage (but money, none the less) job in between. I've certainly hit the nail on the head when it comes to arguing with my parents, that's for sure. I guess that once you have a taste of freedom you don't really want to give it up so easily.

I seem to have come upon a lot of stress since the day I arrived - stress that I don't experience in New York. I like being in New York better...I'm sorry that's hard to believe for so many people. I did move for several reasons, and one of them was so that I didn't have to deal with all of this anymore. I guess it's hurtful to those around me and even makes it seem as though I am trying to say that I would prefer being further away from them. That's not true. It's far from being true. I truly enjoy spending time with people I care about, but there's so much going on behind the scenes that I'm not willing to put up with.

I'm constantly being asked how much longer I will stay in Virginia for. Well, even though I've told each of you individually, I guess I will have to address this on a larger scale -- I have no idea. My original intentions were to spend my entire summer break in Virginia (that is until mid-August). However, sometimes life gets in the way and makes your original choices sound not so grand after all. I begin my job at Kohl's on Monday, which is the day after tomorrow. I'll go through orientation, training, etc. for a few days, if not weeks, and I will be evaluating how I like the job. I will make one of three choices, either: a.) I will absolutely hate the job, quit, and go back to New York sometime in July, b.) Enjoy the job enough to look into transferring to a Kohl's in the Albany area and head on back to New York towards the end of July or the beginning of August, or c.) Fall in love with the job and stick to my original plan of spending the entire summer in Virginia (and the probably look into transferring to Kohl's in the Albany area for the fall 2008 semester).

I really wish I were able to come to here and write about an amazing summer, but I'd be lying to all of you, and most importantly, myself.

I suppose that this is all for now.

Everything can be a game...

Why walk when you can run?

If you don't like it, don't eat it.

Laughter feels good.

Playtime is important.

The world should be full of color.

It's always more fun with friends around.

Adventures are found outside, not inside.

It's important to use your imagination.

Anything is possible, because

You have your whole life ahead of you

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15 The beach
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19 Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy or kitten.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38 Holding hands with someone you care about.
39 Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the _expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Yesterday I went on a "field trip" (:P) with Michael, Mike, Joe, and Charlie to the East Campus of UAlbany which is across the river. Me and Joe had to leave early, so we drove separately. On the way back I got lost in downtown Albany. I would have been freaking out if I was alone, not that Joe was of much help anyways. At least I got an amazing view of The Egg, the Empire State Plaza, and the Times Union Center...figures I would have been to all 3 already, though. I was mainly scared when I had to drive through the tunnels. I'm not sure why. We eventually made it back to school and were late to class, but oh well. :P

I had 2 exams this week, and I think both went OK. I got an 85 (which is the equivalent of an A- in that particular class) on my first exam, but I have yet to receive the score on my second one. I don't think I did as well, but I definitely still did acceptable. Next Tuesday I have exam #3, on Thursday I have to submit part 4 of my research project, and Friday I have to register for next semester's classes. After this coming week is over, I will be sailing pretty smoothly until finals. I'm pretty excited about that.

There's only about a month and a half until I will be heading back to Virginia for the summer. I'm convinced I'll have a pretty awesome time.

Hey, it's a beautiful day
And I'm starting to feel a lot better
So wake up! Wake up!
It's t-shirt weather. =)

SUP being super busy all of a sudden?! It makes time flyyyyy by.


I'm so excited - you have no idea! I can't believe it.







P.S. Be everything you are.

Those changes I mentioned before? Progressing well, coming along spectacularly.

I'm actively seeking out job #2. Gotta start saving more and more money. I won't be working there long though...I'm getting a job in Virginia this summer. Not at Michael's, but in the vicinity. Most likely Khols. And why not? I've already been told I'd be hired.

My first exam of the semester is tomorrow in statistics. I'm not fond of statistics. It's something I have to tough out though. For some reason I can't be a communications major if I don't take it. It's not like I'm a math major. WHUDAFXUP?

In other news: it's snowing like crazy. It's supposed to snow somewhere between 3 and 6 inches, or 4 and 8 inches, or 6 and 12 inches. I guess it depends on which news channel you watch, right? I wish people would get their shit straight. It sure would be nice if this snow cancels school tomorrow, however, the chances of that happening are slim to none - even if half the students and faculty get killed in a 57 car pileup on 787 or 90. It could happen. I just don't want to take that exam tomorrow otherwise I'd have no problem with tomorrow.

I should probably go study. How do you study for math? I'll never survive this.

Happy Valentine's Day even if yours isn't going to be happy. Be happy for those that are happy. It won't hurt you.

School is good. Boring, but good. Work is better than school, but that's typical.

Today I got to go to lunch with several of my co-workers and I enjoyed it.

Tomorrow I'm excited to be hanging out with one of my best friends. I haven't gotten to see her in 2 months due to conflicting busy schedules. Saturday night I have dinner plans with family friends, and Sunday I will be going to the movies. I plan on making this weekend a good one.

I'm getting closer and closer to confirming my next trip to Virginia. I've told a few people about my plans, but I haven't told everyone, as I am not 100% positive yet.

Cutting this junk short, getting to bed, and ready to start my amazing Friday. After classes tomorrow I will go into Glenmont and pick up job applications; I'm getting another part-time job to help with the financial situation. Got gas yesterday morning...$3.27! RIDICULOUS.

Goodnight!!

P.S. Happy Blue Friday tomorrow =)

It's time for some changes, and no, I'm not trying to be one of those pathetic kids who says whatever they can in a sad effort to fish for attention. In fact, I'm extremely happy with my life and (most) everything that comes along with it. When I say changes I mean strictly within myself and for my own well being. February is the month. I have a bad history with Februarys, now that I think about it, so I'm going to make sure 2008 is different.

With that being said! Wow...I had quite an interesting time going back in history and deleting all of my past journal entries. It was an experience realizing how much I've changed over the past almost 4 years that I've had this journal. I didn't even realize this thing had been around for that long.

In other news, life is fantastic!, which I sort of mentioned earlier. Since I last updated this thing I graduated high school, moved out of my parents' house to New York, started college (and successfully completely my first semester), and have begun a completely new life! Saying goodbye to my friends, family, and the only place I've ever known was likely one of the hardest things I've ever put myself through. I'm going to leave that at that.

I went back to Virginia for Christmas and I stayed for a month - give or take a couple days. My time spent there was unforgettable. I have to admit, while I was away (5.5 months) I had forgotten all that I was missing. I no longer had the desire to participate in old activities that I used to willingly take part in. I was fine being away from everyone, and I was excited to be living my own life. However, I was also excited to see everyone again, and now that I have, I really realize what I'm missing. I miss hanging out with friends on a daily basis, and not just weekends like I do here. It was hard to say goodbye again, but not as hard as it was the first time. I know what I have to look forward to next time I go back...whenever that may be. I still haven't decided.

Currently, my second semester of college is roughly a week and a half in, and I'm pretty satisfied with my courses thus far. I dropped one of them, theater, for various reasons, and I believe it was for the best.

I am involved with the work-study program on my campus and I work in the Office of Media Relations. Sometimes I call it Media and Marketing or simply M&M. That's for future reference. I pretty much fell in love with my job when I went for the interview and nothing has changed since. My co-workers are amazing, my assignments are amazing, and I simply have an amazing time being there. It's one of those jobs that I don't mind working over-time for and not being paid for. One of those jobs I look forward to going to.

Now that I've updated about myself, I can talk about pretty much anything I want to talk about. I'll do that next time.

Mainly because the college life is getting to be boring, but also because I like to write. I really do. And I'm getting tired of only being able to write about things I'm told to write about. So, uh, here it is. A real update is coming sooner or later - probably sooner rather than later, actually.