When In Rome...

Just want to let everyone know that we are alive and well... very well. The past two days in Rome have been ridiculously fun and we have seen some beautiful things. Pictures will not do them justice, but I cannot wait to show them to you anyways. We leave today for Florence! While we were here, we did as the Romans do-- I think. I don't really know what that means exactly. We ate a lot of pasta, if that counts. Yesterday we walked for a total of 13 hours and covered the Vatican, San Antonio Castle, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and several cathedrals that we wandered into. Today we are going to the Colosseum and that surrounding area before catching a train to Florence. I miss you all, and can't wait to be able to tell you about everything in more detail. Right now I have to pack because check out is at 10 at this hostel. Our next two stops are hotels, not hostels, and we will be in rooms without strangers... so that will be nice. But this really wasn't too bad, and Rome was definitely worth it!!! I'll write again when I get a chance. I love you all! Ciao!

Chapter 4: Graduation?! We're old.

Huh!? It's the week of Graduation! What???? It's only 4 days away (I graduate on Sunday morning.) This is so weird, I gotta say. I really can't believe four years have slipped by so quickly. I remember my high school graduation like it was yesterday. How in the world did we get here? Well, however we got here I'm glad that we did. And I am glad we got here together. I can't imagine a greater group of people to spend this time with. I was really dreading this whole graduation thing. With all the avoiding that we have done it is strange to say, but I am really excited to be a UF Graduate. Today Lisa said that we would all be together for our 23rd birthdays--- Ew! Then I remembered... it's just another 21st birthday. In fact it will be our "3rd annual 21st birthdays." Nothing wrong with that. I don't mind that we're getting old, because we are doing it together-- besides however old I get, Kitty will always be 5 months older, right?

Chapter 3: A Little Bit of Relief, an Eye Problem, and a Lot of Confusion

So I found out today that when I show up to classes next year at the College of Education, I will actually be able to get credits for it. My letter from grad school came in the mail today... YAY! So after signing a lease, planning my life around an extra year here, and basically refusing to believe that I could do anything other than stay here with you all-- I can plan on actually getting my Masters Degree.
My other news today is that I may have to become a pirate. My right eye is either terribly infected or scratched and either way, keeping it open is a struggle. Driving today was especially fun, but it had to be done. The funny thing is that my eye is escpecially sensitive to light... imagine this if you will: I had to wear my glasses because obviously my contacts were not an option. However, I also needed to wear sunglasses. So I wore both. That's right, sunglasses right over my glasses- It looked cool. I must say it is feeling better than it was earlier today... but the idea of becoming a pirate and wearing an eyepatch is still an option (really, even if my eye gets completely better it would still be cool.)
So now I have to give you guys something serious to read. There isn't anything to say, but it has to be mentioned. What happened at Virginia Tech is ridiculous and is really weighing on my mind. As soon as I stop thinking about it, I turn the TV on or someone randomly makes a comment about the event. I just cannot imagine what would make a person do this, and yet it keeps happening. The things that we have seen happen in our generation is something new to this world... and it is something scary. The fact that someone our age would want to end the lives of other people and his own life absolutely blows my mind. After Columbine I remember being shocked... and now this. It is always people right around our age. It scares me to think of what will be happening when we are all grown up and running the world. Something is obviously wrong with these kids... and what if it is getting worse? What about our kids? What is the world going to be like for them??? It's terrifying and there is nothing I can do but pray for those people and try to focus on the good things in the world. That isn't always easy. And this week it is hard to focus on anything except for the darkness of some peoples' hearts and minds. I am praying for everyone involved and for our generation as a whole- we have already seen too much.

Chapter 2: Anxiety

So things are really starting to get down to the wire. If we weren't staying another year, I honestly have no idea what I would do with myself. I feel so weird that after two weekends it will be time to "walk." That term really does sound so doom-filled. I like that our society makes graduating sound like we're heading toward the electric chair-- time to walk. Yeah, we "walk," but then what?... we cross a stage and shake someone's hand. It's not the end of the world. Life actually does go on. But only because we will all be back for another year. What if we had to actually leave? What if we had to "walk" away completely? What if it was 2008? To be honest with you all... it's too hard to think about. As excited as I am about having a classroom of my own and decorating it like a huge homo, it will be nearly impossible for me to leave you all and begin a life away from our swamp. All I can say is... Thank God for Gator football and Saturdays!

(aside): Why everyone locks their doors in Florida

I found this online and had to share it. I want to comment on it, but I don't really know what to say. So I will let the picture speak for itself. If a picture is worth a thousand words, like everyone says... this picture is worth approximately two thousand, three hundred, and fifty-nine words...

enjoy.

Chapter 1: Good Friday

I understand why Good Friday is "good," but that doesn't really make it easier. Easter I can really celebrate, so I am looking forward to that. Knowing that I have three Jewish readers, I am not going to dwell on this in my post, but it is consuming my thoughts today so I figured it was worth writing about...

Anyways, as you all know I am home for the Easter Weekend and have been spending time with my family and, of course, Stu. We went out on his boat last night, which seemed like a good idea. However, going out on a dark lake with bright lights on the boat actually attracts every bug within a 3 mile radius- who knew? The alternative would have been turning the boat lights off and risking another boat crashing into us... so despite my complaints, Stu opted for the bugs- he would. As you can see, I am not going to continue to be "creepy nice" to him anymore (Chelsea). I apologize- I don't know what that was about- I am sorry I worried you. We are doing really well right now though. I think it is because we are seeing each other so often; we always get along better when we are actually together. Unfortunately, the other thing I am having to do this weekend is school work. I am obviously refusing to do it today. Luckily, I can claim "religious reasons" and that makes me feel a little bit better about my procrastination. I really think that getting into the habit of keeping up with this blog is a good idea. I am disappointed to see that only Chelsea has more than one post... and Kitty is really letting me down with her blank page-- that is just RUDE. Anyways, I look forward to reading more from all of you. Even though we talk all the time, it seems that we write things that wouldn't ordinarily come up in conversation- so I don't think this blog is worthless before we are all scattered around the globe-- I think it is wonderful. I LOVE YOU ALL! And I look forward to next weekend when we will all be in Gville... FINALLY :)

Prologue

My first blog! Of course Chelsea had to instruct me on how to even begin this thing. I have trouble turning my computer on sometimes, but if you want I can write you an essay about it. So that's why this will be fun-- it also explains the title of my blog. I already had a slight break down in the technical system... Now everyone is laughing at me. Luckily, I will get a year of training in before I am off on my own without my computer tutor (haha, that rhymes.) I cannot tell you all how happy I am that all the girls are staying in Gainesville for an extra year. That is, of course, assuming that my grad school application is approved. The college of education is a little slow, and my deadline wasn't until June. It's a good thing I was the first one to sign a lease and plan on another year in Gainesville since I still don't have proof that I am staying here. The way I see it, no one can actually make me leave. I will continue to show up for classes and if they don't let me pay or give me credits for them, at least I will be learning. Afterall, we are all here for the education, right? So either way, I look forward to an extra year in the greatest place ever!