Better By Nightfall

I'm not complaining, but can anyone explain to me why The Oblongs has been aired almost every night for the last week? I like the Oblongs, but I've seen most of the episodes on TBS. Very funny. I would like new anime shows more. New anime shows that don't suck, in particular, would be nice.

Just a thought. Thanks Adult Swim.

I'm going to keep this short because I need to get back to working on my research paper, but I think I can finally say that I've calmed down about it. Before today I was freaking out because I picked a complex and complicated topic that, in retrospect, I wouldn't have originally chosen if I knew what was expected of me. That being said, I fully know now what is expected of me and what I must do to get there. If it wasn't for the reassurance of my great friends, my rock'n rad girlfriend, and my mind kicking back into gear, I think I would be in a hospital right now for a panic attack or a mental breakdown. Haha!

The truth is that I have worked too hard to let it all go by the wayside on some paper this close to the end of the year. I know I have said it before, but it's the phrase I live by: I will fight. There is nothing I can't do as long as I put my mind to it and do it. So, if "it takes some work to make it work, some good to make it hurt, some bad for satisfaction"; then I'm game! After all, I wouldn't still be here if I didn't have the drive and ability to accomplish great things.

Lyrical lines in quotes compliments of Jason Mraz's song "Life Is Wonderful" from his CD Mr. A-Z

Random update, but the gym officially kicked my ass today! Jumping from week two to week four in one day was not the best idea. Yet, somehow, I thought I could do it. I survived, but I'm taking it down as a lesson not to jump to far ahead. I know I think I'm in better than I am. Haha! Regardless, I finished the 2 miles of jogging/walking, albeit a bit breathless, in roughly 26 minutes and 38 seconds. I can only hope that my 3 mile (5K) run times out at abuot this time (25-30 minutes or so) come May.

I know it's been a short while since I've posted on here, and while my usual excuse is that I'm busy I can't say that this time. Instead, my life has just been somewhat uneventful with a few exceptions (like the crazy parties of the last two weekends!).

I've started training for a 5K run in May for the 8th Annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. I started going to the gym yesterday and, for once, it didn't kick my ass. In fact, I went there and did the recommended workout as provided by my "revised" 9-week workout guide and felt really good after I got done (I've started at the second week and will probably jump to the fourth week after this weekend). Then again, I was only jogging and walking for 25 minutes. I'm anxious to run the 5K, but I'm looking forward to it too. Last year I wanted to, but I was so out of shape that I only ran the 1 mile run.

Spring break is coming round the corner with some fun items in its wake, namely my environmental history research paper. You know what that means, right? I'll be at the library for most of break. Some students get to enjoy their break at the beach with copious amounts of alcohol while I get to drown my sorrows in page after page of texts, webpages, and articles. It could be worse, though. Then again, I don't know what could be worse given the circumstances? Maybe having some disease?

So, that's where I've been in case any of you are actually wondering. Trying to survive the hurricane that my courses have thrown at me, knowing that I'll pick up the remaining pieces on the shore afterwards. (Yeah, I've been listening to SoCo a bit too much lately. Though, I recommend everyone listen to Aloha, The Album Leaf, and Lola Ray. Excellent music!)

Married To The Sea is a collaborative online art-effort between toothpaste for dinner's creator, Drew, and his wife and creator of her self-titled website, Natalie Dee. Often whimsical and random, all three sites are worth a peak.

I thought today's comic, as seen above, was particularly humorous!

What an awesome weekend!! My birthday seemed to go on for two to three days instead of just one! How awesome is that?

I'll document the details later as it's late right now and I'm TOTALLY tired from all the fun I had on Friday and Saturday night (Sleep deprivation). Rock out!

Good times, good friends, great fun! I can't wait for St. Patrick's Day!!

It's official! I'm 21. Rock out, ya'll!
Let the partying begin!

I've been in such a great mood since the debate tournament this weekend. Huzzah! It has truly been amazing. Sure, there have been some silly and stupid things going on all around me, but they don't matter. At least, I've pushed them from my mind or simply ignored them. I'm happy and focused. Stressed, but relaxed.

The perfect prelude to my birthday and a great weekend. Now if it would only stay this way for a little longer still.

Post Script (11:55 P.M.): I forgot to add, in light of my birthday, my incalculable thanks to my parents for EVERYTHING they have done for me and continue to do. Without them, their love and their support (and their money!), I wouldn't be here today doing what I do. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being the rock'n rad parents I'm blessed and beyond fortunate to have. If only my thanks were enough for everything you do for me, as well as mean to me!

What a way to end the season in debate! Overall first place at every tournament of the year and a first place in Impomptu and a second place in Communication Analysis! Rock out!

Now, back to the "good fight" and another long night!

After a meeting I had today with a good professor from the Communication Department on my campus, I stopped to talk to the secretary, Chris, as she's always personable and very helpful. Earlier in the week I had called Chris to reschedule the appointment I had with this professor due to unexpected ID card and Health Insurance renewal issues. She wasn't there when I called, but she got the message. As we were talking today, though, I told Chris what had happened and why I had to reschedule the appointment. I told her, half jokingly and half seriously, "I never knew turning 21 could be so hectic, so deceptive. Every one says turning 21 is supposed to be fun, but I haven't had much fun lately!"

"Well, that's the truth about growing older, It's deceptive. It's like when you turn 16 or 18. Heck 35 or 40! Oh, for me that seems like ages ago!"

"Oh! Come on!"

"Well, thank you! It's true though, as you get older you find that things aren't as they seem. You just have to keep a level head about it."

"Yeah...I guess you do. Heh! Thanks Chris, I'll keep that in mind!"



I was talking on the phone with my best friend, yakking away about how great March was going to be. Chatting about all these fun occasions: my birthday, my other friend's birthday, St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break. Looking at the calendar and seeing that it was still on February, I changed the month to March and in that instant everything changed. Inked in almost every day of the week were assignments, tests, papers, quizzes. I was completely overwhelmed. All this time I had been planning to chill with my older friends throughout the month, waiting to let go and relax. Instead, looking at the calendar, I realized that it just wasn't going to happen. Deception. Lack of planning. Indeed, both a deception and, of course, a lack of planning. Originally I thought March wasn't so full packed with school assignments, but I thought wrong.

March is going to be sheer madness. That's all there is to it. Madness. Almost every day of every week in March after this weekend will be crazy. It is certainly not what I thought March would be like at all. That's life, though.



Growing older is deceptive, indeed. When you think you know what it's going to be like and you plan around that, it's hard to change your mind set and perceptions. All you can do is keep a level head about it and not let it get to you too much. That's what I'm trying to do. This semester has been the hardest semester I've ever had. It's been much more than I ever bargained for. It's a rugged landscape. It's another valley to another peak. A struggle. College wouldn't be college without it, though. (And if I can't hack it now, how am I ever going to hack it on the way to my master's or doctorates?) As much as it pains me physically, mentally, and emotionally to work on all these things and still stay as level headed as possible, that's what I must do.

I will fight.

I will fight through this semester, and every day I'll remember why when I look at my wrist. Growing older may be deceptive, but holding fast to my dreams and my future is neither deceptive nor ephemeral as long as I believe and follow through. Take it to the limit!?! Haha! Heck yeah, that's what I'm gonna do!

Haha! How could I ever forget Belinda running smack dab into a trash can on accident (which I could've prevented) when we were in Amsterdam? That's one of the funniest memories I have from way back when.

Thanks for reminding me, Stephanie. I'm still smiling and cracking up about it and everything else we talked about earlier tonight.