there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Three weeks ago, I felt completely lost and hopeless for this term, for this year, for my college career.

Now, with week 10 done as far as classes go, and this term pretty much wrapped up save for one project, I'm in a far better, happier and relaxed situation. And the project, which I had worried about because my grade for the class really does hinge on this one assignment, now seems very feasible. It's organized, I have a plan to accomplish all of the requirements...hell, I might even get a good grade on it.

And...I'm considering a couple different options for minors.

I just feel very...motivated. :) Which I haven't felt for a while. It's nice to have that feeling back.

interesting sighting

Yesterday as I was getting food between Reporting 1 and BA 101, I saw a couple of tables outside the EMU amphitheater. Students for Choice and a table that I'm guessing was supposed to oppose the death penalty.

Interesting concept. It's ok to kill fetuses that have done nothing wrong, but we don't think twice about allowing people who have committed heinous crimes (murder, serial rape and the like) to continue on to hurt more people.

I'm not trying to start an argument, or necessarily open this up as a forum for debate. I just thought it was interesting.

I love my friends.

You all probably know that I've been on a huge emotional roller coaster the past couple of weeks. Everything -- friendships, school stuff, family stuff, low self-esteem and other stuff -- have taken a huge toll on my happiness lately. Some people have all but abandoned me for it. But it's you guys, who have stuck by me when I really needed it without writing off my needs as "trivial" or unimportant, who I am honored to call my real friends. Sometimes it doesn't take a huge gesture to say a lot. Sometimes all I need is a hug, some company or a listening ear. You guys have given me that and a lot more. Even saying hi when we see each other means more than most people realize.

One of the biggest things this experience has taught me is that there are tons of people all around me who care, and I regret not realizing that earlier. Some of you I've known for a while. Some for only a couple of years. Some for only a week (we really should make up for that, Sierra. Lol.) But I hadn't known just how many people were concerned about me, and how many were willing to really be the friends I needed at the time, and all the time.

Thank you guys from the bottom of my still-aching heart. I really, truly love each and every one of you.

This blog entry is dedicated to:
Alitia Monasmith
Andrew Clark
Ashley Flock
Ashlyn Gehrett
Becky Thomson
Bess Oliver
Brian Tompkins
Cameron Jerde
Claire McLeod
Danny Hoover
Josh Shere
Kallen Dewey
Katie Kinney
Katie Nash
Kurt Mehlenbacher
Mackenzie Studebaker
Melissa Underhill
Monica Droker
Scott Klinn
Sierra Johnson
Spencer Krutzler

spring. break.

Thanks to the fortunate circumstance of having three classes, none of which have exams scheduled during finals week, I have roughly two full weeks of spring break.

Tentatively, the plan is for me to spend parts of the time in Newberg, Eugene, Salem and Central Point.

During the first week, I'm thinking about going home to Newberg to go through the stuff I left home, make a Goodwill donation run, and pack everything else up to go back to Eugene, where I'll figure out where to store it all.

I also plan on going up to Salem to visit my dad and possibly redeem my vast collection of Chuck E. Cheese tickets. :) yeah, I'm such a mature adult lol. And of course, I plan to make a long-overdue and very much needed trip to Central Point to see Alitia.

It's gonna be busy. And then I'm going to go back to Eugene and take 21-22ish credits.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

Sigh.

So, apparently my mom accepted a job offer in Alaska. Tentatively, the plan is for her to fly down March 17 and start work on March 22, and for Matt to follow in June after Abi graduates and the house gets sold. Which means I have one week during spring break to move all my stuff from Newberg to Eugene...plus see my mom for the last time for a really long time.

This is depressing. I need sleep.

Pictures from band prom...

...can be found here.