Raise your hand if you're feeling melancholy today..!

I was thinking "awesome, I don't have to go through that bummer feeling of moving out of North Park because I've been outta there for five-ish months now."  Well, I was wrong.  I must be having sympathy pains for those of you who do have to go through the whole empty campus goodbye for the summer thing.

It's a lonely night.  I've found that I enjoy the weekdays and having something to do, even if it is just going to work.  I'm missing my friends tonight.  Kels, Julianna, Sarahlou (who I got to see today but will be going back to France in a week THEN to the Congo for a year) Jessica, and even my only friend who lives around here, Kat.  (She's dating an extremely obnoxious, offensive guy I used to be friends with in high school...and you know how girls get when guys come into their lives...yeah, it's sickening, I know) 

So I'm a loner...which I really don't mind so much.  It's 100x better than going out and getting drunk or hanging out with trashy people at a bar, or hanging out with a guy who you know will inevitably just cause a lot of un-needed emotions to surface.

I'm content with God.  It excites me to see His presence in my life.  I know that this time of solitude isn't merely coincidence.  It's something I need...something God has a hand in.

Life is beautiful...with all of it's seasons, whether they be somber or joyous...

God is good.  Yes He is.  Yes He is.  So Good So Good!  (that was for Jess)

In honor of Grace leaving for the Summer I have decided not to shower today.  In fact, I think I will not shower again until she comes back next fall...all in the name of Grace Chambers.

Ok, the real reason I didn't shower today is because I was to lazy to wake up and bathe myself.  What is it about thunderstorms that make you want to stay in bed all day?  Whatever it is, I conquered it today!  (at least so far...making it to work is more than half the battle)  And considering how few cars there were on the roads this morning I'm guessing that there were many people who got consumed by the message of Pastor Pillow this morning.

For those of you moving out for the summer, it's simply tradition that Mother Nature make it rain on the last day of school.  It goes with the somber mood of leaving your best friends, your North Park lover, ARA food, and of course teachers like Jim Nelson, Phys plant workers like Mr.Phillips, and papers...lots and lots of papers...that you have for so long enjoyed doing. 

Oh man, I need to GET OVER IT!  I've already graduated and yet I'm still stuck back at North Park with these Covenant-Swedish-having a really swell football team-ish feelings.  Well for those of you thinking, what a LOSER...it's in the rulebook that I get a year to get over college.  Just ask the people in charge of intramurals...

Guess what?!?!  I got paid last night..and you know what that means?!?!?  That means I have OVER $1000 in the bank now!  And, to top off all of the excitement, next week's paycheck will leave me with ZERO debt and STILL over $1000 in the bank.  Next week's paycheck will be landing safely in the hands of Visa and Old Navy.

Oh geez, you guys don't care about any of this.  You are all consumed by the depression of people packing their bags and campus getting emptier and emptier.  Well Boo Hoo!!  I had to deal with it for 4 (to 5) SUMMERS!  I wished all of that beautiful weather away just so I could come back to North Park and be in the presence of Charcoal Delights and VonSteuben punks.  Imagine that...the things you think you hate will grow to be the things you most adore.

Well..................tis about time for work to begin (and I'm not just looking into your gruesome futures)...I really have to start working in about 2 minutes.

So you freaky little North Park freaks....ENJOY this time!  If you don't....you have ME to answer to!  (ooh scary, i know)

Ok...worky mcworkster is starting without me...

Happy Friday!

Grace...

First off...I just got stuck in the elevator and I have such a fear of getting stuck in elevators.  Oh man!

Anyways, directions to my house...

My address is 1462 Lake Louise Dr. Palatine, IL 60074 so if Rod just wants to type it into Mapquest I'm sure that would work too.  But I'll give you Bethquest directions anyways...

Take 90 towards the NW suburbs (IKEA, Woodfield, etc).  After about 20-30 miles on 90 there will be a ramp for the NW suburbs...you'll take that (it will be the first ramp-going to the right).  That ramp will put you on 53 (another highway)...you'll just stay on 53 for about 7 miles until you reach Palatine Rd.  Take the Palatine Rd.-WEST exit (which is the second Palatine Rd. exit.  You will then take Palatine Rd to the next stoplight which will be Winston and take a Right on Winston.  You will stay on Winston as it curves around a school (by a lake) with apartments on the other side of the road.  (I live behind those apartments).  You will reach a fork in the road where you will veer left onto Lake Louise Dr.  My house is the second one on the left....with big ugly trees in front that need some massive grooming.  If a green car is not in the driveway then it's likely that I'm not there...but either way you can knock on the door...

Let me know when you guys plan on arriving...With no traffic it should take you only 45min to an hour to get to my house.  WITH traffic it may take you an hour and a half.

Also, let me know what you want to eat...or if you want to go grocery shopping together.  I guess the weather forecast calls for rain which probably means we will not be able to grill out.  Also, also...I hope you guys like Survivor (if not, I can just tape it but...)  Also, also, also...I have the movie Big Fish... if you guys haven't seen it, you should.

Anyone else reading this that wants to come for dinner tonight...feel free.  The more the merrier.  And the more people the less I will feel like a third wheel with one Beastly Couple!

You know, I've met people who have said that they didn't "want to be social" their senior year of college.  They say they had "enough friends."  I personally think this is the most foolish thing.  Last semester was my last semester at North Park and if I would have shut myself off to meeting new people I would have been severely missing out on some wicked awesome friendships.

....Amy, you deserve to smile.  You deserve to be out socializing with friends.  You are just as capable as any other girl of talking about guys you have crushes on.  Your smile warms my heart.  I love that I no longer look at you as the "crabby girl who works in ARA."  You're an incredibly intelligent, talented, and beautiful woman.  I'm amazed at the changes I've seen in you in the past school year.  You're a good bruiser, but you're an even better friend.

...Grace, what can I say...?  You're a young one...what, five years younger than I am.  But you are a wonderful example of how you should never close yourself off to meeting different people of different ages, shapes and sizes....because EVERYONE has something to share.  You have seriously enlightened my life.  You are gifted with the ability to make people feel worthy and loved.  In you I see so many Christ-like qualities...Your faith in Christ and how you live it out every day is inspiring and heart-warming.  Don't ever let the devil get you down.  God is bigger than him!

And to all of my other ARA buddies, you've blessed me with your friendships.  Erik Nordenson, I'm not sure that I've ever met someone so loving and genuine.  Vicki Smith, though our time was short-lived, catering was the cherry on top last semester.  When you asked that janitor guy for help...that was great.  I adore humbling experiences...times when you can just laugh at yourself.  Plus, you've got a smile that can brighten up even that creepy ARA elevator shaft.

Why am I getting sentimental...?  I already graduated!!

Okay, work started about 12 minutes ago...I better get working!

Be blessed!  Trust God!  And NEVER forget to smile!

Yo necessito trabajar por mucho dinero...

Sleeping in would have been real nice this morning (surprise surprise).  I've gotten so lazy that I don't even do my hair in the morning and putting make-up on is far from a priority.  I know this may seem like nothing to you, but for my ugly mug it is important to cake it on.

So, the reason I need money is #1 to pay off my credit card bills, #2 to eventually move out of my house #3 to go to Santa Cruz and visit Grace's sweet a$$ this summer.  And the list goes on and on...It's amazing how many things you "need" when you have NO money.

By the way, Amy...if Grace comes to my house some night this week for dinner you should come with her.

And Grace, if you can't find time to get out here this week, don't worry about it.  Seriously, don't feel any pressure (and tell Rod the same).  Of course I'd love to have you, but despite what you may think I'd prefer not to hold you against your will.

And, you know people, you CAN comment on my xanga.  I wouldn't mind.  I know they're boring entries, but sometimes alittle lovin' would be nice...even if I don't know you.

Hi Ho Hi Ho.....