Nearly 5 years ago

So I received a message recently from a friends mom. My friend Lora died nearly 5 years ago, and still there isn't a day I don't think of her. Its weird every time I sing, I think that she is there with the harmony (we sang together on worship team in high school) every time I play volleyball I know that she is there coaching me on the side. Every time I say something silly she is there laughing with me or at me more likely. And every time I am sad I know that she is there saying that everything will be ok. Yes after 5 years things have gotten better, but after 5 years her memory is just as vivid now as it was when we finished high school. I still wish I was able to talk to her before God took her home, but I will have to wait until my day comes to meet her in Heaven. Until then only pictures and memories will have to keep her alive in this world. She was an amazing girl, one I will always admire, and one I always was jealous of. She seemed perfect, and everyone who met her loved her. I know now, after 5 years, that the jealousy was foolish, but the admiration was sweet, and beautiful. I only can pray that after this time Lora still looks down, smiles, laughs and cries when I want her here. I pray that in these 5 years while we haven't forgotten her here she hasn't forgotten us there. Lora Beth, you are a star! And you have touched so much of the world....still your dream is being lived by all of us who knew you! Lora made all of us want to be better people, and for that I am grateful!

This is a little tribute her mom has created in Columbus OH, its a huge billboard on the side of the highway. For those of you not privvy...Lora was killed by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, when driving from the movies with her friends.

Wahoo! for the American $$

Just found out the dollar is getting stronger....no more of that $1.90 to every £1. Now according to XE.com it is $1.75 to every £1.00. YAY!!! That means I can begin to pay off my tuition again. Whew, I was afraid that I wasn't going to graduate due to lack of money and paying my fees. Lets just pray it keeps going down (to the traditional $1.50) That would be nice, real nice!

Thoughts to aid procrastination

As my year of study is coming to a close I can't help but want to write ramblings about nothing. This is because I have been reading and writing about a subject all to heavy to do in one go (Child Combatants and Trauma all in the setting of war) Whew! Talk about an easy read...or not. But I must admit I am excited to get started on my dissertation and begin another chapter in my life. This time it will be a chapter of risks and chance. I have committed to myself that Clementine's Cookies is going to become a reality. I have started preparing my business plan, and have been doing my research. Although that is on hold for the moment. Its quite crazy, I think about doing this and just think "wow this could be real big" but then I wonder if I am just a silly dreamer who thinks this could be a viable option here in the North. I guess only time and money will tell, as I can't start the business without the monetary funding. But by this time next year I hope to have the cookie shop open both here in the North and online. So we'll see what I can do in the next few months I have here. It is going to be a busy summer.

On another note, I am off to H-town next week. Can't wait. It will be good to see family and friends and see one of my best guy friends in the world get married. Geez, we are all growing up so fast. I can't believe we have known each other for 13 years nearly 14. If someone would have asked me the first day of 6th grade if I would maintain friendships to this extent in my home room class I would have thought they were crazy, but alas I am not only good friends but SUPER close and have been through a lot with Jim. It makes my heart smile to see him getting married and adding a new chapter onto his life.

Well procrastination must end.

VICTORY IS MINE!!!

Well folks. It is done in the words of Caesar: veni, vidi, vici. Yes folks. I came, I saw and I conquered! I put that marathon to shame! I ran nearly to the point of tears and I pushed on. That 18th mile couldn't force me to quit. I just saw the finish line just a few miles a head. Even though the knees were about to give out and my lower back felt as though I broke my tail bone, I ran my way to the finish line. So in the time of 5:24 I finished my first marathon. Perhaps the first of many, but definitely an accomplishment for the first quarter of my life. Maybe I'll have to train for Dublin in October? We'll see...but for now its recovery time for me.

3 Month Curse

So here I am 24 years of age, and since the dawn of time have not been able to maintain any sort of relationship (family and friends don't count) longer than 3 months. It really is quite odd. This all started my senior year of high school and has continued on now into my twenty-something life. Most people by this time have had at least one if not many long-term relationships. In my time here I have had 2 relationships each of which lasted 3 months. In California it was the same...only 3 months. So what is this you ask? Is this a case of Julia Roberts syndrome? Ya know, after 3 months commitment seems impossible. Well a few years ago I would have said yes. But as time is progressing and I find myself getting older I am realizing that a solid relationship, although not necessary, would be a nice touch in my life. I had a conversation with a friend recently who told me the day I rang him to tell him I was in a serious relationship would be the day he would have a heart attack and perhaps even die. This didn't upset me, because he's been saying this since we were 13, but it did get me thinking. And thinking is all I have done since. Perhaps it isn't me at all who is the one phobic of commitment but instead the roll is reversed. It could also be that in the last 4 years I haven't lived in one place longer than a year without getting up and moving out. So that could be part of it. No matter what the reason, its quite wired. The day this 3 month curse expires will be a happy day. But until then it is back to life as usual. Keeping busy and making and maintaining friendships. Its a good thing I am content being single. :) Well there is my random venting.

2 weeks and counting till the marathon. Dear Lord! I am nervous already. Pray for good weather (no rain) it will make the run much more enjoyable.

Well this is me signing off! Thanks for reading!

Quote of the Week

"I want to rule the world. Every time I reach a new peak, I see a new one and want to climb. It's like I can't stop." ~Madonna

Quote of the Day

An Irish friend in the computer lab..."I used to think I wanted to live in America, then I read Stupid White Men."