Hug Time

I try to take at least one day a week to remember all the things I am thankful for. Sometimes I write them down and sometimes I just send them up to God. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about friends and how truly grateful I am that so many terrific people have come into my life. It is so easy to forget about people. Every time you leave a school, job, church, etc, it is easy to just let those friendships die. No one means for this to happen. You get busy, and you say you are going to write/email/call but you don't. And the more you put it off, the harder it gets to remember, and before you know it, you haven't spoken to your best friend in six years. This is the kind of thing that truly breaks my heart. I can't stand not knowing what my friends are doing, because once someone enters my heart, it is very hard for me to let them go. I didn't make any specific New Year's Resolutions this year. I hardly ever do. Mostly, because I am constantly trying to make myself better, so setting specific ones for the new year seems silly. But, if I were to make one now, I would resolve to keep my friendships alive, and rekindle the ones I've lost. I know that there is little I can do about the friends I lost in elementary school. They are pretty much gone from my life, and though I remember them fondly, I know so little about them that it would be hard for me to ever locate them again. As for middle school and high school, I have managed to stay close with most of them. This makes me happier than you could know. And for those of you at UVA, I am trying to keep in touch, and am working hard on a way to get to Charlottesville to visit you all. I was reminded the other day, though, of all those other people I have met and lost.

I guess it started with The Facebook. I was sitting at home in my dad's office, just browsing to keep my mind off of being home alone, and I came across the picture of a dear friend from my high school church retreats. So, I sent him a message, and I am happy to say that we are on our way to building back up the friendship we had lost. Then, I was cleaning out my room upstairs and packing everything into boxes that wasn't going into my new room in the basement. I came across all of pictures, and that got me thinking. I went to Interlochen and made friends with so many people. These are people with whom I will probably be working. Yet, the only one I still talk to is Allison, and I am spotty at best with her. Sorry, Alli. Or District Band. I haven't talked to my best friend in years. So, I sent a card to his house in the hopes that he'll get it and reply. I feel good that I am making an effort, but it feels like not enough, somehow. There's a saying that some people come into your life for a moment, and some stay, and while I believe that is true, I think part of the reason so many friendships are transient is because we don't make an effort to retain them. This isn't just true for friendships. Think about it. How often do you call your grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents? Do you remember to send a Christmas card to that teacher who changed your life? How often do you call your siblings to tell them that you love them? So often we let the day to day demands of our lives get in the way of the things that are really important. I ask each of you to join me in making the conscious effort to maintain relationships with the people we care about. I love you all.

It seems it's been quite awhile since I updated the ole blog. I guess I just can't seem to make myself write here regularly like I should. Lately, I can't say much has been going on. Last night, I had dinner at IHOP with Sara, Sam and Ana. Totally good times! Although, the ride out there sucked (but that's a story for another day.) Christmas was fabulous. I enjoyed spending time with my family, and my sister brought her cat, so I didn't miss Mittens nearly as much as I would have. New Year's, I went to Kati's and got to see Kelley and her new boyfriend. That was nice. Kel, I totally approve. :) The Highroad Christmas party was great. I did feel a little awkward at times, though. It served as a reminder that it's time for me to move on. I did spend the night at Libbie's afterwards, and that was fabulous. Other than that, things have been pretty slow. I have read something like twelve books since I've been home, which, for me, is pure heaven. And, I am trying to remember to practice daily. Really, that's it.
The end of the semester turned out fairly well. I got a 4.0 for the semester, which is fantastic, since I was expecting several C's. I guess I did better than I thought, or they curved a ton. (or both) I am also now an official brother of Kappa Kappa Psi! Yay! I am excited about being a part of an organization that supports the music I love, and of which so many of my friends belong. Things in the apartment suck. Really. But, for tact's sake, we'll leave it at that. On a more social level, I have made some totally terrific friends. I love hanging out with the group on Tuesday evenings at Bdubs. And, I have a new best guy friend, Andrew, who is totally awesome and makes me laugh at least five times a day with his bitter and sarcastic sense of humor. My stand partner, Jen, and I have become really close, and we have taken several fun road trips. I look forward to many more. ;) I am also excited about housing for next year. Lauren, Victoria and I are looking to rent a townhouse or an apartment, and that should be great. And finally, I love my Kappa big, Sarah. She's been sooo great to me. I guess that's it for this entry. I'll try to update again soon. Love you all!