Campin Out

- Life goes on and college is getting closer. I'm getting more and more prepared as the actual date for my departure approaches.

- Its been a fun couple of days since Mission Trip. Normally my summer would hit a boring lull about this time of year but this time around its been different. This last weekend me, Jared, Cliff and Stephen went camping. It was a blast. None of the other three can drive a manual transmition so I got the privilage of driving Cliff's dad's Jeep back and forth and on all of our four wheeling excursions. I love that car. There was only one little path that was about a 50 degree slope covered in Boulders that it couldn't handle. We went up to Estes park and the weather we got was absolutly perfect. There was no wind, it was maybe 65 degrees at midnight, there was no rain, and best of all there was no clouds. My favorite part of camping with the exception of the fire is the stars and in the hidden spot where we were parked, they were out if full force. There was even a lighting storm on the horizon to make things even prettier. After a comforatable nights stay in the rugged outdoors we did a little four wheeling and parked it next to this stream in a little narrow canyon. THAT was so much fun. It was a mountain stream so it was icy cold and clear and would trickle down in about a sieres of 12 or so waterfalls. A little rock climbing never hurt anybody. Well, at least it didn't hurt me and Stephen as we followed it all the way to the top. We were rewarded for our resilancy. There was like a little lake with a 10 foot water fall. Standing under that icy waterfall you couldn't help but feel alive. It was exhilerating.

- Got home late afternoon Saturday exahusted but content. I even worked in a little quality time with moms watchin Airplane. It was a really crappy movie when I watched it but it sunk in and I'm still chuckling over some of the jokes. It was one of those stupid movies with stupid jokes that was really enjoyable.

- Today was the first official Jay Day thanks to Courtney. That made me happy. How could I not be. She gave me a fanny pack. Fanny packs are a fetish of mine. Well, maybe fetish is not the right word. They just make happy for a reason I can't explain. She announced it was Jay Day before she gave her testimony (which was really good btw Courtney) and the entire rest of the day I had people commin up to me tellin me happy Jay Day. I think everyone needs a day to just feel special, even if its for no reason at all and was really just a continuation of an old joke.

- Orientation is tomorrow. I'm lookin foward to it. Its gonna be a lot of fun. At least I hope. Hey, if its not, its only a night.

And thats the play by play of my last couple days. I know, ya'll probably don't care but just writin down the good times so I can reflect when things get tough.

Summertime

- This is one of the best summers I've ever had. It just feels right. I took the rest of the weekend off after mission trip to rest and relax and things just set themselves back to normal by Monday morning.

- I really can't explain the joy of sleeping in, and I mean sleeping in after a week of no sleep. I woke up 10 o clock monday morning (not to late) rested and rejuvinated and ready to go. I talked to Kristen a lil bit and finalized some of the plans for my visit to Cincinnatii early July. I also did a lil research into the skydiving adventure me, Tyler, Jordan, and Austin are trying to work out for later this summer. I got affordable quotes which made me happy because thats one thing that I really want to do this summer. The way I see it, now is gonna be one of my best opportunites to get this item crossed off my list of things to do before I die and if I put it off, chances are it won't get done.

- Later in the morning Cliff called me up and me him and Stephen went to the pool for awhile. It was a hot day so it felt good. Hunger set in and we took off to Chipotle and then to Cliff's house to watch a movie and let the food in our stomachs settle. That's like an ideal activity list for a lazy summer afternoon for me. After the movie we went to the park and played a little basketball. Like an idiot I figured I'd be ok to play barefoot and now I've got a quarter sized blister on each of my big toes. Ouch. I hate blisters. Shortly after I got home from all those fun and games I went bowling with Courtney, Jordan, Tyler, Jacinda, and Jenny B. Driving down there was a trip in itself. The sky's were gorgeous. Probably one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen. It was like there was a slot under the cloudy overcast that the sun slipped through lighting up all the bottom sides of the clouds making a picture with colors that no painting could ever capture. I was in awe. Its these little gifts in life that just make me sit in awe at how great God is to me. Bowling itself was a good time too. I was doin ok, not spectacular with scores of 113, 124, and 131. Thats about 20 below average but thats ok with me. It was good enough to not make me upset with myself. We all came back to my house a little bit later to watch King Athur I went to bed a little after 2 in the morning. Overall, it was an ideal summer day. Good people, good weather, good fun. I'm gonna miss this when I head off to college.

- Today wasn't so shabby either. This gorgeous weather is just lingering. After sleepin in again I got a call from Kyer Photography telling me that they were finished with the portrait that Mrs. Fenwick ordered for me. So I hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, turned on Taking Back Sunday and took a mini road trip to Parker. The street that the photography store was on was gorgeous. It looked old and touristy and had all these little white things falling off the trees. One little thing that made me laugh was one of the salons on the street was called the Me Me Me Salon. Anyway, I got there and they gave me the picture that looked incredible. She looked beautiful. I feel bad because I didn't know what her mom was offering me when she asked me if I wanted another senior picture of Kristen. It was professional and looked very expensive. Her mom's always indulging me. I feel so spoiled. I had lunch and drove back home and plan to sleep away the rest of the afternoon. Life is beautiful.

Phew

- Back from mission trip. I'm gonna sleep well for the next couple days. All the hard work and sleep deprivation caught up with me on the way home after seeing Batman. It was a good one. Best mission trip I've gone on. Incredible people, productive work, spiritually invigorating. A few minor rough spots as can be expected but they didn't do anything towards bringing me down. I love our church. I've got 55 pictures and two videos that I'll try to share if I can figure it out. I've got so much to say but so little energy to write it all down. Hopefully these next couple days I'll find some time to just sit down and write it out. Till then...

How Far the Moon

- Today is like a break day. All the rest this week have been back and forth and all over the place doin this and that. It feels good to just relax.

- I'm missin Kristen. Shes been gone a lil over a week. Its hard. Well, I guess hard is relative. Its really probably not all that hard compared to things like death of family member or a disease. Still, I'm lookin foward to getting to see her again. Her mom's invited me early July to come down to Cincinnati and hang out with them. I can't wait. It'll be good for me.

- The last couple days I've been thinkin about this summer, and I just realized, this may be the only entire week that I'm free and not on the road or helping out with something. Thats kinda an odd feeling. With the exception of getting my wisdom teeth pulled, all the things I'm doing are at least remotly enjoyable. Its just kinda odd knowing that after its all over, things are gonna be flipped upsidedown. College is such a wierd concept. I've got orientation at the end of this month. I'm looking foward to it. I think it'll be fun in a wierd sorta way. Guess its just cuz I love meeting new people. I think it'll help me put into perspective what this next stage in my life is gonna be like.

We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

- I have decided that garage sales are a lot of work. I didn't even work as hard as other people and I'm still tired. Or maybe its burnout from hauling worthless junk around. Or maybe I'm just bitter because my thumb is all purple and nasty from carring a ugly recliner to a car in the which and, suprise suprise, it didn't fit. Or maybe I'm just a whiner.

- I'm taking Ryan to a movie this week and going out to dinner with the Fenwicks before they move. I'm gonna miss that family as much as I miss Kristen now. They've been good to me.

- Mission trip is in a week. Its just so strange that it could be so soon. Its a good thing though. I can't wait. Its gonna be a good one.

- Get to go to church now. I love church. Nowhere else could I have fun at events made for work. Even when I complain about it.

Phoenix is a Smell?

- I'm feelin good. Got money in the bank, gift certificites to spend, good friends, and overall, things are under control. Been keepin in touch with Kristen. It makes havin her gone not as bad being able to talk to her at least once a day. I'm not even a phone person but I'll make exceptions. I don't like phone conversations because you gotta talk so much that sometimes they become forced. I always feel like I have a lot to say to her so I guess thats why its not such a problem. She'll get to Cincinnati tomorrow after they blow through Graceland. You gotta be quite an Elvis fan to make such a drastic detour that forces you to drive through the Texan panhandle and spend a night in one of the worst cities on the face of the earth, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

- It helps to stay busy too. I nearly beat my dad in raquetball this morning. I got him all the way to deuce but I blew it. Its ok. I'm about as good as him now. I'll beat him next time. Thats a cool feeling. I feel acomplished. Bring on the college competition. I plan on ruling those courts at the CSU rec center which I found out, is right next to my dorm. Good news.

- Got about another 10 thank you notes done. Graduation has been good to me. I even opened a bank acount and got my first Debit card. Its more money than I've had in a long time. I'm almost tempted to upgrade guitars but thats probably financially irresponsible. Should probably save that money for college. Besides, theres nothing wrong with mine. Maybe I'll go to Guitar Center tomorrow just for fun. If something catches my eye, maybe I'll consider indulging.

- After that I went over to Tims house and I played a good game of Risk with him, Scott, and Chris all afternoon. I won cuz I'm the man. Those guys are a bunch of fun. I've never laughed so much in my life. Came home and moozled around a bit again before the four of us minus Chris met up with Mitch, Nadie, and Lauren at the bowling alley. That was cool. I was bowling well the first game but it all went downhill from there. Mitch, being a junior, had to go home around 10ish for school the next day so I called it an early night with him. Probably good I did too. I'm tired.

- Garage sale prep starts tomorrow. Its gonna be a lot of work but it won't be too bad. Even doing that mundane labor is fun because its with good company. Besides, its always fun to sort through the trash piles looking for treasures. Maybe I'll find some cat slippers that don't smell like death. We'll see. This is gonna be the best summer of my life.