Silence is Golden

I've been driving with the windows down, and music off a lot lately. I feel like I constantly have things to think about. The uncertainty of the future, because lets be real, it's pretty friggin' up in the air, makes me think about everything little thing in my life, analyzing solid things, and worrying that they are not. Like, oh I don't know...my major. Yikes.

It's my M.O...worrying. I do it enough for pretty much every person around me. Like that darn hampster wheel on the Duke Lawn. Mark my words, someone will die on that thing. It is the human hampster wheel of DOOM.

I'm working on it...the worrying, that is.

When I'm thinking, I like silence. It helps me process my thoughts, or calms me or something. When I'm stressed and go on my little night time drives, I like it silent. I drive out way passed Harrisonburg, into Dayton-ish area. There are no lights, just hills and cows.

All this culmination stuff makes me so stressed. Mostly because I feel like we have all been so busy, we haven't been able to process and enjoy it. Oh my gosh...typing this makes me stressed. My roommates' slowly emptying rooms puts a pit in my stomach. Emily's dad picked up the island from the kitchen over the weekend, and that one thing being gone makes me so sad. I'm sooo delaying emptying anything from my room. I'm going to do that progressively over the summer. It's been such a good year in this house, so being without them this summer, and forever, will be hard and something to get used to.

Time for work. I love JMU and my roomies and my friends and my family.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG SISTER, CHRISTINE ANN MORRISON COFFEY!

College, Week #...last.

So here I am. Last week of real college. It feels good. It feels weird. I am refusing to let it feel sad. I am sooo in denial about it being the "end". I have been disconnecting for this entire semester. Keeping myself surrounded by a small, close knit group of people. Avoiding the huge, "i-don't-know-half-these-people" party scene. I think it properly prepared me for this week.

The saddest time thus far was the Overtones final concert. They were my people this year. When the big kids I love the most left, they know who they are, college felt a lot younger. Overtones came in at the perfect time, and were so amazing to me. During stressful rehearsals, snapping at each other, singing in the dark, jumping, warm-ups, recording sessions, Overtones thanksgiving, everything, it was the small family I needed this year. I am so grateful to this amazing group of people, and I am so thankful for the permanent family that I am a part of.

Buy our new CD. It's legit.

Life news: Ordered a BlackBerry online today. Kind of terrified of it. I have always been a regular phone girl. Getting my emails to my phone makes me excited though.

But now, I finish this week, get my Senior Recital over with (Ugh), become addicted to the CrackBerry, work at the restaurant (which is proving to be wonderful and profitable), and enjoy the summer! Lots of exercise, tanning, and working. Sounds good.

SpringFest/Blockparty Dramz...

Every class I had today, professors felt the need to talk about what happened at Blockparty this past weekend. It was really awesome to have them scold us and tell us that our actions embarrassed them.

I personally did not attend. I was at home with Kyle and my family for my mom's birthday. After hearing what friends and professors had to say, I watched some of the videos on You Tube, these are a few things I have to say:

1. Police were amping this up before it even happened. With borderline threatening emails and written letters to residents. You think that WON'T encourage underage drinkers, who live to push the boundaries?
2. JMU has a population of 18,000 students. Of 8000 people there, no way were they all JMU.
3. Did anyone else notice the REDICULOUS mass exodus from campus ALL day Sunday? It was impossible to move anywhere because OTHER school populations were in attendance.
4. JMU ALSO failed to recognize that they planned Choices for the Friday of that weekend, and the following Monday. I wonder how many of the people throwing bottles were high school Choices visitors crashing with some friends for a "wild college weekend".
5. Have you watched some of these videos? I watched people standing around get pummeled to the ground and maced in the eyes. The cops were out for blood.

Ok...I FULLY accept that 8,000 people is absolutely too much, and I agree that some sort of dispersion was necessary. I wonder if it had to get as crazy as it did, but it did. With 8,000 drunk people, it might have even been inevitable. And I also see why JMU students are getting the blame. It is a JMU (student) hosted event. I just wish that all factors could be taken into consideration. I am disappointed that it turned into the event it did, and I am sad that JMU's reputation as a party school is only going to get worse. I know people who even go to Blockparty and DON'T drink...but it doesn't really matter I suppose.

I just don't want my degree to be a mockery.

JOB.

I got a job. WABAM.

Serenity

It is amazing how many times this semester I have been able to come home, early in the day, and lay in my bed, just because. I have spent the last 3.5 years being busy, and now, I'm just tying up loose ends.

I would love to fill this downtime with a job though...but that is another frustrating post...

But it has led to my aforementioned addiction to the Discovery Health channel. Which I must be thankful for.

Anyway, I am really trying to appreciate this downtime before the craziness of student teaching begins. As much as I am ready to be finished, I know in about 6 months I'll be wishing to have this semester back. But I also know I'll be happier than I have been doing music in the last 2 years. I don't like that music here at JMU doesn't excite me anymore, and I know where to place blame, but I really believe that student teaching is going to rejuvenate me and my appreciation for music.

There is a lot of paperwork that goes into student teaching apparently. This semester has made me a lot better with paperwork. A blessing, considering I'm about to be a teacher.

Also, weather-Gods, I'm going to consider the last 2 days a blip. I'm sure tomorrow will be 72 degrees and sunny again. Mhm.

Quad Quad Quad Quad Quaaaaad

The best part about JMU is without a doubt, Springtime on the Quad. Every year, we suffer through Winter, slipping on ice, shielding our faces from the piercing wind, tears streaming down our faces (yes, it gets that bad), and bundled up in our most un-cute outfits. The snow days are appreciated, yes, but the cold, glooomy weather puts you in a bad, unmotivated mood.

However, with suffering comes reward, in the form of sunshine, dresses, biddies, frisbees, and football, all taking place on the gorgeous JMU Quad.

Thank the Lord for Spring. I'm in a much better mood now.

Makes Me Think

So there is this website called "makesmethink.com". I picked up on it from a friend, and have come to love it. It's similar to those "f my life" and "my life is average" sites, where people post an anecdote that begins with "Today, I..." but it is not superficial, distgusting, boring or unfortunate. They are just simple, happy, sad anecdotes based on moments that "make you think". Check it out, they are wonderful.