Wild Wednesday

Today was an extremely busy and stressful day. Welcome to college. On Tuesday I signed up to co-lead my feminist political theory class with another student for 45 minutes. It was either be the first group to go, or the last. We decided to get it out of the way.

However, it is an extremely daunting task to lead such a class, especially as males, and to be the first group to do so on such short notice. Nearly all of today was spent getting ready to lead the class, and of course I had other homework to finish as well. I'll be glad when tomorrow is over.

Full Tuesday

Today I was in class nearly all day. My first class was at 10:00am, and my last one ended at 6:00pm. Classes are getting a bit stressful. I have a lot of things to get done before Thursday, so much, it is good I don't have any classes tomorrow.

New Schedule

Today I didn't have any classes. I ended up changing around my schedule so I now only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My two 400 level political science keep me pretty busy on the days I don't have classes though. Much of today was spent trying to track down the textbook I needed to read before class tomorrow, but I was unsuccessful. Not the best start to a new class.

Teenage Terminated

Today I turned 20. It is a bit weird no longer being a teenager. I sort of feel like an old man. My sister made a really fun scavenger hunt around campus for me, the prize waiting at the end was very unexpected and generous. Thanks Sarah. I also played some frisbee and a board game with some good friends. It was a nice way to celebrate a birthday.

New Age

Today is my last day of being a teenager. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Thanks mom for sending me the box of cupcakes. I probably shouldn't have shaken the box until I knew what was in it, but they survived for the most part.

No Class

Today was my first Friday on campus. Even though I didn't have a class to go to (sort of), I still had quite a few things to get done. Thankfully, I got everything done that I needed to. I am looking forward to the weekend.

Dropped

Today I had two of my classes for the first time. These classes seem like they will be both fun and interesting. My other class is not looking so good. It has been extremely stressful thinking about dropping it and trying to find another one to add in its place. I need to make up my mind one way or the other, but am having trouble doing so.

First Day of School

Gearing Up

Late last night, I played some pretty fun dodgeball. I got hit in the face, which hurt even more because I had already gotten out, but still had a great time. The last game of the night ended with one player on each side. They both simultaneously hit the other person, causing the first tie I have ever seen in a dodgeball game. Today was mainly spent relaxing and gearing up for the first day of classes tomorrow.

Lofted

Today my roommate and I lofted a bed. It was a bit of work to loft a bed in our room full of stuff, but we were able to figure it out. I also finally got around to making my bed. I also was able to finish a bit more of the unpacking, but still have a bit more left to do.

Back in Bellingham

Today the rest of my suite mates moved in, as did most of the other people living on campus. So far, things are going great. I really like my dorm room, and especially the shared living room and balcony. It has been fun making new friends and catching up with old ones. Today I helped build a cardboard fort and played some soccer. I also was able to buy my textbooks.

Back to School

Today I got to college. It was a bit of a whirlwind the past few days packing and preparing for leaving. It is exciting having my sister here this year and having a dorm room with a living room.

Pictured: Saying good-bye to my little sister.

Party and Panic

Today we hosted a party for my little sister. It was quite a bit of work to get ready for it, but she really enjoyed it, which made all the work more than worth it. All the girls from her class were invited, and they all showed up.

Tonight has been a bit crazy, as we decided to leave for college tomorrow instead of Sunday as we had originally planned. I've officially fallen into a packing panic, and it doesn't help that my dinner consisted of only cake and ice cream. I sent most my stuff with my roommate already, but still have all the little things to pack and worry about as well as things to wrap up before I leave.

ComPacked Closet

Today I finished packing. It took nearly all day, but I am finally done. My gracious roommate is taking it up to college for me tomorrow. It will be a bit weird not having a lot of my stuff for the next couple days until I get to college on Sunday. The possible clothing combinations are definitely lacking, but it feels great to be done packing.

Unlacking Packing

One week from today, I have my first day of classes. Unrelated to that fact, I started packing today. I usually like to wait until the last minute for these sorts of things, but decided to start a bit earlier than normal. Packing is inevitable, so I may as well get it done. I had forgotten how much stuff I have, and how much of it I want with me at college.

Birthday Bash

Today is my brother and sister's birthday. No, they are not twins. They were born 13 years apart. We had a nice party with both sets of grandparents. In fact, it was sort of my party as well since I will be at college for my birthday.

Pick Up

Today I walked to my sister's school to pick her up. When I told her I had walked to her school, she asked how we were getting home. She was excited to walk home, but we were both thankful when a classmate gave us a ride after we had been walking for 10 minutes.

Kite Flight

Today I tried to fly a kite for the first time in years. It was fairly gusty, but the wind wasn't quite constant enough for very successful flying. It didn't stop me from trying though, it just meant quite a bit of running to try to get the kite to maintain flight. Even though the kite didn't fly too well, it was still fun and needs to be attempted again when the conditions are more ideal.

Running Blind

While I was running today, a van full of people went by waving. I don't know if I knew the people, but it sure seemed like they knew me or were really excited to see a jogger, so I waved back anyways. I often have people yell, honk, wave etc. at me. Sometimes I recognize the people, but most of the time I don't.

While I run, I usually am physically exhausted, thirsty, listening to music, and focusing on my running rather than the cars that are going by. For all those reasons, it is perhaps understandable I don't always recognize who is yelling at me or what they are saying. From past experience, it is just as well sometimes to not understand what people are yelling at me. So if you ever see me jogging, and honk, yell, wave etc, don't take it personally if I don't respond.

Field Trip

Today I went with my sister on a field trip to her teacher's house. It was nice to be able to go on a field trip with her before I leave for college. It was also nice that her teacher lives on a lake and that the weather was nice for swimming.

Win at Losing

Today I went to pickleball. Some great games were played, some of which were won, some of which were lost. In a truly great game, it doesn't matter if you win or lose. Of course it is always fun to win, but it is more fun to have the game be close. I would much rather lose a game that goes to overtime, than win a shutout. The key is to always try your hardest and then accept the outcome knowing you gave it your best.

Sweet Surprise

Today my sister and I picked up my brother after he had been working for a family friend. We were at the gas station where we thought he was meeting us, but saw no sign of him. We eventually spotted him at a diner across the street.

At the diner, we sat down at a table across from my brother. We weren't planning on buying anything, especially since we already had dinner before we left to pick him up, but felt like we should when the waitress brought us a menu. We ended up splitting a milkshake. The point of this story is that sometimes you can be in for a sweet surprise when you least expect it.

In Charge

Today my father's school had a back to school picnic of sorts. My sister and I were "in charge" of having an activity for the kids to do. We didn't really know how many kids there were going to be, the ages of the kids, the location of the activity for the kids, or duration of time we were supposed to entertain them. We ended up starting a soccer game, and the group of kids basically became self contained. It is hard to believe my father and sister start school tomorrow. I wish them the best this school year.

Running Out of Time

The past few days, I haven't been feeling 100 percent. I think I may have a cold. With summer ending and school starting, I've also been a bit out of whack. I'm just a bit worn down and have lost motivation as I feel time is running out to do anything. It seems I should have the opposite response, but that has not been the case. I did go running for the first time in a couple days, but it wasn't the best idea to run in the rain with a cold.

Two Weeks Notice

I leave for college in exactly two weeks.

Season Started

The past few days, the weather has not been too nice. It has rained on and off, wrecking possible outdoor fun activities. It seems summer has officially ended, and the rainy season is here to stay.

In Line

Playing Pickleball

Today I went to pickleball. For the first time in quite a while, I got to play some singles. It wasn't against the man. He got injured, so he hasn't been at pickleball for quite some time. I'll miss pickleball when I go to college, but will enjoy playing soccer instead.

Running Low

The past few days, it has slowly started to sink in that summer is ending. The public schools started yesterday, and my sister and father start next week. In exactly three weeks, my classes start. I am happy for school to start again but I will miss summer. If there is anything left I want to do this summer I better get to it, or I will run out of time.

Full Day

Today was my cousins last full day here. We had one last time swimming, even though the weather wasn't as nice as it has been. As has become custom, we had a great meal. Tonight we had a fire by the lake. It was a fun time and a nice ending to our time together here this summer. It has been a lot of fun having them up here, and they will be missed. Thanks Tings, it has been fun.