Rachel's getting a car!

'Nuff said.

It be over!

Graduation has finally come and gone. It was a moment. I remember watching my older friends walk down that aisle, receive their diplomas, flip the tassel, and march right back down that aisle. I remember thinking how cool it was and knowing in the back of my mind that someday I would be doing that too. And today was finally the day. As I walked down the aisle, my tassel swinging back and forth, smiling at all the people, it was just surreal. I'm walking and thinking I can't believe this is actually happening. It was pretty cool. And it was nice to walk off that stage, diploma in hand, knowing that I've hit a milestone, and I'm ready to hit several more. High school is finally over...and my journey is about to begin.

Running

It's hard to describe how I feel about running. I hate actually getting out and doing it most of the time, but every once in a while, I'm totally in the mood for it. Like tonight, for example. I had a pretty crummy day today, and after bottling it up all day long, it was nice just to go run. It's hard to describe what that's like to a non-runner. Sometimes it's hard for even me to wrap my brain around it. How does running relieve stress? I'm not sure, but I know it works. I guess when you're running you have nothing else to do but think, and since you run for a while, it gives you time to sort your thoughts. Even though it's painful, I am beginning to enjoy running. It has an appeal to it...the cool night wind sweeping across your face, lifting the perspiration from your head and airing out the little rivers that are trickling down the middle of your back. The steady rhythm of your feet pounding the concrete below you. The brilliant moonlight illuminating the path before you, while you know that every step you take is a foot closer to the finish. And the satisfaction that you get when you cross that finish line...it's incredible. You get to look at the road behind you and think, 'Wow. I did it. I finished.' I guess life is sort of like that too. Finish well.

Checking in

So not much is happening. I'm glad there's at least one person still reading this. I guess it's pretty much for her anyway. I've been working. I love it. I'm having a blast with the people. It's kind of sad, really though. When I think about leaving in a couple months, I almost regret getting as close to them as I have. I hate the fact that I'm gonna hafta leave them. But I'll never regret getting to know them...it's been too much fun. I'm going to miss the church too, and all the friends I have there (one in particular...who reads this). I can hardly believe that I'll be gone in just a few months. True, it's only an hour away, and yes, I can come home pretty much whenever I want, but I'm still going to miss being here. I'm still worried about the school work, what I'll end up majoring in, how I'm going to learn all the stuff I need to learn just to survive...gah...all this thinkin' gets me stressed. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it, but I really can't help it. And when I think about all the stuff I need to get done now...wow, don't even get me started. I'm just hoping to make it through this month. Things should calm down after graduation. I hope.