Turn, turn, turn...

I've had a few great realizations over the last few years. Most of them involve miniature foods and ridiculous cakes.

Today, however, I had a realization that doesn't involve preheating to 350. Student government elections are right around the corner, which means the big wigs already elected into student government are campaigning for next year. One of the guys in my Spanish class is a candidate and was handing out persuasive, free pens with his name and tag line on them.

While I appreciated his gesture and the time he took to speak to us, at the end of the conversation I still felt pretty unconnected and quite frankly, I felt indifferent.

Oh, how much has changed in a year.

Campbell's student government used to piss me off a lot. I allowed myself to become entrapped in the web of pride and ego that student government (on any campus) weaves. I cared so much because school was my life. Also, at one time I was editor of the school paper and had to keep a close eye on events like elections, so I was especially aware of the wheeling and dealing.

Okay, back to my point. This year I have no interest in student government. I have no interest in most, if any, campus activities. My lack of curiosity and passion isn't a result of boredom or ill will for anything... it's just that my life has a different epicenter these days.

My college life doesn't revolve around social activities and cafeteria food anymore. It's about making the best of these last couple months, graduating with good grades, finding a job and preparing for newlywed life with Elliot.

I've come to realize that every day of college doesn't have to involve silly pranks, staying up late despite homework and getting by on Raman Noodles. There comes a point where you have to begin turning the page to the next chapter. Just to take a peek.

The Byrds got it right with their song, and King Solomon (or whoever) got it right in the Bible:

Ecclesiastes 3 (NIV)

A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

And now is my time to uproot.

To Infinity, and Beyond!

Today is February 15. Graduation is May 15. In exactly three months my college career will be complete. Kaput. El fin.

In August of 2006 I arrived in Buies Creek blindly confident and unaware of, well, everything. My step-dad parked our family minivan behind Hedgpeth Hall, and my first steps onto campus were in that faded parking lot. My last steps as a student will take place across the stage in the new Convocation Center.

Hopefully I don't trip.

Graduating doesn't really scare me. I'm excited about moving to the next chapter in my life. I can finally realize my dream of becoming a legit journalist, not just a summer intern or campus newspaper writer. Not to mention a life with Elliot lies on the other side of graduation. I'll find a place to live and I'll find a job.

Optimistic? Yes. Just as much as I was my first days at Campbell, when I arrived with no friends and too many Red Sox t-shirts.

I've noticed a pattern in my life. I think about long-term changes, get scared, experience more life, and on the way God prepares me for the next step-- the same step I was so scared of only a few months prior. In December the thought of graduating and having to become "a real grown up" festered uncertainty and fear within me. Job, apartment, blah, blah.

I'm scared of the dark for the same reason I was scared of finishing school-- I don't like the unknown. I don't like not having control over my life.

Alas, the big man upstairs works out the knots of pride within in my heart, takes my hand once again and continues to lead me.

Old Blogs

If you want to check out my old blog, I would recommend the following posts. I like them, they're relevant and they give you a better idea of my writing and who I am. The Campbell posts are interesting if you have enough energy to care about the topics.

Is the U.S. a Christian Nation?

NUMB3RS

God's a Financial Planner, Too.

Round Two

I created my first blog as a medium to express my views on Campbell-related issues after completing two semesters as Editor-in-Chief of The Campbell Times. It was a place for a cathartic release of thoughts after catching wind of a lot of information I couldn't publish in the paper but felt the student body needed to know and/or understand.

After not posting anything on that blog since July, not only have I forgotten the password and can't log in, but many things in my life have changed that make the blog moot. Not only have I emotionally severed myself from university matters (aka I don't give a crap), but college will be over soon and I'll have more interesting things to write about. For example, getting married, moving permanently to North Carolina, and hopefully starting a job soon.

The main reason I have a blog, however, is to keep writing. A post may be about a hot button issue, or maybe just how much I love wide-leg pants. I'll also record the adventures I share with Elliot throughout our upcoming marriage. I don't expect anyone to care. I just like to write and share my thoughts with the world via blogging, the new form of global conversation.