Two thousand and.....nine?

I don't know if it's just me, but the thought of saying it's "2009" is just strange. I'm pretty sure it's because how much hype 2008 had, especially in my life and those my age. 2008 was a BIGGGG year for me. Looking back at my journal from last year (and I always write something on January 1st), I wrote about how this was the year that I had been "waiting" for, the year I would graduate high school and start a new chapter of my life in college. So many things happened. Crazy musical drama, college decisions, prom, graduation, working at the pool, Cape May, my last year at Camp Lambec, the mission trip to New Orleans, and finally going off to Westminster, where, as predicted, my life has changed drastically. It's kind of like...now "my year" is coming to a close. The year I could totally count on being a good one, or at least a life-altering one, is almost over.
What lies ahead is now both entirely exciting and also scary. It's totally exciting in that I KNOW my spring semester at school is going to be so amazing. How do I know, you might ask? Well, let's see. I have an amazing group of friends, an insanely incredible boyfriend, and a new schedule. I could possibly be joining a sorority. The weather will...eventually...be actual spring. I'm a bird girl in Seussical for Chapel drama. :) Sunshineeee..what could be better?
But it's also scary. Maybe scary isn't the right word. This year has a touch of uncertainty to it. On the way home from my grandparent's house this Christmas, my mom said firmly that that would probably be our last Christmas in Gallitzin. And you know what, I think she might be right. I hate turning this into a depressing post, but the reality is, my grandparents might be here next Christmas. Or if they are, or one of them anyway, I don't think they'll be in that house anymore. (And they shouldn't be now, but we won't get into that) The strangest thing about that is that it's kind of like I've been anticipating (and not happily) that time to come for a few years now. Every New Years I have this feeling in my stomach, wondering, is it going to be this year? So when it does come, I can just imagine the kind of release it will have on the shoulders of my family. If you know my family's situation, you know how much time and stress and worry and everything all of my aunt's and uncle's have been through. I don't want to call it a relief. I don't know what it is. But that's just something that is accompanying what is mostly an exciting plung into the new year.
It's also scary in that what summer will be like. I know that it's only been two weeks of Christmas break and I want to go back to school so badly. I don't know how I'm supposed to go three months without seeing everyone all the time. Luckily, I'm sure to be working (RIGHT, economy?) so that will be motivation to get money for school.
Have you ever been driving in your car and you get REALLY thoughtful, especially when you're listening to the right kind of music? Today, I was driving home from the mall and listening to the new Chris Tomlin cd. I was peering in the rearview mirror at a really long stop light and looking at the people behind me in their car (creeper, I know) and I saw these two Asian women, I'm assuming mother and daughter. And they weren't talking, wrapped up in their thoughts and looking out of their windows. And I wondered what their lives were like. What their relationship was like. And then I thought about the whole concept of cars and how we sit in these things and go places, but how often do we stop and think about the individual IN that car? Maybe their drive today gave them the chance to get away from what's going on in their life. Or maybe it's not getting them where they need to be quite fast enough to solve what needs to be fixed. Or maybe they're traveling to a new place to start a new time in their life. I don't know. It's weird to think about it that way. Or just that every single person in general has a story. They all have something going on in their lives, even if they don't show it. People watching can be so fascinating. Authors sometimes say that's how they get ideas for characters. They watch others and imagine what could be going on with them at home, at the office, with their spouses or children. I don't know. Most likely, you're reading this and thinking, "Okay Marissa, get some more sleep and change your music next time." :)
This is the first year in probably the past 4 or 5 years or so that I won't be celebrating New Years Eve with a big group of my friends. The one farthest back that I can remember was at Tori's house back in 8th grade? Or maybe 9th. Yeah, I think 9th. We all wore sparkly black outfits and somehow Tracy won the contest, even though all she wore was some silver tinsel as a scarf with a black shirt and jeans Hahaa. But it was a good time. I don't know how we managed to keep ourselves entertained in Tori's room the whole time, but we took pictures and had a good time. And then I recall New Years at Brittany's house with the ladies, which included hot tubbing and games. And then Jill hosted two parties at her house, which were both really fun. And this year, it's kind of like a strange situation with everyone back from their separate colleges. Not everyone's kept in touch, people aren't sure who to spend the night with. But this year, I'm spending the night with Aaron and I am soooo excited. I can't wait.
I need to get back into the blogging spirit. Or at least the writing spirit. I hate when I get so busy that I don't write and then I want to write but there's just too much to say. Shannon and I were talking about that the other day...about wanting to write, but having too much to write so you give up all together. But sometimes you just got to pick up, start wherever you are in life, and continue. Yes, you may lose that time in between, but it's worth it if you start writing again, instead of continuing to put it off. Gotta love the writer in you...it causes you to ramble about nonsense, just like I am now! Woo!
I think my problem is that I get distracted whilst I am blogging and end up losing track and just start talking about the stupidest things. And then I stop. Like I am now. So.....kthanksbye! *Anime peace girl* hahahaha ohh man I need a life.

Baby Its Cold Outside: Remix- Brendan Moulton

I am done with my first semester of college.


Andddd I ended up with a 3.64 GPA. Woop woop. I'll take that. My only B was in Speech. How does that happen? Oh well, whatever Scarvell. No more 7:40 public speaking classes. Heck yes.

This semester has been the best time of my life, hands down. I've grown so much, learned a ton, and gained so many friends and experiences. Every blog post from now until college is over could say about the same thing....how much I love college and what an amazing experience its been so far, and I'm sure that can get rather tiring to read....but tough. :P I love it.

I think Hampton really did prepare me academically for WC. That's kinda always been our thing to say, "Oh well, hmm yes Hampton gets you READY for college!" But it's really true. This whole semester, I kept waiting for the tidal wave of stress and work to come, but it never really did. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it was all easy and no work at all, because that would be a lie. I had to work hard at points and it was a little crazy towards the end of the semester, but I got through...we all did. I can't thank Hampton enough, or specifically my English teachers (like Mrs. Caporizzo) for teaching me all I know about writing and studying and just getting things done. SOOOO grateful to them.

Christmas is in like four days. I can't even believe that. I think so much excitement for Christmas occurred early at school because it was all we had to get excited about during finals time. And with all of the celebrations at Westminny, like Christmas vespers, it seems funny that Christmas hasn't even happened yet! I'm trying my best to really understand and enjoy the holiday...all of the commercialism and hoopla of the day is so unnecessary now. I really like that "presents" are just not that big of a deal anymore. I guess that happens as you get older. The only sad part about it is the morning you wake up and you don't have that tingling feeling in your stomach as you walk down the stairs to see what "Santa" brought you. Why did Santa get invented in the first place? I love the concept of kids feeling Christmas spirit and learning how to give and be thankful and BELIEVE in something, but why did they have to overshadow the whole reason CHRISTmas is even a holiday. I'm not going to write about how I know the real meaning of Christmas and I know that presents and stockings aren't important and that I know how to truly celebrate--so not true. I'm just like everyone else. I like presents. I like silly holiday movies. I like Christmas music. I like the lights and the decorations. Why do they have to be bad? I guess they don't at all. Where do you find the balance between celebrating Christmas for the right reasons and tying in all the wonderful things about the season that may not necessarily be about those reasons? That is my goal for the next few Christmases.

I don't know how I'm going to be able to stay home until January 19th. Finding a job is LOUSY and probably not going to happen. Amy will be leaving early January. Karen, Megan, and Craig all have high school. What the heckkk am I going to do?? I'm going crazy not seeing my Westminster friends. We all need to get off our lazy butts and DRIVE to see each other. Easier said than done, but hopefully there will be a reunion or two.

So I should probably go to bed. But one thing I neeeeed to add: I have an incredibly amazing boyfriend. :) :) :) :)

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....aka Room 208

It is officially December today, which is absolutely crazy. I am approaching the last two weeks of my first semester of college. My life has radically changed in a mere four months. That's it. Four months. Yet everything in my world has been turned upside down and dramatically altered so that my thoughts, conversations, events, classes, friends have all shifted from Hampton to Westminster.
It's kind of a weird paradox though because there are things that stay exactly the same. When I go home, Hampton always looks exactly the same when you come off the turnpike. There might be a new store here and there, but it has the same feeling. Maybe that's what home is like though. It remains the constant in the changing world around it. What is also the same is church. I anticipated going back to HPC since I hadn't been able to make it there for about three months, but yet when I got there, it was pretty much like nothing had really changed. Yes a few people recognized me and asked me about school, but it was almost like I never left (I even had to tell Bob-O where Katherine was at bells...like he should know more than me, it's not like I haven't been there since August or anything....) And of course, though it is highly evident that I don't belong back at Hampton High School, one thing that I am forever grateful that has remained a constant in my life is my best friends back at home. Keeping in touch with them and picking up exactly where we left off when I'm back is so incredibly nice.
So anyway. Life has been really good lately. I have a lot of reasons to smile right now. For one, Thanksgiving break was wonderful because I saw family I haven't seen in years and for the first time in a longgg time we were all together. Second, when snow first fell at WC, a wave of happiness and excitement spread over the campus, especially in my hall. We were instantly revived from the monotony of a blah fall and thrown into the excitement of what winter brings. I really hate the cold sometimes, but snow makes me happy when it's sparkly and sunny out and perfect for playing in. Ali and I have been listening to Christmas music constantly and we decorated our room with lights and covered our door with the "25 men of Christmas" (compliments of Rachel Perry) With an i eta pi gift exchange coming up and Christmas break coming faster than ever, there's so much holiday spirit going around.
Another reason why I can smile: my friends. I cannot explain how blessed I am. My best friends at home, and my loves at Westminny...if I could have everyone together at the same time, I would explode with happiness.
Oh, and there's one more reason why I keep smiling so much...but I don't need to give that one away :) I am anxious to see what the coming weeks bring.

I'm not quite sure what I intended to do or say with this post. I feel like I haven't said much of anything at all in quite a few words. Can't believe the first semester out of a total of eight is over. Can't believe Christmas is coming and that I am going to be home for FIVE WEEKS. Ohhh, do I need a job.

Okay, sleep time, my favorite :)