"So long, sweet summer..."

For starters, yes I did just quote a Dashboard Confessional song for my title. Don't be hatin on Dashboard! Alright, now that I got that off my chest...So the Olympics are here!! I am really REALLY getting into the Olympics this year. I'm not sure exactly why, but whatever the reason its been a great opening week. The opening ceremonies were absolutely INCREDIBLE. If you didn't happen to catch it, you really were missing out. What blows my mind is that the Chinese were able to pull off all that mind-blowing synchronization with PEOPLE. No machines, just people. They said over 15,000 people were used! I really don't think anyone will be able to top those opening ceremonies for a LONG time. As far as the sports are concerned, I've been really proud of the American teams. Yesterday we were trailing China in the total medal count by a tally of 14-12. Then last night the Americans, led by the incredible Micheal Phelps just exploded in the swimming competitions. We took Gold and Silver in almost every race. As of this morning, we're now beating China in the total medal count by 21 to 18! GO USA! I think I love watching the Olympics so much because the athletes are the prime examples of what the human body is capapble of. They have pushed their bodies the brink of exhaustion to be the best at what they do. I just love that attitude of never giving up. It really is inspiring.

Okay, enough about the Olympics. My summer is finally wrapping up...and its closing is leaving me with a bittersweet feeling. Even though I have had the busiest summer of my life, I have really really enjoyed it. It has absolutely flown by! I can't believe its almost the middle of August already. What even happened to July?!? It seems like last week I was at Dry Creek Camp performing - you guessed it - the Big Guy song. I'm really glad I decided to work with my dad this summer. We've had a few arguments and disagreements this summer, but for the most part it has been a wonderful experience. For those of you who don't know, about 4 years ago my Dad lost his job in Columbus, IN, where we still live. He then found a job in Columbus, OH. So for about 4 years Dad has been getting up at 4am on Monday mornings and driving 3 hrs to Columbus, OH from Columbus, IN. He stays in a condo during the week and then on the Friday afternoon he drives back to Columbus,IN to be home for the weekend. This summer, I have been working with him up here in OH, so I've been doing the same thing. I know my dad has really enjoyed it, because he's usually up here all by himself. We have really been able to bond and get a lot closer this summer, and I have really enjoyed it. Its gonna be really hard and sad to leave when I finish up my last day on Tuesday of next week. I know my Dad is probably gonna get a little lonely and I for sure will not enjoy not being able to see my Dad everyday. I am gonna miss him alot when I go back to school.

Its also been a good summer because besides spending time with my dad, I've been able to spend alot of time with the rest of my family. Since most of my high school buddies have either moved away or I've just lost contact with them, I spent most of my time on the weekends with my family. Granted, it got a little annoying at times...But I was still glad to have been there. This is quite a contrast with last summer, when I did not want to be home at ALL. I think the older I get I'm realizing just how important my family is to me. I've literally traveled all over this country, met a ton of wonderful christians, and imagined myself living in a number of different places. The truth is, there really is "no place like home." Maybe it was the fact that my Grandpa's sudden passing this summer jarred me into the reality of time, or maybe I'm just getting older; but it has been an eye opening summer for sure.

So as school is right around the corner, you can bet that I'm gonna be in a reflective mood for the next couple of weeks. I'm not really sad to leave home and go back to school; thats just part of life. The one thing you can count on however is that I am alot more appreciative of my life than I was at this time last summer.



"Yall come back now, ya hear?"