Well, it's that time again... time to study, so I decided it's time to update a bit instead :-) So, I haven't written in this thing for a really long time, and as much as I'd hate to start studying I can't put it off forever, so I'll just give y'all a sneak peek... you'll have to ask for more details if'n ya want 'em :-)

First thing that comes to mind is running, since I'm madly trying to hydrate myself for tomorrow morning... oops... my five thousand ounces of water today didn't really happen. We're up to 6.5 miles now, but we're just doing that a few times a week- the rest are 5 mile runs. Good stuff! We also decided to meet earlier so that we can make sure we're getting our quiet time in- if we have time to run, we sure gotta have time for Jesus! It's awesome! I don't think I'd be able to have stepped up the run without having that boost from spending time in the Word just before (not to mention some serious "please help me not pass out" prayers!).

Work is good- just your standard grocery store stuff really. Nice to have something predictable and, for the most part, mindless to do for a change- and I get paid for it! What a deal! Right now, I spend most of the time cashiering, but they have me trained for CSS, which in theory is like the GSTLs at Target, but in Kroger, it's just a "glorified bagger," as one of my lovely coworkers so eloquently put it. I don't mind- it's not like I haven't done it before- and the way people are buying beer and soda, I should have some nice arms to show for it! More to tell about the J-O-B, but I save the juicy details for a choice few ;-)

As far as that whole academic part of the summer goes, it totally kicked my butt, but it's ok. I suppose that's why I'm here, well, for the most part. Doing the whole biology deal this month- stayed up last night, exam this morning, worked till 7, went to church, came home for dinner, and to my pleasant surprise, I managed to pull off (ok, that's a lie, Jesus totally got by back on this one!) an A for the class! Now I just gotta finish up the lab tomorrow, and I'll get a blissful 4 day weekend before I start chem II in July. I'm such a nerd! Oh well, at least I'll finish on time, which will be nice, b/c Milly is great and all, and it's not that I don't love pulling all-nighters, but I'm kinda looking forward to settling down into a routine that stands a chance of lasting more than a few months. I realized yesterday that I have moved every three months since I don't remember when- we're talking 6 moves since last spring till I move back to Sanford after this summer... it's beginning to get old, but it's done wonders for clutter reduction :-)

Still working on my website for the Galapagos trip- started scanning pictures- all 17 rolls- all $200 worth. It's gonna take some time... patience... I have so many stories to tell and things to share... I won't even begin to get started on that now... y'all will just have to wait!

Ok, some random details... I got eaten alive by mosquitos last weekend, because I'm the genius that weeded Diane's garden without any bug spray- had to skip class on Monday, b/c I didn't sleep at all that night and I thought I was going to have to rip my legs off- fortunately, I didn't- after about 90 alfalfa, I'm aok. And how is it that I can lay out for an hour and get the slightest bit of a "tan," but after 30 minutes of working outside, I'm burnt. Oh well, can't win! I love Starbucks, not even really the coffee (although it is quite delightful). I think if we had one in Milly that wasn't always overrun with the hustle and bustle of people, but something more along the lines of what they have at the one in Haddonfield (my first love!), I would always study there. Don't know what it is about it, but it's just great. Even the one in Alpharetta or Johns Creek or Cumming- basically one that isn't in a college town. I continue to be baffled by men, but I find that I am, more than ever, just plain irritated with them. Now, I could name a few wonderful guys I know who treat me with respect and treat me like a lady, but I struggle, because there are some that really don't act that way that kind of overshadow them in my mind. For instance, I had some Mexican man come into Kroger the other night, and I know enough Spanish to know I didn't like what I heard, and he just leaned over the counter staring at me while I rang up their groceries- just plain disgusts me how some men think this is acceptable. To be honest, I don't understand why I, of all people, have issues with this. I don't want to draw that kind of attention to myself, and after Bible study tonight, I feel like I need to be so careful about that. We talked about modesty and how even very godly men can struggle with lust, and how we, as women, should do our part to help them. Hard to explain, but I feel so burdened to pray for my future husband about this one- don't know if he's struggling a lot with it now or what, but I think it's something I really need to do for him (well, not just for him, but you get the point).

Oh goodness, I just kept on going there. Sorry folks! I know life doesn't sound too exciting, but one of these days, when I have more time, I'll have to share all of the awesome things God's been up to- He just got a hold of me, and He's turning my world upside down and backwards and inside out and spinning it around like crazy, but it's an exciting ride :-)


"The River of Life sets my feet to dancing..."

Woah. That's all I've got to say.

Ok, that was a lie, I have a ton that I could say, in fact, I'm quite confident that, if I didn't have a pesky class tomorrow, eh, later today, I could keep going for the next 14.37 hours. I'm at Gretchen's now, so while I've got a moment, I'll just give y'all a few highlights from my trip... more to come... with pictures... lots of them (I believe I'm pushin' the 500 mark... hehe)

1. Sea lions are so cool :-) While snorkeling, Amanda and I got to play a little "Chicken"... she would swim VERY fast towards a head-on collision with us, and then at the last possible second, dive right underneath you and splash bubbles in your face (except she got a little attitude with me once and smacked me with a flipper...). Then we played tag... she was swimming in circles around me, so I started swimming in circles to try to keep up with her (which must have been a very amusing sight for Amanda), and she just wore me slap out. It was so awesome! :-D

2. Volcanoes are cool. Someday, I'm going to live on one. The view is nice :-)

3. low blood pressure + 15,500 ft on Cotapaxi = 1 very sick Erin (so there go my dreams of doing a little Himalaya mountain climbing... sad day...)

4. our cab driver ran 7 red lights last night on the way back to the hotel... apparently, it's ok to treat a stop light like a stop sign

5. I have a tan, but you should see me quick, b/c it's peeling away... ;-)

oops, gotta run!