Hello September.

It is September the first and, unlike many of my peers, I am not yet on campus. Now that most everyone I care about has gone away for school-or for vacation, I have nothing better to do than wait and hope my packing takes all day tomorrow. You see:

Andrew left today for Ann Arbor. It has been a 'blah' day. It was inevitable, yes, but nontheless saddening. We've handled much worse situations, to be sure. So, why does this seem to knock the wind out of me? Today I had to force myself to stay preoccupied. I spent some time this morning dancing. I cut my sister's hair. I walked with her to pick up her check, get her lip ring changed, and eat lunch. The trip took a brief hour and a half. I surfed the internet. I napped. I talked with missionaries. I watched a foreign film. I even laid with my mother for a bit. All of this, and I still couldn't really shake it. Maybe I got too used to seeing him everyday. We were very lucky. On top of this, I only feel like we have grown closer over the summer (depite my month 7,000 miles south). The stronger bond, with the unknown of when we will see each other next, has made today unpleasant. I am wishing I had gone to school today - perhaps then I would have busied my mind more successfully. Oh well, as sad as it is, the facts are that we have been through this before, and we have done it while coping with other challenges. I wouldn't miss him if it wasn't so good between us. No use being sad over evidence of something so good, right? Right.

Summer is over. Only 8 months. . .that doesn't sound so bad. : )

I wish you all the best. . .also, here are the pictures of my sister's hair: