I'm not one who talks about politics very often. Or religion. I find that I agree with very few people on most issues and have just decided that as fun as a debate can be, arguing over something that no one will ever agree on isn't worth the time or effort.

For the most part, I'm apathetic. I read dozens of news stories everyday on cnn.com, attempting to keep myself at least semi-well informed on current events. It's very easy not to care about something in such a formal, information only setting. I don't really care about Iraq, Darfur, or the problems in Israel/Palestine. When I'm not reading news stories about them, I don't think about what's going on. I don't have a personal connection with any of them.

Every once in a while though, I come across something that hits me just right. Something that lets me step out of my apathetic shell, and feel for a change. I look forward to moments like these.

http://www.militarytimes.com/multimedia/video/hancockportraits_070702/

Regardless of how you feel about the war in Iraq, support the troops. Whether it's a donation, a letter, a prayer...whatever you can do to help, do it.

I can't imagine what it's like to be in Iraq right now, away from your friends and family, the news from home constantly telling you that while you feel what you're doing is right, no one else does. It certainly makes any obstacle thrown in my way seem insignificant.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, while you're going about your life, worried about what boy/girl you want to impress or what grade you got on your most recent test, spare a moment to think about the men and women fighting for this country. There are bigger things going on than our trivial everyday concerns.

The woman in that video isn't making a political statement. Maybe she doesn't agree with the war. That's not stopping her from doing whatever she can to help the families of soldiers cope with a loss. Look around, maybe there's something you can do too.

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/help.html

So I'm in the process of attempting to finish my entire math class by the 22nd. If I do that, I can trade my book in for the full refund and buy the next book. I'm about halfway done. I got stuck on part of the third chapter, which slowed me down significantly, but I have 5 days to do 3 more chapters...should be plenty. My other classes seem pretty easy so far, although I have a feeling I'm going to hate my writing class. Looking forward to Intro to Psych which starts on the 1st.

In other news, I asked Katie (the girl I mentioned in my post before) to the movies and she said yes without hesitation. That's a good sign I think... Here's hoping.

I just woke up from the first dream I can remember having in months, if not longer. It was an amazing dream, and has helped me decide on my course of action regarding something Perkins and I were talking about last night.

There's this girl who comes into Beaners almost every day. Anytime she's not in a hurry, we stand around talking and flirting. I've never been this infatuated with someone I barely know in my life. Every time I see her, I can't help but smile. She's one of the smartest people I've met. She loves to write, she has very similar goals, and she's physically exactly my type.

She's only 18, which is a pretty big obstacle...but that's not my biggest problem. I'm afraid of getting too attached to her. I'm planning on going to grand valley this fall. I don't want to fall hard for this girl and then have to decide if I'm still leaving or staying to be with her. I don't know if I can make that decision. She hasn't decided where she's going to school yet either which could be good or could cause problems. Regardless, I've decided to act.

( Pathetic attempt at a poem...I suck now )

It's been almost five years since last I posted to live journal. My old one is gone, lost to a time full of high school drama and bickering. It's probably better that way. I did make the mistake of going back and reading some select entries on Becka's journal. Matt's too. That was stupid...wish I was strong enough to not give into temptations like that.

Anyway, a lot has happened since I posted an actual entry.
( Reader Beware )

Well I have to go get ready for work now, without having found a good end point for my entry. Almost want to just erase it and write it over later... Oh well.

This is what happens when I just write an entry because my page is blank. I ramble.