I can't believe it's been about a month and a half since I last wrote in here. Things have been hectic for me. School is going fine but my back problems are increasing. I just got back from a trip to PA yesterday and got a bunch of photos from there. Check out Feature Pics and Dreamstime for updates.

I know it's been a while since I've written but college has started and life has been very busy for me. But today I wanted to take a minute and respond to the news that Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, was killed today by a stingray. Although I never knew him personally, he was an inspiration to me in dark and troubled times. His lively personality and passion for animals helped pull me through depressing times and always put a smile on my face. It was very upsetting when a friend called and told me the news. I didn't want to believe it until I saw it on the internet headlines. He was a great man and a wonderful ambassador for wildlife. He will be missed.

This has been a day from hell for me. It was one of those days where I wish I would have stayed in bed. I feel like I've been through a war and have the wounds to prove it. It all started when I was taking a friend to work. Well, I never actually got to take him anywhere. My van had breathed its' final breath. It refused to start. It may be something as simple as the starter but I will not put any more money into it. Soon, it will be heading to the junkyard. Then suddenly it all hit me at once. I have orientation this Wednesday 30 miles from here and classes begin next week. With no money in my pocket and my grant money not coming until next week I was in some deep trouble. I held my composure while I called my mom and told her my idea of beating the thing to death with a sledgehammer which she promptly talked me out of. After hanging up the phone I went back out to my van to clean it out. As I was walking beside the van my leg decided to give out and I ended up on my knee on the asphalt. At first I just picked myself up and went to get the box of stuff and take it to my apartment. That's when I noticed the blood covering my knee and shin. I ignored it until I got into my apartment where I could further investigate just how bad it was. The skin was gone and my shin was already the size of a baseball and bruising. I got some ice, wrapped it with an Ace bandage, sat down on the couch and finally gave in to the frustration. All I could do was sit and cry and become even more frustrated when my computer and internet decided it was time to give me even more problems. Then, as if a final kick in the ass, I couldn't find the cord to my printer. Salvation, however, was just around the corner. I found out that the money for the new car will be on its' way this week. Good news for me but I came out of this battle with one hell of a messed up knee, a twisted back and I know I am going to pay for it all in the morning. And I still have laundry to do.

As is the norm for my life, plans are changing once again. I may not be returning to NC in the Spring but just a little further north along the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Only thing that is certain is none of this will be happening until at least after my Spring Semester here.

College is slowly creeping up on me and I can't wait. It's the beginning of a whole new life for me and am anxious to get started. The treasure hunt really has me stumped. I'm at the point where I wish someone would get the answer. I hate not knowing. Everything else in my life is good and still on schedule as planned. Spring can't get here soon enough for me.