Well, world at large, I am officially a senior in high school, having (barely) survived my first grueling day back at Chilton Prep.  Okay, so Chilton is fictional, but my school is Chilton without the kilts.  Anyway, the first day admittedly could have been worse.  I could have been poisoned.  Or hit with a massive round of paintballs as I stepped through the front door.  Sigh.  But hey, as big person on campus, it can't be completely awful, because when you're feeling lousy you can always find satisfaction in bullying someone.  Okay, so I don't bully, but I can find satisfaction in knowing that I am older then everyone else and could therefore bully if so inclined.  Ah, I'm being overdramatic.  Things are just very complicated with school and all, and it's more what I'm missing then what I've got.  Who ever, ever could've envisioned, in my future, a senior year with no Homecoming?  No Aquatic Science?  No applying for STARS and spending my days with little Latino kids who actually need me, or at least someone who can pronounce their name correctly?  It just now has hit me that I won't be going out for the lead in the One Act play this year, or having my long-sinced planned out 18th birthday party at Cowboy's, or going to any Spurs games (minus the one they play here), or seeing Mandy or Monica or Ashley or anyone in their caps and gowns.  I have been working towards a kickass senior year for a very long time, because in my opinion we deserve it, having toiled for so many years, and as a last blast before heading off to toil some more.  I don't know.  All that's left for me to do is concentrate on making this year all it can be without all that other stuff.  And there's stuff here for me too. 

So anyway, summer was fairly awesome, much too short, but it always is.  Time since Maine and the beach and Ohio was spent on the lake, at the property, where three of four expected donkeys have been born (Caroline, Manu, and Tony), hanging out with Elizabeth, and looking at schools.  I went in for senior portraits the other day which was one of the most bizarre things I'd done in a few days, at least, and I have a locker and books and everything, so I might as well go, right?  Right.  Off I go to wash this green stuff off my face, I'll let y'all know if I survive the week.