I was looking at WikiAnswers to figure out the first day of spring this year and it is supposed to be March 20th. I feel like Spring came early in Pittsburgh for what I've heard about February. It's amazing how much warmer 48 degrees seems when compared to what I used to be accustomed to in Texas! We've had this series of cold weeks in Pittsburgh in January (which is expected), but this week it isn't supposed to dip below 30 for half of the time. It feels so much better and I've already forgotten the Texas heat this year.

Lots of things have happened this first year of college. It's been an experience to pack up your belongings and move across the country to a college where you really don't know anyone, but I am very thankful I did so. The place I call my home in Texas is the most surburbia sort of town you could ever imagine. Actually, in perspective, leaving the South in general changes perspective insanely. Ignorance is bliss in the south, I guess. When I came home for Thanksgiving break, I had gone and swam with my club team to keep in shape. While I was down there, one of friends who was a senior in high school randomly said to me, "You know, no one even knows your school." Ignorance is bliss indeed. I was severely pissed off at the time. Believe me-- I don't take insults well at all. But it truly was an example of southern ignorance; Texas cares about Texas. That's it.

I have also made tons of friends so far at Duquesne. Being in a select major helps as well because pharmacy kids are also together with other pharmacy kids in classes, so I have bonded quite well. They are the funniest people I have ever met, but sometimes I miss the chill personalities of my friends back at home... though, really, they have almost all left Texas as well. I think the person I miss most is Colin, though. We are still in a relationship even though he is in North Carolina, and it was rough for the first semester, but my apathy is settling in I guess. I just bide my time until I see him again. Only one more month

Grades have been going well. I was able to make the Dean's List for the first semester here so I want to try and repeat that this semester. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, my goal is to beat Metroid Prime. Hahaha. I have had that game for so long and I was never able to finish it because it freaked me out.

Swimming is going well too. We have started tapering for the Atlantic 10 Championships at Buffalo in two weeks. I'm pretty excited and nervous. I want to do well but the training has been so different than what I was used to.. so it should be interesting. I have high hopes. I heard it's a really energetic and intense meet too so I hope good memories come from this.

In the meantime, my family's health hasn't been going so well. Mom and Dad have constantly been having colds while my sister has ails of her own. My grandparents aren't so well either. It's the first time I've had a family member have intense cancer problems and it doesn't look like this will have a happy ending, so I am scared for him. Feel bad for him. When I think about it, it makes me want to cry. I feel bad for Grandma too. She isn't doing well either, so I am going to go visit her in the hospital this afternoon. It's a maturing process for me personally, but I hope for the best for both of them.

Otherwise, I am interested in how everyone else's life has been going. Anything new, interesting, fun, sad for any of you? I don't catch up with journals often on here anymore, I'm sorry. Hope you all are well though.