so today I realized just how much Hargrave consumes my life. The only friends I have go to Hargrave and now they are all over the world for spring break. Some are in Paris and Amsterdam or Argentina others are in Cali, FL, GA, NC, NY, and other various places in America. When they're gone, this small town becomes a ghost town. Or perhaps thats just the way I see it. Maybe things do happen in this town and it's just hidden from me. Or perhaps I'm too blind to see it. Whatever the case may be, the boredom of small town life is getting to me. I realized that if I'm not at Hargrave I have nothing else to do. I really miss the ways of the city. The lights, the atmosphere,  places being open past 6pm, going out every weekend, my job, the money I was making and the money I got to spend on whatever I wanted, even the sirens. The parties, the people, the places. Perhaps this little town has more to offer. Maybe I just don't see it. Don't get me wrong, the people are nice. I've made some lasting memories and friendships with people here. I just can't shake the feeling of being alone. The city girl trapped in a small town life. Yeah, ok I'll only be here until the end of the summer when I finally get to go to college. But what am I going to feel when everyone goes home for the summer.When I no longer hear reveille in the morning, drums at mess II and III, yelling from the barracks, tattoo and taps? The world that I've learned to love and hate. Ok, so they'll be back for summer school but it won't be the same. I have to find something to do. Unlike the others I don't have a big house in a big city to go home to when school is all said and done. No, I have a 4 min. walk uphill to a tiny house in a tiny town. God closed doors on things in Iowa and opened doors here. There have been blessings with moving here and there have been trials. I'm glad for some things for being here and for others I can't wait to get out. In the end..it's all how I make things to be. Right now I'm seeing boredom, trapped feelings, and wanting to get out. Maybe tomorrow I'll see adventure, opportunities, and not wanting to leave..as for now I'll take it one day at a time.

To my big little brother:

You are such a punk, but I can't help but love you still the same.  You're always there for a sarcastic comment during yearbook and there with a pepsi when I need one. You make me laugh when I'm feeling down, and you make me laugh when I watch you guys play soccer. You were the first friend I had at Hargrave and one of the ones I will miss the most.  I still haven't heard you play guitar yet though, I'm still waiting on that one. And when am I going to Cali. with you? Oh wait, aren't you and code picking me up in the sailboat? whatever the case may be you are a great friend and a part of the family so it looks like you're stuck with me forever(or am I stuck with you?) No matter what..you're still my big little brother!

Currently Reading All Quiet on the Western Front By Erich Maria Remarque see related

well..it's only been what maybe a week since my last update..much better than going a whole month or two!

Christmas break starts next week and I can't wait until it gets here :) Two weeks of sleeping in, eating real food(hargrave food does not even come close to being labeled as "real food"), hanging out with steph, presents..hmm I wonder what santa's bringing me for christmas this year?? 

The girls are doing a secret santa thing in the dayroom and today I found a little stuffed animal monkey in my gift bag..it was cute!  At the end of next week we all found out who our secret santas are..so this will be interesting!

We finally have our christmas tree up, and my sister decorated it this year..so it has colored lights, with blue, silver, white, and gold ornaments..a little different but it works.

Christmas..like Thanksgiving is going to be different this year..but I guess change is always taking place in my life.  And even though I talk about how things are different and how I don't necessarily always like it, I am thankful that I come from a military family.  If we didn't move around as much as we did, met the people we know, or been through the experiences we've survived..I wouldn't be who I am today.  So in that sense this is what I'm thankful for this season..all the moving around we've done in my life.

We had Hanging of the Greens last sunday..and it was comedy seeing Dan and Wrigley in the robes! I decided that the robes we had to wear was the new camoflouge because they were the same color as the carpet we were standing on, the pew bench we were sitting on, and the poinsettas surrounding us..hmm..secret ops in the chapel??

out for now... -Julie

hmm..so once again it's been over a month since I updated..almost two months this time. and of course once again a lot has happened that I have failed to inform you of so here it goes...

I gave up on Cody coming around, though I don't hold anything against him...so no hard feelings. It just wasn't meant to be and thats ok.  And for the first time in over a year I have a wonderful boyfriend named Dan.  He came home this weekend, from being at his actual home and I guess I didn't realize how much I missed him until he got here.  He brought my christmas presents AND I got to open one today and inside the little box were a pair of gorgeous earrings! There's just too much to say about he and I so I'll save it for another day.

Thanksgiving was awkward.  For the past 7 years we've always spent the holidays with my grandma in Fonda Iowa.  So lately I've been really missing Iowa. Virginia is nice for some things, I've met some interesting people while here and have made some great friends but it's not home..at least not yet. We spent thanksgiving with some friends from church but it just wasn't what it could've been.  It seemed like everything was thrown together and it wasn't what I'm used to during the holidays. But I guess I shouldn't compare it to what my family usually does..they tried their best and I'm thankful we got to do something.  I wonder how christmas will be...

Hargrave starts again tomorrow which I can't seem to decide is a good thing or not. I missed all the guys while they were gone, Chatham was soo quiet..eerily quiet. 

well chocolate is calling and so is getting stuff together for tomorrow.  It might be a while til' my next update but it'll get here eventually. Love you all!

-Julie

Currently Reading Where the Birds Never Sing : The True Story of the 92nd Signal Battalion and the Liberation of Dachau By Jack Sacco see related

wow! It's been almost a month since I last updated..sorry guys!  A lot has happened in these past couple of weeks..

First and foremost I experienced the death of another friend this week(a friend Aaris passed away this summer).  James Shelton who I got to know quite a bit over this past summer was killed in a car accident Saturday night(october 1).  He was Daves(stephanies little brother) best friend. Dave was in the car too but by the grace of God he was ok.  Please keep the Shelton family in your prayers. Their other son Brandon was in the car and he suffered severe injuries and had to undergo emergence brain surgery Sunday morning. Please keep not only the Sheltons in your prayers but also Dave.

The Hargrave vs. Army game was fine, we won(go figure our PGs are awesome!) but the whole singing thing could've gone better. I was where I was supposed to be tempo wise, key and everything(could've been louder but hey..at least I got up the courage to do it in the first place) but the band started going so fast and it wasn't at all like we had practiced. So next time(if there is a next time) it will definitely be W/O the band.

Volleyball was going good until these last couple of weeks. Then I started to hate going to practice...not something I wanted to do my senior year. So rather than continue to have issues with my teammates..I gave my notice yesterday and I'm no longer playing volleyball.  It feels like such a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm doing swimming now..well starting tomorrow so we'll see how this goes.

Classes are still going..some have proven to be more challenging than others but I'm surviving. I actually need to get back to writing my construct for debate tomorrow..so until next time(thinking it might be a while until I get the chance to update again) I hope everyone is doing well and if you're not here than I miss you!

-joolz