July 26, 2005

In College.....

COLLEGE... These are the best days of my life! I was talking with my aunt the other day and decided that I truly have had a diverse college experience.

* I missed a final due to over sleeping :: Thank goodness the professor was a family friend and allowed me to take it later on in the day
* I've had a professor miss a final :: I didn't have to take that final since she never showed up.

* I've received a 101 in Statistics :: A+
* I've received and C-/F :: For your information, that counts as passing!

* I've lost my dorm key, the emergency dorm key, and have had 8 student I.D.'s in three years

* I've lived in the dorms : I've lived with my parents at home : I've lived in an apartment with friends : I've lived in an apartment with strangers

* I've had a professor invite me to a keg party after the final - Thanks, Dr. Matthew
* I've had a professor treat me like scum on his shoes and say that one more mistake and I would be out of his class - Thanks, Dr. Dini : I made a B in the end!

* I've been on the dean's list twice
* I've been on a "list" given to the dean of students who missed the first assessment test, and were thought to not be able to make it

* I've made some stupid mistakes : we won't go into these
* I've made some smart decisions : like going on Raider Awakening #27

- - - In May 2006, I should graduate with a biology minor, and a chemistry minor after 4 years on the dot. Even my mom didn't think I could do it! I don't know if these will always be the best days of my life, but they will always be fondly remembered.

July 21, 2005

Like mother like daughter

I know that people say that girls become more and more like their mom's when they grow older, but this is getting ridiculous....

... In the past couple of weeks I've had two people stop to talk to me thinking that I'm my mom. Now, I know there is family resemblance, but I would of thought the 34 year age difference would have clued them in.

... Last night I let my mom wax my eyebrows after she had two glasses of wine. In hindsight, that wasn't a smart decision. After one swipe of the wax strip and the silent gulp of air, I realized a good portion of my eyebrow was gone. After a few angry yells and a lot of laughter, mom took off half of her own eyebrow on accident. Now we really look alike with our missing eyebrows!

... Yesterday, I got a stressed out phone call from my mom. She got a speeding ticket. 47 in a 35. I tried to calm her down and reassure her that defensive driving wasn't that bad. And then this wired fate hit me. I was driving down University between 19th and 4th and got pulled over by a cop. Can you guess it.... I got a ticket for going 47 in a 35. Really, what are the odds?

Good thing I love my mom, because it's not easy to become anyone. Luckily, she's a pretty cool lady to model. So this weekend, me and mom will go to my cousin's wedding where there will be lots of pictures taken, and both of us will be sporting only one and half eyebrows. And yes, we plan to take our defensive driving class together!

Love you, mom!

July 4, 2005

To whom I was known as Maria

... I hate good-byes ...

It all started on a cold December night 5 1/2 years ago. That's the night I met Kevin Christopher Martinez. This was no ordinary meeting. In fact it would be one that would literally change my life. Most friendships have a natural progression: meeting, to talking, to knowing each other, to spending time together, to then becoming best friends. But that wasn't what me and Kevin had. As a strange blessing from God, that very first time we met, me and Kevin became best friends. Inseparable. Undeniably close.

Nobody could really understand our friendship. To be so close between a boy and a girl, without it being romantic. To always be by the same persons side everyday. To be so close in what should have been years, but was only days. Truthfully, I don't really even understand it to this day. But I sure am grateful.

Years have passed. We've gone through graduations, boyfriends/girlfriends, stupid stunts, fighting matches, laughing till I wet my pants, scandals, vacations, and every range of emotion a person can go through.

I'm forever grateful to him for the person he helped me become. I was fine being an introvert, but he taught me to come out of my shell. He was the one that started me singing in the choir at mass. He was the one who literally forced me to go one Raider awakening and start joining CSA. He always made me watch my language and dress modestly. I can't count the number of times he's protected and took care of me. He became a part of my family, and me a part of his.

Last week, he left for Indiana for a two year internship with Indiana University. We had to say good-bye. It's not the end for our friendship, but it is a dramatic change. One I hope we can make it through. I'll miss you Kevin, and I wish you the best of luck in is your new surroundings.

... I hate saying good-bye, so I guess I'll just see you again some day!