Well, that was fun.

That big paper crunch was even worse than I prepared for. All the papers ran longer and took longer to write than I expected and, as a grand finale, the Political Analysis one happened in a single 25-hour stint of preparation and execution that ended with me flailing across campus unwashed and unslept in order to put it in the professor's box on time. That night I had to cover a shift at work, too, so in the end I was up for a good 36+ hours before the fun was over. I put so much effort into these papers that when final exams rolled around I couldn't get myself to focus on them despite the fact they actually had more weight. It's all over now, though, and retrospective grief ain't my bag. The lesson has been learned.

The semester has officially ended and in its place have come 90-degree days and parking lots empty enough to allow for good parking wherever one goes. I always feel torn between two sentiments over the summer. On one hand I wouldn't be here and Athens would be dirt poor if it wasn't for the University, but on the other, as a full-time Athens resident, I really love it when those pesky kids get lost for the summer and "give us back our town." Summer is definitely my favorite time of year here. (Autumn in Asheville is my favorite time of anything anywhere.)

By far the biggest downside of summer is graduation, because I have a knack for becoming great friends with people who are on the verge of leaving forever. This time last year I was saying goodbye to Lisa and Luna; this year it's Jen, Rachel and Brooke. At the exit show on the 15th I ran into two people I started with as a freshman in the art school who are both graduating now too. But rather than add to the lovely experience of losing friends, this last thing played more to my fear of watching everyone I know go off and become successful while I remain a broke and useless student. That thought strikes me pretty often these days.

I'll post more later-- it's time to call my moms.