Jump Then Fall

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to--


What? It's July 17th already? Since when??
Hm... Guess it's not my birthday anymore. Oh well.


Even if today is now tomorrow, I had an absolutely fantastic birthday yesterday. Went out to lunch with Claire and Chelsi at La Madeleine then shopped with Claire and her mom until it was time for dinner with the gang at The Cheesecake Bistro. I have been so blessed with so many new, wonderful friends here! We had a great time, ate wonderful food and simply enjoyed each others' company. As a friend just reminded me, sometimes simple or simply can be quite nice.


Claire and I spent a good amount of time a Barnes&Noble today (I love that place!) and I found about seven books that are on my next-to-buy list. I should actually write that list down at some point, shouldn't I? Most were novels, and the majority of those were spin offs or near to the topics of Pride&Prejudice, Jane Austen, or Shakespeare. I reminded myself that I have three books of those same sorts packed away for the apartment that I should read first before I go buy new ones. Not that I'm going to have much time to read once we're in the apartment. There is absolutely no break between Footloose and Gypsy so once school begins and summer ends, things will remain in full swing.


Speaking of the apartment, Claire and I got some cute decorations for the apartment today, too. Some picture frames and wall decorations, things of that nature. It'll be fun to get things all situated and set up the way we want it. But getting to the apartment means several things, the saddest of which will be that the summer is over and I have to leave all my wonderful Central friends.


But let's not think about that. It's these wonderful friends that I have the next month to spend with. In and out of rehearsals, making plenty of memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Each and every one of these new friends of mine hold a special place in my heart. They've also taught me many valuable things this summer and I cannot wait to keep learning.


Like tonight, beyond being blessed with such fun friends, I am blessed to be surrounded by a group of fellow believers who love to encourage one another and give glory to God and His crown. Seriously. Tonight when we were out after dinner, we were approached by a street evangelist. If he did nothing else, he got me thinking, which I believe was a very good thing. He presented a challenge and a thought, prodding me to evaluate where I stand and what I think on a few things. It reaffirmed the belief and joy in the fact that everything happens for a reason. Nothing is a coincidence or chance. We met him for a reason.


I mean, come on! We went to the Apple store because Garrett wanted to buy something for his iPhone, but it was closed. We lingered outside just talking until a security guard asked us to move over (which made no sense at the time why on one area of concrete we seemed like troublemakers but on the next we were perfectly acceptable, nonthreatening teenagers) and then out comes the evangelist to our little group and tada. Whether we were meant to meet him for me to have something to think about, for him to be encouraged by a large group of believers, or for the man who approached asking "how do you know what heaven tastes like?" to simply have someone to talk to, or whether it was for some other reason we are never to know, it is still exciting that there is a reason!

I may write more later, but right now, I'm exhausted. Just had to get a few thoughts out :]
Goodnight all!