Valamity!

Thirteen days ago, but that’s okay. I should probably get on Seth about making an entry at some point, seeing as we seem to have hit one of those phases where only one of us is exclusively updating, and I am pretty much too boring/lack the pseudo-literary flair to keep a blog alive on my own. There are days when I’m convinced that I’m the only regular reader of this blog (in the sense that I am subscribed to it and bother to mark the entries read in Google Reader), and it’d be nice to hear something from the other side. Maybe he’ll read this and catch on, bwaha.

2008 was a big year for me, but I never put much stock in the arbitrary changing of calendars. Time is a river, and for the past few months, it’s been close to sweeping me off my feet. Every day is like falling in love for the first time and despite the turmoil taking place in the greater world, I’ve never felt more positive about life and (more importantly) the control I have over its direction. Living away from home has been liberating in a way I never expected. College is something I’ve waited for my entire life, and damn does it feel good to be excelling at something I actually enjoy. Granted, I’ve held back during my first few months to make sure I gain my footing, but next semester I plan to bust my ass just a little bit more and push my limits ever so slightly. Life is always better when it presents a challenge because it makes the reward of success that much sweeter. And I’ve been taught to expect nothing but success, regardless of how many times I might fail first.

So there’s the cheesiest thing I’ve said all year — and for what it’s worth, I’ve said a damn lot of cheesy things. It’s very strange, but as the economy tanks and conflict grows between nations, I know of so many people who are getting their lives together in a new way and plowing forward with a tremendous amount of positive energy. It probably has something to do with the dearth of 20-somethings around me who all happen to be infused with unjaded youthful energy, but what amazes me is how we can all feed off each other — feeling good for somebody else makes me want to go in the same direction that they’re going (generally, up).

Most of the uncharacteristic haze of happiness that I’ve been meandering through for the past few days is residue from Seth’s recent visit over winter break, during which I subjected him to many hours of Dr. Mario, Mario Kart 64, and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Preparation) training. He returned to Nebraska-land on the 10th and tears were quickly supplanted by numbness as I attempted to passively assuage the emptiness brought on by his absence by plopping myself on the futon he slept on all day (I was there all day, not that he slept all day, obvs). It’s weird, we both know, and we don’t expect anybody beyond ourselves to understand. We’re very blissful at times, yet fully aware that there may be several years yet until we can be together in the sense that we can see each in person (gasp) more than twice or, at best, thrice a year. And yet…the future still looks bright. Because it’s the future, and hell if it’s not going to be better than the present!

I wish hope and love for everybody in not just 2009 but for the rest of these days ahead, because it feels damn good to give and get in return. And if anybody’s lacking a little happiness in their life, listen to The Submarines — I’m hooked on Honeysuckle Weeks and they are so adorable and romantic and simple and sweet that I, gosh, I love them. And cute music is such a nice relief from depressing NPR documentaries. Don’t stop paying attention to the rest of the world — but don’t forget that sometimes, for the sake of our collective sanity, it’s okay to be shallow too.

5 Responses to “Hey, the year changed.”