Before I Write A Paper...

Those of you who have been reading will know that recently I've had quite a few "life experiences" or lessons. And this last weekend definitely had one of those.

It started out with an AMAZING concert. It was actually a two part concert. Six friends and I drove to Seattle on Friday specifically so we could see the them. The band that played is called "The Senate". They are a small Seattle band and freaking amazing! (You should check them out at their website or their myspace profile to hear them. They rock!)

Every time I get the chance to hear live music it gives me incredible amounts of joy! There's just something about it that makes me feel so happy and excited that I can't seem to stop smiling. Literally. Do you know what I'm talking about?

The next day was a full one. Dad made my friends and I a wonderful breakfast. I hadn't had a breakfast that good in sooooo long. Mmmmm, mmmmmm. After some bumming around for the day and dinner with old friends, I went to go visit a friend who lives on Capitol Hill in Seattle. We had no plans specifically besides to hang out, so my friend decided to introduce me to, or as she put it "break me into", Capitol Hill. So that evening, that's exactly what she did. I got a taste of "the nightlife".

If you don't know anything about Capitol Hill life in Seattle, then let me just tell you this: it's WAY different than anything I'm used to. I don't know if it was so much of a culture shock for me though. I kind of knew about the lifestyle there, but being submerged into it like that was a whole lot closer than I ever thought I'd come. It was a rather interesting evening. Not bad, but very different, "informative", and weird at times.

I could go on and on with stories about the evening, but I'm not sure you'd want to hear it all. Some are normal and boring and others are a bit out there, at least for the likes of me. And then for some people, like my friend, they would be everyday occurrences. I'm just not used to that kind of thing. And it's not necessarily something I care to get used to.

Now I've done it, I've been "informed" and somewhat experienced a different lifestyle. It is definitely a life experience that I shall never forget.

And the huge blessing of the weekend, besides getting to hear amazing live music, was that I got a car! My mom bought a new car and I got hers. So I got to drive it back with one of my friends and we rocked out the whole way home. It doesn't seem right that after an accident I should get a newer and way better car than the one I had, but I'm not complaining. I feel incredibly lucky to get this car. I do wonder how long it will take me to get used to calling it my car though.

One more thing before I let you go. This is just so cool I can't not tell you. Last night my boyfriend and I watched The Little Mermaid and it was his idea. We sang along to the whole thing and just had a great time. It was so much fun! I hadn't watched it for at least a couple years. It was also nice to be reminded of the blissful innocence we used to have as children (that I still try to cling to), especially in contrast to my "life experience" from this last weekend.

Why can't more people hold onto their childlike innocence longer? It would be such a different world.

~Connie Jo

I Was Caught

If you've been following my entries, you'll recall there was one I was writing while in a class where we were all writing other blogs. Remember? Well, if you don't remember, then now you know.

Yesterday my new semester started. My first class was with the same professor, who is also my adviser. He was talking to a few of us when he looks at me and says something to the effect of, "And people do know what you're doing in class." Then later made reference to the title of my blog. So I was caught! He had read my blog and I didn't even know he knew about it.

I've always heard that you shouldn't put in writing something you don't want people to find out. This just stresses that lesson. But the thing is, I don't actually feel that terrible about it. I got everything done that I needed to do for that class and did it all on time. It was a fun class too. And no, I'm not sucking up just in case he's reading this entry also. I promise!

On another note, for those who are wondering, I'm doing much better after my accident last weekend. The parentals are helping me take care of everything and it's in the past now. I definitely haven't forgotten about it and will for sure drive more carefully in the future. But it's done now and there is nothing I can do to change it. I just have to move forward and learn all I can.

With what's happened in the past week, I guess life is really throwing those lessons at me right now. I must have an open mind for learning right now. Yeah... that's how I can describe this. I'm a sponge soaking it all up right now, so life is throwing the lessons at me while it knows it can. That sounds good to me. :D

~Connie Jo

Don't Look Down, You Might Miss Something

For instance, you might miss out on the fact that the car in front of you is stopped.

That's right, folks. I got in the first car accident of my 21 years of life yesterday. And yes, it was my fault. I looked down for one second in stop and go traffic. What a stupid thing. My little '91 Toyota Corrolla apparently doesn't stand up well to the back of an SUV with a Trailer Hitch.

It was bad enough that I had just caused an accident. But get this: We both pulled off the road to "assess the situation" and trade info, you know, all that fun stuff. I got out of my car walked over to talk to him, then went back to my car to get my information out. And guess what I had done... I had locked my keys and everything else in my car! Boy, did I feel like a total idiot.

I was so lucky though, the guy I ran into was really kind to me. We called a tow truck, who also tried to open my door, but didn't have luck. So they towed it back to the school for me and called AAA to open it. Then the tow truck guy and his son drove me to the HUB on campus to get cash to pay him, then drove me to a friends house where my boyfriend was also visiting.

It was so great to just relax after that and have a home cooked meal. We even went and got frozen yogurt! It was delicious. I'm so thankful for my amazing boyfriend and other friends.

Everyone was so kind to me throughout the whole situation: the guy I ran into, the tow truck driver and his son, my dad, my boyfriend, and all my other friends. I was so overwhelmed with what had happened and how amazingly kind and concerned everyone was that I just bawled my eyes out later that evening.

My car's not fixed yet and I'm sore from some whiplash, but I am incredibly thankful for what amazing people I have in my life. I just hope that never happens again. Once is enough. I think I've learned that lesson well and good.

~Connie Jo