More journal excerpts to follow...

In the meantime, I've been reminded this past week of why I loved GSW so stinkin' much. I enjoyed it a lot while I was there and perhaps a bit less once I left, but I was never head over heels crazy about it. But now I am.
We have a yahoo group for GSW '03 alumni. A lot of the posts, especially as of late, have been about college--where everyone's applying, what scholarships people got, where people have gotten accepted, etc. There's also been a couple "give me advice on what school to pick" posts (by the way, I LOVE not having to make a decision like that!). About a week or so ago, someone replied to one of those posts and, amoung other things (such as where the money is, what programs the respective schools have, whether or not grad school is in the picture), said to "go where God wants you". In my opinion, an excellent thing to say. A few days later, someone else posted a response, flipping out on that comment and accusing the girl of trying to shove religion down people's throats. And so on. Quite frankly, it was obnoxious. Granted, I may feel that way simply because I am a Christian, but I have a feeling it was obnoxious anyway. What's been awesome though, is the response to that guy's response. Most people have said that what he said was uncalled for. But not everyone objecting to it were Christians. There's been this incredible, healthy discussion on what both the girl and the guy said and forcing religion on people in general. And it's not just the fact that it's a healthy discussion, but the fact that everyone feels safe posting their opinions. Maybe it's hard to understand without reading the discussion, but it's been really really cool. I love that those things can happen with us. Because they can't at school. Or church. And I think that healthy discussions/arguments (especially about things like religion) are so vital to society. They just don't happen often enough.
- thoughts provided by Katey Orr @ 9:01 PM

Monday, March 15, 2004

 

(An except from journal number four)

Wendy and I eat lunch together in my car most everyday and we usually listen to the radio. As we were talking today about a past relationship of hers, Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake" came on and she made the comment that said relationship was her favorite mistake. And that made me wonder...what's my favorite mistake?
I think I've come to the conclusion that a mistake means something that you've done wrong, not just something you didn't do on purpose. In that case, my favorite mistake would have to be allowing myself to fall in love as a freshman in high school. Looking back, it was not at all one of my brighter moves. I didn't know it at the time, but at such an age, I was only setting myself up for disappointment. I wasn't old enough or mature enough to really understand what it meant. The guy I loved ended up moving to New Jersey only a year after I met him. And I continued to love him--for entirely too long. Another mistake. But as much as I hate some of those decisions/actions, to this day, I can't look back on it with anything but joy. It was definitely one of the highlights of my life thus far and as hard as I might try sometimes, I can't regret any of it, even though I know that the consequences weren't necessarily in my favor. Yes, I was in love with an amazing boy, one that I still would not mind spending the rest of my life with...but I think that's the downside too.

- thoughts provided by Katey Orr @ 5:41 PM

 

(An excerpt from my first journal)

The only thing better than having a fresh notebook to write in is having a good pen. And by a good pen, I mean a Uni-ball (or some similar brand). Aside from ultra fine tip sharpies, nothing beats a good Uni-ball. Definitely my pen of choice. I do actually have a hierarchy of writing untensils. Fine point sharpies (any color)-->black Uni-ball-->regular sharpies (any color)-->blue Uni-ball-->mechanical pencil-->black ballpoint pen-->blue ballpoint pen-->regular wood pencil. I despise regular wood pencils. They take all the fun out of writing (plus, they smell funny). And that's what writing's all about. Except not at all. I almost wish I could write for fun. Because I don't. I write because I can't not write. I was born a writer. I remember writing and illustrating (and binding) my own books when I could barely read or write. Those gave way to stories in elementary school, poems in middle school, songs in late middle and early high school and now blogs as an upperclassman.
Blogging, I think, is one of the most interesting things to come out of the information age. Or rather, online journals. Whatever you want to call them. I thoroughly enjoy those that read with the honesty and passion of a true journal; not so much those that just give an update on said blogger's life--everyday. I'll be the first to admit that mine gets that way all too often--I have such a diverse audience that it's hard not to give just an update. But true journals are quite nice....I'm going to like this assignment a lot. A whole lot. Getting a grade for what I do anyway? Most excellent.

- thoughts provided by Katey Orr @ 5:28 PM