What a long, strange trip it's been...

I know it's cliche, but I just went to my little brother's high school graduation and it seemed appropriate. It really got me thinking about a lot, but two things especially: first, how much things have changed since I graduated high school, and second, how this year's senior class at the University of Alabama really got something special taken away from them. I will start with the latter first.

Pretty much everyone knows about the tornadoes that swept through Alabama in April and destroyed a good portion of the state and Tuscaloosa. What you might not know is that, although the university was not hit, the University of Alabama decided (and rightly so) to cancel classes and finals so that students and faculty could focus on rebuilding and helping in our community. This year's commencement ceremony was also canceled and moved to August. Though a long and many times boring ceremony, graduation is a time to reflect on what has been and look to what is coming in a big "woo hoo!" kind of way. While I was not planning on walking, I would change that now to walk in August if it was possible! I hope that as many of fellow classmates that can attend do. I would be right beside you if I was not going to be in Missouri!! This ceremony in particular will be a testament to our fine institution and the amazing sense of community that Tuscaloosa has, especially in the wake of the heartbreaking tornado. Someone needs to tell me all about it!!

Now on to the other part. I cannot believe that I am about to start a 6 month internship that will end my undergraduate education. It's crazy!! So much has changed since I was only a mere high school grad. People you hung out with all the time are now only acquaintances, and you talk to people you never expected to keep in touch with. people you thought you would be best buds with at the start of college are little more than facebook friends, and you ended up getting closer to someone you initially hardly talked to. oh and I totally never expected to fall in love my freshman year of college and be engaged right now. weird....

This time in two weeks I will have started my internship and will be working full time at a children's hospital (which is something I have wanted to do for forever)!!! It is a little scary and a bit hard to believe! But I can't wait to see what other changes are in store.