NEW XANGA: TheFourthLove (Any CS Lewis fans out there?)

Will be updated regularly @ Emory. Love you guys, and see you on the new site. ;) Ton Ami, David

TOMORROW'S MY LAST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL EVER!!! I've never looked at a single day in my life with more happiness or sorrow...in fact, I never thought the day would come. But it has. Save for a quick morning visit on Thursday, tomorrow's the last day I need come to school. Wow.

Some four years, two high schools, and many cups of Wawa English Toffee cappucino later, I'm amazed to think of all that's happened:
     9th Grade: Intimidated as heck @ Louisa County High School. I learned to stand by my convictions and to learn to stop shutting people out of my life...not to mention the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School kept me with all my friends and let me see World Cultures like never before.
     10th Grade: The awkward move to Stafford. I slowly eased into life in Stafford, and I made a few friends, all of whom I still love and cherish today. The workload wasn't bad, though, and I began to join extracurriculars.
     11th Grade: Ugh. I loved the year, I hated the year. The workload increased exponentially, and I definitely was in a crisis of beliefs and convictions (and how willing I was to maintain them). Summer Governor's School, however, changed my life forever, and the friends I made there I'll never forget.
     12th Grade. THAT'S where it's at. Joined Ferry Farm Baptist and recommitted myself to Christ, dated Barbara (and, afterwards, learned what I did wrong), started singing in the musical and thereon, had great times with friends, got my driver's license (finally), learned to just enjoy things...and got into Emory. Man, I can't believe it's all but over.

High School has changed me for the better, through the actions of people like:
*Cole Taylor, a popular senior and future Olympic swimmer who befriended a shy, quirky freshman and took him under his wing
*Amy Lust, who invited me to come to her church and, at the same time, invited me back into fellowship with Christ
*Jamie Giordano, who taught me how deep friendships are meant to be
*Jacquie Damm, whose passion for singing (and living) ignited the same drive within me
*Billy Flanigen, whose friendship has never waned through debate, CGS, and camping
*Barbara Luckett, who opened my eyes to what love is meant to be and how to remain friends when romance fails
*Patrick Bales, whose kindness was only matched by his patience when playing tennis with me
*Gabriella March, who lived vivaciously in a way that inspired me, too
*Katerina Bartman, who put up with me all of the Junior Prom and who's been the greatest non-sister-sister ever

...and so many more people, so many more than I can mention. You all have made my High School experience worthwhile: you've taught me so much, pushed me so far, and yet you've always been there for me. I love you guys, and leaving you this summer will definitely be the hardest thing I've ever done. I can't wait for college, but I can't begin to think of it, either.

Well, 'tis time for adieus (though the summer still holds the opportunity for meetings!). I'll keep this page updated as much as possible this summer, and I'll definitely have stories to tell with so many graduation parties to go to! Take care, God Bless, and I definitely love each and every one of you.

Ton Ami de la Vie, David <=><

Currently Reading To the Last Man: A Novel of the First World War By Jeffrey M. Shaara see related

Whew, Dinner Theatre @ church is finally done and over! Today consisted of church, followed by sleep, followed by the dinner theatre (at church, mind you), and a long stay at Carl's with Amy, Lauren, Beth, Collin, Drew Orr, Matt, and Beth's sister whom I don't know :) -- so much fun! The dinner theatre went quite well, and Jubilate! (youth choir) has now come to a close. I can't believe so many things are ending!

On an extreme tangent, I was watching the news and heard the same story I had heard several months ago about "Religious Intolerance" at the US Air Force Academy. People were being "unfairly" told that Jesus was the only way to heaven, and that if they didn't accept Him, they'd end up burning in hell. Now people are trying to have those persons punished and strict separations put into the law code of the school to discourage such practices.

First of all, I don't agree with the way salvation was presented by those involved, and I think the manner they went about their witnessing was, in my opinion, not nearly the best. However, as far as banning such actions...WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP!!! The restriction of *any* viewpoint, no matter how annoying or controversial, is utterly unconstitutional. People argue every day for women and minorities to have greater voices in the nation, but to label any voice as "wrong" or not worth respecting is completely disgusting. It's showing intolerance to what they consider intolerance.

There, my rant is done -- I just hate listening to those who seek to restrict the voice of any group, even the majority. Take care, God Bless, and I love you all!

Ton Ami, David <=>< 

Currently Reading Target Of Opportunity (Mechwarror: Dark Age) By Blaine Lee Pardoe see related

Believe it or not, but yes, this is a brand-new post by David! Took long enough. :P

Man, things are all happening at once now! Yesterday was incredible, for one thing:

1) King's Dominion trip w/ Stafford's "Festival Choir" (aka all our choirs put together) for the Choir Festival they were having there. We received a 1 (Excellent) rating and won a trophy! Woohoo! (Not to mention we got to ride all the coasters we wanted during a school day).

2) Senior Dinner Dance! I got home, got changed, and drove out to Caroline County to pick up Chelsea, my "escort," as she referred to herself (the two of us being good friends and it not being a date). The Dinner Dance was 10x better than Prom, IMHO, and I had so much fun seeing everyone there. And Chelsea and I were some of the only ppl who could do something resembling swing dancing, too! (Thank you Governor's School!)

3) Dessert @ Chelseas house was great. We had strawberry shortcake and coffee while chatting about everything from graduation to miniature cows (don't ask). A good time was had by all, and I managed to get back @ 1:15am. Set my alarm for 9 and slept like a very exhausted rock.

Needless to say, I'm loving the end of Senior year! Yes, parting is such sweet sorrow, but the thrill of college is just on the horizon, and I couldn't leave better friends behind than when I'm gone to Emory. You guys are so wonderful, and I hope and pray that the last few months spent here in Stafford are spent with those I love and cherish. Take care, God Bless, and I love you all!

Ton Ami, David <=><