Spain 2005

I would write a few words about the trip, but I have a whole lot of work to do that I'm terribly behind on. I will say I had a FANTASTIC time, and I'm so happy I went and that Aileen could come with me. Hopefully I'll find a bit of time later this week to write more.

Off to Spain :D :D :D

I'll be back on the evening of the 10th. See you all later!

In less than 22 hours, I'll be on a plane headed for Madrid.

Before then, I have to:
-Write my abnormal psych essay
-Take the manufacturing sciences midterm
-Do the stress analysis problem set
-Turn in essay, midterm, and problem set
-Do laundry
-Pack

It's good; This way, I have things to keep me occupied through the night, so I can be dead tired by the time I board the plane and I'll sleep throught the flight.

It seems we might soon see the return of midnight visits from everyone's favorite drunk.

Hahahaha.

It's good; my life needs a little excitement.

Restraining orders break up robotics team

If anyone from GRT still reads this, go to http://www28.brinkster.com/mydeepthoughts/db/ if you'd like to sign the open letter to Mr. Dunbar.

I've tried several times now to write an entry about GRT, but I'm having difficulty putting into words my thoughts and feelings about both the situation at hand and my experience with the team in the past.

The team was my family in high school. GRT was the most important thing in my life, and I put it above all else- academic work, friends, and even my health many times. The program changed me in ways I never imagined, and I can't even begin to fathom who I would be if I hadn't gone through the program.

Over winter break I got together with Lilly and Kate for the first time in several years. They were seniors on the team when I was a sophomore, and the three of us were very close for the short amount of time we shared in the program. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw them again. It's not that my friends here at CMU aren't as good as they are, it's just... different. I think it has something to do with the experiences we went through and had together that makes our friendship special. The three of us had not been together since they graduated high school three years ago, yet this past break when we got together we got along just as well as old times. I'd like to clarify it wasn't like old times- we've all changed significantly since we were last together- but at the same time there are those indescribable things about them that make me feel... like home.

In addition to Lilly and Kate, I've been in recent contact with other past GRT members from my years. The people I met through the team are more than amazing friends; they are simply amazing people.

It makes me so frustrated and disappointed to see what has happened to the team. I won't lie and say that the team was a completely positive experience- some of my most upsetting memories come from the robotics team- but I think that a program as intense and beneficial as GRT was is bound to be extremely upsetting at points simply because of it's impact and greatness.

I wish there was something I could do. There's nothing more depressing than seeing people you care for being hurt and things you care about being torn down while you can do nothing but watch. I know the team that was shut down was not the same team I was on- the program has changed significantly in the 18 months that I've been gone. However, it is still so disheartening to see something that is such a large part of me die.

So long, GRT. Thanks for all the memories. You were G-R-T-Great.

Everyone should be proud of me- instead of going back to sleep after my 9:30 this morning, I bought myself a double latte and continued working on my fluid lab reports.

However, the fact that I am updating my blog instead of working might negate this display of determination.

Well, at least I had good intentions...

2005. Wow. Where has the past year gone?

Time is beginning to pass by so so so much faster than it used to. I remember being stuck in high school feeling like I'd never get out of there, and now here I am three semesters into college feeling like my life is getting ahead of me.

2004 was decent. A lot has happened, and I feel like I'm a significantly different person than I was twelve months ago. Although I moved out to Pittsburgh in 2003, it wasn't until last year that I really got away from California and made Pittsburgh home.

I guess I could go into specifics about the past year and maybe fill out one of those silly end of the year survey things all the cool kids are doing, but I'm not really one for divulging personal details in such a public domain.

Happy new year, everyone. I hope you have a good year.