Hmm... seems to have been a while since my last post.  The semester's winding down.  Classes are T-minus 3 days from ending.  My last final is next Wednesday, after which I pack up my room and leave Penn State.  Leave Penn State.  Hmm.  It hasn't really sunk in that I'm gonna be gone for a semester, more than that when you consider the summer.  And ( Read more... )

is it naive and idealistic to believe that things happen for a reason? to believe that things will eventually work themselves out? to believe that God has a plan for us? perhaps, but it definitely beats the alternative - being an eternal pessimist. sure, things are pretty shitty sometimes, but i can't help but believe (vehemently, i might add) that ( Read more... )

looks like it's been a while since i've posted. update: i'm back at school for round three. one semester here at good ol PSU, then i'm off on perhaps my biggest adventure yet - China (hopefully - the paperwork needs to go through, but it will). crew and classes have ensured that my room doesn't see me a whole lot (or my bed for that matter). i'm ( Read more... )

last night here in great smokies... it's been a lot harder to leave than i thought it would be. i've met so many incredible people here, it's been really hard to say goodbye. this place has really grown on me. my last day of work is tomorrow - nothing's gonna get done, i know it. i hope i can get back to visit. maybe next summer after i get back ( Read more... )

I can't believe August is already here... seems like I just got here last week instead of 2 1/2 months ago.  Crazy.  I'm really gonna miss the Smokies.  It's been an incredible summer.  So many good times, I don't even know where to start.  Here is but a brief list of some of the highlights of this summer ( Read more... )

bonnie ( Read more... )

I recently had the opportunity to see something that most folks never get  to see here in the Smokies (or anywhere else, for that matter).  The park is home to close to 30 different species of salamander, earning it the title of "Salamander Capital of the World." One of them is the hellbender salamander, a rather elusive amphibian who lives in ( Read more... )

I've been down in the Smokies going on 8 weeks now.  I've reached the point where the initial excitement about being here has worn off, and things like working the visitors desk get tedious - if I have to tell one more person where the bathroom is, I'm gonna go postal on them.  That's not to say that I don't enjoy being here (I mean, I'm in a ( Read more... )

Seeing as how I don't have cable in my apartment (ok, I do, but it's would I would term "semi-legal" and I only get a couple of channels... C-SPAN being the clearest of them), I've been keeping busy by hiking, occasionally going for a run, and reading.  I've read quite a few books since the summer's started.  Here they are and some of my thoughts ( Read more... )

Just completed a 22-mile trek this afternoon.  I started out yesterday morning at the top of Newfound Gap and made my way along the Appalachian Trail for about 10 miles to Peck's Corner shelter, where I spent the night. Ideally, I would've loved to go with someone else, but no one else I work with has Fridays and Saturdays off, so off I went by ( Read more... )