I've been listening to a lot of Johnny Cash lately. He makes me feel better about myself. At least I'm not in prison waiting to die! Thanks Johnny!

Boys!! What the hell is up with you guys? Whenever I think I get things figured out somebody throws me a curveball.

Last night I spent the night at Alicia's house. It was fun hanging out with her family; they're good people. I haven't really been sleeping and I was having a hard time falling asleep last night. It took me at least a couple of hours. While I was awake I did a lot of thinking. I have a tendency to believe that I've actually solved problems when I just think about them. I come up with solutions, but I'm not doing any good if I don't follow through. I think I have to write some people some emails and figure out what the hell is going on.

I was talking to my dad today and had a bit of a realization. I haven't played my trombone since April. In my time off I have gone through several phases. I'm now in a place in which my trombone doesn't really play a part in my daily life. It's weird. Before my injury my trombone was my life. Now I don't think about it so much. I almost started to cry. I miss playing.

I'm thinking about just starting over and playing left handed. If I modify my horn so I don't have to bend my wrist and switch to be a lefty I might have a chance.

Gonna go write those emails now. I've got to suck it up and take care of business.

Take care.

Tonight I was supposed to hang out with my best friend Alicia. She had a guy crisis and we had to talk through it. I hope she's done with Sam; he's been more of a headache than anything. It was hard to hear her cry. She's usually so strong for me. When I called her this evening she was on her way to Beaverton to go shopping with another friend. She said she just needed to get out of the house. I don't blame her. We are going to go get coffee in the morning and then hopefully go hang out with her parents. I haven't seen them in a long while, so it will be nice.

My dad and Tammy are at a neighborhood party thingy. I was invited, but I have been enjoying wearing pajamas all day and I wasn't about to change that!

I haven't done a damn thing today. It's been a nice change of pace to just sit around and watch tv and stuff. I've been super social since I got home and I just needed a break from people. Don't get me wrong, I love everybody, but I really need Heather time. Plus I'm a little weirded out. Something strange happened last night and without going into details I'm a little confused about the state of a friendship. I hope things didn't get out of hand last night and change what has been a great friendship for the past 4 years. Sorry to be so cryptic, but I think it's called for. Maybe I'll talk if you ask in person.

I'm still missing my Eau Claire friends. Maybe I'll make some phone calls tomorrow and catch up with my pals - it's too late now with the time difference.

Well, I'm gonna go, the parents are home.

Goodnight everybody.

So yesterday didn't turn out like I expected. It started out all fine and dandy, but then when we were downtown my mom started getting really sick. She had a migrane and began throwing up all over. My sister and I had to take her to an urgent care clinic so she could get some medication. We sat there for 2 1/2 hours. Merry Christmas to us!

The day did get better though. At 6:30 about 15 of us old MHCC folk got together at Red Robin for dinner. It was so nice to see everybody. My friend Wes and his woman (girlfriend, fiancee, wife, etc.) Kristal had a baby in August. I got to see him right before I moved to EC, but it's been a few months since then. Gavin (the baby) has grown up a lot. He was adorable and never cried once. I got to hold him for a bit and really liked it. I seem to be getting more maternal as time goes on; I don't know what to think of that.

I was just going to go home after Red Robin, but Ben Dobay insisted that we all go down to a German restaurant/pub where our friend Michael Sanchez (mama) works. Six of us (Ben, Adam, Billy, Michael Rodriguez, Mike Meskel, and I)went down and drank then after Michael got off work we went to another bar. We stayed there until 1 then went home. In true Eau Claire style Ben wanted to make sure that our friend Adam went back to the Army with a hangover!

Ben came back to my dad's house with me so he didn't have to drive back down to Salem (about 1.5 hours south). It was nice to spend some time with him - even though I see him a lot more than the other guys I was hanging out with.

The weirdest thing was the text message I saw this morning. It was sent at 2:30 and said "We are going to talk a lot after I leave cause. . .I love you." AHHHHHHH!! Thanks Adam! That's exactly what I need!

I don't know what I'm going to do about that. I don't think I'm going to respond. He sent it at 2:30 and had been drinking, so maybe I'll just attribute the message to that. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Ben thought it was funny.

I think I'm going to sit around today. It would be nice to go to Borders or something, but I don't think I can spend any money. It might be nice just to sit around, drink coffee, and watch cable. Hey, that would be just like hanging out at Dave's!

Okay, this is getting long and ridiculous. I'll probably end up writing something later just 'cause I'll be bored.

Starting to adjust to being back home. Well, actually I'm not back home so it's a little strange. I stayed at my sister's apartment for three nights and I had never even seen it before, so it wasn't home. Now I'm at my dad and stepmom's house, which is nice, but it doesn't really feel like home either. I will admit that the weather is more like I'm used to!

Today should be great. My mom, sister, and I are going downtown to "shop." I never really buy much, I just like walking around and drinking large quantities of coffee. Later this evening a bunch of us Mt. Hood people are getting together. Susie and I have been planning it for a while and I really can't wait to see everyone.

Christmas was nice. We went over to my dad's parents like always and it was great. There's a two-year-old little girl in the family and she is adorable. I'm not a huge kids person, but she got me. We also got my grandma a "special" present that will be used for medicinal purposes. It got a big laugh. Everyone loved our Christmas Cards too. Who can resist a bunch of smiling faces in Christmas sweaters? I can't!

I miss everyone already. My life feels like it is still in Eau Claire. I guess I'll have to get used to being away, especially since I'm taking time off.

Enough blabbing for now; I have to go dry my hair.

I hope everyone is well. I miss you!

The semester is actually coming to a close and it feels like it. Up until this point I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but now things are starting to calm down. I still have a bunch to do before I fly out tomorrow, but it all seems possible now. Yesterday was fun. Claire and I got lunch, then I spent way too much time on the phone with Alicia and my mom. I cried a lot yesterday(now that I look at that, yesterday really doesn't look like fun). After my afternoon of tears I went over to the house and watched the Anchorman sequel with some of the guys. It was a nice way to end the day. I then came home and talked with both Alicia and Rosie on the phone. I'm so happy that I have such special friends back at home. Alicia and Rosie have been angels this semester. Well, actually when I think of it, Alicia has been the little angel on my shoulder while Rosie was the devil on the other. I love them both!

This morning I met Dave for coffee and we got a chance to talk before he leaves. It only got better when Randy walked in the door. How perfect to end this semester with the Trifecta! I don't know what I would do without those guys. I feel a lot better about everything after talking to those two. I wish I had more time to spend with them. At least I'll see Randy in New York soon.

I should go. Randy said the line at the bookstore goes all the way to Jazzman's, so I'm gearing up for a long wait. I also need to buy a few things. I'm not doing presents really, but I do need shampoo.

So today has been the hardest day yet. I've finished up all of my finals and don't have much to do before I head home. In that respect I feel pretty good. I feel like shit when I think about everyone I'm leaving behind. I'm getting overly sentimental about a whole group of people I've known since September. It's strange, but in a lot of ways I feel closer to people here than I do with people I've known for years. My stomach is all tied up in knots and I can't wait to get home and cry a little; I'm sure that will ease up some of the tension.

On a lighter note. . .I just got done with lunch with Claire. I had a really nice time. I wish we would have started hanging out sooner, 'cause now I'm leaving. We're going to try to stay in touch to the best of our abilities. I'm not too surprised that it took me longer to make girl friends than guy friends. I suppose playing trombone plays a large part in that, but I'm not a girly-girl so much.

Well, I'm going to take off and do some much needed crying. I'll feel better soon. Tonight I'm going to get a beer with Ben and he always makes me feel better. Thanks Ben.

We got finished signing our Christmas Cards. I'm so glad we did it! I know that whenever I look at it I will remember all the fun I've had this semester. I really love all of the guys in the picture; I'm lucky they're all a part of my life. Without a doubt, we were the best orchestra section ever. Others may question the validity of that statement, but I don't thinking I'm going too far by saying that. Those guys are great!

Other than the card signing I haven't done much today. I slept a lot 'cause I wasn't feeling well, then got my ass up and met Randy. We burned some CDs that he thought I should have. It was hard since I only had 8 blank ones and Randy has a collection of 600 or so. I did make a list, however, of some music that I should get sans Randy. It was fun hanging out and it was also my first time in an Eau Claire dorm room. Woo hoo!

I don't really have anything to do tonight. I should do laundry and try to pack, but I never actually follow through. Maybe tonight is the night. I'll suck it up and clean. I said I would go down to the Joynt tonight, but I don't think my stomach can handle it. Thursday for sure.

I suppose that's it. Ciao.

I had a great weekend! I usually drink about once or twice a week, but I just created a new personal record: 4 nights in a row. That might not sound like a lot for the experienced college folk, but for a silly little Oregonian it was a lot. I didn't get sick at all so it was a success!

Mark had his recital Friday night and it was great! I had a stupid grin on my face the whole time. I really wish I could have been up there playing. Next time maybe. I don't think I've ever heard anything that loud come out of acoustic instruments. Nice work gentlemen! After the recital I went with Ben to the Bistro. I had a nice time. I wish I was able to spend more time with Ben; he's a really special guy. I think I'm pretty lucky to have him as a friend. After the Bistro we went over to the house & it was a blast. Everybody was dancing and Dave put on quite a show with his crutches.

I slept in really late on Saturday. I totally needed it though. I had gotten home at 2 am the past few days and had actually pulled my ass out of bed in the morning, so I deserved it. I didn't do so much until Dave's quasi-graduation party. It was the first time that I had gone into the Pio. The only bars I have been to are the Joynt, Mousetrap, and the Stones Throw. I think I've got some catching up to do. I'm going to blame it on the short period of time that I've been here. Dave's party was fun. Afterwards we all went over to the Joynt and I totally got hit on. It was weird. This guy was kissing my hand and shit. He asked for my number and I gave it to him, although, I didn't include the proper area code. Oops! Am I a jerk? I don't really care. James and I decided that he would be my "boyfriend" if anybody else came around. Seriously, who would hit on a girl who is hanging out with like 8 guys? Whatever.

Last night I saw "The 40-Year Old Virgin," and it was actually funnier than I expected. Laughed my ass off.

Now it's Monday and I've accomplished everything that I need to do today. I had my Form and Analysis final at 8 and I feel pretty good about it. Now I just have to catch some z's before I go to the Stone's Throw tonight. I haven't been since Halloween I think, so I really should go. I feel bad. Hopefully there'll be a good turnout.

Well, I guess that's it for now. At least that's all I can share with whomever may be reading this. No secrets here!

I finally have finished all my work for the week and can now begin to relax. I turned in all of my Alexander Techniques homework (barely) and I took my piano proficiency. I felt pretty good about proficiency before I went in, but the very first thing I played I screwed up. I passed everything except my major scales. Dumb!! The rest of my finals should be easy, except I never know what Dr. Lane will surprise us with in World Music. At this point I don't even care.

Mark's recital is in less than 2 hours; I'm excited. I haven't heard him play at all, so it should be a lot of fun. I've been hearing pieces of his charts for a while now, but only in the beautiful MIDI sound that only Finale can do. Last night I heard the theme from Cheers floating through the air, so I'm hopeful!

This weekend should be fun. I have a feeling I will be watching a ridiculous amount of movies and hopefully eating some pie. Can't wait.

I'm beginning to realize that I'm not going to be here next semester. It will be so nice for me to take a break from school, but I think I'm going to miss everyone a lot. Even now I've been thinking about what it will be like when I come back. I'm glad that many of my friends will still be in Eau Claire. It's just too bad that Mark, Dave, Colin, and James won't be around. Things won't be the same without my low brass boys.

I've just decided that I need to be funnier. My blog is boring. I'm going to work with that and see what I come up with. I'll try harder in the future. . . I promise.

I keep trying to find new and exciting ways to waste my time and now I think I've stumbled upon exactly what I've been looking for: a blog. I don't really need one and most of the time I don't have a whole lot to say, but what the hell, I'll give it a try.

So, the last couple of weeks have been pretty crazy. Aside from making the decision to take a break from school, my grandma got really sick and was in the hospital, my sister got in a car accident and totaled her car, I am newly single (which actually isn't so bad), and I've gotten pretty damn behind in my school work. I was doing so well at the beginning of the semester!

I know I still have a lot to do before tomorrow, but I'm feeling like I need a break. I'll probably go to the house tonight and relax a bit. It's dawning on me that I don't have a whole lot of time left with some of these guys. I'm taking a year off, so by the time I get back a lot of guys are going to be gone. I'm going to try to spend the most time that I can with my friends before I leave. Boise is far away, it's not like I can just drive over for the day.

Well, I should try to have something to show for all of my time in the lab today before I go to orchestra. Alexander Technique homework is calling.