I just want to move past my years at Bible College. But I can't. Mostly this is my own fault for not telling people to just shut up and grow up when I should have.

I made a trip to Frankfort today for the State Park. That was fun. No tourists, the open road, and classic country on the radio. I was happy.

I think the Woman and I are going on a date night tonight. I don't clock in until 2PM tomorrow, so I can stay out late. This excites me a lot.

I've been getting upset a lot lately. Mainly it's my own problems that I can't just swallow down. *see first statement of this post*

Hey, guess what? I finished Vintage Jesus. One of these days I'll post a review of it. I can say this though: GREAT book. A must read for any Christian.

Now I've started No Angel by Jay Dobyns. I am super excited for that.

Time to eat dinner and shower before my date.

This summer...

...has been pretty good.

Two days after graduation the Woman left me to visit her relatives in the Cold White North. After that, I received a phone call saying that the Boy Scout job was a no go for at least a year. However, my old job at the State Park is still open, so I've been working that.

That job has changed since the last summer I worked there. While I was used to a generally 9-5 schedule, things have been shifted around. Because of White Nose Syndrome, we have had to close down three of the caves here at the State Park. This syndrome has proven fatal in 90-100% of bats that it infects, and since State Park houses 65% of the endangered Indiana Brown Bat found in the entire state of Kentucky, we are working very hard to keep WNS out of the state, and more specifically, out of our park. Hence shutting down three caves (which happen to be the three biggest bat hibernacula) to prevent humans bringing the fungus that causes WNS on their clothes. (If you'd like to know more about WNS, or how to help, please refer to the link above, leave a comment, or email me.)

So anyway...back to my work schedule. Because of closing down three of the caves, we have had to find other recreation programs and tours to provide things for the tourists to do. This means a lot of working odd hours, coming in late, and staying even later. For example, today I am working 2:30-8:30, doing a couple of tours but mainly helping out with the tye-dye that is going on this evening.

So I've had all this to keep me busy while the Woman is away. That, combined with finding out my cousin is pregnant, among other family news I'll not broadcast over the internet, I've had a pretty eventful three weeks.

But the biggest event of all comes tomorrow, when my fiance comes home to me!!!

I cannot simply explain my excitement through words on a screen. I cannot wait, and everytime I think about it my insides get jumpy because it makes me so happy to see her again. I'm making her a super-special "I loved you and miss you and never leave me for that long again" banana-cream pie, and I've also gotten her a small present.

And while I do not want her to leave me again, she will. There is a wedding next weekend that her and her family are attending, and throughout the course of our lives together, there will be many things that she goes to that I cannot. But that is ok.

While I have HATED this time we have spent apart, it has been good for us. We have learned how to talk and communicate over the phone; we have learned that we do not have to be in constant text-contact to remain in love. Basically, we have learned how to survive while on a hiatus from one another, and that is a good thing. Distance makes the heart grow fonder...but it also makes the relationship work better.

So this is where I get preachy. For all those young couples out there, if you're in a serious relationship, do yourself some good: spend some time apart. I know a lot of the young couples I knew at Bible College were forced to do this, as they lived many many miles apart for one another. I'm not trying to tell you it will be easy, and I'm not saying it's going to make you ready for marriage. But what I am saying, is that if you approach this time as a chance to learn how to better communicate, and to pray for and love one another even when not in 24/7 contact, you will grow deeper in love. Or you may realize other things about your relationship.

I'm glad that this long distance has solidified my love, and I am so glad to have the Woman in my life. And in just a little over 36 hours, she'll be back in my arms.

On coffee, classes, and catching the big one

Ok, "catching the big one" was just the first thing that came to mind. I enjoy alliteration...sue me.

Anyway...coffee. The Woman bought me a French press and some good coffee as an early birthday present. And it is GLORIOUS! I have always enjoyed coffee, but this...this is so much better. To steal from one of my professors:

"Most of the flavor that you get from coffee comes from volatile oils that the beans contain. The problem with volatile oils is that they're volatile; in other words, they dissolve / evaporate / degrade when they come into contact with heat / air.

This, btw, is why coffee made in a percolator smells so good (all the volatile oils are evaporating into the ether) and tastes so flat ("all the oils go bye bye!")" (from Theophilus Punk, link at bottom of post)

Classes...suck. I just want to be done, be graduated, and be a grown-up...just a few more weeks (39 days from today) and that will happen. Hopefully.

And...that is all I have. Last week was really fun and happy and this week the Woman and I are striving to feel the same. She makes me happy...so spending time with her is my top priority for having a good week.

Theophilus Punk: Caffeine, How I Love Thee!