Really needed the time in South Carolina

I cannot begin to say how important it was for me to come to South Carolina. I feel like I am digesting life a little easier right now, although some things still feel a little rough in a way. I know I still have a lot to face when I get home to Chicago, but South Carolina has cleared my mind for a bit...and not in the running away type clearing, either. I just feel like I can think a little easier.

I also came to terms, again, for the second week in a row, that I will not finish my "E" book this week. There are a few guidelines I must remember for my next week, which will be the "F" week (by the way, this project is still underhand...I would never continue blogging if I were really going to quit):

1) The next time I am sick, I will put the books down and just sleep and relax instead of trying to overwork my brain. A 500 page book is really not bad, but with a head full of sinus problems, a body with no sleep, and a schedule loaded, reading becomes a little hard. I was still a little sick at the beginning of this week.

2) I will have to make adjustments if I am traveling. Honestly, I should have known the second I got home, I was going to be tied up. I knew I would not have much time.

So, the book's projected finish is this week. This project is now unofficially 28 weeks, but I remain dedicated to finishing. I want to expand my knowledge and know things other people know. The blogging will continue and it will continue to be a way for me to express myself through reading and writing.

My challenge in reading the Eggers book is that it is thick with stories. These are not stories that are so chewy they cannot be swallowed...these are stories surrounded by multiple stories. They are tiled together like a mosaic and must be read carefully. If I were to not pay attention to each one, I might not understand how the next was to come about. The book is excellent and I would 100% promote it to anyone willing to read something a sad but informative. I have found there are many things about World and United States History I still want to learn. This book has opened so many facets of my mind.

In my reading thus far today, Valentino is still trying to survive Pinyudo successfully. Things are still not amazing, but he is healthy and thriving (considering his circumstances). Of course, as with the case of this book, it cannot go too long in the good before bearing bad, destructible news. All boys are called to an assembly one day. The SPLA has ten men lined up that are bound and tied at the front of the audience (I think you already know where this is going). The SPLA address the boys telling them these people are traitors and have left the Sudanese only to bring about their demise. Somewhat of Benedict Arnold figures. After they have explained how these men are sharing SPLA secrets and "raping" the Sudanese of everything, they open fire in front of the 10,000 boys. They never saw it coming. The boys went hysterical and of course, the SPLA hit them in the heads with the butts of their guns...scare them even more.

To make this worst, Ethiopia has decided it is time for the Sudanese to leave Pinyudo. Following is a mass exodus of Sudanese. Of course, they all have to cross a river full of crocodiles with bullets and bombs flying at them (it could not be simple). Valentino describes bodies floating down the river and the water being red.

This sadness is how far I have gotten today. Today I was in Greenwood eating lunch with old fellow music majors, Joyce, Stephanie, Brian, Brad and Doc (our vocal professor and choral director), Joyce's family: Jose, Brandon and Kati (Kati's 21st Birthday!!!), and Carolyn and other friends. The lunch was wonderful. We went to our college stomping ground, La Ha. After, we went to Steph's house and had some fun. We watched her play Mario Wii and tried to watch the Hawai'i live tsunami coverage...it was really hyped up and nothing happened...we wanted to see action (not at the expense of lives), but it is better nothing happened. As for people in Chile, I hope they are ok!

Tonight, we celebrated my old principal's (literally, she was my principal and then I ended up teaching for her at Lexington Middle School) Birthday at the Cotton Grill in the Old Mill in Lexington. It was so great to see her family and spend time with friends. The food and company were all wonderful!
After, I went to spend time with my friend Jonathan and his mom. She looked around on Facebook...it was hilarious!

I am also glad for the time I got to spend with Mama and Daddy today (yeah I call them that...they are amazing). I am excited about spending the day with them out and about and at Bark Park in the morning with our dogs, Buddy and Katie!

Tomorrow, a slew of peeps will be visited. Lander is coming to Lexington!!! It is time for me to sleep!