Fear.

Isn't it amazing how one instant in time can stick with you for an eternity? It's beyond fathomable how a simple moment can define our greatest triumphs or our most terrifying fears. Whatever they may define themselves to be, fears are sometimes unseemingly insurmountable and quite understanably real.

Can you take me beyond, can you carry me through? If I open my heart--could I go there with you?

Fears give presence in numerous situations, the most odd of them being a time that isn't even related to the fear itself. Sometimes all it takes is a thought and your memory jogs...

I fear.

- Spiders, scorpions, and all other 'creepy crawlers' that were somehow created with far more legs than any living thing should possess.
- Dark Alleys, lowly-lit gas stations, and hard to see in small spaces. Generally speaking, probably any place a young woman (or any woman for that matter) should not be found in or around alone.
- Left hand turns particularily at uncontrolled intersections. The irrational part of me believes that it is completely reasonable to demand that municipal governments install four-way stops or red lights at these intersections all so that one individual in a million may have peace of mind.
- Being hit with specific respects to no kind of violence or accident--rather intentional "hitting" that results in a change in possession of the ball. Perhaps it's not the hit so much that I fear but rather the result.
- Losing someone I love and value more than my very life itself.

When The Angels Make Contact.

Your heart and mine should really spend some time together
~Matt Mays

Life here in the prairies.

Well, first of all--I never thought I'd succumb to country music. In the previous years, it has typically been listed as one of the few genres I don't enjoy. Now, I can't pinpoint if it's being out here in a small town, or perhaps the prairie air is going right to my head, either way I am now voluntarily listening to it. Weird.

Did you know it's possible to live in a city where you can get pretty much anywhere you need to in ten minutes? I'm serious, from the North side to the South side...just ten minutes. Did you know it's possible for rush hour not to exist? And for the only type of 'traffic jam' to be caused is the result of a train? I can get to work in six minutes flat.

I've realized that it's quite easy to be fashionable here, you see--the shopping that is here isn't the "brand labels" we typically see back home. If you can find some of the labels, you are paying literally your arm and leg just to afford to put a down payment on it. I've realized with this, I have immediately taken the upper hand--everyone wants to know where you get your clothes and where they can get it. It's awesome.

The radio here is highly outdated, just today on my quick drive to work, Z99 introduced "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol as their newly released single. Now it's perhaps a more recent single of theirs but by no means has it just been released! Again, this is weird.

Now I realize that I've probably painted a picture in your head that slightly resembles some outdated, far from civilization little city, perhaps maybe you're even exploring the thought that I've exaggerated some of my 'facts'--but I speak from experience. It's not bad like it probably sounds but let me tell you--it sure is different!

I sure could go for a late night of cards on the trampoline followed by an all-nighter in the infamous tent.

Collide.

So there goes my life--passing by with every exit sign. It's been so long, sometimes I wonder how I will stay strong. No sleep tonight, I'll keep on driving these dark highway lines. And as the moon fades...I will see you again.
"Hello, I'm in Delaware"--Dallas Green

After what seemed to be the longest time in my life, I finished seven exams, packed up my belongings and fit more than I actually thought was possible in my little two door car. After I was loaded up, I stood in front of the house where I spent the last eight months of my life, said goodbye and jumped into the car ready to embark on the next journey in my life.

With the best company anyone could ever ask for, I began the journey--passing by farm houses, over straight and flat roads to my new home. The excitement began to rise in me for I realized this was actually happening. Sometime that I had only just dreamt about before was now becoming reality...

I'm here--I did it.

To make this already changing week even better, I got the job that I wanted. You are now looking at an "Assistant Program Director" -- I will be assisting (as the title suggests) in created adapted physical activity programs for youth with disabilities while trying to reduce barriers that poverty creates and keeps from children participating.

I know the heart of life is good.