Free at Last.

Sum·mer (n)- the period of finest development, perfection, or beauty previous to any decline.

Well, here it is, the long awaited light at the end of the tunnel. The last 3 weeks of school are always the most challenging. Not only are there final exams, but just to trip you up, most professors throw in a final round of tests during the last week or 2. Sleep becomes a commodity, hygiene- optional, social life... well I guess we rarely have much of a social life anyways, but you get the point. It's the storm before the calm- and the only thing I will say about it is... it's over.

I finished up my finals last Wednesday (having to skip the game at Southern to take the last one), and most of the guys finished up within the next few days. Shooter, Z, and myself were among the test takers/injured reserve that were unable to make the trip, so we got together to watch the game on television. I will also note that Dyer forgot his jersey and had to wear Matt Petiton's #29. He then proceeded to hit like Matt as well. (Just kidding JD, and besides- those balls were off the plate!)

Thursday we packed up and traveled all day to North Carolina for 3 games with ECU. We had a great weekend up there, and managed to take all 3 against a very solid ball club. Thursday night, we dispersed for dinner, and a few of us ended up at Outback. Our waitress was a college student, and seemed to be under a bit of stress, so I took it upon myself to try and ease the tension. I have come to find that there are people in this world who respond very well to my sarcastic jeering, realizing it is all in good fun and it can be especially useful in times of frustration... I have also come to realize that when they do not find it as funny as I do, it gets really awkward, really fast. Lucky for all of us, she* ate it up. For every witty remark we gave her she threw something right back. I have to say it was one of the funniest meals I have had in a long time.
*waitress was actually named "Sarah", however was called everything from Lauren, to Shawna, to Brittney, etc.

This week, we have had the good fortune of early practices, which gave us all day to enjoy our lives. I can not speak for everyone, but if this schedule doesn't scream summertime (taking into account our primary responsibility of baseball, of course) I don't know what does. So far I have:

• Grilled out (x2)
• Had a poker night
• Spent an afternoon at the fly (listening to Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Robert Earl Keen, etc. while sitting under a shade tree and hitting golf balls into the Mississippi River)
• Played the guitar
• Thrown the football around
  
• Packed up all my stuff for Summer

So far I have not:

• Gone to class
• Missed going to class

Before I head off I just want to clear up any confusion that might have come about with previous posts. I had said earlier that Mrs. Rebowe's fruit pizza was the highlight of my life (or... maybe it wasn't THAT serious- but something to that effect), but I let it slip my mind that the only reason the fruit pizza was so delicious (not to take anything away, the fruit pizza is still outstanding), is because my body was already so unbelievably satisfied from the wealth of food that Mr. Rebowe had graciously provided weekend after weekend. So to all of the parents who contributed, thanks again... you guys are awesome.

Well- that about wraps it up for now. We have the Rice Owls in town this weekend, and we are pumped about the challenge. I will now leave you with 2 quotes for this week:

During the broadcast of the Southern game:
"Boy that Jared Dyer- he looks like he would be fun to hang out with, doesn't he."
-Announcer

An exchange with the waitress at Outback:
(All 3 glasses, empty, lined up along the edge of the table)TR: "Excuse me, Shawna- these glasses aren't going to refill themselves."
W: "Oh, then follow me, the tea pitchers are over here!"

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