Xanga.  MySpace.  Facebook.

The actual bulk of my friends find themselves on the first and the last, but each is a vortex of its own.  Each has what the other has, but each with its own pros and cons.
And I wonder to myself...why is it that social networking websites are so popular? 
Honestly, I don’t think it's because they're free, easy to use, and require little knowledge of the internet.  In my opinion, it's because often, we can express in silence (over the web, whether it be in pictures or words, that is), what we really want to say.  And, unfortunately for some, to better express who they really are, or rather, desire to be.  <---that really is such an interesting concept, but I think it's so true.
Mainly, though, I think it's because we really don't ever want to be alone.  Whether it be MySpace, Xanga, Facebook, Hi5, Bebo, Yahoo 360, or just whatever service you use for Instant Messaging—we seek relationship.  And there’s nothing wrong with that, that’s how we’re wired.  Friendships are such powerful things….

Blogging is such a concept.
I mean...I know a lot has happened since "March 27"...but...maybe I’ve just lacked motivation to get on here and write it out.  Sometimes the thought of that very bulk of friends that find themselves here and the sweetest of friendships I made while at Verity is what makes me refrain from updating.  I guess, for some reason, updating this blog seems daunting in a way.  I’ve never stopped missing my time at the RCI.  And to update someone on my life seems almost like I’ve resigned myself to being disconnected from them.

Maybe it’s because I can't walk into the lower dining room anymore (literally, now) and hear the hum of everybody talking at once mingled with the clatter of cups being emptied and put in the bins, or people calling out for that saved spot next to them, or the table hunt for honey, or John's wicked laugh, or the sudden boom of a voice for some announcement.

Do you remember May?  I hardly remember eating a decent meal (although the KS trip sure made up for that-ha!).  When I did manage to make it down (aprons and recital receptions—those were two best friends that month!), it was too humorous to see how the few of us '06ers that had remembered for that moment in time that food was actually nourishment (--to make it through the last bit of chaos reserved for us), would automatically segregate.  I even miss that.  The weirdest conglomeration of people could be found at those times--conversing and laughing as if the next day would be our last together.  And it would be…soon. 

Did you feel like you were somehow lingering in somebody's room a little longer now...just...to savor that company, conversation, or banter a little more? 
Sometimes I can still hear Papa Shoe's voice telling us about his stories as a Navy Seal in the Vietnam War...telling us to look both ways while driving even when there was green light...still see him choke up on the platform on graduation day...still hear him say how beautiful it was that we are "kept"...still hear him say "STEADY."
Wow.  When I sat down for orientation, never would I have imagined I would come to refer to him so affectionately or admire and respect him so much.... 

Sometimes I can still see Mr. Schrader get ready to call out a name for the impromptu speeches during symposium while some of us either gripped hands in terror, delivered stern gazes his way to make sure we weren't chosen as a victim AGAIN!, or tried to contain laughter--excited to see who we got framed.

Sometimes I can still see myself laughing at James' remark to my correction of someone's pronunciation: "It's showPAN, not chopIN"  "Actually, the way I'm playing it, it should be called ‘choppin'"  ...just--picture James saying that.  It's too much.  *falls over laughing*  you can only know if you know...and you've sat there on the white couches, walked through the lobby as you signed out or went to pick up your mail, and with that almost memorized every trill, every rest, every stacatto. 

Sometimes I can still hear the girls’ voices ringing through the hall; feel my body shiver as we would wait in line for ice cream at Banana Boat late at night; be running down the stairs here at home and somehow end up on those red-carpet stairs catching a glimpse into the ballroom; see Isaiah's fingers fly over the piano in the lobby; listen to the conspirators laugh insanely and gasp for breath as they literally fell on the floor after succeeding in scaring me yet another time; watch Tay and Jocy act out Tom Lehrer's songs; still feel Liza's little approving squeeze on my hand right before a song in the Mott Suite and hear our voices mesh in harmony that made me realize why I love to sing; go to basketball games with the Schraders and laugh hysterically when I cheered for the wrong team; blast "unapproved" music in the car with Jenell, Becky, Laura, and Liza, as we sang out loud and danced like maniacs whilst getting completely lost and attempting to outrun cars--haha; see Bekki run to the phone at exactly 10pm and me grabbing for my headphones or earplugs (I love you, Bekki!); remembering icky food (more like plate residue) fights and water wars at dishpit; ----and
so.
much.
more. 
I can't even believe that's just a little chip off of an iceberg of memories.
So many memories…that my mental camera has turned into a photograph for my heart to remember always.

--
So yes, motivation or no motivation to post, there have been lots of sniffs, snorts, smiles and sighs in my life since that last post, but basically, God is good, such a small phrase with such powerful implications, wouldn’t you agree?

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The rise of other social websites seems to be more alluring since their main focal point isn’t a platform to blog your thoughts, so it seems that would largely contribute to my absence.  It’s just so convenient, I must say....but I’ll still rummage through here.  :)