#redostarter

However, when I thought I could tackle summer head on, I was very, very wrong. Somehow, Blaine managed to drag me to the beach, and even with my typical three coats of sun screen, I managed to get a burn that's rendered me useless in every sense of the word. My skin's already sensitive enough -- add a peeling burn to my lower back and across my shoulders and I'm out of commission until it's faded into something close to a tan (I'm not sure if I can actually tan, to be frank).

Hopefully, the vigorous amount of aloe I've been applying will help me get back in the game sooner rather than later, but at this point, who knows when I'll be able to sit down without wincing. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, friends. These next few days could be my last.

I knew things would be a little more difficult than what I was faced with last year -- Dalton's academic regime is nothing to roll your eyes at -- but I had no clue I'd be this bogged down.

Thankfully, after hours of studying and sticking my nose into countless textbooks, I've managed to survive. With passing grades, no less. And now, all I have to do is find a way to survive another week before the sweet siren call of Summer Vacation brings me back to Lima for two, blissful months.

I know you guys all know that I have been gone, but I was at school -- but I'm always getting stalked on here. So, it makes no sense. Anyway, I'm back on this place and studying has been getting to me. I know, I know, all I did was study and study, but I feel like I'm going for the ACT after that long hard work. I finally know who Albert Einstein is, he created light bulbs. I feel pretty smart. I know how you feel Artie. Then, I came to realize that I'm still a junior and I don't know why I've been studying when it's senior year I had to worry about. So, I came to conclusion that...

but I'd like to take this time to send up an itty bitty reminder that yours truly is turning the big 1-7 as we speak!

To be honest, I nearly forgot about my birthday this year. With Nationals, and the long weekend, it sort of fell on the backburner until I was woken up by a very enthusiastic Carole, singing loudly and off key via telephone. Dad joined her, too, and though I barely remember it (since I was still mostly asleep, mind you), the thought was sweet.

I wish I could jet back to Lima today to see everyone, but school comes first. Unfortunately, with my birthday also comes the beginning of finals, and though I have a week or two to study, I can't let a day go wasted. My guilt complex would end up tearing me apart.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. We all deserve a bit of a break after the weekend we had.

I think we did as good as we could, though. We were still damn fantastic.