Pouring Rain

With the beginning of the semester comes an onslaught of extremes; nothing seems to be done in moderation. Whether the forecast is pouring rain or dry spell, the magnificent balance I found over the past three months has dissipated with the introduction of the fall semester.

"Welcome to junior year" is something I am quite accustomed to hearing. What exactly does that entail? Well, as anyone who is foolish enough to inquire 'how my week was' knows, I am happy to explain. Let me unload on the rest of you with a glimpse into the past week:

* 2 ten-page lab reports * 2 lab sessions * 1 six-page assignment * 3 quizzes * 4 hw assignments * 2 midterms * 2 sibling birthdays * 1 performance of "Honk" * 1 baby blessing * 1 wedding * long school hours * work * etc.

I was feeling terribly weighted, looking forward to the end of the week when I would finish that final structural analysis midterm and all stress would be lifted from my shoulders. No such relief came. When that biting, St. Louis screech declaring, "times up" came, panic arose instead. More strain was added to the heap that was supposed to have just been depleted.

A thought arose in my mind that I'd had during the week whilst sitting in institute. I was reflecting on my previous, hopeful frame of mind vs. my current state. I thought how light I'd felt only a week or two prior, and how I'd let the work load weigh my down. I felt a bit foolish.

I determined, as I have many times, to stop looking forward to some future date. Thinking everything will be better tomorrow will just prevent me from enjoying today. I'd forgotten, so quickly, the perspective I had been steadily gaining. I set out to do things to uplift me today. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself (Matt. 6:34).

And then I forgot it just as quickly.

So I'll continue to remind myself. With the hustle of school, my mind is apt to get caught up in the madness. I'll remember to slow down, take a deep breath, live like I'm 20, and think outside the box that is engineering. Like my dear cousin Val said, "sometimes you just need to take a run, breathe in some crisp fall air, and place your burdens on the shelf..."

So to the onslaught of extreme amounts of homework, extemely unfit professors, and the extremely unacceptable amount of emails in my inbox each day from the notorious Dr. Chambers, I say bring on the freakin' rain.

Carrie Oakie

I've posted some lyrics before, but I don't think any of my fam has ever heard anything I've written. So, using a terribly outdated camera, I recorded, as best I could, the most recent couple of songs I've worked on. The guitar is not magnificent, but alas, one day it will be.

This first song I wrote about a 1.5 months ago, the most recent song I've completed. It titled: Another Week, and here 'tis:

Let's talk it out, 'cause I've been gettin' sick of the silence.
Another week, and I'll be gettin' sick of this same, dry tune.
Now I know your thoughts and your words don't oft mingle,
But I've been left to my own since the middle of June.

Let's walk it out, 'cause I've been gettin' tired of waitin'
You left me with false hopes to which I could cling.
I've been feelin' alone for quite sometime now,
And missin' you seems to be the one song I have left to sing.

And when I hear your name, I don't think twice.
And when I see your face, my heart never breaks in two.
And I always listen to my friends and my family's advice.
And I don't cry when I think of the last time I held you.

Now I know we don't know each other so well,
But you said we were kindred of a spirited kind.
And I recall the strength in the calm of your embrace,
As I've not yet rid the thought of you from my mind.

And when I hear your name, I don't think twice.
And when I see your face, my heart never splits in two.
And I always listen to my friends and my family's advice.
And I don't cry when I think of the last night I spent with you.

Let's talk it out, 'cause I've been gettin' sick of the silence.
Another week, and I'll be gettin' sick of this same dry tune.