Well it’s hard to believe that 2008 is hastily drawing to a conclusion.  It seems that just a few short days ago school was cranking into motion.  As I have confessed, I am ready to move on from the comforts of high school into the uncertainties of college and the real world, but there is still much preparation to be done.  Everywhere I turn I have a college talking to me or a project due or a scholarship application to complete.  The days just aren’t long enough.  Sleep tends to occasionally take the backseat to these necessities.

Another thing managing to keep me occupied throughout the week is sports, football in particular.  I will not complain about that though.  Two weeks ago was our final home game and Senior Night.  It was really special because my grandparents drove over from Arkansas to see the game.  And we won.  I was pumped to find out I received All-District honors.  Also, our team won our first round playoff game this past Thursday and will play this upcoming Saturday against a school from El Paso.  We are now 11-0, and it’s beginning to hit me that my football days are numbered.  I hope to have several weeks left with an opportunity to play in the state championship game, but nonetheless, it’s drawing to a close.  I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far.  Along with my football game last week, I watched our girls’ basketball team play several games, including the tournament championship game, and two other football games in the area.  Our family likes to eat together as much as possible, but with my football and my brothers’ and sister’s basketball, it is a rare occurrence.

Do you have something you enjoy doing that even some of your closest friends don’t know about?  Mine would probably be singing.  I’m not great, but several kids from my church and I have a small chorus every year.  We practice and go with our church to LTC, or Leadership Training for Christ, in Dallas, and perform there.  The past two years we have done exceptionally well and I look forward to it my last year.  We have begun to practice over the last few weeks and it’s a nice way to relax and resign from the stresses of life.

Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas are within the next month and a half.  I’m not sure what our Thanksgiving plans are this year, but we are probably going to see my grandparents in Virginia and Arkansas for Christmas.  I love traveling there during the holidays.  It’s nice to see family, and snow frequently provides lovely scenery for the trip.

I may have changed my mind.  I have stated several times that I will not retake the ACT or SAT, but I’ve done some reconsidering.  I have taken the ACT twice and the SAT once and was pretty satisfied with my scores.  No matter which test you prefer, I strongly advise you to take each one twice and during your junior then senior year.  Unless you are 100% sure you did your absolute best and cannot outdo yourself, it is in your best interest to take it again.  I did it with the ACT.  I was slightly nervous and unsure of what to expect my first time around.  When I went more prepared the following occasion I performed better and was able to raise my score.  A couple of points on a test may not sound like much now, but when applying to colleges, those couple of points may be a matter of thousands of dollars in scholarship money.  IT’S WORTH IT.  With that said, I’m still not positive I’m retesting, but it has become a possibility.

As the end of the semester draws near, grades are becoming increasingly important.  My parents habitually remind me to stay focused and maintain my grades.  I’ve always been an “A” student, but it is becoming more difficult to not slack off and procrastinate.  I have several significant grades due to start off the third six weeks so I will need to keep my nose to the grindstone.  I hope all of you have a blessed week and a blessed Thanksgiving next week!  Remember to be thankful for all that we as Americans enjoy, and thank any servicemen or women you may come across for their dedication and service.