I wake up every morning begrudgingly at 6:30am and trod my way into the shower.  I get in my car at 7:00am, and make my way to Hempfield High School.  On my way, I have an 8.4 ounce Red Bull and listen to "Empire State of Mind" by none-other than Jay-Z.

Routines - some are more organized and generally better than others, but everyone has one.  Does one, however, want to live a routine day in and day out?  There are times when routines are good, and there are times when a spur of the moment lifestyle is the best lifestyle to live.  When I wake up every morning, I know that the time it will take for my day to change is about 2-3 hours.  My boredom persists until then, and I feel as though I'm dull.  The days of summer and sporadic living are the days I yearn for, the days that keep my blood flowing, and the days that keep my mind thinking clearly.

After this past weekend's William & Mary Conference, I came back to my routine morning and frowned.  I got in the shower, got in my car, and realized I had no Red Bull to keep me ticking.  I shook my head in disgust - "Now what?"  I find myself asking this question more and more as my college timeline tightens.  December 18, 2009; although 25 days away, this date and the dates prior to this date will determine how well my holidays go.  My back is full of knots, my neck is stiffer than a 2x4, and I am (for the most part) a self-made insomniac.

Then I smile.  I realize that the life I live is unique, the house I reside in large, and the goals and dreams I hold for myself enormous.  My family, friends, and associates bring me the know how of getting through the repetition, the routine, the drab and droll of Senior year.  I live for the weekdays and weekends that bring these people together into one, big group to enjoy and love each other's company, sharing stories and laughing until three in the morning.

Every day is a new day, and at the end of each and every one of these new days comes a feeling of pride, integrity, prosperity, and success.  The life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that United States citizens are given at birth is that piece of the puzzle that fits it all together.  Let yourself go - enjoy, love, laugh, and smile throughout this Thanksgiving Holiday Week, for at the end of the day, we can always find something to smile about.

ZM