amazing...

Before I mention anything about today, let me just say that last night, my parents decided we were going to have a family dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant in Ringwood, to celebrate my completion of my junior year, and thus, my being a senior. Which of course makes me feel old. It was incredibly fun; I don't think I've laughed that hard with my family in a long time. We talked/debated about everything from polar ice caps to jujitsu to human intelliegence (or lack thereof) to just making fun of me in general. I don't think I've gotten picked on like that in a while (in jest of course). One of the things we debated was jujitsu. My brother is convinced that a black belt in karate could kill a black belt in jujitsu because (according to one of his best friends) karate focuses on how to kill, whereas jujitsu teaches how to kill, how to be gentle, how to heal, how to have morals, and how to apply it to everyday life. He sees these things as one of jujitsu's flaws, however, I'm of the opinion that these things are precisely what makes jujitsu the superior art. Karate may be called a martial art, but if all you learn is how to be a killing machine, its not an art at all, because there's no finesse. If karate is what my brother says it is, then its essentially the opposite end of the spectrum from something like capoeira, which seems to be more art and less martial. Jujitsu seems to be a perfect balance of the two. But since I've never practiced a martial art besides jujitsu, I don't really have much to compare with, so I don't know. At any rate, it was an extremely fun night, especially because I have just completed all of my requirements for my Italian minor, and it was fun to translate the items on the menu.

On to today... I've been cleaning my room, big time. I had no idea I was such a pack-rat. I have this ability to make things appear neat and orderly, when really its a whole lot of crap that needs to be thrown out. I had to stop because my allergies were starting to react to the dust. My room for some reason attracts bugs every year, different species, depending on the year. This year, its those huge crunchy ants, and I've been smashing them with a soccerball. Ant poison would probably be more effective, but the soccer ball is more fun. Anyway, I've been watching this one ant for over an hour now. He discovered a fellow ant that had fallen prey to my soccer ball, and he decided to pick his buddy up and take him back to the nest. The only thing is, I think he lost his way, because he's been circling my room for quite a long time now, and he's been pretty much everywhere at least twice. At one point, he even put his buddy down and walked around to try and get his bearings, then came back for his dead friend. I now know why Jesus gave that parable in the Bible about being diligent like an ant. Think of the stuff that could get done if everyone just kept trying their hardest at things instead of giving up halfway.

Anyway, my sudafed has begun to take effect, so perhaps now would be a good time to keep cleaning. I'm trying to get my desk empty so I can bring it to New Brunswick when I move into the apartment. Which I am beginning to be more excited about now that school is out.