"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?" - Albert Camus

It's 3:00 in the morning and I should be tired, but I had an amazing 3 1/2 hour nap today, so my body isn't quite ready to go to sleep! So, I'll update instead!

The last week at home was great. I found out I got a 4.5/6 on my analytical part of the GREs, and (like my other scores) it's a bit higher than what Pitt recommends. I guess we'll find out what Pitt thinks when I apply!

The last day of work was on the 14th. I'm glad to be done with it (I was getting so tired), but it was really hard saying goodbye to one of my patients. I developed an amazing friendship with her and it broke my heart to have to say goodbye. I'm hoping I can still see her on breaks...

My 21st birthday was on August 15th!! The whole day was incredible. At midnight, my dad took me out to Molly Brannigan's (a local restaurant/bar) and I ordered a lemon drop martini. It was delicious! Then, the bartender gave Dad and me some shots of mixed drinks on the house. The next day was so busy! I had appointments all day (hair, pedicure, makeup, etc.) and then Angela and Ed's wedding was in the afternoon. It was so beautiful and I am so glad I was there for it! I went to the reception for a bit afterwards, and then my friends and I met up at my house at 8:30. My DD for the night had called off because of a pulled muscle, so I was worried that another friend of mine would have to DD. But, my parents came to the rescue and my mom dropped us off at the South Side and picked us up!! I think it's awesome... not many parents would do that.

We started off at the Lava Lounge, and hit four more bars on E. Carson. I think my friends had a really good time.. I know I did! I maintained a good buzz, but I didn't get wasted and nobody got sick. It was a really great time and I'm so glad I had my best friends there with me. :-) I couldn't have asked for anything better!

I came back up to school on Tuesday. Steve and I moved into our apartment (which is beautiful, by the way), and we're so happy!! We shopped all day on Tuesday and a bit more on Wednesday, and we're finally settled in. I'm SO looking forward to this year. Steve is an amazing roommate and it's like having a sleepover every night. I've already cooked a bit (raviolis the first night and sauteed veggies the next!), and it's been so much fun so far. I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring!!

Also very exciting: I got a job at Texas Roadhouse! I went in for an interview on Wednesday to be a server, and I got a call a few hours after with the job offer. I can't wait.. training starts on Saturday and I think it's going to be really fun.

I need to head up to the barn soon so I can start riding again... if there's one thing I regret about this summer, it's that I wasn't able to ride at all. That said, I lost 20 pounds this summer (yes, 20! I found out on Tuesday!), and I think that will definitely help me when I get back on the horse.

Life, overall, is great. I do miss my family (although Hana is coming up soon), but this year looks very promising in so many ways and I'm really excited for it. More updates coming soon! :-)

"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." - Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart), Star Trek: Generations

- E