By this time next year I’ll be an Abbey alumni; that’s pretty scary to think about. I’m really not all too sure what I want to do with my life just yet, but I’m hoping something will fall out of the sky and point me in the right direction.

I’ve had a great semester. Despite turning 21, I more or less survived and kept my GPA in tact. I think that’s commendable. I declared my minor in Justice and Peace Studies, which is an excellent program.

I’m now the intern at the Catholic News Herald in Charlotte. It’s a lot of fun and really interesting work — I’m doing a project on the AIDS relief ministry at Belmont’s own House of Mercy. I need to hone my journalistic skills some, but it’s great experience.

A friend was recently confirmed in the Anglican Church, which brought back memories of Messiah. I’ve been up to the usual — botanica hopping, drinking, and chain smoking. A little Dungeons & Dragons during exam week.

I feel a lot more at ease with myself lately. I’m pretty happy with the person I’m becoming, and I’m excited about the future. I’ve made some great friends living in Raphael Arthur, and I’ve patched things up with people I hadn’t talked to in awhile.

Nevertheless, with the threat of grad school looming in the near future, I realize how dissatisfied I’ve become with higher education.

Growing up, my family always told me that money couldn’t buy happiness. I’ve found the same is true for education — it’s only a means to an end, not an end in itself.