We’re half-way through August already. This year is truly flying by.

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Mommy! again..

Registration for the Fall semester began today. Now, in all honesty, I planned on going to pay my fees so I could get my book voucher to get my books and school supplies but there were entirely too many people on campus today doing the same thing. Plus, there were registration and people for Financial aid in one line. I found it rather ridiculous for those who have completed the financial aid process to have to stand in line with others who have yet to complete their financial aid. But, after checking my school email, which I rarely do, I discovered that my fees had already been paid when I accepted my award package. Now that is a W – I – N! I cannot be a happier Southern Univeristy student on this day – the day I realized that fees can be paid online and billing statements are emailed to your school email. I guess I need to start checking my school email more often..

I no longer loathe returning back to school for the Fall semester. Perhaps this is because my manager is allowing me to work less than 40 hours and still be considered full time. In the past, this has been a problem, but I’m glad she’s a bit more lenient. And perhaps I’m finally a bit more optimistic about returning because I only have about two more semesters to complete before I’m able to graduate. It’s been a long journey and I’m almost to the end of it and I won’t stop until I’m done.

My daughter starts school on Wednesday. At the last minute, she decided that she wanted to attend the same school as my niece. She went for testing last Friday and we both got a chance to meet her teacher. After testing, her teacher also recommended that she be tested for the gifted/talented program. Unfortunately, the school doesn’t have a gifted/talented program, which made me subtract major cool points, but I’m looking into getting her tested regardless.

Lately, I’ve been finding major treasures on my thrifting adventures. I’ve been hearing so much about the book “Wench” and while I was in the consignment shop, I spotted it along with a few other books, for $2.99! I was also able to locate some linen pants for my son and other shorts from the Gap in the consignment shop. He wore them to church and he was so handsome, might I add. I found a bonnet at Dollar Tree for my daughter to wear with a summer dress that I bought for her a while back.

Aren’t they the cutest?

August is finally here which means the end of the summer is drawing near and I’m not quite ready for it to end. July seemed like the most challenging and longest month of my life! Not to mention, it rained for most of the month as well. Nevertheless, it’s been a great summer for the most part, especially since I didn’t have to worry about school assignments and tests. It felt good being able to pretty much wake up later than 8:00 AM, or should I say, lay in the bed past 8:00 AM. Being able to sleep past 8:00 AM is foreign to me.

I didn’t get a chance to travel as much as I would have hoped for, but that was mainly because I was in desperate need of some wheels. I believe that was one of the highlights of my summer. I’m still in awe about my acheivement. It feels good being able to get into a car that I know will start and get me here, there and everywhere. I have yet to put the Silver Bullet to the highway test, but the summer isn’t over just yet. Hopefully after church this Sunday, we’re headed to Florida, or Mississippi, before they go back to school. That’ll at least give them something to share with their little friends when they return to school next week.

There’s a lot to be done this week. Besides getting settled in the house, I still need to get school supplies for my daughter, clothes, shoes, hair accessories – and not to mention, my son is going to need some things to for his school. As for me, school starts soon and returning to take on a new semester creates an indifferent feeling for me. I’m ready to return, but coincidentally, I could definitely go for a few more weeks before I have to return to such responsibilities. As with the start of any semester, I plan to remain organized. One of the things that I’m excited about, though, is shopping for school supplies. I’m a nerd and I can spend hours in Office Depot testing out pens, Sharpie markers, and the like.

The ending of the summer is always bittersweet to me, though. I was able to appreciate every event that has occurred. The smiles, the laughter, the tears, the accomplishments, the triumphs, the tribulations – everything. So besides the hot weather that permits cute summer outfits with bright colors, cookouts, late nights with daquiris, and weekend trips, my summers always present me with the opportunity to grow and to become a stronger person. It provides introspective moments, as well as time for self-reflection. And that, is what I look forward to each year.