Days go by

Well folks, life has continued sometimes quickly, sometimes not during the past while. Finals were indeed a success for me as I am now a (far from) fluent french speaker, an acclaimed "B" Englishman, and a mathematician, among other things. I'm hoping to be graduated
very soon with my degree in Languages.

During the weeks since I last wrote, some telling events have transpired. So many things need to be mentioned! I have recruited a new roommate with which to share my 'spacious' dwelling in Howard's. His name is Haban: Matt Haban. To tell you the truth my friends, Matt is a literal stud! Don't let his height fool you. As he himself proclaims, "I make it up in 'other' places." We have big plans to do some fun, crazy things during the following semester, and hopefully, date a few gorgeous women. We are quite excited assuredly!

I also feel the desire to share a bit about the roommates that have 'touched' my life during this last semester at Howard's 103. Adam, Alan, and Chris! These boys have truthfully been great. We've had a lot of fun together. We've gone on dates (with respective female companions), watched countless movies, shared bills, been to fiestas, and many other fun and exciting things. I think I can fairly say on behalf of Adam and Alan that Chris will be missed. It wont at all be the same without you man!



Close to the end of October, Talmage, David, and I headed off to Agua Prieta, Mexico for a weekend of cheap hotel rooms and great food. We ate so many Mexican hot dogs, tacos, and burgers. Hey, we even had goat! (the boys didn't know what it was till after;) The hotel was surprisingly cheap at only $24/night with two beds! Can't beat that. All in all, we really didn't do much of anything other than ride the ghetto bus, go shopping, eating, and then off to home. It was, however, a fun experience!



Coming back to St. David for the break, I had supposed that all the excitement would have to wait till next semester. Boy was I wrong! Yesterday a good friend Donna asked a startling favor of me. First of all, if you are a city slicker, you better stop reading now. You should know that here in the country things are done differently. Donna asked me to put down her dog 'Ebony'! I can definitely say that I've killed my share of animals, but having known this black lab for years, I was shocked to learn of the Vet's diagnoses: Cancer. Despite the belief of some, I will never treat an animal like a human. That said, I accepted the task and today went to their home to preform the feat.
As I had left my firearms in thatcher, Donna offered me the piece of my choice. Would it be the big, beautiful Glock 9mm, or would i choose the steller stopping power of the 357mag? The decision was so difficult to make! Which would best get the job done? I wanted to make this the least painful killing i could for the animal! After all, it had suffered more than enough. I called John and asked which he preferred. He said that either would work. I stuck with the 9mm and headed over to the grave site with joey.
As we dug the hole, we talked about school and even planned a quail hunting venture for tomorrow. Joey asked if it was deep enough, to which i replied, "There's nothing worse than a having to remove a dead dog from a hole because it's not deep enough!" Joseph agreed. We continued picking and shoveling. Beads of perspiration were sliding down our faces. The minutes seemed hours. My heart suddenly felt an unexpected sadness for the animal as Joey brought the trembling dog. Clearly she was uncontrollably shaking due to the killer disease which possessed her body. I thought, "What could she be thinking? does she realize that she is about to meet her maker? Can she sense that death is so close, almost gnawing at her?!"
As we brought the dog to her graveside, i pulled out the Glock. The sight of the semi-automatic weapon struck fear in the dog's mind. "Could she really know what is about to happen?" I imagined. We finally got her to the hole. With the gun in my hand, i slid the cold slide back to load a round into the chamber. Hoping it would be instantaneous, I shot the animal in the head. She was dead at that very instant! The suffering was over. The pain was gone. Then, all was silence. Her body lies now beneath the earth. Ebony was a playful, obedient animal. She wont be forgotton.

I have many hopes for the semester that lies ahead. I hope it will be one of fun, growth, and the cultivating of old friendships, as well as new ones.