Saturday, 06 May 2006

There's an Air of Bittersweetness

I look back on today and that's the first word which comes to mind in describing my emotions. Bittersweet.

The end of the exam weeks when Christmas or Summer breaks kick off is usually awesome, and this was no exception with a plethora of partying. First was the Bible Studs Party, followed by Sara's going away party. Then Prof. Le holds a shindig at his house and the gathering of music folks at Sean's house last night. Then came today, with more celebrations. It began well-the Chapel Choir held its annual barbecue at Eric & Mike's house, complete with officer elections and the Paper Plate Awards. Think of them as high school senior mock awards, only they're just chosen for everyone and are even MORE ridiculous. Some of the more creative ones were the Watermelon Award, the I Can't I'm on My Cell Phone Award, the Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Pitchpipes Award, the Nice Rack Award (inside joke, don't ask), the Most Likely to Punch a Baby Award, and the list goes on. I was apparently selected as the Hottest Tenor, which I guess is a big deal. Smokin'!

The campus is so beautiful this time of year. After coming back with Maggie, it was grand to just bask in the glorious sunshine and take in the atmosphere of Hope College's campus. It looks magical in the winter with snow, and it looks glorious in the fall with the colorful leaves, but nothing beats the renewed, joyous look in the spring.

After restlessly catnapping in the afternoon, I watched the girls win the MIAA softball championship against Albion at Pete's insistent bidding and an amusing third-person voicemail. It was pretty sweet, although the best was seeing the superstitious side of Pete come out as he bounced between the bleachers and the fence, supposedly charming the team. I have my doubts about the helpfulness, but I have no doubts about dinner. Applebee's was delicious, Pete's generosity in picking up the tab without a second thought was cooler (not to mention surprising), and just spending some quality time with a brother in Christ was even better.

I also learned Pete is good at the whining jokes. He's heard of the waahmbulance, he doesn't speak whinese, and he asks if I want cries to go with that waahmburger. However, I amused by twisting the subject and telling him, "Before you say anything else, I have to sit down and have a great big bowl of I Don't Care."

Leaving it all is going to be hard. Yes, I can't wait to see my family, live in my house again, snuggle three psychotic kittycats, see all my friends at home, and be back at church. But it's painful. My friends here at Hope have come to mean a lot to me; they're like a second family. Together we have gone through good times and not-so-good times, shared pain, prayed together, rejoiced together, and shared great fun, all with the objective of glorifying God.

I look forward to another great year like this one. In the meantime, summer looks wonderful.