BIRTHDAY!!!

So another week has gone by, and as the month of February comes to a close I realize one thing... that tomorrow is finally my birthday!! Woohoo!! I mean it’s about time I’ve been waiting for this all month, but the sad thing is though that I almost forgot that tomorrow is going to be my birthday.

Now that’s sad, but that’s only because I’ve been busy over the course of the past month thinking about the various things I have to do. For instance, baseball tryouts start in two days; I’ve been visiting colleges left and right; and I have finally started my scholarship applications. So now that I have gotten some stuff done on my to-do list, it’s time for me to relax for one day. Then I go back to the old grind... again, but it’s ok because this year is almost over.

That’s not the point though. What is the point is that I’m excited for this year. The reasons for the excitement for my birthday this year is that reaching the age of eighteen is a year where you are finally considered an adult. On top of the reaching of adulthood at age eighteen you can finally vote... and go to jail... and some other stuff that will go unnamed, so yea I’m excited. Also, there is another reason my birthday is exciting, and that’s the fact that I am born on my grandfather’s birthday. Thats right two Gene’s were born on the same day, what are the odds. I am especially grateful for this because my name wouldn’t be Gene if I wasn’t born on his birthday. My name would be David instead, yea that’s a scary thought for those of you who know my brother, but that’s besides the point.

Now other than my birthday, this week isn’t that bad. I mean on Tuesday most seniors are off, so I can finally take my car to the shop to get the flat tire I’ve had for three weeks fixed. Then, comes the soon-to-be highlight of the rest of my year... baseball season. So yea, I’m gonna be pretty pumped this week. GET EXCITED!!!

Tis the Season

Well it’s almost springtime, and on everyone’s mind is the thought of the eventual warmth that will be coming our way. However, spring brings about only one thing in my book. What is this one thing that excites me more than warm weather... that’s right, BASEBALL!! 

This is the one time of the year that I actually look forward to (aside from Senior Week this year). It’s the time where every person in Delaware begins to prepare for their season in hopes of bringing home a championship at the end of it.

Now I’ve been playing ball since I was three years old, so this is kind of a big deal for me. It’s like Mark Burgess and swimming, they were meant for each other. All I remember is that every year I would go out with my dad and we would bat and field together, but as I have gotten older and my skill has increased I have had to get ready in new more efficient ways. Now I go to the batting cages at Vince’s or I go to Wockenfuss or go to throw the ball around with my friends where ever possible. 

What’s even better this year though, is the fact that our very own St. Marks baseball team is defending our championship title. It’s just motivating when everyone who you play just wants to beat you. Basically, it’s like walking around with a target on our back. On the other hand, baseball is a great time where you just hang with your friends on the field during practice, on those long bus rides to and from other schools, and even winning some (or all) of your games...or a championship isn’t too bad either. So what is it that makes me excited for this time of year? Is it the feeling of the field beneath your cleats, or the feeling of the bat and glove as your glide your hand up and down them; it could even be the feeling of holding a baseball for the first time during the season or playing the first game. No matter what it is that gets a player going though, there is always one feeling that each baseball player has in common. This is the excitement and the thrill of the upcoming baseball season... to watch and to play. So remember everybody and to all those who play or are fans of baseball: It’s about that time.

Memories...

As I sit here staring at my macbook pro, I think of all the things that have taken place over the past four years. The reason this comes to mind is that today I was taken to St. John the Beloved, my former school, to do a Catholic Schools Week event. As I walked in the building, I took notice of many things, but mainly the fact that I felt like a giant compared to everything in the school. This was completely shocking, because it was only four years ago that I was sitting in those seats thinking of my future at St. Marks.

Then later today when we finished at St. Johns, we stopped at the mall for lunch, and as I am eating my McDonald’s some of my friends suggest to go shopping. So we begin walking around the mall, and we meet up with this other group that came with us to the mall. As we are walking around, we just casually walk into Spencer’s, and as we are looking at their fares someone is just looking at stuff saying that we have to bring this to Senior Week after graduation. Immediately, my mind starts spinning with the thought of whats going to happen during that week. 

Then as we leave Spencer’s, it just pops into my head that this year is already more than half-way over. This depresses me, because it means I only have until the end of the summer with the people who I have known for four years, four of the greatest years of my life. I mean I have had some of my greatest memories in this school. For instance, I have made many friends who I wouldn’t trade the world for, and I have had many great experiences; but I’m going to miss this, since I am probably going to go to college somewhere away from Delaware and make a whole bunch of new friends. However, in spite of all that’s going to happen within this next year, I will never forget what St. Marks and everyone I met have done for me, and hopefully I never will.

Decisions, Decisions

Today has been a great day. I have shortened periods on all of my classes and my workout for baseball was not at all difficult. However, there is always something that just interrupts this happy train of thought I have, and of course it happens when I get home. What it is you might ask? Well, when I walk in my house, immediately the second I step through the door my mom just says: “So have you made any decisions about college?” 

Once I heard this, I immediately think of all the things I still have to do before I enroll to the college of my choice on May 1, 2011. I still have to sign up for some scholarships, because as we all know, college isn’t cheap; I have to visit a few colleges to decide which one has the right fit for me; and finally I have to enroll to that college. Now I’ve been trying to put this off for quite a while, and it finally caught up with me. It’s not that I don’t want to do it though, it’s just this is the most difficult decision that I’ve had to make in my entire life.

Now I know I’m probably in the same boat as many other seniors in high school all over the United States and that I shouldn’t complain, but this is quite a predicament. I mean I have some choices for colleges but just can’t make up my mind. Anyone have any advice or opinions?