Zero (or, technically, .5ish)

The time has almost come. In a few short hours, I'll be leaving once again for another year of crazy adventures, studying, and the company of great minds and hearts. But we never truly stop learning, and let it be known that just because I haven't been sitting in a classroom these past three months, I learned plenty.

I learned that even if you don't reach a goal you've set, you still benefit from the process of reaching for it. I had a goal to lose 20 pounds this summer, and I didn't quite make it, mostly because I love food too much. But even though I didn't lose exactly 20 pounds, I still came pretty darn close, and that alone should make me proud of myself. I learned some self-discipline (there were some days where it was VERY difficult to get up and go run), and even though I didn't drop sizes on my clothing, I feel that much better about myself, because I made some progress, and that's better than none.

I got to spend time taking care of some wonderful (and some not so wonderful) kids this summer, and they really opened my eyes. It's been a while since I spent time with anyone that young, and they taught me the importance of being young and innocent again, and that yelling and being stern isn't always the best way to get someone (especially someone that young) to go along with you or listen to you. Sometimes simple reason is all someone needs, or you need to come up with a compromise.

I'm sure there was more that I learned this summer, but I'm far too excited to focus on it right now. Seward, I will see you in a day and a half.