I forgot you existed for a while. You were out of sight and therefore out of mind. I hope you will forgive me. I'm here now with an offering. I hope you think it's sweet. If not, I will just enjoy myself...

The past few days have been rain-filled and I must say I have enjoyed it very much, although not to the extreme i would like to. I really had an urge yesterday and the day before to stomp around in the puddles, kick up some water, and get good and wet. But obligations kept me. I hope that is not a taste of what the rest of my life will look like.  I should always like to have time for spontaneity. I don't think I've had enough of it this semester, being so busy and all. I don't like that. I miss spontaneity.

Which is why I am very grateful for the summer. I shall be working all summer, but I do hope to squeeze in some good quality time with family and fun times with friends, perhaps a little camping, lots of bonfires, and lots of star-gazing, as well as cloud- watching, apples and novels, wooded hiking excursions, and possibly some canoeing. Yes! This is what I want this summer. I'll let you know if I get what I wish for...

Other things too. To do the things that matter most no matter how small they seem to be, to know that I make a positive difference in the lives of those around me, to love no matter how much it hurts, to know where I come from, who I belong to, who and what I am, and the paths I should pursue.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it too to blossom."

-Anais Nin

That's how I feel.

The Land of Xanga has many treasures for it's inhabitants.  It is built upon words and images that come forth from the minds and hearts of those who dwell there.  It is a place where expression is free to reign, and the Great Council is not yet sure this is a healthy thing...  for if too much is revealed, all will be lost, and when expression rules, there is always the danger of exposing just a fraction over enough. 

Lords and Ladies who make their homes and summer homes in the Land of Xanga be advised, lest you open yourselves enough to allow the arrows of Vulnerability to pierce into your very hearts a wound so deep it would seem nothing could heal it...

At the same time, do not restrict yourselves so much that your hearts become cold stone organs within your chests, surrounded by walls and guards outside the walls, unwilling to let anyone in.

The balance so fine.  If one were to err on either side, which would it be?  Knowing me, and you all do...  I say err on the side of Vulnerability...perhaps most painful, but then most rewarding.

The great Passion that does not swerve has spoken.