Hey folks. I am having an awesome time here in Arizona. I've made some pretty cool friends, and I'm expecting to have some really fun times in the coming months. Thing is, there are some things I miss. I know, how could I miss West Virginia? Well, it's possible. Little things happen every day that remind me of home.

Number one is probably Taco Bell. It sounds stupid, but driving around Teays Valley works up a mighty hunger, and what better place to get your munch on than T-Bell? Maybe some Slushies after? Speaking of, I haven't seen a single Speedway out here yet. All I've had are sub-par QuikTrip slushy-wannabes.

When Relient K, Switchfoot, or any other band that John Stewart killed every Wednesday night in the basement of Forrest Burdette plays at random on my iTunes.

Every time I watch a movie directed by Kevin Smith or Wes Anderson, I feel guilty because Derek isn't there. Derek's already heard all this, though, so I'll move on.

Really, the worst is when I think about all the kids from FBYouth. I've always been the baby in my family, my older siblings old enough to be my parents, but when I left home and said goodbye to my youth group, I felt like an older brother to all of those guys and girls. It hurts thinking about how I won't always be home to see every one of them go through life, school, and the fun times they'll have. Chris, John, Kelsey, Catherine, Ginny, Mary, Scott, Andrew, Travis, Leah, Shannon, Mark... I'm not leaving out the rest, but it's kind of breaking my heart remembering each one of them individually.

As cool as the guys I've met out here are, they aren't the same as Sam, Chandler, Chris, Danny, and the rest of the guys. You dudes are killer to the max, and don't you forget it. I expect a party or two over Christmas break, or else.

I have way fewer female friends out here, and it almost makes me miss the girls I was closest to even more. Catherine, you've become like a sister to me, and you and Chris are always there to keep my weirdness in check. Lea and Bryana, you're one of the coolest pair of girls I've come to know, and I'm so glad I could be your friend (this goes out to the rest of the gang, too). Emily Gay, you think you know me better than you really do, but how well you do know me is probably more than most. Juli, I'm happy that we've become friends again. Leah, I miss you more than you might think.

Friends I've known since childhood, gained and kept since middle school, or who have really influenced me in recent years, I miss you all. Ben, Tyler, Derek, Patrick, Thomas, Stovetop.. haha. You guys are brothers.

Any of my friends who read this and feel left out, I'm sorry. I'm a little out of steam. Write to me, and I will tell you what I miss about you haha.



I can't wait to come home and visit.