Two summers ago, I went to Japan. A month later, I went to California. I've been to New York at least ten times (although I've never been to the City), and I used to go to Florida every year.

But sometimes I think about Chicago and how close it is to home. Why do I go there only about once a year? All it takes is a quick drive, right?

Finally, after months of anticipation, I have finished applying to college. I completed the Common App, wrote supplemental essays, and even got teachers to write recommendations for me (Thank you!). In general, I'm much less busy this semester. Now, what am I supposed to do with my time?

Oops! Looks like the cat's out of the bag! I spilled the beans! I sure did throw the shingle, huh?

OK, so I made up that last one, but I think it's a good euphemism. Start using it. Tell all your friends.

Fine, then. Don't tell your friends. But do tell them to stick around after the last final this Friday. Why? I can't tell you. It's a surprise!

Around 8 p.m. on Sunday, I realized something: I needed to request time off from work. I was also craving brownies. So out I went, off to the Savoy 16, taking my usual Neil Street route.

After I had fixed my schedule, I decided that I didn't just want brownies, I needed them. So I stopped at the grocery store on the way home.

I have found something amazing on YouTube. Actually, about 70 amazing somethings. Seventy amazing 10-year-old singing somethings.

Last year, all my upperclassmen friends told me that fall of senior year would be the worst time in my life. I was pretty scared.

Until two weeks ago, I didn’t think I was going to prom. As a sophomore, an upperclassman would have to ask me, and that hadn’t happened. Then, during lunch one day, senior Katie LaPointe suddenly exclaimed, “Hey! Do you want to go to prom with me?”

Dear Weather Dude,

I have lived in Champaign all 15 and 3/4 years of my life, and never have I seen such strange weather as I saw today.

Of course I know that in C-U the outside temperature changes more often than Britney Spears’ marital status, but come on.

First it was rain, then hail, then snow, and more rain … all within sixth period. And then the sun came out!

Every year there is one day in April when students across the country take a vow of silence.

Every year since sixth grade, I have participated in the Day of Silence. And every year, I get more and more out of my one day without communication.

Have you ever looked at a cereal box closely? I mean, have you ever really inspected it?

Do you realize that each little detail, each little color of the design was placed there with a purpose?

Over spring break, I visited a friend in Pennsylvania. It was my first time flying alone, so I was a little nervous. However, it turned out to be pretty fun.

Usually, the word “stumble” reminds me of tripping over some rocks, or attempting to walk in a straight line after spinning in a chair.

Recently, though, I found a Web site called StumbleUpon, which has much less painful associations. StumbleUpon helps you find awesome Web sites based on your interests.

Computers are amazing. In particular, Word documents enable us to write faster, delete things quickly, and cut, copy, and paste. The regular old pencil-and-paper method is being used less and less.

My question is: Will it become obsolete?

Free periods can create difficult situations for me. Even after a long evening of homework, I often don't finish everything I was supposed to. So, I tell myself that I'll finish those last few math problems during my free period.

It sounds like a great solution, right?

Many times, it is. I'll finish the work, and still have a while to talk to friends.