WEEK 5

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

I must say this has been one of the best weeks since I've moved to the gorgeous state of South Carolina. I am officially moved into my new one-bedroom apartment that I'm proud to say I'm leasing on my own with no help from my parents. Although I did have some help from nearby friends who gave me a helping hand with furniture during the move. Also, this week I started my new job at the luxurious Kiawah Island caddying for super rich old folks. I must say my spirits have been lifted to an all time high after my recent breakup with my girlfriend. I have never felt more accomplished and independent to be making it in the dirty south on my own. In the following weeks I will be truly tested in terms of paying my bills on time and taking care of myself off the course, but I can't think of a better way to spend this spring and summer than doing the things I love the most. Meanwhile, I'm taking this online course along with two other English courses to complete my undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont which I will be flying up for graduation this coming May. This process has been very tedious and I have learned a tremendous amount, especially time management. In the past few weeks I have been given unconditional support from my family and friends who have helped me cope with this major transition. My perspective on living has changed drastically and I am beginning to understand what it takes to get the job done with nobody else around. This weekend I am looking forward to grinding hard on the course to make a living, but also finding time for myself by relaxing by the pool on these long hot days under the Carolina sun. In hindsight, this experience has taught me that if you want something in life you need to do whatever it takes because nobody will do it for you. The fruit lies on the end of the branch and those who are brave enough to stretch out for it will reap its benefits.

God bless,

Z

WEEK 4

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this week has been very promising to me so far, everything is starting to go in my favor and I couldn't be happier. I just landed a sweet spring and summer job as a golf caddie out on Kiawah Island, South Carolina making big tips to tend for rich folks golf clubs. Also, I was approved for a single bedroom apartment downtown so I will finally be moving out of my family friend's house and have my own place to call home. I only signed a six year lease because I'm under contract to work for the golf course for four months and I'm also working at Dick's Sporting Goods as a golf assistant. This is a big turning point in my life that will truly test my ability to be independent and fend for myself so to speak. I suppose what I'm looking forward to the most is being my own parental figure and making the calls on things such as food and curfews. I can do whatever I want whenever I want. However, I will also have a lot more responsibility in terms of paying my bills on time as well as cleaning and cooking. This coming Saturday, tomorrow, my best friend is coming down from North Carolina to help me move in and unpack my belongings into my new place. I am beyond excited to kickstart this new chapter in my life and impatient to see what's in store along this journey. Although there have been many downs recently in my life like losing my girlfriend last week, things are looking bright again and I feel more motivated than ever before. I feel like I have been given a new lease on life with endless opportunities and I am more than ready to seize the moment. I will not take this opportunity for granted, but I will most certainly take advantage of these blessings that the man above has been presenting me with. Godbless!

Yours Truly,

Z

WEEK 3

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this week's post will be a very short and somber one, as I am currently going through a very difficult time in my life. Some may even call it an "Early-Life Crisis." Long story short, my girlfriend of one year informed me that I had the weekend to pack up my belongings and move out of the house we rented together. This life shattering news came straight out of left field, I never anticipated such heartbreak on the horizon. Thankfully, my friends who were visiting this weekend were able to help me load my things and bring them to a family member's house. I lay typing this entry from my aunt's guest bedroom asking myself how did things go so wrong? No pun intended, but things drastically drifted south in a heartbeat. I have laid awake the past several nights pondering the 'what if's' or 'could have's,' yet I lay restless without closure. I know in my heart of hearts that I did not commit any unfaithful act to deserve this hellish reality. Full disclosure, I did not cheat on her and it was not an abusive relationship in any way, shape or form. She left my high and dry in the coldest way imaginable, "I can't do this anymore. I need to work on me and I can't  do that with you in my life. It's not you it's me." Cliché. I digress, I apologize for sharing such a personally traumatizing experience, but it was something that I needed to get off my chest because it's been long overdue. Thank y'all for letting me vent in this forum as opposed to bottling up these thoughts all to my lonesome.

Misery Loves Company,

Z

WEEK 2

Good evening ladies and gents, I've had quite a fun day in the sun in South Carolina, the temperature got up to 80 degress (in February). Let's just say I've been playing more golf than actually working. I just got done playing a relaxing round of golf next door at the local course, Crowfield Plantation, it was just me and a six pack of beer. Afterwards, I came home to my lovely girlfriend who made an exquisite pasta dish and now I'm lounging in the recliner. What I just described to you is my daily routine in a nutshell. Life is good!

This week in class, the most interesting thing I learned was the difference between a dash and a hyphen. All this time as a sports journalist referencing to AP style, not once had a spent the time to study such a subtle yet crucial component of punctuation. In hindsight, my mind was blown after having overlooked this small facet that most commonly neglect. I learned that when it comes to any type of writing, whether it's journalism or an essay composition, grammar encompasses all of the little things that make the biggest difference in the quality of your writing as a whole.

As for this weekend, I have some big plans in store with my best friend from Vermont who is flying down to visit. I plan on showing him around the Charleston area, that is the golf courses and bars downtown on King Street. My goal this weekend is to spend more time on homework than consumption of "adult beverages," but we shall see. Although the weather forecast is calling for chilly temperatures (50-60 degrees) and rain, so perhaps we will take a raincheck on golf.

Cheers!

P.S. Sorry to all the New Englanders for rubbing the warm weather and sunshine in your face!