It's 11:30pm right now and I think it just hit me that I will be starting my second year of grad school tomorrow morning. It's almost surprising to me that classes will be starting tomorrow! I did know about it though so it's kinda ironic that I think that classes have snuck up on me. Oh well, I am looking forward to this upcoming year. Not only will there be more friends on campus than ever, but I am hoping to make some big advances in my research. Wishful thinking? Maybe.

Also, something that has been on my mind lately is the topic of giving. Not necessarily giving to the church, as we should be doing that anyways. But more just giving to the poor, the needy, and people in general. I've been seeing opportunities where it's good to give to people or to be generous with my money (or, as a student, lack thereof), but is it foolish to do that rather than to just save it in the bank and have it for future use? I've been getting mixed answers about it. There is the story in the Bible about how the poor beggar woman gave all that she had to the church. Money that could have been used to feed herself. But in this day and age, is it completely ridiculous to give away all your money to the poor? (not that I am thinking about doing that). Just thinking about that.