Final Weekend in Knoxville 2010-2011

It's hard to believe, but this has been my final weekend to my Freshman year at UT. On Wednesday, I will finish my final mini-term class, pack up, head through North Carolina for a few days before flying home. It's crazy to think that this year, this memorable, outstanding, crucial year has finally reached its "end" point. I use quotation marks because, honestly, this isn't the end at all, but the beginning of a new journey. A new start will occur next year, but for now, all the memories that have made this year THIS year is what will be crossing through my mind over the next few days. All the gifts He has given me, all the council I have received, all the conversations, all the hanging out, and yes, all the pictures (all one bajillion of them). Expect a longer, lengthier, more emotion-driven post in the next few days.

The pictures are from the day's events: Cookout at the Cove/Fountains at World's Fair Park. See my Facebook albums for the all the pictures of today's events.

Things to pray for
-being able to trust God more
-mini-term's end
-jobs for people who are still looking
-those that have jobs use them to glorify God
-Marshall/Natalie's wedding
   -wedding symbolizes that of church/Christ
-memorial day tomorrow!

Tranquility in Tennessee

I'm sitting in the ampitheatre on UT's campus at around 5:15 in the afternoon. The sky is blue with some clouds floating by. 70-80 degree weather outside, but the shade from the row of trees behind make it that much more comfortable. The blended iced strawberry lemonade from Starbucks is slowly melting, giving way to the strawberry goodness inside. There are very few people around....a biker here, a pedestrian there, a guy in a blue t-shirt that is literally running around in circles around me, running all over the ampitheatre area. And, besides a few birds, it is silent. VERY SILENT. Not really like that eerie or creepy silent, but more of a peaceful, calm, serene silent. The kind of silent that you would encounter if you were sitting on a beach in the Caribbean sipping a smoothie (or a strawberry lemonade). The only thing mis are the waves crashing onto the shore and slowly eroding away the beach. In just a few hours or minutes or maybe seconds, this tranquil moment will probably be interrupted by something. Anything. However, in this moment, it is just me and the world and God. All right here in one moment. Now, I'm not one for have "alone time" most of the time, but in this moment, I am content and happy and relaxed. i am at peace with myself and with God. In this moment, nothing else matters. Nothing about me leaving to return to the North in a week and a half. Nothing about the mini-term or the group project. Nothing. None of those worldly things. In this moment....I just feel so alive, alive, alive....Ok, scratch the last one. I couldn't help myself...sorry Nicki. These moments are hard to come by on a normal basis, but in May on a college campus, quiet time is prominent. And I kinda like it....

This is just awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UZgVogYevM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAo7_iEDyfQ

I love sunsets....

SO MUCH! I mean, how can one not enjoy (or at least like) such a masterpiece created for all of us to ooh and aah at as we hang out with friends, drive down the highway, or look out from our bedroom window? The colors, shapes, cloud formations are all so unbelievably amazing, whether it's in Italy, Knoxville, or wherever. Sunsets make us happy. Opinion? Maybe. Truth? Probably. At least for most people that I know.

I love sunsets not because of the colors or clouds, yet these make them much more attractive and appealing. I love sunsets most because of the mood that it creates and the moment that it allows for deep meditation and reflection about life and what is going on. Even in the midst of hanging out with friends, skipping rocks into a lake down the hill from a business park and behind a shopping plaza, I still am able to go off to the side, sit on a little tree stump and contemplate, staring at the pink and blue of the already setting sun. The flares of pink mixing with the dark blues of the oncoming night provide an amazing spectacle to gaze at with all the attention focused at myself. It's quiet. It's peaceful. It's (dare I say) perfect. Well, sorta. It's a product of perfection.


It's definitely a great gift to just sit and take all of it in under a beautiful sunset. The events that have happened over this past year have been so extraordinary that maybe it's necessary to sit and take it all in. There's so much! God has gifted me well to give me all the experiences, friendships, talks, etc. to the point I'm at today. It's quite a feeling. I can't believe this current chapter will end in a week and a half...

A little DCB to start the morning...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqT2_pun3mA

Hey again!

Alright, so I just simply moved my blog to Blogger for a number of reasons, one big one being the accessibility to my email.

For the prior posts, click here: http://rveronesi.tumblr.com

Thanks! and please follow me!
RV