i never made it to the beach last summer. that's a sure sign that my priorities were messed up. when i flew down to ft. lauderdale in october, i tried to make that count. even then, though, my feet were barely in the sand for an hour. last summer i didn't get to ride any rollercoasters at all. i didn't splash through any creeks. i did lots of...calculus. my angry muslim prof for the summer class had this habit of making a fool out of students that forgot to get their homework done. but one great thing about last summer was all those crazy drives with rob sloan. he'd show up at the restaurant, wait while i wiped down tables, and then we'd drive around in the dark, with the warm air blowing my hair around. it was magical and cinematic and confusing too, but in that good way that makes you smile just before you fall asleep. he was always this mythical boy, too gorgeous, too smart, too confidant. but last summer, we became friends. i'm not saying that it makes up for missing the beach. but, in two weeks from right now, i'll have the beach...and i'll get to hang out with rob again. rob, whose theory is that "blonde's should never have to buy their own drinks." mmmm. i'm going to start summer with spring break this year to make up for all the fun i forgot to have last year. so west palm beach, i'm almost there. i'm thinking of you today. wait for me.