First off, I would like to say thank you. It takes a lot to be able to do what you did, joining the navy. I know I wouldn't have the guts to do anything like that. My cousin went to boot camp about a year ago for the army and everyone in my family thought he was an idiot, I couldn't have thought more of him once he joined. He had the guts to do something that everyone around him turned against him for even though it was the one thing he wanted to do more than anything. I respect that.

So, now, my name is Nicole. I just turned 21 about 2 weeks ago and have yet to REALLY celebrate that. Too busy with college and work. I'm an English major and more than anything, I'm having a problem deciding what I want to do with my life after I graduate next May. Everyone around me knows exactly what they want to do and I couldn't be less sure. I change my mind every week. Right now though, I want to work with marine mammals in the north.

I got called into work tonight, again, to cover someone's shift. I work at a grocery store as a cashier and training for customer service desk. I don't understand the lottery machine at all. I also work at a Dunkin Donuts and that's just plain tiring when I'm there. As well as a full time student on top of that.

Lets see... I went out to the park the other day, outside of a museum because it was the most beautiful day we have seen in months and sat across from the weeping willow, my all time favorite tree and next to the creek and finger painted in the grass for about two hours. None of the pictures were very good, but I never claimed to be an artist. If I could, I would send you one of the pictures that I did do just to add a bit of color to your life and to let you know that there are people thinking about you all over the world right now.

Good luck where ever this takes you. We will all be there, in spirit, at your graduation. Less then six weeks to go!