12.05.2004 | 9:34 pm

thursday night was a basketball game where beebs' team won 72-20, and for a moment i saw her shine in a way i never dreamed i'd get to experience. but mcdonald's ice cream cones lead to tears too soon, and i'm so dreading that goodbye. so instead we raced back and heard stories of newfoundloveaffairs between what will soon be the cutest couple in the world, but secret conversations about the chase and butterflies in the tummy and mind games about hand holding were cut short by a power outage we were well-informed about. and in the darkness we slept through the chaos that ensued, only to be consumed by it the next day.

so welcome to friday and rumors about 1800 twenty-something christians who sometimes play too hard. the hours flew by until my much-anticipated dinner date with my favorite chinese beauty queen. talks of next semester's travel were scary yet soothing, because at least we'll experience it all together, even if we're doing it two thousand miles apart. we inhaled our food to make it in time to a pleasant voice recital, and then the whole audience dragged their feet across the street to a mandatory all-campus meeting in the chapel. shame, disgrace, distaste, it all translates the same way: you think we're on a downward spiral and you're going to lose your job. but what you didn't hear between the streaking and the bonfire in front of olson hall is that we're still the same, we just made a few mistakes, but we don't love Jesus any less. besides, he found his way back to the manger pretty quickly. and when all was said, prayed, and cried, the four girls [minus florida] plus the grandson of the president emeritus watched a movie, laughed, and cuddled appropriately. and the night was complete with a slumber party with beebs. it was good to fall asleep to her voice and know that she was safe, and at least not as sad. in a month i will hold onto this moment with both hands...

rise and shine and happy anniversary! my shopping spree with benha will be a treasured memory forever, especially considering the events of thursday night. and our luncheon with rachael was equally special. at precisely twopm the curling and primping and face-painting began. beebs made me beautiful and by 4:15 i was ready when my love came calling. a dozen roses in his car and a kiss to greet me, but these things could not have prepared him for the fun to come. prom 2004, a candlelight dinner in the dc, and pictures with santa were only the beginning, so we headed downtown with hopeful hearts and glittery gowns. finding nemo on ice loved us, and so did the kid in the next row who wore that silly shark hat through the whole second half. at the end of the night we parted from our friends, but not without taking a picture of nick in the fur/pimp coat with beebs and abs on either arm. finish it off with the best goodbye ever, a kiss on the cheek from beebs, and then we drove home to exchange gifts. you tucked me in after i fell asleep under your arm and i was happy the whole night through.

two and a half years, baby, and i love you now more than ever.

and today i shopped with florida for a dress for our christmas date, so i can be hot for you. lunch with the fam, christmas sugar cookies galore, and decorating the tree made me glad i came home for those fifteen hours.

i have two weeks left. i don't know if i can do this.