On Friday the 10th, I was supposed to leave Ronald Reagan Airport at 4:55, but my plane didn't leave until 6:30, and I was already at my gate at 3:30! 3 hours of my time was wasted by sitting in the airport...boy, was I frustrated! Nonetheless, it was a good flight, and I got to see my parents and younger sister.

Monday afternoon, I found out from my girlfriend that my good friend whom I graduated with last year had died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. This was heartbreaking to me because my friend, Andy, was a young man of intelligence, and he was one who helped me throughout my high school years. Andy was attending college majoring in physics before his death. He was a strong Christian who had stong beliefs in his faith and he was involved in his church (one that his father was a pastor at), and he did not deserve to die at all. It is funny how people who die don't deserve it while those who do deserve to die, don't. The thing that disgusts me is that Andy (and his friend) was killed by a drunk driver who was trying to evade police. It was the driver's eleventh DUI offense, and the maximum sentence he can have in jail is between ten and twenty years, for killing two people. I cannot believe this guy did not learn after his first DUI. Instead, he decided to go ahead and do it ten more times. It shows that poor decisions can lead to life-threatening situations. The ironic part is: The drunk driver was released from the hospital the same day Andy died. I am pretty upset about this situation, and I want to be able to help people realize how much of an impact drunk driving can have on people.

Another unfortunate incident was the death of Tara McAvoy, a classmate of mine at Gallaudet University. Also known as MIss Teen Texas, she was killed by a train on the same day Andy died. Tara was supposedly walking along train tracks when she got hit by a train. Reports state that she was talking on her sidekick and telling her mother that she was on her way to meet her at work. Tara's death was sudden, but it shows what can happen in the real world when you don't pay attention. I am upset about this death as well, as I knew Tara as a friend. This death helped me realize I need to put my sidekick away and use it only when absolutely necessary while out in public. Hopefully other Gallaudet students and sidekick users feel the same too. You must always be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are deaf.

Both deaths, Andy's and Tara's, had an impact on me, but it also taught me that I shouldn't take life for granted, and I should live each day as its last. My prayers goes out to the Hopkins and McAvoy families, and I know both families will get through this tough time in their life.

Other than the two tragic incidents, spring break was a wonderful time for me to spend with the people who I care for most. Well, I best be going, as I need to complete some homework assignments. I'll post again later this week :)

Thanks for reading,

Greg