It's been a while, and I'm not even sure why. I'm more hesitant to blog about every little thing now, so let me give you a quick update (in list form) before I expound upon the main subject of this post. :)

1. I've been accepted at Converse. I start working on my Master's in Teaching Secondary English in August.

2. Gabriel died after only 3 weeks. I'm never going to Petco again. Jerks.

3. I've lost 40 pounds. See my new, totally diabetic related blog.

4. Harvin and I are planning on moving to a 2-bedroom apartment in Greer next month, so that I'll be closer to Spartanburg.

5. The real reason behind this post: I have a new favorite band.

Twenty-three days ago, Harvin and I went to Asheville for a Switchfoot concert. We had a blast, of course. But in all honesty (and please, no one faint), I think my new favorite band has now eclipsed  my obsession with Switchfoot.

The band is Civil Twilight. They're from South Africa, but moved to the U.S. three years ago because there's not a big music scene in South Africa. Last year, they recorded their first album in Greenville, and they actually live here now. Not only did we see them at the Orange Peel with Switchfoot, but Harvin and I went to the Handlebar the very next night to see them again. And I went back with Sherry the next week for another show. Three shows in eight days. I've now seen them as many times as I've seen Switchfoot, and that feat took me over a year to accomplish.

And next month, I'm going to Hilton Head to see both Civil Twilight and Switchfoot...for the fourth time each.

Most of you (hopefully) know how passionate I can be about things that I love. I've actually surprised myself with how obsessed I've become with this band. A day hasn't gone by that I haven't listened to the album. I take it everywhere I go actually...even if I'm just driving to Wal-Mart or something, I slide it in my CD player. I've attempted to listen to other music, and I do occassionally, but it's actually very rarely. I can't get them out of my head, ever.

So I've decided everyone else needs to become a fan, too. They're going to be famous soon...I'm sure. They've already had their song "Human" played on the TV shows House and Without a Trace, so really, it's just a matter of time.

For your listening (and viewing) pleasure, here's the video for their song "Letters from the Sky" (one of my favorites):

So I'm answering the featured question for the first time because the question intrigued me.

As an English major, I believe in the power of words. Language can edify or destroy. It has the capacity, more than anything else, to truly express emotions and ideas. Words can stir a massive crowd of people into revolution, or they can tear apart a lifelong relationship.

But additionally, words without action are empty. Much like James' idea that faith without works is dead, words without actions to back them up are empty. If a presidential candidate promises change in the govnerment and is elected, but then does not follow through on his or her promises, voters will grow angry with knowing that their president's words were empty promises intended to get him or her elected. If a man tells his wife that he loves her, but then beats her every day, he has made it obvious that his words are meaningless.

Likewise, if a Christian claims to love God and people, but does not act on that love, the words are useless lies.

Actions are powerful, but I think words are more powerful when backed up by those actions. 

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!

I just got back from Wal-Mart. After coming home from work, I changed clothes, ate some dinner, and made out a grocery list.

But before dinner, I checked my blood sugar. It was higher than 400. For those of you who don't know, normal (several hours after a meal) is less than 180. I don't think it's been above 400 since I got out of the hospital. I cried.

Then, feeling slightly zombie-like, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up my insulin and buy some groceries. I stood in line for 30 minutes at the pharmacy to spend a lot of money on two small bottles of liquid that my body should be able to produce on its own. I listened to this guy start complaining when he joined the line behind me. He said that when the line for the pharmacy was longer than the line for groceries, something was wrong with society (or perhaps those "greedy doctors"). I muttered a reply, then steadfastly ignored him for the rest of my time in line.

Then I spent more money on foods that, while healthy and delicious, are just more reminders of what's changed in my life.

And now the thought of Mountain Dew, which I've been craving all day, is enough to make tears well up in my eyes again. Seriously. Instead, I'm drinking a Sprite Zero because I just had to have something soda-esque.

Most days, I think I'm handling this fine. Other days, I hate so much the direction my life has taken. Today is one of those days. I'm going to bed. Maybe tomorrow will be better.