Of 2008, and the end of many eras.
After 2008 began, I went the rest of the school year as normal; I didn't reveal my family circumstances to virtually anyone. Around this time, I realized that if I wanted to go to college, I would have to start the process of applying. Looking back on it, I was very foolish about the schools I considered. I mostly wanted to go to UCF, if only to remain with Stefanie. I applied, but there were complications in the application process, on top of which I was likely a weak candidate to begin with. With graduation on the horizon, I made a list of prospective majors and after careful thought, elected architecture as the one that I felt most passionate about. They always told me that I would do well in law, as I definitely have a mind for language, details, and debate and also a sharp memory. I just didn't feel that I'd be satisfied with law. It didn't provide any opportunities to do something creative. Religion and philosophy were tempting, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to make a living at that. Sound engineering was also a strong candidate. So much so that I still sometimes consider going to school for it on the side some day. But looking back at my life, I realize that architecture runs throughout it, in the games I played, in the people I learned from, in all of it. I very much wanted a field where I could blend mathematics, engineering, and physics with the more abstract elements of art, religion and anthropology.
In March, I visited Orlando with friends Brandon Cohen and Evan Glick that we might look for an apartment. We decided on a 4/4 at the Village at Alafaya Club, and went over the lease. I think we signed in May, and the move-in date was set for August. The fact that I was not yet accepted into UCF was a point of oversight; I was not particularly worried about it at the time for some stupid reason.
In May, graduation came. I had rocked many of my finals, and gave an honest try at the AP Physics B exam. I later learned that I earned a passing "3", much better than I thought I did. I spent the summer playing World of Warcraft, more than likely. I remember that Stefanie tried to leave me in June. She realized that since we spent so much time together, she didn't really have anyone else to hang out with. For lack of options I suppose, she gave me another chance. She had failed to graduate from BC, and so was spending another semester in South Florida. This meant that I would be going to Orlando ahead of her. In August we went on a week-long trip to New York, and for that time, we were very happy with each other. It was a wonderful time, and I loved being so close to her. Later that month, I moved into Alafaya, where for the remainder of the year I lived on my Parent's money. I managed my funds very well, mind you, and took good care of myself. But I still didn't have a job, and worse, I still hadn't heard from UCF. In september, I got it all straightened out, or would have: UCF had misplaced something or other, and consequently had not accepted me. I turned then to Valencia Community college, but found myself late in registering. So my education at that point was dead in the water. So for the next 4 months, I pretty much stayed in the apartment and played WoW, or went out and about with roommates. I should also note that in late November, I created a facebook. Stefanie had talked about starting one with me, but we never went ahead with it, so I made one myself.
In December, Stefanie finally managed, with great finality, to cut the chord. In my absence, she had found the avenue out, and had taken it. Once again, she needed to remain in Broward for a semester, and it appeared that she wouldn't be coming up to Orlando until the summer. More than ever before in my life, I was shattered. For the first time since we had started dating (3 years, that december) I felt the tide of lonliness engulfing me. The world bared in on me, and I felt tremendous pain. Worse even than when my father was taken.
It was then that destiny struck. On facebook one day, I saw a friend suggestion... Stefanie apparently had a facebook. I friended her, and upon reading her wall, I was shocked. She had apparently had a facebook for months, and on her wall she had been antagonizing me the whole time. I was irate. Sadness does not become me, and I'm usually very slow to anger, but for the first time in years, I was truly enraged. I called her and demanded an explanation. She and I tangled for a few minutes. Towards the end she said "You know how bad it was being with you these last few months?" I asked her how bad, and she said "I'm with Ryan now." And just like that, I hung up. I believe that was the first and last time I ever hung up on her. I later learned that I had made her cry in a public place with that phone call. After I hung up, I ran. Ran down Alafaya, ran until my muscles were sore. When I got back to the apartment, I had pulled many muscles in both legs, and collapsed on the couch. Brandon, who was at the table, told me it was probably not a good idea to have called her. I asked, breathlessly, "Why not?" He said "because then you wouldn't be..." he searched for the word for my current condition. "Broken." In that instant, I jumped up on both feat and strongly declared "Nothing breaks Matthew." I went into my room, and slept.
In March, I visited Orlando with friends Brandon Cohen and Evan Glick that we might look for an apartment. We decided on a 4/4 at the Village at Alafaya Club, and went over the lease. I think we signed in May, and the move-in date was set for August. The fact that I was not yet accepted into UCF was a point of oversight; I was not particularly worried about it at the time for some stupid reason.
In May, graduation came. I had rocked many of my finals, and gave an honest try at the AP Physics B exam. I later learned that I earned a passing "3", much better than I thought I did. I spent the summer playing World of Warcraft, more than likely. I remember that Stefanie tried to leave me in June. She realized that since we spent so much time together, she didn't really have anyone else to hang out with. For lack of options I suppose, she gave me another chance. She had failed to graduate from BC, and so was spending another semester in South Florida. This meant that I would be going to Orlando ahead of her. In August we went on a week-long trip to New York, and for that time, we were very happy with each other. It was a wonderful time, and I loved being so close to her. Later that month, I moved into Alafaya, where for the remainder of the year I lived on my Parent's money. I managed my funds very well, mind you, and took good care of myself. But I still didn't have a job, and worse, I still hadn't heard from UCF. In september, I got it all straightened out, or would have: UCF had misplaced something or other, and consequently had not accepted me. I turned then to Valencia Community college, but found myself late in registering. So my education at that point was dead in the water. So for the next 4 months, I pretty much stayed in the apartment and played WoW, or went out and about with roommates. I should also note that in late November, I created a facebook. Stefanie had talked about starting one with me, but we never went ahead with it, so I made one myself.
In December, Stefanie finally managed, with great finality, to cut the chord. In my absence, she had found the avenue out, and had taken it. Once again, she needed to remain in Broward for a semester, and it appeared that she wouldn't be coming up to Orlando until the summer. More than ever before in my life, I was shattered. For the first time since we had started dating (3 years, that december) I felt the tide of lonliness engulfing me. The world bared in on me, and I felt tremendous pain. Worse even than when my father was taken.
It was then that destiny struck. On facebook one day, I saw a friend suggestion... Stefanie apparently had a facebook. I friended her, and upon reading her wall, I was shocked. She had apparently had a facebook for months, and on her wall she had been antagonizing me the whole time. I was irate. Sadness does not become me, and I'm usually very slow to anger, but for the first time in years, I was truly enraged. I called her and demanded an explanation. She and I tangled for a few minutes. Towards the end she said "You know how bad it was being with you these last few months?" I asked her how bad, and she said "I'm with Ryan now." And just like that, I hung up. I believe that was the first and last time I ever hung up on her. I later learned that I had made her cry in a public place with that phone call. After I hung up, I ran. Ran down Alafaya, ran until my muscles were sore. When I got back to the apartment, I had pulled many muscles in both legs, and collapsed on the couch. Brandon, who was at the table, told me it was probably not a good idea to have called her. I asked, breathlessly, "Why not?" He said "because then you wouldn't be..." he searched for the word for my current condition. "Broken." In that instant, I jumped up on both feat and strongly declared "Nothing breaks Matthew." I went into my room, and slept.