I found seven pennies yesterday -- six when I was walking to my car and one between classes. They were a bit dirty considering all the rain the last couple of days. But I don't let that stop me. I didn't report all the pennies I found in L.A. over my Thanksgiving break, but it was a lot. You know what I don't like? When someone else says, "Hey Lo, there's a penny." Or someone else picks it up and gives it to me. I just can't get excited about it. I don't get that feeling of accomplishment that I do when I spot one myself. So, I had my last class yesterday but I'm not quite done. Two papers and two finals and that'll be it for me. I'm a bit depressed about the whole thing and it bugs me that all my friends keep congratulating me. Don't they know that school is so much better than work? But, I once felt the way they do. Except for my friends who are older and did what I did. We know what's beyond the walls of the university and it's not always pretty. I'm also getting a bit jealous of my friends who are starting to apply for graduate school. I wish I could do the same, but I have to start contributing financially. It just went by so quickly and even though I tried to absorb everything, it all seems like a blur. The sixty or so books I've read in the last year are the only things I remember ... That's not true. I met some of my favorite people and the best friends I've ever had. I learned from the most extraordinary professors. I learned things about myself and opened my mind to different ideas. And I have finally become the person I always wanted to be thanks to all these things. I know it sounds sappy, but how can one speak about such a profound experience without being a bit sentimental. Anyway, I'll still be offering my insights into penny finding, literature, and my new life as a contributing member of society.

I just found out that the U.S. Mint is planning to change the look of the penny come 2009. I'm going to have to start preparing myself now. One of the spokeswomen for the campaign said, "All of us Americans have a great affection for brand new shiny pennies." Is that true? I thought I was the only one!