Thanksgiving is over and its back to school and stress. These next couple of weeks are going to be hard. I have exams and papers. I need prayer and encouragement. Thanksgiving break was wonderful. It was nice to be home for a whole week and see everybody from school and church.

I have four days until I get to come home. My parents came up this weekend to hear the choir I'm in. They brought Hannah and Katie up with them. I had a great time. They came up Friday afternoon and we went out to eat before the concert. After we went to Macados for desert. We came back and stayed up until four talking and eating icecream. Yummy. Saturday, Katie, Hannah, and I went out exploring on Main Street. We walked around all the shops and talked. Then Mom and Dad picked us up and we went to the mall in Roanoke. It was a two story mall, very nice. We had a pajama party and went to bed early. . . By early I mean around one. We had a good weekend. I love all my friends here, but I miss everybody at home. I get a week for thanksgiving, Mike is gone the first weekend and so I get to spent that time with my family, help cleaning the house and getting ready for the Sunday thanksgiving dinner at church. I can't wait to go home.

I'm singing in two days. We had dress rehearsal on Monday and it was embaressing and frustrating. Brian, our director, was so frustrated that he schedualed a emergency practice today. Not Everyone knew the text and music. I had some problems with the German and Italian pieces.
Everybody on my hall is sick in one way or another, including my roomate. There is a lot of illnesses going around campus. It is very dangerous to meet any one because any one could be a carrier. . .
Its getting colder. This morning the drill field was frosted and temperatures where in the high 20. BRRR. Its supposed to be like that the rest of this week. Mom and Dad and Katie and Hannah are coming up for the Concert. That is going to be fun.

I went to RUF retreat this weekend. I think that it was the most fun I have had with complete strangers ever. The speaker was Mike Schultz, his topic was Writing on the Heart. It was a really good weekend. . . Mary Grace and I were on the same mental wavelength the entire trip. It was hilarious. Friday, we got there about two hours early. Rex is a crazy driver, he lives here so he knows the back roads and doesn't really pay attention to the speed limits when the roads are dry. Fortunately it was wet today, so he had to go slow. Saturday we had about 4 hours of free time, so I went exploring, a couple of girls and I went for a walk in the woods, the colors were wonderful. I had a lot of fun. . Saturday night we had a bonfire and the guys from VT smoked their pipes. . I like the smell of pipe. That was a late night, I had to catch up with David, so I was out until about 12:30. Today was a good day, Rex's parents invited us to eat lunch at their house. Mrs. Hart is a really good cook. It was a really fun weekend.

Baci soavi e cari,
Cibi della mia vita,
C'hor m'involate hor mi rendete il core,
Per voi convien ch'impari
Come un'alma rapita
Non senta il duol di morte e pur si more.
Quant'ha di dolce amore!
Perché sempr'io vi baci,
O, dolcissime rose!
in voi tutto ripose,
Et s'io potessi ài vostri dolci baci
la mia vita finire,
o che dolce morire!

Battista Guarini

I have to start paying more attention to my agenda. You know that little book that is supposed to remind you about up coming assignments. Mine has failed miserably. Isn't it supposed to have an alarm that goes off when it thinks you are going to miss something? Why couldn't it have gone off last night while I was studying for math, and reminded me that I had a music quiz to take. Aurgh. I hate weeks like this. I get so confused by everything I have to do that I can't remember to do half of it. Now I have to go and take a math quiz. . . at the Math Emporium. For those of you who know what I am talking about you can feel my pain and pray that I will come out alive, those of you who don't understand you are thrice blessed and I hope you never have to experience the hell that is the Math Emporium. Mike is coming up here tomorrow. I am very excited. It is going to be nice to see him again. His birthday was last Sunday so I think that we are going to have a late birthday party when he gets here, or dinner. I need to get going, the hell hole has a computer with my name on it.

Game Day! It rained but we had fun kicking WVU's butts anyway. Some people from school came up for the game. That was really fun, although they don't seem to have the Hokie spirit like the rest of us. Mike Is coming up next weekend. I am really excited about that. It means I have a car at my disposal for a weekend. YAY! Just kidding. I'm more excited about getting to hang out with Mike than anything. My week has been the most crazy ever, I think that I have stared to sleep through my first alarm. That means that I'm going to have to change the time or how it wakes me up. I had two exams and a quiz. Not really fun for me. I wrote a paper for drama that I got back Thursday. I got a B, so I was happy about it. Food really hasn't been that important in my life, I eat maybe two meals a day some times one. I need to work on getting food more often. Remembering to eat and still get to class on time is really hard. I'm doing alright though. Today has been a pretty good day. . . Considering we beat WVU, It was a really good game even with the down pour that came through.

Its raining. Its is one of those days that is begging to be slept through. Cold rainy and busy. I went to the gym today. I enjoy working up a sweat, and having a hard time walking afterwards. I cycle and it makes my legs fell like jelly after you get done. I have decided that I am going to try some of the classes that the fitness program offers next semester. There is a fencing club here too. I would like to try that some day. I get so bored sometimes and I don't feel like doing homework. I would like to do something besides sit on my butt. So that is my plan for next semester and maybe some dance classes thrown in there somewhere. I have homework to do. Yuck.

Here Comes the Sun
by the Beatles

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right.
Little darling it's been a long cold lonely winter,
Little darling it feels like years since it’s been here.
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right.
Little darling the smiles returning to their faces,
Little darling it seems like it's years since it's been here,
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.
Little darling I feel that ice is slowly melting,
Little darling it seems like years since it's been clear,
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
It's all right, it's all right.

This song woke me up this morning. It was one of the nicest wake up calls I've ever had. Its not every day that I hear that song and as a wake up call it probably one of the most appropriate songs that I could ask for. I really enjoyed it.

It's raining. That is the most distinctive feature about today, that and the fact that I slept from twelve to 1:20 and then from 2:20 to around 5. That felt really good. Now I feel all sweaty and gross. So a shower is in order, and then food. Yummy. And a pep rally. That is going to be fun. Then more sleep after I do some homework. I miss everybody at home a lot. I miss being able to hang out on Sunday nights and Friday youth group.

I got my phone from Jennifer today! And care-package from Mom. Thanks Mom! Two all in one day. That was good. I had a math quiz that I didn't study for today. It wasn't too hard so I aced that. Happy day. I am really tired. Some friends from High school came up to visit. So I stayed up until around two. That was fun. Email is one of the greatest things invented. You can send and receive messages in seconds. Its wonderful. I'm almost done with The Four Loves. Wow, that is a good book. I really think that I'm going to have to read it over again. I really miss everybody at home.

Today is one of those days where I just want to go back to bed and not get up until tomorrow. "I hate Mondays." to quote the great Garfield.
One good thing came out of this. I got a loft. My bed didn't quite pass safety inspection. So I had to buy a loft or take my bed down. So I bought a loft. Other than that this day sucks. Oh and Billy(some guy) talked to me after music. I have no idea who he was. He just stared to talk to me. It was funny.
I miss Mike so much today. Thanksgiving can't come fast enough.

Game Day! And I'm babysitting. Scream my lungs out or earn the extra buck. It wasn't that hard of a choice. Last night was fun. Kelly came over and we talked. Guys, life, classes and stupid stuff were all topics of conversation.
The main topic was the engagement of Jordan and Lesley. It makes me realize just how grown-up I'm supposed to be. I mean its kind of scary when your friends start getting married. I'm really happy for them. Yesterday was their anniversary and he asked her. YAY!

I went home this weekend. I had a great time. The weather was good compared to the past couple of retreats. It rained Sunday morning and then was pretty nice the rest of the day. All my friends where there. We had so much fun! Saturday night I went to Mike's house and watched Hellboy with him. That was nice. The movie was dumb but being able to hang out with him was wonderful. Sunday I didn't expect to see him but he came. That was a pleasant surprise. After lunch he left and I went swimming with crew. Hannah tried to show me the butterfly stroke....I don't know how successful she was but it was fun to try. After that I talked to Stephen for a while. Andrew wanted to leave around dinner so we got a pizza to go and left. The drive home was long, but was fun too. Drew has a very large music collection with CD's that ranged from Jazz to Heavy Metal. We listened to disco the last half. That was fun. We had some interesting conversations, ranging from the alcoholic tendencies of college kids to how I used around five hundred calling card minutes to call Mike in the past two weeks. It was a good ride. I'm having trouble moving around today, I'm sore from this weekend. I played flag football and water polo. I think that's why. I need to start working out. I'm out of shape, not fat out of shape.
I'm glad to be back. This place is turning into a home. I still miss everybody, but I belong here now. It's weird how a weekend home makes this place seem like its where I'm supposed to be. I'm home for the next four years

Guess what we're singing in choir. . Anthony O Daly. If you don't know what that song is you should. If you can't find a sound bite on the internet come to our fall concert, November 12. It will be so cool. I'm happy and hyper. Singing always does that to me. We are also singing Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates. That is going to be so much fun. I know that we don't sound great yet but I think that the tone of the Choir and the voice once developed will be awesome.
I am so excited I get to go home! I and taking all my laundry with me. Oh well. I bought a really neat skirt yesterday. It is floor length and really nice. I also did some sewing today, a belt loop on my jeans ripedthe day I left home so I fixed that today. I only poked myself once!

Well, Half way home! That is this week's theme. I have made it through two days of classes full of secular mumbojumbo. Only two more days and I'm free! I have four different types of classes. My drama class is Freudian in that everything we deal with has something to do with sex, even when sex has nothing to do with the action in the play, it can all be traced back to sex, and we're only on the first play! I looked ahead and it only gets worse. My History class is just plain annoying, I know that he is wrong about some of the stuff he is teaching and I can't put my finger on how to point that out. My Geology class is stupid because the teacher keeps on getting his dates wrong, how old is the earth's crust again? Music isn't to bad, we'll have to wait and see. Choir is the only thing I can't whine about. MATH is going to kill me! I can't work in that kind of environment.
Thank you for your patience with me. Every once in a while I have a huge whine and it needs to come out. I apologize to those who hate whiners I won't let it happen again. I am going home for the Weekend! YAY! My church has a labor day retreat very year and I wouldn't miss it. It is also a chance to see everybody again, and hang out with Mike. The retreat is so fun! There are games and swimming and teaching and on Saturday night we have a talent show. After that there is dancing and hanging out with friends. Sunday we worship, if it is nice outside. That is my favorite part listening to Pastor Pete and smelling the wind off the water and hearing the waves is wonderful. Andrew Mericle is driving me there and back. I can't wait.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.

Friday Night . . . one of the worst times to have nothing to do. Jen, I tried, I really did. But alas I either just miss them or they have homework. So, I get to do this. Later I think that I will go explore the dorm and see what we have around here.
I hear that we have a kitchen uptairs..but I want to hang out for a while. I like to explore with as little human contact as possible, so I'll wait around until the dorm clears out a little more.

I've been thinking about this ever since I heard the pianist play it in church last Sunday. I really enjoy Beehtovan's Sonata No.14, otherwise known as the Moonlight Sonata. Its not exactly sacred music, so I was pleasently suprised when I heard the first movement. The way the music flows and expresses passion is incredible. When I listen to some types of music, I feel as if the world could not contain the amount of emotions stirring in me. I know that some of you think that I am crazy, but others will understand what I'm talking about. That feeling is almost like drowning, it drives you crazy, makes you want to scream in agony or joy. It's amazing that music can affect people(me) like that. There really is no good way to describe the feeling, I some times feel like I can't breathe, or that ifI don't scream I'll burst into a thousand pieces. Not that many pieces have done that but the ones that do I try to keep around. The moonlight sonata is one that I still have been unable to get my hands on. To those of you who are thnking that I need mental help don't understand. I don't go around screaming because I liked piece of music. I usually just sit enjoying the feeling. If you don't know what I'm talking about then I have pity for you that you can't exprience it, but if you do, well, happiness beyond words.

Yay! I audition for choir today and got in! Concert Choir Mondays and Wednesday, nights so it doesn't conflict with any other classes. Yay! JR, RUF leader, has invited some of the students to eat at the Foster home tonight. :) I think he said something about spaghetti, Yum. So I have to go eat. I am so hyper, YAY!!!
one more day and I'm free for the weekend.

"Need-love cries to God from our poverty; Gift-love longs to serve, or even suffer for, God; Appreciative-love says: 'We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.' Need-love says of a woman 'I cannot live without her'; Gift -love logs to give her happiness, comfort, protection--if possible,wealth; Appreciative-love gazes and holds its breath and is silent, rejoices that such a wonder should exist even if not for him, will not be wholly dejected by losing he, would rather have it so than to never have seen her at all." C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
I would recommend this book to anyone, even though I'm only on page 34 and have to reread every other line to make sure I understand. It is funny, insightful and brutally honest. All very good things to have in a book. I stole this copy from my family library and although I don't think that any one has missed it yet I have to confess and apologize for the theft. Sorry Mom!

I think that today and Thursday will be my favorite days of the school week. I have only one class that starts at 2 and ends at 3:15. I was able to sleep in and catch a nap after I studied a little. I feel so good, a little drowsy but good. Yesterday was crazy and although what has the possibility of being my favorite class is on MWF I still like my TTh days better. Drama was interesting. The professor is a little thin old lady with chin length hair and an European accent. Her last name is rather difficult to pronounce so we are supposed to call her Dr.K. She rambled a little but I think that's because her plans were thrown off by there being no easy access TV in the room. There are about eighty kids in that class, my smallest by far. History is close having 90 give or take, but the rest of them are huge. Math doesn't really count because it has no regular schedule. Well I have to go to eat. Hopefully Owen's isn't as crowded today.

I love this book

The only book which doesn't take place in Narnia at all, per se, you're the story of a voyage to find the end of the world and hopefully the Seven Lost Lords (remember Rhoop!). You contain some of the most unique people and places and beautiful descriptions of the whole series.


Find out which Chronicles of Narnia book you are.

Went to church today.That was fun. Grace Covenant PCA. Not quite what I'm use to but I like it. The people are really nice and welcoming and some of the professors and staff go there. They were very helpful.
Classes starts tomorrow, I have a an 8 o'clock history class. No fun. but it has to happen. But I have to go to bed so I can wake up.

Hey! As this is my first blog I'll tell you the basics about me. My name is Michelle and I am a freshman at Virginia Tech, Go Hokies! My major is History. I am not a good teacher so I was thinking more along the lines of museum curator. Maybe I'll minor in Art history and work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What ever I end up doing I'm sure I'll enjoy and it will be perfect for me.
I have a sister, Jennifer, and a brother,Cristian. Jen is a Junior at Clemson in the Architecture program. Her blog is http://www.gennesaret.blogspot.com/. She is a wizard at bloging and her site is really cool.
So thats a little about me. More to come