Coffee and Creamer

A quick Movie review

2010-05-19T23:19:00.006-04:00

While I enjoy a thriller as much as the next person, there is one thing I find great enjoyment in. Romantic, full force, all out, chick flicks. In Letters to Juliet the promise of great sap and wonderful cliche is answered and then kicked up a notch. And while there is sap and cliche this movie is a wonderful reminder of what people should think about love, and how cynical we have actually become in a world of cyber connections and friend networks. We aren't really connected any more, and LtJ brings forward the idea of strong, long lasting connections.

The film is about a young fact checker for the New Yorker who while on a pre-wedding honeymoon (backwards right?) in Verona, Italy, discovers a 50 year old letter asking Juliet Capulet for relationship advice. Sophie writes a reply which sets events in motion that eventually land her at a wedding on a balcony with a young man climbing the walls to profess his love for her.
This movie brought to mind some of my favorite films. Pride and Prejudice, Ten things I hate about You, and Under the Tuscan Sun were just a few. It also can be said that it borrows parts for the Romeo and Juliet story(DUH) but was less like it that I expected.
While I enjoyed the story line, it was predictable. I enjoyed the scenic views and music of the film much more. If a film has good musical direction I will enjoy it, but here there was an even deeper and more personal connection in the location of this film. Recognizing the streets and piazzas in the film really heightened my ability to visualize the atmosphere more fully. The music was a mix of fun romantic numbers, Italian covers, and orchestral pieces. There was one song that was cute to use and expected, I found that the use of the Taylor Swift "Romeo and Juliet" song in the climax of the movie a little over the top, and unnecessary. If that had been part of the opening credits I would have felt better about it.
All in all this was an enjoyable film. I will be getting the DVD, or possibly seeing it again to catch anything i might have missed the first time. I say see it.

Film: Letters to Juliet
Director: Gary Winick
Writer: Jose Rivera, Tim Sullivan
Cinematographer: Marco Pontecorvo
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gael García Bernal, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Egan
Studio: Applehead Pictures

Waiting on the Shelf

2009-08-16T22:53:00.003-04:00

There are some great books out there. One very interesting one, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, is just a series of images with a title and a short caption. They are very inspirational. This story is based on "Mr. Linden's Library" and the caption reads: He had warned her about the book.Now it was too late.

Sarah had just moved. Across the street there was another house which had a sign that declared “Mr. Linden’s Library: Books to Borrow or Buy.” One day, because she was bored, Sarah decided to visit the old library. Mr. Linden was delighted, and vigorously encouraged her to choose any of the books to take home as a present. Sarah slowly wandered through the rows of shelves, gazing at the multitude of books. Finally her eyes lighted on a beautiful, old, gilded tome. Snatching the book off the shelf, she brought it before the old man.
“What a wonderful book!” Mr. Linden smiled, “but you must be very careful. Interesting events occur if you fall asleep with this book still open.”
“What kind of things?” Sarah queried.
“Well, that depends on the person, but it is always interesting and always terrible.”
At first Sarah was extremely cautious; however, as the nights past without incident she began to believe that Mr. Linden had been teasing her. That night she fell asleep while reading the book. Suddenly the words on the page exploded into the room in a flurry of leaves and vines. The greenery covered Sarah quickly, quietly, and completely. Then slowly, gently the living vines inched the sleeping girl toward the open book. Sarah was never seen again. Her grieving parents donated all her books to the library across the street. The book was placed back on the shelf, and it is there still, patiently waiting for the next careless child.

Shall We Dance?

2008-09-17T14:49:00.002-04:00

There are many many crazy things
That will keep me loving you
And with your permission
May I list a few

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No they cant take that away from me

The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No they cant take that away from me

We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
But Ill always, always keep the memory of

The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No they cant take that away from me

Fred Astaire, 1937.

Venezia, "La città di Luce."

2008-02-15T19:05:00.020-05:00

Classes have started to pick up, now that we've been here over a month the teachers are full speed ahead. This makes it harder for us students to get out on weekends. I was able to get out though with six other girls to Venice. I'm going to qualify this trip with the fact that I had gotten a killer cold during the week before, and it had developed an ear ache and snore that could wake the dead. So I was eager to leave and give my roommates much needed rest from my loud night noises. We took the train to Chiasso and from there went to Milano. I think all trains that come through the north of Italy stop at the Centrale, as a main hub for train travel. Most of the other groups traveling that weekend were going in the same general direction, but at Milano we parted ways. We transferred to another train that would takes us to Venice. It wasn't too late when we got there, so we walked around a little, and grabbed dinner and some gelato at a shop right by the station. We were staying at a hostel outside of the city and had to take a bus to get out to it. It was more like a camp ground than anything else with trailers and tents set up as rooms. The other girls had booked before I had decided to go, so I had a trailer all to myself. It was nice, warm water, and clean sheets. No towels though. I realized that in the morning, and as I had forgotten my towel,and it was too cold to drip dry I used an extra top sheet instead. We caught the bus back to the city and walked back to the train station. There was a very nice pastry shop that we saw the night before, and we stopped there for some breakfast.
It was a gorgeous day, sunny, almost warm and blue sky. One of the first things I noticed in Venice was the architecture and layout of the city. It jumps out at you at every corner and bridge. The lines of the city have been the same since the 13th century. It can be inspiring to walk through and on that much history. The buildings were all arches and columns and red roofs. Carnivale was only a week ago, so the streets still show the aftermath of confetti. Shops displaying beautiful and unique masks were everywhere. We walked for a while and then grabbed a water taxi heading for the Rialto Bridge. The bridge has shops built into the structure and is part of one of the grandest markets in Venice. It is filled with tourist booths, but also much the produce for the area comes in through that market. There wasn't much going on that day, but it was still nice to walk through. We wandered through the streets, all the while headed toward the Piazza San Marco and the Basilica Patriarcale Di San Marco, the crown jewel of the city.
The streets grew more crowded as we drew closer to our goal. Finally the buildings opened up and we were in the Piazza. It was glorious. We were facing the Basilica with the Campanile di San Marco(the bell tower)to the right. The Piazza was full of people and pigeons! Feeding the pigeons has become a tourist activity, and the birds have no fear. The Basilica was resplendent, mosaics and statues cover the facade and the walls are beautifully made of different color marble. You can see the progression of art and time even here, where flat Byzantine mosaics are just an alcove away from rich Renaissance scenes. Inside the ceiling is gold, glittering, representing heaven. Pictures aren't really encouraged, but we take a few hasty shots. I really enjoy how almost every inch of space is decorated, it is a sharp contrast to the stark and bare churches that I was used to at home. Beside the Basilica is the Doge's Palace, a impressive white building with a patterned marble façade. The bell tower was our next stop, the view was incredible. We could see the whole of the city laid out beneath us, and the lagoon as well. We ate lunch, and then wended our way through the streets and canals to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Most of her collection was Pollack and Picasso, modern sculpture, all beautifully displayed. I am not usually a fan of modern art, with the attitude that if I can do it (I'm hardly artistic) then it really isn't challenging art, but this collection was a lot of fun to walk through. Even the court yard was filled with sculptures and instillation pieces that were just fun to look at.

The next day we returned to the Market at Rialto and experienced market day. The place was packed with tourists and Venetians purchasing food and goods for the coming week. We wandered down the rows of booths, inspecting the fresh fish and looking over the produce laid out for us to eat. I sad that I couldn't smell all that food, but then considering the fish, I was also grateful for the handicap. After getting our fill of the market and making a few purchases, we caught a water taxi to a near by island, Murano. This place is distinguished for its glass making, and we were able to wander around the island looking at the art on display, both for sale and for show, and just relax. The houses there were very colorful, with brightly painted exteriors. By this time most of us were exhausted, and decided to go back, eat dinner and then return to the hostel. Two girls stayed to do some more shopping, but I was not one of them.

The next day we ate a quick breakfast and boarded the train home. It was a quiet ride back with out much happening. In Milano we again met up with some of the other groups making their way back to the Villa. Venice was really a great place to visit, I probably could have spent more time there, just getting lost and finding new and old things to look at. I enjoyed it very much. Up next is the Southern Trip, a great many things in a short amount of time. Then spring break, Oh boy am I looking forward to that.

Music, Masks, and Mayhem

2008-02-13T07:13:00.001-05:00

Carnevale......
Wow what a ride. Carnevale can be considered the Mardi Gras of Europe. It is a celebration of life the week before Lent, people dress up, wear masks and generally let anything go. For the most part everyone from the Villa stayed in the area for Carnevale, there was a very cheap deal that allowed us to ride the trains and get into the festivities for about 15 CHF. The main party area was in Bellinzona, about 30 minutes away. It started on Thursday with a parade, each town has its own way of starting off. The parade in Riva was small but fun, all the school kids from middle and elementary school in the town, dressed up in costumes that they made themselves walked through the street to the main piazza. There was a band and lots of people. It was actually kind of weird, because even after living here for a month we hardly ever saw that many people, let alone that many children. We threw so much confetti, it got everywhere. In fact I don't think that it ever really got cleaned up. The festival continued every night for that weekend. Bellinzona shut down the downtown in order to accomodate the celebration. They set up tents in different piazze, each set up as a bar and also disco-tech. The lights and noise were exciting. People from all around convereged on the town at night. I was able to go Friday and Saturday night and the parade on Sunday. Saturday was by far the wilder and more intense party; every one was revved up from the night before. The train to Bellinzona was standing room only and it seemed like the only way to move was to crowd surf. It was rowdy, and almost every one was drunk or high, or on their way to that point. It wasn't entirely comfortable, but by the end of the ride, breathing in second hand pot fumes, and the energy of the crowd, had made it seem a little more fun. In order to get into Downtown we had to walk through a gate, just to make sure we paid, and then we could do almost anything. The main tent was usually full of the teens, and younger adults, music blasted out from huge speakers, and the only way to move was with the crowd, or conga line. It was a fun night.... We left early, around 1, the celebration went on through the night, but we had a train to catch. On Sunday there was a parade to close the festivities. I think that the parade was my favorite event of the whole weekend. It was full of floats, each with a theme or issue. A lot was about the enviornment, some I couldn't really figure out, some where just funny. Each city and town in the area also had a band in the parade. They were all amazing, the themes of each band was either a play on words with their names, or a issue that they wanted to draw attention to. Their costumes were elaborate, with bright colors, masks, or face paint. Confetti was the over reaching prop of the parade. The crowd threw confetti at the people in the parade, while the floats and bands sprayed confetti over the crowd. The kids seemed to take some vicious delight in getting it in the faces of the people marching past. I had lots of fun, I was able to make friend with a little bee that was standing in front of me. We formed a kind of alliance were I would gather some confetti, and she would throw it at some one, or more often than not throw it back at me. She made it that much more fun.
Before the parade I was able to go to mass at the local church. It was an interesting experience. I couldn't understand everything that was being said, because it was in Italian, and I wasn't comfortable actually taking communion, but it was good to be there. I could pick out some words, but for the most part it was just me meditating on God's work in my life up to that point. It was really relaxing, and refreshing. Next weekend is Venice, and then the Italian trip, so I don't know when I'll be able to go again. It will be an adventure as always.

Berne

2008-02-11T05:03:00.004-05:00

The program directors here at CESA decided that we as a group would probably not make it out to the capital of Switzerland, and its really something we shouldn't miss. About two weeks into our semester the CLAHS students were taken for a weekend trip to Berne.Its about 5 hours away from Riva, and in a completely different Canton. Ticino, the canton that Riva is part of is the only Canton in Switzerland that speaks Italian, the one that we went to was one of the many German speaking cantons, so our Italian classes were of very little help. We started off early Friday morning, almost leaving a few people behind on the way out of town. The day went by quickly as I slept most of the ride, I have no idea why but I tend to fall asleep very well in motor vehicles. I was able to stay awake enough to watch the landscape change, and also the architecture. One of the ways to get from Ticino to Berne involves one of the longest underground tunnels in Europe, and the change from one part of the country to another is interesting to see. When we got to Berne we had about an hour to get settled in and then we had a quick tour of the old town, and then were taken to the Einstein Haus. Einstein lived in Berne for 7 years and they were able to take one of the apartments that he lived in and turn it into a museum. It was interesting to see where one of the greatest minds of our time was living, one of the most astonishing things was that he only lived there about a year, and just thinking about how the family moved in and out of that house was impressive, the staircase was intimidating. After the Einstein haus we were allowed to just wander about for a while. That night I went out with some of the group, it was a fun, late night. On Saturday Eva (our Italian teacher)walked our group around the Old town. We visited the Berne cathedral which was really interesting, because the church went through an iconoclasm(destruction of images and statues) when the Reformation swept through Europe. Sadly for me, my camera battery died almost as soon as we got into the church so I wasn't able to take many pictures. Wandering through the cathedral was very peaceful, I always love going into old churches, but some of these place are so spectacular that sometimes it overwhelms you. This one wasn't as busy, or crowded so it was an nice change of pace. Leaving the Cathedral we walked across the river to the bear pit. Bears are very closely associated with Berne, in fact there are bears all over the city, on the man-hole covers, as statues on public fountains, and live ones in the bear pit. At the visitor center we were treated to a interactive show about the history of Berne that was actually quite funny and enjoyable. The teacher lead tour ended there, and after giving us a list of places they wanted us to see the teachers cut us loose again. I walked to the History Museum of Berne, it was across town, but it was a nice walk. The museum was really interesting, it had sections on the history of Berne, ancient Asian culture, and a special exhibit on the life of Albert Einstein. I actually think that the entrance into that section was my favorite part of the museum. The entrance was a darkened staircase that is surrounded by mirrors, images from Einstein's life were displayed on screens while violin music plays. Its very interesting, and even moving.... peaceful. After the museum I decided to just wandered around the old town, and walking through the street market that was going on that day. There also was a protest, or rally of some sort going on, so there were a lot of police around in riot gear, it was an interesting experience. Sunday morning we left Berne and Started back toward the Villa. We stopped at a town called Thun(tOOn) on the way back. It was built by the same man that founded Berne, and is actually up river to Berne. The water locks that Thun has across the river help control the water level for the cities downriver, and helps prevent flooding. It was very beautiful and because it was Sunday, it was very peaceful as well. Getting back to Riva was a wonderful thing. As much as I love traveling, it was only out first weekend here and so I was happy to have a little time to relax after a busy weekend.

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

2008-01-12T14:32:00.000-05:00

Today was my first full day in Riva, although it feels like I've been here for ever, at least getting here felt like it took forever. The school sent almost every one on the same flights, so we could travel as a group. The first flight was from Dulles to London Heathrow. It was about 7 hours in the air, but it was good. We got to London at 6 in the morning, and waited around for three hours to get onto our connecting flight to Milan. I think the waiting was the worst part. The plane was delayed, and so we arrived almost a hour late. Bus took us to Riva, about 45 minutes away from Riva, I was able to sleep, which was good. It was raining, so I didn't get to see much of Riva but what I saw was pretty, and quaint. That last few hours before I passed out in bed were slightly hazy because I had been up for about 24 hours, but I remember the food was good, ceilings decorated, bed comfortable and warm and Villa Maderni as generally beautiful, cold but lovely.
This morning my roommates alarms woke me up in time for breakfast, but I felt like I could have slept for a few more hours. I was able to look out the window and even though it was still raining the view was breathtaking. The Villa faces a road and another Villa across the street, and behind that a the mountains rise up like a wall that touches the sky. Beautiful and intimidating, yet so close its hard to realize what they are unless you concentrate. The main portion of the day was taken up with being introduced to the villa, taught the rules, and talking about how activities are set up. We were given time to walk around the town, most of the group walked to the grocery store and back, it was still miserable so there was no real follow up on the urge to explore. Tomorrow looks to be nicer so hopefully I'll have time to walk through, and explore a little more.
The Villa is very nice, most of the ceilings are decorated with murals of some sort, except on the top floor and the lounge. The Villa was built in 1750, so its like living in one of those historic houses, we have to be careful to wear shoes or slippers in the house, so no bare feet. I thought I would mind as I don't usually like wearing shoes too much, but its been so cold in the villa that I'm kinda glad to be wearing slippers and socks. my favorite room in the house so far is the rec room/lounge. Its on the first floor and has the largest fireplace that I have ever seen, It probably was the kitchen at one point but has been taken over by comfortable couches and chairs, books and games. We have discovered one problem with the room though, when there is a fire in the fire place it gets really smoky, and a window as to be opened. So the room gets really cold, even with the fire and the whole house smells like burning wood.
For th most part the fact that I am in Switzerland and am living here for longer than a week is unreal to me. I have moments were I sit back and say wow, there is no way I am really here. I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'll wake up back at Tech. I'm so excited to start experiencing and exploring. It's going to be an interesting semester, I can tell.

I give thanks

2007-11-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

I have been reminded a lot these past weeks that I need to be thankful "grateful" for what I have been given, and what I have been blessed with. That seems to be really hard for me lately. So here is a list of what I am thankful for.

My Family
---Mom, Dad, Sis and Bro--These people have been there for me through everything, and even if I'm scared to tell them how badly I've screwed something up, I know that after the initial outburst, eventually they'll forgive me.
--- My Grandmother(all my grands, but her in particular)-- My Grandfather recently passed away, and it has been hard on all of my family, but especially her. She misses him so much and I'm thankful for her example of love and courage.

My Friends
---The Musketeers--Who even though they feel so far away right now I know I can count on them to bring me fun, adventure and best of all the most amazing company. I miss these chicas more than ever right now, but I know that eventually we'll get together.
---At School--Who deal with me on a regular basis, have learned to put up with my craziness and even knocked me down a notch or two, talked me down off my ledges, and allowed me to meltdown when I needed to. I can honestly say I don't know what I would have done with out you.
---Out of Sight--I know we don't get to see each other often(duh)and our communication is pretty much once every blue moon(usually internet), but I am so joyful that I got to know you, share part of my life with you and learn from you. There has been so much that we haven't been able to share, but that's how things worked out. Not everything can be perfect, and we can't hold on to old friends forever, but when I do hear from you, you bring me such joy.

Just random thanks:
---My brother has a job.
---Sara is having a baby.
---Suzanne is getting married.
---My life could be worse.
---So could my grades.
---The universe is not fair.(I am very thankful for that)
---Grace is not fair.

Who do people thank if they don't believe in God?

words can not express

2007-04-21T22:16:00.000-04:00

This week has turned into one of the hardest I've had to deal with yet. I'm not sure how to talk about what happened here, or how to express my feelings about it. I feel like I am detached from the whole ordeal, like I'm watching from outside, and really only have distant sympathy for those involved. And then I feel violated, my home, my campus, my family has been raped. Both these feelings come in waves, and in between I feel normal, like Monday didn't happen. I am sad, but I understand that this will change, and I can't feel sad any more. I understand that God had his plan in this, but I can't see it right now, He was there, He is in everything, but I don't see the sense in this. I didn't know any one who died, I had class with a few of them, but never knew them. It's been a hard week for me, and I'm not dealing with nearly as much as others. Thursday I went to UVA to hang out, relax, and just think. It was a good trip, I think it made what happened a little less distant. I don't understand everything that has been going on this week, and even this year. I'm worried about school, I haven't been able to concentrate on work much this week and I have a lot to do to finish out the semester with good grades. It's been good to be back on campus and talk with people, see how they are dealing with this. I don't think anything will ever be the same again here, or for the classes that were here when it happened. I feel for the Freshmen here, they have had on hell of a year, slightly symmetrical in character, but that doesn't make it easier, especially because they haven't really laid down deep roots here yet. It makes me sad to think that some student who might have come to Tech will decide not to because of what has happened. Classes start tomorrow which I am glad about, and also anxious, I still have to decide how I am going to finish this semester. We'll see how tomorrow goes and then decide. Please continue to pray for the Faculty, Staff and students as we all continue to attempt to deal with what has happened. Through God's strength "we will prevail." We are Virginia Tech.

4 16 VT

2007-04-17T18:37:00.000-04:00

Its really hard to know where to begin, or what to say. I've had one song going through my head during this whole time. Its one of my favorite RUF hymns that I've done.

1. For all the saints,
who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith
before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus,
be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their rock,
their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain
in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness
drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. O may Thy soldiers,
faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints
who nobly fought of old,
And win with them
the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. And when the strife
is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear
the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave,
again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. The golden evening
brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful
warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm
of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Edit: 4/27/07

JR had us sing this song at the last RUF large group of the semester. I cried, it was wonderful, and embarrassing all at the same time. Oh and Congratulations to Corey and Ryan our music team grads!!

Spring Break

2007-03-20T22:52:00.000-04:00

So, I've been back at Tech for two weeks. Spring Break was amazing. I went to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi with a group of RUF kids. We stayed at a church there called Lagniappe Presbyterian Church. We worked on a house about 10-15 minutes from the church. We did the roof, the whole group,there were about twenty-five of us, it was a large roof. The work was hard, and also slightly mindless. There were points when more than half of us had nothing to do because of some of the things that the roof needed. This trip felt different from the others. Maybe because this trip there were less people there that I knew, it might have been the place where we were, it was different. more like a camp and less like a church. This it felt weird and slightly uncomfortable and yet I still enjoyed myself a lot. The people that went were wonderful, it was fun to hang out with them and to work with them. The lady we worked for was very sweet, her daughter and her grandsons were all planning on moving back into the house by August. Hopefully that will happen for them. We weren't able to finish the roof, which was unsatisfying, but I know that anther group has probably already finished it. I guess the trip wasn't what I was expecting, and that makes me dissatisfied with it, but I can also say that it was an awesome time with a lot of good memories.

Psalm 107:23-32

There is always a new begining

2007-01-13T22:33:00.000-05:00

Back to school blues coming on this weekend. I'm not sure what to expect from this year. I hope to be busy and study hard, but I can't help but feel that this semester will be just like the last, crazy full of drama and me not doing anything at all. there is no fear of me being very lazy. I have two early morning shifts at work so I'm going to be changing my sleeping habits again. hopefully working out every day, and getting in some serious just me time. I don't like being alone much, but I realized this break how much I missed being able to just curl up and read a book, or dancing around. So hopefully I'll be able to get books from the library and get away from my room a little more often. I'm also hopefully going to visit that crazy group of UVA kids this semester. And Mississippi! I'm really excited about that! I can't wait to get back down there again. It also gives me an excuse to go work-clothes shopping, I think I want a pair of overalls for this trip. but I'm just getting worked up about it so I think I'll stop. I've got 15 credits this semester, they all look to be interesting classes, and I hope to enjoy myself immensely. I think that the biggest change for me this semester is that I'm not in choir(I've been in choir since Freshman year) it's not going to be easy being out of that class, but I feel like a break is a good idea. I'm also looking forward to beginning the next semester of RUF, there is always something interesting or fun to do with the RUF crew. Lots of stuff to do and to try, and hopefully I'll be able to stay focused and have a great semester.

The Twelve Days

2006-12-28T22:52:00.000-05:00

Just got home from a crazy three day trip to visit the family in Maryland. It was great to see the relatives again, my cousin's kids are so cute! I'll link pictures here later, but wow are they an amazing bunch of kids. They don't really fuss, at all. we drove up on Tuesday morning, it was a nice relaxing drive, with the rest of my family. I slept a lot, and read a bit and listened to music, it was good. We stayed in a little cheap hotel that was actually fairly nice, despite having no shampoo(I packed light). We had dinner my Aunt and Uncle's house. YUMMY! We stayed there talking and playing Apples to Apples late. My cousin Greg has been gone for the past three years in the Peace Corp, so it was a really fun time talking to him and getting reaquainted with him and meeting his new dog, Moby. Jen and I had our own room at the Hotel and so we stayed up late, oops!! Wednesday was opening presents day. It was so much fun, the kids were hilarious, so fun to watch. After that everybody just did their own thing for a few hours. We had dinner at my Grandparents place, very nice and delicious. It was a good night all around. Today we went to Breakfast at this family-owned farmers market type place, that was good. We spent the morning with the family, ate lunch and played with the kids, then we left. Th ride home was longer than it should have been, we were all grumpy and tired by the end. But it was a great few days... I'm glad to be home though.

Today

2006-12-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

watched part of my Christmas present tonight. I've decided that Grey's Anatomy is not to be watched without someone else enjoying it with you. It is too depressing, and emotionally charged for me to be allowed to watch alone. I went to my Doc. appointment today, it was slightly uncomfortable and strange but I did it, finally. I was a little late to work, but got there eventually. We have an ice rink this year, which is fun. I'm going to be working there on Thursday. This is my life, boring normal everyday stuff. I love it, and Hate it all at the same time. I'm in a really weird mood. its not good, I really should get to bed.

Weakness

2006-11-08T22:49:00.000-05:00

"I am weak, but the Lord has sought me.I believe but help now my unbelief. I fail and am broken by my continued sinfulness. Have mercy on me, Lord, and grant me favor, for apart from you I can do nothing. Our suffering, our failures,our weaknesses and disappointments all gain an incredible spiritual significance. God never says He'll be glorified in our religious accomplishments. But He does promise that His power will be made perfect in our weakness.(2 Cor 12:9)"

How come this isn't taught more in churches? I haven't heard about this until now. Our weakness makes us more aware of the grace God gives us. I've always thought that as a Christian I have to be strong, not show that I can be wrong or have fault. In order to be a witness to the world I can't show that I am weak, or that I make mistakes. Some bigger than others. How do I over come this ingrained behavior? How do I break down my own walls and show my weaknesses to others? That's a little more vunerability than I'm comfortable in letting people know that much about me, or get that close to me. Last time that didn't turn out so great. To let people get that close, it's not altogether safe. So what do I do?

Intimacy Issues

2006-10-05T07:42:00.000-04:00

This makes me laugh.

2006-09-20T00:38:00.000-04:00

I love you Mom and Dad. Thank you for your love support and advice, even when sometimes it isn't what I want to hear.

Evanescence

2006-09-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

Don't cry to me. If you loved me, You would be here with me. You want me, Come find me.Make up your mind.

Should I let you fall? Lose it all?So maybe you can remember yourself. Can't keep believing, We're only deceiving ourselves. And I'm sick of the lie, And you're too late.

Don't cry to me. If you loved me, You would be here with me. You want me, Come find me.Make up your mind.

Couldn't take the blame. Sick with shame. Must be exhausting to lose your own game.
Selfishly hated, No wonder you're jaded. You can't play the victim this time, And you're too late.

Don't cry to me. If you loved me, You would be here with me. You want me, Come find me.Make up your mind.

You never call me when you're sober. You only want it cause it's over, It's over.

How could I have burned paradise? How could I - you were never mine.

So don't cry to me. If you loved me, You would be here with me. Don't lie to me, Just get your things.I've made up your mind.

little bit o' this, little bit o' that

2006-08-21T12:26:00.001-04:00

I am bored and stuck inside so I decided to update.

Why am I stuck inside you ask? well, since yesterday there has been an escaped inmate, William Morva, on the loose in Blacksburg. The young man shot and killed a hospital security guard and injured the deputy that had accompanied him. The man hunt lasted through the night and this morning Morva shot and killed a deputy sheriff on the Huckleberry Trail. The police responded instantly, evacuating the area along the trail and trying to keep the media and civilians out of harms way. During the morning the police had people calling in sightings of Morva throught the Blacksburg area. Squires Student Center was evacuated and there was a rumor that Morva was inside, however that was untrue. The campus closed down around 10:30, classes were cancelled and students were urged to return to their dorms and remain inside. This is fairly distressing for the first day of classes and I'm hoping that everything is sorted out soon.

All of this Past

2006-08-17T23:31:00.000-04:00

Here I go again Slipping further away Letting go again Of what keeps me in place I like it here But it scares me to death There is nothing here The light is beautiful But I’m darker than light And you are wonderful But this moment is mine All of this dust All of this past All of this over and gone And never coming back All of this forgotten Not by me I find comfort here Cos I know what is lost Hope is always fear For the pain it may cost And I have searched for the reason to go on I’ve tried and I’ve tried But it’s taking me so long I might be better off Closing my eyes And God will come looking for me In time All of this dust All of this past All of this over and gone And never coming back All of this forgotten Not by me All of this dust All of this past All of this over and gone And never coming back All of this forgotten Not by me I can see myself I look peaceful and pale But underneath I can barely inhale I can hear myself singing that song Over and over until it belongs to me

2006-06-06T20:49:00.000-04:00

back home for the summer. almost can't belIeve that i am not in school, actually had nightmares about missing the first day of classes because i sLept in. its good to be home, but also hard, sleeping patterns have tO change as do eating habits. its just different. work is work, i'm working 6 days this week and i'm not sure i like it. we were fairly short handed today, so i was moVed around as needed, i spent about 2 hours in the gift store, and about 20 minutEs in the carousel, it wasn't too bad, but the scheduling needs to be better so that there isn't just one person at each station, james had to cover for me twice so that i could cover for other people. it was hectic. sis and i went to the doctor the other daY, we both got acne medication and a good dose of liquid nitrOgen, which hUrt like the devil. i'm going to Bed soon, hopefully i'll be able to wake up early enough to go for a walk/jog before work tomorrow. i wonder if I get payed overtime for working on my day off? that would be nIce. missing my friends from school a lot(that means you!) its going to be a Long summer and then again I can feel the days sLipping away faster than I want them to.

2006-05-08T08:49:00.000-04:00

I am really looking forward to the summer. I'm gunna miss people from here a lot, But I am ready to go home.

oh and this is a fun comic

Questionable Content

Check It OUT!

60th Anniversary

2006-03-21T19:03:00.000-05:00

So this past week has been one crazy rollercoaster ride. I went home this weekend for my grandparents 60th anniversary celebration. It was a lot of riding in transportation vehicles for two days but it was great to see everybody. I learned a lot about my grandparents that I didn't know before. I better appreciate them as seperate from just my Grandparents. Its so easy when young to forget or even not to realize that your parents and Grandparents are people outside their role towards you. They had a life so seperate from what it is now you can hardly recognize them as who they are today. They weren't always old and grey haired. I think I understand my Grandpa's sense of humor a little better now, I can look at my Grandma and see a mysterious wonderful woman. I understood all of this before now, but this weekend has just driven it home a little more. I think that its sad that just when I am getting old enough to get to know my grandparents better it might be too late. I love you Paka and Beppe.

2006-03-01T16:24:00.000-05:00

'Trust' indicates a depth and a sense of assurance that is based on strong but not logically-conclusive evidence, or based on the character, ability, or truth that someone or something has shown over time or across situations. Trust makes for a sense of being safe or of being free of fear, enough so that one's focus can be on other matters because that matter is taken care of. It becomes easier to simply enjoy life.

No human is totally trustworthy.
No human is totally untrustworthy.
No human can always trust themselves.
No human is totally trusting of any one other person.

Trust is a risk. We leave ourselves open for loss. Betrayal of trust hurts so much because the lost sense of security multiplies the damage.

2006-02-22T13:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm not going to post for a while, not that I do very much anyway. just letting you know. I love you Mommy.

2006-02-07T00:05:00.000-05:00

I'm tired, oh so tired. and yet I can't bring myself to go to bed at the moment, so I sit and I write to the unsuspecting cyberworld. I've been trying hard to actually go to classes this semester, I'm doing better. I hope. Its getting cold and I'm getting the Annual sore throat. I swear every year! I end up getting a sore throat. Its just very painful, and dry. Sleep is hard to come by when you can't swallow with out feeling pain. any way thats what I'm doing right now. I can't wait for Spring Break!

Do you Remember?

2006-01-30T23:16:00.000-05:00

Think back.

Before the MySpace frenzy.

Before the Internet & text messaging.

Before Sidekicks & iPods.

Before MIKE JONESSS

Before PlayStation2 or X-BOX.

Before the 5 hours of homework you put off every night.

When you rented VHS tapes, not DVDs.

When gas was $0.95 a gallon & Caller ID was a new thing.

When we recorded stuff on VCRs & paid $3.50 for a movie.

When we called the radio station to request songs to hear off our walkmans.

When 2Pac and Biggie where alive.

When the Chicago Bulls were the best team ever.

Way back.

Tag.

Hide-n-Go Seek at dusk.

Red Light, Green Light.

Get Over Here!!!! means something to you.

Heads Up 7 Up.

Playing Kickball & Dodgeball, even Wallball until your porch light came on.

Hopskotch.

Slip-n-Slides.

Tree Houses.

Mother May I?

Red Rover.

Four Square.

Hula Hoops.

The annoying Nano Pets & Furbies.

Reading R.L. Stine's Goose Bumps.

Playing Street Hockey with the neighborhood friends.

Crying when Mufasa died in the Lion King.

Running through the sprinklers.

Happy Meals where you chose a Barbie or a Hot Wheels car.

Getting the privelage to sit in the front seat of the car.

Wait.

Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons in your PJ's still wrapped up in your Garfield comforter.

Hey Arnold.

Doug, Rugrats.

The original Power Rangers

Or what about:

The Secret Life of Alex Mac.

Ren & Stimpy.

Double Dare.

Rocko's Modern Life.

AAAHH!! REAL MONSTERS.

Space Cases

So Weird

Wild & Crazy Kids.

Magic school bus.

Pinky and the Brain.(Animaniacs

Wishbone.

Bill-nye the science guy.

Clarissa Explains it All.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

The original cast members of All That.

Kenan & Kel.

Who could forget Snick? & Nick @ Nite with Bewitched, I Dream of Jenie, The Facts of Life & I Love Lucy.

Where everyone wanted to be in love after watching The Wonder Years.

The adventures of winnie the pooh

NINJA TURTLES

Not finished yet.

Kool-Aid was the drink of choice.

Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school.

Class field trips.

POGS

When Christmas was the most exciting time of year.

When $5 seemed like a million, & another dollar a miracle.

When you begged to go to McDonalds for dinner everyday.

When Toys R Us overuled the mall.

Go back to the time when

Decisions were made by going 'eeny-meeny-miney-moe'.

Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming 'do over!'

'Race issue' ment arguing about who ran the fastest.

Money issues were handled by whoever was banker in 'Monopoly'.

It wasn't odd to have two or three 'best' friends.

Being old referred to anyone over 20.

A chance to skate as a couple at the local roller rink was like winning the lottery.

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.

Nobody was prettier than Mom.

Nobody was cooler or stronger than Dad.

Scrapes & bruises were kissed & made better.

It was a big deal to finally be tall enought to ride the 'big people' rides at the theme park.

When playing Nintendo was the hardest thing ever.

When Ninja Turtles ruled the world.

When the Spice Girls were who you wanted to grow up to be.

When Lisa Frank was the raddest thing ever.

When a candy bar at the grocery store was the highlight of your day.

When coupons collected all year could get you a prize in your class auction.

When the only thing you cried over was your mom being late to pick you up.

When stress was addition and subtraction.

When friendships were as complicated as who's house to sleep over and who's to TP

When shaving cream was just meant for play.

When valentines day meant cards for all.

When birthdays were a class event.

When a friend moving away was the saddest day of your life.

If you can remember most or all of these
then you have lived in the 90's! ( or at least were young in the 90's)

Mississippi

2006-01-20T00:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so this past week I went to Moss Point, Mississippi as a mission trip with RUF and MTW. We were originally going to go to Biloxi but the plans changed, practically last minute and we ended up at Moss Point instead. It was a great trip. We left Monday at the Butt Crack before dawn time, 5:00 or so, and drove for 14 hours. When we got to the church, some of the ladies had put out sandwich fixin's. Yummy. Tuesday was our first day on the job, We stripped and reroofed a house in a day and a half. It was fun. I think Stripping is my favorite part of the whole process, we get up there and just go at it with abandon. Wednesday night was pot luck at the church. Honestly the food there was amazing. Four of us sang acappella for them. I sang the tenor line in my range, which was fun. After we played a few games, and just relaxed. Thursday we drove down to Biloxi and worked on a old lady's roof there. This old lady is deaf and her name is Ms. Bossy. Honest to God, she was adorable and funny. We weren't able to finish her roof before we had to leave, another team was going to finish it the next day. Friday, the weather was not cooperative, and so we couldn't do any work, instead we went on a tour of the Hurricane devastated areas. We drove through Waveland, there was nothing left of a lot of the houses there. We stopped in Bay Saint Louis and got out and walked around. There had been another team that went down during Thanksgiving break and worked on a house in Bay Saint Louis. Clyde was our expert roofer on the trip and he had been down there a lot so he gave us a quick tour around old town and the church. It had turned sunny by then and we drove back to Moss Point in sunny drowsiness. When we got back, a few people did some work around the Church and the rest packed and generally got ready to go. Around 4 or so some of the girls convinced JR to take us to the beach, so about 10 or so piled into the 15 passenger and we drove out to the beach. Saturday we left at the Butt Crack before dawn time again and drove for about 15 hours to get home at about 9. That was my Mississippi trip in a nut shell. I loved going and working to help those that needed it. The people that we met where very grateful and supportive, and the people that we helped were as eager to help us as we were to help them. Mrs. Josephine, the lady who owned the first roof that we did, was actually going to buy us lunch one day, we had packed our own so she didn't but she wanted to. It was amazing to see how much these people had lost and yet they wanted to give still of the little that was left.

2005-12-29T15:31:00.000-05:00

This Christmas was a fun time. We went to my grandparents for about 5 days and Got to visit with the relatives and extended family up there. Its amazing how much things change over so many years. Its fun to see how every one grows up and changes. My parents have family friends that live up there too and so we visited with them too. We ran around at some museums and all that. Dark chocolate played a vital role in the days that we were there. I was glad to go and visit but I was also glad to come home. Its been a good relaxing break but I'm ready to go back to school. I'm excited about the classes that I'm going to be taking. I'm also going to be running(hopefully) almost every day. And maybe get a part time job, we'll see. I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. It's New Years and then a week and then Mississippi and then back to school. Its going to be busy. And after School is the Summer! And Stephen coming to visit! That's going to be fun. And I'm going to be working my butt off to save up. . . .
hope I'm not going to be working so much that I can't enjoy my summer. But I guess that depends on how I spend my time. I could wake up early and spend the time before and after work in productive fun. . . . Swimming, something else I want to start doing when I get back to school. I miss being at school. The fact that my friends are a 5 minute walk away and I can simply run by is so convenient. . . for lack of a better word.

2005-12-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

Procrastinating. . . . Its one of my more developed talents. I think I have it down to an art form. so this is me procrastinating, isn't it lovely? I'm tired, and ready to go home. its funny, I was ready to go home Sunday. I'm not sure, but I don't think that that's a good thing.

2005-11-28T14:24:00.000-05:00

Which Middle Earth Race are you?

2005-11-07T20:46:00.000-05:00

Violent eyes

Chicago Gangster

Greenfinch and Linnet Brid

2005-10-25T22:54:00.000-04:00

Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubliate,
Sitting in cages,
Never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits,
Beckoning, beckoning,
Just beyond the bars.
How can you remain,
Staring at the rain,
Maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing anything?
How is it you sing?

Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale,blackbird,
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody constantly flowing?
Is it rejoicing or merely halloing?
Are you discussing or fussing
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?

Ringdove and robinet,
Is it for wages,
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided its
Safer in cages,
Singing when youre told?

My cage has many rooms,
Damask and dark.
Nothing there sings,
Not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
When theyre captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive.

Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing.

From the Broadway Musical Sweeney Todd

2005-10-25T12:31:00.000-04:00

My, my what an interesting weekend. All the madness started Friday, when I went shopping for my Halloween costume. . . That was fun. I now have what could become a dangerous addiction to Hot Topic. After shopping and just generally creating havoc at the mall my roommate and I decided that it was time that we watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show. OH My Freaken' Goodness! That was so much fun. Then we sat around Newman House and just talked and watched what ever we could find on TV. That was a fun night. . . We stayed up until 2, I think. . . . Saturday I got up at 10:40 and did some homework, not much but I did do some. Hehe, then I took a nap and Went to a concert with my roomy and the Newmanites. We went back to Newman and ended up staying there until about 1:30ish. . . . That place is a black hole I swear. I got a phone call at 2 in the morning. That was fun. . . And I actually woke up in time for Church on Sunday. Yah! Sunday I did more homework and eventually ended up at Newman again, I watched Grey's Anatomy there and made it home at a decent hour, got a phone call from my Mom and Dad. And actually got to bed at 1 I think . . . Monday was Monday, gloomy and cold. It actually snowed! Geesh. . . Choir is getting more and more intense, We have a performance on Friday and we are no where near ready. Monday wasn't too bad, I started feeling a little dizzy towards the end of the day, and decided that no matter what I was going to get to bed early. Yay for crazy weekends with roommates and interesting occurrences at the mall. . . I think that its nap time.
In the velvet darkness
Of the blackest night
Burning bright
There's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are

There's a light
The darkness must go
Down the river of night's dreaming
Flow morphia slow
Let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life, into my life

There's a light
Burning in the fireplace
There's a light, a light

In the darkness of everybody's life

2005-10-15T19:22:00.000-04:00

Well, this weekend was productive to say the most. Friday, I gave blood(Fed the Vampires). I did ok, no passing out or anything, a little dizzy walking home, but I had Suzanne with me so if I had fallen I would have been ok. After that I took a nap and then went over to the Foster's for dinner and a movie with some other RUF girls. That was so fun, we watched How to lose a guy in 10 days. Good movie and good group of girls. I got up at 9 today! Amazing! Suzanne and I cleaned up the room a little, so it looks descent now, which is nice. I dusted! YAY! I actually attempted to do some homework. I ended up sleeping, I woke up around 6:40, I have no idea why I was that tired but I slept. So that means there is going to be no sleep for me tonight. Maybe I'll actually go swimming, like I've been going to for the past three weeks. But I'm thinking that I definitely have to get out of this room before I go nuts.
I'll tell you flat out
It hurts so much to think of this
So from my thoughts I will exclude
The very thing that
I hate more than everything is
The way I'm powerless
To dictate my own moods
I've thrown away
So many things that could've been much more
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works
When I go down
I go down hard
And I take everything I've learned
And teach myself some disregard
When I go down
It hurts to hit the bottom
And of the things that got me there
I think, if only I had fought them

2005-09-30T08:13:00.000-04:00

Maybe I've been the problem Maybe I'm the one to blame But even when I turn it off and blame myself The outcome feels the same
I've been thinking maybe I've been partly cloudy Maybe I'm the chance of rain And maybe I'm overcast And maybe all my luck's washed down the drain
I've been thinking 'bout everyone, Everyone you looks so lonely But when I look at the stars When I look at the stars When I look at the stars, I see someone else When I look at the stars The stars, I feel like myself
Stars looking at a planet Watching entropy and pain And maybe to start to wonder How the chaos in our lives could pass as sane
I've been thinking 'bout the meaning of resistance Of a hope beyond my own And suddenly the infinite and penitent Begin to look like home
I've been thinking about everyone Everyone you looks so empty But when I look at the stars When I look at the stars When I look at the stars, I see someone else When I look at the stars The stars, I feel like myself. Yeah!
Everyone, Everyone feels so lonely Everyone, yeah everyone feels so empty When I look at the stars When I look at the stars When I look at the stars, I feel like myself When I look at the stars The stars, I see someone...
~Switchfoot

When I close my eyes to this paradox place
I'll fly away, far away from here
I'll get away and dream, dream of you

When it's all said and done
And the night has come
I'll disappear, take flight on the wind of wishing you were here
Fading light, like a star whose life has been gone for years

And I'll fly, fly across the sky
And I'll leave, I'll leave it all behind
If you'll be here, here with me tonight
I'll be fine, I'll be fine
I'll be fine
~Mae

And its official, the bandwagon is here!

2005-09-21T14:25:00.000-04:00

Comment and...

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.

Its a dangerous game, I'll play, the question is will you? Comment, if you dare. Via Jennifer

PostSecret

2005-09-19T23:48:00.000-04:00

PostSecret

I thought this blog was really interesting and I love the concept. What is your deepest darkest secret? oh and there is a song called "Dirty Little Secret" by The All American Rejects that uses this project, in their music video. Check it out, and maybe some day I'll see your post card up there.

MI15M

2005-09-17T10:59:00.000-04:00

Some Gothic Little Chapel

CHRISTINE: Raoul, please don’t make me do this. He’s probably just going to kidnap me again and besides, your plan really sucks.

RAOUL: IT DOES NOT!

CHRISTINE: And if he kidnaps me again, I’m going to be stuck down there forever… getting sexed up until the end of time, or until one of us dies from the massive amounts of constant, 24-7, day-and-night sexing.

RAOUL: He’ll probably make you sing, too.

CHRISTINE: So… what time does the show start?

She is good! check out some of the other movies she does at Movies in 15 Minutes

Shadows

2005-09-10T11:32:00.000-04:00

When I got home last night I still felt antsy, so I grabbed my CD player and Walked over to War Memorial. There is a very nice flat space in the front that is ideal for random dancing. I had just made a CD that had some songs that I like to dance to so I had that with me. When I got there I was surprised to find it completely deserted(its usually a make out spot). That made me happy. I started dancing, just random movements that sometimes went with the beat. It felt so good, but I'm sure it looked weird. I eventually attracted some attention. A guy that was walking by stopped to watch, but moved on pretty quickly, at least he moved to the Drill field below me. He stood there for maybe half an hour, but he's back was to me so he couldn't be watching me. I was having a great time, working up a sweat and working out the stress of the week, so I didn't really mind him to much. Eventually I realized that he could see my shadow on the grass in front of the Memorial. . . If he was looking. So I actually did have an audience. I appreciate the fact that he gave me the privacy that he did, I didn't really notice he was there, which wouldn't have been the case if he had been standing on War with me. Unfortunately eventually some less considerate guys took over the Memorial and I went home, completely satisfied and tired. My audience had left a little before me so I wasn't worried about him following me home. I would like to make a tradition of going to War for a dance on Fridays, its a good way to work out the stress of the week, but I think I'm gonna have to get one of the guys to go with me next time. Just for protection. I don't think he ever really saw me dancing, just my shadow moving across the lawn. That's all I was to him or anyone else watching from the field, a dancing shadow. I like that idea.

2005-09-06T18:35:00.000-04:00

Sweetness! my feet are so grossly dirty they look tan! haha Yuck. . . I guess that means I need to wash them.
If I should die this very moment
I wouldn't fear
For I've never known completeness
Like being here
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Loving every breath of you
Still my heart this moment
Or it might burst
Could we stay right here
Until the end of time until the earth stops turning
Wanna love you until the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
I really like this song. . . Its by Lamb.

anyway I'm really random right now. so I'll stop.

2005-09-01T20:45:00.000-04:00

Ok so I stole this from Kathleen, who stole it from Danielle. SO its been around the block a few times. oh and these are in no particular order.
What I love:
Getting woken up in the morning for school by my dad rubbing my back. one of the best ways to wake up.
Singing my heart out, whether in the shower, or when I have a sinus infection and a sore throat and have to sing for a concert. that was awesome.
dancing
hanging out with my friends
The Beach, swimming, just hanging out playing beach games
seeing a really good friend after years and years.
Staying up all night, even though I have a class in the morning
Sleeping over
Waking up early enough to see the moon set and the sunrise
sunsets
cd mixes from friends
making cd mixes for friends
the 5 50
thrift stores
real hugs
kisses
the color red
singing with my windows down and the radio blasting
Thunderstorms in candle light
soccer
Random music stuck in my head that makes me smile
Retreat, and CWSC
massages(giving and getting)
looking at the clouds and making random shapes out of them
breakfast at IHOP
finding money in your pocket
daisies.
the color blue.
mexico.
When your friends tell you they miss you
bubble baths
finding clothes for really cheap
messages people leave while Im away
the smell of Florida
losing your stomach on a rollercoaster
looking at the world through an airplane window
earrings
sleeping in
my blanket
my teddy bear
falling asleep on my rug
Cat piles on the couch
Cuddling
knowing that no matter what he'll always be my friend
crying and laughing at the same time
writting poetry
being loved by the most amazing people
ok, I think thats about it, I can't think of much more
Love you all!

My Tiger lily

2005-08-30T18:43:00.000-04:00

2005-08-24T10:40:00.000-04:00

Don't give me songs. . . . . . Give me something to sing about

Alice's Restaurant Massacree

2005-08-23T17:02:00.000-04:00

Came to talk about the draft.
And the only reason I'm
singing you this song now is cause you may know somebody in a similar
situation, or you may be in a similar situation, and if your in a
situation like that there's only one thing you can do and that's walk into
the shrink wherever you are ,just walk in say "Shrink, You can get
anything you want, at Alice's restaurant.". And walk out. You know, if
one person, just one person does it they may think he's really sick and
they won't take him. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony,
they may think they're both faggots and they won't take either of them.
And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in
singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out. They may think it's an
organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,I said
fifty people a day walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and
walking out. And friends they may thinks it's a movement.
And that's what it is , the Alice's Restaurant Anti-Massacre Movement, and
all you got to do to join is sing it the next time it come's around on the
guitar.

With feeling. So we'll wait for it to come around on the guitar, here and
sing it when it does. Here it comes.

You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Walk right in it's around the back
Just a half a mile from the railroad track
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant

That was horrible. If you want to end war and stuff you got to sing loud.
I've been singing this song now for twenty five minutes. I could sing it
for another twenty five minutes. I'm not proud... or tired.

So we'll wait till it comes around again, and this time with four part
harmony and feeling.

We're just waitin' for it to come around is what we're doing.

All right now.

You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Excepting Alice
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Walk right in it's around the back
Just a half a mile from the railroad track
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant

Da da da da da da da dum
At Alice's Restaurant

Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie

Psalm 51: 1-17

2005-08-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy loving-kindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest. Rom. 3.4
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins,
and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice;
else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and a contrite heart, O God,
thou wilt not despise.

2005-08-21T13:56:00.000-04:00

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom
And though there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield if olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength;
He has maked my feet like hind's feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.

The devotional that we studied in Mexico,Claiming the Gospel in Daily Life, Talks about trusting completely in God for everything and realizing that He is in control of everything that happens to us. We also discussed how Faith is an essential part of the Christians life. Although it is a minor book, by an minor prophet, Habakkuk is an amazing example of Faith in God. Habakkuk sees what is going to happen to him and the rest of his people, and although it is horrible, he sings praises to God. His faith is amazing and it shames me. I don't know if I would be able to do what he did.

Mexico

2005-08-11T21:56:00.000-04:00

This is a post about a girl who went to Mexico City with a mission team from her Church. The trip down was ok, she was sick and had a stuffed up nose, so that made flying not fun. When she got to Mexico she was astonished by the poverty and colors and the people. There were so many of them! The first couple of days went slowly for her, the team was setting up for the VBS and getting to know the people at the church. On Monday VBS started in earnest and she met her group of kids. They were a great group of kids. Each of the kids on the team said that their group was the best and the crazy. But this girl's group was the Craziest group. Their team name was Los Tucanes. The entire team was made up of boys and maybe at most two girls. After VBS was over in the afternoon they would walk about three blocks to the neighborhood park. She really enjoyed the park, especially the Rapido courts. The Days were pretty much the same VBS and then Park. The nights she and another girl in the group would go out with their host family. They went all over, and saw alot of the culture and life in Mexico. Thursday was alittle different. The church was sponsering a soccer tournament so the entire team ran straight to the park after VBS, the girls sat and watched and Cheered and some of the guys on the team played. As the week went by the girl could see God working in the kids at VBS and at the Park, God was challenging her and her friends to become closer and stronger as Christians. She could also feel God working in her heart and life. I was that girl. Some people come back from a missions team and have amazing stories about how God was with the team and they converted a whole bunch of people. But I can't say that, I can say that we had a great time that we really bonded with the kids. God was with us that week, he protected us and helped us deal with the obsticles that were placed in our way. I can say that I am not the same girl that went down. I miss the kids, I love the city and God willing I will go back next year.

2005-06-10T21:09:00.000-04:00

My world is
C
R
A
S
H
I
N
G
down.
Around Me
Hateful, Spiteful Friends
Surround me.
Fighting, Biting, Tearing
Away
And Me
I join them.
Jump into the fray.
First for one side
Then the other
I don't know
how to Choose
My World has
C
R
U
M
B
L
E
D
Into darkness.
and I am falling
away.
You alone can
catch me
You know why
I cry.
In this shadowed world
Of insubstantial things
You guide me
And shelter me
Under your wings.
I know just
That You are,
And you will carry me. . . .

Through My
crumbling world.

2005-05-18T15:54:00.000-04:00

You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent . . .
I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge - in your mind you've already succumbed to me dropped all defences completely succumbed to me - now you are here with me: no second thoughts, you've decided,decided . . .
Past the point of no return - no backward glances:the games we've played till now are at an end . . . Past all thought of "if" or "when" - no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . .
What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us . . .?
Past the point of no return, the final threshold - what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return . . .
You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence . . .
I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why . . . In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenceless and silent - and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided . . .
Past the point of no return - no going back now: our passion-play has now, at last, begun . . . Past all thought of right or wrong - one final question: how long should we two wait, before we're one . . .?
When will the blood begin to race the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames, at last, consume us . . .? Past the point of no return the final threshold - the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . . We've passed the point of no return . . .
The summer has begun, it looks to be one of the hardest emotionally that I have yet to face in my young life. The routinee that I'm used too is going to be completely disrupted, I have a summer job about 20-30 minutes away and I might not be going to CWSC because of the need for money and time. I'm going to west for a week some time this summer for a research job, which I think will be amazing. And then theres the situation with Giovanny. For those who don't know about Giovanny, he is a good italian Christian boy, he's a junior at Tech, he's a mechanical engineer and smart. But he lives in Alexandria. . . so thats going to be a difficulty, I'm really missing him right now. I've been sick for the past couple of weeks and lately its gotten worse, I went to the Doc and got antibiotics and they seem to be working fairly well. so I hope I am on the way to a swift recovery. Jennifer is back from Italia and she came with gifts! She had a really good time, got a lot of italian culture and clothes. This summer looks to be very busy but right now its really boring and disorganized. oh well.

2005-04-27T22:34:00.000-04:00

M	Misunderstood
I	Intense
C	Cuddly
H	Hot
E	Elitist
L	Little
L	Luscious
E	Easy

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

2005-04-02T18:16:00.000-05:00

It's tourist season at Virginia Tech. There are crowds of prospective students and their parents wandering around in little tight knit groups, trying to learn as much about this school as possible in as small amount of time as possible. Its funny to watch these groups be led around campus but the backward-walking tour guide. It that time of year when rising freshman are beng accepted to various schools and have to see which one they like better. Honestly you only see the campus and thats really not why you are coming to Tech anyway so why do it at all? I think's great that there is a new batch of noobs to be tortured and messed with but I think that their time would be better served sitting in on a class that they think is interesting. That would give them a really good idea of what school is like here. I like this quote, "If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?" I'm a little annoyed with the lack of consideration show by these visiting groups to the students. They block sidewalks and door-ways on the to and from classes. My dorm has a "sample room": a dorm room furnished and decorated so it looks like it's lived in. So the tour groups come into the basement and crowd around and ooo and aww at the room, blocking access to the mail room and generally creating a bother. I sometimes end up racing a tour group to get inside and up the stairs before they get to the door.
The past week has been a really nice one, the sun was out the first couple of days and the Temperature was in the 70's for almost the entire week. Now its getting cold again. Why can't the weather make up its mind? I would prefer either warm weather consistantly or cold weather, but the mix drives me up the wall. I walk outside, forgeting ohow cold it is and have to orun back to get a coat. GRRR. But the weather earlier this week was SO nice! I'm glad for that.

2005-04-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

English Genius
You scored 92% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 82% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I
can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon
intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You
have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly!
Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 43% on Beginner
You scored higher than 77% on Intermediate
You scored higher than 61% on Advanced
You scored higher than 90% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on Ok Cupid

2005-03-16T21:45:00.000-05:00

Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!
Red - I feel my soul on fire!
Black - My world if she's not there!
Red - The color of desire!
Black - The color of despair!
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!

Ten points to the person who can tell me what this is from. Good luck!

2005-02-22T16:31:00.000-05:00

For some unknown reason this week seems to be really nice. I am sending out support letters for the Mexico City mission trip, and that is making me feel really excited about the trip. I mean I was really excited before but sending out the letters is making it seem more official. Maybe this week seems especially good because I'm getting a surprise package from the Church. Or the fact that it is 60 ndegrees outside and sunny. What ever it is I hope that every one else has a great week. Yay for happy feelings and the love of my family! Oh and The Music Concert this weekend! Yay for concert choir!

2005-02-17T19:34:00.000-05:00

Today has been sweet. Last night I couldn't sleep because every time I would lay down I would feel like crying. After a little bit of talking with the girls next door and doing my devotions I felt that I could lay down with out crying. . . . Before I drifted off, I prayed that I would see the joy in the day to come. God has a awesome sense of humor. . . I woke up this morning to the song "Good Morning Beautiful" and got to play with Blake for a hour, and watch the first part of Finding Nemo. That was so much fun. Then when I got back I saw two hawks, and then a friend from choir. Then I found out that I've got nursery on Sunday with one of the girls from RUF! There are three babies in there now. YAY! Then I had two classes, I practically slept through Psych, and had an exam in History. I think I did good on the exam, but we'll just have to wait and see. When I got back I realized that I have a essay to write, but I went swimming anyway. It was so much fun, I'm going to be sore tomorrow but I think I'm going again after English. I am exhausted and happy. I can't wait to get this last day done and start the weekend. Singing and homework. It's going to be good. Maybe some social action as well but that really depends on when I wake up on Saturday. Pray for the Mission teams please, I'm writing and mailing my letters this weekend. Just pray that we'll raise enough money and have a successful trip.
"Be anxious for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." ~Philippians 4:6

2005-02-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Me and My Girls

This was awhile ago, when my hair was really short, but it is a really good picture of us. The other three girls are my best friends. Aren't we just gorgeous?

2005-02-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

My jeans ripped. It was a few days a go, I knew that they would rip soon but I wasn't expecting it. These jeans were about year and a half old and one of two pairs that I had. So I sat down rather suddenly Thursday night and RIIIPPP they split right across the knee. I was like ok these are now my lazy day, get dirty and not care, mud and paint jeans. Along with the other pair that has a ever widening hole under the back pocket. YAY! Today I was pulling them on rather violently and my foot caught in the already huge hole and it ripped again. So I performed emergency surgery on my jeans and they now have rather messy stitching up a short rip in the side. I really like these jeans and because of my wonderful mother I have two other pairs of newer jeans, so it doesn't matter.
February is the month in which every lover gives their special someone a token of appreciation and love. It is the month in which men are allowed to be sappy without being labeled for it. Flowers and chocolates are stocked in abundance and children's valentines cards are handed out in school. It is also the month that those people that don't have a sweetheart begin to feel like they are never going to find happiness in love. That is why another name for St. Valentine's Day is S.A.D., or Singles Awareness Day. I would like to propose another name and purpose for this national day of love and loneliness. Valentine's Day should become Love Thy Neighbor Day. There should be no public singling out of the crushes or loves of lives. Every one is given a rose or candy, and something nice is done for them, and they do something nice for some one else. It doesn't matter who does what for whom, but it should be an all inclusive day. Of course the singling out can be done in private and shown off the next day but the world would be a better place if the law of brotherly love applied to every one...
Ok that was my splurge on that. I am hopefully going to be going to the Foster's house for S.A.D and hanging out. They need a babysitter and because so many girls volunteered they said that we could all come over and make it an almost all girl's night. Ice cream, cookies(cookie dough), movies and fun like that. So we'll see what happens.

2005-01-31T15:08:00.000-05:00

Your love is... by ChibiMarronchan
Your name is...
Your kiss is...	delicious
Your hugs are...	to die for
Your eyes...	twinkle in the moonlight
Your touch is...	irresistable
Your smell is...	beautiful
Your smile is...	encouraging
Your love is...	everlasting

Quiz created with MemeGen!

2005-01-23T16:52:00.000-05:00

It is winter in Blacksburg. The snow has coated the ground and sidewalks. The top layer has frozen so that every time you take a step you break through into the soft powder underneath. School is. . . . school. I'm taking Choir again. . that is exciting. RUF is becoming more active, I'm in a bible study and there is a social dinner at JR's house every Thursday. So that is going to be fun. I have also resolved to do more socially, so I am going to go to the gym, dancing, and maybe one or two parties.

2004-12-02T13:08:00.000-05:00

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.

2004-11-15T20:52:00.000-05:00

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.

2004-11-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

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.

2004-10-24T15:56:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-10-13T19:40:00.000-04:00

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

2004-10-07T11:20:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-10-02T17:35:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-09-28T19:45:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-09-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

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 its 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.

2004-09-17T17:21:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-09-16T17:20:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-09-13T16:07:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-09-11T10:04:00.000-04:00

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!

2004-09-06T14:34:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-01T19:11:00.000-04:00

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!

2004-09-01T11:26:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-29T18:57:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-27T20:58:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-26T21:41:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-26T16:12:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-25T12:39:00.001-04:00

"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!

2004-08-24T18:36:00.000-04:00

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

2004-08-23T14:54:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-22T22:56:00.000-04:00

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.

2004-08-21T14:04:00.001-04:00

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