So its been a while since my last post, mainly due to the fact that camp has kept me so ridiculously busy, and then moving and such... The second half of camp was amazing! Ian came down over 4th of July weekend, and for my birthday, and we had a dandy time eating sushi, watching movies, going to the amazing Watson Lake, and attending a world famous rodeo, where you could purchase bras with diamond studs in the straps for only $150... seriously, who buys a bra at a rodeo... Anyway, camp was pretty incredible, and I have so many stories. Perhaps eventually they will get posted here, or transformed in my fiction writing class and posted on my creative blog. Or you could ask me... just a thought.:)
The past two weeks have been nuts though. There was Jess and Reuben's wedding, followed by the last week of camp, filled with goodbyes and moving to a different house for three days so they could get the loft ready for Jess and Reuben to move in when they got back from their honeymoon, me being on paintball, my first week out of the store all summer, and hanging out in Chandler with Katrina and seeing They Met in L.A. in concert, then being taken to the airport by Ashley the next day, where we had a lovely what if we died conversation, and then I went through crazy security two days after the whole terrorist catching no liquids on the plane bit, and got held up by the wire rim in my cowboy hat. I arrived at Denver that Saturday afternoon safe and sound to be greeted by my family, visited Ian's family and it was fantastic to see them, by the way! Sunday was church and Monday was a dentist appointment and massage appointment, Tuesday was a doctor's appointment then moving back for school. I've been slowly unpacking in the new apartment (If you can, stop by and say hi!) and this weekend was seeing Ian for the first time in a month and a half, as well as celebrating Ian and I's two year anniversary, with an amazing dinner at Pachamama's and hanging out and watching movies, and moving him into his apartment and studio.
And classes have started. I'm actually super excited about my classes. I've got intro to fiction writing, Whitman and Dickinson (upper level english, AND american lit requirement in one!) history of Christianity with "crocodile Bob," who is absolutely amazing, and my dad took the class with him and loved, and Harry Potter's Library, which will be a lot of reading and work, but will be so much fun! And my last big news is I started copy editing for the Collegian, which I'm loving! Yay for fun people to work with! At any rate, I'm super excited about the semester. I hope everyone had a great summer, and didn't die for lack of Anna-blogging... your resuscitation is here!
the end... for now.
8.22.2006
6.12.2006
UCYC so far
So, camp has been crazy but so much fun. The first week was "staff training" which is a nice way of saying that we learn games to use at camp, then do work projects that full time staff doesn't have a chance to do during the year. So, little Anna, who doesn't usually do manual labor (but does have some nice guns... lol!) got to spend a lot of the week mulching and moving brush. I got dirty, sweaty, and had an all around good time bonding with the other summer staff, who are all absolutely amazing! We also got to do some of the activities, like the rock wall, leap of faith, fun stuff like that, and off site as well. Which brings me to fun story of the summer number one. When we went off site, I decided that I wanted to try mountain biking, which I've never done before. I ended up near the back, so I could go slower. But I ended up biffing it withing the first five minutes... yay for accidents with blood! My bike got messed up, but Jenn was amazing, and helped me out, stuck with me, gave me tips, and I did much better, with one exception: I fell again on the first bump of the whoopdeedoos. So everyone was far ahead, and Jenn and Alesia decided to stop, but I thought, hey, I'm on a roll, I'll keep going. Two seconds later, I hear Jarred yelling my name, and he comes chasing after me. Apparently, I missed a turn, so now Jarred is my mountain biking hero. I could have ended up lost all alone (McMurray, Weston, and Roxanna also missed the same turn, and were gone for a couple hours). And I have some sweet scars on my left arm, that I will proudly display for anyone that asks! :D
Camps, obviously have started. I've had so much fun, and I discovered that I really enjoy hanging out with little kids. They are adorable, and love you to pieces! Two weeks ago, we had middle school camp, which was completely different than kids camps. But my initiative group, with Ashley and Aisha, was Parkway, with awesome counselors and everything, and it turns out that Jenny, one of the interns, is actually on the soccer team at MCC, and goes to UCC, and we've seen each other before... so crazy! AND, the senior minister is Trent Renner, from good old O-Town... small world! But they were an amazing group, I'm going to miss them so much! As well as so many different kids from the camps... *sigh* But computer time is short... I'll try to write more as I get the chance!
Camps, obviously have started. I've had so much fun, and I discovered that I really enjoy hanging out with little kids. They are adorable, and love you to pieces! Two weeks ago, we had middle school camp, which was completely different than kids camps. But my initiative group, with Ashley and Aisha, was Parkway, with awesome counselors and everything, and it turns out that Jenny, one of the interns, is actually on the soccer team at MCC, and goes to UCC, and we've seen each other before... so crazy! AND, the senior minister is Trent Renner, from good old O-Town... small world! But they were an amazing group, I'm going to miss them so much! As well as so many different kids from the camps... *sigh* But computer time is short... I'll try to write more as I get the chance!
5.08.2006
5.04.2006
Stuck at the post office
This morning I had to go to the post office to replenish my stamp stash. I didn't have cash for the automatic machine, so I hopped in line at the counter. Unlike small towns, there is usually a line of several people at any given time, so I prepared myself for a short wait. As I was standing, I began to hear a scratchy noise, and couldn't place it at first. After a little contemplation, I decided it sounded like a cross of a cat hacking up a hairball, and Macy Gray. The noise continued in sporadic bursts, so I began to discreetly look around to find out where in the world it was coming from. I soon discovered the source: a 40-something black woman listening to music, which was way too loud, on her headphones. I decided that perhaps she wasn't really that awful at singing, but didn't realize that she was actually singing above an inaudible whisper. Other patrons noticed, as they threw some quick glances back, but everyone was too polite to say anything. It was all I could do to not bust up laughing... and a large grin came out anyway. I tried not to look at her so she wouldn't be able to discern that she was the cause. Note to self: never turn up headphones so loud I can't hear myself... and NEVER sing along in a public setting.
I kept my eyes forward as the noise continued, mouth twitching off a laugh. But this attention forward allowed me to notice the person standing in front of me. An older, overweight, 50ish and mannish woman wearing a pink flowered long sleeved top with ill fitting brown-grey pants, and long frizzy, almost-fro-like hair (if you've seen LOST, it looked like Hurley's hair, but much longer and grosser). I thought at first, the poor woman, looking like that, how unfortunate, I'm sure people laugh at her. I thought of a certain guidance counselor with a similar football build. But then I noticed the large hands holding a postal basket... a gold wedding band, neatly trimmed and slightly longer nails on a pudgy hand attached to... disgustingly hairy arms protruding past the cuffs. "Ugh, I've never seen a woman with arm hair quite THAT bad!" I thought to myself. A shift in the patron's stance allowed me to glimpse the face covered with foundation and blush, and I realized, that's a MAN! To be quite honest, its the first cross dresser I've seen in town, aside from frat boys out at Halloween or other events.
I was stuck between an oblivious singing woman who sounded like radio static and an elderly and obese cross dressing man in pink.
It's definitely time for the semester to be over.
I kept my eyes forward as the noise continued, mouth twitching off a laugh. But this attention forward allowed me to notice the person standing in front of me. An older, overweight, 50ish and mannish woman wearing a pink flowered long sleeved top with ill fitting brown-grey pants, and long frizzy, almost-fro-like hair (if you've seen LOST, it looked like Hurley's hair, but much longer and grosser). I thought at first, the poor woman, looking like that, how unfortunate, I'm sure people laugh at her. I thought of a certain guidance counselor with a similar football build. But then I noticed the large hands holding a postal basket... a gold wedding band, neatly trimmed and slightly longer nails on a pudgy hand attached to... disgustingly hairy arms protruding past the cuffs. "Ugh, I've never seen a woman with arm hair quite THAT bad!" I thought to myself. A shift in the patron's stance allowed me to glimpse the face covered with foundation and blush, and I realized, that's a MAN! To be quite honest, its the first cross dresser I've seen in town, aside from frat boys out at Halloween or other events.
I was stuck between an oblivious singing woman who sounded like radio static and an elderly and obese cross dressing man in pink.
It's definitely time for the semester to be over.
4.20.2006
42nd Street
The magic is gone on
the other side of the curtain.
Surrounded by inexplicit nudity,
sweaty bodies with gaudy makeup
carrying cheap plastic wine glasses.
The ancient chugging motor
rests behind the backdrop
waiting
for the right moment to expel
the battered mechanical platforms
that create the fantastic finale staircase
in an explosion of lights, music, and tap shoes.
The characters disappear at the edge
of the stage, and are replaced with
gossiping groups.
Who jumped the sexuality line?
Who will next?
Is RJ single
again?
Which cute girl on McCain’s staff
is available, so I can hit on her?
I catch a glimpse of the audience
beyond the cliff that drops
to the depths of the orchestra pit,
completely immersed in the story
only found on
the other side of the curtain.
the other side of the curtain.
Surrounded by inexplicit nudity,
sweaty bodies with gaudy makeup
carrying cheap plastic wine glasses.
The ancient chugging motor
rests behind the backdrop
waiting
for the right moment to expel
the battered mechanical platforms
that create the fantastic finale staircase
in an explosion of lights, music, and tap shoes.
The characters disappear at the edge
of the stage, and are replaced with
gossiping groups.
Who jumped the sexuality line?
Who will next?
Is RJ single
again?
Which cute girl on McCain’s staff
is available, so I can hit on her?
I catch a glimpse of the audience
beyond the cliff that drops
to the depths of the orchestra pit,
completely immersed in the story
only found on
the other side of the curtain.
3.31.2006
Peanut, August 24, 2005 - March 27, 2006
Peanut, age 7 months, beloved pet of Anna, passed away on March 27, 2006, at the Princess Palace, following a tragic exploring accident.
Peanut was adopted as a tadpole on August 24, 2005, at the Princess Palace after arriving from the Grow-a-Frog company. He reached his full transformation into a frog in mid-September, and continued to reside with his two siblings, Butter and Jelly. After Christmas, the trio moved to a larger purple tank and were pleased with the colorful and spacious home. Peanut loved sitting under the filter and hanging out on his favorite plastic leaf, playing with his siblings, jumping, and making Anna smile (occasionally attempting to lovingly munch her finger) and waving and jumping for Ian whenever he stopped by. Peanut was a loving, ambitious, and adventurous frog and will be very missed.
Peanut is survived by Anna, and his two siblings, Butter, and Jelly.
Services for Peanut were held at Tuttle Creek at 6:30 p.m. on March 30, 2006, and officiated by Ian.
Memories and condolences are welcome as comments to this entry.
3.30.2006
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Late November, and
the snow races across the hills,
creating a wall of white ice.
They cuddled on the sofa
Submerged in a luxurious bath of blankets,
faces illuminated by images on TV
that they didn’t see.
The radio announces interstate closing
but she only needs to make it a little further
to beat the storm, and she refuses
to be stuck sleeping on a crowded gym floor.
They shared mint kisses
and sparkling grape juice
and talked about life, love,
God, the time that he shot out
a store window from the roof
of his house at age 7,
and their future, together.
She squints, leans forward, slows down.
The wipers race a mile a minute,
but it is still so hard to see.
He leaned in and
she met him halfway.
“I can feel your heart beat, fast.”
Nose to nose, she smiled and nodded.
Suddenly the tires slide.
The wheel is rendered ineffective.
Her mind blank, disbelief.
He thought to himself about
how perfect she was, for him,
in every way his complement
“I love you more than yesterday.”
Flashing lights,
a snowflake of twisted metal,
a white sheet,
and an emptiness, full
of grief and broken dreams.
the snow races across the hills,
creating a wall of white ice.
They cuddled on the sofa
Submerged in a luxurious bath of blankets,
faces illuminated by images on TV
that they didn’t see.
The radio announces interstate closing
but she only needs to make it a little further
to beat the storm, and she refuses
to be stuck sleeping on a crowded gym floor.
They shared mint kisses
and sparkling grape juice
and talked about life, love,
God, the time that he shot out
a store window from the roof
of his house at age 7,
and their future, together.
She squints, leans forward, slows down.
The wipers race a mile a minute,
but it is still so hard to see.
He leaned in and
she met him halfway.
“I can feel your heart beat, fast.”
Nose to nose, she smiled and nodded.
Suddenly the tires slide.
The wheel is rendered ineffective.
Her mind blank, disbelief.
He thought to himself about
how perfect she was, for him,
in every way his complement
“I love you more than yesterday.”
Flashing lights,
a snowflake of twisted metal,
a white sheet,
and an emptiness, full
of grief and broken dreams.
3.02.2006
I think I need help
First, I posted a couple pics from that photography contest on my other blog. Second, I'm going to work at UCYC in Arizona this summer! I'm excited!
On to school. Today was my first British Survey 2 test, oh, excuse me, "quiz 1" and I honestly can say I haven't felt bad about a test like that since Drama way back when, but I was already at the point of not caring on that Friday final. And thinking that I still have over half the semester, I think maybe 16 hours is pushing it. I'm so ready to just be done. And I realized, I get this way about everything. I enjoy it at first, then I do well, and then I think that I have to at least maintain this high standard I set for myself, and then I just push myself so I can make it out safely with that perfect/good record. Middle school track, high school forensics, now my college GPA... And its not my family, I mean, my brothers aren't insane perfectionists, even though my parents push us to do our best. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm pretty sure I'm obsessive compulsive... you just have to see my need for organization and you'd understand. I don't know what to do with myself, because I'm not happy if I don't do all of this... it drives me insane until I give in and do my homework, or spend my whole day studying, or whatnot, but I don't know if I'm really honestly happy doing it, either. Like, that sick feeling in my stomach senior year before performing at state, because I thought, "Anna, if you don't break finals again, you've gone downhill, and that's not acceptable" as opposed to junior year and being in a state of euphoria that I made it and, aside from general nervousness, enjoying the moment. So I'm starting to get that same sick feeling of senior year with big school projects. I think it would do me good, maybe, to fall short of my expectations sometime, but my perfectionism and competitiveness won't let me do that on purpose, and I think I'd totally fall apart if that did happen. I don't know why I put so much pressure like this on myself. I'm just so tired, of everything. That sounds depressing, and I'm not, its not like I'm not happy overall, because I am. I'm not upset right now, I just feel it would be beneficial to somehow fix this about me, (especially before I have kids and become a psycho mom like, well, I'll be nice, but no, it's not my mom, b/c she's amazing!), I just don't know how. Anyway, I don't know if writing helped at all, but its done, and I don't want to delete the last 10 minutes of my life, so you get to read it anyway!
Have a great day, and don't forget to celebrate, oh, well, National Pig Day today (March 1st)... but if you forget, I totally understand. :)
On to school. Today was my first British Survey 2 test, oh, excuse me, "quiz 1" and I honestly can say I haven't felt bad about a test like that since Drama way back when, but I was already at the point of not caring on that Friday final. And thinking that I still have over half the semester, I think maybe 16 hours is pushing it. I'm so ready to just be done. And I realized, I get this way about everything. I enjoy it at first, then I do well, and then I think that I have to at least maintain this high standard I set for myself, and then I just push myself so I can make it out safely with that perfect/good record. Middle school track, high school forensics, now my college GPA... And its not my family, I mean, my brothers aren't insane perfectionists, even though my parents push us to do our best. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm pretty sure I'm obsessive compulsive... you just have to see my need for organization and you'd understand. I don't know what to do with myself, because I'm not happy if I don't do all of this... it drives me insane until I give in and do my homework, or spend my whole day studying, or whatnot, but I don't know if I'm really honestly happy doing it, either. Like, that sick feeling in my stomach senior year before performing at state, because I thought, "Anna, if you don't break finals again, you've gone downhill, and that's not acceptable" as opposed to junior year and being in a state of euphoria that I made it and, aside from general nervousness, enjoying the moment. So I'm starting to get that same sick feeling of senior year with big school projects. I think it would do me good, maybe, to fall short of my expectations sometime, but my perfectionism and competitiveness won't let me do that on purpose, and I think I'd totally fall apart if that did happen. I don't know why I put so much pressure like this on myself. I'm just so tired, of everything. That sounds depressing, and I'm not, its not like I'm not happy overall, because I am. I'm not upset right now, I just feel it would be beneficial to somehow fix this about me, (especially before I have kids and become a psycho mom like, well, I'll be nice, but no, it's not my mom, b/c she's amazing!), I just don't know how. Anyway, I don't know if writing helped at all, but its done, and I don't want to delete the last 10 minutes of my life, so you get to read it anyway!
Have a great day, and don't forget to celebrate, oh, well, National Pig Day today (March 1st)... but if you forget, I totally understand. :)
3.01.2006
2.19.2006
2.17.2006
School
I'm getting tired of writing papers. Which is a bummer, because I have 1-2 a week from here until the end of the semester... this week it was one per class day (MWF), and I just finished one for Monday, with two more big ones in the next weekish. I'd like to say, I don't mind French class, but seriously, 1.5 pages per week of complex sentence structure is just a tad overwhelming. I spend a good chunk of my afternoon accomplishing this feat. But yay, no more French movie papers EVER! Too bad I've still got the chapter compositions to go... I'm sure you don't want to read about my homework, but it has consumed my life as of late, and I don't know what else to talk about. I only see Britni at home sometimes, I don't have much time to just hang out with people, and I don't have time to visit Ian in studio... its all incredibly depressing. And on top of it all, Michelle Kwan dropped out of the Olympics... I know its for the best health wise and such for her, but she's my hero. I've spent over half my life watching her skate, wishing I could be like her, and her career is now over. I feel old. And depressed.
I suppose this all makes my life sound much worse than it really is. I guess I just feel like venting right now. On the upside, I had an amazing Valentine's Day run, thanks to Ian! Skating, Harry's, a beautiful watch, an amazingly soft and adorable stuffed puppy, and a fun crayon decorated memory book makes for an amazing evening, and we got to spend some time together on Tuesday, too, despite him having to work (I love the red daisies)! My bible study girls are amazing... and visiting houses is always fun! (Lindsey, I know if you're reading this, you're throwing up right now... no more mush in the post, I promise.)
I'm contemplating working at a camp in Arizona for the summer. I really think that God is leading me in this direction, but if you could all pray about it for me, I'd really appreciate it. I want to spend my summer where God wants me!
My apologies for how random this whole thing was... I think my brain just vomited out my fingers... lovely mental picture, I know. But I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Oh, one last thing, there's a new poem up on my other blog... If you're from a small town in Kansas, I think you'll really appreciate it. Anyway, that's my shameless plug! The End.
I suppose this all makes my life sound much worse than it really is. I guess I just feel like venting right now. On the upside, I had an amazing Valentine's Day run, thanks to Ian! Skating, Harry's, a beautiful watch, an amazingly soft and adorable stuffed puppy, and a fun crayon decorated memory book makes for an amazing evening, and we got to spend some time together on Tuesday, too, despite him having to work (I love the red daisies)! My bible study girls are amazing... and visiting houses is always fun! (Lindsey, I know if you're reading this, you're throwing up right now... no more mush in the post, I promise.)
I'm contemplating working at a camp in Arizona for the summer. I really think that God is leading me in this direction, but if you could all pray about it for me, I'd really appreciate it. I want to spend my summer where God wants me!
My apologies for how random this whole thing was... I think my brain just vomited out my fingers... lovely mental picture, I know. But I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Oh, one last thing, there's a new poem up on my other blog... If you're from a small town in Kansas, I think you'll really appreciate it. Anyway, that's my shameless plug! The End.
Smalltown, Kansas
“Through a magnifying glass, the smoothest and whitest skins look rough and coarse and ill colored.”
~Gulliver’s Travels, Part 2
i.
A tiny oasis breaks the vast horizon.
The remnant of a Leave-It-To-Beaver world
with perfectly manicured lawns,
smiling faces,
and the quintessential
American homes.
ii.
He broke the cardinal rule
of their open marriage.
His 53 women, her 47 men,
but then he brought one home.
She meets her lawyer tomorrow.
iii.
Student body president,
star basketball player,
and honor roll student,
heading back into town for more booze,
joking with the cops, who let them go,
then dying for the life they secretly hate.
iv.
There’s something a little bit,
funny, about him.
The son of two curious siblings
who went out to the field
for an afternoon of discovery.
v.
A secret list down at the P.D.
The ones they can’t arrest for anything
short of murder.
The ones who always get
whatever they want.
The ones who make up
the oligarchy
in the middle of
America.
~Gulliver’s Travels, Part 2
i.
A tiny oasis breaks the vast horizon.
The remnant of a Leave-It-To-Beaver world
with perfectly manicured lawns,
smiling faces,
and the quintessential
American homes.
ii.
He broke the cardinal rule
of their open marriage.
His 53 women, her 47 men,
but then he brought one home.
She meets her lawyer tomorrow.
iii.
Student body president,
star basketball player,
and honor roll student,
heading back into town for more booze,
joking with the cops, who let them go,
then dying for the life they secretly hate.
iv.
There’s something a little bit,
funny, about him.
The son of two curious siblings
who went out to the field
for an afternoon of discovery.
v.
A secret list down at the P.D.
The ones they can’t arrest for anything
short of murder.
The ones who always get
whatever they want.
The ones who make up
the oligarchy
in the middle of
America.
2.05.2006
They Call Her Kate
She stumbled in
to the darkened front room
tears silently streaming down her face.
Not so different from being
alone
in a hot, crowded room
full of smoke,
and sweaty bodies,
the overpowering smell of alcohol,
and the one person
she thought mattered in her life.
a boyfriend, a best friend,
and a golf course community castle
to mask the pain of a life broken by
disappointed love
and a pseudo-mother only concerned with
maintaining perfection in her own life.
She left to find herself.
The self smothered
under layers
of striving
to meet
expectations.
She found him.
The apparent gift
of love and acceptance
opened up to find
the same world of not being enough.
Blonde enough, thin enough, happy enough.
Devoured by the conformity
she was running to escape
once again left broken and empty.
to the darkened front room
tears silently streaming down her face.
Not so different from being
alone
in a hot, crowded room
full of smoke,
and sweaty bodies,
the overpowering smell of alcohol,
and the one person
she thought mattered in her life.
a boyfriend, a best friend,
and a golf course community castle
to mask the pain of a life broken by
disappointed love
and a pseudo-mother only concerned with
maintaining perfection in her own life.
She left to find herself.
The self smothered
under layers
of striving
to meet
expectations.
She found him.
The apparent gift
of love and acceptance
opened up to find
the same world of not being enough.
Blonde enough, thin enough, happy enough.
Devoured by the conformity
she was running to escape
once again left broken and empty.
1.27.2006
G-dub, live and in person
I've been meaning to do this since Monday, but finally have the time, since my 4-page poetry annotation is finished (on the poem "Fox Trot Fridays" by Rita Dove... highly recommend it, and now I can tell you all about how it functions as a poem.) and mon controle de francais est fini. So, I've just got the regular ton of homework for the weekend, and thought I'd catch everyone up. But first, a shameless plug: I posted a new poem on my other blog, feel free to check it out and comment!
Back to Bush. One of the most amazing experiences of my life to date... waiting in line from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15ish... I've never camped out for tickets before! Waiting again in line to get through security. There were protesters on the way in to Bramlage. And I heard whatshisface, the nutso abortion protester and his posse, were apparently there, but on the other side. I won't get started on that... but I have to say, maybe people die in wars, but inaction also was allowing countless deaths... yeah. Security was tight: metal detectors, I got wanded, pretty exciting. But I said bomb when we were sitting down, and they didn't do anything to me.
The whole shebang started off a bit late, but who cares, because it was definitely worth the wait. And everyone says Bush can't speak well... he did a fantastic job, and no matter what you think of him, you have to admire him for sticking to his values and making sure that he doesn't just say empty words. He backs up what he says he will do, and listens to the experts, not just popular opinion polls. And he's so down to earth, loves his wife, and is wildly hilarious... ribbing Senator Roberts by asking for hair advice (Roberts is bald, for those of you who don't know). And he handled the not-pre-selected questions very well. The Iraqi lady could have cut her comments a bit shorter, as with the immigration question. Immigration, one word, not a discourse on being Hispanic and how that includes everyone, Venezualan, Mexican, everyone, and what is Bush's plan to help legal and non-legal members of this community that are stateside. I wasn't impressed with the Brokeback Mountain question though...I mean, seriously, where is the respect for the office? Ditto about the wave before he came out... And this is totally not organized, but its been a long day of classes, and its the weekend, and I'm stuffed so the blood is not flowing to the brain. In conclusion, see Ian's blog for photos, and Bush looks great in purple!
Back to Bush. One of the most amazing experiences of my life to date... waiting in line from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15ish... I've never camped out for tickets before! Waiting again in line to get through security. There were protesters on the way in to Bramlage. And I heard whatshisface, the nutso abortion protester and his posse, were apparently there, but on the other side. I won't get started on that... but I have to say, maybe people die in wars, but inaction also was allowing countless deaths... yeah. Security was tight: metal detectors, I got wanded, pretty exciting. But I said bomb when we were sitting down, and they didn't do anything to me.
The whole shebang started off a bit late, but who cares, because it was definitely worth the wait. And everyone says Bush can't speak well... he did a fantastic job, and no matter what you think of him, you have to admire him for sticking to his values and making sure that he doesn't just say empty words. He backs up what he says he will do, and listens to the experts, not just popular opinion polls. And he's so down to earth, loves his wife, and is wildly hilarious... ribbing Senator Roberts by asking for hair advice (Roberts is bald, for those of you who don't know). And he handled the not-pre-selected questions very well. The Iraqi lady could have cut her comments a bit shorter, as with the immigration question. Immigration, one word, not a discourse on being Hispanic and how that includes everyone, Venezualan, Mexican, everyone, and what is Bush's plan to help legal and non-legal members of this community that are stateside. I wasn't impressed with the Brokeback Mountain question though...I mean, seriously, where is the respect for the office? Ditto about the wave before he came out... And this is totally not organized, but its been a long day of classes, and its the weekend, and I'm stuffed so the blood is not flowing to the brain. In conclusion, see Ian's blog for photos, and Bush looks great in purple!
Objects in Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear
White lines dart past, reflecting on my window
as David Crowder, voice raw with emotion, sings
“bask in His glory.”
The last notes of the poignant guitar fade out,
but the pavement stretches on for hours.
Glancing past the passenger seat, I catch
a glimpse in the tiny mirror.
The grasses of the prairie dance
as the earth’s breath blows past,
turning into a glorious sea of grey, brown, and gold.
An austere tree stands,
every twig reaching toward
wisps of clouds stretching across the expanse.
Pastel blues, pale aquas,
gentle pinks, the lightest indigo
and the most delicate gold run together
each revealed in its distinct splendor
and glowing with an angelic light,
barely veiling the glory of the dusk’s sun.
“Majesty… finally.”
as David Crowder, voice raw with emotion, sings
“bask in His glory.”
The last notes of the poignant guitar fade out,
but the pavement stretches on for hours.
Glancing past the passenger seat, I catch
a glimpse in the tiny mirror.
The grasses of the prairie dance
as the earth’s breath blows past,
turning into a glorious sea of grey, brown, and gold.
An austere tree stands,
every twig reaching toward
wisps of clouds stretching across the expanse.
Pastel blues, pale aquas,
gentle pinks, the lightest indigo
and the most delicate gold run together
each revealed in its distinct splendor
and glowing with an angelic light,
barely veiling the glory of the dusk’s sun.
“Majesty… finally.”
1.12.2006
My Frogs
I came home from campus today, and decided that the world needs to experience my frogs. They're absolutely amazing... its so relaxing to watch them. No matter what happens or how bad I feel, it all gets better when I watch them swim for a bit. Especially now that they have their new, bigger tank and have room to swim... and they love their plant, just lounging in/on it. That's the other interesting break thing I forgot to mention on my last post, their new purple tank with black sand! That, along with Nathan's mis-hearing Skyler Thomas, for threeeee as Skyler Thomas, whoopee. I love ya Nate, oh, and I think Mary Dolphin needs a maaa-sage. :)
And these aren't the best pics, but I don't know how to get rid of glare fast, and I couldn't use flash. Anyway, here they are. I hope they make your day better, too!
And these aren't the best pics, but I don't know how to get rid of glare fast, and I couldn't use flash. Anyway, here they are. I hope they make your day better, too!
Jelly in the dark back corner, Peanut standing, and Butter's bum.
Jelly, Peanut, and Butter's bum
a close up of Peanut
1.08.2006
Winter Solstice Break
It's hard to believe that break is almost over. It's been really great though. I was home for about a week, and it was so good to see my family! And Christmas was at my grandparent's farm. Life is always interesting with the cousins... Funny story. Nathan (brother) has Ellen's (7 yr old cousin) scarf and holds it up... its stretchy, and the way he held it, it kinda looked like a slinky dress. He laughed and asked our opinion, and then Caleb (other brother) tried it. Ellen went up to him and tried stretching it sideways to make it 'fit' better, before wrapping her arms around his waist and proclaiming, "you're a BIG lady!" Needless to say, Christmas was great!
Then it was straight back to school for the start of intersession (or intermester, as my dad called it...) which has been really great. The History of American Movies and the Moviegoing Experience. We listen to lecture about the time period, technology and theaters, all that, and its fascinating, then watch a movie representative of the period. I highly recommend the class... it'll be offered again in May intersession... and really, who wouldn't enjoy learning about and watching movies and getting three whole credit hours for it!
For New Years, I went with Ian to SC to spend time with his family (and meet his mom's side) which was so much fun! They're all so great, and I learned how to play pitch (but I'm not good). I do have a complaint about FOX's New Year's Eve coverage though. Who wants to see some drunk guy with a beer bottle in his hand stand on some stage in Tennessee, and then count down from 10 half a minute after the fact, when it could have been the little apple dropping... which they cut away from and missed entirely.
But anyway, this past weekend was a friend's wedding in Wichita, but we were back in time for church today! It's so good to be back, I've missed it, and seeing everyone, too! Other than that, it's just been hanging out and doing lots of homework. It's incredible how empty town is on break! Anyway, hope everyone is having/had a wonderful holiday, and good luck with the semester/whatever you've gotten back to doing!
Then it was straight back to school for the start of intersession (or intermester, as my dad called it...) which has been really great. The History of American Movies and the Moviegoing Experience. We listen to lecture about the time period, technology and theaters, all that, and its fascinating, then watch a movie representative of the period. I highly recommend the class... it'll be offered again in May intersession... and really, who wouldn't enjoy learning about and watching movies and getting three whole credit hours for it!
For New Years, I went with Ian to SC to spend time with his family (and meet his mom's side) which was so much fun! They're all so great, and I learned how to play pitch (but I'm not good). I do have a complaint about FOX's New Year's Eve coverage though. Who wants to see some drunk guy with a beer bottle in his hand stand on some stage in Tennessee, and then count down from 10 half a minute after the fact, when it could have been the little apple dropping... which they cut away from and missed entirely.
But anyway, this past weekend was a friend's wedding in Wichita, but we were back in time for church today! It's so good to be back, I've missed it, and seeing everyone, too! Other than that, it's just been hanging out and doing lots of homework. It's incredible how empty town is on break! Anyway, hope everyone is having/had a wonderful holiday, and good luck with the semester/whatever you've gotten back to doing!
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