Coming home this time was different than it had been in the past. This time around, while seeing friends is nice, I was really only concerned about seeing family and a few chosen close friends. And I'm for certain past the stage of going out and acting ridiculous -- not sure if I ever hit that stage, at least not past a mild level. A lot of my friends at home aren't past that stage. And it makes it difficult to hang out with them. I certainly don't look down on them for it, but I've definitely reached a point in life where I'm not just going to go somewhere and do something just because my friends are. If I'm not intrigued by the idea, I don't have too much impetus to join in. Certainly there are exceptions to this, but they aren't as often as they used to be. It is with this new found sense of self, what I am actually interested in doing, and places and activities that I want to associate with that I've found it a bit easier to not feel guilty for not seeing EVERYONE in my "little black book." People drift apart, it's OK, it happens. And as I said in a blog over the summer, if we maintained every friendship we had ever had we wouldn't have anyone close enough to really get to know us.
However, as a huge highlight to my time at home, I was fortunate enough to get to spend an entire day with my precious godson, Robbie. He is absolutely adorable and perfect. He's three-months-old tomorrow (Christmas), I cannot believe he's gotten so big. I swear the next time I see him, he'll be graduating from high school or something ridiculous. It's hard to believe that I flew home three months ago for his birth, it seems more like three weeks. The end of this year has just absolutely flown by. Heck, the entire year has flown by. It is with that that I realized I had some goals I set to accomplish by the end of this year....lets see how I did. I'm not too optimistic :/
1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. OK, so my job might allow me to use 3 hours a week to go work out. Actually having the time to do that? Sometimes it's more of a fantasy, but I'm still working on it.
2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts. Hahahahahaha....not even close. Combine my current not-even-close status with the fact that Uncle Sam is taking out a sizably larger amount of money in taxes than he was this year...so I'm not too hopeful that the amount in savings will increase TOO much.
3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. I've done a little more work on this, and with my new found tighter budget, I'll have more time to study up.
4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up. Exact movies have yet to be determined. COMPLETE! Lets see if I can remember: Footloose, Ghost, Coneheads, Top Gun...there was another, but I forget.
5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches. I was until I had to move my yoga ball out of my room to clean for company, and I expect to resume this habit once I return from the holidays.
6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking. i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet. COMPLETE! I have gotten much more adventurous in my cooking, turns out I actually enjoy cooking...CRAZY!
7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable. Not yet, but I'll probably be in Tampa in January and then in February and then in Baltimore for two months starting in March.
8. Finish at least 3 books. One each full month remaining in the year. I'm finishing one right now, and I'm started on a few others. I'm not sure what my issue is. I have this problem with starting books, getting distracted by something else for a few weeks (busy, late hours at work, etc.) and I drop the book and then start another one once my schedule dies down.
9. Find a church. COMPLETE! I have found a church, and while I struggle with it not being a carbon copy of the church I went to in college, I do really feel like that's where I'm supposed to be. I've also gotten involved in a weekly bible study with one of the other lovely young women there.
10. Find somewhere to volunteer. I volunteered out at a Christmas Lights thing in Lebanon, IL and I'm looking for other volunteer activities that are low-commitment with my heavy travel schedule for the first few months of 2009.
I guess all-in-all I haven't totally failed on my goals. I could have done better. But I did at least meet a few of them.
Well I'm off, good night and Merry Christmas to all.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Water Cooler Talk
Ok, so this conversation didn't actually happen at a water cooler, but it did happen around an office member's desk that has candy bowl on the corner, so it's kind of like the same thing, right? This conversation spun off a conversation that we were having about the Home Use version of Microsoft Office.
Katherine: Do they have the Home Use for Mac?
Bekah: Yep, I just got it last week.
Mark: Who is Mac?
Bekah: Oh, just this guy I’ve been seeing for about 4 ½ years. He’s pretty great, really reliable, never lets me down. We're pretty serious, living together.
Katherine: He's great and all, although, you’ve got to admit, he is a bit pretentious.
Bekah: Yeah, but he’s sooo good looking.
Mark: He's hot!
Kristina: He is a smooth operator.
Mark: Not to mention he’s got a niiiiice OS.
Ooooh, I love my office, too bad we're all doomed to use PCs for the rest of our careers.
Katherine: Do they have the Home Use for Mac?
Bekah: Yep, I just got it last week.
Mark: Who is Mac?
Bekah: Oh, just this guy I’ve been seeing for about 4 ½ years. He’s pretty great, really reliable, never lets me down. We're pretty serious, living together.
Katherine: He's great and all, although, you’ve got to admit, he is a bit pretentious.
Bekah: Yeah, but he’s sooo good looking.
Mark: He's hot!
Kristina: He is a smooth operator.
Mark: Not to mention he’s got a niiiiice OS.
Ooooh, I love my office, too bad we're all doomed to use PCs for the rest of our careers.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 5th
The election of 2008 may be over, but the campaigning does not seem to have found its end just yet. And so, the nasty exchanges between McCain and Obama supporters continue to flare despite the fact that the decision has been made. And for what else, other than to drag out an already excruciatingly long election for absolutely no purpose? No amount of debate, no amount of argument, and no amount of opinion will change the outcome of yesterday's election nor will the election duplicate itself onto another day so that it can occur again.
I have no intentions of sharing, with anyone, who I voted for yesterday. I am confident in my vote, but quite frankly, I don't want to be caught in anymore political rhetoric than I already have been. I don't want to listen to someone tell me how awesome the candidate that we both chose is, because I don't think either of the candidates yesterday were all that awesome. Nor do I want to listen to how much of "an idiot" I am for not voting the way that someone else did. And thus, I am exercising my right to not share who I voted for.
I am greatly lacking in enthusiasm for our new President-Elect. Although, had the votes gone in the other direction, I would have been just as unenthusiastic. What can I say? This election took it all out of me, I have no more stamina, no more steam, nothing else to give, no more energy to care. And while I continue to remain unenthusiastic, I have a lot more optimism and hope than I thought I would. And not because of our President-Elect, but because I think the American people are so tired of what's going on in our country that we've finally reached a point to where we'll pursue change actively, and not just advertise change on bumper stickers.
With that, I'll also say that John McCain was probably the safe bet, his policies were so familiar that he couldn't have really hurt us any more than we're already hurting. The amount of positive impact he could have made, while still existent, is probably a lot more limited than the amount of positive impact that Obama can make. Obama's policies are extraordinarily different than those of Bush or McCain and thus the chance to screw us up even more than we already are is strong, stronger than McCain's, but you can never succeed greatly if you don't accept the risk of failing greatly. But I'm hopeful for great success. Not because of Obama, but because I know people are tired.
But regardless of how I voted yesterday, as a part of the total force of the United States Air Force, I am now, and will be for at least the next four years, an Obama supporter. Welcome to the team Commander-in-Chief. *Yes we can.*
Ultimately, I hope you all went and voted yesterday, even if your candidate didn't win, and even if you voted for Ron Paul. If you didn't vote, I hope you realize that you basically just gave up your right to an opinion for the next 4 years.
With that, I leave you with this letter that I read on one of my feeds yesterday, it pretty accurately reflected my thought process on the election as well as my feelings towards both of the candidates.
Posted on November 4, 2008
Filed Under Deeper Walk, Relationships |
Dear President-elect,
Senators McCain and Obama, by this time tomorrow, one of you should be (barring some repeat nightmare from 2000, God forbid) our new leader. The mass chain emails and numerous recorded phone calls we’ve received tell us this is the most important election in my lifetime. Of course, I think I’ve heard this every
were neighbors (and I’d certainly enjoy grilling out with both of you if we were neighbors - let’s see if we can make that happen after all the hullabaloo dies down). election in my lifetime, but I will not argue that this is indeed an pivotal moment in our national life. Contrary to the shrill cries and the numerous blog posts and the vast amounts of literature filling my mailbox and the many youtube videos currently jamming my feeds on facebook, I think both of you are good, decent men who want to serve your country. You have different visions of America in several important places, but I do not question your motives or your integrity. I don’t question your character. I even have this sneaking suspicion you guys would enjoy grilling out together if you
Senator McCain, I am thankful for your long history of acting on your principles, on doing what you say. I admire your courage and your willingness to give yourself to causes you believe in, even when it costs you dearly. I am thankful that you your history has been to call America to its best ideals. Senator, if you are elected today, please speak out strongly against those who have peddled fear and untruths in their opposition to your opponent, even if you do not believe they spoke for you. There has been a venom in this campaign that scars our ability to live together as a people - please speak and act against hatred and dishonesty wherever it raises its ugly head, even (perhaps especially) when the net result is that it helps your cause. Truly, the ends never justify the means. Also, please think deeply about issues of health care and poverty, recognizing the moral dimension to these difficult problems. Please pull in the best minds, the smartest advisers. Please pull in people from all persuasions and parties to find common ground and truly tackle these blights in our country. And please, please wrestle deeply with the moral implications of war. Consider if perhaps there is a new way to look at these very old issues of how to deal with nations who have evil intent. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.
Senator Obama, I am thankful for how you seem to draw the best out of so many people. I am thankful for the hope I have seen among people who for a very long time have felt alienated from the system. I am thankful for how you wrestle with tough issues and how you resist the quick and easy answer to what we must know are often very complex problems. I love how you love your family - that may be my favorite thing about you. Senator, if you are elected today, please reconsider your stance on abortion. I do understand that people of conscience and faith can have varying views on this, and I do understand that confronting some of the root causes of abortion may perhaps have more long term impact than only legal solutions. However, please took a new look at some of the most extreme issues at play. Surely we can agree that a baby born and breathing ought be protected, no matter the parent’s intent. I know you care for the weak and defenseless. Please understand how many of us see these children as the most weak and defenseless - this is an issue of justice. Also, please hear those who have differing economic and justice philosophies - and know that there is often agreement on the hope for the common good, but simply disagreement on how to achieve that common good. As you work for a way out in Iraq, please make sure that the innocent civilians are protected and do not pay an even higher price for our mistakes - and please work hard so we do not leave behind a breeding ground for terror. And please resist the extremes in your party who like to demonize the opposition, no matter whether you think they speak for you or not. You are the party’s leader, and we need our leaders to lead. You have spoke often of a third way. Now, please forge that path. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.
Senators Obama and McCain, I don’t envy your job, whatever job you end up with tomorrow. I can’t imagine the weariness you feel or the energy you have exerted the past two years. For whichever of you end up a resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I pray that you listen to good advisers and follow your best instincts. I pray you resist the allure of power and the temptations and cynicism that seem to plague the political inner sanctum. I pray that you lead us forward with a fresh vision, with moral clarity and with a strong hope for the common good of our whole nation, all our citizens. And I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you that, even with all the good I hope you do over the next four years, my ultimate hope is another King and another kingdom.
grace and godspeed,
Winn
I have no intentions of sharing, with anyone, who I voted for yesterday. I am confident in my vote, but quite frankly, I don't want to be caught in anymore political rhetoric than I already have been. I don't want to listen to someone tell me how awesome the candidate that we both chose is, because I don't think either of the candidates yesterday were all that awesome. Nor do I want to listen to how much of "an idiot" I am for not voting the way that someone else did. And thus, I am exercising my right to not share who I voted for.
I am greatly lacking in enthusiasm for our new President-Elect. Although, had the votes gone in the other direction, I would have been just as unenthusiastic. What can I say? This election took it all out of me, I have no more stamina, no more steam, nothing else to give, no more energy to care. And while I continue to remain unenthusiastic, I have a lot more optimism and hope than I thought I would. And not because of our President-Elect, but because I think the American people are so tired of what's going on in our country that we've finally reached a point to where we'll pursue change actively, and not just advertise change on bumper stickers.
With that, I'll also say that John McCain was probably the safe bet, his policies were so familiar that he couldn't have really hurt us any more than we're already hurting. The amount of positive impact he could have made, while still existent, is probably a lot more limited than the amount of positive impact that Obama can make. Obama's policies are extraordinarily different than those of Bush or McCain and thus the chance to screw us up even more than we already are is strong, stronger than McCain's, but you can never succeed greatly if you don't accept the risk of failing greatly. But I'm hopeful for great success. Not because of Obama, but because I know people are tired.
But regardless of how I voted yesterday, as a part of the total force of the United States Air Force, I am now, and will be for at least the next four years, an Obama supporter. Welcome to the team Commander-in-Chief. *Yes we can.*
Ultimately, I hope you all went and voted yesterday, even if your candidate didn't win, and even if you voted for Ron Paul. If you didn't vote, I hope you realize that you basically just gave up your right to an opinion for the next 4 years.
With that, I leave you with this letter that I read on one of my feeds yesterday, it pretty accurately reflected my thought process on the election as well as my feelings towards both of the candidates.
A Letter to Our New President
Posted on November 4, 2008
Filed Under Deeper Walk, Relationships |
Dear President-elect,
Senators McCain and Obama, by this time tomorrow, one of you should be (barring some repeat nightmare from 2000, God forbid) our new leader. The mass chain emails and numerous recorded phone calls we’ve received tell us this is the most important election in my lifetime. Of course, I think I’ve heard this every
were neighbors (and I’d certainly enjoy grilling out with both of you if we were neighbors - let’s see if we can make that happen after all the hullabaloo dies down). election in my lifetime, but I will not argue that this is indeed an pivotal moment in our national life. Contrary to the shrill cries and the numerous blog posts and the vast amounts of literature filling my mailbox and the many youtube videos currently jamming my feeds on facebook, I think both of you are good, decent men who want to serve your country. You have different visions of America in several important places, but I do not question your motives or your integrity. I don’t question your character. I even have this sneaking suspicion you guys would enjoy grilling out together if youSenator McCain, I am thankful for your long history of acting on your principles, on doing what you say. I admire your courage and your willingness to give yourself to causes you believe in, even when it costs you dearly. I am thankful that you your history has been to call America to its best ideals. Senator, if you are elected today, please speak out strongly against those who have peddled fear and untruths in their opposition to your opponent, even if you do not believe they spoke for you. There has been a venom in this campaign that scars our ability to live together as a people - please speak and act against hatred and dishonesty wherever it raises its ugly head, even (perhaps especially) when the net result is that it helps your cause. Truly, the ends never justify the means. Also, please think deeply about issues of health care and poverty, recognizing the moral dimension to these difficult problems. Please pull in the best minds, the smartest advisers. Please pull in people from all persuasions and parties to find common ground and truly tackle these blights in our country. And please, please wrestle deeply with the moral implications of war. Consider if perhaps there is a new way to look at these very old issues of how to deal with nations who have evil intent. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.
Senator Obama, I am thankful for how you seem to draw the best out of so many people. I am thankful for the hope I have seen among people who for a very long time have felt alienated from the system. I am thankful for how you wrestle with tough issues and how you resist the quick and easy answer to what we must know are often very complex problems. I love how you love your family - that may be my favorite thing about you. Senator, if you are elected today, please reconsider your stance on abortion. I do understand that people of conscience and faith can have varying views on this, and I do understand that confronting some of the root causes of abortion may perhaps have more long term impact than only legal solutions. However, please took a new look at some of the most extreme issues at play. Surely we can agree that a baby born and breathing ought be protected, no matter the parent’s intent. I know you care for the weak and defenseless. Please understand how many of us see these children as the most weak and defenseless - this is an issue of justice. Also, please hear those who have differing economic and justice philosophies - and know that there is often agreement on the hope for the common good, but simply disagreement on how to achieve that common good. As you work for a way out in Iraq, please make sure that the innocent civilians are protected and do not pay an even higher price for our mistakes - and please work hard so we do not leave behind a breeding ground for terror. And please resist the extremes in your party who like to demonize the opposition, no matter whether you think they speak for you or not. You are the party’s leader, and we need our leaders to lead. You have spoke often of a third way. Now, please forge that path. I pray God will give you wisdom as you lead us.
Senators Obama and McCain, I don’t envy your job, whatever job you end up with tomorrow. I can’t imagine the weariness you feel or the energy you have exerted the past two years. For whichever of you end up a resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I pray that you listen to good advisers and follow your best instincts. I pray you resist the allure of power and the temptations and cynicism that seem to plague the political inner sanctum. I pray that you lead us forward with a fresh vision, with moral clarity and with a strong hope for the common good of our whole nation, all our citizens. And I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you that, even with all the good I hope you do over the next four years, my ultimate hope is another King and another kingdom.
grace and godspeed,
Winn
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Found him!
Good to see that President Gary Ransdell is finally available to make a comment on the suspected shooting at WKU, even if it is 24 hours AFTER it happened.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The Gary Ransdell Edition
The WKU Herald, WKU's independent student-run newspaper, ran this this morning...still no word from President Gary Ransdell. Why?
Something doesn't seem right here, stories aren't meshing well, things just aren't adding up.
One thing I'd still love to know is where in the world is Gary Ransdell? It's not that I have a conspiracy theory behind his absence, but I still find it extraordinarily odd that he hasn't said anything...at least nothing that I've seen in an article or on the school's website.
And the saga continues.
Something doesn't seem right here, stories aren't meshing well, things just aren't adding up.
One thing I'd still love to know is where in the world is Gary Ransdell? It's not that I have a conspiracy theory behind his absence, but I still find it extraordinarily odd that he hasn't said anything...at least nothing that I've seen in an article or on the school's website.
And the saga continues.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Shooting on WKU's Campus!!! Oh wait, omg, jk guys...
I was walking into Steak 'n Shake today when Jon turned around to me and filled me in on the news that there was a shooting at WKU and that it currently looked like there was a hostage situation in the process. According to his radio station that they were suspecting that it was the next Virginia Tech.
I told him to shut up.
And then he stared at me, and I fought what he was saying for about 3 minutes, until I finally gave in and called my dear friend Elizabeth. She confirmed what he said, and I ate my lunch in a pretty quiet state. I was not a happy camper.
{It is important to note that I've been fairly closely tied to the VT shooting, the Westroads shooting, the shooting in the Colorado church, and now the WKU shooting (well, what we thought was a shooting). To say I'm over this whole mass-shooting trend would be an understatement and thus, I was a little distraught.}
After lunch I headed back to the office, scrolling through radio stations in my car only to find nothing except the premature Christmas music on 101.1 and more talk radio about the never-ending 2008 election and *surprise* the plummeting DOW. So anyway, I made it back to Scott where I turned on my computer's video feed only to find more election and stock market news...not the information that I was looking for...after a few minutes they finally went back to WKU -- and they told me only that there were "no updates at this time."
It was about this time that I started scouring media outlets for written articles knowing that while they probably wouldn't be as up to date as a broadcast piece, they might have something other than "shooting occurred" and "hostage situation." The articles I found had better news: no one hurt, no hostage situation. But they still didn't make sense, they were contradictory, gun shots were confirmed, but there were no guns, armed men dressed in all black stormed the dorm, but the dorm had been evacuated nor had anyone seen the men, the campus was released from lockdown at 3:30, but I read that at 3:00...what?!?!
Fortunately, all is well in WKU land, and in reality it was an altercation carried over from Saturday night that was blown completely out of proportion. The rumor mill started and boy did it keep going, and going, and going all the way to the CNN Newsroom. How did a fist fight turn into national news of a shooting and a hostage situation? How did people get to that tragic conclusion?
Ultimately, what this blog is about is the epic fail of WKU's public affairs process. Yes, WKU did an excellent job of informing students that there was a dangerous situation at hand, and to stay put in a safe location. And I commend them for their efforts to make sure that their students were safe - they excelled at that.
However, their public affairs process and transparency to the public left something to be desired. I realize that in these situations not all details can be revealed for the safety of those involved. But why wasn't there a statement of the information they could release on the front page of WKU's website? Phone lines were tied up, concerned parents, siblings, and friends (not unlike myself) must have desperately wanted information, and there was none to be had. Sure the media outlets had something out, but the quality of those pieces were shoddy at best. Regardless of the media's efforts, WKU should have had something available during the time of the "crisis," period. WKU does have a bulletin posted now assuring students that they are safe - oh, and that classes and other activities will resume tomorrow as scheduled.
Additionally, the articles coming out of media outlets were a mess. Which, yes, is partial fault of the reporters, but mostly the fault of the public affairs office. If it were just one article that was screwed up, I'd probably chalk it up to that outlet having their flunky staff reporter on duty that day, but I didn't find one article that made sense, or that didn't have some sort of huge gap in information or contradiction. This can only be chalked up to someone in WKU's public affairs office not communicating well, or even decently, to the news media. It was a high-stress situation sure, but if a public affairs person can't operate in a high-stress situation then that's a problem. You have to be able to communicate to the media at all times, there is no negotiation for that. Your message has to come off clearly or it will never work, the system will fail.
Additionally, and probably most importantly, where in the world was President Gary Ransdell?!?! Does anyone know? I still have yet to see any sort of statement from him. Not in an article, not on the school's website, not anywhere. I realize that Bob Skipper is WKU's spokesman, and more power to him, but if your university is being shot up, your president needs to be making the statements, not your spokesman. Supposedly, there was a press conference this afternoon, I have yet to read (or see) anything about that press conference and thus, do not know who spoke there. I sincerely hope that President Ransdell was the one speaking, answering questions, and handling the situation.
Kudos to WKU public affairs for notifying media outlets, but really, that's all that seemed to go correctly on their end. Public affairs has never been a strength of WKU, not with today's "shooting," not with the fall of one of our freshmen a couple of years back from the 20th floor of the same dorm where today's events occurred, not with moving to Division I football, not with anything.
WKU has yet to tell me what happened. But thank goodness for CNN, they've got my back.
What happened to the "crisis plan" that we supposedly created after VA Tech? I sure hope today was not an example of it, because if it is, it's back to the drawing boards!
Well, WKU, I guess we got our name out there. Division I football was supposed to get us on the map, instead it's fist-fighting college kids turned wrongly-suspected mass murders.
Go Tops!!!
See ya at homecoming. And please, if you know a Hilltopper, give 'em a hug, it's been a long day.
Oh yeah, and major props to the groundskeeping staff -- campus looked BEAUTIFUL in all of the news shots. Seriously. It did.
I told him to shut up.
And then he stared at me, and I fought what he was saying for about 3 minutes, until I finally gave in and called my dear friend Elizabeth. She confirmed what he said, and I ate my lunch in a pretty quiet state. I was not a happy camper.
{It is important to note that I've been fairly closely tied to the VT shooting, the Westroads shooting, the shooting in the Colorado church, and now the WKU shooting (well, what we thought was a shooting). To say I'm over this whole mass-shooting trend would be an understatement and thus, I was a little distraught.}
After lunch I headed back to the office, scrolling through radio stations in my car only to find nothing except the premature Christmas music on 101.1 and more talk radio about the never-ending 2008 election and *surprise* the plummeting DOW. So anyway, I made it back to Scott where I turned on my computer's video feed only to find more election and stock market news...not the information that I was looking for...after a few minutes they finally went back to WKU -- and they told me only that there were "no updates at this time."
It was about this time that I started scouring media outlets for written articles knowing that while they probably wouldn't be as up to date as a broadcast piece, they might have something other than "shooting occurred" and "hostage situation." The articles I found had better news: no one hurt, no hostage situation. But they still didn't make sense, they were contradictory, gun shots were confirmed, but there were no guns, armed men dressed in all black stormed the dorm, but the dorm had been evacuated nor had anyone seen the men, the campus was released from lockdown at 3:30, but I read that at 3:00...what?!?!
Fortunately, all is well in WKU land, and in reality it was an altercation carried over from Saturday night that was blown completely out of proportion. The rumor mill started and boy did it keep going, and going, and going all the way to the CNN Newsroom. How did a fist fight turn into national news of a shooting and a hostage situation? How did people get to that tragic conclusion?
Ultimately, what this blog is about is the epic fail of WKU's public affairs process. Yes, WKU did an excellent job of informing students that there was a dangerous situation at hand, and to stay put in a safe location. And I commend them for their efforts to make sure that their students were safe - they excelled at that.
However, their public affairs process and transparency to the public left something to be desired. I realize that in these situations not all details can be revealed for the safety of those involved. But why wasn't there a statement of the information they could release on the front page of WKU's website? Phone lines were tied up, concerned parents, siblings, and friends (not unlike myself) must have desperately wanted information, and there was none to be had. Sure the media outlets had something out, but the quality of those pieces were shoddy at best. Regardless of the media's efforts, WKU should have had something available during the time of the "crisis," period. WKU does have a bulletin posted now assuring students that they are safe - oh, and that classes and other activities will resume tomorrow as scheduled.
Additionally, the articles coming out of media outlets were a mess. Which, yes, is partial fault of the reporters, but mostly the fault of the public affairs office. If it were just one article that was screwed up, I'd probably chalk it up to that outlet having their flunky staff reporter on duty that day, but I didn't find one article that made sense, or that didn't have some sort of huge gap in information or contradiction. This can only be chalked up to someone in WKU's public affairs office not communicating well, or even decently, to the news media. It was a high-stress situation sure, but if a public affairs person can't operate in a high-stress situation then that's a problem. You have to be able to communicate to the media at all times, there is no negotiation for that. Your message has to come off clearly or it will never work, the system will fail.
Additionally, and probably most importantly, where in the world was President Gary Ransdell?!?! Does anyone know? I still have yet to see any sort of statement from him. Not in an article, not on the school's website, not anywhere. I realize that Bob Skipper is WKU's spokesman, and more power to him, but if your university is being shot up, your president needs to be making the statements, not your spokesman. Supposedly, there was a press conference this afternoon, I have yet to read (or see) anything about that press conference and thus, do not know who spoke there. I sincerely hope that President Ransdell was the one speaking, answering questions, and handling the situation.
Kudos to WKU public affairs for notifying media outlets, but really, that's all that seemed to go correctly on their end. Public affairs has never been a strength of WKU, not with today's "shooting," not with the fall of one of our freshmen a couple of years back from the 20th floor of the same dorm where today's events occurred, not with moving to Division I football, not with anything.
WKU has yet to tell me what happened. But thank goodness for CNN, they've got my back.
What happened to the "crisis plan" that we supposedly created after VA Tech? I sure hope today was not an example of it, because if it is, it's back to the drawing boards!
Well, WKU, I guess we got our name out there. Division I football was supposed to get us on the map, instead it's fist-fighting college kids turned wrongly-suspected mass murders.
Go Tops!!!
See ya at homecoming. And please, if you know a Hilltopper, give 'em a hug, it's been a long day.
Oh yeah, and major props to the groundskeeping staff -- campus looked BEAUTIFUL in all of the news shots. Seriously. It did.
Monday, October 6, 2008
God Bless Texas
I find myself in San Antonio, Texas this week for an Air Force journalism conference. This morning has been solid briefings -- while not the most exciting things ever, they were at least somewhat informative and a good thermometer for the current public affairs climate in the Air Force.
We're staying a hotel near the Riverwalk which is nice. The one huge drawback: no wireless. Well I shouldn't say no wireless, there is wireless in the lobby, but not in the rooms. Which is kind of a pain. There are sleep number beds in the rooms, but no wireless? That just doesn't make sense. So down to the lobby I must go if I want to check e-mail, etc. As an added level of not-so-much-fun, the office laptop refuses to connect to the secure network so I can check my e-mail and, with several major projects coming to a head this week, that is nothing to be happy about.
Yesterday was a long day of travel -- it still never ceases to amaze me just how long it takes people to get on and off an airplane. I just don't get it. You stand up, grab your bag and you walk off the plane -- where's the hold up? But overall good flights, got some sleep on each flight which was desperately necessary after only three hours of sleep.
Well the next session starts soon so I'm off. Enjoy your day.
We're staying a hotel near the Riverwalk which is nice. The one huge drawback: no wireless. Well I shouldn't say no wireless, there is wireless in the lobby, but not in the rooms. Which is kind of a pain. There are sleep number beds in the rooms, but no wireless? That just doesn't make sense. So down to the lobby I must go if I want to check e-mail, etc. As an added level of not-so-much-fun, the office laptop refuses to connect to the secure network so I can check my e-mail and, with several major projects coming to a head this week, that is nothing to be happy about.
Yesterday was a long day of travel -- it still never ceases to amaze me just how long it takes people to get on and off an airplane. I just don't get it. You stand up, grab your bag and you walk off the plane -- where's the hold up? But overall good flights, got some sleep on each flight which was desperately necessary after only three hours of sleep.
Well the next session starts soon so I'm off. Enjoy your day.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I've been spotted!
Well folks, despite my best efforts the WKU Alumni Association has found me! Having had to work for said Alumni Association (although admittedly, only for a week and a half, I just couldn't handle asking people for money) I understood the plight of the Sophomore who called me -- she was really nice and sweet and I was nothing but the same back to her.
Don't get me wrong, I have every intention on giving back to my university, especially the Ad+PR program whether it be with my time, money, talents or a combination of the three. I got so much more out of college than what I paid for, I really did. But couldn't they at least wait until I'm done paying off my student loans?! Seriously.
I've actually made some progress (and some regression) with some of my goals that I listed in my previous blog, here's the update.
1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. I actually learned that as civilian employee I'm allowed 3 hours per week of work time to work out at the base gym, all I have to do is get a medical release from my doctor saying that I am in well enough health to work out and I should be set to go. Just have to find a doctor. So now, not only will working out be able to fit into my schedule, but it's a part of my job *woot*
2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts. This goal actually regressed, it makes more sense to pay off a credit card with a 7.9% interest rate than have money in a 2% interest rate savings account. It only regressed $301 though, so no worries.
3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. Started the basics of HTML yesterday...AND I ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND IT!
4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up. Exact movies have yet to be determined. No progress yet...working on it though.
5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches. Semi Progress, we're actually getting a few exercise ball chairs for my office. Most of you know that I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back, and using exercise balls for chairs in the office is supposed to do remarkable things for your posture and your core, subsequently helping my back problems. So while it's not actual exercise my new chair will have physical benefits.
6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking. i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet. Hasn't changed a bit.
7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable. I am going to San Antonio in a few weeks for work...isn't exactly a random weekend, but it's still a new city!
8. Finish at least 3 books. One each full month remaining in the year. I have a few books started: The World is Flat, Get a Financial Life, and Captivating. Although, admittedly, I've already read the third one. These books may or may not be the ones I finish by the end of 2008.
9. Find a church. Definitely slept in on Sunday and didn't go to church, in my defense I barely got out of bed because I was so sore from the caving trip last Saturday.
10. Find somewhere to volunteer. Still nothing here, but I do have a few ideas.
Don't get me wrong, I have every intention on giving back to my university, especially the Ad+PR program whether it be with my time, money, talents or a combination of the three. I got so much more out of college than what I paid for, I really did. But couldn't they at least wait until I'm done paying off my student loans?! Seriously.
I've actually made some progress (and some regression) with some of my goals that I listed in my previous blog, here's the update.
1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. I actually learned that as civilian employee I'm allowed 3 hours per week of work time to work out at the base gym, all I have to do is get a medical release from my doctor saying that I am in well enough health to work out and I should be set to go. Just have to find a doctor. So now, not only will working out be able to fit into my schedule, but it's a part of my job *woot*
2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts. This goal actually regressed, it makes more sense to pay off a credit card with a 7.9% interest rate than have money in a 2% interest rate savings account. It only regressed $301 though, so no worries.
3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both. Started the basics of HTML yesterday...AND I ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND IT!
4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up. Exact movies have yet to be determined. No progress yet...working on it though.
5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches. Semi Progress, we're actually getting a few exercise ball chairs for my office. Most of you know that I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back, and using exercise balls for chairs in the office is supposed to do remarkable things for your posture and your core, subsequently helping my back problems. So while it's not actual exercise my new chair will have physical benefits.
6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking. i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet. Hasn't changed a bit.
7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable. I am going to San Antonio in a few weeks for work...isn't exactly a random weekend, but it's still a new city!
8. Finish at least 3 books. One each full month remaining in the year. I have a few books started: The World is Flat, Get a Financial Life, and Captivating. Although, admittedly, I've already read the third one. These books may or may not be the ones I finish by the end of 2008.
9. Find a church. Definitely slept in on Sunday and didn't go to church, in my defense I barely got out of bed because I was so sore from the caving trip last Saturday.
10. Find somewhere to volunteer. Still nothing here, but I do have a few ideas.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
To-Do List
I never make New Year's Resolutions. There are sometimes some practices that I think I should adopt, but there never really January 1 centric as much as they are just enhancements that I think I should add to my life and they come at all times of the year. However, they generally pop up in excess around the August/September time frame. I think it's probably because it's nearing the end of the year and I don't feel like I've accomplished enough. And so, my friends, that time of year has come. And in hopes that some of you out there will hold me accountable to my goals and harass me relentlessly if I don't at least put forth a good effort to meet this goals* by the end of this year, I'm posting them all on my blog. Some are silly minor things, others are going to require more effort, but here they are, in all their glory:
1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.
2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts.
3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both.
4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up. Exact movies have yet to be determined.
5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches.
6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking. i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet.
7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable.
8. Finish at least 3 books. One each full month remaining in the year.
9. Find a church.
10. Find somewhere to volunteer.
*These goals may be changed at anytime, by my discretion if I determine them totally unattainable or too easily attainable.
1. Get into an exercise routine with a minimum of at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.
2. Have at least $1,000 combined in my savings accounts.
3. Learn CSS & HTML, or at least have a good grasp on both.
4. Watch at least five movies that are considered pop culture icons that I missed growing up. Exact movies have yet to be determined.
5. Use my yoga set and exercise ball daily for morning and/or nightly stretches.
6. Get more creative and diverse in my cooking. i.e. pasta and soup should not be the core of my diet.
7. Fly somewhere for a random weekend just because I can, booking this flight for next year is also acceptable.
8. Finish at least 3 books. One each full month remaining in the year.
9. Find a church.
10. Find somewhere to volunteer.
*These goals may be changed at anytime, by my discretion if I determine them totally unattainable or too easily attainable.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Meet My New Baby
OK, so it's been a while since my last post - I have been extraordinarily busy, to the point of ridiculousness. My new job is amazing, it keeps me busy and I absolutely love the work as well as the people I work with. They are fabulous. In addition to the craziness at work, I've had many visitors already. Two weekends with my frien Rhonda and her daughters, and then a weekend with Mom. All of which were awesome.
As many of you know, my car went totally insane around the time of my last post and after going through several decisions to buy a new car, not buy a car, wait till next summer, wait till the next time my car gets FUBAR'd, etc. I finally got real with myself about the situation and bought a new car. This is my new baby. Mine is "magnetic gray" and has a rear spoiler, but it is the hatchback. I love it. I most love the fact that it doesn't die on me at stop signs like my last did. :)
The 2008 election season has worn me out. Completely. Entirely. I'm toast. I'm not sure if it's because I'm paying more attention to the election this year or if it's because this election has simply been dragged out far too long, but I am so over it. I'm over the slamming of the opposing candidates, I'm over the ads for it, I'm over the hype around it, and I'm over the candidates that hang on for far too long. However, I'm most over the fact that you can't seem to express an opinion on and issue or candidate without someone who opposes your thought coming to the conclusion that you are Satan incarnate solely for believing differently. I still don't know who I'm voting for, and quite frankly I probably won't know who I'm voting for until my ballot is cast.
I can't honestly say that either party is really inspiring me to be on their side. It's been some what of a tug-of-war for my vote. And right now, the rope is not moving far enough to pull down one side or the other.
I suppose a big concern of mine is that voters are now going to make a decision based on their ability to make history because it's the first african american/woman in office. Don't get me wrong, this is not an argument to only allow middle-aged white men in office, not at all. I just fear that people who may agree more with the McCain side will vote Obama because of his race, and I fear just as much that people who agree more with Obama will vote McCain solely because there is a woman on the ticket. Or that instead of finding who they agree with most they vote solely based on gender or race factors. Irrational or not, it's still a concern of mine. But November...please come soon.
As many of you know, my car went totally insane around the time of my last post and after going through several decisions to buy a new car, not buy a car, wait till next summer, wait till the next time my car gets FUBAR'd, etc. I finally got real with myself about the situation and bought a new car. This is my new baby. Mine is "magnetic gray" and has a rear spoiler, but it is the hatchback. I love it. I most love the fact that it doesn't die on me at stop signs like my last did. :)
The 2008 election season has worn me out. Completely. Entirely. I'm toast. I'm not sure if it's because I'm paying more attention to the election this year or if it's because this election has simply been dragged out far too long, but I am so over it. I'm over the slamming of the opposing candidates, I'm over the ads for it, I'm over the hype around it, and I'm over the candidates that hang on for far too long. However, I'm most over the fact that you can't seem to express an opinion on and issue or candidate without someone who opposes your thought coming to the conclusion that you are Satan incarnate solely for believing differently. I still don't know who I'm voting for, and quite frankly I probably won't know who I'm voting for until my ballot is cast.
I can't honestly say that either party is really inspiring me to be on their side. It's been some what of a tug-of-war for my vote. And right now, the rope is not moving far enough to pull down one side or the other.
I suppose a big concern of mine is that voters are now going to make a decision based on their ability to make history because it's the first african american/woman in office. Don't get me wrong, this is not an argument to only allow middle-aged white men in office, not at all. I just fear that people who may agree more with the McCain side will vote Obama because of his race, and I fear just as much that people who agree more with Obama will vote McCain solely because there is a woman on the ticket. Or that instead of finding who they agree with most they vote solely based on gender or race factors. Irrational or not, it's still a concern of mine. But November...please come soon.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Fleeting
Fleeting (adjective): passing swiftly; vanishing quickly; transient; transitory; fade away
Someone that meant a lot to me told me that I was fleeting to them tonight. It's going to take a while to recover from that.
Someone that meant a lot to me told me that I was fleeting to them tonight. It's going to take a while to recover from that.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Still Moving In
So, I suck at life. Or at least at blogging. In my defense I have been fairly busy with moving in, getting everything put away, acquainting myself with my new surroundings and basically just adjusting to life as an independent adult.
The move, outside of the movers dropping my brand new washing machine off the back of the truck, went very well. And, gratefully, my washing machine did, in fact, escape unscathed. The apartment is great, and pictures are coming soon, I swear. I just want to get everything put away before I splatter photographic evidence of my adulthood on here. I'm 95% there.
The car is getting replaced soon. After spending over $500 in less than three weeks to fix the same problem I have lost all patience. And even if it does get fixed it's just going to be something else tomorrow. I've been researching cars, loans, interest rates, and all the other super happy funny stuff that goes along with buying a car and quite frankly, I'm EXHAUSTED. Not to mention frustrated. But I'll get it figured out. I've narrowed it down to either a Honda Civic, VW Jetta and Toyota Corolla all 2004s or newer. Right now I"m just waiting to see how much of my paycheck I actually get to see after my health insurance and Uncle Sam take their cuts.
The new job is great. It's been a little slow to start, I'm still waiting on paperwork and other stuff to be processed before I actually have computer access. So, I've had a pretty chill two weeks. I've been learning a lot but I'm anxious to actually dig in and get my hands dirty. When 80% (if not more) of your job revolves around the computer it makes you pretty much useless when you can't use one. I have, however, been incredibly blessed with amazing co-workers. They've all been so helpful and have already bailed me out of binds with all of the frustration that I've been having with my car. From helping me get to work to coming over to help fix my car and some furniture to offering to take me shopping for the new car they've done it all. Not to mention just making sure that I'm taken care of and don't need anything. They're pretty great.
Finally got out to St. Louis last night with some new friends and I had an absolute blast. We hit a great bar downtown where we got to listen in on what must have been an eHarmony connected first date. We determined that after hearing "So where do you see yourself in 5 years?" It was pretty entertaining. Next week we're hitting an outdoors presentation of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. I'm pretty pumped.
That's all for now. More later when my head doesn't hurt as much as it does.
The move, outside of the movers dropping my brand new washing machine off the back of the truck, went very well. And, gratefully, my washing machine did, in fact, escape unscathed. The apartment is great, and pictures are coming soon, I swear. I just want to get everything put away before I splatter photographic evidence of my adulthood on here. I'm 95% there.
The car is getting replaced soon. After spending over $500 in less than three weeks to fix the same problem I have lost all patience. And even if it does get fixed it's just going to be something else tomorrow. I've been researching cars, loans, interest rates, and all the other super happy funny stuff that goes along with buying a car and quite frankly, I'm EXHAUSTED. Not to mention frustrated. But I'll get it figured out. I've narrowed it down to either a Honda Civic, VW Jetta and Toyota Corolla all 2004s or newer. Right now I"m just waiting to see how much of my paycheck I actually get to see after my health insurance and Uncle Sam take their cuts.
The new job is great. It's been a little slow to start, I'm still waiting on paperwork and other stuff to be processed before I actually have computer access. So, I've had a pretty chill two weeks. I've been learning a lot but I'm anxious to actually dig in and get my hands dirty. When 80% (if not more) of your job revolves around the computer it makes you pretty much useless when you can't use one. I have, however, been incredibly blessed with amazing co-workers. They've all been so helpful and have already bailed me out of binds with all of the frustration that I've been having with my car. From helping me get to work to coming over to help fix my car and some furniture to offering to take me shopping for the new car they've done it all. Not to mention just making sure that I'm taken care of and don't need anything. They're pretty great.
Finally got out to St. Louis last night with some new friends and I had an absolute blast. We hit a great bar downtown where we got to listen in on what must have been an eHarmony connected first date. We determined that after hearing "So where do you see yourself in 5 years?" It was pretty entertaining. Next week we're hitting an outdoors presentation of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. I'm pretty pumped.
That's all for now. More later when my head doesn't hurt as much as it does.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I'm a Gypsy
It's true. I am a gypsy, at least part gypsy -- it's a part of my honest to God blood line. I swear. It wasn't until the other night when my friend compared me to gypsies that I truly took ownership of that part of my background. I've never really been one for ethnic stereotypes you know, all Irish drink a lot, all Germans like beer, all Native Americans do rain dances, I could go on for hours -- but now, I'm starting to see a little bit more relevance in where I come from as it relates to how I am today.
My friend looked at me and asked if I knew why gypsies never had any rights and continued to answer saying that they never had any rights, couldn't vote, hold office, etcetera because they were never anywhere long enough to put down roots, to really become part of the community and then he paralleled that with me and my lifestyle and asked me how I made that work.
If it's one thing you'll learn about me, whether you've know me for 20 seconds or 20 years, is that I am constantly on the move. I live and thrive on change. But his question made me uncomfortable, not because I'm ashamed of how I am or because of the accusation of being rootless, but because it's not something I'm fully sure that I've reconciled with myself yet. He's right, I am rootless, I am the equivalent to a tree that you buy at a nursery, I've got a trunk, and branches and leaves but my roots -- well they're kind of there, but they're pretty shallow and short.
So I stood there for a second, slowly walking with him, and I thought about it. And I looked at him and then thought about it some more and then I explained, hopefully coherently, that this is who I am, and where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing. He's right, I don't have roots, at least not the ones he meant, but not all people are supposed to and just because you aren't in the same tri-county area with the people you love doesn't mean you love them any less, it just requires a little more effort.
People either stay in contact or they don't. Some people lose touch of each other and there is nothing wrong with that. If we all had each and every friend that we've ever had around until the day we died we wouldn't have the people that are truly our core, we would just have a bunch of so-so friends that when looked at on an individual basis wouldn't mean a whole lot to us. And having moved as much as I have, I don't take it personally if I've lose touch with someone, sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's their's and sometimes we're both at fault. But either way, it's the way that life works, people come and people go each for their own God-ordained reason. And if those I cross those people's paths again (which has happened on more than one occasion, in different cities, states and even countries than I knew them in before) then so be it, that's great. Speaking to this point is my dear friend, Chris, who I just recently got back in touch with. Some friends are just those kinds of friends who don't need to speak to each other all the time. And even though it is weeks, sometimes months, later they can call the other because something made them think of that person and they can pick up like they just talked yesterday. Chris is one of those friends, we picked up like not a day had passed and it was and still is great. Those are my favorite kind of friends, and that's not to say that I'm lazy with relationships because I'm not. I work very hard to keep the ones that I have because they mean something to me. In the same light I work to start new ones. But friendship to me isn't about talking all the time, it's about caring enough for some person and having enough respect to understand that life gets crazy and that even though life is crazy neither of those people care any less about the other person.
I found a quote that fits exactly what I'm trying to express via my sweet friend Tara that says:
I explained all of this to Mike and hopefully it made some sort of sense. I realize that this mobile life I lead is not one understood by a whole lot of people, it's a very different upbringing and a very different perspective. Many understand my mobility no more than I can understand many people's immobility and the desire to stay in the same place for years and years.
With all of that being said I know that I might seem a slightly non-chalant when it comes to friendships, I'm really not. And I do probably take advantage of the fact that most of the time people will be there when I get back. That's not a good thing, and it's something I'm working on. But I know and believe with all my heart that the people who want to be around will be there for me and will want to be there for me regardless of where I am. That being said I also understand that people can't handle the whole long-distance friendship thing, it's just a difference of mannerisms, personalities, and perspective. Neither person is right, neither is wrong, it's just life.
And so this all leads both of us to no real conclusion, but I guess maybe at least a little bit more of an understanding: I am a gypsy. And I do have roots, just not geographic ones. I don't have a lot of life-long friendships but the few I do have are ones that I would fight and die for. I come from a family made strong from years of moving to new places, experiencing new things and enduring hardships together when we were all we had. I have a great faith in God that keeps me grounded and hopeful for the future that I know he has promised for me. I have roots, they're just different and I don't have as many as other people. And I'm okay with that, at least I am now. So, to my friend who put me on the spot, thank you. Without meaning to you really forced me to think about and reconcile with something that I hadn't yet and it helped me grow. I hope you're one of the ones who stays in touch.
My friend looked at me and asked if I knew why gypsies never had any rights and continued to answer saying that they never had any rights, couldn't vote, hold office, etcetera because they were never anywhere long enough to put down roots, to really become part of the community and then he paralleled that with me and my lifestyle and asked me how I made that work.
If it's one thing you'll learn about me, whether you've know me for 20 seconds or 20 years, is that I am constantly on the move. I live and thrive on change. But his question made me uncomfortable, not because I'm ashamed of how I am or because of the accusation of being rootless, but because it's not something I'm fully sure that I've reconciled with myself yet. He's right, I am rootless, I am the equivalent to a tree that you buy at a nursery, I've got a trunk, and branches and leaves but my roots -- well they're kind of there, but they're pretty shallow and short.
So I stood there for a second, slowly walking with him, and I thought about it. And I looked at him and then thought about it some more and then I explained, hopefully coherently, that this is who I am, and where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing. He's right, I don't have roots, at least not the ones he meant, but not all people are supposed to and just because you aren't in the same tri-county area with the people you love doesn't mean you love them any less, it just requires a little more effort.
People either stay in contact or they don't. Some people lose touch of each other and there is nothing wrong with that. If we all had each and every friend that we've ever had around until the day we died we wouldn't have the people that are truly our core, we would just have a bunch of so-so friends that when looked at on an individual basis wouldn't mean a whole lot to us. And having moved as much as I have, I don't take it personally if I've lose touch with someone, sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's their's and sometimes we're both at fault. But either way, it's the way that life works, people come and people go each for their own God-ordained reason. And if those I cross those people's paths again (which has happened on more than one occasion, in different cities, states and even countries than I knew them in before) then so be it, that's great. Speaking to this point is my dear friend, Chris, who I just recently got back in touch with. Some friends are just those kinds of friends who don't need to speak to each other all the time. And even though it is weeks, sometimes months, later they can call the other because something made them think of that person and they can pick up like they just talked yesterday. Chris is one of those friends, we picked up like not a day had passed and it was and still is great. Those are my favorite kind of friends, and that's not to say that I'm lazy with relationships because I'm not. I work very hard to keep the ones that I have because they mean something to me. In the same light I work to start new ones. But friendship to me isn't about talking all the time, it's about caring enough for some person and having enough respect to understand that life gets crazy and that even though life is crazy neither of those people care any less about the other person.
I found a quote that fits exactly what I'm trying to express via my sweet friend Tara that says:
"A friendship that can be ended didn't ever start."
-Mellin de Saint-Gelais, Oeuvres poétique
-Mellin de Saint-Gelais, Oeuvres poétique
I explained all of this to Mike and hopefully it made some sort of sense. I realize that this mobile life I lead is not one understood by a whole lot of people, it's a very different upbringing and a very different perspective. Many understand my mobility no more than I can understand many people's immobility and the desire to stay in the same place for years and years.
With all of that being said I know that I might seem a slightly non-chalant when it comes to friendships, I'm really not. And I do probably take advantage of the fact that most of the time people will be there when I get back. That's not a good thing, and it's something I'm working on. But I know and believe with all my heart that the people who want to be around will be there for me and will want to be there for me regardless of where I am. That being said I also understand that people can't handle the whole long-distance friendship thing, it's just a difference of mannerisms, personalities, and perspective. Neither person is right, neither is wrong, it's just life.
And so this all leads both of us to no real conclusion, but I guess maybe at least a little bit more of an understanding: I am a gypsy. And I do have roots, just not geographic ones. I don't have a lot of life-long friendships but the few I do have are ones that I would fight and die for. I come from a family made strong from years of moving to new places, experiencing new things and enduring hardships together when we were all we had. I have a great faith in God that keeps me grounded and hopeful for the future that I know he has promised for me. I have roots, they're just different and I don't have as many as other people. And I'm okay with that, at least I am now. So, to my friend who put me on the spot, thank you. Without meaning to you really forced me to think about and reconcile with something that I hadn't yet and it helped me grow. I hope you're one of the ones who stays in touch.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Post 4th of July Post
Hey All!
I can only say that I hope everyone's 4th of July post was as fantastically fabulous as mine was. I went out to the Wagner's for their 4th Annual 4th of July awesomeness and if I do say so myself, I think this year was the best year yet. The poster that creatively inclined Michelle created for the event promised a special guest and after much anticipation and excitement the special guest appeared about half way through the party -- it was Uncle Sam -- in. the. flesh. AKA, it was Travis dressed in an Uncle Sam costume, but hey, it's the same thing, and probably better!
After Uncle Sam greeted everyone and we finally coaxed sweet 3 1/2 year old Ella to give Uncle Sam a friendly wave instead of a cry of terror we somehow got the GENIUS idea, to hold an impromptu "Heck yeah, go America!" parade around the Deerwood Park neighborhood of Northwest Omaha. Carmen graciously provided transportation to Uncle Sam as she was the owner of a car with a sunroof. So Uncle Sam hopped in the car and poked out of the sun roof and we were off. Initially myself and Mike were going to follow in my car video taping the whole thing, but then the rest of the gang wanted to join in so we walked behind the car. Carmen, however, had a little bit of a lead foot so we gave up. However, as fate would have it, we gave up in front of another barbeque that thought we were just hilarious, so they cheerfully offered for us to pile into the bed of their pick up truck and we would follow Carmen...and like good little boys and girls we hopped into the strangers' car and off we went in pursuit of Uncle Sam. After a good drive around the neighborhood, perking up barbeques and bringing smiles to all faces we found ourselves having created a new tradition: next year will be the 2nd annual "Heck yeah, go America!" parade. Next year's will be better organized.
After the parade it was time to begin set up for the fireworks extravaganza and as guys worked at setting that up the rest of us sat there, chatted and had a good time. The fireworks were excellent and although we had a couple of close calls, one zinging by Vonnie's ear and Travis' pant leg almost catching fire, we all made it out alive and in one piece. With the exception of my left middle finger...I burnt it on the grill, luckily that was the only casualty of the evening and it was a minor one at that.
Definitely a 4th of July to remember, it's still my favorite holiday.
Plans and preparations continue for the big move to St. Louis which is now less than two weeks away and while I am getting slightly nervous I am still mostly exciting for what lies ahead.
Next on the agenda tonight, reading up on more paperwork for the new job. Tonight's topic: grad school tuition assistance...I know it's exciting, please try to contain yourselves. Also on the schedule for the evening: remembering why I don't make plans with people.
Picture time:
My final moments with Harvey the bunny, before we sent him off in explosive style.
Anthony with Frederick the Turkey after we sent him bottle-rocketing into space...Wait, did I say we had bottle rockets, of course we didn't, those are illegal. *ahem*
Uncle Sam in all his awesome glory.
My view of the parade from the bed of the strangers' truck.
Happy {belated} Independence Day Y'all!
I can only say that I hope everyone's 4th of July post was as fantastically fabulous as mine was. I went out to the Wagner's for their 4th Annual 4th of July awesomeness and if I do say so myself, I think this year was the best year yet. The poster that creatively inclined Michelle created for the event promised a special guest and after much anticipation and excitement the special guest appeared about half way through the party -- it was Uncle Sam -- in. the. flesh. AKA, it was Travis dressed in an Uncle Sam costume, but hey, it's the same thing, and probably better!
After Uncle Sam greeted everyone and we finally coaxed sweet 3 1/2 year old Ella to give Uncle Sam a friendly wave instead of a cry of terror we somehow got the GENIUS idea, to hold an impromptu "Heck yeah, go America!" parade around the Deerwood Park neighborhood of Northwest Omaha. Carmen graciously provided transportation to Uncle Sam as she was the owner of a car with a sunroof. So Uncle Sam hopped in the car and poked out of the sun roof and we were off. Initially myself and Mike were going to follow in my car video taping the whole thing, but then the rest of the gang wanted to join in so we walked behind the car. Carmen, however, had a little bit of a lead foot so we gave up. However, as fate would have it, we gave up in front of another barbeque that thought we were just hilarious, so they cheerfully offered for us to pile into the bed of their pick up truck and we would follow Carmen...and like good little boys and girls we hopped into the strangers' car and off we went in pursuit of Uncle Sam. After a good drive around the neighborhood, perking up barbeques and bringing smiles to all faces we found ourselves having created a new tradition: next year will be the 2nd annual "Heck yeah, go America!" parade. Next year's will be better organized.
After the parade it was time to begin set up for the fireworks extravaganza and as guys worked at setting that up the rest of us sat there, chatted and had a good time. The fireworks were excellent and although we had a couple of close calls, one zinging by Vonnie's ear and Travis' pant leg almost catching fire, we all made it out alive and in one piece. With the exception of my left middle finger...I burnt it on the grill, luckily that was the only casualty of the evening and it was a minor one at that.
Definitely a 4th of July to remember, it's still my favorite holiday.
Plans and preparations continue for the big move to St. Louis which is now less than two weeks away and while I am getting slightly nervous I am still mostly exciting for what lies ahead.
Next on the agenda tonight, reading up on more paperwork for the new job. Tonight's topic: grad school tuition assistance...I know it's exciting, please try to contain yourselves. Also on the schedule for the evening: remembering why I don't make plans with people.
Picture time:
My final moments with Harvey the bunny, before we sent him off in explosive style.
Anthony with Frederick the Turkey after we sent him bottle-rocketing into space...Wait, did I say we had bottle rockets, of course we didn't, those are illegal. *ahem*
Uncle Sam in all his awesome glory.
My view of the parade from the bed of the strangers' truck.
Happy {belated} Independence Day Y'all!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Whoops...
It's been a few days and it's been a whirlwind of activity since I returned from my Seattle vacation, which was amazing by the way.
I returned on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday began preparing once again for the move -- tying up loose ends, running random errands, etc. I FINALLY received my orders first thing Thursday morning in and e-mail and spent all day finding people who could answer my questions, getting my moving date set up, and starting the leasing process for my apartment. I didn't get the exact one I want. It's the same complex and same floor plan but it's up on the top floor, which is going to cost me $20 more a month and it has vaulted ceilings so heating the place will be more challenging, but I can handle it. Thursday night rolled around and so did the NBA Draft. Congratulations to my pal, Courtney Lee, for getting picked up by the Magic on the 22nd pick of the first round!! He's a great player and I'm excited to see what he'll do for them.
Friday was a doozy! Worked from 6 to 2, it wasn't a bad day just a long one. Felt like 2 o'clock would never come! After work I headed back home to prepare for my Friday even plans: dinner at the Melting Pot and Pixar's new flick Wall-E with Rhonda and her awesome daughter Kay. They came to pick me up at 430 and we were off, we had to drop her other daughter Rachel off at a friend's house across town by 5. Right before I was headed out the door Daddy dearest called the house to warn us of the impending doom -- another big storm headed out way -- and encouraged me to check the Weather Channel. So I hopped on good ole www.weather.com and scoped out the problem. "Severe Thunder Warning" it said, so Rhonda and I figured it wasn't anything that we can't handle -- especially after the last few weeks of crazy storms. So we were off. We got no more than 3 miles away from the house and BAM! Torrential down pour, extremely heavy winds were shaking the car, it wasn't fun. We kept on driving (since there really wasn't much else we could do) and by the time we reached Rachel's friend's house it had calmed down well enough so that it was just now just bad rain. We had the radio going to keep us informed about what was going on and we got hit pretty hard. Tornado force winds in the West end of the city. This is probably the most damage that Omaha has actually seen. We've had a lot of storms and a lot of tornadoes but this time the damage was everywhere! Trees were mowed over, some of them falling on houses, cars and on the roads. Fences demolished, some roofs ripped off, several fireworks stands were collapsed -- some with people still in them. As a final finishing touch it also robbed trees of many of their leaves, leaving the city in a kelly green decoupage. Power is still out in a good portion of the city. The annual Memorial Park Concert was also being held on Friday night. People were waiting for the show to start when the sirens sounded and the place was evacuated. And I can't forget about the art festival downtown that was ruined too. I can't imagine how many pieces of art that these artists had worked on were demolished. It was pretty bad. Luckily the storm blew over in about 30 minutes, but it definitely left a mark. After the storm had passed we had to change plans, The Melting Pot turned into Moe's and we had to return to Bellevue to see Wall-E. The movie was amazing so go see it.
Yesterday was my final day of shopping for the apartment so the apartment is now fully furnished, praise the Lord! I never realized how hard shopping for the apartment is. Trying to remember what you already have. Making big purchase decisions about things that you don't really know about in your first apartment. What kind of mattress is best? Is this setting on this washing machine really necessary? Will I actually use this? Etc. But it's done and the moving date is set: July 14th. I'm getting a little nervous, I'm still very excited, but it's weird. I'm leaving home, for good. Sure, there will be visits and they'll be great. But this is it, I'm flying solo now. It's very odd.
I returned on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday began preparing once again for the move -- tying up loose ends, running random errands, etc. I FINALLY received my orders first thing Thursday morning in and e-mail and spent all day finding people who could answer my questions, getting my moving date set up, and starting the leasing process for my apartment. I didn't get the exact one I want. It's the same complex and same floor plan but it's up on the top floor, which is going to cost me $20 more a month and it has vaulted ceilings so heating the place will be more challenging, but I can handle it. Thursday night rolled around and so did the NBA Draft. Congratulations to my pal, Courtney Lee, for getting picked up by the Magic on the 22nd pick of the first round!! He's a great player and I'm excited to see what he'll do for them.
Friday was a doozy! Worked from 6 to 2, it wasn't a bad day just a long one. Felt like 2 o'clock would never come! After work I headed back home to prepare for my Friday even plans: dinner at the Melting Pot and Pixar's new flick Wall-E with Rhonda and her awesome daughter Kay. They came to pick me up at 430 and we were off, we had to drop her other daughter Rachel off at a friend's house across town by 5. Right before I was headed out the door Daddy dearest called the house to warn us of the impending doom -- another big storm headed out way -- and encouraged me to check the Weather Channel. So I hopped on good ole www.weather.com and scoped out the problem. "Severe Thunder Warning" it said, so Rhonda and I figured it wasn't anything that we can't handle -- especially after the last few weeks of crazy storms. So we were off. We got no more than 3 miles away from the house and BAM! Torrential down pour, extremely heavy winds were shaking the car, it wasn't fun. We kept on driving (since there really wasn't much else we could do) and by the time we reached Rachel's friend's house it had calmed down well enough so that it was just now just bad rain. We had the radio going to keep us informed about what was going on and we got hit pretty hard. Tornado force winds in the West end of the city. This is probably the most damage that Omaha has actually seen. We've had a lot of storms and a lot of tornadoes but this time the damage was everywhere! Trees were mowed over, some of them falling on houses, cars and on the roads. Fences demolished, some roofs ripped off, several fireworks stands were collapsed -- some with people still in them. As a final finishing touch it also robbed trees of many of their leaves, leaving the city in a kelly green decoupage. Power is still out in a good portion of the city. The annual Memorial Park Concert was also being held on Friday night. People were waiting for the show to start when the sirens sounded and the place was evacuated. And I can't forget about the art festival downtown that was ruined too. I can't imagine how many pieces of art that these artists had worked on were demolished. It was pretty bad. Luckily the storm blew over in about 30 minutes, but it definitely left a mark. After the storm had passed we had to change plans, The Melting Pot turned into Moe's and we had to return to Bellevue to see Wall-E. The movie was amazing so go see it.
Yesterday was my final day of shopping for the apartment so the apartment is now fully furnished, praise the Lord! I never realized how hard shopping for the apartment is. Trying to remember what you already have. Making big purchase decisions about things that you don't really know about in your first apartment. What kind of mattress is best? Is this setting on this washing machine really necessary? Will I actually use this? Etc. But it's done and the moving date is set: July 14th. I'm getting a little nervous, I'm still very excited, but it's weird. I'm leaving home, for good. Sure, there will be visits and they'll be great. But this is it, I'm flying solo now. It's very odd.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Last Day of Vacation
Well, after two rather violent tremors today we decide that it was time to call the front desk and find out what that is. We knew it wasn't an earthquake, but this time, the mirror on the other wall was shaking...we wanted an answer. It was the laundry.
So today was our last day in Seattle, nothing too special. We did go up to the observation deck (floor 73) of the Columbia Center to check out the view and it was amazing. I'd share some pictures, but they didn't come out too great and aren't anywhere near the caliber of the actual view itself. Suffice it to say that it's way higher, way cooler, and way cheaper than the Space Needle.
We also made another run through the market to find something for Dad, I finally found a jar of Sour Red Cherry preserves made here in Washingtion (he looooves Cherry preserves) and some salmon rub for when he grills salmon out.
Well, I'm gonna cut this one short, I'm far too entertained by Jeremy's current aggravating phone call and busy packing to be blogging right now.
So today was our last day in Seattle, nothing too special. We did go up to the observation deck (floor 73) of the Columbia Center to check out the view and it was amazing. I'd share some pictures, but they didn't come out too great and aren't anywhere near the caliber of the actual view itself. Suffice it to say that it's way higher, way cooler, and way cheaper than the Space Needle.
We also made another run through the market to find something for Dad, I finally found a jar of Sour Red Cherry preserves made here in Washingtion (he looooves Cherry preserves) and some salmon rub for when he grills salmon out.
Well, I'm gonna cut this one short, I'm far too entertained by Jeremy's current aggravating phone call and busy packing to be blogging right now.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Seattle Day Three
Since our hotel internet was being shady last night I suppose I have two days worth of blogging to do this evening. Yesterday was awesome. We started off our second day with some coffee from Seattle's Best which, I dare say is better than Starbucks! *Gasp* Blasphemy, I know! After grabbing our coffee we walked over to the market and realized that we were still too early as a good portion of the vendors were still in setup mode. So we walked around for a bit and ran into The Race for the Cure in Seattle. We watched the walk for quite a while...it was absolutely amazing to see all of the people who were out walking, just an enormous amount of people. A flood. The picture below is one of my favorites from the walk, there is a woman carrying a sign that reads "Cancer Sucks" it's not the best quality, frankly, I'm really tired and don't want to sharpen it. Sorry :)
When we had had enough of the sea of people we headed back to the Pike Place Market and decided to start gathering things for lunch (and look around for some more goodies to bring home). We enjoyed a super yummy picnic of fresh french bread, salami and ham, garlic and dill chevre goat cheese, lychees, kiwi and strawberries (pictured below). It was lovely.
After lunch we headed to the Underground Tour of Seattle. And it was awesome. Got to hear all about how historic Seattle is underground and why it's underground, a definite must-see if you ever visit the city. Then it was off to a pretty rad toy store and then we hopped on the monorail and headed to the Space Needle. And no, we did not go up the Space Needle. Honestly, it seemed a little gimicky and quite frankly neither of us were interested. Jeremy has been up it before and he wasn't too impressed. Besides, there is a building down town that is way higher that you can go up in for a few bucks during the week and I'm looking forward to it. The Space Needle just didn't do anything for me, regardless of its fame. But here's a picture of the space needle anyway.
After The Space Needle it was back to the hotel in search of an Outback Steakhouse we both needed some protein and it was well worth it. Then, being the lame kids that we are, we went to sleep -- hey, it was a lot of walking.
This morning we hit the road at nine and headed to Mt. St. Helen's. I was initially super excited to go, but when I woke up this morning not feeling so well my enthusiasm faded. Luckily, about 1/2 way through the ride there I felt much much better and was able to enjoy the ride and the views.
The ride there was pretty slow, but once we hit the mountains it was gorgeous, very green and we even saw some snow. We continued up the mountain and were on our way to 99 to get on the road up to the observatory. We drove and drove and finally were greeted by a road closed sign. Epic fail. It would have been nice of the website for Mt. St. Helen's to tell us that the effin' road was closed, but hey we made the best out of it. So we took our time down the mountain, stopping where we wanted to explore and snap photos. I've put the best shots of the day down below.
We returned back to Seattle defeated but hungry so we stopped at Applebee's for some dinner. We had intentions of going to see Kung Fu Panda after lunch, but both of us were so tired we chose the nap option. I slept for three hours. He didn't get any sleep because his bed kept shaking. After doing a little bit of research and discussion we realized that every few minutes our beds (and the wall behind them) shake. Sometimes very softly and sometimes pretty vigorously, but it's always rhythmic. This is both settling and unsettling. Settling because I felt it last night and having the back problems that I do I thought my back was freaking out because the shaking is harsh enough to feel but subtle enough to make it feel like it's you and not what you're sitting on. Unsettling because we have no idea why our freakin' room is shaking. It's like our own personal passive earthquake. Now it's just annoying me and killing my balance.
Picture time :)
The view from the sun roof.
Me hanging out of the sun roof.
View from one of our road side stops on the mountain.
Flower child.
Huggin' trees.
On the pavement.
And I always thought Washington was one of the more progressive states...hrmmm....
When we had had enough of the sea of people we headed back to the Pike Place Market and decided to start gathering things for lunch (and look around for some more goodies to bring home). We enjoyed a super yummy picnic of fresh french bread, salami and ham, garlic and dill chevre goat cheese, lychees, kiwi and strawberries (pictured below). It was lovely.
After lunch we headed to the Underground Tour of Seattle. And it was awesome. Got to hear all about how historic Seattle is underground and why it's underground, a definite must-see if you ever visit the city. Then it was off to a pretty rad toy store and then we hopped on the monorail and headed to the Space Needle. And no, we did not go up the Space Needle. Honestly, it seemed a little gimicky and quite frankly neither of us were interested. Jeremy has been up it before and he wasn't too impressed. Besides, there is a building down town that is way higher that you can go up in for a few bucks during the week and I'm looking forward to it. The Space Needle just didn't do anything for me, regardless of its fame. But here's a picture of the space needle anyway.
After The Space Needle it was back to the hotel in search of an Outback Steakhouse we both needed some protein and it was well worth it. Then, being the lame kids that we are, we went to sleep -- hey, it was a lot of walking.
This morning we hit the road at nine and headed to Mt. St. Helen's. I was initially super excited to go, but when I woke up this morning not feeling so well my enthusiasm faded. Luckily, about 1/2 way through the ride there I felt much much better and was able to enjoy the ride and the views.
The ride there was pretty slow, but once we hit the mountains it was gorgeous, very green and we even saw some snow. We continued up the mountain and were on our way to 99 to get on the road up to the observatory. We drove and drove and finally were greeted by a road closed sign. Epic fail. It would have been nice of the website for Mt. St. Helen's to tell us that the effin' road was closed, but hey we made the best out of it. So we took our time down the mountain, stopping where we wanted to explore and snap photos. I've put the best shots of the day down below.
We returned back to Seattle defeated but hungry so we stopped at Applebee's for some dinner. We had intentions of going to see Kung Fu Panda after lunch, but both of us were so tired we chose the nap option. I slept for three hours. He didn't get any sleep because his bed kept shaking. After doing a little bit of research and discussion we realized that every few minutes our beds (and the wall behind them) shake. Sometimes very softly and sometimes pretty vigorously, but it's always rhythmic. This is both settling and unsettling. Settling because I felt it last night and having the back problems that I do I thought my back was freaking out because the shaking is harsh enough to feel but subtle enough to make it feel like it's you and not what you're sitting on. Unsettling because we have no idea why our freakin' room is shaking. It's like our own personal passive earthquake. Now it's just annoying me and killing my balance.
Picture time :)
The view from the sun roof.
Me hanging out of the sun roof.
View from one of our road side stops on the mountain.
Flower child.
Huggin' trees.
On the pavement.
And I always thought Washington was one of the more progressive states...hrmmm....
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Wet T-Shirt Contest!!!
After I crawled out of my surprisingly comfortable hotel bed I found my suitcase in the dark (Jeremy wasn't up yet so I didn't want to turn on the lights) and found my clothes for the day: jeans, white Old Navy t-shirt, socks, underwear the whole bit and I head to the bathroom.
I turned on the shower because it takes a minute to get warm and I removed Jeremy's swim trunks from the shower rod and placed them on the towel rack and as I went to place my clothes there something fell. And I immediately felt a little proud because you know, you always pack extra underwear because something like this is bound to happen, you drop them in the toilet, you get soaked in the rain and you need a change of clothes, you spill orange juice on your pants, etc. So I thought to myself, "Ha! I packed extra, I am so prepared, go me!" Well folks, it wasn't my underwear, it was my t-shirt. And while I'm smart enough to pack extra underwear I was not smart enough to pack an extra t-shirt.
And so my 5th t-shirt is hanging on the shower rod waiting to dry. Thank goodness there's a mall downtown, because Lord knows I am not wearing that t-shirt again until it's washed.
Moral of the story: Always pack an extra shirt or two too.
I turned on the shower because it takes a minute to get warm and I removed Jeremy's swim trunks from the shower rod and placed them on the towel rack and as I went to place my clothes there something fell. And I immediately felt a little proud because you know, you always pack extra underwear because something like this is bound to happen, you drop them in the toilet, you get soaked in the rain and you need a change of clothes, you spill orange juice on your pants, etc. So I thought to myself, "Ha! I packed extra, I am so prepared, go me!" Well folks, it wasn't my underwear, it was my t-shirt. And while I'm smart enough to pack extra underwear I was not smart enough to pack an extra t-shirt.
And so my 5th t-shirt is hanging on the shower rod waiting to dry. Thank goodness there's a mall downtown, because Lord knows I am not wearing that t-shirt again until it's washed.
Moral of the story: Always pack an extra shirt or two too.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Pictures, finally!
The internet finally stabilized enough to upload pictures now let's see if I can get Photobucket to cooperate
One of the beautiful skies I was telling you all about.
Bored in the car.
Meandering in Seattle.
A sampling of the many beautiful flowers in the Pike Place Market.
One of the beautiful skies I was telling you all about.
Bored in the car.
Meandering in Seattle.
A sampling of the many beautiful flowers in the Pike Place Market.
Seattle Day One
I'm writing to you poolside after some amazing Olive Garden salad and soup. Jeremy is swimming and I'm sitting on the sidelines because I didn't bring my bathing suit, it's not warm enough for swimming (at least for me) and when I looked at weather last week it was supposed to be in the 50s with some rain.
Well it's been an interesting first day in Seattle. First and foremost, this city is absolutely beautiful. The traffic SUCKS but that's the same in any city you go to. We headed downtown first thing this morning for some coffee, I got an Americano at an organic french bakery downtown, the name of which escapes me at the moment, and Jeremy picked up his white mocha at the first Starbucks we saw. Then it was off to the Pike Place Market where I picked up some great finds for some great people back home including beautiful handmade rings with handmade glass stones in them for Mom and Jen and then some Rooibos tea for my good pal Jake. And yes, I realized that I'm spoiling the surprise since I know at least one of them reads this blog, too bad so sad, no surprise for you. I'm still looking for the perfect thing for Dad.
We did get lost for a while and made some extra unnecessary miles but hey it's a pretty city so it didn't all go to waste, we got some good pictures and had a good time. My feet, however, did not enjoy the journey too much. I wore black Old Navy flip flops, which I'm sure creates the reaction of "Bekah, duh, why would you walk around downtown Seattle all day in flip flops? You moron." But here's the thing. Old Navy flip flops and I are like best friends, we do everything together, including walking around new cities for hours on end and until today we have never had an issue. I blame Old Navy's new flip flops design this year, they just don't break in like they used to, and I think the straps go further down your foot, either way, I was disappointed. It's the Pumas from here on out.
Around 3 or 4 PM Jeremy and I both realized that we were zonked so we headed back to the hotel where I nursed my screaming feet for a little bit and then took a quick nap, then it was up at 6 and off for dinner. We arrive at Olive Garden and find a parking space and Jeremy decides to back in. So we're backing in, no problems -- or so we thought. We get in and this woman screams "OH MY GOD!!! STOP STOP STOP STOP!!!!" and I immediately think "Oh my God, we've hit her child, oh my God." And I start mentally freaking out. And so I look at Jeremy and I'm like "What happened?" To which he replies "I think I hit a little bit of the curb?" Are you kidding me?! She freaked out because we hit a little bit of the curb? Come on! Jeremy, being smarter than I, got quietly out of the car and we walked into the restaurant. Quite frankly, had it been me I probably would have given the lady a piece of my mind for freaking me out so badly, but that's just me. We walk out of the restaurant after dinner and inspect the back end of the car....nothing, not a thing. Uy mio.
Now we're back at the hotel, he's swimming, I'm sitting on the chair with my feet up. (Feet, please forgive me?) Soon we'll head back inside for some mind-numbing evening television and some Ben & Jerry's that we picked up from the 7-11 (Oh thank heaven!) down the street from the hotel. Still working on the pictures, our internet connection at the hotel isn't stable enough to allow me to upload any today. Maybe later tonight?
Well it's been an interesting first day in Seattle. First and foremost, this city is absolutely beautiful. The traffic SUCKS but that's the same in any city you go to. We headed downtown first thing this morning for some coffee, I got an Americano at an organic french bakery downtown, the name of which escapes me at the moment, and Jeremy picked up his white mocha at the first Starbucks we saw. Then it was off to the Pike Place Market where I picked up some great finds for some great people back home including beautiful handmade rings with handmade glass stones in them for Mom and Jen and then some Rooibos tea for my good pal Jake. And yes, I realized that I'm spoiling the surprise since I know at least one of them reads this blog, too bad so sad, no surprise for you. I'm still looking for the perfect thing for Dad.
We did get lost for a while and made some extra unnecessary miles but hey it's a pretty city so it didn't all go to waste, we got some good pictures and had a good time. My feet, however, did not enjoy the journey too much. I wore black Old Navy flip flops, which I'm sure creates the reaction of "Bekah, duh, why would you walk around downtown Seattle all day in flip flops? You moron." But here's the thing. Old Navy flip flops and I are like best friends, we do everything together, including walking around new cities for hours on end and until today we have never had an issue. I blame Old Navy's new flip flops design this year, they just don't break in like they used to, and I think the straps go further down your foot, either way, I was disappointed. It's the Pumas from here on out.
Around 3 or 4 PM Jeremy and I both realized that we were zonked so we headed back to the hotel where I nursed my screaming feet for a little bit and then took a quick nap, then it was up at 6 and off for dinner. We arrive at Olive Garden and find a parking space and Jeremy decides to back in. So we're backing in, no problems -- or so we thought. We get in and this woman screams "OH MY GOD!!! STOP STOP STOP STOP!!!!" and I immediately think "Oh my God, we've hit her child, oh my God." And I start mentally freaking out. And so I look at Jeremy and I'm like "What happened?" To which he replies "I think I hit a little bit of the curb?" Are you kidding me?! She freaked out because we hit a little bit of the curb? Come on! Jeremy, being smarter than I, got quietly out of the car and we walked into the restaurant. Quite frankly, had it been me I probably would have given the lady a piece of my mind for freaking me out so badly, but that's just me. We walk out of the restaurant after dinner and inspect the back end of the car....nothing, not a thing. Uy mio.
Now we're back at the hotel, he's swimming, I'm sitting on the chair with my feet up. (Feet, please forgive me?) Soon we'll head back inside for some mind-numbing evening television and some Ben & Jerry's that we picked up from the 7-11 (Oh thank heaven!) down the street from the hotel. Still working on the pictures, our internet connection at the hotel isn't stable enough to allow me to upload any today. Maybe later tonight?
Road Trippin' Day 1 & 2 (and part of day 3 technically, but since I just woke up and am still in bed it's not really day 3)
Well, hallelujah, praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition, folks!!! We are finally in Seattle after two loooooooong 13 hour days in the car and I finally have what seems to be a solid internet connection -- at least until I said that and my bars all disappeared. I guess I'll just keep typing and then when I get a full signal I'll copy all my words to make sure I don't lose them and then post them...argh crappy hotel wireless. I've noticed that hotels either have super great internet or internet that makes you want to launch your computer into tomorrow and more often than not it's the latter of those two.
We started out on Wednesday morning around 7:30 and plowed through western Nebraska - well actually almost all of Nebraska since I live in Omaha which is right on the Eastern border and oh. my. gosh. there is NOTHING there. I always knew that there was nothing in western Nebraska, but now that I've experienced it myself I KNOW.
I suppose I should also tell you before I go any further that I'm traveling with my dear friend, Jeremy, who is in the Coast Guard and is on his way to Alaska right now and I'm just along to keep him sane and hang out for a few days in Seattle before he catches his ferry to Ketchikan, Alaska. It's also important to mention that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how he's made this trip at least three times without running himself and his vehicle off the side of the side of the road -- yeah it's that bad. It's pretty, but pretty is only entertaining for so long.
Ok, so we got through Nebraska in all of it's flat, non-hilled existence and then into Wyoming. It was not until this trip that I actually believed Wyoming existed -- I mean, think about it, what comes out of Wyoming???? Noooooothing. Wyoming had hills and rock formations which were quite drastic changes from the flat landscape of Nebraska, but I was left with one burning question: Why do people live there?!?! WHY?! Granted, I think there's only about 22 of those people, but why subject yourself to that?! Uy mio!
After Wyoming it was on to Utah. A very pretty state, but I still don't like it. I visited Salt Lake City with some friends in late 2006 and basically wanted to gouge my own eyes out. It's pretty, sure, but we just flat out did not like it, we didn't find the people very hospitable nor did we find any that had much personality -- we went to find something to eat at 8 o'clock downtown and nothing was open -- that's weird. So I've never been too fond of Utah, it's similar to my distaste of Evansville, IN -- I've just never had a pleasant experience there. So we arrived in Ogden, Utah around 7 or 8 o'clock on Wednesday night and after getting settled in our hotel we hit the local Olive Garden for some amazing salad and lots of pasta and after feeling like we hadn't ate in days it certainly hit the spot. Utah, this time, wasn't that bad, far better than my previous experience but I still can't say I like the state, but I do still think it's pretty.
After some good sleep we woke up on Thursday morning around 6:30 to grab breakfast, pack up and then head out again. The day's task: plug through the rest of Utah, across Idaho, through a part of Oregon and then for the looong stretch across Washington. We started off with a hearty breakfast of waffles and then filled up on gas to the tune of over $4 a gallon!!!! Ridiculous and we set off. The scenes were beautiful, even Idaho was fairly fun to look at. It started to get very green when we got into Oregon and by Washington there were only three color grey/black on the road, blue in the sky and green everywhere else. It was gorgeous! We got some amazing sky views on our trip -- absolutely beautiful clouds.
We finally got to Seattle at 6:30 pm last night. Just in time for rush hour!!!! After fighting Seattle traffic, we reached our hotel at 7, I don't think either of us have been happier to reach a hotel ever. We discussed dinner options and both agreed that neither of us wanted to see that car again for at least 12 hours so we found ourselves desperately finding any restaurant that would deliver to our hotel finally finding a Dominos. Dinner was filling, it certainly beat the Slim Jim, Riesen, and Oreo Cakester diet in the car. After the pizza, it was a Jeff Dunham DVD and SLEEP!
So, here I am, day 3 and finally in Seattle. We've got a few more things to do before we head out for a day of exploring. Can't wait. That all being said, it's important to give credit to those responsible for helping us get to Seattle they include: Margaret Cho, Chris Titus, Pablo Francisco, Mitch Hedberg, Dane Cook as well as our iPods.
Pictures to come soon as soon as my Photobucket decides to not be moronic.
We started out on Wednesday morning around 7:30 and plowed through western Nebraska - well actually almost all of Nebraska since I live in Omaha which is right on the Eastern border and oh. my. gosh. there is NOTHING there. I always knew that there was nothing in western Nebraska, but now that I've experienced it myself I KNOW.
I suppose I should also tell you before I go any further that I'm traveling with my dear friend, Jeremy, who is in the Coast Guard and is on his way to Alaska right now and I'm just along to keep him sane and hang out for a few days in Seattle before he catches his ferry to Ketchikan, Alaska. It's also important to mention that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how he's made this trip at least three times without running himself and his vehicle off the side of the side of the road -- yeah it's that bad. It's pretty, but pretty is only entertaining for so long.
Ok, so we got through Nebraska in all of it's flat, non-hilled existence and then into Wyoming. It was not until this trip that I actually believed Wyoming existed -- I mean, think about it, what comes out of Wyoming???? Noooooothing. Wyoming had hills and rock formations which were quite drastic changes from the flat landscape of Nebraska, but I was left with one burning question: Why do people live there?!?! WHY?! Granted, I think there's only about 22 of those people, but why subject yourself to that?! Uy mio!
After Wyoming it was on to Utah. A very pretty state, but I still don't like it. I visited Salt Lake City with some friends in late 2006 and basically wanted to gouge my own eyes out. It's pretty, sure, but we just flat out did not like it, we didn't find the people very hospitable nor did we find any that had much personality -- we went to find something to eat at 8 o'clock downtown and nothing was open -- that's weird. So I've never been too fond of Utah, it's similar to my distaste of Evansville, IN -- I've just never had a pleasant experience there. So we arrived in Ogden, Utah around 7 or 8 o'clock on Wednesday night and after getting settled in our hotel we hit the local Olive Garden for some amazing salad and lots of pasta and after feeling like we hadn't ate in days it certainly hit the spot. Utah, this time, wasn't that bad, far better than my previous experience but I still can't say I like the state, but I do still think it's pretty.
After some good sleep we woke up on Thursday morning around 6:30 to grab breakfast, pack up and then head out again. The day's task: plug through the rest of Utah, across Idaho, through a part of Oregon and then for the looong stretch across Washington. We started off with a hearty breakfast of waffles and then filled up on gas to the tune of over $4 a gallon!!!! Ridiculous and we set off. The scenes were beautiful, even Idaho was fairly fun to look at. It started to get very green when we got into Oregon and by Washington there were only three color grey/black on the road, blue in the sky and green everywhere else. It was gorgeous! We got some amazing sky views on our trip -- absolutely beautiful clouds.
We finally got to Seattle at 6:30 pm last night. Just in time for rush hour!!!! After fighting Seattle traffic, we reached our hotel at 7, I don't think either of us have been happier to reach a hotel ever. We discussed dinner options and both agreed that neither of us wanted to see that car again for at least 12 hours so we found ourselves desperately finding any restaurant that would deliver to our hotel finally finding a Dominos. Dinner was filling, it certainly beat the Slim Jim, Riesen, and Oreo Cakester diet in the car. After the pizza, it was a Jeff Dunham DVD and SLEEP!
So, here I am, day 3 and finally in Seattle. We've got a few more things to do before we head out for a day of exploring. Can't wait. That all being said, it's important to give credit to those responsible for helping us get to Seattle they include: Margaret Cho, Chris Titus, Pablo Francisco, Mitch Hedberg, Dane Cook as well as our iPods.
Pictures to come soon as soon as my Photobucket decides to not be moronic.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
It's 6 PM...
....and I'm brewing a pot of coffee and preparing for a night of thunderstorms and "tornadic activity."
I'm still holding it down on the homefront and am enjoying every moment of it...for the most part. I could do with going to work but hey even that's not that bad knowing that I get to leave in just a few weeks since I should be leaving for my "real job" in July. {I put "real job" in quotes because I feel that it's fairly offensive to call Panera an "unreal job" as the people I work with there do work, very hard each day.} I cannot believe it's already June. I'm headed to Seattle for vacation with one of my favorite people, Jeremy, in less than 2 weeks and it still feels like it should be over a month away. And after my return from Seattle it will be a matter of days (maybe a week or two) until I leave for good. Crazy!
I spent yesterday at the hospital with one of my favorite couples, Eriq and Sara, waiting for their new addition to arrive. Eriq Scott Herman II joined the party yesterday at 11:59 AM and I could not be more excited for them. He is absolutely beautiful and the labor and delivery went unbelievably well. He is the first baby to join our little family of old friends, Felica's baby boy will join us in October. It's so weird that we're old enough to have friends that are having kids and having kids because they're starting a family and not just because they got accidentally impregnated in high school.
Well I need to charge the laptop before it has a change to die and more importantly before our power has the chance to go out.
I'm still holding it down on the homefront and am enjoying every moment of it...for the most part. I could do with going to work but hey even that's not that bad knowing that I get to leave in just a few weeks since I should be leaving for my "real job" in July. {I put "real job" in quotes because I feel that it's fairly offensive to call Panera an "unreal job" as the people I work with there do work, very hard each day.} I cannot believe it's already June. I'm headed to Seattle for vacation with one of my favorite people, Jeremy, in less than 2 weeks and it still feels like it should be over a month away. And after my return from Seattle it will be a matter of days (maybe a week or two) until I leave for good. Crazy!
I spent yesterday at the hospital with one of my favorite couples, Eriq and Sara, waiting for their new addition to arrive. Eriq Scott Herman II joined the party yesterday at 11:59 AM and I could not be more excited for them. He is absolutely beautiful and the labor and delivery went unbelievably well. He is the first baby to join our little family of old friends, Felica's baby boy will join us in October. It's so weird that we're old enough to have friends that are having kids and having kids because they're starting a family and not just because they got accidentally impregnated in high school.
Well I need to charge the laptop before it has a change to die and more importantly before our power has the chance to go out.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Severe Storm Warning
...That's what all of our television network stations are telling us. Severe thunderstorms mostly, but I think a few counties have tornado watches. We love storms in the Clark household, well with the exception of my little sister Jennifer who, according to her twitter "less than <3s thunderstorms." When the storm started naturally my Dad, Mom (both former meteorologists) and myself peered out the nearest window and/or screen door and watched the massive lightning, heavy downpour, and then finally the hail.
It has been crazy lately. I started back at Panera this week -- I can hardly contain my joy :). It hasn't been too bad, but every day further proves to me that I'm ready to start my career. I've almost completely furnished my apartment, my guest room is finished, kitchen is finished, my living room (except the TV) is finished, and my bathrooms and master bedrooms are about 1/2 finished and I am so excited about that. Everything is starting to come together, it's been a lot of fun. Kind of stressful, but mostly fun. I picked out my couch today and it is the most perfect bright light blue micro-suede couch ever and I love it. I'm extremely excited to move, I'm ready for a fresh start.
In more important news, I paid $45 for gas this morning....in my TWELVE GALLON TANK in my 97 Nissan Sentra -- I. was. pissed. The pump stopped and I glanced up at the price gauge and I almost passed out. I've been comparing smaller SUVs and this morning my decision was made -- I'm getting a Prius. Gas prices are absolutely out of control and I wish that I could follow my complaint with some logical solution to the problem of the gas prices. I've heard all the arguments about who the blame should be laid on for the wallet-raping but I honestly can't say that I've been too impressed with any of the theories I've heard. But I do know that if prices don't drop the American people, especially the middle class are going to be hurting and pretty severely too. Although, maybe the higher prices will start a push towards better public transportation systems like they have in larger metropolitan areas (DC, St. Louis, etc.) and in Europe. I'd love to live in a city where I wouldn't HAVE to take my car if I didn't want to.
Here's to hoping!
It has been crazy lately. I started back at Panera this week -- I can hardly contain my joy :). It hasn't been too bad, but every day further proves to me that I'm ready to start my career. I've almost completely furnished my apartment, my guest room is finished, kitchen is finished, my living room (except the TV) is finished, and my bathrooms and master bedrooms are about 1/2 finished and I am so excited about that. Everything is starting to come together, it's been a lot of fun. Kind of stressful, but mostly fun. I picked out my couch today and it is the most perfect bright light blue micro-suede couch ever and I love it. I'm extremely excited to move, I'm ready for a fresh start.
In more important news, I paid $45 for gas this morning....in my TWELVE GALLON TANK in my 97 Nissan Sentra -- I. was. pissed. The pump stopped and I glanced up at the price gauge and I almost passed out. I've been comparing smaller SUVs and this morning my decision was made -- I'm getting a Prius. Gas prices are absolutely out of control and I wish that I could follow my complaint with some logical solution to the problem of the gas prices. I've heard all the arguments about who the blame should be laid on for the wallet-raping but I honestly can't say that I've been too impressed with any of the theories I've heard. But I do know that if prices don't drop the American people, especially the middle class are going to be hurting and pretty severely too. Although, maybe the higher prices will start a push towards better public transportation systems like they have in larger metropolitan areas (DC, St. Louis, etc.) and in Europe. I'd love to live in a city where I wouldn't HAVE to take my car if I didn't want to.
Here's to hoping!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My Six-Year-Old Self
As you all know I just graduated a few weeks ago, and I'm staying with my parents in Omaha, Nebraska until I move for my "real job" in July. I'm loving being home and I'm terribly excited about moving into my first place that I can call my own in a couple months. I've found the apartment and I'm getting more and more preparations finished (i.e. bedding, cookware, etc.) for the move. Today's task has been to go through all of my old stuff and decide what to throw away and what to keep. I've found several keepers, several things for the trash, and several things to eBay. Among the keepers is what I'm about to share with all of you, my journal from when I was six. It was 1992, my Dad and thus, my family, was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
There are pictures to go with each of these entries but it will take longer for me to put those up as I'll have to devise a way to do it since our scanner is ghetto. Note: Everything following this is written exactly how it was in my journal -- cute six-year-old misspellings and all. I have made some clarifying notes next to some entries in {brackets}.
September 8, 1992: First day {first day of first grade}
September 9, 1992: Happy
September 10, 1992: Birthday {September 10th is not my birthday, nor either of my parents', nor my kid sister's...who knows.}
September 11, 1992: Weekend {I'm surfing in the picture I drew with this one}
September 15, 1992: Trees
September 18, 1992: {There are no words with this entry just a picture of someone crying. Me and my Mom think this is probably the day my Dad was deployed to Somalia}
September 21, 1992: I dreamed
September 25, 1992: If I could fly {the picture with this is particularly hilarious}
September 30, 1992: I feel happy when my dad coms hom love (or maybe leve) {this entry confirmed the Dad deployed to Somalia suspicion from three entries previous.}
October 2, 1992: I like Fridays because we go to gym to because.
October 6, 1992: I wish I could Hav Iscrem. {Ice cream???}
October 9, 1992: After school I like to go to gym after gym I go hom.
October 14, 1992: My favorite place is Disny Wurld and go to ThuD Math rul kusr Dr. {I have no idea}
October 16, 1992: I would to learn he {not sure if that actually says 'he'}
October 21, 1992: My favorite person is Jen. {Jen is my sister, this was after the first 2 1/2 years of her life where all she did was scream, but before she was old enough to make me realize that we would become close-to-enemies until I graduated high school.}
October *: Drugs are bad because they can mec you sick {that's right boys and girls, drugs with make you sick}
October 27, 1992: I am scared when i am all by mysef. {I don't know where I would have been by myself at the age of 6}
October 30, 1992: For Halloween, I am a cat. {the 'c' in 'cat' was backwards}
November 3, 1992: If I were President I would I would Tel all the piPsl to the WhiTE House {again, I have no idea, but note the date, apparently I was a pretty politically conscious child.}
November 4, 1992: Who won the President election Bill Clinton {again, politically conscious}
November 10, 1992: The nicest place is First Grade. {Wasn't it though? Snacks and recess -- what more could you ask for?}
November 12, 1992: If I were five years older I would babsit. {I did baby-sit a lot as a teenager -- a little foreshadowing}
November 13, 1992: I had a terrible day today {I probably missed my Daddy}
November 17, 1992: I like to read because its Fun. {I still think reading is fun}
November 20, 1992: School is importart because you lrn {I love the irony of spelling the word "learn" wrong in this sentence}
November 25, 1992: I can't wait till my brThday.
December 1, 1, 1992: My favorite movie is Batey and the Besty {Beauty and the Beast, maybe?}
December 4, 1992: My favorite stuffed animal is my cat and my dog. {I don't think I had a cat or dog stuff animal}
December 8, 1992: All I want for Chris is a Cat and Dog and for My Mommy and Daddy and Jennifer and me and ukol and my ant and my gapoy and gamoy. {Dad, apparently, was not home yet}
December 15, 1992: I want to give my Mom an Dad a reng Dalareng. {No idea what that last word is}
December 16, 1992: My favorite Christmas song is rockin ora the christmas tree.
December 22, 1992: My New Year's Resolution is Not tock bak to mom. {I'm wondering if this was prompted by a letter from Daddy encouraging me to help Mommy.}
January 4, 1993: Christmas was nice because I got a hed bad. {I got a head band. I'm glad that over the years I've kept the characteristic where it's the little things that make me smile (i.e. a head band)}
January 6, 1993: Don't talk to strangers because they are bad and tel yor Doddy and mommy.
January 12, 1993: Boat {ADD much?}
January 20, 1993: I hope the new President is nice {I should have also hoped that he'd keep it in his pants.}
January 22, 1993: Something good to me is vechvol and froot. {The only reason I knew I was talking about vegetables is because of the accompanying pictures.}
January 26, 1993: I would like to be a pilot because it's fun. {I have always loved airplanes, the sound they make and flying}
January 29, 1993: Mrs. Smith has a neat Job because it's fun.
February 1, 1993: when it rains i feel mad {I like rain}
February 3, 1993: I would like to be a herdresr. {Evidence that I was calling hair "her" way before it was cool to do so. I should be getting royalties.}
February 5, 1993: Lifesavers
February 12, 1993: I wish I was home.
February 19, 1993: Georg Washington is important because he was a General
February 24, 1993: I will save money for a home and a cat and dog. {Little Miss Independent}
February 26, 1993: I am excited because I am happy.
March 1, 1993: The wind was so strong that it blod the tree uy way. {This picture is also entertaining.}
El fin. I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did.
There are pictures to go with each of these entries but it will take longer for me to put those up as I'll have to devise a way to do it since our scanner is ghetto. Note: Everything following this is written exactly how it was in my journal -- cute six-year-old misspellings and all. I have made some clarifying notes next to some entries in {brackets}.
September 8, 1992: First day {first day of first grade}
September 9, 1992: Happy
September 10, 1992: Birthday {September 10th is not my birthday, nor either of my parents', nor my kid sister's...who knows.}
September 11, 1992: Weekend {I'm surfing in the picture I drew with this one}
September 15, 1992: Trees
September 18, 1992: {There are no words with this entry just a picture of someone crying. Me and my Mom think this is probably the day my Dad was deployed to Somalia}
September 21, 1992: I dreamed
September 25, 1992: If I could fly {the picture with this is particularly hilarious}
September 30, 1992: I feel happy when my dad coms hom love (or maybe leve) {this entry confirmed the Dad deployed to Somalia suspicion from three entries previous.}
October 2, 1992: I like Fridays because we go to gym to because.
October 6, 1992: I wish I could Hav Iscrem. {Ice cream???}
October 9, 1992: After school I like to go to gym after gym I go hom.
October 14, 1992: My favorite place is Disny Wurld and go to ThuD Math rul kusr Dr. {I have no idea}
October 16, 1992: I would to learn he {not sure if that actually says 'he'}
October 21, 1992: My favorite person is Jen. {Jen is my sister, this was after the first 2 1/2 years of her life where all she did was scream, but before she was old enough to make me realize that we would become close-to-enemies until I graduated high school.}
October *: Drugs are bad because they can mec you sick {that's right boys and girls, drugs with make you sick}
October 27, 1992: I am scared when i am all by mysef. {I don't know where I would have been by myself at the age of 6}
October 30, 1992: For Halloween, I am a cat. {the 'c' in 'cat' was backwards}
November 3, 1992: If I were President I would I would Tel all the piPsl to the WhiTE House {again, I have no idea, but note the date, apparently I was a pretty politically conscious child.}
November 4, 1992: Who won the President election Bill Clinton {again, politically conscious}
November 10, 1992: The nicest place is First Grade. {Wasn't it though? Snacks and recess -- what more could you ask for?}
November 12, 1992: If I were five years older I would babsit. {I did baby-sit a lot as a teenager -- a little foreshadowing}
November 13, 1992: I had a terrible day today {I probably missed my Daddy}
November 17, 1992: I like to read because its Fun. {I still think reading is fun}
November 20, 1992: School is importart because you lrn {I love the irony of spelling the word "learn" wrong in this sentence}
November 25, 1992: I can't wait till my brThday.
December 1, 1, 1992: My favorite movie is Batey and the Besty {Beauty and the Beast, maybe?}
December 4, 1992: My favorite stuffed animal is my cat and my dog. {I don't think I had a cat or dog stuff animal}
December 8, 1992: All I want for Chris is a Cat and Dog and for My Mommy and Daddy and Jennifer and me and ukol and my ant and my gapoy and gamoy. {Dad, apparently, was not home yet}
December 15, 1992: I want to give my Mom an Dad a reng Dalareng. {No idea what that last word is}
December 16, 1992: My favorite Christmas song is rockin ora the christmas tree.
December 22, 1992: My New Year's Resolution is Not tock bak to mom. {I'm wondering if this was prompted by a letter from Daddy encouraging me to help Mommy.}
January 4, 1993: Christmas was nice because I got a hed bad. {I got a head band. I'm glad that over the years I've kept the characteristic where it's the little things that make me smile (i.e. a head band)}
January 6, 1993: Don't talk to strangers because they are bad and tel yor Doddy and mommy.
January 12, 1993: Boat {ADD much?}
January 20, 1993: I hope the new President is nice {I should have also hoped that he'd keep it in his pants.}
January 22, 1993: Something good to me is vechvol and froot. {The only reason I knew I was talking about vegetables is because of the accompanying pictures.}
January 26, 1993: I would like to be a pilot because it's fun. {I have always loved airplanes, the sound they make and flying}
January 29, 1993: Mrs. Smith has a neat Job because it's fun.
February 1, 1993: when it rains i feel mad {I like rain}
February 3, 1993: I would like to be a herdresr. {Evidence that I was calling hair "her" way before it was cool to do so. I should be getting royalties.}
February 5, 1993: Lifesavers
February 12, 1993: I wish I was home.
February 19, 1993: Georg Washington is important because he was a General
February 24, 1993: I will save money for a home and a cat and dog. {Little Miss Independent}
February 26, 1993: I am excited because I am happy.
March 1, 1993: The wind was so strong that it blod the tree uy way. {This picture is also entertaining.}
El fin. I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Teh neu apartment
I founz it.
For those of you who don't speak Lolcat that means I found my new apartment. And I am totally pumped. It's a two bed and two bath, 1100 square foot apartment. It has a switch-on fireplace and plenty of space. I've already started dreaming up different decor ideas because I'm a huge geek. I cannot wait.
For those of you who don't speak Lolcat that means I found my new apartment. And I am totally pumped. It's a two bed and two bath, 1100 square foot apartment. It has a switch-on fireplace and plenty of space. I've already started dreaming up different decor ideas because I'm a huge geek. I cannot wait.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Shhh....I'm hunting apartments.
Well, as Andy so aptly pointed out in the comment section of my last blog, I am now graduated and I do need to change my About Me page. I figured I had a few days to do that since I didn't realize that anyone actually read this stuff, but apparently they do, so thank you Andy, I'll have that fixed as soon as I finish this blog entry. :)
So, yes, I graduated on Saturday and it was amazing. And as goofy as this sounds, it was everything I thought it would be. Sure the ceremony was boring but I was sitting next to friends so it didn't matter. I got to see tons of friends accomplish their goals. And I even danced back to my seat -- that is not a lie. Leaving friends on Saturday night was a lot easier and harder than I expected. Easier in the sense that I knew it was going to be hard, usually when I move (which I've done 17 times, and will do 4 more times between now and my 23rd birthday) I just deny that it's going to be hard. But this time I just embraced it, so I knew it was going to be hard so it was easier in that sense. But it was harder than I thought it would be because I felt like I was prepared for it, but only realized that by becoming more open to the idea of it being hard that it was going to be that much harder because I allowed myself to feel it then when it was happening and not just the next time I wanted to call someone to hang out.
So, I've been in Illinois where I will be working to find apartments and I'm having so-so luck. I've found a few that I really like, but are a little more than I'd like to spend, affordable, but I'd prefer to save. But so far, the ones that I've found that are more my financial style are...well...pretty crappy. As my Mom would say "not somewhere that I want my baby to live." We'll see. We've got one more day of searching, but I do have two places that I really really like so far.
Well I'm off, more updates later, I need to change my About Me section before Andy comes after me.
--------------------
Edit: Picture addition June 21st, 2008
The family and me after the ceremony.
My roommate Rachel and me. She was also one of our Big Red Mascot hence the goofy looking hands.
My roommate Jessica and me.
Basketball extraordinaire & friend, Courtney Lee, and me before the ceremony. Best of luck in the draft Courtney!
My friend Tyler and I after his commissioning.
Allie and me at her graduation party the night before the big day. Have a great time in Israel, love!
So, yes, I graduated on Saturday and it was amazing. And as goofy as this sounds, it was everything I thought it would be. Sure the ceremony was boring but I was sitting next to friends so it didn't matter. I got to see tons of friends accomplish their goals. And I even danced back to my seat -- that is not a lie. Leaving friends on Saturday night was a lot easier and harder than I expected. Easier in the sense that I knew it was going to be hard, usually when I move (which I've done 17 times, and will do 4 more times between now and my 23rd birthday) I just deny that it's going to be hard. But this time I just embraced it, so I knew it was going to be hard so it was easier in that sense. But it was harder than I thought it would be because I felt like I was prepared for it, but only realized that by becoming more open to the idea of it being hard that it was going to be that much harder because I allowed myself to feel it then when it was happening and not just the next time I wanted to call someone to hang out.
So, I've been in Illinois where I will be working to find apartments and I'm having so-so luck. I've found a few that I really like, but are a little more than I'd like to spend, affordable, but I'd prefer to save. But so far, the ones that I've found that are more my financial style are...well...pretty crappy. As my Mom would say "not somewhere that I want my baby to live." We'll see. We've got one more day of searching, but I do have two places that I really really like so far.
Well I'm off, more updates later, I need to change my About Me section before Andy comes after me.
--------------------
Edit: Picture addition June 21st, 2008
The family and me after the ceremony.
My roommate Rachel and me. She was also one of our Big Red Mascot hence the goofy looking hands.
My roommate Jessica and me.Basketball extraordinaire & friend, Courtney Lee, and me before the ceremony. Best of luck in the draft Courtney!
My friend Tyler and I after his commissioning.
Allie and me at her graduation party the night before the big day. Have a great time in Israel, love!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Graduation Day
Last night, I slept on a windowsill.
The family descended on my house on Thursday evening after a very long car ride all the way from Kansas City, MO to Bowling Green, KY for the glorious occasion that is my college graduation taking place this afternoon at 3 PM. Got the entire apartment loaded up into my family's three cars (including my car) and we're ready to get the heck out of dodge tomorrow morning. That is, of course, after I take my obligatory diploma picture with Dr. Gary Ransdell, the president of my fine, fine university.
So the family descended and it's been a pretty peaceful time of togetherness which is ALWAYS good news. LOTS of good food -- including Red Lobster and my promised steak dinner. Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Today however, is my (and subsequently theirs as well) last day here in Bowling Green so we'll all be parting ways. Although I am rather convinced that three days is just the right time for extended family to be together. Long enough to catch up but short enough to not want to kill each other.
Well I suppose I should probably get to getting ready, not sure what we're doing before commencement but I know I've got my friend's commissioning at 1 o'clock and then graduation at 3 o'clock and I need to find something to eat -- not to mention my computer battery is dying.
Ta ta!
The family descended on my house on Thursday evening after a very long car ride all the way from Kansas City, MO to Bowling Green, KY for the glorious occasion that is my college graduation taking place this afternoon at 3 PM. Got the entire apartment loaded up into my family's three cars (including my car) and we're ready to get the heck out of dodge tomorrow morning. That is, of course, after I take my obligatory diploma picture with Dr. Gary Ransdell, the president of my fine, fine university.
So the family descended and it's been a pretty peaceful time of togetherness which is ALWAYS good news. LOTS of good food -- including Red Lobster and my promised steak dinner. Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Today however, is my (and subsequently theirs as well) last day here in Bowling Green so we'll all be parting ways. Although I am rather convinced that three days is just the right time for extended family to be together. Long enough to catch up but short enough to not want to kill each other.
Well I suppose I should probably get to getting ready, not sure what we're doing before commencement but I know I've got my friend's commissioning at 1 o'clock and then graduation at 3 o'clock and I need to find something to eat -- not to mention my computer battery is dying.
Ta ta!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
So, I just got a phone call from Robert Schwartzman of Rooney to say hi and congratulate me on my impending graduation from college. And no, that is not a joke. It's one of the cooler things to happen to me recently. My sister went to their show since they were in my lovely town of Omaha and she got him to call me from her phone, it was pretty neat. So, thanks to Robert, I was already having a great day and it was a pretty awesome way to top it off.
I've been working my tail off this week. Papers, studying for exams, taking exams, finishing up loose ends, the whole bit really. And I. am. tired. It's ridiculous. And I am desperately out of motivation, not a good symptom for this time of year. I am so much out of motivation that I have actually been having to incentivize nearly everything I've had to do this week.
I made a deal with myself that if I got my studying for the two exams I had this week out of the way, prepare all my study materials for next week's finals, write the entirety of the rough draft for my paper on shield law, finish loose ends at work and with PRSSA that I was allowed to take Thursday (today) off. It was hard and quite frustrating but I did it.
My morning started with sleeping in, well as much sleeping in as a person who is accustomed to waking up at 6 AM everyday can sleep in. Ran to Starbucks for a Venti Skim Hot Chocolate and then headed to the nail salon to get my long awaited pedicure, it was glorious. I did have to make a stop by class but that wasn't too bad, there were cupcakes there.
From there I spent the afternoon with Ryan at Panera and walking around the nature trails in Bowling Green -- I actually jumped a fence in my dress today! I'm pretty self-impressed by that, especially since I managed to not break anything. But I had NO idea that Bowling Green was that pretty. Oh my gosh, it was gorgeous out there and the smell of burning wood...smelled so good.
After that with was dinner and drinks on Bart, one of my faculty advisor's for an organization I'm in and then it was Iron Man with the boys which was an a-maz-ing movie. I loved it. In fact, it's probably one of the better movies in the superhero genre that I've seen. Although, it'll be hard-pressed to beat Dark Knight if it's as awesome as it's being made out to be.
So in the matter of 5 days I will be DONE with college. Praise the dear Lord in Heaven. I'm totally stoked.
The Westboro Baptist Crazies are headed on their way to Bowling Green, look out for another spirit-filled blog on that, I'm sure it'll be interesting.
I've been working my tail off this week. Papers, studying for exams, taking exams, finishing up loose ends, the whole bit really. And I. am. tired. It's ridiculous. And I am desperately out of motivation, not a good symptom for this time of year. I am so much out of motivation that I have actually been having to incentivize nearly everything I've had to do this week.
I made a deal with myself that if I got my studying for the two exams I had this week out of the way, prepare all my study materials for next week's finals, write the entirety of the rough draft for my paper on shield law, finish loose ends at work and with PRSSA that I was allowed to take Thursday (today) off. It was hard and quite frustrating but I did it.
My morning started with sleeping in, well as much sleeping in as a person who is accustomed to waking up at 6 AM everyday can sleep in. Ran to Starbucks for a Venti Skim Hot Chocolate and then headed to the nail salon to get my long awaited pedicure, it was glorious. I did have to make a stop by class but that wasn't too bad, there were cupcakes there.
From there I spent the afternoon with Ryan at Panera and walking around the nature trails in Bowling Green -- I actually jumped a fence in my dress today! I'm pretty self-impressed by that, especially since I managed to not break anything. But I had NO idea that Bowling Green was that pretty. Oh my gosh, it was gorgeous out there and the smell of burning wood...smelled so good.
After that with was dinner and drinks on Bart, one of my faculty advisor's for an organization I'm in and then it was Iron Man with the boys which was an a-maz-ing movie. I loved it. In fact, it's probably one of the better movies in the superhero genre that I've seen. Although, it'll be hard-pressed to beat Dark Knight if it's as awesome as it's being made out to be.
So in the matter of 5 days I will be DONE with college. Praise the dear Lord in Heaven. I'm totally stoked.
The Westboro Baptist Crazies are headed on their way to Bowling Green, look out for another spirit-filled blog on that, I'm sure it'll be interesting.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
What a crazy week it has been! With only 15 days standing between me and graduation, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that, dear friends, is glorious. In the meantime, I'm working hard to wrap this semester up, I have one major project, one major research paper, 2 exams, and then 2 final exams, it's gonna be a jam packed last week of class and then finals week. But despite the craziness, the last weeks of this semester and subsequently my last weeks of college have been amazing. Great friends, great parties, great conversations, and great nights spent on swings.
On Tuesday, I went up to Dayton, OH with a friend for the Jimmy Eat World & Paramore concert and it was incredible. A band from Arizona, Jimmy's home state, called A Dear & The Headlights opened up and they were pretty good, I struggled to understand the lead singers words but that's OK, they were good. Next up was Paramore and I'll admit it, they surprised me, I was half expecting them to be one of those bands who sounds great on the CD and then in concert they let you down. But Hayley, she lived up to that awesome voice on their albums. I was pleased. And while Paramore is not nearly as seasoned as Jimmy nor as personally anticipated by me as Jimmy they did put on a great show. Jimmy, however, was brilliant. Just brilliant. It was the most simple and straightforward show I have ever seen but by far the best. They came on stage and they played their hearts out, they didn't waste my time with something sycophantic like "your the best crowd on the tour" or something as equally lame. They came to play music and that's what they did. They did have a little bit to say but for the most part, they just played and it was amazing. It's the first concert that I never even thought about looking at the time during, as well as the only concert where my eyes were physically affixed to the stage. They were just SO GOOD. And at the end, when Jim Adkins thanked us for coming out for the show, I really feel like he meant it. Like somewhere inside he is still kinda thinking "People are paying money to come out and see me? That's so cool." Long story short, see Jimmy Eat World if you can, it's totally worth it.
In other half-way neat news, I got to have dinner with the president of my university tonight at his house. Our PRSSA chapter puts on an auction every year where people can win a dinner with the president if they are the highest bidder in their category. And as the president of my school's chapter of PRSSA I get to go, and so I did, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Gary Ransdell is a pretty cool dude, and his wife Julie -- a doll. But dinner was really delicious and the company as equally delightful. Major kudos to them for opening their home to us, not a lot of university presidents will do that and they not only agreed to it but jumped at the chance and that really says something.
Signing off, I have to go finish my last Biblical Greek homework assignment ever. Praise the Lord!!!!
On Tuesday, I went up to Dayton, OH with a friend for the Jimmy Eat World & Paramore concert and it was incredible. A band from Arizona, Jimmy's home state, called A Dear & The Headlights opened up and they were pretty good, I struggled to understand the lead singers words but that's OK, they were good. Next up was Paramore and I'll admit it, they surprised me, I was half expecting them to be one of those bands who sounds great on the CD and then in concert they let you down. But Hayley, she lived up to that awesome voice on their albums. I was pleased. And while Paramore is not nearly as seasoned as Jimmy nor as personally anticipated by me as Jimmy they did put on a great show. Jimmy, however, was brilliant. Just brilliant. It was the most simple and straightforward show I have ever seen but by far the best. They came on stage and they played their hearts out, they didn't waste my time with something sycophantic like "your the best crowd on the tour" or something as equally lame. They came to play music and that's what they did. They did have a little bit to say but for the most part, they just played and it was amazing. It's the first concert that I never even thought about looking at the time during, as well as the only concert where my eyes were physically affixed to the stage. They were just SO GOOD. And at the end, when Jim Adkins thanked us for coming out for the show, I really feel like he meant it. Like somewhere inside he is still kinda thinking "People are paying money to come out and see me? That's so cool." Long story short, see Jimmy Eat World if you can, it's totally worth it.
In other half-way neat news, I got to have dinner with the president of my university tonight at his house. Our PRSSA chapter puts on an auction every year where people can win a dinner with the president if they are the highest bidder in their category. And as the president of my school's chapter of PRSSA I get to go, and so I did, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Gary Ransdell is a pretty cool dude, and his wife Julie -- a doll. But dinner was really delicious and the company as equally delightful. Major kudos to them for opening their home to us, not a lot of university presidents will do that and they not only agreed to it but jumped at the chance and that really says something.
Signing off, I have to go finish my last Biblical Greek homework assignment ever. Praise the Lord!!!!
Monday, April 7, 2008
I Hate Titling My Blogs
I do, I really do hate titling my blogs. It's far too much pressure to be creative and quirky...and some days, much like today, I just can't handle it.
In the mean time, I'm watching the Memphis v. Kansas game and it's driving me insane. 45 seconds on the clock and Memphis is (now) 4 points behind....and I'm basically gonna need them to get their lead back...and now they're 5 points behind...thank you foul shots.
My Dad invited me to participate in his yearly pool that he and his buddies have and so I took him up on the offer. I'm currently in 2nd place and in order to beat Mr. Larry, Memphis is gonna have to win this game. And Memphis just missed a 3 pointer with about 12 seconds on the clock, this is not looking good for me. And Kansas just made a shot from the foul line...I'm gonna go ahead and call this one over. Time of death: 10:49 PM.
Yeah, it's over. The Memphis boys, however, don't look nearly as upset about it as I thought they would. My boys looked absolutely devastated when we lost our Sweet 16 game....I'm still sad about that loss. We should have won that game, alas, sometimes the cards don't always fall in your favor. I still love my boys.
Just checked my standings in the bracket as they are now updated and my Dad beat me...I'm in 3rd place, how does that even happen? He's my Dad, I suppose I'll let him beat me...just this once though.
In the mean time, I'm watching the Memphis v. Kansas game and it's driving me insane. 45 seconds on the clock and Memphis is (now) 4 points behind....and I'm basically gonna need them to get their lead back...and now they're 5 points behind...thank you foul shots.
My Dad invited me to participate in his yearly pool that he and his buddies have and so I took him up on the offer. I'm currently in 2nd place and in order to beat Mr. Larry, Memphis is gonna have to win this game. And Memphis just missed a 3 pointer with about 12 seconds on the clock, this is not looking good for me. And Kansas just made a shot from the foul line...I'm gonna go ahead and call this one over. Time of death: 10:49 PM.
Yeah, it's over. The Memphis boys, however, don't look nearly as upset about it as I thought they would. My boys looked absolutely devastated when we lost our Sweet 16 game....I'm still sad about that loss. We should have won that game, alas, sometimes the cards don't always fall in your favor. I still love my boys.
Just checked my standings in the bracket as they are now updated and my Dad beat me...I'm in 3rd place, how does that even happen? He's my Dad, I suppose I'll let him beat me...just this once though.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Laaaame
So, I'm pretty sure that if there were a "Lamest Blogger Ever" award that I would definitely get it. Hands down. It's been nearly another month since I've blogged, which is pretty lame. Over my Spring Break I picked up a real-live paper journal from Borders with the gift card that my kid sister got me for Christmas and thus, I've been writing in that pretty regularly. It's my miniscule attempt to try to help sort things out in my soon to be "adult" brain.
I landed the job with the Air Force that I blogged about in my last entry. In fact, I got the call offering me the job several hours after I had blogged about wanting to hear from them -- hmmm....maybe had I blogged about it sooner it would have been offered to me sooner? I will hopefully start in July and be stationed at Scott AFB, all I'm waiting on now is my orders. I'm a civilian employee so there is no uniform, and no enlistment or anything, but I still have to be issued orders. I am extremely pumped about the job though, and I know that's way nerdy, but it's true. And currently, the only standing in my way is graduation -- and with a mere 32 days between me and May 10th it's hard not to just turn on auto-pilot. In fact, I probably would switch on auto-pilot if it weren't for my Biblical Greek and Press Law classes. There is still far too much work to be done in there to just turn my brain off.
Well I'm off to sleep. Even with the 17 hours (yes, 17 hours) of sleep I got last night I'm still exhausted. Here's to the start of a new week!
P.S. This new WordPress format kind of sucks.
I landed the job with the Air Force that I blogged about in my last entry. In fact, I got the call offering me the job several hours after I had blogged about wanting to hear from them -- hmmm....maybe had I blogged about it sooner it would have been offered to me sooner? I will hopefully start in July and be stationed at Scott AFB, all I'm waiting on now is my orders. I'm a civilian employee so there is no uniform, and no enlistment or anything, but I still have to be issued orders. I am extremely pumped about the job though, and I know that's way nerdy, but it's true. And currently, the only standing in my way is graduation -- and with a mere 32 days between me and May 10th it's hard not to just turn on auto-pilot. In fact, I probably would switch on auto-pilot if it weren't for my Biblical Greek and Press Law classes. There is still far too much work to be done in there to just turn my brain off.
Well I'm off to sleep. Even with the 17 hours (yes, 17 hours) of sleep I got last night I'm still exhausted. Here's to the start of a new week!
P.S. This new WordPress format kind of sucks.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's Been a While....
So it's been over a month since I've blogged, and I am ashamed. I've recently been writing the old fashioned way -- in a journal -- and so I've been neglecting ye olde WordPress.
I just got back from my final Spring Break as an undergrad on Sunday and it's a little weird. It was odd to leave my parents house knowing that the next time I would be coming back not as someone who lived there but as a visitor...now that's a transition. Spring Break, however, was fabulous regardless of the staunch realization that I'm becoming a grown up. I got to see most of the people that I hold of real importance in my life. Over the last few months, I've really come to realize who the people that truly care about me are. And even though I don't get to see them often I know that my Omaha friends are ones that I will love dearly forever and who will always love me back. I wish I could just carry them around in my pocket. Ok, so that's a little weird, but I think you get what I mean.
Had an interview at the end of February with the Air Force for a civilian job opportunity. I still have yet to hear anything back, but I'm keeping my hopes up. Civilian employment with any branch of military is an who different playing field and so it could be a while and I expect that. But it is my number one choice which puts me in a pickle because, clearly, I have to keep applying for jobs as to not get stuck without one but at the same time I don't want to be put in the position of accepting a job without having heard back from the AF. But, I'm keeping faith that I'll get the job that I'm supposed to and it'll be where I'm supposed to be and where God wants me.
Well I suppose that's enough for now, hopefully there will be more soon.
I just got back from my final Spring Break as an undergrad on Sunday and it's a little weird. It was odd to leave my parents house knowing that the next time I would be coming back not as someone who lived there but as a visitor...now that's a transition. Spring Break, however, was fabulous regardless of the staunch realization that I'm becoming a grown up. I got to see most of the people that I hold of real importance in my life. Over the last few months, I've really come to realize who the people that truly care about me are. And even though I don't get to see them often I know that my Omaha friends are ones that I will love dearly forever and who will always love me back. I wish I could just carry them around in my pocket. Ok, so that's a little weird, but I think you get what I mean.
Had an interview at the end of February with the Air Force for a civilian job opportunity. I still have yet to hear anything back, but I'm keeping my hopes up. Civilian employment with any branch of military is an who different playing field and so it could be a while and I expect that. But it is my number one choice which puts me in a pickle because, clearly, I have to keep applying for jobs as to not get stuck without one but at the same time I don't want to be put in the position of accepting a job without having heard back from the AF. But, I'm keeping faith that I'll get the job that I'm supposed to and it'll be where I'm supposed to be and where God wants me.
Well I suppose that's enough for now, hopefully there will be more soon.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Mommy, Wow! I'm a Big Kid Now!
I, Bekah Clark, just applied for my very first, very real, very big kid job.
Holy moly.
Holy moly.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Flu-Like Virus
I hate how when you're sick nothing tastes right. More than that, I hate how when you're sick you forget that your sense of taste is totally off and so it's time for dinner and you get a little excited because you've been sick for a few days and you're tired of chicken noodle soup and you have some semblance of an appetite for something else so you make it or go out to get it and then it's totally not as good as you really wanted and needed it to be.
So, if you haven't guessed already I'm sick. With a flu-like virus, to be exact. Which basically means that I have flu-like symptoms but not the flu. So, how do I know I don't have the flu? Because they gave me the flu test. Do you know what the flu test consists of? A q-tip like object that gets stuck up your nose. The q-tip thing doesn't really sound all that bad, in fact it sounds pretty painless. I mean, it's a q-tip, those soft little cotton tipped sticks that you put in your ears when you get out of the shower or remove make up with...pain free, right? Wrong. Ooooh no. This little q-tip is put up your nose -- way up your nose, I mean we're talking level with the middle of your eyeballs. It makes your eyes water, makes your face turns red and on top of that feels like your sticking a hot cigarette lighter up your nose -- it burns. I got the test done at 330 and it barely stopped burning by 530. O.u.c.h.
Anywho, to make my flu-like virus even better, classes started today...do I have stellar timing or what? 1st day of classes and I've already missed 50% of them....which is only 1 out of 2 so it's really not that bad -- but still. However, it was my last first day of my undergraduate career which is certainly an occasion to be celebrated and with my flu-like virus I think I will celebrate -- with my Z-pack and some Orange Juice. Tropicana, come to mama.
So, if you haven't guessed already I'm sick. With a flu-like virus, to be exact. Which basically means that I have flu-like symptoms but not the flu. So, how do I know I don't have the flu? Because they gave me the flu test. Do you know what the flu test consists of? A q-tip like object that gets stuck up your nose. The q-tip thing doesn't really sound all that bad, in fact it sounds pretty painless. I mean, it's a q-tip, those soft little cotton tipped sticks that you put in your ears when you get out of the shower or remove make up with...pain free, right? Wrong. Ooooh no. This little q-tip is put up your nose -- way up your nose, I mean we're talking level with the middle of your eyeballs. It makes your eyes water, makes your face turns red and on top of that feels like your sticking a hot cigarette lighter up your nose -- it burns. I got the test done at 330 and it barely stopped burning by 530. O.u.c.h.
Anywho, to make my flu-like virus even better, classes started today...do I have stellar timing or what? 1st day of classes and I've already missed 50% of them....which is only 1 out of 2 so it's really not that bad -- but still. However, it was my last first day of my undergraduate career which is certainly an occasion to be celebrated and with my flu-like virus I think I will celebrate -- with my Z-pack and some Orange Juice. Tropicana, come to mama.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
New Year New Title Set
So I've decided that the "Bekah v. _____" title set is so 2007 and it's 2008 and thus, I have retired it.
So today I went to Yorktown Beach in Yorktown, VA and I was basically reminded that it's still my favorite place, and I"m not sure why. I mean, it's not a particularly hot or exotic destination, it's just something about the beach, the people, and the surrounding town that I just love. But today was perfect. Perfect weather, perfect company, perfect place, and perfect bare feet in perfect ocean water. It all made for a very happy Bekah.
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