You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2004.
Music: Allison Krauss Down to the River to Pray
Well, I thought about doing a little review of the year and then I saw Katie’s blog and decided I should. I’m a little nervous about it though, because what have I done this year? It doesn’t feel like I’ll have much to say, but here goes.
January and February were pretty non-descript. I didn’t really like living at home, and spent most of my time in the quad on Yo Four South. I joined a small group at my church. Spring break was definitely a highlight 
The trip to Georgia with Abby and Katie was one of the best roadtrips I’ve ever been on. And my friend Abby from Oregon came out to visit me right afterward so that was great. The rest of the semester was filled with getting stuff done and getting ready for a sophomore recital. For Sadie Hawkins I asked a senior 
That was a stretch even for me! Mayterm was eventful. We started the movie club at Chad’s, I lived up in the quad with Libby, and had my shortest relationship ever. Then I went to Oregon. Living with Jennifer and her family again was a wonderful experience. There’s so much I’ve learned from that family. I worked at their pizza shop and tried picking blueberries once. I think I made about $1 an hour 
I also started violin lessons. And of course fell in love. That definitely was the best thing that happened all year. I came back to Indiana for a little over a week to attend the Region III conference of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. That was really stressful, but extremely rewarding. Then back to Oregon for about 2 weeks. Then school started and things got busy again. Jesse and I took a swing class. Abby and I discovered the wonderful world of renaissance fairs thanksgiving was fun and I was glad to see Karis, Matt and the kids again after almost a year. I also got to meet Jesse’s older sister Erin and her husband Keith. I started meeting with a girl from the community for lunch with the big brother big sister program. Some of the girls (and Thushan) and I went up to Chicago and had a wonderful time with Jess’s family. And then the year ended nicely with a lovely Christmas with my parents, Lenora and Tobias, and Andre’. Mom and Dad and Lenora and Tobias headed off to Tanzania last Tuesday. Mom will be gone a month and Dad two.
I think that’s all. It’s amazing how much stuff we do that we never remember! Ah well, here’s to another year Cheers!
Music: Rochmaninoff’s piano concerto No. 3 1st movement
I thought I’d blog more during break (and i have) but not as much as I thought I would. Mostly because I don’t have good access to the internet. When I’m at school is the best time to do lots of interneting stuff, but it’s not the most comfortable setting. My parents and Lenora and Tobias just left for a couple months in Tanzania. Lenora and Tobias will have another wedding so his family can be involved in it. But that means I have the house to myself for a month. Mom’s coming back in one and dad in two. Not much else has been happening. Spending time with Abby and Becca, I saw an couple friends that I gew up with, and of course I see Jesse once in a while. I had dinner with his family last night and they had some guests from Jamaica who live near the Maranatha School for the Deaf which is were I might be for a month this summer. It was neat to talk to them about it etc. Plus their daughter and son-in-law were there and she’s pregnant with twins and full term. Talk about experiencing the maternal instinct! It’s not fair to have these feelings when I don’t really want kids till I’m almost 30. Grrrrr…… I’m looking forward to coming back to school. I’m excited about my classes, and I miss the lifestyle. Especially being around people. I’m really excited about rooming with Meryl. I think it’s great. Well, that’s about it. The year’s almost done. It’s hard to believe. Next year I might be going to Jamaica, I’m going to China. Lots of change! Can’t wait
Well, the past couple days have been good Maybe a bit too uneventful. I got really bored today. But, I did finish a blanket I’ve been working on and I’m almost done with a sweater I’m doing. Last night I had a fun shinding here. Jesse, Jesse Shoemaker, Dan, Abby and Becca came over and we played games and had really good food. Especially this amazing artichoke dip ummm… I’ll have to put the recipe on the blog. Oh, and yesterday after church I fell asleep on the couch and my parents forgot me. I feel loved….. 
Anyone who knows me really well knows that I’m a planner. I plan things, small things, big things, but most of all, I plan my future. I think I need to stop apologizing for that fact, feeling guilty for it, etc and just accept that that’s what I do. I know that things do and WILL change, but it’s still ok to have a plan as long as you’re willing to give it up or change it if necessary. So anyways, I’ve been thinking/planning a lot in the past week. Here’s what I see
I’m going to China this fall, that’s a given. Then maybe I’ll travel some after we’re done with Abby and Meryl. Then back to Goshen for Spring semester where I’ll move back in with my parents. That summer I need to do my TESOL field experience which I’ll probably do in Goshen to save money. Abby’s also doing her’s then so maybe we can get something together. It would be nice to have someone else having the same experience. Then one more semester of full time classes. Now comes the unknown. I figure I’ll probably stay at Goshen for the Spring semester and take my last French class. If I can get a job at the college I can take the class for free. The other good thing about staying at Goshen is then I could be in the musical What would be amazingly awesome, is if the ASL program could finally be given a receptionist position. I have lots of receptionist experience, know the inner workings of the ASL program, and also have an inside track to the admissions process. What better candidate? Then…..it gets more fuzzy. It would be really cool to spend the next year up in Chicago in an apartment in Evanston with Jess and Becca and maybe Abby or whoever else is interested. From there there’s less planning, but truthfully it depends almost entirely on whether or not Jesse and I are still dating, so I try not to feel to set in any one plan beyond that point.
So that’s what has been on my mind. Yesterday I got up, helped my mom clean house, went to work for a while and then went to the brew with Jesse. It was nice to just sit and talk and enjoy a cup of earl gray. I had small group after that which we basically just spent chatting. I found out about this blog called RealLivePreacher.com. Really interesting, I highly recommend it (as does Glenn Gilbert if you know who that is) it’s on of the 100 most read websites! Then I went home and ordered all my books for next semester. I saved $100! that made me really happy. The it was off to bed to read a bit of 1984 and go to bed. I think it would be really interesting to start a cafe called the Chestnut Tree Cafe’. One interesting note about this break is how much (even though there is a strong part of me that fights it) I’ve been willing to help out around the house, do what my mom says, etc. This has been a struggle for me throughout life, but especially since I left home. Excuse my mushiness, but really Jesse’s to blame. He makes me want to be a good person. Now if only it were that easy to want to be good for my own sake……
Yesterday, mom, grandma and I went to Mishawaka after I worked. Oh, and I made muffins in the morning. We went to Yoder department store and I bought fabric for a dress pattern I’ve had for a while. I bought some simple blue cotton and a white cotton print with a blue pattern that looks like willow china I’m looking forward to making the dress, but it probably wont happen this Christmas break because I have so many other projects I’m working on. Then we went to another shop and then to Eessenhous for supper. I had an amazing slice of peanutbutter and chocolate pie. It was divine. In the evening I went to the brew with Dan and then we went to Zeb’s to watch the extended version of The Return of the King. Abby, Becca, Tara, Zach, David, Nathan, and Jonathan were all there and we spent most of the time cracking jokes or making fun of certain things in the movie. It was hilarious because we all love the movie. We had several Tolkien fanatics in the room, and they were making some of the best jokes. I definitely enjoyed it. But I didn’t get to bed early again! I need to start going to bed earlier. Today I went to visit my little sister at model. This was my second visit, and while it was a tiny bit awkward, I really enjoyed it. It really bothers me that the kids use styrofoam trays. My sister told me they get in trouble if they use the real trays that they do have some of, unless the styrofoam runs out. So destructive to the environment AND wasting tax dollars. During lunch one of her friends eat with us. The lunch was ok, but really had very little nutritional value. There was really crappy iceberg lettuce, which I don’t think any of the kids had, canned peaches, bread (which surprisingly enough was a weak attempt at wheat) and canned ravioli. I had rice too, but I don’t think that was available to the kids. Sometimes I’m really attracted to the idea of homeschooling my kids. But maybe not. The school system here in the states is just so crappy. Especially for kids who struggle with self motivation. Hummm… anyways, we walked back to her classroom and her teacher felt the need to inform me that she’s often absent and procrastinates. Her tone of voice was quite demeaning, but the teacher did say that she’s a very good student when she puts her mind to it. She reminds me of myself somewhat. I hope it goes well. Well, that’s pretty much it, I have small group tonight and I get to see Jesse for a bit beforehand, but other than that I don’t have any plans tonight. It’ll be nice to just relax (and maybe actually go to bed early)
Well, I’m home. Spent the day doing…. well, lots of random not increadibly important things, but it was good. I got up, started laundry, went to work, went to Abby’s where I had lunch and played sequence, went home, had a quite amuzing experience with Abby trying to wax our legs with a homemade recipe, gave up and took a bath (and shaved my legs), helped mum make this amazing pizza, started the novel 1984, went to Abby’s again, rented The Sepford Wives and The Prince and Me, tried to make homemade kettle corn (was semi successful) and then came home. I will never wax my legs again. It didn’t work this time all that well, and if it had worked it would have hurt like the devil and it’s just not worth it. If I didn’t have a boyfriend I would never shave again. What’s the point? Sepford Wives was a disapointment, good concept, but brushed over too lightly. The Prince and Me was just what I was in the mood for, and turned out to be a bit more than fluff. Ok, I want to write more, but it’s 1:15. Night all.
Music: None
It’s 8:30 on Sunday morning. The other girls are still in bed, which is where I would like to be, but I kept waking up so I thought I might as well get up. Yesterday was our day on the town: Bridget Jones’ Diary II, Borders, The Marble Slab (really really good icecream), a bead store, and a vintage clothing store. Then Gulliver’s pizza and a game of Settlers. And to finish off the evening, a nice long girl’s chat. The only problem was that I didn’t really feel all that great all day and then when we did try and go to sleep at midnight I couldn’t fall asleep. Just couldn’t get comfortable. But overall it’s been a wonderful visit. Jess has been an amazing hostess. Today we’re going to Reba Place, her church, and I get to meet an interpreter that attends there. Then we’ll have lunch, head over to the mall to take some of those picture you get in stips in those booths , and then Abby, Becca and I will hit the road. I’m looking forward to this break so so so much. I just need some time to relax. Well, have a good day everyone.
music- I’m humming “goodnight my someone” from the Music Man
Well, so I haven’t written in a really looooong time but I’m going to make up for that over Christmas.
I’m in Chicago with Abby, Becca, Meryl, Thushan, and of course Jess because we’re at her house. Meryl and Thushan are going to Colorado tomorrow. Let’s see, the semester ended ok…. didn’t do so well in my classes, but it’s over and I can try again next semester. I still don’t know about Expos but I figure I got a C. I’ve never gotten so many C’s in my life and I didn’t even take that large of a course load. I’m trying to look on the bright side of things though and realize that I can do better and that I really want to do better so maybe that will help.
It’s been really fun being up here with everyone. I have such amazing friends! I love cuddling with Abby because she likes to joke about me being her cat. But now I get to call her my little puppy! today she was chasing squirrels, so she brought it on herself. We’ve been watching movies and we went to the aquarium and then to a Thai restaurant downtown. It was SO good. Chicago really can be a pretty place in some parts. I think it would be nice to live up here for a year or two, maybe on the outskirts like Evanston or something.
I’m so glad it’s the break!!!! I need some time to relax. And I’m going to get to do some of the things I’ve been looking forward to like learning to quilt and reading for pleasure. I’m also glad that Abby’s going to be around because she’s going to be in Indy this next semester and I’m really going to miss her. Speaking of which, I’m going to be Meryl’s roommate I’m really excited about that. I didn’t really like being in my room alone. I have this thing where I don’t really like to be alone at all. Some people have to get away from people, I have to be with them. Anyways, I think it’s going to be really fun.
Well, Happy December everyone.
