Seriously, Mango... SERIOUSLY

Girls' Night Out

2012-01-16T19:37:00.000-08:00

It was hard to leave Emmett with Tim. He was just crying so much. I read The Five Chinese Brothers to the boys, and got ready to go. (Here I am saying goodbye before getting dressed to go.)(I had good reason to be worried! How would Emmett get enough to eat?!)
The girls and I were meeting at a bar called The Lincoln Lounge. My mouth kept wanting to say "Lincoln Logs" so it always came out "Lincoln Lodge." The Lincoln Lounge is an Abraham Lincoln-themed hipster joint. Along the dirt parking lot is a simple white mural with an old-fashioned pistol motif. In the middle is a giant wanted poster for "THE MURDERER" with a picture of John Wilkes Booth.

Despite my best efforts to arrive fashionably late, I was still the first one there. It was dark, but the main room was small enough that I knew the girls weren't there. I sat down in an antique armchair by a coffee table. The other chairs in the cluster were occupied by a group, so I did lame things to look less alone. I messed with my phone, went to the bathroom, and stared up at the walls.

It had red and silver saloon-style wallpaper. Up behind the bar was a series of shelves full of mugs. I had read earlier on Google Maps about this. Apparently, if you get around to sampling all 50 beers on their list, you get a mug with Abe's profile on it. However, you don't just take it home. It gets put on the shelf above a plaque with your name on it to use every time you come in.

I looked up at a caricature of Lincoln with big ears, and his bow tie caught my attention like an old friend. "Huh?! How is that possible?" I thought. "Where have I seen that type of bow tie before?" Then I realized that it wasn't a type of tie, but a certain tie. Abraham Lincoln wore a bow tie for a photograph, and that one photograph is probably the best portrait of him that we have. The artist must have looked at that picture when painting this portrait. While Lincoln's features were distorted and exaggerated, his tie was drawn exactly right. I once did a drawing of Abraham Lincoln made from his quotes. I had spent a lot of time staring at his picture once. It was six years ago, but once you draw something, it will never look the same to you again.

Two girls arrived. Katie, who organized the outing, and Holly. Another Katie from church was already there. It turned out that Katie and Holly had never been to this bar before, and they deemed it too shady for a girls' outing. We were going to go somewhere else instead. The other Katie is the type of person who is so friendly that she knows everyone. In a bar of only 30 people, she probably knew at least 5. Katie went to pry Friendly Katie away from her conversations so we could go.

Holly said, "There're other people from church here! It must not be too bad." (We left anyway, but her comment confirmed our status as a "hipster church" and this as a "hipster joint.")

We went to a casino instead. As a resident of Reno, you have to see casinos as venues. It's like a giant, brightly lit mall, only instead of department stores, there are various clubs, restaurants, and shops. All the empty spaces (on certain floors) are filled with slot machines and game tables. If you were to look at Reno's skyline, you can see the giant sphere building. That's where we were.

We went to club Aura, which was a chic bar with a cool interior. All class was lost, however, when we saw the TV screens. They featured lady silhouettes dancing... not unlike a moving itunes ad. It was pretty empty. Some of us got a drink, Friendly Katie saw someone she knew, and then we left.

The girls wanted to go to a place called Brew Brothers, but the line to get in was really long. Near the line, we watched some fat girls get into an all-out cat fight. A security guard from the casino and a bouncer from the bar escorted them away while the crowd cheered and laughed. It felt like high school. We skirted around the aftermath: some angry friends, spilled ice, and a missing shoe. Then we decided to find a place to eat because I was hungry enough to eat casino food.

At the restaurant, we discussed life and where God was leading us. We prayed for the busser who looked like she was having a really bad day.

We did head back over to Brew Brothers because Katie was really hoping to dance before the night was over. I wished for bowling or a movie instead, but that was just because I'm a lame dancer. It was low-key, though, and lots of fun. One young guy kept looking my direction. I could tell he and his friend were on the prowl, hoping to make some new friends. Sure enough, they made their way over, and one guy introduced himself to Friendly Katie. The music was too loud to hear anything, but I saw them shake hands. This was a strictly no-guys-allowed outing, so she did the subtle "I'm a jerk." act. She said something in Holly's ear, turning her body to close off our tiny circle once again. It was a perfectly played rejection without having to make eye contact. I felt sorry for the guys who looked dorky and friendly, but if they were hoping to pick up chicks that night, she saved them some trouble. We were only in that club long enough to dance for a couple songs, and when we left, I found out what Friendly Katie had said to Holly: "I told him my name was Patty!"

People Watching on a Walk

2011-11-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

Today was kind of cold, so I decided to walk around the stores close to our house. I didn't need to buy anything, but I figured I could walk longer without getting bored.

First, though, I had to stop by Kays to get some jewelry cleaned and inspected. An older man with a southern drawl was getting some jewelry inspected to see if any of it was real or not. When he left, it was me and the two employees. They asked me about my pregnancy for a while. The older lady finally finished up the paperwork and came back to talk a bit more. "...well, I've still got a week, so I'm just out walking today." I said in parting.

...but the lady didn't hand me my paper. First, she leaned over the glass showcase and looked into my eyes. "But you might... not have long... to wait!" I was mesmerized by the way her eye make-up matched her green and purple outfit, and also by her weirdness.

I stepped dazed out of the store, and as I got into my car, it hit me! A contraction, and also who she reminded me of. She's one of those seemingly normal middle-aged women from the movies of the 80s/early 90s who end up being magical. I'm surprised she didn't wink at me and then disappear. The only way it would've made a better story, would be if I were in the hospital right now giving birth!

Later, I was in Maurice's (not that I have any need to buy clothing right now). The employee yelled a greeting, and I saw her flash a Knowing Smile. That's when they would smile anyway, but their smile is different because they know something. It reminded me of last May before I looked pregnant and when Tim was getting his haircut. The lady walked him to the cash register, and when I got up, she gave me a Knowing Smile, not just a polite smile. After we left, I said, "You told her I was your wife and that I was pregnant, didn't you?" He did. You see, if she had just assumed I was his girlfriend, she would've given me a polite smile, but she felt like she knew something about me, so it was different. Girls are weird like that.

So I had to do a double-take at this lady at Maurice's. I remembered seeing her there this past summer. She was a beautiful, ready-to-pop pregnant lady at a time I was wishing my belly were more obvious. Although I've never bought anything from that store in my life, I remember going in again with Tim to kill some time once, and she wasn't pregnant anymore. I had wondered whether she had a boy or a girl, and how the birth went. Not wanting to look like a creeper, I didn't say anything. Today, after I recognized her, I was able to translate her smile to mean, "Yeah, you're pregnant, but I really know what that's like! Cool!"

And to prove that I was right, she asked me if she could "rub my belly" and asked about my pregnancy. But not the standard interview that most strangers give me. It was different because she's close to my age, and had just gone through it. Then she told me about her 4 month old son. She said she was so sick of being pregnant that she was ready to get induced, but her baby came before they could. I was really happy to get to hear about how things turned out; I thought I'd never know!

By then I had wandered far from my car, so I made my way back and then went grocery shopping. I stopped at Jack-in-the-Box after for a quick supper on my way home.

The only other customers in the restaurant were a boy and his dad. The boy was probably six or seven, and his dad wasn't too old. They seemed so excited to be eating out together, but not like it was a rare occurrence. It seemed like he was just going to work with his dad for the afternoon. They were genuinely happy to be in each other's company. I don't think I was making all that up; it seemed pretty obvious. All the same, it was nice to sit there by myself and imagine Tim and our son doing the same thing years from now.

Sharing Birhdays

2011-10-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

My dog has my birthday. The vet was sure to remind me by sending her an elaborate E-card. I also share my birthday with Halloween. (It's a pretty good holiday to have a birthday on.)

But I also share my birthday with the state of Nevada.

I read somewhere that out here they celebrate their state day more than any other state... which isn't really saying much. But there's still a parade in Carson City, and pretty much everyone gets the last Friday of the month off work.

Thanks to elementary school, I spent a lot of Januaries learning about Kansas-y things like bison, sunflowers, and tiger salamanders, but I felt pretty ignorant about Nevada, so I thought I'd do a little learnin' today, and share the more interesting things. (since it is the acceptable day to celebrate)

Nevada became a state exactly 125 years before I was born. That was during the civil war, so a ribbon on the emblem of their flag reads: "Battle Born."

The state flower is sagebrush, which is really pretty for the desert, but around this time of year, it starts to smell a little like feet.

This is the driest state in the USA. Average rainfall: seven inches. (Which is why my hair doesn't curl anymore.)

We have the Comstock Lode, which is the nation's largest silver deposit. And because of that, we also have Virginia City. In its time, its population was 20,000, but now it's just a touristy ghost down of about 800.

We also have Area 51 and the Hoover Dam... Both pretty exciting!

And last, contrary to popular belief, they're called Nevadans, not Nevadicans.

Diet?!

2011-10-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Tim put himself on a diet about a month ago. It's part of this whole fitness program he wants to go through. It's hard to cook meals with extremely limited fats and carbs, but it's good for Tim.

It could be pretty annoying, BUT he's very willing to cook his own things most of the time, and helps think of groceries. It's also a convenient time because I eat several small meals a day anyway, so it's like we're both on our own. Another benefit is that he's also forced to be creative about possible meals.

As a result, I wanted to brag about some of the meals we've had lately. Last night, I cut up a pineapple. Tim grilled tilapia in some of that Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce, and then grilled pinapple on top. It was actually pretty amazing, and I cooked alongside him, substituting chicken in for the meat in my skillet. The night before it was Cajun spiced turkey patties with sweet corn on the cob. Here's a picture of Tim's lunch one of the past days:

I don't like shrimp or mushrooms, but it definitely looked delicious!

October is My Sunday School Month

2011-10-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

Stories from Children's Church

One boy was looking at me for a little bit. Then, to the shock of me and my fellow teacher, he blurted out, "Why don't you take your shirt off?" When we asked him what he meant, he explained that he noticed I was wearing two shirts. I guess the idea of an undershirt seems excessive to a five year old boy. I'm starting to realize just how much I will have to learn with my son.

A little girl said she would pray for our snack while we were in the middle of the lesson. After the lesson, we passed out drinks and napkins. A boy said "Where's our crackers?!" The other teacher said, "Well, we have to pray fir-" but before he could finish the word 'first,' the girl interrupted him by practically yelling, "DEAR GOD!" We all missed the first line in a mad scramble to bow our heads and fold our hands, and then I missed the rest of her 'outside voice' prayer because I was concentrating on not laughing.

Next week:

As we were going around the circle, introducing ourselves and our favorite animals, a girl raised her hand out of turn. "Yes?" I asked. "It looks like that's the baby's nose." she said as she pointed at my stomach. "Oh! That's my belly button!" I smiled as the girl looked bashful, and as a few of the other kids said, "Oooh!" like they had been wondering all along.

Then a little boy blurted out, "How does the baby get out of there?!" My shock at the question helped me stall long enough to assess the room's reactions. Most of the kids looked like that was a good question they hadn't thought to ask... until now. A few kids giggled, one of which said, "I don't think we're supposed to talk about that." I was in mixed company. I realized I couldn't get away with a truthful, but vague answer. The few kids who seemed to know probably wouldn't let me get away with a lie. Ironically the lesson I was about to teach was over the ninth commandment, anyway. After all this pondering, I ended up giving the children a seven second pause that they used to get bored with the subject, and turned back to their favorite animals. Whew!

Next week:

One boy interrupted the lesson with his hand raised. He then told a random but short story about a pocket knife. Of course, the result was that every other boy in the class had their hand raised before he had finished. The teacher doing the lesson let each boy tell his knife story. One went like this. "One time, I cut my finger off with a pocket knife. But then my mom blowed it back on. I don't know why she blowed it, but now it's on for good." He then started pulling on his pinkie finger as hard as he could.

Throughout this series on the ten commandments, we often stress that everyone sins. To enforce this, I had the children play the "Have you ever..." game with a circle of chairs. I went first with, "Have you ever told a lie?" The other teacher caught on and even some of the kids did too with questions like, "Have you ever not obeyed your parents?" or "Have you ever sinned?" One five year old stood up with "Have you ever killed your dog?" There was a pause, and I managed to hold in my laugh. "Well! I guess that's nobody! It looks like you'll have to go again!"

Baby Supplies

2011-09-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to look for an "I love my Uncle" onesie for our coming niece, Tim stumbled on a lot of cool baby stuff. Here are a couple of our favorites:

yep... it's a Mr. T rubber ducky.

That time

2011-09-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again!

It's still summer, but the school year has already started. It's still pretty warm out, but a little bit of cool weather turns everyone's minds to autumn.

It makes me want to put on a plaid shirt, and to open all the windows if it ever gets colder outside than in. I purchase apple cider and make roast for dinner. I get excited about the candy aisles even though Halloween is another month and a half away.

We've had a few cloudy days lately, bringing our highs down to below 80 degrees, but I know that's nothing compared to the wonderful weather in Kansas! (High of 58 today?!)

Dale mentioned something I forgot about: the smell of turning on the propane fireplace.

Are there any other excited-for-fall behaviors I forgot about?

Productive Pictures

2011-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

My last post was beginning to touch on my life as a housewife once again, when I realized I needed pictures.

Here's what took up my day: I made a LOT of pickles. I didn't have my good recipe, so I looked one up which I'm not sure is as good, or as simple. This time around I learned that it's hardly worth it when you have to pay for jars and cucumbers. Next time I make pickles, I will have grown my own, and hopefully will have enough heat-sealing jars saved up so I won't have to buy more. But the prettier jars will be nicer for giving away.

Another project I've started on lately is the guestroom/baby's room. It's been good for storage, and already has a bedroom set. I'm still searching for a crib. Other than that, it's pretty empty, and I'm going to need to make curtains and decorate somehow. I've started collecting frames, and I hope to arrange them on the wall with fun pictures and prints inside. For random frames to work together, they'll all have to be the same color, so here are three I've painted black:
On a side note, I searched carefully for those specific boxes in the trashcan when looking for something disposable to paint on. Tim and I bought some Chicken Cordon-bleu type things at Walmart. They were a great idea, but a little bland for the price. I hope to check out what they're supposed to taste like in the ingredients, and perhaps make some sort of casserole out of it!

I've been looking for a certain type of chair at Goodwill. Perhaps I was looking at the "nicer" Goodwill, but when I finally went out of my way to stop by the other one, I found this!

I've been wanting an extra chair around. I was hoping for one that would look cool by the bookcase, but could be added to either the dining room or the living room if needed. It doesn't look like the most comfortable chair to sit in in the living room, but I've wanted to try my hand at upholstery. Anyway, so here are the colors of our living room I need to match it to:I've had this blue and brown fabric for a long time now, and I finally decided on what to paint the wood!
"Tim, the guy didn't card me for buying silver spray paint!"

"Well, you are pregnant."

"...I guess... and I was also buying 8 lbs of cucumbers and some canning supplies."

Productive again!

2011-08-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

The other day, my sister asked me what I've done since I've quit work. Today is only day 3 since quitting, but there was so much to tell her.

Saturday: (last day of work) Before work, Tim and I went with our Bible Study to Lake Tahoe. They showed us the best beach on the lake, and it was beautiful! too bad I had forgotten my camera! Look up "Lake Tahoe Sand Harbor" on google images. Do it! We had sunscreen issues, and ended up with horrible leg sunburns. That night, I went into work for my last few hours!

Sunday: I started helping with LS Kids, our children's church. On days I teach, I'll get to church around 8:00 for a meeting and prayer meeting, then Tim will meet me at 9:00 for service, and then at the 11:00 service, I'll watch people's kids!

Funny Things from the K-2nd grade class:

Every kid asked me if I had a baby in my tummy.
The first one was a little girl who started poking my belly button as she asked.
"My mom's belly is bigger than yours; it's THIS big!" (standing on tip-toes to stick out her belly out even further)
A little girl tried to kiss me on the lips.
A kid ran into the lemonade pitcher, spilling it all over the counter covered with papers and snack materials.
During the commotion, the Coordinator popped in the class for a second to show off to the 7 yr olds that he could catch a cheeze-it in his mouth. (Why he thought that was a good idea is beyond me!) needless to say, by the time we got the juice mess cleaned up, we turned around to find the floor covered in stomped-on crackers!

Of course it was crazy, but I've always believed that age to be insane. It's nothing I can't handle, and even if I didn't like it that much (and I do like it), it'd still be worth it for the preservice prayer meeting!

I read 4 books on childbirth, particularly the natural kind. I got lots of sleep, and did lots of dishes. The last couple days have been very productive, but I think I'll take pictures tomorrow and make a more interesting post about my new projects!

Walmart Greeters

2011-08-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you ever notice the Walmart greeters? Last night, I had to get some milk and bread, and I started thinking about them. I always try to acknowledge them when I come in. Usually it's just a smile and a nod. It's not like you can even hear what they're trying to say because of the giant fan on the way in. The best I can do is a vague attempt to read their lips, which hardly ever works because greeters are usually older and mumble.

But seriously, it's their job to stand there and greet everyone who walks in the door, and they're gonna do it, even though no one can hear them, and most people ignore them.

I'm reminded of a line from Galaxy Quest:

Listen, I've got ONE job on this lousy ship! It's stupid, but I'm gonna do it, okay?!

It also reminds me of a TV show about a baby that Eden showed Tim and me while we were in Peru.

Work

2011-08-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

My experience in retail is coming to a close. (I have two shifts left!) One thing I've been thinking about lately is how many crazy things I hear from customers, and that I don't have that luxury. I am always watching what I say.

Little Girl: "Are you pregnant?"

Me: "Yep!"

Little Girl: "With what?"

What I wanted to say: "an alien."

What I said: "A little boy!"

Me: "And can I just get your name with that?"

Lady: "Penny *****"

What I wanted to say: "That's my dogs name!"

What I said: "I really like that name a lot!"

Me: "We're out of the smaller bags, so you're gonna have to get this big one."

Lady: "That's okay! These bags are so cute!"

What I wanted to say: "Yeah! they've worked as excellent barf bags throughout this pregnancy!"

What I said: "Yeah! I re-use mine all the time!"

Serenade

2011-08-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is Tim's serenading song:

Listen to it.

All These Things by Stephen Speaks

When I first met Tim, he'd sing it to his friend Jon to be funny. Before too long, he had learned it on the guitar, and not too long after, he began to play it for me.

It's pretty cheesy with lines like "Maybe it's her eyes, gently searching my soul [...] but I think mostly it's her smile" But it's also got a few good ones like "...or her eyebrows when I do something stupid." and "Maybe it's her smell, the lotion she wears, or how my hands smell like Country Pear for days."

Like it or not (it's too familiar a song for me to decide), I only have to hear the first few notes, and I know I'm about to be serenaded. Practicing before church, Tim would only have to play those notes on the guitar to get my laugh from across the room.

This morning, Tim was playing his guitar. I stepped outside to feel the temperature, and I heard the beginning of the song. "Oh no!" I thought. "I'm not in there to receive it!" I was back inside in a second anyway, only to hear Tim singing something like this:

Maybe it's her face, black and white with a spot

or how she snorts and jumps around.

Maybe it's her nose, gently searching my crotch,

but I think mostly it's her gas.

That's as far as he got serenading the dog before we were both laughing pretty hard.

But it makes me think of the endless verses that could be written about our dog's features.

A few Baby Things

2011-08-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of putting in my two weeks notice at work. I have one week to go. I quit for a few different reasons. First, being on my feet for 4-6 hours at a time has gotten harder. It's not great exercise, and it renders me useless for the rest of the day, preventing me from getting real exercise.

Just now, I was having trouble spelling exercise. I've noticed that in the past half year. I switch around the C and the S, or I think there's a Z in there somewhere. It gets to the point that when I back-click on my misspelled word, the correct one isn't even an option! Embarrassing, I know. I just asked Tim how to spell it and remarked "Tim, this is so weird. The word has become foreign to me!" He replied with, "Uh oh! Exercise has become foreign to you. That is not a good sign!"

I also quit work because there were a lot of things I had planned to do during this pregnancy, and I never got much of a start on them.

Like, for example, finding a used, inexpensive crib and other baby supplies. (A friend at Bible study told us that in all their wedding planning, his wife never let him use the word "cheap." "Inexpensive" sounded much more classy and didn't imply poor quality as well.) So I'm doing my best to find inexpensive, not cheap baby supplies. We will be down here for a year longer, and then we've got to try to move everything back home. And besides, every mom is different, and I think I may be the type who doesn't use many of those baby products that the magazines say you just have to have.

I'm interrupting this train of thought to talk about the baby himself because he's been kicking like crazy the whole time I've been writing. The first feel-able kick happened on my way to Kansas last month. Two weeks followed where I tried to get people to feel the subtle nudges that only I could feel before. As soon as we began to fly to Peru, it got to the point where one could simply watch the kicks. I'll have to be very huge and ready for him to be born before I could get tired of all the kicking. I'm sure it can hurt at that point, but right now it's so much fun to watch, and it makes me feel like there's actually a person inside me.

When we found out we were pregnant, it didn't feel real. When we first heard the heartbeat, it was confirming, and pretty cool, but even the ultrasound didn't make the baby as real to me as feeling him move around. Sometimes it's like he's doing somersaults. Sometimes it's a little nudge on one side. I've had nudges on several sides at once like jumping jacks, and a limb that sticks out and just pushes outward for a moment. I've even had a clear, head-sized lump on the side of my belly for a while. Yesterday at Bible study, it was like he was trying an Uma Thurman-style escape on the upper right side of my stomach.

So in the next few weeks, I will enter the last trimester of this whole pregnancy, and I will do it with more time on my hands. I hope to enjoy this stage, and to document it (for the next time I'm in the first trimester, hanging my head over the toilet, and needing some reminding) and to put into good use that nesting instinct that's kicked in!

Part II, Seattle

2011-06-07T11:17:00.001-07:00

Further around the peninsula, we stopped for gas in Port Angeles. It was sunny, so we could see Canada. There was also some sort of festival going on around the courthouse. It seemed like a place I would've liked to spend some time, but we didn't have time. 101 was only a two-lane, 55 mph highway that slowed down to 40 at every Bentley-sized town. I hadn't realized it would take so long. I had planned on driving all the way around the Puget Sound to get to Seattle. It wasn't too far, and we would be able to see more things. I realized that if we wanted to get to our hotel in Seattle before too late, we'd have to take a ferry. When Tim said he had never been on a ferry, I said, "Well, then we HAVE to go!" It ended up saving us a lot of time and money, of course.

It was exciting to get out and walk around on the boat. There were so many little kids running all over the deck, making quick friends and playing games to stay out of the cold wind. This was Tim's first time in the area, let alone Seattle, and his first time on a ferry, so that was exciting too. The ferry docked and let us out just down the street from our hotel.

"This is going to be an expensive trip," Tim said, "but it's the time to do it." It's the only time we live close enough that we'd want to drive to Washington, and with a baby coming, it's the last time we'd want to stay in a four star hotel.

The hotel had a lodge feel, but with extra class. What I loved most, was that it was on its own pier, within walking distance to everything we wanted to see. We didn't arrive till 7:00 and nearly everything around there is only open from 10:00-6:00. We were forced to have supper at a Red Robbin, but we got a chance to walk down the piers and to get an idea of places we'd like to see the next day.

In the morning, we stopped at a sourdough bakery for breakfast. It was all prospector-themed, which was kind of fun, considering that's a big part of the history of that area. It was hard to get my necessary amount of calcium in while on vacation, but we were sure to order milk at least once every day. We sat out on the dock, eating a pecan sticky bun (almost as good as Momma's) and a cake-like blueberry muffin. When we finished, we got up, and went next door to the Seattle Aquarium.

The aquarium was pretty fun! They even had an underwater dome. We didn't stay late enough to watch a scuba-diver feed the fish, but it was still a fun place. Our favorite parts were the hands-on tide pools, where the sea anemones would grab your finger, and the octopus, who was in a small-ish tank which made him more fun to watch and easier to see. Other fun exhibits were otters, seals, and jellyfish.

We had lunch in our hotel's fancy restaurant. It wasn't extremely pricey, but the food was fancy, and we had a good waterfront view. When we were done, we headed to the Olympic Sculpture Park, just outside of the Seattle Art Museum. In one of my classes at WSU, we were talking about public art, and had to watch a video about the park, and about one of its exhibits in particular. This exhibit started out as art, but I personally feel it is the type of thing that belongs in a science museum. Either way, it was interesting to learn about. The guy went into the rain forest and picked out a fallen tree. He was fascinated with how much life one dead tree could hold. He and his team collected samples of wildlife on the tree, and then they carefully cut out a giant section of log, and tried to remove it as carefully as possible. They brought the log to the sculpture park and built a greenhouse around it. They made sure all of the species were represented there, and visitors can go in and experience this decaying log. Unfortunately, visitors weren't allowed in unless a volunteer from the museum was there to supervise. We were able to look in the windows, but that was my last chance to see a Banana Slug.

It was still early in the afternoon, so Tim suggested we head on up to the Space Needle, since it looked like it wouldn't be too far of a walk. There were a lot of things to see around the needle. The building that held the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum had really fun architecture. It seemed like an interesting place to visit, but when I looked up their website, I decided otherwise. (Current exhibits: Star Trek and Nirvana) We went on up in the Space Needle. It was extremely crowded. I don't know if I'll ever want to go to the top again. It was like being at the top of any tall building. It seemed more interesting to look at from the outside. I did, however, like hearing about the World Fair in the 60s. Their theme was "The Space Age" and they had built the Needle and the Monorail just for that occasion. Those and the architecture of the Pacific Science Center reminded me so much of futuristic views from the past.

There was a Folk Life Festival in full swing spread out all around the old fairgrounds. Tim and I decided to walk through it. As the name suggested, it was a vague enough theme that the festival had everything. Anyone with wares to sell bought a booth, and any musician set out a guitar case and started performing. Although I never really figured out the Folk Life parts from the rest, we wandered through until we found some cotton candy, and then headed back. I was starting to feel extremely bloated from lunch (I'm not very well able to eat full meals anymore, with less room down there) and we were both getting pretty worn out.

"You know, Tim? I'm starting to feel like a cartoon frog! I've got a big round belly, and long, skinny legs." ~ me feeling boated after our lunch

We rested, and then I woke Tim up from his nap. "Let's get you some fish and chips before everything closes again!" I suggested. We headed out again by the water, and discussed what we would do next. Tim had already decided to pull the plug on his plan to go to Vancouver long before we started on our trip. We would save some money, the trouble of crossing the border, and he wouldn't have to ask off any work for the trip. "Let's just start heading home in the morning." Tim suggested over his supper. I agreed, but there was still one place I wanted to go: Pikes Place Market.

After wandering around for a while, we finally found the marketplace, but everything had just closed. A sign informed us that it wouldn't be opening again until 10 the next morning. "We have to leave earlier than that, or we won't get home till three in the morning." Tim said. I was very disappointed that we had missed it. After thinking it over, I decided that it was one of the things I really wanted to do, that we may never come back to Seattle, and that at least to me, it would be worth it if it meant getting home late the next night. Tim understood, and adjusted our plans to spend a small amount of time at the market the next morning, (knowing that I couldn't be expected to stay up that late, and that he would be the one driving the last leg anyway.)

I was so excited to be in the market. Pretty much all of it was indoors, due to the rainy weather of Seattle. There were several floors, and we entered in through the lowest level. It reminded me of an old subway station, and of Park Elementary. There were several daycares in that bottom corner of Pikes Place, for all the parents who had to make a living here. We passed all kinds of fascinating shops, but our first stop was the original Starbucks. I liked the old signs and logos, and I liked how although at one time, the cabinets and counters were supposed to look modern, really were actually worn down with age, not just as intentional decorating like all the rest.

"Pleasie, no squeezie!" ~handmade sign next to the largest avocados I'd ever seen.

I bought a cheap bouquet of beautiful flowers for the family who kept Penny in their back yard for us, and a small basket of raspberries. I enjoyed looking at all the fresh fruit, the souvenirs, and the fresh fish on ice.

"Why don't you bring those tulips over here a second?! Yeah! You with the basketball player!" ~an Irish fishmonger

We didn't stay too long, and didn't hit any rush hours on the way home. We were able to take a modified route on the way back that was two hours shorter than we expected. We went through several state parks in California. The roads were twisty, very dark, and rainy. We saw at least twenty deer, and a bobcat. There were a couple close calls with some deer on the road. Fortunately, they always happened to be on the side of the road closest to where they were already headed, so our swerving only scared them away from us.

We got home around one in the morning, and slept till one in the afternoon the next day!

Washington Babymoon Part One

2011-06-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Washington was great! Parts were well planned, and parts were left up to us to be spontaneous, so it seems we were able to get in everything we really wanted to do!

Grace: "I hope you don't mind me navigating like this."

Tim: "Oh, it's okay. I wasn't even listening."

The drive up was a little long, and we went through 4 snow storms, at least 6 rainstorms, and several sunny spots in between. The changes in the weather really mixed things up. We enjoyed the scenery. We went through Nevada-like wilderness (we weren't in Nevada very long, of course), picturesque green hills and mountains of California, and some boring parts of Oregon before driving through a mountain pass just before Portland. The pass felt like Colorado at first, but on the way down, the trees were different. I woke Tim up to look at the extremely tall trees pressed right up against the highway. Oregon isn't famous for its tall trees, but I'm not sure I remember ever seeing trees quite so tall. The mountains up there were different too, with ghosts of clouds and fog just hanging out a little too low on the hills. (I'm describing all this because it was impossible for me to get pictures. Tim was sleeping, I was driving, and the road was too fast and winding to park. There were countless turn-off areas, but only on the other side of the road. I figured we would take the same route back, but as I learned when I was younger, there never is such a thing as 'on the way back')

"But I have to pump your gas for you. It's the law." ~station attendant in Oregon

Visiting the Olympic peninsula really should be more of a camping trip. We enjoyed driving through Aberdeen, a cute little port town with small, old houses, and ancient sea-worthy vessels in its river. Then we went up to lake Quinalt to stay the night. It was dark when we got there. I didn't realize our suite came with a jacuzzi bath, and while I was in it, Tim found the button and turned it on low. We were both really tired from the long day and late night, so we found the pathetic, fart-like bubbles hilarious. In the morning, we woke up to a huge, fog-covered lake and the sounds of rain forest birds. We wanted to get on the road, but the office didn't open yet, so we went on a small path to the world's largest spruce tree.

101 (the highway around the peninsula) took us further from the rainforest and closer to the ocean. "Tim! according to the map, we should be right along the Pacific right now! Stop at the first sign you see!" I suggested. It was cold and cloudy, but the small beach campground was full (it was Memorial Day weekend) Most of the people there were camping and fishing. I hoped our Kansas tags would explain our excitement as we ran around on the pebble-covered beach, poking washed-up sea weed with sticks, and taking driftwood. Tim wanted to burn it later; he hopes that the salt on the wood will make a pretty fire.

Then the highway curved back toward the Olympic National park, and we paid to get into the Hoh rain forest. This was the part of the trip I was most excited for. In fifth grade, we learned about the different ecosystems of the world, particularly those in the United States. We watched a video about the temperate rain forests of the northwest, and about the large banana slugs in them. Ever since then, I had wanted to go. "I can't believe you guys hadn't been yet!" Tim said. I told him that by the time I was in fifth grade, we had already been to Washington, and didn't see much of a reason to go back. We didn't see any giant orange slugs, but we did some fun pictures, which I'll upload later!

"I'll Nav your gate!" ~Tim, after I suggested that he take over driving while I navigate

Next we were back on the road and headed toward Forks for lunch. Tim insisted we take pictures by the Welcome to Forks sign. I felt embarrassed to do so, but I knew that several young girls had their picture taken by this very sign each day, and no one would think anything of it. We went into their visitors center, between to a run-down History of Logging museum, and an old statue dedicated to the loggers that founded the place. The visitors center had all but forgotten logging. When we walked in, we were surrounded by cardboard cut-outs of actors, and Twilight t-shirts. There were two old women running the place. They talked about past look-alike contests, and their hopes that when the actors were done with the series, they would come visit Forks (having never set foot there in their lives). It was pretty pathetic, so Tim and I decided to get something to eat as soon as possible. We sidestepped a pack of teenage girls getting their pictures taken next to a truck parked outside (one similar to the one in the movies) and left to find a restaurant.

We stopped at a crowded pizza restaurant and hoped to just blend in. I thought we were doing pretty well till one table got up, and the old man seated there greeted every other family by name on his way out. I guess in such a small town, visitors will have to stand out. Tim said they had to have been used to people passing through before all this Twilight stuff happened. It after all, is the only town with restaurants and stores between Grays Harbor and Port Angeles (That's a 3 hour drive). As we waited for our food, I tried to guess what the town was like. It seemed to be about the size of Halstead. The citizens were used to lots of visitors, but they took it in stride. Every restaurant carried a "Twilight Menu" available on request with expensive food and Twilight-themed foods.

" Porta-bella-mushroom pasta, Bellaburger...

**All entres come with Edbread and Swan Salad" ~Twilight menu

We also went to one more beach, La Push. Compared to the other beach we stopped at, this one was more famous and actually had sand, so it was crowded for the weekend. I wanted to see some tide pools, but I had no idea when or were to look. It was interesting to be on another indian reservation. It was small, so the houses were all very close together. There were certain smells the same as the Mission, with added scent from the ocean, and their small fishing harbor.

Yesterday's Story... and The beginning of our Nursery

2011-05-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started out to be a great day. I was on my way to work, a little earlier than usual, when I started coughing. There's been a lot of extra stuff in my throat every morning. I don't know if it's the pregnancy, or just springtime allergies in Nevada.

Anyway, one second I was coughing, and the next, it had hit my gag reflex, and I had to throw up. At first, I thought I could just smile and get over it. (It's nearly impossible to vomit while smiling; using the muscles prevents one from gagging.) But then I knew that wouldn't be possible. I changed lanes to exit as soon as possible. I should've went on to the shoulder and turned on my blinkers, but I didn't think I would actually vomit in my lap. Which I did. I got off the highway and then had to wait at a stoplight before I could turn into whatever was nearest, a Burger King.

There, I went straight in to the bathroom, hoping no one would notice the mess on my pants. I stripped down and cleaned up the best I could. Then I explained my situation to the middle-aged Hispanic woman at the cash register. "Is there any way I could borrow a... bucket or something to clean up my car?" She left and returned with a giant roll of brown paper towels. She then proceeded to make me a wad the size of a beach ball. "I hope this helps." She said. "I'm so sorry..." I began to apologize when she stopped me. "I understand." she said, looking me in the eyes like she'd been there.

I arrived to work barely in time, but my manager was in a pickle as well. She had lost her store key. This bought me time to run to Old Navy to purchase a new pair of pants, but I no longer had the time to clean out my car before we opened. There weren't many of us there, so we remained busy. I wasn't able to clean out my car till I got home. I'm not sure that mark will ever come completely out of the driver's seat...

For the second half of this post, I have started to think about where Baby will stay.

Here is our guestroom. It's pretty small, but I think we'll be able to make it work!

In Reno there's an upholstery store that is slowly going out of business... I wonder if that's just a ploy to sell more fabric. Anyway, some of the fabric is extremely cheap, and some is only kind-of cheap. I went in a few days ago to pick out the beginning of the Nursery's style. Here's what I came up with! There will be lots of giraffe print, with the other two to accent it. I think mostly the room will be yellow and brown.

My Nursery Ideas

2011-05-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

Soon after discovering that we were pregnant (At least two months ago!) I started wondering about nurseries, and supplies, and what we would do about those things. I don't intend to spend a lot of money, and I don't intend to devote an entire room to the nursery. Here are the ideas I had, and some inspiration boards to go with each!

First, (and probably least likely) is a low-contrast color scheme. It would be soft, and I love the neutral browns... but we'd be talking about trying to keep a white room clean, which I know I could never do.
Next is a high contrast room. This works well with a Victorian style. Despite the pinks, I think it would be possible to make a gender-neutral room, suitable for future babies.
After that, I really liked the pictures of unique, simple nurseries. Some of these could quite possibly be my favorites!
I was also inspired by the nurseries with deep browns. It's a nice change from the strictly pastel rooms.
Here are nurseries with a very home-made touch. I really liked the picture-covered walls, and the home-sewn curtains and blankets. There's also a vintage feel that gets the "Over in the Meadow" song stuck in my head.
And Last, there were some random pictures that I liked that didn't really fit into the other categories.
And of course, I have to keep in mind the limited space in our guest room and the furniture that's already there. I'll also have to wait on the crib that Tim will provide. I did have a lot of fun, though, organizing pictures I liked into ideas!

Crazy Dreams #1 & 2

2011-03-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Here in Nevada, Tim has found a friend from work. He has a wife and two kids. They've also moved here temporarily from Kansas.

My first crazy dream was that the wife and kids went back to Wichita for a long visit, and while they were away, the husband's crazy ex-wife came and tried to take over. She tried to move in and pretend like nothing ever happened. This was kind of funny to me, because this couple have been together ever since they were young and in high school. No chance for an ex wife.

I've had countless crazy dreams in between numbers 1 and 2, but I don't remember every bit of them, so there are too many holes. I remember one point, when I belonged to a village, and an evil witch had been impersonating me to do mischief, and I had to prove to everyone that I was really me. (It was a lot like playing Mafia.)

The second dream began when I was working in a room with my old boss, and one of his six children, a boy my age who he affectionately calls "John-boy" Besides regular work, my boss would ask his son, (and me too, in this case) to do spiritual, educational work. He was trying to prepare us for the end times. With each completed task, he would give his son what he called manna, which was just a creamy-white precious metal; some type of currency. I think my pay came in a regular paycheck. One of those such spiritual-educational tasks to prepare us for the end times was to be able to accurately arrange C.S. Lewis's Narnia series in chronological order. This was a little difficult because one of the books was missing a cover, another was written in The Message style, and as we all know, they usually One of those such spiritual-educational tasks to prepare us for the end times was to be able to accurately arrange C.S. Lewis's Narnia series in chronological order. This was a little difficult because they were numbered in the order they were written, one of the books was missing a cover, and another was written in The Message style.

I left the room, and wandered down a hall. To the left, I noticed a long barn-like room filled with about 30 large horse stalls. Out of each stall poked the head of an elephant. At the end of the hall, I entered a larger room. There were some wooden bleachers for seating, and a manure/straw covered fence kept the stands separated from the show: a man swimming in a tank with a hippo, which we all know is a very impressive feat. The fair (or whatever it was) must not have been very busy that day, because so few spectators were there, that they sat on the edge of the hippo tank and dangled their toes in the water. The swimmer called me over by name. "Hey, you're from Kansas, right Grace?" he asked. "Uh, yeah..." I said, edging closer. "You know that song, 'Camptown ladies sing this song, do-dah! Do-dah!' Well, I guess back then, the 'do-dah's' were only put in to cover up the bad language! Bet you didn't know that about Kansas, huh?!"

"Huh." I said, feigning interest, and then I left to return to work. In my locker in the work room, I found a set of purple and black rings. I then remembered telling my boss that they would sell really well. He had asked his ceramics class aid to make them for me! I considered running back to the hippo room to tell the swimmer, but at that moment, I turned around.

For lack of space (probably because of all the elephants) the circus or fair had decided to keep their giant, man-eating crocodile in a large baby crib. The reptile scared me, and I began to notice that because of the changes in the way Joel had been feeding it, that it was learning that it could easily step out of the crib... which it did.

The crocodile moved very slow, and I was able to run up the basement stairs in my parents' house and into the living room. Joel, Dale, and my parents were all sitting there. "The alligator got out!" I shouted. "Here's what we'll do-" my dad started, always the one to have a solution, pulled out a tranquilizer gun. He handed it to me. It didn't look too impressive. It about as small as a .22 or even a bb gun. I held it in my hands and aimed at the door. There, standing in the doorway, was Joel and Paul.

Joel was 2 or 3, the way I remember him from our days before school. Paul was only 4 or 5, like all the childhood pictures. "Guys, move out of the way!" I said, as I quickly moved my gun. I handed the gun back to my dad, and then my mom and I went to see if the crocodile was still in pursuit. The stairs to the basement were strewn with clear packaging bags and silica gel packs from work. We didn't see anything at first, but then the crocodile moved. Apparently, we couldn't see him because his head was stuck in a bag. When he moved, my mom made that sound that we've heard a few times in our lives, when she came across a particularly large snake in a basement bedroom, or when a field mouse ran at her from the pantry.

We ran back to the living room. Everyone jumped on a couch, and pulled our feet up from the floor. As the crocodile came into the room, and my dad aimed, I suddenly realized how small the gun was, and that if he missed, he wouldn't be able to get away in time. I thought of the headline, "Man in Kansas Eaten by Crocodile" and then shouted, "Daddy, don't miss!!"

Just then, he shot a round of pellets at the Croc's forehead. The pellets looked like mini-marshmallows, or mothballs, or possibly those melt-away wedding mints. It was a pathetic show. The pellets bounced off and scattered on the floor, but I knew better than to doubt my dad's inventions. Apparently, each pellet contained a potent tranquilizer that came out upon impact in powder form that instantly absorbed into the reptile's skin. The last shot was a small device with spider-leg spikes that stuck into the crocodile's neck to monitor its unconsciousness.

That was when I woke up.

My New Job

2011-03-16T13:41:00.001-07:00

All week I knew there was something from work I was going to write about, but in the end, I forgot it, and wrote down the basics of work.

Specifically, here's what I thought was interesting:

We spent an entire couple days merchandising. Everything had already been set out, at the appropriate tables, and then we re-worked the areas, over and over. We had basic, obvious rules on how to organize merchandise so that everything is balanced and easy to get to. Other than that, it was up to us to make things look good.

I was partnered with one of our managers to fill an armoire. She was very critical about exactly what we would use in our area, and about what should go where, but I didn't mind one bit. My personality is more the type to not care so much about how the earrings are placed, but I knew these high standards would be good for me. I may not have cared, but I still could understand why, and I was often able to suggest much better alternatives.

This isn't at all new to me. In college, my art professors were very good at what they did. They were laid back artists themselves, but they understood that creativity shone best in strict, critical environments. We held weekly critiques about our drawings. Half the time, we may have talked about correct proportions and perspectives, but a lot of our time was devoted to composition. I may have drawn an awful looking shoe, but they would spend more time focusing on why I chose to replicate that particular frame of vision. Why did I put the subject of my picture where I did on my canvas? What I did wasn't as important as why I did it. They constantly challenged us to make defenses for our compositions. "Balance" and "contrast" were always on our tongues. It was important that our work "felt right" to the viewer.

Once again, I found myself in the same environment. This time, instead of canvases, I was given tables, shelves, and fixtures. I no longer had to create objects to put in the space, but I had endless possibilities of combinations of merchandise. My manager and I were constantly asking each other, "What can we put next to this piece to bring out this particular color?" We also had a grid of cubbies to fill with a variety of contrasting merchandise, while still paying attention to its visual balance.

Afterwards, the district manager (who worked alongside us all week to get the store in shape) wanted to come see what I'd done. He was very impressed. I felt embarrassed receiving praise, when I knew it wouldn't have looked as nice without my manager's help. When he pointed out one particular thing he liked, that I knew was all her, I was quick to give her the credit. Later, when my manager returned, she said, "Hey, make sure you're getting credit for the work you do. You should be like, 'Hey! Check out that table; I did that!' Be proud!"

While most girls were hired by our general store manager for their retail experience, I had the chance to interview with the district manager, who was very interested in the concept of visual merchandising. I was lucky to have been hired without experience, but for my studies in the visual arts. I also feel fortunate to have a manager who feels there is money to be made in visual merchandising, and that I can go far.

How likely that may be, is questionable, but it's great to be encouraged, and to know that I'm doing okay at a new job!

Work

2011-03-15T17:25:00.001-07:00

Well, I got a job as a charmer...

...don't worry, it's retail.

The store is called Charming Charlie, and it's huge. We all started work last Wednesday, and met in the empty store. There were a few construction guys putting up the last of the chandeliers, but other than that, we faced shelves and tables in the vast room.

The first day, a team from corporate went over several slide shows with us. We stood, or sat on the tile floor. We learned about policies, and the handbook, and what we'd be required to do. We also learned that there really is a Charlie, who started the company. He's very young, and his last name is hard to pronounce.

The first week was a lot of hard work. We had to put up merchandise, and to completely fill an empty store takes a while!

It was a little hard because I worked every day, and Tim and I kept missing each other. I'd wake up and leave before he woke up, and then I'd come home to an empty house, and he'd come back from work after I fell asleep.

Today was our first day open, and I am only part time, so things should slow down after this! I am happy, though, for something productive to do with my time. And I'm happy that I still have free days in the week to work on my painting and to catch up on housework!

AAAAH!

2011-03-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

1. Fiancé and best man pick up an application for Marriage.

2. I applied for a marriage certificate.

3. It came in the mail.

4. I got a new social security card in the mail after driving across town to the wrong office, then waiting in a 45 minute line.

5. I had to get a new driver's license that I knew wouldn't last. Turned out, to change your name they can't use your Social Security Card. It HAS to be a marriage license. (Two trips to the DMV.)

6. It expired two months later. After unexplained closings and mechanical failures of the DMV, I finally got another one... which then never arrived in the mail.

7. I got another one.

8. Then I got a military ID. AFTER the machine was fixed, and only once my husband came back to Kansas.

9.I tried to apply for a passport, but needed my marriage license... which was lost. They found the marriage license back home, it came in the mail, and I applied for a passport.

10.A letter from the department of state is hinting that Tim and I may have to re-apply for different forms of a Birth Certificates!

"Champagne makes me all giggly!" ~Monkey Island

2011-03-02T01:08:00.000-08:00

"And then I'd throw my sham-pog-nay in his face!" ~Sarah

This Valentine's day, as sort of an extra, spur of the moment gift, Tim brought home a bottle of Champagne. I was only half awake at the time, so I was able to enjoy the surprise all over again in the morning.

I was excited, not because I like champagne (never had it) or any alcohol for that matter. I was excited because I have always wanted to pop the cork off one. Tonight I got my chance! Most of the contents spilled out onto the sidewalk because it was warm and shaken.

Later, the dog had to go out, but on the way in, before I could stop her, she lapped up a few sips from the puddle. She ran back inside, and I told Tim what happened. Right on cue, she started a sneezing fit. Before each sneeze, she would squint her right eye and screw up her face till it resembled Popeye's.

"and I have to take you in for a check up tomorrow... what will they think of me?"

Those Darn Mountains

2011-02-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

When I first moved here, I was encouraged to write about the things I thought were peculiar about Reno before I stopped noticing them. Reno isn't another country, and it's hardly another culture. I feel there aren't too many differences between here and home. (Besides the lack of turn signaling, which is a[whole]nother story!) The biggest difference is that Kansas is known for its flatness, and the name of this state came from a word that means "snow-capped mountains." I haven't written about it, but thats because I spend a lot of time trying to think of how to word my thoughts on the mountains.

I never wished to live in the mountains when I lived in Kansas. Even when I was little I decided that living in Kansas was great for vacations. When I went to the mountains or the forest or the ocean, I wouldn't take them for granted.

Although my newfound freedom has started me painting again, I haven't included the new scenery in my list of subject matter. First, because mountains in art seem to be a cliche. They either seem desktop-backgroundy or very generalized like an amateur's painting in a second hand store. It's not that I feel above this; I just am not sure I want to waste my time painting mountains if I can't get it right.

The second reason I haven't tried painting mountains is that I'm not sure quite how to get them right. Often, the part of the scenery that intrigues me isn't the vastness of the California mountains (with typical mountainy stuff like pine trees, jutting rock forms and snowy peaks) but the bareness of the desert mountains on the other side of the valley. I sometimes worry that I would simplify the details too much, and they wouldn't look real, but mostly I worry that I would cover the canvas with cookie-cutter trees and rocks, and ignore the true shape of the mountains that interest me most.

It is too dry for trees, and there are few rocks or houses on these hills. There is only dull yellow grass, which make the hills stand in a striking contrast to the bright blue sky. (exact opposites, to be exact) When the hills are covered in snow, and the sky gray, color gives way to the sheer form of things. These mountains have no distractions; only color, or only shape.

Sometimes I try to take pictures. Usually they're of the clouds on the mountains. Sometimes it's just as one would expect with the mountains rising up to disappear in the cloudy sky like a radio tower would back home on an exceptionally cloudy day.

Usually, though, we have very different weather down in the valley than they do up in the mountains. Once, the clouds almost sat on top of the mountains like whipped topping. They were definitely background, providing the kind of positive/negative space ambiguity that Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is famous for. Another time the mountains had their own background. It was as if someone had cut a picture of hills with inclement weather from a magazine and pasted it on the horizon of our sunny day. It really reminds me of those intricate decorated eggs with a scene inside.

I take pictures when I can, but mostly I just look, and wonder what it is about mountains that's hard to get right.

Interview #2

2011-02-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

As you may have heard, I had my second interview yesterday.

I have been applying like crazy this past month. I have been checking craigslist daily, getting into the Washoe County School district's application program, and walking into countless retail stores asking for an application.

One day, I walked down a row of stores to apply in any store that told me they were currently hiring. I made it to the cash register of one place before I realized it was a women's plus size store. I shrugged in my mind and figured it was worth a shot. The girl at the front was really friendly and gave me an application. I had ran out of resume copies and had to spend a while filling out all the blanks. The whole time I was thinking to myself, "It doesn't matter to me that this store's plus size. I want a job, not an outfit. But would they really hire me? This is kind of awkward! It shouldn't matter what size I am. ...What if a requirement is to wear their line? I'll have to get online later and see their sizes IF I'm hired. haha, like they'd really hire me."

Most stores I applied at only check for past retail experience. None called up my references or really took the time to interview. I had one interview that went alright, but like I said, they picked the guy with retail experience over me. I really have been waiting for a school job, though, so it didn't matter too much.

Two days ago, I received a phone call. She asked if I shopped in their store, a name I didn't even recognize. (That's what I get for going door to door!) "To be honest, I don't really shop there. I am just looking for a job." I said. We set up a time for an interview the next day, and I hung up. Tim joked that I should've told them I shop there all the time. I was glad I didn't, because when I looked up the store, it was the plus-size one. I checked online the kind of clothes they had. The clothes were really nice, but nothing was my size.

The next day I was nervous. Over lunch, I talked to Tim about it. "I don't know if I even want to go." She doesn't know what I look like now, but it's going to be so awkward."

"Father, just help this to be an okay experience for me." I prayed as I headed in. They weren't very busy, but there was a shy-looking girl waiting for her interview. I introduced myself and talked with her for a bit, hoping to take away the nervousness she probably had.

My interview was first. The manager and I went to the back office, and I saw a girl organizing clothes and attaching security devises to sweaters. "That's something I could do!" I thought. The lady had me sit down, and she asked me about Kansas and the weather. Then our interview went something like this:

Lady: "You were a para educator. What's that?"

Me: "Well, I don't have my bachelor's yet, so I can only be hired to help at schools."

Lady:"So you're a teacher. Why aren't you subbing? I know someone who is and she says you make good money. And if you're really good, you get hired for pregnancies and stuff."

Me: "Well, I did apply at the school district, but they haven't contacted me yet."

Lady: "Here's the deal. You seem really qualified. I feel bad because you should be out there in the schools, not here. Hey! It says you live close to me! Are you sure you want to drive all this way?"

Me: "Well, I need something productive to do while I'm here."

Lady: "Oh, well, I don't even want to waste my time asking you questions. I'll probably just call your references and get back to you."

Me: "I'm just glad you're contacting them! Most stores just see that I have no retail experience and..."

Lady: "Oh, you don't need experience really. You just have to be smart and friendly and able to work fast. The rest I can teach you. I have to decide how many managers I'm going to hire before I hire any employees. What kind of position are you looking for?"

Me: "Well, wherever I'm needed most, I guess." (thinking of the girl working in the back)

Lady: "Okay, then! I'd hire you as a manger. I just need to determine whether I need a full time or two part times. And what if the school hires you after you take this job?"

Me: "It would only be during the day, so I could still work evenings."

Lady: "Alright! oh, and one last thing: girls will be asking you why you're here. They might be rude to you when you first start. You're just going to have to think of a good way to answer without offending anyone. I've hired little skinnies like you before. You'll just have to win them over with your personality."

So that's how it went! I'm not hired yet, but I probably will be. Even if it's not the best-paying job, it will be a great experience and I will have it on my resume when I move back to Kansas!

Puppy shall not live on dog food alone but on the very Bible it chewed on today.

2011-02-08T22:39:00.000-08:00

First, to finish up the last post:

The faces on the casino billboard with dollar amounts are really two things: Average customers who win large sums of money, and celebrities with the price of their shows. That's why the average people have bigger amounts than the doctored-up photos!

Having a puppy is not like having a kid.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious, but at first, people overlook that.

"Having a dog will be good practice for when you have kids!"

After a pause, though, someone always realizes how silly that sounds and it's followed by some joke about leaving your kid at home locked in a kennel, or taking them outside to poop.

One aspect about humans that I wish I could apply to dogs is communication. Sure, dogs are pretty smart. But a human child can be punished for delaying his obedience. He obeyed, but not right away, and that's why he got punished. He knows what's expected of him and doesn't need to be rewarded for merely doing what's normal.

When training a dog, one has to consistently reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. It can be tough to figure out when the lines blur.

Say, for example, your dog is chewing on a shoe. "Bad dog!" you shout. As soon as the dog hears this, she drops the shoe and comes to sit next to you instead. I feel hesitant to reward her good behavior when it happens so soon after the bad, but I know it will help her learn.

Another example would be, "Come on! Come over here!" (hand clap) "C'mon, girl!"

After a few minutes the dog finally comes. I would want to punish the dog for the delay, but it's necessary to reward it for coming, if I want it to come quicker in the future.

2011-02-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

Reno isn't too hard to get around in. Tim suggested buying me a gps, but I didn't think I would actually use them. And when we thought of how distracted I would be trying to mess with a gadget while driving, we didn't get one.

Wichita is pretty simple. There are four main highways that divide the city into a giant tic-tac-toe grid. Then you have to know the main street exits.

Reno is about the same size as Wichita, but with only two main highways that form four quadrants. (We live in the first, or the northeast quadrant.) Unfortunately, there's a lot of construction where those two highways meet. Wichita has prepared me well for this, so I know the times to avoid traveling north.

The two cities may be similar in size, but it definitely seems different. Reno is full of all sorts of casinos, and most people live just outside of the city. In fact, it seems like the area is mostly suburbs.

There's a casino I always drive past with a big, digital billboard. It always flashes a picture of a person, and then a dollar amount. The normal people have a lot of money, and the pretty people have a small amount flashing next to their mugs. Do you know why?!

Doings as of Late

2011-02-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been waiting for a job interview (should happen next week) and I have taken a small break from a large painting.

While Tim works in our office, I often wish I had a chair in there too, so I could work on my own things, and we could still be together. This week I fixed that problem!

First, I found our local Goodwill, and bought a rocking chair. Then, I sanded it down. I painted it a flat black, and then Tim suggested racing stripes. Last night, I finished it!

I'm going to have to get a better card reader, but I just thought I'd share this picture... I think Tim looks like a little kid here!

You're Rubbing Off on Him, Dale!

2011-01-31T13:53:00.001-08:00

Several nights ago at work, Tim was telling his coworkers about using the DVDONME promo code at redbox.

"So... you're too... cheap to pay one dollar for a dvd rental?" asked one guy

"Well, heh... I usually end up paying a dollar anyway because I don't take it back on time."

"So... you're too... lazy to return it on time?!"

"I guess either way makes me look bad."

A House of My Own

2011-01-24T22:17:00.000-08:00

I am very excited for Tim and me to have a house of our own someday! Already I am thinking up several different design schemes that I like. I try to explain them to Tim, but words don't help much. Tonight, I gathered pictures to make a palette of just one of my ideas.

I doubt it would be very possible in Kansas, but I would like to have a room like this:

2011-01-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

When we lived in Kansas, strangers would ask Tim if he played basketball. On our way home, I could tell we weren't in Kansas anymore when a stranger at a gas station pulled up beside us and yelled through the window, "Hey man, do you play for KU?"

The trip went pretty well, and although we decided not to stop at the Grand Canyon, we also decided not to drive all night, so we were able to stop at a scenic overview of the southern part of Nevada!
"So what do you call people down here? Nevadians? Nevadans? Nevaticans?!"

Did you know that the name Nevada came from a word meaning snow-capped? and that 85 percent of the state is federally owned? ...at least that's what the poster at Quizno's told me.

Tim and I got home and settled in! I'm not sure yet how one goes about decorating a place like this. The walls are extremely bare, but their complicated structure provides enough interest that they could stand on their own if need be.

We went to the store to refill our pantry and to get supplies to finish my birthday gift: the loft as my painting studio! Tim also bought me a dozen yellow roses, just because, and one became the subject of my first still-life!
I was doing laundry, and I noticed Tim watching me as I reached down a pant leg to turn it right side out. "Silly!" he said, "pants go on your legs, not your arms!"

(Awkward Pause) "Am I irresistibly cute right now?"

Tim has made a lot of friends at work, and I have had the chance to meet them! Someone was celebrating his son's third birthday, and we were invited over for pizza and cupcakes! When we arrived, I was instantly grateful for Tim's suggestion that we NOT buy the kid any noisemakers. I had forgotten how loud three-year-old boys are! Everyone was really nice. I was invited to a girls' night out, and plans were made for a snow-boarding trip.

...which was yesterday. Tim got home from his night shift around seven AM and we got ready to go. We stopped at an equipment rental place, and then met with some friends at the base. It wasn't a long drive to the California mountains, but before we made it, the weather turned gray and rainy. I had never been to a ski resort, so it was all new to me. In the parking lot, Tim helped me put on equipment, and we bought lift tickets. More friends showed up, and we rode all the way up the mountain in the cable car.

Tim kept asking me if I was doing okay. At first I though it was weird. "I'm alright!" I kept reassuring him. Then we approached the first tower, and the "driver" said, "Alright, folks, we'll be experiencing a bit of a sway as we approach the first tower." The slow swinging of the cable car wouldn't have been so bad, but I couldn't see out. I felt a wave of nausea. I made it past both towers, and through the loading dock, but I was sure I was going to puke when one of the standing passengers started throwing his weight against one side, attempting to rock it a little more.

Everyone hoped the rain would be snow at the top, but they were wrong. Stinging ice and sleet pelted our faces. Tim took me back in to put his mask on me while the rest of us got started. I was glad for the delay; it gave me a bit more time to stop feeling sick... but I still felt dizzy.

Tim was patient, but I didn't learn well. I fell hard over and over until I had a headache, and I had a difficult time learning. The weather made it hard to see and hard to hear, and the wind was blowing pretty hard. Everyone was soaked through and ready to head home before too long.

On the way home, Tim informed me that I had to take over driving because he was about to fall asleep at the wheel. I realized that it was after 1:00 PM, past his bedtime. Even I had a hard time staying alert, and once we got home, we both slept hard till 5!

Today is the girls' night out! I hope to make some new friends.

...And last, for Eden:

Bath and Body Works

2010-11-17T18:08:00.000-08:00

I recently received coupon emails from Bath and Body works advertising their latest scents. After I saw the two new smells, I had to chuckle.

I could almost picture the board meeting, headed by an ambitious blonde in a pantsuit...

"Everyone's crazy about Twilight! We need to make our products more twilight!"

And then they came up with "Dark Kiss" and "Twilight Woods"

Of course, I still went to get my free bottle of lotion. I chose one that had a pleasant, slightly familiar smell. It was only after I got home, that I realized the familiar part of the smell was that of dentist fluoride.

Labor Day!

2010-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

For Labor Day weekend, Tim, Jon, Hannah and I all drove to Arkansas to visit Cousin Charles!

We went hiking, went to the lake, played mini-golf (twice!), went to several parks, visited Charles's dorm room, tried to find him a wife, and bought and modified nerf guns!

While on a hike, Jon and Hannah stop to advertize College T-shirts with a student-y pose!

At Gator Golf, Hannah and I stopped to ride a zebra!!

Tim interrupts some strangers' game to pose and shout, "I'm on a zebra! ...Huah!"

And of course, my favorite photo happened when we got lost on the way to church. Charles took a turn onto "Best Friend Lane" to pull over and call his parents.

I was going to "enhance" this photograph the way most teenage girls do, and add a caption from this video, but without the guys' permission, I hesitated.

Dining Out

2010-09-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was the Air National Guard's Dining out at the Hyatt.
Months ago, Tim bought us some tickets. The hotel offered a discounted room price for the airmen, so we decided to make an evening of it.

Formal attire was required, so I wore a black evening gown a lady at church gave me. Tim was required to wear his Blues a certain way. Some of the older men (especially those higher up in the guard) had snazzy "mess dress" covered in metals and ribbons.

At the mixer, I was able to meet some of those "snazzy" older men who were Tim's supervisors. I shook hands with a lot of people, received some charming compliments, smiled a lot, and forgot a million names.

We met up with the Colliates, a couple from our church, and all decided to get our portraits taken before the dinner since I forgot my camera, and the hall was crowded, and we weren't buying drinks. (While in line, I recognized a couple from Halstead. I couldn't remember their names, but I'm sure they would know Eden or Dale, or even Paul.) Tim and I were excited to find that the two background options for the photos were extremely cheesy! We chose the blue-swirly background with a fake, wrought-iron fence, a wooden chest stacked with fake books in front of us, with an American flag off to the side. When we get the pictures in the mail, I'll be sure to post them.

The dinner itself reminded me somewhat of the Feast our school used to have. It took place in a huge ballroom, and there were over 500 guests. Over salad, we watched traditional ceremonies and then made several toasts. We were entertained by the banter of two officials on opposite sides of the room with microphones. They explained a strict, silly set of dining rules, and then explained the consequences.

A giant jayhawk-shaped drink dispenser was wheeled to one end of the room. Various people got reported for breaking rules, and each had to follow a silly procedure while toasting with the bird's drink. No one was allowed to clap, but we were given spoons which we used to bang on the table to show approval. Clapping would get you sent to the bird, or "Grog" as they called it. Other offenses I noticed that night were: bringing alcohol from the mixer into the ballroom, bringing in the hat with the uniform, leaving the room (even to go to the bathroom) and wearing the wrong ribbons. Only airmen went to the Grog, and higher officials at that. The only exception was a confused girl who was called up for no reason. Her boyfriend then got a mike and proposed to her. She looked truly surprised, which I found refreshing, and everyone was so excited, a few people even started clapping...

The silliness ended when dinner was served. Waiters squeezed around the tables with huge trays, and everyone chatted over grilled chicken and steak. I whispered in Tim's ear which silverware to use when, and he reminded me who people were, and that I had some food on my face. When I cleaned my plate and it got whisked away, I traded my apple-pie cake for Tim's dessert, which had sat on its fancy plate the whole meal. It was possibly the richest and tastiest chocolate cake I had ever had!

A speaker gave us a talk about the economy for a while, while I watched a few tables over where a slightly tipsy woman grow greener and greener till a few gentlemen escorted her out. Her eyes were big, and her cheeks were puffed out as she held her fist against her mouth. I wondered whether or not she threw up in the hall while I heard about China's quest for African resources.

Soon, the chaplain came and gave his benediction, and then the dance floor was opened, playing music for slow dancing, swing dancing, and jazzy dancing. The lights were dimmed and tables emptied as everyone got up to visit. Our evening ended overlooking Wichita from our 11th floor hotel room with a McDonald's drink and a good book.

Support your Local Dishwasher

2010-09-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

I will be writing about my Labor Day weekend... and The Move, but I'd like to interrupt those posts with a small thing:

While washing a pancake pan, I quickly grabbed the dishsoap bottle and made a small squirt across its animal-shaped pancake molds.

I had to stop for a second because the basic shape looked familiar. I finally realized that it was blood! Not the color of blood, or even the shape blood would make if it happened to drip on a pan, but it was the same shape of the fake blood splatter on the jail cell floor in Support Your Local Sheriff!

Joe Danby: You expect me to sit here in this lousy cell on that...
What is that red stuff all over the floor there?
Jason McCullough: Oh, uh... [waves his boot over the paint] ...that's the poor fella that crossed the line earlier today.

Memories

2010-08-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

I Interviewed at Park Elementary today...
I didn't get to talk with the principal because she was busy addressing a behavior problem with a victim and his parent in her office.

The secretaries were kind, and excited that I told them I had attended Park for a year. They informed me that my kindergarten teacher was still there, teaching first grade.

As the door to the principal's office swung open, I could catch part of the conversation. "Who bit you? Was it Joseph with white skin and blonde hair, or was it YOseph?"

It must've been the later because a chubby Mexican boy walked in to sulk in the corner. I glanced at the kid and gave him the smallest of sympathetic smiles because it was all too familiar of a situation...

"Who bit you? Was it Grace with white skin and curly hair, or was it Graciella?"
...only in my case, it was the former

Trade Secrets

2010-08-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

While visiting my family the other day, I mentioned to my mother that perhaps twelve hours was too few. She said,

"Well, Tim's going to be really busy, and when your husband is busier, you get busier so you just have to..."

Joel walked into the room and remarked, "Oooh! letting me in on the trade secrets, eh?!"

Speaking of trade secrets, I've been reading a book lately. It isn't a fun read, but I'm glad I'm doing it. It covers a subject I've been trying to figure out on my own for the past year or so. I feel that it's put my thoughts into words, and has given me more situations and opportunities to apply it to.

The book is called Love and Respect and it does a fairly good job of summing up the main problem in male/female communication (while admitting it probably isn't the ONLY problem).

It states that women need to feel loved most of all, an obvious need that's no surprise. It says that men need to feel respected above all else. I feel I would have to disagree with the choice of the word "respect" but the author is right. Men feel loved by feeling valued as a person, and trusted to do the right thing in a situation.

Most problems are centered around men doing things that women percieve as unloving, and women doing things that men percieve as disrespectful. Basically, each gender needs to think about what they are doing that could be offensive, and work it out with two big scoops of understanding!

End-O-Summer Thoughts and Quotes

2010-08-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Heat, ma'am! it was so dreadful here, that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones. ~Sydney Smith, Lady Holland's Memoir

The wedding was great! I was very pleased with how everything turned out. One guest is said to have remarked, "This feels just like a movie! And you know what? We're all in it!"

If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance. ~Bern Williams

I gained some cool new silver-soldering skills working at Mathew's Gallery in Wichita! It's been great to work alongside new Christian friends.

Actually visiting parents and inlaws is a new experience for me! It's a little strange, but I like it!

Tim must be a family man now because he "...traded in his Mustang for a minivan (actually a Volkswagon Jetta with 4 doors)" I'd like to point out that it was Tim's idea originally. We both are happy with its practicality... and the fact that it could kick the Mustang's butt in a race anyday!

Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving--HOW NOT TO DO IT.

~Dickens, Little Dorrit

I've been fighting my way through the bureaucracy of name-changing in 100 degree weather. After driving all the way downtown and parking in a 75 cent parking garage (I'd like to mention that since it was my third time there, I finally figured out where to park!) ...and after getting through the Wichita Courthouse's metal detectors (this time without my pocketknife) I was told that the social security department isn't in the courthouse, but in an office back on the other side of town... When I finally got there, after driving a few loops, (first missing the street, then the building) I was told to take a number and sit down. I sat down, dazed, among a 50-person crowded waiting room. Needless to say, it was a 50 minute wait.

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker

School is about to start! Tim is returning to Butler to get a degree, while I am transfering to WSU. Things will be a little crazy for a while. Tim is currently working 2nd shift while I work first. When school starts, he'll be a full time student and work full time (tee-hee! I accidentally typed "Wok full time" ...man, I wish!) In October, we'll switch things up a bit when Tim has to work 3rd shift. We're praying that that will work out okay with minimal stress!

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscapeLay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wedding Preparations!

2010-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

I love to make things. I love the little details when it comes to party planning. I like certain things to happen my way. This leads to me doing a lot of things by hand for my wedding. (Of course, I have to mention my awesome mother who has been doing a LOT of work in the other areas!)
First, I put together my bouquet:
Then, Tim's boutonniere:Then lots of others!!
And a flower-girl basket!
I did NOT make each flower by hand... These were decorations from a storefront! I just had to re-string them!
the start of a cake topper
Finally, my friends, we have some jewelry wax. I used this to form a ring for Tim. Which we then used to make a mold out of investment and a vacuum machine, and finally we poured in some gold! I don't have a picture of Timmy's ring yet... I'll leave that up to your imagination!

Some people may not enjoy getting wrapped up in the details of wedding planning... Some people may not enjoy weddings period!
(Heh... I love that I ended that sentence without a period.)

Jono Saves the Day!!!

2010-05-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

I found my old Bible the other day, while looking for one small enough to carry in my purse.
Inside, I found a picture that my friend Joel had made for me.
He was obviously enamored of his soon-to-be brother in law.
You can see that Jono, with muscular cotton-candy limbs, has just lifted up a semi to block some huts from the coming rock slide/volcano. One unfortunate guy (with twiggy arms, I might add) stands doomed in the shadow of an escaped boulder!

Just Something

2010-04-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

This is a part from "Crazy Love" a book we're going through in one of my Bible Studies:

The love for equals is a human thing-- of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles.
The Love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing-- the love for those who suffer, for those whoare poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world.
The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing-- to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewlidered by its saints.
And then there is the love for the enemy-- love for the one who does not loev you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured's love for the torturer. This is God's love. It conquers the world.

How it went down

2010-03-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Just so you know, I gave my Bible to my friend. He was touched because he understood how much it meant to me, but, of course, he doesn't plan on "getting all into that stuff."
I didn't care. I wasn't expecting a "What must I do to be saved?!" moment or anything. I only knew that this was my best shot at expressing my concern for him, and at the same time, the importance of my God in my life. How could I expect his reaction to be much different from my own when I received that same Bible?
I was, however, very satisfied with what happened. He seemed a little intrigued, wanted to give it back when he found out what it was to me, then finally accepted it, realizing that it was something special.
I'm satisfied.
God will do what He wants now, and I will wait.

My Bible

2010-03-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

This is sort of a response to my mom's recent blog post about Bibles.

The Bible

I learned to read in Kindergarten. I was pretty proud of myself for accomplishing something before any of my classmates did. I distinctly remember visiting my great grandma afterwards, and feeling that pride swell up inside me as my parents told her. “Grace learned to read this week!” my dad shouted into her hearing aid. “What?” she asked. “GRACE LEARNED TO READ!!” With that, she nodded and turned to her bookshelf. “Read this.” she said, as she pulled out a little Bible. Then, with a very shaky hand, she filled out the “Presented to” page. (afterwards, I wrote “when I learned to read” in the “occasion” blank with a childish scrawl and a gold gel pen.)

There was nothing special about that Bible. It was your typical cheap maroon book with “Holy Bible” stamped on the front in gold letters. The gold on the side of the pages had begun to wear off, completely gone now, and there was a strange green-ish stain on the side. There was nothing special about the appearance of the book, but it was special to me. It was a free gift, and it was mine! I felt honored that my great grandmother would give me something of my very own. Nevertheless, I put it in my room, by my bed and never read it for years.

My sparkly Adventure Bible came with me to church every week and to summer camp, where I got saved. I learned to improve my reading skills, but I still didn’t read the Bible. My life didn’t change much. I began to doubt my salvation in steadily increasing amounts. As the Holy Spirit’s prompting grew, I stayed awake at night, when I didn’t have distractions, thinking about God and hell. I wondered if God was even real… then I panicked with the thought that maybe He was real, and I was going to go to hell because I didn’t think He was! One night when I was 12, I was so scared, that I turned on my lamp, and picked up that old Bible to read a passage. It was a pretty random passage, Acts 1, I think, but it comforted me. Although it was an ordinary passage, it came with the promise of Christ’s return, directed to me personally! This was the first time I experienced the Bible as “living and active.” Given no time to contemplate it, though, all I knew was that things got better when I read the Bible.

Thus began my nightly devotions. As I started to see that God is very real and willing to know me on a personal level, the old Bible’s sentimental value began to grow. I still had other Bibles I used for taking to church and camp, or some left upstairs for family devotions, but this one was the perfect size for reading by myself. It makes sense, then, that every small epiphany I had in my faith happened while reading that Bible.

The plan

I have made a good friend at school since my very first art class at Butler. He’s always been in most of my art classes, and we have had lots of chances to talk. Spiritual conversation is not typically easy to bring up, but I managed, and it wasn’t awkward at all. God put him on my heart, and I had been praying for his salvation. For once in my life I felt really comfortable talking about my beliefs to someone. The conversations we had were never much, but I know what he believes, that he’s confused, and that he knows where I stand. He knows that I have to be concerned for him because this is real, whether or not he thinks it is.

I’m ready to make it uncomfortable again.

I realized suddenly last Thursday that I need to give him my Bible. It has to be my special Bible; no other one would have the same meaning. It only makes sense that I share. He never would have known how great vanilla crème cookies from the vending machine were unless I shared with him. I did, and now he knows that they’re great. Jesus is great too. Why not share?

It has been harder than I thought. I cried a lot after I decided to give my Bible away. It’s one of my top three prized possessions, and I had planned to carry it with my bouquet down the aisle next June. I don’t own another soft, small Bible, and it will be missed. It wasn’t a big deal when I received it, but years later it became important to me. Maybe it could be that for someone else.

Pray for this.

Thanks!

Ho Malone III

2010-03-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

It was the story of ONE BLOG.... (music begins)

then... ANOTHER blog went TOO far!! (music gets intense)

Then... a final blog decided to go where NO BLOG has gone BEFORE!

...not really

...It decided to push an old joke EVEN further!!!

This SPRING... Join Grace Page as she is...

HOME ALONE!

I was at the Duncan's yesterday for lunch, and my aunt and uncle had to meet some people somewhere. They suddenly left five young people around the table, home alone. "Butt! Butt! Fart!" someone yelled mischievously! Then Sarah got up and flicked the lights on and off with a huge grin on her face.
On another note, my mother worked very hard to re-varnish our kitchen floor! (Don't worry, mom! I didn't leave that footprint I thought I did!) Yesterday I wore socks, and in the one step it takes on the kitchen floor to get from the carpet to the bathroom, I almost fell. I guess it's easy to underestimate the varnish-y-ness! I then tried to purposely ice skate, and found myself inches from hitting my head on our "very rugged" chandelier! I guess it's a lot lower than it seems when hanging above a dining room table!

Kid's are SO Dumb!! (Mr. Cosby words it better.)

2010-02-26T20:06:00.000-08:00

If observing at various schools for my Intro to Teaching class has taught me anything, it's that I should write a book titled "Do you like me? Circle yes or no" and it could be full of random things I've heard in schools.

For example: today I was called "The Magic Lady in Black" by a junior high boy.

Another time, I walked into the 1st grade music room to see an exasperated teacher squatting behind a podium, looking for something. She was so burnt-out, that she didn't even notice (or pay attention to) the cries of the other students when one particularly chubby girl was shaking her backside while standing on her desk.

While grading 3rd grade worksheets, I found one that said in the name blank:
"Name: K-STATE K-STATE"

A Dream in Three Parts, by Grace

2010-01-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

I slept really hard last night with lots of crazy dreams... And I mean, REALLY crazy. So I feel really refreshed despite all the adventures I had...

First, I was racing along on a broomstick with two other people. There were other broomsticks around us. I decided I should try to witness to the people with me. They seemed interested, but I couldn't get through the gospel before we landed suddenly at our destination: a corrupt school/town, where everyone was becoming sin zombies!! Their skin was beginning to fall off according to how bad they were. The leader was this tall woman who had no outer layer of skin. Her veins were very much still there, holding together a white layer of flesh to cover her organs and muscles. She had no eyelids and she had a high ponytail of veins on her head.

Then this girl and I were running from this woman in my mother's second-hand store, trying to push bookshelves and clothing racks on top of us to keep her from being able to reach us. After a bookshelf trapped her legs, she used up her last effort to reach us with her arms, which were made of twisted veins. In our only method of defense, we began to untwist her arms so she couldn't use them. She died... or so we thought. Suddenly, she wiggled all her veins at us, and then died for real.

Act II: I was wandering around the old main street buildings in Halstead, looking for a bathroom. It ended up turning into a cowtown-like maze, and I kept wandering through empty and forgotten wild west hotel rooms until I finally found the bathroom which had an old fashioned toilet. Then I ran into an old friend who was with her boyfriend and his buddies who had discovered the place and were living in there. We talked for a while, but I felt like I was intruding, so I moved on to Act III...

I walked into my parents' church for the wedding rehearsal, only to find two extra bridesmaids: one I didn't recognize, and Emma, a teammate from cross country. My bridesmaids had appointed Emma as the Maid of Honor and the wedding coordinator boss. She began telling everyone how the ceremony would go down, and I was happy that someone was there to take charge on the day, but everything was really weird, besides the fact that there were seven bridesmaids and five groomsmen.
A wedding had taken place a week before, and the sancuary was full of rather strange furniture, but it matched my colors, so we left the strange couches and chairs there. Tim was supposed to stand a step lower than me, but then he got down on one knee, so in order to kiss him, I had to double over to reach him. I put my foot down at that idea, and suggested that we switch places. Then everyone sitting in the pews began to discuss whether wedding ceremony kisses were gross or cute.

Then I woke up.

Oh, Blogger, how I've missed thee!

2009-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Emmaus Bible College,

I just want to thank you so much for taking me off your mailing list for my years of jucco! It meant a lot to me that you never seemed pushy in your phone calls or letters, and although I heard the Emmaus talk at camp a million times, it wasn't all that bad! Thank you also for filling the minds of young-folk with good, Biblical knowledge! We need more of you in the world!

Now it's time to transfer, and I got your letter again. Thank you, Emmaus Bridal College, but I'm already engaged.

Your Friend,
Grace Page

Cat Farm

2009-12-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

I wish I had pictures for this post, but I don't, so you'll just have to bear with me.

So you know how most front doors actually have two doors? On a typical house, one might see a glass/screen door, followed by a pretty wooden door, and when you leave one open, it's okay because there's still a glass door.

Anyway, our house is in the country and we like to have very open windows so lots of sunlight can be let in. As some might say, "We're not really drapes." OUR front door is a glass storm door, followed by a glass door with a wooden frame.

Our pets like to whine to be let in on the other side of our storm door.

Recently, my father added one of those fancy contraptions to our outside door. You know the type: It has a tube and uses air to keep the door from slamming... and then towards the end it shuts quickly? Yeah, normal people have those, and we just got one!

Yesterday, we all came home from a trip to Halstead, and by the time we were all inside taking our boots off, the outside door was still wide open. The cat was a little too late to sneak inside, and got the main door slammed in her face. "Look at the cat!" my dad said, with an anticipating grin on his face. We all watched and waited for the cat to realize what was happening before she took off running, but she just continued to meow and beg to be let in.
Finally, the door slammed shut with just enough time for her to pull her tail in. She turned around with a bewildered expression on her face (if cats can have expressions) and we all laughed at her.
"What are those things called when you have pet ants?" my dad asked. "Ant farms?" I said. "Well, this is a cat farm!"

Recent Happenings

2009-12-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't written, but I've been feeling the need to write for a while now. Here are some recent things that have happened:

The biggest deal is that I got engaged this Thanksgiving while at Immanuel Mission in Arizona, visiting my Aunt Anne! My favorite quote from the trip was this: Dale: "So Joel, what was your favorite thing that you did on the trip?" Joel: "Grace getting engaged!" It made me laugh, and reminded me of another similar quote from three years ago... Sarah: "So Tim, would you rather have a girl who's really athletic, or one who's really musical?" Tim: "Uh... Grace!" Aw, you both are so sweet!
Me being engaged leads to me thinking about a wedding, which is quite an adventure when you're on a tight budget! We have a place down, and a date (June 26th, by the way!) so now I can, for the most part, relax. I am getting ready to go on an excursion with my maid of honor to search second-hand stores for a hidden gem of a dress waiting for my expertise to fix it into something wearable... who knows? Maybe we'll find something!
Speaking of my ability to sew... This blog post has mainly been an excuse to procrastinate a bit more of my task to finish five bridesmaid dresses for a wedding coming up on New Year's Day. Wanna see some pictures?! These are of my sewing adventures so far:

Here is the old Pfaff sewing machine I have to work with. She's actually pretty sturdy, and if anything goes wrong, my dad is a great help to fiddle with it for a while.

When I got to this point, Joel said, "Oh, so it's gonna be an Aladin wedding, and all the girls will look like Jasmine?" just to tease me, of course, but he tried one on for a picture!
I've gotten a lot further since then, but I am very ready to get these finished so I can focus on my own wedding! I am determined to have fun with this all, and to only focus on what really matters.

It's Coming!

2009-10-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

These last few months have been very interesting, but I am so ready for them to be over.
Wish me luck! We leave for Texas on Thursday!
We'll be sure to not mess with it while we're there.

One day in Spanish Class...

2009-09-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Ayer, en la clase de español, mis compañeros y yo estabamos aprendido gramatica. La professora hablaba de comparasiones de igualdad, y nos preguntό para ejemples. Mi amigo Charlie siempre me llama “Dale” porque el cree que es un nombre comico. El escribiό “Dale es tan arrogante como mi tía.” Despues de compartiό con la clase, la professora dijό, “She’s gonna get you back!” y yo creía que fue un buen idea. En la proxima vec, recordé que Charlie tiene muchos gatos. Compartí con la clase, “Charlie tiene tantos gatos como una vieja loca! Se rieron.

Luego, un otro hombre no entendía la frase y el dijό, “Michael Jordan casas tanto como coches.” La professora fue paciente y le ayudό. El dijό, “Michael Jordan teno casas tanto como coches.” Finalamente, despues de más ayuda, dijό, “Michael Jordan tiene…” Todos los demas fueran impaciente, y yo pensé, “TANTOS, TONTO!!” y empecé a reirse.

Another Thought I like to Think

2009-09-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

"You can tell you're in Kansas when..." is something that always runs through my head when something seemingly normal happens, and then I realize that if I weren't a Kansan, I'd think it was strange.
I came up with three such phrases in a single trip in my car yesterday when each of the following actually happened:

"You can tell you're in Kansas when it's raining when you leave the school, then it's really sunny, and then it rains again, and is sunny again before you arrive at your destination."

"You can tell you've spent most of your life in Kansas when you go over an overpass and your ears pop from the altitude change."

"You can tell you're in Kansas when you're on the highway and you drive past a farmer (in typical farmer wear) with his hands in his pockets surveying the task before him. Which, of course, is to replace a wooden billboard with a sign that reads "GOD LOVES YOU!" in giant red letters."

If I had a dollar...

2009-08-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

"If I had a dollar for every time that happened in a movie..." Dale exclaimed, as once again we saw someone sneaking into a hospital at night to kidnap a patient.

It then got me thinking of what other things in movies I could get dollars for. What scenes are overdone? What would get me the most dollars? Readers, please comment with your idea(s) of what would be the most profitable to put in the blank spot below.

If I had a dollar for every time ____________ happened in a movie...

I'm not going to make an excuse...

2009-08-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

... of why I haven't been writing.

But, I will give you just another plain 'ole post.
Coming home one afternoon, I walked past Joel at his normal spot by the computer, and I did a double take.
"Joel what happened?!"
"I followed in your footsteps and crashed Daddy's electric bike! Give me some skin!
...or should I say gauze?!"
Instead of bumping my fist against his blood-soaked bandage, I got out my camera and took a picture.
"This would make a great blog post."
"Unless I get to it first!"

New Blog

2009-07-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have started a new blog, dedicated to quotes I gather, and dreams I have. Here it is; check it out!
http://quotesndreams.blogspot.com/

Summer Plans

2009-06-08T20:26:00.001-07:00

I had decided not to spend the entire summer at Kansas Bible Camp this year.
...which, of course, for the first time in five years left me with a very empty couple months in my calendar. They filled quickly, though.
Tim and I will be traveling to Georgia again this year, and I am very excited to visit his family.
My good friend Mirtill is coming to visit from Hungary, and I am so very excited to catch up.
I am going to be sewing dresses for a wedding.

The main reason I wasn't at camp, was because it would be good to begin working. After LTC ended, I decided it was a good time to really start filling out applications. Money is such a silly thing, but I felt like I could use some. I paid $7.00 to get my car washed (After Tim and I realized we couldn't do it on our own) only to get a long scratch along one side of my Saturn!
Last Friday I was out job hunting with no luck. Hobby Lobby told me they weren't hiring, and a bakery didn't have any applications left. I decided I should take a break and stop by the car wash; I had called them earlier and they were expecting me. The general manager came out and spoke to me about the scratch, and was very nice about it. I told him that I wasn't angry, and just that I wanted him to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with the machine. He let me sit in the air conditioned convenience store area while he watched the video of my car going through the wash. The girl behind the cash register beamed at me and asked, "Are you applying here?" I told her about the scratch and then added, "But I am job-hunting at the moment." She told me that it was a great place to work, and let me use her pen to fill out an application.
The general manager came back with my seven bucks, two free car wash tickets, and no idea how the scratch got on my car. I had to assure him that I didn't want them to fix it, and then he saw my application. He sent me right away to have an interview with a regular manager. It was short and not awkward, and the guy seemed really impressed with my past experience at KBC, my GPA, and that I ran cross country.

I had another interview today with the general manager and was extremely nervous. What else could they ask me? I already told them everything. As it turned out, he just wanted to tell me what to expect at the job, and then I had to pee in a cup for a drug test. By then, I figured I was hired. I'm excited about a very flexible schedule, and they're excited that I want more than just a summer job. I will pick up some work pants tomorrow, and on Wednesday, I begin my first day as a "Team Player" as they call their employees.

Interesting...

2009-05-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

This morning, my mom showed me a bird's nest she moved from the yard to the patio. She liked it because it was full of colorful trash, so she put it on the patio for others to see. She showed me this morning because it had a toad nestled in it's damp, round hole.
"Look at this, Grace! there's a toad in this nest!"
"Oh no! looks like we're going to have some Basilisk problems!"
"Huh?"
"um... nevermind."
Hours later, he was still there, so I moved him from the sun and took some pictures.

...in which I crack myself up about the Church of the Latter-day Saints... AGAIN

2009-05-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Timmy: So now I have to drive to Wichita, work out, drive home, get all dressed up, and then drive ALL the way back out here for my piano final before going to Bible study!

Me: Ooh! so you'll be all dressed up for Bible study?

Timmy: Psh! No! I don't want to be all dressed up for Bible study!

Me: Why not? You'll look like a little Mormon!

Timmy: Your mom's a Mormon!

Me: Don't you mean, my Moms' are Mormons?

Happy Mothers' Day!

2009-05-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

This Mothers' day, I wanted to post about my own mother. I decided to pick one small aspect of my mother that I love: her dictionary. My mom has her own personal repertoire of words at her disposal, words that others seldom use, and words that no one else ever has used. Although we often tease her about her vocabulary, this is a very unique trait that makes her who she is. I'm sure my siblings will agree that we enjoy getting to know my mother better as we try to decipher the Alice Page Dictionary.

Here are just a few entries:

Supiy Money - Extra cash saved up for an emergency. The Quechua Indian word supiy means "fart" and originally was used in the Denny family to describe money that one sat on to hide during a board game so others would not know how much they had. Now it can be applied to any object saved and hidden.

Drape - A person who loves to put heavy curtains over all their windows, leaving their house dark and musty.

Chinsey - Cheap, lacking quality

Hoity-toity - higher-class, or unnecessary extravagance

White Patty/ Heifer - a derrogatory term for a white girl

Joelly-Bolly - a nickname for Joel. (occasionally Paully-bally)

Ouchywawa! - an exclamation reserved for when a child gets hurt. Often the child will stop crying and laugh at the word.

Oblong - Not a square, not a circle, not a triangle. Sometimes used to describe rectangles.

A Couple - two or three

Adventures with Grace

2009-04-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

On the way to school this morning, I brought my camera along. In February, there were some beautiful picture opportunities that I missed because I lacked a camera. I took this picture even though there weren't many good photo opportunities... yet!Almost to El Dorado, and this is what I saw! I had underestimated the storm's impact on this route. I took a picture to document my predicament for my History teacher, whose class started in 25 minutes.
I tried to take another road. After driving 20 mph in sticky mud that splattered my storm-cleaned car, I realized that I would A. get stuck B. break down C. come across more water, D. take way too long to get to class, E. get lost, or F. all of the above. So I turned around.
Here's a bridge I crossed.

Finally I got going again... still in the wrong direction.
After the third "High water" sign (ironically enough there wasn't one for the original road I took) I decided to take my chances and travel on it anyway.
And it worked! The water had gone down, and I made it to class after an hour and a half on the road! Because I left early, I was only 35 minutes late to my 55 minute class.

A Few Things About my Life Now

2009-04-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

The Neighbors happen to be my relatives. As I was arriving home a little bit ago, I looked over to watch Benjamen, Lydia, and Phillip riding their bikes in the front lawn. As soon as I looked, however, Phillip tipped over on his bike and landed on the lawn, while Lydia rode over both him and his bike. This made me do a double take, this time noticing Uncle Shawn. He was watering a tree with a hose in one hand, and failed to notice the accident because he was smiling and waving to me with his other hand. By this time I had forgotten to slow down for my driveway, and nearly went into the ditch.

The Traffic in El Dorado is horrible. It's normal to stop at every stoplight. It's normal to get cut off by someone driving 10 under the limit. It's normal to get cut off by someone who will make an immediate turn. It's normal to get simply cut off. It's normal to drive slow in the left lane, leaving the right lane fairly empty. It's also normal to get stuck behind two cars in each lane driving next to each other at the same speed. A few times this semester, I have gone through residential neighborhoods, looking for a better way to get straight to my classes, thinking "There's got to be a way, I just don't know about it yet!" I finally was told by my friend Jenny the whereabouts of this road. Now I can leave ten minutes later to get to school! After Bible study on Wednesday, Tim stayed with Aaron, and in the morning, we cruised through town on our way to class, forming a Caleb Humig Motorcycle sandwich the whole way.

Walmart is a relaxing place for me. Aaron always says shopping there is what people do for fun in El Dorado. When I first started staying out here, I found it comforting to go there. With a new, unfamiliar schedule, it was nice to take some time to wander through a very familiar store. After hours of sitting in class, it was nice to use my legs (which weren't tired) and to not use my mind (which was). Because it's the only store in El Dorado where you can get anything at a decent price, I have become even more familiar with it. After buying material for two sewing projects and a gift of beading supplies as a gift, I'm embarrassed that I go there that much. I will admit that I know there are two ladies who run the craft section; one at night, and one in the day. The one I see most often is Peggy, and she is very helpful. At least I can hold on to some dignity with the fact that she doesn't know who I am yet.

Home Alone 3

2009-03-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is in response to a blog post in response to a letter.
Yes... it was my turn to be HOME ALONE!! this isYou know... I actually think bunny ears would improve that picture... just look at those teeth!
I ate out with the ladies from the church, and we had a good time, and I had leftovers!
This is me before I was HOME ALONE! I looked pretty normal.
Over the break I pierced my nose. Most people I've talked to thought it just looked right on me. I can't wait till I am allowed to remove it to put in a more discrete one.

Another thing I did while I was HOME ALONE was to clean and vacuum! and by "vacuum" I mean, I let our Roomba loose in the living rooms. As you can see in the above photo, it left a little "present" for me after I tried to clean it out and put it to bed for the night.

I thought I'd end with a picture of our clean living room (with a mysterious spot on the carpet). Take note of the kitty toy attached to our fan blades. Rids the cat of harmful energy and entertains for hours! We just need to remember to turn off the fans when we leave the house. Once, while we were in the other room, the cat hog-tied herself and could only meow as she was helplessly pulled in slow circles along the floor.

Quote of the Day

2009-03-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

My pastor is from Chicago. Sometimes this is very apparent.

"..so they'll take the sacrificial sheep-no, goat-no, lamb! ... heh, just shows you how much...
Man! I was about to say, 'just shows you how much I know about poultry!'"

YOU (fill in the blank)!!!

2009-03-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

This is in response to another post's claim that Joel won at the YOU _______! comments. My boyfriend and my little brother are similar in many ways. One way is these jokes. I often will come home only to hear the same things from Joel that I heard from Tim earlier in the day. Here are some of his best:

Grace (about a coat I liked): "It had every aspect I love all wrapped up in one coat!"

Tim: "You have every aspect I love all wrapped up in one WOMAN! (of course, all in his creepiest voice)

Grace: Those hay bales look dangerously tipsy.
Tim: You look dangerously tipsy!

Grace: Now you have two bags to carry.
Tim: Your mom has two bags... under her eyes!

Grace: I just really hope this all works out.
Tim: I really hope you work out!

Well... tell me what you think. Do I have basis for my claim that Tim could give Joel a run for his money?

Mall Rules

2009-03-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, I went to church wearing a new necklace I had bought the day before. Jon and Tim started to tell me about the week before Valentine’s Day, while they were in the mall in the “girl store,” sorting through the jewelry, while on the phone with Sarah who tried to help them find the right one, with no luck. I felt sorry for them, especially when Jon said they didn’t even get the chance to practice sulking!

This caused me to remember the time I taught Jon and Tim to sulk.

We were at the mall, and they had graciously agreed to come along with me to a few feminine stores. I began to notice a set of unwritten mall rules that I had merely taken for granted before. I explained them to Jon and Tim who immediately began putting them to use, with great success.

I have decided to put these unwritten rules into writing.

Considering many exceptions*, there are two main reasons why guys go to the mall.

1. Young teenage guys may see the mall as their only option as a hunting ground for stereotypical, mall-dwelling females. This is most likely because they are too young to drive themselves around and the mall is the only acceptable place for their parents to drop them off. These young males can be found roaming around in packs (safety in numbers), not yet creative enough to find a place to hang out other than their specific targets’ natural habitat.

2. Other guys may be found shopping with a female. This is divided into two further categories:

a. Gay guy with female friend (this doesn’t occur as often, especially in Kansas)

b. Guy with girlfriend. In this case, 96% of the time, the man spends his whole time trying very hard not to look like the previous category. The following, is what I taught Jon and Tim, and hope that many other men will be able to use it in similar situations:

First, it is extremely important to hold the proper pose. The man will, of course, cross his arms. This is either because he does not want to appear the slightest bit comfortable in his surroundings, or he actually is intimidated. Any extra manliness is desirable, so the fists can be pressed against the underside of the biceps for the classic Uncle Rico Technique. The man should then attempt to hover close to the female (to make it apparent that he’s with her) yet far from the clothes (to make it apparent that he’s not interested in the act of shopping). The hard part is the proper face to hold. One should try hard not to let his face settle into a worried or defeated expression, yet to lift the corners of his mouth, even at the slightest angle, would maybe look pleasant, and he doesn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. He normally will settle for some kind of scowl, like the kind high school boys use for sports pictures. Of course, this whole façade is ruined when the female, absent-mindedly asks for the guy’s opinion, which puts him in a dilemma. He knows that his girl wants him to look at that which he’s been avoiding and say what he thinks. He normally mutters an “Uh… okay.” In the deepest voice he has, before losing his scowl in order to glance painfully at the doors, in case they might disappear at any sign of interest on his part.

*The writer of this article would like to make the claim that when she goes to the mall with her male friends, they are normally not shopping, and fit under the “exceptions” category, along with grown men, small boys, and mall walkers.

Just Wondering

2009-03-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

I often wonder about things, as most people do, and I am going to try to start putting them on here as posts.

About 30 years from now, I'll be about 50, and I can suspect that my kids (if I have any.) would begin talking about the past decade and the styles and fads that had passed. What would they call it? The 20s? How will I know which 20s they're talking about? The 1920s or the 2020s?

How I Live Now

2009-02-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Life has changed immensely, as I thought it might, and I have some major changes I'd like to put into a list.

I live with my Grandma. It's very close to the El Dorado campus (where all my classes are) and I couldn't ask for a better place to be this semester.
TV has replaced wireless internet as Thing to Occupy Grace's Evenings. Although I can't facebook, email, or blog as often, I find that the TV is less addictive, something I can do homework with. It will be a good experience to not waste the time I have on the internet.
I am in class 24 hours a week, and I work 12 hours a week. Excluding weekends, I try to sleep 40 hours during a week. When you add 6 hours of driving, that's 82 out of 120 hours in my week. That leaves me a little less than 8 hours a day to eat, make/pack meals, shower, use the restroom, get dressed, and do homework. Mirtill told me that it's still not as much as high school, so I probably shouldn't complain.
I got a job through the school sewing costumes for the theater department. It's fun work, and I find myself wanting to sew more things at home, not just tunics and man-tights.

As I am trying to get into the swing of things, I will probably find time for blogging soon.

"So THIS is what Amish people read..."

2009-01-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

At a visit near Yoder, My dad and I stopped at a restaurant to eat. As we were waiting to pay, I looked at a book rack. Half the books featured a lovely farm, and an incredibly beautiful girl staring off into the distance with titles like, "Sarah's decision." One cover even had a beautiful guy on the front, with blond curly hair and a pink background.

2008 Year Review

2009-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

February: After babysitting some cousins, I caught something (or quite possibly several things in a row) and was sick for two weeks straight. It really helped me appreciate life and good health.
Odyssey of the Mind: I participated in my last OM competition, with some of my favorite people, and had a blast.
Track: During my last ever track season, my coach finally realized that the mile was the race for me.
Dressed as a dork for prom
Graduation: I finished high school, and celebrated with other friends by going to a couple parties, and playing Ultimate Frisbee on the brand new grass of the school’s football field.
Summer started with a random trip to the park, when we all played in a fountain with little kids. This later became the location of our new Bible Study.
At camp I had great times with my friends.

Staffing…
Counseling… (this picture taken during a candy feast while campers were in quiz)
And Camping for the last time.

Timmy bought us plane tickets to Georgia to visit Trey and Beth Griffith!
College Started and I improved my drawing skills.
Jon, Tim, and I drove to Arkansas with six 2-liters of cream soda to visit Charles!
I had a Halloween party.
My family and some friend went to Arizona for Thanksgiving.
The semester ended and Eden came home from Peru. The whole family was together for Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Cheeply did we Get Thee

2008-12-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

This, my friends, is the Adonis of Christmas trees.However...
OUR Christmas tree reminds me more of the one Charlie Brown brought home. (You know, so sickly that when he puts a bauble on it, he exclaims "I've killed it!")
Okay, so it's really not that bad. I guess I'm just used to seeing so many full, fake trees out there that ours pales (or rather thins) in comparison. I make jokes to Joel (it is his year to decorate the tree) that he should wrap his blanket around it to make it stand straight, and that he should wave his hands in front of a doghouse, and then wave them in front of the tree, and ta-dah! Instant, beautiful tree! Unfortunately, our tree isn't quite like Charlie Brown's. In reality, our tree really isn't a Christmas tree at all!
~Ye Olde Origin of The Christmas Tree of the House of Page~
This is the account of how our cheap-o tree came to be. It came about that in this year, the city issued an order that each tree-trimming crew should report to his hometown to clear the telephone poles of branches that could potentially land on the lines in a possible ice storm. Alice Marie fell asleep early one night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to her in a dream. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great savings that will be for all your family. Today in the town of Bentley a tree top has been cut, it is a cedar, red. This will be a sign to you: You will find a tree cut nicely and laying in the ditch." Alice Marie woke up, and pondered these things in her heart. The next morning, she informed Steve of the plan. He had in mind to divorce her quietly over such an absurd idea, but at night a city worker appeared to him in a dream saying, "Do not be afraid to take Alice Marie's advice." So the next day, Steve took the branch home as his tree.

Today, my mom and I bought a tree topper for it. Joel was the one chosen to place it on the top, not because he's the tallest in the family, but because he's the most willing to stand on a chair and get poked by sharp branches to shove the topper on. Now, in case I don't have enough Christmas stories tied into my tree blog, it also reminded me of "A Christmas Story" when the dad was like, "That star is crooked!" and then messes with the tree till it falls too far the other way. Unfortunately, this tree is too sharp to mess with much, so my brother put heavy ornaments on the opposite side of the lean to balance it out. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for this stubborn tree, so he decided that we needed some string to tie it down. Unfortunately, no one wants to spend much time or energy on our sad tree, and since Christmas is only one week away, no one really cares.

So yes, it seems that this year, our thriftiness, resourcefulness, and just plain not-wanting-to-spend-money-on-a-tree-iness, left us with a Christmas Tree like this:
And I'll leave you with one final quote:
"It's really not such a bad old tree... maybe it just needs a little love"

Facebook Drama

2008-12-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

On Sunday after church, Tim and I went to the Belsan's house. There was a baby shower going on upstairs, so Tim, Jon, and I were planning on hiding out in the basement. Tim fell asleep, and I figured Jon would too, so I left Tim on the long couch and curled up in a chair. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to claim me.

The party upstairs was kind of loud. "I didn't realize you were here! I saw your car outside..."
"Yeah, well I had to use the bathroom, and then I was trying to send a text on my cell phone. I can never figure these things out!" (It was followed by abnormally loud, forced laughter.)
I snickered and realized that I wasn't the only one laughing. With my eyes still closed, I talked to Jon (who was awake behind me on the other side of the room) about the Laws of Parties and how when lots of women get together they have to be nice because it's the right thing to do, and they have to smile lots because it's the right thing to do, and they have to laugh loud at every little thing because it makes a more pleasant atmosphere ...and it's the right thing to do.
Jon got out his laptop, so I gave up trying to sleep and sat by him to do some Facebook stalking.

Everyone always talks about how dumb Facebook is because it's all full of drama and people's lives for everyone to see, yet everyone loves to get in on it all, even if it is all a big joke. Anyway, so we found a juicy facebook argument concerning muscles and who can beat up who. It was pretty entertaining.
Later, when Tim was awake and Sarah and Bill were home, we were all laying around upstairs looking at the baby-themed streamers and talking about Facebook. "Sarah? Let's have our OWN Facebook fight." I said. One idea led to another, and now it's totally ON for Wednesday night.

Yes, everyone, I am going to risk my Facebook reputation to create pretend drama for all to see and enjoy. If you've got Facebook, feel free to join in and leave shocked comments.

A Couple Loosely-Related Humorous Happenings

2008-12-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

First, a picture to make you jealous of my Thanksgiving break:
Next, a little story:
My mom had recently purchased an antique Masonite board puzzle. (You know, the Playskool toys that have a picture painted on it with a few of the shapes cut out?) It was a basic table setting, and all the objects could be placed in their spots. Tim and I were sitting on the couch, and when I spotted the puzzle (and I use the term loosely) I asked him if he'd like to play with it.
Without waiting for a reply, I began to treat him like a preschooler, teaching him how to set the table. "The plate is placed in the middle. You then put the knife and the spoon to the right, and the fork and napkin to the left. There's a cup of water here, and finally the salt and pepper."
After a moment of silence and a look from Tim, I dumped all the pieces out and said, "Now in Español!" I then proceeded to explain a second time how to set the table. "Se pone el plato aqui." I said. Tim repeated the word for plate, only how an American would. "El plate-O" I ignored him. "Pon la cucharra y el cuchillo a la derecha de el plato."
"El spoon-o... el knife-o..." he repeated in his Nacho Libre accent. He repeated the names of all the objects in his own way after I said each one. "el salt-o... el pepper-o..."
And finally, "se pone la sirvilleta y el tenador a la izquierda." I said, as I put the napkin/fork shaped piece in.
"EL SHANK-O!" Tim said proudly, as he picked up the dagger-shaped puzzle piece and used it to poke me in the gut. The incident made me laugh a little too hard, and recalling it has frequently caused me to smile innappropriately during the wrong occasions ever since.

One such occasion happened the next day in Spanish class. A Mexican kid (who speaks limited Spanish) was confused about the word for "Lake" (which is Lago) "Isn't it 'laguno?" he asked. "No, that means 'Lagoon" the teacher told him. Then quietly, to me, he added, "Oh... so I guess my relatives have been referring to it as "Lagoon Afton" all these years." Knowing how nasty that lake is, it made me laugh pretty hard -No, it made me giggle, which made me think of the last time something was humorous, which made me laugh pretty hard. (hehe... el shank-o...)

Which in turn, caused me to giggle innappropriately in another instance. "You'll never guess what my middle name is!" a girl said to a boy in my art class this morning.
He never guessed. "It starts with an A..." she hinted. "Annie!" I said. "and ends with an N... and it's the name of a lake.." She said, giving it away. "Afton." I said, which was soon followed by an insane low chuckle. I actually managed to get serious and pay attention to the teacher again before realizing what I had just done. I quickly turned back to the girl to appologize. "I really wasn't laughing at your name, honest! It just reminded me of a funny story!." I'm still not sure if she believes me, but at least I tried...

Movie in Alliterations

2008-11-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

So the past month, I had a difficult decision to make. I like this book, and they'd decided to make a movie about it. I can remember reading the book and thinking, "Yeah... this book can't really become a movie. The graphics would be stupid, and you can't find the right actors. What makes the book great isn't really the story; it's the way the author tells it."
Anyway, they made a movie.

The trailers themselves were saturated with bad acting, and before too long there was even a spoof of the trailer. This movie would definitely be Mystery Science Theater 3000 material; it was so bad.

Which made me want to see it... just a little.

Grace's Mental List of Pros and Cons:
Pros:

I liked the book; maybe... just maybe, I'd like the movie.
The only time I could make it would be a midnight showing... I kinda like those midnight showings.
Even if it's bad, I know I'll enjoy making fun of the movie.
Tim had agreed to go with me. (And it's supposed to be a girly movie!)

Cons:

I would have to risk the possibility of actually being seen at that movie!

So at this point, my list of pros and cons were very even (leaning slightly toward the "con" list) but suddenly, a week before the movie came out, fate pulled a secret "Pro" from up its sleeve.

A coupon for half off four tickets and two free drink and popcorn combos from the Warren.

Looks like I was going to the movie after all.
After class, Tim and I spent the entire day on the east side of town. We met up with Sarah, and when we ran out of things to do and it started to get late, we headed over to the theater. After pulling into our parking spot, we decided to play cards in the car. Why go stand in line in the freezing cold if we don't have to? As soon as Sarah began to shuffle, two screaming teenage girls ran past the car holding some kind of Starbucks drinks. I glanced at my two friends, their expressions mirroring the same horrible feeling I had inside. "What did we get ourselves into?!"
As it turned out, staying up late with a crowd of irrational female strangers is actually kind of funny. Take for example, our line:

We were standing near the out-only door towards the back of the line. It was pretty cold outside, so I was glad to be in. Six or seven people had been waiting outside those doors for thirty minutes before an employee took notice of them, checked their tickets, and let them inside. No sooner had they started walking into the building, a girl in front of us said, "Um... could you guys shut that door? The wind is really cold." Another, not wishing for merely second in the Heartless Fan award, had to add, "Why can't they just stay out there?"

And yes, I did get to witness lots of girls with plastic fangs in homemade t-shirts run towards their theaters.

As for the movie, it was mildly enjoyable in all its ridiculousness, and as soon as the credits began to roll, I turned towards Tim and said, "Okay, now lets get out of here before someone we know sees us!"

A Critique of the Movie in Alliterations:

Lack of Lyrics: From the first song till the end, the voices singing in the soundtrack were simply ooh's and aah's and nonsense syllables.
Amateur Actors: Sure it's great to get new actors out there and known, but what about when they can't act?
Men with Make-up: It's a bad sign when watching a movie, it repeatedly brings back memories of grade school when a boy accidentally put on his mom's lipstick instead of chapstick, and cried because everyone made fun of him.
Suave, or Socially Challenged?: The guy's supposed to be eloquent and smart, but all that gets sacrificed in an attempt to make him intensely hot. Of course, now he's doing a better job of being the creep who follows the girl around than the guy who's actually supposed to be the creep who follows her around.
Main characters reminded me of marionettes: I can get that the characters are strong and fast, but they bounce around the forest like they're escapees from the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Constantly Constipated: More than three of the characters looked like this, I promise.
Sections of Script Scribbled out: "We don't really know what the writer had intended to put in this space, so just act really upset and make noises with your mouth for at least fifteen seconds!

"I don't know if it was a miracle or not, but donuts happened."

2008-11-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

More old stuff...
Enjoy!

Well, we did the See you at the Pole thing this morning.
I thought really only joel and I showed up, but there were people around. I told them what we were doing and that we would start soon, but they didnt' do anything, so I just started praying with Joel. I think we should've had a few more people, but they didn't know it started, because no one was really the leader
it was awkward
and our church bought 3 dozen doughnuts, but by then I didn't feel like eating one
so we put them in the teachers' lounge with a little note saying what they were for, and why we had extra
anyway, so later in the day, I was in Prime Time (study hall) in Mr. Warsnak's room, and he said he had a story to tell us
it went something like this:

"Well, I always say my prayers before I go to bed, and one of the prayers I usually pray is that I can use the gifts God has given to me to my full extent. You know, I'm thinking about my family and how I can be a good dad and all, but always in the back of my mind... is donuts. I always pray for donuts. So today, I just got to school, when I realized I forgot to sign
my class up for the library, I went in to see if it was filled, and Ms. Props already signed her class up, so I turned around to leave, and directly across the hall, I could see a little bit of the teachers lounge through it's hallway, and what did I see, but two boxes of donuts! I always think God has more important things to do than me, but..
I don't know if this was a miracle or not, but donuts happened"

Today in physics, this girl was telling us about another girl in this other class she's in and how much of a blonde she is. I never thought someone could be so stupid, till I heard these stories.

She asked us if the backside of a map has a picture of the other side of the world on it.

She said "Do you ever shop at are you twenty one?" and I was like, "Uh... no..." and she kept talking about it and then I said, "Oh, don't you mean Rue 21?" and she was like, "Yeah, 'cause I'm not 21, and they let me in there, and I buy clothes, and they fit me..."

And then this one time she was like, "Why don't we just send a bunch of Doctors over to Africa to get rid of Aids?"

At this point, a guy walking down the hallway pokes his head into our physics class and said:

She thought pork was an animal.

and he left, just like that.

"...You see, this equation would be incorrect, and the reason it wouldn't be correct, you see, is because you can't get any correct answers out of it..."
~Mr. Shire

Old Blog Entries

2008-11-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

I found old entries from an old blog 3-4 years ago. It doesn't seem like much time has passed until I read about all the stuff that happened. So I'm going to re-enter some of the better posts (including a few of my famous Quotes From School.
Enjoy!

My computer is still in pieces, so here I am again on my little brother's werelaptop, as I call it. It's half a laptop with a monitor attached. I hate the keyboard, well, hate is too strong of a word, but it certainly isn't high on the polls.
Speaking of high on the polls, the Colonel is ranked highest for "Grace's Favorite pet," followed closely by the hamster. Chickens are at a dwindeling 10%. Competing for best houseplant are George, the exotic Kiwano weed, and Audrey II, a Venus fly trap. Favorite class remains Lunch. In the entertainment section, the Mary Tyler Moor show is steadily dropping. Its theme song is currently ahead of the Most Annoying Song list. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 is currently ranked highest. (especially since my dad's been buying more) Current "Favorite Song" is Where oh Werewolf. (actually it's just really funny)
"...Mom and Dad, they disaprove, but they can't stop us, 'cause it's true loove... where, oh werewolf... I've looked every whe-ah-wolf..."

The Garage Sale
One cool summer morning, my family decided to go to some Bentley garage sales. Joel followed Eden on up to the driveway. While everyone decided there was nothing there worth looking at and left, Joel looked through some junk on one of the tables. He spotted a puzzle with a fluffy kitten on the box. It was titled, "Just Cats." Joel has a wacky sense of humor, so in a funny voice he said to Eden, "Just Cats...brrow!(cat meow)." He looked up to see her reaction, only to realize it wasn't Eden, but some strange boy a little older than himself, who was giving him a funny look. He just turned around and walked quickly back to the car before he started laughing.

"Man, my chest hurts; I don't want to have another heart attack today."

For Eden... and Paul

2008-10-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

This
This past week, we found these kinda-cool/kinda-gross skeletons in our basement walls!
The reason? well, see we got rid of Paul's room because Momma really wanted to do this:
Yesterday, I was in my room, and I stopped for a second to stare at a patch of light on my floor. I suddenly realized that I didn't know why I was staring, and then I realized that it was because I had never seen sunlight on that side of the room before! Without that wall, I now can have a small bit of sunlight in my room twice a day! That's kinda cool.

Early Christmas Gift

2008-10-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Today,
Today, When I arrived at Timmy's house, I brought him a surprise!Yes, it was his Christmas gift 2 months early!
Timmy's surprised because, although he was expecting this, he wasn't expecting something quite like this!
Here he is trying on his studly new footie-pajamas!

Arkansas Trip

2008-10-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Jon, Tim, and I went to Arkansas to visit our good friend, Charles!

I had some misconceptions about how the trip would turn out, but it was really great! I didn't feel left out from the group, and I never had to worry about lack of excersize. The first morning, after experimenting with a waffle recipe, we looked up Devil's Den national park to find some hikes we would like.
There was a middle school on a field trip, so we took the less popular trail first. On our way to that hill, we could hear little girls from farther away singing part of a song from Aladin: "Still I think he's RATHER tasty!" It made us laugh a little, and I said, "You guys should sing to those girls." Not wanting to miss a chance to show off their studliness, the guys simultaneously started singing "I can show you the world" really loud. I could fainlty hear some laughter on the other hill, before "SHH! guys! there're people on the trail ahead!" The guys shut up as a middle-aged man came around a bend ahead. "Could you guys keep it down?" he asked. He waited for our shocked expressions before telling us he was just kidding.

Three miles later, we ate lunch and began the trail Devil's Den is most famous for. We hiked to a little cave, got out our flashlights, and I was nominated to lead the way. The cave was pretty small. I had never been in one that didn't have lights or a guided tour. Tim had to watch his head, not just because the celings were low, but because there were bats hanging from them. We had to crawl over huge rocks and through tiny holes. Once we even saw a flattened bat on the floor. After we got home, Jon and Charles went to return the flashlights to Alex's boyfriend. "You didn't take a bat, did you?" he asked them. He then told them about his friend who tried to take a bat from the cave, but got fined $2,000.

The next day, we walked around Fayetteville. On our way to the farmer's market, we saw a guy on a moped go over a speed table without slowing down. As he was only going 20 mph or so, he only got like, a foot of air. It was only funny, though, because after he landed, he gave us a quick look that said, "That's right, I'm cool!" Later, as we were walking, Charles suddenly took off running, and jumped off the end of a speed table. After he landed, he shot us a "cool" look.
Later, a lady in a car passed a pedestrian she obviously knew, because she rolled down the window, and in a scary voice, said "Hey, little girl, want some CANDY?!"

Before we left from Charles's house, Jon called home. His mom had said I could sleep at their house so I wouldn't have to drive home and then back again for church. She told him over the phone that I couldn't stay in the guest room anymore because someone was staying there, but I could have a blow up mattress in the girls' room.

We got home around midnight, and Mrs. Belsan was really nice about me staying there, and told me that the girls could tell me where to find a towel. I told Dea and Asha a little about our trip, and then decided that a shower would be nice. Dea said, "Okay, so there're towels in the closet out there, and you can just use the shower in the downstairs bathroom." So I opened the door and was a little confused about the amount of doors there were. "Yeah, the door right next to you." she assured me. I opened the door, only to find that it was not a closet, but the guest room, and a huge guy from our church was on the bed looking at me! I had just enough time to say "I'm so sorry!" before I shut the door. I had to double check with Andrea that it was the other door right next to me before I got my towel.

I was still feeling all nervous, so it didn't surprise me that the next step I took sent me flying down the stairs! I made a lot of noise and hoped I hadn't woken anyone up before I went to the bathroom.

I was finishing my shower, and tried to shut off the faucets. The cold water turned off, but the hot water got turned on full-blast.It was incredibly hot, and I started getting burned all over and managed to jump out of the shower, but it was still on! I tried a few times to turn off the faucet, but it was so hot, I couldn't make it until I picked up the towel serving as a mat, and blocked the spray. I then got dressed quickly and discovered that I had red burns on my arm and the back of my hands.

It was a crazy evening, but it made a great story. Here are pictures from the trip:

Fall Happenings

2008-10-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Halfway through every season, I wish it were the next. This feeling's always strongest, though, towards the end of summer. Maybe it's because a lot of interesting things happen in the fall; I don't know.

Almost every year, the beginning of July marks the beginning of the next round of my endless battle against the squash bugs. Casualties are high on both ends, the squash bugs (or SB as I will refer to them from now on, not because it saves much time, but because I may sound a bit cooler) the SB losing comrades by the hundreds, and me only benefiting from approximately 1/20th of the pumpkin seeds. The SB are killed prematurely by getting scraped off the underside of leaves ("Gross! The eggs are under my nails!") or poisoned by bug powder ("Oh, Seven! You are the last word when it comes to bug poisons!") or killed manually by my thumb and forefinger. ("Hey! Their guts must smell like some sort of fruity body spray!) Don't worry, I never actually got close enough to find out what they really smelled like, let alone rubbed their seductive odors on me, as many of you would have done in my place. Anyway, the SB have killed the root of the last plant, but I was left with five survivors, a little premature, but still fine-looking pumpkins.
I am well into the routine of school, and with all the small things to look foreward to, time flies until after the holidays. October Madness is one of the things I associate with the cooler weather and the changing leaves. On a typical year, by the time October comes around, every weekend in my calendar is booked with one event or another... or both. This year, I am out of high school, and not tied down by a zillion activities. Although I miss the activities themselves, I'm glad I have more time in this month for other things. 1. Next weekend, Tim, Jon, and I will travel to visit Charles in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 2. When we get back, it'll be fall break, and I'll have a couple days off school. 3. As soon as school comes back, my cousin comes to visit her Kansas relatives! 4. Before it's time for her to go back, The Kansas Bible Camp retreat starts, and I will be attending that. 4. I will have time to come home and take a nap before I have a very important date* 5. On Friday the 31st, I (Lord willing) will have an awesome Halloween party.
Last, I guess, it's the season of my birthday. When I was little, I associated autum and Halloween with my birthday and got over-excited about them all. Although all the things that made me excited when I was younger (birthday parties, school parties, and trick-or-treating) don't affect me anymore, I still associate this time of year with that same childish excitement. I see red berries growing on our small tree, and I have to show someone. "Here, Tim! Eat this poison berry, and I'll pay you three cents!" I go to walmart for a toothbrush, and I have to walk through the halloween aisle to see the different costumes. And, on my birthday, although Dale looks down at her odometer saying, "Look! 666! The devil's number! (gasp!) and it's the devil's birthday too! ...and I have to buy her a present!" and though I have dinner with my family instead of a slumber party, and although instead of a regular happy birthday song, I get my whole family singing "HallowEEEEN is my birthday...." in their highest, squeekiest voices,** I still get excited about it, and treat it as if it's a special day. And in the end, that excitement usually makes it one.

*Details I will Divulge despues (The Spanish slipped out, and I left it there because I couldn't resist the alliteration. If you have any other D suggestions, please comment)
** Source: the CREEPIEST SHOW EVER

Random Google Image Search

2008-10-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

1. Age on upcoming birthday:

2. Place I'd like to visit:

3. Place I like:

4. Favorite Person: (caption to this one read, "Jesus or Charles Manson?")
5. Favorite Food:
6. Favorite Animal:

7. Hometown:
8. Name of past pet:
9. Name of past love:
10. Favorite Color:
11. First Name:
12. Middle Name:
13. Last Name:

Recent Happenings

2008-09-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

I decorated a shirt to fight childhood cancer! I wonder slightly if people would mind that I turned the St. Jude symbol into a mutant with a weapon...

After going to the homecoming football game to catch up with my senior friends, Joel and I decided to show Tim a little game we used to play all the time when we were little...

It's the food game!
By the luck of the roll,

And by mistake...

Joel had to eat the nastiest concoction he made himself!

Tim leans closer to see what exactly that is.

Here he is bravely drinking something similar to the old milk left over in cereal bowls.

Today, we went to Cow Town.
I got in touch with my hick side, while Joel got in touch with not wanting to pose in front of anything in the hot sun.
You can see that Momma took his pictures anyway.

A day at the Fair--Meet Gloria

2008-09-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

This entire week has been cloudy, cold, and rainy. It's sweater weather. Sunday we were worried that the weather might not have permitted us to go to the state fair, but after church last Sunday, I was surprised to find cold weather, cloudy skies, but no sign of rain.
The fair was pretty great, and we practiced being foreign, wearing Hungarian T-shirts, drinking Incan Cola, not smiling, and using what little we knew of Spanish, Italian, French, and German.

We also took this video of a Llama standing majestically in front of a fan while it chewed its cud:

We got lost in the RV display, got ripped off on purpose...
but most importantly... we got free stuff.
There's just something about shuffling past booths and looking at all the free stuff that makes you think, "A free pencil?! Yeah! I want one!" even though it's usually just a bunch of junk you'll just end up having to find a place for later. "Well, I'm home from the fair, guess I should sort through my sack-o-junk!"
Anyway, I was pretty good about resisting Propane's little deluxe toothpicks in cool plastic containers, or the pretzel dip samples, but I had my moment while Tim and I were lost near the anti-abortion booth. While relying on Tim's height to spot Joel or Jon, I was confronted by an old man holding probably the ugliest free item at the fair. He offered it to me, and I gladly accepted. It was by far the most interesting thing I could've picked up, and this booth wasn't exactly handing these away like candy (or should I say temporary tattoos?). What the man gave me was actually a rubber fetus, no longer than my thumb. He informed me that it was the actual size of a 12 week old fetus (and anatomically correct). He then noticed Tim and, to my shock said, "Now you two have a baby!" We shared some nervous laughter before stashing the thing in my bag and pushing through the crowds.
Here is us with our new arrival:
The happy family

Her name was Gloria. I had to endure countless mother jokes from Joel and Tim, and he would often shove it against my stomach to what he thought was "back where it belonged." We finally decided that the teasing was not only getting old, but that it was slightly disturbing.
We were through with the jokes, but what would we do about Gloria?
But I mean, what are you going to do with a rubber fetus anyway?
The Operation (don't worry, her sole purpose in being created was to turn people AGAINST abortion; we weren't going to get rid of her)

Now Gloria can live without being too much trouble, and I won't have to worry about people wanting to borrow my car often!

Quotes from this Evening

2008-09-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

Playing King Of The Hill on a stump:

"Watch out for Dale, she has weapons we know not of!"
"Yeah, these hips don't lie"

Me: "Benji! Don't trample my pumpkin!"
Benji: "What pumpkin?"
Me: "That pumpkin!"
Benji: "Okay, pumpkin!"
(it was then that I realized he didn't say "What pumpkin?" but rather, "What, Pumpkin?"

Tim: "Benji, you left a shoe print on my stomach!"

Benji: "The patent office never goes for my ideas because they usually require undiscovered alloys or magic."

Jeremy: "I'm trying to see myself so I can draw an accurate picture."
Benji: "Just look at me, Jeremy."

Benji: "I'm losing money on you!"
Me: "What do you mean?"
Benji: "We've got a pool going on to see how long Tim will last before you kill him."
Me: "What?! You and Jeremy, right?"
Benji: "My date has already gone by, and Jeremy's still in, but Levi's time is almost up, and Sam, well, Sam Rembolt has a while go go, but the other Sam..."

(This one wasn't from tonight but I've been thinking about it lately.)
Amber: "Nothing beats a good camp boy... except Naomi."

Tim: "Uh-oh, Joel... Jeremy's pulling the "yawn move" on you."
(Joel then shoots a nervous glance at Jeremy while he flexes his muscles and tries to sneak an arm around him.)

Aunt Carrol: "I used to wrap my boys' presents right in front of them. I didn't have to be very sneaky about it; they didn't pay much attention until it started to look like a present. I'd put the bow on top and they'd get all excited. 'Is that a present?! Who's it for?!' and I wouldn't tell them, but then they'd stop paying attention by the time I got another gift on the table, and then 0nce I put the bow on the top, they'd realize what it was again. You'd think by the third time they'd start to understand that I'm wrapping presents, but they never caught on..."

People in School

2008-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

I thought about it recently, and I don't care about the people I've met at Butler (El Dorado campus) so far. I'm sure they could be really awesome, but after only 3? weeks, my Andover classmates have struck me as way more interesting.

At El Dorado, I'm taking a student connect class. All the other kids in it (I can say kids because they're around my age) are typical college freshmen. They seem like anyone I could meet at a high school, and they're pretty predictable. The teacher does not have my favorite personality type, but as I've been working on loving her anyway, I've noticed that I love her attitude about the class. The first day she never showed up, and two of the three classes after that she gave us an assignment and let us leave. Although she had a good reason to be gone, and had contacted her superiors about it, she's still frazzled and a little late all the time. This is not why I like her. I like her because of what she said the first day of class. "Okay, so you know you don't need to take this class, and I know you don't need to take this class, but they say you have to, and guess what? I'm in charge. So I'm going to try to keep this from being too painful for you guys, and we'll just go through it. You can get out of this class what you'd like."
This week, unfortunately, we've had a sub. Even more unfortunate is that the sub is Tim's teacher. He's an old guy with a beard who would like to believe he's hip and young and funny. He finishes every stupid pun with "Okay, I'll be serious now, guys" and thinks this class is the best thing that ever happened to college. He's just like the counselor in Freaks and Geeks.

However, he talks kinda like this guy from A Mighty Wind.

I also take a drawing class, but the kids in there are always focused on their work, and though I've gotten to know them a little, no one seems very interesting at the moment.

In Andover, I've been able to meet students like me who are too practical to live on campus, middle aged women going back to school, and determined high school drop-outs ready to start over and get serious this time.

My Beginning Spanish II class is pretty interesting. The other students are older than me. We spend most of the class talking in Spanish about nothing in particular. (That's what's great about learning a second language; you can answer any question however you want, as long as it's grammatically correct.)
My Spanish teacher is tall and thin with a wispy comb-over and thick glasses. He was a navigator in the Air Force and is full of stories. He has a strange sense of humor. He always talks about his wife because "she's not here to defend herself" and most of my classmates aren't sure whether he really likes her or not. On the first day he told us, "I used to like kids until I had some... Me and my wife always say that if we were to get a divorce, the first one to sign the papers has to take the kids... that's why we're still married." He has two horses, and they're his life. "Yeah, I raised them from colts. This past year, one died, and I was really attached to her. It was really sad... especially because I had to dig the grave by hand!"
There is a middle-aged woman who is only enrolled at Butler for this class. She is more comfortable with written Spanish, so when asked questions out loud, she stutters through the answer in a strong American accent, but I love that she wants to learn. One answer made me laugh really hard (not out loud).

Teacher: "So it says here that Spaniards live longer than Americans, but their calorie intake is about the same. I wonder why that is..."
Lady: "They exercise more."
Teacher: "That's probably it. "
Lady: "They just live healthier lives... (and then with a thoughtful expression) ...unless it's el dia de Running of the Bulls..."

Reasons Why Today is Such a Good Day

2008-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hey! um, yeah, as you can see in my title, today has been an amazing day. I can already tell it is, and it's 11:41. Here's why:

My room is mostly clean, and everything's organized.
I've got a lot of gifts figured out for Christmas! That makes me excited because I love giving gifts, and I'm happy when I get it right and give someone something they actually like. Early, yes, but smart... also yes. I now have time to afford everything!
I've been filling out my calendar. This makes me happy for lots of reasons.

I only have 11 more class periods of Student Connect! (that's less than four classes of psychology!)
I'm in school less than half of November...
...and solo two semanas in December.

I don't have school Fridays! (this seems like so little to me, and I'm taking 18 hours)

4. My birthday's on a Friday this year, so although I probably won't do much for it, I'll still be happy that I don't have to be in school, and that I can sleep in the next day.
5. We're going to the Mission for Thanksgiving! That means awesomeness, lots of hiking, and riding a bus with little Navajo children. ...not to mention all the good food!

"Do you play croquet?!"

2008-08-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Yep
The family jumped at the idea of a croquet game, after I quoted this creepy character.
While croquet is a simple game, it is the social part of it that gets me every time. The simple strategies of the game cause some (mostly me) to get slightly competitive. Then again, maybe it's always been an excuse to fight. C'mon, what other game do you hear your own mother say "Alright, Joel, you can come around here, and hit Grace, and then..." There are also the almost-cheating incidents that don't go unnoticed. Wicks are turned slightly, mallets are used to form trenches through the grass, and seemingly made-up rules are remembered halfway through the game. Good-natured arguing, though, is half the fun!

As for the other half, that'd be the jokes. At one point, Daddy said,"Hey look, everyone! It's my caddy dog! ...C'mere, Major!" Major then walked sheepishly towards my dad. Maybe it was that he was the source of a joke and that everyone was looking at him, but I think mostly it was the croquet mallet placed through his collar, turning his walk into a waddle.
Of course, there's always the sitting on the croquet mallets...

...the puns "Here Tim, you can have green." "Okay! ... or should I say croquet?!"

...And of course, what family game of croquet wouldn't be complete without someone yelling "And then Uncle Harold's croquet mallet flew UP into the AIR!" before reenacting the scene from Shelly Duvall's Bedtime Story, Albert's Bad Word.

Hopes for a Successful Party

2008-08-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Mostly I'm just real excited about an upcoming party my friends planned. At the beginning of the summer, Sarah Duncan expressed her wishes to have a hotdog party. A party for hotdogs, about hotdogs (if anyone can tell me how to keep my computer from automatically making my first paragraph into a link, please do!)

Anyway, it's going to be great fun, and Jon and Tim will both see how many hotdogs they can consume. I'd like to make Sarah's hair into a hotdog, and we'll all pitch in to finance it. (I am planning on bringing hotdogs with cheese in them!) She wanted it to still be summer, but probably before school starts.

Plans for the party changed slightly after a visit to Hope International Fellowship by a guy by the name of Dennis Hedke. He is running for state BOE in district 8. He is a scientist and a Christian. He talked about the importance the schools have in the next generation's world view. It was all great stuff, but of course, some jokes were made during fellowship time. Sarah and Bill suggested we make shirts for him, and I said "Vote for Dennis!" in my most Summer Wheatley-ish voice. To my embarrassment, Dennis walked up to our small group at that moment to say hi. ...oops Anyway, after he left, we decided that "Vote for Dennis" T-shirts would be awesome, and that we should make some.

It'd be the perfect activity for our hotdog party. Everyone will bring their own t-shirts, and I will provide paint and iron-on's. Later, hopefully, we will model our new shirts at Riverside park during our weekly Bible study.

In case you were wondering... I DID make a design for the shirts!

"...The Foal of a Beast of Burden"

2008-08-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Kansas Bible Camp has a new addition to their herd of poison-ivy control. And I'm not talking about just another stinky goat. This my friends, is an ass christened Peanut. A farm donated him to the camp along with two ducks. Although these really add to our fairly new nature center, Peanut is kind of only here for one reason: once every three years, he is to be ridden by some kid for acting out Jesus's triumphal entry.
Yes, this past week at KBC happened to be the Christ week. Having a live donkey there REALLY helped people understand a bit more about our awesome Jesus. See, this donkey, like the one in the Bible, had never been ridden before last Monday. Guess what? This donkey STILL remains un-ridden! As soon as the blanket was placed on his back, the unwilling Peanut tried to buck it off, and then took off running with a camper still hanging on to its neck for dear life. Thankfully, this camper has had some experience with cowboy/rodeo life, and it wasn't that big of a deal. It was still funny, especially when Andrew tried to lead it back by its bridle and kids were making it extremely difficult by waving branches, and adding to the scariness of the situation by throwing these branches right in front of the donkey's path!
I don't want you to think this is a big, dangerous creature. It's only a donkey, not a mule. A mule would be bigger and a bit wilder. It spends its days wandering with the goats, and while it will follow an unsuspecting camper, it runs away from anyone who pursues it.

My first reason for writing a blog post about a donkey, though, is to tell of my absurd experience with Peanut. During sport-time, I wandered across the creek to feed the animals. After offering the donkey a handful of leaves, he was less concerned about standing close to me. Soon, he would let me pet him while I fed him, and not long after, he would follow me around the trees while I found leaves for him to eat. He began to sniff my back between mouthfuls, which I thought weird, so I decided it was time to go. "One more tree" I said to myself. As I reached for one last handful of leaves, I was in for a horrible shock. The ass bit my donkey! (okay, dumb joke) but the donkey really did bite my butt, and hard too! I ran all the way back to the nature center. As I stopped to take a breath, I heard galloping behind me. I gasped and turned around. Peanut was running towards me at full speed! Thankfully, he turned at the last second, giving me time to run to the bridge and across.
Later, after I told Tim, he said, "Well, now I guess I have to go beat up a donkey!" I started to tell him that the donkey really didn't mean it, but Tim interrupted me with "Wow! you really got him riled up! Look!" I looked across the creek, and between the trees, I could see Peanut still running, pacing by the gate to the bridge.

Counseling

2008-08-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

This last week at Kansas Bible Camp was a fruitful one, with many kids getting saved.
My dorm was a pretty "good" dorm, full of Christian friends who came together. Although I sometimes wish for a challenging group of girls, it was a nice change to focus teaching on growing in the faith instead of just salvation. I never felt a strong desire for a break, which was good; we didn't get as many as normal. Thursday, however, the director told us we could all take a break during quiz, and we chose to spend it consuming the enormous package we received anonymously. (some are suspicious of George Farber) I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we did.

This last week at Kansas Bible Camp was a fruitful one, with many kids getting saved.
My dorm was a pretty "good" dorm, full of Christian friends who came together. Although I sometimes wish for a challenging group of girls, it was a nice change to focus teaching on growing in the faith instead of just salvation. I never felt a strong desire for a break, which was good; we didn't get as many as normal. Thursday, however, the director told us we could all take a break during quiz, and we chose to spend it consuming the enormous package we received anonymously. (some are suspicious of George Farber) I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we did.

For Eden and Dale

2008-07-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks , guys! I finally made good use of your birthday present from two years ago! I know... up close pictures of my toes aren't pleasant.

2008-07-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, Everyone!
My life for this summer has been full of random happenings to kill boredom.

In this first picture: Dea, me, Tim, and Jon randomly decided to play with a bunch of little kids in a fountain at Riverside Park. We had a blast, even if we were damp and cold for the rest of the evening.

I used to not have a life, but I still had awesome summers. Now I have awesome summers AND a life!

Summer stories:
Playing Big Base with little cousins of some friends of friends, one of the little boys scored, and ran as fast as he could to his friend, yelling "GIVE ME SOME!" in his coolest, lowest voice. They then gave each other fierce high-fives in the air.

Another time, Dea got one of them out after he had stepped off the base by tagging him with the ball. While people tried to tell the kid he was out, he tried to take the ball from Dea, then knocked it out of her hands, pushed her over, and took off towards home plate.

After Sunday Night Live at Eden and Dale's church, everyone headed to the park to play ultimate. I was on a team with Jon and this over-confident Frisbee player. As we were watching the other two teams play, someone threw a hammer. At camp, lots of people can throw hammers, but people don't very often because they're not accurate, so this was no big deal to me. Some of the girls on my team, however, went "Woah!" The nameless over-confident Frisbee player was quck to educate them.
""Yeah, that's a hammer throw. It's really powerful and highly deceptive;
If you're lucky, maybe you'll see one of those out of me tonight."
I stifled my laughter, and Jon was wishing he had thought of that line first.

...and last, I leave you with a picture of what we did after a Bible study one afternoon, when we ended up at the Keeper of the Plains.

Georgia Trip

2008-07-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

Expectations for this blog post are not high, and I will try my hardest to entertain some.

For those who don't know, Tim paid for the two of us to fly down to Georgia to visit his brother and sister in law, Trey and Beth.

We did have a few adventures, but ultimately, this trip was kind of an experience to learn how to live with people I'm not used to living with. I had my own room, but Tim and I shared a bathroom, toothpaste, and a pack of disposable razors, and after the light blew out in there, Tim's toothbrush. ("Wait a second... this isn't mine!")
Some could say tensions were high...

We spent a lot of time with Tim's sister in law, Beth's family, and it was a lot of fun getting to meet people. For example, the first day, we went to Tim's sister in law's sister's future mother in law's house to swim in her salt-water pool. That night, Beth's parents took us out to eat at a restaurant where they knew the waitress... it wasn't long before I found out that Beth's father knows everyone and their mom. The next morning at Johnny V's breakfast joint (We ate there twice that week), the waitress said "Can I get y'all something else? Ketchup? Mustard?!" At the word "mustard" she pointed at Beth's dad, and they both laughed hard at some inside joke. As a man was leaving the restaurant, they shouted back and fourth a greeting and a joke about purchasing the guy's car. Beth's mom got on him, to which he responded, "What? He's got a pretty toy and he won't sell it to me!" This might be a good time to add that he owns an awesome corvette that he took us for rides in. The thing got to 30 in first gear, but he didn't drive as fast for me as he did for Tim, thinking that girls wouldn't be as interested in the speed of it.There's so much I could say about the people I met, but I remember now that I am writing to entertain, so... back on track!
Another highlight was the beach!It was cloudy, but the ocean was warm. It was 4:00 PM when we had lunch, but we were never hungry. There weren't any sea shells, but I did find a live sand dollar!

Beth said "The Griffith boys never grow up!" I realized just how true that is...

The Kevin Story

2008-06-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Alright, so anyone seen Fargo? ...ever? Well, for those of you who have, do you remember the really awkward Chinese guy who liked the main character? No? Okay, then, never mind.

A foreign exchange student from China was privileged to be part of our small town for a school year. I, however, was "privileged" to deal with all the awkwardness of both another culture and language barriers, and a rich momma's boy who tried to be sweet.
His name was Kevin Fu. (Teacher: "How do you spell your last name, Kevin?" Kevin: "F-U...heh") No one can pronounce his first name, so it's Kevin for us English folks. I talked to him a few times to be friendly, but luckily for me, Kevin didn't get awkward till towards the end of the year.
First encounter in which I thought he saw me pick a wedgie:
Me (thinking) "Did he just see that? Why's he looking at me?"
Kevin: "Your hair is cute today."
Me: "Uh... thanks, Kevin!"

Kevin: "Your hair is r(something inaudible) today"
Me: "Huh?"
Kevin "Your hair is rad today."
Me (thinking) "Aw, cute! he's trying to use cool words!"
(then out loud) "Thanks."
Kevin: "you can really see the color when it's straight."
Me (thinking) "OOOOOH! RED!"
(out loud) "Thanks."

Kevin: "Are you going with anyone to prom?"
Me: "Um... I'll probably be going with my boyfriend."
Kevin: "oh."

At Prom...
Me and Tim were talking with a friend. Kevin walks up and says right out, "You look very beautiful." I could only say "Um, thanks!" and then he made it worse with a "-I mean the dress and the hair and everything--it's just so beautiful." After another "thanks" and an awkward silence, he abruptly handed his camera to Tim and asked him to take a picture of me and Kevin together. I was glad he only danced with my friends and not with me.

Towards the end of the year, we were allowed to sign up for partners to walk with at graduation. I thought about asking one of my closer guy friends to walk, and it'd be all sentimental because we were in school forever together in all the "'special'" classes and whatnot, but I decided not to after thinking that I'd just wait till someone asked.
The next day, Kevin walked up to me and said, "Will you go to graduation with me?"
I said I would and didn't regret it till a while later when he gave me a buttload of gifts from China. The whole class was crowded around me before he gave it to me, and the two other girls in the class said, "Where's my present, Kevin?" There was a card, but I forgot about it till right before track practice.
"SHOW ME THE CARD!" my friend Mirtill said. I had forgotten about it, so I hurried to get it open. It was a cute little card with a flower that said "I LOVE YOU" underneath it, in smaller print, it read, "Making love was just for fun" Needless to say, the locker room was filled with whatever noise that's appropriate for such an occasion.
By the time graduation came along, I was already regretting my decision of walking with Kevin. I had to sit in the back of the class in a near empty row, while my friends were in the front. It went okay, though, except for right before we went out to the gym.
It was necessary to line up and walk through the back halways to get there, and a sappy teacher who will remain nameless said, "Now we will take our last walk through the halls of HHS. You can walk by your partner and share all the memories you've had..."
Imediately, a this thought went through my head:
"Hey, Kevin! Remember the time you accidentally gave me a card that implied we had SEX?! Yeah, that was GREAT!"

Now for a REAL post!

2008-06-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

So I've been at camp lately, but I won't be there as much this summer. I took off this week for a break, and I've enjoyed it so far. First, I showed my little brother a little of what a social life as a teenager ought to be...

One day, I took my brother with me so he could get out of the house. He's a good kid, and it's not like it's hard for him to make friends or anything; he just prefers to stay at home on his computer sometimes. We met up with some friends and he paid seven bucks to see Kung Fu Panda, a movie he thought was going to be stupid(It wasn't so bad, though). I almost said, "Joel, when you get a boyfriend, you won't have to pay for things as much." Instead, I told him to be happy to pay for only himself. I felt it only right to buy him dinner later at the mall. Some of my friends live next door to the mall. They know all the fun things to do there, and believe me, there are a lot. We also got soapy and made a slip'n'slide... not at the mall, at their house. I brought Joel home past midnight, way later than he's used to staying up, and felt like a good big-sister, even if he wished he had more sleep that night.
Yesterday, I was at my significant other's house. Let's just call him... Timmy. We made cookies. I brought all the ingredients, and we had to use a Glad storage container and a fancy serving spoon for tools because well, I'd say Tim knows his way around his kitchen only a little more than I know my way around his kitchen. We watched the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and laughed at how April O'Neil's full-length Japanese soldier outfit turned into a ridiculous short skirt by the end of the movie. When siblings got loud upstairs, we retired to the coldest part of the house, the floor of the basement. I don't remember how it started, but we ended up playing a random game of Truth or Dare. Tim got to hear the worst parts about being a girl, and I was forced to pick my nose (only daring him to lick my finger in return). It was then that it really hit me.
"Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"You're my best friend... did you know that?"
"Yeah. You're mine."
He'd never take the place of my girls, and he knows that, but I remember now why I picked him out. Though a lot of guys like to be funny, not many would be willing to put up with being silly all the time.

Why?

2008-06-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

So a long time back, I had one of them xanga contraptions. I kinda liked it, because it was simple and I could write a lot in it. It got unpopular when myspace came around which in turn got unpopular when facebook came along, but there's not a good place to write in those. It's all "Janie is no longer listed as single! ...hey, everybody! Janie is no longer listed as single!" anyway, I still wrote some in my xanga. Just because the whole idea of a deserted website was intriguing, even though it's not deserted really. It's like... when one area on the playground in grade school was the cool place to hang out for a while, it was SO full of kids, and then the really cool kids found a new place to play, and everyone decided that was way cooler. I was the kid who liked to go back to the "cool" places and hang out. I'd love it because the place wasn't any less cool, it just was empty, and sometimes I liked that.

Anyway, so I decided instead of being a total loser and hanging out by myself when I write, I'll share my ideas with you guys and then I could get feedback and read your stuff too.