Grin from Ear to Ear

Spring is the air, but I think it might be deceiving. I've caught a breath or two of the fresh, rich smell a few times already, but considering that it's Edinboro and February isn't even over with, I'm sure it's a false alarm. But it sure does warm my heart and invigorate my senses to see that someday it will be warm.

The winter here hasn't been all that horrible and wretched as predicted (knock on wood). And as I said, old man winter is still kicking. There's still snow on the ground but on the way back from class I noticed how the snow was melting, something that rarely happens in this arctic tundra I call my second home.

Coming back from that class I observed two other things, one of those being the amount of sunlight that is still around when I leave the building at 5:30PM. Each day the sun's beautiful streams are lasting a little long. As I enjoyed the brisk walk back to my dorm room, I noticed a vast flock of geese flying over. At first, I didn't know whether to continue walking or take cover due to my white coat. But I was too thrilled to see them all fly above, squawking back and forth as if they were evaluating the in-flight movie with each other.

The noises and smells are different everyday, whether if be huge flock of birds traveling above or the littlest sound like a student sneezing. I often pass people on the sidewalks with their ipods a goin' and their heads bobbin' but I rather have the mental vacation on the way to class, and the awareness of the bus approaching as it plans to run me over from behind.

Yesterday was Reading Day, also know as "should have been an official holiday you have off for a four day weekend but you're not that lucky" day. But a day off is a day off, and I enjoyed it to the fullest. All the great things in life were combined on Reading day: Sleeping in, breakfast, reading, working out, the gathering, eating 3 slices of pizza, and such. My heart might disagree about the choice of the last event, but my taste buds did quite the happy dance. Too bad my thighs will join in with them and do the happy giggle.

Oh, and just throwing this out there - does anyone know any information about orthodics and about running? I currently, as I type this, have ice on my calf, which for the past 4 weeks, has decided to throw a throbbing party since I got back into running a bit more. I try to not roll my ankle, I try to lift my knees, keep in a straight line, everything - but I'm still hurtin'. I don't want to sounds like a baby though, it's just annoying, and I hope something more serious doesn't develop.

Well, it's time to enjoy a quick little break before bowling tonight. And remember, just because the snow is melting doesn't mean the ice isn't there. ;)

Thoughts from 418

It's occurred to me today that I am a paradox. Now when you read that, you are probably thinking "Oh what foolish gibber is she talking about now" but really, on a more serious, yet comical note, I am a paradox in way. I've discovered that I feel deathly busy during the week with class, work, meetings, readings, exercising, and on the weekends relaxed, slowed, but lonely was can be.

Sure, if you try to reach me during the week, I just might get back to you a few days later because it's one thing after the other. Honestly, on Tuesday's and Thursday's it's manic madness, and Monday and Wednesday's it's shuffling out the door to this and that, and Friday is the calm before the storm of weirdness.

I still can find no way to define the "proper use" of a Saturday in Edinboro. See, when in Kittanning I have spend hundreds of Saturdays spending time with friends, eating breakfast with the family, hanging around the house, doing an odd job with my mother, visiting people, going to town, etc. When I wake up on Saturday in my dorm room, I'm not sure what to do. I wake up alone, eat alone, go to the gym alone, work on projects in my room alone, shower alone (well, that's normal. But having showering buddies is always fun!) All in all, I just don't know what to do on a Saturday in Edinboro. I know my concept of "what to do on Saturday" is a socially constructed issue, but it still mystifies me.

I think it's safe to declare that I will be a Potter's House resident for the 2006-2007 year. This fact excites me and is going to be great because, frankly, I'm tired of this lonely dorm room game. The roommate who used to go to the gym with me from time to time, ran with me, even slept in the same room as me, has changed, found a new niche, and has gone down a different road, which is fine. I have my road too, but it stinks when you go to bed at night alone, wake up alone, and do everything alone. I am starting to feel something strange about this.

I don't need a boyfriend, no, that is not the solution to my weird "loneliness", because that time has not presented itself. I don't need a dog, I have a fish (Besides, dogs are off-limits). I don't know what it is, but I am getting a little tired of having so much to do and being lonely. Maybe it's a phase. I don't feel it during the week, but during the weekend I do.

And the things that keep me busy - I enjoy! And when I do have free time, I "schedule" it into my life and thus it becomes a "schedule" rather than "my own choice". Example - free time at 6:00 on Monday and Wednesday = going to the gym instead. For the past 3 weeks I have been going cardio close to everyday, spending over an hour at the gym, running 2 miles on the treadmill, working the machines, even pilates. I think about that and think "What?!"

Well, I am going to visit M downstairs to receive my compensation of milk and oreos (I have been eating junk food today too). He and K went to Wal-Mart this afternoon and didn't invite me while I sat in my room bored, so bored I took a nap because I had a headache. Sunday is a weird day too, but Saturday takes the cake.

I am actually excited to go home from Spring Break and spend time at home. Maybe I will come home a bit more, like for Easter and maybe a time in between there. And next year too. I don't know. I just miss home, love, and freakin' companionship! lol. This block room sucks. Peace out, have a great week, and eat your oatmeal!

I propose a mental vacation

Don't you hate it when you head hurt, not like a headache hurts but you feel as if the inside of your skull is throbbing and your brain is begging and knocking at the door pleading with you to find the nearest beach that is close by? Mine is.

This typography project is really kicking my donkey (Man, the ASPCA is going to be a bit concerned about me this semester). But one reassuring fact is that the rest of the class is struggling also so I'm not the only one out there getting shot down. But anyway, I feel better after taking a break from all the thinking, thus, the beginning of my brief "mental vacation".

Valentine's Day is coming around the corner this week. As I strolled through Wally World yesterday with the shelves chuck-full of red and pink packages of chocolate goodies to only add to the girth of my waistline, I realized that I won't exactly miss the gifts or attention this holiday brings.

It's quite funny, now that I think about it. My best friends, H and K, are on two different ends of the spectrum. H gobbles up all sappiness and heart-felt emotions that come with any kind of affection, she loves and actually thrives on it. It's her nature to love life, love others, love herself, and love God. Love was engraved on her heart, and then inside it's filled with colorful ribbons, hearts, stars, ponies, and anything that is bubbly and warm. K, on the other hand, detests Valentine's Day. She spits at the concept, she would even go as far as to spit on a cute cut-out of a heart and then rip it to pieces with her toes to then throw into a huge bonfire. I'm not saying that K doesn't have a soft spot, oh she does, but her Valentine's Day opinion is far on the other end of society. She even wrote about it for english class years ago and still posts it today in honor of her beliefs.

I don't mind Valentine's Day, it ranks with St. Patrick's Day and those other holidays that kind of come and go. In fact, without a significant other, it's more of a day for free chocolate and fun with no string attached. Last year I didn't get a Valentine's gift...which totally poked at the wrath of my mother. Looking back at those instances I see how unbelivably patient I was and how unbelievable smart I feel for getting out of that situation. Honestly, I don't care about stuff, I care about the thought. When it's not there, it's not there. As Greg Behrendt says "He's Just Not That Into You."

But that's another tale to tell that is much off topic. This room is boring. My side of the room seems exciting, but being here all by yourself most of the time isn't that thrilling. I probably need social interaction soon, or else Larold (the fish) and I are going to sit down and talk politics or something. Call the get help hotline soon. Seriously, do it. Are you doing it? Are you sure? Do you not want to help me? You better be calling it.

I think I'm going to get a snack. Wow, this blog is absolutly random, and probably has a million typos. I am very sorry for that, because I can't stand typos either, but I still do it. It's like hating people who don't use their turn signal and yet refusing to use it yourself. But the element of laziness needs to be included in that equation. I'm too lazy to do spell checks and to "re-read" what I have typed. If I did, I would truly see how random it is and then proceed to erase it chunk by chunk.

Anyway, catch ya later, and keep your snow shovel handy, it's still winter and the weather wants to flaunt it.

Poppin' In For A Pit Stop

Greetings! It's been a coon's age since my last actual posting so I feel compelled to stop in and give a holla. It's been busy with this, and that, and then after that, a little bit more of this. But, it's all been productive, and learning lots. Maybe that huge tutition bill won't seem so big someday. Right....that's what everyone else hopes. The picture to the side here is from the last time I wa home with my chicas. I heart them, can't be much happier- me and my two best gals.

Classes - they are going well. I have two classes that I recently took tests in this past week, so that much is under my buckle. Now let's hope everything went well and I'm not going to fall out of my seat when they are returned. My level 400 class is going alright, even though God or religion is bashed about every day for class, but my strength comes from the Lord, who is strong and mighty. I really have nothing to fear. Typography is going well also but is going to require a lot of my efforts this weekend, which is alright. Saturday is wide open for that work, as far as I know. I hope it stays that way.

Last Friday I went out to Erie with some friends and ate at Applebee's. Utterly amazing. The taste of real food that is rich with taste and spices was glorious. Dessert was even included in the meal I got, which was an added bonus to the package. I was thankful that night I was in America and eating it's rich, artery-clogging delicasies.

I've been stressed about two issues lately, two of them that are pretty huge. One deals with the summer, the other deals with the fall. Sure, it's far off, but in the realm of things, it's really not. I love to make plays, organize layouts, make lists, but when I don't have any control over anything, that's when it gets tough to lay it down at the cross. To be honest, I am sick of praying over the matter and so tired of crying out and wanting God to plainly tell me where to go. I'm not saying I am going to stop asking, because I am told to"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.--Psalm 55:22". I am going to keep on praying about it, and lay it down at His feet. It's too muh of a burden on me, and I hope I get some clear cut answers or direction soon.

Oh, just a side note, Steelers rock. Heck yes. I celebrated the tremendous celebration of the black and gold victory at the Potter's House. We even hauled in a platform that was used at the Pig Roast in September into the house to create stadium seating, which looked great, but was a bear to haul in when it's snowing like nobody's crazy business outside. We have roughly a foot of snow in the boro, which to you might seem like a lot of just a dusting, depending on where you are from. The temperatures are dropping, that's the worst part. I don't mind the snow, I mind losing fingers, I kinda need them. ;)

I just came back from the bathroom. (Sure, that was probably more information that you needed to know, but everyone goes!) I was talking with a girl from my floor at the sinks and as I left I thought to myself how nice it is to know genuinly nice people. Honestly, there should be more of them around! Those who are socially warm and friendly, caring, loving, what's not to love there?

I started a new workout regiment my friend M that has transformed us into running chicas. It's great to have a friend to work out with because it's more motivation and funner when you feel like a moron in the gym while there are Arnold's all around you lifting all the free weights available in the whole tri-county area. We usually run about 2 miles and then some other minor things. It rocks, I never knew I could be doing 2 miles consistantly. And the feeling after I am cooled down is great, I become so relaxed I could nap, but it's not physically possible. Besides, summer is going to be here just like that, I need to spice up those thighs of mine.

Ministry on campus is great as usual. Lots of great things going on and keeping me busy but hopefully reaching others and such. Family is doing well, usual events going on at home like places burning down and dumb criminals doing the usual. Gotta love Kittanning.

Well, it's time for me to end this sweet embrace of blogging and time to maybe change Larold's water. (The beta fish who keeps me company in this lonely room, when I'm actually there. I often feel bad for him and his lack of companionship but I am later reminded of 2 strong key factors 1) any other beta he would kill or either mate with 2) his memory has a time span of probably 3-5 seconds.) Off I go, maybe even squeezing in some time for some pilates! I will try to catch up on blog someday, honestly, my deepest apologies for "disappearing". Have a great one everybody!

It's A Beautiful Thing!

One for the paw!

#1 K9 Steeler Fan!

Learning Lessons from Asphalt

Greetings! It's been a coon's age since I last stopped in and made an appearence. Whoops. That's what happened when you start havig your "donkey" kicked by some very time consuming classes. (And the fun stuff, of course).

(And in the picture to the right, I spy a family. :) )

I just got back from my Public Speaking class, probably my favorite of all of my 5 this semester. Apparently I use "umm" a lot, but once I thought about it, "umm" is a fun word to use, like "gabba goo" or something that would fall under the baby catagory. It's amazing how in college you can feel like you're growing up into some young adult and then minutes later receed back to childhood in an instant.

Oh, by the way, oatmeal is great. Sure, when I first started eating it the stuff looked repulsive and distasteful, but with time, I have grown to like the stuff and now eat it for a heart-healthy little "brunch" before my 12:30 class.

Now, getting to the title of this blog, I did notice something that stuck me on my way to class this week. As I was casually walking along, I heard the sudden crash of metal and body on the asphalt over yonder in the street. It was another college student who was on one of those "trick bikes". I'm not a huge fan for the "trick bike" because it looks belittling and frankly, if you want to pick up chicks, get something with an engine on it. But hey, it looks challenging, which leads me to the main point. The kiddo was trying to do a trick off of a curb and pretty much lamb-basted himself on the ground. But he got up off the dirty roadway, pick himself up along with the bike, and proceeded to set up for it again, tried the trick again, and did a little better.

How many of us do that? There is a quote in the new Batman movie that askes "Mr. Bruce, why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves up". Really, that kiddo may stike out a million times but when he does succeed it will feel like he got it the first time. And pessimistic people say this generation has no "motivation". It's all where you look, people, it's all where you look. Sure you'll find your slackers, your bums, your cruel, but at the same time you can't go without finding those who have heart, dedication, motivation, and smiles on their faces when they get out of bed. (Well, unless it's too early in the morning and they were out bowling last night and didn't get to bed till 1:00AM :0)

On another happy note, I have a job again! My hours at the OSD (Office of Students with Disabilites) were taken by someone else when I failed to remember to turn in a re-hire form. But with God's grace I got another time slot, which is better than the one before, adds one more hours, and is perfect. Hmm...God is good.

Well, I guess I should try working on something productive. Shocking, I know. I think my plan is to do a week's worth of homework on Saturday, thus designating Saturday as "Super Student Saturday". Friday, on the other hand, is "Do a Happy Dance-the week is over Friday". Fantacular.

Keep cool peeps. I'll catch ya later.