North Carolina! (Christmas edition to follow, eventually)

This past Wednesday, my mom, Taylor, and I headed of for Midway, North Carolina. The  trips there and back were the best part. We all participated in the competitive license plate game. I won. Both times. Oregon and Washington, baby! Anyways, we got to see the aunts and Jason and Kevin. On the drive home from one of my cousin's house, Taylor and I continued our contest to see the most Moravian stars. She was yelling for one but I saw one in the trash and yelled louder, "A star in the trash! We have to get it!" Aunt June, the current driver, put the car in reverse and I went to get the beautiful star out of the trash. Taylor got to it before me, but we got it in the car. Mom was protesting all the while, but I explained to her that they were expensive, but this one was free! I've set it in our living room and I'm going to patch up the little breaks between the points with packing tape when I can get some. (I have attached a photo of Moravian stars for your viewing pleasure. That way, in case you didn't already, you will know what they look like, and you will better understand my astonishment of finding one in the trash.)

Continuation

Every thing's just going on normally. Just some tid-bits about what's happened: Today, Taylor, Mom and I finished our LOTR marathon. We watched one every night since Wednesday. I've been cooking a whole lot: sausage with onions and peppers for dinner today and alphabet soup for lunch. Not to mention special eggs yesterday for brunch. And, I can't hear out of my right ear. I think I have ear problems. I get swimmer's ear very easily when I swim in the pool, and now my ears are kind of clogged. I'm going to the doctor sometime over break. And, we went to Joy's birthday party on Tuesday. In attendance were the following: Julie, Wendy, Wendy, Mandy, Seth, Lon, Joseph, the Holby's, and my family to name most. Oh, and some kid, Luke Ayers who remembered me from Rockridge. No joke. This kid's got some crazy memory. And I think that it could be pathetic that I still remind him of the little girl I used to be in middle school. But, I guess I haven't changed that much. Ahora voy a dormir. Because I want to. I also want to take Russian lessons. If Bryan ever offered Russian language classes, I'd jump with extreme force and passion at that.

At home

Well, not much happened over the weekend. I got to see some of my class: Peter, Wendy, Justin, Christian, James, and the class of 2005. Sunday was normal, but we have a new pastor at church who I knew before and he's great!

Today, Dad and I put up the outside Christmas lights. (Taylor and I put up the inside decorations and decorated the tree last night. (Sunday)) Pancakes for breakfast, grilled sandwiches for lunch. (Yeah, I'm so used to cooking my own fancy sandwiches at school that I did it here, too. And I made one for Dad.) And I cooked dinner, too! Ribs, lima beans, and corn. But don't get exsited, I didn't really cook any of this, I just heated it up. And I started on a book, The Ghostwriter today. I really like it. If I finish it really fast, I may read A Voice in the Wind again. I don't miss my friends too much yet, as in, I'm content here at home with some chill-by-myself time. I'm loving it. Great time with my dog and outside, in familiar territoy, familiar trees. I took Riley for a walk yesterday and it was great. So that's pretty much it. I'm just enjoying myself.
And! I didn't get on the computer or the tv until after 4:45, and I woke up at 7:30! I'm so glad that I did this. Not only did I start on my book, but I didn't sit in front of a screen all day. I feel like my day is so much purer and was better used when I do this. It feels great.

The last three weeks! :o

So, looking back on the past two weeks!:
I've already talked abou the first week back at college from home which was busy beyond all reason. The second week was a little easier, but only a little. I got in my fifth paper on Thursday. I know that it wasn't anywhere close to my best work. But I did it.
On Friday and Saturday, 7:30, we (the chorale) performed the Messiah! It was absolutely amazing! My family came on Friday. They got to meet Joe and Bryan. Taylor's in love with the latter now. And Kim got to see my family, too. I got to meet Bryan's mom who so sweet and cute. My family and I ate in the cafe` and had a great dinner time just like normal. John Moore was like, "Is that your fmily?" "Yes!" "Aah!!" cool. Well, the family left and it was ok. I hung out with Ashley, Chris, and them and Jenny was there, too. She was prank calling people with her Thai voice and her little girl. We laughed a lot.
Then the group was going to eat ice cream in Arnold's kitchen. on my way there, I saw Ashley in her room. I went up there and we talked for a long time. About life. Abou expectations, other's expectations. A new start. Flower Arrangements. Etc...
Saturday, after the Messiah, I got to talk to Pam, one of the leaders from Summit, on my way to the Long Third Christmas party. It was fun. I got to hang out with Ashley a lot but I saw Garrett, John Moore, Dwight, and others, too. It was a good time.

The next week = Finals!
I didn't have a lot to do, but I know that I should've studied more. But it's ok that I didn't, because I'm sure I didn't get lower than a C on any of my tests. I was really freaking out about my English exam. I had to paraphrase three of the Screwtape letters. I'd never done anything like this before. My mom said it was "easy shmeasy" but I was having a rough time. I didn't choose the letters till the night before, and I didn't start writing out my notes till the day of. I took all of the two hours, plus 3 minutes. But then, it was over! And I was free!
The next day, I had nothing. So I slept. And I didn't study. Like, at all. But I did end up studying for Music Theory (On the day of, but it's ok.) And I think that my exam went well. Oh, and on Tuesday, in the Cafe`, I lost my voice. And I eventully got to throw up my pencli so that it hit the ceiling, then I caught it! And! I eventually finished my Pysical Fitness. Then, I was SO frustrated that I tore up the test. No joke. I tore up the test, but not my answer sheet. haha, how tricky. I also did some day of craming for my Comm test. I'm so glad that my group has who it has because Hannah and Slikker totally carried u son the goup section of the test. I helped a bit but not very much. I did ok on the individual part. I know that I aced the matching, but I don't think I did too great on the multiple choice. But, it's all done! After this, I packed really fast. I loaded up my stuff in Sloane's car really fast, too. But wait!
On Thursday night, Devon, Molly and I went to Rudd to check out this movie that some people had made. Allan was in it and so was Bryan. He was the best part. Anyone who sees it will know that this is truth. And that was cool. Millie, Devon, hodge, and I were going to go to the 12 o' clock showing of Eragon, but there was no 12 o' clock showing. So they decided to go to Casino Royale instead. But I didn't want to go so I didn't.
K, so I got to say bye to my friends at lunch. I came at the very end of lunch to see Ashley and Bryan. Then I hung aroud wiht Ashley waiting for Sloane. We went outside with her guitar and I got to listen to her play. I love it. Then I left with Sloane.
We just talked for a long time. Then we turned on some music and sang and had fun. We got home in one piece, thank the Lord. Oh! AND I SAW A NORTH DAKOTA LISENCE PLATE!!!!! Those are rarer than Alaska! I was freaking out about it and I got a picture of it!
So that's pretty much it. I watched some basketball at school and got to see Wendy, Peter, Wendy, April, Justin, Christian, and Michal, Amanda, and them. And my family! (of course) so that's pretty much it. I back at HCS in the church part writing this but I think the guy's game it starting so I got to go.
I love it here. it's so relaxing. Listening to Relient K. No homework, no stress. Not even any boys. It's good to have a break from them, I guess. I just love it.
And, I love my RA Jessi. Thanks for your encouraging words. You're the absolute best. You are SUCH a blessing to me and I'm so glad that we're together. :) May God bless you all throughout your life. Amen

BUSY

Yes, I haven't written becuase I've been busy So here's the week in review:

Music theory homework was really easy, thank God. I'm very thankful for chorale. Repetoire seems to be getting better and better.
Tuesday, I was looking for Rachel Lemonds but her room was locked so I decided to go to her suite mate's room. I went inside only to find Ashley and Emily! I was totally surprised because I didn't know that they lived there. It was quite humorous.
I've been hanging out with Chris, Nate, David, Ashley, and Emily a whole lot lately. I tihkn kit's weird that I'm finally settling into a group. I love these guys but I think that I still want to hang with other people, too. I don't want to be tied down to a clique.
Tuesday night, I went to a debate with Ashley. Wednesday night after dinner, I talked to Chris and Ashley for a long time about crushes in general and dating and stuff. Thursday was the Talent Show and that went well.
Friday was the banquet. I had a blast with Bryan, Lauren, and Phillip. We made a terrific graham cracker house. Phillip cut a hole in the bottom (with my pocket knife) and put a candle inside. Bryan made some good Christmas trees. We should've won. :) The video that they showed at the banquet was hilarious! After the banquet, we went to Melissa Brown's house where we played Catch Phrase and watched It's a Wonderful Life. It was Phillip's and my first time seeing it. We liked it. It roused a lot of emotion. I cried.
I sitll have to work on my speech and pratice it and then work on my English portfolio and my 5th paper. I just chose my topic on Thursday and I have all my information and now I just have to put it all in order. I got a writing center conference for my portfolio and I want to get another one for my 5th paper. If I can last till Thursday, I'm good. I hope I do well. I wish I was diligent.


Even though this week has been super busy God has blessed me soooo much and He has shown me how much He loves me through encouragement from my friends, little notes, and moving my speech day back three days.