Work in Progress {Old Blog - Not Updated.}

The Best Part about Long Distance Relationships

2007-06-30T00:56:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry for being a girl but....

Mike

Coming

Home

In

8

Hours.

I've been waiting 11 months for this.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

:-D

Since I Can't Sleep Or Anything. I'll Lamely Attempt Serious.

2007-06-25T12:15:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so I've sucked a little at blogging regularly. But it's because I've found and been obsessively reading freakin' awesome weblogs like this, this, this, and this. Oh yeah. And this. Whew. It's been busy and fascinating. How in the world can other people read so many blogs AND write on their own? Annnnnd have a life? I'm pretty much amazed.

I've been spending lots of time with the family lately. Since this is pretty much the last time I'll ever be living at home. (!!)

So, we live in the suburbs. There are no real sidewalks outside of neighborhoods, hardly any crosswalks, and public transportation sucks (does it even exist here?). Tonight three of my siblings and I decided to walk a few miles to Subway (and Handels!) for dinner. On the way there, Anthony asked me if I thought our family is "greener" than the average family. Seriously, where does he get these questions? :) We got into a discussion about it and how we could be more "green." At Subway he told the sandwich guy he didn't want a plastic bag for his kids' meal, because he's "green." The teenage boy looked confused. Probably since the suburb we live in? Is called Green.

It's a little strange how "green" is becoming such a marketable word, though. Everything from TLC's "I've Got Nothing to Wear" to Oprah is touting the trendy "green" label. Glamour magazine even did a special for Earth Day. It's so odd. I'm kind of torn as to whether I think it's a great thing that more people are starting to care about conscientious living or if I'm totally skeptical of their insincerity. Fair weather fans, you know? It's probably a bit of both. Because I can't claim to be some hard and sturdy environmentalist who's living her life completely free of consumerism. But at the same time, I constantly find myself slightly sickened by all of this sugar coating of environmental concerns so as to make it more palatable to those who might not want to risk their comfort. I can't resolve how I feel. I vacillate between wanting to reprimand others and guiltily wishing to be blissfully ignorant. :)

Also? Can we talk about how worried I am about kids and technology? Because. Oh. My. Gosh. I don't think kids play outside much anymore. Honestly, in my day (ha! can't wait to say that to my kids...) we played flashlight tag, ghost in the graveyard, football, kickball...anything and everything outside! We knew all of the kids in the neighborhood and somehow we'd always know what was going on. My mom would let us play for hours at a time without really knowing where we were. (I fear I might be slightly more neurotic as a mother...)

Where have all the kids gone? Is it just my neighborhood or does there seem to be less kids outside in general?! Now they've got computers, AIM, video games cell phones, ipods, Netflix and DVR to entertain them for hours. It's so depressing. My little brother and sister aren't even sure how to go about meeting the kids in the neighborhood. So they stay holed up inside, all plugged in to computer and the TV. So the only way they meet friends is through church groups, school, or camps. Which means someone has to drive them to their friends' house - which means more gas money and carbon emissions. :-) Oh dear. I better stop or I'll completely depress myself. I think that people are forgetting how to interact in person - our companionship is being reduced to emails, Facebook, AIM, blogging (!), and don't get me wrong - I think technology is extremely useful. Dude, I am the Google Queen! I have lived in 3 different countries - the internet keeps me in touch with very mobile friends! My fiance lived out West - without our cell phones and Google chat, it would have sucked even more! : ) But I still think that technology can give another way out from true intimacy. Not just with kids, but with adults, too. We don't need to go out and meet the neighbors, let's just stay inside and watch our 1,000 channels on digital cable. But the difference with kids is that they won't know another way.

If I have kids, there's no way they're gonna have cable or video games. I'll kick them out the door, even if they'll be the ONLY kids playing outside by then. :)

Walk This Way

2007-06-06T22:08:00.000-04:00

Much has been going on!

Leany is off and married in Houston, my wedding is increasingly closer (invites almost all sent! tuxedos picked! shower in 2 weeks! registry finished! etc!) and I am surprisingly getting into all of this planning stuff. Black and white, calla lilies and a little burgundy/red wine-ish are the themes of the wedding. Along with love, sustainability and all things FUN!! :) Being at Eileen's wedding actually made me super excited for me and Mike's wedding. (side note: There is no really great way to word that. Let's review our options, shall we? Mike and I's, Me and Mike's, I and Mike's, Mike and Me's....it's been a problem when trying to word this. I generally stick with Our Wedding or My Wedding but that just sounds selfish. Anyway...I just had to vent. It's been bugging me.)

Tomorrow marks my first task as the newly appointed Americorps VISTA for Ohio Campus Compact. A conference call at 11:30 am. I'm so so sooo excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Idealistic organizations RULE! Plus, I'll get to hang out with kids. :)

Guess what?! Mike is arriving Saturday, June 30th at 9 am. AHHH!!! The 11 month long distance relationship is almost over... It's about freaking time! : ) Can I just say - I am so excited for the future! This month will be full of family and fun, then Mike comes, then family trip to San Francisco, then job training in Chicago, then moving into the apartment in Dayton, then starting my job! Then getting married, then a wonderful honeymoon in New England (full of bed and breakfasts, farms, Ben and Jerrys, and so much more...) *sigh* :)

amy, jamie, me, and craig rocking out at leany's wedding. so. much. fun!

aren't my friends beautiful? i love them

Life After Graduation.

2007-05-16T17:33:00.000-04:00

People keep asking me about life after graduation. After the initial jubilation and sheer excitement of the NOT HAVING TO DO ANYMORE SCHOOLWORK! things have settled a bit. The whole getting-ready-for-a-wedding-in-3-months-and-a-new-job-in-2-months thing is somewhat distracting and keeps me busy.

I graduated at 10am on Sunday, at 9am on Monday, I got a call from Stephanie (lovely mother of 6 beautiful children, whom I have babysat for a few years). So a job basically fell into my lap. I'm working about 4 or 5 hours a day there - eating cereal, making Mac and Cheese, helping them with schoolwork (4 of them are home schooled), swimming, and hugging Anndrea - the SMALLEST 2 year old alive. It's a nice gig and leaves me time to do my own thing.

Our wedding webpage took me a few hours. After which, Anthony promptly dissed. "That would take me 2.4 seconds. Plus, your fonts are kind of boring." Ah, loving brotherly support. My mom and I finished all the invitations and blah blah blah wedding. :) Michael comes in 2 days, WOO! Let's find a place to live.

I need to go fold laundry! make bed! finish watching riding in cars with boys! eat dinner! and hot chocolate!

Decisions Rock!

2007-04-30T08:57:00.000-04:00

Yay!

Thumbs up for decisions!

Mike and I decided where we're living next year. (Hint: It's here!)

How exciting!!!

Now we just need to find him a job, pray he gets an assistantship next January, find a place to live and finish planning our wedding!!

Oh yeah, aand...I have to survive exam week. T-minus 6 days until graduation. Too much excitement, I can't handle it!

Study Days = Another Post!

2007-04-27T15:07:00.000-04:00

But instead, I am writing on this thing. Study days at the my school are a few days when studying doesn't really happen. What happens is people drink and procrastinate and sleep in and eat breakfast with their roommates and watch too much TLC and eat too much cereal. Or maybe that's just me. :) I have an exam on every day but Monday next week. And three papers to finish. And then? I'm an effin' college GRADUATE.

Sometimes I hate being a woman. See? Stupid cute shoes! Why must you tempt me? I should know better.

Next. SUNDAY. I GRADUATE NEXT SUNDAY. Last night I was volunteering at a soup kitchen and was talk to another volunteer - a businessman in his 40's who graduated from my college 22 years ago. We were discussing how expensive the school is, and he said, "Well it's all worth it...if you can get gainfully employed, of course!" and gave me a hearty laugh.

I stopped drying the industrial size metal pan I was holding and wanted stay say, "Dude, I just told you, I'm working with inner city youth at an education center next year. Do you think I will be "gainfully employed" EVER?? Don't you think the ways I grew and changed because of what I studied is valuable or is it only getting a well-paying job?" Now, granted, this man was volunteering his Tuesday evening at a soup kitchen, so he's not an evil-spirited, money mongering man (unless it's, like, his way of making up for a DUI? yep, probably a DUI, he did go to UD after all :) Gosh, how much of tangent am I going on here? Speaking of Tangent, I have one. Our school makes us buy them. They SUCK. But at least we get free computer care while we're here. And that has meant a new hard drive, with backed up files!, and a new CD-Rom drive. It's been a rough four years for Lappy. I'm really going wild with these links. Sorry! You just know it's because I'm procrastinating.)

Do you still remember what I was talking about? The guy at the soup kitchen? Gainful employment? Anyway, I, for one, am pretty darn happy to be making next-to-nothing but working towards a more just future in whatever little ways I can. (Check back in a year to see if my youthful idealism has faded. But am marrying an even bigger idealist, so I'd guess not)

How's this for youthful idealism?

Tara (right) and I, circa 1987. (I was actually a little bigger than her at this point! Didn't last long)

Why I Love to Run

2007-04-26T14:36:00.000-04:00

The first few steps out of my house and onto the sidewalk fill me with a sense of freedom. I'm leaving my house behind, with all its worries and responsibilities. I am doing something for myself, something besides the endless barrage of schoolwork that hangs over my head. My feet pound methodically on the pavement and my breathing falls into rhythm with my stride. The darkness surrounds me, so as to give me privacy and time free of distractions. This time is truly a mental break from the world. The nighttime is my absolute favorite time to run. It's just me, the road, and the darkness. The cool darkness means I have the streets to myself. A handful of cars might pass me, but they can't see me. I am alone.

Since I've been running for a while now, I'm able to run a few miles without being distracted by the pain of it. I don't usually count down the minutes until I'm done, because I don't even think about the fact that I'm running. It's almost like my body is running so my mind is free. At the end of the day, I can process what happened, what I need to do tomorrow, and what I want to do five years from now. I have resolved arguments, planned out my day, written a paper in my head, and prayed while running. I have learned to face myself more and to take the critical action of really thinking about myself and my day. Instead of plodding through day after day without pausing to take it all in, I am able to withdraw from it all and ponder.

I feel good about myself when I run. I feel healthy and strong and able. Able to push myself and do something. And sometimes, I'll admit, I feel smug. I do. Not that I'm the world's greatest runner or even that I have talent as a runner. But that I am committed to something. I am committed to trying to be healthy - and running is the best way for me to do that, both physically and mentally. :) Running gives me this inexplicable surge of hope and euphoria. I just feel so in control of my life, so in tune with God, and just really at peace. Even if I go on a run because I am totally pissed and I need to get my frustration out, I end up feeling better. It's amazing.

Running isn't about competition or goals for me. I run when I want to and don't when I don't. I might improve a little now and then, but overall, I'm not a fast runner, I don't run everyday, and I can't run forever. But no one knows, no one judges me, it's MY thing. And that's what I love. I hope I'll be able to do it forever.

13 Days Till Graduation!

2007-04-23T21:47:00.000-04:00

With the warm weather, I've been cranking up my Jack Johnson lately. It's been a difficult time lately with problems in personal life and more schoolwork than is sanely possible to complete in the next 9 days (SEVEN papers then FOUR exams. insert desperate whine here). However, I wanted to post this hilariously awesome video because I think the world should see it! (Spoiler: If you can't stand Ben Stiller, don't watch ;-))

Stop This Train

2007-04-17T21:12:00.000-04:00

Honestly, won't someone stop this train? - John Mayer

So many thoughts running through my mind.

So, I was going to post a bunch of hilarious stories from this wonderful weekend at home, but hell...my heart is really hurting right now and I'm just not up for it.

Guster and Norah Jones soothe the soul.

Answering Questions...the future and shopping

2007-04-12T22:03:00.000-04:00

This morning I took a mini-retreat and skipped two classes. I went to the house where I'm house sitting, took a bath, journaled, did the laundry, took a nap in a wonderful bed, made coffee, and watched The View. It was an amazing morning, and it was nice to have some much needed space and time to myself.

...and continuing with the questions.

2. What is one thing in the coming months to which you are looking forward?

Oh wow. Well, I will be graduating in TWENTY FOUR days, and getting married in 4 months -- so it's safe to say the next few months will be a time of total change. I will be moving out of this house where I have lived for 2 years, leaving the school where I have attended the longest (previous record was three years), getting a real full time (?) job, and moving in with a boy! Having a wedding where 250 people watch me walk down the aisle!! Oh crap, this is making me all anxious.

Most of all, I am looking forward to knowing what happens next. At this point, the future is quite unclear - we're not sure where we'll be and grad schools haven't gotten back to us. So certainty and beginning a bit more stable life will be wonderful. :)

3. What is your most hated thing for which to shop?

Anything at the mall. Honestly, I have really come to dislike the mall because it is overflowing with young teens who are decked out in Abercrombie and are desperately attempting to draw the attractions of the opposite sex. It's all a little depressing and disturbingly shallow - consumerism and capitalism as a whole are really present in my consciousness lately as troublesome institutions. So I guess I don't much like to shop for anything, especially when my money supply is unquestionably scant. :) Groceries are pretty much my weakness. Trader Joe's makes me weak in the knees. Social responsibility AND healthy choices, gotta love it. I feel like that was an incredibly cynical and pessimistic answer. Sorry! :)

Well, that's all I've got for tonight. The other two questions should be coming soon. I'm heading up to Akron for a few days -- so peace out!

Banana Pancakes is On Repeat in My Head

2007-04-10T23:03:00.000-04:00

Back. Totally not ready to be in class. But 11 more days. Yeehaw! :)

Thanks to the lovely Teacher Jane, I have a reason to write. :) (Easter break in Denver will be another reason!) Amidst a week with three papers, house-sitting, and a full-day conference in Columbus - I'm answering questions! Yay!

1. What is one of your favorite holiday traditions?

As a member of a large, extremely close knit family - my mom is the oldest of 8, my dad number 11 out of 14, and I am the oldest of 5 - there are so many traditions for every holiday. If weddings were a holiday, they would be my choice by far. Weddings in my family are full of children, dancing, and laughter. A photographer at my aunt's wedding in 2004 said it was the most fun he had ever seen at a wedding reception, if that convinces you. :) Holidays are such a wonderful thing, and I am convinced I have the best family ever. Not in a cocky way, it's just that I seriously have the greatest family I've ever heard of. My mom had 6 younger sisters, all of whom are in their 20s and 30s and a brother who is the same age as my fiance. So these women are like sisters and mothers to me, and their many children are the cutest kids I've met. I am the oldest of 22 grandchildren, with 8 of them less than 5 years old! :)

It makes for some very fun holidays- full of Chuck E Cheese's visits, sharing the same twin bed as my little sister, babysitting, thrift store shopping sprees, and hours of talking. Being in a female-dominated family is wonderful in so many ways, mostly because I think females are so much more interested in discussion, sharing, and expressing love. :) Corny, but I honestly don't know who I would have been without these women in my life. My Aunt Mel, who when I was crying over a fight with a friend in high school told me I was more mature and would really thrive in college. My Aunt Natalie, who called me her favorite when I was little and taught me the words to "Ice Ice Baby." My Aunt Julie, who was a living example of faith, who made being Catholic so freaking awesome I wanted to learn more and more. My Uncle Nick, whom my friends were in love with and who was a leader on my 8th grade retreat, an amazing example of love. My other aunts, who are wonderful mothers and sisters, they all strive to live healthy and holy lives. :) I apologize for totally going off on a tangent, but I just realized how lucky I am!

But, I imagine that a generic answer like "the loudness, many babies, and general amazing family members I have" is not good enough for somebody. So, I will give a boring answer to that person -- my favorite holiday tradition is that every year my dad HAS to wear the Santa hat while he passes out presents. No one else can pass out presents or even LOOK AT THE TAGS GOD FORBID. My dad, however, is an extremely slow, ahem, conscientious person - so this process takes for. ev. er. It's really cute though, because I think it makes him happy. Oh! And I also love that my siblings and I get each other presents for Christmas, and we exchange them on the morning of Christmas Eve. I have a sister in middle school, high school, and college - and a ridiculously dorky, adorable 6th grade brother, so buying gifts for them is so much fun. And none of us have much money, so we don't have to worry about that. Seriously, Anthony shops at the dollar store. And it's fun to see what my siblings chose for me. (This Christmas? Noxema from little brother, a shirt that says "Be Kind, Feed the Birds" because it's 'humanitarian' from sister 2, hair gel and mousse that I always steal from sister 3, and an awesome picture collage of my little cousins and me from sister 1.)

Okay, wow. I did not expect to answer this one so long! So, I think I will do the other questions later, these are such thought-provoking questions. :) Good night, loves.

Is Senioritis Curable?

2007-03-26T11:38:00.000-04:00

Because I'm really beginning to think it's not. And it worsens with time. There is a positive correlation between temperature and senioritis. As the temperature increases (and sunshine!) senioritis and un-productivity increases. Anyway, I think I'm just trying to pacify my guilt.

Now let me just say, when I used to write about Hawaii - my life was exciting! I'd go hiking, skydiving, swimming, to the beach, party in super nice houses... This weekend? Was DULL. Now, granted, I was pretty sick Saturday and much of Sunday. I slept most of Saturday, minus watching The Holiday - a pretty well written romantic comedy. But I must admit, I am increasing aware, and subsequently quite annoyed, of the cheesiness of Hollywood romance. As a child and teenager, I used to figure that love was actually that perfect once you found Mr. Right. However, real-life relationship experience has taught me that there is no magical relationship and there is no magical place where everyone finds someone and falls in love. Not to be cynical or overly realistic - but I think we're setting innumerous women up for disappointment and the inability to sustain a healthy relationship. Women, and some hopelessly romantic men, are being disillusioned to think that when the right one comes along, it will all work out.

And that's what bugs me about Hollywood romantic movies. I know, I know - I take it too seriously, I need to learn to suspend reality, blah blah blah. It's just that I've seen women I love hurt because of these lies. That's all!

On to lesser things - Mass was fantastic yesterday - complete with all the wonderful characters I've come to love at Immaculate Conception. I have not gone to a Sunday campus mass in well over a year. It seems to me that it's so much richer a sacrament experienced in the presence of families, of young children, of older folks -- the rainbow of God is beautiful! (Corny, I know.) Satish said something that really tugged at me and fit in perfectly with a lot of the discussions I've been having lately:

"To the extent that we participate in any of these evils we act contrary to the will of God. To the extent that we become passive bystanders we shirk our responsibility to truly value the God given dignity of each person."

Passively participating is not a good option. There is so much on mind -- particularly a conversation we had with my roommate's friend who is a soldier just returned from Iraq. It didn't exactly give me much confidence or make me feel better about the future of our country or...okay, that's all I'm going to say.

I sat next to a 38-year vetern teacher in Mass last night. 38 years! I cannot imagine doing ANYTHING that long. Amazing. We talked about the importance of caring for your students and how affection goes a long way in affecting a child's life. Honestly, I cannot imagine a day without children. I cannot imagine not being surrounded by children for the rest of my life. Their honesty, their love, their humor, their vulnerability...my entire life I've been drawn to care for children. Whether it was in 5th grade, when I created a "preschool" for neighborhood toddlers (somehow, parents actually paid me!? and i actually researched for lesson plans!) or babysitting since I was 12, I have been inexplicably drawn to children. I don't know what it is - but I feel really called. Maybe it's just to being a mother - maybe to being an educator - maybe to being an advocate. But I feel the nudge. :)

panic attack slash jubilation

2007-03-19T19:43:00.000-04:00

cute, slobbery cousin :)

Whew.

Spring Break has come and gone, and my life is still going full speed! It was a wonderfully relaxing 10 days with Michael, chock full of wedding planning - registering at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, tuxedo rental shopping, checking out caterers, showing Mike's parents what we (okay, my mom) have planned, and figuring out invitations, and blah blah blah...wedding stuff.

We also had some adventures, like getting our engagement pictures taken (we were not able to stop laughing as the photographer made us look into each other's eyes...:) - then my little sister called to say her battery died while she was in class. So we left the mall to go help her jump her battery at her college - 45 minutes later, we left (with a newfound respect for my mom - she's such a handy woman!). We got home to little brother-caused toxic fumes from a 9x13" Tupperware completely melted in the oven. He didn't look before preheating the oven for his frozen pizza. So he and Mike spent a long time chiseling the plastic-coated racks. The next few days, the house was filled with these awful fumes every time the oven was turned on. When Anthony's friends came over for the day, they ate under the table to avoid the fumes. I got so dizzy I had to go down into the basement. That's really healthy.

anthony loves his new big brother.

Mike finally finished his Masters' practicum. YAY!!! He had to print out all 70 or so pages of it - he did a men's group and a thesis on men's spirituality. Very cool. Very glad it's all over! Although going through the binder reminded me of all those Mondays last semester that I spent helping type and copy to prepare for his group. Good memories. :) I really miss having him around. (Mushy, sorry!)

he loves when i take his picture.

It was great getting to spend time with family. I love them a whole lot, even though they can be crazy. Anthony (computer-obsessed brother) created Sims characters of Mike and I, and spent the week trying to increase their levels of attraction for one another. I am happy to announce that our Sims are now engaged. :) He also followed Mike around like a puppy - reading jokes ( like yo momma's so fat that when she goes to the movies she sits next to everyone...and my personal favorite: two cows were grazing in the field. one cow said to the other "you know, i'm really worried about this mad cow disease." the other responded, "why should i care? i am a helicopter. whee!" ha! it's hilarious!) and begging him to recite episodes from The Simpsons.

In all, it was a ton of fun and great to see him. :) I have lots of things I need to work on - less than 50 days till we graduate!!!! AH! {panic attack slash jubilation} Peace out.

pretty much sums up Emmie's latest diva-attitude teenage girl stage. it's fun.

i like him. (ignore how pale i am. is it summer yet?)

What A Beautiful Mess I'm In

2007-03-01T22:08:00.000-05:00

Hectic crazy life! WAH! (Lately I've been saying "waah." It's less of a whine and more of a me acknowledging how annoying and whiny I'm being. :)

So, I was sitting in class, not paying attention - as so often happens and I calculate the amount of my time not occupied by necessary obligations (and running!), and I came up with 13 hours a week. That is 13 hours to do GOBS of homework, get dressed, clean, and attempt to have any fun social life whatsoever. 13 measly little hours a week. "Not fair!" I say. But, I guess it feels good that I am spending lots of time "awakening my consciousness" and not constantly succumbing to our default setting of laziness.

I had an Existentialist Philosophy exam today, and I find the concepts absolutely fascinating. Nietzsche's challenges to Christianity and his implications on the individual and collective potential of humankind are honestly riveting. It seems as though the threads of learning in my various classes are so intertwined, it is making for a fantastic semester. It makes sense that as we become more and more absorbed in a world of television, technology, celebrities, and general noise - the more we move away from pursuing the things that matter, the things that drive us and awaken us. Okay, I must stop crapping along. Who'd ever have guessed that I'd be blathering about philosophy? ME? But I freaking love this stuff.

Sooo, remember how my eye looked sooo nasty a few days ago? Well I went into a dining hall (because I'm a secret shopper, not like I'd chose to eat nasty, overpriced food) to get a sandwich. I approached the counter and the exchange went something like:
Ricky: Oh my GOD! What happened to you?!?!?
Me: Um, uh.....OH! My eye?
Ricky: YES! What the...what? [yes, apparently, I was so grotesque I took his breath away.]
Me: Oh, it's not a big deal. It's called episcleritis. [why oh why did I feel the need to explain this to the deli guy?] It means I have a tear on the sclera of my eye...Yes, the scelra...The white part...
Ricky: Oh wow. Okay, honey. What you want me to make you? I'll make you anything you want.
Other deli guy: Anything she wants? You mean you'd make her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if she wanted it? [Apparently, peanut butter and jelly is a Big Deal, yo.]
Ricky: Baby, you want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I'ma make it for you.
Me: Wow, thanks. But you know what, I think I'm just gonna stick with a veggie sandwich...

Was he hitting on me? Why would I want a PB and J? Did he pity my demon eye? Maybe it was fear. Probably fear.

Last Thursday, I had a Human Sexuality Exam, so after waking up at 7am on Thursday - I realized I had lost the study guide. Now, I had not cracked the book for the class, so the study guide was really going to be my saving grace. So, crap...what do you do? Call an acquaintance you barely know at 7:30am (how cruel am I!?), wake her and take her study guide! I was soon studying happily in Starbucks, when I realized there is no real way to study the subject in public without feeling strange. Here I was, among all the stay-at-home moms with their toddlers, the business men with laptops and in meetings, and the retired couples and friends...with my book open to LARGE pictures of...ahem...male and female reproductive parts. REAL PICTURES. I sort of studied with the book half closed, so as not to draw the suspicion of any wandering eyes. (Starbucks can be a very friendly place. More than once someone has struck up a conversation with me about what I'm studying...) But then, I realized the front cover was questionably worse, showing a blurry picture of a naked couple embracing. So no matter what, I'm gonna look like a pervert. That's when I decided to stick to my study guide. :)

Mike and I also got into a debate over Starbucks last week. :) He sees no redeeming qualities in it whatsoever, to which I maintain: social responsibility! biggest purchaser of fair trade coffee! great worker treatment and benefits! and other such reasons! to assuage my conscience as I sip a tall, organic milk, caramel macchiato...or latte...or sugar free Cinnamon Dulce...or cappuccino. Dear God, I am addicted. Support group?

PS:
Also, if you can - watch The Corporation - a really well-made, informational, provocative film. And responsible for me swearing of all rBGH milk; because, DUDES, that shit has caused cancer in lab rats and is banned in all developed countries EXCEPT THE U.S. Seriously wrong.

A Slushy, Achy Day

2007-02-19T19:39:00.000-05:00

First of all - I feel SO vindicated about watching Beauty and the Geek yesterday before Mass (a marathon was on MTV all day) - the priest began his homily by telling how he was snowed in and ended up watching Beauty and the Geek!! He connected the idea of the show to religion by explaining that our actions must not only be favorable to God but also those individuals around us. There was a twist in the final show wherein the contestants were judged by the former beauties and geeks, a la Survivor. Needless to say, I was cracking up laughing in the pew and went up to talk to Father Satish about it afterwards.

My car is still stuck in the snow! It was 40 degrees today, so I thought I'd be able to squeeze right out of the slushy snow. Uh-uh. After attempting to break up the snow with a broom handle (hey, we're in college and shovels cost money, people!) my roommate scrounged up a board to place under the stuck tire. After breaking the board three times, we gave up and I called a coworker to get a ride to work.

In future news, I learned all about my benefits/salary for the job offer I might accept for next year. It was totally exciting. I also got to talk to fiance Michael a bit this morning. It feels odd to be so far away. Because, like, I forget what it's like to be around him. Does that make sense? I don't know, it just seems like so long since we've been together and relaxed and...Long distance is for losers! So there.

Well, I have a test tomorrow. Haven't cracked the book. Haven't looked at the study guide. Hello, senioritis.

Watching Beauty and the Geek Marathon. Don't Judge Me.

2007-02-18T16:32:00.000-05:00

This weekend was so much fun. Katie, my great friend from high school, came down and stayed with me because she had an interview. We ate a WHOLE LOT (Ben and Jerry's, Starbucks, Christopher's, Chipotle, P.F. Chang's...all in 2 days.) My plan is to substitute a Fat Weekend for Fat Tuesday. :) I think it's a fad that will totally catch on.

I'm seriously looking forward to Lent, I need a good spiritual kick in the butt. A boot camp, you know? I'm going to not watch TV, as I do every year. Which is a bit difficult, considering I have gotten into a few shows. But I could use time to read a few good books, I recently got a few new ones, quite exciting. And since my lovely fiance discovered this website, I feel a renewed excitement for wedding planning. I was seriously disgusted by the wedding diva world, and overwhelmed by the pressures to create a fancy, crazy huge event which would impress people. Mike and I are totally not pretentious, fancy, or super formal people. We are aspiring hippies :) and completely down to earth.

The rest of the weekend will involve Mass, running, and lots of homework! Test on Tuesday, paper Monday and Wednesday, hundreds of pages to (not) read...Oh the senioritis I have. It's seriously a disease. Sort of like the episcleritis in my eye. That's what it is, by the way. Beautiful, huh? Apparently, I have a small tear in the white part of my eye (the sclera). And it happens mostly in 30-60 year olds. Nice, eh?

back to the blog. back to reality.

2007-02-15T22:42:00.000-05:00

in an effort to use less energy, i'm going to be online less, so i'll blog more. :)

the good:
- the kitchen is sparkling clean!
- business ethics class was canceled AGAIN. (which means i had a total of 5 out of 12 classes this week)
- KATIE DUDEK is coming tomorrow (to hang out AND to rock out her interview!!)
- 3 weeks from tomorrow = MICHAEL

the bad:
- trying to park the car in snow drifts, spinning out like crazy. can't wait till 50's next week. geesh.
- a HUGE raccoon on Irving. huge, people. so big and rabid-looking it required the police to come and....stand around watching it. hmm.
- i reallllly miss this from two years ago:

*tear.

now, all i have is this:

the ugly:
- my right eyeball. more specifically, the right half of my right eyeball. it's beautifully red and irritated. yummy, huh?
- appointment with the death center tomorrow!

A Note to Father Heft

2006-09-15T19:57:00.000-04:00

Father Heft!
My goodness, how time flies. I apologize for how long it has taken me to reply! I am busy most days for 12 hours, and doing homework on top of that...I also went out to Denver over Labor Day weekend for about 4 days to see Mike.
How are you doing? I can imagine how strange it would feel to be so far from the midwest. The west coast is almost a different world! Your class proposal looks great - very interesting. I wish I could take it! Have you had much interaction or chance to form relationships with the USC students yet? I saw you are living with the Vincentians. They seem to keep showing up in my life! First, I got very involved with St. Vincent dePaul society and went to the national conference and fell in love with some of their charism. Then, Mike went off to the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers. Now you're living with some, too? What are you doing mostly? I think I remember something about you getting lots of money for their school...is that true? I saw a poster for your talk next Friday - I'll definitely be there. You seem to be the resident expert of politics and religion, you have given many talks about the issue! :)
Life has been good. Busy, as always. :) Last weekend, I led my first retreat at Bergamo, Mt. Saint Johns, for high school seniors from Columbus. I have always loved retreats, and it was nice to see the teenagers learning more about each other and themselves through the times of reflection and such. Unfortunately, however, the retreat barely focused on Jesus or God, or even faith! Later at a meeting, we asked a few of the teens how their faith or idea of Jesus had changed as a result of the retreat. They all just stared at us blankly. Not a good sign, I would say. Also, the other facilitators (mostly college students) cringed at the idea of having mass or reconciliation at the retreats. It's as if they are so afraid of scaring the kids off with religion that they want to make it all about feelings and "bonding". I know there has to be a better way...I feel so passionately about having youth understand and embrace their Catholic faith, and there seems to be a large disconnect between the "retreat experience" and Catholicism. It's difficult, because I know they just want to reach everyone, so they keep it as neutral as possible. When I was in high school, I was in a retreat program that balanced it so well - retreats were full of relationship forming, BUT it was also focused on our relationship with God, on reconciliation with that relationship as well. We had mass and reconciliation, and also a ton of fun. :) So I will just hope and pray that the youth formation at Bergamo can learn to find the balance between attracting teens and not watering down our faith. Well, I just went on a lot longer than I had intended. I guess it was bothering me more than I had thought! :)
A looming issue in my life right now is What To Do After Graduation in May. I feel pressure to decide on a career path NOW for some reason. Although the current plan is to do some sort of service for a year or two before I pursue a graduate degree...just to gain some experience, some perspective, and take a little breather if I delve into graduate work. The problem is - I can't decide if I want to go into education/social work OR theology/ministry. I am acutely aware the needs of our society, especially working with kids on the west side of Dayton for the past 4 months. Their basic needs of education and health seem to overshadow the work I would do in youth or pastoral ministry. But I also long to help instill the gift of faith that saved me as a teenager. I literally remember a day sitting in the chapel as a 16-year-old. I had recently started going to Adoration (with our beloved Eileen Sullivan!) and I was really feeling down about myself. I remember feeling absolutely useless - I had no real talents, I wasn't the prettiest girl in the world, and I didn't have tons of friends. Then, I got this pervading sense of peace, and I felt... "I can't be good at everything - but I can be good at loving Jesus." It sounds pretty corny, I know! But at the time, it was such a relief to feel the burden taken off of me. I want other teens and young people to know their value and their place in the Church. Well, I have lots of discernment to do. And I know the decision doesn't have to be made TODAY, but sometimes it sure feels that way!
As far as classes - I'm taking Ecclesiastical Latin, my hardest class for sure. We get about 100 or so new vocabulary words a week....we just move so fast. And I am one of 3 undergrads in the whole class. I have gotten 100% on our first test and quiz though! Actually, I've gotten perfect scores on all of my work so far. It's a little surreal, definitely the grace of God!! Nice to start off with solid grades, but I'll feel disappointed when they stop being 100s. :) I'm also taking Faith and Justice with Luzzaragga (a new prof, he's pretty fun, but challenging.), Prophets with Branick, Capstone - Religious Pop Culture and Film with Smith (LOTS of silent, black and white films about Jesus...not exactly current pop culture!), and Christian Tradition and Prayer with Sister Angela Ann (a nice chance to pray and read about discernment for homework!). The classes are pretty interesting so far, and it's so relieving to feel absolutely no regrets about not being in education classes. The peace lets me know that God had a hand in my decision. :)
In other news - my family is back in Ohio! Which is wonderful, I had two weeks to spend with them camping and at home before I came back to school. The three siblings at home - 12, 13, and 17 - are having a rough transition to life in the US at public suburban schools. I feel selfish being happy that they are within driving distance because they are pretty miserable at school. But being around extended family is nice for them, though. My mom has 4 siblings around the area, and their kids. Also, my wonderful grandparents are there. :)
Well, I should get going, we're heading downtown to some art shows tonight. This turned out to be a whole lot longer than I had intended! Hopefully you didn't stop reading. :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Prayers and love,
Ashley

40 facts

2005-10-12T20:37:00.000-04:00

I wrote this while I was in Hawaii, but never posted it...

it's actually pretty hard to think of 40 random things! Enjoy :)

I like only the red skittles
I eat only white conversation hearts
Buttered popcorn is my favorite jelly belly
I love when people call me Ash
When I as little, I was teased by being called “ash tray”
I didn’t know my dad had a twin until I was in 4th grade
I chose my confirmation name because I wanted to be like Elizabeth Wakefield in Sweet Valley Twins
I always felt that my personality was more defined when I had distinct likes and dislikes.
Red is my favorite color.
I’ve been told many times that I look like Piper from the TV show “Charmed’
I’ve also been told many times that I look like I’m 12, or in middle school, or in high school.
I crashed a go kart and twisted my lateral meniscus in my knee
I broke lots of crucibles in high school chemistry
My first ever CD was the Spice Girls’ single “Stop”
I eat only the red Sprees
I am the oldest of 20 grandchildren on my mom’s side
I am the oldest of 5 children
I’ve been to 16 airports outside of the States
My favorite movie as a child was The Neverending Story
I have never gone to the same school for more than 3 consecutive years.
I got my belly button pierced without my parents knowing…I took it out and they still don’t know
I was always the shortest one in my class in elementary school
I ran track for one year and hated it with a passion
I am pro-adoption
I am a bargain shopper
I lose everything, including 5 school IDs, 2 drivers licenses, and a credit card
Zack was my favorite member of Hanson
I don’t have a favorite TV show
My three best girl friends are all red heads
I am a family person. Big time.
My dad has 13 siblings and my mom has 7. That doesn’t include spouses.
I was named after a man
I like change…change of pace, change of location, change of major
I don’t like changing friends
I am fascinated by serial killers
I love roller coasters
I was prom queen
I don’t really care about #37
I am horribly passive and go to extremes to avoid confrontation
I want to go to jail once in my life

My newest cousin Dominic! Born August 31st, 5.5 lbs

My two-year-old godson (and cousin) with his new glasses :)

Schoooool Already??

2005-09-10T05:38:00.000-04:00

Well, well, well.

I'll just pretend like it hasn't been more than FOUR MONTHS!!! since I've updated this lovely journal.

Some things to know (in no order of importance):
1)I am back at Dayton for the school year and SO glad about it!
2) My house is awesome, as are my housemates
3) My computer has a new hard drive
4) I must have a boring life if #3 is important to know
5) 9/11 is our one-year 'anniversary'!
6) my family is probably moving back to America at Christmas
7) I am working at Stuart again

8) I need to be better at keeping in touch...

9) I spent the summer babysitting 6 adorable children, and going on vacation to New York, South Carolina, and North Carolina with them
10) I bought a ticket to go to London for Thanksgiving Break yesterday. yay!

I am pretty darn happy right now. :)

mike and me

my cousin and I

two of the kids I babysat for

2005-05-10T15:30:00.000-04:00

Where do I even begin?

It's been almost two months since I last wrote in here, because my computer broke. I had an awesome last two months in Hawaii.

Some of the highlights included:
* Kat visiting over Spring Break (Pearl Harbor, Swap Meet, lots of bus riding, lots of eating out, hiking Diamond Head)
* skydiving with Shannon
* running my first 5K with Shannon, Vicky, and Jon (Vicky's brother)
* going to the Chaminade Ball with Marissa, then riding the bus and going to the dollar movies all dressed up!
* running with the Niketown Running Club!
* my roommate getting married, getting a dog and continuing to live with us...yeah...
* watching '50 First Dates' on the beach
* going to Kahala Beach with Marissa and watching kite surfing
* Mai Tais at On Stage

Now I'm back in Malaysia with my family! *minus Tara, who's coming on Saturday*

Mother's Day was hilarious. We definitely tried to make it special...we just kind of failed!

Our itinerary for the evening (given to my mom on a colorfully decorated card...):
4-4:15: entertainment
4:15-5: board game of your choice (she chose the math game '24'...and yes, we played.)
5:30: leave for mass
6-7: mass at Assumption
7-8:30: dinner at Marmalade, a health restaurant
8:30-9: dessert at Baskin Robbins, a unhealthy restaurant :-P

Entertainment was provided by Mel, Em, Anth, and I. Picture this: Indian dancing to some Indian music because my mom thinks Bollywood is so cool. Anth comes on stage and says "Guys, that is NOTHING like Bollywood!" (it isn't). So we proceed to do a cheerleading routine, complete with cartwheels and a song about Mom to the tune of the Mickey Mouse Club theme song. Yeah, we cracked up laughing in the middle and couldn't finish. It was great. I was like "Wow. I'm 20 years old". Emmie told me that it's cool that I can act like a little kid, though. So if Emmie thinks I'm cool, who cares?

After mass, we felt like failures, so we decided to express our love in a group hug. The plan was that Anthony would initiate it and the rest of us would follow. Somehow, it ended up like a group Hemlich Manauver. Sorry about that, Mom. After that was good. We to a really cool restaurant and I got a grilled eggplant and tomato with hummus sandwich. Mmmmm!

Yesterday, I ran for 4 miles on the treadmill downstairs and thought I was going to die of bordem. I wish it wasn't so dangerous and humid here! It's like 105 in the middle of the day. Ick! And I'm not really allowed to go running alone anyway, because there are lots of construction men. Not to be like stereotypical, but Malaysian men are really, really different...as in if you walk by them, they will make kissy noises and hollar at you. Ick. Plus, rapings are pretty prevalant here. Needless to say, I don't WANT to go running outside alone!! So it kind of sucks that I either lose my progress in running or I get bored and run in place in a little tiny room. Eh, I guess I'll just have to be bored! :-P

I will be doing a lot of substitute teaching with my mom while I am here, so that will be excellent, because it will give me a better idea of what I am getting into! Also, we will be doing different grades, so I will be able to see if I really like K-3 the best. I was looking at my mom's subsitute lesson plan from a 2nd grade teacher and she has to plan out every minute of her day! Whew. And she also put "Keep reminding them to _____" (turn in homework, sign attendance sheet, etc.) I THOUGHT patience was one of my gifts, but maybe not! Yikes...

My mom's ring tone on her phone is Anthony saying "Mom, pick up your phone! You better pick up your phone or it will become a missed call! Pick it up! It's in your bag!"

Cute.

Okay, time to get going. Today is PE for middle schoolers.

Oh yeah, for once, I'm the tannest one in my family!! Yess.....Except because of all that sun, I got a cold sore on my lip. :-( Ouch and ew.

Easy As A-B-C

2005-03-19T03:20:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated this in too many days...not a ton has been happening - but I thought I'd do a little ABC's instead of rambling ::

A: Alexis picked Kat up from the airport today
B: The grade I am getting in Statistics because I forgot we had a test yesterday.
C: My contact is stuck in my throat because I swallowed it yesterday.
D: Down to Earth is a natural foods store that is really yummy
E: Elizabeth Corsetti is a nice girl who I haven't talked to in a while
F: French fries from McDonald's are taste yummy but are deadly (I watched Supersize Me!)
G: Got money from work today...yesss...
H: Hot chocolate at Denny's last night! mmm
I: Ingrid wrote me an email, and I haven't heard from here in TWO years
J: Just seven more weeks on this gorgeous island
K: Kathryn Elizabeth Morris is sleeping in my bed!!
L: Lent is almost over...can't believe it's almost Easter!
M: Mike is the best
N: Nutrition classes sound fun...
O: On a Marine base is where we went today
P: We had pizza at the Cheesecake Factory tonight
Q: Quit my job at Cold Stone!
R: Relaxation is going to be awesome for spring break
S: Sunshine and sand are nice :)
T: Tijuana is where Mike is right now
U: Unfair!! I watched Pay It Forward and the ending was so unfair it made me cry :(
V: Victoria's Secret is nowhere in this state!
W: Walking everywhere is good for you...
X: Xcited to spend time with Kat! (yeah...that was lame!)
Y: Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and I didn't wear green!
Z: Zooxanthellae is a hard word to pronouce (it's algae found in coral reefs)

Hello, Operator. Give Me Number 9!

2005-03-04T17:04:00.000-05:00

A milestone event in my time here at Chaminade University has occurred...

I made it an entire week without missing ANY of my classes or labs!!

Thank you, thank you. I know it's amazing....

This week has been pretty uneventful (see, that's what happens when you attend class!) I worked Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday - closing all three days! I also put in my two weeks notice (which I was super worried about, but was fine!). I went to Starbucks one night to study. I really love that place, even though it's about 10 degrees COLDER than Dayton!

I complain too much. Sorry, I'll work on that.

I wish I could take a month off life and just work on all my flaws. Okay, so maybe I'd need a YEAR off life.

Melanie emailed me and asked me to be her confirmation sponser. Yay! I love that girl SOOOOOO much. And I miss her. Family is really the best invention ever. :) Thanks for that, God!

I'm sorry I don't have any funny stories or things to share. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive. :)

Dude Looks Like A Lady

2005-02-28T16:23:00.000-05:00

The moment of truth.

On March 30th, I will be registering for my classes, and I have till then to decide what I am doing about my major...There is so much to weigh into my decision, and I am really really overwhelmed by it, so if you could please pray for me, that would really help.

This weekend was fun and filled with DRAMA! Friday we went to Waikiki and ate at Cold Stone, Saturday morning I went whale counting (for environmental science class), then worked, and then went out to Blue Tropix, a club. It was pretty fun. Some funny stories. No time to talk about it though, so call me! :) Sunday (yesterday), I slept in for a LONG time, because I went to bed around 3:30 on Saturday. I went to church, studied, and worked!

I am planning on giving my two weeks notice sometime this week. I'm just going to miss free ice cream. Yum! Alright, I still don't have a computer, so please call me if you want to talk!!!

Some things that happened at work....

Funny customer:
"Thanks, Ash! Ash is my people."

Most embarrassing moment:
*I was helping a family with a dad and a brother and a sister, who were probably 11 and 13 years old. They were all rather large and the dad and sister had long, messy hair. I made the sister an ice cream and gave it to her. Then I made the brother an ice cream and while I was giving it to him...

Me: Here you go, don't get jealous that her ice cream is bigger...she got a brownie in it, so it made it bigger.
Dad: What did you say?

I repeated myself.

Dad: Him. It's a him.
Me: Oh.

What can you say in the situation?! I wanted to justify myself...Well, sir, he is kind of fat so he has a chest! And his hair is long and he looks like he has blush on. I just thought he was a manly girl. A tomboy!

Instead, I just apologized. The dad said something like, "Hasn't anyone ever seen a guy with long hair?" After the paid me, I proceeded to run back to the kitchen and tell everyone about it. They just laughed! I felt awful and terrible and SO embarrassed.

My manager just kept singing "Dude looks like a lady!"

R.I.P. Lappy

2005-02-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

My little Tangent computer has finally died. It was overpriced and crappy, go figure. Anyway, I just wanted to let all you faithful readers (righhht...) know that I will probably be updating my blog less these next few months...bummer!

I can't believe I've been here about 2 months already. 2 more left!

I love Starbucks. Big cushy chairs, yummy coffee, Norah Jones, and peace and quiet!

I love and miss you, if you're not here with me.
If you are, let's go to the beach!! :-D

Surfing Dudes

2005-02-23T23:26:00.000-05:00

surfing babes
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

The little surfers we were checking out at the North Shore this past Saturday. The little one on the left is 4 years old!!

Growing Pains

2005-02-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

Some things I did this past week and weekend ::
* went to an all-girls Catholic elementary school to observe 3rd grade.
* camping club ~ North Shore...saw little boy surfers who were ADORABLE!!
* Marissa made us lasagna for dinner and we ended up boogie-boarding down our stairs
* went for a ride on a Catamaran - a boat - and swam in the middle of the ocean
* Rachel's birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant
* watched The Forgotten - a very scary movie!
* went to the beach a few times
* worked at Cold Stone a lot

I got an email today from my mom saying that she misses Tara and I. I miss her so much, and my sisters and Anthony and my dad too. But it's odd, because I feel like I've separated from my family so much. We don't talk on the phone or email very much. My mom really has no idea what is going on in my life. I mean, I update her briefly on what my latest news is...but she doesn't really know what I do day in and day out. I know that most people in college get to see their family more than just 6 weeks in the summer and 2 weeks at Christmas. And even now, my friends here in Hawaii, who don't live close to their families anymore - most of them seem to talk to their families at LEAST once a week.

I kind of feel like I am being forced to separate from my family. It's crazy, because my family is the MOST important thing to me here on this earth!! I love them with all that I have, and it breaks my heart that I am not involved in their life anymore.

In some ways, I am still in the mindset where I feel like my mom should be worried about me. For instance, she doesn't know that I often get off work at midnight and have a 20-minute bike ride that is not so safe. She isn't worried about me anymore, but then again, parents can't really worry about you your whole life...but maybe I feel like I am loved if someone is concerned for my safety.

And I know I am loved...but lately it's just been so hard to deal with because I feel so utterly separated from my family. In Garden State, Andrew says exactly what I feel like....maybe I'll watch that tonight...

You know that point in your life when you realize that the house that you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of the sudden even though you have some place where you can put your stuff that idea of home is gone.
You'll see when you move out it just sort of happens one day one day and it's just gone. And you can never get it back. It's like you get homesick for a place that doesn't exist. I mean it's like this right of passage, you know. You won't have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for you kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I miss the idea of it. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place.

My Weekend in Pictures

2005-02-21T04:14:00.000-05:00

Went to the North Shore and saw sea turtles.

Ate.

Slept.

Boogy-boarded down the stairs.

A few times. :)

TMI?

2005-02-17T19:43:00.000-05:00

:: Countdown Survey ::

::15 Random Favorites::
1. Getting mail
2. Newly sharpened pencils
3. Sound of lawnmowers
4. Feeling comfortable with someone
5. Cancelled classes
6. Starbucks
7. Smell of coffee
8. Riding my bike
9. Praying
10. Libraries
11. Singing really loud in my car
12. Working out
13. Swinging
14. Storms
15. Coloring

::14 Favorite Foods::
1. Diet Dr. Pepper
2. Stir Fry
3. French toast
4. Lucky Charms
5. Mashed Potatoes
6. Shrimp
7. Baba Ganouj
8. Pad Thai
9. Sushi
10. Garlic Naan
11. Hummus
12. Smoothies
13. Hot chocolate
14. Baklava

::13 Watched T.V. Shows::
1. Anything Food Network
2. Friends
3. Monk
4. Trading Spaces
5. Everybody Loves Raymond
6. Survivor
7. What Not to Wear
8. A Dating Story
9. Arthur
10. Bill Nye the Science Guy
11. Gilligan’s Island
12. CNN
13. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

::12 Good Bands/Artists In Your Opinion::
1. Switchfoot
2. John Mayer
3. Keith Urban
4. Norah Jones
5. Jim Brickman
6. Travis
7. Harry Connick Jr
8. Third Day
9. Phish
10. Yellowcard
11. Barenaked Ladies
12. Casting Crowns

:: 11 Memories::
1. Babysitting Shelby and Gracie with Kat
2. Pirate Day at camp – Katie dressing up like a pirate!
3. Vancouver
4. 7th grade talent show
5. Nun Run 2003
6. Switchfoot concert @ Alive this summer and the sleepover!
7. Playing hopscotch at Oakwood Elementary School
8. Summers at Ocean Isle
9. Going to Giant Eagle in argyle socks and high heels at midnight
10. ‘Nsync concerts with Amy and Katie
11. Laying in E’s bed to skip class on a rainy day

::10 Random Friends::
1. Katie
2. Jordan
3. Mike
4. Kat
5. My sisters
6. Craig
7. E
8. Amy
9. Eileen
10. Rachel

::09 Things You're Looking Forward To::
1. Spring Break with Kathryn!
2. Working out at the YMCA
3. Turning 21
4. Seeing my family in Malaysia
5. Seeing my grandparents in Ohio
6. Seeing my friends this summer
7. Graduating
8. Living in the Ghetto
9. Falling in love

::08 Things You Wear Daily::
1. Underwear
2. Bra
3. Shorts or jeans
4. Cartilage hoop
5. T-shirt
6. Cross necklace
7. Flip flops
8. Hair tie

::07 Things That Annoy You::
1. Being lied to
2. Being sick and having to go to work anyway!
3. Feeling second best
4. Headaches
5. Really uptight people
6. Wet socks
7. Sand in my bed

::06 Things You Touch Every Day::
1. Keyboard
2. Toothbrush
3. Coffee mug
4. Pencil
5. Keys
6. Bike

::05 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over::
1. You’ve Got Mail
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Legally Blonde
4. Beauty and the Beast
5. Phantom of the Opera

::04 Of Your Favorite Toys When You Were Little::
1. Barbies
2. Nintendo
3. My Little Pony
4. Books (really!)

::03 Boys You have Kissed::
1. Less
2. than
3. three

::02 Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment::
1. “Days Go By” – Keith Urban
2. “Comfortable” – John Mayer

::01 Thing You Could Spend the Rest of Your Life With::
1. Jesus

2005-02-17T18:21:00.000-05:00

My computer has been broken for the past few days...I saw the 'blue screen of death' SO many times it made me want to throw my computer out the window!!

My week -- Worked Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday nights. Yeah, a LOT!! I skipped all my classes on Monday for Valentine's Day.

I did laundry and watched 50 First Dates and hung out with my roommates instead. It was nice...but too lazy! We went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, after waiting two hours in line! We also got to see the sunset ::

Waikiki Sunset

It was a good night...but expensive! It was nice to go somewhere besides work or the beach or school.

The roommates on V-day!

Cold Stone is going well...because I get free ice cream!! :) On Tuesday night I brought home a pint of peanut butter ice cream with cookie dough chunks and fudge and caramel swirled in. It was YUMMY! I don't know if I'm going to work the whole time I'm here - but it hasn't sucked too much yet. I need the money!

I am sick and it sucks! I have allergies or something, because I keep sneezing and my throat is SO sore. I need to quit complaining. Sorry!

Out.

I Wanna Be A Rockstar

2005-02-13T04:44:00.000-05:00

I Want To::

live with Mel and Tara
go skydiving
visit vancouver again
vacation alone
climb a moutain
see a sunrise
go parasailing
become a saint
go on a cruise
kiss under a waterfall
meet Switchfoot
see Alaska
hike a gorgeous trail
do a jungle run in Malaysia
have a family
go camping
learn how to develop a picture (i have an obsession with darkrooms)
take cooking classes in Europe
go to Arizona with Kat
do 50 pushups
love unconditionally
and SO much more!!

Just Waikiki

2005-02-12T16:49:00.000-05:00

Just Waikiki
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

You can see Diamond Head in the background. Just a picture I took while I was on my way home from the beach the other day! :)

I Get Carried Away

2005-02-11T19:51:00.000-05:00

Today has been really wonderful!

This morning, my roommate Marissa convinced me to skip class and go to the mall. SOOO glad I did! It was so nice driving around with the windows down and Switchfoot blaring on this *GORGEOUS* day. We went to Sports Authority and I got some cheerleader shorts. Then we went to Ala Moana mall, and I found a cute long sleeve shirt from American Eagle for less than $8! I can't wait to wear it this fall/winter. (Did I just say I can't wait for fall/winter?!) We also went to Godiva. mmm...Marissa bought some dark chocolate truffles and Valentine's Day present for all of us roommates!! It was delicious! I made sure to enjoy every bite, since it costs like $4 for one truffle! (The truffles are about 1.5 inches in diameter...not big!) We also went to Hallmark and spent way too much time reading cute cards! Then we got some frappachinos at Starbucks. Yum!

I'm all for skipping classes Friday mornings in order to go to the mall!

Well, this might seem a little random, but I was thinking today how I like to not look nice. It's so freeing to not care how I look. I think it would be such a pain to have to look nice before you ever leave the house. I am very content wearing comfy shorts, a t-shirt, flip flops, and my hair pulled back. I'd rather be comfortable than cute. :)

Oh - and BIG news! We are living in 143 Evanston next year - it's on the corner of Evanston and Irving. YAY!! I'm pretty excited to be in a house.

Tentative summer plans = me taking 10 hours of Chem classes and labs. Working part-time at the YMCA. That's just tentative though. I have been praying about my major change, and I really just feel excited about it. I think that's a good sign, yeah? It will be a huge change and a challenge with all the science courses, but I truly believe that I can accomplish anything if I just put my mind to it. Girl power!

Woah, getting a little carried away.

Working tonight from 7 until 12. If I could find a closer job that paid more money and I didn't have to sing...I'd be all over that. I never heard back from the 24Fitness place, so I guess I didn't get it. I'd rather hear back either way though! Being left in the dark just sucks.

I got some freaking sweet blue bracelets from thehungersite.com. They are so cool, you should get some too!!

Alright, time to get going. Have a wonderful weekend.

Just The Facts, Ma'am

2005-02-10T16:38:00.000-05:00

News:
* I finally got my pretty pink Nalgene bottle in the mail
* My grandparents and the Cronins are visiting Malaysia
* Melanie made All-Stars for her touch rugby team! Go Mel!
* I got to talk to my family finally last night. It is the 3rd time in 5 weeks, which kind of crappy.
* I am still working at Cold Stone ~ ice cream shop
* I am more confused than ever about my major after talking to Mom
* Sometimes I get waves of nostalgia where I really miss UD -- especially Oakwood, studying in KU, pretzels and milk shakes in the Galley, Stuart mass, and IHOP. How am I ever going to leave in 2 years? I don't want to graduate and leave all the fun!!
* If I change to dietetics, I will have to take 2 chem classes this summer
* My dad thinks I've always wanted to be a teacher
* I really like Shannon Calcatera :) She's a nice roommate who gives me dark chocolate.
* I miss lots of UD people
* If you write me a letter, I will write you one back. Just ask E. Or Carolyn. :)
* You should write me a letter.

In Your Compassion, Blot Out My Offense

2005-02-09T16:29:00.000-05:00

It's Lent.

I need this more than I can know.

The true sacrifice is a broken spirit: a contrite and humble heart, O God, you will not refuse.

-- Psalm 50

This Lent I am going to take advantage and try to rid my life of all those distractions that keep me from knowing God more intimately.

Before Lent is over, Kat will be here. I need Kat!

I am bad at admitting my faults...or accepting my faults.

If you know how to, tell me.

Well, That Was Unexpected

2005-02-08T19:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I went to 5pm mass at St. Augustines, a church right across the street from Waikiki. I arrived late, and there was a man sitting near where I park my bike. I actually heard him before I saw him - he was singing some Christmas carols. He looked really nice. I mean, he looked homeless - no shoes, some scabs on his legs and arms, and he had a couple of bags. He wasn't - forgive me if this is rude - but he wasn't gross looking. Don't get me wrong, I like talking to homeless people, regardless of what they look like! But, I noticed right away that he looked like he could have been handsome when he was younger. For some reason, I am attracted to meeting homeless people. NOT attracted in that way, but something in me loves to hear their stories and their experiences and their wisdom. I just really love it!

I walked past the man, smiled at him singing, and went into church. During mass, I kept thinking of the man. I wanted to buy him dinner. I only had $10, which isn't much in Waikiki, but I figured it was worth a shot. By the time mass ended, however, my mind was on other things. I barely even noticed the man when I was walking back to my bike. As I hopped on my bike, he asked me what my shirt said, and we started a conversation. That conversation lasted an hour and a half. I wish I could remember all that we talked about, all that I learned. Brian's story was amazing. God prevented him from killing himself, so he completely surrendered EVERYTHING he had for God. For the past few years, he has lived on the streets of Waikiki, sharing the Word of God with people on the street. He has a hard life, I'm sure. He sleeps on the sand. But he is SO full of joy. His biggest worry was that he didn't have a quiet place to read. That is his biggest worry. Not that he is homeless. Not that he is probably disrespected daily.

Brian sees God in EVERYTHING. He thanks God for being stabbed. He says he learned to draw closer to God through that. While we were talking, and he would say something profound, a car would honk. He always pointed that out. He'd say, "See? Honk! That's God." One of the cool analogies that he told me was about being warm. When you first go out in the sun, you are really warm, and you probably tell whoever you're with. "Wow, it's so sunny and nice out. I'm hot!" After you're laying on the beach for a while, though - you sort of get more used to the brightness and warmth. You might still be hot, but you don't talk about it every 2 seconds.

That's how it is with God. Maybe at first you are so overwhelmed and excited about God's love that you tell everyone. Or at least you marvel about it with your closest friends. After a while, you might start to get used to it or take it for granted. I don't want to ever take God's love for granted!

There is so much more I could tell you...but I don't know how boring this is for everyone else. One thing that Brian repeated about a million times is that we are all brothers and sisters and that we are all connected. Please, just always remember that people are PEOPLE. Even if they don't have a home. Don't feel that they are just lazy, or just born unlucky. Don't walk by them and turn your head the other way. Don't be scared of what you don't understand.

Winter, anyone?

2005-02-08T18:36:00.000-05:00

snowbaby!!
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

This is what I was doing LAST winter. That snow actually looks pretty!

Deflowering A Starbucks Virgin (and other updates)

2005-02-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

Wow, it's been a few days. Here's a quick rundown of the rest of my week:

Thursday: My first class was cancelled, then I had a Stats test. I went to Wal Mart with Marissa, and at night went with Rachel to Starbucks. It was her first time ever going to a Starbucks. It was fun! I love Starbucks. It's such a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, and it's yummy! Rachel and I talked a lot, it was really nice. She was a good date, I'll have to ask her out again. :-P

Friday: Skipped Astronomy, went to Communications. Stayed in, everyone else went to "On Stage," a local little bar. I went to a Mexican restaurant with my roommate, Marissa, and we watched part of Finding Nemo and Underworld. Weird movie about vampires...Also talked to Mike for a long time. :) Oh, and my room was the neatest it has ever been! *Yawn* Being too neat is boring. haha

Major update: I am about 75% sure that I will be switching my major, probably to dietetics and nutrition. I want to help people learn the importance of and how to eat healthier; especially pregnant and nursing women, the obese, and kids! I have been emailing the Advisor at UD for dietetics, and she has been a big help. Tomorrow I will hopefully call some dietitians to talk to them about the job...So if you guys could pray for my guidance in this decision, I would really appreciate it!!

Me at Hanuama Bay

Yesterday (Saturday): Camping Club (okay, so it's not *really* a club, we're all just friends who pretend like we're a club so we can get a van) went to Hanauma Bay, which is a really pretty bay, popular for snorkeling! It's also a nature preserve, so there are a lot of rules. It was nice, a little crowded, but I'm starting to not mind the crowded beaches as much. After Sam endangered our lives by driving like a maniac, the girls went to Hanauma Bay, and the boys went to a different beach with big waves to go body-boarding. We snorkeled a little, but I didn't enjoy it all that much. It was hard because my goggles kept getting water in them, which really stung my contacts! I did see some cool fish though!

Shannon, Brian, Me, and Marissa

Pirate Party: On Saturday night, we went to a Pirates and Wenches party on top of a huge mountain! It was a cool place, the stars looked amazing from up there. My roommate Alexis and her boyfriend just got a car, so she drove us to where we thought the party way. She's so sweet! Anyway, we ended up at this house on top of a mountain...long story short, we went inside, even though no one was home...We pet their dog and looked around a little. We found a flyer for the party at their house and called the number...It turned out they were having the party not at their house, but at some big room...I don't know what the heck it was. So we finally get to the party, and wow! Shannon and I kept saying that we felt like Lindsay Lohan in "Mean Girls" at that Halloween party. Let's just say I didn't realize that wenches were like lingerie models!! :-P It was an okay party, it was more fun because the girls were there. It was so scandalous though! Then the Homeowner's Association or something called the cops, so we all had to leave. Shannon, Brian, and I ended up walking a mile straight down the mountain. It was a nice walk, really pretty and not cold! (Okay, so our butts and calves were hurting...but we saved money!)

Why I didn't post earlier: I actually did write a really long post a few days ago, but it all got deleted. It frustrated me, because now all those thoughts are gone! I guess the important part was that I got them out, not that other people can see them...

Why I am mad at myself: I have barely done any homework this past week and I skipped 3 classes. Plus, I only went to the beach one day. Shame on me!

What I am going to do now: Figure out how much an imaginary planet weighs, dream about moving UD to Honolulu, and eat ice cream.

'Ugliness is Better Than Beauty' -- Johnny Depp

2005-02-03T03:16:00.000-05:00

Easy for him to say!

The past two days have been kind of rainy and cloudy...but at least its about 65 degrees! Check out the cloudiness::

That is the view of Diamond Head from our hallway at school. Everything is kind of airy and outside, except the actual classrooms. It's a lot like ISKL or ISB.

Yesterday I ventured out to try and find a store called Hawaiian Adventures to buy a Nalgene bottle. It was supposed to be about 2 miles from my apartment, but it was nowhere to be found! So I gave up and went to Wal-Mart and bought some WD-40 and a mug. WD-40 because my bike chains are squeaking like crazy, and a mug because I drink lots of hot chocolate. I had to be ID-ed to buy the WD-40. That is so strange...I mean, where is the logic?? How is being 18-years-old instead of 16 or 17 going to make you less likely to get high off WD-40? And who ever decided to get high off it anyway?

I totally digress. Anyway, so I then went to Daiei, a grocery store near where I go to church. Someone had mentioned that it is cheaper than Foodland, where I usually shop, so I decided to go and see...It was. But it was funny, because it is very clearly a Japanese store...there were like 3 other Mainlanders in there. I tried to pretend like I knew what I was doing, so I walked straight back....to the frozen Asian foods section. I look around and there's all this Japanese writing and food like frozen squid and noodles. Everyone was looking at me like "Honey, you don't belong here." I picked at a few things, still pretending like I knew what I was doing. Really, I was thinking, "What the heck is that??"

Then, I looked over and spotted some Hagen-Daz and Ben and Jerry's and I was like "Yes! I recognize that!"

Kat called me while I was shopping, so I didn't pay much attention to what I was buying, so I ended up buying three cans of garbanzo beans...hmmm. On the way home, I ended up getting hopelessly lost for a long time. I had a heavy backpack filled with canned goods and I was exhausted. So I when I finally saw my apartment (granted, a fence, highway and a street all lay between me and my apartment - but still...) I was so relieved!

I got another care package today! My grandma is so sweet. She sent me an Easter egg decorating kit!! (So, Kat, get excited!!) And some cash. Much needed.

Lately, I have been reminiscing about the past and missing it! Like last year on 6 Adele...I love those girls so much. Cory, my old roommate, is going to be transferring and that makes me so sad. We had such a great time in good ol' 621! Talking about boys at all hours, watching American Idol like fanatics, spilling hot chocolate ALL over our gorgeous zebra carpet, TLC 24/7, having the coolest room ever, crying together, laughing constantly, and Cory singing. What good times. Cory Greer Scanlon, I'll miss you!!

It's sad how all the good times and good memories in your life cannot coexist. I mean, being roommates with Cory was so fun, but if I were still her roommate, I wouldn't be Kat's! And we wouldn't have grown closer...It's the conundrum of reality. And it requires us to stop living in the past. Life won't always be trading in one good experience for another, though. Most of my life, everything has been amazing and wonderful. Seriously, I am the most blessed person ever. My worries have revolved around all my blessings. The magnitude of how blessed I am totally cancels out my worries or my problems.

I worry about my future. I am so blessed to have a choice! To be in school!
I miss my family. How blessed I am to have such a family worth missing!
I worry about our country. How blessed we are to be comfortable enough to concern ourselves with that!

Honestly, I can't think of any legitimate worries in my own life. Of course, that is scary. Because I don't want to become spoiled by all this goodness. Job loved God when God was good to him...

Bad news. My mom emailed me and said that my family won't be able to come here for their spring break. I was very very disappointed. It's has been kind of hard being at school without ever having my family visit, so I was excited that I would finally get that. The ticket prices rose, though, and they just can't do it. Boo!

Well, I have to get going to bed. Sorry if this post is too all over the place or hard to follow. I am too tired to try and make it clear.

I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form
of an object be what it may - light, shade, and
perspective will always make it beautiful
- John Constable

My New Mantra

2005-02-01T06:16:00.000-05:00

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

And Now, For Something Different

2005-02-01T04:59:00.000-05:00

Things on my mind ::

Important things are God, little kids, traveling, friends, learning, family
Chocolate is pretty important, too.
I ate way too much junk food today :: 1/2 a bar of chocolate, 4 cookies, hot chocolate, and a donuts...EWW!!
I will never learn how to not be procrastinator.
I have no desire to do homework ahead of time, because why do that when I can do it the night before and still get by?
This is me procrastinating my paper
Christian music isn't as corny as I had convinced myself it is.
In fact, I'm listening to it right now.
I want to go everywhere.
Especially New Zealand, Western Europe (Rome, Venice, Southern France, Sweden, Belgium), Morocco, and the Caribbean islands (especially the Caymans).
I also want to see Arizona, all of Oahu, Wyoming, Northern California, Seattle, Vancouver again, New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Cape Cod, and Boston.
When I don't feel like reading, I don't mind reading lists.
There are a lot of kind people in the world.
And a lot of unhappy people.
I saw the sun set on Waikiki beach today.
I feel like God wants me to be happy, but I can't figure out what I should do about my major.
If you have any insight, please share.
Otherwise, just pray for my decision, yeah?
The idea of doing one job for the rest of my life honestly freaks me out.
I desire change too often.
And yet, change can be so painful.
I ate dinner on a balcony tonight, and balconies are really cool.

Roommate Shannon talking to her boyfriend:

"Ashley got a care package from Mike, and Chelsea's boyfriend made her a picture mobile. And today Mike Nice bought us Skittles and he's not even dating us...I know it's not the material things...but, it's just a card Ashley got that makes me melt."

Conversation with Dan the Marine:

- I need to get a Nalgene water bottle tomorrow

- What's a Nalgene?

- You don't know what a Nalgene is and you're in the military?? Shouldn't you guys use that stuff, it's like heavy duty!! I mean, you can't break it. They are amazing. I can't believe you don't know what a Nalgene is.

- Sorry, I'm not a big water bottle guy.

**************************************************
You are the Lord of Lords

You are the King of Kings

You are mighty God

Lord of everything

You're Emmanuel

You're the great I Am

You're the Prince of Peace

Who is the Lamb

You're the living God

You're my Saving Grace

You will reign Forever

You are ancient of days

You are Alpha Omega

Beginning and End

You're my Savior,

Messiah Redeemer and Friend

You're my Prince of Peace, And I will live my life for you!

Shout-out to:
Vicky, for making some delicious dinner!

I'm Not a Player, I Just Blog A Lot

2005-01-31T03:01:00.000-05:00

I feel so blessed today!

I don't know where to start, because I just am so happy to have so many wonderful people in my life. I got to talk to Kat, Mike, and Craig today - even though it was only a short time each, it was still nice to hear them! Nice, not a good word...(Eternal Sunshine!)

My day wasn't spectacular, but I just feel so content and happy...I had a great day at work, made friends with a 18-month-old named Tooey, went to mass where Fr. Ken gave a great homily, talked to some UD friends, got in touch with Jenna - my best friend from middle school in Bangkok, had a really good talk with Shannon, and interrogated a Marine.

Oh yeah, and I'm still in Hawaii.

That's pretty freaking awesome.

How will we ever leave this place?

I really liked work, because I am learning more and getting more experience. My favorite part is talking to the customers and making them smile. Like, maybe they just expect to come in, get some ice cream, and leave. But I want them to be happy and feel really welcomed! Wow, can someone say DORK!? Or overachiever??

Alright, well, it's time for this girl to do some Astronomy and clean the kitchen and bathroom floors!

Shout-out to:
Craig, for having the worst cell phone ever.

North Shore!

2005-01-30T03:49:00.000-05:00

Rachel, Shannon, and I found this cave while we were at the beach, and we crawled under these rocks!

Surfing at North Shore. Sweeeet!

Let Me Be the One You Need

2005-01-30T03:41:00.001-05:00

I could try not to make you guys jealous and say that Hawai'i isn't really all that great. That it's just like Dayton with a little more sunshine and a beach. But I'm not gonna lie, it's great! Even just being able to leave at 12am and go find stuff to do is awesome. And the fact that I can wear shorts and t-shirt at night in January and not freeze...well, that's amazing, too! I know I probably sound like a little kid in a candy store, constantly marveling at all this.

Alright, so let's talk about what I did today. Camping Club! Chaminade Camping Club is basically a guy, Sam, who drives us around the island and teaches us about the Hawaiian culture and history in a big van with lots of people. Sam...where do I start? As Shannon says "He's part monkey...or part wolf...but he has such a good heart!" He is from Detroit and Hawaii...a weird combination. He loves his rap a lot, I wish you guys could see him dancing while driving the van! He also loves the ocean like no one I've ever seen. He could spend all day with his body board and flippers, fighting against the huge waves. He doesn't walk anywhere, he just runs. It's fun to watch him enjoy everything so much. By the way: he totally can't drive. I fear my life when he drives.

Anyway, today we went to Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Hawai'i, which is known for its HUGE waves...as it's website says:

But during the Winter - watch out - even the most experienced of water persons and surfers think twice before entering the waters or even going near the shore break when the swells are large and fast and deadly.

It was crazy! The lifeguards kept announcing warnings about keeping children away from the coastline, because the riptide was so powerful. The waves were probably like 15 feet tall. Just really big! There weren't many surfers because it was really dangerous since it stormed this morning. It was cloudy when we first got to the beach, but it cleared up and we got to enjoy some sun.

We didn't go in the water (except Sam, of course!). But we were standing like knee-deep with a few friends, joking about how I was too little to be in the water. Then, it all happened so fast - a big wave came and just totally knocked me off my feet, then it was dragging me back into the ocean. Luckily, Mark was right there. He grabbed my arm, keeping me from getting dragged back into the ocean. However, the wave also took my bathing suit off!! I won't go into details...It was a little embarassing, but more scary! I seriously would have been shark food if it weren't for Mark.

In other news...I wish I could be there to be with Kat right now (my UD roommate, in case you don't know me. but if you're reading this and you don't know me, that's a little weird.) To help her and cheer her up and hug her...I was listening to Phish today, and this song "If I Could" really reminded me of her, how I feel helpless being all the way over here, but I just want her to be happy!!.

Take me to another place, she said
Take me to another time
Run with me across the oceans
Float me on a silver cloud

If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would and I'd take you now

Shout out to:
Mark - for saving my life.

Why Not Kiki?

2005-01-29T16:34:00.000-05:00

Rachel, Me, Mike Nice, and Vicky on Waikiki (right before singing "Happy Birthday" to some guy named Jason)

Mahalo!

2005-01-29T15:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry it has been a few days since I've updated this thing. It means I'm having fun, right? :) I'll give you a quick rundown of Thursday and Friday...

Thursday I had classes from 8 until 12:30, but I skipped my Statistics class from 11-12:30 because I wanted to go to the beach! So I came home, ate lunch and laid on the beach until work at 4. Yeah, work at Cold Stone Creamery. That place is weird! They train you in like a million different things, acting like you're doing the most important work in the world. They expect you to memorize all these ice cream combinations and what exact words to use with the customers...and I'm getting paid less than I did at Stuart Housekeeping! I am scheduled to work again on Sunday at 1, but I'm thinking of just quitting before then. I mean, if worse comes to worse, I can always get a job at Abercrombie stocking clothes. It's 8$ an hour and less demanding!

Anyway, enough boring talk! I talked with the roomies a little, and I talked to Mike for a LONG time on Thursday night. :) It was awesome and made me so happy and thankful! Oh, and I might be changing my major...so yay! (::more about that later::)

Friday, I had only one class - from 1 till 2. I gave a speech on how to do laundry. I prepared for 2 minutes. Such a good student. Then I talked to E and Kat and some other people online...Before stopping by St. Augustines. Then I went to Waikiki beach around 6 to call my family and watch the sun set. It was pretty cloudy so it wasn't all that beautiful. My mom was good, it's nice to hear them all. I miss them SO much less this semester than I ever have before. I've only talked to my family 2 times in 3 weeks. I told my mom I think I'm going to be a vegetarian and she said "Am I supposed to be surprised?" Yeah, I guess I've kind of hated meat since I was like 12, so it's not that weird. Got to talk to Mel and Emmie and Anth too. I love those kids. They are sooo growing up though! Then I went to 24Fitness and worked out really hard. It felt good!

We went to Date Street last night...We played Uno. Then around 12, everyone was getting bored and tired, so Vicky, Rachel, Mike Nice and I headed down to Waikiki. We just walked along the main strip and saw some sweet stuff. Like these guys freestlying and playing drums. And a sax player. And some gay guys who were drunk and funny. And we sang "Happy Birthday" to a guy at the Cheesecake Factory. We were hungry around 2, so we found a Dennys and ate some food. It was a fun night! We got back after 3, and I didn't really want to ride home alone that late, so I just slept in Vicky's room. Thanks, Vicky!!

Now we're going to go to North Shore with the Chaminade Camping Club. I'll tell you more about it when I come home!

GRRRRRR....

2005-01-27T04:12:00.000-05:00

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?

I am very frustrated with this ssssstupid thing! It just deleted my post TWO times. (Okay, so the first one was my fault - but not the second one!!) I have no time to talk about my day - because I have to write a paper for tomorrow's 8am. That means I wake up at 6:30am.

Bleh!

I am not actually very happy right now. :-(

Mostly because I had a conversation tonight that left me feeling selfish.

Well, goodnight....backdoor lovers! (name that movie, anyone?)

I Dare You to Move

2005-01-26T17:12:00.000-05:00

So today I had my interview with Cold Stones! It was a 2 hour interview, complete with singing. There were 6 of us interviewing - a guy from Maryland who moved here with his girlfriend, a guy from Texas who was a cheerleader for Chaminade University, a man who works on tugboats in Alaska, a woman from Bulgaria who is learning English and moved here a year ago, and a woman who was born and bred here in Hawai'i. It was so fascinating to be able to hear all their stories - we had lots of time to talk to each other. It was a fun interview. Kind of strange how we had to answer questions like "What is your best character trait?" and "What do you need to work on?" in front of everyone. Not to mention having to sing *alone* a song. I went first. I can't actually believe it - singing on the sidewalk of Waikiki all by myself. :-P She also asked us what flavor of ice cream we would be and why. Guess what I answered?

Anyway, she called me tonight and I got the job! Which is definitely awesome. However, I would rather work at 24Fitness - a gym where I could get free membership, or Down to Earth - a natural foods grocery store where I get a discount on groceries...Or even Pizza Hut! I have a phone interview with 24Fitness tomorrow, but I haven't applied to DTE or Pizza Hut yet. I think Pizza Hut might be easier than working at Cold Stones. It's closer and less stressful...I think! Plus, pizza is better for you than ice cream, no? Tell me what you guys think!! Ideally, I'd work at 24Fitness or DTE, because those are 'healthier' jobs...who knows what is a good job though! It's nice that school isn't so demanding here, because it gives me the flexibility to work whenever. I love living in a city, did I mention that?

I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind again today. That movie is damn good! I love it so much. It's genius I tell you! So watch it if you never have. If you are expecting a Jim Carey movie where he makes gross jokes or wears a mask - you might be disappointed...like Alexis' friend was. It sucks watching a movie that you love with someone who isn't enjoying it!

Having a bike is a humbling experience. It seems inevitable that I nearly fall, skid, or stumble at least once a day - and always in front of lots of people. Yesterday I came thisclose to flying off my bike in a skirt. Instead, I just sort of jumped off very *gracefully*...or not so gracefully...

I love Switchfoot. Listening to them right now. I forgot how awesome they are. Learning to Breathe is by far their greatest album. It reminds me of riding the bus to school in KL my junior year. I listened to that CD nearly every morning and never got sick of it! It made me so excited to start my day and energized me. Wow....I'm a dork! I think I overuse exclamation points. I am trying to quit. It was my new years resolution.

I love this new blog. I feel like such a poser calling it a 'blog'. Like I know what a blog even is! It's like some journal online thing. That's all I know. Anyway, I think it's pretty sweet. I just wish I could figure out how to put pictures on here! Let me know if you have any idea.

Alright, I'm out! I need my 8 hours of sleep. :) I really love it. And I love not having class until 11 tomorrow. Yessssssss.

Life's A Beach! =P

2005-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

girls at the beach!
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

Hmmm....looks like I need to work on my tan a little...Check out how tan these girls are! :-D

S4010016
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

When laying on the beach, I can always watch some sand volleyball if I get bored -->

Poor me...this is what I live with every day!

2005-01-26T05:55:00.000-05:00

S4010016
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

When laying on the beach, I can always watch some sand volleyball if I get bored!

skirts on bikes....so hot right now

2005-01-26T05:49:00.000-05:00

S4010026
Originally uploaded by amwangel.

9, eh?

2005-01-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

You Are the Peacemaker

9

You are emotionally stable and willing to find common ground with others.

Your friends and family often look to you to be the mediator when there is conflict.

You are easy going and accepting. You take things as they come.

Avoding conflict at all costs, you're content when things are calm.

What number are you?

You're Worth It

2005-01-25T05:21:00.000-05:00

Today I was so worthless!

Do you ever have those days where at the beginning of the day - you wake up full of energy and determination that you are going to accomplish SO MUCH? I had my agenda all lined up - I was going to go to classes until 4, stop by church, go to the store, work out, and finish my homework by 11 - just in time to read for awhile before going to bed.

Instead, I skipped my first class because I wanted a nap and couldn't bring myself to bike up that hill that is on the way to school. Pathetic. Then I got home, and my new roommate was upset...because her grandpa died....so I just hung out with her, because she wanted to be distracted. We just talked and laughed and cried....I got to know her a lot better, which is great! She is really sweet and I am glad I could be there for her. It took me WAY too long to finish a little tiny paper - I started many hours ago...again, PATHETIC!

Actually, maybe I shouldn't look at my day in terms of what is on MY agenda. This morning I prayed that God would help me find opportunities to serve others better...and I just realized that that is what today was! I am all disppointed with "not getting anything accomplished,' yet - I did! Maybe it was a successful day after all...maybe not in terms of what I wanted to do...

Darn it! I promised myself that this wouldn't become a 'diary' - just an online journal of what I am doing and so on...I don't really know who will read this, so I want to keep it not too private, ya know?

Anyway, I am out. Time to get some sleep before my classes from 8 until 12:30 tomorrow morning. Ick!

Catching Up on My Life in Honolulu

2005-01-25T02:53:00.000-05:00

I decided to start an online journal to update everyone about my adventures and life here in Honolulu, Hawai'i! I've been here for about 2 and 1/2 weeks - and it has been really great! I live in an apartment off-campus (but it's through the University) with 3 roommates - one from Alabama (Shannon from UD!), one from California, and one from Illinois. I get along well with them and we laugh a lot! :) We have a kitchen in our apartment, which I am just loving! I cook a lot - made French toast for breakfast this morning - yum!!

We live in the inner city, pretty ghetto. It's cool though, we are learning to be independent! The other night Brian (Shannon's boyfriend) and I were up at 2:30 am watching the police break up a fight outside our apartment. Yikes! That wouldn't really happen in good ol' VWK! I bought a bike the first week I was here, and it's been amazing!! I ride to school, church, beach, library, gym, and the mall! All us UD kids got bikes, so we are cool together. I figure it's cheaper than buses and taxis (or gas, which is $2.30 per gallon here!), and it gives me exercise!! We even ride wearing skirts - 2 Fridays ago, Shan and I rode to Hard Rock Cafe while everyone else took a taxi; and last Friday, Shan, Marissa, and I all rode in our skirts to Date Street to go out to a club! It's always an adventure!

My classes aren't bad - I'm taking Astronomy (and its lab), Intro to Communications (fulfills my com modules), Philosophy and History of Education (really like that class - awesome teacher!), Environmental Science and its lab (soooo good!), and Statistics. The nice thing is classes are supposed to be easier here (they are so far!) and also, my grades won't transfer - it's pass/fail. Nice, eh?

The weather is great, of course. It's been between 70 and 85 degrees, sometimes it dips down to 65 at night, and we get cold. Ha. Don't kill me. The scenery is also gorgeous - mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. It's so cool that we are one little city in the middle of a HUGE ocean. It means the stars are great at night!

In other news, recently I've been surrounded by people who are grieving lately, and it makes me sad. I only hope that I can be there to listen to them and comfort them...and be whatever they need me to be! All this talk of people dying because of cancer or car accidents or suicide just really makes me scared of the fragility of life...It is such a risk to care deeply about someone, because any minute - they could be taken away. At the same time, it makes me cautiously grateful for what I have. And also makes me want to never take for granted that people know how I feel about them. I am so thankful for the friends and family that the Lord has so graciously given me, and I am surrounded by such amazing people who inspire me to be a better person. I want you all know how much you mean to me... Thank you, I love you guys!