Rubiks Cube of Complexities

Engagement Photos by Jessica Simorte

2010-11-03T17:58:00.010-05:00

She actually took several more than these, and they are all fantastic, but these are some of my absolute favorites.

New Blog

2010-08-26T21:04:00.001-05:00

I am ENGAGED!

And I have begun a new blog to chronicle what happens as I complete nursing school and plan a wedding. I'll probably be focusing all my "extra" energy on that blog.

nursingstudentbride.blogspot.com

Stay tuned...

Update

2010-07-22T15:44:00.002-05:00

Summer, working, hanging out with Ben, excited to go back to school and see my friends. About to begin planning a wedding (!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and thinking about starting a new blog to document that experience. No, we're not officially engaged yet, but he's asked my parents' blessing (and they gave it), he has the ring, and we reserved a date at our church. But he has some romantic plan for the proposal, and I'm all for that. I'll let you (whoever "you" are) know when it happens!

Spin Around Ninjas

2010-03-29T16:10:00.003-05:00

So, a friend of mine suggested I watch a video on YouTube, and it was so amazing that I decided to post it on here. Because everyone should see this. And most of the related videos, which are also awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA

The best part may just be "Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl."

That's really all I have to say right now. Hope the random people who may happen upon this are having a fabulous day!

In Loving Memory of a Dear Friend

2010-02-21T22:13:00.000-06:00

Brianne Michelle Clark, 20, passed away, Tuesday, February 16, 2010. From the moment Brianne entered our lives on July 20, 1989, the world was a brighter place. Her exuberance for life was as contagious as her smile! She had an intense love for family and friends and never turned down the opportunity to spend time with them. She was the life of the party, always planning birthday surprises and events for others. She loved to celebrate the holidays. Family activities, like riding 4-wheelers in the sand dunes of Oklahoma, traveling, putting on fashion shows with her cousins and playing kickball were some of her favorites. She graduated from Cair Paravel in 2007 where she participated in theater, sports and STUCO. Blessed with natural athletic ability, she excelled at basketball and volleyball. She was currently studying at Washburn University, working towards a degree in elementary education. Her marriage to Trey Lyons was planned for July 31, 2010. No words can describe the void she leaves behind as she begins her real life in heaven with Jesus. She is survived by her 11-month-old daughter Amea, fiance Trey Lyons, parents Leanna and Claude, brother Blain/Lindy along with two grandmothers, many beloved aunts, uncles and cherished cousins. Visitation will be held 5:30 to 7:30 today at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SW Mulvane, Topeka. Burial will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com. Brianne M. Clark

Love you forever, Bri!

Cliches Can Be Incorrect

2009-12-28T14:54:00.002-06:00

I'm posting this a wee bit early, but that is because I will be spending January 1 with my mom, dad, grandpa, brother, and boyfriend. Needless to say, I will be otherwise occupied.

Anyway, everyone who has ever worked as a waitress, cashier, or general human being has had an experience in which he or she needed to do something out of the ordinary to please a customer. You know, the whole "the customer is always right" thing.
Well, a few months ago, I happened upon this little beauty of a website full of stories in which the customer was so wrong that there really was nothing to be done.
http://notalwaysright.com

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Secrets, Secrets Can Be Fun

2009-12-01T12:14:00.002-06:00

It was difficult to decide which website I should post this month. There are a lot I love, but this one gets refreshed every Sunday, and you can't go back to look at previous posts. The other ones have archives, so when I post them, you can look back.
http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com
Apparently, when you have a secret you can't hold in anymore, you put it on a postcard, and you send it to some guy named Frank. I like this site, because sometimes it helps me see that my life isn't so bad, and sometimes it shows me that other people are going through the same things I am. It's amazing the sort of things we keep from other people. But sometimes, we need to send the secret out into the world, just so someone knows.

On a side note, as I am continually finding more sites that are fantastic, I may make this more than just a once-a-month thing. Even though I am pretty sure no one reads this anymore...

Talking to Strangers Isn't Always Bad

2009-11-01T20:54:00.003-06:00

The website for this week is
www.omegle.com
I discovered this site one happy day, and it has been a boredom-buster ever since. On this site, you start a chat with a random stranger. You can disconnect from the conversation at any time, and so can the other person. Occasionally, you get the cyber pervs, but most of the time, you have the weirdest and most amazing conversations.
Sometimes, you even become semi-friends with the people you meet. I still chat on Yahoo with a girl I met on Omegle who lives in England, and I had a month-long email friendship with a guy from California. This isn't always how it goes, though; a lot of the time, you never speak to the person again, and sometimes you never even find out anything about the person. You just have conversations about anything from theology to lightsabers.
Please remember when using this site to be smart. Don't give out info like your last name or where you live. And, just in case you were wondering, don't give out your social security number.

A New Purpose

2009-10-01T18:44:00.003-05:00

I have decided to go in a new direction with this blog. Seeing as how I'm pretty sure my life is way too average to have a blog of its very own, I am going to turn blogging into a public service.
On the first of every month, I will post a link to a new website that everyone ought to check out. For the month of October, I am going to introduce all of you to the wonder of
http://www.stumbleupon.com/
At this website, you start an account and fill in all your interests. You then click "Stumble," and the website takes you to a random website that is related to one of your interests. You can save the ones you like and revisit them, or you can choose to ignore them and stumble on to something new and equally random.
The beauty of this site is that it is an easy way for you to see all the weird stuff that is out there on the internet, but it's all stuff that pertains to your interests. You wouldn't believe some of the pages I've found.
So, friends, family, complete strangers, allow yourselves to Stumble. Enjoy!

*I'll also be posting links to the sites I mention on the side bar, so they'll all be in one convenient spot!

Best Wal-Marting Ever

2009-09-07T14:05:00.003-05:00

Last night, my friend Jess and I went to Wal-Mart. The initial intent was to buy some groceries and some white icicle lights for my dorm.
A worker there told us, rather rudely, that we were too early for Christmas lights. So, we walked around the store, just in case the lights were hidden somewhere. We walked through pretty much every section, and we started to wander through the toy section.
We passed the Star Wars aisle, and we saw some lightsabers.
Yes, we bought some. Jess bought a red one, and I bought a green one. I believe this means I am morally obligated to kick her Dark Side butt. We are planning a weekly duel time.
Did we ever find the lights? No. But this Wal-Mart trip was nonetheless successful.

The Reason

2009-06-15T11:38:00.005-05:00

I stopped posting because Paul broke up with me, and I had nothing positive to say. It would make me feel really relieved to tell everyone what he did to hurt me so badly, but I feel like that would be too vindictive and childish. Also, I want to move past it.

So, I'm posting. I've had some good stuff happen in my life, and I wanted to focus on that instead.

The photos I uploaded are from 2006 and 2009. My cousins, Katy and Becca, and I were in Dow Gardens, and we decided to hug this huge tree. My family was visiting in 2006 for Katy's graduation and in 2009 for Becca's graduation.

While in Michigan, I was able to meet Katy's fiance. He is wonderful, and I'm sure they'll be very happy. I also learned how to knit teddy bears for the Mother Bear Project, and I can't wait to get going on that.

Yesterday, I met a bunch of the students who will be in my nursing class this fall. I think we'll all get along well. Yay for comeraderie.

Tomorrow, I get to go back to my campus for Leadership Camp to be a counselor. We'll be working with junior high girls, which will be difficult for me, but worth it.

At the end of July, my best friend is getting married. To our best guy friend. Seriously, how often does that happen? Two of my best friends are getting married, and I get to be a part of it!

To my Christian readers, I would appreciate prayer. Although I am trying to focus on all the good things happening in my life and my friends' lives, I am still hurting. I am sure God had a good reason for taking Paul away from me, but that doesn't really make it hurt any less. I know I can't say that God was wrong, but I'm not seeing a whole lot of good yet. My friends have been a huge help, though. And for that, I can never express my gratitude.

Anyway, I need to go make lunch for my brother, as our parents are on a trip redoing their honeymoon.

I Once Was Lost

2009-03-18T12:31:00.005-05:00

So, I got back from Kentucky (WorkFest 2009!) this weekend. I had another wonderful week with the people of Christian Appalachian Project. Tuesday night, we got to hear Mitch Barrett live, which was the awesomest! Wednesday night, however, was free night. That is where our story begins.

Paul, Dana, Allen, Jessica, and I were sitting on the porch, and Dana says, "Let's go on a hike!" Well, that sounded exciting, so we all went to bundle up (it was getting a bit chilly) and head out on the trail.

We took No Fat Gap up to Treeline, which was gorgeous! Every so often, we would stop to look at the view, although I think that had more to do with the fact that I am really bad at physical activity.

At one point, Paul says, "Jessica, is this the point where we were supposed to turn onto the trail last time?" This made the rest of us a little worried, but it turned out it was the correct trail. Eventually, though, the trail sort of disappeared, and we were walking along what looked like it could have been a path. We got to a ridge, and Dana was in front of our line. Paul said, "Dana, just follow this ridge." Dana walked up to the ridge to follow it, and Paul and I followed him to a cliff (Allen and Jessica were a bit further behind). Dana said, "Paul, I thought you said to follow the ridge," to which Paul replied, "Well, I didn't mean literally." Paul had meant to follow the path around the ridge.

So, Paul went back to properly direct Allen and Jessica, but Dana turns to me and says, "I think we can meet them at the bottom, I can climb down and catch you." So, Dana handed me the flashlight and climbed down the ten-foot cliff. He then had me jump down, and he caught me.

We met up with the other three and kept walking. We soon made it to another ridge, which was the one we were supposed to follow and climb. At a very steep point, Dana pointed his flashlight up and said, "This is where we ascend." Paul immediately began to climb the ridge, and Dana said, "Paul, I didn't mean literally." So, we kept walking around the ridge to get to the point where we needed to climb. At one point, Dana said, "Don't grab that rock!" We asked why, and he replied, "Because it's a thornbush!"

We made it around the ridge, and Paul went to see if that was where we needed to climb, and Dana and I followed a semblance of a trail. Allen and Jessica were behind us (I think this was when Jess hurt her hand, and Allen was helping her). Dana and I were gazing at the stars, and Paul came to join us. He put his arm around my shoulder, looked at the stars, and said, "I may be crazy, but I think there are people up there." Dana and I thought he meant in outer space, but he meant up on the ridge. He had seen a ladder and what looked like two men crouched down (in Kentucky, this is not a good thing). Paul wanted to go back and investigate. Dana told me to wait on the "trail" and they would go see what was happening. I refused to stay alone. Dana asked if I would rather investigate with them, but I said no to that, too. He said, "Okay, Betsy, there are only two ways to this." We walked toward the ridge, and met Allen and Jessica. They stayed with me, and we walked on while Paul and Dana went up the ridge.

After five minutes or so, we decide we need to go back and get Paul and Dana. Based on their direction, however, we would need to leave the trail and "bush-whack." After about another five minutes of this, I heard a sound behind us, and I told Allen to turn off the flashlight. We stood still, and I heard either Paul or Dana say, "I don't see them anymore, where'd they go?" After a few seconds, they shined their flashlight on us and said, "Gotcha."

Paul and Dana had been teasing us a bit, but they came to join us so we could continue walking in our intended direction. That was when a miracle occurred.

We were about to walk on when I felt my contact lens move up on top of my eye. I told them to wait while I moved it back. It fell out in my hand, so I tried to put it back in. It fell onto the forest floor. They told me not to move my feet, and we crouched down to look for my contact lens.

WE FOUND IT!!!!!!

That's right, we found my contact lens on the forest floor. We are the epitome of amazing.

So, we kept walking (we wanted to go to a volunteer house that was near camp). We were still off the trail at this point, trying to find a trail that would take us where we wanted. Finally, we became a little worried as we considered the fact that we might be lost in the woods until daylight. We start to think about where the last trail was that we remember being on. Allen says that we were last on a trail when we left it to find Paul and Dana. Dana then said, "You were on a trail, and we were close to it, but we didn't go back to it? Why?!" Allen replied, "Because we wanted to go to the Jackson House." Dana was a little frustrated, but we kept going, because, really, what other choice did we have.

After what felt like an eternity, we found the trail. We followed it to a dry creek bed, which led to a gravel path. While we were walking, Dana said, "Well, those are pretty rare."

"What?"

"Natural streetlights."

We continued along the path to the Jackson House where we promptly told the tale of our survival to the volunteers therein.

So, that was my adventure for the week. Maybe for the month.

"To Be Surprised" - Sondre Lerche

2009-01-18T09:40:00.002-06:00

I have been sensing a theme in some things I've been hearing lately. Most of it is about giving up our own plans and allowing God's will to be done.
As most of my friends and family can attest, I am a planner. I have always liked knowing what is coming, when it is coming, how it is coming, and how I can control the manner of all of this. While this is sometimes a good thing (I've become pretty good at time management), it also means I have a hard time leaving things up to God.
As Lucy van Pelt would tell me, the fact that I know I have a problem implies that I am not too far gone. I've enlisted the help of a notecard and a song to remind me that I need to chill.
On my door is a card with the word "flexibility" on it and this quote: When you change the dance, you create possibility... -Barry Oshry. I see this every day when I leave my room. I also see it when I lock my door for the night, and it reminds me to add the letting go of things to my prayers.
I also recently heard a song from the "Dan in Real Life" soundtrack. The chorus tells the listener to "be prepared to be surprised." I've taken to singing this to myself in my head and applying it to my need to let God surprise me.
I am far from achieving my goal of being completely at peace with giving up control, but I hope I am getting closer.
~Proverbs 16:9, 20

Happy 2009!

2009-01-12T20:28:00.006-06:00

Well, I'm back in my dorm on campus. I had to move rooms because of a mold problem, but I'm making it work.
I had a fabulous trip to see my wonderful boyfriend, and here is some photographic sampling of my time in Buffalo, NY. This was the ornament Paul's parents gave us for Christmas. I thought it was really cute, and very sweet of them.

This is my love and me at a New Year's Eve party. Of all the pictures of the two of us from that trip, this is my favorite.

I got to try real chicken wings from Buffalo. Apparently, if you call them "Buffalo wings," they're not the real thing. If you go to Buffalo and order Buffalo wings, they will laugh at you.

Belated Turkey News

2008-12-08T15:10:00.002-06:00

I never posted anything about my Thanksgiving break, and I'm going home tomorrow to the land of dial-up, so I figured now would be a good time to do so.
I don't have any pictures, because we used Paul's camera, and he hasn't posted them on Facebook yet. I have it on good authority though that I am getting my own camera for my birthday this year, and I'll be getting it before I leave for Buffalo. So, my next post should have pictures full of snow.
Anyway, I picked up a very tired Paul in Topeka on Wednesday, and we drove to the mall parking lot to let him sleep a little while longer. Then we went to my friend Sasha's house so he could meet her and my best friend, Arielle. After chillaxing for a while and talking, we went to Arielle's house, and Paul and Andrew (Arielle's boyfriend) played the Wii. Paul was pretty much asleep for all of this, but he was a trooper. And he is now approved by everyone who had to approve him.
We went to the "world-famous" Topeka Zoo, and walked around and looked at animals. I was attacked by a lizard, and it was only by Paul's bravery that I am alive today. Or, maybe, a lizard walked by, and I stood on the other side of Paul. Maybe.
We also spent a brief period of time in Gage Park, but the train wasn't running, so that had to be saved for another time. We walked around the mall for awhile, and then we went to supper at Olive Garden. We went to Target to buy my parents a new coffee maker, as the other one broke that morning.
On Thanksgiving, we had dinner with my immediate family (minus Dan), and then we went to see "Twilight." I enjoyed it, once more, but I think my family and Paul were less impressed.
On Friday, we were stuck inside due to weather. Saturday, we went to Mass and supper at Froggy's. Sunday, we went to TBC, and then I had to say good-bye. But I get to see him again in two and a half weeks, so YAY!
Merry Christmas to all!

Talking to a Stripper

2008-11-20T07:40:00.003-06:00

All right, three posts in three days is a bit much for me, but this is a story that I felt needed to be told.
I was at work last night; I work for the school, calling alumni to update their information and ask for donations. I looked over at Brad and saw that he was laughing at an answering machine. I asked him what was so funny after he hung up, and he said, "This must be a wrong number, because that was a strip club." He went on to tell us what the machine had said, and I wanted to listen. How often do you hear a machine for a strip club?
So, he handed me the sheet with the information, and I dialed the number. It rang a few times, and then a woman picked up! I was caught a little off-guard, but I looked at the name on the sheet and said, "May I speak to Paula, please?"
I expected her to say there was no one there by that name, but she said, "Yeah, this is Paula."
"Hi, Paula, this is Betsy, I'm a sophomore at the University of Saint Mary. How are you doing this evening?"
"I'm good."
"Well, I'm calling tonight to update your alumni information and to talk to you about how your donation could impact a student here at the University. Do you have a few minutes to speak with me?"
"Wait, you're calling from where?"
"The University of Saint Mary."
"Oh, no, we don't have anything like that here. This is a strip club." Click.
I'm not really sure what she meant, but I didn't get a chance to clarify. What really got me was how happy she sounded. She was perkier than anyone should be. She almost sounded like the type of girl I'd befriend.
Anyway, that was the highlight of my night.

Another Andrew Peterson Masterpiece

2008-11-19T15:32:00.005-06:00

I realized I never posted anything about the new Andrew Peterson album that was released about a month ago, "Resurrection Letters, Volume II." It really is amazing. Andrew never ceases to amaze me.

The first song, "All Things New," is a wonderful song to wake up to. Beautiful hammer dulcimer music, and the first words are "Rise up, oh you sleeper!" It's all about how, no matter what has happened to you or what you have done, Jesus makes all things new. It's so encouraging, which I like better than legalism any day.

"Hosanna" is the second song, but it is totally different than any song I have ever heard with the word "hosanna" in it. It has brought me to tears on more than one occasion (not exactly a good thing when you're driving). I recommend it for all the songs, but check out the lyrics at http://www.andrew-peterson.com/

"All You'll Ever Need" is about the blood of Christ. Pretty self-explanatory. I actually felt a little sad when I thought about how I don't seem to focus enough on the fact that He is all I need. There are also a lot of awesome metaphors in this one.

I think about the fourth song, "Invisible God," a lot when I am wandering around outside. When I hear it, it describes an inner struggle to see God. He is the great, invisible God, but we can see Him everywhere in His creation. I found this a very good song for changing seasons.

The fifth song, "Hosea," is special for anyone who has ever read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, or for anyone familiar with the book of Hosea in Old Testament. I am again amazed at how God welcomes us home no matter how many times we run away.

"Love Is a Good Thing." Of course, but what about when it hurts? I absolutely love this song! It talks about how good love is, not in spite of the pain it can cause, but because of that pain and what it does to us. What an amazing perspective!

"Don't Give Up On Me" makes me sad. I know marriage will never be perfect, and it won't always be great. This song is for when marriage is hard. But I love how it's about perseverence. It restores that hope that there are still people, like my parents, who value wedding vows.

"Rocket," the next song on this album, is just plain cute at the beginning. It's a lot more upbeat, too. It takes a serious turn in the last part, though. But it's a happy seriousness.

The ninth (were you keeping track?) song, "Windows in the World," is about how we can see the "goodness getting through." I can't really say any more besides that you should check out the lyrics.

Song ten, "I've Got News," is a song I have heard Andrew sing at two concerts. I was so pleased to finally see it on an album. I feel this way a lot when I talk to people about Christianity. They seem to think we live this easy life because we're perfect or something. Wrong!

The eleventh and final song, "The Good Confession (I Believe)," is a bit biographical, but I like how personal it makes it. The chorus is so wonderful simply to repeat, over and over again.

I definitely recommend this album to anyone. It will will make you remember what it feels like to cry happy, thankful tears, right after crying sorrowful tears. If you have a thing for awesome music, awesome lyrics, or both, check this one out. You will not regret it.

Wow, I sound like an infomercial person...

Jennie, Described by LOLcats

2008-11-18T15:07:00.008-06:00

So, I recently learned how to add photos on my blog, so this is just an experiment. But it's also fun...
The photo above reminded me of Jennie because she always lays in front of the heaters during the winter. And she always looks like it's where she is supposed to be. She owns the heat.

This one is only part of how Jennie behaves at Christmas. She also lies under the tree like a present and goes crazy when we unwrap gifts and leave tissue paper out for her.

This is the essence of Jennie. She could eat until forever and be happy. But we do not feed her until forever. Hence her displeasure.

We have to cover our laundry baskets after we take the clothes out of the dryer, or Jennie will lay on the clothes. She will then usually pee on the clothes. I'm not sure why, she's just weird.

So, that's a little glimpse into the world of my kitty.

Playing with photos on blogs is fun.

I left my heart . . . in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky . . .

2008-10-19T11:37:00.005-05:00

I am now back in the Land of Oz. I really wish I were still in Kentucky with my boyfriend, but such is life with a long-distance relationship. Thanksgiving cannot come soon enough.

I did have a lot of fun, so I will talk about that rather than how sad I am right now...

I arrived at the airport Wednesday night, and Paul drove me back to the house where he is living for a year. I met one of his housemates, Bill, at 4:30 in the morning. The poor man couldn't sleep, but I was exhausted, so I went to bed in the room Liz let me share for the weekend.

The next morning, I woke up Paul, but he fell back asleep as he is prone to do. I think I may love him more for it; he's adorable when he gets woken up but falls back asleep. We spent that day simply being with one another, which was what we both really needed after over a month apart. At some point during the day, we ate some food and watched a Veggie Tales movie (gotta love those talking vegetables!). I also finally met Liz; she was asleep when I went to bed, and I was asleep when she left for work. She came into Paul's room at one point. Something about a can opener . . . I got to meet several other housemates of my sweetheart's. Basically, though, we spent the day lounging around.

On Friday, we lounged around a lot again, but we also did other stuff. There was a sock hop that night, and that was a blast! Not all the songs were from the 50's, but most of them were. They also played the Cha Cha Slide, which makes the whole evening awesome anyway. After the sock hop, Paul took me to McKee to visit some of our counselor friends. It was wonderful to see so many people from Camp AJ, a few of whom I had thought I may never see again.

On Saturday, Paul took me for a hike to the Pinnacles. We went to this beautiful lookout, and a kind gentleman took our picture for us. Paul had to learn that I am not a wonderful hiker: I lose my breath quite easily. He was so patient with me, making me love him even more. That evening, we went contra dancing! That was absolutely wonderful. It was only the second time I've ever been contra dancing, so it was a real treat. It was also the first time I got to truly dance with Paul (you know, with actual music). Then, we went back to Rockcastle, and Duane helped Paul move into his new room while I folded my boyfriend's laundry. I think he has it pretty good.

Then, Paul took me to the airport, but we won't go into that. All around, it was a fabulous Fall Break. I got to see the love of my life, I fell even more in love with him, and I got to go dancing. Who could ask for more?

To Post or Not to Post

2008-09-27T14:25:00.002-05:00

By posting what I have to say, I am only proving myself correct concerning the end of my last post.
I'm in "Little Shop of Horrors," October 9-11. Come see it! It's hilarious!
I'm head-over-heels in love with Paul! I get to go visit him in a couple of weeks, and I can't wait!
Those are the things in my life right now worth mentioning. Theatre and Paul. I love Paul!

Back in the Saddle Again

2008-08-19T08:17:00.002-05:00

So, I'm back at good ol' Saint Mary. I got here yesterday, expecting to move into my room, only to discover that it was being painted. So, I was given the key to an empty room in which to store my things, and my awesome friend Nicole let me stay in her room for the night.
But today, I get to move in. Then, I get to go to Aldi so I can stock my fridge.
It really feels good to be back. I keep seeing people that I missed, and everything smells the same (this is both a good and a bad thing).
Anyway, I'll be posting updates as the year progresses. But they all most likely will be about Paul's visits and theatre.

Hey, blogosphere! Are you ready to Giacamo?

2008-07-31T15:52:00.002-05:00

My hands are high, my feet are low, and this is how I Giacamo!
There was a great, big moose who liked to drink a lot of juice!
I love French fries more than anyone! You may eat them more, but I love them more!
It's true! It's true!

If you're confused, it's because you were not a part of Camp AJ. I was blessed enough to be able to spend the last two weeks in Kentucky with Christian Appalachian Project. I got to shout, run, swim, canoe, fish, hike, and pretty much be a kid. The weird thing was that the kids saw me as a grown-up. Don't know what that's about, but . . .
So, basically, now I'm just waiting to go home to go back to work and then return to school. And then come back to Camp AJ next summer. Because I love Camp AJ more than anybody! It's true! It's true!

In the summertime, when the weather is hot...

2008-06-21T11:09:00.002-05:00

So, this has been the rainiest June in Kansas that I remember. And you just know that it won't rain at all in July. Oh well.
So, my summer officially rocks all. During the day, I baby-sit two girls who are wonderful. They love to read, which makes them awesome. Some evenings, I waitress at Froggy's (eat there!) and it's a lot better than I thought it would be. I love the people with whom I work, and I also get to see a bunch of people I would not otherwise see.
The best part of my summer is still to come: I get to go to Kentucky for two weeks to be a camp counselor!
Let's see, what else is new? I'm learning to play the guitar, and I already know six or seven songs. I'm knitting a scarf. I am reading The Brothers Karamazov, which is much funnier than I would have imagined. I also recently finished The Wednesday Letters. Everyone needs to read this book. Seriously.
That's all that comes to mind. Any questions, just ask. I'll answer them when I get time online again...

Baby, Take Your Bow

2008-05-07T16:05:00.004-05:00

I have completed my first year of college. Wow, I am growing up.

I find myself trapped in a dichotomy concerning my age and how I feel. One the one hand, I feel so young, only being a freshman, well, now a sophomore. I don't have that many real responsibilities. On the other hand, I feel like this year really stretched me emotionally, perhaps beyond what someone my age should have to feel. Oh well, I made it through, thanks be to God!

Reflections? Sure, I learned some stuff...
*Don't be too hasty to place people in categories. I don't know what they've endured in life.
*Everyone does not have to agree with me.
*Be tolerant, but not to the extent that I lose my sense of truth.
*No matter how impossible a situation seems, God will pull me through it (I knew this, but it can't hurt to have it reiterated).
*This is thanks to Vanessa: Find the humanity in your character. And in all people.
*I have to demand some things for myself, they're not just granted.
*I need to always be open to altering what I think about things, as long as my fundamental beliefs remain intact.
*No matter what else may become "home," home is always home, and family is always family.

Then there are the less deep things I learned...
*The proscenium arch is the name for that huge arch on the stage.
*It is best if you can avoid having three different rooms in one year.
*Cafeteria food is bad, even at college.
*It is possible to live out of your laundry hamper over Christmas break.
*Midnight runs to Wal-Mart for mistletoe are awesome.
*Some people did not grow up with musicals and family members who burst into song. Who knew?
*Keep your laptop away from drunk people (especially people who fall down a lot when they're drunk).
*You can get from third floor of Miege Hall to third floor of St. Mary Hall, using only the stairs, in four minutes if you walk as fast as me.
*A frisbee can be an alternative to divorce.

I hope I learn a lot more deep stuff next year...

That was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

2008-04-22T21:38:00.002-05:00

My political science class participated as mediators at our school's 2nd annual Peace Conference today. The topic this year was the conflict in Darfur. I was extremely nervous about it, but it went so well!
I was so impressed with some of the students. They actually cared about the conflict and the conference. Of course, there were students who couldn't have cared less, but a lot of them were wonderfully active participants.
I was especially proud of my group. As the mediator, my job was to sit back and let them find a resolution, being involved only when necessary. They were fantastic; I barely had to do anything. They were very mature about the whole situation.
After lunch, I gave tours of the art, theatre, and music departments (none of which have anything to do with my major, oddly enough). That was . . . interesting. I could only give sound information on the theatre department, but thankfully I had Jessica, an art major, and Dr. K., our head of the music department. After tours, all the negotiation groups shared their resolutions.
The whole day went so well. I am convinced this was the result of much prayer and the hard work of the people in the peacebuilding class (especially Vanessa!). So, "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" seemed an appropriate term.

When the Earth Smelled of Summer

2008-04-09T20:44:00.002-05:00

Tessie and I were walking over to the theatre department tonight. We walked around the fountain in the big circle, and we passed a tree covered in white flowers. A sweet, honey-like smell hung in the air, and I smiled. One thing I love about this time of year is the scent of life returning to nature.
That's something I miss, being away from home. We have bushes in front of our porch, and they smell heavenly this time of year. We also have a tree that is probably blooming right now with tiny, pink blossoms. The trees on campus are budding, and this is consolation. Still, there are Spring things which just do not compare. The smell of city rain is virtually dead next to the smell of country rain. Country rain smells pure and healthy; city rain smells like car exhaust.
Still, I am happy. It is supposed to hit seventy degrees tomorrow, so I am going to wear my long, white skirt. That means it is officially Spring. Happy Spring, everyone!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

2008-03-25T20:08:00.004-05:00

Ever have one of those supposedly unsolveable problems? There seems to be no way out. You pray, and you pray, and you pray. You give it completely up to God, and you trust Him to take care of you. Then you get impatient. This is my downfall. For the last few weeks, I had an issue I had handed over to God. I prayed several times a day that He would remove me from a particular situation. But I wanted Him to do it NOW. I started to wonder if I were just missing some direction He was giving me so I could get myself out of the situation. Or did He want me to stay in this forever? But, of course, when I wasn't looking, God brought me the answer in a more miraculous way than I could have imagined. And, once again, I am reminded of my Father's unending faithfulness and love. "In stubborn spite of my stubborn spite, I am loved nonetheless. I am loved all the more..."
Now, I'm not saying that all suffering is removed. Not at all, in fact, heaven forbid. We need suffering. Without it, we would never turn to God. Pride would run even more rampant than it already does, and no one would feel the need for a Saviour. We would think we were self-sufficient and that we deserved heaven. No no, we need suffering. At least in this life. But I have a hope of heaven, a blessed assurance that one day I will find myself in my Lord's glory, never to suffer again. What a thought! If you happen to be browsing blogs, and you stumbled across this, and you would like to know more about this enduring promise, post a comment, and we'll chat. Or post a comment anyway.

Traditiooooon. Tradition!

2008-02-15T10:26:00.002-06:00

So, I've been pondering my spiritual upbringing for awhile. In case some random person has stumbled across this blog, I'll give a summary. My father is Catholic, and my mother is Protestant. Yes, they're still married, and happily at that. My parents, my brother, and I go to Saturday evening Mass, and my mother, my brother, and I go to Sunday morning worship service. I was baptized Catholic, went through all the religion classes, had my first confession, had my first Communion, and was confirmed Catholic. I even sing at Mass sometimes, with the choir. I was also my brother's sponsor when he was confirmed, and I am about to be my cousin's sponsor as she gets confirmed. To top it all off, I attend a Catholic college.
Yet, I always tell people that I'm not Catholic. I always identified more with a faith that encourages a personal relationship with Christ. I am a child of God, and I have the privilege of calling him Abba Father. I don't need to pray to saints to make intercession for me. That's the Holy Spirit's work. I also prefer prayer that is not simply memorized words.
For a good portion of my life, I had what some might call a deal with myself: I would not marry a Catholic. I did not want my children going through the stress of two beliefs that conflict. I would never be able to give up the wonderful fellowship of a Protestant service or the intimate relationship with my Saviour. But, if I married a Catholic, I would go to Mass with him as a supportive wife. And I did not want my children going through that, going to different churches. It was very hard for me at times, even leading to spiritual struggle.
Let's take all the problems in that paragraph one by one.
First of all, upon reflection, I would have to say that the beliefs of the Catholic and Protestant churches can more complement each other than conflict with one another. Catholicism sustains a beautiful reverence that should never be forgotten. Being in a Catholic church can help me remember the fear of the Lord that ought to dwell in my heart. (Fear, Endear, Adore, and Revere - thanks, Mr. Waldy, for the acronym) There are also traditions in the Catholic church that I wish to continue in my family. Lent is one of them. There is more emphasis on celebrating Advent in the Catholic church, as well. Confession can be healthy, as long as you see it as an opportunity to truly repent, rather than paying a due to enter heaven. And, although I hate that it is not directly read from the Bible, there is always a large portion of Scripture reading. Protestantism fulfills my thirst for intimacy with my God. I know I can come before Him with anything, and He will not forsake me. I can worship Him with all my heart, singing out with a joyous noise, praising His holy name. I also believe that salvation is attained through faith, not works. If it were through works, if I had to be good enough to get into heaven, well, I'd be screwed. And, as it happens, Jim Congdon is a Protestant minister, and I would not want to give up his sermons. So, there are aspects of both denominations that I hope to sustain in my spiritual life. Whether or not I marry a Catholic, I may continue to attend both services regularly.
Secondly, I would never have to give up fellowship or an intimate relationship with Jesus. Fellowship can be in any body of believers. If you find the right church, there can be phenomenal fellowship. And, how on earth could I ever lose my connection to Christ? I would have to slip away from the faith entirely to do that! While I do not believe in transubstantiation, I do believe that Communion is a wonderful time for remembrance and thanking God for His invaluable gift. That's a time when I really draw close to Him.
So, my children "going through that" would not be such a terrible thing. It might be a fantastic thing! It could offer them so much more than just one perspective. It would pass on the traditions of my fathers and keep the legacy going. It would also instill a wonderful spiritual relationship in my children.
The last thing in that paragraph - spiritual struggle - really bothers me. We need struggle in our lives if we are ever to grow. Suffering draws us to God; we realize we are not self-sufficient. It brings us back from our humanistic views that we pretty much rock. Newsflash: we don't. We are dust. We need God to do anything at all. We wouldn't be alive if He didn't give us another day. We would have no hope of heaven had He not sent His Son to die for us and pay the cost of salvation. Spiritual suffering strengthens the realtionship with God. Though sorrow may last for the night, joy comes in the morning. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
So, these have been my thoughts over the past few months. I'm glad I finally organized them into a somewhat firm conclusion.

Summer Days...

2008-01-30T21:03:00.000-06:00

Why must there be more snow? As far as I'm concerned, the snow quota was filled in December. Now, we just need the flowers to return and the temperatures to rise.
So, this post looks incredibly similar to the last. To spice things up, here's what's happening in Betsy's life (well, what I feel is appropriate to post in a public, readable format):
-I'm in "The Laramie Project," this year's USM student production. Rehearsals are going well, blocking and all that. I play Amanda Gronich, Alison Mears, and Newsperson #3.
-3/4 of my classes are enjoyable this semester. My microbiology teacher, however, does not teach. And that is infuriating.
-Cafeteria food is yucky. Shocker.
-I haven't written in either of my stories in quite awhile. This is something I should do this weekend.
-One of my classes has turned out to be a fluff version of the political half of Great Ideas, so my notes will definitely be helpful. We're reading Plato's "Republic." The fact that we studied that for a few weeks junior year should be sufficient for me to know pretty much all I need to know.
-My psych class is actually very interesting, and I'm loving it. Except that it's an 8:30 class. And now, every CP person who reads this will want me tarred and feathered. Well, that is an ungodly hour at which to study such a complex subject.
-My American Literature class is fun, but really only because of the people with whom I sit. We just read "Huck Finn." My little brother is about to read that in his freshman English class. In high school.
-Auditions for "Threepenny Opera" are next Friday, and I am so excited! I will be able to sing on a stage in a musical, dramatic production. Life is good.
-Messiah rehearsals have started again, and when I'm in town, I get to go. We're sad to be without Nicole and Seidel (hint hint). I'm actually getting some help with my half of the duet I sing with my mother, and that's cool. I've never really had voice instruction.
That's me right now, so... yeah. Oh, and I'm such a loser that I'm going to a high school dance. But I want to dance, so screw the label. I'm going to dance.
With that, I bid you farewell.

Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a gloomy day.

2008-01-16T14:51:00.000-06:00

So, that snow really bummed me out. I think that any snow after Christmas is just gloomy. All it does is impede traffic. And make me cold. It's a shame, because this morning was actually pretty okay.
New semester. What to say? I have a bunch of easy classes again. That may be even more bummerish than the snow. I'll just play Sudoku to stretch my brain...
New year. I have a few things that I really just need to do, and I feel that they sort of fall into the category of "resolutions," simply because I'm finally resolving to do them. I just hope that I don't put them off until I forget my resolve and falter. That's what usually happens, excluding one or two occasions.
New room. I'm pretty pumped about this. We now have four beds in one room, and a futon in the other. So, we have a living room. It's like having our own flat, and I love it!
Bye, now.

A Few of My Favourite Things

2007-12-10T19:03:00.000-06:00

My title for the last post made me feel like doing this. These are only a few of my favourite things, and they're in no particular order. I've also decided to have this list be separate from my favourite things about my faith and my relationship with Christ, because I don't want to trivialize those things.

A few of my favourite things:
Music
Harmonizing with my mom
When my dad holds my hands to warm them up
Roses
The smell of fabric softener
Mr. Goodbar
"Friends"
Peach tea
Italian food, especially chicken
Talking with Arielle with a British accent
Movie nights with my girls
Sparkling grape juice
The Nativity Scene on top of the china cabinet
Disney classics
Swing dancing with Sam or Shane
Waltzing with Jerrad
Line dancing with anyone from CP
When I stick out my hand to pet a cat, and it hops up to rub its head against my hand
Baking brownies
Making crepes
Making pancakes
When Mom makes Grandma's cherry pie
Mom's chicken and rice
The smell of Grandpa's house
My rings and my necklace
My fuzzy, pink sweater
My white skirt
"That's what she said."
When guys sing
When Matt makes his voice even lower than it usually is
Christmas with a large portion of the DeDonder clan
Summers with the Cummins clan
Edward Cullen
Michael Hosea
Rereading my favourite books
The red blanket Christa gave me
The train at Gage Park
Chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches (w/o pickles)
When my friends know more about me than I do
When it rains, but it's warm enough to go out and dance in the rain
Strawberries fresh from the garden
When Dan is able to come home to visit
Dad's hamburgers
The color pink
Christmas Midnight Mass
Weddings
Writing
Baby-sitting
Playing Egyptian Rat Killer with Patrick
Playing Mancala with Patrick
The theme from "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown"
Mama C's office
The Green Room
Hot weather
The smell of Christmas trees
Old houses
Brick roads
Fuzzy socks
Holding babies
Lullabies
Bubble baths
Long, hot showers
Jimmy Stewart movies
When Dad and I make breakfast together
Backstage
When Jennie takes a nap on my tummy
Ranch dressing
Whipped cream
Quoting movies with Sasha
Pretty much any time I spend with Arielle or my mom
The clock in Grandpa's house
White pizza w/o mushrooms from Gambino's
Fireplaces
The angel on our Christmas tree
Old books
Teapots and teacups
Music boxes

I probably forgot something important, and if I remember anything that needs to be on the list, I'll add it as a postscript to this post.

*I'm an idiot. I actually forgot to put hugs on this list. That belongs right under music (even though this isn't really in order). I'm so dumb. Oh, and this is a bit more than a "few" of my favourite things. That's a long list. But hugs need recognition.

Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes

2007-12-07T13:54:00.000-06:00

So, it snowed yesterday. It was wicked sweet. And not because it snowed, I usually hate the cold. In fact, I still hate the cold. But Tessie, Jeff, and I went sledding. That was wicked sweet. We tried using laundry baskets. Just so you know, that doesn't work. Lids work very well, especially when you lay on your stomach. I hadn't been sledding in quite some time. I miss that old hill in Emmett. I miss Dan dragging my sled up the hill for me, because I was a sissy little girl. Anyway, sledding was awesome.
But now, the snow is just sitting there, being cold and dismal. And my mother is driving to see me today, and she had better be careful.
I think that, since we moved to St. Marys, the only way I've been able to enjoy snow has been through my window. It's still beautiful to me, I just can't sled. What I really want right now is a big, comfy chair by a roaring fire, a mug of hot chocolate, a soft blanket, a copy of Les Miserables, and Jennie curled up on my feet. Maybe someone to rub my back between chapters. And some mint-flavored chocolates. And Adam or Shane playing piano in the background. That's all I want. If only I had a fireplace, it might actually be feasible...

Close Every Door to Me

2007-12-03T08:53:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, the mask of cheerfulness needs to come off. Sometimes, life makes me sick. Sometimes, it doesn't feel like there's any right answer.

Then, God finds some way to speak to me. Whether through a devotion, a friend, an absolute stranger, He finds me. This time, He found me through Shane. Shane wrote a beautiful sermon about having a relationship with God and trusting Him to lead you down the right path. It's hard. It's really, really hard. Some days, it almost doesn't feel worth the struggle. But then I remember that God loves me. I'll never understand why, but He does. And He has a plan. I just have to trust.

Now, I feel like I'm rambling. I'm just in one of those moods where I know God loves me, but at the moment that doesn't make me feel much better. Probably because I know the ways I've let Him down. "I'm wicked, I'm weary of breaking His heart with a cycle of my sin... Still He turns His face to me, and I kiss it, just to betray Him once again." Ah, the wisdom of Andrew Peterson.

I suppose it would be kind of me to explain my title for this post. So often, I try to find the path God wants me to take, but I choose horribly. I go one way, and God closes a door. So, I try a different path. Another door shuts in my face. I, like a sheep, have gone astray. I have turned to my own way, and God has blessedly saved me. So, the title is both sad and happy. God is closing doors, but eventually, hopefully, I'll find the open one.

And, if you chose to read through my ramblings, I thank you for your consideration.

Tell Ya 'Bout Them Sobbin' Women

2007-11-26T20:06:00.000-06:00

I thought I might take this opportunity to post one of my favourite speeches of the cinematic world. This is what Charlie Anderson (Jimmy Stewart!) tells Sam before he marries his daughter, Jenny, in "Shenandoah":
"It's no easy job, Sam, taking care of a woman."
"No, sir."
"They expect things they never ask for. And when they don't get them, they ask you why. Sometimes they don't ask. And they just go ahead and punish you for not doing something you didn't know you were supposed to do in the first place."
"What, for instance, sir?"
"Well, that's a very difficult question to answer, Sam. You're never quite sure. It's just that it's sort of, you might say, relative."
"Relative to what, sir?"
"To how they're feeling at the moment."
"And how's that?"
"You never know."
"I don't believe I really understand what you're trying to tell me, sir."
"I know, I know, I never understood it, myself. I never understood it. It's just one of those things, Sam. It's around, and you just don't ever see it. Now, suppose . . . suppose Jenny started to cry one day. And you don't know what she's crying about, so you ask her why. Do you follow me, Sam?"
"Yes, sir."
"You ask her, and she won't tell you. And that's when you ask her what it was you did that caused her to cry. She still won't tell you. And that's when you start to get angry. But, don't get angry, Sam. She won't tell you why she's crying, because she doesn't know. Women are like that, Sam. And it's exasperating. It's . . . it's . . . hmph. But don't let it make you angry. When she gets like that, just walk up and hug her a little bit. 'Cause that's all they really want when they're like that, Sam. A little lovin'. You understand me, don't you?"
"No, sir."
"You don't. Huh."

It's true. A hug can solve almost anything. And I love that scene, so I thought it should be posted.

Dancing Through Life

2007-11-09T12:37:00.000-06:00

I'm so incredibly happy right now. I get to dance again. And not the horrible dancing that makes me uncomfortable, but the awesome, choreographed kind. My feet can once again waltz, foxtrot, and swing dance. . . with a partner, which is so much better than alone in my dorm!
So, I'm happy.
Yay.

Rent

2007-10-27T17:54:00.000-05:00

Now, this is quite a stretch, but I'm going to form a connection between one of the least Christian musicals of all time and Christ's sacrifice. Here we go...
Really, I'm only going to refer to the title song. Specifically, the following lines:

"How we gonna pay last year's rent?
This year's rent?
Next year's rent?"

So, I've been thinking lately about the sacrifice Jesus made for us and how there is no way to repay it. Whenever this thought fully sinks in - well, as much as it can - this wave of thankfullness washes over me. The thought that He loves me so much that He would endure torture and death for me is so amazing! It has the power to summon tears, it's so huge!
I've also been thinking about how each day is a gift. Sometimes, it does not feel like a gift at all. But it still is. The question is this: What will I do with it? Will I risk my comfort? Or will I stay quiet while people continue to disrespect my Jesus?
I know that I could never repay Christ for what He did, but I can sure do my best. When I start to feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, His presence washes over me, and it becomes easier to stand up for my faith. This makes me even more thankful, and that makes me even more passionate for my Lord.
I realize I've deviated from my point with the song, but that's okay. The real point is that I love my Jesus and that He loves me. He loves you, and He wants you to feel that love. If you let Him, He'll change your life.

Spoonful of Sugar

2007-10-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

Shane got Mary Poppins in my head, and this kind of works. Why? Because I had coffee this morning, but just a spoonful of sugar was not enough. It was very strong coffee, and I love sugar. It's a wonder I don't melt when it rains.
So, yesterday was fantastic! I went to my aunt and uncle's house to feed their cats. I had the house to myself for the day. I watched "It's a Wonderful Life," "McLintock!," and "Shenandoah." Old movie day! Plus, while I watched them, two of the cats took turns napping on my lap. I took a little nap, as well. I also did my laundry, which was fun. Yes, fun. And I love the smell of fabric softener. It was wicked sweet!
After my restful day, I went to Kaitlin's. We watched three episodes of "Friends." Then, we went to church this morning.
*sigh* Good weekend.

Wonderful, Wonderful Day!

2007-10-09T14:19:00.000-05:00

I think I'm going to try to title all of my posts with musical songs. This one is perfect, because today is a beautiful, glorious... heavenly, marvelous... wonderful, wonderful day!
The sun is shining, and the sky is that perfect shade of blue. And the temperature is practically perfect. I'm so happy!
I think I'm beginning to annoy people with my cheerful attitude, but I have been feeling down for so long that the happiness is positively liberating!
I'm here, I'm full of cheer, get used to it!

There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz - er, USM.

2007-10-06T11:53:00.000-05:00

So, I have a new room, now. Diana and I switched rooms, so Nicole is my new roommate. I think it's for the best. We have more friends in common, and we keep almost the same hours. And, our stuff happens to match. I think that's pretty cool.
I get to square-dance tonight. I'm so happy...

"Clumsy" by Chris Rice (that's right, another song)

2007-10-02T15:24:00.000-05:00

You'd think I'd have it down by now;
Been practicing for thirty years.
I should have walked a thousand miles,
So what am I still doing here?
Reaching out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit,
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose.
Somebody tell me what's a boy supposed to do?

I get so clumsy,
I get so foolish,
I get so stupid,
And then I feel so useless.
But You're saying You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me,
'Cause You're making me holy,
Still making me holy, yeah.

I'm gonna get it right this time,
I'll be strong and I'll make You proud.
I've prayed that prayer a thousand times,
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down again.
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I could never know, never be good enough,
And that You're not gonna let that come between us.

'Cause I get so clumsy,
I get so foolish,
Oh, I can get so stupid,
And then I feel so useless.
But You're saying You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me,
'Cause You're making me holy,
Still making me holy, yeah.

From where I stand,
Your holiness is up so high, I could never reach it, no.
So my only hope is to follow Jesus.

'Cause I get so clumsy
And I get so foolish,
I can get so stupid sometimes,
And then I feel so useless.
But You're saying You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me,
'Cause You're making me holy.

I get so clumsy
And I get so foolish,
Oh, I can get so stupid,
And then I feel so useless.
But You're saying You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
Oh, and that You wanna be near me,
'Cause You're making me holy,
Still making me holy,
Keep making me holy, yeah.

The Cause of My Identity Crisis

2007-09-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

BETSY is a windows-based program that classifies text based on trained material. It was designed for automated essay scoring and can be applied to any text classification task. (Bayesian Essay Test Scoring sYstem)

Hurricane Betsy was a powerful hurricane of the 1965 Atlantic hurricane season which caused enormous damage in the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana. Betsy made its most intense landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River, causing significant flooding of the waters of Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans; at the time it was the costliest hurricane in the history of the United States, and, as the first hurricane to cause over a billion dollars in damages, earned the nickname "Billion-Dollar Betsy". -Wikipedia

In "The Betsy," released in 1978, the patriarch of a family-owned corporation hires a young race car driver to help him design a fuel efficient car in secrecy. They face resistance from the president of the company (the patriarch's grandson), who wishes to eliminate the motor car division because of bad blood between himself and his grandfather. During flashbacks, a parallel set of problems is revealed in the family's past, problems that persist into the present, and the race car driver gets deeper into the web of deception and corporate intrigue.

The aim of the BETSY project is to have multimedia streams on wireless hand-held devices seamlessly adapted to fluctuating network conditions and available terminal resources while reducing the energy consumption of the stream processing. This way the user can enjoy true multimedia experiences with freedom of movement in a networked home or at any hot-spot. To achieve this, we need to be able to make trade-offs between the use and consumption of network and terminal resources, such as bandwidth use, CPU consumption, memory needed and power consumption by the terminal, while guaranteeing end-to-end timeliness - required for streaming data. The results of the BETSY project will make this possible. The BETSY project has started September 1st 2004 and will last for 2 1/2 years. It is part of the IST FP6 program in the area of embedded systems.

The preceding is what comes of being very bored with a Google search engine. I invite you to type your first name into Google and see what you find. It is fun!

Lip-Synching is No Fun

2007-09-20T18:40:00.000-05:00

Howdy! I was in my dorm today with headphones on while my roommate slept. She says I can sing while she sleeps, but it's "Wicked." Who can sing quietly with "Wicked"? So, I contented myself with lip-synching. Except that I wasn't contented. My heart yearns to sing loudly. But I did get to make the animated facial expressions, so that was fun. I think I scared my suitemate...
On a lighter note: my college experience seems to be getting better. Perhaps because my mother told me I can come home every other weekend, but still...
Today at Grandpa's was "the most amazing thing . . . really quite a thing . . . a-MAZ-ing!" I watched "Gone with the Wind" and "Singin' in the Rain." Musicals make my heart happy. I kind of wish I had watched more musicals instead of the 4 hours of GwtW, but I'd never watched it all in one sitting before. Ah well, it's not like I won't visit my grandpa again. Next time, I think it will be "Annie" or "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Which, by the way, is the best musical in all of creation. It's not "Singin' in the Rain," Sam! It was good, but not that good. (Sam doesn't even read this, but I needed to establish that.)
So, Seidel, I'll be seeing you. If there's a home game on the 28th, I'll come bother you at the scaffolding.

No Escuela Manana

2007-09-19T15:17:00.001-05:00

No school tomorrow! Estoy muy emocionada!
It's really frustrating when you when you try to write in Spanish, but you can't do it in a grammatically correct manner.
Anyway... I get to go my grandpa's house and watch old movies all day. And work on both my stories, hopefully.
And, Mr. Seidel, you get to go to CP and teach math to awesome high schoolers, so we both get what we want.
We need a resurrection of all those dead blogs out there. Arielle's, Christa's, Sarah's, Emily's, Shane's. At least Ansen tries to keep up with his.
Seidel, you and I are the only ones left who rock. This is something we must face.
[upside-down exclamation point]Adios!

Drama Drama

2007-09-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

So, I no longer get to run the lights for our play. Patrick's rehearsal for Confirmation is the night of the final dress rehearsal. I would have to miss one night, so I don't get to do it at all. Life is sad. Or, you could say God just didn't want me to be a part of this play. Small consolation.
So, Mr. Seidel, how are you? Blogging has become almost like email with us, no?

The Chasing Song

2007-09-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

by Andrew Peterson

Now and then, these feet just take to wandering.
Now and then, I prop them up at home.
Sometimes I think about the consequences,
Sometimes I don't.

Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful,
But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace,
'Cause sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus,
And you know that's all it takes.

Well, I wish that I could say
That at the close of every day
I was happy with the way
That I'm behaving.

'Cause Job, he chased an answer,
The wisemen chased the child,
Jacob chased for fourteen years,
And he captured Rachel's smile.
Moses chased the Promised Land,
Joseph chased a dream.
David, he chased God's own heart,
All I ever seem to chase is me.

Well, they say a race can only have one winner,
Oh, and you know you've got to pull out front to win.
God knows the only time I'm winning
Is when I'm chasing Him.

So, I wish that I could say
That at the close of every day
I was happy with the way
That I'm behaving.

'Cause Samson chased a woman,
And he chased the Philistines.
I'm not quite sure what Jonah chased,
But I know he caught the sea.
Cain, he chased the harvest,
While Abel chased the beasts.
David, he chased God's own heart,
All I ever seem to chase is me.

Jesus chased the money men,
And He chased His Father's will.
He chased my sin to Calvary,
And He caught it on that hill.
And Saul, he chased the Christians,
'Till his blindness made him see.
David, he chased God's own heart,
All I ever seem to chase is me.

Home again, home again!

2007-09-13T10:49:00.000-05:00

I get to come home this weekend! This is good, because, last night, I had a minor emotional breakdown. Please, pray for me!

New Template!

2007-09-10T18:28:00.000-05:00

I found a pink template! It's so much more Betsy than the green dots. That's all. I was just excited about the change. Adios.

I Love Lucy!

2007-09-08T10:57:00.000-05:00

That's what I'm watching while I post this. I'm waiting for lunch, then I get to do my laundry, then we have a football game. And, yes, I said "get" to do my laundry. I love doing laundry. Strange? Maybe so. But I love it. My aunt and uncle have a cat that sleeps on my lap while I do homework. It gives me happy.

There's No Place Like Home

2007-09-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

So, I got to go home this weekend. I got lots of hugs from people I missed. It saddened me to return to the world of few hugs... Mr. Seidel (I ask you b/c you're the only one who reads this anymore), why don't I like college the way everyone else does? Why are these not shaping out to be the best years of my life? Everyone else I talked to said they were having a blast. It makes me sound very depressing, not at all like my usually optimistic self.

Facebook is the most addicting thing online

2007-08-22T23:04:00.000-05:00

I've recently been introduced to Facebook, and I'm totally addicted!
Patrick's in high school now!
Christa and Sasha are seniors!
I'm in college! (It's still in the process of dawning on me)
Facebook is addicting!

Someone Please Save Us, Us College Kids

2007-08-21T09:52:00.000-05:00

So, I'm in college now. It's OK, I guess, but I miss my mom so much it hurts.
And I don't like how disconnected from CP I feel.

Movin' On Up...

2007-08-09T14:54:00.000-05:00

To the east side... to a tiny dorm room in the sky...
So, tonight is my last night in my own bed for a while now. I've packed almost everything. I'm so proud; all my stuff fits on the dining room table. Of course, my clothes aren't packed yet, but that will take about 3 seconds.
Last night, my mom and I went to a Deathly Hallows discussion group at TSCPL. It was so much fun! And Tuesday night was my class' farewell party; that was fun, but sad.
But now, I'm going to go to college and attempt to grow up...

Happy Arielle's Birthday Day!

2007-08-02T09:14:00.000-05:00

I bought a bunch of dorm stuff yesterday! And by "I", I mean "my mom." And it's all very Betsy stuff. And, I bought Season 9 of "Friends." I now have Seasons 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10. I kinda like that show... And we ran into Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Pohlenz and Nick, and Mrs. Wipperman. Everyone wished me luck at college, but I think after CP, it'll be fluff. Especially after surviving 8th grade. It's like surviving Helm's Deep: I know I can survive anything now!
So, now I'm kinda biding my time till I leave. I packed a bunch of my favorite books, plus some more that I may want to reread. I've also been reminiscing, thinking about all the things I'll never do again. I'll never hide from Davenport in Mama C's room. I'll never have to write another Great Ideas paper. I'll never be in another CP musical. I'll never run the lightboard again. I'll never have a locker I won't need to lock. I'll never have to take Greek again. And, I will never again fear Seidel's NERF gun!
This is such a weird feeling. Last semester, I couldn't wait to leave. Now, I wish I could just take everyone (well, not everyone) with me. No more Sasha hugs every morning. No more Christa answering life's questions for me. No more Crystal distracting me in every class with inappropriate discussions. No more SNORKA!!! No more Little Debbie Crew, although I hope that tradition lives on.
But, I know I'll make new awesome memories and inside jokes. (You know me, I couldn't end on a sad note.)
I'm walking on sunshine, woah-oh, and don't it feel good!

I left my heart in Forks, WA.

2007-07-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

I just finished rereading "Twilight," and I had almost forgotten how much I love Edward Cullen. (I have accepted that no one reads my blog anymore, so I don't care how silly I sound.) I think if I found a guy who loved to discuss the dichotomy of good and evil with me, who wasn't ashamed to say he would dream about me, who sang to me, who played the piano for me, who danced with me, who would risk his life for me, really just whatever Edward does for Bella, I would have to be mad not to drop everything and marry him! Seriously, Bella, what were you thinking, rejecting his proposal?
Exciting news! My roommate next year is Adrianne! She's pretty much awesome, we've been emailing... I'm so excited for college!
And, Happy Birthday to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter!

That Was Totally Wicked!

2007-06-28T14:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, I couldn't help myself, lame as that was. But, "Wicked" really was amazing! The rest of the trip was awesome, too. But, I'm not in a typing mood, so ask me about it sometime. Farewell.

A Mayberry Moment... in St. Marys

2007-06-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

So, this summer, I'm baby-sitting in St. Marys. Technically, I'm more like a day nanny as I also do the cooking and some cleaning. Anyway, my kid and I were walking to the bank, and this guy was walking toward us. I smiled and said, "Hi," and he smiles, touches the brim of his hat, and says, "Howdy, ma'am." Now, in all my eighteen years in and around St. Marys, that has never happened to me before. It was awesome! I love those smalltown moments.
Also, Mom and I leave tomorrow morning for our roadtrip! We'll be going to an Andrew Peterson concert near Milwaukee, then seeing "Wicked" on Broadway in Chicago. I am so excited!
Love to the people who still read this!

Hey, Hey, We're Done!

2007-05-21T11:08:00.000-05:00

So, it's finally over! Once Saturday rolls around, I'll be a graduate, about to embark on a new chapter of life. Okay, so that was corny, but the corny part of me just couldn't resist.
It's weird having only a couple of things to do in a day, but they're in Topeka, so I can't go home. I have to find stuff to do. So, now I'm posting.
Everyone except those in my class have their senior pictures of me now, so if you didn't get one, either you didn't sign up, or I don't like you. But, I bet it's the first one, because I'm nicer than that. I got most of my grades back, and I'm satisfied that I'll be keeping my scholarship (if I didn't my mom would kill me, slowly, painfully, I think she'd enjoy it).
So, who has heard that Jim and Pam might get together? My friends all say that they won't; not until the end of the show. There has to be that tension to keep people watching. I don't care, I want them together.
And, is Locke really dead? Or will Jacob save him from Ben's wrathful murder? And, will Charlie be able to push the yellow button and get the survivors rescued? Will Sun live through her pregnancy? Will she tell Jin about what happens to pregnant women on the island? So many questions!
Back to reality... I start my job (baby-sitting!!!!) on the 29th. I'll only have to work from 7:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday, so I'll have nights and weekends off. So, people should call me, and we'll plan something uber-fun to do. Like go to the zoo... or have more movie nights...
Ooooh, but exciting news for me! Mom and I are taking a road trip in June!!! We're going to see an Andrew Peterson concert in Milwaukee, where he will be doing the praise and worship at church the next morning. Then, we bum around Chicago, going to the Art Museum, Shedd's Aquarium, Navy Pier, and, for old times' sake, American Girl Place. Then, and this is the cherry on the perfect sundae, we're going to see Wicked on Broadway in Chicago!!!!!!! And, I get to bond with my mother before I have to leave her and go to college, and, you know, grow up. Can I actually do that? Hope so... with God's help...

Four Finals and a GI Presentation

2007-05-16T15:03:00.000-05:00

And a partridge in a pear tree...
So, we're pretty much done! I'm so happy that I get to finish with all this high school stuff and start my summer job. Except that I'm going to miss a few people from T-town next year. So many people are going to college far away from me. Arielle is going five hours away. How sad am I? Jamie will be in McPherson, Andrew in Manhattan, but Becca will only be 1/2 an hour away in Kansas City, so that's cool.
Sigh. I hope I visit at the same time as my buds.

Six Days, Six Finals

2007-05-07T21:38:00.000-05:00

May the countdown continue!
Six class days, followed by three 1/2 days of two finals each. Then, it's just waiting to graduate and going to receptions. But in those six days, we have to do a Music History project (which I guess I'm pretty much done with), two concert summaries (Godspell and Les Mis, woohoo!), a Spanish project, an English project, a literary criticism, a Great Ideas paper, and the defense of said paper. Oh, yeah, how relaxed I feel! Wait...
So, NYC was pretty much amazing. Seeing Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Miserables on Broadway was awesome! Getting to meet part of the Les Mis cast was awesome! Wandering around Times Square was awesome! spending two nights on a bus was not awesome! But, overall, probably the best trip I've ever been on. Except that my mom couldn't come. And, there were some people stuck in T-town who I would have liked to bring with us. (And some people I would have liked to leave in T-town, but we won't get into that.)
I don't have Facebook, but pictures are up on my friends' sites, so check 'em out!
I suppose if I stop this online stuff and go work on homework I'll feel better about myself.
See ya!

I'm Baa-aaack...

2007-04-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

So, what's up, you two people who still check out this blog? I don't think all men are arrogant swine anymore. Actually, I only thought that for, like, two days. And, I really only thought that about one guy. But he won't be named, because all the guys with whom I associate now are pretty cool.
So, senior year is almost at a close. It's weird, knowing I won't be seeing my friends every day next year. Especially Arielle. And, of course, my mother, my other self.
Got to go, now. It's time for senior retreat!

Quote

2006-11-15T22:15:00.000-06:00

I need a boy to give me
A good hug and say,
"I'm sorry my gender sucks."

Heffalumps and Woozles

2006-10-24T16:19:00.000-05:00

I don't know why, but this scene from Winnie the Pooh is running through my mind. Maybe because it is set in a cloudy environment, and my day has been cloudy. But, I'm Betsy, so that surely won't last long. So, don't worry, I'll be happy in, like, a minute. Okay, maybe a little longer... It's a horrible day in the neighborhood...

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

2006-10-06T17:07:00.000-05:00

Sorry, Christa. It was in my head, so I sang it. At least I stopped while you were trying to read.
Anyway, this was in my head for two reasons. One, it really was a beautiful day, especially for incurable optimists such as myself. Two, Crystal took some of us girls on a picnic for lunch. How sweet is that? We had sandwiches, chips, carrots, and cookies in the park. So, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Ooh, another song: beautiful, glorious... heavenly, marvelous... wonderful, wonderful day!!!!
Love you all, and hope you can find the beauty in your day.

GI: The Unexamined Life

2006-09-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

Most people examine their lives on some level. They consider how much they have accomplished or how important they have been. Most Christians consider how they have lived thus far for God's glory. In Plato's Apology, Socrates declares that a life left unexamined is simply not worth living. He says that the greatest good is to converse about virtue every day and to examine one's life concerning such matters.
In the Apology, Socrates has been charged with corrupting the youth of Athens and is most likely going to be senteced to death. One of the most profound things he says is that he would rather die than commit an evil act. In dying, no harm comes to others, but an evil act would definitely bring harm to another. The most important thing to him is to keep from causing hurt to enter the lives of others. Socrates finds that the best way to accomplish this is by leading a virtuous life. Acts of virtue will almost always bring benefits for all. All Socrates has to do is pay attention to what he does and always make certain it is virtuous, at least to the best of his ability. This, he says, is the only way to live a life worth living.
For Christians, an examined life would pertain to glorifying and enjoying God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that whatever we do, we should do it for the glory of God, and Psalm 37:4 says to take delight in the Lord. The question would be whether or not we are living our lives in such a way as to continually be accomplishing these tasks laid before us. Obviously, on account of our fallen state, we cannot do this perfectly, but we can always strive to do so.
If we do not have these goals before us, our lives are not worth living. Firstly, we would not be striving for the lives God wishes us to live. As our loving Father, God wants that which will benefit us the most. While we may face trials, we should still opt for the path leading to God, as that will strengthen our faith and help us grow closer to Him, as James 1:2 tells us.
Secondly, if we do not have these goals or ones which are not as spiritually wholesome, we are living lives with no meaning or purpose. If we do not look forward to our heavenly lives after our earthly ones, then everything is temporary and pointless. Anything we reach for will end at the grave, and it will count for nothing.
Finally, once we have these goals, we need to grasp for them with all our might. Considering them with any indifference is not what God wants. He tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 to work at everything as though working for the Lord, not for men, for He will give us our eternal rewards; it is Christ whom we serve.
So, while Socrates may not have been a saved Christian, he had the right idea. He had his goal to live life virtuously, so as to benefit others; and he knew that no striving for this would leave his life empty and not worth living.

What will you choose?

2006-09-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

So, we were talking in Apologetics today about reasons to believe in God. I found it all very interseting because I know so many people who think I'm crazy for believing what I do. Well, there are two options: God exists, or He doesn't. Now, if God exists, there is a moral code and life after death. If I believe in God, my life has a purpose because I'm living my life for His glory, striving to do what is morally good. I believe in Him and what the Bible teaches, and I have the assurance that I will go to heaven when I die to live in eternal happiness.
If I don't believe in God, there is no absolute truth about morality. My life has no purpose, because all I do is for nothing. I will simply die. And, I can't complain about any evil in the world, because there is no absolute truth about good and evil. Everything would be worthless. As Mr. Schneider used to say, "We would just be cosmic slime." I don't know how anyone could stand to let his or her life count for nothing.
I've chosen the first option; what will you choose?

Isn't it ironic? Don'tcha think?

2006-06-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

It's like rain... when you're on your way home. So, that's why I'm at Arielle's house. But am I hanging out with her? No, she's at work. Isn't it ironic?
I'm having a good time, though. I'm being a little helpful while her mom bakes a cake. I sprayed the pans. Oh, yeah.
I still think it's weird that, the first time I'm at her house all summer, she had to be at work. This is a sign that she works too hard. And too frequently.
So, anyways, my summer... I went to Michigan. That was so much fun. I wish I had been there longer. Oh, if Nick is reading this, I went to Ruby Tuesday's. And, just for you, I found chicken parmesan on the menu. But I got soup, sorry.
I also went to Wyoming to see my big brother, Dan. And now, tons of people are saying, "What? You have a big brother?" Yes, I do. And he's awesome. Anyway, while we were up there, I got to drive a locomotive. Does everyone understand? I got to drive a LOCOMOTIVE!!!! How freaking cool is that? I also saw Mt. Rushmore, which was one of the biggest letdowns of my life. Sorry, but it was. We went to Jewel Cave and the Badlands. And I got to pet Henrietta, the friendly buffalo. No joke.
Anybody who reads this, and has my cell number, should call me because it has been kinda lame back in St. Marys.

Greetings from Midland!!!

2006-06-06T20:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm in Midland, MI, at my cousins' house. Katy graduates tomorrow, Becca has her biology exam, and I'm... just pretty much awsome. Wait. I'm posting on my blog, so I'm simply taking advantage of easy-access internet. We gals went shopping at the Midland mall. I bought a shirt. It's pretty much the coolest thing. Dead serious. It rocks. So does Katy. She's awesome. We're listening to Simon and Garfunkel. They rock, too. "Laugh about it, shout about it, when you've got to choose..." Anyway, after this, I'm off to Wyoming to see the big brother. I hate car rides so much right now.

Violence is Not the Answer

2006-05-23T18:13:00.000-05:00

Gangs and their behavior have become a big problem in society today. Their recklessness and criminal activity wreak havoc on the streets of our cities. Despite police efforts, gang members continue their destructive behavior.
Every year, an average of 349,400 American youth attempt to join a gang. Approximately 247,990 of them are "cool" enough to make the cut. 126,060 try to leave the gang, generally resulting in some form of physical abuse from the other members. This leaves 121,930 successful gang members every year. With an average of 87 crimes per year for each member, there are about 10,607,910 gang-related crimes each year in America alone.
A police officer from Seattle recently said that problems with gangs have grown to such large proportions that some stores have begun requiring identification for the sale of spray paints. A school janitor in Brooklyn, after scrubbing profanities off the walls for the seventeenth time that month, referred to the numerous crimes as "absolute chaos." Several people completing community service hours agreed with this description.
The term chaos provides us with our solution: organized crime. However, this type of organization leads to a decrease in criminal activity. A guidance counselor in Michigan reported last year a breakthrough in decreasing gang behavior. All gangs and their members in a small suburb of Lansing have been required to hold regular monthly meetings. According to the counselor, gang-related crimes decreased by 37% in three months alone. The members were kept busy with the duties required for their respective positions as gang officers. Obscene language lessened as well, because each meeting's minutes are posted in the local newspaper.
Apart from fewer crimes, there are other benefits to these gang meetings. Parents are pleased to send their children to these meetings. Not only do they know exactly where their children are, but also their children are able to be involved in a social activity which can prepare them for the harsh outside world they will one day have to face. Several cities in the New England states have instated monthly meeting for their own local gangs, and mothers are thrilled. One such mother raved about the system, saying that her son had previously been a part of criminal activity. Now, she is glad to report that he is utilizing his secretarial skills for his gang.
A certain young man has recently spoken out about his gang's meetings, although he has asked to remain anonymous for his own safety. He stated that "we're not like Boy Scouts. We don't just learn craft skills. We learn serious skills like street fighting." It is sure that such skills will prove useful as they face the cold, hard world.
So, it is not only janitors and other citizens who will prosper from this system of "gang government," but also the children. We must think of their future.

At the Library

2006-04-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

So, I'm sitting at the library. We're done looking up books on illegal immigration, and I thought I'd update. Mostly because I'm bored. And, according to some people, I never update. This is obviously a falsehood. To anyone who reads this: have a nice day. You rock. Seriously.

Naomotimucevesay!

2006-04-12T20:28:00.000-05:00

To the first person (besides Arielle) who can tell me what this means (without asking Arielle), I will give a quarter.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Brothers

2006-04-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

So, Pat's been a *gasp* teenager for over a month now. For the record, he is neither mutant (I hope) nor ninja (that's my big brother). I guess I'm handling it pretty well. It's nice that he can finally watch more of the movies that I watch: someone else laughs when I quote them! Plus, he can now say he has seen Forrest Gump. I guess if you haven't seen it, you're basically not an American, or something along those lines. Just kidding, Christa!
Anyway, our Messiah performance is April 2nd, 2:00, in Manhattan. Four years I've been doing this, and I'm finally at the point where my mom and I can each sing our parts in the car instead of me giving up and singing alto with her. Nicole and her mom are also singing with us, yay for them! It's amazing how many inside jokes have lasted for 4 years. Thank you, Tim! Where's Rich? Rich, you're late! It's the Altoid man!
I hope what few readers I have left are happy to hear from me. I'm off to baby-sit! See some of you at school.

Here Come da Bride...?

2006-01-27T16:32:00.000-06:00

Hey! I'm posting, and it's not even a concert day! Yay for me!
So, I want to know who all still reads my blog. If you are one of the few remaining, please leave me a comment telling me what you're up to. Even if I see you every day, I still want to have a ballpark for who still reads.
I'm so excited! I got my first phone call from a college the other day! That was exciting. (Is there an echo?)
I know Sasha doesn't read this, but Happy One-Week-and-a-Day Anniversary!
I'm also taking book suggestions from people. My aunt sent me a gift certificate for Amazon.com to be spent on books, and I want to get a good one.
I guess I'll see you all around unless you're in another state or country. Michigan and Germany are very far away. See Ya!

No, I didn't die...

2005-12-08T16:12:00.000-06:00

So, the last time I posted, we were about to have our first concert of the year. Well, I thought I'd stick with tradition, so I'm posting right before our Christmas concert. I totally planned that. Actually, it's a weird coincidence.
Anyway, I really don't think I have anything to say. Since the last time I posted I have been doing school stuff. Other than that, my activities have been:
*Going to Minnesota to look at Bethel University. I really liked it, but it is WAY out of our price range, so that will probably not be where I go.
*Seeing Goblet of Fire. Was it my imagination, or was the sky lighter in the cemetary than in the maze? Yule Ball was well done, I'm glad Hermione wore pink.
*Having St. Mary College in Leavenworth suggested to me by, like, five relatives. It's a Catholic college, but it has a very good nursing program, and it's possible that I coulod get a full-ride scholarship at least my first two years. Plus, I'd be right near my Aunt Lu, who would spoil me to no end.
*Taking the PSAT. Then having a very long conversation about it w/ Arielle, so I won't say anything else.
*Going to the St. Marys/Tonganoxie game on Friday. Saw a bunch of people I missed: Sarah K., Daniel, Jessica, Maggie, Ash, JoJo, you get the idea. By the way, we kicked Tongie's butt!
*Oh, yeah, the musical! That was a blast! It is so much fun to play a creepy person!
*Writing an 8-page philosophy paper on Plato and Aristotle. I'm predicting a B, because I don't think I stated my opinion very well.
So, that's all I can think of at the moment. At least you all know that I'm still among the living.
I guess I'll see you around MAACS.

A Book for the Mature

2005-10-17T17:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I just finished reading this AMAZING book by Francine Rivers. It's called Redeeming Love. I think that, at some point in their lives, everyone should read this book. So, here's a teaser to let you know... well, basically what the back of the book says:
It's about a prostitute... Now, for those of you who are still interested, it follows the story of Angel, a young woman in the mid-1800's. She was inadvertantly sold into prostitution as a child and feels like there is no other possible way for her to live. She's a high-priced soiled dove, and always will be. Then along comes Michael Hosea. He's a man after God's heart, and he is very serious about purity. But, God tells him that he needs to marry Angel, so he does. But, Angel doesn't want to stay. At first, she thinks she can never change and that Michael was crazy to marry her. After she starts to fall in love with him, she actually leaves because she wants him to marry a Christian virgin girl. Michael wants to love her and have her love, but she's a strong-willed woman.
Once you pick up this absolutely wonderful love story (which parallels the book of Hosea in the Old Testament), it is practically impossible to put it down. But, you need the maturity to listen to the rather adult themes which are dicussed bluntly.
Redeeming Love has become one of the books on my favorites list. And, if you haven't read it yet, read The Atonement Child as well, also by Francine Rivers.

Midwest Tour Guide

2005-10-04T18:50:00.000-05:00

Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross states such as Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the tourism councils have adopted a set of information guidelines. In an effort to help outsiders understand the Midwest, the following list will be handed to each driver entering the state:

1. That farm boy standing next to the feed bin did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.

2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're still going to get dust on your Navigator. It's called a "gravel road." I have a four wheel drive because I need it... not just to keep up with the neighbors.

3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.

4. Any references to "corn fed" when talking about our women will get you whipped... by our women.

5. Go ahead and bring you $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead catfish breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little trout you fish for- bait.

6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you pay for one drink at the airport.

9. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the "chef salad" and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice!

11. So you have a sixty-thousand dollar car you drive on weekends. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million dollar combine that we use two weeks a year.

12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

13. Our women hunt, fish, and drive pickups, trucks, and tractors because they want to. So, you are a feminist. Isn't that cute.

14. Yeah, we eat catfish. Carp, too- and turtle. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

15. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstates 70, 80, and 90 go East and West; Interstates 29, 35, and 55 go North and South. Pick one and use it accordingly.

16. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.

17. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

18. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazard. It spooks the fish.

19. That Highway Patrol Officer who just pulled you over for driving like an idiot... his name is "Sir"... no matter how old he is.

Now, please, enjoy your visit. Just don't overdo your stay, we have corn to plant.

Hate the Title, pt. 10

2005-09-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

Rachel’s poring over the picture of Jack Harshore proved unneeded.
When the
two ladies walked through the door, he was sitting at the front desk.
Tessa
leaned over to Rachel and whispered, “Don’t talk too much, just play
along,”
and headed toward the desk. “Hello, sir,” she began casually. “How
are you
today?” He smiled at her. “Fine, miss. How may I help you?” “Well,
I would
like to look into making a trip to…” she faltered. She had not thought
of
where it was she wanted to go. “We’re not exactly sure,” said Rachel,
“but
someplace warm, say . . . the Bahamas?” Tessa gave Rachel a big smile
for
covering, and continued, “Yes, warm places are what we want. Maybe
Jamaica.”
Mr. Harshore smiled at the two and started grabbing brochures off the
wall. “These will tell you all you need to know about the trips. Just
come
find me when you’ve made a decision, or if you have any questions.”
Rachel
took them before Tessa could and gave her a pointed look as she walked
to an
empty chair in the corner. Tessa cleared her throat, and Mr. Harshore
looked
at her. “Is there anything else I can do for you, miss?” Tessa felt
like her
heart would jump out of her chest. “Um, actually, I was wondering what
you
could tell me about your sister, Martha.” The friendly look on his
face was
instantly swept off. The man stared her in the face. Tessa tried with
all
her might not to blink. “Why do you want to know about my sister?” he
asked. “Were you a friend of hers?” “Uh, no, but I was wondering if
you
could tell me—.” “Or are you one of those reporters who don’t care a
wit
about someone who’s suffered a loss?” Tessa felt terrible for the poor
man. “Sir, I’m just trying to help. I want to find out who did it.”
Mr.
Harshore fell instantly silent. Tessa could see his eyes begin to
tear, and
said, “Your sister didn’t deserve what happened, and I want to make
sure we
find the one who deserves some consequences.” Mr. Harshore looked at
Tessa,
smiled, blinked back a tear, and let out a long sigh. “If it will
help, I can
tell you what I know.”
Hi, everyone! I'm back! OK, so that was a lot longer than a week. But
my
excuse is that our [stupid, stupid, stupid] computer would not let me
get
online. It has always been against me.
So, I have decided to break my story into chunks, sort of like a
series. That
way, you people can finish this one sooner, and decide whether or not
you wish
to continue. Hopefully, it will be like Harry Potter, and you won't
want it to
stop. Between these serial installments, I'll post my random Betsyish
posts.
Soon, I'll be asking for guesses as to who is to blame for the murders.
If
anyone wins... I don't know, I'll think of something. I'll also try to
come up
with a title I like.

Short Hiatus from my Story

2005-08-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Ok, so Thursday, I'm having a tonsilectomy, because, hey, having my wisdom teeth pulled just wasn't fun enough for me. So, I'm going to be relaxing for the next week or so before I post again, but I might comment on other blogs to see what's up. This is my apology to the three people who have actually been reading my story. So, Arielle, Christa, and Mr. Seidel, I'm sorry to make you wait. There will be no need to check my blog for at least a week. However, condolences may be left as comments. :)
And now, I see a pop-up telling me I have mail, so I'm gonna check it.
So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, good-bye...

Break Free, pt. 9

2005-08-07T13:59:00.000-05:00

The ride to the travel agency began as a quiet one. Usually the radio was turned up in Tessa’s car, but this morning, she was thinking about what she would talk about with Mr. Harshore. She knew he most likely would not be very open about the death of his sister. Of course, it was incredibly difficult to think with Rachel sitting in the passenger seat, because, if the radio wasn’t on, Rachel would hum her own music. This continued for about ten minutes until Rachel looked over to see that Tessa’s knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. She stopped humming, and Tessa slowly released the wheel from the death grip. Eventually, the silence began to bother Tessa as well, so she reached behind her seat, pulled a photo from the file, and handed it to Rachel. “This is Mr. Harshore,” she said. “We have to find him at this agency to talk to him about his sister, Martha.” Rachel stared at the picture, committing it to memory. As Tessa glanced in her rearview mirror, she eyed Rachel’s squinting face and let out a laugh. This broke Rachel’s concentration, and she looked at Tessa for an explanation. “Sorry, Rach, but you just looked so… uh, cute, with your face all scrunched up,” she said. Rachel glared at Tessa, but the look quickly turned to a smile. “I just want to make sure I know what the guy looks like,” she said quietly. Tessa smiled at her friend’s devotion, and looked at the signs telling which street on which they were driving. After a few blocks, she turned onto Palmer Street. The sign for Harshore Travel Agency loomed up ahead of the car. Rachel leaned over to Tessa and said dramatically, “There it is. And therein lies either your triumph. Or your defeat.” Tessa looked at her for a second, and then said, “What do you mean?” “I dunno, it just sounded cool in my head. Thought I’d say it for fun,” replied Rachel. Tessa gave a weak laugh, put the car in park, and thought to herself that, really, Rachel was right.

So, thankfully, my aunt's friend has the last of her chemo next Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who has been lifting her up to God.
Hey, the Pottawatomie County Fair is this week in Onaga. Patrick got a purple ribbon on his Geology project (that's the best ribbon), and tomorrow, we get our photography judged.

Break Free, pt. 8

2005-07-31T12:08:00.000-05:00

When Tessa arrived at her old apartment, Rachel was waiting for her on the steps. The two carried Tessa’s bags inside and each began to talk about what the other had been missing. Rachel began with everything that had been happening in her classes. “Well, we started talking about epidurals yesterday, and then next week, we’re supposed to go to the local hospital to watch them induce labor.” Tessa didn’t really know how to respond. She had never found obstetrics very interesting, but she knew Rachel was excited. “That’s great, Rachel, you actually get to go watch a birth,” she said. “Give it up, Tess, I know you don’t really care.” So much for that. “Rach, I may not find it riveting, but I’m happy that you’re having such a good time.” Rachel smiled and walked to the kitchen to make lunch. “You still like my hot ham and cheese sandwiches, or has the real world warped your mind already?” she asked. Tessa smiled and replied, “The real world could never top those, Rach.” The two smiled at each other, and Tessa went to help Rachel in the kitchen. They were quiet for a few minutes, but Rachel broke the silence. “So, you decide what you’re going to do tomorrow? Because, if you wanted, we could forget the whole thing and stay here.” “What ‘we’?” asked Tessa. “You’re not coming to interrogate the guy.” “Oh, right,” said Rachel, “I’m really going to let you go to see someone involved in a murder, all by yourself. Get real, Tess.” Tessa liked the fact that her friend cared so much, but she insisted that she could not take her with her. It would be too risky, and either of them could get into a huge amount of trouble if she came. “Um, Tess, have you realized yet that you’ll already be in trouble if those agent guys find out about this?” “Yes, but this could add to the trouble. You just need to let me handle it.” Rachel handed Tessa a sandwich and took a bite out of her own. Tessa bit down hungrily and told Rachel with a full mouth how good it was.

This is so exciting! I finally gave it a title. It's kinda corny though, so I might change it. So, I just got to spend 4 days with my super awesome cousins from Michigan. But, Caitlin couldn't come, which was a bummer. That's like the first time ever that she's missed the Cummins family Worlds of Fun trip! And, my cousin, Nick, got married. But, we needed some CP guys there, cuz only two guys danced the entire time. But, all in all, fun family get-together!

Untitled still, pt. 7

2005-07-20T17:04:00.000-05:00

After she had driven for awhile, Tessa stopped to phone Rachel. After only one ring, she picked up and said, “Tessa, you have no idea how great it is to see your name on the caller ID. What’s up?” Tessa laughed at her friend’s excitement. She said, “Well, I’ll be in town in a few hours.” “Oh, Tess, did it not work out? I told you it was a risk.” “Rachel, nothing’s wrong. I’m working on a case, and there’s someone in our town that I need to talk to.” “Oh,” said Rachel. She sounded relieved, yet sad at the same time. “Well, if you need a place to stay…” “Thanks, Rach. I’m actually not really supposed to be coming to interrogate this guy.” “What do you mean, Tess?” asked Rachel with a warning tone. “I kind of told them that I was visiting an aunt.” Rachel was silent for a minute, then said, “But, Tessa, you don’t have an aunt. Your mom was an only child.” “Yeah, well, they don’t know that, and you’d better not go telling them. They already think I’m going to fail as it is.” “Ah, the whole analyzing thing didn’t go over too smoothly, huh?” “Let’s just say, they were somewhat reluctant to take me on.” “Uh-huh,” said Rachel. “And so, what exactly are you going to do on this little vacation you’re taking?” “Well,” Tessa said, “I found a guy who’s related to a murder victim, and I need to ask him some things about her.” “So, they put you on a murder case. I thought you said they were reluctant.” “They wanted me to work on it before I explained the whole analyzing thing. Then, they wanted me to leave, but I told them to give me a chance. Now, I’m on thin ice already, I don’t need anymore trouble with them, so I’m going to handle this on my own.” “Whatever you say, I just hope you know what you’re doing. See you when you get here.” “Bye, Rachel,” said Tessa. She hung up the phone and said to herself, “I hope I know what I’m doing, too.”

And, sorry it took so long to post. I didn't realize so much time had passed. I've been racing through Ivanhoe, but I'm now thinking more clearly with the new Book 6 in my possession!

Untitled, part 6

2005-07-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

When Tessa woke up the next morning, her clock read 7:35. She had last looked at it at 3:10. She was exhausted, but she had found that all the women had one more thing in common: they all had one child, and each child was under five years of age. It seemed vague, but Tessa was willing to bet it had something to do with the case. She just didn’t know what. The fourth woman to be killed was named Martha Harshore. She was a single mother who worked for her brother’s travel agency. Her brother’s name was Jack Harshore. Tessa decided she would talk to Jack to see if he knew anything about his sister that might be helpful. She almost called Clives, but decided to continue the case on her own. She knew this was a risk, but it was one she would have to take if she was going to find anything out. It would also be very easy to talk to Mr. Harshore discreetly because his agency was located in her home town. Tessa phoned Agent Roderick’s office to tell him she was going to visit her aunt. Roderick told her that was fine, but not to get distracted. Tessa assured him that she would continue to work on the case, and the two said good-bye. Tessa could not believe that Roderick had not even asked her why she was visiting. She had even been planning to tell him that her aunt was sick and needed care. But he had just let her go. She decided to dismiss his carelessness as simple trust, and then she started planning what she would ask Mr. Harshore. If he and his sister had been close it would be much easier to find things out. On the other hand, he might be more protective of her privacy. Tessa decided to be somewhat vague at first to see how he would handle her questions. Her first question would obviously be how well the two knew each other, and she would see where to go from there. She only hoped he would be willing to talk at all.

Well, chalk one up to novocaine. When I got home today, my mouth was completely numb. You all should have been there, I could barely talk. anyway, the left side of my mouth continued to be numb far longer than the right, and the tip of my tongue couldn't taste a thing. I can feel everything now, but my cheeks still are swollen, making me look like a squirrel impersonator. And, for those of you who were wondering, they pulled 5 of the 6 wisdom teeth. Figures that the first stitches I ever get would be in my mouth. As Yzma would say, "It's called a cruel irony."

untitled, pt. 5

2005-07-05T17:19:00.000-05:00

Tessa spent her evening with the case file spread out in front of her on the table of her hotel room. She still had not found an apartment to live in, so she was living out of her suitcase for the time being. She sat, staring at all the papers in front of her. Photos, newspaper clippings, copies of death certificates. She could not believe that one person could cause so many lives to end. This person had to be stopped before another life was torn apart. Tessa decided to start with the first victim. She looked at the name. Clara Sievers. She typed the name into her internet search engine, and two websites were listed. They were newspaper sites. Clara had been mentioned twice in the paper; once for the birth of her child, a second time for her murder, the same clipping Tessa had in front of her on the table. It said she was survived by her husband, Mike. Tessa reached for her phone and looked at the card Clives had given her earlier. She dialed the number and got a machine. “Hi, Agent Clives, it’s Tessa. I was looking over the case file you gave me, and I was wondering if you had ever contacted a Mr. Mike Sievers about his late wife. If you could let me know, I want your permission before-“ Suddenly the phone was picked up. “Tessa,” said Clives, “we've talked with him before, and he seemed very uncomfortable. We don't want to trouble him any further.” “But, sir, I think he might be able to help me. I want to find out all I can about these people to see what they had in common. The only thing I can see so far is that they're all women, but the murderer could be any number of people if we stick to that.” “Tessa, I said no. You might be able to talk to a different family member, but Mr. Sievers was not a very open man. He probably wouldn't even talk to you at all.” Tessa sighed. “Thank you, sir. Goodnight.” “Goodnight, Tessa, and good luck.”

I have a prayer request for all my readers: a very good friend of my aunt has been undergoing chemo therapy, and she is about to go through the worst of it. So, she could use a lot of prayer right now.

Working on the title, Pt. 4

2005-06-27T19:26:00.000-05:00

Walking into the precinct was like walking into an anthill. Everybody was milling about, some were even shouting at each other. Tessa walked quickly to Agent Clives’ office so as not to get in anyone’s way. He and Agent Roderick were waiting for her. They welcomed her, offered her a seat, and handed her a file. “This,” said Roderick, “is a complete file of a series of murders, and all of them point to the next.” “The only problem,” added Clives, “is that the clues only make sense after the killer has struck again. So, we need you to help us figure out, not only who the killer is, but also where he’s going to strike next. But, first, we want to know what exactly it is that you do.” Tessa began to answer in her usual fashion, but Roderick cut her off to say, “Because we just finished working with a guy who claimed to be a psychic, and he drove us nuts! But, of course, you have a much more logical answer, right?” That stopped Tessa immediately. Her normal answer obviously was not going to amuse them. “Well, I analyze things,” she started. “I look at things closely and piece them together.” The two agents looked at her with a look of complete surprise. They had not expected such a simple answer. “Do you mean to tell us,” said Clives, “that you are just some little detective girl? And after all the wonderful reports we heard about you, you just ‘analyze things’.” Tessa felt as if her heart had sunk into her stomach. They did not take her seriously. They just saw her as some kid. But she had come all this way, and she was not going to give up, just like that. “Please,” she said, “give me a shot at this case. I’ll figure out what’s going on, I’ll prove I can do this. All I need is a chance.” The two agents looked at Tessa. They smiled at each other, and Roderick placed the open file in front of Tessa’s chair. “Okay, kid, let’s see what you’ve got,” he said with a chuckle. Then he added, “But you’d better not let us down.”

My Almost-Titled Story, Part 3

2005-06-25T18:47:00.000-05:00

Rachel stared at Tessa in disbelief. “You’re actually going to leave college to go work for some cops?!” she asked. Tessa looked at her best friend with a what-do-you-expect look. “Well, you know this is what I came to college to study, this is just a way to get out there and do it sooner. And they’re not just 'cops'. They’re agents! They actually solve crimes and bust criminals, that’s what I want to do, too.” “Fine, Tess, but I think you might be betting too much on this one shot.” Tessa sighed as she continued to pack her bags. She could hear her mother’s voice inside her head, telling her she was not thinking clearly, backing Rachel’s thoughts up in the process. But Tessa was determined. This was her chance to get out into law enforcement and finally be able to use her talents. But Rachel wasn’t finished with her yet. “Tess, girl, look at me,” she said. “What’s going to happen if this bombs for you? You might get to pick up where you left off, but you’ll be really far behind.” She looked very sincere, but she looked more like a friend being abandoned. “Rachel, I’ll still see you,” she assured her. “I know, Tess, but we’re already in different classes, now you won’t even be living here. It’s going to be a major adjustment… for you.” “Yeah, I hope I survive,” she answered sarcastically. After they finished packing Tessa’s bags, the two friends sat up for the rest of the night, talking and laughing like they were back in high school. And, as the sun rose on the horizon, Tessa wondered what sort of things she would be encountering.

my Untitled Story, Part 2

2005-06-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

Tessa woke up to a cloudy, gray Friday. She was twenty years old and halfway
through college. Majoring in criminal justice was not quite as exciting as
she had originally thought. Working on solving crimes was too easy for her.
All she wanted was to be able to get out into the force and to do some good.
She didnt have to wait long. Although the mediocrity of the day had not
instilled much hope, this Friday would change her life. She walked into her
first class, early as usual, and found her professor talking with two men in
suits. Her professor looked up and pointed at her, with a very excited look
on his face. Thats her, he said. Thats the girl youre looking for.
Tessa stood frozen in place. The first thing that entered her mind was Oh, no,
what did I do? Her professor walked towards her and said, Tessa, Id like
you to meet Agent Roderick and Agent Clives. They work with a branch of law
enforcement, and they would like you to show them your expertise. They were
very impressed with the schools report of you. Tessa felt a wave of relief
sweep over her. At least she wasnt in trouble. Still, these men probably
had no real idea of what she did. The man introduced as Agent Roderick
said, Miss, wed like to get you involved in one of our most uh, confusing
cases.

My Untitled Story, Part 1

2005-06-13T17:39:00.000-05:00

Tessa’s life had always been a far cry from “normal.” She had been a secret agent, and then had gone to prison two months after being asked to leave her position. But all of the events occurring in her life led back to one thing: she was psychic. Well, not really. That was just what she told people so she could see their reaction. Actually, she was just an analyzer. She could piece her observations together to see crimes before they were committed. She supposed she had always possessed this “gift”, but it was first apparent when she was six years old. She had been playing at the park when she heard a little boy crying out. A woman was carrying him to her car saying, “I told you not to act like this, now get in the car.” Tessa looked at the boy expecting to see sadness or embarrassment. But on his face was a look of pure terror. Tessa could tell something was very wrong, so she ran to a police officer nearby who quickly took care of the situation. As it had turned out, the boy would have been kidnapped had Tessa simply continued playing. Tessa had stopped many crimes from being committed since that day. She refined her analyzing skills until one day she was given an amazing offer.

Finding a Piece of Heaven on my Front Porch

2005-06-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

Well, I went outside to my front porch to read because it was not very hot
out. Two of my cats decided to follow me. I sat down in one of our porch
chairs, pulled out Pride and Prejudice, and began to read. Both of the cats
jumped up on my lap, curled up, and fell asleep (I didn't realize my lap was
so comfortable). After about five minutes, and this is the best part, it
started to rain! Now, the rain was great by itself, but there is also this
bush in our front garden that smells really good when it rains. So, I'm
sitting with two cats asleep on my lap, I'm reading a good book, and it smells
like rain and clover honey. Then, the rain stopped, the sun came out, the cats
left, and I finished the chapter I was on, so I went inside.
On my side-note: Soon, I'll be posting my story, seeing as that method of blog
posting has become so widely accepted. So, stay tuned, because, even though a
love story is involved, it is much more complicated than that.

Dancing With the Stars

2005-06-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not talking about the new show on ABC (even though it's really cool),
but about the Tony Awards on TV. John Lithgow was singing, and I was dancing
along with the music. Now I bet all you guys out there are gonna be calling me
because you think I'm so gosh darn cool, right? Hahaha...
Even though I wasn't originally referring to the TV show, I'll do that now.
That show is so cool! At first, I thought, Oh, it's gonna be another
competition that boosts the publicity of the celebs involved, but I was proven
incorrect. Those dances are amazing. And I've always wanted to take ballroom
dancing lessons, so I'm majorly jealous. Anyway, watch it, ABC, Wednesday, 8
p.m.
As my side-note: What about that rain? Our property value was raised because
we now own lake-side property. I stood outside while it was semi-calm, and the
smell was wonderful. I don't know if city rain has the same smell, but country
rain smells clean and new. Oh, I love it!

Did Bert and Ernie go to college?

2005-06-01T21:21:00.001-05:00

OK, so I was baby-sitting a 2- and 3-year-old. They wanted to watch Sesame Street before we went outside, because it was still kind of chilly out. A Bert and Ernie sequence begins:
*Ernie is talking on a banana*
Bert: What are you doing, Ernie?
Ernie: I'm talking to an elephant.
Bert: On a banana? How?
Ernie: Why, I'm using my imagination! You should try it Bert.
Bert: I don't know...
Ernie: Just try, Bert.
Bert: I'm not sure if I'm emotionally stable enough to handle this.
*But Bert takes the banana and tells the elephant about how he likes bottlecaps and pidgeons.*
I kid you not, Bert actually used the words "emotionally stable". If you watch these shows, there is humor stuck in for all the parents and baby-sitters out there.
On my sidenote: Did anyone notice that I've been spelling "sidenote" incorrectly this entire time? It's "side-note".

Baby-sitting, Swimming, Travelling, and Radiusless Circles

2005-05-29T23:23:00.000-05:00

I am So excited about next week! I'm baby-sitting for one of the moms in my 4-H club. She has 3 daughters, and they're all really nice. Plus, I just love little kids. Yeah! Fun! Finally!I'm also really happy because my Uncle Bill is going to have his pool ready in about a week. He lives right down the road, and his pool is huge. More fun!I'm a little bummed, though, seeing as Arielle is going to Colorado for 5 weeks. Arielle, you're gonna miss our movie night. And swimming at Bill's. And all the super cool things we're going to think up to do this month...As my sidenote, I must add: There is no such thing as a circle without a radius. If it has no radius, it is nonexistent. The argument that all the points are equidistant from the center is flawed because they are NO distance from the center, so it doesn't exist! Seidel has corrupted my brother's thoughts by convincing him of this terrible geometric blunder. However, if someone can find something stable with which to back this up, I might recant. But that's a long stretch.Now I'm going to mow our yard. It's huge, and I love it!

So, is there anybody out there having fun?

2005-05-27T16:58:00.000-05:00

Well, my summer has not taken off with the start I was hoping for. For example, I have driven into St. Marys three times over the past two days, out of sheer boredom (but I got to talk to Dan at the pool, so that was cool). Then, I helped my cool big brother with some of the farming. Can we say "country girl"? I mean, I was loading corn into an auger that carried it up a tube which dumped it into a truck. I lifted a 5-gallon bucket of corn (for those of you who were wondering, that is Very Heavy!) about 30 times. So I guess now my arms are pretty well worked out. There we go, I found the good. I also thought up a story idea, but posting it as I wrote it would make me feel like I was copying Christa and Seidel. So, I won't be doing that unless people want me to or if I can't think up anything else to say (like that could ever happen). So, now I'm going to go finish cleaning my room, adding to my "fun". I am more convinced than ever that I should live in Topeka.

The joke I promised, although I'm sad

2005-05-23T16:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, so, the Pope for some reason decided he wanted to evict all the Jews out of Rome. Naturally, the Jewish population was none too pleased about this. So, they ask the Pope to speak with one of the wisest Jews they know. The Pope agrees, but the Wise Jew will only agree to talk with the Pope if no words are spoken, because he is almost deaf. They have to mime everything and communicate that way. So, they meet. The Pope sticks up three fingers. The Jew sticks up one finger. The Pope waves his arm around his head in a circle. The Jew points forcefully to the floor. The Pope takes out the bread and the wine. The Jew reaches into his coat and draws out an apple. Suddenly, the Pope stands up and shouts, "Fine! You can stay!" and walks out of the room. All the bishops and cardinals want to know why the Pope let the Jews stay, so he tells them, "Well, I held up three fingers to say that God is 3 persons, and he held up one to say it is 1 God. Then, I waved my arm around to say that God is everywhere, and he pointed to the floor to say that God is right here. Then, I took out our sacraments to show him, and he took out an apple to remind me of original sin, and I could see that I just couldn't argue with him anymore." Meanwhile, the Jews wanted to know how their friend had convinced the Pope to let them stay. "Well, he said he wanted us out of Rome in three days, but I said not one of us is leaving. He said he wanted us to clear out of this land, but I said we're staying right here. Then, he took out his lunch, and I took out mine."On my sidenote:I am pretty sad today. I found out yesterday that someone I used to know in St. Marys died in a car accident. Her name was Brittani. She was a freshman this school year. I used to play tether ball with her after school. And now she's gone. So, if you could just pray for her family, that if it hasn't already, it will make them consider their own eternity.

Why is it...?

2005-05-20T21:53:00.000-05:00

Have you ever noticed the strange, mysterious things that plague our world? Enigmas left unsolved, questions left unanswered.
Like, why is it that, if a novella is shorter than a novel, the word "novella" is longer than the word "novel"?
And why are those microscopic Halloween candy bars called the "fun size"? (In all reality, shouldn't the fun size be the size of a small car?)
Most importantly, who put the pocket in pita?Here are some more to ponder:
Why do we say something is out of whack? What's a whack?
If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
When someone asks you "a penny for your thoughts", and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a "broker"?
Why isn't the word "palindrome" spelled the same backwards as forwards?
Why isn't the word "phonetic" spelled the way it sounds?
Why can't telemarketers pronounce my last name, even if it IS spelled the way it sounds?
Why do you go on my blog if all I'm going to do is ask you lame questions?
*The preceding was an unpaid blog post by Incurable Optimist. Tune in next time for a joke about a pope and a Jewish man. Closed captioning provided by the makers of the following product: computers, duh.*

Journey of Faith

2005-05-19T20:33:00.001-05:00

Although the girl left for her journey in the stages of adolescence, her true journey began in the forest when she was still an infant. She had been left there at birth, cold, hungry, and very much alone. In her first moments of life, all she knew was a sense of being lost and unsure. Then, one day, a young couple walking in the woods happened upon the innocent babe. The woman smiled warmly at her, and the man wrapped her in his own coat. Because no one was nearby to claim the child, they took her into their care.
The child was given the name "Elizabeth", and growing up she knew only happiness. Her world was completely carefree. Her parents would have given her the world, but, since they were unable to do so, they gave her large portions of it.
Sadly, this fairy tale of hers had to meet its end. For, although she had been given so much, she wondered why she always seemed to be missing something important. Her family understood what she was going through and soon decided that it was time for her to embark on her journey to find what she sought.
At first, Elizabeth was afraid to leave behind her family and home. "You need not make this excursion on your own. A companion will attend you," her mother said.
As it turned out, another young lady about Elizabeth's age was at the point of her own trip. Her given name was Celeste, and her bright personality was exactly what Elizabeth needed in a companion. Their families did not want the girls to have to make the trek on foot, so horses were provided for the pair. The bridles on the horses read "Mildred" and "Audrey."
Upon their departure, Elizabeth's father handed her a tiny leather-bound book. He told her that it was very important that she keep it safe.
"It will be your guide," he said. "Just follow the instructions inside, and you will find it easier to keep to the path."
And so, with the book in tow, Elizabeth and Celeste left on their journey. They rode for days and days. True to her father's word, the little book proved to be of great assistance.
One day, however, Elizabeth neglected to consult it, and soon the two girls found themselves outside a city. Just inside the gate there was a boy no older than the girls, and he seemed to be napping.
"Excuse me," whispered Celeste, "but could you let us in so we can rest for a day?"
The boy awoke, although he still looked tired and worn. He pulled open the gate to let them in, and as soon as they were within the city walls, he let the gate shut and resumed his nap.
Elizabeth and Celeste crept around him and wandered further into the city. There were weeds growing everywhere, and a putrid stench hung in the air as if no cleaning had been done in quite some time. The town sounded sparsely populated, but the girls could see groups of people scattered about the yards. But no one was doing anything worthwhile. They were either in a deep sleep or in a deep trance. Some were stretched out in hammocks; others were sitting against their house walls with blank expressions. "I think we should leave this place," said Elizabeth.
"But it's so calm," replied Celeste. "It would be very relaxing to spend the night here."
"But we would make better time if we kept going."
"I thought you wanted to rest for awhile."
Elizabeth could not deny that she felt incredibly tired. Still, something deep inside her was telling her that this would not be a good place to stay. She had also noticed that she felt even more tired since she had entered the city and the feeling increased as she went further inside the gate. She felt an urge pushing her to leave, but she knew she could not leave Celeste alone in the city.
Elizabeth pulled out her book which her father had given to her and searched it for instructions. It said many times that wasting time would not benefit her, so she pulled Celeste back toward the gate. As they neared it, the boy awoke again. He gave the pair an odd look and said, "Where do you think you are off to?"
"We decided not to stay after all," replied Elizabeth. "We need to keep moving."
"My name's Wilfred," he said. He stuck out his hand as if they had not already been engaged in conversation.
Being polite, Celeste shook it, and the entranced look covered her countenance. She began to fall to the ground, but Elizabeth caught her. Wilfred reached his hand toward Elizabeth, but she said, "Sorry, I should really take her out of here so we can be on our way."
But Wilfred did not want a negative response. "I'll accompany you to your horses."
"Thank you, but that will not be necessary," Elizabeth answered.
The boy obviously did not want to lose this battle, but he decided that to win would require too much energy than he desired to put forth, so he returned to his napping position at the gate.
Elizabeth carried Celeste to their horses and tried to wake her up. It was much easier now that they were out of the city.
The two set out again, and Elizabeth looked back to the city. She spotted a huge plaque on the wall which read Doldrums. She committed the name to memory, intent on not returning.
Celeste was still much disoriented from her daze in Doldrums, and she desperately wanted a place to stay the night. They happened upon a beautiful little town which bore a sign reading Espejo. The gate was wide open as if inviting everyone in to see the marvelous town. The girls noticed that everyone carried a small mirror, and they would gaze at themselves every so often. They had not stepped more than two feet past the gate when a girl of about eighteen blocked their path.
"Hello," she said, "my name is Narcissa, and am I not one of the most beautiful girls you did ever lay eyes upon?"
Celeste bore a look of absolute disgust, but Elizabeth politely responded, "Yes, you are indeed lovely."
"I know," answered Narcissa, smugly. "You are quite lovely yourself," she added, turning to Celeste. "Quite a lot more lovely than your companion." Celeste looked both pleased and embarrassed. Elizabeth could not believe the audacity of the girl. To be so upfront about appearances seemed unnecessary and very rude.
Celeste murmured a quiet "Thank you," and walked slowly toward the inn. But Narcissa grabbed Elizabeth's arm and held tight.
"You know," she whispered, "I truly think you are the lovelier, but I wanted your friend to feel special. Am I not the most considerate person you have ever met?"
Elizabeth could not decide whether to allow the flattery or rebuke it. She liked being told she was pretty, but she did not like the fact that Narcissa had been as rude as to lie to Celeste and tell her that she was so pretty.
Elizabeth walked to the inn feeling in high spirits about herself. She decided she would buy one of those mirrors the next day.In the morning, Elizabeth woke extra early so she could make herself look beautiful for everyone in the town to see. She wanted them to think just as Narcissa did: that she was much more beautiful than Celeste.
But Celeste was already at the mirror. She's not that pretty, thought Elizabeth, not as pretty as me, anyway. Celeste washed her face and backed away from the mirror. She smiled slightly. Elizabeth, however, spent several hours applying beauty products Narcissa had recommended. When the two girls walked into the new day, Narcissa was waiting for them. Celeste walked a half step behind Narcissa and Elizabeth, who were both vying for the lead. Elizabeth noticed that, whenever Celeste looked at her, she seemed worried. In her heart, Celeste knew that the only way to free Elizabeth from her vanity would be to take her away from the town.
Later that night, Elizabeth could not find Celeste. She soon discovered where her friend had crept off to, though, because she returned promptly with another girl. Celeste introduced her as Arielle. She was a girl who traveled the path Elizabeth and Celeste had been following, searching for those who had wandered from the path. She helped Celeste take Elizabeth from the town, and the three continued on the road. Celeste explained to Elizabeth that she could not bear to see her become like that vain Narcissa.
The girls spent the next few days along the straight, narrow road, and soon, they found reason to rejoice.
About ten miles up the road was a huge gate. It was a pearl color, and a luminescence came from behind it. "This is what you have been seeking for," Arielle informed them. "You are almost to your journey's end."And so, they continued toward their final destination with a quickened pace.

One of Those Days

2005-05-18T20:23:00.000-05:00

This is a song by Chris Rice that I absoltely love!

Oh, it's been one of those days
When You walk with me
So close I think
I caught the scent of angel wings.
And my oh my unsuspecting heart
Leaps from its place
Begins to race
I finally found the place
I never want to leave, oh...
Why can't every day
Why can't every day
Why can't every day
Can't every day
Be like today...

Oh, why do the good days end?
Makes me wonder now
With the way I feel
If yesterday was even real.
And why oh why do You seem so far away?
Could this mean that I've
Gone too far this time
And cannot make You change your mind?...
Why should any day
Why should any day
Why should any day
Should any day
Be like today?

Do I wollow in my insecurity?
Do I trust what my feelings are telling me?
Do I rest in the promise You made me
That You'll never leave?

Oh, today my heart believes
That the truth remains
You never change
Your love for me is still the same.
Why can't every day
Why can't every day
Why can't every day
Can't every day
Be like today?

So, yeah, my days have been bouncing between these extremes, but this song is
one of my favorites.

My name is NOT Nancy!

2005-05-16T18:22:00.000-05:00

So, I'm sitting doing my homework, when I hear "Big Yellow Taxi." It's my
phone. After pressing the "answer" key, I speak into the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Nancy?"
"No, there's no one here by that name."
"But this is Nancy's number."
"No, it's my number."
"But it's Nancy's number, she gave it to me."
"Well, there's no one named Nancy here."
"Oh, 'bye."
"Bye..."

A couple days later:
*Big Yellow Taxi music*
"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Nancy?"
"No, and I think you tried this number a couple days ago."
"Oh, she must have changed it."
"Must have."
"Well, bye."
"Bye."

Question: do I sound like a "Nancy"? And, why didn't this Nancy tell her
friend that she changed her number. Maybe she's running from the police.
That's it.

TEST

2005-05-16T18:08:00.000-05:00

This is a test of the emergency alert system.

One of those Friends

2005-05-15T18:39:00.000-05:00

Have any of you out there ever met someone who you thought would be one of those people you saw every once in a while and only knew a little about, but they become one of those people you wish you could see every day? (Wow, that was a long question.) Well, I met one of those people in my confirmation class (yes, the one I hated and the one that made me miss dress rehearsal), and he helped pull me through it. His name is Dan Morford, and he is one of the coolest guys I've ever met. I saw him at the Kaw Valley Festival on Saturday, and we got to talking. I hadn't seen him in six months, so we had a lot of catching up to do. It was great! Then, of course, my mom came to tell me I had to get back to work at our booth, and we had to say good-bye...But all you people out there know that even the few moments we spend with friends are cherished. So, I'm in a really great mood because I got to talk with an old friend in the middle of the "hick"-est fair you could ever go to (they were selling rabbits for $10 and chicks for 75 cents).
On another of my sidenotes:
Two of these kinds of people are graduating in a couple weeks, and, Ruth and Shane, I'm really going to miss you guys. I'm so thankful that God put you in my life. Remember Jeremiah 29:11.

Aah...Rain...

2005-05-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

As you can probably tell by my oh-so-subtle title, I LOVE RAIN ! I love its smells , sounds, rhythms. I love the way it leaves our lawn so green. And, of course since I'm descended from a long line of farmers, I appreciate the necessity of rain in crop growth. :) Anyway, it was raining in study hall today, and I was filled with an urge to run outside and let it "wash away my sanity"(name that song).
Downside to the rain: last night, I couldn't be online very long because of the lightning. I was on for about five minutes, then I had to unplug the modem. Man, I hate dial-up.
On a side note, congrats to Chris for getting his braces off! And to Emily for getting bangs (they rock hard, Emils!).
Oh, and Seidel, just talk to her! But when you do, if you decide to tell her that she's your destiny, don't say "density." It didn't work well for George McFly.

i have become a conformist

2005-05-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

OMG, I can't believe I have a blog. This proves to people like Arielle that I can do the things I set out to do. So, Arielle, here it is, proof that I do have some sort of determination. And to Arielle, Christa, Shane, and Ansen, you lot had better comment frequently so I have a feeling of worth.