Grasshopper

Friends come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Today I went on a walk and at one point a little creature jumped out from the grass onto my foot. I stopped, curious as to what it was. However, before I had a chance to even look down, it had moved off my foot. I started walking again, only to be surprised when something jumped onto my foot again. This time I looked down quickly enough to note that the creature was a beautiful grasshopper. I moved my foot a little bit, but it didn't budge a single bit. I took a step - nothing. I was now one with the grasshopper. Zen masters would have been so proud of me. I walked for a good three minutes before it hopped off into the grass. But for those three minutes, that grasshopper and I 'went together like peas and carrots.'

Exploring

I have yet to explore the Moberly, Missouri area. I am in dire need of some thorough exploration. It's pretty sad, I'm not going to lie. Hopefully I'll write about some great adventures here in Moberly pretty soon. Because seriously... I'm about to go crazy.

Test

I had a test in Survey of Pentateuch today. We had a study guide given to us yesterday... which he said would basically be the test. So one of my roommates (Leez) and I spent time making sure we had all the correct answers on the study guide. We were pretty confident that we had all the right answers and everything. Made flashcards. Quizzed each other. We were totally good to go. I buzzed through the test in about ten minutes. I was so sure that I completely aced it. Honestly.

Then tonight I looked at my grade online.

97. MAN! Are you kidding me?!

Ugh. I bet it was because of all the initial confusion we had about the Councils of Trent and Jamnia...

Edit: It WAS! I totally had the correct answers written down, until Leez made me question myself and when we asked someone about it, they had switched the councils - and they were wrong! If only I had gone with my initial answers... man oh man. Never again!

UAE

In my world geography class everybody has to do a country report. We have to give a ten-minute presentation to the class and turn in a paper later in the term. Naturally, I chose a Middle Eastern country, United Arab Emirates. I was going to do Syria because of my long term fascination with Damascus and the Levant in general... but I already know so much about Syria and decided I would get more out of the assignment by reporting on a different country that I know less about. I'm really excited about this assignment; it should be way fun. I plan on using a bit of my Arabic skills and will hopefully be able to retrieve a couple of visuals from home here in the next couple of weeks.

UAE FTW!

Library

I am becoming very well acquainted with the library here at Central...

I spent six and a half hours there today. Thankfully, they were not spent consecutively.

Still.

That's a lot of time in the library.

And I'm still not done with my reading for tomorrow. I mean, it technically won't matter. I can do it this weekend and there will be no consequences. Honestly, though. Ridiculous.

!

Dizzy

For some reason, I've felt really dizzy all day long. A bit nauseous as well, and my stomach's been hurting off and on. Really strange for me, because I'm rarely sick or even feel sick. Or dizzy. But man. It's really no fun trying to sit through five classes when the room is spinning around you, lemme tell ya.

Killball

I like games. All kinds of games.
Outdoor games.
Board games.
Card games.
Ball games.
Pick-up games.
Playground games.

But I think I've found my new favorite game.

Killball.

It's amazing. It's like a mix of dodgeball and volleyball. Way cool. Here's how it goes down: A circle of people stand outside the center of a basketball court (or at least that's how we played). One person sits in the middle of the circle. A volleyball is used; someone tosses the ball to someone in the standing circle and they hit it to someone - that's hit one. The ball has to be hit at least three times before it can be spiked into the center of the circle... onto the person sitting down... Yeah. If they catch the ball, they get to rejoin the standing circle and the person who spiked it at them is now in the middle. If they are hit by the ball, but don't catch it, nothing happens. If the ball hits the floor before it hits them or is caught by them, the person who spiked it joins them in the middle. The goal is to get as many in the middle, sitting down, as possible. It's seriously one of the most fun games I've ever played. Apparently someone who goes to Central made it up one year. I think his name is Lance Prawls.

Seriously, though. I can't wait to play again. When I first heard about it I said, "There's no way I'm playing that game! That doesn't sound like fun... it sounds mean and dangerous!" Obviously that didn't hold for too long!

Archway

If you've read Ch. 167 of my 'So Close' blog, about the trail I found behind Central, you may recall that I talked about a tree of which some branches had grown over the pathway, creating an arch of some sort. I went on a walk this morning and remembered to bring my camera to take some pictures. So I thought I'd post a picture of the tree. Way cool.

Phone

I've loved my phone. It's simple. Not flashy. Works well after two and a half years. But for some reason, whenever I charge my phone - even when I let it completely run out of battery - I only get maybe a day and a half use out of it. I used to get five or so days. I don't use it any more or less. I'm not texting 24/7. I don't call people for hours at a time. Ugh. Ridiculous. It's not that big of a deal, I know, but honestly. I'm just wasting electricity to charge it every other day. That's how I'm seeing things at this point in time.

'Bouncy'

I seriously couldn't think of anything to write about tonight, so I asked one of my roommates, Loree, to give me a word.

'Something I can write about... so not something like 'to' - a topic word.'

"Bouncy."

'What? I can't write about bouncy.'

"It's a challenge."

Good point. Thank youuuuuu Loree.

Bouncy, as an adjective. The word itself dates back to 1921.
I suppose lots of things are bouncy.
Rabbits.
['Bouncy'] Balls.
Moon walks.
The list really could go on and on... but that's all I can think of at the moment... so it stops here.

Excellent. I totally rose to the occasion on this one and overcame the challenge. Three cheers.

Pen

So today was the first day of class. I'm taking a few notes here and there. With a pen. Now, I really enjoy writing with a pen. Pencil is nice now and then, but using pens is where it's at. I probably enjoy writing with a pen more than I should. During my first class, Survey of Pentateuch, my beautiful, Papermate, blue-ink pen worked just fine. But during the rest of my classes, without fail, my pen would stop working almost exactly halfway through each class. So irritating. Honestly.

But other than the pen incident(s), my day was fantastic.

Posters

I finally got to hang up my posters tonight. Except for my Andy Warhol sunrise poster... because there's not enough wall space and it's too heavy to put on the ceiling above my bed. Which is a shame, because its color theme works really well with our room - which, I might add, is incredibly cute.

Seriously though.

I'm stoked that at least my other posters are up.

Calla Lilies.
Starry Night.
Cafe Terrace by Night.
African Music Squares.

Honestly.
So simple.
So lovely.
So nice.

Hummus

I want some hummus.
I want some hummus badly.
I want some hummus very badly.

Hummus was mentioned the other day and now I have a craving for it.
Dang.
I never have cravings for food. But seriously.

Hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus hummus.

Oh! And I also want some homemade pita chips. And baby carrots. Oh goodness.

Volleyball

Tonight I played beach volleyball. I wasn't going to, but decided I might as well. What else was I going to do, you know? Obviously we weren't at an actual beach while playing. Ha. But it turned out to be really great - I was terrible, but I had fun! I can't wait to play again. I figure by the end of the year I'll be much better, er, I hope by the end of the year I'll be much better!

Another note... I was wearing my Blue Barracudas t-shirt (from the show 'Legends of the Hidden Temple') and somebody actually recognized it! I was stoked.

The Swing

Today I was walking around campus, simply doing a bit of exploring. Granted, there’s not much to explore what with five buildings and open areas… but hey, exploring is my thing. What can I say? So as I walked behind Pelfrey Hall (the only classroom building, I might add), I noticed there was a nice patio area with some built-in tables and benches. Beyond the patio is a splendid oak tree that provides some great shade. Underneath the tree sits a green, wooden swing. I was so excited to find the semi-secluded tree, let alone the perfectly lovely swing! I certainly plan on utilizing the tree and swing come the start of the school year. It’s things like these that make all places special in their own way.

Moberly

I have arrived at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri.

I am finally here and I can't wait for school to start next Thursday - which, I might add, seems like a million years into the distance. We've got student sessions, activities, service projects, registration, and orientation before Thursday. Kind of ridiculous, but kind of awesome at the same time. I'm glad that I'll be able to get to know a few people (hopefully!) before classes start.

My parents and I drove around a bit before dinner. We headed down what seems to be the new 'main drag' of town... you know: car dealerships, restaurants, medical centers, some stores, etc. Then we headed over to 'old downtown' Moberly. Oh. my. goodness. Can you say adorable? Honestly. Side-to-side storefronts lining the main streets, churches on practically every street corner, historical reserves. Tender. I can't wait to go back over and do some good, ol' fashioned exploring. I also can't wait to find just the right church to be involved with and a good ministry to join this semester.

I like my roommates. They seem to be really sweet girls. It's just that they already know each other (they're from Delaware, how sweet is that?) and that's difficult to deal with more often than not. They attend the same church in Delaware and there are also a few other people from their church that attend Central. Hopefully we'll be fast friends and it won't be as difficult to deal with as that kind of thing has been in the past.

I'm truly incredibly excited to be in Moberly. I feel this is the perfect place for me. Don't get me wrong - I still miss Salt Lake and the U - but, as I finally realized, neither offers what I truly want at this point in time.

Central does.

... Moberly is like a bonus.

Shrimp

I thoroughly enjoy seafood.
Well.
Some of it.
I really like fish.
But I really love shrimp.

That's all, though.

I do not like crab or lobster.
Or oysters.
Or mussels.
Or octopus.
Or squid.

Seriously, though.
Shrimp is where it's at.

Boyzzz

My brother's friend Nathan is spending the night. They're spending their time down in the family room, which just so happens to be directly below my room.

The ceiling is thin.
Ish.

I can make out their conversation pretty well; it's muffled. Not that I'm listening. Just saying that I can hear them talking. Loudly. And the laughter. My gosh. It practically makes my floor vibrate as the sound carries upward.

I'll be closer to home this year.
But then who knows where Wes will be after he graduates next spring?
Indiana.
Northern Texas.
UNI.
[Nathan's going to Arizona, most likely.]

No matter.
I will miss being around those two when they are together.
And that's that.

Bag Lady

I'm going to make a beautiful bag tomorrow or Friday. It's going to be way cool. My mom's going to help me, because I still haven't learned how to sew. Ridiculous. But yeah. I'm stoked. I'll post a picture of it on Sunday...

... from my room in Missouri. : )

EDIT:

Well, the bag didn't happen. There was just too much going on throughout Thursday and Friday. My mom said that she'd make it for me and send it to me as a surprise. Now, I'm all for surprises, trust me... but that means I don't get to help. Oh well!

Elizabethtown

I watched Elizabethtown last week while I was in Kentucky. I hadn't seen it before; let me tell you - I enjoyed it immensely. If you have seen this movie before, try to recall Kirsten Dunst's character, Claire Colburn. I've decided that if I were to ever want to become a fictional character, she would be the one. I think her character has a lot of great depth, but her disposition is of the most incredible essence... honestly. Sure, God made me the way I am for a reason. And I like who I am and I'm all for finding out new things about myself and developing my qualities. But seriously. Claire. Best character ever created.

Packing

This week I'm packing my things back up to take down to Missouri.

Is it weird that I truly love to pack? I think a lot of people like unpacking and setting their things in proper order (I know I do), but I don't think many people enjoy packing their things because it takes time and sometimes it can be difficult to fit things in boxes - or, like in my case, cars.

But I like to pack because it means I'm going somewhere. A new adventure is about to begin.

So packing may not be all that exciting, but I know that it eventually leads up to something exciting.
And that's good enough for me.

Calm

There's simply something about listening to water lap up against a rocky shore that makes me glad to be alive. It's soothing and calming, yet invigorating as well.

Beijing 2008

I love the Olympics.

That's all.

Secrets

www.postsecret.blogspot.com

Click on the link above if you have never visited the site before. Or if you have, check it out anyway. It's updated every Sunday.

Elephants

I've always loved elephants. I couldn't tell you why. I simply have.

I've thought of a new goal:

To own an elephant by the time I die.

Mark me, it will happen.
One way or another. It. will. happen.

Kayaks

I've been canoeing before. But I've never been kayaking until this week. And let me tell you, I love it! It's way fun. Mind you, I'm not going down whitewater rapids or anything, but kayaking around on the nice, albeit sometimes stinky lake is really fun. If you've never kayaked before, I highly suggest you find a way to do so for the first time and have a new bit of fun!

Salsa

I like salsa. Nay. I really like salsa. I suppose I'll go on and say that I love salsa! But I'm picky about my salsa. Well. To an extent. I like any level of heat - I'm totally fine with incredibly spicy salsa (or any food, for that matter!). I like any brand of salsa, too. But I only like one type of salsa - chunky. No picanté sauce for me, thank you very much! And that's all I have to say about that.

Waterrrrrr

Yesterday we rented a jet ski. Most. fun. ever. I love going fast and not always knowing exactly what's going to happen, so this was great for me. Today we rented a pontoon boat. Even though pontoons are not exactly Speedy McSpeed Speeds it's still fun to go out on the water and just cruise around. We headed to an inlet across the lake and the guys tried to get a bite or two on their rod and reels, but to no avail. Gramma and I swam a bit and walked out onto a boat ramp and then back towards the lake on an old iron walkway and onto a floating dock square, from which we got back on the boat. That was nice to cool off a little and have a quick chat with Gramma. Tomorrow we're going to have a speedboat, ski boat, whatever, and ski/tube/wakeboard. Papa (my grandfather) used to ski barefoot, how sweet is that? He's got super flat feet, so it works for him. If I tried to ski barefoot I'd just end up wiping out, I think. Actually, no - I know I would! Anyway, tomorrow should be way fun. Until then... have a good one!

Graveyard

There are trails near the houses we're staying in and a few all lead up a hill directly east of the houses. At the top of the hill there is a graveyard, with headstones dating back to the mid-1800s. How cool is that? There are a few stones telling of Civil War soldiers, which is really neat. There's also a stone marking the grave of a two-month old baby, which was pretty sad to see. Some of the markers seemed new, even though the dates of death ranged from 1890 to 1920. All in all, a way cool find.

Green Turtle Bay

We arrived at Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers, Kentucky today. The trip wasn't too bad, only about an eight hour drive from Cedar Rapids. I love cartrips, so that makes riding in the car for extended periods of time pretty easy. The condo houses we're staying in are nice. They're basically right on the water, which is great. My room's window faces east (and the water), so I'm stoked for some nice sunrises.

I started to get reconnected with one of my cousins, Lauren - who, by the way, is going into the eighth grade and seems so grown-up now! She's adorable and I really enjoy talking with her. Gah. I love all my cousins. I'm just not very close with any of them, which is a real shame. I haven't always been the easiest person to become close with though, so I've only myself to blame.

Even so, I'm excited for this week and I know that we're all going to have a good time!

Kentucky

Tomorrow I'm going to Kentucky for a week. My grandparents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and we're meeting with their other kids' families for fun, fun, fun at Green Turtle Bay. Three cheers. Oh! And my parents are celebrating their 25th anniversary this August, too - way cool. Theirs is actually next week, though, as opposed to my grandparent's date, which is in late August. Hm.

My great-uncle Jan is going to be there, too. So excited. He was the funkle (you know... fun uncle) to my dad and his siblings. We (my brother and I - plus our cousins) have decided that he's a crazy old man. Totally awesome.

I'm bringing my computer so that I can update (I'm such a blog nerd!) while I'm there and keep tabs on what happens. Until then...

P.I. Keene

I don't know who I am.
And I hate it.

The first statement above is cliché.
And I hate that, too.

Time to investigate... myself... ?