closer to 30.5 hours this time- Amber visiting, that is. last time it was 11 hours, I believe (if I got it wrong again, please say so, Amber!)  We did everything I wrote a couple days ago, minus the movie.  Her friend Amy is fun to be around, a nice girl.  Although we spent a majority of Saturday shopping, it was a good day, and we  mostly got what we were looking for, for pretty good deals.  We took a crazy picture, that I hope works out- it involves 4 of us girls brushing our teeth. hehe! :wink:  Also, Amber had quite the night Friday- the other 3 of us all talked in our sleep! haha
My Brit Lit class, with the seemingly endless pages to read, has lightened the work load.  We will now read about half as originally anticipated- and I can breathe better now.
Amber cut my hair last night, and I couldn't ask for it to look better.  It looked like she cut more than she left, but there's still a lot left, and it's between my chin and shoulders, except all the layers, which are as short as eye-level.  If I can slaughter a pic from online, I'll make it look like me this week.  My goal is still for it to grow longer for a while- this is just a side-step from the trail, like on a hike, when you can view something, take pictures, and you aren't in others' ways as much- but you still end up walking the whole path.  It may take a little longer, but it is enjoyable, etc. (I've spent enough time on plain ol' hair! Sorry.)
Aaron's back from the mountains and had a wonderful time- beautiful scenery, etc.

Here are my current picks and reccomendations:
Book: A Larger Christian Life by Abraham Simpson (so sound, yet encouraging- faith being the topic that's caught me)
Song: Unashamed Love by Ten Shekel Shirt (with 'of my honest praise' sticking to me- I love music so much, and sometimes, I can get to the end of a song I've sung, and realize I was ahrdly paying attention to the lyrics!)

So what books, songs, websites, anything! do you think are worthwhile?

Nicholas Sparks is a pretty happening guy right now, isn't he?  I just finished The Wedding today- I started last night.  When I find the value and interest in something, I have a hard time letting it go.  Sparks has written such books as Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook, all of which have been made into movies.  All of whom I've seen, the last of which I especially adore.  They're definitely chic flicks.  All have at least some moment that's made me cry, and many to smile.  Sparks does a good job of making me feel like I'm part of the family- and I've made notes on what may come (in my own life)- The Wedding is about a couple who've been married for 30 years, and they've drifted apart through that time.  Reading it was enjoyable, and like listening to a grandparent or aunt/uncle relaying their own story, with warnings/advice and such intertwined.

The first half of this week has been hectic, but I have nothing major in the next day or so, so I'm relaxing.  My friend Amber is coming up for the weekend, and I'm looking forward to spending quality time with her.  We'll take in the dollar theatre, The Old Spaghetti Factory, and some (Christmas) shopping.  I'm excited!

I've been thinking about life and what's to come and what's expected of me lately, and I'm feeling OK about it.  I was really stressed out and overwhelmed, but now I realize most people survive their twenties, and even though I've gotta take some risks, they're worth it!! I still don't know where I'll live or what job I'll do when I graduate (this December) but I'm feeling better about it.  I still need to pray a lot, and spend time with God so I know that I'm on the right path, and so I can feel this peace more often.

I'm back at school safely now- I got in last night (Monday)- but it's hard to believe it was only yesterday that I was home. Seems like weeks already.  I feel closer to death and life now than I have been in a long time.  I've had two tests today (written/gradable on es, numerous ungradable ones) but nothing tops tonight.  One of my new friend's boyfriend's mom is on life support right now.  Earlier tonight, I was wondering where she was, thinking something like, "Does she think she's too good for us?" (there was a suite party tonight in a neighboring suite) only to find out that she was dealing with this important heart-wrenching thing.  It was good to see the group of us girls get  together and pray about it as soon as we knew what was going on, but it sure put things in perspective for me- petty ideas of mine- and I've gone from deep sorrow and helplessness to slight anger and confidence.  I know there's nothing I can do, but I'm depending on God for it, trusting that he will- in everyone who is related in one way or another to this woman.  God is my strength, and I feel so good right now- or peaceful.

Beautiful One by Jeremy Camp

Wonderful, so wonderful Is your unfailing love Your cross has spoken mercy over me No eye has seen no ear has heard No heart could fully know How glorious, how beautiful you are. Beautiful one I love you Beautiful one I adore Beautiful one my soul must sing. Powerful so powerful Your glory fills the skies Your mighty works displayed for all to see The beauty of your majesty Awakes my heart to see How marvelous how wonderful you are. Beautiful one I love you Beautiful one I adore Beautiful one my soul must sing. Beautiful one I love you Beautiful one I adore Beautiful one my soul must sing. You opened my eyes to your wonders anew You captured my heart with this love Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you You opened my eyes to your wonders anew You captured my heart with this love Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you are. Beautiful one I love you Beautiful one I adore Beautiful one my soul must sing. Beautiful one I love you Beautiful one I adore Beautiful one my soul must sing. And you opened my eyes to your wonders anew You captured my heart with this love Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as you are.

Went to develop these today.  Many fantastic Team Aear(i)n pics. (the i is supposed to be written over an o, same w. the e and a's.)  It was a sunny day In August, and we smile at each other . . . maybe I'll post some later-
This first one is during a beautiful sunset, and between us and it is a peach tree. We're in my parents' back yard, and I don't remember how we managed to take the pic- a timer?  One of our arms?

and this is me at the medical study (bandaged arm)- I read a lot that day, including a 300+ pg novel front to back.  I thought the roll had 27 shots, so I took one this morning of our arborvitae, extending to the neighborhood, so I'd have it to show others beyond my house growing up.  The roll held 24, and i thought it was so neat, I had to show you!  I plan on taking advantage of this on future rolls of film.  Mirrors and glass reflections amaze me, I always get ideas of neat set-ups, and with something like this, the possibilities seem endless!!

You know when you glance back at your blind spot while driving, and you swear someone's sitting in the back seat? Well, I thought there was a guy w/ brown, straight, chin-length hair this morning- but there wasn't.  I also saw other figures on medians and such along the highway.  That's when I turned the wheel over to Amber.  I know I suck at night driving often- but it sounded better to Amber and I than getting less than 5 hours of sleep before driving home.  Amber came for College Days at school, which ended up being about 23 hours for her, not even a day!  Anyeways, she got to catch up with some of her friends, and we hung out, going to chilis and to see The Terminal at the dollar theatre.  It was really fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie (and her company).  The movie, because I love languages and accents, they can have a very soothing effect on me, and it seemed like something that could or does happen, at least as far as being in a country whose language you don't very well, while someone's trying to get a point across, and you just smile and say, "Yes," in whatever the new land understands- - - although it was hard to buy that in an airport as big as that, noone spoke Russian.  some things were really cheesy (like an Indian man juggling crazy things as part of romantic dinner entertainment)- - - but Tom Hanks did a great job with his Russian and accent.  If I didn't recognizr him, I might have thought it was his native language.

So at 1 this morning, Amber and I left for good ol' Wisconsin.  We took turns driving, and before 5, we were at her destination.  I considered sleeping for a couple hours in the lot, but just wanted to go home, so we parted (such a short time together, but it was fun, and she's coming back in two weeks)- and in about an hour, I releaxed at a rest stop for a half hour- there were no other cars there, only huge semis, and I didn't leave the car- and didn't sleep either, but it gave me some energy, and I was able to make it home w/ no more stops.  I was crazy, and hummed loudly and talked some, and I was impatient, and listened to the radio.  That's one of the best parts of my long solo trips- talk radio.  It began with a Catholic station, talking about the Pope- speaking so reverantly about him . . . and having ads encouraging listeners to not compromise their beliefs by supporting a candidate who violates them (no names were mentioned) and I just remember the hosts talking back and forth, and being cheery and encouraging; then random music; then Christian radio- some news updates, a lot about when the President and Kerry will be in state (TODAY) and where (they're moving about- I can't remember everywhere); NPR (National Public Radio- one of my favorites) about politics- how the candidates for president and state senate? are doing- including feelings about the debates- and what each spokesman (articulator?) thought their candidate supported or didn't, foreign policy, Iraq, war on terrorism, budget, healthcare .. . . oh, and stem cell research.  that was the last thing before I got home (at almost 9) - and it's tough, because the guy supporting Kerry and the government-funded research with it, well, his dad died from Parkinsons Disease- and he said he'd do anything to help prevent or cure that in other people- that's hard to argue with- but harvesting at least human-like, if not humans to so this?  I'm glad people can and do donate organs- I want to if I can when I die some day, but that's me saying OK, not that little guy in the lab . . . .

so I'm home safe.  and if you keep seeing mirages while driving, I hope you have a good friend to take over for awhile.

as Election Day nears, my temperature rises.  I feel lied to and manipulated so much!!! Grrrr.  (Un)fortunately, I haven't spent a great deal of time doing my research- I saw a little of the debates, I've read stuff in biased papers- I've talked w/ people, I've seen some of the commercials.  Tonight, I went on a site called Candidate Map, and it was rather helpful.  It doesn't have a complete base- especially quoting Nader- What it does it has general categories, and quotes from each candidate on that topic- so you can judge for yourself what his stance is.  I can say that I wasn't really surprised w/ what I read (or the checkmarks I made)- I have a chart I've made- and every candidate at least has some points.  Some are not in the running for me- way different than what I'd support.  I know it's not good to get angry too much, but this election is important to me, and will have a big impact on our country.  (I feel like my eyes are burning.) Yeah, so I don't know why I take it to heart in such a big way!  Maybe there's something else going on with me that makes me want to fight, and I've just been channeling it through politics.  I don't even think that's fair to say, because I haven't had discussions/debates w/ anyone, I've just consumed all the 'info' I can.

soon, I'll consume some sleep.  Doesn't sleep just sound so good sometimes?

Enrique Granados wrote this song:

El Majo Discreto
Dicen que mi majo es feo.
Es posible que sí que lo sea,
que amor es deseo que ciega y marea
ha tiempo que sé que quien á mano vé.
Más sí no es mi majo un hombre,
que por lindo descuelle y asombre
En cambio es discreto y guarda un secreto
que yo posé en el sabiendo que as fiel.

Cual es el secreto que el majo guardó?
Seria indiscreto contarlo yo,
No poco trabajo costara saber
secretos de un majo con una mujer.
Nació en Lavapies.
Eh! Eh! Es un majo un majo es.

Aaron is fiel, not feo- muy guapo!

I went to a senior recital at my school this afternoon- a girl with a beautiful soprano voice.  It was great, but sad, too.  She dedicated it to her 3 sisters-in-law who died this past January.

Similarly, A.E. Thompson in The Life of A.B. Simpson, 1920, quotes Simpson's sister as saying, "And now the family tree has but one leaf left, and that is fluttering in the breeze ready to drop- the little sister and helper of the rest- and soon all will meet above an unbroken family, not one missing."

With all of the green and gold around here these days, you'd think I was Packer-land!  Either that or that it was a fall day (wait, it is!) The trees I've seen lately are more beautiful than the one before, even when I can't imagine that being possible! (but it's true!!) Everything seems a little bit more clear lately.  At first, I was hoping I'd seemore color on the trees (since there are many yellow leaves on the ground) but it is a beautiful stage to be at and I'm choosing to enjoy it while it's here.  I think the leaves fell so early this year because it was a pretty dry summer (or so I heard.)  There are still plenty on the trees, and there's time for them to turn a number of colors!!  It's time for me to bring my camera w/ me.
Holy Convocation Day was great- Hundreds of people from my school got together and worshipped God and prayed, and expressed, and relaxed- muy bien!  There's just something about coming together as a group of individuals to form something bigger for a bigger purpose.  We walked all over campus and prayed for things like our friends/neighbors who come to the park,

and the average 14 women a day who get abortions at the clinical across the street from our school- - and issues specific to our school- and at other times, we focused on praising God for what he's done and how good he is- how faithful- never leaving us- and there was a cool atmosphere in the gym where some musicians played, people relaxed, read/prayed, wrote (concerns/anything), drew, painted . . . We closed it all off with communion.
That pic is of Elliot Park, which now has some yellow- it's so great to have growing life in the midst of all the concrete and metal of downtown.

tonight I've felt the adrenaline rush of city driving!! Hurray! I've felt it before, but not for a while.  I haven't driven much since coming to school- partially because there are a lot of things within walking distance of campus (even if that walk is over a half hour.)  It was even night driving that brought me this joy!! (and I've got sensitive eyes that curse the headlights normally)  I drove the speedlimit, but even so, driving around curves, with merging lanes and highways branching here and there at 55 was fun!  Maybe the music helped- 12 stones.  I was singing/screaming along.  I met my fellow-sufferer- er I mean friend Stephanie.  We shared cheesecake (strawberry!) and the common thread of having boyfriends studying in Granada, Spain.  We also shared a Southern California night, or at least it seemed like at first.  We met at a mall, and I swear I spent as much time circling the parking lot for a space that I did on highways- and the signs were so bright, yet kind of ritzy-looking, yet very much like any mall Anywhere, USA, and it was warm- probably 60s- with a slight breeze.  From there, we grabbed the cheesecake to go and went to Centennial Lakes, a place I'd only been when it's frozen over (great place to iceskate!)  There are soft lights and swings all around, and I guess you can paddleboat- there were also ducks.  I don't know quite what it was- it could even have been just the water- but it was very romantic, and we both wished our boyfriends were there w/ us- but we made them the main topic of conversation instead.  It's so good to have a friend that can relate to what you're going through!  Thanks, God.

The 'pond' is actually 10 acres, and when I'm down by it, I don't notice the looming buildings much, especially at night.

Here's some things I learned at that workshop Monday lunch time: (I knew it was about international students, but I didn't know it was about Study Abroad!!  And with Aaron doing that (in Spain,) it made it especially relevant.  The main emphasis was how the University of Minnesota is working on increasing the number of students participating.  Currently, the average number of students studying abroad for any point in time before they graduate college is 4%.  That's not very big.  The committee's goal is to increase that number at the U if M to 50% by 2005. (it's been pushed for a couple years now) but the president said that even if it takes several years for that to happen, he'll support it- (with words and money.)  They also are pushing for teachers to 'internationalize' their courses- and we all discussed what some hesitations would be, but they compensate (financially) for participating teachers, and have good suggestions and support groups.  I was really impressed w/ the whole presentation (professional, thorough)- everyone seemed excited and had creative ideas of how to accomplish things/understand things. At one point, everyone had to change one thing about our appearance, and at another, a lady described how all the teachers participating in the program went to the Arborium for the day, and how they relaxed, listened to calming music, meditated, and then clicked and clucked at each other, instead of speaking- - now doesn't that sound fun?  (hehe- think of a professor doing that!)

Lastly, there were 5 Factors that typically keep someone from studying abroad. (me? it's not even given as a option at my school, and I haven't really thought of it- but I bet it'd be great! this is my last semester- and I can work abroad maybe) I think they can be applied to a lot of things we're stopped from (like my future job after graduation). They are:
FINANCES
FIT
FACULTY and ADVISOR SUPPORT
FEAR
FAMILY & FRIENDS

my break from the norm landed me in a mermaid story (a girl outsmarted one in the end) and good ol' Mother Goose.  Here are some riddles- and then a rhyme- please guess the answers!

“What makes the lamb love Mary so?”
    The eager children cry.
“Oh, Mary loves the lamb, you know,”
    The teacher did reply.

Take care of yourself.

I thought i take pretty good care of myself until I almost passed out last night.  I think the factors were I was really hot (a long prayer meeting w/ a lot of people close together) and I hadn't eaten much real food (some, but mostly whatever I found around the room, and lots of water) and I had walked a lot- that, and the whole medical study thing- when I (anyone) lack(s) that great blood that does amazing things for you (like delivering things/nutrient/oxygen- it's like a postal worker!), I should be more careful!!  Luckily, a girl got me a pear and a water bottle, and I soon was back in reality.  So, I ate a good breakfast today, and will eat lunch, etc.- - - and it's not that I don't like eatting- I ran out of meals at school, and they start on Mondays, so I thought one day of mostly snacks would be fine!  (it wasn't)

Today's a new day.