Well, November's over and I did not write a novel. But here are some things I did do:
-made a t-shirt quilt
-learned how to waterfall braid
-homemade some gingersnaps
-finished my circuits lab
-realized I have my friends' Andy's orders memorized
-spent a glorious almost week in Texas
-wrote three lab reports
-ran a 5K
-went to one concert, performed in another
-watched multiple movies
-started AND FINISHED a scrapbook
-won an intramural soccer game
-completed three sets of heat transfer homework
-read multiple books
and probably more stuff that I can't remember just now.
Opportunity cost, folks.
(opportunity cost is the only thing econ-related I remember from econ. the other things I remember have to do with diamonds, flutes, John Stossel, spoons, pens, the Jonas Brothers, and Patrick Swayze.)
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lists. Show all posts
01 December 2012
03 October 2012
clever and catchy
It's time to play "What's Been Hanging Out in Molly's Backpack". I did a clean out of my front backpack pocket this week, then made a mental note to do clean outs more often. Here's what I found: Ayn Rand's Anthem, my beloved TI-Nspire, koozie wrapped camera, letters from home, nuclear wallet card, Tide-To-Go I got from Madi for high school graduation with the original message, 2 forks borrowed from the Student Center food court, toothbrush and floss, Burt's Bees cuticle cream, headphones, headband, orange, camera cord, crossword puzzles, planner, GTL emergency phone numbers, Swiss army knife, Burt's Bees lip balm, two pink erasers, a plethora of pens, Kleenex, ibuprofen, two USB drives, two packs of gum, Ricola, a Russian Earl Grey teabag, and a TAZO chai teabag being used as a bookmark. Impressive, no?
On an unrelated note, I spent a good amount of class time this morning perusing Bing images of Vladimir Putin and puppies. Then I toyed with the idea of not telling that to anyone ever. But just look!
*not pictured: lots of various trash
On an unrelated note, I spent a good amount of class time this morning perusing Bing images of Vladimir Putin and puppies. Then I toyed with the idea of not telling that to anyone ever. But just look!
21 September 2012
Friday Five
Five Nicknames That I Have/Have Had/Wanted Desperately
5. Maaawwrry: although this version of my name has really only caught on while I've been in college, it all started with Trish/Trishtopher/Stingray, my tenth grade English teacher. My friend and I would pay her daily sneak attack visits of jumping in her classroom and yelling "Herrrooo!" and leaving again as quickly as possible. She always responded with a "Herro, Mawwrry".
4. Molly- : a grouping of several. My sixth grade science teacher called me Molly-Jo, seventh grade reading teacher called me Molly-Dogg, my roommate calls me Molly-Pants, and my mom calls me Molly-Girl and Molly-Mol on occasion. I'm also including the crowd pleasing Mollz-Ballz here, coined by Jilly-Bean and adopted by Ker-Bear.
3. Miss Molly: this is what kiddos at church call me when I'm rocking out as preschool music teacher at Vacation Bible School or child wrangler extraordinaire at Sizzlin' Summer Missions. Thanks in large part to Little Richard, lots of other people call me this as well.
2. E: this is one that I really wanted to catch on. My initials are MCC, or, in other terms, MC^2, which makes me E according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence. It really only got so far as one person ever calling me E - my kindred Physics-loving spirit during high school - and in retrospect I'm thinking that might have been for the best.
1. Pooh Bear/Molly Pooh Bear/Molly Pooh: my grandpa has called me Pooh Bear for as long as I can remember. There isn't a real story behind it, but who ever said that nicknames need a reason?
What names have you been nicked?
5. Maaawwrry: although this version of my name has really only caught on while I've been in college, it all started with Trish/Trishtopher/Stingray, my tenth grade English teacher. My friend and I would pay her daily sneak attack visits of jumping in her classroom and yelling "Herrrooo!" and leaving again as quickly as possible. She always responded with a "Herro, Mawwrry".
4. Molly- : a grouping of several. My sixth grade science teacher called me Molly-Jo, seventh grade reading teacher called me Molly-Dogg, my roommate calls me Molly-Pants, and my mom calls me Molly-Girl and Molly-Mol on occasion. I'm also including the crowd pleasing Mollz-Ballz here, coined by Jilly-Bean and adopted by Ker-Bear.
3. Miss Molly: this is what kiddos at church call me when I'm rocking out as preschool music teacher at Vacation Bible School or child wrangler extraordinaire at Sizzlin' Summer Missions. Thanks in large part to Little Richard, lots of other people call me this as well.
2. E: this is one that I really wanted to catch on. My initials are MCC, or, in other terms, MC^2, which makes me E according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence. It really only got so far as one person ever calling me E - my kindred Physics-loving spirit during high school - and in retrospect I'm thinking that might have been for the best.
1. Pooh Bear/Molly Pooh Bear/Molly Pooh: my grandpa has called me Pooh Bear for as long as I can remember. There isn't a real story behind it, but who ever said that nicknames need a reason?
What names have you been nicked?
07 September 2012
Friday Five
Five Things That Are Perpetually on My To-Do List.
5. Figure out what nuclear engineers actually do: yes, those exact words are on several of my to-do lists, starting two years ago. I mean, I get the gist, and I understand the science behind it all, I just don't know what nuclear engineers actually do. Ya dig?
4. Check on that due date: I feel like I'm always telling myself and others that I need to check T-Square to figure out the due dates of homework/quizzes/tests/whatnot. I usually do check then forget again 5 seconds later. So maybe this should be written on my lists as "record that due date on a calendar" from now on.
3. Go to the Wal-Mart: no matter what, no matter when, no matter how recently I've been, I always seem to need to go to the Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. Given, part of this is because I just really like the Wal-Mart. Aisles are therapeutic, y'all.
2. Get in touch with So-and-So: there is a never ending queue of people that I either want or need to drop a line, be it letters, email, phone call, whatevs. Summer in a different country with no cell phone was not friendly to my communication habits.
1. Watch/read/listen to : why must there be so many tempting movies, shows, books, magazines, blogs, albums, concerts? I want to see/hear ALL the things.
5. Figure out what nuclear engineers actually do: yes, those exact words are on several of my to-do lists, starting two years ago. I mean, I get the gist, and I understand the science behind it all, I just don't know what nuclear engineers actually do. Ya dig?
4. Check on that due date: I feel like I'm always telling myself and others that I need to check T-Square to figure out the due dates of homework/quizzes/tests/whatnot. I usually do check then forget again 5 seconds later. So maybe this should be written on my lists as "record that due date on a calendar" from now on.
3. Go to the Wal-Mart: no matter what, no matter when, no matter how recently I've been, I always seem to need to go to the Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. Given, part of this is because I just really like the Wal-Mart. Aisles are therapeutic, y'all.
2. Get in touch with So-and-So: there is a never ending queue of people that I either want or need to drop a line, be it letters, email, phone call, whatevs. Summer in a different country with no cell phone was not friendly to my communication habits.
1. Watch/read/listen to : why must there be so many tempting movies, shows, books, magazines, blogs, albums, concerts? I want to see/hear ALL the things.
31 August 2012
Friday Five
Five of My Very Favorite Restaurant Meals Ever.
5. The Child's Enchilada Plate, Gilbert's El Charro, Tyler, TX: I get this every time I go to El Charro. It's chili con carne smothered comfort food. I've had enchiladas many places, but nothing quite compares to El Charro Tex-Mex quality.
4. Some duck, some restaurant, Philadelphia, PA: during my college search, my parents and I found ourselves in Philadelphia late at night and very hungry. We went to some restaurant that I think might have been a tapas bar and included the word "spoon" in the name. I don't remember. What I do remember is the dish I ordered. It was duck breast in a cherry glaze. It was goooood, it was my first duck, and it is responsible for my lasting duck obsession.
3. Pancakes, Lighthouse Diner (I think), Sausalito, CA: my grandparents took me to San Francisco for my 13th birthday, and one of our mornings was spent on the island of Sausalito. These pancakes were probably 2 times bigger than my face. I know we had much fancier and probably even much better food (Julius Castle, Mama's french toast!), but for some reason those huge pancakes define that trip for me.
2. Pancakes, Esperanza's Bakery, Fort Worth, TX: it's sort of weird for me to put pancakes on here twice, but these were some good pancakes. We went to Esperanza's on a family trip to the Stockyards - as in, whole family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole shebang. So in addition to being delicious and having syrup cooked into the batter, these pancakes remind me of doing fun stuff with my family.
1. Fried Green Tomato Po'boy, Crabby Jacks, New Orleans, LA: ohmygoodness I got this sandwich with the tomatoes coming straight out of the fryer. It was unbelievably tasty. I ate here with my work site on a youth mission trip, so more good memories associated with the food.
Ok, I have way more favorite restaurant meals because I am an eater. These are just the first ones to pop into my head at the moment. Isn't it neat how meals carry so many memories?
5. The Child's Enchilada Plate, Gilbert's El Charro, Tyler, TX: I get this every time I go to El Charro. It's chili con carne smothered comfort food. I've had enchiladas many places, but nothing quite compares to El Charro Tex-Mex quality.
4. Some duck, some restaurant, Philadelphia, PA: during my college search, my parents and I found ourselves in Philadelphia late at night and very hungry. We went to some restaurant that I think might have been a tapas bar and included the word "spoon" in the name. I don't remember. What I do remember is the dish I ordered. It was duck breast in a cherry glaze. It was goooood, it was my first duck, and it is responsible for my lasting duck obsession.
3. Pancakes, Lighthouse Diner (I think), Sausalito, CA: my grandparents took me to San Francisco for my 13th birthday, and one of our mornings was spent on the island of Sausalito. These pancakes were probably 2 times bigger than my face. I know we had much fancier and probably even much better food (Julius Castle, Mama's french toast!), but for some reason those huge pancakes define that trip for me.
2. Pancakes, Esperanza's Bakery, Fort Worth, TX: it's sort of weird for me to put pancakes on here twice, but these were some good pancakes. We went to Esperanza's on a family trip to the Stockyards - as in, whole family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole shebang. So in addition to being delicious and having syrup cooked into the batter, these pancakes remind me of doing fun stuff with my family.
1. Fried Green Tomato Po'boy, Crabby Jacks, New Orleans, LA: ohmygoodness I got this sandwich with the tomatoes coming straight out of the fryer. It was unbelievably tasty. I ate here with my work site on a youth mission trip, so more good memories associated with the food.
Ok, I have way more favorite restaurant meals because I am an eater. These are just the first ones to pop into my head at the moment. Isn't it neat how meals carry so many memories?
24 August 2012
Friday Five
Five Things Without Which I Could Not Survive the First Week of Class.
5. Pilot G2 07's in every color and Black Pilot Precise V5's: I write my notes in pen, no pencils. (Except for math classes but those are OVER!) Without these pens I would have no notes, because I am one of those people who will write on looseleaf and recopy everything before writing in the same notebook with a different pen.
4. iPhone: so I can check email and Twitter without having to go through the arduous task of opening a laptop. Really, though, it's extremely convenient to have everything I need at my fingertips. I'm also one of those people who has to have closure with any and every question, so I look up a lot of random stuff on the interwebz to either prove points or satisfy general curiosity. And wouldn't you know it, this thing even calls people!
3. Tea: I drink it caffeinated in the morning to wake up and herbal at night to wind down. My quality of life is significantly better when tea is involved.
2. Chacos: worn 4 out of 5 days this first week. How else am I expected to truck across campus comfortably AND stylishly?
1. Wristwatch: call me old-fashioned, but I just love wearing my watch(es). I know I can check the time on my phone, but I much prefer using a watch. These handy tickers keep my world running on time.
5. Pilot G2 07's in every color and Black Pilot Precise V5's: I write my notes in pen, no pencils. (Except for math classes but those are OVER!) Without these pens I would have no notes, because I am one of those people who will write on looseleaf and recopy everything before writing in the same notebook with a different pen.
4. iPhone: so I can check email and Twitter without having to go through the arduous task of opening a laptop. Really, though, it's extremely convenient to have everything I need at my fingertips. I'm also one of those people who has to have closure with any and every question, so I look up a lot of random stuff on the interwebz to either prove points or satisfy general curiosity. And wouldn't you know it, this thing even calls people!
3. Tea: I drink it caffeinated in the morning to wake up and herbal at night to wind down. My quality of life is significantly better when tea is involved.
2. Chacos: worn 4 out of 5 days this first week. How else am I expected to truck across campus comfortably AND stylishly?
1. Wristwatch: call me old-fashioned, but I just love wearing my watch(es). I know I can check the time on my phone, but I much prefer using a watch. These handy tickers keep my world running on time.
27 July 2012
Friday Five
5 Words/Phrases that are Probably Overused in my Vocabulary
(These are the things that I think I say the most, which very well could or could not be the things I say the most. Feel free to inform me of my limited perception.)
5. "No problem" and "true dat". They're my go-to's, no matter what the occasion. "Thank you", "excuse me", "do you mind...","can I...", it all gets answered with "no problem". Or, if you're really lucky, "no prob, man". When I have nothing else to say, or when I want to express agreement, I throw out a "true dat".
4. Referring to myself as "sista". As in, "Sista needs a new pair of pants", or "sista's gotta watch her figure". It makes me seem like I take myself less seriously. Soooo nonchalant.
3. Anything from Sweet Brown.
2. Since being in France, "Oui.", a la Cardinal Richelieu.
1. Y'all, all y'all, y'all's, y'all're.
I'd love to hear yours!
(Another thing that crops up quite often is, "Oh....I was quoting something" - because I'm usually always quoting something and it usually always doesn't get picked up. My life is one long ride on the struggle bus, y'all.)
(These are the things that I think I say the most, which very well could or could not be the things I say the most. Feel free to inform me of my limited perception.)
5. "No problem" and "true dat". They're my go-to's, no matter what the occasion. "Thank you", "excuse me", "do you mind...","can I...", it all gets answered with "no problem". Or, if you're really lucky, "no prob, man". When I have nothing else to say, or when I want to express agreement, I throw out a "true dat".
4. Referring to myself as "sista". As in, "Sista needs a new pair of pants", or "sista's gotta watch her figure". It makes me seem like I take myself less seriously. Soooo nonchalant.
3. Anything from Sweet Brown.
2. Since being in France, "Oui.", a la Cardinal Richelieu.
1. Y'all, all y'all, y'all's, y'all're.
I'd love to hear yours!
(Another thing that crops up quite often is, "Oh....I was quoting something" - because I'm usually always quoting something and it usually always doesn't get picked up. My life is one long ride on the struggle bus, y'all.)
20 July 2012
Friday Five
Since it's Friday, and since I'm feeling particularly blaggy, I am going to perform an experiment. Here's the deal: every Friday from here until eternity*, I will list five things about myself that pertain to a certain topic. Here's the catch: it's interactive. I'm counting on y'all to holla atcha girl with five things about yourself that pertain to the same topic, in whatever manner pleases you. Send an email, leave a comment, write a letter, keep a diary to bequeath to me on your deathbed, use the Force, start a blog, the possibilities are endless. Here are the rules: be honest and don't call this a "linky party", because that name is entirely too silly. But if you do choose to respond on your own blog, give me a shoutout so that your parents massive readership will know that I have insane topic making up abilities.
*or until I forget or something.
Why all of this? Because as I'm reading War and Peace, I'm wistfully longing for the days where people would go to each others houses to talk as evening entertainment, instead of liking each others' pictures and calling it interaction. In lieu of an awesome house in St. Petersburg where we could all feast and converse, I have this blag. I do what I can. So to kick things off, here are 5 Things I Vowed I Would Never Like But Ended Up Really Liking Anyway (I warned you about my topic making up abilities).
5. Coffee. It used to be so gross. The only hot drink I used to touch was hot chocolate. Then I went through a phase when I believed that drinking tea, breakfasting on jam and English muffins, and reading Jane Austen would make me British. It didn't, but it made me the second best thing - a tea snob, and I only drank black tea. Then someone introduced me to a magical land called Starbucks, where coffee tastes like chocolate milkshakes. Milkshakes turned to mochas, mochas turned to lattes, lattes turned to milk and sugar, milk and sugar turned to black. And there you have it. Now it's hard to go a day not drinking a cup. or two or three.
4. Wuthering Heights. I read this book as a ninth grader, then made paper dolls of the characters for an English project. I thought it was the biggest waste of my young life. I could have been reading something about dragons or Pride and Prejudice for the sixth time, but I was stuck with mopey Cathy and Heathcliff instead. Then I had to read it again senior year, and it was kind of beautiful.
3. Pinterest. I hate to be that girl, but I did have a Pinterest account before it was cool. No one else had one, though, and I kept looking up pictures of Anastasia instead of studying for my AP tests, so I deleted it. Then EVERYONE had a Pinterest. So I requested another invitation, but Pinterest was not about to let me back into their elite society (which kind of hurt my feelings, Pinterest). So I decided to dislike them out of spite for two or three years. But I caved in a couple of hours ago and it's pretty awesome......
2. Black Licorice. There are always bowls of black jellybeans sitting around our house at Eastertime. Mainly because I eat all the red ones out first, then go for the pink ones when the red have run out, then maybe a white or a green if those have both gone and I'm desperate for a sugar fix. But never the black because they were gross. Then a few weeks ago, I could not resist these candies I saw in Strasbourg. The profile of a Cherokee chief caught my eye. The bin was labelled Melting Pot Ancient Cultures. There was also a stereotypical Chinaman. But they were black licorice. Turns out, my racial insensitivities beat out my tastebuds and I bought a scoopful. And it was delicious. I am now a black licorice addict.
1. Skiing. My parents and grandparents, as well as a few million ski instructors, can attest to the fact that I stubbornly disliked snow skiing for about 3/4 of my life. I hated the cold toes, being dropped off with a stranger from Australia for the whole day, having to ski in the back of the line and yell "wipe-out" when someone fell but not being loud enough to be heard, sharing communal chapstick, etc. Then one year I realized that my parents were going to continue to take me skiing whether I enjoyed or not, so I decided to enjoy it. Best. Decision. Ever.
And you?
*or until I forget or something.
Why all of this? Because as I'm reading War and Peace, I'm wistfully longing for the days where people would go to each others houses to talk as evening entertainment, instead of liking each others' pictures and calling it interaction. In lieu of an awesome house in St. Petersburg where we could all feast and converse, I have this blag. I do what I can. So to kick things off, here are 5 Things I Vowed I Would Never Like But Ended Up Really Liking Anyway (I warned you about my topic making up abilities).
5. Coffee. It used to be so gross. The only hot drink I used to touch was hot chocolate. Then I went through a phase when I believed that drinking tea, breakfasting on jam and English muffins, and reading Jane Austen would make me British. It didn't, but it made me the second best thing - a tea snob, and I only drank black tea. Then someone introduced me to a magical land called Starbucks, where coffee tastes like chocolate milkshakes. Milkshakes turned to mochas, mochas turned to lattes, lattes turned to milk and sugar, milk and sugar turned to black. And there you have it. Now it's hard to go a day not drinking a cup. or two or three.
4. Wuthering Heights. I read this book as a ninth grader, then made paper dolls of the characters for an English project. I thought it was the biggest waste of my young life. I could have been reading something about dragons or Pride and Prejudice for the sixth time, but I was stuck with mopey Cathy and Heathcliff instead. Then I had to read it again senior year, and it was kind of beautiful.
3. Pinterest. I hate to be that girl, but I did have a Pinterest account before it was cool. No one else had one, though, and I kept looking up pictures of Anastasia instead of studying for my AP tests, so I deleted it. Then EVERYONE had a Pinterest. So I requested another invitation, but Pinterest was not about to let me back into their elite society (which kind of hurt my feelings, Pinterest). So I decided to dislike them out of spite for two or three years. But I caved in a couple of hours ago and it's pretty awesome......
2. Black Licorice. There are always bowls of black jellybeans sitting around our house at Eastertime. Mainly because I eat all the red ones out first, then go for the pink ones when the red have run out, then maybe a white or a green if those have both gone and I'm desperate for a sugar fix. But never the black because they were gross. Then a few weeks ago, I could not resist these candies I saw in Strasbourg. The profile of a Cherokee chief caught my eye. The bin was labelled Melting Pot Ancient Cultures. There was also a stereotypical Chinaman. But they were black licorice. Turns out, my racial insensitivities beat out my tastebuds and I bought a scoopful. And it was delicious. I am now a black licorice addict.
1. Skiing. My parents and grandparents, as well as a few million ski instructors, can attest to the fact that I stubbornly disliked snow skiing for about 3/4 of my life. I hated the cold toes, being dropped off with a stranger from Australia for the whole day, having to ski in the back of the line and yell "wipe-out" when someone fell but not being loud enough to be heard, sharing communal chapstick, etc. Then one year I realized that my parents were going to continue to take me skiing whether I enjoyed or not, so I decided to enjoy it. Best. Decision. Ever.
And you?
17 July 2012
It's the Little Things
Here are some that have happened recently:
Seeing a komodo dragon
Sending off a bunch of postcards
Skyping a mom, a dad, and a dog
White nectarines
Trolling Saruman
Having a good experience at the grocery store
Contact from friends
Throwing myself a tea party
Finding the perfect souvenir for someone
Eastern Europe
My Utmost for His Highest
Reading 1/4 of War and Peace
Licorice cookies
Holding hands with an old lady
Disney Princess socks
Creeping on Russia pictures
Feeling His provision
Seeing a komodo dragon
Sending off a bunch of postcards
Skyping a mom, a dad, and a dog
White nectarines
Trolling Saruman
Having a good experience at the grocery store
Contact from friends
Throwing myself a tea party
Finding the perfect souvenir for someone
Eastern Europe
My Utmost for His Highest
Reading 1/4 of War and Peace
Licorice cookies
Holding hands with an old lady
Disney Princess socks
Creeping on Russia pictures
Feeling His provision
17 May 2012
First Impressions
It took awhile, but I've finally made it to a mental state to start telling travel tales.
First of all, remember when I went to Las Vegas? Yeah, well, what I didn't tell anyone was that after sitting on the plane for an hour or so, my flight was delayed to the point of me missing any and all connections that I needed in Chicago, so I had to go home and wake up extremely early the next morning to catch another flight. It was miserable. So of course I'm worried about not being able to fly out of Pounds Field in time to catch my flight from Dallas to Frankfurt. Lucky me, that 25 minute flight went without a hitch! Then I just sat in the airport for three hours or and waited to board the flight to Frankfurt. In the process, I met other GTL kiddos on the same flight and formed a coalition. We joked that if the plane were delayed and we missed the bus to Metz, at least we wouldn't be alone! Then the plane was delayed. We didn't joke anymore.
Apparently some fellow got on board, felt sick, and decided that he didn't really want to fly to Germany anyway. So he got off the plane. But one cannot simply walk off of a plane. The airline has to go into the bottom where all of the checked luggage is kept and fish out his bag. This takes awhile. While they were fishing, it came to the airline's attention that there were some metal shavings in the ball bearing of something pertaining to the lavatory. So that had to be fixed, too. Two and a half hours of sitting on the tarmac after our scheduled take-off time, we finally got into the air. The good news: I had an aisle seat. The bad news: the fellow beside me had extremely broad shoulders that spilled over into my zone. Oddly, he had really short legs. So when I told my parents I was hoping to sit by someone "normal-sized", I guess this guy averaged to normal. He was uncomfortable to sit next to, though.
We did miss our shuttle, but lucky for us there was a later one scheduled. We just had to sit and wait some more. And, voila!, I'm in France. The first night was a welcome dinner, the second day an orientation, and classes started on the third day. For the orientation, we got to bus into downtown Metz and walk around for a bit before eating dinner (at an Asian place?), hopping aboard the tourist train for a guided tour, and then attending a reception with the mayor.
My first impressions of Metz:
-cora is amazing
-where is the peanut butter
-how can one consume this much bread without becoming bread themselves
-it's colder than I thought
-I wish it would stop raining
-the mayor is extremely punctual
-these French people are so trendy
-soccer all the time
-these crows have got to be Crebain
My first impressions of GTL:
-class? what?
-so. much. lunch.
-so. many. vectors.
-homework assigned the first day, due the second, quiz on the third. lawdy.
First of all, remember when I went to Las Vegas? Yeah, well, what I didn't tell anyone was that after sitting on the plane for an hour or so, my flight was delayed to the point of me missing any and all connections that I needed in Chicago, so I had to go home and wake up extremely early the next morning to catch another flight. It was miserable. So of course I'm worried about not being able to fly out of Pounds Field in time to catch my flight from Dallas to Frankfurt. Lucky me, that 25 minute flight went without a hitch! Then I just sat in the airport for three hours or and waited to board the flight to Frankfurt. In the process, I met other GTL kiddos on the same flight and formed a coalition. We joked that if the plane were delayed and we missed the bus to Metz, at least we wouldn't be alone! Then the plane was delayed. We didn't joke anymore.
Apparently some fellow got on board, felt sick, and decided that he didn't really want to fly to Germany anyway. So he got off the plane. But one cannot simply walk off of a plane. The airline has to go into the bottom where all of the checked luggage is kept and fish out his bag. This takes awhile. While they were fishing, it came to the airline's attention that there were some metal shavings in the ball bearing of something pertaining to the lavatory. So that had to be fixed, too. Two and a half hours of sitting on the tarmac after our scheduled take-off time, we finally got into the air. The good news: I had an aisle seat. The bad news: the fellow beside me had extremely broad shoulders that spilled over into my zone. Oddly, he had really short legs. So when I told my parents I was hoping to sit by someone "normal-sized", I guess this guy averaged to normal. He was uncomfortable to sit next to, though.
We did miss our shuttle, but lucky for us there was a later one scheduled. We just had to sit and wait some more. And, voila!, I'm in France. The first night was a welcome dinner, the second day an orientation, and classes started on the third day. For the orientation, we got to bus into downtown Metz and walk around for a bit before eating dinner (at an Asian place?), hopping aboard the tourist train for a guided tour, and then attending a reception with the mayor.
My first impressions of Metz:
-cora is amazing
-where is the peanut butter
-how can one consume this much bread without becoming bread themselves
-it's colder than I thought
-I wish it would stop raining
-the mayor is extremely punctual
-these French people are so trendy
-soccer all the time
-these crows have got to be Crebain
My first impressions of GTL:
-class? what?
-so. much. lunch.
-so. many. vectors.
-homework assigned the first day, due the second, quiz on the third. lawdy.
11 May 2012
Adventure Mode
Things I have done so far to prepare for my summer in Europe:
-bought an e-reader. Heaven help me. I feel like a traitor to the literary world. Alas, this thing is pretty awesome, as well as being super light and space efficient. Perfect for a traveller.
-made piles and piles of clothes. I pile before I pack.
-stocked up on jeggings. Y'all, I cannot lie. I love jeggings. Plus, you can wear them round the clock without being uncomfortable, bunch them up in the bottom of a backpack, wash them in a sink, layer them for warmth, string them up on a tree branch as a distress signal, stretch them across chasms, etc. Basically, they rock. Bandwagon, joined.
-made a new blog header. Because we all know that's rull important.
-watched several episodes of Friday Night Lights. I must finish Season Five before leaving. Consider it a personal goal.
-ate Mexican food. And I'll be back for more before Sunday rolls around.
-made several trips to several stores. To get several things.
-hung out with family and friends. This usually involved food.
-ordered textbooks. Because apparently classes are involved in this whole study abroad thing. Who'da thunk?
-took care of bi'ness (or business, for those not down with my jive). Bi'ness is no fun.
Just a few more days...
-bought an e-reader. Heaven help me. I feel like a traitor to the literary world. Alas, this thing is pretty awesome, as well as being super light and space efficient. Perfect for a traveller.
-made piles and piles of clothes. I pile before I pack.
-stocked up on jeggings. Y'all, I cannot lie. I love jeggings. Plus, you can wear them round the clock without being uncomfortable, bunch them up in the bottom of a backpack, wash them in a sink, layer them for warmth, string them up on a tree branch as a distress signal, stretch them across chasms, etc. Basically, they rock. Bandwagon, joined.
-made a new blog header. Because we all know that's rull important.
-watched several episodes of Friday Night Lights. I must finish Season Five before leaving. Consider it a personal goal.
-ate Mexican food. And I'll be back for more before Sunday rolls around.
-made several trips to several stores. To get several things.
-hung out with family and friends. This usually involved food.
-ordered textbooks. Because apparently classes are involved in this whole study abroad thing. Who'da thunk?
-took care of bi'ness (or business, for those not down with my jive). Bi'ness is no fun.
Just a few more days...
09 March 2012
From the desk of...
Well, the Housing Department managed to fix our HVAC unit to blow cold air. This is a monumental occasion, seeing as I can finally close my window for more than 8 minutes without being stifled and at risk of asphyxiation. That...was an overreaction. (please read the previous sentence as if you were the Nard-Dog after punching your hand through a wall.) Hyperbole aside, I'm thrilled to be able to close my window. Now I can reset my pictures and knick-knacks without fearing they'll be blown over periodically by gusts of wind. And since I enjoy lists and sharing mundane information, here's a catalog of the flotsam and jetsam littering my desk:
- fancy Kleenex
- flash cards from last semester
- 3 PEZ dispensers - Belle, Pooh, and a BYU football
- a model TIE interceptor
- flashlight
- mug from Steak and Shake
- blank index cards
- way too many writing utensils than practical
- Eat Mor Chikin cow
- teacup from Cafe Intermezzo
- Millard the Hedgehog
- digital Burger King Star Wars watch, in collector's tin
- a Nalgene and a Camelbak
- framed photographs - Halloween circa 1998, atop Judge Baylor, at the HPDHP2 premiere, roomies, with Lord Vader, Mission Week 2011, with my favorite SBDT '10-'11 O
- travel coffee mug in need of a wash*
- empty jar of Smuckers Natural, complete with dirty spoon*
- desk lamp
- Han Solo
- The Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
- fingernail clippers
- iTunes giftcard
- handwritten Bible verses - Romans 12:12, Psalm 23:1-4
- TI-nspire, sans batteries
*in my defense, these items are only a day old.
In unrelated news, my grandparents were here last weekend! It was the bomb. And my mom plus my bestie and her mom (and one of my practically-moms) will be here starting tomorrow! I'm planning a dissertational post in which I compare and contrast the particulars of each visit and thence conclude which of the two made the most lasting impression. Jokes. In truth, I'm planning an "oh-my-gracious-I-love-visitors" post in which I detail why my family/friends are the most ballin' people on the planet. Hold on to your hats!
15 February 2012
Love Remains
It's the day after Valentine's Day, but I still love everyone and everything just as much.
Some things I loved about yesterday:
These pants. I wore them.
Wagon wheel earrings.
Not being as careful about food intake as usual*.
Cardigans.
Searching Bing images and Etsy with "funny cat valentine" "nerd valentine" "lord of the rings valentine" keywords.
Appointing myself Tweetmaster of Georgia Tech American Nuclear Society.
A compatriot in the effort to bring back "ballin'" to everyday vernacular.
First official Tweet, complete with nuclear Valentine's poem.
$2 Peppermint Mocha.
Annual Valentine's Dinner at Brittain Dining Hall**.
Cupcakes.
Pink socks with red hearts.
Some things I love about today:
Waking up early.
Hairbows.
Migas.
Homemade cookies.
Sunshine.
Cardigans***.
Granny Smith apples.
The pastor at the church I attend here in Atlanta ends every service saying, "Remember! The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay; love isn't love 'til you give it away". And that's what I love about Valentine's Day. I love because I am loved.
*Yes, I watch what I eat. Yes, it is lame. But sister's got to look good if she wants to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. And she does, very much, want to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. They're like heaven in pant form.
**I have an uncalled for obsession with this dining hall. It's not great. It's not even good. I just have a soft spot in my heart for ol' Brit-tain. And I've been wanting to eat there all year. And this was perfect, because last year the Katies Squared and I went on our Valentine's date to the Brittain Valentine's Dinner, too. We're making it an official tradition now that we've done it twice.
***I'm reverting to the phase in my life when I wore cardigans every day and every way. It's ballin' to be back.
Some things I loved about yesterday:
These pants. I wore them.
Wagon wheel earrings.
Not being as careful about food intake as usual*.
Cardigans.
Searching Bing images and Etsy with "funny cat valentine" "nerd valentine" "lord of the rings valentine" keywords.
Appointing myself Tweetmaster of Georgia Tech American Nuclear Society.
A compatriot in the effort to bring back "ballin'" to everyday vernacular.
First official Tweet, complete with nuclear Valentine's poem.
$2 Peppermint Mocha.
Annual Valentine's Dinner at Brittain Dining Hall**.
Cupcakes.
Pink socks with red hearts.
Some things I love about today:
Waking up early.
Hairbows.
Migas.
Homemade cookies.
Sunshine.
Cardigans***.
Granny Smith apples.
The pastor at the church I attend here in Atlanta ends every service saying, "Remember! The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay; love isn't love 'til you give it away". And that's what I love about Valentine's Day. I love because I am loved.
*Yes, I watch what I eat. Yes, it is lame. But sister's got to look good if she wants to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. And she does, very much, want to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. They're like heaven in pant form.
**I have an uncalled for obsession with this dining hall. It's not great. It's not even good. I just have a soft spot in my heart for ol' Brit-tain. And I've been wanting to eat there all year. And this was perfect, because last year the Katies Squared and I went on our Valentine's date to the Brittain Valentine's Dinner, too. We're making it an official tradition now that we've done it twice.
***I'm reverting to the phase in my life when I wore cardigans every day and every way. It's ballin' to be back.
31 December 2011
The Break
In a nutshell,
we drove.
we ate.
we Christmas-ed.
we Quelfed.
we took part in some drive-by shootings.
we Christmas-ed some more.
we made snowflakes.
we flew.
we skied.
we ate.
we hiked up and subsequently skied down.
we watched Firefly.
we ate.
we shopped.
we watched football.
we flew.
we ate.
we watched football.
And I've been reading and acquiring new penpals and avoiding all sorts of responsibility. But, hey, it's break.
17 November 2011
Happenings
This week:
Return of the King was on TNT.
I made a smore.
I had a good phone call.
I received letters from some of my favorite people.
A random fellow chose to spill his heart to me for an unbiased opinion and advice on his breakup.*
I played soccer in the rain.
I've discovered apple tea.
I'm less than a week away from being home sweet home.
It's the small things.
*I was eating lunch and reading a book. He sat down and asked to talk. She's one lucky girl. I hope they make it work. Then we talked about books. I'll probably never see him again.
Return of the King was on TNT.
I made a smore.
I had a good phone call.
I received letters from some of my favorite people.
A random fellow chose to spill his heart to me for an unbiased opinion and advice on his breakup.*
I played soccer in the rain.
I've discovered apple tea.
I'm less than a week away from being home sweet home.
It's the small things.
*I was eating lunch and reading a book. He sat down and asked to talk. She's one lucky girl. I hope they make it work. Then we talked about books. I'll probably never see him again.
02 September 2011
Adulthood
Proof that I am an adult:
I wear powder, and sometimes even blush.
I am a registered voter.
I live 696 mi. away from my parents.
I am of age to be a camp counselor*.
I just made an Excel spreadsheet to track my spending.
What more do you need?
*When I went to camp, I always had the perception that the counselors were extremely old and in a stage of life that I would never reach in a million years. If my elementary school self had been as influenced by Pioneer Woman as my college aged self, she would have said, "Rhonda help me the day I'm old enough to be a camp counselor...". My, how that day has come.
I wear powder, and sometimes even blush.
I am a registered voter.
I live 696 mi. away from my parents.
I am of age to be a camp counselor*.
I just made an Excel spreadsheet to track my spending.
What more do you need?
*When I went to camp, I always had the perception that the counselors were extremely old and in a stage of life that I would never reach in a million years. If my elementary school self had been as influenced by Pioneer Woman as my college aged self, she would have said, "Rhonda help me the day I'm old enough to be a camp counselor...". My, how that day has come.
09 May 2011
School's Out
It's summer. The only thing that's keeping me from breathing easy is the dust I've been kicking up while trying to cram everything back into my room. But still, it's summer, and it feels good. Here are the happenings so far, all of which I'm taking as indicative of a great summer:
A 10 hr, cross-country road trip with the bro. He likes to talk, I like to listen, it works well.
Making it to Tyler in time for a late dinner at Don Juan's - nothing compares.
Hearing, "that's for you", after inquiring about a package on the kitchen table. Hello, Photoshop.
Reunions during Sunday School.
Mother's Day lunch at Willowbrook.
Learning to knit.
I can't wait to see what else is in store!
A 10 hr, cross-country road trip with the bro. He likes to talk, I like to listen, it works well.
Making it to Tyler in time for a late dinner at Don Juan's - nothing compares.
Hearing, "that's for you", after inquiring about a package on the kitchen table. Hello, Photoshop.
Reunions during Sunday School.
Mother's Day lunch at Willowbrook.
Learning to knit.
I can't wait to see what else is in store!
20 April 2011
Concerting
A while ago, little Jilly Bean (because she loves I love that nickname) wrote about her favorite concerts. I intended to reciprocate in a timely manner, but I think we all know how that worked out. Regardless, I'm here now, willing to tell anyone who'll listen - look?, read? - about my absolute favorite concerts ever.
The number of concerts I've attended is not very impressive. It seems like there are always those kids who have oodles of time and cash to be in the know of all the good music and concerts. I'm not one of those kids. I'm one of those kids who has found artists she likes and on a good day will remember to check and see if they're playing any convenient and affordable shows in the near future. That being said, the quality of concerts I've been to has been superb.
1. Of course I loved seeing Rocky Votolato at the House of Blues in Dallas with Jillian, Elise, and Brandon. It was my first concert in such an intimate setting. We were about 3 rows from the stage. Ah-mazing. And Jilly Bean (again with the nickname - I just can't help it!) scurried around on the floor to pick up his thrown guitar pick at the end of the concert. It was her birthday, or else I probably would have found some way to steal it on the ride home.
3. Austin City Limits. Need I say more? Crazy, hippie-filled, multiple stages, huge names. I've found that I generally prefer small venues, but the festival atmosphere was definitely something to experience at least once. Highlights were seeing Iron and Wine, Conor Oberst, and the Raconteurs.
The number of concerts I've attended is not very impressive. It seems like there are always those kids who have oodles of time and cash to be in the know of all the good music and concerts. I'm not one of those kids. I'm one of those kids who has found artists she likes and on a good day will remember to check and see if they're playing any convenient and affordable shows in the near future. That being said, the quality of concerts I've been to has been superb.
1. Of course I loved seeing Rocky Votolato at the House of Blues in Dallas with Jillian, Elise, and Brandon. It was my first concert in such an intimate setting. We were about 3 rows from the stage. Ah-mazing. And Jilly Bean (again with the nickname - I just can't help it!) scurried around on the floor to pick up his thrown guitar pick at the end of the concert. It was her birthday, or else I probably would have found some way to steal it on the ride home.
I don't have a readily available picture from the concert, but this one just makes me happy. We were probably thinking of the fun we'd have at Rocky.
2. The one, the only, Ben. Folds! The second time I saw Ben Folds was the greatest. He played in the Centenary College Gold Dome in Shreveport, Louisiana and Eef Barzelay opened. What. the. heck. Regardless, Ben Folds was funny as mess, he played all of my favorites, and the venue was small - a must for me. Add to all of this the experience of travelling with your older brother and two of his wacky friends. Priceless.
4. I got to see Bright Eyes this year! So, so, so, good. Once again, a small venue - just my style.
Basically, concerts are fun. These are listed in no particular order, because every single one has a different discerning factor that makes it my favorite. Here's to more good shows!
03 April 2011
Remedies
Because most of my weekend has been spent either doing homework or thinking about the homework that I have left to do, I found myself a little down in the dumps this afternoon. Here's my prescription for today's blues:
>Crafts! More on this later, I actually remembered to take some photos throughout in order to do a little show and tell.
>I finally started Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, after only a bajillion people have recommended it to me.
>I wanted coffee with dinner, so I drank coffee with dinner. And put hazelnut creamer in it. Mmm. (And I met some of my favorite people in the dining hall after preparing to eat alone. Always, always a happy surprise.)
>Hazelnut always makes me think of Russia, which always makes me happy.
>I put on my favorite White Stripes album (Icky Thump).
>I put on my diamond earrings with my t-shirt and athletic shorts. They make me feel fancy, special, and loved.
>I used my favorite nail file to file my nails. Yes, I have a favorite nail file. It has hula dancers on it and is from the Gap. I have no idea when/how I got it, but I'm positive I did not buy it. (Or steal it, since the previous sentence seems to imply that.)
>I pulled down my Physics binder from last year, hugged it, then used it on my homework. I just really love this binder and the memories attached to it.
>I wrote love notes on some of my friends' Facebook walls, and texted some others.
Yes, these things are a little strange. Seeing them written out in front of me makes me realize just how much so. I like being strange. It makes me happy. You should do things that make you happy, too.
>Crafts! More on this later, I actually remembered to take some photos throughout in order to do a little show and tell.
>I finally started Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, after only a bajillion people have recommended it to me.
>I wanted coffee with dinner, so I drank coffee with dinner. And put hazelnut creamer in it. Mmm. (And I met some of my favorite people in the dining hall after preparing to eat alone. Always, always a happy surprise.)
>Hazelnut always makes me think of Russia, which always makes me happy.
>I put on my favorite White Stripes album (Icky Thump).
>I put on my diamond earrings with my t-shirt and athletic shorts. They make me feel fancy, special, and loved.
>I used my favorite nail file to file my nails. Yes, I have a favorite nail file. It has hula dancers on it and is from the Gap. I have no idea when/how I got it, but I'm positive I did not buy it. (Or steal it, since the previous sentence seems to imply that.)
>I pulled down my Physics binder from last year, hugged it, then used it on my homework. I just really love this binder and the memories attached to it.
>I wrote love notes on some of my friends' Facebook walls, and texted some others.
Yes, these things are a little strange. Seeing them written out in front of me makes me realize just how much so. I like being strange. It makes me happy. You should do things that make you happy, too.
30 March 2011
Sole Searching
I am in love with shoes. It starts with boots, but it certainly doesn't end there. I firmly believe in shoe shopping as a panacea. This is why:
1. Shoes are easy to try on. Maybe I'm lazy, but there's nothing I detest more than having to find an open dressing room, change out of my street clothes, fiddle with hangers and buttons and zippers and snaps and straps and bows, venture out to the three way mirror, take it all off, turn it all rightside out, hang everything back up, lather, rinse, repeat.
2. Feet stop growing, for the most part. There's no worse feeling than discovering you've gone up a dress size - or two - even if you can blame it on the brand running small. Feet are grounded (hee hee) at a certain size, and even if you cried yourself to sleep in middle school because of your seemingly abnormally humongous feet, there's solace in the fact that they aren't getting bigger any time soon. And you can still wear those shoes you bought amidst the tears in 7th grade.
3. Liberation. When's the last time you heard someone say, "I'm really hankering for some double dark chocolate ice cream with rainbow morsels, but probably shouldn't get any. I'm trying to watch my shoe size"?
1. Shoes are easy to try on. Maybe I'm lazy, but there's nothing I detest more than having to find an open dressing room, change out of my street clothes, fiddle with hangers and buttons and zippers and snaps and straps and bows, venture out to the three way mirror, take it all off, turn it all rightside out, hang everything back up, lather, rinse, repeat.
2. Feet stop growing, for the most part. There's no worse feeling than discovering you've gone up a dress size - or two - even if you can blame it on the brand running small. Feet are grounded (hee hee) at a certain size, and even if you cried yourself to sleep in middle school because of your seemingly abnormally humongous feet, there's solace in the fact that they aren't getting bigger any time soon. And you can still wear those shoes you bought amidst the tears in 7th grade.
3. Liberation. When's the last time you heard someone say, "I'm really hankering for some double dark chocolate ice cream with rainbow morsels, but probably shouldn't get any. I'm trying to watch my shoe size"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)