And the Rest is History

Christmas Should be 12 Days . . . Or More . . .

2009-12-09T22:50:00.005-06:00

I don't really have anything to update. Things are pretty much the way they've been. Oh, I guess there is something! We're going to see Paul's family for Christmas! I'm super excited. It is very cold there, though. Thankfully, we both have warm coats. We'll be leaving a week later than we had initially hoped, but we'll still get plenty of time. We'll also get some couple time before we go, which I'm super excited about. I'm planning to make a Christmas dinner for two. We'll listen to Christmas music, maybe watch a Christmas movie, play games, and exchange gifts (so we don't have to take them on the plane).

Christmas (like birthdays) have always been more than a day-long celebration in my family. Growing up, we wouldn't always open our presents on Christmas because sometimes, we'd be out of town visiting family. We also had a family celebration a week or two before Christmas, one Christmas Eve, and another one around New Year's. Once, we even talked my parents into letting us open the presents after dinner one night, a week early.

So the fact that we had Christmas with my side of the family on Thanksgiving, we'll have our family Christmas a week early, and Christmas with Paul's side of the family on the actual day doesn't seem weird at all. In fact, it's kind of fun. And, I'm not completely sick of the Christmas season yet. I think it's because I've been avoiding TV.

Last Saturday, I picked up a shift at work from 2:30-6:30 and wound up staying until close (for an on-call shift). I had been running late and hadn't packed a supper. So, Paul and our friends Kyle and Lisa who were in town picked up burgers and brought them to the store. We ate them together in the car on my half an hour break. I was sad that I couldn't spend more time with them but was so happy that we could hang out. I've been so blessed with awesome friends.

I should probably go to bed. I've got a bit of homework due Saturday (last packet!) and some end-of-semester materials due next week. But then I'll be done for the semester! Yay! I will definitely be taking a brake.

Old Posts

2009-12-09T22:42:00.003-06:00

I just spent the last hour reading old blog posts. I probably should have been doing something else. It was fun though. Do you ever feel like you aren't quite yourself? I was reading those posts from when I was in college, and I started to think that I'm not myself anymore. College was really when I stepped into myself and let my own personality out. I think once I moved back into the house I spent highschool in, I sort of reverted. I'll have to work on that.

I also came across a couple posts from a time when I was having a rough spell with one of my best friends. I don't know if I ever posted the resolution for that, and I thought I should. So first off, I was a jerk!!!! I just didn't realize it at the time. But my goodness, I sure was. I can be so selfish sometimes. So anyway, I just wanted to say that that friend is still my really good close friend, and I think getting through that time proves it. She's awesome to have forgiven me, and I love her. So, here goes. I was the one who caused the problem, and I should have said sorry a loooooooong time before I did. When I first wanted to. Which was like, a few days later. :-\ I could have avoided a lot of strife on both our parts.

Good Day--Weight Loss and Coffee

2009-11-16T17:33:00.005-06:00

I've had a good day. I'm sitting at a new coffee shop that opened up. It's local. I like local coffee.

I had work this morning. Yay! I like my job, and I like money, so it was good. :-) I ate lunch in the break room. Then, I ran errands. I went to the store, went to the post office, did a little gift shopping (didn't get anything). Then, I came to coffee. I've got 23 handwritten pages (approx. 20 double spaced, typed pages). Oh, of my new story for workshop. I was going to work on it more, but I might wait until this evening or tomorrow.

Also, I've been steadily gaining weight over the last two years. My clothes were becoming too small, and I don't have the money for a new wardrobe right now. So, at the beginning of October, I started counting calories and trying to exercise more. Since then, I've lost 10 pounds, 2.5", and dropped a pants size. So, ironically, I might have to get a new wardrobe afterall. But I'm super excited. For the first time in my adult life, I'm within the healthy weight range for women my age and height. I'm small boned, so I've got more to lose, but it feels good. I walked approx. 3.1 miles this morning at approx. 3.5 mph. That feels good too.

Well, it's getting dark, and I ought to go by the library on my way home. Talk with you later!

Veteran's Day

2009-11-12T00:09:00.005-06:00

I know it's late, but before I got to bed, I just wanted to thank everyone who has fought or is fighting for our country and our freedom.

Thank you to the veterans of WWI and WWII
Thank you to the veterans of the Korean War
Thank you to the veterans of Vietnam
Thank you to the veterans of Gulf Wars One and Two
Thank you to the veterans of the wars and skirmishes I know I'm forgetting. It's late, and I've always been bad at recent history.
And thank you to everyone else who has fought in wars and battles big and small, protecting the American people and our American values.

May God bless you.

Birthday and Cleaning the Garage

2009-11-09T22:16:00.006-06:00

I've had a crazy but awesome week. Paul's birthday was last Wednesday, so I made him baked stuffed tomatoes and cherry crumble pie. Friday, some friends came into town. We had Polynesian chicken with rice and stir fry veggies followed by homemade, 3 layer German's chocolate cake (my great-grandmother's recipe). Mmmm--but full of calories.

Saturday, we went to a wedding reception. I got to meet some of Paul's friends and chat with some of my friends. Sunday, we were going to go to an airshow, but it was raining. Instead, we played a 3 hour game of Settlers of Catan. I won. :-D That's one game I do okay at. I'm not too bad at Spades either, even though I am still learning (that's a joke).

Last Thursday, I cleaned out our garage. Well, only one half of it. I went through the boxes my sister and I hadn't gone through since we moved. I found some interesting things. Por examplo:

A Burger King bag from when The Lion King had just come out. Their faces look kind of like mine did when I found that bag. . . .
Cups from the theme park 11 years ago . . .

Yes, it was about time I went through the garage. If I'm brave, I'll go through the stuff Paul and I have stored there in another week or so. But before then, I have some craft projects to work on.

Oh, and how could I forget? Another interesting thing I found in the garage was a half decayed, dead rat. He smelled awful, and I was not pleased that I had to deal with him. I hope I don't find any more out there . . . At least I was prepared with my handy-dandy ufilly belt! (if anybody knows that that's from, points to you! And Karen, you'd better know . . .)

Hope everybody has a good week!

Praises (and caffeine)

2009-10-14T00:21:00.004-05:00

Sallie Mae disbursed my loan!!!! Finally, two months after they approved me for the loan. If you ever have to work with Sallie Mae, I'd suggest asking for a supervisor. Praise the Lord for providing! God is good.

I have a busy day tomorrow. I have to type my handwritten pages, proof my thesis, go by the bank, pick up new library books and read them, turn in old library books, do laundry, get the oil changed in the car, and pack for our trip Thursday. I'm probably forgetting something else I need to do.

I've been having a pretty good fall. I feel as though I know what's going on and we'll be moving on to the next phase of life soon. I'm over halfway done with grad school (yippee!!). My crazy health problems are pretty much gone, which makes me think they're stress/depression related.

I have a job I love, good friends, a wonderful family, and an amazing husband. I also serve a merciful God. Life may not be perfect, but it sure isn't bad. :-D

P.S. I went to a coffee shop to work on my writing. I always forget to ask for decaf . . .

A Good Day

2009-10-06T21:03:00.003-05:00

I had a very productive day today. I got up at 6:30am to go to the grand opening of an organic food market. I got a free tote bag with groceries in it. :-D I then walked approximately 1.8 miles at approximately 2.7 miles per hour. I showered, ate breakfast, read some, checked my e-mail, and called Sallie Mae. I had a two hour meeting. I got home and got ready for a shopping trip with my friend's mom to pick out bridesmaid dresses. We had lunch, then went to two bridal stores. We didn't get back until about supper time. After supper, I looked up lemon recipes and downloaded the bridesmaid dress pictures.

And that's my day.

On an another note, my critical thesis is almost ready to go to the office. Yay! And Sallie Mae is extraordinarily frustrating. I applied for a loan 2 months ago, had it pre-approved, but the funds haven't been disbursed due to technical difficulties on Sallie Mae's part. I have the Sallie Mae phone number memorized. I called 3 times yesterday. :-\

Otherwise, I'm doing well!

September 11

2009-09-11T21:32:00.003-05:00

In remembrance of September 11, 2001, I want to thank all those who serve our country and our people. I want to thank the military--army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard. I want to thank police, firefighters, and emergency responders. Thanks to the families of those who serve, for all that you go through. Thank you all for all you do.

I keep you all in my prayers.

May God save America.

Don't Let Your Left Hand Know . . .

2009-09-03T12:35:00.003-05:00

My brain is fried from reading on the computer all morning. I have until Tuesday to get a complete draft of my critical thesis done (that's the deadline I've given myself).

I had a really great weekend. Our friends David and Lezli came for a visit with their two boys. We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating Mexican and German food, enjoying entirely too much sweet stuff, and eating a ton of home-grown watermelon. I hadn't had so much fun in a long time. The boys get up early, so we had a lot of time to hang out. Praise God for good friends!

This morning, I got up before Paul. Before I left the room, I went to give him a good morning kiss. He started yelling, and I realized that when I leaned down, I had accidentally turned my glass of water over, right on top of him. You know the part in the Bible where Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing? Apparently, my body took that literally . . .

I leave for work in about half an hour. I haven't been to work all week, so I probably won't know where anything is. Oh well. I'm glad I like my job. I like my compy, too. :-D

Catch you later!

Short Random Thoughts

2009-08-23T23:22:00.005-05:00

!!!!Celebration!!!!!

My first packet is in! I hope it was good. I hate proofreading when I'm tired. I always miss really obvious stuff.

I think I finally have financial aid worked out. AHHHHH!!!! Want to scream. Well, I guess I just did.

A couple of nights ago, I dreamed that I found a little kitten in the middle of the road. It was cold and raining, so I picked it up and brought it home. And I named it Table. Yup. Even in my dream, that was a weird name.

On my way home from work tonight, the radio played "You'll Be In My Heart." :-) Yay for summer!

Some of my favorite fall pieces at Eddie Bauer: Wool Bias Skirt, 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, Layering Tank, and Scoop Neck Tee.

This collection of Random Thoughts was brought to you in part by a tall mocha frappacino, lack of sleep, and viewers like you.

I've Been At Starbuck's Since 10:30 This Morning

2009-08-18T14:57:00.004-05:00

So I'm definitely a slacker when it comes to updating my blog. On the uphand, I've been writing in my paper journal a bit more.

I've just spent the last five hours or so--let me think--four and a half hours at Starbuck's working on my critical thesis. And guess what? It's coming along really, really well. Yay!!!!! If I had felt like panicking, yesterday, I would have been panicking. I'm supposed to have a first draft due Thursday. Until this week, I mainly had research and bits and pieces of writing. I had planned to spend yesterday at Starbuck's, but I got caught up in the morning talking about important things that needed talking about. Then I spent all afternoon trying to sort out my financial aid. And feeling sick. So I read Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. The whole thing. Yesterday. I've gotten much faster at speed reading. I enjoyed it.

Since I got back from residency, I've been getting on a better schedule, which has really helped me with getting things done--except for school. I can't seem to get my school done. But I am getting better at chores, practicing piano, and cooking. Yay!

Oh, and I'm trying to get healthier. I bought a scale for my bathroom and discovered that I'm only about 5 lbs heavier than when I got married (yay!). Unfortunately, I'm a size and a half larger, which means I've lost muscle and gained fat. I'm not discouraged though. I used Web MD's food and fitness planners to help me get ideas on eating healthy and exercising. I'd like to drop a size by the end of the year. I did great on eating well for about a week. Then I realized that my brother is leaving for college soon, so we keep going to coffee or eating out. Plus, I've found that going to coffee shops really helps me get my school done--but it also helps me eat lots more calories than I should. :-)

That's probably enough of an update for now. I'm getting sick of Starbuck's, so I think I'll pack up and leave. Catch ya later!

P.S. My new favorite hot coffee drink is a hazelnut latte. Thanks to Christy and Carolyn for introducing me to hazelnut, my favorite coffee flavor.

Summer Res, July 2009

2009-07-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

I'm at my summer residency right now. I have a brief respite between all the things I have to do. I just finished meeting with my advisor, and I have some good direction for my critical thesis. A problem is that I've never written thesis statements before, and I have to have one by the time I leave the residency.

I've been having a pretty good time. This residenccy isn't as jam-packed as last summer, but at the same time, I feel more tired than I did then. In fact, maybe I should go take a nap.

My class has picked our name, and we're going to announce it today. I'm excited. :-D

The weather here is a nice change from 102. The other day, the high was 66 and the low was 46. It's been really nice. It feels like fall. Of course, last summer was blazingly hot here, and since most rooms (including the dorm-rooms) don't have AC, I packed mostly shorts and tank tops. Thankfully I threw in a sweatshirt at the last minute.

If you think about it, I'd appreciate prayer. I'm in a writing program for children and young adults, but I've had to walk out of at least three readings because of the sexual content. If you'd just pray that I'd have strength and wisdom, that would be awesome.

That's all I've got time for now. I hope you all are doing well!

Summer is Here!

2009-06-07T22:40:00.002-05:00

I just had an awesome weekend! First of all :::drumroll::: I turned in my last packet of the semester!!! Yay!!! I have some time now to do some fun things and catch up on stuff (like blogging). So that was Friday. Yesterday, I spent birthday money at the fabric store getting supplies for my many sewing projects that I hope to work on this summer. Mom went with me, and we had fun. We also stopped by work so I could turn in some paperwork, and I got some new scents for 75% off at Bath and Body Works. Yay!

Paul, Harry, Mom, and I went to supper and then played Settlers of Catan (my birthday present from Harry). It was fun! Today, we went to church together (the four of us) and then had sandwhiches for lunch. Yum. I used some of my new sewing supplies. I also talked with Karen and Lina on the phone today. Yay!

So, a good weekend.

Eliza the Bot

2009-05-07T21:51:00.002-05:00

While doing some digital literature research, I came across Eliza, the first computer bot. She's programmed to respond like the kind of therapist who repeats what you say. She provided a healthy break from homework. My packet is due Saturday. I've been working on it since eight this morning. Ah!!!!!!

My Conversation with Eliza, May 7, 2009
Me: Hello.
Eliza: How do you do. Please state your problem.
Me: I have too much work to do
Eliza: You say you have too much work to do ?
Me: Yes
Eliza: You seem to be quite positive.
Me: Well, yeah, it's a lot of work
Eliza: I'm not sure I understand you fully.
Me: I'm busy
Eliza: Is it because you are busy that you came to me ?
Me: No, I just came for fun
Eliza: Are you saying no just to be negative?
Me: No
Eliza: You are being a bit negative.
Me: I wanted to take a break
Eliza: Can you elaborate on that ?
Me: My brain is about to explode
Eliza: Your brain is about to explode ?
Me: Yes!
Eliza: You are sure.
Me: Positive
Eliza: Lets discuss further why your brain is about to explode .
Me: Well, I have two essays due tomorrow that I haven't even started
Eliza: Do you say you have two essays due tomorrow that you haven't even started for some special reason ?
Me: I've had to research
Eliza: Please go on.
Me: They're complex topics. That's why it's taking so long
Eliza: Why do you ask ?
Me: I didn't
Eliza: That's quite interesting.
Me: Yeah, I'd say so
Eliza: What does that suggest to you ?
Me: That you're malfunctioning
Eliza: What makes you think I am malfunctioning ?
Me: You thought I asked a question when I didn't
Eliza: We were discussing you -- not me.

Spring Cleaning and Homemaking

2009-04-27T00:00:00.005-05:00

I'm up too late. I was playing with my new craft blog. I'm not sure if it's ready to be viewed yet, but I'll hopefully post a link soon. Especially for you, Lina! I actually still haven't finished that placemat I started once. . . . I just moved on to other things.

I have been so unmotivated for school the past two weeks. Spring came, and I went into Spring cleaning/homemaker mode. All I want to do is clean, organize, throw things away, and especially, SEW! Yay for sewing! I've been making some things from patterns, but I'm also playing around with freestyle type sewing. Not clothes, though. I'm not up for clothes yet.

So this week, I really need to buckle down. I have got to start my new story so I have something to send to my mentor. It's been simmering the past two weeks (hey, I'm amazed that I came up with something at all!). Before I can start, though, my MC needs a name . . . I also have to read a bunch of stuff and write my essays. I'm kind of excited about the essays, though.

And when I'm not doing all that (when will I ever not be doing all that???) I need to clean up the house 'cause Harry's coming next week! :::waves arms like a puppet::: YAY! At least I'm in a cleaning mood, right?

I also have work this week (like tomorrow morning--I need to get to bed!), but not too much.

Oh, and after two weeks of feeling mostly normal (yay!), I've started feeling dizzy and feverish again. I hope I get our insurance info soon so I can make a doctor appointment. And my symptoms aren't flu-like, so NO I don't have swine flu.

That's what I've been up to! Someday, if I can ever get my craft blog working, I'll post pictures of all the cool stuff I've been making! (Unless it's a present for someone . . .) I hope you all are doing well.

Annie

P.S. God made me laugh today.

Date Weekend

2009-04-20T17:52:00.005-05:00

I just read a few of my old posts. Nobody else may enjoy reading what I write, but I sure get a kick out of it!

I just spent an hour or two trying hopelessly to find articles on my essay subject. I found none. I have Incas to thank for that. Or whoever came up with the concept of zero. I'm sure if no one had thought of zero, then I would have found some articles, just like how gravity didn't exist before Newton walked into an apple tree.

I had a pretty good weekend. On Friday, Paul and I were going to see wildflowers, but it was stormy. So after a day of searching for articles for my essay topic, Paul and I went on a date. We tried out a Greek restaurant we'd been curious about (it was yummy!). My gyro came with fries. I love America. ;-) After that, we went and saw Monsters vs. Aliens. It was pretty good. I'd probably give it a three or four star on my CG movie meter. I like Pixar movies the best, but Dreamworks movies aren't bad. I partly liked it 'cause Paul laughed so hard. Oh, and we went to Barnes and Noble. I like Barnes and Noble.

Saturday, I actually did some crafty stuff (pattern cutting). I haven't started sewing yet, but I'll get there. I also had work Saturday. That was okay except that the AC was broken. Hot.

Yesterday, Paul and I drove a little over an hour away to the wildflower fields. We had fun and got cool pictures. The wind was crazy, though! We had yummy German food for supper. Mmmm.

Poppies! Poppies will fix them. . . .

Not that all of that is super interesting, but too bad for you. ;-) I like reading my friends' blogs about their kids. Hopefully, in a few years or whatever God's timing is, my blogs will be more interesting 'cause I'll write about my cute kids.

Have a wonderful last full week of April!

Annie

You Know You're Married to an Engineer . . .

2009-04-10T18:48:00.001-05:00

. . . when he compares your essay to a suspension bridge.

Good Friday

2009-04-09T16:57:00.005-05:00

I think Easter is my favorite holiday. Yes, I like it even better than Christmas. Think about it--without Easter, Christmas has no meaning. I also like the lead up to Easter. We have Passover, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday, and then Easter. The lead up helps me to really focus on God and what Easter means. I am a selfish person who can be pretty mean. God has greatly freed me from that. When I get the urge to be selfish, He nudges me and tells me to do what He would do. And even though I have that selfishness inside me and have all sorts of crazy bad things in my past, God doesn't remember them. Even though God is holiness itself, I will someday be able to stand in His presence. Why? Because of what He did two thousand years ago on Easter.

When decorating eggs this Easter, remember what they represent--that the tomb (the shell) couldn't keep Jesus inside. He broke free and rose from the dead, freeing us all from our sin if we'll just accept His sacrifice.

He is risen, indeed!

Still Procastinating

2009-02-20T10:44:00.000-06:00

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

"a birth control pill for female hogs is still in development"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,497004,00.html

(thanks, Dave, for sharing this. ;-) )

Homeschool Fiction!

2009-02-19T14:41:00.005-06:00

I'm working on typing up stuff for my school packet, and I need a brake. I've been working on this stuff all day. As a followup to my last post, I thought I'd post the list of homeschool books I compiled. I found most of these book from a page of Home School Online (http://www.homeschoolonline.org/2008/08/08/homeschool-literature/). I found a few by putting "home school" into my library search engine. Not surprisingly, a lot of the books I found are Christian and some are out of print--mainly the Christian ones. . . .

I've read only a couple of these books, and I marked those. Where possible, I listed as the subject what the book has to do with homeschooling, although homeschooling may not be the main plot of the story. Thanks for everyone's help!

Picture Book/Young Readers

Ratner, Susan Kandoo Kangaroo Hops into Homeschool subj. starting to homeschool
Stroud, Scott Baby Kong subj. troublesome child Christian
Stroud, Scott Grumpy Mr. Grady subj. grumpy neighbor Christian

Middle Grade

Bibee, John The Home School Detectives subj. mystery Christian
Bowe, Julie My Last Best Friend subj. secondary character was formerly homeschooled *I've read this one. It was a fun book. Homeschooling is mentioned in passing, and the formerly homeschooled character is a normal kid*
Campos, Jacqueline R. The Adventures of Lil' Wolf, Twinkie, Toes, and Flower Girl in the Homeschool Forest
Casanova, Mary Jess: American Girl Today subj. umbrella school type of homeschooling, homeschooling while traveling *I've read this one, and it was pretty good. Showed the fun things you can do that count as school*
Gantos, Jack What Would Joey Do? subj. sent to another family to be "homeschooled"
Gaiman, Neil The Graveyard Book subj. home educated by ghosts
Hannigan, Katherine Ida B. and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world subj. going to public school after homeschooling
Janney, Rebecca Price Secret of the Lost Colony and following books subj. children with a "homeschool" tutor time travel Christian
Korman, Gordon Schooled subj. going to public school after homeschooling *I've heard this is a very bad representation of homeschooling*
Law, Ingird Savvy subj. main character is about to be homeschooled because of special powers *this is a really good book and shows a close-knit family*
Lepkowski, Gwen Cross-Country Treasure Hunt subj. travel with family Christian
Lucas, Leanne Addie McCormick and the Computer Pirate subj. sent to a "co-operative homeschool" while her school is being rebuilt Christian
Morgan, Nicola Chicken Friend subj. starting to homeschool
Roop, Meg Summer Mystery subj. starting to homeschool
Selzer, Adam I Put A Spell On You subj. secondary character was formerly homeschooled
Tolan, Stephanie Surviving the Applewhites subj. sent to another family to be "homeschooled"
Milne Don & Aneladee The Lost Da Vincis subj. homeschool kids search for lost parents *this is self-published and the section I read wasn't very well written*

Young Adult

Davis, Bryan Dragons in Our Midst subj. starting to homeschool Christian
Juby, Susan Alice, I Think subj. going to public school
Spinelli, Jerry Stargirl subj. going to public school
Spinelli, Jerry Love, Stargirl subj. homeschooling again

Non-Fiction

Llewellyn, Grace, editor Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go to School Tell Their Own Stories subj. what the title says
Lurie, Jon Allison's Story subj. an 8 year-old from Minnesota
Voetberg, Julie I Am a Home Schooler subj. an 8 year-old from a farm

I have checked out What Would Joey Do?, Ida B., and Surviving the Applewhites. I'll try to let you know what I think. Have fun, and let me know if you find anymore books with homeschoolers! Okay, procrastination over . . .

Homeschool Fiction?

2009-02-05T23:14:00.002-06:00

Dear Avid Readers, ;-)

I got sick the day I came back from residency, and I was in bed for a week. This week, I'm feeling better, but I'm having trouble getting back on a schedule. I feel really tired. I have a school/cleaning schedule that I'm trying to get going. I'm hoping that the more active I am the less lethargic/depressed I'll feel.

I'm trying to find out if there's much fiction written about homeschoolers. I mean where a homeschooler is a main character. Counting series as 1 book, I've found 8 middle grade books, 2 young adult books, and 1 picture book. I also found 6 Christian homeschooling books. That's not a whole lot. I haven't read those, but from the synopsizes, some of them don't paint a very accurate picture of homeschooling or aren't really homeschooling. Some of them say they're homeschooling but it's really more of a home-bound tutorship or a private school that meets in a home.

Have you read any books with a homeschooler as the main character? If so, would you mind commenting with the title and author and, if possible, a brief synopsis.

I'm also looking for books where a side character or friend is homeschooled and books where homeschooling is mentioned. For example, I just read My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe where a new girl moves to town and starts going to the main character's school. She says she used to be homeschooled. That kind of thing counts in my mind.

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.

Weather, Writing, and MLK, Jr.

2009-01-19T18:14:00.005-06:00

Well, it turns out that all those clothes were a little much. The below zero weather really hasn't bothered me. That's partly due to all my amazing cold weather gear, and partly due to the fact that this is dry cold. I actually felt colder trying out my cold weather gear in Texas when I walked to check the mail in +30 weather. Here, it's not so bad. And I love all the snow. I'll try to remember to post some of the few pictures that I have.

I've been having a really good time. I'm excited about this semester. I'm really writer-ed out, though. I'm ready to go home (except that once I'm home, I have to start in on my first packet). I accidentally missed this afternoon's lecture when my alarm didn't go off. I have just one more full day, then a half day plus graduation. The next morning, I head home! Yay!

I find it significant that today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I don't think I can articulate what I'm thinking, so I will just say this: In Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, he says, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html). I don't think we're there yet.

Annie

-22

2009-01-16T12:31:00.002-06:00

I’m sitting in my dorm room wearing two pairs of long underwear under my pants, sock liners under my woolen socks which are in my warm to -20 boots, a baselayer top under my tank under my waffle-knit thermal longsleeve. When it’s time to go to class, I’ll don my -20 down coat, my ear-flap hat with faux fur lining, my fleece scarf, and my down mittens.

Considering weather.com said it was -22 this morning, I’m very glad Paul had me get the -20 coat and boots. :-D And I’m glad Jeff clued us in on what to get. Yay for those Montana boys.

Another Christmas Come and Gone

2009-01-05T22:08:00.001-06:00

Well, it's been almost another month. Crazy! Christmas was really good. I enjoyed having Karen, Dave, and Harry home for Christmas. And me and Paul, too! I was going to work on Christmas Eve, but I got sick. I'm just now getting over it, so that part wasn't too fun. Karen and Dave left last Monday (I think), and Harry left yesterday. We had a lot of fun together. I'm sad that they're gone now.

I got to see my cousins from my Dad's side (not all of them, but several of them) this Christmas. Even though I live in the same town as Tiff and Liz, I've been very bad at keeping up with them, so I hadn't seen them in awhile.

The day after Christmas, Karen, Mom, and I drove down to The Valley for Holly's wedding. Karen and I got to stay with Audrey at her in-laws. I had a blast. I actually got to talk with Holly some (for those of you who haven't been to weddings, catching the bride for a chat is a challenge). I loved the wedding. It was so perfectly Holly. I also enjoyed the atmosphere and being in the Valley again. Karen and I had a lot of fun spending time with Audrey. Oh, and of course, we ate El Pato and brought some back for our boys.

Paul and I had a date today. He doesn't like shopping, but being the sweet man that he is, he took me to the mall to look for a wallet. I've been wanting a new wallet for ages (I wanted one as a college graduation present to myself, ha ha), and now that I have a little Christmas money, I thought I'd get one. I found one that I like, and I had a lot of fun hanging out with Paul.

I have a lot to do this week to get ready for school. I am NOT ready for another semester to begin. I haven't even recovered from the last semester. And I still haven't been writing. I've been sick and spending time with family. Oh, and making wedding presents and stuff. Oh well. I'll survive. I just hope I get over the remnants of this cold before I have to leave.

Catch you all later!

My Last Packet is DONE!

2008-12-09T18:21:00.003-06:00

Well, I just mailed my last packet for the semester. Yay! Now all I have left are my end of semester evaluations, which I've already got halfway done. I don't get a real break from school the way I did in college, but I'm going to give myself a little break. I deserve it!

My plans are to crochet and sew the projects I've been working on or need to work on. I'm also going to read for fun (I've already started that one). I'd like to work on my web design a little. Oh, and I need to finish Christmas letter/cards. I'm not sure how well the cards will work, but I'm going to try an e-mail newsletter. I've probably already got you on the list, but if you think I don't have your e-mail address and you'd like a newsletter, let me know.

I am planning to prepare a little for next semester. I was not prepared for this semester at all, and that made the semester a lot harder than it had to be. I'm trying to finish the novel I want to work on next semester. I've already got a reading list ready, and I've been trying to figure which mentors are best suited for my style of learning. Oh, and in a couple of weeks, I'll get my workshop book. I wonder who my workshop leaders will be? Workshop was AWESOME this summer, so I'm excited.

Karen and Dave and Dave's parents visited this past weekend, with their cats. We had a lot of fun. As Dad said though, I need a vacation from food! We had salmon, fajitas, ham, and Mexican food. Oh, and doughnuts. Llyan wasn't too fond of her nephews, but they started to get along toward the end. Llyan even rubbed heads with them. I thought she'd miss them when they're gone, but no. She's extatic to have her house and people all to herself again.

Harry is coming home in a couple of weeks, and I am so excited. I've missed him. Karen and Dave are coming back then, too, and we're going to have Christmas together. I'm really happy.

That's probably a long enough update for now. Have a good holiday season, and don't forget why we have Christmas in the first place.

P.S. In answer to Lina, the residency is about 10 days long. I'll have to post some picks of the hats and scarves I made to take with me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-12-01T22:59:00.003-06:00

Happy Late Thanksgiving, not Happy Turkey Day. Goodness, no wonder America is obese. Instead of thanking God for food and shelter and another year, we thank the turkey ‘cause we’re hungry. :::shivers:::

Anyway, I can’t believe it’s December, can you? Another year gone by! This has been a rough semester. Let’s just say that LETU spoiled me. :-D I am looking forward to next semester though. I think I’ve got a better handle on writing and grad school. I got a new winter coat for my January residency (er, and it just went on sale! Don’t you hate it when that happens?) It’s a really nice coat! I got the brown. And today, I just ordered some snow boots. Paul called his brother to get advice.

Karen and Dave are coming to visit on Thursday! Yay! I’m really excited. They’re bringing Dave’s parents and their cats. :-D

Yesterday at work, I kept a tally of all the Christmas songs they played. I can’t find the paper I wrote it on, but the count went something like this:

Walking in a Winter Wonderland 6
Santa Clause is Coming to Town 5
Frosty the Snowman 4
Let It Snow 4
Jingle Bells 3
Jingle Bell Rock 3

Yes, I am sick of Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

My Husband Makes Me Laugh

2008-10-10T17:00:00.003-05:00

“Paul, why am I crying while reading about baby showers and wedding showers on a pottery studio website?”

“You’re—a girl.”

“That’s not a good answer!”

“For guys it is.”

“That’s not a good answer.”

“Cause you’re a girl and you find it touching when your friends get married and you want to have a baby someday and you’re caring.”

“That’s a better answer.”

“You’re a girl.”

::::frowns::::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What was I listening to earlier?”

:::singing::: “Who let the dogs out? Who! Who who who!”

“I was not listening to that!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Why won’t Kurt answer his facebook? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he’s in DUBAI!”

:::phone rings:::

“IT’S KURT!”

:::phone stops ringing:::

“Oh, Kurt. Why did you abandon me?”

God is Good and I Have Friends. Yay!

2008-10-09T16:25:00.002-05:00

I happened to notice that it’s been a week since my last post. I needed a break from homework anyway. So it seems like all of a sudden, a ton of stuff is happening every weekend. I’m afraid to keep asking off for work. I don’t mind working weekends, its just that stuff keeps happening on them. Nothing’s going on this weekend (as in tomorrow), but next weekend, I’m heading out to a Renaissance Faire with Sarah/Katra/Ashatan/and-I-forget-what-else. I’m excited! Yay! I need to get going on my Pirate costume, but I thought I should do my school first.

The weekend after that, Alisha, Shawna, and Jennie are coming to visit! Yay!!! I’m really excited about that. They’ll be here a couple of days. The weekend after that is the air show that Paul wants to go to for his birthday (which is that Tuesday). I guess nothing happens for awhile after that. Then, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is a family reunion. That would be really fun to go to. But of course, the weekend after Thanksgiving is peak time at the retail stores. So I don’t know about that one.

I’m excited that I’ve got so much going on, though! Yay!

I have a lot of friends who need prayer right now, for various things. Some aren’t feeling well, some have big decisions to make, and some are going through rough times. If you think of it, would you pray a blanket prayer for my friends? Hey, you could be one of them!

On a similar note, I’d just like to mention how awesome God is. He has taken such good care of Paul and I. I needed new clothes and a winter coat, so God got me a job at Eddie Bauer. I needed new glasses, so God led me to a place (through Abby) where I could an eye exam and a pair of glasses for fairly inexpensive. Paul and I both needed to see the doctor, so God got us into a place that is less expensive than others and has a need-based payment plan.

And that leads me to my last point. I’ve decided that I like vets better than doctors. No offense is intended for all of my medical friends—you all are competent! But out of the doctors I’ve been to and the vets I’ve been to, the vets seemed to know what they were doing. The doctor yesterday said, “I don’t know” a whole lot more than I thought she should have. ^o_o^ oh well.

And that’s this weeks Really Long Update in the Life of Annie

Having Friends is Nice :-D

2008-10-02T11:31:00.003-05:00

You know what's funny? That book I told you about in the last post is still bothering me. :-\

So things have been going pretty well here. A week and a half ago, Kyle and Lisa came for a Sunday and we hung out together. We went to lunch, Best Buy, Borders, and downtown to the Riverwalk. We had a lot of fun. I've missed hanging out with friends. Of course, that night I had a dream that a 747 landed on our roof and Paul nearly got squished 'cause he was too busy goggling at the plane to run away. :-D

Last Friday, my cousin Abby texted me and asked if I wanted to go see Fireproof with her. I hadn't heard of Fireproof before, so I watched the preview and thought that it looked good. It was a good movie. It was fun, too. It was a Christian movie, but they did a pretty good job of not beating the audience over the head with the gospel. The acting was a little cheesy, especially at the beginning, but overall, it was good. The guy--I always forget his name--Kirk Camero--is a good actor. The girl who played his wife could have done better, but it wasn't bad. And it had some good comedy relief. After the movie, Abby and I went to Chile's and talked until around midnight. I had a blast. I hadn't been to the movies with a friend I'm not married to in awhile.

Work is going well. I get a good discount, so I'm going to buy a new winter coat for January in Vermont. Also for visiting Montana in the winter, which will hopefully happen soon. Grad school could be going better. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble getting things onto paper. I think part of it has to do with the fact that my glasses are 4 years old. I only realized that about a month ago. They've been giving me headaches and making it hard for me to do anything that has to do with computers, books, television, or writing. So basically, I can play the piano, do housework, and sometimes crochet. Paul my sweet and wonderful husband is going to take me to the eyedoctor's, even though we don't have insurance. He's so sweet!

Paul and I have both been feeling overly tired lately. I'm not sure if it's a lifestyle thing or if we're sick or what. It's been very frustrating though. If you wouldn't mind praying for us to figure out what the problem is so that we can fix it, we'd really appreciate it.

Well, that's probably a long enough post for now. Talk with you later!

Annie

I LIKE happy endings!

2008-09-03T10:58:00.003-05:00

Yay! I wrote something! :-D It makes me happy. That's only the second short story that I've come up with on my own. I've written a few others, but those were all for the Book Thing. My short story is different than the stuff I often write, but I enjoyed writing it. It was nice to know that it was short, so I didn't have all of this pressure.

On a sad note, I just finished reading Specials, the last book in that series I was telling you about. Well, I had really enjoyed the series up until part three of Specials. I just really didn't like the ending. Okay, I'm gonna spoil the ending, so if you want to read the books someday, don't read between the asterisks. *The ending was so sad! Through the entire third book, the main character was doing things so that she could be with her boyfriend, the one she loved. She was trying to get him medical help and change herself because her superhuman senses saw him as weak. Well, she goes through all of that, and in Part Three, he dies! And it wasn't like he died in the big battle scene or that his brain damage got too much. It was for a stupid reason. He tried to get surgery that was too risky, so his brain rejected the surgery and noone was around to help him because of the battle. So, his brain just stopped working and they took him off the life support machines 'cause they needed the bed. It was a horrible random death. And the last time he and the main character had been together, they had a fight. It was HORRIBLE! Why do people keep writing these terrible sad endings for books? I really enjoyed the rest of the series, but I'll never read it again now. What really gets me, is that his death didn't even make sense with the plotline. I can think of some other things that would have made more sense. Like if he'd just been in a coma and then the main character turned the villain good and she came and fixed him. Anyway, it's just really been bugging me. It probably wouldn't have bothered me so much before I started dating Paul, but now I can imagine what its like to lose the one you love. I honestly kept hoping the main character would die 'cause at least she'd be at peace then. Ergh!*

Okay, rant over. I should probably get back to writing. I'm not sure what, though. I guess I could write an essay until I think of something creative to write. Catch ya later!

Awesome Summer!

2008-08-29T22:48:00.000-05:00

I know; I’m a bad blogger. It’s all my love/hate relationship with technology. This summer has been pretty awesome. I went to graduation and Christy and Joel’s wedding in May. Seeing so many ELH-3 girls together again was awesome. We got some good pictures. In June, I went to Audrey and Jason’s wedding and got to hang out with Holly. And Karen came to visit, which was amazing! I’m so glad that she and Dave live closer now. I was going crazy without them!

In July, I went to grad school, which was also amazing. I had a blast and got so fired up about writing again. I went from grad school to Jonathan and Malori’s wedding. From their wedding, Paul and I went on a road trip to celebrate our first anniversary. I had so much fun! That was our first really long road trip. It was stressful in some ways—like that crazy mid-western storm! 120 miles long and at least 4 hours to get through—but a lot of fun. We ate original deep dish pizza at the original deep dish pizza restaurant! And guess what? The guy who invented it was from Texas! Yup, everything good comes from Texas. ;-) I can say that, too, ‘cause Paul’s mom was from Texas, so he came from here, too.

In August, I got to go to Kendall and Joshua’s wedding, which I didn’t think I was going to do. I road the train to meet up with Christy, Alisha, and Amanda and we road tripped up to the wedding. I had so much fun with the girls again. And guess what?? Christy and I got to be flower girls! Yay! And hanging out with Kendall was great since I hadn’t seen her in forever.

I finally found a part-time job. It’s been pretty good so far (I’ve been there about two weeks). They’ve been working with my schedule and mostly scheduling me for afternoons. Yay. Part-time is so much nicer than fulltime.

Grad school sucks right now. Not because of grad school but because of my infernal writer’s block. ARGH! Quick, someone give me an idea for a short story based on character! Any prayers for my writing would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to waste this opportunity.

I know this is getting long, but I just want to thank everyone for their prayers for my brother-in-law. Jeff is doing pretty well. He got the back brace off this week. This whole situation has really been a miracle. God was really looking out for Jeff. Hit by a drunken driver while riding his bike and only two cracked vertebrae and no paralysis—I’d say that’s a miracle! Continued prayers for his recovery and for the medical bills are greatly appreciated. Neither Jeff nor the drunk driver has insurance. And if you wouldn’t mind praying for my mother-in-law, she has hepatitis or something crazy like that. The doctors hope it will clear up by December. We’re praying it clears up sooner.

Well, that’s another brief update from the life of Annie!

P.S. I read this book Uglies by Scott Westerfeld for grad school. It’s not wonderfully written, but it’s not horrible either and it was pretty interesting. The main character kind of drives me crazy, though. I just finished the sequel, Pretties, and I’m taking a brake before I start the third one.

In Vermont, “BBQ” Means “Cookout”

2008-07-13T18:51:00.001-05:00

This post is about cultural differences. Sometimes, we don’t realize what our culture is until we’re thrust into another one.

Example #1: Yesterday, dinner was scheduled as “BBQ on the college green.” One of my classmates, Katie, and I were sitting on the grass reading our workshop pieces for the next day. “Are we having hamburgers and hotdogs?” Katie asked as the smell of charcoal wafted our way. “Because that would be odd since we had that for lunch.”

I replied, “I thought we were having BBQ.”

Knowing where I’m from, Katie understood my confusion. “Do you mean pulled pork or pulled chicken?” she asked.

I didn’t really. “I meant brisket.”

Katie asked, “What’s brisket?”

She’d heard of it before, but thought that it was some kind of Mexican meat. I further realized my ideas on BBQ when I went through the food line. I was incensed when people passed up the potato salad. Alright, so it was fancy potato salad with no mustard and made out of red new potatoes, but how can you eat BBQ without potato salad? I got potato salad and coleslaw, noting the lack of charro beans. As I neared the end of line, where people were serving themselves lemonade with a ladle, I set down my plate and began looking for the sweet tea.

I guess this proves that I lived in East Texas for four and a half years.

Example #2: I was sitting at a picnic table today, writing a letter, when a few scattered drops fell from the sky. I heard people say, “It’s raining!” and head briskly toward a building. I stayed and enjoyed it. My paper barely got a few drops. Later on, when the rain grew harder, someone said, “Take an umbrella if you go out. It’s pouring!” I came out (on my way here actually). It’s raining, not pouring. My bag didn’t even look like it had the measles, just some acne. If my bag and I aren’t soaked by the time I get from one place to the other, it’s not pouring.

So, those are just some of the cultural differences that I’ve noticed here in Vermont. :-D

P.S. It feels like early fall here, not the middle of July. Which is good, considering the dorms have no AC.

P.P.S. Some of my classmates and I played Apples to Apples last night, and “The South” won for “Distinguished,” so I’m not alone here! :-D

Airport Adventures

2008-07-11T10:58:00.003-05:00

So here I am! I'm at residency! I'm thinking that I might make a new blog just for writing things, and I'll keep this one as my blog on life to keep friends updated.

So, adventure one! I didn't go to sleep until 1:00 am the night before my flight to Vermont. No matter how much I prepare for a trip, I seem to always be packing until late into the night. I got about three hours of sleep as Paul and I had to get up at 4:15 am to get to the airport by 5:00 am for my plane, which was scheduled to leave at 6:23 am. (They schedule planes to leave at strange times.) As soon as we got into the car, I started feeling extremely nauseas. My stomach had been upset the day before, and I thought it was due to lack of sleep, but I think maybe that I had some food poisoning. We got to the airport and I managed to check-in at the kiosk. Paul and I went over to drop off my suitcase with security, and TA DA!! the electricity went out! They had a few lights on a back-up generator. They kept blinking on and off, on and off. That did not help my nausea. All of the security stuff went out, so they had to do pat downs and manual bag searches. We waited in the security line for about an hour (Paul held my stuff while I sat on the floor and tried to ignore the lights.) The electricity finally came back on, about the time I ran to the bathroom and threw-up. I felt better after that.

My flight was an hour late in arriving, so I missed my connecting flight (by around 20 minutes :-( ), which meant that I missed the bus to get me the 45 minutes from the airport to the school. Thankfully, they had another flight late that afternoon. So I was stuck in the airport for around 4 hours. I had an expensive McDonald's wrap for lunch and read Nero Wolff. I wound up on the same flight as another new student, so we talked. We also shared a cab to the school with two other students.

We missed dinner, so I ate dinner around 9:30 at an Irish pub. I ordered a ham and cheese panini thinking that cheese meant cheddar. It didn't. So, I didn't eat much of my sandwich. I mostly showed down on the sweet potato fries. They were good, but I don't think they were as good as the ones I had in Montana.

Today is the second day of activities. I just finished a lecture. I should probably get to lunch soon, and then it's off to workshop and another lecture after that. I'm halfway through with my quota of lectures already! But I'll go to more.

Well, I just got hungry, so I guess I'm off. Hope everyone is doing well!!

P.S. I know more than 8 people getting married or just married this summer!!! Insane! But I'm so happy for everyone! :-D

2008-07-02T00:27:00.003-05:00

Paul and I went to the museum today. Admission is free from 3pm-8pm on Tuesdays. We packed up some sandwiches and ate them in the car after we had parked. The weather was very pleasant, with some rain and a nice breeze. We got into the museum at about 3:20 and we stayed until they closed at 8. We had a lot of fun. We got to see some old photographs (I thought of Visual Literacy) and a lot about wildlife around here.

Just a week away!

2008-06-28T17:45:00.001-05:00

Ha ha, so I keep saying that I’ll get better about updating, but I never do. I think once I get into my grad school schedule, I will require myself to update once a week. That sounds like a good plan.

Guess what? I leave for grad school a week from Tuesday!! AHH!!! I can hardly wait. I’m also freaking out, too. I’m going to be extremely busy during the residency. We just got the tentative schedule. I want to go to practically everything, but there’s no way that I can. Thankfully, we can purchase CD’s of the lectures, so I don’t have to attend all of them to hear them. I have a lot to do before the residency to get ready.

On the writing scene, I’ve actually been working on another story. I’m really excited. It’s been a long time since I just sat down and wrote for hours without having to force myself to. It’s probably not much good right now, but I’ll get better as I get back into it. Oh, and it’s a NEW story, not a recycled story.

On the job scene, I had a second interview with Gymboree, and I thought everything was looking pretty good, but I didn’t get it. :::sigh::: Oh well. I know God has a plan, I just wish I knew what it was. Ann Taylor actually did offer me a job, but they were going to give me only 12 hours a week, plus or minus with emphasis on the minus. I really need more hours than that. Maybe I should have just taken it. At least it would have been something. But Paul and I prayed about it and felt like God said to wait. :::shrugs::: Oh well.

The other night, I dreamed that I went to Mars and went to the beach. The sun was so bright there that the Martians had to get shots to inoculate them against the sun. To prove how hot the sun was, one guy put butter on his leg, and it started sizzling! I got really burned. Then we all went to see the Beatles perform because none of them actually died; they just all went to Mars. ‘Cause that’s where they’re from. That was a fun dream. :-D The next night, I dreamed I was with Hermione, Ron, and Harry and I was trying to do magic to fight off these creepy little fuzzy things that looked cute but were really dangerous. My magic wouldn’t work though because my dreams seems to have a policy against violence.

That’s enough for now! Until hopefully soon!

P.S. I just finished reading Harry Potter all the way through. That is a good series. :-D And it makes a lot more sense when you read it the whole way through instead of reading with 2 year increments between books.

Meet Jameson

2008-05-21T00:24:00.003-05:00

Wow. I really need to update more often. So, in the last month and a half, I finished Christy's wedding present, went to the Longview area for two weeks for graduation and Christy's wedding, got accepted into another grad school, sent my workshop submission to grad school (a ton of people I've never met are going to be reading my story!!! Ah!!!!), finished my scarf, almost finished my placemat, started working on more wedding present stuff, applied to a ton of jobs, and had one interview. Did I leave much out? Oh yeah, I got a new compy for my birthday!!! I guess technically it's only partially new. It's got new guts. But it's amazingly large and fast and new to me. :-D His name is Jameson.

I had an interview with Dress Barn on Monday and I have two interviews tomorrow, one with Ann Taylor and one with Gymboree. I have no idea which place I'd rather work. But thankfully, I think that they're interested enough that at least one of them will hire me (prayers are appreciated though). At this point, I don't really care too much what kind of job I get. I just need something part time to keep me busy and bring in a little money. Once Paul and I get settled in somewhere, I think I'd like to find an internship or something.

Well, seeing as how it's way past my bedtime, I should go. I'll try to get better about updating. Really.

P.S. I dreamed about Batman and Robin last night. All of the villains were after them. I mean all. I don't think they were gonna make it, but I woke up before then . . .

I'm Going to Grad School!

2008-04-08T02:16:00.003-05:00

Guess what? Last Tuesday, I got a call from one of the schools to which I've applied. They accepted me into their MFA program! Yay! I want to hear from another school before I decide for sure, but I'm thinking that I'll go to the one that's accepted me. I'm still praying a lot about it. I want to make sure that I do what God wants me to do. I'm so excited, though! The school that accepted me was definitely on my top 2 list. Yay!!! I'm going to grad school! Whether or not another school accepts really doesn't matter too much because either way, I'm going to grad school!! Woohoo!! Well, I guess if financial stuff works out okay. I'm going to call the financial aid office tomorrow to see what I need to do on that end.

It seemed as though I was going to say something else as well, but I can't think what it was. I'm up so late 'cause I'm keeping Paul company while he studies. I think I might lie down and read though, 'cause I'm getting pretty tired. Well, this was the shortest post ever! I'm so excited!!!

Annie

Another P.S. to the last post

2008-03-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

P.P.P.PS. I just watched this video on YouTube, and it's hilarious. It's about LU security. You should watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVa1WaZ3XLs.

Mud Rain, Applications, Books, and Josh Groban

2008-03-25T19:42:00.005-05:00

:::singing::: Don't give up because you . . . are . . . loved! ::::stops singing:::: Ah, good song.

Let's see, what has happened since I last posted? Harry came for spring break. That was fun. We played Age of Empires and Cosmic Encounter, we went to the library, we got new phones (mine plays music! Woohoo), and I forget what all we did. We had fun. But all that fun and spring breaking made getting back into the swing of things a little difficult. Last week was trying to get back into the swing of things.

Last Tuesday, Paul and I wanted to go to the museum, but the line was really, really long. We wound up going to a used book store instead. That was a really neat book store. I found almost all of The Chronicles of Narnia there! I'm buying The Chronicles of Narnia at the used book store so that I can get them in the original order--the correct order. Now I need only books one and two (which are The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, for those of you who read them in the new order :-p). I also got the 1950 version of Emily Post's Etiquette. It was less than $10! I was so excited. These days, Emily Post's Etiquette, with updates by Peggy Post, costs $50. The original price, printed on the dust jacket, for the version I got read $5! That's quite an inflation in the last 58 years!

Oh, and that was the night that we had mud rain. Paul and I couldn't figure out what was on the car. We thought maybe the tree we parked under had dripped on it or something. Then we started driving and discovered that it was the rain! (now I'm talking to my sister!)

9:00pm That was fun. :-D What else was I going to say? Oh yeah! I sent out two more grad school applications today. Kermit the Frog Yay! ::::waves arms like a puppet:::: Yay!!! I'm so excited. I think that my applications were pretty professional. I'm getting pretty good at this. :-D I have only one more school to which to apply (I'm being grammatically correct). I hope at least one of them accepts me! If they all accept me, I'm not sure which one I'll go to. They all sound pretty good. :-D

Well, I guess that's all for now. Goodnight, kiddos!

AD

P.S. I'm really excited that Windows Media Player is playing my Josh Groban music because it won't play any of my other music. :-(

P.P.S. I was looking through my blog archives, and I came across some very amusing things. One of them was this: "Oh yeah, so I'm halfway done with my second book, and my first book is finished except that I haven't gotten any feedback on it from anyone (hint hint), and until I do, I can't send it off to get it rejected. I have to get it rejected 11 times before I find a publisher who will publish it. At least, I think that's what the ratio was." Ha ha, so I guess I have only 10 more times to go. Oh goodie! Actually, that whole post was kind of amusing. You can find it here: http://samthestoryteller.blogspot.com/2004_07_01_archive.html.

P.P.P.S. This one is pretty cool. This is right before I came back for Sophomore semester: "Hello all you cool peoples who read my blog. Weird, isn't it? Well, this is my last weekend of freedom. In just a few days, it's back to the ol' torture chamber. Oh well. I may not be excited about the mountains of homework and loads of stress (grin), but I am excited about Peer Advising and my floor. It should be a good year. I will make it a good year. Muahaha. So, uh, wow, I guess that's all." That's pretty prophetic. It was a good year.

:::singing::: Annie and Grad School

2008-03-03T22:39:00.000-06:00

So, this past week has been fairly crazy. I spent my evenings and much of my days feverishly getting stuff together for grad school applications. I found this neat looking school that offers an MFA in Writing for Children and Young People. I thought that I had missed the deadline (Feb 1), so I wasn't going to apply. I just happened to visit their website around Feb 20 and saw that they had extended the deadline to March 1, which didn't give me much time. I had to get references sent, ask for transcipts, fill out an application. And then, I had to read a YA book so that I could write a 3-4 page critical essay on it. I picked Westmark by Lloyd Alexander. I hadn't written a paper in several months, so it took me a little to get back into the mode. But you know what? I actually kind of enjoyed having to stay up until two am to get it done. I didn't think I missed school that much. I also had to write a 2-3 page personal essay addressing a ton of stuff. And then, I didn't really have time to edit my 25 pages, which I'm sure stink, but maybe they'll accept me anyway.

I had to get all that application stuff pretty much done by Thursday because Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I spent with my family remodeling--or updating--the bathroom and Harry's room. So far, we've pulled up the carpet and linolium in both rooms, we've painted Harry's room (two coats), and Dad and Paul fixed the ceiling in Harry's room and the subfloor in the bathroom (the toilet was seriously gonna fall through if we didn't do something).

I enjoyed this past week. I probably enjoyed it because I didn't spend it getting rejected by would-be employers. So far, I've been rejected by Amegy Bank, Citi Bank, Planto Roe Financial, Chase Bank, and a couple others that I can't remember. I'm gonna have to start applying to places like Old Navy and Bath and Body Works. Hey, maybe I could work at Bed, Bath, and Beyond . . . ^o_o^ Oh well. God has something in store for me. At least I'm not working at you-know-where anymore.

I guess that's all for now. If you think about it, please pray that I'll know what to do about grad school. Thanks! Hope you all have a great week!

Playoffs and Life

2008-01-20T20:44:00.000-06:00

I'm really excited right now because I just bought a pair of jeans for $8.24. In fact, I got four pieces of $34.50 clothing and one piece of $24.50 clothing all for under $35.00. :-D Yay, I'm proud of me. Old Navy was having a sale, so I used some of Christmas money there. I also got the Aladdin DVD. Yay!

So, it's been awhile since I've written. I'm sorry that I don't keep in touch with people better. When we were in Longview, I was so exhausted that I mostly slept, ate, and worked. In the reverse order. I'm hoping to do a better job now becuase I'm hoping to have a better job. :-D

I'm no longer working at Dillard's because I'm not in Longview anymore. I'm back home with Mom and Dad. Well, Paul and I are. I'm gonna be looking for jobs this coming week. This past week, Paul and I have been sick and recuperating. Just sleeping is nice. I've actually had two Saturdays off in a row! I'm so happy! Until last Saturday, I hadn't had a Saturday off since October! I'm so glad that I left Dillard's before inventory. Otherwise, I would have been up all night last Saturday night and Sunday night. I'm looking for a job that has more normal hours, like 8-5 Mon-Fri. That would be amazing.

I'm learning how to knit. So far, I think knitting is lot harder than crocheting. Oh, and I finally finished crocheting the scarf that I started for Paul's birthday, ha ha.

I had a crazy dream last night. I dreamed that the Cowboys were still in the playoffs, and my family went to go see them play the Giants. Well, one of the the players got sick, so they made ME play. They were all excited 'cause they said, "The other team won't tackle a girl!" Well, I didn't play very well, so all got mad at me. We made it to the Superbowl, but the player was still sick. I was trying desperately to get somebody else to play instead of me 'cause I don't know how to play football. Well, nobody else would play, so I had to play. When the dream ended, I was wearing a Snow White princess dress, trying to safety pin the skirt up so that I wouldn't trip over it while playing for the Cowboys in the Superbowl. . . . Weird, huh?

We're watching the playoffs right now. Dad is cheering for the Giants, and Paul is rooting for the Packers. It's very interesting. I guess that's a long enough post for now. I'll try to catch up with you guys. Thanks for your comments!!

Annie

P.S. Did you know that some of the original Power Rangers are almost 40? Weird, huh . . .

A Stream of Consciousness from Annie

2007-11-19T19:21:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness!! My computer is going so slow! I have been sitting here for 20 minutes just trying to get the pages to load! My poor compy . . . I've tried to remove files to clean up the system; I've deleted my web browser history and temporary internet files; I've defragmented. Maybe I have too much music . . . If I had a million dollars--
Background Vocals: If I had a million dollars . . .
Me: Cut it guys. That wasn't a cue. Seriously, if I had a million dollars, I'd buy a seperate hard drive just for my music. :::mind is flooded with all of the possible uses for a million dollars::: On second thought, I might not. First, I'd pay off my loans. And Paul's loans. And the car. I'd set aside some for a new car. And for a house. Let's see, how much have I got left? :::breaks out the calculadora::: How many zeros are there in a million? 100; 1,000; 10,000; 100,000; 1,000,000. That's a million, right? Ha ha, I think I put one hundred million in the calculator. But that would be cool, too. Oh, I'd set aside money for a mini-van (weird, huh? Someday I'm gonna be a mom!). I think after that, I'd pay off my parents house. Then I could probably pay off my siblings loans. :::checks how much money is left::: Yeah, okay, I think I'd buy a hard drive just for my music.

Whew! Now that we've got that figured out! I wrote a post last week, and it disappeared! And I didn't have time to post it to xanga and blogger, so I just posted it to xanga. And it didn't post. I don't even remember what I said except for something about watching the movie Rigoletto. I'm writing this post in notepad, so I'm doing the html myself, and I'm having fun with tags. Hense the excessive use of emphasis. :::happy sigh::: I haven't hardcoded in so long.
Background vocals: So long! Farewell! A veider sane goodbye!
Me: Cut it out, guys! If you can't speak (or spell) the language, just don't even try to sing it.
Background vocals: :::hanging heads and unconsolable::: Goodbye!!!!

Annnnyhoozers. So, I can't believe that it's the middle of November already! Yesterday, I went to Olive Garden to hang out with Christy, Kendall, and Alisha 'cause Alisha was in town! :::waves arms like a puppet::: Yay!!!! I hadn't seen Alisha since the wedding. The sad thing is, I hadn't seen Christy or Kendall in almost as long. :-( After Olive Garden, we went to IHOP to celebrate Shawna's birthday!! Happy birthday! Shawna, her mom, her dad, Zoot, Kurt, and Paul all came, too. We had a lot of fun. I hadn't laughed so hard in a long time. I needed it, too.

Work is okay. I enjoy the job fine, but I dislike the environment. The business expects us to sell about $1000 a day and unload the stock and do visual merchandising and do markdowns. In hosiery, socks, slippers, cold weather (gloves, hats, scarves), accessories, hand-bags, and jewelry and watches. And they have about nine of us there at a time sometimes. There were :::mentally calculates::: eight of us for most of today--no wait! I forgot two. There were ten of us there for part of today, nine of us for most of the day, and for part of this evening, there were eleven of us. Now how are eleven people supposed to all sell $1000 a day when there aren't that many customers? So I'm probably going to get a pay-cut in a couple of weeks which is thoroughly undeserved because I work exceedingly hard. Unlike some of my co-workers. :-\

On the uphand, Paul has job interview in about two weeks. Yay!!!! And hopefully, he'll have more, too. He's been working really hard on an insane project for the past several days. He only got two hours of sleep last night (he's taking a much needed and deserved nap right now). So, prayer requests (and a chance to use more of those fun html tags!)

Paul has a lot of work to do to finish up the semester, and he's getting overwhelmed. Please pray that he's able to get everything done and finish out strong.
Please be praying that God will provide a job for us. Or at least let us in on His plan, but a job would be good. :-)
Pray that we're able to go see my family for Christmas. I haven't seen Karen since the wedding, and I miss her like crazy. However, my job doesn't give us any extra days off for Christmas.
Please pray that I can handle my job for just a little longer. The physical work is getting to me some (I've had back problems in the past that all the lifting aggrevates, and on Saturday, my heart was aching all day from all of the lifting and climbing and things). Also, some of my co-workers drive me nuts. And two of my co-workers had a screaming fight in the stock room on Saturday. They're still friends and they're fine, but it's stressful when they do that. Especially since all the customers can hear them, and I'm standing there trying to figure out what to do about it.

Okay. Well, this post is probably long enough. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope that I do, too. This is my first Thanksgiving away from home. But it's also my first Thanksgiving with Paul, and that's something to be really grateful for. Oh! One more prayer request!

Pray that I get the apartment clean for Thanksgiving! We're having a couple over, and the apartment is a wreck!

Okay, catch ya'll later!
Background Vocals: GoodBYE!!!!

P.S. Doing html in blogger doesn't work so well . . .

P.P.S. It's taken me almost an hour to post this thing, not including the 20 minutes that it took me to write it. Slow computer . . .

A Weekend! Oh My!

2007-09-30T17:11:00.000-05:00

Dear devoted following,

Da da da da! Drumroll please! Er, scratch that; reverse it. WE HAVE INTERNET!!!!!! Yippee!!!! The only problem is that it’s dial-up. :-/ Even though the guy who lived in the apartment before us had high-speed with att, we can’t get it. ^O_O^ Who knows. So we were going to get highspeed with cable, but when I called to order, they said, “Oh, you have to order cable TV first.” Well, we wouldn’t use cable and we don’t need the extra expense. So we have dial-up. It’s actually not too bad, but it’s running kind of slow right now. I’m trying to catch up on facebook, but I once I started crocheting between pages, I decided this was silly and I could update my blog using Word while I wait for pages to load.

So, this was my first weekend since moving to Longview. It’s been nice. I had my first Saturday off, followed by a Sunday off. Whoohoo!!! It will probably never happen again. I had a wonderful day yesterday, though. Paul and I just hung out all day. He played Age of Empires and I crocheted. In the evening, Paul went to a movie with Zoot and Kurt. I stayed and took a luxurious bath while reading The Fellowship of the Ring. Then I went to Hobby Lobby for a few items for my crochet project. After that I made a super quick Wal-Mart run (‘cuase I really didn’t want to go there) and bought a 25 foot phone cord so that we can sit on the couch instead of the floor while using the Internet. Then I came back and made a yummy homemade frappacino which I drank while playing on the Internet. Fun stuff. :-D

Today, Paul and I actually got to go to church!!! Yay!!!! I hadn’t been since last Spring, and I was really missing it. And we just happened to pick a day when there was a Mexican themed pot-luck afterward. It was yummy. :-D

My grad school application is due tomorrow, so I got everything turned in on Friday. I’m so nervous! I really, really, really want to get in. I mean, I’ll be devastated if I don’t. When I thought I wasn’t going to get my application in on time because some of my stuff hadn’t gotten to the school, I had a complete emotional breakdown—worse than I’ve ever had before!—and just shut down. Paul had to tell me what to do. I’ve never wanted anything like this before because I was always confident of the outcome. I knew that I would get into LeTourneau, I knew that I would marry Paul, I knew that I would be rejected the first time I submitted a manuscript. But suddenly, I don’t know if my writing is good enough. I don’t know if this is really what God has for me. But I think that it is. Please, please pray that I get in. I just can hardly wait.

That’s probably a long enough post for now. Let me see if my blog will load . . . .

Your devoted followee,
Annie

The first month

2007-09-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

Woah! It's been exactly one month since I last posted! Which means it's been exactly one month since I started work. That's right--during lunch that fateful Tuesday, Dillard's called and said, "Oh, you don't start next Tuesday, you start tonight. At five. Til nine-thirty. :-D" So I had to rush back to Hallsville to change into my suit and then eat a sandwhich in the car in the mall parking lot before I went inside. Ha ha. So, I guess I've been working at Dillard's for a month. It's been good so far. I just graduated from training on Saturday. We get monthly schedules, which is really nice. I get two days off a week (at random times--this week it was Tuesday and Friday; next week, it's Sunday and Wednesday) and I close two nights a week. But even when I close I still get home at about 9:40pm, so that's good. And the earliest that I ever have to be at work is usually 9:50am. The pay is really good for Longview and for this type of job, and I get some benefits, like health insurance (after I've been there three months).

Our apartment is about five minutes from my work and twenty minutes from Paul's school. Usually, Paul takes the bus to the school or work, but sometimes, like the past three days, I drive him. Our apartment is really nice. The only downside is that it doesn't have a pantry (^0_0^) (that's the shruggy shoulders smiley). But, it has a dishwasher that is AH-mazing. We don't have to rinse anything even if we don't run it for a day or two! And Zoot is lending us a washer and dryer. Paul and I each have a walk-in closet, and our dining room living area is pretty nice. And since it's a "non-updated" apartment, we get lower rent. Wohoo!!! God has really blessed and taken care of us.

We have really good friends here, too. Last night, we went over to Shawna's apartment and got to eat pizza and hang out with friends. I got to see Christy and Jodie, neither of whom had I seen since the wedding. Christy told me that Michael Card would be at chapel today, so I drove Paul to work and then hung out at Speer chapel (playing piano!!!!) until chapel. At chapel, I got to see Kendall and Jamin and his wife and baby. :-D Life is so good. Oh, but I think that there is a class in this room now, and I get to go meet my hubby for lunch. I like getting to be with Paul so much. I miss him when we're apart even during the day. Well, he's my best friend! she answered their rolling eyes with arms akimbo. :-D Catch ya'll later!

Annie D.

Life is Good :-D

2007-08-09T15:49:00.000-05:00

Wohoo!!!! I'm married to the love of my life! And my best friend. And the awesomest man in the world. And the perfect man for me. And the hottest guy around. And I'm only married to one man!!! Incredable, huh?

The wedding went so well! My only regret is that the reception didn't last longer and that not all of my songs played. I wanted to keep dancing with my friends. I know that it could be years before I see some of them again, so I hated to leave, but Paul was really sweet and understood. However, once we left, I was just so happy and excited to be with the man I love.

People keep asking me how married life is (or, as my mom says, "What's it like, now that you're an old married woman?"). So far--it's great! I am thoroughly enjoying being married, and I'm really excited to set up our new apartment this weekend. My only concern is job stuff. For one thing, I'd rather stay home to write, cook, and clean than have a normal job (that's just my personality), but for another, I'm hoping they still need me! They offered me a job, and I accepted, but that was a couple of weeks ago and we didn't sign any papers or anything. Training starts next Tuesday, so I'm hoping they get back to me saying, "Oh yeah, you're still hired." So be praying!

Anyway, I should probably be at DPS right now getting my liscence changed or I should be at Payless buying new business shoes. Or I should be curled up in a corner somewhere reading the last few chapters of Harry Potter. It's so intense!!!!! And THEY ALL DIE!!!!!! I'm just kidding. I haven't finished it yet, so I don't know if they all die or not. I kind of doubt they do. Anyway, I don't want to spoil it. Okay. I guess I'm off to zanzabar to meet the zanzabarbarians!

P.S. If anyone who still regularly updates xanga would comment on this post, that would help me know which blogs to read. And if you have a different blog that you regularly (or semi-regulrarly) update, let me know. Now that my friends really live all over the place (now that we're graduated), I'm going to try REALLY hard to keep up with blogs and facebook and e-mail and things. Having no homework will help as well. Annnnnyway, this is the Princess Leia Organa Skywalker soon-to-be Solo, signing off.

**End Transmission**
(that's a tribute to Sarah)

Almost There!!!

2007-07-15T20:14:00.001-05:00

Well, the wedding is less than a week away. I can hardly believe it. I'd been concentrating on unwedding stuff so hard for awhile that it kind of snuck up on me. Paul and I have an apartment finally! Yay! God worked everything out for us in just a couple of days. I'm gonna start training for my job around August 14th, and I'm actually excited about it even though it's not in my field at all.

I'm really excited about this week. Almost all of my friends are coming in for the wedding, and I'm so excited to get to see them all! I think that this week is going to go so fast! I really want to enjoy hanging out with my friends because some of them live pretty far away. Then, on Saturday, I get to marry my best friend! Yippee!!!

Anyway, I think I need to go take out my contacts and take off this make-up.

Happy 4th of July! I miss html . . . 16 Days to Go

2007-07-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

So, I missed a few days, but that's okay. I'm getting married in two and a half weeks!!! Less than, actually. I'm really, really excited. I have pretty much purchased everything I need, so I don't have much more to do. I have to make some phone calls today about job stuff. Which is why I'm writing a Xanga right now. No me gusta el telephono. AH!!!!! Estoy olvidando mi espanol! Es muy muy mal!

I had a good fourth of July. We had friends over, which was really fun. I got to play Spades again, and I didn't do horribly. I went blind nilo and actually got it! Woohoo! And I fell asleep for awhile (because of my annoyingly groggifying medicine). And we had brisket, yummy!!!

So last night, I dreamed that I was Hermione. I was in Defense Against the Dark Arts with Harry Potter, and the professor was evil. She was trying to get Harry to do some spell that would let him see the Death Eaters, but I figured out that the spell worked both ways and that then the Death Eaters could see him. So I had to tackle him and knock the wand out of his hand. So he went off and sulked somewhere. I ran into Ron, who was talking to Cho Chang. Then I turned into Cho Chang and went to take a bubble bath in the Prefect's bathroom, but it was really dirty. I realized that if I was Hogwarts, then I should be able to do a spell to clean it up. I had to concentrate really, really hard. I'm not sure if it worked. It was a very interesting dream.

I also dreamed about making pasta in the middle of nowhere and having to drive an hour or two away to pick up a friend of Amanda's (Africa's) at the airport. Weird. . . .

Okay, I should get going. Catch ya later!

20 Days

2007-07-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

Today was a fun day. Live Free or Die Hard was a fun movie. Too many previews, though. All in all, I've had a good weekend. And now, I need to go to bed so that I can get done my Monday to-do list. Goodnight all!

21 Days

2007-07-01T01:02:00.000-05:00

Well, it's after midnight 'cause I'm a slacker, but I'm still going to count it. Today is 21 days until the 21st of July, according to my wedding countdowns. So, I decided to start a 21 day countdown. This is pretty fun. Things I still have to do:

Buy the cake topper
Buy the bubbles
Arrange the flowers
Miscellaneous other tidbits

All in all, that's not a bad to-do list! Well, I need to go to bed. Tomorrow, Harry, Dad, and I are going to see Live Free or Die Hard for Dad's Father's Day present from Harry. We've done a Die Hard marathon this weekend. I'm looking forward to it. Anyway, catch ya'll later! (yes, the apostraphe does go there, and if you think otherwise, you don't know what you're talking about)

Getting Close

2007-06-27T23:42:00.000-05:00

So, things are moving along toward the wedding day. Three and a half weeks! :::gasps:::: I have a lot to do. I'm enjoying doing most of it, like arranging the flowers and making my veil, but it's still stressful. Plus I have a lot of other stuff to do. I'm really proud of myself for all that I have gotten done though. Not the conceited kind of pride, but the "Hey, I'm actually doing something and doing it well for once!" kind of pride.

I just read Peter Pan today. And you know what? I miss starry nights with friends, racing through the clouds. I'm really glad to be grown(ing) up, but sometimes, I feel very sad that I can't ever be a kid again. Being a kid was fun! I just hope that I don't try to relive my childhood through my kids! That could be bad.

Anyway, I should get to bed. I have to take my dress to be cleaned tomorrow, and I'm going to go see Sarah's play!!! (unless they're sold out). You should see it, too, if you're in the area. Oh, and I'm gonna work on more flowers tomorrow. I've finished the bridesmaids boquets and my toss boquet, which I used for my bridal portraits.

Goodnight all! I'm off to visit my own neverland, and it isn't a bit scarey.

Anne M.

Going Quickly Insanve--as is evendeced by my spelling

2007-06-12T14:23:00.000-05:00

I actually just finished Eldest. Paul gave it to me for my birthday. That was a good book. I think I liked it better than Eragon. Oh oh oh! But I predicted the end! Actually, I predicted the end when I was reading the middle of Eragon. :::::blows on fingers and rubs on shoulder:::: I'm good. Did anyone else predict the ending? Don't say what the ending is though because we don't want to spoil it for everyone else.

So, who's going crazy? Annie's going crazy!! (Ha ha, English nerd: I was just thinking of how the meaning of those two sentences would totally change if I just changed "who's" to "whose.") My wedding is 39 days away (according to one website; it's 38 if you go to a different website and 37 if you go by the Harry Potter countdown)! I have so much to do. At least I finally got almost all of the invitations out. Note the almost all. Those things have been a stinking pain. Now I need to make my veil, do the flowers, finish the attendant gifts, and holy cow! I still have to order the stupid cake. Oh my word. I'm going insane.

But, I can't do any of that this week because I have to work on job hunting. I have to figure out what kind of job I'm looking for, find places that are hiring, apply, try to set up interviews, and whatever else I may need to do to find a job. I don't really know because noone ever told me and this is the first time I've done a serious, bona fide, full time job hunt. And I need to fill out stuff for our apartment application. I think. I don't really know.

On the super amazing uphand, I get to see Paul the day after tomorrow!!!! ::::waves arms like Kermit the Frog:::: YAY!!!! I haven't seen him in ::::::mentally calculates:::::: :::::checks Outlook calender::::: 4 and a half weeks. I know, I know, most people have to go a lot longer without seeing each other, but this is the longest we've been apart since we even liked each other, so it's a big deal for us.

Anyway, I've gotta go drive Karen and Dave to the airport. Talk with ya later!

I have a wedding to plan, my wife to murder, and Gildor to frame for it. I'm swamped!

2007-05-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

Get your rest. If you haven't got that, you haven't got anything.

Dear all,

Well, I didn't write on xanga much this year because I honestly was far too busy. It feels so good to be finally done with school. And I think that my creativity is coming back, slowly but surely. I've already written one song and come up with one new story idea. That's nothing compared the 20-something ideas I used to come up with in a year, but since I started college, the number has been zippo, so one is good.

Let's see, recap of this year: Classes were okay, worked 8-10 hours a week first semester (and around 2 second semester :-\ ), shared an apartment with three friends, apartment dinner once a week, Thursday night Alias (we watched all five seasons in three semesters), wedding planning, forbidden to wedding plan, practicing piano 4 hours a week for friends wedding, internship freakout, finished internship, Going to ENGLAND!!!!, not going to england . . ., Shawna visited, Shawna visited again!, Shawna visited again!!, 5 bridal showers in one semester, 7 weddings in a year, hysterics--school is evil!, happy times--I like school, graduating, walking across the stage, I HAVE MY DIPLOMA! Oh wait, that's just the case for the diploma, hurriedly snap pictures, run to turn in gown, THEN I get my diploma, clean, clean, clean the apartment, go to bed at 4am, spend Sunday asleep and eating, rehearsal dinner at Papacita's, wedding, played four songs for said wedding, drove six hours home with no one to talk to but Fer 'n' Gully my new pet ivy, get home, sleep, wake up, drive to Corpus, mother's day lunch, come back, crash, brother's graduation!, wedding planning, wedding planning, wedding planning, wedding planning . . . .

And that's this past year in my discombobulated thoughts with emphasis on more recent events. I hope that you enjoyed. Currently, I am trying to relax without forgetting to plan my wedding, apply to grad school, and try to find a job. :-\ Do I have to? I'm ready for the wedding to just happen and end so that I go hang out on the beach. Ha ha. I need a vacation . . . .

THE END!

2007-04-27T15:15:00.000-05:00

I just finished my last college class ever!!!! WOOOOOOOPIIIIII!!!!!!!!

Crazy-busy, busy and crazy

2007-02-13T14:25:00.000-06:00

Busy busy busy!!!

As I have been saying for the past few weeks, we weren't meant to be students and real people at the same time. I have homework for four classes, twenty hours of internship, work, cooking, cleaning, shopping, planning our wedding, finding a job, looking for an apartment, applying to grad school (blissfully postponed some--it was originally due day after tomorrow!!!) and if possible, some time hanging out with friends since this is my last semester. Nope. Not busy at all . . .

So that's why I haven't written much and probably won't write much. But we've been engaged for a month, I have my dress--and that's about all. Not going crazy.

Anyway, I've got to get back to work. Talk to ya'll later!

Drumroll please . . .

2007-01-17T11:07:00.000-06:00

So, I think I've told everybody in person or on the phone who reads this, so now I can post about it:

Paul and I are engaged!!!!! I'm so excited! And happy; did I mention happy? Yay!!! :::::waves arms like a puppet:::: Yay!!!!! Story time?

The Set-up
Last Friday was our 1st anniversary of dating. Paul asked me to go to breakfast with him at Saga since that's what we did the first day we were boyfriend and girlfriend. (I told him that I'm very grateful that he didn't propose at Saga, ha ha.) We also went to Anglican Prayer chapel together and ate lunch at my apartment. Paul said that he wanted to take me somewhere special at 5pm. My friends asked if I thought he would propose, and I said, "no" because Paul had said we go another anniversary if it didn't work out that one. Ha ha.

Frivolous Sidetrack About My Wonderful Shopping Skills
After Shakespeare class, Karen and I went dress shopping so that I could have a nice dress for our dinner date that night (mine and Paul's, not mine and Karen's). I don't think I've ever tried on so many dresses in such rapid succession before. . . . We spent around an hour at Dillard's but didn't find anything that just shouted "me!" Except for one dress, but it didn't quite fit So with only about 20 minutes left, we sped over to JC Penny where I did speed dress-shopping. I finally found a dress that looked really nice, was only $10 above my price range, and was two sizes smaller than the last dress I bought. BIG It turned out, when I went to pay for it, that it was actually $7 under my price range. Go me!

The Plot Thickens
So, I didn't get back until 5:30, but it was okay because it was too cloudy to watch the sunset anyway. So Paul drove us out to Lake Cherokee where we had our first date. We sat on his jacket on a rock by the lake and just talked for an hour. It was so beautiful. We kind of reflected on our year together and how, even though it's been hard sometimes, it has been so good and we care so much for each other.

The Proposal
When we decided that we should go back to get ready for dinner, Paul said, "If you stand up first, I can get my jacket." So I stood up, thinking it only slightly odd because Paul usually gets up first so that he can help me up. I stretched and then turned around to see what was keeping Paul. He had stayed on his knees. He said, "I love you." At this point, I was a little suspicious. Paul had said, "I love you," from that position before, but this seemed somewhat purposeful. Then Paul said, "Will you marry me?" and I thought, "Is he proposing?" And then I saw that Paul had a ring--well, mostly I just saw a sparkle 'cause it was dark out. I was so happy and excited that I didn't say anything at first. Then a little voice in the back of my mind said, "Say something before he gets nervous." So naturally, I said, "Yes."

I am sooooooo happy. Paul is the most amazing man I have ever known. I love him so much. He's my best friend. We love spending time together. We can be silly, serious, romantic, fun, intellegent, and all sorts of things together. My family likes Paul and his family likes me. I couldn't be more happy. . . . Well, maybe once I'm Paul's wife . . .

Thanks to all of our friends for sharing our excitement and joy. I'm so happy.

Finally, It's Finals Week

2006-05-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Avid Readers,

Today is the not only the first day of May, it is also the first day of finals week. I've already taken one final (Fed, State, and Local, which I'm pretty sure I got an A on) and turned in my final paper for CMC. I've spent the last hour and a half studying for Spanish, so I needed a break before my brain explodes. My Spanish final is at 12:45pm today. I don't have any finals tomorrow, but I have one Wednesday (Revelation) and one Thursday (American Literature II).

Last Thursday evening, Paul and I went to run a few errands, which turned out to be pretty fruitless. So, Friday afternoon, I went to complete those errands. I got a pair of tennis shoes so that I can walk around in Mexico. I also bought a really nice Spanish Bible.

Friday evening, Kendall was house-sitting, so she invited Carolyn, Jen, and I to hang out with her. We trashed the house, got tatoos, and did drugs!! Okay, so we just accidently stuck the pizza box to table (don't worry, we Pledged it up), they were temporary tatoos, and Jen took Advil for a headache . . . So first, I went with Jen to rent a movie. After several phone calls and much debate, we decided on The Perfect Man with Hilary Duff. We all thought it would be pretty dumb, but it actually wasn't bad. We had pizza, chips and dip, and soda (we refrained from drinking the beer in the fridge ;-) ). After the movie, we got in the hot tub for a little. Then we did the temporary tatoos, and then Kendall talked us into watching the last episode of the third season of Alias.

The next day, Carolyn, Paul, Bushey, and I all went to Jen's house. We got there around noon and played a practice round of Hand and Foot while we ate hot dogs and beans. Carolyn had to leave at 2pm to go study, and I probably should have gone with her, but I was having fun. So, I stayed. Jen, Jen's little brother Robbie, Bushey, Paul, and I played Hand and Foot until 7:15pm!!! Paul won with me in second. :-) I wound up staying the night at Jen's and coming back early tomorrow---er, I mean the next day, which was yesterday.

I didn't sleep too well Saturday, and I felt really gross from sleeping in my clothes, so that threw my whole day off. There must have been other stuff, too, but I felt really grumpy and stressed yesterday. It's probably partly 'cause I hadn't gotten to have "couple time" with Paul since Thursday, which was running errands. But Karen took me to McAllister's, which was really yummy. Then we went to Old Navy, and I got my birthday present! Lots of clothes. I'm wearing a new outfit today, and I really like it. I feel all springy.

Saturday night, I had this dream that I witnessed to Sarc! (an evil villain from Alias) It was really funny. See, he was trying to kill me, so I thought I might as well witness to him as not, especially as we were in a Christian bookstore. So, I bought a New Testament for him. He was really grumpy about it because he said he didn't like to read. Anyway, I systamatically went through all four of the gospels like Mrs. Dr. H taught us in Life and Teachings of Christ Fall of '04 to decide which one I should tell Sarc to read. I told him to read Mark because it's short and fast-paced. But first, I asked him if he felt down-trodden and oppressed because, if he had, I was going to tell him to read Luke. I also told him that in God's eyes, all sin is the same, so I was just as bad as he was, and God still loved him. It was a really funny dream. When I told it to Jen and Carolyn, Jen said, "It's not real! Annie, some people you just can't witness to." It was really funny.

Anyway, probably no one will read this because it's long and drawn out, but I feel better now. :-) I should probably study a little more or at least contact student accounts, facilities services, and housing people because that would be productive. Okay, talk to you fellers later!

Annie

P.S. Jen's little brother is funny.
Context: Dave (my future brother-in-law) likes to tease me by saying, "You know when I look at you all I see is free child care, right?"
Jen: ::::singing:::: "I wanna be like you."
Paul: "You do?"
Annie: "No, silly, she was talking about me!"
Robbie: "What, free child care?"

Ketschup Time

2006-04-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

So, I guess it's been awhile again. I had a really good Easter. How about you all? On Thursday evening, Paul and I drove home (my home), stopping at Whataburger on the way, at which place I forgot to order my burger with mayonaise no mustard, but it was still very good (and not Saga, I might add). I can't remember what we did when we got home . . . I think we watched a Fraiser or two.

The next day was relaxing and fun. We . . . oh yeah, we played Apples to Apples and ate fajitas. And . . . I think we watched Elizebeth Town, but I'm not sure. My days are getting mixed. Oh yeah, I went and did some errend stuff with my mom. Saturday, Paul and I went out for lunch and then we hung out in some stores. We went to Border's and looked around there. It was fun. At some point in the weekend, we went swimming . . . Sunday, I got really stressed. My mom ordered my books for the summer, and Dad helped me apply for a summer loan. After I ate some lunch and watched "Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court," I felt much better.

Paul and I had a nice trip back. We took the frontage road to avoid traffic, which was a little adventure. Especially at the beginning when we wound up in a neighborhood. Then we stopped at a little off-the-road local Dairy Queen where they gave us a free blizzard with the leftover ice cream when they shut the machine down. And then--da da da da da!!--we got pulled over! Don't worry, I wasn't speeding. One of the lights was out in the back. It was the first time I've been pulled over, so it was a little scarey. But the officer was very nice.

So, I have a very busy summer ahead of me. I have two and a half weeks left of class, during which I have to write three papers (one in Spanish--oy), stay with a Spanish-speaking family, read a book that hasn't come in yet and write a paper on it, type notes, find a four-week summer job, figure out what I'm going to do with my stuff while I'm in Mexico, and pack for Mexico. Then, after graduation, I leave for two and a half weeks in Mexico. The day after I get back from Mexico, I start Fine Arts for four works. Hopefully, I'll also have a job then. Then I go home and have two and a half weeks before Karen's wedding. After the wedding, I have one blissful month during which I plan to write a resume, work on my story (which has been on the shelf since last summer), and get together a writing sample and application for graduate school. I also plan to do some relaxing and swimming. After that blissful month, I'm flying to visit Shawna for five days! YAY!! Paul is going to fly up for the last day, and then he and I are flying to meet his family. We'll spend a week with them, and then fly back to my house for a few days (well, we'll fly to the airport and drive to my house, but it's basically the same). After those short few days, we're driving back to school to start a crazy second-to-last semester of school. AHHHHHH!!!! At least I get apartments (real food, a walk-in closet, and moveable furniture).

Well, I don't update often, but when I do, I really do. ;-) Hope you had fun! Until later!

Annie

Back from Break

2006-03-21T14:29:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back from Spring Break. I ought to be taking a test right now, but I thought I'd update really fast. So, Spring Break was pretty cool. I splain--no, there is too much. I sum up. (three cheers for who knows what movie that is from)

Lots of bus riding.
Lots of singing.
Beach time!
Universal Studios!
Hand and foot until almost midnight
Homecooked food
Fast food
Lots of pizza
Food not from Saga
Coca-cola factory
Scarey Underground
Lots of bus riding.

So, it was fun. I'll have to put up some pictures when I get some. Oh, I do have one:

That was the church where some lady who has talked to my mom online came and talked to me. It's also where Carolyn, Jen, and I played hand and foot until midnight.

Oh, and I started Ender's Game on the tour. It's cruder than I like, and the first almost half was almost too depressing, so I didn't really like it at first. However, it is very interesting and extremely well done. So I keep reading. I like it better now. Anyway, time for test and getting passports and all sorts of other stuff.

Annie

Daffodils

2006-03-05T23:23:00.000-06:00

I don't really have time for an update, but I thought I'd give one really quick anyway because I just spent an hour and a half studying and so I don't feel like going to bed yet. :-P

Things have been crazy here lately. I have so many things to do that they all leaked out of my head and I can't remember them anymore. It sort of stinks. Hopefully I'm remember all of my homework. I was supposed to work on planning Karen's bridal shower this weekend, but I didn't. I've been trying to work on a presentation, study for a Bible test, write papers for Bible, edit papers for OwLet (excuse me, critique papers for OwLet), get money together for Mexico, get ready for Spring Break Tour, and I'm sure other stuff which I'm forgetting.

Even so, I took the afternoon off today and went with Paul, Kurt, Emily, Alisha, Jennie, and Zach to the Daffodil fields. Yay! It was a lot of fun. I wore a nice shirt this year! Of course, Paul and I matched, accidently, but that's okay. :-) We took pictures and stuff. The sun was better this year, but it wasn't as cool as last year. Anyway, I guess that's about all. I ought to go. Here's a pic or two for your viewing pleasure:

We didn't mean to match . . .

Me and the girls!

Me being artistic.

P.S. Next Sunday will be the 2nd luniversary of Paul and myself. :-D

Six Words

2006-02-21T12:19:00.000-06:00

So, my sister had this on her blog, and I thought it look interesting. So, describe me in six words.

Well, I had a good weekend . . . :-D

2006-02-21T11:46:00.000-06:00

So, on Friday, a bunch of us went to the Olive Garden for dinner to celebrate Carolynkydink's birthday. After that, Carolyn, Kelly, Zoot, and I went to see Firewall with Harrison Ford. It wasn't too bad. I found it amusing that they had wireless access even in the middle of nowhere. Oh, they had cell reception, too. :-) After that, our floor had a Valentine's karioke party, which I had been looking forward to for more than a week, but I had a really bad headache, so I couldn't go. :-( But Paul was sweet and took care of me. I just lay on my bed with my eyes closed while he sat with me and read to me and put a warm washcloth on my head. I just fell asleep there at about 11pm. I woke around 5am and changed into my pajamas. Then I went back to bed until 11am.

Saturday, my headache went away. Between the asteriscs is girly stuff that boys (if any read this blog) might not find interesting--just to warn you. ;-) *I spent the majority of the day getting ready for symphony. I watched the latest "Gilmore Girls" while I ironed my dress and stuff like that. Around 4pm, Carolyn, Christy, Kendall, and I went over to Emily and Jacki's room to get ready (Kendall didn't go to symphony, but she came to help us out--awwww). We had a lot of fun and skipped dinner. Everybody was really nice since I'm not girl enough to know how to do my own hair and stuff. Well, I guess I'm girl enough; I'm just incompetant. ;-) So Kendall did my hair and nails for me and Christy and Emily helped with my makeup and they all gave me consultations on everything. Anyway, Carolyn and Jacki left early to go to dinner with their respective symphony dates. The rest of left around 6:20ish or so when all our dates arrived. We waited until all of them were there so that we could make a grand entrance:

Here's me and my date (my boyfriend), that pretty cool guy I know named Paul:

So, we got to symphony in time for part of the "Opening Notes" (Paul escorted me in :-D ) and then listened to symphony. Afterwards, we went to the reception at UT Tyler in Longview (a little, I know) because it was free ::::winkwinkdoublegrin:::::. Some guy from some magazine took our pictures while we ate as many snacks as we wanted because the lady told us to and because, in the words of Andy, "Hungry people go to LeTourneau." Plus, I still hadn't eaten dinner. In the car on the way back, Paul was his normaly goofy self:

Yeah, so, sometimes I wonder what I got myself into . . .

After we got back to campus, Emily and Christy came in Carolyn's and my room, and we watched Double Jepordy. Then we went to sleep.

Sunday I did homework and then Paul and I had dinner at his financial aide counselor's house. That was a lot of fun. We took turns playing halo with her son while simultanously watching 6 episodes of Monk. We were there until 11pm, so we had to scrape ice off the car before driving home (I was very careful on the drive home).

Yesterday, I got a lot of homework done, went to coffee with Lina in the afternoon, and finally watched another episode of "Alias" with my roommate Carolyn! Yay!

This weekend, Carolyn and I are going to visit our old roommate Amanda. On Sunday, the Singers have to sing in Tyler, and then I'm going to go see "The Importance of Being Earnest." After that, I think we have a presentation meeting. Next weekend, the Singers have to sing in Houston on Sunday. The Thursday after that, we're leaving for Spring Tour. I don't have a free weekend from now until the end of the semester except for maybe one . . . Dearie me . . .

Anyway, I need to go. I just finished reading The Awakening by Kate Chopin. It was very interesting and very sad. So now I should do some other homework before lunch. Ta ta for now! Hope you enjoyed this exceedingly long post. Three cheers for you if you got to the end without doing less than skimming. Until next time! ("Next time! NEXT TIME!!" [extra points if you know what that quote is from])

Annie

It's That Week . . . You Know the One

2006-02-09T20:05:00.000-06:00

So this is that one week that happens (at least) once every semester when you don't get any sleep and run on adreneline the entire time. I've been getting to sleep between 1 and 2 am every night and getting up between 6:30 and 7:10 am every morning. And I haven't been taking naps during the day except for 10 to 15 minute haps here and there when I can snatch them. And I've stayed awake in class and haven't dozed off while doing homework! I'm quite proud of myself, actually. :-P I think I'm finally getting a handle on all of this homework. I had my first Revelation test on Wednesday, and I'm almost caught up with Spanish stuff. And I finally finished reading Huckleberry Finn for American Lit. I really like that book. I thought it was very well done.

So I'm not the only one who has been stressed this week. Pretty much everyone I've talked to has been incredable stressed and often on the verge of tears. At least we all know what everyone else is going through. :-\ I've spent some just talking with Paul, even though I probably ought to have been doing homework. But you know, even though I didn't get as much homework done as I had intended, I actually always feel less stressed after hanging out with him. I'm so grateful for his friendship. And he's pretty romantical too. :::::winkwinkdoublegrin::::

Oh, one reason I've been stressed is because I've been trying extra hard to get my homework done early because I got behind last weekend and I don't want to have any homework this weekend because SHAWNA is HERE!!! Well, she's in Dallas right now, but she was here last weekend and she's coming again this weekend. Yay! Paul told me that I had a surprise for me that would happen sometime during the weekend. I didn't really know what on earth he meant. Friday night, I was down in the Q2 lounge hanging out with Paul, Jen, and Jesse while they practiced for their group presentation when Kyle came out and said Shawna was on the phone for me. Well, I knew that Shawna was gonna call on Saturday so that we could talk, so I was confused why she called Friday night. She said she really needed to talk with me (I was a little worried) and asked if she could call me in my room since I couldn't hear her on Kyle's phone. So I went up to room to find Rebecca, Polly, and Kate camped in front of my door. I thought that was curious. I had to use the bathroom before Shawna called, but it was locked from the otherside. Well, I don't have suitemates, so I had no idea who would have locked it, but I picked the lock and went to put my keys away. When I turned around, there was someone in the bathroom and lo and behold!! it was Shawna!!!! I was soooooo happy! I had so much fun with her. I miss her so much. She's such a good friend. I love her. :-D She even did the dinner call for us.

Well, Paul is coming at nine, and I need to get my homework done for this weekend, so I'd better get to it. This weekly update in the life of Annie is brought to you by The Great Klutz and Apple Sauce, Inc. Tune in next week to find out more exciting episodes from

THE LIFE OF ANNIE

P.S. It's our fourth weekiversary! On Sunday, we'll have been going out for a month! (that's Paul and I, don't you know)

Rainy Day

2006-02-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

Well, it's Friday again. Yay! I'm still getting over that cold, but I mostly feel fine now. It's a dark and cloudy day, but I kind of like it. It's nice.

I'm so tired of school. I've been doing really badly on getting my homework done lately because I just don't want to do it. But I need to work on it and do well. Paul is working so hard on his homework. I need to follow his example and get mine done. I think I will be ready to graduate when the time comes. But I'm still enjoying my time here. :-D

Last night, Paul came over to my room and let me play him a couple of songs on the guitar (I played him my three favorite guitar songs). Then he let me show him all my story notes and read him a section of my story (which was even worse than I remember--great, here comes redrafting for the fourth stinkin' time). He's so cool. He didn't just let me show him that stuff, he was actually interested in seeing it. :-D

Well, it's about time for chapel, so I think I'll go. I made a new cloudy day/random playlist which I'm listening to right now. It goes like this:

"The Chronicles of Life and Death" by Good Charlotte
"The Celts" by Enya
"I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Deathcab
"Learn to be Lonely" from The Phantom of the Opera (movie)
"At the Beginning" from Anastasia
"Spill" by Showoff
"The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot (the credit version sung by Andrea Bocelli)
"Unglued" by Tait
"Brazzle Dazzle Day" from Pete's Dragon
"The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkle

You really didn't need to know all that, but I felt like typing it out. I like my playlist. Anyway, time for chapel! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Annie

P.S. Sorry I haven't been checking your blogs like I should. Despite the fact that I've been trying to ignore homework :-\, I haven't really had a lot of free time for blog checking. Maybe this weekend. I love you friends!

Sick on the Second Weekiversary

2006-01-28T11:38:00.000-06:00

Well, I have a cold. I haven't got sick this often in years. I was sick twice last semester and twice over Christmas break. And now I'm sick again. And no, I haven't been kissing any boys. I was gonna go shopping in Tyler today with Carolyn, Jen, and Emily, but I'm not sure if I'm up to it, being sick you know. Especially since I just hacked up a lung. :-D Not really. I'm not actually that sick, but it still doesn't feel that great.

I didn't go to Saga last night because I didn't feel up to it. So at about 6:30, I tried to make some soup. Well, the soup fell over in the microwave and spilled all over. While I was cleaning it up, I got soup on the sleeve of my sweatshirt. So then I tried to make macaroni. I followed the directions I always have, but it turned out really watery. Like soup. So I had to sit there forever waiting for it to thicken. When it finally did and I started eating it, it spilled on my jeans. Lovely. Oh well.

Well, I know some people don't like sappy posts, but this is my blog, so I can be sappy if I want. :-) Paul and I have been going out for more than two weeks now, and we still really like each other. If anything, we like each other more than when we first started dating. So, I think it's going well. :-) He said he would take care of me while I'm sick, and he read another chapter of Out of the Silent Planet to me last night. He is a really good friend and a really neat guy. And I'm glad he's my boyfriend. :-D

Okay, time to get some homework done or something.

Happy Weekiversary

2006-01-19T21:22:00.000-06:00

So, it has now been one week since Paul and I started dating. :-D I'm really happy and excited. Paul is the neatest guy I know. It's fun because neither of us knows what we're doing (since we haven't dated before), so we're making it up as we go. But we seem to be doing a good job so far. I think one of the coolest things about our relationship is how we both prayed about it before hand and really felt this was a God thing. Well, I should get ready for supper. I'm mainly posting because my mom mentioned that I hadn't updated in awhile and I don't have time to call her right now to give her the full story. :-D Anyway, talk to you all later!

Annie

Happy Now

2006-01-13T16:42:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back at school now. Yay for friends. And especially one very good friend named Paul, who, yes, I am now dating. :-D I might say more, but I've told the story so many times in the past two days. Suffice it to say that Paul is really cool and I'm very happy.

Annie

Packing to Leave

2006-01-06T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hello all. I'm about to finish packing and then my sister and I are heading back to school before noon. I'm tired. I don't feel like taking a long car ride today . . . Oh well.

I've had a mostly good break. I had a cold the first week and a stomach bug the second week, but this past week has been quite enjoyable and it's all been fun in spite of the sickness. I'm excited because I bought The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Spanish to help me work on my Spanish. I aslo got a coffee/tea maker and two mugs. Yay! and Fun!

I can't find Part 5, Draft 10. I don't know where it went. And it's with my folder of notes. I'd better not have lost it because I haven't finished typing it up yet. And it has all the good stuff in it, like the end of the book. Deary me. Hmm.

Well, I should probably go finish packing. I hope everybody who is traveling travels safely and I hope that everyone has a great semester!

Beat the Old Record

2005-12-30T15:36:00.000-06:00

Well everybody, I beat my old record. It used to be that the most I had thrown up in one day was 7 times, but now it's a great big 20. I hope I never beat that record. Wednesday night, I got a really bad stomach bug. It started around 11:15pm and lasted until it was light out (around 7 or 8am). Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep Wednesday night, so I slept most of yesterday with The Sound of Music on in the background. I have a wonderful family who took care of me by getting me crushed ice and sprite and renting all the Back to the Future movies so we could have a marathon. Karen even got me A Little Princess and The Secret Garden on DVD as a get well soon present. She also got me a White Witch toy from McDonald's. My sister is awesome.

Yeah, so, I don't feel nuaseas anymore, but I'm sore and tired. We're going to visit my mom's side of the family tomorrow. It should be fun. I'm excited about the New Year. Sometimes I think I look forward to New Year's more than Christmas. Weird. Maybe it's because I like fresh beginnings. Afterall, next year is a new year with no mistakes in it yet. :-D Okay, I think that's all for now. I hope you all are having wonderful holidays!

Annie

P.S. I got Josh Groban CDs for Christmas! Yay! And Phase 10, so we have a new floor game. :-D

'Twas the night before Christmas and I Can't Sleep!

2005-12-25T04:04:00.000-06:00

Hullo peoples! Greetings and all that.

I guess I haven't actually written a post in quite a while. It's Christmas Eve. Er, I suppose technically it's Christmas. And I've been tossing and turning for the past forty-minutes, so I thought I would come downstairs and mess around on the computer until I am so utterly dead exhausted that I have to fall asleep. :-D

So, I'm back home now. Yay! It's exciting. Although, I've been sick since Tuesdayish. I probably would have gotten sick anyway, but I'm sure staying up late aggrivated my condition. Oh well. We live, we learn--we do it again. Just kidding.

I had a fun finals week. Monday, a small group of us (one carload!--Kendall, Jen, Shawna, Jesse, Paul, and I) went to IHOP, but only after Kendall's first flat tire which Paul changed for us. Tuesday I'm sure something happened, but I don't know what it was. Wednesday, I went to Books A Million and Old Navy with Carolyn and Jodie and I got my brother's Christmas present. Thursday, Amanda came! Yay! And then, three carloads of us went to Marshall to look at Christmas lights. I wound up driving with a carful of boys. They told me that for the next forty-five minutes, I would get to see what it was like to have three brothers. It wasn't so bad. So, looking at lights was fun. And then we went to IHOP (I might have badgered everyone into going . . .) where I finally drew an IHOP map! Er, well, IHOP picture, but it was exciting! I hadn't been able to do one all semester, so it was nice to know that I still had it in me. Friday wasn't so fun. I mean, it was fun to sing, but we sang all day so I didn't get to hang out with Amanda and Shawna. But I did get to hang out with Singers, so that was fun. But then we got stuck in an elevator. That wasn't fun. I nearly had a panic attack (I'm clostrophobic, or however it's spelled). We went bowling that night, which was fun. I was so tired by then though, that I don't remember much except that I bowled very badly until the last frame of the second game in which I got two strikes.

Saturday was graduation which was cool and sad at the same time. Then I loaded out my car and went to Shawna's graduation party. Everybody was so dead tired that I doubt anybody remembers much of that. Then, Karen and I came home. But we missed the turn in Dallas, which is something we've never done before--and I've been on that road at least 16 times. Oh, and we also, for the first time ever, got through the entire song of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." It's actually quite amuzing if you sing each verse in a different voice.

Okay, I should go before this post gets too insanely long. Merry Christmas everybody!!!!!

WANTED: For the Deaths of Three People and a Gremlin Mother

2005-12-06T10:52:00.000-06:00

It started when Karen wanted to IM Kurt and tell him he had a silly screenname. I told her that was fine if, and I quote, "You tell him that you're you and not me."

HeirofGondor (1:42:48 PM): Hi, I was told that before I said what I was going to say that I had to say this is you and not me

Auto response from urtykay (1:42:49 PM): Working on Baja in various computer labs. Give me a ring. (Then viewing the floor Christmas decorations later.)

Auto response from HeirofGondor (1:42:49 PM): Once there was an alien... but he FELL OFF!!! Hahahahahahahahaha!

HeirofGondor (1:42:59 PM): So now I will say what I was going to say
HeirofGondor (1:43:06 PM): Your screen name is STUPIDO

Well, then we started fighting over the keyboard, and that's where the fun begins. Karen decided to make things out of the random letters.
HeirofGondor (1:43:19 PM): That was not Annie, that was her sister l;h[y
HeirofGondor (1:43:20 PM): azre
HeirofGondor (1:43:32 PM): I don't know who that way!fhdrgEtrueh
HeirofGondor (1:43:42 PM): A gremlin took over the computer!
HeirofGondor (1:43:46 PM): A gremlin named KArenjrp]0=
HeirofGondor (1:44:00 PM): Named kranperj
HeirofGondor (1:44:08 PM): named karne
HeirofGondor (1:44:13 PM): Yes
HeirofGondor (1:44:22 PM): Kranperj Karnel
HeirofGondor (1:44:26 PM): oka
HeirofGondor (1:44:27 PM): g\\x
HeirofGondor (1:44:28 PM): hcgc\v]
HeirofGondor (1:44:28 PM): xV[\]f
HeirofGondor (1:44:29 PM): ]vxdv]gfd\
HeirofGondor (1:44:33 PM): That's his adress
HeirofGondor (1:44:40 PM): I don't know how to translate it
HeirofGondor (1:44:47 PM): from his native gremlinize
HeirofGondor (1:44:53 PM): siftre
HeirofGondor (1:44:57 PM): I
HeirofGondor (1:44:58 PM): st
HeirofGondor (1:45:05 PM): Now i
HeirofGondor (1:45:09 PM): he's stutterbnibgnfghtfb
HeirofGondor (1:45:12 PM): stuttering
HeirofGondor (1:45:17 PM): I tinr nvfhehtjghgwhjfjgehrgjthgjhjthr
HeirofGondor (1:45:20 PM): I think he's choking
HeirofGondor (1:45:26 PM): Call 911~
HeirofGondor (1:45:26 PM): !
HeirofGondor (1:45:29 PM): NOW
HeirofGondor (1:45:33 PM): Oh I forgot
HeirofGondor (1:45:37 PM): You're the guy with the dumb screen name
HeirofGondor (1:45:47 PM): You probaboly don't know how to dial m09yeir1y61
HeirofGondor (1:45:50 PM): 911
HeirofGondor (1:46:06 PM): Karen is
HeirofGondor (1:46:07 PM): ie
HeirofGondor (1:46:07 PM): v
HeirofGondor (1:46:07 PM): i
HeirofGondor (1:46:08 PM): l
HeirofGondor (1:46:08 PM): e
HeirofGondor (1:46:33 PM): I mean8gfd}
Y^}YG"SA M
HeirofGondor (1:46:55 PM): Kranperj Karnel
HeirofGondor (1:47:00 PM): That's what I meant
HeirofGondor (1:47:02 PM): By the way
HeirofGondor (1:47:06 PM): This is Don Carnage
HeirofGondor (1:47:10 PM): Speaking to you with my voicwe
HeirofGondor (1:47:13 PM): Just remember
HeirofGondor (1:47:22 PM): If you have a problem, my door is always open sometimes
HeirofGondor (1:47:39 PM): Siste
HeirofGondor (1:47:40 PM): rs
HeirofGondor (1:47:43 PM): silu gh]\'\
HeirofGondor (1:47:44 PM): sigh\
HeirofGondor (1:47:47 PM): \\\\

And then we started talking to Zoot.
HeirofGondor (1:48:26 PM): I am the gremlin Kranperj Karnel

Auto response from spacecadet726 (1:48:27 PM): The voices in your head aren't real, but they do have some good ideas.

24 hr. shift, until 8 am Mon.
Call the cell (903) 263-8530

Auto response from HeirofGondor (1:48:27 PM): Once there was an alien... but he FELL OFF!!! Hahahahahahahahaha!

HeirofGondor (1:49:04 PM): Don't believe whatever Don Carnage says
HeirofGondor (1:49:06 PM): He LIES
HeirofGondor (1:51:08 PM): tha
HeirofGondor (1:51:09 PM): t's
HeirofGondor (1:51:10 PM): m
HeirofGondor (1:51:10 PM): y
HeirofGondor (1:51:11 PM): sisl utysu67g54rkgvi
HeirofGondor (1:51:12 PM): 8trf
HeirofGondor (1:51:12 PM): v9fv
HeirofGondor (1:51:12 PM): 8i
HeirofGondor (1:51:12 PM): drf
HeirofGondor (1:51:12 PM): 5rtf
HeirofGondor (1:51:13 PM): fg
HeirofGondor (1:51:25 PM): sweet dwarf
HeirofGondor (1:51:29 PM): I have a sweet dwar
HeirofGondor (1:51:30 PM): f
HeirofGondor (1:51:41 PM): I haven't named him yet
HeirofGondor (1:51:58 PM): I was thinking about naming him after your boyfriend
HeirofGondor (1:52:08 PM): You live with a guy named Kurt, right?
HeirofGondor (1:52:28 PM): I was thinking of naming my sweet dwarf Kurty-wurty
HeirofGondor (1:52:54 PM): it'sn ot
HeirofGondor (1:52:54 PM): etsd
HeirofGondor (1:52:55 PM): yt
HeirofGondor (1:52:55 PM): gtyfmg
HeirofGondor (1:52:55 PM): yt
HeirofGondor (1:52:56 PM): gh
HeirofGondor (1:52:56 PM): gv
HeirofGondor (1:52:56 PM): gh
HeirofGondor (1:52:56 PM): vg
HeirofGondor (1:52:58 PM): ibg
HeirofGondor (1:52:58 PM): g
HeirofGondor (1:52:59 PM): hg
HeirofGondor (1:53:00 PM): i
HeirofGondor (1:53:00 PM): ts
HeirofGondor (1:53:01 PM): gv
HeirofGondor (1:53:01 PM): m

spacecadet726 (1:53:01 PM): The last message was not sent because you are over the rate limit. Please wait until sending is re-enabled and send the message again.

HeirofGondor (1:53:28 PM): Kurty-wurty!
HeirofGondor (1:53:36 PM): You do NOT touch Kranperj
HeirofGondor (1:53:37 PM): s
HeirofGondor (1:53:40 PM): computer!
HeirofGondor (1:53:45 PM): Bad dwarf, BAD

And then we got Shawna in my room since Karen and I were laughing so hard. We started talking to Kurt again.
HeirofGondor (1:59:58 PM): This is still Don Carnage
HeirofGondor (2:00:08 PM): Annie says to tell you that she thinks your screen name is dumb too
HeirofGondor (2:00:11 PM): n
HeirofGondor (2:00:11 PM): o
HeirofGondor (2:00:11 PM):
HeirofGondor (2:00:12 PM): si
HeirofGondor (2:00:12 PM): tr
HeirofGondor (2:00:12 PM): ih
HeirofGondor (2:00:12 PM): ir
HeirofGondor (2:00:12 PM): sgtd
HeirofGondor (2:00:13 PM): osagtn
HeirofGondor (2:00:13 PM): barstd
HeirofGondor (2:00:13 PM): g
HeirofGondor (2:00:15 PM): jkhkh
HeirofGondor (2:00:17 PM): \no i Vdonfgt'
HeirofGondor (2:00:18 PM): fh
Ffg
HeirofGondor (2:00:18 PM): f
HeirofGondor (2:00:19 PM): fh
HeirofGondor (2:00:19 PM): fh

urtykay (2:00:19 PM): The last message was not sent because you are over the rate limit. Please wait until sending is re-enabled and send the message again.

HeirofGondor (2:00:44 PM): ee\\dn''t m em\meeeeeeeee\e
HeirofGondor (2:00:44 PM): moij
HeirofGondor (2:00:48 PM): :HYlfkmI
HeirofGondor (2:00:50 PM): it's nmotgfc vmet gf
HeirofGondor (2:00:56 PM): cvidt5g'fcbsn'wrtg
HeirofGondor (2:00:59 PM): Magic
HeirofGondor (2:01:03 PM): It's not magic
HeirofGondor (2:01:08 PM): Just slight of hand really
HeirofGondor (2:01:28 PM): It's not really me by the way
HeirofGondor (2:01:30 PM): It's all annie
HeirofGondor (2:01:33 PM): n
HeirofGondor (2:01:33 PM): o
HeirofGondor (2:01:33 PM):
HeirofGondor (2:01:33 PM): i
HeirofGondor (2:01:33 PM): t'
HeirofGondor (2:01:34 PM): s

urtykay (2:01:34 PM): The last message was not sent because you are over the rate limit. Please wait until sending is re-enabled and send the message again.

HeirofGondor (2:02:01 PM): you're actually talking to the split personalities of Annie
HeirofGondor (2:02:13 PM): NOOOOOO
HeirofGondor (2:02:15 PM): It's not me!
HeirofGondor (2:02:17 PM): It's KAren
HeirofGondor (2:02:20 PM): and sdu\yawy ejndzha
HeirofGondor (2:02:20 PM): tfxhasf
HeirofGondor (2:02:20 PM): hs
HeirofGondor (2:02:21 PM): aw
HeirofGondor (2:02:21 PM): hnf

urtykay (2:02:21 PM): The last message was not sent because you are over the rate limit. Please wait until sending is re-enabled and send the message again.

HeirofGondor (2:02:46 PM): she's arguing with herself. And with tushushi
HeirofGondor (2:02:50 PM): andgh kare]
HeirofGondor (2:02:53 PM): nand ashwan
HeirofGondor (2:03:01 PM): It's Kranperj Karnel!!!
HeirofGondor (2:03:04 PM): Get it RIGHT

And Zoot.
HeirofGondor (2:03:24 PM): I think Don Carnage is still talking to your boyfriend
HeirofGondor (2:03:33 PM): Do you think Kurty wurty is a good name for a dwarf?

And Kurt.
HeirofGondor (2:05:24 PM): Don Carnage wants to know why you didn
HeirofGondor (2:05:39 PM): 't take any pictures of Shawna and Annie at Canton
HeirofGondor (2:06:12 PM): Karen Waitz is cute, but a little touched in the head
HeirofGondor (2:06:23 PM): Because I hit her
HeirofGondor (2:06:25 PM): On the head
HeirofGondor (2:06:30 PM): This is Shaw\ba
HeirofGondor (2:06:33 PM): shawna
HeirofGondor (2:06:35 PM): byt the wayc
HeirofGondor (2:06:47 PM): ghhjj jX inHf
HeirofGondor (2:06:51 PM): I killed her!!G
HeirofGondor (2:06:53 PM): ffdead!G
HeirofGondor (2:07:08 PM): that's right. Karen killed me
HeirofGondor (2:07:11 PM): Nono
HeirofGondor (2:07:17 PM): bSHagffwsfswgsa
HeirofGondor (2:07:25 PM): shgggaw
HeirofGondor (2:07:29 PM): shawba
HeirofGondor (2:07:32 PM): Shawna
HeirofGondor (2:07:38 PM): killed kbg
HeirofGondor (2:07:45 PM): kare
HeirofGondor (2:07:46 PM): anan
HeirofGondor (2:07:51 PM): aaaaj8ioee
HeirofGondor (2:07:55 PM): she killed karen
HeirofGondor (2:08:08 PM): I, Don Carnage, witnessed the whole thing
HeirofGondor (2:08:16 PM): But Don Carnage
HeirofGondor (2:08:17 PM): LIE
HeirofGondor (2:08:18 PM): s
HeirofGondor (2:08:43 PM): and now Don Carnage believes that you will kill them again
HeirofGondor (2:08:47 PM): dead!
HeirofGondor (2:08:52 PM): i DON'T WANNA DIE!
HeirofGondor (2:08:57 PM): oh, the slaughter!!
HeirofGondor (2:09:04 PM): The BLOOD
HeirofGondor (2:09:14 PM): Have pity on me on wise Kurty-wurty
HeirofGondor (2:09:17 PM): oh wise
HeirofGondor (2:09:32 PM): And don't kill your boyfriend either
HeirofGondor (2:09:44 PM): Just because he told Kranperj Karnel to name his sweet dwarf after you
HeirofGondor (2:09:53 PM): he meant it well

And this is where it started getting interesting. Zoot:
HeirofGondor (2:10:01 PM): You'd better watch out
HeirofGondor (2:10:08 PM): I heard your boyfriend is out to get you
HeirofGondor (2:10:16 PM): You'd better lock your doors at night
HeirofGondor (2:10:29 PM): he'll be on a rampage tonight
HeirofGondor (2:10:36 PM): he's already killed three people!
HeirofGondor (2:10:37 PM): And a gremlin
HeirofGondor (2:10:47 PM): My mother
HeirofGondor (2:10:53 PM): He killed my gremlin mother
HeirofGondor (2:10:58 PM): The BEAST
HeirofGondor (2:11:07 PM): Say
HeirofGondor (2:11:16 PM): If he's a beast, does that make you beauty?
HeirofGondor (2:11:24 PM): Just some food for thought there
HeirofGondor (2:11:43 PM): wow! She called you beautiful!!!
HeirofGondor (2:11:49 PM): My mother did
HeirofGondor (2:12:00 PM): That's why your boyfriend killed her
HeirofGondor (2:12:02 PM): He was jealous

And Kurt:

HeirofGondor (2:14:20 PM): But now he's mad at you for killing Kranperj Karnel's mother
HeirofGondor (2:14:30 PM): So you'd better lock your doors tonight
HeirofGondor (2:14:55 PM): In fact, there was talk of Kranperj Karnel getting a new daddy
HeirofGondor (2:15:12 PM): But now, no new daddy
HeirofGondor (2:15:16 PM): And no mom any more either
HeirofGondor (2:15:21 PM): Thanks to you

Then Bushey made the mistake of signing on:

HeirofGondor (2:15:50 PM): i was on the telly once. I fell right off!
HeirofGondor (2:16:09 PM): This is Don Carnage
HeirofGondor (2:16:13 PM): Speaking to you with my voice
HeirofGondor (2:16:27 PM): Have you seen a little gremlin called Kranperj Karnel lately?
HeirofGondor (2:16:33 PM): His mother recently passed away
HeirofGondor (2:16:34 PM): Actually
HeirofGondor (2:16:47 PM): She was helped
HeirofGondor (2:16:54 PM): By one Kurty-wurty
HeirofGondor (2:17:09 PM): do you know this sinister man?
HeirofGondor (2:17:18 PM): i'd watch my back if I were you
HeirofGondor (2:17:23 PM): he's on a killing rampage
HeirofGondor (2:17:38 PM): he's already killed three people and a gremlin mother
HeirofGondor (2:17:43 PM): all because of his boyfriend
HeirofGondor (2:17:55 PM): luckily you will probably escape his wrath.
HeirofGondor (2:18:09 PM): unless of course you've been calling his boyfriend pretty names
HeirofGondor (2:18:25 PM): on second thought, I'd lock my doors tonight if i was you
HeirofGondor (2:18:54 PM): where are you?
HeirofGondor (2:19:02 PM): why didn't you go to church?
HeirofGondor (2:19:05 PM): oh wait...
HeirofGondor (2:19:15 PM): Did kurty-wurty already get to you?!?!?
HeirofGondor (2:23:13 PM): Don't worry, we'll avenge you
HeirofGondor (2:23:22 PM): we're going to make up some wanted posters
HeirofGondor (2:30:48 PM): we'll catch him red-handed.
HeirofGondor (2:31:01 PM): that is, if you want to help us by being the bait tonight
HeirofGondor (2:31:19 PM): All you have to do is sweet talk to his boyfriend
HeirofGondor (2:31:30 PM): It wouldn't hurt to make yourself up a little
HeirofGondor (2:31:33 PM): Try and look kind of pretty
HeirofGondor (2:39:02 PM): oh, by the way... this is the Great Oo speaking.

Bushey's response was:
Darkstar5411 (5:37:08 PM): WHAT the????

And Kurt's response was:
urtykay (5:04:47 AM): W

urtykay (5:04:49 AM): O
urtykay (5:04:50 AM): W
urtykay (5:04:50 AM): !
urtykay (5:04:50 AM): !
urtykay (5:04:50 AM): !
urtykay (5:05:36 AM): O.o
urtykay signed off at 5:05:45 AM.

Zoot's Response:

spacecadet726 (9:53:47 AM): um what?
spacecadet726: drugs are bad
spacecadet726 is away at 10:00:23 AM.

So Shawna and I decided that Karen is a bad influence on us. We really did make up wanted posters, but don't worry, we didn't pass them out to random people while we were looking at floor decorations. . . .

Happy Memories

2005-10-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

Are you ever so happy that you hurt? I was that happy last night. I always think in memories--I think, "This was a good time" when I know I'll be able to look back on it and remember fondly all the fun I had.

Last night, a bunch of us went over to Bushey's house out in the country and had a cookout. Paul made some taco salad and stuff while Bushey cooked burgers and hot dogs. While supper cooked, we went outside and drove Bushey's riding lawnmower around (that was fun), played with the neighbor dogs, and played frisbee. Once supper was ready, we all piled around the kitchen (inadvertantly segregating so that the girls got the table . . . :::grins:::: ) and ate a yummy supper.

After supper, we hung out for awhile with guitars in the living room. Then those of us who hadn't cooked the meal cleaned it up. Carolyn and Rebecca left after dinner because they had stuff to do, but the rest of us crowded into the living room to watch The Pentagon Wars. I stayed for the first few minutes, and then went into the kitchen to help Shawna make yummy chocolate chip cookies. We finished the cookies right after the movie ended. Matt, Scott, and Nichole left after the movie. Then we went and looked at stars. But Demildt, Paul, Kyle, and I thought there was somebody else--maybe that was Nichole--anway, they left. The rest of us looked at stars for awhile, and I played the guitar just a little. Then we left (that would be Zoot, Jen, Kendall, Shawna, Kurt, and me).

Ah, that was so much fun. I was so happy to be in a house full of friends, having a cookout, watching a movie, doing dishes, and making cookies. It felt so unbelievably perfect--like what college is, what I'll remember when I look back. I won't remember whethere I got an A or a D in this or that class; I'll remember cookouts at friend's houses, sitting around the brother floor lounge singing praise songs, ordering in pizza to watch "Gilmore Girls" on a Wednesday night, and staying up late to talk about tesseracts and marriage with two of the best friends I've had. This is what memories are made of. God is so incredably good. I'm so grateful for the life I have.

2005-10-28T01:12:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've ever been so hurt in my life. I feel like someone stuck a wrench in me, squiggled it around a bunch, and yanked it back out. I think this must be somewhat what it feels like to break up with someone. You know they aren't good for you and that you can't waste anymore emotional energy or time on them, but you still love them so much that you want them to be happy. So that makes it hurt all the worse when they laugh in your face.

You know, everybody used to talk about how great Sam Gamgee was in The Lord of the Rings. They'd wish they had a friend like that. Wasn't Sam so cool for following Frodo? What a great friend. But you know, Sam wouldn't be Sam without Frodo. Frodo had to love Sam back. If Frodo hadn't loved Sam, Sam would have just drowned and there goes Middle Earth . . . So, friendship is a duel partnership, a joint effort, every Sam needs his Frodo.

So, Dr. Olson told me that my homework for tonight was to make a list of all the good friends that I have, because that would be therapy. I think she was right, so here goes.

First, my awesome beyond awesome sister Karen. She's always there for me, loves me, and takes care of me, plus, we have a blast hanging out together.
Next, Shawna who is the best friend that I have ever had. She's the only person I've ever been able to tell everything to. She's so much fun as well. And she loves me no matter what.
I also have the coolest roommate Carolyn, who keeps me from doing things that I'll regret and has fun with me, too.
I've also had really awesome roommates in the past: Amanda and Jodie. Both of them really helped me through some rough times in my life.
Lina was my best friend Freshman year. I never could have made it without her. She and her family have been great in being good friends.
I know I'm gonna forget somebody, but here goes:
Kendall
Alisha
Christy
R-Duck
Jen
Jennie
Heidi
Kim
Nichole
Polly-wolly
Kanoe
And all the other ELH-3 girls who have made my life amazing!
Quad 2 guys (in random order--it's late, so I'll probably forget somebody . . .)!
Paul
Kurt
Demildt
Bushey
Matt
Tim
Scott
Zoot
Ben
Jessie
Mike
Jason
AJ
And all the other awesome guys whose faces escape me at one in the morning when I should be alseep . . .
Good old friends!
Audrey
Holly
Amanda
Angela
Bethany
Shayla

All of you have meant so much to me. Thanks expecially to ELH-3 and Quad 2 for showing me that friendship is a joint effort, that people can be my friend as much as I can be theirs, and for showing me that I can be loved for who I am. You all are the best friends anyone could ask for. I love you!

Annie

Goodbye to An Old Friend

2005-10-27T00:25:00.000-05:00

Today has been a very interesting day. I just said goodbye to a really old friend. She was the longest and pretty much only friend I had in highschool. We had a lot of fun together. I could tell her things that I could never tell anyone else. She saved me from total depression in highschool. I almost didn't go to college right away so that I could graduate with her. She was the first real writer that I could talk to, and she was the first person in a long time who was my friend with whom I could totally be myself. I can honestly say that she's the reason I'm not an atheist right now, just because she was always so open and real about what she was going through. She wasn't one of those fake Christians who are perfect all the time. She was a real person.

The last part of that chapter of my life is now closed. I'm glad. I really struggled during those years. I fought depression and other hard stuff. I didn't like who I was then. I'm really excited about my future and everything God has for me. But, I'm going to miss her.

Annie

A Summary of Fall Break (complete with incorrect spelling and grammer)

2005-10-26T11:43:00.000-05:00

Yay for Fall Break and doing three weeks worth of laundry. ;-) On Friday afternoon, Karen, Dave, and I piled into Wendy while Jen, Kendall, Shawna, and Nichole piled into Jen's car, and we departed for San Antonio a mere 15 minutes after our targeted time of departure. We got to San Antonio sort of late, so we didn't do much that night aside from laughing and stuff like that.

Saturday: We slept in, played Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit (Kendall won), went swimming, played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (after losing for most of the game, I made a mirculous comeback and won ;-) ), and watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Sunday: Slept in. After a lunch of good ol' Bill Miller Fried Chicken, Kendall, Jen, Shawna, and Nichole went downtown to the Alamo and the riverwalk, giving me some time with my family. We went to Dairy Queen for afternoon snacks and ate wonderful fajitas for supper. Yay! After the friends came back, we played Who's Line is it Anyway? type games. Then Jen fell asleep on the couch, Nichole read her third book of the weekend, and Shawna, Kendall, and I stayed up til 5am talking. Fun!
Monday: Slept in ;-). After a lunch of leftovers, Nichole stayed at home to read while Kendall, Shawna, Jen, and I went to the Quarry Market where we went to the book store, drank coffee, purused Restoration Hardware, played with Humane Shelter dogs, and Kendall bought a ring in James Avery. We had yummy cooked Salmon for supper and just relaxed that evening.
Tuesday: The plan was to leave by two. We had a lazy morning--doing laundry and packing--and ate leftovers for lunch while we watched some classic Jeeves and Wooster. We didn't leave until 4:15pm. After making sure everybody on my floor and the brother floor had returned safely (and assuming those we didn't see were asleep), I went to bed.

So, all in all, I had a good Fall Break, though it wasn't quite as restful as I had hoped. :-D Wow! A ten minute summery! Now I'm off to lunch. Until next time! NEXT TIME!

Annie

P.S. Go to Narniaweb to watch the new Narnia preview! It's great!

Too Tired to Talk

2005-10-21T12:38:00.000-05:00

So, yeah. Tired. That's me. Hi, nice to meet you Tired, I am Torrence. Hello Torrence, I'm really tired.

So, we went to play intramural soccer last night, and the other team showed up in our colour. That was sort of annoying. And the refs made us wear the yellow pinnies even though grey has always been our colour. But we had a really fun day. Right up to the broken nose and concussion . . . So, I was at the ER with Kendall, Jen, and Jodie until 1:30am. Then we took awhile to get Kendall's prescription. And then we were hungry, so we ate IHOP. I'm ready to go home. Yay for Fall Break! But first, I have a Spanish test . . . . If I surive, I will post later . . . .
Annie

Picture Time!

2005-10-19T11:33:00.000-05:00

Here is a group photo of Quad 2 and ELH-3 when our wonderful brothers nominated Shawna for Fall Fest Queen.

Roommate picture!
Here's a picture of the flowers my date gave me!
And this is me and my date! Kendall is so awesome. He he. We had a blast.
For more pictures, visit My roommate's blog.

w

2005-10-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

I guess it's been a few days, huh? Well, where to begin?

Fall Fest week was . . . interesting. I wound up being almost the one in charge for a lot of the stuff, and it felt like we had very little floor participation compared to last year, but that's probably just 'cause I was doing so much. I know other people did a lot too (especially Kendall!!), but it felt like I was doing almost everything. So I got really tired. And then, Fall Fest didn't go at all how I had planned. It was really fun, so I wasn't disappointed, but it was interesting. A bunch of guys came this year, which was exciting 'cause girls almost always like to dress up and get pretty, so you can figure there will be a bunch of girls, but guys don't always like to get nice. I was really impressed with our brother floor yet again. They came over to meet us at our dorm and most of them acted like gentlemen the whole night. Shawna even asked Zoot to pull out our chairs for us! That was a life-savor. I think guys don't always realize what a pain it is to sit down in a poufy formal dress.

After Fall Fest, we went to the talent show where I played "Suite for a City"! I was so excited, and it went really well! I wish my body didn't react so adversely to preforming, though. My leg was shaking so badly I could hardly hold the pedal. Once the talent show ended, we changed and went to IHOP where I attempted to draw an IHOP map, but didn't do so well. I blame it on the pressure.

All in all, it was fun, even if I was so tired and had so much residual stress that I nearly burst into tears once or twice. I really need sleep, and I really need Fall Break. I'd better go eat lunch before my class.

The Best Brother Floor Ever!

2005-10-03T23:52:00.000-05:00

So, I know I already wrote an incredably long post today, and that if I'm not sleeping or getting ready to sleep, I should really be doing homework, but I just have something to say. The guys on Quad 2 are the awesomest guys I have ever known. They really are. We just got back from one of their football games, and they are such good sports. But anyway, part of what prompted this post is how Shawna was just commenting on how the guys are really respectufl and--well, I can't remember the other word she used, but it's true. One of the things that really hurt me and bothered me in junior high and highschool was how when I tried to talk, people would interrupt me or talk over me, and I never seemed to be able to get a word in edgewise which is one of the reasons why I was so quiet and shy when I first came to school. But in the past week, when that happened and I got interrupted, both Paul and Kurt have turned to me and said, "What were you going to say, Annie?" And that means so much to me. One of the other things that used to really hurt me is how I always got pushed out when walking next to people. Maybe it's because I have short legs, but everybody seemed to crowd in until I was walking behind everybody where I couldn't be a part of the conversation. That started to happen tonight, but Matt turned around and said, "I'm sorry, Annie, I'm pushing you out." He's one of the few people to ever notice. Those are just a couple of the things I've particularly noticed lately. All of the guys are thoughtful and a whole lot of fun, too.

I am so blessed to know such awesome guys. I think maybe some of them read this blog every so often, so if you guys are reading this, thanks so much for being respectful and thoughtful and so much fun. I'm so grateful to have you for my friends. You really are the best brother floor ever, and I'm so glad that God brought me to LeTourneau and that Quad 2 is ELH-3's brother floor. God really is so amazing. Thanks for being so cool! May God bless you guys as much as you've blessed me!

So, maybe that was a little sappy, but it's late, and I mean every word (unless I misspelled it . . .).

Annie

A Great Weekend!!!!

2005-10-03T15:20:00.000-05:00

So, this is a really long post, but I had to write it out before I forgot everything, and I don’t handwrite as fast as I type, so basically, you’re getting the full length/journal version of my weekend. You don’t have to read the whole thing, but I had a fun weekend, so you should. Just kidding. Well, enjoy! And then get back to homework! ;-)

Wow! I just had the most awesomest weekend ever! (and yes, I know that was terrible grammar) My wonderful weekend started Friday after supper when Shawna, Carolyn, and I were coming back from dinner. As we passed by the side of our dorm, Christy stuck her head out of her window and yelled down to us. We decided to play catch, so Christy threw a glue stick at us. We didn’t catch it. Carolyn, Shawna, and I took turns trying to throw it back up. Carolyn could get it at the right height, but Christy couldn’t catch it. A bunch of the guys over at Quad 2 saw us and yelled, “Throw it underhand!” Carolyn did so—and the glue stick went right into the window below Christy’s. It went straight through the blinds as though a vacuum had sucked it in. Carolyn, Shawna, and I all collapsed on the ground laughing hysterically. And then the glue stick came popping back out. We didn’t try to throw it up anymore. As Jennie so aptly put it, “ELH-2 must hate us!” But actually, we think it was Jane’s room, so it’s okay. She’s sweet.

The lovely Friday continued when Kendall, Christy, Nichole, and I went over to the brother floor. We decided we wanted to play X-Box, but we weren’t sure how to set it up. Then Ben came out and called sort of dejectedly to the guys, “Does anyone want to play Halo?” When we immediately said, “Yes!” he sort gawked and said something like, “Really? Sweet!!” and went to set it up. Well, Kendall and I wound up going to the jazz chapel with Kurt, Paul, Kyle, Scott, and Jason (who showed up late). But when we came back, Kendall, Melby, and I joined the guys for a game of Halo 2. Kendall, Melby, Jason, and I wound up in the lounge on one X-Box while four other guys played in another room (since they were in another room, I’m not entirely sure who was playing when). Well, they put those of us in the lounge on one team while they joined another team. The effects were—amusing. Melby was the most experienced out of those of us on my team. We did pretty badly, but it was so much fun! And I actually got some people! Yay!!

After Halo, I went up to my room to take out my contacts. I finally got a hold of my mom to wish her happy birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom!). Then Kendall, Melby, Josh, Kyle, Bushey, Paul, and I (all squished in Kendall’s minivan) went to Whataburger and had some deep conversations about marriage, heaven, and Star Wars. ;-) Kendall was sad that she isn’t a nerd—by saying that, she implied that I was a nerd. I said I was no such thing! But then the entire night, I kept noticing all my nerdy things. Well, first of all, I realized that my car key is on a Darth Vader key chain—dead give away. Then I remembered that I have a stuffed Darth Vader sitting on my bed. And then I did the Live Long and Prosper sign (plus Die Young and In Poverty and the Vulcan handshake. . . .). And then I let slip that I had subscribed to the Star Wars Insider for four years. Yeah, I think I might be a nerd, after all. How sad! ;-)

Saturday, I refused to get up before 11am because I was so tired. Nichole and I went to lunch all by ourselves, but a bunch of the guys showed up, so we wound up staying at Saga for forever—it felt good! Then I did laundry, read my book, wrote a little, did one OwLet critique, played guitar, and otherwise goofed off. It felt good, too. After supper, I went with Lina to Books a Million where we hung out looking at calendars and listening to some old fashioned blue grass music. Afterwards, Lina dropped me off at the dollar theater where Bushey, Kendall, Kurt, Jen, Scott, and I saw The Island. I have to say it was better the first time when I saw it on Sibling Bonding Day, but it was still fun.

After the movie, we hung out in the parking lot for a little (Scott accosted a cop), and then Kendall, Jen, Kurt, and I went to Skateplex for Red Neck Skate Night. We were a little early, so we went and played on this awesome playground first. It was so much fun! Then of course, we went skating. Let’s see, Jennie, Carolyn, Christy, Nichole, Tim, and Bryan came to skate night, too. I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody. I always do. Was Jason there? Oh, I have a bad memory. Anyway, we skated for awhile, ate yummy Papa Jon’s pizza, and stuff like that. Some of the people left early (somewhere between 12:45 and 1:15—Kendall I can’t agree), but Kendall, Nichole, Jennie, Kurt, Bryan, and I stayed for the whole time. Which means I didn’t get to bed until between 2:30 and 3:00am.

And yet, I still woke up for church the next day! Amazing! I had missed the last two weeks of church, so I really wanted to go. Kendall and Nichole came along, too (Kendall because her church wasn’t open or something . . .). After church, I was gonna do homework—I really was!—but, then Kendall and I decided that it would be fun to go to the church’s college student lake party. We were only going to stay for a couple of hours at the most. I thought it would be a good way to meet people. So, Kendall, Kurt, and I piled into the car and drove out to a rather nice lake—and spent the whole afternoon there! We ate yummy burgers, swam in the lake, and went on the boat. We rode this banana thing behind the boat, but man was it hard to stay on! My arms are sore. Later, Kendall and I sat in the boat while Kurt and Daniel (we did meet one person! ;-) ) went water skiing. I did get to talk to the pastor some, for which I was glad. And I had twice as much fun as I should have in honor of Shawna. :-D Ah, it was fun. Of course, none of us had any sunscreen, so we got a little burned.

We got back from the lake, and Kendall and I decided that we were hungry, so we went to Applebee’s. A splurge, I know. But, I still got all of my homework done by ten! (It only took me about an hour and a half.) God is so awesome. He knew how much I needed this weekend in order to survive the rest of the semester because honestly, I was about ready to drop.

So, time to face another week. I can’t believe that Fall Fest is next week! I have a talent show audition on Wednesday and AMANDA IS COMING on Thursday, I think. Yay! Um, what else? I dunno.

Okay, I should go do homework. This thirty-minute, two page post in the blog of Annie was brought to you by:

Craziness, Incorporated—bringing movie quotes and nerdy dates (the calendar kind) right to your doorstep!

Tune in next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel, to find out what happens next!

P.S. This weekend more than made up for last weekend! Yay!!!

Pictures from Rita-Weekend

2005-09-26T15:27:00.000-05:00

This is me and my football bruise! Well, one of them. So maybe it's a good thing that Symphony was canceled, 'cause I was gonna wear a sleaveless dress . . .

If you look closely, you can see some Quad 2 guys playing football in the hurricane!
This is us Saturday night at TCBY after trying Marble Slab (which was closed), Starbucks (for those who wanted coffee), and Whataburger (which was closed).

Interesting Weekend

2005-09-25T21:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I've had an interesting week. . . . I was all excited about symphany, and then they canceled it. Then we were gonna do something anyway, and then we weren't, and then we were, and then we weren't, and then we were, and oh my goodness--talk about confusing. On top of all that was the stress of a test on Monday, a quiz on Monday, an abstract due Monday, a website due Monday, a mountain of Spanish homework due Monday, a presentation last Thursday, and all the other homework. And then the bookstore closed early so I couldn't get any money for gas or anything if I needed to leave. Oh, and what was that other thing? Oh right, the HURRICANE!!! So, they start posting all these emergency procedures everywhere so we'll be prepared for the horrifying and scarey hurricane Rita. Then a bunch of evacuees came and tons of people donated their mattresses, pillows, blankets, sheets, books, cards, and crayons for the evacuees to use. Then . . . the hurricane came!! And was somewhat disappointing. It rained a bit and blew pretty bad, but it really wasn't that bad at all. I thought maybe a little thunder would have been nice . . . ;-) So, by the end of the day it was fine, and we went out for coffee and ice cream.

Oh, and we had our most fun intramural game the other night when we played football against G2. They actually just wanted to play to have fun--what a crazy idea! And I know quite a few of those girls, too, so that made it more fun. But, I got the most beat up I've ever gotton at a football game. I got a huge bruise on my shoulder that I don't know where from, and I bruised my knee up pretty badly, too. And my other arm and knee have various bruises. People keep trying to hug me and stuff, and I keep saying, "Gently!" or screaming in pain. ;-)

Last night, I had this dream that these kids were running away from bad guys in a really big hotel. The kids wound up on the roof and they didn't know what to do! So, they jumped off and immediately "You don't know what we could find. Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride" rang through the air and the kids used parachutes. It was a fun dream.

I guess that's all. I don't want the week to start again. I'm not ready for it. Especially since I didn't get to go to symphany, and I've had a severe lack of hanging out with friends time lately. Well, I guess I've gotten to hang out with friends, it just feels like I haven't reached my friend quota for the weekend, so I don't feel ready to go back into the week. Oh well, such is life. I know what it is. I haven't gotten my supper socialize time this semester. It makes me sad. We all seem so much busier than last year (which last year I would have thought impossible). I miss all my friends . . . . :-( Okay, done now. I guess that's all. Until later!

Quick Update

2005-09-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

I don't have much time, but I thought I'd post a little something. The lake party was a blast! We rode jet-skis (Jen and I flipped one over--twice!), hung on the tow line at the back of the barge, jumped of the party parge, ate grilled food, and just otherwise had a lot of fun! Um, what happened next?

This week is crazy! I have so much I have to do! I had a Spanish test on Monday, I have a large website project due around the end of this week, a presentation tomorrow for which I had to write a digital poem, I found out today about a Philosophy test on Monday plus our "Outside Reading Assignment" due in a couple of weeks, and an abstract due Monday for which I've done pretty much nothing. And now I'm going to symphony! Talk about busy . . .

Symphony this time is Roommate Roulette, so last night, a whole crowd of girls came into my room and we spent around (estimating here) 45 minutes trying to set everybody up with somebody. It was pretty fun.

Oh! And yearbooks are in! Yay! Speaking of which, I'd better get to lunch and see if they have the yearbooks. Until later!

Weekend

2005-09-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

So, I had a fun, but sometimes slightly frustrating weekend. After a crazy and stressful week of trying to do all of my homework so I could go on the Freshman retreat, realizing I didn't have enough money to buy my parents birthday presents and Christmas presents, trying to get engine coolent in my car, and various other activities, I collapsed Friday afternoon and slept. Well, I did try to do homework first, but that didn't work. And I was so tired that I didn't even think about e-mailing my PA to tell her I couldn't go on the retreat, even though I fully intended to. So, I stayed back from the retreat. Friday night was impossible to do homework on because I'd been doing homework what felt like non-stop all week, so my brain was dead, I was tired, and I wanted some socialization. Unfortunately, nobody wanted to socialize, so I read and played guitar until Shawna came back and let me hang out with her and her friends. We had a girl night, which was fun. Saturday, after a highly needed morning of sleep, I did homework until I went bed. I did get to see my sis some, 'cause we went and studied together at Starbucks, so that was fun. And I broke for supper. And a half hour when I tried to figure out what was going on the next day. Other than that, I did homework until one in the morning. Sheesh.
Sunday was Quad 2's lake party that they actually invited us to! Which was incredably nice of them (historically, it's been a no girls event). I had so much fun!

Happy Dad's Birthday!

2005-09-12T12:12:00.000-05:00

Hmm, let's see. What's up in the life of me? First, I have to check to see where I left off. Okay. So, Thursday night we had our first intramural football. ::::sigh:::: I love football. When I'm playing, I mean. We didn't win (I mean, ELH-3 always wins!), but we did really well, I think! Better than last year (not that that would be hard--I mean, ELH-3 always wins!). And we had a great turnout! Half of our floor, plus some brothers to help coah and cheer. Yay! Q2 has its first game tonight, but I can't go . . . Maybe I can go see part of it. Because of Singers, don't cha know.

Oh, and today is my Dad's birthday! Yay! So, happy birthday to my dad!

Um, Friday I actually did homework until dinner! Amazing! But it worked. I didn't have to do much this weekend, so I'm going to try to keep it up. Friday night we saw Sahara (with no 'h' on the end) in the Assembly Building. That was a funny movie. Almost as funny as Transporter 2. I think we played Apples to Apples after that, but I could be wrong.

Saturday was Longview Blitz. I hadn't ever been before, but I got up to go this time. We went to Windridge Esquestrian center and tore down a shed. But first, we got to say hi to all the horses. It was fun! I hadn't been around a horse in forever. We went out into a pasture of about 20 friendly horses. A couple of them were pretty big draft horses. One was half Clydesdale/half Shire (maybe). He was very interested in Tim who is pretty tall himself. Alisha and I decided that we're going to be professional hole diggers.
After a hot morning and some heat exhaustion, we went to Wendy's for lunch. Yay for food! and frosties.

So, I discovered that my car needs engine coolent, so I have to drive to Wal-Mart (it should be okay), buy some coolent (oh where does the money go???), and find somebody to help me put it in.

Speaking of money, still no word on the job front. I guess I'm gonna have to find some different places to look. The library said they would send me an e-mail either way, but they haven't, so I dunno. I don't really want a job since I don't have that much time anyway, but if I want any money next semester for deoderent, toothepaste, and the odd IHOP run, I need a job.

Sooooooo, I guess that's enough of a life update for now. Er, wait, I forgot about last night. So I went to dinner last night at Lina's house :::::deep sigh of contentment::::: and watched a funny movie. When I came back, I noticed that the floor smelled like something had burned. My suspicions aroused. Then Kendell ran into me and said my roommate had something to tell me. So, Carolyn burned some popcorn again ;-). When the room filled with smoke and all that jazz, she and Rebecca decided to hold the microwave up to the open window to air it out (when she said that, I was so afriad she was going to say they dropped the whole microwave down three stories!). Well, they forgot about the lazy susan plate and--three stories later, it's in several pieces. I laughed my head off. Carolyn and I certainly have interesting roommate experiences. Did I mention how I woke her up in the middle of the night the other night because I had had a nightmare? Yeah. ::::laughs:::: This is going to be a fun semester.

On a more serious note, I have such awesome friends. There's no way to express how much they all mean to me. You guys (ELH-3 and Q2) are just awesome. You have no idea how much your friendships have meant to me and have helped me to become more myself. ::::shudders:::: That just sounded sappy. But it's true. Before I was on ELH-3, I was a shy, scared, hurt little girl. Now I'm loud and obnoxious (working on that . . .), but I'm not afraid of people anymore, and it's almost entirely due to the love I get from my ELH-3 girls. I love you! Thanks for being such awesome friends. (P.S. Shawna D. rocks!)

Okydoky, it's about time for class. By the way, if you want to see what I've been doing in class, go here:my class website

Until next time!

Annie

P.S. Talk Like a Pirate Day is next Monday!

Bowling, Swimming, and Creepy Music

2005-09-07T11:41:00.000-05:00

Oh, by the way, if you want to hear some creepy music listen to a clip from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe found on Narniaweb (which is an excellent site, by the by).

So, after a thoroughly stressful first week of classes, things are going better. Sunday and Monday I was really, really stressed. It wasn't very nice. I got sort of snappy, which was bad. I'm sorry if I snapped at you! Although I'm pretty sure I managed to keep my upsetness to myself (meaning I only really snapped at inadament objects and appliances ;-) ) but if I did snap, I'm sorry. But, I had a good emotional release time (yes, I rather cried; it felt good), and Monday night I had Singers, which I warmed up for first--yay!--so it went really well. I like being a first soprano and singing the high notes. Then, about ten of us (::::deep breath:::: [see if I can get everybody] Kendell, Alisha, Shawna, Kurt, Jason, Dave, Bryan, Evan?, Matt [who got in on the second game]--oh, and me) went bowling. That was so much fun! I discovered that bowling is very stress relieving. I bowled 95 the first game, which is much better than the 56 I got last time I went bowling. I didn't do as well on the second game. And I discovered that it's not good for me to talk and drive at night when I don't know where we're going . . . :-D

Monday and today I woke up extra early (6:30) and went swimming. I'm really enjoying it. It gets me alert for my classes. Speaking of classes, I'd better go if I want lunch before my next class. Acidy throats are no fun. Talk to you later!

This update in the life of Annie was brought to you by Klutz Co. Apple Sauce

P.S. It sort of stinks when your old "invisible" friends are the only ones who get a joke . . . ::::deep sigh:::: Oh, to be young again.

A Looong Update

2005-09-03T12:04:00.000-05:00

Yay! I got into Singers! It's exciting and intimidating at the same time. We had our first rehearsal on Thursday, and I'm so out of practice! Isaiah put me as 1st soprano for the song we were doing, and I went flat on all the high notes. I'm gonna try to practice some this weekend admist my loads of homework. But homework in a minute. It was really fun to be in a choir/part-singing setting again. Ah, I'm excited. And we're going to Florida for our Spring Break tour! It will be fun, but it's also a little sad 'cause that means I can't go home or hang out with other people if I want. But Carolyn and Jen are both in Singers, so it will be like hanging out with people because I will be hanging out with people. I'm just one of those weird people who wants to experience and be a part of everything. I dreamed last night I rode the Batman ride again . . .

Oh, and I started my new story! Well, it's not technically new since I'd already come up with the idea several years ago, but still. So, which of the stories did I pick? Well, I didn't actually pick one from the poll--go figure. I decided that When Evil Comes and Telepath would be really fun to do, they just aren't what I'm in the mood for right now. I'm a bit sick of sci-fi right now, and When Evil Comes is too dark for the moment. So I picked Keeper of the Cats (working title that nobody can steal!!!!!! :-) ). I'd give you a plot summery, but for one thing, that would ruin it and I wouldn't be able to keep writing (it's a weird writer/Annie thing, don't ask) and for another, I don't really know yet what's it about.

School is evil . . . and fun. Argh. I'm excited about my classes, especially Digital Literature, but there is a lot of work this semester, and I have to get a job. Darn that money! For Digi Lit this Tuesday, I'm supposed to read three chapters (three stinkin' chapters!) of a netlibrary book. And then I have a ton of other homework. Homework is evil. So, my grades, social life, and sleep habits will suffer this semester until I wind up collapsing in an exhausted and emotionally broken heap either halfway through the semester, right before finals, or both. And I'll probably get sick around finals, too. ;-)

Oh, last weekend, Shawna, Alisha, Amanda (Fro, for those of you who might get confused), Amanda's new roommate Valerie (ironic, isn't it?), Kurt, Scott, and I went to a Rangers/Twins game. It was really fun! My first baseball game! The Rangers won! We had a blast and took some artistic, CD cover pictures. Then a guy came and asked for a couple dollars for food, so we bought him some food, and some bug spray, and a first aide kit, and Amanda gave him a Bible. The result of that was that I didn't make it the dessert with your mentor thing. And we lost our PA at the Freshman Service project. In getto Longview. Not so good. She's okay though. And she got into Singers too!

I've been having interesting dreams lately. First that the world was going to end, then--darn, I don't remember! and then elevators are the place to have deep conversations, and then I went on a rollar coaster. And there were scarey people! And a car! And a gun! AHHHH . . . interesting dream . . .

Okay, off to EO. Until we meet again!
Annie the up and coming novelist who is about to die from fear of overhomework--do the professors conspire or what?

Lunch Break

2005-08-31T11:47:00.000-05:00

So, here I am at school. It's hard to believe that I've only been here two weeks. It feels like a lot longer. Classes started yesterday. I'm excited and not excited. I don't want to do homework and write papers, but maybe if I really keep up with it this year, I'll be able to do it. I'm sitting in on Cornerstones again (as Themelios). This is the third year I've heard that class. I think Dr. Hummel is a good Cornerstones mentor.

Yesterday, I slept in a little (it was my last morning to be able to), and then got up and ate breakfast. After that, I started the job hunt again. Finding a job is redicules on this campus (and yes, I know I can't spell redicules--I've tried). Every office tells you to go to another office which has no idea what you're talking about. Oh well. I turned in applications at the Business office, Phys plant, and Student Affairs. Oh, and I went by the Assembly building to see when tryouts for Singers was. I didn't have a pen, so I couldn't put my name in one of the time slots, but I decided to come back before lunch and see if I could write my name down then or something. So I went up to MSC-3 and warmed up a bunch. Then I went back to the Assembly building, and he wasn't busy then, so I tried out. It went amazingly well! I was just excited at well it went, whether or not I get in. And he said I had a good voice, so that was cool. (AHHHHH the phone's ringing!!! Oh, it's for Carolyn.) I'll find out this afternoon when I get back from class if I got in or not. Last night, I dreamed that all the Singers went to the Trinity Courtyard in their dressy Singers' clothes and started to singing to me to tell me I got in. Ha ha. That's funny. It probably means I didn't get in, but I might as well be hopeful. ;-)

Oh, and our brother floor escorted us (not courted us, not extorted us--it's funny what people mishear) to communion last night. I thought that was nice of them. It was also nice to be able to sit with everybody as a group.

And, I have to go to class at 12:25pm for the first time. This is the first semester in the four (starting the fifth) semester that I've been here that I haven't had an 11:20am class on M-W-F. It's really throwing me off. Anyway, I probably ought to go eat. Rebecca (R-Duck) might eat with me which is nice because everybody else has class at this time. But if not, I'm reading a fascinating novel by Agatha Christie. I'm not sure what it's about yet, but it's pretty interesting.

I hope that's enough of an update for everybody. Oh, I'll have to talk about baseball later and losing our PA later. I always say that, and then I never do. Oh well, maybe this time. Until then!

Annie

An Eventful Start to the Semester

2005-08-22T11:13:00.000-05:00

So, here I am at Themelios training, but we need stuff from the print shop before we can do anything else. Themelios training is a lot more fun than Peer Advisor training. Not that Peer Advisor training wasn't fun, I was just copletely freaked out at the time. ;-) But I was half an hour late 'cause I thought the schedule said 9:30, which it did, but it said 9:00-9:30. Ooops. Apparently I didn't miss much.

So, I've had fun so far. The school got a bunch of new mattresses on our floor, so the old mattresses were in the hall. ::::mischevious grin:::: And then we decided to go watch a movie (Thursday night, by the bye). So, we picked the 10:10pm showing of Must Love Dogs 'cause Jodie thinks it might be based off of one of her (highschool?) teachers. Jen, Carolyn, Jodie, and I got to the theater to discover that the website was wrong--the last showing was at 7:05. Oops. So we decided to rent a chic flick that we'd never seen and found The Wedding Date. That was a twisted romance movie. The guy character was a male prostitute. It was just . . . weird. So, before we watched the movie, Carolyn decided to use our microwave to make a snack bag of kettle corn popcorn. She left to go get it and came running back saying, "There's smoke in our room!" And she meant it to. Lots of smoke. Billowing and pouring smoke. Carolyn stuck the popcorn out the window while some of us fanned the smoke detectors (which really should have gone off) and somebody else sprayed some fabreeze. We opened the microwave (which had been spotlessly white, thanks to me) and discovered it brown and burned. Well, it turns out that I had forgotten that I taped down the glass tray so it wouldn't break while we moved. It very much burned.

So we had an adventurous first night. I'll tell more later maybe. About the jet-ski and scaring the other ELH girls. ;-) 'Til then!

Back At School

2005-08-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm back at school, sitting in a very messy room and listening to my new Celtic rock station. It isn't too rocky, but it's not the really quiet stuff, so it's cool. I stayed up till 4:30am Tuesday night (Wednesday morning) packing and then got up at nine to put the finishing touches on and load out. We didn't leave until around 11am and then we had to go back for the guitar. ;-) So, we eventually got here and unloaded stuff. Then we ate Whataburger for supper. Mmmm. And then I unpacked some. I tell you, it's hard to unpack when you arrive the same day as your roommate. Not that I'm not glad she's here, it's just a mess. I think I need some shelves. Well, we brought stuff back from the storage unit today and then Mom and Harry left.

So, now I'm all hot and stinky and I have the IMPACT dinner tonight and the retreat tomorrow. And I discovered that Themelios have a lot to do. So, I'm gonna be exhausted by the time school starts. Oh joy. It should be fun, though.

Oh, and I finally got to turn in my change of major form! And the registrar didn't know if I could yet, which makes me hope I was the first one. Yay! Digital Writing, B.A. Sounds fun. Anyway, I should get back to unpacking, just wanted you all to know that I'm not dead. Later kids!

PACKING!

2005-08-17T00:12:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm almost halfway through packing. I haven't started on clothes yet. I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow. It's crazy. I'm going crazy. Why do I always have so much trouble packing? Ahhhhh!!!! I guess I should get back to it.

Oh, and by the way! Late Sunday night--da da da da!!!

!!!I FINISHED MY BOOK!!!

Well, only the first draft, but it's the first story I've actually finished except for the short book thing stories and one book thing wanna be. Yay! I have finally reached a long lost goal!

So that means that I need a new story to start. So keep voting! So far I've got 3 for When Evil Comes and one against; two for Quest or Curse (which I reread the other night, and it's actually pretty funny); and half of one for Tom and Eleanor. By the way, the titles are working titles. I reread the synopsis for When Evil Comes and it's a lot cooler than I remembered. But I'm kind of hung up on Telepath right now, so I might do that.

Okay, break time is over. Back to packing! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

The Choice Is Yours!

2005-08-14T17:59:00.000-05:00

"The city is gone!
The city is gone!
They tell me that life
life will go on
I can’t see it . . ."
~~These Are the Voices by Anne M. Waitz

The city has FINALLY disappeared! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Oh the great oodles of joy. Just a few more loose ends to tie up and the book is finished! Anyway, I figured once I finished this book that I should write a different book. You know, take a break from this series and hone my writing skills. Especially since it’s been five years since I’ve written a different story. I could use a break. I will definitely get back to this story, I just want a break. And maybe a short story that I could get published under my belt. So anyway, I can’t decide which story to write, so I thought I’d take a poll. I narrowed it down to six stories in four genres. Vote on which story you’d like to see me write! Or just vote ‘cause you feel like it even if you don’t really care . . .

All titles and synopsies contained herein are the sole property of Anne M. Waitz, not to be used or copied without express written permission of said Anne M. Waitz.

Science Fiction:
Aysa Norris
A down-and-out, drunken, once-famous, physically impared space racer is recruited to help a band of mercenaries find a priceless treasure.

Telepath
An highschool girl discovers her telepathic abilites and is thrown in the midst of a covert civil war between her government and the underground telepathic community.

Fantasy:
When Evil Comes
A warrior-reject runs away from a twisted spartan society and returns years later to rescue the land.

The Prince’s Story
The story of Cinderella from the prince’s point of view.

Romance:
Tom and Eleanor
A guy and girl are in love. Guy has to become sailor to make his way in world. Girl gets kidnapped. Both travel the world. Eventually they find each other again.

Short Story:
Quest or Curse
A young girl is forced to go on a quest or her best friend will be turned into a purple lizard and she will be cursed forever!

Well, after I wrote out the synopsies, I realized they were a paragraph long each, and who wants to read that? So I narrowed it down for you. Vote away!

Celtic Rock, French Musicals, Sibling Bonding Days, and (of course) the Epic Novel

2005-08-14T00:49:00.000-05:00

Hola. ?Como estan mis aficionados? Estoy muy bien . . . ish. Well, I'm fine now. I had a bit of a bummer moment earlier this evening when I could find none of the music I wanted at Barnes and Noble. I finally got Master and Commander which I've been wanting for awhile (love that cello music--yay for Yo-yo Ma). It just gets frustrating when all my music I have to buy online. I'd really like some celitc rock, but they didn't have any Runrig (stink) and if I was gonna get a Flogging Molly CD (recommendation of Sarah), they didn't have the one I would get. Stink again. And of course they never have the Ceili Rain CD or Maire Brennan CD I want. Double stink. Oh well. Oh, and they didn't have Tuck Everlasting. Come on people . . . I'm happy with what I got, though. I'll just mooch other music off my brother. I also got the Lord of the Rings planner now that they finally came out with it. I hope they have a Narnia planner for next year.

So it turns out that the Les Miserables CD I got at the library was in French. I actually think it sounds better in French, but I couldn't quite catch what the songs were about.

Oh, and I got my latest writing craft book! Conflict, Action, and Suspense. Yippee! Did I already say that? :::checks:::: No, apparently I didn't. I guess I didn't write about sibling bonding day. We had a sibling bonding day on Thursday when we couldn't find Harry's fencing. After honking at the pidgions, Harry made an executive decision that we would go hang out at the Quarry. That's when I got my book. At Border's. Then we ate Jack in the Box and then watched The Island. Maybe I wrote about this in my journal 'cause it seems very familiar. Anyway, it was a good movie. I liked it. Neelix was in it! Hooray! And Sean Bean. Awesomeness. So Conflict, Action, and Suspense says that happy families are boring and unhappy families are unhappy in their own way. I guess it kind of stinks that my character has the perfect family. I get conflict from other places. Besides, unhappy families are really overdone. And they aren't normal. That's why I'm writing about a normal, happy family for once. And, it's kind of cool 'cause it shows that even if you have the greatest family and love them a lot, you still need to get out on your own to figure out who you are. I like my story.

Oh oh oh oh oh oh, speaking of which! ALMOST DONE!!! Muahahahahahaha!! Yay! Just a few more things to go. It's actually the day before the city disappears. Coolness. I'm so excited.
I guess that's all I intended to say. Except that last night I dreamed R-Duck stole an airplane and Shawna was on the phone with her telling to go to the runway to take off while cops chased her. Then we did Christmas decorations and listened to boring speeches. And then, a dog died very gorrily and went to heaven 'cause all dogs go to heaven. Seesh, I've never even seen that movie. Weird dreams . . .

That's all for now! And it's not long enough at allllllll. Oh, but do you think I make a good Elinor and Polly? It think it fits about. Ooookay. Bye!

Dreams . . .

2005-08-08T23:51:00.000-05:00

I think Harry’s been playing DTA: San Andreas too much lately. Or at least, I’ve been watching him play too much. The other night, I dreamed that I was riding in a car full of people (we were trying to get to the city to stop the alien invasion—it was actually part of my story; I wish I could remember my dreams better!). We were driving down a dark road when all of a sudden, we hit somebody! He sort of splatted into the windshield and rolled off the car. It was rather gory. I recall thinking in the dream that Harry had been playing San Andreas too much. What’s sort of funny is that the guy we hit was a character from my story. What’s worse is that his sister was in the car. She, of course, started screaming. It was sort of amusing. In a twisted sort of way. Of course, I knew it was a dream, so it didn’t bother me so much.

The next night, I had this weird dream that I was with this cheaper by the dozen sort of family that had a ton of kids and we were going to camp out in a driveway. We had to do something with moving a bunch of boxes so that the police wouldn’t get suspicious of a bunch of people camping out on a random driveway. Well, it turns out that the family had robbed whoever owned the boxes of $50,000. I was upset, of course. But it turns out that robbing the people wasn’t unethical because they had the help of a fairy. Okay, that part didn’t even make sense in my dream, but I decided to let it go. Man, I have weird dreams.

So, last night Sarah and I went to the college Bible study. I really like that group. Too bad I’m leaving for college next week. AHHHHH!!! Anyway, she decided to spend the night. It was fun. First, we traded lap-tops and read each other’s stories. It was great! How many people can you do that with? I bet only a few. Sarah’s the only one I know. By the way, her story was pretty darn cool and she’d better finish it and let me read the rest! And, I’ll send her the rest of mine, too . . . Harry had Luke and Steven over last, too. So, at about 12:45 am, we decided to go out and do something. I don’t even normally go out that late at college. So, we went to Wal-Mart, and after looking through the sad media collection, we had a lightsaber fight in the isle. I’ve always wanted to play with the toys in the isle and Wal-Mart, and can you believe I never have? Twenty years and I haven’t done that. Unless you count the time I shot Karen with a blaster in K-Mart. I got a funny look. And then we went to Whataburger. It was pretty fun.

Oh, and today I found out that Jodie’s still on our floor! Kermit the Frog yay. :::waves arms around like a puppet:::: YAY!!!!! That makes me happy. It was going to be hard for her to spend all day on ELH-3 and then have to go to G2 just to sleep. ;-) Let me count. ::::counts:::: I think that’s thirteen out of twenty-one of us who are staying on the floor! Coolness! Well, I guess that’s all for now. Later!

Speaking of Stories . . .

2005-08-03T19:02:00.000-05:00

So, I had to take Harry to the Orthadontist today (it's great, 'cause as long as he keeps going to the Orthadontist, I keep getting free stuff! shoes today). He wanted to go somewhere afterward and suggested the library. I thought that sounded fun (especially since neither of us had a very good trip last time). So, after the Orthadontist, we got on the highway and drove to down town. We picked an exit and just drove around until we found the library. As Harry said, that's the great thing about down town, you just know which direction to go in. (Of course, that was before we found out we'd already driven past the library once, but oh well.) We passed The Magestic Theatre, The Alamo, and the Wax Museum. We we got to the library, we found a bunch of CDs. Harry even found The Reason CD! Yay! That's a good song. And I got a Clannad CD and the Soundtrack to Les Miserable. Cool stuff. I also got Ivanhoe (Harry informed me, after my own fruitless searching, that Ivanhoe is one word) and flipped through a ton of DAW books. I'm begging to feel quite hopeless. My book doesn't fit into any category and why would a sci-fi or fantasy publisher want it? The world isn't that different from ours. My one comfort is how long all of the DAW books are. So we had fun. And we didn't really get lost coming back either. Nice library trip.

Speaking of stories, I'm reading an old story that I wrote when I was fifteen (actually, my last endevour before the series I'm working on now). It's actually that bad considering I fifteen. (I'm not saying all fifteen yearolds write terribly, but I have only recently improved my craft to anything noteworthy.) The characters are awesome! They make me laugh so hard! You've got the space pirate with a soft spot, the nameless girl, and the random passenger who just decides to tag along in their adventures. Aha ha ha. The chemestry is awesome. Too bad the space pirate is too old for the nameless girl. It's a nameless story, too. But I'm thinking it might actually be salvagable, which is exciting.

Speaking of stories, last Sunday, I got a call from Sarah who said her mom wanted her to call either me or Daniel to see if we were going to the college group that night. I thought that was funny since my mom had been saying the same thing to me about Sarah and Daniel the whole summer, I was just being lazy. So, Sarah came over and we went to the college group. It was pretty good. People kept asking us how we knew Daniel, and I started thinking, "How do we know Daniel?" I think I started to explain that his cousin was my brother's friend or something and the person I was explaining to said something about a second cousin's dog. Ha ha. It was funny. I love the little community my family has. When people asked how Sarah and I knew each other, I kept nearly saying we're sisters. I guess it sort of feels like that after five years. No, it's been more than five, hasn't it? Maybe not. But it's been awhile. Anyway, Sarah spent the night that night, and we had fun. We watched Labyrinth and messed with my crazy computer. We decided to start another story like we wrote one time over e-mail (a story I affectionately call 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 . . . BOOM, but which has no actual title, though it has a lovely Shakespearean death scene). So this time we're using a story website and calling it Assins Inc. Ha ha. I love writing fun stories! If you want to read it (don't know why you would unless it's really late at night and you want a laugh) go here: Assasins Inc. My character is Tal J. Rico, just in case you wondered.

Anyway, it's about time for supper. And almost time to go back to school!!! Writhing Agony!! Just kidding, I'm excited. Oh, and I finally got to Sophomore year with my memory book. I might have gone overboard printing pictures. I have about a three inch stack. I'm on Fall Fest right now and trying to figure out how to put my IHOP map into the book. . . . A dilema, to be sure. Anyway, time for food! Yippee! Ah, farewell my adoring public!

Commentary on The Archives of Anthropos and 34 pages

2005-07-25T11:21:00.000-05:00

I finished The Dark Lord's Demise yesterday. It was pretty good. But it was one of those where everybody's a bad guy, so you can't trust anybody, so my mind says, "AHHHHH!" He he. I think I like the first four books the best. I've decided that my favorite is Gaal the Conqueror, which is odd for me since I almost always like the first in a series the best (although my sister pointed out that I did like The Two Towers best). I do still love The Tower of Geburah though. Once I got over the initial shock of, "Oh my, these were written for kids!" and got past the books I'd read a million times so practically knew by heart, I really enjoyed them. I used to not like The Sword Bearer, but I liked it this time. I like the whole idea of The Changer and the Mystery of Abomination. It's pretty cool. Plus, adults can go to Anthropos whilst you get too old for Narnia (which is entirely unfair). I only have two things I really disliked about The Archives of Anthropos: we never got to find out about Uncle John's other adventures, and the lack of consistence. The main characters stay approximately the same age through the whole series, but they go through about three decades. It's like The Hardy Boys. They (not the Hardy Boys) start out in seventies cloths and a few months later in the books mention a movie copywrite '93, even though mathmatically, the book should have taken place in 69 in order for one character to be the age he was. Ha ha. Amusing. Maybe I'm just the only one who notices things like that, but that would explain my large folder of notes on my story in order to keep everything consistant. Speaking of writing . . .

I beat my record! Well, at least any known record. I did 34 pages in one day!!! That's nearly 7 hours worth of writing, and boy do I believe it! Of course, the next day I only wrote two pages, but I made up for that by writing 12 at midnight last night. I got to the awesome emotionally charged climatic part! Oh, I think I already talked about that. ::::checks:::: Yeah, I did. Anyway, so I've just got the storm, the invasion, and the vanishing act left to go. Yippee! My poor character doesn't know whether to be devistated or excited right now, not that he has much time for emotion at the end of the novel. Ooooo, I'm so excited. And I'm glad I got rejected because I'm going to go change some stuff in the first book. Just little stuff, like adding references to events here and there. I also think I'll rewrite the first chapter and make it more hooking. Oh, and I'm going to give the book a continuitous plotline. He he.

So that was long, drawn out, and probably entirely unreadable. I need to start writing in my journal again so that I stop boring my avid blog readers . . .

Heart Attacks

2005-07-22T14:42:00.000-05:00

Watching Gargoyles. I hope they put the second season out on DVD. I like this show. When I was little, it was a little dark, but it’s cool.

So, I had another missed-my-classes-during-the-first-week-of-the-semester dream. Stink. I don’t like those dreams. Although, this one was better because it turned out my clock was wrong, so I hadn’t missed class. And then it turned out that it was Tuesday, not Monday, so I didn’t actually have class until four that afternoon. So it wasn’t so bad. Did I mention my dream the other night where I was sword fighting but I kept loosing because I was short? That was amusing. I got so fed up I started crying until the Jesus character from the allegorical book I’m reading gave me leg and arm extensions so that I could fight. It was funny. ;-)

Deep contented (and exhausted) sigh. 17 pages. In one morning. Lately, my quota for each day has been no more than 15 pages accept for yesterday which had a record 25 pages. I’m talking about my book, by the way. I haven’t measured in awhile, but my average is generally 5 pages an hour. We’re talking notebook pages, handwritten. I finally got to the part I’ve been wanting to get to for years! Yay for climatic parts! I got so worked up about it that I actually felt as nervous as the main character, sort of cold and nauseas, heart pounding. It was awesome. Although I’ve decided that I probably shouldn’t continue my writing career into my old age or I might die of a heart attack at the climatic point. I’m still not done with this climax by the way. And I’ve got two more climaxes to go, and then I’m done with the book!! Oh excitement! Oh pure joy! Anyway, I should probably go clean the kitchen. Poor Mom is stressed about the homeschool round-up next weekend. If you think of it, pray for her! Oh, and I finished Quest for the King this morning, so now I can start reading the last in the Archives of Anthropos book The Dark Lord’s Demise, which I haven’t read yet. Right, kitchen time. Woohoo. And then back to epic novel writing. :-D Until next time, may you not die of a heart attack while reading my book.

Friends

2005-07-17T20:29:00.000-05:00

So it turns out that my foot was actually hurt a lot worse than I thought. I had been walking around on it like normal just wearing a brace when it started to hurt after a week. I looked down and noticed that my entire foot was somewhat green. Yeah, a pretty bad bruise. So I've been keeping off it for the most part. Which sort of stinks because I just figured out two new songs on the piano and I have to keep playing them in order to remember them, but I can't use the pedal with right foot.

I got to see a lot of friends this past week. First of all, I got to hang out with Sarah (who I don't see very much because of school even though we live in the same city). That was loads of fun 'cause I hadn't seen her since I first got back from school. We hung out at Barnes and Noble for awhile and then she came and watched Hide and Seek which wasn't too R-ey even though it was rated R (I mean it was violent, but there wasn't a whole lot of cussing or other objectionable material) and was pretty good as far as suspense horror goes. But it was really fun to watch it with Sarah (I'd already seen it). Then on Thursday, my sister, her fiancee, and I went to the Quarry and hung out with my two cousins Tiff and Liz (who actually live in my city now, but also whom I hadn't seen in forever) and one of my really old friends, Amanda. I mean, she's not that old, just a couple years older than me, but we've been friends for a long time. I hadn't seen her in forever either, so that was a lot of fun. I hadn't realized how much I missed their kind of silly and crazy. It was very refreshing. Then on Friday, Holly from the Valley called because she and her mom had to take an emergency trip to our city and asked if they could stay at our house. They got here after supper, and so Holly got to come with us on our traditional something-came-out-at-midnight trip to Wal-Mart and Krispy Kreme to get the newest Harry Potter book. Then Holly and I talked for a really long time, and it was a really good talk, too. I told her some stuff that I hope will help when she goes to college, and she gave me some really good advice. Oh, and I did get to see my other friend from here, Shayla the week before last. That was fun. We went to the mall and did girly my-sister’s-getting-married stuff. My friend Audrey will hopefully be visiting in August, so that would be awesome. Lina won’t get to visit this summer, so that’s not fun, but at least I’ll get to see her in the fall.

So, I guess this has been a pretty nice summer. And I’m almost done with the Archives of Anthropos. I’m about a third of the way done with Quest for the King. And then on to the last book, which I haven’t read before. After that, I’ve got some good Vesper Holly books to read (love those exploding sausages!). Also, I’m getting along nicely with the book I’m writing. Having to stay off one’s feet does have an upside. :-) Anyway, off for now!

Voice of Aslan and other tidbits

2005-07-13T22:16:00.000-05:00

A few bits of news. Not really. For one thing, I've heard it rumored that Liam Neeson will be the voice of Aslan in the new The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe movie. It hasn't been confirmed yet, so who knows. I suppose it's as good a choice as any if it's true. I still think James Earl Jones would have been a good choice if he wasn't already Mufasa. ;-) Check out this link if you want to read the rumor: The Voice of Aslan at last?
In other news, my foot still hurts. It seems to have gotten worse as time went on. That stinks. To high heaven.
In other, other news, I finally just skipped two months of my story so I could get to the interesting stuff again. I wrote something along the lines of: "And then there were a bunch of battles, it was the same old, same old, again, and two months passed." I figure, if I'm tired of battles, the reader must be almost as tired of them. So I decided to make it as brief as possible. I really like the character I just introduced. He's different than the other characters. He almost seems to have more--er, more--what's the word? Nobility? Moral character? Charm? He he. He's cool. But I had to kill someone off again. I hadn't killed anyone for, it must have been more than 20 chapters. It's terribly sad though. :::sigh::: They die so young.
I suppose that's all. I'm looking forward going back to school and seeing friends. I'm not looking forward to homework, and I'm dreading Saga food. Dear me, dear me--just the thought of it makes me sick.
Oh, and comment on what you think about Liam Neeson for the voice of Aslan! Other people who supposedly auditioned for the part were Jason Isaacs, Timothy Dalton, Sean Bean, Gerard Butler, Ian McKellen, and Ralph Fiennes. The original Aslan was Brian Cox. All of these actors have been villains at one time or another: (don't read if you don't want spoilers; some villains aren't revealed til the end) Brian Cox--Bourne Identity (or Supremacy --can't remember which); Jason Isaacs--Harry Potter; Timothy Dalton--The Rocketeer; Sean Bean--James Bond, National Treasure, and Lord of the Rings doesn't count; Gerard Butler--The Phantom of the Opera; Ian McKellen--X-Men; Ralph Fiennes--Harry Potter; Liam Neeson--Batman Begins; and even James Earl Jones was Darth Vader. Anyway, that was longer than it needed to be. Until later!

Creative Geniusy

2005-07-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

I don't really have much to say, but here it is anyway. Ooo, I ryhmed. I'm reading a good book right now called Gaal the Conquerer. I like it. You should read it (and ignore the blatant typos and slightly confusing writing--it's not as bad as The Sword of Shannara, I promise :::wink wink::::). Oh oh, I'm excited because I wrote a song the other night, which hasn't happened in awhile. And it's a happy song, which also hasn't happened in awhile (my last two songs were about hopelessly trying to make someone proud and trying to get away from a manipulative control freak--sheesh, what's going on in my mind? ;-) ). And I figured it out on the piano, and it's a love song which has nothing to do with anybody I know; it's just a fun song. Ah, the wonderful flow of creative genius. I've been debating creating a seperate blog for writing stuff, but that would pretty much serve no purpose since I don't post things I write because I'm paranoid about my work. :::wink wink::: Anyway, I gotta go make a phone call before we go to the library. Until then!

Anne the Creatvie Genius

P.S. Plus I figured out how to add titles to my entries. And blogger is so much cooler than xanga 'cause you can edit the html. Yay blogger!

2005-07-07T00:50:00.000-05:00

Well, today, I was walking along the edge of the pool and stepped off, not remembering how far down it was, apparently. I landed pretty bad on my ankle, and wow did it hurt. I've got a brace on it now, and so it hurts less than sprained ankles normally do. It was an interesting experience. Then we went and saw Batman Begins. I really like it. It was definately a good movie. So, Carolyn, I guess I won't boycott you for saying it was better than Spiderman. :-D I don't know that I would compare it to Spiderman. They were very different. This Batman was definately better than the other Batman movies. It was very interesting. I couldn't figure out which decade it was supposed to take place in. In case I haven't used asteriscs on this site before, comments between asterics generally mean "don't read comment between asterics unless you have seen or read the movie or story in question." That said, *I had forgotten about the Scarecrow! Sheesh, creepy badguy. He killed Batgirl one time. I never got to see the end of the episode, so I never found out how she came back to life. Oh well.* Anyway, enough random entires. Oh wait, not done being random yet. So, last night I dreamed that I was back at school and (I always have these dreams before every semester) I missed my first Digital Writing class 'cause it was at 4pm on Tuesday, which is random. And I didn't have any time to eat supper. And I had a test the second class period in one class. And then, there were pirates or something. And aliens, or something. And then something. Anyway, it was another weird dream. Those dreams . . . . Okay, now I'm done being random. :-)

This update in the boring, yet interesting (depending on who you are) life of Annie was brought to you by--well, Annie
Until next time, "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit--Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows. Muahahahahahaha"