This morning I almost caught them, the tricky devils. As I turned on to State Circle on my way to the bus stop, I saw a truck with a water tank in its bed fleeing around the corner, leaving a sidewalk full of dripping hanging plants in its wake.

For most of the summer the identity of these ninja plant waterers has remained a mystery, at least in Annapolis. In DC, they send a man out with a backpack full of water and an upright hose; but Annapolis has much more advanced techniques. Forget watering on foot - like the paperboy, these gardeners have scored a set of wheels, so that the pots overflowing with flowers are cultivated unobserved by the majority of the public. Most public cleaning/maintenance is done this way, in the early hours of the morning - attempting to keep the sightlines clear and preserve the illusion of the picturesque historical fishing town. Unfortunately, this illusion is broken for anyone who happens to actually live downtown, because the gnomes that clean the streets, deliver the newspapers, and water the plants make no attempt to be quiet. Many is the time I have been roused from my throne of France some early Saturday morning by the roaring/squealing/screeching of trucks, the banging of trash cans, and even, on one occasion, the sounds of booths being assembled for the Irish festival being held outside my door.

You'd think that they'd figure out that the very best time to do work like this is after ten o'clock on any given weekday, seeing that the entire town (including CVS, Annabeth's, and any other place you might need to run to late at night) shuts down at this point. It's a wonder they haven't instituted a curfew yet.

"A better example of language evolution might be the almost spontaneous speaking of pidgin languages that happens when a group of people talking different languages are unexpectedly forced to live and work together. The group soon borrows words from each other to communicate. Eventually they talk in short strings of words rich in meaning but without articles, prepositions or tense. Their speech thus has elements of a protolanguage. If the first generation of pidgin speakers stays intact, their children will refine the pidgin as they learn to talk so that the second generation will speak a Creole language, which becomes one as “true” as English or French, and will include its own literature."

David Challinor, "Language Evolution" March 1999.

Nerd that I am, I immediately though of Atlantis. What if the ability to speak English had not been a requirement, either in the scientific community or on the various planets visited? (of course, precluding as well any gate-related automatic translation) I wish I could witness (or perhaps even participate) in the development of a pidgin language such as the one that might arise in that situation.

Edit: My avatar is unintentionally appropriate. :D

Pretty poetry for your (but mostly my) perusal:

40. (Carrion Comfort)

NOT, I’ll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee;
Not untwist—slack they may be—these last strands of man
In me ór, most weary, cry I can no more. I can;
Can something, hope, wish day come, not choose not to be.
But ah, but O thou terrible, why wouldst thou rude on me
Thy wring-world right foot rock? lay a lionlimb against me? scan
With darksome devouring eyes my bruisèd bones? and fan,
O in turns of tempest, me heaped there; me frantic to avoid thee and flee?

Why? That my chaff might fly; my grain lie, sheer and clear.
Nay in all that toil, that coil, since (seems) I kissed the rod,
Hand rather, my heart lo! lapped strength, stole joy, would laugh, chéer.
Cheer whom though? the hero whose heaven-handling flung me, fóot tród
Me? or me that fought him? O which one? is it each one? That night, that year
Of now done darkness I wretch lay wrestling with (my God!) my God.

So, because it's late, and I'm bored, and it's just so sad to think of little baby things dying because I'm lazy (even if they're completely fictional)....

Save my little baby dragons, won't you? Just click them...

I'm so very happy! In the midst of the madness of junior year, while drowning in internship applications and fearfully eyeing the annual paper on the horizon, I managed to design (in my head, too, while I was swimming) a great 1 hour, 2500 yard swim workout. Check it:

Warm Up: 500 yards freestyle
400 IM: swim, drill, kick, swim

Kicking: 250 yards breastroke kick
250 yards freestyle kick

Intervals: 6 50s freestyle on the :45
3 100s freestyle on the 1:30

Cool Down: 500 yards freestyle

The first two sections each take twenty minutes to swim, the second two, ten minutes each. The intervals are the cardio-intensive part of the workout, but the 400 IM should be done with a good amount of oomph as well. Anyways, I'm going to see if I can think of some more variants - I've already created a 2000 meter version for my friend Steffanie. Compared to what I used to swim back in the glory days, this workout's pretty weak, but it's a good starting point.

I have finally done it! Today during Rest Hour I went out exploring in a single, in order to plan excursions for future classes. After I returned to Lake Edith and wet docked, I lifted my shell and balanced it on my head with one hand, picked up my oars with the other, and walked away. Woohoo! I felt like such a beast. Ever since I had heard the story about the women who won a major race only to calmly walk off with boat on head and oars in hand, I'd wanted to be able to do that. And now I have. *sighs with contentment*

In less trivial news, I am now and Out Of Cabin Counselor for the Main Camp Session at Greystone. It's easier being OOC for Main Camp, since there are nearly fifty of us all told - instead of being a mother to ten girls, I sweep, set up benches and special events, and lifeguard more. I also get much more 'free time', like during Rest Hour and Free Period. I've been doing rowing-related things mostly, cleaning boats, taking the single out, etc... but I've also enjoyed me some technology, like internets, phonage, and movies. Momma certainly was surprised to get a call from me at 3 in the afternoon!

Life has certainly not without it's stresses - I've had a bit of a rough time with the rowing classes. There are only three counselors in the department, with no official department head (unfortunate, since we three are all first-years), and we've sorta had the program back up from scratch, since there were no lesson plans or notes on levels for us to work from. And then there are all the 'minor' details like learning to use a motorboat, hoping it doesn't break down again out on the water, figuring out how to work with the other teachers, and dealing with the constantly-changing class sizes (an important thing in rowing, obviously). Things are beginning to smooth out a bit now, though, thankfully. I just need to pray for a new attitude.

And then there are the girls... Middle schoolers, mostly, and unfortunately, that's the age I have the hardest time working with. It's probably a good thing I'm OOC for that reason. I teach Sunday School as one of my OOC duties, and this morning was our first lesson. I was having a difficult time getting the girls to focus, and had to truly take to heart the lesson I was teaching: that we should see others the way God sees them. And I can only pray that my eyes will be opened to the beauty of these daughters of God in the coming week, because as of today I am having a hard time seeing that.

On a more positive note, I've really made some amazing friends of my fellow OOC women - this chance to bond and spend time with other Christian women my age has been something I've been praying for for a long time, and I can only hope that I don't screw it up. Our nightly devotions have been good, and I've even had the chance to start a whole new prayer list! I certainly do love these girls, and I'm thankful to be living with them.

Thank you once again, to everyone who has sent me wonderful letters, and an especial thanks to momma for the 4th of July package! I wuv you wittle mudda! Mail certainly makes me feel very special. I'm sorry if I haven't been writing much lately - with all of this extra time, I certainly have no excuse. I'm praying for you all, that you be as blessed as I. Much love!

I feel very bad - I told my momma I would email her again the very next day, and then the internet at Greystone decided to go caput. Very sad. It was actually quite a crisis for a bit, because both the phones and the internet were gone for the entire camp, due to what a break in the line that was eventually discovered. The poor office staff had already nervous parents freaking out because they couldn't call to ask about their girls, and since Greystone's kinda in the middle of nowhere, communication's rather important, and such. Of course, JimBoy (the owner of the camp) saved the day, dragging a bunch of AT&T guys out to figure the problem out. The phones work now, thank goodness, but the internet connection in the Counselor Hut is still flaky, much to my chagrin. So, on my day off I had no plan but to find a place to get on the internet.

I ended up mooching a ride and company off of some of my fellow counselors who chose to have this be their day off as well, and with the help of a Garmin, found the mall in Ashville and I promptly found a very nice deli that has wireless internet and will share it with me for the price of an iced tea and sunchips (I didn't have to buy anything, but I felt like I should, since I'm taking up a table). Talk about your southern hospitality. The tea is very lovely. We also had some pastries and caffeine at a local bakery and stopped at WalMart for some essentials and some crimestopping (seriously, we saw a guy shoplifting and snuck over to an employee and told her about it. We didn't get to see him busted, though). One of our group is on the hunt for running shoes. All in all, it looks to be a lovely day. Which is surprising, as I really didn't have much of a way to get out of camp in my carless and licenseless state but an outside chance that one of my aunts (who also work at Greystone) would have the time to cart me around. Thank you for provision, Lord, even for the silly things like days off.

The girls had a movie night a few days ago, and the counselors took the time to sit in the Dining Hall and write our "mommy letters", letters basically updating the parents about how their girls are doing and such. We have some pretty strict guidelines about what and how we can write, so it's good to do it together to prevent rewriting. During that time I had a really great conversation with my Co Anne about our girls. It turns out that the girls I have problems with she loves, and vice versa. We took turns defending and discussing our choices and what they meant. It was a good eye-opener for both of us to our attitudes and prejudices. We did, however, agree on the awesomeness or oddness of a few girls, and rejoiced/sighed over them together.

Last night was our cabin's overnight, and I had my first counselor confrontation. I should've expected it - 100 college girls, there's going to be some drama, no matter how awesome we all are. There was some trouble with the ratio of cots to counselors (we were two short), and I was getting angry about the fact that someone kept taking my stuff off of a cot and putting hers on it. So I took it out on another counselor by taking her cot (yes, I know, bad decision). There were words, and it wasn't until one of our girls was near tears because of the results of our actions that we realized that it was all a big misunderstanding, and that in comparison with the happiness of the campers, it didn't really matter. She was even kind enough to sleep on the floor so that Anne and I could use cots to be closer to our campers. So we ended the night friends, and I was very glad. I still want to apologize officially, though, because I'm not sure I did. I have to find her. Anyways.

Today three of our girls are rafting, two are skiing, and Anne is out taking girls rafting as well. So our cabin is rather empty, and I feel bad for the girls left behind. Today is also the day that the sheets of all the beds have to be changed, and I can only hope that there are enough OutOfCabin Counselors to get it done without us. Darn timing! Thank goodness tomorrow is the day when the biggest majority of counselors have their day off.

I'm going to write letters this afternoon, I swear, as soon as I get back to camp. I love and miss you all, and I'm praying for you as you make a difference for God's glory. Huggles!

So I've spent the last 48+ hours in the company of ten girls and my amazing co-counselor Anne. In that period, I've learned:

- How incredibly petty and impatient I can be.
- How often God steps in to take care of me in my weakness.
- That Anne needs to either run for president or begin a children's evangelism movement (I'm not sure which, but lip sync and techno has to be involved).
- That one can actually get used to ninety-degree weather and be thankful for eighty degree weather. And not care about being constantly sweaty and/or sunburned.
- The joys of being reminded of man's purpose (and Greystone's motto) twice daily: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

So yeah. That's cool. I'm rather tired and sore now, but since (hopefully) the girls are supposed to be settling in, from now on the counselors are allowed out of their cabins from 10-12 each night. Tomorrow night the resident minister at Greystone (isn't that COOL?!), Rob, is going to be giving a devotional and I'm really looking forward to it, since I haven't had the chance to do my own devotionals since the girls got here.

Thank you to everyone who has written me - Rest Hour/Mail Time is my favorite part of the day. I'm working on writing you all back, I promise. Pray that I be an empty vessel to be filled to overflowing with God's Spirit, a tool that is used to bless the lives of these girls. So much is being in worked in them, I can see it!

I'm at Greystone now - W00t! For those few whose ears I've not bent with tales of this magical land, Greystone is a christian camp for girls in North Carolina, and I am working there this summer as a counselor, a lifeguard, and a crew and fencing instructor. But first, before I do any of that, I must be certified, authorized, and orientated.

I arrived at Greystone on Wednesday with my Aunt Chris, and, even though I'm probably not going to be a swimming instructor this summer, we figured it couldn't hurt for me to get my WSI Certification. Little did I know that this is quite the task. Not only are WSI Candidates tested to see if they themselves are experts in the water, but by the end of the course, we must be able to teach the Learn to Swim program (Levels 1-6), the Parent Child Swim Program for Infants and Toddlers, a Basic Water Rescue Course, and several other Water Safety Presentations and such. Eight of us spent three days watching videos, reading ginormous manuals, and giving practice lessons in 'skills' like the Front Float, how to carry an infant in the water, the Reaching Assist, etc... After each practice lesson we would get constructive criticism from the teacher (my Aunt Chris) and the other girls - something I must say we were quite good at. We finished the course today - all of us passed - so to show for three days of insanity we all have matching sunburns and certificates. YAY!

Unfortunately, the training is not over. Even though we did have the entire afternoon off (of which we spent two hours napping), tomorrow begins our Lifeguard Certification Training, where we will learn in depth Water Safety and Rescue for four (?) days. After THAT, we all move into new cabins and go through Orientation with the rest of the Greystone Counselors and Staff. Oi. I certainly cannot complain of being ill-equipped to work this summer. I'm especially looking forward to meeting my boathouse peeps and talking about the crew program. Greystone's got fours, pairs, and singles!

There's internet access in a couple of places here, but my time is rather limited - it was only due to our massive rushing through the WSI program that we managed to get the afternoon off - but I'll update and email when I can. Just send me a note or a text message if you want to hear about the inane details of my camp experience - I'd be happy to share. I love you all!

A St. John's lab is a funny place - the laboratory tutorial is an odd experience in the first place (especially freshman year), but it's even weirder if you're working 'behind the scenes'. Yeah, there's the usual drama of trying to have an intelligent dialogue with other people ["he just won't shut up!" "the tutor's questions are not helpful" "do we really have to sit and talk for two and a half hours?"], but it's not like a bad classroom conversation killed anybody. And it's even more fun as a lab assistant because there's a bit of distance between you and the class discussion, so you it's easier to laugh at the little things in light of the bigger picture - the absolutely fascinating thing that science is. Not to mention that there are about a zillion little perks:

1) Lab Chores. Yes, this is a perk, because there's always the chance that today's chore will be removing the heads and abdomens of bees and impaling them with glue on to wooden sticks.

2) Experiencing Mr. Daly. Aside from having spent several decades at St. John's (which is enough to make anyone cool), he is always sharing some random Johnnie lab story that may or may not involve a: mercury spills or b: fire. And he defies physics (I swear, the man teleports.)

3) Actually playing with the aforementioned mercury and fire. Having to worry about tipping the beaker too quickly and spilling mercury into your eyes, or electrocuting yourself, or creating a flamethrower out of hydrogen.

4) St. John's Lab Equipment: with fun extras like the oxymoronically named SoftCide, warnings about placing fingers in electrical sockets (only while the device is plugged in, of course, as this is an activity encouraged otherwise), and the oh-so-precarious ladder that was probably made (like everything else) in the St. John's workshop, it presents the lab assistant with unique challenges that make even the dullest of lab work life-threa...exciting.

5)Finally, fellow Lab Assistants: perhaps it's just cause everything else is so cool, but Lab Assistants are some of the most fun people to chat with - comparing practicum disasters, keeping a running total of the amount of mercury spilled this year (and the interesting ways we dispose of it), gossiping about tutor quirks... And when the tutor asks for a practicum that you've no idea how to do or even get the materials for, it's always another Lab Assistant who saves your butt (since Mr. Daly has teleported away). I hope they choose to be Lab Assistants again next year, 'cause I certainly am.

I love my job, so much. Gracias, Senor.

Perhaps it is because by now I've assimilated completely into Johnnie life, but this Christmas I seem to have brought more of St. John's home with me than last year. Every time I returned home my freshmen year, it only took me the car ride home to cleanse my system of all philosophy and general Johnnie thought - I just shut off that part of me temporarily, to be revived on the trip back to Annapolis. This year I can't seem to get rid of it - it is as if I've been marinated in the sauce of St. John's, rather than basted. *shudders at terrible metaphors* Here are some interesting examples:

1)I mistook the noise of a distant garbage truck for Jonathan's throat singing, and just barely managed to stop myself from yelling at him to stop. (I actually do think garbage trucks make overtones - something about the way the air is pushed about the engines or something, I don't know - I swear there are overtones, though.)

2)I'm finding it nearly impossible to have a serious conversation with anyone - they keep on citing ridiculous popular authors as authorities, and I keep referring to Plato, Aquinas, and Ptolemy. Is it so terrible to just want to tell someone to read the Republic in order to understand why his reasoning is completely wrong? I think the worst part is when I talk with someone who is convinced that he has all the answers. :)

3)I watched Jack Jack's Attack after re-watching the Incredibles, and I nearly had a coronary when I heard MY beloved Dies Irae (of Mozart's Requiem fame) being used as a soundtrack. My family just laughed at me. :P

There are a couple dozen other things, small ones usually, that have reinforced my Johnnie status more-so than last year, but I think you get the gist. And for the most part, I'm happy about this change - I feel much more aware, I guess, as if I'm getting more for my money. Take my current work with The Aeneid: the more I read, the more I research different instances of the relationship between gods and mortals, the more directions I find that I could take my sophomore paper - and I want to take them all! I thank the Lord for this enthusiasm that I have, and I am grateful that my prayers are now for guidance. For I know that it will be a difficult choice, picking which avenue I want to explore, but God has given me peace. w00t!

And yes, I had a lovely Christmas, with an absolutely ridiculous number of gifts - I'm so spoiled. Yay momma! (whose vocabulary is becoming even more ridiculous now that she's discovered that creative language prevents dementia)

My head is fuzzy, seminar is in forty five minutes, and I have nothing of interest to report - what better time to update my woefully underwritten LiveJournal?

Yeah, I'm sick. Count on me to dodge the Johnnie-Plague bullet twice, only to be taken out by a little cold. I'm not really taken out, though. Despite my very loud complaints, this cold's not so bad - I can sleep pretty well, I'm not coughing that much, and I can even sing a little. W00t! Really, the only downside is my deplorable lack of strength and general slow-headedness in classes. Going to crew this morning cleared my head a bit, which was nice. I'll look forward to that tomorrow morning (and yes, Rut-An, I'm going. So there.)

I'm simultaneously looking forward to and freaking out about this weekend. Lots of crazy stuff's going on. Momma and G-pa and coming for Parent's Weekend, and while I can't wait to show them off to my Johnnies, I really want them to have a good time, so I hope everything goes well - we've got a busy schedule, what with the Head of Occoquan, church, Christian Fellowship and all. When they leave I have to finish (or start, if things are really nuts) my paper on Kepler. I've already got lots of ideas bouncing about my head, thank goodness. That's the hardest part - thank you Jesus! But with this weekend comes the end of kunai soccer and fall rowing, and I can't wait. I love playing soccer, and I swear I enjoy crew, but I'll be very happy for the break. Sleep is soooo good.

I look back on the last few weeks and I can't believe that I survived. I even managed to keep up with my schoolwork! Jesus is truly amazing - as Philip says, He makes us walk on water. All we 'have' to do is keep our vision focused on Him. What a beautiful sight He is, my strength and song. I'm gonna go to seminar now, to listen to God glorifying Himself and His Son through His amazing Word. Much love, more huggles, to all.

So yeah, no Bolivia journal just yet, although it would probably be wiser for me to write it while it's still fresh in my mind. I'm sure it'll be written, just when some other important paper needs doing instead. (Does the head shake of procrastination.) But until then, I'm updating with random stuff.

It's the night before my train leaves, and I'm all packed up. Whether or not I'm ready to go is another issue. That icky wringing between my temples and in my chest has returned, as always happens before I leave someplace loved. I know it'll go away the moment I step off the train at Union Station, and that thought simultaneously relieves me and weighs me with guilt. How can I be so heartless?

This time, though, I worry about my family as I leave. It's not as though I've become an indispensable part - my family can, and will, function without me. I still worry. The thought of mom struggling to juggle work, dinner and laundry now that I'm no longer there to help sickens me. G-pa will have to do without his lunch companion. And who knew unused packages of brownie mix, purchased just before my departure and evidence of denial, could cause an ache in my heart? Life at the Ansell residence will be just a little bit harder, because I left. That sucks.

On a slightly lighter note (because I'm whiny enough as it is, and I shouldn't have to bring you all down with me), my Johnnie buds should get a kick out of my new glasses-free existence. See if you can catch a glimpse of me adjusting and removing imaginary spectacles in class - I have been, and will be, doing it. I personally think it's quite an adorable mistake, and smile every time I make it. Cool points for those who notice!

Huggles for all, including myself.

My goodness, I haven´t updated this often in ages...I guess it takes being out of the country to make you really want to connect. Anyways, I´m leaving today, and the only reason that I´m online is that we´ve been given some free time to spend in La Conga (the largest open-air market in the United States, I´ll have you know). I´ve never bought so much for so little in such a short amount of time! I´m in the midst of a llama obsession- it makes the shopowners laugh and (hopefully) more likely not to overcharge me. Anyways, I´ve had a good time here in Bolivia, especially doing Sidewalk Sundays and playing with the boys. Not a big fan of being sick half the time, though. High altitudes and strange foods do not work well with me. Ah well. I love you all, and miss you. (HUGGLES)

Who knew I´d get the chance to visit an internet cafe in Bolivia? Anyways - just an update. I´m safe and well, having just recovered from altitude sickness and such. Not cool, that stuff. But what do you expect at 8000 feet up? It´s been a nice easy pace so far- God has given me time to acclimate physically and spiritually, and for that I´m grateful.

If I´ve learned one thing here, it´s that even though places and circumstances change, people (especially children) remain the same. I thank God for this familiarity, and also for communication that goes beyond words (even though my Spanish is getting better, somehow).

I´m gonna go see if I can call my family now, but I will leave you with this - you don´t know how useful speaking the local language is until you have to buy a memory card for your camera in La Conja (the market) with George, who, as kind as he is, doesn´t speak English either. Fun times. :)

Ahhh! I'm going to Bolivia now. I'll be gone for ten days. I'm currently being rushed out the door...so, bye!

PS: Pray that I'll be useful and helpful while I'm there. I'm working in an orphanage.

I have this thing about inconsistency - I kinda really hate it. I don't really mind the trait in others, though, so much as I cannot tolerate its presence in my own actions. I pride myself (of course *sigh*) upon my ability to let my yes be yes and my no be no. Therefore it is with much embarrassment and regret that I say that I cannot go to Burundi this summer. As it turns out, the Peters family is returning to Florida in August and will not need my assistance. (I am glad that they are coming back, though, at least temporarily.) I did so set my heart on seeing the churches and the country that I'd heard so much about, and after receiving the news, I must admit that for a time I gave up the hope that I'd ever be able to serve the Lord in another country. My mother gave me the name of another ministry that I could research, but I had little interest in it. However, out of respect for the time and effort that she's put into furthering my dreams, I looked it up - the Children's International Network. As it turns out, they have an orphanage in Bolivia, and staff it with a combination of long term and short term missionaries. Childcare: right up my alley. :P I applied to join a group going there in July, but knowing that it was rather late to be asking, my enthusiasm about the opportunity was dampened by the expectation of failure, once again.

It is good to know that I am often wrong. I will now be spending a week and a half in July in Bolivia, working at this orphanage. I'm brushing up on my Spanish even now. :) I thank God for this chance. At the moment, though, I don't understand why I'm going, but I am believing and praying that God will clear my muddled heart and place in me a desire to do the work He has planned for me there.

You'd think I'd be more excited, wouldn't you? After all, this is what I've been praying about since first semester. I dunno... I guess I didn't feel like I did anything to get this trip - once again, it was all the work of the Lord and my mother. I'm sure my poor attitude didn't help. This inability to be self-reliant still seems to be a stumbling block with me, I guess. If I can't get it myself, then it's not worth having. :P How does one balance a complete surrender to the will of God and the necessity of being an active participant of ones own life? (Apologies for the awkward grammar.) I'm not sure, but I'm asking God to teach me.

Alright, enough of this silliness - it's very unlike me, which is probably the ickiest part of it all. Happy news:

1)I remember quite a bit more Spanish than I thought I did, and I'm very glad that the pronunciation is rather like riding a bike. I have lovely Spanish pronunciation, if I do say so myself! :D

2)I also must report the excellent gifts that my family gave me for my birthday - aside from new flip-flops (my mother wasn't too into the duct-taped ones) and a beautiful sundress, I received a slim-line navy NKJV Bible, with the pretty silver-lined pages! (My mother wasn't too into my old Bible, the last thirty pages of which were falling out, either. Silly lady. :))

3)I do love my family so - I think I'm generally being much nicer to them, which is a relief. I have a habit of being mean to my brothers for no reason. But aside from some very grumpy mornings, I've been pretty cheerful. Yayse!

That any better? I hope so. I miss you, my Johnnies. I give many long-distance huggles to you all! Much love and more blessings.

Okay, not really. But still...this one's for you, my darlin' ex-core groupie (you know who you are).

First off, I must give this piece of advice in regards to train travel: if you can ever afford it, just once, try traveling first class, in your own room (this especially applies to overnight trips). It's COMPLETELY worth it. Thanks daddy! In other news, I'm attempting to settle in to my room once again - rather difficult, as the package containing my hangers has yet to arrive. No biggie, though. More importantly, I'm trying to fill my hours with productivity - with a total lack of commitments (at least, until my job begins in a few weeks), I'm sorta stuck for things to do. Probably shouldn't be complaining, though - rest isn't such a bad thing (especially since, once again, I've caught a cold immediately upon returning to Florida - must this ALWAYS happen? :P).

That said, I am getting a few good things done. I'm studying to get my driver's license - if I want to actually do something with my summer, it would probably be better if I didn't have to bum rides off of people. I've also been invited to join a sewing circle by an old teacher of mine - they make shawls and things for people in need, and pray for those in need in the process. I'm very excited. *makes mental note to bone up on crocheting skills* Finally, I'm happy to report that I've been reading lots of non-program material...ahh. So nice. But I'm finding myself often wishing that I could just sit around and discuss the books...preferably around a square table, with some Johnnie friends...I do miss everyone so! I'm rather jealous of those who are staying in Annapolis for the summer, near the campus. Lucky ducks. :D

All my love to all my beloved! If anyone needs anything, just call/email/message me and ask, be it gifties, prayer, or just a listening ear. God bless you guys!

I have incredibly amazing friends here at St. John's. They encourage me daily in my walk with God, and I know that my experience here would not be as wonderful as it is without them. God has blessed me so much! Thank You Lord, for these brothers and sisters in Christ. I love them so dearly. Please use me, Lord, as a blessing in their lives, as they have been in mine. Thank You Father, for taking care of your daughter far beyond any means she could ever imagine.

To all my Johnnies: I love you guys so much! God has amazing things in store for you, and I am so grateful to be a witness to His work in you. *MEGA huggles*

Well, with all the activity that's been going on in the blogging world, I've been feeling the need for me to actually attempt to update more than once every three months. And not just update, but to actually communicate something in these silly little journals of mine. I'm not sure if this journal is gonna cut it, though, as it is nearly eleven and I'm feeling quite guilty about the fact that I watched the latest torrented episode of House rather than doing my Ptolemy homework or my Aristotle. (But hey - it was a really good episode!) Ah well - I'll do my best to entertain.

Let's try some short, rather random witticisms about recent events in my life:

1)Dave completely blew me away last Wednesday when he expressed a knowledge of Megatokyo (although I probably shouldn't have been surprised; after all, it's DAVE, the epitome of awesome.)

2)Cecilia (oh goodness I hope I've spelled it right) also really surprised me by remembering my interest in the latest Regina Spektor cd, and actually giving me a burned copy - how sweet of her!

3)Speaking of Regina Spektor, aside from the most famous song of hers, Fidelity, I'm finding myself incredibly intrigued by the song "Apres Moi". Google the lyrics, or ask me for a copy of the song - it's really interesting. Crayze Biblical References and Poetry Quotations!

4)And I've just realized that I have forgotten to call my mother back, and now she's probably asleep... Darn it! She sounded kinda sad on the voice mail she left me, too... I'll write her an email, but it won't be the same. Sigh...

5)The Psalms are true: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!"

Alright - I've bored you enough. :D I'm gonna go write my mom an email, then hit the sack. Sleep is goooood... Night all; God bless, and huggle while He's at it.