Study Abroad!

It's official: I am signed up for an Economy Cabin for Semester at Sea for Spring Semester 2012! Now I have to figure out how to fill out the UVA application for study abroad (so that I'm officially admitted to Semester at Sea- at the moment, it's a conditional admission awaiting info from UVa... thanks UVa...) and submit my transcript from my NOVA class this summer to Semester at Sea (and to UVa/Curry so the box for "American history needed" is checked off). I'm so thankful my parents are letting me do this crazy trip around the world, only to have to come back and spend even more money for UVA's first summer school session next summer to make up for what I will miss next spring. <3

Kirsten

I have never been more furious or more proud of my brother than I am right now.
Two years and three weeks ago, my friend Kate and I took my 3 American Girl dolls down to the basement to do a photoshoot with them for a last 12th grade history class project. Two days later, I went down to the basement to clean up and bring them back up to my room. Kirsten was no longer there, but Samantha and Molly were.
My attachment at 18-21 years old to these dolls perhaps doesn't make a whole lot sense to the outside world, but it fits in perfectly with who I am and what I feel my calling in life is (a mother and a teacher to young girls), and frankly, they're still fun to spend an afternoon with as I change their outfits and do their hair. No, perhaps I don't fit in with what is expected of 21-year-old girls, who aren't supposed to enjoy that stuff anymore. Luckily, I don't care.
Upon learning this morning that the Kirsten doll has been retired by American Girl, I was determined to once and for all learn the truth about what happened that afternoon two years and three weeks ago in the basement. It took a lot of coaxing, but my brother finally admitted that he took one of Kirsten's arms off (and hid it somewhere strange- I don't remember where, but I found her arm in a weird place in the house last summer) and threw the rest of her out because he was mad at me. I am furious with him that he did that, especially since I have told him multiple times in the past to hit me rather than take it out on my belongings when he gets mad at me, but I am so proud of him at the same time for admitting the truth. He has been vaguely ambivalent this whole time about what happened and claiming he can't remember or that he doesn't know, which has only frustrated, angered and disappointed me even more. Now, however, he has finally told the truth. At least the truth has come out, even if it is a horrible truth that I wish wasn't the truth.

Zwanzig

Today's my last full day being 20 years old- that's a little weird. I'm not sure I'm ready to be 21 (with all of its implications, particularly since I attend UVa, a relatively party-heavy school- I have been able to resist parties up until now because I haven't felt comfortable breaking the law and drinking while I was under 21 years old).

I do hope 21 will overall be a better year than 20 was (although the past few months of year 20 have been some of the best of my life, the first few were terrible). I am determined to just keep working on improving myself (and show my Mom and aunts that I'm not completely ridiculous) as well as keep up with life :) My 2011 resolutions will stay as my birthday resolutions: Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much, Don't Enter the ER (although I'm thinking I potentially want to strike the last part of that resolution- ever since I've thought of it, the dumb injuries for the most part have gone away to be replaced with awful illnesses [I much prefer the dumb injuries, particularly because the stories for the injuries are usually entertaining while the ones for the illnesses- if they even exist- are not]).

*The title of this post is the German word for 'twenty'- I happen to think the German terms for 'twenty' and 'twelve' (zwölf- the age I started learning German, back in England in 7th grade) are awesome*

Daybook- June 7

I have seen this idea on a number of blogs that I have read and decided to try it out myself. The original idea comes from Peggy Hostetler at the Simple Woman's Daybook.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window- my gel American flag is on the window

I am thinking- how weird it is that I will be a fully legal adult tomorrow

I am thankful for- 20 (or is it 21? I'm a little confused) complete, mostly wonderful years of life :)

I am wearing- tan capris, my blue 'life is good' tshirt (which I am pretty sure I got for my 20th birthday last year or maybe for Christmas- almost definitely from my Aunt Terry)

I am creating- not much at the moment

I am going- to Brion's Grille tomorrow with Sarah to celebrate my birthday!

I am reading- Pella's Angel

I am hoping- to have a good birthday tomorrow!

I am hearing- YouTube videos and my fan

A few plans for the rest of the week (in no particular order)- my 21st birthday tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)!!, kindergarten!

Picture- Still working on figuring out how to upload pictures- basically know what I'm doing now (now to learn how to upload multiple photos onto one post). This week's is of the kindergarten class I have been going to for the past few weeks- they're the best :)

Holy Spirit Novena 2011!

*copied from praymorenovenas.com*

I am joining over 2500 Catholics to pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit this Pentecost. We are trying to get 3,333 people to pray this together!

I’m pretty excited to pray this with so many faithful Catholics around the world and I thought you’d like to join too!

There are thousands of people praying through this novena website and there will be millions praying around the world.

+ Sign up for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: Holy Spirit Novena
+ If you have a website, post about it there!
+ Email your friends and family and get them praying too!

Let’s get all the Catholics we know to pray this novena together to the Holy Spirit!

Daybook- May 31

I have seen this idea on a number of blogs that I have read and decided to try it out myself. The original idea comes from Peggy Hostetler at the Simple Woman's Daybook.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window- it's dark outside my window at home

I am thinking- of how much I regret overreacting and snapping at Jesse (or maybe his name is Tony? I don't know. He's creepy- although this fact really doesn't excuse my behavior) in class today

I am thankful for- the Richardson Dr. Cul-de-Sac Memorial Day BBQ yesterday where I got to hold the adorable 4-month-old Braelynn (my neighbors' granddaughter)

I am wearing- red capris, blue tshirt

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to start on my scrapbook ASAP

I am going- back to kindergarten tomorrow- hopefully being around the little kids will cheer me up :)

I am reading- Jacob's Return

I am hoping- that all can be forgiven regarding my behavior this morning (my parents are learning the hard way that parenting me hasn't stopped just because I'm a week away from 21 years old- I still make mistakes)

I am hearing- my fan- why is it so hot?? It's only May (alright, it's the last two hours of May, but still...)

A few plans for the rest of the week (in no particular order)- kindergarten tomorrow and Friday, NOVA on Thursday, AC inspection on Thursday, starting 30DTs tomorrow

Picture- Still working on figuring out how to upload pictures- basically know what I'm doing now (now to learn how to upload multiple photos onto one post). This week's is of the sunset at Mt. Vernon's Sunset Celebration over Memorial Day weekend.

Daybook- May 3/4

I have seen this idea on a number of blogs that I have read and decided to try it out myself. The original idea comes from Peggy Hostetler at the Simple Woman's Daybook.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window- it's dark outside

I am thinking- 2 papers and 2 exams until summer vacation!

I am thankful for- turning in 2 papers and completing 2 exams already and the amazing fun that was the Hereford Carnival, Tuesday Supper barbecue, 1st and 2nd Year Lawn party, and cookie making at the Wash House (all in one night, with a refreshing shower in between the barbecue and party)!

I am wearing- my purple puddle-jumping sandals, green shorts, blue ASB tshirt

I am creating- not much at the moment, especially since I have to get ready to pack up my dorm room soon

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- Stars Collide

I am hoping- that my semester finishes off well

I am hearing- the bathroom door open and close

A few plans for the rest of the week (in no particular order)- getting my cookies from the Wash House tomorrow, Astronomy quizzes and CDs to prepare for exam, Astronomy exam on Friday, hopefully Fridays after Five with my St. Thomas family, packing up my dorm room, writing my Japanese history paper

Picture- Still working on figuring out how to upload pictures. My iPhoto is currently being annoying and won't let me publish to Facebook, nor can I figure out how to find the file for photos on my Mac without dragging the picture to the desktop, which functions but I'd like to figure out how it's supposed to work. This week's picture is supposed to be of the Hereford Carnival, but the upload feature is not working tonight (this morning... it's 1:11am).