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).

Daybook- April 24, 2011 (Happy Easter!)

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- of how inconsistent I am with these Daybooks- I hope to get better!

I am thankful for- my Savior Jesus Christ who has Risen today! HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

I am wearing- tan capris, yellow tshirt, purple slippers (apparently I have worn tan capris and yellow on top every time I posted in April- a complete coincidence!)

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to keep up with my knitting

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Semester at Sea!!! :)

I am hearing- nothing- it's peaceful

A few plans for the rest of the week (in no particular order)- Student Health tomorrow, Tuesday Supper, AAS final, Astronomy reading, CSM Prom!, CSM Movie Night in the Ampitheatre, hopefully a haircut, Curry Picnic

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 of my Easter basket that my St. Thomas Aquinas family gave me :)

Daybook- April 13

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- of how much I still have to do for my Semester at Sea application- tomorrow, I am getting the disciplinary form cleared and meeting with the ISO advisor for Semester at Sea

I am thankful for- my sheer level of happiness lately- even with tests, quizzes and papers, I've been walking on sunshine lately :)

I am wearing- tan capris, yellow tank top, orange shirt, (earlier I had on my purple/gray sandals)- an almost identical outfit to the last time I wrote a daybook post a few weeks ago- odd :)

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to keep up with my knitting

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Semester at Sea!!! :)

I am hearing- my Teresa Girl Scouts CD

A few plans for the rest of the week- AAS quiz tomorrow, ISO meeting, Astronomy study session, bus captain for President Sullivan's Inauguration, Astronomy midterm, regalia dressing assistant at President Sullivan's Inauguration, EDGE CORE dinner at Julie's house, Relay for Life (must put in my last donation for that...), Cavaliers Care volunteering with Kathryn, SLEEP, Inaugural Volksmarch volunteering, SLEEP, HOMEWORK!!

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 of my deodorant/body spray, which I've been using a lot lately because I've been going to the gym more and more often! :)

Daybook- March 22

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, but in the daylight there is a beautiful tree that is blossoming with white flowers (from my perspective as soon as I stand up out of bed, it looks like the tree is covered in snow- that fact gets me every single day)

I am thinking- of how much I have to do for my Semester at Sea application

I am thankful for- the fact that I officially have Permission to Enroll in the Curry School of Education!!!!!!

I am wearing- tan capris, yellow tank top, orange shirt, blue sweater (earlier today I had my red Toms on)

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to keep up with my knitting

I am going- to shower and then bed

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Semester at Sea!!! :)

I am hearing- my "Saving Sarah Cain" soundtrack- a week later, I am listening to this soundtrack again while writing this post

A few plans for the rest of the week- my last blood test for the school year on Friday (hopefully!), lunch with my Big sister Jess!, volunteering at the Mulch Sale on Friday, Croquet for Haiti administration Saturday morning and Bloomfield Cup (Hereford's Flag Football tournament) and Croquet for Haiti on Saturday afternoon (still don't know how that will work), last EDGE small group class of the school year on Sunday :(, CPE and SAS applications!

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 of Pancake Tuesday from a few weeks ago- I'm too tired to upload my pictures at the moment because it takes awhile (but the picture was taken in the St. Thomas kitchen, where I spent a lot of today because of prepping for Tuesday Supper).

Daybook- March 15

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 and raining outside, but today has still been a great day!

I am thinking- I am sleepy, almost to the point of delirium :) My ASB group liked to keep me up until 2am every day and I still haven't recovered from that fully.

I am thankful for- the fact that I have my bike back!

I am wearing- my purple hooded long-sleeve shirt, a blue tank-top underneath, brown pants, brown shoes and my awesome new purple socks :)

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to keep up with my knitting

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Curry!! :)

I am hearing- my "Saving Sarah Cain" soundtrack- my ASB group members have influenced me to appreciate some country music (something my parents and Amber have tried pretty unsuccessfully to do for the last 20 years), but I will still choose my Disney or Christian music naturally rather than country (although I have played more country this weekend than I have my entire time in college- I suppose not counting all the times I heard it when Amber played it at her desk and I was at mine four feet away)

A few plans for the rest of the week- hopefully going back to PACEM this weekend with my ASB group :), a 1-hour Perpetual Adoration slot on Friday afternoon after my Astronomy midterm, WLDP Saturday morning for the last time (unless I end up joining the planning committee), a Love & Fidelity Conference at UVa on Saturday

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. My picture this week is of most of my ASB group members (one of the leaders, Phil, took the picture).

ASB Charlottesville Post 1

It is just before 11pm on Friday, March 11, 2011 as I start to write this. In 11 hours, it will be exactly 168 hours since I started one of the most amazing, inspiring and decision-confirming weeks I have had in my 20 years and 9 months of life outside of my Mom's womb. This week was spring break for UVa. Last year, I heeded the advice of older friends who said that first years should take the week at home to relax while I watched several of my first year CSM friends go on a mission trip to Iowa. This year, I saw a lot of chalking and advertising for Alternative Spring Break before I heard about CSM's Spring Break Mission Trips. I talked to my Dad and he encouraged me to just go for it and apply for Alternative Spring Break in order to get a different perspective on UVa that isn't colored through the Catholic Church and Catholic Student Ministry.

I applied for the Charlottesville trip because it was the cheapest ($170) even though it did mean I wouldn't actually go far for spring break (even going home involves a trip of 100 miles). I answered the usual application questions and then the crazy questions, including one about where the child of Waldo and Carmen Sandiego would end up. My answer: Fairbanks, Alaska- based off some weird nighttime logic that the location needed to be random (for Waldo) and a city (for Carmen Sandiego). I turned mine in online sometime between 9pm and 11:59pm just before the midnight deadline. A few weeks later, I found out that I was accepted. The initial meet-your-group meeting was odd, as I think most are. The two subsequent meetings were a little less awkward, but still weird, so I was apprehensive but excited last week for the trip to start. Within a day, the awkwardness was gone. A strong bond of friendship easily and quickly sprung up between all 8 kids on the trip- the 2 Site Leaders (Phil and Nate) and the 6 Participants (me, Elisabeth, Kim, Devin, Ayesha, Jon)- and took away all awkwardness. It took it away to the extent that I feel lost without them tonight all alone in my room (which is just a little smaller than the room that 6-8 of us have taken to sleeping in the past two nights- the 3 boys slept in it the whole week, the girls joined the last two nights). I am, however, completely exhausted and am going to bed now. I will write a more detailed post in the morning after I get back from 9:15am Confession. I will have plenty of time to do so before my Dad gets here to visit me for the day at lunchtime since the family that I usually babysit on the morning of the second Saturday of the month sadly cancelled because one of the twins (Joshua, not his twin sister Lizzy) is too sick to move. Until then, good night :)

Daybook- March 1

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- midnight

I am thinking- I am sleepy

I am thankful for- the fact that my craziness school-related is done for the week and the awesome-ness of CSM's early Mardi Gras- free pancakes in the ampitheatre!

I am wearing- my pink Robinson Pink & Blue Crew pajama t-shirt and blue pajama shorts

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to do a kaleidocycle soon and keep up with my knitting

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Curry!! :)

I am hearing- not much

A few plans for the rest of the week- Disney Marathon!! with Rejina and Gerald tomorrow night, JPJ concessions with UVA Women's Club Soccer as a replacement for Sara on Thursday night :), Alternative Spring Break starts on Friday night

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.

Daybook- February 24

For the second week in a row, I'm late :(
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, the ground is wet

I am thinking- I am sleepy

I am thankful for- the rain today (even though I didn't listen to the weatherman and wore canvas shoes [see the above picture- they're still soaking wet 10 hours later!] and jeans- that made for an not-so-desired dash back to the dorm to change clothes in the afternoon)

I am wearing- my new Alternative Spring Break sweatshirt (which is slightly too big- if only Dad was here to do the laundry, then it could definitely get down to the right size :) )

I am creating- not much at the moment, hoping to do a kaleidocycle soon and keep up with my knitting

I am going- to bed ASAP

I am reading- a ton of stuff for class

I am hoping- that I officially get into Curry!! :)

I am hearing- the random assortment of noises that come with living in a hall with 28 other girls

A few plans for the rest of the week- reading for class, lunch with my Big sister Jess tomorrow, Women's Leadership Development Program informal meeting tomorrow at 3 and on Saturday from 9am-12pm, Hereford's Habitat for Humanity volunteer thing from 1-5 on Saturday (I'm driving a ZipCar and Hereford is going to have reimburse me $49.50- that's a lot of money for having a car out for five and a half hours!), UVA Drama's Beaux Stratagem performance with the awesome Sara D :), possibly the CSM 1st and 2nd Year Lawn Party Saturday night (but probably not), EDGE on Sunday, homework whenever possible (I have a ton of reading for Tuesday, a paper due Monday, a take home exam due Monday, a big midterm on Tuesday and I have wasted today- shoot!)

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.