August 30, 2009

1. Back from Africa.  Great trip, positively surreal at times, being in a completely different culture. We were welcome for dinner at homes every night but one, and think that people really extended themselves for us.  My only crisis came when I reached banana overload.  We always were given a banana at breakfast, and then at dinner they were served both fried and fresh, and you were expected to take both.  But really overall, I have no complaints.  Only have to figure out now how to not just make it a trip, but remember what I saw and act.
2. One thought I have is to pursue a mosquito net fundraiser at school.  I plan on talking to a student who also went to Africa and see if she is interested in doing something along those lines.
3. Tomorrow it is time to restart several things:  back to school, back to workouts, back to drinking water on a regular basis, back to counting calories.
4. My goal tonight is to clean my room.  Doesn’t it seem like I am always attempting that?Would also like to make a french bulletin board.  I have all the materials, just need to do.  I’d like to have it up to get some lists on.  Then to actually do the things on those lists.
5. As it begins tomorrow, I would like to be happy in my work.

July 21, 2009

1. Paul and I had a fine trip to the wedding party in New York.  I received many compliments on my dress, and am very much in love with it and will be wearing it everywhere.  The new car gave us a lovely ride.
2. In Northport there is a lovely little park by the water, which seems to welcome activity, except for the do not enter sign on the gazebo and the “No skateboarding, no ball playing, no horsing around, no nothing but walking in soft shoes and talking in low voices” sign.  Odd.
3. Took Michael to see Night at the Museum at the Smithsonian, but the film broke or something, halfway through, so we had to leave.  I’m very sorry, as we were enjoying it.  Perhaps another attempt on Wednesday.
4. I was simply attempting to up the bidding on the naming rightsfor an Itty Bitty Kitty (Though I really did want to win in my heart of hearts) in a fundraiser for the Humane Society.  I did win and am now eagerly awaiting the posting of the name I gave this charming little man. 
5. I would like to be more intellectual and to be involved in scintillating conversation.  Must work on this.

March 22, 2009

1. Once again it is almost 11 and I have a trip tomorrow, and nothing is packed.  OK, no more posting until I am ready to go…time now…10:42.
2. Alright so it took to 1:08
3. and now it is 2:07.  I suspect I am not very good at this sort of thing.  I did fold alot of laundry and write a letter to the Altar Guild, and earlier in the evening a recommendation for my student teacher.
4. It is rather shocking that the whole effort resulted in three identical blouses(different colors) two identical sweaters (different colors) and two similar skirts and pants.  And assorted Miscellany.  It is still all too much and all too little.
5. But I am off!  A few hours sleep and too the plane.  I’ll try to Twitter on the trip.  Huzzah for vacation and adventure!

March 11, 2009

1. Hey!  On the Feedjit on the sidebar there is a visitor from Kabul!  Afghanistan! (Thanks for pointing that out Chrissie!)  Is that my big brother?  HI!!!!! HI!!!! Hi Chris!!! ::waving frantically:: Miss you!  Did the government unblock my subersive thoughts?  I bought you a book for your birthday!  Actually going to mail it soon!  Hi!!!! Love you!
2. And um, if it is someone else from Afghanistan,  um, hello.  Nice to meet you!
3. Oh and leave a comment!
4. Saw Little Dog Laughed at the Signature tonight.  Very good.  Commander Dave from the coffee shop came with me.  It was very good, and gave me alot to think about.  I am looking forward to a good discussion on Friday after Paul sees it.  He is going with another coffee shop friend.
5. I think I am going to go to the Thursday meeting for the Tanzania mission trip.  I thought I was interested, then I wasn’t, then I was a little, and today, when we were doign our Africa map activity, I said randomly to a kid, “I really want to go to Lake Victoria, and I looked down at the map to see what country it was in, and one of them….was Tanzania.  SO at the very least, I think I ought to go to the meeting!
6. Hi again Chris!   ::wave, wave::

October 8, 2008

1. On the mend, but still in the cone.  Doesn’t He look like Little Lord Fauntleroy with that bow?
2. There’s a thin line between barely organized and total chaos.  Welcome to my world.
3. The Wedding in Kentucky was lots of fun.  The reception was in a tobacco barn.  I had some hilbilly bare feet, because I got a blister from my new shoes right away.
4. Get this!  The bartender and car parkers had aprons with the Episcopal Shield on them.  So I went and made small talk, and it turns out that they are doing a capital campaign, and one of their fundraisers is hiring themselves out at parties.  Awesome!  I smell a motion at the next vestry meeting!
5. We stayed on a 100 acre horse farm and made friends with 5 horses and a dog named cricket.  Also I ate a cinnamon bun as big as my head.  Ok, a slight exaggeration, but it was close.
6. The drive through West Virginia was really beautiful.  And the little car that just won’t die cranked out over 1000 miles!

July 30, 2008

1. Been restless and anxious.  About school, friendship, self worth. I lie to people I should not about my eating.   I tell my counselor it is under control, but I am picturing buying a loaf of bread while I say it.  I think she knows.
2. School is coming. Spent some time in the classroom.  At least 5 days hard work needed, I estimate, to get things tidy and in order.  Another 3 to 5 to plan the general outline and first quarter for the new class.  That time will pay off.  I’ll do it on my return I tell myself, but worry I won’t want to.
3. Mommy and I leave today (I can’t sleep right now) for a junket to MA.  Will See our friend Karin and AT.  One in Rockport, the other Amherst.  WIll admire scenery and eat in diners along the way.  This is her 70th birthday present.  I am taking the computer with me to work on the train, perhaps also to write some emails I don’t want to write: about the bad sociology course, about an issue at church that I don’t have to get into, but feel I ought, on principal, (generally my downfall.)
4. I bought a camera today.  It is awesome, but I’m having a heart attack over the price.  I hope it is the last camera I will ever buy.
5. I am up very late and Violet the kitten is extremely confused.  She is used to being in bed by now.
6. In spite of these worries, I am quite aware that life is very good. 

June 26, 2008

1. The beach was great.  Perfect weather.  The water was too cold to go in much further than ankles, but that was ok.  We visited with a college friend of Paul’s.  I suppose 8 hours driving for four hours on the beach might not make sense to everyone, but I think it was a nice day trip.  The drive was very nice too, so that counts as far as quality entertainment points.
2. Three hour nap yesterday.  Awesome!  All of the sudden I have the major sleepies, maybe because all the action is finally over.
3. Bought my supplies for abstract painting, which starts tomorrow.  Brushes are expensive, but the nice man at Pearl directed me to the discontinued brushes, which are 50% off.  Hooray
4. Today I’ll go get my books for Sociology, and find out what the deal is on parking.
5. I had a scare that I had scheduled my class and the “summer workout of pain” on the same days only a half hour apart, but it is not so.  All is well. I mean, except for the part where I have to workout at 7:30 in the morning.

June 15, 2008

1. Up early (same time as always, but it is still early) to finish packing for my quick trip to Ft. Benning.
2. I am to meet Jim at the Airport, where he will have arrived before me, and have gotten a rental car.  I have the growing suspicion that he and I are coming into different airports, me into Atlanta him into Columbus, since the time he cited for his return seems to close to the event itself to enable him to get there in time if he has to fit in a two hour drive back to Atlanta. I’ll call after church to confirm.  I really hope it is Atlanta, otherwise I will have to take the shuttle, which is not bad, but adds even more time to the journey and the company will be better with Jim.
3. I am going to Ft. Benning to see Chris’s Change of Command.  I am really looking forward to hearing him speak, and to hear his commander, who I am sure, will say nice things about him.  It will be sad that this two years is over, but such is the army circle of life.  Two years ago we sat on the left side of the reviewing stand and watched him take command, not we will sit on the right and watch him give it up, while another proud family sits on the left and waits to begin their two years.
4. Very pleased that Jim is coming.  He and Chris were wee young lieutenants together in the 101st.  Chris brought Jim home for Christmas in 1989? 1990? since Jim’s parent’s lived in Thailand.  On that journey Jim met my best friend from high school, Katherine.  They eventually got married, as did another couple who met on that trip, or one not long after, Bill and Mary Ellen.  Jim is Michael’s godfather too.  It’s all very intriguing and linked over time and long distances as Army friends often are.  Anyway, it is great that he is coming!
5. Kevin is lying at my feet all snoozy and pleasant.
6. I am taking the computer on the trip with me to work on the video and script for the 8th grade graduation which have to be done by, oh, let’s see when is that…..TOMORROW!  Argh.  I am not taking any knitting or my ipod or even a book, because any spare minute has to be dedicated to that event.  Which is Tuesday.  Argh again.  At least I can count on an hour and a half on the plane each way.

June 4, 2008

1. Well, I’m a punk.  I was too slow registering for the distance learning Sociology class, and it filled up.  Duh.  So I signed up for the actual got to go to it class, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12.  I suppose it won’t kill me.  The structure will probably be good for me.  Also, it is only six weeks, unlike the other one, which I could have, and probably would have dragged out until the last minute.  October.  So all for the best, I think.
2. The power went out at the house, so I am at Rappahannock, killing time until the school chorus concert tonight.  Our chorus teacher is leaving to pursue a doctorate of all things.  I am really going to miss him, he is completely hilarious.  I think the school will miss him too, he is really involved in town meeting and other such things.
3. Hooray for David!  He is discerned!  Or at least, finally done with our part of the process.  Awesome.  It was a really neat experience and I feel lucky to have been a part of it.  Go forth!
4. I got pretty soaked in the storm earlier.  Knees down. (I had an umbrella.)
5. Today after a week and a half of weird schedules, I finally got to teach a class again.  Sometimes on the fly I discover something I didn’t before.  This time it was the contrast between Papua New Guinea and Australia.  Physically pretty close, but PNG very mountainous and Australia almost completely flat.  The influence of the tectonic plates I think.  Earthquakes and volcanoes all along PNG, but none in Australia.  We also had a good look at Easter Island.  Google Earth has some good photos, contributed by others of the moai. 
6. Looking at these places makes me really want to go there.  I must see all these wonderful things and places, and people!