Currently Listening
Our Little Corner of the World: Music From Gilmore Girls
By Various Artistssee

The move has commenced.

So, as you know, I went out with Laura and her friend Brian last Friday night. At least, I think you know.... Anyways, we had fun, and she and Brian were getting very friendly, sure whatever. Who am I to talk. So apparently he called her up and wanted to take me out on a date. Too bad he reminded me of bad Ryan and also said I wasn't a true Jayhawk (nor did I apparently graduate from KU) because I hadn't ever been to a basketball game. Funny though, very flattering.

So the new place. The carpet is slippery because it's still wet from when they cleaned it. Ick. The apartment is kinda smelly because of the previous resident's bad cooking skills aparently. And the entire building smells like food from different cultures. So that's kind of ikky, those of you who were my roommates will laugh because you know how I get about food smells and how they really do linger on clothing. But, it's a nice place and my bedroom (with it's own lock) is very large (and the closet is bigger than the one I have at home). My goal is to get everything moved in by Friday afternoon.

Saturday is Wicked with Sam and then potentially my cousin Matt's family birthday party. He'll be 23, or well, he actually is. He could use some prayers, but that's besides the point.
My friend Naomi who had to evacuate from her home in Beaumont, TX should be in town for the next few weeks. I guess she won't be able to go back to work on her oil rig for another 2 weeks so decided to just come home. Thank God that she has that option. I'm excited to be able to see her!
OH, and I love church, seriously, it's amazing how supportive the right church environment can be. I love the people who attend my church... most of them are a bunch of older extremely liberal people, very active in our community and in the church itself. The college group should be neat, we have some interesting ideas, like leading our own church service some weekend in a completely different style. Last Sunday Laura came to church too, and that was great to finally get her there. She said she'd like to come back too:):)

Next week I'm going to start going to a Spanish lunch that's run by the Center for Protected Area Management so I can work to improve my conversational skills and vocabulary. Hopefully I'll make it every week and then I'll really get picked for PC in Latin America.

I'm really beginning to learn a lot more about the expeiences of international students in the US at schools because of a friend I'm making from Japan. Her name is Akiko. Today we studied for her test on Friday (I'm just sitting in on the class for the info, but helped her study today) and also were joined by Aviram, a forester from Israel who is just here to take some classes and work on continuing and updating his learning. They were both discussing how it can be very frusterating to communicate in English when they are forced by lack of skill to use a more basic vocaubulary than they are used to using in their own native language. Inherently I knew this... I've felt the frustration when trying to communicate in Spanish. But this is (again!) another one of those things that wasn't in my realm of understanding or realization till today. It makes me glad that Aki and I are getting to know each other so that I can help her... I'm sure other people she has/might have met are not as willing to be understanding and helpful. I think we are going to go hiking this Sunday.

Currently Listening

The Lark Ascending: Violin Showpieces

The weather has taken a merciful turn towards the cooler end of the temperature spectrum, and we've been getting rain too. The downside is that the weather is quite a bit more humid than normal (though nothing like Kansas), but the fact that I'm wearing jeans to work is NOT normal given our 90+ degree weather the past few weeks, and it is so nice!

Yesterday was our first day of such weather, and I happened to also check out a CD of great classical music, one song on the CD just spoke to me. It was Ralph Vaughn Williams (sp?) A Lark Ascending. It was magical, standing there in the rain on my deck and listening to the music. It made my day, let me tell you, and very well might make today as well except for the headache I have.

Sam's wisdom teeth came out fine this morning, apparently. I'm heading straight over to my parents house after work to be with her as she recovers. I know the joy that is lying around watching movies and looking like a chipmonk, so I want to be there for her.

At church yesterday our associate minister Sharon asked if I'd consider being one of two leaders for our Senior High Youth Group. I don't really know what to do, but I know it would be good for me in so many ways. I'd be more comfortable at church (not that I am not, but I'm still shy at the fellowship hour, whatever the reason) and get to have more experience with young adults. Good all around, but it would be a big committment for the whole year and possibly beyond, and I'm starting Graduate School (which may be very hard!), and I already have quite a few committments. Like being a Girl Scout Trainer. I officially became an apprentice on Saturday evening after a day and a half of training. Tonight I attend my first Trainer's Roundtable in Greeley. I'm nervous, but this is also something that will be good for me, and conveniently look great on my resume.

Lest you think I'm someone who does things soley to put on a resume... don't think that. I've been a Girl Scout for 15+ years, this was a natural course for me to take, to become a trainer.
OK, back to work. School starts in a little over a month. YAY!!!

Currently Reading
An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
By R. Lyman Ott, Micheal T. Longnecker

I'm having trouble focusing on my schoolwork. And lots of good things are actually happening which could mean an increase in the amount of work I'm doing overall. So, somehow I need to get more focused.

Positivly, I did complete a monthly budget "plan" based on all the purchases I made this summer. That felt and still feels really good to have done. Especially since I'm moving on Wednesday and will be paying higher rent again.

Currently Watching
The Motorcycle Diaries (Full Screen Edition)
By Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo De la Serna

Back from a night with Amy of chatting and homeworking and movie watching. Gael Garcia Bernal is serously probably the hottest man ever! This weekend I also took part in an ecotourism experience planned by some people in my class. It was interesting, and ended with a 30 minute bike ride back to CSU in the rain. Oh what fun. Overall it was pretty good. There were some awkward moments, like when someone came back from a beer run with three cases of beer and a bottle of wine. Now, I'm ok with a few drinks here and there (which recently probably didn't seem the case with my exagerations... lol) but I was not comfortable when that happened! Luckily everyone seemed pretty responsible and anyways I'm not a night person so went to bed an hour or so after that. But still, just imagine someone coming over with all that alcohol, kinda scary not having been in such a situation before, even if I was with some really nice/neat people.

Campus Girl Scouts is really taking off. I'm so excited!

Also exciting, though strange to say, I'll be turning 23 in just a few weeks (oct 26th). Interestingly enough a week ago I looked into the mirror and suddenly realized that I do look older. It wasn't a bad thing either... maybe I saw how I've matured over the last few months, or maybe my wrinkles are starting to crease more permanently, I dont' know. But it didn't look bad at all! It looked quite nice.

Hopefully soon I'll have some pictures from Little Shop of Physics for you to look at! For whatever reason I still can't figure out how the picture feature works. Help, anyone?

My "the world is very small... or at least Colorado" for the month:

Last night I went to visit Laura at the old apartment to finally pick up my flour and sugar. When I got there, her new roommate Sarah was just getting in and so we introduced ourselves and she let me in. While there, I was chatting with Laura and happened to mention the name of one of the guys at the retreat that I swing-danced with. It turns out that he and her older brother went to high school together and were friends. So that was funny and random... I mean I've known this guy or of him since forever from church and then Laura knows him too. Then we were both chatting with Sarah, and I realized she looked familiar and it turns out I met her last February when Naomi and the CSM Society of Women Engineers came out to Lawrence for a conference... and now she is living with Laura!

So these two points really just go to show that Fort Collins, despite being over 100 thousand in size, and even Colorado are actually quite small. That, or I've stumbled into this crazy parallel universe where everyone I know knows everyone else.:)

Currently Listening
Elevation
By Yonder Mountain String Band

When did I become one of those people that goes to church retreats?

What I loved about it though was the focus on spirituality rather than relaxing and reading the bible. Really, is it relaxing to read the bible? No, it isn't, not for me. I got to do a unicursal labyrinth and last night we had some swing dancing, during which I got to dance with a number of really nice guys. It was like a weekend full of fellowship with each other and getting to know everyone there. So, it was good. As most of you know who read this, the church I attend is extremely liberal. We accept everyone. I mean everyone when I say it too. And people have recognized this and have started attending. For instance, Sam and I shared a bunk room with our Associate Minister Sharon and her wife. It's always nice to enter a space where everyone is accepted and loved, and that was this weekend. I felt like the rest of the world dropped away entirely and it was difficult to come back to the house I have to take care of till Wednesday and all the reading I have to do for class. Oh! And we had a coctail hour with wine and cheese... it was apparently something our minister really wanted to have. People got a bit more interesting after that, probably why more people ended up dancing that I had expected!
Oh, and I am sick. I have a cold which started Friday afternoon. So the weekend wasn't entirely wonderful.

Tomorrow I get to visit with my friend Drew who has spent the last year in France. I've known her since 7th grade, so she stands as my 2nd longest friend, and one of the closest. You know how some friends you have just understand who you are better than others? Well Drew is one of those friends.

Tomorrow I also get to have the doctor tell me how bad my vision has become over the last few years without changing the prescription for my glasses like I should have.

Currently Listening
Vivaldi: Eleven Concertos

I didn't mention that Sunday we also blew out one of the tires on Mom's car on the way to Greeley and had to change it, or would have if some random guy hadn't stopped and changed it for us, without even asking if he was needed. That was service, lemme tell you! We were back on the road again in 15 minutes after he came along.
I'm attempting to study.


Wow, you are really having a tough tire time!! IT's like that week where Ben blew 3 tires because of a car problem, eek!
Posted 9/13/2005 9:27 PM by steph421

You are pure, unadulterated evil.
Posted 9/14/2005 7:44 AM by blu_enigma

Currently Reading
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?
By Martha Honey

An interesting weekend. It all seems to have started Wednesday afternoon, when I found my bike tire flat again. Apparently my repair skills aren't up to par, so it still leaked air. Luckily FoCo has a good bus system so I didn't have to wait long to be on my way home bike in tow (the busses can carry bikes!). Thursday night right before I left for the Girl Scout Basics session I was a trainer for I got a phone call from the Apartment Life director letting me know I did get a spot starting Sept 28th in the International House which was surprising news. So, I'll most likely be moving out around a week after my parents get back from Italy. Perfect timing actually... while I miss them to an extent, I know how hard it will be to go back to their style of living rather than continue my own.

Sam also spent the weekend at home, which was a nice break from being kinda lonely. Friday night we went to volunteer at the first meeting of the huge Studio 2B troop for Girl Scouts 11-17 that the council and other volunteers is trying to form because so many of the troops in this age-group dissolve because girls become too busy, Girl Scouts isn't meeting their needs, it has become an uncool extracurricular, or a combination of the latter. We had maybe 30-35 girls at the event and all seemed excited to be there and glad to see Sam and I as some of the only non-moms there (and decidedly well under traditional "mom age", therefore according to GS Nationals we're "teen-savvy"). I told the leader of the troop, Diane, that I'd help out when I could because I think it is a good idea and we really do need to work as hard as we can to keep more girls that age in Girl Scouts. I believe Girl Scouts has done so much for me, I want to give that to other girls. But, they have to stay in the group!

Oh, and I met two other young women who sounded interested in a Campus Girl Scouts group, if anything as a way to socialize with people our own age and perhaps volunteer for GS. Good, this is good.

Church was church. We're about to vote on a capital campaign that will require considerable support in many forms from all of the members if it passes. They want to add on to the church, replace outdated electric and water facilities... make the place something that can meet our growing needs now and in the future. Not a bad idea. I don't have money, so I guess if I vote yes, I'll have to ask Hal or Sharon what I can do to help in other ways.
You know, there are few things that I really truly believe in and know a lot about, things that I can advocate and not feel that usual feeling I have that I actually know nothing. These two are Girl Scouts and the United Church of Christ. I would have never imagined saying that 2nd one, never never. I am not a big fan of Christianity taking over everything and homogenizing the world, however something in me says that if more people came to my church, the world would start to look like a better place (to those who tend towards liberalism, anyways) faster. I feel that more than advocating any specific God, we advocate love and peace!
And that's all the religious I'll get for today. I didn't say I was comfortable discussing my convictions concerning religion, however strongly I may feel. Forgive for any uncomfortableness this post has caused while reading! Rest assured, it won't happen again anytime soon!
'night:)


The sermon today wasn't that bad. The reading was about forgiveness...you know, don't forgive 7 times, but 70 x 7...and he used that to discuss America's attitude after 9/11.
Somewhere along the way, we confused justice with revenge and totally ignored how Jesus advocated forgiveness.
Posted 9/11/2005 11:29 PM by blu_enigma

I'm glad Sam came home with you over the weekend. Congrats on getting a place to live!! I'll have to check that site out later & see where they're putting my Heather. Good for you finding things you're really passionate about, too.
Posted 9/12/2005 7:11 AM by steph421

Currently Reading
Wilderness and the American Mind, Fourth Edition
By Roderick Nash

So, tell me this, does the elimination of a city's Human Rights Resource and Education Office sound like a good idea to anyone besides the City of Fort Collins Government? Oh, and cutting affordable housing, that sounds like a brilliant plan too. But it's ok because we're going to be creating MORE protected area/public lands so at least the homeless people will have somewhere pretty to be miserable in.

Honestly, I know I'm studying how to manage protected areas and such, and I'm supposed to be all for the preservation of the landscape... and I am. However, our government seems to have placed the preservation of public lands at too high an importance compared to other public necessities I believe a government should provide it's citizens... and face it, the people who need the services they are cutting most likely aren't well heard during the voting process anyways, unlike those who would vote for the preservation of open space.

Maybe it's time to step back as a government from the direct preservation of open space with city tax money and focus more on the fact that Colorado State has one of the best Natural Resource programs in the country. Perhaps the students and faculty at CSU could take a more active role in helping preserve the open space and in trying to bring in more money from other private organizations to do what many citizens (to be fair) appear to be requesting! Maybe I'm being unfair in thinking that the city isn't already doing that, and maybe they are taking in lots of money from other ogranizations to help with the focus on natural resources.

Anyways, I suppose this bothers me because I worked at the library and the library will be affected by the choices the city is making. I feel a tad more sensitive knowing how much good our library does and how patrons are just not going to understand when services get cut back yet again. It makes me mad that sometimes the best public services, because they rely so much on the city's income, can get hit the worst in times of budget crisis.

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050907/NEWS01/509070301/1002


Uh oh, a Heather rant! And a little surprising, too. All very interesting points. Hey, side note...I found out that the new dean of my school is actually from Fort Collins..he was a professor or dean at CSU. I told him about you yesterday!
Posted 9/9/2005 4:52 PM by steph421

Currently Listening
A Picture of Nectar
By Phish


back from an incredibly amazing weekend! I got to hang out with all my favorite people, and also my new favorite dog. I stayed with Ben and Steph so Steph and I had plenty of time for late night talks similar to when we roomed together and often lost hours of sleep for all the talks we had late at night. I love that girl! Friday night amazingly we ran into most of the people I wanted to see at Southwind theatre during the blackout, so we all went out to Chili's and had some drinks and nachos and chatted.

On Saturday we took Maggie to the dog park at Clinton. Maggie is the Bammes' new dog who is the cutest ever and is one of the few dogs that doesn't scare me. Then we went swimming, and traveled to the game ridiculously early. We had some nice seats, but I think sitting out in the hot humid weather for so long having just gotten to KS and not aclimating myself first was a bit too harsh of a thing to do. I'm still tired. Sunday I saw my Hannah and we ate lunch together and talked forever about things we normally talk about;) She's working with AmeriCorps/VISTA now and gets to be a part of the new center for service learning at KU. WOO to that! Then a bunch of us went to The Constant Gardener. An amazing movie, the cinematography was really interesting and done well throughout. Thought-provoking to say the least, despite being fictional.

And now I'm home to an empty house for a few weeks! This evening I watered the plants and did laundry and made dinner. Now I'm finally sitting down to study.

There's the laundry-list for the weekend. kinda boring, I know. :) 'night!

Thank you again so much for coming!! We all had such a great time. Maggie smiled at your entry :)
Posted 9/6/2005 7:19 AM by steph421

It was good to see you too! Hope things go well in the big CO, and good luck on that Peace Corps app!=)
Posted 9/7/2005 12:16 AM by Shannona