Once again...

Papercuts. Those are the battlescars of a file clerk. Once again I trudge into the file room at dad's office to make a little dough for next semester's books, gasoline, and the like. I find myself sneezing more, yearning for chapstick and hand lotion, and guzzling more water. The exciting job for today was re-ordering and numbering by hand 359 pages of medical records. Glorious!

In other news, Christmas was a success! We (Mom, Dad, Mich, Jeremy, and me) had fun cooking, opening presents, eating, playing Settlers (which I won by the way) and Sequence, and dancing our lives away on a borrowed DDR game. I especially loved watching my dad get into the moves. Maybe Michelle will post pictures.

Tomorrow, Mom and I are going to pick up my wedding gown-YIKES! I'm going to be a bride! I'm taking the day off, because Dad is not going to the office downtown, and because Austin is coming back Friday night, I will not have had one day with my mom to myself. It will be a great giggling time. Too bad Michelle has to work :(

Last Christmases at Home

It is going to be my last Christmas Season at home this year, and then on to married life. This past weekend, Austin and I along with Gabe and Libby traveled to meet a crew of friends in Milwaukee, WI for Shannon and Josh's wedding. I wish I could post some pictures, but I left the cord to connect my camera to the computer at school. Shannon looked so beautiful, and Josh sang and played to her as she walked down the isle, but he couldn't completely make it through the whole song. We could all tell they were so thankful to finally be marrying one another. Behind them, a beautiful scene displayed through a gazebo of windows of snow gently falling onto everything already blanketed in white. Their reception was wonderful, too.

But all that beatiful snow made it difficult to get to Indiana, where we stayed at Libby's parent's house until we could make it out of first, their driveway, and then their country road. Austin and I then drove the cleared turnpike back home, and came upon the tail end of the snow as we entered Cleveland. It's so nice to have snow here at Christmastime. The last two Christmases have been green, and finally we have another white Christmas.

So today, I have driven Austin to the airport, and he is in the air as I write this, headed to SC for his last Christmas as a single man.

I think that I am starting to feel the growing up period approaching, or maybe it has already begun. But, I know that wherever Austin and I land in the future, we will be together, learning all about how to cleave to each other (do you like that word?) It's a strange time, all this leaving and cleaving business, because it leaves people feeling sad that change is happening, and it leaves me confused, trying to figure out how I need to love all those around me.

I know that time will help me to figure it all out, and the Lord is going to teach me a lot!

Finito!

Classes are done... now some studying commenses. Only three days of finals left, and I will officially be a senior in the nursing program.

Craig's list

My sister forwarded to me a link for some furniture, and that started me on the search for some cheap or free furniture for when Austin and I are married. There is some cool cheap stuff on that there craigslist.com... a lot of junk, kinda like a huge garage sale. But still, I think that we will be able to find some good deals eventually, if we keep our eyes open.

We had a great Thanksgiving break with Melanie, Andrew, and Samuel in Iowa. It was chilly there, as Austin and I predicted, but we were kept warm by delicious food, leftovers, lots of cake, and birthday celebrations as Samuel turned 1 on Sunday. It was a lot of fun to play Settlers, watch movies, take walks and pictures, and play with Sam. He's getting so big!

Now it's time for the last stretch of school before the end of the semester! Only 2 1/2 weeks left. HOORAY!

Brrrr.

It has become cold, once and for all winter, I am guessing. The other day I was trying to remember what it was like to walk around without sleeves (you know, what they call summer clothes... tank tops, shorts, swim suits.) This coming week, Austin and I are going to Iowa to visit his family. We are trying to decide how much colder it will be there than here in Indiana.
In other news, there are only 3 weeks, give or take, left to this semester at school. I am so excited. One more day of clinicals on the Peds floor, and then I move on up to Critical Care nursing. It should be quite a ride. I think I have decided that I really like Med-Surg, because you get to see such a variety of disorders and do a great number of different treatments, and then you know about a whole lot. I think Critical Care will be kinda like that. We'll see.

Attitude is everything.

I have noticed that the people that don't like school or professors are the ones who have bad attitudes about everything, and they are the ones who make big dramatic deals about dumb things. I can get in the habit occasionally of having a bad attitude about things, and that totally taints my view of reality. The end.

P.S. This was not directed to anyone I love... I had a strange conversation with a girl after a class about our prof. YEP.

Friends.

I was sitting at lunch today, with a bunch of friends around me laughing, thinking that this is what college is all about.

Research. Check!

Hooray, my stress level has decreased 100%. This week was nonstop working, and thankfully is over. The main thing that was stressful was completing a research paper on Socialization of Healthcare. There is never a good time to just sit down and write a research paper. I don't know how some people do it, planning to perfection, getting everything done early. There are some students who have their huge assignments done a week ahead of time. I'm lucky to go to bed on time the night before something huge is due. Anyway, this week is done, and I am breathing a whole lot easier. Studying for tests this coming week will seem simple.

Uhh...Pippi Longstocking

For Halloween each year, the school puts on a Harvest Party in the intramural gym for the kids in the community. I think it's really fun! and this year (partially because I was required to attend) I went, dressed as Pippi Longstocking. No one could quite figure out how my hair was sticking straight out. Here are some pics.

Pippi Longstocking is coming into your world.

And for kicks, here is my cute fiance playing "intramural" football in the Backyard Brawl against Taylor...

Girl's Weekend.

Today, my mom and sister are traveling from Ohio to visit me here at school! I cannot wait to see them. So far, I don't have many plans for our big weekend together, but to go see "No Reservations" at the theater on campus. Pretty-girly sounding, so very appropriate. Michelle has been conniving with my girlfriends... planning something I think, which is another reason for her visit. She doesn't mind that I know that she is planning something, but she won't tell me when or where or what exactly. But that is okay because I love surprises.
I think we shall make some banana or pumpkin bread. I made some earlier this week, and they were DEVOURED.
Maybe we'll do some Christmas Shopping. Santa Claus is coming to town... soon... so I better save my pennies. It is officially Christmas Music Season, or at least one of the girls in the dorm said so. No complaints here, I love to listen to the jingling bells and carols.

Earthquake!

Right now, I am sitting at my desk while the walls are shaking intermittently. Sounds like an earthquake. Well it's the most profound earthquake that I have felt, ever, but not produced by shifting plates in the earth's crust, but rather a very large machine (I believe the Indian-ers call it a back-hoe) pounding down onto the concrete sidewalk just outside my living room window. I sat and stared at this process, mildly annoyed, but fascinated that this huge shovel can move large amounts of earth, or concrete in this case, with such delicacy. It is, however, creating a loud reverberation that I can feel, and might upset my plans for a nap this morning. Oh well.

Cleaning...

I love to clean. It's de-stressing... is that a word? Well cleaning definately takes a load off my shoulders. Today I cleaned out the fridge. Or threw away a lot of old food that was collecting dust and other microrganisms. It was a freeing experience. I can breath a little easier knowing the fridge is not being overgrown by mold.
Today is mi madre's birthday! Hooray... Happy Birthday Momma.

(Michelle posted a cute picture of Mom, so I thought I would, too!)

Baby, baby...

Today I was thrilled to watch the delivery of a baby boy during my clinicals in OB. I got choked up just afterward. It is such a neat experience, one that I hope I am able to have someday.

A few things I seem to lose a lot...

Chapstick. The plain kind with the black wrapper and red lines around it is my favorite. It is a staple that I must have or my lips will dry up like the desert sand. Yuck. And I usually lose it. So then I walk around with alligator lips for a while, when I am rescued by finding one in a purse I haven't used in a long time. If that doesn't happen, I love to buy a new one when it doesn't have that hole in the middle yet. Love it.

Sunglasses. I usually lose them or break them. It doesn't matter if they are new or old, I leave them on a table in a restaurant, sit on them in the bus, stretch one side until it breaks, and still use them with one wing on my ear because I don't like the thought of the sunshine burning away my vision. My mom has not usually liked the shape of the glasses I buy, until recently! I found a pair that she favors! And so do I. But I haven't lost them yet.

Nalgenes. I have lost two. One 1000 mL, and a mini one. I don't really know where they disappeared to. I dropped my big green one off a tall overhang onto the concrete to see if it would break, during my spring break trip of freshman year, and it didn't break. It left a mark on the concrete. I have it on video. It has been the subject of a portrait photo session. I did love this Nalgene, my first Nalgene, and I lost it this summer, or last Christmas, I don't remember.


I replaced it yesterday. I had gone long enough without a motivator to consume large amounts of water per day. I bought a grayish black one from my nearby coffee shop. I feel like a real outdoors-woman with this one. It's no fluffy green Nalgene. It's black. It's rugged. It's simple. I think I shall like this new Nalgene very much. And I hope it sticks around for a long time.

Hot, Hot, Hot...

I thought fall was coming a few weeks ago... no, no. Right now, weather.com is reporting 90 degrees here. I don't think I've ever experienced any day October in the midwest with a temperature of 90!

It was good weather for camping though. Austin, Ashton, Kat, Dave, and I went Saturday night. What fun we had. At first, I was nervous to go because of the work that I need to get done before some tests, but once I got there, sitting around the campfire, eating s'mores, drinking cider... I felt like fall could be there, and I relaxed. Oh the magic of the outdoors. Here's Ashton toasting her marshmallows...




In other news, Jess and Blake got engaged this Saturday night! Congrats to them!!! I don't have any pictures, but imagine a pretty ring on a happy girl with a beaming boy holding her hand. That's the picture to remember. She was walking around today with a little hop in her step.

Austin and I are happily engaged, planning our wedding, and a fun trip afterwards. We're thinking the west coast somewhere north: Oregon maybe? Neither of us have been there, so it will be fun to see a new part of the country. Got any good suggestions of where on the Oregon Coast to stay? We're still looking for a good price and pretty scenery.

End of September Review

I have two things to write about today... both happened in September.

First: One Friday night this past month, I went to Walmart and purchased some fabric for one dollar a yard... What a deal! My roommates and I excitedly searched for a sewing machine. With the fabric we made a lovely curtain and tapestry thing for our living room, we are going to add a creative painting to the middle of the arrangement. It's kinda fun... adds some dimension to the wall. We stole the idea from some other girls in the dormitories.



And a curtain for my room with Libby. You can see here a sillhouette of my healthy looking bonsai. The curtain covers the whole length of the window.


Second: This past weekend, Mom and Gram came to Indiana to drop Gram off so she could return to Florida with the rest of her family who was visiting in Illinois.

We ate at a restaurant in Amish country, and then stayed at an inn at Pokagon State Park. It was beautiful! When we got to the inn, we heard there was to be a hoe-down that night. Curious to find out what was going on, or at least listen to some good music, we followed directions down to where there was quite a showing of Indiana-ers... hoe-ing down... or Square Dancing. Mom and I kicked up our heels to the music and stomped away with the other folks. It was so fun, and my legs were quite sore the next day from all the hopping around. HAH!

Mom wanted to take a picture of us by the corn stocks and the fall arrangement. I especially like the straw horses.

Going Green

I think that the new craze in America is "Go Green." This trend I do not mind. I think since coming to school as a freshman, I have become concerned with bigger issues. This may seem scary to some at times when I get involved in passionate discussion about one of those issues. What I'm trying to figure out now, is how to actually act on those passionate ideas.

For instance, my parents and I had a long discussion about missions on the way home from GA. I started to get a little excited with the ideas I have about missions, and my hopes for my future in missions. But this week, I have become aware that I might talk a whole lot about some things, but what have I really done to get something accomplished? I guess going to nursing school is one thing, getting me ready for a career in helping people. I just get disappointed at times when I hear about all kinds of missions trips and opportunities, yet I seem to find an excuse not to go. No time, too much money, too complicated... I know I have passions for a reason, just wondering what to act on.

So this "Go Green" idea for America is great. How can we tangibly do something to preserve the precious land and resources we've been so generously given from our Creator? Hmmm... Recycle? Turn our lights off? Buy a Hybrid? Don't use aerosol sprays? Eat organically?

It can be hard remember to think about all these ideas floating around up there.

Pediatric and OB Nursing

I am so thankful that I like my textbooks so far! I get to read about all kinds of interesting stuff... Read, read, read... that's all I do lately.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

It's crisp out there. Besides the fact that allergies accompany this lovely weather, I love that fall is coming! I think this is my favorite time of year. And then after that, snow and Christmas!!!!!! OH my... I'm getting excited. Don't worry, I won't start listening to Christmas music for another couple months, at least until October sometime.

Good Lookin' Grandpa

Since school has started, I have not stopped to think about what to write on here... partially because school is busy, but also because this past weekend, I went home for a celebration of my Grandfather, Ralph Milford Richardson's life. He died last Wednesday. I loved being home with my family, and loving on my step-grandmother who has never been more vulnerable with us. She soaks up the love and attention that we all gave to Grandpa in the last years of his life. He had struggled with his health for several years, since being hit by a car. It seemed to all go downhill since then. But thankfully, he can now see again, walk briskly, hear the birds chirping... those things sound so good, but he's probably just enjoying being in the presence of his Lord Jesus.

If I learned one thing from Grandpa, it was to save what you have, and be thankful for what you've been given. He was quite the penny pincher, and taught me to be practical (through my dad's example), but enjoy life. Every year, while he still could, we went to Cedar Point: America's Rockin' Roller Coast... He was a thrill seeker, even at 80 years old. He was diving into the pool with his glasses on, riding the Milleneum Force- he was born in 1920, bowling up until the week he died with no eyesight. I hope I am that vivacious at 80.

Fresh Meat

Being at school early, I have been able to watch people move in. This weekend, freshmen arrive for the first weekend of their college experience. It's kinda fun to watch them and speculate about what is going on in their minds at this point in time, thinking back to what I thought during those first days at school as a freshman. Those poor kids, I remember it being a time where I was so self-conscious and nervous about meeting strangers and being forced into friendships with other kids just as ackward as I was. Austin and I walked through a hoard of them getting ready for dessert at a professor's house, and we commented on how they could be meeting their future spouses- crazy! Austin and I met the very first weekend at school.

Switching gears... I am quite proud of myself for this morning I installed a new CD-ROM drive into my computer...

All By Myself.

I know, old school CD-ROM drive in my hunky-chunk of a desktop-- for which I am very thankful. But you may be saying, "C'mon Elise, welcome yourself into the 21st century." Hey it does the job, and has for 3 years, I hope it lasts another year, at least.

Those freshmen get to look forward to great accomplishments of life on their own, such as my leap into tech-saviness... as an independent adult woman (well kinda independent).

Have I mentioned I love to sing?

I am back at school participating in RA training. At the beginning of each day of the formal training, we get together to eat breakfast as a staff and then gather with the rest of the dorm staffs for a time of praise and worship. Well today, I just loved singing with the rest of the RAs and staff members. I get so excited for heaven when we all sing loud to our Creator. The beautiful harmonies I hear as I sing with such a group make me smile so big, as I think about God's incredibe creativity manifested in His people. And then to turn it around and give it back to Him as an offering, it's so neat. I love it. When people are so captivated by the beauty of acting as one voice in praise to our Maker, I get shivers. It's probably one of my favorite things about the Body of Christ.

Because my sister did...

Michelle is quite the trend setter since she has been married. She seems to find the best clothes and deals everywhere. And when she buys new clothes, I notice that I am getting behind the times. She's pretty much my personal shopper. I hardly shop for myself anymore. She is also my event planner. I don't know what I would do without her and my mom for this big party we are throwing next August (a.k.a. Austin and my wedding). Anywho, a while back when I met my family in Charlotte for my cousin's wedding, Michelle showed up with popular girl bangs, as I call them. I thought to myself that I wanted her popular girl bangs too, so I cut some for myself a few minutes before we were to leave for the wedding. Well, today they needed a trim, since I need to keep up this look, not to compete with my sis, but because the bangs make me feel cool like my sister. She is quite cool.

I am now back at school early for training to be an RA of 15 other girls. It should be a rip-roaring year. I'm hoping.

Just two week and lots of planning...

I have arrived home safely... and as Michelle says, now the planning begins. Mom, Michelle, and I have been going to appointments like crazy, looking at dresses, reception venues, churches. I got a little overwhelmed the other day after it was dedicated to finding places, dresses, looking through magazines, and talking about details. I can understand how some people might say that planning a wedding is somewhat stressful. But the stress is waning as my team of expertise (Mom and Michelle) know the right questions to ask at each place. It helps too that my sweet fiance, Austin, is as patient and encouraging as possible on the phone, telling me everything is going to be just wonderful as I vent my concerns and ideas to him. I think that is a good sign that he will make a wonderful husband (sappy points to me!!!) I love them all.

Books

I have read some this summer, trying not to mindlessly spend my days in front of the tube... Those that I've read, I recommend: The Sin Eater by Francine Rivers is a neat story about redemption. I've only read this book of hers, but I know from other's opinions that her other books are equally engaging. I recently started and finished in a short few days For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. This is a book I highly recommend for all women to read. In it, Shaunti talks about the inner lives of men, the things that we women just do not understand, but her explanations backed by her own extensive research make sense. She encourages us women to make changes in our lives to affirm, love, and support our men in the ways that men need. I am just starting Sex God by Rob Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, MI. So far, I can suggest this read to anyone wanting to look at relationships with anyone in a new and real way. I'm really enjoying it. I flip to the endnotes in this book quite often, which are usually Scripture references. I like having my Bible open next to me so I can understand the context of the writing.
Living with Liz this summer has kind of transformed me into a more avid reader. Thank you Miss Elizabeth.

Trends

I tend to avoid trends alltogether, even if they are good ideas. For a while, I didn't want an iPod because of the stupid way people looked while they walked around my college campus with their earbuds in listening as they walked instead of politely saying hello in passing. I now want one because I think they are great. I wanted to get my nose pierced once, and then it became the cool thing to do where everyone and their mother started showing up with studs in their nostrils. I've since forgotten about that idea, especially after switching from art to nursing. Facebook was another fad I have tried to dodge. As soon as the rush of excitement for Facebook had waned, I began to use it as a resource to find friends or people that friends talked about but I had no clue who they were. The other day, Austin reasoned with me that I should just get my own instead of signing onto Liz's (with her permission of course) to peer into the lives of friends and strangers. I have finally succombed to the pressure to create a Facebook profile. Oh dear. I am glad, however that I have caved during the summer so I can get tired of it by the start of school. I surely hope that this does not mean that I am losing my backbone and jumping on all the bandwagons that pass. You might find me someday in the circus if I go with the crowd too often. Let's hope not.

The Rag-O-Rama Experience

Today, Liz and I explored the shops of Little Five Points--a rather new-agey, vintage, artsy area. Not knowing we would find incense, bongs, crystals, feminist book stores, and psychics , we enjoyed the creative atmosphere nonetheless. In one of the vintage style consignment shops, I browsed through some clothes for myself, finding a cute skirt to commemorate my time down here. I went over to the men's clothing area to possibly find something for Austin. An interesting character stood next to me. The dialogue went something like this:
C (for character): "Aww, you're shopping for your boyfriend are you?"
M(for me): "Yeah..."
C: "How nice. Where can I get a girlfriend like you?"
Awckward pause, cheeks are flushing, don't know what to say...
M: "Go to church."
Liz and I laughed in line when I told her the story. What a funny day.

Bread...

Liz, my summer roommate is waiting for me to go to bed so she can look up a good bread recipe online. Since I've made pizza, they have extra yeast and she is testing her cooking skills tonight by making bread. By the way, yeast is a pretty amazing thing. It makes a lump of dough expand to twice or three times its original size, it ferments fresh drinks to make alcoholic beverages, and it also gives people bad infections. Well anyway, my pastor's wife has a great recipe for bread dough which I will share:

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Yeast
• 2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 3 1/4 Cup Flour
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, salt, oil and seasonings

2. Beat in flour and knead dough to make smooth and elastic

3. Let dough rise 1 hour

4. Punch down and roll out

5. Bake on pizza stone or cookie sheet with toppings at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.

It is delicious. This past weekend, at Austin's, we topped one pizza with pesto spread, sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella and parmesean cheeses. I think my favorite combo lately.

Whirlwind Weekends

Traveling is the name of the game this summer. Thankfully, it hasn't been long trips yet, but they are to come. This coming weekend, I am travling to Indianapolis for a dear friend's wedding, and I hope to go visit my Grammy in Florida sometime in July. However, my past week and a half (two weekends fit in there somewhere) have been spent traveling to family functions. Two Saturdays ago, I went to Charlotte for my cousin's wedding, stopping at Austin's house to pick him up. It was a beautiful weekend for celebrating my cousin and here new husband. After a lovely wedding and Sunday picnic, I went to Austin's for Monday night as I was warned by my considerate host family to stay away from there home as long as possible as they were battling a stomach bug. I came home from Austin's on Tuesday to work 7 am to 7 pm Wednesday, do laundry, pack that night, work Thursday 7-7 again, and leave from the hospital to go to Austin's for their family reunion. I thought I had avoided the bug until Friday afternoon, in the sun I sat, on the water in a boat, feeling seasick. I do not have a history of seasickness, but I was wary to try tubing... Anyway, this is no sob-story. I rested enough to feel well enough to eat on Saturday night, thankfully, because it was homemade icecream night. I enjoyed a bowl of peach, strawberry, and banana (a small scoop of each if you were wondering.) Yum Yum. I enjoyed my weekend of family reunion-ing or would that be reuniting? Well, I know that I am marrying into a special family. It was so neat to see how each of them loved the Lord and that Austin's Great Grandmother's prayers have been heard and are still being answered with a heritage of Christ lovers.
I have not had the chance to upload pictures from my summer yet, as I forgot my camera cord at home home... but instead imagine wonderful smells from the South in the early morning and evening, the smell of wet pine needles. I love that smell. It wakes me up in the early morning as I head to work.

Dracula's kin

The nurse I am shadowing this summer just happens to be from Transylvania, Romania... How funny!

My poor car has been taxed by this southern heat. Yesterday, I had a minor breakdown as I was driving into the city, planning to meet Austin and his family for a ballgame. Well, I was confused as to where to go, the traffic had stopped for a good while, I was in the wrong lane to try to turn around, I was on the phone with Austin who was graciously trying to direct me to where he was, my engine was starting to get hot, so then the heat in my car was on to relieve the engine, the windows were open, but to no avail as it was just as hot outside the car as it was inside, plus did I mention that traffic was stopped! So here I was in the city... not moving, heat on full blast, but the heat index still rising (or I was worried it would), almost making Austin's family wait and be late to the ballgame. I think it's understandable why I might have panicked a little. I wish that I had the calm nature that Liz has when she gets lost in the city. Oh dear.

Dracula

Call me a bat, call me a vampire... well not really. Actually, call me a nurse, well not yet, because I am still in training. I was trained to draw blood today. Can you hear me saying to patients "I vant to suck yaw blawd..." I don't think I would keep my job for very long.

What a good May!

May was full of good things. I worked for my dad and made some money, which was such a God-thing as I accepted a nursing internship job far away from home that left me unemployed for the whole month of May. Thankfully, Dad's office was in need of help for just the month of May. Also during May, along with my family and Austin's family, I celebrated five birthdays: Michelle's (the 4th), Jeremy's (the 16th), Austin's (the 21st), Abram's (the 24th), and then my own (the 31st). It was a month of celebrating as also in May, I visited with Austin's family in Charleston for Aubrey's graduation from Medical School! While there, Austin and I became engaged: yet another thing to celebrate! Here are the promised photographs.

Going to the chapel...

And I'm gonna get married! Austin and I are engaged. Sunday, we spent our afternoon at a plantation near Charleston, SC. We took a nature tram tour around the grounds and saw all kinds of wildlife: alligators, turtles, peacocks... fun, fun. We had a picnic by the river, and then we took a walk around the gardens. On a footbridge overlooking the Ashley river and the gardens, Austin proposed. I have a ring on my finger, a wonderful fiance whom I love, and lots of planning to get started! Pictures to follow.

The Circus is going through town...

On the way home from work this week, Dad and I saw Barnum and Bailey's circus train headed into Downtown! I have never seen a train just for the circus!

A Lawyer's Daughter I am.

Well working here at dad's office has been fun. Thankfully the work isn't difficult, as I pine the hours away filing, printing, faxing, photo-stating (what Angela calls copying), replacing the torn file-folders of gigantic 20 year old files, reorganizing, archiving, making phone calls, sounding official and grown-up to answering machines... It's been a blast, wink wink. But seriously I've been busy, not bored, and I've learned a new trade, so I think I can put on my resume someday in previous employment: "file clerk." It has a nice ring. Doesn't it?

In the next few days, I will be traveling to the warmth of South Carolina... Oooh yum... to participate in the festivities for Austin's sister and family as they celebrate her graduation from medical school.

My sister ran (a while ago) a great race on May 5th. She didn't even seem tired that afternoon. She is inspiring me to become a longer-distance runner. I can make it 2 miles, but maybe someday I can run a 5K or even a 10K with her. I haven't started my training though... Anyway, It is finally starting to feel like summer, and I am relaxing. Thank you Lord!

Celebrations and Semantics

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday! She will also be running a mini-marathon on Saturday (that's a whoppin' 13 miles, if you didn't know.) I am proud of her.

So tonight we had a celebration for her birthday at my house. She cashed in with some new inline skates, some protective gear, a coffee carafe, and a new dress. The night's events led to a riveting conversation that we had as a family about what it means to be tolerant. To throw it out there, I am interested to hear what others think of the word.

File Room Glory

Today was my official first day on the job at Dad's office. I was lucky enough to be assigned the job of shifting the files. So I spent my whole day in the file room, mostly. Surpsingly, I have never had such a fast eight-hour work day. I think it's because my hands were busy all day long, transfering files from one shelf to the other. I ended the day with one paper cut and about four scratches: the battle wounds of a temporary file clerk.

A night on the town and Finals Week

To follow up, Austin suprised me with a fabulous night last Thursday. He arrived at my door with a beautiful spring bouquet and a presents: a new Leeland CD and five panes of stained glass for me to work with... I was so excited. I've been carrying these flowers around my apartment so I can look at them wherever I sit.

Our first part of the adventure was a trip to a posh sushi restaurant in a town near Indy called Broad Ripple. We ordered three different rolls and enjoyed them all... I had talked to him once or twice about us going to get sushi together. The orange dots on the sushi was caviar... hmm...

Then we parked near downtown, walking to our next appointment... We walked around, I had no clue what we were doing next, and stopped at a horse and carriage. I giggled with surprise as Austin said "I have a reservation for Austin Rampey." It was such a beautiful night. We rode around the city. Austin gave me one more gift: a beautiful book that he made from birch bark, complete with poems he has written for me.

As we trotted around the city, he read the poems to me, and at the end of the book he told me that he loves me. It was so special.

It is now finals week at school. I made a fort under my roommate's unbunked bed last night after we pushed them together for our last few days in our room together... I fell asleep in my fort while studying for my finals.

I get to go home on Thursday!

Two Years

Tomorrow (the 19th), Austin and I celebrate two years of dating. We don't like to call it an anniversary because that word belongs to married couples. So we call it our special day. It hardly feels like we have been dating for that long. It isn't that long, but at the same time, I look back and remember all that we have done together and how much we've learned since we first declared that we liked each other, and it feels like I've always known him. He's taking me on a secret date tomorrow... He won't tell me yet what I need to wear because I am so deft at figuring out his secrets. He has learned not to divulge any hints, because I will guess and ruin the suprise. Oh well... So I am excited for a fun evening enjoying the time with my boyfriend.

Freshman year goofballs... Spring Break when we first started to really like each other.

Oh, getting a little more serious. Here we are with twinkles in our eyes for each other near the end of Freshman year very close to when we started dating.
An ice-skating excursion during our Sophomore Year. I especially like Austin's facial expression... I think he kinda likes me too.
Easter Break #2 for us at my house in Ohio... This night we had a special 1 year celebration... Our eyes are still twinkly.
There's nothing like summertime. It's hard to spend those warm, homeworkless days without the one you care so much about... Thankfully, Austin and I got to see each other quite a bit last summer. Here we were watching fireworks on the Fourth of July with my fam. What fun memories.

Fall Break of our Junior Year, we went to Iowa to visit Andrew and Melanie and little Samuel, and a very ripe apple orchard... Yum.

Austin and his team won the intramural football finals... I occasionally made it out to watch them play in the cold.
Still Goofballs on Christmas Break... It's funny, this year at school, we haven't spent a break apart. I am glad he hasn't gotten tired of my company.
Dressed up for his suite's party. He sure does look good in that suit.

It has been a great two years!

Words

Today in my writing class, we analyzed the style of our writing--Sorting through each sentence, identifying subjects and verbs. I discovered that I am a boring writer. In one paragraph, I used the subject and verb "I was" nearly five times. Goodness me...

Some other words... "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" Said Gabe. And Libby said, "YES, Of course!"

Friday night, she called my phone about five times, and Austin's phone twice. I knew it once we actually talked that she was going to share something BIG with me.

Here is the Happy Couple. She says Gabe is SOOOOO happy.

Here is her Beautiful RING... Way to go Gabe!

Hold it up to the light...

This David Wilcox song encouraged me when I had trouble deciding between art and nursing. It seems to resonate in my ears as I continue to sift through the choices that lay before me every day. I hope you enjoy and remember these lyrics.

It's the choice of a lifetime - I'm almost sure
I will not live my life in between anymore
If I can't be certain of all that's in store
This far it feels so rightI will hold it up - hold it up to the light,
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light

The search for my future has brought me here
This is more than I'd hoped for, but sometimes I fear
That the choice I was made for will someday appear
And I'll be too late for that flight
So hold it up - hold it up to the light,
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light

It's too late - to be stopped at the crossroads
Each life here - a possible way
But wait - and they all will be lost roads
Each road's getting shorter the longer I stay

Now as soon as I'm moving - my choice is good
This way comes through right where I prayed that it would
If I keep my eyes open and look where I should
Somehow all of the signs are in sight
If I hold it up to the light

I said God, will you bless this decision?
I'm scared, Is my life at stake?
But I see if you gave me a vision
Would I never have reason to use my faith?

I was dead with deciding - afraid to choose
I was mourning the loss of the choices I'd lose
But there's no choice at all if I don't make my move
And trust that the timing is right
Yes and hold it up hold it up to the light
Hold it up to the light, hold it up to the light

Fancy-Schmancy

Well numero uno, Libby and I are cute spring flowers thanks to Michelle!




Last night, Austin and the guys in his apartment had a party for their friends-- VIP style and here we are all dressed up.

Bethany, Liz, and Me

Michael, Bjorn, and Austin

Learning time...

Sometimes I forget that I live in a poor city while I am here at school. Every time I go to the hospital to get info about my patient for the next moning in clinicals, I am surprised by all the run down houses that I pass on the way. I catch myself staring, and judging the people that I see near those houses that are ready to fall apart.

I know that God has called me to serve the poor and needy, but for some reason I judge them. A couple weeks ago, I had to go to a rescue mission as a requirement for a class to help serve dinner to destitute men. I sat across from one guy who had moved to the area to keep an eye on his cousin, or somebody from his family. I was frightened as he said, "She doesn't know what I look like, but I know what she looks like." (P.S. I didn't go alone to this mission... for those of you who may be concerned for my safety.) But what I realized after the fact was that this guy has serious needs, just like I do. I don't know him, but Jesus does and He loves this guy too. What makes me kind of wonder about myself is that if I am truly called to minister to poor people, why am I so uncomfortable around them? Because I don't really spend time with them.

Maybe I am just starting to see the poverty that is around me. I grew up in a place where I didn’t miss a meal, the house I lived in was warm and clean, and I always had what I needed and wanted. I didn't know what poor meant. I still don't think I do. I used to think that I would need to go to another country to see true poverty and need, but that opinion has changed. My negative reaction to the difference between me and that Joe in front of the shack may be me finally seeing what kind of poverty is right here, in the town around me, in the United States. I think that I need practice being with poor people, seeing them as people, and not as mistake-makers, underpriveledged, pity-producing kind.

Then my next question is what am I trying to do for them? I still haven't figured that out completely, but I think the basic idea is to love them.

Over Spring Break, Austin, Libby, Gabe and I encountered a homeless man on the corner near my dad's office. We gave him some change, and he followed us yelling after us, but we ignored him. As we walked back down to the car with my dad, I watched my dad approach this guy like he was a friend. Dad put his hand on the man's shoulder and talked like they were buddies.

Boy have I got a lot to learn.

Sunshine Celebration

My windows are open! I feel like doing a sun-dance instead of a rain dance. It's been too long since precipitation has stopped, be it rain or snow! I am so glad the sun is shining. I think spring fever is setting in. I have all these warm fuzzy feelings inside that tell me not to stay inside and do the work that needs to get done within these next few weeks of school that are left. A nursing major must stay focused... argh. She cannot be distracted by the beautiful rays that stimulate seratonin production and make her happy! She must bunker down in her dark little room, and finish her work. But don't feel bad for her :)

Hooray for Spring!

Blood and Guts and Bones

I was thrilled to be able to watch a surgery much like the one below. On Tuesday, I witnessed my first full blown surgery. I stood back by the guy with the orange and yellow hat, watching the whole thing: A total knee replacement. It was crazy! I kept praying as the surgeon pounded and drilled and scraped and chisled on the patient's open and exposed knee joint, "Lord help me! This is painful for that person." I had to wiggle my legs and take some deep breaths from time to time just so I wouldn't fall over and faint. I am so glad that the patient could not hear or feel anything, otherwise she would have been traumatized! I think I might investigate surgical nursing more... it is a fascinating field to be in.

I'm goin pro...

Snow, not here in Indiana, but definately at Peek n Peak NY, where I made my skiing debut. My training in third grade on the bunny hills of Ohio prepared me for my incredible display of skills on the slopes in New York. I didn't fall... well, only a couple of times.

This is where we stayed, for free! My FAMILY has this huge lodge near the ski resort. It was great, and convenient. I think I might go back sometime when it is filled with the thirty people it was built for. It really holds about that much. You should see the dining room table!

All geared up and ready to swish down those green and BLUE slopes (I was kinda proud of myself, actually.)

It's no joke that Austin and I skied that day for a whoppin 15 bucks. We found skis, boots, and poles that fit! at the lodge... And some angel pawned off his extra lift tickets to us at less than half price of the Spring season price!

Mich and Jeremy relaxing on the lift. And below, yes we were actually there. That's me with those fine (and borrowed) goggles that gave me a superbly buggy look, but kept my eyes from watering as I sped down the slope and unstoppable velocity:)

TV... BAD!

Instead of getting down to business, I just enjoyed (but hated it too) the premier of America's Next Top Model. TV can be so addicting. I should be finishing my paper on why television is so bad for human behavior... it's not your friend. Oh, Spring Break, come quickly!

To be or not to be...

I am not contemplating my own death, but the concept of death, actually. Sounding morbid? Well, for a project focused on death and dying in my Home Health class (a very Hospice-y focused class), I watched six videos related to process of death and dying. It was very enlightening, but left me with questions regarding death. I wonder what kind of death I will want. In Mexico, death is celebrated with the Day of the Dead. Families gather around their loved ones' graves for an entire day, with happy singing, candles, flowers, art... it's quite exciting. Not the death part, but the celebration of death, as it is a part of life. Besides that, I also am contemplating the thought of mercy killing--or euthanasia as you may know it. These documentaries depicted this kind of death as almost sane. I wondered if I would kill my spouse if they were in such pain and agony, they could do nothing. I don't think so, but it's hard to tell. What is this world coming to? In one of the videos, it showed a house just for AIDS patients, where people with AIDS lived together supporting one another until they died. It made me think of how much I can do as a nurse, hoping to reach out to people in such need and distress, giving to all kinds of their needs: spiritual, physical, emotional, social... I think I might want to work either in the business of bringing life into the world, or sending people out of it. They are both special times in peoples' lives, and I would love to share in it, as wierd as that might sound. Just the thoughts of this nursing student.

new discoveries

Do people ever suprise you with their orignality? I was suprised today by Austin's creative solution to my time dilemna. He sayed, "Let's plan!" and then told me a great idea on how to get started and stay going on my homework tonight. It was very original, and I think he is very smart. Then he came over unannounced and showed me his new Valentine's day slippers and cleanly shaven face. He's so funny and unpredictable sometimes. I often think I have him figured out, but then he does something new! Oh me.

Muncie Gras

Don't plan on going to Muncie when they are celebrating Mardi Gras. Austin had planned a wonderful day for our Valentine's Day celebration, with a trip to a glass museum and then a beautiful art gallery. However both were closed! So we ended up riding the Magic School Bus and folding our way to fun with some origami (or however you spell it!) at another museum-y place.

Austin commented on how unfortunate it is that Mardi Gras is traditionally a catholic celebration... Interesting.

Anyway, I am learning about getting my hopes up, meaning not expecting everything to be a fairytale. My sweet Austin gave me some beautiful flowers and the new Jars of Clay CD.

Here's a picture of the bargain dress I found...

I can't wait to wear this!

girls night out

I got to spend some time with my old roommates last night. We went to Fort Wayne and painted the town red (just kidding). It was a very mild and fun girls night out. We first went to Flat Top Grill and then to do some shopping, where I found a dress from Ann Taylor Loft for 20 some dollars! What a steal. We lolligagged around Barnes and Noble for a while and then Starbucks, and caught a late movie: Because I Said So with Diane Keaton. I wouldn't suggest this one. I don't think I'll see it again. Anywho, today I am off to a suprise date! Hooray!