"Home for the Holidays" (Was that title cheesy enough for you?)

I'm home on break. Snuggling the cat, binge-watching the most recent season of Downton Abbey, seeing old friends. Mom and I are finally going to decorate the tree this week.  Yes, Christmas is four days away.  I don't want to hear it!  :)  (Totally kidding)

Final exams went wonderfully.  I even had a lot of free time between the tests.,. what a concept! As an answer to prayer, the grades were good too.  

It may be a brown Christmas, but the temps have been above freezing sometimes, so that's cool.  Of course, it's probably the fault of climate change, but every cloud has a silver lining?

Hope you all have a lovely holiday season.  Thanks to the wonderful people making my life happy and a super doting Father Upstairs, I'm sure going to have a great one.  I mean, it's nice of Santa to squeeze down people's chimneys just so they can have a merry Christmas, but Jesus kind of one-ups him, having bled out for me.  I think maybe Jesus deserves more than a plate of cookies for that one.

Love,
    E

Six days!

Well, I have just been all sorts of neglectful about writing something here.
I did the classic, "I could write about this!" and then I never did. Multiple times.
So now of course, when I could do other things (like study for finals that are next week...) I will instead write on here. Because I have priorities. Also because I need a break.
So here are the 6 Days of almost-the-end-of the-semester (because I literally have 6 days until I'm done for the semester!)
On the first day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, marching band gave to me...
A box full of music and a way to make some money!
Since the marching band season is done, I now have 30+ songs (multiplied by 130 people) to sort and file. Music to deal with = some chill time by myself making money!
On the second day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, marching band gave to me...
A torn out music library!
In preparation for the new library organizing system that will be going in next week, most of the music had to come out of the library. For me, that meant boxing up 1,000+ pieces of marching band music and moving them. So right now the music library has been reduced to a bunch of file cabinets in the corner. It's a lot like living out of boxes while you are moving, so I'm a bit flustered, but I'm so excited for the new system! For reference, this is a "pre-moving" picture:

Picture the shelves going all around the room with a lot of file
cabinets off to the right.

On the third day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, marching band gave to me...
A band banquet which was really quite pretty! (I'm trying to make these rhyme. Work with me...)
To celebrate the end of the marching band season, we have a banquet, put on by a committee of Kappa Kappa Psi. I was a part of that committee this year, so I got in on all aspects of planning and decorating and everything in between! I also presented all of the awards to 3, 4, 5, and 6 year members, as well as some other awards. It was such a fun event!

Friends! 

Committee! (This picture is highly accurate.)

On the fourth day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, my classes gave to me...   
One stressful assignment in photography.
 For the final assignment in my photojournalism class, I had to do a photo essay, which is basically a bunch of photos of one event. I decided to follow the band banquet from set-up to tear-down, so I took over 200 pictures over the course of the night. I whittled them down to my final 18, and presented them on Tuesday. I was worried because I wanted to tip my 89% to an A, but I didn't know how I did. I talked to my professor (and probably sounded like a crazy person (..."so I just need to know if I'm going to end this class with a B because I just need time to deal with that....") but I ended up with an A on the assignment and an A in the class, meaning I have one less final to worry about!
Oh, here's one of the pictures I took. The pictures were supposed to include people, but I took a risk and included one without any and my professor loved it. Phew! :)

bokeh!

On the fifth day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, my LifeGroup gave to me... 
A very fun Christmas party!
There were snacks and gifts and a classic black and white Christmas movie and it was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of the semester and the Christmas season. I'm so thankful for all the girls in my LifeGroup!

In all fairness, I didn't take this. I'm over there on the right.

On the sixth day of almost-the-end-of-the-semester, my friends gave to me... 
Good times! (roll with me...)
I'm blessed with great friends here and even though the semester has gotten busier and more stressful (*cough group project cough*) I have had so many fun things to make it fun!

• A trip to St. Joe for Cracker Barrel and the mall
• Weekend movies with Erin and Ally
• The most varied, interesting, and fun conversations with Nels
• Being absolutely ridiculous in the hallways of Fine Arts and watching the faculty not even bat an eye at our antics
• And much, much more!

That is all I've got for tonight. I've been blessed with a great semester and so many awesome friends. I'm sad to say good bye for Christmas Break, but I absolutely can't wait to see what next semester holds!

Downsizing the Dither

2nd post in a month!  Woot!

It's snowing, a nice mild snow.  A friend and I walked to Fareway this morning and our faces didn't even hurt.

I am feeling weighed down by my waffle-dough-microwaved-in-a-mug concoction I had for breakfast.  And kind of sleepy.  Johnny Cash is walking the line from my Spotify playlist and the rhythmic guitar is lulling me to sleep...

(Photo by Tracey Steffen, shamelessly stolen from her FB page without permission.  Hopefully she still loves me.)
 This is the football team practicing in the white precipitate this morning.

Hm.  Do I actually have anything important to say?

ACTUAL NEWS PORTION:
This is the most chill quarter at college I've ever had.  It rocks.  And someone took my 7 hour Saturday night shift at work so now I can relax on Saturdays.  YAYY!  Tonight, my friends and I are going to a play by the theater department.

Today's plans also include going to work out in the gym to the drivel that is Saturday television.



Well, this post was pointless, except to point out the fact that I am still alive, listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (oh the scandal!) and still think taking a Saturday Sabbath is the best tradition God ever thought of.


Hope you're having a super November.

E

Nursing homes, cold-ness, and eyeglasses

Today is zee first of November.
I have moved to a new wing of Fern.

It's getting cold.  But the weather procrastinated that inevitable change, so I won't complain too much.  I mean, I am an Iowan, so complaining about the weather a little goes with the territory ;)

I have a plan for next semester and next summer and even the summer after that.

Here's my tentative future.

Next semester is packed, but I will not be working at all.  I will go from three jobs to zero (breathes sigh of relief).   Classes will be Nursing Fundamentals, Theology Part 2, Pharmacology (memorizing medicine), Adult Developmental Psychology, and a class on caring for the older population.  That last class is my gateway to clinicals at a nursing home, I think.  It's getting real up in the nursing program!  18 credits is bonkers-crazy, but I shall survive.

I have been asked by Teen Mission International to be a backup leader for their Zimbabwe Medical Mission Trip this summer!!! YESSS!  We will be working with orphans, cleaning wounds and delivering eyeglasses.  So jazzed.  



Next next summer (the one between my junior and senior year), I plan to take classes online to ease the burden a little, and to work as a CNA at Madrid Nursing Home just a few miles from my house.  The idea of spending a summer at home with Mother for the first time since age 16 is actually quite pleasant.  I can actually go to our town's Fourth of July celebration :)  Oh, and that May I am saving up to fly to see my aunt and uncle in New Jersey.  That would be an epic trip.


Got great plans for my little Day of Rest.  A walk to Fareway, a movie night with my dear friend Sophie, and spending time with a friend from work.  Oh yeah, and I'm going to mass for the first time in years.  The cool thing about Northwestern is that I've made two new Catholic friends, and they are neat-o.

And that's a wrap.  Have a wonderful, thankful month.
There's sure a lot to be thankful about.
And just remember, if you can't find a lot to be happy about,
you could have Ebola right now!  

// runs away giggling //


// runs back//

>> I forgot to tell you I can vote now!  And will, for the first time, on the 4th!  
      Hope you'll do the same.

Thankful Tuesday (because #blessed is really cliche...)

I'm not a freshman anymore. In fact, at the end of this year, I'll be halfway through my time here at Northwest. I'm also not a teenager any more. I turned twenty years old ten days ago. This year has been different from last in a number of ways, and most of those have something to do with beginning to feel settled. I can begin to look past the classes at I'm taking and see the big picture (tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, etc.)
Maybe I'm being redundant, and I know I'm certainly not being eloquent, but I have been blessed this semester with answers to prayer in all forms, a better sense of direction, and a family away from home in the form of my Kappa Brothers, BSU friends and everyone in between. Not unlike last year, there have been some pretty crazy, out-of-left-field curveballs that have really hit hard. I'm so thankful for where I am and for the people I am here with, because without them, college would actually be pretty miserable.
So what's been going on?

She bought us both Beaver hats because if you're
a part of the Greatest of All Families, you need
the appropriate head wear!

Erin (the best Big ever) and me.
We're kind of the same person...

My Brothers in Kappa Kappa Psi are seriously the greatest. We had Kappa Kamping/Harvest party last weekend, and it was a blast just hanging out and doing goofy stuff together. You know you've found good friends when you can all join in on craziness together, and no one gives it a second thought. Much fun was had by all.

This happened because someone said, "Hey! Let's make a pile!" We're big on logic.

It's also been so great to get more involved at the BSU and get to know everyone there even better. I love the worship and lessons, and my LifeGroup (bible study) full of fantastic girls! I love it!
I've also been discovering some really neat verses that I'd never seen/hadn't remembered. I put ones that really stick out to me on my desk. Here are two.

One last thing:
Let's put it this way. Last year, my job made me anxious all the time and I hated it. This year, I have a key to the music library and I can go in there any time I am able and work on organizing, filing, alphabetizing, sorting, and the list goes on. Basically, I get paid to do something I enjoy. It's nice to go back to the music library because it is kind of off in a corner where no one goes, and you can't get the wireless signal back there, so you can focus. There have definitely been some interesting moments!
For instance, I have discovered a striking number of songs about beer. Apparently there were more, but I've found four so far, and I've got 300 more songs to go! I have to give whoever credit for variety, because there are three different types mentioned. This brings up so many questions. But I've learned to not question some things. :)

I've also learned that just when you think you've found every possible batch of loose, homeless music, you'll discover a box labeled "Random Pieces of Music" and you'll pause for a second and think to yourself, "Well this can't be good..." Then you'll open it and it will be filled with this:

Yep, a crate full of gallon bags stuffed with what is, indeed, "random pieces of music." It's gonna be a while before these all find a home. Most of them are finding a home in the recycling bin, however, because there are already plenty of copies. Like Mike (our fantastic, bend-over-backwards-for-you, knows everything custodian) said, "That'll teach ya to go snoopin' around places!" Indeed.

Dialing + Daily Life

Life is rolling along, and I'm into the swing of this semester.  And so far it's a pretty pleasant "swing".  Here's a glimpse of my day-to-day normal.  Basically, this post is a lot of lists.  I like lists!

Eating healthy in the Caf:

Although I think the Caf food is tasty, their healthy food variety is... not particularly various.  But it's okay.  Here are the more beneficial options available, along with their degree of availability.

pizzainn.com

Always there
- Raw oatmeal to mix with peanut butter
- Raisin bran
- Salad bar and vinaigrette dressing
- Scrambled eggs in the morning
- Lunch meat turkey
- Orange juice
- Vanilla or chocolate soymilk
- 2% milk
- Bananas, oranges, or apples





Sometimes there (one a week or less to 3X a week)
- Turkey bacon
- Whole wheat spaghetti
- Mashed potatoes
- Roast turkey or chicken
- Sweet or baked potato
- Some tofu dish, like with curry
- Cooked peas or carrots
- Raw carrots and celery

At the Hub (the other campus dining place where I work)
- Veggie burger on two slices of lettuce instead of a bun
- Sun chips
- Apple, walnut, feta cheese salad with poppyseed dressing
- Grilled chicken sandwich minus the bun
- Chicken filet salad
- "Naked" burrito (without the tortilla) + white tortilla chips

As you can see, that is a pretty limited menu there.  For a spoiled American.  But it's totally fine.  There's always church potlucks and the occasional sugary treat to mix things up.



This week's "learnin's":

[How I feel after every microbiology lab]

Here's some cool stuff I've learned in a typical week at NWC:
- how penicillin works
- how to stain bacteria purple or red to figure out what kind it is (Gram staining)
- how to assess a patient's pain
- the philosophical problem of fighting a child soldier as an American soldier 
- how to say "that's the last straw!" in Spanish.  

All my classes are real interesting.  I love learning :)


Dialing digits for donations:

Remember last year how Kara did Phonathon (they might call it something else at NWMS, I forget)?  She called alumni and parents of students to ask for scholarship donations, earning points to get that "oh so wonderful" bag of chips (poor Kara).

Anyway, I'm doing that too!  Although it's a bit different for me since we also take the prayer requests of people we call.  And I actually enjoy calling strangers on the phone (what a weirdo, right? haha)!  I'll have a little cubicle and that telemarketer-ish headset for three hours a week, dialing number after number of people all across the nation.  It's exciting!

That was a long and boring post, perhaps.  Hope your week is going as well as mine!

Arrivederci,
            E

[Mostly] Selfies

This post will descend where no post has gone before: selfies. I don't have a smart phone, so I don't take a lot of selfies, but when I do, I take them with my computer and send them to my sister to communicate what I'm doing. Let us explore what the days have entailed:

I learned that even though I LOVE milk, I cannot finish a half-
gallon of milk before it goes bad. BUT I discovered the incredibly
cute alternative in this quart-sized carton!

I have a fantastic roommate who asked if I would like her to curl
my hair on a day we were dressing up. She did a really good job
and learned just how much hair I have on my head. (A lot.)

A history paper means a trip to the library. The third floor is very
sunny and also very quiet, which is fantastic!

This is the face I made on the one day that I left my umbrella in
my room and therefore got wet after class and spent an hour killing
time in a building between classes.

Asian Pears (one of my favorite fruits) were on sale for 99 cents
per pound! They are usually $1.99/lb, so I snatched a few up
during a roommate shopping to HyVee.

I got to check out this lovely camera for a photojournalism class.
It was truly wonderful, and if I had $1,000 lying around, I'd snatch
one of these babies up. They are certainly great!
For all you technical types, that a Rebel T41 with a 18-135mm lens.
 $$Chaching$$

It's September, so the nice, crisp weather is upon us! In my case,
this means the beginning of 6 months of never quite being warm
enough. Luckily, I can wear comfy sweaters, like this one, borrowed
from the lovely Olivia! Go UNI!

And finally, we conclude with pictures of what I spend most of my "free time" doing: Marching Band! No more selfies here! Lauren Bolt took most of these!

At Freshman Convocation

I'm behind Brett

That's me on the far left

Practicin'