Like.. Woah.

Okay, so normally.. I avoid sounding like a brain-drained blonde... but at the end of a whirlwind like today.. that's all that's left to say.

Let's begin:

1. Went to class at 12pm-2pm
1. Got back our first exams
2. Went to class at 2pm-4pm
1. Handed in Close Reading of Moby Dick paper
3. Ran back to apartment to get package slips
4. Ran back across the entire campus to get package
5. Sat for 10 minutes in the coffeeshop
6. Walked home
7. Read Shakespeare
8. Mass and meal 5:30-6:50
9. Storytelling Project at 7-8:30ish
10. Home

Okay, so my day doesn't look as frustratingly long and exhausting as it was... but let me tell you the story.. because you are my captive audience.. and by captive.. I mean.. please don't go away.

I tend not to fall asleep until after 2 am, so I slept until roughly 10am (rough... I know). Trust me, there's no complaint there. American Lit was at noon, and it was rather long feeling today. We got back our first exams, but of course had to listen to his recycled speech from every other class he teaches about not yelling at the professor if you don't like your grade... but calmly talk to him, because he doesn't mind taking second looks.. etc. I was okay with my grade. I was bummed that I was only two points from an A... but not upset. He let us out twenty minutes early so that people could ask questions/talk about the exams. 

Methods of Lit Study was where my day started to fall apart.  

To the left is a small picture from my planner. Ch 51-64 is highlighted in pink as due today... note direct below it, the word you can't see in blue is TUES....

Do you see the mistake I made? 

What if I tell you that Ch 51-64 and 55-63 are from the same novel for the same class?

Do you see that the 64 should have been a 54? 

Can you understand the frustration? I read 13 chapters of Moby Dick last night in preparation for a class, and when I went to highlight it on the planner (because I get excited about highlighting things on my lists.. feeling accomplished) I noticed that Tuesday's reading only went to 63. 

Then I realized my mistake. And I was upset, because I stayed up rather late last night mostly because I needed to finish the reading. I had thought I remembered being confused when Prof. Zuck said to follow the syllabus for the reading, but that it was a rather light reading load because of the big paper we were turning in... and thinking... 13 chapters is not short!! 

No, no its not. But 3 chapters is nice and short. GAH. Bright side: I don't have to read Moby Dick over the weekend....  

She also let us out a little early, because three chapters isn't a ton to talk about for two hours... granted we were close... But, I ran home (about a 10 minute walk from the part of campus I was on) to pick up my package slips for my books that were supposed to get here today. 

What a pleasant surprise! Cody, my God Mother's son (God Brother?) works in the mail room on campus and was the person who filled out my slip, so he left me a nice little note!! 

Package pickup is about 15-20 minute walk, on the furthest end of campus.. and is incredibly out of the way for the apartments. So, I rushed there, and stopped briefly with Sarah in the coffee shop. We went home, and had about 20 minutes before we had to leave for mass and meal. After meal, I went straight to the library for my Storytelling Project. 

Today, I learned how my partner got his traumatic brain injury and was moved to tears. I was reminded how lucky I am and how quickly our lives can be completely changed. It was fitting, hearing his story right after mass, because Father's homily was all about how life can change in an instant, and how we need to decide if we are firmly rooted in our trust in Christ. 

It's an interesting question... if you were suddenly removed from everything familiar, if you lost everything... would you be able to say that you trust in Christ? That it's okay, because you love Him, and you know He'll bring good out of the bad? 

Anyways, I got home around 8:40 or so.. and now I can start my homework. 

After such a long day... all I've got left is "Like ... Woah." 

--H.Eilene

*Today was the first day without a Holy Father (the pope)... God Bless him, and the Church as we wait for the next pope to be elected. 

To This Day

To This Day is a beautiful piece of spoken word. I have really enjoyed listening to spoken word for a while now, but I just found this piece to be more inspiring and captivating than others. I listened to it first, without watching the video, just to hear the message before seeing it... and then I watched and it brought a tear to my eye. Enjoy, and share the message of the project on. For more information on the To This Day project click HERE.

Always,
H.Eilene

Mushy Brain

I study like a real college student... with Netflix on and while doing my nails... (Okay, so like a real girly college student). My notes vary in color because it keeps my attention, I use bright pink sticky notes because the color is annoying enough that I can't forget it, and I was able to buy a cherry coke because this picture was taken last night (Sunday) which means, I was allowed to buy something from a vending machine. Except, this was only while studying for Natural Hazards. I gave my full attention to Shakespeare.

This weekend I studied my little butt off-- for two classes. I studied for Natural Hazards, a test that I have no idea the date of because my professor is a nut, and Shakespeare, a test which officially mutilated my brain and all sense of confidence I felt walking into it. I feel like professors do that... on purpose. They tell you that if you go to lecture, take decent notes, and spend a few hours studying it should be a breeze... so being responsible, you listen. You go to lecture every day, you do the readings, you take good notes, you study everything they tell you too-- wasting the whole weekend on a test that once you get to, you realize your professor was wrong. You needed to just have a photographic memory and then you'd be fine. WHO REMEMBERS OBSCURE QUOTES??! 

Not fair. I can't even say "Well played Dr., Well played" because it didn't prove anything. If I hadn't studied for a solid 12 hours this weekend I would be like, "You were right, study more" but if 12 hours on one class isn't enough... I give up.

Thank you sir, You have killed my spirit. 

Sometimes.. You Run Out of Options

So.. when you have no other option... you put on a smile and deal with it.

Right?

OR....

You look at pictures that make you happy. Like this one:

Doesn't her face kind of say, "Excuse me Mother, we're reading here.. "

Feeling Nostalgic

Class Assignment: Write a memoir in questionnaire form

Let me know what you think -- H.Eilene

v  Did you know it would last this long?

v  That feeling in your stomach; the burning sensation to have his hand in yours; the wobbly knees and melt your heart feeling—did you know that would last?

v  How long ago did you two meet?

v  Wasn’t it there at the zoo school where he first caught your eye?

v  Wasn’t it there in chemistry where he first stood up for you when another guy called you a name?

v  Wasn’t it chemistry that brought you two together? Weren’t you lab partners at some point? Didn’t Ms. McBrien seat you two next to each other?

v  Was that where it all began?

v  Or, was it in Pod Seven where you two first met? Wasn’t it in Pod Seven during house where you learned he too played the trumpet and he too was a debater?

§  Was it that easy for you to fall for him?

v  Or, was it when you needed a ride home, and he drove you home wearing those sunglasses that would probably still make your cheeks flush rose and your fingers twitch?

v  What song was it that he turned up really loud in the car and strummed on his leg?

§  Do you remember?

§  Wasn’t it a song by GreenDay? Didn’t he say it was one of the first songs he learned on the guitar?

§  Didn’t your heart skip and you get that fluttery feeling in your stomach again when he said he played guitar?

v    How many times did you two hang out to do homework? How much homework did you actually get done?

§  Do you remember going to Taylor’s to work on Pond Profile readings? Do you remember doing the reading, answering all the questions, and then giving in when they all needed the answers because they spent the whole time goofing off and eating sunflower seeds? Do you remember being jealous that he had his arms around Maddie and Taylor?

v  Do you remember talking to him that night in the car?

§  Do you even remember how the conversation came up? When you told him your secret, what did he do? How fast was he going? Did it scare you and excite you all at the same time? Or, were you more impressed that he cared?

v  When you got home that night and he called, how late did you stay up talking? Did you cringe when you heard your dad on the stairs for is three a.m. smoke? Is that when you finally hung up the phone?

§  What did you two even talk about for so long? Did you talk about everything? Did you learn his favorite color? Band? Food? Music? Did you learn what he was most afraid of? Did he tell you his secrets?

v  How did you feel when he was out sick the next day? Were you disappointed that after talking for so long, you didn’t get to see his face? Did your stomach flip when he texted you “Hey Beautiful” halfway through the day?

v  How long was it before he held your hand? Did it make you blush every time he smiled your way? Do you still blush when he smiles your way?

v  On the day of Pond Profile presentations, do you remember him putting his arm around you and telling you how nice you looked? Was that the day he stole the little pumpkin off your desk? Didn’t that start a whole escapade to save Pumpkin Pete?

§  When you finally got Pete back… what had happened?

§  Did you ever count the pin holes or did you give up because there were too many to count?

§  Did you learn your lesson to never tell the boy that you like someone named Pete and then present him with your pumpkin named Pete?

§  It sounds so stupid now, doesn’t it?

§  Is Pumpkin Pete and the boy’s arm around you what you think of when you see the silly picture from that day of the girl with her long hair down, in the arms of the boy in his dress clothes wearing the 3D glasses upside down? Does it still give you that warm feeling?

v  How long did it take you to get up the courage to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance?

§  How long did it take to make the poster that said Crime Scene Investigation?

§  How many stores did you have to go to in order to buy a poster, sidewalk chalk, and a rose?

§  Why was it that it had to be a Tuesday afternoon? Where was he supposed to be? Was it jazz band? Didn’t you have a backup plan just in case? How many times did you make Matt swear he would convince him to go to Taco Tuesday in case band was cancelled?

§  What did you have to do to bribe Kayla to help you with your elaborate plan? Was it worth it to walk three blocks drawing chalk arrows for her boyfriend, whom you hated?

§  Do you still have the picture of the chalk body outline and the cheesy thought bubble saying “I’ve been dying to go to Sadie’s with you?”

§  When you waited for him to come pick you up… were you shaking? Were you terrified he would say no? Do you remember thinking, “Well that’ll make homework awkward tonight?”

§  Were you mad when he couldn’t get the night off work? Or were you kind of excited that the day you asked him to the dance was the day you officially started dating? Did that excitement make the dance not matter? Are you still excited that he said yes?

v  When you two were dancing at the Halloween dance, and he presented you with the white rose, did you think back to the time in the car when he was talking about cheesy proposals?

§  What was the one with the rose? Didn’t it go.. somewhere along the lines of: boy gives girl a dozen red roses and one fake white rose and then boy says “I’ll love you until the day the last rose dies” and pulls out a ring and it’s all sweet and romantic because the last rose will never die..?

§  Is that what you thought of when he gave you that rose?

§  Is that what you think of when you look at the picture of the blonde girl in braids dressed as Dorothy and the handsome boy dressed as a mob boss? Do you think of undying love when you look at that picture? Do you smile at the girl who didn’t have a clue of how deeply she had fallen? Do you smile because the rose is still sitting next to your bed?

v  How long did you make him wait for your first real kiss? It was awhile wasn’t it? He tried a few times didn’t he?

v  What about your one month anniversary?

§  Did you suspect anything when Kayla told you she was going to go pick up her sheet music from Krysta’s house? How did you not notice her music sitting right on her dresser?

§  Were you confused when she kicked you out of the car at the park? Were you shaking because it was dark and there was no one around?

§  Was it eerie staring at the path towards your house, with the low fog and flickering street lights?

§  How grateful were you when it wasn’t a mass murderer who came out from behind the trees?

§  What if it were a mass murderer in the trees holding roses? Would you have accepted them? Would you have held his hand while walking towards his hidden parked car? Would you have teased him for being so cheesy? Would you have allowed him a tiny kiss on the cheek for his efforts? Or, if it were a mass murderer would you have not cared enough to save your kiss?

§  How many roses did Jordan give you that night?

                                                              i.      Was his reasoning something like this: “One for each night I’m gone, and one for the month we’ve had together?”

                                                            ii.      Did you laugh and think to yourself, liar, roses come in half dozens and dozens?

                                                          iii.      Did you care?

§  Why didn’t you give him a real kiss that night? Mist isn’t enough rain for you? Isn’t that kind of mean?

The Great White Whale

Why yes my friends we are back to Moby Dick, the infamous great white whale who has proved a challenge to the great Captain Ahab and subsequently now, the crew aboard the Pequod. We have finally, in our reading of the great American novel reached the point of development for Ahab's character.

We have defined his character as:
Sympathetic
Tortured
Conflicted
Driven
Mad
Dangerous
Afraid
Shaped by his Environment
Milton's Satan (compelling...)
Villainous


It was interesting to make a connection to Paradise Lost and how Satan in the poem is compelling, seductive and he draws you in... he's tempting.. and how similar Ahab is. Ahab is seductive towards the crew, getting them to sign on to this knightly quest of heroic action-- slay the EVIL Moby Dick who has torn Ahab apart (physically and mentally)..

Anyways.. that's what we learned today!

Always,
H.Eilene

Failing...

Today, my teacher pulled me aside and told me I was failing her course, and that it would be good to stop by her office hours to discuss my plan.

WHAT?!?!?!!?

I started shaking, I was almost in tears, and I spent the next hour of the class trying to figure out how that was possible. I was doing well on the quizzes, turning in my assignments, and I participate... sometimes? 

During the break she sits down next to me, hand on my arm, "I am SO SORRY. It is really confusing having to Hannah O's in the class. You are doing well in the class. Forgive me, Please." 


Woah. Heart attack. 

Happy Tuesday
H.Eilene

Lost in Wonderland

I wrote a pretty solid memoir about my father... and I was really excited... but then I got here, in the apartment with the guys and J, and I can't help but write a new memoir about the fabulous friends I have found in this Wonderland-like apartment. We've got all the characters here.. and it's pretty fabulous and terrifying all at once... but again, I love it.

It's been a productive week at home. I had Valentines dinner with my parents, then saw Jordan. Friday I woke up with my wonderful boy, and then I worked for a spontaneous six hours, had a family dinner, and hung out in Wonderland for a few hours. Today I spent the entire day at Burnsville Center looking for a birthstone ring. It was promised by my mother when I turned 16, and now that I'm almost 20, it was about time. I'm not complaining, I love the ring we found.

I also got a dress for the funeral. As much of a downer as that is... it was only 12 dollars and is a great dress.


Now, I'm back in Wonderland, so I'll talk to you later.

Always,
Alice

Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Ash Wednesday

I kept having the desire to wish people a Happy Ash Wednesday... but you know... that's not right. Lent is somber, more serious. I don't mean serious as in... the rest of the Church year shouldn't be taken seriously.. No. That's not at all how I mean it.. but for real... it's not one of those days that you go screaming "HAPPY ASH WEDNESDAY!!" But, for the record.. I wanted to.

Lenten season is a time for Catholics to make commitments to bring themselves closer to God and Jesus in three ways.. through:

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Alms

1. Fasting: For me, I'm fasting in a few ways. I'm giving up cursing and using God's name in vain. I feel like for me, cursing and using the Lord's name in vain are two ways I can just... feel myself distancing myself from Him, and I know I am not acting in a way that is fulfilling His will. Also, I know that using God's name in vain is one of the Ten Commandments... explicitly states that THOU SHALT NOT... and yet I know I do it more than I should. I've also decided to refrain from buying things from the vending machines; be it the crappy cappuccino machines on campus, any kind of candy or pop out of machines.. anything that comes out of the vending machines, and I'm mostly keeping in mind on campus. I'm paying over ten thousand dollars in tuition and housing... I don't think I need to be wasting my money on vending machines. Each time I feel the desire to buy something from the vending machines, I will put half of the cost into a little bank I have and donate it at the end of the season. 

2. Prayer: I have several prayer goals for this season. I am going to work on going to mass more. I was really good about getting to mass last semester, I went to daily masses (even when it meant missing class sometimes), and I rarely missed a Sunday mass. This semester, I've dropped to only two days: Sunday and Thursday. I want to make sure I start going back on Tuesdays. On days where I have reasonable breaks or lighter homework, I want to try to make it to the noon mass (MWF). I have a break during that time, but I usually use it for homework because my nights tend to be busy.. especially Wednesdays. 

3. Alms: The Story Telling Project. I will give myself for an hour (plus) each week to a patient with a traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, or some other ailment... and write their life stories/ their memoirs. Another way, is that I'll be donating the money from my fast to children in need. 

This Wednesday was ridiculous. 

Today.. 

Class 9-11. Break 12-2. Class 2-4. RCIA 7:30-9. Ash Wednesday Service 9-10. 

This blogger is exhausted... and has tons of homework, so I'm going to sip my cinnamon-spice black tea and get to work. 

Enjoy,

H.Eilene

You know...

I LOVE my major. I LOVE my classes... I do NOT love the fact that for three of my five courses,  there are one or more response papers due each week, this week 2 topic proposals were due for 2 of the 3 close reading papers that will be due in two weeks. HELLO. Why are they all due at the same time??? Not cool professors. Not cool. In one of the three classes that has a paper due soon.. instead of a topic proposal we have an exam... because they serve the same purpose right?

Now, don't get me wrong.. I chose this major. I chose a life of paper writing and readings... but I mean.. can they at least separate the due dates by a day or two? I feel like writing them all at once is going to be VERY confusing.


Anyways, this week has been a mess. By that, I definitely mean this week, I HAVE BEEN A MESS. 

I haven't showered in 2.. almost 3 days
I have no clean pants
I ran out of socks
My room was a disaster
My printer was out of ink
I have 7 to-do lists, but none of them are anywhere to be found...
I forgot deodorant this morning... (I put it on at 4... )

Soo.. Tonight is my night to solve as many of these problems as possible. 


I haven't showered in 2.. almost 3 days (I'm going to shower as soon as my laundry is done)
I have no clean pants  (My laundry is in the dryer)
I ran out of socks (Ditto)
My room was a disaster 
My printer was out of ink
I have 7 to-do lists, but none of them are anywhere to be found... (Rewrote list and taped it to my desk)
I forgot deodorant this morning... (I put it on at 4... )

Do not judge me. 
I normally shower every day. I haven't been to the gym... (maybe I should add that to my list)... and I was waiting to do my laundry until I actually had time.. and so that I did it right before leaving town.
Also... we all have those weeks. This is mine.

Always,
H.Eilene.

A Case of the Mondays

Today was a rough day.. and by rough.. I mean.. Impossible day.

I could not fall asleep until 4:30 this morning, which means I got a grand total of 3 1/2 hours of sleep last night. I attended my classes, basically in a fog and with a pounding headache. I learned that there was an essay due in Shakespeare today... and wasn't prepared... and from then on the day slowly declined.

Luckily, my professor was very kind and gave me til Wednesday to write the essay for full credit. If not, it would have been unbearably impossible to survive today. My daddy called which -- don't get me wrong... I love talking to my daddy-- meant bad news. Dave Heyser passed away today. Here is another link to a bell-ringing article he was in: Click Here.

So.. My night.. which should have consisted solely of homework, laundry and grocery shopping.... ended up being 2% homework, grocery shopping, no laundry.. and brownies. I made brownies. Of course. It's me. I always bake when I'm sad.

I hope your Monday was much better than mine.

Memoir piece to come later this week.

Always,
H.Eilene

So.. As Promised...

Tomorrow's project for memoirs was to write about an object. This object could be living or dead. It could be inanimate... it could be anything you wanted. I wrote two pieces to choose from, but I think I've decided to use the second. 

Here is an excerpt from each: 

Exodus Richard The Third
Shifting slightly, I crawled under my blankets and curled up in the afghan my grandma had made years ago. It still had the musty smell of moth balls and perfume that reminded me of summer picnics at the lake and cold winter nights after sledding down the hill and skating on the rink she and Bumpa had cleared for us. After laying still for an hour and being unable to sleep, I climb back so my chin is resting back on the dresser. Two beady black dots meet mine and he hovers again.

            “I think you’re pretty.”

            Bubble. Bubble.

When the light caught him right, it was though he sported armor glimmering in the sun against his crimson red tail and fins. His eyes were the only darkness he wore, reflecting back at me tears of sadness and anger. “You know, I think it’s pretty stupid. The whole getting old thing. I mean, I get it. People get old. We’re all getting older. Every second. I should be grateful. My lifetime will long surpass yours. I mean, I’m sorry, but I sincerely hope I outlive you. I mean, there are so many things I want to do before I die. You know? Like, get married, have a family, graduate college long before all of that. I want a puppy, not that I don’t hope to have you beyond this year, but I’d also love a puppy. Before I die, I want to leave the country.” Bubble. Bubble.

            I laid back down, pushing the blanket to the floor and curling into a tight little ball, tucking my knees to my chest. “Do fish get Alzheimer’s? I wonder if science could ever determine whether a fish could develop brain disorders like that. One day, will you wake up and not know where you are? Will you be confused by your pirate? Speaking of, let’s name him. He’s too scary looking to be called Hook. He’s kind of ugly, but he seems to make a good bowl-mate. How about Queequeg? What would you do? If you woke up one morning and didn’t know where you were, how you got there, who the heck the skull pirate was, and why the floor looked like sparkly grapes?”  I couldn’t see, but I could feel the bubbles in the still of the night. Bubble. Bubble.

            “Are you hungry? I’m sure you’re hungry. Good morning by the way. You look so handsome in the morning, handsome and… dead. Are you dead? EXODUS RICHARD THE THIRD YOU MOVE YOUR SKINNY LITTLE TAIL RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!!” The sock door shut harder than expected and jolted the fish bowl. Exodus went flying from his spot nestled under Queequeg’s arm. “I’m sorry little guy. Don’t scare me like that.” Bubble. Bubble.

Happy 

           She props herself up on her tippy toes and reaches for the headboard to pull herself up. Her soft blue night gown scrunches up, exposing her pull-up so she scrambles over the top of the mattress covering herself and looking around to make sure no one could see. Her soft friends were all staring up at the ceiling, tucked in already. She crawls to the end of her bed and kisses each one goodnight and the hurries back to her pillow. Her daddy comes in the room, and kneels down next to her bed. He pulls her special bear out from behind his back with a smile.

            “You almost forgot Happy Bear!” he laughs, as she reaches her hands out for him eagerly. She tugs him into her arms and hugs him with all the power a two year old could muster up. Her daddy tucks them both in, smoothing her hair away from her eyes and kissing her goodnight. Soon, the light is off and her daddy is gone. She kicks the blanket away and sticks her feet in the air with Happy on top—flying like her sisters did to her.

            She never told anyone, but when it was just her and Happy, he could talk. He was pretty smart for a teddy bear. He told her when it was time to sleep, he told her she was safe, he scared away the monsters, because teddy bears could do that. When she was sad, he would smile at her, and tell funny story. When she was bored, he would take her on adventures. They could go anywhere in the world—even Africa. She loved Africa, because there were lions and giraffes in Africa, and she had just learned about them in school. Happy love Africa too. He said it was hot there, and he liked the heat. 

Thirteen years later, with no sisters to help her get ready for her first day at another new school, she was staring into her closet on the phone with her best friend. “I don’t know, I’m thinking of my beige jacket…. No? Oh, white button down with the rolled sleeves? Are you sure?... and light blue v-neck? Okay, what about my hair? Side braid and headband? Which headba… oh yeah? I won’t look like a five year old? Okay. See you in twenty minutes? K, love you, bye.” She tossed the phone on the bed, and it landed next to her bear. She rushed getting ready, braiding her hair off to one side, amazed at how long it had gotten, the end of the braid reaching her elbow. She strategically placed the headband so it kept the loose bangs from her eyes. Once she finished priming herself in the mirror she turned back to her bed and started searching for her phone. She threw her pillows off the bed, grabbing Happy, she tossed him onto the floor to get to the phone. She took off out the door without a second glance.

But when she and that boy had their first fight, she tore her room apart looking for him. When she couldn’t find him, she raced through the house searching all of her mother’s storage tubs. She tore apart the laundry room, the closets—she searched everywhere. Tears streamed down her face when she finally gave up, sprawling across her bed, burying her face in her blankets. 

The bear’s soft fabric had faded from its original caramel brown to a more sandy tone, his nose was dusty gray, and the paint on his eyes had been scratched off almost completely. His stuffing had been mostly loved out of him, with years of hugs, cuddles, and thoughtless tosses, he had become floppy. But, when he was pulled out from under the bed, the memories rushed back to her. Memories of late nights, thunderstorms and pep-talks washed over her. They were memories of a friendship she could never hope to recreate. 

 

 The excerpt from the second was a little rough for cutting and pasting, but it'll have to do. 

Enjoy the last half hour of your weekend!! 

Always,

H.Eilene

HAPPY LATE ANNIVERSARY TO THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER!!

I just realized... it's been a year (and 8 days) that I've had my blog. WOAH. Time goes by pretty quick. I didn't even realize it til a friend said he was gonna go back and read my old posts.. and then I read my old posts. 
Happy Anniversary Blog and Readers! 

:) Thanks for sticking it out with me as I figure out my life.. Today, we went ugly dress shopping downtown. It was a blast! Here's a picture of one of the dresses that wasn't actually ugly: 

I considered buying it, but realized that $40 on a hand-wash only dress just wasn't happening. A girl can dream though right? 

Always,
H.Eilene

Friday

Creative title just wasn't happening tonight... sorry!

Sarah's fish is dying.. We got our fish on the same day.. hers died the following day. She got a new one, and now its dying.

Exodus Richard The Third

In happier news.... Exodus Richard the Third is doing just fine. He has come to really enjoy is creepy evil pirate decoration. He cuddles with it at night. It's rather strange.

Tonight, I did homework. I did a lot of homework. I'm working on getting everything done because I AM GOING HOME ON THURSDAY!!! THURSDAY AT 4:15!!

I cannot wait. I miss my home, my family, my boy, my cat (or as my sister often corrects me.. HER cat), my nieces, my sisters, I miss my town, my coffee, my everything that is home.

In other news.... I got an email from my cousin today... it was exciting, because I haven't heard from her in a very long time, but she read my article (which you should check out from earlier this week) .... AND I found out my grandpa could use a couple prayers-- my mom assured me it wasn't serious, but still... send a prayer or two his way if you can. He's an amazing man, and I want him to get healthy fast!

Creative Non-Fiction piece coming tomorrow... so be prepared. :)

Always,
H.Eilene

Okay... So I'm a girl.

This totally melted my heart.
Also, I lied. Yesterday... I said I'd have more to say today.
I don't.

Best part of today... hmmmm brownies.. definitely the brownies.

Other best part?

Realization that I get to do this:

In 7 days. 

I get to kiss my love, cuddle with my nieces, snuggle with my kitty, and watch the dorkiness that ensues with my amazing boy in only 7 days. If nothing else, these things will get me through this next week of craziness.

Always,

When A Heart Breaks

Wow. Don't quite know how to explain, but I was just moved by this song. It's excellent, powerful, and just all around a pretty good feel to it.


Today in Memoirs...

We workshop-ed our second memoir-pieces. I got some really helpful feedback.. but it left me with questions still.. so you guys might have an interestingly--different post coming to you soon. Then I'll ask you to help me to decide which version of the memoir I like better.

In other news... I had false hope this morning.. my phone started working (toilet phone) but then I received a text message and it completely shut down and wouldn't work any more. I couldn't use the touch screen and I couldn't turn it off or on with out it being a 40 minute ordeal.

My replacement arrives... tomorrow? Hopefully!


I have RCIA tonight, and tons of homework to do because I have been slacking a bit the past few days. so... I'll see ya all tomorrow, hopefully with better stories. :)


Peace Out!
H.Eilene

"I'M SORRY I MADE YOU GO SWIMMING!!!"

My phone is officially out of commission for awhile... and if you have half a brain, I'm sure you can guess what happened... It was in my back pocket... and I was in the bathroom.... unzipped my pants and suddenly I heard the dreaded PLOP... without a second thought I exclaimed some explicit words and (because girls travel in twos) told Sarah what happened... my hand diving into the porcelain throne to pull my phone from the cold (and still completely clean) water.

I quickly zipped my pants back up and ran to the hand dryers and started to dry my phone.... because that's what the normal person does.... I can't even tell you how frustrated I am. Normally, when I remember that my phone is in my pocket I take it out and set it on the paper dispenser.. because I have heard far too many stories of phones in toilets... and I never wanted it to happen to me.

Now, it's begging and pleading with my phone to turn on, drying it out in rice (when Alex brings the rice and Sarah's back up phone for me to use). I'm apologizing to it profusely for "making it swim" and begging it to work. My mom is contacting our pals at the phone company to see if it is covered on our insurance... and I'm hoping.. because I do NOT want to go back to a flip phone. Not having to lug around the laptop to check emails while on campus is beyond amazing.... so here's to hoping.

Exodus... or Richard the 3rd

His little... gill-thing is constantly flared out on one side, so he's deformed... but I like that about him.

So, his original name was Exodus, and I'll still call him that, but he does remind me a bit of Richard the Third (from the play). So he's going by either name!

EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS

CLICK HERE

OKAY... SO... You all know that I'm aspiring to be a writer.. Duh. That's been obvious since day one.. and if not, I'm sorry-- you must have rolled a pretty low perception check before entering this blog. (You earn a geek high five if you get the joke)

Scroll to page 11 on the document that pops up when you click the link and see my cute little face in the upper left corner... and then read my article. Because... that's right!!! I'm published now! WOOT.

Time to celebrate with my Vanilla Blend coffee. 

Peace Out. ~ H.Eilene

It is Official

I have officially decided to get a fish.

I've been debating it for quite some time now, and I have decided it's time. I think a fish would be a great friend to have around... like.. a dog only.. in a bowl and it can't be pet or held... BASICALLY... I'm excited to stare at a little dude named Exodus and pretend like it loves me.

Pictures to be posted at a later time (ie: when I actually have the fish to take pictures of)

Weekend of Adventures!!

Happy Saturday!!

Today has been an AWESOME day.

First, I'll start with last night. Around 8pm my adventurers wandered into Duluth (Kay and Mitch) for dinner, a short drive around Dtown and then a trip to the store for supplies for tonight's dinner. After we were out till almost 11, we ate some cookie dough and veg-ed on the couch until we were tired.

This morning started a little later than planned with showers and breakfast, homework til one and then off to get our adventures started. We went to Starbucks (because you have to start an adventure off right) and then walked around the Downtown Skywalk to explore the shops and skylife of Duluth. Finally, we drove down to Canal Park and ate lunch at Grandma's.

Mitch had a bufflao chicken sandwich (which he said was delicious). Kay had the Fish 'n Chips (which she really enjoyed). I had the Full Monte. I'm telling you about this sandwich because if you EVER go to Grandma's you need to try it. It's American and Swiss Cheese layered with smoked ham and turkey in between bread. The entire sandwich is breaded and deep fried. They serve it with fruit... because I'm pretty sure the fries would kill you.

After our filling lunch, we ventured out to the Lakewalk, climbed some rocks and then entered the Marine Museum. Walking through the museum was incredibly fun. We got to look at the history of Lake Superior shipping (and Great Lakes Shipping in general). It was cool because the museum includes information on Marquette, Michigan too which is where they're visiting from!

After the museum we went to the beautiful Water of Superior art gallery and then treated ourselves to caramel apples from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.


What a wonderful day! Later on we might hit the casino-- but we'll see. :)

Up next on our list of to dos is dinner: Steak Ums with fresh fruit salad and then a nice fine dessert of cookie dough and sparkling juice!


Always,
A very happy H.Eilene