Home again after yet another brief road trip (not quite 600 miles ... and only about 12 hours of driving this time) ... Only one more independent study session left at RuralSchool for this summer term.
I stayed with a friend from MySchool. (I suppose my undergraduate institution needs a new name as I've just gotten my student ID for RuralSchool ... Guess I'll be super original and call it AlmaMater from now on instead.)
On Wednesday night, my friend enlisted my help. She'd been asked to record a few songs onto a cassette tape for the memorial service of the father of a family friend, but she needed me to accompany her. I was ready to record after sightreading through them once, but it took much longer to figure out the appropriate settings for the boombox! We finally got it working properly, and my friend received a glowing phone message yesterday thanking her for the recording. :-)
~*~*~*~
While in RuralSchoolArea for my class yesterday, I took advantage of my time there to look for an apartment! After living on campus for four years and being an RA for two of them, I feel it is high time for me to experience living off-campus.
Four guys had lived in Apartment#1 this past year. That was reflected in the state of the apartment. (Dirty, smelly, drawers broken, nasty bathroom.) A definite NO.
Apartment #2 was much nicer. The gentleman showing me the place was very congenial. It too was not in the best state as the prior tenant had moved out without advance notice and he hadn't had time to clean it up before showing it to me. Definitely possibility.
Apartment #3 ... the most promising as it includes all utilities (and trash removal! and internet! and laundry! and furnishings!!!) ... but it is a little pricier too. Still affordable ... and I'm going to crunch the numbers to see if having all of those amenities would be a better deal anyway ...
Then I got a phone call last night about another place ~ from another RuralSchool student who'd gotten my name from landlord of Apartment #2. Her roommates had moved out and she was looking for a roommate so she could stay in her current apartment. So ... Apartment #4 ... decent deal ... though the large collection of empty liquor bottles on display made me wonder about how loud/quiet the apartment would be.
~*~*~*~
Road Trips left? 1 wedding & 1 more class at RuralSchool! Summer is flying by so much faster than I'd expected!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Thrust back into reality
Yesterday, I arrived home in the mid-afternoon after a total of some 1600 miles and probably 24 hours of driving over 8 days of solo road-tripping.
I do plan to write about my trip, random singing fun, the lovely wedding and reception ...
Right now, though, I can't write too much because I have to call about apartments for next year (so that I can visit them when I'm back in RuralSchoolArea later this week) ...
I'm also trying to book flights for my international conference next month! I figured that if I'm already spending so much money to fly over there, I might as well stay a little longer than the 3 week conference and travel! So ... I'm trying to figure out my options and buy the best ticket for the cheapest price I can find at this last-minute date. (It looks like the cost of me flying over there will equal the cost of the conference itself.)
So ... more to come soon!
I do plan to write about my trip, random singing fun, the lovely wedding and reception ...
Right now, though, I can't write too much because I have to call about apartments for next year (so that I can visit them when I'm back in RuralSchoolArea later this week) ...
I'm also trying to book flights for my international conference next month! I figured that if I'm already spending so much money to fly over there, I might as well stay a little longer than the 3 week conference and travel! So ... I'm trying to figure out my options and buy the best ticket for the cheapest price I can find at this last-minute date. (It looks like the cost of me flying over there will equal the cost of the conference itself.)
So ... more to come soon!
Friday, June 08, 2007
My Life as a Romantic Comedy
My second road trip of the summer has been fantastic! I went to CoolCity to sing at church one more time before making my way to RuralSchool for another lesson ... I returned to CoolCity to hang out with Former Roommate ... and am now here in yet another city for BestFriend's wedding which takes place tomorrow!!!!! In my 1300+ miles traveled since last Saturday, I've listened to audiobooks (Bridget Jones' Diary (author?) and Teacher Man by Frank McCourt ... so far) they make the drive go so much faster!
It appears I have a new possible romance ... but I'm nervous about this ... perhaps because the potential seriousness is a bit surprising ... and a bit scary to me.
At RuralSchool, I met a Former Student there, who has just graduated in the program I'm entering. At my last lesson, I ended up running into him because he's still in the area ... and he gave me his phone number, asking me to call if I had any questions at all about the program or the area. (I met him on the day of my audition 2 months ago ... and thought he was attractive ... :-))
I called FS last week to ask if he wanted to get together earlier this week when I'd be visiting the town again. Delighted, he said, "Sure!" and he didn't even mind that I wanted his help finding a place to live for the next year.
After my lesson on Monday, we drove around and got phone numbers for all the places with "For Rent" signs ... We drove all around town, enjoying pleasant conversation as I got to know the area better. Then we drove to a neighboring town from which other students commute to RuralSchool. We passed a silly little miniature golf course which I pointed out to him, and he told me he'd never gone mini-golfing! I asked if he wanted to go, and he said, "Why not?" So ... we mini-golfed (and I beat him by one point). :-) Then we decided to get dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant in town ... more good conversation there. (He paid!)
After dinner, we headed back to RuralSchool area and he asked if I wanted to go for a walk on the paved trail along a river. It was still light outside, nearing twilight, and I agreed as I still had a little time to spend here before I needed to head back to where I was staying for the night.
We lazily walked down the trail, passing some other folks who were pausing to gaze at the water. We reached a small bridge, and FS suggested we walk down closer to the creek. He helped me down (I was wearing flipflops) ... and we stood on rocks at the water's edge. After reveling for a few moments in the serenity, he helped me back up to the path. Twilight was now upon us, and we spent a few moments trying to catch fireflies before heading back to the car at the end of the trail.
As we began walking, I heard a rumble in the distance. I asked if he thought it was thunder, but he fiured it might be a loud truck as we weren't far from the road.
A few moments later, it rumbled again. This time, there was no question that it was thunder. A flash of lightning in the sky and more thunder. No rain yet. We started to walk faster. One drop, then two more ... and then I put on the sweater he'd gotten for me from his house. Now it was lightly raining. OK. Then it began to pick up ... and there was more lightning and more thunder. At one particularly offending clap of thunder, I linked my arm in his, a gesture more instinctive than flirtatious, and we hurried faster. The fireflies had hidden themselves, the sky was dark, and the trees overhead made it seem even darker. Still, we laughed as we hurried along ~ what an adventure!
"You're never going to forget this!" He told me as we dashed along the path.
When we reached the edge of the path, my car was parked on the other side of the grassy bank. Without any warning, he hoisted me up and carried me over the mud to my car.
We drove back to his house where he retrieved a towel for me. He was trying to get me to stay longer, but I refused to change into the dry clothes he offered to get for me. As I was slightly chilled by the rain, he made tea for both of us. I couldn't linger after finishing my tea ... and I knew I needed to get back to my friend's house, an hour drive away. We parted ways, promising to meet up the next day.
After spending the morning with my friend (where I was staying), I drove back to the RuralSchool area. I returned FS's towel, and then we drove around some more to another nearby town to see if they had any apartments for rent. (We didn't see any, but I enjoyed the excuse to drive around and converse.)
He asked if I wanted to see the other end of the trail because we hadn't traveled the full 3 miles. We drove to the other end of the trail ... and ended up walking past a picnic area to an unmarked trail in the woods ... where we ended up sitting on a log, gazing over the water, still under the cover of the trees, and talking ...
As much as I would have liked to have lingered there longer ... I knew I needed to get on the road, as I had 5-6 hours of driving ahead of me. As we made our way along the makeshift path to the clearing, he guided me by the hand ... and we kept holding hands even after we'd reached steady ground, dropping them only when we reached the car. Then in the car on the way back to his house, I jokingly reached over, maybe to slap his hand for a teasing remark or something ... and he held my hand for the remainder of the brief trip.
Text messages and phone calls have been exchanged since then ... and he'd even requested that I let him know when I reached my destination that evening. (Same thing my mother does .) :-)
Alas, he will not be in town when I have my next lesson ... but when I return early next month, he'll be there ... so ... my life as a romantic comedy is to be continued ... :-)
It appears I have a new possible romance ... but I'm nervous about this ... perhaps because the potential seriousness is a bit surprising ... and a bit scary to me.
At RuralSchool, I met a Former Student there, who has just graduated in the program I'm entering. At my last lesson, I ended up running into him because he's still in the area ... and he gave me his phone number, asking me to call if I had any questions at all about the program or the area. (I met him on the day of my audition 2 months ago ... and thought he was attractive ... :-))
I called FS last week to ask if he wanted to get together earlier this week when I'd be visiting the town again. Delighted, he said, "Sure!" and he didn't even mind that I wanted his help finding a place to live for the next year.
After my lesson on Monday, we drove around and got phone numbers for all the places with "For Rent" signs ... We drove all around town, enjoying pleasant conversation as I got to know the area better. Then we drove to a neighboring town from which other students commute to RuralSchool. We passed a silly little miniature golf course which I pointed out to him, and he told me he'd never gone mini-golfing! I asked if he wanted to go, and he said, "Why not?" So ... we mini-golfed (and I beat him by one point). :-) Then we decided to get dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant in town ... more good conversation there. (He paid!)
After dinner, we headed back to RuralSchool area and he asked if I wanted to go for a walk on the paved trail along a river. It was still light outside, nearing twilight, and I agreed as I still had a little time to spend here before I needed to head back to where I was staying for the night.
We lazily walked down the trail, passing some other folks who were pausing to gaze at the water. We reached a small bridge, and FS suggested we walk down closer to the creek. He helped me down (I was wearing flipflops) ... and we stood on rocks at the water's edge. After reveling for a few moments in the serenity, he helped me back up to the path. Twilight was now upon us, and we spent a few moments trying to catch fireflies before heading back to the car at the end of the trail.
As we began walking, I heard a rumble in the distance. I asked if he thought it was thunder, but he fiured it might be a loud truck as we weren't far from the road.
A few moments later, it rumbled again. This time, there was no question that it was thunder. A flash of lightning in the sky and more thunder. No rain yet. We started to walk faster. One drop, then two more ... and then I put on the sweater he'd gotten for me from his house. Now it was lightly raining. OK. Then it began to pick up ... and there was more lightning and more thunder. At one particularly offending clap of thunder, I linked my arm in his, a gesture more instinctive than flirtatious, and we hurried faster. The fireflies had hidden themselves, the sky was dark, and the trees overhead made it seem even darker. Still, we laughed as we hurried along ~ what an adventure!
"You're never going to forget this!" He told me as we dashed along the path.
When we reached the edge of the path, my car was parked on the other side of the grassy bank. Without any warning, he hoisted me up and carried me over the mud to my car.
We drove back to his house where he retrieved a towel for me. He was trying to get me to stay longer, but I refused to change into the dry clothes he offered to get for me. As I was slightly chilled by the rain, he made tea for both of us. I couldn't linger after finishing my tea ... and I knew I needed to get back to my friend's house, an hour drive away. We parted ways, promising to meet up the next day.
After spending the morning with my friend (where I was staying), I drove back to the RuralSchool area. I returned FS's towel, and then we drove around some more to another nearby town to see if they had any apartments for rent. (We didn't see any, but I enjoyed the excuse to drive around and converse.)
He asked if I wanted to see the other end of the trail because we hadn't traveled the full 3 miles. We drove to the other end of the trail ... and ended up walking past a picnic area to an unmarked trail in the woods ... where we ended up sitting on a log, gazing over the water, still under the cover of the trees, and talking ...
As much as I would have liked to have lingered there longer ... I knew I needed to get on the road, as I had 5-6 hours of driving ahead of me. As we made our way along the makeshift path to the clearing, he guided me by the hand ... and we kept holding hands even after we'd reached steady ground, dropping them only when we reached the car. Then in the car on the way back to his house, I jokingly reached over, maybe to slap his hand for a teasing remark or something ... and he held my hand for the remainder of the brief trip.
Text messages and phone calls have been exchanged since then ... and he'd even requested that I let him know when I reached my destination that evening. (Same thing my mother does .) :-)
Alas, he will not be in town when I have my next lesson ... but when I return early next month, he'll be there ... so ... my life as a romantic comedy is to be continued ... :-)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Stream of Consciousness
My younger brother just graduated from high school yesterday. Starting this fall, my parents will enjoy an empty nest for the first time in 22 years. We children have been their focus for the full extent of our lives, and I'm curious to see what kinds of "lifestyle changes" my parents implement once they have more time and space.
I made dinner this evening for the family. I haven't really cooked a full meal on my own before ... and I need to know how to do so if I'm going to be living on my own next year (no more dorms, no more RA-ing, no more campus food meal plan ... thank goodness!). Pesto-stuffed tomatoes, Broccoli-Chicken Puffs, and Raspberry-Walnut Salad with poppy seed dressing. Yum!
Tomorrow: lunch date with Dad, errands, dinner out with high school friends I haven't seen in 2 years. Oh, and I'm going to force myself to get up at a ridiculous hour (before 6am) to start my summer walking regime.
Last summer, my closest friend from home and I got up and walked together at sunrise. Sometimes we strolled, other times we walked at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, she's living elsewhere this summer and my sister refuses to get up that early ... so I haven't been motivated enough on my own to get up and go. This evening at dinner, I mentioned that I might try to start tomorrow ... and by saying it aloud, I vowed to myself that I was actually committing to doing it! I'm hoping that it energizes me for the rest of the day since I'll have to be super-productive tomorrow.
And now? I ought to do my devotional and get SOME sleep since my alarm is set to rudely wake me up in less than 7 hours!
I made dinner this evening for the family. I haven't really cooked a full meal on my own before ... and I need to know how to do so if I'm going to be living on my own next year (no more dorms, no more RA-ing, no more campus food meal plan ... thank goodness!). Pesto-stuffed tomatoes, Broccoli-Chicken Puffs, and Raspberry-Walnut Salad with poppy seed dressing. Yum!
Tomorrow: lunch date with Dad, errands, dinner out with high school friends I haven't seen in 2 years. Oh, and I'm going to force myself to get up at a ridiculous hour (before 6am) to start my summer walking regime.
Last summer, my closest friend from home and I got up and walked together at sunrise. Sometimes we strolled, other times we walked at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, she's living elsewhere this summer and my sister refuses to get up that early ... so I haven't been motivated enough on my own to get up and go. This evening at dinner, I mentioned that I might try to start tomorrow ... and by saying it aloud, I vowed to myself that I was actually committing to doing it! I'm hoping that it energizes me for the rest of the day since I'll have to be super-productive tomorrow.
And now? I ought to do my devotional and get SOME sleep since my alarm is set to rudely wake me up in less than 7 hours!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Love is in the air ... or the water?
Before this year, I'd been to only two weddings of friends of mine (in my age group). Now it seems like more and more of my friends are getting engaged or married.
I'll be in BestFriend's wedding in less than 2 weeks. Two weeks after that, I'm going to another wedding. Today, I was asked to be an Honorary Bridesmaid for the wedding of my closest friend from home. (She had to move up her wedding date because of her new job, and now I won't be able to go because I'm still gonna be at the international conference then. I can't change my plans, and I am very upset that I can't be there in person for her.) In the past week, I've found out a former classmate who just got married and another friend who just got engaged.
I'm so excited and happy for all of these people. It's so wonderful that they've found the person with whom they want to spend the rest of their life. I guess ... it's taken me by surprise, the suddenness of all of this. While I recognize that we've slowly been growing and maturing over the years, my memories of these people (from years and years ago) don't seem all that distant.
The classmate who just got married? I remember him doodling on my papers 10 years ago. The friend who just got engaged? I still recall her as a shy high school freshman who had just moved to my area.
Perhaps part of the reason all this seems so baffling to me is because I'm just not at that stage yet. I've learned more (vicariously) through BestFriend's developing relationship than through my own limited dating experience. And I'm happy. In the meantime (that is, until I reach that point myself someday), I'll enjoy celebrating with friends as they make their everlasting commitments of love and faithfulness. :-)
I'll be in BestFriend's wedding in less than 2 weeks. Two weeks after that, I'm going to another wedding. Today, I was asked to be an Honorary Bridesmaid for the wedding of my closest friend from home. (She had to move up her wedding date because of her new job, and now I won't be able to go because I'm still gonna be at the international conference then. I can't change my plans, and I am very upset that I can't be there in person for her.) In the past week, I've found out a former classmate who just got married and another friend who just got engaged.
I'm so excited and happy for all of these people. It's so wonderful that they've found the person with whom they want to spend the rest of their life. I guess ... it's taken me by surprise, the suddenness of all of this. While I recognize that we've slowly been growing and maturing over the years, my memories of these people (from years and years ago) don't seem all that distant.
The classmate who just got married? I remember him doodling on my papers 10 years ago. The friend who just got engaged? I still recall her as a shy high school freshman who had just moved to my area.
Perhaps part of the reason all this seems so baffling to me is because I'm just not at that stage yet. I've learned more (vicariously) through BestFriend's developing relationship than through my own limited dating experience. And I'm happy. In the meantime (that is, until I reach that point myself someday), I'll enjoy celebrating with friends as they make their everlasting commitments of love and faithfulness. :-)
Friday, May 25, 2007
Experimenting
There is so much I don't know how to do. I'm somewhat relieved that I'm taking baby steps towards adulthood. Well, maybe "baby steps" isn't an appropriate way to describe graduate studies ... but ... I am grateful that I'm not jumping both feet first into the real world. I still have a great deal to learn about personal finances, car maintenance, living on my own ... but at least I won't have to be a first year teacher as I learn about many of these things!
I don't really know how to cook. While I've watched my mom for years, I haven't actually made much (e.g. not much more than spaghetti) on my own. My grandfather used to say, "If you can read, you can cook." I'm hoping he's right.
In an effort to educate myself this summer, I vowed to try out recipes on my family. (I received a great cookbook for graduation, and I wrote in my thank you note that I'd be practicing this summer!) So ... I went through many, many recipes today and selected an appetizer, a main course, and a side dish for next Thursday. I hope that I'll have good news to report on this end next week. :-)
I don't really know how to cook. While I've watched my mom for years, I haven't actually made much (e.g. not much more than spaghetti) on my own. My grandfather used to say, "If you can read, you can cook." I'm hoping he's right.
In an effort to educate myself this summer, I vowed to try out recipes on my family. (I received a great cookbook for graduation, and I wrote in my thank you note that I'd be practicing this summer!) So ... I went through many, many recipes today and selected an appetizer, a main course, and a side dish for next Thursday. I hope that I'll have good news to report on this end next week. :-)
I was given free flowers today!
My mom and I went to a flower stand today to purchase flowers for our garden. My mother struck up a chat with the older man who was selling flowers. As she visits the same place many times a year, they've formed an acquaintance. (His grandchildren are friends with my brother too.) He asked about our family, and Mom proudly announced that I had just graduated from college. (I get slightly embarrassed when she brags to acquaintances and sometimes to strangers, "Summa!" But ... I do understand she's my mother and she's proud of me.) :-)
He told me, "Go ahead and pick out a hanging flower basket, for your graduation."
I thanked him very sweetly as I chose a pretty basket of light pink flowers. What a kind gesture!
When we got home, Mom and I worked quickly together, and it only took us about an hour to plant the flowers we'd just bought.
He told me, "Go ahead and pick out a hanging flower basket, for your graduation."
I thanked him very sweetly as I chose a pretty basket of light pink flowers. What a kind gesture!
When we got home, Mom and I worked quickly together, and it only took us about an hour to plant the flowers we'd just bought.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
