Im off with Ireland on my mind and a mandolin in my hand

Less then 12 hours from now I will be leaving for the airport. My bags are packed, My Mandolin is cased, and all seems to be set. with plenty of jelly beans and Ania near by cracking protestant jokes I am setting the stage for this trip. I feel I should offer some sort of explanation of where I am going and why, and how long this trip has been in the planning.

I think it really began last November or so, I told my Dad that I wanted to travel and soon. So I decided that the summer of 2009 I would go on a trip. My first choice of trip was France. That trip looked promising until a series of unfortunate events left me without a travel partner. I then asked my dear friend Ania if she wanted to go to Europe with me. If you have ever met Ania you would automatically know that the answer was a big YESS!.
We talked of France but ultimately decided that we should go to Ireland instead. Yes, it is true, it is off to my home land I head. We worked on details for a few weeks. My grandpa has also been wanting to go and saving for years, so we asked him if he wanted to go with us and he jumped on the idea.

So we have been planning this trip for many months. We have definitely been blessed in planning this. We have gotten great deals on things and I really can't wait.
Please pray that we get there safe and that we don't lose our luggage. That would be the most awful thing ever. I would hate to lose my favorite yoga pants and my most beloved brown skirt. So lets pray for that. Jet-lag I can deal with but parting with those pants would be so hard! Hahaha

Our flight takes off tomorrow (May 22nd) at 2 something in the afternoon. We will be home the evening of June 7th (If we ever come home :P) .
I can't wait to see all my friends when I come back and tell them the countless stories of what I encounter there. I will miss all my dear friends.. But please don't miss me, that will be no fun for you. See you in Ireland!!!! :]


(This was a really rough explanation, I would be glad to explain more once I am home) See you later!

Im leaving on a jet plane..don't know when Ill be back again

The final steps are finally taking place. My finals were yesterday. TOmorrow is my last day of work until the last week of June or so.
I went to the bank today and lined up spending money for my trip. I happy to cash out some of the savings bonds that I have been getting since I was born. I used to hate the fact that I would get those instead of actual money or gifts, but now Im so greatful for them because I got over $150 dollars by cashing out two.
I leave in 3 days and I can't even believe it. I am having such a hard time packing. Its awful. I have no idea what I will need.

Im going to Ania's tonight to stay for a few days or so. I should prob pack an over night bag or something.
Well im off to do something of importance.
Bye!

Those were the days

Wow, the realization has been hitting me alot lately about how important family is. They know you better than anyone cause they have been with you through your whole life journey.
I just think of all the inside jokes I have with my family. How a simple line can bring my dad and I to laughing so hard that we just about fall out of our chairs. I love that we know all of each others little quirks and actually have the nerve to point it out to each other. My poor mom will never put the remainder of both pizza's onto one plate again.

It is so great. Sometimes I think that trying find a guy to date or marry will be impossible because he will never get me the way a person truly should, No one has been with me through it all except my family. None of my friends have been there to see me as a weird little girl who would climb trees in dresses and sit in her room for hours by herself writing and drawing.

or the girl who was always doing gymnastics. If I wasn't at the gym practicing I was in my room conditioning , or at the gym for open gym, or I was working at some pre-school open gym where I got called coach Hanna for the first time and about died with delight, or I was working at a meet.
Few people saw me compete, and dance around in front of hundreds of people all the while having a wedgie that I couldn't pick unless I wanted to deal with the deductions that come with that (or worse than that the scolding I would get from Kelly after I pulled something like that).


Then there were the long, hot summer days spent at Bev's farm riding and driving the ponies, or getting bit by Pony Boy.
It never felt like I spent that much time there but I really did.

Then there were the late night walks with Kim, the ones that were meant to last 20 minutes but ended up being hours on end. Or the sleepovers with Kim where we would sneak out her window and go down into her play house and then back up through her window just for the fun of it. I practically lived there part time. It is probably the only place I have ever been where I decided to stop by and talk to Kim's mom (A.K.A my second mom) while on a walk and while I was there the phone rang and it was Kim (calling from work) and she called to talk to me not her own family. Haha


Then there was camping out or spending all day at the lake. The best times were the late night bon-fires with Polly that would go until way too late, and I can never forget Dad and Polly singing that song over and over again while doing the dishes. I will never forget how whiny Polly's voice got while singing that song. " THOSE WERE THE DAYS!"

Then there was New Years with the Kruegers. I will not embarrass myself by saying anything more about that.

It saddens me that only a few people have been there through all of those defining times that have made me who I am now. No one can truly get me unless they have been there with me through it.
It makes me realize how incredibly important my family is to me. And also how peculiar my family is.

A toast: To the fish we never threw back!!

Today proved to be a pretty productive day in spite of being sick out of my mind for the majority of it. I haven't been feeling well for the last few days but I think playing softball barefoot last night was what really did it for me.
I stayed up too late last night wasting time and texting with Dan, which I should not of done considering the French test I had this morning. I think my test went well enough. As well as can be expected (which is not very well) I just keep reminding myself that Monday is the last day of class for me. I can not wait.
One more French exam , which I doubt I will have adequate time to study for, and a final art portfolio which I still have to finish my final art project for. I don;t know when I will have time to do either tasks this weekend, but Ill figure something out.

In light of the realization that I leave in a week I actually started the dreaded task of packing. I have absolutely no idea what to pack ever. I laughed when I realized that I am packing for two weeks in the same suit case that I packed in for a weekend retreat. Ha

I decided that trying to look cute in Ireland is an absurd standard. There is no need for it. For this I am very grateful for. Im almost done packing my check-in and my suit case is about half full.
I am so proud of myself for this.
I also finally broke down and bought needed ear buds, I bought them only because I found some for less then $7. I thought this was the greatest thing that could have happened.
I also bought a giant purse that is to serve as my personal item (carry-on). I needed a huge purse to put the usual carry-on items in so that my Mandolin could count as my carry on. The purse is one of those "save the planet" bags, I chose this bag because it cost less then $10. I'm just glad that Niels is gone and will not see it so I can be spared the "hippie" comments from him.
(The case for my Mandolin came in the mail yesterday btw. My mom and I were outside when the UPS man came and im sure he could tell by our many encouragin comments toward him, that we were sooo happy to see him and recieve what he was delievering.)
I originally wasn't planning on taking my Mandolin to Ireland but the longer I have had it and the more I play it, the more I realize that I will miss playing so much if I don't have it. .Besides I dont care who you are, the thought of playing a mandolin in Ireland is something that noone can think better of.

Tomorrow my Grandpa should be here. I also am going to a VOM confrence that should last all day. I just hope and pray that I will be feeling better. I have really been looking forward to this.
I love what VOM is all about. It has always been a dream of mine to work for VOM and maybe after tomorrow we will see how I feel about it. It has probably been one of the most unrealistic of all my dreams, but if it's what God wants then it will happen.


Im really upset that I had to miss open gym tonight. Im so tired of always being sick. I could get so much more done if I were healthy. Oh well, soon enough people will be used to me letting them down and breaking plans due to a failing immune system.

Well im off to down a glass of Alkiseltser and try to sleep this off.



****6 days till Ireland!*******

Hypocrite??

I have so many thoughts running through my mind right now, and I can find no possible way to sort and type them. This is my third attempt at an entry.
I suppose I should just mention some thoughts.

Im really thinking alot about sincerity right now. There seems to be a shortage of truly genuine people these days. Most are constantly judging you and trying to out do you. Yes, I joke about judging people but it is merely in jest!
It astounds me how dishonest people are though.
I especially think that it is un-acceptable for christians to be so. We are known for being the biggest hypocrits. It hurts to hear people say that but isnt it true. How many people have you met at churches who acted one way at church and then changed drastically when not at church. Then there are the people who don't nesecarily live the double life, rather they go to church week after week and talk with people there and act like they care at least alittle yet they make not even the slightest effort to accept and live the life of a christian.

I think it is about time that christians decide why they are truly christians. Do they accept the title as a means of being a part if something. Just like people join clubs and bike gangs. Just to be a part of a group of people and feel some sort of acceptance? Does it make us feel better than other people around us because we arent missfits anymore? If that is why we claim it then we are pathetic. That makes me just sick to think about.
Christianity is not about that at all.
It is so much more.
People truly must decide. It doesn't do anyone any favors to ride the fence and live a double life. God is worthy and in control. He doesn't need you in order for His plan to be fullfilled, He rather loves you and wishes for you to take part in what He is doing. Talk about being part of something great. Don't go to a church in an attempt at being a part of something great, go to God and be a part of the greatest thing EVER!
But.... if you will choose Him, then truely choose Him and don't play it half way.
Choose this day who will follow. Be ready to face the challenges that come with the choice.

Matthew 10:38
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

I hope this made some sort of sense. In all fairness I did warn you though that writting is not coming smoothly now.

This song is kind of ackward

Here I am writing this blog when I would much rather be outside practicing my Mandolin, but I should probably give some sort of account o my last few days. Some events and observations. Good news is that I finished my Art project. It only took me about 10 hours or more of tedious cutting and piecing together like a puzzle. I wish I could say that I was incredibly happy with it, but I'm really not. I dislike it so much that I told a guy in my class that I would give it to him at the end of the semester. I took a picture of it along with all my other projects.


The art show which I had a piece in also ended. I'll admit that it was more fun doing all the work to get it ready for the show than it was to actually see it in the show. I still really like the piece though. It is one of my favorite pieces of the semester. I have about one week of school left, and then a final on the following monday. I am so very anxious to be done. I will have more time to finish other schooling things then.
Though I am seriously thinking of trying to go to ACS next year, even though I will be a fifth year senior. that might be a little awkward, but it would be fun to have some sort of high school experience. I would like to try out for plays and such. Oh well, I guess that just not for me.

My birthday was on Thursday. It was a fun day, let me tell you. I went to the dentist in the morning. My main frustration with the dentist isn't the pain, it is the fact that every time I go there I have to fill out the same form, then I go sit in the chair and the dentist puts the drool rag under my chin and all. Then he starts asking me the same questions as he has asked for the last few years I have been going there. To make it even more awkward he asks as soon as he stinks some sort of utensil in my mouth. It is just something else all together. Good news is that I have no cavities! :D

After the exciting trip to the dentist, I drove to Emily's house and picked her up. Once I got back Amy was here so we got ready as quickly as can be expected. My mom had to yell for us a few times and threaten to leave without us before we actually came. We drove to the train station making only one quick stop for caffeine. We took the train to Chi-town. We ate a small lunch as the station and then walked to the art institute. After looking at countless paintings and seeing alot of naked people we left and walked the whole 100 steps to Millennium park. Took some pictures there (of course) and then walked back to the train station. We missed an earlier train my not even 10 min so we had to wait at the station for another hour. It was great though cause we went to Jamba juice and I got a free smoothie! I played it up to be because of the fact it was my birthday, but that really isnt why. I think it was a mess up one or something, Im not sure, but a free smoothie is a free smoothie! The train ride back was amazing! We laughed so hard. The conductor said that he could hear us in the next train. We didn't care though. It felt great to laugh that hard. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed that hard. Emily stayed the night after, so that meant that Friday morning I had to take her home before I left for class. So I was pulling out of the drive way an hour before class.

I stayed at Amy's last night which was too much fun. We were excited to see that the "Dairy ?" was now names MooLaLa. We immediately found a way to turn an awkward song into a song about our amazing blended floats from there. MMMMM just thinking about them makes me want one. We got another one this morning before I left to go home. Really that was the highlights.


I leave on my trip in 13 days. I really want to start telling the world about it, but I can't break down now. I can't ruin the surprise. I really can't wait to go though. Im very excited! Im off to play my mandolin, and maybe read some stuff for school.

OH YEAH!!!!!!! CHLOE MADE MY DAY ON WED!!! she made me the greatest painting for my birthday!!!! I love it!!!! I have some of the all time greatest friends.

People think that Im being crazy and Irish... but im just following Jesus.! :]

So lets see.... today was a Monday. This is the longest day in my week. I leave the house at 9:30 for class, I'm at WCC from 10 until 3:15. Then I have to work at 5, I get off at 8 and make it home by 8:30ish.
I guess 11 hours away from home isn't that long of a day, but then again it is.

I have to study tonight and tomorrow for a French test that is on Wed. I am so ready to just be done with French already. I have my final on either the 15th or 18th. No-one, not even my teacher, know when the exact date is. I figure I will show up until he says that it is the last day of class, and then I will stop going.

As for Art Design. I started my project and have so far spent probably 8 hours or more on it, I still have probably another 8 hours of work left to do. I took the project into call today and was shocked at how different my project was from the rest of the class.
I showed my teacher and I thought that she didn't really like my concept, but right before I left class I made a comment about wanting to just stop this one and do an easier quicker project, and she said that I should keep with this one because it was a good idea. Im getting so sick of it though, that I told a guy in the class that he could have it once I finished it.

I went an saw Ania during my hour break between class and work. We looked through Irish books and started thinking about places we want to go.

Then it was off to work. Work went really well. I had the whole gym to myself (and my class of 2 girls) for the last hour. It was pretty great.
I pulled out the big guns today, and I pulled out my camera and took videos of the girls doing some things so that they could see what they needed to work on.
I also showed them that I still had some skills. It was pretty fun. I really do like my job alot, which is more then most can boast.

Now im home and soooo tired. I don't even want to study. I think I will read some school literature and then go to bed early.
Then I can get up earlier then normal and study alittle before I go to work.
I have no idea where im going to find time to study my French and put in the needed 8 hours on my art project before wednesday morning.
AHHH!!!!

I just want to be done with the semester already. This semester has just dragged on and on. The first 6 weeks or so went so incredibly fast, and now they are going unbelievably slow.
I need to work on a final Art Design now also. I have no idea what to do, and we have total freedom on this one too. im stressed about this. I don't think I had ever been stressed before this semester. It is probably because for the start of the semester I was working and playing basketball during.
This trip is much awaited.
I decided that I may spend a few days before I leave at a friends house so that the first week of my trip wont be spent resting and recovering.


Im off to do something important with my time, because typing a blog that nobody reads isnt the best use of time.