seriously, i am this close (imagine me holding up my hand and doing the little pinch sign) to completely failing at my lenten resolution to give up facebook...
but i'm not failing because i came up with my own rules as i went along since i didn't establish them beforehand (nor did i even decide to do this until after lent started, so i figure it's all flexible)
my rules (still free to adaptation):
1. reading fb messages via gmail doesn't count (cause i didn't log on to fb to read em)
2. i stored up days to be on fb just like sick days or vacation that roll over from year to year that can be used at my discretion
3. i gave myself one day a week plus i hear that each sunday is a mini-easter that doesn't count anyway. so that's 2 days a week by my math
4. as long as i don't join twitter, i will succeed in life
5. the day(s) i go on facebook can vary each week
i have learned a few things about me and my life:
1. it's really hard to not be updating my status all the time.
2. when i do post an update, it's hard to simply let it be without checking to see what others write in response (cause i don't get the responses emailed to me)
3. it's a relief to be disconnected - less pressure, more free time
4. it's sad, difficult, frustrating to be disconnected - i hate not knowing what's going on in the lives of my friends or acquaintances
5. i had forgotten how to plan events or communicate with people without the ease of facebook messages or events - how did people plan events without simply creating a page and clicking the people you want to invite? do people send invites to anything anymore (exceptions: bridal showers and weddings)?
6. facebook is literally the only way i have for communicating with some people since i don't have their mailing address, phone number or email
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
hello winter and goodbye spring?
this was yesterday afternoon after a glorious week (give or take a day or two):
and this was last night (right before we got a few extra inches of snow to up the winter's total to approx 85 inches):
and these are pics of the violet that is going crazy on the windowsill:
and this was last night (right before we got a few extra inches of snow to up the winter's total to approx 85 inches):
and these are pics of the violet that is going crazy on the windowsill:
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
ooohhhh...shiny...
it's amazing how the world goes round.
like a disco ball (cue quote from zohan: "disco disco" with dancing)
speaking of disco balls, i bought a sparkly cardigan that resembles a disco ball. seriously, it does. the front of the sweater is covered in silver sequins.
true story. i wore it the other day. and liked it!
didn't like how it would reflect the sun into my eyes while driving
but i did like how it just added something extra to my outfit
i also think it helped that i wore cute shoes to complete the ensemble...
like a disco ball (cue quote from zohan: "disco disco" with dancing)
speaking of disco balls, i bought a sparkly cardigan that resembles a disco ball. seriously, it does. the front of the sweater is covered in silver sequins.
true story. i wore it the other day. and liked it!
didn't like how it would reflect the sun into my eyes while driving
but i did like how it just added something extra to my outfit
i also think it helped that i wore cute shoes to complete the ensemble...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
mad skillz
today i fixed two broken necklaces. that's right. two of em.
here's what happened: last year, while wearing some pretty pearls, the silly little clasp connector thingy broke. you know those clasps that look like a round ball that pinch together to hold the strand to the hook? yeah. it only took me a year to finally getting around to fix it...
a few weeks ago i bought the little replacement piece (smallest pack was 30 pieces for a project i only needed one for) and a tool to help me repair jewelry (cause scissors just don't solve all problems and needlenose pliers are too big for some projects).
then today, when taking off another necklace, it decided to break as well...only this time i was dealing with beads flying off the wire strands unlike the other where the pearl beads were tied on the string. so i crawled on the floor for a while looking for pearl beads (three different sizes) and tiny blackish beads (not easy to see on a mottled carpet). but i got it fixed after becoming creative in how to bend the metal wires in the clasp so that it won't just slip apart again. i thought about soldering them together, but was reminded by my roomie katie that melting metal might not be the wisest course of action in our apartment and without the proper tools...
but the necklaces are as fixed as i can get them.
on my agenda of creative-ish projects: hemming a pair of jeans, quilting, crocheting an afghan (for someone who has yet to pick out a color), finishing the afghan i started in 2009, scrapbooking (some of which was supposed to have been done 4 years ago), making irish car bomb cupcakes (and testing out the heart-shaped cupcake maker i got from mom), learning how to make kuchen
hmm...as i think about all my creative-ish projects, i realize that i go through spurts of creativity that die out pretty quickly unless i have a deadline for them to be completed (like scrapbooking or crocheting something as a gift for a particular event)
here's what happened: last year, while wearing some pretty pearls, the silly little clasp connector thingy broke. you know those clasps that look like a round ball that pinch together to hold the strand to the hook? yeah. it only took me a year to finally getting around to fix it...
a few weeks ago i bought the little replacement piece (smallest pack was 30 pieces for a project i only needed one for) and a tool to help me repair jewelry (cause scissors just don't solve all problems and needlenose pliers are too big for some projects).
then today, when taking off another necklace, it decided to break as well...only this time i was dealing with beads flying off the wire strands unlike the other where the pearl beads were tied on the string. so i crawled on the floor for a while looking for pearl beads (three different sizes) and tiny blackish beads (not easy to see on a mottled carpet). but i got it fixed after becoming creative in how to bend the metal wires in the clasp so that it won't just slip apart again. i thought about soldering them together, but was reminded by my roomie katie that melting metal might not be the wisest course of action in our apartment and without the proper tools...
but the necklaces are as fixed as i can get them.
on my agenda of creative-ish projects: hemming a pair of jeans, quilting, crocheting an afghan (for someone who has yet to pick out a color), finishing the afghan i started in 2009, scrapbooking (some of which was supposed to have been done 4 years ago), making irish car bomb cupcakes (and testing out the heart-shaped cupcake maker i got from mom), learning how to make kuchen
hmm...as i think about all my creative-ish projects, i realize that i go through spurts of creativity that die out pretty quickly unless i have a deadline for them to be completed (like scrapbooking or crocheting something as a gift for a particular event)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
tired
i'm exhausted.
not sure if it's because:
a) stress cause of midterms
b) sick
c) constantly busy
d) any/all of the above
not sure it matters too much in the grand scheme of things, but it totally sucks right now. i hate feeling the need to nap. i hate lacking drive and ambition to do anything at all (even my love of reading or watching movies fails), but it happens.
at the same time, i also get random energy spurts, sometimes at the most inopportune times.
like last night when i was playing a game on my computer where i pop balloons (poppit).
sometimes the energy is good.
like tonight when i was watching a really good movie (the boys are back) after hanging up mirror(s).
or earlier today spending time in mankato with family so that my aunt could try on her wedding dress to see if the jewelry she picked up would work with it. then a bit of shopping where i splurged on three new wii games (buy 2, get 1 free plus an additional $10 off coupon). wii games include carnival games (wack-a-troll anyone?) and the biggest loser game (yeah, i caved and will soon meet my match in jillian michaels).
right now i should get back to working on retelling the gospels for my teaching parish (fyi: instead of reading from the bible, the stories are being told from the perspective of a character who encounters Christ) and figuring out what i'm going to say during my ebt group presentation on monday...
note: mirror(s) because i put up four 12"x12" mirrors ($6 at ikea) to work as a full-length mirror...it's a 4-in-1 thing (plus smaller mirrors will be easier to transport when i move)
another note: despite it being difficult to find a parking space at ikea this afternoon (saturdays are always crazy), i was in and out of the store in approx 30 min, picking up stuff for my aunt and my mother (and myself, of course, with the mirrors)...which would have been less had i not been so indecisive about whether to splurge and buy a bathmat (decided on no)
not sure if it's because:
a) stress cause of midterms
b) sick
c) constantly busy
d) any/all of the above
not sure it matters too much in the grand scheme of things, but it totally sucks right now. i hate feeling the need to nap. i hate lacking drive and ambition to do anything at all (even my love of reading or watching movies fails), but it happens.
at the same time, i also get random energy spurts, sometimes at the most inopportune times.
like last night when i was playing a game on my computer where i pop balloons (poppit).
sometimes the energy is good.
like tonight when i was watching a really good movie (the boys are back) after hanging up mirror(s).
or earlier today spending time in mankato with family so that my aunt could try on her wedding dress to see if the jewelry she picked up would work with it. then a bit of shopping where i splurged on three new wii games (buy 2, get 1 free plus an additional $10 off coupon). wii games include carnival games (wack-a-troll anyone?) and the biggest loser game (yeah, i caved and will soon meet my match in jillian michaels).
right now i should get back to working on retelling the gospels for my teaching parish (fyi: instead of reading from the bible, the stories are being told from the perspective of a character who encounters Christ) and figuring out what i'm going to say during my ebt group presentation on monday...
note: mirror(s) because i put up four 12"x12" mirrors ($6 at ikea) to work as a full-length mirror...it's a 4-in-1 thing (plus smaller mirrors will be easier to transport when i move)
another note: despite it being difficult to find a parking space at ikea this afternoon (saturdays are always crazy), i was in and out of the store in approx 30 min, picking up stuff for my aunt and my mother (and myself, of course, with the mirrors)...which would have been less had i not been so indecisive about whether to splurge and buy a bathmat (decided on no)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
st patty's day...
...is a really long day for me with basically nonstop classes/coursework from 8 am to 9 pm
...is super fun to celebrate irish heritage and pull out a pretty green shirt
...would be a great day to visit an irish pub (or ireland)
...is the only time of year we can have green beer or a shamrock shake
...is the perfect time for me to make guinness chocolate cupcakes with jameson fudge ganache topped by bailey's frosting
...is the worst day to be completely exhausted (which is how i feel today)
...makes me wish i had not misplaced my cross necklace with green connamara marble beads that i bought in ireland
...is super fun to celebrate irish heritage and pull out a pretty green shirt
...would be a great day to visit an irish pub (or ireland)
...is the only time of year we can have green beer or a shamrock shake
...is the perfect time for me to make guinness chocolate cupcakes with jameson fudge ganache topped by bailey's frosting
...is the worst day to be completely exhausted (which is how i feel today)
...makes me wish i had not misplaced my cross necklace with green connamara marble beads that i bought in ireland
Monday, March 14, 2011
checklist
remember how a long time ago i had a blog post that contained lists? some possibilities to countdown to, options of places to go/things to see...ring a bell? if not, here's the post
a few notes on countdown:
- assignment is over and done. eastern north dakota, here i come!
- my half birthday, last day of classes and graduation have yet to happen (in that order in the month of may)
and my "things to do before i graduate" list:
- como park zoo. check.
- still lots of other things on the checklist i should work on...
more on the zoo:
i went with kayla and casey for a total of 40 min. (no, i did not begrudge the short time spent there right before closing because i didn't pay to get in anyway since it's a free zoo)
we were there long enough to see the polar bears sleep.
and watch a cougar and a tiger prowl in their respective cages (super sad).
and watch penguins being hand-fed by someone.
and see sea lions swimming in circles in a small pool (also super sad).
and see zebras and giraffes.
and a sloth. can't forget the sloth. who was sleeping in a tree because that's what every sloth does.
the other day we tried to go to the zoo but it had already closed. but we did watch the wolves from the parking lots. they're pretty animals
a few notes on countdown:
- assignment is over and done. eastern north dakota, here i come!
- my half birthday, last day of classes and graduation have yet to happen (in that order in the month of may)
and my "things to do before i graduate" list:
- como park zoo. check.
- still lots of other things on the checklist i should work on...
more on the zoo:
i went with kayla and casey for a total of 40 min. (no, i did not begrudge the short time spent there right before closing because i didn't pay to get in anyway since it's a free zoo)
we were there long enough to see the polar bears sleep.
and watch a cougar and a tiger prowl in their respective cages (super sad).
and watch penguins being hand-fed by someone.
and see sea lions swimming in circles in a small pool (also super sad).
and see zebras and giraffes.
and a sloth. can't forget the sloth. who was sleeping in a tree because that's what every sloth does.
the other day we tried to go to the zoo but it had already closed. but we did watch the wolves from the parking lots. they're pretty animals
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow
today i pondered how, in future decades when talking to future generations, i would talk about this winter.
and today i came up with the perfect summary:
snow
yep. snow.
why snow? you ask
because we've had a lot of it this year.
but did you not also have wind and ice and sleet and days below zero and days above freezing? you ask
yes, but we had a lot of snow.
twice, the amounts were over 10 inches. numerous other times, we would get anything from a light dusting to a few inches.
overall (as of march 8, 2011), the cities have had 78.7 inches, making this winter the 8th snowiest on record (only 0.3 inches behind 7th place) with more snow predicted for tomorrow night and the day after tomorrow (which just so happens to be my favorite movie). so by wednesday evening, we will likely be able to claim 7th place.
in case you were wondering, a lot of that snow remains on the ground, most commonly in piles along roads blocking intersections or pushed into fields.
update in the early am of march 9: 7th place with 79.5 (1.8 inches behind 6th)
update from march 12: 7th with 80.2 inches (behind winter 1961-1962 with 81.3)
and today i came up with the perfect summary:
snow
yep. snow.
why snow? you ask
because we've had a lot of it this year.
but did you not also have wind and ice and sleet and days below zero and days above freezing? you ask
yes, but we had a lot of snow.
twice, the amounts were over 10 inches. numerous other times, we would get anything from a light dusting to a few inches.
overall (as of march 8, 2011), the cities have had 78.7 inches, making this winter the 8th snowiest on record (only 0.3 inches behind 7th place) with more snow predicted for tomorrow night and the day after tomorrow (which just so happens to be my favorite movie). so by wednesday evening, we will likely be able to claim 7th place.
in case you were wondering, a lot of that snow remains on the ground, most commonly in piles along roads blocking intersections or pushed into fields.
update in the early am of march 9: 7th place with 79.5 (1.8 inches behind 6th)
update from march 12: 7th with 80.2 inches (behind winter 1961-1962 with 81.3)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
crazy day
here is a more detailed and interesting elaboration of what's going on in my life than my previous post from this afternoon.
having said that, i want to take time to reflect upon the past 24 hrs
last night, while being all "oh i don't want my day to end because i'd much rather watch my four-hour-long movie about angels," i received a chat message from a dear friend reminding me to notify her tomorrow about synod assignment. and a few things rumbled through my head
first off, i had forgotten about this major event in the life of senior mdiv students taking place the next day
second, i began to panic because the ignorance and subsequent bliss ended
third, i began to realize that i had absolutely no idea of what synod i hoped for or would be disappointed if i got. well, there was one synod i didn't really want...but that's another story
i still watched my movie until my eyes closed
then went to class
then chapel
then back to my apartment to eat lunch and take a nap (and finish the movie)
during all of these events i managed to not recall that i could receive a phone call any moment
and then, just as i was about ready to nap, i got a phone call from the bishop of the eastern north dakota synod
so now a few other thoughts rumble through my head:
yes, i'm excited. (sorry, mom, that i'm not going back home to south dakota. lil sisters, this is a good thing so don't make fun.)
no, i have no idea what town or congregation in that synod, so please stop asking me. and i have no idea when i can start interviewing
yes, i found it difficult to pay attention in my classes this afternoon and evening
no, i did not have the cool status of being able to leave class in order to talk to my new bishop
yes, i'm jealous of those who had their phones on vibrate and left in order to learn what comes next
no, i'm not jealous of those who have to wait another week or so to find out
yes, i am now working really hard to not be focused upon planning my ordination and looking for a call instead of doing homework
no, i have not picked out the perfect pair of glasses to compliment the clergy shirt attire (but i will...) so that i will look both chic and pastor-y
yes, i have tomorrow off so i can celebrate with friends
no, my car is still not fixed (but hopefully will be this weekend)
yes, i will probably go wedding dress shopping on saturday
no, i'm not getting married (nor am i close to it)
yes, i should be thinking about preparing for lent at church since it starts next week...
no, i have not killed off my aloe plant or peace lily (although they came really close and are looking shabby right now)
yes, i have a green thumb when it comes to caring for my roomie's plants since they are flourishing like the african violet is about to bloom for the second time since september
having said that, i want to take time to reflect upon the past 24 hrs
last night, while being all "oh i don't want my day to end because i'd much rather watch my four-hour-long movie about angels," i received a chat message from a dear friend reminding me to notify her tomorrow about synod assignment. and a few things rumbled through my head
first off, i had forgotten about this major event in the life of senior mdiv students taking place the next day
second, i began to panic because the ignorance and subsequent bliss ended
third, i began to realize that i had absolutely no idea of what synod i hoped for or would be disappointed if i got. well, there was one synod i didn't really want...but that's another story
i still watched my movie until my eyes closed
then went to class
then chapel
then back to my apartment to eat lunch and take a nap (and finish the movie)
during all of these events i managed to not recall that i could receive a phone call any moment
and then, just as i was about ready to nap, i got a phone call from the bishop of the eastern north dakota synod
so now a few other thoughts rumble through my head:
yes, i'm excited. (sorry, mom, that i'm not going back home to south dakota. lil sisters, this is a good thing so don't make fun.)
no, i have no idea what town or congregation in that synod, so please stop asking me. and i have no idea when i can start interviewing
yes, i found it difficult to pay attention in my classes this afternoon and evening
no, i did not have the cool status of being able to leave class in order to talk to my new bishop
yes, i'm jealous of those who had their phones on vibrate and left in order to learn what comes next
no, i'm not jealous of those who have to wait another week or so to find out
yes, i am now working really hard to not be focused upon planning my ordination and looking for a call instead of doing homework
no, i have not picked out the perfect pair of glasses to compliment the clergy shirt attire (but i will...) so that i will look both chic and pastor-y
yes, i have tomorrow off so i can celebrate with friends
no, my car is still not fixed (but hopefully will be this weekend)
yes, i will probably go wedding dress shopping on saturday
no, i'm not getting married (nor am i close to it)
yes, i should be thinking about preparing for lent at church since it starts next week...
no, i have not killed off my aloe plant or peace lily (although they came really close and are looking shabby right now)
yes, i have a green thumb when it comes to caring for my roomie's plants since they are flourishing like the african violet is about to bloom for the second time since september
end
no, the title of this post does not mean end as in "the end"
it means: eastern north dakota (end)
synod assignments have been completed for region three of the elca (sorry people from other regions who have to wait a week or more to find out...)
i received a phone call from the bishop of end and am super excited cause i get to live in the dakotas!
and as a friend reminded me, this means i need to purchase snowshoes (cause i loved me the snowshoeing attempt this winter). full backstory: post renting snowshoes for a fun excursion in january, i said that i would have to buy snowshoes (superfun!) if i get assigned to a place where there is snow. and i'm pretty sure that end counts...
wind and low temps, here i come!
it means: eastern north dakota (end)
synod assignments have been completed for region three of the elca (sorry people from other regions who have to wait a week or more to find out...)
i received a phone call from the bishop of end and am super excited cause i get to live in the dakotas!
and as a friend reminded me, this means i need to purchase snowshoes (cause i loved me the snowshoeing attempt this winter). full backstory: post renting snowshoes for a fun excursion in january, i said that i would have to buy snowshoes (superfun!) if i get assigned to a place where there is snow. and i'm pretty sure that end counts...
wind and low temps, here i come!
bloggin' changes
i have two blogs. and i've been going crazy with making changes on them.
the other one has a new picture as a header. it's pretty and personal since it's of pink flowers that i saw in ireland
if you don't recall, this blog used to be pink. and when i write pink, i mean pink.
but i grew weary of the pink and opted for change.
so i hope you appreciate it.
i also experimented with fonts and chose fun/funky ones that may not be as easy to read. this is because i think that fun/funky works with my intent for the blog (since it's mostly quatsch, anyway)
sorry, but no more changes in the foreseeable future. i like the looks for now
the other one has a new picture as a header. it's pretty and personal since it's of pink flowers that i saw in ireland
if you don't recall, this blog used to be pink. and when i write pink, i mean pink.
but i grew weary of the pink and opted for change.
so i hope you appreciate it.
i also experimented with fonts and chose fun/funky ones that may not be as easy to read. this is because i think that fun/funky works with my intent for the blog (since it's mostly quatsch, anyway)
sorry, but no more changes in the foreseeable future. i like the looks for now
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