Summer Res, July 2009

I'm at my summer residency right now. I have a brief respite between all the things I have to do. I just finished meeting with my advisor, and I have some good direction for my critical thesis. A problem is that I've never written thesis statements before, and I have to have one by the time I leave the residency.

I've been having a pretty good time. This residenccy isn't as jam-packed as last summer, but at the same time, I feel more tired than I did then. In fact, maybe I should go take a nap.

My class has picked our name, and we're going to announce it today. I'm excited. :-D

The weather here is a nice change from 102. The other day, the high was 66 and the low was 46. It's been really nice. It feels like fall. Of course, last summer was blazingly hot here, and since most rooms (including the dorm-rooms) don't have AC, I packed mostly shorts and tank tops. Thankfully I threw in a sweatshirt at the last minute.

If you think about it, I'd appreciate prayer. I'm in a writing program for children and young adults, but I've had to walk out of at least three readings because of the sexual content. If you'd just pray that I'd have strength and wisdom, that would be awesome.

That's all I've got time for now. I hope you all are doing well!

Date Weekend

I just read a few of my old posts. Nobody else may enjoy reading what I write, but I sure get a kick out of it!

I just spent an hour or two trying hopelessly to find articles on my essay subject. I found none. I have Incas to thank for that. Or whoever came up with the concept of zero. I'm sure if no one had thought of zero, then I would have found some articles, just like how gravity didn't exist before Newton walked into an apple tree.

I had a pretty good weekend. On Friday, Paul and I were going to see wildflowers, but it was stormy. So after a day of searching for articles for my essay topic, Paul and I went on a date. We tried out a Greek restaurant we'd been curious about (it was yummy!). My gyro came with fries. I love America. ;-) After that, we went and saw Monsters vs. Aliens. It was pretty good. I'd probably give it a three or four star on my CG movie meter. I like Pixar movies the best, but Dreamworks movies aren't bad. I partly liked it 'cause Paul laughed so hard. Oh, and we went to Barnes and Noble. I like Barnes and Noble.


Saturday, I actually did some crafty stuff (pattern cutting). I haven't started sewing yet, but I'll get there. I also had work Saturday. That was okay except that the AC was broken. Hot.

Yesterday, Paul and I drove a little over an hour away to the wildflower fields. We had fun and got cool pictures. The wind was crazy, though! We had yummy German food for supper. Mmmm.

Poppies! Poppies will fix them. . . .

Not that all of that is super interesting, but too bad for you. ;-) I like reading my friends' blogs about their kids. Hopefully, in a few years or whatever God's timing is, my blogs will be more interesting 'cause I'll write about my cute kids.

Have a wonderful last full week of April!

Annie

Weather, Writing, and MLK, Jr.

Well, it turns out that all those clothes were a little much. The below zero weather really hasn't bothered me. That's partly due to all my amazing cold weather gear, and partly due to the fact that this is dry cold. I actually felt colder trying out my cold weather gear in Texas when I walked to check the mail in +30 weather. Here, it's not so bad. And I love all the snow. I'll try to remember to post some of the few pictures that I have.

I've been having a really good time. I'm excited about this semester. I'm really writer-ed out, though. I'm ready to go home (except that once I'm home, I have to start in on my first packet). I accidentally missed this afternoon's lecture when my alarm didn't go off. I have just one more full day, then a half day plus graduation. The next morning, I head home! Yay!

I find it significant that today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I don't think I can articulate what I'm thinking, so I will just say this: In Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, he says, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html). I don't think we're there yet.

Annie

-22

I’m sitting in my dorm room wearing two pairs of long underwear under my pants, sock liners under my woolen socks which are in my warm to -20 boots, a baselayer top under my tank under my waffle-knit thermal longsleeve. When it’s time to go to class, I’ll don my -20 down coat, my ear-flap hat with faux fur lining, my fleece scarf, and my down mittens.

Considering weather.com said it was -22 this morning, I’m very glad Paul had me get the -20 coat and boots. :-D And I’m glad Jeff clued us in on what to get. Yay for those Montana boys.