Do you remember the feeling that all of us got during finals week, when everyone was busy taking their room apart? People would move out their old beds and bring in the bulky college beast beds. They would take out their decorations. The rooms would echo more. The hall was loud. The air conditioner would compete with the opening and closing of doors. People would slowly announce their departure. "Alright, I'm going now," or the high pitched voice that was so popular freshmen year, "By Guys!" We would hug, and say "See you next year." We didn't acknowledge that each of these last weeks would lead us to the very last week we would ever move away from Tabor College.
The problem for me is that "last last week" didn't ever happen. Graduation weekend was so much of a crazy rush that I didn't have time to let the thought of leaving sink in. Then I student taught in the fall, and it felt like I had a job on campus. In the spring, I got a job on campus. Hillsboro got under my skin, and I got into Hillsboro.
I finally feel that "Last week" feeling again, but now I am in my office. I am leaving this week. Steve is leaving this week. Clint is leaving this week. The back four offices in our building are cleaning out. The air conditioner is fighting the opening and closing of doors. The rooms echo more. The hallway is loud. Steve announced his departure, "I'm Out! I'm Gone!" and on his way out Clint and Leda told him, "See you around campus."
I am leaving. I will come back to visit. For five years I have been home in this little town in the middle of the middle of the US. No longer will I walk across campus to visit the friends who I have met. No longer will I skip out on obligations to watch Soccer in the fall. No longer will I have late night play practices. No longer will I call people for the phonathon. No longer will I change addresses and update databases.
This is it. This is the break. This is the feeling that I have been waiting for since graduation last year.
Now I can embrace the memories. Now I can come back for reunions and home comings and feel like I am visiting with old friends. Now I can touch a new group of people, and tell them the stories that my Tabor friends already know because they were there when the stories began....
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
moving
College promotes moving. New jobs promote moving. Living as a twenty something in the 2000's promotes moving.
I am not only moving out of my apartment to a different apartment,
I am moving out of my office into another office at tabor, and then moving into another office when I get the keys to my new job.
I am also moving my sister from her apartment to my parents house and a storage building four or so days before I move myself.
I have been talking about scheduling a message for a long time. I might just have to actually make good on that promise to myself.
I am not only moving out of my apartment to a different apartment,
I am moving out of my office into another office at tabor, and then moving into another office when I get the keys to my new job.
I am also moving my sister from her apartment to my parents house and a storage building four or so days before I move myself.
I have been talking about scheduling a message for a long time. I might just have to actually make good on that promise to myself.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Girls in the summer......... (and one boy)
Yesterday was a Girls day in the summer. I took off of work an hour early, and went to Amy and Rachel's. We took care of the cat (I am cat sitting again), and took off south to N.
We ate Chinese food down town. It was so good. They had a wonderful crab salad, coconut shrimp, chicken and broccoli, and scallion beef. I tried the Vegetarian Loe Mein, but it had much too much peanut oil in it. Amy and I split this thing that was labeled butterfly shrimp, but the more I think about it the more I think that it must have been something else. It was like sausage wrapped in rice noodle paper and boiled. (like a dumpling) Not so grand.
After lovely Chinese, we hung out at 10 Thousand Villages. I found so many things that I would have liked to buy, but I restrained myself. Someday I am going back and buying some of the cd's that they had.
We went next door to the etcetera shop, and the buying began. I got a scarf, a large basket, and a corduroy blanket from the 70's. I might make a rug out of the blanket. It is pretty cool.
After that we drove down to an antique store/flea market. Amy picked up these dinosaur toys and started quoting "Firefly." (origionally I wrote The Land Before Time in the quotes.) I was shocked at how many word for word lines she pulled out. I still laugh when I think about it. Amy also found a chair for her parents re-enacting, Rachel found a cup for Laura and Muppet's Treasure Island, and I purchased two ginormous wind chimes. They are beautiful.
I can't imagine that there are people who have never shopped at a garage sale, thrift store, flea market, second hand store, or auction. It is so much fun going out in search of hidden spoils. I think if the average person went in search of this kind of Booty (pirates treasure) instead of the other kind of booty the world would be a much different place. (Unnecessary Wal-Mart shopping would also be cut down considerably.)
After scavenging we went to Josh's house and took naps. (Group nap time is a beautiful thing) When we woke up, Amy and I drove Laura's truck back to Hillsboro, Rachel Drove her car to Taiquando, and Josh and Laura drove out into the country and GOT ENGAGED!!!
Amy and I ate Hamburgers and then went to Justin and Elise's to watch Gilmore Girls and eat Nacho Cheese Doritos and Chunky Chips Ahoy. (Which I decided to forever call Chunky Chips OF HOY)
It was a wonderful day of Girls in the summer.
We ate Chinese food down town. It was so good. They had a wonderful crab salad, coconut shrimp, chicken and broccoli, and scallion beef. I tried the Vegetarian Loe Mein, but it had much too much peanut oil in it. Amy and I split this thing that was labeled butterfly shrimp, but the more I think about it the more I think that it must have been something else. It was like sausage wrapped in rice noodle paper and boiled. (like a dumpling) Not so grand.
After lovely Chinese, we hung out at 10 Thousand Villages. I found so many things that I would have liked to buy, but I restrained myself. Someday I am going back and buying some of the cd's that they had.
We went next door to the etcetera shop, and the buying began. I got a scarf, a large basket, and a corduroy blanket from the 70's. I might make a rug out of the blanket. It is pretty cool.
After that we drove down to an antique store/flea market. Amy picked up these dinosaur toys and started quoting "Firefly." (origionally I wrote The Land Before Time in the quotes.) I was shocked at how many word for word lines she pulled out. I still laugh when I think about it. Amy also found a chair for her parents re-enacting, Rachel found a cup for Laura and Muppet's Treasure Island, and I purchased two ginormous wind chimes. They are beautiful.
I can't imagine that there are people who have never shopped at a garage sale, thrift store, flea market, second hand store, or auction. It is so much fun going out in search of hidden spoils. I think if the average person went in search of this kind of Booty (pirates treasure) instead of the other kind of booty the world would be a much different place. (Unnecessary Wal-Mart shopping would also be cut down considerably.)
After scavenging we went to Josh's house and took naps. (Group nap time is a beautiful thing) When we woke up, Amy and I drove Laura's truck back to Hillsboro, Rachel Drove her car to Taiquando, and Josh and Laura drove out into the country and GOT ENGAGED!!!
Amy and I ate Hamburgers and then went to Justin and Elise's to watch Gilmore Girls and eat Nacho Cheese Doritos and Chunky Chips Ahoy. (Which I decided to forever call Chunky Chips OF HOY)
It was a wonderful day of Girls in the summer.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Lost Dog
For the past week there has been a great dog just wandering around Tabor's campus. The dog is male, medium sized, and speckled in brown and white. It looks like the kind of dog that people use for bird hunting. He is nice, does not bark, follows people around, but does not appear aggressive at all.
So, I want this dog to get back to its origional owner. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to call the police, because I don't want the poor dog to sit in the pound. I can't take it in either because I don't think that Fern would appreciate a dog in the house or even in the yard for that matter. So, I found a sight for lost and found pets as a link on kiddlive.com.
The link is:
http://www.petfinder.com/
I looked to see if his owner had posted an add about the dog, but they hadn't. The thing is that I don't feel like I can post an add about it, because I can't be sure that I could find the dog to return him at any given time. He hangs out around the college in the mornings, but I have no guarantee that I can find him when I need to.
For now, I will try to keep tabs on his comming and going. Hopefully someone with their own back yard will have a heart to help him out.
So, I want this dog to get back to its origional owner. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to call the police, because I don't want the poor dog to sit in the pound. I can't take it in either because I don't think that Fern would appreciate a dog in the house or even in the yard for that matter. So, I found a sight for lost and found pets as a link on kiddlive.com.
The link is:
http://www.petfinder.com/
I looked to see if his owner had posted an add about the dog, but they hadn't. The thing is that I don't feel like I can post an add about it, because I can't be sure that I could find the dog to return him at any given time. He hangs out around the college in the mornings, but I have no guarantee that I can find him when I need to.
For now, I will try to keep tabs on his comming and going. Hopefully someone with their own back yard will have a heart to help him out.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tie up loose ends
A couple of weeks ago a lot of things in my life went nuts. Well, some of them are righting themselves.
First of all: We found an apartment! It is larger than the one that we had before. The entryway is kind of sketchy, but the actual apartment is really nice. We are renting from Lenky (my fond entitlement of my new land lord). He is the guy who we were going to rent from the first time. He felt bad about not renting the original apartment to us, and so he told us that he would discount the rent $50 a month plus throw in a washer and dryer for $15 a month. I am glad that we will get our own washer and dryer. I don't want my clothes to smell like someone else's clothes.
Second: I am down to the last straw with my car. My dad told me to fix it and if I find something else that I want, he will drive my old car. I only have one more possibility. I am closing the doors after that. It may not work out anyway because of the length of the time that it will take for the deal to come through. But all in all, I will have a car sooner than later.
Third: I have actually made some definite headway in my packing efforts. I have reached a level where if I pack more, I may not have the things I need to function in my house for the last couple of weeks that I am here. I want to continue in my quest, but I need to get some of these boxes out of my apartment before I can actually see to pack anything else. Why do I have so much stuff? Where did it come from? Where will I put it?
All that I know is that I am not allowed to buy lotion until I use all of the stuff that I have right now.
First of all: We found an apartment! It is larger than the one that we had before. The entryway is kind of sketchy, but the actual apartment is really nice. We are renting from Lenky (my fond entitlement of my new land lord). He is the guy who we were going to rent from the first time. He felt bad about not renting the original apartment to us, and so he told us that he would discount the rent $50 a month plus throw in a washer and dryer for $15 a month. I am glad that we will get our own washer and dryer. I don't want my clothes to smell like someone else's clothes.
Second: I am down to the last straw with my car. My dad told me to fix it and if I find something else that I want, he will drive my old car. I only have one more possibility. I am closing the doors after that. It may not work out anyway because of the length of the time that it will take for the deal to come through. But all in all, I will have a car sooner than later.
Third: I have actually made some definite headway in my packing efforts. I have reached a level where if I pack more, I may not have the things I need to function in my house for the last couple of weeks that I am here. I want to continue in my quest, but I need to get some of these boxes out of my apartment before I can actually see to pack anything else. Why do I have so much stuff? Where did it come from? Where will I put it?
All that I know is that I am not allowed to buy lotion until I use all of the stuff that I have right now.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Nap
I am so sleepy. It is impossible to work this way. It is a good thing that we had tea at ten today, or else I would have died. (tea at ten is a summer tabor tradition.)
I brought cheese, and it is all gone. I am going back to dale's and buying more this afternoon. After I nap.
Nap,nap,nap...
I brought cheese, and it is all gone. I am going back to dale's and buying more this afternoon. After I nap.
Nap,nap,nap...
Monday, June 18, 2007
Alma Mater
My Freshmen year in College the Tabor Choir did a concert of songs that they have been known to sing over the years. Each of the songs was popular under a different choir director.
The concert was extremely memorable for me, because Becky and I were almost late to it. We were coming back from KC and missed our turn and wound up about an hour due West of the burro about 1:10 minutes before we were supposed to be there. We made it back to our dorms, splashed water on faces and ran to the chapel. (We had been at Worlds of Fun all day, and had that wonderful sweaty amusement park smell.)
Anyway... the concert that evening ended with the old Tabor Alma Mater song, which is no longer sung at Tabor because it has been replaced with Redeemed of God (the Tabor Hymn). I was going through old alumni files and ran across a song sheet, and decided to show it to you.
As an emblem of our fathers, "To thy trust be true,"
Beams our haloed Alma Mater Rising toward the blue.
(Chorus)
Onward still we'll bear the banner, Gold and Royal Blue.
Hail, all Hail, dear Alma Mater, Tabor tried and true.
To a higher plain of vision And to truth and light
We are led within thy portals, Vigil of the right
(Chorus)
Glorious Mem'ries, Alma Mater, Thrill us at thy view;
We will hail thy name with rapture, Tabor we'll be true.
(Chorus)
This song is sung to the same tune that countless Alma Mater songs are sung.
I just thought that it was a fun, quirky bit of history that I would share with you.
The concert was extremely memorable for me, because Becky and I were almost late to it. We were coming back from KC and missed our turn and wound up about an hour due West of the burro about 1:10 minutes before we were supposed to be there. We made it back to our dorms, splashed water on faces and ran to the chapel. (We had been at Worlds of Fun all day, and had that wonderful sweaty amusement park smell.)
Anyway... the concert that evening ended with the old Tabor Alma Mater song, which is no longer sung at Tabor because it has been replaced with Redeemed of God (the Tabor Hymn). I was going through old alumni files and ran across a song sheet, and decided to show it to you.
As an emblem of our fathers, "To thy trust be true,"
Beams our haloed Alma Mater Rising toward the blue.
(Chorus)
Onward still we'll bear the banner, Gold and Royal Blue.
Hail, all Hail, dear Alma Mater, Tabor tried and true.
To a higher plain of vision And to truth and light
We are led within thy portals, Vigil of the right
(Chorus)
Glorious Mem'ries, Alma Mater, Thrill us at thy view;
We will hail thy name with rapture, Tabor we'll be true.
(Chorus)
This song is sung to the same tune that countless Alma Mater songs are sung.
I just thought that it was a fun, quirky bit of history that I would share with you.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Antsy
If I could be more antsy, I think I would be pacing the floors madly. I would walk up a path about two yards long, and then turn abruptly on my heels and walk back. There would be no nonsense in this action. I would probably whistle as I paced. Not a happy go lucky tune, but something like a fight song, or one of the battle songs of early America.
I think that we finally found an apartment. This may be contributing to my over zealous need to move, sway, pace, bike, and create. I think that if a team of psychologists studied my nervous behavior, I would be immediately put on some sort of calming drug.
It can not be contributed to change in diet or intake of caffeine. It must be Spring fever, compounded by the need for a vacation (out of state, country, or the such), complicated by the uncertain nature of my near future, and finally viewed by myself as somewhat of a quarter life crisis.
This may sound like a desperate state, but surprisingly I am happy, and do not feel the need to adjust my course as of yet.
All that I know that I need is to go swimming. I need a good afternoon at the ocean, on a beach, surrounded by no one who cares what I look like.
I think that we finally found an apartment. This may be contributing to my over zealous need to move, sway, pace, bike, and create. I think that if a team of psychologists studied my nervous behavior, I would be immediately put on some sort of calming drug.
It can not be contributed to change in diet or intake of caffeine. It must be Spring fever, compounded by the need for a vacation (out of state, country, or the such), complicated by the uncertain nature of my near future, and finally viewed by myself as somewhat of a quarter life crisis.
This may sound like a desperate state, but surprisingly I am happy, and do not feel the need to adjust my course as of yet.
All that I know that I need is to go swimming. I need a good afternoon at the ocean, on a beach, surrounded by no one who cares what I look like.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
?Quien? ?Donde? ?Porque?
So,
The duplex that I haven't written about, but thought that I might move into fell through. This has been a long line of falling through. I am going north again today to look at a couple more places. Hopefully new roommate and I will find something that we like that is available. (Thanks Lenky!)
I am going to look at another car today. I am also going to call about a couple more. Every day I keep going back and forth about fixing little Timmy. Seriously, I wanna quit all of this madness!!! I know that it is crazy, but I keep praying that someone will just drop the perfect car in my lap. (I believe in miracles)
Despite all of the drama, I am remaining mostly worry free. God has given me a super amazing peace about the entire situation. I am still having problems with the whole patience part of things, but at least I am not dwelling on the Poopyness of the situation.
Fact: It is extremely hard to be motivated to pack up ones apartment, when one does not have a moving destination.
Fact: One should not write important phone numbers down on ones hand and then use the restroom which requires the washing of hands. One will loose the phone number.
The duplex that I haven't written about, but thought that I might move into fell through. This has been a long line of falling through. I am going north again today to look at a couple more places. Hopefully new roommate and I will find something that we like that is available. (Thanks Lenky!)
I am going to look at another car today. I am also going to call about a couple more. Every day I keep going back and forth about fixing little Timmy. Seriously, I wanna quit all of this madness!!! I know that it is crazy, but I keep praying that someone will just drop the perfect car in my lap. (I believe in miracles)
Despite all of the drama, I am remaining mostly worry free. God has given me a super amazing peace about the entire situation. I am still having problems with the whole patience part of things, but at least I am not dwelling on the Poopyness of the situation.
Fact: It is extremely hard to be motivated to pack up ones apartment, when one does not have a moving destination.
Fact: One should not write important phone numbers down on ones hand and then use the restroom which requires the washing of hands. One will loose the phone number.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The passing of time
So,
Last time I posted, I was pretty down about my life situation. Honestly, not much has changed since then. Somehow the passing of time has allowed me to be at peace with everything. I do have a possibility on another place to live next year. I am going to look at it tomorrow. As far as my car goes, I am just about ready to fix it. I have looked at cars on line as well as dealerships around my area, and haven't found anything yet. I have a couple more places that I want to check with, and if those don't work, then I will be shelling out the bucks to get Little Timmy fixed.
Subject change:
Lately I have been fascinated with a show that was released as a series of movies on A&E entitled "Horatio Hornblower" which surrounds the stories of a promising youth in the British Navy during the wars with Napoleon. Some of it is a bit graphic for me, but I close my eyes or use the restroom at these times. The show is not flashy or filled with high-tech frenzy as some movies are; Instead they used real ships and real ocean shots.
When I first started watching, I decided to affect a TV crush on our hero Horatio Hornblower. I didn't feel quite alright about this crush because when the film series begins, Horatio is a stunning 17 years old. Yet, to my surprise and (feigned) delight, the films proceed the and years pass. In the episode that I watched last night, he was the full age of 25. This completely justifies my affected TV crush. (I haven't had a TV crush since I was in love with JTT in the early 90's.)
My favorite character in the series is Matthews. He is a middle aged sailor who understands more about ships than most of his senior officers. He has a great sense of humor, and also seems to always be in the right place at the right time. I have also affected a TV Crush on him.
Who knew that this summer would bring me the delights of A&E Historical Fiction?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Rough Week
Sunday: My car died
Monday: I got the depressing estimate
Tuesday: I have to decide weather to fix old car or get new car
Tuesday: I lost the apartment that I wanted in Salina
Wednesday: Has been a good day. I am praying it holds.
Monday: I got the depressing estimate
Tuesday: I have to decide weather to fix old car or get new car
Tuesday: I lost the apartment that I wanted in Salina
Wednesday: Has been a good day. I am praying it holds.
Monday, June 04, 2007
The Yard Sale
So... It happened.
The yard sale that my sister has been trying to get me to do for the past two years happened. I went home last Thursday night to finish getting things ready. We priced organized and were ready on Friday morning to get going. Too bad Friday morning wasn't ready for us. It rained, then drizzled, then stopped. We put things out (after the pre-yard sale lurkers had already given up on us) and stayed open for a little while. Then it rained and we covered with tarps. It stopped raining for a little while longer, and then it started to pour. We had a mad rush getting things onto the porch, and then we were done for Friday.
Saturday the weather was amazing, but people knew that we were already open the day before and assumed that our things had been picked over. They didn't come. The good part of Saturday was that I got to hang out with Leanna, a childhood friend who I haven't talked to in about four years.
So, Out of all of the work that I put into the project. I made about $25. Yep, I started with 6 boxes of things, and I ended with five boxes left. It goes down in my book as a flop.
Sometime in the near future, I will be going to the Good Will with my mom. At least I will completely rid myself of the extra baggage of The Yard Sale.
I will say this. It was fun sitting around on Saturday morning and afternoon with Leanna and my family. We had chilly dogs for lunch, and enjoyed the beautiful day.
The yard sale that my sister has been trying to get me to do for the past two years happened. I went home last Thursday night to finish getting things ready. We priced organized and were ready on Friday morning to get going. Too bad Friday morning wasn't ready for us. It rained, then drizzled, then stopped. We put things out (after the pre-yard sale lurkers had already given up on us) and stayed open for a little while. Then it rained and we covered with tarps. It stopped raining for a little while longer, and then it started to pour. We had a mad rush getting things onto the porch, and then we were done for Friday.
Saturday the weather was amazing, but people knew that we were already open the day before and assumed that our things had been picked over. They didn't come. The good part of Saturday was that I got to hang out with Leanna, a childhood friend who I haven't talked to in about four years.
So, Out of all of the work that I put into the project. I made about $25. Yep, I started with 6 boxes of things, and I ended with five boxes left. It goes down in my book as a flop.
Sometime in the near future, I will be going to the Good Will with my mom. At least I will completely rid myself of the extra baggage of The Yard Sale.
I will say this. It was fun sitting around on Saturday morning and afternoon with Leanna and my family. We had chilly dogs for lunch, and enjoyed the beautiful day.
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