when it rains...

...it pours. two posts in two days. what a concept. :)

I have my paper done, my theology, philosophy, seminar, language, and most of my math homework done. And it's only Saturday afternoon. It's a wonderful feeling, but slightly strange. There isn't anything hanging over my head, but it feels like there should be.

We went to a funeral this morning. It was very lovely. There were an incredible amount of people involved: the Bishop concelebrated with Fr. Louis and then there were another eight priests there, there were ten or so altar servers, the schola sang and the church where it was held was absolutely full. The whole thing was just awesomely beautiful.

The Christmas tree is up and decorated. This is because I'm not done with finals until seven days before Christmas and probably won't manage to get home until a day or two later. So, since they wanted to do it with me rather than without me, it went up the day after Thanksgiving. All of the other decorations are out as well, along with the music. It doesn't really feel very Christmasy, in spite of it all. I suppose it will more when I get back from my first semester!

Which is when I will write again, probably. So, until then, God bless!

whoops

I kinda forgot this thing existed. So, if any of you are inordinately patient and are still out there, I sincerely apologize.

What have I been doing since the beginning of October? Everything! Well, maybe not everything, but life has definitely been whirlwind chock full of firsts. I've gotten my grades back from my bug project, my first paper returned, first formal dance, first this, first that...

Some weeks are mellow and some weeks feel surreal. It seems like they decide, every once in a while, to pile an impossible amount of things on top of us at once. Those weekends are painful, but there's always time for fun. Even if they're just little moments on my way to class or at meals, they make me smile and carry me through the day.

I'm home for Thanksgiving... unlimited internet access is a nice treat, but I'm thankful I don't have it at school. A lack of wi-fi forces me to be consistently and efficiently productive.

But more about school. There are days I want to cry and days when I maniacally giggle frequently. Days when I can't focus in class and days when I can't stop talking. Days when two hours of work study flies by and days when I can feel every single minute dragging by. Days when I just throw on comfy clothes and days when I feel somewhat put together. Days when I leap out of bed with a smile and days when I roll out with a groan. But I'm happy. Really, truly, sincerely happy. I've got wonderful new friends who are learning about the Natural Faculties and Interpretation right alongside me.

I don't know when I'll post again... maybe Christmas break. Finals are right around the corner and there's a dance in between. Time certainly flies...

If people are out there, I'll talk to you soon. If not... well, it wouldn't be the first time I've talked without someone listening. :)

TGIF!!!

It's FRIDAY!!! Isn't that exciting??? And I have Monday off!!!!!! whoopie!!!!!

But I can't be entirely happy, though. A little girl who is very close to me is terribly, terribly ill and desperately needs a miracle to get better. Please pray for her and for her family.

Story Time

I was sitting at a table in the commons eating brunch with a group of 6 or 7 people, but this story only concerns three of us, so we will be the only ones mentioned. The reactions of everyone else I will leave to your imaginations. :)

Mama Goose: (gets up to leave and addresses me) "Don't you dare go anywhere, 'cause I'm coming right back."
Me: (my mouth full of food) *nods head in assent*
Mama Goose gets about five steps away
Silly Junior Boy: "I'll steal her away!"
Mama Goose turns around
Me: (laughs) "Don't worry, I'm not leaving."
Mama Goose leaves
Silly Junior Boy gets up, grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me away.
I comply.
We scurry across the commons and hide around a corner
Silly Junior Boy: "Alright, missy, what shall we do now?"
Me: "I don't know, you're the one who kidnapped me."
Silly Junior Boy: "Ok.... how about a night on the town?"
Me: "Ummmm, ok..... works for me."
Silly Junior Boy: "Or a hot chocolate from the coffee shop?"
Me: (grin really big) "Sounds even better."

Three minutes later, Mama Goose hasn't come back and discovered I'm gone

Silly Junior Boy: "Well, I guess we'd better go" (holds out his arm)
I take his arm and we begin to walk across the commons. We get about halfway across when he realizes that since we're not at a dance, the physical contact would be construed as PDA. We drop arms and he ushers me (without touching me) back to my seat.

The End. :D

Dancing!

One of the primary sources of amusement around here is the frequent dances that go on. As freshmen, many of the dances are put on in our honor. The freshmen/sophomore dance was two weeks ago and the freshman/senior one was last night. I'll give you a little account (and a couple of pictures) from both. :)

The theme of Indians and Pilgrims prevailed at the first dance. The sophomore were all decked out in feathers and war paint welcoming the freshmen pilgrims into the "New World" of TAC. The sophomores lively and exuberant attitude made for a fun-filled evening. It was a crazy, loud, happy occasion for everyone involved. Different techniques were employed to 1) get everyone dancing and 2) to get the freshmen dancing with the sophomores. One of the most wonderful aspects of the TAC dances is that everyone dances with everyone else. No one is excluded and the atmosphere is very welcoming to all involved.

The second dance had a more formal theme: 1930s Hollywood Mystery Night. The food that was served was absolutely smashing; the seniors definitely pulled out all of the stops. The lighting was exquisite, the music was well chosen and the decorations were lovely. I had no idea one could make a parking lot look so appealing. :D And while the dance was not quite so exciting and energetic, it was still very, very fun. The more mature seniors added an element of sanity and, well, maturity to the atmosphere.

But here are a couple of pictures for you all to enjoy!

Is Anybody Out There?

If anyone is, I must commend you on your patience. I haven't gotten around to any posting in weeks - Euclid and Homer have seen to that :D

But I'm loving it here! In addition to the academic rigors of college life, the social aspects make it vastly entertaining. The girls are all sweethearts, the boys are very.... um.... amusing, and the general atmosphere lend to frequent hilarity. I'm going to take advantage of the fact that I actually have some time today to post and give you some pictures.




The first one is from our tug of war and mud fight afternoon. The freshmen dominated (as usual) the tug of war and were very spirited in the mud flinging that followed.

The second is from our freshman games, and I believe he is consuming a live goldfish. :)

It's amazing here.... but part of that amazingness comes from the fact that it is so focused on Catholicism and academics. And speaking of academics, I'd better get back to my Homer...

until next time!

Last Things

In 48 hours, I will be on my college campus. I will be spending my first night in my first dorm room with my first roommate (besides my sister, of course). I will have said goodbye to my parents and brother and will not see them until Halloween.

I'm mostly packed, but there are still a few important odds and ends to collect from their nooks and crannies where they have been residing for years. I have a fairly reasonably-sized pile of things in the living room. It's organized and I have written down where everything is, for easy access later. I'll be taking the back bench out of the van tomorrow, so the stuff will fit easily and nicely in for the trip up.

And I have begun to make a small dent in the list of people that I have to say goodbye too. No, actually, it's a fairly sizable chunk, but that doesn't make the remaining ones any easier. One of the hardest goodbyes, in all honesty (and this is going to sound terrible) is my doggies. Despite their silliness, I really do love them both. I'll miss Sam's snuggles in the morning and Wanda's snoring while she begs for food. I have said goodbye to my sister's schoolmates, who have really been my primary social circle during the last year. My Godsister was also at that party, along with her husband and very little baby boy. I have not yet said goodbye to the homeschool circle, but I hope to manage to tomorrow. I said my goodbyes to the work crowd last Friday and the choir on Sunday.

But I'll be back home before I know it I suppose. Thanksgiving is only a few months away and shortly after that is Christmas. Then there is the Easter holiday and then it shall be summer again. I'm not dying or anything :D