| How to Sum up Two Years |
[25 Jun 2008|01:56pm] |
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Mahler Symphony #2, V |
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Since I last used my LJ, I:
Started & finished a B.A. in English at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan;
Picked up a digital SLR camera and bought my own a week later;
Began writing & taking pictures for ice-dance.com;
Traveled to England and fell in love with London;
Finally visited Vancouver;
Was accepted to several graduate programs;
Decided to attend Roosevelt University beginning this fall, with plans of earning an M.F.A. in creative writing;
Have decided that I love writing and plan to pursue it as a career;
Interviewed a world champion; and
Have been, in general, quite happy.
I apologize for the absence. I'm not even sure who's still around and still posts, or who even remembers me. I don't remember half the names on my friends list. So. Awesome if you remember me. Please tell me that you do, so I don't feel like I'm blindly reading random people's journals.
Last week, I was in New York and Philadelphia, and I had a fantastic time. I love big cities, and I'd never visited either before. I was first in Philly for a friend's wedding, and then I went to New York for five days, where I met my mom, who flew in from Chicago to spend the week with me. I love travelling with her because we have similar interests and she lets me navigate. I really love subways. Mom and I had a great time wandering around the various neighbourhoods and seeing some of the big attractions. It's a great city, but even dirtier than I expected it to be, and I have a pretty high tolerance for dirty cities. I mean, I love Paris. But anyway...thumbs up for New York overall. Then she left, and I went back to Philly for a day, mostly so I could go to the first day of the women's gymnastics Olympic trials. Whee!
As I always try to do when I travel, I got to meet up with some friends I hadn't seen in years (or ever, in one case!). While I was in Philly, I stayed with my friend Missy, who lived across the hall from me during my first year at Wheaton. I haven't seen her since we went to a Cubs game in spring 2005, when she graduated. When I woke up on Saturday and her husband, Matt, was on the computer in the next room, I said to him, "The last time I saw you, you were trying to wear my pink raincoat!" True story. In New York, I got to spend an afternoon with Beth, who was one of my fellow horn players at Miami. We reminisced about the days there and how neither of us were ever good enough to be in the horn studio at UM, and it was just so great to hang out with her. We haven't kept in touch too well, and I hadn't seen her since I went back to Miami for spring break 2004. And thennnn when I went back to Philly last Friday, I had lunch with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) easter, whom I've known in the LJ world for over 6 years, but had never met. We had the most delish turkey & apple sandwiches and gelaaaaato, which I LOVE, and had a lovely lunch!
Also on the topic of seeing friends, Jen, Christina, and Chele are visiting me and Jules this weekend! Yay! They get here Friday, and we're going to spend a couple of days Up North in honour of our annual summer birthday weekend. Jen's birthday is in the fall, but the rest of us are within about a month in May and June.
Aside from flitting around the country and state, I'm keeping busy by doing transcription work for my mom. She sends me tapes of focus group interviews and I transcribe them for a project she's doing. Whee. It's even more tedious than it sounds. I'm also finally almost done with my London scrapbook. I really want to finish it soon, so I can show it off to some of the girls I went to school with before I leave.
And leaving is the other big thing. My lease is up on July 15, so I'm moving back to Chicago. I'm staying with my parents for a few weeks (and most of my stuff is going to live in their basement for the year), and then on August 30, I move into graduate housing right downtown. Like, half a block from Michigan Avenue in the Loop. I'm so excited! I've always wanted to live in the city, and this is the best chance I'll ever have! Once I have my writing degree, I'll never be able to afford it. ;-)
I guess this is getting long, so I'm going to end here and get back to transcribing. I have some serious goals to meet before it's time to go pick up the girls on Friday.
I'm going to try to update this more regularly, but if you want to keep tabs on me, another good way to do so is through my photoblog. Then you also get to see photos of my travels, and a lot of figure skating shots, haha. It's at discolights.blogspot.com and sometimes, I'm even pretty good at updating regularly. Sometimes not, though.
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| I Know My Calculus - U + Me = Us |
[02 Sep 2003|12:02am] |
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None, Julie is studying |
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I'm back at school. It's awesome...I actually missed being here over the weekend. I mean, it was nice to be home, and it was super to see Will, and I enjoyed the fact that I made a lot of money even though I had to work my buns off to do so, but I did miss being here. I kept thinking about what I would be missing out on. Some girls from my floor went downtown for pizza today. Missy is raving about Giordano's, as she should be! Woohoo!
The drive back was stellar. I should drive back on Labour Day every weekend.
Last night was hilarious. I was typing a syllabus in Spanish for my mom's best friend, talking to Joannie in French, and to Jules in Finnish (butnotreally). Trilingual Mel!
Work is a bummer when I have to work with Shawn. Fortunately, I realized that Bob closes on Fridays and opens on Saturdays, which is when I will be working this semester. Two points for anyone who can guess how often I will have to work with Shawn, based on the above clues. This is a good thing. Because he drives me nuts. I get yelled at for working, I get yelled at for standing around. I'm not intelligent enough to shrink wrap PVs, even though I started at the freaking store in October of 2000. I don't know how to suncoast, even though I suncoast the shelves every night when I do returns. I don't know how to put PVs on the tables and shelves, even though I help Spring with it on Sundays when I come in. UGH! He drives me UP A WALL. I swear. Plus the fact that during the twelve hours that I worked between today and yesterday combined, I did almost $3000 on my drawer. Yeah. CRAZY.
My allergies are beating me up and I have a headache, so it's time to go to bed before I start complaining about something else. Tomorrow, I have two classes and possibly a horn lesson although Melanie never called me. I also start symphonic band rehearsals...I'm a bit nervous about that, but Brionne wrote a note on my door that said she hoped to see me there, so I guess things will be okay. Woo.
I want to go to 4CC so bad but I am worried about being able to afford it finanically and being able to afford missing all that class. It is necessary that I worry about something skating-related at all times, I have decided. What a useful existence I live!
Right...I was going to bed. Night!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Friday Five |
[31 Aug 2003|03:29pm] |
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"You" - Rascal Flatts |
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( Friday Five )
Off to work now...I actually hope it's busy so I don't have to listen to Wendy and Shawn bicker. ;)
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Procrastination Nation |
[31 Aug 2003|12:37pm] |
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"My Worst Fear" - Rascal Flatts |
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So the fun yesterday began just as I was leaving to go over to Will's when I stumbled across Seb & Utako's (isn't it funny how I always put his name first, but usually, the girl goes first? Shows how much I care about Tako Bellerina) ISU bio page. Look, their choreographers are listed as Julie Marcotte and Julie Brault and they have music. THEY HAVE MUSIC?! So yes. I called Jules right away of course. I may or may not have searched high and low both at Barnes & Noble and at Border's for "Kirwani" by David Visan. *halo* ploop No luck there, but I did download it last night and let me say...this SP is going to rock y'alls socks! Their LP is *cough*Rach2*cough* - yeah, I don't know what they were thinking either. Personally, I think it has something to do with Richard still being at Jamie & DP because that was the music they used when they fled St. Léonard. If it's the Orchid cut, I will die. Just die. Anyway. So the SP is coming up on Thursday, the LP following, and then Grand Prix assignments up the wazoo. WAHOO!
I eventually got off the phone with Jules, went into Will's house, chatted with him and his parents for a while, and then we went to Border's. He bought me the Rascal Flatts "Melt" CD which I have been wanting since it came out almost a year ago. WAHOO! It's stellar and I love it. Also went to Barnes & Noble, found the Spotlight on Skating magazine YIPPEE! The SOI guys article is primo of course, and there's a nice fat interview with Isabelle & Lloyd and you know how I feel about them. I love how they were featured in the three major skating magazines this summer. <3 Then we went to Subway for a quick bite to eat (since we were in the bookstores for...I don't know, but definitely over an hour) and swung by Hollywood to rent a movie. We ended up renting Evelyn, which I have been wanting to see, but we're always out of on VHS or something. So we rented that...I don't know how well Will liked it for sure, but I thought it was great. Highly recommend it. The little girl is just adorable. Hee. =)
So today, I went to church and now I am just sitting at home, doing my homework. Taking a quick study break between reading a chapter for education and answering some "reflective questions" to write this. Also checking for Golden West results every .4 seconds, but that's another story altogether.
Anyway, I need to start writing about qualities from previous teachers I have had that I would like to emulate.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Happy Birthday, Crystal! |
[30 Aug 2003|12:40pm] |
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AIM is being such a punk. I can't even stay signed online. It doesn't matter, though, because I am going to run errands with my mom in Orland. Labour Day Weekend + Orland = people + pushing + traffic. Ugh. Anyway. I guess I'll be back sometime this century. ;)
Happy Birthday, Crystal!
I don't know if you'll read this or not, but if you do, I hope you have a stellar stellar day and yes, I do have 98 Canadians tapes still and I'll make you a copy of the exhibitions. :) You're on my list. ;)
My mom is yelling at me to go...I'm off!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Someone Needs to Make an Annie Bellemare Compilation |
[29 Aug 2003|12:05pm] |
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None, Anne-Marie is studying |
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I didn't get into orchestra. I didn't really expect to. I'm not upset. They took six horns. I guess I'll try again next semester. Brionne is cool. I'll get to rock out Symphonic Band with her and some other horns...guess I haven't met them yet. So that starts Tuesday, only I'm not sure if I have to sign up or if I just show up. Eek.
I'm going home soon. I need to clean up my stuff, pack some of it up, register my car, and get on the road. Fun stuff. Mom wants me to stop in to see her office first, if I take the tollway home. Depends on traffic.
I peeked at the schedule for the Lyric Opera a little bit ago. I desperately want to go to two of the six operas they're doing this season: Siegfried (mmmm Wags) this fall and Madame Butterfly in the spring. I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford Siegfried this fall, though. We'll see. Jules, let me know if you are up for the opera buddy system for either of those. ;)
So I guess I should get going. I work at 8 tonight, that'll be fun. Doesn't Bob close on Fridays? Oh, the joy!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Classes at Wheaton: the Skinny |
[28 Aug 2003|06:53pm] |
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"Daddy's Car" - The Cardigans |
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World Music: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9.15 to 10.20. I admit, I'm not entirely thrilled about this class. At UM, there was a World Music course, I think, but it was highly optional. Here, it's highly not optional. The professor, Dr. Kastner, seems swell. She just got back from sabbatical and apparently, she's got all sorts of new things to share with us for our class. The high points are a lack of exams, other than the final, and a lack of a paper! Woo! Grading is done based on the final, class participation, and notes. When we have reading assignments, we have to take notes and she grades those. That's not too stellar because it means I actually have to read them (*angel* ploop), but it's not horrendous. I have an assignment due tomorrow, actually. I'm looking forward to studying the music of Russia & Tuva on the last Wednesday of class. Other than that, I'm not too excited, but I should get through it just fine. Big negative is that the final is on the morning that I leave for Gotta Skate weekend...yeah, like I'm going to be able to concentrate!
Conducting: Mondays & Wednesdays, from 12.45 to 1.50. WAHOO! We get to conduct Copland, Bach, and Beethoven this semester. I'm soooo excited! We're starting with Beethoven's Eroica Symphony (#3), first and second movements. I'm not crazy about Eroica - my fave Beet symphony is #6 by far, but still, it's a complicated piece and an honour to conduct it! My class is almost all seniors, but there's some really nice people and the instructor, Dr. Sommerville, is stellar, and this is going to be just awesome. I'm pumped, yo. I love conducting so much. Next semester, I'll take choral conducting and I'm not sure what this "Honors Conducting" business is, but I am already thinking about trying to get into that and doing that for my senior year, first semester. Woo.
Sight Singing/Ear Training: Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 8.30 to 9.20. I guess we alternate days for this one and today was Ear Training. I'm not so great at this, honestly, and I hate that I worked my butt off to finish my requirement at Miami and now I have to take at least two more courses in it. =/ Ugh! This is going to be my downfall, I am serious. I've gone all the stuff before, but I'm just terrible at it. Yikes. Yeah. But I don't feel like I should move down a level because I've done all of this already - it doesn't matter that I've covered all of this, I just stink. =/ So...um...I hope I pass, preferably with a B or better.
Education: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11.15 to 1.05. This one is a course on developmental psychology of education, etc. Basically, I took this second half of first semester, freshman year, but it will be interesting to have this taught from a Christian perspective, plus I need the practicum requirement, so I have to take it. The practicum will place me into a middle school as a teacher aide and that will be fun! I'm excited about that. My professor for the class part is Dr. Barwegen and she is PRIMO. Seriously, within the first five minutes, I knew I would like her. Plus, I think we have a great class - we all introduced ourselves and there's so many different experiences...a guy who grew up in Sao Paulo, a girl who is from Zimbabwe (No Jules, I didn't ask if she was a figure skater...but maybe I should use her as our in for their 2006 Olympic team!), all sorts of personalities and various qualities. I'm actually excited about an Education course - this is a first. I'm so glad I waited to take most of my Ed reqs until I got here. 24982093284029842 times better than Spero's class. Ha!
Horn Lessons: Melanie is super! No, I'm not speaking in the third person...my horn teacher's name is Melanie, which is a tad confusing. I've been telling the other horn players that they can call me Mel if that makes it easier, so most people have been doing that in order to distinguish. Or they could call me Melanie-the-sucky-horn-player. That works too. I had my first lesson yesterday and it went pretty well, as opposed to yesterday's audition. She gave me a lot of stuff to work on and I actually had plenty to keep me busy for an hour today in the practice without really noticing that an hour had gone by. I'm looking forward to studying with her, sort of. I'm not crazy about playing horn, especially alone, but I know that she can teach me quite a few things. Yeah.
So like I said, I practiced for an hour today, which was good. I could have stayed longer except my lips were shot. Hopefully, I can build up some endurance so I can work on perhaps 90 minute practice sessions, when I have time. I guess my time will become more rare once I get placed into an ensemble. Audition results go up tomorrow. =/ Yikes! I'm a little a lot shaking in my boots nervous, even though I can't imagine why they would place me in orchestra, I just hate to completely give up hope. But I know it's highly unrealistic. Ah, the perils of being an optimist.
I have to go read and take notes for World Music and I should probably stop making so much noise and playing music and whatnot so Anne-Marie can read for her class too. On the Melanie agenda is: World Music & Chapel tomorrow morning, then registering for a parking permit, lunch, and heading home pre-Friday-traffic, I hope! I'm working tomorrow night, closing, and then I'm off Saturday. I don't know about Sunday and Monday just yet.
Jules, I had a dream about JSF describing his hands en francais. It was the weirdest thing, but I made myself remember so I could tell you. Hahaha.
In skating news (and what would one of my journal entries be without that?!), Ryan Bradley has declined Finlandia, but the St. Joseph Press published an article about him, so he definitely is in training and he's competing Golden West this weekend, where he should win, unless Braden Overett beats him. And Braden shouldn't, because Ryan just kicks Braden's butt. Ryan kicks most everyone's butt. And Ryan has a quad. A good one. Hinzmann & Parchem are going to Finlandia, and Katey and I have decided to cheer for Aaron butnotMarcy. Jamie Salé got lasik eye surgery and I'm jealous. =P But when am I not jealous of Ms. Perky Brunette? Only a week until UW (hey, her initials are like ew!) and JSF show how it's done at Nebelhorn. 32 days until I sit on ice at Dreams on Ice and get to meet Jo-flipping-sée and Jamie & DP again and Isabelle & Lloyd and Kurt because I'm still holding out for a surprise guest appearance by him. ;) And 52 days until Michael Bublé helps us all rock out Gotta Skate.
Okay, now I'm really done.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Surveyaholics |
[28 Aug 2003|02:04pm] |
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"Am I Ever Gonna Find Out" - Lifehouse |
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( Survey Again )
Classes are going okay. I have homework tonight, I have to practice, and I have to buy more books. So I'm off to do that. Maybe.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Not-So-Good News |
[28 Aug 2003|07:45am] |
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I wish, after that entry that I wrote yesterday, that I could come on here and say that everything went peachy keen last night...but it didn't. I guess that's just a part of growing.
I played...badly. I clipped a whole lot of my notes, my tempo on the first Beethoven excerpt wasn't steady, I forgot some key dynamic things and I even made a huge transposition error in the Wagner. They even had me skip the Dvorak. =/ So it was pretty bad and I don't anticipate being placed in the orchestra.
I came back to my room in tears and cried for a while on my bed, lamenting my woes about hating the horn to Anne-Marie, who listened kindly and tried to make me feel better. I was glad that I had invested in a package of Mint 'n' Creme Oreos during the day. Then I stopped crying, got off of my bed and watched some skating on computer, specifically programs that I know the dance moves to. coughTrustATrycough. coughBlowUpAGoGocough. coughLTScough. Anyway...Julie came back and made me a frappucino, which was awesomely awesome of her. We went to the floor meeting forty minutes after my original breakdown and I was fine. I think Holly sent Brionne, another horn player in the building, to come talk to me later on, so it was nice to chat with her. She lives upstairs and she said I'm welcome anytime if I need to plot with someone to throw my horn off a cliff. Hahaha.
So I guess my goal now is just to be happy wherever I am placed. If I get placed into Symphonic Band, at least I won't be the only junior - Brionne didn't even try for orchestra. I'm upset because I miss orchestra so much and I really don't know a lot of major orchestral works, simply because I've barely had the opportunity to play in good orchestras. And I'm upset because I haven't had a good audition/jury/recital since high school. Ugh. But still...at least I'm here and not far away in sticky Miami. I'm thankful for that.
And with that, I need to go finish getting ready for class. I'll do a full classes report after the two that I have today or something.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| It's funny... |
[26 Aug 2003|11:04pm] |
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Julie is colouring something...that's the only noise |
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...how God always gets His way. And when you try to make things go a different way, He just reaffirms that His way is best.
I didn't want to go to Wheaton at first. Not while I was first looking at colleges. There were a million people telling me to apply at Wheaton. But no, it wasn't for me. I didn't want to be the typical Moraine kid who went to a pre-approved Christian college and made everyone in the church proud. I wanted to do what I thought was best. I went to a school that was flashy, with neon colours and a tropical climate, that had big name musicians and a tradition of greatness. I went to a school that had colourful people and a diverse population, one that would shape me as a musician and prepare me for teaching.
And...I ended up being miserable. Not because the school was terrible. On the contrary, it was wonderful. I learned so much and I knew it would prepare me immensely well for whatever got thrown my way. I was miserable because I was too far from home and ultimately, because I was going against God's plan.
So He got His way. I applied, auditioned, survived plane engine failure en route to the audition, and was accepted. And then I got here.
And I love it.
So for the past few days, I've been walking around, just taking in the campus, being so incredibly happy that I can barely deal with it, praising God for bringing me here, thanking Him for always knowing best. It's perfect for me.
And then tonight. I decided to go practice for my audition. It was dreadful. I only lasted forty minutes and I wanted to crawl in a hole and die afterwards. I practiced again later on, this time for only twenty minutes. Similar results. I walked back to my dorm slowly, trying to put into perspective everything that I was feeling. I hate playing my horn alone. I have for a while now and that makes practicing one of the worst things ever. How could I deal with this every day? What used to give me such joy had become the part of my day I dread most. What had become of my precious major? What was going to become of me.
Filled with doubts, wanting an escape, just some way that I could go home and hide from the reality of being a "sub-par" horn player, I trudged through the hallway on my floor, toward the bathroom. I needed to wash the residue from the tears off my face. I wasn't sure if I had a plan after that.
As I was entering the bathroom, Holly, my RA, stopped me from the doorway of her room across the hall. "Melanie, you look tired," she commented. "No, I'm just...mad," I admitted. She asked why and everything tumbled out of my mouth...how I hate playing the horn, how I hate myself for not practicing enough this summer. I told her about how I'm scared for my audition tomorrow and there's nothing I can do.
"Well...have you ever tried practicing with someone else?"
And there it was. In a simple question, she solved one of my biggest problems of the past year. She told me about how she practiced with another horn player and it just reminded them that they love playing and really encouraged them and motivated them. Why hadn't I ever thought of this?
And as I walked into the bathroom after our short conversation was done, I couldn't help but thank God - thank Him for Holly, thank Him for putting her in her doorway the second I was passing it, thank Him for reaffirming His plan for me and that He has reasons for me to be here. I thanked Him for the talent He gave me...even if it isn't as much talent as so many other musicians I know, it's plenty. Plenty for His purporses, for His plans. He's given me just exactly what I need for the life I live in Him.
So I end today, after a blended roller coaster of ups and downs, on an up, excited for my first class tomorrow and for the plans that will be carried out during this semester here. I have an audition tomorrow night at 7.54, central time. Pray for me if you think of it...I get really nervous. I also have my first lesson at 3.15. I just hope I don't forget to go or something! It would be just like me to do such a thing. I have done such a thing before. =/
Anyway...to my UM friends that are also starting tomorrow, good luck to y'all! =)
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Summer Memories & Fall Beginnings |
[25 Aug 2003|10:29am] |
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"Lift" - Audio Adrenaline |
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( Summer Survey )
Everything is awesome here, still. I know y'all are probably tired of my gushes, but you know what? Deal with it. ;)
Last night, we had "grubfest." All the new students were split into about 40 groups and we all went to houses of faculty and alumni who live nearby. I went to the Bailey residence...Vicky graduated from here in 92. They have three CUTE kids, Bradley, Bond, & Maggie. ADORABLE, especially Maggie! I chatted with Vicky...I'm going to try out their church in two Sundays, Harvest Bible Church, and she wants me to babysit their kids sometime. That would be SWELL. I heart babysitting!
After that, we had New Student Worship all together and that was just...amazing. I hadn't worshipped like that since Teen Camp at LGYC a year ago. And they had a guy speak a little bit and he said the most amazing thing. He called the earth a "perpetual kaleidescope of sunrises and sunsets." It just struck me. I want to write a book and incorporate that, lol. Seriously, it was inspiring. Wow. And the worship was just...wow. It was awesome to be in that chapel with a few hundred other students...all complete strangers, but all with a common love for Christ. Amazing. <3
This morning, I had to take a quantitative skills test to get out of the math requirement. I should have passed it, and if I didn't, I was probably close, so I will retake it next semester if I need to. It was a little hard for my rusty ole brain and I had to make some random guesses, but oh well. I'm not worried.
I have to go meet with Dr. Funk after my transfers meeting at 1.00 today. He's some Conserv guy and I guess we're going to get my schedule figured out. In fact, I think I'm going to go look at my book. Tootles.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Good Times! |
[23 Aug 2003|11:52pm] |
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Transfer bowling was tonight and I tell you, I just had a blast. I kept doing my "happy dance" and I even bowled two decent scores for me, a 96 and an 85. Woohoo! I bowled with four girls from my side of my floor - Annie, Missy, Jessica, and Natalie, and a girl who lives elsewhere, Sarah. Jessica is so sweet and quiet...she reminds me of Barbie, so of course I am drawn to her, you know? And Missy and Natalie are both super cool. Missy is really down-to-earth and easy to chat with. Annie...is just CRAZY! So much fun, we had a blast together! Holly, our RA, hung out with us too and she is STELLAR. She's a junior too, so I feel like she's more of a peer than like...an authority figure. I always felt like Jenni, my RA last year, kind of peered down at us from her lofty position or something. Anyway...the people here are all AWESOME. Seriously...everyone is nice. Everyone loves Jesus, everyone is open to making friendships with everyone else...I feel like I'm at a year-long retreat or something. I LOVE IT HERE!
Anne-Marie got here today! She's from Ohio, not Norway, but she lived in Norway last year and she's been everywhere. So has Julie. I've never been in a place where I was a less experienced traveler than my close peers, so it's kind of humourous! I'm the youngest one in the room, but I'm a junior...Anne-Marie is a soph and Julie is a freshman, although she might get more courses transferred. And that's Mel's roommates 101. Quiz tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, I am going to Wheaton Bible Church...I think it's where Anita and some other people I know from Lake Geneva (the camp I worked at last summer) go, so I am pumped about that. Guess I should get to bed soon!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| I'm HEEERRREEE! |
[22 Aug 2003|11:57pm] |
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Air conditioning whirring |
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Well! Let's just say that it is a relief to FINALLY have my net access squared away. It was supposed to be up at 1 this afternoon, but I had some big problems. I was so glad to find it working tonight! I was feeling cut off from the world...no radio, no working TV, and my cell phone doesn't work too great in my room.
I had to move in by myself last night and it was the hottest day we've had in two years! Crazy, I tell ya. Well...and stressful/emotional. At one point, I really did break down into tears. I couldn't find a parking spot in the lot by my dorm and I had to lug my stuff up a hill and by the time I got to my room, I was having asthma problems and I had to find my inhaler and it was just a mess. I laid on my bed for about half an hour before going back, getting my car, and resolving to sit in the lot next to my dorm until someone pulled out. Fortunately, someone did just as I was driving up and I parked easily and after about an hour, got almost everything inside.
I had a scary moment during which I thought we weren't allowed to have TVs in our rooms. Said moment lasted about 24 hours, actually. I figured...I'm okay with American Idol, because I live in a girls' dorm...I'm sure people would be watching it in the lounge. BUT...what about skating? I was horrified at the thought of missing the whole season, or having to tape it all at home and never getting a chance to watch it all. But...the good news is that we can have TVs, just not cable in the rooms, so my mom is bringing up a pair of rabbit ears to antenna-ize it and I hope that works, at least for ABC and NBC and such.
One of my roommates got here tonight. Her name's Julie and she seems nice...her and her mom were both really stressed, and I think her mom was sort of mad at me? I don't know...I was a little scared. =/ But anyway...we're starting to get things situated...I sure wish Anne-Marie would get here soon, though!
I have been meeting some really great people. Holly is my RA and she's so sweet, as is Lauren down the hall. I also talked to the other RAs in my dorm, Kate and Melissa, and they were so nice. I met some other people at the transfer event-thing tonight...a Katie and another girl from my floor, Marion. Oh, and Natalie, my next-door neighbour, who I hadn't managed to meet on the floor yet! LOL. Everyone here is so nice, the campus is gorgeous...I feel like I'm going to do all right here.
It's such a relief. Well, enough dilly-dallying. I have to be up at 8 tomorrow to go to some sessions at 9 and 10.15 and then a dreaded theory placement test at 11. =O I'm a little scared, but I hope I do all right. And then my mommy is coming back, I miss her already. =/ I think it will be better once I have a full floor and start making some friends. In fact, I am sure!
Everyone - I miss you!
Jules - Thanks so much for chatting with me last night...really, it helped me calm down a bit. I know I sounded all carefree and happy, but I was actually having a pretty crappy day until I got the chance to relax and not think about how scary a new school was anymore. ;)
Amy - You & Vic, love the couple picture! Hahahaha!
Elmo - I miss you so much, it's crazy! I met someone from my floor who transferred from Taylor and I just couldn't stop talking about how Em is going there now. She says it's a great place and you'll love it. :) I'm sure I will be calling you when I get a free minute, hopefully like Sunday afternoon.
Everyone (again) - I miss talking to you! I feel so out of touch after like two days without the net, haha.
Time for bed for me!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| SCARED |
[21 Aug 2003|12:30pm] |
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So now that it's 12:30, I'll be on the road by 1, the car is packed, and I'm ready to go...I'm scared. Panicking. Terrified. I DON'T WANT TO GO!
I'm freaking out...really. I mean, if I hated school while I was at Miami, what's to say I'll like it any better here? How will I make myself go to class? What am I forgetting? Did I bring too much? I don't have any friends there. What if everyone hates me? What if my roommates are jerks? What if they think I'm a jerk?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Okay, I'm done. It's going to be a great semester, I'm going to go to class, I'm going to do well, I'm going to play well enough at my audition to get into the orchestra, I'm not going to be last chair, I'm going to be happy, and I'm going to make friends.
There.
All better.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Moving... |
[21 Aug 2003|09:35am] |
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"Security" - Stacie Orrico |
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Just a heads up to everyone: I'm moving into my dorm today, so I am not sure when I will have net access. I know my first year at Miami, it took a few days to get my net account set up, so this may be the case at Wheaton as well. Hopefully, I will be back soon. <3
( Gymnastics Worlds Spoilers Inside )
All right, with that over, I leave you with a few final notes.
Sarah & Christina - if you girls go to that thing in the K., I cannot wait to hear alllll about it! Please take notes on Pascal Denis...costume, hair, everything, and if you meet him, you must get a picture with him so I can be jealous forever. Hahahahahahaahahaahhhaahah!
Kristin - What's a West Side Story?
Em (if you read this) - I miss you and I know I need to call you and find out what was going on the other day. I hope everything is okay and I will try to give you a call Saturday or Sunday when I have free weekends, depending on what is going on with orientation and everything.
Tru - Hope you have a good trip, see you...ugh, not till Christmas? :(
Kates - I am about to IM you with slightly freaky news!
Jules - PINK LANYARDS FOREVER. Oh, and there is a highly amusing post in the DOI thread on stupid-people.com..."Where's Windsor?" I think I am going to reply and tell her that it's near Lima.
Lacey - Sorry I couldn't chat too much last night...I was so busy! <3 you!
Smiles,
~Mel~
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| Oh, will the fun ever end?! |
[20 Aug 2003|01:52pm] |
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"I Drove All Night" - Céline Dion |
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I have another virus. The fun never stops around these parts, I TELL YOU.
Speaking of fun, I am packing! You know how much I love that. It's only because I am leaving for more than a week that I am starting early. Early as in starting a day early, but procrastinating really bad, because all I have done is box up my CDs. =/ Oops. I need to get on that, but I think I will run by H-wood and see if checks are in first. Sounds good to you? Oh yeah. I need to drop off my movie anyway. Rented Lord of the Rings last night. I saw it in theatres over Christmas break, but it was a good the second time around as well, especially because I know I'll be seeing the third one fairly soon and they'll stop annoying me with their cliffhanger endings. I haven't read the books...so I'm just afraid that Legolas is going to die and then I'll be sad because he's my favourite character and he has mad crossbow skills.
I still have cramps and it stinks really bad. I'm just not having a good day. Oh well, it happens, and tomorrow is a new start. Tomorrow, I leave and I move into my dorm. That's exciting. I looked at the housing calendar and international students are allowed to move in early, so Anne-Marie should be there. That's good. Hopefully, she's all unpacked because three people unpacking at once will be insane. I don't know when Julie is arriving - but either tomorrow afternoon like me or Friday morning, I imagine.
The good thing about today is that I got my car back and it's fixed and it didn't cost too much and my stepdad paid it. Phew. So I have brakes now. I just keep thinking about how it's a good thing we didn't take it to Canada because I probably would have lost my brakes while I was turning right from the middle lane in Montreal or something. Yeah, so that's a good thing.
Oh, and Flo and Kat: I know you are always looking for Victor Kraatz hair news and I thought of you girls when I was watching CTV coverage of Four Continents today. In the K&C after the OD, Debbi Wilkes goes on this "I love Vic's short hair" tangent. It was hilarious.
Anyway...it's either back to packing or off to the video store & bank for me. I'll decide when I walk back in my room and see how scary it is. I swear...the stuff gets up and walks around when I'm not in there.
Or maybe I just have gremlins living in there.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Cramps are bad yes indeed |
[19 Aug 2003|05:35pm] |
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 moody |
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So today was eventful. I worked with my mom's friend all day, addressing envelopes for some Salvation Army orphanage thing, sorting papers, and then helping her buy a CD player. I'm just so versatile, I can assist with anything from paperwork to technology! Ha. Oh, and the fun part was that part of the errands mission was going to be dropping off her car to get a tune-up and me following her in my car so she wouldn't be stranded.
Until I get in my car, back out of the driveway, and realize that the brakes are on crack and I am, therefore, not driving it. Yeah.
So we go to Orland anyway (I have this love/hate relationship with Orland...today, it was HATE!) and the traffic is awful and I have cramps and Office Max wasn't too bad, but Circuit City made me mad because we found the CD player we wanted and then there was no one to help us and then it was out of stock and then he's trying to convince us that she needs a 32-track programming system. I don't think she even knows how to put two CDs in a five-CD changer and switch between them. So I put my foot down, they order the cheaper model, we go to the auto shop, the guy there agrees to give us a ride back to her house.
I call Terry to come pick me up at her house and he's only five mins from the place where we are, so he just comes to pick me up. He literally made me jump into a moving car on 159th St & LaGrange, aka the busiest intersection in the WORLD. Well, maybe not the world. But the area. Yeah.
And then the traffic is so bad that it takes like 45 mins to get home. We're talking 5 or 6 miles here. =P Grrrr Orland!
So right now, after some really gross spaghetti (the next time my mom buys crappy spaghetti sauce in a jar, remind me to boycott), I am off to work. To close. Uhhh...thank goodness it's with Jenny because if I was closing with Wendy and Shawn again, my life would be over...AGAIN.
But things that make me happy include planning a trip to Four Continents. I made Montreal work, didn't I? Of course I did. And I made $80 today, which is going into the Four Continents fund! Never mind that I am over $400 in debt to my mom. Oops. Ploop.
I really need to get my butt going. It's 5.42 and I work at 6. And I have to take my mom's car and my driving CD of choice is in my car, which is still dead at Cheri's house. Byes.
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Making Out Like Bandits! |
[16 Aug 2003|03:10pm] |
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accomplished |
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SHAUN GROVES <3333 |
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First of all, the subject of this entry does not refer to passionate kissing as criminals do. I just want to clarify that. Thank you.
So we made out like bandits shopping today. Mom and I hit the mall first, with a few objectives: underwear for her, bras for me, and jeans for me. We went to the underwear section first and lo and behold, what a sale, what a sale! I ended up getting five bras for $32. They're satin and comfy - and they're $14.99 each normally. Well, they were buy one, get the second for 88 cents and then we got a free one because my mom filled up her bra card. Yay for bras! I have two pink ones, a white one, a beige one, and a sapphire blue one. =D My mom got some undies, plus I got a slip. The total was $46 and we saved over $60. CRAZY. So what does my mom do? She says, "Hey, I need a coat." So we buy a coat and since we actually found one that we both like, she said I can fight her for it when I'm home. It's light blue and a little suedish on the outside and fleecey on the inside. Not a real depths-of-winter coat, but nice to wear before it gets below like 20.
Then, it's off to Express for jeans. I normally really dislike Express, but I have had Express jeans before and I enjoy them, plus we had a $15 off any purchase thing from the mail. So the jeans are already on sale for $29.50, we get a pair, then we get a black belt for $20 since the jeans were so cheap, and then I opened an Express card, so we got 15% off. Sweet deal! $32 for jeans and a leather belt.
So after that, it's Office Max time and that wasn't quite as stellar salesy, so I'll just say we got me some school supplies and not elaborate. But then...oh....then...Family Christian Stores. I like it when they send my mom coupons because then she says, "Hey, I'll buy you stuff!"
SHAUN GROVES HAS A NEW CD, WHY WASN'T I AWARE??????
So needless to say, she bought me the new Shaun Groves CD, plus the Stacie Orrico CD, and she got the OLD Amy Grant Collection CD (from like 1986 - she has it on a record album) and Michael W. Smith's "Worship Again." I'll be making myself a spare copy of both. Plus, we preordered the new Amy Grant CD that comes out on Tuesday, and all together, with our 25% off coupon, it was only $50 for five CDs.
I am such a little bargain nazi! Hahahaha.
Anyway...we're thinking about switching wireless phone companies to AT&T...anyone use AT&T? Thoughts? Feelings? We've ruled out Sprint (too expensive), Cingular (too expensive), and Verizon (too sucky). We have T Mobile now and I hate it, mostly because I don't get a signal when I'm driving on highways surrounded by trees and with the condition of my car, that scares me, and I only get a signal when it's feeling nice to me. =/ Anyway. Comment, share.
I have to work tonight, 6-close. And I have to go put the virus patch on my parents' computer before my mom has a heart attack. She's insane. Ahhhh. So this is all.
In conclusion: shopping + bargains + bras + CDs + jeans = THUMBS UP!
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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| Mmmm Clay |
[15 Aug 2003|10:51am] |
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rushed |
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music |
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"No More Sad Songs" - Clay Aiken |
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Clay Aiken is so rocktastique, as is Nick Lachey, but Jessica Simpson's new video with him is really really dumb. Way to be annoying, Nick and Jess. I even like them together when they are being genuinely cute, but the video was just dumb. And that's Music News with Mel.
Mel's Life News with Mel includes things like working, running errands for my mom's friend who had surgery recently, and watching a lot of skating. I don't know when the last time I updated was...I guess Tuesday. Wednesday morning, I went to brunch with Will at Lumes (best pancake house EVER) and then he went away. ='( Wednesday night, I worked. Yesterday, I did stuff for Cheri. Last night, we went out for my mom's birthday. Today, I'm going over to Cheri's again to help her with more things. Tonight, I'm going to do some college shopping with my mom and then hopefully get a hold of Glenna and hang out with her a bit. <3
And that's life.
( Skating babble )
Smiles,
~Melbo~
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