New York House!

Why didn't I take my camera?!? I take it everywhere!! Well, Mackenzie, Kendra, Whitney, Tyler, Heidi, Kevin, and myself all went to New York House on Main and High Street, in Muncie! It was fabulous of course!! We got little laterns, candy, raman noodles, braclets, earrings, bananas, green tea...and Heidi got PANTYHOSE!! How awkward!! But that's NY House for ya!! He brought out these HUGE ribs and a massive plate of pork!! The five of them ate it all!! He made me a giagantic plate of stir fry vegtables. It was wonderful as always. Everyone paid $6 and the drinks were endless. This place is an experience. If you ever want to go, tell me, and I'll take you! Because I love it and we'll have a great time!!

The first time I went was with Jacob, Mike, Matt, Kristen, and Rachel (who was lucky enough to be visiting me!!) There is nothing like going for the first time, but everytime it gets better and more priceless!!

The almond cookies are always great too!! Good times, good times!

Goin' back!

Indianapolis to Baltimore
7/21/06
6:30 pm - 9:44 pm
US AirwaysUS Airways

Baltimore to Indianapolis
7/26/06
3:13 pm - 6:18 pm
US AirwaysUS Airways

It's official!! I'm going back to see everyone in July when my classes are over!!! I can't wait!!

Beautiful summer, poopy daddy.

I love the summer, I can't express it! The warmth, the sun, the light, the long days, the flowers, the green, the bike rides, the runs, the fresh fruit and vegetables, mmm...I can't get enough!

I read outside today for a long time, I think I maybe a tad burned, but not too much. I did a lot of laundry and got my groceries for the week. I bought corn too, I hope it's delicious!!

My dad hasn't congratulated me or anything and it really hurts my feelings. I know he doesn't want me to go, but it's not really about him, because I'm going to Israel. He's not paying for it, nor am I actually, but I worked really hard and whether he likes that I'm Jewish or not, I'm still his daughter and he shouldn't take a decision he made 25 years out on me.

Ahh, whatever.

ISRAEL!!! For real!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am officially a Rotary Ambassador and I get to go to Israel for a whole year to get my Masters in Middle East studies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://hsf.bgu.ac.il/mapmes/index.aspx?pgid=pg_127851745868672048

Thank you note!

Rick sent me a thank you note today. It was the first mail I've gotten in Whitcraft Hall! It definitely made my day! (the sun and 75 degrees may have helped though.) It's weird being in Muncie without Katie or Rick. I've never been here without Katie and I've been here for two years with Rick. Obviously, I'm managing and thanks to Katie and my mom, I have a wonderful working cell phone. We probably talk more now than when Katie is at BSU because she's extremely bored.

When I was little, I always thought that when Katie got married, I would "lose" her. Really, I still thought this until I met Rick. I really wanted Katie to marry Rick. Then I was torn, because in my previous state of mind, that would mean she wouldn't be mine anymore, she would be Rick's. I realized I wasn't losing anything, Katie will always be my sister, and then she'll also be Rick's wife, which is wonderful, because then I get the greatest brother-in-law too.

I easily put Rick into my "inner circle" of people who I truly care about, and I truly care about what they think of me. Really, the only other people there are Katie and my parents. They have the ability to make me cry, but also, and most of the time, make me extremely proud and happy. Rick makes Katie a better person too, which is probably the best part.

P.S. He's also the funniest person in the world!! (of course)

Just playin' with Photoshop!

Gotta love sepia tone!


This one reminds me of the wedding pictures Katie has been looking at!


Original:

Not original:


The last one is my favorite. It's amazing how I can entertain myself with a plant.

The Da Vinci Code

Don't read this if you're planning on seeing the movie and don't want a tiny part of it spoiled!!



















Hokey, so...I don't know what Ron Howard was thinking. The movie was incredible and I was captivated and I fell in love with the characters, etc. But at the end, they don't kiss!!! They don't show any intention of Langdon and Sophie being together!! HELLO!!! I need some sort of romance. Good thing I read the book and I know they fell hopelessly in love and probably had a ton of Jesus-blooded babies!!! Or else I really would have been pissed!

Summer??

This morning almost felt like summer. Not the temperature, but the ability to run to Minnetrista, walk around the Farmer's Market, buy fresh strawberries, chat with the sellers, etc. The sun was out beaming down on all of us. I wish I had time to make/sell something at the market. With three classes and a job, I know it's not feasible, but someday, when I live somewhere where it's warm all year, I'll contribute. I think I'd like to make sweets using the fruits and vegetables I grow in my garden; pies, muffins, breads, scones, cookies. Mmm...I love baking, especially for other people!! I could have a little label with my name on it and the ingredients listed. Oh, I'm so excited about it already!!


The most delicious strawberries from the Farmer's Market!!!

Minnetrista Bulletin Board

Puzzle Bulletin Board

New flowers for my room!!

Yesterday, I didn't have my last class, so I ran some errands and picked up some flowers to pot and put in my room. Let's hope I don't kill them. Although, after going to Minnetrista this morning, I wish I would had been more patient and bought them there, but I didn't realize they would be selling flowers too. Last year I was only able to go in the fall, not the spring. The market has a whole different dynamic based on the seasons.

I put up some bulletin boards last night, not my best by any means, but for the summer they'll be just fine. I always appreciate Katie's help on them too. She's terrific!!

I still can't wait to wake up one morning and it already be 75 degrees out!!! I know it'll be here soon!!!

The Expert!

While I was procrastinating, I took a personality test, and it's so true it's scary:


Your Personality Type
INTJ Female (Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judger)

You already know you are not the typical, traditional woman. If, at an early age, you concluded that marriage was not for you, you won't marry no matter how attractive or desirable a man appears to be. Or if you decide that you will marry at a specific age - say thirty, forty, or fifty - you will reject any suitor who enters your life before your designated time. You don't care if Prince Charming himself arrives at your door with a wedding ring and roses galore. If he's not on schedule, forget it. As a female Expert, you make your own decisions independent of any pressures from your family, friends, or society, and you will rarely change your mind once you have come to a carefully thought out, logical conclusion. Your optimum match tends to be an equally independent and strong-willed man who can appreciate your individualistic, nonconformist streak.

Either the Expert or the Traditionalist (ESTJ) will do. The Traditionalist is an interesting choice. Because he is a strong, masculine type of male, you will be attracted to his power and competence. He is the cowboy, the man who takes charge. But watch out if he is a strong Sensor (S). If so, his conventional nature may override his other qualities, and he may try to mold you into his ideal traditional wife while ignoring your true personality. Beware of this potential flaw in his nature.


Your Best Match's Information
INTJ general

You are the most independent and strong-willed (some might say stubborn) of all the LoveTypes. Once you make up your mind to do something - whether it’s starting or ending a relationship, or anything in between - you will do what you want to do. And God help anyone who tries to dissuade you.

INTJ how to win love
Plan dates that tap into your Expert’s knowledge of law, science, business, politics, or anything else he or she considers an area of expertise. Remember: Experts strive for mastery in everything, including their hobbies and pastimes. If you can encourage your Expert to display his or her knowledge and competence on a date, this intellectual connoisseur will begin to see you in a favorable light.

INTJ where to meet
Where can you meet an Expert? Here are some popular

Expert hangouts:
The Single Gourmet: a club for singles who enjoy fine dining
Law school libraries and cafeterias
Wine tastings
Computer stores and fairs
Exotic or antique car shows
And anywhere competence, knowledge, education, and intellect are highly valued.

Okay, so that seriously cracks me up.

Everything I haven't said for the past weeks or so.

Have you ever eaten a peppermint while drinking hot chocolate? It's darn good, you should try it.

A month or so ago, not long after I started writing a friend of a friend called me a whore, so I haven't made out with a guy for a really long time, (well, it seems like a long time in my head.) I like it, I feel good about it, and I don't plan with making out with anyone for a very long time. So I'm glad that it happened.

For my international relations class, I have an 80 year old Chinese man. I can't understand him or read his writing on the board, nor can anyone else in my class though. He told us he eats ginger, onions, and garlic to stay young. Plus he walks 15 minutes to school each day and drinks green tea! In other words, he's adorable.

My history class should be interesting, much more socially, economically, and politically based on Civil War study then the military triumphs or defeats which is nice, especially after last summer, not that I didn't enjoy everything I learned from Josh, Kevin, and Chris. There is a ton of reading a ten page paper. I think I'll be all right.

My public policy professor is awesome. I had him for Pols 130. He's hilarious. We were talking about being opened minded and reacting to people's opposing views. He told us we should be grateful to see a different point of view. We should say, "Thanks Public Policy buddy! I didn't see it that way!!" I was cracking up. Then today, on a similar topic we were discussing how policy makers have to convince someone to see things their way. He used an example of his daughter eating peas, she hates peas, but he loves them. As a father he thought she had to eat her vegetables. He goes, "I just didn't understand [that she didn't like peas] because when I put peas in my mouth, I say YUMMYYYYY!" He was so excited about the peas. I just laugh the whole class. It'll be a fun 5 weeks, and a whole lot of reading.

My sister is settled in in Iowa. (Great state I've heard, even if there are 6'6" Republicans there.) I think she likes it, she's being taking a lot of walks, I bet she's a little bored. Rick seems to like his job, and I bet he's a little bored too. (I just heard through Katie, I haven't talked to him since Chesterton when his car alarm went off in our driveway and he got pulled over my a police officer while driving with only pajama pants on! I bet if it was recorded he could have won America's Funniest Home Videos.) But I'll miss Rick. Not that we really hung out ever or that I even really saw him. Every once in a while the three of us would have dinner or I'd pass him in a hallway, or I'd inappropriately wave to him while he was in a meeting. But he always listens when I needed to talk and was always a voice of reason, seeing the side I did not see, or really did not want to see. I know that won't necessarily change, but it's nice to be close just in case.

My room is quaint and colorful, but also freezing! They turned off the steam in the building because they're working, since it's cold here, my room is cold. I go to bed with freezing toes every night, it's rather miserable after 9pm, particularly for my feet. I've been eating a lot of yogart, the non-cooking kind. Really, I don't think you can cook yogart (unless you're baking with it, there was a lemon pie I made a while ago that called for it), but the point is, I'm eating things that don't involve a stove.

All right, back to reading about slavery and then about public policy. I wish I was in Gettysburg with my friends, I miss them. I know they'd give me some good lovin'!

RACHEL

I just got off a two hour phone conversation with Rachel, who is now back from Oxford. I'm more in love than ever. It was wonderful talking to her and I'm glad I was right that I knew everything would go back to normal as soon as we were in the same country again.

MEMO TO MOTHER NATURE: I want it to be 80 degrees and sunny everyday! Work with me here!!

Holy Moly!

I don't know where that phrase comes from, but it seems appropriate right now. I have a lot of classes for just the summer!!

History of the Civil War, International Relations, and Public Policy.

So this means that I have a lot of reading to do and not a lot of time to write this =(

Just a little update:

1. My grandma is crazy and checked herself out of the nursing home, making my father ever so happy. He enables them though, so I don't feel badly for him or the situation he made for himself. I do feel sorry for my mother because she gets screwed over. He won't do things because he has to come home to take care of them instead of doing things away from home with my mom.

2. I got moved into Stu-west. It'll be a fun and class-packed summer.

3. The Rotary interview was today. I think I did well. There weren't any questions that threw me off. They asked very political questions about Israel and the Palestinians, the new Israeli government, withholding money from the Hamas, etc. The questions were very specific to the application I turned in and what I had written. There were jokes and lots of smiling and hand shaking. I'm proud of myself and all the prep work I did. They said I'd know in 2-3 weeks through email...yikes! We'll see what happens.

4. I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

P.S. I'm not used to cooking for myself or using communal bathrooms again. It's a tough life.

Have you ever?

Have you ever met someone who is an incredible person, not because of what they do, but because of the way they treat others? They don't discriminate, they have something nice to say about everyone, everyone is welcomed in their presence? They have the ability to make you feel great about yourself and laugh at any situation? In my opinion, there aren't a ton of people like that. In middle school it was Matt McKenna, great kid, probably still is. At CTT, it is was Dean. In Gettysburg, it was Chris. I know these people aren't perfect, not even close, but they have such a way about themselves that makes other people feel great. You don't forget about these people, or the way they made you feel.

There is a boy in the 5th grade class I've been subbing for that has these qualities, his name is Benz. He's only 10 years old and already has the ability to make others feel important. No matter who is in his group, the "disabled" kid, the "genius" girl, the "bully"...Benz says, "Come sit by me!! This is going to be awesome!" Or "Hey, Miss Wiese, did you meet my friend Kalvin? He's a cool guy."

I love Benz for being so innocent, but I don't think innocence is what makes him one of a kind, because Matt, Dean, and Chris are not innocent. At least that gives me hope that when he does lose his innocence, he won't lose the qualities that make him one of those people that are unforgettable.

This and that...

I made an ice cream cake for Thursday dinner with Katie, Rick, my parents, and most likely my grandpa! It'll be scrumptious.

I finally got to meet Alex yesterday!! He's SO adorable! He ate my fingers for about 30 minutes. I must have tasted really good!!

I subbed again today! They were very talkative, but I think after an in depth discussion, they'll behave better tomorrow.

I ran a couple of errands and didn't do much else, took a walk with Jackson, the regular. I'm ready to go back to school though, that's for sure. I want to get my books for the summer, I love getting them, it's so exciting to see what I get to read!

(Grades came out today and I actually did get straight A's. I'm really proud of myself, I worked hard this semester. It's motivating to keep it up. And I will.)

Biscotti

I got up and walked and then talked to me Grandpa, it was terrific. He's really great one on one. We talked about the Korean War and his view on the current war and world affairs. Quite interesting!!

I went to Lynne's and we drove to meet Gail and Larry for lunch. It was nice, they messed up almost everything I ordered, but that's okay. The company was nice. Lynne took me to get a pedicure and manicure, which is exciting because then I won't have to do my nails before my interview!!

My mom and I took another walk when I got home and then I made biscotti tonight. I like the mandel bread recipe more, probably because there is chocolate in it. haha =)

By the way, Strom Thurmond turns me on...

Blah blah blah...

All of my friends are doing awesome things! I get so jealous when people travel, see new things, and learn. AH! I want to go too!!

I drove to Oakbrook today to see my grandparents. My grandpa made his normal racist comments. He has a bad cough too. I felt badly because I know he wouldn't have gone out if not for me coming.

I know he's proud of me, but when he asked about school and I told him I was pretty sure I got straight A's...I don't know why I expected a good job because all he said was, "Well, we wouldn't expect anything less." Um...thanks.

Don't get me wrong, I love my grandfather, but sometimes he makes it hard to.

I'm pooped!! Lynne and Gail tomorrow and Cindy, Jackie, and ALEX on Monday!!

Extended family

So great news...the teacher I am subbing for had a baby boy! The girls were excited, the boys really didn't care all that much, which isn't surprising. Day two is just about as good as day one, if not better! The students are really great kids. We reviewed my rules from yesterday, I only have three. They can't say the words: stupid, retarded, or shut up. They ask terrific questions and for the most part, they're very polite to each other. We talked about the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 today. The boys just want to get to other war. I showed them pictures from my trip to Philly last summer and I brought in my Yukata from Japan and a paper doll to show them because they were amazed that I had been there. We read Time for Kids and talked about sweat shops in China and their exploitations of young females. In the other class we talked about the atomic bombs and the genocide in Africa. I think it's good to stir things up and get them thinking about other things besides themselves.

I ran to the nursing home yesterday afternoon to see my grandma, still unhealthy, but she's doing very well. That's somewhat promising. I finished my Vietnam final and I JUST finished the film review extra credit. I think I got all A's this semester, I'll be upset if that is not the case.

I went to temple with my parents and Nelly for Chinese dinner. (Little out of the ordinary for temple.) After dinner there were services and it was so nice. All the old people were back from their winter homes. Everyone looked from. Phil and Alice did not like Tuscan as much as Ft. Meyers, Jack and Elaine didn't stay in FL as long because Jack got sick, Harry told me his son went to Israel and never came home after he married a beautiful Israeli girl. Oh, great times, I miss them all so much, they're not big extended family. Nelly sat next to me in services and she read the prayers that were in English. Since she was in France during WWII, she still gets really emotional when she's around a lot of Jews because it reminds her of the Holocaust. She told me she had to prove she didn't have any Jewish blood when the Nazi's came into occupy her town. One of her friends did, and after three days of questioning, the girl was taken and she never saw her again.

I love being with my parents, but I'm ready to go away again. I can't stay here too long, it makes me feel confined. I don't know if confined is the best word, but it's the only one I can come up with right now. I'm going to spend most of the weekend in Chicago with my grandparents and aunts. It'll be really fun I hope.

And yes, that's me on a camel in the NEGEV! (Where I would be if I get to go to Israel!!!) hahaha.

5th grade

The Rotary meeting on Tuesday was absolutely fantastic! I had a practice interview with Dr. Stedman afterwards and she said I did really well. I got a little extra boost of confidence from that. I think a lot of people believe in me, so it makes it easier to believe in myself, even my dad is behind me and he really doesn't like the idea of Israel.

I got 100% on my geography final!! I think I'll have straight A's as long as I don't bomb the Vietnam take home test!! That was really make me happy! I gave the test for the class I am a TA for. Before that I moved everything, so I came home! I love being with my puppy! He's the greatest dog! (and SO handsome, I'm sure he'd look like a young Robert Redford if he was a real person!)

My parents didn't even know I was coming home because they've been so consumed with my grandmother. I'm going to run to the nursing home this afternoon since I didn't get to work out this morning. Then mom and I are taking a walk or bike ride. I love spending time with her. I'll go and see Nelly and my grandpa too and of course finish my Vietnam take home test!!

The 5th graders are great! It's awesome getting to be in a classroom by yourself and not have a teacher observing/hanging over you!! I love it. They're doing DEAR right now. (Drop everything and read, for you non-education people!!) Then social studies, my favorite!!

Not the Country Club

Not the Country Club

I thought this blog was interesting. I started clicking the "next blog" button at the top right hand corner while I was procrastinating. I'm amazed!! So many blogs from all over the world!! I can probably procrastinate for the rest of my life!!

Don't fret about the template change. I like this one a lot more, it's rather soothing and not so in your face...At least that's what I think, and since it's my blog, I get to pick. This is a blogocracy!