As my vacation posting has been scant, you're welcome to join me here on memory lane via my photostream. Coming back to my hometown always gives me a lot to think about, and at present I'm simply too pooped to scrape any of the thoughts together into a post.
I'll be back soon.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
'Twas the night before Christmas...
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Flattery will get you everywhere.
A few months ago I got a fan letter. A very nice guy wrote me a random email - an endeavor which could have easily come off as stalker-esque, but instead was well penned, witty and quite friendly. I was flattered (giggled and blushed intermittently all afternoon), and I even printed it off. Here's a few bits:
Towards the end of the day at work today I was feeling particularly unmotivated so I thought I'd poke around and see what other people were writing about. I started clicking the "Next Blog" button...
Eventually I landed on your blog, and spent a decent amount of time reading it. By decent amount of time I mean start to finish. Not in one setting mind you, I'm kind of a slow reader, but in one day at least. Does that speak poorly of me that that's how I spent a decent portion of my Friday?
Anyhow, it kind of hooked me, and I may have a slight cyber-crush on your blog. Any girl who's down with Jason Lee, quotes Clerks the cartoon, uses the word "Huzzah", digs Journey, and wears nerdy glasses is okay in my book...
Mostly just wanted to say thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it...Good luck, thanks again, and I'll be reading if you keep writing.
He went on to invite me to his blog for a look, warning that "his blogging skills weren't quite on par with mine" (which is an absurd claim, really - he's a great writer). I hopped over to his blog, which I found to be a cleverly-written, laugh-out-loud synopsis of his misadventures with the fairer sex. I promptly added him to the links list on my page, hoping that others will find their way to this delightfully funny read. (Probably not many others, mind you - I only have about two dozen readers. But anything I can do to help...)
Anyhow, we exchanged online pleasantries via email, and I became quite sure that if we lived in the same part of the country, we most certainly would have been friends.
I was psyched that someone was enjoying the maundering ramblings that I call a blog. I was more than content with the kudos I'd received from my new friend and reader. But last week he went one step further, writing a blog in which he listed five things on the internet that you should be reading (instead of his stuff). And he put me on his list. I'm pretty sure that me and my little blog don't deserve that kind of praise, but we're flattered and honored all the same.
So here's my thank you, and a shout out to a guy who makes me laugh every day. Thanks, Jesse. You keep writing, and I'll be reading too.
Towards the end of the day at work today I was feeling particularly unmotivated so I thought I'd poke around and see what other people were writing about. I started clicking the "Next Blog" button...
Eventually I landed on your blog, and spent a decent amount of time reading it. By decent amount of time I mean start to finish. Not in one setting mind you, I'm kind of a slow reader, but in one day at least. Does that speak poorly of me that that's how I spent a decent portion of my Friday?
Anyhow, it kind of hooked me, and I may have a slight cyber-crush on your blog. Any girl who's down with Jason Lee, quotes Clerks the cartoon, uses the word "Huzzah", digs Journey, and wears nerdy glasses is okay in my book...
Mostly just wanted to say thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it...Good luck, thanks again, and I'll be reading if you keep writing.
He went on to invite me to his blog for a look, warning that "his blogging skills weren't quite on par with mine" (which is an absurd claim, really - he's a great writer). I hopped over to his blog, which I found to be a cleverly-written, laugh-out-loud synopsis of his misadventures with the fairer sex. I promptly added him to the links list on my page, hoping that others will find their way to this delightfully funny read. (Probably not many others, mind you - I only have about two dozen readers. But anything I can do to help...)
Anyhow, we exchanged online pleasantries via email, and I became quite sure that if we lived in the same part of the country, we most certainly would have been friends.
I was psyched that someone was enjoying the maundering ramblings that I call a blog. I was more than content with the kudos I'd received from my new friend and reader. But last week he went one step further, writing a blog in which he listed five things on the internet that you should be reading (instead of his stuff). And he put me on his list. I'm pretty sure that me and my little blog don't deserve that kind of praise, but we're flattered and honored all the same.
So here's my thank you, and a shout out to a guy who makes me laugh every day. Thanks, Jesse. You keep writing, and I'll be reading too.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Hello from the Sunflower state...
I'm safely arrived back in Kansas. Today I went for a nice outdoor run - it's in the 40's here! Heatwave!
Tonight I went to Best Buy with my mom and brother. In the short time we were there I had chance meetings with three old friends. That's both what I miss the most and why I was ready to leave - I know twenty-three years' worth of people in Topeka. It's not a small town, but it sure feels like it. When I come back to visit, it's wonderful to unexpectedly bump into people. But when I was living here, sometimes I just wanted to escape - not the people so much, but the history. Every street has a story, every store and park and coffee shop has a memory attached. Most of my memories from here are fond ones, and I never felt as though I had anything to run or hide from - it was just time for a change. I think I've been able to grow more as a person by being in a new place. It's easier to move forward when you're not trapped in the past.
That said, I always get a kick out of coming back. It's bizarre being a tourist someplace so familiar.
Tonight I went to Best Buy with my mom and brother. In the short time we were there I had chance meetings with three old friends. That's both what I miss the most and why I was ready to leave - I know twenty-three years' worth of people in Topeka. It's not a small town, but it sure feels like it. When I come back to visit, it's wonderful to unexpectedly bump into people. But when I was living here, sometimes I just wanted to escape - not the people so much, but the history. Every street has a story, every store and park and coffee shop has a memory attached. Most of my memories from here are fond ones, and I never felt as though I had anything to run or hide from - it was just time for a change. I think I've been able to grow more as a person by being in a new place. It's easier to move forward when you're not trapped in the past.
That said, I always get a kick out of coming back. It's bizarre being a tourist someplace so familiar.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Travel news and other random business...
I haven't written much the past few weeks, although I've wanted to. But finally - the papers are handed in, the final exams are over, and I'm ready to show blogger some serious love. Hope you can handle it...
Luis leaves this afternoon for Boston. Wish I could go, because I haven't been out East to visit for a couple of years. Alas, I have my own travel plans for the holidays.
For years, Luis resolutely avoided owning a cell phone, but in the past year or so he's come around a bit and realized that it could prove useful during his many travels. This year I bought him one for Christmas. I loaded it with several cheezy photos of us, a garden gnome for his screensaver, and Sun-Eyed Girl as a ringtone. Welcome to the 21st century, Doc.
We had a meeting last week for my cohort of nursing students, which will start in the upper division nursing courses this spring. It's generally regarded as the hardest semester in the program, so I'm a little bit nervous. I have great classmates, though, and I think we'll be able to help each other through the rough parts. Plus, it'll be a great lesson for me in time management. (I don't think I'll have any choice.)
It's generally understood by Missoulians that weather delays are part of flying. Since we're in a valley, we get temperature inversions that trap low lying fog, and sometimes it stays for days. Three years ago I got stuck in Salt Lake overnight, and while waiting for my (canceled) flight, I met a mom and her son who had been trying to get home to Missoula for four days. Every flight they were rebooked on wound up getting canceled. When they canceled our flight that night, she gave up and rented a car. Two years ago, Luis and I got a phone call at 9:30 the night before our 6:00 am flight, telling us that our flight was canceled due to fog. They rebooked us on an early flight out of Helena, which meant that we left Missoula in the middle of the night to drive to Helena. In the dead of winter. Over MacDonald pass. Ick. The Missoula International Airport (teehee - international? Perhaps because we're so close to Canada?) has finally started battling the fog problem. I'd heard of this being used in other cities, and I'm glad they're trying it out here.
Next week I embark on a three week adventure back to the Sunflower state. I imagine that it will once again be that familiar mix of feeling completely at home, and at the same time slightly out of place. I always love being with my family, as well as seeing my old friends, but with each visit back to my hometown I'm more aware that it's not home anymore. (The exception to this is, of course, my mom's house - she says, "home is where your mom is," and she's right. Mom's house always feels like home.) I'm fascinated by the shifts that occur in friendships over time and space, so expect much meandering thought on this topic over the next month...
Luis leaves this afternoon for Boston. Wish I could go, because I haven't been out East to visit for a couple of years. Alas, I have my own travel plans for the holidays.
For years, Luis resolutely avoided owning a cell phone, but in the past year or so he's come around a bit and realized that it could prove useful during his many travels. This year I bought him one for Christmas. I loaded it with several cheezy photos of us, a garden gnome for his screensaver, and Sun-Eyed Girl as a ringtone. Welcome to the 21st century, Doc.
We had a meeting last week for my cohort of nursing students, which will start in the upper division nursing courses this spring. It's generally regarded as the hardest semester in the program, so I'm a little bit nervous. I have great classmates, though, and I think we'll be able to help each other through the rough parts. Plus, it'll be a great lesson for me in time management. (I don't think I'll have any choice.)
It's generally understood by Missoulians that weather delays are part of flying. Since we're in a valley, we get temperature inversions that trap low lying fog, and sometimes it stays for days. Three years ago I got stuck in Salt Lake overnight, and while waiting for my (canceled) flight, I met a mom and her son who had been trying to get home to Missoula for four days. Every flight they were rebooked on wound up getting canceled. When they canceled our flight that night, she gave up and rented a car. Two years ago, Luis and I got a phone call at 9:30 the night before our 6:00 am flight, telling us that our flight was canceled due to fog. They rebooked us on an early flight out of Helena, which meant that we left Missoula in the middle of the night to drive to Helena. In the dead of winter. Over MacDonald pass. Ick. The Missoula International Airport (teehee - international? Perhaps because we're so close to Canada?) has finally started battling the fog problem. I'd heard of this being used in other cities, and I'm glad they're trying it out here.
Next week I embark on a three week adventure back to the Sunflower state. I imagine that it will once again be that familiar mix of feeling completely at home, and at the same time slightly out of place. I always love being with my family, as well as seeing my old friends, but with each visit back to my hometown I'm more aware that it's not home anymore. (The exception to this is, of course, my mom's house - she says, "home is where your mom is," and she's right. Mom's house always feels like home.) I'm fascinated by the shifts that occur in friendships over time and space, so expect much meandering thought on this topic over the next month...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
I want to write - -
Unfortunately, I'm not all that interested in writing a care plan.
But it's due tomorrow, so I must.
Then I'll be back and happily blogging.
(Well, after I finish the other paper I have due this week.)
I miss you, blogger.
But it's due tomorrow, so I must.
Then I'll be back and happily blogging.
(Well, after I finish the other paper I have due this week.)
I miss you, blogger.
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