three days before lift-off

Buddy and Oscar are staring at each other. Matt and Mom are watching the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Daisy's asleep. I'm reading a book and searching for another one online. That's the day for us here at the Dodgeville house. Yesterday we got started late, but we eventually got out to see Grandpa and Gloria in Darlington, Great great aunt Monnie in Cuba City, and Merl and Ev in Hazel Green. I had a good time, although it was hard to recall all of the events of the year. Every time someone mentioned Mike's funeral, I saw the hurt in Matt's eyes and I so wanted to change the subject. This past year, my family lost Mike, Great-Grandma Sigrid, and at the begining of December old neighbor of mine, Elsie Ballard. We gained little Braelyn and Oscar, who is doing really well despite Matt's taunts of Buddy getting him. I've already decided on my new year's resolution. Nothing so silly as giving up sweets or losing weight (that's a life-long goal). No, instead my new year's resolution is beneficial to more than just me - it is to spend more time with my family and friends. Life's so sweet right here at home, where I can look out into the living room and see Mom and Daisy snuggled up on the futon, Matt in the big blue chair with enough pillows for a small hotel, and Buddy and Oscar having a staring showdown. What more can I ask for?

Love, Christi

6 days until lift-off

Matt spent most of the day downstairs, getting all of the updates on his laptop and helping to keep an eye on Daisy. Daisy was quite sick last night since she somehow got ahold of chocolate and ate it. She looks like she'll be just fine, but it was a long night of standing outside and keeping constant watch over her. I finally cleaned Oscar's bowl, using Santa's present of water and putting in my Christmas gift to Oscar in the shape of a funny looking turtle with attitude. Lol......

Mom spent most of the day at work. I was going to go for a walk and surprise her, but Buddy kept me from leaving. In fact, Buddy's still here, sleeping on my lap and being rather cute. Daisy's been moving about, but sleeping alot too. And me? I've been watching TV and trying to find a DVD decoder to install on my computer, so I can watch DVDs again. Looks like the best one is going to cost me about $50 so I won't get it until after January. Found out my computer has 6 bloodhound, 4 different types of Trojans, and two unknown types of viruses, all in quarantine, but still annoying to know that I have. I suppose I should get Buddy up and moving. Although, he's been known to get himself into trouble, like (we believe) helping Daisy getting to the chocolate and batting at Oscar's bowl (I'm afraid he'll know Oscar off some day).

Tomorrow we'll be heading up to Waterloo (Wisconsin, that is) to visit Carmen (it's their 3 month anniversary) and hopefully see Alex the cousin. We also have to hit a couple of places in Madison because we didn't get everywhere on Monday. Matt's actually waking up before noon :) Just kidding....he's trying to get ready for the trip. I think I may be more nervous than I am - maybe because I'm sad about not having him around for SIX MONTHS and that he's never really been ANYWHERE without someone else. It'll be a great adventure for him and a sad brotherless vacation for me :(

Perhaps I'll save some money and visit him...or at least dream about doing it :)

Love, Christi (with the sleeping Buddy on my lap)

Seven days until lift-off

Matt leaves for England NEXT MONDAY!! Hard to believe....perhaps mainly because he hasn't started packing yet, or made Mom "power of attorney", or pretty much anything else. Lol...silly Matt. Shhh...don't tell, but I'm going to miss that boy!

Christmas was really nice. On Christmas Eve Day, I got to spend lots of time with the family and finally see little Braelyn (Kari's youngest little girl) who is a month old and 6 lbs now. Just a doll. Sooo adorable and quiet. Lexus, who is a year and a half, really likes being a big sister, although she's gotten to taking Braelyn's pacifier so she can chew it (Lexus' teeth are coming in). Lots of fun watching Lexus and Linda's youngest daughter - Kelsey - playing on the floor. Wore poor Lexus out so that she took a nap on Uncle Joe (but not MY uncle, actually he's my cousin) during the Packer game. The only sad part was that my cousin Alex didn't get to make it .... I was really looking forward to seeing him and talking to him. Hopefully we will see him when we are in that "neck of the woods" on Wednesday - Matt and Carmen's 3 month anniversary! Carmen lives kinda near Linda, so we get to see everybody at the same time!

Anyway, Christmas Eve Night I spent watching old holiday movies on TV, like "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th Street" on AMC and TCM. Christmas Day Moogie and I waited for Matt to get up (about noonish he finally came downstairs!) to open presents. Lots of books and DVDs and practical stuff (like unmentionables and laundry detergent to wash them with) for me. A big ol' box of TP for Mom (since she always seems to run out just as we get here). Yeppers, we were awefully practical this year......but that'll save us all $$$$ in the long run. Then we watched Christmas movies (well, movies we got for Christmas mostly). Ate ham and other stuff found in the fridge. Read the story of the birth of Christ from my new bible that I got for Christmas (although now I'll have no excuse NOT to do the Bible readings for Bible Study on Monday nights :( Then I stayed up late again to watch even more old movies ("It Happened One Night" w/ Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert --- so cute, and it's been so ripped off as of late = similar plot lines).

We went out with Grandpa and Gloria and Uncle Gary (yes, he IS my uncle) and Aunt Sue for lunch at Darlington. Went shopping...yes, Erin, I did buy more charms from my favoritist shop in the world - everything's SHINY!!! hehehehehehe Came back for some more movie-watching and installing a couple of programs on the ol' computadora. All new software for next year's calendar! I'm so excited b/c now I can work on it from two computers instead of just one (so I can just send my work to Mom by e-mail instead of coming home three weekends in a row!). It's a really neat program (Matt got it for me for Christmas, wrapped in only duct-tape!). I'm also looking into a DVD player decoder for my computer (one of the few programs that never made it back on - my computer won't play DVDs now). Well, I wanna get to bed soon 'cause tomorrow's going to be a long day! I've got a doctor's appt. for neuro so I can get my license off suspension (they wanted a doctor's report back in October, but they had to wait until tomorrow, so I think if I got pulled over I'd be in big trouble right now!). Then there's the after-Christms shopping and Matt's got to get converters and such for the trip. AHHHH!! so much to do, and I still haven't cleaned out Oscar's bowl. I'm afraid without the top Buddy'll wanna actually touch him instead of just hitting the bowl. Lol...such is life.

Lots of love from the "Land of Love and Pet Hair",
Christi

(and Mom, Matt, Buddy, Daisy, and Oscar)

'Twas the night (before the night) before Christmas

Hello All!!!
Unlike the poem, there are creatures stirring in this house tonight. Although Mom's in bed, Daisy's standing guard, Oscar is flaring, Buddy's watching Oscar, I'm typing to you, and Matt's out with Joe to see "National Treasure" before he heads back here for the night. The presents are all wrapped - well, except for mine from Matt (one which he apparently carries around in his wallet ... hmmmm). We moved and cleaned most of the afternoon, and got all of Matt's stuff out of Madison. He spent the time there before Moogie and I headed over (I stayed in Dodgeville last night) saying good-bye to Carmen and catching up on some last minute paperwork for England. Carmen will be spending the holidays with her family, but I think she'll be around to send Matt off on the 3rd. So much to do before that, like cleaning up his big ol' mess he kinda left tonight for the movie. lol Tomorrow will be spent doing more important things, like spending time with the family. I hope to have pictures online soon of another wonderful Christmas spent at Grandpa's. Then Santa comes tomorrow night - I am so excited for both events, I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep until Christmas day! :)
Well, the ol' back's getting sore from all the moving - a sign that I should get to bed. That, and Buddy's left Oscar alone to go to sleep.

Lots of love and holiday cheer from the land of love and pet hair,
Christi (& Mom, Matt, Buddy, Daisy, and Oscar!)

A bit of holiday cheer! http://blackdog.net/holiday/christmas/twas.html
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the housenot 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 Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowgave the lustre of midday 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 courses 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, Donner 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 skyso up to the house-top the courses they flew,with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofthe prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head 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 on 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 bowl full 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 headsoon 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!"

A Brief Note about the Author and the Poem
Clement Clarke Moore's famous poem, which he named "A Visit From St. Nicholas," was published for the first time on December 23, 1823 by a New York newspaper, the Sentinel. Since then, the poem has been reprinted, translated into innumerable languages and circulated throughout the world.
Clement Clarke Moore was born in 1779 to a well-known New York family. His father, Reverend Benjamin Moore, was president of (what is now) Columbia University and was the Episcopal Bishop of New York. Moore's father also participated in George Washington's first inauguration and gave last rites to Alexander Hamilton after Hamilton was mortally wounded in an 1804 duel with Aaron Burr. Moore himself was an author, a noted Hebrew scholar, spoke five languages, and was an early real-estate owner and developer in Manhattan.
Despite his accomplishments, Clement Clarke Moore is remembered only for "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," which legend says he wrote on Christmas Eve in 1822 during a sleigh ride home from Greenwich Village after buying a turkey for his family. Some say the inspiration for Moore's pot-bellied St. Nicholas was the chubby, bewhiskered Dutchman who drove Moore to Greenwich Village to buy his holiday turkey. Moore never copyrighted his poem, and only claimed as his own over a decade after it was first made public.
Moore read the poem to his wife and six children the night he wrote it, and supposedly thought no more about it. But a family friend heard about it and submitted the poem to the Sentinel, a newspaper in upstate New York, which published it anonymously the following Christmas. Moore's poem immediately caught the attention and imagination of the state, then the nation, and then the world. Finally, in 1844, he included it in a book of his poetry. Moore died in 1863 and is buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in lower Manhattan, New York.
Because of his "mere trifle," as he called it, 175 years ago Clement Clarke Moore almost single-handedly defined our now timeless image of Santa Claus.

Not Homeless in fall 2005

Yesterday we signed the lease. Since we all need cosigner signatures, we aren't actually able to hand it it until Jan 10th, when it's due. We'll be moving in to 207 1/2 N. Frances St. on August 15th, 2005 @ 3PM and moving back out on August 15th, 2006 @9AM. There's so much involved in the signing - lead paint pamphlets and tons of stuff to inital. Sounds like they have had problems in the past, 'cause they'll charge you if you leave your cans on the curb too long after trash pick-up and if you violate a City of Madison ordinance, then not only do pay off that fine, but also pay one to the landlord. I have yet to meet the landlord, but I hear he's really cool. And I was told I'd be able to have visiting pets AT NO COST if I give them notice!!!!!!!!! Yay! I think one of the girls is allergic to cats, so I guess if Buddy does come over, he'll be pretty contained. So much to think about, like the gas and electric bill, water bill (which comes every 6 months due to the nature of the two houses where one would normally be), and the cable/internet/phone bill. Taffy's already started a folder of the stuff.......

Well, I've got to go to work today to clean out at the Apothe - I'll be fun 'cause we gets to party with Zondra - one of the coolest and funnest drivers at the RHC.

Y Christi and Oscar (whose bowl I have to clean Christmas day so I can put his turtle in - shhhh! don't tell him 'cause it's his Christmas present!)

Update

I took the test. The essays seemed simple enough, although I may have gotten some of the scientists mixed up and I didn't put any dates. The multiple choice were tricky, I must admit I guessed on a few. Oh well....nothing I can do about it now. I'm watching a movie - Ben Affleck's "Paycheck". I'm going to get to cleaning sometime soon, and I sign the least in probably around 2 hours. So much to do, so little time - but at least I'm done with finals!

Christi and Oscar

One more to go, then I'm going HOME

Well, I'm going home, but not until Wednesday. Today's final is a nightmare, not just because it's about history spanning 2 centuries with enough royal family inbreeding to confuse even those in the family, but also because the professor's a rough one. First there's these "terms" we do - which could be basically anything from anywhere - key terms, dates of battles, which guy died where, that sort of thing. Then there's these questions online that are for practice - in reality, they are nothing like the ones on the test, so studying them often doesn't help. Grrrr....I studied hard yesterday and I'm going to do a bit of brush-up this morning. Hopefully I do ok.

After the test I'll be coming back here to do some over-the-break birthday signs and relax. I'll be signing the lease for 207 1/2 Frances between 2:30 and 3:00PM. Then I've got the rest of the day to myself, to clean, pack, and watch TV ---- I CAN'T WAIT!! - wish I could skip the test and start right now!

Christi (and Oscar, who is upset with me 'cause I took the mirror away - silly boy!)

Finals Frenzy

Mom took her last final last night, while my first one starts today! Go figure - anyway, I've been studying like crazy for this final today (English) and even more so for my final on Sunday (Econ). I just want to get them over with so I can enjoy what is left of 2004 -- although this has to be one of the worst years ever. Even with the birth of my little cousin Braelyn and the capture of Saddam Hussien being two highlights, there are some obvious low points, like the War in Iraq, losing my license, finacial troubles here there and everywhere, and losing Mike and Grandma Sigrid. I'll do a much more inclusive recap some other time -- ya know, the time when I am not supposed to be studying for three finals which are going to hit in the next 96 hours.

Love, Christi (and Oscar, who had about half of the top of the tank covered with bubbles!)

I'll Be Home for Christmas

l I'll Be Home for Christmas l

Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943
I'll be home for Christmas;

You can count on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love-light gleams.

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

And now we must get going to study. Here's the website to the house we'll be looking at. Sounds like if I like it, we'll sign the papers immediately (and the check's already prepared, I guess). No pressure to like it, ya know. :D I know Oscar will like anything. From the website, it reminds me a lot like Moogie's house in Dodgeville....small, but livable. We'll be heading home for the holidays on the evening of the 22nd - must work that morning (since I'll have so many days off w/o pay, it makes sense to work as much as possible right now. And with that differential hitting right about now, all the hours I put in are worth $10 - that'll buy more fishy food than a hundred Oscars could possibly eat! :D

Y Christi and Oscar

Want some Christmas Lyrics? Head here: http://www.cameron.edu/~mikel/christmas/songs.html

Future home??? Take a peek!

http://www.tallardapartments.com/Apartments/Address/207.5nFrancesFile/index1.htm

I'm thinking of adopting a soldier sometime soon. Even though I don't agree with the War, I do support those fighting it.

- Support our Troops and bring them home safely

Here's the cover of the CD we bought last night @ the concert - we decided to not buy the autographed cd which was $10 more 

A Christmas Card note of the Weekend

Hello!
With finals coming up, life's been a bit crazy. Alissa came this weekend for a visit and to see the Martina McBride concert that she had won tickets for - she got them from a WVRQ contest. She came on Thursday and went to State St. with Sarah Heitman and on Friday went to the Mall with Erin and me. We bought $1 Santa hats to wear around the mall. We would've been able to take a picture with Santa if we hadn't needed to catch our bus. Alissa joined me @ work on Saturday morning, filling boxes of food parents had ordered for finals week. Then I helped Alissa write her family Christmas cards - over 50 of them! The concert was great - cool special effects, a visit from Santa Claus & a moment where the younger kids joined McBride on the stage. One not-so-young kid joined them - that's right, Alissa got right up there with the rest of them to sing along! She was about the same height as the tallest and 10 years older than the oldest child up there. She had a great time, as did I. She headed back home today after a bit of Christmas shopping (my last present was bought and is sitting on my roommate's desk!). Moogie drove her back to Fennimore and now all of us must start our studying for finals starting this week.
Well, I've got three ST:Vs to watch (Moogie's got 5) and then we'll be finished previewing two whole seasons in less than 7 days!!!! Now I can finally sleep :-D

Christi and Oscar (who is making lots and lots of bubbles)

P.S. Alissa rode in a taxi!

Long time, no write

Life's been qute busy around here. Watching STAR TREK: VOYAGER every spare moment I have 'cause two seasons need to be watched so that they are still covered by the seller's guarentee. There is always the homework to read, tests to study for, and work to do @ work. Don't worry, I'll be ok - as soon as my finals are done. One 0n Friday, on one Sunday, and one on Monday - and then I'll be done! Alissa's been here since Thursday afternoon, when Moogie dropped her off. I had to leave for work that same night, so she spent some time with Sarah Heitman. Yesterday after class, Alisssa, Erin, and I went to the East Towne Mall, shopping for Christmas presents. I didn't find the one thing I was looking for - a present for In Eui. That just happens to be at the other mall! Oh well, I guess we'll have to go to the West Towne tomorrow with Moogie, Matt, and Carmen in tow. Erin, Alissa, and I saw Santa Claus (he even waved at us!) and bought cheap Christmas hats to wear around. We wore them down to work today since we were just filling boxes for exam treats. We had pizza, bagels, fruit, and chocolate cake - the bestest couple of hours at work I've ever hard!! Alissa likes my boss - he's so funny!

Tonight we'll be heading to the Martina McBride winter concert. She just woke up from a nap (she snores) and went to check on her laundry. We've almost finished an entire season in just a few days - hopefully the rest will go quickly as well!

Well, must get going.

Christi

Howdy

Not much to write about. Looking at apartments and two are really close to Matt's - in fact one is next door to it! I think the apartments will be cheaper in the long run, especially since I have a lot of my own furniture. Sounds like a lot of people I would be living with are "name-brand" girls that have $$$$ .... this may be a problem later, but hopefully not since I think we'll have a long long talk about this type of thing.

Other than that, Oscar's being his usual fishy self, I'm trying to catch up from Monday (lots of reading left to do) and buying presents. I bought my very own nativity set which I'll hopefully get in the mail in the next couple of days. It was really cheap, but nice-looking and will fit perfectly on the TV.

Well, must get to that reading!
Christi

I found some info on my Great-Grandma's passage to America!

First Name: Sigrid
Last Name: Austad
Ethnicity: Norway, Scand
Last Place of Residence: Hoiland, Norway
Date of Arrival: November 10, 1924
Age at Arrival: 5y Gender: F Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Celtic
Port of Departure: Liverpool
Manifest Line Number: 0010

You can even buy a copy of the manifest online! Grandma's family are lines 6 - 12, although the lines give no name to the passengers. They did ask who bought the ticket (self, husband, father, etc.), the final destination of the person (Grandma's maternal uncle Oliver Harnna in Verona, WI) if they are a polygimist, anarchist, mentally unhealthy, and crippled, and even more! All of this was found on the Ellis Island website www.ellisisland.org - sign-up is easy and there are tons of names!

Funny Forward from Linzi - It has happened to me (although not in the same location!)

I walked into the rest stop bathroom and had barely sat down when I heard avoice from the other stall saying, "Hi, how are you?" Now, I'm not the type to start a conversation in restrooms, at a rest stop noless. But I answered, somewhat embarrassed, "Doing just fine." And the other guy says, "So what are you up to?" What kind of question is that?! I'm thinking this is too bizarre, so I say, "Oh,I'm like you, just traveling." At this point I'm just trying to get out of there as fast as I can when I hearanother question: "Can I come over to your place for awhile?" Okay, this question is just plain wacky, but I figured I should be polite,answer him, and end the conversation. So I say, "Well, I have company, so todayis a bad day for me." Then...I hear the guy say nervously: "Listen, I'll have to call you back,there's an idiot in the next stall who keeps answering my questions. Bye!"

A long day ahead

Yesterday was Grandma Sigrid's funeral. I got to see everyone, and they were all very nice.

Everyone's really grown up. My younger cousins Cole and Emily are around 3 years old - last time I saw them they were still crawling! Mom, Matt, Carmen, and I sat in a side room playing Uno. I lost to Matt, TWICE! Lol, it's ok. I got him back in the end. We got to play with Ben and Jason. Goodness, it was sooooo good to see Ben. He's about 5 ft. tall now, still pointy-eared, still has that great big grin. He loves sports and is playing basketball - his first game is this Saturday against Albany. He really wants to be drafted by the NFL, though ..... I wish he could get a scholarship to a good college - maybe even UW :D He's gotten my postcards too. I can't wait to see him again today.

Love, Christi

This is some info on the ship my Grandma took when she immigrated to the U.S. from Norway in1924 when she was 5 years old. She didn't become citizen until 1999. - I'd go find the passenger lists, but I've got to get dressed for the funeral.

White Star Line Celtic (2nd) 1901-1928
One of the original "Big Four". A very unlucky ship. Ran Atlantic crossing service from 1901-1907. Later served as a WWI armed merchant cruiser and ran upon a mine (1917) laid by the German sub U-88 near Cobh, Ireland, resulting in 17 deaths. She was repaired and put back into military service and in 1918, the following year, again in the Irish Sea, she was torpedoed by the German sub UB-77 killing 7. Celtic was once again repaired an put back into service. In 1928 she ran aground near Queenstown, Ireland. Unsuccessful salvage attempts were made in 1933 and she was broken apart where she lay for scrap.
http://www.titanic-whitestarships.com/Celtic_2nd.htm\

If they had sailed in 1910, they would've been taking the most expensive ship possible. http://www.norwayheritage.com/ships/fares.htm

A sad Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family. For my mommy, my silly older brother matt, my silly younger brother ben, and my dad. The last two I'll be seeing very soon, but on a sad occasion.

About 9PM last night, just as we were watching the Star Wars Episode IV escape from the Death Star scene, Dad called. Great-Grandma Sigrid had died earlier in the evening. She had Alzheimers, but she suffered a lot in the final months. I hadn't been told until after it was too late to go see her - I never got to say good-bye. We should hear about plans sometime today, so we'll probably head back to Madison sometime tomorrow to get clothes. Funny, I somehow remembered to pack UNO cards - the game Grandma Sigrid taught us. Matt usually won.

The turkey's in the oven, but other than that nothing's been done. Grandpa and Gloria are sick, so they won't be coming. Carmen is here, so I have to behave myself. It'll be nice, especially when those two get down here so we can start cooking. Until then I'll probably read some homework and search eBay although I have no money for silly stuff for myself until after housing is paid for. Only a couple more people to buy presents for, and I'll be ready for Christmas. And only a couple of Christmas cards left to sign too. Yeah, I started early.... I was ready for Christmas since July, when I started buying presents. I hope everyone likes everything - most of it is home-made.

Suppose I should get everyone going so they can cook and I can continue wrapping New Zealand presents.

Oh yeah - I have a new cousin!! Her name is Baelyn/Bealyn (don't know the spelling yet) and she is 4 lbs and 7 oz (not kidding). She was born on Tuesday. Now Moogie and I'll have to redo some parts of the calendar so we've got room for baby pictures!!!! I'm excited to see her, but it'll probably have to wait until after the funeral.

Some Thanksgiving, huh? Moogie asked why she couldn't have a "normal" life. I told her 'cause it'd be too boring for busy, active people like us - well, except for right now when everyone else in bed right now!

Love, Christi
(with Mom, Matt, Carmen, Buddy, Daisy, and Oscar ---- who knew the house could hold this many beings??)

I'm thankful for Great-Grandma Sigrid. I'm thankful for the time I got to spend with her - the lefsa, the warmth, the smiles. I'm thankful for the smiles, the cookies, the hugs, and the games of Uno Matt always seemed to win. I'm thankful that she loved me when others didn't, that she always had faith in me and was always proud of me, and that she'll always look out for me. I'm thankful for the savings bonds that when I was little I thought a horrible Christmas present but now I'll be able to save my bum and think of her. I'm thankful that she no longer suffers. Now she's in heaven, with Great-Grandpa Michael (her husband), Grandma Kate, Great-Grandma Mattie, Great-Grandma Mary, June (a neighbor from Darlington who was kind of like an adopted grandma), and Mike. I'm thankful to have so many wonderful angels watching over the ones I love and for the few precious moments I got to spend with each one. The memories I have of them are so very cherished .... so thank you. Thank you for being in my life, to guide me, encourage me, push me, and love me. It means so much to me to have you here, if only for a few moments. I love you.

Make the Music STOP

In Eui's computer has been playing the same passage about 5 billion times now - it's annoying anyway without repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over...

You get my point.

She went to bed sometime after three 'cause when i woke up at 4:30AM it was playing. I think I'll go into work super-early to try and get ahead so I can get out early. At least, I hope that's what I can do. I made a list of cleaning jobs that's so long, I asked for reinforcements so I wouldn't be there ALL day - 'cause I've done that too. I've got just about everything ready to go here so I..Oops, I mean WE...can go home in no time flat.

I think my roommate's looking forward to getting rid of me....either that, or looking forward to having her sister here. Either way, I'm not going to be here.

I'm looking forward to seeing Alissa. Although I'm not sure if I'll get to see her on her birthday, I will be seeing her on Dec. 10th when she comes up here for the Martina McBride concert she won tickets for. It is on Saturday, so she's going to spend the whole weekend. Which reminds me - moogie, she has a ride to Dodgeville Friday night, so all she needs is a ride to Madison.

I am so looking forward to going home. Going home means getting out of here, where the music still plays over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...

Christi and Oscar

No News

Not much news around here. I spent the weekend relaxing after two midterms and a paper due last week. Moogie came up yesterday and all four of us went to see "Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason" which was cute, although we couldn't understand why someone as fantastic as Mark Darcy would want to be with someone with so many self-esteem issues as Bridget Jones ....

This week's a short one, and the hours not spent at class will most likely be spent at work getting in extra hours. In fact, I hope to head in today about 8Am and work until 2ish - gotta get a head for the month without a paycheck!

Lots of love to you all,
Christi (and Oscar, who is playing around at the bottom of the bowl)

howdy

not much happening around here. No news on Grandma Sigrid. A midterm and a paper due tomorrow. Hotter than heck pretty much anyplace in Liz - so hot I put in the Window fan. Will probably stay at Liz this weekend. Heading home for break hopefully on Wednesday!

Love, Christi and Oscar (who has been rather crazy since last night)

Here's my baby Oscar. This picture doesn't do him justice - he's even prettier in person! His body color is actually lighter - like a yellowish pink - and so are the tips of his tail. 

Here's Daisy-dog. Ain't she CUTE!!! 

Here's Buddy-kins taking a nap. He's cutest when asleep 'cause he snores! 

Matt and Carmen @ Homecoming 2004 

Hello!

I went home yesterday after class and a run to the pet store. Oscar now has some water purifyer-stuff and coral - which doesn't fit! Oooops....anyway. Oscar also went to Dodgeville and didn't have any problems adjusting. I spent the night doing the 2005 family calendar. I finished (at least the basic layout) it by midnight. Woke up several times this morning thanks to Dizzy dog, and unfortunantly had to leave by 9:30AM. Spent the rest of the lunchtime with the family ... we had a great time making fun of Matt and making Lexus laugh. Anyway, lots of fun until Dad called with bad news about Grandma Sigrid. Now I'm waiting for more news on her condition, but it doesn't sound good.

Anyway, now we (Oscar and I) are back at Liz, trying to do homework but closer to falling asleep. I hope all is well around there. Will keep you posted.
Christi

P.S. Above is a picture of Matt and his girlfriend Carmen @ her Homecoming. Aren't they cute???

Am I cursed?

Today was a loooong day @ work. I started @ 6AM with a big breakfast, then since they needed help @ lunch and I'd already missed my class, so I stuck around and headed out to the cafe. Shortly after the rush time, we had a fire alarm ... my 3rd in 3 days! It was over with quickly, so I had just enough time to get closed and finished with my cleaning to punch out of work @3:45PM and be here @ 4PM. I'm really really tired, but I've got to get some homework and chores done before I can go to bed and have another long day tomorrow!!

Christi (and Oscar, who is watching "Angel" - seriously!)

Are We CURSED to never sleep AGAIN??

We had yet another fire alarm last night @ about 10PM. We all trekked outside yet again for a lovely half an hour until we were given the thumbs-up to head back inside. I didn't get to bed until 11:30PM thanks to it. They were testing it until almost 11PM - apparently there's an intercom system in Liz because Jennifer G.-J. (our res-life coordinator) was trying to get the electrician to tell all of us what was wrong with the system. The guy didn't even understand that he was on the intercom. Anyway, I have a feeling they'll be testing today during the day 'cause J G-J and the housefellows pretty adament that there be NO testing during "quiet hours" which is from 11PM to basically 8AM.

I don't know what I'll do if it goes off again tonight 'cause I've got to get up in the morning for my 6AM shift. Anna (our housefellow/ra/etc.) said she'd let us know if we had to get out of the building. It would really suck if we actually had a fire one of these times and no one left b/c we all thought it was just another malfunction.....actually, I think that happened once at another dorm a couple of years ago (although the fire wasn't serious).....hmmmmm....

Christi (and Oscar, who is still a very happy boy)

Did I mention that the football team is now 9-0??!!!!

Oscar's eventful first night home

I did get my fishy - the one I found on Sunday with Matt, Moogie, and Carmen. He's a betta. I didn't have much say in his name, but I do like it. His full name is Oscar Osca Q-T pie Lightening. I call him "Oscar" or "Sweetie Pie" for short. He's already changed color (he's a brighter pink, red, and now a sea-foam green is on his tail), flares (he wasn't doing that before, and he was near other bettas) and is making bubbles (they are not in the normal "on the top of the bowl" bubbles used for building a nest for babies 'cause they are on the sides of the bowl, but they are there and are a sign that he's happy). Since it was a buy-one get-one free, Michelle got the other fish, a really pretty purple/blue/red one named Mr. Phillippe Phyre ("fire"). Since I was going to buy bottled water anyway, already had rocks for the bottom, and Alaina gave me - sorry, US - some food, I could splurge on the larger fish bowl (just because it's pink, it doesn't make him a "girly man") and total cost still came in at under $10. My baby boy's worth it.

His first night was rather eventful. We barely made it to the pet store on time. Then, after we had made our purchases, we went to the store for some bottled water (which I had been meaning to buy). We came back to Liz were I proceeded to clean his new bowl (@ least 5x bigger that that little cup he was living in - I think it will make an excellent travel cup)while watching Star Trek - ya know what, Oscar was watching too! I got him and myself settled into bed by about midnight. Already he's learning French, Italian, and Spanish (we were listening to Josh Groban and although Oscar didn't seem pleased at first, I think he got used to the music). He'll be the smartest little fishy ever.

That is, if we could ever get some sleep. The fire alarm went off @ 3:01AM, so I trucked outside, leaving my poor Oscar alone (although he would've frozen outside). We were back inside in less than 25 mins. Sleep @ last, or so I thought. At about 5AM the alarms started going off AGAIN, but in short spurts, like something was wrong with some wires. They called an electrician, who repaired that truly annoying sound. I was back asleep by about 6AM until 7 and 7:30 (when My alarms went off) and 6:45 and 7:15 (when In Eui's phone went off, but she didn't answer it). I finally rolled out of bed @ 8:15AM, still tired as all heck and thinking about a nap since a headache is coming on again. Maybe after I finish making a background for Oscar, since otherwise it's a magnified piece of WHITE paper with my housing bill payment schedule on it (harsh because the white is really white and I don't like all those numbers magnified). He seems not to mind Lila McCann. Wonder if he'll like me singing?? Probably not @ 8AM at least.

Hugs and kisses (and bubbles!)
Christi and Oscar

P.S. We will have a picture of this pretty boy as soon as Brucie (AKA Erin) gets her camera to hook-up to her computer again. He REALLY doesn't like his picture taken.
P.P.S. Can you tell what part of Oscar's name is a Star Trek character??

Monday morning - can't I PLEASE go back to sleep???

Well, my roommate did it again. She always seems to wake me up - either at midnight or at 6AM. Today it was 6. It was kinda ok since I didn't have my alarm set, but it's a pain in the bum 'cause I'm really tired ... like tried to go to bed @10PM (actually made it there @10:45PM b/c I needed bottled water) kind of tired. Perhaps I'll take a short nap after I finish typing. Anyway, I hope everyone is well and that they all had as wonderful a weekend as I did - 'cause I was at HOME with my Buddy and Daisy. So wonderful, I wanna go back next weekend - well, that and I have to finish the family calendar. Lots of embarrassing pictures of everyone, especially of me!!

Lots of love to everyone,
Christi

Going Home TONIGHT!!!

I'm so excited to go home this weekend. Just have some time with my Buddy and my Daisy. Get some Microeconomics done. Maybe go upstairs and clean up my room ..... then again, maybe not. That's more like a Christmas Vacation project. Or a summer when I'm not working :) Anyway, I'm excited to be going and I thought to warn you to make any surprise trips down here or call the ol' dorm phone 'cause I WON'T BE HERE!!!! :D

Christi

Nov 3 - just as many questions about who the president will be as yesterday

This was my response to several people who came around Liz Waters yesterday - "Yes, we already voted, and no we won't tell you who we want to win". I'm serious, like 10+ people came around and knocked on everyone's door trying to get a poll. I got so sick of being interrupted that I made a sign for the door. I felt bad for the later ones, but it really does get annoying after a while.

Boy, when they said every vote counted, they don't know HOW right they were!

I got to talk to Dan for a few short minutes last night. I guess he's had it really rough, especially being in the play and all. I hope he's up for a longer phone call sometime next week.

No, I didn't go down to State St. Yes, I'm upset that a bunch of out-of-town losers ruined it AGAIN. Maybe we should card everyone to see if they are UW students before they get to go, since UW students made up only 12% of the arrests/tickets.........

Anything else that's happened? I don't think so, but I'll let you know if it does!

Christi

I know of at least 1 person that won't be on State St.

There's this one girl down the hall whose parents told her she had to go home for the weekend! As for me, I may head down there early with a few non-drinking friends to see what all the fuss is about. I have a feeling I'm in for a letdown since all there will be is a street and a lot of strange costumed people standing on it. And the fines are HUGE this year for disorderly conduct ($400) and underage drinking and stuff.

I don't get what's so great about going out, getting so drunk that you don't remember anything, and then waking up in the morning with a terrible headache and a sick stomach ------ is it even worth it???

Well, I'd best be off to class. I've been so bad, sleeping in until 8AM instead of 7AM and now I wanna go back to bed! Lol

Christi

I'd Rather Be In Bed

With a relaxing weekend behind me (and I'm sure that all that time I spent relaxing will come to bite me in the behind!), I must put my best foot forward and get going on homework, classes, and work for this week. Never a dull moment around here. Not much happened this weekend, especially since Moogie's car broke down so we couldn't get groceries and my House won the Penny War by $.30 (we beat a house almost 2x our size!). We won not only bragging rights, but also a pizza party - although I only knew about half of the people in that room :(
Today I'm off even earlier since I found someone to buy some stuff from me. Then its straight to class, work, class, and then some more work. I won't be home tonight until 8:30 or later. I'll have to miss bible study, but I really need the hours in at work. Especially since originally I was only scheduled for 6!
Well, I've got to polish up some Spanish, so I'm going to get going on this crazy long day!

Christi

Oh yeah, we are 8-0 --- only the 4th time in 115 years that we've had that record. GO BADGERS GO!

Party with Bucky

I don't have much time to write, but I thought i'd let you know that I'm alive, and well .... well, most of the time at least. I haven't gotten much sleep lately - just too much to do. And Today's no exception, because I'm off to work @ the BIG Badger Huddle with UW alumni and BUCKY! It's going to be a long day (6AM on a Saturday morning!), and I'll miss watching most if not all of the game since the game starts at 11 AM and I'm scheduled to get off around 1PM (and depending on exactly how much clean up we have to do, it could be even later!) Anyway, I'll survive any way you slice it. Well, I must get ready to go. I want to make certain I make it down to Gordon with time to spare since today's one of the few days I wanna make SURE I'm there on time - we don't want any problems today!

Christi

A grey day

the highlight of my day - Rollie brought me lunch @ work -- wasn't hot by the time I got to it, but it was REAL food from one of the nicest co-workers I've ever had! (he's one of the truck drivers)
the low point of my day - Spanish midterm - part II s

Really, I think our professor's EVIL. Like he wants us to do badly. Take for instance, our last chapter. We didn't even get through the stuff we were assigned and apparently we didn't even get the whole assignment on time! Last Thursday we ask him what we'll be studying for the test, and he goes blah, blah blah and such-and-such <-- the part we never got assigned! We told him that, and gave him written proof. He said he must've told us in class, but that's not likely since NO BODY knew! He is constantly comparing us to his other "perfect" class. I bet they knew earlier than a couple of days before the test - I bet they even talked about it before the test! Now we are all going to look 10x worse and it isn't even our fault! If I'd known the kind of crap this guy was going to pull, I would've dropped long ago! Grrrr......our final's Dec 17th - a little less than two months and I'll be finished with him for good. I can't wait!

Christi

Here's our theme for Homecoming - I think it's the only political stance most everyone can agree upon. I wonder....what would happen if Bucky really were president?? 

Keeping my fingers crossed

Hello All!

Sorry I haven't posted in long time - life gets so hectic around here! I had to work lots this week, being the week before homecoming and all. Lots of parents around to catch some of the spirit floating in the air. The kick-off was MTV's "Rock the Vote" playing on Library Mall on Friday afternoon. I didn't get to enjoy it because I was taking the first of two midterms. Back-to-back. I think I did ok on them....I guess I'll find out in a few weeks. Anywho, even if I hadn't had those tests, I'd probably would've stayed in bed anyway - work from the night before went a little late since the 200 plated dinner went an hour over so we went 2 1/2 hrs over cleaning up and washing dishes. Well, I didn't wash any dishes 'cause I got sent home so I could study and get some sleep before those tests. I didn't even get that much sleep, or that much studying done since I didn't get back to Liz before 11PM and Erin didn't make it back until after 12 AM. So much for getting done at 10PM, like my boss always schedules us (now we just automatically add on two hours to our expected end-time to any plated dinner, since that's usually how many dishes we end up doing). All's well that ends well, and well, it ended at least.

Speaking of homecoming, that reminds me ... I've got to go pick up my tee-shirt tomorrow for the run/walk tomorrow! I don't think I'm going to make it to the actual event :( but at least I'll be with my family at the time it happens :)

Not much other than that. I've got to get reading some Spanish material for the second half of that midterm on Monday. I hope everyone has a great week - I know it'll be great around here!!

Christi


P.S. Wouldn't it be great to go somewhere sunny for New Year's? Travel a few thousand miles, lay out on a beach, see a parade, and sit in a stadium filled with other football fans just like you - could it be possible for the Wisconsin Badgers to go to the Rose Bowl in sunny Pasadena, CA????? Well, with the MAJOR upset in today's football game - they beat undefeated Purdue @ Purdue's homecoming - it just might be possible....well, we can dream at least. There's still a lot of football season left to go, and it can go either way. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. But if they were to make it, don't expect me home for New Year's!

Life in the College Lane

Not much happening around here. I don't even know if I'm working tomorrow morning or not! Grrrr.....wish people would tell me what I need to do. Like this one person that I bought stuff from - I haven't gotten an e-mail and I bought it on the 7th! Grrr......

Classes are crazy and it's about to get even harder! I don't know what I'll do, especially since I'm working a lot this week and next for catering. Gotta love Homecoming week!

Christi

P.S. I wish I would've gotten a picture of Matt and Carmen yesterday (they are dating!).

Updated by Request

Alissa scolded me for not updating lately, so here I am about to do so. really, not much has been happening around here. I've been going to work (not catering, but commissary) every morning, starting @ 6AM and getting out around 9AM. Then I'd go to class, then on Wednesday I had to go to work (catering related) before heading back to class. I have survived, and as a reward, today I slept in until 6AM (on accident, I slept in until 6:30AM!) instead of getting up @4:30AM. Now I must go shower and get some Microecon finished for class today. Today's going to be a killer - 3 classes in a row starting @8:50, followed by an appointment, then I've got to run all over campus for meds and housing payments, then I go back to class until 4:30PM. No lunch and no free time for me. However, I will get lots of exercise!

Well, I must get going on the day ahead. I think I'll sleep well tonight!
Christi

Ahhh!

Sorry for the triple post - I guess those actually did go through! My test was -eh so so. Some parts I totally rocked, some I totally bit the big one on. Hopefully everyone else had problems with the same question I did because I did the math three times and it just didn't come out right!

Must go do homework.

Christi

A Weekend Home and another left-handed mishap

ok, I just wrote this page, and it froze so now I have even less time to study for my test 'cause I've got to rewrite. Here's the short hand:

- Had big spanish test, I think it went well ... guess I'll find out today!
- Spent Friday night with Alaina, Erin, and Moogie. We ate at Applebee's and then went to "Shark Tale" at the movie theater. Good food, good movie, good times.
- Went HOME Friday night! It was really really nice to get back there and see my Buddy and my Daisy.
- Spent all of Saturday being a bum....boy was it great! Got to watch movies, eat junk food, play games with my pets, type up moogie's movie list, and wash all my laundry (moogie helped)
- Came back to Madison on Sunday. I can still picture Buddy's back to me as I shut the door :(
- Picked up Matt on the way in. He was walking back from his GIRLFRIEND's house. I don't know if I'll be able to ever meet her. Especially since Edgewood doesn't have an online student directory. Her name is Carmen.
- Ate at Dotty's ... good burgers, bad Packer game
- In Eui cut the top of her finger at about 10PM. Took her an hour to decide that she wouldn't be going into the ER.... it's her 4th finger on her left hand. For those keeping track - Alaina smashed her 2nd finger on her left hand in the freezer door I had stitches in my 3rd finger on my left hand. Erin thinks she has to be REALLY careful so she doesn't join our little group!
- now I should study for that test today. Hope everyone has a good day. As for me, I'll be counting down the days until Christmas vacation when I can be a bum again! Christi

A Weekend Home and another left-handed mishap

ok, I just wrote this page, and it froze so now I have even less time to study for my test 'cause I've got to rewrite. Here's the short hand: - Had big spanish test, I think it went well ... guess I'll find out today! - Spent Friday night with Alaina, Erin, and Moogie. We ate at Applebee's and then went to "Shark Tale" at the movie theater. Good food, good movie, good times. - Went HOME Friday night! It was really really nice to get back there and see my Buddy and my Daisy. - Spent all of Saturday being a bum....boy was it great! Got to watch movies, eat junk food, play games with my pets, type up moogie's movie list, and wash all my laundry (moogie helped) - Came back to Madison on Sunday. I can still picture Buddy's back to me as I shut the door :( - Picked up Matt on the way in. He was walking back from his GIRLFRIEND's house. I don't know if I'll be able to ever meet her. Especially since Edgewood doesn't have an online student directory. Her name is Carmen. - Ate at Dotty's ... good burgers, bad Packer game
- In Eui cut the top of her finger at about 10PM. Took her an hour to decide that she wouldn't be going into the ER.... it's her 4th finger on her left hand. For those keeping track - Alaina smashed her 2nd finger on her left hand in the freezer door I had stitches in my 3rd finger on my left hand. Erin thinks she has to be REALLY careful so she doesn't join our little group! - now I should study for that test today. Hope everyone has a good day. As for me, I'll be counting down the days until Christmas vacation when I can be a bum again! Christi

A Weekend at Home and another left-handed mishap

Friday was crazy, but I did finish the big o' Spanish test with I think a fairly good grade. I celebrated by going home to be with Buddy and Daisy. Before that, Erin, Alaina, Moogie, and I went out to eat at Applebee's and then went to "Shark Tale" at the movie theater. Good food, good movie, good night.
Saturday I spent lounging about the house and loving every minute - even though I had a boat-load of laundry to do. Sunday I had to leave :( Moogie and I picked up Matt, who was walking home from his new girlfriend's house (we haven't met her yet, and Edgewood doesn't have a student directory online :( ) We ate at Dotty's, where they have some really great burgers! Then we went to the store for some milk and then I was here at Liz again. I've got a midterm this morning .... less than two hours away in fact.

Hard to believe that day before yesterday I was at home for the entire day (usually I go back on Saturdays and leave on Sundays) with my Buddy and my Daisy! I wish I could go back ..... now I just can't wait for the holiday season!

Christi

Stitchless, Footloose, and Fancy-Free

I can't finish my homework because my roommate's asleep. What does her sleeping at 8Pm have to do with my homework? Answer - well, since I sent my English paper to moogie and she called me with the answers, leaving them on the answering machine that I now can't play because my roommate's asleep - I'd say everything. I just finished participating in an economics experiment. I can't believe I figured it out - how to earn more money, that is. Too bad I didn't just go with that idea, but I still ended up with more than I anticipated. Yeppers, I can tell you that I made at least $.10 'cause that's what I found on the floor of the testing room. Otherwise, I'm not supposed to tell anyone what happened or how much I made. Otherwise, I'd have to kill you (that's what they told me to say!). Anyway, I guess I'll go take my answering machine and a notebook out into the hall to get going on that paper.

Love ya,
Christi

Good Morning!

I can already tell that i'm going to sleep very well tonight. I'm going in to the RHC this morning for a couple of extra hours of work. Then I'm off to class. Then I've got to catch the bus for the hospital, where hopefully I can eat lunch. Then I get my stitches out - yeah! Then it's back in to campus for Spanish, where I'll finally get back to Liz at about 5PM (after I meet with the TA to discuss this paper I wrote). Yeppers, that's my day in a nut shell. Just wish I didn't have to get up so early to get it started!

Christi

Howdy

Not much happening. Just trying to get everything and everyone paid and still get a little bit left over. I'm also having a hard time with Spanish - I'm already burnt out on trying to get stuff done for it. If I hadn't taken that class, I'd have a TON more free time! Oh well, it'll be over with soon.................. won't it?


Christi

best laid plans go to waste

It seems everytime I try to get involved, things go horribly wrong. Take for instance, last week when I tried to go to a church supper thing. I ended up wasting almost a half an hour trying to get up the courage to go and ask if some people were the ones I was looking for! Tonight is the same way. First I thought I'd drop off my form for "Active for Life" for Colleges Against Cancer. Little did I realize that it was a MEETING starting at 7PM. I waltzed in at 7:30PM, completely embarassing myself. I think I was the only "stranger" in the room. The meeting quickly wrapped up after I sat down, and it was off to Liz for bible study.
Yeah, I didn't end up going to that one either b/c the name I was looking for wasn't in the room that I was told it would be in, so I just quickly left, looking really upset and totally confused. I guess I'll just spend what time I had hoped to use making new friends and getting more involved in the church to do Spanish homework ---- yippie

Christi

Someone Gets Kicks out of stealing Dry-Erase Boards

And the missing dry-erase boards happen to be Erin S's, Alaina's, and MINE!

All of the markers except the housefellow's and somone a little farther up the hall are gone too. This is one SICK prank and it's gonna get someone into trouble. I've informed the lady in charge of Liz, but since I can't do much here (I'm always gone, especially yesterday) I hope to get someone else to help, like the rest of the people on the floor. I don't care about my dry-erase board (what I really want back is the marker), its the principle of the thing. Stealing isn't funny. But why am I one of the few that ever gets that? Maybe because usually it is I who have had the property stolen. Grrrrrrr..... perhaps I will take Erin B's board down to at least save one of the boards from being a goner!

Christi

P.S. The Badgers WON!

A football Saturday spent at work working at Alumni Assoctiation Events!

Today, I may have been at work for almost 10 hours, but it almost all of it had to do with some sort of Badger Football pride.

First things first, we had a drop-off meal at one of the engineering buildings. Well, we went to the one John (the driver) thought it was. It happened to be the building where the busses, trailers, and mobile home were parked for the ESPN's "Game Day" show. John cursed them for "blocking" the driveway. John need not have worried for two reasons. First of all, he can back up anything, in any situation. And it was a beautiful parking job (only a couple of hundred yards away from the actual "Game Day" booth!). The other reason was that we were at the WRONG BUILDING! We were supposed to be next door!

After that, we were at the Wisconsin Alumni Association luncheon where they gave me a "Beat Penn State" pin, which I wore. And it was a good thing since Penn State's color happens to be the same color as our workshirt! I could've gotten beat up - well, more like teased - for being even a suggested Penn State fan!

But I fit right in w/o the pro-Badger pin @ the Penn State Alumni Association tailgate. There I met two really nice (and nice-looking) male cheerleaders (one even thanked us for coming!) and Gabe, a just-graduated Penn State alumni who asked for directions (and was also totally cute!). They gave us lots of stuff too, including stickers, pictures, pompons, a button that says "Too Badger gonna lose" (aka "too bad you're gonna lose") - to which I shall add "Penn State!" and a Penn State Alumni Association visor - to which I shall add my "Beat Penn State" and revised Penn State pins to.

Now I'm back here at Liz writing to you (I just lost the first draft!),typing one of the Liz higher-ups about missing dry-erase markers & my dry-erase board (like, the entire BOARD), and watching the Badger game (since Moogie is really bad at trying to explain what is happening over-the-phone, and calls Penn State the "bad guys"). I hope to soon start homework ..... or maybe I'll just work on Moogie's Christmas present. Well, the game's getting really interesting, with Penn State is now on their 3rd-string QB since one has a hurt shoulder and the other was taken to the hospital(!). Will tell you what happens!

Christi

The Best picture of Me I have - Taken by Moogie at a Farmer's Market (I've even got my "Farmer's Market" hat on!) 

Just Another Saturday ... Almost

Saturday brings extra hours at work, a cop car ride, and a visit to the ER - this story just leaves me in STITCHES!

Yeah, you read that right. I have an explaination too. I was going to be very helpful and work even MORE hours at the Commissary because I'm a nice person. After peeling many pounds - 50 total - of potatoes(dropping only 13), I thought I'd be even more helpful and help cut them into cubes. Ya know, I think that Food Service is the only place that actually is silly enough to let me wield a just-sharpened knife. I generally pick the smallest, dullest knife possible. Heck, this was the smallest knife to choose from.

About 3-4 potatoes in, I slice open my middle finger on my left hand. A ride was called for me to be taken to the ER - but since Housing has a policy to not have anyone from the unit drive someone to the Hospital under any circumstances, a very nice police officer picked me up. Those seats in the back aren't very nice, either. Hard, cold plastic with very restrictive seat belts.

I was taken to the UW Hospital (who hoo ..... just my FAVORITE place to go - NOT!), where it took 4 hours to get me admitted, sent to a pediatrics room (which had it's own TV and a little "Children from around the World" border), sewed up (I can't stand to look at my finger right now, so I think it's two or three stitches), and sent home (which I almost had to walk all the way back b/c no one could come pick me up). I had to return to work since all of my stuff was there. I felt soooooo woozey - from general fatigue (see * for Friday night details), exhaustion after a long week, and loss of blood -that I called people so that they could keep my mind off of my condition. I ended up walking to Liz from Gordon's (a little less than a mile) because the bus would've taken forever. I got back just in time to see the Badgers @ Arizona game be postponed for 80+ minutes due to a rain delay (in the desert!). I tried to do a little bit of Spanish, but I get so frustrated at the situtation (see $ for details), that I instead watched a movie, talked to Moogie, am writing to you, and will start on some Microecon homework. Tomorrow I'll spend doing more homework and going with Alaina to a Movie Gallery where they have a buy2 - get 2 deal (4 movies for $30!!). Yeah, that's my weekend in a nut shell. And guess what I get to do early Monday morning - that's right, go to WORK! I was supposed to do more peeling and cutting of potatoes, but I think they'll put me into Bakery, where the sharpest thing is a small, fairly dull paring knife to cut bananas. And I bet they won't even let me do that!

Love ya, "Stitch"

Hahahhahaha....this story just leaves me in STITCHES!

*Friday night - I spent with Aunt Linda, her three girls, Moogie, and Matt, eating as many breadsticks as possible at Fazoli’s. We stayed there for many hours, listening to Kelsey’s spin on “Praise Be the Lord” and trying to get more info on Matt’s chica. Then Moogie, Matt, and I went on a search for a Movie Gallery. It took us a little longer than expected, but we did finally find one (the address for one on the webpage hadn’t been updated). I got lots of great movies that I’d wanted for awhile – and only for $30 (4 of ‘em, fairly new releases and everything!). Then we headed back to campus. I know I was up late, so I knew Moogie was up even later than I – it’s been a long time since THAT ever happened!

$ Spanish - Spanish … what can I say about Spanish? I’m not the best at Spanish, but I guess my TA assumes I am. He assigns us everything possible, is wishy-washy on what he actually wants done and when, gets EXTREMELY nit-picky on his tests (I mean, come ON, how much is one girl going to actually remember when she’s still trying to get all of the work done), and gets angry when we don’t understand him (which we usually don’t – and when he asks us if we have any questions, he usually moves on before we can catch up to him). I’m sure he’s a really nice guy outside of the classroom, but I think the 22 hours of homework (and I’m still NOT done!) last week was a little much! I’ve tried to talk to him about this, but without much luck – he laughed at me when I told him my hand hurt because I did 10 hours of Spanish homework and 4 of Micro one weekend, and told me I should practice my Spanish more and spread out the work (um, there’s only two days in a weekend!). I hope to speak with the Spanish 204 coordinator….. I don’t know if it’ll help, but at least I’ll have tried to make my life and that of my fellow classmates a little bit easier and I hope to soon dread Spanish class a little less.

I'm no Wordsworth

In honor of my trying to learn to decipher poetry, here's a little piece of my own. If it is too horrible (which it is), please don't hurt your eyes by reading it.

Today is Friday
Nothing ever goes my way
I can't even part-ay
'Cause I have a Spanish Test
I speak not in jest
At least I don't work
(ya know, Bucky can sometimes be a real jerk)
Hmmm...I know I should stop
but I just want to top
all this bad rhyming that I do
because I do it for you!

If you spared yourself the pain of reading the poem, you can start reading again now. Today I've got a spanish test, a one-page paper due (not my finest, but also not graded), and lots more classes. Hopefully I can get to go where I want to go (Movie Gallery) so I can spend some of this weekend vegging and watching super-cheap movies!

Well, I must go decorate a door for a birthday. Love ya lots,
Christi

early morning call

Although it was 7AM, I truly enjoyed a nice talk with Dan. Just thought I'd tell you guys, 'cause it made me really happy :-D

Good Morning

Not much has been happening around here lately. Lots and lots of homework. Little catering work. Still having problems with payroll. Otherwise, life's normal - well, as normal as life could ever be. I hope everyone is having a good week!
YChristi

Happy Monday Morning!

Feels like it shouldn't be Monday. Probably because yesterday was one of the rare Sundays in which catering actually had to work. Saturday I spent going with Michelle and Taffy down to the farmer's market. I bought Buddy kitty grass (which he just LOVES) and Daisy corn. I know what you are thinking: why did you buy your dog corn? Simple - squirrels love corn and Daisy loves chasing after squirrels! Lol..silly dog. After the Farmer's Market, I had to watch the football game, but then Moogie came to town so I had to settle for listening to it. We went to lunch at Fazoli's and then headed straight for shopping, since we didn't have much time. I checked up on the Badger game while in Woodman's - the won! Headed back to Liz for over 5 hours of homework - all Spanish, which still didn't finish it. Sunday morning I spent doing more homework (another 1.5 hours of Spanish, and yet STILL hadn't finished it!), which hurt my hand (carpal tunnel? don't know, it's only happened once before and has cleared up soon). I borrowed Alaina's brace and headed off to work. We got of work an hour early, so I got to come back to even more Spanish (which I finished as best I could). Now I'm here, over an hour later than usual (slept right through the alarms!), but still have plenty of time to get everything done.

"It's Going to Be A Bright Sunshiny Day" is playing on the radio. I sure hope they are right!

Christi

Why do things happen the way they do?

Not much is happening around here. Except that payroll messed up my paycheck for this week and "can't do anything for me" until next payday, two weeks for now. Instead of getting paid for two weeks, I got paid for one, and I didn't even get overtime on that one week (which I worked 45 hours). I guess this problem was campus-wide, so at least I'm not alone. So now I'm broke (like usual) until NEXT payday, when I'll hopefully be able to save some $$ for next quarter's housing.

You know how crazy I am? Last night (Friday night) I .....cleaned my room! I got rid of a bunch of old newspapers (after reading the comics, of course!), put things in the right places, and generally organized everything. It took me about 4-5 hours, but it was worth it because now I have almost nothing on the table (except what I'm bringing today), nothing on the floor (except for stuff kept under the table since we have no chairs to worry about), and nothing on my desk that is out of place (finally, no more papers all over everything!). The only thing that would've made it better was for me to get some homework done too. Well, I guess you can't have everything.

Well, I'm off to the farmer's market in order to buy stuff for Alaina. Maybe some kitty grass for Buddy. Maybe some....
Christi :-)

Short recap of events

I think this may have been the longest stint of non-posting I've done in awhile! I'll try to bring you up to speed.

Fri 9/4
Another 6AM shift, this time frosting cakes and cutting bars. I almost fell asleep again in History class - a very bad thing since he actually started lecturing on the first day. A few more classes, but no more sleeping. Worked a plated dinner. We were scheduled until 10:30PM but got out at 12:15AM!

Sat 9/5
For my Badger Buddy stint, I had to do a project along with helping others move in. This project happened to be taking other Liz people to the Farmer's Market. I bought lots of chocolate chip cookies to take to the family gathering on Sunday. Alaina bought a dragon from the toy store on the square. Michelle bought a watermelon that was just about the right size to make her look like a pregnant woman ... the stares as she carried that thing down State St. were funny. Then I watched the Badger game (we won!!). Then I headed off to work again. Another plated dinner. Supposed to be off at 10PM. Didn't leave until 1AM!!! I broke 2 bread and butter plates, a large glass bowl, and a stem glass. I didn't let myself touch anymore glass for the rest of the night!

Sun 9/5
Went to the family thing. Had a good time. Boy is Lexus getting big! Everytime I see her she's talking (well, babbling) more and now holds her own sippy-cup. Finally taught Matt how to use Moogie's digital camera, which he had a fun time playing with. Moogie took Matt back to Madison while I stayed in Dodgeville with Buddy and Daisy.

Mon 9/6
I was as lazy as can be. I slept until 8AM, but since Moogie was asleep, I decided not to wake her and go back to sleep. Apparently she had had the same idea not more than a couple of hours before I did. I slept in until 10AM (almost 12 hours of sleep, but after that weekend I needed it). Spent more time with my little girl and little boy (Daisy and Buddy). Went back to Madison to go shopping and do homework.

Tues 9/7
Today the plan is to go to class at about 10AM. Then do more homework here for my next class at 3:30PM. Then I've got some time to do even more homework before band at 7PM. The reason my lunch is so big is because I had planned on working at the Liz cafeteria. Now I've got big lunches to do homework and catch-up on sleep and other misc. stuff.

Well, I must go and do something productive before class. And hope that I don't sleep in it again!!

Christi

It was the best of days, it was the worst of days

Perhaps a bit more worse than better. After I got up this morning, I went to the Commissary (they make all the food for all of housing-run food service places around campus) because they needed some help this morning (and tomorrow morning). I helped make the pineapple banana blizzards (pudding, oreos, pineapple, bananas I sliced myself, whipped cream, walnuts and chocolate sauce for a garnish). I also panned up cookies, hot out of the oven. It takes a lot of self-control to keep myself from eating just one. Soooooo yummy looking, and as I found out tonight at the house meeting (where those same cookies were our snack) they really ARE GOOD! Went to my first class, where I found out that Sarah Heitman from Viroqua (she had gone to school in Washington, D.C. her first year, but came back to Wisconsin bccause she was home-sick) was in it! Too bad I was so exhausted, not only did I not get to talk to her, I almost fell asleep! I think the professor noticed because he looked at me like I was stupid when I asked a question and then went into some rules, including one about not sleeping in class. Ooops. Thankfully, he doesn't know my name yet.

I headed back to work for a little cart set-up time. I was so exhausted that I just about ran out of there at 2PM. Moogie was supposed to visit me, but appointments showed up today, so I'll hopefully see her tonight after her class. I went to Spanish, where I sort of got what he was saying. I had to buy one of the books (which I already own since they are the same ones we used for the other class) because I can't find it. Hopefully it will be in one of the boxes Moogie's bringing me tonight. If not, I have to find it ($45 is a lot of money!!) so I can take this one back. I wouldn't have even bought it, but I've already been given homework due tomorrow. Which I should be doing right now :) I went down to the church cook-out but I didn't get to go with anyone nor did I see anyone I knew so I had kind of a bummer time. At least the priest seems nice and so does everyone else. I couldn't stay very long anyway, 'cause I had to make it back for the house meeting (and the cookies!). Now I'm back in my room waiting for a phone call from Moogie and putting off my homework. :)

Hope everyone else is having as much fun (and tons better luck) with classes!
Christi

P.S. I've been decorating our room with all sorts of UW Madison stuff. I have that $5 poster of the stadium I bought in Viroqua, a postcard collection, a picture of Camp Randall circa 1864, and a colorized map of the campus all framed. I also put up a pennent, some of those free pompons, a frizbee from the Wisconsin Welcome Week committee, a free mousepad with some good info on it, and the hats from all of the housing food service places on campus hanging up. How sad am I? I think the most expensive things on the walls are the frames, the Camp Randall poster, and the family calendar! If you want to see it, I'll try to get some pics online soon. So you can see how truly cheap I am!

First Day of Class

Today is the first day of classes. My first class is English 167 at 9:55AM. My second class is Spanish 204 at 3:30PM. In between I'll be busy at work. I kinda need the paycheck - need to save up for stuff, like second quarter housing. It'll be ok, though. No homework yet :) Well, I'm going to head back to bed for a couple of minutes. Hope everyone is having a good first month of classes! It'll be summer before you know it.

Christi

And All Shall Be Fed

Last night was definately a lesson in .... everything. You know the story of Jesus and the loaves of bread he multiplies so that everyone can eat? We did about the same last night (only we didn't have the Son of God and we had brats on our bread). For the 5th Quarter's Tailgate party, we expected 1,100 people, but prepared for 1,500. This is unoffical, but we believe it was more like 3,000! We ran out of ketchup, apples, cookies, chips, and napkins. Many got free brats because we couldn't charge them for the full meal and we would've had to throw them out anyway. In the end, there were a few brats left that we did have to throw out, but I guess you can't win them all! It was a lot of fun because I got to work with some Liz peoples and also some higher-ups in University housing (like the director of Housing Paul Evans and and associate director Bob Fessenden) jumped in to wrap brats and stuff paper bags with me! Totally awesome.

Oh my, I must get running to work!
Lots of love,
Christi

A New Day has come

My roommate is extremely nice, well-mannered, and always afraid that her english isn't good (she speaks better english than most people I know and has little accent). She finally got her packages this morning, so she's very excited. My stuff is overflowing in this room, so it'll be nice to have something different to look at.

Well, if Moogie's coming soon to visit, and I've got Badger Buddy training after that and then work after THAT, I'd better get going!

Christi

New Roommate

My roommate will be moving in today. She actually came yesterday, but we couldn't get the ok for her to move in until today. Unfortunantly I had already switched shifts for today when she told me she was moving in at 11AM. I work 9AM-1pm because one girl at work needed to move her brother in today. Anyway, lots of fun to be had at work. And when I get back, I'll have a roommate.

I haven't bought books yet. No money until Friday. No worries, I can behave myself for a least a couple of more days.

Not much more than that. Hope everyone is well!
Love, Christi

New Roommate

My roommate will be moving in today. She actually came yesterday, but we couldn't get the ok for her to move in until today. Unfortunantly I had already switched shifts for today when she told me she was moving in at 11AM. I work 9AM-1pm because one girl at work needed to move her brother in today. Anyway, lots of fun to be had at work. And when I get back, I'll have a roommate.

I haven't bought books yet. No money until Friday. No worries, I can behave myself for a least a couple of more days.

Not much more than that. Hope everyone is well!
Love, Christi

A New Job has started

Supervising looked so easy. After today's inspirational speaker and "respect in the workplace" speaker, I now realize that I truly have a lot to learn. At least I'm with people I know ... Erin, my fellow catering supervisor-in-training, as well as the Liz supervisors that I've worked with for almost a full year. Tonight we all went out for dinner at Dotty's Dumpling Dowry .... they have the best and messiest burgers! Then most of us went to Sarah's house to see "Love Actually" and tell jokes. Lots o' fun, but that may come back in the morning when I don't get enough sleep. But I had a really good time!

Well, this girl's got another long day tomorrow. Hope everyone is good around there!
Christi

At home in Liz Waters

It took us 4.5 hours to get both Matt and I moved into our new places. I'll be able to stay in Liz for the rest of the year, but Matt will have to move yet again to Merit (his fall assignment) from Cole (temporary housing for training) sometime this week. I can't believe supervisor training starts tomorrow! Seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out Carson's dish machine! At least I got to work a couple of catering shifts before I started training so I kinda know the layout and stuff.

This room's a complete mess because I just kinda put everything everywhere. Since I haven't decided what the layout is going to be, I didn't want to unpack a lot. Of course, my computer had to be put together first before I could start anything else - it's my lifeline to you guys :-D Anywho, at least my moving's done. Now, to get this room up and running before my roommate gets here! I'll post a picture as soon as it's ready!

I have a new phone number and address - please e-mail me if you want them!

Christi

Heading for Liz Waters

I was a bad girl last night and left my packing to the last minute.. I always seem to underestimate the junk I've got to pack too. Hopefully I can get it done this morning before work so I can just keep moving stuff out this afternoon. I want to be moved into Liz completely by 5-6 PM, but since we've got to move Matt too, that is going to be difficult. Plus we have to go grocery shopping. To illustrate the need for regular food, for breakfast this morning I'm having a boca burger with just ketchup (usually cheese, tomato and lettuce) and wheat bread (usually 12 grain). Darn it, yet another computer virus has been detected! I'm going to have to plan some time for a DoIT visit to see if they can get this stupid spyware off ... I think that's why the computer's so slow and why I'm getting so many viruses (4 to date).

Well, the burger's done and I've got a mess to pack. I'll write to you next time from Liz Waters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christi

My Feet HURT!

After walking in Allen Centennial Gardens with Mom for an hour, we picked up Matt from work we went out to Fazoli's for brunch. We went to Wal-Mart - me for craft supplies since I was going crazy watching TV without doing at least something constructive. Matt had to get more phone card minutes so he could call his "special friend". Then I got dropped off at work. I punched in a half an hour early since I had nothing else to do. Then I worked an extra 2 hrs and 45 mins at the end of the shift to learn take-down stuff. And the only break I got was for 10 mins! So that's why my feet hurt. A lot. So much I begged a ride off of an Ed's sup (and a Matt coworker). And I don't want to go shower because I've got to move to do it. Yeah, I'm pathetic. But now I know a bit more about catering and a lot more about some of the people who work there.

Well, I've got to get to bed sometime soon.
Christi

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13 started as well as expected. I woke up at 4:40 to a power outtage. Apparently the lights had been off for over an hour due to some problem with a line. I luckily had brought the box with the flashlight, so I was able to make my way downstairs. I woke Matt up (my alarm is on my cell phone but I didn't know what he uses). We figured the best thing to do was to go back to bed for a little bit, since I couldn't check e-mails or check my bank account or post on my blog (I actaully wrote this at 5:30AM on my PDA and transferred it). Now I must head off to work and hope that when I return later this morning everything will be fixed because I don't know how long I can remain sane without my computer!

We finished work a half an hour early. No major problems, no dish machine breakdown, no Lakeshore vs. SouthEast (a very good thing since they outnumber us). I took a half an hour nap. Should get running back to work. I'll keep you updated should anything else happen.

Christi

Just a note for everyone - the only other thing that happened today was that I had to go through some hoops to get my internet up and running. All is well now, though :-D I am currently watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics - it is really interesting to watch!

WIN GOLD U.S.A. !!!!!! 8:13PM

Just for Shannon 

Family at the Capitol during Farmer's Market 

Not ready to join the "Real World" again

I had the first real time off in ages, but it simply wasn't long enough. Saturday I spent with Taffy, going to the Farmer's Market, walking all over campus, and making weird concoctions for dinner. I went to the movie "The Notebook" with Rebecca and Naomi. Naomi just graduated from here, and will be heading to Mexico to start her job teaching English in a matter of days! Rebecca is the head supervisor at Liz and a really really nice person who always has a smile on her face. I don't think I've ever seen her cross.

Sunday I spent with the family. Went to Old Country, went shopping, went to Dodgeville. Spent the night doing laundry and watching movies (50 First Dates and Girl with a Pearl Earring). Spent most of Monday sleeping in (until almost 11 AM!!!), having lunch with Moogie at a small cafe on Main Street, researching digital cameras and printers at the Library, walking Daisy (I just about had to carry her back), and burning pictures and CDs for the ol' 'puter here in Jorns. Headed back (never enough time at the house for my Dizzy and Bubber) here, repotted Fred, George, Harry, and No-Name (I haven't found a good one yet), watched "Funny Girl", and went to bed. I couldn't fall asleep, so nervous about not getting up in time for work this morning. I start at 6:15AM but I want to get there extra early to find out were everything is.oooooo stupid "o" key!

Well, much to do (including a short nap before heading out!).
Christi

My First Party

I was invited to a little party tonight. I drank only root beer and 7-Up, along with my party of friends who also weren't drinking. We spent most of the night talking to this guy who got progressively drunker as the night wore on. He eventually sat down, thinking that the chair he was sitting on had a hole in it. What he was actually sitting on was the trash can! He nearly fell in too! Lots of interesting people to meet and we talked about all sorts of stuff. We (my little party of sober people) left at 10:30PM - right about the time that some serious partying was starting. Rebecca and Naomi escorted me to the bus stop, where I got on the 80 and called Moogie. I got back to Jorns safe and sound - thank you to all who decided to call me tonight because I usually have no social life. Made me seem like a person who was really popular. Also helped me get out of some awkward situations (the garbage can for a chair drunk guy was really losing his depth perception because he was getting closer and closer to us, so that when he pointed his finger was just about touching you - he pointed a lot when he was making points in the conversation). All and all a good night. As soon as I got back here, I started to hook up the ol' computer. Everything else is in boxes spread all over the room. I really hope they don't stick anyone in here tomorrow, because there's simply no room left.

Well, I've got an early morning planned. Going to go to the Farmer's Market with Taffy. Hope everyone had a good night - I did!

Christi

final...what final?

Yes my final is tomorrow morning. Yes, I have been studying. Yes, I have been slacking off too. Today I met Taffy on my way back from class. We went to Curry 'N' Hurry for lunch - an aquired taste I didn't aquire. I think I could lose a lot of weight in India... The people were friendly and the atmosphere good, so it wasn't a total bust - besides, I can now say I've tried it. We went over to UHS for some meds ice cream (yes, Moogie, I will take you there), to and to say hi to Pete and get my schedule. I think I'll call catering and see if I can get more work, 'cause otherwise it isn't worth my time. I'm already hoping to go home for a couple of days (Sunday afternoon-Monday night) to see my pets. I'm still trying to get this whole housing mess cleared up so I can move into Liz Waters early and not pay for it :-) I will not be able to finish the Voyager Second Season - about 4-6 episodes off. Oh well, it's been fun to watch all the "classics". I think I'll try to get Erin into it, like she roped me into "Angel" - of which I never did get to see the last season. Well, I suppose I'll go study again. I wish I could pack, but I've seem to run out of boxes!

Wishing you were here to enjoy this wonderful Madison summer fun!
Y Christi

Not much to report

Sharon and George left last Friday with only a few complications. We said good-bye to them at Ol' Country and then I went with Matt, Joe, and Sarah to Best Buy, the movie I, Robot (which was really good and funny), and then back over to the East side (started on the east side and then went to the west for the movie and then back over to the east side) where I found one of my favorite shows - Star Trek: Voyager - on DVD at Half-Price Books. Unfortunantly, they all must be watched in 7 days for a money-back guarentee, otherwise I get store credit. I've already finished the first season and I'm hoping to get through the second season of Star Trek: Voyager by Friday so that at least I would only have to return one season for store credit if I had to. Lots of good episodes that I didn't remember are on those disks, along with some I remembered all too well. lol. I've only got a couple more disks to go, so then I'll be able to concentrate all my efforts on to Algebra, with the exception of a couple of sections of the book, it is going well. My final's on Friday, so it worries me that these sections are giving me problems ... the test will have a lot of emphasis on them.

I've run out of a lot of food - good thing I'm moving Friday (although where, when, and for how long remains a mystery). I'm still waiting for word from the organizer of the student supervisor training about living arrangements and possibly moving back into Liz Waters early.......I really wish I knew so that I knew what I was putting into storage and taking home. My roommate's moving out today to live with her sister for a day before heading home. Don't ask me why she feels like moving that much .... I don't ask questions like that anymore. I'll be sad to see her go, yet not......but I'll be seeing her this fall too (I think she might even work for housing), so maybe we'll get along better when we aren't living together.

Other than that, it's really just been about getting ready for Friday. Everything seems to hit on Friday. And hopefully, I'll be ready for when it hits.

Christi

Life back to crazy normal

Life will soon slow down as two of the three Lakeshore food service halls will be closing at the end of this week. Only 4 shifts to work instead of my usual 10. Will probably spend the extra time packing and studying. I finally finished writing the second draft of our paper - took me a grand total of four hours to do. I don't think she spent that long writing the thing in the first place! Oh well, soon it will be all over and I'll have the rest of the summer to myself ... well, a few hours here and there anyway.

Moogie, Sharon, George, and Daniel are still in LaCrosse, enjoying what is left of the Moss family visit to Wisconsin. They will leave from Madison tomorrow after a small family gathering - farewell. I am sad to see them go. Never enough time for them to visit us nor us to visit them.

I suppose I should get done the homework I put off so that I could finish that paper.


Y Christi