I Love My Bicycle...

I love the white paint, green and yellow John Deere written on the side, with green and yellow stripes. I love the white fenders accenting the skinny tires. I love the old, huge reflectors on the back and front. I love the large, worn leather seat that is hard as anything, but strangely comfortable. I love the girl-style of the bike (so I can wear skirts while riding...and of course I do!). I love the large handlebars that allow me to sit straight as I ride. I love the road-bike-like gear shift. I love the sweet, new brakes the Ames Bike Club oh-so-kindly put on my bike. I love the sweet, old-fashioned odometer/spedometer on the handlebars, I love the bike bar on the back which allows me to carry packages and purses without holding them. I love the amazing, loud, ringy-rusty bell on the right handlebar. I love the way the fenders squeak and the bike clicks as I ride it down the streets of Ames. I love the fact that this amazing, sweet, awesome, dream-bike of mine only cost $40!

Mostly, I love that Chaz bought this beloved bike for me because I did not have enough money...I still have to pay him back (I also love that he doesn't charge interest...hehe).

A definition of marriage and weddings

Steve and Chelsi's wedding was yesterday. Widely anticipated by myself, it came and went all too quickly. It was probably the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. Was it because everything was meticulously planned down to the last iota of a detail? Was it because thousands and thousands of dollars had been spent by all involved? No and no. It was beautiful because it was simple, lovely, and all about the couple's love. It perfectly suited the two getting married.

It was a day-long celebration. At dawn, the couple got baptized together a few yards from where they would later be married. The rest of the day was spent eating, sleeping, and fellowshipping with the couple and others involved in the wedding. It was so nice to actually get to spend some time with the bride and groom. It was a gorgeous day, so exploring and playing games were all options. At six, all of the guests arrived to eat supper. The tables were beautifully decorated with fresh wildflowers the family had picked up earlier. The wildflowers were all from a garden and arranged by the family. At 7:45, it was announced that the wedding ceremony would be held outside. Then, the couple was married under a beautiful canopy decorated with vines, with the ground scattered with colorful rose petals. Chelsi looked absolutely gorgeous in a simple wedding dress her and her sisters had made. It was beautiful! Steve looked handsome in a light brown suit. The bridesmaids looked beautiful as well, in dresses they had all picked out. Brown was the only stipulation. The guys wore suits with brown ties of their choice. The couple served the guests communion, praise songs were sung, and they were announced just as sun was setting. After the ceremony, there was dessert and dancing, toasts and talking. It was delightful.

One of the best parts, however, was the message on love Josh, the pastor, shared. Marriage is often taken too lightly these days. It is often gone into too lightly and broken even easier. Weddings, while beautiful, can be commercial and plastic. Gorgeously planned and perfectly executed, but without feeling. Josh told us that sometimes people even change their vows from "as long as we both shall live" to "as long as we both shall love." However, God ordains marriage as a physical symbol of His relationship with us. The way a husband and wife are to love each other and be committed to each other is the way God feels about us. Josh said, "Isn't it nice to know that when times get rough, God doesn't commit to us only 'as long as we both shall love'?"

It was absolutely refreshing to see these two beloved people come together as one in such a simple and lovely way. They committed to each other to be together for life, and I know they will honor that commitment. They didn't need a fancy wedding to do it, either. They focused on their love as opposed to the decorations and look. And this is what made that wedding the most beautiful one I have ever been to.

cranky worker

Working for the summer has left me exhausted. The work's not hard...it's actually fun. I love the CTLT family. It's just those early mornings that are really cramping my style. Oh well, I suppose I must get used to it for teaching. By 9, I'm cranky and ready for bed. It's 11, I'm gonna head to bed now. I'm getting unbearable to be around, so it must be time to go.

Oh, I went for a run tonight with Chaz. Yes, that's right. I went for a run. I hate running. Loathe it, in fact. I like him.

My Trip Home

mommy and daddy picking me up, driving sleepy, sleeping in, brothers jumping on me, grilling burgers, eating food, baby bunny, skinny Babe, crazy Ozzie, mischevious Leroy, dressing up, wedding, mommy/daughter time, shopping, tv watching, more sleeping, bloody noses, punches, bruises, brother beating, church going, brother teasing, radio singing, eating eating, grandma's jokes, money for Rwanda, apple pie, stories, laughter, "pathetic brushes with greatness," driving home, brother secrets, hugs and kisses, family love, driving back...missing them

Roomies

Kim's my new roommate. It's exciting! It's nice to come home and see her beauty in my living room. It's nice to decorate and girlify our apartment. Amy's slowly moving out, and that is sad, but it is time for my next stage in life. Well, by slowly I mean that she's preparing for marriage at the end of the month. *sigh* another one bites the dust...lucky girl.

I look over the roommates of my past. They've all only lasted a year (with the exception of my family....but that just goes without saying).
First there was Mikala—she was delightful. We were so different, but we got along so well. We watched ABC Family all day long, including many "Prince of Bel-Air" marathons. 8 AM to 12 AM full of Will Smith.
Then there was Allison—Dancing Fridays, "Worst Song Ever" times, singing, cuddle raping, etc. etc. All around good times. I now consider her one of my greatest friends. Our friendship made a large transition over the course of that year, and I am so thankful that we keep in touch and still enjoy each other's company.
This year I transitioned to an apartment and life with Amy—With opposite schedules, it made it hard to see each other. I'm a night owl and a sleeper-inner, while she's an early to bed, and early to riser. We still had good times, however. Chatting it up, girl-style, and preparing for her wedding. It's been an amazing first apartment experience.
And now....Kimberly—Who knows how long we'll be together? However long it is, I know it will be k-razy! Good times of laughing, chatting, decorating, and giggling are sure to ensue.

So yes, there are my history of roomies. There have been good times. I miss the past, but I am excited for the future. Who knows who my next roomie will be?

I want me some girl awesomeness

ALL I want to do is watch BBC's 5 hour version of Pride and Prejudice. But the DVD the library so graciously let me check out is SCRATCHED and will not play. All I want to do is watch Pride and Prejudice. But I can't. argh.

Coming Through

He came through for me. As always. Before I even asked for it. He knew. But of course he knew...he knows everything about me. He knows more about me than I know about myself. It's crazy to think about but absolutely wonderful all at the same time. He knew what I needed, and he provided for me. All I had to do was take the time and listen. Then this morning, I met him again on my bike ride to work. Beautiful morning. I started singing to him. About the skies, and the early morning dew, and the trees, and the sun. I swerved my bike back and forth across the pavement and sang to the heavens. He always comes through for me. Even though I don't deserve it. I just need to take time for him.

(p.s. Yes, Steven, this is about Jesus.)

Bad Mood

I've been cranky lately.
I've been moody. I've been downright depressed.
Maybe you didn't know that. Maybe you didn't even notice...except I've made it pretty obvious. That's why I've needed you around more. That's why I've been silent when you call me to say you're staying longer, you need more time, you're busy, tired. That's why I've shut my mouth and scowled when things haven't gone the way I wanted them to. It's why I've yelled and grumbled.
It's why I've tried hard to make special time for us.
Because I'm lonely. And I've needed you.
It's why I've dressed up, put makeup on, tried to smell good, cooked. Just to be around you. Just to have some special time with you after all of the stress of schoolwork is done.
Don't tell me we have all summer.
I know we have all summer.
But right now is when I need you. There will be a time soon when I will be fine with you not being around for a little while. Fine when you want to hang out with someone else. Fine when you have to sleep. I won't bother you with sighs and silence when you can't be around. I know I'm being selfish. I don't like it. But I've just...needed you.
That's why I've been cranky.

And that's why I need you to remind me of the only one who can never make me feel lonely. ever.

People trust me with scissors

I cut Steven's hair tonight.

Like....really cut it. He let me. Kim supervised. First Chaz trusted me with his head of hair, and now Steven with his beautiful, precious locks that he cares oh-so-much about.

...People should know better. I've never cut hair before. My bros and dad wouldn't even let me. Well...I might have buzzed Sam's hair once, and I've clipped cattle, but not cut, cut hair. But, I guess after two attempts, I'm getting better. I always start with a mistake and then gradually improve my cutting ability. But that mistake is what kills it. I cut the side of Steven's hair grossly short and straight. It's because he psyched me out. I couldn't fix it. I wanted to just continue the cut and make his hair look like a monk's, but he wouldn't let me. I also wanted to do a bowl cut, but he wouldn't let me do that, either. Instead, I resigned to butchering his hair.

But now he just told me that it might actually be one of the better haircuts that he's gotten. I feel a little better.

You like doing that??

Today has been the longest day ever, but at the same time, it's flown by. I was up until 5 this morning trying to finish my multigenre research paper on the genocide in Rwanda. Goodness. Talk about looooong hours of work. However, I am tremendously pleased with the final product. After Chaz slapped a big, red handprint on the front of the book, and I painted my name and the title of my piece, I picked it up, examined the cover, and declared, "I think this is the best thing I've ever done." (strictly in terms of schoolwork).

...And I think it is. Despite the fact that it has caused me massive amounts of sleep deprivation over the past few months (late night finishing daily writing, late night learning journaling Sunday, late night finishing the thing last night), it has truly been a joy. It is one of the best projects I have ever done. I've had fun. I've learned. I've researched and written more than any other paper I've done. I've stretched my limit. I enjoyed learning and writing and putting together the final product. I'm proud of my work. And I worked hard in the process.

And that, my friends, is what education should be.

Blasé

He's out at "Guys Night." I'm supposed to be doing homework. But I'm failing miserably, as usual. Did horrible on a test today. Tons to do for next week. But I'm blogging, and checking things on the internet, and reading "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," and doing dishes, and anything else that can preoccupy me from doing the work that looms over me. As Rachel Vickers' Music History class does, so does my homework loom loom loom. haha. That girl makes me laugh.

Drove to CF yesterday. Wanted to see Kel, but I didn't. Chaz bought a car. Crazy. My little man's all grown up! Art for Africa this weekend...should be an amazing time.

Eh, who am I kidding? I'm not getting anything done tonight...I'm going to bed.

A Girls' World

A weekend with the girls....delightful. Funny thing is, they weren't really "my girls." Allison and Ab were the only two who could really count for "my girls"..."the girls." The rest of the gang was made up of delightful young women Allison and Ab had gone to school with. I am readily adopting them as "the girls." Because I can...I think.

Last weekend I headed up to Minnesota for a time of singing, dancing, eating, and just being...girls. I haven't spent real time with Allison since prolly in our room last year, so needless to say...I was excited.

Allison's house is absolutely beautiful! She lives in a woodsy area, and we got to explore by the river that pretty much goes through her backyard. We heard a beaver smack the water and watched Eddie try to be brave for us. We got to meet Patrick...Allison's mom's friend. He's sweet. He bought us wonderful chocolate eclaires for our morning "healthy" breakfast.

Saturday we met with lovely women in Minneapolis and spent our day exploring the city. We went to a Global Bazaar and enjoyed ethnic foods...I found "Shrooms" at an Asian Market!!! (Kel and Louie get this) Our fav snack from China. Then we headed to the sculpture gardens in the middle of the city. So amazing! We walked around enjoying the nature as well as the artwork. I thought of Chaz, but time spent with these girls was well worth it! Supper took us to Annie's, a delightful burger place by the U of M. Allison and I split an amaaaazing Chocolate Mint Oreo Shake. Sooooo good! I'd like to explore the U of M and Minneapolis more. There are some VERY neat sites to see. After a full day, we weren't ready to head home quite yet. We picked up another girl and headed to Mystic Lake Casino for my first experience with gambling. Fun times. Definitely an experience to be done with experienced gambling friends. I walked away having lost (and spent) $3. Hey, cheaper than a movie. Kelsey went crazy after her dollar won her $4.60. Danielle was the big winner going away plus $8. Allison, sadly, was the loser of the night. $10 out. Ab, Allison, and I finally headed back to Allison's place where our adventures continued with the power going off...which sent us to bed. I was knocked out immediately.

What I found to be the most fun of the weekend, however, was the sheer girliness with which we spent our time. We were laughing, giggling, screaming, dancing, singing at the top of our lungs, obnoxious, wonderful girls! We belted toons out of open windows in downtown Minneapolis, and squealed goodbye to girls as we dropped them off for the entire world to notice our friend's beauty. Delightful.

My reunion with Chaz on Sunday after not seeing him for four days was definitely sweet. So incredibly wonderful to see him, but I would not have traded my weekend in MN.

Biking

Wind running through my hair and tearing my eyes. Tires whirring and clicking. The sound of rubber making that distinct vibration against the pavement. Flying by all of the walkers and joggers for their evening exercise. Feeling that tightness in my chest as I breathe. Overcoming the stretch and complaining of my muscles as I force my way up a hill. These are reasons I love biking (okay, maybe not the last one...still...).

But what I miss more than anything is biking in East Asia. Definitely an experience unlike any other. I miss the crowds of people biking as a group. I miss "the flow" of the bikers. I miss the silence of electric bikes and then the sudden *whoosh* as they fly by me so close I can feel a woman's skirt graze my feet. I miss taxis coming so close to me that my handlebars almost scrape the windows. I miss the blasting horn of a bus as it almost obliterates me on my puny bike. *sigh* The danger.

Chelsi and I took our hangout time to the road tonight and just spent time leisurely biking around Ames and chatting about life, love, happiness, sorrow, worries, and the future. It was grand. She was so cute peddling on the bike she borrowed from Steve, talking to me about her excitement for her upcoming marriage. Beautiful words of God's love showing through couples and marriage filled the night air. The sky grew dark and soon we were biking in complete blackness. Then the rain came. It wasn't a hard one, just a nice, easy one. Perfectly refreshing after a long ride. Drops soaked my pants and sweater and fogged my contacts as they splashed on the lenses. Hair curled uncontrollably. We made it back to shelter with frozen fingers and damp clothes to enjoy hot chocolate coffees made by Steven.

Do you know that I miss you when you're gone?

Last night...was awesome! haha! I got home from class, and Kimberly asked me to accompany her to Olde Maine. We first had to wait up for Amy to come to my house to dry her hair (that cutie), and when she showed up...lo and behold up walks Amy with a girl who teaches at the school I'm doing practicum at! She's an aide for the teacher I'm observing in 8th period...so we hang out then and talk. It was CRAZY! SUCH a small world. Apparently her and Amy worked together and Younkers, and Amy lived with her last year. Whoa-ness.

Speaking of other craziness....we get to Olde Maine, and once we walked in the door, who should I see but DAVE OLSON! Hooray! haha. That crazy kid...then he tells me that our friend Colton, long-lost friend I met almost two years ago and haven't seen since, is coming to town! So, the girls went and hung out for a bit, and when we were leaving, I got to say hi to Colton and catch up for a bit. Delightful.

And yes, my friends, even MORE craziness happened. As we were walking to the car in the parking lot, who should I see getting into a vehicle herself? That's right, none other than the wacky, crazy, loveable KAT! That was our first reunion after spring break. She gave me a delightful, ginormous hug....good to see her.

So anyway....good times and friends brought together last night. Wonderful.

Even more wonderful....I'm going to spend the weekend with Miss Gorgeous Allison Crowley...hooray for that!

Pathetic

My baby left for Vegas tonight for four days.

oh the sadness.

Beautiful Break

...aaaaand Spring Break ends and I resign myself to the endless amount of schoolwork that has amassed over the semester. But first...a recap:

Hell was....delightful. Ironic, no? The people were friendly and fun. The landscape was beautiful (surrounded by lakes and woods of rural Michigan). We me the mayor of Hell (of course....we always meet awesome people!) who gave us advice on a quaint town by Lake Michigan to stop at before we left the state. The sunset on Lake Michigan was absolutely breathtaking! Chaz made it up a hill to watch the last rays of sunlight vanish over the horizon with me. Beautiful. The trip to Hell was, in a word, wonderful. Being with Kel and the gang from last year (plus Chaz) was delightful.

The rest of break was relaxing and fast. I didn't do too much. The weather, however, was magnificent for a couple of days. So magnificent that Chaz and I biked around town quite a bit. I love to bike! Now if only I could acquire a bicycle....

St. Patrick's Day was.....crazy. It was Kim's b-day, so we spent the entire day making it special for her. Beautiful Katie Kula came to hang out and celebrate with us as well. And Kim got a little......fun. haha! Oh 21st b-days on St. Paddy's day......

So yes, as I said, I am now working diligently (or not so much) on the massive amount of writing I have to do for tomorrow. Ridiculous. Why do I have to procrastinate...?

I'm off to Hell (and back)

So....I'm in Chicago right now at a very amazing Super 8 motel (only the best for our spring break trip to Hell). Yes, my friends, I have embarked on the first leg of my trip to Hell...Michigan, that is. Hell, Michigan. Kel and I got lost for a bit (i.e. we missed our exit to our hotel and had to find an alternate route), but our amazing navigational skills led us to our very nice, blood-stained, thin-walled Super 8. Glorious!

My trip to Hell appropriately started with a day from you-know-where. Kat and I met at SG to have coffee in the morning and have some hang-out time before break. We sat and enjoyed life....had a couple of drinks.....chatted. Then we get the check and go to pay for the bill. It is at this point that Kat looks at me and says, "Oh no! I lost my card!" My response is, "Oh no! I did too!" Yes, my friends, we had both gotten drinks and had no money, and I mean absolutely NO way to pay for them! It was rather comical. Thoughts of me having to wash dishes for the day, John banning me from SG, and Chaz getting fired because of my idiocy ran through my head. Of course, none of that happened. Kat instead ran home quickly and grabbed a check and graciously paid for me. I owe her TONS!

Anyway....it's actually quite a funny story. So now, I must get ready for bed and prepare for a fun-filled day prior to the day we go to Hell.
Goodnight!

Family Goodness...

I love my family. They simply crack me up. I mean, sometimes they say some pretty embarrassing things, but don't all families? Heck, even friends embarrass us at times. That's mostly on purpose. But then again, my family embarrasses me on purpose a lot of the time as well.

I awoke to a phone call this morning from my mother at 8:30 telling me that her and my father were coming out to visit today. Why? Well, apparently one of my youngest bro's friends decided to try to "sell" Sam's singlet and wrestling warm-ups and ended up leaving them at the hotel they were staying at for state wrestling. The problem? Sam needs that stuff to wrestle for Team State Duals...tomorrow. So, my parents (being the good parents they are) took a special trip out to Des Moines (3 hours...6 hours total trip) to get Sam's clothes which the hotel fortunately still had. Amazing, aren't they?

So we met my parents at 2:00 for lunch at Hickory Park. My mom, dad, Aunt Denise, Steve, Uncle Craig, Ben, Chaz, and I settled down for some feasting and laughter and storytelling (three things my family do best).
For example...

My dad was talking to my mom and I about movies, and he started asking me a question:
"Kate, have you seen...um (struggling to think of the title)....Good Things?"
Mom and Kate stare at Dad trying to figure out what he's saying
"No...that's not it...Good Tidings?"
Still no idea from Mom or Kate
"Oh! *slams hand on table* The Pursuit of Happyness."
Kate and Mom crack up (along with Dad who ends up crying from laughter) at Dad's thought process.

Okay, so it was definitely "more funnier" (as my dad puts it) in person, but you get the point.

It was a good time, and my parents, once again, were way too generous to me. I am so very thankful for all that they do for me. I definitely don't deserve it, but I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with such amazing parents.

Snow days, snow days.

Last night Kim, Steven, Chaz, and I braced ourselves for a blizzard. It was nice just to snuggle and eat snack foods (not to mention amaaaazing chili made by Steven!) and watch movies. Classes were cancelled after one yesterday. How often does THAT happen? Didn't like "The Departed" that much, though. I know it won an academy award, but I wasn't all that impressed.

Today was another sort of snow day. I had my class this morning, but practicum was cancelled because my school was cancelled. Yipee!! Caught up on sleep today, then went to Kim and Kenzie's for a night of tv and movie-watching. Way fun! We watched "Stranger than Fiction" which is probably one of my favorite movies. I've watched it thrice so far....many more times to come, I hope. It just leaves me with such a warm, fuzzy, good feeling afterwards. Makes me smile like crazy.

I love snow days.

She was short and pleasantly plump, wearing a puffy turquoise winter coat that came down to about her knees covering up most of her legs, making her seem shorter than she already was. It looked like a coat I would've worn in elementary school. Same style, same color scheme. Black pants tucked into tall, yellow rubber boots added to her ensamble. Her wispy, wirey black hair contained bits of beautiful gray which stuck out under her black Blossom-style hat.

I first saw her struggling with an armful of books. Her brash voice punctured the silence of the library. Asking for a couple of sacks to put her books in, she shuffled toward the exit. One of her sacks floated to the ground. I picked it up,
"Excuse me, ma'am, you dropped your bag."
"Oh, thank you!"
"Would you like some help bagging those up?"
"Yeah, I would!"
She sat on the bench and shoveled books into the plastic sacks I was holding. She controlled the conversation,
"I probably shouldn't have gotten these, but they were free books. I can't resist free books! I'll keep some of them, but I'll give some of them away too. Make sure these sacks aren't too heavy, I don't want them to break. It'd serve me right if they did break, though!"
I helped load her up with package after package and sack after sack. She probably had six bags in all to carry with her. We left the library, and she left me with a quick, "Gotta catch my bus!"

And that was it.

I smiled to myself as I watched this unique women cross the street and head to the bus stop. Shuffling in her rubber boots and Blossom hat with her packages banging together, I realized I had met someone who was completely and wonderfully herself. She was who she was made to be.

We need more of that in the world.