Friday, Sweet Friday

I have been so productive this week but to my surprise this has had a good and bad effect on my mentality. The good is that I realize how much I really can get down without acting ADD by getting sidetracked by netflix, facebook, email, cellphones, noises in the hall, a fly by my light, or any other number of things. The bad is that I know realize how easily I have been distracted for the past couple quarters. So, I am once again resuming my Facebook hiatus, it is an evil invention that appears to make you closer to people but in fact allows you to know less and less about anyone.

My parents come tomorrow and I can't wait. Saturday we have two games against the 1st and 3rd place teams in our conference but after beating Westminster we will then be 3rd, playing Webster, our long standing rivals in the SLIAC playoffs. In other words good team is winning, we beat not as good team and then we play mean team.

Tonight there is a reading by Patricia Hampl in the School of Nations. The Prague abroad had dinner with her last night, learning about her adventures in the Czech Republic and her approach to writing. One of the most interesting things she said to us was that writing is rarely if ever an enchanting experience but it is turning a chaotic and disturbing process into and enchanting piece of work. It made so much sense. All of this time I had imagined true writers as having a magical experience every time they sat down to put pen to paper. Luckily for me, she dismayed my fears that I was unable to tune into this peaceful place and enlightened me on the true reality of writing. What a relief. Now I can't wait to write in Prague!

Weddings=crazy

Now I see how women are driven crazy when they start planning their wedding as I am quickly being drawn toward the nut-house. Fortunately for those around me, we have found a solution to the wedding crazies. Who would have thought that planning a low-key wedding could be so hard. Sometimes I think a traditional all-out wedding must be easier, no creativity, just following the 1,000 page planning books that spell out everything from embossed napkins to silverware engravings. So, we are bravely stepping into the unknown and unplanned territory of the low-key wedding. Step one: don't stress out. Step two: have a fun party. Step three: don't stress out. I think I can follow those rules...

So presently we are planning on having a strictly casual no-tie affair at Hildegaard's. Following the ceremony, we are going to have a fun and easy bbq with salads and drinks. I think my mom and I are going to make the cakes, I can't wait. This plan just sounds like the best and most relaxing yet. Kurtis seems really excited about it and I already feel so much more relieved. Moral of the story is: low-key weddings do not mean low-key planning.

I had a fieldtrip today 1.5 hours away in St. Louis but didn't go. I talked to the teacher this morning, explaining that I had another 5 hours of driving since I have a volleyball game at Lincoln Christian tonight. He said I was in a good spot in the class and not to worry about it so I can do homework and not sit in a car today which I so appreciate.

Kurtis is in the middle of figuring out all of his Finland to Mexico and back home schedule of flights for January. He has a crazy schedule that is for sure. Our lives are all over the place this next year, we will have a lot to talk about. Finland, Mexico, Prague, graduation, wedding, moving, jobs, music, grad school... I better stop before my head explodes.

Halloween is this weekend and as a stepping stone of maturity I plan on not watching a scary movie in commemoration of this terrifying holiday. Instead I will bake pumpkin pie with Christy and do homework. I want to be able to sleep next week and being in a single, I have little to chance of sleeping if I watch a movie scarier than The Labyrinth and even then those creepy little gremlins might keep me from sleeping.

Well, off to do some last minute homework before I have to leave for 2.5 hours of driving.

Surprise...Breakfast!

So this morning we had our 6:30 a.m. practice scheduled...presumably our last of the quarter. So we get there bright and early, not so bright actually, it was pitch black outside, and Mary Ann surprised us by taking us out to breakfast to Clifton Terrace. For those of you not previously blessed by the breakfasts at Clifton, this is a small family diner, literally ran by a family, the waitresses have been the same group of women for the past 4 years that I have been here. The outside, and the inside for that matter, look less than appetizing, all the more reason to go in. I had a pancake, a biscuit, eggs and ham and consequently was not hungry until 1:30 this afternoon even then only being able to put down a salad and an apple. They make their breakfasts hardy here that is for sure.

After drinking a couple cups of coffee I was able to stay awake throughout work and actually get some homework done afterwards as well. I crashed before lunch with the office playing in the background.

Now I am free for another 2 hours before practice which means I better start waking up...or should I take another nap?

The Future is pointing towards Prague

This last Friday I found out that I was accepted to both the China and Prague abroads for Spring quarter! Although I thought that I had my mind made up to go to Prague, I was surprisingly taken off-guard when I got accepted to both- realizing that both of these amazing countries were actual possible options. I thought about it all night and realized that getting out of school, getting married, and having to start a grown-up life will be happening so soon. When will I ever have time to spend figuring out who I am? Being creative? (Selfishly I admit) focusing on myself? Prague is the place for me to do this. It is all about creative writing and art, with on-site work everyday, going into the streets to write or draw about what you see or feel. It sounds amazing.

So I made up my mind and I am finally able to start getting excited about actually going to Prague! China would have been awesome but I think two Têtus in China is already more than they can handle.

I started looking into weather forecasts, we will be there right as Spring is starting, temperatures aorund 10-20*C so it will be just beautiful. Apparently it is the cleanest city in Europe as well. From my experience of Paris smelling like ass, this doesn't necessarily mean much but at least it's a step up from walking in urine on your way to the metro.

This week is a busy one. I still have a couple hours of French homework to do tonight to meet my quota of 15 hours a week. Then this week I have a fieldtrip on Tuesday to a bird sanctuary in St Louis for Wildlife Conservation, a game later that night 2.5 hours away. Wednesday we get the day off from practice, extra time to get some homework done or think about it at least. Thursday we have practice and Friday my parents get here! Saturday we have a tournament at Westminster, by far our closest game of the season was against them and we came out on top so I am hoping for the same conclusion considering how much better we have been getting. Our other game is against Greenville who I would love to beat but haven't so far. After the games, I have the weekend with the padres, bread co., target run, maybe the loading dock if there is some music playing although I am not impressed with anything but their salsa.

And then it all starts again next week.

Life has been crazy lately, crazy in a good way. Just a lot of big decisions and big things happening all at once. Kurtis' trip to Mexico is coming up, Christmas, Prague, Spring break, graduation, wedding, moving stuff back home, getting a job...the list goes on. At least I am not bored!

I keep looking forward to next quarter when I get to take a 3 hour a day figure studies class. Honestly the only class I was set on taking when I came to college and I finally get to take it my last quarter here on campus.

Let's see, I am now playing the libero position on the volleyball team and I absolutely love it. I have always thought that I should love a good kill or block more than anything but I realize now that getting a good dig is as good as it gets. Not only do you kill the other team's attempt at getting a point but you give your team a shot at doing the same. So much fun.

I am looking forward to Christmas break in 4 weeks. Week after week just keeps going by here, I am in denial about the volleyball season ending in just 2 weeks or maybe a little more but whatever it is, it is too early. I am usually ready for it to be over. To have my own time and be able to schedule my days and weekends the way they work for me but I'm not as ready this year. I guess that's what happens when you are a senior.

So, I'm looking forward to a productive week and a fun weekend, still a few hours left to this one...