Summer Adventures

Hey Folks,
So it has obviously been a while, 3 months to be exact since I have updated this blog... Why you ask?!
Well, this summer I am in Chicago on a Summer Project with Campus Crusade. I arrived in the city in the beginning of June, but May was FULL of preparing for project.
Raising support, sending letters, making phone calls, applying for jobs, finding a rat-babysitter, packing, etc...
So, my sincerest apologies to you avid readers who have been neglected over the past couple months!
However, this will be the last post on this blog until August or September, because I am keeping a different blog about all my Chicago adventures, you should check it out.
it is called Isaiah 43:7!
I hope you are enjoying your summers, and I hope you enjoy reading about mine, until September...

Registration Frustration

So, Its that time of year again...time to register for next years' classes.
However, the Journalism School decided the curriculum I started with 2 years ago wasn't sufficient enough for journalism students so last year they changed the curriculum.
Don't worry they said you can choose which to follow.
Don't worry they said we'll keep all the classes you need to graduate for as long as you stay here.
Don't worry they said everything will stay the same, just class requirements will change.
Lies. Lies lies lies lies lies.
Liars.
I followed the old curriculum because I was over halfway through.
And what is happening now?!
EVERYTHING is changing!
I have to get overrides into JOURNALISM classes, why? I don't know.
I'm a stinking journalism major! WHAT?!
Today, I had to request overrides for 3 classes. Seriously.
Thanks a lot J-school.

This is why people hate you.

PLUS, some advisors that knew what they were talking about would be GREAT! Thanks!

Love,
Frustrated Journalism Senior who wants to graduate on time...

Spring has Sprung

Alright, so instead of writing 800 blogs about all the crazy stuff that happened here at Club Yakeley over break, I decided to write one.
I have learned a multitude of things over break...
-Jim is easily scared
-Packzis are delicious
-My staff is crazy, but fun!
-Mad Gab is an awesome game
-Basketball is better than I thought...
-Chloe is my twin
-I have a great job
-I could spend my entire fortune in the Salvation Army
-I am extremely blessed

Here's the breakdown:
On Friday night, Chris and I were on rounds in WYG and we decided to take advantage of the creepy buildings and scare Jim. So we got Velora in on it and started to plan.
Chris got his Alien mask and creepy gloves and we called Jim.
This was the call "Hey Jim we just got a call that something was going on in the Williams basement but we are dealing with another situation could you guys go check it out? Thanks man."
Then we waited, Chris behind the door with his gear on and me in the corner with a camera.
And then Jim walked in.
Needless to say he jumped about 8 feet off the ground and we all had a great laugh out of it!
Then on Tuesday, Chloe and I went to shoot a Packzi story at Roma Bakery.
IT WAS AWESOME!
Mena, the owner, was so nice! She let us go in the back, and behind the counter, and she gave us 18 FREE packzis... and they were SO good!
I had my first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh packzi this week.
PLUS, the story looks great!
So every night for the first half of the week, the 5 or 6 of us that stayed here got together to watch a movie and hang out, we also went to dinner in Brody before rounds... I'm not going to bore you with all the details, but man oh man are they fun.
On Tuesday night, we got together to play Mad Gab and eat pizza.... hahahahah! Awesome!
Team B won! yeah baby!
So, MSU was playing in the Big Ten Tournament... and to be honest it wasn't that bad to watch, it was actually pretty exciting... I know I know, but sometimes even hell freezes over.
So not only was I on duty, I also worked about 30 hours at WKAR. And I realized how lucky I am to have that job. I get to work in my field and get paid as an undergrad. Awesome! Plus it is SO MUCH FUN!
Also, Chloe and I are officially twins, we do the same things, we like the same things, we are twins! YES!
So my parents came up to hang out with me on Saturday and we went to 2 Salvation Army stores... I love that place!
I got 2 dresses, a coat, a skirt, a pair of pants and shoes... I could go broke in that store.
And although I didn't go anywhere exotic, and I didn't save the world, I had a great break and I realized how blessed I am to be surrounded by the people I am surrounded by.

Alright back to class!

Dear Bus Couple

I was riding the bus this morning, and although I try not to be judgmental about others, at least not out loud, this couple is not allowed to get away with their behavior.
They got on the bus and the guy gave his girlfriend his bus pass.
Then she put it in her wallet and smiled at him almost as if to say, "look! I put your bus pass away! Kiss me!"
So they did.
This system of rewards continued.
She pulls the cord.
Kiss.
She notices their stop is coming up.
Kiss.

Seriously? I'm glad you are "in love," but please do not give us a demonstration.
Oh yeah... and the touching.
She wouldn't stop touching his leg.
Seriously.
Rubbing it, massaging it, and tapping it.
Wow.
That's just weird.

So, Dear Bus Couple,
I know you are "in love" and feel as if you have to make the world know it every second of everyday, but it's only 9:30 in the morning and I don't want to puke.
So stop. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Bus 33

Skill

The following blog is a example of solid skill.
So Jim and I went to move my car, in the blizzard, at 6:30.
We had a staff meeting at 7
We usually cut it this close, because it only takes about 20 minutes to move the car and walk back.
However, mother nature was hurling snow at us.
We took off out of West Circle and spun out, 180, and got stuck in the middle of the road. With some pushing, and waves to the waiting cars, Jim got us out.
So then we finally got to Lot 75 and parked the beast, Silvia.
We jump out of the car and the snow is up to our shins.
So we started to walk back.
Jim called Nick and I called Angie to tell them that we spun out, we're fine, and we will be late.
So we walked back and we were trucking along, we get to Adams field and notice that we still have 3 minutes to get back in time.
We walk into the Ivy room, with a minute to spare!
SKILL!
MAD SKILL!
We bragged about it the whole time.
Then we spent the rest of the meeting cold and wet.
All that mattered was that we kicked the snow storm's butt and made it back in time.

Take that snow!

Official Maid of Honor

OK,
So as you loyal blog readers know, I am a delusional bridesmaid because I self-appointed myself to such title when Christine was getting married.
If you need a refresh, she had 8 bridesmaids then met me and obviously couldn't add another one so I came up with the solution to be a delusional one, meaning I get to enjoy all the fun things but I don't have to buy a dress or stand up in the wedding, and I still get to be honored in the program... Best way to help in a wedding.
Anyhow,
Although Christine's wedding has come and gone, I am still a delusional bridesmaid due to the fact, I'm not a bride, not a bridesmaid, just a friend who likes weddings, plus that's a wicked title.
HOWEVER, I am now an official Maid of Honor.
My sister got engaged on her birthday. Congrats to Jared and Maggie!
They met at nursing school, they both go to U of M-Flint
So I was named Maid of Honor.
I will be wearing a yellow dress, and carrying sunflowers.
My 5 year-old god daughter will be matching me as the flower girl.
The other bridesmaids will be wearing what color you ask?
Blue.
Yep, a blue and yellow wedding... awesome.
When I said this to her, she said "I can find someone else."
Hahahaha, really? mag chill it's a joke...

So anyhow, on telling Christine about this, she said
"You should join the bad bridesmaid's club with me!"

"What do I have to do to be in the club?"

"Bad-mouth the bride, nothing serious.."

"My sister will be a Bridzilla."

"OK, you're in."

So now I am officially the Maid of Honor and the 2nd member of the bad bridesmaid's club... WOOT! 2 titles, 1 week.

Honestly, I am super happy for Mag, she found a great guy and he got a great girl.
So if I clog this up with wedding stuff, that is why. I am helping to plan a wedding.

Until then...

Wahala

OK, so last Sunday Christine sends me a text that says
"what are you doing next weekend? want to go up to our cabin?"
Well, you know my answer... HECK YES!
So as the week got progressively crappier, this idea of going to this cabin in the woods, away from everything for a weekend away kept sounding better and better.
So Friday, aka the day from hell, came around and although nothing was working out my way and I was having a rotten couple hours, I was super excited for the weekend.

Here's the fun part, it was Christine and Rex, and then me and Rex's friend Jake.
Who for some reason I was convinced was married.
Surprise, when I get to Christine's apartment, like 3 minutes before Jake shows up, Christine looks at me and says "Oh PS: Jake is single and a Christian."
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Now the ENTIRE weekend is going to be an awkward double date. Don't get me wrong, he's super nice and I don't doubt Christine's taste, but honestly? A double date... when I'm going to be dirty smelly and could care less about my looks? Awesome.
Plus, as Christine usually does, she made it really awkward and uncomfortable and CONSTANTLY asked me if I was in love.
Yes Christine, I met him 24 hours ago, we're in love and we're getting married tomorrow, how did you know...
So, anyhow, jumping back to the story, we packed up the car, and by we I mean the men packed the car and Christine and I ate. Solid.
So we were on our way...
3 hours, 1 awesome round of the Extreme Alphabet game and a quick nap later we were almost at the cabin.
So although this cabin was like 30 minutes from Ludington, the cabin was actually in a tiny town called Wahala, which led to all of us saying it with interesting accents. Anyhow, the cabin was on A road, nope that's not me being funny, the road was called A road.. it had no address, oh boy.
So we get on the road and we ware driving along, PS: it is GORGEOUS out there, and we see this man on a snow plow, you know plowing the road at 9 pm. no big.
So we stopped and he walked up, we told him where we were heading and he said, "If you need me to plow you out just give me a call..." A call? on the phone neither one of us have? When we don't know your name and you don't know ours? OK, sure.
Noticing this flawed plan, Jake, while the window was still open and plow man was still in ear-shot, says "Do you want us just to yell? or..."
We all laughed then pretended to call the plow man using "DUUUUDDDE!" or "plow man!" or "Holler at ya boy," which was my favorite.
So we get to the driveway and we're trucking on down, then we see the hill in the driveway and decide not to drive down it because the chances of getting back out in the 2 feet of snow were poor. So the four of us truck to the cabin, Rex gets the key and we head in to the cabin.
OH MAN!
Rex married rich!
This is a beautiful cabin, seriously it looks like it was carved from the trees.
And it has heat, and electricity and 3 bedrooms. Rex and Christine got the couple room. Jake got the bunk-bed room and I got the awesome loft room!
So Rex and Christine go to get the snowmobile running so they can get up the hill and get our stuff. Meanwhile Jake and I start the fire.
So the fire was started but the snowmobile wasn't, so Christine and Rex walked up the hill with sleds to get our stuff, Jake was up for round 2 and I was up for round 3, which never happened... Alleluia!
So then Rex, Jake and I executed our birthday plan... it is Christine's birthday on Wednesday.
Rex brought a cake, I brought the streamers, balloons and birthday sign and Jake brought enthusiasm.
I'm calling it operation Birthday Supreme.
Rex asked Christine to help him outside, Jake and I went to work.
2 minutes, 8 balloons, one sign and wood covered in streamers later Christine walks in and is completely surprised and impressed at our quick set up skills!
PS: It was a joint party because Jake's birthday is on the 1st and Christine's is on the 2nd.
So Happy Birthday to you both!
So the rest of the night was uneventful, some jokes and interesting conversation.
The next day was the best day of my life. Seriously.
We lounged around all day.
It was epic.
In the afternoon Christine and I went outside to play in the snow and go sledding... We played icicle baseball and wrote in the snow with our snow pencils... then we decided to go sledding so I grabbed the red sled, Delilah, and Christine grabbed the blue one, Blue Streak.
After the first run, aka us pushing ourselves all the way down the hill, we had a legit track.
We began to race and commentate each other. Christine claims she won, however, she did not. She did however crash into me... cheater.
But then we laid in the snow, where I was asked if I was going to marry Jake... as you know we are getting married tomorrow... so to avoid the conversation I started a snowball fight.
The jerk got me in the face with piles of snow like 18 times.
After we were COVERED in snow, we called it quits.
After coming inside and getting ready to go out, we left to head to Ludington for dinner.
We first went to Lake Michigan, which is SO PRETTY!
That is just so cool! the waves froze on the beach and we could walk on them! Awesome!
Also, Christine, earlier in the weekend, decided that we would all start to major in piracy, being pirates.
Rex, who has been growing a beard is self conscious about the color of his beard had been the butt of our jokes all weekend... so Jake knowing he would walk into it says, oh man we should all have pirate names, Rex walking right into it says YES!! So Jake says You are Captain Red Beard.. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. Awesome.
So then we went to House of Flavors for dinner and her is where the awkward level peeked.
First the waitress walked up and Jake demanded a pirate name, she looked at us like we were on fire then said she would get back to him.
Then, while we were ordering, Jake and I split a dinner, Christine says to the waitress about us.."Don't they make a cute couple?"
We all freeze and beg her not to answer that...
Christine really?
So after our meal, complete with cole slaw and toast we ate our FREE ice cream and headed to the good will
PS: That was awesome... some winners there. Including, Disney pants.
Then we headed back.
The next day we cleaned and headed home, where Christine canoed to the highway... no joke she paddled to the highway, then let the river, aka the highway, take us the rest of the way.
All in all a solid trip and fantastic weekend.

A couple of things I've learned this weekend:
-I am gullible
-The boys convinced my there was a bat in my room, I was afraid of it for 3 hours
-I say the word awkward weird
-I say awkward with a Michigan accent, like AHHHHkward
-Christine will do ANYTHING to set me up on a date, even an awkward double date.


So great weekend, I want to go back, honestly I could live there..

Until then...

Professors

So, after all the terrible professors I have had and I'm sure you've had too, its nice to have a group of professors that break the boring academic stereotype.

So my JRN 492, Media Law, professor is a jack of all trades, seriously she's a ski patrol woman, she was a lawyer, she's a priest... honestly you name it she's done it.
So not only is she an interesting person, she realizes that an 8:30 am class about law is dull. Honestly she said on the first day, that whoever decided a journalism class needed to be at 8:30 in the morning didn't know how journalists work... She constantly complains about the time, its nice to be on the same page. So today she brought us doughnuts and orange juice then she read us stories and we watched videos.
Seriously?! How cool!
Law? Dull? Not with Carter...

Don't worry, it gets better...

My HST 302, Revolutionary America, prof is just a right-out the coolest professor I have ever had and the exception to the rule... First of all she came into class on the first day and said she didn't believe in papers or tests... we were having 2 take home essays, because 2 papers is enough.
She also said laptops are fine, she knows she will bore us and we will surf the net and go on Facebook, but as long as we look "polite" and look as if we're paying attention, she is fine... if we're looking at something embarrassing, like porn she may humiliate us in class, but she thinks its fine.
Just when I thought she couldn't break the standard anymore, she read her syllabus..
Seriously? This prof is amazing...
She writes and I quote...
"After two cuts, if you have a good reason for missing class, let me know via email or in person at least twelve hours in advance. (Good reasons include doctors’ appointments, family responsibilities, and so on. They do not include sleeping through your alarm clock or hangovers. Even if you know you will be hung over in advance.) If you have a medical emergency and are unable to email, please show up pushing a portable IV drip the next time I see you. :D"

Then she mentions not giving her hard copies of our only 2 assignments...
"In hard copy or I will tear myself in half and crash through the floor in a fit of rage a la Rumpelstiltskin. Or at least have a conniption fit. Right there in class."
"In hard copy or I will abandon this life and go run with the bulls in Pamplona. And if I am crushed by a raging bovine instead of turning in your grades, so much for YOUR Spartan sagas."

Hahahahahahah, Really?! Seriously? Awesome!
Her goal is to not look or act like a college professor. Accomplished, and it's been 3 days.

My sign prof is just funny, she's deaf and a hoot in a half. She makes fun of us all the time and makes hilarious faces. Explaining this more would force me to explain sign language and the jokes that come along with it and its hard to do that without actually showing you with my hands.

Seriously this semester has promise... let's see if it delivers.
Who sad 400-level classes were hard and boring?! Well, whoever they were, they must have been business or biology majors, because this is just fun.

That's all for now, until next time.
No longer delusional,
The official Maid of Honor.
(That story will follow shortly)

Beauty Queens and Magazines

So, Mrs. Webb came over while Mr. Webb was at work, he wasn't originally scheduled and didn't check, which Christine suggested, and therefore worked but didn't have to... Anyhow, Christine and I were left to our own devices, after some unspeakable fun... we decided to rip out Victoria Secret ads and add comments to them and paste them up all over the hallway, why not? right?
The comments included some stereotypes about models, don't judge you do it too, and some funny, witty remarks regarding poses, clothing and facial expressions... may I just say, everyone loved them, so go us!
So after we did that and composed ourselves, we decided to watch Miss America, PS: Christine is very selective about her beauty queens and was PISSED when Miss Nebraska won, just sayin.
Also, I will be the next Miss Michigan, in case you were wondering who would wear the crown... it's going to be me, now you can sleep tonight...
So after all that we decided to talk. I wanted to take this time to say, Christine is an incredible woman, an incredible Christian and and incredible friend and I am incredibly blessed to have her in my life.
Awesome day! I hope Rex has to work every weekend.

Oh and when life hands you lemons...make a bra

Webb House...

So, since I only had one exam this week, I decided to hang out with Christine all weekend.
On Saturday we went to see Easy A, which was funny.
Then on Sunday I went over to her house to talk, eat and go Christmas shopping with her because Rex has left her a widow this week due to finals.
Due to the blizzard outside, when Christine and I got home, we found out Christine had a snowday.
So since it was so bad out and Christine and nothing to do the next day, I spent the night.
The next day, I woke up and the fun continued.
Rex went to his exam and Christine and I took over the house, we decided to be productive, so I made her posters and she finished her Christmas cards. After our productivity, we decided to play in the snow.
So, there is an ADORABLE snowman outside her window and since we had like 87 inches of snow on the ground, we decided to make a snow dog for the snowman.
So, as excited as her 6th graders, we got dressed for the snow. Since I had no choice I wore what i had been wearing all day, leggings and a t-shirt. Luckily I brought a sweatshirt and scarf along with my coat, but no gloves.
So since Rex took his gloves, Christine said we could share hers, although I appreciated the gesture, how were we supposed to make a snow dog if we could both only use one hand. Inventive Christine came up with a solution to our problem. Dirty socks.
So, since I am the nice generous one, I gave Christine the right glove and suffered with the left glove and a dirty sock.
(Christine and I are both right handed, so i sacrificed the use of my right hand for her... I'm so selfless)
so we went outside ready to create man's best friend. However, the snow wasn't packing snow and it literally was blowing out of our hands. So I had a rather smart idea, or so I thought of using water. Christine thought I was absolutely insane but listened and got a jug of water.
After a few snowballs and an epic fail of a snow dog, Christine decided to cut our loses and make a snow rat using the water.
After the the miniature best friend was created we called it quits and went inside.
So, we threw the socks on the ground outside the door with the jug of water, took off our boots and threw our coats on the couch. Christine said we had to clean up before Rex got back because he HATED it when she left her coat on the couch because it didn't take that much effort to hang up, but we were tired and cold so we left the forbidden coat there for the time being.
Then it was lunch time, Christine started to make chili three-way for Rex as I cleaned the kitchen and did the dishes. (PS: I have to say, just because I know it'll make her mad, Christine's kitchen was a MESS)
At around 1:30 Rex texted Christine, this was not good.
Rex's exam started at 12:45 and if he was already done, he would be home before lunch was finished. (It takes like 3 hours to make chili three-way the RIGHT way)
Alas, rex had already finished his exam, in 16 minutes. So we took the defeat and decided it was OK that lunch wasn't going to be ready in time.
So Christine made him soup to hold him over until actual lunch.

After the kitchen was clean and we had eaten our weight in slim jims, we went into the living room to wait for Rex. When he made it home, I remembered the socks, the water and Christine's coat. So after he came in, I looked at Christine and said we forgot and he was like I already saw the socks, but I knew he didn't see the coat.
So I went out grabbed the water the socks and put her coat on the back of her chair.
Proud of my accomplishments, I said "He didn't notice the coat,"
This obviously defeated the purpose, but he wasn't mad so it was all OK.

Fast Forward after lunch.
Christine plays with Elsie Kitten in a humorous way and Rex and I always make fun of her, so obviously this time wasn't any different.
We were playing with Elsie and I was TAPPING her with this plastic stick.
Christine then grabbed it and started SMACKING me with it, saying "how do you like it?!" I then grabbed the feather toy and put it in her face to get my revenge (Christine and Rex shake feathers at Elsie and she jumps at them, its funny)
And then, if you read the last Webb blog you will understand, I grabbed the bumble bee and started saying "buzz buzz buzz" to Christine.
After our epic battle it was decided that I would leave after the cookies were done.

After some delicious cookies, Rex and I were teasing Christine to which she said
"OK you can go now..... but seriously we need to hang out again this week."


PS: I love the Webb's!

Christine is an amazing cook!
She made like 4,000 cookies... :)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Super creative title right?!
I know, I know but it totally works

Dear Mother Nature,
Thank you! I know this is a weird occurrence for us, since our relationship isn't exactly roses and rainbows, but seriously I mean it, thank you! Usually, you like to make all of us college kids suffer through the snow and freeze on our way to class as early as November 1st, but this year you really outdid yourself. Yes, we have had cold days and rain, but NO SNOW until December 1st, as it should be. It's like you knew today was the start of the Christmas season.
Yes, the Christmas season starts AFTER Thanksgiving and Mother Nature I think you have proven your point... Snow starts when its officially time to start thinking about Christmas, DECEMBER 1st.
So again I thank you, now don't think this is an excuse for a blizzard or below freezing temperatures... We are finally on a good note, don't screw it up now.
Sincerely,
Katie

OK so I think for the first time ever I am not pissed that it snowed today. This is the first snow we have had this year and I am pleased. I am one of the biggest snow-haters but today it seems fitting. I am not a grinch, I do not hate Christmas, but this idea that Christmas season starts November 1st is baloney. Christmas starts AFTER Thanksgiving, that is why it is later on the calendar. Christmas decorations can go up now and the madness and greatness of the holidays can begin, because December and snow has finally come.
In conclusion, snow belongs in December.

So bring on the snow!

PS: Christmas music before December is ridiculous. Its like singing happy birthday to yourself a month before your actual birthday. See, it sounds crazy now doesn't it.

Back to the Story Board

Well, I guess this title is a little misleading.
Anyhow, Thanksgiving is on its way which means this semester is coming to a close relatively soon and the stress is building relatively quickly.
So here's the scoop. I have decided to do a story on the curb cuts in Port Huron for my JRN 403 class. Its a great story, but its in Port Huron meaning to get any footage and/or interviews I have to go to Port Huron which is 30 minutes from my house and 2.5 hours from MSU.
So today I will be heading out there for another interview, downside?
It will be 5 and probably dark
It's 2.5 hours away
I have to drive 2.5 hours back, meaning I will be driving 5 hours for a 30 minute interview. No one can say I'm not dedicated to this field.
So to add insult to injury, I also have another story due the day we come back from Thanksgiving...

Journalism!
Yeah!
Driving!
Yeah!

All I have to say is that their better be some good music on the radio today.

Blood..

I don't like blood.
I can handle my own if its flowing in a somewhat normal fashion, but if it gushes... you've lost me. And forget about other people's blood, I either get dizzy, throw up or both.
So apparently I can't handle even the imagery of blood or guts.

Yesterday, Jim, Ashley and I were walking back from lot 75 and we started to talk about curb stomping. Not a big deal right, I didn't think so either... until Jim mentioned that curb stomping is a pretty humane way to kill someone because if done correctly, the person's teeth will shoot into their brain and kill them. Yep. That's all it took. I as gone. I got hot and light-headed and then the puking started. Seriously, I wish I was joking.
I wish.
Not only did I get sick and light-headed and dizzy, Jim went to get his car and they took me home where I continued to throw up.
Walking up the stairs was fun.
So while I was laying in my bed, puking whatever was left in my stomach, there was NOTHING left in my stomach, (sorry this is so graphic!) Jim was playing around on my computer and making me laugh.
Flash forward to 4 a.m.
I woke up tucked into bed with the light off and the door locked.
My mind was BLOWN.
How did Jim lock my door? When did he leave? What happened?

Well I found the key under the door and then went back to bed... I woke up this morning and went on with my day only to find little notes left all over my desk... they were varied, from things about my floor to where my key was.
What a great night!
NOTE: Sarcasm

Who knew imagery could make me vomit?!
Oh yay!

Communication.... Arts.... Sciences....

So, I am currently sitting in the control room in the DMAT Lab watching TISM students light the set of Focal Point.
This would be the 11th hour I have spent in this building today and the 2nd day in a row I have wasted away within these walls.
I need to start paying rent... seriously.
I feel like the real world doesn't exist, just the journalism world. The world of VO/SOTs, Packages, Readers, Teleprompters, Padding, Key Frames, patching, AVID and headaches.
I have gotten 4 hours of sleep and barely any food, besides AMAZING sushi.
This is journalism....
Oh man.

Maybe, I'll just drop out and become a housewife, any takers?
Darn. So it looks like more sleepless nights, more crappy food and more headaches.

I think the real world may cause my eyes to burn from the excessive light.

Let The Old Man Fall Away...

So, I got baptized today!
I am a new creation!
God has changed my life. Period. It is that simple and to be honest it felt amazing honoring Him in front of His church and honoring those wonderful people He has brought into my life.
God is so faithful! I am simply overcome with joy! He is just so cool!
I have pulled away from God for 19 years... I was disobedient and resentful and still God pulled me in.
God never let go of me, He never turned His back and never left me alone.
You want to talk about love?! THAT IS LOVE!
If someone I loved was rude, mean, disrespectful, mean, disobedient and resentful towards me... To be honest, I would walk away and not look back until they begged me to come back.
God begged me to come to Him... I didn't beg for Him until it was convenient... Even still He loves me, knowing all my fears and failures... knowing all my sin and doubt... God sees the darkness my heart and loves me anyway.
My goodness!

To quote myself:
"19 years later, I am declaring my love and obedience to You.... You are so cool!"
Praise God for today and Praise Him for all those who came to support me! God is just so amazing!

He changed my life!
He really did!

Oh man!

Buddies

So, I am officially a buddy.
Yep. Its official.
So I started volunteering at my church in a special needs ministry for kids!
Its called RivBuddies.
What happens is an adult volunteer is paired up with a kid who has special needs and that volunteer walks around with him and helps him go to classes and is basically his little helper should he need anything or want to do anything. You get paired up with one or two kids so they can get to know you and you can get to know them.
All the kids in RivBuddies are boys. Yep, 16 boys. 14 of them have Autism and 2 have Down Syndrome, but don't let that fool you...
These kids are awesome!
One of the kids is Autistic and wears Cochlear Implants in both ears, he is also the director's son so he gets to hang out with the buddies in the Oasis Room or play games on his mom's computer. But anyhow, when he feels like it, he takes out his Cochlear Implants so he can't hear you.... This makes me laugh. But, since he is there for all three weekend services, again his mom is the director of the kids' ministry, his dad comes to pick him up between services and take him to where else but... Tim Hortons. He has to have his doughnuts duh! What I think makes me laugh the most is that on the board his dad writes things like "No Class... NO Tim Hortons" or "No Implants... NO Tim Hortons" Talk about a bargaining chip!

I am so excited to start interacting with the kids and playing parachute with them... PARACHUTE!! LIke that big colorful parachute you played with in elementary school? THAT ONE! I get to spend my Sundays playing with Kids... Awesome!
So excited!

I think I'm going to love being a buddy!

Walkers

Needless to say, I am a pretty outgoing, loving person, BUT...
I can NOT stand it when people are oblivious to the world around them.
I was riding Lauren's bike to a meeting yesterday in the rain and I have never been so annoyed with the students on this campus!

Dear Oblivious Walker,
You are one of 45,000 students so why do you insist on walking around on campus with your head down and your music turned up too loud? I do not want to run you over, but when you aren't paying attention and walk in front of me, you leave me no choice.
Love, Angry Biker

Seriously, I walk to class, I do and I listen to music, BUT I do NOT walk around with my music turned up so loud I can't even hear my own thoughts and my head down!
When is that ever a good idea?! Does that even make sense? NO!
That is like the first thing you learn when you start walking.... if you walk with your head down, you will RUN INTO THINGS!
So why, when you get to college do you forget that lesson?
Its so frustrating!
I want to ride my bike so I can get to class faster, so be courteous and let me get past you without almost killing you. PLEASE?!
That's all I want.
I want to get to class without getting mad at you and freaking out when I almost run you over.

Summer Camp

So, I know what I will be doing this summer.
I will be a counselor at Center Lake Bible Camp.
Center Lake is this absolutely beautiful camp in Tustin, MI
Campus Crusade for Christ has Fall Retreat there every year and I know why.
This place is GORGEOUS!
The view from the lake alone makes you feel as if you are in heaven, plus they have everything from Noah's Ark to a Ga-Ga pit and a BMX trail.
Although the lake is beautiful and the other stuff is fun, the reason I want to work there is because of the mission behind the camp.
The camp is centered around CHRIST.
This is a Christian camp that allows kids to have a summer growing in God and in fellowship with other Christian kids.
I want to serve God this summer and really do something to further His kingdom. I want to let God use me and my story to bring kids to Christ. God changes my life and I want Him to change everyone else's life as well.
God worked in my heart both years at this place and I know He will work in other's hearts as well.
I want to be there as His witness and His disciple.

I love kids and I want to serve God, my father. So this is PERFECT.

What is Beauty?

I am in my Asian Literature class and we are discussing the obsession Asians have with Western culture.
In fact, there is a plastic surgeon in Korea that creates a double-folding eyelid. Americans have double-folding eyelids and the Asian culture is one of the only cultures that have single-folding eyelids causing their eyes to have that small almond shape.
When my professor told us that, it frightened me.
We as Americans focus on looking beautiful. We think we need to have long beautiful straight hair and a size 2 waist to be beautiful. We need to have tan skin and long legs.
In the Asian culture, white skin is beautiful, black hair is a symbol of youth and perfection.

This is terrifying.

We, as humans, don't like anything we are given.
We want something different than we are given.
I am so guilty of this.
I want straight hair, so I straighten my curly hair every single day.
Girls spend billions of dollars a year tanning their skin, dying, straightening, perming and getting extensions in their hair.
We are never satisfied.
Women in Asia bleach their skin... BLEACH! They even get surgery to look more "American"
WHAT?!
To me that sounds crazy, but then again so does burning your skin.
We will do anything to be called "beautiful" in our culture.

Beauty.
What is Beauty?

I think beauty is the lack of perfection, yet I long for it.
I hate my curly hair.
I hate my height and at times my waist size makes me want to go on a hunger strike.
But why?

I am healthy
I am smart
I am made in God's Image, therefore I am perfect, yet I constantly feel less than that.
I have been given everything I need, yet I want more. I need to look different, to look smart, pretty, sexy, attractive....
Why?

If perfection is impossible, why to we try so hard to match "perfection" in our own culture?
Why must we rebel against our God given looks to strive for something that is impossible to obtain?

Just food for thought.

The World Wide Webb

Title Credit: Christine Webb
Its official, I sourced it therefore I did not steal that title.
Anyhow,
Last Tuesday Christine Webb came over to my room, by surprise, to hang out with me while her lovely husband attended Landon Bible Study. During our hang out, we discussed many things, how her internship was going, how my crazy-busy life was going and life in general. After some surprise visitors and a lot of screaming, Lora, Sara, Cristina, Christine and I decided that after much talk and very little planning, we were actually going to have Sunday brunch! Exciting I know!
Well, it turned into a late dessert with Cristina, Christine, Rex and I, which was just as fun.
So after my, for lack of a better more descriptive word, stressful week, Cristina, Beau and I (SURPRISE! Rex wanted Crsitina to bring the dog, who would have thought?!) headed over the Lakeview Apartments to see our lovely newlyweds in their humble abode.
So we walked in, literally I knocked then opened the door, you know me I am super nosey and obnoxiously comfortable with others, and as soon as we walked in, the fun started.
We, by we I mean I, ate chocolate covered strawberries and brownies that Mrs. Webb made HERSELF. We played with a variety of cats, dogs and rats and sat at the kitchen table swapping stories about animals, school and residents. After our brownies and chatter, we walked down the the lake in the backyard. It was SO pretty, seriously this little hidden sanctuary in Okemos, who knew?!
So after spending some time outside, we walked back to the Webb House... Now this is my favorite part, or one of them.
As we were walking back, we get to the apartment building NEXT to the one Christine and Rex live in and Christine, sure as ever decides to walk up the path to this particular building as Rex, knowing this building is not their building, says "keep walking." Christine, obviously not paying attention gets almost to the door before seeing the wrong number and turning around. Now, I know what you are thinking, um... Katie, that wasn't really that funny, like at all.
But wait, after this happened and we are all laughing, Rex and I had one of our "moments" where we laughed and made fun of Christine, in a harmless way, for about the next 5 minutes... saying things like (in our fake Christine voice, of course, which sounds NOTHING like her) "Gee, they changed the lighting and numbers on our building since we left and walked down the lot and back... that's weird." This of course is ridiculously funny to me because Christine is VERY smart and more often than not, catches all of my mistakes when I talk or write and sometimes even in my actions, so any opportunity to make fun of her mistakes, which don't happen very often at all, is jumped on by Rex and I.

Side Note: Rex and I have these little moments where we laugh and act obnoxious, like 10 year-old boys. It's fun.

So, back in the apartment Cristina, Christine and I started looking at photo albums as Rex played with Beau. On occasion Rex would let Beau come over to play with us girls and she would pounce all over the photo album causing Crsitina to say "Oh, Beau, Oh... Stop Beau Stop!" After she got Cristina all up in arms about the photo album, Beau would go over to Christine, who was laying on the ground and "attacked" her, I say attacked in quotations because Beau is about a foot tall. During this "attack" Christine would enjoy it for about a second and then call to Rex saying "REX! Call.... Call the dog!" and Beau, knowing she wasn't wanted would lovingly pounce over to Rex who was on the floor laughing at Christine.
After the albums were looked through and put away, I, the loving aunt of Beau, decided to do as all good aunts do and get her all worked up before we were sending her home to her parents. Like that aunt who watched you when you were younger, the one who would feed you popsicles, candy and all sorts of pop and other goodies and then send you back home to your mom who would be pulling out her hair trying to get you to go to sleep, which was impossible because you were LOADED with sugar.... I'm THAT aunt, I do that to Beau, well the dog-version of that.
Rex enjoys this very very much, as do I.
So, what I do is bark and howl and jump up and down as Beau mimics me.... Its SO much fun! Cristina hates it, Christine didn't know what to do besides look at us and Rex was laughing with me and high-fiving me there after.
So thus ended our Webb visit and the three of us packed up the car and headed home.
A much-needed get away filled with much-needed laughter.

I love the Webbs...