Monday, December 31, 2007

we come from the ak where we dont play sun goes down in the middle of the day

home home home home home, i havent written since ive been here. but what do you expect really? ive been preoccupied with family, friends, and sleep. christmas was good and new years is tomorrow. my first week here was fun and i spent it with my family and my cousin and my grandma who were visiting. we spent hours niffty knitting and watching the hills. wooo.

seeing my best friend mary for the first time in four months was amazing. she picked me up from the airport and i was so genuinely happy to see her. the time ive spent with her so far is amazing. she hasnt changed and our friendship is stronger than ever, but i guess that comes from talking on the phone everyday, at least once a day, every day, that i was away. i love her. its weird to see how my other friends have changed and how i have changed. its helped me a lot to learn who my real friends are or who i plan on staying close to for the next few years to come.

i love my family. being away from them helps me to learn not to take them for granted. of course my mom is great. talking to her everyday on the phone at school is good, she is my best friend, and i love her so so so so much. my dad is crazy, i think that when he sees me it just makes him hyper, because that is how he has been the entire time i have been home, and thats not normal. maybe he changed. but i love him more than ever. my brother is my brother. hes super duper, but he is the same as well, and i love him. having my grandma and my cousin katie here was neat too. katie is special, thats right special. i have so much fun with her and shes so level headed. she makes me look at things in a realistic point of view, and as she helped raise me and teach me life lessons when i was younger, she continues to do that to this day, and i love the advice she gives me. my grandma is comforting. she is a lot like my mom, and both of them are great people. i love to have her around.

so as you can see, i have a lot of love for my family.

i learned that i, among with others in my family, suffer from raynauds disease. which is bad circulation in certain parts of the body. all of my life people always commented on that obscure trait of mine, but now i feel that i can justify it. i also am suffering from whatever the opposite is of acute mountain sickness. being in colorado at such a high altitude its hard to adjust to this low one. ive gotten really bad headaches, tummy aches, as well as being really dizzy. it happened at thanksgiving to, and when i go back to colorado i have the same sickness. i decided i need to pick one or the other place to live and stay there because i cant keep doing this.

what else what else, im in talkeetna right now staying with noelle. its been good to see everyone out here and especially her parents. they are AMAZING. she has a nice bed and good food and theres not much else that i feel i could ask for. im spending new years out here and with her and im looking forward to it.

this post has just been a preview of stuff going on here. as nice as it is to be home im thrilled to be at my other home in colorado. i miss my bed there and the amazing people that i am always surrounded by.

one more sad story. i havent seen the sun since ive been here. it has either been dark or cloudy. so there has been no sun for me. today we slept in till about 130. we got dressed and went out to eat. by three, an hour and a half later, it was already getting dark. this sounds pansy-ish but this is a very serious depressing issue. we need some daylight!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

finals week is....

BORING

all i do is study, sleep, test, study, sleep, test

since there is only like an hour of finals three times this week for me ive had a lot of down time that ive spent studying. but i think there is a point that studying becomes ineffective. right now it is all building up for me. im freaking crazy and i just want to be home. my roommate made me some tea to calm me down. its midnight. i have a final at eight am. i studied all day. ad now i cant sleep. so as you can see, this is me, being finaled. too much sleep, not enough sleep. too many little words on a page, to be notes to review. ahhhhhhhhhhhh i really think you all know this is not the normal me (unless you really know me of course) but usually im really not quite this crazy i guess. i will be home in three days. once again united with my best friend and family and snow and bed and not homework. ahhhhhhhh okay i should sleep. yeah ill get right on that... my mom hasnt called back. come on people. okay, so youve experienced my first finals breakdown rant. the end.

p.s. Elf Yourself

Monday, December 17, 2007

sick

too much christmas cookies and candy.

puuuuke.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

final essay of my first semester of college english

Mountains of Life
I have a paper bag. I carry it with me everywhere I go. It accompanies me to class, on vacations, in bed at night, and so many other places. I should mention that my bag is made of recycled paper, because I am eco-friendly of course. My paper bag is my life. Inside it I keep only the most sacred and important parts of who I am. My bag is enormous, although this does not come from being a packrat or holding on to things for longer than necessary. It is because what I have inside my bag is huge. If you were to look in my bag, it would be like peeping into an infinite abyss. There is no telling what you would find there. Although it is a miraculous view, the sight is not uncommon to many people. Inside my bag is a mountain, a huge mountain covered with rivers, rocks, wildflowers, and wind. This mountain is not like any normal mountain though because it is my mountain. Its unique characteristics range from worn and fallen trees to the new sprouts found in spring. The mountain is a constant cycle of all things old and new. This is the treasure found in my simple recycled paper bag.
My mountain is large and strong. It is powerful and can withstand anything. My steadfast mountain may be hit with severe thunderstorms, rainstorms, or fire, and it will continue to stand strong. I believe God delighted in making the mountains above the rest of creation. Just like snowflakes, no two mountains are the same; my mountain is my family. Like tree sap, it sticks together through the thick and thin. My family is unique like the mountains because God created each and every person different in some way or another. My mountain has been weathered; struck by broken relationships, lies, fighting, and work. Though there have been bad days, there have also been sunny, snowy, and beautiful days filled with joy, unity, comfort, and strength. After each rainstorm my family, like the mountains, have also prospered and sprouted new beginnings out of negative effects. This is what I admire so much about my family- though times can get tough we always pull together and conquer anything that is thrown at us.
My mountain’s terrain is unique and covered in rivers flowing in a hundred different directions. The courses and paths are always changing, leading into new places. Though the currents shift and branch off, they continue to flow. The waters push me off into new journeys, both good and bad, but always helping me to move forward. These rivers are the people I consider my friends. Throughout my life so far I have met many new people that have led me down new paths in my life. I have had positive influences that have sent me in areas and helped me to grow and mature. Other rivers have been raging rapids that caused me to backtrack in my life. Together, these rivers have carved their ways in the bank, creating new bends and turns that have led me to where I am today.
Mountains are obviously covered and built out of rock. This is essential for a mountain to stand tall and remain prepared and steadfast. The rock makes it capable for the mountain to be strong against everything. The rock of my mountain is my education. I truly believe this is one of the foundational aspects of my life. Knowing that there are uneducated children and people in the world has caused me to be grateful for God’s blessing of education. Having a strong education has not only prepared me for school work and got me into college, but it has prepared me for ‘real life’. I feel that with what I know right now I will be able to be independent. Teachers have shaped my life over the years and have helped me to develop my conscience. Education has helped me to create my moral standards and values. The rocks of my education help me to stand firm in my beliefs and lifestyle choices.
The wildflowers found on the mountain are one of my favorite parts. God created each one individually with vivid colors, unique size, and shape. Every flower is beautiful and bright. The wildflowers represent every different continent, country, and culture found in the world. People are my passion, specifically their cultures. I find it so amazing that God has filled this earth with so many diverse peoples, yet all are uniquely crafted by His perfect design, giving them immeasurable value. I want to take the time in my life to travel and get to experience every culture on a personal level. It is my life dream to take Christ to the world and to make Him known by all. I love to travel, to see new places, to engage in different culture, and my relationship with God. When I combine all of these together I come out with the idea of a missionary. This is what I want to do. I feel God’s calling on my life to live out His Great Commission to the fullest. I feel that everything in my life has prepared me for this. Daily I pray that He will strengthen my faith and my heart to fulfill His will for my life.
The most essential parts of my mountain are wind and air. Without them it would be impossible for everything to survive. The air rustles the trees, causes the rivers to move, and blows through the petals of the wildflowers. The wind affects everything on the mountain. Without it the mountain would lose its majestic mystery. The wind and air are God. I can breathe it in, and feel it surround me. Just because you cannot see it does not mean it isn’t there. The soft breeze gives me a feeling of peace and comfort. I know that I am not and will never be alone. God’s love is the air I breathe in. With every breath I am filled with Him and our relationship is strengthened. The air is filled with particles of his characteristics: love, peace, kindness, mercy, grace, and joy. Each time the wind moves through the mountain, I remember, I am never alone.
What I enjoy most about all of the aspects in my bag is that the all unite under one common theme: love. In all aspects of my life I am able to observe the beauty that is perfected through love. Within my family we all share a natural bond brought to us from birth. This unconditional love is so powerful. I know that my family will always be there for me and that I can rely on them no matter what. My friends are similar to family because I hold them closest to my heart. I have known them for some time and they have become like brothers and sisters to me. Their companionship means more to me than I can express. In addition to receiving love, I love many things in life. I especially love to learn. Without my education there is no way that I could progress in life. I’m thankful for all that I have been provided with and the ability to learn at a higher level. My love for people and culture is another important area of my life. This is more than a love, but a passion. Above all things, God is the most important form of love in my life. God is love. His love is unfailing, unchanging, and perfect. It is a comfort to know that God will never leave or forsake any of us. I feel that all of the aspects of my mountain unite under the perfect bond of love. Each area weaves with each other to create a beautiful and colorful quilt that covers my mountain year round with warmth and protection.
My paper bag is one of a kind. Its contents are incredible- uniquely created by God. Inside the infinite abyss of my bag is a mountain. In this mountain is my life, covered by rivers, rocks, wildflowers, and wind. My family, friends, education, culture, and God are what hold this mountain together. All things interact and weave through each other forming a shield that can withstand anything. The mountain is fortified for the worst of days and gladly embraces the good ones. This mountain that I keep hidden in my recycled paper bag composes my whole life. I carry it with me everywhere I go. I have a paper bag.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

christian shootings

this morning i woke up at about 730. kaylans parents called to tell us about the local shooting. it took place in arvada which is near our school. it was at a ywam (youth with a mission) training center. it was said that he shot people because he asked if he could stay the night there and they said no. he shot 4 people. two died, and two are in critical condition. the boy 23 was from alaska and the girl 26 is from minnesota.

we watched the news for a while ate breakfast and went back to sleep. we went to eat and do homework where we learned there was another shooting.

at New Life Church in colorado springs there was a gunman who shot anywhere between 4 and 8 people inside the church and in the parking lot. it is learned that 1 person died. there is an asumption that the gunman was shot and even that the person was a girl. but who knows. there is also no conformation that the two shootings were related. New Life Church is my roommates home church so she was worried. we drove down to colorado springs tonight and are staying at her parents house. pray for these people.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

the blustery day

i barely made it to class without blowing away.

i woke up an hour early because the loud machines were going clearing leaves out of the way. it wasnt windy. all was quiet but these annoying machines. i got ready, put on a jacket, and left. i barely made it down my stairs because my eyes were blinded by the leaf debris that was shot out by the machine. when i got to the bottom and out in the open, i almost blew away. i have never felt or walked in wind this strong. tree branches, newspapers, and plastic bags were flying around everywhere like ghosts. of course i had to walk by the lake to get to class so i was struck by sharp droplets of water blown off the surface. the wind blew in my eyes so fierce that they started to tear and run down my face. my hair was standing straight up as the wind came underneath and shot it up. i finally made it to my classroom. while sitting there though i was convinced by the strong sounds and the shaking of the building that a tornado was going to come and blow us away. walking back from class was a little scary but comforting since austin walked with me and holding on to his hard helped me to not fly away into the infinite abyss. we quickly walked back to our rooms while still continuing to get pelted by water droplets from the lake and while tears ran down my face. i made it back inside safely but the sounds are terrifying. whistling, shouting, torments of wind. our poor little rocking chair out on the balcony is going crazy but i wont dare go outside to rescue it. good thing i dont have any more classes today because i am not leaving this room. unless of course our stairwell blows over, which it might very well do. wish me luck.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

weekend pictures
















weekend of joy

this weekend started early and i feel like its gone on forever. i believe it all started on wednesday night when we had a dance party... yeah, well we made some sweet videos the best being glamorous, and if youre really lucky ill show it to you all when i get home. so that night was pretty fun. the next morning i dragged myself out of bed to go to class, but i made it no worries mom. after we skipped chapel (to take a nap of course) and then we left to go snowboarding. it was the first one of the season so it was amazing. kaylan, breezy, jessica, and i all rode up to copper mountain. its kind of scary snowboarding somewhere else for the first time. ive never gone outside of alaska so i guess you could say i was a little intimidated. but despite that, i had the best day of riding that ive had in a while. afterwards we left and drove to beau jos where karissa, dylan, and nick met up with us. we had my birthday dinner. soooo good. how i love that place. they got me a special dessert too. it was perfect. kaylan gave me a birthday present, a heart necklace with three hearts that say faith hope and love. its so perfect. she is the best roommate EVER. that night we watched elf with some friends and then went to bed. ohh and breezy slept over, which happens like every night, so its nothing new. i do love to share a single bed with her, haha.

friday was fun. we slept in, went to the gym, which was killer since we were so sore from snowboarding. we cleaned and decorated our room some more. that night kaylan, breezy, jessica, and i went downtown to watch the parade of lights. we had to park a million miles away the traffic was so bad. but we finally arrived and it was totally worth it. we saw a lot of people from our school. everyone now knows us as "those girls who sang and danced to glamorous. yeah it showed up on our facebook newsfeed." we dont even know some of these people haha. but still the parade was fun. there were lots of dancers and bands and giant blow up things and lights! it ended and we walked and got some hot chocolate. we didnt quite remember where we parked so we took the 16th street bus hoping it would take us somewhere. the bus was about to leave so we sprinted after it where these two punk boys insisted that we couldnt get on because it was going to nebraska. dont ask. but one of them was from alaska and went to dimond. its always crazy when you meet people from home. its such a small world out there. well after our long walk and sketchy back streets and trying to stay near police cars (since we are four young girls) we made it back to our car safe and sound. when we got back to the room i went into my room to start putting clothes away and i heard kaylan call my name. i came out and there was my whole stairwell holding a cake and sang me happy birthday. it was so good! my birthday has been drawn out for three weeks i think and i love it! thanks to everyone who made it extra special. after all of this we had a sleep over in our room and watched the hallmark movie a boyfriend for christmas which is absolutely amazing and you should all watch it.

saturday morning i had to wake up early to go to a training day for our missions trips. all of the teams were there so about 70 people. we spent a few hours doing team building activiteis which is always fun...... haha, afterwards we just talked for a while and they brought us lunch which was cool. after that not much happened. i think we just hung out, watched tv. let me say the show intervention on A & E is amazing but sad. you should see it. hung out with nick that night. did laundry, dont know what else.

sunday morning we had decided not to go snowboarding the night before but karissa came into my room at eight and said to get up so we could go! so i sprinted, put on some clothes got my stuff together and we left. us two and breezy all went and we met up with two other girls up there. the drive was long, i guess there were accidents and the one hour ride turned into two. it snowed 12 inches up there. but seriously, im from alaska and i know bad roads, these roads were not bad. there was barely any snow let alone ice on them and everyone was freaking out and going 5 miles an hour. i wanted to die. people in the states do not know how to drive. besides that the day was great. it was warm and sunny our and the snow was powedery. a perfect day for riding. but it came to an end like all good things do. we got in the car and headed back where the hour drive turned into two again because people still dont know how to drive... i showered, ate, went to the store, and did homework. now here i am recapping the best weekend ive had in a while. k bye.