This morning I gave my first chapel and I thought I would share it with all of you who couldn't be there! I know you are all dying to know what I talked about. ;-) Anyway, here you go!
Scripture
Proverbs 16:1-3 (MSG)
1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. 2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. 3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
Reflection
Most of you may already know that I majored in theatre performance in college. Theatre was my life, as those of you with kids in theatre programs know. I was in choir, I was in the theatre club, I was running lights, acting in full lengths, and one acts, and the list goes on. By about sophomore year, I decided to go out for one of the last sections of the theatre scene that I hadn’t explored yet and was, honestly, afraid to try. It was the improv group on campus.
I have never been good at improv. I have always wanted to be but I always got too nervous. Give me a script I can memorize and work on and I’ll go out there, head held high. Throw something at me from left field, however, and I’m slightly lost.
So, I decided to face this fear and, knowing I probably wouldn’t make the troop anyway, gave improv a shot. I went to the auditions and I was so nervous the whole time. I did okay, but, as I assumed, I didn’t make the group. I was fine with that, however, and just proud of myself for trying.
From this experience and from my numerous theatre classes, I learned several things about improv and acting. What to do and what not to do. I found an example list online which spells it out nicely into five basic rules:
1. Don't Deny. Denial is the number one reason most scenes go bad. Any time you refuse an offer made by your partner your scene will almost instantly come to a grinding halt.
2. Don't ask open ended Questions. (like "Who are you?") They stop the scene while your partner has to think of something.
3. You don't have to be funny. Play the truth of the scene, make it interesting, and the funny will follow.
4. You can look good if you make your partner look good. People come into scenes with a great idea for a character but your partner has no idea what’s going on in your head.
5. Tell a story. The players take totally random suggestions (like a plumber and a cab driver selling shoes in a cubicle) and somehow "make it work". (I got these rules here.)
These rules helped me get through some tough scenes in theatre and in life. Another rule that isn’t in the improv list but that was drilled into my head was to make a decision and make it big. Once you make your choice, stick with it. If you second guess yourself, the audience will second guess you as well. I use this one a lot.
My next brush with improv was not as happy an experience as the first. I was cast in a play with a small cast. There really were, for the most part, no small parts. I was part of a trio that formed the comic relief team. At one point, we play opposite the lead and, through some witty comments and comic repetition, get a few laughs. The lead, however, was not happy with us getting the laughs and wanted some for himself.
One night, we were going through our routine when, out of the blue, the lead starts throwing lines at us that we have never heard before. He starts improving. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a few lines of witty improv, but, without sounding too mean, hopefully, he wasn’t being witty. Instead, he was making things up just to get some laughs which, when they didn’t come, made him try all the harder.
One of the rules of comedy or improv, if you recall, is that you don’t have to be funny or, the way I learned it, never play for the laughs. One of the first rules of the stage is that you have to be trustworthy and your fellow actors need to know they can rely on you. This sounds a bit like the “official” rule number four: You can look good if you make your partner look good. He broke both those rules that night, consciously. He was being selfish to get a few laughs on stage which he never even got. And none of us could trust him from that night on.
Some improv in theatre and in life is necessary. When a situation arises without warning, on the stage or in life, sometimes you have to jump, take the chance, or fix the situation by doing a little improv. When people improv for their personal benefit only, however, it doesn’t help anyone out.
The way I see it, God is the master playwright. He has a script for each one of us. Sometimes we have our lines nailed. Sometimes someone else throws in some improv and we have to find our way back to the script. And sometimes, we do our own improv for our own benefit and we need help getting back on track. It might seem a little bit of a cliché or even a naive way of looking at the world, and I know that, but it’s one way for me to start to wrap my head around this play called Life. The potters get their metaphor; this is mine as an actor and a playwright.
Right now I’m trying a little improv in my own life by going with the flow and not knowing what comes next. I finished college and now I’m doing BVS and I’m not quite sure what is going to happen next but I’m trusting in God to help me out and guide me.
The rules of improv seem to apply to this situation as well. Don’t deny. Don’t ask open ended questions (What happens next?). You don’t have to be funny (well, thanks). Make others look good and I’ll make myself look good (golden rule anyone?). Tell a story.
Just the other day, Cat and I sat down and drew up a “story board,” if you will, of our lives. I looked at her and I said, “I have a plan! I’ve never had a plan before!” I think about the scripture I’ve chosen for today, however, and make sure that I don’t get upset if my plan doesn’t correspond precisely with God’s plans. I’m flexible and, hopefully, better at improv in life than on the stage.
Let me read that passage from Proverbs again. “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.”
It’s okay to make our own plans, as long as we keep God with us in making those plans. If we keep the intentions good and we ask God’s blessing, it’s hard to fail.
Song
How Bad We Need Each Other by Marc Scibilia (I played it on my laptop, but you can find the youtube version here.)
Prayer
God, you know your plans for us. Whether they are elaborate or simply that you want us to be happy. Thank you for watching over us as follow the path you have set out for us and as well as when we stray from that path. May we find many wondrous things on our journeys and always keep in mind those around us. Thank you for your presence in our lives. Amen.
End scene.
Sincerely,
Rachel
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
A little behind... oops!
Greetings Friends!
So I must start by saying that I had intended on posting this a while ago, but it never happened. My apologies that I am a little late on some of this, but it is still to have on our blog.
Over a year ago, I had been at my BVS retreat. I soon got to talking to a new friend about various things, and he told me all about the St. Patrick's day celebrations that take place in the city of Chicago. I thought that it sounded pretty cool, but I realized that I would probably never be around for another year. Well then, I decided to sign on for a second year and I happened to be at home in Elgin St. Patrick's day weekend. Kendra and I decided that a Chicago St. Patrick's day was something that we needed to experience for ourselves.
We decided that due to all the traffic that would be in the city, it would be best if we took the metra into the city, rather than trying to drive a car in. We were the first ones on the metra, so we obviously got a good seat, but it was pretty hilarious to watch all the people dressed in green getting on the train as we would stop at every station. It was also funny to listen to everyone, as we got closer to Chicago and the noise levels would continue to elevate.
It was a beautiful day in the city.
I hope you enjoyed coming along to Chicago :) Carol
So I must start by saying that I had intended on posting this a while ago, but it never happened. My apologies that I am a little late on some of this, but it is still to have on our blog.
It was a beautiful day in the city.
I hope you enjoyed coming along to Chicago :) Carol
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A Little Spring Cleaning
It’s finally spring here in Elgin. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, children are playing in the streets, and I can finally go outside without having to bundle up first. Oh yes, spring is here.
Inspired by the warmer weather, I cleaned out my room at the BVS house a couple weeks ago. With the cool breeze coming in through the open windows I sorted through the piles of papers, clothes, shoes, and scarves strewn about. Then I went through every single drawer, nook, and cranny to decide if I really needed that thing. All this was done while listening to the wonderful Jason Mraz, who Rachel listed lyrics for a couple weeks ago for her blog.
Listening to his music brought back a lot of memories from college, when his music was quite popular. My friends and I would listen to his music as we zipped away from State College to drive to Whipples Dam. Whipples was our ‘beach’. I use quotations because if you go there it’s a manmade lake with a little roped off swimming section and some sand. But when you’re stuck in the middle of Pennsylvania, Whipples, is a site to behold.
When we arrived at the ‘beach’ we would troop over to the sand and find a spot not too close to other college students. Lay down, read magazines, sun bathe and if we were feeling particularly adventurous we would actually go into the water.
As my mind switched back and forth between sun bathing and whether or not I should keep these poppers from Chinese New Year, I started remembering many other things from college that hadn’t been so pleasant. In fact, it put me in a debbie downer kind of mood and while brooding in my room, I had had enough. I went over to my computer and typed into Google, “Mental Spring Cleaning”. One of the first search results that popped up was this site:
http://reflectionsinverse.blogspot.com/2011/04/mental-spring-cleaning-clear-clutter-in.html
It’s a blog post written by someone suggesting different ways to clean out the clutter in your head. The writer gives seven suggestions for clearing. I’ve shortened them here, but if you want to read the full descriptions, refer to the site I put in above.
1. Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt.
2. Wash away delay and procrastination.
3. Dust off your attitude and put on a fresh coat of positivity.
4. Throw out misunderstandings, and lack of patience.
5. Lighten up your life with humor and fun.
6. Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a fresh perspective on living a happier, better, and easier life. Change takes action.
7. And finally: Enjoy the person you are.
Sounds simple enough right? I thought so at first, but then starting with number one, I tried a little exercise we had done at spiritual direction previously. First you think about someone you know very well and love very much. Pray for them. Then you think about a person that you don’t know so well, an acquaintance. Pray for them the same things you prayed for the person you love. Finally think of a person you really can’t stand and are not friends with at all. Pray for them the same things you prayed for the person you love.
After thinking about that process I realized I was stuck at number one on the mental cleaning list. Not a good way to start. So I skipped it and went to the last 6 and have been working on those for the past couple weeks. I found that I could do these things with great ease, which made me happy! But now it’s back to that number one. The things that trip me up are cleaning out the anger and self doubt.
I’m not an angry person, but things happen and stick with you and it’s hard to shake those emotions. The self doubt bit started in high school with a couple cruel comments from a classmate. Don’t worry, I dished it back to him at the time (I was no pansy) but after those comments I always wondered, what if he was right? Maybe I’m not as smart as I should be…
This year in BVS has helped me to come to grips with the past and work on bettering myself mentally and spiritually. I’ve realized now that those words in high school were just that: words. They held no malice or ill will towards me and I’ve just shaped and molded them over time and used them to hide behind. This is a notice to myself that I’m kicking all that aside. No more anger or self doubt. It’s going to be hard, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. And I need to do this. Anyone else out there with me?
Jason Mraz will forever have a little place in my heart for those good times. And now those Chinese poppers will always have a little place in my soul to remind me of my healing and cleaning.
Rock on.
Cat
Inspired by the warmer weather, I cleaned out my room at the BVS house a couple weeks ago. With the cool breeze coming in through the open windows I sorted through the piles of papers, clothes, shoes, and scarves strewn about. Then I went through every single drawer, nook, and cranny to decide if I really needed that thing. All this was done while listening to the wonderful Jason Mraz, who Rachel listed lyrics for a couple weeks ago for her blog.
Listening to his music brought back a lot of memories from college, when his music was quite popular. My friends and I would listen to his music as we zipped away from State College to drive to Whipples Dam. Whipples was our ‘beach’. I use quotations because if you go there it’s a manmade lake with a little roped off swimming section and some sand. But when you’re stuck in the middle of Pennsylvania, Whipples, is a site to behold.
When we arrived at the ‘beach’ we would troop over to the sand and find a spot not too close to other college students. Lay down, read magazines, sun bathe and if we were feeling particularly adventurous we would actually go into the water.
As my mind switched back and forth between sun bathing and whether or not I should keep these poppers from Chinese New Year, I started remembering many other things from college that hadn’t been so pleasant. In fact, it put me in a debbie downer kind of mood and while brooding in my room, I had had enough. I went over to my computer and typed into Google, “Mental Spring Cleaning”. One of the first search results that popped up was this site:
http://reflectionsinverse.blogspot.com/2011/04/mental-spring-cleaning-clear-clutter-in.html
It’s a blog post written by someone suggesting different ways to clean out the clutter in your head. The writer gives seven suggestions for clearing. I’ve shortened them here, but if you want to read the full descriptions, refer to the site I put in above.
1. Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt.
2. Wash away delay and procrastination.
3. Dust off your attitude and put on a fresh coat of positivity.
4. Throw out misunderstandings, and lack of patience.
5. Lighten up your life with humor and fun.
6. Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a fresh perspective on living a happier, better, and easier life. Change takes action.
7. And finally: Enjoy the person you are.
Sounds simple enough right? I thought so at first, but then starting with number one, I tried a little exercise we had done at spiritual direction previously. First you think about someone you know very well and love very much. Pray for them. Then you think about a person that you don’t know so well, an acquaintance. Pray for them the same things you prayed for the person you love. Finally think of a person you really can’t stand and are not friends with at all. Pray for them the same things you prayed for the person you love.
After thinking about that process I realized I was stuck at number one on the mental cleaning list. Not a good way to start. So I skipped it and went to the last 6 and have been working on those for the past couple weeks. I found that I could do these things with great ease, which made me happy! But now it’s back to that number one. The things that trip me up are cleaning out the anger and self doubt.
I’m not an angry person, but things happen and stick with you and it’s hard to shake those emotions. The self doubt bit started in high school with a couple cruel comments from a classmate. Don’t worry, I dished it back to him at the time (I was no pansy) but after those comments I always wondered, what if he was right? Maybe I’m not as smart as I should be…
This year in BVS has helped me to come to grips with the past and work on bettering myself mentally and spiritually. I’ve realized now that those words in high school were just that: words. They held no malice or ill will towards me and I’ve just shaped and molded them over time and used them to hide behind. This is a notice to myself that I’m kicking all that aside. No more anger or self doubt. It’s going to be hard, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. And I need to do this. Anyone else out there with me?
Jason Mraz will forever have a little place in my heart for those good times. And now those Chinese poppers will always have a little place in my soul to remind me of my healing and cleaning.
Rock on.
Cat
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Over the River and Through the Woods...and Around the Bend, Down the Street...
“Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my beautiful mother
She told me, ‘Son, in life you’re gonna go far, and if you do it right, you’ll love where you are
Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come back home.’”
(Lyrics from 93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz)
Sometimes we’re away from home too long and we just need an energy boost by seeing and hugging the ones we love. I’m not sure you’re interested, but I’m going to tell you about my weekend at home. It was a nice, quick trip and so worth it!
I had the good fortune to catch a ride home this past weekend with a lovely couple from church. They were going to see their son in a concert at the college that happens to be in my home town. Graciously, they offered to take me along. But I never felt like just a tag-along. They made me feel very welcome and we had a grand ‘ole time on our eleven hour round trip!
When I was planning the trip, my dad told me that he would be out of town on business but my mom was going to be around at least. However, as the time came closer, my dad got sick (boo!) but that meant he needed to stay home and therefore, I was able to see him (yay!).
It also just happened to be the weekend before my mom’s birthday. Getting to see each other that close to her big day was a extra special treat for both of us. I also got to see a few of my good friends, my best friend, and my grandparents—who made an afternoon trip on Saturday to meet up with us.
Saturday was a nice, full, fun day for all of us. I slept in (which used to mean that I slept till 11 or 12 but now means I got to sleep past 8. Woot!) and then Mama and I went to get mani/pedis! I chose two different shades of pink (Pink Friday and You're Such a Kabuki Queen, both by OPI) and mama chose a dark purple for toes and a “Chocolate Shakespeare” (also by OPI) for her fingernails.
Afterward, we ran a few errands and then met up with my grandparents for lunch. We went to O.I.P. —one of my favorite pizza places ever!—and then went back home to meet up with Keira. Then, we went to the aforementioned concert. We hung out for a while and then Mom-mom and Pop-pop headed back home.
Mama, Daddy, and I went to Red Lobster to celebrate Mama’s birthday! She was craving some lobster from Lobster Fest. It was such a special treat. Then we went shopping and got some ice cream from Friendly’s!
Keira (my best friend from home) came over for a sleepover and then she went to church and lunch with us in the morning. Then it was back on the road and back to Elgin.
A whirlwind trip but a wonderful one. Now it just has to hold me till August. But that’s what Skype is for, l have discovered, and I am thankful for it! :-D
Hearts & Hugs,
Rachel
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dreary Days
Lately at our house we’ve been talking a lot about the weather. In case you don’t know, Elgin does not have the best weather. In fact it can be downright depressing at times. For example, today is overcast, cold, gloomy, and everything outside is brown. It makes waking up hard, and it makes the work day seem longer and longer. And since there’s nothing to look at outside, you’re forced to look at things in your office. This morning I found a hole in my favorite patterned tights right on the knee. It’s a sad, sad, day in Cat’s office.
So what keeps me going on days like these? All the little things that I would normally pass over that I’m able to appreciate when the weather is dreary. My piggy bank named Cicero on my desk. He’s silver sparkly and awesome thanks to Jeremy, who drew a face and wings so that Cicero can fly mine and Rachel’s coins to a magical bank where hopefully someday it will be enough to pay for the 2 of us to go on a cruise. Then there’s Freddie and Molly, my basil and cilantro plants growing by my window. Freddie (the basil) has taken over the pot. I guess I should call them Molly and the Freddies.
Then I have a wall of quotes building up my wall next to my computer. Quotes have always been important to me. I treat a new quote the same way a reader treats a new book. You look at it, read it, absorb it, and apply it to yourself and your life. It started with one and now I have a plethora of wisdom and inspiration steadily creeping and growing up my wall. Just for kicks and giggles, I’m going to list them here, prepare your brain and spirit…
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, so we’re really not that different, me and you”. -Colin Raye
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”. –Dr. Seuss
“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing”.
“Live simply so others may simply live”. – Mother Teresa
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does”. – William James
“You are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life”. –Julia Child (?)
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you”. – Dr. Seuss
“Know that you are loved by extending your love into the world”.
“Do not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness”. – James Thurber
“It is not about how the world sees you; it is about how you see the world”.
That last one has me thinking today. ‘About how you see the world’, instead of seeing the overcast and the cold gloom, it’s important for us to remember the small things. No matter how insignificant they may seem at times, they are the things that keep us going on those no good awful days. Today I’m thankful for Cicero, Molly, and the Freddies for keeping my spirits high, and thankful for the quotes that continue to feed my soul.
Peace,
Cat
So what keeps me going on days like these? All the little things that I would normally pass over that I’m able to appreciate when the weather is dreary. My piggy bank named Cicero on my desk. He’s silver sparkly and awesome thanks to Jeremy, who drew a face and wings so that Cicero can fly mine and Rachel’s coins to a magical bank where hopefully someday it will be enough to pay for the 2 of us to go on a cruise. Then there’s Freddie and Molly, my basil and cilantro plants growing by my window. Freddie (the basil) has taken over the pot. I guess I should call them Molly and the Freddies.
Then I have a wall of quotes building up my wall next to my computer. Quotes have always been important to me. I treat a new quote the same way a reader treats a new book. You look at it, read it, absorb it, and apply it to yourself and your life. It started with one and now I have a plethora of wisdom and inspiration steadily creeping and growing up my wall. Just for kicks and giggles, I’m going to list them here, prepare your brain and spirit…
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, so we’re really not that different, me and you”. -Colin Raye
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”. –Dr. Seuss
“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing”.
“Live simply so others may simply live”. – Mother Teresa
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does”. – William James
“You are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life”. –Julia Child (?)
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you”. – Dr. Seuss
“Know that you are loved by extending your love into the world”.
“Do not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness”. – James Thurber
“It is not about how the world sees you; it is about how you see the world”.
That last one has me thinking today. ‘About how you see the world’, instead of seeing the overcast and the cold gloom, it’s important for us to remember the small things. No matter how insignificant they may seem at times, they are the things that keep us going on those no good awful days. Today I’m thankful for Cicero, Molly, and the Freddies for keeping my spirits high, and thankful for the quotes that continue to feed my soul.
Peace,
Cat
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Technology Anyone
So Recently, I have been thinking a lot about technology. What would our world be like without the technology that we have grown to take advantage of? So I have also thought about how technological I am, as opposed to others that are my age.
Here is how I fit in...
Typewriter - when I was little I used to go into my dad's office, and sit at his desk while typing on a typewriter, that used to be his fathers.
Electronic Typewriter - Then there was the day that my dad got an electronic typewriter, no more correction tape :) This was a big day.
Computers - when I was in third grade, we had just gotten a lab full of computers that we got to go and use once a week. The only catch was that we had to have some parents volunteer to come and run the lab. Well me being me, volunteered my parents saying that they didn't have a real job, they were just pastors after all. They graciously agreed, and even brought my little sister. This was my first experience with a computer.
After SEVERAL years (I think I was in High School) we got a computer of our own, that we had at our house.
Email - when I was in eighth grade my dad signed up for an email account. I thought that he was crazy, how do you communicate to someone else through a computer screen?
My Space - when I was in High School all of my friends were all really into My Space. I decided that I didn't really care, and wasn't sure if I really wanted to make connections on the world wide web. Well my best friend couldn't handle this and created a My Space account that she kept up to date, so that she could talk to me. Needless to say I didn't use it that often.
Digital Camera - I grew up with my nice film camera, my dad even had an awesome external zoom that was printed on actual paper. Then for Christmas before I went to high school I got a digital camera, for the first several months I would take the camera to my portable printer so that I could print out all of my pictures, I wanted something that I could hold onto. I am now on my third digital camera, and don't print out all of my pictures anymore.
Facebook - one of the first things I did after I moved into Manchester was create a facebook account. I am still kind of hooked to facebook, as a great way to connect with old friends or friends who no longer live just down the street. I will say that I am not into all the applications and games that go along with facebook.
Email - all the way through college this was how connections were made, classes were canceled and assignments were submitted. How did you do anything on college campus before email?
Second Life - when I took an online class in college I got to create a virtual version of myself that got to fly through second life, it was something else. I was glad when the class was over and I could delete my account.
Kindles / E-readers - no longer do people carry around books, now people download these books onto a portable computer. I am not ready for this change, I like holding the actual book. No wonder Border's closed.
Netflix - now anytime you want to watch a movie you no longer have to go to the store and buy it, go to the library and borrow it, or go to movie rental place. Now all you need to do is get online and watch any show or movie you could want on netflix. No wonder blockbusters are closing.
Wii - so until college I had never played a video game. I had occasionally played on an old school game boy, but that was mostly me playing tetris or sometimes mario racing. Then for Christmas this past year, my mom got me a wii and it opened my world.
Blog - as of about an hour ago, now I have my own blog. Following Rachel's bucket list, I was inspired to create my own. So after compiling my own list, I decided to make it the base of my blog. We will see if anyone wants to follow it.
Next Steps? Well Rachel is also into pinterest and Twitter. We will see if she gets me hocked on either one of those.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about how old school I am.
:) Carol
Here is how I fit in...
Typewriter - when I was little I used to go into my dad's office, and sit at his desk while typing on a typewriter, that used to be his fathers.
Computers - when I was in third grade, we had just gotten a lab full of computers that we got to go and use once a week. The only catch was that we had to have some parents volunteer to come and run the lab. Well me being me, volunteered my parents saying that they didn't have a real job, they were just pastors after all. They graciously agreed, and even brought my little sister. This was my first experience with a computer.
After SEVERAL years (I think I was in High School) we got a computer of our own, that we had at our house.
Email - when I was in eighth grade my dad signed up for an email account. I thought that he was crazy, how do you communicate to someone else through a computer screen?
My Space - when I was in High School all of my friends were all really into My Space. I decided that I didn't really care, and wasn't sure if I really wanted to make connections on the world wide web. Well my best friend couldn't handle this and created a My Space account that she kept up to date, so that she could talk to me. Needless to say I didn't use it that often.
Digital Camera - I grew up with my nice film camera, my dad even had an awesome external zoom that was printed on actual paper. Then for Christmas before I went to high school I got a digital camera, for the first several months I would take the camera to my portable printer so that I could print out all of my pictures, I wanted something that I could hold onto. I am now on my third digital camera, and don't print out all of my pictures anymore.
Facebook - one of the first things I did after I moved into Manchester was create a facebook account. I am still kind of hooked to facebook, as a great way to connect with old friends or friends who no longer live just down the street. I will say that I am not into all the applications and games that go along with facebook.
Email - all the way through college this was how connections were made, classes were canceled and assignments were submitted. How did you do anything on college campus before email?
Second Life - when I took an online class in college I got to create a virtual version of myself that got to fly through second life, it was something else. I was glad when the class was over and I could delete my account.
Kindles / E-readers - no longer do people carry around books, now people download these books onto a portable computer. I am not ready for this change, I like holding the actual book. No wonder Border's closed.
Netflix - now anytime you want to watch a movie you no longer have to go to the store and buy it, go to the library and borrow it, or go to movie rental place. Now all you need to do is get online and watch any show or movie you could want on netflix. No wonder blockbusters are closing.
Wii - so until college I had never played a video game. I had occasionally played on an old school game boy, but that was mostly me playing tetris or sometimes mario racing. Then for Christmas this past year, my mom got me a wii and it opened my world.
Blog - as of about an hour ago, now I have my own blog. Following Rachel's bucket list, I was inspired to create my own. So after compiling my own list, I decided to make it the base of my blog. We will see if anyone wants to follow it.
Next Steps? Well Rachel is also into pinterest and Twitter. We will see if she gets me hocked on either one of those.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about how old school I am.
:) Carol
Friday, February 10, 2012
Two Perfect Weekends
Hello everybody,
Last weekend, Jeremy left for a trip to Michigan and so it was just Rachel, Carol, Cat and me. That means we had a Girls’ weekend and that means: PARTY :)
On Saturday morning, when I got up, I went with my “Adoptive Family” to a Winter market in Elgin. They had scarves, hats, sauces, breads, jewelry, bread, sausages, etc.
I bought a baguette and Karen bought me a chocolate croissant. Yummy :)
For lunch we went to “Big Apple” and it was really delicious. During that time, the others went to IHOP.
After lunch we drove to the library, got some movies, drove to Springfield Mall and went shopping. But I can’t forget the important stop: before shopping, we went to JAMBA JUICE. That means smoothies for everyone! After a few hours shopping and after everyone bought something, we thought we had spent enough money and should watch a movie. So we drove home, but first we picked up Virginia. At home we had dinner and for dessert we had cake, donuts and a lot more. After that, we watched one of our movies: “Kate and Leopold”. During the second movie (“Penelope”) we decorated our aprons and we painted our nails. All together it was a really nice day. We had a lot of fun.
On Sunday, of course, we watched the Pro Bowl, which I enjoyed.
During the next week after this weekend, we went to EPH for dinner and to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. Yummy!
On Saturday, we (Cat, Carol, Don, Jeremy, Rachel and I) went to Wisconsin. So we left at about 10:30am and drove about 2 hours. Our first stop was Culvers to have a delicious lunch. The next stop was at Brennan’s, which is a local grocery store and they have a lot of different CHEESE and FRUIT. So we bought some cheese and some other things and then we went to Swiss Colony. There we bought CHOCOLATE :). After everyone was satisfied we drove to Carol’s house. There we relaxed from our exhausting day, played Wii and had a delicious dinner that Carol’s mom cooked. Also we had dessert. Then about 7:30pm we drove home, went to bed and dreamed of our nice day and what we bought.
Sunday was the big day: Super Bowl. So we prepared everything (we cooked and baked together), tried to clean our big mess in the kitchen and then we went to Virginia’s to watch the final football game. Everyone was super excited. It was a very interesting game. But in the end the Giants won and some of us were happy. For dinner everyone brought something. So we had a ton of food: chili, pasta salad, tacos, cheese dip, spinach cheese dip, bread, rolls, football shaped cookies, etc.
All together it was a very nice weekend and everyone enjoyed it!
Denise
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