Oh My Soul

I love beautiful and quiet Sunday mornings.

I also love it when the temperature is perfect on a Sunday. 66 degrees constitutes perfect in my world.

So here I sit, listening to my worship playlist (the song is now Fully Loved by Ian McIntosh), with my fuzzy socks on, wondering why housekeeping hasn't yet made my bed, and needing to brush my teeth. I know that's gross, but I don't really care. I will brush them. Eventually.

You know those Sundays that you find difficult to enjoy because the threat of Monday is hard to ignore? Yes, I know those all too well: Monday means biology lab.

HOWEVER... this week is very different. First of all- beautiful Sunday? Yes please.

Second- after tomorrow's lab, I only have 2 more left. Ever.

And third- I have in mind a very cute outfit for tomorrow.

Tomorrow being the kick-off of Cornhuskin', I have a very corny outfit planned out.

Yes, a corny outfit. Like actual corn earrings and a corn hair-pin thing (compliments of Jenna and my Big Sis) made out of felt. SO cute.

Do not fear, I will post pictures. That's kind of what I'm all about.

Pictures!

Like this picture of my love and I.

My Pumpkin Spice Latte. It's Fall in a cup.

Yumm.

Ah- I love violins. They just began playing one and I don't want them to stop!

Anyway...

Oh I thought of a fourth reason as to why I am not dreading Monday!

Fourth- With the coming of Monday will come sooner Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then the day that I've been waiting for since October began: FRIDAY.

Not necessarily for the reasons that you're all thinking- weekend, no classes, sleeping time... no. I want Friday because Friday is the day that we end corn with a bang. And for that ending, we have invited family, friends, and the community. (Pretty much anyone who wants to come to cornhuskin' may.)

And if you didn't pick up the fourth reason up there for whatever reason, let me spell it out for you. Because I want to spell it out because it makes me happy, and because I can spell (contrary to the beliefs of the sixth grade teachers who refused to let me into the spelling bee because I didn't spell "lettuce" correctly. But I digress...).

MY FAMILY IS COMING DOWN ON FRIDAY.

Did you get that?

Spelled it out. And had lettuce been in that sentence, I totally would've spelled it correctly.

Moral of my story: Enjoy Sundays and don't spell lettuce with an "I". Oh, and I can't wait until Friday.

What is Caitlyn going to do today?

Right now that is still a very hazy unknown. I saw commercials last night for a Steelers/Saints game- perhaps I will get into that one. Probably not. I don't even know if the Eagles are playing. I need my father and my little brother right about now. They would know. They know EVERYTHING.

This may be random but I feel like sharing.

I took the competency exam this past week- a big English test that checks grammar and such. It's a 2 part test: the grammar test and then an essay.

I passed the grammar portion with flying colors (how I managed to do that, I still am not yet sure).

I failed the essay portion gracefully (not sure how that happened either).

I say gracefully because I didn't just receive a 1, the lowest grade possible, I received a 1+.

I believe the English department feels that the + will make me feel better about failing.

Hence, I failed gracefully.

They think that I cannot write. I don't know how I feel about that.

Sad. I feel sad about that.

Feel sad? Feel sadly?

Oh man.

But I do have the opportunity to take it again. And I have to- because a 1+ in the eyes of the English department just doesn't cut it.

Super!

Another hour and 45 minutes of time that I don't have to be spent writing an essay about how a Chinese girl doesn't want to go to Chinese school. So fun, hey?

Isn't that how we all like to spend our evenings? Call me crazy.

My butt has fallen asleep, and my mother has texted me. I will respond to both now.

And brush my teeth. Yuck.

And... goodbye.

oh- I added little boxes for ratings. You don't need a blogger account or whatever, just click on a box and let me know what you thought about my ramblings for today!

Craving Simplicity

How is it that the weekends always, without fail, gallop away from me? I very much don't enjoy that.

Ohhh I would very much like to watch Charlie and Lola. Or perhaps Eloise at the Plaza- I just need a good English accent fix and a story laced with simplicity. My life is too complicated and filled with homework, tests, laundry, meetings, classes, etc. etc. etc.

But that's not my point. Not that I have a point- because I don't. As of right now, I'm typing this entry without a title. That's how pointless this entry is.

=)

I'm telling you- I'm craving simplicity.

Ohhh that's a good title!

Title made!

So this weekend, let's start there. I had a fantastic time!

My Grandparents came down for a "work weekend" with the Crains.

I crashed it like the sneaky work crasher that I was born to be.

No I didn't, they got lots of work done.

They also managed to work their way down the 440 and check out Meredith College- which made me very happy! There was a mini-tour involved, and a trip to the cool sign where Grandpa and I wanted to take pictures.

So fun, right?

We also went out for ice cream. Can somebody say delish? (DELISH)

I did give them a fair warning. I said "1,2,3" and this is what I got. Just for the record.

That's right. Two of your favorites right there, enjoying themselves some good ice cream!

What great grandparents I have! And look at how cute they are, so sweet.

Hurley even got some ice cream. Such a doggie-friendly place.

He thoroughly enjoyed every. last. drop.
If I remember correctly, he even tried to eat the cup. It was probably because the balled up paper towel just wasn't enough of paper for his little puppy belly.
Yes MC, I said belly.
=D


 Then we mostly hung out in between painting the deck and sewing couch cushions and playing with Hurley.

She told Grandma that she "smelled like melons".

Grandpa wanted to check his deck. Bean did too.

He had Bean cornered- my hero! lol (totally kidding Lynda, I love Bean!)

Going on a walk!

Yes, I took one of those "he's taking a picture" pictures. I just wanted to.

Hurley crashed next to me on the floor...

And just had to be touching me at all times...

All up in my shoulder's business.

And then I found this clock when we went to Panera. Am I the only one who loves it so much?

Probably.

So that was my weekend.
We had a fun time too! I didn't want it to end. But it did, shucks!
Grandma brought some very good bologna and farmers cheese which I loved. I could've spent all day with that block of un-sliced farmers cheese. But Lynda wouldn't let me.

We also ate a very interesting mixture of candy corn and peanuts. It was surprisingly wonderful. Who ever figured that one out should be called genius and given global recognition.
I know- it sounds weird. But its really good so you should try it too. I hate candy corn but peanuts make the world better. So try it.

I know I made a deal with myself that I wasn't going to mention biology ever again, and I'm terribly sorry. But come on- no one really believed I could stick to that, did they? But I'm not going to complain this time. I promise. I'm just going to say these two things:
1. Last week we got our tests back and guess who got a B+?
That's right. Me.
2. I looked at my bio lab syllabus today, and was pleasantly surprised to see that we only have 3 more labs before the final exam.
Needless to say, I was dancing and singing and jumping and leaping (in my mind) because I was that excited.

So that means that we only have 4 weeks left before the first semester is over.
That thought makes me smile and feel all happy inside. I made it through 1 semester! Successfully- without failing any of my classes (hopefully), without getting lost, and without losing my sanity! I never thought it would go this quickly. How nuts is life right now? So nuts.

Ohh Hairspray just came onto my pandora radio. Hey Mamma, hey Mamma take a chance!
HEY MAMMA WELCOME TO THE 60'S!

We're So Far From Where We Were!

I can remember exactly what I was doing last year at this time.

EXACTLY.

Its NC State Fair time- and I'm allowing myself to remember last year, the Tuesday after the fair. I had just gotten home from one of the most exciting weekends of my entire life. That's how much I loved it.

Spent time in the greatest city on Earth- found my college- laughed like crazy- memorized the song Toes by Zac Brown Band.

What a weekend! That seems like yesterday, for real!

For those of you who may not have known about my little adventure to the fair last year, I'll do a quick re-cap of events.

My Uncle Randy, Mother, Cousin Jessica and I spontaneously (Oh so spontaneously) piled into our car late one Friday evening, and began the 7 1/2 hour drive to the beautiful Raleigh, NC to visit some of our favorites.

The 7 1/2 hours multiplied after getting turned around a few times and missing our road. But all was well.

I still remember Uncle Randy sticking his head clear out the window and yelling "I'm so glad that we're on 1 now!" As soon as we got onto Route 1. Or something. Now that made me laugh =)

Our weekend included...

... Some FANTASTIC hosts! Let me tell you -- they're the bomb diggity.

... A trip to Whale Rocks. My word, I just really would like for us to re-create this weekend!

What a crazy family I have!?

... A walk in the woods which led to a homemade church service/hymn sing!

... A trip to the State Fair!

1 year ago, almost to the day. How crazy fast does life go by? My goodness!

... And a sit in the Big Man's Chair.

I looked high and low, but could not find the chair this year. I was so disappointed. It may have a bit to do with the fact that I don't do directions well... it may also be because they didn't have it. And I guess that's always possible. But still, its disappointing to me.

Don't get me wrong, I still had a fantastic time this year! My lovely friend Nicole (I almost off-set her name in commas, then realized that would indicate my only having 1 friend. Thank you English 111!) was my fair buddy this year. We ate roasted almonds. LOTS of roasted almonds. SO MANY ROASTED ALMONDS.

We fell into the trap. We bought 2 bags and got 1 free. Spent 13 flipping dollars on almonds. I was so sick of almonds, that as we were falling asleep, I became nauseous just thinking about them.

They will probably remain where they are for a long time: in a bag, in a grocery bag, under my oh so wonderful pile of cow-tails. So much sugar!

We had a fantastic time together!

Thanks so much for being my first guest EVER Nicole!

Please spread the word, and encourage others to take part in such a fun, rewarding and refreashing experience! (Just kidding. I'm really not all that, I just want visitors!)

Tonight is full of little things that are just obnoxious. Like statistics. Boo.

However. It is okay, because Frank is singing to me, and telling me that Santa Clause is Coming To Town. And I love Santa. Well, not Santa, but I love when he comes to town. That's for sure!

AND there are only 17 days left until Cornhuskin'! That's kind of a big deal here. I'm mostly SUPER EXCITED to see my fam-damily again. Except Kyle won't be here. Not cool Kyle. But even so, 17 Days!

I'm off to take my picture for the yearbook. Yahoo!

Santa Clause is coming... TO TOWN!

***Note: I did not once even think of saying the "B" word! How do you like me now Gayle?***

Dear Mom and Dad...

...please send money...



Welcome Back!

I feel like I've been running a flipping marathon OH MY WORD. From midterms, to Fall Break (which I loved loved loved), to plans about Thanksgiving- life refuses to slow down.

I'm 1/4 of the way finished with my first year? Super! I'm 1/2 way finished with biology?! HALLELUJAH! I'm dancing around my room, singing "Whiskey Lullaby" at the top of my lungs! (not because the song fits my mood, only because it just happened to be the next song on my country playlist). I've decided not to bore my readers with any more drama about biology. I came to this conclusion after my visit home, when my Father's entire family asked me about my biology troubles. At different times. I didn't realize how much time I spend whining about it. I'll get over it. I promise! It ends here.

Oh wait! Biology test tomorrow- prayers appreciated =)

Okay Done.

So (be jealous), I spent my entire weekend in beautiful Pennsylvania! How exciting!? I never thought I would be so anxious to see PA countryside and brown dirt (they have red clay here, its really weird). I went so far as to actually act completely out of character and do the unthinkable. I know, I know. You're going to see this and be in shock. Anyone who has ever worked in the tourist industry in Intercourse or something will shake his/her head at me for this one. Here goes...

I took a picture of a buggy. I could hardly even help myself! Moving right along...

The buggy was at Shermandale Heritage Days- this massive flea market/tractor show thing. I don't even know how to describe it. Anyway, last year Mom, Dad, Dan and MC all went and saw the funniest redneck (not that you can see his neck, because you can't) ever. So we went again with hopes of finding him again!

We weren't disappointed. Not long after the parade started did we see Uncle Neckbeard rolling right on through on his little tractor/lawn mower. I can't remember a time when my Dad laughed so hard- I think you sort of had to be there. Either way- MC quickly snapped about 20 pictures of him as he rolled on by. The pictures don't do him justice.

His beard literally starts underneath his chin, where the average man's beard stops. Oh, and when he smiles he has a grand total of 3 visible teeth. He's rather indescribable- one of a kind for sure!

So Heritage Days is where we spent most of our time. And when we weren't walking around taking random pictures of ourselves with Lancaster County springwater and homemade ice cream...

... we were taking pictures of ourselves in fields, on decks, on campus, and soaking up all of the family time that we could!

My favorite day was Friday- I got my first mini tour of Lock Haven University, and got to see the greatest big brother ever!

 "The band's back together!"- Dan =)

 We made our annual trip to the green gate and took over 100 pictures. I guess that's what happens when you have 4 teenagers who all enjoy being the center of attention for a little bit =)

Me and Danny decided to imitate a cheesy school picture. I'd say we succeeded.

And the field- talk about traditions!

The weekend was a fun one, but it definitely was not long enough. It was really weird though, I didn't feel like I had been away from my family for like 3 months. We hugged and smiled and talked like crazy the entire weekend, and I didn't feel as though I had missed anything. Not that nothing happens when I'm gone, I'm not going all existential on you here, it was just surreal. Or maybe not. I forget.

And yes, it was freaking hard to leave again. I cried when I hugged Mom, I'll admit it. But at that point, I was thinking how crazy I was for being so far from home because I wasn't planning on going home for Thanksgiving. Welllllll that changed now, because I AM coming home! And I'm super pumped.

My God takes care of me pretty well!

And then I got back to Meredith, and it felt as though I had never left here either. Maybe that's a good thing too- that means that this place is normal to me now. Almost like a home, but I refuse to call it home just yet. Hopefully soon!

Exciting things have happened to me since being back! I had a delish dinner with the Crains last night- did I mention it was delicious!? Because it was. Fantastic. And then I went to Rite Aid to get some drugs for this wonderful cold I have- boy was THAT an adventure. First of all, I couldn't find what I was looking for, so I spent about 10 minutes walking between 2 isles of the pharmacy section looking for this stupid little box of pills. FINALLY decided to just buy the closest/cheapest thing to what I was looking for. So I put myself into the line, and waited behind a bald man buying himself a box of men's self-dying hair color. That was interesting. Lynda said maybe he was really hopeful, and really just didn't like being bald. Whatever. THEN my turn finally came, and I was so ready to just pay and leave so I could sleep, but it was a little more complicated than that. Apparently one must be 18 to buy cold medicine, so I was carded. For cold medicine. Woohoo! Anyway, that took ages. The man couldn't type my birthday into the computer. So there I was sniffing like a crazy woman in Rite Aid.

And now, I have wasted enough time and must get to my homework.

Time you enjoyed wasting is not time wasted.

I definitely enjoyed wasting this time.

Maybe I'll squeeze a nap in too before statistics... oh if only, if only!

The End.

Dream again, Believe again ...

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

That's the magic number for this evening.

Good evening =D

In 4 days my Fall Break starts. My college life stops in 4 days. In 4 days I will see my family for the first time in a little under 2 months. Can you imagine my excitement? I don't even think that you can. But that's okay. Just know that I'm sitting here bouncing. And the idea that tomorrow means only 3 days? Well please, bring on Monday! I'm not even worried about my biology lab midterm, or my project that is due on Tuesday, or anything else. THAT'S how excited I am.

4 days off = 2 days of driving + 2 days of downtime. Ah- I can just feel the relaxation!

This week has gone by so very quickly, and I'm totally okay with that. We kicked off Cornhuskin' season with a bang! Cornhuskin' is Meredith's version of a week long celebration of homecoming. We do all sorts of fun games (apple bobbing, corn shucking, dances, skits etc) and compete against the other classes. Every class picks a theme and keeps it an absolute secret until one of the last nights of Cornhuskin'. The first week of November will be quite fun- I encourage you all to come down to Raleigh, rent a hotel room or two, and come watch me dance my little booty off in the freshman class skit!
Yes, I signed up to dance. *Gulps*.

I'm not so sure how its going to go down, but I'm hoping I can stick with it.

That's going to be a lot of dancing.

I also did laundry again this week. That was an adventure! 

But I'd have to say that the highlight of my week was Friday night. I hit the city with 3 other girls. Now, Raleigh city is about 3 minutes from Meredith campus- and we left here at 7pm for downtown. We didn't find parking until 7:45. It was bad. But it was probably due to the fact that we were singing and relying on cell phone GPS directions. In retrospect- not such a great idea.

We did find an art gallery though- It was First Friday in Raleigh- similar to First Friday in Lancaster. The art galleries all open and there were lots of performers in the streets. I thought it was nice =)

But the night was not over! We drove to the next gallery which was about a block or two from the first. Our problem was again the parking, and we spent a good 30 minutes driving around the city looking for, but not finding, a parking spot! We got very twisted around, and eventually hit the ghetto streets in Raleigh.

Yes, Raleigh has a ghetto. I was there.

So we gave up, and used my phone's GPS to find our way back to Hillsborough.

From there, we decided to go find some ice-cream at a shop that was supposed to be fantastic!

So we drive once again- and sing, and talk and all that great stuff. (4 girls in a car, going to an unknown destination. Never a good idea.) All of a sudden, signs start popping up for the Raleigh Airport! We giggled, thinking 'oh, yes let's go to the airport!' The giggles turned into full on fits of laughter when we realized that our options were either A. Exit towards the terminals, or B. Continue on Airport Avenue (or something like that). We kept going straight, because our handy dandy GPS's were telling us to do so. (We opted for B. instead of A.)

After another hour of driving, we finally found this stupid little ice cream shop. No, that's not fair, it was not stupid at all. Quite the opposite. DELISH ice cream! Maggie Moos? I think that's what it was called. We tried about every flavor they had, and stood in line for a good 15 minutes deciding what flavors we all wanted.

After enjoying our ice cream in the freezing cold Raleigh pre-Fall weather (at 10pm), we piled back into the car, and headed for home. Took us a bit to get out of the parking lot for some reason. And then our GPS was telling us to go the opposite way than the way we thought we should go. So us, being brilliant, decided to defy our GPS and forge our own path back to campus. The way we chose would be much faster and direct.

We know the area better than a GPS, psh! Not like we just got here or anything, or like we're all from out of state (the driver from Maryland, co-pilot (me) from PA, navigator from Georgia, and the only one from NC was the other backseater who lives a good hour from Raleigh).

So we were off, and found good songs on the radio. Oh, but we did listen to an Ipod for a little bit too. Anyway, we're crusing right along, at 11pm, all tired and cold and filled with good ice cream.

After a bit, we pass a sign. And I smile and think, 'oh cool, we're in Durham now. Funny, I didn't think we ever left Raleigh'.

And then I realize what has happened. And I laugh.

I manage to get out, "Welcome To Durham".

And that was the end. We gave up, and listened to technology as it directed us safely back to our home.

We finally made it back around 12am.

It was an all around great time. I would call it successfull, yes.

Today was not as exciting. I slept in (ahh, what good feelings), vaccumed my floor, finished my paper, and watched as my Eagles were shoved down and walked all over by the stinking Redskins.

The Redskins?

I also watched the game in the room of a devoted skins fan.

You can imagine how that went! But it was okay, because I beat her pretty badly in Dutch Blitz.

I better win in Dutch Blitz! I was just happy that I found someone who already knew how to play. They were even her cards! I'm determined to spread the Dutch culture into Raleigh, NC.

Who's with me?

I think someone on the floor below me just jumped off of their bed and hit their ceiling. Or they threw something at me. What else would explain the random bump I just felt from below my chair? Weird.

All of this has distracted me from the hard-core studying I must do for my biology lab midterm. It is tomorrow, yes.

It's probably a really bad thing that I never worry about biology. That I'm okay with getting C's on my tests. I really just do not care. Like, at all.

I can be such a bad student at times.

And now my foot has fallen asleep. GREAT!

Where are my socks?

4 Days left Pennsylvania, 4 Days!