It's not today, but yesterday. Yesterday one of my childhood friends got married (on her parents 28th wedding anniversary). Getting to the wedding was an adventure in itself, but it was worth it!
The ceremony took place in Pensacola, FL, a long day's drive from Texas. Fortunately, a Baylor friend, moved to Pensacola three weeks ago so I was able to stay with Michelle. I left Baylor on Thursday evening and stayed with a friend an hour-and-a-half down the road. We wrote papers together while listening to music on pandora.com, then I took off early Friday morning and made the trek to Pensacola. Michelle had a home cooked meal waiting for me and we chatted it up for a while before turning in early.
Saturday: my perfect day. Neither Michelle nor I set our alarms, so we woke up naturally and lazily. We got ready slowly, had a late breakfast, and I even managed to get a good start on a project. The wedding was in the afternoon and when I got there Elisa's dad noticed me straight away and took me to the bridal room. Elisa was precious, repeating the question, "What time is it now?" The ceremony was beautiful, if surreal, and the reception was very enjoyable. After I got back to Michelle's, we went to the beach to watch the sunset. The sun didn't set directly over the water, but it was still beautiful and we were able to get our feet wet and sandy, eat brownies, and make up constellations (a turtle and a camel, myths coming soon). I couldn't ask for a better day!
Today I drove the whole stretch: Pensacola to Waco. About the time I thought I couldn't stand it any more, the radio station I was listening to decided to play a complete set of only Led Zeppelin. What a wonderful way to get a second wind! Since I did not get a chance to post on Friday, I would like to offer two songs for the week. The selection of these songs is based on the trip because every couple of hours I had to change radio stations and I heard the same song on almost every station. Going east, it was The Boys of Summer by Don Henley and going west, it was Ramble On by Led Zeppelin. The good news is, I still like both songs!
With that, it is time to come off the vacation mindset and think about school again. I'll let you know how that works out!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day's Labors
After one whole week of school, we have a day off! Good 'ol Labor Day. Somewhat miraculously, I went the entire week and weekend without rehearsal, so naturally the best thing to do with my time was visit family. My sister graciously let me come spend a couple day with her and her boys (David 7, Alex 4, Miguel 2 this month). It was a nice time of normalcy -- baseball, Cars video games, and shopping (much to David's lament) -- and the kids were entertaining as always. Here is one particularly amusing conversation that happened while we were trying to cross a street:
Rachel: Do you see any cars?
Alex: No.
Rachel: (pointing to a car coming our way) What do you think that is?
Alex: I think it's a Honda.
He was right; it was a Honda.
I came back home for the day so that I could clean up my apartment and get some work done. I had a chance meeting with my friend, Anna, at Common Grounds (Baylor's coffee place of choice) which led to a pleasantly long lunch and several hours of reading plays for class on my porch and in my living room. It would have nice if I did not need to read the plays, but it was more enjoyable to have a good friend sitting on the ridiculous and brightly colored patio chair next to me. I even pulled out the taco salad for dinner, which should have been delicious except that we found sugar ants in the Tostitos. My roommate, Christina, and I have been fighting the foul intruders ever since we moved in and have built up an arsenal of complaints against the unpleasant trespassers. Anna said I should share this one more often:
One day Christina made dinner for some friends then they went out to a movie afterward, so she did not have a chance to clean up the kitchen. I came home and found the counter absolutely crawling with ants, a whole colony. Some of the ants were moving spryly as usual, but some were sluggish, almost stumbling. I finally realized that a purple spot on the counter was some wine that Christina had used for the sauce and that the ants looked sick because they were drunk! You learn new things every day and that day I learned that even ants can become inebriated.
So the long weekend turned out to be a simple and cozy weekend with family and friends. A great time to take it easy, but get some work done too!
Rachel: Do you see any cars?
Alex: No.
Rachel: (pointing to a car coming our way) What do you think that is?
Alex: I think it's a Honda.
He was right; it was a Honda.
I came back home for the day so that I could clean up my apartment and get some work done. I had a chance meeting with my friend, Anna, at Common Grounds (Baylor's coffee place of choice) which led to a pleasantly long lunch and several hours of reading plays for class on my porch and in my living room. It would have nice if I did not need to read the plays, but it was more enjoyable to have a good friend sitting on the ridiculous and brightly colored patio chair next to me. I even pulled out the taco salad for dinner, which should have been delicious except that we found sugar ants in the Tostitos. My roommate, Christina, and I have been fighting the foul intruders ever since we moved in and have built up an arsenal of complaints against the unpleasant trespassers. Anna said I should share this one more often:
One day Christina made dinner for some friends then they went out to a movie afterward, so she did not have a chance to clean up the kitchen. I came home and found the counter absolutely crawling with ants, a whole colony. Some of the ants were moving spryly as usual, but some were sluggish, almost stumbling. I finally realized that a purple spot on the counter was some wine that Christina had used for the sauce and that the ants looked sick because they were drunk! You learn new things every day and that day I learned that even ants can become inebriated.
So the long weekend turned out to be a simple and cozy weekend with family and friends. A great time to take it easy, but get some work done too!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Song of the Week
Friday* seems like a good day to post a song that I like, so here we go; a tradition is born. This week's is "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJOzdLwvTHA
It is a catchy, jazzy, precious song. In Thailand, my roommate started singing it one morning while she was getting ready for the day and I was waking up. We soon learned that most of the girls on the team also knew the song, so it was fun to sing it to each other and easy to mean what we sang. I hope you enjoy!
*Haha, I forgot that it is after midnight. Friday's song is actually posted on Saturday, which I did not realize until I posted it originally. I guess "Friday" is somewhat a matter of opinion anyway. The truth is, my friend Meg and I had an hour and a half movie date (Aladdin) tonight, but turned into almost eight hours of time together. It was a wonderful evening and felt like no time had passed at all! Midnight, where did you come from?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJOzdLwvTHA
It is a catchy, jazzy, precious song. In Thailand, my roommate started singing it one morning while she was getting ready for the day and I was waking up. We soon learned that most of the girls on the team also knew the song, so it was fun to sing it to each other and easy to mean what we sang. I hope you enjoy!
*Haha, I forgot that it is after midnight. Friday's song is actually posted on Saturday, which I did not realize until I posted it originally. I guess "Friday" is somewhat a matter of opinion anyway. The truth is, my friend Meg and I had an hour and a half movie date (Aladdin) tonight, but turned into almost eight hours of time together. It was a wonderful evening and felt like no time had passed at all! Midnight, where did you come from?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mid-Week Pampering
WARNING: Girly Content
My friend, Lauren just started working for Mary Kay so I went to one of her opening parties tonight for the Satin Hands treatment and a sampling of face care products and makeup. My friend, Michelle had her beginning Mary Kay party about two months ago, so I felt like a pro at Lauren's (although the summer sun had altered my foundation color). It was great to see Lauren, since we're both in extremely time-consuming majors and don't have many opportunities to hang out. It was also a rare treat to take a break and relax on a school night. I love noticing my face when I walk past the mirror, but there are two problems with this pampering. 1) All the products I tried are really great and all the stuff I own right now is far from great, so I want to buy a lot. 2) Now I don't want to do my homework.
Overall, it was well worth the time. Thanks, Lauren!
My friend, Lauren just started working for Mary Kay so I went to one of her opening parties tonight for the Satin Hands treatment and a sampling of face care products and makeup. My friend, Michelle had her beginning Mary Kay party about two months ago, so I felt like a pro at Lauren's (although the summer sun had altered my foundation color). It was great to see Lauren, since we're both in extremely time-consuming majors and don't have many opportunities to hang out. It was also a rare treat to take a break and relax on a school night. I love noticing my face when I walk past the mirror, but there are two problems with this pampering. 1) All the products I tried are really great and all the stuff I own right now is far from great, so I want to buy a lot. 2) Now I don't want to do my homework.
Overall, it was well worth the time. Thanks, Lauren!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Textbooks...and More!
I went to the bookstore to pick up a textbook for one of my classes and as I was leaving the store I reached in the bag to pull out the reciept for examination and my hand fell upon an object with an odd shape and texture. As it turns out, I am now the proud owner of 5 Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner samples. Who says buying textbooks is always a loss?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Snooze and Syllabi
For me, snoozing is something of an art. I time it perfectly so that I have ample opportunity to come to terms with the fact that I need to wake up. Today was the beginning of snooze season and I was well prepared except that I had forgotten one thing: my alarm clock is LOUD. The violent jolt of surprise nearly carried me into the wall. I have faith that I will become accustomed to it, but I do fear some retaliation from my neighbors.
Still, today is a special day! It is syllabus day/assign-the-first-project-due-next-class day. My first prof was MIA, but the others were eager to flaunt their list of daily projects. The syllabi caused me to ask a lot of questions, most concerning the wisdom of renting an apartment rather than making use of the theatre's many resources. Of course, those that know me are rolling their eyes right now knowing that the busiest times are when I'm the most content. The key for me will be to schedule well and to keep the snoozing habit under control.
So here's to the kind of first day that could give you nightmares!
It is so good to be back :)
Still, today is a special day! It is syllabus day/assign-the-first-project-due-next-class day. My first prof was MIA, but the others were eager to flaunt their list of daily projects. The syllabi caused me to ask a lot of questions, most concerning the wisdom of renting an apartment rather than making use of the theatre's many resources. Of course, those that know me are rolling their eyes right now knowing that the busiest times are when I'm the most content. The key for me will be to schedule well and to keep the snoozing habit under control.
So here's to the kind of first day that could give you nightmares!
It is so good to be back :)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
What Did You Do For Summer Vacation?
Since school starts tomorrow I thought I would ask the classic question... My answer be as brief as possible.
For the month of June, I stage managed the grad production of Brilliant Traces. It is a very endearing play and one of the best I have ever worked on. Afterward, I bummed around for a while then spent a week living large at my sister's house. I spent the next week touristing in China with my mother, then joined some folks from my church at home in Thailand for three weeks of loving Jesus and loving Thais. I came home and in a daze of jetlag visited some high school friends and my brother/sister-in-law.
Adventure was plentiful this summer. During the show we tore down a barn which became the floor for the set. My travels began by getting stranded at the Beijing airport: my flight was canceled and the airlines would not give me a new flight. I had to spend the night at the airport before I was rescued. However, we made up the time by finding the egg-shaped and very shiny National Theatre, climbing too much of the Great Wall, viewing the Olympic stadiums through an imposing fence, getting lost in the Forbidden City, photographng the pandas at the zoo, and strolling around the grounds of the Temple of Heaven. We also went to Qingdao for hydrobiking. Thailand was laden with tuk tuk rides, days at Thaksin University, gleeful trips to 7 eleven, and lots of laughter and love from our team and the people we met. Thailand was capped off by a few days lounging around an island, riding elephants, spending a half day in Bangkok, and making friends during the 31 hours of August 15 that we experienced (the sun rose twice on the same day).
So that's my summer in a nutshell (a very large nutshell with very small, cramped writing)and to prevent extended wordiness, I will also share some (several) pictures.
A guard tower at the Great Wall.
For the month of June, I stage managed the grad production of Brilliant Traces. It is a very endearing play and one of the best I have ever worked on. Afterward, I bummed around for a while then spent a week living large at my sister's house. I spent the next week touristing in China with my mother, then joined some folks from my church at home in Thailand for three weeks of loving Jesus and loving Thais. I came home and in a daze of jetlag visited some high school friends and my brother/sister-in-law.
Adventure was plentiful this summer. During the show we tore down a barn which became the floor for the set. My travels began by getting stranded at the Beijing airport: my flight was canceled and the airlines would not give me a new flight. I had to spend the night at the airport before I was rescued. However, we made up the time by finding the egg-shaped and very shiny National Theatre, climbing too much of the Great Wall, viewing the Olympic stadiums through an imposing fence, getting lost in the Forbidden City, photographng the pandas at the zoo, and strolling around the grounds of the Temple of Heaven. We also went to Qingdao for hydrobiking. Thailand was laden with tuk tuk rides, days at Thaksin University, gleeful trips to 7 eleven, and lots of laughter and love from our team and the people we met. Thailand was capped off by a few days lounging around an island, riding elephants, spending a half day in Bangkok, and making friends during the 31 hours of August 15 that we experienced (the sun rose twice on the same day).
So that's my summer in a nutshell (a very large nutshell with very small, cramped writing)and to prevent extended wordiness, I will also share some (several) pictures.
We got to dress up as firefighters when we went to tear down the barn.
A guard tower at the Great Wall.
The best bad translation ever. We found this at the Beijing Zoo.
The Temple of Heaven is a Beijing must-see. It is beautiful, accessible, and fascinating.
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