It has finally started

Well, I never thought it would come…but it finally has arrived — SUMMER! I’m not completely done with everything, but it feels nice to have a lighter load than usual.

For Memorial Weekend, I went over to my aunt and uncles house. I got to play Wii for the first time. It was more addicting than I thought it would be. I have to say, I don’t like video games, but this was really entertaining. It was also a good work out!

To kick off my summer break, SECm went on a photohunt. It was quite a success. Many random, but fun, pictures. It is just nice to hang out and goof around — even if that means people staring at you … while almost getting stuck on the bottom of a shopping cart … while in a puddle … near a busy intersection. Along with people staring, we got a lot of people pointing at us laughing. And also some paramedics gave us a thumbs up and said something over their speakers, but we couldn’t make out what they were saying. Probably something to do with the lovely, healthy water we were swimming in.

I also got to go golfing for the first time. Real golfing — like the old men. No more windmills and neon colored balls. I have to say, I was a little nervous at first, but it ended up being really fun. I think of myself as a natural — hitting the ball into lakes and making great divots in the ground. Yes, a definite natural. ::coughs:: I have heard of men spending half the day on the golf course, but now I can actually see why…especially if you are with the right people.

Today I worked for my dad again. I helped him…actually, I have no idea exactly what I did, but it involved a lot of nails, hammering, measuring, metal and caulk. It was actually sort of fun. I mean, come on…I got to hang out with two singing Polish plumbers, a Hispanic mason who loved his radio, and my awesome dad :]

Reading in bed,

Elle

 

Currently Playing [click]: Viva La Vida [Coldplay]

Pages away

[Note: If this post makes no sense and has several grammatical errors, I apologize in advance]

Alarm. Woke up. Put on flip flops. Went to voice lessons [in pajamas]. Came home. Sat down by my computer. Started writing my English paper. Went to the kitchen. Drank some orange juice. Went back to the computer. SEVEN HOURS LATER. Still at the computer typing. . .

I do have to say, I am almost finished. Two more pages, and then I’m done. I have never had to write that much in one day ever before in my life…if I had to do that all the time, I think I would be dead by now. Too much stress for one day.

You know, I don’t even really know why I am writing a post. I just got done writing, and I’m writing more? Weird. Maybe writing about absolutely nothing will make up for all the stuff I actually tried to write sensibly.

I actually made it through this weekend with out dying or passing out. It was actually really fun — even considering how exhausted I was.

Story: I was driving home from a Joseph performance. Bright red lips, freakishly long eye lashes…&c. I’m at a light, when I look infront of me, and see two kids in the back of a station wagon…like those rumble seats. Well, they are happily playing their gameboys (or whatever they have now a days) when they look up and see me and my made-up face. I’m pretty sure one of the boys starred at me the entire time (in shock), while the other boy just laughed at me the entire time. That’s what I get for forgetting my make up remover at home, I guess.

Setting the alarm for 6am,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Everybody’s Changing [Keane]

Ready, set, go!

First off, I want to wish my mother a very very special, happy mother’s day! I have grown so much closer to her over the past year, and am so grateful for her friendship. She truly is one of my best friends. Sharing the same relationship with Christ makes my relationship with her the best.

It sure rained a lot today. I love the rain, but there are some disadvantages that come along with being short, relating to rain fall.

Disadvantages: your pants are always too long, which results in water crawling 2 feet up the leg of your pants; the taller person always holds the umbrella, leaving you half exposed to the rain.

Advantages: …we look cooler in the rain? [If you think of one, let me know]

Okay, now…one word: stressed.

A 15 page paper, big geography final, lots of art work due … and all at the same time of Joseph dress rehearsals and shows are going on. But I can do it — WITH the strength of the LORD. I am planning on going to bed right after writing this. It’s probably the most sleep I’ll be getting for a while. If you see me in the next couple of weeks, don’t be surprised to see me looking like a zombie.

Some of you might know, but we have a girl (or young woman) staying with us right now. Her name is Sarah, and she’s super stellar [talk about alliteration]. If you haven’t met her already, you should. Last night we stayed up late just talking. I definetely don’t mind sharing my bathroom with her :]

Oh, and my guitaring has increased a little bit in the past few days. It is actually really relaxing. I can now play my first song. It sounds terrible, but it doesn’t help that I have to pause every other chord, to make sure my fingers are in the right place…I’m working on it.

Trying to stay sane,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Hey Now & Fire [Augustana]

Dreams of summer

Along with summer comes oral surgery fun. Yeah, I gotta get my wisdom teeth pulled, or rather dug out (I made that sound as beautiful as I could). There just had to be something to balance all the sun and glory. So there will be a lot of runs to Jamba Juice, the video store and library — which actually doesn’t sound all that bad.

If you have any good books or movies to recommend, please do. I am currently trying to make a summer reading list anyway, so suggestions would be helpful :]

I am having trouble staying focused on school right now. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I just want to drop everything and run out as fast as I can. There aren’t too many more weeks of school…I just have to keep telling myself that the only way summer will come is to get the work done.

I have so many things I want to do this summer. I am making a mental list. I’m not sure how practical all of the things are, but I can dream … and then get a job.

My mental list (which is now not so mental):

• Go to some sort of concert event (and I’m not talking about seeing Steve Green at a church…which is a perfectly good thing to do). I was thinking more of the lines of Blue Man Group or some stellar band…etc.
• Go rock climbing — the real deal.
• Go to the beach (a given) and make a killer sand castle. I’m talking record breaking castle making skills.
• Go on a bigger or better hunt. I have never done one before. I think that should change this summer.
• Go on a road trip. I have no idea to where, but I can determine that the day of…
• Become a professional yodeler.
• And If I have time, discover another law of gravity.

[I'll be adding more as I think of stuff...]

I should at least be able to accomplish two things on the list — maybe the last two?

Flipping another page of Frankenstein,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Keep Your Voices Down [Days Away]

Don’t buy the mango mush

[Pictured: Our [but mainly Khalia's] new puppy/dog, Jacque]

Advice for the day: Don’t ever buy anything in the store that may look like frozen fruit sorbet, in little plastic cups. I thought I would have some while I watched The Office tonight — I’m pretty sure it decreased my enjoyment of the episode by 2%.

Well, enough of that…

Have you ever had one of those days where you didn’t want it to end? This past Sunday was definitely like that. One) It was Sunday, and that means Monday is the next day, and Monday means that I have to go to school (enough said there). Two) It was absolutely gorgeous out! The sun felt magnificent! Three) Hanging and having fun with family never gets old.

Sean and Alice brought Pongo over so it was fun to see Jacque and him interact with each other for the second time. They have improved since their first meeting, that’s for sure. They played all day, while Al tried to get away from all the movement. Al is like the grandpa, while Pongo and Jacque are like the pesty grandchildren.

I have to say that my jump-roping and hula-hooping skills (or lack of) have improved a lot since the last time I attempted to … rope or … hoop. I haven’t quite figured out why I am excited about this fact…

We also got a game of four-square going. It was pretty intense. We played so whoever was in the King square got to make one extra rule. I have to say I was quite creative. I made it so everyone had to do a jig after hitting the ball. I would demonstrate my jig abilities, but unfortunately I am not capable of posting videos (or so I like to think). I think most of us missed the ball because we were laughing so hard.

I always feel so blessed and thankful when those type of days occur. But why should my gratefulness be any less when I experience a day I want to end as soon as possible. Where am I finding my joy? Am I seeking the wrong things to make me feel happy? Or am I constantly seeking the cross? Constantly thanking the Lord for what He has done for me. Not just when I am in a good mood, but even more importantly when I am going through hardship. It’s something I definitely need to be reminded of and work on.

Thinking of His grace for me,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Fools Gold [Katie Herzig]

The joy of dress shopping

I hate shopping for dresses. Well, maybe not always, but tonight at least. I need to find a classy but not too fancy, modest, not short or long, fun but not too wild, inexpensive dress. If any of you know the dress I am looking for, go ahead and mail it my way.

These were my options:

-An easter dress that looked like it could be for a six year old…or sixty year old

-A black dress that would need an entire other dress underneath, with random holes in the back

-A dress that looked like It could be home-made with a garbage bag and some thread

-A dress that was so terrible, that when I opened the dressing room door to show my mom, I immediately shut it…no words were even spoken…just my mother laughing at me.

If you are a guy and are reading this, I just want to say, you have it easy. If you want to look classy, you wear a suit, if you want to look classy with a bit of fun, you add a colored shirt — and a coordinating tie. Whoever heard of a suit that wasn’t modest? Maybe it isn’t as easy as that, but it sure seems like it to me.

(And apparently, if you want to boost your points in classiness, you can add an umbrella)

All in all to say…I didn’t get a dress tonight. I’ll probably end up recycling an old dress.

Hebrews 13:5 [The Message] – Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.

Trying to be content,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: White Days [Juliana Theory]

My brain is only so big

I can only retain so much information. So much is on my mind right now.

THINGS TO DO: memorize piano song for recital, memorize competition songs for voice (at least Italian is similar to Spanish), memorize geography graphs and answers (midlatitude and anticyclones?), memorize hamlet (why did Shakespeare have to use weird words?), memorize Joseph songs (can’t there just be two colors in Joseph’s coat?)…am I leaving anything out?

It’s not surprising to me. It is always like this, but I sometimes wish it was spaced out a little more. Or…maybe I should be glad it’s here all at once, so I can get it over with quicker. I’m not sure.

I usually end up remembering everything I need to, and things go smoothly, but I can’t help but worry and think that this time I might not.

Another fact I need to remember: God’s in control.

Stretching my mind,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Speed of Sound [Coldplay]

Seeking the warmth

I am so excited for this weather. It has been absolutely gorgeous out — and it’s only supposed to get better over this weekend. I have been anticipating checking the thermometer, and have it read in the 50’s. Yes, it could be better, but I won’t complain. 50 is better than the freezing cold and snow. No more scraping ice off the car. It’s finally time to roll down the windows and turn off the heat (not like I had heat in the car to begin with). What a way to start the weekend!

Doesn’t it remind you of how awesome God’s creation is? How awesome He is? Even if He does allow us to freeze and sweat…how awesome!

Breaking out the shades,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: Crash Into Me [Dave Matthews Band]

Stop by again

Hi all! Thanks for checking out my site! I am currently trying to get used to WordPress. There will be more posts in the future, so please visit again!

Hoping you have a wonderful day,

Elle

Currently Playing [click]: La La Lie [Jack's Mannequin]