A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Okay, the story of yesterday must be told. And at this point we may as well include today. Here's what happened:

Saturday morning I went over to grandma's to do my laundry--nothing unusual there, except that I got there before lunch for the first time ever. After having a lovely lunch with grandma June, my mom called to make sure that I knew the Festival of Books was this weekend. I assured her that I remembered and would be attending portions of it later. Actually, had she not called I may have given up on the idea--I've been feeling poorly since Wednesday and my throat is still getting worse. But, as soon as the last load was in the dryer, I headed downtown. What with finding parking and then finding the appropriate room, I arrived just in time for the session I had been interested in: a "writer's support" session for science fiction and fantasy writers. The session itself actually gave me more ideas of books to read than actual helpful information, but the presenters invited us to join them in the atrium for further discussion. I actually wasn't sure I wanted to stay (again, because I wasn't feeling the greatest) but I decided to hang around because there was a cute guy in the group. Yes, I admit it: I am a girl sometimes. Anyway. We all got together in the lobby there and discussed how to get work published, who publishes our sort of writing, methods of writing, tricks for getting unstuck (Emerald's baby may now become writer's jargon for plot device) and all sorts of helpful and interesting things. Before we knew it, we had spent four hours together. Near the end of our time there, Jane (the presenter) asked us where we were with our work. I was ashamed to tell her that my novel has been in process for about six years now. Since a good writer should be able to write a book in a year, they were all rather shocked. Jane gave me an assignment, a deadline to get my rear in gear. I'm supposed to email her in three months with a progress report. I know there is no way I could actually finish in that ammount of time short of dropping out of school. As Jane herself said, life happens. I intend to focus more on my work than I have, but school still comes first. The other great result of this adventure is that I am now going to be part of a writing group. Six of us who were there are going to try and meet once a month or so to read each other's work and give advice and comments and such. I'm nervous to have so many strangers read my work, but I know that it's just the sort of thing I need to make real progress. Plus, they'll be one more reason to keep writing regularly, so they'll have something to read from me.

So that was my afternoon. The evening continued our normal trend toward randomness. But this was random in the extreme. This was true Modnar. Shortly after I had all my laundry put away and had just settled in at my computer, Sam came up to the room. Dianna was extremely bored, having done homework all afternoon, and suggested we go to Hy-Vee so she could by hot cocoa mix. I figured a quick trip would be no problem, so off we went. At the store, of course we had to wander, so as to waste time and make the whole venture worthwhile. Sam spotted grenadine on the shelf and suddenly the plan was to make Shirley Temples (note: this drink contains no alcohol. it's 7-up with grenadine [cherry flavored liquid sugar] and a cherry). And to make it even more fun, we needed fancy glasses to drink out of. Hy-Vee had nothing suitable, so we drove across town to Wal-Mart. Now, we had intended to get some plastic martini glasses or something cheap and silly like that, but we couldn't find any. What we did find were champagne flutes, which were actually not expensive at all. By this time, Sam had to get to the airport to meet his brother's plane, so Dianna and I ended up meeting Cliff at the airport as well. Sam got a quote of the day: "My butt's gotten smaller since I left Texas." Fun times. So, back at the dorm we mixed our Shirley Temples and watched the movie Madagascar, which is pretty much hilarious. Then I had a sugar crash and might have gone to bed, but Dave decided to order pizza. so we all stayed up a while longer. Before they picked up the pizza, I learned how to tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue, which led to another quote of the day, this one my own. "What can I say? I have a talented tongue." And then later there was something about halibut, but it didn't even make sense at the time, so I won't even try to explain it now.

Today Dianna and I had lunch with her mother at the Royal Fork. It was a good time. I like Dianna's family, they just sort of adopted me, so now I have a family here in town as well as at home. And then after lunch, Dianna and I went to the mall, simply because we could. I wanted to see if a jacket I liked was on sale yet. It is, but not enough. Then we just wandered for a bit. We actually found the most amazing dresses in JCPenny, not that we could afford to get them now or ever. But they seriously looked great--we're going back sometime soon with a better camera than the one in my phone to take propper pictures. Polly is thinking we chould get the whole pod to do it, and I agree.

As a side note, or maybe not such a side note. I guess this does relate to pretty much everything I just told you about. I love living in the dorm. there is always something going on, and I just love it. so many awesome people, so many random adventures. And each semester is better than the one before!

-Kim

game time

Okay, so ultimate Twister is pretty much the best way to unwind after a long day of schoolwork. We were playing for seriously an hour or more. (Note: we built the mat on the floor with duck tape symbols and made it nearly double the normal Twister length. Even so, when twelve people try to play at once, there just isn't room to move!) And yes, I attempted every round. by the end, various people were trying to help me--even my opponents! (John Youtzy seriously told me he would hold me up while I made an awkward move. I got out two moves later, but that's beside the point.) In the last round we played I thought I might finally make it. We were down to just me, Youtzy and Cowboy Sam. But even the most helpful advice from the sidelines wasn't enough when my arm gave out from holding the majority of my weight for at least three awkward moves. The real downsid eto the event was that the whole lounge began smelling of socks and BO. And Sam and Elaina play dirty--they intentionally reach under other players to knock them over. One of these days we'll have a rematch, and then we'll see who's the twistiest!

In other news, I started getting a sore throat today. I'm already at the point of wounding funny, though it doesn't really hurt. And I still can't tell if it's really bad allergies or some sort of virus moving in. Either way, prayer would be nice--I have to read a poem aloud in American Lit tomorrow morning. And speaking of class, Dr. Dyer is having us post blog entry reading journals over our daily readings. There is now a link to my lit blog from this page if you're at all interested. If you're not, don't worry about it. Although, once the semester really starts getting busy, you'll be more likely to find an update there than here.

-Kim

A Semester of Promise

I would just like to say that this has been the most wonderful day, for no reason in particular. I had my first violin lesson of the semester this morning. Maria was glad to see me, and she seemed to take the news well that I'll be dropping my music minor. And the weather was just gorgeous for walking there and back. But probably the best part of the whole day was the good conversations with people. Completely random or at least unlooked-for. And Dianna and I had a great talk on a walk after dinner. That one was planned, but was no less serendipitous than the others. I love all of my friends here so much. In the last week or so I've made several new friends who feel like old friends already, and I'm getting to know the old friends even better. It's great.

What else has me feeling so alive and happy today? God has filled my heart with joy and I am facing a semester of promise. I never would have thought things could work out so well for me, but they seem to be perfectly aligned this fall for amazing things to happen. My open mornings have given me the perfect opportunity to spend quality time on my daily devotions. It helps so much to start the day with God and face everything else that comes from the right perspective. And I'm just pumped to keep learning amazing things from Dr. Hiigel. I love me Genesis class--it's like getting course credits for doing, essentially, an incredibly in-depth Bible study. What could be better?

And I've come to a realization about my music. Playing second flute really is where I need to be this year. With less pressure on me there, I don't feel as guilty for having to be late coming from class and I have more time to focus on the things that are more important. Like my story. This could be the time things finally come together.

More than anything else, I'm looking forward to this semester because I just feel like I should. God is going to do powerful things this year, and if I stay on the ball I can be a part of it. I feel like God has been preparing me for something over the summer and the semester before that. I don't know what's coming or how soon it will come, but I want to be ready for it. Now if I can just keep my head and heart from becoming distracted...

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" -- Esther 4:14

-Kim

getting into the swing of things

College life is so random. I love it. Last night, coming back to thr dorm from the library, I ran into a girl who remembered meeting me at Camp Judson about four years ago. It took us a while to figure out that was why she knew me. It was very confusing at first, because she knew she knew me, but she couldn't remember who I was or why she should know me. Once she said her name was Ivy, I knew she had to be a Judson girl--you don't meet very many Ivys.

Yesterday I had the most amazing time doing my homework. Yes, you read that correctly: I had fun doing homework. You see, Jesse and I both had a lot of reading to do, so after choir we went out to the falls. I gotta say, reading Tennyson on a red sandstone cliff with water cascading nearby is quite the experience. Of course, the planes coming in to land were a bit distracting, but it was a good time. Jesse did gripe a bit about climbing down to the spot I wanted to be at, but that's his own fault for bringing a lawn chair.

After everyone had finished their homework we decided to watch a movie. Jess was on duty, so I let her search my movie shelf and we ended up with Brothers Grimm. The people who had never seen it before were understandably confused and creeped out. I couldn't stop laughing at their reactions and Ian's constant chorus of "what sort of movies do you people like?" Sam was quoting the whole thing, which was somewhat annoying, but it was good to have a vocal ally.

I need to work on getting up early again--I keep sleeping in until 8:30. But now it's time to practice--I have my first violin lesson tomorrow.

-Kim

Musicality

It's funny how much of my life is wrapped up in music. I mean, I'm an English major. Aren't books supposed to be my life? They are, but not to the extent that one would think. It's still music that moves me forward. I can't hear music without at least wanting to dance. Whether I do or not depends on circumstances, though I'm fairly likely now to bust a move just about anywhere (although, I will be the first to admit that it probably doesn't qualify as actual dancing). But that's beside the point I was intending to make. Even though I should be working on my story right now, and focusing on that for the semester in the hopes of finishing, and yet I am caught up more than ever in the musical side of college life. I had an awesome time at the choir retreat (we went canoeing!) and I almost didn't mind missing out on the dance here (at least, not until I heard about the other things I missed after the dance--the talking wall!). I feel more a part of the choir family than ever before, and it's great. Then there's band. Shannon beat me out for first chair. I was sort of expecting that, but it's still going to take some getting used to. I mean, I know she can play better than me because she takes lessons, butthat used to be MY spot. On the bright side, there's less pressure on me, so maybe I will be able to focus on writing. Although, the music is more difficult this year, and our other flute needs me to be a strong leader. It's strange--I was talking to Amber last night and realized that both of us are in band because we would feel guilty about abandoning such a small program. And that's not the best way to do it. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy playing my flute, but I would enjoy even more finding a place to play violin. It makes the Augie orchestra look more and more appealing. And I vow that I will play in chapel more than just once this year! I refuse to be pushed aside any longer because people don't know what to do with me. The Teel Family Bluegrass Band led chapel today and it was a blast. Why can't I do something like that? Somehow, I will.

-Kim