I would just like you all to know that in exactly one week, I'M COMING HOME!

QUARANTINE!

Yes, Gordon is a swamp. It also happens to be the birthplace of what I like to call the Gordon Death (you know, like the Black Death?...) Something is going around Gordon, and I have never heard more people cough around me during convocation (and it actually was a good one!). It was like everyone was having a coughing war to see who could be the loudest. I am just glad that I have had the Gordon Death and can be immune officially. Lindi has been sick all week, and I was going to host a volleyball recruit, but I don't think she wants to go home diseased...

It has been biting cold again! It started to rain last night, then turned into snow, add a little wind...and it's FREEZING! I've just gotten used to the heat wave we had last week, and now it's back to the cold. It's like it is taunting me! AHHHH! Ha ha, well, as I am writing this, I am sitting in Gillies because I don't want to brave the cold quite yet to go back to my room. Call me a pansy, but you come back here and brave it out. Good luck.

I had my first rehearsal last night at Jeff's house. He and his wife made dinner for us, and we read through the entire show. I am so excited to be starting, and I really think that I have the most fun character in the show. I can't wait! We talked about costumes, and we are holding nothing back! The costume designer is really getting into our gowns, and is making each of them unique to our characters and our perspectives in the play. She is literally sewing in lines from the script that encompasses the thoughts and feelings of our character. Subtly of course, but when you look up close, you can see the actual words. We will be wearing rehearsal skirts to practice lifting and sitting in them, and the guys get the fun job of wearing harnesses during rehearsal to practice standing up straight! I'm already having fun, and we have only just begun. Everyone in the cast and crew is very nice and welcoming, and I am so thrilled to be back in a show again. And a professional one at that! No more thousands of extras, lame costumes, and ridiculous scenes. Jeff also gave us a bit of the back history as we went through the show, and it is so interesting! I hope it is put in the program somewhere so that you can read it! The story is absolutely fascinating! The picture above is one of the only original portraits of Susannah Maria Cibber still in existence. I would have put up a picture of Mary Pendarves, my character, but the only picture they had of me was an old lady, and I am definetely not that in the show! (in face, the script, describes Mary as beautiful, well dressed, and kind) Thank you, thank you very much.

Can't wait to talk to you soon, and see you sooner!

Hello from the swamp!

So, the snow if finally melting! And...with that comes the thing we like to call the Gordon Swamp. It started to snow last night, then turned into a strong rain, and by the time I woke up this morning, I was already pulling out my wellies.

Things are really starting to get busy around here. There are three volleyball recruits coming to Gordon this weekend, one of whom is staying with me tonight and tomorrow. While I love seeing 6'2'' girls coming to visit from California (my sisters!) I am already feeling the weight of jumping from one right into the next. It should be interesting because Carmen is also having someone stay with her tonight. Shows you how much we talk...just kidding. Sort of.

I have my first rehearsal tonight. We're having dinner at Jeff's house and doing a read through. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, and ready to be underway with this.

Meredith and I are still keeping up with our workout. We're determined to be in great shape before spring season. My favorite day is when we swim on Thursdays. Meredith may be able to beat me in sprinting, but I kick her butt in the pool. Ha ha.

Violin is coming along as well. I have learned three songs, and two keys, and while I'm still far from violin glory, I'm really enjoying it.

I'll keep you all updated on how rehearsals and volleyball are going, as well as classes and everything else that goes into being a college student!

P.S. Our last men's basketball home game was the most amazing game ever! They beat the only team undefeated in their league, UNE. Needless, to say, I was so excited!

You thought the Pacific was cold?

Okay, so I just saw this and absolutely had to post something about it. I never want to hear another complaint about how cold the water is when you surf in the winter. Throw in some snow, lower the water temperature by about 25 degrees and the air temperature about 50, and you've got a whole new ballgame! Talk about a passion for surfing! I have seen a few people with surfboards before, but never in the dead of winter right after a heavy 24 hour snow fall when it is 20 degrees outside. Props to those guys for being so dedicated.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star...a different version.

Well, I had my very first official violin lesson today. While I don't completely suck, I am far from the symphony orchestra. The widely accepted belief that everyone starts out with "Hot Cross Buns" is wrong! My first song is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, so go figure how that came around...
Needless to say, Sarah is a wonderful teacher, and I enjoy her special teaching methods that she uses on her six-year-old students. :) I am so excited to finally be starting on this. I've been waiting for months to be able to have proper lessons and really put myself fully into this. Who knows? Maybe by next year's Soup n' Sing, we'll have piano, flute, and not only bass and cello, but maybe a violin? If Gramma can stand the sound...hehe. Add in a few maracas and we'll be set!
Well, I can't wait to come back over the summer (since I don't think I'll quite have things down by spring break) and play for you! More music in the house...I love it!
And whoever is complaining about life can just come to me, and I'll pull out my violin for you...'cause I really know how to make that thing squeak!!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Shout out to all of my family and friends in sunny California! As of right now in the past three days, it has snowed, rained freezing rain, frozen over, melted and become a swamp, and currently the wind is sending the snow that is falling as well as the snow on the ground up in sometimes big snowy tornadoes. But class is not canceled. Oh well.
I am sitting on my bed writing this is sweats, a long sleeved shirt, and a beanie. As you can tell, I like to snuggle up when the weather is nasty. It is the perfect day to settle down with a good book. Of course, mine just so happens to be for school, but hey, it's the thought that counts.
Well, I may not be walking in a winter wonderland, but I sure am looking at it from the safety of my dorm room, pitying all the people who are walking to Bennett or to class.
I just got a nice new throw blanket in the mail from my parents, and proceeded to walk up and down the halls with it wrapped around my shoulders, just to have the snuggled feeling. I know, it sounds weird, but it's what I love.
Hey, guess what's coming up next week...no, not Valentine's Day! It's my dad's birthday!