Houghton...

I made it! I got here last night. Flights were all on time without any problem (Lisa, there was a sparrow at Gate 4 in LAX, I thought of you but couldn't get a picture). Getting the baggage took forever, but I was very relieved to finally get it and leave the airport. The ride to Houghton was interesting because it was on a bus filled with high school students going to a boarding school right next to Houghton. I easily found my room on the first floor of Gillette Hall (old side). My roommate was already there and had left me the bottom bunk and the desk next to the bed (both of which I wanted). Everything so far has been working out great! Tomorrow I'll start classes and I'll find out how much work I am going to be doing this semester. I also found out today that there is a trip to Morocco during May term. I'd really love to go but it is $2,400 and the first deposit is this month, so I guess that my dream of traveling even further than New York will have to wait a little longer. I miss you all, but the time will fly and I'll be home soon.

I am an official Houghton student!

Goodbye California

I know I'll be back soon, but it was alittle overwhelming to be flying away from home so that I can go off to a completely foreign place. Goodbye West Coast, I'll see you soon.

Goodbye Chatsworth

Saying goodbye to my moma's house. I love this house. I think it is beautiful and relaxing, it's the only part of Chatsworth that I like. I will miss the quite little garden and the sunrises over the eastern hills. Goodbye Chatsworth, I'll see you again soon.

A Late New Years Post

I spent the this new year with lots of friends, saying goodbye to most of them. The goodbyes were sad and I wonder if it might have been easier to just not say goodbye. So last Sunday night was the real new year change over but tomorrow is the real start of the new year for me. Tomorrow I will be flying to New York and starting my new life at Houghton. Tonight I am going to be staying up all night to make sure that I can sleep on my flights, so if anyone else is up late feel free to give me a call-no time is too late. I should be arriving in Buffalo, NY at 4:15-that will be the start of my new year.

Going Away Family Dinner

Tonight me and my whole family went to Red Lobster for a going away/birthday party. It was so great to have everyone there. We were the loudest table, but that didn't matter. It was alos great 'cause there was no fighting or bikering of any kind, even my young nieces behaved. At the end of the night there was lots of hugs and goodbyes. Steve told me to be safe, Cristal wants a map of where I'm going, Laura wants to see me today, and wanted to make sure to keep in touch. Sarah and Kaitlin both gave me big hugs and Kaitlin held me tight and said she would miss me lots. I'll miss all of them but the time will go by so fast, they won't have the chance to miss me for long. I love my famliy.

Lily and Blaze

My Tiger Lily and my mom's Blaze have not been getting along since we've moved back. Lily chases Blaze out of her all the time. This morning both of them followed me into the bathroom (they both like the running water). Since they were trapped in the small room they had to be nice. They look a lot alike, so much that it is hard for my mom to tell them apart. Lily has the orange face and blaze is mostly black, Blaze also has a bend in her tail. Lily has the blue collar and Blaze has the black. I hope they start being nicer while I'm gone.

My family at Christmas Eve

Tiger Lily

Lily has finally decided to come out of my room, but she doesn't venture far and if there is any noises she runs back and hides in my closet. Pretty much, she only goes as far as my bathroom. My trailer was about the size of my bedroom, bathroom and hallway, so I think she is just used to that small space. Hopefully she'll get used to my mom before I leave. And if anyone is wondering, Teddy is great, he is actually more loving now that he is back home, but he and Lily aren't getting along anymore which is weird.

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Check out our cool Christmas tree.

Roommate!

I got an email from my roommate at Houghton today. I'm very excited about going now. I was very apprehensive about having a roommate but now ready to see what God has planned for us there. I'm also excited because I will be in Gillette (East, for you old Houghtonites).

Good-Bye Idyllwild

As I was packing up all my stuff in my trailer I realized that I would have to take all the numbers that I have collected on my frig. Everyone (mostly) that has come through my trailer have put their name and number on the frig. I have really enjoyed this tradition started by Kelly and Foster, and was sad to take them down. I was also sad to see my empty trailer.

Friends at Sushi

Sushi Rey Going Away Party!

This is a small amount of the plates that came through pur table tonight. Fourteen of some of the greatest friends that I have ever had gathered around a ratehr large table at Sushi Rey tonight. Saying goodbye to everyone is tough, not only am I going to miss my friends but I'mgoing to miss mu Sushi Rey, all except the Jalepeno Popper. Mine had seeds in it, it was hot...

Snow

Last night was the first snow of the season. It's mostly all melted away here in Idyllwild, but Pine Cove got more and it wasn't slushy up there. Finally, it feels like December.

The Progression of Lightning

I love this picture that my friend Dave took this picture in Big Bear, so I decided to use it for an oil painting in my painting class. The final painting is 3 to 6 layers in different parts and is 20x24. Can you see the subtle changes between the last few layers?

It's Over!!

I finished my last english!! Now I will not be plagued but English professors and annoying essays about nothing. I may have rushed through my final a bit too fast, but I don't care because I'M DONE!! I do still have four more finals next week, but have three whole days before I have to think about those. Oh happy day!!

Craziness

This was some fun craziness from my design class. We did some ink marblings (which was the fun part) tried to piece them together (not so fun) and added charcoal to emphasize the marbling. Nathan wants to buy it, so it may be my first sold piece of art. It's about 16x20.

The ring is back! I went and got it replaced. It is a smaller stud and I love it even more now.

Ringless!!

My nose ring fell down the sink drain last night. I am debating if I should get a replacement or if I should go back to being ringless. Below is a picture of my ringless nose, compare it to my profile picture. Which way is preferable?

#5

Yes, I am officially addicted. Today I went with my friend who wanted to get her first tattoo. It was so cute on her and I really wanted another one. So after we walked out of Poiema when she was done, we backed in to get mine. This is my fifth one, but definitely not the last.