30.10.08
29.10.08
Tis the Season.
I was recently telling someone in class how much I enjoy riding the bus. It's true. I love it: you can sleep, do homework, listen to music, not look for parking. I especially love that I, in my current bus rout, do not have to change buses at any time. Sweet.
Last evening's ride was particularly entertaining. Usually I catch the bus that all the noisy highschoolers get on. I also nearly get sat on. Yesterday's breed were, as I discovered, the more geeky kind. They are less likely to make lots of noise or sit on (or even near) you. They do, however, increase in volume when they are talking about topics they enjoy.
I heard a lull of adolescent male voices behind me, not taking much notice until I heard the words "stem cell research". Hm. A somewhat interesting topic. Then some uncertainty about babies. Creamation. Bio waste. Zombies! Now I'm really interested. I love it when boys talk about zombies. They begin arguing about how to go about creating zombies and how to make them mutate faster. Hm, yes. One seems to have the most plausable solution. They talk about zombies some more. I return to my ipod. Something about cloning zombies. Cloning Obama. Multiple Obamas - "Can you imagine what would happen? 10 Obamas?" "Yeah, lots of stuff!" "Lots of assasinations - they'd be killed all over the place!" "What? No they wouldn't..."
In short: Bus. Highschool boys. Stem cell research. Zombies. Obamas. This might be why I ride the bus.
Last evening's ride was particularly entertaining. Usually I catch the bus that all the noisy highschoolers get on. I also nearly get sat on. Yesterday's breed were, as I discovered, the more geeky kind. They are less likely to make lots of noise or sit on (or even near) you. They do, however, increase in volume when they are talking about topics they enjoy.
I heard a lull of adolescent male voices behind me, not taking much notice until I heard the words "stem cell research". Hm. A somewhat interesting topic. Then some uncertainty about babies. Creamation. Bio waste. Zombies! Now I'm really interested. I love it when boys talk about zombies. They begin arguing about how to go about creating zombies and how to make them mutate faster. Hm, yes. One seems to have the most plausable solution. They talk about zombies some more. I return to my ipod. Something about cloning zombies. Cloning Obama. Multiple Obamas - "Can you imagine what would happen? 10 Obamas?" "Yeah, lots of stuff!" "Lots of assasinations - they'd be killed all over the place!" "What? No they wouldn't..."
In short: Bus. Highschool boys. Stem cell research. Zombies. Obamas. This might be why I ride the bus.
22.10.08
Academic Bureaucratic Update
Two down, two to go...
I ran two degree audit requirements (also known as DARS) reports today and found that two of my departmental concerns were fixed! The current art history requirements are now up for the using (which produced a... fifth problem that my very adept art history adviser is now, three minutes after I emailed her, in the process of fixing), which is helpful. Also, my current sociology class, Iran Through Film, is now officially functioning as a Middle East Studies Cluster Course for me.
That leaves problems in residency (NSE office claims to have taken care of it) and a variety of English department issues, which are also supposed to have been dealt with.
It's almost mid-terms and I would really like to have turned in my graduation application before I'm half done with the quarter. But at least we're seeing progress, right?
[Fog on Seattle over the weekend]
I ran two degree audit requirements (also known as DARS) reports today and found that two of my departmental concerns were fixed! The current art history requirements are now up for the using (which produced a... fifth problem that my very adept art history adviser is now, three minutes after I emailed her, in the process of fixing), which is helpful. Also, my current sociology class, Iran Through Film, is now officially functioning as a Middle East Studies Cluster Course for me.
That leaves problems in residency (NSE office claims to have taken care of it) and a variety of English department issues, which are also supposed to have been dealt with.
It's almost mid-terms and I would really like to have turned in my graduation application before I'm half done with the quarter. But at least we're seeing progress, right?
[Fog on Seattle over the weekend]
15.10.08
11.10.08
10.10.08
Purple and Yellow Equals
In search of a proper vessel in which to put my bouquet (thanks sweet husband of two months), I went to the Wedding Reception Glass Decorations box. After plowing through three water pitchers, some sort of decanter, and a trifle bowl I made a discovery. The slightly unpleasant odor of our storage room was not from our boxes of outerwear, nor the laundry hamper. Indeed, it had a much more sinister source. As I detangled yet another water decanter from a long strip of brown paper, much like an overgrown grocery bag, I saw what appeared to be a sci-fi chemistry experiment. Brown, multi-textured, foreign.
I squealed and gave it to Josh.
(Thanks, Ben, or whichever other Capernwrayer decided to squish a lemon into a too small space.)
I squealed and gave it to Josh.
(Thanks, Ben, or whichever other Capernwrayer decided to squish a lemon into a too small space.)
8.10.08
Coincidental Occidental Oriental
This quarter I feel like I'm in some sort of linguistic maze or dream, of sorts.
In my Ancient Art History class (mostly worthless), the categorizing words are Latin (?) based made to sound scientific and smart only because the scholars have no idea what they are looking at, and there is no good way to talk about any of it. In Linguistics 300 I learned out to make up scientific sounding words. It's easy.
In Iran Through Film (fabulously adorable prof), we are reading a book titled "Strange Times, My Dear" (which I highly recommend), an anthology of contemporary Iranian literature full of translated stories and poetry with most incredible uses and manipulations of language.
My class with the hilariously ambiguous title "The English Novel" (it makes my Scottish prof laugh) is taught with a strong accent and an attitude of awareness about the differences of dialects.
One of the most entertaining professors I have is a poet. He teaches Modern British Literature. If he, by chance, says a word combination that sounds nice, or is complex in irony or existentialism he repeats it, lovingly. He loves words.
In the Modern Middle East 2, we constantly face loaded words with meanings that must be chased after and pinned down, and words from other languages or eras or empires that will never translate all the way (and somehow, a lot of words that sort of rhyme). Yesterday, the weirdest thing happened. We were discussing the "Seventeenth century crisis and its effect on the Middle East" in small groups and I feel weird discussing things with nameless people, so I asked my seatmates their names. I was sitting with a Don, Allison and Doug. I started and said "Ha! Wow, random!" and forgot to explain why.
In my Ancient Art History class (mostly worthless), the categorizing words are Latin (?) based made to sound scientific and smart only because the scholars have no idea what they are looking at, and there is no good way to talk about any of it. In Linguistics 300 I learned out to make up scientific sounding words. It's easy.
In Iran Through Film (fabulously adorable prof), we are reading a book titled "Strange Times, My Dear" (which I highly recommend), an anthology of contemporary Iranian literature full of translated stories and poetry with most incredible uses and manipulations of language.
My class with the hilariously ambiguous title "The English Novel" (it makes my Scottish prof laugh) is taught with a strong accent and an attitude of awareness about the differences of dialects.
One of the most entertaining professors I have is a poet. He teaches Modern British Literature. If he, by chance, says a word combination that sounds nice, or is complex in irony or existentialism he repeats it, lovingly. He loves words.
In the Modern Middle East 2, we constantly face loaded words with meanings that must be chased after and pinned down, and words from other languages or eras or empires that will never translate all the way (and somehow, a lot of words that sort of rhyme). Yesterday, the weirdest thing happened. We were discussing the "Seventeenth century crisis and its effect on the Middle East" in small groups and I feel weird discussing things with nameless people, so I asked my seatmates their names. I was sitting with a Don, Allison and Doug. I started and said "Ha! Wow, random!" and forgot to explain why.
1.10.08
Welcome Welcome!
October humbly glides in - fall, with just a little fog. Perfect timing, too: last night I bought apple cider, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves (20 cents in the bulk section of WinCo!); this morning I dressed Lizzy in a brown thermal.
I should probably wear socks today. Or maybe a hat.
I should probably wear socks today. Or maybe a hat.
25.9.08
Nope
When the majority of people you see from day to day are between the ages of 15 months and 3 years, the world becomes slightly skewed. I'm begining to pick up their behaviors and have started responding to things in the negative.
Here's a sampling of what I hear:
Bella: Nonononononononono!
Lizzy: I do NOT want to do _____.
Kylie: Waaaa! Nono.
Maranda: No. I don't like that.
Today I know I should inconvenience myself and go Back to PSU DARS office and explain exactly where the ball got dropped yesterday and exactly what I need done, but I am tired (and tired of PSU offices) and I do NOT want to drive downtown, pay for parking, and talk to people who do not pay enough attention to get it right the first time.
Nononono.
Here's a sampling of what I hear:
Bella: Nonononononononono!
Lizzy: I do NOT want to do _____.
Kylie: Waaaa! Nono.
Maranda: No. I don't like that.
Today I know I should inconvenience myself and go Back to PSU DARS office and explain exactly where the ball got dropped yesterday and exactly what I need done, but I am tired (and tired of PSU offices) and I do NOT want to drive downtown, pay for parking, and talk to people who do not pay enough attention to get it right the first time.
Nononono.
18.9.08
Nasty!
Bacon, Cheese, Peanut Butter Omelet
2. Next, pour into a pan on medium heat.
3. Then, flip when cooked at bottom.
4. While eggs are cooking, melt butter in microwave.
5. When melted, mix butter, peanut butter, and bacon bits together.
6. Pour mixture onto eggs.
7. When finished cooking, fold in half and enjoy!
Have a great breakfast!!!
...or a NASTY breakfast! This recipe calls to mind Doug Drinnon and his nasty peanut butter grilled cheese sandwiches at Ft Stevens. Peanut butter and cheese do not go together! What is wrong with you people?!
- creamy peanut butter
- bacon bits
- cheese
- eggs
2. Next, pour into a pan on medium heat.
3. Then, flip when cooked at bottom.
4. While eggs are cooking, melt butter in microwave.
5. When melted, mix butter, peanut butter, and bacon bits together.
6. Pour mixture onto eggs.
7. When finished cooking, fold in half and enjoy!
Have a great breakfast!!!
...or a NASTY breakfast! This recipe calls to mind Doug Drinnon and his nasty peanut butter grilled cheese sandwiches at Ft Stevens. Peanut butter and cheese do not go together! What is wrong with you people?!
14.9.08
11.9.08
One Month
As of Tuesday, Josh and I have been married for a whole month now. It sounds so short, but each week feels like a month (hey sort of like Capernwray) with all the things we've had to do, learn and figure out. Incidentally, we spent our one month anniversary in court. Or rather, I did - I had to serve jury duty for the first time. I've been putting it off for four years so I figured I'd just get it done. (It wasn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be, btw.)
I had thought about writing a post about different things we like/have learned, etc, in our month of being married (people ask us about that all the time - such a pointless question, really - as if we're really going to sit down and tell you about it), but as I was thinking about it that night, I realized my favorite thing - something that sort of sums up why I'm glad we've been married, even if only for a month: standing in the bedroom door brushing my teeth, talking theology and philosophy of God (are they the same thing?) with Josh. I also love that I was brushing with all natural toothpaste from Trader Joe's (we're addicted - to TJ's that is, not the toothpaste... we're only just getting used to that), and that the conversation stemmed from our small group study of Hebrews: God always provides, if not always in our most conventional ideas.
I had thought about writing a post about different things we like/have learned, etc, in our month of being married (people ask us about that all the time - such a pointless question, really - as if we're really going to sit down and tell you about it), but as I was thinking about it that night, I realized my favorite thing - something that sort of sums up why I'm glad we've been married, even if only for a month: standing in the bedroom door brushing my teeth, talking theology and philosophy of God (are they the same thing?) with Josh. I also love that I was brushing with all natural toothpaste from Trader Joe's (we're addicted - to TJ's that is, not the toothpaste... we're only just getting used to that), and that the conversation stemmed from our small group study of Hebrews: God always provides, if not always in our most conventional ideas.
8.9.08
House House House!
Here is a tour of our lovely little basement house - our cozy cave. You may not see the kitchen at the present time because it is a mess. This is most of the house as you would see it if you visited us via the garage entrance. We prefer it over the back door due to its lack of treacherous stairs.
4.9.08
A Few New Faves
(and a few old ones)
-vanilla yogurt with fresh, blanched peaches.
-our hundred and something year old trunk (yes it smells that old).
-looking at new Fall clothes online (it makes me so happy).
-listening to little voices and footsteps through the ceiling.
-Trader Joes.
-having a sink of dirty dishes (= having my own kitchen and dishes).
-listening to my ipod (thanks Em!).
-cold, sunny Fall mornings.
-vanilla yogurt with fresh, blanched peaches.
-our hundred and something year old trunk (yes it smells that old).
-looking at new Fall clothes online (it makes me so happy).
-listening to little voices and footsteps through the ceiling.
-Trader Joes.
-having a sink of dirty dishes (= having my own kitchen and dishes).
-listening to my ipod (thanks Em!).
-cold, sunny Fall mornings.
1.9.08
Comfort Food
So last night Josh and I spent thing evening/night distracting/entertaining our friends Nathan and Jody while they waited for their parents to arrive from Seattle. We had arranged an exchange: they provide dinner, we provide Quelf (it seems to be the one thing we are consistently capable of).
Their contribution of dinner consisted of homemade chicken pot pie. Delish. While discussion the food, it was mentioned how pot pie is a wonderful comfort food. "Word"
As I walked in to Costellos this morning, I was again struck with the idea of comfort food. Not being Southern, my comfort food is probably a little different: sushi for summer comfort, mexican soup works for fall comfort food. Costellos is comfort food any day of the year. And even more comfort than just food - walking in to find friendly baristas who know who I am, Florence and Barcelona on the screens, Caffe Umbria espresso in my americano, and friendly patrons, asking to join me with their macs and dells at my table.
Perfect comfort breakfast on a sweater wearing first day of September.
Their contribution of dinner consisted of homemade chicken pot pie. Delish. While discussion the food, it was mentioned how pot pie is a wonderful comfort food. "Word"
As I walked in to Costellos this morning, I was again struck with the idea of comfort food. Not being Southern, my comfort food is probably a little different: sushi for summer comfort, mexican soup works for fall comfort food. Costellos is comfort food any day of the year. And even more comfort than just food - walking in to find friendly baristas who know who I am, Florence and Barcelona on the screens, Caffe Umbria espresso in my americano, and friendly patrons, asking to join me with their macs and dells at my table.
Perfect comfort breakfast on a sweater wearing first day of September.
21.8.08
30.7.08
The House
So our little house is getting put together and all set up. This is what the living room looked like while I was trying to organize our books.
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