Last night seemed to belong in a Tim Burton film. The clouds overhead, the snow on the ground, and the moisture in the air reflected the "city" lights, creating an orange glow on a night that might otherwise have been completely dark. Why the light is orange? On cloudy nights in the summer, is the glow not white? Perhaps all the Christmas decor is casting reds and greens and yellows into the air. Wherever it comes from, though, the amber haze is lovely, especially as a backdrop for the dark bare trees all around.

And as though that were not enough, I woke up this morning to find the world looking like a big beautiful frosted flake. Everything around - houses, cars, streets, trees - everything, dusted with a thin layer of sparkling snow flakes which fell lightly and then froze. Nights and days like these can melt away my winter tension.

My wife is gone for the next three weeks. I miss her already, but at least my mistress is coming back soon. ;)

A friend of mine contracted a strange disease. His skin turns red and then cracks up and eventually falls right off wherever he is touched. It's highly contagious. He gave it to me. Suddenly there are people everywhere and I know them all and they all greet me with a pat on the shoulder or arm. It hurts a lot. My skin turns red, dries up, and cracks open everywhere. My arms and legs are bleeding profusely all over the carpet. So much red, which is bright compared to the pale green of all of our healthy skin. I can't wait to wake up and tell Dee about this crazy, but awesome dream I'm having. It's funny. But jeeze, I wish people would stop touching me, it hurts so bad. STOP IT!
And then I go crazy and start trying to choke little children to death because they are touching my bleeding legs. And then I wake up. I'm terrified! What a horrible nightmare. I've never tried to kill people in my dreams before, except those who deserved it. And why is it that so many of my dreams have something to do with work? The green "healthy" skin was the exact same color that was recently painted onto the walls of the office at work.
I'm a little creeped out.

recent and upcoming happenings.

Christmas eve I will be flying to El Paso. (By the way, if anyone wants to drive me to Omaha...) Before the new year I will be driving back with my parents and two youngest sisters. To LeMars we go. We thought up until this week that just my dad would be coming, but once again the Lord had mercy and now they can all come together. Hooray!

My little sister got a new email and when she first told me about it she said it was blone chick. I was pretty sure that was a typo, but I just had to make sure... She's 13.

I talked to my brother last night until 2am, trying to discourage him from joining the military.

Before this week we have only had one brief snowfall this winter, for which I'm grateful. And then the dam broke and it all came crashing down in a hurry these last couple days. Like God was saying, "Hold it, hold it, steady.... Okay, GO!" But it's not so bad, really. Some people got a snow day out of it, the plowers only have to plow once or twice instead of at regular intervals spread out over days, people only have to shovel the walk once or twice instead of many times over, and the snow drifts are so pretty. Even though I spent a good share of the morning shoveling walks and digging my car out of a drift, I did not mind it. Perhaps my snow boots are the winter equivalent of my summer rubber boots. Perhaps all that exercise made me high on endorphins. Either way, with a good shove from a few good friends, my car was freed with minimum hassle and I'm no worse for it.

On Monday I went to the Hatchery with a small crowd and Dee and I ordered hot chocolate with Bailey's. It was quite tasty so tonight we plan to have another go at it in our own home while we snuggle on the couch eating ice cream and watching a movie. With Kun Dog.

I love this stuff.

Right before I left the clinic today, where I was interpreting, I was sent to a back room to go over some paper work with a patient waiting there. Imagine my surprise when upon entering that room I found myself alone with a police officer in full uniform and a man in a prison jumpsuit with his hands and feet cuffed.

if you got a mullet...

Today I saw Seinfeld, only he was a she and she was still in the 80's. No this wasn't in a dream. A woman walked into the clinic today where I interpret and she had a good ol' fashioned fluffy, slightly curly mullet, wearing a tan turtle-neck with an eggplant and dark green plaid jacket. She also wore matching green denim pants that were full high-rise and tapered at the bottom. Not that Seinfeld ever wore such an outfit, but her face was somewhat like and the hair... oh the hair! Once in a while you see some 80's back in fashion, but never have I seen anyone with such an authentic 80's style who, rather than trying to pull off a look to be cool or funny, seemed more to be unaware of her appearance. Highlight of my day!

At the clinic I've lately been feeling more and more like I have to tell people things I do not believe. I often say these things without conviction, but while being cautious to not add my own words, yet I still feel like I'm lying to the clients. I usually add things like "She says..." referring to the professionals giving the information I don't believe, in order to absolve myself of any responsibility for the information given (not that I have any responsibility aside from making it understandable). It's irritating though. I'd rather interpret for something I actually believe in.

Bailey, the 2 foot tall ceramic elephant, fell onto my laptop putting a nice dent in the top and rendering a good quarter of my screen completely useless. Now I have to minimize all windows and scroll around to do anything on this POS, which really means only a quarter of my screen is truly useful. Time to get a new computer... Mmh.

I'm going to Canada.

At noon I made an appointment for tomorrow morning for a physical to complete my application to Mercy Ships.
At 1pm I received a phone call to remind me of my appointment tomorrow... Silly.

It's official...

... the rents and two youngsters are moving to LeMars. Still not sure how I feel about that. I will be glad to have them nearer for at least a short time while I'm still around. It would be nicer yet if my brother was coming too. But I still don't know if I like the fact that mom will be able to come over a lot more quickly and spontaneously, or that my little sisters will spend any of their significant developmental years in that town. I suppose overall I will view this in a positive way. At least now Yolanda will actually visit.

I might end up checking out houses for them before they get here. Not sure why they'd trust me to do anything of the sort.

I also will most likely help them move. That could be fun. Never driven a moving truck. Though I suppose I'd probably end up driving their car...

It's the 20's tonight.

cry baby cry

When I first started working at my job, I had a bad day here and there, but for the most part everyone was cooperative and aimed to please and work was rather a delight. Recently, however, and somewhat cooinciding with the arrival of our newest client, there's been a change in the air. People have become less happy and are increasingly uncooperative.
Yesterday there was a staff meeting to discuss this recent change of weather and as if to drive the point home, the day turned into the most tumultuous we've had yet.


Client one, the tazmanian devil, was his usual whirlwind self, going here, leaveing there, and coming into the office every 20 minutes or so with a new crisis, a piece of irrelevant news, or just to share his digestive gasses with us or to belt out a shitty pop song.
Client two, the bear, was threatening to kill my coworker again and we almost called the cops on him. We should have.
Client three decided my coworker had to do her shower today, not me, but my coworker was away so fiiiiinally I got her in her apartment and showered, but the whole process took about an hour. Usually it takes fifteen minutes.
Client four was slamming doors and throwing things in her apartment because we would not allow her to return her new pair of new shoes for the second time to get a new pair of new new-shoes. When the tantrum did not work, she stormed out of the building and began to "run away". Should have let her and called the cops on her too.
Client five kept rolling his eyes and saying "give me a break" when I asked him to please take his shower.
Client six, the old man, who is typically happy and cooperative, had resisted the tumult of the day and was so still, until he was snapped at by his companion, the bear, on the way to the grocery store. Then the two bickered and fought the whole way there and the whole way back.
When we got back, the runaway bunny was silently stewing in the lobby, while I was accosted by client seven, the building newscastor, informing me she was waiting all day for her turn to shop. Those two usually shop in the afternoon, but they were pusehd aside by the meeting. My coworker ended up taking them so that I could brush teeth with the bear and my coworker's endangered life could be spared.
The last of the bunch, which probably would have amused more than frustrated me, had I not already been strung out, was client eight. All day he had been great, doing what he needed to and on time, but upon discover of having no lunchables to pack in his lunch, he became quite agitated. Nothing else would do because everything else he had for meals required microwaving. This is not usually a problem, he likes to watch the microwave display countdown. At work, however, I soon learned by playing twenty questions (because he never says anything straight up) the microwave has a dial, which means no exact numbers and no display. Drives him absolutely insane. He would not make a sandwhich because he does not like cheese on bread and he could not take an english muffin because that is for breakfast only. Though he was not trying to be uncooperative or obstinate, spending 10 minutes going through the entire fridge trying to find an acceptable lunch is a trying experience.

What a night.

Today they have all been much more pleasant. Honey moon stage I guess, before the next round of verbal abuse and emotional drainage.

I decided to join the aerobics group at Dordt. Thursday was my first day going and aside from being a bit lost a good share of the time, I think it went well. Friday I expected to be a bit sore, but not debilitatingly so. When I woke up, however, my arms were in knots and I could not straighten them. I felt like a t-rex, having to bend my whole body in order to grab something right in front of me...

Clove cigarettes are no illegal.

crazy days.

The most ironic thing I heard today is that there exists a school called McPhail. Really? Who wants to go there?

Lisa left today. I miss her already.

Dee came back yesterday. I think she's part nymph. She hung a tree in her room today. Can't stand to be apart, I guess.

My parents are here this weekend. One more round interviews of sorts with a church in the icecream capital....

Five times this week I've gone for drives through rolling hills of corn and beans with dark clouds hanging down to what seemed just a few feet above me (not really, but it looks that way sometimes, no?) and I wished I had my camera every time and every time I had forgotten it again... This morning there was even fog, so the clouds really were hanging down. That and the humidity was rising from the ground. Some of both, I think. Beautiful either way.

Help me, Rhonda

I did not sleep very well last night. I could not fall asleep at first, so I read. Then when I did sleep, I dreamt for what seemed to me to be all night. I never feel as rested after a dream filled night than I do after a night of sound dreamless sleep. But the worst part was my dreams were about work. Documenting, of all things. If I believed in lawsuits, perhaps I could sue medicare, or DHS, or the government, or whoever the hell it is that makes us write so much at the end of every shift, for ruining my sleep. And maybe I'll throw in some emotional trauma charges as well...


But overall, things are fine. I'm nursing a sunburn I obtained as my just reward for skipping church on Sunday to go canoeing. And I'm not sorry! The sunburn doesn't hurt that much, thanks to the invention of strapless bras. :)

I went job hopping yesterday. Went to coffee making at 8.15am. Straight from there to interpret at WIC at 8.45am. Straight from WIC to Hope Haven at 4pm. Stayed there until 10pm. Only went home once inbetween all that, for about 3 minutes around 4.15pm on my way to see one of my community guys.

I got my exercise in yesterday too, since my car is out of commission and I had to bike from home to Dordt, to New Life, to Ridgebrook, to the New Homestead, to Ridgebrook, and then home again. Plus I went for a 30min walk with another couple clients. SOOOO HOT!

Tonight we go wild.

I saw the coolest looking old man today. Tall, lean, wrinkled, good old man style, and a flat cap. I wanted to call him grandpa and I don't even know his name. But he reminded me of my Grandpa Vanderploeg.

For the first time in ages, it seems, I am bored at work. Caught up on my documenting, nobody to see at the moment, just waiting to pass meds and for teeth-brushing sessions.

I finished Grapes of Wrath this week. Gave me the chills. Yikes! So I thought I'd read some Jane Austen next to cure my depression, but came out of the library with some Emily Bronte instead. Hmmm. Hopefully it's not too depressing.

All in a days work.

Adventure #1.
Lisa and I packed up my bike baskets and strapped her into a backpack and cycled all the way to Oak Grove. 15 miles. Two and a half hours of strenuous work up hills, in the sun, and against east bound wind. Totally worth it.

Adventure #2.
Upon arriving we saw there was a boy scout day camp. We asked a woman what time they would all be leaving and she said 4pm. She asked where we came from. We said Sioux Center. She looked a bit bewildered. "You biked?"
"Yes."
"And you're camping here tonight?"
"Yes."
"Do your mom's know you're here?"

Now it was Lisa's and my turn to look bewildered. Apparently this woman thought we were 16. In our surprised amusement, we acted quite awkwardly, probably just confirming her suspicions about our age, no matter what age we claimed to be.

Adventure #3.
Lisa and I had a goal of getting out of state, which required us to cross the river. We were a bit concerned about the water being safe to swim across, but swim we must for we needed to reach South Dakota and did not want to bike another 10 miles to do so. Determined to meet our goal, we cautiously maneuvered our way across the rocks by the shore and then plopped off and began swimming like crazy to get across without getting carried too far down the bank. Just when I was getting quite tired, I looked over at Lisa who suddenly popped up a bit and said, "Hey, I can touch." As it turns out, you can pretty much walk straight across the whole river. A sheepish smile, a slight blush, and then some roaring laughter to regain our self confidence.

Adventure #4.
Begging for bug spray from other campers.

Adventure #5.
After a very rigid search, Lisa and I finally came upon the perfect camping site. Two trees secluded enough to not be found by the park ranger, and close enough together with branches sturdy enough and low enough to hang a hammock from. That's right. We shared one hammock and one blanket. Slightly difficult, slightly uncomfortable, really cold. And we got bug bit.

Adventure #6.
Watching the sunset, then skinny dipping, then almost getting caught...

Adventure #7.
Getting up with the sun, hearing birds all around, and seeing deer calmly grazing nearby. Packing up and heading home with no wind, cool morning air, and just a few stops for breakfast and to strip down as we warmed up from exertion. Thinking I might not make it, but I had to, so I would. Almost bagels. And finally making it back in time for church.

Seven is a good number, so we end there.

Once upon a time...

This morning I worked (and still am there) at one of the waiver homes in Sioux Center. Not my usual place. In fact I've only worked here a few times in all. Anyway, I went with one of the guys to his church, as is custom. He goes to 1st CRC.
Towards the beginning of the sermon, when everyone is still fully alert and not shuffling around yet, I noticed my client had a runny nose and was coughing too so he had snot running down and smearing all over his face. I took him to the bathroom and he cleaned himself up.
After fixing his belt and tucking in his shirt all mother-like, we began to walk back to our seats... only he was in front of me and before I could stop him he power walked right down the wrong isle - the middle isle. Not until he was all the way at the very front of the church did he stop in confusion, realizing he missed something. The pastor just ignored the whole scenario and preached on, which was nice, so I calmly followed my client in my noisy heels (didn't have my chasing shoes on) and quietly directed him to make a right turn, cross through an empty pew to the next isle, and then back track a little to get to our pew. He walked right past that too, but I was a little quicker this time and managed to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention before he walked right back down to the back of the church...
Finally we were safe and sound back in our little pew. *sigh* And then I realized this is the church that gets aired on television (I think). How embarrassing. Though at least now I can maybe say I've been on TV.

little of this and a little of that.

I've been biking to work lately so I get to use my nifty headlamp with four different settings.  Yeah, night vision! 

Lisa and I biked to Sandy Hollow on Sunday to take a nap, which we never took, or to read a book, which we never read.  What caused our unproductiveness?  Making a list of ten things to accomplish this summer.  Number accomplished so far - zero. But we've only had this for a week. 

I got myself a temporary third job translating and transcribing video footage of interviews with three Guatemalan women for Prof. Volkers.  It is tedious and time consuming and hard. But I like it.  

Scott came by today.  He took me to the dark room and showed me some pictures he took with this "new" camera he is learning to use. One of those old school ones with the black blanket over it and whose name I forgot.  Thanks, man.

Tuesday night there were tornado watches. I went outside to visit a client and looked up at the sky. It was amazing!  The clouds looked like cartoon clouds. Like when a cloud face blows and the clouds coming out of its mouth are almost like smooth, round waves. I've never ever seen clouds that looked like those.  Then last night it rained a bit, but around 1.30 it quit and the clouds rolled away and the stars looked spectacular. 

I seeded some grass in some dirt patches in the lawn.  Thanks to all the rain we had this week, the grass is already over 2 inches long.  I've said this before, but seeing grass grow which I planted is quite rewarding.  

I missed my brother today, so I wrote him a letter.  I miss a lot of people, really. 

Lisa and I have a breakfast date in the morning, so to bed I must good. Goodnight, Moon.

It's been a long time since you've come around.

Some recent happenings around here include the following:

- Dee left.
- Lisa finally moved in.
- Paul is leaving.
- Ross is finally moving in.
- Pulled about 9 bags full of weeds.
- Have plans to begin planting the garden...
- Premier Communications is rewiring or something in the neighborhood.
= Loud noises.
- Cell phone is expiring this week. (Sorry, no more long distance phone calls will be made on my part.)
- Finally downloaded skype. (still no mic though.)
- Minor job searching.
- Minor plans to begin school searching...
- Expanding my music collection to include TV on the Radio, Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, and the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour.
- Keeping Fiona and the snake plant alive.
- Visited family in Grand Rapids.
- Got there via Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the UP of Michigan.
- Saw Skip.
- Did not see a bear, though we tried really hard.

I suppose that sums it up.

Until next time.

The adventures of Betty and the Bitch.

In the beginning...

Laurie and the cork screw.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho.


Slack-jawin' around.


In Bellingham, me thinks.

The Westras.

Three in the front.

Special thanks to Betty, the bitch, Jeremy (both of them) Lisa, and Ross.

The end.

good day sunshine

This morning I awoke after a restful 9hrs of sleep. I put some music on and ate breakfast on the back "porch". I proceeded to clean up the yard slightly, then checked on my sprouting flower pellets, and then began my laundry, which so desperately needed doing. I am wearing my last clean underpants. Only now I have more, hanging on the line in the backyard. I leafed through the shopper and cut out ads for jobs that looked application-worthy and then I began fixing up my resumé. Laura put coffee on, so we had koffie en stroopwafels. Then more koffie. At 3.55 I headed to work all gardened, sunned up, and caffeinated. What a good morning.

The day was rather breezy, gusty even, with short bursts of sunshine. I had rushed to work, late as usual, but upon arriving found there was not much to do, also as usual, for the rush does not begin until almost 5 when most of the clients come home from a hard days work. I stowed my supper in the office where the fragrance of freshly cut grass wafting through the window and the sound of rustling trees lured me back outside. Four trees laden with blossoms danced in the wind to what I imagined must have been a celtic violin song. I stood under them a while, enjoying the blizzard of flower petals swirling all around me and taking in their delightful aroma. What a good evening.

good night, moon.

Amanda posted about happiness. This weekend I have felt truly happy. I think. What a satisfying weekend. Friday there was the "premier" and then a relatively calm but awesome night. Saturday there were Palisades, Czech hitchhikers, waterfalls, beer, sunsets, gymnastics, rock climbing, and bonfires. Not exactly in that order. Today there was Edgerton, Wegeners, frozen fruit blends, eating outdoors, sunburn, seed planting, talks with Mom, volleyball, coffee time, old friends, and puppies. Tomorrow I anticipate a car wash, more gardening, and hopefully more puppies.

I am going to attempt running this summer. If Diane can put up with me long enough for me to get in shape, that is. Otherwise I'll granny walk it. If Mrs. Kroeze can look so good doing it, so can I, right?

Some activities I am anticipating this summer are camping, canoeing, gardening, and volleyballing.

Mom wants me to play violin for Grandma/pa's 50th anniversary party. I should start practicing. Maybe in a month I'll be able to squeek out a nice love song.

The 200th Post

Here's one for Amanda. And others.

The latest happenings.

Borrowed Mad Men from Franklin.
Borrowed the Brothers Karamazov from the college library.
Began crocheting a blanket.
Interviewed for a Fridays only interpreting position.
Got the position.
Worked a couple Fridays, scored some free food, and noticed an interesting job posting.
Applied for the job.
Participated in a 75th birthday party/double half-birthday party/Joelle's birthday party/congrats to Vogel party.
Attempted to cleanse Duck Bill of his leprosy.
Renewed the Brothers Karamazov at the library after paying my 10 cent fine.
Paused on the blanket and began crocheting leg warmers.
Missed Wigged-Out Westra.
Changed my name. Can't explain.
Learned a game (thanks to Dieuwke) that changed it's name. Quartet. Aka go fish. But quartet is more fun because you get to yell.
Woke up at 6.30am to head south for free pancakes at IHOP('N) with Gus, Lulu Bean, Franklin, Betty, and the traveling blanket.

good yea hoser.

Went to THE interview.
Watched the 9th square and now have only one disc left. Shoot.

I think that pretty much sums it up. I thought about going on for 200 things, but uh...

nothing better to do... except ranch.

This is my second overnight shift at this particular residence. I have done some at waiver homes, but they are different. I'm allowed to sleep there. I suppose I could sleep here too, no one would know, but staying up is more fun in a way. Plus, I just made coffee.

Most of the residents are asleep in their rooms, except a couple that are still watching TV. The building, though well lit, is quiet. When I put my headphones on I feel like I am in a silent film with a soundtrack. Without the headphones it feels more like the beginning of a horror film - eerie, but with nothing crazy happening yet.

About to consume an unhealthy amount of Mediterranean pizza.

I just ate an unhealthy amount of ice cream and later tonight will probably drink an unhealthy amount of SKY.
The past few days have been weird. No school, but no work either. Strange how doing nothing can still be so exhausting. I have many plans of things to keep me busy, though. Knitting, reading, studying for the GRE, and grad school shopping. You know, the usual. So on the reading note, if anyone has suggestions for "must-read" books, I'll take 'em.

Viva Mexico

Today we went to Mexico. Going in the only security is a randomized light system - green light you go unchecked, red light you get checked. We got a red. Second one in 2.5 years. The check consisted of them opening the back of the van, shutting it again, and saying okay. Getting out of Mexico took nearly an hour of traffic jamming, passports, and several questions.
It was weird being in Juarez because all the stories I've heard of it since coming here, and even before, make it sound like you should run from building to building to avoid getting shot... But of course it's not that way. Anyway, there is definitely an extremely noticeable difference, though, as soon as you cross the border. Instant poverty.

Six days until I leave...

and I'm already anxious to leave. I always get that way. I love to go home and visit, but after a while I'm just itching to get back to my own place.
But I guess I'll just have to go outside and soak up the sun a little longer. Best to enjoy while I can.