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.