Ode To Adrienne
Adrienne Darrell is my friend.
Adrienne Darrell is wonderful.
I love Adrienne Darrell.
She makes me so happy.
Adrienne Darrell has a beautiful voice.
Adrienne Darrell likes care bears.
I love Adrienne Darrell.
She's my SAI twin.
If Adrienne Darrell was a kind of ice cream,
She would be Starbucks Java Chip with chocolate sauce, maybe.
God did a really good job on Adrienne Darrell.
The End.
Happy 21st Birthday, Adrienne!
*love and hugs and a girly drink (you're legal!)*
Oh. And a side note.
So my mom said the other day that blogging impresses her as perhaps one of the most presumptuous and egotistical pastimes one could possibly engage in. So I mulled that over for a while, and realized that -- based on the fact that I have at least two or three semi-regular (ok, semi-occasional) comment-posters -- my blog does not qualify as presumptuous. Or only mildly presumptuous. But that doesn't count.
And so I am left to contemplate the propriety of maintaining this occasionally-read, un-presumptuous, and possibly-egotistical blog.
What do you think?
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
So I spanked my Shakespeare's Tragedies exam this morning.
But I think my Social Psych exam might have just spanked me.
Can that happen?
Is that allowed?
Or in the words so often used this semester...
Who told it that was ok???
But I digress. And I yawn. At the same time.
You see, I am a multi-tasking queen.
I do not multi-task when I nap.
Speaking of naps... zzz.
Wake me up for my last final, k?
Or, you know what? DON'T.
Sleeptime!
But I think my Social Psych exam might have just spanked me.
Can that happen?
Is that allowed?
Or in the words so often used this semester...
Who told it that was ok???
But I digress. And I yawn. At the same time.
You see, I am a multi-tasking queen.
I do not multi-task when I nap.
Speaking of naps... zzz.
Wake me up for my last final, k?
Or, you know what? DON'T.
Sleeptime!
Friday, December 10, 2004
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Before I completely give up and surrender to the welcoming sight of my pj pants and fluffy pillow, I must satisfy my conflicting desire to be productive. See, when I blog, I generate almost instantaneous results. I click the little "publish" icon, and there you have it. A spankin new post for all to read. Ok, for some to read. Alright, fine, for a few to read. Whoever wants to read it, can. Shut up.
So instead of writing another paragraph of my paper -- which, relative to the amount of satisfaction I feel after a blog posting, pleases me very little -- I've decided to type a few lines here and see what happens. Inevitably, I will feel a mixture of accomplishment at finishing my post and a mild resentment that my time spent typing was not better spent in slumber. But it's my choice; thus, it's also my fault. It always is.
But, because the prospect of sleep is so appealing to my exam-weary mind and drooping eyelids, I'll abbreviate. Perhaps some of these things that I mention briefly here will be blogged about in further detail in the future. Perhaps not. I guess you'll just have to wait and see.
*The Messiah performances... if you have to stand for two and a half hours, what better way to do it than to spend it singing praises to our King of Glory for His miraculous birth, precious life, redeeming death, and everlasting triumph?!
*Aaron White came to visit on Thursday/Friday night to see Messiah!!! What a blessing to have him back on campus, even if it was only for a day and a half!
*Saturday, 12.4.04. Messiah. Oakley. The Outpost. Fun times. Good company. Yay!
*Writing a coherent, five-page paper on a topic that makes no sense at all, during the day, in between classes and such because you fell asleep the night before -- and definitely NOT for a fifteen minute power nap -- is what I call success. Proceeding to shower and prepare notes for a meeting with a professor to discuss yet ANOTHER paper in less than an hour is also success. Getting out of unnamed professor's office alive counts as third success of the day.
*The Mu Alpha Concert made my night on Tuesday. Mostly because my day was so terrible. But really, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert -- all the guys did a great job; especially memorable were the SAI Concert's "Sad Song" rebuttal, given in the form of the "Happy Song" and a certain *very secure* young man's rendition of a song from Disney's The Little Mermaid. In costume. I'm not kidding.
*You know that day that they set aside for us students so we can catch up on rest and then be productive and study before exams begin? Pssh. Yeah, that worked.
*I just had my first exam. Three more to go. Two more papers. So almost done. Score!
I'm definitely ready to get out of Hillsdale for a little while. There's been too much trauma and drama around here, and I'm ready for a change in atmosphere. I'm ready to wake up late. er. I'm ready to make the house pretty with Christmas decorations. I'm ready to do a little pleasure reading. I'm ready to see my cat. And make sure she doesn't make a meal out of George, my fish who will be coming home with me. I'm ready to dance on my stage again. I'm ready to beat my brother at Battleship. And maybe now I'll challenge him to Mortal Kombat. I'm ready to see old friends. I'm ready to spend time with family. I'm ready to have my faith rejuvenated and my spirit refreshed. I'm ready to sleep.
I'm ready to say, "Would you like me to start a fitting room for you?"
So instead of writing another paragraph of my paper -- which, relative to the amount of satisfaction I feel after a blog posting, pleases me very little -- I've decided to type a few lines here and see what happens. Inevitably, I will feel a mixture of accomplishment at finishing my post and a mild resentment that my time spent typing was not better spent in slumber. But it's my choice; thus, it's also my fault. It always is.
But, because the prospect of sleep is so appealing to my exam-weary mind and drooping eyelids, I'll abbreviate. Perhaps some of these things that I mention briefly here will be blogged about in further detail in the future. Perhaps not. I guess you'll just have to wait and see.
*The Messiah performances... if you have to stand for two and a half hours, what better way to do it than to spend it singing praises to our King of Glory for His miraculous birth, precious life, redeeming death, and everlasting triumph?!
*Aaron White came to visit on Thursday/Friday night to see Messiah!!! What a blessing to have him back on campus, even if it was only for a day and a half!
*Saturday, 12.4.04. Messiah. Oakley. The Outpost. Fun times. Good company. Yay!
*Writing a coherent, five-page paper on a topic that makes no sense at all, during the day, in between classes and such because you fell asleep the night before -- and definitely NOT for a fifteen minute power nap -- is what I call success. Proceeding to shower and prepare notes for a meeting with a professor to discuss yet ANOTHER paper in less than an hour is also success. Getting out of unnamed professor's office alive counts as third success of the day.
*The Mu Alpha Concert made my night on Tuesday. Mostly because my day was so terrible. But really, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert -- all the guys did a great job; especially memorable were the SAI Concert's "Sad Song" rebuttal, given in the form of the "Happy Song" and a certain *very secure* young man's rendition of a song from Disney's The Little Mermaid. In costume. I'm not kidding.
*You know that day that they set aside for us students so we can catch up on rest and then be productive and study before exams begin? Pssh. Yeah, that worked.
*I just had my first exam. Three more to go. Two more papers. So almost done. Score!
I'm definitely ready to get out of Hillsdale for a little while. There's been too much trauma and drama around here, and I'm ready for a change in atmosphere. I'm ready to wake up late. er. I'm ready to make the house pretty with Christmas decorations. I'm ready to do a little pleasure reading. I'm ready to see my cat. And make sure she doesn't make a meal out of George, my fish who will be coming home with me. I'm ready to dance on my stage again. I'm ready to beat my brother at Battleship. And maybe now I'll challenge him to Mortal Kombat. I'm ready to see old friends. I'm ready to spend time with family. I'm ready to have my faith rejuvenated and my spirit refreshed. I'm ready to sleep.
I'm ready to say, "Would you like me to start a fitting room for you?"
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
As promised...
*Thanksgiving 2004 Unforgettable Moments and Quotes*
Disclaimer: If your Thanksgiving break was not spent in Boscobel, WI with the Swenson family, you may or may not find enjoyment in reading this rather extensive list of quotes and priceless moments. I will attempt to offer a brief explanation whenever I deem it necessary and wherever one seems possible. However, I make no guarantees.
Sometimes, you just have to be there.
And am I ever glad I was...
Before we even set out, one Cate Larsen made it blatantly -- if not painfully -- clear to Jack Nehlsen, a member of our carpool party, exactly what the consequences would be should he decide to traumatize any of the rest of us in the van on the way to Wisconsin. I think she made her point...
"If you even think about doing ANYTHING to any of my girls, I will hurt you. And you know I will." ~Cate Larsen (glaring and waving a threatening fist)
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Holsclaw, the ride to Madison, WI was distinctly more enjoyable than expected -- even a 2 1/2 hour delay in Chicago couldn't stop us all from getting a little goofy -- especially Mr. Holsclaw...
"I'm in a van and I am secure in my masculinity -- I have six kids!" ~Mr. Holsclaw, commenting on the high number of sports cars frequenting the expressway in and around Chicago
"You mean the guy you forced to kiss you?!" ~Mr. Holsclaw, addressing Mrs. Holsclaw. For real.
"I wonder if Jack's been picked up yet..." ~One of us in the car
"He's probably still in Burger King making napkin castles by now." ~Mr. Holsclaw
By the time we got to Tami's house on Tuesday night (ok, Wednesday morning), it was becoming relatively clear that our brains were not functioning on higher levels. Somewhere in there, Tami and I stumbled upon our newest idea for getting ourselves to Hollywood. Coming soon to theaters... Crouching Tami, Hidden Katie.
Who needs Gludfest when we're planning the biggest bash EVER in the form of the 1st annual Kent Party?
(This party will be held in honor of Tami's cousin Kent. He does not understand what we are celebrating. Nor does he need to. That's kind of the point, we think... after all, it's all about Kent now.)
As we played a game called Risk and came to the sobering realization that Jaimi would, indeed, be taking over the world, there were numerous quoteworthy outbursts...
"I hope you die... in the kindest sense of the word" ~Mandi Swenson, addressing a fellow Risk competitor
"Get your pajamas on" ~Kent Hamoud, in reference to how much time Bethany would remain in the game once Jaimi began her attack on Bethany's dwindling forces
"WHOA!" ~Elizabeth Wong and I, staring with blank faces at the Risk game box. Don't ask. Mainly because I have no idea.
"There's a conversation going on over here, guys" ~Mrs. Swenson, in response to our rowdy Risk tactics
"There's a battle going on over here, Mom" ~Jaimi Swenson, matter-of-factly
"Oh well, they can always have plastic surgery!" ~me, in response to Curtis' complaint that one of his little plastic soldiers looked mortally wounded
The quotes kept coming...
"I HATE Wong!" ~Elizabeth Wong. Quote of the break. I kid you not.
"So Plus One was minus two?" ~me, pondering the dilemma of the Christian boy band Plus One after two members' departures
Fooseball.
"James, what is OUR name?" ~Katie McClure and me, trying to get James to acknowledge me verbally
"He only looks at me when I make my monkey face!" ~me, complaining about James' shyness around me
"It's so attractive!" ~Mrs. Swenson
"I saw a rainbow in the sky and on the floor" ~Alison
"On the floor? Was it from a prism?" ~Tami
"You think there are rainbows in jail?" ~Alison
Arabic coffee.
"The batteries lost their keep goingness?" ~me. Yes, I am an English major. Shut up.
Dill Amish Friendship Bread. Amish Friendship Pickles.
"So did you all have fun?" ~Melissa
"Besides a hay bale falling on Deborah's head?" ~Matthew, reporting on the misadventures in the barn
James. Need I say more?
The game of Mafia provided yet another outlet for countless quoteables and Kodak moments. Such as...
"I might as well be dead anyway" ~Jaimi, quipping about both her seemingly inevitable casting-out from the "town" as well as her *enviable* status as Alison's apparent human jungle gym
"I hate my life" ~me, after enduring criticism and suspicion for being "a boring townsperson"
"I think Elizabeth is the Mafia" ~Bethany, accusingly
"... Really?" ~Elizabeth, unsurprised and *dripping* with sarcasm
Josiah. Joseph. Judah. Jedediah. Judas. Jehosephat. Job. Jeremiah. Any others?
"Wait a minute, aren't you dead?" ~me, to Lauren, "dead" for ten minutes, attempting to influence the game
"She has a disadvantage... everyone wants her out anyway!" ~Jaimi Swenson, on the unsurprising result of our vote to cast Alison out of the "town" on suspicion of involvement with the Mafia. She was guilty as charged, but truth be told, it would have made no difference.
Later that evening in the kitchen, we girls decided that what Richard Simmons REALLY needs to come up with is a video program for all of us who would rather embrace our sedentary nature than deny it.
Inspired by lite beer commercials, we devised a new and improved way to improve cardiovascular health, slim and tone your figure, and build lean muscle. Get ready... it's the LOW JUMPING WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. Perfect for busy students, soccer moms, and anyone else looking to trim that waistline. Do it.
"I HATE Eli Wong! I love ELI though!" ~Elizabeth, on her "nicknames"... just call her "Eli" (Elly)
"I'm NOT obsessed!" ~me
"Well, it makes you dance... " ~Elizabeth
We won't be explaining that one. Whoever knows, knows. Ask if you must.
The Boggle Moment That Will Go Down In History
"Does anyone have the word 'haul'?" ~me, to a chorus of no's
"YES!" ~Bethany, a mere Boggle spectator, out of nowhere
(general confusion as she continues)
"I did! -- in my head!" ~Bethany, indignantly
"You're not even playing!" ~all of us
The trip to Dubuque, IA for shopping was fun, too. Scenic and fun. Full of wrong turns and missed exits and hydroplaning. But once we got there, it was worth it...
"OH, KOHLS!!!" ~Elizabeth and me. I'm not really sure.
"We could always live here... there IS a Starbucks!" ~me
Then there was Jaimi and her cleavage-baring bathroom trip...
"Take a picture, cuz you're never seeing that again!" ~Jaimi, channeling Miss Congeniality
"I didn't know this was going to be a PG-13 shopping experience" ~me, in response to Jaimi's, um, risque hand-drying techniques
"We think you should try THIS!!!!" ~me, as Elizabeth and I presented Tami with a long, black slip from the women's lingerie department. We weren't having so much luck finding a black skirt for her Chamber Choir performance, so we decided to get creative.
Unfortunately, the stress of the hunt gave Tami a headache, and by the end of our trip, her powers of perception -- and listening skills? -- were at least mildly impaired...
"I've never had a headache that made me feel like I have to throw up before... my whole head is throbbing" ~Tami, as we sit at the gas station waiting for Jaimi to fill up the tank
"Should I top it off?" ~Jaimi, leaning into the car, referring to the gas tank
"Chop it off? You mean my head?" ~Tami, clearly befuddled at Jaimi's offer and a bit incredulous as well at her sister's ability to hear her complaints from outside the vehicle
While we sat in the parking lot of Joanne Fabrics, Jaimi decided to tell me about the book Ella Enchanted, and we quickly realized that Tami was not the only one suffering from brain failure...
"... so the Prince threw three balls to find a wife..." ~Jaimi, explaining
"So, wait, they caught them? Where did he get these balls, and how did he decide?" ~me, ever the concrete thinker. Or just stupid.
We thought all would be redeemed by the next morning. However, on the way to church, Tami quickly put these notions to rest...
"WAIT. Straw ISN'T made of corn??? I feel deceived!" ~Tami, adamantly claiming to have been falsely indoctrinated by a cousin while still young and impressionable
Once we got to church in Fennimore, Messiah was EVERYWHERE. No joke.
"All we like sheep..." (we're going to demonstrate this one with our technical prowess -- it's a musical device!)
Who needs an "amen" when you can get an apple to spontaneously fall out of the communion table cornucopia? It was a real apple, too. And it thudded.
Teaching and demonstrating an Irish jig in the Swenson family's basement. Watching Alison prance around and assert herself as an Irish dancing expert. Almost.
Tractor pictures before leaving... we love John Deere!
On the way back, while trying to settle on a radio station, Mr. Swenson inadvertently picked up a rap song. He changed the station, but not before Elizabeth and I could decide what to do with our hyperactive selves...
"Hey, Mr. Swenson, go back -- I was trying to jig to that song!" ~me
"Yeah, go back -- we're Irish dancing back here!" ~Elizabeth
"I always jig to rap music. Do you have a problem with that?" ~me
Last, I found out about the extremely complex, in-depth, scientific process Elizabeth Wong employed to eventually decide on which English name she would embrace as her own...
"My mom wrote out a list three pages long of English names and told me I could choose my own, so I picked Elizabeth because it was the longest" ~Elizabeth Wong
But, lest you think she put no forethought into this big decision, be reassured; Elizabeth tested the waters before taking the plunge into her life of Elizabeth-ness...
"I'm Elizabeth, but I was Mary for a week!" ~Elizabeth Wong
And, in hopes of another Thanksgiving reunion in Boscobel, WI with more quotes and memories and pictures...
"I may have to fight over you for Spring Break, but I have RIGHTS to next Thanksgiving!" ~Tami Swenson
I think I'll be only too happy to comply.
The end.
*Thanksgiving 2004 Unforgettable Moments and Quotes*
Disclaimer: If your Thanksgiving break was not spent in Boscobel, WI with the Swenson family, you may or may not find enjoyment in reading this rather extensive list of quotes and priceless moments. I will attempt to offer a brief explanation whenever I deem it necessary and wherever one seems possible. However, I make no guarantees.
Sometimes, you just have to be there.
And am I ever glad I was...
Before we even set out, one Cate Larsen made it blatantly -- if not painfully -- clear to Jack Nehlsen, a member of our carpool party, exactly what the consequences would be should he decide to traumatize any of the rest of us in the van on the way to Wisconsin. I think she made her point...
"If you even think about doing ANYTHING to any of my girls, I will hurt you. And you know I will." ~Cate Larsen (glaring and waving a threatening fist)
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Holsclaw, the ride to Madison, WI was distinctly more enjoyable than expected -- even a 2 1/2 hour delay in Chicago couldn't stop us all from getting a little goofy -- especially Mr. Holsclaw...
"I'm in a van and I am secure in my masculinity -- I have six kids!" ~Mr. Holsclaw, commenting on the high number of sports cars frequenting the expressway in and around Chicago
"You mean the guy you forced to kiss you?!" ~Mr. Holsclaw, addressing Mrs. Holsclaw. For real.
"I wonder if Jack's been picked up yet..." ~One of us in the car
"He's probably still in Burger King making napkin castles by now." ~Mr. Holsclaw
By the time we got to Tami's house on Tuesday night (ok, Wednesday morning), it was becoming relatively clear that our brains were not functioning on higher levels. Somewhere in there, Tami and I stumbled upon our newest idea for getting ourselves to Hollywood. Coming soon to theaters... Crouching Tami, Hidden Katie.
Who needs Gludfest when we're planning the biggest bash EVER in the form of the 1st annual Kent Party?
(This party will be held in honor of Tami's cousin Kent. He does not understand what we are celebrating. Nor does he need to. That's kind of the point, we think... after all, it's all about Kent now.)
As we played a game called Risk and came to the sobering realization that Jaimi would, indeed, be taking over the world, there were numerous quoteworthy outbursts...
"I hope you die... in the kindest sense of the word" ~Mandi Swenson, addressing a fellow Risk competitor
"Get your pajamas on" ~Kent Hamoud, in reference to how much time Bethany would remain in the game once Jaimi began her attack on Bethany's dwindling forces
"WHOA!" ~Elizabeth Wong and I, staring with blank faces at the Risk game box. Don't ask. Mainly because I have no idea.
"There's a conversation going on over here, guys" ~Mrs. Swenson, in response to our rowdy Risk tactics
"There's a battle going on over here, Mom" ~Jaimi Swenson, matter-of-factly
"Oh well, they can always have plastic surgery!" ~me, in response to Curtis' complaint that one of his little plastic soldiers looked mortally wounded
The quotes kept coming...
"I HATE Wong!" ~Elizabeth Wong. Quote of the break. I kid you not.
"So Plus One was minus two?" ~me, pondering the dilemma of the Christian boy band Plus One after two members' departures
Fooseball.
"James, what is OUR name?" ~Katie McClure and me, trying to get James to acknowledge me verbally
"He only looks at me when I make my monkey face!" ~me, complaining about James' shyness around me
"It's so attractive!" ~Mrs. Swenson
"I saw a rainbow in the sky and on the floor" ~Alison
"On the floor? Was it from a prism?" ~Tami
"You think there are rainbows in jail?" ~Alison
Arabic coffee.
"The batteries lost their keep goingness?" ~me. Yes, I am an English major. Shut up.
Dill Amish Friendship Bread. Amish Friendship Pickles.
"So did you all have fun?" ~Melissa
"Besides a hay bale falling on Deborah's head?" ~Matthew, reporting on the misadventures in the barn
James. Need I say more?
The game of Mafia provided yet another outlet for countless quoteables and Kodak moments. Such as...
"I might as well be dead anyway" ~Jaimi, quipping about both her seemingly inevitable casting-out from the "town" as well as her *enviable* status as Alison's apparent human jungle gym
"I hate my life" ~me, after enduring criticism and suspicion for being "a boring townsperson"
"I think Elizabeth is the Mafia" ~Bethany, accusingly
"... Really?" ~Elizabeth, unsurprised and *dripping* with sarcasm
Josiah. Joseph. Judah. Jedediah. Judas. Jehosephat. Job. Jeremiah. Any others?
"Wait a minute, aren't you dead?" ~me, to Lauren, "dead" for ten minutes, attempting to influence the game
"She has a disadvantage... everyone wants her out anyway!" ~Jaimi Swenson, on the unsurprising result of our vote to cast Alison out of the "town" on suspicion of involvement with the Mafia. She was guilty as charged, but truth be told, it would have made no difference.
Later that evening in the kitchen, we girls decided that what Richard Simmons REALLY needs to come up with is a video program for all of us who would rather embrace our sedentary nature than deny it.
Inspired by lite beer commercials, we devised a new and improved way to improve cardiovascular health, slim and tone your figure, and build lean muscle. Get ready... it's the LOW JUMPING WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. Perfect for busy students, soccer moms, and anyone else looking to trim that waistline. Do it.
"I HATE Eli Wong! I love ELI though!" ~Elizabeth, on her "nicknames"... just call her "Eli" (Elly)
"I'm NOT obsessed!" ~me
"Well, it makes you dance... " ~Elizabeth
We won't be explaining that one. Whoever knows, knows. Ask if you must.
The Boggle Moment That Will Go Down In History
"Does anyone have the word 'haul'?" ~me, to a chorus of no's
"YES!" ~Bethany, a mere Boggle spectator, out of nowhere
(general confusion as she continues)
"I did! -- in my head!" ~Bethany, indignantly
"You're not even playing!" ~all of us
The trip to Dubuque, IA for shopping was fun, too. Scenic and fun. Full of wrong turns and missed exits and hydroplaning. But once we got there, it was worth it...
"OH, KOHLS!!!" ~Elizabeth and me. I'm not really sure.
"We could always live here... there IS a Starbucks!" ~me
Then there was Jaimi and her cleavage-baring bathroom trip...
"Take a picture, cuz you're never seeing that again!" ~Jaimi, channeling Miss Congeniality
"I didn't know this was going to be a PG-13 shopping experience" ~me, in response to Jaimi's, um, risque hand-drying techniques
"We think you should try THIS!!!!" ~me, as Elizabeth and I presented Tami with a long, black slip from the women's lingerie department. We weren't having so much luck finding a black skirt for her Chamber Choir performance, so we decided to get creative.
Unfortunately, the stress of the hunt gave Tami a headache, and by the end of our trip, her powers of perception -- and listening skills? -- were at least mildly impaired...
"I've never had a headache that made me feel like I have to throw up before... my whole head is throbbing" ~Tami, as we sit at the gas station waiting for Jaimi to fill up the tank
"Should I top it off?" ~Jaimi, leaning into the car, referring to the gas tank
"Chop it off? You mean my head?" ~Tami, clearly befuddled at Jaimi's offer and a bit incredulous as well at her sister's ability to hear her complaints from outside the vehicle
While we sat in the parking lot of Joanne Fabrics, Jaimi decided to tell me about the book Ella Enchanted, and we quickly realized that Tami was not the only one suffering from brain failure...
"... so the Prince threw three balls to find a wife..." ~Jaimi, explaining
"So, wait, they caught them? Where did he get these balls, and how did he decide?" ~me, ever the concrete thinker. Or just stupid.
We thought all would be redeemed by the next morning. However, on the way to church, Tami quickly put these notions to rest...
"WAIT. Straw ISN'T made of corn??? I feel deceived!" ~Tami, adamantly claiming to have been falsely indoctrinated by a cousin while still young and impressionable
Once we got to church in Fennimore, Messiah was EVERYWHERE. No joke.
"All we like sheep..." (we're going to demonstrate this one with our technical prowess -- it's a musical device!)
Who needs an "amen" when you can get an apple to spontaneously fall out of the communion table cornucopia? It was a real apple, too. And it thudded.
Teaching and demonstrating an Irish jig in the Swenson family's basement. Watching Alison prance around and assert herself as an Irish dancing expert. Almost.
Tractor pictures before leaving... we love John Deere!
On the way back, while trying to settle on a radio station, Mr. Swenson inadvertently picked up a rap song. He changed the station, but not before Elizabeth and I could decide what to do with our hyperactive selves...
"Hey, Mr. Swenson, go back -- I was trying to jig to that song!" ~me
"Yeah, go back -- we're Irish dancing back here!" ~Elizabeth
"I always jig to rap music. Do you have a problem with that?" ~me
Last, I found out about the extremely complex, in-depth, scientific process Elizabeth Wong employed to eventually decide on which English name she would embrace as her own...
"My mom wrote out a list three pages long of English names and told me I could choose my own, so I picked Elizabeth because it was the longest" ~Elizabeth Wong
But, lest you think she put no forethought into this big decision, be reassured; Elizabeth tested the waters before taking the plunge into her life of Elizabeth-ness...
"I'm Elizabeth, but I was Mary for a week!" ~Elizabeth Wong
And, in hopes of another Thanksgiving reunion in Boscobel, WI with more quotes and memories and pictures...
"I may have to fight over you for Spring Break, but I have RIGHTS to next Thanksgiving!" ~Tami Swenson
I think I'll be only too happy to comply.
The end.