Thursday, August 24, 2006

Thank you, Heather, for reminding me of my neglected blog.

1. I am a loser because I have not posted in months.

2. I am a happy loser because in two days Christopher will be coming to visit me!

3. I am a lonely loser because most of my friends are back at Hillsdale or starting back to school elsewhere.

4. I am a sad loser because Killer, the WalMart Fish, died on Thursday, August 17th. R.I.P, Killer.

5. And I am an excited loser because in six days I will be driving to Sioux City for Ben and Cate's wedding!

Sheesh... more is happening in life than this... and I will try to update a bit more soon :D So until then, if you'd like to hear about life, go ahead and call...

love!
Katie

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

First of all.

::YAY::
BECAUSE ON MARCH 24TH, 2006, CHRISTOPHER PROPOSED, I ACCEPTED (OF COURSE!), AND NOW I AM QUITE POSSIBLY (read: most definitely) THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!!!

and now for the silly part of the post.

Today in our History of Non-Western Art class, we discussed an article by Jonathan M. Reynolds entitled "Ise Shrine and a Modernist Construction of Japanese Tradition." After wading through discussion on the shrine at Ise and its history, function, and design, our class eventually stumbled upon the most entertaining portion of the entire article. Well, it piqued our interests in Japanese architecture if nothing else. And since the article appears on JSTOR, I'll indulge you the snipets that simply infused our class with an endless supply of amused and perhaps somewhat embarrassed laughter:

They revel in the contrast between sensuous, silky, smooth surfaces of finely planed wood rafters and the vibrant texture of the precisely trimmed miscanthus thatch roofs.... these photographs threaten to strip the core structures of their mystery.... These architectural details are laid bare before the viewer with an intensity that verges on the pornographic.


I'm not sure what prompted Mr. Reynolds to use such colorful descriptions in his otherwise rather bland article, but whatever it was...

I want what he's having.




Thursday, March 09, 2006

ohhh *delight*

it's been one year of loveliness, and *he* is coming tomorrow!

::sigh::

this happy girl is going to bed.
goodnight!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Time for some random post-age.

I have not posted on this blog in *such* a long time.
Goodness gracious.
I'm really tired; funny how I tend to post when it's late, I'm tired, I'm sleep-deprived, or all of the above.
They could have held the Olympic curling event in the Suites parking lot this morning.
Kristin and I almost died. Several times.
I just exagerrated a lot.
But we did have our respective observations and internship cancelled because of the weather.
And I think we both really appreciated the extra REM cycles.
There is a girl in my oil painting class who I wish I knew better.
Turpentine has a foul smell that makes my eyes water and doesn't wash off well.
But I kind of like it in this weird way.
I got blue paint on my sweatshirt today in Oil Painting.
Now I should do my laundry.
If I had quarters, I would.
We sang the favorite songs of two of my favorite people tonight at Crossroads.
We also sang one of my favorite songs.
Tomorrow night will be lovely because Erin and I are going to DJ's.
I'll get chili in a bread bowl.
I wish my room could be a little cleaner right now, even if my parents aren't coming for Parent's Weekend.
The sweaters Christopher accidentally left from his visit don't smell like him anymore.
I think I cuddled it out of them.
I'm pretty sure that Saga is getting better lately.
Whoever invented chai was probably a delightful person.
February seemed to fly by.
God is doing a lot of amazing things in the lives of my friends.
He's doing a lot of amazing things in my life, too.
I'd love to tell you about them sometime.
I wonder if the people at Burt's Bees know that peppermint oil is an irritant.
Because they put it in their lip balm.
My lips are kind of chapped right now.
Ever since Erin gave me that green apple flavored chapstick, they've been getting better.
My mango chapstick is pretty awesome, too.
I have to remind myself not to lick my lips and it's really hard because they smell so good.
I'm kind of in the mood to play euchre.
McDonalds has Reese's Cups McFlurries, so you can still have chocolate and not just peanut butter.
I think that's lovely.
I like the new stamps with love birdies on them.
Denise Austin is really good at making workout videos.
Someday I will visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
There are so many places that I want to visit that I shouldn't have a free day in my life.
If I could rearrange some things, I would make Pennsylvania and Michigan the same state.
But since they're not, I get to look forward to *his* visit in March!
I wish Spring Break would hurry up a little more.


Ok, it's sleepytime.

Goodnight!


Sunday, January 22, 2006

Far Away But Not Forgotten

"Africa is amazing. Africa is a million and one things. It is a land of contradictions, and a land of great controversy. Africa is more diverse than any other place on the planet. It has experienced the greatest combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill. It is plagued with individuals who are hurting, dirty, and dying. It is plagued with rich leaders. It is strong, joyful and resilient. Africa is filled to the brim with song, dance and soccer. It fills you lungs with life with every burnt breath. It fills your eyes with tears with every sight. The sun blazes, the rain pours. It has more sky than your eyes could possibly take in. Africa is humbling. Africa rips the heart out of your chest and buries it in the rich red soil, knowing that you will someday return, to see the growth. And there is no doubt it will grow. Africa is dangerous, welcoming, and addictive. It is prosperous. It is poor. It is all too overwhelming. Africa knows the value of friendship. Time is not money in Africa. And money goes a long way. Africa holds a mirror up to your soul -- letting you see all your selfish desires, and not letting go, until you're completely broken." ~Invisible Children



Lord, may my life continue to be shaped by the time You gave me in Africa. Open eyes and hearts to the needs and suffering of its precious people. Restore the African land and its people and draw them to Yourself through the ministry of Your devoted servants. Bring comfort and a sense of peace to the people of Africa as they struggle and fight for the kinds of lives we take for granted. For Your glory, Amen.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, too, I guess. Sorry, guys. I've been slacking.

oh, and before anything else, I'd like to say...
CONGRATULATIONS TO CATE LARSEN AND BEN BRYAN!
and
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOY HENDRICKS AND SETH BAKER!
I'm *so* excited for you all!

And I'd like to report that winter break is going well, mostly.
What have I been up to?

Well...
My grandma's funeral.
Time with my mom and grandpa.
Lots of reading and re-reading, mostly C.S. Lewis and some Elisabeth Elliot, by recommendation.
Working again as a sales associate at my favorite little red-doored store in the world!
Not finishing my Christmas shopping.
Talking and writing to my boy. Not enough.
Sleeping. Enough.
Playing euchre and solitaire. Too much.
Traveling across the state for a birthday surprise and Christmas/New Year's party with the extended fam.
Watching movies and making daquaries with a friend at her house for New Year's Eve.
Looking forward to a much-anticipated trip to Pennsylvania, to see Christopher and his family!

January 3rd-8th, HERE I COME!!!

I hope you all are enjoying a lovely holiday and are blessed with all good things this New Year!
Love!