First Days Back

It's really odd. I just noticed this big freckle that I have on my face. I've never noticed it before and am not that happy about it. I was convinced that it had appeared overnight, but Bailey convinced me otherwise after looking through some pictures. So weird. 

Anyway, besides this disconcerting discovery, my week has gone pretty great so far. Monday's classes were good. My Aero 310 professor honestly has a twinkle in his eye. He is this older man that wears ties that match the subject for the day. Yesterday's tie had paper airplanes on it. At the end of class he had us all make planes out of scratch paper and see how far they would fly. Needless to say mine made it about two feet and then took a nosedive into my neighbor's lap. 

Today was a holiday so I went downtown and got a few job applications. I was so impressed with my productivity that I gave myself the rest of the day off and hung out at Tim's for the afternoon. A renewed love for Lord of the Rings and a flower crown are what I have to show for the day. 

Highlights

So, since I didn't write at all over break I thought I would just give my highlights of the last week. 

1. Taking a drive in the country with Bailey while blaring Shania Twain. The hills are so green, and when you get out far enough there's nothing but hills and cows, allowing you to drive fast and sing loud :)

2. Talking with Mrs. Wearin. We went to dinner and talked for two hours, making me extremely happy and the waitress very annoyed. When I describe her as my 7th and 8th grade teacher, it just doesn't cover it. So so much more. I left the restaurant feeling refreshed, happy, and a little nostalgic.

3. Getting a letter from Venancy, the child I sponsor. A picture of him in his Christmas present (a new shirt and pants) came with it. His smile makes me melt.

4. Watching the complete third season of Grey's Anatomy. Shameful, but such a treat.

5. Spending Saturday with my dad and Bailey in Slo. We walked down to the creek and over into the Mission's garden. Pretty and peaceful.

6. Spoiling and cuddling my dogs. My poor parents are having to deal with the aftermath. 

7. Getting a new phone. I am having some major problems texting on it, but besides that I'm happy.

8. Meeting Buckwheat, my neighbor's dog. He is this old golden retriever with the cutest face I've ever seen. Well...excluding Hugh Jackman. His eyes look a little weird in the picture because I messed up while trying to fix the red-eye and couldn't figure out how to undo it. I'm that computer savvy.

9. Going to the Civil War Reenactment in Knights Ferry. We weren't able to stay for the battle, but it was still fun. Bailey and I have made a tradition out of going each year. A history major's guilty pleasure.

Potato Overload

After checking up on panicky Stephanie and her "Feed the Homeless" program this afternoon, the four of us roommates went down to help her make enough twice-baked potatoes for over a hundred people. We found her alone in the rec room's kitchen frantically hand-mashing potatoes. A very sad sight. Not even a free potato could lure students out of their apartments the sunday before finals. Anyway, after about an hour and a half of preparing, we went to serve the dinner at the homeless shelter. I wanted to go, but was a little hesitant about interacting with the homeless. I've never been that successful at it in the past. I just feel like we have nothing in common. But I really enjoyed this. It's not like I had any deep conversations with anyone, but it was fun joking around and making small talk with them as I handed them silverware (yes, my job was that important). So know I am considering helping out at the shelter. There's no question it would be challenging, but I think it would be worth it...

Les Miserables

Okay, I know this is the second post of the day, but I just needed somewhere to have my outburst. I spent the night listening to the soundtrack for Les Miserables. So so amazing. And it makes folding laundry much more enjoyable. I was going to post a link to a youtube video of one of the songs, but I just don't think it does it justice. 

Daydreamings and Buddies

It's official. I've decided where I want to live after college: Prince Edward Island. For those of you who have read Anne of Green Gables, the reasons are pretty self-explanatory. For those of you who haven't, I've posted some pictures of it. After a hectic dead week and a oceanography final looming in my near future, escaping to the world of Avonlea and the "Lake of Shining Waters" sounds pretty ideal. I'm sure a my own personal Gilbert is just waiting for me to show up.

Besides daydreaming about my new future home, I've had a pretty productive day. This morning was the training for the Big Buddies  program (very similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters). I can't wait to get assigned to someone! I'm really hoping for a girl, but I think they have a shortage of guy volunteers so that might not happen. Not that I mind having a boy buddy, it just might be a little harder thinking up activities for the two of us to do. I don't know how much he would enjoy getting a pedicure and baking cakes...

Late Nights

Why do I always stay up so late on Tuesday nights? Four hours until I wake up. Maybe I'm just trying to postpone the pain of an early morning.

Haircuts

Ever get to the point where you just need a haircut? Suddenly, I'm desperate to be at my hairdresser's in Modesto. I'm growing to hate to my hair. I'm almost to the point of walking into a random salon downtown, which is saying something considering how protective I am over my hair. Two more weeks. I can make it. Also, part of me thinks I should try something new, but I don't know what. I can't go too short or people will think I'm Bailey. Any suggestions?

Mission Conference

This Friday Grace had a mission conference. I went with a terrible attitude, the whole time wishing that I has signed up to help with childcare instead of attending the actual conference. Honestly, after a whole week of lectures, sitting down for three hours just doesn't appeal. I'm so glad I went though. What really stuck with me was his question: "Does God have the authority to interrupt the course of my life?" He (sorry, I'm drawing a blank on his name) talked about how too often people sell out for a life and a purpose that is less than what God wants for you. It was convicting and has been making me think. So often I'm tempted to settle for the yellow house and Kitchen Aid blender. But I need to ask myself if this suburbia is the life God wants for me, or the one I want for myself. I just wish God would tell me clearly: "Caitlin, after you graduate, I want you to (fill in the blank)." Sadly, I don't think he always works like that. Anyway, hopefully this will make you think as well. 

Exploring

Without choir this week, I've had the mindset that I don't have that much to do. Which isn't true, but has made for a pretty great week. I've been able to have good one-on-one time with two friends, and even made it for a drive in the hills on Friday. I am loving SLO in the spring. I finally have some more pictures to post, either from the drive or around campus. The drive was inspired when Sarah and I decided that we would go on a quest for wildflowers. Unfortunately we were a little early, but we still managed to do some exploring. This included entering a military base/camp/something on mistake, and discovering a  cute new town that ended up to be SLO. Scary. 

I ended tonight cuddled on Steph's bed with her, Bailey, and Laura. And I got Steph to consider making me a t-shirt quilt for my wedding. Overall a pretty great night.

Donating Blood

Today I gave blood. Its one of those things that, theoretically, I want to do, but actually getting myself down to the booth takes effort. I've done it once before, and both times it has taken forever. I watch as people who checked in half an hour after me walk in and out. I think I spent a little over an hour there. I guess I just have "deep veins." While she was trying to find my vein, the lady (nurse?) gave me a lecture on how "hydration makes for quick donation." Catchy. It still went relatively smoothly though. Considering the last time I donated blood it took 3 attempts, two bandages, and one ice pack, this was much better. Although I did leave with an ice pack. Afterwards, I went to dinner with Bailey and Anna for Anna's birthday. All three of us indulged in macaroni and cheese at Nucci's. Sometimes its just necessary. 

A Random Monday

Yep. I was right. My computer crashed. I went downtown today to bring it to the Mac store, hoping that they could magically fix it. Sadly, that wasn't the case. It was still a pretty nice afternoon though, especially considering the circumstances. I went into Barnes and Noble while waiting for my appointment at the "Genius Bar." At first I was determined to be a responsible history student and get some sort of historical book, but soon gave up and decided to indulge and just get a light read. I ended up compromising, buying a book on Paris during WWII. The last sentence of the description sounds promising: "Moving on to a provincial village now occupied by German soldiers, the locals must learn to coexist with the enemy--in their towns, their homes, even in their hearts." I was debating on whether or not to get it, but "hearts" got me. I'm a sucker for romance. I'm going to be very upset if I was mistaken and they weren't talking about romantic love. Anyway, after reading the book for a while, I went back to see what the verdict was with my computer. Sadly, they aren't able to retrieve the data. I got numerous people asking me if I had backed up my hard drive. Considering I didn't even know that was an option, the answer was no. The Mac store was pretty entertaining though. It was odd to see so many computer-savvy people all in one place. All in all, it was a good afternoon. Its always nice to get off campus and do something out of the ordinary on a school day.

Nooooo!

I am 99% my hard-drive broke...or crashed...or whatever the name for it is. Ugh. 

Procrastination

All afternoon I have been moving from one form of procrastination to another. Scary how easily I can waste a day. Nap, facebook, Friends, facebook, cello, and now blog. 

Last night was my choir concert. I love performing with a choir. SO much better than voice recitals. You get all the perks of performing without the stress of being singled out. Some people would probably disagree, but thats just my introverted opinion. 

On a more serious note, lately I've been thinking about this saying I heard about a month back. Its pretty cheesy, but challenging at the same time. 

"If equal affection cannot be,

Let the more loving one be me."

That's so hard for me. Often, I feel like I like people more than they like me. I know, sounds pitiful and like I have terrible self-esteem. Which I don't, and anyway, that's beside the point. I never want to be the one putting myself out there; the vulnerable one. Lately, I've been in that position and hate it. I really shouldn't though. I mean, look at God. He's constantly in that position. He is always with us and gave everything for us, yet so often I don't even want to spend an hour with Him. I should feel blessed when I love someone, regardless of how they feel about me. Too often I let my pride get in the way. So the goal for the week: love without reservations. Those of you reading this, keep me accountable!