Mr. Barkey Van Schauzer

I am a slacker… I once again am pulling the TOO BUSY card when it comes to bogging. Once again my apologies to those of you who check daily or even periodically and never see anything new. I am writing to you live from one of my favorite places in the world. I have a pretty decent view of my favorite lake and a hot cup of coffee and a good quilt. Life is good. Today there was a change in my Monday night plans. Instead of the usual selections from “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” (a must read), and driving around Paris via XBox I went for a run/walk/pull with my 90lb four legged friend. It was quite incredible. We make a pretty amazing duo. That was pretty much obvious from the start but tonight the deal was sealed. As I ran with the Frisbee in my mouth and he ran with not even his tongue in his we shared something. Something special. I have decided that I need someone like him in my life everyday to keep me going when I want to be slow and lazy and I think he would agree that he needs someone like me to….(still exploring my purpose in his life)(don’t read too much into that either). ANYWAY…. I have come to the conclusion that my attachment to this dog (and if you know me this is very rare) is yet another reason why leaving Duluth will be a challenge. I think when its time for me to leave I might just fall to the ground in his yard not willing to move for anything but food like he did tonight after our activities. I think the guy has it made!!!

Oh to Joy

"OH TO JOY" One of my favorite Hymns. At least it was growing up I can tell you its on Page 89 of the UMC hymnal. Joy is the theme. Joy for my dads birthday, Joy for my moms retirement, Joy for my friend who rearranged her life today, Joy for the birth of Alise, Joy for my brother in laws promotion, Joy to new gardens, Joy for the Science Museum, McDonald's coffee and oh so much more. I have been reminded by so many people lately what Joy is. Our capacity for it and the overall experience. I experienced great joy at my DCOM interview on Monday. Feeling the overwhelming support and excitement from my District Super and District Committee. This was experienced through much laughter and sharing. My need for Joy has allowed me to open my eyes to things like love and be even more receiving of love, support, and hospitality. This week I have learned so much about loyalty. I am so pleased with what I have done for myself. So grateful for the support system I have created and maintained over the years. Even more please that I don't have to tap into it as much as one would imagine. I know a lot of people from my home church and my family read this blog and I greatly appreciate all of your love support and prayers. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Screaming with excitement for what is in store for all of us!

Everything is Coming up Roses

Isn't Spring Great? Today spring is here.... tomorrow there might be 4 inches of snow on the ground but today it is beautiful out... and here I sit inside... I think it's funny that I chose today to be productive. Not Thursday or Friday when it was cool and windy out... but today....a glorious wind free sunshine filled day. I am blogging live from DB where I log the majority of my coffee shop hours... (Despite the fact that in the last two weeks I have been busted and the bix twice....)My loyalty to the DB is like no other. I am a little too comfortable here for I have striped off my sweater and shoes, opened the window by my little table and propped up my feet. The window ledge is full of my junk (calculator, cell phone, keys, my pencil box, pictures of my friends... jk to that last one). Today is one of those days I like homework. I think its because I have nothing better to do.... Although mother nature is beckoning I am at ease in the arms of the DB. Content with the upcoming two exam week, content with my to do list and the piling up of math assignments; all now posted for the rest of the semester.... ugh that's a stretch.. but just try and get me down... I dare you. Thank the Lord for delayed gratification.... upcoming weeknight fun makes weekend homework so doable. Everything is Coming up Roses!

Isn't Spring Great? Today spring is here.... tomorrow there might be 4 inches of snow on the ground but today it is beautiful out... and here I sit inside... I think it's funny that I chose today to be productive. Not Thursday or Friday when it was cool and windy out... but today....a glorious wind free sunshine filled day. I am blogging live from DB where I log the majority of my coffee shop hours... (Dispite the fact that in the last two weeks I have been busted and the bix twice....)My loyalty to the DB is like no other. I am a little too comfortable here for I have striped off my sweater and shoes, opened the window by my little table and propped up my feet. The window ledge is full of my junk (calculator, cell phone, keys, my pencil box, pictures of my friends... jk to that last one). Today is one of those days I like homework. I think its because I have nothing better to do.... Although mother nature is beckoning I am at ease in the arms of the DB. Content with the upcoming two exam week, content with my to do list and the piling up of math assignments; all now posted for the rest of the semester.... ugh that's a stretch.. but just try and get me down... I dare you. Thank the Lord for delayed gratification.... upcoming weeknight fun makes weekend homework so doable.

Repetition @ its best

So it is beautiful out. I really wanted to take the day off and go walking by the lake... (not sure it is that nice out...) but I am really itching to do the lake walk... run the lake walk even. This is a zest of motivation I haven't experienced in a while. Today is crazy in an excellent way. It is amazing how burden free I feel when I don't have math homework to do. I would rather do anything in the world before I would choose to do math. Some examples:

• Eat tuna (I despise tuna)
• Clean up after my roommates
• Hang out with my roommates
• Go to the dentist
• Dance for money(despite the need for it)
• Run for president
• Be probed by aliens
• Attend bio Lab (wow can't even believe it myself)
• Walk alone through the bad parts of town at night
• etc...

A math free day is a glimpse of heaven. A math free day doesn't require me to go to school 3 hours early to hang out with the tutors in the tutoring center. A math free day allows me to have the morning to watch a few episodes of full house. A math free day allows me to eat breakfast and even lunch! A math free day means time for coffee with a Friend (two if I am lucky). A math free day does require me however to go to class because most likely tomorrow will not be a math free day.

Quickly slow down

So I have this bad habit of wishing my life away. Everyday when I drive to school I say "yes its already Tuesday" **positive self talk that keeps me from turning the car around**. Could the week go any faster? Could the semester be done any quicker? Could it be may already? How about June? Not looking forward to July but Sept. I'll be settled and in a better place... or will I...I do this with other things too... Like planning. I am already planning what my apt. will look like in Evanston. I have already planned visits with friends and vowed to pick up their bus ticket to come see me. I have already decided what I will eat and drink to remind me of my friends in Duluth. When I miss LeBec I will make her orange sherbet/chocolate ice cream/ almond/whip cream combo, and when I need a Sara fix I will probably spend some quite time with Lemon tea/honey/and vinegar... (extra vinegar depending on the day). The Cheddar sour cream ruffles and dip will always take me back to times with Marisa... and I plan on having all of these things on hand at all times... for those desperate moments when I need them and can't have them. Its crazy that I do this because I pride myself in my ability to savor the moment. I know what I have and its amazing... I could linger over a cup of coffee or after church or on the porch just knowing how special and precious all of these times are. I think all of the hustle and bustle and my wishing away my life is a defense against what is to come... Bring it on I say....but lets cram as much in as we can until then....OK??

PeAcE

I am having trouble finding peace. I think it has a lot to do with sharing a small townhouse with four other individuals. That is 5 different definitions of peace and 5 people requiring different amounts of it. I have been on a quest for peace for some time now. Just last night I struggled finding a peaceful place to have a private phone conversation. I had to shut my door and turn up the volume of my TV just to have a private conversation with Clara (my sister). Two nights ago in order to not hear the music being blared by my roommates I turned my room radio on to block their sound and headphones and an ipod to listen to what it was I really could stand to hear (Grace Kelly). It’s interesting to me how we all have different requirements for peace. Mine change daily. Today I would settle for the girl next to me on her cell phone to just tone it down a notch. Last night I needed to be in another building with people not screaming and laughing loud enough that I can hear them behind closed doors(not bitter). This morning I got a text msg. from Clara. I am not even sure if she is completely aware for my search for peace but she sent me a quote by Max Lucado that is about just that. It said “Peace is promised to the one who fixes thoughts & desires on the King.” I don’t think peace and quiet was ever promised and I know life isn’t supposed to be a breeze. Fortunately for me I fall near the center on the introvert extrovert continuum. I am able most times to adapt or accommodate in any un-peaceful/uncomfortable situation. I am once again VERY BLESSED to have people who push and pull and even drag me various directions. We all need a handful of those friends who will “take you out for ice cream” to cheer you up. However as essential as ice cream is to our lives we need those people who will kick us around until you are facing the right direction( I mean that in a loving way. spoken with gratitude for those people in my life). In my favorite Ginny Owens song she says “you never said it would be easy. You only said I’d never go alone…” Thanks for all the quotes, kicks, and ice cream!!!