S-N-O-W

More snow.

And we also have snow.

There is a lot of snow.

It snows a lot.

Yep! You get the point. Every day that it snows more, I try to have a good attitude about it, but I'm not very good at it. This morning I woke up to snow falling again. I was not super excited about it, but when I complained to Brei, she said, "No, it's wonderful" or something to that affect. Each to his own I guess. Then last night when I was complaining to my twin about the constant snow, he said he wished he could have it. I tried to convince him he wouldn't really want it, but, once again, each to his own.

There are other people here who love the snow. "Keep it coming" they seem to say. Oh, well, at least I have Hannah to sulk with, although, she's probably better at having a better attitude. Then there is also my professor who doesn't like the constant snow either. So, I do have a few to relate to.

I am in Minnesota, so what did I expect?

Sad thing is, I'm hearing about all the flowers springing up in North and South Carolina. I want the flowers again!

Anyway, I guess I'll just have to wait patiently for the arrival of Minnesota spring. 

It's Just Another Day

A picture poem, where the picture corresponds with what is written directly below it.

Picking up the food on the floor
Sometimes I eat it if it's good
Wondering if I'll grow more
Because I eat enough that I could.

Walking down the busy street
Because it's nice to be out and walk
Learning how to clearly speak
So people know what I mean when I talk.

Passing you on the stairs
I smile because I can
Wind blows my messy hairs
As I open the door, man.

Sitting on a bed as I read for school
Wondering if I'll be done by sunset
Closing the blinds as it gets cool
Sun goes down and I get upset.

Going to bed and dreaming
Getting up in a tired way
Going to school soul-screaming
With joy because it's another day.

Wondering what's happening next
Because I kinda wanna know
I've been sort of twisted and flexed
And I'm growing with each new blow.

I peek out the window 'cause I heard a car
And I want to know who it is that came
Because I'm way too nosy by far
But I like to see people even if that's lame.

I walk around through the school hall
Looking for someone I might talk to
I see and talk with my brother-in-law
And then to our own classes we walk to.

So, I eat, I talk, I pray
I wonder, smile, and run away
I do ordinary stuff every day
And wonder as I work and play.

Just living life like we always do
We all got our own bitter drink
But seriously, we're all people too
We ain't so different as we think.

So, I'm working on things like that
Seeing others as my equals in life
Trying not to be a grumpy cat
And not create bitterness and strife.

God made this just another day
But it's like another little chance
To shine upon your weary way
And maybe make your heart dance.

Icicles, Snow Piles, and Sunshine

I remember when my sister Hannah first came up here, and she wrote to me in the winter about the huge icicles that would hang off the roofs. I never saw any very big ones last year, or maybe that was due in part to the fact that I was in the basement. Either way, I have definitely seen a lot this year. It is quite fascinating how they grow and grow. Some of them are probably closely to 4 feet in length.

_Side note: Christina just started played "Autumn Glow." Ah...let me just sit here and listen to the melodious tune.

......

OK, sorry about that. It is just one of the most mesmerizing songs I've ever heard.

Anywayyyy....Yes, so there are long icicles, and there has also been a monstrocity of snow this year. I'm not a fan. Oh, well, what did I expect? I've been telling my southern friends about the conditions up here. Some of them wish they had this, and I try to explain to them that they probably don't know what they are talking about.

Also, the sun has shown his face brightly lately. Let me tell you about yesterday.

The sun was shining so gloriously in the morning, and I decided to walk to Cardigan where Priscilla works. It was warm, I think Ellie said it was 19 degrees, and it felt like spring. I had a lovely walk, and it was so refreshing to be out and about. I arrived at Cardigan and started studying. Justus came over with Priscilla after a bit and they sat down. We chatted a bit. Justus is on jury duty so he wasn't in class, but he was on lunch break. He ate his My Burger hamburger, and Priscilla gave me some cold pizza and Earl Gray tea. Justus and I sat and studied while Priscilla went back to work. After a while, Justus left, and before too long, Priscilla finished work and we left together. As we left her shop, we were able to look up through the glass ceiling in the sky way and see the snow swirling about viciously. Wow! It kind of surprised both of us because it had been so beautiful.

Anyway, it still ended up being a nice time with her, but it was so strange too. And then later, the sun came out again and it was beautiful again!

So, yes, I think the weather as emotions too.
Just kidding, but it can be humorous.

Icicles hanging outside my window. 

Dripping with ice. 

This isn't the best picture, but these are the really long icicles I was talking about. 

The power line is caught in the snare of ice. 

Like a line of prisms set up to shimmer and shine. 

The ever-growing snow pile outside my house. 

I like how the wind blows the snow in patterns.

Blue sky, a rare treasure as of late. 

The sun reflects off this building...

and lightens up my room even though the sun is on the opposite side of the house. 

Ice in the last glimmers of the evening. 

The passageway between the snow piles on either side of the driveway. 

Another view of the snow pile. You can see how it is much taller than Josie's car, and it has blocked the back driveway completely

Just Weird

Sometimes I am just weird. I don't know how else to describe it. I guess these pictures will have to describe it for you. 

Ever feel like a bat? Probably not, but I guess I did. 

Ever had Pocky sticks? 

They're little biscuit strips with a coating of, in this case, cookies'n'cream stuff. They come from Thailand and I bought them at the Korean market in town. Fun and smelly place to shop. 

I also experimented late one night with the flash. I put a blue blanket in front of the flash, and ta-da, I turned blue myself. Wow!

Yes, just a glimpse into some of my weirdness. 

What is a weird or unusual thing about you?

White House Tea

I had the great idea to host another tea party at the White House as I had done a year and a half ago here. It actually turned out to be a pretty good success this year, with lots of guys showing up. Sadly, this was the first tea party for some of them, but I hope it was not their last. 

Lots of food and crowding around the dining room table. I absolutely love it. 

The smell of home made chai and Good Cake filled the air, and the voices of freshmen, sophomores, seniors, and alumni mingled together. I also love that: bringing the many classes together to talk, eat, and enjoy company. 

The twins who are totally not twins. 

John and Scott I'm sure discussing some deep thing. 

Abby, Leuxie, and Jessica. 

Crocheting, discussing, and working. Colton, the guy on the right, was only there in order to work on our failing radiators and boiler. 

Singing commenced. One of my all-time favorites. 

Christina, Elliot, Tyler, and Daniel seem to be amusing themselves with something, while John stands in the background, Justus plays the piano, and Jack looks on. 

What a good day. I hope it won't be long before we get to do this again. 

Birds in Flight.

Women of Truth and Love

Today I'd like to introduce each of my house mates to you. They are all women of the Lord with a strong desire to please and honor Him. It has been a great blessing being able to live with them and get to know them for the past three weeks. It seems like I have know them for so much longer than just three weeks! Wow!

And the lighting is terrible, so enjoy. Anyway, these are my house mates: Ellie, Josie, Brei, and Christina. 

More terrible pictures.

First, Ellie. She smiles a lot and smiles big. She can be quiet in social settings but very humorous at home. She struggles with different things, but she's willing to come out and say she's struggling and ask for prayer. She's generous with her food, books, and time. And she grinds coffee beans every morning. I am very thankful for Ellie. 

Josie has a wonderful smile hidden behind her sometimes solemn-looking face. She has an awesome voice that is full of meaning, but then she'll brake out into a most delightful laugh. She says how she is really feeling about something and wants to please God in her life. She is honest and genuine. I am blessed to know Josie. 

Brei has a brilliant smile and her laugh is absolutely contagious. She is very sympathetic towards the needs of others. She has a love for God and His Word and loves to pray. She is meaningful and honest in how she is doing. She is also part Romanian, so of course, I was delighted to be in her house. She's had a rough life, but God has done amazing things in her and continues to work and use her for His glory. I am grateful for Brei. 

Finally, Christina. She often flashes a big smile my way. She love the Lord and has a wonderful child-like joy that permeates the house and pretty much wherever she goes. The other day she commented that I am her southern sister. That about sums it up. We have so much fun together, and she brings so much joy and laughter into my life. She is honest, cheerful, and smart. I am happy to live with Christina. 

So, there they are, four beautiful, lovely women who I get to live with. God knew what was best for me and where I needed to be this semester.