New Year's Eve 2009

Happy New Year's Eve! 

I had a wonderful visit with my family over Christmas.  It was just the four of us, and it was the first time we'd all been in the parsonage at the same time. Though our tree had fewer presents than some previous years (thank you economy), the ones there were more than enough. Plus, the best part was getting to see my brother and my parents. 

When I made plans to come home for Christmas, I fussed about having to leave my NFL Network service in my Lawrence apartment.  The Titans were playing on Christmas Day and I would miss the game!  They would be playing on my birthday in my hometown and I wouldn't get to see them.  Little did I know that my brother had "already solved the problem" (as he put it).  He gave me 2 tickets to the game!  I couldn't believe it!  I was going to see the Titans play on Christmas Day! =)

My 23rd birthday celebration took place on the day after Christmas since my brother and I were at the game all evening on Christmas Day.  Mom cooked a delicious meal and cake.  This year, more than any other year before, I realized that my Christmas dinners are vastly different than most peoples'.  Every Christmas, our evening meal is my birthday dinner, which in my family means we eat whatever I choose.  Every Christmas I get to eat ice cream and birthday cake before the day is done.  Additionally, my present-opening is not finished in the early afternoon like most peoples'.  Instead I get to look forward to suppertime when I open my birthday gifts.  My family and friends don't combine my presents, and Christmas gifts are wrapped in Christmas paper while birthday gifts are wrapped in birthday paper - never the other way around.  When I was younger, I thought that was just the way Christmas was.  Only recently have I realized how unique and special my Christmases are.

Straight No Chaser concert

I had a blast tonight at the Straight No Chaser concert.  I always loved seeing them at DePauw, and they were of course amazing here as well.  I got to here my favorites plus some of their more recent holiday stuff.  The Christmas Can-Can was hilarious!  If you get a chance to see them in concert, do it!  They're a great a cappella group, and even though people think they're a Christmas group, they do waaaaay more than just holiday music.  To hear some, check them out on youtube or their official website.

20 days till I'm 23

Advent. Possibly one of my favorite times of the Christian calendar, musically-speaking.  (the other is Easter, I think).  Though I've had 4 years of not being around my family for most of the Advent season, this year is a little different.  I'll be with them only for the Christmas Eve services.  I really liked being at Mama's church last week for the first Sunday of Advent. 

I haven't yet decorated my apartment, but it's definitely on my list.  I do wish I had an Advent wreath and calendar to celebrate.  I'm hoping to get a Christmas tree, but I just realized this afternoon that I don't have any ornaments for it.  I'm sure I'll gain more than enough in the years to come, but right now I'll have to buy something to get started.  I may even go for some form of tinsel!

Only one week left of classes - for me that's only 5 class sessions.  And one of those is the final meeting of ProSem, which should be somewhat fun.  I'm excited for the end of the week because I'll be going to the SLPH & CLP GSO Christmas party Thursday evening, and then on Saturday I'll see Straight No Chaser in concert.  I love those guys!  I saw them several times at DePauw, but this time I actually had to pay to get in!  I know they'll be more than worth it, though!

Finals week should be fairly un-stressful for me. I've got 2 papers due (one is a group assignment) and only 1 test. I will be taking a trip for the lab on the 17th-19th to Sacramento.  I'm excited because I get to see my Dad's sister and her husband.  I've never seen them in the month of December, much less this close to Christmas!  I'll fly back to KC and then drive to Nashville.  Sugar's gonna come with me, which I think he'll like once the driving part is finished.  I know he's sick of me leaving him!

Thanksgiving Break

In about 15 hours I'll be on my way to see my family for the first time since they moved me in.  I'm excited to see them, even though it will be strange without Max sleeping somewhere nearby.  I'm glad for the break from academics and the lab, since I've given up most of my last 3 weekends.  I'll miss my bunny though....

As usual, we'll be down in Vienna, GA, for our Thanksgiving celebration.  I love gettin' together with all my Parker relatives.  Plus there's always good home-cooked food involved! 

Chicago, again

I'm currently on my third visit of the month.  This time we're in Chicago to work with a family tomorrow.  On the flight tonight the sun had already set (grr early winter sunsets), so we flew in the dark.  It was neat to fly above the clouds and see the stars against the black sky.  Then, as we were descending, we passed through the cloud cover.  It looked like an ocean of fluff and we seemed to float gently on the surface.  The white-gray of the clouds was especially beautiful against the dark sky.  And as usual Chicago was lit up nicely.  It's such a pretty city at night!  Who knew a routine flight to Chicago could be so inspiring!?!

Choir

I had a great time tonight at the KU chamber and concert choir performance.  I got to catch up with a friend from Bellevue UMC and try out a local ice cream shoppe!  Part of what made the concert so nice for me was that they sang a few songs I have performed.  The second piece was my favorite arrangement of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" (arr. Gilbert Martin), and when they sang "Beati Quorum Via" I was transported back to my days as a Ballard HS Madrigal.  And to top it all off, the last song was Moses Hogan's "The Battle of Jericho", which is always a treat to sing or to hear.  Though I didn't understand most of the German lyrics, I did catch a few 'nights' and 'thankyous' in the three pieces.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it through without coughing, but I managed to hide it by coughing during the clapping.  I'm really glad I was able to go!

1st Snows

The rain from the hurricane down south hit us yesterday, but winter really began today when that rain turned to snow.  It was pretty messy this afternoon when the precipitation was 'wintry mix'.  Not a fun walk home, that's for sure.  Now, the snow has returned, and even though it's not sticking to the roads yet all the cars are covered.  I guess November decided to be a winter month instead of a fall month!

Flu Season

I've been sick all week.  Though my fever is gone, I'm still congested and coughing.  I'm even losing my voice!  Ugh. 

Business Trip #2

Had a whirlwind business trip to Rochester, NY, on Friday and Saturday.  We landed in the Rochester airport Friday afternoon, and then flew out again less than 24 hours later.  The assessment went well, and the flights were smooth, despite a 3-hour layover in Chicago.  I ate in an airport restaurant for the 1st and 2nd times!  Been pretty tired today, but glad I can chill out with football.

I'm finally getting sick for the first time this season, and it seems that I'm skipping the cold stage and going straight to bronchitis.  I've got too much going on in the next 6 weeks to get sick!

Silly Bunny

And he got himself up there....

Business Traveling

Just got back from my first business trip.  It was a whirlwind 2-assessment trip for the lab. Flew to Milwaukee via Chicago on Friday, then early Sunday morning flew to Grand Rapids via Chicago, then drove to Muskegon and back to Grand Rapids, then flew home via Chicago on Monday. I'm exhausted.

I'll miss you...

On September 30, 2009, my wonderful, sweet, loyal, affectionate, big-hearted, soft, fluffy, beautiful golden retriever Max died.

We had 12 amazing years with him.  We adopted him in 1997 after a friend found him as a stray, living in the woods.  He died peacefully, with Mom & Dad, after a good long life.

Labor Day

I'm thrilled to actually get to recognize Labor Day for the first time in four years.  DePauw never gave us the day off, but at KU I don't have class or work!

If you've been following my posts on Facebook, you know that I've successfully removed a huge spider from my apartment...

and that I enjoy taking photos and videos of my bunny's antics.

and it begins

I've successfully completed three weeks of work in the FXS lab.  Tomorrow, I'll add classes to that.  I'm nervous but excited about it, specifically about the 20,000 students and the getting all around campus in 15 minutes or less.

It's storming now, so I need to get off the computer.  The storms out here are BEAUTIFUL!!

Still in limbo

Dad and I did manage to find me an apartment.  I love it, but I won't be able to move in until Aug. 5th, which is frustrating since I start work July 27th.  Oh well.  Extended StayAmerica it is!  I'll be taking my rabbit, but he won't come with me until Aug. 5th I think.

The family successfully moved to Tennessee, and now we're spending time unpacking boxes.  Unfortunately, since I'll be leaving again in 2 weeks, my stuff doesn't get unpacked.  So my room is warehouse-esque and will stay that way until I'm in Kansas.



Max loves the new house and yard - both are flat and there are only a few stairs.  He was pretty nervous during all the packing and moving, but now he has calmed down and even found some favorite sleeping spots.  He also likes his new neighbors!  We took him over one evening to romp with the Jack Russell terrier and Golden Retriever next door, and they seemed to enjoy it.  The terrier still likes to bark at Max from the other side of the fence, though.

The house is pretty cool.  It's about 60 years old, and it still has old-fashioned 4-prong phone jacks (they don't even make adapters for them now!).  There are several closets that are only about 18 inches deep, and we've nicknamed them fake closets since they look big until you open the door.  I love the big windows in every room, especially the bay window in the living room.  Mom's already decided it's perfect for a Christmas tree!  In some ways I'm sad I won't be living here much longer.

I'm really excited about grad school, but I'm also a little nervous.  I like the people I'm working with, and I know I'll relax once I know what to expect.  I've always disliked first days of work or school, and this is no exception.  I'm thrilled about the opportunity, even if I'm a little nervous about the specifics.

Apartment Hunting

Day 2

Whew.  Yesterday Dad and I drove all over Lawrence, KS, looking for a place for me to live next year.  We were a little worried when it seemed like all the places near campus were full for the fall.  But then we stopped by a complex we had only passed by on Wednesday.  Success!  I even put a hold on the apartment to give us 3 days to decide.  We've got another appointment today, and I'm sure we'll drive around a ton too, but at this point I do have a place to live.  It's a bit pricy, but totally worth it since it's head and shoulders above all the other places.  The only problem is that it's not available until Aug. 5.  And I have to start work at the lab July 27.  So we've got to figure out somewhere for me to stay for about 10 days.

Meeting Baby Becca

Mom baptized baby Becca this morning.  I was thrilled to finally meet the little miracle - despite a VERY rocky start she's thriving!  I knew I'd have to battle with her extended family to get a chance to hold her, but Nancy made sure I got my turn!  She looked up at me with such inquisitive, admiring eyes.  She did the same with Mom while she was being baptized.  You can almost see the wheels turning in her head as she watches!  It was fun, too, to hear her vocalizations and compare them to the ones I recorded for my senior thesis.  Lol.  Sometimes I'm too much of a student.

Graduation!

Finally, two and a half weeks after the event took place, I have photos to post from my graduation.  On May 17, 2009, I graduated cum laude from DePauw University with a BA in psychology.  =)  I'm beyond thrilled!!

We had a perfect day -- sunny with a breeze to take the edge off the heat -- for the outdoor ceremony.  It took fully 2 and a half hours to get through everything, but I was pretty excited so I didn't mind.  I can't believe I've got a degree now!

almost done

I just finished the final edits on my senior thesis.  I'll turn it in first thing tomorrow morning.  I can't believe it's done!  I've still got to put together a presentation about it, but I'm not so worried about that since the paper's done.  Plus, this work earned me the Senior Thesis and Research awards from the department!

The end is in sight

one. more. week.  can i make it??  thesis is due in T-5 days.  Eeeek!!!

The Final Leg

Rounding the last weekend of my final spring break as an undergrad.  Whew!  Only 50ish days left till I have letters after my name!  Then the fam's moving to Nashville, TN, and I'm heading to the Univ. of Kansas.  I'll be joining their Child Language program as a doctoral student.  I'm thrilled to have a position in the Fragile X lab as a GRA. :) The next adventure is to find an apartment....

a glinting foot

of SNOW!!  We got about 12 inches yesterday, though it is hard to tell since they've been scraping and plowing all day.

I'm excited to walk around in it today, even though it's still super cold.  Volleyball class got cancelled, but at this point I've still got Abnormal Psych.  and work.  Ah yes, work.  I feel like I might as well live there these days, I'm there so much!  In fact, I have some students asking me that :)

I'm off to a pretty good start to the semester.  I love having only a few hours of class a week, even though I'm constantly working on my theses in every spare moment.  I'm honestly more than a little nervous about my Honor Scholar one....

breathless

I'm tired of not being able to breathe.  And yawning every five seconds if I do more than stand up or sit down.  Ugh.  I'm not physically tired but it feels like I am since I have to work so hard to get sufficient oxygen into my lungs.  Darn asthma.

back at school

I do believe I set a new personal record last night.  I had a social life within 36 hours of being back on campus!  Thanks Jamie! :)  We had some yummy Mexican food and a delightful catch-up conversation about life since Costa Rica.  It's amazing how you can go to the same school and live 2 houses apart but not know what's up with life.  And at the same time you can keep up with friends who are hundreds of miles away with just the click of a button.  Dad fears that email and instant messaging will overshadow letter-writing.  I hope not, but if it does happen, do you think people will still remember how to write?  I mean, we're all typing all the time, especially at college or work.  Assignments are submitted online so as to save paper, and even tests are being completed via computer!  Perhaps Tablet PCs will allow us to maintain our handwriting quirks even if paper become obsolete...

25 Below

It is COLD.  I don't think I've ever been in wind chills this cold.  And I know it's even worse north of here!  I have to keep the space heater cranked up just to keep my room above freezing!  I think it's supposed to warm up tomorrow.  I hope so.  I'm running out of clean clothes, wearing so many layers!

Driving up on Wednesday, my car got FILTHY!!  I drove into and through at least one snowstorm, and when I got to school the roads weren't plowed.

[caption id="attachment_64" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="My car after driving back to school through snow storms"][/caption]

It was clean when I left!  And now my windshield wiper fluid is frozen :( so I guess it'll stay dirty a little longer...

Back at School

Wind chills below zero shouldn't be allowed.  At least when there's little-to-no insulation in your room.  Ugh.  I have a space heater, but it can only do so much against single-digit temps and negative wind chills.  Thankfully the snow is pretty! :)  Unfortunately my bike sat out in it for the past month, and is still covered now.  I guess I'll be doing a bit of greasing in a few days.

Missed Calls Can Change Games

So the Titans lost yesterday.  They turned the ball over way too many times, but still, they should have held it together and won.  Unfortunately, one of the game-changers was a missed delay-of-game call.  I understand that there is a little delay that happens when the back judge looks from the play clock to the ball, but still.  This was about a 2.5 second delay AFTER the play clock expired.  And yes, if the Titans had been taking care of the football and that, it wouldn't have mattered.  But the fact is that it did.  If the Ravens had been flagged with that penalty, Flacco wouldn't have made that huge completion that down.  They would've been 5 yards and 1 down farther away from Stover's field goal range.   Who knows, maybe the score would be different!?!

see:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090110/SPORTS01/90110025/1027

Epiphany

Epiphany.  The time of the wise men's visit to the Christ child.  The last day of Christmas.  Time to put away my Christmas watch.  We're taking down the Christmas tree and packing away the decorations.  I'll be sad to see the lights go away.  They've been a wonderful reminder of the hope we still can have despite these gray days.