Not so much anymore...
Hi all, I've just realized I haven't posted here since before the Ice Age, so I thought I'd post some random frozen thoughts. I'm working at home today, and watching all the orange dump trucks with their loads of snow driving down into the park to the little clearing where the city dumps its snow. Can't imagine that they still have any room for more... I think this weekend I'm going to hike down there with the kids to see if it's possible to climb the peaks!
Congrats to Declan on the acceptance and scholarhips, and Susan good luck with the interviews! I'm happy that the writers' strike is over and I can get back into the swing of things. One unexpected benefit of the strike is that I'm now in touch with Neil Gaiman, author of some very wonderful fantasy books... yesterday, I asked him for some advice for Capri on her fantasy writing, and he sent back this advice: make it believable! Capri was pretty thrilled to get writing advice from an author whose work she truly loves. Unlike advice from, say, me... :)
Cheers, everyone!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Good Morning Everyone
Thought it was time to update the news from New Jersey. Declan has been accepted to Music School. He auditioned at The University of the Arts, which is a small school in Philadelphia, on January 19th, came out with a smile on his face, and found out he was accepted a week ago. He was also awarded The UArts Promising Artist Scholarship in recognition of his "potential for outstanding achievement in the arts". All that noodling around in the basement has paid off!
His last audition is at Rutgers tomorrow. New School University-School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC was last Thursday. Dec has also submitted recordings to William Paterson U in NJ and SUNY-Purchase College, but hasn't heard back from either yet.
Philly is probably his first choice, so this acceptance and recognition was all the sweeter.
Magda is spending Junior Year Here- a new concept- and is preparing for a 5 college dance performance and spring rowing.
She danced with a guest choreographer during January term. Two semesters more and she will be student teaching, probably in one of the stressed-out urban districts near Mt Holyoke.
Lyn and I are now contemplating our transition to empty nesters. Amazing!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thanks for the great update, Domi! Everything sounds like great fun out there. If we could send you some of this snow and horrible driving conditions, I would! The snow is great, but the ice, freeze-thaw cycles and the tornadoes and blizzard conditions every couple of days could stop anytime. Bridget has gotten alot of bad weather driving experience and none of us have ended up in the ditch!
Colin was home for the weekend to work at Alpine. Bridget had 25 friends over for a pot luck dinner on Sat. which was alot of fun. She wore Mom's red satin bridesmaid's dress for Aunt Ann's wedding, which still looks very good. The last time it was worn was in the 80's when I wore it for a retro dance. I didn't bother trying it on again when I saw it on her! Jay is working alot of hours at H&R Block but doesn't think he'll do it again next year. The clientele is worse than the clinic and they all want the high interest refund loans which are a pain to process.
I just had my third interview for the positions in the Oconomowoc area. I should know something in a couple of weeks. They would be more intense jobs which would be a longer commute and more hours, and I would have to learn my fourth job in 3 years. Nicer people, though, which could make it all worthwhile. If I get Alzeimers, I am going to be very upset after all this intense brain stimulation.
Well, time to call it a night. 5:30 comes quickly and we are supposed to have more snow tonight. Hope everyone is staying warm and dry! Love, Susan
Colin was home for the weekend to work at Alpine. Bridget had 25 friends over for a pot luck dinner on Sat. which was alot of fun. She wore Mom's red satin bridesmaid's dress for Aunt Ann's wedding, which still looks very good. The last time it was worn was in the 80's when I wore it for a retro dance. I didn't bother trying it on again when I saw it on her! Jay is working alot of hours at H&R Block but doesn't think he'll do it again next year. The clientele is worse than the clinic and they all want the high interest refund loans which are a pain to process.
I just had my third interview for the positions in the Oconomowoc area. I should know something in a couple of weeks. They would be more intense jobs which would be a longer commute and more hours, and I would have to learn my fourth job in 3 years. Nicer people, though, which could make it all worthwhile. If I get Alzeimers, I am going to be very upset after all this intense brain stimulation.
Well, time to call it a night. 5:30 comes quickly and we are supposed to have more snow tonight. Hope everyone is staying warm and dry! Love, Susan
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Can someone please teach Po how to make a heart?
So. I just kinda sorta finished all the homework I needed to get done this weekend. For the most part. Ish. You get the idea. But I thought writing a new blog was much more important, so here goes:
School is chugging along. I’m mostly happy with my classes for this semester. I’m still in Italian, which is getting less and less fun each time I have to wake up at 7:30am to be able to shower, eat, and walk there by 9am. Actually, I’m very ready for Italian to be over. I don’t think I’ll be continuing my studies of this language, unless I go abroad there. But no more learning languages in a classroom. It’s no fun.
I’m in a Global Geography class that I really love. The professor kind of looks like Mrs Kim from Gilmore Girls, so that makes it a little hard to take her seriously, but the class is great. I love geography. Oh yeah, I don’t think I’ve told you this yet but I’m gonna be a drama and earth science and society double major. Yes. Science. I know. But I don’t mind earth science. However, if I take a math class, someone please whack me. K? Thanks.
I’m in the two intro drama classes this semester, and they’ve both been great. One is stagecraft, where you learn how to build flats and platforms and learn the basics of lighting and sound design. The professor’s kinda crazy, but the class is pretty interesting. Everyone had to pick a crew to participate in and I’m on the sets crew, which is awesome because they don’t actually have any sets for us to be working on, so the guy in charge ishaving us make daggers. Mine is amazingly cool. I love it. And I get to play with saws. Fun! The other drama class is all about the production process of putting on a play. It’s been very informative, but very time consuming. I really love it, tho. It’s very creative and as long as you have a reason for what you’re doing, you can’t ever be wrong, which is great.
The last class I’m taking is Philosophy in Contemporary Issues. It’s been quite boring so far, but I think that’s just because we’ve only been studying the different schools of thought, all of which are very impractical and I only agree with parts of them. Hopefully when we start actually discussing the issues it will get more interesting!
Let’s see, other things that are going on:
Fencing: we’ve had three tournaments since West Point. One was at Yale, and I must say that it made me extremely glad there are no frats at Vassar. And that people at Vassar, even spectators, tend to value good sportsmanship. Another tournament was at Boston College, and neither of our foil subs could come, and one of our foilists was having ankle problems, so I ended up fencing foil, which means I’ve now competed with all three weapons. And I won my first Saber bout, which was a great feeling! I wish I’d won a foil bout, but I kinda forgot that foil’s not a slashing weapon… Our last tournament was yesterday at Wellesley, and Vassar was undefeated! I lost all three of my bouts, but I’m not terribly broken up about it.
Choir/Singing: Choir is going really well. I’ve been moved from alto to second soprano, which is great because it means I get to carry on the second soprano tradition! And we’re singing my all-time favorite choir song this semester: Water Night by Eric Whitaker. It’s so beautiful! I’m really excited!!! I also re-auditioned for The Vastards, an a capella group on campus. I was called back this time, which was really exciting (I think it may have something to do with the fact that I made my friend Ben teach me how to sing pop, since that’s all they sing). I didn’t get in, which was really disappointing, but they only let in one tenor out of all the people they called back, and there was really no chance that I could have joined as a tenor, so I guess that’s ok.
Acting: I didn’t get cast in the Drama Department shows this semester, which I was kinda bummed about, but they weren’t doing anything that I was super excited about, so I think everything turned out for the best there. More disappointing was not being cast in Bare, the student-run musical theater production this semester. But it’s a rock opera, and this is before I made Ben teach me to kind of sing pop, so I guess I didn’t really have too great chance to get in. And I just went and did callbacks for three different student-run shows today, so hopefully I get cast in one of them! I really don’t know anything about any of them, but what I read of the scripts at the callbacks was good! I’ll let you know the verdict of that as I find out. Also, another thing that is very exciting, is that the director of Pound of Flesh (the group that I did The Tempest with last semester) has asked me to Assistant Direct next semester, which means that I would take over the group my Junior year, which is a really amazing opportunity. I said yes, of course, but only if I can audition for the Department shows as well, because I can’t really afford to miss those again, especially if I’m going JYA (Junior Year Abroad). Busy busy busy!
Um, I think that’s everything for now…
OH! I’m super, uber jealous of the snow in Wisconsin! We did just get like an inch today, but that’s kinda more pathetic than anything.
And I watched the last minute of the Super Bowl, which was totally worth it, and, despite the fact that it shoulda been the Packers, it sure was nice to see the Patriots lose.
Also, I got my absentee ballot in the mail the other day and I’m very excited to vote! Yeah Obama!
Ok, now I really think that’s everything… yeah. Yeah it is.
School is chugging along. I’m mostly happy with my classes for this semester. I’m still in Italian, which is getting less and less fun each time I have to wake up at 7:30am to be able to shower, eat, and walk there by 9am. Actually, I’m very ready for Italian to be over. I don’t think I’ll be continuing my studies of this language, unless I go abroad there. But no more learning languages in a classroom. It’s no fun.
I’m in a Global Geography class that I really love. The professor kind of looks like Mrs Kim from Gilmore Girls, so that makes it a little hard to take her seriously, but the class is great. I love geography. Oh yeah, I don’t think I’ve told you this yet but I’m gonna be a drama and earth science and society double major. Yes. Science. I know. But I don’t mind earth science. However, if I take a math class, someone please whack me. K? Thanks.
I’m in the two intro drama classes this semester, and they’ve both been great. One is stagecraft, where you learn how to build flats and platforms and learn the basics of lighting and sound design. The professor’s kinda crazy, but the class is pretty interesting. Everyone had to pick a crew to participate in and I’m on the sets crew, which is awesome because they don’t actually have any sets for us to be working on, so the guy in charge ishaving us make daggers. Mine is amazingly cool. I love it. And I get to play with saws. Fun! The other drama class is all about the production process of putting on a play. It’s been very informative, but very time consuming. I really love it, tho. It’s very creative and as long as you have a reason for what you’re doing, you can’t ever be wrong, which is great.
The last class I’m taking is Philosophy in Contemporary Issues. It’s been quite boring so far, but I think that’s just because we’ve only been studying the different schools of thought, all of which are very impractical and I only agree with parts of them. Hopefully when we start actually discussing the issues it will get more interesting!
Let’s see, other things that are going on:
Fencing: we’ve had three tournaments since West Point. One was at Yale, and I must say that it made me extremely glad there are no frats at Vassar. And that people at Vassar, even spectators, tend to value good sportsmanship. Another tournament was at Boston College, and neither of our foil subs could come, and one of our foilists was having ankle problems, so I ended up fencing foil, which means I’ve now competed with all three weapons. And I won my first Saber bout, which was a great feeling! I wish I’d won a foil bout, but I kinda forgot that foil’s not a slashing weapon… Our last tournament was yesterday at Wellesley, and Vassar was undefeated! I lost all three of my bouts, but I’m not terribly broken up about it.
Choir/Singing: Choir is going really well. I’ve been moved from alto to second soprano, which is great because it means I get to carry on the second soprano tradition! And we’re singing my all-time favorite choir song this semester: Water Night by Eric Whitaker. It’s so beautiful! I’m really excited!!! I also re-auditioned for The Vastards, an a capella group on campus. I was called back this time, which was really exciting (I think it may have something to do with the fact that I made my friend Ben teach me how to sing pop, since that’s all they sing). I didn’t get in, which was really disappointing, but they only let in one tenor out of all the people they called back, and there was really no chance that I could have joined as a tenor, so I guess that’s ok.
Acting: I didn’t get cast in the Drama Department shows this semester, which I was kinda bummed about, but they weren’t doing anything that I was super excited about, so I think everything turned out for the best there. More disappointing was not being cast in Bare, the student-run musical theater production this semester. But it’s a rock opera, and this is before I made Ben teach me to kind of sing pop, so I guess I didn’t really have too great chance to get in. And I just went and did callbacks for three different student-run shows today, so hopefully I get cast in one of them! I really don’t know anything about any of them, but what I read of the scripts at the callbacks was good! I’ll let you know the verdict of that as I find out. Also, another thing that is very exciting, is that the director of Pound of Flesh (the group that I did The Tempest with last semester) has asked me to Assistant Direct next semester, which means that I would take over the group my Junior year, which is a really amazing opportunity. I said yes, of course, but only if I can audition for the Department shows as well, because I can’t really afford to miss those again, especially if I’m going JYA (Junior Year Abroad). Busy busy busy!
Um, I think that’s everything for now…
OH! I’m super, uber jealous of the snow in Wisconsin! We did just get like an inch today, but that’s kinda more pathetic than anything.
And I watched the last minute of the Super Bowl, which was totally worth it, and, despite the fact that it shoulda been the Packers, it sure was nice to see the Patriots lose.
Also, I got my absentee ballot in the mail the other day and I’m very excited to vote! Yeah Obama!
Ok, now I really think that’s everything… yeah. Yeah it is.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Gma and Gpa reporting from Boise
Greetings,
Have been watching to see whether anyone would jump in after Domino gave us the report on the West Point visit and fencing meet. Guess everyone was too busy with weather--know we were in Big Bend!
Matt has been reporting to us today of the current expectation in Big Bend. Glad we have made arrangements to have the drive cleared and the blower is ready to go with extra gas in a can for the younger parish member who helps when we are away
Having an enjoyable time here at the Middle Fork address. Freya has been very cordial with us from the first minutes we arrived. We're anticipating a great party tomorrow and she is frequently mentioning the ice cream cake which has been promised!
Our flights on Sunday were on time, both departing and arriving. Had a total of 4 hours in the air with cloud cover over 90% of the route. Did have a break as we crossed the Missouri and a few quick ones over western WY mountains probably around Tetons and Yellowstone and then across ID--might have seen Mt. Borah.
I accompanied Matt on Monday morning when he drove east on I-84 to pick up the carcass of very big bull elk which had been hit, probably by a truck, and was on the west bound left shoulder in the media.
It was a tough location and his onboard winch blew fuse before it was completely up his 4-wheel on/off portable ramp and into the pick-up deck. Luckily,
a couple of good samariatans stopped and helped us with the final hefty lift and push. All this with traffic whizzing by at high way speeds despite his flashing amber and blue lights! An adventure!
Finding time for some reading and following the primary results.
About 3/4 inches of snow here overnight with heavy fog this AM. ABout 35 with sunshine now and some melting. Mountains are beautiful and C & M say this amonnt of snow remaining on the ground for more than a few days is quite unusual for this time of year.
No complaints because the moisture is needed.
Stephen needs to know that we have been invited to
enjoy the Christmas gift puzzle he sent. She carries the box around and is proud to show us how quickly she can put the pieces together!!
More later on the good times we are having. Matt is at the gym for a workout and provided the directions on how to find our way to the blog.
Grandma was asked if she wished to review this before it was posted. She demurred and said she was taking nap!
Love and prayers from snowy/sunny IDAHO!!
Grandma and Grandpa
Have been watching to see whether anyone would jump in after Domino gave us the report on the West Point visit and fencing meet. Guess everyone was too busy with weather--know we were in Big Bend!
Matt has been reporting to us today of the current expectation in Big Bend. Glad we have made arrangements to have the drive cleared and the blower is ready to go with extra gas in a can for the younger parish member who helps when we are away
Having an enjoyable time here at the Middle Fork address. Freya has been very cordial with us from the first minutes we arrived. We're anticipating a great party tomorrow and she is frequently mentioning the ice cream cake which has been promised!
Our flights on Sunday were on time, both departing and arriving. Had a total of 4 hours in the air with cloud cover over 90% of the route. Did have a break as we crossed the Missouri and a few quick ones over western WY mountains probably around Tetons and Yellowstone and then across ID--might have seen Mt. Borah.
I accompanied Matt on Monday morning when he drove east on I-84 to pick up the carcass of very big bull elk which had been hit, probably by a truck, and was on the west bound left shoulder in the media.
It was a tough location and his onboard winch blew fuse before it was completely up his 4-wheel on/off portable ramp and into the pick-up deck. Luckily,
a couple of good samariatans stopped and helped us with the final hefty lift and push. All this with traffic whizzing by at high way speeds despite his flashing amber and blue lights! An adventure!
Finding time for some reading and following the primary results.
About 3/4 inches of snow here overnight with heavy fog this AM. ABout 35 with sunshine now and some melting. Mountains are beautiful and C & M say this amonnt of snow remaining on the ground for more than a few days is quite unusual for this time of year.
No complaints because the moisture is needed.
Stephen needs to know that we have been invited to
enjoy the Christmas gift puzzle he sent. She carries the box around and is proud to show us how quickly she can put the pieces together!!
More later on the good times we are having. Matt is at the gym for a workout and provided the directions on how to find our way to the blog.
Grandma was asked if she wished to review this before it was posted. She demurred and said she was taking nap!
Love and prayers from snowy/sunny IDAHO!!
Grandma and Grandpa
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