via-DOC...

People, the day of jubilation has arrived. Let me explain.

I was scramming my way to Columbus this afternoon to run a few hurried errands before Thanksgiving. I was on the south edge of town mentally preparing myself for the boundless trek through winding downtown streets. See, the viaduct had been closed since February 2nd, requiring local traffic to make a hefty detour through downtown and across the tracks (often resulting in a long wait for an apathetic train).

Where was I? Oh, yes. Moving into the left lane so that I could continue to the agitating detour. I flipped off my turn signal, looked up, and - lo and behold! - one of those electronic-highway-construction-imformation-signs hailed me: "VIADUCT NOW OPEN. DRIVE SAFE."

After cringing from the atrocious grammar, I did a double-take. The viaduct? Open? The source of all my pain and suffering for the entire semester - open? For traffic? For me?!

I called my mom...and then had the time of my life driving up, up, and over the railroad tracks! No four-way stops, no tracks, no long waits....

Oh, I'm happy.

(you can see pictures of this glorious project here. =] )

Laughing...

My sister and I are sitting on the couch tonight, each doing our own thing on our own computers. Suddenly she bursts out laughing...apparently she is doing a bit of research on hedgehogs (she has a pet hedgehog), and finds some interesting information via WikiAnswers.

And I quote:

Q: Does hedgehog have swine flu?
A: No You retard. Hedgehogs arent real.

After Audrey shows me this extremely pertinent information, we both bust our guts laughing. Wow.

Gotta love WikiAnswers!

(See here. :))

My sister's VERY real hedgehog...

Luis!

There is a little boy in Nicaragua named Luis Fernando Brenes. He is five years old. He likes to sing, play ball games, and run. He lives with his mom and two siblings.

The best Christmas present Luis could ever receive is a sponsor - someone who will support Luis and his family so he can grow physically and mentally, and spiritually.

I sponsor a child through Compassion International. Her name is Crisleni. Yeah, it costs me money every month to support her, but it is really a small price to pay to release someone from poverty. (Plus I love getting letters from her!) I have been given so much. I live in a wonderful house with a wonderful family. I have all the food I need and clothes and a bed and a job and internet...and if I don't have something I need, I can get it!

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded."

Luke 12:48

I think nearly every reader of my blog can say that they have been given much. And we've all heard it a million times - "it's better to give than receive."

I think a lot of Christians today want to impact the world in a positive way, but aren't sure what to do. (All my fellow Rebelutionaries, I'm talking to you!) Yay! - you don't have to wonder or look any longer - here is your chance to use what God has given you to bless someone else. :)

I am dedicated to finding a sponsor for Luis before Christmas, so that he can receive the coolest Christmas present ever - freedom from poverty. Please let me know if you are interested in sponsoring Luis! I can send you a packet with his picture (he is *really* cute!) and more information. And trust me, even though it seems like a lot of money sometimes, sponsoring a child is something you will never regret.

...

Sometimes my mom puts flowers in my room just because.

Sometimes my mom rakes the leaves below my window just for me.

I love my mom.

late for lab

There I was, chilling at the very front of the line of cars that twisted like a snake throughout the entirety of downtown Columbus. I had previously been booking it to school, when the little red-and-white arms came flying down into my face with a "ding ding ding!" I hate trains. Especially those really obnoxiously slow ones that make you late for class.

This is what the train did: sloooowly crept foward until the very middle car was directly centered over my crossing. Then it stopped for awhile. Eventually, the grungy wheels begin turning again - backwards. Stopped. Started up again, moving approximately fifty yards, this time forward. Repeat this little boogie five or six times over the next twenty minutes, and you've got the idea. Yeah. Backward, forward. Backward, forward. I think the cunductor was either asleep or drunk.

This is what the clock did: ticked. Moved forward. Chronicled the passing of time.

This is what I did: parked, shut of the engine, turned on my iPod, took pictures of myself and graffiti on my new camera, glanced at the clock, freaked out, calmed down, and tried to find the hilarity in it all. Meanwhile the train and the clock are both still doing their thing.

And guess what?! I was late for lab!

So here are the pictures I took - on my new camera - while cooling my heels. :)

REALLY?!

This is really maddening...
Right...twenty minutes later...

(Does my skin look funny? The beauty specialist at Walgreens told me I had the weirdest skin-tone she had ever seen...)

Oh, and that graffiti? Well, the picture isn't too stellar...

LOL!

Crossed Fingers