Dawn of Spring

Pushing back the rain and clouds, spring has decided to dawn early this year. Sparkling sun, blossoming cherry trees and ducks skimming across the pond are a cheery sights to one who dreads the rain (except if I'm at home passing a relaxing day watching old movies). Finding some of my dormmates relaxing on the grass outside our rooms studying their text books through sunglasses, I found myself entertaining the same notion. So, grabbing a towel, water bottle and my notes I stretched out on the grass and enjoyed the warm sun on my skin. The tickling breeze and warm air eased me into a relaxed state before having to treck off to another class. Lingering a bit too long, I walked in a little late to World Civ, but it was all worth it.

Deciding I would enjoy all the sunny days from now on, I rocked myself on the white gazebo swing this afternoon as Canadian geese skimmed across the pond and the ducks talked loudly back and forth. Finding a portion of a chocolate chip cookie left in my bag I enjoyed a sugary bite as the stress of looming mid-terms began floating away like soap bubbles in the breeze.

I'm so glad God gave us spring. No matter what craziness is going on in world, nature never seems to notice it.

Me and Michael?

Just one of the many random occurences from last week: I was asked if Michael Phelps was my boy friend ...

Modern Flirting

Chit chatting while driving in our convertable, my friend and my attention was suddenly drawn to an approaching siren. Pulling up to the red light, I looked over my shoulders and was shocked to find no emergency vehicle. "Where is that coming from," I asked with eyes scanning the down town scene. The siren blared again, but this time was followed by a voice on a loud speaker, "Hey there!" and then cat-call whistles proceeded. It was coming from gigantic black truck on our side. This continued as long as the black truck was close to us, and continued because we didn't give this ...person... the satifaction of looking. "I can't believe somebody's using a loud speaker!" I said in disbelief and annoyance. "I wish some cop would drive by--he'd SO get pulled over!" Pulling into the mall, we finally lost the guy, and hope we had also lost the opportunity to be flirted with like this forever. If it happens again, I'm hoping to have some GREAT come-back! Any ideas?? ;)

Mother of Pearl, Mother of Surprise!

If you want to make a college student run through the halls elated for an entire day despite homework, send them a care package. Yes, the little miracle called care package. It could just be a bookmark and a few chocolate chip cookies and you've transformed a student dragging their back pack up the stairs into a bright eyed, happy-go-lucky girl/guy giving all their friends high fives and shouts of, "Look what I've got!"

My dear mother has been the giver of such sunshine to me this year in school. I'll fly into the mailroom from class and find a package from her with all my favorite snacks and other surprises thrown in for my enjoyment. Last semester one of these great surprises was the Love Comes Softly DVD (what fun my friends and I have had with that!) and this semester I received the most amazing carmel tea, the coolest little tropical water globe paper-holder-upper (you know, so you can look at your paper and type at the same time and not kill your neck--the name escapes me), and, get this, a beautifully cheery croqueted blanket--yes, she made it! My mom is amazing!

When I think of my parents I realize how blessed I am. Whether they pass along words of comfort and encouragement on the phone or send me a care package, I can almost always feel their loving hugs reaching me from far away ... Yes, my mother of pearl is a treasure from God --and a gift of surprise.