Recipes for Friends

A Christmas Carol Service on the last day of November November 30, 2005

I was sort of lazy again this morning. It’s very bad when I don’t have pressing deadlines because then I end up doing nothing in order to procrastinate on my a little ways off deadlines. I didn’t go to lunch today because it was like a charity lunch or something where they just had soup so it wouldn’t have been a lot of food and I have food in my room that I needed to get rid of. I finished off my big thing of crunchy peanut butter that Kim and Lee gave me before I left. But don’t worry, I have creamy from my mom so I’m not out yet. I worked some on my paper, almost ordered a pair of cheap but good tennis shoes but then they went out of stock (really good sale, but I just missed it, oh well), crocheted, called my mom to verify some dates, called Kyle to tell him about the dates, and then headed out around 1:30.

I went to volunteer my last day at Keston, addressing envelopes for the last time. I didn’t get much out of this experience but hopefully I at least helped them. And it took my mind off things sometimes so that’s good. Then I walked over to the library and found that I didn’t have my card, which you can’t get into any of the libraries without your card here. So I walked back to Stanley Road and found it in the back pocket of the jeans I wore yesterday. I wrote some e-mails and pretty much finished my paper. I still have to read over it a couple times. I’m not sure how good it is, but right now I sort of don’t care. It’s already above and beyond what I was supposed to do for this tutorial and I’ve got some other things on my mind at the moment, so I’ll turn it in after a couple revisions and that’ll just have to be good enough. I’ll probably write him an e-mail to let him know what I wrote on because the question was just sort of loosely created by us, so I did it a little differently but I think that will be okay.

Ruth called me while I was doing this to see if I wanted to go to this Carols service after dinner tonight, so I said sure. I talked to Amanda on instant messenger for a bit too. Then Dr. Hadaway e-mailed me a crash course in philosophy with powerpoints of his notes from his classes to help me prepare a bit for my interview and the test. Haven’t look through those yet, haven’t decided if I’m going to, probably will.

Then I walked in the rain back to Regent’s. But I had my big waterproof white coat so I didn’t get wet and was warm. I didn’t feel like bringing an umbrella and it wasn’t raining that hard, almost more like a mist, a strong mist. But I bought this coat (for $20 and it’s Lands End, not bad) for the English weather that I expected. I haven’t had much of that weather, which is great, but today it sort of was and my coat was great for it, so yay!

Dinner was actually pretty good. It was called a vegetable parcel or something and tasted like a big egg roll and I love egg rolls. I didn’t have dessert. I think I’ve finally gotten rid of my sweet tooth, not craving sweets anymore. Then a bunch of us from Regents walked over to the Carols service. It was really nice. Almost all the songs had different words from our Christmas Carols and some even had different tunes. So I had to look at all the words to sing and not sing too loudly in case I sang the wrong stuff. The guy who talked gave a really good talk, so I enjoyed the service and it took my mind off things a bit. It was also cool because there were a bunch of Regent’s kids there, not just Ruth and me, so it was neat to spend time with them too.

After that I walked back to Stanley Road so I got my exercise again. I might take a shower tonight and then go to Mass early tomorrow morning before my interviews so I can get my mind off things a bit. But then I would have to get up really early. I’ll try though. I have those two interviews, then a meeting with the tutor who is sort of the correspondent with G-town, then lunch, then meeting with Regent’s principal, then my tutorial, and finally a meeting with the guy who arranged the Christianity and Culture lectures. Then I will come back here and collapse, but I will have gotten through the worst of the application process and finished up with all the things I have to take care of for my term here. Then I can relax for the rest of my time here, except for taking that test, but I’m not thinking about that right now. So now I’m going to try to get some sleep before my big day.

Back to 8 Miles in One Day November 29, 2005

I’m actually writing this the day of, I’ve been sort of lazy lately. I got up this morning intending to finish my essay for my tutorial before lunch, but that didn’t happen. Instead I did some research for my G-town paper. And I downloaded documents onto my desktop for my tutorial research so I could use those later when I didn’t have an internet connection. I crocheted a bit too. And I must have done some other stuff but I can’t think of what it was now. Then I walked to lunch.

I had signed up for pizza, which was quite good. Sort of like a deep dish pizza with lots of cheese, some random vegetables and two pepperonis on top. And they served it with chips (french fries, not real chips) and salad so I had some of that too. Then dessert was banana bread, or banana cake as they say. So I had that too.

After lunch, Ruth and I walked to Stanley Road because she had been wanting to see it. She said she might end up having to live there next year because she’s at the bottom of the room ballot so she gets one of the last choices. She didn’t realize how far it was. But she decided it would be bearable, though she would prefer to live at Regents. I loaded up my computer, wrapping it in my hoodie to protect it in my backpack, which is what I do. Ruth thought it was cool how I wrapped it up, all the sleeves and hood and stuff tucked around the computer. I guess it’s almost become a bit of an art. Then we walked back to Regent’s, so I got my exercise today.

I went up to the library and worked on my essay until 5. I didn’t get it quite finished, but I’m not worried about it since it isn’t technically due until Thursday afternoon. I think I’ll get it done tomorrow morning though. At 5 I went to the last Christianity and Culture Lecture, which I was the only G-town student besides Kyle again. I definitely don’t think the other 2 have been to 3 lectures and 3 discussions, but oh well. Afterward, Kyle asked if I wanted to have a discussion. I said I didn’t care, so we didn’t. I think the speaker had made him a bit mad, so he didn’t feel like talking, which was fine with me. I usually don’t have much to say. I went up to the library instead and checked and replied to e-mails until the dinner bell rang.

I wasn’t that hungry at dinner and it wasn’t that good so I don’t think I really ate much. I hung out in the JCR a bit before going back to Stanley Road. When I got in, I called Jane to tell her that I would have to leave Wales Sunday night instead of Monday morning. We talked about what we would do. I think we’re going to stay in Chester Saturday and have sort of a girls’ day (Sara, her daughter who I used to play with will be there too) with some shopping and seeing some of the history there. Then Sunday, Sarah is going back to school so Jane and Dave (her husband) will take me around to some of the castles there, she said the ones that my mom didn’t get to see when she was here. So that should be fun, lots of picture-taking opportunities. I feel like I haven’t really taken that many pictures because I haven’t really been sightseeing that much, since I’m really just living here and only doing the tourist things every now and then. But oh well, my mom brought back lots of pictures.

So then I called my mom and she’s going to call me back when she gets back to school so we can talk on skype. Now I’m going to stretch to make sure I’m not sore in the morning, haven’t done the walking 8 miles in one day in a while. Then I will go to bed early so I can get up early to finish my essay and be one day closer to my interview and to getting home!

SNOW! . . . and another interview

Yesterday morning I spent looking up, reading, and bookmarking websites on Ghana. Then I tried to take some pictures of myself that my mom wants me to take for our Christmas card - we’re doing it digitally since our family is never in one place all at the same time these days. I think the pictures looked pretty bad so I haven’t sent them yet. I’m wondering if I’m taking them wrong. I’m supposed to be looking a certain way, but oh well. I’ll figure something out.

Then I walked to Regent’s a little early, intending to talk to David Harper, but then he wasn’t in his office. So I waited a bit and then Jonnie came in so we talked until we decided it was time to go in for lunch. I got the salad bar again but then signed up for pizza today, branching out a bit. A lot of people got the salad bar. I’m glad I was early because it seemed like it took forever for people to get through after that. Dessert was some sort of ice cream thing that looked really good so I got it. I shouldn’t be eating this much dessert, but I guess I’ll stop once I get back so I might as well take advantage of it, especially while I’m walking this much.

After lunch I walked over to the social sciences library and spent the afternoon on the computer. I read more on Ghana and then started my paper, hope to finish it today so I can get started on rewriting this paper I want to do for G-town. I got some e-mails from people concerning next semester and maybe getting a job of some sort. Dinner was at 6:30 instead of 7 last night so I headed over to Regent’s around 6. As I was walking it started to snow!! Which was exciting. It was just melting when it hit the ground, but it was really pretty as it came down. I think I just walked with a smile on my face, staring at the snow, probably looking like a bit of an idiot, but that’s okay. It put me in a good mood. I was glad I had on my big coat, though, since it was cold and I could put up my hood so I didn’t get too wet. So yeah, the first snow here and I was able to be out in it and see it. Exciting!

When I got to Regents, I changed into my nice shoes - the dinner was sort of fancy. Then I went up towards Ruth’s room, hoping to run into her to see if I could put my stuff in there because there didn’t look like there was a good place for it in the dining hall. I did run into her, so that was good.

Then we went to dinner and met up with Jonnie. At first there seemed like there wasn’t going to be anybody there, but eventually people showed up. There was a rowing dinner that night too and dinner was at a different time, so both those things contributed to this. The dining hall was all nice and we got crackers with little toys in them and fun jokes. My joke was, “What do you call a fairy who doesn’t take baths?” And the answer was, “Stinkerbell.” Haha!! Cute. We had gateaux for dessert again, except this time I knew what it was.

After dinner I went up to the JCR with Ruth and I got a letter from Regent’s, asking me for interview this Thursday starting at 9:30. Then I have to take a Philosophy test next Monday, which means I’ll be coming back from Wales a little earlier, but that’s okay. So I have to go through another interview and I have to take a test, two things I don’t want to do, but I guess the outcome could be worth it. We’ll just wait and see. Ruth was really excited. So then we talked for a while, mostly about childhood games that we used to play, comparing English and American. Usually I had some sort of equivalent but they almost always had different names. So that was fun.

Then I walked back to Stanley Road and got there in time to talk to Kyle before he went to his Bible study. Then I talked to Kim and Lee and finally my mom. I e-mailed people to tell them about the interview. Then I actually got to bed before midnight so I got a little more sleep last night. Yay!

Birthdays Galore! November 28, 2005

I slept in again yesterday and tried to not take my medicines to see if I’m getting better. I got sort of achey and stuff so I took an advil and called my mom. I guess it’s still trying to get me, which means I need to get more sleep but I’m having trouble doing that lately it seems. I had breakfast of tea and my last thing of oatmeal, and then later a banana because I thought maybe I wasn’t feeling well because my bloodsugar was a bit low. It does that sometimes.

Throughout the day I read this world bank article on Ghana. It was quite long, but it was really interesting to me. Reading about just aid in general and how effective it is interesting, but I get really intrigued when I get to read up on individual countries. I told my mom that I decided I was a dork because economic history for me is like reading a novel. I want to find out what happens in the end, though none of these stories are finished I guess. My mom agreed that I was a dork but she said it was okay, maybe I found my specialty or something.

So during reading that I took breaks to finish Ruth’s stocking! It’s sort of small but I was afraid that I wouldn’t have enough of the same kind of yarn. I’m sure she’ll still like it. It also means I don’t have to find as much stuff to stuff it with. I also looked at some movie trailers online and crocheted some other stuff. Then at 4, I called Kyle and his plans got all messed up so we didn’t get to talk long. Then I called my mom who was grading papers down at the farm and we talked for a bit. Then I went to church.

After church, I went to Regent’s library and read the Blind Assassin until 9. Then I went to meet Ruth and we went to Kat’s birthday party. She’s 20. It seems like almost everyone here is younger than me, even those who are third years. We sat around and talked for a while and then decided to leave around 9:45. It was fun, but crowded. It seems like everyone is having birthdays lately, so facebook tells me at least.

Oh and in my e-mails, I got an Avent e-card from my grandma and mom. They’re obsessed with those things. I also got e-mails back from Dr. May and Dr. Apple, which was nice. Dr. Apple said it was Mansfield’s loss and hopefully Regent’s will have enough sense to accept me. He’s always had so much confidence in me, and I’m not completely sure why, but it makes me feel good that he thinks I can do it, even if I don’t. I guess he’s one person that I made a good first impression on. I don’t seem to do that with most people.

When I got back, I probably should have gone to bed, but I didn’t feel like it so I messaged Rita and Lindsey, who were both online. Neither were there for a bit, but then Rita came back, so we talked for a while until she had to go eat and then work out. Good girl, keeping in shape. Of course, I guess she has to since she does track and stuff. Then Kyle came on and he called and we talked for a bit until I started to fall asleep and he was going to take a nap before he went into work. Lindsey messaged me while I was talking to him, so after taking a 10 minute power nap after I talked to Kyle, I messaged her again. We talked for a while, which was good. I can’t wait to see people. Then I finally went to bed at 1. I’m bad. Tonight I’ll try to get to bed a bit early. We’ll see.

Another Day Inside November 27, 2005

Yesterday was another relaxing Saturday where I didn’t do much but read. I slept in until 9 and then I wrote e-mails to Dr. Apple, Dr. May, and Dr. Hadaway to tell them about Mansfield and thank them for all their help. I also e-mailed Pamela and told her, though she probably already knew. Then I took a shower and put on sweats, comfy clothes are great. And I didn’t have to wear tights under my pants since I wouldn’t be going out. Then I wrote my blog, after which I went downstairs to get stuff out of the fridge for lunch and Alec was down there. He asked me if I was applying for PPE and I said yes. He’s apparently going to be proctoring, I think, my admissions exam he said. He’s a doctorate student so I guess they do that stuff. I told him about Mansfield and he said, oh you know Regent’s will give you a spot. I told him I didn’t know, keeping my hopes down. Then he said, as long as I don’t screw up my admissions exam, jokingly. So I guess it looks like I might have to take that test anyway, unless Oxford just put me on the list automatically. I’m still hoping I don’t have to but I guess I can’t avoid it if they want me to.

So yeah, maybe I still have a chance of getting in. After this I called my mom and we talked for a while as she was driving to Kelley Ridge from the farm. She had service the whole time we talked, pretty crazy. She told me my grandma had started her blog. That’s pretty crazy too. My grandma is definitely pretty cool. Kyle always said she was cool after he found out she plays Hitman and Grand Theft Auto on her computer. And now she has a blog, well I think it’s more of a writing down memories thing than a typical journal and she may only write in it when my mom goes over there and tells her she should. That’s how this happened. Her blog has been set up for a while, but she just never got around to writing in it so my mom made her. If you want to look at it, it’s at www.xorph.com/mombo. Apparently my family had a connection with Charles Schulz.

So then I read articles all afternoon, taking a few breaks to stretch ad crochet. Learning about how much aid actually affects economic growth, specifically in Africa. Today I’ll focus more narrowly on Ghana. Then I had dinner, looking at MBA and journalism programs online and then calling Kyle afterward to find out what time I should really call him. He was decorating with his family for Christmas! Happy times!! I can’t wait to decorate for Christmas. Oh and their Christmas tree used to be our’s. Last year they were going to buy a new one, but we had this huge one and didn’t really have a place in either house for it and it had just been in storage for a while, so my mom offered to give them our’s so they wouldn’t have to buy one since we wouldn’t be using our’s anymore anyway and it’s a nice tree. My cousin got it for us for cheap when she worked at this big department store. Anyway, the reason to tell all this is because Kyle had a corny line that made me laugh that he told me about later. After they had put up the tree, they said it was a pretty good looking tree. And Kyle said, “That’s not the only thing from that family that is good looking.” Or something like that. Haha. Makes me laugh. (He was talking about me, just in case you didn’t catch that. I’m sort of surprised that I got it that quickly, quite often that would be one of those times where I would totally not catch it. But I did. Yay!)

Okay, so then I read some of this book, “The Blind Assassin,” that Brendand got me before I left. It’s sort of depressing and a bit weird so far, but it intrigues me, so we’ll see what I think when I finish it. Then I washed my dishes, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and called Kyle while I crocheted. (I told you, it’s an addiction, crocheting, not Kyle, well maybe Kyle too. Haha!) Then I went to bed at almost 1:00, too late for me, so I slept in again this morning.