Two Insignificant Rants

Alright, that does it. How come every time I crack an egg, shell ends up in my bowl? I hate that!

Another thing I'm getting tired of is long underwear. I constantly feel like I'm wearing my pajamas under my clothes. Come winter's end, I will burn my long underwear. Oh, it will be a celebratory day!

Responsibility

With the semester underway, and exactly one week of classes complete, I am proud to announce that I am caught up on my readings...for now. I have 13 hours this semester, which is a lot. Ordinarily, to take on this course load, one needs permission from an adviser. Permission was granted and now I've embarked on what might possibly be my most difficult semester ever. However, I have a few factors going for me. (1) I'm really motivated to learn the information in all of my classes, (2) I respect all of the professors, (3) I've had a strong start to the semester. I'm probably being a bit optimistic, I know this semester is going to be a challenge, but I'm demonstrating a level of responsibility that even impresses me. For instance, I was assigned my first project today. Immediately, I went to the library to speak with our librarian extraordinaire regarding my project, I didn't wait until I felt pressured to do so. I just did it. Hopefully, I can keep this up.

Inauguration Thoughts

This is the first opportunity I've had to write since the inauguration. Historical significance aside, one thing a reporter said that has made an impression on me was how peaceful the transition of power was. I take for granted the peaceful transfer power. There was no coup, no military take-over, just the graceful surrender of responsibility and acceptance of authority. That to me, is priceless.

Is this Colorado?

No. It's Iowa.

Funny how I never x-country skied in Colorado. I loved snowshoeing, but never did I try skiing. Today was my first time out on x-country skis. I sustained only two major falls and one collision with another person. Not bad I suppose for my first time out.

X-country skiing is a great solution to cabin fever. It felt so good to get out and MOVE.




As a child I always thought snow covered hay bales looked like frosted mini-wheat cereal. (Not that we ever ate frosted mini-wheat cereal because it had so much sugar in it)

Ahhhh..............!!!!!!!


Thin skis, nothing like downhill that I'm used to.

Silent Comedy

I don't think I've laughed so wholesomely or heartily in quite awhile. Last night, with little expectation, a bit of adventure and some mapquest directions, a friend and I set out to find a silent film festival, located at a historical park that was advertised online. I wasn't sure how popular such event would be on a cold night and almost didn't want to go for fear of being the only one to show up.

We showed up late, but were animatedly welcomed into the warm lodge-like room. The blue glow of the screen and the perky piano music let us know we were in the right place. The evening's impresario joyfully invited us to have a seat among the twenty or so others in attendance. The festive spirit of the room seeped into my bones and melted away any insecurities I had about attending the festival in the first place.

The audience, including myself, was uninhibited and liberal with laughter. Everything from a simple chortle while watching proper women with big floppy hats run and fall into mud puddles, to outright guffaws at Laurel and Hardy plots. If I wasn't chuckling, I was certainly smiling the entire time.

Children bounced around, snarfed complementary popcorn, drank hot chocolate. The entire atmosphere was one of sheer enjoyment. There were very few words that got in the way of the experience, the only sounds heard were gleeful children, an occasional spontaneous audience narration or observation- and that perky piano music plunking in the background. It is amazing how much fun one can have even when very few words are spoken.

Letting Winter Do Its Thing

There are two disparate populations in Iowa; those who embrace winter and those who curse it. I choose to let the drifts ensconce my car, I warm my spirits with tea and my core with long underwear. Perhaps, if I were a parent in Iowa City, I might feel different about the weather we've been having. This is now the third day students were directed to stay home due to the below freezing temperatures.

Although parts of Iowa have experienced record breaking low temperatures in the last few days, I do not get too excited about the extreme temperatures, after all, there is at least one state north of here and entire country North of that. The temperatures we experience might be very cold for us, but there are others for whom this is just normal. They probably go to school despite the subfreezing weather. I'll have to ask my friend from northern Minnesota about my conjecture.

It is beautiful though. I haven't seen snow this memorable since New Jersey. The surface snow sparkled like diamonds, splitting the light into emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The snow here, too, is colorful. Tiny crystals flutter through the sunny air. It is not snowing, but snowflakes fly around like eagles in thermals. They catch a breeze and just hang on for a ride. It looks like a child's glittered art project. How can one possibly curse that?

Alarm

You know the night when your smoke detector starts to beep at 2 A.M. to remind you it needs new batteries? That was last night for me.