Overheard in Greensboro

I found a notecard tonight that I'd written last fall while I was at the airport.  It was an overheard conversation.  I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget about it - of course, I did, but I found the notecard tonight and laughed!

A married couple talking to a man in a business suit at the Greensboro Airport, while waiting at the baggage claim:

Wife (to The Man In Suit): "So, are you a DJ or something?"

The Man In Suit: "No...uh, actually I'm a preacher."

Husband: [long pause] "Oh...well...not much difference- you're just spinning The Bible!  Wicka Wickaa!"

Hey Mama

I love my mom more than words could ever, EVER describe.  There is not a single word ever created that is perfect enough for the amount of love I have for her.  

Yesterday she went for scans to see if she is still clear, or if the cancer is back, and she'll know in a few days what's up.  (I am positive that they'll be clear, that's the only way I can live right now!)

Please, if you have a few minutes, think of her, pray for her, whatever you do, send some positive energy!!

Thank you!!

Kristen

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

We saw this rainbow last week, while driving to dinner.  When we got to the restaurant, I snapped this photo with my small digital camera, not the big one - I wish I had brought that one along, because the rainbow was so beautiful!  It was actually a double rainbow - you can faintly see the corner of the top arc in the upper left hand corner of the photo.

Till we fall asleep tonight.

::WARNING::  At the bottom of this post, there is a photo that may make some a little queasy- it's really not that bad, no blood or guts or anything.

Yesterday, on what was the hottest day so far this year, we played Virginia Tech at Tech.  It was 97 degrees in Blacksburg, and we felt it all day long.  I am so sunburned on my shoulders, arms, chest and face- I've been covering myself in aloe since I got home last night.  We lost 73-0, but it was still a fun game, as we played in prom dresses, and Tech took it easy on us once they were up by about 40.  

With about 20 minutes left in the second half of the game, the whistle was blown for a "minute".  When someone calls "minute, sir!" it means that someone is down on the ground, and needs a minute to get up.  Sometimes, it takes many, many minutes for that person to get up...

When the minute was called, I ran over to find 2 of our players on the ground.  One of our rookies, Kelsey, had an enormous goose egg on her forehead.  It was so big!  I looked over at our other player on the ground, our treasurer, Krissie, and she had blood gushing all down her hands, which were covering her face.  (Krissie and Kelsey smacked heads while trying to tackle the same girl)  I immediately thought she had a bloody nose, until Em moved her hands and I saw the largest gash on a person's forehead that I have ever seen in my entire life.  It went from just below her hairline, down to below her eyebrow, and it wasn't just a "cut", it was hanging open and gushing blood...and I've never seen what is underneath skin, but it's very pink and kind of looks like raw chicken, except firmer.  

We kept Krissie calm while Em stabilized her neck, incase of a head/neck injury.  We didn't talk about the huge hole in her forehead.  We washed the blood off of her hands and arms and just talked until the ambulance got there.  They took her to the hospital near Virginia Tech, where they stitched her up (7 internal stitches, 11 external stitches...they called it a "skin fracture"..ew).  Around 6:30, Em and I left the hospital for a little break and went over to see Lexi, a friend of ours who we worked with at G.S. camp.  It was so good to see her!  We hung out with her for a bit, and then went back to the hospital.  Krissie was let out at almost 8, so we got the heck outta dodge and drove to Roanoke for dinner at this funky Polynessian place, then drove home, pulling into the driveway minutes after midnight.

It was a long, hot, tiring day but rugby days are never uninteresting!  

Here is a photo of Krissie from this morning:

Celebrate we will...

Things are all jumbled right now.  I have so many things going on, and I am so behind on my blog.  

Dan visited the week of my birthday.  It was so great to see him, and he and Em managed to pull off the biggest surprise ever!  (Except for when my parents got me a car for my 16th bday... yes, it was a 96 neon, but I was SHOCKED and speechless!)  We had a great time hanging out, showing Dan the Boro, taking him to The Q, and playing games.  

My actual birthday weekend, my mom and Carlos visited.  Here's a photo I took of them at the International Festival we went to on campus:

My birthday celebration lasted about a week, because last Tuesday, 5 days after my birthday, Kim got me a ticket for the Dave Matt.hews Band in Raleigh!  

We met up with two of our friends who used to live in Greensboro and now live in Raleigh.  The show itself was amazing!  Some highlights: Opening song was Bartender, Too Much leading into Ants Marching, Dancing Nancies leading into Warehouse, So Damn Lucky, #41, Grey Street, and ending the set with Two Step.  The encore was also amazing - Blue Water, finishing up with All Along the Watchtower.  He played some new stuff that hasn't come out yet, but all in all, it was an AMAZING show!

Laura, Kim, and Me tailgating before the show

And now, it's totally back to the real world... I have a 15 page research paper due tonight by midnight.  I have a presentation next week and then of course, preparing for final exams.  Tomorrow we're playing our last rugby game of the year against Virginia Tech.  I'm excited because a friend of mine who I haven't seen in over a year goes there, so I'll get to see her!  

That's about it.  I have so much else to say about different things, but it will have to wait!

At the concert, every time that Dave sang the chorus to Two Step ("Celebrate we will, for life is short but sweet for certain"), I thought about Erin and her short, but very sweet life.  Stop over to her website and watch the amazing tribute video that was posted today.  It's breathtakingly beautiful.  And leave her family some love if you do!  

Coming Soon...

Dan G. came to Greensboro and surprised me!!  I have to go to class, but more on this soon.

Always Remember It All.

I realized something strange today. There is something about the dates around my birthday.

-The day before my birthday, April 16th, is the anniversary of the Virginia Tech Massacre.

-Two days after my birthday, April 19th, is the anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing

-Three days after my birthday, April 20th, is the anniversary of the Columbine High School Massacre.

What is it with those dates?  Is it a coincidence?

The flags at our university flew half mast today, in remembrance of Columbine, and it's 10th anniversary.  I still remember that day clearly.  Kelsey and I had a babysitter next door, who, when we arrived there after school, let us watch the news coverage all afternoon.  We were traumatized.  We were only 12 and 10.  I was mesmerized... I'd never heard of something so incredibly awful.  (Aside from the Oklahoma City Bombing, which I also remember with great clarity, as I was at my grandparent's house and we also watched much of the coverage for days)

The Virginia Tech Massacre, of course, is fresh in my mind, as it was only 2 years ago that I sat on Em's bed in her apartment and saw that my friend (who goes to VT) had a strange away message up:  "I am safe. Hiding in my room, we're not allowed to leave.  The death toll is up to 15.  Turn on the news."  I immediately flipped on the television and Em and I watched with horror, the coverage from the day, and sobbed while I desperately attempted to make sure everyone who I knew at that school was safe.  

And I ask now, with tears streaming down my face as I remember each of those days, "why does such evil exist in our world?"  It's a question I have been trying to find the answer to for many, many years, and I get the feeling that it will never be answered.

Birthday!

My birthday was fabulous this year!

My mom and Carlos came down on Friday and arrived right after I finished my political science exam.  We spent the afternoon hanging out and preparing for our cookout.  Kim, Suzi, Elliott and Sean D. came over and celebrated with yummy food and drinks.  Our neighbor came over with his homemade beer that was made with coffee and chocolate - it was amazing but kept me up all night because it was made with real coffee!  My mom gave me a GPS system for my car (thank god, I get lost all the time), Em gave me these great pillows for my bed and a gift card to Be.d, B.ath, and Be.yond, and Dan gave me this awesome game called Mexican Train Dominoes!  

I'll write more about the weekend soon, but just wanted to post a link to my "Birthday Wish" on facebook.  Facebook has a cool new option where for your birthday, you can pick a cause and people can donate to it instead of sending you gifts.  Instead of presents, I asked for people to donate to Alex's Lemonade Stand.  Here is the link:  KRISTEN'S BIRTHDAY WISH.  

Especially in light of sweet Erin's recent passing, I would love to reach my goal of $100.  I have already raised $56 of it!!  I've been thinking about the Buenger Family every day, and just can't help but be heartbroken.  I have had the privilege of "knowing" so many amazing NB kids, but Erin really stuck out to me.  Her zest for life, sense of humor, amazing accomplishments, and all around general "coolness" for being 11 years old, are all things that contributed to my feeling that it's just NOT FAIR ... as I have many, many times about many, many other children.  

Something needs to be done.  A plan of action needs to go into effect.  Why do such ridiculous things exist like paying millions of dollars for Super Bowl Ads, actors being paid unthinkable amounts of money for doing films, paying for soldiers, ammo, transportation, and training for wars that are unnecessary (not to say that those soldiers are in the wrong, just the wars themselves),  while children are dying by the handful from diseases that could be treated more effectively if those treatments received MORE FUNDING.  It makes my blood boil just to think about it.

Why aren't other people freaking out about this?  Why doesn't everyone feel like this is the most horrible thing ever?  I just don't get it.

Wow this post went from super happy, to sad, to angry all in a matter of 4 paragraphs... but you guys know me - when I am passionate about something, I get into it.

Now, does anyone know a billionaire who's ready to drop about 25 million on some awesome Neuroblastoma treatment research?

I Dreamed A Dream

This completely took my breath away.

Check out Simon's face at 3:07.

Thanks to Dan for showing it to me.

The Voice of the Phillies

Harry Kalas died today at age 73.  He was the sportscaster for the Philadelphia Phillies for an amazing 38 years, through 3 stadiums, and 4 World Series Championships (The Phillies won 2 of those in '80 and '08).  He was so incredibly loved by Philadelphia and Phillies Phans everywhere.  He will always be known for his legendary phrases "OUTTA HERE!" and "Watch this, baby!"

I snapped this photo at the parade after the Phillies won the World Series last November.  He was so proud of his Phillies.  Rest in Peace Harry the K!  The Philadelphia Phillies will NEVER be the same!

Weekend Update

This weekend was really fun. We didn't have classes on Friday, so I slept until noon and enjoyed the rest of the day. I went grocery shopping, and it feels so good to actually have food again! Friday night we cleaned the living room like mad. We're trying to clean the house room by room so that it looks presentable when my mom and Carlos get here on Friday for my birthday.


Saturday I went to my best friend Kim's Karate testing. She has been doing Tae Kwon Do for awhile now, and yesterday she tested to become a BLACK BELT! It was super nerve wracking. First she did her form, which she got perfectly. Then she sparred, which went fine too, it just looked exhausting. Everyone wears big red padding on their heads, feet, shins, and hands. Finally, Kim had to break 2 boards - one with her elbow, and one with her kick. Kim is great at the kick board, but she's been trying for months to break the elbow board and get her black belt. The boards are so thick (I could never do it!) You get three tries to break each board. Kim broke her first board (by kicking) on the first try. The elbow board, she went twice and didn't break it. On the third and final try, I had my fingers crossed, holding my breath... and this is what happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64NCoR5c51g


I am so proud of her!! Congratulations, Kim! You're the coolest Black Belt I know!!


After that, we went to Triad's rugby game and watched them win the Semifinals of the South Tournament!! They go on to finals at the end of the month, and if they win, they go to Nationals!! After that we went to the social and had tons of fun.


Yesterday morning I went to Kims and we got ready to go over to the family she babysits for for Easter Dinner. They invited both of us- they are a lesbian couple with two great little boys, and we had lots of fun but ran out of energy after dinner, so we went home. I napped for awhile, got up, had dinner, and then waited around to register for classes next semester! I'm taking:
Research Methods in Human Development, Professional Development in Human Development, African Political Systems (totally stoked for that one, and I'm not being sarcastic), and Music and Cultures Around the World (a random class I picked up just so I could stay full time).


Whew, long post. Big week ahead, I can't wait for my mom to get here!

Erin

Sweet Erin B. passed away this morning.  I was pretty shocked to come home from class today and read Vickie (her mom) 's  post on their blog.  I knew that Erin had been pretty sick lately, but I figured it was just a bad patch and things would get better and Erin would go on some new trial.  I'm so sad, and so mad at myself for not getting around to writing that Thank-You note that has been sitting on my dresser for 2 weeks, ever since I received the beautiful lanyard that Erin and her beading friends made.  

Anyone can tell that Erin lived her life "to the max" in every way possible.  I couldn't believe everything she was always involved in!  From sports to after school activities to play dates, it seemed like Erin never stopped "going".  

I'm sad that I never got to meet Erin, but she really lived her life in an admirable way, and I will definitely never forget her.  In the tiny package that my lanyard came in, there was a copy of this photo (Erin's school photo for this year).  I think she looks so pretty and happy in it, I plan to tack it up next to my photo of Laura Stiles. on my cork board, which will eventually go over my desk.  That way I can see both of their beautiful smiles everyday. 

Erin Buenger, you will be SO missed!!

ABC Party

Here is my "Anything But Clothes" dress that I made all of last week!  I colored coffee filters with markers, and then sprayed them with water to make them look "tie dyed".  I wanted to wear something colorful and was really interested to see if I could make it look "cute".  I actually ended up winning the "Most Creative" Award!  Also, please excuse the beverage in my hand.  ;-)

PS. My hair is getting LONG!

Catching up

LTLYM #9: Draw a constellation from someone's freckles.

Last night I noticed that my friend Melissa had freckles on her arm, and remembered about the LTLYM assignment...so I decided to draw a constellation!  I didn't draw a real one, and it was with a pen, so it didn't come out very well in the photo, but I did it.  And... I decided it looks like a toilet :-)  haha

LTLYM# 42: List 5 events from 1996.

1. The 1996 Summer Olympics. They were a big deal for Kelsey and I that year (we were 9 and 7) and we watched them religiously. It was also during the 1996 Olympics that Kelsey had her famous "Rings" dream... one night after watching gymnastics, we went to bed. In the middle of the night, Kelsey got up, went into my mom's room and said, "Mom! I need your help!" and my mom said "With what?" and Kelsey said, "The rings are downstairs, but they're too heavy." and my mom said "What rings?" and Kels said, "The rings...for the Olympics!" hahahaha

2. I graduated from 3rd grade. The only reason I say that is because right now, I am wearing my tshirt from my 1996 3rd grade graduation!

3. My very first best friend moved all the way to Tennessee.

4. Clinton got re-elected. (Okay, I have no memory of this at all, but I was only 9 ... I'm having trouble here!)

5. The TWA airline crash near Long Island, NY. This is kind of morbid, but I remembered this happening when I was younger and double checked the date, and it just so happens, it was 1996. I remember because it was about a month after my first plane right, to Orlando FL.

Blogger is being weird, sorry for the spaces and odd layout!

Just Live Your Life

This week was so crazy and out of control busy.  I think it's a good thing that I've been so busy, because it doesn't really give me a lot of time to think about things that are hard for me right now.  I had classes, modeled on Monday and Wednesday (by the way, my Weds pose was so hard to hold... I was laying on the ground all twisted up and my leg kept going completely numb because of the angle it was at...ouch.)  Had two exams on Thursday, then met with my group for a project, and then went to this amazing lecture.

Jessica Jackley is the cofounder of an amazing organization called Kiva.  Kiva.org is a microlending website.  I found out about it about a year ago - basically, how it works is, you go to www.kiva.org and look at all of the profiles of people in 3rd world countries who need to be lent some money to start up their business.  You can lend as little as $25 or you can lend up to thousands.  It's really neat to see who exactly your money is going to, and you can keep up on their progress.  Then, eventually, they pay you back.  They have a return rate of like 98% which is ridiculously awesome.  Turns out - poor people pay back money better than people who actually HAVE money!  These people in their countries can't get loans from banks to start up, because they are poor (living off of dollars a day) and the banks don't think they can pay it back.   Plus, even if they can get a loan, the interest rate is so incredibly high that at the end of the day, they make no profit because it all goes to the interest on the loan. So, Jessica had the idea to start an organization that connects people in industrialized countries (mainly the US) to someone in a developing country who needs the money desperately, and who can pay back within a year or so (98% of the time!), with little or no interest.  It's amazing to actually be connected to a real person, and not just some non-profit where you don't really see exactly where your money is going.  Plus, Kiva makes absolutely no money off of it.  It's a fantastic, inspiring organization that everyone should check out!

Yesterday I didn't have class, so I took a "me day" ... I did fun things all day, including a great cookout last night - chicken/veggie kabobs and salad with lots of friends, then went to a movie!  Today we're celebrating Suzi's birthday and then later tonight there's an "Anything But Clothes" party at the rugby house.  Pictures to come of my "anything but clothes" outfit.  :-)

But tomorrow becomes busy again, I have to meet with my group for 3 hours and put together our powerpoint, plus write a small paper that's due by midnight, and next week I have two more exams and a presentation.  Sigh... April is always insane in the life of a college student.

Changes.

Change can be a really scary thing. It's actually probably one of the things in my life that I like the least. I guess not many people are too fond of it. But change, to me, always means you're losing out on something. However, the way I've come to think is, that if you're losing out on one thing, you are somehow gaining something else. As a person who often bases her decisions off of what will have the least amount of impact on those around me, and those who I love, I think at this moment in my life, I am doing the opposite. I am making decisions based on what will have the least amount of impact, in the end, for me. One thing that I got out of counseling last year is that sometimes it's necessary to put your own interests and needs ahead of those you love. It's a hard thing to do, but if you live the rest of your life pleasing others, doing things that make others happy at the expense of your own happiness, etc. then you really aren't living for yourself. Sometimes the right thing to do isn't the easiest or least painful... it's just that is what your head is telling you to do, and it knows that someday, your heart will forgive.