Organizational Assignment

First of all, I went to the first home soccer game this past weekend, I proudly wore my Blue Crew tshirt (and really, that was because I wanted the free DQ Dilly Bar that I got for wearing the shirt) yay Blue Crew!!! It's kinda like the Orange Krush...except not really.

Anyway, Sunday afternoon I started some hardcore work on my first Design I assignment. I started out with a sketchbook page filled with things that describe me. Then, I cut it up into 1-inch squares. I think that's what took the most time for me. I put those into three catagories, one with mostly white space, one with half white and half writing, and one with mostly writing on it.

Then, I had to pick 13 different squares and arrange them however I wanted them on the top half of the page. On the bottom half, I had to reverse the colors. So what was white on the top became black on the bottom, black on the top became white on the bottom, you get the idea. The first picture is a little more than half way done, and then I have my completely assignment.

Yay for my first assignment, completely with a mere 6 and a half hours of studio time!

Speaking of studio time, that reminds me of last Friday's chapel. We did some Number game to start off with. On average, a Judson student will take 30 credit hours this year, good students will spend 900 hours studying outside of class studying, mediocre students will spend 225 hours outside of class studying, and the big kicker...drumroll please...Architecture Students will be in the studio 2700 hours this school year. 2700 hours!! That's dedication right there.

I also have some pictures of the studio, and me working, just for the heck of it.

River

Old School Hanson song...from their 3 Car Garage; Indie Recordings from '95-'96. Wow, that's old.

Fitting in two ways, here's the chorus:

And I guess we'll never know (never know)

Exactly where this river's gonna flow,

And I guess we'll never understand, ooh,

Until we reach that promised land.

So I guess we'll, I guess we'll,

Never know, ooh, never know, never know

They were so wise for their age!

So, the first week of classes is over, so I thought I'd give you all out there in blog land a taste of my schedule, the classes that I have, and the projects involved in said classes, so here it goes.

I haven't had a Monday school day, but it's like this: class at 9, Chapel at 10, Personal Fitness at 11, Class at 12, Work 2:30-4:15ish.

Ok, on to Tuesday.

8:00 am-10:45 am: Design I. I think I'll enjoy this class. There is a lot of interacting with the text, and a ton of drawing, obviously. It is team-taught, and I think that both of the professors will offer different insights into design, different critiques of work and stuff like that. Our first assignment: we filled a sketch book page of things that describe us, then we're going to cut it up and rearrange it. Some of it is due on Tuesday, so I'll show a finished product next week.

1:00 pm-3:15 pm. Physics Lab. Instead of doing the normal syllabus shock, we jumped right into a lab assignment about time, position and velocity. We'll have a new lab partner every week, so I'll get to work with most people in my section.

Not too bad of a day, but there's a nice gap, and I just stay on campus instead of driving back and forth, that will give me time to work on homework.

Wednesday (aka, longest days ever!)

9:00 am-9:50 am. History of Civilizations I. This should have been a transfer class from all of the IDS from Lincoln that I had to take, but I guess it's alright for now (since I need it to be full time anyway). This class is going to be fun anyway (ahh, I just said History was going to be fun) The prof is really laid back and likes to joke around, but he didn't want to stress that he is a difficult grader. It's a sophomore level class...I think I can handle is grading. Biggest project of the semester: an 8-10 page research paper on a historical movie. Here's what we have to choose from: 13th Warrior, 300, Alexander, Braveheart, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven. So there's my poll question, which one should I pick?

10-10:50 am. Chapel. I'm required to go to 25 this semester, and it's 3 times a week. I think it will be really good. I kinda missed going to chapel when I was done with Lincoln, so this is a welcome addition to my schedule.

11-11:50 am. Personal Fitness Training. I'm really excited about this. My instructor is a personal trainer, so we're going to go through our goals, and find a workout routine that's good for me. Super excited about it. I've never been this excited about working out before. Among my goals: build muscle, increase flexibility, strengthen my back, lose some weight, and not have such a negative mindset about actually working out.

12-12:50 pm. Physics Lecture. It's really hand-on. I'll probably end up enjoying it for the most part. We start the class with a devotion from Romans for the semester.

2:30-4 pm. Work.

6-6:50 pm. Tools and Media Lecture. Basically how to use the machines in the shop, and learn about safety. We don't want to set anything on fire or cut off any fingers, now do we?

7-7:50 pm. Tools and Media Lab. Actually use the machines in the shop. Only project for the class: build a box. There are specific criteria and a specific amount of materials given, but after that, it's really up to the individual. The drawings for the box are due in a couple of weeks, so I'll have that posted too. But right now, I would like to involve some sort of celtic knotwork, so we'll see how complicated I want it to be. Any other (good) suggestions? Ones that I haven't specifically vetoed already are welcome.

Thursday.

8-10:45 am. Design I. Same as Tuesday.

11:30 am(every other week) Chiropractor. This week, I tried something new aside from the tradition adjustment. I tried acuputure!! Only nine needles in a 'balance method' style. Then I laid there for 10 minutes and just listened to music (which was worship music. Have I said how much I love my chiropractor??) I'm not sure if it was the actually acupuncture, or the fact that I made the conscious effort to lay still and not think about anything but relaxing, but it seems to really help me.

2:30-4 pm. Work.

This Thursday in particular...it poured! And I didn't have an umbrella, and I had to walk clear across campus. I was soaked. My design class is in the basement, and it started to flood. Here's the creek that runs through campus, Tyler Creek. This was taken Thursday afternoon. Thursday morning, it was even higher, definitely outside it's banks. I bought an umbrella that afternoon.

Friday.

9-9:50 am. History of Civilizations.

10-10:50 am. Chapel

12-12:50 pm. Physics.

2:30-4 pm. Work.

So I get to campus in the morning, and don't leave until I'm done with work or my last class, so all that in between time is spent in the library or the commons, working on homework. I'm sure I'll be in the studio during that time too, working on various projects.

So there you have it. I'm sure that was rather boring, but hopefully I'll have some projects and artwork to post soon.

Don't forget to say which movie I should write about and any ideas for a wooden box you might have.

Oh yeah, and birthday is 6 days from today!!!

And stay tuned: I've been reading this book called Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, I'll have some quotations to mention coming soon.

Chicago

This is also not a Hanson song, but it is a Mat Kearney song, which is extremely fitting for the past couple of days.

Meet me in Chicago

Down by the water line

Step across the gold coast

To my heart and to your wine

He wrote that a few blocks from where we saw him on Thursday, but I'll get to that in a bit.

Tuesday I had my Lia Sophia party with Danielle. And it went so well, and I am so happy about that. I made money just spending time with my friends! And I booked two parties from it, which means I get to see them again! I'm pretty proud of my display, isn't it so pretty?

Wednesday, we were supposed to go celebrate Heidi's pre-birthday surprise. It was an outdoor event, but it started pouring right when we were supposed to leave, so we went to the backup, which was my idea for my birthday, so Heidi and I switched birthday celebrations, and we're going to do the other thing closer to my birthday, which is in 13 days!!

Anyway, we went to Howl at the Moon, which is a piano bar, and it was so much fun. At first, there weren't a lot of people there, so most of our song requests got played, and then it started to pick up. Danielle had requested 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' by Billy Joel, which is like 10 minutes long, so the pianist gave the free version, which ended up being the intro. So after a while, Danielle gave more requests and put a $10 with it, and said that it was just for her Billy Joel song, and he played it all! Said for a $1 a minute, he would do it, and it was fantastic! Another song we requested was 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and in the comments, Dani put 'play this or we'll think you can't play' So of course, they played it, and it was amazing! We're definitely going back there!!

And here's Thursday. Danielle and I took the L downtown to see Mat Kearney at Pioneer Court, great location. And it was totally free! and there weren't a lot of people there at first, so we got a good spot. First up was Parachute, which I enjoyed, even though I haven't heard much of their stuff before (but I have their cd now!) Here is part of their single, 'She is Love'.

And then Mat Kearney, oh I like him. He sang some stuff of the new album and the old album, and of course he sang 'Chicago' which is off an EP that was only available for a short time, and now I can't get it! So I tried to post some videos, but it took to long, so I'll try again later. Here's one "All I Have" and "Nothing Left to Lose"

After the concert, we walked around downtown, down by the river, and I had my first Chicago style pizza at Giordano's. I've had a really good relaxing time the past week or so, but now it's time to start school. Classes start on Tuesday.

Burnin' Up

Ok...that is not a Hanson song, I realize that. But it is very fitting for this weekend. (You'll understand after you're done reading this) And Bonus Points to the first person to comment on what band the title is actually from.

This weekend was AMAZING! It was so good to spend time with Danielle and Heidi, and it was such a relaxing weekend before school and the busyness of life starts up again. I got into the city on Friday afternoon. I hate the traffic, and I don't think I'll get used to it anytime soon. Heidi and I went shopping. I got a new perfume. I really like it, it's different. Here's what it says about it: Top notes are litchi, plum, pear nectar accord and strawberry meringe accord; middle notes are violet petal sorbet aromas, mimose blossom and jasmine; base notes are amber, sheer vanilla and teak wood. Like I said, I really like it. It's a limited edition, so I might just need to stock up before it is gone forever.

Saturday, Danielle and I left super early to drive to Lake Manitou in Northern Indiana. (that's us in the car on our way!) Two families from her church own lake front properties right next to each other, and they have an end of summer thing every year. It was a gorgeous day for it. The lake was perfect, completely blue skies for most of the afternoon, and a nice breeze. I could have fallen asleep just drifting on a raft in the lake. It was so peaceful.

View from the upstairs porch (this house was absolutely gorgeous inside and out)

Danielle and I tried to lay on a blanket and read, but their backyard had such a steep grade down to their lake dock, that we ended up slowing sliding down the hill, so we gave up on that idea and went back in the water.

We went on a boat tour around the lake. Some of those houses were incredible, but I don't really want to bore you with pictures of houses, so I'll just pick one. Danielle was so tired from soaking up the sun that she fell asleep on the pontoon boat.

Our next adventure was tubing. Or I should say, Danielle's next adventure was tubing. There is no way you will ever get me to do that. I went out on the boat to take pictures. And even on the boat I could feel my back being compressed with each hit of the waves.

We finished our day off with a game of Corn Hole. Ok, I guess it's called Bags here. But it's Corn Hole in Ohio! and Danielle and I won!! On Danielle's set, when a team wins, you get to sign to boards.

I loved the sunset on the water. It's so beautiful. So my idea it to buy a lake and to design and build all the homes around the lake. I figured that would be a good idea. All the homes would, of course, be green buildings.

Our drive back was equally as eventful as the entire day. We drove back listening and singing to DC Talk Free at Last. It kept us awake and laughing. Ahhh, classic songs. 'down with dc talk, are you down with the dc talk'

And this is the last picture, even though it is thoroughly embarassing, and I don't know why I am showing it in the first place. I used SPF 30. I guess I should have applied more, but I didn't. And I also had a halter swimsuit on, big mistake. We were out there for about 8 hours, and you all know that I'm as white as a ghost. It's really not as bad as it looks, and now I have to do something to even it out. But yeah, this is the result...don't laugh too hard.

Watch Over Me

First of all, great song by Hanson, as always.

So I stayed up Tuesday night to watch the Perseids Meteor Shower. Astronomers say that it's the best meteor shower to observe because it's capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour. So I drove to the campus and parked near the soccer field to watch. I didn't really feel like staying out there too long by myself around midnight. I saw two meteors and decided that was enough for me. Not exactly a shower, but it was worth it. (This is not my picture, even though I wish it were.)

I went to my chiropractor again this morning, and from now on we're going to stick to a bi-weekly schedule. He's a good chiropractor. He seems really focused on keeping me healthy, and I can tell he's sincere about his practice being his ministry.

I'm really blessed that things are falling into place so easily. Hence my Hanson song choice. God knew that I would learn better here than at U of I. And my better, I mean that I'm not only going to be learning how to become an architect, but I'm learning how to be an architect that partners with God to create something beautiful, and to fulfill my role as being the steward of this earth that he called me to be.

Speaking of the school, I started work today. Yippee. Compared to what I was doing before, this is going to be easy. I don't have to balance a cash drawer, I don't have to make the end of the day deposit. I help students give the school money, cash checks, print and mail receipts, accept scholarship money, file things. That's pretty much it. But because the director wants to make sure we're totally confident in the job duties, I'm also working next week, instead of starting on the 24th like the orginal plan. I'm working two days next week, totally about 8 hours, which is great for me! Next week is going to be very busy.

I leave tomorrow for the city. I'm spending the entire weekend there! We're going to the lake on Saturday (I hope I don't get burnt!!) We've got some parties on Sunday. Then I work Monday, Danielle's Lia Sophia party Tuesday, nothing so far on Wednesday, Mat Kearney on Thursday!!!!!! Work on Friday. Oh yeah, and New Student Orientation starts on Friday too, I forgot about that. What a way to end out my summer vacation and head back to school!

Oh, and I'm listening to Thrice's new album 'Beggars' now. It's good, digital download available on iTunes right now, and the physical album in stores September 15 with bonus tracks.

Here's a countdown of things I'm looking forward to (as of Thursday, August 13):

My Birthday, Sept 3: 21 days!

Rachel's Bday: 31 days

Jeremy Camp concert, October 2: 50 days (does anyone want to go with me??)

Erin's Wedding: 58 days

HANSON!!!! October 12: 60 days!

Prosser Wedding (and me definitely being back in Champaign) Nov 2: 86 days

Oh and here are some pictures of Coco, just for the heck of it. Look how long she is when she's all stretched out!

Get Up and Go

Hello my faithful blog followers!

It's been kinda boring since the last blog. I went to Judson to fill out some paper work and get my work schedule ready in Student Accounts. My supervisor went over Student Account confidentiality. She seemed to really stress the fact that we should keep what we see regarding student accounts to ourselves. She wanted to make sure I understood, since I was new. I really wanted to remind her that I worked at a bank for 2 years, and how account information should be kept private. Didn't I just take a BAI test on that before I left? So anyway, I'll be working 4 days a week, 2:30-4. So 6 hours a week. it's not great, but it's not that bad, and I figure that will be grocery money. Or if Lia works out really well, it will be extra spending money for the month.

So I got the syllabus to one of my classes this week, so I thought, being the over achiever that I am (or really want to be), I would start the reading or some of the assignments. I have to watch a period movie and write a paper about it. So I went to the library to check the movies out and decide which one I wanted to write on. So I get to the library, and all of the options were checked out. So instead, I picked out three other movies that are totally unrelated to the project. And I've already watched all three of them. I also managed to pick three movies that have an Irish/Scottish accented male leading actor. Go figure.

First up, 'Once', super cute movie, also a musical! I love musicals! Basically, these two people meet randomly and somehow start working on writing and playing music together in the course of one week. The lead guy is the actual singer/songwriter, and most of the music is his original stuff. Loved it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907657/

Second, 'Dear Frankie'. Also another cute movie, not as much music as 'Once' though. But it has Gerard Butler!! So Frankie's mom writes letters to him and tells him that they are from his dad, who is a sailor on a ship. When the ship docks in their town, Frankie's mother hires a stranger to play the part of Frankie's father. This is also a good watch, and I definitely recommend it. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377752/

Last one is 'August Rush' another music related movie. I got goosebumps, it was so good. This orphaned kid is a musical genius, and he thinks that by playing his music, his parents will hear him and come for him. August is played by that kid from 'Finding Neverland' (also a good movie) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the cute Irish lead. One of my favorite lines comes from Robin Williams character: "You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars. "

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426931/

Speaking of music, I got the new Glory Revealed 2 cd at Judson's bookstore. I loved the first one because it took words straight from Scripture and turned them into song. And this cd is the same way. Lots of fiddle, acoustic guitar. Ahh, I love it!

All that's to say, I think I'm ready for school to start. While being on this mini-vacation has been relaxing, I'm getting bored. And since I don't know anyone here yet, I just sit around watching movies, or occasionally make a trip to some store or run a few errands. But that doesn't mean that my last week of freedom before school starts isn't going to be fun, because it will be! In the words of Hanson, "maybe we could take a walk on the wild side, take a look and see, get up and go!" This coming weekend, I'm goin to the lake with Danielle and Heidi and some other people from their church, I have 1 official Lia party, one unofficial one, and a free concert from Mat Kearney!

Oh yeah, and I'll be 25 in 25 days! And I have no clue what to do for my birthday! Any ideas??

Speechless

So, I've been trying to name my blog titles after Hanson songs...and it should be easy, I have 10+ years of songs to choose from. And I suppose I really am speechless. But right now, I just want to sing this new song, "I'd need a Savior," from a new band, Among the Thirsty. The first verse is this:

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring



I shouldn't be speechless though, and I shouldn't be surprised really. But I find myself saying "ok God, I get it, you've got this thing under control" all the time.


First it was church at Harvest on Saturday. It was nice, I met a few people, but that's because I had to approach first, which is not a 'me' thing to do. But I was introduced to a few people that had some connections to Judson there.


Then it was church at Vineyard on Sunday. I walked into the building to be greeted by my neighbor. I had no idea he went there, and it was a huge comfort to me to see a familiar face. He introduced me to the staff before and after the service, and I definitely felt more of a 'home church' feel there. That also shouldn't surprise me, Vineyard is kinda known for being welcoming and friendly to everyone. So I've found two churches that I'll probably attend, Vineyard in the morning, Harvest for young adult group in the evening.




My biggest thing came today though. I had found 4 different chiropractic offices to call and try out. My first one was AcuCare Total Health. I saw their ad in a local magazine, some of their staff are Harvest members, so I called hoping that they would offer low payment plans without using health insurance. When I called to make an appointment, I started talking to the receptionist about being new and going to Judson. She said her husband is an alum of Judson, and also one of their housemates is an admissions counselor, the same one that I have emailed numerous times with questions in the last couple of months! They do offer payments without insurance, it's more expensive than Melby, but I figured I'm also living in the Chicago suburbs.

So anyway, I get there for my appointment and meet my doctor, who attends Harvest. I told him I was new to the area and had visited Harvest this past weekend. So then he starts telling me his story about moving his family here from Minnesota so his children could attend Harvest's school. He kept saying that it was a total God thing and how God's hand is in everything. And he said that before he sees any of his patients, he prays for them, that he would give them the best care and options for them, and that God would work through him to help people. I teared up a little, and then told him why I moved here and that it was also a total God thing. So anyway, he adjusted me, and I feel a lot better, and a lot less tense than what I was from the move.



Isn't it funny how God just puts people in your life at the right moment? People in Champaign told me to try out Harvest, my neighbor is a member of the Vineyard here, the receptionist at AcuCare and I have a connection through her housemate, I didn't have a preference for doctor and she put me with this doctor, who just happens to pray for me before he treats me.


It's like all these little things that I need to take care of are coming together. I was confident albeit apprehensive that Judson was where God wanted me to be for school. But with these little things, this is God telling me over and over again that I'm ok, and He's got this. I need little reminders occasionally...or maybe on a daily basis. He knows that.