My life as a teacher. My life as a student.

I taught Grace how to ride a bike last night. She refused to learn how to ride a bike when she was younger because she didn't like falling. I now have the privilege of bestowing my gracious knowledge on a graceful Grace. What a hoot. I mean, besides Grace falling and cussing which had me practically on the asphalt with laughter (the cussing part, not the falling), Grace had me cracking up because she would talk to herself as she started to pedal. "Come on, Grace," she'd say, "move that foot." Then, she would start to sing The Wheels on the Bus as she moved forward. I must say she's a fine protege and should be riding around campus in no time. I will certainly get a good workout from all of this--running backwards and the like as I hold onto the handle bars, trying to keep her balanced.

I had a guitar lesson with Andrew today. I learned the blues. I'm so happy. For once, I have something to work towards on guitar. I have an idea of what I need to practice. And, for once, it sounds good. And, I can finally hang out with that guy and not feel majorly AWKWARD. Great closure to a year of emotional havoc. And that's that.


Note: For those of you soaked in anxious anticipation of the release of Pyschologique Plantique, I have a bit of sad news. Due to technical difficulties (as in I broke the stupid CD and the trial software for digital editing on my computer refuses to open), post production is hereby delayed until further notice. It grieves me much, but time this summer seems to be slipping through my fingers anyway.

There ARE perks at work.

Yes, another short blog about work.
On Wednesday, I did some catering for the company that runs the caf at Hope. The catering event took place on campus.
While on break my boss came up to me and said, "Hey, do want to go get the golf cart with me from Operations. We can use it to move a lot of stuff back to the caf."
Ecstatic, I leaped out of my chair and exclaimed, "I've always wanted to ride the golf carts at Hope!"
But it gets better...
My boss then asked, "Well, then, do you want to drive it?"
Heh heh heh.
The first voice in my head said, "Eleanor, be a good little girl and tell her you don't have your license." The second countered, "Eleanor, if you tell her that she won't let you drive it." And, oh, how I wanted to!
So, I didn't tell her. And, she let me drive it. And, it didn't have brakes. In fact, I had to use the emergency brake to stop it.
I must say I did a fine piece of driving (despite backing into the side of a building and running into a gate, almost killing a bed of flowers and nearly hitting a tree). If only, if only I had a golf cart to call my own.

And, now, I really must away to bed. Every bone and muscle cracks and aches. Work has been extremely intense lately at The Grove. It's yet another very humbling job--although it has perks of its own (but, sadly, no golf carts to drive).

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived. ~Thomas Merton

By golly, it's been awhile. Where to begin? A lot can happen in three weeks or however long it's been. Long story short, I've spent most of my last three weeks at my aunt's house or other places but NOT in the dorm and NOT with my laptop. Here's a brief overview: cousin came into town, camp, Disneyland yet again, parents came into town, cousin's wedding, time at the apartment, time with friends and family, July 4th, more parents time, and camping once again!

Two of my roommates, another girl, and I went camping last night up on some mountain. I have no clue where we were but it was loads of fun and a great time to bond with the roomies. I attempted mountain biking. That was interesting. Kim was speeding down the hill in front of me (mind you, her brakes weren't working, but she didn't care) and all I could do was yell out her name every two seconds while gripping my brakes. We got to explore an ancient dilapidated ski lift and spent the night out under the stars. I haven't seen the Milky Way in so long. Caroline told me the story of the giant triangle. One of the stars is the princess and another one is the prince. They're in love (typical) but they can never be together because of her status and because the great river (or Milky Way) separates them. They can only secretly get together one night out of the year to revive old feelings and there's a great festival in Japan on that day.

STRAM Camp was great, too. I got up really early every morning to prepare food for the campers. I did other activities besides working in the kitchen, though. Rock climbing, kayaking, hiking. Bonding with my most darling cousin, Breanne. Rachel came, too. She asked us to draw her face on a paper plate and take pictures of us with "her." That turned out to be quite an entertaining way to spend the afternoon. Breanne and I got hold of a mop top. It was orginally supposed to be Rachel's hair but we wound up wearing it and modeling for the camera.

I got to spend a lot of time thinking on the way up and back from the Sierras. It's amazing how your mind can wander on long car rides. That's what I love about them. I spent much time thinking about how I feel like I'm on the brink of something. On the edge of a cliff, ready to jump. I sometimes wonder if this desire to pick up and go will hurt my opportunity to keep close friends. I can never sit still for too long. I'm always wanting to move on. But I want somewhere to come back to, a home. These are very much like the emotions I was having when first starting college. I'm a little emotionally drained. Desiring to be an independant woman and, yet, having the need to curl up in my papa's lap.

My good old friend, CHANGE. I love CHANGE. We were made for each other. He's about to take me on an unforgetable adventure.

It's just you and me here now.
Only you and me here now.
Oh, Jesus, I love you! Take me on this journey!