We're just real Topeka people, man

On Thursday, a 13 year-old dream was fulfilled: I climbed all the way to the top of the Capitol dome.

I was originally supposed to do this years ago, when I was a mere third grader in Mr. Howard's class. He had made it sound so exciting, that we would first be dodging cars as we crossed the street (after looking both ways, of course) and climb the many steps to the top. I was SO pumped to go after he talked it up for a couple of weeks. But then eight year-old Elena got very sick the night before the much-anticipated field trip and could not go.

Years have passed, and that eight year-old Elena has turned into 21 year-old Elena-- a real live adult. Another opportunity arose to reach this goal when one of my professors announced we would be doing this for class. I'm in a Digital Art Media class and we frequently go on field trips to photograph.

Hesitation filled me when the moment finally arrived to ascend. I heard some classmates chatting about how scary the climb is, especially the moment right before you reach the top-- the spiral staircase. You first climb to about the ninth floor, I think, and from there you step on this one staircase that seems to not be attached to anything, seemingly like walking across the air. Once there, you reach the spiral which appears to never end. Going up isn't nearly as bad as going down, however. If you're going up, you can pretend nothing else in the world exists, save for the step right in front of you. I would encourage this method when going down, too. It's much more difficult not to look at how high up you are and how the shoes you are wearing may not have been the best-- flats, let's say.

But once you really are at the top and can step outside, the view is amazing. You can look down on all Topeka, the perfect bird's eye-view. Adventure! Here are some photos from that day:

This is the interior dome. But there's another dome beyond THAT!

Here are a couple of my classmates surveying their surroundings. This is beyond the interior dome in that first shot.

Another view past the interior dome.

Here is the last dome, and all the stairs leading up to it.... take note of the spiral, which is the very, very top.

Atop the spiral.

Outside now!

Standing on top of Topeka! I want to go again!

Case of the un-Mondays

This sounds crazy, maybe even ludicrous, some might say, but (wow, three commas in one sentence... is that acceptable?) I really look forward to my Monday day of classes. This is due to the fact that my first and only class starts at 9 and is over by 10. And then I have the rest of the day to do whatever and I don't even work on Mondays either.... what should happen is me making good use of that time and getting ahead in other classes.

I'm looking forward to the beginning of a new week. It always seems so fresh with possibilities. The Lord is totally amazing, and I'm completely in love with Him... His mercies are new everyday-- what a phenomenal thought! His love never fades.

The collage feature

Sad fact: Picasa is not compatible with Mac's.

This wouldn't even bother me because I love Photoshop for editing purposes, but I haven't figured out how to create collages on this thing. With Picasa, it's a very simple process.

Question: Do any of you out there reading this know an easy Mac-friendly free program that enables you to create collages? Or can talk me through how to make them on Photoshop?

A day in the life of an Elena

Remember those days when I used to blog everyday? Man, that was crazy! I miss blogging like that, because it's such a good outlet for my inspirations, thoughts, weird stories, and everyday observations of life. So... this week I'm going to try blogging everyday, even if it's something just really boring or just two lines. For this entry, I will merely tell you of today's happenings:

A.M.:

7:25-- Wake up, get ready for the day. Peanut butter toast for breakfast... and a chocolate-covered cherry.
8:53-- Parked my car near Stoffer, and on a whim decided that I really didn't want to attend my only class of the day.
8:55-- Left campus a couple minutes later, after debating whether this was a good idea. Worked it out in my head because I knew we would have an easy day in Spanish and felt it would be alright to miss.
9:02-- Arrive at bank, and remember that it's a holiday, so they are closed. Decide to deposit two paychecks tomorrow.
9:10-- Arrive at Lifeway, seriously considering which Bible to buy for about twenty minutes before choosing a Thinline ESV... classic Elena choice. Chat with Melissa Sabes for about fifteen minutes (she works there).
10:10-- Meet Tricia at her house, exchange valentines, sit on her bed and chat and giggle.
11:40-- Order Sonic, get extra Diet Coke for Rachel Mills.
11:57-- Arrive at Kalos, have lunch with Rachel in her office. Knock drink off desk after spinning in swirly chair. Giggle. Talk about bad Macbeth remakes with Kristen. Wave to Jenna through the glass.

P.M.:

1:07-- Leave Kalos, head to Hobby Lobby to pick out foam board for Photo project for Digital Art Media.

And now here I sit, typing up my daily activities, by the hour (ish). There you have it.

A little extra pollution into the air

There's nothing quite like a rainy day to inspire reflection, surrender, serenity, trust, acceptance, humility, love, futility of life, peace, and feelings of admiration for the Creator of the world. :)

Yep. It's been a busy morning, but I am choosing to be content in the Lord. He knows best-- I do not. I'm trusting in His plan, I'm surrendering my own needs, wants, felt rights, and concerns.

It's hard to express how I'm feeling, but it's like the feeling after you've just inhaled a bunch of air and exhaled it all-- no remnant of air bottled up, only carbon dioxide leaving your body. :)

I am truly at peace, and all because of my wonderful Savior. Selah!

Elenita

"Quiero volar porque soy baja."

Ese es mi respuesta cuando mi profesora me pregunta cual superpoder quiero y por que.

Pero tambien quiero volar, porque quiero estar en el aire, !para flotar encima de las nubes y para mirar a todo el mundo!