Enchantments

Today is the first day of October! I woke up and genuinely felt the same way as if it were my birthday, sheer excitement! October is magical-- the brisk air becomes more apparent, the leaves turn a beautiful array of golden tones, hot drinks taste that much more amazing, corn mazes, pumpkins and of course you have all month to look forward to Halloween! I'm thinking of having a party at my house that night. What are your plans?


There are small moments when I'm on the bike where I think just by glancing over at something for a second, I have an immortal image burned on my brain the rest of the day. I rode home from school yesterday going down the sidewalk on Huntoon, facing the speeding cars going down the opposite direction. I felt like I was totally protected just by a small curb and a sidewalk, even though I felt a bit like a fish swimming upstream. It's a bit intimidating facing a hundred bumpers all coming at you. I glanced over once to my right when I heard the sound of little boys shouting, and captured an immortal moment in my brain: A pair of boys were sword fighting using large sticks, slapping the wood together to make a curiously loud contact sound. I felt like they should be wearing tiny prince crowns. Fencing is timeless! It reminded me of this magical Glosoli video. I think when I have kids someday I will not own a television for a while simply so that they can nurture their imaginations a bit.

Another small moment was as I was racing down another street, my slightly puffy sleeve caught the wind, and I glanced over and saw it billowing. I couldn't help but smile like a crazy person, smiling at their own sleeve! Later when Emily and I were flying down Indian Hills, I looked over and saw a large patch of corn blazing with the light of the sun. I couldn't take my eyes off of that beautiful sight!

Today, I: (to follow Tricia's suit)

-Spoke a lot of Spanish, including a whole conversation about Mulan y como nos gusta la voz de Donny Osmond.... pretty entertaining stuff, I tell ya!
-Listened to "Tocar Madera" in my Conversational Spanish class, a very spirited song (cancion) about various superstitions, since that happens to be this week's topic. Fun fact: In the Hispanic culture, Tuesday the 13th is the feared day!
-Went to Art Criticism and found out that I was the only one in the class who received an A on our formal analysis paper. That made me feel smart and loved.
-Rode up to 33rd and Indian Hills with Emily after class... which was probably in the area of 10 miles or so? It was a very nice ride and much easier this time with my raised seat.
-Started off season three of Roswell with a bang.... Sonic from my homegirl Tricia, m&m's and popcorn (I've got the magical microwave timing gift), and ROSWELL! BAH! So addicted right now.

Autumnal Musings

My annual affair with Fall begins officially today! I could squeal over and over!

This time of year comes around, and even if just two weeks ago I was wanting more summer, I am definitely ready for a new season. I am always the happiest during Fall, something about it just makes me so giddy!

As you can tell, I often get excited over the next couple months, see post from a year ago.

I rode my bike to school today, my eyes burning from the coldness of the morning air but I didn't care because my old friend had come back to me again. I even pulled out the ole Lumberjacket today in honor of Fall's return and plan to wear it continuously throughout the season. Between my first and second class, I walked over to the Union and was thinking about getting coffee, but changed my mind and bought a hot chocolate instead. It was perfect!

Welcome, Autumn: "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun..." **

**- From a John Keats collection of poetry book I acquired from the library book sale. Isn't that line delightful??

confession

I like hip hop.

I can't help myself.

I feel Fall coming, and I think I'm finally ready to welcome my old, dear friend.

My sister is home. :)

School stress

I miss the carefree days of Summer when all I had to worry about was what bike route I was going to take! This semester is going to be super intense.... I've got four papers to write for my Short Story class and three essay exams, three intense papers for Art Criticism, one huge research paper for Art of Africa, a couple papers for Spanish Grammar Review-- along with keeping a weekly diary in Spanish, and one other paper for my Peru class. And that doesn't even include my tests, oral exams and other projects!

I think what it really comes down to is becoming better organized. I need to take advantage of my time at the museum, and use that time to only work on school stuff. Even though my schedule seems pretty busy, I've got to use the free time I do have to work ahead on things and not procrastinate! This is my last Fall semester.... I've got to remember that I'm nearing the end and can't give up now!