Ahh updates, and my sign off

Just a few more days until I'm reunited with my other 2/3 for almost four whole months!

The following is a list of things that happened in my life/realizations, and right at the moments they happened/became clear I made mental notes to blog them:

1) I just learned that Copneconic means "Land of the wild Artichokes," and so you can imagine the confusion I have been living in since June. Speaking of artichokes,

2) Yesterday George steamed one and taught me how to eat it; let me tell you, it's quite the process.

3) The weather in Chicago is finally beautiful, flowers have been planted all over the city, I have spent the majority of the past few days at the beach, but

4) I sadly leave on thursday morning. I don't want to leave, but I am very excited about that which is quickly approaching:

5) I start outdoor ed. on friday, am making a cross-state trek with Todd to pick out horses for the summer on sunday, and there are only 41 days until staff training. I won't keep it a secret,

6) I am very excited to meet the new imports for the summer. Also very excited to meet the new ranch director. Oh wait,

7) there is no ranch director. That's okay though, because recently I have been very into theme parties (including "St. Louis comes to the Chi- imagine preppy assholes and country club bitches- and "Barbie Dreamhouse"- just picture pink, glitter, and lots of stiff arm poses) and we can just pretend somebody is the director. Anywho,

8) I went to the beach alone today because all my friends have real finals they had to study for, read a book, took a nap, people watched, and got a little sunburned. It was amazing. Followed it up with some banana split ice cream and a cool shower.

9) I quit my stupid office job (Em, don't mention this in front of Linda) because my supervisor is a real you-know-what, and I was sick of staring at a computer screen. I learned that I am NOT cut out for a 9-5 job in an office. Or a living where I have a supervisor/boss. So Kate, Em, when we publish children's books I need to be in charge or I will spaz and ruin lives.

10) In other news, I've signed up to run a 5K on June 3, but have yet to start training for it. I know it's no huge deal, but I'm thinking maybe just a few couple mile runs a week would be a good idea. Em, I am counting on you to badger me. We should make Kate come, too. That would provide lots of entertainment. You missed her playing basketball on the mission team weekend- she's got real killer instincts on the court (read: completey defeatist attitude).

11) Does anybody want to live in Chicago from late august until early january with me? All of my closest friends at school happen to be studying abroad next semester, and I am not going until second semester. We will pass in the night and I will not see them from when I leave on thursday until august 2008 when I return from France. I am having an identity crisis knowing they will be gone- I don't know where to live, who to live with, who to play with, or who I will rely on in the city. I'll probably just get a cat and write in my blog a lot. But seriously, I'm depressed and scared about this.

On the other hand, did I mention how excited I am to get some new horses? Some fresh blood is just what we need at the ranch to liven things up. I have also bee given permission to get a few chickens, a lamb, and a fainting goat. One question: How do I get the money to purchase these animals? An answer would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to follow suit with Katie F. and sign off here; it's time for camp, nature, songs, bunks, kids, dirt, and horses. It's been real. It's been fun. It's been fabulous. Until September,

Peace, love, and ponies.

“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.”
-Dale Evans Rogers