Jesse McCartney? - Rachel

When I had been talking to my friend Catie earlier this week she mentioned to me that she might have 2 free tickets to Jesse McCartney concert for Tuesday night and she was looking for someone to go with. I told her at the time that I'd go with her, not because I particularly enjoy his music, but because I thought it would be a lot of fun. As it turns out, Catie was able to borrow a friends car and I was the only one to take her up on the offer to go see the show. This is why last night I found myself in the midst of quite a lot of preteen girls all shrieking as loud as humanely possible. It was especially fun for me because the show was at the House of Blues in Cleveland where I've seen a few shows before, but none ever like this. Every time Jesse would do something as small as taking off his sunglasses, the crowd would erupt in screams. I have to admit, just to get it out of my system, I let out at least one obnoxious shriek.

The most strenuous part of the evening was the driving. Catie and I have always bonded over the fact that we both view driving the same way, we hate it. Merging sometimes felt stressful, and we did miss a few roads, although never with any drastic consequences. I'm afraid sometimes I added to the problem as many of the Cleveland street names are now familiar to me. I did usefully know that Chester ran parallel to Euclid, for which I was very proud of. And despite any of our mishaps, I was back on campus before 10:30.

Activities of late - Rachel

I'm pretty sure it never stops snowing in Berea. Brr!

On a happier note, last night I went to a student dance performance here at B-W with Roberta and Leah. Watching the ballet numbers really took me back to the old Carol Lee days. I can see Charity in a tutu now. She was always my favorite dancer. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the dancers here were much better than Charity ever way. It was all very entertaining, and it was especially fun for me because I knew a handful of the dancers and choreographers.

Then this morning I went to a nursing home in Cleveland to volunteer. It was through our office of community outreach, they have monthly Saturday service trips. It was definitely a home in worse shape than Ridgewood, but I still had a good time playing bingo with the residents. I even had a good chat with a nice old man about Reynolds (he saw the name on the t-shirt I was wearing).

Tonight will be more fun with Kathleen, we're probably getting Chinese food and staying in out of the cold tonight. First though, I have to go get my laundry out of the dryer!

Heat and other agrievances - Rachel

My dorm building has been having some very mysterious heat problems lately. I live on the second floor (woo, room 203!) and it has been stifling up there! It's not uncommon for Emily, my roommate, or I to open the window, despite the fact that it is winter and very cold outside. Now, travel down to the basement of 21 Beech and the exact opposite is the problem. I have a class in the basement, and yesterday sitting down there was like being in an igloo. It was very bizarre to feel the temperature rapidly drop as I traveled down two flights of stairs.

As I'm sitting at work, I'm not exactly looking forward to the rest of the day (three classes in a row without a lunch break and an astronomy exam in the evening!), but there are some consolations. One is that as soon as I get off work at 10, I'll run over and grab some delicious breakfast. Two is that I finished all of my homework for today, so I'm prepared to go into my classes. Three is that I actually enjoy my classes once I get there. At least this is what I'm trying to tell myself.

Bis später!

Transfer -Kristen

Well... I've been informed that I should contribute to this blog sometime. Charity will be telling all about her exciting adventures in Sydney, Rachel will tell all about her equally exciting college life, and I'll attempt to make Transfer sound slightly interesting, although I don't think that all too many people will care.

I'm keeping busy as always. My basketball team has finally finished out the regular season (21-1), and now it's off to the playoffs for us. I've been getting a pretty decent amount of playing time, but it will be interesting to see what happens from here on out.

The school production of Guys and Dolls is starting practices too. I have three minor roles (Agatha, Hot Box Girl, and Havana Dancer). I'm not particularly looking forward to the dancing part of it, but hopefully the rest of it will be better.

The annual Students for Charity penny drive is occurring once again. This year I've actually helped out though. First period Friday found me counting the pennies in the guidance office and left me with the disgusting coppery smell on my hands until I could wash them. I still can't believe that Mrs. Jones hasn't called for the election of a new secretary since my notes of the meetings quite frequently are accompanied by : ) or : ( faces to entertain me.

Church and youth group keep me busy as well. It's still weird being the oldest member of youth group, and the horde of Jr. High boys can definitely get on my nerves (Wesley being one of the worst). Their enthusiasm for frisbee at the beginning of the year helps some though. The crazy members of Zion's and St. Mark's also felt the need to elect me joint consistory secretary today. I was rather disappointed because now I can't eat cookies at the meetings, and I actually have to pay attention.

I feel like this is enough of my wonderful life for now, it's a lot more than Rachel, but she'll probably write a lot more often than me too. : )

Valentine's Day - Rachel

Now that Charity is safely in Sydney, someone has to update the world about the exciting happenings in Ohio. Luckily, I'm more than willing to oblige. I certainly think Berea is just as exciting as Sydney.

Reflecting on today's holiday, I can just hear Wesley mocking me, "Rachel, did you know you're the only single one in the family?" Regardless of that fact, I'm quite happy it's Valentine's Day. It gives my friends and me a chance to celebrate. Also, a chick flick movie marathon is in order. The list from last night and tonight goes as follows, in chronological order: Love Actually, Laws of Attraction, Notting Hill, The Notebook, and Sleepless in Seattle. I'm also more than willing to play the part of depressed girl if it scores me some peanut butter ice cream.

More great news, I got my camera back yesterday! For the quick recap, this is the camera that hasn't worked since August. So, it was certainly exciting to get it back. I'm sure I will have plenty of pictures from my college life now. I just can't promise that they won't all be absolutely ridiculous.