A Year Among the Lakes

I've moved!

2012-09-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Check me out at betweenthelakes.wordpress.com

This will stay up, as it has my paypal link on it, and I can't figure out how to get one on wordpress. Sigh!

K. Gray

Things I'm learning from Michigan Part 1:

2012-07-15T12:54:00.001-07:00

1. Everything is cheaper, and therefore better.

2. You can have an 800sq ft apartment for $800. Less if you don't want to live in Ann Arbor.

3. You don't need amusement parks and malls to entertain you.

4. Starbucks is the worst coffee I've ever had.

5. Everyone in Michigan is a nerd. Everyone. Without exception.

6. Buying local is the best thing for anyone.

7. I will forever mourn the loss of Borders.

8. 2000 miles is a long way from anything.

9. Driving to the UP is apparently not a single-day trip (although we do it anyway).

10. People actually know what living means.

11. 24-hour grocery stores (that are -not- WalMart) need to exist everywhere.

2012-07-15T12:49:00.004-07:00

I haven't updated this, semi on purpose. So, so, so many things have happened. I have been grateful for all of them. But there have been things happening without me as well, and I find myself unable to cope with the lack of me being there to watch them, participate and take action. The final straw was having to take the person who means the most to me in the world to the airport July 13th, not to see him again until Christmas. On top of that, my family's failing health and having little to no prospects out here... I've made a huge decision.

So, dearest Los Angeles, I'll see you again in eight months.

The End of the Year

2011-12-31T09:33:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm sitting on my mentor's couch, enjoying a lazy morning on New Year's Eve while two birds chirp and whistle loudly in their cages from across the room. It's a nice morning, and better already than the boring evening I experienced last night. I thought I'd take some time, collect my thoughts and reflect on the past year. It's been a long one, an adventurous one and one that I'm sure will be sticking with me for a long, long time.

This year I made a cross-country trek with my roommate, a cat and everything I owned packed into my little Serenity. It really is only by the grace of God that I went, made it and am now living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Four days on the road, seeing sights I never imagined existed inside the US, staying in hotels, realising my car wasn't made for the Rockies... all experiences I never want to forget, and I am incredibly happy I had. There is nothing quite like a road trip. It's exciting, scary, but mostly the best time of your life. I'm excited for my next one, wherever it takes me. I adopted a kitty, the best cat in the world, and as of right now I miss him terribly. I hear he misses me, too. I long to see his little chubby face again.

In May I started the school I'll be graduating from, and it's my favourite of the lot so far. Yes, I found my best friend at PCC, but Eastern has brought me other great friends and an easier way to my degrees. I'll hopefully be finishing this summer, and I can't wait to hold those degrees in my hands (y'know, when they arrive in the mail months later). I have no idea if I'll stay in Michigan, move back to California, or go somewhere else. It's a decision I really don't like thinking about, but if I've learned anything from this year, it is to trust God fully. He's gotten me so ahead in life this year, how could I not trust that He'll continue to lead me in the right direction? So I decided that where I live is up to Him. I'm just hoping it involves awesome friends surrounding me.

Also in May I discovered just how amazing Steampunk is, and how much better suited I am toward it than Gothy-ness. Yes, yes. I know. But Steampunk was what I'd been searching for as a Goth, and I am proud to wear my brown and gears! I also found some of the coolest friends a new girl could ask for. Sundays nights became Game Night with a very large group of loud, nerdy, wonderful people. I am so thankful to have them in my life. They mean more to me than they can possibly know.

In August I found another love of my life, not in a person, but in a place. There is nowhere better for the outdoors than the Upper Peninsula. The moment we crossed that bridge I knew it was love. The trees, the lake, the people, the pasties... everything about the UP put me at ease and expanded my senses. Not only that, but I had my first real encounter with the paranormal outside my father's house. I saw the Paulding Light (along with about fifty or sixty other people). It was... indescribable. I've posted a blog on it, taken pictures and video, and stood for nearly three hours staring at the pulsing orb, and musing with other visitors on what it could be. It was a wonderful first paranormal investigation, and got me creating a popular blog. August was a win.

In fall I explored my first pumpkin patch, and had a fantastic time watching the colours change. Spending a fall in a state with seasons was beautiful, and I have certainly found my favourite season of all.

This year I have also worked as a nanny for two great kids and a loving family, and I am so proud to work there. I kind of miss them even now, and going back to work doesn't seem like such a daunting task to me. I know I don't wan to nanny forever, but for now it seems a perfect match. Now if only I could get them to like my car...

At this moment I am the heaviest I've ever been, but thanks to freaking out, not wanting to buy new clothing and my roommate's new exercise bike, all that will change. It's not a resolution, because I never keep those, but a promise to myself to get in better shape and return home next year looking and feeling better than ever. Midwestern food and eating habits totally don't help, though. These people love their food.

Thanks to all of you I am able to be sitting on a couch in Southern California right now. Without donations there is no way I would have made it home for Christmas. I am so thankful to all of you who gave. It honestly made me cry when my inbox lit up with donation emails. I have the most wonderful support group in the world, and I could ask for nothing better.

What 2012 holds for me I do not know. I plan on graduating, moving out (of at least this apartment), getting a decent-paying job and hopefully traveling somewhere neither California or Michigan. Maybe I'll actually make it to New Orleans again. I don't know. What I do know is that God and all of you are there for me, and I think the biggest lesson I've learned this year is that others are trustworthy, reliable and friendly. I've learned to put my faith in God, and relax in the knowledge that He provides everything I need, no matter what I do or say. He has blessed me with wonderful people whom I can count on and go to in times of need. I've been shown that I can make it out on my own, 2000 miles away from those I love most, and thrive in any environment. And that's a comforting thought.

See you all in the New Year!

One Week

2011-12-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

(Oh, yeah. We "made" a gingerbread house, too. Kind of.)

Yesterday marked the one week mark until I go home for Christmas. It's almost surreal that I'm even going home. If it weren't for all of you reading this, I wouldn't be. But Friday I'll be on a plane back to Los Angeles. I'm both incredibly excited... and absolutely terrified.

As many of you know, my family has been going through a very rough time. My brother is awol most of the time, my father ignores his problems and escapes to Big Bear. Really, the only sane one left is my sister. Which I'm thankful for, because I at least have one house of sanity to run to. But I'm incredibly nervous about what Christmas will bring. It obviously won't be the same, but how not the same is left wide open. I have no idea what to expect, and that scares me. I never like entering a new situation completely unarmed. I'm fiercly protective of Christmas, and each one seems to get a little worse. I'm hoping for the best, but keeping a few contingency plans in the works.

I have no idea what home will be like. I've never been away this long, and I'm nervous that I'll no longer have a place among all my friends. I've definitely changed, and while I think it's for the better, I don't know how anyone will react. Sure, this is all speculation, but I've honestly got no idea what will happen when I step off that plane.

I also have no idea how rent will be paid. I'm only working two weeks this month, and I've already spent a good chunk of paycheck on getting things ready for my trip. God provides, but I'm never sure exactly how much. Yes, some voice in my head says "everything," but c'mon. I wouldn't be me if I didn't worry.

What I do know is that Christmas lights looks much, much better when there's snow on the ground, and I have officially walked in temperatures in the teens. It hasn't snowed much, and so far driving is okay. I can scrape ice with the best of them, and I haven't slipped and fallen once! Okay once, but I tripped on a stick, not the ice. It totally doesn't count. People saw me, though, so that was embarrassing. Noel Night in downtown Detroit was really fun, even if I had a headache the whole time. I'm in love with the DIA, and I can't wait to go back and spend hours looking at art from all over the world. I really enjoy Detroit, and wish I could spend more time there. I'll always have a thing for cities. We understand each other.

C and I went to Holly, and missed the tree lighting ceremony, but walked around a bit. You really do go back in time when you step onto the streets of downtown Holly. The shops are adorable, and filled with cute nick-nacks and made-in-Michigan products. I bought my favourite chips in the world (Factory tortilla chips), and had some tasty creme soda! All in all, it was a fun (if freeeeeezing) night!

I'm going home in SIX DAYS. I miss my dog like no one's business. I'll miss my cat about the same. I got him a scratching post to distract him from my absence. I hope it works. Three weeks is a long time to be away. I'll desperately miss game night, but I'm excited for all the other nights I get to spend in the company I've missed for the past eight and a half months.

I can still use a whole lot of prayer, if you're up for it. Financially, spiritually, emotionally... these past eight and a half months have been bumpy, to say the least. Keep those good vibes coming! And I'll see you in six days, Southern California!

2011-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

I had a huge, long post about my Halloween and what's been going on in life, but it got deleted by Blogger, and I seriously don't feel like rewriting it all.

Went to Cedar Point, Halloweekends, and it was remarkable like Knott's Scary Farm, but better because it had a few different things than I am used to. All in all, it was incredibly fun and I am very glad I went!

Halloween was kind of a disappointment, but it always is, so I'm not sure why I always expect something else. Still hoping to go clubbing sometime before December. We'll see. Dressed as Tonks, though, and I make a damn good one.

Went to both my first pumpkin patch AND first cider mill. Pumpkin patch was AMAZING, and everything I pictured from books and movies and such. The cider mill was slightly disappointing (I really wanted an apple orchard, I guess), but there was free wine tasting and I stuck my head through a giant apple, so win!

Violin Monster invited me out for a drink.. and then it only lasted an hour. I really don't understand boys, and they are insanely frustrating. Waiting until April is really going to suck, but I'll keep trying, damnit.

VM, if you're reading this, skip over that part and continue below. Thanks!

School is kicking my ass, work is never enough, but c'est la vie. I'm used to it by now.

I can really only think about going home at this point. I'm counting down the days until December 16th (32 now!), and seeing my lovely friends and family. Home is eclipsing everything else in life right now. I've even started charting what my three weeks will look like. It's actually a lot harder than it sounds (I'm way more popular than I know how to handle), and getting a bit frustrating. But! I will be home, and everything will be fine. End of story.

I'm totally neglecting homework and two papers right now. I should do them, but I really don't want to. Maybe over Thanksgiving break.

I miss you all, I love you all, I'll see you all in December!

Ask, and You Shall (hopefully) Receive

2011-10-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't a legitimate update on my life in Ann Arbor. Suffice to say that school is kicking my ass, I don't get enough days at work and at the moment my throat is too swollen to swallow. What this post is about, is something that is very difficult for me to talk about.

I'm having a hard time with money. I can barely make rent (still working on where this month's is coming from), and that means that there has been no way to save up to get me a flight home for Christmas. A lot of negative stuff has been happening in my family's lives lately, and all I really want to do is go home so I can be with them. The problem is that I can't get there, and no one in the family has enough money to lend me themselves.

So what this post is, is a plea to all my friends, family and followers out there. You'll see a little button on the side of my blog that says "Send Kimmy home for Christmas!" and has a "DONATE" icon underneath it. Clicking this sends you to PayPal, a completely secure website, where you can indeed donate whatever amount to my fund. This is in no way a requirement to read my blog, or is it mandatory because I know you. It's just a question, a request.

I would love more than anything to get home for Christmas. This is the longest I've ever been from home, and I grow increasingly homesick every week.

Please don't feel obligated. I have a very hard time asking for charity, but I know when I need help.

God always, ALWAYS provides, but sometimes you have to ask for help first.

Thanks so much if you give, or even if you took the time to read this. I really appreciate every bit of support (financially, emotionally, and in between) that you guys give me. I couldn't have even moved here without you.

I will do my best to update this more often. My other blog (americanhaunts.blogspot.com) takes up a lot of time, as well as school and work, but I really need to be writing down my experiences here more. I'll do my best.

Thanks, again, and I hope to see you all at Christmas!

Kimmy

Holidays, Haunts and Hotel Rooms (part 2)

2011-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well! Friday was such a success, that I knew Saturday would be as well. Having decided to slough off the Pictured Rocks in exchange for seeing more than one thing in a day for free, we set out for Paradise (the town. This wasn't some Thelma and Louise adventure, and certainly no one drove off the side of the Grand Canyon), meandering our way through the UP. First, however, we had to make a little pit stop in Calumet (Cal-you-met, apparently), MI. Just a little north and east from Houghton, Calumet looks like it comes straight out of the old mining days. In fact, it looks exactly like old mining towns out west. I was immediately enraptured by this place. Every building seemed to be older than one hundred years old! The church looked like a miniature copy of St. Louis' Cathedral in New Orleans. The gift shops, and even the Curves had fronts that defied modernity. I kept telling C how much I felt I was under dressed. Surely this kind of town warranted costume all year round. I needed to be in a long, probably dusty, dress. Something sort of frilly, but not too expensive.

Every building seemed better than the last, until we walked up to what we had been searching for- The Calumet Theatre. When it opened in 1900, it was said to be the "greatest social event ever known in copperdom's metropolis." Or, so it says on the plaque just outside the building. It is really beautiful- the architecture is very Spanish and very old- arches everywhere, brick and what I assumed to be adobe, or something like it. The inside, or what little we got to see of it (there was an event going on at the time), is still done up like it would have been when it opened- there are ornate moldings everywhere, mostly done in white with red trim. The stadium seating overlooks a small, but big enough stage. The bathrooms look.. well, like bathrooms. Those weren't so impressive. What is impressive, however, is the ghost. All theatres have them, whether they be terrors in the night, or helpful, comforting presences. Thankfully the ghost in the Calumet is one of those comforting ones.

Said to be the ghost of a Polish actress from the period, the strange goings-on here have been witnessed since 1958, when an actress on stage forgot her lines and a feminine voice whispered them in her ear. Calumet claims to be the home of Helena Modjeska, a famous actress who made a living traveling from theatre to theatre around the country. But wait! I'm saying too much! If you want to know more, check out my other blog. The link will be at the bottom. ;)

We didn't stay long in Calumet, since we wouldn't be able to get a decent view of the theatre anyway. I bought an old key from the copper shop, and we were on our way! Having heard of Copper Harbor, and always wanting to be the "only of my friend to ever do _______", we went as far north as we could in Michigan! Copper Harbor is absolutely beautiful, and the drive is easy and just as colourful. Green was everywhere I looked, and I felt a million miles from people- and it was a good thing. Copper Harbor itself is a little town (does it have that status?) with friendly people and a lot of visitors. We ate at a place right by the water, and I regret now that I didn't take a picture of the name so I'd remember it. But pasties and pizza were had, and all was well. Two of my favourite foods, on one plate. Simply amazing. It was a decent pasty, beef with gravy, and some of the best pizza I have ever had. They put so many spices and garlic and everything on it! I miss it already. We hung out at the Thunderbird gift shop across the street for a little while, and I ended up buying a book on all the hauntings of the UP. Typical me. But afterward, we spotted a candy shop and there was no stopping Crysta.

The place was amazing! It had every kind of candy I used to get as a kid, most of what Crysta used to get, and I'll bet my dad would have a great time reminiscing about candy from his youth. They even had those little candy cigarettes you can't get in California anymore because they look too much like cigarettes! Where was this candy shop all throughout my cosplaying days? Alas, up here. 2,000 miles away in the great north. But! We got a haul, anyway, made up mostly of Bubblicious, because it's ridiculous that no one makes actual bubblegum anymore.

After began our long, long drive to Paradise. Well, Paradise, Michigan, anyway. We're not Thelma and Louise, and all we'd be driving off into is a giant lake. But! I did get to stop and take a picture in front of the house where my mentor's husband grew up in Marquette. That was pretty spectacular. I have a thing for people's backgrounds. This was like getting a glimpse into the past, and it was great! However, all that driving (and we were only halfway there) makes one incredibly hungry. After some driving around, and shaking up my UrbanSpoon app (love that thing), we found Jean Kay's Pasties, a little north of Northern Michigan University. Instead of pasties, however, we opted for sandwiches and, I have to tell you, DILL PICKLE CHIPS.

I cannot stress how good these things are. THEY TASTE LIKE PICKLES. IN CHIP FORM. I'm addicted to them, and can't bear to throw away the tiny bit left in the bag on the counter (still). I had no idea chips like this existed! How glorious! How delicious! How.. odd! But they do! And C says there's a place near us that sells them. What joy can be found!

Hmm.. I digress. After devouring my chips and sandwich, we hopped back in the car, with C at the wheel, and resumed our journey to Paradise. Michigan gets really dark at night. Like.. really. Dark. And seriously, there are too many deer up here. And none of them know what cars are, or why they should avoid them. Thankfully we saw no accidents, but I was honestly scared for my life driving in pitch black with occasional eye shines peeking out from the bushes along the side of the road. But finally, fiiinally, we arrived in Paradise, which is.. well.. not much. Our motel looked like this:

Yeah. It looked like my house in the 70's (okay, the 90's, but back off). The lock was.. minimal, and the bath mat said "bath mat" and was made out of paper. But, it was a cheap room to stay in, so who can really complain? The bathroom was clean, hell the room was cleaner than the one we'd stayed in the night before.

So, without knowing much about our surroundings, we watched The Soup and Fashion Police, then drifted off to fitful nights of sleep in a room in which I was sure we were going to be murdered.

Stick around for Day three!

Holidays, Haunts and Hotel Rooms.

2011-09-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well! I just got back from one of the best vacations of my life! I suppose I better recount it now while everything is still fresh in my incredibly tired mind.
First, there are a few terms you'll need to be acquainted with before I start the story of my past four days:

1. UP- Upper Peninsula; this is the other half of Michigan that no one on my side of the country seems to remember. It's that part of land that's not Wisconsin.
2. Yooper- This is the name for the natives of the UP.
3. Pasty- (Pass-tee, not Pays-tee); these are like pot pies, but a million times better and can be hand held. Also, the gravy goes on the outside, like it should.
4. Mackinac/Michillimackinac- Pronounced Mak-in-aw and Mish-ill-i-mak-in-aw.

Alright, are we good? Great! Let's begin.

We left Friday morning around 8:30, after stopping by the office to retrieve C's lost credit card. The entire trip up to Houghton, Michigan took about ten hours, with us stopping along the way for gas and doing our best to not stop for food. The trip up was a rather uneventful one, save for a few teeny towns (villages, more likely) and my first time driving over the Mackinac bridge! If you've never seen it, the Mackinac bridge is a sight to behold. Spanning much, much longer than our famed Golden Gate, this bridge is a lovely shade of green and crosses over one of the deadliest pieces of water in America. I also consider it to be one of the most beautiful. Standing in front of the bridge, on either the Lake Michigan or the Lake Huron side, is both humbling and awe-inspiring. I truly felt small, which is a hard thing to make me feel. I fell in love with the Mackinac bridge last July when I first visited Michigan. It was right there! I stood underneath it! If only I could've driven over it... but that would have to wait a year and a month. I took pictures in front of it, and that was fine then. We had an island to scurry off to. But I finally got my chance to drive over it (I have a thing about driving over bridges) Friday afternoon. It took so much longer than driving over the Golden Gate, and the view was spectacular! But where I really wanted to be lay over the six minute route over the bridge.

I fell in love with the UP long ago, when the two people I knew from there would use the accents and tell me stories of life up north. It's seemed like this mysterious other country to me (and apparently to a lot of people), and somewhere I would instantly love. And when the wheels of C's Honda Fit touched the ground on the other side of the bridge I knew just how in love I would be.It really does feel like you're crossing into Canada. There is a toll for the bridge, and I half expected the nice woman in the booth to ask for my passport. But we paid the $3.50 and zipped on in!

There are two things I immediately noticed about the UP: 1. That everyone is incredibly nice and everyone goes the speed limit (thank goodness. Michigan was starting to give me a complex), and 2. That Yoopers only eat pasties, pizza, smoked fish, ice cream and jerky. Sometimes at places that offer all of the above and have a moose on the sign out front. Yoopers, feel free to disagree, but you can't deny that as soon as you cross the bridge you're bombarded with pasty and ice cream shops all along highway 2. We were determined not to spend anything but gas money on the way to Houghton, however, so we forewent the pasties and played in Lake Michigan instead! The weather was perfect, slightly cloudy and with a strong wind. The water was chilly, but still felt nice on my tired feet. C took over driving, and we sped to Houghton. After all, we were on a time schedule.

Houghton is like any college town should be. It's full of students (especially when you get there the weekend before classes start), places to eat and shops to buy in. We stayed at a Travelodge that was less than ideal, but that's not the part I want to tell you about. We had just enough time to change, grab a bite to eat from a fast food place and hightail our way to Paulding, and the mysterious, freakishly regular light.

So, if you're friends with me you've probably heard me talk a lot about the paranormal. In fact, if you've known me for five minutes you probably have heard me talk of the paranormal. The Paulding Light is something I've been researching over the past year, pretty much when I decided to move to Michigan. If you haven't heard of it, the Paulding Light is a phenomenon that happens on a nightly (or near nightly) basis out in the wood between Watersmeet and Paulding, just off highway 45. Said to be an old railroad brakeman who died on the job, the Paulding Light is his lantern signalling long gone trains on the old railroad tracks. While I don't know if that's true or not, I can tell you that the light itself is very real. It came on a little after sunset, shining brightly in the distance (I'm terrible with distance, but it could have been a mile away), and then fading and flickering out. It repeated this process for some time, and eventually an entire crowd of fifty people had gathered to watch with us. Where we had been the only light at sundown, by the time we left around ten o clock, tens of people had come and gone and were still watching. That's not the only amazing part, however. The light (and this happened only after more people had arrived to see it) changed colour! Much like the lights on a train, or the lanterns a brakeman would've used (I'm guessing), the light changed from white to red more than a few times. It really looked like a train coming and going! I have no idea how long the light went on after we left, but we stood there for a good two hours, watching the light flicker, get brighter and change colour. Honestly, it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! I've had my fare share of ghostly experiences, but this one goes right to the top!

Afterward, we made the hour and a half trek back to Houghton and got some sleep. Well, sort of. I don't do well the first night in any new place. I didn't sleep much, but that's no matter.

I'll be posting Day 2 of our haunted adventure through the UP soon!

*note: Picture not taken by us. Just hilarious.

Crysta stole my title!

2011-08-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

It really sucks when so much is happening around you that you can't write it down later because it's all jumbled in your head. I'm stuck with Writer's Block even though there's so much to write about.

Mom coming for the day a few Saturdays ago was a blessing. I know it seems weird for a grown adult to want parents around... but I really miss them. Mom (Teri, Crysta's mom, to those of you who think I'm going nuts) is a perfect substitute for my dad and Pat. She's absolutely wonderful, and spending the day with her in downtown A2 made me happier than I've been in a while. I love being out here on my own, but I really enjoy being in the company of a parent. Yeah, that's weird, but true. We ate at my favourite pub (the shepherd's pie is brilliant. Not Chelsea's, but brilliant). We stayed around town due to Crysta's hurt finger and the weather, but it was more than I could've asked for. I was more than sad when she couldn't stay the night, or go to Game Night with us. We ended up not going, but still!

Something I hadn't ever done before was pick blueberries! I must say, other than the mosquitoes being absolutely atrocious, I had a lot of fun! Crysta and I drove out to Dexter to a blueberry farm where you can pick your own (for a really cheap price). We got our buckets and set off into the groves. A lot of them had been picked over, but us being taller than most of the children that usually went picking, managed to snag quite a bit from the back of the bushes. Crysta made deeelicious blueberry scones. I think I've got one left, but I demand more. They, despite being small berries apparently, are really tasty. I hope I can do that again, if/when I'm here next year. Hopefully the foreign strain of mosquitoes around here will have died off come winter. I loved being outside in the field like that, carrying my bucket and picking berries. It felt homey and important somehow. Work that felt meaningful, even if we were just out there picking for fun. Plus, going to an A&W for floats after donuts from the Dexter Bakery earlier in the day was brilliant.I must write a story taking place in Dexter. It's the perfect small town that's not too small and not too out of town.

For now, that's all I seem to be able to write. It's short, but I'm documenting my time! Next time, more on my job, and the dreaded chicken story. Plus! Rearranging furniture and anything else I can dig up out of my cluttered brain.

Also, the Hunger Games are some of the best books EVER.

Art Fair and Writer's Block

2011-08-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Holy crow (like it? People say it around here. I think it's fun) it's been a while since I've updated. Sorry about that! Every time life gets interesting, I seem to forget about the internet and especially blogs. There's so much to talk about. I hope I can do everything justice. Life has been incredibly interesting these past few weeks. There's a lot to talk about, and a lot I hope I remember!

First, the art fair. I had no clue what I was getting into with that one. I figured the art fair was like a Friday night on Myrtle Ave- vendors selling slightly-overpriced, but well-made crafts and such, food from many of the restaurants around Downtown, a bunch of people walking around... and not enough to see to occupy an entire day. Well, three out of four of those was correct. Art fair is HUGE. Like.. takes up entire blocks of streets and all of downtown HUGE. There were vendors of all shapes and sizes selling art of the same. Everyone who's anyone (or even some no ones) were there showing off what they had made over the past year. It was so overwhelming! I could only think of how great it would be to have a booth there, and show off my own work. I know it would take years to make so much, but it's definitely a cool goal to have in the meantime.

That day Crysta and I also found my new hangout spot- Connor O'Neil's Pub. Outside is blue and quite welcoming, but inside feels like I've stepped into the past... or into a Lord of the Rings-era tavern. Filled with dark wood, rustic tables, and old Post Office furniture from who knows when, O'Neil's is absolutely perfect. It's so befitting of fantasy, that I have to use it in some story. I sit in there and expect to see all sorts of shady characters making unspeakable plans up against the painted and mural-ed walls. One of these days I'll have to go in with the intention to write.

The afternoon of the art fair was by far my favourite part, however. Just as we walked out of a closing Borders (RIP), it started to pour. I mean, rain harder than anything back home can produce. Crysta and I ran for the car, but there was nothing we could've done to prevent how soaked we got. It was SO much fun! Yes, Pina Colada song, I DO like getting caught in the rain. It was exciting to be stuck in such a downpour. Weather is awesome (you know, original sense of the word).

It's difficult now to even remember what happened after the art fair. I want to say camping, but honestly... that might have happened before the fair.

In any case, I'll be handling it in another entry. I haven't felt like writing at all lately, and everything I write sounds terrible. Hopefully I'll feel better the closer I get to school.

Won't it be great to go Downtown?

2011-07-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Again, I know that I've got Steam Expo and Canada backed up, but I wanted to share a little piece of my heart here in Ann Arbor.

I practically live in the downtown area of A2. It consists of Main street and some of it's cross-streets right in the heart of the city, and directly next to U of M. It's bustling nearly all of the time (minus early mornings of course. You know, when you'd expect a coffee shop to be open, but isn't?), and is filled with so many great shops and restaurants that it's contributed to my big lack of money. Downtown is where all the artists go, me included, to be inspired and meet people like them. It's a great place to people watch, to write, to draw, and (in the case of Violin Monster), a fantastic place to perform for the masses.

My favourite shop down there is the Chocolate House of Ann Arbor. It serves all kinds of cafe style drinks, many different flavours of ice cream, and has a full assortment of chocolate and chocolate-covered goodies. While I was tutoring, I spent every Monday and Wednesday within the CH's walls, nibbling on delicious chocolate brownies and sipping on caramel blended coffees. I'd sit in the main window and look out at the Seafood Co, M Den and many jewelry shops. It is my favourite place to get some writing done, and even a little tutoring. The music is always great, and never too loud. The decor is simple, never cluttered and with plenty of space to imagine and daydream. All of the baristas are incredibly friendly, and don't mind if I hang around there for hours at a time. Unfortunately the place is usually dead, but occasionally there's a huge wave of patrons (usually with children in tow) who keep the place in business. It's been there for a long, long time (starting as a sandwich shop), and I really hope it's there for another age or two.

I've shamelessly promoted 826 Michigan before, but I can't stress how amazing that place is. Robot supply shop in front, free homework help in the back. Once I get more money I can start sending Miles more robot parts, but until then it's still fun to look around and see what's new in the shop. The homework help is only during the school year, and so I won't be back there until August for volunteering, but the shop stays open all year. It's on Liberty, a perfect spot for a tutoring center. It's not as loud as Main, but still one of the prominent streets and very close to the parking garage on Fourth and William.

My absolute favourite shop in all of Downtown is Vault of Midnight. Owned by the son of one of Crysta's coworkers, it's the local comic and boardgame shop. It is huge and has everything a comic nerd could ever want. The comics are on the main floor with the boardgames in the basement, and everything is open, friendly and blessedly nerdy. I ask to be hired every time I walk in the store, but to no avail. Once you're in a comic book job, you never leave. This always makes me one sad panda. I wish I could go more often and buy more games/comics/plushies/shirts/posters/etc. Everyone in there is exceptionally nice, and more often than not covered in tattoos and piercings. It is my kind of place. Vault is on Main street, just past Liberty. After tutoring I love to just pop in there for a minute or two, just to look around at all the pretties I can't have!

If I've got the money and the friends, The Jolly Pumpkin is a great place to eat and drink. It's atmosphere is very me- dark, stained wood, elaborate wallpaper and pictures all over the walls. It reminds me of being in the hull of a very fancy ship. The food is excellent, and I love their hamburgers. They're so juicy and you can get all kinds of toppings. They have many kinds of drinks, all of which are fabulous. Unfortunately, I've only been there once, but I can't wait to have a job that lets me eat out more often!

Downtown is very near and dear to my heart. It's a huge part of where I live, and when I leave Michigan I think I might miss it most. Southern California is severely lacking a little district like this, and it makes me sad to think that all I have to go back to are Starbucks and Coffee Beans sitting along massive boulevards being completely corporate and expensive. I'll miss my little Downtown full of artists, performers, vegetarians, hippies and parents. For now, I'll spend as much time as I can down in the CH, writing my little heart out and dreaming of the day I'm good enough to perform on the street for change.

Cause I'd get a thousand hugs from ten million lightning bugs...

2011-06-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

Wow. It has been nearly a month since I've updated. So much has gone on- Memphis swallowing a needle, World Steam Expo, meeting Chris Hardwicke, my birthday... but what has me completely enraptured right now are tiny insects with bio luminescence.

As you probably know, since most of you are in the state currently, California doesn't have fireflies. I've searched the internet, and there doesn't seem to be any good reason for it, either. Some say it could be too dry for them. I've lived in Oregon during the summer, and stayed in Washington for a week in the summer and they don't have any fireflies. They're not the driest states ever, so why don't they have any? Whatever the reason, I have grown up firefly-less.

Now, I have seen plenty of movies and TV shows, and heard a lot songs that mention the little bugs. They have a certain symbolism in my head of serenity (ha, so many Firefly jokes in here...), of classic childhoods I wasn't in the right place or time to have. Fireflies are very antique to me, nostalgic. Lightning bugs are what grandmas and grandpas talk about to their children's children when they speak of how they grew up "way back when." Fireflies aren't something modern children get to enjoy. They were only of an era long past.

So to my surprise, as you can imagine, last July I had a heart attack over the little balls of light in the grass as Crysta and I sat in her car waiting for a phone call. Crysta, probably thinking I was nuts, told me they were fireflies. I proceeded to freak out more. Fireflies? REALLY? they exist? They're not just made up be the media? I was overjoyed at the thought. Had there not been a thunderstorm on the horizon, I would've been out of the car and in the field.

But I left Michigan and came back to California, and to my lightning bug-less life. I forgot about them. I visited again in October, but summer was long gone and so were the fireflies.

Then, in April, I moved to Michigan to finish school. And now it is the end of June, and the first day of summer. Man, were those fireflies on top of it! They showed up for the first time last night- just boys, out early and lookin' for love. Crysta came in and nonchalantly said there were fireflies out! And that it must be summer.

And I freaked. FIREFLIES! Finally! I get to see them again! Not only that, but I get to live with them! So we went out to our little courtyard and she caught the teeny bugs while I took pictures and video. I went back out tonight to feed the little lost kitty that lives by the park, and to take more pictures of the only bugs I will ever like. There are so many more out tonight! I took a few videos and just stood and watched. Had it not been lightning I would've stayed out there for a lot longer.

I am completely enamoured by Fireflies. They represent so much to me that I can't even find words for. I'm in awe of the things, and all they do is glow and have sex (not a bad life, really). But seeing them flitting around the courtyard, or the park... I'm stuck there. Crysta said it's like a Toreador, and I'm inclined to agree. Just like they could stare at a painting until the sun burned them to ashes... I could stare at a group of fireflies until dawn. They make me more appreciative of where I am, and why I'm here.

Summer won't be such a bad thing with them around. If I get lonely, all I have to do is walk out my back door and stand in the midst of fireflies.

My First Tornado Warning...

2011-05-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

...And I'm currently in the closet, 'cause I can't figure out how to work Sawyer's harness, and he won't sit still long enough for me to try.

And Crysta's at mom's house. JOY.

Amy (an old friend in MI) said not to worry, and I'm trying not to. But, for all you tornado-survivors out there, imagine your first 5.0 or 6.0 earthquake. Freaked or would freak you the hell out, right? Well, that's what a Tornado warning does to me. So I'm sitting in the closet, listening to grainy radio (cause we have no TV), and trying not to flip. Sawyer is above me, on the shelf, purring away and looking generally content.

Freaking cat.

So until 6:15 I will sit here, having to pee, and wait until the warning is over. It was a little cool hearing the sirens for the first time, though. Had I had Netflix playing, I wouldn't have heard them at all. They are VERY far from my apartment, it seems. Not good for nighttime. I sleep through anything.

I've opened windows, made sure I have stuff in the closet, and have the radio on and to a news channel. You may think this overkill, but if you know me at all, you know I'm paranoid, prepare early, and over prepare... just in case. It never hurts.

So... I'm going to scoot to the bathroom quickly, then settle in with some NPR and wait it out.

While birds sing, and squirrels bark...

2011-05-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

...life goes on in Michigan, if a little more humid, a little more stormy, a little more gloomy. Sorry I haven't updated in over a week. I'd like to say that life keeps getting the better of me, and that my adventures are never-ending and oh-so-fun. Life, however, has gone back to what it was in California- an endless cycle of classes, homework and job-hunting. The more time I have to sit, the more homesick I get. Homework is fairly easy to get done (except the paper I'm ignoring to write this), and I don't have a job to lose myself in (more on that below), so I spend a lot of time calling or texting friends and family back in my home state. I kind of understand now, leaving and not staying in total contact with everyone you left behind. It's heartbreaking to hear about all the things you wish you could be doing. In my case, it makes me think about how little friends (actual, real, solid, always-by-your-side-know-everything-about-you-friends) I have here, and how much I wish, despite my unhappiness in Southern California, I was back home. Maybe it's the gloomy weather, maybe it's my lack of anything to do, but I'm hardcore homesick.

I did get to talk to Chelsea two nights ago via webcam and Skype, and that did lift my spirits a lot. I miss her more than anyone, I think. I wish I could join her in LA, or just hang out in her livingroom surfing through channels and eating good food. I loved seeing her artwork, and getting to see weird Chelsea, whom I miss a LOT. I miss Miles, and his crazy family. I miss going to $2 movies and drinking in the theatre. I miss having two-hour long talks with my brother in the livingroom about nothing particularly important. I miss Pat's hugs and scolding looks. I really, really miss Kurdt.

But, I do have clients slowly trickling in for tutoring sessions. I do have an interview next week about a delivery job that I really, really want. I still have tutoring on Mondays, which I am terribly excited about. I love the environment and helping students be better students. So I do do some things in Michigan. I have a few school friends, and we talk before class, but I'm still lacking those friends that you love at first sight, and feel like you've known for years despite it being days. Maybe those don't happen as often in adulthood as they did in childhood and adolescence. If not, that's really dumb. Open up, people.

Next weekend is the World Steam Expo, and Crysta and I have been finishing up out outfits for it. We're still waiting on our corsets, set to arrive from the UK about a week ago. Without them.. we're kind of screwed. Neither of us has a back up plan good enough to show off at a Steampunk convention. Here's hoping our corsets arrive sometime this coming week. We'll be going to the Expo with our gaming friends and Crysta's beau. It will be great to spend time with them outside of game night. I'm trying to attach myself further in the group, even though it kind of feels like they want to keep me outside longer. I feel like there's some test I haven't passed yet, that would get me full disclosure. I hope it comes up soon so I can get on with it. I promise I'll pass with flying colours.

I've been craving canine attentions for weeks now, and it's driving me mad. I like cats, and Sawyer is pretty damn close to a dog, but I demand the real thing. Dogs are so much easier to care for than indoor cats. I keep secretly praying that I'll find a stray wandering around our apartment complex and get to keep him. But now Crysta knows my plan, and I'll have to come up with a new one. I don't feel as happy of a person without a dog. Cats are nowhere near the same. They're great in some ways, but they're not willing to meet my needs like a dog would. When I come home from school, I don't want to be meowed at for ten minutes because I haven't fed them yet. When I come home I want something to be there that goes "OMG YAY! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" Our cats are more like "Why the hell did it take you so long?" It's kind of like having two mother-in-laws in the house, berating my every move. I just want a little dog, I promise. No one will even know it's here. :(

Other than that, nothing has really gone on in life. I love my Psych classes and despise English (methinks I picked the wrong major five and a half years ago, oh well), and am just waiting until mid-June, when I go on my short little summer break. Not much going on on my end, but I love and miss you all terribly!

Sorry for the depressing blog this week, folks. Next week will be better, I can feel it.

Will work for.. well.. work.

2011-05-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a week since I've updated? I would say I've been busy, but that's not the case. I did finish my first week of school at Eastern. Honestly, there's not much to say about it. I'm taking classes that I've either taken something similar before, or that is so far below my level that sitting through two and a half hours of lecture kills me with boredom. I'm taking a Psychology 101 lecture, and a lab that kind of goes with it. Both are incredibly boring, and in the worst classrooms I have ever been in (and I went to PCC). The lab isn't too difficult, but the book was $50, and it's seriously a throw-away class. It's only one unit. It's dumb. The psych lecture is SO BORING. My prof is the most boring woman on the planet. I would have SO much fun in psychology class, but she somehow manages to make it torture. Two and a half hours of boring writing. And I never think writing is boring. English, despite the friends I've made in the class, is horrific. I despise analyzing literature. I hate it. I hate it more than I can say. As an English Major I know I'm not supposed to, but it's seriously the hardest thing for me to do. I have never been able to look at a poem or a piece of writing and tell you my interpretation of it. I never have interpretations of writing. I take it either at face value, or I'm too worried about trying to get the right answer. And this prof listens to others' opinions, but she ultimately wants a right answer.

Also, we have TWO group presentations, and I do not work in groups.

But tutoring at 826michigan is still SO fun, and I think I'll get my credentials to teach after I graduate. I'll probably try to get them in California so I can get them with the higher standards that let me teach more places. So, for all you wonderful people pining for me, this means I'll probably come back. I don't know for how long, but I'll be there.

Mother's Day was lovely, and it was the best I've had since Mom died. The Tulip Festival in Holland was so very pretty, and mom had a great day out. Crysta and I made breakfast for the family, and Jay (Crysta's brother) made dinner. I love family time. And dogs. I'm still pining for one, but Baggins and Higgins calmed me down a bit. I just wish I could see them more often.

I still don't have a job, though. I'm nearly out of money and I'm getting desperate. I've applied to at least fifty places, with an average of three applications being sent out a day. Everyone in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area has my resume. I'm about ready to play my guitar on the curb and put out a hat. Hell, if I knew more than one song I'd be out in Downtown every Saturday.

If you could, I'd love some prayer on that. Pray that I find a job quickly. It doesn't have to be great, or pay me exactly what I'm looking for, but I need something, anything.

Oh no. I'm a teacher.

2011-05-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

I had my first day of volunteer tutoring today at 826michigan. It's the writing center that's disguised as a Robot shop. It serves as a free place for kids to go to get help with their homework. Today I got to work with the smartest, most level-headed girl in the universe. She's trying to get into Northwestern's summer program that focuses on changing communities for the better and creating awareness and programs to help solve social problems. It's something that I would love to do as a college student, but it's even better that it's for high school students. She's writing her entry essay, and I barely had to do anything more than give her the idea opener of "I want to join this program because..." It was amazing. She flew through those reasons and laid them out with more thought and eloquence than I could have ever written with a million years to perfect it.

Crap, I'm going to be a teacher, aren't I? Although, I like volunteering as a tutor a lot more than working as one. There is so much less stress as a volunteer, and my job doesn't have to come home with me. I'm excited to go there every Monday, and I wish I could volunteer more often. I'm still looking for that glorious tutoring job, but for now I think this will suffice.

Now if I could just get that REAL job people keep talking about.

Duarte, California, Duarte, California, not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rooome...

2011-04-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

There are times, after I move, that I long for something familiar. Even when I'm only ten minutes away in the ghettos of Azusa, there are moments of doubt, of wishing for something or someone from good ole Duarte to remind me where I came from, and where my heart will always call home. The past few days have been terribly hard. I'm starting to crave the comforts of home. I'd like to sleep in my old room, hear the fervent gnawing of my rat, laugh with Chelsea over something one of her co-workers did, or just hang out in my living room watching whatever happens to be on TV at the time. Sure, I have my old bed, but it's still not the same one. I have Sawyer, but he hardly wants anything to do with me, I have Crysta, who's basically saving my life without knowing it (til now, I suppose), I have a living room. I have a TV that doesn't really get channels. I have the internet, I have Facebook, but none of it can exactly replace what I left behind 2,000 miles ago.

I know that soon school will start, and my volunteer work, and then hopefully a job... and I'll make new friends (God willing), and have people to hang out with, and start wishing for more alone time that I get too much of now. That still doesn't change my evenings of staring at photos with tears in my eyes, or watching TV shows that make me cry because that character is so much like Miles, or Jess, or anyone else. I miss my dad, my brother, my nephew... and no one here is going to fill those positions. Yes, I have Mom and both sides of Crysta's family, but I want my own, too.

I apologize if this sounds like whining, but it kind of is. I plan on sharing all my experiences in Michigan on this blog, not just what I did today, but also how I feel about it. And right now I feel lonely. I'm nearly overwhelmed with things to do here, but I'm lonely for home.

I -really- want my dog. A lot.

Other than that, things have been kind of boring. My school adventures yielded me two classes and a lab- English, a writing course; and Psych 101 plus its lab. It's a shortened semester, kind of like taking summer classes, so 6 units is about all anyone does, and I've got 7. Whee, lookit me, over-achieving like that. :/ But I go to school Tuesdays and Thursdays, the weirdest schedule I've ever had, but it leaves me with a LOT of time to work.

Although no one is hiring me. But I have faith in God that he'll provide.

I will also be attending my new church tomorrow for the first time. It's not a moment too soon. I really need some Christian friends. Which is not meant to offend my non-Christian roommate and friends, of course. I love them dearly, but I need people who share my faith, too. I'm not a very strong Christian when made to stand by myself. I like having the backup and talking to people who share my faith and worldview. Everyone needs people like that. I hope I can find some at the Ann Arbor Vineyard. I'm really excited to go. I've missed Worshiping more than I can express. I have a feeling my loneliness will wane once I have something to look forward to every Sunday morning.

Ugh, I'm gonna go watch Scrubs and knit my troubles away.

In which there weren't actually any dinosaurs...

2011-04-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have never had such a busy Easter! That was more family seen in one day in Michigan than I see in a week in California. Crysta and I went to Kzoo Saturday night after she got off of work. It would've been horrific to wake up early to make it to church and breakfast on Sunday morning. The night was uneventful, and I was really just happy to see dogs again. It really sucks finding out how much of a dog person I am now that I have two cats. I have a feeling I'll be at mom's house a lot to get my puppy fix. Labs are so much fun!

Anyhoo, the next morning mom, Crys and I were up suuuper early to get to church. That we couldn't find. Apparently Portage/Kalamazoo like sunrise services and late morning services, but 8 am? Nothin'. We and mom's friend Sandy drove all around looking for a church service. I've never gone church-hunting before. It was... strange. I realised how similar Christianity is between the denominations. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I guess I take for granted not only knowing the different traditions, but being part of a specific denomination. Things like Easter are easy- service is a 9:30. Dress a tad nicer than normal. We'll take communion and it'll be great. Driving around made me a little homesick. I really miss my church.

It was my first time at a Methodist church, however, and even though the service was traditional, it was great! I will never be able to think of Jesus again without the theme from 2001 playing in my head. The pastor was a great and really funny guy. I'm sad we had to leave early, but breakfast called! That was pretty fantastic as well. I got to see a lot of Crysta's family that I hadn't seen since October. Thankfully this meeting was on a happier note than the last. It was relatively short, but very nice to be out with family.

After a bit of rest, Crysta, Jay and I ran off to see their cousin and her kids and a lot of other peoples' kids hunt for eggs at a really pretty park. Those kids hit those eggs like wildfire. I blinked and they were done! But they were all so adorable doing it. <3

What came next..? Oh! Dinner! That was awkward. For reasons I can't give out here it was awkward. And hilarious. And everything I'd never had in a family dinner before. I love open people. And I love snarky uncles.

I also got to be Ran last night, a good friend of Crysta's. He's a super fun guy. All that's left is to meet Derek and I think I've got my bingo card filled.

Phew! That was a long Easter, not including the drive home. And this is a long blog, so I think I'll save the Detroit Zoo for tomorrow. What I can tell you, however, is that I GOT CLASSES. I'll be taking a psych class and an English class this quarter. There are only 7.5 weeks to it, so they don't recommend taking more than 6 credits. Not a problem for me since I'm still trying to find a job. But I've got my ID, my classes and parking pass. School starts May 3rd, and I cannot WAIT!

Now, to figure out where my classes are...

Goths just wanna have fu-un...

2011-04-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

I'll talk about Easter tomorrow, for now this is still fresh and I want to make sure I get it down.

I love Midwestern Goths. Especially when they only have one club to go to within thirty miles. Tonight, Crysta, her boyfriend and I went to Factory at Necto, a little club in downtown Ann Arbor. It's a little hole in the wall (well, by my standards as an LA Goth) with an average-sized dance floor, and a bar upstairs. There's a smoke machine and a little stage with two poles for the braver patrons. It was not the layout that caught my attention, however.

I've been to LA Goth clubs, and it's all about how you look. Making a good impression is key, although I'm not sure why because they're all going to be snooty and pretentious anyway. If you look off, people notice. If you dance differently, people notice. If you try to be nice to them, or say "excuse me," or give them any kind of smile, they notice and they don't like it. Going to Goth clubs in LA isn't actually a lot of fun for me. I'm not skinny, I don't dress like a slut.. and in LA, those are problems.

Tonight, however, I was definitely not the biggest girl there. Nor was I the most conservative. Nor was I even the most under-dressed. When all you've got in a big city is one Goth club, you get all kinds. There were ravers, industrial kids, zombies, regular ole goths like me, lolitas... name it and it was there. And it was great! We all danced on the same floor, to music that cycled through to fulfill everyone's dancing needs.. and my drink was $2. You heard me right. Two #*^% dollars. For a vodka cranberry. I am blown away! I know where I'm drinking for the rest of the year. And it was goooood.

I promise, I only had one. Everything in moderation, yes?

I'm so excited about that place. I finally danced how I wanted to without having to worry about what I looked like. I even accidentally bumped into a girl, and she was totally cool about it! No dirty looks, no nothing! She smiled, even! Until now, I thought the only smiling Goths lived in the South.

And I looked GOOD tonight, let me tell you.

I make a good housewife

2011-04-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have been in Michigan a week and a half, and it feels more like a lifetime. I have adjusted very well. Michigan, though I have only been here twice before, has always felt like a home. There is only one other place in the world (so far) that has felt like this- New Orleans. This is a very good sign. When a place feels like a home I can focus on more important things... like school and finding a job. I don't have to worry about making friends, or making sure I get out of the apartment enough. This might change once I actually start school, but that's a whole different can of worms.

So far I've just been cleaning, organizing and taking care of the cats. I am an excellent housewife. If only I could just keep doing this and go to school instead of getting a real job. That would be lovely.

School starts in a little over a week, and I am admittedly nervous. I still need to turn in paperwork and meet with my advisor. The paperwork would have been in already had I working printer. Her printer doesn't sync with my laptop, and my printer is completely out of ink and paper. Lovely. Financial Aid does have that paperwork in the office, however, so I'll fill it out there.

I don't get to meet with my advisor until April 28th. School starts May 2nd. This is a problem. I have a feeling my class schedule will be pretty terrible this Quarter. I don't expect any good classes, or even any classes that I actually need. I wish schools would let students plan out their own academic careers and classes. Advisors don't know much of anything about planning classes (they are just teachers themselves, not actual advisors), or take the time to learn students' individuals goals. I would much rather just plan it all myself.

I keep applying to jobs, but no prospects yet. Pray for me, people. I need one fast. I did, however, turn in my application to the volunteer writing center. I'm pretty excited to start doing that. At least I will get out of the apartment more.

Also, I adore Meijer. It is literally the BEST store I have ever been to in my life. I'm also craving DiBella's again. I could it their sandwiches until I die.

...Which they would probably be the reason for.

2011-04-21T20:51:00.001-07:00

Long distance relationships are hard.

Hey. Hey you.

2011-04-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

PSST... did you know that if you click on those ads next to this that you make me money? Real money! So go on. Click. You know you've always wondered where those little ads take you. Now you can find out AND support your friend!

Go on. All the cool kids are doing it.

This is April, right?

2011-04-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I woke up to snow. I was amazed! Snow in April? Apparently Michigan hasn't gotten the memo saying it's Spring yet. I didn't mind at all, of course, but all I heard from the good people of Michigan was how terrible this was. It melted very, very quickly, so I don't see what they're complaining about. I see it as my little "welcome home!" from Michigan herself.

Sunday night was game night at Josh and Katie's house just outside Detroit. They're two of Crysta's BF's many friends who are just amazing people. Everyone is hilarious, and it was extremely comforting to get to meet soooo many good-natured geeks. The arrival was awkward, as it always is, especially because it seems I had been talked about quite a bit. I have been known for a while as the "once and future roommate," dubbed so by Crysta's boyfriend. What I did not know was that everyone else knew me by that name, too. So, the meet and greet was nerve wracking. It always is when they know all about you, and you know nothing about them. The good thing, however, is that geeks always have something to talk about. We bond incredibly quickly over our various fandoms and obsessions, and it never takes long for a group of newly introduced geeks to start up chatty, even boisterous conversations.

In a few weeks we will be starting a new game of Vampire: The Masquerade. If you've been around me long enough, you know that I used to Live Action Role Play, or LARP, Vamp: The Masq many moons ago. This time we'll be doing it table top style (ala Dungeons and Dragons), and I'm actually pretty nervous. It seems incredibly different from what I'm used to. I have a fear of making a fool of myself, and something tells me it's going to get played a LOT. On the plus side, I'm an official nerd because I have my own set of shiny new dice and some extra d10's. All I need is a pocket protector and I really can be Queen of the Nerds.

Today I turned in my application to 826michigan, a volunteer writing center and workshop in downtown A2. It's where the Robot Supply and Repair shop is. I really, really hope they accept me as a tutor. Volunteering there will help me meet a lot of new people (the guy I met at the counter is a huge Doctor Who fan, so I have a feeling I'll fit in), and if I can't find a real tutoring job, at least I have an outlet for my weird desire to teach. I'm excited to volunteer there, even if it is only a few hours a week.

Speaking of... the job hunt is slow, but sure. I've applied to several, and made my face known at a few places downtown. I'd love to work in one of the coffee shops or the comic store. Again, I'd meet new people and have a totally awesome job in a gorgeous city.

Other than that, not much has gone on. Sawyer still doesn't like Memphis very much, and Memphis still loves his new playmate more than anything. Crysta goes off to work and I play housewife, something, it turns out, I am very good at. In the next few days I hope to find a job, get fish in that fish tank and have this apartment completely clean and sparkling.

Oh, PS- UGH. The only problem I had with Eastern was getting an appointment with an adviser to get classes for this semester. My appt. is April 28th. Classes start May 2nd. This could be a problem.

On the third day of moving, my roommate gave to me...

2011-04-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today we moved the last of it. Everything Crysta owns is now in our huge apartment. I've spent the last three days unloading, putting away and arranging the place to make it a home. I think I've done a spectacular job. I make a very good housewife. Memphis is curled up in the chair next to me, and now this place feels like a real sanctuary, not just a couple of rooms stacked with boxes and upside-down furniture.

Not much has happened since I've gotten here. I've missed home a couple of times, but the longing eventually passes and I find something new to discover either inside the apartment, or outside with Crysta. She and her boyfriend (I'm calling him that even if she's not. They're so mushy.) and I went to downtown Ann Arbor yesterday for lunch after getting a few more things moving into the apartment. We went to the Jolly Pumpkin, my new favourite bar and restaurant. It's got a great dark wood decor, with lots of old family photos and odd nicknacks adoring the walls and ceiling. Not to mention that they have the best burger I've ever had. Why anyone gets meat any way but rare or medium rare is beyond me. The medium rareness made it so juicy and soaked the bun perfectly. There was just the right amount of cheese, and even the bacon wasn't too much or cooked too crispy. It was heaven from a cow.

Oh, PS- it's been too hard to keep up being veg during this trip. There aren't enough places along I-70 to sustain a vegetarian, so that had to be sacrificed. I'll start again Monday. Promise.

Afterward they showed me the best comic book store ever. It is bigger than any I have ever been in before (first floor AND basement filled), and I get to go back in about a week to buy myself some dice for the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop game we're joining. More on that once it starts, however. Last, but certainly not least, was the Robot Supply and Repair shop. It's a front for a writing center, but it has everything a robot enthusiast or steampunker could want. There were vaccuum tubes to chattering teeth- anything and everything to make your own personal robot butler, minus the snooty accent. It's a volunteer-only place, but I think I'm going to apply anyway. Besides that, the guy behind the counter and I talked about Doctor Who for about seven minutes. I call that place the ultimate win.

Since then I have gone to Meijer, the BEST store in the world. Think of it as a better, cheaper and non-evil Wal-Mart. I have gotten to see Mom, and gotten a new hand me down dresser that I am absolutely in love with and never giving up ever. It's a dark wood, very tall, with gold, ornate handles. I adore it SO much, and can't wait to see it in my room every day. After moving the very last of Crysta's things, she, mom and I went to DiBella's Submarines, and I have found my last meal. All I want before I die is an Italian Assortment on everything bread with lettuce, pickles, black olives, mayo and olive oil with a Cherry Coke on the side. Ugh. I want to marry that sandwich. In fact, the veggie sticks snack I'm eating right now just lost some of its flavour when I thought of that sandwich. So. Good.

Called dad and Camron, too, just to see how things were and I'm a little sad that things are not as they left them. But c'est la vie. I'll provide support where I can, and love them all anyway. There's not much I can do from here anyway, and I trust them to do their very best for the situation. I should probably call my sister, too, so she doesn't feel left out.

I'll just get another glass of apple cherry juice first.