Eruantale.net: Words, words, words http://www.eruantale.net Surviving life as an English major one page at a time in the ocean of epics, essays, deadlines, dissertations, Dickens, sonnets, soliloquies, somnambulists, Shakespeare, finals and Facebook. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:00:27 +0000 en hourly 1 eruantale/feedhttp://feedburner.google.com Writing Space http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/DHtYFBOX95k/ http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/05/writing-space/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:00:27 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1539 Writing SpaceI reorganized my desk today and set it up for writing and doing homework more effectively. I even rewrote my inspiration board with my new whiteboard markers that I got for Christmas.

On the left is my writing journal and my writing prompt book. Yes, those are wands in the pencil cup. I’ve also got a picture of my husband and me on our honeymoon in Disney World and a poster of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hamlet last fall. Spring semester starts Monday!

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]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/05/writing-space/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/05/writing-space/ Portland Sunset http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/IcPlBchfGww/ http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/portland-sunset/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:00:32 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1536 Related posts:

  • Brief Hibernation and Adventures in Portland
    • ]]> Portland SunsetJanuary 3rd, 2012. There was a beautiful sunset over Portland, Oregon tonight. This is the view from the Otto F. Linn Library at Warner Pacific College, where I work.

    It was even more gorgeous in person. My iPhone doesn’t take great pictures in cases like this. I love living in Portland. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the United States, in my opinion.

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  • Brief Hibernation and Adventures in Portland

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/portland-sunset/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/portland-sunset/ Stick Man http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/syrb-rt1RMg/ http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/stick-man/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:18:49 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1532 Stick ManJanuary 2nd, 2012. Working at the Warner Pacific College library with my sidekick, Stick Man. Unfortunately, he is missing a foot. Working in the library is probably my favorite work study position I have ever had. It’s the perfect job for a literary nerd like me.

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    ]]>     http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/stick-man/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/04/stick-man/     Happy New Year http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/6ydlmB_i674/ http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/happy-new-year/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:17:29 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1527 Happy New YearJanuary 1st, 2012. This is a photo of my husband, Matthew and I just a few moments after midnight on New Year’s Day 2012. The days are long but the years are short.

    2011 was a crazy year full of changes. Looking forward to a fantastic year of living, laughing, learning, and loving. Today we toast to an even better year, whether you loved this year or hated it.

    This marks my first Project 365 entry for 2012. Last year I managed to take a little over 150 photos. I hope to take more than that this year because I love to look back and see the past year visually.

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    ]]>     http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/happy-new-year/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/happy-new-year/     Project 365: Goodbye 2011 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/xyycW37lcDg/ http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/project-365-goodbye-2011/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:12:38 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1520 Related posts:

  • Project 365: End of the Semester
  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: January
    • ]]> The last few photos from my life during 2011. Notables: Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Welcome 2012!

    December 25th

    dec25

    After Christmas dinner at my grandma’s house. I made a robot out of Tetris blocks.

    December 29th

    dec29

    Yummy fried rice.

    December 30th

    dec30

    Dinner out with the husband at Chang’s Mongolian Grill in Portland, Oregon.

    December 31st

    dec31

    The last few minutes of 2011.

    Related posts:

  • Project 365: End of the Semester
  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: January

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/project-365-goodbye-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2012/01/01/project-365-goodbye-2011/ Project 365: End of the Semester http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/2OES5ET-luM/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/28/project-365-end-of-the-semester/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:23 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1497 Related posts:

  • Project 365: Goodbye 2011
  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: January
    • ]]> Photos through the end of Fall semester, chronicling the events of my life. Notable stuff: laptop of death, Halloween, Thanksgiving and school.

    October 12th

    oct12

    Texting my dad model numbers from my laptop, which I had to replace.

    October 13th

    oct13

    LOVE this book cover at Barnes & Noble.

    October 30th

    oct30

    The ugliest pumpkins ever.

    October 31st

    oct31

    I was Hermione for Halloween. I couldn’t get the hairspray out the following day.

    November 2nd

    nov2

    Creative Writing assignments.

    November 25th

    nov25

    Whovians: What is going on here?

    December 4th

    dec4

    Selling Christmas trees!

    December 5th

    dec5

    Powell’s Books.

    December 7th

    dec7

    Campus looks festive!

    Related posts:

  • Project 365: Goodbye 2011
  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: January

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/28/project-365-end-of-the-semester/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/28/project-365-end-of-the-semester/ Project 365: September http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/cQ7kLaSXGh8/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/27/project-365-september/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:06 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1495 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: April & May
  • Project 365 Update: March
  • Project 365 Update: August
    • ]]> What happened in September in picture form. Notable stuff: school, school, school.

    September 3rd

    sep3

    Much Ado About Nothing performed by the Portland Actors Ensemble.

    September 10th

    sep10

    A fountain at Lloyd Center.

    September 14th

    sep14

    Zucchini!

    September 16th

    sep16

    Cucumber sandwiches for the Writing & Literature club.

    September 17th

    sep17

    Jenga at the Religion & Christian Ministries department retreat.

    September 18th

    sep18

    Students relaxing at the retreat.

    September 22nd

    sep22

    Dropping in on a drama rehearsal for a newsmagazine article.

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  • Project 365 Update: April & May
  • Project 365 Update: March
  • Project 365 Update: August

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/27/project-365-september/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/27/project-365-september/ Project 365 Update: August http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/IVu0xbb_TFk/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/26/project-365-update-august/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:00:13 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1378 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: July
  • Project 365 Update: June
  • Project 365 Update: Asia
    • ]]> Photos from the life and times of me during August 2011. Notable stuff: Jimmy Mak’s, Ikea, Lembas bread, homemade laundry detergent, and school starts once again.

    August 2nd

    aug2

    Our troop of college friends heading to Jimmy Mak’s for Zachary’s birthday.

    August 4th

    aug4

    Fun in Ikea with my cousin and her fiance.

    August 6th

    aug6

    Massive stir-fry noodle-a-thon that turned out delicious.

    August 7th

    aug7

    Bizarre birthmark on my hand.

    August 11th

    aug11

    Homemade granola bars. I think this was based on a recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

    August 12th

    aug12

    World Market loot.

    August 13th

    aug13

    More adventures of crawling into things with Jessi.

    August 14th

    aug14

    Portland Farmer’s Market loot.

    August 15th

    aug15

    All that is necessary to make 80+ loads of homemade laundry detergent for super cheap.

    August 23rd

    aug23

    Lembas bread for our Lord of the Rings movie marathon.

    August 28th

    aug28

    King Lear in a box. Just add Writing & Literature club. Fun ensues.

    August 29th

    aug29

    All set up for the new semester at my intern desk.

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  • Project 365 Update: July
  • Project 365 Update: June
  • Project 365 Update: Asia

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/26/project-365-update-august/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/26/project-365-update-august/ Putting Thanksgiving into Christmas http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/SqtQFVqtZJQ/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/25/putting-thanksgiving-into-christmas/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:00:36 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1485 GingerbreadI spent the early afternoon hours of Black Friday reeling over the violence exhibited at some of the sales across the country. People who had just celebrated “Thanksgiving” hours earlier busted out the pepper spray, broke into stampedes, and robbed shoppers at gunpoint in order to make or save some money. The violent incidents were caused by a minority of the people who shopped these sales, but they cast a bleak light on the day for everyone.

    Once again this week, shoppers went crazy, this time over purchasing new Nike shoes. Shoppers broke down doors and created another stampede. A police officer was allegedly punched and there was at least one attempted robbery. For what? Retro Air Jordan shoes that cost $180.

    I don’t lay blame on all of the people who participated in the crazy stampedes and violence this week and at Thanksgiving. The mechanics of crowds make it difficult to act rationally when emotions are high and other people are shoving and running into stores. But the fact that it happened at all is more than a little disheartening.

    It’s time to unwrap those shining Christmas presents. It’s fun to give gifts and play with the new toys we receive at Christmas time. I eating great food, putting on my new Christmas socks and enjoying my chocolate orange. But I am reminded harshly when I think back to my trip to Asia that these are luxuries—frivolities, not necessities.

    Today, say thanks for the shoes for your feet and the food on your table. And consider the gifts as what they are: blessings.

    Merry Christmas!

    Photo Credit: Stuck in Customs – licensed under Creative Commons.

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    ]]>     http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/25/putting-thanksgiving-into-christmas/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/25/putting-thanksgiving-into-christmas/     Holiday Survival Guide: Dealing with the Crazy Relatives http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/nHiLCLSGwig/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/holiday-survival-guide-dealing-with-the-crazy-relatives/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:19:00 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1471 A photo of Christmas ornaments.Seeing all of your friends and family during the holiday season is either something you look forward to or something that you dread. Maybe it’s your rude aunt, your strange cousin, or that other relative that you’ve always known was “cray cray.”

    No matter who you dread seeing this holiday season, here are some constructive tips for making the best of being around the bizarre collective of people who happen to be related to you either by blood or other connections.

    Laugh at the absurdity

    When the yams are on fire, the little ones are shrieking, the dogs are barking, the two who just can’t get along are arguing, and weird uncle Ned is trying to tell you about his latest shenanigans, let yourself see the situation for what it is: absurd. Accept it and laugh at it.

    Write it down

    Throwing all of your friends and family under one roof for a Christmas dinner can produce unusual side effects. Some of the stories surrounding holidays in my families are ones you would never make up on your own, so they are perfect for your creative writing journal. Jot down what happens this year and use it as fodder for a family gathering in your novel.

    Stick with the sane ones

    Hopefully, there are a few family members you enjoy being around. Hang out with the normal ones. Then when your great aunt starts telling drunk stories, you have something else on which to focus.

    Take a break

    If it all becomes too much, step outside for a little bit. Go for a walk, or get some fresh air out in the yard. Play with the kids instead—the ones who aren’t screaming. Hide in the bathroom for a few minutes if necessary.

    Remember: eventually it will be over

    At some point, either you will pack up and go home or everyone else eventually will get out of your house and your hair and things will be normal again. Remind yourself that the strange people who are related to you will only be there for so long.

    Focus on the positive

    The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of celebration. Focus on the things that make it enjoyable for you, whether it’s the spiritual dimension of the season, the Christmas carols, the gifts you’ve received, or simply the desserts.

    Photo Credit: Mukumbura – licensed under Creative Commons.

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    ]]>     http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/holiday-survival-guide-dealing-with-the-crazy-relatives/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/holiday-survival-guide-dealing-with-the-crazy-relatives/     Project 365 Update: July http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/x0D_pfqZU_U/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/project-365-update-july/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:00:24 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1376 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: August
  • Project 365 Update: February
  • Project 365 Update: April & May
    • ]]> Photos from my life in July 2011. Notable stuff: 4th of July, Harry Potter, ER visits, and a car accident!

    July 1st

    jul1

    Strawberry Blueberry Pie.

    July 2nd

    jul2

    Homemade Pizza.

    July 3rd

    jul3

    Road trip to the coast.

    July 4th

    jul4

    Bubbles at the beach while waiting for the fireworks.

    July 13th

    jul13

    Delicious chicken soup entirely from scratch.

    July 14th

    jul14

    My husband let me dress him up as a bearded Harry Potter for the movie premiere. I made the wand. He made the origami owl. Right after this we spent two days in the ER with a friend who had emergency surgery.

    July 19th

    jul19

    Rose makes the best Ramen.

    July 20th

    jul20

    Our neighbor’s son enjoying his peanut butter sandwich.

    July 23rd

    jul23

    This is how I get tech support: snap photos of things with my phone and call my dad.

    July 26th

    jul26

    I texted this to my friend after we watched the movie Overboard.

    July 29th

    jul29

    “Hey Jessi, can you fit in the sink?”

    July 31st

    jul31

    Car accident to top off the month.

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  • Project 365 Update: August
  • Project 365 Update: February
  • Project 365 Update: April & May

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/project-365-update-july/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/24/project-365-update-july/ File this under “Things Celebrities Shouldn’t Be Doing” http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/Yaa5w6P7SZ0/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/file-this-under-things-celebrities-shouldnt-be-doing/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:06:33 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1445 I’m laughing hard this morning because a friend of mine shared an article stating that R. Kelly has written another 32 chapters of “Trapped in the Closet.”

    When celebrities write anything, the quality is sure to be questionable. When R. Kelly writes “Trapped in the Closet”, the result is sure to be crazy, bizarre, amusing, and slightly frightening. The best thing I can see coming out of this is a sequel to Weird Al’s “Trapped in the Drive Thru.”

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    ]]>     http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/file-this-under-things-celebrities-shouldnt-be-doing/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/file-this-under-things-celebrities-shouldnt-be-doing/     Project 365 Update: June http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/qMuC3MPTO-U/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/project-365-update-june/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:48:44 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1434 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: March
  • Project 365 Update: August
    • ]]> A pictorial chronicle of my life in June. Featuring: many nights of staying up until 5am as I tried to adjust to a huge time change, my mom’s graduation, job searching, my anniversary, and tamales.

    June 10th

    jun10

    Visiting my family with my friend Jessi after she returned from Central America and I returned from Asia.

    June 11th

    jun11

    My mom graduated with her Associates degree.

    June 15th

    jun15

    The view from the mountain under which my husband and I live.

    June 16th

    jun16

    Driving around Portland on a mission for a job.

    June 18th

    jun18

    Tamales from the Portland Farmer’s Market.

    June 21st

    jun21

    Ghetto air conditioning.

    June 23rd

    jun23

    Teaching a little boy to read.

    June 25th

    jun25

    Recess.

    June 26th

    jun26

    Daleks of Catan.

    June 27th

    jun27

    Play-doh animals while babysitting.

    June 30th

    jun30

    Old Spaghetti Factory.

    Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: Asia
  • Project 365 Update: March
  • Project 365 Update: August

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/project-365-update-june/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/12/23/project-365-update-june/ Project 365 Update: Asia http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/3BqwVf6IuO4/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/08/project-365-update-asia/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:48 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1375 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: June
  • Project 365 Update: April & May
  • Project 365 Update: March
    • ]]> My life in photo form from May 16th through June 5th, 2011. Notable stuff: I went to Asia for three weeks! This whole section is notable.

    May 16th

    may16

    Dr. John sleeping in the San Francisco airport waiting for our plane to board at 1am.

    May 17th

    may17

    Food on the Singapore Airlines flight.

    May 18th

    may18

    An old church in Myanmar.

    May 19th

    may19

    A bird at the Shwedagon Pagoda.

    May 20th

    may20

    Matt and Sam found a coconut.

    May 21st

    may21

    Young adults performing.

    May 22nd

    may22

    Lychee fruit.

    May 23rd

    may23

    A group of kids and young adults posing for a picture.

    May 24th

    may24

    Two really cute kids. I know their names, but I can’t spell them.

    May 25th

    may25

    The winner of the Ninja tournament.

    May 26th

    may26

    Song and dance.

    May 27th

    may27

    At the folk village.

    May 28th

    may28

    I believe this is the emerald Buddha.

    May 29th

    may29

    Rice porridge for lunch.

    May 30th

    may30

    Matt and Nar Nar.

    May 31st

    may31

    Beautiful Asian sunset.

    June 1st

    jun1

    At the market.

    June 2nd

    jun2

    One of these two is up to trouble.

    June 3rd

    jun3

    The girls.

    June 4th

    jun4

    Singapore Airport butterfly garden.

    June 5th

    jun5

    Flying home.

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  • Project 365 Update: June
  • Project 365 Update: April & May
  • Project 365 Update: March

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/08/project-365-update-asia/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/08/project-365-update-asia/ Project 365 Update: April & May http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/eruantale/feed/~3/2-d3ihc43hI/ http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/07/project-365-update-april-may/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:47 +0000 Shawna http://www.eruantale.net/?p=1374 Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: August
  • Project 365 Update: February
  • Project 365 Update: March
    • ]]> A photographic chronicle of April and the beginning of May 2011. Notable stuff: Spring Banquet,  the Warner Pacific Writing & Literature club goes crazy for Hamlet, and my friends and I are nearly buried alive by clothes donated for a Missions garage sale.

    April 4th

    apr4

    apr8

    Writing & Literature club students showing up to discuss Hamlet

    April 9th

    apr9

    Heading out to Banquet.

    April 14th

    apr14

    April 25th

    apr25

    May 5th

    may5

    May 8th

    may8

    May 9th

    may9

    May 11th

    may11

    Missions Garage Sale.

    May 12

    may12

    Really big pants.

    Related posts:

  • Project 365 Update: August
  • Project 365 Update: February
  • Project 365 Update: March

    • ]]> http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/07/project-365-update-april-may/feed/ 0 http://www.eruantale.net/2011/09/07/project-365-update-april-may/