http://www.simpson.edu/slideshows/homecoming09/
I particularly am amused by the upset faces at the end (Yes, we lost to Central, we got SMOKED.)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fall break!
Fall break starts tomorrow and I am extremely excited because it is the first time since I came to college that I get to go home and see my family and friends and my bf.
Dance class continues to be fun. I convinced one of my friends to join me and I did the guy part while she did the girl part. We'll switch it up more as we do it longer.
I have surprisingly little homework over break. I'm happy about that.
I'm going to do laundry at home over break too! This is a good thing as I have not done laundry for a week...
Dance class continues to be fun. I convinced one of my friends to join me and I did the guy part while she did the girl part. We'll switch it up more as we do it longer.
I have surprisingly little homework over break. I'm happy about that.
I'm going to do laundry at home over break too! This is a good thing as I have not done laundry for a week...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Happy Diwali!
Diwali is a Hindu festival and it appears to be something like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July combined. We went to the Iowa Cultural Center and Temple, and the building is rather striking. It is all white, with many statues and elaborate carvings on it. Inside we had to take our shoes off to enter the sanctuary area. In this area, there were several deities. Some were white colored, like large porcelain dolls, and some were black colored. There were alcoves, some with one deity, some with multiple. Each had faucets, and a drain, for some reason. Each alcove had a place where only the priest could go, and each also had a kind of offering jar.
The ceremonies we were a part of were called poonja, or blessing. There was a HUUUGE altar in the front-middle part of the room, covered with many many bowls of food and drinks and all kinds of offerings. The priest would sing and the people would sing and clap, all while seated cross-legged on the floor. It was interesting- they'd be chanting and clapping, kind of in an excited, festival way, and then they'd suddenly go very serious. There was a guy who would walk around with a small mustard oil lamp, waving it in front of each alcove, while constantly ringing a bell. The priest (who was half robed) had a plate of these lamps and waved them around too. He also threw some flowers onto the altar. It was confusing because nothing was in English. I looked at the Hindi people around the altar who were singing and clapping. They had such pretty fabrics and jewelry on.
After the ceremonies we went outside (we put our shoes back on) for supper. They had many dishes, but the only one I really liked was the flat fry-bread like food. There was this rice that was an odd color, and I found out why when I took a bite- the spices were very strong. There were no meats. Some of the food had unusual flavors but I can't really describe them. One thing had saffron, possibly. I'm not really sure.
After eating we went inside to look around the sanctuary room more closely. It was pretty interesting. After all that, we went back to our van, drove out of the parking lot, and parked by the side of the road for the fireworks show. The fireworks were very nicely done. They shot very high and they even had smiley face fireworks! Cool.
We returned to Simpson and now I'm writing this post. I have a pancake breakfast in the morning to help with, so I'd better go to bed soon. Goodnight.
The ceremonies we were a part of were called poonja, or blessing. There was a HUUUGE altar in the front-middle part of the room, covered with many many bowls of food and drinks and all kinds of offerings. The priest would sing and the people would sing and clap, all while seated cross-legged on the floor. It was interesting- they'd be chanting and clapping, kind of in an excited, festival way, and then they'd suddenly go very serious. There was a guy who would walk around with a small mustard oil lamp, waving it in front of each alcove, while constantly ringing a bell. The priest (who was half robed) had a plate of these lamps and waved them around too. He also threw some flowers onto the altar. It was confusing because nothing was in English. I looked at the Hindi people around the altar who were singing and clapping. They had such pretty fabrics and jewelry on.
After the ceremonies we went outside (we put our shoes back on) for supper. They had many dishes, but the only one I really liked was the flat fry-bread like food. There was this rice that was an odd color, and I found out why when I took a bite- the spices were very strong. There were no meats. Some of the food had unusual flavors but I can't really describe them. One thing had saffron, possibly. I'm not really sure.
After eating we went inside to look around the sanctuary room more closely. It was pretty interesting. After all that, we went back to our van, drove out of the parking lot, and parked by the side of the road for the fireworks show. The fireworks were very nicely done. They shot very high and they even had smiley face fireworks! Cool.
We returned to Simpson and now I'm writing this post. I have a pancake breakfast in the morning to help with, so I'd better go to bed soon. Goodnight.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Salsa!
Dance, dance!
Tonight I learned basic salsa, merengue, and reggaeton dance steps. Awkwardness ensued because I had to dance with this guy who was about my height and he kept trying to spin me. Humorous. Don't worry, he kept his hands in the proper place and didn't try to get in my space too much. I had fun dancing, but I wished it was my bf and not some random guy whose name I still don't know...
Only a few more days till fall break! I am excited.
Tonight I learned basic salsa, merengue, and reggaeton dance steps. Awkwardness ensued because I had to dance with this guy who was about my height and he kept trying to spin me. Humorous. Don't worry, he kept his hands in the proper place and didn't try to get in my space too much. I had fun dancing, but I wished it was my bf and not some random guy whose name I still don't know...
Only a few more days till fall break! I am excited.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday Wackiness...
Procrastination for the win.
This video is very cute, and the title lyric keeps playing in my head.
I did four homework assignments yesterday,and I did one and started another today. I think I'm allowed a tiny break today.
I've been pretty busy since the weekend. I've got 2 papers due Friday (one's done, the other's started) and a major reading assignment due Friday as well. Next Monday-Wednesday is midterm time, but I think none of my classes have midterms.
Monday was a good day, just learning things about other people who I never took the time to get to know in high school. I am learning some valuable lessons. 1- if you were a jerk to someone, even if only in your head, apologizing is pretty much awesome, and makes things better. 2- the person you talk to is actually pretty interesting, and you should kick yourself for not having been nicer to said person. 3- Don't judge people by their actions. Maybe they don't know they're being rude. It was a good conversation, and I also REALLY learned these things, not just thought them.
Also on Monday, my girlfriend who was in swim team finally quit. We have been waiting for that! My CA actually said "Congratulations!" when she said she was quitting! She has been doing too much, and she seems happier and healthier now that she has had a chance to recover a bit. However, she wanted to keep working out, so we started working out today.
Tuesday I started my ballroom dance class! I was super-excited before and I still am after. I was a tiny bit late, maybe 3 minutes, because it was dark and I had to drive in the rain (a friend let me borrow her car, her mom said it was okay- the friend was sick, sadface). However, I was one of 3 single ladies, and we all danced the guy part and the girl part with each other. I tended to dance the guy part and they'd do the girl part (it was easier for me to learn the steps), and then the lady instructor would dance the guy part with me, and I'd dance the girl part. We learned 2 steps for Foxtrot, and will continue next week with a turning move for Foxtrot and starting the Waltz. It should be pretty fun. :D
Also Tuesday, I missed out on the seasonal (Not H1N1)flu shot clinic because by the time I got there, they were out. They are offering the H1N1 shot/mist at the Administration Building for free, but I hesitate to use an untested vaccination.
Today my girlfriend who quit swim team and I worked out in the weight room. It totally kicked my butt, because it was the first time I REALLY worked out in quite a while (read: since Spring), but "it hurts so good" as she said. We did squats, lat pulls, a few arm curls, and 20 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machines, after that she did crunches and I kind of just laid on the floor, feebly doing about 40 crunches total. We are going to work out together for an hour every day except weekends (Sat&Sun). Neither of us can do a workout on our own and stick with it, but together we can do it!
Tonight's campus worship was good. There's a song called The Stand that is very emotional, strong, etc. I like it. Also, I've found out that my LAS professor is not actually a flaming atheist. That is a comfort.
Shout-out to my family- I love you all! :)
Shout-out to the W. family, you know who you are. I love you guys. All of you. :)
This video is very cute, and the title lyric keeps playing in my head.
I did four homework assignments yesterday,and I did one and started another today. I think I'm allowed a tiny break today.
I've been pretty busy since the weekend. I've got 2 papers due Friday (one's done, the other's started) and a major reading assignment due Friday as well. Next Monday-Wednesday is midterm time, but I think none of my classes have midterms.
Monday was a good day, just learning things about other people who I never took the time to get to know in high school. I am learning some valuable lessons. 1- if you were a jerk to someone, even if only in your head, apologizing is pretty much awesome, and makes things better. 2- the person you talk to is actually pretty interesting, and you should kick yourself for not having been nicer to said person. 3- Don't judge people by their actions. Maybe they don't know they're being rude. It was a good conversation, and I also REALLY learned these things, not just thought them.
Also on Monday, my girlfriend who was in swim team finally quit. We have been waiting for that! My CA actually said "Congratulations!" when she said she was quitting! She has been doing too much, and she seems happier and healthier now that she has had a chance to recover a bit. However, she wanted to keep working out, so we started working out today.
Tuesday I started my ballroom dance class! I was super-excited before and I still am after. I was a tiny bit late, maybe 3 minutes, because it was dark and I had to drive in the rain (a friend let me borrow her car, her mom said it was okay- the friend was sick, sadface). However, I was one of 3 single ladies, and we all danced the guy part and the girl part with each other. I tended to dance the guy part and they'd do the girl part (it was easier for me to learn the steps), and then the lady instructor would dance the guy part with me, and I'd dance the girl part. We learned 2 steps for Foxtrot, and will continue next week with a turning move for Foxtrot and starting the Waltz. It should be pretty fun. :D
Also Tuesday, I missed out on the seasonal (Not H1N1)flu shot clinic because by the time I got there, they were out. They are offering the H1N1 shot/mist at the Administration Building for free, but I hesitate to use an untested vaccination.
Today my girlfriend who quit swim team and I worked out in the weight room. It totally kicked my butt, because it was the first time I REALLY worked out in quite a while (read: since Spring), but "it hurts so good" as she said. We did squats, lat pulls, a few arm curls, and 20 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machines, after that she did crunches and I kind of just laid on the floor, feebly doing about 40 crunches total. We are going to work out together for an hour every day except weekends (Sat&Sun). Neither of us can do a workout on our own and stick with it, but together we can do it!
Tonight's campus worship was good. There's a song called The Stand that is very emotional, strong, etc. I like it. Also, I've found out that my LAS professor is not actually a flaming atheist. That is a comfort.
Shout-out to my family- I love you all! :)
Shout-out to the W. family, you know who you are. I love you guys. All of you. :)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Simpson Homecoming Weekend
This week has been homecoming week here at Simpson, and the festivities have been great. Not only is there a mental health screening, there are jokes about the Ugly Central Girls...
But anyway, I digress.
Wednesday night. Campus Worship. The pep band *that I was not in* played songs and the RLC folks made up new lyrics. I thought it was funny but vaguely blasphemous, particularly when they made "Stacy's Mom" into "Jesus' Mom"... Yikes. There was no sermon, either. But we sang the school song! And had lots of Bible verses!
Thursday night. Float, Sink, or Swim. This was pretty awesome. Two person boats, made of cardboard and duct tape, must make it across the swimming pool and back. Some of them sank pretty badly- a sorority didn't duct tape their whole boat, and it went down... It was fun to watch.
Friday night. Yell Like Hell. This is a pep rally, but it wasn't really that peppy to me. The pep band played *I was there this time* and there were a lot of groups that did stomping routines. Broke Phi Broke was probably the best- 7 guys and some pretty awesome stunts. There was SAE, who had a guy who did back handsprings and back flips. Also, they crowned the homecoming king and queen. The guy who did the tricks was king and I don't know who the queen was.
This morning. I woke up to find that it was snowing! There was supposed to be pep band at the football game today, but our director called it off. Phew. I was worried that I would have to freeze at the game. Our stadium is outdoors, not in... Brrr!! Anywho, I am not going to the game at all. I'll look at the score online or something.
But anyway, I digress.
Wednesday night. Campus Worship. The pep band *that I was not in* played songs and the RLC folks made up new lyrics. I thought it was funny but vaguely blasphemous, particularly when they made "Stacy's Mom" into "Jesus' Mom"... Yikes. There was no sermon, either. But we sang the school song! And had lots of Bible verses!
Thursday night. Float, Sink, or Swim. This was pretty awesome. Two person boats, made of cardboard and duct tape, must make it across the swimming pool and back. Some of them sank pretty badly- a sorority didn't duct tape their whole boat, and it went down... It was fun to watch.
Friday night. Yell Like Hell. This is a pep rally, but it wasn't really that peppy to me. The pep band played *I was there this time* and there were a lot of groups that did stomping routines. Broke Phi Broke was probably the best- 7 guys and some pretty awesome stunts. There was SAE, who had a guy who did back handsprings and back flips. Also, they crowned the homecoming king and queen. The guy who did the tricks was king and I don't know who the queen was.
This morning. I woke up to find that it was snowing! There was supposed to be pep band at the football game today, but our director called it off. Phew. I was worried that I would have to freeze at the game. Our stadium is outdoors, not in... Brrr!! Anywho, I am not going to the game at all. I'll look at the score online or something.
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