library of words

My friend Duey has been giving me words from the GRE and telling me the meaning of them because I have decided that I need to expand my library of words. She's given me assuage, erudite, prodigal, enigma, fervid, placate, capricious, loquacious and ephemeral. I'll give you the deffinitions too:
assuage: to minimize, the make milder
erudie: a learned person, being learned or scholarly
prodigal: wasteful, to be wastefully or reclessly extravagant
enigma: a puzzle, puzzling person
fervid: to admire, heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm
placate: to please
capricious: adj, to be indecisive, erratic
loquacious: adj, to be talkative
ephemeral: n, anything short-lived, temporary; adj, lasting a very short time

ink

Today started out as not so great. In printmaking, I wanted to transpose some words from paper to my stone. Basically, what you do is put your piece of paper (face down) with an image (I think it has to be one-toned and I kno it needs to be printed from a laser printer) on the stone and place the stone on the press. Make sure that your pressure is set correctly (or you might break your stone) and the bar that will press the image onto the stone is aligned. Then you have to wet a piece of smooth newsprint with Alkaline (an oil that transfers the ink form your paper onto the stone) and place it over your paper on the stone. Then cover with dry newsprint (without Alkaline on it) and place the plastic cover on your stone. Then pull the lever down to put pressure on your stone and crank away (and when I say crank away, I mean make the wheel move so that the bar goes over your image but not off the stone...that would be bad.) You have to move the bar over the image your transferring around 8 times.

I didn't have the image printed out on the right kind of paper at first, so I had to go to my room to print out the image again. Then when I tried transferring it, it didn't work. So, then I went to Carnegie and photocopied it, brought it back cut it out, arranged it on the page, and went to mark where I needed to place the image. So, I was putting marks with chalk where my paper with my image should be placed, however as I started marking, the paper I used to transfer the image had ink on the back and stuck onto my stone...and it wont come off. So, there is a possibility that the ink from my pen will attract ink from the roller and those lines will be part of my image, whether I want them there or not. Professor Chen and I tried rubbing the image off with a mini grinder (a bottle cap) but it didn't work. The ink from my pen is very insistent. However, I will make the best of it and if the marks end up attracting ink from the roller, then I'll try to figure out a way to make it work with my idea/concept/design. I guess I'll hope for the best and see what happens.

what's up?

I don't like starting conversations. I always start them "hi, how are you?" But it's so generic...everyone asks that. And not all of them care about the answer. But how else are you going to start the conversation? You can't just jump right into a conversation "I cut my hair." It's weird. And people don't know what you're talking about. So there's a needed introduction. Some people can be unique and think up a different way to say how are you, but that takes time sometimes. Another thing I don't get is the "what's up?" (Um...the sky?) I know what they mean, but how do you answer that? Usually it's "not much" but that is also very boring and generic. I only answer that with something interesting when I have something really exiting to say. Which isn't very often :P Or when you walk by people and you know them. You say hi, but you're usually walking so fast that only one of you can ask how are you. And maybe you'll hear the answer. But if you stop to see what the answer is, it's a little akward, cuz you don't know if the other person is going to stop and talk or just keep walking by. And if you stop but they don't, then you feel dumb.

adult

This morning, as I was laying in bed, I had an epiphany. (I had to look up the word to make sure I was using it right, epiphany means, by deffinition, "a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.") My cousin tends to call his parents a lot. I really don't. I guess I call my family once a week and talk to them for about an hour...maybe an hour and a half, cuz I have five people to talk to. When my parents and my aunt and uncle were talking, my parents were suprised that my cousin called them a lot. I believe (and I'm not saying that my relatives didn't) I believe that my parents raised well and were able to raise me to make my own decisions. Yes, I still like to call them and talk to them about big purchases, like plane tickets and tuition, but for the most part, I am making my own decisions at Drake. I used to never feel like an adult. I always look to the future and dread paying off credit card debt and mortgage for the house. But, I have been in a way. I have a credit card, which I do use, and I have a cell phone, which sends a bill, so I do have those things that have started me off. My friends and I are looking for housing, so soon we will be paying bills for that as well as keeping a house. I was thinking back to early high school and even junior high. I wouldn't have been able to make the decisions that I am right now back then. Yes, I do have some of the more "adult" things not yet accomplished, like marriage and buying a house. (I put adult in parenthesis because I have a friend who is younger than me and is married and living in California.) So today, I have decided that I do feel like an adult and am happy as well as kinda proud to be one.

snow

I hear people complain about the snow all the time. Why? Yes I know that it's not fun to drive in, but what good would the cold be if there wasn't snow? Would you really want it to be cold and have everything brown? I like snow because it's pretty and covers the brown, dreary part of winter. I like the sun shining off the snow, making winter seem a little more cheery. If there wasn't snow, what would be the point of it being cold? Snow is a good thing and people should stop complaining about it.

toilet paper

"Behind every damsel in distress is a fire-breathing dragon. Therefore...do not interfere in the affiars of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."

Sometimes I wish I had a dragon. I could have it roast or at least scare away people that got me angry or bothered me and I would also be able to finally feel what it's like to fly. But, alas, life is not like a fairy tale. I must defend myself and fly in planes, which really isn't so bad exept the food might possibly kill you. However, I would like to point out that chivalry is not dead. I have been helped out when I had attempted to carry too much, and I have had the door held for me countless times.

Some books that I read make me want to go back in time when there was adventure, exitement, and wonderful things. Princes saved damsels in distress and there were wonderful feasts. But, when put in perspective, everything wasn't wonderful in that time period. I mean, I am rather fond of toilets and toilet paper for that matter. I wouldn't like to have to be in a dress all day, especially when it gets hot, and I like having the use of technology...most of the time. So, if someone complains about today's lifestyle and would like to be back in "the good old days" when everything is wonderful, they will be sorely disappointed. Each year, decade, time period had their problems, just like ours. We are just more used to ours...and our may be a little less primative. So be thankful that we don't live in a drafty castle or slum and have toilet paper so we don't need to wipe with straw!

foolish enthusiasm

"You will do foolish things but do them with enthusiasm!" -Colette

I found this quote in the SLC office that is quite true. The ironic thing is that the author of the quote's name is the same as my sister's. (Just thought I'd point that out.)

I do many foolish (dumb is a better word) things and generally run head-first into them. If I do think about it, I feel slow and behind everyone else. However, my roommate pointed out that you could think about it like my band conductor, or any band director for that matter. "If you're going to make a mistake, make it big." If you don't recognize your mistakes, then you can't fix them. Plus, if you play through it, then you can go onto the parts that you know better and aren't hampered by trying to work out and/or focus on the thing you messed up on. So really, this quote is encouraging you to not worry about the dumb things you do in your life.

This quote also encourages you to make a difference in your life. If you worry about making mistakes, or looking dumb, you're not going to take a chance. So, if you don't worry about it, you take more chances and make more of a difference...hopefully.

computer-literate

Sometimes I wonder at my computer literacy....sometimes I do great, other times I don't do so well...I guess that's life tho.

family

I would like to present my family from my perspective. I will try to describe them in the way that I know them. My mom and dad both come from Minnesota (the same area in Minnesota, actually...St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids seem to be interbred.) They both have big families, so I have a big(ish) family as well.

My sister Colette is the second oldest. She's a lot like me, looks like me without glasses, and we even have some of the same mannerisms. However, she is a little more like dad while I'm a little more like mom. She and I are three years apart so we're the same weight and size (in my house, it's a little like Darwinism...the strongest survive and rule the house) but Colette and I have this agreement going. I treat her same as she treats me and so no feelings get hurt and there is no fight...no physical fight and not too many verbal ones. We're like friends, but closer.

My brother Matt and I get along really well (usually) and he and I connect really well. I find Matt hilarious, he has a certain way of telling stories that is so funny. You're not only laughing at him, but at his stories. For example: “I now some what have a girlfriend&nb sp;her name is Ali perterson and we've been holding hands for about a week now, aww isent that nice..." He has awful spelling and bad typos, but that's what makes him funny. Matt is the only guy sibling in my family. This is good and bad for him. He gets his own room and some treats here and there, but he also gets outnumbered by Colette Natalie and I. He is the only one I have "fought" with. (My family gets along pretty well...we've been called abnormally normal.) He still hangs on me (literally) when I come home.

Last is Natalie, she is 10 or 11 years younger than me. She is the baby of the family and I'd like to say that I helped raise her. My mom said once that she has three moms and two dads. Very true, although she is exposed to more stuff than I was at her age. She's a very grown up 9 yr old, she has bad asthma and has to use a nebulizer every morning and night to keep it from making her go to the hospital. This she can and usually does on her own. When I used to help her, she had to tell me how to do it. Natalie is picked on by Matt (who tells her she is fat, pushes her around, and tells her to shut up. I would like to believe that Matt sees himself in Natalie and doesn't like it.) Natalie is very sensitive, and tends to cry easily, but I think she's getting better. She's rather philosophical and asks questions like "Does Matt love me?" I always answer yes and make him say yes as well.

I guess I forgot my role in the family. I am still the top of the siblings, even if Matt is taller and weights more than me. (I have longer and sharper nails...and a pre-established rein.) I am the peace keeper in my family. Colette tries to boss Matt and Natalie, but they don't really listen to her but they all listen to me. It may be because I'm older. But I don't always use force to get people to work together. Sometimes the best way is to be pleasant and make people want to do things for you.

pizza

So, the other day my friends and I decided that we were going to make pizza for another friend's birthday. I was really exited because I haven't made much dinnerwise and would like to try my skills (I gotta have some since my mom's cooking is so good, right?) So, I called my mom and she said she would email me the recipie when she got home. Oh the wonders of the internet. That day I recieved three emails...

One from my dad that started out:

"Go down to the Store.

Go the the Fozen foods aisle

Get the most expensive pizza you can find.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Dad

P.S.
1 package activated yeast
1 cup warm water (105 to 115 F)
1 teaspoon Sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
2-1/2 cups flour

Combine the yeast, water and sugar
Stir
Let rest for 5 minutes
Add the rest."

The other three were from my mom. One was the sauce and toppings we usually put on:

"Hi Clare,
Here is a sauce recipe and possible toppings. I'll look for a chicken recipe and send it next.
Mom

SAUCE
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
2 tsp dried oregano leaves
minced garlic
1 medium chopped onion

2 cups mozzarella cheese
I buy the bulk mild Italian sausage, fry it and then put it on the pizza.
peppers (green and red)
fresh mushrooms
black olives
onion slices
Pepperoni"

The other two were chicken pizza recipies. My friends and I decided that we would use chicken and peperoni for the meat choice and then we chose black olives, green peppers, onion, mushrooms, cheese, and artichokes. Yes, artichokes. They weren't bad actually. I wouldn't do it all the time, but it was good difference-wise. The dough was a little hard, it might have needed to rise a little more, but it was good. So, I would like to pat myself (and my friends) on the back for a job well done. I would urge anyone who reads this to use the recipie and let me know what you think. You'll be in for a treat!

grown up?

Something I've realized over the years is that grown ups are just like high schoolers or college kids exept with more responsibility. I discovered this when I went on a chior trip with grown ups. I was one of the only teenagers on the trip (along with my friend Rachel). At one point in time on the bus, a lady put little smiley faces on her toes. She then proceeded to flip herself upside down and propped her feet on the top of the bus seat and put on a "puppet" show for the whole bus. This isn't to say that we shouldn't listen to our elders however. I still am a little old fashioned and know that people older than me have more experience and so should still be listened to, but I also know that most people are still kids at heart.