Yes, there are people lucky enough to live in Europe for long periods of time...like Dorman and NittanyBri. They were/are there for obvious reasons.
However, I have this friend. She and her family are leaving for Europe tomorrow. See, her husband works here and will be doing a project there for the next couple of months.
If you've read Angels and Demons, or you are a physics phan, then you are well aware of CERN. It's a good thing I can read!
CERN's location is in France, just over the border from Geneva, Switzerland. So, my lucky friends are packing up their wares, and the kids and will be spending the next couple of months in Europe. Bon Voyage my friends!
Having several friends in Europe all at once, makes the temptation of travel there over the summer almost unbearable. Maybe I should give into temptation...just this once.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Weekend Update
Hi all, hope you had a chance to do some chillin and grillin this weekend. I was thankful for the extra day off!
Saturday I got to do some work with the Susquehanna Art Museum at the ArtsFest we have in Harrisburg. The museum has a bus called the Van Go! that is a travelling art exhibit. They take it to schools and events. It was at ArtsFest and there was a need for museum volunteers and interns to make sure people didn't touch the works, spill drinks on them or answer any questions people may have about the work. It was pretty cool to see kids bringing their parents on the bus to show them the work that they learned about when the Van Go! was at their school.
I did get to meet lots of new people this weekend and enjoyed lots of food and drinks all weekend long.
But as always, the weekend came and went too fast. So, it was back to work today. Mow the lawn tonight. Geesh, did it get hot! It has been in the 90's the last couple of days.
I did get to put up my Tibetan Prayer Flags this weekend. I'd love to get a bunch more to hang all over the yard. But, I guess I shouldn't get crazy. I am still in the market for the perfect hammock. But have yet to find it.
See that transparent sac on the back side of this bug? It uncoiled a big, long tail like thing that was about 3 inches long. And then it put the tail thingy on the tree and pushed it back into the sac. Anyone know what the heck this is? What it was doing? Is there an entymologist in the house?
Saturday I got to do some work with the Susquehanna Art Museum at the ArtsFest we have in Harrisburg. The museum has a bus called the Van Go! that is a travelling art exhibit. They take it to schools and events. It was at ArtsFest and there was a need for museum volunteers and interns to make sure people didn't touch the works, spill drinks on them or answer any questions people may have about the work. It was pretty cool to see kids bringing their parents on the bus to show them the work that they learned about when the Van Go! was at their school.
I did get to meet lots of new people this weekend and enjoyed lots of food and drinks all weekend long.
But as always, the weekend came and went too fast. So, it was back to work today. Mow the lawn tonight. Geesh, did it get hot! It has been in the 90's the last couple of days.
I did get to put up my Tibetan Prayer Flags this weekend. I'd love to get a bunch more to hang all over the yard. But, I guess I shouldn't get crazy. I am still in the market for the perfect hammock. But have yet to find it.
Tonight when I was mowing the lawn I discovered this bug on my big maple tree. I don't know what made me even notice it but it was pretty strange.
See that transparent sac on the back side of this bug? It uncoiled a big, long tail like thing that was about 3 inches long. And then it put the tail thingy on the tree and pushed it back into the sac. Anyone know what the heck this is? What it was doing? Is there an entymologist in the house?
Thursday, May 25, 2006
This is the Gospel?
I saw something on the news last evening that really perturbed me. Perhaps you have heard about the Kansas based minister-Fred Phelps that has (apparently) a direct line to the Lord. He (and his followers of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas) have decided that funeral crashing is the way to bring to the attention to the general public that God is not happy with homosexuality. He's says that the Sago Mine disaster as well as our soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's way of telling us homosexuality is wrong. Uh huh, I can clearly see the connection....NOT!
This funeral protesting has gotten so out of hand that several states have now begun drafting bills to keep these picketers 500 feet from a funeral.
How despicable do people have to get before the general public decides to just kick some ass? I would hate to think that I would go to a funeral and have to put up with some crackpot and his followers interfering with the service. That would piss me off, and warrant some bad behavior on my part, even if I was wearing a dress and heels.
It's not bad enough that, for the most part, many of us do not feel that our soldiers should even be in Iraq or at least shouldn't be there any longer. The soldiers are still dying and now we have to put up with this crap when trying to bury them????
After doing a search on Fred Phelps, I see that his web site address is www.godhatesfags.com. There's link number two on this blog to his web page. Funny, but the words "God" and "hates" don't fit into the same sentence in my vocabulary. I don't know what God he worships but I don't want anything to do with Him.
This funeral protesting has gotten so out of hand that several states have now begun drafting bills to keep these picketers 500 feet from a funeral.
How despicable do people have to get before the general public decides to just kick some ass? I would hate to think that I would go to a funeral and have to put up with some crackpot and his followers interfering with the service. That would piss me off, and warrant some bad behavior on my part, even if I was wearing a dress and heels.
It's not bad enough that, for the most part, many of us do not feel that our soldiers should even be in Iraq or at least shouldn't be there any longer. The soldiers are still dying and now we have to put up with this crap when trying to bury them????
After doing a search on Fred Phelps, I see that his web site address is www.godhatesfags.com. There's link number two on this blog to his web page. Funny, but the words "God" and "hates" don't fit into the same sentence in my vocabulary. I don't know what God he worships but I don't want anything to do with Him.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Remember these guys?
If you're saying for the love Carnealian, they look like a bunch of freaks! Well, you would be correct. And, it would also indicate that you were probably not a teenager in the 80's or perhaps you didn't have cable and weren't privvy to MTV's early days when they actually played videos most of the time.
When MTV wasn't playing videos, they had shows like The Young Ones which is a Brit comedy started in the early 80's. I finally got to see it beginning in the second season which was in the mid 80's or so. And that was when I last saw it, until this weekend.
I have a friend that came to visit bearing good tidings and the entire 2 seasons of The Young Ones on DVD! I had kind of forgotten how disgusting this show can be. I mean, consider 4 young guys living together and what the cleanliness of the living quarters might be. That's just for starters. My favorite part of this show was their musical guests that would show up in the kitchen or some how be very non-chalontly worked into the script. Some of the guest bands were Dexy's Midnight Runners, Madness, The Damned, (I did say this was the 80's didn't I?)
It was a lot of fun seeing this show again. I might have to go watch another episode before bed tonight! I'm so boooring.
Going Greek
This past weekend is often one of my favorites. The local Greek Orthodox Church holds a three day festival which of course includes tons of food, music, dancing, etc.
The weather didn't cooperate, but that seemed to keep the crowds down, at least while I was there. A first timer accompanied me to the festival this year who thought it was strange that I was developing a plan of attack, almost requiring us to synchronize watches, and to split up in order to get all the food we wanted in the least amount of time. But all that wasn't necessary.
Our first stop was the Gyro (yee-ro) station. One veggie, one regular please.
Second stop pastries.
The weather didn't cooperate, but that seemed to keep the crowds down, at least while I was there. A first timer accompanied me to the festival this year who thought it was strange that I was developing a plan of attack, almost requiring us to synchronize watches, and to split up in order to get all the food we wanted in the least amount of time. But all that wasn't necessary.
Our first stop was the Gyro (yee-ro) station. One veggie, one regular please.
Second stop pastries.
There was of course the Baklava, which most everyone knows and loves. But two of my other favorites are Kourambiedes which are butter and chopped almond cookies with tons of confectioners sugar on top, Galaktobouriko, custard pastry wrapped in phyllo and drizzled with syrup. But, my all time favorite, of which I just had a piece for breakfast is Kataifi me Crema. Shredded phyllo slathered together with some kind of honey syrup then topped with almonds and walnuts and finally topped with custard and whipped cream. 
yes, this is what we looked like!
Then it was back outside for the tiropitas, spanakopitas, basically phyllo wrapped around spinach and/or cheese. And finally, Saganaki which sounds like something you'd order at a sushi restaurant. However, it is Kefalouri cheese sauteed and flamed with brandy. Of course done with a flourish and a big Opa!
So, another weekend come and gone in a flash. I can't hardly believe next weekend is Memorial Day already. Hope everyone had a super-duper weekend and has a super-duper Monday!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Obla-di-Obla-da
I tried to warn him. I tried to get him to marry me instead, but he wouldn't listen. See what happens?
Paul, if you're reading this, I'll whoop her butt for you.
Paul, if you're reading this, I'll whoop her butt for you.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Serendipity Part Deux
When things happen in my life, I can't help but think about fate, destiny or serendipity, whatever you want to call it, and how it has played a significant role in my life. There's been much lately that I can only chalk up to one or all of those.
This weekend I happened to catch the movie Serendipity with John Cusak, who rarely makes a movie I don't like. I'm not sure what made me stop and actually watch this movie already in progress, which is something I don't often do if I've never seen the movie before. It was a sweet romantic "chick flick." I hope it's on again this weekend!
Anyway, the reason I got to thinking about fate, destiny etc. was because I decided to go to the library at school today to take out some books and decide on a subject for the independent study I'll be doing this fall. I really didn't feel like driving the 30 mins to get to school since I still wasn't feeling that great today. Plus it's been cloudy and raining almost everyday lately, so I tried talking myself out of going. But, I went and I get to school, get some books, decide to stop at the bank on the way home and deposit some money and then I'd be on my way home.
But just as I was approaching Hershey I heard the squeal of breaks and that ugly crunching metal sound. It's that sound that when you hear it you know exactly what has happened without even looking. It was happening in the oncoming lane of traffic, right in front of me. I reached for my cell as I was passing the young girl who rear-ended the car in front of her and asked if she was o.k. She said she wasn't but proceeded out of the car to sit on the front lawn of the house across the street. I called 911, told them where the accident was, what I'd seen, etc.
So, I see she's bleeding, I don't have a darned thing in my car to help her, no first aid kit, or anything. Then I think, "you grabbed a wad of tissues on your way out the door today so you could blow your nose all day." There the tissues sat on the front seat of the car, untouched for their intended purpose for the day. So I grabbed them and put them on the injured girls hand, careful not to press too hard on the finger she thought may be broken.
She may not have even been 20 years old. She said the car was fairly new, she thought her parents were going to kill her. She had a police officer call her mom. Can you imagine "Ma'am, this is Derry Township police, your daughter has been involved in an accident." Ugh! What mother wants to hear that? As I drove away I thought, this is a pivotal moment in this person's life. She will remember this day forever. She may become a more cautious driver because of it.
I couldn't help but think that somehow I was intended to be there at that specific time, with the wad of kleenex, maybe to provide some comfort to the injured girl or maybe it was for me to once again be thankful for the things I have. I was certainly thankful it wasn't me involved in the accident. I was thankful she wasn't injured more.
Whatever the reason, I'm glad I was there. It made me reevaluate things and come away more thankful than before.
This weekend I happened to catch the movie Serendipity with John Cusak, who rarely makes a movie I don't like. I'm not sure what made me stop and actually watch this movie already in progress, which is something I don't often do if I've never seen the movie before. It was a sweet romantic "chick flick." I hope it's on again this weekend!
Anyway, the reason I got to thinking about fate, destiny etc. was because I decided to go to the library at school today to take out some books and decide on a subject for the independent study I'll be doing this fall. I really didn't feel like driving the 30 mins to get to school since I still wasn't feeling that great today. Plus it's been cloudy and raining almost everyday lately, so I tried talking myself out of going. But, I went and I get to school, get some books, decide to stop at the bank on the way home and deposit some money and then I'd be on my way home.
But just as I was approaching Hershey I heard the squeal of breaks and that ugly crunching metal sound. It's that sound that when you hear it you know exactly what has happened without even looking. It was happening in the oncoming lane of traffic, right in front of me. I reached for my cell as I was passing the young girl who rear-ended the car in front of her and asked if she was o.k. She said she wasn't but proceeded out of the car to sit on the front lawn of the house across the street. I called 911, told them where the accident was, what I'd seen, etc.
So, I see she's bleeding, I don't have a darned thing in my car to help her, no first aid kit, or anything. Then I think, "you grabbed a wad of tissues on your way out the door today so you could blow your nose all day." There the tissues sat on the front seat of the car, untouched for their intended purpose for the day. So I grabbed them and put them on the injured girls hand, careful not to press too hard on the finger she thought may be broken.
She may not have even been 20 years old. She said the car was fairly new, she thought her parents were going to kill her. She had a police officer call her mom. Can you imagine "Ma'am, this is Derry Township police, your daughter has been involved in an accident." Ugh! What mother wants to hear that? As I drove away I thought, this is a pivotal moment in this person's life. She will remember this day forever. She may become a more cautious driver because of it.
I couldn't help but think that somehow I was intended to be there at that specific time, with the wad of kleenex, maybe to provide some comfort to the injured girl or maybe it was for me to once again be thankful for the things I have. I was certainly thankful it wasn't me involved in the accident. I was thankful she wasn't injured more.
Whatever the reason, I'm glad I was there. It made me reevaluate things and come away more thankful than before.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Sneezy, Snotty and Whiney
Today is May 14, Mom's day. Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there! The point is, it's May. I just had to turn my heat on because it's gray and ugly and cold outside.
To boot, I have a cold. So I'm sneezy, snotty and whiney. (That's my version of the Seven Dwarfs.)
I did have a nice weekend as always, just wish I didn't feel like poop.
To boot, I have a cold. So I'm sneezy, snotty and whiney. (That's my version of the Seven Dwarfs.)
I did have a nice weekend as always, just wish I didn't feel like poop.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Musings from the Ignorant
With all the talk about illegal immigrants in the country, I've overheard many people talking about what they've seen, heard or what should be done to resolve the issue.
It seems, at least from those I've heard, that all hispanics (because apparently they are the only illegal immigrants in this country) are from the same country. Yes, the Cubans, Mexicans, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. If they stopped to think about the fact that each of those nationalities have their very own country, with one exception. Puerto Rico. I know, I didn't need to tell you that, but from what I've heard, most folks are unaware that in fact, Puerto Ricans are Americans. And I love to point out their stupidity when I hear them say something about it.
There's usually a brief moment of silence (hopefully to bid a fond farewell to any common sense they may have had) before they open their mouths again.
Another concern with illegal immigrants from what I've heard is "how do they get here?" Has anyone looked at an atlas in the last year? Technically, it is possible to drive from the United States to Argentina if one really wanted to. Anyone ever hear of a boat? Just because the "illegals" are driving a Ford Escort doesn't mean that's how they got here.
I vote for keeping any illegal immigrants that are reasonably intelligent and deporting the numbskulls that were born in the U.S. that have two brain cells that are fighting with one another.
It seems, at least from those I've heard, that all hispanics (because apparently they are the only illegal immigrants in this country) are from the same country. Yes, the Cubans, Mexicans, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. If they stopped to think about the fact that each of those nationalities have their very own country, with one exception. Puerto Rico. I know, I didn't need to tell you that, but from what I've heard, most folks are unaware that in fact, Puerto Ricans are Americans. And I love to point out their stupidity when I hear them say something about it.
There's usually a brief moment of silence (hopefully to bid a fond farewell to any common sense they may have had) before they open their mouths again.
Another concern with illegal immigrants from what I've heard is "how do they get here?" Has anyone looked at an atlas in the last year? Technically, it is possible to drive from the United States to Argentina if one really wanted to. Anyone ever hear of a boat? Just because the "illegals" are driving a Ford Escort doesn't mean that's how they got here.
I vote for keeping any illegal immigrants that are reasonably intelligent and deporting the numbskulls that were born in the U.S. that have two brain cells that are fighting with one another.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Yep, I'm Still Around
Tonght would have been the final in French class, but I didn't have to take it! Whoot!!!
I collected all my sculptures from the studio at school and hope to have some pics of them for you. Whenever I find a spare minute.
I worked at the art museum on Saturday and Sunday. Click the link to check out the most current exhibit. The Armenian work totally fascinates me.
Went to see the Luv Gods on Friday night with a few very special friends. After all it was Cinco de Mayo. Anyone do anything fun to celebrate?
I collected all my sculptures from the studio at school and hope to have some pics of them for you. Whenever I find a spare minute.
I worked at the art museum on Saturday and Sunday. Click the link to check out the most current exhibit. The Armenian work totally fascinates me.
Went to see the Luv Gods on Friday night with a few very special friends. After all it was Cinco de Mayo. Anyone do anything fun to celebrate?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
A Quickie!
1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open it to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Copy it onto your blog/journal along with these instructions
"She was being carried into the yard, her arms around firm, powerful shoulders."
from The Mammoth Book of Erotica.
This meme courtesy of New and Improved Smoke and Mirrors
2. Open it to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Copy it onto your blog/journal along with these instructions
"She was being carried into the yard, her arms around firm, powerful shoulders."
from The Mammoth Book of Erotica.
This meme courtesy of New and Improved Smoke and Mirrors
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Life in the Fast Lane
I just love the spring weather we've been having here. I mowed my lawn tonight and aside from the incredible dust storm I created which has now made my throat a little scratchy, the lilacs are in full bloom and seem particularly fragrant this year.
I cut a bunch of Lillies of the Valley too over the weekend. That smell is just intoxicating!
I finished my final project in sculpture class last night and must collect all my projects from the semester this weekend. I hope to have some pics to post once I get them all back.
This found object project really took off for most of the people in my class. One person made this enormous yard sculpture that moves with wind or rain. Another person made a Tiffany style lamp from a trumpet and an old lamp shade. She even went as far as adding the typical dragonfly motif on the lamp shade. However, these were made from nuts, bolts and screws. All of this girls projects were just over the top!
I'm still waiting to hear from my French prof on the outcome of my last test. I'm getting nervous!
I finalized my fall schedule yesterday with my advisor. I'm happy with it, now I need to work on finding a part time job that will fit into my class schedule and allow me to have some kind of spending money...oh, and money to pay bills.
I would like to put out the official blog world welcome to a new blogger friend. Be sure to check him out!Random Thoughts
I cut a bunch of Lillies of the Valley too over the weekend. That smell is just intoxicating!
I finished my final project in sculpture class last night and must collect all my projects from the semester this weekend. I hope to have some pics to post once I get them all back.
This found object project really took off for most of the people in my class. One person made this enormous yard sculpture that moves with wind or rain. Another person made a Tiffany style lamp from a trumpet and an old lamp shade. She even went as far as adding the typical dragonfly motif on the lamp shade. However, these were made from nuts, bolts and screws. All of this girls projects were just over the top!
I'm still waiting to hear from my French prof on the outcome of my last test. I'm getting nervous!
I finalized my fall schedule yesterday with my advisor. I'm happy with it, now I need to work on finding a part time job that will fit into my class schedule and allow me to have some kind of spending money...oh, and money to pay bills.
I would like to put out the official blog world welcome to a new blogger friend. Be sure to check him out!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Waiting is the Hardest Part
I'm anxiously awaiting word from my French Prof about my final grade, so I know whether or not to prepare for the final which would be next week. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
The last several days and particularly the weekend was absolutely beautiful here. I spent much of the weekend outside dining at outdoor cafe's or enjoying a deck here and there. Went hiking on Sunday on a local trail. Made me realize that no matter how much I go to the gym, I will always be out of shape! So, I fully intend on doing more hiking on my own this year.
I'm trying to keep up with everyone and enjoy the weather. I'm here, I'm doing well, and haven't even threatened to put my head in the oven for at least a month.
Thanks for checking in!!
The last several days and particularly the weekend was absolutely beautiful here. I spent much of the weekend outside dining at outdoor cafe's or enjoying a deck here and there. Went hiking on Sunday on a local trail. Made me realize that no matter how much I go to the gym, I will always be out of shape! So, I fully intend on doing more hiking on my own this year.
I'm trying to keep up with everyone and enjoy the weather. I'm here, I'm doing well, and haven't even threatened to put my head in the oven for at least a month.
Thanks for checking in!!
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