Big Mac Attack

I'm willing to bet that the majority of you remember the song, go ahead, sing it with me....

"Two all beef patties,

special sauce,

lettuce, cheese,

pickles, onions,

on a sesame seed bun."

Ah, the Big Mac. I remember them well, I miss them. I haven't eaten meat in years...like 20 or so, so it has been quite some time since I have had a Big Mac. It is one of the three meat items that I miss. I sometimes get a hankerin' for bacon cooked extra dark, pepperoni, and a McDonald's hamburger. The kind with mustard, ketchup, pickles and the little onions. Mmmm, do I miss them!!

We've been watching a lot of the Food Network and they've been doing lots of shows on grilling and of course what are they grilling? Hamburgers. So NittanyBri and I get to talking about the Big Mac. And, since he has experience in the fast food arts, specifically from McDonald's we get it in our head we need to make some Big Mac's. Tonight that's just what we did. Oh-my-gawd! Yum! I know, you're all thinking, she broke down, she gone to the dark side, but I have not. I made mine with a veggie burger and I didn't make it double sized (like I should have.) We even had the fries to go with it. Mmmmm!!!!!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

by Michelle R. Christman
As we stand here lookingAt the flags upon these graves

Know these flags represent
A few of the true American braveT
hey fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine
As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let's pass this word to others
It's what they would expect
I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.
Let's pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do
Let's not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care
No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.
So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.
Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.
Poetry by Michelle R. ChristmanUSMC from 87 - 91, Desert Storm Veteran.
I am also the Commander of Royersford VFW, PA

Weekend Update

OK, I'm back...I've been back just didn't really have much to blog about. Well, the beach trip was nice, the weather was a little chilly which didn't stop us from sitting out on the beach goosebumps and all. Sunday was particularly nice and we got a little more toasty than we probably should have. The water, well that was downright freezing but I stuck my feet in, I can't resist. Because of the colder water temps we did get to see a lot of dolphins passing by. That's always a treat for me!

The primary reason for going to the beach this weekend was that there was many of our friends that were making the journey to the Outer Banks. The first night stop over was in Ocean City, Maryland for a birthday party, party party gathering. The folks travelling on to OBX had to turn in early but the rest of us stayed out till closing time, then had the nerve to go to breakfast! That meant we didn't have to get out of bed early the next morning to go to breakfast!

I started my new classes this week. I know, you thought I graduated. I have 7 more credits to go. I am taking two classes at a local community college so the 7 credits will be earned by the end of June. Official graduation is August. I guess that means I will have to have another party!

Be Back Soon!

The Graduate

What a great day Saturday was!! The weather was beautiful, but got a little hot just in time for the graduates to sit in the sun for hours. This graduating class was the biggest in the schools history with over 400 graduating on Saturday.

The morning started with the Baccalaureate service in the chapel with lots of music and worship with a former LVC grad that has now become the leader of the first Hispanic diocese in Lancaster, PA. After a bit of breakfast, it was time for the graduates to make our way to the gym so we could line up for the next round of ceremony.

The graduates led the procession to the field where the ceremony was held. We were lead along the pathway by two bagpipers. We stopped part of the way there and split into two lines to allow the faculty to process between us so we could show our appreciation to them by applause.

There were several awards given away to exceptional students and faculty, there was the standard commencement address by a faculty member who was a math professor. One that I never had, though he was very funny and I was wishing I had had him for a class. But when I asked the classmate closest to me if he was that funny in class he said "NO!"

Once everyone had received their diplomas we made our way back off the field this time the professors parted into two lines and allowed us to make our way between them while they applauded for us.

The ceremony lasted a couple of hours and I had guests coming over by 3:00 so we needed to get home and get the festivities going. By 4:00 there was a packed house with friends and family coming from near and far to celebrate with me.

The sensible folks left as they probably saw things spiraling downward as the night drew on. All I will admit to is what I found the next morning when I went outside to clean up. There was an array of shoes and clothing, sunglasses, including just the lenses to my sunglasses, the frames are no where to be found, various items of food, and cigarette butts strewn about. Luckily, there were no bodies still in the backyard the next morning. Thank you to everyone that made Saturday a wonderful celebration!!!

The Final Countdown

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Video You've Been Waiting For!

Don't Dream Its Over

For those that do not live in the central PA area, you may not be aware of the man behind the candy bar, the Hershey candy bar.

He was born and raised in the Hershey area, which wasn't yet called Hershey since it was named after him. When he was young, he learned to make candy from a local man and then went abroad to learn more from the European masters. He then built the factory that stands in Hershey, PA today with the vision of having the ideal community surrounding the plant. This town would have comfortable homes and public transportation for the employees of the plant, a public school system as well as recreational and cultural activities for the community. It was that vision that created Hersheypark that is still in operation today as well as the Hershey Theater which is one of the most stunning theaters I've ever been in. The picture below with the clouds, that's inside the theater, the clouds move over the ceiling in the dark and in the light!

He also created a home for orphaned boys since he and his wife were unable to have children. This school as well is still in existance today. Though (I don't believe) it's only for boys anymore. Along with all these philanthropic endeavors, he built the Hotel Hershey (my favorite place to get dipped in chocolate), the rose gardens and the Hershey Museum. Hey, maybe I can work there!!

One thing I love about driving through Hershey, besides her Hershey Kiss street lights, is the smell that comes out of the factory when chocolate is being made. I remember my father taking me to the factory for a tour, but like Willie Wonka, they closed the factory to the outside many years ago. You can get pseudo tour by going to Hershey Chocolate World nearby, but it's just not the same.

It seems thought that the desire for profit and cheap labor far outweigh the desire to see Mr. Hershey's dream through. The Hershey Company has decided to close several of its plants; one in California, one in Reading, PA and one in Connecticut so that our neighbors to the south (Mexico) may have jobs and make the candy many of us love to eat. So much for having a dream.

Big Day

Today is important for a couple of reasons. First, it's the last day of classes. Second, I have two presentations to do today. One is in my Color: Culture and Context class. I will be discussing the paper I did on the color orange and its usage mainly throughout art history. My thoughts and words were artfully put into video format for me by Mr. Dorman. The video rocks!!! I cannot wait for the class to see it.

My second presentation is based on the semester-long research I did on female patrons of architecture in late-Renaissance Italy. This presentation is open to anyone who wants to come including all the art and art history department professors. I hope they go easy on me!

Honey, have a drink ready for me when I get home, I think I'm going to need one!

I often don't think about age, other peoples or my own. I don't really think I look or act like a 40 year old, though sometimes in my classes my age becomes apparent, at least to me. Most of my days are spent in class rooms with twenty-somethings whose favorite word is "like." I find myself counting the number of times people say the word "like" in their presentations. Yesterday's count was only 12 in 5 minutes. I think that may be the smallest amount ever recorded. It may be true that I could be the oldest person in my graduating class, but I'm not sure about that. I don't really want to know. Just in case you thought I've forgotten, I have exactly 15 days till graduation. I'm finishing up all my writing projects today. I have one final test tomorrow, two presentations on Tuesday and a final the following week. After next Tuesday I'm home free!!!

I bet the lady I read about today feels the same way. I read today about Nola Ochs who lives in Hays, Kansas and will be 95 years old when she receives her college diploma on May 12 from Fort Hays State University. This lady actually moved from her farm to an apartment on campus to finish her final 30 hours of classes. I bet she was a hit at the frat parties too!!!

Class of 2007 ROCKS!!

One Cranky Samurai

In my East Asian art class, groups of us are doing presentations on specific aspects of the Asian culture. Today we saw presentations on Sushi, chopsticks and theater masks. My group is going to present on Thursday and our subject is Origami. A few days ago, we sat down to review the slides and each of us made a small samurai hat. I couldn't resist putting it on all the animals heads (including NittanyBri.) Surprisingly, the one that I thought would immediately shake off the hat is the one that left it on long enough for me to take a picture. I hope we can include it in our presentation on Thursday. Her face says it all!

Raising the Bar

As you may have read, Dean had his first art show this past weekend. His pics looked great with fabulous frames that he and his prettier half painstakingly selected. And with that, he has raised the bar. I felt compelled to go out and buy frames for my pics as well since we'll be in a show together in a couple of weeks. That is what is great about being around creative people. They give you ideas, sometimes one's you never thought of before and they challenge you to be better at your craft.

Thanks Deano!

I can think back at a time when I was drawing just for the fun of it, as opposed to doing it for a class project, and writing poetry. The people I kept company with certainly helped to perpetuate the creativity. Then, there were times when just the opposite happened. No creative juices were flowing. Ugh, hate that!

Family functions with NittanyBri's family really get the creative juices going. It seems everyone in his family his very talented in one thing or another. There is a costume designer for the theater, someone who makes furniture, another that makes fabulous purses, an interior designer, a graphic artist, massage therapist, and an art historian. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone.

I feel I have to make something now.

Love Your Mother

One Smart Cookie

I had commented recently on Bone's blog that NittanyBri had made his own TiVo or DVR type thingy. Bone had asked for the details which I am not qualified to give. It consists of a black box with lights and buttons and an antenna. There's a keyboard and mouse involved, and is why I think it may be nuclear weaponry but I'm not completely sure. To record a program, a Windows screen comes up on the t.v. From that point, I have no clue.

The homemade TiVo came in handy recently as I had a little bit of a scare when I went to turn on the laptop and nothing happened. No biggie at first till I began to think of all the papers I had saved on that hard drive that were going to be due in the next couple of weeks. My half hour drive to school in the morning consisted of me coming up with the worst case scenarios of rewritting from scratch the papers I could no longer access on the laptop.

I contacted my own personal help desk who was able to calm my fears. Later that night, out came the screwdrivers and gadetry and the laptop was disassembled, removed the hard drive and hooked it up to the "nuclear weaponry" which copied my papers from the laptop hard drive to my iPod. Whew!! I'm relieved! NittanyBri saved the day!

Non-Weekend Update

It's hard to imagine when my professors say things like our final projects are due "next week." The end of the semester is approaching so quickly. I actually think I may need my head examined. I was on line yesterday looking at grad schools and I don't think I ever want to have a serious, full time job ever again. I'm having too much fun!

This weekend is Dean's first art show. I can't wait to see what he's done with his photographs. If you've never seen them for your self check out his blog. He and I will be in an art show together at the beginning of May in New Cumberland, PA.

Can't wait to see tonights American Idol, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Sanjaya gets the boot finally. The jokes over, no more voting for him to keep him on the show. I think Simon may hurt him if he stays on much longer.

Beach trip numero uno is being planned. It's an early one this year for a friends 50th birthday. I wouldn't want to miss a party of that magnitude!! It will be celebrated in several states and cities and locations. One celebration location will be here. This place is so much fun, everyone should go at least once!

I seriously need to get working on my flower beds and yard. It's looking kinda crappy. I wish the weather would give me a break and get sunny and warm...for many reasons. My neighbors have mowed their lawn for the first time already. That just makes my lawn look even worse. Thanks neighbors!

"You've already won me over in spite of me

And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet

Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are

I couldn't help it

It's all your fault."

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

I love you!

Happy Friday the 13th

Hopefully none of you have the dreaded triskaideckaphobia, but if you do, I'll will bring some sunshine to you otherwise creeped out day.

(Say this next sentance in your best German accent) Now is the time on Graven Images when we act jealous....today is the last day of work for both my sister and her husband! Retiring early, what more can one ask for? My sister's a regular reader though she never leaves any comments. I'm not making her up, I swear! So, happy retirement to you guys!

Today is also a birthday of a friend of mine..it's the big Four-Oh for him today. Happy Birthday Brian (not to be confused with NittanyBri, he's got a few more years before the big Four-Oh.)

How Much Stress Is Too Much Stress?

I'm feeling a little....stressed. There are exactly 32 days until graduation. I can't wait! That is not to say that I'm not having fun with projects due, homework, papers, working (rarely), pets fighting, pets peeing, friends needing help, family members retiring and boyfriends getting sick. I am having fun and realize this fun will abruptly stop in exactly 32 days as well. So, for now, I'm going to go take a deep breath before I look like this....

Happy Easter!

Dutchland Rollers

When I was a kid I remember watching roller derby on t.v. There was tripping, pushing, shoving, falling, elbowing and hair pulling during a bout. I don't quite remember what I thought about it then, but it sure sounds like fun now!!

NittanyBri's sister and cousin skate for the Dutchland Rollers which is a ladies (and I use that term loosely) roller derby which has had a resurgence around here. I will be going to my first bout, just as a spectator, on April 21. I've seen the bumps and bruises, I think it's going to be fun! I love the artwork on this poster, don't you?

For those of you not familiar with Rumspringa, it is part of the Amish culture which allows the teens to be free from the rules of the church. This allows them to become informed adults about the good, bad and the ugly outside the Amish way of life. They are permitted to drink, smoke, dance, stay out all night and yes, have sex. At the end of Rumspringa, they decide whether they want to return to the Amish way of life or be shunned by their family and be part of the "English" (that's you and me.) You may be thinking who would want to return to a life of buggy's and no electricity? Surprisingly, the drop out rate from the Amish way of life is very low.