So, along the route we often travel there is a corner where we desperately needed a traffic light. A small road ended at a four lane, busy road. Now, we usually had to turn right at this stop, so it wasn't that difficult. However, if there was extra traffic on that small road (the two fairly large churches located on the road often let out at the same time), the traffic would back up whenever someone needed to make a left. Whenever we got stuck in a jam, we muttered, "There should be a light here."
Our hopes finally came through a few weeks ago. The large road has been under construction, making it better for the large amount of traffic that travels there daily. Lights were placed along this road on several intersections. We were very excited about these changes.
Then they turned on the light. As I said, since I usually only make a right onto the road, I didn't really need a light to be able to find a place in traffic. However, coming home on that route means making a left from the large road onto the small road. The day the light was turned on, I came to that light, which was red, and uttered, "O crap." Without the light I could have made that turn when there was an opening. With the light I have to wait until the light turns green.
Oh well. I'm sure that it will be beneficial, especially the next time we have to drive to that corner when those churches have let out. So, I will be thankful to the city for putting up the light while I patiently (or not so patiently) wait for the light to change from red to green.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Procrastination
I had something brilliant to write about a couple days ago, but I wasn't able to get on to the computer. Now it is lost in the caverns of my brain, never to be found again. I guess that's why we shouldn't procrastinate. Putting things off until tomorrow might seem harmless, but all too often we lose sight of the importance of those tasks and then we just forget. Especially when our brains stop working the way they did when we were young.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Christmas, endings and beginnings
We have finally finished undecorating the house. The final lights are being packed away and boxes put in their place. I know that we can't keep it up year round, especially since it will become to commonplace if we do. The Christmas decorations are special because they are around for only a little while. It is nice to have our room back in order, with places for everyone to sit while we are watching television. But it is always sad to see it go.
Even while we are closing out the 2008 Christmas season, I'm already preparing for 2009. Each year I make homemade ornaments to give to family and friends. This year's design is not complicated, but it will take a great deal of work to create enough to give away to everyone. So, I'm beginning early. Hopefully I'll stay on top of this project, keeping it handy whenever I have a few minutes to work.
It might seem strange working on Christmas ornaments when we've just finished celebrating, but I'll be very glad if I get these done early to not have to rush with them (or give up my great idea) at the last minute. So, if you see me working with needle and thread, you'll know what I'm doing! But don't peak, because I might just be planning to give you one for Christmas next year!
Even while we are closing out the 2008 Christmas season, I'm already preparing for 2009. Each year I make homemade ornaments to give to family and friends. This year's design is not complicated, but it will take a great deal of work to create enough to give away to everyone. So, I'm beginning early. Hopefully I'll stay on top of this project, keeping it handy whenever I have a few minutes to work.
It might seem strange working on Christmas ornaments when we've just finished celebrating, but I'll be very glad if I get these done early to not have to rush with them (or give up my great idea) at the last minute. So, if you see me working with needle and thread, you'll know what I'm doing! But don't peak, because I might just be planning to give you one for Christmas next year!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Epiphany or Three Kings Day
January 6th is an exciting day, but it is equally sad. Epiphany is the official end to the Christmas season. After today, I'll have to begin taking down our Christmas decorations, which have not become 'old' to me, yet. The tree is still fresh and pretty, the other decorations still bring me joy. I know it is time, especially for the outside. After all the housing association will probably be sending letters immediately telling us that our lights should have been down for weeks. However, this has been such a lovely Christmas for us that Ihate to see it end. It was so nice to have Victoria back in the house, the kids seemed to get along, gift giving was perfect with everyone getting just the right things to bring joy.
Now we have to settle back into the every day rat race of life. Victoria will head back to school for another semester. Zachary will get back into his regular activities. Bruce will be back into the swing of things at work as new projects come due. I'll be back to my normal routine of caring for my family.
I haven't really made any 'resolutions' but I have set myself some goals. I'm going to work harder at writing, delve into my 'book' and see if I can really get it going. I'm going to stay committed to the Christmas ornaments I've decided to make for next Christmas.
I'm looking forward to 2009. I do not have as negative opinion about 2008 as so many, but each new year is a chance to begin new and when we have a chance for new beginnings it is time to step out in faith and confidence that everything will be blessed by God's grace.
I begin these goals on Epiphany, the day of light, because it is with God's light shining on all we do that we see the good and the bad. God will help us build up the good and He will help us to overcome the bad. There are things to overcome, of this I have no doubt, but with God's help I'll succeed.
So, Happy Three Kings day, or even better...
Have a de-"LIGHT"-ful Epiphany.
Now we have to settle back into the every day rat race of life. Victoria will head back to school for another semester. Zachary will get back into his regular activities. Bruce will be back into the swing of things at work as new projects come due. I'll be back to my normal routine of caring for my family.
I haven't really made any 'resolutions' but I have set myself some goals. I'm going to work harder at writing, delve into my 'book' and see if I can really get it going. I'm going to stay committed to the Christmas ornaments I've decided to make for next Christmas.
I'm looking forward to 2009. I do not have as negative opinion about 2008 as so many, but each new year is a chance to begin new and when we have a chance for new beginnings it is time to step out in faith and confidence that everything will be blessed by God's grace.
I begin these goals on Epiphany, the day of light, because it is with God's light shining on all we do that we see the good and the bad. God will help us build up the good and He will help us to overcome the bad. There are things to overcome, of this I have no doubt, but with God's help I'll succeed.
So, Happy Three Kings day, or even better...
Have a de-"LIGHT"-ful Epiphany.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Non-resolution resolution
Ok, my New Year's resolution for this year was to NOT make any New Year's resolutions, but as I was hanging out online today I realized that I had not posted anything on this blog for a very, very long time. None of us have. But I'm going to change that (of course, I said that the last time I posted.) I will post something regularly.
I saw recently a friend (on facebook) is doing a daily photograph. What a great way to keep track of the year! I don't think I will remember to take a picture a day, but I certainly can keep my posts short and sweet. I tend to write such long stories that I find it overwhelming to sit at the computer.
So, my new posts will be short and sweet. And regular. I hope. Maybe I'll find some sort of theme... that'll keep me going.
Hope your holidays were terrific and that 2009 will be great.
I saw recently a friend (on facebook) is doing a daily photograph. What a great way to keep track of the year! I don't think I will remember to take a picture a day, but I certainly can keep my posts short and sweet. I tend to write such long stories that I find it overwhelming to sit at the computer.
So, my new posts will be short and sweet. And regular. I hope. Maybe I'll find some sort of theme... that'll keep me going.
Hope your holidays were terrific and that 2009 will be great.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Space Camp
Hey Guys,
I know it has been a while since I've blogged, but I just went to the BEST camp I have ever gone to. I went to US Space & Rocket Center for a week at the Advance Space Academy. We had simulated missions (4 1-hour missions and 1 6-hour one), we met 2 famous rocket scientists (George von Tiesenhausen & Konrad Dennimberg), and 1 astronaut, Story Musgrave. We saw the Saturn V Rocket, IMAX movies, and made new friends along the way.
My favorite part, though, was when I went on my first 2 SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dives. Yeah, 2 dives! One for training, one for fun during our EDM (Extended Duration Mission, the 6-hour one). All I did was play around for 45 minutes with Toypedos, bowling balls, and a 100 pound sphere!
Our missions were amazing, too. During our 4 1-hour missions, we were trained in 4 different positions: 1 on the orbiter, 1 in the ISS simulator, and 2 in Mission Control. On the orbiter, I was able to use a fake Canada Arm (a huge robotic arm used to fix satellites). On ISS, I got to perform a really cool experiment. Mission Control, on the other hand was a SNORE. All I did was sit around and read a script.
The EDM, on the other hand, was hilarious. In a group of 16 kids, we had a body count of 19 deaths. NINETEEN!! People died twice on the orbiter, and 4 people were killed in Mission Control by a guy who was given a medical condition called Psychosis (a person with this condition goes on a psychotic rampage). He took a syringe (the thing with the needle that is used to give shots), and injected 15 cubic centimeters of air into the bloodstreams of 3 people (I was one of them). Someone else did the same to silence the psycho dude. Our counselor in Mission Control was laughing his heart out.
Overall, that week had to be the best week of MY LIFE!!!! I made lifelong friends and have lifelong memories to share with friends and family. If you have the time (and the money), look into all of their summer programs at http://www.spacecamp.com/.
I know it has been a while since I've blogged, but I just went to the BEST camp I have ever gone to. I went to US Space & Rocket Center for a week at the Advance Space Academy. We had simulated missions (4 1-hour missions and 1 6-hour one), we met 2 famous rocket scientists (George von Tiesenhausen & Konrad Dennimberg), and 1 astronaut, Story Musgrave. We saw the Saturn V Rocket, IMAX movies, and made new friends along the way.
My favorite part, though, was when I went on my first 2 SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dives. Yeah, 2 dives! One for training, one for fun during our EDM (Extended Duration Mission, the 6-hour one). All I did was play around for 45 minutes with Toypedos, bowling balls, and a 100 pound sphere!
Our missions were amazing, too. During our 4 1-hour missions, we were trained in 4 different positions: 1 on the orbiter, 1 in the ISS simulator, and 2 in Mission Control. On the orbiter, I was able to use a fake Canada Arm (a huge robotic arm used to fix satellites). On ISS, I got to perform a really cool experiment. Mission Control, on the other hand was a SNORE. All I did was sit around and read a script.
The EDM, on the other hand, was hilarious. In a group of 16 kids, we had a body count of 19 deaths. NINETEEN!! People died twice on the orbiter, and 4 people were killed in Mission Control by a guy who was given a medical condition called Psychosis (a person with this condition goes on a psychotic rampage). He took a syringe (the thing with the needle that is used to give shots), and injected 15 cubic centimeters of air into the bloodstreams of 3 people (I was one of them). Someone else did the same to silence the psycho dude. Our counselor in Mission Control was laughing his heart out.
Overall, that week had to be the best week of MY LIFE!!!! I made lifelong friends and have lifelong memories to share with friends and family. If you have the time (and the money), look into all of their summer programs at http://www.spacecamp.com/.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
It's been months....
Yes, I know. It's been MONTHS since I have posted on the blog. Things have been very crazy for me right now, and I'm finally getting a chance to breathe.
Between Theatre, Key Club, and school, things have been very hectic in my life. Our play did make it past Regional and on to State contest (I saw that mom wrote about that in one of her earlier blogs), so I still had rehearsals until the end of April when we competed (by the way, we did take the championship, so it was a VERY exciting weekend for all of us in our house, and in our school!). We still have a couple of more performances this week, mostly for family, friends, and teachers at school, so we still haven't put away all of the set pieces, costumes, and props. However, I don't have after school rehearsals anymore, and I'm finding it hard to figure out what to do with all of my free time! :)
I still have lots of May obligations, though. The other day mom wrote down a list of every banquet, ceremony, and event we have to be at. It all starts on Monday, with Honors Night at school, and then I have other academic banquets, along with theatre banquet, and other receptions and ceremonies for the various scholarships I have received. On top of that, I have all of my IB testing and AP testing within the next two weeks starting on Monday. Whew. It's going to be a crazy month, but there's only one month left until graduation. I can't wait!
It's hard to believe that my senior year is almost over, but I can't wait to graduate and get on with my life. It's sad to believe that I have finally finished high school, but I can't wait to go on to college (and neither can all of my friends... lol)! It is going to be a fun and exciting time. I have finally made it through high school and survived, and that's really all that matters! :)
Love and best wishes to you all,
Vicki :)
Between Theatre, Key Club, and school, things have been very hectic in my life. Our play did make it past Regional and on to State contest (I saw that mom wrote about that in one of her earlier blogs), so I still had rehearsals until the end of April when we competed (by the way, we did take the championship, so it was a VERY exciting weekend for all of us in our house, and in our school!). We still have a couple of more performances this week, mostly for family, friends, and teachers at school, so we still haven't put away all of the set pieces, costumes, and props. However, I don't have after school rehearsals anymore, and I'm finding it hard to figure out what to do with all of my free time! :)
I still have lots of May obligations, though. The other day mom wrote down a list of every banquet, ceremony, and event we have to be at. It all starts on Monday, with Honors Night at school, and then I have other academic banquets, along with theatre banquet, and other receptions and ceremonies for the various scholarships I have received. On top of that, I have all of my IB testing and AP testing within the next two weeks starting on Monday. Whew. It's going to be a crazy month, but there's only one month left until graduation. I can't wait!
It's hard to believe that my senior year is almost over, but I can't wait to graduate and get on with my life. It's sad to believe that I have finally finished high school, but I can't wait to go on to college (and neither can all of my friends... lol)! It is going to be a fun and exciting time. I have finally made it through high school and survived, and that's really all that matters! :)
Love and best wishes to you all,
Vicki :)
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