But I am le tired! Well, take a nap…and then fire the missiles!
Celebrating Christmas twice this year; YAY! Em and Dan will be down on Friday night, so we’ll do our Christmas Eve gifts that night. Then it’s Christmas morning on Saturday! Then we get to move right into New Year’s. It’s like a 4-day celebration. That’s the way to do it.
All I want before I go back to Rose is just a lil bit of SNOW. Please? I snow-danced and everything. Even flushed the ice cubes. So if it snows in the NW of IN, you can all thank me. ONE day of sledding, that’s all I ask!
Later taters. I’m out.
I’m official!
There she is. No more red letters! 
( :
Chicago Trip
Betsey giving me a lift…still not tall enough to kiss the lips.
Outside of Macy’s/Marshall Fields and the window story!
Giant tree(s) beside the German shopping place. Thingie. Sooo fun!
What happens when you let Mom hold the drink. I come by it honestly, you see.
Sisters. Sooo purty.
Merry Christmas, everybody!! Hope your holidays are as amazing as mine are going to be.
One Week
Break’s almost here! I’m looking forward to it, if only because it means I get to forget for a while. I’ve learned to really appreciate the moments when you don’t have to think.
This past weekend was amazing. I got to see my ex-roomie, sleep for ten hours straight, and go to Indy for an evening, among other things. And currently my toes are very toasty, thanks to the perfect gift from The Tobe (haha, that’s for you, Buzz)! Alright, I really can’t help that I have zero circulation to my hands and feet. At some point I had promised to invent electric socks someday…who knew they already existed?!! Tobin found me a battery-powered pair, which is much more efficient than my idea of plugging myself into a wall. They’re pretty hard-core socks, haha, I look like an elf right now, and they jingle too!
Sooo…three tests this week, then I get to head HOME on Friday!! When I get back…I will be sporting a new license!! Who’s excited? This kid is.
Kinda stole this picture, but it’s worth reposting: Caleb Aaron being super cute! Isn’t he adoooorable? He’s so….bald. Love him! It must be that middle name, he takes after the pretty aunt. This is one of four babies I get to see over break! Em, hurry up, I want a partially Korean niece or nephew!
Back to studying. Nutrition…who needs it?
Why Giving Birth Is Not a Good Idea
Number 1 Reason: Being pregnant. Um, your waistline grows by many inches even if you eat the SAME AMOUNT as you did before being knocked up. You can’t move nearly as well as you could before…forget running once you pass the 8-month mark. Tying shoes…ha! Velcro straps and spandex pants, mmm.
Number 2 Reason: The little hellion you must raise for the next several years. More, if you don’t want to be accused of neglect.
Number 3 Reason: Pain. Accompanied by inordinate amounts of blood. I like to be conscious.
Number 4 Reason: The after-effects…stretch marks, recovery time, postpartum depression, etc.
In short, I think, besides not shaving your legs, giving birth is God’s all-natural sex deterrent.
The end.
Altos!!
After our first performance. It’s not really fair, being short. You get stuck with all the slightly awkward poses. Not fun when taking multiple pictures. Anyways, aren’t we gorgeous?? 
Zaiss is joining me tomorrow for choir! :)
Blood Drive
First: blood is the grossest thing ever….it should stay inside the body where it belongs. BUT, since people insist on putting holes in themselves and keep needing bags of the stuff from college kids, I figured I should do my part and try to keep these vampires alive.
Buzz, we are both failures at this blood thing, apparently. You weren’t actually given a chance to try to give, however, since the lady couldn’t seem to find your vein. I did not have that problem. Nope, the first thing the chick said when I turned my arm over was “There’s a beaut.” I’ve never heard that in reference to my veins before. Apparently they show well. It made me sick to my stomach, at any rate.
Sooo…I made it through the registration, pin prick (the WORST part…she kept pushing at the finger to get the blood to ooze out…uuuuugghh), and insertion of the needle. Not bad, it didn’t hurt, I can take that kinda thing. I wasn’t even looking at my arm, but a couple of seconds after my blood started exiting my body…I passed out. They had me sitting up originally…next thing I knew, I was lying on my back and they were calling “Erin, Erin, stay with me! Cough!” I didn’t quite understand the whole cough thing. But I tried it. Can’t quite describe the feeling, but it was weird and I was too tired to talk. There was plenty I wanted to say, though. I didn’t even feel them take the needle out.
Anyways, I felt fine after a bit; poor Brandi didn’t do so well. She had a new lady who couldn’t get the needle in (now THAT would knock me out for sure). Brandi’s face was green when she came up to me after she finally quit trying to fill the bag. Neither of us gave enough for the blood suckers to keep it. I wonder what blood type I am? I will probably try this again next time. I’m determined now.
Rambling
I don’t appreciate being bipolar at times. My mood is so capricious. The tiniest thing can make my day or send me into that melancholy that, while so comforting and protective, is also the most damaging attitude I could have. It not only affects me and my mood, but also anyone who is around me.
Contentment is something I am working on. It’s so exhausting to be around someone who is constantly dissatisfied. I am where I am, and I can’t change that. I can, however, make the best of it. This is my life, it’s happening right now. Enjoying the breath-taking moments is easy for anyone, but it takes someone of true character to find the joy or the value in the rest.
FYI: Nose strips are amusing. If you enjoy inflicting pain on yourself, that is. Try not to put them too close to your eyes.
Dreaming of a Summer Day
Lake Michigan
Here is my haven. Minus a few dead fishies and perhaps a tad brighter and bluer than reality and be glad it’s not scratch-and-sniff…but it’s mine. And I miss it. So does my pasty white skin.
Break Update
I get to see almost everybody from the “old days” over break! I’m excited.
And check this out…the niece blowing out her own candles!! Don’t be fooled, despite the large amount of fire, she’s only two.
#1 – Happy Birthday, Grace!
Two years old…you’re making me feel old, kid.
#2 – DONE, SON!! That’s another quarter under my belt, another step closer to graduation. I added up my score for the EEE final and I do believe I passed that class!!!! The others I’m not worried about. I’ll be home in a few days, after I wait around here for a bloody intramural meeting that someone didn’t plan very well. I might swing up to see Betsey for a bit as well. I don’t really know right now…all I know is I have zero cares in the world! God’s too good to me. I didn’t die or anything. See y’all soon!
Pieces of My Heart
I was just writing Em’s name the other day and accidentally wrote “Rumley”. I’m going to have to get used to this “Emily Stauch” thing. I’m learning, though! Anyways, I miss you all and I’m super excited to see you over Thanksgiving. Here’s some bachelorette party pictures…back when we were all still Rumley’s. And back when my shirt wasn’t broken. Hey, Mom, wanna teach me how to sew a button on? Again? I’m a slow learner… Maybe fishing line would 
do the trick.
10th Week Update
Today was a beautiful day. It was warm enough to go running outside, so I took advantage of that. Even the light rain felt good. It’s funny how your attitude can affect the clarity with which you see everything else. It felt like I could see and hear and smell everything a little better.
Finishing up a project tonight; and sometime I have to write a 15-20 page technical report for Tech Comm. Yeeeah…that’s not gonna happen. We don’t even have enough information for that length of a report. There’s gonna be a lot of visuals I do believe.
BUT…it’s 10th week, EEE was canceled for tomorrow, and I have the rest of my homework due tomorrow completed. I can’t complain. Even though I’m really good at it.
I can’t WAIT to see you all! I don’t know what day I will be home yet, but it’s SOON! You’re the best. Stay safe and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.
The Sunshine’s Back!
I finished my school day; no, it wasn’t perfect, but it went better than I was expecting. Yeah, I still have a lot to do, but I’m suddenly not stressed about it. Thanks to the ‘rents….you guys are the best! Thank you for knowing when I needed you.
Erff and I have made a deal to treat ourselves to dinner if we pass this EEE test. Food is a great motivator, haha! If it works, I think I might take that approach on every exam. I wonder if we both have to pass? Or if we can add our scores together? Maybe we should have made a few ground rules.
I don’t even know what to do with myself, I’m bouncing off the walls here in the LC. OH…I was starting to get sick last night on top of everything…so I just went to bed and got up early to study some more. I think it worked! I’m feeling better already. You guys wouldn’t believe it; I got up at 5:20 in the MORNING. True, I slept through my alarm for 20 minutes, so I haven’t changed comPLETEly.
Going to pretend to work now! Bye.
I Think the Finish Line’s a Good Place We Could Start
On the one hand: I hate when people are hypocritical. Just BE REAL, be yourself! It’s so cool to see how different people are and to enjoy all the different flavors of humanity; why would you mess that up by trying to cover up who you really are? Cuz generally the more you cover up, the more boring you become.
On the other hand: Have you ever just been plain petrified to be who you really are? What if you open up just a little bit to reveal the you that’s inside, and you get hurt? Is it worth the risk? Is whatever inside really beautiful, like when a bud opens into a flower, or is it ugly and unappealing to everyone who sees it? No one will know til you try.
Can you get used to disappointment? “To defeat the fulfillment of hopes.” I don’t think anyone can ever get used to the initial pain. If you do, then you’re emotionally dead. If it doesn’t hurt to see a dream destroyed, then you’re no longer really hoping for the dream to become a reality. If you’re no longer hoping, you can’t be disappointed, according to Dictionary.com.
I miss home. See you guys in a few weeks! I love you all so very, very much. Zilla, let’s play some ball when I get home, k? Maybe it’ll be in the snow! Elyse, we could make a snowman then! I hope it does snow. Later taters!
De-stressing
It’s nice to feel more relaxed. I’m a little more caught up; not feeling pulled in so many directions. The fact that I have 6 games in the next 7 days can only make me laugh at this point. End the season with a bang, I suppose. Trying to be optimistic…but the possibility of setting the record for the highest concentration of losses in school history is so tantalizing. This season has done a lot for my fatalistic attitude. If you can face imminent failure with a sense of humor, it certainly doesn’t hurt as much. Until later.
Family Christmas presents…haha, I don’t think we could have confused ourselves any more than we did this year! I am going to have fun shopping for my “mystery sibling”; but honestly guys, I won’t start my shopping for a good month to six weeks from now. Em, you are so organized. I admire that, really. Whoever you have will have his present bought and wrapped within the week. I hope the person I have doesn’t mind paper sacks as wrapping paper.
41 Hours Later
I am going to bed. This is going to feel good.
A Night Has So Few Hours
I could have sworn I told you all about the Cat job offer. I really think I did. But if not, I did now. Yeah, I got an extension on the deadline for when I had to accept the offer. Now I have until November 1st to tell them yes or no. That still doesn’t leave me a lot of time, but I can at least see if I hear back from any other companies between now and then. If you want to know any more, talk to me later.
*Edit* It’s now really early (4:30 or so) in the morning and I am still up and feeling giddy, so I thought I would say hi to you all while you are snug in your beds. Except for maybe Jaymi. Never know when you’ll decide to hit the sack you crazy girl. I have a career fair breakfast in two and a half hours, so pretty soon I’ll start getting ready for that. I have a test and two quizzes tomorrow…I am FINALLY ready for one of the quizzes (yes, that is why I am up so late…for a QUIZ, mind you). Matlab and I don’t get along too well. Oh joy, I just realized that I get to lug around my laptop tomorrow as well as my thermo book for my open book test. Maybe I’ll start taking a shopping cart to class. Good grief. I’m off to study or shower or something productive. Later!
Delaying Matlab coding
Two weeks left of volleyball. Cuz we’re not gonna make it into the HCAC tournament, sorry to bust your bubbles. I think the requirement is that you have to be able to actually beat another opponent.
I’m feeling a tad swamped right now, so hopefully in a few days it will all be better. But as of right now…I need a clone. Too bad mine left just a couple of hours ago! Buzz, let me know when you get back (no car accidents this time, k?).
Career fair tomorrow! I have to give tours to the company reps that want to see the campus; and the next day I am having a breakfast with them as well. It should be a good networking opportunity. I just found out that I have more time to respond to my job offer as well, which is GREAT news.
And that’s all for the moment. I need to get to work. Bye, all.
Buzz
My beautiful sister is here! Hi, Betsey! (Melita, you get to be in both of these pictures…don’t you feel special?? Haha, can ya tell you’re the one who had these pictures taken??)
People I Miss
Wish I could see you all over break. I think the next time I will be home is Thanksgiving. So…Hi and I love you Mom, Dad, Luke, Lacey, Grace, Caleb, Emily, Dan, Betsey, Zach, Elyse, Jaymi, Jori, FEBC college class, Cassie, The Gang, and everyone else!
We WON our Homecoming match!! Here KT and I are in front of our bonfire (which accurately predicted the outcome of the football game, once again).
Our floor got to make a banner this year for the pep rally! Usually it is just sororities and fraternities who submit banners…here is ours (we should have won He’s even got the little Rose jacket on. And a pocket protector. 
The picture doesn’t show it very well, but that’s a flyswatter in the nerd’s hand.
I’m going to try to be productive now so I don’t have so much to do on the way to Ohio. I think you all are the best and I can’t wait to see you again! Jaymi, can’t WAIT until you are here in a couple of weeks. Jori, I LOVED the package! Thanks for being such a sweetheart. And for making me fat. I love it! Later, everybody.
Correction
Our housekeeper is the best EVER. There, now I feel better after that last post. She cleaned today, as usual, while I was still in bed (didn’t hear a bit of it tho, proud to say); but she came back later while I was at work and changed my sheets, made my bed, and emptied our trash (and probably vacuumed too). Yeah, she’s outstanding. Wow.