orientation...seattle, baby!

Tues. Aug. 23rd...unspecified time

I am so tired!! My flight left Milwaukee at 6:50 am, so I got up 3:30 and my parents drove me to the airport. Being awake and "alert" at that hour is NOT something I'm planning on getting used to. My parents left around 6:10 (I didn't even cry!! aren't you proud??..possibly too tired to do so) so I sat around in the terminal waiting to get on my puddle jumper (an EMB145, I believe, for all of my aviation-happy friends). It was an okay flight, nothing too exciting. The flight was 15 min early, so I sat around in the St. Louis airport and took a little nap. Well, mostly I stared out the window, wondering what I was still doing awake. The flight to Seattle took a lot longer than I thought (about 4 hrs, which is really nothing), and I had to sit by a grumpy old man the whole time. At least I got window seats on both flights. Flying through the clouds makes me happy. :D I finally got to Seattle and wandered around, got my luggage, got a bite to eat, and then decided to go figure out the public transpo. system. Riiiight. Luckily enough, there were a few other LVC'ers there, so we figured it out together. We had to transfer to a different bus in downtown Seattle, which took forever, so we were pretty rushed when we actually got to Seattle Pacific U, where orientation is at. I met a lot of people today; my housemates are all pretty cool; it'll take a lot of getting used to, but we'll make it.

Orientation was full today, lots of info and paperwork. We had an opening ceremony, which was cool. The speaker was a brilliant woman, but she went on for way too long and I thought I was gonna die right there in the church. Jet lag is not emily-friendly. But survive I did; onto the next day...

Aug. 24th (Wed.)

More info!! Hurray!! I'm gonna learn a lot this year, but so are you!!! So get ready for the plethora of things I have to tell you. Whoopie. We had an awesome workshop about simplicity today. The speaker actually puts these things to use in his own life, so it makes the content a lot more sincere.

"Be aware of all enterprises that require new clothes." -Thoreau (What??!??...i love new clothes!!....could be an interesting year.)

The world is one big pie and it all needs to go around...how big is your piece?

These workshop discussions might end up being more 'blurbish' ..just random thoughts.

The simplicity man lives in a co-op house, has gardens to grow his own produce, raises chickens and roosters, rides his bike everywhere...and he's normal ;)

He told us a story about his chicken-watching...he likes to just sit and watch his chickens (okay, not that normal), and one day a guy with two little girls walked up to him and started talking to him about his chickens. Thinking nothing of it, he just kept right on having a chicken-centered discussion with this guy. When he actually stepped back to look at the guy, it turned out to be Dave Matthews!!! What?!?? No way!! Maybe I should move to Seattle and hook me up with some chickens... I was even wearing my Dave summer tour shirt that day, so I do believe it was a sign. ooo000h chickens, where are yooouuu?? Actually, it is really gorgeous here..the mountains, the water, all of the plants and flowers. I could see myself living here someday, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes. All I know is that it's definitely an option!

AND, for your learning enjoyment: As opposed to driving, biking gets about 890 miles/gallon (converted to food calories)...hmmm...

Two of my housemates (Tory and Jill) and I went to an Indian restaurant in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle tonight, since we had a free night for dinner. It was really busy and loud, but it was a nice atmosphere and we had some great conversation. I had Lamb Methi Curry with basmati rice...delicious, but way too much food!

Present-time: Today's actually Sat., last day of orientation, so I have to get going or I'll miss closing worship, but I'll write about Thursday and Friday when I find some time. Who knows when that'll be, though! Two of my housemates and I are exploring Seattle today because our flights are all at ridiculous hours tonight (i don't fly out til 11:30). Once I get settled in Milwaukee, hopefully I can finally catch up. Bye for now!