Jungle of Testosterone

My mettle has recently been tested by my forays into the Physical Education portion of our otherwise beautiful campus. Joel and I have decided that my newest attempt at physical activity to combat my happily sedentary lifestyle should involve the climbing gym here at school. Unfortunately for me, Joel is actually making me stick to it through a variety of taunts and encouragements. This means that on Wednesdays (probably other days of the week, too, as I have discovered they are open other times as well) I must sojourn into that wasteland of health and wellness: the sports complex. I am subjected to football players just getting out of practice, their finely-honed bodies shining with sweat as they strut like teenage chickens back to their cars. Then there are the lanky climbers and runners who glide like well-oiled machines past me, not to mention all the horrifyingly toned women who seem to glance at me in immediate dismissal, probably because I have a bit of a panzita. I feel like a meatball in a bowl full of spaghetti, or perhaps a jiggle of lard next to a lump of lean beef. And so I arrive, the only girl I have seen so far at the gym, to make an utter fool out of myself as I try to spider crawl across the wall since I can't vertical climb too much, due to the lack of a climbing partner. Dylan, the climbing wall guy, says I'll get the hang of it eventually, having watched my pitiful attempts to cling to the wall two feet above the ground. Climbing uses a whole different set of muscles than violin playing ( have you seen my mad elbow muscle?) and believe me, last week, I hurt! But, thanks in large part to the verbal abuse I receive when I call aforementioned Joel to try and whine my way out of climbing, I have gone two times now, and, having paid ten bucks for the rest of the term (ten bucks!!! What a deal!!!) will probably continue to do so. I may not become one of those beautifully cut football players (have I ever mentioned that I have an instant physical reaction to them.... of revulsion? I think it must be left over from high school.) or a lean, lanky runner (*shrieks of laughter* Lean? Lanky? Me????), but perhaps I might manage to leave school with a little less than I came with.

Euooooooooooooth Koooooonphrrrrrrensssss

This is a last minute message to invite all of you to come to the Apostolic Faith Medford Church's Youth Conference. The Friday service is at 8 pm and in addition to several activities early in the day, we will be having a concert in the evening. And of course there's going to be church on Sunday at 11 am 6 pm. It's going to be lots of fun!!! (I'm actually really stoked as there are a TON of people coming. Whoo hoo!!! People to see, conversations to be had!!!) Be prepared for coolish/warmish weather. We have no idea what it's going to be, truthfully. Oh, if you're coming and you haven't registered, check out afcyouth.org. I've already told you guys about that, haven't I? Old age is kicking in. I can't remember what I've said and haven't said.

In the interest of irritating my audience.... Joel is going to be here in, hopefully, 72 hours (exactly three days)!!!!! I am, of course, very excited to see all of my friends but to see Joel gush gush mushy goo coo giggle giggle sigh blush tee hee mush sigh sigh. And that's all I need to say, so I don't go overboard and drive you all crazy. Oh, was that a rolled eye I just saw? Be warned!! Your time will come!! I have been receiving a little too much karma payback for all of the mocking I've done of couples... not that I've really stopped since that momentous occassion when Joel and I became united in the whatever state of couplehood, but I'm getting back what I have paid. Ah well, I have pizza breath and need to go brush. See you guys soon, and if I won't, hello anyway!

Ahhh, autumnal joy

What?! You don't want to hear me rave on about the season?!? Psh. Some friends you are. I am trying to get pictures taken, but my camera battery died on me while I was skipping Econ in the park today, and I can't recharge it until I get home this weekend, and by then all the leaves will have fallen. Lithia Park has some of the most beautiful trees as you first enter the park. I spent some quality time in the yarn store, too. I couldn't help myself!! I was going to be 10 minutes late for a 50 minute class, the weather was perfect, and there was a yarn store nearby! Why sit in a class I am usually dreadfully bored in when I could goof off? I need to practice at some point, however, as both my voice and violin lessons are tomorrow.

I've started staying in town during the week with an older couple from church in a desperate attempt to conserve money on gas. I figure I'll probably be able to save about $30 every week and a half to two weeks. I've also taken to parking and walking to as many errands as I possibly can, thereby getting exercise AND saving gas. I would pat myself on the back for being environmentally conscious, but I'm afraid a good deal of this is money related, although I might keep the walking thing up just for my health. So, this staying in town is why the camera battery can't get recharged until I go home.

In school news, I haven't done any of my International Economics independent study homework, I'm doing okay in Econ 202 (minus the one skipped class), my Geography class continues to be very interesting (side note: the prof is a total nut and a crack-up, which several morons in the class seem unable to appreciate. Fortunately the two blonde twits who would sit and talk ALL CLASS seem to have dropped out. Thank heavens.), Fundamentals of Conducting is really cool (there's more to it than waving at people), and I get really fun music in my lessons. Not that you guys really care, I know. I'm starting to look forward to graduating in a freaked out sort of way. Facing my future is a very scary concept, let me tell you. More paranoia later, I'm sure.

PS Guada Loopy, Chris? Guada Loopy???