January Is Coming To An End.

Interim finished on Wednesday, so I've had a few days to do whatever I feel like. It was so wonderful dancing so much over interim, that I miss it already. I would love to take ballet classes for the rest of the school year, but none are offered on campus, and I have no means of transport (or payment) for classes elsewhere. Oh well. Now that I've started getting back into shape, I've decided to head to the gym. Been going every day to run on the elliptical for at least half an hour, it feels good.

I've also taken these past few empty days to get some little things done. I have been doing work towards possible engineering internships this summer, and have applied for scholarships for next years enormous tuition bill. And of course, I manage to find plenty of time to hang out and have fun. Last night I went out to dinner and bowling with some friends from my floor. My two biggest accomplishments of the night:
1) I ate my huge red robin's burger faster than anyone else (except for Mag)
2) I got a double while bowling! yeah.

I think I'm looking forward to next semester, but I won't really know what it's going to be like until it starts. Mostly, I'm just looking forward to the return of Carina (tomorrow night) and Carsten (Sunday night).

Oh, I've also been getting some good reading done, and have become hooked on LOST, thanks to my wonderful room mate Ana.

I think that's about all for now.

Here is Asa, Me and David. At the bowling alley.











Here am I with Byron, Chandler (top), Mag, and Erika.

January

I arrived back in Grand Rapids nearly a week ago, but it already feels like it's been much longer. I came in on Wednesday night a little over an hour late. My friend Zach picked me up from the airport, and kindly helped me haul my large suitcases up to my room. It felt both strange and nice to be back at Calvin.

The next morning classes started bright and early. Most people take one class during interim, but some choose to travel (like Carina) or work or study abroad. I'm here on campus, taking a DCM (developing a Christian mind) class. Every calvin student is required to take a DCM class once, and usually you take it your freshman year. There are about 30 to choose from, and there's quite a variety of subjects. The course I'm taking is called Human Nature, and it's basically a psychology class. So far, in the first four days of class, we've talked about worldviews, main differences between the Christian worldview and those of the world, the brain and it's functions, the difference between "mind" and "brain," and hermeneutics. We've studied some scripture, and I think we will used passages and characters in the Bible to illustrate many topics in the curriculum. We've already had one paper to write; the question was "what does the Bible say about human nature?" I actually enjoyed writing it, and finding passages from scripture to support my thesis. I think this class will be really good, and my professor is amazing.

I'm also taking a ballet class, just to keep exercising, and attempt to get back into the shape I was in while dancing back home. That will be difficult, because I was once dancing 12 hours a week, and my Ballet II class only meets on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12:00 to 3:00. I found it quite annoying that Ballet I meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and we meet Thursday and Friday. Why not spread them out over the week? The way it is now, I wait nearly a week between Friday's class and the following Thursday. So I talked to my teacher, and she said I was allowed to go to Ballet I's classes as well, if I wanted. After classes last week, I was so sore. Everything from my neck to my abs, my but to my calves to my feet. But I went back today, and worked off most of the soreness. It's so nice to be back in ballet class.

After ballet, I work on the little homework I get, then just hang out, something fun always comes up. Bowling, movie, Ethiopian food, book club, shopping for groceries, whatever. I find myself bored sometimes, but I think it's mostly because it's strange not having Carsten here with me. I miss both him and Carina, and am eagerly awaiting their return.

I will probably start working again this week. During January, work is voluntary, and first come first serve. Which is nice. I can work as little or as much as I want, any night I want to.

Calvin also has an awesome January Series, a series of guests who give amazing lectures, everyday in the Fine Arts Center. It's packed to the max every day. I've only been able to attend once so far, because ballet conflicts with it, but it was really good. Sonia Nazario, the author of Enrique's Journey, came to talk about illegal immigration from central America. She gave her first hand account of what the journey is like, and why it is made by so many single moms, and later their young children. It was heart-wrenching, and I found myself tearing up. She also talked about the political side of the issue, and gave multiple perspectives on the issue of immigration. I think everyone left feeling more informed and aware of the national issue.

Well, that's about all there is for now. I'll probably forget to update for another few months, but I'll do my best to try. Letters, phone calls and e-mails are always welcome, especially if you want me to keep in contact with you better. Love you all,
kaylee joy

Godspell, My Brightest Diamond, and Forty-Two Bananas

Since Kaylee hasn't updated this for over a month, she thought she'd share just a few of the highlights of the past week or two.

First up: Halloween.
October 31st marked not only Halloween and Reformation Day, but also the birthday of Kaylee's good friend Gretchen. Turning 19, Carsten and Kaylee realized there were only two appropriate ways to celebrate: the opera and bananas. Gretchen's older sister was here visiting, so Carsten and Kaylee took them to the Grand Rapids Opera to see Carmen (a most wonderful French opera). Having acquired free tickets to the dress rehearsal via Calvin's music department, they figured they could splurge a little afterwards by treating Gretchen to an after-opera-snack at Steak-n-Shake. The delightful occasion has been documented by a Polaroid picture, currently tacked to Gretchen's wall. Unfortunately... due to lack of an accessible vehicle, Carsten and Kaylee failed to purchase their desired gift for Gretchen in a timely manner. They were forced to wait until the following weekend...
Kaylee and Carsten, after finally finding a car, drove to Meijer (the local grocery) and purchased forty-two lovely bananas. They spent the entire following day coming up with witty, Gretchen-related rhymes to write on each banana. After completing this task with the help of colorful sharpies, the bananas were stealthily hidden in Gretchen's bed. Surprise!


Next: Luke, Carsten and Godspell.
This weekend, Kaylee was ever so fortunate as to have a lovely visit from the wonderful Luke Timothy Johnson. Luke arrived around 3:00, and had a little time to explore the campus before Kaylee got out of class. She hurried out of physics with Gretchen, and went and found Luke at the Library. She brought Luke back to the dorm, and showed him around a bit. He saw her slightly untidy room, and then got to meet Carsten. Then rest of the afternoon was spent in a walking-tour of Calvin's campus, given especially by Kaylee and Carsten. Luke then took the two of them out to a wonderful dinner at Rose's, a lovely restaurant right on the lake. The three of them barely made it back to campus in time to see the Calvin Theatre's production of Godspell. Carsten slept through much of it, and Kaylee and Luke weren't extremely impressed. Godspell doesn't make it on Kaylee's list of favorite musicals.

Finally: My Brightest Diamond.
Last night, Kaylee, Gretchen, Jillie, Carsten, and some other guy squished into Chad's car, and drove down town to the Ladies' Literary Club to see My Brightest Diamond in concert. The opening band was quite annoying, however My Brightest Diamond was amazing, and a very good performer. The performance was enjoyed by all.

The weekend is almost over, and Kaylee has three tests and a quiz to look forward to this week.
That's all for now.

Flying Cows!

SPOKANE, Washington - A cow plunged from a 200-foot (61-metre) cliff onto the hood of a minivan on a highway in central Washington state, according to police.

The car's occupants, Charles and Linda Everson, were not hurt in Sunday's accident, but the cow was euthanized at the scene.

"If the cow had fallen a split second later, the animal would have landed right in their laps," said Jeff Middleton, criminal deputy of the Chelan County Sheriff's Department.

Middleton estimated the animal weighed 600 lbs (272 kilograms), or the average size of a mature cow. It had been missing for two days and wandered 5 miles from home near the popular Lake Chelan tourist area.

I'm beginning to rethink my decision about not going to school in Spokane.

Where are all the Bulgarian Prostitutes Going?

Global Warming: now it hits brothels

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

If people could still do this, they wouldn't want prostitutes. Or something like that.

Brothel owners in Bulgaria are blaming global warming for staff shortages.

They claim their best girls are working in ski resorts because a lack of snow has forced tourists to seek other pleasures.

Petra Nestorova, who runs an escort agency in Sofia, said: 'We have hired students, but they are temps and nothing like our elite girls.'

This is an important issue that's been on my mind for a few days. What do you guys think?