The Old

We all have bought things that we look back on wishing we hadn't. In no particular order, here are the little things I've bought or paid for (or someone else bought for me) that I don't regret in anyway at all. Most of them are in someone else's hands in Arizona or are long since used up, but they're a good reminder of things I'm happy to have had.

• cran-grape juice, it was surprisingly delicious
• $5 sun glasses, they're perfect and my eyes are so much happier now. They unfortunately broke the day I got here, and the new ones I paid $10 for aren't nearly as fitting.
• This tan wallet from the sale racks at at some jewelry store in the mall, it fits in my pocket, only problem now is that it's getting old. I need a new one and can't find any I like.
• My comforter, $15 at Ross, it's so cute and girly, but not too girly, and so soft too
• $20 bookshelf from IKEA, it's served me splendidly these past 2 years
• Puffs tissues, when I get sick I use lots of tissues and my nose starts hurting from the tissue use, these tissues really are extra soft
• my oboe, it gotten quite a bit of use these past 4 years
• my IKEA desk, just the right size, holds tons of books, and a good price too. I'm going to miss you desk. I wish you could come with me to North Carolina
• my first cell phone, it's been a necessity several times since I've gotten it
• this game called SET, I really like it
• my body pillow, it's great for taking naps with
• Teva flip flops, my feet actually like them, I even wore them to a formal dance once
• Altoids tins and friends, they've made excellent oboe reed cases - If you have any unusual ones, let me know!

• my Math Club T-shirt, it's officially my favorite T-shirt ever
• My caveroom, as cave-like as it is, it's just the right amount of space for me, if only it had a window.
• my black sweater, it's been PERFECT for so many occasions, it saddens me that it's beginning to wear out
• my black dress shoes with treads - these are wearing out too, they're the comfiest dress shoes I own and look good with pants
• my gray backpack, it's the perfect size for all my needs, a neat design, if only I could change it's color to match my mood, that would be fun
• the GPS for the rental car in Rhode Island, I seriously would have been lost for hours in Boston without it.
• the Sims (original), I used to be an expert at that game, no cheating involved
• purple yarn, I made a pretty scarf, and it helped pass time in the airplanes
• fancy mechanical pencils with the long twist eraser, I use that eraser all the time
• colorful 3-ring binders, telling apart your classes has never been easier
• my computer, I use it more than I should, it fits in my desk, and it glows!
• my 2 black skirts, I love it when skirts swirl when you spin, plus I can sit in them Indian style and ride a bicycle with them! (I've done it several time now)
• red pulse hair dye, having my hair red for a week was so much fun
• my red bicycle, it gets good use and rides great
• my blue helmet, thanks to Mandi for the helmet, it actually fits my head when others don't, and now I won't ever fracture my skull again!
• the barbecue chicken pizza we bought during our MCM contest. I didn't think I would really like it, yet I really want some more. Good choice Crystal.
• Krispy Kreme donuts, it's so sad they closed down in AZ
• my pink argyle knee-high socks, they've kept me just a little warmer this winter
• skii rental, I finally went skiing my last semester in Flagstaff
• my computer moniter, thanks to Justin for the trade, it's freed up a lot of space on my desk
• vanilla bubble bath, ever since I got walking pneumonia last semester, I have thrived off of baths, the vanilla makes them even better
  

So that was a lot, and there are more, but I'll leave it at that.

2000 miles

I finally made it to my new destination! The drive over was happily uneventful. Parts of it were pretty, but most of the time we couldn't see anything because the land was filled with so many trees we could not see past them. Still, it's beautiful. We have flowers in our front yard and trees in the back. Our house is great. It's covered in spider webs, but that's okay---I get my own bedroom and bathroom (and the vacuum took care of the spiders). The place is quite hilly. Riding my bike to class is uphill the whole way. Plus, it's humid, so in order to be proper, I have to change my clothes when I get here. I think I might take the bus tomorrow.

To fund my experience here, I'll be responsible for a tutorial class twice a week. Students will come to me and ask for help on their homework. I'm excited. I've always enjoyed helping people figure out their homework problems, and now I will get paid to do it! Plus, I get to keep learning and learning.

It's really weird being so far away from everything I know. The people I've met so far are really great. I've met a ton of people who use statistics all the time. It's amazing. We're going to have statistics themed dinners with a few people from church.

My computer broke the day I got here, so I'm using the school computer right now. Once I get it fixed, I have a bunch of pictures of the old and then pictures of the new I want to post.