67. December 4

I have some wonderful friends.

They are exchange students, like me.

In another week, we will be scattered across the world.

So, I'm lucky to have a few more good nights, like tonight, with them.

Tonight let me introduce you to Manu, always with a camera!

"I’m here to live out loud!"

~ Emile Zola

And happy 20th birthday to Krista...

62. November 29

Another really good day.

Isn't life extraordinary?

It is good to have friends and roommates back from Thanksgiving break.

This is Marta and Jeremy, two good friends of mine, enjoying dinner in the caf.

If you knew these faces, I think you'd them too.

And its Marta's twentieth birthday tomorrow!

Three cheers for birthdays, and a particularly happy one to Marta.

 "There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."

~ Charles Dickens

54. November 21

Today's Gratitude List

(Continuing Until Thanksgiving)

1. I am thankful for used books and the places that sell them.
2. I am thankful for diversity. It makes life beautiful.
3. I am thankful for orange juice.
   
4. I am thankful for friends who accept my standards for what they are.
5. I am thankful for tomorrows. 
6. I am thankful for hot pizza with good friends on a cold November night.
7. I am thankful for Christmas wreaths on street lamps. So beautiful!
8. I am thankful for the men who play chess in the park. They always warm my heart.
9. I am thankful for cars. That sure was a nifty invention.

So, this was a very wonderful, very long day spent in the company of good friends. There were many faces and places I would have loved to have captured with my little camera.

But, due to dead batteries, all I have to offer is this quirky stop sign on Cherry Street.

"'Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'
'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.'"

~ E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

50. November 17

Today's Gratitude List

1. I am grateful for Tuesday game nights.
2. I am grateful for Caitlin fueling my addiction to Peanut Butter M & M's.
3. I am grateful for the National Student Exchange program and the amazing experience I have had participating in it.
4. I am grateful for a long, hot shower every morning.
5. I am grateful for the oatmeal now served at the cafeteria for breakfast.
6. I am grateful rainy days don't last forever.
7. I am grateful for poetry and how it has shaped the way I look at life.
8. I am grateful for canceled classes and an extra hour to sleep in.
9. I am grateful to Robert, Nelia, and Caitlin for generously giving me rides everywhere.

Tuesday Game Night

The Jennifer Sandwich deeply engrossed in a game of Cranium.

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."

~C.S. Lewis

49. November 16

Thanksgiving is coming up.

Time to get grateful, gosh darn it.

Sooo.... Until Thanksgiving, I'll offer a daily list of nine things I am grateful for.

I have seen some awesome gratitude lists popping up all over the place.

One of my favorite's? Tiffani, I hope you don't mind me suggesting your Thankology. Each week, Tiffani posts a beautiful list of fifty things to be grateful for. I just ended a sentence in a preposition, which is a bad habit of mine. But, check the site out. I think you'll enjoy. It's been a goal of mine to start a similar weekly list, and perhaps this will get me rolling.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE LIST

1. I am grateful for my parents' birthday gift of Microsoft Office 2007 because it is such a kick awesome program.
2. I am grateful for a letter in the mail from Danni.
3. I am grateful for scarves to keep me warm.
4. I am grateful I got to see a few meteors last night with my roommate, suitemates, and friends.
5. I am grateful for an awesome haircut given to me by Paige and a pair of safety scissors.
6. I am grateful I will being seeing my family in only twenty-seven days.
7. I am grateful for my height. I think it's perfect.
8. I am grateful for a cell phone and how easy it makes it to talk to friends and family 2,000 miles away.
9. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

And now, getting back to the task at hand. 

Today's photo is a picture of my suitemates and a friend watching for the meteors...

"You are one of the noblest of God’s creations. His intent is that your life be gloriously beautiful regardless of your circumstances. As you are grateful and obedient, you can become all that God intends you to be."

~ Richard G. Scott, "Finding Joy in Life"

33. October 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

Well... I must say, this has been one of the best Halloween weeks ever.

I particularly loved the costumes. I've got to start thinking of something really good for next year. My favorite costumes this year?

• A pair of docs (A paradox!)
• A s'more: Four people; two graham cracker, one Hershey's bar, and one marshmellow
• A platypus
• Flo, from the Progressive Commercials
• Paul Bunyon and Babe, the blue ox 

And that's just to name a few...

Tonight, I give you, Old Lady (formerly Waldo, before a costume swap), Kudzu (Google that), and a mime.

Happy Halloween, to one and all. 
 

"This is Halloween, everybody make a scene."

~ Tim Burton, "This is Halloween"

29. October 27

Please meet my beautiful suite mate:

• Author of the next great fantasy series
• Survivor of the dreaded H1N1 virus
• Lover of vampires
• Diehard Irish
  

"I just don't think any of us should have to handle being human alone."

~ Barbara Galloway, in today's class discussion

25. October 23

Getting all dolled up for the dance...

 "Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood."

~ Oscar Wilde

18. October 16

This is the face of a very good friend who flew two thousand miles to sit in my living room and try sushi for the first time...

"You may amaze yourself when you stop trying to be inconspicuous."

~Rhea Fitzgerald

I would like to learn the art of portrait photography. Plants just happen to be a little easier and more patient. But perhaps now is a good time to learn a thing or two about photographing faces...

11. October 9

Driving away for Fall Break with my awesome roommate and these lovely suitemates...

"Your life now seems / to you exceptional / in its simplicities."

~ Linda Pastan, "Weather"