Nov 16 2005

to David and Ann

David and Ann are some of my favorite people, and I knew each one indvidually before they ever started dating. :-)

I first met David at the beginning of my freshman year, in Gerig lounge. We were lounge rats together, and I knew him as Bill Nye (the Science Guy). I was able to talk to him about Peru, which helped so much in the culture shock I experienced (to a certain degree) after moving from Peru to Taylor. He was one of the first guys I felt really comfortable around as a friend (I was scared of boys in high school), even though he constantly teased me about being Peruvian. He has remained a true friend since then, offering encouragement at the times when I most needed it.

Ann was my suitemate during her freshman year (my sophomore year). I was eager to be all “upperclassman” and take her under my wing and show her all about Gerig and Taylor. I hope I did that, to a certain extent anyways. We bonded because we’re both night owls, and we’d often see each other in the suite at 3 in the morning. I would be coming up from the lounge and see her – “Ann, go to bed!” We got to be better friends the next year, when she was the PA (the Taylor equivalent of an RA) on my floor. We had many discussions regarding modest dress and purity in relationships and other things I can’t exactly remember. :-)

I was really happy when Ann and David started dating, and as I’ve watched their relationship over the years, I’ve been really impressed with their love and focus on God, and their love for each other. They were the only people to take me up on my offer to drive someone around in my dad’s convertible when he came up for my show. (Wasn’t that fun? Hooray for reading away messages) I remember going to Ivanhoe’s with them, and hanging out in the lounge, and I’m sure we played cards together on many occasions. I even got in the middle of a play fight between them over AIM (long story).

So needless to say, when Ann told me tonight of their engagement, I was (and still am) thrilled! I am excited to call Ann this weekend and hear all the girly details. :-) (Side note: I asked Ann for her phone number, and realized that she lives in my old room! How fun! :-)) It’s exciting to be able to see how God has worked in their lives, and is leading them towards marriage. I’ve seen it in many of my friends, and it’s fun to see it in them as well. I wish you both the best in your future together! And I’ll keep June 17th free. ;-)

(Would you believe I don’t have any pictures of David? Oh well, here is Ann and a very sunburnt Ashley)

Nov 14 2005

curtains

Here’s a picture of the new curtains in my bedroom. (note also the matching pillow on the bed)

Here is a picture of the curtains in my living room. Note that I rearranged the furniture (if you saw the pictures of my apartment before).

You can see more pictures of the curtains and the apartment on my online photo album (the section is called “apartments & curtains”).

Nov 14 2005

hats, curtains, and The Tempest

I feel like a lot has happened in the last few days, and I’m debating about whether to combine it all, or spread it out in separate posts.

This weekend was quite eventful: We were allowed to go home early on Friday because we were all distracted and we weren’t very busy. I enjoyed the few hours to myself; I cleaned my apartment and washed the dishes. Friday night I went to see The Tempest, produced by a drama school, which was quite good. The Tempest is a play I’ve been wanting to read/see for a while, because one of my favorite books is based on the play (This Rough Magic, by Mary Stewart).

After the play, I went to Susan’s house for the night, and on Saturday we finished making curtains! Pictures to come, when I hang them. They look really nice! Susan and I also went out in search of a WW2 hat for the Christmas musical I’m in at church, but we were unsuccessful.

Yesterday I blew off our voluntary choir practice and drove over to Marietta Square, where I was successful in my hat search. Yay! I am now experimenting with different hairstyles. My hair has gotten quite long and I’m trying to take advantage of that.

I also bought filler items for my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I’m really excited about it! However, I had a difficult time figuring out what little girls would want. What does a 2-4 year old play with? I saw one mother and her toddler and I tried to hear what the little girl was excited about. Me and my conniving ways. ;-)

I spent about 2 hours shopping for stuff, but I’m pretty satisfied with my purchases. I think next year I’ll try and shop throughout the year for OCC stuff… Getting stuff on sale would be cheaper, I’m sure… Then I could do more shoeboxes.

So I decided to put everything in one post, so I apologize for the length. It’s just easier that way. :-) Now, back to work, or at least something related to work since our servers are down and I can’t actually work. :-p

Nov 11 2005

holiday

I’m taking a poll: how many people who are not in government jobs have today off for Veteran’s Day?

Nov 8 2005

my mom

I miss my mom.

I miss her especially today, when it’s her birthday. I wish I could be there to help her celebrate; maybe next time her birthday falls on a weekend I will make the long trip and surprise her. :-)

I talk to my mom almost every day. She’s been a great encouragement to me, not just now but my entire life. I’ve always felt supported by her (except in the clothing department) and definitely loved. She’s put up with a lot, from school projects to my emotional outbursts, to constant chatter which hasn’t really slowed as I’ve aged. She’s encouraged and pushed me to be the best I can be in every area of my life. She has sacrificed for me in innumerable ways, like when I want to stay up talking at night and she wants to go to bed. :-) She’s caring and loving and smart. She’s rebellious just like me :-) (Paul says my whole personality started to make sense after he met my mom :-).) She loves to learn, and has proven to be an example in her constant search for knowledge. She doesn’t settle for things to be spoon-fed to her; she seeks out truth in everything. She’s good with money (she better be, since she’s an accountant) and has worked hard so our family never really went without (although I really did want that phone in my bedroom in high school).

Education is very important to my mom, and she always strove to make sure we got the best possible, even if that meant teaching us herself. She taught me my first art appreciation class, and I still think back to some of the artwork we talked about, now that I have a much more solid background in art.

When I was younger I used to write a lot of stories, and I liked having my mom read them. One night I had crept out of bed to use the bathroom and I overheard my mom talking to my dad in their room. My mom was telling him about one of my stories, and how she thought it was cute and funny. I’m sure not many would have the patience to read all of a 10 year old budding author’s writings, but I always felt that she cared about me and my stories.

I hope to be like my mom someday. I am excited that now, as I’m getting older, she’s become much more of a friend. I love sharing things with her, and I hope our relationship remains as strong as it is right now. I also hope she retires to Atlanta. :-) I miss you and love you so much!

Christmas 1985 I think – I would have been 3