the neverhood.

best computer game ever.

claymation, a story line, intelligent.

image source

first glimpse of the mediterranean.

yes, it was from a bus. but still, look at that water.

winter solstice

So I'm in the Baltimore area, visiting my family. It's actually been quite busy, but I wanted to give a shout-out for the winter solstice, which was yesterday.

Hooray for the shortest day of the year! The days will get longer from here til June.

no reqiuem yet

I got it four years ago, and it was already ten years old.

I finally succumbed to the reality that it needed some attention. When it shakes like a rattle every time I stop for a prolonged period of time, it's hard to ignore.

A friend offered to take a look. "Rachel, I don't know how you're driving this." Great. It sounds like it's actually okay to drive; it just may quit at some point.

Well I just need it until I leave for London! I've emphatically informed God of this fact, and I know He will do.

Poor little car. It's so great. I had to call my little brother and tell him I don't think he's going to get a car in September, though.

just me.

It's just me.

Things are different, though.

Assuming I get my diploma mailed to me, I am a B.A. now. I don't like thinking about it as "the past four years have culminated, bringing you to this point... graduation!"

It's not like that for me. It wasn't all for an end. Barely a means to an end. Just part of a larger thing- my life.

But things are different. Change is here. In two short weeks, I will have to have my belongings packed and will move out of the cozy flat where I've hung my keys for the past three years. Let's not even talk about the four girls I will have to cease living with.

I don't feel any different. But I'm forced onto "the next stage of life". I'm pretty excited about it, don't get me wrong. But this time is over, and it was a good time.

the ipod

I am now the owner of a baby-blue 8 gigabyte ipod nano.

This might not seem news-worthy to a lot of people, but getting an ipod is a big deal for me. I have never owned one before, and I was anti-ipod for a while (philosophical reasons). I've been a proud hold-out.

Finally, I got over myself. Radio music is frustrating, and my AM station isn't working. I was actually given the money for one at Christmas but kept waiting to find what I wanted.

Finally, I saw what I wanted at the Apple store. I really like this color, and I wanted the rectangle-shaped nano, since it is larger and seemed like it would be harder to lose. And I bought a refurbished one because they are cheaper.

I just my new computer up and running now, so I'm terribly excited about getting all my files back. And new computer means itunes again, so soon little baby blue will have songs! Now if I could only find some earbuds that will fit well in my little ears.

{spring equinox}

What is March 20th? Why, yes, it's the first day of spring.

It's the spring equinox also.

There are two solstices and two equinoxes yearly. The summer solstice seems to get the most publicity but the rest are just as cool.

Look this stuff up for your own edification, but I will tell you about the things I remember from my own research.

The equinoxes are when the days and nights are equal in length. The summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice is the shortest day. Of course, this is all more dramatic if you live very far from the equator, near the poles.

I can totally understand why some Scandinavian countries want to celebrate Midsummer after suffering through near darkeness for the winter months.

I do my utmost do mark all important (especially worthy, obscure) holidays. I'll let you know what plans I cook up.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

A young President Lincoln

Today is our Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday!

If you're American, you should already know a good bit about President Lincoln, particularly about his leadership through the American Civil War. You can always brush up on the details on one of my favorite general information go-to's, Wikipedia.

He's considered by many to be one of our best presidents, and he definitely was, no-contest, top of my 100 historical persons list.

If you're like me, and will take any reason to celebrate, do something to remember our great leader of old. These are some ways I'd endorse:

- Thank God for such a great leader

- Build a lincoln-log house

- Have a philosophical debate about the causes of the Civil War

- Watch the movie "Gettysburg" or "Gone with the Wind"

- Read a great short read, The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln

good things

Honestly, today was a really tough day. It was just one of those days. I felt like I was muddling my way through the day, unsure what to do to make it better.

It got better at the end, though. Right at the end of the work day, I had a chance to take a bit of a respite, a desperate hope to collect myself. I had my computer with me (a rarity) and pulled it out. Three quarters of an hour catching up blogs, emails, music etc. helped me relax.

During my time, I received an exciting bit of news: Miss Marie, one of my regular blog-stops, named my entry as the winner in a little writing-creativity contest! So thanks, Miss Marie, it added some much-needed encouragement to my day.