Is it November already?

I was thinking the other day about how slowly time used to move when I was a kid. Back then a summer stretched on into oblivion, countless days of sunshine followed by long, lazy nights of moonlit swims and fireflies. A school-year was a lifetime, and goodness knows it was an eternity between Christmases. The future seemed so far away, and all that mattered was what I was doing right then, at every moment. I think that's one of the reasons children are so happy--they live in the moment, never questioning that it's exactly where they should be.


Time doesn't move so slowly anymore. Sometimes I even doubt that it exists at all, because each day seems to superimpose itself right on top of another, blurring all sense of the passage of time. I have to make plans now, to consider each step I take and am forced to recognize that moments are precious and fleeting. It's good in many ways, being "grown-up," because I can appreciate life in a deeper way than I could when I was younger (though to be honest, sometimes I miss the joy of childish simplicity--but only sometimes).


The point of this rambling is that it's already November, which has long been one of my most favorite months of the year. Early November in South Carolina is beautiful, and I've always loved it. October was over in the blink of an eye, and I'm pretty sure that tomorrow it will be Christmas. I'll try to be better about posting to the blog, but let's be honest...it probably won't happen. I'm just not that dedicated.

Anyway, here are some pictures from Halloween--was it really only this past Saturday? Cray-see.

We spent the day at the state park at Fort Dorchester, where I went nuts and climbed trees like I was ten, or like I was a monkey. But I don't like monkeys, they stink and pick bugs and are ugly, so I'll stick with the ten-year-old analogy. I was in a good mood all day after the tree-climbing. It's impossible to be in a bad mood when you've been climbing in the boughs of oak trees all day--especially when the boughs hang over a river. Dad joined in the fun, and he looked like Mowgli shimmying up some of the trees.


Jillian and I also went to a ward Halloween party, and her costume pretty much rocked like the giant wooden-rocking chair upstairs in Granny's house. Mine was more of a last minute "I guess I should dress up" deal, but eh, who cares. It was a good night!

Life & love were easier when we were kids...

My Aunt Cheryl posted this picture on her blog the other day, and I just think it is hilarious. Not the beautiful blond baby sitting on her mom's lap--there's nothing funny about that breathtaking child--but the dark-haired sister sitting next to her cracks me up. Check out the adoring expression as she gazes lovingly at the mountain of toys next to her (particularly at the Cabbage Patch doll). Have you ever seen such a true expression of contentment and happiness?

Seriously, though, I love this picture and everyone in it!

So maybe I'm not the only one.

"...Inside something gnaws at me; some presentiment, anxiety, dreams - or sleeplessness - melancholy, indifference - desire for life, and the next instant, desire for death; some kind of sweet peace, some kind of numbness, absent-mindedness..."

-- Chopin.

Folly Beach Pharaohs

The ancient Egyptians have got nothing on us.

Peace out, Drayton

Today was the last day of my internship at Drayton Hall, and in honor of that auspicious event I am posting a few photos. I should have taken tons more, because we did so many things, but today was the first time in over a year that the batteries in my camera weren't dead. So this is all I've got. Sorry.

The looong driveway, leading up to the house.

Taa daaa! Drayton Hall! The Draytons were all about symmetry, folks.


The dig site. You can't really see me, but that's good because I'm dirty and sweaty.


The archaeologists' current project. The painting was a mystery donation...oooooh.



The site close up. Sorry if you're bored. Go check your facebook or something.


Sorting the artifacts by layer. There were zillions of pipe stems. Yes, zillions. Apparently the Draytons were also big on tobacco.


Okay...so there are more pictures, but it takes too long to upload them into blogger. Maybe I will add the rest to facebook. Someday.

Preparing for grad school

A word to the wise: Don't ever let your brain stop working, because once it stops it won't want to start again.

Hurry up Courtney & Andrew!

Because I'm excited to see this.






Oh, and I'm also excited to see you!

For John

It's hard to know what to say sometimes. This is one of those times. I've put it off, but I feel like I need to say something, so here's my best effort.


My Uncle John passed away just over a week ago, and it was completely out of the blue--a total shock. I wonder if it always feels like that when someone dies, because I've yet to have it happen and not feel that way.


My uncle and I weren't close, as I grew up over a thousand miles from his home, but I do know a little about him. At six and a half feet tall Uncle John was a pillar of love and patience. He was the youngest of seven children, and was a wonderful father to his own little ones. His life wasn't easy--it was hard, in fact. But his soft-spoken hello and friendly smile were always ready whenever we met, and that's what I'll remember most.


Keep your loved ones close, because life is fragile. Don't put things off. Your world can change in an instant.

disney dorks :)

Some of my favorite quotes from the family trip down to Orlando:

• "Disney World should be air conditioned!!"
• "I think I thought Disney World would be more......magical."
  
• "Couldn't he see I was busy holding a noodle?"
• "WHY isn't there a Hunchback of Notre Dame character OR ride?!"
• Q: "Colton, have you seen Jillian's flip flop?" A: "It's in the safe."
  

I realize these quotes might make us sound a little negative (and also weird), but I promise you we weren't! The trip was overall a very good one! Here are just a few pictures--

get out of town!

My mandatory vacation is drawing closer and closer, and I'm more than ready for a road trip. T-minus 24 hours and counting. Orlando, here I come.

firehouse prayers

Yesterday was hectic. I spent the morning at work going through hundreds of student files and creating new intake packets for the entire next year (hey, my boss is using me while she's still got me--it's only another week before the big lay-off). Inside the office the phone kept ringing, the computers were slow, and the paper shredder was constantly roaring in the background. Outside it was hot and sticky, and a very loud team of landscapers/earth-drillers/concrete levelers had set up camp right outside my door.

I spent afternoon sorting boxes of artifacts gathered and never labeled in the 1970s, and then hauling buckets of water away from the dig site (stinkin' thunderstorms!) while simultaneously dodging a couple of very irritated spiders. Today my back and shoulders are still sore, but I managed to get rid of the mud and grime.

Between the two I got lunch. Ah, lunch (and all food in general)--the salvation and momentary solace of an otherwise busy day.......Yeah, right. I decided to hit up Firehouse subs, because sandwiches are delicious. Plus, last time I went they gave me this nifty punch card that gives me a free sub if I buy six (the hole-punch is shaped like a little fire hydrant!).

Wow, I'm typing a lot in parentheses this post.

Anyways, I only had a half hour to get my food, eat it, and get to Drayton Hall, and the line was abysmally long. Two TVs were set up in either corner of the restaurant, and the volume, in my opinion, was louder than necessary--though I suppose it had to be in order to be heard over the shouting of orders and low mumble of conversation. Plus that stupid bell kept ringing every time someone opened the door. I took my spot in line, trying not to check the my cell phone for the time every two seconds, and noticed in front of me a cute elderly couple. He wore a button-up shirt with red, yellow, and blue classic race cars on it, and she wore gold-sequined sandals. There was an air of calmness about them, an innate patience that seemed to encompass their own little world. His voice was low and kind, and the two were incredibly considerate of each other as they ordered and selected a table.

I almost forgot them as I hungrily waited for my order (I was going to have to eat it on the road, and was thinking bitterly that they'd better not put any stupid pickles and onions on it), but after a moment the flutter of motion caused by the waiter delivering their sandwiches caught my eye. The couple set their sandwiches carefully in front of them, and then reached across the table and clasped each other's wizened hands. Oblivious to the blaring television sets, the hustle and bustle, and nosy strangers, they closed their eyes an offered an unmistakable prayer of thanks to heaven.

They opened their eyes and began eating, and my name was called, so I took my food and was gone. But now I was smiling. I don't know who they were, or even what religion, but theirs was a small and unexpected act that reminded me of the many, many things I have to be grateful for.

Like my sandwich, sans pickles and onions, for starters. :)

Winning doesn't suck.

This morning, on a whim, I actually called the radio station when they said "Call now!" I expected a busy signal, but the phone rang. I thought this was strange, and even checked my phone to see if I had dialed the wrong number--but it was right, and soon enough the morning DJs answered and said, "If you can talk for 25 seconds about the subject we give you without any long pauses, ums, uhs, ergs, etc., then you're a winner." My subject? Tweezers. Yeah, tweezers. 25 seconds doesn't seem that long, but it was hard--which surprised me, because I can talk.

I don't know what I said, but I just kept on talking, and I won tickets to see Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley in concert--with the possibility of an upgrade to front row seats! To be honest, I'm not a die-hard Rucker fan, but maybe he'll play some Hootie songs. :) And I do like Dierks Bentley, so it should be a fun night. Any way it turns out, it's always nice to get something for free.

My Apologies, Haggai

Last night I was flipping through my Bible and a slip of paper that I had placed between pages some time ago fell out. It was a scripture reference for a verse in Haggai, but upon seeing the letters my mind quickly and subconsciously made the jump to Hagrid.

Is it a good sign when you automatically assume that there's a book of Hagrid? Apparently I spend more time reading the Book of J. K. Rowling than I should.

motorcycle monday

If you think a typical evening in the Anderson home involves eating dinner, watching a little TV, and then hitting the hay, you obviously don't know my father (or any of us, for that matter--we're pretty loud). Dad always does things on his own time-table, and even more often he does things out of the blue. He's been known to say things like "I'm leaving for Florida in fifteen minutes if you want to come," or to ask "What do you think is down this road?" as he's turning onto an old dirt road very much like the one that Belle's dad and the wary Phillippe take in Beauty and the Beast.

So, yesterday my dad decides to buy a motorcycle. It's random, and kind of out of nowhere, but not really surprising. It doesn't run. Not surprising at all.

It's also not surprising when Dad calls at 10:30 at night and asks me to come down to the Home Depot parking lot with the towing cable. The truck he rented to get the bike home had to be turned back in to the store by 10:00, and he didn't have time to make it to the house before then. So Dad, Jillian, and the motorcycle are at Home Depot, and I need to bring the towing cable.

Eventually it works out that Dad comes and gets the cable, because I have no idea where it is. Back at the Home Depot, we analyze our options with the mutinous motorcycle. We try to jump it, push it, pull-start it--but nothing works. It's humid and we're sticky and the bike's not budging, and straggling Home Depot workers look at us strangely as they trickle out to their cars. Soon it's 11:30, and we've only managed to move across the parking lot. The bike is heavy, and almost falls on Dad as we're attempting another pulling maneuver, and then it almost falls again when it stubbornly refuses to go up on its kickstand, which turns out to actually be not a kickstand, but a prop used for working on the bike.

I'd like to say that eventually we got it home, and could count the whole enterprise as a success. But it's still in the Home Depot parking lot, and I have a feeling we'll be making another visit after work today, hopefully with better supplies.

As inconvenient as it all is, this is the stuff memories, and life, are made of.

:)

The Great Outdoors

Sometimes, when I'm super-extra bored at work, I read every single article on CNN's homepage. Today, the seemingly pointless enterprise actually paid off, because I found an article that I'm really excited about! No, it's not about Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, though that is interesting, I suppose. It's an article about the amazingly awesome thing the National Park Service is doing on certain dates this summer--free admission, to all parks!

If I'm being completely honest with myself, I know that I won't actually be able to visit all the parks. I probably won't even be able to make it to one, though I'll keep my fingers crossed for a quick trick to the Smoky Mountains. But to all my friends out in the wild west, where a ton of parks are close by, please go, so I can live vicariously through you.


Seriously, look at these pictures! It's crazy to think that so much of the country used to look like this, before all us people moved in and needed houses and food and such. I'm so glad there are places like these left! (pics, in order: Yosemite, Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon).

Mr. Golden Sun

I haven't blogged in a really long time, and I'm sorry. I just have so many other important things to do, like...well--like thinking about what I'm going to eat for lunch. That takes more energy and concentration than you'd think. Okay, not really, but I don't really have an excuse, so I made one up. Why yes, I am the ideal role model for children.

So, I've done some calculations (I hope you can follow my sophisticated mathematical reasoning):

June 2, 7:30 AM: 71 degrees

June 2, 8:00 AM: 78 degrees

June 2, 9:00 AM: 82 degrees

I'm sure you see the pattern. If the temperature (Fahrenheit, by the way--I don't do that Celsius mess) continues to rise at this rate, then according to my calculations by noon today it will be approximately 11,000 degrees, also known as the temperature of the surface of the sun. It's been nice knowing you.

But even more alarming than the temperature, folks, is the date. It's only June 2nd. This indicates that by mid-July temperatures will have reached a staggering 27,000,000 degrees, aka the temperature of the sun's core. It may even be hotter. Now, some people would be upset by this. I, however, am just glad that it's finally Earth's time to shine and show that ol' arrogant sun that he's not such hot stuff anymore.

Okay, seriously though, here are some quick updates on my wonderful life. I am getting laid off from my wonderful job--but not until the end of the wonderful month. So that's news, I guess. I still haven't officially picked a graduate school. I'm dragging my feet because neither place seems right. Why didn't I apply somewhere in Australia? I've got a pretty sweet internship at Drayton Hall, and it would be even sweeter if they paid me. I'm taking my car in to get the AC looked at on Friday, and if they can fix it, that'd be pretty sweet as well. Not that there's any point, really--I don't think a puny little AC unit will have much of a chance when it's 27,000,000 degrees. I'm just saying.

8:15

I came in to work this morning feeling pretty tired, but not too bad. I checked my email and checked in some books; I checked the calendars and meeting schedules; I answered phone calls and even checked my facebook. I thought that today wasn't going to be so bad--I was doing well at keeping myself busy--time was sure to fly. It'd be quittin' time before I knew it.

I thought all these things before I looked at the clock.

It's only 8:15.

A.M.

Right now. That's after I took the time to get on this stupid blog thing and type.

I wonder if anyone would notice if I curled up underneath my desk and took a long nap.

an analogy

I love salads. All kinds. Garden salad, pasta salad, potato salad, broccoli salad, mandarin orange salad...the list could go on, but I think it would be easier just to say:

salads : caitlin :: shrimp : bubba

Also, I don't have to go to work tomorrow. I may not have gotten three weekdays off for Spring break like our students, but I'll take a three day weekend very gladly!

I'd rather be at Hogwarts.

It's been a while. I abandoned the blog mostly because I couldn't see the point of it, and I was tired of so much in my life being pointless. Also, I didn't really have much to say, and I was bored with blogging. Now, this post doesn't necessarily mean that I finally have something interesting to say, or that I have suddenly come to realize that my meaningless virtual rants have tremendous inherent value--it just means that I'm very bored and have finished reading Harry Potter.

Anyways, it's springtime in Charleston (at least it's supposed to be--what's with the cold snap last night?), and the azaleas are blooming in full force. I love it, probably because of the monstrous azalea bushes that filled my front yard growing up, and it's been years since I've been able to see them. So many colors!

Right now I'm trying to decide where to go for graduate school--BYU or College of Charleston? Any suggestions? There are ups and downs to both choices, and my brain is getting tired of thinking about it! But I've got to choose, and "get on with my life." :)

My dog Audrey has an arch nemesis. His name is Rudolph and he lives across the street with Mr. Bojangles, the rooster. I just hope their enmity doesn't come to any kind of showdown--Chihuahua vs. giant German Shepherd--things wouldn't turn out in Audrey's favor, I'm afraid. Besides, I don't think Rudolph feels any real hostility--he just likes to see how fast Audrey can run.

blue jean ramble

I'm wearing jeans at work today. Is it ridiculous that I'm so happy about it?

Kidd Kraddick in the morning cracks me up.

I have a cold again. I hope it's better by Sunday or else I just might have to miss nursery! ;)

This song is in my head: Just around the riverbeeeeeeeeend! I look once more, just around the riverbeeend, beyond the shooore....she should have married Kokoum.

For the first time ever, I've been following American Idol. I don't have a favorite contestant yet, but I'll keep you posted. Just so you know, every time I think a person's singing is not that great, the judges love them. I guess that's why I'm not in the music business.

Our office is treated like the ugly step-child of the college. Everyone has fancy displays and colorful magnets to give away at the college fair and we have a science fair board (with cobwebs on the back) and used confetti.

Every book I check out from the library is stupid. How do these people get published? I can't usually even get past the first chapter.

I wish everyone could see the ugly pamphlet sitting on the rack across from my desk, that I have to look at every morning. Its cover has a drawing of a girl in a hideous 1980s sweatshirt (I think it's been sitting there for a while) and comb-over-looking hair, wearing a horrifying look of unchecked rage, hatred, and malice on her face. I think it's a rape prevention pamphlet. I think they're onto something.

We have got to get some new reading material for this office. That pamphlet is embarrassing.

I think I would like running more if I was as fast as a cheetah.

It's going to be a long day.

the perfect cast

If anyone ever decided to remake the film Gone With the Wind, my boss would make the perfect Pitty Pat Hamilton. Absolutely perfect...

officially famous

Apparently our college puts out a newsletter every month, though I've yet to see one in the five months that I've been working here. My boss is very excited that this month our office was asked to contribute, and decided that since three of us are relatively new (we all got hired around the same time), she was going to introduce us by spotlighting each of us in this month's issue with little mini-biographies!

Imagine. My. Joy.

So, after writing the stupidest bio about my background (which wasn't really about me, but actually about how wonderful our office is and the overall amazingness of the college and our customer service skills--but that's beside the point), my boss asked the three of us to take a nice, professional picture to submit as well. This is what we came up with.

I think my boss is going to love it, don't you?

secondhand lions

I love this movie.

always carry your keys

I have of late developed a new habit, which is admittedly ridiculous. You want to hear about it? Yeah, I thought you would. It goes like this:

I drive somewhere (usually to work), park, and turn off the car's engine. I leave the keys in the ignition so I can continue to listen to the radio while I gather my things, check myself out in the mirror, kill a bit of time, or whatever it is I'm doing in my car. I then get out, responsibly lock the door and then slam it shut. After I walk about two feet I realize my keys are still in the ignition, and that the radio is still playing, and sometimes my lights are still on. Luckily, after the first time this happened I started carrying my spare key in my purse. In total, I'd say I've done this about four times now. Oh, and I talk to myself and call myself names every time I do it ("I can't believe I did this again! Idiot!"), which doesn't make me look crazy at all.

And I'll probably do it again. Mostly because I'm so bright.

a hate letter

I would not be surprised to receive the following letter from one of the students in our program (had they the mental acuity to form grammatically correct sentences). Not one little bit surprised.

Dear Stupid Caitlin,

I have somehow, through circumstances wholly unknown to you, come to be a single parent without any viable means of supporting my children. This fact alone entitles me to special privileges and financial support, and the services you offer me are my absolute right. I sincerely hope you do not expect any signs of gratitude from me, because there is no need for me to be especially grateful for the free money to which I am inherently entitled.

I have a complaint. Somehow in your bumbling generosity you have failed to give me everything I want, and my predilection to laziness and irresponsibility (which I cleverly mask with stories of a hectic schedule, because I'm sure you have no way of verifying it with the school; my, how clever I am!) deserves the maximum amount of monetary compesation your program allows, if not more.

Furthermore, I cannot understand why you ask more of me than less than the bare minimum. The demands imposed on my time by your program are outrageous. The sheer audacity of your asking me to once a month meet for fifteen minutes with a counselor is upsetting, and when coupled with your request for me to also once a month turn in a sheet of paper with my attendance record on it, it becomes downright unbearable. The paltry assistance your office offers me is not worth such effort. Sure, you purchase all my books and supplies, pay for my children's daycare services while I'm in class (and having lunch with friends in the food court), give me free counseling about my schooling and life, and even give me gas money, but twenty minutes of my time once a month is altogether too much to ask.

Also, when things don't go exactly as I expect them to, and there is a line to pick up my book voucher, in which I am expected to actually wait, it is my right to roll my eyes and suck my teeth, and express to you in every way possible my displeasure with the situation. I cannot believe you have the nerve to ask me to wait in a line. You, Caitlin, as the first point of contact for all students deserve to experience the brunt of my displeasure. You are rude and unhelpful, and really should be more amenable to giving me my money even if I haven't made the time to drop off an attendance sheet or meet with my counselor. You are ridiculous, the money is mine, and you have no right to withhold free money from me. You should just do me a favor and be an idiot who believes my lies when I tell you that I did turn in the paper, and take responsibility by saying you lost it. You should also call me every day and tell me what requirements I'm not meeting, because I can't be expected to keep track of my own life. I am, I hope your are not forgetting, a single parent.

Outraged and Abused,
PA Student

**I must post a disclaimer here, because some students are very grateful, work very hard, do have hectic schedules, and always meet their requirements. Not all of them think this way (as implied by the above letter). But some of them...oh, yes, some of them do. I'm plenty tired of their attitudes.

scary little monsters

So, every time a student walks through the door and comes to talk to me, I look up and this is what I see:

Yep, they all look the same, and I'm sick and tired of them. Mean, impatient, crazy little monsters. You'd think by the time they reached the college level they would have outgrown such behavior, but then again, I did see a sixty-something year-old woman screaming her lungs out at a poor, innocent teenage BiLo worker the other day because the store didn't carry the specific brand of stuffing she wanted. I guess some people will always be monsters.

Wait, I lied--some of the students look like this:

These students are nicer, but just as aggravating because, let's face it, what I'm telling them is just not that hard to understand.

My favorite question asked today so far: "Huh? What dat mean?"

I can't wait until the semester is well underway and this registration/new semester chaos has ended.

basketballin'

Summerville loves its sports, and tonight was Colton's first basketball game! He's in the church league here in town, and believe me, they're intense! I was picturing the kind of games we used to have at the stake center down in Savannah when I was younger, but that was just kid stuff. Shoont. Anyways, tonight's game was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints versus Sandhill United Methodist Church--game on!

This is Colton in the backyard warming up before the game. He wasn't happy about having his picture taken, but I was plenty happy taking it!


This was my attempt at an action shot. Apparently my camera doesn't do action shots. So instead of taking pictures of the game, I took a picture of the kid sitting in front of me:

GoBama GoBama Go!

So, I'm sure you're all biting your nails in anticipation of the outcome. Well, it wasn't good. Our team had a solid lead for the majority of the game--until the last five minutes, to be exact. Then......they didn't anymore. It was neck and neck, and at the buzzer the other team pulled off an amazing shot to tie, and then they kicked our trash in overtime. That's okay--they'll do better next game! I just hope the gym doesn't stink so badly next time (it was awful, I don't think I mentioned that before)!