Monday, September 22, 2008

Holly and her Violin


Holly's 1/4 Violin she affectionately named Chocolate

Holly and her bow

Holly painstakingly cleans her bow

And her violin

Attepmting to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Holly go ther violin today. She is very excited to start learning how to play. Somebody get me some ear plugs...LOL...no, really I am very excited.
Looking forward to the C-mas concert.








Monday, September 15, 2008

ad astra per aspera

Who knew my little blog would spark such an amazing opportunity for me? I posted a blog last week about my first day at PLU. It wasn't really anything written with great intelligence, however, it was written with great conviction. I received an E mail the other day from my admissions counselor at PLU. She was forwarded a link to my blog and read the blog I posted on PLU. She commented on how I am famous in certain circles now on campus. I was confused, bewildered, and embarrassed because lets face it, it wasn't exactly a piece for publication. Probing for more information, I inquired as to how she came upon my blog. Apparently, someone in the administration at PLU read my blog. They then forwarded the link to the Vice President of PLU. He read it and forwarded it to Joelle (my admission counselor) who then emailed me. I went to her office to see her and she actually told me that people were now seeking out my blog. So, because of this dumb little blog, I have been given an amazing opportunity. Joelle has asked me if I would speak on behalf of PLU at Transfer Visit Days and at Community College Advisor Day. She is looking for students to share there experiences and perspectives on PLU. I am a little different in that I have had a lot of struggles in my life including surviving domestic abuse, being homeless with Holly until living at Vine Maple Place, and so on. So I think it is rather special for me, someone who, when the chips were down, decided to make her own path, ended up with an honors GPA at a pretigious school like Pacific Lutheran University. Everything in the world was against me from the time I was born, but here I am. There were people in my life who considered me weak because when faced with challenges, I haven't always made the right choices. I wasn't wise enough NOT to end up in a violent abusive relationship. I wasn't wise enough NOT to end up pregnant out of wedlock. I wasn't wise enought to make sure I was financially secure enough NOT to have been homeless. Yet, I was strong enough to make it out of every situation, and I was determined enough to push ahead and reach for my dreams when the only thing I could see on the horizon was darkness, and I am motivated enough to make a success out of my little life. So THANK YOU, whoever read my little blog, Cogito ergo sum, and set the wheels in motion for me to be on a path of success at PLU this early on. Your act of kindness has touched my heart.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Cogito ergo sum

Today was the day that I began Pacific Lutheran University. After sitting in my Christan Ethics class for 30 minutes, we were released to go to opening Convocation. It was amazing. To see all the faculty and professors dressed up in their robes of distinction, to hear them applauding for us - the new students coming in, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. President Anderson addressed us and told of of central themes like how to learn what our morality is in the confused world of Batman or how to live life with the themes of the Coldplay song 'Viva la Vida.' He told us how we were now part of a 119 year old tradition and how what we learn in these walls will help us on our future path.
I felt inspired. I felt like I had found exactly where I belonged. I am looing forward to my 2 years at PLU. GO LUTES!
*Apparently, nobody really knows what a lute is anyways

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Second Day of 2nd Grade


Holly's Top Model Pose

Top Model with a Smile

Too Cute not to Post!

These were taken this morning and simply too cute NOT to post!
Watch out world...maybe the world of top modeling isn't ready for a pip squeak like Holly- but Holly is ready for the world of Top Modeling!








Holly's First day of Second Grade


Holly on her first day of 2nd grade

High School Musical backpack from Grandma Alice

Ok Ok, she fell on a curb the other day, thats what the scraps are from

Sitting at her desk, doing work already

"C'mon, mom, stop taking my picture!"

Holly is getting so big! I can't believe that this was her first day of 2nd grade. it seems lie just yesterday that we had the first day of kindergarten! Well, tihs year she is in the Magic Strings program with Mrs. Davis or *Judy* as the kids can call her if they want, and she will be learning how to play the violin. Lets just hope that her violin skills are better then her singing voice - YIKES!

I'm a proud mama of my little girl!