My name is Anna, from Allegan, Michigan. I’m a junior this year, majoring in English Education and Bible. I’m a big fan of reading, hanging out with a lot of friends, picnicking, taking photos, and playing solitaire (I once won a game in 57 seconds!).

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April 14, 2009

Follow Up

Ok... so the Monday after Easter is referred to as "Easter Monday" (duh), and is the first day of "Bright Week" as celebrated by many Americans still today. This I did not know!

Some other names:

Bright Monday (Eastern Orthodox)
Wet Monday (Poland)
Renewal Monday (Eastern Orthodox)
Dyngus Monday (parts of America)

...and is especially celebrated in certain Christian circles, particularly Catholic areas or even Byzantine. People celebrate this day by spending time outside with friends and family, and eating colored eggs.

Interesting. Thought you oughta know. :)

April 13, 2009

HE IS RISEN

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

PRAISE THE LORD - HE IS RISEN!!!!!!

Let me tell you, I had an awesome Easter. No school Good Friday, or the Monday after (why do we have cool names for all the days leading up to Easter, but none for the day after? ...I shall check on this...) and my younger brother Austin was able to visit me as I was unable to make it home to Michigan for such a short amount of time. We went to New York City for the day (Friday: he'd never been before), and spent the rest of the weekend with my boyfriend's family in Delaware. SUCH good food. ALL weekend. And although we didn't do much more than watch movies and hang out and eat, I think that's what it's all about. Not Easter per se (because I think I've covered pretty well what Easter's all about in my life song listed above), but a good, wholesome break. No homework was accomplished, but man was my soul nourished.

Audie and me. We look like sibs.
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Me and Kev. We better not look like sibs.
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Easter "baskets"!
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NYC. I'm really diggin my colors in this one. I like to think that I match... but I'm aware of my inadequacies... :P
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What it's all about... no... WHOM it's all about.
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April 6, 2009

Top of the Tower

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Spring Formal. Don't jump to the assumption (as I did) that these words indicate anything at all similar to a high school prom. Because it's not. At least this formal.

Sure, we spent hours getting ready -- nine girls getting their hair and make-up done in one rather small room -- took prom-esque pictures by the pond with our dates, and drove into the city for an annual banquet. There was a jazz band playing, tables decorated, and pictures taken by some balloons and a window with a view of the city skyline.... but that's as far as comparisons to a prom might go.

The only word that comes to mind is the word class. Formal was all that is classy. Couples walked around with delicate glasses of lemonade or ice tea, mingled with friends, and of course had pictures taken. No dancing - it's true - but we had plenty to keep us occupied! Besides the exquisite dinner and coffee and dessert, the University Social Committee had prepared a slide show of pictures reminding us of the fun times we've had this year (many of which I've discussed in my blog - the Hoedown, the Night Before Christmas Story Time with Dr Petersen, and... many more!) and raffled off various gift packages (games of bowling, concert tickets and... many more!) A choreographed dance (ala Slumdog Millionaire?) entertained us as well. So there was dancing. ;)

All in all, it was a night to remember (cliche as that is). The city was beautiful - especially at sunset - the fellowship was fun and encouraging - doesn't get much better than that - and everyone arrived safely to and from the Top of the Tower. The elevator was intense. ...That's a joke.

Very very NOT prom.

And NOW for some pictures!

Getting ready....
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SUNSET = GORGEOUS
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It was our one month anniversary. EXTRA classy. :)
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City.
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The PBU gang.
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April 3, 2009

Happiest Store Alive!

Whilst in Ocean City, driving up and down Coastal Highway, Liane and I noticed an overabundance of... Candy Kitchens. Based on appearances, this is perhaps the happiest store I've ever encountered. (And I'm a sucker for aaaanything 'happy'!!)

CHECK IT OUT:

Willy Wonka-esque, no?
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I wanted this owl more than anything I can remember...
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I was eyeing those lollipops...
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I want these too. Grrrrr I wanted this store to be MINE. :D
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HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!