"Spring Break '05, baby!"  Every time something exciting happens, this is what I have been exclaiming.  hehe

Spring Break really has been everything I hoped for...fun, relaxing, good times with friends.  San Antonio was gorgeous.  We met up with one of my friends, Kyle, Sunday and ate by the Riverwalk.  Kyle must have thought my friends (Karla, Karissa and Angela) were crazy.  We are all four loud and talkative, but it was so fun.  Then we played cards and ate ice cream.  Monday we went to Fiesta Texas and rode rollercoasters all afternoon.  That evening we ate at a restaurant that was not as we expected.  We thought it was going to be like Ed Debevics (for all those familiar with Chicago) but instead, it was very...well...dirty.  That's all I'll say.  Tuesday, we drove into San Marcos and shopped at the outlets for like 8 hours, but finally went on to Van that night.  Today we were complete and total bums on the couch, but it was relaxing.  :)  Now we're in Longview and chilling with my family.

I have coined a phrase that I use often: "Rockford Days."  There are days when all I can think about are my friends in Rockford, or I experience something that reminds me of it, or I'm having a bad day and wish I was there.  Anyway, last night I had a "Rockford Day."  I drove to Van (5 hours) starting at 9:30 pm while my roommates slept and listened to two mixed CDs that were given to me up there.  Wow, God revealed so much to me last year about who I am and who He says I am.  Those songs just take me back.

To all my friends and family, here in Texas and up in Illinois, I love you.  Thank you for helping me become who I am today.

Christen

Wow, Spring Break!  I'm having a fabulous time.  I'm in Austin with my family right now.  We come to the Texas Boys' High School State Basketball Tournament every year, but the exciting thing this year was VAN WON!!!  Van is the town my WHOLE family lives in, and I grew up in.  They won the 3A tournament.  It was amazing.  They are so good!  Tomorrow, I leave for San Antonio with Karissa, Ang and Karla.  We are just chillin for 3 days then to Van then to Longview.  I'm loving this week already.

Christen

Well, the TWIRP date went well.  SO FUN!  We really had a blast.  Here's the run down:
-Me, Andy, Brooke, Russell, Angela, Arlin, Karissa and Scott
-Picked them up in a 1990's Cadillac limo (chauffer too)
-Chick Fil A nuggets, Chicken Express biscuits, and favorite beverages were in the limo
-We got lost for 45 minutes after an hour drive (still fun...everyone talked)
-Played Lunar Golf (black light putt putt) and Andy and I got 2nd  :)
-Angela drank Dr Pepper out of a bottle we found in the parking lot for $5
-Ate some good dessert at Bennigan's with a whole lot of laughing and talking
-Drove home with good conversation
-12 minutes late for curfew...opps!

Good thing last night was fun cause I didn't do so hot on my English Lit II test...ugh!  Tomorrow I go to Austin for the Basketball State Tournament!  GO VAN!!!

Sunday I'm meeting my roommates in San Antonio for 3 days of chilling out. Yes!!  Spring Break...here I come!

Christen

Where is the balance of wanting a good grade in a class and not stressing so much over it?

I have always been a good student.  Up to this point in my life, I have only made one B.  I don't say this to brag but to help you see where I'm coming from.  This semester I have one class that is kicking my tail.  I made an A on the first test (which was hard), but I just got my first paper back that I thought I did well on, and I made a 75.  I am so discouraged.

I say that I would be okay with a B, but the truth be known, I would be quite upset.  I want an A.  But I don't want to be stressed out all semester for one.  Ugh!  Where's the balance?  I want to think long term and see that I need good grades, but all I see is today...and today I'm tired on trying so hard all the time.

Christen

Hey y'all,

I'm not dead, but Karissa took her laptop to Seattle this week, so I have to come to the library to use the internet.  I'm having a busy, but good, week!  Love you all!

Christen

Friday was so much fun.  Mark and Sheila came and hung out with me.  We ate at Campuzano's for lunch with Russell, Andy, and Angela.  Then, we just visited all of their old teachers and friends.  That evening, Ang and I went to Chipotle to eat and then to West Village in Dallas to hang out.  I had never been to West Village, but it's so cool.  It's kinda the upper side of Dallas, but I didn't feel too out of place.  Bottom line: fun time.

Yesterday I was a stinkin bum.  I slept most of the day and watched the Texas/ Missouri game and the OU/ Baylor game.  Last night I worked basketball games then went to Karioke (?) night in the student center.  It was funny!

Christen

Tomorrow's Friday!  Yea!  My older brother Mark and his wife Sheila are coming to Waxahachie to see me (and to do some other business, but I like to think it's just to see me).  I'm in Longview right now cause I had to finish all the business with my speeding ticket.  I had to take my defensive driving form and driving record in person to the courts.  So that's over with.

TWIRP: The Woman Is Required to Pay
TWIRP is a week each semester where girls have the opportunity to ask a guy on a date.  Kinda like Sadie Hawkins, minus the dance.  There's kinda an unwritten rule that you either TWIRP a friend or a guy that you already know likes you.  It's a little faux pas to TWIRP a guy you like (who has shown no interest in you first).  Guys typically like it since they get a free night of hanging out, but they will express their dislike in the creepy girls who TWIRP the guy they are crushing on.  hehe  So, just like last semester (but different guy), I'll probably TWIRP one of my friends.  Never ever ever would I TWIRP a guy who I seriously liked as a way to show him I liked him.  That's common sense.

Christen