I Am Back! With a Vengeance!

First off, I KNOW. Shame on me for taking such a long hiatus, but everyone needs some "me time." In case you were wondering, this personal vay-cay was just what I needed to get those creative juices flowing again. Since I've been gone, here is a quick rundown of what has happened in my life-I have swine flu.

I am half kidding, but I AM seriously sick. It is odd-every time I have claimed illness, it was only to get a day off of school. I can honestly say this is the sickest I have been in a long while. Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, chills, deep cough, and sinus pressure. Though it make look like I copied and pasted that list from the Center for Disease Control's website's page on swine flu, I did not. Now before you jump to conclusions and tell me to get my rear to a hospital, I'll tell you why I am fairly certain swine flu has not infected me. My co-writer, Elaura, knew of my fears and payed close attention to the Today Show's story on the bug. When she called me during sociology, I knew my health was dependent upon me taking the call. So I fidgeted in my seat and pretended I had to go relieve myself. I ran out the door and answered the phone. I gave her a run down of my symptoms. Things were looking pretty grim for a while, but then she asked me a question that gave me hope. "Is your fever over 102?" Well, I had never actually taken my temperature, it was simply one of those things where I knew I had fever. Now I know I have been known to be a tad dramatic at times, but even I couldn't fake a 102 temp. Yes, I am sick, but I am not that sick. So I cried out in joy (as much as my hoarse voice would allow) and returned to sociology with a new lease on life.

In other news, TWO WEEKS LEFT! Actually, less than. It is hard to believe at times, seeing as how the months went by so fast. I can't even imagine what Clare and Margaret are going through right now. The real word is upon them, and they are entering it at the worst time possible. I know that sounds bleak, and I am sorry to be such a downer, it's just that their leaving is affecting me in a negative way as well. Who will pick me up and take me to cold stone? Who will get me free tickets to Chief's games? Who will accompany me to Cheif's games? Who will walk downtown with me for a rite-aid visit? Who will drive home for the fanconi run with me? Who will drive me anywhere? In all seriousness, having them here has been a real godsend. They made my transition into a college student smooth and comforting. Both were always ready with half a bed or a lambskin rug to sleep on when I was feeling homesick or sick of the dorms. And the bagels! THE BAGELS! I guess I'll be able to make my own next year, but no one does a cinnamon toasted like Madge, and Clare knows just the amount of middle to cut out. Also, a quick thanks to my big-Barbie, we may not be Setons, but we're awesome. Damn, I should have saved this for their graduation cards.

I feel like a p.b. sandwich. It is good to be back.

Yours,
Martha

Stuchis, Stushis, or Tsuchies

However they're spelled, they're GREAT! I rediscovered this lost art of stushi drawing while in my philosophy class today. My notebook is now covered. I love starting out with six boring, straight, lines, then with the swish of a few pencil strokes, then coming out with a really cool looking stushi! I credit the Shearers with teaching me how to draw them. I also credit the Shearers with teaching me to draw at all (which I really can't, but they tried their best.) That reminds me of one of my earliest memories from childhood. Spencer and I were sitting on the floor in their living room, and Jake and Conor were drawing cartoons. They wanted Spencer and me to join in, and I said something along the line of "I can't do it" (great self-esteem, right?) and Jake said, "they're just cartoons, anyone can draw cartoons." Unfortunately, I proved him wrong, but I still appreciated the vote of confidence.

Clare stopped by the old CM today to drop off a delicious piece of red velvet cake for V-day. How sweet! I had a few bites and it was delicious. I washed it down with some flat San Pellegrino.

Things I have been up to lately: Watching Gilmore Girls-SO GOOD! I always thought it was annoying, but once I started watching religiously, I find that I love the quick, witty, dialogue. Also, Meredith, Jamil and I have been in a facebook video war with Rachael Baney and Ray Ray Frank, and their friend Carissa. We are filming our comeback vid today. Wish us luck!

Ta,
Martha

Bumper Stickers

My new activity? Bumper Stickers on facebook, while procrastinating homework!!! I know I am about two years behind the 8 ball, but c'est la. They are so funny-I could look at them for hours! This weekend, I drove home with Margaret ( our flawless chauffeur) and Meredith (my bomb asst.. DJ) Rachel Frank (my fellow Jonas Lover) and Rachael Baney (my country lover soul-mate) It was good company, and on a six hour car ride, good company makes all the difference. I went home for the 5th annual Fanconi anemia run and it was a smashing success! Best turn out yet! Anywho, I have decided to take up the steel guitar, or as they're called in Nashville, "Country Strings." I want to be the best. I want to be the first. I want to be made. But seriously! I am going to be GOOD! I know I have been slacking on my blog, but it can get exhausting always having to think of a new blog idea all the time. This morning, Margaret and i regressed three years, and were back to our natural roles-head cook and ass cook, respectively. It felt good to be back in the old kitch. Of course, it was not industrial sized, and we couldn't be as abrasive as we normally are due to the fact we were dealing with family, and not bone-headed EMT guys who feel the need to constantly state the obvious. WE KNOW WE ARE SCREWED ON THE PANCAKE FRONT. NOW GET THE F*** OUT OF THE KITCHEN! Regardless, we still managed to get a few jibes in. As Margaret so eloquently said this morning "please get out of the kitchen, and no we don't need any help." Music to my ears. Well, thats all for now, if I think of something that may interest any of you, I'll post. Comments are always appreciated. Later.
-Martha

Baby I'm Back

Today I did Tae Kwon Do for the first time in a long time. It felt so good to be back at it-even though I was horrendously out of shape, it was just nice to get into the routine. It is actually very calming and helped me to zone out for a bit. I had a hard time at first, but once I got started, the moves began to come back to me and muscle memory took over. I want to go back in the summer and not not make a fool out of myself. I figure if I do this at least three times a week, I'll be good to go-plus, it is good exercise!

My friends have their first intramural basketball game tonight! I will be there to cheer them on. Jamil and I are the team managers-only we really have no responsibilities, which is the way I like it. Anyway, tomorrow, I need to go to the mail room and pick up the FIVE packages waiting for me. Don't worry, mostly textbooks, but perhaps some kind of surprise! I just couldn't face the line today. It was so long it was practically out the door!

Twilight for LIFE!

-Martha

NO MORE GAS IN THE RIG

Can't even get it started. I have that song running through my head. I don't even like it that much even more, it's been overplayed. Anyway, I am kind of tired right now. I have just been listening to country music. I know I have said this before, but I think my future lies in country music. I just love it so much-I can't exactly pinpoint what it is exactly, but it just soothes me. Anyway, I have to go. Later!

COULD IT BE!?!?

Well readers, I have some exciting news for you-Margaret and I may be working at Kalaloch lodge this summer! It's just like camp but with more pay, better hours, and less kids. Still no cell phone service or working internet, but none of that really matters to me because THE NEAREST TOWN IS FORKS WASHINGTON!!! I am pumped! That is, if I get the job. Which, hopefully I will. Margaret and I are filling out our applications tonight-I am a bit concerned about my "work experience," but I figure camp was a good precursor for this job.

On another note, I had my first class today. English. It seems like it will be an alright class. The teacher struck me as a poser. He reeked of cigarettes, had a pierced ear, wore a beret and had a little ponytail. To each his own. My room is SO hot. The heat feels like a toasty 80 degrees. It is like summer in here. Unfortunately, this causes me to never properly prepare for walking to class. I almost strolled out of my room in shorts and a tank top. The temperature messes with my head.

WHAT IF I SEE EDWARD THIS SUMMER??? I foresee myself strolling around through the dense forests of Forks, searching for the Cullen's house!

-Martha

oh dear...

It has been a while since I have blogged, but I have an excuse. Our comp has been on the fritz and was in the shop for a few days. I have no central topic to blog about, so I will jot down (type out?) a few things I have been thinking about. Because I have nothing better to do than hang out with my mom and grandma, I accompanied them to see Megan and Johnny's prospective house. Nolan was an unexpected guest. Megan had to pick him up because he slapped a kid in school. I do not think vioence is ok, but Nolan has the right idea-he is asserting himself as an alpha, and in these troubled times I can see nothing wrong with that. Nolan and I played ping pong in the basement while the adults looked around. Anytime the ball fell off the table, Nolan would run and pick it up, screaming, "I got the little fella!" It was a highlight.

Speaking of houses, I went to visit my friend Courtney at her new home in Corvallis. It was a real house! Brand new, and gemerously sized. It was a great time.

I have seen Twilight 7 times. Not to try and set some record, but because I really enjoy it. I was a bit burnt out after the seventh viewing, but have found that with about five days without it, I am expereincing some withdrawls.

aaaaand...FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RETURNS JANUARY 16TH!

I am looking forward to a great new year!

Martha