Hey there!
Well, I am not officially counting down until Thanksgiving break. Hmm.... 10 days, I think? Or at least, 4 more days until my family + Rita come for parents' weekend (which is oddly placed the weekend before Thanksgiving break... Why would they put it so close like that? I'm not complaining though- I get to see them soon!). I was just thinking yesterday about how I haven't seen my dad since I got dropped off for the year- that's been a long time!
Things here haven't been that much different- it's starting to wind down in the warm weather department. I am seeing Ben Folds with friends on Thursday night and then James Taylor on Monday night in Indianapolis! THOSE should be a pretty good time. I was calcluating how long I had until Winter Break (again- ALL about the countdowns over here) and I only have 4 more weeks and exam week to go! I hope that it doesn'y get that much colder while I'm still here- so far, it has been manageable. But, not to worry, when it starts to get unbearably cold in February, I will be in....
!!!!!!! AUSTRALIA !!!!!!!
Yes, that's right- I was accepted to study abroad in Wollongong, Australia for Spring semester 2007! Woohoo! Come February, it will be about.. oh... 78 degrees?? Oooooh yeah- that sounds nice. I will leave in mid-February and stay until sometime in late June when, HOPEFULLY, my family will come on over and visit me! I was just sitting in my study abroad class (called "Before You Go") and I was thinking about HOW LONG I will be gone- over 6 months! That's longer than I have ever been away from home- way longer than Zambia. We will see how THAT goes....
Not much work on the academic side of school life (not as great as you would think- I have a LOT of time on my hands and only working once or twice a week in the evning), so I have a lot of time to read (I think I wrote this in my last post...), but that's never a bad thing, right? Speaking of that, I think finishing "Fast Food Nation" is in order for tonight. I will be back for Thanksgiving break on the evening of November 17th- hope to see you all over break- I will be at Hendricks' Thanksgiving this year.
Ciao!
-a
Monday, November 06, 2006
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Fall Update....
Hey everyone!
Sorry that I haven't updated this blog in such a long time- things get busy, you know?
Classes are still going well, not a lot of work. I find that I have a lot of free time on my hands. I try to fill it with reading (currently reading "Fast Food Nation"-GREAT book so far) and I tried to get a job in the dining hallf that is in in the basement of my dorm, but somehow my application never went through. kind of sketchy... Still working in the Cafe in the basement and still lovin' it.
A couple of weekend ago, I randomly went up to Indianapolis for the weekend. Some people from my dorm were going to go camping in Brown County, I was pretty excited about it, but then it got canceled because of stormy weather. SO, I bought a bus ticket up to Indy and stayed there for the weekend. I eventually stayed in the Days Inn (Thanks for helping out, Dad!) and I walked around the city and ate at P.F. Changs. It was pretty good- get the lettuce wraps.
Then, Mom came over to B-town after Uncle Scott's birthday party. We hung around Bloomington, did some shopping and ate on Lake Monroe (so fun!) and fell asleep in front of the T.V. in a hotel room.
For this weekend, I am in Munster, Indiana (very Nothwest Indiana, very close to Chicago) at my friend, Sarah-Anne's house (currently sitting at her kitchen table, surrounded by her Aunt, Uncle, Baba-Serbian for "Grandmother"-, and cousins) for her cousin's Willie Wonka-themed birthday party. It's been a good time- we had sweet potatoes with pineapple in them- wowsah! They were SO good- I'm going to get the recipe from Baba. She also made a "wild pear cake" which was also, basically, to die for. Hopefully I'll make it soon for you all!
Next weekend, my roommate, Jess and I are going to go to Nashville, Indiana for a fun day of strolling around the town and drinking cider. Weekend after that, there will be a Halloween dance in my dorm and I will also my putting on a "pumpkin program" where people can come outside on the varanda of my dorm and carve some pumpkins and eat/drink some "fall foods."
Recently found out that two great places in Bloomington (Ladyman's Cafe-a great local diner-and Jiffy Treet-the best ice cream place in the whole town) are getting knocked down in order for high-rise business buildings to come in. Big bummer.
OK, I'm off to go talk with the Lanman Family and then I think I'm getting a nice walking-tour of Sarah-Anne's neighborhood- it's a beautiful night out tonight. I miss you all, but I will be back for Thanksgiving hopefully on Saturday, November 18th. See you soon and hope you're having a great fall!
-Allison
Sorry that I haven't updated this blog in such a long time- things get busy, you know?
Classes are still going well, not a lot of work. I find that I have a lot of free time on my hands. I try to fill it with reading (currently reading "Fast Food Nation"-GREAT book so far) and I tried to get a job in the dining hallf that is in in the basement of my dorm, but somehow my application never went through. kind of sketchy... Still working in the Cafe in the basement and still lovin' it.
A couple of weekend ago, I randomly went up to Indianapolis for the weekend. Some people from my dorm were going to go camping in Brown County, I was pretty excited about it, but then it got canceled because of stormy weather. SO, I bought a bus ticket up to Indy and stayed there for the weekend. I eventually stayed in the Days Inn (Thanks for helping out, Dad!) and I walked around the city and ate at P.F. Changs. It was pretty good- get the lettuce wraps.
Then, Mom came over to B-town after Uncle Scott's birthday party. We hung around Bloomington, did some shopping and ate on Lake Monroe (so fun!) and fell asleep in front of the T.V. in a hotel room.
For this weekend, I am in Munster, Indiana (very Nothwest Indiana, very close to Chicago) at my friend, Sarah-Anne's house (currently sitting at her kitchen table, surrounded by her Aunt, Uncle, Baba-Serbian for "Grandmother"-, and cousins) for her cousin's Willie Wonka-themed birthday party. It's been a good time- we had sweet potatoes with pineapple in them- wowsah! They were SO good- I'm going to get the recipe from Baba. She also made a "wild pear cake" which was also, basically, to die for. Hopefully I'll make it soon for you all!
Next weekend, my roommate, Jess and I are going to go to Nashville, Indiana for a fun day of strolling around the town and drinking cider. Weekend after that, there will be a Halloween dance in my dorm and I will also my putting on a "pumpkin program" where people can come outside on the varanda of my dorm and carve some pumpkins and eat/drink some "fall foods."
Recently found out that two great places in Bloomington (Ladyman's Cafe-a great local diner-and Jiffy Treet-the best ice cream place in the whole town) are getting knocked down in order for high-rise business buildings to come in. Big bummer.
OK, I'm off to go talk with the Lanman Family and then I think I'm getting a nice walking-tour of Sarah-Anne's neighborhood- it's a beautiful night out tonight. I miss you all, but I will be back for Thanksgiving hopefully on Saturday, November 18th. See you soon and hope you're having a great fall!
-Allison
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Hey everyone!
Yeah, yeah... I know- the last that you know, I was preparing to leave for Zambia. Well, not to get too long-winded on this one, but the trip was amazing. Without a DOUBT, life-changing. If I already haven't shown you the pictures that I put together in an album, let me know! I would be more than happy to go through them all and tell you all of the adventures that I went through (going to the bathroom in a DISASTROUS hole in the ground, bungee jumping, 13-hour flights....). The only thing that I regret is that the trip didn't last a bit longer... Oh well- that calls for another go-around, right?
And now, I am at IU yet again, although this time, it feels like I am attending a completely different school. Everything is filled with new and FUN changes and experiences (instead of them being scary, possibly homesick-filled). I am still friends with most of the same people as I was last year (although many of them have moved into houses/apartments off-campus. It's OK though- I still try to hang out with them as much as I can.) I am living in the same dorm as last year (Collins) and my roommate is my good friend from last year, Jess. We are doing well- the room is finally put together and I think it looks really nice. I am taking new and fun classes this year (I recently changed my major- and by recently, I mean last week, haha- from International Studies to Applied Anthropology- woohoo!) like: French (I really enjoy it!), Intro to Archaeology (um... not AS fun, but it goes towards the Anthropology major), the next level of Psychology, "National & International Policy" (NOT A GOOD CLASS), and (get this) "MUSIC OF THE BEATLES"!!!! Aaaah! Best class ever! It was basically made for me. I already own all of the video footage that we watch.. ahem...
Also, I am working in the coffee shop that is in the basement of the dorm and am trying to get a job in the dining hall in the basement as well- we shall see about that. Working in the Cafe is great, though- free coffee! Heck yeah!
Well, I'm off to class- hope all is well with everyone and, just to let you know- my address is the same as last year, just with a different room number:
Allison Hendricks
Collins-Edmondson 0310
541 N. Woodlawn Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47406
I love, love, LOVE to get mail (*hint hint*) Love you all! Talk to you soon- ciao!
-a
Yeah, yeah... I know- the last that you know, I was preparing to leave for Zambia. Well, not to get too long-winded on this one, but the trip was amazing. Without a DOUBT, life-changing. If I already haven't shown you the pictures that I put together in an album, let me know! I would be more than happy to go through them all and tell you all of the adventures that I went through (going to the bathroom in a DISASTROUS hole in the ground, bungee jumping, 13-hour flights....). The only thing that I regret is that the trip didn't last a bit longer... Oh well- that calls for another go-around, right?
And now, I am at IU yet again, although this time, it feels like I am attending a completely different school. Everything is filled with new and FUN changes and experiences (instead of them being scary, possibly homesick-filled). I am still friends with most of the same people as I was last year (although many of them have moved into houses/apartments off-campus. It's OK though- I still try to hang out with them as much as I can.) I am living in the same dorm as last year (Collins) and my roommate is my good friend from last year, Jess. We are doing well- the room is finally put together and I think it looks really nice. I am taking new and fun classes this year (I recently changed my major- and by recently, I mean last week, haha- from International Studies to Applied Anthropology- woohoo!) like: French (I really enjoy it!), Intro to Archaeology (um... not AS fun, but it goes towards the Anthropology major), the next level of Psychology, "National & International Policy" (NOT A GOOD CLASS), and (get this) "MUSIC OF THE BEATLES"!!!! Aaaah! Best class ever! It was basically made for me. I already own all of the video footage that we watch.. ahem...
Also, I am working in the coffee shop that is in the basement of the dorm and am trying to get a job in the dining hall in the basement as well- we shall see about that. Working in the Cafe is great, though- free coffee! Heck yeah!
Well, I'm off to class- hope all is well with everyone and, just to let you know- my address is the same as last year, just with a different room number:
Allison Hendricks
Collins-Edmondson 0310
541 N. Woodlawn Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47406
I love, love, LOVE to get mail (*hint hint*) Love you all! Talk to you soon- ciao!
-a
Monday, May 08, 2006
Leaving for Zambia... SOON!
Hey everyone!
Well, yes, I know- it has been quite some time since I have updated this thing. Things have beebn hectic, yo! Moving out of the dorm room went smoothly, but I had a WHOLE lot more stuff than I thought I had... Fortunately, Mom and I got done with "unpacking" all of it yesterday, so now I can RE-pack for Zambia! For all who didn't know, I might have a few chanced to visit an internet cafe while I am in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. If that is the case, I will be updating/reporting about my time in Zambia through this blog. Sooo, make sure to check it sometime between May 13 and June 1st to see about my trip so far!
Hope all is well with everyone- I will see you when I'm back from AFRICA!
Ciao :)
-allison
Well, yes, I know- it has been quite some time since I have updated this thing. Things have beebn hectic, yo! Moving out of the dorm room went smoothly, but I had a WHOLE lot more stuff than I thought I had... Fortunately, Mom and I got done with "unpacking" all of it yesterday, so now I can RE-pack for Zambia! For all who didn't know, I might have a few chanced to visit an internet cafe while I am in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. If that is the case, I will be updating/reporting about my time in Zambia through this blog. Sooo, make sure to check it sometime between May 13 and June 1st to see about my trip so far!
Hope all is well with everyone- I will see you when I'm back from AFRICA!
Ciao :)
-allison
Saturday, April 15, 2006
The Renaissance Fair...
Hey everybody!
This is kind of a random post, but I just wanted to let everyone know that today, on top of it being Collinsfest (which I tell tell you more about later if you don't already know...) there was also a Renaissance Fair going on! It was so cool! Jess and I went over to Dunn Meadow (where it was being held) and checked it out. Here is the website where you can see all of the really cool pictures that I took today. Unfortunately, it is not the same place as the site where I posted my Indianapolis and Chicago pictures, but that website wont let me post any more without paying to join it. So, I found one that would! Just click on the album titles "The Renaissance Fair," and click on the images to make them bigger. Then, you can navigate forward or backward through the pictures- you know how to do it :) Hope you like 'em! Ciao
http://my.opera.com/Allikat319/albums/
-a
This is kind of a random post, but I just wanted to let everyone know that today, on top of it being Collinsfest (which I tell tell you more about later if you don't already know...) there was also a Renaissance Fair going on! It was so cool! Jess and I went over to Dunn Meadow (where it was being held) and checked it out. Here is the website where you can see all of the really cool pictures that I took today. Unfortunately, it is not the same place as the site where I posted my Indianapolis and Chicago pictures, but that website wont let me post any more without paying to join it. So, I found one that would! Just click on the album titles "The Renaissance Fair," and click on the images to make them bigger. Then, you can navigate forward or backward through the pictures- you know how to do it :) Hope you like 'em! Ciao
http://my.opera.com/Allikat319/albums/
-a
Friday, April 14, 2006
A Visit From The Leslies!!
Bonjour!
The past few days have been some of the best ones yet for me this freshman year. As they continued their massive "college-visit tour" around the midwest, the Leslie family came to IU to do a college visit and to see me! (of course! :)
I had such a great time with them and their friends the Lucia's. They came yesterday (Thursday) at about noon and we grabbed something to eat in the student union (something that, according to Uncle Bob, that do NOT have at Boston College... Weird....) and then they were off to their walking tour of IU campus. The weather was beautiful- that really made the days enjoyable too. Meanwhile, I cleaned up my room (yes, it was messy before- but that is just one more perk of having people come to visit me: it movitates me to clean up my room!). Afterwards, we walked up to the student rec center and watched some amazing divers dive off of the biggest boards I have ever seen! The most amazing part is that they were little kids! Auntie Donna said that I had to jump off the highest one before I graduate. We will have to see about that...
We walked all around the town and saw many cute little shops. We ended up walking around the square (the roads surrounding the Bloomington Courthouse) and ate at the Malibu Grill. We all had VERY good food (I had swordfish for the first time- YUM!) and all cheered on Marko as he tried to finish his dinner. Our waiter had told him that, if he ate all of his twelve wings, he would buy him dessert. Well, even though Mark was mighty cocky about his wing-eating ability, twelve was just too many. They were pretty big wings and SO SPICY- I don't see how he even did one. Mark- I'LL buy you dessert- how's that? Can't go wrong with a cone from DQ, I swear.
For the evening Kara, Kevin, and Kevin's friend, Jeffrey came back to the dorm with me and enjoyed some s'mores that were being cooked out on a bonfire in the quartyard. While Kara and I sipped on "Banana Split Frozen Mochas" from my cafe in the basement, the boys entertained themselves with a 2-hour frisbee game. Kara spent the night and, I felt so bad, experienced the worst night that even I have had this year. Number one- it was hot, but we couldn't open the windows to cool it off because, Number two- it was raining. And we allll know what thunderstorms in Indiana mean- yes, that's right! Tornado warnings! Yay- THAT was fun. The alarms went off and everything, but when the RA on my floor pounded on my door signaling to go to the basement, we decided to roll over and keep trying to sleep.
Overall, the visit was so great. I really appreciated that they stopped in, even after they were so tired and ready to go home after doing a crash-course visit to so many colleges. Although I only have a little over two weeks of school left, having them here really made me miss home and realize how excited and anxious I am to have this school year be over and be able to enjoy the summer.
Try not to get pulled into this nice weather (well, minus the tornados) TOO much- I know that many an afternoon has been spent on the grass, eating ice cream and listening to harmonicas, instead of doing work. Hmmm..... *Meh* You only live once: do what makes you happy, right? Hope that all is well with everyone- keep pushing towards that summer! I know I will. Ciao
-a
P.S. Also, Happy Easter, everyone! I wish that I could be there in Cinci and help y'all color eggs and everything, but I trust that someone else will find that darned silver egg without me there :) Have fun!
The past few days have been some of the best ones yet for me this freshman year. As they continued their massive "college-visit tour" around the midwest, the Leslie family came to IU to do a college visit and to see me! (of course! :)
I had such a great time with them and their friends the Lucia's. They came yesterday (Thursday) at about noon and we grabbed something to eat in the student union (something that, according to Uncle Bob, that do NOT have at Boston College... Weird....) and then they were off to their walking tour of IU campus. The weather was beautiful- that really made the days enjoyable too. Meanwhile, I cleaned up my room (yes, it was messy before- but that is just one more perk of having people come to visit me: it movitates me to clean up my room!). Afterwards, we walked up to the student rec center and watched some amazing divers dive off of the biggest boards I have ever seen! The most amazing part is that they were little kids! Auntie Donna said that I had to jump off the highest one before I graduate. We will have to see about that...
We walked all around the town and saw many cute little shops. We ended up walking around the square (the roads surrounding the Bloomington Courthouse) and ate at the Malibu Grill. We all had VERY good food (I had swordfish for the first time- YUM!) and all cheered on Marko as he tried to finish his dinner. Our waiter had told him that, if he ate all of his twelve wings, he would buy him dessert. Well, even though Mark was mighty cocky about his wing-eating ability, twelve was just too many. They were pretty big wings and SO SPICY- I don't see how he even did one. Mark- I'LL buy you dessert- how's that? Can't go wrong with a cone from DQ, I swear.
For the evening Kara, Kevin, and Kevin's friend, Jeffrey came back to the dorm with me and enjoyed some s'mores that were being cooked out on a bonfire in the quartyard. While Kara and I sipped on "Banana Split Frozen Mochas" from my cafe in the basement, the boys entertained themselves with a 2-hour frisbee game. Kara spent the night and, I felt so bad, experienced the worst night that even I have had this year. Number one- it was hot, but we couldn't open the windows to cool it off because, Number two- it was raining. And we allll know what thunderstorms in Indiana mean- yes, that's right! Tornado warnings! Yay- THAT was fun. The alarms went off and everything, but when the RA on my floor pounded on my door signaling to go to the basement, we decided to roll over and keep trying to sleep.
Overall, the visit was so great. I really appreciated that they stopped in, even after they were so tired and ready to go home after doing a crash-course visit to so many colleges. Although I only have a little over two weeks of school left, having them here really made me miss home and realize how excited and anxious I am to have this school year be over and be able to enjoy the summer.
Try not to get pulled into this nice weather (well, minus the tornados) TOO much- I know that many an afternoon has been spent on the grass, eating ice cream and listening to harmonicas, instead of doing work. Hmmm..... *Meh* You only live once: do what makes you happy, right? Hope that all is well with everyone- keep pushing towards that summer! I know I will. Ciao
-a
P.S. Also, Happy Easter, everyone! I wish that I could be there in Cinci and help y'all color eggs and everything, but I trust that someone else will find that darned silver egg without me there :) Have fun!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
My Day in Indy!
Hey y'all!
Well, I have had quite a weekend- how is everything going for everyone? (17 school days left for me! Woohoo!) Yesterday (Saturday, April 8th), my friend, Jess and I ventured up to Indianapolis for the day. I had never been there and since Jess lives right here in Bloomington, we could just use her family's car to go up there for the day. We had a great time! I really like Indy, overall. Especially the mall (Cirle Center Mall), what fun!
We first got there and parked and walked around the mall. I'm told that that is the biggest attraction in Indy. Then we walked outside a little bit and saw some great things on the street and in "The Circle," which, for anyone who doesn't know, is like the town square, except that it is round! That was cute.
We spent a lot of time at the HUGE Border's Books that they have there and just kind of hung out, read some books, grabbed some coffee, and did some people-watching (my favorite, hehe). It was nice and relaxing. Also, we didn't have that bad of weather- we lucked out. A few days before it was majorly storming here in Indiana (Friday night, I had to spend much time the basement of various dorms because of tornado warnings), but our weather was nice- a little chilly, but we enjoyed walking around nonetheless.
We had dinner at a fancy place called 14th Street Restaurant. We didn't really have any sort of specific restaurant in mind, and I saw that the neon outside of the place read "Jazz," so I suggested that we go there. It was VERY nice. We ate very well- very happy, mostly, that it was the weekend, we were in a big city in a nice restaurant, and, most importantly, NOT on-campus. :)
Even though we only stayed for the day, it was a really fun one- and it felt long too! I always like that...
Next up: Wednesday & Sunday nights: ushering for "Mamma Mia!!!" I am soooo excited for that one- I haven't seen it yet! Thursday night/Friday morning: the Leslies are coming! Ahhhhh! I can't wait! I hope that the weather hold out... Saturday: Collinsfest! For all of you who don't know, Collins is the dorm that I stay in. This Saturday is the biggest event of the year for us. We have this big celebration on the quartyard/veranda outside of our dorm all day long. We are going to have live bands all day (some are coming all the way from Indy), a Jupitor Jump (remember those??), a grill going all day along with cotton candy/snow cone stands, each organization on campus gets their own little booth or table where they will have nice food and raffles/other activites, an all-day water-balloon fight, face painting, other various games (such as: twister somehow including shaving cream. hmm.....), and, best of all: a 65-foot trough filled with a 65-foot long banana split! Whoa!! I am so excited for that.
The weekends are winding down- hope everyone else is looking forward to summer. I didn't think that the warm weather was going to affect me THAT much, but today all I did was sit outside and lay around while listening to someone playing the banjo... such nice weather! See you soon! Ciao
-a
p.s. I was going to try to post some pictures that we took while we were there, but this blog system is acting up again, so I am going to post them on the website that has my chicago pictures on it- here's the website to go to find them: http://ahendricks4.photosite.com Thanks!
Well, I have had quite a weekend- how is everything going for everyone? (17 school days left for me! Woohoo!) Yesterday (Saturday, April 8th), my friend, Jess and I ventured up to Indianapolis for the day. I had never been there and since Jess lives right here in Bloomington, we could just use her family's car to go up there for the day. We had a great time! I really like Indy, overall. Especially the mall (Cirle Center Mall), what fun!
We first got there and parked and walked around the mall. I'm told that that is the biggest attraction in Indy. Then we walked outside a little bit and saw some great things on the street and in "The Circle," which, for anyone who doesn't know, is like the town square, except that it is round! That was cute.
We spent a lot of time at the HUGE Border's Books that they have there and just kind of hung out, read some books, grabbed some coffee, and did some people-watching (my favorite, hehe). It was nice and relaxing. Also, we didn't have that bad of weather- we lucked out. A few days before it was majorly storming here in Indiana (Friday night, I had to spend much time the basement of various dorms because of tornado warnings), but our weather was nice- a little chilly, but we enjoyed walking around nonetheless.
We had dinner at a fancy place called 14th Street Restaurant. We didn't really have any sort of specific restaurant in mind, and I saw that the neon outside of the place read "Jazz," so I suggested that we go there. It was VERY nice. We ate very well- very happy, mostly, that it was the weekend, we were in a big city in a nice restaurant, and, most importantly, NOT on-campus. :)
Even though we only stayed for the day, it was a really fun one- and it felt long too! I always like that...
Next up: Wednesday & Sunday nights: ushering for "Mamma Mia!!!" I am soooo excited for that one- I haven't seen it yet! Thursday night/Friday morning: the Leslies are coming! Ahhhhh! I can't wait! I hope that the weather hold out... Saturday: Collinsfest! For all of you who don't know, Collins is the dorm that I stay in. This Saturday is the biggest event of the year for us. We have this big celebration on the quartyard/veranda outside of our dorm all day long. We are going to have live bands all day (some are coming all the way from Indy), a Jupitor Jump (remember those??), a grill going all day along with cotton candy/snow cone stands, each organization on campus gets their own little booth or table where they will have nice food and raffles/other activites, an all-day water-balloon fight, face painting, other various games (such as: twister somehow including shaving cream. hmm.....), and, best of all: a 65-foot trough filled with a 65-foot long banana split! Whoa!! I am so excited for that.
The weekends are winding down- hope everyone else is looking forward to summer. I didn't think that the warm weather was going to affect me THAT much, but today all I did was sit outside and lay around while listening to someone playing the banjo... such nice weather! See you soon! Ciao
-a
p.s. I was going to try to post some pictures that we took while we were there, but this blog system is acting up again, so I am going to post them on the website that has my chicago pictures on it- here's the website to go to find them: http://ahendricks4.photosite.com Thanks!
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