"The key to productivity is to rotate what you're avoiding."

Well, I am back, and I'm supremely disappointed. NO COMMENTS? seriously, you guys.....

just kidding. ;) I know you're all busy and maybe you had a busy weekend too. no worries.

a couple of new things:

1) the snow (well, so there wasn't any snow but it was cold....) retreat was fantastic. I would rave about how it's the best one I've ever been on, but since I've only been on one other, that doesn't make a ton of sense. but honestly, it was pretty incredible. Saturday was great because I had no homework to worry about, and I got to just be a kid and not worry about anything much for the whole day. we got to relax and work on our hearts and our friendships. took a walk through the epic, mountainous woods and talked to God for half an hour. we did a scavenger hunt and ended it by singing Father Abraham. I didn't really want to sing Father Abraham, so I told Alex and Craig (on guitar) that I'd do it only if they played it in B-flat (thinking that they wouldn't). Roger told them what the chords were and so before I knew it all the girls were spinning in circles and marching. I ended up having a pretty good time anyway, and will add it to my list of successes that I got a guitarist to play in a flat key. though now I'm thinking that I should have picked D-flat..... :P

did a little rock climbing (arms are sore!). played a little Wareo (playing War and eating Oreos). made a ton of inside jokes and laughed until we cried and our abs hurt like none other. played Apples to Apples. sat by the fire with a good book. drank way too much hot chocolate. journaled a little, dug deep a little, had a really, really good conversation. threw a surprise birthday party for one of our girls who turned 15. learned how to do crazy things with cups in the dining hall. played Ninja for hours........ok, I mostly just watched. got sprayed pretty heavily with purple hair color - the temporary stuff that washes out. had some intense and deeply satisfying worship. made collages about our feelings of the weekend. deepened friendships.

came home and collapsed.

2) I met a guy in my choir class, and he's turning into a good friend. and don't freak out like the rest of the world and assume that I have a crush on him, because I don't. his name is Mitchell, and he's really sweet, attentive, and actually interesting. and he has a serious girlfriend, so he's only looking for friendship as well. it's practically perfect in every way.

anyway, about two weeks ago he asked me to help him with a composition he was working on for his computer music class, and I said I would. we grabbed a practice room during my free hour and I gave him a bunch of pointers for how to make it better. after we did that, we spent the rest of the hour just talking about all kinds of random stuff - it was really cool. he gave me his email, and we've been emailing back and forth quite a lot. all this is just to say, guy friends are really nice to have.

3) our choir concert is next Wednesday, the 10th, at 7:30. I think it's free but I still need to make sure of that. today we got the risers out and we're going to practice like that from now on - it's super fun doing it this way! I was playing the piano, and we sounded really good. anyway, you guys are certainly welcome to come if you want to. and let me know when your concert is too, for those of you who are in choir!

4) in other news, my car's brakes have been fixed! My bank account has had a signifcant hole knocked in it, but much less significant than it could have been if we'd taken it to the shop. thank you God for providing!

5) and last but most definitey not least, I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled over spring break. Monday the 22nd I lose the things forever. I'm planning to spend most of that week eating Jello, popsicles, and mashed potatoes, and watching chick flicks and Disney movies. I'm letting any and everybody know that they're welcome to come join me for however long they want. if this sounds like fun, just let me know when you're gonna show up! and come on, you know it sounds like fun. I've never been on pain meds before and it'll probably be pretty darn entertaining for the first couple of days at least.

five is a good round number and I'm going to stop at that. not to mention I've got homework and stuff to do............neverending..................