kczecher

London adventure...

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:11:29 GMT

So after the A.P. bio final, a rather sad excuse for a final, I threw off my jumper and headed for the airport. Our flight to Chicago departed late, (snow?) and because of the way United Airlines boards its planes (windows, middles, aisles, - I was on the aisle) I was was among the last to be called to board, so for several minutes I was alone at the gate. It made me feel very grown up as I waited in line. The flight to Chicago was uneventful, I read Arctic Dreams and had my Odwalla smoothie. Soon we were at O'Hare, Chicago, and found ourselves running to our connecting flight's gate. You have not fully lived until you have run through an airport. The crew on this flight was British! I ran through the plane so quickly I didn't notice how enormous it was, so wide and endlessly long, with several lavatories. Had I paid closer attention to the seats in first class when I passed in pursuit of 32D, I would have gone mad while trying to fall asleep in my cramped quarters. It was not possible to get comfortable. Oh, how I tried. Non-stop fidgeting. Tried to read, can't, lights were dim, drained my ipod, so all I could do was watch our progress on the monitor built into the back of the seat in front of me, showing our position and speed, and try to rest my eyes in my dazed drowsy stupor. On the whole though, I guess I can't complain. The flight was pleasant enough, but over seven hours, gih... I liked how all the English crew members addressed me as "Miss", as in "Miss, may I clear away your rubbish?" and "Miss, how do you take your tea?". The service was elaborate, let's just mention how before dinner I was handed a warm moist towelette with a tweezers, and the dinner involved individual wedges of Camembert cheese wrapped in foil, among other tasty things.
At about midnight Central Standard Time, five in the morning London time, we were given croissants, jam, fruit, and tea, and landed at Heathrow. Customs and baggage claim are a blur. We met the "coach" (read: bus) and took on morning rush hour to central London. I was smitten. I can't specify precisely what it is about row houses, soccer pitches, double-decker buses, neighborhood gardens, well-dressed commuting cyclists, school children with preppy blazers, ties, and scarves heading underground, the diveristy, simplicity, antiquity of it all. It's a very charming city.
Since it was far too early to check into the hotel, we could only dump our suitcases in the lobby and were then off to learn how to use the subway, which from now on will be pretentiously referred to as the tube. Though I am still a severe novice at it, I loved riding the tube. It's so simple. I love the feeling of waiting on a platform with the drafts rushing in and out, seeing the headlights deep in the tunnel, and having the train rush by you. I love how nearly all the passengers are reading newspapers or listening to ipods. Yes, I love the tube.
We first went to Trafalgar Square, which I would say is a very good first impression of London. Nelson's Column stands in the middle, with four lion statues and a fountain. We went to a coffee shop first though, to load up on caffeine, paying in pounds for the first time. From there we went to the National Gallery, which was especially special for me, being as it displays a large portion of the Humanities curriculum. I bought a quartet of postcards. We also went across the boulevard to St. Martin's-in-the-Field, which is a church and crypt. Either on the way to Trafalgar, or on the way back, I don't remember, we took the mandatory "I'm a tourist in an English phone booth" picture, and exchanged money at Barclay's. I exchanged $80 for 42 pounds and 78 pence. It made me want to cry. Not only is American money worth half, things cost double. Ouch.
Taking the tube again, we went back to our hotel in Vauxhall. I remember sitting down in the lobby and thinking "what a comfortable chair" and then waking up to forceful prodding two hours later. Oops. The rooms are small, but very sufficient. I had a little single bed very low to the ground. The view out the tall windows is of Wheatsheaf pub and a primary school. The traffic never stops. We took an extensive walking tour to our restaurant for dinner, but having been awake for about thirty-eight hours straight, I don't remember very well. There was a spiral staircase, and a dumbwaiter, but I'm blanking on what else.
Early the following morning, after black currant tea and croissants, we boarded another coach for a tour with an expert on London's history. We stopped at Buckingham Palace, though the Queen was away - no changing of the guard, and St. Paul's Cathedral. St. Paul's is quite the building. Loads noteworthy burial slabs in the crypt. Bought more postcards. We drove through Mayfair (as in the final square on a Monopoly board), and over Tower Bridge. We then took the M25 motorway to the village of Windsor. It is the eptiome of the word "quaint", very peaceful, but bustling too. I had warm tortellini at an Italian coffee shop for four pounds. It was tasty. Windsor Castle is not very intimidating when it is all tourist-ed up. We walked through the state dining rooms and saw the elaborate dolls and doll houses of various queens, and the choir stalls of Knights of the Order of the Garter, the sixth Order of Chivalry. Heh.
Back on the M25 to London, along the Thames, to a very random restaurant, with very random food... but is was free, so oh well. This was on Strand Street, in the theater district, where I bought Nick his Chelsea football club scarf. From there we walked to the Novello theater and saw "As You Like It", for which we had spectacular (read: sarcasm) seats, and though it took the first half to take off, it was well done I suppose. A very drowsy ride back on the tube to Vauxhall.
The following morning we took the tube to the Tower of London, another fortress, very old. Saw the crown jewels, very shiny. Bought more postcards and stamps, took amusing pictures. Had lunch nearby, bought a map of the underground tshirt. From there we went to the London Eye ferris wheel, or some people did, it was exorbitantly expensive, so myself and others wandered along the Thames admiring street art and street performers, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. To finish off the afternoon we walked across the Millennium pedestrian bridge to Tate Modern, a modern art gallery. Loads of crazy things in there, but famous things too. Tate Modern is right next to the Globe Theater, but it costs significant pounds to tour it, so I just bought a "Capulet" button at the gift shop. We wandered up and down the Thames some more, watching the hydrofoils cruise by. From there back across the Millennium bridge to St. Paul's again to light a candle during Evensong, and then to a dinner of fish and chips, and some sort of custard. It had to be done. Went to Piccadily Circus, which is like Times Square I suppose, with all the lights and signs. Back at Vauxhall, postcard writing en masse.
Our final day started with Westminster Abbey, which I surprisingly liked, I mean, tours of dead people... Saw loads of famous people though, kings, queens, prime ministers, Darwin, Newton, Dickens, Austen, Hardy, and more which I don't remember, sadly no pictures allowed. Went to Barclay's again afterwards, to exchange more money. Oh, it hurts me inside to hand over $60 and get 31 pounds and 19 pence back. From there to the British Museum, another spectacle, for lunch and a Humanities moment. Saw the Elgin marbles, which was special for me. And the Rosetta Stone. I wanted to buy a Rosetta Stone tshirt, but 19 pounds is marginally short of $40, so it was inexcusable. Went to Oxford and High Street for shopping, and the BBC Headquarters! Then to Notting Hill, to find a blue door, but quickly, so as to get to Harrod's. Harrod's was an experience which I was unfortunately not exactly in the mood for. Bought a souvenir purse, and a mocha at Starbuck's in change, since you can't exchange coins back for American money, might as well spend away. Loads of very wealthy people buying very expensive things. Oh well, it had to be seen. From there back to Covent Gardens, to meander around until dinner at an Indian restaurant. Curry is tasty. More wandering in Covent Gardens afterwards, it is a good thing I had spent all my allotted money. Back to Vauxhall for souvenir compactment and packing. Up again at six, for the coach to the airport, trans-Atlantic flight, but this time Kiera Knightley's Pride & Prejudice was playing, which I definitely watched twice. More elaborate service, more restless fidgeting. Delayed in Chicago after Customs declarations, checked phone messages... ah, hilarity. Very impatient on flight to Chicago. Now home, uploading photos, bittersweetly wearing my underground tshirt, very tired, but very content.

Groups!

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 20:27:22 GMT

Karen, Lauren, Cory, Kath, Bea, me.
My arctic ladies...

And so commences 2006...

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 01:13:58 GMT

New Year's to-do List
-Use French all the time in Europe.
-Have a birthday party.
-Rock the A.P. Bio test.
-Have absurd quantities of fun finishing off senior year.
-Not die in the Arctic.
-Have a spectacular Voyageur trip.
-Get well settled at Carleton while still meeting loads of new people and doing well in courses.

Sounds like a good year to me.

Seliga, Seine, Su Doku

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 21:31:10 GMT

As Bea has done, I would also like to link you to the obituary of Joe Seliga. I've been bittersweetly wearing my t-shirt.
It's not certain if my London/Paris trip will still visit Paris. I, and other travellers are very disappointed and shocked. I know I can't complain. A week in London will still be marvelous. But I had envisioned the days in Paris as well. The Seine at night. The Louvre. The Chunnel. The Champs-Elysées. It might still work out, at additional cost...
I'm getting addicted to Su Doku. And to facebook. It's intense.

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:41:13 GMT

So the Chronicle came out on Friday, or as Nick likes to call it, The Chronic. Without being specific, I think the paper has loads of unrealized potential, particularly apparent in this issue. Let's start with showing up for staff pictures. All we need is your physical presence, or at least for you to provide a freakishly accurate mannequin or stand-up paper cut out.Then maybe we can talk about turning in quality articles on time. Maybe.
Saturday was my final day of lessons at Studio 10, 1550 Summit Avenue. All the pianos are moving down the three flights of narrow stairs tomorrow. Mrs. Lee tried to add up the number of hours, likely culminating in a solid year or so, which she has spent in there. And to think, I don't have a single photograph of myself with her or in the studio.
One week until Christmas and there is not one cookie in my house. It's wrong. Terribly wrong.

Reviving the lj

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 23:38:42 GMT

So I may have abandoned my live journal for several months, but I think it'll get over it.
I only had one class change after Thanksgiving, International Relations has thankfully replaced dismal Sociology. I have to admit though, Mr. Boisclair makes me feel rather ignorant as he names his heads of state and Senate committee chairs. But then again, he does have a massive picture of Martin Sheen and the cast of the West Wing on his wall. I hope I don't get there.
Oh, and I figured out next year. As in college. As in I got into Carleton College early decision. I'm excited to the point of giddiness. I can't believe it all worked out and I'm done, done, done... And Bea's in too. So wonderful.
Physics time.

Senior year is in full swing

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 23:47:34 GMT

I've had very little homework in the past week, philosophy/theology has a long-term paper, English is so laid back, Sociology requires less and less cognitive thought with each passing day, you get my drift, my morning is bleh. I like my afternoon though, Physics, French, Biology. It's solidly engaging, (Glynn and Froehle, so enjoyable for very different reasons). I had my senior pictures a week ago, the photographer saw my paddle necklace and asked me about it, turns out he's good friends with several Widji counselors.
Today was the outrageous Homecoming Pep Fest, so I have to say,
SENIORS, SENIORS! (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)
&
`O6!
Assez! Allez au piquet!
Went after school with Al to the `Bou, and to Mark & Paul & others' soccer game. Time to make the triple layer chocolate cake and chocolate curls for after Homecoming. New ER later.

Rather accurate oddly...

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:05:07 GMT

How You Life Your Life

You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness.

You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think.

You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences.

You have one big dream in your life, and you never lose sight of it.

How Do You Live Your Life?

The Chroniclette

Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:03:24 GMT

I don't know what happened, but I can no longer sleep in past eight. It's rather unfortunate, but summer mornings are lovely. The washing machine had a little incident over the weekend, as in it flooded the entire basement, (and guess who had the pleasure of cleaning it up,) so the washing machine repair man came and said he had never seen a washing machine so busted in all his work. The tub part of it wore a hole in the base of the washing machine. Rather like a can opener, he said. But since we had a warranty for it, we got a free new washing machine, to be delivered Wednesday. I have a feeling there will be a massive laundry load on Wednesday though, perhaps several loads.
The Chronicle editors had a meeting today. It was strange to be in the Media Center. Sister Mary Richard was very excited about the paper starting up. She's referring to the new more frequently published magazine component of the newspaper as the "Chroniclette". Oh, it's too perfect. I hope newspaper goes well. It could be miserable, but it could be a good year. We'll see.
Coming home I saw a massive car accident at Montreal & Hamline. There was glass sprayed over the whole intersection. There are new traffic lights there now, but not functional yet. It was the third accident I've seen there in the past 6 months.
Time to go stare at my pile of summer reading books, which is right next to the pile of books I actually would like to read, which makes it exceedingly difficult to read for school. But I do like Bob Dylan's autobiography, Chronicles, Volume One.
I was over at Nick's apartment earlier, he had to pay the deposit for it today. I think it's amusing how his address is 1692 1/2, because downstairs is 1692. Down a block from his place is the new Patagonia store. Ah, it was so enjoyable to browse. I need to go in there with some Widji literature and ask for a voyageur sponsorship. I think it's a long shot, but it's worth asking. After all, Patagonia does sell The Life of Sigurd Olson.
Off to the books.

Okay, so who wants to hear a very long story...?

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 00:55:25 GMT

So I went to Widji, and it's a very long tale. I won't go through all of it, 1. because no one wants to hear about it, 2. It would take far too long to type, and 3. It would make me sad to reminisce. But since Mark demands an update, an update he shall have.
I particularly enjoyed the Kopka pot holes day, a day spent working down several hundred meters of waterfall, five in total, so I’ll start there. Each of the five waterfall portages had a challenge: the first was a field of boulders, the second was a chasm crossed via rotting logs, the third and fourth were vertical rock ledges, (blueberry field!) and the fifth was a cliff. I mean a cliff. The Ropes Portage. Which was an adventure. We stayed two nights across from a gorgeous double waterfall. On our layover day, we made blueberry pancakes, swam in the spill of the waterfall, read in the sun, and had a massive falafel feast and blueberry coffeecake dessert. The next morning, we had savory cous-cous for breakfast and paddled down the remaining Kopka River. There were a couple easy sets, and a rather technical one, which I sterned with Sarah. It started to downpour right when we hit the big elements, so for a moment I thought we were taking in water, submerged or capsized, but it was only big rain droplets spotting the packs. When rain opens up over water, it makes the surface look like little mouths hiccupping, or like oatmeal boiling over. Either way, as we paddled on, Sarah and I didn’t stop to put on our rain jackets, we laughed and closed our eyes and tilted our heads back. It was glorious. The roar of it, when the rain comes in brief but heavy waves, is… well it’s one of the numerous trail things which makes you feel alive, which is so cliché until you have experienced it, and then you realize the cliché is a worthless figure of speech which doesn’t begin to express such moments.
So we paddled on until T.L. (trail lunch) We have loads of extra T.L. It’s absurd. We had v-bars, which stands for voyageur bars, which are an advanced trip specialty/treat. Though the following description is completely unjust to the bliss which is v-bars, one could say v-bars consist of a soft and chewy peanut butter granola bar, topped with a layer of melted chocolate with M&M’s embedded in it. V-bars are the type of food which I think I could only eat under trail circumstances, but under such conditions, v-bars are splendid. During lunch, we discovered Amy’s jungle noises. Amy can make the noises of a toucan, a howler monkey, and a jaguar. Seriously, she can. She taught us each how to do one and we attempted to do all three in a chorus, and it was absolutely ridiculous. Therefore, we planned on doing it at Fenske, which you will hear about later.
There were several more walkable sets after lunch, and a mild paddle down to the corner of Obonga (!) Lake. We stayed on a pebble beach and there were thick cedar trees with knotty roots wrapped around and tunneling through the pebbles, so it was very interesting to look at. Amy and I played see-saw with an unloaded canoe, each of us sitting on a deckplate and bouncing up and down. It was quite amusing at the time, though it sounds like a good way to sink the canoe now. I think we had Alpine Spag for dinner there, though I can’t remember distinctly. Alpine Spag is a Widji classic and despite the name it is not strictly for backpackers. It’s basically parmesan smothered noodles with basil and garlic, your essential Italian fare. The sunset during dinner was particularly memorable, it turned the whole lake orange and pink, and because Obonga is a shallow lake with a broad pebble shore, the sunset hit all the shallow stones with copperish light. It was quite a sight. Later in the tent, I remember having a nervous discussion about the next day’s portage, which was known to be steeply uphill then downhill, not recently cleared, and several kilometers long. Should be a good challenge eh?
So the next morning we baked and apple coffee cake and spread peanut butter all over it. Apples as in dried apple rings, which are a poor excuse for apples, but sufficed. We soon realized we were right to be anxious about the portage. I took a canoe, and it was interesting. No real trail. Hurdling fallen trees. Up a cliff then down one. On the descent, I was making my way down ledge by ledge, with the canoe right up against the cliff face. On a certain not thoroughly thought out step, I managed to secure the loop of my boot lace to a fallen tree suspended against the cliff, and fall so I hung face down, dangling by my boot lace. The canoe fell off my shoulders obviously, but I caught it by the gunnels before it fell to its destruction. Luckily, Karen wasn’t too far behind me on the “trail”, so I only hung for a couple of minutes while she hurried down the cliff to catch the canoe, and then back up to… I don’t know how to describe the maneuver by which she freed me and got me upright again. It wasn’t very far to the end of the portage from there, and at the end, we had a very special pack present which we had been saving: Swedish Fish.
Our last portage of the trip (a rather bittersweet occasion) was completed without significant distress, and was followed by our final set of whitewater into Kopka Lake, (immense sadness) and our final T.L. (meh). Then we only had a short paddle until where the Canadian highway crosses the lake. Annie and I were together, and I remember we were surprisingly quiet, taking it all in. Under the narrow highway bridge, we pulled over on the sandy beach and made dinner there, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and did the dishes thoroughly one last time. We camped there by the side of the highway, after a moonlight swim. I hadn’t quite hit me then, I mean, how could it be our final night? We talked late and long in the tent, tackling each other with hugs.
The next morning was strange. We packed up and made coffee and cereal, as we sat by the desolate highway. Then the 15-passenger van and canoe trailer came. Matt Prouse’s group had already been picked up in our van, I wish it had been Lucy's girls. We loaded up the trailer, and got in. It was so odd. The pickup vans are driven by Widji counselors who don’t currently have a trip in the works, ours were Polly and Lily, who brought our mail from camp for us, (!) and real fruit, which was excellent. I received your letters then, and read about all the current events. At Thunder Bay we stopped at the Safeway (chain of grocery stores from West Coast) My group went (all together) in to the single person bathroom and saw ourselves in the mirror. Ah! It was strange. Lily and Polly bought ingredients for PB&J sandwiches for us, more fruit and veggies, popsicles and things for our BBQ dinner later. It was all splendid. By the end of trail, all I miss is fruit and music, which we had plenty of as we headed south to Grand Marais. By evening we had reached Ely, where advanced trips spend the night at the public campground, called Fenske, because all Widji cabins are full. So we grilled veggie burgers on the beach, and had chips and salsa too. It began to thunderstorm, and we all had an evil laugh as we took cover in the van. Then the other AE groups arrived, so there were hugs all around as we set up our tents beside the vans in the rain. Once we all were settled in, my group made a ruckus with our jungle chorus. It was hilarious.
In the morning, we had more coffee and cereal and drove the short distance to Widji. There we unloaded, put the canoes away (with goodbye kisses) packed in our extra food, cleaned and returned our gear, and went to our locker to get clean clothes! And shampoo! And sandals! Oh, the things you take for granted. Showers were so very good. The remainder of the afternoon would be boring to you I suppose, we went to the trading post to see Marcus, Karen’s German boyfriend, who had more mail for me, a letter from my dad and a box of D’Amico & Sons cookies from my mom, which were splendid. Before the banquet dinner there is “social hour”, which is when people’s parents arrive and you usually disperse with your folks to have a little family moment. Unless your parents don’t come, like mine. Lame. Banquet is exceedingly fun as you get older at Widji, because you get to sit at the front tables and you get to be LOUD. We had developed several AE specific dances and songs, which we did constantly. After dinner are skits, which I won’t explain because skits are full of trail inside jokes. After skits is closing campfire, which sounds boring, but it’s very cool. AE’s get to have one all together but separate from the younger groups. At your closing campfire you go around in a circle and each person gets a chance talk about their trip in a serious way, there are deep thoughts and tears, it’s very special and inspiring to see. By then the sun had gone down, which is the perfect time for a sauna on the beach. Widji has a wood burning Finnish sauna, which was 211oF. (Not quite 212oF) When the heat gets to you, you can go dip in the lake and look at the stars. After sauna the AE’s met up again in the dining hall cabin for tea and cookies and to do paperwork. Caitie and I talked until three in the morning, all the AE’s were still up, but we had to be up in four hours so we had to call it a night. Back in our cabin, my group slept in a pile on the floor.
I definitely had coffee the following morning. Then we loaded up the bus. Annie, Sarah and I were taking it back to St. Paul, where Annie and I would go home and Sarah would continue on to the airport for her flight to Denver, Karen, Amy and Caitie were staying behind, Karen to keep working, Amy to go to her dad’s Field Study Station (he’s a bio professor at a Coe College) and Caitie to stay at her family’s summer house in Ely, were she works at an outfitter. I got a hug from all the AE’s before I took my window seat. Girls were crying a little, I was okay strangely, (again, I don’t think the reality of going home had hit me yet) until the bus gave its first jolt forward. I had been sitting making funny faces, waving and blowing kisses with Annie and Sarah to Karen, Amy and Caitie who were below our window, but the first lurch forward made it real. I was involuntarily moving away from my girls! I’d spent a month in their constant company, it was a depressing departure. I slept until St. Paul, we all did. My mom was waiting for me and I gave a final round of hugs and transferred my things to our car, and went home. So strange. It was good to see Nick, who was shocked by my tan/burn and the freckles in my ears. I ran my laundry three times and hung it all out to get a breeze. My dad came home from work and brought me Harry Potter.
The days between Widji and Tahoe are a blur now. I remember calling you on the phone, reading Harry Potter, going through piles of college mail and getting started on apps, Nick rented the Beatles Anthology from the library which we watched together. My clothes, once thoroughly aired out, went back in my duffel to go to Tahoe on July 23rd. The flight was dull, but there was an empty seat next to me so Nick and I could stretch out. The drive from the airport to the Lake was very pretty, through the mountains and such. And the lake is pristinely gorgeous. The houses we rented aren’t fancy, but were simple, clean, and sufficed. The lake is so blue and clear and vast. We Minnesota Maleceks arrived second, the California Maleceks (Mike, Wendy, Lucy Margaret, Henry) were already there, as they only had to drive. We went to Safeway and bought absurd quantities of random food, and returned to the house to make chili. Gram & Popo, (grandma and grandpa) arrived with Bob, Carloyn, Tim and Ellen. We stayed up late to wait for the Fry family, (Jean, Tad, Jess, Allie, Natalie) whose bags were lost. The next morning, I was woken up by Henry, 16 months, at about 5:30 am. We had a beach day, swimming, canoeing, exploring the cove, sunbathing, barbeque dinner. At night, Nick, Tim, and I went down to the beach and played with Tim’s glow in the dark Frisbee under the stars, which is a good memory. Nick, Tim, and I had to get up very early the next morning, 4:20, in order to go with Bob and Carolyn to the public boat launch to meet our charter fishing boat. It was very cold until the sun rose over the mountains, which was pristinely gorgeous. Sitting around waiting for deep water trout to be interested in minnows is not very stimulating, but watching the sonar scan was cool. Lake Tahoe is basically an up side down hollowed out mountain, with ridges and cliffs and canyons. We caught seven trout which we later had for dinner. Nick had to take a nap in the afternoon, being on his strange college sleeping schedule, but Tim and I coordinated a hike with Bob, Carolyn, and Mike. Tim and I got ahead rather quickly, and he asked me all about Widji, which was unexpected on my part. The vistas were scenic, looking out on the Sierra Desert Basin. I didn’t like the trout, mainly because I was paranoid about all the little bones in it. Tuesday morning required an early start too, for our mountain biking expedition. We rented very fancy bikes and rode the historic Log Flume Trail, which is a 27 mile route on the rim of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and picks up over 6,000 feet in elevation. It was a challenge, but a thrill too. We felt like amateurs because there was a group of men from Britain in fancy cycling clothes, shoes, sunglasses. My immediate family went to Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors on the beach that night, which was amusing. Wednesday was another beach oriented day, as we rented a jet ski, which was some quality reckless fun. Thursday we took a gondola to the top of Heavenly Peak, and had lunch at a ski café staffed completely by Polish college students. From there we went hiking again, around Emerald Bay, at the foot of Mount Tallac. That night there was discussion about climbing Tallac, Nick and I wanted to, but Tim said he’d had enough. [It was different on this Malecek trip how I hung around with Nick and Tim instead of the girls. They seem so young though, and we were never interested in doing the same activities. It made me feel like a bad cousin though.]Bob said he’d take us, but didn’t feel so good about it. My parents didn’t want him to feel responsible, so they came too. We got an early start on Friday and summited by noon. It was quite a feeling and the view was beyond words. The climb down was more tiring, as my knees and ankles were rather unhappy. Saturday we flew home, saying goodbye was sad. We went to In & Out Burger at the airport, which was tasty. My right ear had issues, which was out of the ordinary. Now we’re home and I’m in the process of doing all my laundry and cleaning out my closet, and filling out college mail. I suppose my thrilling outdoorsy summer had to end eventually...
So there it is, thanks for reading. Dinner time.

Bon voyage

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:04:33 GMT

Happy trails.

Getting anxious...

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 23:47:20 GMT

So I've been sick. I can't explain it, last Thursday night, all of a sudden my temperature shot up and I started sweating and shivering all at once. I didn't sleep at all, but watched the clock tick so, so slowly. I was achey all over, but I was afraid to take Advil because I felt like I would throw it back up again. I took a shower once it was a reasonable hour so I didn't disturb my family, didn't comb my hair, but got back in my tossed sheets and passed out. It was miserable. Now, I can only talk in a whisper and am Alka-Seltzer and Advil dependent. I can't sleep for very long because I have to think about breathing. It has all put my summer on hold, I've read seven books and the complete Sunday N.Y. Times, which I wouldn't complain about. But I am starting to worry about Widji impending. I need to get well. I went to REI yesterday and bought long underwear. Very stylish Patagonia long underwear, and a Prana tank, among other things. Heh, the checkout...
Lovely Annie Gehrz called after I got of the shower today. Because of my illness, it would be a bad idea for me to spend the night at the Floberg's, but it was good to talk to her for a long while. She informed me of our river (!) I can hardly wait to see her and all the ae's at Leann Chin's Sunday.
I'm trying to work my mom's sewing machine, to sew patches on my backpack and to hem things. I feel incompetent.
Though I don't leave until Monday, which is still freakishly close, here's the address for me, June 20-July19. I would love mail.

Kate Malecek
c/o YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
3788 North Arm Road
Ely, MN 55731

Coldplay, X&Y!

Tue, 07 Jun 2005 23:39:46 GMT

What a splendid summer memory. Sarah and I went out to Caribou early, and sat under a tree in the drizzle. It was lovely. At 9, we went to Target and proudly purchased the new Coldplay album X&Y, and sat in her car and listened awhile, then drove down Mississippi River Boulevard to Hidden Falls Park and parked right at the river's edge and listened to the whole thing. It was so beautiful! There was a geese family and a duck couple listening too. From there I went to piano and worked on Debussy until my eye doctor appointment. Apparently my left eye is exceedingly miserable, so my prescription changed. Blast. It's hot today, so maybe no badminton matches with Nick like yesterday. I've started to compile things for Widji, it's quite frightening.
Last night a group of the girls went to see The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I was expecting it to be a typical teenage girl movie, at though it was in certain respects, it was very touching. After we all shared dessert together, Allison and I discussed Mark's huggability or lack there of, and I have decided to try to get over the unexplainable awkwardness of hugging Mark.
Time to go read in the sun before dinner & piano calls.

Awww...

Mon, 30 May 2005 23:10:32 GMT


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Whoot, last homework associated weekend! Friday my American Conversations group got together at Caribou to start organizing. So I'm playing Woodrow Wilson, which I think is appropriate. Saturday was non stop piano audition day. And as soon as I was done playing for judges, Mrs. Lee had me pull out the new books and we started all over again. It was rather intense. Mom took me out for coffee after, and then the whole family went to D'Amico & Sons. THE PESTO LINGUINI IS GONE! I am appalled. After, Nick and I set off illegal bottle rockets in the backyard. Sunday I tried homework-ing/finals studying. Until the girls all headed over to Allison's, for a rest fest. We played frisbee, went to the park, ate (excessively), and watched and Saved and Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. I can't decide who I thought was more attractive, Patrick or Javier. Either way, it was a good time. After blueberry bagels and showering, we worked on our American Conversation again. It's going okay. I went home and kept on homework-ing, and now I'm stalling on my Poisonwood Bible essay. And chem. Let's pretend chem doesn't exist, shall we?

Voulez-vous être ma femme?

Thu, 26 May 2005 23:37:30 GMT

Updating... of course. So May has been insane, what I can't say I didn't expect it. Since the a.p. tests though, all things have been escalating for a final absurd weekend. Then it will be done, all done, the last bell will ring and I will simply walk away... ahhh...
I'm getting rather pumped for two new upcoming trips on my agenda, Lake Tahoe with the Malecek clan in late July, the day after my first full day at home back from Widji we leave, so there will be laundry en masse. Oh the tan lines. My family will think/realize I'm insane. We are renting two houses on the lake, and I've been told there is a canoe stored at one, so I'll get to keep paddling, which will be good for me to ease off my irrational love for paddling. And hiking too I suppose. I'm excited, Malecek trips are always a good time.
Then, spring break next year, Paris & London for a week! YAY! Katie and I have a little dance, and Brooke occasionally turns around in chem and reminds me. But then I tell her to move her head because I think Mrs. Nordby exploded gummy bears or made a paper clip float or who knows what.
What else is amusing... school is winding down, Mr. Steineman told me he had to apply the "Kate Malecek" theorem in bio the other day. Embarassing. Mrs. Keske dressed up all out 80s for our 80s day. It blew my mind. No seriously, I had to get a bottle of giddy-up 409 and wipe it off the wall. Her hair, her sticker book, her jeans. Oh, and I've been made editor of Editorial Outpost for next year. Whoot.
So today, student of the month breakfast, apple cinnamon scone, Sarah reading my Le Petit Prince story in disgusting franglaispanish. After school Nick and I played tennis and made smoothies. Now my noodles are burning.
Maybe I'll update more when school gets out, but probably not.

Week Of Insanity

Mon, 09 May 2005 01:37:24 GMT

Right. Where to start.
So following my a.p. U.S. History review marathon, I crashed. My mental capacity has been completely overwhelmed. Monday all teachers were bitter and frustrated, it was quite charming. Spent lunch going over a.p. government with Katie Lavigne, Zoey Ryan, Peter Stassen, among others. In the evening was the National Honors Society dinner, and due to my poor spacial reasoning skills, my parents and I sat with Mark and his parents. Talk about clash. Oh well. At the presentation following, I received a very stylish NHS patch. Now the question is, where to put it.
Tuesday was the same I think, I honestly don't remember clearly enough to distinguish Tuesday from Wednesday, except for I don't think I will ever forget sitting in the middle of my bedroom floor at midnight surrounded by piles of books on all sides, and completely horrified. Thursday was rough as a result of staying up so absurdly late, Katie went over Math with me after school and then I went home, sat down with my history things at 5 o'clock, and didn't get up until 11. My dad taped ER for me, for which I am very appreciative.
So Friday was the a.p. U.S. History test. I guess I'm not allowed to talk about it eh? Ha. I thought it was on the whole, not very difficult, but my essays were not stunning. I felt I knew what I was talking about, and isn't the test simply trying to make you prove you know what your U.S. History? We'll see. In July, when I'm off doing far more important things, the results will come. Mrs. Keske brought us cream cheese & bagels to have during the break between sections. She's precious.
As a result of getting past the history exam, the spring seems far more appealing. I went home Friday and made my beloved chocolate cake, and Nick's cake, and watched my ER tape. Above all, I got 8 hours of sleep before my internal clock wouldn't let me sleep longer. It was so lovely.
Piano on Saturday of course. Then prom festivities. If you want pictures, ask for an email with attachments, as I don't have a photo bucket account. I had a lovely time, people watching was incredible, as were all the dresses.
Now it's Mothers' Day, and there'a thunderstorm right overhead. No school tomorrow, so of course I'm leaving all my work for then.

U.S. History Marathon

Mon, 02 May 2005 01:20:19 GMT

To my dismay, when I woke up today it was snowing/sleeting/hailing/raining/windy. Minnesota, May 1, never ceases to surprise and impress me. We currently have a fire going in the fireplace.
So I showered, fed the cat, ate Cheerios and flipped through the recent J. Crew catalog. Mainly, I tried to procrastinate from my American history marathon. Eight hours straight, non-stop U.S. history review. First I did all the Cold War/Truman presidency reading assignments for the week, then I read my first amex notebook from cover to cover and the Chronology in my a.p. U.S. history review book. I still don't feel prepared. It's been an information overload. I stopped at 6, after starting at 10, and have moved on to reading The Poisonwood Bible. Tomorrow is the NHS dinner, which I think I was subconsciously aware of, but I never realized it was at the same time/day as the Widji root-beer float party. Very disappointing.
The week promises to be insane, yet again.

"Don't get me started on Macalester." -Sarah

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 22:59:01 GMT

So Monday and Tuesday were miserable, but we've all survived to see Wednesday, a little drained but still intact. Monday, overwhelming college fair night, was in addition the eve of four, (4) tests for me, and it was only a half day. On Tuesday, after having a test every other period, I went home to reconstruct my Death of a Salesman paper. Still mildly bitter about it. Today was a little more calm, chem test tomorrow, after the week and weekend of endless labs. After school today, my mom had a dentist appointment, and we thought I had one too, simultaneously, but mine is tomorrow. So I wandered around Highland Village, in the SNOW. Went to Starbucks and Barnes & Noble. It was lovely, but why oh why is it snowing. Mom has yoga on Wednesdays, so I should get dinner underway.
To whomever spelled Emily Dickinson wrong the blackboard in French, you've driven me insane, I can't stand to see it in the corner of my eye all period.

Sun, 24 Apr 2005 03:24:05 GMT

Home again on a Saturday night. I continue, have no doubt, to be cool.
Friday didn't feel like a Friday at school. Impending a.p. government tests, math quiz, over dramatized history video, morbid discussion in english, endless chem labs. After school, dined at Chipotle with MG, went and saw "The Interpreter" with the usual crowd. I liked it, being liberal oriented, and projecting the lesson of "maybe diplomacy is the only way."
Up at seven, the Earth Day clean-up at Nokomis started at nine, a Widji group circumnavigated the lake in search of litter. As in discarded articles, not the kitty type. Starbucks provided free but putrid coffee. Neighbors out and about thanked us, and it felt good. It was chilly, windy off the water, but it was still nice to be outside and to catch up with Widji people. Mary says the Trading Post will be making both of the t-shirts we designed and will be offering each at discount to the designers, including me! Oh, Widji, it's only two insane months away.
I've been figuring out my Death of a Salesman paper for several days, and I've settled on a thesis and format. It's going to be five paragraphs, three are done. My thesis is, "As seen in Arthur Miller's, Death of a Salesman, capitalism imposes miserable and inescapable roles on individuals, oppressing aspirations with hopelessness." It's very fun to trash the free market economy, and there is loads of text evidence to support it in the play.
And yes, Nellie, I love West Wing, did we not discuss it on trail?

Mark's magical power to make things awkward strikes again

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:04:44 GMT

Taking a break from repairing the bicycle and doing homework, outside of course, to update. April has been flying by, my homework load has been a little daunting, but above all, the a.p. tests are looming... we had fun with flash cards with Mrs. Keske yesterday, but still. As excited as I am for prom, I have to get through the a.p. U.S. history test first. I only have a.p. government reading and In the Lake of the Woods reading left for tonight, though I did intend to commence The Death of a Salesman paper. We'll see. It's a good thing I can breathe out of my nose again, as I've run out of Alka-Seltzer and tissues.
Mr. Watkins asked me what my Canadian flag patch and my Duluth Pack patch on my backpack were for today. I didn't know where to start, so I think I stared blankly at him for a good 40 seconds before mumbling, "I spend my summers there." I simply couldn't do it justice.
Off to make dinner and read. No West Wing on tonight.

It's a dessert topping! It's a floor wax! It's a dessert topping and a floor wax!

Sat, 16 Apr 2005 03:30:09 GMT

What a lovely week! Thank you for all the birthday remembrances, it was so very nice to feel special for the day. Highlights include Sarah's birthday sign, Allison's hug, Katie's card and treats, sharing cookies with my amex section, talking about NPR with Keske, Jamba Juice, Leo stopping by, Allison stopping by, spicy curry dinner with Nick, birthday cake, gifts, watching ER, Cool Whip.
Tonight Sarah and her lovely family invited me out to dinner! Sarah and I went to Cafe Latte, while her parents and Michael ate across the hall at... I forget the name. We had avocado sandwiches, and split a bowl of ice cream at Grand Olde Creamery, where, - who knew - Mary Pat and Zoey work. Sarah introduced herself to my dress, we went on a twilight walk, and good old talked. Though it's early, I'd be quite content to head to bed now, but I suppose I will wait to call Katie back once she is out of her bubble bath.

J'ai fini. Je ne suis pas sortie. Tout est calme...

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 02:43:21 GMT

Yes, I'm home on a Saturday night. I'm still cool. I have a nice tower of Oreos and a glass of milk here, right next to my amex text and notes. I honestly wasn't in the mood for the proposed social agenda, and since I've been pushing back a load of homework for the weekend because of my irrational need to read my ACT book for and hour and a half each night of the past week in order to sleep, I feel staying home with the books is completely justified.
Oh, the ACT. I can't say I felt a certain feeling in particular when I hauled my sorry self out of bed so early. I may have not been thinking emotionally at all, though it's likely to my benefit as instincts told me to 1. go back to bed, 2. forget college, and 3. burn my ACT and dance around the inferno. I think the Cheerios helped to suppress such urges.
You know, I'm not going to talk about the test sections. It's done now. J'ai fini. Besides, I know it's not worth reading, so I'll save you the trouble of scrolling down.
After, a crowd went to Noodles & Co. for lunch, I had the pesto cavatappi, and it was pleasant. Allison stopped by to introduce herself to my dress, and it was piano time. Mrs. Lee knew I was not in the mood or the right state of mind to be very productive, so we talked about her favorite topic, (college). Oh and then the Mozart thing. Right. The 12 page Mozart thing.
It's truly a relief like nothing else to no longer have the endless lettered bubbles hanging over my head. I'm now, in a mildly disturbing way, looking forward to studying for the a.p. U.S. History and a.p. U.S. Government and Politics exams, because at least the review caters to my own interest. Do I care about how temperature and dew point affect cloud altitude? No. Wait, let me check. Yeah, definitely no.
Now it seems the whole lovely weekend has now commenced and is exceedingly lovely as a result of the ACT being done, done, done.

Wed, 06 Apr 2005 22:54:50 GMT

Hmmm. Anxious for the week to be over, but I certainly don't want it to be Saturday, as the ACT is awaiting to fry my brain.
Finished The Death of a Salesman in English, but still can't figure what it is he sells.
The dress I bought Sunday is indeed gorgeous. When I'm bored, I put it on after school and do my homework wearing it. I refuse to post links to it, mainly because I can't find one, but in addition, isn't it bad luck? Regardless, bursting with excitement to wear it, but no worries, the explosive apprehension has not ripped seams.
Time to try to make the case for the totalitarian states during World War Two. I heard it's a losing battle.
Mary gave me a book today, she wants me to read it. I hope she realizes I will likely not get around do it until summer.
Oh, and vote Hayley Berrisford and Emilie O'Toole for student council co-presidents. You know you should.
Ideas for a lunch contribution on Friday? I'll still participate, though I have to attend the political affairs club's featured speaker for a. p. government. Blast.

A Splendid Day

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 05:39:01 GMT

After being up so very late last night with school work, it was rewarding to have such a splendid day. I turned in my molecule model for chemistry first thing, and I truly never want to see it again. It may be on the verge of completely disassembling, but it is no longer in my control. From there, in a.p. government, it turned out to be okay for me to have not thoroughly read last night's assignment, (and the essay due Monday got moved back for no apparent reason, but I'm not complaining) because our student teacher, (an unusually good one, a law student from the U of M) had a presentation on the fourth amendment and supreme court cases involving it for us. It got me in the mood for our debate in amex. I felt so dumb making my statements in our mock bill simulation, but then people clapped. It passed regardless, mainly because people not on the committee had not read the bill and so voted along party lines, but I was proud of our delegation's effort, despite what Lance may have said. There was not a.p. history review during lunch, but I still had an interesting 5th period. Let's simply say, the date for prom question is officially answered. I'm excited, though not certain what to think or do next. Mary and Katie say dress, dress, dress! We'll be going Sunday, solely for my purposes, but Mary and Katie want to come along? I don't understand exactly why, but I know I need help, so it is very appreciated. We've started Le Petit Prince in French class, and I'm very excited about it. We may have a quiz every day next week, but Monsieur is such a profound teacher, I love it. I have had several pleasant envelopes enter my life recently, such as student of the month for the paper and amex, NHS letters, and Widji groups! Such joy!
After school, Allison called me from work at the dry cleaners and proposed a girl's night out movie date. Always a good idea. Allison, Katie and I went to see Fever Pitch, (based on the book about soccer) but it was about Jimmy Fallon being obsessed with the Red Sox last season. I loved it! Jimmy Fallon was so precious in it. Then we went out for artichoke dip and pita bread. I came home to discover dad, who had come home early from work (completely unheard of) because he felt miserable and had a fever, had escalated to violent stomach flu while I was gone. I tried to tend to him, but he's going to have to ride it out. I hope beyond hope I haven't caught it.
Tomorrow will be a homework & piano Saturday as usual, but I'll be going to Katie's later for a movie marathon, and possibly Panera. We can have the chicken Caesar sandwich again! Sunday will be dress focused, and I should start trying to narrow down my likes and dislikes, or Mary will have my head.

Dad, get off the phone with India

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 02:53:48 GMT

It's simply not my day. Came in early for the newspaper meeting, and I was the only one from my page there. In the process of exchanging my way too big dress for a smaller one, I've been but on a waiting list for my size, and if my name does come up, the dress will be delivered May 6. Back to square one we go. Throughly enjoyed the thunderstorms today, as I was in the mood. It made my practice ACT essay all the more dark to have the desk rumbling and the lights flickering. Dandy. I did buy myself a stupid In Style magazine, because of the experts' inexpensive beauty buy picks. I felt quite shallow, though amused all the same. Fought over the smoking ban in AmEx. In other AmEx news, Mrs. V.-F. had her baby! A boy named after Owen Meany, as in A Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen James. So precious. Went to Brueggers today and got, you guessed, more half price bagels.

I need to use the telephone, but Dad is currently on the phone with his people in India. Not going to ask...