Weekly Update

What can I say - I'm a busy woman! Rather than posting this week, I got a few things done (of varying levels of importance).

• Voted for the first time in Maryland.
• Was pleased to see gas prices are down even more.
• Had to buy another carton of orange juice because I drank it so quickly.
• Actually graded some tests.
• Went to the gym and took an aerobics class. I plan to return, once I can walk again.
• Created a "Wicked" playlist on iMeem.
• Slumped into and rebounded from (I hope) a little inexplicable gloominess.
• Realized I can see a professional "Nutcracker" performance this year. Anyone want to come with me to see the Joffrey Ballet at the Kennedy Center? Tickets are $55 and up.
• LOVED this week's episode of The Office. I think it's been a pretty good season so far.
• Discovered that bullet points are a good means for quick updates and may post more often in the future.

Post Gratia Posting

In order to avoid the stack-of-tests-to-be-graded, I have been organizing every other aspect of my life. I have balanced my checkbook, gone grocery shopping, cleaned my room, washed clothes, cooked, washed dishes, and probably something else that I'm forgetting. Now, I will update my blog. I hope you all appreciate the work I am sacrificing to make this happen.

• I love orange juice. I never liked it when I was little. If given a choice between apple juice and orange juice I would always pick apple. I thought it was sweeter and yummier. I also don't really like the way orange juice tastes with other foods. But now I think there is nothing better than a glass of high-quality, high-pulp orange juice when I'm thirsty.
• I have also started to enjoy tea. When I was little we always had herbal tea, which pretty much tastes like water with a fruity smell. But real tea - mmm, so good! Laura is lending me her electric kettle that we used to use at Hillsdale and it's taking me back.
• The church I went to this morning (and have visited twice previously - I think it's winning the best church contest) has a five minute sharing of the peace. It's like social hour in the middle of the service. It's kind of neat. Instead of just greeting the people within reach, you get to see just about everyone.
• The service was contemporary, since I didn't wake up early enough for the "heritage" service. And it wasn't terrible. However, I was sad I didn't get to sing "For All the Saints" and other such wonderful All Saints Day hymns. That church has a great organ.
• Speaking of organs, the reason I didn't wake up in time for the 8:30 traditional service (despite getting back that extra hour of sleep) was because of the Naval Academy's Halloween Organ Concert the night before. Laura and I went with several of our tenth grade students (as their guest) and had a great time. The program was a little bizarre but amazingly spectacular and very fun. It ranged from the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor to "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast to a tribute to fallen soldiers set to Barber's Adagio for Strings. And best of all, it opened with this. Even though the caliber of the singing is...well...the best you could expect from midshipmen at the Naval Academy, just imagine being in a huge chapel with the live organ music and soaring ceilings and balconies and spotlights. So neat.

Thanks for reading the worst-written post in the history of this blog!