oooh, look what my mommy left me!

I just finished completely unpacking both my check-in suitcase and my carry-on. I discovered a few 'presents' from my mother dearest. 

1. A (slightly leaky) bag of tumeric
2. A (very leaky) bag of chili powder
3. A (very 'fragrant') bag of sassafras
4. A bag of (very 'fragrant') bag of tarragon
5. A container of Vicks Vapo-Rub with the lid not screwed on tightly
6. A bottle of cocoa-butter lotion with the lid not screwed on tightly
7. A box of (very strong) fabric softener
8. Two fitted sheets
9. Five pairs of stockings
10. A hair-clip that won't quite hold a quarter of my hair up

I found the first seven items by following my nose. For the past few days, I had been wondering why strange smells were coming from my suitcase. Now that I've properly sealed all containers and put the various spices into double plastic bags, I'm almost missing having everything smell like chili powder. Just kidding. And the sassafras was right next to the fabric softener. That was an interesting smell. 

Now that I've gotten to the bottom of the suitcases and everything is sitting on the bed, I'm surprised by the number of shoes I now have (12) and how large the pile of clothing is. I hope it all fits... 

on suitcases and thoroughly convoluted routes

Did I mention that I'm wildly excited about seeing Brynne and Carew TOMORROW? 

I really should be packing, or at least tying neon pink ribbon to the handles of my suitcases so that I can find mine in the sea of black suitcases that is every American airport. I have to point out that I have no such problems in China, because my suitcase is practically the only plain, black suitcase in all of Asia. All the rest have Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty or some other monstrosity on them. 

Oh, and my route tomorrow is thoroughly convoluted. First, I fly from Little Rock, Arkansas to Atlanta, Georgia (not quite in the right direction), then I have the pleasure of watching Pendleton flash by on my way to Portland. Then (of course) I get to go to Pasco, Washington on my way back from Portland to Pendleton. I'm thinking of parachuting out when I get to Pendleton the first time. Seriously. Don't ask me why flying (approximately) 1540 extra miles is cheaper, but it is. Argh. 

Now, I'm going to go pack. Really. 

banana pudding in my brain

Don't expect this to be coherent. I'm wildly excited and still not quite awake. I know, it's 7:05 AM, I should be awake, but I haven't taken my shower yet, so my brain is like banana pudding. I happen to think that banana pudding is nasty. The reason I haven't taken a shower yet is because yesterday when I went to take my shower I found a water-bug that looked like a gigantic prehistoric cockroach playing dead on the floor of my shower stall. I don't like bugs, especially when they're an inch and a half long, have great big flapping wings and make you think they're dead just to hear you scream (yes, I have to admit that I screamed. I'm very ashamed) when they start moving. Eugh. 

My eyes are threatening to close. I really need that shower. There's something miraculous about standing under hot water for ten minutes that turns banana pudding into cinnamon rolls. 

Ciao. 

short & to the point

I (inevitably) spent most of yesterday thinking about the Letter Game. My head has been buzzing with little snippets of dialogue, chunks of plot and half a million potential characters, even though none of them are Violet. 

Oh, I think that yesterday I forgot to mention that Brynne will be posting as Abby, and I will be posting as Violet. And now I'm going to stop talking about the Game, or else I might give something good away. 

So, I went to the Clinton Library yesterday, and it was fantastic. In the museum store, I saw 'I miss Bill' merchandise, and was tempted to buy some of it, but I resisted. I really don't have room in my suitcase, and no one would know what it meant in China anyhow. 

After the museum, Aunt CM and I both had excellent tomato basil soup and mushroom-swiss quiche at the River Market. That's where we're going for breakfast and ooh! shopping (shopping where you say 'ooh!' and never buy anything) this morning. I need to go take my shower. 

bounce. bounce bounce

Good morning! I have exciting (for me) news today! Brynne of The Dragonfly Workshop and I will be playing the Letter Game with each other starting very soon, and we will post all of our letters HERE. 

Also, I will be seeing Brynne (and her brother, Carew) on Monday! And I will be staying with them for TWENTY-FOUR days! 

Now, I am going to go tour the Clinton Library. When I come back, hopefully I will be generously granted administrator access to the Letter Game blog so that I can mess around with it. Brynne and I have decided to handwrite the letters at least while we're together, and we'll type them in after we've read them. So don't be expecting a post on that blog for another few days. But I just had to share the news! 

Note to self: do not eat cinnamon rolls when very excited and then proceed to try and write without using exclamation marks. It doesn't work. 

totally awesome

I actually went to the Mid-America Science Museum with my cousin, Megan. And we had a great time! I have to admit that it was really, really fun to pretend to be eight and run around being excited about everything. Everybody should take some time and pretend they're a completely unselfconscious kid. 

You may (or may not) have noticed some nerdfighter-ly additions to my page, including new links in the 'Favourite Sites' section. This is in celebration of me finishing watching all of the 2007 Brotherhood 2.0 videos. YAY! 

And I'm trying to decide whether or not to continue reading "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card. I'm 50 pages in and not thrilled. I'm not saying that it's a bad book, it's not, but it may just not be my thing. I don't like giving up on books! I think it's sad when I decide I simply don't want to read something. Probably because it implies the book is worse than cereal boxes, various warranties and copyright notices. After all, I read those. 

Mid-American Science Museum

Just a quick note: I'm going to the Mid-American Science Museum in Hot Springs, Arkansas tomorrow. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. I have to admit, I've always had a soft spot for science museums, so I'm really looking forward to MASM.