Smile Because it Happened

I am now a college graduate!  It is just starting to sink in, now that I am home and have practically finished unpacking. Despite the heat and being directly under the noon sun, I really enjoyed the graduation ceremony. The speakers were interesting, entertaining, and encouraging, and it was honestly pretty exciting to walk across the stage and receive my diploma! I'm sure most of the people reading this have already seen plenty of photos from graduation on other forms of social media (or were there in person). But I love my parents and this picture too much not to share. I definitely could not have completed my four years at Whitman without the help of my parents! 

Thanks for taking this photo, Lori! 

I think Anne has a point when she says, "I'm always sorry when pleasant things end. Something still pleasanter may come after, but you can never be sure" (Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery). I am sure there will be many more pleasant things in my future, but it sure is hard to see my years at Whitman end. I have been lucky to have such wonderful friends, though. I met Rachel my first day at Whitman on our Food and Hunger S.C.O.R.E (Summer Community OutReach Excursion). I think we both looked at the other and decided we were going to be friends. Every once in a while I think about how different my experience would have been if I hadn't gone on that S.C.O.R.E... I am so glad I did! And if I hadn't been friends with Rachel, I never would have met her lovely section-mates, Marisa, Elizabeth, and Fabiola. And although Elizabeth transferred after sophomore year, she was still a huge part of my Whitman experience! Thank you all! 

Rachel, myself, and Marisa (PC: Lori)

Although I don't know all the pleasant things my future holds, I know it will involve two cats and plenty of homemade ice cream! 

Rhubarb Sorbet made with new KitchenAid ice cream attachment!

Their first photo together! 

17 Years of Education Completed

Yesterday I finished my last final at Whitman, and with that I completed 17 straight years of education. I can't say that I really feel it quite yet, but it is a strange realization that I am done with school, at least for now. 

There have been many bucket list activities being checked off in the last couple weeks. We went to breakfast at the Maple Counter to use our Maple Bucks, Marisa went to the wheat fields for the first time, and Rachel and Marisa went in the fountain today. We had a tea tasting party to try all of the teas Rachel acquired in China and we had lunch at Aloha Sushi (which took a very long time...). We also did some things that weren't on the bucket list, like watch my favorite animated movie, Brother Bear, while eating chocolate fondue! We've tried a couple new recipes, like vegetable tamales and this strawberry risotto: 

And we've found time for walks through the neighborhoods around Whitman. It has been a very productive and eventful last couple of weeks! 

On Saturday, Rachel and I went to Walla Walla's 18th annual Ducky Derby. Every year we have seen the large inflated duck on top of Baker Boyer Bank in downtown Walla Walla, and knew they did a derby (floating little rubber ducks down Mill Creek) but we had never seen it! This year we saw the vendor at the farmer's market, and thought we would ask about it. He gave us the details, and the funds go to a great cause, so we each bought a few ducks! As we waited the two weeks, we talked about how excited we were to see them dump 10,000 ducks out of a dump truck into Mill Creek (this is what was described to us). Can you imagine? How cute would that be?? This all happens at Walla Walla Community College, so last Saturday Rachel and I borrowed a friend's car to see the spectacle. We were told there would be free popcorn and water, so that's always a nice treat, and there was always the possibility of winning one of the 17 prizes (a new car, anyone?), but of course we were both the most excited to see the ducks floating down the creek! However, shortly after we arrived, we learned that because of the low water levels this spring, they would not be floating the ducks down the creek, instead they dumped all the ducks on the lawn, and an off-duty fireman stood in the pile, fishing out ducks. It was so disappointing. 

We were not the only individuals blindsided by this turn of events. There were many disappointed faces in the audience. On top of all that, the free water was salty! Perhaps to make up for running out of popcorn...

Oh well. Although we were very disappointed, it was a nice day to be out, and we got a nice picture with these ducks. 

I would say it's been a good last couple weeks at Whitman! 

In a couple days our families will be here, and we will be getting ready to graduate. I am so glad to have had these two through it all! 

History Is Made

Since my first year at Whitman I have wanted to roll a bowling ball down the ramp by the stairs in Cordiner Hall. I can't explain this desire. A couple weeks ago I acquired the bowling ball (from Goodwill) and tonight history was made! It was every bit as exciting as I anticipated! Mind you, this is probably the most rebellious thing I have ever done. I would guess rolling bowling balls down ramps is not the most common reason to sneak into buildings at night. But then again, there's really no sense in being 'common.'

Hän On

This last weekend was very tiring, yet I found myself awake an hour earlier than normal this morning, so I decided to spend the extra time sharing the events of the weekend with you all. All four years that I have been at Whitman I have participated in the college chorale. It has been a minimal time commitment and an enjoyable experience up until this year. After the school year last June, we heard from our choir director that he would be taking a tenure track position at another institution. I hope him the best, he was a very nice man, and had a positive attitude. Unfortunately, he was incapable (or unwilling) of pushing us to be better. I believe in compliments, but I also believe in tough love. Our new choral director is amazing! She is Finnish, and goofy, and positive, and is a great motivator. I think the most important thing is she can get us excited about making music together. It has been such a treat having her as a director this year. Whitman is so lucky to have snatched her up!

On Saturday night we had our last concert for the year. If you would like to watch all or part of it, this is the link to the archived live stream. (The program is attached.) http://livestream.com/WhitmanCollege/Choral2015Spring/videos/85152826

It is somewhat sad to be done with college choirs, and choral singing for the time being. It has been an important part of my life the past seven years. Ali (pictured below) and I have been in choirs together all seven years.

Last choir concert together! 

And some friends I've met along the way.

The purple crew -- Roses from our lovely director. 

With our devoted friend, Rachel. 

"Yet if we are bold

love strikes away the chains of fear 

from our souls."

~Maya Angelou

Garden Party

Last evening Marisa, Rachel, and I went to a garden party at President George Bridges's home to be honored for donating to the senior class scholarship fund. Having never been to an official garden party, I didn't quite know what to expect, but I figured it would be like the one hosted by Dwight Schrute. 

Unfortunately, no one announced the guests, and there was no closing ceremonies. There was dessert, bread and cheese, and beverages though, and it was a nice evening to be in a garden. Not to mention, there were plenty of awkward speeches! It was all-in-all very entertaining. 

Here is a photo in front of the President's Residence

On Sunday evening we had a slightly less fancy, but equally entertaining. Near the grocery store where we buy our dairy and other animal bi-products, there is a restaurant called "China Buffet," but from where we park, we can only see the word "China." Over the year we've taken to imagining it as a portal to China, so when we made the bucket list, we had to add China Portal. So on Sunday we decided the time had come and we should check it out. The food was quite a bit of a let down, our China expert suggested we would have had closer to authentic food at China Express... However, we did find the portal!

The weather was very nice for a few days, so Zoe and I hung out outside quite a bit! 

Such a lovely day! 

The Final Semester Bucket List

Rachel turned in her thesis on Friday, so we decided it was time to seriously plan for completing all the items on our bucket list. Here's a photo:

Conveniently, one of the fraternities, Tau Kappa Epsilon was hosting their annual "Earth" party this weekend. If there is any good time for us to go to a frat party, this was it! Now, Rachel, Marisa, and myself have all done an excellent job of avoiding most things Greek-life at Whitman, including all fraternity and sorority functions and parties. However, going to a frat party ended up on the list, because we figured it was something we at least needed to see for ourselves.

So as the hours approached, our housemate Laura (a frat party regular), talked us through what to expect, what things would look like, protocol, etc. Laura loves being the mother hen, but her explanations can sometimes get comically exaggerated. This party is particularly interesting because they bring a layer of sod into the basement and hang vines (not sure if they are real or not) from the ceilings and walls. (Earth.)

We didn't really want to go to the party alone, so we planned to meet Laura there, and she would show us how to get into the basement (where the party was). We met Laura and a group of her friends by the bonfire around back. Comically, almost everything Laura told us to prepare for ended up not being true. They routed us through the back entrance, which was contrary to Laura's explanation, there was no large pile of shoes or bouncer telling us to take our shoes off, and we didn't see any group of crying girls. What we did find in the basement was a lot of people, loud music, low ceilings, stuffy air, and a faint smell of grass. Needless to say, we did not last long! But we were able to take a selfie before running away.

We later calculated, that from the time we stepped onto TKE property, until the time we stepped off their property was just about ten minutes. Let me tell you folks, that was plenty. Honestly, the whole experience was a bit underwhelming and very reminiscent of a high school dance. Once was definitely enough!

As a reward for completing this daunting task on the list, we took ourselves out to Shari's for late-night milkshakes. (Something Marisa and I have both done over many years of cast parties--we figured Rachel needed this Northwest experience.)

Rachel and Marisa with their pie-shakes. 

All-in-all, it was a very productive evening.

Celebrate Good Times

I don't have much to say at this point--I've been back at school for one week since spring break, and today marks 7 weeks until graduation. It is a shocking fact! 

This blog is mostly an assortment of photos and updates from the last few weeks. 

Happy St. Patrick's day from Echo!

Trying out my new Kransekake rings; move along, this land is claimed!

Cooking project with dad--homemade gnocchi (covered in parm)!

Last Monday was Rachel's birthday--we love celebrating birthdays!

Zoe was very invested in the cake decorating process. 

Happy 22nd birthday to Rachel! We celebrated with dinner of her choice and
chocolate cake with marionberry frosting and chocolate ganache, which we feasted on the rest of the week! 

Rearranged furniture and Easter decorations! Can you find all the eggs in our living room? 

Spring is a lovely time! 

If they're going to make me sneeze, at least they are pretty! 

House Easter dinner: roasted chicken, asparagus, scalloped potatoes, biscuits, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit salad. 

Egg dying by Marisa--It says my name on it! 

Finished off with a piece of strawberry cake! 

We are all very proud of Marisa for finishing her French senior written exams, and excited for Rachel to turn in her senior thesis at the end of this week!