Karla: Learning

Well thanks all for your prayers! My grandpa successfully made it through both of his surgeries...to his surprise. He is doing well for his circumstances and now we just have to make him believe he is doing well. :) Doctors are talking about discharging him by the end of the week!

Interviews, probably one of the most nerve racking things unless you are a compulsive liar. How do you know what to say that will get you the job or the scholarship? It is a time when one really has to be themselves, but being oneself may not be good enough. Who is to say that what all you have worked towards the last 4 years isn't enough to satisfy their needs? All that for nothing...why bother? Well it just goes to show that one has to persevere, be humble, and learn from their failures.

This can also be applied to many things here in Ubuntu. Time after time I have failed to get my time in for blogging or doing my weekly chore. Here's my bloggin' time and at some point I need to step up to the plate and really get into this cleaning business. I may get so good at it that I should quit my day job of going to school and just clean...I'll tell you what...that boy's floor could really use a girls' touch! I know I have not done as well some weeks as I should have and that I am not the best cleaner, but I can get better. With that said I better get sweeping!

Karla: Loving Community

It seems as though I too have been forgetting to blog...you aren't the only one Ethan! So as I sit here and think what I should write about, all I can think of is what a great support this community is. Last semester I was not around very much because it was my fiancé’s last few months of living within driving distance. As of now he is living 8 hours away in Catasauqua, PA and beginning our new life out there. I thought this semester might be pretty dull and lonesome, but in fact this is not the case. I have created so many memories within this last week alone that have either made me blush like crazy or laugh for a LONG time. One such incident was when I modeled Andie's skirt for under her wedding dress. I decided it would be fun to try on this skirt that made me 4 feet in diameter with my new kicks...some pretty sweet Air Force 1's...haha. So I showed some of the girls and they ooo'd and aw'd at my ensemble and then we noticed that it was completely see through and Andie should note NOT to wear striped underwear under her wedding dress. So then I continued my modeling career into the kitchen where Jennifer and Jason were preparing some food. The girls followed me in and told me to show them the best part (they were thinking about the shoes) but without thinking, I turned around and stuck my butt out...seconds later I realized what I had just showed Jason and I ran out with a cherry red face. I still can't believe that one....
Later that night, I wanted to let my roommate Kristen relive the event. SO, I went and put that skirt back on. Well when I finally took it off again, everyone was to bed. I decided it wasn't worth putting my pants back on to walk through the hall when Devon (Kristen's fiancé’s) came through with Kristen's laundry. Let's just say that I am lucky that skirt was big enough to hide behind! Good times. I hope this entry can make people smile, 'cause I am still laughing about it!

On a serious note...my Grandpa Stuckey is having major surgeries tomorrow morning. The doctors will start with clearing out his carotid artery followed by at least a double bypass if all goes well. Pray for the doctors as they do their work and pray for peace of mind as we await the doctor's news. I got to talk to my grandpa today. He said "I'll see you later!" I am praying so... about 5 years ago he had complications with a colonoscopy where he had a great amount of internal bleeding. It is a miracle he is alive today. I am grateful for the time I have had with him...I am praying I get some more.
Karla

Karla: A great place to live

I feel as if my life right now is speeding by, but at the same time I feel as if I am not getting anything accomplished. I hate that everything is so planned out for me. I have written all school assignments, FCSA activities, marriage counseling, and volunteering in my planner. What's left for Karla time? And for that matter what's left for time to be in community with people? Its things like this that make me wish time would stand still while I finish up a few projects so I can press play when I have less to do and plan. Shouldn't life be more spontaneous? I guess I am not really the spontaneous type, but a little more freedom would be GREAT!
I've heard, as we get older more things keep piling up. Why would anyone want to grow up? But its these new responsibilities and groups that you join that make life exciting. Ubuntu has opened my eyes to the greatness of community living. There are so many opportunities to sit down and enjoy a rather deep conversation with people my age as they try to solve life's problems as they come our way (I'm more of a listener). Balancing school work and friends is something that doesn't come easily for me. It's nice that there is usually someone around for me to talk with when I need a break from studying. I am seriously thankful for the community I am living in.

Karla: What did I get my self into?

It seems as though EVERYONE but me is used to the idea of living simply and community based. So are within the past 2 weeks I have been challenged in ways I did not expect. I think the issue here is time. Last week I didn't have much time to eat lunch and get to class. I got some enchiladas my mom had made out of the freezer and tried to warm them up in the microwave. It didn't work. Why? Because it wasn't plugged in. Who doesn't keep that plugged in! I was a little upset and asked why in the world we don't keep it plugged in and Kristen answered "because it still pulls energy even when you aren't using it." Well, at least I know for next time that a.) I need to plug in the microwave and b.) because it wasn't plugged in I may have saved 1 kw of energy (eyes rolling). This is going to take some getting used to.