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FoxHunter04
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Name: Melanie
Birthday: 7/11/1987
Gender: Female
Interests: music, books, zodiacs, poetry, computer, fanfics (reading and writing), Dead Poets Society, Lord of the Rings, Miss Congeniality, Get Fuzzy, CSI...ya know, the usual
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
9/7/2004
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| - You Ain't Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin'
Well golly-gee, folks, I sure have been silent for awhile. I didn't check, but I'm pretty sure it's before I even left for Blue Lake which was so very long ago. So what do I have to say?
Blue Lake
Well, what can I say about good old Blue Lake? What can I ever say about it? I had a blast, though I found myself to be a little bored every once in awhile because it was my third year in the same position...I pretty much have that job down. Not to brag, but it's pretty much catered to my personality anyway, so what's not to get? Anyway, I loved loved LOVED my UD and two other counselors, two others were pretty awesome, and two I just could not work with at all. At. All. They were just...personalities I clashed with and were kind of the type of people who felt that they knew more about being a counselor than me because I'm a UC and they're a CC. What the fuck ever, honey; I could do your job ten times better than you in a second.
But overall it was a great summer; I really helped some kids, I helped out my unit, and I felt like I was (mostly) getting the respect that I deserved. I promised myself that I will not go back next summer as a UC, as much as I love the job and know it's awesome, I'm just bored. If I don't get hired as a UD, I'm not going back, and that's hard to say but I know that I have to commit to that for myself. Who knows if it'll even work out for me to go back this next summer due to having to go into the real world and get a big kid job...we'll see.
Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Republic of China
Well, my first trip out of the country was interesting, to say the least. It was maybe a bad plan to head over for the experience of a lifetime the day after leaving a place that I absolutely love and physically hurts to leave. I cried all evening, I stopped for the car ride to the ferry, then I cried on the ferry, then I cried myself to sleep...then performed in Libertyville and then headed to Taiwan! Good plan.
But Libertyville! Man, okay, this is hilARious. So, I met my band there, whereas they came from Cedar Rapids together, so I was trying to find them when I turn around and BAM! Who's there? Helvie. Turns out he was the host for my band and he played the trumpet in our concert and then conducted 76 Trombones...I had such a good laugh at my life at that moment in time.
Anyway, so the flights were crazy and I hated them because I'm not a flyer with the whole ear things and such, but the experiences were, I guess, worth it. I loved Taipei so much...the people were so nice and welcoming, the food was...interesting...and the history was so amazing.
Hong Kong...not so much a fan. I don't know why, but I think it was mostly the unfriendliness of the people in general. I mean, in Taiwan everyone was always making sure we were doing okay and so willing to help, like when a few of our party got lost someone called our tour guide. In Hong Kong, we were doing everything wrong, it seems...we were constantly getting yelled at, and at that point I was fed up with it.
THEN, the kicker of the trip: China Airlines botched our flight from Hong Kong to Taipei (when we were trying to get home) so made our trip leader pay for 10 new seats, then our flight from Taipei to Los Angeles was late and they gave us an hour and a half to go through customs, get our luggage, check our luggage, go through security, and get to our terminal. Well, we didn't make it. Sooooo, it's around 11:45pm in California and they're like "well, there's one more flight going to Chicago, and if you all check your bags and make it through security by midnight, we can get you on it" and we're like "how the FUCK are we supposed to make that happen?!" so we ended up getting vouchers to McDonald's so we could eat something, because in true American fashion it was the only thing open by, what is now, 1am. So we spent the night on the LAX floor waiting for 4am to roll around so we could check our bags, go through security (where roughly half of our group got "randomly selected" for full-body searches), and then wait in a terminal to get on a flight. Most of us (17 - which was all but 4 of us) got on the first flight out at 6:10am. Guess what? Out of those 17, 15 of us got first class seats. Guess who was one of the lucky 2 who didn't. That's right: yours truly. It was a 2-5-2 plane, and I was in the middle of the 5-seat row. I was so fucking pissed off, especially when the people who had been in first class complained about how their meal (which I would have had to pay for) was terrible or that their warm towels were too warm. WHATEVER, SHUT THE FUCK UP! I was so fed up with life by the time I got back, it wasn't even funny. Oi, it makes me angry just remembering it.
One of my cooperating high school teachers was on the trip with me, and he can be pretty abrasive sometimes, so I was really glad to have a little over a week to get used to dealing with his personality before having to work with him, lol. I guess it's proving to be a crazy thing that we were both there, too, because either of us will reference something from the trip and we'll both just laugh. Which brings me to:
Student Teaching
Wow. I love it. I'm such a nerd for saying this, but I just love being there and working with those kids and those people. I don't know...I get along so well with the two band directors and I find it difficult to see me have wanting to have gone to another school to student teach because their personalities are easy for me to mesh with. Having never marched before, ever, this is quite the experience. I've learned so much in my first six days there already, and school doesn't even start until Tuesday. I'll be working from 7am until 3:30ish, except for Thursdays when I'll go until 9pm because of evening rehearsals. Friday is our first football game where we don't plan on marching any of the show, just playing the opener, ballad, and percussion feature in block formation. I think. It'll be an interesting time for many reasons, but I'm so excited.
So that's my life...it's a crazy roller coaster and I love it...I'm feeling like a mega dork which is always a good sign, lol, and I'm ready to start moving again (I've had since Thursday afternoon off). Man.
Oh, and ya'll might find it humorous that the other two student teachers are convinced that I'm going to hook up with the male teacher I'm working with (who went to Taiwan with me)...when I come home every night they're like "So did he ask you out today?" I think they're crazy, but I guess we'll see. For now they're very wrong, but there's still 7 more weeks. Hahaha. Oh craziness.
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| - Goodbye Mr. A by The Hoosiers
Okay, so first off: I discovered this awesome British band yesterday. "Goodbye Mr. A" was on the British version of the Now That's What I Call Music series (they're on volume like, 69 as compared to our 28 or something). But yeah, so I downloaded that one and really liked it, which was vaguely surprising because the beginning is crazy and kind of creepy, so I got a few of their other things, and they're good, too. I don't know, I'm a fan, haha.
Second off: I told Blue Lake to shove it with their offer. In a nice way. There was just no way I would have been ready to go by tomorrow. Like seriously. And having to take the ferry that my parents are adamant they couldn't afford to pay means I would have gotten a total of $50 for a week of work in my least favorite position on all of camp...hmmm...yeah, I think I made a good choice. I would have loved to be there tomorrow, and maybe that's the roughest part of turning it down, but this next week will fly by and then I'll be there, so it's okay.
Hmmm...anything else? Not really...I'm bored, but it's okay, too. I seriously just have to convince myself that I need to cherish it and not be aggravated by it. I'm just too used to moving all the freaking time that when I don't have to, I get anxious. I like moving...it makes me appreciate weekends more, even though I move for most of them, too.
Oh, and this whole Camp-->Taiwan-->Student Teaching is stressing me out. It's mostly the Taiwan-->Student Teaching part. Coe will have a bus to take us back to Cedar Rapids, which is great...except for the fact that there are a few things (such as my computer and student teaching clothes) that I will not be taking to Taiwan with me that I will need in Cedar Rapids...so I'm just hoping my parents or grandparents will be willing to bring my stuff to wherever we're staying so I can easily just take the free transportation. But if not, I may have to miss the second day of my student teaching (one of my cooperating teachers and I are already missing the first one), which would so not be ideal.
That's about it, I think...I need to start getting to bed earlier and rising earlier to get ready for waking up at, essentially, 5:30am and going to bed at, essentially, 9:30 or 10:30pm. Oh man...
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| - Wish I Didn't Know Now (What I Didn't Know Then)
Ok, let's talk this out. This entry is my trying to figure out whether I should head to Blue Lake early or not...it's pretty much a stream-of-thought thing so I can try and figure this out. Don't feel obligated to read.
So, about an hour ago (already?!) I got a call from good old Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the International Outpost to be specific, saying Heidi (the camp director herself) gave them my name as someone to call to see if I could come in early to look after the international kids while they're here. Guess when I'd have to be there. That's right: Friday. This Friday. Hello short notice!
It's a week early, and I'd get $150 for it...I think is what he said, basically to stay in a cabin with a group of girls at night. That part isn't bad...more money wouldn't hurt, for sure, but what would I do during the day? I'd basically have to get up to take them to breakfast, then I could go back and sleep until lunch, haha. Sounds boring, and isn't that really what I'm doing here anyway, except I don't have to be in uniform? And the food is slightly better?
On the other hand I am just so bored here, and after getting my license I've been thinking "damn, what the fuck do I have to do until I go to camp? Nothing. I should've gone to Colorado" which, I don't think I talked about that...I had an offer to go on a band trip with some Illinois band to Colorado from the 3rd to the 8th, but I didn't know how I was going to get over to them (they're by the Quad Cities) to go, so I said no. Plus it was cutting it close to Blue Lake...I'm kind of kicking myself because it would have been great experience, and it was 100% free, and I'm bored, but am I desperate enough to head to Blue Lake early to make up for it?
I know one of my friends from last summer has already agreed to be a transitions counselor, so I'd have someone to hang out with, but I mean really...a week there feels like 3 weeks. Then I'd have to move into a unit, then switch my bedding to the orientation cabin, then move to my actual unit. That's a lot of times to move my shit around, haha.
Then the question is: how do I get there if I go for Friday? I would be giving up my free ride with my professor and probably have to pay nearly $100 to take the ferry. The plus side is that I wouldn't have to be there until a 5pm meeting, which means I wouldn't have to get up at 4am like last year.
My mom also was going to take me Student Teaching Clothes shopping before I left...and that means we'd have to go some night this week, which isn't convenient, but I need those clothes before I leave, because I am sadly understocked on those clothes. I mean, I could make it for a bit, but I'd rather have them before I go.
And am I really ready to pack and go? I know I would love being there, like right now, but I'm worried about being bored and sucking as a cabin counselor...it's just something I've never gotten much practice at, lol. He said he was asking a few people, so it's not like they're counting on me, because we all know what the answer would be if I knew he was...gah!
Logically I know some parts of going early and doing this are ridiculous and silly...like, I still have to go shopping for essentials like shampoo and stuff...but it's Monday, and Steve is out of work, so it could happen. Then emotionally I know all of Blue Lake is pretty ridiculous and I just can't wait to get there. I want to be there, but there's a few technicalities I'll have to talk to my parents about.
Wasn't my plan good enough? Why do they have to throw a rock in the spoke? I was all set to go on the 12th, I told them yesterday I'd be there that day...and now this.
This really didn't help at all, did it? I'm still confused. I called Tamara, my first year Unit Director who is at Blue Lake as we speak (figuratively), to talk it out because I know she can help me make a logical decision, but she's obviously busy all day, so I'll have to wait a bit to hear from her. I have to figure this out quickly because if I do want to do it, I have to grab it.
The real big question is: will I regret it if I don't do it? Or, more importantly, will I regret it if I do?
Right now I just don't know.
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| Every Light in the House is On by Trace Adkins
Okay, so, a momentous occasion truly occurred today...like...wow. Big.
Today, my dears, I finally got my driver's license. I can legally drive. Scary. So much for the jokes my family liked making about my 13 year old sister getting her license before me.  take that, suckers! I got every question right on the written portion except for the labeling of a no-u-turn sign, because I didn't even see that I hadn't given it a number yet. I was pissed, but whatever. Then the driving portion I didn't get any points off what-so-ever, and apparently the lady I went on the drive with is a total hard-ass and failed like 10 people already that day (and I took my test at 2pm)...but whatever I did, she was just like "oh, perfect" and I was like "that's right".
So that's really exciting. Although my license expires in just over 4 months...that sucks. I mean, since I turn 21 in a little over a month (woah...) and it expires three months after your birthday, but I have to transfer it over to an Iowa license anyway since that's where I'll be working for the next who-knows-how-long. So why now, you may be asking? Well, because as I've already stated many times, it is time for me to student teach, and for that, I need to be able to get my own ass around.
And Fatty and I got off-campus for next year, so I'll be living in a house or apartment, working at a school, driving myself around, taking care of myself, paying bills...it's super crazy. This is my life falling in place again. This is what I work towards; this is why I work so hard all the freaking time: to feel so content with my life and its path. I couldn't be happier to have dedicated myself to the teaching of music. I mean, yeah, there's still the nagging fear in the back of my head that I'm gonna fall flat on my face once I'm out there, but I wouldn't do anything else.
Looking back on it, on who I was before college, I can't even comprehend how I evolved from that. I mean, I've always been happy with who I was, who I have been, and that hasn't changed...it's just seeing the immense difference that is shocking. Sundell wasn't wrong when, in high school, he told me that I might not have what it takes to be a music teacher. I hated him for that at the time, but he was totally right. It was within me, but it wasn't the me at the moment, and sometime when I entered college I totally remodeled myself and became what I needed to become to be a successful teacher.
I went from being the student who faked sick every day to the student who would rather die sitting in a chair than miss a class.
I went from being the student who was unmotivated to do any school work to the student who had no qualms about staying in on weekends to work on papers and homework.
I went from being unable to control myself when I became frustrated with an endeavor to being able to reign myself back in to get what needed to be done now.
And the truly funny and slightly fantastic thing about it? I don't remember it happening. It was unconscious and wasn't until I looked back that I realized how much, and how drastically, I have changed.
I enjoy who I am, and I think the changes have been for the better. I'm still the dorky nerd who can't sit through The Fellowship of the Ring without quoting at least half of it and STILL cries every time Boromir dies and Sam chases after Frodo and nearly drowns. That person still wants to come out and play every once in awhile (okay...like a lot...), but the difference is that now I can control that part and be a professional when needed. And to be honest, I'm just really proud of myself, which is saying something.
I've got a good career path in front of me that I know I will love.
I've got a DRIVER'S LICENSE so I can really be independent.
I will have a car come August (my Grandpa is absolutely beyond amazing and is buying me one while I'm at Blue Lake/in Taiwan).
I've got multiple teachers who will pretty much get me any job that I really want (as long as they deem it appropriate for me).
Now all I need is the person of my life and I'm set to be settled in life. Haha.
I feel like I go on about these things a lot, but if you had told me in Jr. High or High School that my life would turn out like this, that I would be this person, a person that not only I am proud of, but my family is as well...I never would have believed you. I honestly thought I was going to work in a cubicle my whole life, just because I knew I could handle doing it.
Life's a crazy thing, and it takes you through so many curves and dips and peaks like a roller coaster, and some people fall off. A lot of my family has fallen off, which is why I half expected it from myself. No one in my immediate family (disregarding my step-dad), has gotten it right on the first try, has ever known what they wanted to do without a doubt and actually went for it. Some times I wonder how I turned out this way, with so many marks against me...and part of me doesn't ever want to know.
And now, some stupid shit, one of which I don't quite understand, but it looked interesting.
1. I've come to realize that my first kiss...was ridiculous, but somehow should have clued me in to how the rest of the kisses in my life would go.
2. I am listening to...Indian Outlaw by Tim McGraw
3. I talk...a lot; I tend to ramble. About nothing.
4. I love...when things fall into place.
5. My best friend...is actually at least three people. (One for school, two for home).
6. My car is...not mine yet.
7. My life is...gonna be okay.
8. I hate it when people ask...stupid questions, especially when they've asked it before.
9. Love is...essential.
10. Marriage is...something I wish to go through at some point...hopefully only once.
11. Somewhere, someone is thinking..."I'm hungry."
12. This weekend...will be crazy with a bunch of family thanks to my cousin graduating from High School.
13. I have a secret crush...on too many people, haha.
14. I can't...stop moving.
15. My cell phone...is always on. Except when it's off to charge.
16. When I wake up in the morning...I wish I could sleep longer, but get out of bed anyway.
17. Before I go to bed I...listen to my iPod.
18. Right now I am thinking about...Blue Lake and how close June 12th really is.
19. Babies are...adorable. But trouble.
20. I get on Facebook...about a million times a day.
21. Today I...achieved something I've been thinking about doing for 4 years.
22. Tonight I will...pass out. Hard core.
23. Tomorrow I will...get up in time to watch A Haunting and eat some pizza rolls.
24. I really want to be...strolling down memory lane with old, semi-lost friends that I don't get to see ever anymore.
25. My heart is...fine.
26. My friends are...just as ridiculous as me, which is why we get along.
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1. If you're being extremely quiet, what does it mean?
Either I'm lost in my thoughts, I'm tired, or I have a chancre sore.
2. If someone hit you, what would you do?
If it's in fun, I'd hit back; if it's not in fun, I'd walk away.
3. Do you still have feelings for your ex?
Psh. Yeah. But which one?
6. Last time you laughed?
Some time today.
7. Has anyone told you they missed you lately?
Yes, Blue Lake people.
8. Are you wearing any clothes that don't belong to you?
Right now? No. Do I ever? No. Not now I'm single.
9. Would you ever date your best friend?
Been there. Done that. But did it really count? Probably not, haha.
10. Have you ever received sexy pictures from someone?
Yeah, no.
11. Do you regret anything from your past?
There are people who don't?
12. If you could seek revenge on someone, would you?
No.
13. How do you react when people cry around you?
I give them a hug (if I know it won't make it worse) and try to make them feel better.
14. Do you bump into someone's arm if you want to hold their hand?
I never have...I just grab the hand, haha.
15. Last argument?
I don't even know.
16. Last diet?
Oh, like never.
17. Like yourself?
I can live with myself from day to day, and can foresee continuing to do so for a very long time to come.
[Where are 18-20?]
21. Do you know how to belly dance?
Jackie and I got a lesson once from Yasamin's family...I was a failure at it.
22. Are you in college?
Yeah, and doesn't my credit feel it?
[And 23 and 24?]
25. Last nap?
Tuesday, after my doctor's appointment.
26. Do you own a planner?
Yeah, two of them. I took them from my work (with permission)...never really used them. Sorry Barb and Jason!
27. Favorite month?
June.
28. Would your parents be mad if you got pregnant?
That'd be hypocritical wouldn't it? They may be disappointed if I got pregnant right now because of my future, but they would give me all the support I would need.
29.Would they make you get an abortion?
They wouldn't make that decision for me. No one will make that decision for me, I don't care if they contributed to it, I would have my say.
31. What are you doing Saturday?
Hopefully going to my cousin's graduation (if it's outdoor's I will, if not we don't have enough tickets). Laaaaame. Then I'll be hanging with the fam.
32. Sweetest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Dear god...I don't know...I don't wanna say.
33. Friend most like you?
Melissa, without a doubt...Fatty and I are kind of the same person. It was our birthday today! That's how much we're the same person: we have a birthday, lol.
34. Kiss on the first date?
Love to.
35. Still make snowmen?
I've never been able to do them, really, but I still try.
36. Favorite color?
Darker blue or orange. But not together, what do I look like? An Illini? Psh.
37. Where and who gave you this quiz?
Laura posted it on Facebook. I took it here.
38. Excited for anything?
Going to Blue Lake.
39. Ever kissed two or more people in one night?
I like kissing...what?
40. What's the best trick you learned with a yo-yo?
I can't do tricks.
41. Weirdest game you played as a kid?
Hide and Go Seek Peek. It's hide and seek in the dark basement.
42. Last time you were confused?
I'm confused too often to really keep track anymore.
43. Last time you smiled?
Tonight sometime.
44. If you could cuddle with anyone right now, who would you pick?
Ha, I'm not saying that one, either.
45. Have you ever done something behind your best friend's back and never
told them?
That was any consequence to them? I don't think so, but maybe I'm just not thinking of the right things.
47. Rent a movie or go to movies?
Either.
48. Been to Mexico?
So far I've never been anywhere out of the US. But not come August!
49. Own a gun?
No, but my dad and step-mom each do.
50. Happy with life?
Yes.
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| So one of my campers from last summer sent this to me, and I'm bored, so why not?
Hobby for at least 5 years: Writing.
Sibling(s): One older sister and two little half sisters. All of them are awesome at some points.
Pet(s): Two dogs and two cats.
Middle Name: Jeanne.
Languages you speak: English and Gibberish.
Biggest Fear(s): Failure, heights, and big dark places.
Comedy or Romance?: Romantic Comedy.
Favorite Book: I can't choose...but pretty much any David Sedaris, Dean Koontz, or Christopher Moore books.
Favorite Movie: Don't even start me, lol.
Favorite Store: A music or movie store. Or a store with pens.
Spongebob or Patrick?: Um...I'd rather shoot myself in the foot before I had to answer that question. They're both retarded.
Favorite Musician: Depends on my mood.
Reality or Cartoons?: Reality...I'm a reality TV glutton.
Color of bedroom walls: White at both places.
Texting or Calling?: Calling
Favorite season: Spring
Favorite Holiday: Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Favorite TV show: CSI, House, and any bad reality TV show.
Favorite Song: Can't choose here, either...it changes from minute to minute.
Best Friend: home (Illinois) - David and Jackie. School - Fatty, Amy, and Chelsea...but mostly the first one because we're the same person. Kind of literally.
Favorite Place to be: some place in which I feel I can contribute and stay busy.
Absolute Favorite Color: A darker blue...though orange is becoming increasingly appealing for some reason.
That was a slightly disappointing survey thing...kind of boring...oh well. I want to get to Blue Lake to have something to do again, but then again, just thinking about my schedule this summer makes me tired, lol. I'm crazy, and the rest of my life is going to be crazy busy and I'm going to love it. Maybe not every minute of it, and maybe not most of the first year or two out of school, but most of it after that I will.
The end...I have a lot more I wanted to say but I just am too lazy, and it'd just be rambling anyway, lol, so I'll spare you.
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