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Name: Michelle
Birthday: 4/22/1986
Interests: God, writing, reading, travel, music, movies, hiking, camping, experiencing life and learning a thing or two along the way
Occupation: Newspaper reporter/photographe
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  Gdart3
Member Since:
3/11/2005
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| Be forewarned — this could be a sappy post.
Saturday marked six months of dating Mitch, and on such an occasion as that, he explored with me where we've been during that time, and before it too. At the beginning of the day, he told me that we would be going places we've been before (six total to mark six months) and places we haven't been before.
I'll list them in chronological order, even though we didn't visit them in that order.
We went to Murphy's Ale House in Chattanooga, where he first had the thought of me on New Year's Eve; his parent's house, where we waltzed in his cozy library — the first time he remembers dancing with me; Pocket Wilderness, where we had our first date (complete with rescuing a Collie and talking to its owner, a doomsday Seventh-day Adventist lady); the Episcopal church in downtown Chattanooga, where he asked me if he could be my boyfriend on Good Friday; Rudd Auditorium on the Bryan College campus, where we first held hands while watching "Annie Get Your Gun;" and finally, my back porch, where I first cried in front of him (rather significant, because I don't cry much).
Oh, and with each place we visited, he gave me a colored picture of a flower with a haiku written on it. When we went to the final destination at Bowertopia (his parent's house), he had a real bouquet of each of the flowers he colored.
As for the places we hadn't gone to, we visited McKay, a used books, CDs and DVDs store, where we bought about 15 cheap CDs each (woohoo!). And we also went to the English tea house place, where we had afternoon tea and finger foods for supper.
So, in sum, Mitch + me + his creative genius and romanticism = best date ever. 
The end.
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On the first day of school in my town
I cover education for my county's newspaper, and every time I set foot in a school to report on new gym bleachers, new principals or assemblies on conservation, I feel like I'm traveling through a time warp back to my school days. I also feel like Josie from Never Been Kissed when I go to the high school, but that's another story.
I took pictures of elementary school kids filing off the bus for their first day of school, and I remember the anxiety and anticipation I felt at the beginning of each year. I would wander down the long gravel road to the highway and wait for Paula, my bus driver, to pull up. I usually had a token friend to sit with near the front of the bus, and I would giggle and doodle and rest my eyes on the 20-minute descent into Watkins Glen, N.Y., a small valley town of only 2,000 people.
The other day, when I covered band kids previewing their half-time show for parents, I remembered how much I liked band geeks. I wasn't one of them — I was more into the art, drama and choir scene, but they were down-to-earth, nerdy type of people, just like the ones I saw the other day.
In visiting those schools, I don't think what I felt was nostalgic. School was hell sometimes, as most children can attest to. It's funny what sticks out to you through the years. Some memories are crystal clear — like when Adam pointed out that I had a big nose in the eighth grade, or when my best friend sent me secret admirer letters out of jealously.
I was a punk at times too. As a second-grader, I get fed up with a boy in my class, so I opened up his applesauce and put it in his lunch box. When he shook it around (as he typically did), the applesauce and his tears went everywhere. I also got feisty with a boy for making fun of my overweight friend. That sure shut him up.
Technology and trends change, but growing up doesn't. Neither does the human experience. I was a crazy little "Christian" kid, trying to save all my friends and family from the fires of hell. I didn't know how to follow Christ then, and I'm still finding my way today. People, ideas, and Scripture challenge me every day. You mean I'm supposed to love my enemy? Does God really send people to hell for eternity? Do I truly live out the 1 Corinthians 13 model for love?
I don't know how to wrap this up, mostly because I don't know what the conclusion is. It seems like whatever I start writing, I end up with God, not on purpose, but it just happens. I suppose God IS the conclusion.
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| I decided not to keep the puppy. I was very tempted to, but it's not the right time for it. However, I had a thought last weekend. My boyfriend's family has a dog that has needed a companion for quite some time, so I suggested that they take her.
Yesterday I drove her up to their place, which is a virtual dog heaven — no leashes, woods, wide open spaces — and Mitch's mom met her ... and fell in love with her instantly. And she gets along great with the older dog, too. So now the little pup has a great home! Hooray! I admit, I was a bit sad waking up today knowing I wouldn't get to play with her every day, but hey, I get to see her grow up, if from a distance. That's good enough for me.
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| If any of you remember some of my previous posts from a while back, I was considering taking a very long road trip out West this summer, after I quit my job and became a proverbial hippie. Well, since I have reason for staying here (i.e. I like my job now, and I am becoming more and more attached to this area for various reasons), I decided against it for the time being.
However, I am still taking a road trip next month to Colorado and Wyoming, more specifically, the Grand Tetons! I'm taking nine days to go out there with my sister, and I can't wait to see the mountains, and bison and whatever else is out there. Well, I actually don't know much about that area, so I was wondering if any of you could suggest must-see places we should go to or places we should probably skip.
The Grand Tetons
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| When I pulled into the driveway on Saturday afternoon, my roommate and her brand-new husband were pulling out in their heavily decorated car after having changed out of their wedding clothes. I waved good-bye to them and stepped into my now-empty apartment. An era of rooming with her has passed, and she and I begin on new paths.
It has been a good year with her. We have changed so much, and much has happened. She got back together with her boyfriend, got engaged and married in that time. I got a boyfriend, which hasn't happened in years, and is the best relationship I've ever been in. We've had many, many talks about both guys.
It's a little lonely now without someone there to talk to every night, but I trust God will provide for what I need. Thus begins another era. Hurrah for my newly married friend and new beginnings! | | |
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