The Great American Pastime

On Wednesday I went to see a Red Sox vs. White Sox ballgame. 'Twas a fabulous evening. So fantabulous that I very nearly became a Chicago White Sox Fan...I was almost seduced by Cellular Field. I love that place. As we passed the tailgaters and found our seats, it was hard to not be a White Sox fan. It's not fancy there, but the baseball experience is so great. I saw a marriage proposal and I saw a drunk hippy get bounced...what could be better than that? Even so, I will forever and always be a Red Sox fan. My Boston buddies got the first two runs on the board after just a few minutes...and I was reassured in my Boston fan identity.
We had such a great time. I had my aviator sunglasses (way to big for my face, but I love them all the same), denim shorts and puma jacket. I love a baseball game. All eight of us Nelsons were there, plus a few of my parents' friends. Mr. & Mrs. Helwig, who have graciously hosted us during our Chicago vacations over the years...and Gordon Edes, a family friend whose visits to Maine have always been greatly welcomed. Being with fun people in a fun place is just so fun. I don't know what else to say. Dad treated each of us kids to one snack...and Genet treated Peter, Michael and I to some curly fries. Not her original intention when paying $4.50 for them...but she was okay with it. I think. Or maybe not. Hey, that's what older siblings are for. After all, Peter & Michael took half of my ice cream cone by brute force, so I deserved some recompense. Peter and Michael don't have any excuses for their pilfering ways.
Boston won. Duh.

At least one of us is excited.

I Scream, You Scream...

...We all scream for ice cream! 
I really, really need to get in shape. The post below was originally all about getting in shape...but then it would be about failure. And I can't have that! So the synopsis has evolved to include my passion for ice cream, yesterday's HSU field trip and a little regret that I really am not in shape:
I've been eating more healthfully lately...er, trying to. If you disregard the ice cream I've inhaled every day since Friday. Ice cream with Rebecca on Friday, cold stone with Catherine&Elizabeth on Saturday, ice cream with Peter&Megan on Sunday, and ice cream at Brain Freeze with my HSU buddies on Monday. Life is good. Dairy is healthful, right? But even with my great attention to calcium, I'm still far out of shape. I was so sore yesterday after walking. How pathetic is that? Very, very pathetic, according to my mother. HSU went to evangelize at the Elmhurst campus, so we were walking around out there for a few hours. Those college kids are bummed to still be in school (Wheaton and most other colleges are ghost towns, by now), and way stressed about finals this week. Well, the results of our little outreach were a fab sunburn, feeling like I had just climbed Katahdin, and...a lot of fun! I wasn't sure what to expect when street witnessing in a big group, but it worked really well. The 15 (i think) of us broke into groups of 2-4, plus an adult leader. Michelle, Emily and I are each outgoing. Mrs. Wagner definitely is. So we had a great time handing out melting snickers and prayers. Our group was pretty well received. Only one girl walked hurriedly by without stopping to talk...lol. We didn't get into any deep discussions with anyone; that wasn't really our intention. We just had lots of minute-long, friendly encounters with the students. It was also encouraging to run into the something-somethings-for-Christ, who were also offering candy&encouragement! And the close call with heatstroke (it was a beautiful day but super hot) was worth it when we walked into Brain Freeze. If the air conitioning wasn't enough, they had frozen desserts too! Yum yum yum. Some of us got Italian Ice, some of us left to find frozen yogurt, and some of us refrained entirely from the sugar and fat. Not me! I went up to that counter like a boss and (with major alacrity) ordered the kiddie size cappuchino chip. My poor friends then had to listen to me rave and shout to the heavens about the tastinesss of my ice cream cone. <3

Ponies and Polka Dots

HSU (Homeschool University...meets on mon&thurs out in the burbs) hosted a formal this past Saturday. Well, a semi-formal. When the formal was announced as an event requiring floor-length gowns, nobody wanted any part of it. Consequently, the spring formal gradually grew less formal...once the committee said spring dresses were a-okay, people started signing up. No way was I going to pay upwards of fifty dollars for a bogus, satin, frilly dress. Sorry! Obviously, formals and proms aren't really my thing. I agreed to go because a couple of my friends had organized it...and I was told there would be a chocolate fountain. The chocolate fountain was a hoax, but I had a lot of fun anyways. Way more fun than I expected, being so far out of my element. See, I don't dance. I look ridiculous when I dance. But, I did dance on Saturday night. I may have looked like a dork, but...oh well. I felt like the dancing queen for a few hours, even if everyone was secretly laughing at me. Yay for the semi-formal, and great thanks to my mom and dad for taking the bill. Kudos to Jenna for setting it all up!

The Rec Room

I love our (new) basement. In the Bangor Box, our basement was a slab of cement that sometimes doubled as a pond. Here in Berwyn, our new basement includes Jojo's bedroom, a bathroom, a laundry room, and the rec room. The rec room is partly carpeted, and partly linoleum. The carpeted part is where it's at. We got our tv and dvd player, our wii, all our board games...and our new couch!!! It's sooo nice. It's so comfy and cool down there in the summer, too. Time to come and chill, guys!

I'm not actually talking on the phone or playing wii...just trying to look occupied.

Anthem Lights Appreciation Day

May 17 is Anthem Lights Appreciation Day. Becca and I have declared it so, and so it shall be.

Best. Translation. Ever.

"Don't they know anything, all these impostors? Don't they know they can't get away with this— Treating people like a fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray?" (Psalm 14:4 MSG)
Hahaha this is why I love the message.

Summertime

It's finally summer!!! Well, not according to the calendar, but what do they know? I'm just so excited. This summer is going to be so memorable. I'm sure of it. I'm ready to go, go, go. Time to live!

The ultimate, totally chill summertime outfit. My neon green shorts and I will see you at the ballpark.

Fortune Cookies and Prophecy

I'm always complaining to God about how I never have anything supernatural happen to me and why, why, WHY can't He just do something undeniably cool for me.
No more whining here.
Every Sunday, after church, I've been going to a class called Firestarters. This class is all about igniting a fire of hope and joy in others. At first I only went because they serve lunch...haha...and because my friend Lonyee goes. But I totally love it now! A few sundays ago (it took me a few weeks to decide to share this), they served Chinese food. It was delish. I took a fortune cookie, because I always do. Obviously I don't put any stock in those, but I read the fortune to Lonyee and plopped the rest on my disposable plate...I don't even eat the cookie (I'm a wasteful wretch, and I'm sorry). Every week a couple people are highlighted to stand up and receive encouragement/prophecy from everyone else. This particular week, I was one of those people. I stood up awkwardly, and tried to stay as small as I could in my nearly 5'10" body surrounded by seated people. I like to be encouraged as much as the next person, but I don't always like to be in the spotlight. I'm not going to tell you everything said, but it was fabulous. I will say that about five different people mentioned my height, exhorting me to stand tall. That common thread was cool. The last prophecy given to me was from one of the leaders, and she said "you are an obstacle jumper". She jumped over an imaginary wall in the middle of the room to demonstrate. I was like....OMG. Are you legit right now. My fortune cookie said, "you will overcome obstacles".
You might pass that off as a coincidence. Whatever. You weren't there. You aren't me. You didn't, in that moment, feel Jesus giving you a hug. Well, I did.
Oh!
By the way, the Chinese word on my fortune cookie was the word for "tall".
Hahaha thanks, God.

A Mother's Day in Chicago

Happy Mother's Day (a day late)!!!

I'm blessed with a phenomenal mom.

Well, last Mother's Day we were in Lincolnville, Maine. At the Lobster Pound (tradition)...but not actually eating lobster. They have the best rolls there. I thought Mother's Day in Illinois would be warmer than in Maine...I was mistaken. At least all six kids were able to celebrate with Ma this year. Last year we stopped to take pictures with moose and black bear statues. This year, being in Chinatown, we posed with all the animals represented in the Chinese calendar.

Dude. If you ever go to Phoenix in Chinatown for Dim Sum, try their sesame balls. So. Good.

After dinner, we (all eight of us smooshed in the minivan, mind you) toured around downtown. I took lots of pictures, so I was mostly happy to ignore the belt buckle stuck in my back. However, Genet's best moment during that little drive was when we stopped in front of a store playing a cartoon inside. Her frown turned upside down. Then a bus pulled up next to us, blocking her view completely. :( tough.

The night came to a close with a great Tom Cruise movie (accompanied by ice cream, of course). Jack Reacher! I think mom liked it...although the guy trying to bite off his own thumb may have rubbed her the wrong way.

My wonderful mom and me.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Aunt Nancy and Bob are back! Yesterday, we took a tour of Frank Lloyd Wrights' work in Oak Park. Frank Lloyd Wright was definitely one of the great American architects of the 20th century. He was a midwesterner, so the prairie influenced his designs: "the prairie has a beauty of its own and we should recognize and accentuate this natural beauty, its quiet level. Hence, gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet sky lines, suppressed heavy-set chimneys and sheltering overhangs, low terraces and out-reaching walls sequestering private gardens." He and his buddies practically reinvented american residential architecture. His houses really look as if he thought of everything...maybe because he was also into interior design. I'd love to see the inside of one of these multi-million dollar places, but ours was a self-given tour (free) so it basically involved a map of his houses, the cold wind, and sketchily peeking into windows.

Torah & Sarai

When I blog, I write about what's on my mind. I don't divulge every random thought and person coursing through my brain...that would be a little weird...but yesterday I was eating some concoction (a heavenly mixture of peanut butter, oatmeal, honey, and chocolate chips...give or take a few ingredients) and thinking of my friend Victoria. Actually, she's really more like a sister. I decided to feature her (and her blog, too, you should go check it out) on Scintillate.

Cray Hair

Our family (including Kodiak) has a history of some crazy hairdos. Genet would like me to add this to the mix:

The Best of Bucky

Michael has been whining. Even more than usual. He wants me to exhibit all of the great photos I've taken of him, since I haven't posted any lately. Fine. Get ready for a disgustingly obsequious photo gallery featuring my 24 year old brother.

Michael the almost bald baby.

Nueva Amigas

Well, after ode on friday i went to chill with some friends at the Friederichs' house. I realized today that the occasion marked the first time I've gone to a friend's place (not including as a family) since we moved. And they've already decided to install a doorbell just for me. How awesome is that?! Lol! My friends Elie and Priscila from Little Village even taught me to dance cumbia and bachata. Hooray!

Emma, Emily, Elie and Priscila

Dory

Most of my midwest friends know Dory, considering Dory is a new friend herself. For those of you who don't have a clue, let me enlighten you. Dory is my bright blue slurpy cup (not a water bottle). Though born in China, she is of Serbian nationality. Hence her coolness. She's allergic to cats and animal crackers. I am very okay with that. She can be a real goof; she likes to photobomb perfectly good pictures. How did she come to be my new bff? Well...
Genet is notoriously klutzy. It's the truth. Ask her about "the video" which I haven't submitted to AFV yet, and you'll see some proof. Anyone who's gotten close enough to her knows she just...has trouble with her balance. Unfortunately, Dory's predecessor got a little too close. Upon impact with the driveway pavement my first slurpy cup was injured beyond repair.
After my tears had dried (which took several months), Dory and I found each other. Both of us being raw from heartbreak (her story is not mine to tell), she and I were obviously destined for each other.
We go everywhere together now.

BROWNIES.

"What is your first reaction when you hear the words "bake sale"?
"Lemon squares."
Wrong.
"Blueberry pie."
Yeah right, more like silent auction.
"Whoopie pies."
Maybe.
"BROWNIES."
Most likely.

Evolution of the Phone

I have had four very different phones. Soon to become five, if my brilliant plan takes effect, but that is for a post of the future. Some of you may remember my first cellphone. T'was a silver hunky chunky flip phone, sporting a trendy antenna and a .0000001 megapixel camera. But hey. Everyone should experience some flip phone action so they can fully appreciate the slide phone or (gasp) the smartphone. After two long years, my contract was up and i got my LG cosmos 2. I loved that phone. I never complained about it. It was a basic slide phone and I was perfectly content with it. Then tragedy struck. My beloved phone....died. With no warning! It just *pffft* died (not sure what sort of sound pffft makes but its not pleasant). My siblings think my phone's death was somehow the effect of being dropped several times...they're wrong. No relation. That's the "post ergo propter hoc" logic fallacy, right there (mrs winters! 8th grade logic/debate has payed off! Red herring!) Anyways, regardless of how this misfortune befell me, I had to reactivate my mom's old flip phone. Back to square one. Good grief. At least this escapade thing didn't have an antenna. That would really take a toll on my playground cred. But still. Y'all probably recognize this: "-sent from Sarah's dork phone-". I missed the sound of the sliding qwerty keyboard. My friends made fun of me. Yeah, you know who you are. But, about a week ago something revolutionary dawned on me. Dude! I can buy a used slide phone on amazon for like thirty bones. What?! Why have I been living like this?! Soooo....tada! Hallelujah! On my way back to well over a thousand txts per month!
My friends are starting to think I have a real fascination with blue...wherever I go I take Dory and Sammi the Samsung.
Yes, I totally just named my phone.
Meet my new (to me) Samsung Intensity II.

First phone, Fav phone, Dork phone, New phone.

Postscript:

If you aren't acquainted with Dory...first of all, know that Finding Dory is a real movie. Maybe. I'm still not exactly sure. Secondly, Dory is featured on Scintillate, so go read up on her.

The Perks of Homeschooling

1. We don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch the school bus. Some people think all homeschoolers wake up at 5am anyway, to feed the goats or something. I assure you, any homeschooler with that much discipline is the exception. And we don't all have goats. That being said, we aren't a bunch of lazy lardos, either. I wake up around 7:30. A good time to start the day.

2. Great Lunches. Actually, today's fried spaghetti with pepperoni (compliments of Jojo) inspired me to draw up these top five perks of homeschooling. There are days when we have nothing in the fridge. Life kinda sucks on those days. But most of the time, we have an entire kitchen with yummy ingredients at our disposal to make a fantabulous lunch.

3. Midday dance parties. Basically, what happens is this. At noon I, despite initial halfhearted protests from los padres, crank up the Spotify. I have a killer playlist that blasts from the imac speakers for the next half hour or so. It's incredible. You don't get that in school, do ya?

4. The gremlins. Being stuck with your siblings all day can get...aggravating. But honestly, my younger brother and sisters make my day. Perk #3 wouldn't be half as fun without Alyssa belting out inaccurate lyrics, anyways. I get to take incriminating pictures of them every day, which is great. The four of us trade hilarious movie (or blimeycow) quotes every day, the majority from Nacho Libre. Also, I just love being around when Jojo has to read science to Genet and Alyssa. Their comprehension scores aren't the best, and question time makes for some gut-busting laughter.

5. Control. I seriously love having control of my own education. This power may encourage my tendency to be a little too independent...a fault which, coupled with pride, has gotten me into a lot of trouble throughout my life. However, I can't deny how much I like being able to study what sincerely interests me (for example more literature, less math). I like being in control of my own schedule, too. Sometimes lack of motivation can take a heavy toll...there have been days where I don't finish schoolwork until late at night. But overall I like the responsibility.

Homeschooling does have its faults. And it's not for everyone. Despite our aggressive assertions that yes, we absolutely do socialize, some of us really don't. I used to be one of those really quiet, stereotype homeschoolers. In hindsight, it would have been good to be forced out of my comfort zone when it came to...talking. Hahaha. But I can't blame all my social discrepancies on homeschooling, either. Some kids, homeschooled or otherwise, are just bashful...especially middle school, when most kids are either extremely loud or extremely quiet. It's something we have to overcome. Sometimes that shyness comes back...even as a bubbly, confident seventeen-year-old. But in the place I'm at right now, homeschooling is good. Especially since I'm graduating a year from now (yaaaay!), and we're involved in two fab co-ops. Is fantastic.