Sound the Alarm! Fall is here!

Today, after lunch, we walked into the building to be surprised by the fact that there was a very loud alarm going off.  This alarm was not the fire alarm.  It was a mysterious sound that none of us had ever heard before.  It was this loud screeching buzz sort of noise that didn't have any breaks or fluctuations.  We thought that something was wrong so we went outside to see if anyone else would join us and when no one did we figured that it was okay to to back into the building.  The strangest thing about this whole experience was that the alarm could only be heard on the first floor.  Once we got up to the third floor you couldn't even tell that anything out of the ordinary was happening downstairs.  It's a mystery.


Well, fall weather is finally here and I think it's here for good this time.  Not that I mind it.  I love cooler weather.  When it gets cool out I have an excuse to wear BIG GREEN. Big Green is my winter coat.  It is very warm and I appreciate it more than anything on really cold winter days.  I have this hat that I like to wear with it that everyone in my family detests except my father.  My mom says that it makes me look like a lumberjack and my sisters say that it makes me look Russian.  It is green and brown and has these two really fuzzy ear flaps.  My dad likes it because he doesn't understand fashion.  I will admit, it's not very fashionable, but it is really warm.  When winter hits I believe in function over fashion.  


Have I ever spoken of my love for F. Scott Fitzgerald?  If there is one thing that everyone should know about me it's that I have a weird obsession with the works of that man.  This summer Kayli Horne and I threw a party much like the ones held in "The Great Gatsby".  We made people dress up and put lights in the trees and candles in the lawn and everything was beautiful and light and perfect.  I didn't bring that many books to college, but one of the ones that I had to bring was my copy of "Collected Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald".  My favorite short story by this wonderful man is called "The Offshore Pirate".  I won't tell you what it's about because I want you all to read it for yourselves so you too can appreciate the work in it's entirety.  Plus, I wouldn't do it justice in my retelling.  There is no way I can be as descriptive or as elegant as F. Scott.  No way in hell. 


John Weinandy payed me a very big compliment today and I don't even think he realized that he did.  I was taking a nap and was awakened by my phone buzzing at me.  I had a text from John saying that the John Carroll's radio station (WJCU) has Beirut in their collection of music. He knows that I LOVE Beirut so he asked me which song he should play.  I told him Scenic World, Elephant Gun, or Postcards from Italy.  He chose Scenic World.  I have influence.  I love it when people ask my opinion when it comes to music because I love music and I love to share the music that I love. 


Matt overfed Caesar Odin Fish the other day.  I thought for a second that he had been killed by the amount of food that he consumed but it turns out that he is okay.  I wish that fish could magically transform into Zoe.  I have decided that when I go home over Thanksgiving break I am devoting a whole entire hour to reveling with Zoe.  We will play "chase the bike" and "lay on the ground like slugs".  It will be a good time.   


And that's how Clara C's it!

A Chat With God

I met God last night.  Isn't that interesting?  Some kids were up on the fourth floor balcony and they were speaking to us in deep voices (they were trying to disguise their own) and they told us that they were God.  There were three of them.  God in three persons?  One of them is in my communication research class and he was trying to get me to tell him what the homework was.  I didn't know what it was and I told him so.  Then he said that when I figure it out just shoot him a prayer telling him what it is.  You may think that these kids were drunk, but we have reason to believe that they weren't.  They were acting goofy, but they were coherent and very attentive. Perhaps they were just a bit tipsy.  Either way, they provided us with a good 20 minutes of entertainment.  


My parents were in town this weekend and they took me to Trader Joe's yesterday.  I bought a lot of good food including pomegranates.  I LOVE pomegranates.  They are so delicious and so good for you.  I have three of them.  I am probably going to have to share them, but that's okay.  I like sharing.  Sharing is caring, right?


Sam Filar showed me the best blog ever on Friday.  It is called "Sleep Talkin' Man".  This woman started recording her husband in his sleep because he says really funny things.  In real life he is this mild mannered British gentleman, but in his sleep he is really vulgar and conceited and generally doesn't make much sense.  I highly suggest checking it out.  Just search "Sleep Talkin' Man" on blogspot and it should pop up. 


Last night my parents made me dinner at my Aunt Peggy's house.  I had steak, and roasted potatoes, and bread, and Greek salad, and shrimp.  It was absolutely delicious.  I haven't had that much food in such a long time!  I had a MAJOR food baby, but it was totally worth it.  


Another interesting thing happened last night.  If you stay up late enough crazy things start to happen in the building.  The God thing was the first crazy occurrence, but that was funny, so it was okay.  The second crazy happening was not so funny and slightly mysterious and also rather gross.  We heard someone up on the fourth floor and we thought maybe God was back.  Then we heard some scuffling around and then we heard something that sounded either like someone relieving themselves (if you know what I mean) or vomiting.  It was rather unpleasant and I'm sure we will get an e-mail about it at some point today if what we think happened really did happen.  


My sister drunk texted me last night.  That was fun.  She accidentally wrote "If you never need booze Kevin said he would buy it for you." Then she texted me again correcting herself, incorrectly.  She said "Ever not ever".  Oh Hansi.  


Matt had to go to a regatta in Boston this weekend, which is great because Boston is where Grant is.  I think it would have been funny if they had randomly met, but Boston is a big city and the odds of that happening are zero to none.  I don't know how far it is from the Cleve to Boston, but I should have stowed away in one of the vans and then snuck off to BU to visit Grant.  I have a giant suitcase.  I could have just had Matt say that it was his and voila, Clara is off to Boston!


I have to work on that project with those bros tonight, so that should be fun...


And that's how Clara C's it!

Bail Out

I am making a bread pudding as we speak. It's supposed to be great, so if it isn't I will be VERY disappointed.  I was supposed to go work on a group project for my FYS class but the kid I was supposed to work on it with bailed on me.  So I went to Bernet and now I am making a bread pudding with John and Vince and Justin.  Well, Justin isn't really helping that much, he just sort of showed up.  I'm not helping that much either.  


The fact that that kid didn't show up to work on the project really grates my jarlsberg!  I was halfway to the library when I got his message.  If I had gotten it earlier I wouldn't of even gone out.  It's rather chilly tonight and sometimes I get scared when I have to walk across campus by myself.  I have conquered my fear of the parking lot between Millor and Pacelli although Vince says that I haven't conquered it until I can be in the act of getting mugged in that parking lot and still feel safe.  I don't think he's right. 


I went shopping today and completed my halloween costume.  I am going to be a bird.  For those of you who have seen Seussical the Musical I am being Mayzie La Bird and for those of you who haven't seen it then I am just being a bird.  Matt went to get some stuff for his Halloween costume and he came back with new shoes.  I'm not going to lie, they are pretty cool.  They're boating shoes, so essentially they are Sperry's except they didn't cost 80 dollars.  


I am very excited for this weekend.  My parents are going to be here.  They were here last night, actually.  They brought me chili and Vandermill doughnuts and cider.  How does one spell doughnuts?  Is it doughnut or donut.  Both are correct with spell check, so which one do you use?  I think it's subjective, but according to all the people that I am with it is spelled D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T.


I went to the art museum again today.  We looked at Baroque art.  If it's not Baroque, don't fix it! That's what Holland and I say, anyway.  I think it's pretty clever.  


I have been informed that I should try to take a test without studying, but I don't think that that would be a good idea.  


And that's how Clara C's it!

P&P and a Couple of Nuts.

In my Major British Authors class we are reading Pride and Prejudice.  I CUSSING LOVE THAT BOOK!  I wish I could marry Mr. Darcy.  Or Mr. Bingley.  Pretty much I just wish I lived the life of Elizabeth Bennet.  She is so sassy and outspoken!  I love it.  Plus Jane Austen is just the best.  She was a woman who couldn't be tied down by the rules set out by society and I appreciate her for that.  She once said, "I'm a wild beast!  I can't help it!" Indeed you were Miss Austen, indeed you were.  


A couple days ago, at about midnight, Holland and I went outside and hunted for buckeyes.  A buckeye is a very disappointing little nut.  You can't eat them.  You can't do anything with them.  They are useless.  They do have one neat quality.  They are always cool.  They could be sitting in a hot room for four hours and they would still be a nice cool temperature.  I think that's pretty cool.  I don't know if buckeyes grow in Michigan or not.  If they do I have never seen any.  


So it's now fall break and every one is gone.  Laura and I have done a lot of roomie bonding.  Yesterday we had a picnic on the floor of our room and today we went shopping.  Laura has to buy winter clothes because she really doesn't have any that are adequate.  I guess Texas will do that to you.  


Kesha has a new song.  Lovely.  There is line in it that says "We'll make the hipsters fall in love with us".  I'm pretty sure a hipster would rather throw him or herself into a volcano than fall in love (or listen to) Kesha.  I mean, that's just a speculation, but I think it's pretty accurate.  


The dining hall is closed during fall break so we have had to come with alternative ways of feeding ourselves.  On Thursday night we got Chinese take-out.  Sixty dollars worth of food.  How great.  Yesterday Laura and I ate left overs and this morning we made ourselves an egg casserole.  It was actually really good.  It my be the best breakfast I've had since I've arrived at school.  I rarely get breakfast and when I do it usually just consists of cereal and a bagel.


Since I'm on this big Pride and Prejudice kick I decided that I should probably watch the movie versions of the book.  So, on Thursday I watched the entire five hour long mini-series of Pride and Prejudice from 1995.  Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy and it is amazing.  


And that's how Clara C's it!

In 1492...

Yesterday was Columbus day!  I bet you twenty bucks you didn't know it was Columbus day.  No one ever remembers Columbus day because usually no one gets anything out of Columbus day.  Everyone except Grant, that is.  Grant got the day off!  I was exceedingly jealous.  We tried to skype, but the internet connection was bad and we had to end the conversation after about five minutes of me being frozen on the screen.  It was a major disappointment.  


I have a French test tomorrow.  Not cool.  I won't give you the exact grade, but I will tell you that I didn't do very well on the last one and so I have to do better at this one because I don't want to let my grades get too low.  Apparently they will kick me out of the Honors Program if I let my GPA slip below a 3.5...so, pressure's on.  Good news!  I got a B on my Communications Research test.  A word of advice from me to you, dear reader, never ever take a Communications Research class if you can avoid it.  It's a lot of statistical tests and things that I don't have a great amount of love for.  Today we went over Chi-squared tests, which we learned in AP Bio, but I hoped would never show up in my life ever again.  Anyway, enough about classes and grades.  I don't want to make you throw up. 


Apple picking on Sunday was full of joyfulness!  It was so nice to get off campus and go out and about.  And by out and about I mean get lost in Cleveland for an hour before ever reaching the farm. It was no good because we got lost in the sketchiest part of Cleveland.  WE PASSED A PLACE CALLED SLAUGHTER'S!  If that isn't terrifying I don't know what is.  Anyway, aside from getting lost we has a great deal of fun picking apples.  Also, I got apple cider and caramel corn.  And a hole mess of apples.  Yum. 


Kayli Horne got on my case about not blogging continuously like I used to.  I didn't appreciate this very much, but I do think appreciate the fact that she likes to read my blog regularly.  She is my little prodigy of wit and my twin in many ways.  We co-hosted a Great Gatsby party over the summer.  It was the classiest party that Spring Lake has ever experienced.  She is Wilber in SLHS's production of "Charlotte's Web".  She is my dear sweet child.


Today we talked about what we are going to be for Halloween.  I am going to Velma from Scooby-Doo because she is my doppleganger.  I don't really know what anyone else is going to be.  Everyone always seems to favor the sexy costumes, but I don't.  I have been a lamb, a tree, a present, and a basket of laundry, to name a few.  My mother was very creative when it comes to costumes.  Matt thinks that I should be Snookie from Jersey Shore.  I guess I haven't completely dismissed the idea, but I don't think I'm orange enough to pull it off.  


Fall break is in two days, but I'm not going home.  I couldn't convince my parents to drive twenty hours in one weekend to come and get me.  I guess that's understandable.  I wouldn't want to spend twenty hours in a car if I were them either.  They have better things to do with their lives.  Luckily I get to see them in a week!  They are going to stop on their way to Washington D.C. to see Emma.  Then on their way back they are going to stop and stay for the weekend, which will be nice.  They are bringing me apple cider from Vandermill and some of the best donuts ever!  I'm pretty pumped.  


I found a leaf today that was extra special.  I don't know how many of you have seen "The Land Before Time", but since I babysit some precious little six year olds I am pretty familiar with it.  I found a tree star.  It's essentially a leaf that looks like a star.  It has a lot of sentimentality for Little Foot.  I gave it to Adam Boggs because he appreciates "The Land Before Time". 


And that's how Clara C's it! 

Oliphant Rage

We went to the art museum again on Wednesday.  This time we looked at Romanesque and Gothic art.  I saw a saint's relic.  It was a little bone of St. Sebastian.  It was kind of gross, but also pretty impressive.  They also had his horn made out of an elephant tusk, but they called in an oliphant.  If you've read or seen Lord of the Rings you will understand the significance of the oliphant.  I mean, it's not really that significant, but the oliphants are pretty cool and I thought it was funny that they called it an oliphant tusk instead of an elephant tusk.  


I was trying to write my FYS paper the other day and it wasn't really working out. It wasn't working out for two reasons.  The first reason is that I don't really know what to say in this particular essay. The second reason is because I don't appreciate the class very much.  I was working on my essay and all of a sudden all this rage boiled up inside of me and it resulted in my typing a page and a half about all of the problems that I have with FYS.  Here's a sample:"However, too much CO2 can be detrimental to life on Earth.  The thing is that I hate this class more than any class I have ever had to take in my entire life.  I kind of want to kill myself every time I walk into the classroom.  I have to sit on my hands and bite my tongue the entire period because if I don’t I’m afraid that I will blurt out something inappropriate to say in an educational setting."I am just going to have to power through this one.  

Lately I've been craving real food.  I mean, the food in the cafeteria wasn't bad for the first couple of weeks, but now it's starting to get a little repetitive and I'm starting to crave some Melissa Richter cooking.  My mom is a fantastic cook and college food is one thing that she did not successfully prepare me for.  You see, I've been spoiled all my life when it comes to food. My mother fed me too well in the past eighteen years of my life. If Melis was a bad cook then I would be just fine settling for the food in the cafeteria, but when I am measuring everything to her standard 'everything' just falls short.  

Has anyone ever had a meat pie?  I have never had one, but last night I was craving one.  I don't know why.  They're British and I've heard that British food can be pretty bland, but I would like to try one anyway.  I was probably hungry for meat more than a meat pie, but since meat pie has the word meat in it my tummy thought it sounded good.  

Matt and I are very happy because Fish has revived himself!  Over the weekend, when Matt was taking care of him, he was apparently very lethargic and wouldn't swim up from the bottom of the tank.  He was like that for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday too and I was worried that he was going to die!  Luckily he didn't and yesterday he started swimming around, as happy as a little fish could be!  He is sitting on the window-sill right now, because plant needed some sun.  

It's homecoming weekend back home.  A lot of people are going home for it and  I wish I was too, but I can't.  Mother and Father think that twenty hours is a long drive for one weekend and, no matter how much I don't want to, I have to agree.  I wouldn't want to be in the car for twenty hours, either.  

For all of you who are wondering I won't be home until Thanksgiving.  If you would like to see me let me know and I will pencil you in.  I can't make any promises, as I am in high demand in the 49456.

And that's how Clara C's it! 

Photographs and Quirky Dawgs

I had a test today.  It wasn't really that cool.  I don't think I did terribly, but I don't think I did that fantastic either.  Usually when I have that feeling about a test I did badly.  I have a suggestion for all of you who aren't in college yet:  don't waste your time with it because it's worthless.  You think you are smart, until you go to college and you realize that you actually know nothing.  


I did totally kick ass today in my Major British Authors class.  The teacher asked about logos, ethos and pathos and (thanks to AP English) I knew them all.  And I was the only one in my class who did.  And I am the only freshman in my class.  I have never felt better in my entire time at college.  


I am trying to justify buying a new camera.  It's not very expensive, but I don't really have a lot of money to spend on anything right now PLUS the film is really expensive to develop.  However, I have solved this problem.  I am going to learn to develop my own film.  I think it would be a cool skill to know.  When my uncle was younger he converted one of the rooms of his house into a dark room so I'm thinking that he could teach me what I need to know.  What really grates my cheese, though, is the fact that there isn't a dark room anywhere on campus.  I have considered changing one of the empty rooms on our floor into a dark room but the lack of sink could be a problem.  Perhaps I could install one...?


I met a crazy dog this weekend.  His name is Nate the Dawg.  Nate the Dawg likes to drink beer.  Apparently during the day people will give him little sips of beer and by the end of they day he will be passed out under the table.  Oh Nate.  My sister calls him Nate-Nate and Darin calls him Nathaniel.  He is the funniest little dog I have ever met.  His funniness is enhanced because he has a horrible haircut.  It looks like someone attacked him with a razor.  Poor puppy.  When he met me he was so excited he peed.  


FYS is seriously a waste of my time and money.  I have never had to take a more worthless class.  I considered skipping on Monday, but morally I couldn't let myself.  Here's the thing.  I am overly conscientious and therefore I won't let myself do anything.  It's a blessing and a curse.  


I don't know how to incorporate Matt into my blog today.  Oh hey!  Problem solved.  Also, he is letting me sleep with Magic Sleeping Blanket tonight.  Isn't that nice?  I think it is. 


And that's how Clara C's it!

Y'all are So Cute!

I love Jack Kerouac.  Want to know how to ruin Jack Kerouac for me?  Cast Kristen Stewart as Marylou in the film adaptation of his classic "On the Road".  I'm sorry, but I have no love or respect for Kristen Stewart and putting her in the film will totally ruin it for me.  She is just going to be the same way she is in every other movie she is in.  Boring and slightly lifeless.  Ugh. 


Yesterday was possibly the longest day of my life.  I had classes in the morning and then I sat in the car for six hours, but finally I made it to Washington D.C.!!!  It's so wonderful here!  Emma said that it had been monsooning until the day before, but it stopped just in time for my arrival.   I ate real meat and real pasta and slept in a bed that was bigger than a twin.  It was lovely.  


Today we went to Virginia.  I love Virginia.  The people in Virginia are so nice!  We went to this antique store and poked around for almost two hours.  By antique store I mean antique complex.  It was three houses and at least six sheds filled with old things and new things and really, really cool things. I bought a necklace made out of an old type writer key.  It says "Shift Freedom".  I have to get a new chain, though, because the one that it is on is really very ugly.  


After we went antiquing we had roadside barbecue.  Oh my gosh!  I have never had better pulled pork in my life.  It was one of those times when you're eating something and you want it to never end.  I could have gone on eating that sandwich forever and been perfectly happy.  


With our bellies full of pork we ventured off to a winery.  I was a little disappointed that I couldn't taste the wine, but I did get some free GUS (Grown Up Soda).  It's pretty much sparkling water and lemon.  It's pretty darn yummy.  I decided that I want to have my wedding reception at the winery that we went to.  It has this beautiful patio and you can sit out there for as long as you want and sip your wine and listen to music and watch the vines grow.  The winery is run by this little Brazilian man of about 70 years old and his family.  He told us all about his business and everything that it entailed and he was adorable. 


Tonight I had the pleasure of eating the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life.  I ate four pieces.  It was called 'black sheep'.  It had feta, lamb sausage, basil, and this delicious vinigrette dressing.  Then, with my belly full of pizza Emma and I walked around her back yard and by back yard I mean The Capitol.  We took ice cream in mugs because we wanted dessert, but we also wanted to go somewhere to eat it.  So we ate it on the steps of The Capitol building.  It was so wonderful.  


Matt is taking care of Rosebud while I am gone.  He is referred to as 'Uncle Matt'.  He is also feeding my fish which is super nice.  I thought that I killed my fish the other day, that was tragic.  Luckily he is still alive and kicking.  What a little trooper!  Tomorrow I head home.  Wish me safe travels!!


And that's how Clara C's it!