bags and bikes and witches galore

Do you remember that Friends episode when Phoebe was looking in her purse for something and she pulled out a goldfish? What kind of person carries a goldfish around in her bag? I guess it could be easy, I mean, I'm carrying my bike helmet in my new Tibetan bag. It could be easy to turn into a quasi-Mary Poppins with the gigantic purse with stand up mirrors and vials of cough syrup.

But I am no Mary Poppins. I'm probably a little more like the wicked witch of the west. Today, I rode my gearless bike to school. It wasn't such a bad ride, but when I got here, I had no idea how to properly lock my bike up. After my somewhat difficult experience of locking up the bike, I walked around campus, checking out how more experienced bikers lock their equipment up. I still haven't come up with a good solution. I think my Walmart bike is too thick, for those of us inexperienced and basically screwed bikers who don't know what they're doing. Hmm. I wonder if a few months of biking will change my opinion on this. For now, I am going to confidently walk around campus with my purple bike helmet shaking in my bag.

Wandering...through that place with art

Today, after class, I decided to go to a quiet place to unwind. I knew that I wanted to go to the library but on my way there, I decided to go to an even quieter and often prettier place. I visited the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. It was my first time in the museum, and I liked it. The main exhibit On the Road: Two Visions of the Tokaido was amazing. Walking through and looking at all the gorgeous Japanese Art made me realize how much I don't know about Japan as well as just about every other country in Asia.

When I had my interview for the JET Program, I knew nothing about Japan. I hadn't read any recent articles about the country or thought about what the culture would be like over there. I did the same thing before leaving to Ukraine. I waited until I got to Ukraine to learn about the history and culture. I'm starting to realize that although this worked for me one time, while I was in the Peace Corps, this isn't the best way to live. It is better to be informed than ignorant.

A particular piece that caught my attention was quite magestic. The Throne Room and all the ornaments that were a part of that display made me feel as if I was a part of history. I could just imagine being a servant in China, trying to sneak my way to the throne to sit on it for just one moment. I'm sure if I had, I would have been beaten or beheaded within minutes. But as a child, the thrill just might have been worth it.

I love looking at art and walking through museums. I am in no way an expert, but I like to empathize with the artists. I try to transport myself into their works of art to have some semblance of understanding at the message behind the piece. Sometimes, I come up with something great. At other times, I see color on a page and can't find meaning for myself. My goal is to find meaning every day, in every piece of art I see.

Gotta Love Librarians

I knew a guy in college who liked to dress up as his own version of Steve Urkel. I always thought he was funny.

Today, when searching the web for things Eugene, I found this video.

Enjoy it.

a quick look at my apartment

This is my kitchen. I worked really hard to stain my kitchen table and guess what, my mom and I made a table cloth for it. My bike sits next to the wall. On days that I don't ride it, which is often because I prefer to walk, I put the recycling in my little bike basket. Oh yes, I am one classy chick! I still don't have the microwave that was promised me when I moved in. Instead, I have my toaster oven which decides to work some days and other days, it just stares at me.


My beloved bookshelves are pretty full. I spent a lot of time organizing my books in just the right way. I guess I'm kind of a nut about books. That's good, I guess. It means I'm sort of an intellectual. I would call myself a book nerd instead.

My mattress is still by itself on the floor. My sister is bringing me the rest of the bed on Thursday. You wouldn't be able to believe how excited I am about this small fact!

visiting Dayton

I took the Greyhound back to Dayton and this is what we're doing...

* watching a movie WHILE
* we three girls play on our laptops
* not talking to one another...

Can we say quality family time?

goodbye dear fashion...see you after school

If the fashion police ever came to Eugene, I think they would overwork themselves. I'm sure anyone who knows me would say that I shouldn't be saying such things about fashion, because quite frankly, I don't know much about the art of fashion. Today, for example, I walked to campus wearing my typical two t-shirt gig, jean capris with a hole in the butt, and a pair of outdoor keens. I look awesome. I'm sure my old yuppie friends would be shocked by my obvious fashion faux pas.

I kinda like this laid back Eugene. I like seeing a bunch of old men with long gray hair working at the post office. There is so much more for me to see here, and I like that I am able to feel comfortable while exploring.

Things I know about Eugene:

1. There is a McMenamins on High Street.
2. The U of O is only about a twenty or twenty-five minute walk from my apartment when I walk as slow as usual.
3. Full City's herbal tea isn't "my bag."
4. There are tons of stores on 11th Avenue, where I live, but they are sorta far away and thus, I must use the bus or get into good bike shape.
5. Bikes are stolen often.
6. Dreds are in.
7. The University of Oregon is a proud school, a little different from the school where I went for my undergraduate degree.
8. The bus people are nice and want you to be successful during all journeys.
9. It's hotter than in Dayton.
10. There is a Starbucks across from campus.

Obviously, I have a lot to learn. The last two I actually had to think about for a while.

Adios from Eugene.

no gears

I bought a bike a while back. I'm moving to a major biking city pretty soon and I wanted to join the culture and get into a little better fitness shape.

My bike is cute. It's light blue. It has pearl-colored fenders. The handle bars are curved. I added a Union Jack flag sticker on the front for a little character. Unfortunately, the bike has no gears. I can't ride it up a hill. My legs are WAY too weak. To be honest, I don't know enough about bike gears to know the difference between bikes with gears and those without, but I imagine that something which could make bike riding a little bit easier might be nice.

Next week, I'm moving to my new place. I won't have a car (at least not at first) but I will be near the bus route and I'll have my trusty bike. I'm hoping no one steals my seat or the basket that I'm buying for the bike later this week.

I'm proud of myself. I've got myself some wheels. Sure they don't turn very fast, but hey, they take me places, right?