X-Mas Update

Hiya

Well, I just got back earlier today from my trip to Virginia/Maryland/DC. It was quite a good time. First with the Mollers: I spent the majority of the train ride reading and playing a card game with some random folks I met on the train. I met Uncle Jeff at the train station. My train was about 90 minutes late, no biggie for Amtrak, and we had to kill some time in the station's food court. Some quality loitering was achieved by all. We reminisced about his time at Principia some 30 years ago. I also heard the "hose" story for the first time. Let's just say it involves punk kids, access to a fire hose, and INDOOR shenanigans.

So I spent 2 nights at the Moller hut in Annapolis. Erik (cousin) and I hung out at Ville's (cousin #2) place for a bit and hit everyone's favorite establishment in town, the mall! Sunday morning, I went to their church and got to see Jeff be first reader in their brand spankin' new church (est. 2004-ish). Dad, Tiz, and Marshall arrived around 3:30 that afternoon, and the whole crew went to the Chart House, located right on the bay in Annapolis. Some meal, boy howdy. Marshall had Shrimpkens...admittedly the envy of the table. I had a very juicy salmon with some garlic mix layered on top. I could eat that every night. The menu also included a bizarre request: If you want to order 2 particular dessert items (the words "volcano" and "chocolate" were found in one item), you had to order at least 30 minutes in advance. I got the apple crisp, because a chocolate volcano is just RIDICULOUS. Turns out my apple crisp had more mass than the edible force of nature.

From there I stayed at the Smith residence for a couple nights. We went to the Chevy Chase Club, had some fine food, then to Tiz's sister's House for some gift opening. I got a Principia hat, hoodie, and window decals, as well as a sweet Land's End gift card, and a Sylvania brand LED spotlight. I think Dad received the best gift of all.......

A good time indeed. The last day I was there, Dad, Tiz, Marshall, and I went into DC to eat dinner with Dad's new boss. Pretty cool organization based in renewable energy, and a nice dedicated boss to renewable energies, especially solar. He gave me some neat information packets pertaining to the 6 major forms of renewable energy. It deals more with the actual chemistry/physics involved, so it's a bit over me still. After the meal, I scooted over to Union Station and got on The Capitol Limited back to Chicago, where I got in just around 9 this morning. I had to wait over 90 minutes to catch the next Metra. Alas, Christmas is over, and I have to be at school in 4 days...SWEET! See ya

WGM IV

Christmas 2006

As many of you may know, I spent the last 4-ish months leading up to this Thanksgiving in California living on a pear farm with my grandma. This material somewhat falls out of the scope of focus for this blog (the focus being pretty much anything that happens to me after right now), so to learn more about my California days, speak with my associates.

So today is Saturday, December 16th. I'm leaving, via train, this coming Thursday for the prosperous lands immediately surrounding Washington DC. The train ride is not quite 24 hours, and I'm riding alone in coach...hilarity will probably ensue. I'm spending about 5 days out there I believe, visiting my Uncle's family first, including Christmas Eve dinner (?). From there, off to Alexandria Va./Bethesda Md. to see my step-mom's family: parents, sister's family, and brother's family. I'm thinking the climax of the time spent there will be the customary visit to the Chevy Chase Club. I "get" to wear a suit. Well, at least I finally have one. I'm not really sure what else is planned during this time, except for gift-giving/receiving and I'm guaranteeing I'll be receiving lots of Principia hardware (window stickers, clothing, maybe even another license plate cover). Which is fine with me.

At the end of the trip, I get back on a train and return to the mothership, but only for 3 days. Alas, I was surprise, yet very pleased, to hear I need to be at Principia earlier than I anticipated: December 31st. A Sunday. I have to drive there alone (~5 hours), but Dad will probably meet up with me but a couple hours later, or the next day. Plenty to look forward to when that day comes. I think I read I'll be at least looking over classes to sign up for, if not sign myself up that very day. Hopefully I'll know BEFORE I get there what credit they transfered from my time at Illinois. I'll probably have to take the whole slate of classes within my major, which is fine, can't know enough, but I'd rather not retake Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or Shakespeare, as some examples. Hoooooooo dang, I also can't wait to check out the new athletic facility they built, which is opening right when I get there. My goal is to make the varsity basketball team. I'll be living in Lowrey House. No, you aren't deceived, it DOES say "The Rumpus." I rather appreciate the supposed open-door policy within the house.

So lots to look forward to. I'll also be visiting some old timey friends (Chris, Doug, Paul, & comp.) tomorrow, as well as hitting up the Museum of Science & Industry on Tuesday with Carolyn. So make your reservations today, I'm almost sold out! Ta

WGM IV

What's up?

This here is a blog I've made to track my days at Principia College and beyond, if i can last that long. Please enjoy, and leave comments, it's always fun to hear from everyone, no matter the choice of medium.

WGM IV