Charbot'sLife

Miss me yet?

2008-04-30T19:39:00.002-04:00

Greetings bloggers and general internet community. I am back. I have had quite a vacation from my blog. Let me catch you up with what has been going on for the past year and a half/two years.

1) Taught middle school science in San Francisco, CA last year. Loved it! Want to be a teacher, but first need to get a teaching certificate.

2) Currently working at Concordia University in Portland, OR as an admission counselor. Two birds with one job. a) Great job and gaining a ton of experience. b) Will start taking classes toward my teaching certificate next spring.

3)I am engaged and will be getting married on October 11th 2008. He is amazing and I am so excited to be starting a family with him. His name is Eric Bohlmann. We met in college but didn't start dating until we both graduated. After spending a year living apart while he was on internship we decided to move to the Portland area and pursue this relationship. Six months later, the day after Valentine's Day, he proposed.
It came as a suprise...I thought he would do it later in the year perhaps around my birthday.

4) I am now in the midst of planning a wedding, working full-time, and currently packing up my apartment and moving to a small little house that I will be renting in NE Portland some friends have. Eric will join me once we get married.

I am really looking forward to the next few months. Friends are moving back to the area, work will be less stressful, finalizing wedding plans, some other friends are having babies, and things are just wonderful.

I hope to post more often now that I am a little more settled in life now. I will keep you informed as new and exciting things happen in Charbot's Life!

What IS it with me & cell phones?!

2006-04-02T13:17:00.000-04:00

I have bad luck with cell phones.

I have gone through two cell phones within the past year and a half. Not only have I broke two cell phones but they broke the same way.

CELL PHONE #1
Senior year of college I was taking a pottery/ceramics class fall semester. One Friday evening I had scheduled a time to glaze my pieces before the firing on Monday. I was wearing scrubby clothes as I was going to be working with glazes. However, I did bring my keys, the ceramics key, and my cell phone. I always have a cell phone with me. Especially if I was going to be the only person in the ceramics studio. I had placed these items in my pocket of my very baggy overalls (This information will come in useful later). Upon arrival of the studio I chose my glaze colors, made the appropriate notes and begun to glaze. One of the glazes had to be shaken up. I made sure the lid was on tight, but if any of you know about ceramics glaze, many layers of dried up glaze is on the lid and lip of the bottle, thereby giving the illusion of "screwed on" but not. As I was shaking the glaze the lid FLEW off the bottle and peripinkle (actual color) spattered on my chest, hand, and torso. It continued to ooze it's way down my shirt and overalls. I tried to clean up the mess as best as possible before I left the ceramic studio. I walked back to my apartment and peeled off my overalls and shirt coated in glaze. I filled the sink with warm water and a dash of laundry detergent and placed my shirt and overalls into the water completely forgetting about my keys and my cell phone. As I was getting ready for the rest of the evening I was looking for my keys and phone ignoring the possibility that they could be and in fact were submerged in the sink with my peripinkle stained clothes.I thought I left them in the studio. When I arrived home from going out, about three hours later, I looked at my clothes and felt the left pocket of my overalls only to find my keys and cell phone. My cell phone was completely soaked. I pushed the screen where there was a distinct water line and got squirted with cold, pinkish water. There was nothing I could do.

CELL PHONE #2:
Yesterday I was home alone on a Saturday night about to enjoy a movie with my nighttime snack of peanut butter oreos and a glass of milk. Of course, I had my cell phone with me. In my left hand I had my four oreos and my phone. In my right, my glass of milk. First I placed the glass of milk on the table and was preparing to place my oreos and phone next to it on my napkin. Suddenly, my phone did a gymnastic tumble into my glass of milk (I gave it a 8.5). Call it Nokia suicide, but I swear it leaped out of my hand. I saw the lights go out once it hit the bottom of the glass. I quickly responded and tried to grab it out of the milk before any major damage occurred. I mean, I know what happens to phones if you leave them in water too long. Learned THAT the hard way. It was too late. I brought the phone out of the milk and it continued to drip milk out of the sides. I tried to dry it out as best as possible, but the damage was too extensive. Right now, the phone lights up but doesn't respond to pushing it's buttons. Milk induced coma.

Another one bites the dust.

Charbot: 2

Cell Phones: 0

Gospel candelabra

2006-03-23T18:03:00.000-05:00

Each Wednesday and Thursday afternoon I have the joy of leading chapel for the little muffins in preschool at St. Peter's. I usually tell the Bible story with some visual aids or an interactive Bible story where they help me act out it out. After that we usually sing some chapel songs. Each child has their favorite song. I know that we will have to sing "Running Over" when so and so raises her hand. I also know that every Thursday afternoon we will sing "This Little Gospel Light of Mine". A classic.
To start off the song, I usually ask everyone to get their "Gospel Lights" out by pointing their pointer finger straight in the air. However, these is one little boy who brings it upon himself to put all five fingers up. Where he got this idea I have no clue.
However, I really like that image. The faith of a child-his love for Jesus is so strong that ONE light can't contain it. He's gotta bust out all FIVE fingers to share his faith. I love that! Praise for this tyke and all the others who just wanna share their Gospel candelabra.

The weekend in Chicago

2006-03-10T20:22:00.000-05:00

The weekend in Chicago. Angela (main girl) flew out to Chicago randomly when she found a reasonable priced ticket. I met her at O'Hare where our friend Kenny works as a pilot said he would meet us there as well. It was a great weekend spent laughing A LOT, eating good food including this amazing chocolate cake that Kenny had, a great walk downtown, a show in Chicago, and an adventure in G-Rap.
The man of the weekend.THANKS KENNY FOR EVERYTHING.
Navy Pier (One of the coldest days in Chicago)
Attack of the pink fluffy bridesmaid dresses. The show we went to see was "Tony & Tina's Wedding". An interactive play where we got to meet many of the characters.
Ang & Kristine getting silly with their Willy Wonka glasses in downtown Rockford.
The end of the weekend. It was fantastic!

BUT WAIT.....THERE'S MORE!

2006-03-10T19:37:00.000-05:00

Chicago @ night
The most uncomfortable couch ever.
Pretty much sums up the weekend. Char, Ang, and Kenny having a good time
The obligatory "Ang & Char" picture

The Great Northwest

2006-02-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

I would not say I am much of a writer. There are rare occasions where my words flow together to form lovely prose. Many of my friends are wonderful writers. Katie B (Brocko to her friends) is an amazing writer. Recently, as seen in the pictures below, the "interns" gathered in the great Northwest. The experience there was so refreshing and rewarding for myself and I am sure for others there as well. Brocko wrote a piece on her blog "Brocko's World". Exactly what I wanted to write but couldn't.

Her description of the northwest puts me right there gazing at the mountains at sunrise.

Enjoy my friends and readers of Charbot's Life.

Portland & More!

2006-02-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of my trip back west. Got tp see some old friends, the ocean (notice amazing sunset!) and came back home to hang with my buddy Kristine.

Pictures from the Past

2006-01-30T23:11:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures from Charbot's life during college. Feeling a little nostalgic:

The FABulous Party for Melissa's 21st. Girls do just wanna have fun.

My Woodward, Me & Marty before the FABulous party.
My Woodward and me in my attempt to be Grace Kelly
I have no idea what these girls are smiling at but I tell my screen a joke and imagine them laughing with me.

NoPo

2006-01-17T11:13:00.000-05:00

New York has the SOHO district. Portland has the NOPO district. North Portland. The place where I called home during my four years at Concorida Univ.
Tomorrow I get to board a plane and fly back to this place to see my friends and family. Some I have not seen since May. I am looking foward to a time to relax and be renewed with my fellow DCE interns.
We are going to be able to get together and see some of our old hang-outs (the Doug, McMin's,perhaps Vita and I will get a little Buffalo Exchange retail medicine)
I am just really looking forward to being back in the Northwest (flooding and all). I think I'll scream with excitement from seeing the ocean with the mountains in the distance.
I'll have fun pictures from the weekend to post next week.
WEST COAST HERE I COME!

Christmas:Part Two

2006-01-13T17:40:00.000-05:00

Father & daughter

This is a WARNING!

Ladies of mine: Ang & Abby

Oh yeah baby!

Christmas: Part One

2006-01-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

Ang making the ravioli. Proof that she can, in fact, cook.
We learned that in when using the pasta maker...you must crank fast! Here Caitlin shows us how it's done.

Christmas Dinner On the menu:
Appitizers:Spinich, garlic chicken, salami ravioli in cream sauce
Salad: Waldorf Salad
Main: Pork Tenderloin
Side: Garlic sauteed veggies
Dessert: Flan

After dinner conversation consisting of Caitlin's pictures, Favorite poets and movie lines, music, what former classmates of Ang and me are doing, etc.
Gabrielle relaxing after a wonderful meal.
Caitlin, Ang, Me, Abby out on the town. Chopsticks. A dueling piano bar in downtown Seattle close to Seattle Center. We were known as the "Ladies on the Perch" because of our location on a ledge overlooking the rest of the bar. The lady piano player liked us because we sang along to all the songs.

The Christmas Story

2005-12-20T14:22:00.000-05:00

An actual scene from Family Night last night.
Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
*************************************************************
Opening:
Charbot is explaining a new game the group is about to play, "Christmas Draw". Teams work together to draw the Christmas story each person drawing a section at a time. Charbot takes a couple of questions.

Youth: "Which Christmas story do you mean?"

Charbot: (Blank stare on face)

Youth: "You know...the one with the bbgun and the 'you'll shoot you're eye out kid!'or..."

Charbot: (very dramatic, cutting the youth off) "No. Oh! (grab heart faking a heart attack)You're killing me! No! Not the pink bunny outfit one. The Christmas Story about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Youth: "Oh! I knew that....I just wanted to make sure."

FADE TO BLACK
*************************************************************

My Life

2005-12-11T20:43:00.000-05:00

Okay...for all those CRAVING an update on Charbot's life.

Here it is in a nutshell:

1) Work:
A) Christmas program- pretty much all-comsuming my life till the 18th
B) Youth Quake- deadlines? What? You mean I have to turn in my money when!?!
C) Mom's Bible Study- I'll be the only one present without any offspring.
D) Misc. relationship building- by far the BEST and GREATEST part of my job.

2) Personal Life:
A) Trying to hang with Kristine (Ice skating-did NOT fall!) and figure out our
summer plans together. New York? Road trip anyone?
B) Counting days till I get to go home and see the most important people in my
life. Right now it's down to: 12 DAYS!
C) Painting: Working on a new one to hang in my office. Going through a blue
period. Very Picasso.

Oh no! How did I get in this nutsell?! What sort of nut...has a shell the size of a person?! This is crazy!

I think I might stop........now.

This is for you...

2005-11-11T23:34:00.000-05:00

JENNA*

*For people who don't understand. I promised Jena, one of my youth group members, that I would write a post on my blog that would simply be her name.

One of those "What does it all mean?" Phases

2005-11-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

Recently my main girl received not one but TWO random e-mails from boys of the past. We couldn't help but wonder.....why?
Why now, of all times, do these boys come back into the picture? What caused this sudden desire for reconciliation? Are these guys pulling a Rob Gordon? Going through the list of women in their life that may have done them wrong or they had done wrong to.

One of those "what does it all mean?" phases?

Do all guys go through this? The need to reach into the past and make right what went wrong? Does this stem from the whole "problem solver" in all guys?
Women, by nature, analyze everything. We (referring to all women) only assume that guys don't analyze or at least...don't analyze as much as us. During the relationship we are in constant communication with our girlfriends about what he really means behind his words and actions. Our "what does it all mean?" phase occurs throughout the relationship--whereas guys' embark on that journey a while after it ends.
Do women still think about these former boyfriends, friends, etc.?
Yes. Yes, of course.
Among my women friends, we don't get back in contact with them after years of non-communication. Unless we were friends pretty shortly after separating I don't see myself and my women friends contacting people from our past. Sometimes you just grow apart. The investment in the relationship fell through and that's okay.
Ang's and my question though, was, why now?
What's going on in thier lives that they have the need to rekindle the convo-fire? More importantly do they want to be friends with YOU or do they just someone to talk to?
I guess these guys just have to figure things out and in figuring things out they contact long lost friends.
This also just proves my point that my life resembles High Fidelty much more than I would like it to at times.

*I do realize that in writing this post-I fall victim to female analyzation and into a "what does it all mean?" phase. However, this is different. It just is.*

It's my kinda town

2005-11-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

Friday brought a b-e-a-utiful day outside and my mini-road trip to Chicago. I've never been to Chicago--I think we may have driven past it on the way to my aunt and uncles house back in the day. This time I drove into downtown and took in the sights, smells, and sounds of a real city.

As many of you know...I am a city girl. Bonafied. Cities are where it's at. Chicago has all the things you love about a city. Great food, great public transportation, museums and culture, people everywhere. It was so great to walk out of the parking garage, where I had put Sebastian down for his afternoon siesta, into a bunch of people walking to lunch or to meetings. City people have such purpose to thier walking. They may not even be going anywhere of huge purpose-it could just be to the store to get more milk or something. The manner in which they walk, however, is purposeful.

My purpose was the Art Institute of Chicago. I took my time looking at various Chicago landmarks (Sears tower, Chicago theatre, Bergdorrf's restuarant, etc). I finally got there and was able to walk around to hang with my men and women of masterpiece. Renior, Dali, Picasso, Cezanne, Monet, Seurat, Chagall, O'Keefe, Hesse. All the gang was there. Matisse was absent, he was off doing some research.

Here are some pictures of the wonderful collection:
Cezanne's "Basket of Apples"

Chagall's "The Circus Rider"

Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" (If you can look closely--look at how he painting the hands and arms in detail with the shadow and shape)

I closed out my day in Chicago people watching outside Sears tower, eating a PotBelly (apparently fammous in Chicago) sub/hogie while reading my book, more walking around just taking it all in. City life. Honking horns, people hailing taxi's. I walked back to Sebastian and headed home happy with my mini-adventure in a great city like Chicago.

The sun shone througout the day and when I started to head east on I-94 towards home it started to trickle rain but an amazing hazy sunset guided me.

Nerd Diva

2005-11-02T18:57:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I last wrote. The multiple comments, e-mails, etc. have reached their brink and I will succumb and write a post.

I have experienced a whole bunch this past month. First and foremost. I have made a new friend here in G-Rap. Her name is Kristine. She is a fellow SLF(Single Lutheran Female).

*****WOMEN OF THE WORLD******
If you are Lutheran, have attended any of the Concordias and graduated with OUT your MRS. degree or even a prospect of a MRS. degree you can proudly be classified as a SLF. Bonus points if you are a Professional Church worker.

Kristine and I enjoy drinking some beer, talking about crazy (in a good way) kids we work with, and watching Colin Firth movies....esp. Pride & Prejudice. We also discuss, big surprise, boys.

Recently, she and I celebrated Halloween with a little karaoke. She dressed up as a saucy feather boa bearing high school teacher. I myself was an 80's nerd. See picture:

She and I ventured into downtown Grand Rapids to a pub, The Black Rose. Monday is kareoke night at the Black Rose. After she worked a day at the Lutheran high school and I a day working at the church. An evening of beer and song (not beer songs mind you) lay before us. We arrived an hour and half early and stuck around until karaoke began. Finally the time came and Kristine, being a newbie at this whole karaoke thing, did not sing. I made up for her shyness by singing my classic : vogue. I thought it was very fitting given my choice of costume.

After that--we decided that we both had to be up early the next day, and we are no spring chicken anymore so we made our way home.

I was happily surprised to walk back to my car in the rain. A much needed rain in West MI and was a great close to our evening of Halloween karaoke fun.

and now for your voyeuristic pleasure....

2005-10-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

FOUND MAGAZINE PARTY! I bet you can guess what I did this weekend?!?!

That's right, I went to a magazine party for FOUND The two guys who begun this voyeuristic finders keepers are from MI. G-Rap more specifically. I bought #2 Found Magazine BUT they have a #4 out and ready to purchase.
My friends who are also FOUND fanatics-you can subscribe to the magazine! I was so excited to see this!
The two brothers who also write short stories and songs performed a bit for our listening pleasure.
It was rather comforting to walk into a room where I knew everyone had the same random sense of humor as me.
I highly recommend the book "The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas". The short story that was ready was pretty darn good but being the musical person that I am I bought the CD instead. Good times had by all.

ROAD TRIP!

2005-10-02T16:12:00.000-04:00

No this is not Charlotte's version of that stupid Tom Green movie.
It is however, pictures of my fun road trip that I took on Friday.

I ventured into Holland. It's a little college town w/ all the amentities of a college town. Movie theatre, Ben & Jerry's, and bars...lots and lots of bars. Nestled in a little bay off Lake MI Holland is known for Windmills. With a name like Holland the only other obvious choice would be wooden clogs.

Walking through Holland I went into an Irish restaurant to have lunch. While reading my book, enjoying my iced tea and my Irish BLT I people watched. One of my favorite past times. Holland is a small town so there were lots of people passing by and stopping to chat with one another tossing back playful banter. Honking @ Jimmy walking on the sidewalk. I enjoyed Holland. I think I will go back there again. Lots of cutesy little places to walk along. During the winter I am sure it's very qaint. Victorian carolers, children w/ rosy cheeks, Mr. Scrooge walking rapidly from home to office. Opps...sorry went a little Dickens on ya. Moving on....

PICTURES!

Taken the night before. The sunsets on the state plate's may look strange but the real thing sure is beautiful.

I call this reflections of Dutch. Umm...that was stupid. Here's a building.

Nothing says white sandy beaches like a plastic palm tree. If you squint it's almost like the real thing.

As I was walking back to my car a flock of seagulls (not the synthesize-crazed band of the 80's) flew all around my head.

This makes me want to be in a "Anne of Green Gables" novel. Gilbert Blythe is a stud-muffin and I get to marry him NOT CAITLIN!

I love this WICKED cool pict-cha. Esp. if you eat lob-stah while viewing it.

YOU MUST CHILL!

2005-09-28T18:05:00.000-04:00

Hi, my name is Charlotte and I have MI-FOs.

MI-FO is an acronym for Minor Freak Out. There are moments in the day when for some reason you freak out. Computer problems, slow/moranic drivers, and running late easily turn into MI-FO moments. MI-FOs happen. It's a way of life. Just deal with it.

It's nothing to throw a MI-FO over.

Myself having a MI-FO. This was actually taken during the summer Day Camp at Faith Lutheran Church. Many a MI-FO were experienced.
You don't want to mess with Caitlin's MI-FOs.

Kid Vegas!

2005-09-26T14:04:00.000-04:00

Imagine walking through a pair of doors. Instantly you are surrounded by flashing lights, loud noises, and kids laughing and screaming having a great time. A large mouse mascot is walking around giving hugs and high fives to kids. Frankly, it's a little frightening thinking about a mouse that's the size of a line-backer interacting with kids. A group of ankle-biters and little muffins are singing "If you're happy and you know it" waiting to catch tickets that are thrown in the air at the end of the song.

My friends you have just entered into Kid Vegas a.k.a Chuck E Cheese's.

Pastor invited me to attend the preschool's "FUN and FUNDraiser" night at Kid Vegas with his family. You enter in and get a little bucket to put your tokens in. They are just like the old school Vegas style coin buckets. You see kids running, FULL SPEED, from game to game trying to collect as many tickets as possible.

These tickets are collected at a booth where kids can "buy" random crap and other unnecessary trinkets. Throughout my evening I was walking around just gazing at the multitude of over-tired children and their poor parents trying to direct them outside away from the sugar coated debauchery and cheese pizza.

I look at this and I can't help but think of the adult equivalent: Vegas. The strip where bright lights, loud noises, and free drinks lure the common man and woman into the casinos where they drop 30 bucks or more like it's nobody's business. Their winnings are usually spent right quick at the many shops/booths in the casino.

It makes me wonder what the children that grow up with the kid Vegas will do with the Vegas that I know and enjoy.

Let's hope they all grow out of the freaky mouse character. I don't know if the real Vegas can handle that.

The Girls

2005-09-22T14:31:00.000-04:00

New Year's Eve 2005! Bringin' in the new year w/ good friends.

Abby Coe (Poppins for those Lutherwood folk) at kareoke.

Myself in the shades and Miss Anna Everett
(said in a Scottish accent) in the Rooster hat.
Fish net?

Vegas baby VEGAS!
Amanda and Ang helping me to bring
in my 21st birthday the right way.

Vita, My Woodward and I getting
ready for the opera. We were way
over dressed but we looked GOOD!
That's the most important thing
when going out.

and she's BACK!

2005-09-20T19:34:00.000-04:00

After DAYS without the internet connection at home...some internet demon must have crawled into my wireless card and ran amok. I have now fulfilled my e-diction of blogging, e-mailing, and online quizzes. I am so glad to be back!

I celebrated this with a little dance around my room.

Nikka Costa "Everybody's got their something"

I got my something alright. My hit(s) of internet bliss!

This I will now do

2005-09-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

After recent cries from some readers to post. This I will now do.

Snob.
Dictionary definition is: one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
2a: one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior b : one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste.

For this post we'll be using the 2a definition.

Each person has thier own snobbery, perhaps several in their life. The things in your life that you have the experience and the knowledge about in order to be superior over those around you. They may not be demeaning in thier actions towards the person who may not know as much, but they do attempt to share thier knowledge with those around them in order to make them a more whole complete individual or just don't hang out with them.

My brother would be a wine snob-he knows all about good wine and what foods would compliment the wine. He has his own collection that has several expensive and rare wines. If he is going to have a glass of wine with dinner or just to sip. It has got to be good good wine. He will not stand to have cheap wine when dining out.

My sister is a self-proclaimed pop-media snob. She enjoys the surrounding media and wants to surround herself with those who enjoy books, movies, and music as well. She knows good movies, books, and music and freely shares her "finds" with others around her.

I myself, as my friends have informed me, am a fun snob. I know how to have fun, I am good at it and I have a collection of ways to make an day fun and eventful. I don't like to be around people who find it impossible to have a good time. They do exist and I have met them. I try to share my snobbery with those around me in order to bring fun into thier lives.

I think you need to surround yourself with people who have snobberies that you do not have. You have the desire to make it a snobbery but just don't for various reasons. That's why you hang out with your friends or family. Although they have an expertise in something that you do not they will be able share that passion with you and making you a better well-rounded person in the long run.

That's life is about. Surrounding yourself with people that will make you look even better! Kidding!

Umm...yeah...we have a problem here...

2005-09-15T09:09:00.000-04:00

Here's my Lumberg-esque friend Aaron. You gotta love 'em! If anyone does not get this entry...run.....RUN out to your local video store and rent "Office Space".
It has got to be the funniest movies ever made.

A more serious post is due here in a day I think. Enough w/ the movies and that silliness.

Well..it's official

2005-09-13T12:04:00.000-04:00

After taking an online quiz...another one of my e-dictions I have been told what only I found to be true. That I belong in the John Cusack movie "High Fidelity"

Your Life is Like

High Fidelity

What John Cusack movie are you?

"what's really matters is what you like....

2005-09-12T23:30:00.000-04:00

..not what you ARE like. Books, records, films...these things matter. Call me shallow, it's the freaking truth."

Rob Gordon is onto something. I really do think that the things that we do like will reflect what you are like and who are you.
Don't misinterpret what I am saying. The outward things do not solely define who you are. God does that. He's already defined you as HIS child-paid for in Christ's death and resurrection. Aww....SNAP! Moving on....

I am saying that the things: books, records, films, do play a role in shaping your personality and what you act like.

Think about your favorite movie, book, or CD. How does that relate to who you are as a person? Does it at all? Would you act different if that wasn't your favorite movie?

As I am writing this I am thinking of my all-time favorite movie. For me it's got to be High Fidelity. It was the dry, sometimes crass but mostly funny sense of humor that I love. It reflects that aspect of my personality. This movie isn't "Charlotte May in a nutshell". I think I would have bigger problems in my life if it was.

I think people naturally do that. They take books, music, and film and try to find how the characters relate to who they are and draw from that. In regards to the character of Rob Gordon...I don't exactly know what that would say about me. Perhaps my friends can help me out with that one.

Well...this is just going to end here because I don't really know what else to write about this. Any thoughts or concerns? Give 'em to me!

F.Y.I.

2005-09-11T19:28:00.000-04:00

Attn Grove, OK:

The secret lives of camp counselors

2005-09-10T15:40:00.000-04:00

I don't know why but recently I have been recalling the two summers that I worked at Camp Lutherwood
What I remember most were the times when the kids had left after Fridays and the counselors would decide what they would do for their day and a half off. Sometimes I would need some good home time and have my parents pick me up. Other times I would stay up at camp just chilling with everyone watching movies, staying up late swapping stories of the past week with their campers, etc.

This one weekend, my friends Scuttles and Poppins (camp names people-mine was Toro) decided that we wanted to go to Canada. From camp it usually took about an hour and half to get to Vancouver B.C. We left camp at 6:00pm and didn't get into Vancouver until 8:30. Border control took forever. We didn't know where we were going to stay, so we drove around Vancouver until we found a hotel that looked like a decent place to stay. We get into the room and it looked like a prison cell with Thomas Kincade "art" on the wall. There even was a stove in the room, just in case the lodgers couldn't take it anymore.
So there we were, Scuttles, Poppins, and me, three early 20-something women in a pretty scary hotel in Canada. You may be wondering what on earth did we did from there. Well, we washed our feet.
After a week of camp-where people don't get to bathe on a normal basis unless your Vitale-your feet can end up looking pretty bad. We're talkin' hobbit feet. All of us decided to take turns in the bathtub to wash our feet because there wasn't enough room for all three of us to fit in the little bathroom- the size of a closet. All of us took turns bathing our feet in the tub before we went to bed.
We woke up the next morning and knew we had to leave ASAP from this scary little room. The walls were closing in. As we opened the door to go to the car we finally saw where we were staying. Last night the darkness cloaked the seedy undertones of the surrounding neighborhood. In the morning light, however, we got to see Vancouver in all it's grittiness. We turned to one another and quickly hopped into the car, locked the doors, and the Bonneville sped away from that place as quickly as we had found it the night before.

As we got back into Bellingham, Scuttles and I pulled over and got some cigars. Poppins wasn't and still isn't a cigar smoker. We bought a couple of stogies and sat down near the water to watch the sunset on Sat. night. Although the night before was complete madness, this was a great way to end our weekend. Watching the sun go down over the Puget Sound smoking a cigar talking about life mentally preparing ourselves for the upcoming week.

I JUST GOT A HAIRCUT!

2005-09-09T16:42:00.000-04:00

Here it is...pretty short but not too short. The lady did a really good job.

Ice Cream Men

2005-09-09T13:30:00.000-04:00

My Woodward, Vitale, and I have a theory. That men's personalities can be categorized in accordance to an ice cream flavor. Examples:

Eric. For those of you who KNOW Eric he would be a Mango flavor. Here is why.
Mango-unique, something you don't have everyday but when you do, it's fantastic and you know you want more.
VERY similar to Eric. He is very unique and has his own thing going on and that makes you want to be his friend and WHEN are you his friend you know that you'll want to hang out with him a lot.

Ben. Strawberry. Strawberry is a classic, all-American flavor. There's the creamy classic taste with surprises of little bits of flavor with the strawberry chunks. Ben is the same way. He's a classic guy, has his uniqueness about him and there is always a surprise when it comes to Ben. You never know what funny or endearing thing will come out of his mouth.

Each of the ladies and I have a favorite flavor or ice cream as I am sure many of my readers do as well. We have come to the theory that our favorite flavors are in fact the type of guy we wish to be with.

My Woodward is all about Choc. Chip Cookie Dough. A classic vanilla flavor with the added bonus of choc. chip cookie dough. A guy who is a classy gentleman and has the romantic side BUT can also throw little suprises your way when you least expect it. Sometime you may need to dig a little to get to the good stuff, but you know it's there--it's just hidden.

Vitale loves the swirl. A great blend of sweet crisp and refreshing vanilla with the deep,rich,saucy chocolate flavor to compliment it. It's a great treat to have. This guy is a gentleman when he needs to be, but knows when to break the rules in order to protect what he loves. A man who can take some risks. As Vitale would like to say, "A dangerous man". But there's the pure vanilla side to him that keeps him balanced and stable to meet your needs.

I am a lover or Peanut Butter Cup. An odd blend of vanilla ice cream and the classic candy Resse's peanut butter cups-but it works and leaves a delightful taste in your mouth. It's like a party in your mouth and everyone's invited. A guy who you wouldn't expect to be both into cars and poetry, or art history and camping. He's got a rebel side to him as well as a saint.

Explore your favorite ice cream flavor and see what ice cream men you encounter.

Our baby's all grows up

2005-09-08T22:48:00.000-04:00

Living on my own these past few weeks have shown me how much more of an adult I am now. It's a little surreal. I herald back to Vince Vaughn's chracter in "Swingers"(one of the best all-time movies). Take a listen:

Seriously, I am all grows up. Here I am making car payments, planning meetings and events for the next year. Taking the initiative with getting to know people out here. I am an adult.

Ang has been guilty of saying "When I grow up" soon after saying that realizing that we are pretty darn grown up. I mean she just came back from living abroad for the past couple of months.

When did all this happen? When did I wake up to a full-time job or responsibilities to pay bills? What is going on here people?
Which leads me to my next question: What the crap is in store for this next year and the years to come?
I guess I will just have to see-that's the lame part.

You thought WRONG!

2005-09-06T23:39:00.000-04:00

I thought I could make it a day without posting anything on my new kickin' blog......but......I thought wrong.

This is Mr. Wacko

2005-09-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

For the past couple of months, my mother has been doing a clean sweep of all things "kid" at our house. Boxing up old art projects, clothes, dolls, toys, etc. The following was found in my box.

"This is Mr. Wacko. I like to punch him and "wrastle" with him. I like to play with him with his toys and I brought a picture for him that was silly. I was Pee Wee Herman."

There's not much I can say about this. Nope. Not at all.

You all have to appreciate....

2005-09-04T16:54:00.000-04:00

the fact that this is not a mass forward to many of your e-mail boxes. Money and checks can be mailed to...just kidding. Here we go:

1. First and middle name? Charlotte Louise

2. Were you named after anyone? I think my great aunt on my dad's side...I like to think that I was the original

3. Do you wish on stars? yes-but only with special people.

4. When did you last cry? last thursday when I heard my Woodward's voice after a long time in communication limbo.

5. Do you like your handwriting? heck yes I do- Did you know you can make a font out of your own handwriting...sounds pretty cool to me!

6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Do people actually have a favorite lunch meat? (I didn't write this but my feelings exactly-I am hung up on the use of the words "lunch meat")

7. What is your birth date? 07/second to last day/83

8. What is your most embarrassing CD? Titanic soundtrack-what's even more embarrassing is that I bought it off someone else.
Some girl in high school: "Does anyone want this Titanic CD with the most melo-dramatic song ever written"
Char: "I'll give ya 10 bucks for it".

9. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Who wouldn't want to be friends with a fun snob!

10. Do you have a journal? If I tell you I'll have to kill you.

11. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Nope, never. (Dripping with it)

12. What are your nicknames? Charbot (obviously), Charshank, Charmay, Charlie, Chuck, buttmunch, be-atch, ect. ect. ect.

13. Would you bungee jump? Used to want to --but I am pretty happy with not being attached to a ginormous rubber band and dropped from an insanely high platform.

14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? I don't really like talking about my shoes...do you like kung fu? I'll give someone a dollar if they get that quote.

15. Do you think that you are strong? willed

16. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut Butter Cup

17. Shoe Size? 6-6.5

18. Red or pink? put your hands together. Aww...snap!

19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I am pretty gosh darn content with myself....well....except for the fact that I just used the phrase "gosh darn".

20. Who do you miss most? too many people

21. Do you want everyone that reads this to do the same? no--"do not conform to the ways of this world!"

22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? cute butt-jeans and barefoot

23. What are you listening to right now? Nikka Costa- "everybody's got their something"-it's a pretty kickin' dance song
24. Last thing you ate? Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate chunks.

25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? we're talkin' Crayola here so it has got to be "mauvelous".

PROOF that the color exists:

26. What is the weather like right now? Wonderful-sunny and warm in the mid-70's

27. Last person you talked to on the phone?umm....probably Caitlin

28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Eyes and what they are doing-

29. QUESTION 29 WAS REMOVED FOR THE SAFETY OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

30. Favorite Drink? Mt. Dew hands down--interesting story with that one but I shall save that until a later blog.

31. FAVORITE SPORT? to play-volleyball & to watch- basketball

32. Hair Color? reddish brown with blond/golden highlights (totally not my natural)

33. Eye Color? greenish/hazel

34. Height? 5'4

35. Do you wear contacts? oh yeah

36. Favorite Food? Italian w/ loads of garlic

37. Last Movie You Watched? Dirty Dancing

38. Favorite Day Of The Year? birthdays (anyone's) it's just fun to celebrate those with people.

39. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? depends on the mood folks

40. Summer Or Winter? eh...I can take either...but I am sure that after this year I will be craving some good 'ol summer weather.

41. Hugs OR Kisses? put your hands together...awww. Snap! It's offical I am a freakshow.

42. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? brownies

43. Who Is Most Likely To Do This? I have no idea.

44. Who Is Least Likely To Do It? These questions kinda drive me nuts.

45. Living Arrangements? those are good to have--sign me up for those.

46. What Books Are You Reading? The Dim Sum of All Things, Romans, The Perfect Age

47. What's On Your Mouse Pad? my finger (it's a lap-top folks)

48. What Did You Watch Last Night? SNL w/ Luke Wilson

49. Favorite Smells? fresh cut grass, Eternity for men, clean laundry, cooking smells

50. Favorite Sounds? laughing, sauteing garlic, when I had AOL I loved it when I signed on and "You've got mail" came on. Made me smile.

51. Where Did You Meet Your Other Half? still lookin'

Rockford, MI

2005-09-03T21:44:00.000-04:00

Taken around downtown Rockford:

I hear that during the winter, icicles freeze to the sides and the image is breathtaking.

I have a piece of Carol here in Rockford. Have yet to try out thier pizza.

During the summer and early fall you see tons of people paddling up a storm on the Rouge River. Thought this was a cool shot.

You can often see fishermen (and women) casting into the river from this bridge.

Downtown @ it's finest on a beautiful fall day.

This is my JAM!

2005-09-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

Here's the first of many pod-casts about Charbot's life in G-RAP:

Umm...can I just say that I am completly e-dicted to this whole blog/podcast thing. I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! (Kicking my leg in the air)

Karaoke

2005-09-02T00:28:00.000-04:00

I love karaoke. Yes, I will admit it. I love to sing Pat Benetar, Def Lepperd, and Aretha Franklin off-key in front of people.

I have yet to explore the karaoke scene in G-Rap. It does have some big shoes to fill. The Irish Immigrant on a Tuesday night in Seattle where my ladies and their men and I lived out our need to be the center of attention is the BEST kareoke bar I have been to.

Here's Ang, me, and Amanda on our way to an evening of fun and singing at a local kareoke bar.

Tuesday nights @ 10pm local college students majoring in drama, music, and performing arts, among others would pile into the small tavern prepared to drink some beer and sing some songs. Ahh...one of the greatest combinations ever.

People would dance, flirt, laugh, drink. It's good times.
My favorite would be the people who were turning 21. They would stumble up to the stage followed by the group of friends, grab the mic and scream, "I just turned 21!" in a drunken slurred voice. Haven't we all been there before. This would be followed by the crowds response of "Woo!Yeah!Happy Birthday!etc" (well, they wouldn't yell etc....but...ah..you know what I mean.) They would sing some song that would be barely recognizable due to the drunken stupor they were in. It's the most fun.

I don't know why the Asian culture loves karaoke BUT they have some great bars as well. One of the best I have experienced is Busch Gardens in P-town, OR. Groups of Japanese men and women would take over the entire bar and restaurant on kareoke night. Here is how these groups of people would roll with kareoke.
One or two people would go up and sing and a group of six OTHER people would be back-up dancers punching and kicking in the air. You could not help but get into the song (which was sung in Japanese) and sing along what you could. They were just so much fun and everyone loved having them sing despite the language barrier.
I am telling you...if you haven't been to your local karaoke bar find one near you and get our butt up on that stage.

Girls Are Weird

2005-09-01T21:11:00.000-04:00

My Woodward and I were driving away from the U-district in Seattle after attending a birthday party the night before. We were in the left turn lane at a light to get on I-5. We were swapping stories about the party...

"I can't believe that guy called you Starbuck"
"What was his name, Bosco?" "Isn't that a chocolate sauce? Or George Costanza's bank passcode?"

The banter continues while my Woodward leans over and looks in the rearview mirror in order to pick at her face and pop an zit on her cheek. Something was said to inspire a white-girl high five, which we did once she was done popping her zit.

Behind us are two college guys who notice this exchange and start laughing at us probably thinking, "Girls need to affirm each other after EVERYTHING! After one pops a zit in the mirror, they high-five."

Girls are weird.

Here's more evidence to this claim:

This is Angel of the Flowers, she's my main girl. She's off galavanting through Europe-lucky (said in Napolean voice).

This was taken at a craft store. Only in America can you find an ginormous martini glass in a craft store.

S.S.B's

2005-09-01T18:34:00.000-04:00

S.S.B's

Secret Single Behaviour (thought I would go a little British on ya)

These are the things that you do when you are home alone that no one sees. Some people may be privileged enough to see these, but these people are your family and best friends. However, many of these behaviours are ones that are created when you live on your own.

Despite the fact that I have a roommate-I still have my secret single behaviour's. Many of my previous roommates have seen them--but not all of them. There are those things that you do in your room when you are all by yourself.

Here are my all-time top five(out of numerous) SSB's

1) Examine my hands and feet-cleaning under my nails do a mani/pedi if I feel I need one.

2)Wiggle my toes and rub my feet together when I am in bed ready to fall asleep.

3) Get a bowl of tortilla chips w/ salsa and eat those while day dreaming

4) Play with my belly-button.

5)Tweeze (eyebrows, hair on my knees and ankles that somehow escaped my razor, etc.)

These are not in any order whatsoever. I encourage all of you, my readers (Anne, Caitlin, maybe that one hick dude who made a comment about my pinky-toe story). Explore your SSB's. I know you have them.

And here's a pic--because I can.

My New Toy

2005-08-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

I have recently purchased a new toy that will enable me to share my joys, struggles, random events, etc. Here is a photo log of what my new surrounding look like.
My first office AND HAVING...a very staged photo taken of me listening to a dial tone.

My desk at work taken in the style of Cousin Wes.

This is what my Saturday nights look like until I meet some people who enjoy a good round of kareoke and beer.

My name is Charlotte, I like to do drawings.

As I play more and more-my new toy will be come a main character in Charbot's life.

Disclaimer*

2005-08-31T09:40:00.000-04:00

*The previous post was written during a bout of homesickness that was soon treated with some chocolate and a good chat with good friends.

2005-08-30T21:14:00.000-04:00

So it begins...my year long DCE internship @ St. Peter's in MI. As of now I have set-up my office with the appropriate files and organized some events for youth in the next coming months.
My duties this year is to work with the youth group, teach Sr. high Bible study, and 7th grade confirmation class on Monday night while supervising the 1st-6th grade midweek program making sure teachers are okay in their classrooms etc.
I have been here a week and I am getting used to working everyday. I am in the mass of post-graduate 20-somethings out in the "real world" making the transition from the life of the college student to that of the working stiff. I can tell you already that I miss my old life. Not the homework. Believe I am very happy that I never have to write a paper again about educational theory and how to connect that to Scripture. However, I am missing the college campus where you are surrounded by your peers.
I am at least five states away from any friends or family. I am pretty lonely at this point. There is no one that I can really talk to. I have a roommate-whose really great and nice but it's not the same. Also, the whole mid-west thing is throwing me. People are just a little different out here. I can't really explain it. It's not good or bad-just different. I know a couple of people out here my age-and they can network me with other people that are close to my age as well.
I just don't know these people yet. I know that I will be able to make friends. I mean come on, it's me :) I am a friend snob. I only want my friends to hang out with.

You wish you could be as cool as I am

2005-08-01T17:09:00.000-04:00

So here are a couple of pictures of my summer adventures with My Woodward, the sister, and the Bonnster. You wish you could be as cool as we are :)

See previous blog for backstory on this picture:

Yeah, this is My Woodward being silly:

CHEW!

Don't Chew---look underneath "Great for copying Comics!":

You never know what you have--until it's gone

2005-07-10T21:45:00.000-04:00

Before you being to read this--I want everyone to look at thier pinky toe and thier little pinky toenail. This entry is of my pinky toenail and the day I lost it.

I was in Lodi, CA visiting my Woodward before I had to begin work the next week. We had a couple of fun days hanging out in Lodi getting hit on by older men who bought us drinks, dressing up in 80's garb (crimpped hair included), and cruising the streets of Lodi in the Celica rocking out to the Police. It was good times.

On Wednesday evening she and I were watching "Dancing with the Stars". We started to make our ridiculous commentary as if we knew what we were talking about. During a commercial break I got up and ran towards the kitchen to get a Butterscotch Yummy treat provided by my Woodward's mom.

I failed to notice the brick fireplace to my left and scraped my pinky toe against the brick on the floor. I immediately screamed a profane word or severel of them and sat down in the chair closest to me clutching my little pinky toe. I turned to my Woodward saying that I think I broke my toe. I removed my hand from the toe to reveal lots of lots of blood. My Woodward soon took action and got me a band-aid as I hobbled into the kitchen to clean my toe with some water and a paper towel to apply pressure to my wound.

When I removed me hand I noticed that my nail and the first few layers of my epidermis had been ripped off and was hanging on to my toe by a small thread of skin. I knew what I had to do. Rip off the bit of skin with my toe-nail attached to it. I told this to my Woodward. She had to remove herself from the room while I did it. She couldn't take the idea of taking off a toe nail. It still brings her shivers.

I put a band-aid on it and spent the next three weeks in pain each time I took a step hobbling to and fro. It was touch and go there for the first few weeks because I was afraid of infection and of losing my entire toe, not just the pinky toe-nail.

You really don't know what you have until it's gone. Although my pinky toe-nail was practically non-existant before the incident in Lodi, I still claimed a pinky toe-nail to paint, to clip when it got to long, etc.

I am happy to announce that I now have a fresh pinky toe-nail that I will soon christen with a fresh polishing once it gets long enough. If you wish to view the new toe-nail, go to My Woodward's blog entry "This is what this looks like.

This experience has taught me three things. First, love what you have-even if it is small because you will miss it when it's gone. Second, watch where you tred when brick is around, and third, never trust a Scicilian when death is one the line.

Actually, I already knew that last one, but it's always good to get a little reminder of that one because you never know. You never know.

Take Back the NCMO

2005-07-09T23:59:00.000-04:00

I have just found out, after a little google research that NCMO was somehow created in Utah at Brigham Young University. I don't know about you guys but NCMO and BYU are two acronyms that I would never see together. What is up with this??

This entry hereby TAKES BACK THE NCMO for the Lutherans!
This is most certainly true.

Thoughts of my day

2005-07-09T23:18:00.000-04:00

I often ask my friends if they would still be my friends if I talked really weird (and then continue to talk in that voice), or looked really wired (and then continue to make that face). Many times they humor me and say no, but I am pretty sure that they would.

Yeah, that was random enough.

I hate you Naked Girl!

2005-07-07T00:57:00.000-04:00

Readers I apologize for the emotional entry to follow:

For the past six weeks I have been sucked into the show that has "swept America"-- Dancing with the Stars. This is the show where celebrities are paired with professional dancers and America finds out what happens when boxers, actors, reality TV wannabe stars, former childhood singers dance thier way to a final showdown of dancing! Silly I know, it started out as a joke to watch but you get into the couples as they sway and twirl to the music every Wednesday 8/9c on ABC.

My favorite couple were John and Charlotte. John is an the actor whoplayed J.Petterman on Seinfield, the one with the deep melodic voice that had the crazy stories that sold his catalog. My least favorite couple were Kelly and Alec. Kelly is an "actress" on some soap.

John and Charlotte are great dancers. John got into each and every dance with crisp footwork and Charlotte(the professional dancer) was always at her best. They were often the couple to beat during the six week show. Kelly and Alec were okay dancers, relying on his scary booty shaking and her skimpy non-existant outfits (which almost came off one week-De Ja Vu Super Bowl 2004) to draw attention to themselves. When John and Charlotte were first, Kelly and Alec were often the last couple each night.

Amazingly enough Naked Girl Kelly and her partner Alec made it to the finals. There was no question about John and Charlotte. This Wednesday was the final showdown of the "comback kid" and the consistently good and classy John.

After two dances, my sister and I watched as Naked Girl took home the disco ball trophy! Shocking, I am sure, to all the John and Charlotte fans out there. This once again proves the old cliche that "sex sells" in America.

Damn.

The Girls

2005-07-06T23:26:00.000-04:00

Here's a pic of the girls at graduation: From the left- ME! My Woodward and the Italian Stallian herself~ Carol

Welcome

2005-06-12T13:04:00.000-04:00

Greetings all!

Many of my "peeps" have entered into the blogworld so I decided to jump on the bandwagon as well.

This blog will be used as an account of all the things that happen in my life. Mad-cap antics, bitter-sweet moments, etc. etc. etc.

Surely there will be more to come

Lates