The City that Bleeds Purple

This post is dedicated to my sister, Melissa, who continues to bleed purple even in France.

Last night (Friday) I decided to go pay my friends and cousins in Manhattan, home of the K-State Wildcats, a visit. It was quite a feat getting there, but after multiple detours, numerous phone calls, a delayed arrival time, and millions of prayers, I made it to Steph's apartment. (Let's just say, highway 99 + in the dark = not a good combination.) She had kindly made Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchiladas, and despite her cheese malfunction, they were delicious. Elizabeth joined us for our 8:30 dinner, but sadly, no picture was taken. We (minus Elizabeth) then went to Orange Leaf (which is almost like Yogurtland in San Diego) to meet my cousin, Lisa! Although we took no pictures, we still had a splendidly marvelous time catching up.

Saturday morning, two of my absolute favoritest cousins took me out to breakfast, and that's when the picture-taking began. We ate at The Chef, which Greg says is, "Reputably the best breakfast restaurant in Kansas un-oficially, and has in his opinion the best coffee in Manhattan. AND, it's bottomless coffee!" After my experience there, I concur. Craig, Greg, and I all three ordered the same thing: 'Dang Quesadila'. (I know Quesadila is spelled wrong, but that's how it was spelled in the menu.)



Why do I love hanging out with these two cousins? Because they are funny, handsome, sweet, intelligent, talented, Godly young gentle-men who treat me like I'm worth the world.

Why did I like the restaurant so much besides the scrumptious food and incredible coffee? Because the waitress served both my food and coffee in yellow dishes! Bright yellow dishes! How can you NOT smile when you drink coffee from a happy yellow mug?



After cousin-bonding time, I hung out with Steph some more. We...

Visited Melissa's old apartment:




Visited Melissa's old work-place:



Visited Melissa's old university campus:



And finished the morning with even MORE coffee (I had probably had about 4 cups by that point!) and a scrumptious piece of cranberry-nut bread. SO GOOD! We had a lovely time visiting and catching up in this cute little coffee-shop.






The return trip home was not nearly as eventful. I only called Steph once the whole way! And, since it was light outside, I could enjoy the EXQUISITE countryside that God created. The Flint Hills are truly MAGNIFICENT!

Thank-you, Steph, for introducing me to the phrase: bleeding purple. I now over-use it shamelessly. Thank-you also for housing me and providing me with whatever I forgot. I learned a lot at your apartment!!!

Heavenly Storehouses Laden with Snow!

This past Tuesday and Wednesday, Emporia received over 14 inches of snow!!! I have never seen so much snow in my entire life. Logically, the university closed down and issued another SNOW DAY! I did not even bother going outside Wednesday while it was coming down. Rather, I hibernated by making cookies, watching Psych, planning for Bible study, and homeworking. (Yes, 'homeworking' is now a verb in order to maintain the parallelism in the previous sentence.) Thursday, I was forced to venture out because I had work and class. I took pictures along the way. I could hear people around me mentally calling me "African" as I took these random pictures!

This is the door leading into my apartment complex. Needless to say, it is not snow-proof.



My poor car. She doesn't like the being out in the cold anymore than I do.




So much snow!


And of course, as tradition holds, I must wear my rainboots after a big snow storm. Let me pause a moment to explain why:
1. Rainboots are water proof. Snow is a form of water. Thus, snow will not damage or enter my rainboots.
2. They add color to my life.
3. I didn't want to ruin my other nice winter boots by getting them wet.
4. I needed to take another picture for my blog and I know Dave W. appreciates my boots!
Only major downfall: they are not built for extreme temperatures so you must wear multiple socks.



See that little curvy path? That's my route to campus!



Finally a sidewalk.



I wonder why no one is sitting on those pretty benches?



Confession 1: At times, I feel a bit smug because I have these SWEET glittens. Not only do they work as gloves and mittens, but they were purchased in Minnesota and thus are extra warm. I absolutely love them! (This is when I felt the most foolish taking pictures!)





Confession 2: I spend a great deal of time day-dreaming of Burkina Faso and hot sweaty weather! I think my body is slowly shutting down due to the cold. Walking around in -9 degree weather is not my idea of fun.



But then, I look around and see just how beautiful 14+ inches of snow is and how it reflects the BEAUTIFUL CREATOR that I get to worship and serve.





The only truly fitting way to end this blog is with a movie quote:
"I'm going to go take a hot bath. I'm getting cold just thinking about all this ice!"

Shorty, Melissa, any guesses as to the movie?

Snow Day (x2)

Monday, the temperatures dropped, the ice fell, and by the evening, the university was closed for the following day. Tuesday, the temperatures continued to drop (-22 with wind!!!), snow started falling and wouldn't stop, and bye the evening, the university had announced another snow day for Wednesday! TWO ENTIRE SNOW DAYS IN A ROW! Starting Monday afternoon, I refused to leave my apartment until Wednesday night! Cold is just not my thing. A good friend, Doh (her full name being Dohgyoung Ahn), spent the night Monday night and joined Sherlynn and myself in a full snowday of festivities! Allow me to explain...

Bananagrams:


Doh gets bonus points for rhyming!

Food:

I should have taken more pictures because Tuesday morning we had whole wheat buttermilk pancakes with pecans, blueberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter and syrup! (Not all on one pancake!)


"Wrestling":


Okay, it technically was not in any way like wrestling. What we did was link arms and then try to stand up and sit down together. Highly amusing!

Mail Check:

I did not go with them.

Sherlynn and Doh had a little adventure of their own when they were out and about:




I'm not entirely sure what Doh was doing!

Of course, there's always homework to be done......and reading:




We also worked out to a wonderful Jilian DVD, drank lots of coffee and hot chocolate, and watched movies. We had A LOT of fun and spent 89% of the time laughing! I wish we could have two days off every week, but maybe in April when we can go outside!