A Week of Firsts.

I know I swore I would never mention weather again, but with the climate confusion that has been this week, it seemed like an appropriate way to start this post. One word: HOT. For those who know me, I am not a fan of this word. I want rain and coldness all the time, that its a wonder University of Washington didn't accept me. Anyways, its just pushing 85 degrees around here and I am already over it and ready for Christmas! Though I must say, it does make biking a whole lot more pleasant. Well, until you feel yourself turn into a lobster and break into a sweat as you rush to class. But just around 5:47 pm, with a slight westward breeze--thats the sweet spot.

I did combat the "heat" this morning by venturing to a new part of campus; the swimming pool. To avoid others from being blinded by my white as winter legs, I woke up at 6:30 AM (!!!) to get there first thing in the morn. Apparently everyone else had this same idea, because it was quite full! But I stayed in my lane labeled "SLOW" (if that's not an ego-killer I don't know what is), and enjoyed my lap swimming. Gotta say, I'm just a littttle out of shape in the free-style department, seeing as how I haven't swam for reals in about, eh, 3 1/2 years. Baby strokes, baby strokes. Getting up so early (how did I used to do this every day?!) has made today drag on and on and on. Nothing a good giving in to my caffiene addiction can't fix!

Today must have been a week of firsts, because I also stepped foot in the library for the first time this year. I know, before my parents hang their heads in shame, I just always thought it would be too quiet for me. But due to ever-present knocks on my door and unknown noises from the hallway, it was my last resort. Actually a pleasant little place. I seated myself in front of a happy little window letting in lots of light and got some work done! I may even have to go back! Imagine that.

This week my bike did not experience any more colissions, but I did partake in a rather physically demanding activity-hopping a fence. A very TALL fence with metal spokes at the top. Now before everyone else hangs their heads in shame...I was peacefully running laps around the track of the football stadium, when I see a security guard locking up the gates. Surely he'll leave one open for me, I think to myself. Well, after circulating the track for the final time it became clear that this was not so. So I did what any person would do; I hopped the 15 foot fence. At night. With no footholds. Oy. (Video footage may or may not have been taken).

The last thing I'll leave you with is a laugh. My Pscyhology TA's laugh, to be precise. He laughs at the most inappropriate times, with the most outrageous noise I have ever heard. Imagine if someone were to stab a goat multiple times at a medium tempo speed. Only then would you experience the noise I have to hear day in and day out. At the most inappropriate times.

Involuntary Terror.

Well folks, the day has come. The day of my very first bike "accident" in Cowtown. Technically the day was last week, and the accident was more like a collision, as no one ended up injured. But it counts in my book, as I feel it was only a matter of time until I experienced this right of passage. Here's what happened; I was peacefully peddling down a two-way bike path, clearly focused on the road ahead. I spot a biker coming towards me on the WRONG side of the road. No big deal, I think to myself. I'll just go around her on the other side of the road. As I was merging into the opposing lane, she finally came to her senses and realized that she was in the WRONG lane. Upon realizing this, and in the middle of my merging, she attempted to quickly get back into her own lane. You can probably use your imaginations to visualize what happened next. Neither of us had time to get into our respective lanes and what resulted was a clumsy, slow-motion, collision of my front wheel into the side of her bike. We both stumbled off of our bikes and just kind of looked at each other. It gets better--she lives on my floor. I know her. Of course she was apologetic, but I was just happy that it didn't happen because of my biking inexperience. Lesson of the day: stay in your lane, people!

Aside from that excitement, I have chosen to immerse myself into more physical activities this week. You're looking at the newest Inter-mural Soccer player...Yeah I know. I quit soccer at a young age because I despised it so much. But I made the mistake of mentioning to a leader that I used to play; next thing I know I'm invited to the Facebook group, and a young man ambushing me at church to guilt-trip me into playing. Sure enough, tonight I will be wearing my "black" colored jeresey, and praying that the ball doesn't come to me. College people can be so persuasive. (No joke; I was thisclose to being talked into joining the 'Harry Potter Alliance' Club this week...)

In addition, you all were right; I guess I just couldn't stand a quarter without dance, because I have decided to enroll myself into a Belly Dancing class. Okay, I give you permission to laugh at this one. In my defense, ever since I was a wee one I would sit on the curb at the 4th of July parades year after year, wishing I could be one of them, rolling what my Mama gave me. That sounded a lot stranger than I meant it, but you get the idea. I have always wanted to try this form of dance, so it should be an experience to say the least! It had me at "hip scarf reccomended".

Thats about all the adventures I've been going through as of late; oh, and how could I forget! Last night I experienced the adventure that is a Horror Film. You see, I always tell myself that I like the feeling of suspense, until I am actually watching one, blanket over my head and heart pounding. Others may or may not have been making fun of me. I'm a wuss in that department, okay?!  If you're curious, it was The Strangers. *shiver* It was a good one. (And by good I mean extremely terrifyingly creepy).

Slingshots and Sweating

I know, I know...long time no talk. Just getting back into the swing of things in these parts! My week in review: did a lot of re-organizing, un-packing & cleaning upon my arrival (why does it always feel like move-in day all over again at the start of every quarter?). I got used to the DC all over again, and of course, began my classes. I think everyone who didn't do so hot 1st and 2nd quarter are realizing that they need to do well this time around...its been pretty quiet around the dorms for this reason. Of course, there was still time for a few geniuses to create a makeshift sling-shot out of a deflated bike tube, duct tape, and a couple of sturdy door handles. What? We were putting our engineering capabilities to good use...as we flung paper towel rolls and hackey sacks down the hallway; things that were not too harmful but still bulky enough to make us go "woaah!!". Though you can imagine our horror when a group of incoming Freshman and their families came in to tour the residence halls in the middle of one of our catapults. Whoops.

It rained this week. And then it was hot. And then it poured some more. But bipolar weather conditions aside, our room has been scorching hot to the point of me waking up drenched in sweat and sleeping with no covers on, all because the Russian maintenance men don't believe in turning the air condition on. At least not until May. And we are all dying over here.

This week my wonderful friend Laura was visiting and staying in our room, which made it a bit more cramped but a whole lot more fun! I was glad that she was able to experience first hand the sleep-talker/giggler/singer/snorer that is Brianna. Though I am sure she got absolutely no sleep (Sorry Las...)

As far as extra-curriculars go, I am not sure I will be doing dance this quarter. I think I'm going to try my hand at a Beginning Drawing class, offered through the craft center. I have always wanted to improve my sketching skills past the point of doodles and flowers, and it fits well into my scheudele. I'm a tad scared because at this point all of my animals end up looking like a two-legged gingerbread man. Wish me luck. I also joined a, get this; a Woman's Running Club. No, I'm not kidding. A friend on my floor started it & it has actually been really fun! We run along the arboretum and will increase our mileage per week. On Friday we ended with some extremely unflattering ab excersises, which all of the potheads sitting on the grass had full view of. But as my friend said, "Oh well, we'll have nice bodies and they'll have cancer!" Well said.

Oh, and I can update you on my final grades that I finally got back...A's and B's in my classes! Not the straight A dream that I always strive for...but one of these quarters it will happen! I better get back to my studies now (for those interested, I am taking Psychology, Biology and English. Can you get any more boring per-requisites than that??), so ta-ta for now! Missing you all already.