October 25-26

      Did you know that porridge is a real thing? I thought it was just make believe, but I found some in a store here and bought it! It was cheap and not as good as Quaker oatmeal, but if it was good enough for Goldie Locks and the 3 bears, then it's good enough for me. Now, for a beverage . . . Have I already mentioned that I am somewhat addicted to tea with milk and sugar now? These Brits are converting me! I'll bring some home with me so you all can try it. (Grandma, is there a certain kind you like best? I know you've mentioned not being able to find good English tea in the States. Let me know if there is a certain kind I can pick up for you while I'm over here! Or I can post it to you).
       During breakfast, I sent some texts out to my friends about maybe going to the city to see a show, but everyone was bogged down with school work. I joined the club and worked most of the day instead. First though, I had a voice lesson. I didn't know I was entitled to voice lessons until last week, but it was awesome! My teacher and I communicated well, and he clearly knows what he's talking about. Even though I had laryngitis for the past week, my voice sprang back just in time and held up pretty well for the lesson. After that, I spent the good part of 2 hours trying to figure out one of my music assignments, and finally gave up. (You know me - the quitter.) I found out at class today that most of the class didn't know how to complete the assignment either, so I felt much better.
       Last night, one of my neighbors, Alayna, asked me and a couple of our other neighbors, Emily and Holly, to help her with her demo for a student radio show she wants to get involved in. It was a bit nerve-racking at first, but we had a lot of fun in the end! I've never been into a radio studio before. We decided to call the show "The Evening Dish" because all of us girls are always running into each other in the kitchen, and that's pretty much where our friendships formed. After my radio debut, I returned to my room and read my healthy dose of Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus." It was captivating but grotesque. My mind was occupied, but I've been noticing that my body gets really bored and fidgety when I'm sitting still reading. This has happened for most of my college experience as an English major, but I think it's worse now because I'm not working my butt off at Starbucks or exercising very much (the campus gym is STILL being renovated!). What's worse, out of boredom my body tells me it's hungry, and that is needs chocolate ASAP. BAD COMBINATION. I finished the night/early morning off by watching Endless Summer 2 to get me out of my school funk, and it made me soooo happy! It also made me feel guilty for eating all that crap earlier because those surfer guys are ripped! When it comes to the fitness and healthy eating thing, I need to think, "Just Do It" instead of "Just Eat It." I miss 24 Hour Fitness.
       I had e-music class this morning which was confusing, but I was able to follow along well enough. Because Endless Summer 2 got me thinking about Santa Cruz and Pizza My Heart, I decided that I needed to make some pizza. Ciabatta is way easier to work with than a real pizza crust, btw, and it's tasty too. Still, nothing beats Pizza My Heart! I ate my fill of less-than-Santa-Cruz-standard pizza, did a minimal amount of work, and took a nap.
       I think the next few hours of my day at this point could be their own entry, so I'll summarize. In bullet list form, here it is:

• Booked tickets for 2 friends and me on trip to Cambridge on Saturday
• Friends and I spend 1 hour talking with very nice and sympathetic Study Abroad lady about our grievances
• Missed choir rehearsal
• Endured an intimidating and uncomfortable talk with the head of the music department about my particular programme responsibilities
• Sat in an emotional funk while waiting to speak to the choir director about missing 3 rehearsals
• Experienced great relief by the choir director's super positive, kind, and forgiving attitude. (She reminds me of Mrs. Farris!)
• Joined in singers' ensemble which will be fun
• Made a point to try to avoid the head of the music department for the rest of my time here

       Even though things turned out alright in the end, I was still in a bit of a funk when I got back. Remedy? Make more chocolate chip cookies! Mom, Dad, and Shelby - I made one especially for you!

It's in the shape of a heart because I made it with love . . . and the rest of the cookie dough :)
Unfortunately, you aren't here to eat it, so I'll do the honors. 
Prayer Request of the Day: That I would live in the moment and find the blessings God has put there.