I am torn between two worlds.

I know that I will be going home soon, packing, cleaning.
But I can't go home yet.

I know that I can't go home yet, so I try to nest and feel at home here, but I know I'm leaving soon.
So it doesn't really work.

I know that I need to plan for next semester, but it causes me to worry about things not part of my life right now. Forces me away from the comfort I feel now.

I know change is coming, so I (like any rational person) just want the change to come so I can deal with it.

But it's still distant. And I am still torn.

A Norwegian at the Greek Festival

A few weeks ago my friends and I roadtripped it down to Richmond, VA to see a friend run a marathon. Of course, while she was out there running 26.2 miles, we were stuffing our faces at the Greek festival. [mmmm...]

Since we left really early in the morning, I did my makeup in the car and threw on a hat for the day. Standing in line to receive my decadent spankopita and pork souvlaki, the woman serving mentioned that she liked my hat. It looked very European.

She thought for a moment more and said, "Norway, you look like you're from Norway."

I'm not sure all my relatives can boast such a striking Norwegian resemblance as to elicit comments from total strangers (this has happened more than once), but I certainly do my part.

My ancestors would be proud.

For a little laugh

http://www.bestofthe2000s.com/creative1.html

Watch "Swear Jar." I almost fell off my chair it's so funny.

My new obsession

iMovie.

I can't get enough.

My op-ed about gun control

Being in Washington you get used to disagreeing with people. This is one issue that makes complete sense to me and I am perfectly fine disagreeing with whomever wishes to disagree.

http://universe.byu.edu/node/4151

IT'S HERE

The Swine Flu has arrived at the Barlow Center. The nerve.

So far it's two doors down from my apartment and isn't allowed to come out for a week. But it's only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, every fifteen minutes I attack light switches, door knobs, and people with my Lysol wipes.

I will never surrender! I will defeat this yet!

Leaf peeping at the Shenendoah with the Summerhays

A few weeks ago, Steph, Jake and I drove up to Shenendoah National Park for the afternoon to see the fall foliage. The fact that Stephanie and Jake have a car now, combined with my desire to go "leaf-peeping" (and having my life practically threatened by my native-Virginian friend), made a trip inevitable.

We had many adventures, including red-knuckle driving through pouring rain and wall-like fog. But ultimately, the colors (as you can see below) were definitely worth it.

Issue of the week

Gun control has been bumping around my head recently in light of the recent shootings and two Second Amendment briefings we had on Friday. Post to come.

Wastebasket Writing

This week at work, I got the chance to write our weekly editorial-style article called the "Wastebasket." It was really fun, mildly stressful, and an overall good experience. I think my bosses were pleased with my work. Just so you know, it's not a white paper, it's not a scholastic essay (although I do have reliable sources), it's a snarky editorial. So don't be surprised if it's slightly (read: heavily) stilted.

(You can link to the website here. The Wastebasket is on the right side, and the related factsheet that I also spent a lot of time on is in the center section called, "The Amazing Waste: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Funding" Also, if you feel like commenting on anything relating to me, please do so on my blog, not on the website.)

Trivia about Lynne

Thanks to my Gabrielsen genes, every Sunday night I have a mini-panic attack about going back to work/school.