Moving Out

You find, when you move out, that there are lots of differences in life.

It's my first day here, in this four bedroom apartment, with only one other roommate, so the silence is very enveloping, as opposed to the constant background noise that you get when you have seven younger siblings ranging from the ages 4 - 15.
Also, my roommate is Chinese, so my first task this morning is to teach her how to make oatmeal. When I came in last night and met her, I'm not sure which she was most excited about; that she finally had a roommate so she was no longer alone here, or that I know how to cook. Promptly after seeing me, she started cleaning everything in the kitchen out so that there is now room for all of my supplies, and then went through all her food, chucking some things out, and asking me if I knew how to use a majority of the ingredients in my cooking. We'll probably be getting groceries together and switching off on cooking, since she does know how to make some Chinese food. With the kitchen spotless, we started trying to figure out a meal schedule on when we could eat together, then gave up until we could get our schedules entirely figured out together.
My roommate is also 26, which since she's already discovered I'm really mature for my age (and has complimented me on so) this is no problem, and I'm very happy and relieved to say that I believe we will get on very well. :)
My biggest challenges in moving out so far have been loneliness, boredom, and I'm sure very soon learning how to cook for only two people (as opposed to 12 or more people I'm used to cooking for) will become an issue I shall have to address. It'll be like learning to cook all over again!
I'm sure other differences will arise, since last night was my first night living here. But, I'm ready. So I guess bring it on, right? :) I know I can handle this. It'll be an adjustment, absolutely, but after all, the only consistency in life is change.

Recipe: Blueberry Streusel Muffins

This is a recipe my YW President made me for my birthday. It was DELICIOUS!!! So why not spread the love?? :)

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Blueberry Muffins:
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/3 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups blueberries

Streusel:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter, then add egg and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
Alternately add flour mix and milk to the creamed egg mixture.
Stir in vanilla; fold in blueberries.

Fill 12 greased or paper lined muffins up 2/3 full.

For Steusel:
Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in small bowl.
Cut in butter until crumbly as for pastry.
Sprinkle over muffins.

Cook 25-30 minutes or until browned. Yields 1 dozen muffins.

Runners, Take Your Place!

A steely voice declares aloud "Runners take your place."
Trembling with a sense of fear they step up to the line
Worrying about the race that they are about to face.

"Set!" He cries and down they go, ready to begin.
An echo of a gunshot thunders in their ears, and they start.
With urgency they fly as though time has already gone thin.

The seconds tick and runners struggle to make or keep their place.
Spikes gleam and thrust and runners sprint to stay ahead of the pack.
The timers yell out minutes as the runners fight with grace

To push themselves and try to do the best they've ever done
Or learn to fly with legs of steel atop the track and gravel
And strive to do their best against themselves and everyone.

The final bend, the final push, the end is now in view.
They runners find within themselves the strength to finish strong
And, finishing, collapse to the ground, a rest that is long due.

On the ground, caught in the snare of pain that was their prize,
And yet a victory inside themselves, a smile on their lips.
They've made their mark, they've taken their place, so it's with victory they rise.

Remember when....?

Remember when I was still small
and could climb upon your knee?
I drew markers on the floors and wall,
and I saw the world only as it affected me.

Remember when I learned to ride a bike
and finally tied my shoes all by myself?
There were still lots of foods I didn't like,
but I could finally reach stuff on the shelf.

I'm grown up and not that small anymore
but as I leave home now I'll still be
the little girl with so much in store
that knows you will always love me.

Rediscovering School

Wow, it's been a while since I've been on... I've been going through the wonders of entering college. Wow, what an unnecessary pain that is. I'm just glad I got it working out as I did in the time I did... Now lets see if I can repeat that while helping my cousin within 3 days!

Financial Aid took forever, but I at last got aid to cover all of my tuition & fees, as well as books & supplies. :) WOOT! I'm pretty pleased.

And I got into classes,
so college,
HERE I COME! :D