Whoa Nelly!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

So i didn't go home for Easter. First Easter away from my family. It was strange and lonely. I think its better to be with people you love and love you back on such an amazing day! But it just so happens that my car needs to last throughout my college days, so we're saving her some breaths.

I received this wonderful Easter care package with great chocolate and jelly bellies, but here's the catch. I don't know who its from!! Not from my parents, not from my sister or brother, not from my grandparents, not from my friends...who can it be from?? Are you the mystery sender? If so...tell me! I want to thank you!! It made me smile (and continues to do so since i don't know who its from!).

Side note - i only have about one more month here in Winona until i depart for good....just thuoght i'd remind myself since i don't do that enough.

Alright, i'm out yo!

<>< Bri

P.S. There's a full moon and i've got a craving for salsa...anyone with me?

Simply Beautiful...

I was walking back today from my cancelled class when i was thinking about all the beauty in the simple things. Last night i did a bulletin board about "natural highs," which probably now means that all my girls think i'm a stoner, even though i'm not. But when i was making it, i was reading the things that were mentioned like catching a glance from a cute stranger, taking a hot shower, hearing a good song on the radio, etc...Immediatly when i read them i was like...dang yo, those are some good times!

So back to my walk. I was walking and thinking about life and this strange time in mine...and i got to thinking about the bulletin board, the fact that it was sunny out and the simple things in my life. How we never (or hardly ever) look at the simple things. We may see them or know that they are there, but we never LOOK at them.

What kinds of things am i talking about? Things that make you feel good inside just because they are small and simple, but so beautiful...here are some examples:

* A mom singing a song to her little girl in the stroller as the mom drops the little girl off at day care so Mom can go to classes.

* Seeing a train car pass you by with the word "irate" on it, and realizing that the world is a tough place for a lot of people.

* Noticing that there is a dance studio of serious ballet dancers right across from your window and appreciating the dedication those people give, and how hard they work at it.

* Having a friend that understands and shares the fact that you may just need company and so you can sit in silence and be with each other.

* Having someone say that they could never be disappointed in you, even if you kind of already knew...

* Having your best friend say, "can you call because i want to hear your voice?"

*Taking a nap after eating lunch and having the sun beam down on you so you're nice and warm.

* Having someone notice that your away message isn't the same old one...its actually a little down this time around.

* Having someone tell you they miss you and wished it was back to a time when you were together.

Those are just some examples. Do you guys have any ones? Things that just make you smile, but you take for granted sometimes? This blog goes out to Nate...he's a pretty cool cat :) Hope you enjoy the beauty in the simple things!

Ahhh, fruit snacks....

Do you remember those sharks and dinosaur fruit snacks from Aldi's? They are the best kind of fruit snack. They are fruity, yet CAN be pulled apart (unlike the strawberry and cherry ones that stay all rubbery in the gut). Anyway, they are my all-time favorite snack! Walmart has these smiley faced ones on sale right now, and let me tell you...they are quite the gems!

Do any of you sort your fruit snacks by color? Oh, that's right, no one responds to MY blog...john and Brandon's are the hot topic these days....Thanks a lot guys!!

The inevitable fall...

When i was younger and first learning how to ride my bike, i was scared. It might have been the most scared i have ever been in my life, without ever knowing it. I can remember the day clearly. It was cloudy and the parking lot to the armory behind my house was empty. It was warm, but not hot. My dad took me out to learn on our little yellow and black bike. It was the same bike that my brother and sister learned on, so i knew it worked. This was the first time that i was going to ride without the training wheels. We started out at the top of the hill. It was either downhill or up hill. Downhill seemed the best way to actually get moving (which is true most of the time in life, you have to go down before you go up). So my dad is hanging onto my seat and i, being five and scared for my life, am begging him to not let go, sobbing and trying to wipe the tears away so if by chance he does let go, i'll be able to see. We start moving, my dad moving right along side of me, I'm peddling and then it comes -- He lets go. I can feel the warm breeze through my pig tails and overalls and i finally feel it. The feeling of flying into the unknown, scared as all get out, but trying so hard to make it, make it to the end of the hill so i can place my feet on the ground and say that i did it.

But like most little kids who are just learning, about half the way down, i fell. The bike tipped and pulled me down with it. I landed on my knee and elbow trying to catch myself before the inevitable fall. Not a surprise to my dad, someone who has already taken the fall and gotten back up. The thing i remember the most was feeling defeated. Feeling numb to the fact that i was never going to learn how to ride a bike because i had fallen. Fallen hard.

Life is funny like that. God has a sense of humor, in that everything you do is preparing you and easing you into the next thing. What if i would have made it all the way down that hill the first time i tried? I wouldnt have learned to get back up again, i would have felt invincible. Lately it seems like i find a good thing or something good happens and then two more bad things come into play, or the good gets taken away. I do not doubt for a minute that God is the best teacher ever, but his lessons are hard. I meet someone, God replies saying, "He is a good man, but now's not the time." I catch a break in schoolwork and classes, God replies, "Trust in me and then feel safe, but until then i need you to keep trusting and working in me."

How do we get through these times...these falls? We get back up, simple as that. Trust that the reason you fell is even more important than how. God will explain later..."This is the right guy, but i need you to be patient and see that i have saved him for you, and you need to be friends and hang on," "This schooling will provide for you when you're done putting in your time, but now i need you to keep your head above water and keep swimming until you can touch."

The inevitable fall brings about the inevitable getting up. We just have to trust that when He lets go, you will make it...

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit...this is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit..." 

I DO! SO?

I enjoy the occasional rap song...the rare country tune...but if i had my way everyday in the world of music, it would consist of a plethora of good music. It would involve the following bands:

-The Beatles
-The Who
-Led Zepelin
-The Steve Miller Band (in their hay day)
-Simon and Garfunkle (sp?)
-James Taylor
-The Carpenters
-Relient K
-FM Static
-Jimmy Eat World
-The Shins
-Fountains of Wayne
-Jet
-Cake
-The Strokes
-Pedro the Lion
-Rilo Kiley
-Howie Day
-Damien Rice
-Death Cab for Cutie
-Copeland
-The Wallflowers
-Something Corporate
-Fall Out Boy
-Guster
-Jason Mraz
-Story of the Year
-Switchfoot
-Yellowcard
-The Starting Line
-The Format
-The Flamming Lips
-Tegan and Sara
and last but not least
-Phantom Planet

This is quite the list and it certainly doesn't include all bands and songs that i enjoy. This is just the bands that came to mind today at this very moment. And even though it is a make-shift list...it does the world of music justice! Wouldn't you enjoy music like this?

You might be thinking..."None of this is the same genre of music." Well Duh. Its good to have many influences in music, i mean if you just listened to the same thing all the time, then what fun would it be to sing along to songs with your friends that they enjoy, but you don't? I have to admit, most of my music tastes have come from these wise people:

-My Brother, Brandon "the intelligent" Otte
-My Best Friend, Jaime "the beautiful" Bodden
-My Parents, "Ma and Pa" Otte
-Myself, yeah, that's right

However, i'm open to any new stuff...not gonna say i'll enjoy it as much as these bands, but i'll give it a try. If you have varied opinions of this and want me to hear your music...send a CD and we'll see...Care to make a wager? Or if you agree on my tastes and want to make a CD for yourself and just burn all of these bands on one CD and make an extra, you can send that to me too :) Alright, that's my view...I'm out.

<>< Bri

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat....

Hey All. So I'm all done with tests, which means that Christmas is getting closer and closer! I'm so excited to see my family and spend time with them :) This semester was most excellent, and i'm really happy that i'm done! Thanks for reading this semester! Its been real.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

<>< Bri

Double Decades Prove to be Better

Hey Everyone! So on Monday i turned 20. I was actually just planning on not telling anyone and going through the motions. But somehow the word leaked out and EVERYONE new. But it was all good...it was nice to see everyone who i care about, care back. I do have a bigger issue to address in this blog though, i don't know about the analogy...but we'll see what comes out.

So right now it is snowing outside and i am looking out the window as i type because i'm an awesome typer like that. But the snow reminds me of the fact that every snow flake is different. Yes, i am going to use the old cliche, but its true. Every snow flake has its own personal touch made from the creator himself. He is making them all unique, but creating some that fit together. Something has happened this week that has changed my view on the world, and no, it isn't the fact that its snowing outside. Was it that i turned 20? Was it because i could actually be honest with someone that i haven't in a long time? Was it that we only have two weeks left, which means almost only one semester left in winona for me? I think its a combo of all those things.

For the first time in forever i feel like i know who i am! I feel like i can be completely myself and not think any differently! I can show emotion and admit that i am certainly not right, not even half the time. I can be comfortable with the fact that i don't do a lot of things that most college students do, and i am going to serve the Lord with my whole heart before i get anywhere. I worry a lot about finding someone and feeling complete. But i am complete within the Lord. No other. And this week i've realized that God has someone out there for me...he's preparing him as he is still preparing me. We will find each other someday, and then we'll know...but right now, who knows who tomorrow will bring to your door or what kinds of relationships evolve from your existing ones. Who knows?!

So yeah...thanks for listening and don't be alarmed if i don't write for a while...i have some other things to do. Signing out....

<>< Bri

Wow, wow and double wow!!

Hey everyone...this is more of a thank you blog than anything else. Yesterday was my birthday, and i was thinking that it was going to be any old "ho-hum" birthday because i had to work and i had to go to three meetings and i had lots of classes, but it turned out to be spectacular! I really didn't want many people to know about it either, not that i was trying to be pius or anything, but its just another day, and no need to make a big deal. But there were some people that really made my day! So to all those people that sent cards, hung pictures, gave presents, and just even said happy birthday...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

<>< Brini

Happy Thanksgiving

So its thanksgiving today and i would say that i am thankful for everything. Most importantly this thanksgiving i am thankful for the family that i have. My dad got a case of the kidney stones this thanksgiving eve. He is currently in the hospital and most likely not able to come home this fine holiday.

So i miss him, and feel bad that i am not with him right now...but i just woke up. But this whole thing makes me think how truly important our family is. Seeing him sick like that reminds me of the times when i was sick and he stayed home from school with me and took care of me. It also reminds me that i like coming home to see my family. Distance makes the heart grow fonder and i do miss my family when i'm away.

Anyway, i don't really have anything else to say, but be thankful for your family, even if they are dysfunctional and quirky. They love you all the more! Happy thanksgiving everyone!

<>< Bri

GET OUT OF HERE BEAR

I could write normally, or sound REALLY ANGRY and write in caps. Or i could type really L O N G letters to get the drawn out feel. Or i could write with "quotes" when things aren't meant to be in quotes because i want to emphasize the idea that i like "quotes."

What is my point in this? Email and internet are stupid, but i use them anyway...why not just call? yeah, it is expensive, but dont say important things over email...would ya? Ha ha, who am i to talk...i do it ALL THE TIME! :) I just think we need to become humans again, and not computer spitting machines!

AH! I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE! WHERE ARE YOU BREAK?

<>< Bri

I don't mean to be mean...

So i don't know if any of you have to ride the bus...but i do. There are reasons for liking the bus, and reasons for hating it with my every fiber. Here are some of the wonderful examples of the bus.....

1. You are running about 1 minute late and you are literally running towards the bus to catch it, and the bus driver sees you, but that 1 minute is too little too late. He drives off without you. Cause you know...once he saves one he has to save them all.

2. You get to the bus on time, but you just made it...however, there is no sitting room and you must brace yourself and stand in the middle. There are a few problems with standing in the middle.

A. if the bus is really crowded, you are literally spooning the person in front of you.
B. If there is a new bus driver, they don't really know how to stop and start with ease...so you are ramming your face into the backpack in front of you because everyone is taller than you are, so you have to be careful and wear a mouth guard.
C. If you have the young bus driver, he either likes to take is sweet time on his cell phone and make everyone five minutes late for class, or he likes to smoke his cigarette as if he has all the time in the world.

3. Sometimes you get stuck next to a larger person...and this might sound mean, but its more just awkward. So you see that the only seat left open is the one next to the large and in charge man (we'll call him Ezra)... and you bring yourself to sit down to his nasty sweaty body. So you sit, but its awkward because half of their leg, is sitting on half of your seat (mainly because they can't fit). So your butt starts to fall asleep because you're hanging off the edge.

4. There are train tracks EVERYWHERE and the bus has to stop for them. Note to trains...SPEED UP!

5. When its cold and rainy all day...its no fun to sit out in the bitter cold and wet waiting for the loathed automobile. So you'd rather stab the pen (the only pen you have since you just ran late and had to catch the bus)...

So what have learned about the autobus...? That we hate it, but must plan life around it or walk for thirty minutes....hmmmm

<>< Brini

Crappy Days = Crappier Nights

Yeah...so the crappy day turned into a crappy night....THANK GOD FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK! That's all i have to say...

<>< Bri

Why?

Have you ever had one of those day where everything and anything drives you mad?! I mean, the bus driver slams on the brakes at 7:45 AM, then your professor talks a mile a minute so your hand starts to get cramps, then you have to sit in the cold because the bus driver decides its his time to talk on his gosh darn cell phone! Then you get back and realize that you have to do something today, you can't just lay down. So you go to your computer and there are about ten different signs you have to hang up, and you have your keys right under your arm while you're typing. GOSH!

I understand the notion to throw things off porches today...i finally get it.

And yes, its because break is coming up and the motivation level is at a big fat (which is also how i feel) ZERO! So you just dont want to do anything, and the only person who understands, probably makes you upset too. Stupid break and stupid rainy weather...GO AWAY! Hope ya'll have a better day than i am :( !

<>< Brini

Life likes to use a 2x4 to smack you....

Hey ya'll. So tonight was a good night, kind of a cap off the ol' weekend. I know there's still tomorrow, but that is already planned out and in the works...I've been on this earth for 19 years now. And God still amazes me! Tonight i was just thinking how blessed i am to have this opportunity to be in Winona, and be here with all the people i hold dear up here, but i got this note from Jaime...which made me want to see her. And then made me want to be home. It could be that i haven't been home since October and i am feeling the pull, or the fact that i got to talk about my smart friend Jake from back home and how he is the deepest thinker i know, or how i'm so proud of jenna for what she's done in her life, or how mark always makes me feel at ease and like i'm worth something, or how Cora never ceases to amaze me with her randomness, or how Megan can make my whole month just by an email. But mostly, how jaime can send a note, just a few sentences across cyber space, and make me feel like i'm at home and loved again. *family, i'm not talking about you...i love you always and i miss you always...* But friends from back home...there's nothing like 'em, and sometimes you are glad to meet new ones, but then you look back at the old ones, and think...heck...those were the people that helped me grow up, and grew up with me...and they were the ones who i loved...


<>< Brini (thanks Jaime :) )

Long weekend = Long weekend

Some of you may be looking at the title of this blog and thinking, "Um, dur, isn't that the same thing?" Well, it is, but it should be "long weekend = fun." but its not. Shall i exlpain? Here we go...

Today is the last day of the week. So we have Friday off and then the rest of the weekend. To preview Sunday, i unknowingly signed up to play guitar in church on sunday (okay so i knew it, but i think someone or something was speaking for me when i said it). So tonight (the beginning of the weekend) i have to take a test, practice guitar and work. I'll get to bed around the crappy usual time of 1 AM. And then wake up at a decent time tomorrow to get some homework and stuff done, since i have a lot of it seeming as semester is almost over. Then after i do that, i am going to practice guitar for like 3 hours straight. Then i'm going shopping. This might be fun, but i'm spending money that i don't have, and i'm not very good about that! I'd like to watch a movie in MY room, but no one likes to come over here, So then i'll just be sitting in my room like a blob. Then on Saturday i am getting up at a decent time again to practice guitar again. That day i'm doing more homework and creating a darn bulletin board because RA's have to do things like that. Then eventually i will have to go to work at Rock Solid (which is cool), but its until 11:30, so nothing else going on that night. Then on Sunday i have to get up and practice for a little bit, then go and play. Which i'm DREADING. Then i come back and watch the packer vs. vikings game, which being a packer fan is like death on a stick here in Minnesota because unlike packer fans, viking fans get PSYCHO! And then its more homework, a group meeting, and then sleep. Then i start another week! YES!

I know i signed up for most of these things, and i should be grateful to God for the long weekend to get all that done. But i could have gone home this weekend. But i'm here. And i hate that. I just wish i could leave at my leisure and not have to be "in the *gosh darn* building!" But it will be fine, i know it...Hey, its almost Thanksgiving, and what can be better than that? i know! Christmas Break! Which is getting closer! Hooray! Okay, well that's all for now...peace out home fries.

<>< Brini

You say its your birthday?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME BODDEN! This goes out to ma gur...Jaime! Happy birthday, you are the most amazing girl ever, and i hope you have an awesome birthday! You rock my world! I love ya sweetheart!!!!!!!

<>< Brini

lonely mc lonerson....

So i don't know if any of you have heard me refer to a "chemistry boy" but i just found out this weekend that he is dating someone that we'll name Lubby. Lubby and Chemistry are quite the pair...but it just goes to show that everyone is dating someone!

I can only hope that someday i'll be named something like mystery girl, or "van girl." But you know, i most likely won't because at a school with 70% girls and 30% boys (which most of them are taken or just plain weird)...you don't get too many oppotunities. And this whole chemistry boy thing, its just disheartening...when you see your fantasy get taken, not that you really had the right to claim him anyway, but you thought that he'd one day learn your name before he was taken up by a man eater!! I'm going to be one of those lonely old cat ladies doing math problems all day in my apartment in the city. And the kids are all going to point! Oh man! I just described Mrs. Gershon!!! YIKES!

Anyway, i'd like to dedicate this blog to those named for stupid reasons...aka namegivingforfun-itis on my part! This blog goes out to "chemistry boy," "missing marquette man," "hot bod," "mystery girl," and "red shirt boy." DARN ALL OF YOU!!!

Hope i made you all think about being lonely, cause i am...! Have a good week!

Blogger!

Yeah, that's right, i'm a blogger. I have something to say...or at least i like to pretend and write it on a blog :)

So yeah, i don't know about anyone else, but Fridays are quite possibly the best day of the week. They are for a few reasons actually...and yes, as you guessed it, im going to write why...

1. Fridays are they last days of the school week. There are no more torturous classes until Monday, which is a whole two days away!

2. There is always something fun to do on Friday nights...(well actually, not tonight, i'm on duty, but usually there is!)

3. You get to sleep in on Saturdays, which you might be thinking...well that's not Friday, but you know you can stay up late on Friday night because you have this time in the AM.

4. You are usually in a good mood on Friday, since it is the last day of the week...which puts other people in good moods and then it just feels good....

5. Last but not least, you get to use the phrase...TGIF! (for those who don't know...like Paul...it means "thank goodness its friday")

So there you have it folks, if you aren't sitting in front of your TV, working at a desk or movie theater, or just doing something inside...GET OUT! Enjoy these blessings we receive every week that i like to call FRIDAYS!

<>< Brini

VOTE!

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