The Sunrise

I woke up this morning at 6:34. I was shivering, I told my body, "go back to sleep you crazy person the sun isn't even up yet." I then thought ha God didn't turn the lights on...which is something I said as a little kid. Buts it was so true I looked outside and it was gray and very fall-esque. I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and washed my face. I came back to my room and over the hills outside my window I saw a hit of orange and red coming between two peaks. I decided I want going back to bed. I sat down and started to write this post. Now the sky is gray with no hint of any sun. Dang fall sky... I missed the sunrise! None-the-less it is still beautiful. I am in a sweatshirt under my covers and there is a real breeze, not a fan, blowing on my face. I can hear the roosters crowing and birds I've only heard at home I can hear now. I don't think I've ever heard birds here. I hope it storms today because I desperately need to type my paper instead of heading to the beach. But for now I am going to just sit here and listen. It's the kind of listening I like to do the night of a BIG snow storm when you go outside and it is dead quiet, you only hear that quiet when it snows.

Sunday morning I went to brunch paid for by my NSE fees. Brunch was at the Marriott and cause $43 a buffet. You better believe I ate so much food I almost puked. To start I had a little fruit tart which was a small pie crust with jelly and fruit in the middle YUMMY. I had half a bagel with cream cheese and tomatoes and onions and locks or however you spell that nasty looking fish thing. And a half of a Mamoso (the is spelled wrong too orange juice and champagne). My next course was a self ordered egg white omelet with spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. Next I had half of a self ordered freshly made waffle. This had strawberries, blueberries syrup AND whip cream on top. Then came cheese and crackers, chocolate moose, lemon bar, another fruit tart, and bread pudding, 2 helpings. I was one happy camper!

Well.... i am going to try and fall asleep again for an hour...

Peace and Love

Cordelia

Winding Down

This will probably be one of my last posts...

It's one day until December. I'm officially listening to Christmas music.. Harry Connick Jr. To be exact. I'm quite excited to see everyone.. I actually need a break from paradise life. I am going to go home and work which thrills me.

My Thanksgiving was perfect. My roommates mom sent a box of food on the sea plane which got it here still warm. We ate all day and I watched House. Our room was a mess for three days after though because we were so full! We went Christmas shopping... I wish I had enough money to just bring warm weather and the beach home with me :D The weirdest part of it all is I'm sitting in basketball shorts and a red IU tee shirt. The sun is flooding through my windows and warming me. My fan is officially off. I had it on to sleep last night and ended up freezing.. but a good freezing. Like summer nights when its chilly. I love that kind of sleep. Stores have Christmas decorations up! It is fun seeing an Island Christmas. There have been a lot of cruise ships in... it angers me because traffic is so unbelieveably difficult!

I am going to be completely sad when I leave because this Island has become a second home for me. I've made friends that I hope to keep for ever. I have learned so much about myself and about family. ( I am currently putting off my last essay final oops) I love driving around the streets and seeing the families and people standing outside and laughing together. I feel like state-side everyone is always running around non-stop trying to live their lives before they are too old. People here actually sit and enjoy their surroundings. I think that when we are so busy trying to please and perfect and be better that sometimes we need to stop and just listen to what is around us. Being here taught me to sit and listen. To see, to open my eyes and ears and close my mouth and stop my feet. At home something always needs to be done but if we are always getting something done then when will we have time to see what God has done? Or what beauty is around us. Family is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING GOD GAVE US. that and friends... and by friends i mean real true honest to goodness friends. A laugh can cure anything and spending time with family and friends, enjoying the world we were given, that will bring laughter. So this holiday season if you have a day turn on some good music, light a candle, make a pie, spend time with your family. Dance, sing, laugh. When we take everything so seriously we drive our minds crazy. Live (not too dangerously) just live, the way God wants you to live. Enjoy what we have not crave what we want.

Happy Holidays

Peace and Love

Cordelia

"I'll Be Home for Christmas"

SHHH dont tell anyone! I've been listening to Christmas music. Usually I am very against Christmas music before Thanksgiving but this year since its not cold and snowy here I have been listening to many Christmas songs.

IM EXCITED TO GO HOME! (shh dont tell)

I can't wait to watch Elf and drink hot chocolate and have christmas lights and listen to snow... its a weird feeling being excited to go to winter. I will be bored after a good two weeks but still I am currently excited.

Im listening to Baby its Cold Outside... one of the worlds greatest songs.
YA WINTER

i think i am just excited to watch elf... i am going to watch it the second i get home :D


Peace and Love

Cordelia

Feeling Creative

Today i am in a creative mood... i want to take pictures and decorate a house and paint.

Reality is..i live in a dorm with no art supplies and i have a broken camera...

Today is a sad day today I realized i wont be taking any more pictures until i get home in december. AHHH i am going to go crazy.

40th Post

My 40th post! (maybe i should make a cake or something)

Its hard to believe I have a little less than a month until I come home. I've been given the most amazing experience of living here on this island. I am extremely sad to be going back. I was at my friend's apartment last night having a cheese platter.. (which was amazing) and I was looking at her view from her balcony. Wow. She also showed us some more streets I've never been. We went through the oldest part of St Thomas. I am a sucker for old. She told me I'll love Paris when I go.(because I am going by 2010) She said Paris is a mixture of old and new flashy. Its a big city with character. What ever happens in my life I can never stop traveling. I still wake up every day and think to myself.. How did I end up living in paradise? I still think I am dreaming.. no way any of this is real... clearly I need to print off my pictures because that will salitify me being here.

Today I am off to do laundry eat some food an do massive amounts of paper writing.

Im looking foward to working when I get home. I am excited to see friends and family. Dreading the snow and cold.

Peace and Love


Cordelia

Ps. Check this out http://www.flickr.com/photos/cordeliaann/

Peanut Punch.

Recently Mondays my friend Edda and I go to the beach and then out to lunch. Well today she introduced me to Peanut Punch..... AMAZING its like peanut in milkshake form :D wow ive never tried something so good for me. I also am currently eating a sub with turkey tomato munster cheese sprouts black peppers jalapenos avocado lettuce and mayo. I am so happy. so content. Im not coming home. OKAY?


Peace

Love

ME.

its one of THOSE days

I can't help but have an overwhelming excitement today. I am excited to go home. I am excited to start new classes. I am excited to get a new president (though if its not Obama I am sure I wont be excited) I can't wait to go to Chicago. I can't wait to go to Colorado. I can't wait to move out. I found a study abroad in Paris... in the summer of 2010 I will be in Europe. It is in general a wonderful day. I live in paradise for 39 more days...

I'm excited to start working and babysitting again. I am excited to start working on my photography more OOO check out my website http://www.flickr.com/photos/cordeliaann/ There are more pictures on that than on my blog.

Peace and Love

Cord.

Here we goooooo

My dear country lyrics by Norah jones

Album: Not too late



'twas halloween and the ghosts were out,
and everywhere they'd go, they shout,
and though i covered my eyes i knew,
they'd go away.

but fear's the only thing i saw,
and three days later 'twas clear to all,
that nothing is as scary as election day.

but the day after is darker,
and darker and darker it goes,
who knows, maybe the plans will change,
who knows, maybe he's not deranged.

the news men know what they know, but they,
know even less than what they say,
and i don't know who i can trust,
for they come what may.

'cause we believed in our candidate,
but even more it's the one we hate,
i needed someone i could shake,
on election day.

but the day after is darker,
and deeper and deeper we go,
who knows, maybe it's all a dream,
who knows if i'll wake up and scream.

i love the things that you've given me,
i cherish you my dear country,
but sometimes i don't understand,
the way we play.

i love the things that you've given me,
and most of all that i am free,
to have a song that i can sing,
on election day.



lets hope.
:D

My Kind of Day

This morning I awoke to a missed call from a friend from my choir class. Turns out we were going to go into town and get fabric for a dress we have to wear for our concert. I decided to go find my classic hook bracelet so I took some cash. I found some SWEET picture taking places I am going back to tomorrow. I found my fabric and then went to the place to get my bracelet. $55 but i get a $10 off discount when I go back (because they were out of my size) and I live here :D

THEN because I was hot and happy I went into a coffee shop and got an frozen caramel cap and the paper. I sat and listened to jazz and Spanish guitar music and read the paper. After I hopped on a Safari and went to the nail place to get my eyebrows waxed... which ive been waiting to do for three months! i feel so like myself again :) i am going to go to choir

excited to see everyone back home... i need to go buy a winter coat haha

Peace and Love

Cordelia

Now's the Time.

Good Morning!
I woke up this morning after a very successful night of sleep. Although I awoke in the middle of my dreams to a horrible feeling I was in my own bed. Eek

I've come to the conclusion that these are the days I need to enjoy. I've got to kick up that tan time and get these papers out of the way. I feel like I found out I have 44 days to live. November 11 I am making a trip back to the Baths in Virgin Gorda... its cheaper this time and I am going with my school.

I am sending off the last of my post cards and packages. I am tying up lose ends at home and preparing myself to pack. I have plenty of days but at the rate that these days fly by I have to move quickly.

Time to start working on my final papers :D

Peace & Love

Cordelia

Five More Weeks

Today I made a very sad decision. I have been working on my schedule for next semester and I realized today there are only two classes I can take here that transfer back home and that leaves me lacking 3 credits. Id have to take chem and bio and one other class. chem and bio fall at the same time on the same days and its every day of the week but thrusday so i could only work one day. I am so beyond upset that I cant stay next semester. I am looking at the positive side of coming home but its hard. I have made up my mind to enjoy my last five weeks here. I am going to go to a million different beaches and take millions of pictures. I am even going to by myself the traditional hook bracelet Ive been thinking about all semester. I know coming home is the right choice for me but its still very hard. You have no idea how horrible it is going to be coming home for winter. COLD DARK COLD COLD COLD WINTER. UGHHHH

sigh. ok welp my mind is made up. see everyone in december.

peace and love
cord

Studying?

I'm in the library studying... haha no. I'm sorting some things out for next semester.
I have been working on a pro and con list of staying next semester.

I love it here. It is so beautiful, the culture keeps unfolding it's self to me. I very much enjoy the beaches and the weather. I am almost 80% sure ill stay next semester but part of me feels like i am on a pro-longed vacation that is going to end in six weeks. I keep waiting. I look at my friends here as people you meet and pretend that you will always be friends with but when you are separate you forget about each other. I keep waiting to go home for my life to resume but the crazy part is when I go back I am all of a sudden a junior in college and almost 21. This whole year is an amazing experience but I almost feel like I'm missing it by thinking its ending.

I still haven't started working and with six weeks left I am beginning to feel the pressure of next semester. It's weird how much I think about money. I want to be out enjoying the island but every time I leave I think, man i need this money for school next semester. its stressful. I know back home I would be working and making plenty of money to save for my apartment I want to get when I move home. What I REALLY want to think about is what other places I can visit in this amazing part of the world.

Who knows.

Just thinking.

peace and love

Cord.

Hurricane? Life? Culture?

Hey! Its been awhile... how are you? I am good, woke up about an hour ago and talked to my dad on the phone. I'm a little stressed out about money and such but it will pass.

Im sure some of you know that we had a hurricane over the past week. It wasn't that scary because i really enjoy storms. OMAR was going to be a category 3 which would have done some serious damage on this island because we are so small, BUT he shifted right before he came here and so we only had a little rain. What sucked about that was they made us evacuate our dorms to the hurricane safe dorms. I had to sleep on a small cot which was very uncomfortable. We didnt have school tuedsay through friday. It was a nice fall break for us. I have watched 10 movies in the past few days... horrible.

Yesterday I got up early and did my laundry. my arms are sore from carrying it. Then I went to a new beach called Linkquest. It was SO beautiful but I only took one picture because i was too busy playing in the waves.

I have found that this culture is very into music. Life here revolves around music and dancing. Most conversations end up at some point talking about music.
I have leaned so much over the past few days by talking to people. I am not only learning the culture of people here but also the culture of the different states around the US that my friend live it. I am learning about their families and friends. I have had a very little life compaired to some of these girls. My friends don't go to rehab and dont have kids and abortions. My family is small, i dont see my cousins or know much about where i came from. I guess none of that was weird to me until i learned about my friends here. My life seems pretty little compaired to their big adventures and crazy people in their lives.


WELP im going to take a picture of an apple.

Enjoy your day
Peace and Love

Cord.

2 Months Down

So I'm here in lovely St. Thomas. I have been watching the TV show House for the past week. (addicted) There is also a tropical storm over head so we have been seeing plenty of rain.

Over the weekend I went on a little cruise to Virgin Gorda and Norman Island. Virgin Gorda has one of three Baths in the world. Which means... a bunch of rocks chillen in the sea. Tyra Banks had a photo shoot there and part of the new Indiana Jones was there filmed there. Any ways... I jumped off 35 foot rocks into the water. It was like one of those free-falling dreams. I LOVED IT :D
After that we went to Norman Island which is basically three small caves in the sea. We snorkled with Nemo and thats all I have to say about my weekend.

I put more pictures on my photo blog and ill add a few on here :D

Peace and Love
Cord

Things I Miss

I am having a lazy day. Listening to music and looking through pictures. I found this.

Dear Starbucks:
I miss you so much I cant really explain. Its not so much that I miss YOU as it more I miss coffee. I miss the smell, the look, the taste. I miss those brown coffee sleeves. I miss the burnt tongue and warmth of you spreading through my insides.
I hope you miss me too.
Cordelia.





I also miss my old ipod. It had character. It was fat and scratchy. It contained the best of the best music. It never failed to make me happy. It always was by my side. When it died at the beginning of this past summer, 2008, I as terribly distraught. My new ipod is not the same. Its just not.


I updated my photography blog. Check it :D Comment it? thanks.

I Have a Problem

I was browsing through some flicker accounts (photographs) and I realized I need to come back to Fort Wayne and take some classes, get a camera, and head off to see the world. I can NOT stay in Indiana for the rest of my life. There are so many places I want to go. There are so many things that I need to photograph. IT is EXTREMELY important I travel the world. Well get a camera :D I need to learn other languages too :D

That picture is my light bulb :D

Good Afternoon

I just got back from the beach... I went alone... again. I loved it. I saw all sorts of love today. I saw two kids my age swimming together and sitting and talking. I saw a young couple running and then they came and swam together to cool off. I saw two grandparents with their grand kids swimming. The kids were younger than 2 and oh so adorable. a boy and a girl. grandpa had the boy and he was just ooing and gooing and splashing.. it made me miss three rivers and working with kids. The little girl was a little older and she was blowing bubbles in the water and splashing the boy. It was fun to see all the people there today. I like observing people.

My shower is really dirty. the cleaning lady never cleans it all the way. there is always black stuff on the sides and never fails the curtain is stained with slimy black stuff... not so much fun. ha.
well that is the extent of my observations for the morning... i am going to study and eat

Peace and Love

Cord

Pinch Me

*I am going to start by saying good morning :D
Here we go with another Monday... believe me when I say this week just like all of the others will wizz by.
*I had a really good weekend. I spent Friday at a new beach, which I loved. I went out to fat turtle again Friday night and then I went to a new club called reggae lounge.. I was the only white girl in there and I loved it :D I danced so much I couldn't feel my feet at 4 a.m. when we decided to head home. I still can't really feel my toe but who cares, I looked good :D
*Saturday flew by so fast, I didn't do anything. Saturday night I layed in bed and tried to watch Elizabeth, the movie, but I was fast asleep by 10:30.
*Sunday I went to our beach.
Each week I make goals that I want to achieve by the end of that week. Two weeks my goal was meeting new people. This week was hanging out with new people and going to two new places. Well yesterday I hung out with a NSE girl and her boyfriend and his friend... We went to the country and had ice cream at this little local place. SOO good. Only in the VI could I get a milk shake with pecan ice cream and almaretto (spelling?) the girl i was with had chocolate ice cream and kula milk shake. After that we went to the part of the island i have never seen. I was really good. Only thing that sucked. I ALWAYS bring my camera with me to the beach. I didn't bring it this time because I knew no one was going down to the beach. WELL> guess it will just be a good memory. like john mayer says "you should have seen that sunrise with you own eyes"

*I did laundry last night. I tend to spend my Sunday nights thinking. I layed outside under the clouds listening to music. I miss conversation seriously. I know I keep saying it over and over but the days never get better with conversation. My classes don't even make my head think. The closest class I have to thinking is my philosophy class and thats barely thinking. I get so frusterated when the girls come to talk to me about every intimate details of the boy problems they are having. I have my own to think about and so thinking about everyone elses is annoying. PLUS it makes girls sound so unintellagent when the only thing they care to talk about is guy.

*I walk to class and think to myself, how did I end up in a place like this? I remember sitting at home in my room dreaming of living in a place like this. AND NOW I DO. I wake up, see the sea, walk to class and feel the breeze, I go out and hear the music, I live the island life. I love it.

*I salsa danced with a guy from puerto rico. I decided i like that much better than hip-hop shake your but dancing. Salsa is just more artistic? who knows.

Im getting very tan! Can't wait to see you :D

*I am going to Chicago :D I am coming home and having hot chocolate and a fire. I am listening to Christmas music and dancing in the snow. I am going to make homemade cookies and straighten my curly hair (which I now love I just like to change it up) I am going to go to cheesecake factory and work out at IPFW :D I am going to cuddle with my cat and play with connor. I can't wait to go to my church and be around...... I AM GOING TO GET COFFEE :D

Peace and Love

Ps. I updated and re-did my photo blog so it is easier to comment and such... Check it out :D

Cord.

Things I've Learned in Classes

So I have notes and quotes and thoughts written in my notebook for philosophy... i wanted to share them with you...

___when writing..."tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them. Then tell them what you told them. "

___Aggressive is a positive way to go after things you want.

___There are NO problems the human mind can construct that the human mind can not solve

___There is no such thing as a part lie or a white lie. When you mix poison with punch there is still poison in your punch. If you put a little lie in your truth there is still lie there.

___It important to think before you speak but don't think too long because sometimes its better to just say what you need to say. For every piece of advice there is a counteracting peice of advice that works the same way. EX: Bite your tonge & say what you mean. CAN YOU THINK OF ANY?

___Here is a big one...>>Where is your mind?<<




And here is a riddle for you if you are bored.........


Hobbits and Orcs: three hobbits and three Orcs want to cross a rover. However, they have only have only one boat, which will hold just two individuals. There is no other way to cross the river. If more orcs than hobbits are left on either bank the orc will eat the hobbits. What is the most efficient way that the hobbits and orcs can get to the other side of the river with out harm?

I solved it :D

well I am going to go listen to music and enjoy the rest of my evening.

Peace and Love. like always :D

Cord

-Colors-

BY-Amos Lee- song of the day-
Good Morning! It Monday, is everyone ready? The weeks here fly by very quickly. I had a non-going-out beach weekend. Saturday was the best day at the beach I've ever had here. The sky was amazing...you should check out my pictures on my picture blog. I took over 200 pictures Saturday at the beach. I have never seen clouds like those. Every kind of cloud we ever learned about.


Sunday I went to the beach alone.. people showed up but I kept to myself. It was peaceful. After that I showered, ate dinner, and went on a walk to upper campus with my Bible and journal. It was a really good quite time. I watched the sunset into the ocean. There is nothing like seeing God before you.. no matter how you believe in God there is noting more amazing then seeing the world change right before your eyes. I was in awe.

I also realized I needed a new word for amazing astonishing, astounding, fantastic, fantastical, incredible, marvelous, miraculous, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, unbelievable, wonderful, wondrous. Ok I will work on using those.

Last night I was fortunate enough to talk to my Grandma. I planned to watch football but I failed at that attempt because I talked to everyone all night. I haven't ever received so many txts, phone calls, and messages in my life. To top it off I was attempting to be quite because my friends were studying in my room. I was up until 2:00 a.m. which if you don't know me well, is extra late for me on a school night. I photoshopped so many new pictures! I caught up with a lot of friends from home. I am extremely impressed that I'm awake now. It was a really really good night. I have zero complaints about my weekend. It was fantastical.

Check out my pics. On here and the other one... let me know what you think... i love knowing what people think about them. :D

Peace and Love

Cordelia

A Sunny Day

Hello all!

How is everyone? I hope well.

So today I'm happy but a little off beat. I got my package from my parents yesterday so I was able to put some pictures up in my room. I hung a few of my necklaces up and just spent some time in my room. I had Nutella for breakfast which of course made my whole day better. I love Nutella but so does everyone else here. Every one kept asking me if they could have some... I had to share.

I still love it here and I am not home sick but I wouldn't be mad if I was Forced to come home second semester. Part of me still wants to stay but another part misses structure. I miss my job at Putt-Putt and the people there, I miss my freedom and my car. Here I am on campus... which I don't mind but I kind of do. A lot of the girls here are negative about being on campus and the food and the people and this island all of the time. they call the islanders those people and are really just not smart people at all. I just need to DO something. I need to make myself DO something. I need to start working just so I don't feel so useless. I want to see little kids again. I miss Allison and Grant like crazy. I saw a picture of us three on my computer and almost started crying because they are growing up and I am missing them. I miss babysitting so much. As much as I love my family I really only miss my grandma haha (sorry mom and dad and everyone) People here don't understand that I am not scared to be alone. I need to be alone.. people think I am weird. I REALLY REALLY MISS CONVERSATION! Only thing people here talk about is clubbing and guys. A few of my friends have been writing me letters which helps a lot because I am staying connected with real people, but its hard right now here. I don't want to leave the place because it's beautiful but I wish i had my own house and own food and own music and own couch and own tv. I want to share it with one roommate and just be alone. Being here has sure shown me how much I really DO like IPFW. I can work and go to school. I was focused there and wasn't trying to meet people and have fun. These NSE students here all are here 4 months and then gone so they are on super rush mode. They think its weird I want to lay in my bed friday night and watch a movie. I wouldnt mind another person with me but I just need my space. BAD.

I feel like I have been learning So much here. I know if i can figure out loans for next semester I will stay here because I know I am strong enough. I have become so much more optimistic. I walk away when people are gossiping and talking bad about other people. When I left fort wayne I was really disappointed in a few of my late friends and being here I have been able to forgive them. Forgive them to myself.. I have let go of all the hurt and "drama" Being here has given me the opportunity to do all of that in only a short month +.

I miss coffee shops. I had a dream about mandy last night again. Why do I miss a cat and not my parents haha. If fort wayne was on a beach with no winter I would LOVE to come home. I miss Chicago. I miss watching football all saturday and sunday. I miss the smell of fall!!! I think I need to go to the beach. Maybe this is what its like to be homesick. I miss guy friends.. they talk better than girls here do..

Whatever happens I don't want to move back into my parents home because I LOVE living on my own. Gosh i miss my straight hair. My thought are a mess. I miss being creative. A year ago I would go out with lynn and matt and angelica and just take pictures of them. NO one here will do that. I miss being creative! i am going crazy!!!!!!!! i need crafts and i want to send people presents but i need a job. Godh its a weird day.. Despite all of this post i am REALLY happy today. i have been smiling all day and its been good.

I am going to eat a fruit cut and upload some pictures to here and my other blog.. check them out... let me know what you think..

Peace and Love

Cordelia

Rain Drops Keep Falling..

On my head...

It rained all day yesterday... no sun. i loved it. Its still raining today. I slept with pants and under a very warm fuzzy blanket. These nights are the ones Ill remember. Check this out... http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml that way you can see why its raining... its a good thing i live on a hill :D

I have been coolin the past few days. I went out of course of friday and hung on campus saturday. Nothing too exciting happened. I really want to do crafts but there are NO craft stores here. weird right? I keep expecting to see a package soon from my parents.. it is being extra slow. After that one no more packages for me :( Breakfast is soon and I might make an apearence. Its going to be a cold wet day today. I have to walk a hill to turn in my history test and my umbrella is in the box from my parents... or i hope it is but anyways i dont have one :(

Today i will be writing a paper on Alvin Williams. He is a senetor from St Thomas.. I need to do laundry but the quarter thing is out.. I should stop complaining haha

I havent had any exciting moments lately because I have had a lot of work to do but I will keep you posted if anything new happens.

Peace and Love

Cord

Its Thursday

Its Andrea's birthday! Happy birthday :D

A good friend of mine told me i was slacking on my posting... i guess i am.. i just don't know what to say.

Its been a sort of busy few days. Ive been in the library a lot studying and working on homework. I am actually avoiding walking up there now...
My roommates grandma passed away yesterday making me sad for her and even more homesick. I don't want to come home but I wouldn't mind having home come here.
Brittney wants to go out to Tortola this weekend but its a lot of money to stay the weekend. I think if I get my homework done then ill go for a day.
I still haven't started working but I am feeling like it is becoming very important to build those funds up for next semester. I also wouldn't mind buying a plane ticket to the Caymans. I miss taking pictures a lot. Its kind of difficult with the little camera I have. I think i want to take a photography class when i get back to IPFW but i gotta get a camera first. I really miss all my friends.. the ones in cali to bama to indiana. Its hard to find good friends to talk to and a lot of the girls here are a lot more spontanaous (spelling? :) I am really looking foward to getting an apartment when I get home. I need to stop talking about coming home becasue its only been a month haha

BUT I do still love it here with all my heart. I love getting all the letters and presents i have been getting. A hand written letter is so much fun. So thank you everyone :D

Im still downloading a ton of new music.. i think its against the law the way i am doing it but oh well cause there are so many artists out there i have yet to discover haha



Well for now I need to hit the books

Peace and Love

Cordelia :D

Wrong or Right Side of the road

I drove a car! ha We went out last night and my roommate let me drive her car.. it was crazy fun. I cant notice a difference when other people are driving but I sure noticed a little one when i was driving.

I watched football ALL day yesterday. I felt like a lazy bum.
Today I have to study for a test and research for a paper.
I am going to go swimersize later. Yesterday i went running and did an ab work out. i felt a little better about myself.

I went to the Marriott then other day with a friend for a glass of wine... I was sitting there and looking at this beautiful sky. The clouds were illuminated by the almost full moon and all the light reflected back down into the Sea. I thought to myself, wow how lucky are these people that they get this view every night. But the truth is they arent lucky at all. They dont get to see the real culture St Thomas has. Most of them probably only get the view of st thomas that the Marriott has to show.. This place has so many beautiful aspects to it. I am BeYonD lucky to be living here

I FOUND SOMETHING CHEAPER HERE! MOVIES... its cheaper to watch a movie here than it is at home. WoAh.

I can't wait to start working.. and traveling. My friend from the Cayman Islands said i could come visit and stay with her... super exciting



ENJOY YOUR SUNDAY

Peace and Love

Cordelia

(check out my other blog.. i put some pictures up)

TOO Much Sun

I awoke this morning at 7:04. I laid in bed for some time trying to figure out what to do with my day. Both of my classes were canceled. Being brilliant I decided to pack food and go to the beach. SO me and Brittney went to breakfast at 7:30, ate, talked, ate, talked, and at 9:00 we were heading to the beach. We decided to swim for exercise because i have gained a pound or two from this nasty food here. We put on our goggles and began swimming. It was beautiful! the sun was shinning, the birds were eating breakfast, the beach was quiet. I was in heaven. Then I looked below me and saw a dollar. I was like sweet! so I looked for Brittney to show her the money and she was swimming fast. I waited there for her to come back and by then I had checked to make sure it was still under me and realized there was more than just one dollar. So i tried to dive down to get it but my ears were hurting. Brit finally came over to me and asked what i was doing. i told her to look down and i would give her a cut from my pirates treasure. she dove down and pulled up a whopping $52.00!!!! i am giving her 20 because i am too nice for my own good haha :) that was wonderful


we then went to lay out and it started to get cloudy but we didnt care. we were laying there and it started to rain. i closed my eyes and pretended that it was little fingers massaging my back. it was so relaxing laying there listening to the water and just sleeping. i love this island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this weekend brittney and i are going to go to st john and go shopping with out money :D or at least visit somewhere new.

I watched Green Street Hooligans last night. I am going to watch it again tonight. I loved it.!
I think i am going to get a gym membership to work off this weight haha. The sad thing is its bad food weight not alcohol weight. For now its nap time

Oh i just have to say i was at the beach from 9:00 until 3:00. Im only a little burnt.

Peace and love

Cord

Laundry and Music

I am out of clothes... well that's not true but I need to go get change and wash my underwear and sheets and towels.. I am sure you wanted to know that. I found a cockroach in my make-up drawer today. I hope its still there because if it isn't then its in my room somewhere.

Ive spent a lot of the past few days listening to new music. I am so use to getting music from all of my friends and having all old music that reminds me of old times. I want to go home from my experience here with a new taste and with music that reminds me of being here. SO I have been on MySpace and I found a hefty list of really good acoustic/soul/folk/rock/pop totally my genre. A lot of the music I have been listening too is about things like world problems. Check out Brett Dennen Make You Crazy... its really good. All of his stuff is good. Justin Young, Tyrone Wells, Laura Jansen, Todd Carey, The Paper Raincoat, Alexa Wilkinson, Trey Lockerbie, Matt Duke, John West, Jay Nash, Jessie Baylin... all very good music.. I can't download all of them because I dont have that kind of money. I wish i did though. I have been listening to them on Myspace in my room. SO i am typically in here. Plus its raining.

Last night I sat in a cloud. The clouds were rolling down from the hills and mountians and I sat in one. Wasn't what I expected. Good time to thank Mother Nature

I have been thinking about traveling after school this summer. I really want to go back to El Salvador for a few weeks before I fly home for the summer (to work at putt-putt). There is really nothing better for a college kid then being able to experience how others live. I feel like I am always learning. I wish I could sit in my Political Science and Philosophy class all the time because I am constantly learning in there. I learn about history of the islands and I learn about how the islanders feel about it. Its amazing. I feel like all i say is how amazing it is here but really that is how I feel. I can see the Caribbean Sea from my bedroom window. I wish YOU could see it too. It is seriously a life changing experience being out of the United States mainland.

I can't wait to see where else living here will take me. I just hope I keep growing and learning about others. I truly believe to grow in yourself you have to understand the world around you. So many people spend all their time worring about growing up and getting a job and being older than they are. Even the people who stop and smell the flowers don't really stop and smell the flowers. We are SO lucky to have this earth and we rarely remember that. With everything wrong that is happing around us you would think we would try to focus on something positive. And when you look outside you and see the beauty right in front of you its obvious that we need to worry about something other than all the negativity.

One day I will change something. a BIG change.
When we were little and we did something that wasn't right in my moms eyes she would say something like "how is that helping you become the person you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be?" We would always sit there like we didnt have an answer and so she would say "do you want to be someone who sits around and doesnt change anything? You are meant for more than that, you are going to change the world. You have more in you than how you are acting. " Chandler always wanted to change the world and feed poor people but i always wanted to go shopping. NOW I get it. NOW I see what needs to be done. I guess thats why i like traveling because i can see what needs to be done around the world. Nothing like a different culture to teach you that. That is why i want to go to El Salvador when i get done here. That is why i want to travel from island to island here because they are all different. Each group of people has their own story. I LOVE STORIES>>


Check out these lyrics...

Make You Crazy --- Brett Dennen
Its enough to make you go crazy its enought to make you mad. its enought to make you go crazy
and im amazed i havent yet.

isnt it a shame the way we treat each other, treat each other, beat each other, its a shame the way we use one another, abuse one another and screw one another... they will lock you up in prison but they wont call it slaverly there are stolen children raised and trained in armies..........


No i am not a hippie.. i know someone is thinking that. :D

That is a long post. sorry. the music did it to me. told you i love music. i have to go do laundry.

Peace and LOVE

Cordelia

oh i put new pics on here

A New Week

Yesterday we went to Brewers Bay... our campus beach. I was there for a good three hours. The water has cleared up a bit since a few days ago so once again i could see completely through the water. The Caribbean is like a big swimming pool with sharks and jellyfish. I've been doing my own thing lately. I went to the beach last week alone and i was very happy about it. Yesterday, however, I was with a group of people. At one point everyone was laying out and building sandcastles... i hopped into the water and just floated on my back. I thought i had been there for quite sometime when i started to smell a grill. but not just any grill, a johnny appleseed grill. I floated there with my eyes closed picturing all the orange yellow and red leaves. I could smell the food and the fires. It was quite interesting because then i remembered i was floating in the Caribbean.

Its rainy again. I have a horrible back ache from sleeping on my springs all night. My neck could use some serious rubbing at this point.

I have class today. I just dont like history. we are learning about China still. thats not exciting to me.

I have decided to take a me only week. I will post on here and probably talk to my family and important phone calls. But lately i have noticed myself attached to Facebook and my txting so i am going to take a chill pill on those for a week.

I hope my mail is in today.. i reallly could use a surprise from someone.

Any whoooo i hope all is well with everyone and i hope the coming of fall is treating my indiana people well.

Someone go pet mandy for me?

Peace and Love

Cordelia

CAT

Ok ill post a real post soon but i miss my cat so i was looking at funny cat pictures and i found this. laugh sooooooo hard. i did



http://blog.esaba.com/projects/catphotos/catphotos.php


have a funny day

Cord

Weekend!

I always wake up at seven. Ugh

I made a new blog just for my photography... i think that it is cordeliaannphotography.blogspot.com

check it out!!!!

HEY GUYS!!!!

Ive decided i want to go to Greece. i am looking up how to get there and i am going. i don't know when or with what money but i know my heart is already set on taking a trip there. just look at this place. How amazing is that !? i would love to take pictures there. i really gotta marry some rich guy or something.. i have big traveling plans for myself...

well that's it for my rant.

LOVE

Amazed

I woke this morning to thunder. By far my favorite way to wake up. I ran to breakfast (my favorite meal) so I didn't get poured on. As soon as I got inside it poured. it was beautiful.

I went to class this morning at 10. After I went to see if i had any mail... no not yet... the sky looked like it was going to let a huge down pour come so I stood outside and the top of the hill and watched as a huge cloud moved my way with rain falling from it. I have never felt winds so strong. I could see beach from where i was standing, i have never seen the water so mad in all my life. huge waves crashing on rocks it was amazing.

This place is beautiful.

i think i am becoming more optimistic... weird.

i am going to read. nap and go to class at 4.

enjoy your day!

Peace and Love

Cordelia

Rain in St Thomas

It will be raining for the next few days... too bad I don't have that umbrella yet. I just figured out my UVI email so if you want it send me a txt because I don't really want to put it up on the internet for all to see.

I am going into town today to talk to Jen about working.

I slept under all my covers last night. its cold. weird i said it. i am currently wearing a sweatshirt and covered by my blanket.

my birthday was lovely. i had a relaxing day in. i did my laundry and wrote a few postcards. I was in continual contact with all my friends who were wishing me a happy birthday.

I have figured out how to balance my life a little better. All the petty drama that was happening could be avoided if i spent more time doing what i do best. being alone. i wish i could do crafts but i most definitely cant bring my scrap booking here. I am giving myself to buckle down and figure out what i want. by the end of the month i will have made a decision to stay another semester or to come home. start praying i make the best decision for me ;D

I need to get out of bed now and go get my mail from the mail room. i better have at least a letter...

i didnt sleep very well last night. i had bad dreams. or at least really unforgettable ones. a weird one about mandy (my cat). it must have been that wanna-be-beef they made for dinner

enjoy your day :)

Peace and Love

Cordelia

What should i do?

Its my birthday weekend.

i miss my cat

I spent most of today sleeping, cleaning, and watching tv. wow im a college kid.

Tomorrow i plan on waking up and going on a walk around campus. alone. i want to take pictures of my campus to put up on here so you guys can see...

I want to go do something for my birthday i just dont know what... i am thinking it would be fun to go para sailing or kayaking id rather fly my cat and all my friends here to hang out in my new world.

i want to go to virgin gorda. i saw pictures. amazing

i need to start working. tomorrow. ill go in tuesday :D

im heading to bed. goodnight all

peace and love

cordelia

um... hi?

HI guys!

for starters i walked into my room last night and my roommate was listening to this really cool song i asked her who it was... turns out its Heather Headly. I said "i think my uncle talks about her..." i Wikipedia'ed her and found out it was her! fort wayne's own! it was pretty cool to see that people around the world listen to her.

Last night was the new girls birthday and since my classes start at four on Thursday i decided i should go out. Bad idea. EVERYONE went out. it was a group of 20 drunk stupid people. the guys who have never drank were so drunk they actually couldnt walk. the girls were being dramatic and i sat alone all night, sober. I dont understand the point of drinking in a bar, dancing, and going home with some random guys. Its completely stupid. its disrespectful of yourself. i think it would be different for me if i were with my close friends at a house drinking but out here its so unsafe. No one is confident enough to go out and stay sober? I mean im 19 almost 20 and i can remember a MILLION times when i went out and had fun always sober. its just stupid. everyone wants to take me out for my birthday but after last night i said that id rather stay home and watch movies. i dont want to spend my 20th birthday in a drunken haze of drama and creepy guys. Im am a girl not a piece of meat. I dont need to be drunk and hit on by guys to make me feel better about myself. ok sorry that was my rant for the day. i had a bad night.

on the upper of things i love my school. my classes are totally amazing and i am learning a lot of new things. I went to the beach yesterday and worked on my tan.. it was a good day because it was the first day in three that i saw the sun :D i think me and another girl are going to go to st john tomorrow for my birthday... or at least sometime this weekend.

OH last night i went into this bar thing with my friend jimmy and i found 12 dollars on the floor. hahh i was happy :D once when i was in south carolina i was camping with my family and there was this little shop on the camp ground. we went in and got some ice cream... me and my mommy... and i saw 20 dollars on the floor. i didnt pick it up because it wasnt mine. later i told my mom and she said "when you see money on the ground pick it up!" i guess i never forgot that . thanks mom haha
today i am going to study. i need some time alone. this place is busy and if you dont take time alone you WILL go crazy. none the less i love it here so much. my roommate is so amazing and i am the luckiest girl ever.

i miss my friends
alot

peace and love

cord

Holy Cow

My friend Brittney said to me today at breakfast... we are going to be here for four months.

oh my gosh.

I officially live on an island. I officially wont be coming home to see my friends ( who i am missing like crazy) I am making a new life in a completely different place. I have none of the same old drama. I almost wish i could just cut all communication with home and see what would happen when i came home. I hope more that anything God gives me the opportunity to stay in this place for two semesters. It is so beautiful. The people are beautiful. The way of life is a mind opener. I am going to learn so much this semester.. considering i have learned so much this little into my adventure. Sometimes it is hard to hold on to me because there are so many different people here. I struggle a lot with focusing on ME. For example everyone listens to rap and hip hop and r&b and i dont. Its hard for me to sit and listen to my music becasue i want to fit in. too much of what happens here is TOTALLY NOT ME. I dont have a church here which is a bit hard for me because Church holds me to my words of commitment with God. I am going to find a balance between school, work, friends, going out and me time. it might not be too easy.

I really do live here. wow.

Peace and Love

Cordelia

Internet Sucks

Our Internet sucks... its been off all weekend. which poses as a problem when i want to get online.\

Friday i went to St John... it was beautiful. Friday night everyone here goes to Yacht Haven to Fat Turtle. Most of the people at Fat Turtle are white old guys or rich tourists. After that we went to the beach and went for a freezing cold night swim.
Saturday i sat in bed and then watched a movie. Saturday night we went to a club called Saint or Saints or something... regardless the DJ Benny-D was awesome he is the brother of one of our friends here so it was fun seeing him. He is a DJ for Akon and Rock City... crazy cool (google him). The Bar/Club thing we went too was so nice. Air-conditioned and clean there were nice places to sit and the best part was that the people werent creepy!

So today i am laying in bed.. im going to go do my laundry while everyone is eating dinner. Its time for school and studying and not having fun. I miss my friends back home because the people here aren't on a deep level of friends and i miss having real conversations with people

im sure ill be back on here later. internet connection permitting...

Nap time :D

Peace and Love

Cord

HI

its pretty much the weekend.. i have one class at ten then i'll be at the beach alllll day! yes!

im sick still but getting better i think. My throat doesnt hurt so much its just a cough in my cheast

well enjoy your day!

peace and love

cord

Its Been Awhile...

I've been busy...

my history class is... well history... last semester i met my best girl kayla in history so this semester is kind of a let down in class because...well shes not there. History will be my worst class i think. Its easy just boring.

Political Science so far is interesting. I havent been able to say much because i am sick and words dont really come out. The class is based St. Croix so we just watch on tv and talk into microphones. The class will bring about a lot of debates about politics. Its funny here because i am in the U.S. but these people arent really part of the U.S. We talked about how if the U.S sneezes the WHOLE Carriabien catches a cold. meaning when our goverment does something stupid the here in St Thomas gets the rath. Our prof left us with this... if a hurricane hits st thomas and whips out everything... people have nowhere to go because its an island. If it continues north and hits florida bad but the people had a place to run too who would the Goverment take care of first. A state or their Islands...? She said "THAT is Political Science" Its going to be an adventure.

English... Litature.... nothing special.

Choir. Cant sing :( no voice.

Philosophy... I get to go tonight! i am so so so excited. I bought the book yesterday and it looks like something right up my ally way.

Ok Monday night i was so tired i crashed. Its so hard to sleep in my room because the sun rises on my bed. its annoying waking up sweaty and hot.

ive been to the beach three times this week... working on that tan so everyone at home will be JeAlOus :)
Tuesday night we all went to a small hotel down the street... it is an outside bar and resturant. We had way better food than what we get here at school.
Last night we went to Hooters then Duffy's Love Shack. Good thing is we found a personal driver... for free! and he is actually the nicest guy we've met on this island. Its really hard to trust people here because i guess most of the local guys and white guys that live here see us college girls and think "fresh meat" then they try to get you drunk and take you home. well good thing about that is i am smart enough not to get drunk and do something like get in a random car with a complete stranger. a few of the girls here are like that and did end up getting hurt.

Today i dont have class until 4...and its choir so i probably will go and tell here i cant sing. i sound like a dying frog. its bad. Im going to study and read my Bible for a bit then eat some nasty food and study more. its school season. time to focus. I most likely wont go out tomorrow night or saturday night... its expensive and i want to watch the hills on MTV.com YA i am that stupid.

Thanks for keeping up with me :D

I love it here. you should come visit! its completely beautiful. Its a culture shock and will change your prospective quickly.

OH YA im learning about myself. Now that i dont have my parents next to me (love you mom and dad) I am starting to become more independent. (like that rap song all the guys sing about me) I talk to complete strangers because its the friendly thing to do. I am becoming more confident and i notice my self holding my head up and making the first move is solving problems. I've always been considered a leader but i never really felt like one until i stood up to the girls and told them no. I dont care what people think about me in a good way..im excited to learn more about me. I am sure with my Philosophy (critical thinking) class tonight i will learn a lot more. Everything in life is based off YOUR perspective on it and only YOU can change that perspective.

I am going to buy a camera here because i have some wicked sweet pictures in my head. Oh and i am going to start traveling... i hope. (i got to start working)

Okay my laptop is hot and so am i

Love and miss you all.

Cordelia :D

first day of classes!

i had my first class. went well. gotta buy a book. big book.

im gonna go to the beach and lunch and class at 4... its getting a lot easier! i am really happy. im not sure how long ill stay but i hope a long time. the weather is getting better. its not so humid today just nice out. the sun is hot but making me tan :D

enjoy your day!

love
cordelia

Day Before Class Starts

Classes start tomorrow. Things here are expensive. Its raining (no tan) I have a headache.

I am taking English, History, Choir, Phi and Pol (not sure what those are). My first class is tomorrow at 10:00 am. then I have a break from 10:50-4:00. class from 4:00-5:15 and 7:00-8:15. Tues and Thurs I have class at 4:00-5:15 and 5:30-6:45. Friday only one class from 10:00-10:50. Then hopefully ill work and make money to travel.

Things here are expensive: Laundry soap (normal size for tide) $20. Cheap no name $6. Wendy's two people number seven combo and a wrap with a root beer float: $11.56ish Cafeteria food $free (not that amazing) Pack of water $7. Clothes...well don't buy them... unless you can haggle down the price. A virgin drink $6. (small cup) Non-virgin $7 (unless some creepy (old) guy buys it for you) Books.. don't even want to think about buying those. get the point? im gonna need a job.

for once today i went to the beach and was COLD! its not sunny therefore not hot. just a little humid. there must be a storm coming.

i think my roommate and i are going to get a refrigerator for our room because we need good food in our room. i have two meals a day on my meal plan (was not cheep)

ok im gonna go clean my room now. maybe read a book. WEIRD

Peace and Love!

Cord

A Good Day

My first full good day.

Last night I went to dinner with my dad at his friend from high schools house. I was amazingly cooked and I was very happy to have some real food. (not from my school) The family was totally nice and said if I needed anything to call them. By the time I left I was still a little home sick and I sat in my dorm very sad last night. I decided I was gonna unpack my stuff and just stay in my room (hopefully i am allowed too) it was nice making my room my own room..it still needs work but its getting better.


Today I got a roommate.. not sure if its for sure thing but she is here! I really like here its nice having someone who knows whats up here. I went on a Submarine today! it was so weird. I never thought id get on a submarine that actually worked. I am starting to understand the island more now..i think i can actually get around at some points of this place. I am getting use to the heat (kinda) its still hard walking everywhere but i can do this! i am excited to learn here.

its getting better :D

I haggled a silk dress from 45 to 20 dollars today! go me :D
I plan on buying a good camera while i am here

I GOT A JOB! in a small deli, the owner, Jen met my dad a few times cause he went in there a lot and when she met me she offered me a job working there.. said id make good money. Luck.


for now that is all..i have to say goodbye to my dad tonight :( but i can do it cause i can totally live here :D

Goodnight

Peace and Love

cordelia

Mixed Feelings...

I got here: first thought. why the heck am i doing this? i wanted to leave. It was humid (i hate humid) it was rainy and horrible. i was homesick.

Wednesday i came to campus and was walking around for an hour looking for someone to let me in my dorm. up and down hills beating hot sun like i was under a heat lamp. it was horrible! i finally went to a NSE meeting and met all these people who are in the same boat as me. still unhappy and homesick i went to K-mart {the only store they have...no target :( } spent a lot of money on a fan and some things i needed in my dorm. we came back together and had dinner and went to the beach to watch the sunset. when my body hit that salty ocean i had a glimmer of hope that i might actually have fun here. I stuck with those girls for awhile that night we sat in my room and talked for a few hours and then went to bed. I fell asleep thinking about how hot and humid it is in my non-air conditioned room.

Today. Thursday: Woke up at 8 showered becasue i was sooo sweaty. went to breakfast thinking there is no way i can live like this. ( my room is torn apart! everything is everywhere because i am in a substitute room because my rooms key is broken. its horrible) I keep telling myself things will be better when i get into my room and make it my own. so anyways today we took an island tour. AMAZING!!! the island has so much character... nothing like Indiana. i took a million pictures. of course. after the tour we went to Megans Bay (third best in the world) it was BEAUTIFUL. i was in the water all day! blue water. tonight teh girls are all going out but i kinda miss home so i think i might just upload my pictures to facebook and sit in my dirty suitcase filled yet empty room.

I'll get use to it

peace and love

cord

The begining

So tomorrow I leave for Chicago... (my favorite city in the mid west) dad and I fly out of O'Hare around noon and ill be in St Thomas Tuesday night! Its crazy to think that ill be living a few minutes from a beach (i am part fish. i love the beach). Although I am VERY sad and VERY nervous I am excited to be living a new life on my own. So for now I am saying goodbye to my room and heading off to grow up...


Peace & Love

Cord