news...

I'm sure I'll post more on my pilgrimage later...but here's a taste:

http://www.6newslawrence.com/news/2006/jan/24/ku_students_travel_rightlife_rally/

LIFE...

In exactly 48 hours...I will be on a bus headed to Washington, D.C. for the March for LIFE!! There's so much to do in these next few hours...but it will all be worth it. Please keep me, my 4 leaders, and the other 120 students going with us in your thoughts and prayers!

christmas letter...

So, my parents are sending out the traditional Christmas Letter...and normally they sign my name at the bottom along with all of my siblings and siblings-in-law. However, this year it is just signed by their names...no Mitzi. So I've decided to write my own Christmas Letter. There's not a whole lot going on, but perhaps it will give some insight as to what has happened in my life in the past year...rather than the three to four sentences that my father writes in the family's letter.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!

It has been quite a year in my life with so many changes and experiences that will be unforgettable. A year ago in January, I participated in the first-ever Veritas Convention in Wichita, KS. The convention brought together several Catholic student leaders across the Big XII and by the end of the convention...it came about that I would be coordinating next year's convention at KU. So in T minus 2 days, Veritas 2006 will commence! A few weeks later in the month of January, I helped lead about 120 student to Washington, D.C. for the March for LIFE and discovered my passion for the LIFE movement. It suddenly hit me that this movement would be a part of the rest of my life. It is my apostolate. So with that, I applied for and received the position of the March for LIFE Student Coordinator at St. Lawrence and will be leaving in 18 days for D.C. with about 130 students! I know it will be an unbelievable experience and I ask for your prayers for the success of this pilgrimage!

In February, I was blessed to become an aunt to both a niece and nephew. While it is amazing in itself to be an aunt, the true amazement is watching my sister and my brother along with their spouses become parents. I only hope that someday I can do the same. I was also blessed to become the Godmother of my niece in early April...this title I will always hold close to my heart.


May came and went so quickly that I could hardly believe that my junior year of college was over and I was a senior...but there was little time to think about that as the family prepared for my sister's wedding in early June. It was certainly the event of the summer and brought together the whole family once again before we all parted ways in August. My brother was deployed to Iraq and my newly married sister and her husband made the move to their new home in Ohio.


So as my senior year began in the middle of August it was certainly an adjusting period to figure out where my life was headed after all my siblings had started their new lives. The fall semester kept me busy though. I returned to my position in my hall and found that I would be doing more work than my job description described...but isn't that always the case. I began my coordinating of both the Veritas Convention and the March for LIFE...both of which became the things that I loved to do as the semester went on...even with all the hardships that have come with both of them.

A few of the highlights of the semester would be: my Fall Break trip to Ohio, hanging out with my favorite niece and her parents in KC on a day that I just needed to get away from everything, the free Neil Diamond concert in December w/ my sister and brother-in-law, raising over $9,000 dollars for the March for LIFE, and realizing that I only have one more semester left of college.

To answer the question of what I'm doing after graduation this coming May...you'll just have to wait until next year's letter. I don't know what I will be doing. I feel that I want to stay close to home because I know I'm not ready to move halfway across the country...but time will tell and hopefully I'll know before I graduate as to where I'll be. Until then, I'll be here and I'm happy with that.

Love,
Mitzi

can't sleep...

So it is now waaaaay past my bedtime that I normally have during the semester and I can't sleep. It is not because I was out "late" either. I was falling asleep on the couch while watching CSI: Las Vegas, decided to go to bed, and now I'm here at the computer blogging. I guess my life has really come to this...

I know why I can't sleep though. I'm stressing out about the things I'm in charge of. I'm planning a mini-convention for Catholic students from the Big XII schools. It is only a little over 2 weeks away and I'm kind of freaking out about it. I know in my heart it is worth it, but sometimes I wonder if anyone else thinks that as well...and then when I think that everyone is just "going along" because they feel they have to...then I start to doubt myself.

I'm also heading up the pilgrimage that my church takes to D.C. for the March for Life. I was a leader last year and now this year I'm a coordinator. I don't know if I have really done that much more than when I was a leader...but for some reason I'm in charge. I can look back at the past few months and I can see everything I've done, but I don't know if I've done enough or if I'm still making the 'best' decisions. And now as the trip draws closers...more decisions have to be made and I doubt myself with every step I take...

I mean I can barely figure out what I want to eat for lunch let alone try to figure out how to keep over a hundred college students together for 5 days. Oh well.

I know HE'll help me out. That's probably what my problem is...I just don't ask. There was a priest in Oklahoma a few years back that said Mass on the base where my brother was stationed. I remember the homily word for word because it was short and to the point. The priest told us that in any situation we should always say, "I can't. HE can. I'll let HIM." Something to think about...

an additional note...

I would like to publicly thank my sister and brother-in-law (Katie and Robert) who offered me the tickets to the Neil Diamond concert, paid for my Chipotle dinner, and drove me to the concert. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful relatives.

I apologize for not noting this in the previous "neil..." post.

neil...

Last night, by luck I got free tickets to the Neil Diamond concert. Now, I would not say I'm an avid fan...but I do enjoy a "Sweet Caroline" or "America" every now and then -- and really who doesn't? Come on it's NEIL DIAMOND!!! Probably the best part about the concert was the fact that I was easily one of the youngest people in attendance. There was a strange amount of gray hair in the audience, but no matter what color hair...we all were there for the same reason.
Here are a few of my favorite lyrics from Mr. Diamond's repertoire:

" I'd have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, and I find
Just one thing makes me forget...RED RED WINE"

"Some little girl'll catch you nappin'
Some little girl will get to you with her kiss"

"I thank the Lord for the night time
To forget the day
A day of up, uptight time
Baby, chase it away"

"Friend, have you seen glory road?
Say, friend, I got a heavy load
And I know glory road's waiting for me
Rest my load,
Now I know glory road won't set me free"

" don't want much
The good Lord's earth beneath my feet
A gentle touch
From that one girl,
And life is sweet and good
Ain't no doubt, I'm talkin' about ...Kentucky woman"

"Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
And it don't walk
And long as I can have you
Here with me, I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans"

"Hands, touchin' hands
Reachin' out, touchin' me touchin' you
Sweet Caroline {whoa, whoa, whoa}
Good times never seemed so good {so good, so good, so good}"

"My country 'tis of thee (today)
Sweet land of liberty (today)
Of thee I sing (today)
Of thee I sing
Today, Today, Today
Today, today, today......"

my last friday...

Today is the last Friday that I will ever have classes. I don't have class on Fridays next semester...so today is it. From here on -- my college career will be filled with three-day weekends! Plus, I just found out from my boss that I won't be working on Fridays either next semester...what will I do? ...well here are a few possibilities...

1. Volunteer with Jim Ryun's campaign...therefore getting my foot in the political arena
2. Be able to actually volunteer at Jubilee Cafe here in Lawrence
3. Sleep in -- because I'll be dancing all Thursday night long!
4. Formulate my job search
5. Actually search for a job
6. Sleep
7. Work out (get ready sisters: we're having a day at the spa!!)
8. Take road trips with my roommate...
9. Enjoy my last semester as a college student
10. Maliciously laugh at all the students walking up 14th street to go to class
11. Post my life's story on this blog...
    

things i'm thankful for...

I know it is past the "Thanksgiving" time and we are now quickly heading towards Christmas...but I just thought I would comply a list...enjoy...

1. my family
2. my friends
3. my faith
4. my foam mattress pad that is keeping the springs in my actually mattress from injurying me
5. $.05 off of unleaded gasoline w/ my dillon's plus card
6. indoor plumbing and toilet paper
7. clean sheets
8. clean clothes
9. people who make me laugh out loud
10. my residents who do their shifts without complaining
11. sunday brunch with my parents...especially when grits are involved
12. swing dancing
    
13. music that i can sing along with
14. letsingit.com -- so that i can memorize lyrics in order to do #14 {edit: #13}
    
15. good movies
16. kansas weather that allows me to experience every extreme
17. breaking my leg -- giving me a new outlook on life
18. people who aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in
19. my cell phone that let's me stay in touch with those close and far away
20. the outdoor life network's coverage of the tour de france -- how else would i make it through july?

why i don't want to go to graduate school...

As the semester comes to a close with only 12 days of class left, 5 papers due, 2 class presentations, 3 finals, 1 pilgrimage to plan, and 1 convention to plan...the questions about what I'm doing "next year" (meaning post graduation) are coming out of no where from people I don't even know! Let it be clear, that it is fine for the family to constantly query about my future and my fellow May graduates as well...but if you are a freshmen, stranger, or some one who is not even remotely close to me or my family...then be quiet and mind your own business. Keeping this all in mind, I have taken a closer look as to why I do not want to attend graduate school. This does not mean that I disapprove of those who have/are/will attend(ed/ing) graduate school. I do understand this completely. Just as college is for some and not for others...so is graduate school. I just wish the modern world would figure this out! Now on to my reasons:

1. I'm done with class. I'm sick of jumping through hoops with my professors just to get a letter on my transcript. What does that really show? That I was able to answer 50 multiple choice questions? Great.
2. I'm ready to do something more. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm going to do so much for something...someday...so why should I put this off and have more debt than I already have?
3. I really don't like the graduate students that I have in my classes. Because of the way the Political Science department is set up, I have to take 500 and 600 level courses for all my jr/sr major credit hours...therefore there's bound to be at least 1 or 2 grad students in there and they all think they are better/smarter/prettier than the rest of us measly undergrads. Wait...scratch that. They think they are better/smarter/prettier because I have conservative opinions on several political/social issues.
4. I'm done with class...again!
5. I have been working and going to school since the second semester of my kindergarten year. I think it might be time for a change.

Maybe that's it...I'm just ready for a change and I don't believe that graduate school is enough of a change. Or maybe I'm just bitter towards not knowing exactly what I'm doing after graduation...hmmm...

veteran's day...

Dear Soldier,
If I could take your hand tonight
I would hold onto you so very tight
Standing guard over you… this time
Until the early morning light
When the sun should rise tomorrow
If I could… I would be there by your side
For when the winds of sand and dust should blow
I would gladly shield your face and eyes
When your mouth should become dry
As you journey through the desert heat
I would be there in a heartbeat, the very first
Offering my last drop of water to quench your needed thirst
Through the cheering, and whispered words of love
The waving of our Red, White and Blue
As family and friends held you so near
You wiped away their frightened tears


For when we needed you
You stood firm… never flinching
Many seeing the pride within your heart and eyes
Like the mighty eagle that soars
Above our American skies
I know there are moments
That you will never let us see
Like those of fear and loneliness
Still I see great soldiers… fulfilling their duties
With heads held high, and there we witness...
Great pride, honor and dignity
When tonight the sun should set
As you are sitting among the many others…
Sometimes feeling alone
Thinking of your loved ones
You miss so much back home
Please remember…


There are many here... that love you so
Those whose hearts shall never forget
Being so very proud of everything you’ve done
People that pray day and night for your safe return
All I can do right now, Dear Soldier...
Is bow my head in humble thanks again
Asking our Heavenly Father, above
In guiding and protecting you, no matter where duty calls
In bringing you safely back to your home
Into the arms of those you love

By Brenda Conley © 2003

cypress tree...

Apparently, we each have a tree that we fall from...crazy, I know! However, according to my birthday I am a "Cypress Tree" and here's what that means...

Cypress Tree (the Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

le tour

Le route is set for Le Tour de France 2006...and check out le new poster for le Tour...appropriate after le departure of le 7-time champion Lance Armstrong? Oui!

brownback '06 or '08

So there have been rumors floating around about Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) possibly throwing his hat in for the 2008 election...apparently there are reports that he has said that he will not run for re-election in 2010...so there are a few possibilities that I can see from my political science expertise:

1. Brownback for KS Governor in 2006?
2. Brownback for President in 2008?
3. Brownback for VP in 2008?

Oh, the rumors of election season! Get ready and if you find any information let me know please...I've been searching, but have found little conformation to these rumors. Although, Sam was seen doing a little hand-shaking in Iowa a month ago...hmmm...

in her shoes...

Besides the turmoil of school, impending graduation, my hall, a Big XII convention that I'm organizing, and the unexplainable factors of heading up the March for Life...I think I found some time to sleep last night. I'm currently gearing up for Two Test Tuesday (tomorrow)...almost as exciting as Taco Tuesday as Taco John's, but without the spicy salsa...and two tacos.

Anyhow... I saw the film "In Her Shoes" this weekend and I have to say that it might make my list of favorites. I will definitely own this movie...that's is once I have enough money to buy anything that doesn't involve writing a check to Cingular wireless or American Family Insurance...

Back to the movie...it dealt with so many different levels of relationships from family to friends to "more-than-just" friends and how we should really cherish the people around us, even if they make us crazy! Guys, it is definitely a chick-flick...so watch out for the sappy moments and be sure to bring along some tissues!

googlism.com

A friend of mine introduced me to "googlism.com" in which you can type anything in and it will search the web for anything that involves what that thing "is"...i.e. "mitzi". While many of the of the things involved favorite dogs and cats, here are some of my favorites!


Googlism for: mitzi

mitzi is too shy around strangers
mitzi is one such artist
mitzi is in the sixth grade
mitzi is now combining her acting expertise with the experience she gained directing episodes of silk stalkings to develop projects of her own
mitzi is the woman every woman wants to be
mitzi is doing real good
mitzi is a female siamese ferret
mitzi is gone
mitzi is on stage
mitzi is already in the ring
mitzi is not himself
mitzi is falling in love
mitzi is a welterweight champion
mitzi is also reported to be working on her own screenplay
mitzi is gonna meet you over at jack's with the key
mitzi is still working harder than ever to make her dream a reality
mitzi is the only child on the picture
mitzi is also very active on campus in volunteer and mentoring activities
mitzi is currently a member of the national speakers association
mitzi is the best dog ever
mitzi is the *noisy* boxer at our house
mitzi is the boat that will do what i want better than the others
mitzi is hired
mitzi is a calico cat
mitzi is a natural beauty with wonderful skin and is a sheer joy to photograph
mitzi is not afraid to write a pop song
mitzi is the "first" doll in the children of the world series
mitzi is a delight to work with and i would not trade her in for the world
mitzi is extremely important to antiques & collectibles at the twilight zone
mitzi is our friendly tabby girl
mitzi is so cute
mitzi is a witch who likes creepy things
mitzi is also a member of the national cowgirl hall of fame

swing state

Fall break is here and I'm ready for it. I feel like I have been constantly running these past six weeks of the school year...time for a break. I'm headed to Ohio for the next few days to chill with my sister and her husband....so...here's to family, to friends, to safe flights, to on-time flights, and to forgetting about responsibility for four days!

Digger...

After a weekend of family, I came back home to my hall and found Digger, a little stuffed animal shaped like a dog with the markings of a Dalmatian, on my desk. To those who do not know about the traditions of my hall: Digger is the only male resident and is the prize possession of the woman who gets to keep him until the next hall meeting. Digger is friendly, always listens, and while he doesn't play catch...he is pretty darn good at the oh-so-popular "staring game" (where I find myself impersonating Will Ferrell's SNL sketch of Robert Goulet..."you win, you always do").

Anyhow, how does one get the chance to have Digger? Well, it is quite an honor. The woman in the hall who had him before chooses who gets him next for some specific reason. It could be "she helped me push my car through the snow" or "she gave a me hug when I really need one" or in my case "because she (being me) does so much for the hall and we (the rest of the hall) wanted to let her (me) know that we (the hall) appreciate her (me)".

I can't lie...seeing Digger on my desk with a little note telling me why I was the privileged one to have him for these next few weeks brought tears to my eyes. It is amazing how much a little stuffed Dalmatian can do for you.

for the buschelmans...

After a month of not updating this blog...I will once again begin my blogging .

I cannot promise much, but at least something will be here for those who chose to read about my thoughts and deeds.

classes

So the first and second day of classes is over and I'm left with an entire semester full of reading that won't get done and papers that will eventually become coasters on my professor's coffee table as he/she divulges in the latest episode of "It's Good to be Britney Spears"...or maybe I'm exaggerating.

But seriously, we are in college to earn a degree. In my case: a degree in Liberal Arts. Yes, I plan to graduate in four years, which according to the Student Success people---is successful. However, I do not see my success from my class work, tests, and papers. I see it on an entirely different scale. Who have a truly made an impression on? My peers? The underclassmen? My friends?

I know this fairly deep for a Monday morning, but I've just been wondering why so many students worry about their grades so much so that they make themselves physically and emotionally sick. I'm not saying to screw grades entirely, but why miss out on what the world has to offer while you spend every last second perfecting that concluding sentence.

Seize the freakin' DAY!!

senior year

And now the summer has come to an end and school begins tomorrow. While I'm excited for this final year of college...I kind of wish someone would just come and whisk me away to some far off land where I could be a princess of all the lands surrounding my beautiful castle.... ....or maybe I'll just go to class tomorrow. P.S. TO: Any Disney-type prince out there---I'm game if you are...