Why we wear ORANGE.....

I found this online...and it rang true.


Why we wear ORANGE!!!
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS, BUT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD!!!!

I started thinking about orange and what it means. Is orange a particularly
pretty color? No. Yet we all find it beautiful. Is it a popular color?
Fashion right now has a lot of orange in it, but normally, it isn't. Is
it a powerful color? It is eye catching, but not really considered powerful.
So why in the world do I and other faithful love it so much?
The color is a symbol. It is all we remember of our Oklahoma State.

To us it not only symbolizes eons of national championships, but also
3-7 seasons. It is Theta Pond, it is Greek Row, it is the "Union". It
is Barry Sanders, Eddie Sutton, Mike Gundy, Pat Jones, Big Country,
Henry Iba and Rashaun Woods. It is meeting your friends at Joes, the
Hideaway, THE WEED or the "DOG". It is illegal dorm parties. It is
Pistol Pete. It is the Waving Song or the Alma Mater. It's IFC. It's
Bedlam 01' in Norman and broken roses. It's Garth and Cross
Canadian and Boland. It is "The Walk", it is tailgating. It is that girl
you always wanted to ask out but never did. It's the guy you always
wish would have. Its date parties and pre-parties. It's the "swan".
House decks and hot chocolate and pomping and signs that say
"Do not watch Arc!"

It is late night Pizza Shuttle runs. It is no air conditioning in the
dorm or getting tickets from parking nazis. It's puking on the bus to a
date party. It's the Sirloin Stockade steer floating in Theta Pond. It
is signing up for a 4 hour class at 7:30 in the morning as a freshman.
It is DUI's and MIP's and learning to never do that again. It is
Bedlam. Its KA, FIJI, DELT, SNAKE, ALPHA CHI, THETA, PI PHI, AGR.
It is heart breaks and leaving friends. It is showing our recruits how
much we appreciate them, it is feeling disappointed when some choose
to go elsewhere, or the elation of them deciding to come to OSU and join
our family. It is Thursday nights. Its planes, Colorado, snow and
memories that burn in all hearts that wear the Orange and Black.
It's Stout, Classroom, Ag Hall and Kerr-Drummond and the awkward
"morning after." It's an orange fountain; its finals week. It's the campus
bells and Preacher Bob. Its meeting a kid that's parents knew your
parents while they were here. It's meeting you husband or wife,
groomsmen and bridesmaids.

We can't talk about our feelings for our school without going into
stories that would make people's eyes glaze over and bring a tear to
some. It's hard to explain to people that the reason we wear orange
isn't because of sports or 7 National Football Championships. It isn't
because of any one thing or even 100 things. Orange is pride in all
things OSU. Be they good things or bad things, they are all part of why
I love OSU. When I see people wearing OSU hats or shirts, most of the
time no words have to be spoken. Just a nod or a smile and we both know
that orange is something special. A lifetime of friends, fond memories,
hurts and joy that we all have and will keep for an eternity~ One day
our kids will hear and then they will see and then theirs will hear
about the times as they are and were~ All the while the chimes will
sing the fight song, hearts will flutter and folks will feel a great sense
of belonging. Fan's children will sit on parent's shoulders with
arms waving to Bullet racing out of the West end zone and the
commentator's voice saying, "With 9:08 remaining in the first half;
Here Comes Bullet!" When you pass a car with Pete peering out of an
Orange Star, you know that they know that you know; Its letting go,
holding on, and forever remembering why we were/are at the best college
in America.

Rewind; remember cool autumn air walking to class and passing friends,
ex's, lovers, and the rush you feel every time you go back; A lump in a
throat, a bitter-sweet graduation in a cap and gown; A desire to stay
forever.

Although we are gone, we are still there-

I'm not leaving the country...

Well, I'm not leaving the country for the Peace Corps. I got the letter. I'm really okay. It's just a major disappointment. I'll survive. Things will all work out!

B L A H !

For those of you that know me, you know that I'm an avid observer. I pay attention to the little things around me, I make sure I watch and learn from others. As a child friendly person, I particularly enjoy watching the interaction of children.

I went to get my hair cut the other afternoon, which by the way is WAY short, but I'm getting adjusted to it. While I was sitting there, multiple children came in with their parents. What was interesting was watching the parenting approaches with each child. The family I will talk about appeared to be a grandmotherly type person taking care of her two grandchildren, one girl approximately 10 and a boy approximately 6. The little boy was fairly talkative, which was fine. He talked. Big deal. Apparently the grandmother didn't want him to talk while they were in the store. I felt bad for the boy. Then, he slowly but surely got up and walked over to a bottle of hair styling stuff, you know, there's a million types in those places. He was saying outloud "B L A H!" What's "Blah!" Grandma? She wouldn't answer him and told him to sit down. What made me sad, was that this was a perfect time to advocate for his learning to identify letters and spell and sound things out. But instead, the child is told to not talk and to not get up and read things in the store. WWHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTT is that all about? Seriously, I wanted to offer him to come and read through the magazine with me...but I figured she'd go through the roof! Yikes! I wish the parents would cherish moments like these and encourage successful child education encounters. Oh well.. it's still a dream. Always a dream.

Fun Days...

Kate's 1st Haircut
She sat on a Zebra Seat with a Zebra Cape! We had a good time!


Look at me! I'm something else!


Ahh...big sister won!

S-M-I-L-E

 

On top of the world....

Texas-Oklahoma Fair
Wichita Falls, Texas

The pig races. Yes. Four pigs raced around for an Oreo Cookie. You got it. It was pretty funny. Kate liked it. I think Will did too!

Will loved the fair too! He had it easy. Rolling around in the stroller, or on mama's hip!

Kate and Aunt Emmy.
That's right...we are on a Ferris Wheel! YIKES!!!
Seriously, we hed on to each other tight the entire time. It was fun. We could see the cars and the lights and downtown Wichita Falls. I've never held on to Kate as tight as I did that night!

 

Did I tell you Wally likes to drive???

Wally at the wheel!


Check me out, Mom!
The dog and the mom!


I love to drive!


I promise I didn't really let him drive...we just took pictures!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/28/china.dogdriver.ap/index.html

 

Home Sweet Home...

Government Springs Park: Softball Field
Many bumps, bruises, and raspberries on my thigh!



I went back to my hometown of Enid, Oklahoma this past weekend! I haven't been able to drive around Enid for a long time...I'm guessing it was about 2002 when I was last in town for an extended period of time. I've been back since 2002, but only for weddings and funerals...oh, my how things change! I drove around reminiscing (spelling??) of my childhood, first house, second house, all my schools, my church, my softball field, etc....it was very neat to be back there. Funny thing: I told myself that if my childhood home was up for sale that I would move back to it and live in Enid, but it wasn't for sale! Oh well...here are some pictures!




Hayes Elementary School

Emerson Junior High School



Enid High School


Above all else, it was fantastic getting to see everyone and everything. I was able to go back to the Markes Labor Day Party at Chris and Lori's place in Waukomis. It was good to see so many families that I used to babysit, hear what grade the children are in and what's going on in their life! I had a wonderful time and I loved my trip there.

I do miss my hometown.
But, I love what I'm doing now!

 

Bugs, Bugs, and more Bugs....Volkswagen that is...

Courtesy of Okfuskee County: I've never seen so many VW bugs in my entire life. I drive this road anywhere from once a month to several times a week. Each time I think to myself... I gotta get a picture of this. I would like to stop sometime and take some decent photos, but I thought a driveby might do this time! Hope you like it! 

Timing...

"Its always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things."

~Blue Like Jazz~

Water Babies

 

Wings of Wonder

My little brother, Taylor, took this photograph with my camera at the zoo. I think he did an amazing job. Isn't it beautiful! I sure think so! 

Fun Times

Aunt Emily and Katharine Ella

Aunt Emily makes Will laugh a lot! He's a cuddly little guy!
Aunt Emily wore Will in the Baby Bjorn!
Like a pro....

Mimi's Backyard
(After swimming in the miniature kiddie pool)

 

life update: summer trips, famous baseball players, and peace corps update

I haven't posted anything much lately. I guess I've been a little busy with work and family visits, summer trips, etc. I think I will try to write a little update this afternoon.

Things have been going well on my end in Tulsa. I've continued my job working for SoonerStart and I really do enjoy it. I enjoy helping the special needs kids around my area. I have seen some sad, very sad cases, but so far all have turned out more positive than I expected. It's been neat to see the changes some of these children have made in less than a year. I'm getting to know the back roads of Creek County fairly well and feel that I've done a good job overall.

I was able to travel to Omaha, Nebraska a few weeks ago to take part of a good friend's wedding. I posted pictures from that already. I wish Ashley and Chris the best of everything and lots of happiness and many memories. While I was there I was able to see Rosenblatt Stadium, which is the home to the College World Series! What a fun place. I stopped to take some pictures, but that's about it. No games for Emily.

Speaking of games, I've read and watched an old guy make his Major League Debut this summer. He's played for them before, but I've been impressed with his recent transaction to Houston. Luke Scott played for Oklahoma State and was drafted out of school. He's AMAZING. I think he's hitting between .400 and .500 over his last 3 weeks....which is great! It's really cool to turn on FSN and watch MLB with someone familiar. I'm proud of him and happy for him. He was always a good guy, worked hard to get where he wanted to go..and he had an extreme faith in God. It's neat to see good things happen to good people!

As far as what else is going on in my life...it's hard to describe. Some of you know that I have applied to the Peace Corps and have been accepted pending medical review. I need to update my other blog as well... Emily in Peace Corps ...but I will post a little here. I have a few more lab tests to get back from the doctor and then I will send in my medical paperwork and packet to the Office of Medical Services in Washington D.C. I'm not sure what direction to take my life. I'm still going through with the Peace Corps process and will take it one day at a time. Sometimes I feel like I have so many competing dreams and life goals and I'm not sure which path to take. I keep waiting for some major signs to come my way, and maybe my eyes aren't opened enough. I'm working on getting things taken care of so that either way I choose to travel, I will know that I'm doing the right thing and following my heart and listening to God's will.

I will put a few pics up from the recent trip to Tulsa. Rob and Karen came with little Kate and baby Will. We had a lot of fun. We went to the zoo, swam in the pool, and had a ball of a time! They are sure cute kids. Check out the pictures!

Until later,

emily

Follow me to the Latvian Village

A few days long, long ago Emily found a bus bench in Omaha, Nebraska.
Wow...that sounds like a fun place to see.

Look, Emily took a picture of herself sitting on the bus bench.
We gotta find this place.

There it is!
The Latvian Village

Look! Emily found the Latvian Village!


This brief story is dedicated to Ilze and Taylor, my precious siblings from Latvia!

I love you two!

 

Joslyn Castle

The Joslyn Castle

This is where Ashley and Chris were married.
A beautiful, absolutely beautiful castle in Omaha!