Yes, I realize it has been a veeery long time since my last post (months, in fact), but I lay primary blame on my inability to fully comprehend just HOW MUCH information/details/decisions/etc. would be pushed at me as graduation looms closer and closer (I swear, if I get one more packet of papers to sign from Luther saying they "didn't want to bother students with this earlier," I'm going to scream). As such, the majority of my time has been spent shifting through future plans and hiccups (as it were) in previously assumed paths while at the same time trying to spend as much time possible with the numerous people I may never see again (or at least not for a very very long time)...needless to say, it's a bit of a stretch. (It also doesn't help that so much of what I have in the works depends on hearing back from other people and as this is the busiest time of the year for many, comunications are stretched out twice as long as usual.)

SOOO, to catch up - I have officially completed all necessary requirements/finishing touches for my (now ex) position of SAC Homecoming Co-Chair and have dutifully passed the torch on to my successor (another Kristen L...haha!), am in the process of pledging a new daughter to my sorority family tree (side note - XOP is a WONDERFUL organization of intelligent young women, quite unlike the stereotypical TV sororities you see in shows such as GREEK or in movies....those make me angry ), am in the process of trying to determine summer and next year plans (again, waiting to hear back from people...argh), and tomorrow morning will be leaving with Collegiate Chorale for our four-day tour of the midwest! (Lots of irons in the fire...) I keep hoping that as I tie up loose ends I might gain a little extra time, but, alas, something else always seems to pop up and take the place of what I just completed....maybe in five years or so my life might actually slow back down

Today produced a very random and extremely unexpected event which I thought some of my feline-affectionado blog readers would appreciate (*ahem* Jill). I was on my way out to the Wal-mart south of Decorah to pick up soda/napkins/etc. for a SAC event tonight and happened to notice a little (well, mid-sized) bundle of white and grey fur. As always (and assuming the poor cat had already passed on), I felt sad for the poor animal and was about to change my line of thought...until I saw the tail twitching. Uncertain whether or not the movement was intentional or due to air streams coming off passing cars, I found a place to turn around, drove back, parked on the shoulder several feet from the cat (with warning flashers on, of course), and got out to investigate. As soon as I approached the kitty, he ("he" is an assumption as I'm not entirely sure of its gender) looked up over his shoulder at me (one eye and his nose were bleeding quite a bit) and uttered what was quite possibly the most pitiful mew I have ever heard. All the things my mum has ever taught me about being kind to animals and about God putting us in the right place at the right time (the cat was also covered with dust, meaning it had probably been there for quite a while without anyone stopping to help) came rushing to my mind and I knew I had to do something. I went and got an old wool blanket out of my trunk and cautiously approached the cat to make sure he wasn't too badly injured or would panic and run into the road (btw - this was on the edge of a highway, so quite a bit of traffic). Kitty kicked his hind legs a bit as I gently shifted him onto the blanket and wrapped him up (which I took as a very good sign) and was then quickly transported to the front seat of my car. I then proceeded to the Decorah Veterinary Hospital (fortunately very close to the location the cat was) and went in to ask someone for help. Upon returning to the car, the assistant and I found a very alert (and angry) cat who promptly dove off the seat and attempted to hide under the gas and break pedals...obviously we didn't have to worry about him having any serious fractures.  After a few moments of hissing and gentle coaxing,  we were able to get the cat out of the car and into the  building. From there the vets took care of everything and said they would contact me tomorrow regarding how the cat is doing and what can be done about finding the cat a home (or finding his owner in case he already has one...I almost wish it were possible for me to adopt him, but obviously given my current situation it isn't

 Moral of the story - always be attentive and keep your eyes out for situations you can help with...you never know when that might be, but you can always make a difference

I know, I know...four months is a completely inexcuseable amount of time to not update, but between visiting grad schools, work, weddings, trips to Mayo (I'm in remission...yay!!!), moving back to school, classes, planning my senior show, planning Homecoming Week (which is looming frighteningly close...), XOP activities, and trying to have time to maintain m sanity, Xanga kinda got pushed to the back burners. However, I promise to at least attempt to update more frequently, especially since this is my last year at Luther *sob* and I'm sure it will be an interesting one. Unfortunately, this has to be a short note as it's already after midnight and I have a full schedule for tomorrow (finishing papers, checking inventory in the sculpture building, studio time, etc.) but I promise as soon as I'm finished I'll write a nice, long blog. Cheers!