Emi's Journal

Last year the beavs had Rose Bowl dreams. It came down to Civil War. The ducks beat us. Fine, it was a fair game.
What happened next is what I had a problem with. They gloated. They rubbed it in our face that they had “stolen the Rose Bowl from us”. They beat us fair and square, yeah, that’s fine. But need you rub it in? Growing up we called that being a “sore winner”.
I didn’t like it. It was disappointing to lose, to not go to the Rose Bowl, but to have it rubbed in our face? I didn’t like it. I told myself if the tables ever turn, I would not fall to that level. Our rivalry is only fun until feeling are hurt, and they were pushing it. I support the beavers first and foremost, but I also support the ducks. Outside of Civil, I will cheer for the ducks. I support the state of Oregon. And I told myself I wouldn’t rub in a win like that. Not like that.

Little did I know what was in store. I didn’t know Civil War would determine the Rose Bowl this year. One of us would get it, the other comes in second. My promise is getting put to the test.

So here it goes. This is the vow I am making, and I hope others will join me. I will cheer for my team at Civil War. I will be proud if we win, and disappointed if we lose. But no matter how the tables turn, I am cheering for the state of Oregon at the Rose Bowl. Excitement or disappointment aside, Oregon will have the top two teams in the PAC-10, and I think that’s pretty darn good.

Join me in cheering at what is sure to be an amazing Civil War, and when all is said and done, supporting the state of Oregon.

A number of dreams, really. The dream of visiting all seven continents in my lifetime. The dream of seeing 24 hours of daylight. Hey, I could even see penguins in the wild!

Yesterday I sent in my study abroad application. I could be getting ahead of myself. I am… I e-mailed the advisor today. Maybe I should have done that first? Overzealous, I suppose. But hopefully this week I can meet with the advisor and get the whole big picture. I’m already working on essays and references… I only need one reference, but I want to find out if having two would be an advantage. I could get two. Or more, even… Overzealous again?

I want to go to Antarctica next year. If I get in I’ll be paying off the trip for the rest of my life, but that will be so worth it… Several life goals either accomplished, or making significant steps in, all in one trip. Plus I’d be on a boat for two weeks. That in itself would be worth it. The fact that I would be going where few get to go… Well, icing on the cake I suppose. Come to think of it, I would spend an extra term at OSU if it didn’t pan out next year… I’d be willing to do that. I could spend a term at Hatfield, then go to Antarctica…. Now I have a back-up plan! But that’s only if next year doesn’t pan out. One step at a time, Em… One step at a time.

I’m chasing a dream. And maybe, just maybe, my dreams will come true.

Good news! I got a 80.5% in biochem!

But that’s not what made it a good day. I learned that yesterday. And it made for a good day. But today… Today is special.
I got home from the club meeting at 7:00 sharp, and promptly remembered that today they were doing a live chat with Steven Curtis Chapman, one of my favorite singers. So I logged on to see what was going on. Well, the chat was awesome. And my head was spinning from how fast the chatroom portion was going… It was truly insane. But amongst the insanity I saw some familiar names. It’s been years since the SCC boards were taken from us, so it’s been years since I’ve talked to these people. I think of them sometimes. We had an awesome community back then. Like the Westies, but bigger (and that’s a whole different topic in itself). Once the chat ended and the madness died down a bit, I was able to catch up with some of them. This prompted me to create a facebook group for us old “Chapmanville residents”. I invited a couple people, and it is already growing. It’s fun to see it spread, from people inviting the people they are still in touch with. Our message board has been gone for years, but that community still exists. The “Chapman Clan”, “Chapmaniacs”, “Chapettes”, everyone… We’re still here, and we still remember. So if you are one of us, and you know if you are, join us in the reunion! I know I’d love to catch up, and I suspect the others will as well!