Ghosts at ISU

Yes...there is the proof. ISU is one of the Top 10 Haunted Campuses in the United States...

Source: http://campusmediagroup.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/college_marketing_haunted_campuses/

School ‘Spirit’: The Top 10 Haunted Campuses in the U.S.

You never know where you’ll find inspiration for your next campus marketing initiative. Here is a list of campuses I think make up America’s “most haunted.”

Illinois State University (Normal, IL) – The library at Williams Hall was used as a temporary holding place for older books that were not needed or referenced very often. The space is said to be haunted by the ghost of Angie Milner, the school’s first official librarian. Paranormal researchers have taken electronic readings in the library and have supported the theory that there are peculiar energy anomalies present. Students and researchers conducting work there have described books flying off shelves, smokey white apparitions among the aisles of the stacks, and feeling something brush up against them while they are reading.

Nine weeks gone - nine weeks left

Music: Peter Jöback - Stockholm i Natt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te4Vv4qio7A

Today is a special day...nine weeks have passed so far and nine weeks of the semester are left. I don't know how I feel about it - am I glad? am I sad? It has been an emotional last week. Even though I am looking forward to seeing Daniel again, it makes me sad to think about parting from all these wonderful people I have met, who already have impacted my being more than I would have ever imagined.


I hate goodbyes...can't they be changed to "see you soon"s?


PS: Jag älska dig Daniel!

October

Coffee: one
Milka Chocolate bar: one
Mood: on my way to perfect happiness (thanks to the chocolate)

Music of the week: Helen Sjöholm, Amanda Marshall
Plans for the near future: Learn Swedish!, Buy a new bookshelf

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Dear friends and readers of this little blog,

I can't believe that it is already October. It is certainly true what people say: time flies when you are having fun (and are busy at the same time). However, I think it is my duty to inform you about my latest adventures over here and the things which are coming up.

After visiting Springfield and Lincoln with the Paderborn Summer School Students, which, I cannot say that enough, really impressed me, October came along and I had to hand in my first two big projects. It certainly was a tough week and I am happy that its over. Ludmila and I actually celebrated last week with our monthly trip to the mall to visit Victoria and all the other nice friends we have made so far (smile).

By the way I really need a date with Paul again...my hair is growing wild and right now I have almost four different shades of colour on my head, which is really weird.

Also our day at the mall was very interesting as we came to some life-changing solutions:

a) America has big kids, as even I fit in the Junior section T-shirts,
b) Victoria was sold out and
c) we have spend too much money at Victoria's so far.

The last weekend started with a 'German Oktoberfest' event at one of the German professor's house, followed by a boring but studious Saturday reading 500 pages of Medieval French romances. In the evening we had a "Chocolate around the World" event, in which people had the chance to taste four different kinds of chocolate (blindfolded) and to write down which one they preferred...and the winner is.....tatatata: Milka! Does that suprise you? Well, no of course not.

Sunday was beautiful outside and we went for a walk on the University Quad before heading to the library. After reading my 'left-overs', I fell asleep...yeah in the library. Its the perfect place to sleep I think as it is totally quiet...and the chairs were so nice! You all should try that once in awhile!

Ok...a new week has started and I am almost done with my update. On Friday Ludmila and I will be going out for dinner. As by Friday we are already here for nine weeks - which means there are only nine weeks left. Honestly it makes me sad as I really start liking it here (I wish I could stay longer or at least come back soon).

Further upcoming events:
Thursday: Midterm in Children's Literature
Saturday: Day trip to Chicago (train tickets are booked and we are ready to leave)


Furthermore ...my next trip to London in January/February is booked too, got a nice flight and a convenient hostel.

...and my floormate Caroline is going to visit me in January...and I can stay at Mareike's appartment over Thanksgiving...

So, even though I always thought that I am leading a boring life - things are happening next year. Next year - well I think this is going to be exciting and life changing in many aspects.


Dear friends of me and the little man...take care and write comments....also my post box would love to receive some mail!
Kisses and hugs

Springfield

On Friday Ludmila and I had the chance to go to Springfield to visit our dear friend Abraham Lincoln. First we paid tribute to his dead body by spending some quiet time in front of his grave. Then we got an exclusive and very informative tour through his home and finally spend some wonderful hours in the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library. I am deeply impressed by his life and work...too bad that he had to die so soon.

...

Fall

Do you know the feeling when fall comes around?

...When the air isn't stuffed with the heat of the summer any longer?

...When the wind blows stronger than before to clean the air, making it easier to breathe?

...When the sun is still shining but has lost most of its power?



...When the leaves are turning, making the grey world colorful

...When night sets in sooner

...When the evenings are starting to get chilly


I love fall...and its coming I can see it, I can smell it and I can't wait for it

September

Coffee: today 2
Icecream: today 1
Cookies: today... two still waiting for me
Book: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Performance of the Self
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Music of the week:
Soundtrack of My Best Friends Wedding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah-tui1ubnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1EaWA6E0Q4&feature=PlayList&p=BEEE492654FF7A6B&index=7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYBdjmNs1FE

Ok folks...its unbelievable but its almost mid September...which means basically that one third of my stay in Normal is already over. However, I think the little man and I owe our readership an update of the happenings so far.


After our Chicago trip last weekend the week past by rather without excitement, except for the fact that I hurt my foot/ankle/knee/tendon somehow last week (limped through Chicago) and have difficulties walking. Unfortunately not even an appointment with the University nurse helped as she told me the following:

"Oh you might have x, you might have y...but in order to know it for sure we have to do an x-ray...but this is too expensive..so I guess we just wait four more weeks"

...well folks...honestly... in this moment America was removed from my list of countries I would like to live permanently. Health care sucks over here and so I am trying to heal my foot on my own. We will see how its going to work out.

Next to that I am doing fine, keeping my head above the ground. For the rest of today I need to read, read, write my first paper and read. Tomorrow will be the same except for the fact that I have to be in church by 5.30ish...

So folks...hope you are doing well wherever you are...keep your fingers crossed for my foot!
Take care