Revised Life in Alice!

"Me, marry Andrew?" Alice pressed her gloved hand to her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "He is more concerned with being merry than being married."
Her friend Betsy, wife of the esteemed Sir Carmichael Wilton, paused in thought. "Yes, that does seem true. His love for frivolity may, in time, outweigh his devotion and fidelity." She grinned as her cornflower eyes sparkled with eagerness. "Aidan, then. Have you ever considered him? He is truly kind and seems to fancy you."
Alice looked at the other girl in earnest. She considered her blonde hair, blue eyes, and slightly blank expression. A woman many men would love to call their own. It was easy to be so casual about these matters when one was already married. "Aidan is a dear friend and that is all he will ever be."
"But his parents admire you so." Betsy argued as she lifted her flowered teacup. "His family would only encourage the union. It would be a well suited match."
"I do not long only for a well suited suitor."
She shrugged her delicate shoulders. "No need to be offended. I am simply concerned for your well being." Trading tea for a cake, she continued. "I only want to see you happy."
Alice took her napkin, dipped it into a finger bowl placed on the table and handed it to Betsy. "You have a bit of sugar on your…"Betsy dabbed at her mouth.
"There you are."
"Don’t change the subject. Why do you insist on being lonely when you can be happy?"
"Are you and Sir Carmichael happy?" She paused. I mean truly happy?"
Her friend’s eyes lost some of their former gleam. "Well, for much of the time, yes. Though we surely have our difficulties." She pasted an obviously false smile on her face. "However, we overcome those moments and find comfort in each other. Car and I share something special. I will admit that even many of our friends do not have a bond like ours. There is so much love; unremitting, unchangeable, undeniable ardor." She leaned in conspiratorially. "In fact, the other day, I saw our Harrison at the jewelers, you know the one, Hapstein and Sons. Well…"
"I thought you suspected Harrison of stealing your silverware. Weren't you going to let him go?"
"Yes, but I brought the matter to Car and he told me that I was being silly. After all, he has been with us for so many years." She sighed. "He grew up with him you know, so I must assume he feels some sort of misguided loyalty to Harrison."
Alice swept a loose tendril of chestnut hair behind her ear. "Go on."
"I wanted to know what errand would carry Harrison to the jewelers and so I decided to speak with him. At that very moment I saw the jeweler hand him a locket I had spoken of to Car as he and I walked by the shop. Our anniversary is quite soon so I hinted that a lady could find no better proof of her beloved’s adoration than a gift such as that. When I saw Harrison pay the man, I was confused and more than a little suspicious until Hapstein asserted that Mr. Wilton certainly had discerning taste. I was giddy with excitement. Certainly I made all haste to leave before he saw me. Imagine me spoiling the surprise!" She straightened back in her chair with a satisfied air. "Many husbands forget these occasions entirely. Of course, then I felt rather guilty about delaying in purchasing his present. I went straight away to the corner shop on Rambleston and bought Car that newly arrived humidor."
"The one with inlaid ivory? Yes, I heard him mention it when last we were together. An excellent choice." Alice nodded her approval. "However, though you are pleased with your match, does not mean I must choose mine now. Surely, loneliness finds me vulnerable now and again. Also, I am not immune to the gossip that is whispered behind polite hands concerning my lack of beaus." She raised her defiant brown eyes. "However, I refuse to settle for a marriage of convenience or mutual regard."
Betsy began to gather her purse. "I was simply trying to be of help. I hope you will not fault me for leaving as I see you are not listening to a word I have said. I suppose you are content with remaining a spinster."
"Did I say that was my intent?" Alice’s eyes flashed. "Sometimes you presume too much on our friendship, Betsy." She placed her hand upon her chest. "My heart is mine alone to give and therefore my affair. Next week let us talk of books or even the latest fashions, but not men. I would prefer we never pursue that subject again."
"It may be your affair, but it does involve your companions and your parents. What if you chose inappropriately? Then it would be all of London’s affair. Nay, all of England’s."
"Do you not think that a little dramatic?"
"Please don’t trouble yourself. I will no longer take any liberties with your presumably private matters. I will keep my thoughts and opinions to myself." She rose from the chaise and swept the crumbs from her dress. "I have to secure my husband’s gift before I proceed home. Who knows? I may give it to him a little early, it would seem he deserves it."
Alice walked her to the front door. As she stepped outside, Betsy could not resist one last question. "Have you given any thought to Benjamin?"
Alice soundly closed the door. She could bear no more. The last one had stung smartly. Given any thought? Only nearly every moment of every day. Benjamin. It was so easy to recall his handsome face, pleasant demeanor and brilliant mind. The dark eyes that easily saw past her facades. Yes, she thought of him. Whether he ever thought of her was unlikely. He had woven a spell without even knowing it. She whispered to herself, "Why do we always seem to love those who do not love us?" When he called upon her family, which was frequently, it was all she could do to hide her emotions. Alice absolutely refused to pursue men, unlike many women of the day who felt no such qualms. Benjamin would have to come to her. Yet even then, there would be a sundry of obstacles.
A vicar as he was, certainly had a high standing in the community. But for a lord’s daughter, like Alice, he was supposed to be invisible. Someone you might invite over for high tea and see on Sunday, nothing else. Though the vicarage was only across the square, it might well have been on the other side of the world. That is, as far as society was concerned. However, if he would show any sign that he returned her affection, she would throw caution to the wind and run to his arms. The thought thrilled and terrified her at once. She mounted the stairs from the parlor to her bedroom, lifting the skirt of her dress so as not to trip on it. She knew she must be rid of at least one of her secrets. As she stepped into the room, her eyes immediately lit upon her armoire. Alice slowly advanced and opened the top drawer. Sifting through the first layer of undergarments she espied the box. The white package, when it had first arrived had slightly intrigued her, now it only made her feel ill. Very, very carefully she lifted the lid, revealing the velvet lining. She looped her fingers around the filigree chain and lifted out a stunning necklace. She traced her fingers along the silver heart, feeling every detail before sitting upon her bed. She felt along the side and read

"Such is my love, to thee I so belong,

That for thy right myself will bear all wrong.

C."

Shakespeare, if memory served. Somehow, it seemed a thing alive. Alice could almost believe it was beating in her palm. She felt herself begin to laugh. Now, why would that be?

We're Waiting for the World to Change

Well, if that's true, you're going to have to wait a long, long, long, long, long time. Maybe even longer. The only way the world is going to change is when God changes it. People suxors. Majorly. When man does something good, it's out of the ordinary~not tapping into the core of us all. Sorry, just heard a "new" song by John Mayer about this and I just had to laugh.
I'm kinda hanging out drinking my DOUBLE bergamot earl gray. You hear me---DOUBLE. That's like ordering an extra shot with your Americano. "Americano, Americano..." Everytime I say Americano---Sophia Loren, singing that song pops into my head. Very good tea.
I found a video of Carl Kolchak. Oh, score, score, score! I love him. I would marry him in a split second. You know, for protection against scary parmalfeit and Jack The Ripper. I also bring sad news. I chopped up Mr. Harris's latest later in the washing machine. Shredded thoughts to match my tattered mind. I is tired~that's all. Stayed up until 5:00 playing Oblivion. Bad me. Bad. Note to self:do not become addicted like the Ever-crack junkies. Scary times.
I'm going to get some gardening done I don't know how my lilac has survived until now~oh wait, God's providence in this area of WA. Ah-derf.
I'm so excited to meet our exchange student from Japan. I hope he doesn't think we're too weird ;) I want to show him around!

"I don't have dreams, only nightmares.">Dr. P<

A Life in Alice

Here's a short story I wrote in about 30 minutes.
UNDER HEAVY CONSTRUCTION.
"Me, marry Andrew?" Alice pressed her gloved hand on her rose-shaded mouth, suppressing a laugh. "He is more the merry type than the marrying type."
Her friend Betsy paused in thought. "Yes, that does seem true. His love for frivolity may, in time, outweigh his devotion and fidelity." A grin suddenly sprang to life. Her cornflower eyes sparkled with eagerness. "Aidan, then. Have you ever considered him? Hes really sweet and seems to fancy you."
Alice looked at the other girl in earnest. She took in the blonde hair, blue eyes, slightly blank expression, everything many guys would want in a girl. It was easy to be so casual about these matters when one was already married. "Aidan is a good friend, but that is all he could ever be. Never a life-long companion or anything of the sort. We would literally drive each other insane in but a few days."
"But his parents admire you so." Betsy, the wife of the esteemed Sir Carmichael gently picked up her flowered teacup. "His family would do nothing but encourage. It would be a more than well-suited match."
"I do not desire only a well-suited suitor."
She shrugged her hunched shoulders." No need to take offense with me. I am simply concerned for your well being. "Trading her tea for a lady finger, she continued. "I just want to see you happy."
Alice took her napkin and daubed it in a finger bowl placed on the table and handed it to Betsy. "You have a bit of powdered sugar on your lip."
"Don't change the subject. Why do you insist on being lonely when you can be happy?"
"Tell me truly. Are you and Sir Carmichael happy?"
Betsys eyes lost a bit of their former gleam. "Well, most of the time. We have our rough spots certainly." She pasted an obviously fake smile on her face. "However, we get over those moments and always find comfort in each other. Car and I have something special. Even if you do marry, there is no guarantee you could ever be as we are. There is such love there. Unremitting, unchangeable, undeniable passion and ardor. She leaned in conspiratorially. In fact, the other day I saw him at the jewelers. You know the ones, Hapstein and Sons. I had started to come in the shop and saw him purchasing a locket I had spoken my adoration for. Our anniversary is in two days and he already has my present. Certainly, I made all haste to leave before he saw me. Imagine me spoiling the surprise!" She straightened back in her chair with a satisfied air. "Many husbands forget such occasions entirely. Of course, then I felt rather guilty about my hesitation in his gift. I went straight away to the corner shop on Rambleston and bought Car that newly arrived humidor."
"Yes, I heard him mention in when last we were together. An excellent choice." Alice nodded her approval. "Just because you are pleased with your match does not mean I must choose mine now. Surely, loneliness is a force to be reckoned with, along with the gossip that buzzes behind closed doors about my lack of beaus." She raised her defiant brown eyes. "I refuse to settle for convenience or mutual respect."
Betsy began to gather her purse. "I was simply trying to be of some help. I hope you will not fault me for leaving. I see you are content with remaining a spinster."
"Did I say that was my intent? "Alices eyes flashed. "Sometimes I believe you presume too much on our friendship, Betsy. My heart is only mine to give and therefore my affair. Next week, let us talk of books and philosophies, even the latest trends, but not men."
"I suppose thats you're right. I shall no longer take so much Liberty. My thoughts must remain kept to myself and my opinions also." She rose from the chaise and swept the crumbs from her dress. "I have to pick up my husband's gift on the way home. Who know? I may be giving it to him a little early. He so deserves it."
Alice walked her to the front door. As she stepped outside, Betsy could not resist one more question. "Have you given any thought to Benjamin?"
Alice sighed and soundly closed the door. She could bear no more. The last one had stung smartly. Given any thought? Only nearly every moment of every day. Benjamin. It was so easy to recall his handsome face, pleasant demeanor and brilliant mind. The dark eyes that seemed to see past all of her facades. Yes, she thought of him. Whether he ever thought of her was unlikely. He had woven a spell without even knowing it. She whispered to herself, "Why do we always seem to love those who do not love us?" Every time he called she tried to control her emotions so that he would not see the feelings she held. Alice absolutely would not pursue men like many of the women in her day. Benjamin would have to come to her. Even then there were a sundry of obstacles. He was the local vicar.
A vicar was certainly someone in high standing. But for a lord's daughter, like Alice, he was supposed to be invisible. Someone you might invite over for tea and see on Sunday, nothing else. Though the vicarage was only a stone's throw away, it might well have been on the other side of the world as far as society was concerned. If he would show the slightest sign of affection she would throw caution to the wind and run to his arms. The thought thrilled and terrified her at once.
She mounted the stairs from the parlor to her bedroom, lifting the skirt of her dress so as not to trip on it. She knew she must destroy at least one secret. As she stepped into her room, her eyes immediately lit upon her armoire. Alice slowly advanced and opened the top drawer. Sifting through the first layer of undergarments she found the box. The box that had originally made her slightly intrigued now only made her feel sick. Very, very carefully she lifted the lid and let it drop to the ground. She looped her fingers around the filigree chain and lifted out a stunning necklace. She traced her fingers along the silver heart, feeling every detail before sitting upon her bed. She worked her fingernail along the side and found the catch. It sprang open and the engraving on the locket shimmered in the light.
To my beloved Alice
With undying devotion,
C.
It seemed a thing alive. Alice could almost feel it beating in her palm. She felt herself begin to laugh. Now, why was that?

"But what does that matter in the end? It means nothing. Yes, nothing." >Dr. P<

The List Returns!

Yeah, I know. My last blog was a picture. Well, it was pretty and I didn't feel like typing much. Do you know what I hate? Oh! I shall make a list. It has been a long time since I have done so. I miss my lists.
1. Feeling like I have to type LOL after something funny or j/k. Gerd. That gets so old.
2. When I get behind in work like now. Gerd again.
3. Loving a book and devouring it like so many souls only to be extremely depressed at the ending. I keep hoping for a resolution that never comes.
4. When people treat their pets like humans. Creeeeeepy. And tacky. But mostly creepy.
5. The dreaded disease known as Writer's Block. Certainly a worthy foe.
6. When people make everything about them and then over-dramatize every little happening. So frustrating. Get over yourself~people have it so much worse!
7. The hot weather. Give me a crisp autumn any day.
8. When people name their kids weird names just to be different.
9. When I do something wrong even though I know it is wrong.
10. That I spend so long online nowadays. I think it's the high speed and talking to certian people ;) LOL. Oh mud bunnies. I did it again.
"When all heavens are torn asunder, yet do I pray." >Dr. P<

It is at an end!

OKAY!!!!!! I'm done, I am finally, finally done! No more classes I don't care about and subjects I don't care about and obviously punctuation I don't care about. Hip, hip, hooray! And all that rot. Oh, I so feel like being British right now. Tally ho! Oh, no foxes. Too bad. Not that I'd kill them, I'd probably take them home and make them pets like in Fox and the Hound. Oh, sad little kid movie. They're friends but they're from different worlds and...and...they can't (pauses to wipe tears from eyes) I'm good now seriously. SERIOUSLY. Okay, no I'm not (continues to cry like a baby). Good, I've got a hold on my emotions now. :( But not my emoticons! Darn you things, get back in your cages. ####there we go, that right there is emoticon prison my friends.
Can you tell I am a little bit crazy, no, make that delirious with joy right now? No joke, God has totally seen me through this tough time. Is He awe-inspiring or what? I'm so glad that He is my Savior and even righteous judge. I just want to stay at Jesus's feet and wipe them with my tears. What a wonderful Almighty Creator~am I right folks? I just need to cling tighter to Him when I feel like I'm going nuts.
I had a really good conversation with Him the other night. He's so patient and understanding with me. I just told Him I didn't want to desire the things I do~asking for protection against such things. I don't want to care about certain things the way that I do...making them my all in all instead of my God, you know?
Sorry the quote is so corny.
"Let us not build walls of separation, but bridges of mutual respect." >Dr. P<

Almost...done....

Just one more day of classes!!!! FINALS day *obligatory shudder*. I seriously am so energized and excited when I think about taking theological classes. Exploring the mysteries of life (not as many as you might think), learning more about my Savior, getting some basic info. on Greek, Latin, Ancient Hebrew~it might sound a little dweeby to some but I think it's awesome. Finally I'll be in my element! Although I did have a great time in Poli Sci with Prof. Milton, I'm glad to be done with TCC. I think towards the end I actually developed a small crush on him~he was just that good. Oh, yeah, Pacific Rim Cultures with Prof. Li was pretty informative also. LOL.
I have about half an hour more to work today and then I can start getting ready to go into Tacoma so that I may help prepare the church for Becca's "impending wedding" (inside joke). Tomorrow is the ceremony and I find that I'm more nervous than the bride. She is so calm, cool and collected; I have no clue how. I would be insane. Like literally insane. Anyway, it will be a fun time. After the work that everyone has done, it will be nice to enjoy the fruits of our labor and just kick back. However, I do feel like asking if I can bring jeans to change into. haha, I don't really feel comfortable in skirts and froofy stuff. I think I'm going to ask my hairdresser (AKA my friend Doni) to just curl my hair but leave it down.
I think it's funny that I write down all this information that no one in their right mind would be slightly interested in, but there you are. Oh! Just finished work so it's shower time. Or a bath. Oh. my. goodness. I have time for a bath. That would be lovely. I think I shall! *Now, just where is my rubber ducky?*
"I'm glad you read my mind. Thanks for obeying." >Dr.P<

The end is near?

Well, church was totally awesome today! I learned so much and felt totally convicted. Which of course, at first was not "fun", but how else are we to grow, right? I got to thinking about Christ's return and I would love it to come soon! He will finally fulfill the total prophetic role of the Messiah and we'll be right there with Him~already the suffering servant, now the fearsome and victorious warrior.
If anyone is reading this and is not a Christian, please examine your life. God's Word as revealed in the Holy Bible is true. His son came to the earth in human form and died so that after we leave this earth we could be with Him forever!
One day a trumpet is going to sound and all believers will hear it~ We'll be going to meet Jesus in the clouds~all in the twinkling of an eye. No joke. Do you know how quickly that is? The rate at which light hits the eye. Faster than a blink. People are going to say it was aliens or radio waves or who knows what other malarky, but true believers in Christ Jesus will be gone to heaven with him. Not dying, just leaving.
In a friend's church recently, in the middle of the message, the pastor had someone blow a trumpet from a hidden place. And then he said, "When you hear that sound, will you be ready?" Just the thought of that fills my stomach with butterflies. I was thinking about that during the sermon today. Totally blood flowing faster, again the stomach flip-flops and I was like, oh, this is how I should be awaiting His return all the time! Wow.
The end times are probably pretty soon. The cool thing is that I can look at the future with certainty. Not long ago, people NEVER thought Israel would have their own nation. And if they ever did, that it would be someplace in Europe. Nope. It's right where it was in ancient times, the Middle East. People who knew the book of Revelation and Daniel~the prophecies~were not surprised. It was foretold centuries ago. Everything is being set up for the rapture, the war against Israel, the Antichrist, Jesus's Millennial kingdom right NOW. If you don't understand any of this, please talk to a knowledgeable Christian as soon as possible.
Okay, onto more stupid, inane things. Graduation is two weeks away, which is good. Thankfully, God has helped me not be stressed out otherwise I would be a shell of myself at this point. I'm jazzed to leave this part of my life behind and pursue something really worthwhile. Work is going well, should be doing it right now though. And with that, I will sign off! Good night and God bless~

"Uh, Doni? I think that swan is following us.." >R<