i am a loon. i realize this, and accept it. HAH.
so i have yet to tell ya'll about Nie. Nie is not someone I know in real life, nor will probably ever know. Nie is not someone I have ever even talked to, or, I think, even commented to. StephaNIE Nielson is just a blogger (that word again, augh). She and her husband Christian were in a small plane crash in August, which killed the pilot and left them both severely burned. Stephanie and her family are Mormon, so when the blogging community that followed her blog found out about the tragedy, donations of gifts, prayers, money, and support came in large numbers (the fact that the Mormon community is so very close-knit played a big part, although not all of her readers are LDS). Fundraisers (in the way of concerts, Etsy sales, etc.) have been held (and are still being held) all over the country to raise funding for Steph and Christians' medical bills. This entire time, Stephanie's sister Courtney has taken over temporary blogging duties at Nie's site, keeping her own updated daily as well. News came yesterday that starting January 16th, Nie will return to her blog, to post for the masses, the friends who have followed her since the beginning and the new friends this tragedy has brought. I didn't read her before the crash, but have been hooked to the story ever since. She is an amazing mother, a gracious friend and sister (as evidenced by recollections and posts), and is awesomely inspiring. Her love for her husband is something unfathomable, the stuff fairytales are made of. I don't know WHY exactly I felt the need to post this (much less use proper caps!), but I felt like I had to. It's just awe-inspiring to watch this play out. I hope Nie (and Courtney) can teach me something about the way I live, love, decorate, photograph, cook, etcetera. I am hooked.

NieNie Dialogues
C Jane Enjoy It

phew :) i know it's weird to say, but these people make me almost want to be a Mormon! they're always so HAPPY and POSITIVE (and talented too, but i'm not quite sure if that's religon-related or what). i'm going to actually start reading The Book of Mormon, online. can't hurt, right? i know it's different than what I believe, but it's literature nevertheless.

IN OTHER NEWS....school last night was decent. was able to buy my book without too terribly much of a wait. and then my teacher...he's a GOOF. he was flirting with all of the girls and just being a round-about mess. this class will be fun, but i tried to do the online work today (we didn't do any actual classwork yesterday), and i can't get past the first question! so hopefully i'll find my rhythm and not be insanely lost. it's daunting so far, but i have faith. lol.

i've talked a bunch of girls at work into making Hearts of Hope. we're going to meet in the auditorium during our lunch on the 20th and make valentine cards to take to the radio station, and they in turn are taking them to local organizations (the children's hospital/homes, assisted living, nursing homes, prisons, etc.). we've made it potluck (HEALTHY potluck..recipes are appreciated?), so it should be a blast :)

ALSO, my stationary came in today!! woohooo!! so now, to pick 6 of you lucky folks to use it on...hmmmm... ;P (chris & cynth, sorry, but you have to count as a pair in this one..i only have 6 notecards! :P)

other than all that jazz, not much going on. i have fencing tonight...yay!! :)