Happy Hunger Games!

Hello from the muddiest I’ve been in quite awhile. I just got back from the bio-preserve (what? Jill’s posting a blog before nightfall? Nonsense!) and I’m kinda caked in dirt. The weather has decided it really enjoys having rain on Friday mornings so the forest was a little squishy. It wouldn’t have been that bad if our observation route didn’t take us through this little mud pit:

I'm not gonna lie, sliding in the mud was kinda fun

         It may not look steep, but it’s a bit of a hassle trekking up the sides on ground that only looks kinda firm. The return trip made me feel a little like Shadow from ‘Homeward Bound’ (not that the majority of you have even seen that movie :P) with all the slipping and sliding around when attempting to get up the embankment. Here’s a small sample of how muddy my boots got, but keep in mind that this was only halfway through the excursion:

I think it’s laughing at me

Although we did see some chickadees today, they didn’t stick around for very long. Like I said before, I think they like to tease me.

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         As Sara already mentioned, the Border Brawl was last Saturday. It was a lot of fun! I didn’t do too badly. I won some bouts and lost a lot more. My favorite was definitely my direct elimination epee bout with Nick, though. He’s the president of MTSU’s fencing club. I ended up losing, but not before tying the score 9-9 (Not to mention I was beating him for at least half the match) It was pretty awesome.
        After the Border Brawl and eating at Cheddars (where, as Sara mentioned, Alex and Nick thoroughly entertained us) my mom and I went back to Western to watch the end of the indoor drumline competition that had been going on all day. It was pretty cool. The last one we stayed for was easily the best of the night. I don’t remember which school it was, but they had a tribal theme and it was completely epic. That’s the best I can do to describe it.
        Other than this morning and the end of yesterday, the weather has been amazing. That coupled with the beautiful blooming trees in front of DUC make the walk to class not too bad.

Sorry a picture just doesn't quite do it justice.

And I also want to include this picture for no other reason than that I thought it was really cool. They were all over campus for a few days.

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         And to continue the theme of the title of this blog, I’m going to see the Hunger Games movie tonight!!! (with Sara, Amy, and maybe Nayab, of course). Woot! I’m excited :D  I really hope isn’t a let down from the books. I know they always have to make changes when adapting to film, but I really want it turn out well *coughunlikeeragoncough* And since I’m talking about it, I may as well mention the two hunger games themed stories of the week. In ASL, the teacher called for a volunteer and one of the girls hopped up and loudly said, “I volunteer as tribute!” I cracked up! And also, when coming back to the dorm from fencing practice, I heard someone doing Rue’s whistle in the stairwell. Amy got excited thinking Rachael was somehow back from New Zealand.
        That’s basically all I have to say about this week. So I’ll leave you with something both awesome and reminiscent of our childhood:

Now off to shower-land!
-Jill