Post the 400th

I don't have anything very exciting for this 400th post, so I'm just going to write some stuff and note that this is the 400th post. Good times.

1. I have now been in Indiana for just over two months, and I realized something amazing the other day. I am really happy. I still miss my family and wish they were here, I wish I wasn't building student loan debt or living in a little room where every day I think about things I should have brought with me. And yet. It's really nice to realize that this was the right decision - that all of those feelings that I needed to do this were actually leading me somewhere.
2. I just finished a lovely book called Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Good heavens it was wonderful. There was some strong language in it and it jumps around a lot, so don't read it if you just like a straightforward story that will wrap up all nice and neat, but it was fantastic. (If you aren't sure whether you'd like it, feel free to ask me for more details and I'd be happy to talk about it.)
3. I'm listening to the new Kings of Convenience album entitled Declaration of Dependence. Aside from its obviously great title, I am thrilled to be reminded again of how much I love this band with their simple harmonies, introspective lyrics and HUGE glasses. If you haven't checked them out yet (still?) please enjoy this video and fall in love with them:
   
4. Remember how I don't like soup? Well, since moving to Indiana, I have found several that I like, including this great butternut squash bisque that Jill and I made on Sunday. Take note there of the words soup and squash. It's almost like I'm a real grown up person.
5. Despite my being really happy in Bloomington, I sure would like it if real movies would come here. (And by "real" I mean . . . I wish they had the Salt Lake Film Society here.) I'm dying to see An Education and that one about Keats and am convinced that they will never come here. Ever. On the bright side though, I'm excited to see Amelia and The Lovely Bones, and The Invention of Lying just became eligible for the Five Buck Club, provided my card gets here someday.
6. The other day, Jill and I went shopping for Halloween costume stuff and also ended up buying wigs. This was mostly because they were $4 and we needed something to wear to a Halloween birthday party that night (our actual costumes weren't quite done yet). The result was this, and I kind of loved it:
   
   
7. This weekend the Institute choir gave its first concert, and I remembered how much I missed singing in a choir. Tonight we started Christmas music, including a couple of songs we sang when I was in Madrigals in high school (albeit different versions). I still miss singing Christmas music all through December, but this certainly makes it better.
8. My dad has turned into something of a folk hero here. I think that has something to do with my telling stories about him making centerpieces for his High Priest Quorum lesson - rolls of duct tape stacked like a vase and containing a bouquet of remote controls - and that story about the time he came to my choir concert and flashed his keychain flashlight during the ovation. In fact, one of my friends now makes a flashlight motion at me every time he sees me now. And really, why shouldn't my dad be a legend?
   My mom is also a legend, mostly because I cook her delicious food and people want to try the real thing. We may get some visitors over Christmas break.
9. My cataloging class has become mind-numbingly boring. The material is fine, but it's hard stuff to teach, which is evident. On the upside, I'm getting really good at doing crossword puzzles and listening at the same time.
10. I taught a library instruction session this week. The class was a little dead (they are freshmen in a first year course, so I can't blame them) but it wasn't a total bust and I think most people got it. I'm sure it will become a smoother process as I practice, which is going to happen again on Friday.

I think that's it for now. Thanks for sticking with me through 400 posts - especially during the times when I hardly post at all. You, dear readers, are awesome. Even the secret lurkers. (I know you're out there - there are way more people subscribed on Google Reader than actually comment here. Which is cool. Lurking, that is. Can I say that?)