Atlanta

This weekend my sister and I are trekking to Atlanta, Georgia to watch my brother in a fencing tournament. I was excited about the weekend because it was a chance to see the fam, and get out of Starkvegas for a while. I haven't been to Atlanta in a long time, so I don't really remember lots about it. I think the last time I was here was when my aunt and uncle lived here. My cousin had just been born, so we came to see her. She's almost 11 now! We are staying in the Westin Hotel. It's really nice, even though there are still windows missing from the tornado that hit downtown Atlanta almost a year ago. There is still a good bit of damage.

The ride down here was...interesting, to say the least. I let my sister drive. Enough said.

Anyways, we're here now, chillin at the hotel. Sometime tonight I think we're going to eat supper at the Hard Rock. I really like downtown Atlanta so far. Except for the traffic...

Keller

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Recently, my sister came across an ad in the classifieds that was selling mini dachshunds. Because my mom raises mini dachshunds, she was curious and decided to take a look at the ad. In a litter of black and tan dapples, there was one female puppy who was blind. She has a genetic defect that occurs when someone breeds two dapples together. It causes huge problems for the puppy, therefor is an unacceptable breeding practice. My sister was immediately drawn to the puppy. She called about her and finally got in touch with the owner, and she and I went to look at the puppy. It became clear after we saw her that she was both blind and deaf, but her sweet and lively personality and her sad situation made her impossible to refuse. We took her home, a little overwhelmed, but adoring her. My sister gave her a very appropriate name: Keller. Watching Keller in the past few days has been amazing. Even though it seems as if she doesn't have a thing going for her, she is just like any other puppy. She is adapting to her new home rather quickly also. Despite not being able to hear or see, she has remarkably good senses of touch and smell. These, and taste, are the only sense she has to use. Likewise, those are the only senses we have to train her with. We need lots of patience and information. Keller, and the two of us, have a long read ahead. I can forsee that she will teach us alot and continually amaze and surprise.

When I see the hardships that Keller has to live with, it makes me very greatful for all of my senses. The ability to see and hear is precious. She also shows me that no matter how bad the

hardships in my life get, I can make it through them.

So keep my sister and I, and Keller in your thoughts and prayers. We are going to need it!

Check out Keller's Blog by clicking the link in my blogs: "Raising Keller"

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Coloring

I thought that when I finished grade school that I would graduate from coloring. Aparently, even in college, coloring is still an important skill. I have map quiz in geography tomorrow, and to practice we have maps to color and mark. It's kinda fun. The fact that we have to know every country, city, and physical feature of all of Europe and Russia for the quiz tomorrow is not fun...

This week has been crazy already...and it's only Monday. I had a paper, a test, and a horrible spanish class to attend. I really really do not care for my professor. He is arrogant, mean-spirited, and thinks we are all stupid English-speakers. Nevermind that he can't speak English worth a lick himself... So I've got a long week ahead of me.

So I'm off to color.

P.S. I stayed up that night studying and even got up early the next morning to study more. Come to find out when I arrived in class, he didn't give the quiz. :( All that effort for nothing!