Editor, Writer,

As a kid I was always very inwardly dramatic. Everything was always a HUGE deal and a HUGE injustice and was RUINING my life. I’ve been journalling since I was 11, and it’s interesting to go back and read some of the earlier stuff. I was always “totally in love” with some random guy and/or mad at my mom about something. So just for you guys, I’ll scour the pages of my life to come up with something entertaining. First up: Jillangill is 11!

Thursday, November 9, 1994 (family vacation to Colorado)
Hi again! Well, here I am, in the car. We have only been driving for about 2 1/2 hours though. As soon as Amy got into the car, I could tell that this was not going to be one of the better 12 hour spans between us. Oh well, right now, she’s left me alone, although about 10 minutes ago she confronted me about wearing mascara. I took it off this morning! She told Mom & Dad and they looked at me really funny. More tomorrow.

Ah, family vacations and long trips in the car. I remember always trying to wear Amy’s make-up…always in such a hurry to grow up. I wish you could see the hilarious pictures and facial expressions I’d try to draw every so often. Yikes!

Friday, November 10, 1994
Hi we have a beautiful hotel room, and we are staying in a really big, really nice hotel called Best Western. Me, Amy, and Tom have our OWN room!! Next door is Mom & Dad though. But I have to sleep with TOM. Yuck! I think I’m a LOT too old for that. But what really is unfair, is that Amy gets her own bed!

I get such a huge kick out this…Best Western? Did I think it was the Taj Mahal? And also, I do remember being relegated to the bed with Tom. He’s a snuggler, and also kicks. In later years I would remedy this situation with a wall of pillows down the middle of the bed. In MUCH later years, Jeremy would come into the picture and take my place next to Tom during those engagement years where he came on family trips with us. Haha!

Sunday, November 20, 1994
O.K. I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that I get to play ‘Mary’ in our church’s X-mas play. The bad news is that Jason Dewey is playing the part of ‘Joseph.’ When I told my parents this, they said I liked jason and wanted to marry him. Yeah right! I wouldn’t even EVER consider to just look at him in the eyes (it would probably turn me to stone).

Wow, I’m harsh! I do remember that Jason was a very odd fellow, though. And did my parents really taunt me with marriage at age 11? Say it ain’t so!

Monday, November 22, 1994
I really hate Mondays. Today in Music, we watched a senseless, meaningless film about the Nutcracker. Other than the fact that I missed Kyle, today was an awfully boring day and there’s not much else to say. Hey! I should be a poet! No, seriousely, I want to be a housewife, and actress, or a Nursery-maid. I want to be married to Kyle. [plus obnoxious smiley face]

It’s always good to know that as a kid I appreciated the finer things, like culture and boys. Also, nice to know that I had such spot-on career aspirations. I think in later years I dropped “actress” off the list and added veterinarian and musician. I like to think that my younger self would be ok with what I have actually chosen, but if not–tough, sister! I’m in control now!

Until next time,

–Jillangill

At 3 a.m. I became an auntie twice more with the arrival of two more nephews! I’m so excited that they’re finally here, and wish I could be there to see their squashed little baby faces in person. New babies…what a blessing. Welcome, Brandt Hudson and soon-to-be-named Baby A!

Here are a few photos, courtesy of proud Grandpa Jon–thanks for sending these, Dad!

Twin #1!

Twin #2 needs a little help breathing for now. Both babies are preemie!

I'm so proud of my big sister--congrats, Amy and Brycen!

One Thursday night while bowling with a few of my favorite people, we all witnessed something perfect. Almost. There was an older man who we took notice of once he was up to the sixth frame and had bowled nothing but strikes. He’d walk up there and toss the ball down, time after time, and strikes would appear like magic. Expressionless, he’d turn around and walk back to his seat. By the ninth frame he’d still bowled a perfect game, and around this time my friend Ryan and I started trying to will a 299 game because we thought that would be pretty hilarious. And what do you know, it worked! The poor guy was bowling the final bit of his 10th frame and that pesky 10 pin just sat there. And you know, it was great that way, because that’s just life sometimes. One pin short of perfection. Ultimately I think watching a 299 game is far more satisfying than seeing a perfect 300, but I can’t really explain why.

Lots of people like the smell of permanent markers and gasoline, me included. Lately though, I’ve been wondering if the other things I like make me abnormal in some way. I feel like I need to find a kindred spirit to validate my affinity towards dirt and gravel, for instance. Lately I’ve been really drawn to the aesthetic qualities of dirt. I like the idea of dirt and rocks, I LOVE the smell of wet dirt, and I love the sound of gravel crunching beneath many pairs of shoes. I also like the look of rock piles, and think it would be really fun to make bricks or spread rocks around a yard. Maybe I have just been without a traditional job (read: unemployed) for too long.

In related weirdness, I am also drawn to coffee grounds.

Update: I tried to give blood and they told me my iron was too low. Probably that explains why I’ve been all crazed about dirt. D’oh…..

Recently a friend of mine told me about a website called StuffWhitePeopleLike.com. I have to say, it’s fairly accurate–not to mention hilarious. Yes, white people like sushi, recycling, wearing sweaters, and playing children’s games as adults. But then I saw it: Grammar!

I was awestruck. White people love rules and grammar, and especially to find mistakes in print and correct the mistakes of others. Guilty as charged, for me anyway. But then….! Check out the text of the blog pasted below, and pay special attention to the part I set in boldface:

White people love rules. It explains why they get so upset when people cut in line, why they tip so religiously and why they become lawyers. But without a doubt, the rule system that white people love the most is grammar. It is in their blood not only to use perfect grammar but also to spend significant portions of time pointing out the errors of others.

When asking someone about their biggest annoyances in life, you might expect responses like “hunger,” “being poor,” or “getting shot.” If you ask a white person, the most common response will likely be “people who use ‘their’ when they mean ‘there.’ Maybe comma splices, I’m not sure but it’s definitely one of the two.”

If you wish to gain the respect of a white person, it’s probably a good idea that you find an obscure and debated grammar rule such as the “Oxford Comma” and take a firm stance on what you believe is correct. This is seen as more productive and forward thinking than simply stating your anger at the improper use of “it’s.

Another important thing to know is that when white people read magazines and books they are always looking for grammar and spelling mistakes. In fact, one of the greatest joys a white person can experience is to catch a grammar mistake in a major publication. Finding one allows a white person to believe that they are better than the writer and the publication since they would have caught the mistake. The more respected the publication, the greater the thrill. If a white person were to catch a mistake in The New Yorker, it would be a sufficient reason for a large party.    

Though they reserve the harshest judgment for professional, do not assume that white people will cast a blind eye to your grammar mistakes in email and official documents. They will judge you and make a general assessment about your intelligence after the first infraction. Fortunately, this situation can be improved if you ask a white person to proof read your work before you send it out. “Hey Jill, I’m sorry to do this, but I have a business degree and I’m a terrible writer. Can you look this over for me?” This deft maneuver will allow the white person to feel as though their liberal arts degree has a purpose and allow you to do something more interesting.

Don’t worry, it is impossible for a white person to turn down the opportunity to proofread.

Wow…Jillangill is famous! The word has spread! I knew getting pens printed would work. Incidentally, I did notice that he has written “proofread” as two words in one instance and as one word in another instance. And the two instances are about a stone’s throw apart. For shame! That’s double the infraction, in my book.