Friends From NIU

I met Ryan E. at NIU. He's a really sharp guy, and he seems like a bit of an introvert, but mostly because he doesn't talk until he has something to say... which is as often as any of us, but he doesnt feel the compulsion to fill the airspace like so many others. He's really witty, and he likes to mock me when he can tell I've said something I haven't thoroughly thought out ahead of time. Or whenever he happens to get the opportunity. Which seems to be often ;). He also takes delight in the fact that I'm so easy to throw around, and takes advantage of this on a regular basis. I've slowly been getting to know him better as I've been around him more, and I'm glad. Above all else, Ryan is very generous and caring, and is someone who I'm glad to know.

I met Matt by way of Dave, when the two of them lived next to each other in Stevenson. He's in the army reserves, and he could kick all of our butts... he's tough on the outside, but he's a real sweetheart on the inside, and the more I learn about him, the more there is to like. You'll learn way more from his website than you would from me telling you though!

Ordo is someone I met through Dave. They met on Halloween because they were both wearing their renfaire stuff. He's easy to like, and he can fold dollar bills into peacocks, elephants, and other such fun items! He's laid-back and fun, and he needs to come visit me now that he graduated! Be sure to check out his website!

Mandy went to high school with Ordo, but didnt get to know him really until college, so I'm told. She's funny, cool, and a little off kilter in her sense of humor. She's also warm and generous, and great to have around.

I met Rose through someone named Emily from school, the latter of whom I never really got to know that well. Rose is fun and funky, cool and funny. She's easy to like and has been a real blessing to me. She gives me good solid advice when I need it, and gets me to lighten up the rest of the time. She's someone I find very easy to talk to, and I'm glad to have gotten to know her.

I met Elliot in CSCI440 ("Data Structures and Algorithmic Analysis in C++") when he asked me "Didn't I see you at the Cru meeting this week?" He's quite intelligent, he shares my beliefs, he's very easygoing, and he's easy to like.

Heidi is Elliot's sister. This is another brother-sister duo that get along admirably. She has a fantastic ability to be positive and see the good in things, and she's great at making you feel at home. I have some of my most interesting conversations when we're sitting somewhere with nothing to do but talk, and we seem to understand each other's thoughts on things as if we were sisters.

Emily M. is a different Emily than I met Rose thru. I met her at Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) or one of its various functions, possibly thru Heidi. When you first meet her she seems pretty quiet and straightforward, but she is a pretty wacky chica! Just when you think you have her figured out she'll bust out with some of the lyrics to the latest Snoop Dogg song or she'll tell the best joke youve heard in weeks. She keeps me on my toes and she's one of the best at keeping me from taking myself too seriously. She's quickly become one of my best friends, and she's possibly the best at cheering me up.

I met Kevin through Emily M while we were bowling. He's laid-back and fun, with a good sense of humor and a talent for the piano, and if you're around him for more than a few minutes you're pretty much guaranteed to hear one of the latest weird stories or jokes that he's just learned. He's a reliable guy, and gives me solid advice when I need it.

I met Nikki through Kevin, and there is a large part of my personality that is just like her! She's fun loving, loyal and caring, and she brings out my silly side. It took no time for her to become one of my best friends.

I met Jon through Kevin and Nikki. I don't know him that well yet, but he's a fun guy to be around!

I met Jean-Marc at Cru and have just recently been getting to know him. He's one of those tough on the outside types, but I'm starting to see a softer interior ;) He has a very admirable patience level, a great sense of humor, and a knack for keeping me from taking myself too seriously. He has a high level of respect for others and I hope he'll be around after he graduates from grad school!

I met Felicity at Cru also, and I got to know her because she was one of the leaders of my bible study. She dresses in bright colors in a lot of 80s styles, and she pulls it off with a flair! She's a little shy, but really funny, and she has her head on straight. She's good at keeping me from being too serious.

Lisa is felicity's roommate, and has just as much style in her appearance. She's great at cheering me up and she's a total sweetheart!

I met Shawn through Felicity at the beginning of my first graduate semester. He can be shy when you meet him but he's a lot of fun and never ceases to crack me up. He's a class act and a decent guy, and I hope to get to know him better.