Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hope

I have hope for the holiday season yet. At first, Karisa and I both felt angry and betrayed. Then we felt numb. Then we started to feel driven, we discussed the next step and were able to talk about the issue without too many emotions. Now, I feel hope. The incident can pop into my head, and I don't automatically feel anything. Karisa and I have been planning Christmas gifts for those in the office who have been so supportive, we're listening to Christmas music constantly, and we're making Christmas cookies tonight. Christmas may not be ruined after all!

All of these emotions have gone so fast. It is almost like it is a grieving process, though grieving may not be the right word. At first, there were just too many emotions to handle. It was so ridiculous, and so infuriating, that you just couldn't stand it, you know? I know Karisa is feeling everything stronger than I am, however since I do know her and Cristina so well, and I've been involved in every step of the process, the severity of my emotions is a close second. It is really working out well having her living with me this week because we are able to discuss everything and work through it together.

Emotions will probably be brought up again since we have to relay the latest news to the office on Monday, but I'm thinking I may minimize retelling of the story for awhile. I really need to write down a thorough account of what happened, but I'm worried that that will make the anger and the numbness come back. I much prefer the hope and excitement that I am starting to feel towards Christmas!

Anyway, I need to go shower and clean, so I will keep y'all updated on how I'm recovering from this whole ordeal!! :)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Finals and Drama

This has been a very strange week. It doesn't really feel like Christmas is as close as is it. I should be buying presents, buying train tickets, singing Christmas songs and eating Christmas cookies. The weeks before Christmas are a big part in feeling festive. Instead, my mood is off.

There is one good thing this week: I graduated from college. No, I didn't actually walk, which makes using the word "Graduated" seem weird. Graduation would have been today, however since my Aunt Flow just came to visit, and considering all of the drama (which will be discussed further), it was probably very good that I decided not to walk. I did have about 25 minutes where I very cheerfully celebrated the end of my college career, for now. I am still going to audit a french class to stay in that mind set, and I am going to take one easy online class at a community college to keep my health insurance. But I do not consider either of those when I think about being done. :)

Today I found out that Maryann Matuska died. She and I were really close friends in Elementary School, and even though I didn't talk to her anymore, I still thought very highly of her. She died during the summer, which makes me feel really guilty that I had no idea. This, in addition to the drama, has put a damper on my mood.

The drama is not about me, but about a friend (Karisa). It is a really long story, and it is something that I am going to try and write out more formally. At the moment, I will just give you a summary. Karisa lived with Cristina, my old boss. They had no formal agreement whatsoever, but got along well enough that it never mattered. However, over the last few months Karisa has been feeling less welcome in the house, and the conditions have changed. Finally, on the 30th of November, Cristina talked to her about it and Karisa said she had been considering moving out (though nothing official). Cristina was mad that Karisa hadn't told her (which made no sense because she was just starting to think about it.). The next day, Cristina said, "So you'll be out by the 31st?". Karisa agreed, and started to frantically find an apartment. She found one, and realized she wouldn't need to stay past the 19th. She told Cristina that should would move out on the 19th, and Cristina agreed. On the 7th, Cristina demanded the rent check, acting like it was late - even though Karisa pays on the 10th or 11th of every month (pay day). Karisa left her the check on the table, for a prorated amount - those 19 days. The next morning, while in the shower, Cristina knocked on the door and told Karisa, through the door, that because she did not pay the full months rent, that she would need to be out by Friday at 6pm, when she was changing the locks. Completely taken aback, Karisa canceled the check - because she paid for 19 days but was being kicked out on the 10th. She wrote Cristina an email asking if she would be reimbursed for those 9 days - Cristina never replied. Finally, on Thursday morning, Karisa emailed her again saying that since Cristina never responded to her previous email, she canceled the check and will leave her a check for the 10 days on Friday when she leaves. She packed up all of her stuff Thursday during the day, and her parents made plans to come up Friday and get it. She has been staying with me so she never has to see Cristina. On Friday, 5 minutes before Karisa's last final, Cristina texted her saying "Unless you pay me $500, you will not have access to your stuff". ($500 is the full months rent, an already insanely high amount). Karisa went to the house and found that the locks had been changed early. Since Cristina had, at this point, broken multiple laws (primarily an unlawful eviction, and changing the locks), Karisa called the cops hoping that they would help oversee Karisa getting her belongings. This is what all of our online research and a phone call with a lawyer said would happen. However, the cop was not cooperative and claimed this wasn't illegal (he was obviously not very aware of the laws on this matter!), and that it was a matter for court. Therefore, Karisa had no choice but to pay the money if she wanted to get her laptop, phone charger, clothes or toiletries.

Without a doubt this whole ordeal has been mentally and emotionally taxing. Cristina has showed us that she is a vindictive and mentally unstable person (the full version of the story will include a more detailed description of her words and actions). This story isn't over yet.

And this is why I'm working hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I am listening to Christmas music at the moment, and I have figured out the majority of my Christmas presents, and Karisa and I have decided to try and be festive this week. I am thinking I may want to try and forget about this situation completely over break.

The one weird thing is that I don't necessarily feel depressed (though I am really said about the passing of Maryann), but I am just angry, frustrated, in disbelief and numb. It is hard to describe, but it is as if my heart just can't lighten up enough for the holiday season. Karisa says she knows exactly what I mean though, because she feels the exact same way. But since I want it to, I am going to work hard to make me un-numb. We can't let Cristina destroy the celebration of the end of finals and the beginning of the Christmas season for everyone.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

3 days and 8 hours

I finished my paper, so now I just need to get to campus and print it! I also developed my study guide, and feel pretty good for the test as well. I am going to print that too and sit and look over it before class.

By 12:30 at the latest I will be so close to being done! I still have my entretien, which is kind of a nuisance just because I'm going to have to leave work for it, but that's ok. I kind of wish my last final was before Friday so I could finish earlier!

Now I have to get dressed and get to campus!

Monday, December 6, 2010

3 days and 20 hours

That is how much time until I am DONE! Now, it was hard to decide when my countdown should be to. I finish my last final Friday at 10am, but in theory I could finish before then. But then I have to go to work for the rest of the day. Though I'm also working the whole week after that, and then again for the next six months. So, I chose my countdown to be until December 10th at 5pm, when I can come home from work to NO schoolwork, NO studying, and nothing but relaxation! Though all my friends will be going home so I won't have many social opportunities...

So, just a current update. What I have on my plate tomorrow: A paper due at 10:30, an exam from 10:30-12:30, Work from then until 5, with a 20 minute jot over to my professors office for an entretien (wherein we discuss the whole quarter, and its worth points).

I have written the paper, but it still needs edits. I was supposed to work today, but instead I chose to stay home and be productive. I was very good in the day. I got off to a bad start by taking a nap, but it helped me focus a lot more for the whole afternoon. I wrote 6 to 7 pages for my paper, compiled my French work for my entretien, got my papers ready and started a study guide. I also did cleaned my room, did some laundry and worked on cleaning the stove a bit.

Once dinner time hit, my productivity went down, and it was hard for me to get back on it. However, I did and I have edited by paper up to the point where it is almost ready. One thing that I like is that, in general, and *knock on wood*, but I tend to do well on papers written in English. I write out whatever is in my head and I do ok. I have gotten A's on the last two papers for this class, and I can tell by my peers grades that that isn't necessarily an easy task. Part of me thinks that this is good enough (I seriously didn't think my others were that great but I did good), but the other part of me thinks that this is my last paper ever at WWU, and that I should make it AMAZING. I'm pretty good at ignoring that part.

The only thing left to do really (besides another editing read through or two, of course), is study for my exam. That actually is a big deal. The exam is 5 essay questions, where each one is a page minimum. We had the same style for the other two exams, but I get the impression she expects more from us and will grade accordingly. Therefore I want to make sure I do well. I got an A on the first test, and a B on the second. I studied more for the first then the second. Therefore, it would be logical that I should study for this one.

Ok, so I only have 4 more minutes until I have to hit send, else the count down will be wrong. I am sorry that this is, once again, a "boring" post wherein I talk about school and school only, but if it makes you happy this is my last quarter, so it shouldn't happen again! Though I am auditing a french class, and taking a class online at a community college, so I'm not completely done.... :/

Now I have to go study! Tootaloo!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Boring

Man, I write boring posts. I just reread the last one I wrote. It seriously use this thing has my planner, diary, to-do list, etc. Maybe if people commented, it would become less of a ramble. Though I can't promise anything. :P

I need to get into the habit of taking photos and putting those photos on my computer! That way, maybe my posts could be more interesting.

Oh, and in cleaning I found random earrings and I realized that I want to have earrings!!! :(

It's a start!

I can't believe it, I'm actually working on my room! Well not right now obviously....right now I'm online. Oops!! Ok, so you know how this morning I got to sleep in and go to campus late? Messing with my routine and leaving at a random time messed me up just a bit.... I missed my bus! I had to walk to campus! Luckily, I was only 2 minutes late to class and she was still in the process of handing out the quizzes. I think I do ok, though its always the stupid mistakes that I can't see that get me! (Though, I think the worst I've done is 23/25, so I'm not hating on the quizzes or anything).

Work was good, I got a lot done (and quicker than I was told it would take!), so it was a nice, but normal day.

I have so far consolidated my "junk" drawers. I have a pretty good amount of space under my bed that has held various boxes and drawers of "junk". I went from 4 boxes and a big roll-y drawer to just 2 small boxes. I can now use that drawer for other purposes, and I will have extra space down there for other things.... I don't even know what! Though I have a lot of stuff, so I'm sure I'll find something. I think I want the two roll-y drawers to contain jackets and sweatshirts and scarves/hats/gloves. At least for the winter season. Those are my biggest enemy right now, I try to vary up what I wear, but the result is various jackets and scarves just around in my room. If they were in two roll-y drawers under my bed, it'd be easy to access them. Then I could put more storage-y stuff near the head of my bed, where it is less easy to access (due to my nightstand). Though I am very happy with my progress, my room looks the worst it has yet. It has a bag for throw-away, a bag for goodwill (which contains both objects and clothes because I'm too lazy to sort that now), all the empty and full boxes and the junk from my room. Under my bed looks good though! :)

Right now I'm doing laundry... I'm hoping that with getting rid of all the clothes that I just don't wear, I'll actually have enough space to put away the clothes I do wear! Since at the present moment I don't have enough space for them, it is impossible to clean my room! The only problem is that I can always justify why I should keep it "The only reason I don't wear it is because I don't know where it is!", "That would be PERFECT for this kind of outfit", etc. At least I do have a pretty good amount of clothes that don't fit and I don't like, so I can get rid of some stuff at least....

I already cleaned my desk, though it has 3 cups on it right now.... Oops! I got rid of two boxes of "junk" from my bookshelf as well, which means I may be able to actually put books on my bookshelf! Maybe I'll have Lindsay come organize those for me, I know she loves that! I think I'm going to have to put my school books under my bed for now. Ideally, one day I can have a bigger apartment and have a bookshelf in a public space that is just all textbooks. Like a reference library! And I've never sold a book back, so I have a lot of them! :) (Maybe I should sell some books and make money though.... Will I ever actually reference those books?)

Lindsay canceled on me for hanging out tonight, which was unfortunate, but it let me get a lot of work done. I'll just have to reschedule with her for next week.

Tomorrow, Rachael and I are going to go see Harry Potter, and I'm really excited because I've heard this one is really good! I'm going to try and convince her to eat Boomers. Seeing as she is one of the... 3? people who read this blog, maybe she'll see this before and decide that Boomers sounds soooo yummy. :P

Saturday I want to clean the apartment in the day time, like make a fun project of it. I'm hoping Rachael and I can work together, so its not just she or I who cleans some of the big stuff. We'll see if she goes for that... :)

And that night Karisa plans to come over to dinner, and we may go to the mall. I'm starting to doubt the second part, unless she's really into that idea. It was my suggestion because I wanted to try and find ideas for Christmas gifts... but I'm not positive I'll actually want to do that.

Then Sunday, I have to write a paper. My LAST paper. EVER (as an undergrad at WWU). Weird! Its in Psychology, about the differences in Aphasia between speakers and signers. It should be interesting, and I've gotten A's on the last two papers, so *knock on wood* it shouldn't be too bad.

Overall, it seems like a good weekend and I'm excited. I just need to keep working on my room tonight because it can't stay like this!! Or I need to add to it after Rachael goes to bed Fri or Saturday day or something.... My goal is to finish my break so I can come back to a clean room!!! :)

I'm also waiting for Anna to come on Skype because we have a Skype date!! Woot!

Sleep in

I don't have to be on campus until noon! Which is really weird for me, because even though this is supposed to happen once a week, it has only happened a couple of times this quarter. I have a quiz in math and a near-dead calculator, so I need to use this morning to find some other batteries. I also still need to shower, get ready and have breakfast. So there isn't tons of extra time. However, last night when I was going to bed I decided that I would turn on music and clean this morning. That doesn't actually sound fun, now that it is morning time. What a surprise?

My room is only getting worse and worse, which seems logical to me. I take a few things out of their place in an attempt to "deep-clean", and when I don't clean, things just build up even more. For example, I temporarily moved a chair next to my computer so Lindsay could watch a movie. I didn't move it back because I figured that would give me a chance to organize the part of the room that the chair came from. I haven't done that yet, so the chair is still sitting there, building and building with clothes.

That said, I've already read most things online, I don't feel like watching anything (I'd worry I'd lose track of time), and even with all my normal getting ready, I have an extra hour. Maybe I will end up cleaning out of boredom? I'll let you know.

Briefly, in other news.... I've started to Christmas shop. I have decided on presents for the majority of my family, and I've "claimed" them on googledocs. I figure if a few days go by without protest ("oh, I already bought that!"), then I will buy them and send them to the parents house. Shopping made easy!

And lastly, apparently my Psych class is canceled tomorrow, meaning I will ONCE again not start til noon. The only reason this happens so rarely is that I choose to work in the mornings, but since I have 19 hrs this week (the maximum) and will be working near full time next week, there is just nowhere to put the hours. So, considering that that class is canceled, all I have left is:

Math: Quiz today, review tomorrow, Test next week
French: Review/Reflection tomorrow, 15 minute "interview" with professor (easy)
Psych: No more classes, 1 paper (not fun), 1 test (not fun)

Not much left!! Yay!

Oh, and I know I already said "lastly", but one last kind of exciting thing (to me at least). At work, I'm going to start doing the financial side of the work. Karisa and I kind of split off into the two different things our office does, she was the financial person, and I was the data entry, research and "supervisor" person. But, the girl that Karisa has been teaching doesn't work that many hours and apparently makes mistakes, so the boss wants Karisa to teach me so its the two of us who do it. Woot! Now I'll know EVERYTHING! :P This makes me more eager to work throughout finals week and for the week after, because I'll be learning new things and getting lots of good stuff done. So any doubt I had about when I was going home is now gone.

Ok, now I need to go shower, drink my coffee, and hopefully realize that cleaning is good. Tootles!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Hmmm....

What I should of done this evening:
-My Math HW, promptly and neatly
-Laundry
-Cleaning and Organizing
-Shop for groceries

What I did this evening:
-Caught up on shows on HULU (I was internet deprived all Thanksgiving Break)

Hmm.... do you see the problem here? Since I never made it to bed before 2am over break (3 or 4am was normally more accurate), I'm not at all tired. I had to force myself to sleep last night at 1am. That means I could, in theory, still get some of those things done... However I have doubts that will happen.

Over the next week I have tentative plans to:
-Skype with Anna
-Skype with Rachelle
-Have a cleaning party with Rachael followed by beer, food and a movie
-Dinner and a movie with Lindsay
-Dinner with Karisa

Those don't even include a few people that I want to see before the quarter is over. Before any of those happen (well maybe not the first 2), I should clean my room. It would just make me happier! Maybe since my Hulu is now caught up it'll be easier to do that?

Exciting things to think about:
-I only have 2 Math HW assignments left
-My essay due Wednesday is already written, it just needs edits
-I only have 4 days left of classes
-There are only 18 days until I'm on Christmas break
-I'm going to go visit Laura in Spokane, finally

Some less exciting things that I realized:
-In order to get a clean room, I have to clean
-Though I ended up being fine about missing Thanksgiving, I'm really sad that I don't get to decorate my house
-I still have to write a Psych paper, take 2 Math tests and sit through a French interview
-I have to figure out what I'm going to do next summer and beyond (this may also be exciting, I don't know).

Ok... now that I have made lists galore I should probably do something. I'm all thought and no action. I think I will do my Math HW. I will dedicate tomorrow, Tuesday night, to cleaning. Maybe I'll be social Wednesday and/or Thursday, if that works for other people. That seems like a good game plan.

Wish me luck and I'll let you know if I ever actually clean my room! :/

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was canceled this year because Mom got the flu, and didn't want to get anyone sick or smell food. Laura decided not to come over due to the snow, the Dronens opted to stay in Eastern Washington and Jeff stayed in California. Unable to go to the folks house, I went and stayed with Brian and Britt. Considering the circumstances, I had a great Thanksgiving! I arrived in Edmonds on Wednesday and hung out with Rachael for a bit before going home and seeing Brian and Britt. For Thanksgiving dinner we went to Britt's family, who are an entertaining bunch. I had offers to go to Thanksgiving up in Bellingham, however it is different to be with family. Even though I don't know all of Britt's family uber well, I have met them all and know a handful of them pretty well. Dinner was delicious and the visiting was great. On Friday, Brian and I had a lazy day, all day. We watched a lot of 30 Rock (which I like a lot!), and played video games galore. Britt's little step brother joined us for a few hours, as did Brian's friend Ross. Britt had to work for a few hours, but was able to come home for awhile. It was great to spend so much time with Brian and Britt, because I normally only see them when the folks are there, so its a little different interactions. Besides playing video games (which really was our main activity!), I also caught up on DEXTER! Because Brian and Britt are awesome and have Showtime! I'm now caught up through episode 9 (which is the most recent one), and I'm going to have to wait 3 weeks to see the last few episodes. I really like this season a lot, definitely one of my favorites.

All the snow has cleared up, which is nice because it is easier to drive! We were able to get down to Edmonds without too much problem, all the big roads were pretty clear (ie there were tire tracks that were clear), and the small roads were worrisome (ie we slipped), however there weren't many in our route. I think it should snow more over the next 3 weeks because I will have no need to drive. It is a much more convenient time now. :)

I have decided not to walk at graduation. I realized that the only reason that I wanted to walk was to feel the finality of graduation, however I don't actually want to pay the money, and I don't want to actually attend the ceremony. So now I need to think of other ideas to encourage the "finality" of graduation, so I don't just slip into a routine without ever feeling done. Suggestions?

Also, I need to sign up for a class to take over winter quarter, or see what the cost is to stay on the parents insurance without being a student is. Lame.

I really want to clean my room, like thoroughly. I think I am a mild hoarder (though not like the actual condition and more like a person who keeps stuff..), and I live in an apartment without much storage space at all. I think I want to get rid of a whole other bag of clothes and get rid of all of the random junk that I have (like why do I have old schedule books and silly putty and purses I never use?). It will be a big project but a good one to do over the next couple weeks. It would feel great to come home to a clean place! And it isn't like I haven't tried to clean my room before - the problem is that I do not physically have the space for all of my stuff and therefore it is impossible to completely clean it. I have done "superficial" cleans, where the floor is clear, however I need to organize my closet, under my bed and my bookshelf.

I also want to get a hobby. I realized that my non-social, non-school time all goes to the computer. Reading the news online, reading the non-news online, playing video games, watching TV shows and movies, listening to music, etc. I am not opposed to these activities nor do I worry about my balance between socialization, work and solitary activity. I just feel like I should have a non-electronic solitary activity. So, I'm trying to think of something that I will actually do. Part of the problem is that most hobbies require stuff- Like yarn and needles for knitters, books and pages and stickers for scrapbookers, cloth and a sewing machine for other craftsy people. I want to do something similar (but not necessarily any of those three), but it is hard to do when you are limited on money and space. However, I have recently decided that my lack of willingness to spend money may have gone to far. I haven't bought anything for myself (besides food, bills, etc), in years! All my clothes are from friends. Oh, I think I bought one video game. And it felt weird. I want to find something that I can spend money on that will "broaden my horizons", and be fun. Though of course I don't want to go too far either....

I am officially listening to Christmas music. The only problem is that it is weird to mix Christmas music with HW. It was nice at Brian and Britts because they had music playing on the record player, and it just seemed appropriate, especially as they decorated the house. However here my place is too messy (I am clearly getting bothered by this), and I have other non-fun things to worry about. I think I am ready to be done with school, and just want Christmas!

Ok, so this is a really long post. Like maximum procrastination going on here. Sheesh. Now I have to go. Tootles!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

To Walk or Not to Walk?

I need to decide soon if I'm going to walk at graduation. I had decided previously that yes, I am going to... but it costs $85. Is the finality of walking worth that money? Probably parents would normally pay that, but I don't feel like making the parents spend that much either... So now I have a dilemma! Advantages to walking: I feel more done. Advantages to not walking: easier and cheaper. Also, I don't know too many people who are graduating this quarter (only 2 people, I think), so it wouldn't be very social friend wise. In addition, I doubt any friends would want to sit through it either. I don't know if walking will make me feel done.. having 2 weeks off for Christmas may help that enough...

In other news.... the snow hasn't melted away yet, which I like. Well kinda. I'm still worried about driving home for Thanksgiving (which I may not do, I may instead get a ride from someone). I'm listening to Christmas music. I may stop soon... but I don't know what else I'm in the mood for... :/ It is supposed to snow a bit this evening... we'll see if that actually happens.

I'm kind of cleaning my room. I have the kind of there because I can't be certain that I'll stick with this long enough to notice a difference. :)

Oh, and I didn't end up babysitting on Saturday because the family decided not to go out in the snow. I really hope that it wasn't because they were worried about the extra driving due to providing me with a ride.... I also hope that there is another, non-snowy day where I can babysit for them!

Ok... well I'm going to get back to cleaning. Yay!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Snow!!

So first off - I got the score back on the paper I was talking about with my last post. 20/20 on the first draft! I have a lot of corrections to make, but none of them were the type that lost me points! I'm only writing about this because clearly I wasn't expecting it!!

On to more important matters - It is SNOWING! It was 1", 2" and then 2.5" last time I checked. Its been awhile and its still coming down hard, so I'll let you know how much snow there is when I finish writing this post! I was worried about the snow because I am babysitting tomorrow and don't want to drive in the snow. So, I decided to be honest and email the woman I am babysitting for. I asked her if it would be possible to have a ride because I have no experience in driving in the snow, and even if it isn't snowing when I leave it may be snowing by the time they get back home at night. She agreed, saying something could be arranged and that if it is too bad that they won't go out, but hopefully that won't be necessary. I still feel bad about inconveniencing them, but this way the decision to drive in snow is solely their opinion, the only ones deciding are the ones driving.

Lindsay was supposed to come over and hang out tonight, but she was unable to last minute so we rescheduled for next week. That left me without plans last minute. So, I am looking at the snow (in awe!), watching TV shows, and calling people and talking. I mean, I have a pretty good reason to call people....

Afterall, I did get a JOB today. It is official! My boss told me that they do have enough money for the temp job (nothing yet on the permanent job, but this is already more than I could ask for!!). She said they are filling out all the necessary work, and it's unlikely that I'll have to do anything (but maybe sign a form). I get a pay increase (50%!!!), and I have cap hours of 1050hrs. They recommend that I work 30 hours a week so that I can work there for about 8-9 months. That works well for me, because if I don't get the full-time position, that would leave me working right up until the end of my apartment lease. I figure at that point my choices would be endless! I am very happy and grateful for this job, and this time I said Thank You to my boss for arranging all this. (I have been too flustered to think of such a simple phrase in the past...) I am going to wait to tell most people until Thanksgiving, but as far as I know, the only ones who read this site are Laura (who I already told), Rachael (who I already told), Shelley (who I would tell if she answered her phone), and Anna (who I haven't yet told, but will probably check her email before she checks this blog). Therefore I can wait to tell everyone else in person!

Oh, speaking of people who read this blog - I forgot to ask you about your Christmas break schedule/time-line Laura! I want to discuss possible times that I will visit you! I'm SURE you won't read this before I call you tomorrow....

Ok, so I think that is it for updates, so... the current height of the snow is: 4" and growing!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Essay Update

I'm giving y'all an update, because I'm sure you are soooo curious.

I edited my paper up to the point where it a) includes all the necessary components and b) is no longer so embarrassing that I would rather have a zero than have my professor read it. That said, it is still a work in progress. I just showered, so now I'm hoping that little break will help me see it with new eyes. Part of the problem is that I have such grand desires for how it should be, that I'm having trouble coming back down to reality to make it actually happen. That and I have senioritis, a very serious ailment in which the most common symptom is procrastination.

Sadly, I think I am going to have to skip Psychology. This really is sadly because I enjoy attending Psychology. That professor really likes it when we attend, but I know she knows that I go a lot, so it'll seem weird to her that I'm not there, but I also hope that she'll note the rareness of it. If that makes sense. She emails out the powerpoints now that we are working from lecture only and not the book, so luckily I won't actually miss too much. I just enjoy sitting in that class. The benefits of skipping, however, are that I get an extra 1.5-2 hrs to edit my paper. French is my priority. :/

Anyway, now I'm going to go edit edit and edit some more. And then revise, reword and redo. Wish me luck!

The Forecast

Snow is showing up more and more on the forecast. At first, it was supposed to be possible snow/rain on Friday. Then, it was supposed to just be rain on Friday, but Snow on Saturday and again snow/rain on Tuesday. Now, it is supposed to be Snow/Rain on Friday, Snow on Saturday, Snow on Tuesday, Snow/Rain on Wednesday and Snow again on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Now, obviously this will continue to change, but this is the best scientific prediction for now....

This is a good thing and a bad thing. Why is it good? I love snow! I want a snowy winter! I got my spandex (that I use as long-johns), scarves/hat/gloves, boots (albeit broken and old)... I'm ready to walk in the snow, play in the snow, see the snow. Now, I doubt that this snow will stick, but its possible since it is below freezing at night that we could get at least mild accumulation. In general I'm partly excited for this storm under the assumption that it is a taste of what is to come.

But. This is also a bad thing. I am babysitting on Saturday. The day it is supposed to snow. And I have to drive there. I am already apprehensive about driving there, because it is somewhere I have never driven to before. I was going to do it though, I was going to memorize the route there and back so I didn't have anxiety over it, and just hope there was easy street parking in the area. I wasn't going to let my anxiety limit me! (Especially since it is a pre-driving anxiety and I know it. The instant I'm in my car I feel fine.) BUT - I do not want to drive in the snow. I have never driven in the snow and don't want to start now. My tires are probably SO worn, and I would imagine not having power steering would make it even worse. Though I don't know that for sure, since I know nothing about driving in the snow. I worry that even if it isn't snowy at 7 when I go over to babysit, it will be kinda dusty at 10:30pm when I leave. I would be nervous to drive home in that.... A logical argument would be that if it were truly snowing, the Mom/Dad probably wouldn't go out Saturday night. But, my definition of snowing (or chance of snowing) may be different than theirs! So I'm not sure what to do... the bus isn't a logical argument timing/location wise. Asking for a ride from a friend would just make them have the same worries that I do! Asking for a ride from the Mom/Dad would be .... awkward?

I think that is what I may decide to do. I'm going to ask my coworkers today to get their opinion. I feel like emailing the Mom letting her know that I am nervous about the forecast for snow and that I have never driven in it before. I kind of figure that if they consider the conditions good enough for them to go out, forcing them to drive in those conditions (to get me) wouldn't be cruel.... I don't know... What do you guys think? (If any of you guys actually read this often enough to see and respond to this!)

Ok, so it is 6:30 am and I REALLY need to work on my paper. I wrote a whole bunch of junk (all written in spoken form, nonetheless, which is very different than written French). I need to edit edit edit, then add all the required parts (like quotes :/).

SO, I should stop procrastinating. Doing all this the morning of is probably procrastination enough for one paper. Tootles!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Productive Weekend

I had a pretty productive weekend. I did 3 loads of dishes, cleaned the kitchen counters and did a few loads of laundry. I didn't clean my room like I had hoped, but I also watched Season 1 of Smallville. I was happy with that compromise! :) I also did all my HW for tomorrow TODAY (instead of saving some for the morning while I drink my coffee) and I even made an effort to start an essay that isn't due til the end of the quarter! Though the effort failed after 15 minutes or so.... I didn't start my essay that is due Wednesday, but I did arrange to babysit next Saturday for a few hours!

Overall, I would say it was a good weekend. I wasn't very social though, because most people went out of town for the weekend. (Like I had previously planned to). So, to make up for it, I'm going to try and be a bit more social during the week, when normally I save the week for HW.

In other news, I'm still getting realllly excited for the holiday season. I have started my wish list (though this is SOOOO difficult to write, because I don't want what I need (ie money for bills), but I don't need what I want (ie games or something), so trying to find something that I both need and want is very hard. I've just gotten used to living at such a bare minimum!), and I also started a Christmas party event page. Even though I am so excited for the holidays, I try and hold off any realizations of this excitement because I worry about losing steam! But I also think it is just as dangerous to completely ignore the excitement and therefore lose it completely. Such a tough balance game. But seriously, I'm excited for Thanksgiving. Food! Family! Vacation! :)

Ok, well since I finished my HW, I need to either write my paper or go to bed. Since I don't feel like writing my paper, good night! :)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Fly Reborn

A few days ago I spent a whole evening being tortured by a fly. A fly that kept running into my light, over and over and over again. A constant loud buzz and pop. Finally fed up, I decided to turn off my main light and turn on my lamp in an effort to stop him. Amazed by how quickly he ran from one to the other, a path that crosses over the door way, I felt inspiration. I decided to use this new found control over his movements to show him his way out of my bedroom and into the rest of the apartment. I grabbed a piece of paper, and started changing lights between the lamp and the main light. Sadly, this little fly realized that I'm short and couldn't reach the ceiling, so he chose that as his route between the two lights. When he stopped to take a break on the wall above my closet, I decided that I wouldn't let him win just because he was "taller". I jumped as high as I could with my piece of paper, trying to convince him to get moving again. (Don't worry, I would never kill him intentionally... I was just trying to usher him out the door..) He crawled up into the very highest corner between the ceiling in the wall, and stayed there, resting just out of reach. I tried so hard to reach him, but couldn't, but since he wasn't buzzing anymore decided to let it be. I left him there to rest, and there he stayed for days. I figured he must of died out of fear (and boy did I feel guilty about this) and he was somehow using his spidy-sense to stay stuck to the walls. However.... boy was I wrong. This morning when I came out of my shower, guess who was alive! And flying and buzzing all over again. (I'm still under the impression that fly A did not just fall to his death and fly B came into the room at the same time). Right now he is frozen again to the ceiling, which is good because the lamp right next to me is the only light on in the room and I don't want him to decide to come down and check it out.

And in other news.... I may have a job. My boss today, without any move on my part, asked me what my plans were after graduation. I told her that I wasn't sure yet, but hoped to stay in Bellingham for a year at minimum. She asked me if I was still interested in working in the office after graduation, and I said yes(!). She said that she was in the process of trying to get me a temporary job, which would hold me until they knew if my old boss's job would open up. She said the only reason she told me before it was "for sure" was because she didn't want me to go and make other conflicting plans. I'm still very excited, but since it isn't "for sure" yet, I'm still nervous. I don't want to go speaking all excited and such too early, and I don't want to go make a stupid mistake or seem immature and ruin this opportunity. Very stressful, I tell you! But this is much better than other stresses I could be having, I know. She brought this up this morning, and the rest of the day I felt excited, but awkward too. I felt extra tongue tied, felt like my questions were extra stupid, and I felt like the meeting I held today was less smooth. I just have to hold on to the thought that if she has known me for a few years and is already working to get me a job, that a few stupid comments or moves now won't ruin it for me. And hopefully, thinking that will help me not make stupid comments and moves. A little more into the specifics - it would be an hourly job, and probably wouldn't have benefits. There would be a cap at 1000 hours, which if I were working 40 hours a week would take me 25 weeks, or half a year. She said by then they would know if there would be enough money for the permanent job, which she said was possible because we've been saving money by having that job not filled for so long. Eitherway, having this part time job would be amazing - 6 mos employment is better than none, and it keeps multiple doors open in terms of my future. I'll keep you, then internet, updated! But as I said, its not for sure yet, but it is promising that as far as she knows, the only time I've thought about this or mentioned it to anyone is one time in an email a couple of months ago, yet she is still going through all the effort to arrange it. :)

Last little piece before I go - I have an essay due tomorrow and haven't started it yet: my senioritis is even worse than before. I have approximately 3 weeks left of classes before I graduate college! Wow!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Just in case you were curious...

I never really overcame my writer's block. It took many hours of painful effort to get a crappy version of my paper out. Once I got the "whole" paper out, I didn't even have enough energy to edit it up, and I was just wasting time. Therefore I decided to go to bed and wake up early to edit it. I think that was a brilliant decision. I slept in a bit later than I had hoped, and I had to skip my morning classes, however I have actually felt some inspiration and have improved this paper a lot. I have A's in my two morning classes right now, and I'm not sure I can say that about French. That in addition to it just being my most important class focus-wise, I'm happy with this decision to dedicate my energy to it.

I still think my paper has errors, and I really don't want to have it peer edited (which I'm sure we will), but I feel like it is less embarrassing to turn in. It has all the requirements (different types of sentences and vocabulary), it is the right length and it better explains what I was trying to say. For this first version we are only graded on having all the necessary components and having gender and conjugation errors. More complex errors of grammar are pointed out, but not marked down on until the final version. This means that I am going to go through very carefully and try and make sure that I have no simple, mark downable errors, and leave it be.

Tootaloo!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Writer's Block

I have a French essay due tomorrow and I am having the toughest time writing it. I should have started it last weekend but I was in Edmonds so I didn't.... I went to bed really early last night instead of starting it, and now I'm tired again! I'm thinking about taking a 30 minute nap and then making myself write... if that doesn't work, I'll just drink coffee. I can't waste toooo much time sleeping.

It has to be an essay on intolerance/discrimination/inequality. A combination of a general problem and specific instances. I know it would be interesting to write about homosexuality, but the actual words just aren't coming. I am tempted to do it all ironically, and write an argument against homosexuality, but that would just be so much harder!!

Well I'm going to go nap, and start writing at 6. I'll keep the internets updated on my progress, but not too updated because that would mean I'll be getting real distracted from my work!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A future job?

Ok, so as many of you know I think it would be really cool to get a job in the office I'm currently in. It would be an easy transition, and amazing security. I constantly go back and forth on if this is actually a possibility, and even though I KNOW I need to find a plan b, plan c, and plan d, I'm still having trouble figuring out what else I would like to do. Now, in theory there is a job I could have. My old boss left, and her job is yet to be filled. However, there is also a hiring freeze, and so the request to have the job filled has been sent down to Olympia. I mentioned to my boss that I may be interested in applying for the job if/when it opens up. She encouraged me to do so, and said there would be advantages to not having to train someone. That was the last time it came up. As far as I know, the job has not yet been posted. I haven't seen it online nor have I heard anything about it in the office. This is probably a good thing, because if the job were posted now, my schedule would be an issue. However, it also means that I have gone this whole time without hearing anything. I have no idea if my boss remembers my interest in the position... There are little signs that show that I would be perfect for the job -- I already do almost all the training and helping of the other students. I already know how to do the majority of the work that I would have to do in this other position. Also, when someone brought something in for my boss, she handed it to me immediately and told them how she "just gives everything to me". Also, she got a call from another department calling to complain about a record that I had worked with. What I did was correct so she told them that. I told her how it always seems to be my name that they call about (I'm always right though, luckily!), and how I don't really like that. She said that she likes it when it's my name that has touched the record, because then she knows that it is correct. The way she said this made me very happy by the way, she showed complete confidence in my work. It is, however, very stressful and I do NOT want to ever make a mistake. *Sigh*

So, there are many reasons why I think this job would be perfect for me. Did I already mention how much I need a job and the money? This would be the easiest transition ever. However, I fear getting my hopes up. As I said before, this other position hasn't been mentioned in ages, and I don't even know if it will open up when I need it to. Even though I have expressed my interest in the position, I have no idea if my boss remembers this. I think about how amazing it would be to work there, but then I realize that it is an actual office filled with business majors and accountants, and there will be hundreds upon hundreds of applicants for the new position. Plus, priority is given to previously laid-off employees, I believe.

So, I'm in limbo. I should probably inquire about the position soon, remind my boss that I'm interested in the job. Things have been going well - I have been doing many special projects for the people in the office, training the new girls, being very productive, etc. It would be a good time to remind her of my interest. However, I also don't want to "beat a dead horse" or whatever that saying is... No matter what, I'm going to have to apply, so I should probably work on a resume soon. Most importantly, I think it is time that I find my plan B, plan C and plan D. My only current back up plan is "rent out my apartment, move home, and get a job in Edmonds". For many reasons, that is not the best plan.

If any of you guys are out there reading, what do you recommend? What should my back up plans be? How/when should I talk to my boss about my interest in the position? How much hope do YOU think I should have, knowing nothing about the office but what I tell you.. :P

Monday, October 18, 2010

Lily Allen....

So kind of random, but today at work Lily Allen came on my pandora. I was suddenly placed at christmas time, almost as strongly as christmas music would. I thought that was very strange, seeing as it was not at all about christmas or anything winter, in fact it was rather vulgar.... However! I then realized that I went through a Lily Allen phase where I listened to her songs over and over and over again in that obsessive way I do. (Similar to movies...) This phase just happened to be the beginning of December, last year. It didn't feel that long ago at all, however the instant that that connection was made, it was so clear and obvious why it made it feel like the holidays. Its so interesting how we have those associations in our head!

I had so much trouble writing that in English, by the way. I would think of French vocabulary and could NOT get away from it.

Today I watched a movie in Psychology that made me kind of want to be a Speech Pathologist. But I remember not liking mine in elementary school and knowing that I would never do that....

I kind of want to watch Everwood. I didn't even watch it when it was live way back when, so I'm not positive why. (Maybe its because I just watched something with the main girl..)

I think I have a cold. But its ok, because I had the other more serious illness so recently that I still remember how bad it could be, so this feels easy peasy!! :)

It's been awhile....

So, I think it has been awhile since I last wrote. Summer came and went, and school has started once again. I have a few posts stored up from the beginning of summer. I had a couple weeks without internet where I tried to be good and keep up the posts, even though I couldn't put them online. However once I got my internet back, clearly I didn't get back into the habit of posting here. Therefore sometime in the next few days I will try and find those somewhere on my computer and post them. Maybe I'll even try and write a brief summary of my summer. I mean, I did turn 21 and Anna left for China for 2 years. Though I guess besides that I did little else than work.

It is very exciting though that I started my last quarter of undergrad! I'm taking only 13 credits, which is the least amount of credits I have ever taken. I was hoping it would be a very easy quarter, however in taking Math (though its only pre-calculus) I now have HW all the time. Plus, my Psychology of Language course has 3 five page papers. It isn't horrible, but its not "easy" either. And the class that I knew would be the most difficult (French 401) is holding true to its expectations, demanding at least one paper per week. I do feel like I'm learning a lot about writing though, so I'm still happy with this arrangement. We'll see how I feel at the end of the quarter.

I'm getting into the holiday spirit early this season, and I'm really worried that because its way too early to feel seasonal that I'll lose it. Therefore I'm trying to focus my excitement now into seasonal art projects, and hold off on more complex seasonal activities (like music and movies) until months from now. I think a large part of my excitement is that I know that I will be DONE with school come this holiday season, which is exciting in its own right. Plus I love my family and I'm excited to see them all in one place again. Plus, its La Nina this year so there is supposed to be a lot of snow... I hope that is the case but since everyone is forecasting that it seems like that just has to mean it won't actually happen. I'm excited to take a train over to the east side and visit Laura, and I'm excited to have the back-up option of taking a train down to Edmonds if its snowy over here (No way would I drive in that!).

Another big topic to discuss if I continue to write on this blog is that of my future plans. Seeing as I'm graduating soon, I really need to figure out what I will do next. I have a few ideas, and I will go into those at another time. Right now, its 8:50am and I should be editing my paper. I have this new thing where I wake up early even though I don't have class until 10am. I make my coffee, and drink it leisurely while doing my math HW, revising my French essays, or studying for tests. I really like it as a time to work and feel like I'm more productive now than in the evenings. Plus, I would lose so much of the day if I didn't wake up til 9. And probably most of all, waking up at 6 feels kind of early, 7 feels just about right, and 8 feels like sleeping in. I love having the option to sleep in and still have time in the morning, and I also love that I could feel like I slept in soooo late (9am) and still be fine for class. It's all perspective I suppose.

Ok, well anyway, for any of you still out there (I don't know who would still check this after so long without a post), I hope more posts are to come and I'll be seeing you again shortly!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Colloquium

I finish the Colloquium. I am done. OMG I can't believe it. Sandy and I were the first group to present, which I really liked. We were able to just go and get it over with. We had no one to compare us to. The presentation went really well. I think I talked at a really good speed, which is really my own problem with presentations. Apparently our adviser was smiling the whole time (especially turning the forms part - my solo research part). We don't know if we have a pass/fail yet, but the head of the department said that Xing was VERY happy with us. I feel like were one of the most professional/in-depth projects. I said a comment to the head of the dept that I realized later didn't come out at ALL like I hoped and sounded kind of assholey. I was in a very good mood so I just kind of spoke without thinking, and said something along the lines of "I hope she liked it! We worked on it a lot with her!" Which doesn't seem as assholey in writing, and apparently Sandy didn't even notice the asshole connotation to it til I mentioned it, but I realize now that even if it doesn't seem assholey in writing, I think it sounded a little bit...

But thats ok, because I'm done! Though I guess I should share the questions part because that's what we were most scared of. The first question was from a girl asking if its hard to tell what compounds are, if its a native thing or if theres some sort of more set in stone thing. I'm definitely not an expert on Chinese, but Sandy didn't seem to have an answer so I responded "Well neither of us are Native Chinese speakers, but I think there would be a instinct to it..." or something like that. First question, fine. Then Prof Hearne decided to ask questions. I didn't realize it was him until afterwords, but I've heard things about him being...harsh? He asked some semi-critical questions, like "You started off my saying it was difficult to define this...then ended up just skipping it in your presentation." Luckily Xing stepped in and TOTALLY defended us and they ended up having an argument. She said he was biased, looking through it with Native English speakers eyes. :) Very very very happy she was there at that moment, because I have no idea how we would have handled that otherwise. She was great! After that he said "Are you sure 'sleepwalk' is a verb-verb compound? Because its clearly noun-verb." My response to that was that was interesting and relates to an idea I mentioned about it being hard to know the class of words, but that in my opinion it was verb verb. All the students in the class agreed with me. Muahahah! :P

So yea, the questions were a little tough, but we got good reviews afterwards and everyone was on our sides during them (well, almost everyone of course).

Afterwards we had to walk back (from OM) to the C Lots where Sandy parks, but it was POORING DOWN RAIN. Instead of complaining, I decided to embrace it. I rolled up my pants and ran through the rain, jumping in puddles. It was so fun! It reminds of of a similar walk with Rachael after a concert.

Oh, and haha I saw a professor of mine that I LOVE and think is SOO cute outside humanities smoking. I don't have too much of an issue with smoking (meaning I have ZERO issue with some people, mild issue with some people). So, I have zero judgment there, and it just works well with her whole french image. Anyway, when we saw each other it was from a distance, but her body language made it seem like she was shocked to see me. Then two seconds later she was gone! I may be crazy (prolly am), but it was almost like she didn't want to be seen smoking? I don't know. Not very logical, most smokers don't hide it!

Anyway, that was really my evening! I am so happy to be done with the Colloquium that I'm taking the night off. Though I'm really sleepy and wanna go to bed...but then I'd just wake up and my day off would be over. :(

Ok, so what I have left to do... (as far as I remember, there may be more)
Due monday:
Essay Sociolinguistics
Essay Litterature
Long long answer HW Quebec

Tuesday:
Thirty minute one on one with professor

Wednesday:
Final project (includes 3 more recording sessions, 300 minutes of analyzing speech, 8 page paper)

Thursday:
Psych Exam

THEN DONE. Sides work of course... :)

There are things to look forward to too, of course. Besides work, classes and 2-3 recording appts, I have nothing due tomorrow and Friday, meaning I can space out my work over multiple days.

On Friday we're having a party in French class.

On Friday we're having a party at work.

On Sunday there is a Linguistics party that I may or may not go to (profs cabin). It depends on who else goes.

So, SMILES. I'm a lot happier that its June than I was just a few days ago. :)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Productive

I spent 5 hours in the computer lab on Saturday and 7 hours today. Plus when I got home today (at 7pm), I spent the next 4 hours working on finishing up my speech and powerpoint for the colloquium with Sandy.

I have to go to the computer lab again tomorrow to write an essay and do my take home exam...

A Secret

Ok, I swear this is my final post tonight...

I have a secret. Ok, so for Christmas my parents bought me a DS. I LOVED it. I asked for it, of course, because I love video games. I played it all through break, and at least a few times a week during winter quarter. It was the perfect bedtime activity.

I took it to Edmonds one of the times I visited. When I came back up, I looked for it everywhere, but didn't see it. I didn't think too much of it - I assumed I left it in Edmonds. I was sad, but it wasn't the end of the world. I'd be back home in a month.

A few weeks ago when I went home, I looked for it. I assumed it would be out and about, on the bed in the bedroom or something. Clearly I had just forgotten it, why would it be hard to find? I looked for awhile, but eventually decided I must be crazy, that I did bring it back, and it must be in my horribly messy room (refer to previous posts).

So, I got back up here. I have spent the last few weeks searching my room endlessly, and I see it no where. Because my room has been so ridiculously messy, I knew that no matter how hard I search, it COULD still be in here. But cleaning my room tonight made me think... I really haven't seen it up here. And that is scaring me.

As I mentioned, I didn't search tooooo close when I was at home, because after not seeing it right away I assumed it must be in B'ham in my messy room. I still have hope its hiding down there somewhere, and that its just taking me horribly long to find it because in a search that would normally be back and forth, it takes a month between looking in one place or another.

But I am so scared. What if it isn't down there? Where else could it be? I know I carried it to school with me a lot, and kept it in my bag. The last time I remember having it in my bag was one of the times I went to tutor, right around the last time I saw it at all. Maybe I didn't bring it down to Edmonds at all? Maybe I accidentally left it at my bosses house? Though wouldn't she have told me if another DS showed up at her place?

And now that its been so long, I feel silly. Like maybe Dad saw it and put it somewhere. But since its been 2-3 months since I lost it, won't it be weird to just now ask? I mean, this quarter has gone by SOOO ridiculously fast, but still... thats a long time.

And I'm sad. I have torn this room apart, looking and looking. I WANT my DS. There is a REASON I asked for it. I feel guilty because I'm so poor and its really one of my only recent possessions of worth. So yea, that's my secret. I lost my cool new toy only months after getting it, and that was months ago...

If any of you guys have any ideas on where it could be, let me know. I refuse to believe it was stolen, it must be SOMEWHERE. I will find it. Eventually. :(

My 21st Year

I really want to start a photo project where I take a photo everyday during my 21st year. Its just another 365 project, just based off a year to ME, instead of just average man. I think it could be a really good project, but made me start thinking about things I don't have, but want....

-A camera
-A laptop
-A smart phone
-Money?
-Video Games

Some of those are more important than others, but the point is: I want a camera, especially for this project, but I need a smart phone or laptop more. Can't afford any of them. Still haven't even bought bras yet! :)

Not ready for June...

Next week is dead week and I think there are multiple reasons it has this name. Of course its supposed to be dead silent, but I think it goes beyond that.... I'll be lucky if I make it through this week alive!

Though writing that means I'll somehow end up dead and everyone will see that those were some of my last words.

Luckily MENTIONING that will make it not come true, leaving me safe and alive.

Though now I'm just tempting fate.

Sorry, are you even following my logic here? Its 3 am. Not sure how much logic I have.

As you know, times are busy. But, a 3 day weekend is nice for spending the days on campus and the nights having fun. Its a good combination. I'm not getting much sleep, but I'm getting work done. This weekend I have to prepare for the colloquium, do a take home test and write an essay. And interview people for my sociolinguistics project.

But more fun stuff....

I officially turned in all my graduation papers, so I'm going to graduate in 2010! Awfully close to the end of 2010 though, but 2010 nonetheless. Automatically I would be considered a 2011 grad because I'm graduating in the 2010-2011 school year, BUT I have connections and have already arranged to have that changed so I get recognition for the year, not school year. Muahahah I knew I loved my job.

I cleaned my room. Ok, well that's an exaggeration. The reason that I'm up at 3 am when my body is more used to waking up in the early hours is because I drank coffee at 11pm. Why, you ask? Because I didn't feel like going to sleep, because going to sleep means waking up and going to campus. But I felt guilty just staying up without doing good. Plus I have been HATING how messy my room is, feeling horribly embarrassed, and just not wanting to spend time in my room. Having a clean room just makes me more motivated to be clean, healthy and productive. So, I drank coffee and cleaned. There is still a lot of work to be done, laundry tomorrow, and organizing throughout the whole summer. But, I can see the floor. For the first time in a month at least.

I joined an online writing group. I don't know why. I want to write, or be able to write, but can't. Or don't. I've never actually tried to write more than just a short little thing. But I saw this offer to be part of an online group of amateur writers, and took it. We'll see how that goes...

Though I am writing a gay love story, so *sigh*, loves!

I'm trying to think if there's anything else really going on. I don't think so, considering how much school is taking over my life. I am ready for summer though! I'm going to work full time, have fun in the sun as much as possible, travel to California, Idaho and Spokane. Spend time with Annarose before she leaves. I'm going to write and read. I'm going to organize and decorate my room. I'm going to live with Rachael, and I'm sure fun stuff with come from that. Overall, I have a lot to look forward to, if I just try and see through these next two weeks. Oh, did I mention, I now have LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL I'M 21. Yea, this will be a good summer.

I know I'm going to look back on this blog and laugh at my immaturity. My excitement for being 21 reminds me of being excited to start my period, just age x 2. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a similar drag... :P

Oh, and I FINALLY took the math placement test and decided to take Math 114, because who needs to take a hard class on a subject they don't remember during their final quarter in college? Oh, btw, that is horribly sad and scary, there are so many classes that I would still love to take! But I can talk more about that and my already beginning job search in later posts.... Now I'm going to either watch some TV show (superman?), read Harry Potter, play Sims or write a gay love story. Don't I sound SOOO cool? :P

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Math Placement Test

I'm taking the math placement test tomorrow.

I don't want to. I know that I can make lots of mistakes and still have enough points, but I'm still scared of screwing up my registration stuff.

I've studied. I feel a lot more comfortable with the intermediate level than the advanced level. Its amazing how easy it is to forget the language of math.

I'm comparing it to a language because its a similar concept to losing a foreign language. Things sound familiar. You remember some things better than others. You know you SHOULD know it.

I want to take the lower level test and take the easier class. But if the lower level class fills up, I'd be screwed w/o the option to take a higher level class. If I take the harder test, I have a higher chance of failing, but I also don't need as many right answers to get into the same classes.

I proooobably should have done this over summerstart instead of skip all the events and hang out with my sister. Oops?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

So ready to be done...

There are only a few weeks left in this quarter. I am SO ready to be done. On a side note, my fingers were going on automatic and I managed to write porn instead of only in that first sentence. That was just too funny not to share.

I have a test tomorrow, the math placement test Thursday and another test Friday. I still have the colloquium (presentation + major research project). After this week, I still have 3 tests. And 4 essays. I have a final project for sociolinguistics that requires me to record 300 minutes of speech with 10 different people. Have 3 appts made, 7 more to go. Then I have to analyze it write a paper on it.

There isn't much point to this post, just thought I'd complain. Bye bye! :)

Oh, on a happy note - I turned in all my graduation papers!!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Another wonderful weekend...

I am so tired so I'm going to make this quick. Which knowing me, means it'll be 20 paragraphs or so. :P

Well I had another good weekend! I went down to Edmonds again, this time to housesit. I arrived around dinner time on Friday. I would have left later but because of max being home alone since the morning, I rushed. I ended up joining Anna at a concert at her church for little kiddos, which was cute. Afterwards we went to Brad and Brittneys and watched house.

Saturday morning was Anna's graduation, which was extremely boring but it was nice to be able to visit with her and her family. If I hadn't gone I would have just slept in, and it would have been "lost" time. After the graduation we went to lunch at El Puerto (we being Anna, Brad, Janet and I). It was very yummy! After lunch we went up to BBEs and played some games until Evan woke up, then played with her. It was beautiful and sunny out and just the walk from El Puerto to BBEs was nice. I love Edmonds!

Around dinner time I was starting to feel realllly bad for max (he'd been left alone since 9am...). I went home and let him out, but that didn't feel like enough because I planned on going back to bbes. SO! I brought him with me. Which went really well! Evan loves Max, I was able to go on a walk with Brittney and Evan where Max was able to run around a lot and get all his energy out. He thoroughly cleaned their kitchen floor, and by the time Evan went to bed and the house calmed down energy wise, he was curling up and sleeping on the floor.

I didn't get home til late and then caught up on some TV shows on Hulu, so I got to bed real late. I was sleepy and successfully freaked myself out sound wise. I thought I heard talking, and when I went into the kitchen to put my food in the fridge I thought I heard footsteps in the laundry room. I ran all the way to the bedroom, turning off the lights on the way and locked the door and went to bed. (I had already gotten ready for bed, luckily!).

I slept in til 2pm (!!!!), which considering my sleeping schedule this quarter is ridiculous. It's also kind of ridiculous considering how little daytime I got today. But, probably I needed it.

I went over to BBEs, again (I hope they don't secretly hate me, it would suck for them how much I go over there :P). I brought Max and we played in the backyard (well Evan and Max and I played, Brad mowed the lawn and Brittney washed toys and the car). It was beautiful again outside. Loved the weather!

Anyhoo, now I'm really sleepy. Sadly my weekend wasn't filled with HW as much as it should have been, so I may have to skip work together to work on some HW. :(

But thats ok, because it was another great weekend. And next weekend should be great too! Not only will it be my first weekend in B'ham in a long time meaning I can finally visit with B'ham friends, but also Laura is coming to town! :)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Assistance-ship

Oh yea, only problem with the assistance-ship is its just like a normal job. Meaning they don't provide anything. I would have to procure my own living arrangements. That means I expect Laura (and Diana, if she desires :P) to come live with me in France. I would request a medium busy place (IE not Paris, but not sooo empty that theres nothing nearby - In the middle, where its cheap but with some life!)

Just so you know. :)

What to do next?

I'm still talking to my boss about Nannying. She's worried about taking him out of the daycare for a year and then losing a spot. They're also reducing hours at the elementary (budget cuts). We'll see about that.

Either way I'm going to need another job. I can't keep working at Western because its a student only job. I'm starting to look around now because I know it takes awhile to find a job. Problem with that is that even if I find a place I could work, I wouldn't be able to start working there until January 2011. But alas, it can't hurt to look.

I went and talked to both the Linguistics and French department. I seem good to graduate in both. Going to the Psych department either tomorrow or Friday.

I need to take the math placement test next week because registration is the week after that. I am going to study this weekend.

From next week on, I have at least a presentation per week. Plus I have a couple papers due.

Back to the long term... When I talked to the French department, they got me interested in either working in France for 7 mos as a teacher, or going to grad school. Weird, aye? (Different from my previous plans circulating in my head, but I can't seem to get these new ones out.)

So next fall I'm going to apply for a 7mo assistance-ship where I would help out in a class room for kids ages 8-11. I would be teaching them English, but I would need to know French because they won't be very good in English yet. If I do that, I would leave Fall 2011, at the end of my lease in Bellingham. (Good timing).

If I decide not to do that or don't get in, starting Fall 2011 I think I'll start either further studies in French or my Early Education degree. I can imagine doing both. I would probably do both of those being in the Seattle area.

I still plan on volunteering in Africa for a month in an orphanage and visiting Anna for a week or two in China.

I will need to make lots of money (see above paragraph). I really hope I get the nanny job and another more official job, because that way I should actually be able to raise some money.

I am going to Audit 1 french class per quarter during Winter and Spring to stay completely in that mode.

I found a daycare in Seattle that is French Immersion, pretty much exactly what I want to do. I feel like trying and working there once I live in that area again.

So that means things that will be on my resume/possible fun future things...

Education:
BA French
BA Linguistics
Minor Psych
MA Linguistics or French? (Everyone now is telling me to do this. Everyone = adviser and coworker)
Early Ed Degree (No idea what level)
TESL ?

Experience:
1 mo African Orphanage
7 mos French School (paid job)
3 years Office Job
Nannying
Daycare job?

Lots of fun possibilities! I need to focus on the more immediate stuff though. Math placement test! Register. Make sure I'm cleared for Graduation. Secure job for next year. All big choices after that can wait until Fall when its time to apply!!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Interesting Article...

http://www.alternet.org/story/146616/what_if_the_tea_party_were_black?page=entire

Sunday, May 2, 2010

A long 2 day weekend....

This weekend felt ridiculously long, considering it was only a 2 day weekend.

Anna had surgery Friday morning. It went well, but it was still distracting all day long. I just wanted to be by her side!

Instead I was a bad person and went to a Mariners game that night. Brian asked me last minute. I had previously planned on using my Friday night to clean and do laundry, something I really needed to do. Basically a chance to breath and catch up before going down to Edmonds. (It was a very busy week). But no, right after class I got in the car and went home! The car ride wasn't too bad, I had Lindsay to entertain me. :)

The Mariners game was awesome! Pretty much the instant I got home and had a bite to eat, we were out to Brian's to pick him up. Even with that, we were still running horribly late and took forever to find a spot. We drove round and round and round and round. BUT, we did, of course, find a spot. Eventually. The game itself was really suspenseful. It was 0-0 until the 12th inning. We decided they were making up for the fact we missed the first few innings. We didn't end up winning, however because I'm not following the season, their loss doesn't effect me too much. The game was fun and exciting, but the W-L doesn't matter.

Saturday morning I FINALLY got to see Anna. We went to pick her up with Janet and "Grandma" (Which I call her cause its so much easier, and thats what everyone else I interact with call her). We were able to hang out for a couple hours, but then we had to go to my Aunts 60th birthday party. (Did I mention yet that the only reason I planned on coming home this weekend was to see Anna, yet everything else ended up happening at the same time?!)

A few cousins and my aunt and uncle came to down from Vancouver and Cashmere, and we ended up having a pretty good sized get together. We had good food and dessert and really good visiting. I thought it would only last a couple hours because they would need to get back, but they ended up staying til 7pm. We rarely see these folks except for Thanksgiving and maybe once over the summer, so it was definitely nice to be able to see them! There was some family news that you can ask me about in person. It definitely helped make it feel like everything was happening this weekend. While we were visiting we talked some about my Grandpa (Dad's Dad, who's Death Day is the same as my Aunts Birthday) who I really haven't heard too much about. It was really cool. From just the stories I heard, I can totally see how its my Dad's Dad! :)

After the guests left (well I left before Brian and Britt because I was real anxious to go see Anna), I went over to Janet's and played Dutch Blitz. I love that game, btw. We also watched Juno, which I haven't seen since the first time I watched it way back when, so it was really nice to see it again. :) That took us to midnight, and Laura had already gone home cause she was sleeping, and both Anna and Janet fell asleep... :)

Sunday morning we had a celebratory birthday celebration for my Dad, who's birthdays this week. My Aunt, and Brian and Britt both came back over and we had a very yummy Brunch. We were able to video chat with Jeff, and it was like the whole family was there!

Once Anna was out of church she came over (kind of overlapping with video chatting) and we fed her some food before going back over to her place to hang out and play some more. We then went to Brad and Brittney's to see them and Evan, who we'd only seen for a short awhile Saturday morning. Just before dinner I came back home and ate with my folks and visited some more. I left Edmonds at 9, had a relatively uneventful ride up (good). It was the first time I've driven that whole way by myself. Kind of boring. :P

Now I have a lot of HW to do, I'm really tired and its almost midnight. The weekend had a very strange feel to it. It reminds me of when our family went away to a cabin for a few days. It was like I was on vacation. Visiting. It felt long, but in a good well. Extremely productive and full. And fun. Though there were more negative aspects too, like Anna having to have surgery. Though, as she said, she'll have a scar, so thats cool!!! :)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I know its old news...

I know its old news, but I still watched the whole thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyFeFhUTmI&feature=player_embedded#!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Outlook on life...

Oh, before I go to bed...

I read something really interesting, and its really...brilliant. Its the outlook on life I want, even if I don't always succeed.

"Live life like you're from the future and you came back in time. Every day is an extra day that you get, and you want to live it to the fullest."

I made up the words because its a concept, not a quote, so sorry that I'm not an English major. But you get the idea! Its hard to do exactly, because sometimes you just NEED to be lazy. But on the otherhand I realllly like the concept because it is something that occurs to be sometimes "oh man, if I could relive *this experience*, I could have done this!". Not to say that I have regrets, but hindsight is 20-20 and things that seemed so difficult or scary really weren't.

Anyhoo, yea, its nice to pretend that THIS is my second chance, that I'm doing things the "right way" this time.

That idea is the exact kind of thing to inspire me to clean my room and not live in filth. And I KNOW that we just had a weekend, but my current response to that is "I can do that on the weekend, when I have more time!". I never have time. I just need to do it.

Though I WANT to go home, I get to see Anna after her surgery and LAURA, a big part of me wants to stay. I wouldn't have to drive (which then I feel bad about because the red car gets ignored even longer). I would have time to work on my projects and essays that are coming up. I would be able to clean my room. I would be able to have more gayfests. This quarter is just so hectic leaving town just seems crazy. I could totally imagine not going home at all this quarter. And being ok with that.

BUT, on the other hand, theres LAURA! and ANNA!.

Haha, and then I have to go home the wknd after that TOOO, to housesit. :/ And thats the week before a presentation or too. Oy vey.

Ok, I should stop complaining about my stress to the interwebs and actually get to bed so I don't add more to my real life.

Loves!

But seriously, I feel bad about ignoring the red car. I feel like its similar to how I would feel if Max was up here. I love him and I love having him, but I don't feel like I can give him the care he deserves. *Sigh*

What day is it?

Hey there. Internet, how are you doing?

I had a very nice weekend. I was able to relax Friday, be productive Saturday, have fun Saturday night, and relax/be productive/have fun on Sunday.

Rachael and I went on chatroulette, just to experiment. It was interesting! We weren't completely mentally capable, if you know what I mean, so I don't remember everything. We weren't THAT incapable, but it just kind of blurs together. Its so hard to remember that random strangers on a little screen on the computer are real people. Its something thats hard yes, but I try really hard to do. I'm not sure if others out the world succeed as much. I kind of remember at one point when both Rachael and I were wearing masks and wigs, there were a few girls who asked us how we were, and we we responded/they got a chance to look at us, they were like, "EW, are you guys GAY?!" and ended our convo. I don't remember if thats exactly what they said, but I don't know what they were expecting. Did they think we were guys and thats why they were so sweet at first? Haha, so yea, it was interesting. I do think we had some good convos though. I think we talked with one guy about his beer for a few minutes. There weren't really any convos longer than that.

Sunday I watched Shelter, again. But this time it was with Sandy and Wesley, so at least it wasn't just me and youtube. Which sounds like I should be talking about xtube. But no seriously, its a great movie and I loved watching it again! With good quality video, too! I mean, I appreciate youtube being so kind and having it up there, but it is nice to watch the real version too. I'm so excited to share other gay movies I love with my friends!!! (And let them share with me!)

Anna, you'll love this: this morning I CHOSE to wake up at 6 am. I decided to save a little bit of my HW for morning, plus give myself PLENTY of time to shower, drink my coffee, and read the news. I love having time in the morning! Speaking of that, I have to get to bed after this post so I can wake up at 7am tomorrow morning. (Also 2 hours before I need to be in class).

Today we finally settled all of the Apex stuff, so we are good in terms of the roommate transfer! Which is good! I like getting that stuff settled. Its strangely stressful to think about. Probably the combination of responsibility plus spending money. The spending money the more stressful one. :)

Another stressful thing is the red car: I feel so bad, he's barely being driven! I drove him once a couple weeks ago to give him some exercise, but I just haven't had any time since! The real problem is that the parking lot is just so crowded, that if I go on a mini drive I'll lose my spot! I'll have to drive him a little around before I take him on the freeway, 0 - 60 probably isn't very nice... I seriously feel bad about this... :( I wish that it was summer so there were tons of spaces in the parking lot and no cars on the road (the time I am most consistently free at during the day just happens to be the time of highest traffic in bellingham, dinner time). Sigh.

Well this evening I went to a French movie thing that my teacher held. We watched The Orders, a film from Quebec. It was interesting! We couldn't get the subtitles to work however, and considering they have very strong accents, it was hard to understand the words they were saying. Though it was pretty easy to follow what was happening based on facial expressions and lots of scenes w/o words. When I decided to go I knew there wasn't going to be extra credit, but because there were only 5 of us, she jokingly said we'd get some. Don't know if we will for real or not....

Ugh I still feel bad about the red car. :(

The style of a blog, kind of following the stream of consciousness is reminding me of the book I'm reading. "La douleur" by Duras.

Damn I feel bad about the red car. I wish I was home at a time of day when there wasn't a packed parking lot. Its so tight, even if there was still a spot. UGH.

Oh, and I'm going home this weekend! Not sure what time though. I want to drive after dark because I like driving on the freeway when its just me and the road. I'm giving Lindsay a ride though and I'm not sure how she feels about late. (Like leaving at 8 or 9, arriving at 10ish.) If I do that I can't visit Anna in the hospital Friday night though. The problem is that if I leave any earlier it'll be the exact opposite, traffic. I can't leave before the traffic because of class.

Damn, I have a entretiens thursday. Can't forget about that!

Ok, now I really have to go get ready for bed and sleeeep. I gotta wake up in 7.5 hrs! (Not bad)

Ok, bye bye internet. Thanks for listening! And feel free to drive the red car because I seriously have no time to...

Heres another schedule thinking for stalking purposes...

Tuesday...
Class/work 9-5.
Study for a test 5-7.
French coffee table 7-8:30.
Shitload of HW, studying 8:30-11.

Wednesday...
Class/Work 8-3.
Prep Entretien 3-6
French Movie 6-8
Prep Entretien

Thursday...
Class/Work 11-3 (Rearranged the schedule!)
Entretien 3 (AHHHH)
HW, HW, HW (Study for Quiz.)
Chance to drive the red car?! (Prolly not, considering the parking lot is full in the evenings... :( )

Friday...
Class/Work 9-3.
Option a) Drive to Edmonds
Option b) Hang out, have fun, watch gay movies (!!), drive to Edmonds at night.

Good bye internet!!!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Bus ride...

How come the bus ride that I happen to sit next to the creepy guy who wants to talk to me, the bus breaks down?! He was talking about how he is going to change the world, open up his own business and be wealthy, go to community college for his associates, then go to UCLA or Harvard for his bachelors... The conversation wasn't horrible, but I definitely wouldn't have chosen to have it... He had a creepy smile and spoke quietly so I had to lean in some to hear him... There were a few other guys sitting near by who kinda smiled at some of the more awkward things he said... Like how he goes to church to meet girls. (Paraphrased...).

But seriously, I've never been on a bus that broke down. We were at BT and the door wouldn't shut!! We were there for at least 5 minutes, with her calling people, trying to turn the bus on and off, trying to just leave, and trying over and over and over to shut them. Eventually she kicked them and they shut!

Anyhoo, that was yesterday but the fact that I'm still...annoyed by it is saying something!!! :)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Nervous

I have my first presentation tomorrow. I haven't really felt nervous this week because we've been spreading out the workload all week long. However, now that its time to actually familiarize myself with my speech and go to bed, its hitting me. My presentation is in 12 hrs!

I'm really sleepy. I want to go to bed. I'm thinking about doing my reading for other classes really quick and getting ready for bed. I'll take my speech and lay in bed and practice enough times that I don't have to read it.

Hmm... something just occurred to me. I have a quiz tomorrow. I really do want to go to bed soon, take advantage of this wave of sleepiness. I'm sure it'll take me time to get to sleep, I shouldn't push it. Maybe instead of working from 10-12 tomorrow, I'll take those two hours off and do my reading and study for my quiz. I can go into work from 3-5. I obviously won't WANT to work then, but there will be bagels. That will make work better.

Ok, well thats my update. I do think this will go well. My part isn't too long, so I'm the one who prepped the quiz that we give to the kids and printed off the excerpt that we have to analyze. Oops! I have to cut the quizzes in half! (Two per page)

Man, theres a lot of stuff I forgot about! Thats what happens when I don't even get home til 7:30pm. My whole evening is just thrown off!!

Well now I definitely have to go! Adios!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

TMI doesn't exist in my world.

I love the feeling of an empty bladder!!!

I have to pee.

Hey there, ok so I finished my quebec, lit and chanson HW, so I'm taking a mini break.

Right now I'm listening to Beethoven and its very relaxing.

I have to pee. I could go potty, but I decided "I will start working again after I go potty...", so I'm holding it in for a bit.

I was talking to Michael (from HS) and realized how I really like having this much to do because when I have too much time I procrastinate, which is stressful. When I have a lot to do I organize, plan and don't let myself procrastinate (as much), making things easier.

I have a serious confession. I think I like waking up early. I've always liked being awake early - how much daylight there is, how much you can get done in the morning hours, etc. However, I've always hated waking up early. Biologically speaking, I am a night person. I have overslept, never to a point where I'm screwed, but to the point where I can't make my coffee in addition to everything else I need to do. But I don't WANT to sleep in. I don't want to stay in bed. I love being able to wake up early, having a nice shower, make my coffee and drink it leisurely while going online. I mean, its good that I like this because it is life to me now (I have to wake up between 6:30-8am, depending on the day of the week). I'd be screwed if it was a battle every morning. I feel weird, being the only energetic one on the bus and in class. Coffee works for me, I guess!!

On that note: coffee. I am clearly a coffee drinker now. I get headaches if I don't have it. :( Though not bad ones, and not always. I don't drink coffee everyday, just most the time... On Thursdays I get to sleep in til at least 8, sometimes even 9(!). I don't need coffee. Plus I'm at work all day theres always the option to have coffee there, so theres no need to make it in the morning. And when I'm at work, I normally decide not to bother making it. I tried decaf for the first time last weekend. I think that is a sign that coffee is not only a drug, its also a treat. I had it just for the flavor. So weird! I still remember so easily not liking coffee, thinking it was disgusting. I can't remember what it used to taste like to me, but I remember the feeling. I even tried a few sips of just straight black coffee -- it wasn't something I would choose to drink yet, but it wasn't bad. I like my sugar, but I didn't cringe at the taste of straight black coffee.

I really really have to pee now, but now am delaying. I think until 9. At 9, I have to work.

I have a presentation this Friday and a group meeting tomorrow. We decided we would have our speeches ready for tomorrow, and our exact information for the powerpoint. I don't want to prepare either. Its the HW I'm putting off for last!

Its student appreciation week at work, and they're bringing in tons of desserts all week long. Doesn't work so well with the whole "trying to eat less bad food" thing.

I've noticed a new sleeping pattern. I have a range that isn't good sleeping. If I sleep less than say, 7 hours, I'm fine. If I sleep more than maybe 10, I'm fine. In between, I'm fine once I wake up, but its really hard to get up. (And I oversleep). I never noticed this before because I used to get little sleep during the week, and lots on the weekends. Now that I'm trying to go to bed early, I realize I'm weird! I went to bed last night around 9:30 because I was sleepy and figured it was a good idea. I woke up at 4, very awake, but let myself go back to bed (which luckily I'm always able to do). When I woke up at 7, I was more sleepy. Last time I went to bed at that time, I had the same thing happen!! Very annoying. :)

Anyway, its time to get back to HW and more importantly, PEE.

Like my "little" update?

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Just a little update...

I don't have too much time for a long update..which is kind of the story as to why this blog is getting updated less often.

The quarter is still extremely busy, but its manageable. The course-load hasn't changed, but my mentality has. It takes a lot of organization, an effort to minimize procrastination and the acceptance that I will just have less free-time to do what I want.

Normally on weekends I like to be as lazy as possible. Sometimes friends come over, sometimes I hang out with my roommate, sometimes I just nap and play games and watch TV shows. Either way, I rarely leave the apartment. The sun coming out corresponds well with my need to not just stay in my apartment. For instance, yesterday I had a group project meeting on campus. I decided to walk instead of take the bus. It was a wonderful decision. It was like it was a break and something fun to do outside, plus it was productive. On the way back I walked with one of the group members who is also a friend, so I got socialization in as well. That plus the necessary grocery shopping, it turned into a very productive Saturday afternoon.

Its 6pm and I've already done my Quebec HW, my Lit HW and my political-song class HW. All I have left is reading for Psych and Sociolinguistics, and preparing my portion of a group project for my first presentation on Friday.

I wanted to take a break and either go on a walk with Lindsay or go play frisbee with Sandy, but both said no. I think my desire to go outside is stronger than others. :) I mean, they were doing HW, and if I went and played outside I would have to do HW later into the night, so its actually good to not go out and play. But still sad. :)

Ok, so here is what my week looks like as far as I can tell:

Monday:
Class/work -- 8am - 3pm
Group meeting -- 3pm - ?
HW/Dinner

Tuesday:
Class/work -- 9am-5pm
HW/Dinner
French Coffee Table (what I call it - talk French for fun w/ Friends) 7pm -
HW

Wednesday:
Class/work -- 8-3pm
Group meeting -- 3pm - 5ish
Tutoring 5-8ish
HW as necessary (if too much for Friday)
FREE?

Thursday:
Work -- 9am - 5pm
French Guest speaker 3pm
HW/Dinner (Presentation prep?) -- 5pm -

Friday:
Class/work/presentation - 8am - 3pm
FREEEEEEEEEEE

Telling you guys my schedule for the week goes with the "organization" thing I was referring to earlier. Its really just for me. :)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Busy Quarter

This will be a busy quarter.

Just for tomorrow, I have to read 6 pages/answer 18 questions, read a poem/answer 6 questions, read 9 pages, read a song/find vocab and read 23 pages (the only english one).

That might not sound horrible, but it will be SO easy to forget homework. Plus its only the first week! This isn't a good sign of whats to come...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Food Poisoning

Guess what...

I got food poisoning!

PS. Definitely consider this post to be TMI: it contains reference to DIARRHEA.

Yesterday I started to feel sick, with all the nice stomach cramps, fever (up to 101.3!), diarrhea, achiness, etc. I couldn't figure out why, no one I'd seen over break was sick. Who could I have gotten this from?! But once I woke up with a temp of a mere 100, and it was gone by midday, I started to think maybe it wasn't a normal sickness.

I had the proper order of symptoms (diarrhea couple hours after eating, fever couple hours after that), length of symptoms (resolved in 24-48 hrs) and the proper cause of the symptoms. I ate potatoes au gratin mere hours before getting sick. Potatoes au gratin that sat in the car for the whole ride up to bellingham. Potatoes au gratin, made with milk and cheese. Yes, seems logical to me, non?

I'm still not 100 percent - nasty headache. Plus I didn't make this realization until I was about 4 bites into the potatoes au gratin again tonight (which surprisingly didn't taste too off, BUT doubt that I'll want them again soon...). That means I got a mild repeat of the symptoms. On the proper timeline I got diarrhea again, so heres to hoping that I dont get a fever again tonight!!

But at least its not a virus so I'm not contagious. Plus, now I can say that I've had food poisoning!!

And don't let my positive attitude fool you, last night was awful. I want legit status as having had food poisoning, no one out there thinking I had a baby version!

Now I should prolly go to bed, seeing as I have an 8 am class tomorrow! :/

Living Arrangements Next Year

I've been so torn about what to do apartment wise next year. Rachael and I have already decided that we want to live together, so that part was easy. The hard part: where to live!

I love my apartment, but its not in downtown (and therefore farther from night life), the parking isn't the best, the price isn't the cheapest and the size not the largest.

However, the size is "cozy" as Rachael put it. The price is the new average, I'm sure, seeing as prices everywhere are rising! The parking isn't the best, but at least there is a guaranteed spot, until many apartments in downtown! And even though its not in downtown, there are always friends houses to crash at, DDs and shuttles, long walks if need be. We would get by. Plus, downtown is more sketchy, and driving sucks anyway.

Another plus: NO MOVING! I get to keep all my heavy furniture right where it is! And no strangers will be looking at our apartment on tours, which just feels like an invasion of privacy.

So its official, Rachael and I decided to stay in this apartment next year. Tomorrow Rachael, Sandy and I are going to go sign all the necessary forms. (They're due Friday...hence the decision finally being made!)

One worry checked off the list! Next: major application, register for fall, get the nanny job verified....Oy vey!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Travel

I am going to Volunteer in Africa for 4 weeks in an orphanage.

I am still making the plans, but it will be Laura and I going together in either 2011 or 2012.

Oh, we are also going to visit Anna in China, but that will be a separate trip.

Haha I know this sounds random, especially without specifics. But I thought I'd keep you, the internet, updated. :) Here is my "plan":

Finish Western. Live in Bellingham, Work, make some money. Volunteer in Africa. Live in Edmonds, work 2 jobs, make money. Visit Anna. Continue to work in Edmonds working 2 jobs. Travel. Work. Travel. Work. Get Early Education Degree. Possibly get TESL. Work. Travel. Get a job that maybe doesn't like it when you leave for months at a time. Become an adult. Become boring.