Here is a photo of the last time I was ever at the Rose Bowl and a UCLA game in person. We won that year. In fact, we won every year I was in college. And what happens the year I graduate? WE LOST. WTF? Anyway. Here's to happy memories:
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Bartner is a Michigan alumnus.
Apparently, he got his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Michigan. Gasp. Sigh. MARCH!
Here is a photo of the last time I was ever at the Rose Bowl and a UCLA game in person. We won that year. In fact, we won every year I was in college. And what happens the year I graduate? WE LOST. WTF? Anyway. Here's to happy memories:
Here is a photo of the last time I was ever at the Rose Bowl and a UCLA game in person. We won that year. In fact, we won every year I was in college. And what happens the year I graduate? WE LOST. WTF? Anyway. Here's to happy memories:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I hope Santa and brought you many good things and happy wishes and thoughts. I am writing to report that I have just finished what, I believe, is the fastest packing in my life. I don't know when I started, but I am pretty much done, except for computer and toiletries, which consist of toothbrush and floss in a Ziploc bag, which is already in the bathroom. It is MERELY 2:35 a.m. on the morning of takeoff. Usually, I'm still stuffing items, trying to make everything fit an hour before we leave the house.
My luggage is blissfully empty of stuff because I basically used it to lug my books home. I used my carry-on luggage to put all my clothes in, but I am going to check it at the counter. I bought all of Wal-Mart's Veet (not the ones that come with the weird spray thing) cold waxes because only Wal-Mart sells it, I've found. There places might, too, but Wal-Mart is the constant right now. I am bringing my Chucks and my black purse with lavender ribbon that I got in London. Some Chinese condiments from our pantry and random things. But that's it. :)
I get to celebrate New Year's Eve in Boston in my PJs with the TV and multi-network/-channel coverage. Then, I get to spend New Year's watching the Rose Bowl either from the comfort of my couch with a bowl of salsa and guacomole (homemade, of course) and chips and in my PJs or at Game On, where the USC alumni club in Boston holds its game-watchings. SUPER exciting.
FIGHT ON! And Happy New Years! :)
My luggage is blissfully empty of stuff because I basically used it to lug my books home. I used my carry-on luggage to put all my clothes in, but I am going to check it at the counter. I bought all of Wal-Mart's Veet (not the ones that come with the weird spray thing) cold waxes because only Wal-Mart sells it, I've found. There places might, too, but Wal-Mart is the constant right now. I am bringing my Chucks and my black purse with lavender ribbon that I got in London. Some Chinese condiments from our pantry and random things. But that's it. :)
I get to celebrate New Year's Eve in Boston in my PJs with the TV and multi-network/-channel coverage. Then, I get to spend New Year's watching the Rose Bowl either from the comfort of my couch with a bowl of salsa and guacomole (homemade, of course) and chips and in my PJs or at Game On, where the USC alumni club in Boston holds its game-watchings. SUPER exciting.
FIGHT ON! And Happy New Years! :)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
New York photos
** part of an origami-filled Christmas tree at the Natural Science Museum :)
** at Times Square. :)
** It's Saturn! At the Hayden Planetarium at the Natural Science Museum
** the Apple Store
** Planet Earth ... looks like it's in space, huh? :)the 200th
I went to New York last weekend ... On the way back, the bus's engine stalled, and we had to wait for a replacement bus to drive from New York ... to Conneticut. It took about an hour and a half. We got back to Boston REALLY late.
I am headed to The Miami Herald this summer for a copy-editing internship! :) I'm REALLY excited, especially because this is the first internship that I passed the test for and got an offer. It elevated my self-esteem a lot. Like, a lot. So, again, super-excited. I also got an offer from the Merc in San Jose, but logistically, Miami works about better ... and it's also a better paper. What worries me is that I don't know Spanish, and I wonder how that might affect me on the copy desk. Anyway. Coincidently, both the ACES conference and the AAJA conference this year are held in Miami (April and August, respectively), so no worries for transportation! Christina got an offer from the Palm Beach Post, but she's still mulling over it. COME TO FLORIDA, CHRISTINA! We can hang out!
I'm leaving for the airport in two hours to fly home for Christmas. My suitcase is full of books. No kidding .... if I hadn't had to bring home almost all my books, I can just do with two carry-ons and an empty suitcase, but as it stands now, I am going home with two carry-ons and a half-full suitcase because it's filled with books. I mean, two semester of books that includes one history class that required a book a week. You do the math.
I'm posting New York pictures soon. :)
I am headed to The Miami Herald this summer for a copy-editing internship! :) I'm REALLY excited, especially because this is the first internship that I passed the test for and got an offer. It elevated my self-esteem a lot. Like, a lot. So, again, super-excited. I also got an offer from the Merc in San Jose, but logistically, Miami works about better ... and it's also a better paper. What worries me is that I don't know Spanish, and I wonder how that might affect me on the copy desk. Anyway. Coincidently, both the ACES conference and the AAJA conference this year are held in Miami (April and August, respectively), so no worries for transportation! Christina got an offer from the Palm Beach Post, but she's still mulling over it. COME TO FLORIDA, CHRISTINA! We can hang out!
I'm leaving for the airport in two hours to fly home for Christmas. My suitcase is full of books. No kidding .... if I hadn't had to bring home almost all my books, I can just do with two carry-ons and an empty suitcase, but as it stands now, I am going home with two carry-ons and a half-full suitcase because it's filled with books. I mean, two semester of books that includes one history class that required a book a week. You do the math.
I'm posting New York pictures soon. :)
Sunday, December 10, 2006
the top 25
Copying James (and apparently Sara and J. Christina), I'm listing my iPod's top 25. Don't judge me.
1. Holiday (Green Day) -- only because I listened to it on loop during the entire flight from D.C. to London
2. Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day) -- I listened to this during my first month and a half in London
3. A Postcard to Henry Purcell (from "Pride and Prejudice") -- I listened to this for about a month in London
4. Out of Reach (from "Bridget Jones's Diary") -- again, London
5. Other Side of the World (K.T. Tunstall)
6. Cheers Darlin' (Damien Rice) -- again, listened to it in London
7. Mamma Mia (from "Mamma Mia!") -- bought in London after hearing it live in Budapest
8. All By Myself (from "Bridget Jones's Diary") -- sang to myself in my single room in London. sad, I know.
9. City of Blinding Lights (U2, from "Devil Wears Prada") -- the instrumentals are awesome
10. Miss Misery (Elliot Smith, from "Good Will Hunting") -- such a good much with such good songs
11. Hang On Little Tomato (Pink Martini) -- thanks, Steven!
12. Because of You (Kelly Clarkson) -- the only "American Idol" winner worth listening to
13. Somebody Told Me (The Killers) -- London
14. Boston (Augustana) -- my life right now
15. She (from "Notting Hill") -- listened to a bit in London
16. You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban) -- a great belt-it-out-in-your-room music
17. Moon River (Henry Mancini, from "Breakfast at Tiffany's") -- lovely, but I didn't like the movie, though
18. Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson)
19. Mamma Mia [Bonus] (from "Mamma Mia")
20. Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake) -- good song
21. Come What May (from "Moulin Rouge") -- again, a great singing song
22. City of Blinding Lights (U2, from "Devil Wears Prada") -- this one might be the one on my C drive
23. The Kids Aren't Alright (The Offspring) -- took me YEARS to figure out that this was the song that the USC marching band was playing all this time
24. Mr. Brightside (The Killers) -- again, London.
25. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) -- London, great singing song
So I listened to a lot of the songs in London ... walking, o the Tube, getting ready in the morning ... so a lot of the songs on the list reminds me of London. :)
1. Holiday (Green Day) -- only because I listened to it on loop during the entire flight from D.C. to London
2. Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day) -- I listened to this during my first month and a half in London
3. A Postcard to Henry Purcell (from "Pride and Prejudice") -- I listened to this for about a month in London
4. Out of Reach (from "Bridget Jones's Diary") -- again, London
5. Other Side of the World (K.T. Tunstall)
6. Cheers Darlin' (Damien Rice) -- again, listened to it in London
7. Mamma Mia (from "Mamma Mia!") -- bought in London after hearing it live in Budapest
8. All By Myself (from "Bridget Jones's Diary") -- sang to myself in my single room in London. sad, I know.
9. City of Blinding Lights (U2, from "Devil Wears Prada") -- the instrumentals are awesome
10. Miss Misery (Elliot Smith, from "Good Will Hunting") -- such a good much with such good songs
11. Hang On Little Tomato (Pink Martini) -- thanks, Steven!
12. Because of You (Kelly Clarkson) -- the only "American Idol" winner worth listening to
13. Somebody Told Me (The Killers) -- London
14. Boston (Augustana) -- my life right now
15. She (from "Notting Hill") -- listened to a bit in London
16. You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban) -- a great belt-it-out-in-your-room music
17. Moon River (Henry Mancini, from "Breakfast at Tiffany's") -- lovely, but I didn't like the movie, though
18. Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson)
19. Mamma Mia [Bonus] (from "Mamma Mia")
20. Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake) -- good song
21. Come What May (from "Moulin Rouge") -- again, a great singing song
22. City of Blinding Lights (U2, from "Devil Wears Prada") -- this one might be the one on my C drive
23. The Kids Aren't Alright (The Offspring) -- took me YEARS to figure out that this was the song that the USC marching band was playing all this time
24. Mr. Brightside (The Killers) -- again, London.
25. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) -- London, great singing song
So I listened to a lot of the songs in London ... walking, o the Tube, getting ready in the morning ... so a lot of the songs on the list reminds me of London. :)
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Christmas song and holiday cheer!
I have a love affair with Christmas songs. They make me happy. :) I like singing them even if it's not Christmas. "Silent Night" is the best. And "Christmas Song." And "I'll Be Home for Christmas." All-time favorites, all. Which makes it even MORE exciting that I have tickets to go see the Boston Pops HOLIDAY AT POPS concert on the 18th! :D It's so exciting. You have no idea. I grew up with this concert; I've watched it since I was in school and dreamed that one day I would get to see it in person. And now I am! I love Boston. :)
Boston is getting a little too cold for my comfort. It snowed on Monday. It didn't stick, though, but it accumulated a good inch on the ground for the most of the day. It flurried again on Friday, but not too much. Sorry about the lack of complex sentence structure; my brain is basically fried from writing papers and taking copy tests. Anyway, back to the weather. It's now consistently dipped below freezing, and the wind chill makes the temperature in the teens. Last night, when I checked online, it was 5 degrees out. It was so cold, my face almost froze. Brrrrr.
I am going shopping for a warm, winter hat today. And warmer shoes. And socks (I think). Definitely hats and shoes. It's really cold. I am considering getting a woolen face mask. It's cold. Brrrrrrr.
I've been purusing (perusing?) the L.L. Bean online catalog and put their large tote with zipper in my bag. I carry way too much crap in my messenger bag, and it's not working out.
Sorry about neglecting the blog. It's been a hectic few weeks, what with reading a massive load of history books, writing and stuff ... I'm basically done on Monday, so that's when I will rejoin civilization.
Just a quick note that I've been following the James Kim saga, along with the rest of the nation and world and found it depressing and sad, to say the least. I can't imagine going through what he went through and his motivation to find rescuers for his family. Part of the reason why my paper for my bilingualism class was late was because I kept reading news reports upon news reports of his death and his family's ordeal and it was saddens me even more.
On that note, I'm going to go wash some dishes and shower and head out for a terrific (and cold) winter shopping experience. With my maxed-out credit card. :)
Boston is getting a little too cold for my comfort. It snowed on Monday. It didn't stick, though, but it accumulated a good inch on the ground for the most of the day. It flurried again on Friday, but not too much. Sorry about the lack of complex sentence structure; my brain is basically fried from writing papers and taking copy tests. Anyway, back to the weather. It's now consistently dipped below freezing, and the wind chill makes the temperature in the teens. Last night, when I checked online, it was 5 degrees out. It was so cold, my face almost froze. Brrrrr.
I am going shopping for a warm, winter hat today. And warmer shoes. And socks (I think). Definitely hats and shoes. It's really cold. I am considering getting a woolen face mask. It's cold. Brrrrrrr.
I've been purusing (perusing?) the L.L. Bean online catalog and put their large tote with zipper in my bag. I carry way too much crap in my messenger bag, and it's not working out.
Sorry about neglecting the blog. It's been a hectic few weeks, what with reading a massive load of history books, writing and stuff ... I'm basically done on Monday, so that's when I will rejoin civilization.
Just a quick note that I've been following the James Kim saga, along with the rest of the nation and world and found it depressing and sad, to say the least. I can't imagine going through what he went through and his motivation to find rescuers for his family. Part of the reason why my paper for my bilingualism class was late was because I kept reading news reports upon news reports of his death and his family's ordeal and it was saddens me even more.
On that note, I'm going to go wash some dishes and shower and head out for a terrific (and cold) winter shopping experience. With my maxed-out credit card. :)
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Thanksgiving break!
Oh, man. Thanksgiving break has officially begun for me. I just e-mailed in my paper on Charleston, and now I am eating dinner in peace and no stress for the first time in about two weeks. It's going to be glorious. James is going to be in Boston for the weekend!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
the Thanksgiving crunch
The last paper I have to write before Thanksgiving break is giving me the fits. It's about Charleston, S.C., and how it fits the characteristics of a typical Atlantic city, unlike Boston. It's for my history colloquium, and it's crazy hard. A lot of reading to go over. The structure should be pretty straightforward, but there are a TON of reading to go through. Ugh.
The paper is due the same day as a dress-up day at the school, so it's going to be a double-whammy Tuesday. I bought a suit for the occasion on Tuesday. Should be exciting. My very first suit. :)
The paper is due the same day as a dress-up day at the school, so it's going to be a double-whammy Tuesday. I bought a suit for the occasion on Tuesday. Should be exciting. My very first suit. :)
Thursday, November 16, 2006
sick, sick, sickity sick
I've been sick for seven days now, but the end seems near.
It all started last Thursday, when I got a flu shot. Me, healthy, adult. Flu shot. Apparently, getting my first flu shot equates to getting my very first flu. I worked on Friday, and everything was fine. My arm was a bit sore, but it was OK. On Friday afternoon, I got this horrendous sore throat. Stuffy nose followed. I got a bit better on Saturday, meaning that the sore throat was gone, but the stuffy nose was there, and the sneezing started. On Sunday, I called in sick to work because it just wasn't happening. Plus, getting 27 kids sick -- not so good. On Sunday, I started on decongestants. It worked ... and then I ran out of medicine. On Monday, I developed a slight fever, and I got more medicine (generic DayQuil). New symptom: Because my nose was stuffed up, I was having a hard time breathing. It rained on Monday. I called in sick. Fever is no good, either. Tuesday afternoon, a miracle happened. The nose decongested, and all is almost well. I returned to work Wednesday in time for the field trip to Discovery Museum, but I still had runny nose. TODAY, oh, TODAY. I almost lost my voice. I croaked my way through school. My students kept asking, "are you sick?" Yup, I am! I'm still sick from the two days I wasn't here. It was a little helpful, though. I told the kids that it hurts to speak loudly (very true), so they will have to be quiet. Anyway, I think I've regained my voice, but the yellow phlegm started today, so that's fun.
Just as a side note: While I was sick, I wrote one six-page paper (should be eight ... ), one four-page paper and read 366 pages of slave history. I got about a total of six hours from Friday until Monday afternoon. Thanksgiving crunch sucks.
It all started last Thursday, when I got a flu shot. Me, healthy, adult. Flu shot. Apparently, getting my first flu shot equates to getting my very first flu. I worked on Friday, and everything was fine. My arm was a bit sore, but it was OK. On Friday afternoon, I got this horrendous sore throat. Stuffy nose followed. I got a bit better on Saturday, meaning that the sore throat was gone, but the stuffy nose was there, and the sneezing started. On Sunday, I called in sick to work because it just wasn't happening. Plus, getting 27 kids sick -- not so good. On Sunday, I started on decongestants. It worked ... and then I ran out of medicine. On Monday, I developed a slight fever, and I got more medicine (generic DayQuil). New symptom: Because my nose was stuffed up, I was having a hard time breathing. It rained on Monday. I called in sick. Fever is no good, either. Tuesday afternoon, a miracle happened. The nose decongested, and all is almost well. I returned to work Wednesday in time for the field trip to Discovery Museum, but I still had runny nose. TODAY, oh, TODAY. I almost lost my voice. I croaked my way through school. My students kept asking, "are you sick?" Yup, I am! I'm still sick from the two days I wasn't here. It was a little helpful, though. I told the kids that it hurts to speak loudly (very true), so they will have to be quiet. Anyway, I think I've regained my voice, but the yellow phlegm started today, so that's fun.
Just as a side note: While I was sick, I wrote one six-page paper (should be eight ... ), one four-page paper and read 366 pages of slave history. I got about a total of six hours from Friday until Monday afternoon. Thanksgiving crunch sucks.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
whoa, BCS
OK, keeping in mind that I know enough about the BCS to talk about it but not to REALLY understand it, here is what I THINK is going on.
* Louisville lost to Rutgers on Thursday, so Louisville is going to get bumped down below USC.
* Arizona beat California, so California is going down the standings ... bad for us because we play them next week.
* Georgia beat Auburn, so Auburn is dropping from No. 6 ... good for us because we're 7th
* Florida had a REALLY close game (down to the last few seconds with a blocked field goal!) with South Carolina, so I'm hoping they just stay put
* K-State just upset Texas, so Texas is going to drop from No. 4 in the BCS.
So that leaves Nos. 3 (Louisville), 5 (Texas) and 6 (Auburn) potentially open, so HOPEFULLY is we win tonight over the Ducks, we can leap over Florida and take No. 3 or stay behind Florida and take No. 4.
Again, rankings, not my thing. But, oh, the drama! :)
Fight on!
* Louisville lost to Rutgers on Thursday, so Louisville is going to get bumped down below USC.
* Arizona beat California, so California is going down the standings ... bad for us because we play them next week.
* Georgia beat Auburn, so Auburn is dropping from No. 6 ... good for us because we're 7th
* Florida had a REALLY close game (down to the last few seconds with a blocked field goal!) with South Carolina, so I'm hoping they just stay put
* K-State just upset Texas, so Texas is going to drop from No. 4 in the BCS.
So that leaves Nos. 3 (Louisville), 5 (Texas) and 6 (Auburn) potentially open, so HOPEFULLY is we win tonight over the Ducks, we can leap over Florida and take No. 3 or stay behind Florida and take No. 4.
Again, rankings, not my thing. But, oh, the drama! :)
Fight on!
Friday, November 10, 2006
blogger is having issues
I think Blogger is having problems with its e-mail-posting system because the last two times I tried to post via e-mail, the entries didn't show up. Just now, when I tried to e-mail a post in, my "Still here" entry from Monday jumped to the top. WTF? So confused. It's never happened before.
Anyway, this is what I wrote from my e-mail that Blogger is not posting, apparently:
I am taking a class on how to teach bilingual students and another class on Lincoln's speeches. woohoo! :)
I also bought my first Christmas present on Wednesday on Amazon. They're already showing Christmas commercials on TV. And it's not even Thanksgiving! I feel I should preemp everyone by buying a Christmas tree on Labor Day. That'll show 'em!
Anyway, this is what I wrote from my e-mail that Blogger is not posting, apparently:
I am taking a class on how to teach bilingual students and another class on Lincoln's speeches. woohoo! :)
I also bought my first Christmas present on Wednesday on Amazon. They're already showing Christmas commercials on TV. And it's not even Thanksgiving! I feel I should preemp everyone by buying a Christmas tree on Labor Day. That'll show 'em!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
my apartment is really hot
and I am sweating. I just opened my window in hopes that the cold outdoors would slowly filter in.
I am supposed to be writing a short summary of my hugely huge paper-presentation, but I am dawdling instead.
Recently, I've been feeling a bit blue about teachers. Not the teaching profession, mind you, but the people who educate and disseminate information to kids. How do you respond when a teacher tells you on Friday that she didn't know the voting age was lowered to 18 in a Consititutional amendment? What do you respond when teachers mispronounce simple words such as drawing (draw-ring) and frustrated (fuh-strated)? I am at a loss and feel so alone. :(
Now that I'm depressed, I'm going to go researching stuff about literacy in the second language. Should be loads of fun.
I am supposed to be writing a short summary of my hugely huge paper-presentation, but I am dawdling instead.
Recently, I've been feeling a bit blue about teachers. Not the teaching profession, mind you, but the people who educate and disseminate information to kids. How do you respond when a teacher tells you on Friday that she didn't know the voting age was lowered to 18 in a Consititutional amendment? What do you respond when teachers mispronounce simple words such as drawing (draw-ring) and frustrated (fuh-strated)? I am at a loss and feel so alone. :(
Now that I'm depressed, I'm going to go researching stuff about literacy in the second language. Should be loads of fun.
Monday, November 06, 2006
I wrote this through e-mail earlier, but .... anyway, the point is, I'm still alive ... which is always a good thing.
Howdy guys. I'm still here. I think I have narcolepsy. It's a little frustrating that I can't stay awake. I think something's wrong with me. Other than the allergies, the chronic cough (what? you didn't know? ask someone and catch up!), the flat feet and other foot ailments, the scoliosis, the vision problems and the brain malfunctions around paper time ..... I think I have narcolepsy.
I bought two little notebooks at Target the other day, and I wrote down my paper-writing schedule for the next two weeks ... basically, through Thanksgiving. All I need to do is to get through Thanksgiving. Because that is when my history-from-hell colloquium's load REALLY lessens. The big paper is due on Nov. 21. After that, I have one more paper for one of my ED classes and a paper-presentation for another ED class.
I register for classes on Thursday. It's a sorta scary proposition as I don't know what I will be taking like I usually do.
Also, it's getting REALLY cold here. And I hear from other people that it's only going to get colder. Brrrrr. There isn't even SNOW yet. Officially scared. Shiver.
I bought two little notebooks at Target the other day, and I wrote down my paper-writing schedule for the next two weeks ... basically, through Thanksgiving. All I need to do is to get through Thanksgiving. Because that is when my history-from-hell colloquium's load REALLY lessens. The big paper is due on Nov. 21. After that, I have one more paper for one of my ED classes and a paper-presentation for another ED class.
I register for classes on Thursday. It's a sorta scary proposition as I don't know what I will be taking like I usually do.
Also, it's getting REALLY cold here. And I hear from other people that it's only going to get colder. Brrrrr. There isn't even SNOW yet. Officially scared. Shiver.
Still here.
Howdy guys. I'm still here. I think I have narcolepsy. It's a little frustrating that I can't stay awake. I think something's wrong with me. Other than the allergies, the chronic cough (what? you didn't know? ask someone and catch up!), the flat feet and other foot ailments, the scoliosis, the vision problems and the brain malfunctions around paper time ..... I think I have narcolepsy.
I bought two little notebooks at Target the other day, and I wrote down my paper-writing schedule for the next two weeks ... basically, through Thanksgiving. All I need to do is to get through Thanksgiving. Because that is when my history-from-hell colloquium's load REALLY lessens. The big paper is due on Nov. 21. After that, I have one more paper for one of my ED classes and a paper-presentation for another ED class.
I register for classes on Thursday. It's a sorta scary proposition as I don't know what I will be taking like I usually do.
Also, it's getting REALLY cold here. And I hear from other people that it's only going to get colder. Brrrrr. There isn't even SNOW yet. Officially scared. Shiver.
I bought two little notebooks at Target the other day, and I wrote down my paper-writing schedule for the next two weeks ... basically, through Thanksgiving. All I need to do is to get through Thanksgiving. Because that is when my history-from-hell colloquium's load REALLY lessens. The big paper is due on Nov. 21. After that, I have one more paper for one of my ED classes and a paper-presentation for another ED class.
I register for classes on Thursday. It's a sorta scary proposition as I don't know what I will be taking like I usually do.
Also, it's getting REALLY cold here. And I hear from other people that it's only going to get colder. Brrrrr. There isn't even SNOW yet. Officially scared. Shiver.
Monday, October 30, 2006
papers. woohoo.
Still here. I wrote a paper about the effect of parent involvement in
student achievement. And tonight I am writing about women pirates,
whaling and the gender and racial issues involved in those. woohoo.
Thanksgiving is coming up. It's very exciting.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
quitting
I called today and quit my part-time job. No more. It's a bit of built-up frustration and a bit of overwhelming amount of work and commitments. But it's time. Funny, though. The last job I quit was in high school, in it was also after about three months. After I hung up the phone with the store manager, I felt a weird sense of disappointment, sadness and relief. I like the relief. I'm not sure if the other two are good signs. Either way, my life is gaining more stability now, and that's good. It needs that.
I'm sorry that I haven't been writing as much the last month. I was overwhelmed and confused and frustrated. I'll try to do better. It's because of my lack of organization and the lack of stability that I had to ask for an extension on my first paper for one of my education classes. It's not a good feeling. I haven't had to ask for an extension since .... first semester junior year? But the thing that bothered me about the extension is not that I asked for one, it's that I had to ask for one because I didn't even know there was a paper due. Sure, I'm aware that one is due at some point because the professor handed out topic suggestions, but I had no idea it was TOMORROW.
So that's bad. I need to get my life in order.
On the other hand, I taught third graders adverbs Wednesday. As predicted my me and my lead teacher, there were about 10 kids who got it. The rest just kinda looked at me like I was insane. No biggie, kids. I didn't get it until high school. You got awhile to pick it up. I thought the lesson went well, though, and I got mostly positive feedback from the lead teacher. Her main concern is that I wasn't using positive strategies to curb behavior and lack of attention. I thought that the group work was more chaotic than I planned for, and I planned for a lot of chaos, but the lead teacher said it was fine. I guess third graders aren't quite used to having to work in groups for classwork yet. The lead teacher did say that my thinking the night before to assign tasks (writer, speaker, corrector) in the groups would've made it less chaotic. I think the keywords in third grade are "specific instructions."
Overall, a crappy week.
I'm sorry that I haven't been writing as much the last month. I was overwhelmed and confused and frustrated. I'll try to do better. It's because of my lack of organization and the lack of stability that I had to ask for an extension on my first paper for one of my education classes. It's not a good feeling. I haven't had to ask for an extension since .... first semester junior year? But the thing that bothered me about the extension is not that I asked for one, it's that I had to ask for one because I didn't even know there was a paper due. Sure, I'm aware that one is due at some point because the professor handed out topic suggestions, but I had no idea it was TOMORROW.
So that's bad. I need to get my life in order.
On the other hand, I taught third graders adverbs Wednesday. As predicted my me and my lead teacher, there were about 10 kids who got it. The rest just kinda looked at me like I was insane. No biggie, kids. I didn't get it until high school. You got awhile to pick it up. I thought the lesson went well, though, and I got mostly positive feedback from the lead teacher. Her main concern is that I wasn't using positive strategies to curb behavior and lack of attention. I thought that the group work was more chaotic than I planned for, and I planned for a lot of chaos, but the lead teacher said it was fine. I guess third graders aren't quite used to having to work in groups for classwork yet. The lead teacher did say that my thinking the night before to assign tasks (writer, speaker, corrector) in the groups would've made it less chaotic. I think the keywords in third grade are "specific instructions."
Overall, a crappy week.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
ALIVE! ... but very cold
I'm alive! Well, after my ridiculous allergy bout with beechwood .... but that's something I'll have to tell y'all later. Right now, I'm starving and in need of substenance (did I spell that right?). And change so I can go to work. And stuff. School is going well. One of the kids got his first secret admirer notes a couple of weeks ago. It caused much drama. :) Classes are going OK. This week in my really hard history colloquium, we're reading the professor's book. I hate it when profs do that. And wouldn't you know it -- there are no used copies of the book on sale at the bookstore .... when there are MANY STILL available for the other 10 (or 15 ... something like that) books that we had to read. But I'm done griping.
Again. I'm alive. And breathing. And I bought a warm jacket to tide me through the fall ... snow'll have to wait. It's REALLY, REALLY cold in this city. It's OCTOBER. Argh.
Again. I'm alive. And breathing. And I bought a warm jacket to tide me through the fall ... snow'll have to wait. It's REALLY, REALLY cold in this city. It's OCTOBER. Argh.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
I swear, I really CAN take care of myself!
I have another fun Mass. General story to tell. Oh, the fun that awaits you! :)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
what have I done?
I have so much reading to do, it's a little hard to comprehend. My goal this semester is not to procrastinate and actually do work in a timely manner, like Mrs. Chapman (MOMC) used to admonish us in high school.
The internship is going pretty well, I think. The kids are cute, and you can already tell which ones are going to be obnoxious when they grow up and which ones are going to be the preppy ones. It's amazing to me. They're in the third grade! For their morning work, they had to do a couple of math problems and correct some sentences, and last Friday's had a question that they had to write an "addition fact" with the answer 6. This kid wrote down -6 + 12. I asked him later how he knew it added to 6, and he said he just knew. Wow. He isn't very good at speaking and reading, but it just amazed me.
Anyway, I'm going to some reading for class tomorrow.
The internship is going pretty well, I think. The kids are cute, and you can already tell which ones are going to be obnoxious when they grow up and which ones are going to be the preppy ones. It's amazing to me. They're in the third grade! For their morning work, they had to do a couple of math problems and correct some sentences, and last Friday's had a question that they had to write an "addition fact" with the answer 6. This kid wrote down -6 + 12. I asked him later how he knew it added to 6, and he said he just knew. Wow. He isn't very good at speaking and reading, but it just amazed me.
Anyway, I'm going to some reading for class tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
totally lame ... but doing it anyway
(stolen from Christina .... thanks, Christina!)
(and I should be reading for my class that is in 30 minutes)
I have.....
( ) Smoked a cigarette (did not inhale; does that still count?)
( ) Drank so much you threw up
( ) Crashed a friend's car
( ) Stolen a car
( ) Been dumped
(x) Shoplifted (I was 8! It was a pack of Snoopy gum.)
( ) Been laid off/fired
(x) Quit your job
( ) Been in a fist fight (with a sibling... which I'm not sure counts?
( ) Snuck out of your parent's house
(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
(x) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
(x) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington, D.C.
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins (did it once with a tip)
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Made a bonfire on the beach
( ) Crashed a party
(x) Gone roller-skating
(x) Ice-skating
( ) Smoked a cigarette (did not inhale; does that still count?)
( ) Drank so much you threw up
( ) Crashed a friend's car
( ) Stolen a car
( ) Been dumped
(x) Shoplifted (I was 8! It was a pack of Snoopy gum.)
( ) Been laid off/fired
(x) Quit your job
( ) Been in a fist fight (with a sibling... which I'm not sure counts?
( ) Snuck out of your parent's house
(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( ) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
(x) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
(x) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington, D.C.
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins (did it once with a tip)
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Made a bonfire on the beach
( ) Crashed a party
(x) Gone roller-skating
(x) Ice-skating
movie, internship and classes
Everyone should go see "Crank," which is about a guy who finds out he has been injected with "Chinese shit" and is going to die in one hour. It is dramatic, hilarious, and the way the movie is made is ingenious. All I am saying is, it is an AWESOME movie. Go see it.
Also, I'm not sure if I've told anyone, but I have a teaching internship at an "independent" (pffft) elementary school in suburban Boston .... read: wealthy parents with (hopefully not) bratty kids. I am assigned to the third grade team, which consists of ... TWO teachers.
I was at two of the three orientations last week. Two because the coordinator (that's another story) neglected to tell us interns that we're requires at all three and if it hadn't been for luck that I didn't get scheduled at work on Wednesday, I would've been at one, and that would've REALLY pissed off the coordinator. She is also not happy with me for another reason that is waaaay too complicated to discuss that involves my teaching pre-practicum (classroom observation requirement) for my degree.
BC classes start today. In fact, I am sitting at O'Neil library right now, waiting for my 5 p.m. 800-level graduate history class to start. Shiver. Graduate-level class with real history grad students. It's gonna be soooooo hard. :( It's a colloquium (shiver) called Atlantic Crossings. From the reading list and the syllabus, I gather that is mostly about trans-Atlantic migration/immigration from pre-Christopher Columbus to whenever. We already have a reading due for today that I haven't finished, which is troubling me. If I can't finish the first reading, then how am I gonna get through all the other 20-ish books?!
Anyway, I am also taking Social Contexts of Education and a class on bilingualism and literay and second language that I think will be fascinating.
Sorry about all the non-updates, hopefully I will start writing more often again. Au revoir!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
present and accounted for!
Still alive! Classes start Tuesday. Woohoo.
Sorry about the non-updates. I'm working on it. :)
Sorry about the non-updates. I'm working on it. :)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
a broken toe and other fun stories (like vomiting)
I was running late to work on Friday for my 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. shift, so I called my manager from Cleveland Circle to tell them that I will need 15 minutes. I got out of the Government Center T stop at exactly 1 p.m. and hurried to get to work. I was jaywalking across Congress Street when I didn't quite catch the top of the curb, and my left shoe went flying. And I immediately noticed a throbbing pain in my second left toe. I put the shoe (which a nice guy helped me to pick up) back on and hobbled across the cobble stones to work. Hahaha. Hobbled on the cobble stones. I get my salegirl attitude on and started to be nice to people when I noticed that the toe is starting to swell. Hmm. I thought to myself that I should be able to tough it out until 8 p.m., no problem. At least until 5 p.m., which was my dinner break.
By the end of the second hour of my shift, I noticed that the pain had elevated to a pulsing pain. I lasted another hour, during which many people commented on my limp/hobble. One of my fellow coworkers said that it could be broken. I said, no way, it doesn't feel broken. It's probably just a sprain. At 4 p.m., I ask my manager if I can take off early to go to Mass. General, the nearest hospital, which also happened to be ranked as one of the best hospitals in the country. She said yes, and I was on my way.
I got to the hospital and did the paperwork. I wait. The nurse took a look at me and asked some questions and said she'd get me an X-Ray. X-Ray taken, and I was waiting again. The nurse came back and told me that I BROKE MY TOE, but it's a chip, and therefore too small to put me in a cast. So they're going to give me a hard-sole shoe and told me to return in two weeks for a look-see. I love it. I spent more time waiting in the hospital than getting medical attention, which was more than the give minutes I got with the orthopaedic resident. Well, YET another doctor (not the resident) wrote me a prescription for tramadol, which needed to be taken with Tylenol 650 mg. I got my prescription filled, and all is jolly good. Please note that the medication supposedly would make me drowsy and dizzy.
The next day at 1:30 p.m., I went apartment-hunting with friends of a friend, and I sat in the back seat of the car because the front seat was taken. Within five minutes of being in a moving vehicle, I started to feel my motion sickness coming on. Unlike other times, this was getting pretty strong. By the time we got to Davis Square around 2 p.m., I was fighting the urge to puke on the sidewalk. And I haven't actually puked from my motion sickness since I threw up on a plane (with the flight attendant holding back my hair) my junior year in high school. We got to the real estate agent's office and I thought I felt fine. But in 10 minutes, I was on my way to the back of the office to the restroom, where I immediately upchucked my lunch of canned peaches into the toilet. I rinse my mouth out and took a sip of water. In about 10 more minutes, same thing. More peaches, less dense. Another few minutes go by. More peaches, less dense, more water.
I ended up going in the car to see the five or so apartments for fear that I would mess someone's car up with more peaches, way more water. Instead, I walked to the nearest pharmacy without incident and bought Dramamine because it didn't have any anti-nausea medicine. I walk back to the real estate office (about 10 or 15 minutes) without incident to find the office locked because it was 4 p.m., and the office closes at 4 p.m. I was feeling really pukey after a little while in the sun, so I walked (calmly, I thought) to the sub place next door and asked the guy at the counter for a plastic bag. WHAT? A fire hydrant? No, a plastic bag. WHAT? Anti-histamine? No, a PLAS-TIC BAG. Oh. So I walked (quickly) out of the place after a quickly mouthed "thanks." I opened the plastic bag outside and immediately puked up more orange liquid. I threw away the plastic bag and they returned from the apartment hunting. Apparently, there were two real possibilities, and they ended up taking one of them. While two of the three roommates filled out applications and waited for the third to show up to see the place, I puked again. This time, all oatmeal raisin Powerbar, of which I had about a third. Tan chunks of grossness/former yumminess. We left Davis Square around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. It was a fun day.
So. Note to self. Do not take medication that makes you drowsy and dizzy AND get into a moving transportation device. It is not a good idea.
By the end of the second hour of my shift, I noticed that the pain had elevated to a pulsing pain. I lasted another hour, during which many people commented on my limp/hobble. One of my fellow coworkers said that it could be broken. I said, no way, it doesn't feel broken. It's probably just a sprain. At 4 p.m., I ask my manager if I can take off early to go to Mass. General, the nearest hospital, which also happened to be ranked as one of the best hospitals in the country. She said yes, and I was on my way.
I got to the hospital and did the paperwork. I wait. The nurse took a look at me and asked some questions and said she'd get me an X-Ray. X-Ray taken, and I was waiting again. The nurse came back and told me that I BROKE MY TOE, but it's a chip, and therefore too small to put me in a cast. So they're going to give me a hard-sole shoe and told me to return in two weeks for a look-see. I love it. I spent more time waiting in the hospital than getting medical attention, which was more than the give minutes I got with the orthopaedic resident. Well, YET another doctor (not the resident) wrote me a prescription for tramadol, which needed to be taken with Tylenol 650 mg. I got my prescription filled, and all is jolly good. Please note that the medication supposedly would make me drowsy and dizzy.
The next day at 1:30 p.m., I went apartment-hunting with friends of a friend, and I sat in the back seat of the car because the front seat was taken. Within five minutes of being in a moving vehicle, I started to feel my motion sickness coming on. Unlike other times, this was getting pretty strong. By the time we got to Davis Square around 2 p.m., I was fighting the urge to puke on the sidewalk. And I haven't actually puked from my motion sickness since I threw up on a plane (with the flight attendant holding back my hair) my junior year in high school. We got to the real estate agent's office and I thought I felt fine. But in 10 minutes, I was on my way to the back of the office to the restroom, where I immediately upchucked my lunch of canned peaches into the toilet. I rinse my mouth out and took a sip of water. In about 10 more minutes, same thing. More peaches, less dense. Another few minutes go by. More peaches, less dense, more water.
I ended up going in the car to see the five or so apartments for fear that I would mess someone's car up with more peaches, way more water. Instead, I walked to the nearest pharmacy without incident and bought Dramamine because it didn't have any anti-nausea medicine. I walk back to the real estate office (about 10 or 15 minutes) without incident to find the office locked because it was 4 p.m., and the office closes at 4 p.m. I was feeling really pukey after a little while in the sun, so I walked (calmly, I thought) to the sub place next door and asked the guy at the counter for a plastic bag. WHAT? A fire hydrant? No, a plastic bag. WHAT? Anti-histamine? No, a PLAS-TIC BAG. Oh. So I walked (quickly) out of the place after a quickly mouthed "thanks." I opened the plastic bag outside and immediately puked up more orange liquid. I threw away the plastic bag and they returned from the apartment hunting. Apparently, there were two real possibilities, and they ended up taking one of them. While two of the three roommates filled out applications and waited for the third to show up to see the place, I puked again. This time, all oatmeal raisin Powerbar, of which I had about a third. Tan chunks of grossness/former yumminess. We left Davis Square around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. It was a fun day.
So. Note to self. Do not take medication that makes you drowsy and dizzy AND get into a moving transportation device. It is not a good idea.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
summer school is over!
I'm done with summer school! And sorry about the horrible lack of updates recently. I've been busy. :) Writing papers take talent, you see, and pulling all-nighters aren't fun. But I've moved out of my apartment at BC and am now crashing at my friend's place for the duration while my new apartment (new as in some place different ... not as in new wood) is getting readied for habitation. I'm going to get keys to it tomorrow. Life is very exciting.
The job is going OK. I would like to think that I'm an OK salesgirl, but I really hate stalking people who come into the store. The way I figure it, if they want help, they will ask. I'm there. They know. But I have to hunt these people down and ask if they need help. Be cheerful. Be happy. Be helpful. Ugh. I would much prefer as little human contact as possible. Maybe I should've told them that when I hired me?
The job is going OK. I would like to think that I'm an OK salesgirl, but I really hate stalking people who come into the store. The way I figure it, if they want help, they will ask. I'm there. They know. But I have to hunt these people down and ask if they need help. Be cheerful. Be happy. Be helpful. Ugh. I would much prefer as little human contact as possible. Maybe I should've told them that when I hired me?
Sunday, August 06, 2006
these last weeks ...
These last weeks has been a swirl of emotions and an ocean of stress. I feel like I've never stopped writing papers and reflections and trying to figure out what those obscure education terms are. And I am, apparently, also quite incoherent and inarticulate. I need to update more often, I know, but I think it'll be a tall order for the next week or so. I am currently crashing at my friend Kai's apartment while my new apartment is being readied for an Aug. 15 move-in date. Here's to hoping that everthing turns out well. I really should stop by the apartment and take a gander at the new digs. I have to write a psychology paper tonight and maybe even my inclusion statement that is due Tuesday for my diverse learners class. Wednesday is the last day of classes. I have one last project due on Friday for literacy class, and that's what's really worrying me. So I am going to go back to writing. Catch y'all on the flip side.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Boston
Sophie suggested I listent to this song because it is describes my life. :) It's from Augustana's "Boston."
She said I think I'll go to Boston ...
I think I'll start a new life,
I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather,
I think I'll get a lover and fly 'em out to Spain...
I think I'll go to Boston,
I think that I'm just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...
I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of Sunset,
I hear it's nice in the summer, some snow would be nice...
Boston ... where no one knows my name ...
I think I'll start a new life,
I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather,
I think I'll get a lover and fly 'em out to Spain...
I think I'll go to Boston,
I think that I'm just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...
I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of Sunset,
I hear it's nice in the summer, some snow would be nice...
Boston ... where no one knows my name ...
hold yer horses!
I know, I know. It's been a while. But I'm writing about 10 million papers in the next two weeks AND moving, so be patient, and y'all will be rewarded.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Devil Wears Prada ... and bowling
"The Devil Wears Prada" is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. Especially if you like vengence. :) The movie left out way too much stuff. I'm not going to give it away, but the movie didn't delve into Andrea's friend Lily at all, and I think they changed Andrea's boyfriend's name to Nate. Wasn't it Alex? Am I wrong?
Oh, yeah, and I bowled a 157 Saturday night, and if you know my bowling skills at all, you know that to be IMPOSSIBLE. I don't break 100. Ever. But there I was, bowling four strikes in a row. Have no clue what the hell happened. And then, the next game, I got something like 65. Bleh. :)
Oh, yeah, and I bowled a 157 Saturday night, and if you know my bowling skills at all, you know that to be IMPOSSIBLE. I don't break 100. Ever. But there I was, bowling four strikes in a row. Have no clue what the hell happened. And then, the next game, I got something like 65. Bleh. :)
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Bridges of Madison County
I just finished watching "Bridges of Madison County." Oh my God. BUCKETS of tears. Soooo sad. Tears. Sniff.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
it's Andrew JACKSON!
Trivia night with the education people was awesome, even though our teams (we had to divide into two) didn't do well. The Shockers (Liz, James, Erin and Alex) got 80 points, and the Speds (me, Kai, Colleen and Ed) got 61. The winners? They got something to the tune of 127.
Friday, July 14, 2006
talk about a first edition!
I just read this on BBC News' "10 Things" weekly column.
About 750 copies of Shakespeare's First Folio, which set down 18 plays for the first time, were printed 1623 - some 230 survive.
Wow. I wonder how much those are worth today.
About 750 copies of Shakespeare's First Folio, which set down 18 plays for the first time, were printed 1623 - some 230 survive.
Wow. I wonder how much those are worth today.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
one of those survey things ...
99 Questions
1) Do you have a crush on somebody?
of course. duh.
2) Do you hate more than three people?
yup.
3) How many houses/apartments have you lived in?
13. three in Taiwan. two in Lake City. two in Florence. four in LA. one in London. one in Boston.
4) Favorite candy bar?
Reese's Pieces
5) Have you ever tripped someone?
I don't think so. Not on purpose, at least.
6) Least favorite school subject?
Chemistry I Honors. Evil Ehlman implied that I really shouldn't consider the science field.
7) How many pairs of shoes do you own?
waaaay too many.
8) Do you own a Britney Spears CD?
yes, yes I do.
9) Have you ever thrown up in public?
kinda. on an airplane. I have motion sickness.
10) Name one thing that is always on your mind?
Newspapers and the news.
11) Favorite genre of music?
hard to say. poppy-rock? rocky-pop? pop? classical?
12) What is your zodiac sign?
Sagittarius
13) What time were you born?
no clue.
14) Do you like beer?
not particularly
15) Ever made a prank phone call?
yes! once.
16) What is the most embarassing CD you own?
mmm ... Backstreet Boys. :)
17) Are you sarcastic?
very.
18) What are your favorite colors?
yellow, pink, green, blue and purple
19) How many watches do you own?
one that works
20) Summer or winter?
winter
21) Is anyone in love with you?
you should ask other people that
22) Favorite color to wear?
Black.
23) Pepsi or Sprite?
Sprite
24) What color is your cell phone?
blue
25) Where is your second home?
I'm moving all the time.
26) Have you ever slapped someone?
no.
27) Have you ever had a cavity?
yes.
28) How many lamps are in your bedroom?
two.
29) How many video games do you own?
none.
30) Ever had braces?
yes.
31) Do looks matter?
to some extent, but other stuff matter more.
32) Do you use chapstick?
I am an addict.
33) Name 3 teachers from high school:
Mrs. Chapman (yearbook), Mrs. Purvis (U.S. history), Mrs. Franco (English IV)
34) American Eagle or Abercrombie?
neither. ew.
35) Are you too forgiving?
no.
36) How many children do you want?
two. adopted.
37) Do you own something from Hot Topic?
no.
38) Favorite breakfast meal?
I don't eat breakfast.
39) Do you own a gun?
no. nor do you want me to own or touch one.
40) Do you miss your ex-boyfriend or -girlfriend?
mm
41) When was the last time you cried?
don't remember. I don't usually cry. Crying is dumb. It solves no problems.
42) What did you do three nights ago?
became officially employed for the summer
43) Olive Garden?
too much. too expensive. too greasy.
44) Have you ever called your teacher "Mommy"?
no. But Mrs. Chapman's nickname was MOMC.
45) Have you ever been in a castle?
yes! yes! I have!
46) Nicknames?
Jules, Spud and some others
47) Do you know anyone named Bertha?
no.
48) Ever been to Kentucky?
no.
49) Do you own something from Banana Republic?
no. I would really love to be able to afford things from Banana Republic.
50) Are you thinking about somebody right now?
yes.
51) Ever called somebody Boo?
no.
52) Do you smoke?
no.
53) Do you own a diamond ring?
no.
54) Are you happy with your life right now?
most days.
55) Do you dye your hair?
I did once sophomore year. auburn highlights.
56) Does anyone have a crush on you?
I don't think so.
57) What year were you born?
1983.
58) What were you doing in May 1994?
In the fourth grade. Probably arguing with Lea Coleman about how to pronounce Boston. I insisted it was BOE-ston. I wasn't very bright.
59) Do you own a Backstreet Boys CD?
yes. See No. 16.
60) McDonald's or Wendy's?
Wendy's.
61) Do you like yourself?
most days.
62) Are you closer to your mother or father?
both, for difference reasons.
63) Favorite physical feature of the preferred sex?
height.
64) Are you afraid of the dark?
No.
65) Have you ever eaten paste?
no.
66) Do you own a Web cam?
no.
68) Ever broken a bone?
no, but I broke my sister's arm once! :)
69) Do you chat on AIM often?
often enough to be a distraction.
70) Pringles or Lays?
Pringles.
71) Have you ever broken someone's heart?
probably not.
72) Rugrats or Doug?
Rugrats.
73) Full House or The Brady Bunch?
Full House.
74) Did you like your high school guidance counselor?
yes.
75) Has anyone ever called you fat?
yes.
76) Do you have a birth mark?
no.
77) Do you own a car?
technically, yes.
78) Can you cook?
if I want to
79) Things that annoy you?
oh, many, many things
80) Do you text message often?
not too much.
81) Money or love?
love. my chosen professions are journalism and education. neither is going to let me pay off my student loans early.
82) Do you have any scars?
yes.
83) What do you want more than anything right now?
to know which path to take.
84) Do you enjoy scary movies?
no.
85) Relationships or one-night stands?
relationships.
86) Big Red or Juicy Fruit?
Juicy Fruit.
87) Do you enjoy greasy food?
sometimes.
88) Have you seen all of the Rocky movies?
none.
89) Do you own a box of crayons?
yes.
90) Ever had sex in a public place?
what is sex?
92) Who was the last person who said they loved you?
don't remember
93) Who was the last person who made you mad?
can't tell you that.
94) Who was the last person who made you cry?
don't remember, but it must be something major. I don't really cry.
95) Who was the last person who made you laugh?
James.
96) Who was the last person you fell for?
oh, dear.
97) Who was the last person who instant messaged you?
my sister
98) Who was the last person who called you?
James
99) Who is the person most likely to fill this out?
don't know.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
July Fourth!
Ever since I decided that I would be in Boston, I've planned to go to the Boston Pops July Fourth extravaganza. There was somewhere else I wanted to be on July Fourth (BBQ on a roof, anyone?), but c'mon, can you really just let an eight-year-old dream die like that?
I bought those little blue ice pack things, sunscreen (SPF 45), bug spray, water and food. I brought my hat, sunglasses, cash, flip flops, books and iPod. I dragged along a blanket, a tarp, an umbrella and a pillow. I was so prepared. Rain or shine, Charles River Esplanade, here I come!
This being Boston, where the Revolutionary War basically started (technicalities aside), they're pretty patriotic here. Not only do we have "Patriot's Day" off in April, there was also no school on July 3. Exciting, huh? So I spent July 3 interviewing for summer jobs and obsessing over July Fourth. I found out online that gates open at 9 a.m., but people start lining up at DAWN. I got stuff ready the night before and woke up at 3:30 a.m. to shower, pack some more and ... wait until 5 a.m., when the first T train runs.
I get there at five till 6, and where were already lots of people there. Apparently, there were people who planned to camp overnight, but Boston police wouldn't let them until 3:30 a.m., so they had to mill around the area until then. By the time 8:30 a.m. rolled around, the lines (there were three) wound around trees, gates, concession stands .... madness.
When the gates opened, security checked every bag that everybody brought and gave everyone a wristband, but after that, it was a free-for-all. The group of us who got there around 6 claimed the spaces somewhere in the middle of the field called the Oval. My perch was literally in the middle of the Oval. It was perfect.
See? A perfect spot. Notice the flag in the middle is a colonial flag.
From 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., when the concert starts, it's just me, books and sun. Until it started to rain. At 2 p.m. And 4:30. And around 7. This is where the (waterproof) tarp and umbrella came in handy. Around 8 p.m., there are people crammed in every grass space available, and organizers have stopped giving out wristbands to entry.
The concert was spectacular. Amazing. Definitely worth all the wait. And Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were awesome. Of course, everyone left after Steven and Joe and didn't get to hear "Stars and Stripes Forever." Confetti flew. Fireworks exploded. People cheered. Fantastic!
Rockapella!
Many people missed out on the confetti.
I love Keith Lockhart. Did you know that he got his undergrad at Furman in Greenville?
Another secret crush: broadcast journalism. gag. OK, so print also makes dumb mistakes. But we employ copy editors.
The fireworks ended at 11 p.m., and I got back to my apartment around 12:30 a.m. Utterly exhausted, and there was class the next day. :(
I bought those little blue ice pack things, sunscreen (SPF 45), bug spray, water and food. I brought my hat, sunglasses, cash, flip flops, books and iPod. I dragged along a blanket, a tarp, an umbrella and a pillow. I was so prepared. Rain or shine, Charles River Esplanade, here I come!
This being Boston, where the Revolutionary War basically started (technicalities aside), they're pretty patriotic here. Not only do we have "Patriot's Day" off in April, there was also no school on July 3. Exciting, huh? So I spent July 3 interviewing for summer jobs and obsessing over July Fourth. I found out online that gates open at 9 a.m., but people start lining up at DAWN. I got stuff ready the night before and woke up at 3:30 a.m. to shower, pack some more and ... wait until 5 a.m., when the first T train runs.
I get there at five till 6, and where were already lots of people there. Apparently, there were people who planned to camp overnight, but Boston police wouldn't let them until 3:30 a.m., so they had to mill around the area until then. By the time 8:30 a.m. rolled around, the lines (there were three) wound around trees, gates, concession stands .... madness.
When the gates opened, security checked every bag that everybody brought and gave everyone a wristband, but after that, it was a free-for-all. The group of us who got there around 6 claimed the spaces somewhere in the middle of the field called the Oval. My perch was literally in the middle of the Oval. It was perfect.
See? A perfect spot. Notice the flag in the middle is a colonial flag.From 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., when the concert starts, it's just me, books and sun. Until it started to rain. At 2 p.m. And 4:30. And around 7. This is where the (waterproof) tarp and umbrella came in handy. Around 8 p.m., there are people crammed in every grass space available, and organizers have stopped giving out wristbands to entry.
The concert was spectacular. Amazing. Definitely worth all the wait. And Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were awesome. Of course, everyone left after Steven and Joe and didn't get to hear "Stars and Stripes Forever." Confetti flew. Fireworks exploded. People cheered. Fantastic!
Rockapella!
Many people missed out on the confetti.
I love Keith Lockhart. Did you know that he got his undergrad at Furman in Greenville?
Another secret crush: broadcast journalism. gag. OK, so print also makes dumb mistakes. But we employ copy editors.The fireworks ended at 11 p.m., and I got back to my apartment around 12:30 a.m. Utterly exhausted, and there was class the next day. :(
BUT
My friends James and Christina both have blogs. See the "blogs/links" sidebar or just click on their respective names. So, if you have time, give them a read. James is a reporter in Adrian, Mich., and is as weird and nerdy (perhaps nerdier) as I am. Christina is also a reporter, and she is also weird. And obsessed -- OBSESSED, I say -- with food. And she is a tiny, tiny girl. They are both hilarious. Plus, they write for a living. How can you go wrong with that?
ok. so I lied.
Classwork (pfffft) and procrastination (that's more like it!) has gotten the best of me. There WILL be photos and updates.
But I went swing dancing Friday night. THAT was fun. Wow. I don't think I've had so much fun in a long time. :)
But I went swing dancing Friday night. THAT was fun. Wow. I don't think I've had so much fun in a long time. :)
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
July Fourth
I camped out to get a good spot at the Esplanade yesterday for the Boston Pops July Fourth free concert. There will be photos and stories this weekend! The featured special guest star are Rockapella and ... STEVEN TYLER and JOE PERRY from Aerosmith! Needless to say, when Steven and Joe went on stage, it was mayhem. :) I have pictures of them, too! So that's this weekend.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
LOST! and other adventures in Boston
This is what I wrote in an e-mail to my friends this morning, with additions and revisions. Have a peek!
I had to get this book for my Literacy and Assessment class, and I happen to have a Borders coupon, so I thought I might as well use it. There is a Borders near the Downtown Crossing T stop, and the map tells me that I would be about two blocks away from Borders. After my lone Tuesday class ended (about
So I walk and walk and walk. I need to tell you guys that because I don't have a printer yet, I have the map of the area in my head, semi-memorized. So I walk for about 20 or so minutes, but I don't see it. Where is it?! I stopped outside a restaurant and asked the valet where is this street. And he said, oh, you're quite a ways from it, but if you continue going straight for about five blocks, you'll hit it. Wonderful! Thanks.
So I walk and I walk and I walk. I walked for another 20 minutes or so. Waaaay passed the five blocks, but I decided to have some faith. Well, I hit the parking lot for the aquarium. Now, I know from my semi-memorized map that I should be NOWHERE near the water or the aquarium. This is trouble. I made a left at this point so I would be walking parallel to the water and then made another left, thinking that at worst, I would just go back to where I started.
I walked and walked and I figured that it's now a good time to ask for directions .... again. I stopped by the Marriot hotel at some cutom house and asked the front desk person where I can find this street and he gave me a map (!!!!!) and highlighted it and told me to take a left and an immediate right when I go out the exit. Awesome! Thanks!
Map in hand, I go out the exit and made a left and a right. But I was standing in the middle of one of those five-street intersections ... and I was turning round and round with a map in my hand, apparently looking very befuddled because a lady in a hat stopped me and asked me what I was looking for. So I told her.
She said walk down the street where a car had stopped and to go ALL the way down until I got to Post Office Square and then to keep going. I'm supposed to see the Borders right in front of me. Yippeee! I thank her and am on my way.
I knew I was going the right way when I got the
Classes are going OK so far, if a bit overwhelming. It's a lot of new information with actual, experienced teachers in the class, so it's a bit intimidating. Hopefully that feeling goes away because my classes are fascinating. For my Literacy and Assessment class (yes, the same one), I had to get a MySpace account. Am not happy that I now have MySpace. I was holding out so well! I have a feeling that class is going to be really high maintenance.
On Sunday, I explored
On Thursday, I went to a karaoke bar with Andre and his friends and sang that Proclaimers song about 500 miles ... it was hilarious, apparently, because I was giggling through most of the song.
Friday, June 30, 2006
one-week check-up!
it's been a very eventful week, but I'm tired and a bit cranky, so I'll just list them. Maybe I'll expand on some of it later.
1. got lost for two hours in Downtown Crossing
2. filled out A LOT of job applications
3. classes are hard. new material. with actual, experienced teachers in the class. very intimidating.
4. found the BC bookstore. very small.
5. found the student commons. well, one of them. I think they have other "commons"
6. read front and back of the last issue of the spring semester's BC Heights. very well written, from what I've read so far.
7. went to Harvard Square
8. found the public library. got a library card. explored library. got lost in the library. put a book on hold.
9. freaked out about amount of homework required. ahh.
10. went karaoke-ing Thursday night. it was awesome! :) had Pabst for the first time.
11. got a MySpace account because of my literacy class. BOOOOOO.
12. developed London pictures that were on disposable cameras.
13. finished "The Devil Wears Prada"
14. found my mailbox and got code for it. can now receive snail mail. yippee!
15. Boston is really hot and really humid.
16. still exploring. but hopefully not getting lost. :)
I'm exhausted. So I'm going to sleep. I do, however, have two job interviews on Monday. And my friend Todd from high school is coming to visit tomorrow! yay! :D
1. got lost for two hours in Downtown Crossing
2. filled out A LOT of job applications
3. classes are hard. new material. with actual, experienced teachers in the class. very intimidating.
4. found the BC bookstore. very small.
5. found the student commons. well, one of them. I think they have other "commons"
6. read front and back of the last issue of the spring semester's BC Heights. very well written, from what I've read so far.
7. went to Harvard Square
8. found the public library. got a library card. explored library. got lost in the library. put a book on hold.
9. freaked out about amount of homework required. ahh.
10. went karaoke-ing Thursday night. it was awesome! :) had Pabst for the first time.
11. got a MySpace account because of my literacy class. BOOOOOO.
12. developed London pictures that were on disposable cameras.
13. finished "The Devil Wears Prada"
14. found my mailbox and got code for it. can now receive snail mail. yippee!
15. Boston is really hot and really humid.
16. still exploring. but hopefully not getting lost. :)
I'm exhausted. So I'm going to sleep. I do, however, have two job interviews on Monday. And my friend Todd from high school is coming to visit tomorrow! yay! :D
Monday, June 26, 2006
no more wondering/waiting
because I'm in Boston! I got in Saturday afternoon, so I got to miss the deluge that was (apparently) Friday. I went to the Prudential Center that night as a way to explore the T -- and what adventure THAT was! I was mildly confused for a little while.
On Sunday, I went on a hunt for a grocery store that is accessible by T and was very successful because the Shaw's (owned by Albertson's) was AMAZING. They have deli/ready-made food/bakery/sushi (!) on an ENTIRE side of the store, food and seafood on another entire side and the produce on the third. It was pretty awesome. They also have an entire section (multiple aisles, complete with its own hardwood floors) devoted to organic/natural foods and an aisle just for international cuisine. It's so clean and refreshing and wonderful.
I also found the CVS, which came in handy because I couldn't find a pad of graph paper and don't know where I put the one I had leftover from L.A. I also found TJMaxx, where I bought a bath rug because I hate getting out of the shower and stepping onto bare tile. It's the worst feeling.
I'm pretty sure BC put the summer students in one of the older dorms because this school has A LOT of new res halls. But it made more sense when I came back from grocery shopping on Sunday that there were a lot of parents and teenagers milling around with BC bookstore bags .... ah, freshmen orientation. Of course, they had to put the new students in the good dorms. All schools do it. They've gotta impress the parents! :) But when you think about it, why try to impress them? They've already paid the deposit (BC asks for a deposit), so these families are already financially committed to this school, and their children have probably rejected everywhere else. Anyway, thought it was interesting that colleges are still wooing the already-wooed.
Today, I went job-hunting. It was no fun. Now I am tired. My feet hurt. And I feel gross because it was really hot today. And I found a Trader Joe's. woohoo.
On Sunday, I went on a hunt for a grocery store that is accessible by T and was very successful because the Shaw's (owned by Albertson's) was AMAZING. They have deli/ready-made food/bakery/sushi (!) on an ENTIRE side of the store, food and seafood on another entire side and the produce on the third. It was pretty awesome. They also have an entire section (multiple aisles, complete with its own hardwood floors) devoted to organic/natural foods and an aisle just for international cuisine. It's so clean and refreshing and wonderful.
I also found the CVS, which came in handy because I couldn't find a pad of graph paper and don't know where I put the one I had leftover from L.A. I also found TJMaxx, where I bought a bath rug because I hate getting out of the shower and stepping onto bare tile. It's the worst feeling.
I'm pretty sure BC put the summer students in one of the older dorms because this school has A LOT of new res halls. But it made more sense when I came back from grocery shopping on Sunday that there were a lot of parents and teenagers milling around with BC bookstore bags .... ah, freshmen orientation. Of course, they had to put the new students in the good dorms. All schools do it. They've gotta impress the parents! :) But when you think about it, why try to impress them? They've already paid the deposit (BC asks for a deposit), so these families are already financially committed to this school, and their children have probably rejected everywhere else. Anyway, thought it was interesting that colleges are still wooing the already-wooed.
Today, I went job-hunting. It was no fun. Now I am tired. My feet hurt. And I feel gross because it was really hot today. And I found a Trader Joe's. woohoo.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
T-minus one week
Hellooooo!
Sorry about the non-writing. I've been busy procrastinating. I've been watching a lot of "House, M.D." In fact, I've finished the entire first season on DVD .... repeatedly (you know me....).
I've been reading quite a lot, too, but have not finished a book recently ... I'm in the middle of many books. Right now in the pile beside my bed is "The Jane Austen Book Club" (for the second time ... mine is red), "Shakespeare of London" (for the umpteenth time) and "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" (new acquisition ... and am NOT pleased that it is an Oprah Book Club selection. I did NOT choose it because she said so. I do NOT support the Oprah Book Club). The last one is written by Carson McCullers, who wrote "The Member of the Wedding," which I read an excerpt of in high school. But I heard about this book from a list that has the top 50 (100? 10?) most famous first lines of novels in the world. "Moby Dick" reigns over the list, and "Pride and Prejudice" is second. Also on the list: "Tale of Two Cities" and a Mark Twain and a couple of John Steinbecks.
I leave for Boston in exactly one week, so I am spending this week cleaning my room and packing for the journey. This is getting very exciting. :)
Sorry about the non-writing. I've been busy procrastinating. I've been watching a lot of "House, M.D." In fact, I've finished the entire first season on DVD .... repeatedly (you know me....).
I've been reading quite a lot, too, but have not finished a book recently ... I'm in the middle of many books. Right now in the pile beside my bed is "The Jane Austen Book Club" (for the second time ... mine is red), "Shakespeare of London" (for the umpteenth time) and "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" (new acquisition ... and am NOT pleased that it is an Oprah Book Club selection. I did NOT choose it because she said so. I do NOT support the Oprah Book Club). The last one is written by Carson McCullers, who wrote "The Member of the Wedding," which I read an excerpt of in high school. But I heard about this book from a list that has the top 50 (100? 10?) most famous first lines of novels in the world. "Moby Dick" reigns over the list, and "Pride and Prejudice" is second. Also on the list: "Tale of Two Cities" and a Mark Twain and a couple of John Steinbecks.
I leave for Boston in exactly one week, so I am spending this week cleaning my room and packing for the journey. This is getting very exciting. :)
Friday, June 09, 2006
birthdays
I haven't spent a birthday at home since my senior year in high school. And I won't this year, either. Freshman, sophomore and junior years I was in LA because my birthday never fails to fall during exam week. I believe I actually spent one of those birthdays either taking an exam or writing a paper (definitely junior year). Last birthday, I was in London. This birthday, I will be in Boston. Next birthday? Who the hell knows?! :)
Saturday, June 03, 2006
books! glorious books!
Before I left LA, I started and finished "Freakonomics." It was awesome. I highly recommend it.
I then moved on to "Blink," which wasn't as good. I'm not sure if it's because I had a logical reasoning overload or if it's the author, but it just wasn't as satisfying. I also think it has something to do with the structure of the book. The writer needs to break his chapters down a bit because they're really long.
I also read "Stiff," a history and use of cadavers in various scientific, practical and medical studies. Cultural, social, sometimes political. It is also very good. I stayed up many a nights trying to finish just this chapter! one more chapter! then another ... and another. Until I just had to sleep because I can't realistically finish it and still function the next morning.
I've been waiting for the "Da Vinci Code" to come out in paperback for a looong time, and it finally did, and I finally bought it. Except that it's a dud. WAIT. Before you chastise me. I read the "Rule of Four" over winter break, and it was AMAZING. Riveting, in fact. Couldn't put it down. Maybe it was Dan Brown's overly dramatic writing style that really annoyed me. Maybe it was that "Rule of Four" was written more casually. It didn't treat itself as a super-mystery. Also, I think it has something to do with the endless over-promotion of the book/movie/plagarism allegations/etc. Anyway, I was disappointed by the first 20 pages. And promptly put it back on the shelf. Sorry, "Da Vinci Code" fan. Not my cup of tea.
Read the "Rule of Four," though, if you want more stimulating reading regarding ancient codes. The London Independent called it "'The Da Vinci Code' for people with brains." Publishers Weekly wrote that the "Rule of Four" was to be compared to "Da Vinci Code," but it is the "more cerebral -- and better written -- of the two." Read "Rule of Four."
Currently, I am rereading "Shakespeare of London," a biography of the Bard from the perspective of his being an ordinary man/actor/playwright in London from fairly ordinary background. This is a book a bought at a public library used book sale and inspired me to write my USC scholarship essay on. I've read it at least three times. The intro, which I read for the first time, said that almost all biographies of Shakespeare treated him as the Bard that he is, as this towering literary figure. What Marchette Chute was trying to go is to humanize him a bit and tell about the life of the London actor from Stratford-upon-Avon.
I still have a large stack of classic literature that I need to read. I also have a three-page Amazon.com wishlist that is acting as my lifetime reading list. I love it. Reading for a lifetime! That's my dream life. To be able to sit/lie on a comfy couch and just read. :)
I then moved on to "Blink," which wasn't as good. I'm not sure if it's because I had a logical reasoning overload or if it's the author, but it just wasn't as satisfying. I also think it has something to do with the structure of the book. The writer needs to break his chapters down a bit because they're really long.
I also read "Stiff," a history and use of cadavers in various scientific, practical and medical studies. Cultural, social, sometimes political. It is also very good. I stayed up many a nights trying to finish just this chapter! one more chapter! then another ... and another. Until I just had to sleep because I can't realistically finish it and still function the next morning.
I've been waiting for the "Da Vinci Code" to come out in paperback for a looong time, and it finally did, and I finally bought it. Except that it's a dud. WAIT. Before you chastise me. I read the "Rule of Four" over winter break, and it was AMAZING. Riveting, in fact. Couldn't put it down. Maybe it was Dan Brown's overly dramatic writing style that really annoyed me. Maybe it was that "Rule of Four" was written more casually. It didn't treat itself as a super-mystery. Also, I think it has something to do with the endless over-promotion of the book/movie/plagarism allegations/etc. Anyway, I was disappointed by the first 20 pages. And promptly put it back on the shelf. Sorry, "Da Vinci Code" fan. Not my cup of tea.
Read the "Rule of Four," though, if you want more stimulating reading regarding ancient codes. The London Independent called it "'The Da Vinci Code' for people with brains." Publishers Weekly wrote that the "Rule of Four" was to be compared to "Da Vinci Code," but it is the "more cerebral -- and better written -- of the two." Read "Rule of Four."
Currently, I am rereading "Shakespeare of London," a biography of the Bard from the perspective of his being an ordinary man/actor/playwright in London from fairly ordinary background. This is a book a bought at a public library used book sale and inspired me to write my USC scholarship essay on. I've read it at least three times. The intro, which I read for the first time, said that almost all biographies of Shakespeare treated him as the Bard that he is, as this towering literary figure. What Marchette Chute was trying to go is to humanize him a bit and tell about the life of the London actor from Stratford-upon-Avon.
I still have a large stack of classic literature that I need to read. I also have a three-page Amazon.com wishlist that is acting as my lifetime reading list. I love it. Reading for a lifetime! That's my dream life. To be able to sit/lie on a comfy couch and just read. :)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I got a job!!!!!
A teaching internship that apparently pays very well. :) What a relief. I was getting seriously worried.
The copy desk at a Boston paper said they're not looking for part-time people right now. But I do have some good experience, they tell me. They just don't wanna give me a chance. Even though they have TWO positions open on the desk.
What a bummer.
I watched the National Spelling Bee all day. I love it! So many kids! All so smart! I bet some of them have "stage parents," though. So much pressure! I was really rooting for the Canadian girl (apparently, you just need to be from an English-speaking country) to win, but alas, it was not to be. I love it!
The copy desk at a Boston paper said they're not looking for part-time people right now. But I do have some good experience, they tell me. They just don't wanna give me a chance. Even though they have TWO positions open on the desk.
What a bummer.
I watched the National Spelling Bee all day. I love it! So many kids! All so smart! I bet some of them have "stage parents," though. So much pressure! I was really rooting for the Canadian girl (apparently, you just need to be from an English-speaking country) to win, but alas, it was not to be. I love it!
Monday, May 29, 2006
bleh. I'm done.
| Your True Love Is a Capricorn |
 Why you'll love a Capricorn: Hard working and driven, a Capricorn will work overtime to win your heart. Be prepared to get wined and dined, even once you're convince that your Capricorn is the one! Why a Capricorn will love you: You don't rush things. You know it will take a while for a Capricorn to trust you, and you can wait. Social and outgoing, you can introduce normally shy Capricorn to a great circle of friends. |
leaps of faith? I prefer stability in my life, thanks. :)
| You Are Indigo |
 Of all the shades of blue, you are the most funky, unique, and independent. Expressing yourself and taking a leap of faith has always been easy for you. |
I'm not too sure how true this is
| You Are Emerald Green |
 Deep and mysterious, it often seems like no one truly gets you. Inside, you are very emotional and moody - though you don't let it show. People usually have a strong reaction to you... profound love or deep hate. But you can even get those who hate you to come around. There's something naturally harmonious about you. |
hmmm
| Your Linguistic Profile:: |
| 60% General American English |
| 20% Dixie |
| 15% Yankee |
| 0% Midwestern |
| 0% Upper Midwestern |
but ... but .... :(
| American Cities That Best Fit You:: |
| 75% Chicago |
| 70% New York City |
| 70% Philadelphia |
| 55% Boston |
| 55% Los Angeles |
I am a blue flower!
| You Are a Blue Flower |
 A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance. At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower. And at other times, you are wise like an iris. And more than you wish, you're a little cold, like a blue hydrangea. |
Sunday, May 28, 2006
here's an idea!
Maybe I should give up copy editing and teaching and go into the bread-baking business! It's $10 an hour, which is higher than the Massachusetts new nation-high minimum wage, and the company has a "generous meals policy." What more could you ask? I could make $19,200 in a year if I work 40 hours a week ... it's like the newspaper business!
Paying off those college loans could be an interesting experience, though. But then, so is bread-baking! It's an excellent trade-off!
Paying off those college loans could be an interesting experience, though. But then, so is bread-baking! It's an excellent trade-off!
pfffffff
So Angelina named her kid Shiloh. so much for the big name speculation. The news, I suppose, is that Shiloh is a girl. But her middle name is Nouvel. If Angelina meant it to mean "new" in French (and seeing as how she's going for the international baby theme), then she should know that "nouvel" is the masculine form. But then, she named her girl Shiloh. Whatev.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
wallowing in misery
I think I'm going to go buy a lottery ticket and then wish on a fountain. Maybe I can win enough money to pay for grad school. So I've been wallowing in my misery since I realized that YET another newspapers that is potentially interested in me is no longer because I can't work at night. This is seriously sad. I mean, the only job that I am actually really well trained for conflicts with the classes that will get me really well trained in another career -- with the main goal that I will do both in 2 years.
So maybe this lottery idea isn't so farfetched.
By the way, I saw "12 Angry Men" recently, and it's made me look at juries in a new way. You should watch it, too. It is a fantastic movie. The premise of the film is that one member of a 12-men jury in a murder trial convinces the other to consider all the evidence and witnesses before delivering their gut-verdict -- guilty. It's not really what happens in the film that matters, it's the characters in the film and the way the film is done that makes it superior. So I'm no film critic and, as my lack of reporting career as shown, I am also no writer, but this is an excellent movie that you should watch. Go rent it now. Add it to your Netflix queue. Go! :)
So maybe this lottery idea isn't so farfetched.
By the way, I saw "12 Angry Men" recently, and it's made me look at juries in a new way. You should watch it, too. It is a fantastic movie. The premise of the film is that one member of a 12-men jury in a murder trial convinces the other to consider all the evidence and witnesses before delivering their gut-verdict -- guilty. It's not really what happens in the film that matters, it's the characters in the film and the way the film is done that makes it superior. So I'm no film critic and, as my lack of reporting career as shown, I am also no writer, but this is an excellent movie that you should watch. Go rent it now. Add it to your Netflix queue. Go! :)
Friday, May 26, 2006
stuff!
I'm looking for a job in Boston that would fit my class schedule, and it's nearly impossible. Considering that classes start at 4 PM, it makes it hard to find a 9-5 gig and it's not possible to work a night copy desk. Or ... any copy desk. It makes me sad. :(
On other note, I found this story in the Boston Globe a while back, when I was procrastinating during end of classes/study days/exam week, and it's quite interesting. It's about how clothing companies are catching on to the female psyche and changing the dress sizes to fit.
Also, another story that I happened upon is that one scientist, one philospher and one farmer agreed that in the eternal question of which came first, the chicken or the egg ... it is the egg.
For the first time since I can remember (maybe the first time ever), I won't be in the South for hurricane season. I take it as a good thing. On the other hand, I will be in the Northeast for winter, which is a scary thought. :/
On other note, I found this story in the Boston Globe a while back, when I was procrastinating during end of classes/study days/exam week, and it's quite interesting. It's about how clothing companies are catching on to the female psyche and changing the dress sizes to fit.
Also, another story that I happened upon is that one scientist, one philospher and one farmer agreed that in the eternal question of which came first, the chicken or the egg ... it is the egg.
For the first time since I can remember (maybe the first time ever), I won't be in the South for hurricane season. I take it as a good thing. On the other hand, I will be in the Northeast for winter, which is a scary thought. :/
Monday, May 22, 2006
reading about Boston stuff
OK. I am well aware that what I am about to link is of questionable/skeptical quality. But I think it's fascinating and there is probably some grain of truth in it.
I was reading up some weird Boston stuff on the Web (like I did (and still do) with London a year ago), and I found this site with Boston word pronunciation and vernacular. It's extremely interesting/entertaining.
I'm also trying to figure out exactly which parts of the city is flooded and which ones aren't or if the city itself is flooded at all. It seems to me that the worst areas had been confined to the suburbs near the coast, but then, not really knowing the city, I'm probably completely wrong.
I was reading up some weird Boston stuff on the Web (like I did (and still do) with London a year ago), and I found this site with Boston word pronunciation and vernacular. It's extremely interesting/entertaining.
I'm also trying to figure out exactly which parts of the city is flooded and which ones aren't or if the city itself is flooded at all. It seems to me that the worst areas had been confined to the suburbs near the coast, but then, not really knowing the city, I'm probably completely wrong.
I never really liked horses....
But this whole Barbaro situation is sad. :( I kept hearing/reading that many horses that have such injuries are euthanized, but I kinda don't get it. It's a broken leg, why such a drastic measure?
Here are some scary X-Ray photos of Barbaro's leg.
Here are some scary X-Ray photos of Barbaro's leg.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
yippee.
The grades tell me that I am an official USC graduate now. The diploma "should" be in the mail. Woohoo!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
done ...
Well, I took my last final (media law), but I still can't be sure I'm officially done with college until I get my grades for that class. So I can't celebrate until I get my final grade. Or cry. Whichever is the case. That final was HARD. :(
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
je ne comprend pas
I've had this conversation with several of my guy friends, and the answer is always the same ... but it's worth writing about anyway:
Me: when I "grow up," I am going to adopt kids ... 2 girls! (or something to this effect) (and recently, those girls have been named Lorem and Dolor .... if you're a fellow newspaper nerd, you know what this means)
Guy friend: no way! There is NO WAY I'm having girls.
Me: Whyever not? Girls are so cute!
Guy friend: because I know what guys are thinking! If I have a daughter, I will KILL EVERY GUY ON THE PLANET WHO COMES IN CONTACT WITH HER!!!!!
Me: but ....
Guy friend's friend and other buddies: ME TOO!
Me: ....
Guy friend and buddies: BUT if I have a SON, I/we will teach them about girls.
Me: .... so basically, my daughters need to stay away from your sons .... and I will wish all of you to have daughters.
... I love my guy friends. Funny, confused, so smart and worldly about child-raising. :)
Me: when I "grow up," I am going to adopt kids ... 2 girls! (or something to this effect) (and recently, those girls have been named Lorem and Dolor .... if you're a fellow newspaper nerd, you know what this means)
Guy friend: no way! There is NO WAY I'm having girls.
Me: Whyever not? Girls are so cute!
Guy friend: because I know what guys are thinking! If I have a daughter, I will KILL EVERY GUY ON THE PLANET WHO COMES IN CONTACT WITH HER!!!!!
Me: but ....
Guy friend's friend and other buddies: ME TOO!
Me: ....
Guy friend and buddies: BUT if I have a SON, I/we will teach them about girls.
Me: .... so basically, my daughters need to stay away from your sons .... and I will wish all of you to have daughters.
... I love my guy friends. Funny, confused, so smart and worldly about child-raising. :)
Boston!!!!!
I went to Boston over the weekend for Boston College's open house -- more specifically, to its funding forum to find a job/assistantship/internship to fund this little education.
My flight out of LAX was at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, and true to form, I was there waaay early. But never fear, as my friend James called me while I was searching for a hairbrush in the giftshop (one of the things I always forget to pack) and told me that he hit an old lady and her car (both are apparently fine) with his Michigan rental car .... as a 21-year-old rental car driver. On the bright side, HE GOT THE JOB!!! The people in the store must've thought I was crazy when I heard the news. So incredibly happy for him. :) You should read the paper! It's the Adrian Daily Telegram, a bit outside of Ann Arbor. He'll be covering education (school districts, colleges, etc.).
I arrived at Logan International around 10 p.m. and called the hotel (Four Points by Sheraton ... yay for accumulating points) to pick me up and they couldn't find me! "Couldn't find me" ... my ass. I was the girl with luggage in the arrivals area with an obviously out-of-town USC sweathirt on. Apparently, they went upstairs ... where the departures are. Now, tell me, why would I be at departure when I am staying at a hotel?!?!?!
After I called three times (once to tell them I'm here, another after 25 minutes ... another after 30 minutes) .... they finally "found" me. I got to the hotel around midnight.
I heart the T, by the way. Especially compared to LA's metro system .... well, anything is better than LA's metro system.
Boston College is GORGEOUS, albeit with weird green roofs and a crazily laid-out campus. I'm pretty sure I got lost at least once.
I know this whole "open house" thing is made to make people LOVE BC (being on many a admissions panel myself), but it really made me think that I made the right decision for the right reasons. It was touch-and-go for a while there, before I sent in the deposit.
There were several possibilities for jobs -- I'm really hoping to intern at the Chestnut Hill School -- it's a private elementary school near BC and the recruiter lady seemed REALLY nice. We'll see what happens. I'm also going to apply to be a substitute teacher during the school year ... they get paid pretty well, so that's gonna help a bit.
After the open house, I hung out with my friend Andre from Tampa (remember?) and had great fun. I think I laughed and destressed more than I had in a really long while. By the way, MIT has an awesome student center. I'm jealous. >:( I also made some (but not enough!) flash cards while his frat had its beach party in the basement ... I kept falling asleep and couldn't get any work done ... plus mom started calling me about storage questions .... and my resident called about move-out inspections .... and I fell asleep .... and woke up and read about copyright .... and fell asleep -- apparently "fair use" and the "sunshine act" weren't too fascinating with jet lag and very little sleep and a day of pushing my hire-ability.
Leaving Boston Sunday morning (7:20 AM! with no sleep, what with celebrating Andre's friend Nick's birthday and the KS party that I didn't go to) was really sad. :*(
But Boston was AMAZING and I can't wait for June 26!!!!!! :D
By the way .... I'm in the middle of finals, so don't expect too much of me for the next 2 weeks.
Currently listening to on repeat: "Amsterdam" by Guster. :)
My flight out of LAX was at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, and true to form, I was there waaay early. But never fear, as my friend James called me while I was searching for a hairbrush in the giftshop (one of the things I always forget to pack) and told me that he hit an old lady and her car (both are apparently fine) with his Michigan rental car .... as a 21-year-old rental car driver. On the bright side, HE GOT THE JOB!!! The people in the store must've thought I was crazy when I heard the news. So incredibly happy for him. :) You should read the paper! It's the Adrian Daily Telegram, a bit outside of Ann Arbor. He'll be covering education (school districts, colleges, etc.).
I arrived at Logan International around 10 p.m. and called the hotel (Four Points by Sheraton ... yay for accumulating points) to pick me up and they couldn't find me! "Couldn't find me" ... my ass. I was the girl with luggage in the arrivals area with an obviously out-of-town USC sweathirt on. Apparently, they went upstairs ... where the departures are. Now, tell me, why would I be at departure when I am staying at a hotel?!?!?!
After I called three times (once to tell them I'm here, another after 25 minutes ... another after 30 minutes) .... they finally "found" me. I got to the hotel around midnight.
I heart the T, by the way. Especially compared to LA's metro system .... well, anything is better than LA's metro system.
Boston College is GORGEOUS, albeit with weird green roofs and a crazily laid-out campus. I'm pretty sure I got lost at least once.
I know this whole "open house" thing is made to make people LOVE BC (being on many a admissions panel myself), but it really made me think that I made the right decision for the right reasons. It was touch-and-go for a while there, before I sent in the deposit.
There were several possibilities for jobs -- I'm really hoping to intern at the Chestnut Hill School -- it's a private elementary school near BC and the recruiter lady seemed REALLY nice. We'll see what happens. I'm also going to apply to be a substitute teacher during the school year ... they get paid pretty well, so that's gonna help a bit.
After the open house, I hung out with my friend Andre from Tampa (remember?) and had great fun. I think I laughed and destressed more than I had in a really long while. By the way, MIT has an awesome student center. I'm jealous. >:( I also made some (but not enough!) flash cards while his frat had its beach party in the basement ... I kept falling asleep and couldn't get any work done ... plus mom started calling me about storage questions .... and my resident called about move-out inspections .... and I fell asleep .... and woke up and read about copyright .... and fell asleep -- apparently "fair use" and the "sunshine act" weren't too fascinating with jet lag and very little sleep and a day of pushing my hire-ability.
Leaving Boston Sunday morning (7:20 AM! with no sleep, what with celebrating Andre's friend Nick's birthday and the KS party that I didn't go to) was really sad. :*(
But Boston was AMAZING and I can't wait for June 26!!!!!! :D
By the way .... I'm in the middle of finals, so don't expect too much of me for the next 2 weeks.
Currently listening to on repeat: "Amsterdam" by Guster. :)
Thursday, April 27, 2006
it's done.
My four-year/eight-semester tenure at the Daily Trojan is over. In a way, I think it's time anyway; I was getting really cynical and bitter, and it's good that someone else is taking over. :) But it's been a huge part (some might say the entirety) of my life at USC, and I'm going to definitely miss it.
Today, I've also turned in my decline form to USC Rossier. I mailed my acceptance form and deposit to Boston College. So unless I don't graduate in 2 weeks, I'm going to be in Boston from the end of July until winter 2007, at least.
I also got my cap and gown from the bookstore today with my gift certificate that Mona gave to the senior editors. It's a good investment of the money, I think.
Today, I also set up my Alumni Association account and my permant alumni forwarding e-mail. So that's done.
So many things got done today in terms of finishing up my college career, but as sad as it might seem, it's time.
Boston, HERE I COME!
Today, I've also turned in my decline form to USC Rossier. I mailed my acceptance form and deposit to Boston College. So unless I don't graduate in 2 weeks, I'm going to be in Boston from the end of July until winter 2007, at least.
I also got my cap and gown from the bookstore today with my gift certificate that Mona gave to the senior editors. It's a good investment of the money, I think.
Today, I also set up my Alumni Association account and my permant alumni forwarding e-mail. So that's done.
So many things got done today in terms of finishing up my college career, but as sad as it might seem, it's time.
Boston, HERE I COME!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
almost there
I'm almost decided where I want to go -- Boston. The thing is, though, if I'm going for the right reason. I see it as a fulfillment of a dream, but what else is pulling me there? Am I going to regret this down the road when I can't find a job in Massachusetts?
I'm going to Boston Friday to the BC Lynch School Open House to attempt to find a job to fund this endeavor. Either way, though, I'm almost there.
I'm going to Boston Friday to the BC Lynch School Open House to attempt to find a job to fund this endeavor. Either way, though, I'm almost there.
Monday, April 17, 2006
there is a decision to be made
Just because I got into my top choice doesn't mean I am guaranteed to be able to go. There are MANY questions I have to ask and my parents want to know. And right now -- without calling to get those questions answered -- it seems to be leaning toward USC. But I'm calling tomorrow for anwers. Will update.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
just like London
Today, I rode the bus to the Beverly Center to get my contact lenses from Lenscrafters. It rained. I had an umbrella. I was wearing sneakers. I walked everywhere. It's just like London. (tear).
I got a messenger bag from Old Navy ... they are in the men's department, but whatever. It's a messenger bag. They all should be unisex.
Macy's was also having a HUGE handbag and shoe sale and I got a Guess wallet that retailed for about $45 for $15. :)
I bought end-of-semester books from Borders for my students. Borders gift wrap! :)
And I bad boba.
It's a good day. (Other than my enormous headache.)
I got a messenger bag from Old Navy ... they are in the men's department, but whatever. It's a messenger bag. They all should be unisex.
Macy's was also having a HUGE handbag and shoe sale and I got a Guess wallet that retailed for about $45 for $15. :)
I bought end-of-semester books from Borders for my students. Borders gift wrap! :)
And I bad boba.
It's a good day. (Other than my enormous headache.)
great ad(vert) campaign
I always see this ad in Tube stations, and I never got a picture, of it. But this is a great ad(vert) campaign for London.
This one is my favorite.
This one is my favorite.
Brad Whitford!!!!!!!!!!!
I was biking to Cafe 84 on Thursday with my sister when I thought I saw someone from West Wing .... BRAD WHITFORD!!!!!! I love Josh Lyman.
I THOUGHT it was him, and I DIDN'T STOP.
I turned around and said to Amy .... I think that's someone from the West Wing.
I WAS ON A BIKE.
He was walking.
I could've turned back and talked to him.
Damn it.
It's my first real celebrity sightighin my whole 4 years in LA.
Sigh.
I THOUGHT it was him, and I DIDN'T STOP.
I turned around and said to Amy .... I think that's someone from the West Wing.
I WAS ON A BIKE.
He was walking.
I could've turned back and talked to him.
Damn it.
It's my first real celebrity sightighin my whole 4 years in LA.
Sigh.
failed the kids :(
I spent Tuesday night finishing (!) British history reading/homework. I was done at 3:30 AM. I spent the rest of the time transcribing my students' interview tapes, researching their topics on Lexis-Nexis and making a story template for them to easily write a story.
I went to sleep at 6 AM. I set the alarm clock for 8 AM. I was going to set my British phone, too, but saw that it was still set to 3:30 AM from my nap before I left for Heathrow. I got allll sentimental and put the phone back in my desk drawer.
I went to sleep.
The alarm clock rang at 8 AM for about 3 minutes or so.
I woke up.
I turned off the alarm.
I reset the alarm for 8 AM.
I went back to sleep.
I woke up at 10:15 AM.
My reaction: OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO!
Especially because I don't have a car, and Steven was probably waiting for a long time with no way of contacting me BECAUSE A THIEF STOLE MY BAG.
I went to sleep at 6 AM. I set the alarm clock for 8 AM. I was going to set my British phone, too, but saw that it was still set to 3:30 AM from my nap before I left for Heathrow. I got allll sentimental and put the phone back in my desk drawer.
I went to sleep.
The alarm clock rang at 8 AM for about 3 minutes or so.
I woke up.
I turned off the alarm.
I reset the alarm for 8 AM.
I went back to sleep.
I woke up at 10:15 AM.
My reaction: OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO!
Especially because I don't have a car, and Steven was probably waiting for a long time with no way of contacting me BECAUSE A THIEF STOLE MY BAG.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
more stolen stuff
Turns out the thief also took my 1G flashdrive and my Miu Miu-but-I-didn't-realize-it-was-made-by-Prada-at-the-time sunglasses. The only pair of PERFECT sunglasses I have ever owned. The model number is SMU59E. It took me an hour to find the model number and another hour to call London stores to see if anybody have it in stock. And some more time to scour the Internet for them. Is it worth it, though? To buy another pair of the sunglasses I didn't even know was designer until I got back to the States? To buy another pair of the sunglasses that I got on sale in the first place?!??!
stolen!
In the back of my mind, I always knew that one day, I'm going to get something stolen in my college career. It's inevitable. Well, it happened tonight at 11:20 PM on the nortwest corner of Jefferson and McClintock as I was waiting for a light to turn green.
I actually saw the perpetrator standing on the hill where Bank of America was and thought that it's strange that he was standing there alone in the middle of night as if he's waiting for someone or something. So I distinctly remembered to get a good look at him.
I was waiting for the light, and he literally ran from behind me and snatched my Trader Joes bag from my right handlebar and ran away northbound. By the time I remembered that I should scream for help/chase him down/etc., it was too late because he was gone. I didn't remember a car drive away, though, so I'm not sure where he went.
Anyway, there was nothing of real worth to anybody else than me. There was only $3 in there. And my precious 2 British pounds. And sheet music (Harris' Prelude, Pachelbel's Canon in D, Love Actually songbook that I bought in London).
About an hour ago, I remembered that I also have in there my voice recorder that I bought in London. But luckily I've already uploaded the Foshay interviews, contrary to my procrastinating styles. Man, those Foshay interviews would've been hard to get back.
My cell phone is also gone, but I think that's the only real thing I would need to buy to replace.
I was already in the market for a new wallet as a graduation present to myself (as I had done in high school), so that's just an expense that would've happened anyway. I've canceled my credit card and check card. I have a negative balance in my USC check card, and I can replace my driver's license. I don't have a car here anyway.
There are probably various receipts and papers in there that I don't remember exactly, but thankfully I took out my Lenscrafters stuff and thankfully I didn't have any notes or textbooks in there. Because that would make studying a little hard, seeing as how finals are coming up.
This incident tonight has also illuminated for me how DPS works, and I have mixed opinions about it. It is true that they responded pretty quickly, but I think they took too long in trying to nail down a description. It took 10 minutes to get the preliminary info, and by the time I actually went in the squad car with the officer, I have a distinct feeling that it's already too late. We sat in the squad car for a few more minutes while I tell the officer what I told the officer at the main desk. It was then that we drove to Jefferson and McClintock to look for the guy. There were a close call, but the guy didn't have the correct hair style.
We went back to the DPS office, and they took a formal report. They got a description:
5-foot-8 to 6 feet
stocky build, about 230-280 lbs
Hispanic
black shoulder-length curly hair
baggy white shirt
long short blue jeans
white socks
white sneakers
They got a description of what was stolen:
black Tommy Hilfiger wallet, trifold
credit card
2 check cards
SC driver's license
$3 cash
2 British pounds
cell phone -- Siemens (although I now think it's Samsung) silver flip
They called it plain theft.
On the bright side, my parents can stop worrying about my going over the cell phone limit and my credit card spending, as I have neither.
I actually saw the perpetrator standing on the hill where Bank of America was and thought that it's strange that he was standing there alone in the middle of night as if he's waiting for someone or something. So I distinctly remembered to get a good look at him.
I was waiting for the light, and he literally ran from behind me and snatched my Trader Joes bag from my right handlebar and ran away northbound. By the time I remembered that I should scream for help/chase him down/etc., it was too late because he was gone. I didn't remember a car drive away, though, so I'm not sure where he went.
Anyway, there was nothing of real worth to anybody else than me. There was only $3 in there. And my precious 2 British pounds. And sheet music (Harris' Prelude, Pachelbel's Canon in D, Love Actually songbook that I bought in London).
About an hour ago, I remembered that I also have in there my voice recorder that I bought in London. But luckily I've already uploaded the Foshay interviews, contrary to my procrastinating styles. Man, those Foshay interviews would've been hard to get back.
My cell phone is also gone, but I think that's the only real thing I would need to buy to replace.
I was already in the market for a new wallet as a graduation present to myself (as I had done in high school), so that's just an expense that would've happened anyway. I've canceled my credit card and check card. I have a negative balance in my USC check card, and I can replace my driver's license. I don't have a car here anyway.
There are probably various receipts and papers in there that I don't remember exactly, but thankfully I took out my Lenscrafters stuff and thankfully I didn't have any notes or textbooks in there. Because that would make studying a little hard, seeing as how finals are coming up.
This incident tonight has also illuminated for me how DPS works, and I have mixed opinions about it. It is true that they responded pretty quickly, but I think they took too long in trying to nail down a description. It took 10 minutes to get the preliminary info, and by the time I actually went in the squad car with the officer, I have a distinct feeling that it's already too late. We sat in the squad car for a few more minutes while I tell the officer what I told the officer at the main desk. It was then that we drove to Jefferson and McClintock to look for the guy. There were a close call, but the guy didn't have the correct hair style.
We went back to the DPS office, and they took a formal report. They got a description:
5-foot-8 to 6 feet
stocky build, about 230-280 lbs
Hispanic
black shoulder-length curly hair
baggy white shirt
long short blue jeans
white socks
white sneakers
They got a description of what was stolen:
black Tommy Hilfiger wallet, trifold
credit card
2 check cards
SC driver's license
$3 cash
2 British pounds
cell phone -- Siemens (although I now think it's Samsung) silver flip
They called it plain theft.
On the bright side, my parents can stop worrying about my going over the cell phone limit and my credit card spending, as I have neither.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
a chronogical oddity
in a couple of hours in midwestern and western U.S., it's gonna be 01:02:03 04/05/06.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
a dirth! of photos!
It hit me somehow in my dilirium last night that my blog has been lacking photos, which is sad, because I have lots of photos to share. It's senior year! No more college! There're four and a half weeks of college left, then it's just finals, finals, finals. And commencement.
It's coming down to the wire, and I still have no clue where I will be two months from now.
It's coming down to the wire, and I still have no clue where I will be two months from now.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
the other USC
I got an e-mail acceptance from the University of South Carolina today. I'm not sure if I'm OK with this new (?) trend of e-mail admission decisions. Somehow, it's just better (more nerve-racking?) to get this large (or small) envelope in the mail. (shrugs).
PS: I'm currently working on my sculpture project (still). I just finished writing my speech analysis essay for public speaking -- for a speech I attended about a month ago. Procrastination = bad.
PS: I'm currently working on my sculpture project (still). I just finished writing my speech analysis essay for public speaking -- for a speech I attended about a month ago. Procrastination = bad.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
weeeeeee
I'm running behind on my sculpture project. ahhh. It's due Tuesday, and I'm still trying to paint little styrofoam peanuts black on one side.
Friday, March 24, 2006
it's official
I just got my official admissions letter from USC. It's getting a little late to expecting an acceptance letter from BC and BU, so I'm just going to say that, barring any miracles, I'll probably be in LA for another year.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
oh yeah
and guilt-tripping. that's the best thing about mothers. they all do it. all of them.
"it's OK for you to talk to me in this manner. I don't care. but when you enter the real world, you're going to be sorry/regretful/be ostracized because you wear your emotions on your sleeve and always seem like you're pissed off at the world."
they all do it.
"it's OK for you to talk to me in this manner. I don't care. but when you enter the real world, you're going to be sorry/regretful/be ostracized because you wear your emotions on your sleeve and always seem like you're pissed off at the world."
they all do it.
just fucking great
My mother likes to ask me when I went to sleep the night before. I always adjust it about 2 hours earlier so it's less horrid to her sensitivities.
If you can't tell, I just hung up on the phone with her. Let me tell you that it is currently 12:16 AM Pacific, which mean's it's 3:16 AM Eastern. So you tell me whether I should've been the bitch and asked her what time it was over there right then and whether she's still sitting in front of the computer reading Taiwanese newspapers and not sleeping and probably bored and pissed that she's called numerous times and didn't believe me when I just called her back and told her that I didn't get her calls because my phone was on silent because I was TAKING A FIVE-HOUR TEST that she was perfectly aware of for MONTHS because she kept bugging about STUDYING for the fucking thing.
Fine. It's OK. Don't believe me. It's OK. You're gonna be pissed off at me anyways, like I knew you would because I refused to tell you -- AS I HAVE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I STARTED TAKING THE SATs THREE TIMES -- that I can't tell you how I did on the CSET because bad things usually happen whether I predict success or failure.
Oh, no. Go ahead and press for an answer. I'm sure you'll find a way to blame for me it anyway or find a way to make yourself feel better that you nagged me to study for a profession that YOU REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO ENTER until IT WAS TOO LATE to do anything about it at the college level. AND UNTIL YOU FOUND OUT THAT IT PAID ACTUAL LIVING WAGES.
Oh, yeah. And when you realized that my profession that I chose as a second choice that is now my first also doesn't pay as much as you would like.
Does is make you happier for me that I made more money than your friends' kids?
I'm sorry that I don't know math. I'm sorry I never understood chemistry. I'm sorry I have no desire to go to law school. I'm sorry I possess the skills that allow me to toil in obscurity and that will never let me afford to own mansions or high-end cars.
For your information, I AM happy with my life right now. I am doing what I love to do. I have a future. It's OK. Don't you worry about what my husband in the nowhere future is going to think. Because I'm not going to get married. I told you that when I was SIXTEEN. I have not changed my mind. Don't wait for a grandkid from me. At least not biologically. You can wait as long as you want.
I am physically incapable of going to sleep before midnight. I have NEVER been able to on my own accord. I would just lie there think roll around and be bored and be wasting time.
ALL my friends and EVERYONE my age that I know of goes to sleep late.
It doesn't bother me that I work until the wee hours of the night. I can't function that early.
I'm not pissed at the world. I'm pissed that you always call to pick a fucking fight.
Yeah. I smile a lot. When I want to. I also laugh. A lot.
Getting arbitrarily lectured and nagged is not something I prefer to laugh or smile about. I recall one time when I did, and you used the good ole reliable.
It's OK, though, I'm used to it. I'm 22.
If you can't tell, I just hung up on the phone with her. Let me tell you that it is currently 12:16 AM Pacific, which mean's it's 3:16 AM Eastern. So you tell me whether I should've been the bitch and asked her what time it was over there right then and whether she's still sitting in front of the computer reading Taiwanese newspapers and not sleeping and probably bored and pissed that she's called numerous times and didn't believe me when I just called her back and told her that I didn't get her calls because my phone was on silent because I was TAKING A FIVE-HOUR TEST that she was perfectly aware of for MONTHS because she kept bugging about STUDYING for the fucking thing.
Fine. It's OK. Don't believe me. It's OK. You're gonna be pissed off at me anyways, like I knew you would because I refused to tell you -- AS I HAVE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I STARTED TAKING THE SATs THREE TIMES -- that I can't tell you how I did on the CSET because bad things usually happen whether I predict success or failure.
Oh, no. Go ahead and press for an answer. I'm sure you'll find a way to blame for me it anyway or find a way to make yourself feel better that you nagged me to study for a profession that YOU REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO ENTER until IT WAS TOO LATE to do anything about it at the college level. AND UNTIL YOU FOUND OUT THAT IT PAID ACTUAL LIVING WAGES.
Oh, yeah. And when you realized that my profession that I chose as a second choice that is now my first also doesn't pay as much as you would like.
Does is make you happier for me that I made more money than your friends' kids?
I'm sorry that I don't know math. I'm sorry I never understood chemistry. I'm sorry I have no desire to go to law school. I'm sorry I possess the skills that allow me to toil in obscurity and that will never let me afford to own mansions or high-end cars.
For your information, I AM happy with my life right now. I am doing what I love to do. I have a future. It's OK. Don't you worry about what my husband in the nowhere future is going to think. Because I'm not going to get married. I told you that when I was SIXTEEN. I have not changed my mind. Don't wait for a grandkid from me. At least not biologically. You can wait as long as you want.
I am physically incapable of going to sleep before midnight. I have NEVER been able to on my own accord. I would just lie there think roll around and be bored and be wasting time.
ALL my friends and EVERYONE my age that I know of goes to sleep late.
It doesn't bother me that I work until the wee hours of the night. I can't function that early.
I'm not pissed at the world. I'm pissed that you always call to pick a fucking fight.
Yeah. I smile a lot. When I want to. I also laugh. A lot.
Getting arbitrarily lectured and nagged is not something I prefer to laugh or smile about. I recall one time when I did, and you used the good ole reliable.
It's OK, though, I'm used to it. I'm 22.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
caffeine update
the rather large Blackout I chugged earlier today is definitely kicking in. Things are getting a little spinny and a little shaky. whoa. Did I ever tell you guys about the first time I had a Blackout freshman year? I was awake for 24 hours .... and shaking for the better part of it.
ok. so I lied.
I had to tell UCLA to go f*ck itself again. Well, I'm really not that angry that they didn't admit me for their grad school (they didn't. damn them), but it's just fun to say f*ck UCLA. Screw them. Who needs those dumb Bruins anyhow?
On a completely different note, I just finished my dinner of pasta salad and subsequently threw away my only plastic fork. So I can't eat my fruit that I also brought with me. Bummer. :(
I also just accidentally (accidently?) took another CE's story ... hopefully she's not too pissed off... :(
On a completely different note, I just finished my dinner of pasta salad and subsequently threw away my only plastic fork. So I can't eat my fruit that I also brought with me. Bummer. :(
I also just accidentally (accidently?) took another CE's story ... hopefully she's not too pissed off... :(
Monday, March 13, 2006
a plane ride!
Weeeee! We made it back the South Carolina in one piece!
Along the way, I encountered a guy wearing a USC Gamecocks (pshhst) shirt who also did not wear deodorant. The plane to Washington, D.C., from LAX was lovely.
Of course, that same guy -- seeing as how he was wearing a Gamecocks shirt -- was also on the Columbia plane, which featured a lovely woman who didn't know not to sing Brandy's "Have You Ever" at the top of her lungs in a dinky little United Express plane with about 20 people in it. It was really annoying, which added to the fact that she couldn't sing -- like most people who decided to be obnoxious and sing aloud in public places. Enclosed public places. Bleh.
So don't look for an update for a while because I have no Internet at Chris' place because my dumb computer will connect to the wireless network but will not display the actual web pages. Actually, in all fairness, I shouldn't blame my computer for that. That's just technology's fault.
See ya'll Friday. :)
Saturday, March 11, 2006
yup. did it again.
Changed the template. The whiteness of the other one was really bugging me. So I've taken initiative (gasp) and reverted to my old self. Green is so calming. Mmm.
Friday, March 10, 2006
a death
On Wednesday, my friend Greg's mom died. He flew home that night. I didn't think it was appropriate to ask what happened. But it must be devastating to Greg. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my mom or dad. Hope he's going to be OK. :(
boo! made you look!
OK. I know there are strong and varied opinions over which "Law & Order" spin-off (or the original) was the best. I'm getting hooks on the original after watching SVU for ages. But I refuse to continue watching Criminal Intent because Vincent D'Onofrio's overacting absolutely drives me up the wall and makes me want to roll my eyes. It's almost like David Caruso's over-emotionizing in "CSI: Miami." The over-intensity is driving me insane. That is all.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
weird day
Today's been interesting. It started with my freaking out a little bit about the history class and seriously contemplating dropping the class. Then I had the most amazing time with my new crop of Community Journalism students -- 8th graders! They's so much fun! We had a great time talking about college and USC and having three-day weekends everyday. :)
After the amazing group of students -- Lexine, Anna, Oscar and Oliver -- I went to pick up my official notification from the USC Rossier School of Education that I've been admitted to the MAT program. Yes! I've been admitted! I've been wanting to tell the world that, but without that piece of paper, I didn't want to risk it. Then I applied for grad housing because I stupidly did not do R3. What was I thinking?!
I went to the DT office to take a little nap, but Sophie called and asked if I've gotten a call from Greg. I said no, what happened? She said Greg's mom died. Yeah .... it's a little sudden, to say the least. I remember meeting her when we went to the Weekender sophomore year. She's not old at all -- she's just like most moms. And she's pretty cool. Sophie and I went to visit Greg, and Maryal had the same idea. We hung around and watched a little of "Dawson's Creek" before I left to go to budget.
It's just been a pretty glum day in general. I was cranky at DT and in a general sad and grumpy mood. Everybody ticked me off but in an attempt to try to be nice, I didn't say a word. But I'm back now, and I'm going to do a little preliminary research for public speaking tomorrow.
Maybe tomorrow will be better for everyone all around.
After the amazing group of students -- Lexine, Anna, Oscar and Oliver -- I went to pick up my official notification from the USC Rossier School of Education that I've been admitted to the MAT program. Yes! I've been admitted! I've been wanting to tell the world that, but without that piece of paper, I didn't want to risk it. Then I applied for grad housing because I stupidly did not do R3. What was I thinking?!
I went to the DT office to take a little nap, but Sophie called and asked if I've gotten a call from Greg. I said no, what happened? She said Greg's mom died. Yeah .... it's a little sudden, to say the least. I remember meeting her when we went to the Weekender sophomore year. She's not old at all -- she's just like most moms. And she's pretty cool. Sophie and I went to visit Greg, and Maryal had the same idea. We hung around and watched a little of "Dawson's Creek" before I left to go to budget.
It's just been a pretty glum day in general. I was cranky at DT and in a general sad and grumpy mood. Everybody ticked me off but in an attempt to try to be nice, I didn't say a word. But I'm back now, and I'm going to do a little preliminary research for public speaking tomorrow.
Maybe tomorrow will be better for everyone all around.
good news
I have wonderful news that I really wish I can tell the world and shout it out in the middle of Hahn Plaza. But not yet. I am still waiting for confirmation. :) I'll update. I promise. Now, time for a nap before I write abou the word "sensability" in the context of Thomas Gainsborough's "Cottage Door" and similar paintings.
Let me tell you about my journey to Hungtington Library via L.A. publica transportation later. It is a tale so, so worth telling to the public as an illustration of the abysmal state of this city's pubic transport. There. I gave you a hint. :)
Let me tell you about my journey to Hungtington Library via L.A. publica transportation later. It is a tale so, so worth telling to the public as an illustration of the abysmal state of this city's pubic transport. There. I gave you a hint. :)
Monday, March 06, 2006
another circle
Another circle was closed over the weekend when Steven, James, Jeremy, Zach, Genevieve and I were at Universal City. Freshman year, Greg and I also went to Universal City, and like what Greg and I did then, the six of us went to CityWalk. It was awesome. :)
Everything is coming together; there are seven weeks left of DT production and about two more weeks of classes (I think).
I can't see the end of the tunnel yet, but it certainly is getting exciting! :)
Everything is coming together; there are seven weeks left of DT production and about two more weeks of classes (I think).
I can't see the end of the tunnel yet, but it certainly is getting exciting! :)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
hold 'em!
Tonight I made my first earnings from a poker game. This, mind you, is after the disastrous outcome in Tampa. So this is an accomplishment. I put three people all in, and one of my best hands was a 9-10, which I flopped for a 10-high straight. :)
Now. Make sure to not fall into trap.
Now. Make sure to not fall into trap.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
I can almost taste it.
It's so close I can almost taste it, yet the uncertainty is looming, and I have no clue what I will be doing or where I will be going come May 13.
Degree in hand, I will be going off to face the world with the taught knowledge and learned knowledge but where's the real knowledge?
Tomorrow, my three journalism students at Foshay will try to meet their deadlines, and we still have two stories to go. So far, the experience has been rewarding in that I get a sense of accomplishment and I can see that my students are excited about what they're doing. At the same time, it takes a lot of energy, and it confirmed my decision that grade school is probably not the right teaching level for me.
Anyway, I am going to read Equiano now. Night.
Degree in hand, I will be going off to face the world with the taught knowledge and learned knowledge but where's the real knowledge?
Tomorrow, my three journalism students at Foshay will try to meet their deadlines, and we still have two stories to go. So far, the experience has been rewarding in that I get a sense of accomplishment and I can see that my students are excited about what they're doing. At the same time, it takes a lot of energy, and it confirmed my decision that grade school is probably not the right teaching level for me.
Anyway, I am going to read Equiano now. Night.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Exam Bars Potential Lawyers from Practice
LA Times' Column One yesterday was about the difficulty of passing the California bar exam -- less than half of exam-takers fail, including now-well-known scholars, trial lawyers and politicians.
Harvard missing leader, in deep doo-doo
Boston Globe had a good story that chronicles the events that led up to Harvard University President Summers' resignation.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Olympics
I've been completely addicted to the Olympics, and I have to say, the competition is great and all, but the best part is the all the medal ceremonies. Listening to all those national anthems, watching all those flags go up and seeing all those athletes choke up makes me really happy for them, too! :*)
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
slow death
In the past 24 hours, my computer has shut down without cause three times. No warning. Just (beeeew) and then nothing. I'm pretty sure the reason is overheating, which I thought I solved pretty well, but apparently not. I'm going to see if I can find a cooling pad because this cannot keep up. I have to use my computer for my law exam next Tuesday. Definitely not funny nor amusing. It has also started making weird whirling and squeaking noises. Also not good signs. It' a good thing I recently acquired an external hard drive. I've lost important stuff waaaay too many times because of Compaq's stupidity.
I am reading "Evelina" for class on Valentine's Day. how appropriate.
I am reading "Evelina" for class on Valentine's Day. how appropriate.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
midterming sucks
and I haven't even had that many yet.
I'm addicted to the Winter Olympics, which started yesterday, but I didn't get to watch the opening ceremonies.
Also reading a lot of non-required stuff, which bodes so good for the class-assigned books, which will definitely be a good thing later in the semester.
Next week is the grad fair, so the reality of being a graduating senior is kicking in FAST -- not that the lack of a job is not scaring the willies outta me, anyway. :/
I'm addicted to the Winter Olympics, which started yesterday, but I didn't get to watch the opening ceremonies.
Also reading a lot of non-required stuff, which bodes so good for the class-assigned books, which will definitely be a good thing later in the semester.
Next week is the grad fair, so the reality of being a graduating senior is kicking in FAST -- not that the lack of a job is not scaring the willies outta me, anyway. :/
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