Nothing In Particular
Why can’t I just choose to be a morning person? Life would be so much easier, considering that pretty much every single responsibility I have requires me to be awake and somewhere and functioning by 8 a.m. But no… no matter how sleepy I am after dinner, I’m WIDE AWAKE by bed time. Did I mention that when left to my own devices I actually become completely nocturnal? As in I go to bed at sunrise and awake at 5 p.m. That’s my natural tendency. So you can see how things like school, work, volunteering, doctor’s appointments, etc. really throw a wrench in things. PITY ME.
But anyway, I just got back from a super lovely visit to San Diego, where I half-shirked my scholarly and professional duties in exchange for video games on a 47″ TV and countless gourmet meals. I regret nothing! But seriously, could I even ask for a better friend than this guy? I think not. He always goes all-out to make his friends and loved ones happy, so… shout-out to you Alex, and thank you again for an awesome visit! Plus I got to see my sister, but she has a real job now so she was busy a lot. I’m so proud!
Speaking of jobs… Colin got a great one! Finally, after months and months of searching and applying and emailing and calling, *this* company actually initiated contact with *him* seeking an interview! The irony is not lost on either of us. He’s really looking forward to having a reason to leave the house on a daily basis. Having nothing to do really is only fun for a couple of weeks. Or five, if it was a particularly grueling semester.
I can’t believe I’m in week 6 of the spring semester already. It’s just flying by. Only two weeks until spring break, then all hell breaks loose and I pretty much have an assignment, exam, quiz or skills check every single day until finals. So if I call any of you crying incoherently sometime in April, you know why.
Well if you’ll excuse me, I have to get down to the lab to handle some brains.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)There’s a First Time for Everything
I have never known T-Rex to bring up a valid and insightful point before!
Meh.
I feel like part of the minority here, but I’m just not that excited about the iPad. My apathy is twofold. One, Apple’s justification for the iPad’s existence is to fill in the gap between the iPhone and the MacBook. I really don’t see a gap there that needs filling. In any instance where my phone isn’t powerful or large enough to do what I need, I have my laptop with me. In any case where I need something more portable than my laptop, my phone does the job. An intermediate device is just not necessary.
Second, it’s lacking in several departments. No camera? No Flash? No multitasking? No USB port? And any iBooks I buy via Apple’s store can’t be viewed on any other eBook reader I may have? Are you serious, Apple? I definitely have some hardcore fangirl feelings for the brand, but wow did they miss the mark on this one.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)Mingling Dream with Reality
Have you ever dreamed a fight with your significant other? I have, twice now. It’s so awkward to wake up and look at the person you were just flat-out screaming at in your dream only to realize that they never actually did anything wrong. Until the lingering anger fades, things feel very conflicted. Not to mention I’ve never decided if dreams are an expression of subconscious feelings or just coincidence. Am I really secretly (even to myself) harboring anger over something? I can’t imagine what it could possibly be. Or maybe it was just a dream.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)It’s Quiet Around Here
I miss my dog. The woman who is taking care of him is head over heels for him and spoils him rotten - he gained 3 pounds in his first few months at her house. I know he is happy and well taken care of and fitting in nicely. But man do I miss having the little furball on my lap. This is the first time ever in my life I have lived without a pet in the house. I definitely don’t miss the extra cleaning and the fur all over my clothes, but just having them around made it feel like a happy home. Colin and I have no official plans, but it seems we’ll be together for the foreseeable future, and I’m wondering what I’m going to do with my pangs of longing for a pet. Perhaps he’d agree to one of those hideous hairless cats or something - but it would be a battle. What do you do with someone who grew up in a household that considered animals unclean and unfit to live in your house, when you’ve never been without? Somehow I think a goldfish just isn’t going to cut it for me.
Dealing with my guilt over visiting Merlin is another matter… at first it was great to see him but now it’s getting harder and harder to have to leave him behind. But not visiting at all doesn’t sound appealing, either. I imagine this is what it feels like to try to remain friends with an ex you’re not quite over. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Ah well. I’m going to visit him tomorrow and maybe I won’t be feeling so melancholy then.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)2009 Book Reviews
Well, I only managed to read 10 books in 2009. But in light of the whole GRAD SCHOOL thing, I think that’s not entirely unforgivable. As usual, you can read my reviews in detail at my Library Thing.
Five-Star Books:
- The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain De Botton
- The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams (a re-read of an all-time favorite)
Four-Star Books:
- The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
- Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- Outlander/Dragonfly in Amber/Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (first three in the series)
Three-Star Books:
- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Marquez
- In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
All-in-all, I didn’t read any books in 2009 that I flat-out didn’t like, which is an improvement on 2008. I’m only a few hundred pages from finishing my first book of 2010. I hope to read more than ten books this year, but the aforementioned GRAD SCHOOL may hinder that. Either way, you can look forward to the annual book review next year!
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)Worst of Times and Best of Times
Two weeks ago I was at my mom’s house watching the animals while she and Richard went to a Christmas Party. I emerged from the house at dinner time to feed everyone their grain to find the barn engulfed in flames. The rest of the night is a blur; I just remember frantically trying to get a hold of my mom… by the time I did, the barn was burned to the ground. Fourteen of the alpacas died, although thirteen of those should have been able to escape since all but one of the barn doors was wide open. We aren’t sure why they stayed inside. But six alpacas escaped, and all three dogs. I was treated for smoke inhalation and various bumps and scrapes - I had jumped the fence and tried to open the one locked door, but it was latched from the inside - but I’m completely fine now. Emotionally… I’m coping. Last week was really hard, but this week has been fine, mostly because I spent the week in Oregon with Colin’s awesome family. I’m not putting this story up for sympathy, it just feels good to get it out there. May the sweet little alpaca souls rest in peace.
And now, on a happier note, my visit to Oregon was amazing. Colin’s mom is so warm and nice and she showed us a great time. We went to a play and a Dickens Feast and had many delicious meals. I’d never been to a Dickens Feast before but you can be damn sure I’ll be going again! It was at a beautiful bed and breakfast. The staff were all dressed up as characters from A Christmas Carol, and we were served six amazing courses while being serenaded by a quartet of carolers. Next time, though, I’m going to wear something slightly more stretchy. But really, I couldn’t have asked for a better meet-the-parents experience. I hope Colin’s dad (whenever I get around to meeting him - who knows when that will be) is just as awesome.
Also in happy news, Lisa is coming to visit on Monday, which means I have exactly until then to get this pig sty of an apartment in guest shape. And believe me, it won’t be finished until the very last second. That’s just how I roll.
Ohhh yes, I almost forgot - I passed all my first semester classes with 3 A’s and 2 B’s! Quite frankly I’m a bit surprised I did so well - some of the courses were really hard- but I’m not about to question it! I definitely learned some good lessons to apply to next semester, mostly involving getting enough sleep. I can’t even tell you how many times I looked up while studying for finals and said, “Clearly I was in class this day because I took notes, but I have absolutely no memory of learning about this.” I guess just being in class isn’t enough - you should also be well-rested enough to pay attention.
So, that is the current news, both sad and happy. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday surrounded by people you love.
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