A Lill Quiz thingy

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD (OTHER THAN THIS ONE):1. Absolut4get. 2. none3. none
THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:1. My academic success (so far at least) 2. People seem to think I'm nice, so my kind heart 3. My level of Determination
THREE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT YOURSELF:1. I talk too much and too fast 2. somewhat nosy 3. my commitment issues
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:1. Dutch 2.Welsch 3. Irish
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:1. lonliness 2. helplessness 3. settling
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:1. the cell phone 2. ipod 3. check my e-mail/internet
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:1. lots of earrings 2. umbro soccer shorts 3. champion sweatshirt
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR ARTISTS AT THE MOMENT:1. Maroon 5 2.Switchfoot 3. Dispatch
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS AT PRESENT:1. Finger Eleven's one that gets radioplay 2.Dare you to Move 3. Sunday Morning
THREE NEW THINGS YOU WANT TO TRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS1. ride a cable car (I'm going to San Fran) 2. Las Vegas 3. actually learn to be an art librarian
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP (Love is a given):1. trust (as much as possible) 2. laughter 3. excitement
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (Guess which one's the lie?)1. I can write my name lefthanded and backwards 2. I can touch my tongue to my nose 3. I can tie cherry stems in knots
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:1. eyes 2. smile 3. composition
THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:1. drive stick well 2. read latin 3. math
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:1. reading 2. creative crafts 3. partying
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:1. sleep 2. eat 3. watch t.v.
THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING:1. Fine Arts Librarian 2.Photographer 3. Writer
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:1. Europe 2. Australia 3. Eastern Asia
THREE KID'S NAMES YOU LIKE:1. Sonora(I know, "Snore" poor kid) 2.Serena 3. Catalina
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:1. live in a foreign country 2.help humanity in some capacity 3. see hagia sophia

Holiday Mussings

I am petsitting for a lovely schnauzer right now, I LOVE unconditional love from a puppy, even if they are not my own, makes me feel special :) My happy family did breakfast at Perkins this morning, which was a blast. My grandma and aunt then took off for some other family visits on their way to Spencer. My dad has actually been playing the xbox, which is great, because it was really FOR him, and not just for us when we come home to visit. I have to say though, I am already addicted to Burnout 3, that game totally rocks my socks off. :) SOOo good that I don't have an xbox or ps2 in Indy...I'd probably flunk out of grad school.
My foursome family kept probably our ONLY tradition alive today, by going to see Meet the Fochers - (we always go as a foursome to see a movie over a holiday when we're all home. For the past few years it was LOTR, -NERD that I am). It's a pretty good show, not quite as good as the first for the "sticky happenings that he gets himself into" but more believable I think. I have seen WAY too many movies this break and basically I'm OKAY with that fact, haha, I need to catch up! I've seen three in the theater too, which is alot for me...but great still. I haven't been an entire shut in though - and did accomplish a lill bit of the reading for classes - I know HOMEWORK over Break? doesn't seem right does it?
I am totally trying to channel my nervous engery. Have been for the last day or so...it really sucks when you hear on the news that a Tsunami has hit a place where your friend might still be! I have been trying not to think about it too much though. It usually happens when I hear things, that my loved ones are okay. Like w. 9/11 - my cousin actually worked in the World Trade Center building, but luckily, was on business in Minneapolis when the planes hit, not that it takes away from the horribleness of what happened, but it was a full day of nervous energy for me, having SO many family members and friends that lived in NYC that day. So I hope that he is okay, and if you can, whomever is reading this, send up a prayer, if you believe in praying for my friend. He's in Thailand on vacation for the christmas holiday and hopefully okay. My prayers for everyone else as well that is over there or has loved ones there as well. So, enough moments of worry, I am headed to dinner with two of my very best friends in the world! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and a peaceful restful time spent with family and friends and relaxation!
-and GO HAWKS for the Capital One Bowl in a few days! - I must make a note to find a sports bar in Indy that will play the UI Men's Bball games...I will miss that when I'm back in B-town, and for those of you in B-town right now, I hope you are recovering and digging out of all that snow!

Happy Holiday Greetings to everyone! I love spending time with the family and friends during the season to be jolly. Grandma arrived in Iowa City on Wednesday, after a meer 4 hrs on the road, - we were impressed she was able to make the trip and I'm happy she got here safely. Unfortunately mom took her to the ER today as she's got bronchitis, poor thing. I get to pick up my bro at the airport tomorrow, and I"m sure I will pick his brain about what to do in San Fran when i'm there over Spring Break. I will also get to satisfy my need for pets by taking care of Fritz, the awesome schnauzer of some family friends. I get to stay at their house to, which is great, and will give me some much needed time to concentrate on getting some of this work done for school and cuddling with a puppy is always nice :)
We went out to MugClub last night, it was VERY cold here in IA, no snow yet, but some negative degrees and nasty windchills...apparently Indy got dumped on with lots of snow recently - I hope that will all melt before I am back there for the start of next semester.
I have caught up on many of the movies that I'd wanted to see, which is one thing I can cross off that list I wrote awhile ago, and I've worked on the website alot too - though it's not nearly done yet...Surprisingly I haven't really taken many pictures since getting back to Iowa either. Guess I"ll get on that here soon! I have seen :
Oceans 12, Finding Neverland, Saved (hilarious), Napoleon Dynamite, Collateral, American History X, GhostWorld, Super Size Me, and some others too. I've also caught a few of the men's bball games....I think i will miss that the most when i'm back in Indy, and may have tomake a few trips to some sports bar with possible regional coverage that extends to the other "I" states.
Chai asked if he could come to indiana for the Iowa/Indiana game, and I promptly told him Of course he could, and that he can watch it at the sportsbar with me, silly boy, the game's in IC this year. Haha, the hawks kicked texas tech butt though - so Bobby Knight didn't have much to be happy about the other night.
hope everyone is having a good start to their celebrations (whatever you celebrate)

did next to nothing during the day, and then went to the Quad Citites tonight, it was a very lovely evening complete with dinner with Christy, a movie, and some bowling. I love getting to see my sissy and meeting her Quad Cities friends was fun too. The movie was really great! I enjoyed it, lots of laughter and some scary portions too. Scott should have a bright future ahead of him in the film industry, and his other short film (the one I saw tonight was Her Summer, one of two o ftheir most recent feature length films) "Shades" was one of the three finalists in the MTV Best Film on Campus contest that happened recently. I think he's got a lot of good stuff going for him as a director/writer/producer in the industry, and he picks great actressess hehe. Christy did say she's died in 5 of the movies, and we wonder slightly if Scott might be trying to send her a message. Christy is always a fabulous host for her guests and I really enjoyed the evening. There was a good turn out for the film, and both scott and brian were surprised so many folks showed up, including a few out of towners like ME :) The Brew and View theater itself is also pretty spiff. Though because so many people showed up, christy, her friend kelly, and I parked ourselves on this couch down in front, and two of the guys, Corey and Shane (shane was one of the actors in the film) sat on either side of the three of us, so it was a cozy crew on the couch. My bowling after the film really stank, I"m so out of practice!!! need to go for a few rounds of quartermania again I think!
anyways, now that I"m back, safe and sound, despite a bit of a run in w. some black ice on Holiday road after getting back to IC, I must hit the hay!
Count down till Grandma, Steve, and Lis come has begun, as well as to when i get to dog sit, and to the fun of the season! We've finally got some snow in IA that I was here for, that's starting to stick...I ONLY like snow RiGHT around Christmas time, so this is well played snow...if it stays too long, I'm sure I'll complain about it, but for now it's fun :)

Yule Tide Greetings

So yay for my holidays so far and what's to come! I found out today that I get to petsit for one of my favorite puppies. hooray! Fritz is a fabulous schnauzer and I will get to take care of him for the 25th through the 29th, a happy way to satisify my animal craziness, since I suffer with drawal often now that I don't have my cat around anymore, and of course, none of the Indiana friends have pets there in Bloomington either. So yay!
I also will go tomorrow night to the QC to see my friend Scott's newest movie. Scott is someone I've mentioned in the blog b.f with a link to his website (for those of you that have actually read this thing - a small number I"m sure). I'm also excited because I will get to see Christy, whom I consider as a little sister and good friend as well. I met Scott through her, because he is her boyfriend, and she's starring in a few of his movies anyway :) Hopefully a few of the other IC folks will want to come with m e so that I don't have to drive over there alone. So that should be fun, though it sounds as if the weather earlier in the day won't be totally great, hopefully it'll be okay by early evening when I head over there.
Sat night was fun. Went to Jon's for a lill hang out party, Faraji was in town so he attended with me, and then Becks, Faraji and I went to Brothers for some dancing (Cause I wanted the exercise) it was weird though - some older folks macking on each other, was interesting....we also watched meet the parents and princess diaries II. I was beat by 4 am when I finally tucked myself into bed though. I have basically done nothing at all today (sunday) except take a bath and write in this journal...hah. I also watched the National Geographic Channels 'unlocking the da vinci code" because, of course, I am a HUGE art history nerd, and read that book and thought it has been an interesting theological debate. Now I think I'll work a bit on my website, and then hit the hay. I hope everyone else is having a good break and enjoying the holiday season (as per my previous post about xmas carrolls, my "rage" has disapated and I've resigned to simply sigh as ppl sing to their jolly little heart's content...it'll be okay)

Christmas Spirit and Alchy

It's 3:!8 am Iowa time, I'm not tired. I hate how much I've thrown off my sleeping schedule in the first week of being on break. It's really annoying that I basically get up with the sun, because, surprise, my parents do. and then go back to sleep, after breakfast, and sleep until like noon or so, and lounge around all day, working out, and doing the normal break things, like reading and such. I'm a huge dork I know. Tonight was friday of finals for the Iowa folks, so I actually got to see a few of them out and about. Misa had a wine party get together thing that I attended, I did coffee with Jaime, and also got to see faraji and Krisitn. Kristin I haven't seen since WAY back before I left for IU, which I guess, while not being a super long time ago in reality, meer months really, still seems like forever. she's awesome and I did have some fun hanging w. her at 808 (previously Malones, and I gotta say, was better as a more sit down irish pub enviro than drunk college kid place) but, nonetheless it was interesting. Got hit on by a guy in law school here at iowa, was a way to pass the time I guess, making conversation...and another guy chatted with me, and a really drunk guy sang a few christmas carolls for us - I REALLY had to hold myself back from decking him. Honestly, I have a pent up rage building for christmas songs, and especially people, (though drunk they can NOT really use that as an excuse) who randomly break out into their favorite little xmas ditty, when I didn't ASK them to serenade me, and could care less to hear O Holy Night, while some rap song is playing in the background and they feel the need to TOP the base in the dj's song by yelling out All is Calm and Bright at the top of their freaking lungs. He asked what my favorite christmas song was, and I was sure he'd sing it anyways, so to shut him up (hopefully) I asked to hear 'Santa Baby' - feeling rather smug and kewl about my answer, he did NOT break into a screaming rendition, but instead remarked 'that's great, but for me to sing it, kinda gay." Thank God.
I'm all for the xmas spirit, sure. I mean, the spirit of giving and having fun and holiday breaks and such, but for some reason the whole idea of christmas carrolls is entirely pissing me off righ tnow. Perhaps it is because I have tried to boycott hearing them at all, which is an entirely impossible task, as every radio station is the eastern Iowa area seems to LOVE slipping a few in every HOUR! There are only so many times I can hit the seek or scan button on the civic and really not crave to plug in the ipod - current events and songs be damned. I have nothing against ppl enjoying the chance to sing christmas songs in the privacy of their own home (thank you mom and dad for not playing them or humming them 24/7) I do have a problem with being forced to listen to anyone sing. Carrollers, dont' stop at my house, or I will shut the door in your face this time around - not sure why it's affecting me so much this year - last year I wasn't like this...misdirected rage towards the happy go lucky idea of xmas songs? perhaps tis more the season to be jolly is okay and well and good - but not for those people that celebrate Kwanza or Haunakah (can you tell I'm not jewish cause I can't spell that word at all?) I ALMOST told the guy in the bar: "I don't celebrate christmas. I was adopted by an african american family and I celebrate kwanza, and your carrolling offends me." but duh, iowa city bar friday night of finals week, there isn't really a way to SAY that and not hear about ten rounds of "jingle bells" as an answer.
so ya, bah humbug to xmas carrolling in public.

Iowa, oh, Iowa

Well, I have been back in Iowa now for a few days. I realize even though B-town isn't that much further "south" it had been alot warmer...at least 15degrees, which was MUCH warmer compared to the 15-20 degree range in IA right now. I have complained about this to the Iowa friends, and they all agree, it's freakin cold here, and we all want to boycott cold weather! However, it has not snowed yet, so I guess that's a plus.
Most of my friends here are still in the midst of their finals week, I feel sorta bad to steal them away from their studies to hang out with me, and I serve as this great distraction. At least most of them welcome a break from the insanity that is studying for finals - ah I remember it soo well - thank goodness none for me this time around - next sem will probably kick my ass enough to make up for it though.
I have already been in touch with a few of the Indiana friends, and will hopefully get out some christmas cards before the end of the week. I have extreme empathy for one in particular as she's just gotten some really frustrating news related to a class. I wish I could help her out more, but hopefully something good will come out of it. She is very bright, a sweetheart, and a super gal, so it always sucks when disappointing things like this happy to the people who least deserve it. Karma be damned on that!
I drove back on Sat morn, after having stayed up way too late friday night, but for a good reason, Tanya and I went to tutto benne, which was lots of fun, I had grilled artichokes, yummy, and some wine. Then we went out and played pool and Art joined us. I turned down a shot from a guy that offered, and told him to give it to the graduating girl instead. It was pretty funny. After a few rounds of pool we just sat and discussed alot of different things, which was lots of fun for me, because I got to know Art a lill better, and Tanya was able to get sufficently wasted as planned. We went back to Art's place for awhile for afterhours which was also fun. Then I got three hrs of sleep and packed, and drove back to IA. I was glad Trac and I got Starbucks b.f I went for dinner, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to hang out so late, or stay awake on the drive home either.
I did fall asleep pretty quickly after getting back into town here. ate dinner w. the folks, watched a movie and then slept...missing a few invites to hangout. Last night we went out to the bars for awhile, I drove so didn't drink, but I had fun hanging out with the friends there...though I would have liked to have danced more, because I didn't work out yesterday at all. I have been trying to be better about doing at least 30 minutes a day in the hopes to get more muscle tone, which means I"ve also been lifting, and hah, a lill sore from that! If you haven't seen the movie SAVED, I highly recommend, as long as you can take a good look at the crazy religious zealouts out there, and take it all with a grain of salt, as they say, especially good if you are like me, and enjoy the sort of sadistic dark humor comedies. okies, well I will end this now, because I am off to join pete at house of aromas for a cheesecake latte and some catching up! hope you've all been able to stay somewhat WARM out there!

wrapping up

Well the semester will be over for me officially tomorrow, after I get my 401 homework turned in. Tanya and I will go to a more upscale place for dinner and out for some billiards. I'm joining Traci for our last Starbucks visit before break - sadness...I'll talk to her over the vacation I imagine though. I meet with the art librarian, B.J. Irvine tomorrow to hopefully beg and plead to be in her class next semester since my sched. got messed up. Profs should not be allowed to change the time of their classes this late in the game, it's been almost a month since we first registered for them...but hopefully all will work out okay. I've started my website project that will occupy some time over break. hooray. Today I went to INdy to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, there is alot of construction, but i did get to see the european paintings galleries, and the african galleries. it was a fun lill sojourn, though I was most proud because I did not get terribly lost, even though Mapquest didn't give me fully great directions. I-65, 465, and 74 are the same thing for PART of the trip, but not ALL of the trip...since 465 just circles in a "loop" i was okay just getting back on it to find my exit, however the Highway 37 to I-65 was NOT marked properly. Oh well, it was an adventure. I have wondered if anyone's ever written a scholarly text tracing the comparrison between stools and thrones of the kings in Africa to neckrests that they also make there...I thought they looked kinda similar, and I hadn't seen neckrests before this trip to Indy. The collection was pretty decent, though I was disappointed not to see more of it because of the construction, guess I"ll just have to go back in September (it'll be closed Jan-April) and I won't be in B-town over the summer...it was a good way to spend a few hours though, soaking up some artistic culture and remembering why I'm in this career path....I miss studying slides for tests though - how odd...guess i truly am an academic dork. Good luck to all on getting final papers/projects and such done! I'll be thinking bout ya! I feel like a wine dealer too, cause Oliver Winery will get good business from me on Sat...it's a lovely gift for those of age :)
night folks!

holiday possibilities

I'm really looking forward to my Winter Break. I have high ambitions for how I will fill my days and evenings. I'm very excited that my grandmother is coming to spend Christmas with us this year! My brother is also flying home from San Fransisco for the festivities, and my aunt Julie will be passing through due to work. Lis is coming back from Korea for a few days, so I will also get to catch up with her. I must say I really really love the holiday season right about this time of year. It's not so much that I love the holiday of christmas, or dare I say the birth of christ which caused it's formation. For me, it's more about getting to spend the time with my family and friends, and getting to buy them things that make them happy or at the very least, i've put some time and effort into making for them. I'm on a zealous campaign to teach myself some more website html designing things, to play as much playstation II as possible, to practice the guitar, to read many great books, to hang out often with the friends, to play board games with them (haha, they'll get roped into it!), to see my old bosses and co-workers, to sleep alot, to party alot, to watch alot of t.v. and alot of movies, to explore a lill more of Indy and Bloomington before I go, to ring in the new year in a funtabulous way, to send out many happy holiday cards to friends near and far, to take LOTS and LOTS of pictures (which is a normal given in my case), to make mom's lasagna, to enjoy a wine and cheese party, some shopping, some cleaning of the storage locker, and some serious time by myself to write.
I know I know...as I said...zealous. about half of that I will probably actually get around to doing. But it's almost as much fun just thinking of all the hours of the day i COULD spend doing things that makes the Winter Break seem so open to possibilities. I know I know...I'm a big dork! At least I admit it!
happy holidays folks!

okay, so ya, um, I don't have anything to write, I should really bother with this entry in the end. Do you ever get that feeling like everyone else in the world is doing something so much better/more fun/interesting/cooler than you are at this very second? well I do. and I'm having that thought right now. It's not because I'md oing something horrible either, though sometimes that compensates and allows for the complaining factor of feeling like they are all doing something better cause they probably truly are, as you struggle with the crap that you are doing. But no, I'm not doing anything horrible now....and yet...I still feel like other people's lives must be way cooler than mine currently. not sure why that is...
oh well, guess I'll go read...cause that's cool.

Following Traci's lead I've filled out some quizes. Also because it prolongs my paper writing break.

if you were a movie, you'd be a Groundbreaking Documentary

If you think documentaries are boring, think again. Like your movie match, you're an intelligent individual who makes people think. Documentaries span all sorts of topics, from the trivial to the profound. Perhaps your interests do the same, but one thing's clear — you're a smarty and you like to learn.We'd guess you're the person at the dinner table or the water cooler who stirs up lively debates about the latest news or tidbits from the Discovery Channel. Part of you probably gets a kick out of creating controversy and getting people fired up about their beliefs. Another part probably likes opening people's eyes and sharing your thoughts. And for that, you get two thumbs up for trying to get to the bottom of things and making waves!

I'm going to San Fran for Spring Break! WOO HOO! Best part? It's an xmas present from my folks. I get to go and stay for 5 days out on the West coast - where i've NEVER been mind you, and see my bro, and soak up the San Fran culture and night life...hooray! Also kewl, Hawks are in the Cap One Bowl, so FL there they go. I'd say here i come, IF I could swing it, alas no money for that, but at least San Fran for the NEXT break will rawk. :) -besides i still remember last time in FL and it was a blast, but I'd need to have my girls with me to fully enjoy the rollercoasters! ;)
also very kewl is that i did well on my paper...so I should be heading back to IC around Dec 14th or so. yay! good part about that, I'll probl catch all my academically obligated friends, b.c iowa final's week is then I think, so they'll still be havin to stick around a few days so I can see em :) yay! okies, speaking of academically obligated...I have to work on this pathfinder...