Mood: somber
Listening to: CNN
Classes are done for the first week. I am looking forward to the weekend and having some fun. My headache is finally gone. I've had fun catching up with the friends back home this week. Happy birthday shout out to Aaron is in order. I think it's funny that Cassi called to ask me if she could go to my parents house and borrow season four of buffy, which I forgot there, when I moved back to B-town. Call is out to the parents for a nice time that she can stop by and do that...will be interesting to hear their reactions - as Cas was like the 2nd daughter there this summer anyways. I'm somewhat apprehensive about other things related to school, but i think that stuff will all get worked out when I've got topics picked for all of these projects and start to get the time management in place. I'd like to schedule exercise time at least half an hour every day. I'll work up to that though, as I am lacking the "in shape" factor that i had last semester at IU. I like that they offer free classes in kickboxing and dance here, and will partake I hope. I am looking forward to visiting the Trojan Horse tomorrow night with Erik. Hooray for actually experiencing decent ethnic food. I have decided that I CAN actually cook some stuff successfully at my apartment, but that I am lazy about doing so. The apartment is also looking more "lived in" mostly because there are dishes in the sink, and I did actually hang the posters and a few pics are on the fridge now. I couldn't go to Sandusky with Misa and Lis this weekend (cause i work sunday night and monday morning) blah...but, on the good note Erik will visit and that'll make it okay I think.
I am feeling somber though, as I listen to and see pictures of the aftermath of katrina. I went to New Orleans the summer after my freshman year of college and really enjoyed myself down there. Even met some people at Cafe du monde that were from the Iowa Writer's Workshop. (small world iowa moments happen almost everywhere I go it seems) It is hard to think that the coast is now under water. My thoughts are with Kamber and her boyfriend (who was to start med school at Tulane now) I hope that you guys are safe and sound and doing all right. My hope is that everybody can recover quickly and the town will be able to rebuild as soon as possible, and I am sure that will be the case, as resiliance is the only real retaliation against such a disaster.
I was happy today though, because I got to speak some "art history-eze" with Aaron, who is preping to spend next summer in Spain. I have learned about so many famous paintings and monuments, and been so fortunate to see a number of them in my short 24 years of life (and have a much longer list of ones I hope to see before I die). At any rate, it was nice to show my dorky and over zealous "art history" side to another of the friends. BTW, he says he'll attempt to teach me the rules of cricket, or at least what he can understand of them at some point. And I will close this by saying, I enjoy watching the History Channel and am currently watching Modern Marvels: Paint.
So ya, summation: i can't watch more about katrina, and instead need to just be dorky for awhile.,
Friday, August 26, 2005
listening to: Goo Goo Dolls Iris
Well, on the countdown to a new semester of graduate school, I've decided to write again. Imagine that. I think this will hopefully be a good semester to follow a wonderful summer. I had such a fabulous time hanging out with the friends back home, I miss you guys! It was a jam-packed three months, full of lots of work at a bookstore and a library, some nights out drinking and socializing, a few movies, and alot of Burnout III. That will now be replaced with 4 months of work at a library, some socializing and alot of homework/reading. I am excited though, as friends from IC and elsewhere have promised to come and visit this time around. I am also enjoying the decorating process of my apartment. Hopefully people will likely come and hang out here throughout the semester as well. My trip to Ohio on Wednesday was a blast. Went to the Columbus zoo, hung out with a friend i hadn't seen in almost two years, drank a smoothie, ate chinese buffet, it was like old times ;) I am hoping to swing a trip to Sandusky to Cedar Point with Lis and Mees, though it doesn't seem like that will happen :( since i have to work on labor day, and the sunday night before, plus i can't really spend $ on more trips now that i've got the aprt to pay for, I'd like to see them again though. Hopefully misa is in the category of those coming to visit me through out the semester, as is Erik, and perhaps Cassi. :) others are always welcome too ya know :)
okay, well this is a short entry, and not too informative, but I'm gonna go and work out now instead. so happy semester's beginning and happy friday to folks!
Well, on the countdown to a new semester of graduate school, I've decided to write again. Imagine that. I think this will hopefully be a good semester to follow a wonderful summer. I had such a fabulous time hanging out with the friends back home, I miss you guys! It was a jam-packed three months, full of lots of work at a bookstore and a library, some nights out drinking and socializing, a few movies, and alot of Burnout III. That will now be replaced with 4 months of work at a library, some socializing and alot of homework/reading. I am excited though, as friends from IC and elsewhere have promised to come and visit this time around. I am also enjoying the decorating process of my apartment. Hopefully people will likely come and hang out here throughout the semester as well. My trip to Ohio on Wednesday was a blast. Went to the Columbus zoo, hung out with a friend i hadn't seen in almost two years, drank a smoothie, ate chinese buffet, it was like old times ;) I am hoping to swing a trip to Sandusky to Cedar Point with Lis and Mees, though it doesn't seem like that will happen :( since i have to work on labor day, and the sunday night before, plus i can't really spend $ on more trips now that i've got the aprt to pay for, I'd like to see them again though. Hopefully misa is in the category of those coming to visit me through out the semester, as is Erik, and perhaps Cassi. :) others are always welcome too ya know :)
okay, well this is a short entry, and not too informative, but I'm gonna go and work out now instead. so happy semester's beginning and happy friday to folks!
Monday, August 08, 2005
listening to: Counting Crows August and Everything After
Kind of fitting to be listening to an album titled August and Everything After, while I contemplate just what might be out there for me after this August. What lies in store for me at what I've started to call my adoptive home that is three states away?
This is such a rough sort of transitional time for me I think, mostly because I feel so disjointed about where I am in my life, and where I want to be, or if I even really think I know where I want to be. Case and point - I have my life scattered in three places. A storage unit in Indiana, a storage unit in Iowa, and then at my parent's home here. It's just strange to use the term scattered, but I think in a way, my head feels that it's also somewhat scattered now.
My birthday was a huge success by all accounts of the attendees who cared to share their thoughts on the event. I am blessed with some absolutely wonderful and thoughtful friends and family, not only those that attended the little fete I threw here at my folks, but the many friends and family that sent well wishes via phone calls and emails. Perhaps that's what leads me to feel so connected and distant at the same time. I can not tell you the immense pleasure I get from having people remember me, and remembering to call or contact me, even if it's only one day a year for my birthday. I pride myself in being able to keep in touch with the friends of the past, so that I can continue to keep them as friends in the present and future. So finding e-cards from friends in Nebraska that I haven't seen in probably three years, or talked to at least since christmas is really nice and surprising. realizing that I've gained a whole new group of people who care about me and what goes on in my life and how I'm feeling and what I'll be doing to celebrate also makes me feel so loved and such love for the Bloomington crew.
At the same time, it's going to be really really really hard to go back there. It's nothing against my friends at school, because they are fantastic, and I am really looking forward to my one bedroom place, and many movie nights and japanese food. But, at the same time, I think I harken back to an earlier post from the summer. Upon initially coming home, i was apprehensive about how much I've changed, how much my friends from IC have changed, and also, to some extent how well I'd fit back into this life I used to have. Well, it's interesting, because I see now how my life could continue to be here in Iowa City. Also an earlier post was relating to my sense of comfortable friendships here, and there is something really great about people who simply have alot of ammunition with which to make fun of you, and you know they aren't judging you, but just enjoy your company. It's really quite bittersweet. I am going to miss my friends so terribly when i move back, as well as my parents. I'm not taking for granted the last few days I have to spend here with them. And hopefully many of them will take me up on my invitation to come and visit me in B-town and explore the campus/brown county/indy with me.
I know a part of me is reluctant to go back simply because it will be a switch from calling about 20 ppl to see what they are doing each night, to calling one for a study session. My grad school life and my "summer" me life are on such opposite ends of the spectrum. Here, I am going out each night or staying up late, playing video games, or watching movies with friends, then working in the mornings (or whatever random hours at barnes and noble) and then doing it all again the next day. it's become such a comfortable existence so quickly. It's hard to believe that almost three whole months have gone by already. At IU my life also consists of working, but my nights are also filled with working and studying and everything school-related. And only a few choice ppl to call, so I guess I know what is in store for me for this August and Everything After.
I just hope there are good things on the horizon back in B-town to help me get back into the swing of things quickly, because I don't want to be homesick for Iowa all over again. It's soo easy to fall back into a comfortable pattern with the people that know you best, it's like you pick up where you left off and nothing has changed. I realized the other night that I actually came back to Iowa 5 times while i was technically living in Indiana. I don't know if that's alot or a little for a recently turned 24 year old who was spending her first real year away from her hometown. Looking back on the year as a whole there were many moments that I'd wished I'd stayed in Iowa. It's sort of sad to admit, but at the same time I think somewhat healthy. these were of course times when i was dealing with rougher issues and drama at schoool, that of course, make you want to "run home to mommy" - but ya know, in the grand scheme of things, I survived. That is most important I think. Survival. So perhaps all that August and Everything After will hold for me this time around in a hope for survival and for better things ahead. Or if nothing else at least a few phonecalls from friends are around the bend.
Kind of fitting to be listening to an album titled August and Everything After, while I contemplate just what might be out there for me after this August. What lies in store for me at what I've started to call my adoptive home that is three states away?
This is such a rough sort of transitional time for me I think, mostly because I feel so disjointed about where I am in my life, and where I want to be, or if I even really think I know where I want to be. Case and point - I have my life scattered in three places. A storage unit in Indiana, a storage unit in Iowa, and then at my parent's home here. It's just strange to use the term scattered, but I think in a way, my head feels that it's also somewhat scattered now.
My birthday was a huge success by all accounts of the attendees who cared to share their thoughts on the event. I am blessed with some absolutely wonderful and thoughtful friends and family, not only those that attended the little fete I threw here at my folks, but the many friends and family that sent well wishes via phone calls and emails. Perhaps that's what leads me to feel so connected and distant at the same time. I can not tell you the immense pleasure I get from having people remember me, and remembering to call or contact me, even if it's only one day a year for my birthday. I pride myself in being able to keep in touch with the friends of the past, so that I can continue to keep them as friends in the present and future. So finding e-cards from friends in Nebraska that I haven't seen in probably three years, or talked to at least since christmas is really nice and surprising. realizing that I've gained a whole new group of people who care about me and what goes on in my life and how I'm feeling and what I'll be doing to celebrate also makes me feel so loved and such love for the Bloomington crew.
At the same time, it's going to be really really really hard to go back there. It's nothing against my friends at school, because they are fantastic, and I am really looking forward to my one bedroom place, and many movie nights and japanese food. But, at the same time, I think I harken back to an earlier post from the summer. Upon initially coming home, i was apprehensive about how much I've changed, how much my friends from IC have changed, and also, to some extent how well I'd fit back into this life I used to have. Well, it's interesting, because I see now how my life could continue to be here in Iowa City. Also an earlier post was relating to my sense of comfortable friendships here, and there is something really great about people who simply have alot of ammunition with which to make fun of you, and you know they aren't judging you, but just enjoy your company. It's really quite bittersweet. I am going to miss my friends so terribly when i move back, as well as my parents. I'm not taking for granted the last few days I have to spend here with them. And hopefully many of them will take me up on my invitation to come and visit me in B-town and explore the campus/brown county/indy with me.
I know a part of me is reluctant to go back simply because it will be a switch from calling about 20 ppl to see what they are doing each night, to calling one for a study session. My grad school life and my "summer" me life are on such opposite ends of the spectrum. Here, I am going out each night or staying up late, playing video games, or watching movies with friends, then working in the mornings (or whatever random hours at barnes and noble) and then doing it all again the next day. it's become such a comfortable existence so quickly. It's hard to believe that almost three whole months have gone by already. At IU my life also consists of working, but my nights are also filled with working and studying and everything school-related. And only a few choice ppl to call, so I guess I know what is in store for me for this August and Everything After.
I just hope there are good things on the horizon back in B-town to help me get back into the swing of things quickly, because I don't want to be homesick for Iowa all over again. It's soo easy to fall back into a comfortable pattern with the people that know you best, it's like you pick up where you left off and nothing has changed. I realized the other night that I actually came back to Iowa 5 times while i was technically living in Indiana. I don't know if that's alot or a little for a recently turned 24 year old who was spending her first real year away from her hometown. Looking back on the year as a whole there were many moments that I'd wished I'd stayed in Iowa. It's sort of sad to admit, but at the same time I think somewhat healthy. these were of course times when i was dealing with rougher issues and drama at schoool, that of course, make you want to "run home to mommy" - but ya know, in the grand scheme of things, I survived. That is most important I think. Survival. So perhaps all that August and Everything After will hold for me this time around in a hope for survival and for better things ahead. Or if nothing else at least a few phonecalls from friends are around the bend.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Because Storyhill played in CR this past Spring, to my surprise and enjoyment, I was at B & N in CR to find some cd's...because the IC store doesn't, and I get my employee discount on cd's at B & N, I discovered the "regional artists" section, and peppermint records has a few artists getting some local promotion. So hooray for that, I got Dovetail for cheap :)
Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Sunday night with Adam and Cassi (after watching the new episode of Family Guy AND pimp my ride) - we've decided that Pimp My Ride should totally do an episode where they pimp a cambus....all of you IC ppl that read this - or U of I students should start a write in campaign for this...
To my dismay, while the movie was really great, and very much the Tim Burton style I've come to expect, and love, and a great performance by Johnny Dep, and not so frightening Umpa Lumpas, my co-worker still kept calling the movie "Willy Wonka's House of Chocolate"
I went and found the orig. book on the shelves that very evening, and produced it, for him to notice, and yet, still, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to make the point. The movie, while very different from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (ala Gene Wilder - also a great film) was still very enjoyable. ;) so it gets a thumb's up.
The Changing Book conference was this weekend, also was fun, though somewhat disorganized as far as my volunteer position was concerned. Suburban driving anyone? I can totally tell I will not fit the soccer mom role any time soon....quite scary that I can drive that big ass attempt at a school bus in training.
okay, that's the update.
peace.
Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Sunday night with Adam and Cassi (after watching the new episode of Family Guy AND pimp my ride) - we've decided that Pimp My Ride should totally do an episode where they pimp a cambus....all of you IC ppl that read this - or U of I students should start a write in campaign for this...
To my dismay, while the movie was really great, and very much the Tim Burton style I've come to expect, and love, and a great performance by Johnny Dep, and not so frightening Umpa Lumpas, my co-worker still kept calling the movie "Willy Wonka's House of Chocolate"
I went and found the orig. book on the shelves that very evening, and produced it, for him to notice, and yet, still, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to make the point. The movie, while very different from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (ala Gene Wilder - also a great film) was still very enjoyable. ;) so it gets a thumb's up.
The Changing Book conference was this weekend, also was fun, though somewhat disorganized as far as my volunteer position was concerned. Suburban driving anyone? I can totally tell I will not fit the soccer mom role any time soon....quite scary that I can drive that big ass attempt at a school bus in training.
okay, that's the update.
peace.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Happy After 4th to all of you! I hope you all got to take in some really good fireworks and had a special day. Coralville's 4th fest was as good as usual (which is better than IC. yes, i said it. that's right Coralville Townie Pride!) Not too much else to report. Life here in the land of corn is just about par for the course as summers in iowa go. Working at B & N and the art library. SOOO excited cause I just bought some new dvds to support my 10 dollar or less dvd habbit. I had to stop myself when I was compelled to buy one simply b.c it was only 5 bucks, and it was a really really horrible movie. Normally I'm much more selective in my tastes. American Pie and Nat'l Lampoons Animal House will now grace my dvd shelves..and yes, in proper librarian form they are all org. alpha. and I've dropped leading words like, the, a, and. :)
I'm kinda excited for the Harry Potter party at b & n too, cause I get to be a runner - which means I don't actually have to ring sales, and instead I get to run to the back and grab more boxes of the book to bring to the front....I now have the ISBN memorized though - for the # of pre-orders we've gotten at the Info desk and cashwraps that i've done. I've also had fun discovering other "If You like Harry Potter" materials that we've got on sale for the summer while ppl are anticapating HP they can read these others - so inquire if you dare. :) I also will be getting a harry potter prize of some sort to reward me for being able to work from 7:30pm until 4am (that's closing time so actually after straighting shelves and cleaning up leftover wizzard tattoos will be more like 4:30 or 5 I'm sure)
all right, well I'm out. that's a wrap.
I'm kinda excited for the Harry Potter party at b & n too, cause I get to be a runner - which means I don't actually have to ring sales, and instead I get to run to the back and grab more boxes of the book to bring to the front....I now have the ISBN memorized though - for the # of pre-orders we've gotten at the Info desk and cashwraps that i've done. I've also had fun discovering other "If You like Harry Potter" materials that we've got on sale for the summer while ppl are anticapating HP they can read these others - so inquire if you dare. :) I also will be getting a harry potter prize of some sort to reward me for being able to work from 7:30pm until 4am (that's closing time so actually after straighting shelves and cleaning up leftover wizzard tattoos will be more like 4:30 or 5 I'm sure)
all right, well I'm out. that's a wrap.
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