Wud Up

It is official. 

My senior seminar last semester has made me into a lover of all things Jane Austen. Okay, except Becoming Jane. But, it did have James McAvoy in it. Yum. 

I just sat through Persuasion (the 2007 version with Anthony Head as Sir Eliot I almost died) and Northanger Abbey. And I watched The Jane Austen Book Club yesterday. 

And I'll be getting Sense and Sensibility and a different version of Persuasion by the end of the week. I hide behind the idea that I am writing extra credit papers on these movies. It is just an added bonus that I actually enjoy them as well. 

I guess I should update on school. This week is the last week of classes. I have been trying to keep myself on track with makeup assignments and the real assignments I have to do. I am actually just having some freakouts and breakouts, but it just comes along with the end of a semester and the end of my undergrad career. 

I am moving back to Syracuse sometime towards the end of June. I am trying to get in more time with volunteering with the Girl Scouts before I go home. And Kari has a summer class that is in the first session, so she won't be moving out until then too. I'm thinking that I might go up to the Falls sometime. I'd like to just take some vacation time. Maybe I'll see if there are some cool things to do in the area. Maybe I'll even see if Kristyn wants to come out and hang out since I'm sure I'll get lonely. 

I am also moving back home with some extra baggage. Two cats and everything that goes along with them. It's kind of exciting. Kristyn is thrilled. And my mom is actually pretty excited. My dad even said if for some reason I couldn't bring them home, he'd take me out to get my own cats. haha. I think pets will be a good thing for my family. 

I'd like to do something big to end the semester. I was thinking about doing something Thursday or Friday, but the cats are getting neutered on Thursday and then my parents might be coming out on Friday night. 

For Meredith...

My Spring Awakening set-up. Everyone is jealous.

Is it SUMMER yet?

This is the current state of my desk. Normally it is completely clean except for some notebooks on the far right edge. Just looking at it depresses me.

 

Ah. I feel better. Chuck is so cute.

"But what does it meeeannnn?"

It got up to 86 degrees here in Buffalo today. 

I'm not made for this hot weather crap. I mean, I'd rather it be warm than it snowing. 

If I never had to do anything, and could just lay around and do whatever I wanted, it would be just peachy keen. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. 

I am working on my Existentialist Feminism project for Monday. I made a powerpoint and have added a couple handouts to the stuff I had already done. 

I also made a "Assignment Priority" list so I make sure I keep up on the 11 papers, 2 projects and 4 final exams. Yes, that is in the next 3 weeks. Some of it is my own damn fault for being such a lame procrastinator, but GEEZ! Both of the projects are for my Women in Society course and they include that Existentialist Feminism project. The final project is stressing me out. I also have to finish up 19 of my 20 volunteer hours. haha. I am AMAZING. I have 8 hours for my training next weekend, and then another 7 or so for a volunteer work day to prep the camp for the summer. So that leave 3 hours to work out. I will probably start working with my troop next week. I am so excited to get everything taken care of! 

I spent most of the weekend working on projects and cleaning the apartment. When its hot like this, I just want to do stuff inside. I sweat like no one else I know, so I prefer wearing tank tops and shorts and not doing my hair or makeup. I cleaned the living room and kitchen. I did all my laundry, but haven't had the motivation to clean my room. I need to do it because I know that I won't do again until after finals. And it can only get worse. 

So for the things I have to do tomorrow; clean room, vacuum, get newspapers, write some papers, make copies of handouts for Monday. 

GAH! 

AMAZZZZING

I just got the new Weepies album. 

It's awesome. 

EDIT: I ended up listening to Mandy Moore's latest album, Wild Hope. She worked with The Weepies and one of their songs is on both discs. The song is "All Good Things". Both versions are AMAZING. 

I see you, you see me, differently

So my mama came out this past weekend. I miss her a lot when I am out here at school. She's pretty much my best friend, so it's pretty awesome when we get to hang out.

We went to Book Outlet. I swear, I should never be allowed to set foot in a store that has all books 70% off. It just isn't good for my wallet, or my mother's. I ended up getting a bunch of books and my mom got a few books on scrapbooking.

I shall list my purchases: 

1. Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth
   
2. Margaret Atwood, Power Politics
3. Edna St. Vincent Millay, Collected Sonnets
4. John Tyerman Williams, Pooh and the Philosophies 
5. & a couple cat books because I have no life 

I need to go out tomorrow and track down a copy of Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex. Maybe, by some miracle, reading some of it may clarify this existentialist feminism I have to present on in my Women in Society class. Even Sparknotes didn't help in explaining it. I am a little frustrated, but I'll just have to sit down tomorrow and knock the thing out. I don't really have much choice. But hopefully they have a copy at Book Outlet. (Yes Meredith, I checked at the library and the only copy they have printed in English is out already. haha) 

I really cannot wait to have free time to read all the stuff I want to read. I have a ton of books that I really want to get into and  I have no time to do it. It is partly my own fault, but oh well. 

Right now, I have the beginnings of a migraine, so I am going to take something for it and lay down. :)

I'm not jealous, but I'm not going to lie

1. Alright, so have you ever actually sat down and thought about why you like the person you like? yeah. and it is probably why i don't like them anymore
2. When people say, "Honestly, I don't think I've ever talked shit about anyone" do you think its possible? haha no way.
3. How do you feel about gay marriage? I think the only reason it has been brought up as a potential issue is to detract from the clusterf**k known as "The War on Terror." I think that it is a nonissue. People are trying to push religion on others, there is SUPPOSED to be a separation between church and state. Being allowed to marry according to the government should be about commitment to each other, not if God thinks homosexuality is wrong or not.
4. Is there someone you'd really like to hang out with and just talk about stuff? I'm always down with that. There are a few people I would like to just have conversations with.
5. Is there something that has happened in your past that you really hate talking about? sure. I think everyone has something they really don't like talking about.
6. Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you? I'm sure there are. It would really suck if I cared at all.
7. Give me a random lyric from the song you're listening to? "I never read your letter cuz I knew what it would say. Give me that Sunday School answer"
10. Do you regret doing anything this week? I regret NOT doing things.
11. Name something you wouldn’t want to buy used. Underwear
12. When did you last cry? last week sometime.
13. How late did you stay up last night? 330am, involuntarily
14. Has someone of the opposite sex ever told you they loved you? yeah.
15. What do you think of the most when you are alone? how I am going to survive the next month or so.
16. Suppose you see your crush kissing another person? I don't have a crush, so that doesn't really work.
17. What would you do if a teacher of the opposite sex hit on you? be totally weirded out.
18. Would you ever become a vegetarian or even vegan? hahaha no.
19. Do you like your school? nope. I really don't like it. But it's a bit late to transfer.
20. What do you think of people who hate vegetarians? who cares what someone else eats?
21. Are you a flirt? apparently I am.
22. Would you rather have jet black hair or cherry red hair? cherry red. I make anything sexxay.
23. Do you make sexual innuendos about everything? hahahhaha. when i am in the right mood. yes.
24. Who sits behind you in science? last time i was in science, i sat in the back row.
25. What song are you listening to? One Minute by Kelly Clarkson
26. Have you ever held hands? yeah.
27. When was the last time that you went swimming, where, and what color was your swim suit? Swimming Class at OCC, black and white
29. If you need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first? Old Navy
30. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? not really. it depends on who i am talking with too.
32. Did you ever lose a best friend? sure have.
33. Have you ever gotten mad because somebody said they'd call you and they didn't? It depends on my preexisting mental condition. If I have my period, then it is pretty much guaranteed.
34. Have you ever met a real life prostitute? i don't think so.
35. Have you ever kissed in the rain? no
36. Can you do push-ups? yes.
37. How old will you be in 7 months? still 23.
38. Do you have a car? yes
39. Where's your dad right now? in his truck, haulin' stuff.
40. Are you single? singular.
41. What's your favorite animal? Chuck Norris. haha.
42. What's on your mind? I have a lot of stuff to do today, and this Kelly Clarkson album is a little angsty.
43. Favorite football team? I don't really have one. I would go with Seahawks just cuz they are from where I am from.
44. Who is the last person that texted you? Laura telling me that we need to sign up for the 10am commencement.
45. What color are your eyes? hazel
46. Where is your phone? good question. it was on my desk.
47. What is your 15th message in your inbox? a message from twitter saying that someone is following me
48. What were you thinking about when you fell asleep last night? how much i wanted to be asleep already. i have a touch of insomnia.
49. What are you excited for? my mama is coming out tomorrow!!
50. What are you doing for spring break? I spent spring break hanging out with the fam, and cleaning up after kitties.
51. What's your biggest fear? not being able to support myself.
52. Does your family get family portraits done? not really. we did a collage a la the brady bunch. haha.
53. What did you do today? woke up repeatedly because of Chuckles, had a pb&j sandwich
54. Are you mad at anyone? not really.
55. Annoyed with anyone? always. haha.
56. How old are your parents? uh. 45 & 46.
57. How many kids do you want? I don't know.
58. What color is your room? white
59. Who was the last person you talked to out loud? Kariann
60. What's your favorite color? blue
61. What's the closest thing to you thats orange? honestly, it's a tie between the orange tabby cat, my deodorant and a highlighter.
62. What are you wearing right now? blue sweatpants, an old camp tshirt under a sweatshirt
63. Do you like this survey? when I am bored, I like them all.
63. What's the next holiday? MY GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on May 10th.
64. Are you excited? heck yeah!
65. How many computers are in your house? 2.
66. Do you like the person who did this before you? uh.
67. Do your parents own businesses? nope.
68. What should you be doing? laundry, cleaning, baking cupcakes
69. Would you rather have a gf/bf, or friends with benefits? none of the above.
70. Do you tell your best friends everything? Each of my friends is better with somethings than with others.
71. How do you feel today? a little meh.
72. When was the last time you had butterflies? uh. a long time ago.
73. Who's a celebrity you find extremely attractive? Brad Pitt is pretty sexxxay. And George Clooney. umm, there are plenty more. haha.
74. When was the last time you talked to your #2? what? huh.
75. And why might that be? ‘i don't know.
76. Something you say often? seriously?
77. Have you ever cried and didn't know why? yes
78. What are you wearing on your feet? nooothing!
79. Last person you talked to on IM? Meredith McG.
80. Do you like your name? damn straight.
81. What color are your fingernails? nibbled.
82. Whats your favorite song? ever? I don't know. My most played song on Itunes is Love Song by Sara Bareilles.
83. What phone do you have? a motorola rzr with verizon
84. Do you have feelings for anyone, and if so, do they know? no. thanks.
85. Things you first notice about the opposite sex? smile.
86. Last person you sat next to? the crazy people in my 312 class.
87. Last time you were disappointed? Wednesday
88. Do you like being in pictures? sometimes.
89. Have you ever been more attracted to a significant other's sibling more than them? no.
90. Are you happy at the moment? i guess so.
91. Do you tend to fall for people easily? no
92. Is your bedroom window open? one of them is. the other is painted shut thanks to my douchebag landlord.
93. Do you have any tattoos, if so which hurt the most? i don't have any.
94. Where is your heart? where i left it last.
96. Who was the last person to call you? my mama to talk about American Idol.
97. What were you doing at 10 am? turning off my alarm clock
98. Last person who drove you somewhere? um. no one. i usually do the driving. but i guess my mom.
99. What do you hear right now? same angsty Kelly Clarkson album
100. Who was the last person to wear your clothes? me. what kind of question is that?
101. What woke you up? chuck wanting attention
102. Do you like fire? candles. i prefer for my stuff not to be engulfed in flames, but maybe that's just me.
103. Do you wish on stars? sometimes.
104. Do you have a job? nooope!
105. What's the greatest thing that happened to you today? my roomie cleaned the kitchen
106. How many TRUE best friends do you have? a couple
107. Would you rather get up early or sleep in? sleep in.
108. What would you do if you were getting attacked by a bear? uh. probably run like whoa.
109. What would you change about your life right now? i would like to be able to go to grad school straight out of the gate.
110. Who do you want to win the presidential election? I don't have an opinion. But as long as John McCain doesn't become president, I would be absolutely thrilled.

MIDNIIIIIGHHHHHHTTTTTT!!!! NOT A SOUND FROM THE PAAAAVVVEEMMMMEEENNNTTTT!!!

What in the world possessed American Idol to choose the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber as a theme?
No one needs to be subjected to the warbling of the contestants singing some godawful song from Cats or Phantom of the Opera. I know that I certainly don't.

An entry of excessive complaining

I had my big presidential candidate presentation today in my Sociology class. I thought the presentation itself went pretty well. I did a lot of the work, including the powerpoint, paper and the handouts. No one else was taking any kind of initiative to get anything done, so I took it upon myself to do the things that were needed. Then at the end of class, the professor starts critiquing the presentations and basically says that my group didn't do what we were supposed to. Which is a load of crap. We were supposed to focus on issues that are relevant to women. Which is freaking everything. And that is what I told her. What isn't a women's issue? She specifically had a problem with the fact we chose gun control as an issue to focus on. We had 5 people and you can only talk about abortion for so long. It isn't MY fault that the other group members didn't discuss why the issue affected women. But I was stuck defending our choices. I did some research about women and guns, and wow, IT IS A FRIGGIN ISSUE THAT CONCERNS WOMEN! 

• American women who are killed by their intimate partners are more likely to be killed with guns than by all other methods combined. (Rothman E. F., Hemenway D, Miller M, and Azael D. Batterers' Use of Guns to Threaten Intimate Partners. Journal of the American Medical Women's Association, 2005. 60 (1): p. 62- 68.)
• A recent study shows that access to firearms increases the risk of intimate partner homicide more than five times compared to instances where there are no weapons. In addition, abusers who possess guns tend to inflict the most severe abuse on their partners. (J.C. Campbell, Webster J, Koziol-McLain, CR, et al. 2003. Risk Factors For Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results From A Multi-Site Case Control Study. American Journal of Public Health. 93 (7).)
• Women are twice as likely to be shot and killed by intimate partners as they are to be murdered by strangers using any type of weapon. (Tjaden P., Thoennes N. Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice: 2000. NCJ 18781.) (Rothman E. F., Hemenway D, Miller M, and Azael D. Batterers' Use of Guns to Threaten Intimate Partners. Journal of the American Medical Women's Association, 2005. 60 (1): p. 62- 68.)
• Firearms- especially handguns- were the most common weapon used by males to murder females in 2003. (When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2003 Homicide Data: Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/ Single Offender Incidents. September 2005. Violence Policy Center. Washington, DC. Available at: http://www.vpc.org/studies/wmmw2005.pdf.)
• In homicides where males used firearms to kill females, handguns were clearly the weapon of choice over rifles and shotguns. In 2003, 77 percent of female firearm homicide victims were killed with handguns. (When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2003 Homicide Data: Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/ Single Offender Incidents. September 2005. Violence Policy Center. Washington, DC. Available at: http://www.vpc.org/studies/wmmw2005.pdf.)
• Approximately 700 American women are shot and killed by intimate partners each year. (Homicide trends in the U.S Intimate homicide and Homicides by relationships and weapon type. Washington D.C.: U.S Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics; 2002.)
• The cost of domestic violence is nearly $67 billion per year, roughly 15% of total U.S crime costs. (Miller T, Cohen M, Wiersema B. Victim costs and consequences: a new look. Washington, D.C.: U.S Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice; 1996.NCJ 155282)
• In 2002, background checks noting domestic violence misdemeanor convictions and restraining orders kept 22,000 abusers from purchasing firearms. (Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2002, BOJS; Disarming Domestic Violence Abusers, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, September 2003.)

Source: Women Against Gun Violence Website, http://www.wagv.org

Thank you VERY much. 
Also a couple of my group members got into an argument because one girl wrote on her group evaluation that I did most of the work and the other thought that she should have brought that up before we were writing the evals. I could care less. My goal was to get a good grade and to be as productive as possible. I organized everything, badgered people for their parts of the paper, and spent money making hand outs. I only really wanted to be sure that at least, we had the CHANCE of getting a good grade. I bombed the two quizzes that we had, so I needed it. I did also absorb the work of one girl who dropped the course. I wrote an extra paper and did extra on the presentation for it. I dunno, I just don't need to get 100% of the credit. I think the thing about the argument that pissed me off was that they did it during another group's presentation. They were being loud and disrespectful. The evaluations are confidential, so no one should have been discussing them anyway. I went up to the group members of the presentation that was presenting when they were being rude. I apologized for my group members' rude behavior and complimented them on their presentation. I also apologized to the professor. I know that it isn't my fault that they were being rude and inconsiderate to the presenting group, but I felt that I needed to at least explain what was going on since I was kind of the source of the problem. I have a sinking feeling that I may need to discuss the distribution of work with her. I knew that things needed to be done, people didn't volunteer for anything, and I didn't want my grade in someone else's hands. I can't force people to participate. 
Anyway. My mom is coming out to Buffalo this weekend. I am super excited. I miss my mom. I have another presentation for that class next week. Yuck. 
I found Idol Gives Back to be rather boring. I thought that Kelly Clarkson's performance last year made the whole show. I understand that the show is about raising money, but I expect to be entertained as well. I liked Robin Williams. He was funny and he grabbed Simon's butt. 
Oh and I wore my new dress pants today. LOVE THEM!

Weird Dream

I was on America's Next Top Model while 6 months pregnant. 

And then I was hanging out in a pool with Harry Connick Jr. 

Weird. 

I have covered my arm in neosporin....

Chuck got a little overzealous, again. 

They look a lot redder and worse in real life. 

Stupid iCamera. 

(He also caught the side of my head the other night. I think he and I need to have a talk.)

Is it May 10th yet?

So quick post-Spring Break update. 

I have my orientation for the Girl Scouts on Thursday. My training is on the 26th. I am taking part in prepping the Girl Scout camp for the summer on May 3rd. 

I am pretty stoked. 

I just filled out an application to volunteer at Vera House when I am back in Syracuse. It was probably one of the most difficult applications. 

I have 34 days until I am no longer an undergrad. The end of the semester push of assignments and projects is ALREADY getting to me. I have decided that I will stay in Buffalo until the beginning of June. I need to get in as much time at t

he Girl Scouts before I move to Syracuse. I am such a loser, I haven't had a job since I came here to Buff State. I tried tutoring when I was sick, but that obviously didn't last because I felt sick ALL the time. 

I discovered the best gluten free bread. It is Against the Grain Gourmet and it tastes like real bread. I haven't had good toast or a bagel since I was diagnosed. I had garlic bread last night with dinner. I was just amazed. I went out tonight and bought another set of baguettes, bagels and rolls. I plan on having spaghetti and garlic bread again tomorrow night. YUM! 

My DVR didn't record American Idol tonight. I wasn't really pissed though. The songs of Dolly Parton? Not really my cup of tea. Country night just isn't where my interest lies. Another week of Kristy Lee, might cause an aneurysm. I would have loved to see what David Cook did. But then again, that IS what YouTube is for. :) 

Time for bed. (It's only 1am. haha) 

Moo and Chuck as kittens. I could die, they are so cute. 

New hair again. I think this is with the new color. Who knows. haha.