I hate Windows...

So, an update of sorts. Right now, I am in Syracuse. I got in Wednesday night. And today, Kristyn and I are going to Buffalo until Sunday. She has an audition in Buffalo, and I need some help getting at least a little bit of packing underway. Then Sunday night, we'll be back here in Syracuse. And then Tuesday/Wednesday, I leave with my dad for two weeks of roadtripping. I am sure he is going to be driving me nuts a lot, but I think it is going to be fun. I don't really know what to expect, but I am trying to be brave.

My degree is a bit up in the air. I have different people telling me different things about the requirements for a B.A. in English. Some people say that you have to have at least a C (I had a D & a D+ last semester) and then I cannot find anything anywhere in the college's handbook that says anything about it. I think that the people who are saying the no less than C are thinking of the English Education major, because they have stricter guidelines. So, I guess I will wait until I get a letter saying I didn't complete the requirements, or I get my degree in the mail. I would really like to get a REAL job here in Syracuse and not have to worry about whether or not I am going to have to go back to Buffalo. I also really don't want to go back to Buffalo. I'd have to live in the dorms, and it would just be annoying.

That's all I really have for now. I do have a twitter account (http://twitter.com/ashlynmarie) if anyone else has one. I believe that is the only way I'll be able to update while I am on the road with my dad. Also, if anyone wants a postcard or anything, let me know your address! :)

I have had a kind of crazy past few days. 

I'll be heading back to Buffalo for the 2008-2009 school year to complete my Bachelor's degree. It's a bit of a bummer, but I have to do what needs to be done. Whether I will be back for the Fall or Spring semester is still a little up in the air. I need two courses to finish my degree, and there is only one of those courses available in the Fall. I didn't get as good of a grade in 2 courses this past semester, and need to get a higher grade on them in order to receive my degree. I feel a little like a jackass because I was in commencement and everything and everyone gave me such awesome congratulations about it. But, for now, I am just trying to gauge what I am going to do and how to do it. 

The fam stopped by last night after moving my sister out of her dorm. We went to dinner. It was kinda nice. 

I am heading home sometime in the next couple weeks. My dad and I are going on a road trip and I am moving a bunch of stuff home too. The cats are probably gonna stay here in Buffalo until the big move out, much to my sister's opposition. haha. The big move is happening June 20-22. I'll get about a week to relax here beforehand. It does make me a little sad. I like this little apartment, as much as I dislike the landlord. I guess I have gotten used to and a little fond of it. 

Also, in case any one was concerned, I am feeling infinitely better. My meds are finally in my possession and I am not going to do anything crazy. It was probably the WORST time to not have all the things I needed. But, I'm okay. 

So, I think that's it. I guess that is everything that needed to be updated. I am gonna go watch a movie now. <3

Descent

I watched Descent today. I don't really know what to think about it, but I know that I can't sleep because I keep thinking about it. 

I don't recommend anyone seeing it. I can't say that it is really that bad, I just don't recommend it at all. To me, it kind of goes along with Thirteen. Movies that I don't think anyone should see, or watch for any kind of enjoyment whatsoever. I think Descent goes much further than Thirteen. I just really don't know what to say about it. I guess I didn't like it. It is hard to say or elaborate on much more. I don't think it is possibly to like it, because it deals with HIGHLY graphic and sensitive subject matter. There isn't any entertaining value. During the final scene, I was so sick from watching, I had to turn away until it was over. I think that is a typical response, and an acceptable response. I think anyone with half a heart would want to turn away. It's odd when a movie makes me think to this degree. I tend to enjoy dramas, but I wouldn't even consider this a drama. 

I think there must be a better way to discuss upsetting but important issues like rape than this film. I understand the objective of creating a film like this, but I don't understand how this helps discuss and end rape. This feels like a perpetuation of this rape culture we live in. I watched the extra features, hoping to get some kind of insight into why this film was even made. Nothing. I got nothing from watching interviews with the actors and the director. I guess the NC-17 rating should have given me a hint even before I slid the disc into my computer. I don't understand the point of the film. I don't understand how including graphic scenes of rape can do anything more than be graphic. 

So, I guess that's the point. I don't understand the point. I get that rape and revenge are important things to discuss, but I don't understand how this film helps that discussion. 

Gimme your paws

I miss Pushing Daisies. All my shows now are so depressing. :( 

So, it's kinda official

I graduated from college this past weekend. The whole fam came up on Saturday for the ceremony, which was incredibly boring. But I guess that is required when planning a commencement ceremony. We had the assistant executive casting director for HBO as our speaker. We also randomly had Charles Schumer, make remarks after everyone got their relay batons (also known as the replacement for actual degrees). I was very impressed with one of the guys they had read the degree recipients' names, he was awesome. Well, he was until he mispronounced my name and called me "Ashlyn Christman-McCarthy." Such a bummer. My family got me some awesome gifts for graduation. I got an external flash for my camera, diamond earrings, Julie Andrews' autobiography, and some gift cards. It was a pretty awesome day. I enjoy my family. Especially the "Myspace" picture we took after the ceremony. We're awesome. 

This my friend Janelle and me while we waited in the ice rink for the ceremony to start. Forgive the cellphone picture, please. It was the only camera I had that would fit in my bra. haha.

During the ceremony. I was really freaking bored. 

I love her stinky face

This is my little sister, Krisyn. She is amazing because she just got cast in her school's opera (among other obvious things)!! THERE IS ONLY ONE MEZZO SOPRANO ROLE IN THE WHOLE THING!! (they double cast, but whatevs)

 She is awesome and I LOVE HER BUNCHES!!!

From far away, my face just looks a little flushed...

So. My semester is officially over. 

Sure, I spent last night puking my brains out, but wasn't it all worth it? 

(not really, but I am trying to be more positive and my face is covered in broken blood vessels. SO AWESOME. not.)

I dropped the cats off at the vet this morning to be neutered. I don't like the fact the apartment will be catless until 4ish. Bah.

I got through this week of finals without too much damage, so I guess that's good. And I didn't break out TOO bad, so the million photographs that will be taken on Saturday won't have to be retouched before they see the light of day. I am kind of excited, kind of not for this weekend. I kind of would like to sleep for the next week straight, to be perfectly honest. I should check the weather for this weekend so I can choose my graduation outfit appropriately. (If it is going to be rainy and cold, panttttsssss will be worn. I am not freezing my butt off in the intended summery graduation dress.) 

I guess that is it for now. My bedroom is desperately in need of a good cleaning. I plan on vacuuming like whoa since the cats aren't here and they HATE the vacuum. I probably will head up to campus and sell back some books so I can have the cash. I normally hate selling books back to the bookstore, but some of this stuff I would be happy to never read or even see again. 

I am questioning if I should sell back my women's studies books. The textbook is kind of sucky. I'll probably keep the Feminist Thought one because it has all the theories and stuff. Eh. 

I love books too much. 

Now I am going to get some more sleep. (Being sleep deprived leaves me in a rather unpleasant state.) 

<3!

It's okay, I gave him some Valium

I am listening to a new Jason Mraz song that I have never heard before. I am enjoying it greatly. 

I decide to blog before I head out to campus so I can get some studying and paper writing done. I can't get anything done when there are cats around, and all they want to do is be on my lap while I do things. 

I have an exam tomorrow morning, so I need to bust out my 10 page paper and study so I don't fail at life. 

I graduate from college on Saturday!!

It is a truth universally acknowledged...

yes. please!

I just realized why I love Jane Austen novels so much. 

They don't make me feel like I need a man in order to be happy. Sure, all her heroines end up with the guys they have longed for. But, they pretty much do it on their own terms. 

I just watched Pride and Prejudice for the millionth time, and I don't feel like I wish I had someone. I love the fact that despite the fact she kind of has to get married, and Darcy is rich, she is still witty and sarcastic and doesn't let Darcy get away with things (and Elizabeth isn't supposed to look like Keira Knightley. She's supposed to be normal looking and be attractive because of her mind and wit not because she is some weird hot girl that all the dudes wanna see naked). She changes when she realizes that she was wrong to be so quick to judge, but she doesn't run around like Lydia trying to impress every man on the earth. 

Maybe I'll get some smart, rich, handsome man too. So I'll stay witty and awesome and wait for someone to realize my awesomeness.