Ah-ha, I'm back. If this entry had to have a title, it would be, "Kat's First Ever Vacation."

Yes, last Thursday and Friday I traveled to Boston all by myself, to look at grad schools and to get away. I mean, this was a chance for me to run far away from all the work I've done and still have to do for a 48 hour span. I had no computer access, and I couldn't bring my work with me due to limited luggage space. So the trip served that duel function. I was wicked nervous before I left--yes, I've been to Boston before, and largely did that trip by myself (due to my falling out with the IC Model United Nations team), but still--could I get through this major city all by myself? And I was frightened that my inital love of it back in 2001 was a fluke and that I'd get there and absolutely hate it and have to start all over again in my search for graduate programs.

How was it?

It was only the best time I've ever had.

If this city is this much fun alone, then I can't even imagine what it must be like with a group of people.

I fell in love with Boston University. I love that school. Words can not express how much I am in love with that school. The admissions department in the School of Education are some of the nicest and welcoming people I have ever met during the whole college search process (and I'm on the third college search process of my life). I would be honoured to attend that program. For you Binghamtonites out there, there is a bubble tea place right across the street from the College of Arts and Sciences building. The bookstore, like Binghamton's, is a Barnes and Noble, but it's a real Barnes and Noble. We're talking with the cafe and interior and everything. The residence halls are absolutely amazing--all quaint and historic and an art history minor's dream. I hope they are reading this. PLEASE ACCEPT ME TO YOUR SCHOOL!

I also love Harvard, although I didn't get to meet with anyone there. The Graduate School of Education is on one little side street across from...where is that, perpendicular to where HMV used to be in Cambridge. Oh, that street where Fire and Ice is. (Okay, like no one knows what I'm talking about. Fire and Ice is this wayyyy overpriced but way cool restaurant that I went to with the Model UN team back in 2001, and in order to make my way around Cambridge the day after we ate there, I had to relate everything to that restaurant and the bead store across the street.) So that's where Harvard GSE is. And it looks very nice, and the students around the buildings looked and seemed very nice and dedicated. While I love BU, my dream since I knew what college was and knew that I wanted to go to college has been to be accepted to Harvard. So I'm going to try. And the area is fantastic (even though I still don't understand why there are like three Au Bon Pains in the immediate Harvard Square area. I think that one big one is enough...but I like that place, so I won't complain.)

Northeastern was the site of my favourite food expierence of my trip. Nice school, great buildings, mad busy for the beginning of August (but they are on quarters not semesters, so I think that's why--but they're going to semesters soon)...and then I went to lunch at Gregory's, which is this little deli across the street and down some. The guys that run the place were entirely way too nice for their own good. I was overly tired right then, and hadn't eaten in hours (I had been up since 9am Wed, and this was at 12:30 on Thursday...I had caught about 3 hours of sleep on the red eye bus I had taken, but they weren't the best hours of sleep), but they had me laughing, and by the end of lunch, I knew I'd be able to make it till I got back to my hotel that evening. I intend on trying to go back there everytime I go to Boston, and eventually when I live there, I will try to get there as much as I can. They had loyal customers stopping in who seemed to absolutely love them, and I know why.

Suffolk Universtiy was cool in that it is right near the State House, meaning that it is amazingly political around there. I had this feeling I was passing important people as I made my way up the hill to find graduate admissions. There are a lot of cute eateries around there (what can I say, I enjoy restaurants too much), and Filenes' Basement is within walking distance. I didn't get there this time (that's the one place I'm dying to get to and haven't yet), but that it is within walking distance (along with H&M) of Suffolk earns the university bonus points. It also seems like they are completely redoing some of the residential areas around there in an a revitalization effort, which can be good. And Boston Common is right there.

I also got to see Fenway Park (I didn't get to go to a game, but I got to walk by it after Friday's first game, and got to get hit on by a drunken Red Sox fan). I also got to go to FAO Schwartz, the store I want my children to be exposed to early and often, and the rest of Bolyston and Newbury Street (the coolest place to shop ever created--well, if you have money. If you don't, it's fun to walk around and gawk-without-gawking.) I also went to the Prudential Center (a nice mall), and walked past the Park Plaza (the way expensive and fancy hotel I stayed in my first time in Boston). I also found places I need to visit the next time I'm there (MIT--I had to switch trains once and found myself there with no time to walk around and look--but the area looked great). And then, of course, no trip is complete without...finding a supermarket and seeing if it lives up to Wegmans. I did find one, Shaw's, that did live up to Wegmans. I was impressed--the one I went to had its own wine section, something I don't even think the Pittsford Wegmans has. It was very nice.

So, all in all, I fell more in love with Boston that I thought I ever could. I hate to admit this, but I teared up when I got to South Station to leave on Friday night. I want to live in Boston. When I was 10, my aunt (who was from the Cape) told me, "Katie, I want to take you up to Boston because you'd love it. You're a Boston girl, I just know it." And she was right. That's where I want to be, and the possibility of moving there in a year is an amazing feeling. A lot of my friends have fallen in love with New York City, and can't picture not living there, and I could never understand their feelings until last week. I now have those same feelings about Boston.

So if anyone ever wants to take a jaunt up to Boston, you have a travel partner. (Oh, and if anyone is thinking of going to grad school up there in Fall 2004, let me know.)

Yes, it's been a bit since I last updated this on the joys of being an orientation advisor.

My last group of freshmen flew by. I don't even remember them...they were a nice group of 20, a few being very excited about being here (including my history major and my volleyball player--they were great!) and the rest of them just seeming completely disgusted and not even caring about anything. Many of all my orientees have been pre-med--easy for scheduling purposes, but do we really need that many doctors? I guess we do. The majority will change their minds soon enough though, so we'll see where these students stand come end of their sophmore years.

Then I had crew/set up. I got to park cars and hold signs. Then I got to drag tables and watch funny movies in Lecture Hall 1 when we had free time. It was that session where I met Alda, who is best friends with a family I used to work for in high school. She's from another high school in the City School District, bringing the City of Rochester total here to...three (Brian Jones, me, and now Alda). She rocks! It was so exciting to talk to someone who came from the same school district!

Tomorrow begins the last session, Session I. Well, it's not really the last session, but it's the last two day full session with the 25 OAs. I'm working with the families (hooray--I love interacting with families, see my previous entries as to why). I just have a better time interacting with them. And after Tuesday night, we finish cleaning and then it's vacation! Then I come back here sometime around the 14th, pack up my apartment here in Susquehanna, and move over to Mountainview. On August 20th, we start preparations for the last session (the "oops, you forgot to come to orientation and you kind of really need classes" session), do the last session, staff Welcome Back Weekend, and then we're done. Then classes begin, and so do the 10 or so extracurriculars I have agreed on doing this year. Sigh...we will see, we will see.

This weekend I got to have dessert with the Vice President of Student Affairs and have dinner at my bosses' house. Add to that the dinner I had with President DeFleur at the beginning of the summer, and I'd like to say I have seriously networked my way around this campus. This job has been awesome for that respect. And if any of them can get me jobs, I'd love them for it.

Well, I might as well get to the work I have to do and to get to sleep, since I do have to wake up early tomorrow. I'll update this tomorrow or Tuesday and let you all know how the last session went.

Oh, yeah, out of state totals for the all sessions thus far: @11 MA (4 in one session alone, including one from Beverly, where one of my favourite ex-Ithacans, Caitlin, is from!), a lot of Jerseys (I think they came in a group the last two sessions), a lot of Penn. (maybe 10 a session the last few it seems), a Florida, two CAs, 2-3 IL, 3-4 Marylands.

Music: I've had "A Thousand Miles" stuck in my head all day. There is a reason for that...

Quick post, because I need to rest for tomorrow's session (actually, by the time I finish typing, it will be today's session).

This transfer session had it's ups and downs--although I must say, out of the 16 I was assigned, the 6 that actually showed up for things and particpated were fun to hang out with. The highlights were my Latin major and her cool mom (the very first Classics major we've had all year); my two Engineering guys, who were great to eat dinner and do schedules with; the mother from Rochester who also went to School #52 (although, as she assured me, many years before I did); and the History major transfer from IC, bringing the whole summer IC to Binghamton transfer total to roughly five, which brings the total number of IC to Binghamton transfers that I know of on campus to nine (that includes myself). I think IC may want to look into that...(What's even more scary is the number of those of us who lived in Terrace 5 in 2000-2001 who ended up transfering...I forget the last count, but it's many more than it should.)

The out of state count: 1.5 (long story) Colorados, 3 (?) Jerseys, .5 Mass. (another long story), and 3 or 4 Penn.

And that was my one and only transfer session. Yes, I still want to work in and research transfer advising. If anything, the expierence makes me want to research it more.

I'm heading to bed so I can rest up for my last group of freshmen (the two sessions after this one I work set-up and families). I'll be back on Wednesday...

What do OAs do on their day off?

•Watch the Quarterback Challenge and conclude that Marc Bulger is the hottest active quarterback in the NFL, with Mark Burnell a very close second.
•Attempt to shrink my still way too big OA polo shirts (I was mildly successful.)
•Watch Mr. Deeds, which has to have one of the best soundtracks of the past few years.
•Door tags for the floor I will stay on tomorrow night.
•Pack for tomorrow.
•Make sure I know what I'm talking about tomorrow.
•Dream about scheduling classes for something like the fifth night in a row.
•Try to plan my grad school visit/vacation, which is mighty hard to do when BC, BU and Harvard's admissions offices are closed on Saturday afternoons and you don't have time during the time they are open to call them.
•Realise that I've overbooked myself for my senior year and unless I like having no life and bouts of laryngitis, something should really change. But will it? I guess that's up to me. Three people today alone told me that something has to change. Three. Add to that my therapist last fall, my father, my mother, my sister, most of Holiday last year, all the guys who have turned me down when I've asked them out in the past seven months...is this a consensus? I think this pretty much is. Okay, I guess now I have to learn tactful, nice ways to say no that will not make me feel guilty. Or just how to say the word "no" in general. I may need help with this.

All in all, a nice day off. On to my transfers...

Music: The person above me playing music, along with the occasional blasting car stereo. But I did catch the last fifteen minutes of Selena, which means I have that soundtrack stuck in my head. I think that was the last good movie J.Lo ever made. Oh wait, The Wedding Planner is pretty good. But yeah, I think that was it for her.

Give me an undecided student's favourite movie, CD and book, and I can choose classes for them that will fufill general education requirements.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think I have found my calling.

In other (but still related news), Elyse, one of the secretaries in Campus Activities and Orientation, is the funniest person ever. I sat with her, Theresa, Jack, Orlando, and Mo at the Orientation dinner tonight, and I think I burned off all the calories I ate by laughing.

My orientees were excellent this session--they had already looked at the schedule of classes online, and knew a lot of what they wanted. They jumped on the registration system and, for the most part, got much of what they wanted. Very nice--I commend them. I feel bad because my groups don't nessercarily bond as well as others, but I try the best I can in the very limited amount of hours I am given with them.

Transfers on Sunday--"our peeps" as Danielle would say. I wonder how they treat an OA who has been a transfer as opposed to an OA who has not. We will see. I'll just call this as the beginning of my grad school research--especially if I get a few athletes. Today I had a wrestler--he was cool. We talked D1 residential guidelines at 1am.

For those of you keeping track: We had one orientee from Mass. this time (Martha's Vineyard), quite a few from Jersey, one from Illinois, and handful from Penn. Yes, I will be scanning the parking lots opening day to get my fill of different license plates (seeing that freshmen can't have cars, I won't get to see them throughout the year).

Music: "It's You" by Michelle Branch. I love that song--and someday, I will be able to apply it to someone. Hopefully.

Today was the first family session I worked. My parents always said that one of my flaws is that I enjoy interacting with people older than me more than people my age. Well, they were right.

At dinner, I sat with four mothers with daughters in the Nursing program. Let me just tell you, they were a hoot and a holler. I loved them! One mother was from Rochester, and it's wonderful to be able to relate things to Rochester. Speaking of that, I met another family from Rochester. The parents grew up in the same area as my own, which was interesting. It was hystarical when the father asked, "So what is the Wegmans like here?" and I said, "You know Eastway Wegmans on the border of Penfield and Webster? It's just like that," and they knew EXACTLY what I meant! The other families were great too. It seems like I have become the unofficial "out of state" OA for some of these families, because for some reason, I know random places in Jersey, Penn, and Mass (thanks to my time at Ithaca!). There are so many orientees from Mass., it seems like we're averaging about two per session. That is remarkable for a SUNY all the way down here. Penn is more common, because we're one misplaced step from there, and Jersey is mildly common. We also had a TN and a Hawaii today (yes, you read that correctly...). I love that--that was the thing I missed the most here as opposed to Ithaca, meeting people from different states, seeing the various state license plates in the parking lot. Now that's coming here, and it's great.

As I was telling some of the OAs this morning, I don't think I mind parents as much because I'm the most overprotective big sister you'll ever meet. I can relate when the parents want to grab the schedule and "help" their student, because I sometimes do the same with Megan and Sam. I need to know what they are doing in school, how it is being taught, how they are doing their homework, who they are spending time with...all of that way too motherly stuff that I shouldn't do at this age and place in my life, but do and have done always. I also spoil them rotten like a grandmother. So when I see that parent steal an extra schedule even though they really are not susposed to, I tell them why they can't have them, but I also understand. Because 1) in most situations (except for mine and some others, but most), they are paying the bills and 2) you know your child better than any advisor does. You only want the best for your child because they are your child. And while that's a difficult concept for some people to understand, you have to understand that when you're passionate about something, you may get to a point where you act in a way others percieve to be rude and annoying, but to you, it's not. Parents (for the most part) are passionate about their children. It's a given. Twenty-five years down the road, we'll be the same way in a way. (Well, give me two years--when Megan goes off to school, watch me be all annoying. I'll work on that.) I'm not saying parents should get off scot free for being annoying--when you're out of line, you're out of line--but understand that these are not random acts of rudeness and annoyingness. They have a reason and an attempted outcome.

It's off to bed--I have to give a Campus Tour tomorrow morning, and then I have to check out all of the students who stayed in Digman tonight. GO DIGMAN (my honorary hall)! It's back to students on Thursday morning. That I knew the day there was remarkable because, as LynDonna put it the other day, "I don't think of days of the week anymore, I think of Day Ones and Day Twos."

Music: Uh, none. Unless the ending of the All-Star Game is considered music. Well, the Fox Sports music they play at commerical breaks. That counts.

Yeah, it's been a while yet again. I was inspired while sitting in the Undergrounds Coffeehouse at the computers after my "crew team" was finished setting up Orientation Late Nite. Both Rachel, Dave and Clair started updating their live journals/xangas, and I thought, well, that might be a good idea.

The last week has felt like one long continuous day. Last Monday, I woke up at 6am, and have largely been sleep deprived since then. An orientation session lasts from 1pm on Day 1 to 4:30pm on Day 2 for the orientees, but for us it lasts from 8am on Day 1 to 7pm on Day 2. Within there is setting up, checking in, helping everyone with their schedules, Late Nite, registration, cleaning and filling out good ol' RCRs (room condition reports) on each room, and a wrap-up meeting, among tons of other stuff. The way I help my orientees is by sitting down with them individually and plugging in the holes in their schedules with what they want, what they need, and what they have time for, while giving them backups in case their primary class closes. It's more than likely the closest thing Harpur School freshmen will ever get to real academic advising during their time at Binghamton, which is sad, because they greatly appreciate the help and need it. You can't just tell a kid once that this is the gen ed they need, and that some gen eds are Harpur requirements and some are all university, and have that be the only time you tell them. You need that individual help, even if you read the catalog and think you understand everything.

So I stay up till 2:30am, 3am helping my orientees schedule their classes. I get up again at 6:15am and run around until 2, where I start the actual registration process with them. I teach them the computer system, give them their codes to enter and their computer lab admission ticket, and take them over to register. This took till 4pm first session, and till 3:30 second session. I don't have students again until Thursday (OA groups rotate between three separate duties, student, family, and crew), so we will have to see how long they take. Then I clean their mess they may have left behind, check the rooms, pack up my stuff (we sleep on the floor with the students in various buildings in Dickinson, and our room is always changing), and go to our wrap-up meeting. Crew is way different, much more relaxed and fun. I have family duty for the first time on Tuesday. All in all, there are nine sessions in July, and one right before everyone moves in in August, plus New Student Days and Welcome Back Weekend.

We earn our money.

All in all though, this is a great job, I've met great people, and it cements my desire to venture into higher education admin for at least a while. I think I'd like to specialize in academic advising, most likely with transfers, because that's what I like to do the best: take someones needs and likes into account and suggest a class schedule around that. That means, though, I could never work at Binghamton, because their academic advising, unlike everyone else's, does not do that. I'd also like to work with alumni development as well, as well as residential life...I think whatever is open at the time in the geographical area I want when I get out with my masters is what I will do. At some point I would love to go back into sports and event management, but I realise what a difficult field it is to get into (I was speaking to an orientee last Monday about that, because that's what she wants to do), and how many more qualified people exist in the world. Should of stuck with the original plan...but, as has become my motto in the past few months, who knows what can happen? I just like to plan, that's all. I like to plan and plan and plan some more. And while that's excellent for my career and education, it screws up my social (i.e. love) life. Because unfortunately, you can not plan who you like and plan who will like you back. You can not order a boyfriend anytime you want one, and you can not get over people as easily as you can throw something away. And while if you asked me a year and a half ago if I minded not having anyone, I minded but I really didn't care. But now, I sit here and I really mind being single. Because I'm getting older, and gosh darn it, I want all of that unconditional love stuff. I want to be able to brag and gush about someone again. Having someone around in a relationship sense is important to me now; it wasn't back a year and a half ago or so. But as you get older, I think you learn that there is more to life than just you. And I have learned that, and I have this need to share things--expierences, time, whatever--with someone.

I guess you could say I've grown up.

But what I must keep in mind is that anything can happen, and anyone can walk into your life tomorrow. But I'm impatient. I want that person today. It's a flaw of mine--I'm working on it.

And in the meanwhile, I'll lose sleep scheduling my orientees, and be distracted by my never ending work. Because I'm heading down the home strech--and I don't ever go out with a wimper.

Music: The new Michelle Branch CD, especially "Where Are You Now?", which is the story of my life, I swear. The whole CD is, actually. She is stalking me and writing songs about it, I swear.

Okay, so I'm back. It only took me almost...uh, three months to come back to this thing, but I'm back. I have something called "time" now. As I was telling Chris (part of the best RD staff ever, Dickinson 2002-03, who I will all miss working with) this afternoon, time for myself is a wonderful thing that I sorely missed during the past year.

So what am I up to? Well, I am working this summer as an Orientation Advisor at Binghamton. I live in my lovely single in my lovely apartment with my great apartment-mates (Nicole and I are the Bachelorettes!) In my spare time (which will not exsist in July, which is when I work nine orientation sessions), I am looking at grad schools and jobs, and studying for the GRE. Let me tell you right now that I depise the GRE. It stinks. Looking through that study book litertally ruins my day...well, okay, puts me in a bad mood for like an hour. I thought my days of standardized testing was over! Oh well, I'm determined and persistant, and I really want a chance at Harvard, so I will study my butt off anyway.

Another enjoyable hobby I have been partaking in lately has been talking to Tricia! She's back from London, and now I can talk to her online and on the phone! Whoo-hoo--you do not understand what great fun we've been having the past few days, talking about planning her big fat bling bling wedding. (If you remember from the 3-13-03 entry, she's getting married to the best proposer ever.) No really, there will be no bling. We aren't that ghetto-fabulous, although we're pretty close, having attended Fredrick Douglass Middle School for sixth grade. And I still maintain that I can be pretty darn authentically ghetto-fab at times. I mean, I do live off of East Main Street in the city of Rochester. And I did go to the high school that had metal detectors. We really never used them...but we had them, and a nice SOTA TV rap video about them entitled, "Step Up to The Metal Detectors." Anyone remember that? I swear, they should of made all of America watch that video when they upgraded airport security. "Step up to the metal detectors, we got to make it safe..." and I don't remember the rest. Can we have a reunion and dig that out of the SOTA TV vault? I'm sure Megan (my super techie little sis) can get it.

Ahh, high school. Fun times, fun times.

Okay, as always, I have rambled. And so I will stop here, because I'm sure you all now have enough evidence that I am crazy. But actually, you should of known that already.

I promise to update this more often, really!

Music: Well, now I have "Step Up to the Metal Detectors" stuck in my head. But before that it was Michelle Branch.

Yes, I should be doing work. But instead I was "surfing the net."

And I found this: http://www.irondequoit.com/EastRidge/DENICE'S%20DANCE%20STUDIO/homepage.html
Yes, Denise entered the computer age. This, for those of you who haven't heard me talk about it or who aren't from Rochester, is my old dance studio. I took classes here for just about 10 years, and I taught there for 2. It was weird to see pictures of all these girls I used to dance with. They are still young enough to be there because they were maybe 12-14 when I left back in 1999...yes, because I was short (insert the rolling eyes of sarcaism here) I was in the performance group with the younger girls. Well anyway, I wish I could just redo the studio's website, because I don't like the font. It's too big. I always had ideas for a website for the studio (as I also always had ideas about everything for that studio--I think Denise hated me by the end there because I was always coming up with something), and, well, this website doesn't fit my vision. Not that it matters, though.

Yes, most of you reading probably don't know the whole bitter story surrounding my departure and tenure at the good ol' DDC. And I would tell you all, but it's hard. Most of it doesn't even have to do with the studio as much as myself.

But anyway, this also reminded me of my father's dream for me: to open up my own studio to directly compete with Denise's. Now, that's never going to happen, because I can't teach (trust me, I can't, I tried--I mean, I wasn't bad, but I'm not at all good enough at anything but tap to teach, so yeah, I could teach tap, but that's it), but I always entertain my father when he brings it up. And to say that I have no desire to do that is a lie: it's what I thought I was going to do with my life for years. I mean, when I was little, that's what I planned on doing when I grew up. I remember making a life outline in Miss Fisher's class in 4th grade, and this is what it said:
1) I was going to go to Edison Tech for high school (like my dad) or School of the Arts.
2) I was going to keep dancing.
3) I was going to teach dance.
4) I was going to open my own dance studio.
5) My bathroom in my house was going to be light blue, and everything was going to match. (That was a weird dream of mine--I always wanted a put together bathroom, I don't really know why.)

Then in 5th grade, I was going to open my own day care center (so, and I am not lying, I could have more than one bathroom to decorate) and dance studio. So Katherine's career asperations have gone like this:
ages 4-7- firefighter, singer, or President of the United States
ages 7-13- dance teacher, studio owner, day care center operator, just overall entrepurner (I know I spelled that wrong, sorry)
ages 13-18- sports journalist, sports agent, sports public relations (I can tell you the exact date I got this career tangent started: January 29, 1995)
age 18-20- Latin, history, or creative writing teacher, director of arts instruction/curriculum at SOTA
age 20-now and in the future- Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education Admin. (because essentially, all I've ever wanted to do is just be in charge, advertise, and plan events and programs--from the studios to the bathrooms, to representing greedy, non-derserving professional athletes, so this works)

See, I was able to connect all that. It's not like they're all completely different careers. I mean, they all follow that "I must plan everything in the world" tangent. But I think 4th grade me would of looked at what has happened to me in horror and surprise. I was never going to go to college. I was never going to stop dancing. And I was never going to grow out my bangs! But 4 year old me would of been happy--I'm a president. Not of the country, but of 1,000 people, which is enough for me.

So yeah, visit that website. Laugh at it's bad layout. See where I spent a lot of my youth. And laugh when you read the "professionally trained instructors and trained assistants" sentance. (Ooh, bitterness coming through, should stop.)

I should really do more work. Really.

Music: My lovely iTunes playlist, which ranges from the new Eminem song (guilty pleasure, trust me) to Billy Joel and the Chicago soundtrack.

Okay, where is the warm weather that was promised? Yes, 30 is warm, but only to jaded Rochestarians who think if it's 90, we must be in Hell.

So Megan started her own LiveJournal (why not a blog, I don't know), so I guess I don't need to update this anymore. She now has her own to keep her company. So who knows what I'll do with this. I'm really not at all interesting.

The most hystarical thing--okay, not the most, but it was very funny at the time--was Marsha and I looking at a list of "Love Songs" online. Now, besides the fact that we were trying to sing as much as we knew of each song karioke style, we also realised that a good portion of those songs were not "love songs." In fact, they were very bitter breakup songs. So yes, breakups are a part of romance, but don't put them under the label of "Love Songs" because they are not. Like "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morrisette is NOT a love song. Not at all. It's a scary scary bitter obsessive song. But it was there, along with, inexplicably, "Bye Bye Bye" by N'Sync. Huh? What? I'm confused--not only about the love song question, but that that song is even considered a song. I consider it attempted murder to my ears.

Yes, Marsha and I were bored. This is what we do when we're two of the only people in the Holiday Inn and we're procrastinating from doing any semblence of work.

Well, I must go over to campus to pick up my InterLibrary Loan books and my mail (which should contain a letter or two from Tricia over in London, I hope--she only sent them 16 years ago).

Music: Goodnight Sweetheart by Rufus Wainwright

I just realised how disconnected I am from everyone from high school. Whose fault that is, I have no idea. However, if one remembers and really studies how I was (physically and personality wise) in high school, it's no wonder that I only talk to two, maybe three people from high school. That's okay, I'm fine with that. A bit saddened, but fine.

I was home for four days and did not see anyone beyond my immediate family (well, and Alex and Becky, but they're around so much that I consider them immediate family). And so, since I have more work to do than who knows what, and because I had no point in being in Rochester because there is absolutely no one but my family (who rock, don't get me wrong) to hang out with, I came back to Binghamton and my cozy Holiday room. I mean, Tricia is in London (she's officially engaged by the way, which makes me extremely happy--Olivier is a fantastic guy who really knows how to propose! Congratulations again!), Laura and Candace are in school, and Marsha decided to stay in good ol' Holiday for break.

I wish I had stayed in better contact with everyone, and I wish I would of visited school on Monday. I miss the teachers--they were some of my best friends in high school. I will just have to go back at some point and say hi to them. But then again, as much as I wish I still had my high school friends, I have two great groups of friends who I wouldn't give up for the world. And that makes up for my social awkwardness and bangs in high school. (I blame my social awkwardness on my bangs--there is a direct correlation between my growing out my bangs and my establishing good relationships, especially dating relationships). It's funny--people here usually don't believe that I was an extreme pudgy geek in high school. I have to drag out pictures to convince them. They also don't believe I hadn't had a date until spring semester freshman year. Then I drag out the pictures again. I was, as Caitlin, Tracy, and I used to put it, "a super geek, super geek, I'm super geeky now!"

Well enough about my "phase". Like in my favourite movie: "Well, I was kind of going through a phase until...right now. I was frump girl."
"I don't remember frump girl, but I remember you."
Sigh...it scares me how I can recite lines upon lines from that movie. I did get my mother saying the "bi-a, bi-op-bi-a, bi-bobsy, bi-bopsy" line though. And I must say, as much as I found that scene with the bundt cake funny before watching it with Matt, Marsha, Dan and Steve, I now have a serious laughing fit when I watch it. "It's a cake!"

Okay, I need to make the rest of my study sheets for Carolingians...they look awful nice so far. I refuse to sleep until they are done.

I promise to update this more often. I promise! (even if the only person who reads this is Megan)

Music: Cell Block Tango and Hot Honey Rag/Nowadays from the Chicago movie soundtrack

I'm been told I'm a workaholic. I may be, but really, it's not that bad. I mean, look at today...

A day in the life of me:

8am--Alarm goes off, and I think about not going to Ancient Law, and then I remember that it's Kadish, and he's my favourite, so I have to go. I take a shower, get dressed, check my e-mail.

9:05--Head outside with Regina to catch the bus over to campus.

9:20--Get on campus and head on over to Financial Aid to pick up a scholarship application. Go to class.

10:40-11:50--Go to the library. Check e-mail again. Copy reserve reading. Pay phone bill. Go to Career Developement Center. Get part of my lunch.

11:50-3--At the store, where I do my reading for Carolingians, call the future AD of Moutainview, organize DTC stuff, work on the night's e-board agenda, start filling out that scholarship application, and work on my internship applications. Warned by boss not to accept any job I get offered by Late Nite, because apparently they wanted to offer me a position. Wiether they do or not remains to be seen.

3:15--Clock out and head for the shuttle. I love the shuttle. Other dorms have two lounges, a rec lounge and a study lounge. Here in Holiday we have a study lounge and the shuttle. The shuttle is where you socialize and also where you get to know each other intimately, since there is often too many of us stuffed into that little van.

3:40--Back in the room, where I make flyers (since I am working towards my honorary degree in flyerism and flyer studies), pay bills, do semi-formal stuff, check and respond to e-mail for the third time, and continue my massive amount of reading for Culture of Modernism. Oh, and talk to Megan.

6--Make dinner, which consists of bad Matzo Ball Soup from a can. I do not reccomend it. I keep reading

7:40--Head for the shuttle to go to DTC E-board.

8-9:30--DTC E-board

9:30--Back in the room, I try to follow up everything we've discussed in the meeting.

10:30--Seriously procrasinating by writing this.

So all in all, this was an easy day. I spent four hours in my room, which is pretty good. See, it's not that hard--it's the frustration that does you in. Once you get that to a tolerable level, you'll be fine.

Yeah, I don't reccomend the soup. It was bad. I had to eat a spoonful of peanut butter to get rid of the taste. It was horrid.

Okay, I will do my reading now.

(Am I still doing well, Megan?)

So Megan IMs me this evening and says, "You know what I love? Live Journals and blogs." I, being the noisy girl that I am, asks her who she knows who has one. Turns out that she's been reading Martha Hoffman's blog, which has a link to her brother Ross' blog, who has a link to Jesse Beller's Live Journal...it's like a big SOTA reunion! So if it's good enough for Ross and Jesse, it's good enough for me. Except I'm no where as interesting as they are. In fact, I am rather "toast", as they would say in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. "Asceno with a toast family!" (I'm more than likely spelling that completely wrong, and I apologize to anyone who knows Greek.)

Along those lines, Regina and I were contented with the premiere of "My Big Fat Greek Life" last night. Not the best television show in the world, but it definitely beats out plenty of other stuff that is on the air these days. I kept having a major problem with the Toula character now being called Nia, and the fact that the husband is working on his dissertation. Continuation people! Don't change things up on me like that!

Oh, and I notice that people always note what they are listening to when they are writing an entry on these things, so I will do that as well. I am listening to "Hunter" by Dido, because that song, along with Marcy Playground's "Sex and Candy", will be the Mountainview theme songs for next year (the two buildings are Hunter and Marcy, in case you didn't know). So we go from "Holiday" by Madonna to one of those two songs. Trust me, fun times will be had by all next year.

Okay, this Blog stinks. Trust me, I'll try to be less toast in the future.