My first week of classes went a little like this:
Earthquake
Hurricane
Loss of power
Loss of water
5 day weekend
I don't think I've ever had such an exciting first week back in class. Mostly these things were not pleasant to deal with, although the earthquake was pretty funny - Phoebe took off running and I thought the shelves above my bed were going to fall on my head. It was actually located near Richmond but apparently people as far north as NYC felt it - it was just a gentle rumble here in Newport News.
Campus evacuated for the hurricane and I spent the weekend in Richmond because we have a generator there. Which of course worked for about 24 hours and then had some sort of issue which meant not only did we not have power, we didn't have water, either. I felt completely cut off from the outside world - like, no internet or tv and my cell phone didn't have a signal. It was like living in the stone age. I couldn't even look up the Cubs scores, let alone watch a game. First world problems, right?
Had a really great night on Monday hanging out with Tricia and Derick and Scott, got my email on a 3G network and found out classes would be starting again today. So last night I drove here with Pheebs and went to dinner with Jen, came back and went for a jog, and the power was on. Awesome!
Classes are going fine although I did add a 6th class, Communism's Collapse, which is a 400 level class and Brittany and Rob are in it - plus I think Alex is trying to transfer in to it. It's once a week which I hate, but at least it is good company and it should, in theory, make next semester easier.
31 August 2011
25 August 2011
That Just Happened v2.0
Sometimes things happen to me and I feel the need to tell everyone, right away. Usually this happens when I am nowhere near a computer because let's face it, you have to get out in the real world for interesting stuff to happen to you. However, today... something happened which will make a great story for the ages. FOR THE AGES.
I need to back up and reference my best friend's bachelorette party. For the most part, this is the night that shall never be discussed publicly, but there's something you need to know about this night. For our expedition across DC in a party bus, we were each given a penis straw. That's right. A straw which, at the top, resembles a penis. So that when you drink - well, it's a dirty straw. It's supposed to be funny, of course, but there you have it. Oh - and they came in lots of bright colors.
Mine was blue.
Somehow at the end of the night mine ended up at the bottom of my purse and has lived there ever since. I kept forgetting to take it out, because how often do you think to yourself, "I really need to take that penis out of my purse"? Not very often, unless you lead a very interesting life. So every so often I would reach in for a pen or tampon and out would come the penis straw, I would giggle and remember that night in June fondly and return the penis back to its home.
Last weekend I was hanging out with said best friend, the topic of the penis straws came up (I mean, why wouldn't it) and I reached into my purse and wanted to show her how I still had it. But alas! The penis was gone. I was pretty sad about it actually because you don't get a lot of souvenirs from a night like that - you get a hell of a hangover, but not many keepsakes. So we lamented the loss of the penis and then went about our night.
Fast forward to today. I had a few gentlemen (and I use that term in an effort to be polite) here to install air conditioning units so that my house would no longer resemble an oven. Great success! But then I reached into my purse to pull out my check book to pay for it, and as I opened my check book out fell the penis straw.
I felt a combination of joy and humiliation, for finding my long lost phallic straw and for finding it in front of a guy who had more fingers than teeth. I quickly just dumped the straw back into my purse and pretended it didn't happen - but it was too late. Guys, you should have seen the look this guy gave me. It was a combination of surprise, amusement, and a little bit of "how YOU doin'?" - I was completely mortified.
And that, my friends, just happened.
I need to back up and reference my best friend's bachelorette party. For the most part, this is the night that shall never be discussed publicly, but there's something you need to know about this night. For our expedition across DC in a party bus, we were each given a penis straw. That's right. A straw which, at the top, resembles a penis. So that when you drink - well, it's a dirty straw. It's supposed to be funny, of course, but there you have it. Oh - and they came in lots of bright colors.
Mine was blue.
Somehow at the end of the night mine ended up at the bottom of my purse and has lived there ever since. I kept forgetting to take it out, because how often do you think to yourself, "I really need to take that penis out of my purse"? Not very often, unless you lead a very interesting life. So every so often I would reach in for a pen or tampon and out would come the penis straw, I would giggle and remember that night in June fondly and return the penis back to its home.
Last weekend I was hanging out with said best friend, the topic of the penis straws came up (I mean, why wouldn't it) and I reached into my purse and wanted to show her how I still had it. But alas! The penis was gone. I was pretty sad about it actually because you don't get a lot of souvenirs from a night like that - you get a hell of a hangover, but not many keepsakes. So we lamented the loss of the penis and then went about our night.
Fast forward to today. I had a few gentlemen (and I use that term in an effort to be polite) here to install air conditioning units so that my house would no longer resemble an oven. Great success! But then I reached into my purse to pull out my check book to pay for it, and as I opened my check book out fell the penis straw.
I felt a combination of joy and humiliation, for finding my long lost phallic straw and for finding it in front of a guy who had more fingers than teeth. I quickly just dumped the straw back into my purse and pretended it didn't happen - but it was too late. Guys, you should have seen the look this guy gave me. It was a combination of surprise, amusement, and a little bit of "how YOU doin'?" - I was completely mortified.
And that, my friends, just happened.
19 August 2011
What a difference 8 years makes
When you start your freshman year of college, you have everything bought and packed WAY ahead of time, and you are excited about moving in and your clothes are folded in suitcases and clean and you have check lists to make sure you don't forget anything.
When you start your eighth year of college, you just sort of throw everything together the night before you leave, clean or not, shove things into a few bags where they will fit, and hope you managed to remember all of the necessities, like a camera cord and your computer charger and shoes. And then you hope for the best.
I am so unprepared for classes to start on Monday that it's sort of humorous. I did manage to buy my textbooks - big accomplishment. I remembered tonight that it would probably be a good idea to bring my back pack, though, so that shows you where my head is. I don't have my sheets or anything and I should probably clean out my car before I try to pack it tomorrow.
Here's to beginning what is hopefully my last year of undergrad!
When you start your eighth year of college, you just sort of throw everything together the night before you leave, clean or not, shove things into a few bags where they will fit, and hope you managed to remember all of the necessities, like a camera cord and your computer charger and shoes. And then you hope for the best.
I am so unprepared for classes to start on Monday that it's sort of humorous. I did manage to buy my textbooks - big accomplishment. I remembered tonight that it would probably be a good idea to bring my back pack, though, so that shows you where my head is. I don't have my sheets or anything and I should probably clean out my car before I try to pack it tomorrow.
Here's to beginning what is hopefully my last year of undergrad!
Wellington Horses
Found my camera cord and got the last of my pictures off my phone. This is the statue that is at the top of the Wellington Arch in London, England.
16 August 2011
To summarize
I'm sort of excited for the semester to start, which is a nice feeling, because this summer has just got to end sometime, right?
I went down to Newport News for the night and went to dinner with Brittany last night, went to lunch with Jen today (from England trip - adore her). I've spent god knows how many hours texting Dan about everything from demonic dogs to real actual heavy topics like love and sex and relationships. That boy gets me through some tough times. I've reconnected with a few old friends here in Richmond which has been fun and I'm finally feeling really and truly happy again. It will still be a long time before I commit to anyone or anything, you know, but I'm better. I'm so much better.
My classes this semester should be enjoyable - three professors I've had and love, and two I've heard good things about. Plus the classes are all topics I actually care about studying - history and classics. That's it. And perhaps the best and most important part is that my schedule is awesome. 12-4 on MWF and 5:30-6:45 on TR. This gives me plenty of time to ride and relax and get homework done and I'm considering getting some sort of job as well.
Watched Bull Durham for the first time and it is one of my favorite movies ever.
For awhile today I felt like writing something that was deep and meaningful, but then the Cubs blew a big lead by giving up a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth and now I am just annoyed.
To summarize:
I'm happy
The Cubs still suck
Basically everything has returned to normal
I went down to Newport News for the night and went to dinner with Brittany last night, went to lunch with Jen today (from England trip - adore her). I've spent god knows how many hours texting Dan about everything from demonic dogs to real actual heavy topics like love and sex and relationships. That boy gets me through some tough times. I've reconnected with a few old friends here in Richmond which has been fun and I'm finally feeling really and truly happy again. It will still be a long time before I commit to anyone or anything, you know, but I'm better. I'm so much better.
My classes this semester should be enjoyable - three professors I've had and love, and two I've heard good things about. Plus the classes are all topics I actually care about studying - history and classics. That's it. And perhaps the best and most important part is that my schedule is awesome. 12-4 on MWF and 5:30-6:45 on TR. This gives me plenty of time to ride and relax and get homework done and I'm considering getting some sort of job as well.
Watched Bull Durham for the first time and it is one of my favorite movies ever.
For awhile today I felt like writing something that was deep and meaningful, but then the Cubs blew a big lead by giving up a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth and now I am just annoyed.
To summarize:
I'm happy
The Cubs still suck
Basically everything has returned to normal
09 August 2011
Life
Patrick has a torn tendon, he will be out for at least 90 days.
2011 is the year that will not stop shitting on my head.
2011 is the year that will not stop shitting on my head.
08 August 2011
Healing
I wrote today for the first time in awhile. After finally finishing the paper that was due, I had just been sort of struck by the impulse to write, but without the time to do so. Mondays are nice because they are a day to myself, the barn is closed and I am home alone with the dogs.
I started by reading the first few chapters of the Norwood story that I started years ago, editing dialogue as I went but for the most part really pleased with my work. Since it had been so long since I touched it, I felt like I was able to read it with fresh eyes, and when I reached the end, I wanted more. So I kept going. I wrote for hours, lost in the story and the characters and away from the troubles of this world. It was cleansing and empowering and just what I needed.
Having finally recovered from a stomach virus that hit me as soon as I touched back down in the states, the last few days have found me dealing with some sort of head cold. Can't I just feel good for an extended period of time? The lack of energy that comes with feeling bad is not good for my mental state, since it leaves me with too much time to sit and think about the past. Or worry over the future.
But today was good. I was alone, I dealt with it, and I feel better. And I have missed writing, I have missed it so much. The neatest thing is that I can take the experiences I've had - like going to England and seeing the old cathedral at Bury St. Edmunds - and apply it to my story, because in the story there is a city in ruins and now I have actually seen something I can compare it to. Likewise, I've studied significantly more history from the same time as my story takes place than when I started, which helps with the small details of every day life as well as things such as warfare and religion.
I feel more prepared now and more inspired to get this story written. It's been in me for years, the characters and the land and the plot, and I feel like right now - in this moment - I can finally get it on paper and make it a reality. And who knows, maybe one day I can look back at this experience and say that going through this is what finally allowed me to turn my dream of becoming a published author into reality.
I started by reading the first few chapters of the Norwood story that I started years ago, editing dialogue as I went but for the most part really pleased with my work. Since it had been so long since I touched it, I felt like I was able to read it with fresh eyes, and when I reached the end, I wanted more. So I kept going. I wrote for hours, lost in the story and the characters and away from the troubles of this world. It was cleansing and empowering and just what I needed.
Having finally recovered from a stomach virus that hit me as soon as I touched back down in the states, the last few days have found me dealing with some sort of head cold. Can't I just feel good for an extended period of time? The lack of energy that comes with feeling bad is not good for my mental state, since it leaves me with too much time to sit and think about the past. Or worry over the future.
But today was good. I was alone, I dealt with it, and I feel better. And I have missed writing, I have missed it so much. The neatest thing is that I can take the experiences I've had - like going to England and seeing the old cathedral at Bury St. Edmunds - and apply it to my story, because in the story there is a city in ruins and now I have actually seen something I can compare it to. Likewise, I've studied significantly more history from the same time as my story takes place than when I started, which helps with the small details of every day life as well as things such as warfare and religion.
I feel more prepared now and more inspired to get this story written. It's been in me for years, the characters and the land and the plot, and I feel like right now - in this moment - I can finally get it on paper and make it a reality. And who knows, maybe one day I can look back at this experience and say that going through this is what finally allowed me to turn my dream of becoming a published author into reality.
05 August 2011
Proudest moment of my life
Get it? Get it?
(Real post coming, promise. I got home from England, almost died from the flu, and leave for a horse show this week.)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)