study habits of a minneapolis bound orlandian

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:59:04 GMT

I think I'm just gonna walk to where I need to get to from now on...

I got into an accident on the way to work last night.
I left early, so I could just take my time getting there. I normally do. I'm minding my own business and I hear this skid and crash. I look to my left and I see this blue car that looks almost totaled. Then I look a little farther to my left and I see the pick up that the blue car hit.

And it's coming straight for me.

Seriously, the only thing I could think of when I saw it was "*sigh*......crap."

The worst thing was, I wasn't even driving!! I was at a friggin STOP LIGHT! I considered reversing, but there wasn't enough time to see if there was anyone behind me, Plus, if I moved out the truck could've hit the car next to me, so it was better for everyone that I just stay there and take it. From what the police had told me, the people that were driving the blue car had stolen it. The cops were going after them and they ran the red light illegally. When they did that, the hit the pick up that was driving my opposite way. They hit it so hard that it skidded from the very beginning of the intersection of east colonial up to the intersection on semoran, and into the third lane that I was at. It hit me so hard that both my airbags deployed and skidded me a good 40 or so feet back.

So I called my job to tell them that I may or may not be going to work that night because I needed to stay to answer questions and stuff. A couple hours later, they gave us the OK to go home, but we needed to tow the Tiburon home. I was so happy that my dad still had the tow truck, lol!

My car still runs miraculously, but I can't drive it because of the airbags. And the adjuster still needs to inspect the damage and stuff. This puts a big damper in how the heck we're going to get back to Minneapolis and of course, how I'm going to be getting around when Mom is out and Dee Jay is working. I hate not having a car, and I hate having to bum rides off of people...especially when I'm having to do overnights. blech.

I think I'm gonna take a nap before my online class and before work...my mother will be taking me to work tonight. I feel so bad, lol...

Worst news ever.

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:40:49 GMT

I was watching it on CNN hoping it wouldn't happen.
But it was confirmed that Michael Jackson died after being sent to the hospital for what seemed like cardiac arrest
Gawd...I mean, I know I'm not the only fan, but...I just can't believe it I grew up with his music. He was an amazing performer. and now he's gone. Like really gone....

Rest in Peace Michael. The world's lost someone really amazing.

week one of 10

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:17:57 GMT

School starts today and it's been off at a light speed pace. Already I have about 4 homeworks due tomorrow and wednesday. Both seem pretty interesting, but both demand more work and attention to detail because it's a summer class and they know if they don't enforce than no one will take the classes seriously.

Well, the break was nice while it lasted, lol! But I'm hoping that I can manage my time better now that i don't have so many other courses to worry about. In the meantime, I'm still jobless and looking for some form of employment. It just sucks because no one seems to be hiring and I'm even open for commissions, but there seems to be nothing at that end either.

I'm really worried because I have no idea how I'm going to pay my bills this month and it sucks. And to put more fuel to the fire, my laptop charger has gone out. It's ripping out at the wire and I'm trying to piece it together with masking tape and placing it just so so that it keeps a charge. I just don't have any funds at all to think about getting a new one...

Grrrr...there's just alot hitting me at once. And all in the morning for some reason, LOL.

I need more days like this, lol

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:39:49 GMT

Wish I had something cool to report, but at the same time no news is good news. It's been almost a week and I'm seriously enjoying all the lounging around I've been able to accomplish since I've been in Orlando. Which is great, I've been needing to get my hand to rest. My right hand has been hurting so bad this semester that I had to wrap it to keep it from moving several times to keep it from moving. Earlier in the semester, it actually helped. A couple days with it on and I was fine. Now it feels like it makes it worse. It's gotten to the point that it hurts to draw and write, type....heck I almost dropped a container of food because my hand couldn't support its weight. Quite frankly, I'm pretty scared, especially since I got summer school in a couple days and I'm going to be drawing and on the computer alot from that point on. I'd love to get checked out, but my insurance runs the end of may and that leaves me with no time to find a doctor. Looks like I'm going to have to upgrade from my ace bandage to an actual writs guard. Don't want to because it's more expensive but...bleh.

I missed the final JACON which upset me some. I wanted to hang out with friends and say goodbye to the first convention that I cosplayed in, got attacked in and sold art work in. I hope that everyone that attended had a great time! I'd like to at least attend one convention to sell stuff at before I leave. I'm not sure how that's gonna work unless someone really high up likes our stuff, lol! But it's nice to dream aint it?

I haven't been completely lazy though. I have getting started on some conceptualizing and sketching for my final project; I'll start posting them up partly to show off, and partly for a critique and criticism. I'm really looking forward to this project and I want this to be a serious, accomplished animation, so any opinion that anyone may have will be super helpful! I've been eyeing supplies to make my hardcover book (SO excited to do this!) and if this works out well, I'm gonna make myself a custom sketchbook. I've also been looking for a job and intership since I made it here. Dee Jay even commented that I just hit the ground running. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather not work (working 56 hours on art instead of retail has made me a little spoiled, lol) but bills need to be paid in a couple days and I need a paycheck. I've applied to several places in the past week, so now just doing more hunting and playing that dreaded waiting game. I hate that game.

home sweet home

Sat, 23 May 2009 04:34:35 GMT

Yeah....this roadtrip was one to remember. The whole thing started off with us at the end of our 48 hour moving day; it's almost midnight and Dee Jay, Monica and I are all in a 17' truck on our way back to mpls when we see not one, not two, but five deer. That's right, FIVE FRIGGIN' DEER. Dee Jay reacted well and swerved just enough to make them realize "Hey! There's a moving thing coming at us! I think we should move!) He did hit one of them though, but they all bolted out of there, so we don't know how bad it was. The dent they left on our truck was surprisingly minimal.

After that, we got a hotel for the night and then got up to eat breakfast with monica and then we headed off for the road. We made good progress but took a wrong turn somewhere in Illinois, but after we got through it, we made it through another couple states pretty easily. Since we didn't have money for a hotel, we just slept in rest areas. I think I did ok, but then again, I'm small enough to smoosh myself into tighter quarters. Dee Jay had a horrible time finding a sweet spot and I felt so sorry for that, lol.

Things actually were pretty cool up until we got to Orlando. We were greeted with instantaneous rain (as in Welcome to Orlando, have some rain! WHOOSH!!) so bad that we could hardly see anything. Top that with a truck fire that was billowing thick black noxious smoke in front of us and we had ourselves in an awesomely annoying obstacle. When you see other trucks pulling off to the side of the road, you know it's bad. So we stopped, rested, got back on the road. Because of the rain, we had to make another trip. But thankfully, as of 5 am yesterday ,morning, we made it back to the sunshine state safe and sound.

The best news ever!

Fri, 08 May 2009 02:04:46 GMT

So remember that news that I mentioned earlier in the week? Well, I had to wait until everything was in the clear and since I got the official email, I can blurt it out to my heart's content now:

Dee Jay and I will be campus RA's for next year! I honestly was half expecting not to get it, considering there were about 4 others that were still in line for the position too. But we got it! From what they said, he and I will both take over the same building so we can still live together. Since the compensation is free room and board, we'll be saving almost 6 grand! This is just a dream come true. I checked with our FA applications again, and with housing out of the way, we're more than covered for our last year. This means there's no worry taking summer classes, and both Dee Jay and I will be set for our senior year. No outside loans, no monthly payment plans. It's a great relief really.

And now I'm finish eating my hamburger helper and take short nap so I can finish my artist statement for printmaking this week. I'm so beat it's not even funny.

Raving rants of a tired student

Thu, 07 May 2009 03:46:54 GMT

Stop motion animation went...well, it went. I hadn't slept since thursday so when tuesday hit I was at the end of my line. I had a back spasm that hit me so bad that I almost passed out. Then I was disoriented for the rest of the day. I was hoping to get some sleep for stopmotion so that I could get something filmed and submitted, but that didn't work. Not because I couldn't sleep, but because Dee Jay had to wake me up so we could fim. 4 days of work and I only had 2 hours of sleep to catch up for it. I was so NOT a happy camper. I was grumpy and moody for much of the morning. The good thing was that I got about 3 little scenes in (about 10 seconds in) and the teacher liked what I had so far. Made me feel good because all those weeks making those little puppets really paid off and he said it looked promising. I at least have the weekend to work on it.

Unfortunately, I have the weekend to work on everything else. I still have a 2 page figure drawing final to work on, my soft sculpture final and my final flash animatic for storyboard. I'm so exhausted, my joints are achy and I can't keep a solid thought in my head for more than a few seconds. I'm burned at both ends of the candle and the homework just doesn't let up. I mean, the only thing that's going for me is that the last day is tuesday. All I gotta do is make it to tuesday. less than a week away....C'mon tuesday, lol.

I also got a little more emotional than I wanted to about that same old studio conversation. I found out from a friend that the senior animators have all their work in only one room in the main gallery, which urked me some because it seemed like they were being pushed aside, almost hidden from the rest of the senior show. Apparently, Novak and another teacher/advisor had to fight tooth and nail for it. What they originally were gonna do was just place all their senior projects on one dvd and let it play on one TV.

My jaw dropped. Are they serious? I thought that was sucha big insult and a slap in the face that the higher ups would even consider doing something like that. I've always half joked that the animators get the short end of the stick, but now I've never been more serious in my life. There just seems to be this stigma that if you're an animator then there's absolutely nothing else you know about or care about. Oh, and I also was also told that animators are not really considered as fine artists, which I find ridiculous, because animation is one of the most interdisciplinary arts there is.

If we're not given the same sort of respect as every other student, then why even have the curriculum in the first place? There's just alot of obstacles that are in our way soely because of our major. We have a communal animation studio that's pretty much a little sliver of a room. Almost none of the equipment works all the time and the computers that are used for our Maya studio are old and I think a little outdated.

I have a couple of applications for Dee Jay and I for a personal studio space but I've been sitting on them for almost 3 weeks because I fear that they won't even give it to us. You're supposed to have a declared major to have one, but if you're an animator, you're not qualified to get one. How the hell does that work? I mean for this semester alone, I had a printmaking class, a figure drawing and a color and mixed media class. Dee Jay is taking a fabricated sculpture class. We both needed alot of room to make our stuff. But did we get one? Nope. There's so much junk in our extra bedroom that we gave up cleaning it out. Hell, I don't even do my work much anymore in that makeshift studio room because...well, there IS no room anymore. And that's not fair that we have to deal with that, especially when almost everyone else is qualified to get a space besides us!

Next semester is going to be more geared towards animation but don't plan on doing strictly pencil on paper animation. As it is I'm taking an illustration class and there's printmaking that I would like to incorporate into an animation which again would require space. I'm thinking if I can get my final homework done early enough, I'll take a nap and then try to talk to somebody after i send out the application. It may not be solved anytime soon, or even before i graduate (or maybe sometime afterwards, lol) but it doesn't hurt to try and get things started, you know?

I think I'm going to tak another nap. I'm soooo friggin' tired it's not even funny...

It's so bad I'm having homework nightmares.

Sat, 02 May 2009 02:40:59 GMT

TGIF...I'm just glad that I had one day not to worry about school. Not that I had the leeway to do it. I'm actually more backed up than ever. But at this point, it doesn't even matter. I'm gonna be up for many nights straight this week and I fully expect to see many sunrises and sunsets. And not by waking up early to see them. I mean looking out the window with my hands covered in paint watching the sun come up and wishing that I was in bed at that very moment.

But I did get some good news. It's nothing big, but it's a big help for both Dee Jay and I. I wish I was more emotional right now, but I'm just sooo tired...I've been up running errands and doing laundry and chores and I'm....*sigh* I wanna sleep soooo bad...and not have any homework anymore! This finals day can't go soon enough.

Life sucks, money's tight and school won't go away, lol

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:19:21 GMT

Sorry I've been so distant with everyone lately, things have been a little rough. Dee Jay is actually doing better than i expected, so that's a good thing. His mother is doing well too. She planned a real nice memorial service from what Dee Jay told me so that's real cool. I just wish he could've been there for it, but at least he was there to see his father in the first place which is tons better to me lol. Other than that, we're just trying to get by and stay sane during the last few weeks of school There's so much work flying at us it's making us dizzy, lol. And it's even worse because there's no real time to actually do anything anymore. On top of this, I'm worrying myself over how we're going to move out of here. I've been trying to save our tax money, but it hasn't worked. My allowance for this month didn't come through so I had to dip into that heavily for our monthly bills and for our supplies. In about 2 months, we've drained it almost dry. We even had a hard time trying to get groceries this week. Granted, it's the cheapest we've ever had it (45 even!) but we really don't have much to use anymore. I really hope I can find something this summer to do. I hate being without money. It's really disheartening, not to mention stressful. I hate not knowing how we're going to get our bills paid.

On a little bit of a better note, I got my schedule all finalized and set up for fall...and summer. Yep, I's be takin' summer classes. Thankfully, they're online so I can do it while I'm in Orlando...so happy for that one.

So for summer I'm taking:
Portfolio.net
Space of possibility: Visual journal

And for fall:
Animation Collaboration
Advanced Animation
Tools of the Trade
Professional Practice
Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits

I was a little freaked out because these last 2 semesters are going to be my lightest loads I've ever had. Fall alone I'm taking only 13 credits! Hell, I've taken no less than 6 classes; my heaviest being the 7 class semesters. Did I mention I did those twice?

I almost thought that I made a mistake in my schedule, but I only had 9 classes left to take so this actually matches up. Now all I need to worry about is my internship. Career services told me that I can get ahold of a summer internship, I can arrange it so that I can get it billed in the fall. That would be WONDERFUL, because then for my final semester all I'll have to worry about is my senior semester and intro to film (or whatever film related options I have) since I've been avoiding it like the plague.

But this is what my final year is looking like...and quite frankly, I'm thrilled. Not only because it's almost entirely directed to my major, but it's my FINAL year!! I'll be a senior! Oh joy I can't wait, lol!.

I think I should go and get some stopmotion homework done...I've been avoiding that something fierce too. I'm so tired of making puppets!

7 days

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:39:26 GMT

They're waiting for Joe's brother to fly in. He's the last relative yet to show up. When he gets there, they're going to take Joe of life support. Dee Jay will most likely be staying 'till thursday or friday to make sure he helps his mother with any final arrangements.

Thank you so much everyone, for your prayers and kind words...it really means alot that he has that support when he needs it the most.

It sucks being alone...

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:33:01 GMT

Dee Jay is finally hitting his head on a pillow now at his mother's house. If anyone's wondering why he's in FL now, it's because he got a call from his mother saying that his dad Joe was getting worse in the hospital and from what the doctor said he wasn't going to last for too much longer. I felt so bad that he had to hear that sort of news so early in the morning...it was even worse that I couldn't do anything to help. He went to work for a few hours, he said he needed the distraction, but came back a couple hours later because his mother found him a ticket to get down there in a few hours. So when he came back I let him get himself together while I packed his luggage. He drove us to the airport and I drove back home. It was annoying because I had a cop car behind me a quarter of the way back home, but I made it.

He's been messaging me and calling in spurts. It's nice that he's keeping me informed. I just miss him and I wish I was there for him. He needs to be strong for his mother because she's on such a thin line right now. And I know that he needs someone to be there so he can cry too...and I just feel like I'm in the wrong for being here.

If anyone can, please keep Dee Jay and his father in your thoughts and prayers. This is a real tough time for him right now, and he needs whatever support he can get.

I miss you already...

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:48:08 GMT

A picture taken many moons ago, when Radio Sci-fi was still alive and kickin. I used to help with alot of the events and shows. This is me and Dave Arneson, the creator of Dungeons and Dragons and the nicest, sweetest guy to be around. We got to hang out alot during events and it was always a blast

I just found out today that he had passed...I'm floored. He was 61. This is a huge hit to everyone, fans and friends alike.

God Bless you Dave. And thank you...company, for your friendship.

Because only children can get away with this!

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:34:53 GMT

Quote

Operator: 911 emergencies.
Boy: Yeah I need some help.
Operator: What’s the matter?
Boy: With my math.
Operator: With your mouth?
Boy: No with my math. I have to do it. Will you help me?
Operator: Sure. Where do you live?
Boy: No with my math.
Operator: Yeah I know. Where do you live though?
Boy: No, I want you to talk to me on the phone.
Operator: No I can’t do that. I can send someone else to help you.
Boy: Okay.
Operator: What kind of math do you have that you need help with?
Boy: I have take aways.
Operator: Oh you have to do the take aways.
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: Alright, what’s the problem?
Boy: Um, you have to help me with my math.
Operator: Okay. Tell me what the math is.
Boy: Okay. 16 take away 8 is what?
Operator: You tell me. How much do you think it is?
Boy: I don’t know, 1.
Operator: No. How old are you?
Boy: I’m only 4.
Operator: 4!
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: What’s another problem, that was a tough one.
Boy: Um, oh here’s one. 5 take away 5.
Operator: 5 take away 5 and how much do you think that is?
Boy: 5.
Woman: Johnny what do you think you’re doing?!
Boy: The policeman is helping me with my math.
Woman: What did I tell you about going on the phone?
Operator: It’s the mother…
Boy: You said if I need help to call somebody.
Woman: I didn’t mean the police.

Gawd, I feel like jilted schoolgirl right now, lol!!!

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:41:34 GMT

First off, I'm tired as all hell, but completely relieved that today marks the first day of my very looooong deserved spring break. This day could'nt have gotten here any sooner, and I have a good feeling that this week is going to fly by, but I don't care. I need the days and besides the normal cleaning and homework, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it anc catch up on sleeping in and doing a thing or two for me.

I'm a little looking forward to the next few weeks though, I start my final workshop after the break called soft sculpture. I'm real excited that get to start using my sewing machine (I need to learn how to use the thing though) but I'm hoping this will give me a little bit of understanding with fabric and textiles. It's got my head swimming, from re constructing my box of old T-shirts to making figures for stop motion, to making my own outfits, for myself and for cons and stuff.

And from that tangent I get an email from a local community (local now being in the twin cities) and I really want to join, but I remember how...not nice that type of community is in FL and well....I'm a little scared! Personally, there's never been a comment directed towards me, but I have been in enough cons/meets/panels that if you don't eat and breathe and live the stuff, you're not the right fit. I actually remember being at a panel in Orlando with a girl teaching some loli DIY stuff, and one of the people listening was the creator of the largest lolita community in LJ. One of her comments was one of dislike towards people that don't "get it right" and sort of looked down on the fact that people couldn't afford name brand stuff. This immeadately kept me from wanting to actively be part of that community. Couple that with my lack of knowledge of all the lolita ins and outs, and I make one very lousy noob.

I've drawn it, I've read about it, I love the frills, lace and little details. But for the longest I haven't been able to find a loli style that fits me. I think I just don't have the right body type all that pretty stuff. It makes me look....old. lol! I know there's punk and gothic lolita, and I figured that make a nice transition, but I don't know how traditional this mn community would be. There's also meet and greets that I think they do every so often but they (as well as any other community I'm assuming) expect the members to "dress" for the occasion and I don't want to be disrespectful by not looking appropriate. But I have NOTHING even remotely loli in my closet. I mean, I have bubble gum pink number that was donated to me by Meredith, but...*shudder* I do that beautiful outfit SUCH an injustice it's not even funny.

Is it stupid to say that all this even when I was in florida made me feel a little intimidated? I would love to do a little more, find out what part of it I fit into, but I'm about as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs (I heart Rogue)

Anyone have any ideas?

4am and tired as f**k

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:00:35 GMT

The only thing getting me by is the prospect of spring break coming quickly. My storyboard presentation came out pretty well, despite the fact that I had like, 3 images that I had fixed that didn't show up in my final folder. But Dee Jay put them in the folder for me and I was able to go on with my public humiliation. Everyone found my meltdown and cursing at the screen hilarious, lol.

I am now up trying to cut out my zoetrope and just...just not into it. I don't want to do anymore work, but I have a shit load to do later tonight and early tomorrow. The only good thing is that I have the evening off because my storyboard teacher will be celebrating the spring break in London. I wish him the best and I hope he has a great time...and really thankful that he let us have a day off!

I don't know what I wanna do during spring break first; sleep or nothing, lol! I know there's a ton of work to be done, but I'm just real happy that I have the time to just chill for a little bit and not have to worry about being up late and getting up early for homework and stuff. I have a good feeling that alot of my time is going to be spent in the black studio getting props set up for my final stop motion project. I'm nervous as hell, but sort of excited. I hopet it works out well you know?

Well, I better stop yakking and get back to cutting.

Um, my homework, that is...

rants and raves at a quarter to 2

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:53:48 GMT

I don't like taking full loads like this. I feel like all I'm doing is just trying to find creative ways to beat to clock. I feel a small sense of accomplishment, but I don't feel like I've learned much of anything.

I hate not being able to sleep. I miss it alot, especially when the school makes sure you never get it.

I can't stand the amount of homework that's given sometimes...like now!

I'm trying to plan financially in my head for the next couple of months; trying to figure out how my allowance and Dee Jay's paychecks are going to get us through bills, art supplies, and moving expenses for the next couple months.

I have no idea what I'm going to do about a job this summer. I don't think I'll be able to get into the bookstore this time around and while I'm a little relieved (I'm getting tired of retail) the financial uncertainty is a little unsettling.

I'm hungry, but I'm bloated. My stomach feels like it's doing cartweels.

I haven't felt quite the same since my ER visit last week. I'm not sure I'm too looking forward to my follow up either.

I just have an overall feeling of not wanting to do s**t right now.

There are people here on LJ that I would love to just sit and talk with, especially when they're going through a tough time. Sometimes it's really hard to get the right message across with just text. There's no emotion through just words sometimes...without the voice, a message can be taken completely out of context.

I'm stressed to no end about my junior reviews...there was so much work to be done everywhere else that I haven't been able to put the time I wanted to into this...I'm worried I won't pass now.

I can't wait for spring break. I don't even want to do anything really...I just want to rest up a bit. Just a break from all this crap I'm doing!

I wanna go home.

Um...and this is a bad thing....why?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:32:40 GMT

</div>
I'm not sure what whether or not it's being pointed out as a good thing or a bad thing, but....If it's seen as negative, I really don't see the reason why it would be. Animation is hard work, and you gotta take whatever shortcuts you can use to create something fluid in a short amount of time. I actually think it's pretty resourceful to use such a variety to mix and match into their movies. Even better is that it's their own stuff, so it's not like it's stealing or anything.

As an animator, I see absolutely nothing wrong with re using scenes. It's cheap and it's a quick way to shave minutes off of work.

Not always right, how I love thee

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:41:16 GMT

Figures that this one HAD to be in Florida:

Customer: “Excuse me, but I have a complaint to make.”

Me: “Oh, sure. What’s the matter?”

Customer: “I heard a group of teenagers over there talking, and they said the cake that you serve is a lie.”

Me: “…”

Customer: “What exactly do you have to say for yourselves?! I come in here, expecting to find a decent establishment, only to find out you are selling fake food!!”

Me: “Um, ma’am. They were repeating a popular phrase from the internet. I can assure you, the cake that we sell very much exists.”

Customer: “Prove it! Show me this cake.”

Me: *points*

Customer: “Oh. In that case you should write a letter to the internet about how they’re making up rumors about your products.”

Me: “I’ll… I’ll do that. Thank you.”

Related: The Cake Is A Lie (urbandictionary.com)

Slow but steady wins the race my ass.

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:16:08 GMT

I've been doing nothing but homework and classwork the last few days and for some reason no matter how much I do it just doesn't seem like I'm making a dent at all in that list. One of these days I'm just going to have to take a picture of my "to do" list for the week so you can see why I'm almost always a wreck come friday.

Anywhoo, When Dee Jay gets up to go to work, I'm usually wide awake, so I'm taking advantage of the morning to finish up my laundry and do my extracurricular activity of learning Japanese. I'm using the Rosetta Stone (which I HIGHLY recommend for anyone) and I was doing fairly well up to the 4th section of unit 1 and now it's all gone to shit, lol. While I was doing the core lesson I got to a point where I was just guessing. There were SO many new words and grammatical nuances thrown my way that I was just staring at that screen like a deer in headlights. I actually wanted to cry I was so frustrated. Thankfully I got through it and now I'm doing the regular set of lessons where they actually show you all the stuff they threw at you in the core lesson, but I realized that there were still some things that I didn't understand. Don't get me wrong, I think the immersion is great! But even from the very beginning there were some little "connectors" that I'm still not quite sure I've grasped yet. I would love to find someplace online that I can sort of attempt to converse and possibly use what I've been learning, but it's all been just the basics (I haven't even gotten to greetings and basic conversation stuff yet) and since this is such a different way of learning I don't know what it is I should start saying I have a problem with at all. I've searched LJ, but the things are a little intimidating and I guess I can try Youtube but some people can be real mean about that stuff, lol. I dunno. I'm a chicken I guess.

Junior reviews are so close it scares me. As a matter of fact I have my merit scholarship this tuesday but I'm a little worried because someone has my spot for it! I'm sure it was just a mistake, and I know the other person's thing isn't going to be there for the JR, but I had asked if I could use that same spot for the merit competition and they said it was ok...if that's the case, why is someone else showing their stuff there!? Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but it really does scare me, you know? I need to make sure I have time to get that stuff set up and put together and I can't do that with someone else's JR there! I'll have to go to academic affairs to see what they can do about it. It...irks me....

I guess I shouldn't daudle here too much longer. There's another load that needs to be put in the wash and I've got a master study that's staring me in the face...Stupid stupid homework....*pout*

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:30:25 GMT

The only thing I really really hate about having relatives over is that they have to go back home eventually. Mom's flight leaves in about 10 minutes. I had a great time with her yesterday, we took her to the mall of america and we got to watch a bit of a breakdancing competition that was going on in the m ain intersection on the first floor. Then we went looking into random stores, but she wanted to leave sooner than expected because she didn't want to spend money. Too too much temptation she said, lol! I undertand completely. We did go to a thrift store before hand, ahd that she was in love with. We got some really neat little kitchy stuff, like a set of really long metal knitting needles for me (I've mentioned wantign to knit for awhile, I've just never had the time) some cake and bread molds and stuff. Mom got some nice little things too. We also went to the hostess thrift store and got some yummy sweets for dirt cheap.

We didn't do anything this morning since she had to go, so I just made her some Godiva hot chocolate and Dee Jay called into work and said he would be going in late so he can drive with us, which I really appreciate. Not only does it alleviate my having to drive, it also keot me from going into a crying fit at not having her there. That all changed when we got home and he kissed me goodbye so he could go to work. I just sat in bed and bawled. I have a feeling I'm just gonna sulk for a bit longer before I go do any work. It's just real quiet now and I honestly enjoyed having some company, especially someone I haven't seen in months come over and chit-chat. I had a great time making food and doing some of the things that mom does for me when I'm at home. She didn't have to do any cooking or cleaning at all and I'm happy that she felt comfortable at home that she just helped herself to anything we had here. It really made my weekend. I'm thankful that she came by and I'm happy that she's not as worried about us anymore (I think we tend to exaggerate some, lol!) I dunno...I just wish she could've stayed a little longer...I miss her so much right now.

For cat and bunny lovers alike

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:41:21 GMT

</div>

27 is full of win

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:58:47 GMT

I would've posted yesterday, but I was so tired that I figured better late than never, lol. My day started out early, mom called me from the airport saying she was at the MSP and needed a ride. I got dressed, got some gas and went began to head out to the airport. the first 30 seconds were ok, until I took a wrong turn and ended up driving halfway through a one way street! I had people frantically honking at me so I had to find a place to u turn quicker than quick and go back the right way. I drove right back to school and went to Dee Jay (who was at work) and was real frustrated and wondering what the hel happened that I ended up there! He got frustrated (which I can understand at this point) and told me the right way. The rest of the ride was smooth sailing after that. Sort of. I hate that after 2 years I still don't know how to drive around mpls, but at the same time, that's my own fault for not driving enough. I usually make Dee Jay drive everywhere because I HATE the way the roads are set up. And the drivers there are HORRIBLE! so I try to do as little driving as possible. But, I made it to the airport ok and got mom and had her read the map so I could get back home, lol.

When I settled her in I started to try to make her breakfast while we waited for Dee Jay to get out of work. I didn't realize how much of nothing we had in the fridge, I was going to make her a sandwich, I had bread mayonnaise ham, no cheese. I was going to make her coffee, but I had no milk. I couldn't give her cereal, because again, no milk. I kept searching the fridge and pantry and had all these bits and pieces but nothing to make something whole. I did have eggs, so I made her scrampled eggs and toast and gave juice. Finally, I know, lol. While we talked, mom gave me a 100 bucks and told me that I could use it to either go out and have a nice dinner or I could go and get groceries. I didn't even have to think about it: GROCERIES! I could make an awesome dinner at home (and this time, i'll have allt he pieces I need!!) We ran some errands and did the shopping and when we got home she took a nap while Dee Jay and I made the dinner.

It came out AWESOME. We made mashed potatoes, and baked seasoned porkchops with steamed asparagus and washed it down with mexican coca cola. We were all so full and happy. I was ecstatic. I just had an awesome simple day with 2 people I love dearly and spent some real quality time with them. I didn't have to worry about homework or anything (I will when she leaves though, I have s**tload to do) Today we're going to take her to a trhift store close to our place and then if she wants we'll take her to Mall of America. I want to show her the QVC store, lol! And then we can maybe go the the DQ to get her a blizzard (they don't seem to have anymore of them in Orlando and she really likes their ice cream)

All in all I'd say turning 27 was a pretty fun deal. Thanks to everyone who sent me B-day wishes. It really made me feel special. Initially creeped out too, but that was because I keep forgetting that that information is on everything! So once I got over that initial confusion I was just really happy to see all the notes and comments, so really thanks so so much. I felt like a million bucks!

Writer's Block: Priorities

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:22:57 GMT

What quality do you think is most important in a significant other?

View other answers

I saw it! I saw it!!

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:52:58 GMT

It's f***in' cold outside, but I went out for a few anyway to see if I can spot the Comet Lulin out tonight and I did!! It's beautiful! It's moving so fast and it's SO close!! You can actually see it with the naked eye, but with binoculars you can actually see the 2 tails behind it...OMG it looks great. I'm so glad that I got to see something like this before it moved off too far from the earfh. Seriously, if you guys can spare a few minutes, go outside and look! You're not gonna see it again!!

I f***ing hate banks

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:12:20 GMT

I try to be timely on my payments, despite having no funds to supply them. The one time I send my payment through regular mail, and it gets "lost". I've been calling my bank every other day it seems trying to figure out why my late fees are still there despite sending out a check a week before the payment was due worried half to death because there is this payment of over a hundred bucks that is due next month.

What's even more marvelous that when I called my MN bank to make a stop payment, I was told that I would be charged thirty bucks to do so. Let's just take MORE money out of the broke person with no job and no actual funds of her own to begin with!! I mean that's just awesome! I have to pay almost as much as the actual amount on my check as it is to protect myself.

I swear one of these days I'm really gonna postal. I really am!!!!