Day by Day

I know, I know... it's been over a week. But you know how it is!

So.. to recap. Last week, I was sick all week. Literally. Of course, not quite enough to stay home from work.. but enough to completely drain every last ounce of energy from my system. Thursday, I had a handbell concert at church, which was fun. Saturday, did some baking with dad, went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert with Joe (free box tickets from work! That's the way to go! Seriously.), and yea. Sunday, church, Christmas concert at First Dallas, and dinner/Christmas with Jenny, Josh, and Landon. Monday.. I took a chicken from Providence to Sunnyvale, where my friends, the Hines', had graciously made room in their chicken coop for another chicken. Yes, it was as random as it sounds. And yes, it was a real, live chicken, in a rather large cage, stuck in the back of my Jeep. Heh.

As of Wednesday, I'm finished with work for two weeks. I've never been so happy to turn off my computer and lock the door, lol. It was a stressful few weeks wrapping things up.. and I know it's going to be crazy once we start back.. but the break is SO needed. I finally went to the doctor and confirm my self-diagnosed sinus infection, and got my prescription for antibiotics and allergy meds. I've been shopping and baking like mad trying to get things ready to be delivered in the next few days. Today, I truly slept in for the first time in months, and tonight I had a party of old friends at my parents house.. Josh, Sandi, Chris, Kari, Will, and I played games and laughed and had pizza and laughed some more.. it was SO much fun to just relax and chill with dear old friends. It was a great evening.

And here I am, sitting amongst bags and boxes of Christmas presents and wrappings.. and realizing how much I have yet to do. I haven't even written my Christmas cards!! Yikes! So I suppose I should wrap this up and go to bed.. tomorrow is a busy day!

I do hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this time with family and friends. I know there is lots of bustling about in these last few shopping/preparation days left, but I hope you can also take time to stop and breathe and remember what it's all about. And I know that sounds cheesy.. but it's true. I love you all, and hope to see you sometime soon!

Life Is the Shiznit

Thank you Kari, for my wonderful, new word. And Meg, who co-discovered 'problematical,' even though we found out it was actually a real word in the first place. But the discovery was made better by the fact that it came from Jude Law in the best holiday romantic comedy in a long time. Seriously. Everyone go see The Holiday.. it's touching, funny, sweet, and relatively clean. Jack Black puts in a surprising performance as a "real actor," Cameron Diaz is cute, Kate Winslet is awesome.. and Jude Law.. well, he's just the shiznit. And really pretty to look at. AND plays one of the most wonderful men ever. Except Mr. Darcy. But Darcy is an exception AND a pre-existing literary character. So. I don't know what point I just made, but oh well. I'm tired. It's excusable.

So, in a nutshell, I am happy.

As in truly happy. For the first time in a long time. Saturday was a day of many things... I finished school (at 4:30 am when I turned in my last paper, was presented with one (or maybe two) outside music gigs (which mean extra income!), went shopping with two of my dearest friends (and bought sparkly things! yay!), and saw a really awesome movie, in which I not only cried (because I'm a sap), but also came to some very important conclusions about my life. It was very.. refreshing.. and rather like balm for a wound. I am finally free.. and that is an incredible feeling. I've grown much, and learned much, and I'm a stronger person for it all. God is so good, ya know?

So, coupled with the incredible weight off of my brain (school) and off of my heart (stuff)... I felt I could soar.. and that is an incredible feeling. Of course then I got to have a Sunday and play with the band, and hear a wonderful Advent sermon, and really get to experience the process of Advent for the first time in several years... such a joy! Lunch with dear ones, a restful afternoon, a quasi-good orchestra concert (don't get me started though), and dinner with my parents... add in a night of 8 hours of sleep... and I feel great! Life isn't perfect.. not by a long shot.. but I'm in a continual process of learning how to deal with it all. And this weekend, we made progress.

Work is a slight headache these days, but the end is in sight (a week from tomorrow!!!). And I have more time to deal with things now that school is over. PLUS I'm in a such a good mood, what with all this flying and stuff.. plus grades were posted today, so that calls for at least a day or two of celebration... pass the champagne!!

Love you all, truly. If you don't hear from me, it's not because I've forgotten about you or I don't love you.. it's just that I'm still in recovery. So give me a ring/text/e-mail, and we'll set something up! Hope to see you all soon!

Look Out World.... She's Back!

Well, I suppose it's about time for an update, huh?

This past week was SO long.. I was sick for most of it, had to finish (er, and start..) my Intro Project (which was turned in successfully on Wednesday!), get back in the groove at work (maybe), and attend my last days of classes (woohoo!). Throw in a snow day, and way too many plans to make for the holidays, and that was my week!

Can I just say (again) how GLAD I am to be almost done this semester? I'm not gonna lie, it was rough. I feel like I was academically challenged at a degree that hugely surpasses anything I've ever done before. Which is GOOD, because I'm in grad school, and it's supposed to be hard, right? Ha. I do love it tho. So much.

However, the break is not completely unwelcome ;) I have been busy trying to line up dates for the traditional Christmas festivities.. including parties, dinners, and get-togethers for all of my many sub-cultures of friends. It's a work in progress, but I'm having fun! And today I'm setting up my tree!!! Yay :)

I have had Mexican food 4 of the 5 days.. at three different venues. I think I'm salsa'd out for a while. At least the foodular kind. The dancing, I can never have too much.

Well, I'd better get back to work! Orchestra Christmas party tonight; church, orchestra, and concert at FBD tomorrow; Monday, work, studying, and a trip to Waco with Lori to see Josh's Christmas concert; etc. etc... busy times! But SO wonderful :)

Cheers!

Currently Listening
Christmas
By Rebecca St. James

Why is all the Time gone?

So here I sit, on my last day in England. Sigh. What a trip! I am currently debating on when/if I feel like getting up to trek into London to do a bit of research at the BL... heh. I don't feel like moving! I'm so tired.. it's been an exhausting week! Let's recap, shall we?

Monday, Oxford. Already discussion at great length.

Tuesday, Canterbury. LOTS of traveling, for little actual visiting. But I got to wander around the Cathedral, which was INCREDIBLE. Seriously. It's huge. And magnificent. And awe-inspiring. I don't know how people can go into a church like that and NOT feel the urge to worship God. It's that incredible. But yes. After the Cathedral, walked around the city a bit, before trekking back to the train station for the 3-hour trip back to Stortford. Had a relaxing evening watching tv with Lisa. Good times.

Wednesday, London with Lisa. We had a great day! We went to Camden Lock Market, which is this HUGE, mostly outdoor marketplace of tons of.. well.. stuff, lol. Clothes, jewelry, decorations, drug paraphernalia.. heh. The area is quite Bohemian in nature, so we saw lots of piercings, and goth type clothes, and funky colored hair... but the experience was pretty cool! Definitely not something a lot of tourists get to see. After that, we went to the complete opposite end of the scale, and walked Regent St... home of Burberry, Swarovski, Godiva, Whittard, Hamleys (huge toy store), and supposedly an Apple store, but we ran out of time and I didn't get to go in :/ Soo beautiful, all lit-up with Christmas lights.. shopping makes me happy! We didn't get anything except chocolate, ha. After this, we trekked over to Covent Garden to pick up our show tickets, and walk around the square at Covent Garden. Met a girl from Australia who we bought lots of ornaments from.. she was younger than I was, and was in London staying in a hostel because she didn't know what she wanted to do with her life yet! Funny, how the rest of the world looks at life.. in America, kids just work at McDonald's.. out there, they move to a different country. Anyways! We had dessert at the Opera Tavern (yum!), and then went across the street to the Theater Royal Drury Lane (do you know the muffin man?), which was actually on Catherine Street. We saw The Producers! It was so good! The cast was even better than when I saw it in NY. Their dramatic timing was sooo perfect. We laughed so hard.. and our seats were incredible! First row of the first balcony.. in the middle, to the right just a tad. You could see everything! The orchestra was wonderful.. overall, a grand show! After the show, we went to Trafalgar Square to see the lights, and then hopped on a train home. Good day!

Thursday, Thanksgiving. I slept in, ran to the grocery to pick up some things for dinner, and then Lisa and I went to the outlet mall. I found a few more gifts, and might have bought myself a certain scarf..... ha. After shopping, we came back, got dinner ready, had a decently-American Thanksgiving meal, pumpkin pie included, and then bummed around for the rest of the evening.

Today, TBD. As is it now almost noon, and I haven't done anything yet.. I'm guessing that I should be productive. There is much to do today.. London for the library and last minute shopping, back to pack, etc, before going to the pub with Darryl and the organist for a quick pint (or in my case, half-pint!) before coming back and crashing and getting up FREAKISHLY early in the morning to catch a train, a tube, and another train to get me to the airport on time :x Yikes.

Well, that's about all. Have a good day, dear ones! I shall return soon!

Cheers!

Mind the Gap!

Monday, 20 Nov. 0929, Greenwich Mean Time

I am sitting in a wonderfully quiet first class train cabin, on my way to Oxford. Now this is the way to travel! I had a horrid time getting on the train though.. there were awful tube delays in London due to major line closings or backups. I made it on the Oxford train with about :20 to spare.. quite exciting, really, running through a busy train station ;) Or not. But hey, I'm on the train.

So just to update.... I arrived Saturday morning around 0815 London time. Lisa and Cat picked me up and we drove back to Stortford. After a nice relaxing afternoon resting (and catching up on Grey's!), we met some of Lisa and Darryl's church friends for an American-style Thanksgiving meal. It was quite humorous, actually. The food was good.. however, the highlight of the evening had to be watching a room full of Brits trying to learn line dancing... fun stuff!

Sunday, we went to church at King's College in Cambridge. It was so lovely.. the choir.. the architecture.. goodness, I wish we had churches like that in America. After church, we had lunch with some other their friends, and then wandered Cambridge for the afternoon. I found the old music shop I had visited before and got some fun stuff. We returned to Bishop's Stortford for a quick dinner and then off to sing at Evensong, which, even though I had never seen the music before we were actually singing it in the service, was quite enjoyable. We did sing Rutter's "For the Beauty," which I have sung, so that was nice.

**Side note: I am looking at the most lovely rainbow outside the train window.. how beautimous!**

Then home again. Lisa and I had tea and scones (and a lovely little nightcap of Bailey's on ice! ;) ), and then watched tv and talked for a while before going to bed. And then I got up at the crack of dawn, got on a train to London, bought a tube card, fought my way through several tube changes trying to get to Paddington, before finally making the aforementioned mad dash for the Oxford train. And here I sit. It has now started to sprinkle, and I've realized that I haven't brought an umbrella.. oy. Oh well. Alright then.. I should turn this off so I have enough battery to last me in Oxford. More later! Cheers!

**Another side note: Currently sitting in the train station at Slough looking at a Coke machine.... £1.20 for a Coke!! Seriously? Seriously.**


Monday, 20 Nov. 1658 Greenwich Mean Time

WHAT a day. Once again, I am sitting in a first-class train cabin, but this time, returning to London/Stortford. I had a rather fun day. After arriving in Oxford around 1015, I wandered Oxford for a bit before walking into the Admissions Office at THE Bodleian Library. Oh my gosh! So yes. Aside from being treated like a stupid American for wanting to do research while they were still in term, (just by the reception desk.. the lady in charge was rather nice), I got in and out pretty quick, Reader's Pass in hand. Quick trip to the main desk to validate, and next thing you know, I'm turning in requests from the stacks. All a rather tedious process, although an interesting one. Then a quick run by the Music Reading Room (where my books would magically appear in an hour or two to turn in some paper requests for sheet music, and then it was back to the main street to piddle some time before my books were called up. I got an Oxford shirt (of course), some postcards, a shot glass (from the Bodleian bookstore.. how awesome it that??), and a few other miscellaneous things. Grabbed a water and soft pretzel (lunch), browsed the Blackwell music store (it's like.. Pender's.. on steroids!), and headed back to the library.

I had the BEST time looking through some of these things! There was an edition of Nocturnes that was inscribed 'Celia Mendelssohn Barthody' in Felix Mendelssohn's own hand! Also, some decently old (early to mid 1800's) editions of both the Field and Nocturnes. Also looked through their selection of reference materials and found a few more useful leads on my research/thesis topic. Fun stuff. It was so neat just being there and walking around like I belonged there! My library pass can pretty much get me to any area of the library.. I wish I could stay longer! Sort of. I'm kind of ready to relax for a day or two before I spend the rest of the weekend locked in a room working on my project :/

After leaving the library, I strolled over to the Eagle & Child Pub (a.k.a. The Bird and Kid, famous watering-hole of C.S. Lewis' Inklings) for some chips and beer (dinner. ha. how's that for nutrition?). And made it back to the train station with about two minutes to spare to get on the train bound for London. Perfect timing! So now I'm beat.. but it was a productive day. About 12-13 sources ready to annotate, with another 10 possible leads in historical periodicals to pull either when I go to the BL on Thursday/Friday or when I get home.

Well, the train should be pulling in any moment now, so I should pack up. More to come! Tomorrow... Canterbury!

Cheers!

Have I Mentioned...

how fricking excited I am?

Yea. Seriously.

**insert trademark giggle/shriek and happy dancing**

Cheerio, good friends.. I'm off in less than 9 hours!!

Eek!

So I leave in less than 48 hours...

I'm nearing completion on EVERYTHING I need to get done before I leave.. and in two days I'll be in England.

Things are ok. And that's ok with me. Things will be better when I get on the plane... right?

Seriously.

It's Grey's night, of course. So I'm wearing my 'Seriously' shirt. Makes sense, no?

So.. I leave in a week. That kinda freaks me out. Because I am SO not ready to go.. I have research to finish, coats to buy, shopping to do, bags to pack... seriously. My to-do list for the next few days fills at least one full page.. single-spaced. Oy.

But I'm so excited to go! It makes me not want to get anything else done... but still. Fun stuff.

I really don't have that much to say today.. life is crazy busy, but ok for the most part. So instead, I'll borrow Amy's idea and set up a johari window... so click away and tell me what you really think of me! ;)
http://kevan.org/johari?name=phiela

Thanks for the continued patience in putting up with me and my insane schedule. The end of the semester draws near!! Then it will be time to celebrate with much laughter, fun, and partying :) Ok, time to get food before Grey's starts.. Cheerio then!

This Is the Part of the Show Where...

Adrianne has a nervous breakdown. Or at least strongly considers one.

Let's review, shall we?

25-30 source annotated bibliography due in 8.5 hours that is not finished yet.
Supposedly, I have to work in the morning. Yea, about that...
Class in 8.5 hours.
Back to work after that.
Then early voting.
Then dinner.
Then meet with my analysis group to discuss our project.
Then sleep.
Phew.
But wait.. it gets better.

Thursday, work most of the day, funeral for a dear friend, and Grey's. Friday, work, proctor a theory test, go to class, work, and, ahem, an event in Arlington. Saturday, a few hours at the library, something to celebrate Joe's birthday, and perhaps, finally, SLEEP.

Sigh. But on the bright side, I leave for England in two weeks. Except maybe not so bright, since I have SO much research to do before I even get over there to.. do research. Nice.

Well, that's my exciting life. Or not. But there it is. Hope everyone had a nice weekend.. hopefully I'll get to catch up with you soon!

A Blustery Day in the Neighborhood

What a long week it has been! Seriously. I'm so glad it's Friday. Let me just say.. that I love school! I love researching.. I love teaching.. it's so wonderful! And I'm growing rather excited about my research in Oxford.... Dr. MM said she might be able to get me in to see primary source documents!! Oh, that I could just research and explore libraries for a living.. and learn languages. Starting with German. Then Italian, followed closely by French. For now, I'm going to go buy music dictionaries with the various languages so I can at least pretend to follow along in my research. There is so much out there! Ok. There. In case you needed further proof that I am a music nerd.

As of an hour from now, I will have temporary custody of three young friends, two in high school and an 8-year-old. I get to be mom for a weekend and make runs to soccer games and piano parties. And make lunches. And make sure homework gets done. Including my own, ha. Busy, very. But it will be good.. they're SUCH good kids.. and I need a break from the norm.. things have been in a very busy, but dull rut lately. Where is the excitement?? My England trip is rapidly approaching, which helps. Followed VERY closely by finals, and then CHRISTMAS, which we all know is my favorite time of the year. I'm excited about getting to participate in the Christmas orchestras again, to at least keep a foot in the door.

And, for the record, I am going ice skating at the Galleria with the big Christmas tree this year, even if it means going by myself! I have missed too many years in a row!

So. That's me this week. If you need me over the next few days, I should have my laptop, but in case not, just call the cell! Adieu mes amis!

The cruel irony that is my iTunes on shuffle:

How to Save a Life
Heaven Forbid
She Was There
Wreck of the Day
Real Life Fairytale
Send In the Clowns
It's the End of the Road

Nice.

Nothing Outlast the Energizer Bunny

I'm feeling invincible this week. Which I know is bad, and I'm sure is leading up to a very bad crash in the next few days... but it's nice to feel somewhat in control of the situation, especially after not for so long.

I need to do better about eating real food... today I had a kid's hot lunch around 12:30, a cookie and hot cider from Starbucks at 6, and an oatmeal cookie just now. How's that for nutrition? Oh well.

Today was good. Busy as all get out, but good. I made money baby-sitting, they gave me some fun stuff for referring Joe to my apartment complex, got a lot of work accomplished in the office, and had a good day at school. Oh, and our electric bill barely topped $100! Oh happy day!

Tomorrow, high of 66. Oh bliss.

I am addicted to Christmas music. About a month too early. Oh well.. I'm getting excited about having orchestra gigs again.. I've missed it! Two orchestras, one weekend, 4 performances.. fun fun!

My weekend is filling up, of course, with a nice mixture of school and social related activities. Walk the fine line, find the balance.. and in the end, it's all good!

Well, the hour grows late, and I have to teach tomorrow (freshman and sophomore theory.. fun!). So I shall bid you all good night. Adieu!

Currently Listening to:
Album: Noels
Artist: Swingle Singers
Track: Christmastime

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

So. Another week.

Gosh I love the rain. It's good nap/reading weather. Except my nap lasted about an hour too long..

Time is going so fast.. there are only 55 days left until my last final. Which means the semester is more than half over. And I'm actually still holding on to some scrap of sanity. This bodes well for the next two years... but seriously, I love school. A lot. I finally feel like I'm going in the right direction. And I get to teach actual classes this week! That'll be fun :) Now I just have to study for this awful test tomorrow..... ugh. For instance.. give the title, editor, format, date of first publication, and importance of these 10 historic music periodicals. Same for current periodicals.

In other news.. I don't have much. Work is crazy, but ok. We're remodeling my office (I get a new desk!) and possibly shifting my job responsibilities around so I have more time to focus on the business office, which will be quite nice.

Is anybody else just completely ready for Christmas? I really can't wait. I love the season so much.. cold weather, hot apple cider, fresh gingerbread, lots of family, lots of friends, lights, trees, wonderful Advent hymns, reverent Christmas Eve services, candy canes, chocolate pound cake (batter!), making cheese biscuits with dad, shopping with mom, Christmas music! (oh, how I love Christmas music), parties, playing in orchestras (two this year!), candles, did I mention the lights?, ice skating at the Galleria, mint hot cocoa (with Bailey's, yum), Christmas movies (namely White Christmas and Charlie Brown!), and then there's that little thing of a baby Saviour, come to save the world. What else could be worth such celebrating?

I had a paying piano gig yesterday. That was nice. And I'm going some weekend babysitting coming up here.. yay for spending money for England!

Pretty much other than that, life just goes on. Grey's Anatomy is still awesome. I see my friends just enough to keep from completely losing touch. I have a school football team that is not completely sucking this season (4 and 3!!). I'm making good friends at school. Yea, life is good overall. Now I just gotta find that rich, non-workaholic, devastatingly handsome man to take me dancing after a night at the symphony.. and then things will be perfect! ;) Well, probably not. But it's nice to dream, huh?

Ok, it's time to go to school and have a serious sit-down with some current and historical periodicals. Oh happy day!

Peace out, y'all. If you don't hear from me in over a week, call me and tell me to be a better friend!

It's a Beautiful Day...

5 Reasons Why Today is a Beautiful Day

1) The weather. Seriously. And the forcast for the next week just gets better!! Highs in the low 80's until Friday, when we have a high of 52, with a low of 36!!! How INCREDIBLE is that going to be? That makes me really happy. Fall has finally arrived. For a while, anyway. Time to go shopping for fall clothes!

2) I love school. I am excited about my prospective thesis topics, I had a great day in both of my classes, and I love being a TA. Enough said.

3) The weekend is here. Time for sleep, times with friends, catch-up on reading, clean the apartment, get my car spiffed up.... ah, the promise of productivity!

4) Did I mention the weather? And I'm going to England in 41 days.

5) Grey's Anatomy is awesome. That makes every day a beautiful day.

In other news...

The fog is lifting, the burden gone.. and things seem so much clearer now. And that is a wonderful thing.

Have a great weekend y'all! (And fall break, to all you SMUians)

She's Got a Ticket to Ride...

I bought my England ticket last night.

That makes me VERY happy.

I got 7 hours of sleep last night.

That also makes me very happy.

I'm getting a new laptop bag.
I get to see donna and Jarrod and Joe tonight.
AND Grey's Anatomy Premiere is tonight.

It's just a happy day!

Currently Watching:

Grey's Anatomy - Season Two

Things I Love... and Things I Don't

Things I Love:

The skyline of downtown Dallas at night. I love this city.

Being in a band. It's awesome. Really, really. It's nice to feel a part of something. And to be proud of what we do. The guys are great fun, and it's just... nice. And I'm loving this incredible keyboard we're borrowing... I really want one now. Next time I have $3500..... Seriously.

My friends. 'Nuff said.

Dark chocolate. And cold weather. And libraries.

My new allergy medicines. Ah, the miracles of modern medicine.

Shopping. And sales. And finding really cute clothes to wear to U2 service.

My school. And our football team, for once, didn't suck last night. That's kinda nice. Oh, and tailgating? It's a blast.

Gas prices going down. I filled my empty tank for under $40 last night. This, I like.


Things I Don't Love So Much:

The people who live upstairs and make a heck of a lot of noise really late at night. Like now for instance.

Hot, humid weather after having such a beautiful, quasi-fallish week.

Having to go back to work tomorrow.

Currently Listening to:
Album: Vertigo - Single
Artist: U2
Track: Vertigo

A week...

Yes, I know it's been a week.

No, I'm not going to wax eloquently about the awful 7 days I've had.

Yes, the worship band at Uptown is INCREDIBLE, and we are going to rock the house at the U2 Service (yes, U2 as in the band) on September 17th. Seriously, y'all should come. It's going to be a very cool service, and I think it will really reach a lot of people. 11:15 on the 17th. 75 and Fitzhugh. E-mail me if you have questions.

So I'm going to suck down my double tall caramel macchiato and force my eyes to stay open long enough to finish this analysis project. Then I just have to get my Intro project done tomorrow night, and Friday..... I'm going to bed at 8. Try and stop me.

G'night loves.


It's The End Of The Road
Matt Goss

Yesterday a clear horizon
Now the clouds are rolling in it's disappeared
The one thing that I've always believed in
It's strange how right now it all seems so unclear
I consult my soul and it tells me that it knows
There's no doubt one day I'm gonna fly
Gotta stand up, dust myself off
Just for now, it's the end of the road

When something ends something begins
But now it's just the end of the road
When someone loses someone wins
But now it's just the end of the road
Don't get to fix it if it doesn't break
But now it's just the end of the road
When you gotta leave it makes you wanna stay
I know it's the end of the road, it's the end of the road

One line can change a story
So sometimes let the line just be unsaid
Pride only thinks about the glory
And just the right now and not the days ahead
I've held my breath, walked on shells hoped for the best
What the future holds, I don't know
I've gotta stand up, dust myself off
Just for now, it's the end of the road

When something ends something begins
But now it's just the end of the road
When someone loses someone wins
But now it's just the end of the road
Don't get to fix it if it doesn't break
But now it's just the end of the road
When you gotta leave it makes you wanna stay
I know it's the end of the road

I've been traveling, get the dust right off the windshield
No one gets the road map to their life
Cause life is so subjective
I'll take my pain and I wanna protect it,
Never blinds me always reminds me
There's so much more to see, at the end of the road

Sitting in a Car Wash...

Hehe.... I love open wireless networks!! Definitely sitting in a car wash getting Joe's car washed... how random?

So I have 15 billion things to do tonight.. and my allergies are acting up. Heh.

Aight, car is clean, we're off to get my school/grading crap from my car and then off to campus to work out and get homework done. Hasta!

Good Day...

So.. I'm writing from the SMU music library... from my new macBook!! :) This is so much fun! I love it!

Today is a good day. Work went ok, class was good, I'm caught up on assignments, I bought a laptop and ended up with free (after rebate of course) nano and photo printer, had dinner with Joe at Chang's, joined up with donna for coffee, ran into Steve and David from church, my skinny jeans fit me again, and the weather outside is BEAUTIFUL!

Yes, it's a good day. And now, I have tons of homework and grading to do for tomorrow, ha.

Still swimming, still breathing... yea, life is good.

Just for the record...

...aren't I still a little young to be getting the "I just wish you'd fine someone you get along with (i.e. - don't fight, argue, hit...) that makes you happy and settle down.." talk from my mother?

Seriously.

I don't need to be reminded that I'm single, thanks. I remember it pretty well on my own. And most (ok, some) of the time.. I'm fine with that. It's not like I'd make a very good companion right now anyway, since I have a dedicated 54 hour a week schedule, not including homework. And really, who wants to put up with that? Or me, for that matter, ha.

I've become quite pessimistic as of late. It's not that I'm bitter.. I'm just tired of hurting. And hanging out with a bunch of married/seriously-dating/otherwise unavailable people.. that doesn't help much either.

Blah!

Ok, evidently I'm still worn out and stressed, and once again should not be posting on xanga. I'll protect this to protect, well, me, ha.. and then I'll go to bed and hopefully.. tomorrow will not suck too badly, lol.

Guten nacht.

Adults...

"We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop?" - Meredith Grey

Amen to that. 1.5 weeks of school down, and I'm already longing for December. Bad sign? I don't know. I still think I can handle it... but it's definitely going to be a growing experience. I'm already giving up nights out for nights at the library or sleeping to prepare for early mornings...

C'est la vie. It will be fine. I think. I hope.

Heh.

What I want...

...is to go to bed right this second.

What will happen... is I will go back to listening to Lucia di Lamermoor (which, btw, is depressing.. Lucia goes crazy and kills her husband and thinks she's getting married to her lover, who thinks she betrayed him and thus goes off to kill himself.. and then Lucia dies from, well, being crazy. Heh.), grading freshman theory quizzes, and doing laundry.

C'est la vie.

I've developed an alarming number of grey/silver hairs. Think it's stress? I can probably name them... this one is Music History.. this one is Work.. this one is.. yes, well.. there's too many to name them all. And Keith says I can't pull them, or more will grow back. And that would suck. The solution? When I have money again, I'm going to color again.

Speaking of money... I'm buying a Mac this weekend. Yay :)

Ok, seriously. Grading. Listening. Hasta!

Currently Listening to:
Album: Lucia di Lammermoor (feat. Maria Callas)
Composer: Donizetti

Ah, Sunday afternoon.

Ah, Sunday afternoon. It's nice to just sit and rest for a while. I might even take a nap! That would be wonderful...

So, about my week. I passed both exams. I started class. I spent a bunch of money on textbooks and scores for class. I worked a lot. I managed to squeeze in time for my friends too! Saw Jenny and her new classroom (awww Miss Gentry!), saw the Blackstocks, saw Joe.. went to a party for Richard, went to a party for Leasha.. shopped with my mom, got my hair cut (yay! it's short! and cute :) ), bought new glasses, bought new running shoes, got a cute new dress, spent several hours in the music library researching for class...

And that.. was my week, lol. School will be busy.. it doesn't seem like it will be hard exactly.. just a lot of work and research. Which is fine with me! I'm excited now.. the worst is over, and now I can just swim happily along. I definitely won't have much of a life though... so be patient with me if I'm not around much :) I'm going to do my best to stay in touch with all of you!

Well, with that, I do believe a brief siesta is calling my name before I head out to have dinner with the fam and some of Evan's friends to celebrate his birthday. 17! Yipes! That's scary!

Aight, I'm out. Take care dear ones! Good luck to those who are starting (or have started!) school soon! Hasta!

Currently Listening Within By William Joseph Stella's Theme see related