thanksgiving

well my day got off to an interesting start when I was woken up an hour and a half before I’d planned to get up because my stomach was so upset, probably some food allergy because it went away after about an hour. after that was under control I got in the car and drove to the parents house to spend thanksgiving break. and here, in the summit is where I’ve been since around 1. I got a haircut, helped make dinner and am anxiously awaiting the festivities tomorrow despite it only being the 3 of us. mmm mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, apple pie…am I the only one who doesn’t find turkey or meat in general, necessary for a thanksgiving feast? I will be contributing to the feast by making the apple pie and the green bean casserole, such a good daughter, what a helper. lol

also got a rough outline done for my french lit term paper. now I just have chemistry review questions and an experimental methods paper…awesome.

new routine

I worked out today! The rec center started having normal-esque hours and just like a good little productive person, I got on my bike and rode to the rec center this morning and elliptical machined for a while. yay me! Now, the rest of the day did not end up being as productive as it started.

Classes start soon and hopefully some of the various things that are off about our apartment will be addressed. The biggest issue being the fact that there was a bat in my bedroom a couple of nights ago. Yes, swooping around my room and I was terrified. Chris coaxed me out of the room but the issue as to how the bat got in has not yet been remedied…so hopefully there will be no return. yikes.

changing directions

almost done with the office working. classes and the new job start in a week and a half. mock trial stuff is drawing nearer and nearer (nearer father, nearer…ha) while the office work is sometimes painfully boring, it’s been a decent gig. the parents are coming up this weekend to bring my bike and some other stuff. sooo, i’ll show them around town, do the city market and such, go to dinner.

i’m ready for classes to start. i like the structure, the schedule.

not a lot to say i guess.

baby steps

As ‘What About Bob?’ can’t help but remind me “baby steps onto the elevator” or “baby steps onto the bus” and while I’m not about to start wandering around with a fish in a jar tied around my neck, I am trying to start small steps into being a more responsible me. For instance, I am trying to eat healthier these days by eating more fruit, veggies etc. and not eating out as much.

Also, I’m actually excited that I miss my bike as much as I do. It shows that I really got into a good habit of using it this summer. However, I don’t know what to think about riding somewhere without massive hills and hairpin turns; takes all the excitement out of it. I guess I’ll have to settle for dodging the perpetual construction and the tractors.

School starts in just under 2 weeks. “I am not afraid, I was born for this.”

bittersweet

Since I’m back at school early, the sentiment of leaving at the end of the year has come on earlier as well. Of course there are good things associated with graduating from college like having accomplished something that will benefit you for the rest of your life and being able to “start” an adult life. Yes, I’m excited to have a degree to my name and yes, graduating means on to new and exciting things. But, in a perfect world all those great new grown up experiences would be able to happen without having to separate from the friends who’ve become family. I know the aspect of college I am going to miss most is being no more than a stone’s throw away from some of the greatest friends I’ve ever had. It’s going to be hard to beat the weekends spent at Trinidad Martinez and the bonding games on the mock trial bus. I can’t imagine what a bathroom not covered in two product-aholic’s stuff is going to look like. What’s more, despite the tiny, rural community surrounding it, I am going to miss the simple beauty of campus. All the brick buildings, ivy and great trees look so classic especially surrounded by the light and colors of fall or blanketed in snow.

Apologies all around if you don’t share my bittersweet feeling for the end of things. This is a new feeling for me. I was glad to see high school go. I enjoyed my time while I was there but I was ready for bigger and better things. I found those things and it’s those I’m not so ready to leave behind.

I guess all there is to say is thank goodness for technology which will make keeping in touch with mock trialers, sorority sisters and roommates fairly easy. I’m going to enjoy this last year and try to remember that this is only the end for one of many greats in my life.

France

So, the updated 2008-2009 application for this French assistantship is out now. First thing when I’m unpacked back in school I’m going to print off the application and get started, especially with the “why do you want to do this” type of questions because I want to actually think that type of stuff through. The program is seven months long not six like I’ve been thinking so that’s not really a big deal but it means if I get this gig I’ll be in France for my 23rd birthday. My initial impression of this assistant thing is that it will be stressful and overwhelming at first followed by growing manageable but lonely and finally as comfortable as can be expected. The nice thing is that once this application with recommendations and medical stuff is in, that’s it, just waiting after that.

So, going back to the ville tomorrow to work for a while before classes start and hopefully will see a lot of my new apartment and the rec center! three cheers for having somewhere free and air conditioned to exercise. Plus, getting into a work out routine pre-class might help me stick with it as the stress picks up, hopefully.

-ciao-

here we go!

After a half a dozen attempts at blogs that never touch on anything any sane person would want to read, I am determined to make this one work. So, the plan is to dedicate this blog to my experience in learning to grow up fabulously. In the name of full disclosure I will tell you this: I am 21, about to start my last year in college and have a general sense of how I’d like my life to shape up eventually.

Here are some major things I’m working toward now:

1. Finishing the undergrad by this time next year

2. Landing an assistantship in France for 2009

3. Helping the boyfriend through the grueling med school application process

4. Figuring out a balance with my parents i.e. enough contact to keep them happy but less than will kill me

5. Being a good mock trial president

6. Balancing work and school…

7. Continue to work on my writing

There you have it, the big food groups on my plate of life for the now

One last note- I don’t know that I believe in the idea of growing up in the traditional sense. I believe that some people in this world were always meant to be adults. There are people among us who love responsibility, order and reason. I think I got a sprinkle of that stuff as I do love to be in charge and am roped to my planner. However, I’m determined to do this whole “adult” thing my own way. No room for boring or cookie-cutter here, thank you.