It's that Time of Year Again!

Before I get into how much I love the Holidays (HA! in more than one way) I need to complain.

Don't get me wrong, this fall was beautiful, and I really appreciated not having to go around looking like a marsh-mallow due to the need for layers. But the lack of snow has actually started to make me sad. I wear boots without purpose. The sunny days are nice but also freezing. Snow would make it more fun, prettier and make these last few weeks of school a tiny tad more bearable. Alas, we are snowless. The newly planted sod by Beck hall is still freakishly green.

Ok. Thanksgiving! Love it. And you know how much I love good food. Well Thanksgiving is like a big competition on who can make the best food. Aunty K goes crazy and shows off her dictator skills (in the most lovable way-because she is truly AMAZING). My mother has a few classes of wine and still manages to make the best gravy in the Rocky Mountains- trust me. My Aunty A makes every kind of pie and we always seem run out. One of my other Aunt makes some truly fantastic Zucchini casserole. I swear she was the one who made me fall in love with the vegetable. EVERYTHING is homemade and wonderful. Mashed potatoes, sweet-potato fries, salad (with homemade dressing), shrimp cocktails, asparagus. If you don't gain at least 3 pounds then you are a freak. Just sayin'

We go through crates of wine, we discuss politics, religion and family. Its awesome.

But then there are two little questions that always make me cringe. But never fear, I have come up with some witty retorts to shut up the inquisition.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?"

(the answer is always no, and they know this... perhaps thats why this question is so obnoxious).

My witty retorts:

"I'm actually experimenting with my sexuality right now" or other variations, "I'm bi-curious these days"

"Oh, well, you know college kids these days...." trail off and then pretend to be thoroughly interested in something across the room. Keeping things vague might keep them asking questions (hence the exit strategy, but most of the times they will revert to their stereotypical conceptions of dirty college kids and not really care to know more).

"no. I have 2. They sure are a handful!" Then laugh awkwardly, then sigh, smile and look off into the distance like you are fondly thinking of your 2 bfs.

"yes. His name is Muhammad" If you can wear a hijab, it makes this answer more convincing and probably lead to a highly interesting discussion. (and please note I do not wish to insult anyone's religion or culture- we're all friends here)

"No! HE DUMPED ME, and now I will be eating for two!" Then start to cry and ask if they will take care of you and your illegitimate child. Hysterics are a major necessity or no one will believe you.

If you are a really good liar then I would just save the embarrassment of it all and say that yes you do, indeed, have a boyfriend. "Why yes! he is captain of the soccer team, a biology major and he goes to chapel everyday! HE'S PERFECT." (of course he is totally fictional but thats just a worthless detail)

I am actually just hoping that everyone in my family will be more interested in my brother's real life, totally non-fictional, perfect girlfriend to be remotely interested in my relationship status.

Ok now the other dreaded question. What do you plan on doing after college? or the more personal one for me, "What are you going to do with a degree in History?"

Back when I was an English major, my witty response was that I was going to be English. I then proceeded to talk in an English accent. Apparently I was the only one to find it funny.

Last year I just told everyone I was going thinking about Law School. This seriously shocked my parents and left me with too many more questions.

"Richardton Abby just had a novice position open, so I think I am going to try out the Nun thing for a while" (I am not really catholic so this may backfire)

"I think I am going to go on tour, I'm pretty good, so I think I have a decent chance of winning on the LPGA" This one goes well with the bi-curious answer above. Plus no one besides my dad know how good the women on the LPGA are.... and everyone mistakes me for some golf genius. Neato.

"I plan on volunteering in the Congo, you know build up my immunity to malaria"

This one doesn't make any sense so if you can throw in a dazed or insane look it might help.

"Dog training school, yeah there are some great opportunities and I really connect with animals" Make sure your father is not around and if he is at least make sure he is not munching on a nut or something. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this if your father has any sort of heart condition.

I realize that lying can be frowned upon, so you might just have to brave the disappointed looks and dodge some expressions of pity, and tell the truth.

"No I do not have a boyfriend. I am a loner and eventually be the cat lady" and "I will be living at home with my parents and working at TGI-Fridays, washing dishes"

Iron chef! kind of...

I have often boasted that I am a fairly good cook. This year, with my own kitchen, I have managed to not starve to death. Unfortunately I think that is because I have made a few trips to the various fast food establishments around town. And a meal from those places have enough calories to sustain me for days (not that I would ever let that happen).

Frozen pizzas are truly one of the best things invented. My love for sandwiches has been rekindled. I have grilled cheese at least three times a week. I cannot remember the last fresh vegetable I ate that was not a baby carrot.

Tonight my gourmet dinner was pepperoni, cheese and crackers. Of course I added a few carrots because I don't want to get scurvy. Like I said. I am an Iron Chef. (If you don't get this reference to the food network, then you obviously have a life, congrats).

A.) I do not have the time to cook fabulous meals.

B.) I do not have the fiscal means of buying quality ingredients.

C.) I am straight up lazy.

HENCE. I am really excited to go home! My fabulous parents and other relatives are soooo good at making fabulous meals with all the best things. Plus they make everything with love.

Sunday Evenings

Generally on Sunday evenings I find myself realizing that I have loads of homework to do or large tests to study for. Tonight seems to be a weird exception. I finished my immanent homework around 4.... and have been absolutely bored since.

And yes I do realize that only boring people get bored. Trust me, my mother drilled that one into me. Usually I would be totally down to read a new book but all my homework lately has been research. Seriously the last thing I read was "Language Rights in Independent Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania" and after you read several books/articles like that reading just doesn't sound all that fun.

I also realize that I could go work out. But I took a shower earlier today... and I would have to take another one. Two showers in one day? that seems excessive.

I definitely could be working on one of the 4 research papers I have... but again with the reading. I've done my nails and watched Pride & Prejudice. I would bake something, but the kitchen is a mess and H made cupcakes yesterday.

I have nothing to organize because I've already done all that. poo.

Here is what I've decided:

1.) I don't want to graduate. How did this happen? Aren't I still a sophomore? People always told me this would go by so quickly but I was not prepared for this!

2.) I have no marketable skills, zip, zero, nada. Hello, want me to tell you about peasant riots during Henry VIII's reign? Yeah I am totes screwed.

3.) I miss K a ton. Stupid Law School had to take her away from me. Bring her back. I need a fun bestie who isn't totally insane. (I love my blondes but they cannot replace K)

4.) I am homesick. I want to see my sister. I want to see my brother. I want to see my parents and my dogs. I want to sleep in my bed. I want to have good food cooked for me. I want to fall asleep to silence.

5.) I really shouldn't complain about life. My life is awesome. woot.

Slackin'

Sorry kiddos for keeping you in suspense for months.... I know it has been truly hard. But never fear! Here I am to spread my witticisms around the world.

So this fall has been crazy busy. And despite the prolonged 'fall' weather. It has kind of sucked. Golf ladies did not win the MIAC championship as planned, nor did I play... I had some issues.. and the freshies apparently did not. ah well its all in the past. But then again, every time I think about it, I feel like someone has stabbed me in the heart with a sizzling hot axe.

neato.

Why am I writing now? .... well all my blondes (aka roommates) are out "making their lives count" (thanks GAC, for giving us that awesome motto). E is at choir, A is TAing for some bio class and H is god knows where... but no doubt she is helping society.

The new academic building is looking fly... unfortunately the heat seems to not work probably. My lucky peers do not get to see my fabulous outfits because I have to wear my jacket in the building. (actually they are really just missing out on my vast selection of sweatpants and sweatshirts).

I don't have K here to a) make me think about what I wear and b) to make me work out. So now even if I were to think about what I wore to class, I wouldn't be able to get it around my corpulent middle section. Sexy can I?

so yeah, I just watched our men's soccer team lose to Carleton. boo. I still find it amazing when schools like carleton, stolaf and macalester beat us. Nerds who spend all their time in the dark and damp library should have muscle mass depletion! Hence, they should not be able to run faster than us. Actually come to think of it, macalester never beats us. yay. You may have high paying jobs upon graduation and we may all turn into alcoholics, but at least we beat you once in track! SUCK IT. ha

Yikes. I gotta go turn off the air conditioning.

Reality. Check!

Howdy kids.

Having an apartment this year sure has been fun thus far. Except for the fact that we don't have a dish washer... and I always seem to be the one who does a mass amount of dishes.

Ah well, its character building. I've also come to realize something very important. My parents and aunts are gourmet chefs. I always knew they were good, but having to cook for myself has really helped me understand the art in making good food. For a 21 year old I feel like I am doing pretty good with food. There is not a lot of meat in my diet but that's just cause the raw stuff is hard for me to handle... and I never know what to buy at the store.

The other day I went to the store because I wanted to make my roommates dinner. I was going to make homemade french fries... so I needed some olive oil. When I got home I told my roomie H what I had gotten. She then asked me what you do with olive oil. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH OLIVE OIL!?!? In my house that would be sac-religious to ask! I was dumbfounded. I dutifully told her all of the magical things that you can do with E.V.O.O. and that it was generally healthier than other oils.

Anyway I made cinnamon roll pancakes this morning and they were awesome. My other roommate asked if they were out of a box. Oh good grief!

...So I got really busy

My apologies to all you for taking a two month hiatus. I know you were all deeply confused without my insight on certain subject. To catch you up...

-I rushed off to the UK and had the time of my life. Getting in-touch with my Scottish ancestry was never so fun! I also played some amazing golf courses and had the best time with my parents and team.

-I won the city championship with a PR round, which was really exciting.

-My dear friend from college came to visit, we toured glacier national park and had some fabulous adventures.

-My beautiful cousin married a wonderful gentleman, and the wedding was a blast. My sister was a bridesmaid- she looked beautiful. Until she had another mysterious allergic reaction- but she held her head up high and carried on.

-Won the club championship. 3rd or 4th time... although not consecutively :( ah well I had a wonderful time playing with my brother and ben.

-Drove back to school with my loving mother (we didn't fight the entire trip!)

-And now here I am back at school frustrated at golf and homework.

Life in Perspective.

Rory McIlroy recently won the US Open and Rickie Fowler has made nothing but pars yet today. They are both 22. They're out there playing amazing golf taking on guys with more experience on the tour than these guys have been walking. I'm a fan of both of these younger gentlemen, probably because they are my peers. And let's be real, I totally have crushes on both of them... mostly founded in their golf swings. Let's compare them!

RORY McILROY.

Ok so Rory is a crowd favorite. He got major kudos after he blew up at the Masters and then sat there with the press and answered all those painful questions. He's an emotional player but doesn't let little misses rattle him. Have you seen this kid swing? I'm star struck at the beauty. Everything seems on plane and he is always so balanced. At Congressional everyone was cheering for him, "Let's go Rory!"

Things that Rory doesn't have going for him are few and far between. With his soft eyes and baby face his lacks sex-appeal. He also struggles with outfits. Some days he wears things that look good but overall its all pretty boring and he has nothing to set him apart from the rest of the crowd. He also has a lot of pressure on him. After winning a Major like he did this year more people are looking at him to be the next Tiger Woods. But Let's not forget his sad finishing performance at the 2011 Masters and now the 2011 Open Championship. He has also only won 3 times since turning pro in 2007. His Tweets are regular and funny and he seems like a normal guy

RICKIE FOWLER

Rickie managed to beat out Rory in 2010 for PGA Rookie of the Year. Rickie has yet to win as a professional. He turned pro in 2009 after attending Oklahoma State University. His swing is not quite as beautiful at Rory but he makes the game a bit more interesting. Plus he gets up and down like nobody's business.

Rickie seems to have the things that Rory lacks. He's got sex appeal up the wazoo. He's got swagger and actually looks like a 22 year old. Where as Rory could be mistaken for a 40 year old if you were more than 50 yards away. Rickie is part Japanese and his grandmother is Navajo. He signed with Puma just after he turned pro. Puma is a young company known for being the "cool" guys in the industry. While some love the look that Rickie has established others think he looks like a douche. I have yet to make up my mind. While the look might douchey on anyone else it is Rickie's particular style. Which makes him unique on the tour and easy to recognize. He also seems like a pretty chill guy. He is in the PGA tour's "golf boys" band. A hilarious video with Ben Crane, Bubba Watson and Hunter Mahan, makes Rickie seem like he has a good sense of humor and low key. Rickie will certainly be one to watch in the up coming years. He has the skills to sit atop the leader boards but he might be trailing Rory throughout his career.

I must say I am partial to Rory because of his swing, baby face and win at congressional. But then again I relate to Rickie because of the name, he's an American and he dealt with the NCAA.

"Well as always... this is as good as its gonna get"

After I have gotten ready in the morning I often think of Anne Hathaway in Princess diaries telling this to her mirror before school. Unfortunately a shower and some make-up is not going to make you look red carpet ready, ever. Some of us are just stuck looking the way we are. E once told me that everyone was beautiful. I had to disagree. There are some beautiful people out there and there are some not beautiful people out there. And before you jump down my throat and say that everyone is beautiful, or that I am being superficial, just hear me out. I am one of those not beautiful people and its not like I take offense to it. I know it. I've got a funny face, chubby cheeks, acne and acne scars and my smile is small and crooked. But Hey! thats ok. I know the reality and I am not going to go out in the world being depressed because my sister got all the good looks. That would be a huge waste of my time! I have more important things to do, thank you very much. And I certainly don't hate on people who did get lucky with their looks. That's cool, work with it, just don't get patronizing and say I look cute when really you are the show-stopper.

ANYWAY. I wanted to share some of my favorite things that do make me look a little better. I love the bare-minerals line of make-up. It goes on really light and smooth and blends well. Plus I hear that the minerals used are actually good for your face. That's a win! Unfortunately since I was about 12 I've had really bad acne and bare minerals does not offer much coverage. So I use a light liquid foundation and cover-up for my spots.

ProActiv has really helped my acne is recent years so now I mostly just have scars. But Proactiv gives me a good routine to get into and it really makes my face feel smooth. It takes a few months to work but its the best acne treatment I have experience so far, (and trust me, I've tried a lot!)

Ok so those are the two products I really love!

You do what you do and you pay for your sins.

And there is no such thing as what might have been. That's a waste of time.

I am home just waiting for my parents to get home from the lake house. I've done my makeup, my hair and decided on an outfit for tonight's rodeo. I'm not really sure why I put so much efforts into my looks when I'm going to the rodeo with my parents and will not really be attempting to attract the males of Livingston. oh well. its done.
I love the rodeo. Especially the Round Up over the fourth of July weekend. But after the rodeo and fireworks is a dance. I usually dance with my dad and brother. Once upon a time I had someone else to dance with. But now my brother isn't going and I don't really want to go. Because the only thing worse than sitting alone tapping your boot to the music is being asked to dance by a stranger. neither options are desirable. Maybe I will just get drunk and forget to care.

BOOKS. I LOVE.

I LOVE BOOKS. I love to read and then I like to think about the books I've read. My mind goes on a whirl and I get a high from books.

Here are the books I love the most.

1. Pride and Prejudice. So complicated and complex. The characters are deep and changing. Plus it teaches the lesson of judgement. Sometimes you have to judge and sometimes you have to take a closer look at circumstances. One must also recognize that introverts are not trying to be rude. Maybe I am just a sucker for the happy ending, but who doesn't love a strong female protagonist who puts a man in his place?

2. Bloomability. I think I love this book because it got me through the tough years of middle-school. It shows the reader that sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Life is full of changes and scary times but for the most part everything turns out. I also just really like the personality of the narrator.

3. This House of Sky. The title is as beautiful as the writing. Ivan Doig writes of his childhood in western Montana. He has adventures and really captures the essence of Montana, in all its ruggedness, beauty and harsh weather. His descriptions are breathtaking and the movement of his sentences are lovely. Whenever he mentions a mountain range I can feel the familiarity I have with that landscape.

4. Jacob Have I Loved. This book is a little anti-climatic but it really shows the unfairness of life yet how life goes on. Sometimes you just have to move on and not be too bitter. It also makes me question the Bible a bit.... which always makes for some interesting pondering.

5. My Antonia. Willa Cather is an amazingly simplistic writer. But the way she tells a story is lovely. Anything is interesting and she gives you that feeling that you are right there with her and she is telling you the story. I also love O Pioneers! Both books have a chillingly realistic ending.

Here we go again...

Multiple points to this blog entry my friends.

1). I had yet another awkward moment. My friend C just graduated from high school. My brother is one of his really good friends. We all golf together. So I got invited to his graduation party and I thought it would be fun to go and see him and his family. My brother wanted to go too but didn't get off work until 8. So we showed up to the party a little late. This meant that only high schoolers were left. I figured only a few people knew me so they might not know I was way too old for this party. We played ultimate frizbee and eventually sat by a bon-fire. I was laughing and joking with C's little sister about how I was too old for this party and that I should really leave. My brother of course was adding to the jokes saying I was a big creeper for even showing up. And then some girl asked me how old I was... I had to admit to her that I was 21. Then she asked me in kind of a snobby way what I was doing here....

So awkward. How do you explain to a bunch of stupid high schoolers that you just wanted to see your friend and old teammate but then got sucked into a stupid party. AWKWARD. These things really need to stop happening to me.

2) Its raining outside. And the thing about Montana rain is that it is never warm. Its always cold and windy. Even if it is a beautiful day and it starts to rain the temperature will drop 20 degrees. Added to the flooding we are experiencing (like the rest of America) rain doesn't help. My poor dad is about to call it quits and just give up on the golf business. Lets get some sun!

3) My mother is crazy. Straight up insane. She told me she would pay me to clean her clutter areas. I started on the pantry and I just get so frustrated because we have like a million empty jars that she "collects." Plus we have a ton of foods that we rarely eat. I found 5 boxes of falafel. Who needs five boxes of falafel? Besides a greek family. And three bags of seaweed? I swear this stuff has got to be decades old. But then my mother will not let me rearrange anything and she just stops me from cleaning anything. Its totally pointless.

When will I learn?

I realize I am now using this blog to record my awkward moments.

Lucky for you guys I have another moment to share with y'all!

Last Thursday was the senior bar crawl and boy was that fun! We went to a number of bars, specialties included jello shots and dollar tabs. We eventually ended up at the most popular bar, Patty's. I actually was having a good time, E was being a bit ridiculous (as always) and K was running around taking pictures with EVERYONE. Not to mention she was being tailed by some suiters which always makes her happy. By the time last-call came around K had three gentlemen pining for her attention. But she was too busy dancing on the table. E was miffed because that is exactly the kind of attention she wants and was not getting. Previously one of my friends introduced me to his friend and E was standing there. After I shook his hand E stormed away ranting about how no one likes her. That was a pleasure to deal with.

Anyway we left K in good hands and we got on the first bus home. One of E's friends from high school was on the bus and invited us back to his apartment. It was then that E told me that she wanted to hook up with him. Obviously I was sick of being the 3rd wheel but I was too tired to argue. We didn't end up in his room but the apartment of K's ex boyfriend. E was blackout by this time and putting her moved on every male.

One of the roommates, C, came in spraying a fire extinguisher. Solid. He comes in and E promptly leads him to the bedroom. I am pretty much sober by this time and in no mood. But E told me to wait. Wait? Wait where? So I am stuck just hanging out in the living-room. One of the other roommates is there, J, and he is relatively sober. We make occasional small talk while watching tv. Unfortunately neither of us are outgoing and its hard to make continuous small talk for 3 hours. Yep. 3 HOURS of waiting for E to finish. The funny part was that she kept coming out of the room to have little talks with me. One time she announced that she did not want to give another bj, that she thought C had a girlfriend and during a private convo she told me she needed 15 more minutes just so she could "get off."

Meanwhile I was discovering via small talk that I had a lot in common with J. He played golf and loved to fly fish. Plus he loves Montana. When E finally decided that she was done I said good bye to J and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. In that 3 hours I developed a crush. CRAP. Anyway this goes under my awkward moments list because 3 hours of small talk with anyone whilst your bestie is getting some is always awkward. I don't care who you are.

Dalliance.

I want one. A dalliance.

Particularly with the hot english major who lives above me.

I realize that this is my crazy imagination running away with things. Not to mention I am completely bored and just watched a en episode of BBC's "Mistresses." But seriously I feel like I need to reward myself. And who could reward me better with a humanities intellectual equal who also plays tennis? Boy Upstairs. I've had two classes with Boy Upstairs. Creative Writing and Medieval England. I'm not really sure what I was like in creative writing but I can vividly remember an embarrassing instance from Medieval England. I was paired with Boy Upstairs, his roommate and another kid (who actually looked like Moe from the Simpsons). We were assigned to read a chapter out of King John and report on it to the class from the point of view of his barons. It was barely a five minute presentation, but we all know how I get when I stand up in front of people. All my brain cells deicide that would be the perfect time for a nap. When the presentation was over I sat down.... and didn't really remember what I said. But I do have the feeling that I used the word "crazy" or the variation "crazily" to describe taxes, parliament meetings and King Johns policies in general. I make great impressions on people.

Anyway besides saying the sultry "hey" in the stairway past Boy Upstairs there has been minimal interactions. Not that that stops me from looking at him....

So thats my life. All I really want is to make-out with someone. Boy Upstairs should come down here and help a girl out.

NATIONALS.

Nationals finished with a bang and a fizzle. The bang of lightning/thunder and the fizzle of our dreams of finally defeating Methodist. We were down 12 strokes going into the final day. But Methodist was coming down hard after the first 9 holes of the final round. I was playing like never before and even par after 11 holes (I got my first bogey on the 11th hole). Then right as I am about to hit my eight iron perfectly to 12 green they blew the lightning horn.

NCAA rules dictate that we wait 30 minutes after a lightning strikes within 10 miles of the course. After every lightning strike the 30 minute count restarts. We came in to the pro-shop at 5 pm. At 6 I started to cry because I knew that the lightning wasn't stopping and we wouldn't get to finish. Methodist had won again. I would never know if I could have continued that amazing round. What a let down. Coach had bought silly string in case we won... it kind of broke my heart when we saw him unload it from his bag.

Anyway yesterday after we got back and a long nap I proceeded to both drown my sorrows of an unfinished round and celebrate the face that I was an All American due to my 6th place individual finish.

For a girl who hasn't drank because of a long sports season has little to no alcohol tolerance. Unfortunately my dear friends didn't think of that and thought the amount I was drinking was perfectly acceptable. They should have know that after every new group of people that got on the gus bus I shouted "I'M AN ALL AMERICAN!" that I would not last too long. We made it to the bar just in time for me to puke my brains out and need to be taken home.

Oh the memories.

In any case I am extremely proud of my teammates and thankful for my supportive parents and friends.

Basic Social Skills.

I am about to share something with you. Something personal. Prepare yourself.

I AM AWKWARD. Sure a lot of people have been in awkward situations and gotten red in the face. Or said something silly that was followed by silence. Those types of things are normal. Plus they only really happen about once a month. For me those types of situations are exaggerated and happen on a daily (if not hourly) basis.

FOR INSTANCE: Ok so campus is pretty small. So you know who went to high school with your friends (everyone here is from MN) you know your teammates' roommates' random hookups and their boyfriends kind of friends. You just kind of know people here. Yesterday I was with K and E at the campus center giggling off our sugar high. We ran into one of E's high school 'friends' who was with his friends. E and this guy nodded at each other. But we continued walking behind them. One of the random guys (who I DO NOT KNOW) said 'yeah she was pretty cute' [obviously in reference to someone not in the proximity] and I said to E and K 'I know!' The guys just turned around and looked at me. AWKWARD. Of course we giggled about it endlessly but really, that guy now knows I am a totally socially awkward freak.

Then today some guys from golf team asked if I wanted to play... and it took me about a minute to respond. "uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Naaaaaaaaaaahhhh. I think I am going to pass..............................." My life is amazing.

UPDATE. So last night we went to the bar (yeah yeah I broke the 48 hour rule). Anyway the guys I said "i know" to were there. They pointed at me. And then talked and pointed. Praise the Lord on high that I am leaving for a week.... maybe everyone will forget who I am by then

Is it? Could it possibly be... Spring?!

BARELY. But I think spring has arrived. After suffering a disaster of a spring with flooding, freezing temps and more precipitation than necessary I think we might actually have some nice weather. Yesterday was so cold I didn't even go to practice.... and the girls that did go said it was pointless because they couldn't feel their hands. Don't worry I got plenty of practice today and even got some vitamin D! We really have to up the practice this week because Nationals is next week! YIKES. I am already nervous. I'm not exactly hitting the ball great and my short game cannot compensate that much. Every time I hit a bad shot on the range I just picture the course in Florida where any missed shot could result in disaster. How much can I really improve in 4 days?

In other news the men's golf team got an at large bid to nationals as well! We're all very proud of them!

Lots to do before I miss an entire week of school! Like that 20 page research paper... Lord help me.

Circa 1990's

Remember the 90's? cool. I only kind of remember them. Here's what I remember.

-I was sick for 2 weeks in 1st grade.... and I missed a lot of school. Despite being behind on reading I have finally caught up. 15 years later.

-1st grade again, my friend and I discussed the qualities of coloring utensils. He preferred crayons "because you could never break the lead"

-Columbine shooting. I think I was in 2nd grade for this one. For some reason I didn't really gather what was going on but all the adults were really upset. We also started doing lockdowns, where we all hid in the cubby spaces.

-Princess Diana dies. That was 1997... So I was going into the 3rd grade. It was really sad because it was the death of a real life princess. I didn't really understand the whole drunk driving issue or why everyone wanted to take her picture. But I do remember the mass amounts of flowers that accumulated at the gates of the palaces. I think my grandfather died that year too. Because we drove all the way to North Dakota in our van.

-1998. Bill Clinton. Lies to America and in my tiny brain is labeled a "liar" not to mention he is a democrat. I also remember riding my bike a lot and becoming friends with Lindsay and Kate.

-1999. Y2K. Lots of hype. I had other things to worry about. Like... what to wear on picture day.

The reason I bring this up is because my new favorite song is "Dr. Jones" by Aqua. I never listened to them in the 90's (because what kid from Montana listens to a Danish Pop group?)

LOVE THEM NOW. Even though a lot of stuff happened in the 90s my world was pretty small.

So much to say!

Hey Friends!

I have a large load of things to get off my mind. Don't worry very little of it is my complaining (a first!)

Happy Easter! Sorry to be late on this one. I got a few days off of school. I wish I could have gone home (I did have a 6 day break because of my AWESOME schedule). Alas we also had a golf meet last friday and saturday so I had to stick around. My family went to church and apparently had a fabulous time without me. I was invited to my teammates' grandparents house to celebrate Easter (we slept in and forgot to go to church-but don't worry mom I still believe in God). We had an egg hunt and an awesome home cooked meal. It was lovely and I am so thankful for them.

In other news, the team won our golf meet! The first day we all played like shiz and were down 7 strokes to Eau Claire. Like we do we came back in true fashion and won. We play in Eau Claire next weekend and are hoping for another win before nationals. Speaking of nationals, I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO PLAY THIS YEAR... instead of being the dehydrated extra teammate who is barfing in the palm trees. I am really excited, especially because my golf game isn't totally sucking right now.

Like the true pessimist that I am I must say that its raining. This is preventing me from going out to practice today. I know I know, I should say "to hell with rain! I love to practice in all elements!" Normally the rain would not deter me. But its 42 degrees and windy. Plus I am out of gas and have no money... so yeah, that makes things difficult.

On the bright side I got some awesome mail today! My dad sent me some news paper articles from our local chronicle- a black angus cow had triplets! he also sent me 5 dollars. I love him.

Right now I am in the library (freezing... I've had to put on my jacket) working on my 20 page research paper. I have about a page. But mostly I am doing research. Which got me thinking about grad-school. It would be really cool to get my masters and PhD.... but this is sooo hard! There is so much to read... and so little specific information that I need. I just spent the last hour reading an article only to use 3 sentences from it. But I still need those 3 sentences. Oi my life is going to be over and I will only have a paper to show for it. Ah well, I would rather be doing this than biology!

Chocoholic.

K is a chocoholic. As am I.

recent text from me to K "I wish my water was chocolate flavored. but in a non gross way"

People always say chocolate is good for you. Yeah the shitty 70% cocoa that is took strong. What I LOVE is the smooth milk chocolate that melts in your mouth and gives you that happy feeling just when you want scream. Ah pms. Chocolate is the magic cure.

I am having a serious chocolate craving right now. But for lent I minimized my desserts to 3 times a week. Well last we had ice cream sundaes. This is tough. I am in the mid-homework crunch where a nice little chocolate bar could get me through the night. Alas I will just have to power through my water (non-chocolate flavored).

My stumbleupon account if full of dessert recipes... this could be a problem when I have to opportunity to cook/bake in my apartment next year!

here's a neat recipe

Triple Threat Brownies

For the brownie base:

• 1 box brownie mix OR favorite recipe brownies (9×13 pan size)

Mix brownies according to package directions or your favorite recipe. Bake and allow to cool completely.

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fully mixed. Spread on top of cooled brownies and sprinkle with nuts.

For the chocolate peanut butter rice krispies topping:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 3 cups rice krispies cereal

In a large pan, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter over low heat. Continue stirring until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted. Stir in cereal, making sure to coat all the cereal in the peanut butter chocolate mixture.

Spread the cereal mixture on top of the brownies and frosting and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Keep covered and store in the refrigerator.

Whoa!

Sorry I haven't written in a while (yes I mean YOU special reader who doesn't exist!) I've been busy. REALLY BUSY. Last night I got about 4 hours of sleep. And I am used to about 8. Yeah whatevs. I'm spoiled.

Ethics committee was a huge bitch and lasted for 3 hours. Those people drive me nuts. They sit and they argue and they pick at every detail in the world. And what does it come down to? nothing. We table the decision until we have more information. Ethics committee basically has two options. Suggest impeachment or dismiss the compliant. Um sorry but we can't go around co-presidents elect. The student body already hates senate enough. So what does this girl do about it? Well besides making snide comments during meetings I skipped the meeting today! suck it. I told them I had practice. ha. Athletics always beat out student government.

I had about 200 pages of reading to do for class... which I didn't finish. But regardless of if I did the reading I don't participate in class anyway... so what's the point?

Golf really is a major time suck in my life. I really want to be good and go to nationals so I work hard. I put in the hours I need to be my best. But it takes 30 minutes just to get to the course... on average I spend about 20 hours of my week doing golf related activities, not including my entire weekends at tournaments. I love it but homework is starting to slide.

oy and yet here I am on the internet not doing my homework. Yikes obviously my time management sucks. Gotta go!

Too Cool For School

I'm at the library again! I'll be leaving shortly to go to golf practice... despite no local courses being open, we are now practicing on the rugby fields. Just what I love to do: piss off the rugby players. Good idea coach.

Anyway because midterms have passed and Easter is only a few weeks away it's time here on the hill that graduation gowns are being received in the mail and class registration is looming. I am in a complex sort of bind. Should I major in English as well as history? I really would like to because people always say history is such an easy major and I am a tad embarrassed to not have a double major (not that english is particularly useful). Technically I can still major in English but doing so would take up 6 of my 8 classes for next year, leaving me with only two 300 level history classes. Not to mention that I would be taking a lot of hard classes like "art of interpretation," "Shakespeare" and the senior english seminar. I would really like to enjoy my last year at college... take some interesting classes, have a successful golf season and actually have a social life. Plus I would REALLY like to take some other history courses... that an english major wouldn't allow me to take. "Tudor and Stuart England," "travel and tourism" "Scandanavia to 1800" COME ON! those classes are awesome!

I don't know what to dooooo! someone should decide for me.

The rumors are true...

OMG SPRING BREAK WAS AWESOME!

Like many of my peers I traveled to the great state of Florida to enjoy some sun. Unlike most of my peers my spring break involved no alcohol, sex, drugs, or explicit behavior. While everyone else was participating in beer chugging or wet T-shirt contests we were hitting up some of the most beautiful and elite golf courses in THE WOLRD. Boo-ya.

The golf team here on the hill is a bit spoiled. We get to stay with some alumni who live on Sawgrass country club and their gloriously generous friends. They cooked for us everyday, gave us a steady supply of pop, cookies and chips (to replenish all those calories burnt on the course) and we never went to bed without a compliment or hug. They also give us free reign of theirbilliards table (C and I won the 'mixed' championship), hot-tub and big screen TV.

We got to play Mission Inn, Palencia, Sawgrass Country Club, Golf Village, TPC Sawgrass (I parred 17-thankyouverymuch!). They were all in great shape and were way more fun to play now that my swing isn't a horrific vision of arms and club. Plus I love my teammates. WE have so much fun together and the jokes never end. This year there were a lot of freshman guys on the spring break team and for them spring break was a time to get nicknames. Plus the age old tradition of whoever shot over 90 shaving their head was enforced on a young freshman. Unfortunately he was the most good looking guy on the team and had some great hair. With guys hair is pretty simple, but this kid really did have beautiful hair- I was sad to see it go!

On the last day we got to spend some time on the beach- the waves weren't too good and theocean was full of jelly-fish. But we had a nice long game of touch football involving everyone. I scored twice!

That was spring break for the 3 crowns gal, try me if you think yours was better!

Life is not fair. But it is still good.

Today I had to take Rutherford to get checked out, the malfunction indicator light went on a few days ago so I figured something was wrong. After waiting an hour and a half doing my homework for after spring break I got some news. Nothing was wrong with him. NOTHING. Basically I spent 100 dollars to have them turn off a light. Thanks. I was annoyed. It a) shouldn't have cost that much b) taken that long and c) the light shouldn't have come on in the first place. Crappy.

Alas I have decided that I need shrug if off. WHY? Because overall, life is good. I got a head start on my homework. I am done with midterms. I am going to Florida in a day to play amazing golf courses. I am allowed to wear jeans or sweatpants if I want to. I have enough (too much) food to eat.

See? Life is good. It might not always be fair. But looking at that list I just made I think it is safe to say that if life was fair it would suck more.

So Close!

Spring Break is so close! I can barely handle it!

I went to health services today and they told me I could have gastritis. So I am on my way to an ulcer. haha The causes are taking too many pain pills and drinking alcohol. Not that I do that... my case could be due to stress or bacteria... although I was told to stay away from ibuprofen and alcohol. She also told me not to have spicy foods and caffeine. TOTALLY bummed me out. Even more so because me and the girls are going out to chipotle. yippee.

Anyway my friend took this picture of my hometown!

What does an ulcer feel like?

Seriously though, should I consult web MD? Because every time I eat I get a really bad stomach ache in the same spot. It feels like the left side of my stomach is burning. I'm too young to die!

whhhaaaaa!

call the wambulance.

Ok so web MD says that an ulcer would be pain between my belly button an my breast bone... my pain is to the left of that... so I am ulcer free?

I just want to lay down....

Alas I have a philosophy test tomorrow... plus a conditioning assessment and lots of reading homework for my other classes... gah.

"The Other Conquest"

Remember the days when the could only show you PG-13 movies in school? I'm beginning to miss those days. Tonight for one of my favorite classes we had to watch a movie on our own time about the Spanish conquest of Mexico. I thought it would be really interesting. Parts of it were... other parts I think will give me nightmares.

The following took place in this movie

-Human sacrifice... they showed everything.

-a yucky battle... not too bad, just a few too many limp/bloody bodies

-rape

-public lashing

-forced conversion

-decapitation

-incest (seriously they showed everything....)

-resulting pregnancy from afore mentioned incest

-suicide

-general craziness

-cave wanderings

-obsession with the Virgin Mary

WHAT? I mean, really, I gained very little from this film. And I am not really sure what we will be discussing in class...

President's Ball

Ladies and Gentlemen, we survived President's ball! 9 hours of exciting bus rides, dancing, eating, drinking and pictures. P-ball, as we like to call it on the hill, is a dance for the student body and a "chance for the college community to come together" or at least that's what President Jack said at the beginning.

Basically we danced a lot and got sweaty. My feet hurt today but that just tells me that I was a dancing machine last night! Also I consider last night a success because I DID NOT fall down the stairs and make a total fool out of myself like last year. WIN!

CREEPING.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

Being of Irish ancestry I am a big fan of this magical little holiday. PLUS I actually know what Saint Patrick did. SO HA! The myth is that he expelled all the snakes from the Island of Ireland.... which is probably false... but hey, they have to have a few miracles in order to be canonized and I'd say thats a pretty good miracle to have on your list of miracles (heck I don't even have a list of miracles, unless you count that A I got in bio). Young Patrick was captured by Irish pagans and then somehow found himself returned to the continent. Then HE CAME BACK to Ireland and spread the word of God and christianized that nation. Thus becoming the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish do celebrate this day but not in the same way Americans do. They don't really get drunk off of green beer or parade around in green clothing. I think they go to church.

... yay Ireland.

Back to the title. I am in the library, although I finished my homework hours ago. I saw my friend P in some bio/nature class walking around campus. It appears that they were looking at trees... at least they were gesturing at the trees a lot. Being the creep that I am I decide to text P. "LOOK AT ALL THE TREEEEES" clever am I not? Its fun to watch him grab his phone and then look around in a somewhat paranoid way.... Gotcha.

ok ok so my life is a little dull if I have to get myentertainment from being the campus creep. society be damned! I will creep away and enjoy it.

By the way...

Turns out I promised a goal list in my first blog. Totally spaced that one eh?

OK so here it goes

1. Lose Weight, be fit and happy with my body

-Point of interest, I gave up calling myself fat or complaining about my looks for lent, I really need a better body image!

2. Get a 3.5 gpa simple enough but I still need to study a lot (and consequently not spend so much time on the internet.

3. Go to nationals, and PLAY, not just be the sweaty and dehydrated extra team member.

4. Slowly give up coffee. So far I have been coffee free for almost a week.

5. Get enough sleep and stay healthy, nobody likes a sicky.

6. Write a card or letter at least once a week.

7. Read a book every month for fun.

8. Call my family members more than once a week.

Sounds good to me!

We've got a JUMPER!

An unfortunate event just happened to me. I was just minding my own, munching on cashews (good fat?) in the the library (yes I live here) when a tasty cashew that I had just grabbed and planned to eat leapt from my finger tips. It danced across my computer key, down the side of the desk and fell behind the heater. Come to think of it, the heater sucks, I am always freezing in the library. Knowledge can't keep you warm. I couldn't help but think, "what a lively little devil, evading the vacuum that is my stomach!"

While we are on the topic, (not really but I will force this topic upon you) can I just say that I do not understand the concept of "good fat." I looked up the nutritional value (because that's what I do these days...) in cashews and supposedly they are pretty healthy. But they kept referring to the cashews having "good fat." WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? Ok so I've just been eating a pound of cashews and gained 40 pounds. My friends say "you've gotten fat" do I just reply, "yeah but its the good kind" ? Because that makes sense....

OH WHAT?!

Today was going to be a really good day. My slacker conditioning coach (technically should be professor but that sounds ridiculous) cancelled class this morning so I got to sleep in! Unfortunately I got up at 8:57. I had class at 9. I immediately fell out of bed in shock and pulled on some sweat pants. Ran out the door to the gym. My weight training coach barely noticed me jogging up to the track to do laps. Oops!

After a boring rendition of Great Philosophers and a enlightening but slightly disappointing US. Government and politics (I got an 86 on my last exam). I hurried to my room and found a diamond in my email inbox. Email topic "class cancelled today" the professor mentioned something about being sorry and last minute but WHO CARES?! Class was cancelled! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

No worries. I sufficiently wasted my time writing thank-you notes (but alas I ran out of stamps). BUT I looked up who our Supreme Court justices were, just to be informed, and then I looked up their salaries (they make about $220,200). THEN I got curious about other political figure salaries. President Obama is raking in a nice $400,000 for the REST OF HIS LIFE at least. No wonder he pushed the health care bill, he'll be sitting pretty when we all paying via taxes for obese people's tummy tucks. Thanks Barack.

Whoa. Digress Much?

I am happy HAPPY happy that I didn't have to go to TWO classes today. I might just go frolic in the puddles.

PS. WHO IS EXCITED FOR SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!?!?! (I finally get to go to the bar!)

Research Proposal: ALL SYSTEMS GO!

Hey kids!

I finally chose a research topic! (who cares if it is VERY similar to a research paper I wrote last year...) European settlement here I come! -via history duh.

I think you (being the random internet browser that just happened to stumble upon my blog) fail to see the importance of this crucial step in my procrastination. Not only do I have a topic, (no thesis as of yet) but I have books! 9 glorious secondary sources to assist me in research. The great thing about college is they let you check out 50 books! In high school they only allowed us to check out 3 books. 3!? can you believe that sort of tyranny? Yay college!

ahem. I need to type of these sources real quick, come up with a question/thesis, and then annotate the sources. Easy as pie. Lets go get some COFFEE!!!!!

ok we have a slight glitch (thats an awesome word, glitch) in the system. The coffee stand was not open. They closed an hour early. Bastards. Now I am stuck munching on reese's puffs and water. Not together, obviously, that would be gross.

Alrighty. I've got my working pants on and I gotta go get some research underway! huzzah!

Coincidence?

Today is a big day here on the hill. Most importantly it is E's 21st birthday but we also got our housing assignment for next year! Yay for seniors living on campus! haha

This housing assignment is extra special. K, my other best friend is a senior and will be graduating this spring. She is off to law school to do financial and corporate law, (she's wicked smart!). She lives in 206 southwest. Our housing assignment for next year is 206 southwest! CRAZY! I mean, seriously, that's weird. We even joked about it on saturday night, saying that they should leave us notes if we got their room. AND NOW THEY ACTUALLY CAN!

I am super excited to have new roommates. I will be living with A who is also from Montana. I will share and apartment with H and E, both amazing girls! No more M, chewing her gum obnoxiously :)

Basically I am SUPER EXCITED!

I could skip for joy!

Poor Time Management.

On Saturday I turned 21! Its a big deal here. I no longer have to worry about drinking violations! Whoot!

As I was contemplating my new age today in an extremely hungover state, I realized something. Inow have to act like an adult for the majority of my public life. Egad, that made me want to vomit. Either that or the mass amount of alcohol I legally consumed last night. But still it is an unpleasant thought, responsibility? maturity?

Anyway I comforted myself with the knowledge that I am a fairly well organized person. I never lose my keys or phone. I pay my bills on time (thanks to online transfers). My closet is color coordinated. I usually get my homework done on time, or at least do all the reading. UNITL NOW. Crisis stuck when I found out that I totally and completely forgot about my major research proposal that is due at the end of this week. There are multiple problems with this discovery. 1. I have to choose a topic. Not only that, but I have to choose a topic where I can find ample amounts of usable sources. 2. I have to find lots of sources, not just secondary sources, but primary sources. 3. I do not know how to find primary sources. (I understand them and can analyze the daylights out of them, but I cannot FIND them all my lonesome. 4. I have to actually look into the sources I want to use because with this research proposal due on Friday is also due an annotated bibliography. Oi. 5. My brain synapses are a little slow due to Saturday's festivities. 6. Tomorrow is E's birthday and Thursday is Saint Patrick's day, the universe is laughing at me.

Well there you have it. I am totally organized yet woefully incapable of proper time management. This post is also proof of that because instead of working on afore mentioned research proposal I am on the internet.

Laugh A Little

I don't care who you are or what you are all about but this is FUNNY. I'd even go as far as to say its HILARIOUS!

Donate Today!

I feel pretty darn good about myself right now. Ahem, ignore that earlier post where I bitched about philosophy. I donated blood this afternoon (plus I went to chapel yesterday!) karma is going to repay me big time! Donating blood can be a bit of a hassle because they ask you personal questions about your travels and sex life (I could save a lot of time by just saying I am still in possession of the big V) but trust me it is so worth it! We've all seen those dramatic ER shows on tv where they go through 5 pints of blood just to get someone into an OR. Blood is needed all the time! It only hurts a little bit, like someone poking you in the arm for 10 minutes. And if you are not a fan of needles... well you suck and should get over that irrational fear. People are in need of your blood!

My blood type is B+. So I am being positive! (get it?! ha.) Visit your local red cross today and see if you are eligible. YAY! (take the small victories in life!) DONATE.

Props to Clara Barton for starting the American Red Cross!

Blah Blah Blah

You know who was/is annoying? Rene Descartes. Yeah, I get that he may be seen as brilliant for saying "I think therefore I am" but lets be real a toddler could have come to that conclusion. I am taking a course called Great Philosophers. So far we have covered Socrates via Plato and Mr. Descartes. I have one person to blame for this hiccup in class registration. Douche Bag. okay okay, that's not really his name, but for awhile that's what the chums and I called him. I posted on my facebook status asking what class to take Great Philosophers or some poli-sci class. He told me that I NEEDED to take this class and that it would be so enlightening. Why I took his advice I have No idea. I don't even like being in the same room as the guy and I took his advice. I am an idiot. Of course I cannot drop because I am taking some health classes that don't add up to a full schedule, dropping a class would make me ineligible for golf. So here I am stuck reading this God awful french philosophy. Why does this guy have to question EVERYTHING. Do I really exist? Does god exist? Does this hangnail I've suddenly gotten really hurt as much as I think it does? Why do cows moo instead of meow? Why has my brain turned to mush? etc.

Last class my professor called on me. I had been studying for a Government test.... so I had not idea what the question was. I spoke up the first couple days so my professor thought I was smart or something. But the other day I just stared at him and said "I don't know" in a way I am pretty sure made my entire class of freshman think I was a bit sloooow. Solid. Then again the kid who sits next to me spends the entire class hour on his ipad or texting his girlfriend (they have hit a rough patch).

One thing is for sure... this class is an even bigger waste than all my other classes that will not land me a job upon graduation. Sometimes life is just nifty.

Ps Rene wasn't exactly a hotty by anyone's standards.

Practice Makes Perfect

Its that time of year again, when I am beginning to get golf withdrawals. I need to see some green fairways soon!

It is true here at GAC we have an amazing golf simulator and a top notch green but that just doesn't cut it. Half the reason I play golf is because of the time spent outside. Yeah sometimes it rains or snows or gets really windy. But hey, I'd rather be dealing with that than having to be inside a stuffy classroom.

Anyway, tonight was one of the nights we had indoor golf practice. Aka most boring two hours of my life. Gah. I spent the entire time just talking to my teammates. Not to mention avoiding a certain someone on the boys team. Let's just say that was a drunken oopsie.

... Yeah so basically we just hit balls into a net or try to chip to a bucket. Riveting.

Can't wait for spring break!

weekend

I know you were all wondering, and yes I did have a fabulous weekend. My lovely friend and roommate E invited all us girls to the beautiful city of Duluth. The biggest freshwater lake in north america is looking fine!

We had too much fun (and no alcohol involved! who knew?)Friday night we went to s Scottish and Irish heritage festival. E danced the sword dance with her talented father and then did an irish jig with her sister and dance instructor. The talent never ends with this girl. Bagpipes are AWESOME, they make me glow with Scottish and Irish pride. -member of the McMillan clan right here!-

E's mom played the tenor drums in a bagpipe band too, and twirling drumsticks never looked so effortless. Seriously, that is some mad skill right there.

Of course we ended that evening with some mexican food and giggles. Saturday we devoted to homework done at the mall. A and C got their P-ball dresses. Mine just needs to arrive in the mail and we should be good to go!

Saturday night we hit up Pizza Luce and then saw the Black Swan. Man is that an effed up movie or what? K and I freaked out the entire time. Then we came to the conclusion that that's what happens when you don't eat. So really the moral of the story is to eat all the carbs you want!

In other serious news there were two attacks on campus, friday and sunday nights. Its really scary to think about because we always had thought that our campus was so safe (I mean come on, its in the middle of nowhere). I am not too worried though, a) because I am super tough and no one would want to mess with me, b) they have upped security A TON I see a security guard every 5 minutes now and c) I basically go between my dorm and the student center and thats it.... so I am rarely outside :(

Anyway, my thoughts go out to the victims and I hope the assailant is caught soon!

I found the cutest thing on stumbleupon. PUPPIES. or rather, just one puppy. Adorable is it not?

Feeling Low?

GO SHOPPING!

I must say, the shopping here on the hill sucks, unless you want to buy a bunch of over priced college sweatshirts, (i have too many of those... but I love 'em!) Anyway neighboring town isn't too great either. They have wet seal, target, charlotte ruesse, and a few other places. What's a girl to do?

BEHOLD: The internet (brought to you by Al Gore)

Ok ok, so I suck at shopping in real life and I have little to no sense of style (right now I am wearing sweatpants and an under-armor shirt... classy, but I am going to to be in the library all day so its ok) I basically wear whatever my friends, roommates or sister dress me in. Usually I am not the biggest fan of shopping, mostly because I hate spending money (like stamps, mail should be free!) But my sister, mom and best friends LOVE to shop. So I've warmed up to the activity. Instead of just making a list for toothpaste, gum and socks and then leaving the store with just those items, I am now able to browse around and maybe buy (gasp) something that wasn't on my list. Anyway, without having to leave the comfort of my study cubby, I can take a study break and looks at some lovely buyable items.

For cheap wardrobe necessities I look no further than Forever 21. Cute and cheap and trust me you will wear that sweater out! American Apparel has some good stuff too, but it requires more sifting.

Although I am in college and have few opportunities to wear fancy cocktail dresses or sundresses (seeing as its -2) I still love ModCloth and all the funky things they have to offer. Never fails to make me feel better!

Here's the dress I got myself for my 21st

For sports and stuff I look at nike and adidas.

Things I LOVE

I love many things... but some more than others

1. Lists (hence this little gem you get to enjoy)

2. Stationary, and writing cards just for fun

3. Cupcakes. All kinds, but my favorite is a good rich chocolate with yummy cream cheese frosting.

4. golf/tennis skirts. My collection is getting extensive, so many cute colors! and so comfy!

5. Birthdays, I love my own but I also love helping other people celebrate theirs! (also random celebrations for no reason are fun too, everybody loves a party)

6. Green grass, I love just frolicking around in the summer time

7. Looking at pictures from the night before, so fun... plus it helps us remember things that we may have er... forgot.

8. Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, mmmm so good in these cold minnesota days. Plus if you ask for a little mint in it, omg you are in for a treat!

9. Getting mail and packages! My parents send some really random stuff in my packages, but my sister sends the best stuff, she sends stationary, treats, gum, and magazines. Pretty much she is the best.

10. Root beer floats. Probably my second favorite treat! perfect for the hot summer day.

I have lots more but that's all I have right now, let's hear your favorites!

College Diet.

Yeah. It happened. Freshman 15 hit me like a school bus. I vowed to eat right my sophomore and Junior years. I work out everyday. I eat vegetables more now than I did with my mom barking at me every night at the dinner table. Alas, what does the cafeteria do to me... soft serve ice cream and... wait for it.... hot fudge and caramel sauce. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I suddenly believe that I cannot do my homework if I do not have sufficient sugar intake. OMG that 5 minutes it took to my eat my bowl of ice cream is HEAVEN. egad. I will never fit into that dress. I vow to never eat another sweet or fattening thing again! perma-diet!

4 hours later in the library me and the cronies decide we want chips and salsa. The caf is out of salsa. So we opt for some yummy onion dip. Obesity be damned!

cheers!

Books and Reading

We all know Oprah tells America what to read. Indeed I have unknowing read the books on her list (alas I am no longer original!) But lets face it, Oprah, being the billionaire that she is, probably has minions who majored in English going about reading books and then telling her what to read. I highly doubt that Oprah would willingly open The Sound and the Fury. I admit it would be a pretty sweet job just to curl up in Pj's read a few books and then phone Oprah and tell her what to read next. Pillars of the Earth was another one on her list, its a LONG book. Not to mention it gets really old when everything keeps going wrong for the characters. Ken Follett is totally following Kurt Vonnegut's advice.

Anyway... as it turns out Oprah really doesn't have much to do with what I was going to write about in the first place. Since I LOVE to read, and during the semester never seem to be able to read for pleasure I have made a new goal, ding ding ding! (add it to the list! {list of goals soon to follow this post}). Read a book a month. Although I didn't notify you (who are we kidding, no one reads this blog) about my February book, I'll just tell you what I read. Harry Potter 1-5 during my week at home. But I don't want to count those because I read them before the semester started. What I did read was Counting Coup by Larry Colton. It's about a women's basketball team in Hardin MT and how Native American Indians (in this case Crow Indians) play basketball and all the hardships they face on a daily basis. Being a fan of basketball and native american relations this is one of my favorite books! Depressing and real it will capture your heart (and then break it). My next book is going to be extremely similar. Again about basketball and Montana. Blind Your Ponies by Stanley G. West is my March book. The author is coming to my town this month and I figure I can go hear him speak (fingers crossed!). My sister just gave a great review of it in her blog, "sealed with a kiss."

discoveries

I just added a couple random pictures... awesome. But confusing.... Ronald Reagan, I'm a big fan of his. Three Crowns, well you figure that one out. And the picture of downtown... just enjoy.