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.