Fack.

I've decided to abandon studying for the rest of the night and get some sleep. Tomorrow consists of cramming for my modernism exam at 1 and then working on a death and burial presentation. I'm just going to be telling Richmond Ghost stories, so I hope that's cool. Maybe I should bring a campfire and s'mores for everyone? That's a great idea, I just realized, but way too labor intensive.

Thanksgiving weekend was weird/fun/and predictable. It was nice to see the new house and toutes mes soeurs.

I also spent a good portion of my night cleaning/sweeping/straightening/organizing my room. Now I have a great study space for Exam week and a pleasant bed to dive into when I crash. Currently Carrie Bradshaw is looking down on me from above my bed and I find this almost comforting (I'm moving on up!) but also depressing and kind of creepy. Carrie may be banished to a corner of the apartment trop vite.

The weekend can't come soon enough!

Boom Rocket

I just found out that I won't be a TA for Dr. Brooks next semester! ARGGGGG. His classes conflict with mine, so that's super sad. This also means that I need to pick up another class. I should probz consult with mom on this.

OR.

I can switch my classes around so I can TA on Monday or Tuesday nights.... OR... he can let me TA his Intro to African Societies Class.


ANYWAY. I gave what I thought was a doomed lecture today, but it ended up going pretty well! I was sufficiently interesting (meaning mildly boring) and managed not to flub-up too much. Success in my book!

Tried the peppermint White Hot Chocolate at "Rev it Up" (Where they apparently have coffee, wine, and beer, all at the same place. Extremely tasty, even tastier because Zane paid for it.
I'm self-admittedly a huge fan of hot chocolate. it's just so tasty. I'm bummed that this hot chocolate Idea won't be happening.

I had a meeting about Internships today and in 20 minutes of conversation I became extremely self-conscious about the fact that I am applying for some of the most competitive internships out there. I'm still going to, but damn.... I need a back up plan. Like, I need a back up plan REAL BAD. hollly crap.

my (nonexistant) hip(s) don't lie.

1. Recently I've found myself crestfallen when I see I have no new email. What happened to getting 20+ messages by Noon?
2. I was right, that was a mistake.
3. Put off French homework because I was in a funk. Mom would be so upset.
4. I jump to conclusions, and I run with it. I shouldn't. I do. I'm sorry. I can't help it.
5. I also over analyze.
6. Need to email my teachers about my internships
7. I need to get to Special Reserves sometime tomorrow or wednesday
8. I need to call my rep.
9. I need to get a grip.
10. I'm looking at my old roommate's pictures on facebook, and I am amazed at how all of her friends look so similar. Same hair, same clothes, same flawless makeup. I wear makeup, but I never look as well rested/well kept as these ladies do. Turning green....


I shouldn't be so glum. I could be like Demi Moore, whose apparently missing a hip....

SHEEP.SLEEP.HEAP.HELP.KELP.FELP.FELT.FEEL.HEAL.MEAL.DEAL.DEAD

1. I need to suck it up. Jesus Christ. Divulging emotions to the exact wrong person might have unforeseen consequences. goddammit.
2. Currently listening to the Glee soundtrack. Awesome.
3. IMs from a guy I was in a show with over three years ago are totally awkward.
4. I've mastered the elusive "Vrksasana" (Vrik-SHAHS-ana), otherwise known as "Tree Pose":
I used to only be able to do the modified version, which has you balancing with your foot on your calf muscle, rather than high up on the thigh. But I've been practicing before bed, it's a good relaxer if you're interested in trying it. Full details here.
5. My anthro paper took a much shorter amount of time than I thought it would!
6. Currently listening to a podcast on Picasso's Guernica, if you're interested.
7. I'm poor. But it's okay, I have my health.
8. Cleaned my computer with a Magic Eraser. WORKED WONDERS.
9. You know it's been a while since I worked out when I hurt myself attempting child's pose. BIG YOGA FAIL.
10. Freddie Mercury had it right on a lot of things. but not on safe sex. (Sorry Freddie, too soon?)


Music I'm currently listening to/can't get enough of:
1. Hate on Me- Jill Scott (covered by the Glee Cast)
2. Nantes- Beirut
3. Battle of Bongo Hill- The Herbaliser
4. Jungle Drum- Emiliana Torrini
5. I Will Possess Your Heart- Deathcab For Cutie
6. Ya Mera Divanapan Hai- Nitin Sawhney (From The Namesake; the music in this movie is gorgeous)
7. Light Bulb- Rachel Goodrich (You might recognize this from a Crayola Crayon commercial).


I
think
it's
time
for
me
to
go
to
SLEEP.

Brutally Honest.

God how lame do I feel?

I spent all day working on homework, and only just finished part of it. Now I'm researching for my archaeology paper. What a wonderful way to spend my Saturday night. I feel like I've had more boring weekends than exciting ones lately. Maybe once all my exams are over it will be different.Mmmmmm.

Last night Zane and I made stir-fry, and I thought it turned out really well! You can find the recipe we made here. We used a wok I nabbed from my house last time I was up in NOVA, but I think a regular pan would work just as well!

As for tonight, I decided to use up the rest of the contents of my freezer/pantry, so I made bowtie pasta with shrimp sauteed in garlic and olive oil. It was good to eat something filling, but I wish this had been more flavorful, I'll have to do something different next time!

But now I'm sitting catatonic on the couch, my eyes burning from looking at my computer all day, pretty much beat. I wanted to at least read my chapter I'm lecturing on, but that might have to be something I do tomorrow.

Tomorrow's agenda?
1. Get up EARLY and head to the Richmond Public Library for some hardcore research on my archaeology paper, because this google-ing thing just isn't doing it for me.
2. Anthropology paper on Amazonian Indians (This is going to take a ridiculous amount of time to complete, ohmygod.
3. reading my chapters for my lecture!

Tryn'a get back to yoga (as I have mentioned numerous times), I think I might do some breathing before bed.


hopefully this weekend doesn't mark the beginning of an anti-social period. That would be pretty terrible timing, I have to say.


dammit. I've just spent the last 30 minutes getting myself into a weird mood. Now I have to try and sleep feeling like this.... I need someone to cuddle with.

scratch that.

I need Zane to cuddle with.

downward-facing dog chasing a pigeon pose?

So begins:
1. Saving money. I need to stop buying food and stick to my goddamn meal plan until it runs out.
2. Eating healthier: My fall back into a pasta binge has done absolute wonders (wonders!) for my figure. Too bad it's negative
3. exercising more. I want to get back into yoga hardcore. Time to break goal #1 and buy a quality yoga dvd.

bleck bleck bleccckk

The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning

This whole "ending a relationship because one person is leaving the country 2 months from now" and still having feelings for that person is kind of hard to deal with. During the day it's great because we still see each other and will continue to hang out, but at the end of the day.... it becomes very clear that we're...well... not together anymore. Things have evidently changed, and moreover, they have changed literally overnight. We don't hold hands while we walk anymore, we've swapped goodbye kisses for goodbye hugs, no more sleeping side by side..... and it all stopped with a hug and kiss at my front door.

We decided to end things because it was logical, but how far does that hold? The reasons are clear, once you put an expiration date on a relationship it's bound to go sour, so you might as well end things sooner rather than later.

I guess a logical approach to relationships never promised easy transitions.
It is strange ending a relationship when both parties still have feelings for each other....

Maybe you're the girl whose mother ambushes you at student health and demands to go into the exam room with you.

Maybe you're failing out of school.

Maybe you're having more days that are bad than are good.

Maybe you're struggling with addiction.

Maybe your family has fallen apart.

Maybe you have trouble making friends.

Maybe you've lost your job.

Maybe you feel isolated.

Maybe you're unsatisfied with your life.

Maybe you've deserted someone.

Maybe you're missed.

Maybe no one misses you.

Maybe you're tired.

Maybe you don't know what to do when you graduate.

Maybe you've realized you've been setting yourself up for your future life so long that you suddenly realize that you've been missing out on it the entire time.

And maybe you're sick.


but I'm here.

The Sorest of Times

I made a new studying mix, the only problem is that it includes just 10 songs. If anyone could recommend some great studying jams (No lyrics I can find myself singing to, please) that would be awessommme.

Abby fucking Leventhal visited me this weekend and we had a blast. I miss that girl like crazy.

stress with school has been completely overwhelming this week.
1. nails were nice, and now all completely bitten.
2. long nights.
3. taking it out on other people (sorry).
4. not hanging out with certain people (so sorry).


but today is the day to end all this stress from the weekend. I finished my archeology paper (ugh) and emailed it to my professor, and I have my french exam in half an hour. I hope I do well. The great thing about French exams is that I don't have class afterward like some classes I know (Modernism).

That modernism test was hard but better than I thought it would be.

I forget that even though I have some free time, that's doesn't mean that other people will.
bummer.

Before.and.After

CROOZ

Plans for a 21st birthday Cruise to the Caribbean are officially set! I think is going to be frightening to be traveling without my parents for the first time, but also awesome to spend much needed quality time with my sisters drankin' margarrrrritas and getting smiggedy in style. I've always had lame birthdays, so this is going to be awesome! I plan on taking a billion pictures and hopefully snuba-ing through a sunken shipwreck! (I am completely excited about this)

As for now, however, I'm in the library working on Grave analysis of some Monongahela sites. It's kind of boring, but also interesting. I can't complain, I would be in Modernism right now if my class wasn't canceled.

I'm officially applying for a scholarship for next semester! I've never done that before, but I think it's worth a shot. It's a scholarship offered just for Anthropology majors who have written archaeological/anthropological papers. I have a couple, so why not enter them? Who knows if I'll get it, but I'll have a pretty good recommendation under my belt if I apply.

Still thinking about applying for Internships at The Met, just not sure what department I want to apply for. I'm thinking Egyptian Art, obviously, but I have to choose a back up. Ancient Near Eastern? Be fully advised I don't plan on signing up for Modern Art, Jesus. They have a costume Institute, which would be fun, But I doubt I have any real skills that would apply. I think I'm probably going to choose Egyptian and Conservation.

So, 3 internships, 1 scholarship, and maybe an internship abroad. I just emailed a woman in charge of Education Abroad to see if she can hook me up with any advice about interning abroad. So many things up in the air!

This week is ridiculous, I can't even think about everything I have to do. I have an art history paper that I haven't even started and it's due Thursday! oh my goodness.

Tonight includes possibly thrifting with the boyfriend, salvaging my self-respect in French class/preparing for the exam, reading about Russian Constructivism, Outlining trends in these burials I'm looking at, and drafting out my paper on The Warka Vase and the destruction of the Baghdad Museum.


ugh I am freezing and need coffee.

Harrowweennn

Photo credits: Michele Lombardi

Happy Halloween/All Saints Day!/Day of The Dead/ All Souls Day/ Samhain/ETC ETC ETC

Best Halloween ever!

Because:
1. My costume came out perfectly, I loved it! Special thanks to Michele who cut my wig and bought the blood, John who gave me the syringe I needed, and Sid for the white shirt!
2. Didn't have to walk/bike in the rain
3. Chatted up with people I haven't seen in a while
4. kara had a blast and taught us all her signature dance move
5. So many great costumes at the party! Inspector Gadget, Tron, Barack Obama, Zombie Housewife, Ganesh's Dad....

Pictures coming soon!