I probably won't write again for a couple of weeks. I have a wedding to attend this weekend, followed by a week of vacation (to attend another wedding) out west with my guy. Try not to cry while I'm away. :)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Fantasy Fun...
I probably won't write again for a couple of weeks. I have a wedding to attend this weekend, followed by a week of vacation (to attend another wedding) out west with my guy. Try not to cry while I'm away. :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Random Thoughts, by Traci Peter (or Peber, depending on what you think my last name is)
1. Negative thoughts currently running through my head
-I don't like passive-aggressive people... not at all
-You don't have to be a psycho female dog to be a bridezilla
-The main lobby in the 'brary smells like yuckiness since the carpet was cleaned earlier in the day
2. Positive thoughts currently running through my head
-Talking obsessively about Harry Potter with others helps me cope with the book anxiety
-His Dark Materials series shall be arriving on my doorstep in a few days
-Only 6 more work days until I'm on vacation, and spend time with my beau
3. Questions in which I am currently pondering
-What do I want for dinner tonight?
-Where do I begin to write a collection development policy?
-Does my mom want to go with me to Target on Friday?
4. Things I wish I could do right now
-Amanda's dirty dolphin impression
-Travel to New Zealand, my new obsession
-Know the secret to creating a half giant
5. Present irritants
-Politics (and not just federal)
-YA Chick Lit.
-Dolores Umbridge
6. Present delights
-Rufus the pink elephant
-Being productive (I'm just taking a small break to write in here)
-Writing with a brand new pen
7. Things I hoped to have accomplished with this post
-Create somewhat of rant, without getting into details
-Show that my mind is a bit cluttered
-Stay in touch with the beloved internet
-I don't like passive-aggressive people... not at all
-You don't have to be a psycho female dog to be a bridezilla
-The main lobby in the 'brary smells like yuckiness since the carpet was cleaned earlier in the day
2. Positive thoughts currently running through my head
-Talking obsessively about Harry Potter with others helps me cope with the book anxiety
-His Dark Materials series shall be arriving on my doorstep in a few days
-Only 6 more work days until I'm on vacation, and spend time with my beau
3. Questions in which I am currently pondering
-What do I want for dinner tonight?
-Where do I begin to write a collection development policy?
-Does my mom want to go with me to Target on Friday?
4. Things I wish I could do right now
-Amanda's dirty dolphin impression
-Travel to New Zealand, my new obsession
-Know the secret to creating a half giant
5. Present irritants
-Politics (and not just federal)
-YA Chick Lit.
-Dolores Umbridge
6. Present delights
-Rufus the pink elephant
-Being productive (I'm just taking a small break to write in here)
-Writing with a brand new pen
7. Things I hoped to have accomplished with this post
-Create somewhat of rant, without getting into details
-Show that my mind is a bit cluttered
-Stay in touch with the beloved internet
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Summer Time's Almost Here...
nataliedee.com
This is a post in place of a rant that I would really really like to do, but alas, I will keep my mouth shut. :)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
It's that time...
I'm back from vacation. I'd say that I'm well rested and relaxed, but let's face it... it wasn't that kind of vacation. I did, however, see a ton of the southwest and am forever grateful for the beauty of places like the Grand Canyon and such. I also got some good family time in and proved about 95% successful as a travel agent.
Mesa Verde National Park, Spruce Tree House
Jon and I at Four Corners
Grand Canyon, North Rim (highly recommended)
KICK ASS Dinosaurs on historical Route 66
Petrified Forest National Park
I'm putting Dickens on hold for the moment in order to pursue what I anticipate to be the highlight of my summer... yes, the final installment in the Harry Potter series. I'm going to reread all 6 books (something I do twice a year anyways) with the hopes of finishing the 6th book just in time for the 7th. I think it will be the ultimate moment of both happiness for finally knowing the ending and sadness of having it all end. The younger folks at work are so excited that even the UPS guy is preparing himself for the book arrival. The fifth movie (the 5th book is my current favorite) is also coming out July 11th, so my mom and I will be making our traditional trip to the theaters. I hope all of you book nuts will enjoy it just as much as I.
I'm putting Dickens on hold for the moment in order to pursue what I anticipate to be the highlight of my summer... yes, the final installment in the Harry Potter series. I'm going to reread all 6 books (something I do twice a year anyways) with the hopes of finishing the 6th book just in time for the 7th. I think it will be the ultimate moment of both happiness for finally knowing the ending and sadness of having it all end. The younger folks at work are so excited that even the UPS guy is preparing himself for the book arrival. The fifth movie (the 5th book is my current favorite) is also coming out July 11th, so my mom and I will be making our traditional trip to the theaters. I hope all of you book nuts will enjoy it just as much as I.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Holiday
I'm about an hour away from 6 glorious days of vacation. My parents and I are packing up to fly to Albuquerque tomorrow (where Jon shall meet us), rent a car, and explore the many vistas of the Southwest.
I can't wait to breathe a happy sigh of relief as the mad months of April and May (well most of May) will be behind me, and SUMMER can finally begin.
I can't wait to breathe a happy sigh of relief as the mad months of April and May (well most of May) will be behind me, and SUMMER can finally begin.
Friday, May 25, 2007
mmmmmm NERD!
Your Score: Pure Nerd
56 % Nerd, 26% Geek, 21% Dork
For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.
The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.
Congratulations!
Also, you might want to check out some of my other tests if you're interested in any of the following:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Professional Wrestling
Love & Sexuality
America/Politics
Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST
| Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Friday, May 18, 2007
Tag, I'm It!
I have answered Amanda's challenge to complete the "8 Things" meme.
The rules -1: Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2: People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
3: At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
4: Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I have broken my right arm on two occasions. The first was as a toddler when I got pissed at my mom for putting me down for a nap, so I threw myself out of the crib. The second was in the third grade when at my neighbor's outdoor play set, I decided to cross the monkey bars with gloves on. Neither were very good ideas and I definitely paid for it!
2. I have a major fear of social dancing. I feel like there should be steps for me to learn. It's not fun, I feel like the world is looking at me attempting to dance, and I hate it when men I don't know try to come up and dance behind me. This is why I don't go out dancing, or to crowded bars, mainly because I'm not comfortable with people I don't know.
3. I knew that I wanted to be a librarian after the first semester of my second year of college. Journalism wasn't doing it for me and I needed a career where I could help find information for people without skewing people's views.
4. I question a lot about Catholicism. There are so many things that I don't agree with, the main item being the use of birth control. I just don't think that a group of old men should determine a woman's right to well, anything. I can't leave though. I go to church every Sunday and remain in awe of the mysteries and feel like I can see beyond the preachy part of Christianity straight to it's roots. I can't leave simply for that reason.
5. I have never been more insecure with my life than I was with color guard. I thrived on thinking that I was terrible for nine years. I wanted more than anything the approval of my instructors (especially in drum corps and winterguard) and to know that I was doing well, despite not having much talent. As a teacher, I miserably failed multiple times. I stayed in it about two years too long. Once I discovered my self-destructive tendencies and insecurities only seemed to lie in color guard, I quit. I don't regret quitting, but I do regret the fact that only a handful of people ever got to know the real me. I will never take something like that so seriously again.
6. I always have to do everything on the right first... from applying eye shadow to the right eye, to putting on the right shoe first, to sleeping on the right side of the bed. Somehow things will go wrong if I start on the left.
7. One of my biggest fears of getting old (like elderly old) is losing my mind or losing a functional body. I would hate to not be able to walk or remember the names of my own family.
8. My heritage is as follows: German, Czech (the main players), Irish, English, Cherokee Indian
Okay, so I tag the following (it will not be 8):
-Brett
-skwinkle
-Andrew
-Samantha
-anybody else who wants to!
The rules -1: Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2: People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
3: At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
4: Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I have broken my right arm on two occasions. The first was as a toddler when I got pissed at my mom for putting me down for a nap, so I threw myself out of the crib. The second was in the third grade when at my neighbor's outdoor play set, I decided to cross the monkey bars with gloves on. Neither were very good ideas and I definitely paid for it!
2. I have a major fear of social dancing. I feel like there should be steps for me to learn. It's not fun, I feel like the world is looking at me attempting to dance, and I hate it when men I don't know try to come up and dance behind me. This is why I don't go out dancing, or to crowded bars, mainly because I'm not comfortable with people I don't know.
3. I knew that I wanted to be a librarian after the first semester of my second year of college. Journalism wasn't doing it for me and I needed a career where I could help find information for people without skewing people's views.
4. I question a lot about Catholicism. There are so many things that I don't agree with, the main item being the use of birth control. I just don't think that a group of old men should determine a woman's right to well, anything. I can't leave though. I go to church every Sunday and remain in awe of the mysteries and feel like I can see beyond the preachy part of Christianity straight to it's roots. I can't leave simply for that reason.
5. I have never been more insecure with my life than I was with color guard. I thrived on thinking that I was terrible for nine years. I wanted more than anything the approval of my instructors (especially in drum corps and winterguard) and to know that I was doing well, despite not having much talent. As a teacher, I miserably failed multiple times. I stayed in it about two years too long. Once I discovered my self-destructive tendencies and insecurities only seemed to lie in color guard, I quit. I don't regret quitting, but I do regret the fact that only a handful of people ever got to know the real me. I will never take something like that so seriously again.
6. I always have to do everything on the right first... from applying eye shadow to the right eye, to putting on the right shoe first, to sleeping on the right side of the bed. Somehow things will go wrong if I start on the left.
7. One of my biggest fears of getting old (like elderly old) is losing my mind or losing a functional body. I would hate to not be able to walk or remember the names of my own family.
8. My heritage is as follows: German, Czech (the main players), Irish, English, Cherokee Indian
Okay, so I tag the following (it will not be 8):
-Brett
-skwinkle
-Andrew
-Samantha
-anybody else who wants to!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
May Flowers, New Hobbies, and Family Gatherings
I can't believe that it's already the middle of May. A year ago, I was preparing to move back to Georgia and desperately seeking a job.
I've taken a sudden interest in gardening. I like the smell of dirt and flowers and enjoy daydreaming about my future garden (whenever I move away). For now, I'm slowly edging myself into the gardening water, so to speak, by helping my parents out with menial tasks in their new yard. While I'm weeding, avoiding bees, and dead heading plants, I can watch them do the actual landscaping. It's good to watch before I actually attempt to do something myself (maybe in a few weeks), considering that it amazes me how I've kept an indoor plant alive for 3 years. I feel like I'm going to have even more trouble keeping outdoor plants and flowers alive.
I feel like I am truly becoming an adult with these new hobbies of mine. Long gone are the color guard days of yore. I'm really really wanting to learn archery for some reason (and maybe even some hand gun action). Not that I'll be hunting, seeking out any urgals, joining a role playing game, or joining the NRA any time soon, but I think it would be fun to learn how to shoot, especially an arrow (yes, I've been made fun of for this already, so no need to drag it on). Maybe I've been reading too many fantasy novels lately.
After sitting through two weekend graduations (punishment for not going to my own last year), we're now on summer schedule at work. I'm looking forward to shorter weeks (when I'm not working in weekends to build time) and more time to write policy and such.
Jon visited this past weekend for the first time since Christmas. It was only for maybe 36 hours at the most, but we somehow managed to squeeze in a LOT of family time. The mothers had good Mother's Days and my brother and his brother seemed to get along really well. Now both families are acquainted and I feel like I will be a little more comfortable come his family reunion in August. I can't wait for our trip to the Southwest, which is officially two weeks away from now!
Nothing else to update...
I've taken a sudden interest in gardening. I like the smell of dirt and flowers and enjoy daydreaming about my future garden (whenever I move away). For now, I'm slowly edging myself into the gardening water, so to speak, by helping my parents out with menial tasks in their new yard. While I'm weeding, avoiding bees, and dead heading plants, I can watch them do the actual landscaping. It's good to watch before I actually attempt to do something myself (maybe in a few weeks), considering that it amazes me how I've kept an indoor plant alive for 3 years. I feel like I'm going to have even more trouble keeping outdoor plants and flowers alive.
I feel like I am truly becoming an adult with these new hobbies of mine. Long gone are the color guard days of yore. I'm really really wanting to learn archery for some reason (and maybe even some hand gun action). Not that I'll be hunting, seeking out any urgals, joining a role playing game, or joining the NRA any time soon, but I think it would be fun to learn how to shoot, especially an arrow (yes, I've been made fun of for this already, so no need to drag it on). Maybe I've been reading too many fantasy novels lately.
After sitting through two weekend graduations (punishment for not going to my own last year), we're now on summer schedule at work. I'm looking forward to shorter weeks (when I'm not working in weekends to build time) and more time to write policy and such.
Jon visited this past weekend for the first time since Christmas. It was only for maybe 36 hours at the most, but we somehow managed to squeeze in a LOT of family time. The mothers had good Mother's Days and my brother and his brother seemed to get along really well. Now both families are acquainted and I feel like I will be a little more comfortable come his family reunion in August. I can't wait for our trip to the Southwest, which is officially two weeks away from now!
Nothing else to update...
Monday, May 07, 2007
Book Blog
I don't really feel like updating my life (there aren't any real updates), so I'm going to talk about some of my recent, and upcoming reads. So some of you can skip this post entirely if you don't like books, and some can move on.
I've either been reading British classics or YA literature as of late. After Tithe, which I discussed a few posts ago (eh, alright, but not willing to read the sequels), I ventured on to the latest Printz Winner, American Born Chinese. I read it in about half an hour and loved it. It's a graphic novel that weaves three seemingly different stories (The Monkey King, Jin Wang, and Danny with his cousin "Chin-Kee") into one. The drawings were beautiful and the stories focused both on cultural identity and more importantly, self-acceptance, which is key in almost all teen literature. I HIGHLY recommend the book.
After the Printz Winner, it was time for me to try another classic. I would like to eventually read all of Jane Austen's novels, so I started with Sense and Sensibility. I loved this novel (and the movie too). My favorite characters were Elinor and Colonel Brandon (especially after seeing Alan Rickman in this role). I found this novel easier to follow than my initial reading of Pride and Prejudice, but that's possibly because I'm 7 years older and have a much wider knowledge of history and literature at this point in my life (and that whole reading for pleasure thing).
Post S&S, it was time to read more YA lit. I decided on the second and third books in the "Internet Girls" series called TTFN and l8r, g8r, by Lauren Myracle. I read TTYL last summer. I'm slightly embarrassed for reading these and actually liking them a little bit (hey, I'm, um, conducting research). The books are written entirely in IM (the pages look like an instant message screen) and detail the lives of three girls in Metro Atlanta from their sophomore through senior years of high school. The jargon is actually readable (I'm just barely too old for that "lol" stuff) and the girls experience all of the normal drama associated with high school. Overall, not too bad.
On to another classic, my most recent read was Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. My boyfriend (the one who is all about some nonfiction) lent this book to me, and it is excellently creepy! Vanity, vanity, vanity... I forgot all of the drama that comes with being vain (granted, we all are vain in some way, but I used to hang around a few VERY vain people, males and females). I'm truly coming to love the Gothic horror novels because they contain elements of romance (basically, I can handle the horror). I paid close attention to Dorian's physical descriptions, but I can't get it out of my head that I think he should have a completely different physique (maybe I'm basing it on the picture below). Regardless, I almost always imagine characters different from the way the author thinks they should be. Next up, the movie!
I'm now moving on to another book, but I'm thoroughly happy with what I have read lately.
I've either been reading British classics or YA literature as of late. After Tithe, which I discussed a few posts ago (eh, alright, but not willing to read the sequels), I ventured on to the latest Printz Winner, American Born Chinese. I read it in about half an hour and loved it. It's a graphic novel that weaves three seemingly different stories (The Monkey King, Jin Wang, and Danny with his cousin "Chin-Kee") into one. The drawings were beautiful and the stories focused both on cultural identity and more importantly, self-acceptance, which is key in almost all teen literature. I HIGHLY recommend the book.
After the Printz Winner, it was time for me to try another classic. I would like to eventually read all of Jane Austen's novels, so I started with Sense and Sensibility. I loved this novel (and the movie too). My favorite characters were Elinor and Colonel Brandon (especially after seeing Alan Rickman in this role). I found this novel easier to follow than my initial reading of Pride and Prejudice, but that's possibly because I'm 7 years older and have a much wider knowledge of history and literature at this point in my life (and that whole reading for pleasure thing).
Post S&S, it was time to read more YA lit. I decided on the second and third books in the "Internet Girls" series called TTFN and l8r, g8r, by Lauren Myracle. I read TTYL last summer. I'm slightly embarrassed for reading these and actually liking them a little bit (hey, I'm, um, conducting research). The books are written entirely in IM (the pages look like an instant message screen) and detail the lives of three girls in Metro Atlanta from their sophomore through senior years of high school. The jargon is actually readable (I'm just barely too old for that "lol" stuff) and the girls experience all of the normal drama associated with high school. Overall, not too bad.
On to another classic, my most recent read was Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. My boyfriend (the one who is all about some nonfiction) lent this book to me, and it is excellently creepy! Vanity, vanity, vanity... I forgot all of the drama that comes with being vain (granted, we all are vain in some way, but I used to hang around a few VERY vain people, males and females). I'm truly coming to love the Gothic horror novels because they contain elements of romance (basically, I can handle the horror). I paid close attention to Dorian's physical descriptions, but I can't get it out of my head that I think he should have a completely different physique (maybe I'm basing it on the picture below). Regardless, I almost always imagine characters different from the way the author thinks they should be. Next up, the movie!
I'm now moving on to another book, but I'm thoroughly happy with what I have read lately.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
I'm back
That's right folks... I'm ready to blog again. The party can now start.
Ha, anyways.
I have quite a summer ahead of me. As of right now, it seems that I will be visiting 7 national parks (I've only visited one of them before)! I will also be traveling to three new-for-me states (Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada), which will means that I will have only 4 more states (Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Idaho) to visit before I've seen them all. I will also be visiting the cultural landmark known as Vegas (and don't forget the Hoover Dam), when I attend Jon's best friend's wedding in July. Basically, I can't wait to get started with all of this traveling!
I've read some fun stuff lately. I finished all that has been published thus far by Paolini. Although I could kind of predict the end of the second book, I was really happy with the ending of Eldest and thought that his writing definitely matured (well obviously, since he was in his 20s when he wrote Eldest). I then read Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar (yes for the first time). While I can't exactly relate to the book, I did enjoy reading it. My mother is convinced that everything I read is really depressing and she definitely places that stereotype on Plath. While it does discuss a suicide attempt with autobiographical elements, she does a good job of rationalizing her feelings and actions to the reader. She also adds a little humor in the book every once in a while. Anyways, I enjoyed it. I'm now reading another teeny novel called Tithe by Holly Black. I love fairy stuff, so it's a good read, although, not the best thing written ever that's for sure. I can see how teens would be drawn to it though. Next up is American Born Chinese, the most recent Printz Award winner.
In other news, my boyfriend bought a house! How crazy is that? I know a lot of people younger than me are doing these kind of things these days, but I honestly still feel like a 12 year old and sometimes forget that I'm at that age where people buy houses. I was with him in Colorado the other week when he signed the contract. He didn't even flinch. I am so proud of him! He's a bit stressed out about the planing and finding the best lender and such, but I think he'll come through just fine.
Not much else to update. I've been working weird days/times and will continue to do so until after graduation Mother's Day weekend, when my schedule will change for the summer.
Ha, anyways.
I have quite a summer ahead of me. As of right now, it seems that I will be visiting 7 national parks (I've only visited one of them before)! I will also be traveling to three new-for-me states (Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada), which will means that I will have only 4 more states (Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Idaho) to visit before I've seen them all. I will also be visiting the cultural landmark known as Vegas (and don't forget the Hoover Dam), when I attend Jon's best friend's wedding in July. Basically, I can't wait to get started with all of this traveling!
I've read some fun stuff lately. I finished all that has been published thus far by Paolini. Although I could kind of predict the end of the second book, I was really happy with the ending of Eldest and thought that his writing definitely matured (well obviously, since he was in his 20s when he wrote Eldest). I then read Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar (yes for the first time). While I can't exactly relate to the book, I did enjoy reading it. My mother is convinced that everything I read is really depressing and she definitely places that stereotype on Plath. While it does discuss a suicide attempt with autobiographical elements, she does a good job of rationalizing her feelings and actions to the reader. She also adds a little humor in the book every once in a while. Anyways, I enjoyed it. I'm now reading another teeny novel called Tithe by Holly Black. I love fairy stuff, so it's a good read, although, not the best thing written ever that's for sure. I can see how teens would be drawn to it though. Next up is American Born Chinese, the most recent Printz Award winner.
In other news, my boyfriend bought a house! How crazy is that? I know a lot of people younger than me are doing these kind of things these days, but I honestly still feel like a 12 year old and sometimes forget that I'm at that age where people buy houses. I was with him in Colorado the other week when he signed the contract. He didn't even flinch. I am so proud of him! He's a bit stressed out about the planing and finding the best lender and such, but I think he'll come through just fine.
Not much else to update. I've been working weird days/times and will continue to do so until after graduation Mother's Day weekend, when my schedule will change for the summer.
Preface...
Sometimes, there just aren't words that you can say to make any situation better. Monday's events were handled enough by the media, and the grief of anybody associated with that campus was well recorded. At the risk of seeming repetitive, let me express my profound sorrow for the family and friends of the victims, and especially for the professors who sacrificed themselves for the sake of their students.
I have purposely chosen (after following the story closely for the past few days) to no longer dwell on the CNN.com stories. After viewing the video sent to NBC, I realized that the media is giving this shooter exactly what he wanted. After taking over 30 lives on a college campus (a general place that is dear to my heart for obvious reasons), he doesn't deserve to get what he wants.
I have more opinions, worries, and concerns, but will not express them here. I'll write something a bit more positive tonight.
I have purposely chosen (after following the story closely for the past few days) to no longer dwell on the CNN.com stories. After viewing the video sent to NBC, I realized that the media is giving this shooter exactly what he wanted. After taking over 30 lives on a college campus (a general place that is dear to my heart for obvious reasons), he doesn't deserve to get what he wants.
I have more opinions, worries, and concerns, but will not express them here. I'll write something a bit more positive tonight.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Yeah...
I'm alive, but completely uninspired to write a life update, or even a reading update (even though I'm reading some cool stuff). Maybe I'll be back in a week or so with renewed vigor to write you readers some not-so-interesting stuff. For now though, nothing has changed (which is a very good thing, knock on wood) and I'll be working throughout the weekend both to make up for some time that I took off earlier in the week, and to gain some time in the future that I need off. Basically, I have a case of the blog blues and just need a little break.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Mr. Sandman
Yes?
I've been off in La La Dream land for the past week or so. I can't seem to stay grounded. All I want to do is daydream or sleep to dream (I had a dream that I went to Italy last night--who could beat that), and it's kind of getting on my nerves. I have motivation, I like what I do (in and outside of work), but I can't seem to focus! Maybe it's the 80 degree weather (that is finally going down). Maybe it's the ridiculously high pollen count (the most in years) that we're having here in Georgia. Spring fever is a bitch.
Lately I've been reading and hanging out with friends. I just finished Eragon. I thought I wasn't into dragon fantasy, but I guess I am because I really liked it (am now reading Eldest). The movie that I saw in December definitely pales in comparison, although John Malkovich as Galbatorix has been the brunt of many jokes this week. I still don't understand why they got "ssssssuper" John Malkovich to play this amazingly evil character that has yet to have a speaking role in the books. He is perhaps one of the most confusing actors I have seen in my life.
Two of my aunts and my cousin are flying in today. They should be here until early Sunday morning. I won't get to spend much time with them as I work late tonight and all day tomorrow, but it will be nice seeing them again.
Sunday, my friends Adrian and Paige are throwing me a "surprise" birthday party (well, like 4 people, two of them being my parents, will be there, which is fine with me). I'm excited because I haven't had a birthday party since the beginning of college. I turn the good ol' quarter of a century on Monday, which is somewhat frightening, and somewhat exciting. The further away in age that I get from my college years (and grad. school), the better.
Alright, back to work I suppose...
I've been off in La La Dream land for the past week or so. I can't seem to stay grounded. All I want to do is daydream or sleep to dream (I had a dream that I went to Italy last night--who could beat that), and it's kind of getting on my nerves. I have motivation, I like what I do (in and outside of work), but I can't seem to focus! Maybe it's the 80 degree weather (that is finally going down). Maybe it's the ridiculously high pollen count (the most in years) that we're having here in Georgia. Spring fever is a bitch.
Lately I've been reading and hanging out with friends. I just finished Eragon. I thought I wasn't into dragon fantasy, but I guess I am because I really liked it (am now reading Eldest). The movie that I saw in December definitely pales in comparison, although John Malkovich as Galbatorix has been the brunt of many jokes this week. I still don't understand why they got "ssssssuper" John Malkovich to play this amazingly evil character that has yet to have a speaking role in the books. He is perhaps one of the most confusing actors I have seen in my life.
Two of my aunts and my cousin are flying in today. They should be here until early Sunday morning. I won't get to spend much time with them as I work late tonight and all day tomorrow, but it will be nice seeing them again.
Sunday, my friends Adrian and Paige are throwing me a "surprise" birthday party (well, like 4 people, two of them being my parents, will be there, which is fine with me). I'm excited because I haven't had a birthday party since the beginning of college. I turn the good ol' quarter of a century on Monday, which is somewhat frightening, and somewhat exciting. The further away in age that I get from my college years (and grad. school), the better.
Alright, back to work I suppose...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Lisssssten up PEEPle!
I figure that at least my library school/work friends will appreciate this fantastic introduction to research page. My personal favorite picture is where they get caught making out at the library. I've found that people either hate or love these fantastic confections (I obviously love them). There's something about colored sugar and marshmallow formed into a lovely bird or bunny shape that is just so good!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
That's right folks, I'm in LOVE...
... with a metal dinosaur
... no wait, with Colorado!
... no wait, with Colorado!
My mom always says that when she travels to that area of the country, she feels like she's going home. She's from Nebraska, but traveled/lived in Colorado and surrounding states during summers, as my grandfather was a biology teacher/eventual professor. The west is an ideal place for summer science camps. I traveled in this area as a young child, but I have never lived out west. Whenever I visit though, I feel like I'm going home, much like my mom.
Jon lives in Ft. Collins, which is north of Denver. It is super accessible to many cool places. This visit, along with Jon's awesome best friend Ashley, we visited Rocky Mountain National Park (again), and drove thorough a minor snow storm to get to Vedauwoo Recreation area in Medicine Bow National Forrest, Wyoming. The park was even better this time than in February, mainly because everything is thawing out. We hiked around a frozen lake, saw more elk, climbed into the alluvial fan, and saw many scenic outlooks. Jon and I plan on hiking (an easy trail for my sake) next month in the park. I am luckily now well equipped now that I have a brand new pair of hiking shoes. I've never been to Vedauwoo in the winter before. Driving into the park was impossible, but we managed to walk over the snow drifts that were taller than us to enter. After a lot of memory jogging, I was finally able to find the picnic table where my mother celebrated her 9th birthday (the one under the huge rock up there). If you ever get the chance to travel through southern Wyoming, go to Vedauwoo. It will change your mind about Wyoming forever.
Sadly, Ashley had to leave us on Sunday (after a very nice visit with some puppies). On Monday, Jon and I ventured to a junk-turned-art farm called Swetsville Zoo in Ft. Collins. If you have facebook, see all of my pictures. The art is amazing, and I especially enjoyed getting fresh with a metal dinosaur/hungarian horntail. I also had fun meeting another of Jon's friends, Michael. I'm excited about getting to know him better as well as meeting his fiancé eventually.
I love being in a place where there is so much to see, so close. I'm not much of a bar/club person, so this outdoors stuff is quickly becoming an obsession of mine (don't worry, I'm too big of a wimp to take it too far). It's fair to say that I've officially fallen in love with Colorado though. It's no longer that place where I hiked a mountain at the age of 8. It's now another place to call home.
A year ago, heck six months ago, I would have never suspected that my life would be so different. On the surface it's the same, but my mentality is completely different. I feel truly blessed to be living my life.
On a bookish note, don't ever read cheesy teeny-bopper books about a girl who practices magic to solve murder and obsession in a prep school setting. I'm a huge YA fan and this was just rough.
Jon lives in Ft. Collins, which is north of Denver. It is super accessible to many cool places. This visit, along with Jon's awesome best friend Ashley, we visited Rocky Mountain National Park (again), and drove thorough a minor snow storm to get to Vedauwoo Recreation area in Medicine Bow National Forrest, Wyoming. The park was even better this time than in February, mainly because everything is thawing out. We hiked around a frozen lake, saw more elk, climbed into the alluvial fan, and saw many scenic outlooks. Jon and I plan on hiking (an easy trail for my sake) next month in the park. I am luckily now well equipped now that I have a brand new pair of hiking shoes. I've never been to Vedauwoo in the winter before. Driving into the park was impossible, but we managed to walk over the snow drifts that were taller than us to enter. After a lot of memory jogging, I was finally able to find the picnic table where my mother celebrated her 9th birthday (the one under the huge rock up there). If you ever get the chance to travel through southern Wyoming, go to Vedauwoo. It will change your mind about Wyoming forever.
Sadly, Ashley had to leave us on Sunday (after a very nice visit with some puppies). On Monday, Jon and I ventured to a junk-turned-art farm called Swetsville Zoo in Ft. Collins. If you have facebook, see all of my pictures. The art is amazing, and I especially enjoyed getting fresh with a metal dinosaur/hungarian horntail. I also had fun meeting another of Jon's friends, Michael. I'm excited about getting to know him better as well as meeting his fiancé eventually.
I love being in a place where there is so much to see, so close. I'm not much of a bar/club person, so this outdoors stuff is quickly becoming an obsession of mine (don't worry, I'm too big of a wimp to take it too far). It's fair to say that I've officially fallen in love with Colorado though. It's no longer that place where I hiked a mountain at the age of 8. It's now another place to call home.
A year ago, heck six months ago, I would have never suspected that my life would be so different. On the surface it's the same, but my mentality is completely different. I feel truly blessed to be living my life.
On a bookish note, don't ever read cheesy teeny-bopper books about a girl who practices magic to solve murder and obsession in a prep school setting. I'm a huge YA fan and this was just rough.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Pink Elephants, Henry VIII, Jane Eyre, and Nerds
Sad, but true... my fuzzy pink elephant key chain (picture to come later) is more popular than me at work. My friend Paige gave a few of us different animal key chains for Valentines Day and I decided to separate my work keys from my car/home keys. I figured that a pink elephant would never allow me to lose/forget my work keys. Now he has a name (Rufus), a questionable sexuality, and romps around with various Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Nancy Pearl, and Scooby Doo toys around the technical services area (a lot of the employees here, myself included, have toys in their offices) and has been the brunt of many, um, jokes. At least we keep ourselves entertained here with more than work, policy, and meetings.
I've also been joking (with Amanda) a lot about Henry VIII lately. If you know me, you know that I like Tudor history. After reading Marie Antoinette: the journey in the fall, I fell in love with Antonia Fraser's style of writing. I decided on checking out The Six Wives of Henry VIII for my lunch reading here at work. I've been reading it since the beginning of the semester and I'm still not even half way through it. Apparently there's also a new TV show on Showtime called The Tudors. The guy who plays Henry VIII is really, I mean REALLY hot. For the standards of the time, young Henry VIII WAS "attractive" but he was much stockier (I have seen the armor from his youth) than the guy who plays him on TV. He was such a piece of work. It amazes me how passionate he was (quick to love and quick to hate).
Talk of strumpets and trumpets naturally led to tea talk (and consequential creation of Victorian era tea shop mystery novel names like "Sconed to Death"). Speaking of scones and Victorian tea shop mysteries, I have finally finished Jane Eyre. I already miss reading it and can't wait until I can begin a re-read. I fell in love (not like that) with the character of Jane, mainly because she sticks up for herself and is strong-willed. The male characters leave much to be desired in this book, but most men aren't ideal anyways (nor women). Having perfect men in the novel would have only made it boring and perhaps obsolete by now. There's Mr. Rochester who is WAY too passionate (kind of like Henry VIII) and St. John, who can't take no for an answer and is just a cold and jerky. The lunatic wife from the West Indies was a nice addition, as I like to be spooked in fiction novels, and you don't really understand what's going on with her until the latter half of the novel. Overall, Jane is the one who kept me reading and loving the book. It was a very good re-introduction to the classics.
Can somebody tell me the difference between "dork" and "nerd" or am I just both?
I'm off to Colorado tonight to see my equally, if not more nerdy boyfriend. I shall update when I get back!
I've also been joking (with Amanda) a lot about Henry VIII lately. If you know me, you know that I like Tudor history. After reading Marie Antoinette: the journey in the fall, I fell in love with Antonia Fraser's style of writing. I decided on checking out The Six Wives of Henry VIII for my lunch reading here at work. I've been reading it since the beginning of the semester and I'm still not even half way through it. Apparently there's also a new TV show on Showtime called The Tudors. The guy who plays Henry VIII is really, I mean REALLY hot. For the standards of the time, young Henry VIII WAS "attractive" but he was much stockier (I have seen the armor from his youth) than the guy who plays him on TV. He was such a piece of work. It amazes me how passionate he was (quick to love and quick to hate).
Talk of strumpets and trumpets naturally led to tea talk (and consequential creation of Victorian era tea shop mystery novel names like "Sconed to Death"). Speaking of scones and Victorian tea shop mysteries, I have finally finished Jane Eyre. I already miss reading it and can't wait until I can begin a re-read. I fell in love (not like that) with the character of Jane, mainly because she sticks up for herself and is strong-willed. The male characters leave much to be desired in this book, but most men aren't ideal anyways (nor women). Having perfect men in the novel would have only made it boring and perhaps obsolete by now. There's Mr. Rochester who is WAY too passionate (kind of like Henry VIII) and St. John, who can't take no for an answer and is just a cold and jerky. The lunatic wife from the West Indies was a nice addition, as I like to be spooked in fiction novels, and you don't really understand what's going on with her until the latter half of the novel. Overall, Jane is the one who kept me reading and loving the book. It was a very good re-introduction to the classics.
Can somebody tell me the difference between "dork" and "nerd" or am I just both?
I'm off to Colorado tonight to see my equally, if not more nerdy boyfriend. I shall update when I get back!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Something Smells Fishy!
So I've been trying to write an entry for about 5 days now. I'd start and realize that I was revealing too much by going off on a tangent or talking about stupid boring things (some of you might say, "so what's new Traci"). Gosh darnit I'm going to write a post and you're going to like it, even if it's boring.
-So what's been going on in the life of Traci?
I've been adjusting to Lent life. I'm catholic, so I'm doing my best to not eat meat on Fridays (this is the tie-in to my title). I have been successful thus far (one week) and have managed to consume both a tuna fish sandwich and a McDonald's Filet o'Fish (God Bless). Yay Jesus!
I think my family (well, my parents and I) will be switching churches as well. We've been with good ol' Saint John Neuman since I was born, but never attend anymore, as my parents grew weary of the church when I was younger. I think they've found a place (St. Oliver's) they like now and are giving it a trial run, in hopes of making the switch. Jon's parents happen to go there as well, and I might have to start making appearances at the 8am mass to chaperon the parents.
-So what's going to happen in the life of Traci?
This weekend I will be making an appearance at the WGI Atlanta regional. My best friend and co-UGA-captain from college, Krista, will come with. I'm excited to see the few friends I have left in the activity perform and/or teach and am hoping to avoid drama, which shouldn't be difficult, but I wouldn't put it past color guard (I will be armed with a book--the ultimate escape). I'm mainly excited to hang out with Krista though, because that doesn't happen too often anymore because of schedules.
Next week is Brenau's spring break! Luckily, the president is giving faculty 2 days off, so I'll be getting on a plane once again to Colorado. Ashley K. from high school will also be visiting, and I'll get to meet his new roommate (his best friend who also went to high school with all of us) Mike. I'm happy to meet/reacquaint with his friends and I look forward to some more time in Rocky Mountain National Park. We're also planning on venturing into WYOMING (my favorite state) and will try to visit Vedauwoo, one of my favorite places in America. My mom had her 9th birthday party there at a picnic table under this gigantic rock. Every time we've visited the park since, we had take a picture there. I hope hope hope it isn't too snowy to get to that point in the park to take yet another picture.
-Moving on.
I've watched three movies over the course of the day. Beauty Academy of Kabul is an amazing documentary about women in Afghanistan. I highly recommend it, as I knew nothing of the situation. I watched it because Brenau is hosting an event with a panel to discuss the documentary next month. I also watched An Inconvenient Truth (the Al Gore documentary that just won an Oscar). While I'm not sure how much I buy global warming, I was very impressed by his research and dedication to what he calls the "climate crisis." It would have been much better without flashbacks of the 2000 election though. I hope that we get candidates for 2008 who have more genuine concern for the environment (like Gore), as it has been overwhelmingly neglected over the past 7 years. Moving on from the political ambiguity (PLEASE don't comment with a lecture on global warming), I watched Persuasion, an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Once I understood a. what they were saying and b. what was going on in the story (I have never read the novel), I really enjoyed it. I like the fact that the protagonist wasn't a ravishing beauty and it was a cute love story, although not as worthy as Pride and Prejudice.
Well that about wraps up current events, and for that matter February. I won't place any conclusions on the month as it is not officially over, but I have enjoyed it thus far for the first time in years. Hope all is well!
-So what's been going on in the life of Traci?
I've been adjusting to Lent life. I'm catholic, so I'm doing my best to not eat meat on Fridays (this is the tie-in to my title). I have been successful thus far (one week) and have managed to consume both a tuna fish sandwich and a McDonald's Filet o'Fish (God Bless). Yay Jesus!
I think my family (well, my parents and I) will be switching churches as well. We've been with good ol' Saint John Neuman since I was born, but never attend anymore, as my parents grew weary of the church when I was younger. I think they've found a place (St. Oliver's) they like now and are giving it a trial run, in hopes of making the switch. Jon's parents happen to go there as well, and I might have to start making appearances at the 8am mass to chaperon the parents.
-So what's going to happen in the life of Traci?
This weekend I will be making an appearance at the WGI Atlanta regional. My best friend and co-UGA-captain from college, Krista, will come with. I'm excited to see the few friends I have left in the activity perform and/or teach and am hoping to avoid drama, which shouldn't be difficult, but I wouldn't put it past color guard (I will be armed with a book--the ultimate escape). I'm mainly excited to hang out with Krista though, because that doesn't happen too often anymore because of schedules.
Next week is Brenau's spring break! Luckily, the president is giving faculty 2 days off, so I'll be getting on a plane once again to Colorado. Ashley K. from high school will also be visiting, and I'll get to meet his new roommate (his best friend who also went to high school with all of us) Mike. I'm happy to meet/reacquaint with his friends and I look forward to some more time in Rocky Mountain National Park. We're also planning on venturing into WYOMING (my favorite state) and will try to visit Vedauwoo, one of my favorite places in America. My mom had her 9th birthday party there at a picnic table under this gigantic rock. Every time we've visited the park since, we had take a picture there. I hope hope hope it isn't too snowy to get to that point in the park to take yet another picture.
-Moving on.
I've watched three movies over the course of the day. Beauty Academy of Kabul is an amazing documentary about women in Afghanistan. I highly recommend it, as I knew nothing of the situation. I watched it because Brenau is hosting an event with a panel to discuss the documentary next month. I also watched An Inconvenient Truth (the Al Gore documentary that just won an Oscar). While I'm not sure how much I buy global warming, I was very impressed by his research and dedication to what he calls the "climate crisis." It would have been much better without flashbacks of the 2000 election though. I hope that we get candidates for 2008 who have more genuine concern for the environment (like Gore), as it has been overwhelmingly neglected over the past 7 years. Moving on from the political ambiguity (PLEASE don't comment with a lecture on global warming), I watched Persuasion, an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Once I understood a. what they were saying and b. what was going on in the story (I have never read the novel), I really enjoyed it. I like the fact that the protagonist wasn't a ravishing beauty and it was a cute love story, although not as worthy as Pride and Prejudice.
Well that about wraps up current events, and for that matter February. I won't place any conclusions on the month as it is not officially over, but I have enjoyed it thus far for the first time in years. Hope all is well!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Easy on the Eyes
Colorado was beautiful (hence "easy on the eyes" title). I've been there twice before, but only in the summer. The sunny winter days are equally nice as the summer days though, and any place that can motivate me to want to snowshoe in the future is definitely right up my alley. I'm excited about exploring this place more over the next few months. More pictures to come.
Speaking of easy on the eyes...
So, I've finally started Jane Eyre. I LOVE it so far (only 5 chapters in). I have no initial weariness towards the content or characters, like I did with Pride and Prejudice (please note that P & P is NOW one of my favorite books... it just took a while for me to appreciate it). Perhaps it is the Victorian time period. Perhaps, I'm just older and able to understand what's going on better. There's something kick ass about a ten year old girl telling off her cruel aunt and sticking up for herself. A lot of full grown women can't do that TODAY. I'm looking forward to my first weekend home since January. Even while my grandparents are visiting, I can sit back, relax, and read (and eat ribs to celebrate my brother's 29th birthday). It's a beautiful thing.
Speaking of easy on the eyes...
So, I've finally started Jane Eyre. I LOVE it so far (only 5 chapters in). I have no initial weariness towards the content or characters, like I did with Pride and Prejudice (please note that P & P is NOW one of my favorite books... it just took a while for me to appreciate it). Perhaps it is the Victorian time period. Perhaps, I'm just older and able to understand what's going on better. There's something kick ass about a ten year old girl telling off her cruel aunt and sticking up for herself. A lot of full grown women can't do that TODAY. I'm looking forward to my first weekend home since January. Even while my grandparents are visiting, I can sit back, relax, and read (and eat ribs to celebrate my brother's 29th birthday). It's a beautiful thing.
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