So Many Beginnings

So many new things have started up recently; it's weird after doing nothing for a month to suddenly have to focus my energy on something specific.

But first, an UPDATE! The attic cleaning went very well and I'm happy to report that after a week or so of seriously obsessive work the attic is actually an attic again and not a dump for crap we don't want to see around the house anymore. I should have taken before and after photos. I don't know why I became so obsessive over it this break but if I had to psychoanalyze myself I would say that the attic represented my brain and that I had to clean it out and reorganize/restructure it so that it could be more useful. I should get started on the kitchen then…

 

Okay, so beginnings. There have been quite a few beginnings recently, especially in the past week. I joined WeightWatchers with my mom, the process was weird but I think it'll work well for me because I am the sort of person who needs a system. I can't just wing it unfortunately. So far so good though, I actually count points and whatnot. I'm glad I cleared out the attic; there is more room for yoga now.

Also in beginnings, school has started up again. This semester the classes seem to be heavily participation oriented instead of a more traditional lecture and discussion format. It'll be an adjustment but the subjects are interesting so it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

Other than that, I went to a Self-Defense class with my mom and sisters. It was both empowering and saddening because so many women have been the victims of violent attacks that these sort of precautions and preparation are necessary.

So Much Dust

I've become slightly obsessive-compulsive lately and I decided to try and focus that energy on something useful. So my latest project has been cleaning out our attic and trying to make it useful. The only thing practical up there is a weight bench (covered in stuff), a stationary bike (slowly being consumed by stuff), and a TV ( I think you know where this is going). My plan was to turn this mess of a storage room into a sort of fitness area but the whole mission is difficult because the people in my house are not helping. I don't mind that they are not assisting me in the physical process of moving things around, what annoys me is that they are impeding progress by not allowing me to throw things away. It's so frustrating that we have 4 old computers (including a Packard Bell-> Educate Yourself) and I can not throw them out because they might have "important information" on them and they may still work. First, there is nothing on those computers but the Sims and Dad's crappy first person shooter games. Second, we never bought anything online with credit cards until now and no one would freaking bother to try and get those computers to start up anyway. I wish I did not live with pack rats sometimes.
Another problem I'm having is that they don't understand why I'm cleaning out the attic in the first place. I honestly do not understand the question. What is so wrong with wanting somewhere to work out or read or whatever? The place was a mess and I probably could have thrown away a ton of crap without anyone ever noticing or realizing it. It's so hard to try and change things when people around you just dig in their heels because they don't want to be bothered. I never asked anyone for help so I don't see what the big deal is other than they can't just go upstairs and throw crap around anymore.

ugh

Trying to Get Ready

It's too early to start worrying about 2009 I think. I mean, it's never too early to plan things but it is too early to start worrying in my opinion.

I feel like I should be busier though. I'm on a long break from school right now, but I've already ordered my books and now I feel like I'm just sitting on my hands waiting for something to start. My aunt and I are doing a craft fair this spring so I should probably start designing and knitting/crocheting, but I'm feeling oddly uninspired. I blame the tilt of the planet.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

1. Get my damn license. This is pretty self-explanatory. I've been driving more this week then I have in the past 2 years but I have to be able to get myself independently now that I don't live on campus.
   
2. Become a competent seamstress. I've made a couple of things, but I really want to be able to sew and make things on my own.
   
3. Get healthy. It's weird that I'm so anal retentive about having things in a specific order when it comes to my work and hobbies but when it comes to me and what I put into my body I'm pretty lax and, honestly, lazy and sloppy.
   
4. Be awesome. Accomplished.
   
5. Read more. I hate not reading or reading stuff that is just really bad. In the past week I've done pretty well, I read "The Graveyard Book" (Oh Neil Gaiman, do you ever fail me?) and I'm currently reading "Some Danger Involved" which is about private investigators in the Victorian Era in London, investigating Jews.
   
6. Pay for school. This is going to be difficult and is going to involve some long term planning skills. This resolution is really just about this semester and next semester. It should be easier now that I'm living at home again and not having to pay exorbitant amounts of money to live in a shithole.
   
7. Procrastinate less, do more.
   

That's about all the resolutions I can make. I'm a big fan of lists but I don't want to over do it this early in the year.

Library Misadventures

Anything with the word "adventures" in it is sort of misleading when it comes to working at a library. Sad but true.

That said I do enjoy roaming around our modest collection and finding the most gross/random/outdated/insulting titles that this fine establishment has to offer. Today, I bring you "My Secret Life". So basically this guy who calls himself "Walter" (not Fitzpatrick?) kept a journal of his numerous sexual exploits in almost offensive detail. I would say I was really disturbed except I've read Harry Potter "fan fiction" (aka destruction of everything you've held dear) before so nothing can really shock or appall me. Seriously, this book is pretty disgusting. I understand reading it to compare what is described in the book to the stereotype of what the Victorian Era was really like but this is just an excuse to read a bunch of bawdy vignettes. However, if you feel the need to explore Walter's whores and farm girl experiences, feel free to pick up "My Secret Life". That seems like a rather ironic name.

 

Other than reading random Victorian porn, I haven't really been up to much. I may be moving out of my current residence soon and, if I play my cards right, into a residence of my very own. I made my class schedule this morning, once again it was traumatic beyond words. I was able to make it so I had quite a few days during the week that I could use to work. Now I just need to find a job…

 

Man I want a corgi.

What the Hell September

Oh how things have changed. I feel really bad for not updating more often, I just feel like I've been appallingly busy and apathetic in turn. I've gotten a new job (campus library) but I still feel like a slacker for the most part.
For example, I have an Ethics exam tomorrow and I should be practicing my essays and studying but I'm just so tired and it's only 8:15.
In other news, I've decided to try and sew my own Halloween outfit so we went to Joann's and all they had was "slutty (fill in the blank)" so I'm going as slutty Little Red Riding Hood but I'm going to make the skirt longer and add an underskirt. I think, I haven't started yet. I kept telling my mom while we were shopping "It's okay, Joni did 4H" when mom asked if I thought I could handle this. I hope Joni's experience helps, ha ha.
I miss the Wii.

Changes

Hm, I seem to have abandoned this poor journal for a while. Things have been so hectic lately. For example, Sam and I moved out of our dorm room and into a town house with 4 other girls. It's nice because we have more freedom, but it's also a challenge because it's like a re-learning process to live with all new people.
On top of everything else the physical plant people didn't get a chance to inspect/fix things before we moved in so there is just a huge list of crap that's wrong with this place.

1. We have no door for our bedroom
2. There was a rusted out hole in our sink, but they replaced the sink...with one that didn't fit into the counter so now we need a new counter.
3. We have ants in the kitchen behind a cabinet with no food in it
4. One of the bathroom lights is broken
5. A light in the kitchen is flickering on and off like a strobe light, nearly causing seizures.
6. The internet/cable in our bedroom is crap, making it almost impossible to do/avoid homework

Oh well, I suppose it's like every first shitty apartment.

I keep thinking of things to talk about here and yet, I always forget them.

First Day(s) of School!!!

Wednesday officially marked the first day of school and I have to say it did not start off too well. I think it was stress, but I couldn't fall asleep until 2 or 3 in the morning and when I woke up at 8 to go to breakfast with Sam/Clare/Joni/Becca I was still not feeling swell. I didn't have Ethical Theory until 11 so I made some calls looking for a work study job. Then Perception and Developmental Psych went by in a blur of syllabi and no AC.
Tuesday/Thursday classes are going to be waaaaay more interesting. First off, I have Childress again and I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me which is probably for the best as she scares the crap out of me and spending more time with her even noticing my existence would only cause stock in Depends to rise. I'm taking her Nationalism in the Middle East class and it should be educational as I know nothing about the Middle East other than it exists. After that I have Psychology of Personality and I can not explain how much I'm going to love that class. I'm not even going to try. I will say that I love Nicolai and I loved her class last semester even though I never got my research paper back. I wasn't going to do anything with it anyway.

It's off to class for me.