It's a Sip of Wine, It's Summertime

I'M DONE!!!!! With papers, with the semester, with junior year. I'm done with all of it. It's amazing. I was convinced it would never end. But now its over and I'm home for the next three weeks. It's nice to be home and have nothing to do. It will be a relaxing three weeks. Then its back to DC for the summer!!! So excited!!!
So I'm watching The Sound o Music on ABC Family right now (god, I love having nothing to do). Last night I watched Notting Hill. Then it was on again this afternoon and I was compelled to sit and watch it again. Really, having nothing to do is fantastic.
Ahhh, so many season finales this week. I'm going to go nuts. Brothers & Sisters tonight. Twenty-four next week. Bones and Grey's Anatomy on Thursday. And I'm not working this week during any of them, which is sweeeeet. I'm only workng three days. I'm pretty sure my manager realized that I'd go crazy if I had to start working tomorrow morning.
Ok, I've still got a ton of unpacking to do. My mom is making me unpack everythign even though I'm going to school in three weeks. Very annoying!

Finals

Hell week has begun... finals week! It shouldn't be that bad because, theoretically, I only have two finals. Politics tomorrow and philosophy on Friday. But I also have a paper due tomorrow, another due Wednesday and another due Thursday. So that makes the week pretty hellish. But it's almost over.
Last night I was up until 5 in the morning writing my paper that is due tomorrow. It's done though. At about 2:45 I had 3 pages and could have gone to sleep and gotten up to write this morning, or just toughed it out and finished it. I decided to finish it. So now I just have to proof read it. I'm glad I got it done because I got to relax a little bit today before starting on my next paper.
With each passing day, I'm becoming more and more concerned about the state of my summer affairs. I've got this pain in my stomach that gets continually worse as we creep closer to the weekend and my departure date. I'm going to be so, inconsolably miserable if I have to spend my summer in Bayonne. Not that I dont love my hometown, but there is nothing there for me. My dad tried to tell me today that a "good second option" would be me working 4 days a week at my g-ma's liberal, union-representing law firm in the city. I wanted to scream at him. How is that a good second option???? It not at all, anywhere close to what I wanted to do this summer. In fact, its the polar opposite of what I wanted. Does he not get how depressed I'll be? Well, at this point there is nothing I can do. If something works out in the next few days great, but its slowly sinking in that I'm going to have to go home this summer. I just have to accept it.
I have a paper on the Boston Massacre I really need to start writing.

Heat Wave

Right now (and for the past two days) the DC-Philly coridore is the hottest place in the country. Hotter than Miami, Las Vegas, California, Texas, everywhere. The average temperature has been between 87 and 92. It's hot. And it is definitely a welcome change from the rain and misery that had taken up residence in the district since the day before my birthday.
Friday we went to Loriol Plaza to get dinner and drinks. Unfortunately we went at an ungodly early hour and caught the happy hour, postt-work crew. It also meant we were done eating by like 9:30 and that we were home by midnight. In all, while the margaritas were good, the night was a bit of a bust.
Yesterday we lounged around and did nothing. I helped set up for the APO banquet in the afternoon and then showered so that pre-gaming could be done before the event started. We got there a little after 7 and immediately bought our tickets for the cash bar. I'm pretty sure Fr. Andy thinks I'm an alcoholic because he knew we had some drinks before hand, saw Andy and me walk over to the bar as soon as the bartender showed up and then (when he was deciding whether or not to have a drink) I tried to convince him that he should. Maybe not the best idea. Oh well. After the banquet, Marian and I went to Times and met up with John, who was there for his friend's 21st birthday. We closed the bar down at 3:00. It was good times (no pun intended).
Today was, quite possibly, hotter than yesterday. It was ungodly. Erin Kilroy and I went and got smoothies at PG Plaza and they were fantastic. then I came back and procrastinated before goign to the APO meeting at 5:30, where we had nominations for next year's exec board. It was interesting and pretty predictable, which led to no drama (no fun!). Although, I think the drama that unfolded at the banquet with certain alums was more than enough.
So I may have a new opening on the job front. I'm still not giving up on hte departments and agencies (they'll be getting phone calls tomorrow) but there could be another opportunity. I was checking the CUA Career Services' website today and they had some jobs listed for the summer. One was as an office assistant in the Physics Department. I hate physics but I can suck it up for a summer, because it pays $13/hour and is 9-5 everyday. That's pretty sweet money. I emailed the contact person today and attached my resume. Basically it was like "hi, i'm not a physics major, but i can file and type. will you hire me?" Maybe it will work out. Fingers crossed on something presenting itself soon because I know if I go home in two weeks and dont have any potential things, then I'm not getting back down here. I'll be commuting into NYC everyday and that is not something I want to do, at all.
Ok, I'm in Leahy procrastinating working on my media paper and then beginning my history research that is due on Wednesday. I need to get to work.

The Berlin Wall

If anyone ever needs to know anything about the Berlin Wall or Ronald Reagan's famous "tear down this wall" speech, I'm your person. After the past 2 and a half days, I'm pretty sure I could tell you anything there is to know about that topic. I thought it would be interesting and whatnot, especially since I'm a Reagan fan (really, who isnt?) but I was sorely mistaken. If I never write/type the guy's name again, I'd die happy. The same goes for the Brandenburg Gate. Really, I think the US should have just nuked the shit out of Moscow in the 50's and just been done with it. I mean, they didn't even have toilet paper. There is no way they would have been able to detect a nuclear weapon. Damn communists.
At least the paper is done. I just have to proof it, which will only take me a few minutes. Right now, I'm moving on to my philosophy essay which is due on Friday. Prove why Rousseau disagrees with Aristotle's claim that all men have a natural desire for knowledge. Joy. I think tonight is going to be mainly the research end of it and tomorrow will be the bulk of the writing. I'm just kind of burnt out tonight from writing all day. God I hate the end of the semester. On top of the paper I finished today and the philosophy paper due Friday, I have the following:
-3 pages on the film "Capturing the Friedmans"
-10-15 pages on how the Boston Massacre was the cause of the American Revolution
-8 pages of analysis on documents pertaining to a 17th century murder trial in New England
-3 pages on the film "this film is not yet rated"
-and a media paper of undetermined length on an undetermined topic
FML

On top of all this, on Friday afternoon I have to call all the different agencies that I applied to and folow up with them. Find out when or if I will be hearing from them. Hopefully that will help to give me a better perspective on where things stand. If it doesn't sound to promising after that, then Saturday and Sunday are going to be spent looking up temp agencies to register with and maybe checking out some places in Georgetown or Dupont to get a job.
Perhaps a good note though, I've decided I'm going to do Jumpstart in the fall. I have 2 days off and need to do something with my time, other than try and get a part time on-campus gig and write my thesis. Plus, if you do Jumpstart and apply for Teach for America, you are automatically pushed through to the second round of interviews. And there are only two rounds. So it definitely can't hurt my chances if I'm participating in that program while applying to T4A. Its areally good reume builder too. And, I mean, lets not forget that it actually does help young, disadvantaged kids who don't necessarily have the strongest role models in their lives. Its a win-win all around.

Hell

My media screenings are supposed to run from 5:10 to 7:00 on Tuesday nights. That's two hours for us to watch our social change documentary. More than enough time to watch tons of movies. Today, the screening ran from 5:10 to 7:40. We got out 40 minutes late!!! What. The. Fuck. Why couldn't the prof pick any one of the countless movies that are under 2 hours in length. The best part is, she told us it would run a little bit over 2 hours, but only a few minutes. That's fine. I'm thinking like 10 minutes. It was probably exactly two hours and it wouldn't be a problem. But 40 minutes? That's redic.
The next two weeks are going to be complete hell. Tonight I have to write a 5 page history paper on a book that I'm reading as I go. Tomorrow, I have class from 10-11, a tour at 12:30, class from 3-5, an ambassador meeting at 5 and I'm working the blood drive from 6-7. Then I have to come back to the room, eat dinner and write a 6 page media paper. Apparently on Thursday, APO is holding game night in our trailer. I was never informed of this. Carolyn just assumed she could use our place and that really pisses me off. Why doesn't she hold game night in her Mill apartment? So I need to clean for everyone to come over. Friday is Odyssey day. I'm working for about 4 hours after my morning class gets out. I will be going out that night. Without a doubt. Then Saturday, I have Kids on Campus Day for APO, all day. Great! That will be fun. Sunday will be spent wither in the Library or Leahy, doing copious amounts of work.
Next week, I have a media paper due on Tuesday, a politics paper due Thursday and a philosophy paper due on Friday. I also have an optional history paper to replace a grade that I nee to do. Then the APO banquet on Saturday night. That brings us to the final week of classes an then finals week.
God, for as long as the semester has dragged on (and believe me, it has dragged) it also went by kind of fast. Although, with finals week approaching, it brings up the summer and I'm still kind of anxious about that. I don't have any plans set in stone yet and it's making me kind of nervous. But I'm trying to remain relaxed and not obsess about it too much. Though, I'm not entirely sure I'm doing a good job of not-obsessing. I really am trying though.
On a complete side note, Liz has finally realized the need for us to move to Britain and meet British guys. Yay! But I'm still completely jealous that she went to Serbia and has now met a British guy that may or may not be crashing on her couch for the next month. I'm the one who loves all things Britain! Oh the injustices of the world! Haha.
Ok, time to get back to work on this paper. I have over a page, which is good. Only 2-3 more to go.

p.s. my cousin just announced via facebook that she's having another baby. those 2 move fast considering they had a just baby in may.

p.p.s. the Giants 2009 season schedule has been announced. looks like we'll have to be the road warriors again.

Midterm Week

Well, the second most dreaded week of the semester is upon us. That's right, midterms week is here. And its as bad as ever. I have a media paper due on Tuesday, a philosophy midterm on Wednesday, a politics midterm on Thursday and politics and history papers due on Thursday. Not cool. But I get to go home on Saturday, which will be nice.
So Liz and I spent the afternoon talking online and planning out which bars we will become regulars at this summer. I gotta say, I've got a feeling the summer is going to kick junior year's ass. Between the bar schedule, the pool, the beach and everything else we've got planned I don't see how it could be anything less than amazing. I was on the phone with my grandfather today and I had to tell him I'm staying down here this summer because he was asking how I'd get to and from the Kenny Chesney concert in Philly. But also told him he cant tell my grandmother because we haven't mentioned anything yet. He swore he wouldn't touch that subject with a 10 foot pole because he doesn't want to be the one to tell her that anymore than my mom or I wants to tell her. Her head will spin when she finds out on top of everything that I'm going to have my car here this summer too. Whatever, its gonna be a great summer and there is nothing my g-ma can do about it so she'll just have to deal.
I should probably start writing one of my three papers that are due this week. Or maybe study for one of my two midterms. Yea, I probably should but I most likely will just procrastinate for the reason of the afternoon and night and start everything tomorrow. Then I'll be slightly overwhelmed. But hey, I work better under pressure so I'm probably better off waiting till tomorrow to start everything. Right? Or is that faulty logic? Oh well, I'm sticking to it.

Snooze Button

I overslept this morning and completely missed my 10:00 class. I must have shut my alarm off instead of snoozing it and I was rudely awakened by my phone ringing at the exact moment I should have been walking into class.
Apparently my neighbor Frank is friends with the Senate Parliamentarian. Who knew? He decided last night that I needed to call her right away about possibly getting a job this summer. So I did and she called me back this morning and sent me flying out of bed trying not to sound like I had just woken up. We talked about where I was looking to work and how Congress isn't exactly hiring many people in this economy. Shock. You would think after they found $780 billion to spend on a stimulus package that they could find a couple thousand for some jobs. But that's democrats for you.
She thinks it would be good for us to meet and talk and go over my resume. So now we're going to go get coffee next week. Great! I can't wait. I mean, its great that she could maybe help me get a job but I don't know.... I guess its all just a little strange. Oh well, its coffee next week or I spend the summer sipping Dunkin Donuts coffee by the Boatworks pool with Thomas. I'll take the coffee next week.
I think I accidentally roped myself into having to pick up and drop off Hersh at BWI when he comes up to DC in March. I made a comment about having my car and Molly jumped all over it because the marc doesn't run on the weekends. Wonderful. Just how I want to spend two weekend afternoons. Plus I'm pretty sure Molly has OA group processing on Sunday the 22, which is the day he leaves so it may just be Hersh and me driving back out to BWI. Tons of fun ::smiles while gaging self with a wooden spoon::
Final note, anyone know of an interesting topic for an 8-12 page paper in World Politics in the Media. We have a final paper for the class and the prof wants our topics before spring break. I'm at a loss.

Say It With Me Now: "Floor... Seats..."

The Gods love me. There have been times when I've questioned whether or not that's true, but after today it is abundantly clear. I should fully explain how I came to this conclusion.
So I skipped Media class this morning. It was a shortened class because of the Mass of the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas (gotta love Catholics) so I really only missed 45 minutes. But I didn't just not feel like going to class. This morning was the beginning of the pre-sale for tickets to see Kenny Chesney in Philly this summer. And it's not just Kenny Chesney who is playing either (although he's enough for me). It's an all day concert that is also going to have performances from Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry and Lady Antebellum. Basically it's going to be a kick ass day! So Liz and I wanted to go and, since she's in Eastern Europe, I was in charge of securing the tickets. Therefore, I skipped class.
I sat at my computer all morning refreshing the ticketmaster site and, at exactly 12:00, the page popped up. Like any other person trying to buy tickets online, I rushed through the steps as fast as possible so they wouldn't sell out before I got some. I've learned that the smaller your ticket request, the better your seats. But I also knew that this was a stadium show and 90% of the seats at those concerts are bad because you're high up and/or far away. If I had gotten something mildly better than the last row at the opposite side of the stadium I would have been happy. I got my two tickets and (fearful of trying to search again and them selling out) proceeded right to checkout.
Well, I didn't really pay too much attention to the secion the tickets were in until I had finished paying and was looking at my e-reciept. That's when I realized that my ticket section was listed as F9, Row 12 which didn't sound like something you would find in a stadium. Upon further review of the concert seating chart I realized that I had somehow been blessed with FLOOR SEATS for this concert!!! I don't know how it happened, but I nearly fell over dead when it hit me that I was going to have such amazing seats in that huge stadium. Seriously, I was speechless for a good five minutes. Which was fine because no one else was in the trailer with me. Needless to say, but when I recovered my first act was to put on my Kenny Chesney Live cd, turn the volume up and dance around the trailer.
After I had finished dancing I had an epiphany. It hit me that this is a sign. It's a sign that this summer is going to be a million times better than last summer. These were officially my first confirmed plans for the summer and they turned out better than I could have imagined, so I don't see how things can possibly go wrong when I'm planning the rest of my "flip flop summer" (K.C. song). So, I don't get to check anything off my list of goals for the semester, but I'm going to think of this as the beginning of a check. It's a sign of good things to come