So I'm sitting here working on the first half of a term paper due Friday...when I take a much needed break and check my e-mail. My friend Rita has once again sent me something fun to get my mind off school. Here are some natural highs that will make you smile... 1. Falling in love. 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. 3. A hot shower. 4. No lines at the supermarket 5. A special glance. 6. Getting mail! 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road. 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer. 11. Chocolate milkshake (or vanilla or strawberry!) 12. A bubble bath. 13. Giggling. 14. A good conversation. 15. The beach 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. 17. Laughing at yourself. 18. Holding a newborn baby. 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours. 20. Running through sprinklers. 21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all. 22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful. 23. Laughing at an inside joke. 24. Friends. 25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you. 26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. 27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner). 28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones. 29. Playing with a new puppy. 30. Having someone play with your hair. 31. Sweet dreams. 32. Hot chocolate. 33. Road trips with friends. 34. Swinging on swings. 35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger. 36. Making chocolate chip cookies. 37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies. 38. Holding hands with someone you care about. 39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change. 40. Watching the __expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you. 41. Watching the sunrise. 42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day. 43. Knowing that somebody misses you. 44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply. 45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think. I hope they made you smile. Just a few more days until break...

Not a whole lot's been going on. I haven't written in here for a while so... Have you ever wondered how when you go to get your car in the parking lot there's a ton of great parking spots...but you're leaving... And when you get back the entire parking lot is full...except of course for that small little parking spot in the corner that most people don't even consider a space...? Oh the mysteries of life... Something I've noticed, and since I'm writing in here I might as well mention, I really dislike how people feel their backpacks need a whole seat on the bus. Several times in the past week or so I've noticed this. What's up with it? It's not a huge deal, just a bit annoying. That's about it.....

So, I'm doing a presentation on preserving the environment, and in my research I looked up good old Captain Planet's website. I can't believe I thought this song was cool when I was a kid.... ------------ "By Your Powers Combined, I am Captain Planet!" Captain Planet, he's the man Leading the charge, Earth's number 1 fan! Check him out, you're gonna see He's the Mega-mac Daddy of ecology! Cap's the hero with the gumption Takes on the "overs," population and consumption Yeah, he could use a better groomer Some people say he's got a bad sense of humor "I'm baaaaaack!" But when Eco-Villains run amok Plundering and pillaging, Yuck! Cap's here to level the playing field With a Ph. D in sustainable yield But he's not the only hero for Earth Gaia's wisdom gave the Planeteers birth Wheeler's the Fire Ma-ti's go Heart Gi's got the power to make Waters part Kwame's rockin' with element Earth Linka uses Wind for all she's worth But still Greedlys and Blights trash our planet It's up to us to say, "We won't stand it!" Raise your voice and challenge your peers Say it's way cool to be Planeteers! "The Power is Yours!" ------------ You all know you have this memorized...don't kid yourself...hehe

So, I take pride in the fact that I don't get sick. Well, out of the blue Thursday I got really dizzy in my first class...and just felt awful, so I skipped by class after that and just went back to my apartment to sleep until I had to go to work. So, I've offically skipped my first class this semester... I was watching this show on TV...I think it was 10 years younger on TLC...well this lady who was older (I think 47) wanted to look younger. She went to this doctor who proceeded to tell her that it was definate that she had laughed a lot in her life because of all the wrinkles on her face, and that there of course was nothing wrong with laughing, but now she needed Botox to get rid of all the wrinkles. The doctor basically said that she should lessen her laughing per day because it was making her look older...what a bunch of crap! It reminds me of a quote I read somewhere that says that if you laugh often all your wrinkles will be in the right place. But this wasn't all the doctor said...he proceeded to say that everyone is born with full lips and that as a person ages their lips lose their fullness. So, there is nothing wrong with enlarging a person's lips because that's what they were born with. Seriously, this doctor was just trying to make this poor lady believe that what he wanted to do was all "natural", but seriously...injecting foreign stuff into your face is not exactly "natural". Anyway, I thought I'd share this story of the "older" lady and her stupid doctor. The stuff people are made to believe these days...geez Oh, and I found 5 bucks in a sweatshirt I haven't worn in forever...I feel rich!

The weekend's coming to a close...and I really haven't done much. I went to see the ISU women divers and swimmers on Friday night with my roommate. It was really cool up until the point when one of the divers hit her head on the diving board...after that...everyone flinched when a diver went off the board. So, overall it was pretty fun...minus the diver hitting her head of course... I had to finish this book for one of my classes called Brave New World. It's an awesome book. It's very futuristic...written back in the '30s...but it's crazy because a lot of the things talked about are kind of coming true... It's interesting to see how people so long ago viewed the future...and how some of the things are happening because of the increase in technology. Crazy... Anyway, I recommend you read it. Although, it is a bit controversial, so be prepared for that. I organized the fridge and freezer today...very exciting let me tell you... I won't go into all the details...hehe...but I found a bottle of orange juice from October... But I could definately say it wasn't mine...due to the fact that I can't drink orange juice... So, yeah that was an exciting find. I found a lot of other foods that no one would claim...so it makes me think...Robin and Megan...that Elmo has returned...hehe I went to HyVee and found the whole store different from the last time I was there. So, I spent longer than I wanted to trying to find the few things on my list...oh well Wow, I lead such an exciting life...hehe That's all I've got...

This is really cool... Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just take the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy... The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Class today was kinda weird. I don't know...it just seems odd to me if a professor becomes really candid. In my second class today my professor kept swearing and cracking jokes at society and stuff....yes, some things were really funny....but it's just so weird to hear these kind of remarks come from a professor. Then again...it could just be me. I just thought it was kinda weird.... Ummm...went to Robin's for Gilmore Girls...borrowed two more books..one of which is Angels and Demons. Everyone has read that book...except me of course... So, hopefully I can get that read sometime in the near future.

So...is it wrong to be glad it's finally Friday...after just a week of classes? Cuz, man am I ever... I'm not quite sure I know exactly what I've got myself into this semester...but right now it seems it's mainly going to include reading a ton, writing essays, and little sleep... Hmmm...that sounds pretty much like every semester... All the classes I'm taking should be really interesting, but they all require a lot of critical thinking...which means I really can't slack on anything...eh...I'll survive... I've mentioned this like a zillion times...but I really do hate text books... There's this book I'm supposed to be already reading in my European Politics class, but I can't find it anywhere... The bookstores first said they'd get a shipment on the 10th...but that didn't happen...now they say the shipment should be in on the 30th! Wow, that really helps me out...considering we're supposed to have the book read by then... Text books suck! So, now I have to order it online...which will take atleast a week to get. Most of my books for my other classes are all memoirs or novels...which I think will make the classes better. I don't think those should take long at all...plus a plot to a "story" will make things more interesting. Something a little ironic for ya...I just got a new roommate...and now another one of my roommates is leaving... And no, it has nothing to do with the overflowing garbage or dishes in the sink...although that's kinda grossing me out... To the weekend...

I've got homework due tomorrow that I need to start on...since it's almost midnight. Since it's Tuesday...which of course is Gilmore Girls night...I've been at Robin's with the gang. I got a cool purse from Megan and a book from Robin that looks pretty interesting..along with lip gloss for "Christmas"...even though it's after the fact. Robin didn't give me the memo that I should have brought my gifts for them tonight too...Geez Robin!hehe I spent all afternoon cracking eggs at work...they were really old..from December 20-22. Oh well, it had to be done... So...I guess I should probably start my homework..huh.. Oh I got the second to last parking spot here at Freddy...I'm glad I actually found one. I'm so far out it's crazy...oh well...it's not like I had groceries or anything...plus I can walk... Ummm...that's about it...

I haven't done much these passed few days...basically packed my stuff in a suitcase...went on a plane...and now I'm back at school. Some highlights... I saw a girl get on my plane with 3 bags of groceries as her carry on...I thought it was pretty funny...she literally had grocery bags full of oatmeal and canned goods... The old guy who sat next to me on the plane smelled like salami. It definately grossed me out...so I was glad when he moved up to the emergency exits a few rows up... Ummm...I thought I'd rearrange my room last night...but didn't do the whole makeover I wanted to. I mainly want to have some open floor space...since I've been having to slide across the room on my chair to reach the phone. The less I trip and fall the better... That's about it...

So, today has been pretty great. I hung out with my mom...going shopping and stuff. It was a lot of fun. My sister's in school and my mom had the day off. I bought this really cool shirt...which I'm very proud of. It snowed today! Not a lot of snow all over the place...but literally chunks of snow falling from the sky. It was crazy. There were little pea sized chunks all over the place...so yeah...it was a huge highlight of my day...hehe I'm getting more excited about moving out here after graduation. I love everything! School starts next week...and so I'll be in Ames Saturday night. So, if anyone wants to do anything...hint...hint...the Post Christmas Christmas Party...I'm up for it... Anyway, that's about as exciting as my life has been lately. I'm having fun being bored...but I can't believe break is almost over... That's all I've got.

Not a lot of excitement going on today...I think it might snow tonight...which is awesome.. I love snow! Ummm...went running this morning...watched Bridget Jones Diary and Harriet the Spy with my sister...and that's about as exciting as it gets. I get paid tomorrow...so to the mall I go... I saw a really cool shirt last week that I want to buy...we'll see if it's still there. Then the rest goes in the bank...every little bit helps. That's about all I've got for now....

So, I've been working on this statement of purpose for graduate school for about a week. I had to write why I'm interested in international studies and how it will help me in the future. It's supposed to be 500 words...which seemed to take me forever. I could basically sum it all up in a paragraph, but drawing it out took me awhile...anyway...it's done. I finished it this morning. So, I'm happy about that. Yeah, I know pretty exciting... Let's see, Christmas was great. Except two of my brothers couldn't make it...they'll be here this weekend. So, the whole family wasn't together...but I think we're doing something "family oriented" this weekend when everyone's here. I did get an Xbox and the new SSX on Tour game...I'm way excited about that. I love the competition games...but hate the killing ones. I'm probably the only person not crazy about Halo or 007...oh well, I don't really care. Well, my sister wants the computer... That's all for now...

Yesterday I saw Beans from Evens Stevens at the mall! You know...Evens Stevens on the Disney Channel. I was shopping with my sister and we saw him in Bath and Body Works. My sister jumped out and asked for his picture...which he let her take...and then he hurried out of the store. Crazy, huh? Break has been going okay...not a whole lot of excitement. I got most of my shopping done yesterday. So yeah...not a whole lot to report. The weather here is awesome! I went running today and didn't even need a sweatshirt outside. It's definately different than Iowa weather. So, that's about it.

So yeah...I fell on the ice. I knew it was going to happen sometime. Just as I thought luck was on my side...I didn't pay attention and down I went. Didn't hurt though, just got me completely gross with the water/dirt on the ground. I didn't really care much, except I was going out to eat.... Oh well, I just dusted myself off and went. I'm surprised I've lasted so long without falling. I've always had to concentrate on my balance (like with snowboarding) to make sure I don't fall on my butt. Of course, I don't take this against winter...it's still my favorite time of year. I love the snow, and the chill in the air...but I could definately live without the ice. I hate ice!

First off, I want to say that I've got to clean this mess of a room... I'm seriously walking on top of papers and dirty clothes to get to my computer...that's what happens when you're too busy studying to care...I suppose... So, yeah. I'm "motivated" to get all this stuff off my floor... Well, I was on the road most of today. Not going home...but visiting my grandparents. I'm spending Christmas in Colorado, so they wanted me to visit...plus I got some shopping done. I haven't really started hard core yet, but I've definately been thinking about it... So, while I was driving to Ft. Dodge (Gma and Gpa's place) I saw a van drive by with, what I believe was a Christmas tree. I felt bad for the tree...as well as the van having to show it off..hehe It was all brown, with a hint of green. It kind of reminded me of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree...but a tad bit fuller. I bet it was probably the last tree left...but what do I know, I haven't got a tree. On my drive back to Ames I got really grossed out... I was driving along this railroad, right? Well, you know those white trucks that always park on the tracks?...well one was on the tracks that I drove along with its driver next to it. Anyway, I got closer to the truck and saw something that made me almost go blind(which would suck since I was driving). All I can say is Crack Kills! Ummm, that was my exciting day. I guess it's as exciting as you make it... Now, I've got to clean this pit of a room. I seriously think something is growing in our fridge... I should probably take a look, but I'm scared...hehe I'm leaving for Colorado tomorrow morning, so I don't know when I'll be writing again. Our computer at home has something wrong with it, because my sister let one of her friends play around with it, and now it's broken. Yeah...that was a smart idea.. My pile of clothes just fell over...gotta go.

Man, I am ecstatic! I just found out my grade for Molecular Biology...a C thank you very much. It was a pretty tough class, and I can't lie...I was worried about it. So, with a C I can graduate for sure. Thank you God! I went with Robin, TP, new people: Courtney and Maura to go see Pride and Prejudice...this version was just as good as the 6 hour one I saw a few years ago. Great Movie...now I want to read the book again! High on Life.....

I'm finally done with finals...I thought this day would never come...lol Do you know the song: Jerk it Out, by the Caesars? It's the best song ever! I'm kinda hooked on it. I first heard it while playing SSX3 on Xbox...speaking of Xboxes... I'm getting one for Christmas! I'm super excited...I miss video games. But back to Jerk it Out...definately listen to it! So, where's the salt? I went to take my tests today and kids were sliding left and right. I lost track after sliding 6 times... You'd think there'd be salt on the sidewalks or something... I saw a girl running to make it to the bus in heals this morning...that's a wipe out waiting to happen. All I could think of was if she slid right into the bus...hehe...sorry, but she was really moving..lol I think I might go and take a nap that's about 3 days overdue...then again...

I got it done! Don't ask me how...but I managed to get my 10 page German paper written in 4.5 hours! Plus I made it to class on time! I'm still in ah....

8.48a So, I just finished by American Indian Studies paper...man that took forever. It's due at 9:45, so now I have a bit of time left over to actually wake up and change into "going out in public" clothes. My German paper is due at 6pm tonight...and I haven't started on it yet. Could be a bit of a problem...but I think I can handle it. Then tonight I have to study for my two tests tomorrow...which I'm hoping they only need about 2 hours each of study time...I've got to get some serious sleep one of these nights. So this goes out to Robin and Megan.... I attempted to make cookies in the still "over-heating is my specialty" oven here at Freddy. What a pain. My roommates and I attempted two batches, both of which ended in sadness. The first batch was...black, and the second looked good, but hard as a rock. I can't wait to actually have appliances that work properly. Well, I guess I should probably go make myself look descent.