I ramble after eating PIE

One of my favorite things ever:
    The perfect fall day. Cool enough to wear jeans but still warm enough to wear a short sleeve shirt. A slight wind. Driving with the windows down in 35-45mph speed limit areas. Smelling fresh, crisp autumn air. And feeling the wind whipping through my hair. I love fall. I love places with all 4 seasons.

One thing I don't love: Teenagers. To a point where I almost don't want to have kids for the sole fact that I never want to reach the puberty years with them.

Favorite book at the moment: Emperor of Maladies. It's great. It also turns out that I own a lot of books. They are all sitting sadly in boxes in the garage right now. Someday babies, you will have homes on a floor to ceiling bookcase. Preferably in a library with many many many other books. And I will have a library ladder to climb to reach the ones on top. A girl can only hope.

I also have a serious obsession with Gilmore Girls right now. No idea why. Maybe because I want to have a similar mother-daughter relationship with my kid someday. Sans the daughter hooking up with a married dude. Sans the insanely rich, overbearing parents. Sans the crazy baby daddy drama. In my perfect world, I'll have a perfect marriage with perfect children who never reach puberty. Or somehow skip over it to become gracious and amazing adults who will keep me company in my old, senile age.

I like snail mail. I think it's fun to send snail mail. I think it's great to receive. I wish people would use it more often. I also hope the government doesn't completely run out of money and cancel the USPS all together.

Best thing ever? Free pie day at Baker's Square. It's delightful, rainbows, sunshine, and happiness all squished into one triangle piece of pie. What??? I like pie!

I miss the boyfriend. Sad, pathetic, but true. So sue me for saying it. Yes, I may be turning into one of those giant puddles of mush. What happened to the hardcore me? Don't worry, I still don't think I need a man for anything. Except maybe one thing... Kind of like that thing...

Anywho, I also like printing out pictures to look at. You know? We have all these technological things now, including computers to look at digital pictures on. But I still find it satisfying and wonderful to have concrete pieces of nice paper to flip through when looking at photos. What can I say, I kind of still miss the old film cameras where you had no idea what kind of pictures you were taking til AFTER you got the pictures processed. I don't think my younger sisters even know what that looks like! Sigh, feeling old now. So I'm dragging my old butt off to watch some more Gilmore Girls. Cheers!

I will Always be a Midwest Girl at heart

Favorites:

TV Show: Glee. It's amazing.
Song: Need You Now- Lady Antebellum
Food: Watermelon
Thing to Buy: Shoes. Two pairs of heels since I've been home. I have a problem, but I'm okay with it.

Here's a story, friends, about when a guy pursues a girl... it went something like this:
His thoughts: "She's so cute. She's so nice. I want to ask her out. I just got her number. This means she's interested. What should I do? I know I walked her home... so do I lean in for a kiss? Crap, I'm so drunk. I can't think that clearly... Should I give her a good-bye hug? What should I do? Sh*t sh*t sh*t and NOW..."
ACTUAL ACTION: Gives her a High Five and leaves to go home... only to be so drunk he wakes up to find himself passed out on the hardwood floor and his wallet in the fridge.

Dear friend this actually happened to,
This is one of my favorite drunken, guy-pursuing-girl stories ever. Don't worry, I still like you.

I had the honor of seeing a wonderful friend this afternoon. I love her! Anyway, we were in VS. This is where I lost my sunglasses (SOB). But also where one of my favorite memories from the summer happened. It went something like this...
I'm trying on bras. My friend is trying on swimsuits. (PS she has uhhh-mazing abs.) We're talking about what bra I should get. I'm wearing one, we had been talking about my chest and boobs in general... then she proceeds to ask me about how it feels. Unsure of what she's talking about, I respond with: they feel fine, I never get back pain, Why? She goes: um... I was talking about the bra. And we proceed to LOL in the dressing room. It was way funnier had you been there with us... me shirtless, her just staring at me like I'm insane (which sometimes I might be). It kind of brought me back to the memories of us living together... when being shirtless was commonplace. The only thing we were missing today was S. I miss both of them so much; maybe someday we'll live together again! 

I love the Midwest. 

• Driving in a car in the suburbs
• I did get pulled over by a cop last night for being a complete idiot. Good thing I didn't get a ticket!
• My silly cat
• She's so cute! And rather demanding. I may also be slightly allergic... doesn't matter. I will pet her and love her anyway.
• Sleeping in a bunk bed 
• Or as my dad calls it: a bunker bed. The same bed I've been sleeping in for years... or for most of my life.
• Hanging out at the kitchen table in my pajamas
• I do it often when I'm home now. Including right now.
• Suburban malls
• I love them! Such a different feeling here... I have spent way too much money.
• Suburban Target
• I don't think this needs further details... self-explanatory 
• Wisconsin
• I love the Home of Beer and Cheese. Though I strongly dislike cheese. It's so strange and doesn't taste very good to me.  
• I swung by my high school today. Remodeled... it's just not the same. Those blue and yellow panels you used to have? Now that they're gone, I feel betrayed.
• Badgerland...
• LOVE!

 Home Saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Home.

Drinks, Flying, Decisions

So there's this drink at a bar called Skip and Go Naked. But I always think it's called STRIP and Go Naked. Which is essentially what I like to do when I'm home alone or by myself in my room. I am currently BACK in Wisconsin (as I mentioned yesterday), blogging from the kitchen table as Dumb-Dumb stares at me lazily from the other chair. And all I want to do is strip and go naked. I probably will soon...

Some thoughts on flying:

• Being overweight is highly unfortunate for travelers.
• Sitting next to someone overweight is very unfortunate for travelers.
• Delayed flights are really no fun.
• Small children screaming and crying on flights make me want to pull the emergency escape and jump out the airplane.
• I have a love/hate relationship with the aisle seat. I like it cuz I get up and go to the bathroom without crawling over someone. I hate it cuz sleeping is slightly more uncomfortable as compared to sitting in a window seat.
• TVs on flights are awesome.
• Rocking chairs in airports make me happy and sleepy

Current fav song: California Girls by Katy Perry

So Here's The Deal:
Uganda

• Serious work experience
• Living in Africa... need I say more?
• Going back to Uganda, I love it there
• Chapati...
• Getting my hands in some serious experience, to see OVC/HIV/FP programs in the real world... to see development at work (if it's working at all)

Philippines

• Southeast Asia experience (seeing things from that perspective rather than an East Asian or African one)
  
• Finish school
• Finding an internship- but hopefully in something I'm interested in
• Traveling in SE Asia (S. Korea is one stop for sure)
• Something different and completely unknown

The problem is and always shall be Money. Finishing school... Yada yada yada... finding a job. Etc etc etc. My brain does not shut up. Can someone just give me a plane ticket and I'll go where it says to go?

Freedom and Some Favs

Freedom, it's a thing I thoroughly enjoy. I'm currently sitting all by my lonesome in a pretty empty apartment. Roommate is gone, moved out and off to Africa for 5 weeks. I'm jamming out to M.I.A. and cleaning my apartment. How I accumulated so many dirty dishes? Not quite sure.

The thing about freedom (from parents, from relationships... from school) is there is an element of unknown. You can feel free to make any decisions. Good, bad, ugly. You have to live with those decisions but the fun part is finding out what happens as a result of them.

I finished a book called Cutting for Stone. It was awesome. Definitely being put in the Favorite category. ALSO The Book Thief was FANTASTIC. I loved it. It has many stars in the Fav category. Now that I am totally slacking off, not doing school, and just working, I have time to read some things for fun. It's nice.

Usher's OMG... catchy song. Very bar friendly. We went to this bar the other night and one of their special drinks was called Skip and Go Naked. I wonder what it's like... I didn't get it but it sounded fascinating.

Another week begins...

If you really want to make me happy...

The things I love when I'm cranky, more than anything:

Bookstores. I love the feeling of books under my fingertips. I love being around books. It's an amazing feeling. Learning new things, just reading interesting things... Bookstores. They make me so happy. I love books. I adore books. I highly fancy them. I LOOOOOOVE!

Good Chinese Food. Quality, real Chinese food. It is like soul food for me. Comfort food. I can eat it and feel so happy. Fuzzy. The stuff I love is usually not super greasy. So after eating it, it's not like you feel disgusting. You just feel full and so delightful. Red bean paste. Wonton noodle soup. Egg tarts. Scallion pancakes. Rice noodles. Ohhhhhh my stars, that just makes me feel so fuzzy.

Lazy afternoon naps. They feel so good. So casual. I just don't get them as often as I'd like (like ever).

You want to make me happy? Take me to a bookstore, fill me with Chinese food, and let me take a nap. Then I'm your girl. I have done 1 of the 3 today. Chinese food. Mmmm wonton noodle soup... moon cake... egg tart... I adore Chinatown here. Ai!!!

Have a great weekend! (whoever you are)

A lazy Sunday which really shouldn't be that lazy

Current Fav Study Jams:
Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" and "Make Her Say"
Wang Lee Hom's "Hua Tian Cuo" and "Wei Yi"
Miike Snow's "Animal," "Black and Blue," and "In Search Of"

Okay, here's the thing, I was supposed to study all weekend and get as much Health Law and Medical Systems information into my head as possible. That hasn't happened. Instead... I am applying to go to Malawi for a year, made a new friend, and found some great new jams. I am in serious trouble. But I am not that worried. I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not going to care about grades as much this semester. It is what it is. I need to enjoy life along with school and if that means not getting straight A's... I think I'll live.

Extreme dislike: people who can't understand that girls and boys can just be friends without any desire for anything more. Just because you're of the opposite sex, it doesn't mean you guys are going to go at it like rabbits automatically. Friendship- there is such a thing between girls and guys.

PS Texts from last night- great reading for procrastination. And makes you laugh uncontrollably.

Mohawks, Mojo, and Much More

On my way back to this side of the US, I saw this kid on my flight. He had the most impressive mohawk going. And managed not to ruin it the entire flight. THEN as we left the plane, he put on this great hat. It had a hole cut down the center to accommodate his mohawk. How crazy yet cool is that?! I was pretty impressed. With the hair, the hat, and his entire get-up. Pretty sweet. PS he was Asian. And no, I didn't find him attractive.

It's back to the grind here. Back to school... back to reading more than I ever want to. And back to the insomnia. I am currently unable to fall asleep. It sucks. I lay here and just think. Mind racing all over the place. I can't ever seem to quiet down. Too many things to do, to plan... tomorrow is always another day. I don't get a day off of work until next Saturday... I just hope my mojo can last that long.

Current favorite song: Brooklyn by Wakey!Wakey! (yes it rocks)
Current favorite class: the one I have from 9-12 Monday, Wednesday, Friday. It's great, but it's also going to kill me.
Current favorite pastime: finding new recipes that I will probably never make
Current favorite CD: Ben Folds' Rockin' the Suburbs (yes it is still that fantastic)

My thoughts go out to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Can't wait to see how the Proposition 8 trial turns out. Seoul made it on New York Times' 31 Places to Go in 2010 list. Maybe I will venture that way this year. And finally, the BBC has told me that UK experts say having a large butt, hips, and thighs is good for my health. Does that mean I can stop working out?

Feeling like P Diddy...

Favorite upbeat song right now: Tik Tok by Kesha. Pretty sure I'm going to try to wake up to that song every morning to see if I do wake up feeling like P Diddy after hearing her sing it. I find it weird how some songs have the most absurd lyrics but are still so freakishly catchy.

Today is my last full day in Wisconsin, I fly back to that place over to the East tomorrow afternoon. (sniff) And then I start school... I'm not looking forward to it at all. I will probably die slowly and have an aneurysm by the time this semester is over. If I'm still alive in early May, I am going on a solid vacation where I can just sleep and relax.

There's so much snow. It's like living in a crazy winter wonderland where I'm scared to death to drive because let's think about it. I drive like 3 weeks a year, when I'm in Wisconsin. Other than that, I walk and take public transportation (which I have a love-hate relationship with). So the driving in snow/bad roads thing gives me nightmares.

Speaking of dreams/nightmares, I dreamed I was flying to Germany last night and I forgot my carry-on on the flight from Milwaukee to Chicago. I totally freaked out and woke up thinking I was going to forget something when I fly back to school. I wonder what that dream means... sometimes I think dreams don't mean anything. Then other times, they are a blatant indication of things I'm thinking about. I need a dream-teller... dream-explainer... you know, someone to tell me what my dreams mean. I wonder if it's kind of like fortune telling...

So my little sisters go to their friends' birthday parties and I marvel at what gets given as gifts these days. Gift cards to clothing stores... really? For my birthday, back when I was young, I had all these cool things that I wanted. I received some pretty spiffy stuff and went to some birthday parties where other people received superbly cool stuff. Parties back in the day were so much better than they are now... maybe that's because I hail from the 90's.
FOR EXAMPLE:

• Bop-it: Probably one of my favs... I wonder what that would be like to play with drunk now... probably awesome. Maybe I'll have to hunt one down to give it a whirl.
• Furbies: My music teacher in grade school had a furby that he would sit on the top of his piano during class. What a weird invention... I never had one. Back in the day, I wish I did... not so much any more.
• Beanie Babies: Okay, these toys were supposed to be worth "soooo much money." They were bean bags that had heads and tails sewed onto them. What a weird thing to have people obsess about.
  
• Pokemon vs Digimon: still haven't figured out the difference, nor do I really care.
• Fairy Winkles: Does anyone remember what these things are? I had 3 fairy winkles... or did I have the Wee Winkles... who knows. They were so cute! A little strange, but a fun toy.
  
• Polly Pocket: My absolute favorite toy as a kid. Now if you think about it, it's definitely a chocking hazard. But I loved them. I had so many... and I'm pretty sure my parents still have them all stored somewhere. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. toy. I swear by that toy

Well now that I have word vomited all over this post, I'm going to go to lunch with my mom.

Snow Snow oh the Snow

There is nothing I do better than procrastinate. And that's what I'm currently doing. I have discovered a mad obsession with a Spanish CD. I have no idea what the name of the CD is. But I feel like the current song is talking about colors... or maybe not. My Spanish is oh so bad. So I have no idea what the singers are saying. But I'm okay with that.

It snowed. Oh yes. The East Coast got dumped on by the Snow Bunny, just like the Midwest did a while ago. And through the Snow Bunny, I ventured to get to work this morning. Except I walked around with a happy grin on my face as I jumped through snow drift after snow drift. All I could think of was: SNOOOOWWWW!!! While everyone walking around me looked like they wanted to kill someone. To me, it is finally winter and Christmas time.

I am almost done. ALMOST. One more final to plow through. Bleh... If I could work up the motivation to study, we'd probably be in business. Since I don't have that motivation, I'm thinking about going to bed. Bad idea? Yes, I know.

Current Favs:
Tea: Harney & Sons Paris. LOOOOOOVE
CD: You know, this Spanish one
Food: Rice Noodles- yes, I'm Asian. Deal with it.
Hair-do: Bed head hair. Leave as is post wake-up.
Outfit: GIANT Wisconsin sweatshirt, pink Wisconsin sweatpants, pink/yellow/white striped fuzzy socks. Yes I match.
Class: All the ones that are officially over
Work: I really kind of really like my job at the store. Selling things is fun. Helping people is fun.

HAPPY SNOW BUNNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lush Lite

In true Wisconsin style, I love beer. I used to dislike it. Thought it tasted terrible. Not so much anymore. I got off work Saturday and all I could think about was beer. And pizza. I went home. 6 pack of Miller Lite and a pizza. It was awesome. I never finished the pack. So I had one tonight as I worked on a paper for one of my classes. Who says I can't enjoy life! Or the taste of beer... Now give me a Spotted Cow (which I looked for and cannot find in MA) and I'll be happier.

I'm coming back to the state for Thanksgiving. A little R&R in the Midwest- much needed. But I will have a paper to write and things to do. Oh well. Some good Wisconsin air will help my soul, I just know it. PLUS Black Friday?! HELL YES! I love getting up at the crack of dawn and shopping with the madness. It's my fav thing to do. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. The deals are great. Only a few more days...

Currently listening to: "Mickey" by B*Witched... why? Oh... I don't know. Because it's a catchy, happy song

workity work

I am officially coo-coo. I am going to work 3 jobs and do school full-time. This reminds me of a former roommate of mine and if she could do it, so can I! Though she's way cooler and more normal than I am, so that might factor in a little.

Job 1- Gourmet food store. It's a retail job selling chocolate, foie gra, caviar, tea and such. I will be an expert European chocolate seller in no time.
Job 2- Office wench. I do whatever I'm told, which will mean paperwork stuff.
Job 3- Education assistant. What does this mean? Not sure. But something about assisting trainings that go on at school... or something to that effect. I'll let you know when I know more.

But that's it! I'm going to be a busy bee for the next month and in the coming semester. And I hope to God it helps me focus and forget the funkiness and stupidity. Maybe I'll regain a smidge of normalcy back. Because right now I'm approximately 150% not. I'm in that abyss of not. So this will be good for me. Or it will kill me. Either way, I can't wait to find out.

So I'm not going to Madison for Thanksgiving. I kind of want to... but I'm going home. Close enough to Madison. Way closer than I am now. I WILL try to go there over winter break. I want to. And I have decided that I don't want to allow my parents to dictate what I do over my break. Nope nope nope. I want to see my friends and relax. So y'all who read this mumbo jumbo that I write and are in the Sconnie area, I'll see you in Madison... maybe for my b-day?! New Years?! Say yes because I need/want/crave a Spotted Cow.

Favorites right now:
Music: Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon
Book: Don't read anymore, so I have no idea (isn't that sad?)
TV Show: Brothers and Sisters
When I'm in the Apartment: Trying to wear the least amount of clothing possible... or as appropriate. hahaha
Thought: How it will be nice to have money to invest in a pair of shoes one of these days = First paycheck
Website: Perez Hilton, what better way to waste time than on trashy celeblogs

I hope Peace and Happiness follows you everywhere you go.

5 more days!!!

So... 5 more days until I get to go back to my alma mater for Homecoming!!! SOOO excited!!! I think it's kind of cool that now it's actually "homecoming" for me, being an alum and all. I am so excited to see all my friends! The one goal will be not to get TOO drunk. We all know how my liver works... not well... and I don't want to be super hungover any of the days I'm in Madison. We'll see how that goes.

So I'm currently in super procrastination mode. I haven't really done any homework all day, but I really need to. Since I'm going to be in Madison all next weekend and I have papers due the following week, I really need to get work done. Too bad I can never get anything done unless I'm under pressure. And right now, no pressure is being felt. Ugh. Someone needs to light a fire under my butt or something.

Alright, let's discuss some current things I like right now

Music: Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 CD, The Noisettes (a British Indie rock band), Marié Digby
Books: Honestly? I haven't had any time to do any pleasure reading, so I have no idea.
Food: tomato basil bread
TV shows: Grey's Anatomy (the new season rocks), One Tree Hill (it's not that great and I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to tolerate it), Gossip Girl (yes, I got into this show and I think its great)
Movies: Haven't seen any new ones recently- can't afford to go to the movie theaters.

Happy Sunday!

Favorites from this Summer

Favorite Summer Movie: The Ugly Truth, most definitely

Favorite Summer Cocktail: Mojito

Favorite Summer Song: In the Summer Time- Mungo Jerry

Favorite Summer Meal: Summer salad or light sandwich

Favorite Summer Outfit: Light, summer dress

Favorite Summer Reading: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson

Favorite Summer Moment: Sitting on the Terrace with friends, having some beer