Frustrated and Discouraged

I have three tests this week. It really sucks. Especially because with the Olympics going on, there's not a whole lot I want to do other than plop myself in front of the tv and watch the competition. This isn't exactly the best thing to do when I have three tests to be studying for.

And so I feel frustrated with school and the time it sucks up. I can't just come home from work and do whatever. I always feel like there's some thing I should be doing for school--reading, studying, practicing, remembering. But I feel resentful of the time it consumes and the effect it has on my life. I miss those two carefree years where I had no school and no obligations.

My attempts at buying a car have been discouraging to the point where I've almost given up hope.

I know that in the end it'll be worth it, because the time is going to pass no matter what and I might as well have a degree when the year is up. So I should really just buck up and do it and stop complaining about it.

A Day With Pammy

Lessons learned from a day with Pammy:
--make an appointment if you want to get a manicure
--The Blue Plate Diner serves some of the best hashbrowns I've ever had and is, as expected, completely awesome
--checking online before going (or not going) to a store will help immensely
--too much chocolate in a short amount of time can make you feel like barfing
--when watching The Scarlet Pimpernel, which version it is makes all the difference
--never lose hope in your mission
--Robert is Bothered is quite possibly one of the funniest things I've seen
--never spend more than twenty minutes in a drive-thru when all you've ordered is two drinks
--some kids like to eat their shoes. We love them anyway.
--having a home is very important
--having great friends is equally important

Let the Games Begin

Tonight the Olympics start. I have always loved the Olympics. I have memories of watching them as a kid with my family and just being in awe of everything that the Olympics are. When my mom and sister visited me in New York last year during the Summer Olympics it was hard to not spend time just sitting in my apartment watching swimming, diving, running and gymnastics. The Olympics are awesome.

So imagine my shock when my co-worker said that she hates the Olympics. She actually hates them. She's not indifferent to them, which I could maybe be okay with, but actually hates them. I couldn't (and still can't) wrap my mind around this. She doesn't get why it's so cool, and even said, "What's the big deal getting a Gold Medal? Everyone has one. Every four years people get more." As my boss and I tried to reason with her, she became more and more convinced the Olympics were stupid.

If you are shaking your head in disbelief as you read this, and feeling a bit frustrated, then you know how I felt at work today. So I proudly declare that I love the Olympics. I love the pride I feel in my country when watching. I love that for two weeks the world comes together and we compete and share what we love. I love that I feel connected to the world around me during the Olympics. The Olympics are Awesome with a capital A.

Still Got It

Yesterday I had to give a presentatin on Solar Power for my Meteorology class. I was nervous about it all day, and on the drive to school I practiced my presentation for Emily. My presentation rocked, the teacher and students all liked it because my slides used lots of pictures, explained the topic well, and was simple to understand. Yeah, it felt good to know I still had it in me.

Then in my next class, Geography, our tests from the previous week were handed back. I totally rocked that too, even though my studying and class attendance were on Jared-level of trying (meaning there was very little trying and I didn't bother to buy the book for class). Maybe I should mention that it's a 1000 level course, so it's pretty simple. But still, I rocked it.

In a couple weeks I'll really be tested on whether or not I've still got it, since I have three tests in four days! I am already referring to it as Hell Week.

My Favorite Super Bowl Ad

While I thought a lot of the ads were lame (especially anything to do with GoDaddy or ETrade, those babies are creepy), although to be fair I'm not really their target audience--I'm a girl and I don't drink beer, there were some I really liked. This one about the Eco-Police was my favorite.



And the one with Brett Favre winning MVP in 2010, classically hilarious. Good to know the guy can poke fun at himself. Also loved Denny's and their scared chickens, and the Career Builder one with the guy who worked at a place that took Casual Friday a bit too far.

And even though I was originally cheering for the Colts, I was glad to see the Saints win. Especially when quarterback MVP Drew Brees was holding his little boy and giving him kisses. Congrats to New Orleans.

Lasagna Part Two

Remember when I tried a Pumpkin Lasagna recipe for my family a few months ago? And remember that it was a complete disaster? Huge disaster, on par with Katrina and Haiti. It's still talked about with my family; the line, "Well, it can't be worse than pumpkin lasagna," is a common phrase tossed about at dinner quite frequently.

Last night I made regular ol' lasagna, with meat and cheese, for my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. This was the result:


















I unfortunately deleted the corresponding pictures of the pumpkin lasagna, but they were the exact opposite--full plates and barely touched main dish. I'm glad it was a success, so my slowly-growing cooking confidence wasn't completely shattered.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Happy 57th Birthday Mom!

Thanks for all you do!