Reporting after one of the best weekends in recent history...
WOW, what a weekend. I wish I knew how to post pictures on this thing (someday, I'll learn), because my oh my do I have a lot of them. Ask me to see them sometime-SERIOUSLY. Friday night was Brandis' birthday party, which was a nice time-lots of laughter, lots of drinking, and an amusing trip to Denny's at 3 a.m. with Brandis, Jess, Leigh Ann, and Cheryl. Springfield has long since began to grow on me, as well as UIS-not because it's the same as Chambana, but bc I can like it and appreciate it for what it is. After all of 2 hours of sleep, it was time to get up and head over to Chambana for HOMECOMING! I was sad to miss the parade on Friday night, but I wanted to be able to be at Brandis' party.

I thought I was going to die when my alarm went off, but miraculously I dragged my exhausted body out of bed to prepare for the day. Angela came over at 8:30, and we headed out soon after. After a short walk to the stadium and meeting up with many of my friends at the dwindling CR tailgate (the game had already started!), me, Ang, Lori (my sister), V, and Nat headed to our seats. We ended up losing, but of course had a good time. It was awfully windy-I've forgotten how freezing Chambana can be in the fall. Highlights of the game were most definitely Nat sticking an "Illini For Bush" sticker to the Iowa mascot's helmet (and causing their fans to freak out trying to rip it off-LOL), and of course halftime and CHIEF!

I don't care how old I get, or what happens, I will never grow tired of the 3-in-1 tradition. If you're from U of I, you know what I mean. Chief does his traditional dance at halftime, while the stadium stands and (seriously) everyone roars, "CHIEF!!!" After he's finished, we all raise our arms in a half circle and put them around each others shoulders very solemnly, then procede to sway back and forth while singing the alma mater...
Hail to the orange,
Hail to the blue,
Hail Alma Mater,
Ever so true!
We love no other,
So let our motto be...
VICTORY, ILLINOIS...VARSITY!

You can't really explain it...but singing the alma mater and honoring Chief at halftime is a special time for everyone...alumni and current students alike. You can't explain the energy of the crowd or the feelings of love and respect in the air for our beloved alma mater...it's one of the most honored traditions of any school in the United States, and uniquely our own. Even the Iowa fans shut up long enough to stand and watch solemnly...the little kids behind us watching the game with their dad were asking him about "what the Illini fans were all doing", and their dad told them-"It's their tradition. Be respectful."
Like they say...
"From the inside looking out...you cannot explain it. From the outside looking in...you cannot understand it." And that's true. It's just one of those things. Ask ANY of us-we'll tell you. I'm so proud to be an ILLINI! Like we always say...once you're an Illini...you're always an Illini. Take that, you dirty hippies!

Anyway...after the game, me, Nat, Lori and Ang headed over to Panera for soup, sandwiches, salads, and assorted drinks. Very yummy as usual. Following this, me, Lor & Ang headed to Lori's dorm to rest for a few hours and then get ready for a long night of fun. After getting ready, we headed out at about 7 (all dressed up and cute as could be!) and picked up Nat, Amanda, and Jill (Amanda and Jill had SUCH cute costumes!-Amanda was a 50's girl and Jill was a bee!). After picking up the girls and much screaming with Amanda and Jill (we hadn't seen each other in quite awhile), along with singing to R. Kelly's "Ignition" (remix-and don't ask...it was just our song and a looooong story), we got to Murphy's where we met up with Diller, Diller's gf Meagan and V. It was great seeing Diller-he looked kinda exhausted, he's soooo busy right now, but he is the most awesome of guys and seriously one of my best friends from Chambana. We all hung out for about 3 hours, and I took tons of pictures and had a WONDERFUL time catching up with everyone...Car bombs (our traditional Irish pub drinks), good conversation, and reminiscing-even if that meant my old friends sharing stories w/ my Springfield friends about the old days...lol. After Murphy's, me, Angela, Lori, and Natalie headed over to 1004-and if you've ever heard me talk about U of I you know I've mentioned 1004 and their famous parties...and last night was no exception. It'll go down in history (in MY mind) as one of the best 1004 parties ever. At the party we met up with Dan and Joe, who are both awesome friends that I miss tons. They're the most hillarious guys I've ever met and I honestly don't know how I can stand not seeing them that much anymore! I MISS THEIR ANTICS! Anyway, it was just like old times, with a lot of dancing and crazy conversation. After awhile, we moved to the kitchen (our own personal V.I.P. room-lol), where I got to catch up with Dan and Joe, while Lori, Angela, and Natalie continued dancing and getting hit on my random guys out in the living room. Me, being more of a fan of small gatherings than large, greatly enjoyed hanging out where I was at, and was eventually joined by Lor and Ang, where the 5 of us (D&J included) goofed off late into the evening. Dan and Joe also totally manged to blow my "Sweet Conservative Amy Luhnette" cover-not that I'm not, but they have many a crazy stories from my UIUC days, that is for certain. I've calmed down quite a bit since entering grad school, but it's always fun to revisit those times. After a long evening consisting of crazy dancing on all our parts, wrestling, tickling, vomiting (poor Dan), Spanish-speaking (me, Joe, Ang), and shameless flirting (Lor and Ang w/ D&J's old roommate John Tyler-whom they find insanely hot-seriously), it was time for some rest, and after dropping my boys off to get some sleep, me, Lor and Ang headed back to Lori's room at around 4 a.m. for some much-needed rest.

Today was spent recovering, talking, and various running around Chambana. This weekend just goes to show that you don't have to be drinking to have a good time (as I prove quite regularly). I enjoy reuniting with the Chambana gang (even though we all keep in touch really well via phone and IM-God bless it), but this particular weekend, I'm certain, will go down in our memories as one of the all-time best ever.

I love Springfield...and to all of my friends here-I love you guys! But to all of my Chambana friends-I love you too, miss you, and cherish all of the times we spend together-and I am so GRATEFUL that ALL of my good friends, ya'll included, are only a hop, skip, and a telephone call away!

Do we ever really move on, or do we just move past? I find myself asking this question as of late as I contemplate my current OOA (object of affection/admiration). This guy by all appearances is polite, intelligent, and without a doubt one of the nicest people I've met in recent history. I find myself quite attracted to him. All the things that a girl would look for. However, I'm haunted by past relationships and paths not taken, if you will. Ok, ok. Not just that. One person in particular. Just one. I KNOW deep down that I have to move on, but I'm wondering if that is truly possible. Do we ever really get over it? Paths not taken-I torture myself with questions about what might have been. I know this isn't healthy...and it certainly isn't healthy for an event (or events) in your past to drastically endanger future happiness, but I cannot help it. This event in the past has shaken me and undermined my confidence in the opposite sex. It has made me cynical, slightly bitter and certainly less trusting. Definitely NOT the Amy from 2 years ago. This is bad. I know it is. I'm trying to get over it, or at the very least move past it. I'm still the same person, deep down. I just need to re-discover this person inside of me and realize although she might be a bit older, a bit wiser-that she CAN be happy without the aforementioned individual.

I just need to get over it. Once and for all. Anyone who wants to offer advice-it would be appreciated.

OMG...I can hardly believe it!!

For the first time since I was 6 years old...................the SAINT LOUIS CARDINALS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was wild. I went to Bootleggers to hang with the POS crowd as usual, and of course everyone is watching the game and I'm surrounded by 98% Cardinals fans...awesome. We all held it in pretty well until the last out...and at that point in time you saw all of us leap from our feet screaming at the top of our lungs...I do mean SCREAMING, jumping up and down, slapping high fives, etc. There's nothing like being a life long fan of a team, and then watching them achieve their dream...or get closer to it! They've had this coming for quite some time...the Cardinals, being the only professioinal sports team I show REAL and genuine interest in, couldn't be more prepared.

WATCH OUT, Red Sox. There's Cardinal fever in the air!!!!!!!!!!!

(OH BTW-to all my hater cub fan friends out there...I TOLD YOU SO! This is what being a winner feels like)

Before you go around praising Michael Moore as a hero for uncovering all the untruthfulness and deceit of the Bush presidency, you MIGHT just want to consider checking out a second opinion.

http://www.davekopel.org/terror/59Deceits.pdf

And P.S.-John Kerry can wear all the Carhartt he wants. He can don camouflage and tote his big rifle around hunting geese for as long as he desires...and he can talk about God and his "religion"-but he's no Republican...and he's not fooling ANYONE. And he'll realize all of this on November 2nd when America sends his happy left-wing booty back to Massachusetts next to Ted Kennedy...where he belongs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (belated)
...to my blog! I realized it turned 1 year old 2 days agao (the 18th)...and I'm so proud of myself for keeping it up this long! Yaa-aay!

Yowza (new favorite word)...I am quite exhausted. It was another long, tiring day of subbing, but it's becoming regular (subbing)-so the money is quite good. Now, if only I can find a REAL job-hopefully before I graduate in May. I'm definitely excited about the prospect of an interview w/ the AG office.

Anyhoo...the elections are two weeks from today, and I'm going to my 2nd UIS College Republicans meeting in the history of being on campus. Frankly, the UIS CR's freak me out a little bit, they appear ultra-conservative (meaning judgemental of any moderate views-seriously, read some of the emails they send out and you'll see what I mean-you can understand why this might make me feel uncomfortable, being a moderate republican myself) and predominately male...the male part I don't have a problem with, it's just I feel somehow as they're looking at me as if to say, "Shouldn't you be in the kitchen...wearing an apron and making your husband dinner?" Yikes. This is exactly the kind of conservative male mentality I DESPISE, but everyone deserves a fair chance so..... I'm off to aid the UIS CR's in the betterment of republican candidates in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile-I have a crapload of stuff to do, including the following:
-Scream at UIS housing for charging me when I am living OFF campus this semester!
-Edit paper for POS 513 seminar tomorrow.
-Bitch at Cingular, as they have screwed up my contract. I signed up for a new plan, and they conveniently forgot to add it (back in AUGUST!). You'd think these people would have more brains....apparently not. Go to college, kids.
-Drop my new sub license off at the regional supt. bldg.

(btw-the purpose of this list is not because I think YOU, my reader, really cares-it's because I need a constant reminder and writing might just help me remember-might being the operative word)

Also-in other news-for all of you cards-haters out there, you can stfu immediately! First of all, the series isn't over. Secondly, things are REALLY close-3-2. THIRDLY, every real cardinals follower knows that our team does best when they're back in the 'lou-and that's exactly where they're headed tomorrow night. So for all you bitter cubbies fans (I'd be bitter, too-if my team hadn't been to the world series in nearly a CENTURY...and had no hope of going ever again), here's a quarter.....call someone who cares! 'Cause us cardinals fans have faith in our team and we're making plans to kick some east coast booty.

Anyway...that's the news for now. Stay tuned.

Oh, I keep forgetting this:

BIG PARTY!!! You're Invited...
2111 Carl Sandburg Ln.
Apt. #7 (my old apartment!)
Springfizzle (lol...I am so white)
Friday, October 29th, 2004
Starting: around 10 p.m.
Ending: when we run out
In honor of: Halloween!!!
(and the 22nd anniversary of the day Ms. Brandis Stokes was hatched!)
Hostesses: Ms. Brandis Stokes and Ms. Jessica West
Honorary Hostess: Ms. Amy Lynnette Hodges
R.S.V.P. (217) 417-2901 or JUST SHOW UP!

here's a new pic of me, Lori, and Jami...don't we look soooooooooo good?

(lol)

http://centralia.smugmug.com/gallery/254715/1/9990627/Large

Hey guys-haven't posted for awhile, first I was drowning in seminar papers, then I've been drowning in cough syrup...I'm getting over my seasonal allergies that ensue yearly w/ the change of summer to fall...so I'll try to catch up.

Last weekend was good times. Went home for the first time in awhile (w/ the exception of Mrs. K's funeral-and that wasn't a real visit) Visited with the grandparents and got to see the debate on Friday night-In my personal opinion, both sides did well and I'd call it a draw. Although I'll say it once-I'll say it again. If Kerry flip flops on ONE MORE ISSUE, I think I will SCREAM. Seriously. If you want an example of what I'm talking about, just click here:
http://johnkerryads.websiteanimal.com/

Frankly, I'm still too tired to rant about Kerry right now (perhaps that is what made me sick in the first place), but expect more banter on my part before election day.

Anyway, Saturday meant getting up early to see the Marching Showcase (for all of you non-ex-CHS-band nerds, that's the name for the CHS band). They're doing pretty well-the band has been through some rough times since I graduated, with the retirement of our amazing band director, Mrs. Allen, and the turnover of several new ones since then, but I have no doubt that in time the band will build back up to the championship status it saw during my high school days. Anyway, I don't particularly like the show's music this year, but the band is doing well with it-it's music from The Mask of Zorro. The band is really small, but I know they'll gain more members next year now that they're getting their act together.

http://centralia.smugmug.com/gallery/246051/4/9618611/Large

Anyway, after the band competition, we headed home so Jami could get ready for homecoming. She looked so pretty! She has grown up a lot in the last year, and is starting to ditch some of her tomboyishness...you would have never recognized her!

http://centralia.smugmug.com/gallery/246049/9/9620347/Large

That's Jami, second from the left...her date is the one with his arm around her. Her best friend, Meagan, is second from the right. My baby sister is all grown up!

In case you're wondering, the pictures above are from my dad's website, so if you're from Centralia and happen to be interested in any of them, they're for sale. My dad's getting back into the photography thing, so this is a shameless plug for him.

This is one of my favorite pictures taken by my dad.
http://centralia.smugmug.com/gallery/246040/1/9603074/Large

Unfortunately, it doesn't look nearly as spectacular with the word PROOF on it-but it's an awesome picture, as many of his are.

Anyhoo, after a long weekend, I headed back, dropping Lori off in Chambana along the way. Unfortunately I started off the week with allergy trouble, but these things happen. Monday night ML and Ang came over and we just hung out and caught up on life and drank some wine (Monday was a holiday from work for me). The rest of the week was pretty normal, working and writing for school. I actually DID go to see Alan Keyes speak on campus, and let me tell you, that man is every bit the right-wing nutjob he appears to be. Yowza. That's why I'm voting for Obama. I don't agree with everything he says, seeing as I'm something of a moderate republican and all, but the man has common sense, he's NOT a product of the Chicago machine, and frankly, I like the guy. There ya go. All of my right-wing friends can feel free to bash me now, but this just goes to show that just because you're a member of my party doesn't mean I have to agree with you or even like you. And P.S.-most of my fellow (rational) conservatives aren't voting for Keyes, either-the man is (seriously) nuts.

Friday night I went to some haunted houses (I LOVE HALLOWEEN!) in the area with the girls-it was a lot of fun, but the haunted hayride definitely didn't help my health-waking up Saturday proved this, but I managed to drag myself into work anyway. Eeek.

Anyway, I'm going to lay down right now and try to get some more rest, because I really want to get over this, but I'll post more later, that's a promise.

Growing up.. we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing so fast and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too hard, and love like you've never been hurt because every minute you spend mad or upset is a minute of happiness that you'll never get back.

WOW-no matter how hard I try not too, I love fashion. I found the most gorgeous suit tonight at FB. Despite my hatred at times for the store, they do have some very nice things. It was cream colored pinstripe, very silky and lush fabric, complete with a matching cream colored (faux) fur collar. I tried it on-ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. I was amazed, because I would never think something like that would look good on me. Problem is, it was WAY too dressy for any events around Springfield-it would have been better for a White House Christmas party. Someday, someday. Until then, I'll just settle for drooling over these gorgeous clothes. I tried to find a picture online, but there wasn't one. Then all of you could have drooled with me. Seriously, this suit was so gorgeous I could just buy it and sit around in it in my apt. and it would make me feel wonderful about myself. Throw in some great shoes and pearl earrings and bracelet, and it would be to die.

Speaking of fashion, this website has been taking up way too much time lately. That's why I also look at this website, which is more of my current price range.

Current shoes I'm drooling over at the moment...click here!

Shoes I purchased recently, but returned...click here! (they didn't quite work...I needed something not so trendy, a bit more classic-still searching for the perfect pointy-toed shoes)

Meanwhile...when I'm not obsessing about fashion, I've started applying for REAL jobs (meaning: pertinent to my degree). More details on that as they come...but I have until May before I start panicking.

That's all for now...I'm touching up the resume and heading to bed.

WOW, someone really put a lot of effort into this pile of filth. It even warranted another post in the same evening. Guess you'll have more quality reading material after all.

BTW, I'm watching the VP debate while fishing around the web, which is how I came across the above link.

I'm sick of the new lows that this campaign has sunk to, democrats and republicans alike. But I'm particularly disgusted with the leftists coming out Hollywood and their deluded beliefs that they are the only enlighted ones (from the war to the president to politics in general). They wonder why such entities as Fox News exist, I'll TELL you why they exist. They exist to combat the overwhelmingly liberal bias in the media and entertainment industry, from the New York Times to CNN to the swill coming out of Hollywood and the music industry (Nashville excluded). I am ESPECIALLY disgusted with John Kerry's inability to focus and take a real position on one issue (with the exception of his anti-Bush agenda). Despite my issues and disagreements with our current Commander-in-Chief, I would gladly take 4 more years of Bush than an indecisive, pansy-ass leader such as Kerry who is incable of taking a stand on anything unless it assures him greater popularity among his constituents.

Onto me and my politics...why I am who I am...

I'm not rich. I'm not a latte-swigging/SUV-driving/holier-than-thou/neo-conservative from an elitist suburban area of the country. I don't live off of Mommy and Daddy's money. I work, and I'm paying for grad school myself. I grew up in an upper-middle class household in a fairly moderate county in Southern Illinois. My mother and father are both teach high school. They are well-educated and intelligent, but never pretentious. I wasn't given a brand new car or a limitless credit card when I reached the golden age of 16. I drove an old (dare I say "beater") car and worked part-time while staying involved in school activities and pulling a decent GPA. I didn't run off to a big university my first semester out of high school-I stayed at a junior college in Centralia for two years where I had a music scholarship in order to save money and relieve the financial burden on my parents that may have ensued if I had headed off to U of I my first year. My parents are very comfortable, but never wasteful with their money, and heading off to college my first year would probably not changed a lot about me except for my drinking habits (which were nearly non-existent prior to my tenure at UIUC). I've been privileged, maybe even spoiled, but not to the point of rotten-ness or disillusionment with small-town America and the common man. My parents paid for my undergraduate degree. They provided me with an automobile that would get me from one place to another. But more importantly, they provided a loving home environment, unshakable support, and a strong foundation of morals-something that is rare in our society today. (as I am witnessing now that I'm a substitute teacher)

As you can see (after that long winded description), I'm not your cookie-cutter Republican. I'm pro-choice. I support tax benefits and rights for same-sex couples. I'm opposed to private school vouchers. I support health care reform. I'm a strong supporter of civil liberties and have attended gatherings of the Springfield chapter of the ACLU.

However, I am a Republican. I believe that people should be treated equally under the law, regardless of race. I believe in a government that treats individuals as adults and only intervenes when the individual is in need of assistance. I believe in the individual's right to bear arms and protect themselves in their own home. I believe the American military, and their efforts to protect our country.

I was raised with conservative values and those values are unlikely to waver as I progress throughout life. I'm not your cookie-cutter Republican who has a close-minded view about social issues or an unrealistic outlook on world issues. But I do believe in George W. Bush and his agenda for the country. I believe you don't help the poor by punishing the rich. I believe in protecting our country against the evils of the world. I believe in the ability of citizens to handle issues in their lives without government intervention.

I guess what it comes down to is this: I'm sick of being typecast as a stereotypical Republican who has blind faith in any Republican who seeks public office. My beliefs are my own, and are not a result of anything other than my own convictions.

hey guys. In my haste to post last night I managed to delete the ENTIRE THING, and after doing so was too tired to re-create it. So here I go again.

Springfield is pretty much the usual: Subbing by day, Famous Barr by night, and going out as much as possible. School is the same, as well, I'm just awfully glad that I'm 10 short hours away from my M.A. degree.

Thursday I journeyed over to Chambana to help Lori celebrate her 20th birthday. We went to Timpone's for dinner, followed by coffee and yummy desserts at Moonstruck. After this, I had to drop Lori off at her review session for her ECE class, so I went to visit with Natalie. We headed to White Horse, where we ran into Diller + his g.f. We visited for awhile, then me and Nat went and got a table, caught up on life, and watched the beginning of the Presidential debate. After awhile at the Ho, we headed over to pick Lori up, and went on to hang out in Nat's room at Armory House. I tried to convince Nat to come out with us (even tried to help her with her history paper), but she decided to stay in. Meanwhile, the CR bar crawl was 6 going on (something I didn't know about until I headed into town!), so me and Lor went to Brother's to hang with Diller and all 6 other CR's. Quite sad, honestly, to see what has happened to the organization that many of us poured our heart and soul into building up, but what can ya do? Exactly. After visiting with Diller for about an hour, I dropped Lori off at bufu FAR and headed back to Springfield, arriving at about 12:30 a.m. All in all, a great visit-short, sweet, and only involving the people I wanted it to. Everyone knows that Nat and Diller are two of my best friends in Chambana, and even if they didn't work out, they will likely remain good friends of mine for quite awhile. Plus, they're two of a very small number of people that my sister will willingly hang out with while I'm in town, so it's good.

Friday was spent working, the usual, followed by hanging out at Angela's apt. with both her and Marylynn looking at truly ridiculous links on the internet (see Tupac/Barney link below). We actually had good intentions about going out downtown, but that all changed when we became glued to the computer screen. Damn internet. Anyway, check out the following if you're ever bored or interested in wasting time:

www.joked.com

www.albinoblacksheep.com

Saturday was also spent working, and I had to bear witness to the tragedy of Christmas in October. Yes, my friends, Christmas starts October 1st where I work. TRULY pathetic-they have completely forgotten (my favorite) Halloween and Thanksgiving in favor of a comercialized, corporate whore'd version of Christmas. Sad, truly sad. I think I should boycott and celebrate Hannukah instead.

Sunday I was quite tired, but returned to the evil that is FB to work for 4 hours, but I made up for my dreary day by attending a truly FABULOUS concert that evening with Angela: The Ten Tenors, ten operatic tenors from Australia came to UIS for one concert only. Think The Other Guys, all grown up and professional (but actually way better-if that's possible), with an Australian accent. It was one of the BEST concerts I've been to in recent history (yes, really), and it didn't hurt that they were all freaking hot. (We got to meet and greet with all of them following the show, and they were all handsome AND extremely charming-plus we got their autographs!) They've became my newest musical obsession.

In other news, not much is new, but here is a particularly funny picture courtesy of Krissa and her buddies down in Murray:

http://www.msuracers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14710

What can I say-elections and politics in general unite strange bedfellows.

Also, here is a slightly disheartening link courtesy of my friend Joe's profile, but it kinda makes you wonder...are there any non-cynical guys left out there? ARE there? REALLY?

http://www.intellectualwhores.com/masterladder.html

And that, my friends, is enough worthwhile reading material to last you at LEAST, I'll say, 2 days, so until then, you can find me writing seminar papers and drinking copious amounts of Diet Dr. Pepper. Gotta love midterms. ttya'll later.

Oh, I forgot-FB, you can kiss my ass. Seriously.

http://www.joked.com/view.php?id=568&item_nr=7&total=202

This would be seriously disturbing if it wasn't so hillarious-thanks to Angela's boyfriend for introducing us all to this insane website...lol.