Etiquette Grrls

I've discovered a great website, thanks to Krissa and her Southern-belle-ness, it's under my links-check it out, I promise you'll like it. (Well some of you might not, but those same some of you probably don't read this that much, so in that case, ignore this, and go about your regular way of behavior) It's both entertaining and enlightening, and it's about time THIS belle from IL discovered it, wouldn't ya say?

Politics as usual

Right now, I'm off to the evil evil state capitol to hang out w/ our corrupted legislators and the fabulous folks from IARF-back later this afternoon, and then it's time for my weekly interrogation (a.k.a. POS 511-but Prof. Miller likes to question my every facial expression-my fellow students say he does this bc he "enjoys" me-but I could definitely think of better ways for teachers to let their students know that they like them-and no, when I say "enjoy", I don't mean it in a sick sense, so just get that thought out of your mind right here and now.). I'll post more later folks. Until then, adieu.

The end is in sight...

...And I couldn't be happier. The Summer Schedule is out, and I have planned my coursework for the last two semesters-I have 16 hours of coursework left for my master's degree, including the following:

1) Grad Seminar on Lobbying in State Government (4 hours-this summer!)
2) Grad Seminar on Terrorism & Politics (4 hours-this summer!)
3) Graduate Internship (4 hours-this fall!)
4) Closure Exercise (YIPPEE!!! I have yet to decide what this will be, but it is going to be as painless as possible-that's all I have to say about that)

And then, ladies and gentlemen, yours truly will hold a master of arts in Political Studies, and will be done w/ her higher education until futher notice (or at least until I have a few years experience-I can't have myself educated out of a job, you know)

Currently reading:
What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should)
-I picked up this book on Spring Break. Victoria read part of it and thought it was absolute crap. I admit, some parts of it are silly, but a good deal of it makes great sense to me-why act like a man in a man's world when femininity is the key to success? Work it, girls-that's all I have to say.

Currently listening to:
Keith Urban-any and all songs
-I was watching the concert special on CMT, since I'm not in Chambana now for the KC concert-I'll be seeing the gang in September at the UMB Bank Pavillion-can't wait! KU is much better in concert (it seems) than he is in his music videos-but then again, many artists are. Looking forward to a third year of concerts w/ KC, and finally seeing the hot aussie in concert.

Current activity:
Cleaning my room/packing winter clothes.
-It's about time, I say-it's become very messy/cluttered.

Congrats

To certain people who have gotten their affairs in order. You know who you are. All I can say is it's about time.

Karma

We didn't go tonight after all, bc some people bailed, leaving only 3 of us interested in going-and then WE bailed, bc we're are lame-o's and are tired from working at evil FB all day. That's why I'm writing this right now instead, but no worries-next weekend will be fun for all...WILD COUNTRY and various other entertainment!

Night Cream

IT'S WORKING, you jerks. Just FYI Dan, Joe, and Donald: (I forgot to post this in my SB re-cap) On Spring Break, we went into a casino, and I got carded, and Victoria DIDN'T-and she's a year younger than me-so HA! So I look 20. You can never be to careful when it comes to prevention and maintenance.

Confederate Flags

More SB-I forgot about this, but we only saw a couple on Spring Break-one over a Civil War cemetary (very appropriate, in my opinion), and one on the Mississippi flag-as you may know, it has the Confederate flag in the corner. However, Victoria obviously hadn't gotten over her yankee suburban-ness and shrieked every time she saw one like it was the Grim Reaper or something. Sheesh. It was just a flag. And I'm still mad I couldn't find postcards w/ one on it to send to everyone. Boooooooo...

I Believe In A Thing Called Love

Actually, I don't know if I do or not. But this is about the song-it was played entirely too much over SB-however, it's oddly addictive, I'm ashamed to admit. Although I have the horrible image of the jigga-dance in my head every time I listen to it (thank you Dan, for sharing the tape w/ all of us-now it haunts me).

Songs of the Moment

Every now and then-Garth Brooks
Desperado-The Eagles
I Believe in a Thing Called Love-The Darkness
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)-Garth Brooks
The Heart of the Matter-Don Henley
When the Sun Goes Down-Kenny Chesney

-they are all very significant at this time for one reason or another.

To sum up...

I realize this was the most random of posts-now, w/o futher ado, I'm going to bed-tomorrow I have to work AND do muchas paper-writing, bc I refuse to procrastinate anymore this semester. Yick-only 16 credit hours...only 16 more...that's what I keep telling myself.

I have just one thing to say for now (I'll put up a new post later...), and that is.......
GO ILLINI!

(I'll be at work, but rest assured I'll be sneaking up to the break room to watch my ILLINI!)

Things to complain about:

1) My hair-it's dry...and I'm getting sick of the length.
2) My skin is icky and dry in some parts and oily in others.
3) I'm sick of politicians and politicking and it's kind of scaring me bc my career plans center around them. 4) My back is hurting for some unknown reason. I think it's stress.
5) Certain people like to complain, a lot. They complain without thinking about all that they have to be thankful for.
6) I like Springfield-but I am stressed out right now and sometimes I long for the simple days when all we had to worry about was where we were going to go on Wednesday night, and what we wanted to drink. (Simple: White Horse, and R&C Pitchers)
7) I wish my Chambana friends still got along. I don't see them nearly enough as it is, and this whole nonsense of inviting them to visit in shifts (at least the CR gang) is highly annoying.
8) I can't wait to move off campus. One of my roommates is so anal about cleanliness (I like it to be clean-but she goes overboard) that we can barely breathe w/o her spraying lysol everywhere. Seriously.

That's enough out of me for now. I'm off to class. More later.

P.S.

I almost forgot! The Illini have made it past round two (sorry KD, I know we beat MSU in round 1 but ya'll put up a good fight) and are now up against none other than............DUKE. dum dum dum......keeping fingers crossed-the Illini at their best could very well beat these guys, they've got a GREAT team this year, but Duke is hot stuff, so we'll see...the cards are stacked against us but during March Madness, all bets are off-UAB already knocked out Kentucky, and Stanford got beat as well, both considered favorites, so we shall see.

Matt Diller

Is the new Student Trustee for UIUC! You deserve a shoutout-congratulations! And congratulations to the UIUC campus for proving once and for all that PEOPLE LOVE CHIEF! Hail to the orange, hail to the blue...hail alma mater, ever so true!

Vera Bradley handbags

...are becoming an unhealthy obsession. Would someone help me, please!

SPRING BREAK '04

...is almost over. I'm headed back to Springfield tomorrow, currently home in C-town, did lunch and shopping w/ Grandma C. in Mt. Vernon today-have a lot of work to catch up on. But while I'm wasting time, I'll fill in the trip details.

Wednesday
Left Centralia around 5 p.m. after Victoria successfully arrived, w/o getting lost-I DON'T live in the boondocks despite what people may think. Stopped in Carbondale @ the SIU-C campus for dinner at one of my favorite places down there, Pagali's-it's an old college haunt of my parents, and I probably love it as much as they do-it has the best pizza in the world. Move over, Papa Del's. (not that I was ever much of a Papa Del's fan...but folks in Chambana seem to think it's the greatest, whereas I do not) So that took about an hour and a half, but once back on the road I drove the speedy route through Missouri which brought us into Millington (right outside Memphis) around 11 p.m. Chatting w/ my grandparents was promptly followed by much-needed sleep.

Thursday
Pancakes, followed by a trip to the Galleria, which was cut short as I found I had a flat tire leaving my grandparent's driveway...after a walk back to my grandparent's, my grandfather helped us fix the tire and V got her first glimpse of southern hospitality when one of the neighbors came by and helped my grandfather fix it. Finally, after purchasing a new tire, we got to the Galleria, where I purchased an uber-cute shirt and some salon products. After shopping, we headed back into Millington to eat dinner, and then explored downtown Memphis for the better part of the evening.

Friday
Elvis' home, (Graceland) and random souvenir shopping, followed by an evening in Tunica, Mississippi-the Vegas of the south. On the way to Tunica, V commented on the fact that my accent had grown increasingly southern in our short time down there, but I explained to her that this happens whenever I visit, seeing as my grandparents have strong accents. Since we didn't want to waste a lot of money, V and I made it our duty to collect coin cups from every casino we went to, and ended up not spending that much money but having fun. Between the complimentary drinks and flashing lights, it was an entertaining evening.

Saturday
Wal-Mart, Galleria, Peabody Ducks (if you're unsure what I'm talking about, ask me sometime about them...) and Rendezvous-the best bbq joint the world has ever known. Wanted to spend some time on Beale street, but thanks to the rain, it was nearly impossible. Other than Saturday night, the weather was absolutely beautiful.

Sunday
Church, luncheon w/ my grandparents, then headed back to C-town, making extremely good time, upon arrival, V headed back to Chambana. And that was spring break!

I'll write more later. Until then, I have much to work on before this week is over. Later gang!

Disgusted
...more political banter...

Disgusted with the primary results, that is-so disgusted, in fact, that I actually might vote for a democrat for senate this time around. Yes, that's right, and to my republican friends reading this (there are a lot of you), don't you dare throw a fit, because you can't give me any legitimate reasons to vote for Jack Ryan, other than the fact he's a member of the party that I have claimed to support for many, many years. I've never voted blindly according to party lines, and this upcoming election will be NO EXCEPTION! Maybe it will result in me not voting for some races (i.e. Senate), but as far as I'm concerned, the only decent candidate in the entire senate race is out-so I'm not sure what to do next. I'll end up voting for someone, but rest assured, there's a good chance it won't be our buddy Jack. His looks are superseded only by his arrogance.

Now, I'll take the opportunity to vent on what I consider to be big problems-not just in our state, but throughout the nation.

First*, I'm disgusted by the fact that the citizens of our "great" state are so gosh-darn apathetic about politics. They can't get off their lazy behinds and actually care about elections to save their lives. The majority refuse to get to know their candidates or even bother voting; instead, those who actually choose to vote typically throw their support blindly behind the candidate w/ the most and flashiest television ads. Citizens take every opportunity they can to complain when politicians screw up, but do they really give a rat's behind when it comes to identifying themselves with a particular candidate or even voting in elections? NO! You don't have a right to complain if you don't know your candidates and VOTE...so just DO IT!

*With that out of the way, I can understand why some people DON'T vote-with as many individuals running for political office as there are, and with so many of them being power & money hungry slimeballs who are shackled to the special interests and corporations, it's easy to see why people get jaded. However, this can all be changed if people would actually get off their behinds, mobilize, and VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! It's a vicious cycle...but it has to be stopped and the only way this can happen is if the people make it happen.

Secondly, I'm disgusted by the system, one that allows such exorbitant amounts of money to be spent on political campaigns. It should come down to issues, not fat pocketbooks & party darlings, and 95% of the time this is not the case. Viva la Campaign Finance Reform, and John McCain, one of my political heros. I can only hope that there will be sincere changes in the future-and on a sidenote-I have sincere respect for John McCain for never backing down when it came to his principles/beliefs. He's the man.

Finally (at least for tonight), let me take this opportunity to go off on the Electoral College. I know what you're thinking-this is the reason that the GOP has their man in office right now-and that is fine, I voted for him, and despite my problems w/ Dubya, am glad that he is there instead of Gore-but I still have issues with the Electoral College, and always have. Here are two of them:
1) The electoral college is disproportionate in terms of representation-it does not represent the citizens of the U.S. equally. Look at the delegate/citizen ratio in California, and compare it to that of Wyoming, and you'll see what I'm talking about. I know California is liberal, but still, we live in a democracy-and our citizens should be equally represented, and they AREN'T with the current system.
2) In states such as Illinois, along with other states that lean in one direction heavily in terms of partisanship, it makes my vote pretty much worthless. Sure, if I can get enough people to back my candidate, then he might have a shot of taking the state, but I hate to say it kiddies, as much as everyone might want it, Dubya isn't gonna take Illinois in '04-which makes my participation pretty much pointless, if it is going to be a slew of Democratic delegates choosing the president (not me). And the same goes for the states that lean Republican. The Electoral College completely de-legitimizes the entire democratic process, implying that the citizens of the United States aren't capable of choosing a president by themselves. It's infuriating to me.

Memphis! Tomorrow!

Enough about politics for now. I'm on Spring break and I'm leaving for Memphis tomorrow, currently packing-so excited! Beale Street, Wolfchase, B.B. King's, the Rendezvous, Graceland...here I come again! Memphis is hands down one of my favorite cities...no matter where I travel, this place always feels like a second home to me-and I love the energy and atmosphere of this lovely southern city. I can't wait to get back. Details of the trip shall follow upon my return. Looking forward to good food, great music, fabulous shopping, and an all-around great time. This shouldn't be a problem.

Chief

They're voting on Chief back at the good ol' Alma Mater...I'll save Chief Illiniwek banter for another day...tonight it's all about he primary...but we'll see what the UIUC student body has to say about the issue. Should be interesting. Meanwhile, good luck to Matty McDiller, running for Student Trustee, and Amy A., running for S.O.R.F., and Schlau, running for the organization formerly known as ISG. If you're reading this and currently attend U of I, vote for these kids, and if I've forgotten you in my list, I'm sincerely sorry-after all, I've graduated and don't follow these things beyond my friends' IM profiles-I wish you all the best.

Wild Country

STL-April 2nd-it's gonna be fab. Plans underway to attend w/ some of the Spfld. crew, and meet up w/ old friends from the KC days...if anyone would like to join the festivities, let me know-you're more than welcome-it's going to be a blast!

Procrastination Ensues

My papers still aren't finished! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! Oh well, I've got over a week-darn this blissful state of relaxation I've fallen into.

That's all for now folks, hope you have a wonderful week, and I'll see you/talk to you/post for you when I get back.

So I'm home in Centralia for the moment and it feels awfully darn nice...good food, my own bed, etc...and no hard water. My hair is so fabulous when I'm here. Too bad it was just an overnight trip.

Last night was girls night out w/ Cheryl, where we had a 2 1/2 hour dinner in Mt. Vernon w/ girly drinks, good food, and great conversation. Haven't seen her since the end of August, so it was good to play catch up. The nice thing about best friends is that no matter where you are or what you do, and no matter how long it is between visits, you can always pick right up where you left off. Such is true of many of my friends from home. First weekend in April I made plans to come to STL to go out w/ the crowd from KC and such-I'm so excited, I haven't seen so many of those kids in such a long time. And we're planning to go visit Krissa just as soon as the three of us can get a weekend in common...hopefully something towards the end of April.

But anyway, back to being home...I've forgotten how nice a small town feels, it's like nothing in the big bad world can harm you. Just like the Alabama song, "Down Home". Not to act like I don't like the big bad world, but it's always good to go back. I'm forever grateful that 26 years ago, when my father graduated college, he chose to turn down a job w/ the Chicago Trib and take a job at a downstate newspaper instead. Many people may be like, "What was he THINKING?" but I'm forever grateful that he and my mother chose to call SO-IL home, and I'm not just another suburbanite. Southern IL, where people are still cordial to one another, you can leave your car and house unlocked w/o fear of being robbed, and where you can still see the beautiful night sky without the blinding city lights. Anyway, enough banter from me...I'm headed back to Springfield in a few hours for a couple of days, and then heading down to Memphis for Spring Break.

Right now I'm observing my father's high school class, and I find it impossible to believe how immature they all are. It's kind of ridiculous-it makes me cringe to think that I was this age once.

Anyway, enough out of me for now. I'll post again before I head on break, until then everyone, take it easy.

Leather Boots- sleek, trendy, and popular, you are
always dressed right. You sometimes seem fake
to people that don't know you. You enjoy
shopping and hanging out with your many
friends. [please vote! thank you! :)]


What Kind of Shoe Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Diet Mountain Dew

In my quest for weight loss, one of the things I have done that seems to be making a HUGE difference is the elimination of regular soda from my diet. That said, I've been getting a bit tired of drinking Diet Dr. Pepper ALL the time, and I'm not a big fan of Diet Coke/Pepsi, and while Diet 7-UP/Sprite is fine, it has no caffeine, so really, what's the point? Last week, just on a whim, I decided to buy a can of Diet Mountain Dew at work, and surprisingly, it tasted wonderful. I drank it when I was younger, because my father drank it regularly, but never got into it, but now it's like I'm tasting it for the first time! Needless to say, I'm quite excited about this-the discovery of a new favorite diet soda is a great thing, in my book. Next to try: Diet Coke w/ Lime...according to Krissa & her blog observations, it's the shiznit. I don't like Diet Coke at all, but who knows, I may be surprised by this new invention.

Spring Break

Is HERE! HOORAY! I'm going to be stuck in Springfield until Tuesday afternoon, thanks to Famous Barr and stuff for IARF (another hearing downtown...what do you expect?), but it's probably just as well, considering that I still have a lot of work that SHOULD be finished before my trip in order to avoid the procrastination that I embraced at times during my undergraduate years. Yeah.

Current plans over the next few days:

*Finish applications & resume, send out-->ALMOST DONE
*Finish papers...and get a start on 517
*Get car checked out & cleaned for Spring Break Trip--->DONE AFTER TOMORROW
*Make trip on Sunday to STL for dinner and movie w/ friends from home!
*Do laundry and pack

Meanwhile, I'm sooooo excited about going back to Memphis. I love it so much down there, but I never really have a chance to go downtown, seeing as my grandparents live in a suburb and when I'm down in TN it's for such a short time that it's strictly to see them and nothing else. I love my grandparents to death, so that's fine, but I'm also really excited to have enough time to visit the city. Meanwhile, Victoria, who will be accompanying me on the SB activites, is convinced that she is headed for redneck-ville, but that just goes to show how much the suburbanites know! The south is the only place left in the country (as far as I'm concerned) with class, grace, and a sense of hospitality and goodwill towards fellow individuals. There's no place like it. Only 5 days!

Gotta run for now, but more later when I have time...byyyyyee.

Today's Gallup poll

If the election was today...
52% of eligible voters would choose Kerry
44% of eligible voters would choose Bush
4% were chose another candidate or were undecided

I refuse to believe that Bush is going to win by a landslide. Don't get me wrong, I'll vote for him over Kerry, but it is going to be closer than anyone thinks. Bush's campaign team is going to be hard-hitters when it comes to Kerry's inconsistency on issues throughout the past 6 years, and his reputation as a hard-core Massachusetts liberal, but Kerry's team is going to be equally tough when it comes to the economy (whether or not it is Bush's fault), unemployment and the Iraq war. In 1991, H.W. was enjoying some of the highest approval ratings seen since Kennedy, but once Clinton stepped onto the scene it seemed to evaporate. I am cautiously optimistic about Bush's chances in November, but now is not the time for Bush's team to become arrogant.

...meanwhile, stepping away from politics...

Afflicted

I have the early stages of Acid Reflux disease...yick. Currently taking Prilosec. I hope it heals itself soon. I'm supposed to go back in two weeks, but so far it seems to be getting better. However, when I was weighed at the doctor's office, I was pleased to find I have lost 12 pounds.

In other news...

Nothing! 3 classes, 2 days at IARF, and 2 days of work until SPRING BREAK! I'm so happy. I have a lot to do, homework-wise, this weekend, but once Sunday comes I'm throwing down the books and heading south...first to Centralia for a few days, then to Tennessee-quite possibly one of the most peaceful places I know-it's really my second home.

Hey everyone.

Not much new here. Got up, met w/ Professor Redfied about my paper (which was about the shortest meeting I've ever had w/ a professor-but that's ok), he proceeded to tell me I was doing fine/on the right track, so I smiled, thanked him, and left. Ate lunch, Shimkus thing in PAC, followed by errands and busy work around my apt. I have so much to do before break, it's not funny...including the following:

*Applying for internship in Hastert's D.C. office
*512 Paper
*502 Presentation
*Reading for class (finishing all that needs to be done after break BEFOREHAND)
*517 paper

...and that's just the schoolwork part of it.

I'll be happy when Sunday gets here, that's for sure. None of this stuff is due until after break, but I definitely want to get it squared away so I'll be able to relax.

Moving on to other business...I'm glad I'll be home for a few days before I leave for TN, have been talking to many of the high school & KC friends setting up plans to hang out-I haven't seen so many of my friends from home in so long...there's still no place or people like @ home...that's what I have to say.

Meanwhile, speaking of people from home, I went over to Chatham tonight to see my dad and the CHS Scholar Bowl team play in the IHSA regional-they usually have a pretty good team, but unfortunately they lost this year. Anyway, it was great to see my father, I miss him, he's a wonderful person. Anyhoo, the high schoolers, mostly boys, pestered me w/ questions about college, politics and college, err, activities. I answered some carefully (and at times untruthfully), while ignoring others. Most of them were extremely immature, go figure, but their innocence was somewhat refreshing. I finally got annoyed and told them to change the subject (so we would all stay out of trouble), so they proceeded to tell me how cool my father is. (Yes, that's right...he may come across stern at times, but once you get to know him everyone sees that he's a good guy) I bid the high schoolers and my father goodbye at around 8 p.m., and headed back to get some work done and organize my room, which has become increasingly DISORGANIZED lately.

What else...no session for two weeks (they're on break), one of which I'll be out of the office, so this week should be pretty low-key down at IARF. Lots of busywork to take care of before session resumes.
Anyhoo, with all that said, it's time for bed. More later...

I'm baaa-aack.

Wow, I haven't posted since Wednesday. Here's hoping the 3 of you who actually read this haven't missed me too much-lol.

So, the end of the week was somewhat uneventful. Thursday was spent at the capitol, trapped in committee hearings until the end of time, basically, but good news-HB 5000 made it out of committee-so good for IARF, and good for the DD/MI committee. I sat up front trying to stifle my laughter when Naomi took out her box of cheerios and started chowing down during witness testimony-it made it somewhat amusing, and I don't think I was the only one. Anyway, after we FINALLY got out of there, went to lunch w/ IARF groupies and one of our clients, fun as usual-I really love the people I'm working with. They proceeded to tell me how lucky they were to have me there, and while I happen to think that I am the lucky one, being placed where I was, it's still nice to hear from them.

So, Friday was pretty much the most unproductive day I've had in quite some time. We won't talk about it, but let's just say that I slept, a LOT-and that never happens anymore. Friday night was spent @ the mall, working, hating the fact that I couldn't go to U of I for unofficial, which was a blast apparently-oh well. I came home, went to sleep, and got up Saturday morning to do it all over again. Saturday was pretty much your regular hectic day at the mall, that is, until around 5 p.m. when a crazed maniac (gang member, supposedly) comes in the mall about 20 feet from our store (or less!) and started SHOOTING! Yeah. Only one person was injured, he's going to make it apparently, but it was scary as heck. I managed to keep my cool until I got outside, when I proceeded to start shaking like a leaf and feeling nauseous-two things I'm well-known for when I'm anxious. So yeah-I'm safe and sound, and so are my co-workers, but still. It was terrifying. Needless to say, a night out was in order, and my Chambana friends were happy to oblige me-those that were in town, that is-seeing as I wanted to be nowhere near Springfield after these events took place. I'm supposed to go into work this afternoon, and I must say that I"m feeling slightly apprehensive about it, but hopefully it will go all right. Yikes.

With that said, I need to get ready for work-so more to come later. bye.

Off today...

Thanks to the boredem that ensued yesterday (the grant-writing workshop for IARF), they gave me today off. Yay! So far I've done nothing except sleep late...I'm so terribly productive nowadays. In reality, I have homework to do, so what else is new? Hopefully I'll get my 517 paper finished by 5:30 p.m., before I have to leave for class. It shouldn't be to terribly difficult.

Hair

My hair has been being so amazing lately, it's hard to believe it's actually my hair. It's amazing what one good haircut (at two weeks ago, at that!) can do for you.

Tomorrow...

Back to the usual, hearing w/ Lee D. and company at ten down at Stratton Building...fun times shall ensue.

No more Blago?

Rumor in Springfield suggests that there is about to be a HUGE scandal break out of the Governor's office, one that has enough damaging power to potentially end Blago's political career. No specific details except that it has to do w/ activity a la our old pal Slick Willie. Yeah. It's supposed to break out in the next couple of weeks...so if it DOESN'T, then I guess it's just a rumor after all. We'll see, should be interesting.

that's all for now...more later friends.

Average Joe

...Is such b.s. Tonight's episode was the worst ever, thank goodness Larissa ended up alone. She's a b*tch, she deserved it. SOOOOO ridiculous. I have nothing more to say about it, except that I hope Mr. Beantown gets a million dates thanks to the show.

Drama, Drama, Drama

Soooo sick of it. And it amazes me...just as I start thinking that things CAN'T get more shocking, then they go ahead and do. Ugh. And I have just been informed of the absolutely pig-headed activities of someone I used to consider (to say the least) a very dear friend. Like I said earlier, people have a way of surprising you sometimes. But I refuse to worry about it.

Dan Bolin

Sorry if I cut you off on the phone. After I hung up I realized I was kind of rude. I guess I just don't want to rehash all the drama. Sorry. Come visit Springfield again soon, and we'll do lunch or something.

Grant-writing

I have to spend 8 hours of precious time learning how to do this tomorrow-I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, since I have been dealing primarily with the state legislative stuff, as opposed to obtaining federal funding (which is what I assume this is for). It should be interesting. There's still so much I don't know, but I'm learning as quickly as possibly.

Political Science

Just give me my degree already! (16 hours away after this semester...) I'm reading the most horribly boring book-EVER-at the moment. Affective Intelligence and Political Judgement by George Marcus. It's about as exciting as the title makes it out to be. BLAAAAAAAHHHH...I hate 90% of the reading I've had so far this semester...it is so terribly dry and soulless, it bores me to tears. That's what I get for taking stuff besides constitutional law...darn requirements.

that's all I've got for now. Adios amigos/amigas.