the time of my life

Monday, January 31, 2005

stolen from Nat's blog :o) I don't really have time to fill it out...but I'm gonna :D

A is for age: 24 (geez, I'm getting old...quarter mid-life crisis!)
B is for booze: Red wine & frozen margaritas w/ sangria from Cinco de Mayo
C is for career: Political Consultant in a big political city, whether that be Springfield or D.C., maybe Springfield then D.C.? It's my dream to run a presidential one day :D Mary Matalin is my heroine!
D is for have you hit a deer?: No *knocks on wood*
E is for essential items to bring to a party: a good bottle of wine and a purse that perfectly accessorizes my outfit ;o)
F is for favorite song at the moment: "My Place" Nelly & Jaheim
G is for girlfriend/boyfriend: Nothing official
H is for hometown: good ol' Centralia, Illinois...SO-IL baby!
I is for instruments you play: Piano & sax, just for fun (when I have the time...although I was a regular band nerd back in the day)
J is for jam or jelly you like: Strawberry
K is for have you killed anyone?: Nope, sorry! If looks could kill, maybe...
L is for do you love anyone: Absolutely
M is for your master's name: Am I the only one who doesn't get this question?
N is for name of your worst enemy: She doesn't know she's my enemy, but she's a vengeful little....ugh. I'm going to stop now-this isn't a good side of me.
O is for overnight hospital stays: Just one, junior year at U of I...McKinley literally tried to kill me! They don't call them McKillMe for nothing!
P is for Phantasm..Yes or no?: huh?
Q is for quote you like: "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger."-Frederich Nietzche (a testament to my life thus far)
R is for relationship that lasted longest: 20 months...longer if you count pent up frustration/nervousness on both parts.
S is for sexual position: O:-)
T is for time you wake up: usually around 8ish, unless I have to work, in which case I always feel like sleeping longer but have to get up 2 hours earlier.
U is for unique trait: I don't know if this is unique, but I'd like to think that I'm uncommonly non-judgmental & compassionate
V is for vegetable you love: Broccoli & Spinach
W is for worst trait: Lacking confidence in certain aspects of my life.
X is for x-rays you've had: Leg, hand, whatever. I was little and I really don't remember.
Y is for yummy food you make: Chicken Parmesan (yes, I really CAN cook, I just do it very rarely!)
Z is for zodiac sign: typical Sagittarius
FIRSTS
First job: Hardee's in Centralia (What can I say, I was a band geek and no other place would hire me, bc I needed every weekend off! YUCK! I can still smell the grease...)
First screen name: illinigal1220...I've signed up for a million since then, but I still use this one :o)
First funeral: My grandfather's when I was age 7...I remember being very sad.
First pet: A tabby cat when I was very young, about age 2...I don't think I called it anything except Kitty :o)
First piercing: Ears, age 9
First tattoo: None, don't like 'em (at least for me)
First credit card: A visa card my first year of college, ended up canceling it because I never used it!
First kiss: My first boyfriend, Matt-I was in 8th grade at his graduation party. We were in the pool and everyone kept harassing us to kiss, so when everybody got out, we finally did :o)
First enemy: Brad Wilson, 2nd grade-we fought constantly, he tormented me and I think it was because he secretly had a crush, but would never own up.
LASTS
Last car ride: Last night, driving back from work.
Last movie watched: Good Will Hunting...one of my favorites
Last beverage drank: H20
Last food consumed: toast
Last phone call: Suraj
Last time showered: This morning
Last CD played: Billy Joel, one of his GH collections
Sex: Female
Birthday: 12-20-1980
Siblings: Lori, 20; Jami, 15 (as of 2/23)
Hair color: Chesnut brown w/ red and blonde highlights (the red is fading)
Eye color: Blue
Height: 5'8ish
RIGHT NOW, WHAT ARE YOU...
Wearing: an alumni hoodie & gap jeans
Drinking: Water
Smoking: Nothing, yuck
Thinking about: Schoolwork, thesis, JOB INTERVIEW! (oh my)

Sunday, January 23, 2005

owwww...I am in pain.

It doesn't really matter what kind of pain, but I am in pain right now (of the physical kind), and I am hoping it passes soon. The joys of womanhood.

Anyhoo, I'm also home in Centralia. Daddy's 50th b-day is today (wow), and I'm celebrating with the family. As it turns out, he's not having his official "birthday" party today, he has postponed it for Super Bowl Sunday (which honestly sounds like a better idea, anyway), which he thinks will provide for a more entertaining party. Yep yep.

As for me, yesterday I got up, did some work, and then headed down to STL to hang out with a friend, had a great time, followed by meeting the family in Fairview Heights for dinner-our waiter was hysterical. I have a family of cut-ups, I'm not kidding you. Between my dad's jokes and Lori and Mitch playing their little game of "I hate you more!", me and my mother sometimes just sit there hoping to disappear. And did I mention Jami? Jami is the worst. She's like a female Dan Bolin. She has the quickest wit I've ever seen on a nearly 15-year old. This waiter's name was Ereck, btw (yes, that is the correct spelling), and his name tag simply said "RECK". Jami couldn't get enough of it, and insisted on questioning the waiter, who told her, "Well, the 'RECK' is more indicative of the life I've led so far, so everyone here calls me that." lol.

So that was dinner. I had the scallops wrapped with lobster tails, which were INCREDIBLE! Mmmmm...scallops. After that, I headed home, watched Wednesday night's American Idol, tried watching Apprentice, but ended up passing out. Yep. So that's been my weekend so far...

In other news, school is going amazingly well, I LOVE my classes, esp. my seminar on political elections and campaigns. The thesis is coming along as well. I have a lot of work ahead of me, I'm looking forward to summer, but in a way, I don't want school to end...weird. You only get to be a college student once, after all. I'm going to really miss my friends from school if I end up taking a job outside of Springfield, and heavens knows I'll miss the Chambanites, and all of my friends from home...I'm not thinking about it right now, because nothing is certain. I'm applying for jobs Springfield, with the hopes of finding something incredible, and as for Washington....the verdict is still out. A lot will be decided after I make my journey out there this spring to explore...

That's all for now. More later......

Saturday, January 15, 2005

GOOOOO ILLINI!

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Ah....it's been an interesting week and a half...

To begin, school has started again. Happy fun times resume...or not. I can't believe it's my last semester of grad school. Last semester I did pretty well, an A and a B+, which leaves me with a pretty good GPA should I wish to start a Ph.D. program in the near future. This semester I'm going to be hella busy, with 2 classes in addition to writing my thesis, whose topic is newly revised (ask me about it only if you're really bored...I turn into a total nerd when I'm talking about my research!). As busy as my semester will be (along w/ work), I intend to enjoy it fully and enjoy the time I have left with my Springfield friends, some of which will not be here after this summer. I haven't formed the intense bonds of friendship that I did in Chambana, at least not with the majority of my UIS friends; however, I have made some really great friends and great acquaintences, and the experience has been very good. And we all have a great time together, and with the exception of Fall 2003, I know I will have wonderful memories of grad school. (As far as Fall '03, I was still spending way too much time in Champaign-Urbana to experience Springfield fully)

Last Saturday was my "Reunion 2005" party, where I invited Springfield friends, a couple of friends from SO-IL, and Chambana friends to my apartment to drink, socialize, and do whatever. I have quite the eclectic mix of friends, and I must say that I think they all meshed extremely well, even though some of them did not know each other (many of them had heard of each other, though). There were many hillarious episodes throughout the evening, not all of which I can talk about, (ask me for details) but overall I call the party a huge success, and I loved seeing everyone (I just wished I could have talked to everyone more).

As far as everything else...things are going really well right now. I'm nervous about job-hunting, which is looming. I've been dead-set on moving to Washington D.C. to try an internship before settling on a job wherever, while I still really want to see what D.C. is like, there are reasons to stay in Springfield. Number 1 being security-if I stay here, I will undoubtedly find a job, make a good living, and immerse myself in state politics. I'll be around for 2006 elections when JBT makes her run for governor-that would be a great campaign to get on board with. Also, Dan Rutherford will be running for Secretary of State...another great campaign to be on! There are opportunities in Springfield, my family is nearby, and many of my good friends will be in the area (or at least in the state). Moving to D.C. would sacrifice a lot of security, but it's a risk that one must be willing to take in order to pursue a career in politics. It's a tough decision. It comes down to deciding 1) what I really want and 2) where I want it to happen at. I'm planning on making a trip to D.C. this spring to meet with people from Shimkus' office & resume drop, to visit friends out there, and just to take in the city and see if I can picture myself out there.

Oh, and there's something else I feel like discussing in my blog. You know people who talk about fate? I've never been a huge believer in fate...I've actually been one of those people who believes you create your own destiny by the choices you make, etc. etc. etc. and you're the only one responsible for things that happen to you...you might say I listen to Dr. Phil to much.

But every now and then in life strange things happen...things so unexpected that you can't help but wonder if there is a such thing as fate. Because you realize with the slightest change in timing, the said event might not even have happened. Funny, huh? And it's funny how these things happen when you are totally not looking for it or expecting it. Or when you don't even think you need it. And then it happens, and you realize you do need it and wonder how you were living without it. And it's amazing how an encounter/conversation(s) can totally change your views on a certain subject or people in general.

Anyway, I'm just going to say an event like that mentioned above has recently happened to me, and I'm not trying to define it...I'm just enjoying it for what it is.


Not much else is going on...getting ready to head downtown w/ friends to watch the Illini/Penn State game. :o) GO ILLINI!

Thursday, January 06, 2005

*I actually meant to post this a week ago...Sorry kids :o)

Amy Lynnette’s BEST OF 2004
If VH1 can do it, I want to do it! Enjoy friends. And give me a break. When I’m out of school, I get bored and come up with these things.


Best bar:

I’ll never forget the wonders of campustown, for sure…but I’ve become rather fond of Stella Blue and Bootleggers w/ the POS crew…

Best drink:
The Thin Mint martini at Stella Blue. I’m kind of a teetotaler now, but if I have something while I’m out…it’s YUMMY! And now I know how to make them!

Best class:

Probably my lobbying seminar over the summer…(POS 563) it wasn’t so much the class, it was the people in it.

Best funny (and most infuriating) moment:
The night they built the fort. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask. That night over the summer in Naperville was up there with funny moments, as well.

Best (or funniest) song:

“I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by the Darkness. When I listen to that song, I’ll always think of this year.

Best party:

1004 parties…specifically the one Homecoming weekend. I have been to SO many of these parties…and it doesn’t matter that I’ve graduated, these parties are still great…it’s always fun coming back to campus to attend one. Just ask the half of campus who has attended one.

Best times (over an extended period of time):

Summer 2004…me, Jess, Brandis and Michelle had an absolute blast being roommates…and the impromptu gatherings at our place made it even more fun…dancing on the coffee tables was an added bonus.

Best quotes:
These are the ones I could actually remember to write down! They were funny at the time, at least :o)

“The count is the PIMP! You can just imagine him on the street corner...Von hoes...two hoes...Vree hoes..”-Brandis, referring to the Count after a discussion about Sesame Street one night.

"It's awesome...it's the "Toys R Us" for Alcoholics.”-me, talking about Friar Tuck to a non-Springfieldian. It really is, too.

“Don't make me come over there and pimp-smack you!”-These little kids I heard yelling at each other one day. I never knew what a “pimp smack” was before this and honestly, I still don’t know what it is. Not sure I want to, either.

"B as in, well, BEE-you know, the one that buzzes?"-Me, on the phone to a customer at work at the mall. I guess you can say I wasn’t with it that day.

“Cost Co.-it’s the Neimann Marcus of Sam's Club!”-Guess who said THIS…yeah, go figure.

"Just me, him, a bottle of wine and Fox news...my idea of a perfect evening!"-meanwhile, Angela has a horrified look on her face. What can I say…I’m a nerd. And I btw, I was referring to election night…not just any night. I DO engage in activities besides watching Fox News!

"Well I can tell YOU aren't from the 'hood! fo sho!"-Brandis, referring to my lack of street smarts.
"What was your first clue?"-Me


Best moment overall:
Finally realizing I had moved on. The road ahead is both wide and open. And it’s never looked better!

Saturday, January 01, 2005

HAPPY NEW YEARS everyone!
2005=It's going to be GREAT! (bc I said so ;o))

I spent New Year's eve w/ my cousin Alisha, whom I hardly get to see anymore (she's my old roommate from UIUC, and she finished grad school last May w/ her M.S. in architecture, and she works as an architect in Lincoln). We had a lot of fun catching up, but called it an early night due to the fact that we both had to be up for our family Christmas celebration in Flora in the morning.

After VERY little sleep. we headed to Flora (we being my whole family, plus Mitch ) around 9 a.m. It was a nice day and I got some great gifts, and it was fun seeing everyone. After some vigorous card games (B.S. & Egyptian Rat Screw-the latter of which I had never heard of until today), we all ate lunch, followed by a LOOOOOONG game of Trivial Pursuit: the 90's. After leading my team to victory with my massive knowledge of music, movies, and politics (I try not to brag-hehe...seriously, the others helped too ;o)), me and the fam + Mitch headed home. And here I am at home now. It was a nice day, actually one of the better days in recent history with the extended family.

I'm truly exhausted, but I'm actually excited about the new year...trust me, grad school has been stressful (it's going great-but still stressful), in addition to the balancing act between the real world & being a student. In addition to this, there are always dramatic relationships-whether it be your friends or anything else-but I'm making an oath to myself to keep this year as drama-free as possible. I hope my friends will do the same.
Goals for the new year:
-Improve my physical health-I'm actually very healthy, but I want to get in shape and eat better-as much for the improvement of my health and energy as for my physical appearance.
-Stop dwelling on the small things that may bother me. Life is too short to stress over petty stuff. In the end a lot of the little stuff that gets us worried won't matter much at all in the big picture.
-Trusting in myself and my instincts. If you can't trust yourself, who can you trust?
-Allow myself to make mistakes...they are what shape us as people. It is how one learns. Also, working to not be as critical of myself as I have been in the past...I am my biggest critic and it isn't always a good thing.
-Finally, allow myself to stop worrying so much about the impressions and beliefs of others, and do what I know is good & right for me. This kind of goes along with trusting my instincts. :o)

So those are my goals for 2005...I have written them down because this way, I'm much more likely to follow them. I also hate calling them resolutions...because I never follow my resolutions...so instead, I choose to make goals that will make me a better person.

Anyway...I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years! I hope to see a LOT of my friends at the party on the 8th...contact me for details! That's all for now...thank you and GOODNIGHT! :o)