A Couple of Open Letters to Assorted Individuals

Dear Girl Who Sat Next to Me in My Test Today,

When you dropped your Scantron Sheet, and it landed at my feet, there was a reason I didn't pick it up. It was not because I didn't notice until it was too late. It was not because I felt I didn't have enough time to finish the test and therefore couldn't spare the minute it would have taken to lean over and pick it up. It wasn't even because I'm a cold heartless bitch (although you probably now think that I am).

It's because you chose to read every last question on the test outloud to yourself. Including the multiple choice questions and all their possible options.

So don't be mad at me for not picking up your sheet, be happy that I didn't kill you.

Thanks!
-Christine

Dear Person in My Intro to Social Psychology Class,

When the Proffessor said; "80% of marriages end in divorce or seperation"
and you said; "That's over half!"

I was so glad you were there, to blow the lid off that statistic.

I can only hope you use your Powers of the Obvious for good and never for evil.

-Christine

The Day Part of My Brain Died in Shock

I was sitting quitely waiting for my Wednesday morning class to start. I was pretending to read my book, but really I was listening to these three girls have a conversation (the eavesdropping was so not all my fault cause they were really loud). Listening to their conversation I discovered that: Thesis Girl has to present her thesis (hence the name) to a big group of people soon, Waitress Girl is in her late 20s because she takes classes while she waitresses, and that Research girl has a presentation to do. I also discovered that all three of them have been living under some internet rock, probably the same rock Mike K has been living under except his has more bingo.

Here is the conversation that ensued:

Research Girl: I was researching this presentation and the librarian told me to put addition signs in when I search for things
Thesis Girl: Really? Does that help?
Research Girl: Yeah! Cause it means it looks up the one word plus the other word.
Waitress Girl: Wow! That's so neat! I'll use that
Research Girl: Yeah it really helps to narrow stuff down.

At this point my brain was melting. How have these people survived to third year university, how has Thesis Girl managed to prepare a thesis, without being able to Google properly??? Waitress Girl is a very intelligent girl, AND she's hip! Hip people!!! She should be all up on the Google Skillz.

I came home from class and proceded to tell people on my floor this story. I was then shocked to discover that THEY HAD NO IDEA EITHER!!!! I felt like I was in some sort of twighlight zone where it turns out everyone is illiterate but you.

Previously I had always thought that I was a decent Google lookerupper. Turns out I'm awesome, way abover average, I'm going to go as far as saying that my skillz are superb.

You've Come a Long way Baby

Happy Birthday Blog!!!

Today you are one year old.
Thank you for the hilarity you've allowed me to deliver.
Thank you for the steam you have let me blow off by ranting.
Thank you for helping me keep up with my friends.
Thank you for your comment section, that reminds me of everyone out there.
Thank you "I Live in my Head and Sleep in my Bed" your awesome burns stronger than a thousand suns.

In other news; I've had a great week. Last night was amazing because I wrote a test (therefore no more studying) and afterwards went out for cheap martini night. Tonight was wonderful because I ended up going to a sketch comdey show put on by engineering, it was hilarious. Tomorrow will be an enlightening trip to the ROM! I am a dork.

Boggle

I totally downloaded 'Boggle' onto my phone. It has provided me with hours of entertainment, unfortuneatly this has sometimes occured in class. I haven't found 'helipads' yet, but I'm trying.

I really need to buy new shoes for the summer. My current non-winter shoes have no lining left in the heel, so it's just hard plastic, slowly grinding away my feet's will to live.

I also need to buy new jeans, because my favourite pair of jeans finnaly have up the other day. There is no a huge rip in them, in the buttocks region. Meaning that I have to choose; lose the jeans, or lose my dignity.

I have a test tomorrow so the big plan for today is studying. Child Development, why are you so boring sometimes?

Oh! I made myself brushetta on Friday! I'm getting kind of good at this whole 'cooking' thing.

Stuff that sticks in your head

I was walking somewhere the other day and I realized that there is a lot of random stuff that is stuck in my head, that comes up at random times. Unimportant stuff that sits with me and comes up, and I ask myself; "Why in the hell do I still remember that?" I was going to post a long elaborate list of such things that I think of, but right now I can only think of one.

At the end of last school year Whitney (for the uninitiated, Whitney happens to be the younger sister of Angus, but more importantly, she is a very nice and friendly girl) posted in her blog about she was looking forward to in spring. She listed nice warm weather things, like wearing skirts, and I think flip flops also made the list. Now, when I look out the window, I think about her post. I want to wear skirts and flip flops. Tank tops and bathing suits. I'm looking forward to the days when my feet stop being cold on such a permanent basis. Maybe Whitney will think it odd that I, on occasion, read her blog. She will probably think it even more odd that, quite frequently lately, think about what she wrote. Well Whitney, I don't know what to say, other than; I am an odd person.

Angus pointed out the other day, that when I describe people, I describe them as nice. He said to me, people are either nice or not nice. I respond in this fashion because I don't often see a point in articulating more accurately. When asked about Alex I usually respond with; "She's nice, I like her". I was going to list here reasons why I like Alex (to prove to Angus that I have more complex opinions of people) but I realized that Alex may not enjoy such a touchy feely ode to her, so I have cancelled my plans.

Quiet night to wrap it all up

I'm having a quiet night tonight. I'm trying to get rid of this cold that has been following me around since Monday. So tonight I packed up the three laundry baskets full of laundry, cleaned out my email and hung out with Michael. Nice and quiet. Everything is organized for me to go back to school tomorrow, this will make me a lot less stressed tomorrow. I am enjoying a nice conversation with Jon on MSN. I have promised him, that if I die, he gets my iPod. Sorry everyone else who was hoping they had dibs.

I had an excellent reading week. I picked up a couple shifts on top of my usual weekend. I also got to hang out with my parents and Michael a lot. Oh, and coffee with Jon, Randeep and Shaun.

I went to a concert on Wednesday with Mike. We went and saw Jann Arden in Barrie. It was amazing. She's very good in concert, highly hilarious. I was surprised at how funny she was.

On Friday Angus and I went snowboarding. It was great. Painful, but great. I fell, a lot. But near the end I got kinda ok at it.

In summation, the week was great. Which is good, because I will spend the next week in the library for my midterm next week.

yay me

ow

Went snowboarding today with angus. too tired and too sore for proper typing. i hurt. very fun though..... ow. oh jann arden concert on Wed with mike. amazing it was

Naps

Janet asked me awhile ago for some advice about napping. I felt that, as a nap expert, I could give a general note about napping, as a public service.

Tere are many ways to nap, personally when I plan on napping, I go full out and put on pajamas, but that is certainly not required. Sweatpants are more than all right. Anytime is good for naps, but once you get into evening, you may find it hard for you to fall asleep, or the complete opposite you may just sleep clean through to the next morning.

The most important part of napping is to set an alarm. Please do not full yourself into believing that you will wake up after a quick 10 minute nap. You will not. You will wake up three hours later, groggy and confused.

That's the other important thing, a time limit. Through research and personal expereince, 1 hour is a good nap limit. Such a limit usually leaves you feeling refreshed, around the two hour mark you will be groggy. There is an exception though. Say you sleep from 1 till 3. After 6 you will probably start feelig less groggy. So if you need to have a late night, I recommend such a nap.

That's really all you need to know about napping, I hope you all put this info to good use.

MIA

I feel like I have been missing in action. Where this feeling started I do not really know. Maybe it's because I am no longer checking blogs on a daily basis. Maybe it's because I feel like I don't update enough. Maybe it's because I'm never online. I just feel like I've disconnected. Case in point: I had no idea that Angus got a job with Apple. Usually this is information I am up on. But I was not, because of the whole never online thing. Because I've been spending all my time studying and stuff. I am not complaining per se.... really I'm just trying to say that I still care, I do, I'm just doing my best to do well in school.

To all those of you who were worried (and there were many of you), no I did not delete any of you off of MSN. You can all sleep soundly now.

I have heard of this thing MSN Geeks. I am opting not to get it though, sounds like it could become a needless hit to my ego, and I would spend much too long thinking about it.

Things that I miss:
- lying around reading books for fun
- hanging out with Angus, Jon, Randeep and Angus
- talking with Heather online
- wearing skirts

Things I am enjoying:
- That I rocked my Development Test
- Fencing (I'm getting good at lunges)
- Walksafing
- The Tulips I bought myself at work
- the new white mittens I bought myself.

OK so that's all for now.

wooooooo

I could not come up with a better title, so I went with woooooooooo. Deal with it.

I rocked a test last night. I was worried because it seemed really easy, I was wondering if there was something I was missing, like that time in grade 9 english, when I was done in like 20 minutes and it turned out the question that I answered with 2 sentences was actually an essay question.
A bunch of people started leaving early so I decided that I hadn't missed anything and the test was just that good.

I delted someone off of MSN today, a surprisingly liberating experience.

Tonight is perhaps the greatest night of the year. It is called; The Chocolate Buffet. $3 gets you in. There is no end to the chocolate. It's a room filled with multiple kinds of chocolate; many different cakes, chocolate fondue, chocolate bars, lindt chocolate, smarties, ferro roche, fudge.... everything. And all the profist go to Out of the Cold. So really I have to go, it's the chairtable thing to do.

I have three tests next week and a paper I would like to finish. So there will be much studying.

Assorted rambles and thoughts.

I have a developmental psychology test to study for. Quite frankly I'm not feeling it right now, I really just want to lie around and do nothing.

I haven't taken a nap since last Saturday!!! My goal for this week was not to nap, and quite frankly I have done well for myself.

I got a haircut today. It was my first tie having my hair cut by a man. He was quite fun, although he lectured me that you should never wait two years to get a hair cut. He only took like half an inch off, and apparently he added some layers. Whatever, it went up in a pony tail like 20 minutes after he did it, because he didn't put in enough gel to stop me turning into a fuzzy poof ball.

I also bought new shoes today... they're pretty. I believe I will wear them to my friends concert tonight.

This week

It has been a really good week. I guess I should start with Sunday to truly make this a week in review.

Sunday I got reflexology done on my feet. They massage your feet and put pressure on them to help fix assorted ailments on your body. A friend of a friend is training for it and needs to practice on people, I graciously stepped up, and took a free foot massage for the team.

On the same day I hooked my friend up with a statcounter for the website she runs for our college, she, and the whole student council of our college apparently, thinks it's amazing. They have been quite happy to find out that people are actually using the site. I like being helpful.

Monday was of course my glorious walksafe shift, wherein we got only 1 walk! (See previous post).

Tuesday I donated blood. It made me all sleepy and dizzy but it was still fun. Peter and I watched "March of the Penguins" while donating. This movie is pretty much the saddest movie ever. Don't by fooled by the people who tell you it's about love and happiness.... it is not.

Tuesday was also my first fencing class. Thereby making Tuesday super cool. My instructor is an adorable no nonsense kind of guy. He kind of scares me, but he can teach me about the joys of fencing, so I've decided to fear and revere him.

Wednesday was quite busy with three classes. And my presentation!!! It went ok I think, I just have to wait to get the marks back.

Thursday brought the second fencing class of the week. I got to use to the foil!!! I wore the mask and the vesty thing. It was amazing!! So much fun. Thursday night I hung out at a friends house where a bunch of us watched two episodes of CSI. I don't want to spoil the episodes for anyone who taped it but... there were dead bodies. It's true! I am not making this up.

Lets see if Friday and Sat will be as fun.

Just some thoughts

I'm wondering if I should work on making a regular sleep pattern. Cause I'm all over the map and that just can't be good. I'm constantly sleepy, I think it's a mixture of my low ironness and the fact that my body has no idea when it can expect sleep. Both of these issues need to be rectified, because I am tired of napping.

I had a great time walksafing last night, while out on our travels my partner and I ran into three or four of my friends while out on campus. My walksafe partner now thinks I'm miss populairity. We only had one walk last night, while the other team had 4. It was very much us being in the right place at the right time, we were on break when the other team got stuck with two of their walks. I've officially decided that joining walksafe was one of my better ideas. Not only have I made new friends, but I also get exercise. I also know my way around campus now, which is good. And I know where most of the campus libraries are, which has got to be helpful later for something.

I voted! It was great. I will admit I hadn't intended to vote, I thought I was much too busy. But yesterday afternoon I decided I had some time, and who doesn't love democracy? So I voted and it made me feel pretty good.

Tomorrow I have a class presentation to do for my Self & Society Class (a look at how defintions of the self and society changed through the renaissance). This will be my first presentation in my university career. I am a little nervous. The guidelines for the presentation are quite vague; 10 minutes, on the topic we cover in class that day, but don't cover what the proffessor is going to say. What is the proffessor going to say? Good question, one which I wish I had the answer too. I'm going first in our class (the presentations will last all semester) so hopefully I will gain points for firstness.

Saying No

So this post may confuse all the people who are aware that my new life policy is "Try new things" (for those of you who don't know this, get with the time peeps, I'm all about trying new things... and using the word 'peeps'), but I need to learn how to say 'no'.

I especially need to learn how to say 'no' when accepting plans.

"What?" you say. But I thought that was what 'try new things' was all about. Making sure that you got out of your house more, and experienced life, because all through high school you did not do this, not that you regret this (cause I don't) but you want to see what's out there now. Like run on sentences.

'Yes' I say, this is all true, but you know what's a bigger truth? Failing. And I'm not talking classy failing, like a couple tests failing, or a course failing, where you take the hit, shake it off and realize you're a better person for it. No. I'm talking full on shit-kicked-out-of-you failing. Cry for your Mama failing (I should be clear, I do that anyway). Wonder what the fuck you did to U of T that it wanted to hit you with a lead pipe kinda failing.

Not that I am at risk of failing right now (reading Angus's mind: 'there she goes, worrying again, sigh' that's right, I can read Angus' mind, and he actually does think the word 'sigh'), cause I'm in all half courses and it's only been two weeks since they started. But still. I'm setting myself up for a pattern of doing nothing, all the time. I mean the outings have been most fun, believe me, this has been a good week, but damn the fun's got to stop somewhere.

Now I hear what you're thinking (creepy, yes?) "Seize the day Christine! You only live once!!!" (I know you people think in exclamation marks, you're all about the exclamation marks).

To that I respond: "If I don't stop partaying so much, I won't be living anywhere." Cause U of T frowns on you living in their rez after you have flunked out, and my parents firmly believe that unless you're doing something productive (i.e. school, or say, a job) you can't live in their house, which is a policy that definetly makes sense.

So yes I still believe in trying new things, and living life to it's fullest, but I also believe in passing, in getting grades I can be proud of. do I have a plan for this? A schedual for when it's cool to party and when it's not? No. But I'm working on it.

In other news, Shashi, I called your house again by accident. I should probably not just freak out and hang up, but I did.

In even more news.... fencing starts this Tuesday!!!

En garde!

three sweetest words

The three sweetest words in the English language:

Class is cancelled.


Wooo.

Excuse me while I go and be productive with this free time gift.

Good First Day

Today was my first day back to school. I spent the morning in bed. Because I could. I then procedded to organize more things and sign up for an athletics course. I also attended my 3 hour Crime and Gender class today. It was interesting, we discussed the concept of gender vs. sex. I have encountered this topic in almost all my classes, yet this proffessor managed to present in a new and well organized manner. I think this will be a good course, she seems to be a good proffessor, organized and engaging, and the material looks interesting. But really, who lectures on the first day?

I am taking fencing! I will be fencing up a storm on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I'm excited. I spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out what I should take. I almost took squash, and ballet, and pilates. I realized though that I do not have enough time to take all these classes. Fencing will be fun I hope.

I still want to join a club, but I don't think I have time. I just feel like I'm not doing enough, not enjoying enough of what my university has to offer. On the other hand, I always have a lot of fun, and I should spend more time studying this semester.

Walksafe starts up again tomorrow night, I hope to move walksafing to Monday nights, because Wednesday looks like it's going to be a long day.

I have an elaborate Pizza Pizza story to blog about. It stars Mike K. I know you're all very intrigued, but I myself am very sleepy.

Back at school

I moved back in today. I'm all unpacked and stuff, my wall calendars are updated and ready for use.

I'm just feeling a little antisocial right now. I think it's natural though, moving back into residence is probably going to be a little odd for the next couple days.

I'm looking forward to my classes but I'm just a little stressed because I haven't settled my schedual yet.

Perhaps I will update in more detail later, but I had an excellent break.

I am currently enjoying Murphy Brown (First season on DVD, courtesy of Mike K). I amfeeling a little excited about this coming semester, just because I'm ready for something new.

Oh! I might take Fencing. It's all up in the air though. I'll keep you posted.

Reminder

So often I convince myself that my life sucks. Often when this happens one of my friends inadvertedly reminds me that my life does not suck. For example I sometimes get a druken phonecall from someone and they make me laugh. Wait I think I called her. Whichever.

2006 thus far

So far 2006 has been quite good. I spent New Years at a party at Shaan's house. It was a fabulous new years. I feel I did Angus a wonderful service this New Years. I helped him to reflect on his life and what is really important to him. At least I assume that's what happened when his life flashed before his eyes while I drove him home from Shaan's house.

Sunday was spent trying to find a new course for this semester, I believe I was succesful in finding one that might interest me, something about the Renaissance or something. Monday night I hung out wtih Steph and her friend. We spent hours talking. Tonight is dinner with Shashi, Eve, and Steph.

Anyway I should return to room cleaning before heading out to dinner.

Great Weekend

So I had Wednesday and Thursday off. So I've deicided that they were my weekend.

Tuesday night (Friday night) I went out to dinner with Heather, it was quite delicious although I ate too much. I officialy tried spinach and artichoke dip, it was shockingly delicious. Who knew spinach was worth eating? Plus it's filled with iron, which will hopefully help my low in ironess.

Wednesday I went shopping with Jo. This should not happen again for many years. I spent lots of money. a lot. Then I came home and tripeed over all the stuff I had brought home from school. Why did I buy all this stuff again? I have enough stuff! Oh wait... it's because the red sweater looked fantastic on me. Damn you wonderful red sweater!

Mike and Jo and I then had Christmas together. We went out for dinner (Jack Astors, damn good). I had an Oreo Milkshake! Man I love oreos in anything... except as just oreos... they're only ok on they're own. We then hit Best Buy where I bought more stuff. Then we went to my house where we unwrapped presents and watched an Ellen standup comedy movie.

Today I went cross country skiing!!! It turns out I'm not that awful at it. I only fell 14 times. Quite succesful really. We also fed chickadees out of our hands. I want to go cross country skiing more, it was all physically satisfying.

I have to go to bed, because tomorrow is basicaly my Monday.

Good night!