Sunday, January 24, 2010

Oversights and Sticky Tack

I am back. And I am alive.

I have survived my first week of my first semester as a junior. It was tough, brutal, nigh impossible. But I have conquered.

Monday, which seems so long ago, began with an ironic statement. I woke up around 10, which never happens, and looked at my roommate, which also never happens, considering we're hardly in our tiny room at the same time. I laughed and said, "This will be the last time this ever happens," to which she also laughed.

An hour later, I received a call that made this statement come true. The director of Resident Life contacted me and asked if I would be willing to change rooms to help out an incoming student, if my roommate and I each got our own room. She and I talked it over and agreed that we would do so.

I now have my own room.

And I've discovered that duct tape is not a fix-all and that sticky-tack and cement blocks don't mix well. My decorations have come crashing down more than a few times, to my great frustration. However, I don't know if I'm willing to buy a glue gun and ruin the 10cc records just for fashion's sake...

To make my room a little more "alive," I purchased a tree yesterday. A cat palm tree, to be exact. Best purchase ever, since it was $5 from the omnipotent Wal-Mart (I will not be surprised if Mike Duke ran for U.S. President. More power to him, quite literally, if that were to happen). But I forgot that a tree might, perhaps, grow while I'm here... So I have no idea how that will work out.

****

On an entirely different note.

I've re-read Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and I could see myself as I used to be in Mrs. Mallard. For all who are not familiar with the short story, I recommend reading it highly, especially since it takes ten minutes at the most to read it (http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/).

The story, and I'm not spoiling anything here if you did take my advice to read it, ends with the ironic death of Mrs. Mallard, because she is shocked her husband is indeed alive, after fantasizing about her life of freedom when she hears of his death. Her views on marriage are/were similar to mine. Meaning, a ball and chain. Bentley Mallard, no matter how kind his intentions, had imposed his will upon his wife more than she liked, and his death meant no such cruelty any longer.

I'm slowly starting to morph my views into something a little less cynical. I have met someone, in case you're wondering. I'm totally open to what God has planned. I'm actually kind of amazed at how not-panicky/calm I am about this. Sure, I had a minor panic attack when I thought I could see my independence falling off the plank into the depths of the ocean. But after a soothing talk with a couple of my best friends, I am pretty excited for this.

***

I have started my fourth job for the semester as a photographer for a local marketing company. I have to get up at 7 tomorrow morning, which may not sound like a big deal. But remember, I'm a college student, which automatically means late nights due to procrastination, an art I have mastered. I am currently avoiding writing two papers due tomorrow.

I think one latte should do the trick of insomnia, don't you agree?

Monday, January 11, 2010

Too much of a Good Thing

I'm ready to go back.

This has been my second Christmas break home after being liberated to attend college, and it has gone better than last year's. Which could be saying something? I'm still not sure how I feel about this break as a whole. More movies and books, less socializing, more family time. All in all, a good break.

I've discovered much about myself. Rather, re-discovered or confirmed things I knew about myself. I have returned to my introvert roots and socialized hardly at all. However, by choosing seclusion, I have re-discovered my need for people. I find myself craving those close relationships that have been on sabbatical because of distance.

On the other hand...

I just dropped $300 on books for this coming semester. Granted, $60 of that was on a Holga camera and film, which is a treat. A spoonful of sugar and all that.

I'm going to have to be more organized this semester than any other. Which probably isn't saying much, since I'm not orderly at all.

However, I'm eager to buckle down and get straight As. Since all my classes are for my majors, it's vital I do so.

Here's hopin'!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Product of Boredom

Well, now I've done it.

I've taken The Plunge and have now created a Blog. I must admit, I never much liked the idea of baring my soul for the world to see. I realize that I don't
need to do so on here, that it's a matter of free will. In any case, this will be amusing to look back on when I'm old and gray.

I merely want an outlet for the thoughts that are tumbling
around in my head from time to time.

(Comments/suggestions/ advice very much welcome! From whomever may be reading this, not that I expect anyone to.)

Besides creating a blog, I have also done a few other things out of sheer boredom. I've actually had a block of time when I am able to read! I suppose I may as well spill the beans now: I'm a college student. In case this means nothing to you, it (for me, at least) means that I have no time or energy to do any free reading. So far, I've completed three books in the course of my Christmas break. Along with watching more movies than I care to admit...

I've also started a long-term project
where I take a photo of myself every day for a certain amount of time. That period of time has yet to be determined, but so far I've decided one thing: I should have started when I go back to college. Why? Because then I have a reason to wear something other than sweatpants and a hoodie. So, for the first two weeks of my project, I've resigned myself to the fact that I will look like a strung-out druggie with makeup leftovers on her face looking for her next fix.

But only for the first two weeks.