stuff

-Housing is over and I have a kitchen and a window in my bedroom. Plus apparently, parquet floors. All is well. I just hope Yasmeen finds somewhere good to live as well.
-The fam I babysit for is moving in 2 weeks = longer commute for yours truly = waking up at an insane hour (like 7:30) 2x a week.
-Saw excerpts of Toni Morrison opera. Can't say I really liked it, but I've now offish seen her in person twice. She is my roommate for next semester.
-Still don't know what I'm doing for Summer, or for life.
-The weather's great. I know no one's supposed to talk about weather because it means your a boring person who has nothing else to say, but I think this is notable. It's been sunny and pleasant, or foggy and pleasant, or rainy and pleasant for almost a whole week now. I went out with the kids for the second time since spring break and hung out with them on the lawn outside of Lehman Library at the Nard. Little girl took this pic:





She's pretty talented if you ask me. I'm almost equally talented, as you can see:




See you all soon. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone.
Love you!

Me!!!!!

Shopping list for when I get my fat paycheck Friday:

-mammory card and cord for camera (finally)
-new razor (i think my current one is a serious tetanus risk)
-crazy high-waisted faded denim garage-worker jeans from h&m
-mu shu pork

Here are like a million pictures of your number one favorite gal!!! just so y'all don't forget how cute I am...



At "Anna's favorite lesbian cafe", Diesel, in Cambridge. This was on St Patty's day/Bam's b-day.



Snakeskin bag AND skirt. Yup.



We tried on outfits at "Poor Little Rich Girl", a vintage shop near Anna's house. I don't think they would have approved of us snapping pics in the dressing room.



Fer Cute!!!

....
And Anna



Wearing my (actually Ing's) fur coat and her shamrock sweater.




....
And a lady with cat ears



Anna didn't think she was that cool, but I really appreciated how her bag matched the inside of her cat ears.
Gotta study compound verbs for a few minutes before I go to bed now. Looking forward to the Indian dance showcase on Fri!

Canterbridgia

I've only been here 4 days and I love it already. The streets are narrow, the houses are old and the wood paneling on the outside is painted green or purple or yellow. There are parks every 5 blocks or so, and Anna lives blocks away from Davis square (cafes, second hand stores, an amazing taqueria), an amazing Greek restaurant, and an adorable old bakery (pics will come later).
Some highlights:
1. Stuie and Big D/Donna (Anna's parents). Donna is so thoughtful and interesting--she works in a hospital training young and at-risk mothers read behavioral signals and take care of their babies for when they return from the hospital. Stuie is hilarious, and constantly tells stories of his past in "the movement" at Columbia.
2. St. Patty's day feast--steamed cabbage (I've always been skeptical when dad made this in the past, but I felt obligated to eat it this time and was very glad I did. Dad, I will never poke fun at your penchant for cabbage ever again. But I still won't like Kim Chee), corned beef with mustard, etc.
3. Cranberry nut bread with brie melted on top. I've had approximately one million slices of this. Also, strawberries with gruyere.
4. Meeting Anna's friends and their crazy families. Waffles with her friend Eliza and her friend's dad, introduced to me as "DFic" and her aunt, cousin, sister, and mother.
5. Walks around Cambridge--almost everywhere we've gone so far in Cambridge we've walked to. It's been pretty nice out, and the houses and buildings are so quaint.
6. The luscious bed I've been sleeping in--it's a struggle every morning (or, to be quite honest, every afternoon) to get out of it.

I will post pictures later. Hope you all are enjoying your spring breaks (or lack thereof) as much as I am. Just kidding--love you all.

Things

1. Even though I'm really sad not to be seeing the fam over break, I'm ecstatic to be going to Cambridge with Anna and Julia.
2. Attempting to place Truth in the friend zone.
3. Saw Yasmeen in a student-directed play today. Love that lady.
4. Didn't change out of my pajamas until I got dressed to see said play (still went to class...)
5. Watched Made of Honor. Hated it.
6. Hated the sour-cream-and-onion pringles that I ate anyway.
7. Loved the "deep chocolate peanut butter" haagen dazs.
8. The room is a mess again.
9. Still don't know what I want to do with my life.

To Do/I Heart

Mama Locust did this on her blog, and I need a break from paper editing, so:
2 Lists

To Do:
*Visit Museum of the City of New York, Museum of the Tenement, Museum of Natty Hist
*Revisit the Noodle Bar
*Bring extra clothes to Salvation Army
*Take solitary walk in Central Park
*Lose 10-15

I Heart:
*Pump-up music
*Stir-fry station at Hewitt
*Studying at Butler Library (who knew?)
*Elastic waistbands
*My new computer!!!
*The photos I got developed the day before I left for college that are now taped up on my wall
*Writing lists

I don't heart MLA format or in-text citations.

Will add captions later--the mu shu is here!

Anna (in her coat Rabby), me, and Dominique on our way to Winter Wonderland...



Julia wearing Anna's coat and me wearing Julia's. We were going for Euro-trashy which didn't work out a. because we don't know what euro-trash is exactly, and b. because we didn't end up even going to the euro-trash party.




I have long since learned not to wear anything involving black when Anna is wearing Rabby--He sheds more than any coat I've ever met.



So fresh and so clean after a cheap harlem wax...



Elevator pics are always a good idea, except when you forget to press a button first and find yourself on the 16th floor instead of the first.



Marshall.



Anna and Marshall's lil brother who was up to visit last weekend.



Anna and Julia before Winter Wonderland.



Adorable!



The wood paneling is even worse than the stuff in my old bedroom!
Good thing ours is a lovely shade of robin's egg blue now.

P.S.

I have 90% mastered the subway system. As long as I have access to 2 maps and an MTA official.

Bore

Here's the annoying thing: the fact that I am taking symbolic logic is not helping me much in doing the circuit problem assigned in CS this week (which is what Symbolic Logic is all about). Maybe because I am not focused enough right now to do any sort of synthesis or analysis or anything. Monday is not over yet and I'm ready for the weekend. But when am I not?

Saw the Academy Awards yesterday with Karen, Ian, and their fam friends. The highlight was the excellent fondue. The lowlight was the Academy Awards show. Who decided creme-beige chiffon was attractive? Who put the wig on PenCruz's head? Who thought Hugh could sing?
And who allowed Religulous director to plug his own film whilst presenting a documentary award?

I do love Tina Fey, though.

Anna finally got around to uploading photos from Winter Wonderland so I will post those soon. Tomorrow I am going to Radioshack to buy a computer and I will also be purchasing camera accessories so that I can finally upload the photos I have on my camera...
It is funny how quickly time escapes me. Or scary. But not to worry. I am on top of homework which is the only thing that matters to me this semestre. That and finding decent housing for next year.

Sorry this blog is boring, but it is about my life. I will try to spice it up with fictional events next time.
Love you!

Ode to MacLemenFunk

I think of you every day at the dining hall as I stretch the limits of my poor ravaged palate with hot sandwiches made with marinara and provolone or cucumbers and hummus, bolstering myself with thoughts of a cheese-filled cookie.
Every time I see a street performer standing on his head or an artistic flier taped to a bus stop or a page of really well-organized notes I begin to compose a letter to you in my head.
My notebooks are still filled with pen drawings of snakes, fish, birds, dragons, really large eyes, and the occasional goblet. Sometimes I write notes to my friends here on lined paper and fold them up with the little "Pull Me" tab, but I know they don't quite get it.
This summer I will trudge up the path to your house again and drop my oversize bag on the floor in your entryway and make small talk with Kendall while I wait for you to emerge in your baggy sweatpants and ridiculous excuse for a ponytail.
We can make lemon bars.

I love you, Macky.

I am feeling very expansive right now. Can people feel expansive? I dont' know.
But I am.
I'm reading Dreams of My Father. I have to admit, even when in Harlem on election night, I still held out a little bit in my mind, thinking that it wasn't possible that any human being merited this sort of enthusiasm. But maybe Obama does. He is an incredible writer, in any case. And that is a most important feature in any important person.
Has anyone else read this? If not, I suggest you give it a try.

I went to Winter Wonderland last night--for those of you who I haven't told about it, the CU Freshman winter formal. The music was loud enough that no sort of 2-way conversation could take place, but it was music that I like, and so I threw off my heels and danced with abandonment. There were maybe twice as many girls as boys there, and so I ended up dancing mostly with girls from my floor--Julia and I made frequent, sweaty trips to the surprisingly satisfactory refreshment table, I gulped down several cups of overly-sweetened lemonade.
There are pictures available but for some reason they don't do justice to how gorgeous we all looked.
Such is life.

Love you!

Suicide

I'm sure most people haven't heard about it, but there was a CC freshman who committed suicide this weekend. Some of the girls on my hallway were friends with him, but I'd never met him. Don't exactly no how to feel about it, they keep sending us emails about how much he was enjoying life at Columbia, etc... I just kind of feel like I'm being lied to about it and I'm not sure why. Or maybe that's what the family was telling themselves to feel better about it, or maybe it was true.
In any case, just thought I should address it, I guess. It's weird because I'm sure I've bumped into him at least once in all of the time I've been here, and I guess in some way I should feel connected to him, but really it doesn't feel like an event that took place in my life or my community--it seems to surreal or something.
Anyhow, I'm up programming (when am I not)... Questioning my life plan. As always. I'm now thinking I might want to go into infant and early-childhood development, maybe work in another country, or with at-risk parents or something.
I don't know if I could feel fulfilled working computer programming, but I guess someone's gotta do it. And maybe I'll love it when I get into the more serious stuff, but it's just so hard to tell because the work I would be doing would probably just be on an entirely different field from the work I'm doing now and...
I don't know.
To many "..."s.
The point being, I want to live in India when I grow up.

Ugh this was a stupid random post, but whatevs. If anyone has any wisdom to share on the subject of undergrad majors--please do.
Love you all.

Poopy.

Doesn't it feel great when you read a famous work of literature and hate it and then your teacher has you read an equally frustrating 20-page feminist critique of said work and all of your hatred is vindicated and it's worth it even though half of said feminist critique was about linseed and a short story I've never read?

Yes it does.
But only relatively to the intense pain of struggling through Milton's Paradise Lost. And the dread of having to compose a 4-6 page paper about it.

That is my life right now. Plus, I have put off buying my Symbolic Logic textbook for far too long by now, and haven't read a good magazine since I got off the plane.
On the other hand, I was mere yards away from Toni Morrison, Fran Lebowitz, and, for a brief few seconds, Martin Scorcese (SPELLING???!).
Fran is a bit of a snob, but funny none the less. Toni is a goddess and I'm in love with her. Perhaps I would feel the same about Fran if I had read her books...
Perhaps I can channel Toni as I am writing my PL paper. I am learning all about channeling people right now, apparently it can be very beneficial.

Love you all!
Email me if you feel like it, I know I've been an awful pen pal to all of everyone, but it's really not on purpose or because I think you are not as important to me as John Milton, because clearly all of you are much more important to me than Milton. Even if I've never met you.

time to start up again.

3 mins before I go to class, but just thought I would recount some incidences from the past week or so:
1. Went to Amir's with Laura Morastica and Kamla (RS pres.) Had a wonderful time and have added 1. a papuseria and 2. Jersey City to my Places to Eat list.
2. Went out to eat with Alex and the sister missionaries. Participated in a very moving practice discussion. Bought a throw and some hangers at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and dissuaded Alex from buying a ridiculously expensive allergy-reducing bed cover.
3. Was Jooolia's wing-woman at a party she was invited to by Bobby McManArms (actually his name... except without the arms--Bobby McMahon. Hugest, most attractive rugby player ever.)
4. Ate at El Malecon with the girls, came back with leftovers to spare, ate leftovers within the rest of the evening.
5. Lost my keycard. Bought a new keycard. Found first keycard. Cried about it. Just kidding.
6. Accidentally signed up for a P.E. class that is during another class. Will be purchasing one of those time-turner thingies that Hermione Granger had, as there are no longer any slots for other P.E. classes I have time for and we are required to take P.E. for one semester of Freshmen year.
And some other stuff.
I will try to write a more detailed/interesting post later on in the week, but for now I love you all. Keep posting, Mama. And post a link to the blog that featured your baby carrot rant. And Ingy--Call Me!!!!!!!

P.S. finalized spring schedule

Hindi, Computer Science, Symbolic Logic, Legacy of the Mediterranean. Tai chi?

The end

So, friends... The holiday season is over, once and for all.
Until next year.
I have gained: 1 kodak easyshare, 1 moleskin notebook, 1 cell phone virus, Toni Morrison's new book, perspective, 2 crocodile skin bags, the trust of a small dog, and the tenth anniversary edition of pocahontas.
I have lost: 4 pounds and a sad little piece of my heart. I would suspect that factored in about 1.5 ounces of said 4 pounds.
My resolutions are: Write in my new journal every day at least until it is filled up (could happen!???), take lots of pictures, even of myself, and use them for things (Scrap book? Wall hangings? Embroidery patterns?). Talk less. Take a little hint from the East Coasters and be a little less trusting, a little slower to invest. Wear makeup every day. Make at least 2 new real friends. Be cleaner. Email more. Join an Indian dance team.

Christmas is coming...

Wish list: (about 3 weeks late, I know.)
Large purse, black or red
Black blazer to be worn with strapless leopard print dress, among others
Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, James Brown records
Well written, readable novels (esp. any Salman Rushdie, besides Enchantress of Florence which I own)
New computer
Hair cut/mani/pedi
World peace
First 2 seasons of OC, Gossip Girl, all seasons of West Wing
Stroganoff

Home Free

I'm back in the UV, and it's crazy. So far I have:
Trudged around the U of U campus with my neon green and hot pink zebra-striped duffel bag
Enjoyed a 3-hour Food channel/VH1 marathon/nap
Eaten wheat crust pizza at Sicilia Pizza
Rewatched Slumdog Millionaire
Spent an inordinate amount of time dealing with public transportation (So much simpler in Utah)
Eaten Sunrise Spuds at Ruth's
Opened all of the cupboards, the refrigerator, and the freezer, just to see what's hoppin
Watched several episodes of "Twee and Twah" (Lu and Lo's new funny movie series)

I'm trying to catch up on all of my internet activities... since my computer stopped working I've sort of given up on this blog, but now I have access to a beautiful new mac (my mama's, not mine...) so I'll try to keep it up.

It's weird to be back. The kids seem so huge and independent--Lula was telling me the she and Lola were going to have a sleepover with the house to themselves until midnight, when Lola's parents are coming back. Cecily just put a huge coat on all by herself (she's dressing up like a teenager so that she and Maude can pretend to be "boys who are on a stage and doing rock"). It's weird that their lives have continued without me.
And yet they are all still the same lil peeps.
I think the current plan is to eat at El Salvador and then chill with the homies (Kat, Ilona, Hill'ry...) tonight. It's all somewhat overwhelming, especially with my killer cough (TB?), but I can't wait.
Missing my Barnard people already--how odd not to be able to stroll two doors down the hall and burst into Anners' room without knocking.
But the clean, warm, pressure-free home on Locust Circle is even better than when I left.

switcheroo

instead of 20th century poetry or symbolic logic, I think I will be taking a Bible as lit course from the same prof that taught my first year seminar course. I'm kind of excited about it.

Head ache

Tentative Spring Schedule:
Hindi
CompSci JAVA (again...)
First Year English (Legacy of the Mediterranean, I think)
PE (tai chi? it comes highly recommended...)
and either 20th Century Poetry: Race, Gender, and Poetic Form
or Intro to Symbolic Logic

What do we think???

P.S. Watched American Chopper tonight. I would recommend that show to anyone with a spare hour. It was highly enjoyable, and the commercials were top notch.

Stinky Subway Riders

I have been sitting next to some seriously questionably-smelling fellow subway passengers lately. But it's all worth it because Em and Bam are here, and we're having a MARVELOUS time!!! Here's what we have done:
1. H + M, Sephora, wandering through and admiring Em's old stomping grounds.
2. Thanksgiving hamburger/rueben (who knew I liked Saurkraut??? That is definitely not how you spell it)
3. Secretly learning new things about the subways, but pretending like I already knew them.
4. Eating at a CRAAAAZY chinese restaurant with roasted ducks, heads still attached, hanging in the window, and a painted roasted duck with its head still on decorating the big mirror at the center of the far wall.
5. Watched "To Be or Not To Be" with Em--forties comedy about naziism in Poland. Very good, and inspiring.
In short, just admiring the city. Each time someone visits I notice new things about the city. I really love it here, even though my complainy posts may suggest otherwise.
I've just been reading the Village Voice (we're supposed to be too cool for it, but I feel like they have good suggestions, even if the writing is a bit on the cheesy side. And free will horoscopess! (Marni turned me on to these)
I'm not even going to try to make that paragraph grammatically correct...

I haven't posted in forevs (or at least a little while) because my computer is broken, and though my new iTouch (thanks m and d!!!) is fabulous for many things, it is not a very good instrument for typing long-winded blog posts.
So now I am posting on a TOTALLY PUBLIC, Dell computer (dell = really loud/slow typing), and probably someone is going to come up behind me at any moment and read all of my secrets, and then life here as I know it will be over. Like Harriet the Spy, only not really like that at all.
Speaking of Harriet the Spy... ROSIE!!!

That's all I have to say on the subject.

I did my laundry today, I would like you all to know. It was very responsible of me, until I forgot that my clothes were still in the dryer and left to meet Bam and Em in China town. But no one is here, so aside from being slightly wrinkled (I'm too cool to wear wrinkle-free clothing, anyhow), I'm sure they will be fine. Also, I'm making a start on cleaning my room (Slow and steady wins the race. Wouldn't want to shock Rupert the fish after his recent move, anyhow...)

Everyone who reads this should comment and say how much they love me and their fave things about me, because I'm feeling a little lonely and out of touch, what with all of the Barnard students being in Long Island and everything.
Love you!!!

--Sneevs