Not Missouriable.

Well, this is a new experience for me--blogging while on the road. I'm using my dad's iPhone, which is a strange and frequently uncomfortable device, but handy,nonetheless.

Currently, we are just outside of Kirksville,MO, driving driving driving down to my grandma's house in central Missouri. It's marvelous, let me tell you, to not have anything to do but sit here, listen to my favorite Sufjan Stevens albums, watch the vast countryside roll on by and the glowing disc of the sun slowly edge it's way towards its bed behind the horizon.

So here I will leave you, in the middle of America. It's trips like this that help you understand why historical people deemed this country so massive and beautiful. Because it really it. It just goes on forever. And there is something to be said for golden brown fields and flaming orange sunsets that reach as far as the eye can see.

Audios.

Songs of the Moment: (all courtesy of Sufjan Stevens)

O God, Where Are You Now? (In Pickeral Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?)

To Be Alone With You

The Dress Looks Nice On You

Seven Swans

Sister

Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)

Holland

Redford (For Yia-Yia and Pappou)

A Good Man Is Hard To Find


Lots to listen to while watching an entire sunset, yo.

Today. According to my dog.

Linus decided to try his paw at blogging, so here is how his day went:

Me and my Hevver. In this picture I am being a Good Dog.

Rrrr, I woke up way early with the Mama an' I went Outside and piddled in My Yard. The Mama put My Harness and My Leash on me and we walked down My Road onto My Paths. I saw a bird and a leaf and a Jogger. We came back to My House and I ate breakfast in My Bowl while the Mama drank hot stink-liquid and ate a bowl of crunch with white water. I ran around in My Yard and lay on My Grass. There is not much White Cold Tasty on the ground for me to eat.


Then the Daddy got up and he patted me and talked to me in Good Dog Voice. I am a Good Dog.


I lay a lot in My Front Doorway Stoop.


Later My Sisters came out of the rooms that smell like them. Carrah gave me a nice snuggle. I don't remember where Herrer went. She and the Daddy went away in Big Car Ride for a long time.


I slept in My Front Doorway Stoop for a long time.


Then Carrah went away in Small Car Ride.


I slept in My Front Doorway Stoop for a long time. It is cold there, and it smells like me.


Later, Herrer came home, and I walked around her in Food Room when she made food up on the high tables. I asked nice with my nose if I could eat cheese food, but she said no and that she does not feed Beg Ers. That does not make sense. I am a Linus. 


I lay around My House for a while.


Later, I was in My Yard when Herrer came out. I found a Very Important Piece of Stick, and I made her chase me for it. I am so fast! 


Then Carrah came out with Clicky Picture Box I Do Not Like, and clicked it at us. I ran and ran, because I am fast. Then everyone cornered me in My Yard, and tackled me to the ground in a cuddle pile. Then the Daddy pointed the Clicky Picture Box I Do Not Like at me and Herrer and Carrah on the ground. I kissed everyone because I am a Good Dog.


Then the Daddy took me to DOG PARK!


I ran and played in DOG PARK! with my friends. I make new friends every day. I love friends. We run in the woods. Sometimes I steal things from the other peoples at the park, but then they catch me. I took some Dark Glass Eye Covers from a lady one day. She and the Daddy chased me and got them from me. Sometimes I am not so fast.


But today I was fast, and I explored the woods real good.


Then the Daddy took me home and I lay in My Front Doorway Stoop while Herrer cleaned My Feet. I do not like to have My Feet cleaned with towels. But I am okay when I am fed Treats.




My House smells really nice because the Mama made Real Good Smell People Food. The Mama smelled like she was busy, so I lay in other rooms.


Then the Herrer put me outside. I made My Brownies with My Bottom in My Yard. Then the Daddy let me inside.


Then the Old People Who Smell Different came to My Door. They just walked right in. The Daddy held My Dog Necklace while I talked really loud to tell the Old People Who Smell Different that they should not just walk into My House and not let me sniff them. I feel better when I sniff.


The Old People Who Smell Different went into the Food Room with everyone. I was put in My Yard. I did not want to be in My Yard. But Herrer gave me a Really Yum Yum Bone Treat, and I was a Good Dog.


But I got bored later, and I banged on all the windows with My Paws and yelled that My Family should let me in because I am bored and want to eat the People Food. Finally they did.But I did not get to eat People Food.


Later, My Family and The Old People Who Smell Different went into the Noisy Room to be noisy. The Mama sat at the Big Noisy Touch Box, and everyone else shook and banged Loud Toys. I tried to come in, but it was very weird. I do not like Loud Toys. Everyone made long sounds with their mouths. I do that sometimes. I am good at My Howl.


Then everyone went to the Food Room and ate Food-I-Have-Not-Tried. But the Daddy gave me My Treats. They were good.


Then the Old People Who Smell Different went away. That was okay. I lay in My Front Doorway Stoop for a long time. Then I was let into My Yard, because I had not done anything with My Bottom for a while, and it needed to be emptied. The Daddy and Hevver and the Mama sat and looked at the Noisy Box. Sometimes I look at the Noisy Box. It does not make sense.


I made sure all the corners of My Yard were safe, and sniffed the air because I have a Good Nose. I smelled Car Rides and leaves and Other Animals I Don't Know.


Then Hevver lured me in really sneaky with a Chicken Strip, and the Mama put me in my bed. I ate the rest of My Chicken Strip, even though I usually save it for the morning.


I like my day.


-Linus




(In case you didn't catch what people activities were really going on---my grandparents came over for dinner, and we sang Christmas carols down in the music room where the piano is, and play various percussion instruments and jingle bells.)

Winter afternoon.

Greetings, again. I am slightly less scattered, but still quite happy and all that.

hello.

Here I am now in my kitchen, listening to Gregorian Christmas music and Sufjan's Christmas album as Carla bakes apple cheddar bread. I am holding my face directly over my mug of tea, letting the steam collect on my skin, and then pulling my head away, which makes my face get all cold. And so I do it again, of course.

bloop.

Other tasty things have been consumed as I have sat here.

Homemade mac n' cheese.

lots of cookies

and a clementine, I think.

Oh, and check out the winter bouquet I picked yesterday. I took the most pleasant of walks by myself. I just needed to get out on my lonesome and chase the sun over to its setting point. And on my journey to follow the sun to my favorite marshland, I decided that even though the world around me was very brown, that the browns were actually very lovely in themselves, and the shapes and varieties were too pretty to pass up. And so, as I strolled through the silent wooded paths, I examined plant after plant to find the most notable dried up specimens that wouldn't shed everywhere.

And even though this picture is meh, you get the picture. the bouquet really is lovely in its own right.

And I made the derpy vase thing. Be proud. 

If you take a look at all those pictures, note at the osition of the sunlight. It's almost parallel to my face, which is ridiculous, because those were taken around 2 in the afternoon. Two in the afternoon! The days are so short! Yesterday was the winter equinox, so I guess we'll be gaining daylight, but ever so slowly.

Welp, I should be off to get a few things done. My grandparents are coming over tonight for their annual Christmas Eve-Eve or whatever dinner. I woke up this morning to the smell of roast in the crock-pot, which is one of my favorite things about coming home. Maybe I'll write a list in my next post about all the things I miss about home. 




But as for now, have a lovely evening. Time to go clean the bathroom.






Songs of the Afternoon:


Sail by Awolnation


Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio


Love You All by Cloud Cult


Holy Holy Holy  by Sufjan Stevens

Chez moi.

Well, I'm home.


I'M HOME I'M HOME I'M HOME.


FINALLY.


School is over. 


And I never, EVER have to do French...AGAIN.


And we get our Lucie back in a week. EEEEEEEEE.


Amongst other stellar things.




So, yes. Here I am, sitting on a messy bed in a room filled with bags of clothes and things, waiting to be organized. Meh. Oh well. At least I get my own room again!


I have come to love rooming with people, but there's nothing like having your ol' bedroom to yourself to just be a mess in. I'll clean it today, though, and make it beautiful.


Aaaaand, it is potentially going to start snowing in the next half hour! FINALLY!


I mean, it won't be much, but at least it won't be be totally brown out there for Christmas. I hope. As long as stuff doesn't melt between now and Sunday...


Yeah.




Sorry I'm so scattered right now. I promise I'll sit down and write out several nice posts in the near future. I am just so happy to be here. 




I need to go shower now, which I am not looking forward to. My hair is like a giant dread today. Bleh. Time for some yankin' and rippin'.




But I do get to use the jasmine soap I got for my birthday. I decided to save it for when school was totally done.




Happy reward time!




Songs of the Morning:


Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (because the song is also not sure if we'll have snow on Christmas....it makes me feel better.) 

Grood morning, Dinkytown.

Well, here I am again in my favorite coffee shop! But this time, it's 9:20 in the morning, which is the earliest I've ever dragged myself here. Not that 9:20 is really that early, but in the scope of plopping oneself down at a tiny table to enjoy a latte and study French, it is.


I walked here this morning, which was very pleasant. I watched the sun come up from my kitchen window today as I fed the cat, which was nice, since the past few mornings have been cloudy enough that once I do get up, I don't see the sun for most of the day. So to see that orange orb peek over the rooftops was a welcome sight.


I noticed, as I walked through the neighborhoods into Dinkytown today that the reason morning is so extra magical is that I don't hear anybody talking. I didn't hear a single word until I opened the door to the coffee shop. The only voices outside were those of the birds, hopping around in the bushes and sitting in clumps on telephone wire to chat over breakfast, or whatever. 


It's interesting when you walk through the city how many smells you encounter in just a few blocks. The stairwell in the back of out apartment building is interesting like that, too. Every time I open that door it smells like something different--fried chicken, second-hand smoke, or cookies. Or just weird stairwell.


The neighborhood went from virtually scent-less park, to smelly rail yard. I walked across the footbridge over the tracks, and noticed as the oily smell of industry slid into my nose, making everything smell greasy and musty. And, to top it all off, after I left the bridge, I walked past a row of female ginkgo trees, which dropped their stinky fruit in the late fall, leaving it to rot on the sidewalks. Bleh.


then my world got virtually scentless again as I made my way into Dinkytown. I peered into shops as I strolled past, and tried to find the hours posted for the bookstore, but to no avail. Kafé 421's entry was dark and closed, but in walking past, I could see three chefs working furiously at something back in the kitchen.


The coffee shop itself is very busy. I didn't think it'd be this crowded in the morning, but it does only make sense. Especially since it's finals week, and everyone has the same idea--go somewhere and hunker down.


I actually have a little over eight hours to burn today. That's a lot. I probably won't be going back to the apartment, either, and if I do, it'd only be for a little bit. They have the water turned off until 5:30 so that repairs can be made on some plumbing stuff. I figured it'd be best if I didn't hang around, then. You never know when nature will sneak up on you.


So here I am. I strolled into the shop through the squeaky front door that opens the wrong way (Commercial doors are supposed to swing outward--standard building code. But this one is old.)and plunked my gear down at one of the little tables in the middle of the room. I don't like sitting in the middle of everyone, but I don't really have a choice today. Whatever. The barista is very cheery this morning, and handled the long line of us with ease. People are chatting and typing and doing all sorta of things around me, giving the shop its familiar hum. 


I don't feel any guilt today about sitting here and blogging for a good long stint. I'm really not that worried about the exam tonight--it's not worth a ton of my grade, and I'm taking the course pass/fail, since it was so hard, so I'm pretty darn sure I'll be fine. 


So we'll see how long I can hold out in one place today studying. I'll probably be here for an hour or two, then eventually mosey over to West Bank to retrieve my last art projects (YAY), and maybe run around to a few other places. 


Ah. A kid from my freshman drawing class came in. See, even though I'm perched at a table in the middle of things, I have a clear view of the counter and everyone who comes in. So it's nice for the spy in me.


Well, I'm not sure what else to tell you/what else you'd care to hear right now, So I'm going to just revert into studying and reading things and whatever.


This old guy also just shuffled in to claim the table next to me, and is throwing his jacket and mitten everywhere. Ooook.




Have a good one, y'all. I'll probably check in again later.




Songs of the morning:


Oh God, Where Are You Now?... by Sufjan Stevens.

Thoughts from my boots.

One thing that I have enjoyed most throughly about college is all the alone-but-not-alone times. I am free to mosey about campus and the surrounding area as I wish, all by myself, but still be close to dozens of people, making me feel less alone. But I am mentally alone. I am free to make mental commentaries on the things I see, and formulate these blog posts in my head as I go about my day. The number of blog posts I think up and the number I actually post are severely different. I wish I was as devoted to posting as I have been in the past, but something in me has been lazy. Me sorry. 


But, as an homage to glorious blogging days, I am here in my favorite coffee shop, procrastinating, listening to my ultimate coffee shop song, drinking some Songbird Oolong tea, and soaking up the general atmosphere. I think if I were to choose one specific alone-time thing I cherish the most in college, it would definitely be the times I spent in coffee shops, bogged down by studies, but still feeling purposeful. There's nothing like the presence of hot drinks, other studying people, the smell of freshly ground coffee beans, or the general cozy atmosphere of table clusters in a low-lit area to warm the soul and intellect. 

And there's something delightful about spending time in an area where most of the population is within a few years of your own age. I can't think of another time in life where this sort of population density will be so profound. The college camaraderie is only available for a short period of time in everyone's life, and I am glad for all those who can experience it, for at least a little while. You don't feel alone in your
academic suffering, because when you glance around you, there's another guy with the same burden of finals resting his shoulders. It is somehow comforting to be in the same boat as basically everyone around you. It's a sophisticated form of survival mode.


Anyways: thoughts from my boots.


I have been tromping through the snow/slush/gross for the past couple of weeks, thinking many things, and I thought I would share some observations from my campus travels/classroom experiences that may distract you for a while as you do your own study-like-a-maniac thing.


Here are three silly things that happened as of late:






I. How to Insult an Inanimate Object:

I rode the 50 bus tonight across the Washington Ave. Bridge to get over to the coffee shop tonight. And in doing so, I noticed an obnoxious thing.


There was a girl sitting across from me with a Best Buy bag, and a giant cardboard box. And, according to the labels all over the box, it contained the Rock Master Peavey Acoustic Guitar Kit.


Now, I don't know about you, but I think it is most insulting for any instrument to be put in a cardboard box with tacky graphics which try and convince you that this will make you a rockstar. It just makes me sick. I always gag a little when I see instruments being sold in electronics stores. Sure, they're electric items usually, but it's like an insult to the instruments and music. 


Am I crazy to think that? Does this make any logical sense?


I just feel like enough things are marketed like that, and it just cheapens the whole deal. Sure, I understand the concept of a cheap, beginner guitar. But please...don't chuck it in a cardboard box and declare it the cure-all for your rockstar-less lifestyle. Let's be realistic here.




II. Crying over Pooh.

I was sitting in my all-to-exciting film lecture hall, waiting for class to begin the other day, and overheard one of the silliest little conversations. The two guys who sit behind me are generally slightly annoying in their film nerdyness, and have a tendency to talk a lil' too loud for my liking most days. But they seem like decent fellows.


Anyways, so I'm sitting there any enjoying my orange juice, and minding my own business, when I hear the exceptionally chatty one recount his encounter with Winnie the Pooh in a recent quiz. He was supposed to read a little passage able how Christopher Robin and Pooh are up on a ridge and talking about how they will be best friends forever, or something. And he admitted that after he read this passage, which he was supposed to analyze in some way for this quiz, he had to just stop and try to keep from tearing up over it. "It was like I went into a fog, and I was completely useless after reading that."


Softy.




III. The near-end of French: Going out with a...bang.

I am one exam away from being done with learning French FOREVER. And don't get me wrong, it's fun knowing another language. The classes just suck.


Anyways, so I had my last chapter final yesterday evening. It was difficult, per usual, but I think I pulled a pretty good grade out of it. We were all situated in our rolling plastic desk-chairs, scribbling away in the dead silence of the classroom. As usual, I was one of the first people to finish my exam. But I hate being the first person at actually give it to the teacher and leave. And so I sat there, check and re-checking my work, waiting for someone else to stand up. 


And as I wait, a thing happened.


Someone farted on the other side of the room. A perfect whoosh of a fart, which was, of course, amplified by the unforgiving plastic chair in the dead, dead silence. 


And, ohhhh, it was all I could do to hold in my laughter. I remember thinking that, what if it had been me who farted? I'd feel awfully embarrassed if people began to laugh. And so I thought of as many morbid things as I possibly could to distract my mind from the terrible silliness that could ensue.


And I was doing pretty good, until I foolishly glanced over at my friend Jacque.


Who was glancing at me.


And that was not a good thing.


Both of us audibly began to stifle giggles, and it was all I could  do to completely keep myself from losing it. I thought of some of the most morbid things I possibly could, stood up, quickly shoved my things into my backpack, and strutted up to the front of the classroom to hand my test in. It didn't matter if I was first. I had chosen the lesser of two evils.


The professor looked at me, asked if I was for sure confident with my answers, and I hastily told her I'd checked it about four times, which was true. I exhaled a quick and sincere 'Merci,' and fled the room. 


Out in the hall, I walked a ways away from the classroom door, plunked myself down on the floor next to a Minnesota Daily, grabbed it, and quickly shoved my head into the Overhead at the U of M section, and let loose a string of giggles. As I sat there, another girl came out of the classroom.She had been sitting in the general region of the fart, and was one of the two people I suspected of emitting it.


We made brief eye contact, exchanged an awkward chuckle, and she quickly left, slightly red in the face.


Jacque eventually came out, and completely lost it. We stumbled to the bathroom, nearly falling over with laughter, and both admitted that this was the best possible way to end two stupid years of French classes.


And if for some reason this is pathetically immature to you, think for a second. Think of the irony of this situation. Put yourself in our shoes.


It would be funny.


Believe me.








Well, I have used up nearly an hour on this blog post/dinging around doing other things/just plain not studying.


So I should probably go do that.


Audios.




Songs for Coffee Shops:


Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix) by Florence + The Machine


Futile Devices by Sufjan Stevens


Prayer by Rufus Cappadocia


Half Asleep by School of Seven Bells 




and, for the really sappy folks out there, since this song seems to sneak into the speaker systems of many places I have studied:


Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop  by Landon Pigg

Cozy nights.

Tonight is a cozy night.


I am preparing to bury myself under heavy quilts to keep warm on this 9 degree night. Minnesota never fails to force you to get cozy.


Harnar, Leslie and I had a lovely evening, filled with cornbread, chili, pomegranate, oranges, nuts, hot chocolate, crackers, port wine cheese, and incense (but we didn't eat the incense and candles, of course). We plugged in the Christmas tree lights, turned on some classic Nutcracker music, and sat down to a late night candlelight munchiefest.


And now, as I snuggle in, I can hear the two of them watching Home Alone out in the living room.


A perfect end to a cold, cold week.




Songs of the Night:


The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky


London Town by The Nocturnes


A Charlie Brown Christmas by The Vince Guaraldi Trio

Wasting time.

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"


I've seen that quote floating around the internet lately, and I'm doing to say that I half agree. It really depends on what you're wasting your time on, and if it's going to be really detrimental to you or others. Like, drugs, or something.


I currently am wasting time by blogging. Is that truly wasting time?


Maybe....


...but it's better than drugs, right?






After posting that last long-winded thing, I decided it was about time for some food.


But being alone in Cedar-Riverside when it's dark out doesn't really yield many options for seeking out tasty morsels, so I piled on my winter garb and braved the cold for about a block until I reached Jimmy Johns.


I don't particularly like Jimmy Johns, but it's quick food. Whatevs.


Man oh man, though. The cold has really set it. I mean, it's about time, and it really does make you think it's closer to Christmas. But it's still not tons of fun when you have to haul yourself around in it all the time. And without earmuffs, I might add. I forgot them at home this weekend, I think. Boo.


And so, I left JJs with a sandwich in hand, and shivered and tromped my way back to Regis. I decided to go into Regis West instead of Regis East, as it is more likable. It was also the closest to me, and I was freezing. Where I was perched before in the East building was by the huge windows, which make the place freaking cold. So here I am, on the West Side, right in the middle of the building, feeling a lot warmer. And I like this place better, as I said before. I have all good memories of 2-D art classes here (I'm more comfortable with 2-D than 3-d. Always.) And it smells like paint and varnish and gesso and turpentine and things, verses plaster dust and metallic whatever in the 3-D building.


I sit here watching hipsters stroll by, their frumpy hats perched all different directions on their shaggy heads. Some guy is taking pictures below me of his pottery in a gallery, and I can hear voices coming from somewhere down there as well. No saws, no drills, just chatting, and the constant hum of the ventilation system. 


And, this side has comfier chairs.


Yeah.




I should probably go glaze now. Boo.


Audios.




Songs of Tonight:


probably something violently productive. We'll see. I only have until 11 and this place closes....crap.


Oh well.It feels nice for once...

L'hiver.

Winter is finally upon us, mes amis. 


And yesterday was particularly magical. And I felt like I wanted to describe it in detail because, well, I haven't done that in a while. And I enjoyed it so very much.




I shlumped up in bed a little after seven. Our room faintly glowed with that cold morning light that strains to penetrate clouds and window treatments. I shoved my fingers through the venetian blinds, bending the plastic slats to peer out into the neighborhood with bleary eyes. The sky sagged low with deep gray clouds, sprinkling the earth with dusty flurries.


When your days starts out as cozy as this...it usually means it is going to be pretty magical.


I stumbled out into the kitchen to start the kettle, and begin warming up mini Eggo pancakes with maple syrup. I'm not much of a frozen food person, but when life requires it, at least I like frozen breakfast food alright. It's nicer than waking up to a handful of cereal or cold pizza, or something.


Eventually I was dressed,had a travel mug of hot tea in my hand, and was locking up our apartment door. I stepped out into the snowy morning, feeling all snuggly and prepared in my wool coat and lovely knit cowl my sister made me last year. The sun was attempting to make an appearance at the edge of the thick clouds, but only managed to show off a sliver of pink sky off in the distance. With snowflakes dancing around me, and a favorite winter song playing on my iPod, I tromped through the snow over to the bus stop.


By eight, I was in McDonalds in Dinkytown, waiting with one of my coworkers for our carpool to arrive. And then, it was off to work. My coworkers enjoy listening to the Dave Ryan morning show on KDWB every time we drive, which isn't a bad thing, and is usually interesting. But my brain was awash with music, and I tried to concentrate on the lovely songs in my head as we drove, rather than hear about some guessing game they were playing at the radio station to win Lady Antebellum tickets.


Work was fun, as usual. Jazzy was super giggly today, and we had a grand ol' time talking about the colors we saw in our books and in the hallway were we work. Jonathan was a bit of a handful, but I had to give him a little grace. He informed me that his parents had been yelling a lot, and that he shouldn't be excited for Christmas because his dad was mad. I couldn't quite follow the string of events, but I can see why things like that could really disrupt a kindergartner's psyche.


We left after a very positive progress report from Sister Sharon, our coordinator,and after each taking a candy cane or cookie from the treat table. Man, I'm going to miss this place ;)(but not because of the food, though that is a cheery plus...)


I was eventually dropped off back at the apartment, with a couple of those little apple pies from McDonalds in tow. I've actually never bought anything from that location until now, when my carpool driver went through the drive-thru before dropping me off. 
It was a bit of a guilty pleasure moment, because this is not the time of year to really eat more than necessary. But whatever. It was one of those days. 


I moseyed about the empty apartment, munching pies and organizing myself. I made some chicken noodle soup, which was nice. But then something stupid happened. I lifted my computer off the table, and  it still had the charger cord plugged in, which caught on my nearly empty bowl, and pushed it onto the floor, demolishing it. Ted, who had been snoozing under the Christmas tree behind me, leapt out of his skin,and bumped the tree as he bolted from underneath it, sending the tree topper toppling down. All in all, it was a great cacophony of noise and clumsiness. I cleaned up the mess and reassured a terrified cat that, no, the Glassware Apocalypse was not upon us.


Then it was off to film class, which needs only to be described in one word: dull. I won't tell you more about that, since it's not even worth mentioning.


After that class, I had a bunch of hours to burn before French at 6:20. So I strolled across the Washington Ave. Bridge to Coffman, where I indulged in some Starbucks coffee and one of those seductive chairs they have in the fireplace lounge areas. And there I perched, reading my book for African lit class, feeling as classy as ever. Eventually, I moseyed over through the persistent flurries to a meeting with my work coordinator, which was very pleasant. 


It's a novel experience being a college student in a place like this, you know? I found myself drinking in my surroundings as I walked past the Weisman in the snow, carrying a cup of coffee, listening to cozy music, and wearing my snuggly outer gear. Bikers rolled past me through the throngs of people. The distant skyline was nearly invisible behind snow clouds. All these little observations of my current location felt so important. It's like my brain is starting to remind me that this isn't forever, and that I should really enjoy my life here. And I do. I really do.


Anyways, there's that sidetrack.


I stepped back out into the cold after my meeting, and went over to Walter Library to read some more. I sat myself down in one of the few empty chairs in the large main hall on the second floor.

My perch was over by that far right pillar.

As I sat there, reading my book, people-watching, trying not to fall asleep, and texting, a thought came into my head. A thought about thoughts. What if all the academic and worthwhile thoughts that had ever been thought in that library were visible, and we could see the little sentences swirling through the air? I'd bet it'd be pitch dark in there, since the library had been around forever. It was interesting to ponder.

But if you did see thoughts, you wouldn't be able to see this nice ceiling, now would you?

After eventually finding myself just gazing at the soaring pillars with their fancy gold hats, and not reading much anymore, I decided it was best that I bundle up and head on home to get situated for my evening class. So out into the snow I went.


Upon arriving back at the apartment, Ted and I played the always fun game of Brushie Brushie, which basically constitutes me holding out his furbrush and him walking himself past it, and rubbing himself all over it. I then Skyped Whooshie in London, ate port wine cheese with crackers and chili with Leslie. Then the niceness was interrupted by the arrival of departure time for my French class. Boo.


Here, again, is another part of my day that I won't put in great detail. 


BUT.


I will tell you that IT WAS MY LAST REAL FRENCH CLASS....EVER.


Sure, we have three different tests within the next week or two, but I will NEVER have to sit in a classroom for two hours discussing the subjunctive, or prepositional phrases, or...or..ANYTHING FRENCHY. GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!




So that was pretty magical. 


[I was about to write that it was pretty damn magical, but you might have been offended by that, so I stuck to 
magical. But it actually was pretty damn magical. I think I can say that after 2 years of this stupid stuff.)




Harnar and Leslie met me after class outside Burton Hall (which is very pretty inside, but as silent as the grave, let me tell you). We took a nice lil' roomie road trip over to Target to buy groceries and Christmas lights and what have you. 


A good end to a good day, I say.


And it was still snowing.


Even when I woke up this morning, it was snowing.


Yeah.






And I slept like a rock that night.




The end.




Sorry that was so long-winded....












Songs of the Day:


My Understandings by Of Mice and Men


Canvas by Imogen Heap (!!!)


Eve by Emancipator


Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix) by Florence + The Machine


Painless by Mae

Naw.

It's one of those days.


One of those days where being productive sounds like a disease.


I do not want to do anything, and it's my own fault. I'm not looking for your pity. I just needed to tell you that I am not feeling productive. Newsflash.




Of course, not feeling productive academically does not mean one can't feel productive in other areas. I, for one, got in a 2.25 hour nap. That has to count for something.


Or, it can count for nothing, because it is only 11:40, and I am drinking coffee as I try to stay awake and edit this stupid paper I don't care a bit for. Ugh.


There. It's out. Now I'm actually going to do things.


Yeah.

Woman laughing alone with salad.

Guess what I did tonight...alone...in my wolf hat...

No shame.




I am here to tell you about said salad, in an attempt to make you drool a little. I am drooling myself, as I stuff this wonder into my head.


My oh-so-funny-salad tonight contains:


-Lettuce (believe it or not)


-celery


-carrots


-dried cranberries


-fresh blackberries


-roasted sunflower seeds


-crumbled pita crackers


-Trader Joe's Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah (ohmygoodnessdelicious)


-Panera's Fuji Apple Dressing




Are you drooling yet?


I am.




I do not believe in salads for the faint of heart. 


Interesting or bust, that's my leafy food motto.




Enjoy yer night, peeps. And if you're alone...give it a shot. It's utterly humiliating.