Two Birds....

I sat down to email one British Boy and got an instant message from another. Good timing :)

Got my new power cord for my laptop - very happy to say that was the problem and now all is well. And in time for my last weekend at the dorms!

Spent Saturday helping Aya move into her new apartment - she's now a Resident Hall Director - woot woot wooooot!

Puppy-sat this weekend for her mom - and I WANT A DOG!
/sigh

BAH!

Anywho.... email sent.... chatting dying down.... time to finish that last paper for my online class.

Aya's Excitement!

hehehehe

I can FINALLY post about it since SHE finally did!

That's right ladies, gentlemen, assorted critters:
My bestest buddy in the entire world is getting married.
And I get to be her maid of honor.

/beam

Star-Bursting Rings

I learned how to do something today that I had been wanting to learn for a very long time. I went hunting and found a page with text-instructions, no pictures - and got myself thoroughly confused. After many attempts I gave up and kept searching - then found this How To Page which sorted me out.

I *heart* Bubble Baths!

Strawberry scented - bubble baths :)
It's been years since I'd had one and I was in the store - and there was a cute little Strawberry Shortcake bottle with strawberry scented bubble bath - so I bought it - came home - had myself a bubble bath.
Fun.
Relaxing.

I love playing with the bubbles and listening to them go *pop-pop-pop*

In other news....
I'm going to be a maid-of-honor. *grin*

And I ordered my books for my fall class: Web Design for Content Writers - Thanks to Dr. M for posting what we need well in advanced. I will be prepared!

Stormy days..,

Lots of emotions flying about lately.

A weekend in the dorms - much cooler than last one - but the internet was down in the building and even if it had been working my laptop power cord is kaput - ordered a new one today for $75.00 /joy

Just spent 3 hours reading posts for online class - never can stay up-to-date with it - and my plans to catch-up this weekend were foiled.

Still have a paper to write by Wednesday.
Frustrations abound in that area - won't go into details.

I've been thinking about my Kiwi friends a lot lately - and the British ones - and about grandparents.

BAH.

How sad is this: I can't wait for this summer to be over?
I think it's because of all that I still have left to do.

I wanted to have a garage sale this weekend - but no planning has been done and instead of getting rid of all that stuff and getting a bit of cash I've wound up spending more money for 3 months of storage.

I've got this weekend off - but I'm going to spend it trying to finish the last paper for my online class and studying for my last Praxis 2 test - which is August 5th.

I also work the weekend of August 5-7th. And of course I'm still working in the lab during the week.

Then I go home from August 12th-22nd.

Like I said - I can't wait till summer is over :P

On a happy note - Two different sets of friends have gotten engaged this month.
Congratulations to both of them.

Times, they are a changing....

Summer Shows...

Kyle XY - Synopsis: Teenage boy, Kyle (Matt Dallas) walks out of the woods with no idea who he is, where he came from, how to speak... etc... Learns to talk in a day, finds a home with a Psychiatrist and her family. Show is about his exploration of the world around him, people, himself... and a back-story is emerging about his identity - including a murder he may have witnessed.

The 4400 - I had avoided getting into another show (until now) so I only got into this one over the summer - watching the re-run marathon. Interesting idea. Good characters. But this season has been lacking for me. Plus they killed off a very likeable character and have added one that I don't like. *shrug* I keep recording it (since I am in the dorms Sunday night) and will see if it improves.
Synopsis: Basically 4400 people who have disappeared over time are altered and returned with special powers. They were apparently taken by people of the future who are using them to right future wrongs - make a positive impact on the world. And of course there's the government and private agencies interfering in everything.

Dead Like Me - I didn't really have much interest in this show until I saw a preview with Mandy Patinkin and my curiosity bone was tickled.... Remember the movie: The Princess Bride - Mandy was "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die." And aside from some commercials I hadn't seen him in anything for quite a while. So... I gave this show a go last night. Was happy to see Callum Blue of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Cute Brit. The show wasn't so bad actually. I'll be tuning in again to see what happens to this girl.
Synopsis: College dropout girl who doesn't get along with her mom - dies when a toilet seat from a Russian space station crashes to earth. Talk about freak deaths. Now she is a Grim Reaper, she gets her assignments via Mandy's character - on post-it notes. Odd, but interesting enough for a second go.

Eureka - Synopsis: U.S. Marshall and rebel daughter stumble onto a town of genius kids, adults... all experimenting and developing and stuff. Town sheriff injured - he recommends the Marshall to take his place.
The first episode was last night - and it would have made a good mini-movie. I'm not sure if this one will be fascinating enough to keep it going. Time will tell.

Psych - Synopsis: Very observant guy, photographic memory... Pretends to be a psychic so the Police Department will let him help with an investigation. He opens up his own detective agency and drags his buddy with him. Main character has problems with his father - but they seem to be working through them as the show progresses - father is finally getting through to his son... etc. I've chuckled off and on.

Stargate: SG1 - /sigh... No more Jack O'Neal.... The show is starting its 10th season and I've followed from the beginning - originally because of RDA. But... I dunno. I find it interesting that they have now added both Ben Browder and Claudia Black from Farscape. I watched Farscape for the first couple of seasons until it got too weird for me - and then I saw the end where they killed the two main characters and I was pissed. Any who - Back to Stargate.... I do like the chemistry between Black and Browder, but surprising better than that is the chemistry between Black and Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson). I'll keep watching cuz I always have and I'm not about to abandon it now. They're going in a semi-different direction and I'm curious as to where they'll end up. Plus I'm devoted to the characters :)

Stargate: Atlantis - Beginning it's 3rd season. Uhm... well... Not as good as the original. However, despite his being so much like Jack O'Neal's character, I do find myself chuckling at Joe Flanigan's Lt. Col. John Sheppard. Plus he has elf-ears which cracks me up (they're cute... really). I keep watching it because it is on after Stargate: SG1.

And I've just realized I spend 7 hours in the last week watching these shows.
But considering that's about the only TV I watch... I guess 7 hours a week isn't that bad. Occasionally I watch movies of my own, but usually I am working, reading a book, cleaning, packing/unpacking for weekends at the dorm, sleeping, doing homework, posting for online class... etc... So really, it's not THAT bad... Right?

If hell exists...

I really, Really, REALLLLLY want no part of it.

Especially after this weekend.

Cuz I'm pretty sure there ain't no AC and that in itself is a personal hell.

/whimper

Freaking HOT to say the least.... like hotter in here than out there... and I'm stuck in here.
/sigh
Thank goodness for fans.

I did learn something new... out of necessity. You know the old "hot water bottle" trick - yeah well the "frozen water bottle" one is even better! Boo yah! 'Course it's been rather humid and the bottles have been sweating something fierce.... but let me tell you - if you stick that ice-cold bottle in a few key places it'll cool you down rather quickly. And I don't even mind it "sweating" so much - that cold water does wonders. But the bottles melt so quickly :/

One more weekend this month - then one more in August... and I *think* that's it - the schedule does seem to change a lot.

Apparently mom is having lots of fun in New Mexico at her Fiber Retreat... I wanna goooooo! It's been years and years and years. But at least I get to go to the Taos Wool Festival this year!

It may be that...

brick, ACless building + 90 degree weather = oven = baked Aspen....

BUT

Not only have I spoken to a couple of Kiwi's this weekend, but today I got an email from one of them and an email from one of the Brits,

AND

A couple of friends are up for another friends wedding this weekend - and though I work I did get to see one of them.

SO

Life balances itself out.

ie: Grandmommy passing away - new baby cousin born and mother and baby doing well.

Round and round we go...

It's about time!

A sleepless night... so I made use of my time. 2am here = 7pm there
I called my friends in New Zealand (after a year and a half) and got the scoop on what's been happening since my departure - lots of babies. And I heard awesome sayings like "Happy Chappy" and "Good on ya" and "Quite chuffed"....
/sniffle
I miss them.
I miss everything about NZed.

I've been assured that I have a bed waiting for me whenever I do come back.

Thanks to J!

hehehe... I was whimpering to him on msn about how I was melting... So on his lunch break he brought me a few of those Icee-pop... thingies... the frozen - fruity - sugary things in plastic tubes... you know the ones. hehehe WOOT! Just what I needed.
hehe

J rocks!

Stargate's Back!

Yep... tomorrow night... Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis!

I'm such a nerd....

And I'm still pining for RDA (Richard Dean Anderson)... Stargate just isn't the same without him... and this... the 10th season.... /sigh... I miss MacG!

Still melting.... =P

But it could be worse... I know...

I'm melting! I'm melting!

It is SO FREAKING HOT in this computer lab. I only have one set of lights on, I only have 13 of 36 computers on, and I have the fan oscillating.... but it's still really hot. I'm sitting here - moving only my fingers - sweating. BAH

And this weekend.... in the dorms.... it's sposed to be crazy busy with kids coming and going at all hours - and the weather channel says it'll be 95 on Saturday... and me.... in the dorms... no ac.... /faints at the thought

Seriously folks. I hated the heat in Texas, but at least EVERYBODY had ac....
/boggle

I mean I know we only need it here maybe 2-4 months a year - at most... but still... /whimper

I miss my apartment.

Oh my darlin...

Yes indeedy! I found Clementines at a local store.
Wooty woot woot.
Tiny-easy-to-peel-orange-goodness.

Working on the first paper for my online class - it's late because my book took forever to get here :P But I had to stop for a nummy clementine treat.

Back in the lab

Yep.

Back to the daily grind - not really though. I mean I am back, but it's hardly a "grind."

I forgot to mention that I got a free PotC poster when at the movie - that was cool. But I really need to go and see it again - when I'm not exhausted... to see if it really is disappointing or if it was just me.

It feels good to be back in the lab. Comfortable. As much as I gripe about how boring it is when I'm stuck here for 8 hours straight - it is sort of a home away from home. *shrug* Go figure.

I'm not talking about my grandmother. I'm trying not to think about it either. It's hard though. I've had several people asking what happened - why I was out - etc... and offering their condolences. And there was a beautiful Red-White-And-Blue Chrysanthemum (coinky-dink it's my birth flower) and a lovely card on my desk when I came in this afternoon. - From the Ed Dept. Very kind of them. I'll try to post pictures - if I don't kill it first! (I read the care directions 3 times)

Major congrats to Jessie & V on their AWESOME new car. They chose wisely ;)
Jessie - I think you'll find that when you pass other Ellies the people in them may wave at you - or at least have a big smile for you. Not always, but more times than not. We're like a community of sorts - like people who drive old (original) VW's.

Lindening it...

So... life back in Minnes-OH-ta...

After 3 hours of sleep I flew to the cities. I waited for three hours then took the offered free round-trip-ticket and waited another 6 hours for the next flight home.

Got in at 11 on Thursday and went directly to theater for the midnight showing of Pirates. (was wired - and it was PIRATES) Was somewhat disappointed in the move - though it picked up a bit towards the end.

Worked International Day (selling $900 worth of $5 t-shirts) for CLV. Came home. Passed out. Slept 11 hours *aaahhhh* (much needed).

Saturday - Monday - I'm in Linden again. Just chatted with a few friends I hadn't seen in a while - perks of being back in the dorms.

Good news:
I have a new baby (2nd) cousin! Ashley Grace! Very exciting news!!! She's almost a month early, but mother and baby are doing well.

And now.... back to the munchkins.... Six 11-13 year olds.... it's almost like being back student teaching.... without the accents.

I wish it would rain

It's been raining all around us and mom just called me to see if it was raining here because it is raining at the shop - but no. No rain for me.

Monday morning provided a sprinkly-service.
Had lunch with family and some close friends afterwards.

Parents closed their shop for 4th of July so I spent the day with them.
Today they're back at work so I'm doing dishes, packing (shoo-ing cat out of suitcase), laundry, playing with dog, loving cat and all while watching Celebrity Poker Showdown.

I fly back tomorrow morning but won't be back until late afternoon.
I work all day Friday for CLV - will have to catch the late showing of Pirates - then work this weekend Saturday-Sunday-Monday.

Today is the day...

The service begins in approximately 52 minutes.

Family

Not really sure what happened to Wednesday. I know I only got 2 hours of sleep on Tuesday night - and then an hour or two on the plane home.... Slept a bit Wednesday afternoon...

Spent all day yesterday with Mom and Aunt - packing up Grandmommy's stuff and moving it out of her room in the nursing home.

Dad and I went down to The Parks Mall in Arlington today. Met up with all of his family (minus MK). My Aunt, Uncle, 3 cousins & their spouses, 7 second cousins - and one on the way (baby girl - due in a few weeks!). They were down there getting a family potrait - since they were all in one place - very rare. One cousin lives in Nevada, one in Alabama, the third in Texas - me in Minnesota.... It's been 2.5 years since we've all been in one place.

Today was a good day.