Idea?

I've been spending a significant amount of my free time (which is very limited, I'll admit) thinking about what direction my blog should take. You'd think it would be pretty obvious. I should think about topics that I'm interested in and knowledgeable about, and go from there. However, I have far too many topics that I'm interested in to ever really come to a decision.

One idea that passed through my central processor today was a blog with "tips". A tip of the day. The tip could be silly or serious, practical or unrealistic, brilliant or obvious.

I'm going to ponder this idea for the next few days, and get back to you all.

For now, your first tip, found on the internet: To avoid clammy hands, stop rubbing rubbing clams on your hands.

The story behind it: Andrea at work was complaining of her hands being clammy more frequently now than they had ever been for. Trying to help, I looked up remedies for clammy hands on the internet, and this is what one website suggested. Needless to say, we could not stop laughing for several minutes. The real cause of clammy hands turned out to be a rubber allergy, but I still can't help passing out great advice like this. :)

Other notes: I am much too busy right now to be spending time updating my blog.

I promise a more complete post is still to come...

These lyrics caught my ear. I know Taylor Swift is kind of an unsophisticated artist (or can appear to be), but I can't help it, I love her new cd!!

And there you are on your knees
Begging for forgiveness, begging for me
Just like I always wanted
But I'm so sorry

'Cuz I'm not your princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm gonna find someone someday
Who might actually treat me well

This is a big world
That was a small town
There in my rearview mirror, disappearing now
Now it's too late for you and your white horse
To catch me now

Briefs

Tonight I have quite a bit of work to get done. I'm a little nervous because I'm going to give my first few briefs a try. I know they're not for law school, just for an upper level political science course, but I'm still very excited. All work for my Civil Liberties class is exciting because it reminds me of the direction my life is taking.

Other things on my to-do list for tonight:

• Begin working on my scholarship application - this includes writing a personal statement... those are so difficult for me. Any random compliment comments would be appreciated. I need concrete examples that I can use in this statement!! :)
• Go to the gym with Jennie.
• Homework for Accounting 620.
• Email out group info for Acct 620, like I promised I would a week ago.
• Read Eclipse. I love this book, but I also can't wait to move on to some of the others.
• Get to bed at a respectable time, so that I can attempt to get up and go to the gym again in the morning with Zeph.

My life is crazy, but I am grateful for it!

Oh, a quick update on my birthday:

It went great!! The night started out with dinner at Abuelo's with my dad, grandma, and little sister. Then I rushed off to Margarita's with Kristi. We were trying to make it before 9, so that I could avoid getting carded. I stayed there for a while and then went back home to hang out with August and Chase. I was really tired for a while, until Kristi came over. She thought I was dead because I hadn't answered my phone for the past 3 hours!! That is extremely odd for me; I almost always answer my phone. Anyway, the phone was on vibrate so after that issue was solved, Kristi stayed for a while and we had a good rest of the night.

Next year is the big one... I can't wait!! :)

Inauguration!

Republican or Democrat, I think we can all appreciate what happened this morning at the 44th Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Our nation experienced a unified feeling of hope. Unity alone does wonders for the American people. I don't know about everyone else, but I still got that tingly feeling I used to get as a child when all the men and women joined together to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Moments like these make the average American feel like a part of something great; individuals feel like a part of history.

I just wanted to write these thoughts down as they came. Let's hope (our token word) that the next four years bring about true change for the American people. God knows we need it! :)

Vacation fever

If I don't get out of Kansas soon, I think I'm going to lose my mind!! I'm so jealous of all my friends (Janice, Sarah, and Andrea) who have been able to get out of here and experience some other place.  I  know my chance will come in due time, but it still feels like it'll never get here.

On a good note... my birthday is coming up at the end of the week!!! I love my birthday.  Pretty much the best day of the year.  What could be better than a day honoring your birth where you surround yourself with all the people you like best?  

One other thing - my spring semester starts on Tuesday.  This is my second to last semester for my undergraduate degree!!  w00t w00t!  A few quick goals...

1. 4.0, obviously

2. make three new friends

3. really make an effort in civil liberties.. discuss... open your mind!

Okay, so this post isn't exactly the most brilliant writing I've ever done.  But I just think it's better to write something than nothing.

SNOW!!

I am so glad that we're getting the wintry mix that we're getting. I absolutely love the snow. I love it when I walk outside and the world is silent. :)

It makes me think that checking into law schools in Colorado may not be such a bad idea. I cannot wait to be done with my undergrad and on to law school. I just think about how great it will be to be back in a classroom where the focus is on something other than depreciation. Not that I haven't enjoyed accounting - I have, and I do. I just miss the analytical side that political science and debate bring. My class spring semester in Civil Liberties should help to sooth my desire.

Life is good right now. It's so great to know that I can feel that way without being attached to someone. Not that I don't miss being in a relationship - I do. But I've finally realized that it's better to be alone than to be in a relationship that doesn't support your growth. God it took me long enough, huh?

I'm hoping to take some pictures tomorrow if the snow lasts until then. For today, it's work until 5, studying until 7:20, final at 7:40. Then home - I'll be done with this semester! I'm not coming out with too bad a GPA either. In fact, it's very good by my standards. I can't wait until this weekend - that's when it'll feel like the holidays really get started. Only a few more gifts to buy before Christmas!! Okay, enough rambling. I'll end with this...

"I get all the news I need from the weather report
I can gather all the news I need from the weather report
Heeey, I got nothing to do today but smile
The only living boy in New York..."

-The Only Living Boy in New York (Simon and Garfunkel)

Anticipation

As promised, I'm going to start writing in this blog again. I thought all day yesterday about what I should choose for my subject, but alas, nothing stuck. I think that is what is so frustrating to me about writing. I know I have the talent to string words together in a pleasing way, but I have a difficult time choosing something to focus on. As opposed to dwelling on this fact, I've decided that maybe keeping a blog and just writing what comes to me may be a cure for my disease.

Thus.... Some random thoughts:

It's Christmas-time, my absolute favorite time of year. I got to thinking yesterday about the difference between Christmas now, and Christmas as a child. It used to hold so much more wonder. Yes, Santa was a part of that, but I think the bigger piece came from my ability to anticipate the holiday. So, to further explore that feeling, I looked up the definition.

anticipate: expect: regard something as probable or likely
anticipate: be excited or anxious about

I think I like the second definition best. That is exactly how during the long days between Thanksgiving and Christmas as a child. What is it about maturing that takes away some of our ability to anticipate? Is it the stress we feel trying to prepare for the holidays? That seems like it could be a portion of the answer. But I think, as unfortunate as it is, that adults quit anticipating in general because they've experienced disappointment.

Sure, we still look forward to Christmas. We still feel joyful that it's on its way. I think there is still a little anticipation left in all of us. It's just not the same as it was when we were younger. Does anyone agree with me here? Who can offer some other, less depressing reasons? :)

All I know is it takes a lot of courage to be truly hopeful about something.