For one night only, if only.

Today is a weird day for me. It's been exactly a year since I first boarded a plane abroad. First from Boston to Chicago, then from Chicago to LAX, from LAX to Fiji, and 10 days from now, Fiji to Australia. I had a minor breakdown the other day thinking about it, but now I'm just missing it heaps. I can't believe how much has happened in the last year. As for recently, I've been working at ACE after school care in Mallet's Bay Monday and Friday afternoons as well as the Writing Center (where I am now) on Monday and Friday mornings. I just started a new job last night at KOTO Japanese Steakhouse which is a sushi restaurant and hibachi grill. I think that I'll enjoy it--much faster paced but not too difficult (hopefully) once I get the hang of the restaurant. I've been going to physical therapy on campus twice a week for my abnormally loose shoulders and have been making appointments here and there with career services and such to talk about grad school. Everything is moving really slowly and really quickly at the same time. Graduation will be here before I know it.

Aaaand... I'm back.

It's been so long since I last blogged that I really don't know where to start. I am almost into my final semester of college here at Saint Mike's and I guess that means it is time for some serious reflecting and some real consideration regarding my near future. I think that I'm in an extremely different place that I was in last time I posted in my Australia blog... This summer was really tough. After landing in Boston I cried for about a day straight. Missing Australia was really hard on me. I had a bacterial infection in my stomach for the entire summer but didn't find it until September which made it even harder to assimilate back home. Last semester was pretty wonderful, as well; school was really busy but rewarding as I completed my first senior thesis and got an A on it. Presenting it was liberating and surprisingly a lot of fun and I can only hope that my second one this semester is even better. I think that the most incredible thing that happened last semester was meeting a guy who has made a really significant change in my life. As of late, we've been going through a really rough patch but I know that I'll grow out of it and I hope more than anything that our relationship can grow out of it, as well. I haven't seen him in about three weeks but that will all change tomorrow night; I couldn't be happier.

I have a lot of big hopes and plans for this semester and the time immediately following it. Above all, I want to do what makes me happy while planning for graduate school and moving into my first non-college apartment. I want to write more and reflect more. I want to cherish the relationships that have gotten me through both the good and the bad, and not mourn over friends who I have lost along the way. I want to watch less TV, spend less time on Facebook, and spend more time enjoying my last semester as an undergraduate. I want to look back at this semester, and at college in general, and be content.

So much has happened since the last post that I made to this blog. I created a new one for my Australian adventures (http://www.bgriffin19australia.blogspot.com/) and plan on updating that pretty frequently after my departure (only 15 days away!). As far as being home goes, my extended Christmas break has only recently slowed down to a near-halt (though I know this won't last much longer!).

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I kicked of 2010 at the Marriott. We had our annual New Year's celebration with a 1920's flappers and gangsters theme. It was a lot of fun; the entire staff was dressed up and acting the part and at times went a little crazy dancing around the ballroom (thanks to an egging-on from Bob Charest and his fabulous band). I worked and danced until 2am and then headed home for my first sleep of 2010.

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Exhausted as ever, I woke up on January 1st at 6:30am, after a 4-hour nap, and headed for the Portland airport. Because of a hyped-up snow storm, my parents decided it best for me to fly into Burlington rather than drive. My 9:30 flight was delayed until noon due to technical difficulties on the plane, but after watching three flights leave ahead of me, I finally boarded to Philly. Upon arriving in Philly, I sprinted to my second flight and made it by seconds, and only because it too was delayed.

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I made it to Burlington (finally) and went out with Chelsea for a while. After that, I met up with the Buffalo crew and we had our pre-departure dinner/get-together the night before leaving on our trip. It's so funny to think about meeting all of these people before leaving, remembering how we barely knew eachother only a couple short weeks ago.

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After a sleepover with Liz in her apartment up north, we all met at the MOVE office at 4:30 the next morning. We had a nice EXHAUSTED breakfast (I had slept very few hours in the previous couple of nights) and then headed to the airport. With only a minor pause at security, we made it to our flight. Before boarding we got in some quality bananagrams time (the first of many throughout the week) and a few got in short naps as well. We all basically slept through both flights (Burlington-Philly, Philly-Buffalo) and were brought first to our car rental destination upon arriving in Buffalo. This place may not sound significant, but it is where we first met our love, the Sprinter, that would be our vehicle for the week. The Sprinter got us to the St. Lawrence Guest House, our home for the week, where we had a fabulous meal waiting for us--authentic Buffalo pizza and WINGS. We also met Andy, our psuedo-tour guide and new best friend, who brought the EXHAUSTED group to Niagra Falls where we each acquired a layer of ice and froze our toes off for a glimpse of the beautiful sight.

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Over the course of the week, the 10 of us from Saint Mike's grew very close. During our free time, we often just talked for hours or played bananagrams. One night we even had a 3-hour game of Apples to Apples after a spectacular dinner. Dinner was always a great experience all week, too; each night, a pair of us would cook for the group. It was fun because we got to cook, experience the cooking of everyone else, and bond over an always-delicious meal. Sarah and I cooked on the second night and we made Perogies from scratch. It was a lot of work and we had to recruit others to help knead, cut, and stuff the dough, but the 70something saurkraut, ricotta, and potato perogies were all eaten and turned out better than I thought.

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When it came to the service portion of our Buffalo trip, as a group (and individually) I feel that we accomplished a lot. On our first full day, we were snowed in but painted the main hallway of the guest house. Sarah and I also helped the church's youth group do some tie-dying, as well. We were assigned schools that we would be working at for the week before starting on Monday, and I was sent to Saint Monica's school for girls with Sarah, Amy, Hillary, and Lily. The five of us taught Art and Gym throughout the week, organized and put together a library for the school, helped the sixth-grade English class paper mache and paint throughout the week, and socialized with the girls. A couple of us taught Spanish class as well as Science and Religion on various days. The school is made up of 31 5th-8th grade girls, all of whom are incredible. They all have such attitude and despite coming from less-than-ideal homes, they all exude confidence and have incredible senses of humor. Helping and teaching in this kind of environment makes me think that if I do end up teaching some day, It would be extremely rewarding teaching in an inner-city school such as this one.

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The school runs based on the Nativity model, meaning that they are a private, religious school that recognizes the talent within each student despite their odds. Most of the girls at the school are on full scholarship and are provided with a free breakfast and lunch every day. The days are extended, meaning that they attend from 8-4:30 every day. Classes run from 9-3 (I believe) and are followed by after school programs ranging from girl scouts to knitting club to basketball. Study halls also make up part of the after-school program, and during this time we were able to sit with some of the girls, one-on-one, and both tutor and chat.

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It was fun to spend the days at St. Monica's and then reflect with rest of the group about their time at the boys' school, St. Augusten. We all attended basketball games for both of the schools over the course of the week, and got to hear a lot about the adventures had at the two different schools. As I said before, all of us got incredible close (to the point where, despite us all having our own rooms, Me, Liz, and Sarah decided to sleep together in a tiny room with bunkbeds). A few of us got together on Saturday night back at campus (after flying from Buffalo-DC, DC-Burlington) and had a post-trip celebration. I came home the next day and have been nostalgic since.

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Last weekend, after a week that dragged on endlessly, I travelled up to Saint Mike's with Christina (surprise!) to visit everyone. The weekend was a whirlwind and I spend most of my time with Ricardo (Venezuela) and Yusef (Panama) when not hanging out with everyone together. Eleven of us went out for brunch on Saturday; on Sunday night Ricardo, Yusef and I went to the Skinny Pancake and then picked up John and Liz for some bowling. Afterwards, John, Liz and I went to 326 for a huge-group game night where we played Taboo for hours.

I stayed until Monday (thanks to MLK Day--no work!) and spent time with as many people as I could. It was sad to leave, but I'm heading back Friday so I'm extremely excited. I miss everyone like crazy already.

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SO here I am now, at work on a Wednesday, counting down the hours until I am back at St. Mike's and realizing how soon Australia is. I got an e-mail today saying that my pre-departure package is in the mail (including my plane tickets, detailed itinerary, participant list, etc.) and I should be receiving it Friday. I've started my Fiji readings (aghh) but, as excited as I am, can't resist procrastinating. I have to pick up gifts in Vermont and Maine for my Fijian host family and, of course, I have to begin PACKING. I have a lot of anxiety but also a lot of excitement. Exactly 15 days from now, I'll be sitting in the Chicago airport with loads of new friends, waiting to catch a connection to LA.

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Hasta Luego!

I can't believe how quickly time is passing as of late. The semester flew by, Christmas flew by, 2010 is sneaking up on me. I started work at the law office on Monday and I'll be working New Year's Eve at the Marriott tomorrow night (the theme this year is flappers and gangsters, it should be a lot of fun). On New Year's Day I leave for Vermont and on the 2nd I fly from Burlington to Buffalo for a week-long service trip with new friends from Saint Mike's. While there I'll be working in either a boys' or girls' Catholic school (placement hasn't been assigned yet). I'm really looking forward to it but I am getting a little bit nervous--a feeling that I didn't expect to have before leaving.

When I return from Buffalo I'll have just over three weeks until leaving for Fiji/Australia. I think that it is really starting to set in that I'll be halfway around the world for an entire semester; I have to apply for my visa upon getting home from NY, and then I have to PACK. How do I pack only a couple of bags for an entire semester abroad!? It should get interesting...

I'm creating a new blog especially for my time/experience abroad, keep a look out for it--it will be coming SO SOON!

I head home from school in 5 days and it still really hasn't hit me that I won't be coming back until September. It's honestly been a really tough semester but the last few weeks have made me feel a lot more content about the friends that I have and the experiences that I've been through... I've gotten a lot closer to certain people and I've realized that the only one who can justifiably judge my actions is me (though I now know who to confide in and who genuinely cares about me and how my actions affect me).

I had a lot more to write but I'm sleepy and have 10 pages to write for my American Theory final (due tomorrow).

(Thanksgiving Dinner with my SMC Family)

Eleven hours of homework later and STILL I've never felt better. Treating myself to a bubble bath, a full-body aromatherapy lotion rub, and a facial was the perfect way to end my night. What a day.

I feel like my life has been a huge blurry jumble of emotions, events, and areas of anticipation lately. I've got so many things on my mind and can't believe how quickly this semester is flying by. Sunday I had a pre-departure meeting with everyone else at SMC that is going abroad for the spring semester and it really started to hit me that I'll be halfway around the world in only a few short months. It is now less than three months until departure day and I have a lot to do before I go.

Despite the stress that has been surrounding me lately, I can't help feeling strangely content. I think I'm just euphoric from the incredible smell of this lotion.

I'm leaving for Fiji/Australia in less than 4 months. Still hasn't hit me yet. I'll be gone from February 5th until June 27th. While abroad I'm planning on:

visiting friends in New Zealand

visiting the Great Barrier Reef (doing a 4-day trip with my program)

attending Rugby games (hopefully an All-Blacks game in there somewhere)

sky diving

visiting Tasmania (maybe?)

checking out the outback!

learning to surf

picking up some Aussie slang

checking out the Sydney nightlife

attending some sort of show at the Opera House

The list goes on and on. If you have any recommendations or ideas that I haven't said, let me know :)

Summer whizzed by and here I sit, in my cozy Pontigny bedroom, on the third day of classes. Overall, my summer was spectacular: summer camp was the time of my life this year thanks to my amazing campers and co-counselors that I spent the 8 weeks with.

After the 8 weeks of camp ended, my last week of summer was spent making a roadtrip to Florida with a few of my closest.

The Florida trip was an absolute whirlwind... Chelsea, Lawless, and I drove from Vermont (after moving into our new rooms) to North Carolina to pick John up. Afterwards, we drove to Georgia and spend a night at Christina's house with her family (who are all gorgeous, by the way).

We spent 3 nights at a campground called Raccoon River in a giant tent. Days were spent on the beach at a state park in Panama City Beach, where the water was clear and the sand was white. John and I had a snorkeling endeavor and we all just relaxed and enjoyed the last days of summer listening to "Toes" (our anthem) and not worrying about a thing.

We had some crazy nights and then drove the 30 hours back to Maine, where we spent a night at my house and ate the most delicious, non-fried-chicken, meal of my life.

I moved back onto campus for good on Saturday. It has been quite a transition but I'm managing.. Sunday night Alicia and I went to see Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley with a couple of guys at the fairgrounds. It was a great show and such a fun time.

My class schedule this semester is packed.

Mondays:

9:30-10:20 American Literature II

11:45-12:50 Critical Theory

1-2:05 American Theory and Methodology

2:30-4:10 Honors Colloquium

Tuesdays:

2:30-4:10 Age of FDR Seminar

Wednesdays:

9:30-10:20 American Literature II

11:45-12:50 Critical Theory

1-2:05 American Theory and Methodology

4-5 Radio

Thursdays:

12-12:50 Writing Center Internship Course

2:30-4:10 Age of FDR Seminar

Fridays:

9:30-10:20 American Literature II

11:45-12:50 Critical Theory

1-2:05 American Theory and Methodology

My classes seem interesting so far and I like every professor that I have, but I've already got hours of reading and studying to do and it is only day 3. I'll also be working in the writing center for upwards of 3 hours a week which will leave my schedule crammed. I'm happy that I have a couple of days to relax, though!

More to come!

My life has been a bit of a whirlwind as of late. As I write, at 8am, I can hear the buzzing of my brother's hair being cut off while I wait until departure time. I'm heading to New York City with my parents and brother for the weekend. We're simply planning on walking through the city, doing some shopping, and visiting with a bunch of family members for my great-aunt's 90th birthday party. Will be interesting to say the least.

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Summercamp is officially in swing. Week one ended successfully and I have to say that I am extremely excited for the summer to unwind. I am working with 4 counselors that I have known for a while but have never worked alongside, with a group of kids that I had recognized but, again, had never worked with previously. They are sixth-graders and extremely energetic. We have more class-clowns than any one group of children should include, which only makes my live exponentially more interesting as I spend 10-hours a day laughing at them. All of the boys are athletes, with a couple exceptions, while nearly all of the girls are girly, nail-polishing, card-playing, gossip queens. I get the daily gossip from three of them each morning and it reminds me of being that age with Chelsea, Margaret, Sarah, Krissy, Jenn, and many others. I'm looking forward to seeing the summer unfold!

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My computer has been down for about 2 weeks now. I am ordering a macbook on Tuesday and can't wait to have a working computer again. I'm currently typing from my dad's, though he usually leaves it at work, meaning i rarely have any way to get onto the internet. I can't complain, though... I haven't really missed it much (other than losing what little bit of touch I have with some people at school).

When I reminisce back to some of my High School days I can rarely remember how I felt or what went on from moment-to-moment. I realize that a lot of this is because I was sleepwalking through my high school educational experience. Today I woke up mentally and physically exhausted after my first 10-hour work-day of the summer (I have 8 more weeks of them up ahead), and realized that I have that same sleep-walking feeling inside of me now. Despite 4 hours awake and 2 cups of coffee, I feel slightly numb and as if I am going through the motions. My days, from here on out, will generally consist of either 10 hour days at rec, or 4 hour office shifts followed by 6 hours at rec. 10 hours. Plus 2 hours daily at the gym. And probably a few more hours reading: at least while I power through the final 2 books in the Twilight series (yes, I know). I hope this isn't mistaken for a big, long complaint--that isn't what I am meaning to portray. It's just curious that this feeling is so familiar, and yet i don't truly remember the last time I felt this way. I think that the stories I've been reading are latching onto me emotionally, and the exhaustion is not truly letting me see past them. I'm beginning to temporarily lose touch with everyone outside of the workplace, as I always do during these 8-weeks of summer, and it really is too bad. I'm content with everything for the moment, though... honestly. But a nap would probably help. Or maybe some sunshine.

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Or maybe I could use something more.

I just found out that St. Mike's approved my study abroad application! A few weeks ago I heard back from AIFS (my program provider) and found out that they accepted me too! I will OFFICIALLY be spending my spring semester (early Feb-late June) in Fiji/Australia/New Zealand. I can't wait.

I started bikram yoga today. The place that I'm going to had a beginner deal and I only had to pay $30 for unlimited classes for a month. Basically, I'm saving $100 by paying for a monthly deal this way. It kicked my ass today, but I'm planning on going at least 3 times a week for as long as I can manage.

Josh is helping to design a tattoo that I'm planning on getting a little bit later on, probably once school starts up in the fall (maybe before?). If it all goes as planned, I will have pictures up at some point later on!

Went to a bonfire last night with Josh, Helen, and a handful of old friends. I miss stuff like that at home, I always have a great time.

Overall, happy to be home and loving the warm, sunny weather!

It's time for a summer goals list:

-Work out every day that I can (at least 6 days a week)
-Eat much healthier
-...and therefore lose a good amount of weight
-Work hard and make/save as much money as possible for Australia
-Once it gets warmer, go to the beach and relax at least once a week
-Get to some concerts/shows
-Visit Julia in DC
-Visit Justin/friends in Mass.
-Visit Vermont
-See Felicia in NYC during the 4th of July
-Do Bikram Yoga a few times (at least)
-Go for more bike rides and walks outside
-Get a camera and take loads of pictures

etc. etc. I'm sure I'll add more later!

Can you still feel the butterflies?

I received all of my grades already! Finals week ended today, so that is pretty crazy. I'm stoked about them though... I got A's in my Teaching Writing and American Studies courses, A-'s in my Glamour Seminar and Buddhism, and a B+ in Brit Lit. Brought my GPA up to a 3.62 so I'm no longer worrying about straddling the line between being an Honors student or not.

I'm home finally, too. Drove back down yesterday and arrived around 9 last night. It is nice to be home, but I miss Justin and Julia and others already. I've had an extremely busy day though! Woke up around 9 and started what will be a strict summer gym regimen. I'm planning on going at least 6 days a week... I want to lose a significant amount of weight by Australia in February. The diet I planned on starting didn't exactly go as planned, though. I went out for lunch with my dad and didn't resist my craving for cheese and French fries. And working at the Marriott tonight didn't help either, as I was passing hors d'oeuvres and can never resists gorging on them. I need to work on that.

I ate lunch with my dad's friend JJ, who will now officially be employing me in his law office for the summer. I start training next week, doing typical chores like filing and answering phones. I'm really excited, though... I haven't had a job like this before and I think I'm going to enjoy it. All the guys there are really nice. I think it'll only be 10-15 hours a week but maybe more, at least until summer camp starts up. I'm taking it as it comes.

Working the Rustic Overtones show last week was a lot of fun. Han and I went downtown with a couple of the guys in the band to get coffee and check out the record store, and then we hung out with them in the Green room until being kicked out due to our under-21 infliction. It was great, though. The guys are hilarious and we hung out with them and their openers after the show for a while. And, as always, they were great live. I may be helping out more with shows in the future... fingers crossed at least.


Like I said, I started at the Marriott again today. It's nice to be working again but it's gonna take me a while to get used to the physical aspect of working there. I'm hurting all over! Fun times anyway, though. Working my brother's senior prom tomorrow night, too. It'll be an interesting time!

I finished my study abroad application and am just waiting for Saint Mike's to send my program my transcript... then it'll be entirely finished and I'll just have to wait for an answer. I'm so so so excited about it and just keep getting more excited as time passes. Liz and I talked for a while because she spent last Fall in New Zealand and she made me feel so good about choosing Australia. It will be an amazing adventure!

AND I cut all of my hair off. It is now about chin-length and I'm planning on dying it either really light or really dark soon. Haven't decided yet. Any opinions?

I haven't written in a long time but I suppose that I've had an exciting/typical couple of months. I suppose I can start with the least recent and move forwards...

A few months ago was the housing draw. I drew for a suite with Julia, Christina, Chelsea, Robyn, Alicia, Shauna, and Nicole. We got an 8-person suite in Pontigny (one of the newest buildings on campus... also where Justin and the guys will be living next year too!) We're on the first floor, opposite the RD, but I'm pretty excited--should be a fun semester with a new group of people... I'm always up for change.

A couple of weeks ago I registered for classes. Next semester will be stressful but my classes sound interesting! This is what my typical weeks will look like:

Monday:
9:30-10:20: American Literature II
11:45-12:50: Critical Theory
1:00-2:05: American Theory and Methodology
2:30-4:10: Honors Colloquium

Tuesday:
2:30-4:10: Age of FDR

Wednesday & Friday:
9:30-10:20: American Literature II
11:45-12:50: Critical Theory
1:00-2:05: American Theory and Methodology

Thursday:
12:00-12:50: Teaching Writing Internship Course
2:30-4:10: Age of FDR

This and 5+ hours of work in the writing center is what will take up nearly all of my time in the fall. BUT, my spring semester will be a relaxing, incredible semester in Sydney, Australia! I'll be spending 10 days in Fiji for orientation, and then spending the rest of the semester taking only 3 classes in Sydney. I'll visit New Zealand for my spring break (I hope!) and I'm really looking forward to it! I'm just about done applying at the moment--I have one last essay to write and i have to get everything settled with my advisor (today) but I'm almost there!

I spent Spring Break in Washington, DC with Julia and Jake. We ate incredible food, visited all of the monuments and museum's, and relaxed for the week. I don't think that I've eaten so many varieties of food in such a short period of time. I think that we had Indian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Mexican, American, Italian, Japanese and Greek. Just reaffirmed my love for all things edible.

Next, I cut 10 inches of my hair off! It sits above my shoulders now and I've dyed it 4 times recently... I become a bit compulsive with changing my hair once I get started. I'll probably cut it one more time before summer, and maybe dye it darker again. Who knows.

Last weekend was one of the most eventful of the semester. Friday night was Lupe Fiasco on campus. Allie and a friend came to visit as prospective students, and they hung out with friends while I went to Lupe with some others. It was decent, not amazing, but fun nonetheless. Asher Roth was meant to play on campus but due to a bunch of controversy he was asked not to. There were rumors that he would play on campus but he didn't... School wasted 7 grand due to breaking the contract and asking him not to play. A lot of people were pissed. Oh well.

Saturday was UVM's Springfest. Christina, Hannah, and I got there around 12:30 and hung around until 6. Random stuff went on all day but the highlight was Ratatat playing. We were up at the front by the stage for a while but after being knocked over multiple times we moved so that we could dance. They were great, a lot of dancing was done, and great food was had. Also, UVM has a hula hoop team! Kinda crazy.

That night was fun too. Reconciled with Mary the day before over tea, and hung around with her and Grant and Christina all night. Danced a lot at the Turtle Underground up north and then got busted at a party, which was too bad. Didn't ruin the night though... the rest of it was typical but fun.

Tomorrow Rustic Overtones are playing at the Higher Ground downtown and Hannah and I are working as merch-girls for them. We're gonna hang around and sell t-shirts and watch the show for free. I'm really excited! Haven't seen them since the fall when we played 4-square and such.

This Saturday is P-Day, and should be a great time. We only have a week and a half left of classes, and then I've got a paper and two final exams the week after. I'm done on Tuesday afternoon, though, but I'll be sticking around until Friday. I'm so excited for summer--the weather, the lack of homework, seeing everyone from home, everything. I think that I'll be working for my dad's friend in his law office but if not I'll be at summer camp and the Marriott. I'm hoping I'll be able to make a good amount of money so that I'll have enough Australia!

Everything else is going well for the most part. Things are wonderful with Justin and I really couldn't be happier.

I suppose that this is just a bunch of rambling. Oh well!

I'm well into the second semester of the year and so far it has been a ridiculously hectic, busy time for me. I'm taking five classes and they all require a whole lot of work:

MWF 10:30-11:20 I have British Literature II with Christina Root, my advisor. The class is a lot bigger than the one I had with her last semester and I have a little bit of a harder time speaking out in class. My appreciation for poetry has gone up, though, and I have it with John and Julia which is a plus.


M 5:00-6:00pm & W 1:00-1:50 I have American Studies I, which is basically a survey of the 1960's in the United States. The class is insanely interesting most of the time and sitting through class is like sitting through story time (college style--immense note taking included). My professor is a really cool guy and I'm actually planning on picking up an American Studies major to go with my English major--the two overlap quite a bit. Pretty exciting!

TTH 10:00-11:40 I have a 400-level Honors English Seminar on Glamour with a man named Joel Dando. The class is small and a lot of fun for the most part. Joel himself is a great guy and I believe that it is his last semester on campus. Christina is in the class with me, too. This week we focused on a movie called Paris is Burning--a documentary about drag queens in 1980's NYC.

TTH 1:00-2:15 I have Buddhist Religious Thought. The class is interesting but goes by pretty slowly, as the style is almost entirely lecture-based. I've learned a lot, though, and it just makes me want to go to Tibet or India and study Buddhism more. I got a 97 on the midterm this week and I'm pretttttttty excited.

TH 2:30-4:30 Is my Teaching Writing course that is supplemented with tutoring in the writing center on Wednesdays 4-6. The class is probably my favorite of the semester and teaching in the writing center is really cool as well. Tomorrow in class we are receiving the results of our Myers-Briggs personality test and for the semester we are writing a short memoir.

I'm also involved in Little Brother Little Sister this semester and am subbing for a girl who is abroad in London. My little's name is Aubrie and she is in 5th grade. She is a very competitive tomboy-ish girl but she is hilarious and way too knowledgeable for her age. So far we've gone bowling and pet-store window shopping, and have played a whole lot of air hockey and pool. Christina and Chelsea both participate in LBLS so the three of us have a good time hanging out with our littles together.

After a long, somewhat rough semester and a week-long stint being (not-so) productive at the library (see picture) it is FINALLY Christmas break. I've received all of my grades and am pretty excited about how they turned out.

Child Development: B+
Honors Philosophy: A-
Honors Intro to Lit: A
Understandings of God: B
Genres: Fiction: B+

I'm really looking forward to next semester's classes; they should be more challenging but a lot of fun as well.

Other than the brain-numbing essays that led to the end of the semester, the last few weeks were a lot of fun. I may not have mentioned this before but I will be adding another radio show to my agenda next semester (Mondays 1-2pm). I will be working as an assistant to Garret Sullivan during his show. Definitely tune in, it will be a lot of fun! I also was accepted as a substitute for the Little Brother Little Sister program and will have a 5th grade little sister for the entire semester--I'm really looking forward to that.

And as for break, it has been wonderful so far! I've started back up at the Marriott to make some quick cash and I've spent a lot of time with the family. Justin is visiting at the moment (today--Christmas eve--is our 1-year of dating anniversary). We went out for an incredible dinner at Walter's in the Old Port and then hung out with my dad for a while before heading to bed.

Christmas is tomorrow... I'm really looking forward to it. I love the holidays at home :)

So I've decided on studying abroad during the Fall semester next year. I'm going to Sydney, Australia from Mid-July until December 5th... I'm ridiculously excited and started the application process yesterday. The first 10 days of the semester will be spent in FIJI and then mid-semester there is a 5-day trip to the Great Barrier Reef! It sounds absolutely incredible. Our Fall is their Spring so I'll be there at the tail-end of their Winter and the beginning of their Summer. Hello 85degrees in December! I'm only thinking about the positives and pushing the negatives out of my mind for the moment.

I'm also putting off writing a 5-7 page essay for my Genres:Fiction class about Society's gender expectations and the pressures that are put on men and women to fulfill the stereotype. It is interesting but I can't seem to focus enough to do it. I've had the equivalent of about 3 cups of coffee today. Shaking. If I can get 3 pages of this essay done today I will be content. I also have a MID-TERM on Tuesday in my Philosophy class. The last 2 weeks of classes this semester are going to be rough. I have three 5-7 page essays due and a 45-minute education presentation to do, among other typical assignments. I don't have any finals though! So nice!

Thanksgiving Break starts Tuesday! I can't wait to go home! My dad is here today, too, and is bringing me out for dinner and grocery shopping. I miss him a lot, can't wait to see him.

Justin came up this week which was really nice. I miss him when he's not around and love it when he is here.

The LEAP retreat was absolutely amazing. The high from it lasted for days and though its worn off I still appreciate everything about it. I'm going to see a band tonight that is led by one of my professor's sons. Should be interesting. I'm also going to a LEAP party tomorrow night. Busy Busy.

I can't wait to have time to breathe next week.

I'm all registered for classes as of this morning. My schedule for next semester looks something like this:

Monday:
10:30-11:20- British Literature II (Honors)
5:00-6:40- Intro to American Studies (focus on the 60's) Lecture

Tuesday:
10-11:40- Honors English Seminar on Glamour
1:00-2:15- Buddhist Religious Thought
2:30-4:10- Teaching Writing (for the writing center on campus)

Wednesday:
10:30-11:20- British Literature II (Honors)
12:00-12:50- Intro to American Studies (focus on the 60's) Discussion

Thursday:
10-11:40- Honors English Seminar in Glamour
1:00-2:15- Buddhist Religious Thought
2:30-4:10- Teaching Writing

Friday:
10:30-11:20- British Literature II (Honors)

I'm pretty excited about how it turned out. I didn't get into Buddhism originally but I'm in it now! :) Also, I switched into a 400-level Honors seminar about the evolution of Glamour in the 1920's media and literature.

My Understandings of God class has gotten to be really interesting lately. We began our half-semester long study of Eastern Religions and are focusing on Buddhism now. We've been practicing meditation every class (for about a half hour each time) and have been speaking about how Buddhists believe one can obtain and more relaxed and centered life. It really interests me and I've found myself waking up to say "today will be a wonderful day" more often than not. Our assignment for next week is to go to a yoga studio and take a class and then be able to discuss it. I'm definitely in my element :)

I'm going on a retreat called LEAP this weekend too... I'm leaving at 3:30 this afternoon and returning Sunday evening. I've heard amazing things about the retreat from nearly everyone that has been on it and Justin keeps telling me that I'll get a lot out of it. The retreat is famous for being one big secret kept by everyone who has been on it. I'm not allowed to bring a cell phone or laptop or homework or anything of the sort. I can't wait.

I officially dropped my Education major a few weeks ago. I'm still an English major now but I will be picking up a minor eventually as well. I was pretty set on my minor being Religious Studies but if I might still pick up Sociology. I was also accepted into the Teaching Writing course (I had to take a qualifying quiz--I was told I received the highest score!) and after taking the course I will be a writing coach in the on-campus Writing Center. It's great to know that I have something like this going for me.

I had the most realistic and horrifying dream last night. I was half-awake and I believe that I was stuck in a state of sleep paralysis but had a dream that there was someone in the room with me (other than my sleeping roommate on the bunk above). I was, quite unfortunately, asleep facing the wall and couldn't turn around to prove my mind wrong. The person in the room was, of course, out to get me and I couldn't do anything about it. I was sweating and trying to yell to Julia that I was really scared and I only managed to whisper "I can't sleep"... She whispered "keep trying!" back to me and I couldn't utter anything more. I felt someone grabbing at my leg and my arm and I still couldn't move... I'm quite sure I had a panic attack right there in bed. Every once in a while I would calm down for a minute hoping that it would allow my muscles to move again, but before I could move I would panic. After what felt like hours of this dancing between this sleeping and waking nightmare I could finally move again. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep for the rest of the night.

It seems only proper to have had this dream on the weekend of Halloween.

Justin came up and we had a wonderful time. Every time I see him I almost burst inside. He means more and more to me every day that we are together (or apart) and I can't say I've ever felt like this about anyone.

I'm really homesick for anywhere but here. Last night was very unsettling.

While taking a spontaneous bus ride to the Boston area this past Saturday I found myself in a place that I did not quite enjoy. Numbness had taken over my entire body and mind and I was not as truly happy as I know I should be in my life. With this being said, I found myself staring out the window in a state completely opposite of what I would call blissful. I was surrounded by 40 or so people of whom I’d never met before; the woman in front of me was snoring relentlessly and the man across the aisle was one of about 25 with giant orange Ray Ban sunglasses who sat hugging his skateboard and talking with his “bro” over the phone. I began to think about my life and what was truly important to me. I didn’t notice at first but realized after just a few minutes that I had been intently watching the yellow road line that restricted drivers from crossing over the edge. This line flowed and flowed and never stopped. Sometimes, but not too often, there would be a small interruption in this unbreakable yellow line; a dead animal or a crevice in the face of the highway would lead to a momentary break but the line would always find itself and regain its fullness.

While gazing and mindlessly thinking I realized that this line is a metaphor for life. I would even go so far as to say that I understood it as a symbol. Life goes on and on, sometimes with ease, but often times the feeling of gliding through life is interrupted by hard times and moments of loss. I stared at this line for upwards of fifteen minutes before tearing my gaze away; I couldn’t stop. My faith was in that line—I cheered it on as if I were a spectator at a sports game. The people, the bus, and the Vermont scenery around me melted away and for just a blinding moment the only thing that existed was that line within me. It wasn’t a line of restriction as I had previously believed it to be, it was a line of possibility. This stroke of yellow paint keeps vehicles and their riders safe—it not only represents the line of life, but it attempts to nurture life in itself. I did not want the moment of realization to end, but as all things do, it did as well.

I believe that this line, to me, was a symbol for the process of human existence and what it can be for any person that opens their mind to its possibilities.