I took a break from blogging because, well, I find it difficult to find time to sleep nowadays. At all times, I am either grading, reading articles, writing papers, prepping to teach, studying for exams, or researching. That's no exaggeration. I average about 5 hours of sleep a night and I eat quickly. All 16 coffee mugs are usually dirty at my house. To be honest, at times I wonder what the hell I am doing here. This is more work than I ever imagined and there is certainly no end in sight.
I will admit it has gotten better since the beginning of the semester. For the first few weeks I was reading hundreds of pages a week of things that just didn't make sense to me. Now, I understand about 50% of what I read which is huge. (Maybe I'm learning?!?!!)
In other news, it's Saturday and instead of forfeiting an entire work day to tailgate and attend the football game, I'm going to work all day and enjoy a nice big glass of wine tonight. I've been looking forward to it since Monday.
I wish I had something more exciting to talk about but I don't! I could bore you with the details of school and my downward spiral of the consequences of my procrastination, but who needs that? There are no social functions in my life, there are no men, there are friends but they are in the same boat as me so there is nothing interesting to share there.
But hey, that means no drama either, right?! Sometimes no news is good news :-)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Response to VT scare
After today’s Virginia Tech gun-on-campus scare, I find myself frustrated more than anything.
If you live under a rock, here is what happened:
Three boys attending a summer camp reported seeing a man with what looked like might be a gun hidden under a piece of cloth. They described the man and said he was walking quickly toward the volleyball courts.
A campus notification was sent out immediately and the campus was put on lock down. Understandably, they do not take those sorts of things lightly around here so several surrounding police forces were brought in to help investigate.
About an hour after the first alert, I started receiving texts from concerned friends. The news had reached the national level. My first reaction was sadness. How sad that this is what the media focuses on when it comes to Virginia Tech. What an image to portray of such a great university. I understand that news is inevitable whether good or bad, but I know this kind of weapon sighting isn’t so uncommon as to make the national news when it does happen.
After a quick Google search for “man on campus with gun” omitting the words “Virginia” and “Tech,” I was able to come up with 7 similar happenings in the last couple years. For instance, Central Texas College, Tennessee State University, University of Texas, University of Nebraska, etc. And that was just on the first 2 pages of search results. I hadn’t heard of one of them- and I assure you I am an avid news watcher.
But for some reason, the alert of a possible weapon sighting was the most read story on CNN for a large chunk of the day.
When I first told people I would be attending Virginia Tech in the Fall, I knew it was to be expected that some ignorant people would bring up the 2007 shootings… people who weren’t very knowledgeable about the academic world- or at least enough to know that Virginia Tech is a prestigious school known for much more than that. They are ranked in the top 50 research universities in the country. While maybe it isn’t even ignorant for people to know nothing about the academic world, it’s still pretty tactless to blurt out “Oh, the place with the shootings?”
Regardless, that is how a lot of people recognize Virginia Tech which is neither here nor there. What upset me about today was that people were once again shown this bad side of Virginia Tech that likely wasn’t even there. (It appears to have been a false alarm) This place is not scary whatsoever. Every single person I’ve met here is nicer than the last. I’ve been saying that since my first visit last summer. There is no attitude of competition; people genuinely want you to succeed and just be friendly. The streets aren’t littered with beer bottles and trash. There aren’t daily reports of vandalizing. I say these things as I compare what I have seen at other large universities.
How about a story on the $1 million grant a professor just received for research? Or about how Virginia Tech raises more money for the American Cancer Society during Relay for Life than any other campus in the country?! Or even just about how VT’s dining facilities are rated #1 in the country? No? While I realize these things aren't as relevant to the average national news watcher, I'm not sure why they are any less relevant than today's happenings.
All in all, I'm just disappointed in the media and sad for Virginia Tech.
If you live under a rock, here is what happened:
Three boys attending a summer camp reported seeing a man with what looked like might be a gun hidden under a piece of cloth. They described the man and said he was walking quickly toward the volleyball courts.
A campus notification was sent out immediately and the campus was put on lock down. Understandably, they do not take those sorts of things lightly around here so several surrounding police forces were brought in to help investigate.
About an hour after the first alert, I started receiving texts from concerned friends. The news had reached the national level. My first reaction was sadness. How sad that this is what the media focuses on when it comes to Virginia Tech. What an image to portray of such a great university. I understand that news is inevitable whether good or bad, but I know this kind of weapon sighting isn’t so uncommon as to make the national news when it does happen.
After a quick Google search for “man on campus with gun” omitting the words “Virginia” and “Tech,” I was able to come up with 7 similar happenings in the last couple years. For instance, Central Texas College, Tennessee State University, University of Texas, University of Nebraska, etc. And that was just on the first 2 pages of search results. I hadn’t heard of one of them- and I assure you I am an avid news watcher.
But for some reason, the alert of a possible weapon sighting was the most read story on CNN for a large chunk of the day.
When I first told people I would be attending Virginia Tech in the Fall, I knew it was to be expected that some ignorant people would bring up the 2007 shootings… people who weren’t very knowledgeable about the academic world- or at least enough to know that Virginia Tech is a prestigious school known for much more than that. They are ranked in the top 50 research universities in the country. While maybe it isn’t even ignorant for people to know nothing about the academic world, it’s still pretty tactless to blurt out “Oh, the place with the shootings?”
Regardless, that is how a lot of people recognize Virginia Tech which is neither here nor there. What upset me about today was that people were once again shown this bad side of Virginia Tech that likely wasn’t even there. (It appears to have been a false alarm) This place is not scary whatsoever. Every single person I’ve met here is nicer than the last. I’ve been saying that since my first visit last summer. There is no attitude of competition; people genuinely want you to succeed and just be friendly. The streets aren’t littered with beer bottles and trash. There aren’t daily reports of vandalizing. I say these things as I compare what I have seen at other large universities.
How about a story on the $1 million grant a professor just received for research? Or about how Virginia Tech raises more money for the American Cancer Society during Relay for Life than any other campus in the country?! Or even just about how VT’s dining facilities are rated #1 in the country? No? While I realize these things aren't as relevant to the average national news watcher, I'm not sure why they are any less relevant than today's happenings.
All in all, I'm just disappointed in the media and sad for Virginia Tech.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Important Fashion Updates
The title of this blog says it all. I have some VERY important fashion updates. (sarcasm- they're not that important)
So, funny story... I was browsing blogs this morning and came across http://veronabrit.blogspot.com/ (I don't know how to link to sites while writing what I want as the link. I'm working on it)... I liked, I followed, and THEN I came across one of the very dresses that is on her blog while shopping in American Eagle.
Say hello to the cutest $9 dress you've ever seen
So, funny story... I was browsing blogs this morning and came across http://veronabrit.blogspot.com/ (I don't know how to link to sites while writing what I want as the link. I'm working on it)... I liked, I followed, and THEN I came across one of the very dresses that is on her blog while shopping in American Eagle.
Say hello to the cutest $9 dress you've ever seen
Please do your best to ignore the bright pink bra straps. I was in the dressing room. Give me a break. I took this picture so I could send it to my mom because I needed to brag immediately.
Update #2: You may also have noticed I used my fancy new hair waver (see previous post). However, it didn't turn out so well. This was my first time using the hair waver without the help of Missy.. since it was her waver I used previously. I suppose it takes practice though so I will keep trying.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Beachy Baby
As I sit in a little corner coffee shop this Thursday evening, I can't help but think how cute this entire little city is. The city of Blacksburg could just be called Virginia Tech city. The entire place revolves around the University. But even though it's a huge school, there is such a small town feeling here. Granted, it's summertime so there are about 25,000 less people here (seriously). But the whole place is just so quaint and cute.
I guess I should post pictures at some point to make my terrible description more life-like.
In other news, I ordered the most fabulous hair tool today.
It makes my hair do this:
You see the beach-like waaaaves in our hair? Cute, right? For someone with short, plain, straight hair- this is very exciting. Ordering this was the highlight of my day. Hey, it's the little things :-)(Notice the wine in this pic.. yumm)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Alas, visitors!
I have been in my apartment by myself for a little more than a month now. This is not interesting- I lived alone my senior year of undergrad as well. However, I am now in Blacksburg, Virginia where I do not know a soul. Being a grad student who is about to teach undergrad classes in the Fall, I'm a little bit reluctant to befriend every person I meet. Not that there are a lot of people around to meet in the first place. Blacksburg is mostly a ghost town in the summer aside from the locals.
So, imagine my excitement when an old friend (Justin) says he's coming to visit for the weekend AND my (future) roommate, Rachel, says she is coming down with her boyfriend so they can move some of her stuff in! This may not seem like a big deal to most people, and normally not me either. But being in isolation for a month puts a new spin on things.
We had lots of fun playing the Wii and just drinking, talking, and of course eating. Justin and I shopped, ate, and also saw Horrible Bosses which was hilarious. We hoped to visit the pool but of course it was cloudy for the first time in a month.
Inevitably, everyone left Sunday afternoon. There were plenty of things around the apartment to be done but I could hardly do anything but sulk the rest of the evening. Emotional hangover? I don't know- but I was more upset than I anticipated.
Today I resumed my normal schedule which goes something like this:
8:30 - wake up, drink coffee while reading
9:15- make/ eat breakfast
10:00- proceed to pool to tan/read
1:00- come inside, make/eat lunch
1:45- read
2:00- nap
3:30-read
4:30- work out
5:15- shower
6:30- make/ eat dinner
7:30- read/play Wii/ talk on phone
11:00- bed
P.S. While I realize this schedule is ridiculous and does not include any sort of employment, I feel I have earned it. I worked 3 jobs most of my college career while double majoring. I saved enough money to get by this summer before starting the hectic life of grad school. So, this is the absurd, lazy ways I spend my days. And I wouldn't have it any other way... except for maybe some more visitors once in awhile :-)
So, imagine my excitement when an old friend (Justin) says he's coming to visit for the weekend AND my (future) roommate, Rachel, says she is coming down with her boyfriend so they can move some of her stuff in! This may not seem like a big deal to most people, and normally not me either. But being in isolation for a month puts a new spin on things.
We had lots of fun playing the Wii and just drinking, talking, and of course eating. Justin and I shopped, ate, and also saw Horrible Bosses which was hilarious. We hoped to visit the pool but of course it was cloudy for the first time in a month.
Inevitably, everyone left Sunday afternoon. There were plenty of things around the apartment to be done but I could hardly do anything but sulk the rest of the evening. Emotional hangover? I don't know- but I was more upset than I anticipated.
Today I resumed my normal schedule which goes something like this:
8:30 - wake up, drink coffee while reading
9:15- make/ eat breakfast
10:00- proceed to pool to tan/read
1:00- come inside, make/eat lunch
1:45- read
2:00- nap
3:30-read
4:30- work out
5:15- shower
6:30- make/ eat dinner
7:30- read/play Wii/ talk on phone
11:00- bed
P.S. While I realize this schedule is ridiculous and does not include any sort of employment, I feel I have earned it. I worked 3 jobs most of my college career while double majoring. I saved enough money to get by this summer before starting the hectic life of grad school. So, this is the absurd, lazy ways I spend my days. And I wouldn't have it any other way... except for maybe some more visitors once in awhile :-)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Beaches, books, and wine
The title of my blog deserves an explanation.. though it's pretty self-explanatory. The beach, books, and wine are some of the top things that come to mind when I think about what makes me happy.
I am obsessed with the beach. I couldn't possibly be happier than I am when I'm at the beach and therefore I try my hardest to recreate it in my living spaces. For example:
I am obsessed with the beach. I couldn't possibly be happier than I am when I'm at the beach and therefore I try my hardest to recreate it in my living spaces. For example:
Here is a picture of the corner of my room. Jars of seashells, a seahorse wind chime, a blow fish, buoys (sp?), netting, starfish, an anchor mirror, a picture of the beach.... and that's just one corner.
Books- I love to read. Simpleanything. as that. I like reading research, biographies, fictional novels, mysteries.. just about anything (minus absurd fantasy sci-fi... see previous post)
Aahh wine. I just love it. It's so relaxing and tasty. Red, white, pink, blends, I love it all. I hope to be a wine connoisseur someday. But until then, I'll continue to appreciate it in my non-expert way.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Harry who?
While my Facebook news feed is flooded with my peers expressing their depression over the last Harry Potter movie being released tonight, I feel the need to let off some steam. I have never understood the Harry Potter craze. Nor have I understood the Twlight craze. Nor any other fantasy book/movie series. Are we seeing a pattern? Ah, yes... I have a distaste for things that were meant for the tweenage audience but were picked up on by people between the ages of 16 and 30. I mean, these are people my age and older saying things like "I can't believe my childhood is coming to an end tonight" and painting their nails with HP lightning bolts. (?!) ... Did you hang on to everything you liked when you were 10? Like... Polly Pockets? They are still making new Barney episodes but you're not still staying up on those shows, are you? The whole obsession honestly blows my mind.
On the other hand, I understand the need for some dull-brained books and movies once in awhile. I for one have been reading nonsense romance novels all summer. However, I can't help but feel even those, and anything else meant for readers ages 14+ are more sophisticated than Harry Potter.
Ho hum... to each their own.
On the other hand, I understand the need for some dull-brained books and movies once in awhile. I for one have been reading nonsense romance novels all summer. However, I can't help but feel even those, and anything else meant for readers ages 14+ are more sophisticated than Harry Potter.
Ho hum... to each their own.
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