Monday, December 15, 2008

I....a...can't talk...

DEAR GOD I am exhausted. I need to eat something SOOOO badly. I haven't had all that much today due to time constraints...argh I am le dumb.

Seriously though, why am I not in my dorm having a snack?!

College Tip #9 whatever: EAT
College Tip #10 whatever again: DO HOMEWORK SO YOU CAN EAT

yea I'm working on a late-ish paper. No worries, please mum and dad and relatives and readers, I promise I'll be good.

In other news, I got an A on my Medieval History presentation! SCOOOOOOORE. So glad. That class I shall do very well in!! I did just get out of the exam, and truth be told, I'm just drained. Gotta do it all over again tomorrow, except this time it's Art History! Kill me nowwwwwwwww!! Just kidding.

It kind of hurts to type!! I can't really feel my hands so well because of all the writing I did in the past exam....yeouch! Ah man. I don't really know what to say my brain is so fried.

The weekend was good, not as productive as I would have liked it to be, but productive enough. Fun too, so a good balance. Watched a movie(yea Batman the Dark Knight!!!), cleaned, did studying/h.w....Yeaup.

Okay before I bore you I'm going to leave. Too much on my mind and it's too hard to write a good entry!!!

Ciao ciao,
Julia

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Oh god I'm on Auto-Pilot

So I nearly started to type my email user name and password into the title section of this blog entry....OH GOD I'm a robot right now. I've been cutting slips of paper for an hour at least for the raffle and something else for the Admissions Dinner tonight....ARRRRRGHH. I can, however, look forward to one of the best meals on campus I'll have had all year.

I'M SO BUMMED!!
I think I have to work this upcoming Tuesday!! Which means I'll miss the midnight breakfast!!! Total sad day. Hopefully Zach will bring me a plate of food to work or something...that would be lovely...

So I missed "Joyce to the World" this year, and I'm pretty sad about it. I went to Culver's instead, but it was for a good cause--Theta Chi was having a fundraiser there--10 % of their sales from 4-9 would go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so that was good. I had a hot dog and it was delicious. Split a malt with Zach, but was thoroughly disappointed in it---it was terrible. Can't win it all I suppose.

SO STRESSED GOT TO GO NOW BYE BYE!!!

--Jules

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Stuck in the middle...



So this is one of the cutest things I've seen. This is called a Roborovski Hamster, and it the smallest of the hamster breeds. It only grows to about 4.5 centimeters!! AWWWW. That's like the size of my thumb. Ah so I want one now. I'll have to convince Zach to get one of these and not a hedgehog...eep!!

Anyhow!! So what was the last post about...ah St. Nick!! Still am very grateful for that package--wunderbar!! Zach got a package a few days later that was insane! It was huge, and I hope to snack on a few food items that were included in it...

These past few days have been intense. Classes are crazy, and projects are piling up...not to mention everybody else's stuff taking off!! Working in the CLC has its perks because I can work on homework if no one needs help--but this past week I've gotten no such work done. I got handed a 20-page paper the other day! TWENTY!! Oh man.

Me and Amanda's room, while it's messy, looks festive. I brought a mini Christmas tree to my room and decorated it and it's quite adorable. And tonight is "Joyce to the World"--I'M SO EXCITED!! It's so fun; there's hot chocolate, cider, crafts, a ugly sweater contest (! winner gets 50 bucks!), and President Joyce reads "The Night Before Christmas" to us all. Quite an evening. As a sorority we're going to that, but before we're going to going to have a "White Elephant Gift Exchange," so I gotta find something for that. It should be funny.

HMM what else is going on in good old Ripon? I guess just the heightened anticipation of the upcoming holidays...I do wish our exams were as last year--I loved being home for at least a week before Christmas and was able to get into the swing of things at home and have TIME for shopping and baking!! Grrr...

Zach and I came up with an idea to allow for the larger incoming classes that Ripon all of a sudden wants to have (I will not get into this topic too heavily for I may get heated :) )--provide houses for ALL of the Greek groups on campus!! Huh? Eh? Yeas??

Well--gotta go!

--Jules

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Happy St. Nick Day!!!

Hooray! I got a package on my bed this morning!! So exciting. I recognize it because I saw the box in the back hall when I was getting tissue paper to bring up to school and such (I'm sorry mom if I wasn't supposed to see it!! I didn't look in it I promise!) and was very puzzled to see it when I got here back from class this afternoon! Crazy!! But it has yummy treats, a bunch of study stuff for the upcoming finals, and a gift card to Target!! SCORE!! Love love love ^_^ .

So thanks mom!!

I'm so sad by an email I got from my mom this afternoon, however. A few of my favorite shows are being canceled and I'm just...ARGH angry. "Pushing Daisies" and "Dirty Sexy Money" are leaving, and so is "Eli Stone," a show I really wanted to see and get into. OH SADNESS!! I really must write a letter to the CEO of Disney or something like that...

I am enjoying one of the most pleasant cups of "Lemon Lift" tea I've ever had. Perhaps I have the water too hot normally? Anyhow, it is delish.

Well, I am off to admissions work! Ta ta for now!

--Jules

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

More Snow!!!!

Oh mensch. What....a life I have right about now. I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TO DO!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH HELP HELP HELP MEEEE!!

Sorry I wrote that first few sentences quite awhile ago. We're (Amanda and Sarah and me) are watching the TV show "House" whilst we do our various work. It's quite a great show. Love it so far. But anyway. SO MUCH TO DO!!!!! I have so much cleaning to do and so much homework to do and so much sorority stuff to do and SO MUCH EVERYTHING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!

Must breathe. Rawr.

I just saw a commercial with Sushi in it...I want Sushi now. Real bad.

So my sister, Liz, who goes to Marquette, just informed me that her roomate is leaving her! She's moving on to a different floor apparently...I know they never had fights or anything...but weird!! I'm so lucky that my roomate situation has worked out so well both years :) (Yay shout-outs to Robyn and Amanda!!)

Oh dear!! It's so late!! I keep leaving and coming back!! GOODNITE!!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Oh what a night...

I'm glad to be back in Ripon! Although going home for Thanksgiving is such a tease--it just waves home and friends and family and comfort and relaxation in your face for three days and then it is abruptly taken away from you when you have to go back to college for a few weeks.

Grrrrrrrrr!

Although my beginning of this week was a bit un-ordinary...We didn't get back to Ripon until 11 a.m. on Monday! The snow was a bit scary to drive in, so we stayed over the night at my house. It was still a bit hectic in the morning though; we saw about 5 to 6 cars that had spun out that morning!! However, thanks to Zach's very excellent driving skills we made it safely. Hurrah!

So here I sit in my dorm room, very cozied up. It's kind of cold in here, I'm not sure if our heater is working properly, but actually--I'm okay with that!! I'd much rather be a little chilly in here than be like my room last year. My room last year was AWFULLY hot, just gross. I'd have to transition from my wonderful cozy winter clothes to P.J. shorts and a t-shirt just be comfortable. So I can sit in my slippers, sweatpants, and fleece and not be over-heated. Bueno!

Plus coffee--yum! It's Caribou Coffee, quite delish. OH my, though--it's really strong! Ah well, need a little caffeine boost.

Well, Thanksgiving! It was really, really fun. I love seeing my family and sitting around at dinner and talking and such. I made a delicious and gorgeous apple pie again, and I of course ate a ton more than usual the entire break. I thought that I would stop after Thanksgiving and recover the rest of the weekend...but no! I had parties with friends and family and continued the carb overload, haha. Ah well. I'm running tonight!

Like last week, I am going down to Bovay with Amanda and Sarah to run. Just half an hour because we have a meeting tonight, but a good hard half an hour!! Pretty excited. Amanda and I have pretty bad colds (poor Amanda is way worse off than I am though!!) but we are still gonna work out.

OH MY GOD So much to do. I'm going to become very stressed very soon in the upcoming few days...OHHHH DEEEEEEEEEEARS.

Well, I must get over to the Admissions Office to send off some letters and such! I'll write tomorrow! Ciao for now,

--Jules

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Dizzyness.

I need a better title. I'm going to change it from "Tuesday!!!! to....Dizzyness.

There we go. I ended up having a double shot of espresso from the Starbucks here on campus. Good strong kick, but I'm dizzy now. I should eat something more. Yum. Granola bar. Thank you roomie!!

Today has been okay. I woke up late today!! Yet again I need a good alarm clock. Hooray for Christmas coming up...::adds to list::.

So yesterday was soooo....incredibly...hardcore hellish. Like...I went straight from work to the library to watch a film for my movie class (it was a depressing foreign film, GO FIGURE), and then worked on studying and homework for another hour after that. I eventually had dinner (around 8.30 >_< ) and was able to relax and watch "Enchanted" with Zach. But...UGH. I was gone from my room a full 12 hours. Yikes...!

Today is also quite insane. Classes through eleven, a bit of down time for lunch and such, now I'm at work again, picked up the keys for Todd Wehr room 104, I'm going to go work out after this, I have to shower and get ready after that, then go to a meeting at 6.30...and who knows how long that will go! Afterwards I may get to relax a bit, then I meet in Todd Wehr 104 with an FYS group, and THEN I work from 10pm-1am. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

::sigh::. ::mega sigh::. Yea. It's okay though, all I have to look forward to is my afternoon tomorrow. Class was cancelled! So joy! I get to go home hours earlier than I previously thought.

Alright. Gotta bite the bullet and keep on going. I'll write a quick note tomorrow, but just in case I don't--Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

SNOW!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!


IT SNOWED! AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE! I am so happy for this first snow of the year. I was a bad person and stayed up ueber late last night (coffee at 10 is a bad idea, fyi) but I got to experience the first snow of the year just as it happened! It was light, fluffy snow, and now the campus is frosted with it ^_^. Love it.


Sorry I'm so excited about that. I just love when snow clings to the branches and rooftops...I am perhaps a little to pumped for Christmas much?


I am, however. My roomie and I have been discussing decorating the room with lights and such for the holidays. We're thinking about using blue and white for two purposes--1, it is winter friendly so we won't have to live in Christmas land all of the year, and 2--those are our sorority colors! So score for us.


This weekend ROCKED. It was formal!! And yes, while getting ready was a little hectic and stressy, we all looked fabulous. Plus, Zach was able to be there on time!!! We were worried for a bit because he had a swim meet, but he was there, ready and handsome :). I will have pictures of us up soon, but for now I have a couple of me and some sisters!here is me and Missy, my wonderful big!Here is Amanda H. (neighbor, not roomie--so confusing!) and Courtney. I'm in the middle--it is alphabetical--Hassen, Heinrich, Hollander, hence the "Ha-He-Ho Train." I look a tad bit lost...
Meh! It was very fun. I will find better, more flattering pictures (haha) soon. For now, this is all I have! Dinner and dancing at Robbin's Restaurant in Oshkosh was very fun. Loved it!

Sunday was a quiet day for me. Lots of resting and homework.

Speaking of--I gotta get going on more assignments and such. Oh...and food! Dinner sounds delish....

--Jules

Friday, November 21, 2008

FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!

Well, not quite. But soon! Soon this short paper will be over and I then can volunteer in the commons and THEN I can claim freedom!!!!!

So hold on whilst I write...

Mentoring FYS today was really fun because Professor Brown brought her dog! His name is McDuff, and he's a border collie I believe...SUCH a sweet dog, and very obediant. Well, mostly. He did try to escape and run around Rodman, haha. I didn't get a coffee date with Zach this afternoon because things were too busy, but for sure sometime next week.
Oh wait! Thanksgiving break...oh who knows!! Mensch.

Well, all, have a fantastic weekend! Less than a week to Turkey day!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Too Hot and Too Cold

So I'm wearing a T-shirt, a sweatshirt, a fleece, and hat/scarf/mittens. Provide some good warmth, but not so much when you're outside!! So I walk fast to get from building to building. Of course I get too hot though once I'm inside. Long story short, I do not adapt to temperature well. It's like, once I'm inside I need to strip off my coats immediately to be okay. I'm in my t-shirt here at work and am still warm. My latte probably doesn't help a whole lot...but yeargh!!

Pretty good latte. I haven't had one all year--I do enjoy them. I can't take Starbucks Coffee anymore. In desperation of caffeine I will probably succumb again...but I'm sorry all you Starbucks lovers out there. The coffee is disgusting. I like their specialty drinks and teas and such...but the coffee? No. It tastes burnt. Like in the roasting process they go too long.

Is this an attempt at an original, unmatched flavor that no other coffee company produces? Because...well...you got it, Starbucks! Congratulations on going out on a limb and producing the only truly nasty coffee on the market. It takes real guts to make something that is not up to standards, that no one enjoys to drink, and that defies the norm. In fact, you needn't even call it coffee. It doesn't quite cut coffee.

Sorry. It's just depressing when all you want is a good cup of coffee and you can't get it unless you make it or go into town. For convenience, like say today, it's after class and I'm headed to work, it's so easy to swoop in there and get something. Ah well.

For all of you coffee aficionados out there (in Wisconsin, though--sorry! Come visit! haha), try Alterra coffee (my favorite), Stone Creek coffee, or Ancora coffee. All are based in Wisconsin, Alterra and Stone Creek in Milwaukee, and Ancora coffee in Madison. All tasty.

Gooseberries, a coffee/craft shop in Ripon serves Ancora coffee which is awesome! Zach and I have a weekly Friday afternoon date and we go there for coffee and scones (real scones, not the muffin-like-pancakes the Starbucks in the Commons serves. Like--dry and wonderful flavorful scones). Last week we tried the brownies that they serve there. Luckily we split the brownie--it was INCREDIBLE. So rich though. I think they magically packed fudge and chocolate chunks into it, it was so glorious.

So there is my spiel to sell Gooseberries to you!
Above Gooseberries is a cute toy/fudge/ice cream shop where I believe I'll be getting some things for Christmas for Ethan (my younger brother) and other peoples...who knows???

That is what I'm so excited to do! Go Christmas shopping. I love, love, LOVE finding fun and meaningful gifts for friends and family. It's so fun for me. I even plan way in advance--I've been having ideas since October, haha.

So class today was ueber short, about 5 minutes long, actually. It was so short an email really would have sufficed. ::Sigh::. Ah well. It got me dressed and out of bed! Haha. Thursdays are nice because I get to sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep iiiiiiiin. So wonderful. Feel pretty caught up. I just have a lot to do still! I best be off soon, though. I will write tomorrow; I believe I'm stopping in to work after class tomorrow!! (yes--on a FRIDAY of all things. I'll let you know how the coffee date goes :) ).

Stay warm, drink good coffee, and have a great night!
--Julia

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Bleary Wednesday

Dear Readers,
Oh what a day. This Wednesday was a grey and cold and windy experience. Yucky from the very beginning. However, I will keep plugging on until I can finally go to sleep in my warm, cozy bed.

My schedule tonight probably consists of food, coffee, costumes, some homeworks, and a movie. Oh yes--SLEEP!

So one of my favorite teachers from high school, Mrs. Frederick, is now doing what I want to do someday!! I got the link to the article from my friend Erin, who's at Madison:
http://www.wauwatosanow.com/story/index.aspx?id=816567
I want to illustrate and write children's books! Ah!!

Okay, food time. I am starving...Pilates took it out of me ^_^

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuesday

OH cramps. Pain. Yup.

That's that. All I want to do today is curl up with a hot water bottle and sleep. And Zach to be around. As I'm sure I've said before, Tuesdays really suck because I'm busy all day and so is Zach and we really don't get to see each other :(. I know, I know, being a silly girl. I'll hush up.

So there is a lot of news about Pirates today. Like, modern pirates. TOTALLY not as cool as yesteryear's pirates. They were so cool...well kinda. They were sorta mean. Anyhow, here's the article:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e10892ba-b4a8-11dd-b780-0000779fd18c.html

Weird! Will this be the new terror alert? Will Bush or Obama have to release a statement against pirates? Sorry I find it a little funny.

What else? I'm in my room right now, and Amanda's been watching soap operas for a bit. Well, not watching, but has it on. I guess it's okay background noise as we mill about the room.

I've been trying to search for a cozy hot water bottle online...no cigar. Except the Steiff bears, but that company is ridiculously expensive (still love it though!). I might have to make a cute cover over break!!! That'd be way fun. But not free...

I have to make myself run today. Have to. I need to do it now before dinner, House, and all of my other things I have this evening (we have a surprise from the seniors? and I have work among other things). It's gonna be a squeeze though, and it's also going to be suck-tacular. SO COLD outside. Right now I'm wearing my running stuff at work so I kind of get into a mind-set of running. I have long underwear on. Sheesh!! Walking over here I realized that I'm going to want another pair of socks, even ones that go up higher than my ankles. Gotta make it before dark!!

Which means I need to get out of here earlier. I'll have to do some more work in my room later--I have lots more of my "congratulations" letters to cut and assemble!!

Ah well, I best be off. I have lots of things to do!!!
--Julia

Monday, November 17, 2008

sorry! (and) Karma!

Oh I'm sorry for the week-long lapse. I fail at blogging every once and awhile. ((I was working! Just in the library where I was cutting up more letters and such. I don't think the admissions office has one of those awesome paper cutters??))

College Tip #8: NEVER ASSUME. Well, okay, almost never assume! Today I went to the library an hour before class, assuming that the assignment posted was going to be like ever other assignment--a few online readings and a short assignment. WAS I EVER WRONG. I log on to the "MyRipon portal" to find that I had over 70 pages of reading to do--SEVENTY. Oh dear. So yes.

I am sort of covered in scratches. One is on my knuckle that I just got--paper cut. But a bad one. They usually don't bleed so...The other is on my wrist from setting up things in my room. The other one, which is the worst one, is behind my right knee. It is quite possibly one of the worst places to get a cut--girls--have you ever gotten a razor cut there from shaving? OW major. Every step you take it is pain. What happened with this cut is that I was sitting sideways on my futon with Zach sitting normally, my legs over his. We were watching TV, me in my pajama shorts and a T-shirt, and I got up to make tea when the sharpened pencil sticking out of his pocket that I did not happen to see scratched up my leg and bore into my skin.

I now have an accidental tattoo.

Right before formal.

Naturally I got way upset--a chunk of wood and lead is in my leg! And Zach felt horrible.

However, the night of injury was not over. Once we found some antiseptic and band aids and I was all good, Zach attempted to sit down again on the futon and slipped, carving a nice scratch into his lower back with the edge of the futon's arm. It, he said, was karma.

::Sigh::. Still, I don't like the idea of having a grey dot at the back of my knee for years to come. Draw more attention to the weirdest part of your body? Nuh-uh. Rawr. Life goes on.

With a grey dot.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Teh Weekend

SO!!!

This weekend was quite awesome. Theta formal was really really fun--I loved it! My dress looked rather pretty and I actually attempted to and nearly managed to stay in my killer heals all evening!! Unfortunately someone pulled the fire alarm at one point, and we were allowed back in, but that is when I decided my feet had had enough. Other than the brief moment in the chilly weather, everything was wonderful. Zach looked very handsome and was a wonderful date.

Slept in a teeny bit Sunday, and before I knew it the week had hit! Classes were alright. In Medieval History we watched the weirdest movie about a character named Perceval who I despise!!!! HE'S AWFUL. We read about him in his story....he is just the dumbest man you could ever come across, and he becomes a knight!! HOW?!

We gave Susan (Professor Hill) her present for being a great leader to us the costumers. It was a quilt made with squares of the various fabric used in this past show--Wunderschoen! Did I talk about the show at all? I can't remember, and sorry if I am repeating myself, but it was great! Go Theatre ^_^.

I am in such a tizzy about whether or not to go for a run. It's so cold out, but I told myself that this year I had to stay healthy...ARGH if only we had fitness machines in our dorms...that'd be perfect and amazing. And convenient.

Maybe someday....

ALRIGHT. I shall go--I am off to run-derland!!!

--Julia

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Mail!

I got mail today from my mom and dad! They are so sweet!! Plus they tucked in 20 bucks....score!

Speaking of money, I really should head to Smith Hall and get my paycheck. Gotta put that towards work study this time. Heh!

What else is happening on this glorious Thursday...

My mentor-ship class was really interesting....we started to make a web page?? I'm not sure what was going on! I knew we were meeting in the library, but I had no idea we were actually going to start designing our own websites! We started doing this, so mine is pretty snarky right now but I'll change that once I get a good grasp and idea of what we're doing, but I am so confused as to exactly why we are. I suppose I'll eventually find out. Experience, perhaps?

It is icky and rainy, but luckily I haven't been outside too much today. I slept in a little bit and then showered, got lunch, and went to class. Getting a few extra Zs was good because I was up a little late last night watching "V for Vendetta," an AMAZING film. It was the fifth of November yesterday, a key date in the film, so we had all the more reason to see it. Such a fantastic film--makes you want to start a revolution!!

I wish my hair was working out today. Rawr. I don't think I got all of the conditioner out...so it's rather...I don't know how to describe it...odd I guess is the best word. It's odd. I will have to just shower it again later. I hate bad hair days!!

I had cup of coffee for the first time in ages--not the best because it is Starbucks...but permissible. Certainly have the caffeine kick ^_^ .

Tonight I believe I am going to see the play "Anatomy of Gray." I was on the costume crew so I should go see it in lights, right? Plus my glorious friends and sisters, Leslie, Carissa, and Cady, are in it. Go girls!

Alright, well I have loads of cutting and pasting to do for these letters I am sending out--I will write tomorrow!

--Julia

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Alrighty then...

So the results of last night...maybe I shouldn't get into that on my blog...but still. Not exactly extraordinarily happy about it. So yes.

Other than running into a few supporters I'd like to see trip on their plethora of supportive stickers...today was good. Classes weren't too bad, and I have no afternoon classes on Friday! Score! And Zach and I will actually go to Gooseberry's that afternoon! ^_^ Happy.

Friday evening I'll be hanging out with Zach, Patrick, and Chelsea, Pat's girlfriend. She's coming up for Theta Chi's formal (which I am also going to), and I believe that evening we're going to go see Quantum of Solace together. James Bond films never get old.

Last night was REALLY fun! They hay ride was wonderful and the ranch we visited was gorgeous. I was the last on the bus!! Slightly embarrassing, because I was petting the dog that lived there--she was so sweet though ^_^. Ah well.

Ciao for now!

Julia

Monday, November 3, 2008

::sigh:: No Halloween Pics...

Unfortunately, Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, was not as fun as I had hoped. My boyfriend ended up being busy Thursday so we did not carve pumpkins...and then he was feeling ill Friday night (HALLOWWEEEEEN!!!!) and so we stayed in and I watched a movie with him.....rawr.

Today it was really warm out! Almost double of what it was last week!

TOMORROW however, I am looking SO forward to!! It is Blind Bash! Hooray!

Also, it is election day so go out and VOTE!!! Hooray rights! Haha. But yes--go out and do it! Provided it's legal, of course. Anyhow, that will be a crazy thing going on tomorrow night as well...eek I am actually frightened....

--Julia

Thursday, October 30, 2008

YES favorite holiday coming up...

That's right--tomorrow is Halloween! I'm sooo excited. Tonight Zach and I are going grocery shopping and we are buying mini pumpkins to carve! So happy about that. It shall be cute. Oh! And I'll post pictures too!

Speaking of...I should get some AA batteries...

Today has been crazy busy. I slept in a bit, which was a marvel, but since then it has been GO GO GO time. Lunch, class, organizing when to meet with my academic advisor...now I'm at work, went to Ripon Drug/Ben Franklin's to get cute paper to send to all of you if you get accepted and come to Ripon....("all of you"= the prospective students who read this blog. if any. haha). Then I have to break from work, talk to Lyn (who is here today, yay!), go to meet my academic advisor, go the library to continue work on the cards, go to the registrar's office and turn in my courses for next semester...run, do homework...get groceries.....AAAAAH.

Hrm. When I look at it like that it seems like far too much to do....

OH and my movie paper...gah! There is toooo muuuucch!!

Well perhaps I should get going now before things get too hectic and crazy...
College tips tomorrow!

--Julia

P.S. Found the COOLEST website, extra exciting for college students, really, but it is called:
www.thunderfap.com
And it is amazing. Basically, it has links to all sorts of free products, so you can send your address for the product and you get free samples! My big, Missy, who is quite the stellar girl, showed me this site. So in a few weeks I'll be getting 8 truffles, some tea samples, and mascara in the mail. Hooray for fun things!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

To the dogs...

I got to see puppies today. Well, they were 25 weeks old. BUT still puppy-like, nevertheless. Ace, the bolder puppy, was SO ADORABLE. He's an English springer spaniel and absolutely beautiful. Ah! He was so cute, and would come right up to you and cuddle up and ohhhh I got my puppy fix for the day.

I still want pets though...I really want a puppy...

::sigh::...oh well. I can wait I suppose.

Anyways, the reason I got to see puppies was because I went with Ashley, a senior in the sorority and quite a lovely person, to the t-shirt place in Ripon to get our Blind Bash t-shirts ordered. Hooray for shirts!

Well, campus continues to get colder and colder. Also, the construction on campus is driving everybody nuts. It divides the campus in half, so getting to classes and to the commons and pub is just ridiculous. I just hope the weather stays dry so we don't have to trek through mud to get everywhere...

Well, I am off to do more work!!

Julia

Monday, October 27, 2008

And we're back

Fall break just flew by. It's incredible how fast it went. One moment I'm packing up for going home and the next I am coming back to Ripon!

Though it was quick, it was very fun. Zach and I spent part of it in Milwaukee and part of it in St. Louis. In Milwaukee we ended up visiting my friend Emily and meeting up with my friend Emma and her boyfriend, Ross. It was so good to see them again! I really wanted to go to the Zoo with Zach, but that didn't fit in our schedule. Just a lot of hanging out, and going to restaurants and such. We also spent an afternoon with my Grandma, which was tons of fun! I got to show Zach Oconomowoc which was wonderful. It was also such a beautiful fall day out--the sun was shining and the leaves are turning...::sigh::. Gorgeous.

In St. Louis (after a loooooooooooooong awful ride on Megabus) I ended up meeting a lot more of Zach's family--his aunt and uncle and FOUR cousins. They were really cute, and all have names that start with 'Z'--Zane, Zoran, Zoe, and Zeke. Yikes! Zoran is the youngest and just turned three--he was crazy! Just launching himself off of every surface he could find and would yell "CANON BALL!!!" every time he jumped off of something. Very cute, tons of energy. Also, we went to Zach's high school's football game. They lost, unfortunately. And they were doing so well in the beginning of the game, too!

So it is Monday...and I figure that we have four weeks until Thanksgiving...then two weeks of classes....then exams....then break! It's pretty exciting how quickly it will go, but also way scary because we only have 6 weeks to make it or break it!!

The time will fly by extra quick for me because I have so much to look forward to! First this weekend is Halloween, which will be a blast, then I'm going to a formal, then there is some ADPi stuff to look forward to (yay fall pledge class!), then another formal...then Thanksgiving! Woot woot!

Alright, well I best be off. Look forward to some great college tips coming up in the next few days!

--Julia

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Life in General

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo crazy right now. I haven't packed yet for today. I have another test coming up this afternoon....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

::deep breath::

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Yup that's how it is right now.

I know I'll be SO ueber relaxed in a few hours, but until I get to that point....SHEESH. >_< Oh life.

Wish me luck!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

What a mix of emotions...

Actually having a midterm exam is what is making me dread Friday, yet I so look forward to Friday...

So I'll just have to look forward to a specific time on Friday--4.01 pm. YES! Then--freeeeeedommmmmmmmm!!!

Tea does someone good in the cold. It's been pretty yucky today. Rainy and freezing. Yet humid. HOW DOES WISCONSIN PULL THAT?! It's so annoying. All day I've really only wanted hot chocolate.

Might have to get some soon...and the starbucks is open late on Wednesdays now! But...oh goodness I don't know.

I ran about three miles yesterday. It was glorious. Then ruined it by eating pizza. Hmmm....

I am really craving this hot chocolate thing...Hmm...here we go!

--Julia

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Almost there...

College tip #7: Don't procrastinate. Or try not to. Or stop procrastinating next week...
har har har. No, but in all seriousness, try your best not to. There's nothing more relaxing than an afternoon where you're not scrambling to finish something for your afternoon class...

So close to fall break. I can taste it!

So the weekend was good. Zach and Patrick (his roomate and my friend) were initiated into Theta Chi this weekend! I'm so happy for them and the rest of their pledge class. It's so exciting. I hung out with Zach Saturday evening and most of Sunday. We ordered pasta and ate with Amanda and George--we watched Clone High! Love that show.

Unfortunately, now Zach is ueber sick. Poor guy--he's been feeling, as he says, "like death" for a couple days now. I made him a cute care package though, so hopefully it'll help!

I've been browsing teas online...oh all I want is tea now! Going to make some and warm up. I'll see you all later!

--Jules

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

NINE DAYS

I'm sorry if I'm overly excited for fall break. It's just going to be amazing. Cannot wait!!!

Anyhow.

College Tip #4 ( think): LOOK AT YOUR SYLLABUS FOR UPCOMING ASSIGNMENTS AND READ IT WELL FOR DIRECTIONS. Really, this is elementary, but you can sink into a funk and expect assignments to go a certain way...and then professor Mockridge throws you for a loop!
College Tip #5: Sleep.

Oh man I want coffee hardcore. I wish Zach's schedule wasn't so hectic. I owe him coffee at Gooseberry's.

College Tip #6: GO TO DOWN TOWN RIPON. Not only does it give you something to do, but you can get involved and help support this great community. A few cute shopping joints too!

Hm three tips. I guess I'm in a tipping mood because I helped with a "successful college student" presentation today for the FYS kids. Good stuff...

Monday, October 6, 2008

OMGZ Fall Break is so soooooooooo

oooooooooonnn...

Yes I am that excited.

Classes went okay today. It's just been a really, really long day. I need some chocolate in my life.

HOWEVER. The best part about today is that:
I
GOT
MY
PAYCHECK!!!!!!!!
It's phenom. I'm so happy. Hooray for money!! Yessss. Just deposited it.

Weekend was pretty good. Made soup and it was delish. However, my tiny pot could only accommodate 1/4 of the recipe, so I have TONS of extra veggies in my fridge right now, and a pot full of leftover soup. It's quite tasty. May have to have some for dinner...

It was really awful weather-wise yesterday. Cold and icky and so much rain. But, I am driven and crazy and I actually ran in the awful storm! Right as I left my dorm to run around Ripon it started pouring. Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad! I actually was more motivated to run harder in the harsher conditions. It was kind of cool, actually.

My sneakers complain heavily today as they are still pretty wet....but they'll get over it. Mostly because they turned on the heaters in all of the buildings and dorms. Welcome to Ripon, home of the sweat-lodge dorms!!!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

::sniffle::...

I have a cold. A really bad one, too. It fully set on yesterday during my classes...it was pretty awful. Head aches galore, a nose running what seems a marathon, and a frog-like throat and cough. Twas pretty awful. I'm a bit better today, not an amazing leap, but better.

Anyhow, Amanda and Melissa (Missy's roommate...speaking of Missy...she has my sherbet...) were wonderful and got me soup, and Zach heated it up for me. Then he made me go to bed around 9. I had just woken up from a 3-hour nap...He kept telling me that sleep was very important and wouldn't let me do anything else. So hooray for a good night of sleep! It certainly has helped.

So sorry about missing the blog from yesterday, I meant to get it done! However, it probably would have read something like :
"bleh...sick...goodnight."

Only had one class today, my mentorship course. It went by pretty quickly, and now I'm here at work! I'm looking so forward to this weekend and having an ueber catch-up on the sleep. So excited. Also, I am making a delicious veggie soup that will be so cozy to eat with some bread. The weather is well on its way to being quite chilly!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Wow...

...It's a day away from October?! Sheesh!
It's not like it's a bad thing...September just went so fast! I love, love, LOVE October though. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, football season really kicks off and feels real, and the leaves continue to change to gorgeous hues. Love autumn so much. Just perfect weather to sip coffee, tea, hot apple cider (my favorite in the fall!), or cocoa.

Mmmmmmmm.

On an unhappier note, I believe that I am getting a cold. I will take some echinacia when I get to my room, but what I really need is some vitamin C!!

College Tip #3: Get lots of sleep and take some vitamins! If there is anything you can do to ward off a nasty, nose-dripping, throat-scorching, head-banging cold--do it! There's not much more suck-tastic than sitting through an hour lecture while you sniffle and cough for all of it.

I am rather tired today. Even though I did get a decent amount of sleep last night, nothing has healed the weekend yet. But I will survive! I just cannot wait for sleep tonight. Lots to do before then.

Hmmm...Fall break is in 17 days! I better settle down about that...

Monday, September 29, 2008

AUGH I'M SORRY

Hey guys!

I'm so sorry--it's been an entire WEEK. Oh I'm dumb. However, I have a good excuse:

I had a HUUUUUUGE paper due Friday. I got it done, though, if that's any consolation for your lack of reading for the past 7 days! Nine pages--yikes!

My week in brief:
Monday--nothing of note
Tuesday--same
Wednesday--same, yet heightened stress about paper
Thursday--Went to Spring Green with the FYS classes (in the "Love cluster"!) to see "Much Ado About Nothing." It was very well done by the American Players Theatre, in an outdoor theatre setting. Such a cool set-up, but E--GAD the heat was unbearable. Plus there were wasps and hornets buzzing on everyone and everything. One landed on professor Brown's head and I swear it was there for 5 minutes. So--if you ever go--bring sunscreen! A poor first year (I caught sight of her today) got the worse sunburn :( .
Friday--more stress, however finished the paper! I watched Beowulf with my Medieval History class which was a riot (I know it's supposed to be somewhat serious...but oh wow. Too funny.)

This weekend was also parents weekend, so my parents and Zach's parents FINALLY met!! It was quite exciting. I also met Nils, Ethan's German exchange student. Good times. Not a whole lot of sleep, however. Parents like early breakfast times for some reason...

Anyhow, I am so ready for some coffee and a movie. But I'm in college and will have to substitute "a movie" with "homework." Boo. Not as fun.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Is it the weekend yet?

Haha, yes I am asking that question on Monday.
I made a dumb choice last week. I opted to skip both costume workshops last week by going to both sessions offered this week. How stupid of me. That means I lose the hours from 7-10 p.m. on Monday AND Wednesday. It also means it adds to my repertoire of late evenings, as Tuesday I will work 11pm to 1am and Thursday from 11pm to 12am. Yiiiiiiiiiikes. All this and a paper!

Moral of the story is: don't do this.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to the weekend for more than one reason. It does mean a little more sleep and fun, but it is also parents weekend! And my mom finally gets to meet Zach's parents, and I will probably get a free meal (Roadhouse? Yes?), and I will get more coffee from good ol' Milwaukee (Hooray for Alterra!!!). And...YES! Everything is good about this weekend.

Just gotta get through the week first....

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Mmm, Yes, Quite

Oh boy. Just took a bunch of pictures for the college...will they be on the website? Will they go into our brochures? ONLY TIME CAN TELL....

::eyebrow::. I guess I'm tired.

AHHHHHHH TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! I had to think about that for a second. I'm quite out of it regarding which day of the week it is. I kept thinking yesterday that it was Friday, and then when I woke up this morning I thought it was Sunday...oh god. Working 9p.m.-12 a.m. doesn't bode well for my psyche. Who knows?! I could wake up tomorrow and think it's Monday all over again!!!

I hate when I drink soda...I usually never drink soda, yet sometimes in place of coffee one needs a Pepsi or something. Anyhow, my body just reacts weirdly to it. "Julia--wait--what did you just have? I have to deal with that? What the heck, Jules." Haha. So yes--upset tummy. :(

OH MAN I am ready for some food. Unfortunately I just want really crazy unhealthy food. When you diet nothing is satisfactory. Nothing! All I want is a cheeseburger, maybe some pizza, and chocolate cake.

Of course I'd feel terrible after eating all of that...OH what a double-edged sword this all is...

So I promised to talk of last weekend. Last weekend my friends Emily, Mary, and Nikki drove up and visited me Saturday night! It was so fun. We hung out and caught up with one another and just had a blast. I took them out and they got to meet my friends and get a taste of Ripon! I was so glad to show them how much I love it here and why I attend this college. They had fun too!
Also Saturday morning I participated in Theta Chi's annual Frisbee Golf game. It was really fun. I was terrible! But still. Money to a good cause, and I got a t-shirt and Frisbee out of it! Haha.

So apparently Ripon has an out-doors club?? Cool! They're going camping this weekend. I wish I had known about it! Ah well, not like I need to add anything else to my plate!

Alright, well it is time for me to scoot. See ya Monday!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Oh dearie me!

So I am leaving forensics. I got things straitened out with Lyn McCarthy, my admissions counselor as well as the wonderful woman I am interning for, to help me out with the whole process...needless to say--It will work out for the better!

I will be less stressed, I will get more sleep, and I will not look like an old hag by mid-November. Hooray!

My only stressor right now is getting the news to my coach. I emailed him, but no response! I don't know what that means!!!!

Anyhow, I've been listening to the band hellogoodbye all afternoon, and they are just a great great great band. So catchy and nice, and their song "Oh It Is Love" is such a sweet song!!! Oh it made me cry. Love it.

AH time for dinner!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wisconsin is awesome.

It is. It really really is, but it's also crazy weather-wise.

College tip #2 (and for all of you, really): if you are thinking about coming here from out of state or already live here, adopt a German phrase into your vocabulary: Zwiebel-Klammoten. Translated it means "Onion-clothes." Basically--WEAR LAYERS!!!! I told this to Zach on the way to my room today for lunch as I peeled off my sweatshirt and scarf and realized that I was too hot, even though they were wonderful to wear earlier (45 degrees this morning...yummmm).

Classes today were alright. I still am really enjoying art history--it's sooo interesting!!! I worked on notes for it while I waited for Zach to get out of his bass lesson, and then lunch...and now work! So yea....OH LIFE IS CRAZY.

Ciao for now!
--Jules

P.S. i promise to talk about this past weekend soon!

Monday, September 15, 2008

P.S.!!!

Zach and I celebrated our year together on Sunday night! It was great. We made a scrumptious dinner (oh he can cook it's amazing!!) and then watched a movie. A sweet evening. This weekend we want to go on a hike in the prairie just to spend a day together; it will be nice! Ahhh.
^_^

a REALLY manic monday

Dear Readers,
Hi. I am so stressed. Love, Julia.

Okay a real entry. I am really stressed.

I just came back from a run. Less stressed. YAY ENDORPHINS!!!!!!!! haha.

College tip #1: EXERCISE. It will release endorphins and help combat that freshman fifteen!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Friday is so close...

Oh. My. God.

It is so sad that I am looking forward to the weekend this bad THIS EARLY IN THE YEAR. I mean, any weekend is great...but yea. Too early to be so stressed.

I can already feel knots forming in my back...

However, this weekend will be REALLY ueber fun. Nikki, Mary, and Emily (friends from high school and back home) are coming up Saturday night to hang out!! It's going to be ueber crazy and sooooo amazing. All during Saturday I'll be participating in Theta Chi's (a Fraternity on campus) Frisbee Golf Tournament. (WHAT was I thinking??? I can't golf! Nor Frisbee! So the marriage of those two pastimes is BAD. Whenever I even throw a Frisbee it never goes where I want it to!). Besides my internal freak-outs, it will be fun. I'm on one of three ADPi golf teams, and we'll (not) kick butt.

Friday Zach is going with me to Target so I can purchase a few necessaries for life, including a few more cooking supplies.

What else...probably sleep some more Sunday...drat I have a movie to watch that afternoon, plus work at 8-9...

BUT--BIG NEWS--SUNDAY IS MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH ZACH!! ^_^ We have almost been dating for one whole year and that is SO cool! I'm not sure what we're doing for it, nor when we are doing anything for it (haha) because my present to me is him planning it. So--surprise!

Funnily enough, my roommate, Amanda, is celebrating her year with George tonight (how did we room together with anniversaries in the same week?!) so I will be avoiding interrupting them. So far all I know what they are doing is cooking dinner (a beef roast??). SO yesh!

Darn. Now I'm starving. I'm going to take off and get some fooooood!!!

love,
jules

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

blehhhh

Stressed already...
it's fall already...

how did the year fast forward to what it's supposed to be like in mid October?!

Right after work I'm going to Forensics, then to half an hour of a COR forensics event, then eating something, then walking down to Rodman for Costumes, home at 10, running...then homework.

yup. that is the day!

<3 julia

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

TUuuuuuuuesday....(Amanda, I know that you'll appreciate this...)

Yet again I will call up on my freshman plea to have an actual rooster as an alarm clock.
Think of how perfect it would be. Not only would it be loud, but it would have no snooze button. It's fault-proof! Hitting it wouldn't shut it up.

In fact, attempting to hit it might initiate the next best thing about having a rooster for an alarm system--it will run away. Thus, you are forced to chase the god-feathered-darned thing around your room before it freaks out your roommate. And voila! You are out of bed and awake for the day.

I rest my case. So next year, I hope instead of pledging to not bring a car on campus and receiving a free bike, I will pledge to not bring an alarm clock and I better open my dorm room and find, free of charge, a clucking rooster on my desk.

You may gather from this that I had a little trouble waking up this morning. I did. And that was bad. My plans for a tousled, wavy-hair look went awry when I woke up two hours later than I had planned (if you don't know me, I have big hair and it takes FOR.EV.ER to do anything with it, but that's another story). I managed to get to classes on time, but no breakfast and no fun hairdo.

Luckily I was out of classes around 11 had have had time to unwind and de-stress from my crazy morning. But right after work...no right after dinner...no right after a sorority meeting...I can start my homework. And then go to work again.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

Monday, September 8, 2008

First Official Week Over! Verdict:

STRESSED.

Already! It's incredible.

But before I delve into that, my first official week was pretty good! My classes are very cool. They are as follows:
Anthropology
Art History
Medieval History
Global Cinema
and my Mentorship Course

Anthropology is just great. Not only is our professor hilarious and just a fun guy in general, the class itself has proved to be very interesting. So much THOUGHT involved! It's so cool to think about humans and how different we all are and how incredible our entire history is. The class ties in wonderfully with my art history course for that reason. We have literally begun with cave paintings. So amazing--things painted in 30,000 BCE!! HOW COOL IS THAT?! Glorious. The professor is nice, gives me some hippie-vibes!
Medieval history is so fun because of the professor, again. Professor Mockridge is so nice and rather funny with her material and her inability to remember names. However, to her credit, she's getting there! Global cinema has been fun (who wouldn't want a class where you watch movies and write papers?), and my mentorship class is helping me a lot with my job in the CLC.

CLC: noun. Short for "Collaborative Learning Center." A place where students can study, print off papers and such, and get help with papers and presentations--all for FREE! Quite amazing.

I forgot! I'm also mentoring a course taught here at Ripon, the FYS class I was in last year: "Love and Eros in the Fine and Performing Arts." The instructor is professor Brown, who is a wonderful teacher and just fun to be taught by.

FYS: noun. Short for "First Year Study." A course that every first year student is enrolled in to get the basic ropes of college while getting an education in something whether you like it or not. Mwahahahahaaa!
Well, I liked my course!

So far the homework has been piling on like crazy, and I'm having a little trouble balancing things. I know that I have many outlets to calm myself down, however. Friends, boyfriend, my sisters, my mum, and a few close adults here on campus.
Since I mentioned the boy, and my mum was so upset at his absence from my first post, I will write about him and a few other friends on campus that I will most likely refer to in my blog for future reference!

Zach-This is my boyfriend. He is also a sophomore here, and is from St. Louis! (That made the summer kind of hard!!). He is, in one word (although there are so many!), amazing.
Pat-This is Zach's roommate, and also a good friend. Also from St. Louis, he is 10 times crazier. Always can make me laugh.
Robyn-my roommate from last year. Lovingly called "Robynski," she is from around Green Bay, WI. (Packerland!)
Amanda-my roommate this year. one of my sisters on campus, and very cute!
Leslie-probably one of my favorites. A wonderful loving girl (from St. Louis too! Sheesh!) who is a great friend.
Missy-another wonderful soul who shares a Wauwatosa (my hometown) connection with me. She rocks!

These names will probably grace this blog as the "regulars," so there you are! I'll re-introduce them or introduce new people as I keep writing...

And speaking of a continuation of writing, I should stop this flow and get going on those letters you may receive from me, prospective students! Happy readings, and I hope it's warmer wherever you are!

--Jules

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Beginnings

Now, I want to begin by making some clarifications about this blog's title:
A "sophism", according to the Encarta Dictionary is this:
(noun) an argument or explanation that seems very clever or subtle on the surface but is actually flawed, misleading, or intended to deceive.

In short: an apparently clever but flawed argument.

Now I realize that this isn't the most...credible or positive of titles...but if you learned anything in high school, getting past being a freshman wasn't that amazing because now you were a "wise fool."

I am in a class of "wise fools." Perhaps meaning that we have obtained much knowledge and wisdom of the ropes of college, but are foolish to think that we A--rule the roost and B--know everything there is to know about college.

So read this blog in stride. I dispelled as much advice and wisdoms I could last year, and I will do so again. But if you read and compare, I am sure you will see my growth, changes, and new understandings emerge.

But you may want to listen to my tales anyway, for I have been told to be the great "dear Abby" of my world!!

Anyway, getting past the hoity-toity stuff...

HELLO! If you are reading this you are either my mother, my grandmother, maybe my aunt, or--who this blog is intended for by my job--a prospective student! (Or you stumbled across this randomly and are reading this going "who the heck is this?" That may be the case. Interested in Ripon College?)

So, prospective students (and Grandma and Mum), welcome to my blog! As I mentioned before, this is the blog of a Sophomore (the stereotypical cocky kid who is way too excited to not be a freshman). I am no stereotype. I defy stereotypes. I eat them for breakfast. Okay, I'm not as hardcore as that. And yes, I fall into some stereotypes...Point is--I am not a cocky kid who is way too excited not to be a freshman. In fact, I would do much of freshman year over again; it was a blast.

And that fact that I'm a year closer to the real world terrifies me...

I am Julia. I'm 19, close to 20, yet I feel all sorts of ages sometimes. 2, 5, 14, 28. Not so much the older age, but I know I feel my younger years because I am comprised of them. I live on campus (as I think over 90% of the students do here) in Johnson, fourth floor. No elevator. I will have massive thighs by the end of the year. Or calves. Not sure which. I am thinking that I will be an English major, but it could change. However, if you haven't already noticed my already quite verbose blog entry, I love to write, so the likelihood of me changing my mind is slight. I am in a great sorority on campus, and am involved in Theatre, Forensics, mentoring/tutoring, and the admissions office of course.

I am basically in love with Ripon. It is very much like my second home, and it feels so right. So do not hesitate to ask me questions, or email me at heinrichj@ripon.edu, or contact me via Facebook--my full name is Julia Heinrich. It should list me in the Ripon network, class of 2011.

So--huzzah! Stay tuned for weekend updates, classroom woes, and the stress and angst of the year to come! Oh, and the fun stuff too.

<3
Jules