Sophomore Sophisms

OH MAN

2009-05-13T14:52:00.002-05:00

aaaaaaaaah!!

I am packed in the van!!
My sister and I are headed out!

However, first we are to go to Fat Bruces for a celebratory end of the year meal! I cannot wait. Yum!

SUMMER, HERE I COME!!!

HELLOOOO

2009-05-12T17:38:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness--I am DONE with exams!! Joyous day!!
I've spent a good chunk of today packing. It has been epic. I am so glad I have the option of storing things over the summer--there is SO much stuff. I cannot believe it. It's all so heavy, too. I miss Zach so much--but he'd also be a great help getting everything downstairs!! Haha.

Yea, Zach left Saturday afternoon. I was so sad. I ate a brownie about the size of my face, and watched very classy VH1 shows...and began a slow packing process. It was a sad day!

However, things are going better, and with the summer so close (tomorrow!!) I am just looking forward to it! I have a job, which is awesome. I'll see Zach sooooon. And I just want to have a fun, sun, warm summer.

I will probably write tomorrow, as I need to stop into work and send more things out and such!!

Have a good day!!

The Calm Before the Storm

2009-05-06T16:49:00.002-05:00

Campus has this freaky calm feeling...like "oh it's reading day, which means no class, which means we can relax, right?" SO WRONG. I feel like I'm about to explode!! My body wants to pull itself apart in several different directions. It's quite distressing.

Write three papers tonight.
Study for test.
Sleep.

Wake up.
Take test.
Turn in two of the three papers.
Live in the library for a few more hours.
...

After work I'm headed to the commons to meet Amanda for dinner, watching Zach and the band play in the Pops concert. That should be a nice relaxing bit of my day. Then to work to work and to study! JOY OF JOYS!!!

Hm. A band called "Farewell" just came up on my Pandora playlist. Love it--a LOT. Nice. Yay a good discovery of the day!

Well, friends, I am off! I'll blog tomorrow after my line that says "Turn in two of the three papers." Woops!

--Julia

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!

2009-05-04T16:28:00.002-05:00

Second to last day of class!!!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!

Modern Art went well, Art History was okay....Astronomy was kind of hilarious, and Contemporary Lit was LONG.

Good news though--I got an 'A' on my presentation in Modern Art!! I just opened that e-mail. Hooray!! I feel very optimistic about that course's grade this semester.

Tonight I am looking forward to dinner, getting LOADS of things done (like homework, for starters), and watching a late movie or hanging out with Zach. Then sleep. I love love LOVE sleep.

The astronomy poster looked great--I think Patrick and I will get a good grade on it. Professor Williams-Norton had us do a poster-project on literally anything we could related to space, so we chose to do Astrology and the Zodiac! If I had more hours in my life I would have done some cute illustrations for these, but seeing as this was a teeny portion of our overall grade, I only did basic symbols for each Zodiac. Plain and simple--good way to get it done!!

Okie dokie--time for eating!

--Julia

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

2009-05-01T14:55:00.002-05:00

Today I have been asked to blog about George. George is my roomie's boyfriend, who is abroad. He's in Italy right now, but was in England earlier. He's on the London/Florence program. It sounds like a really fun time! George is really into theatre, and is a great guy. I know Amanda can't wait until he comes back to the states!!

While we had a awful quiz in Astronomy today, I got my new jeans today!! So excited. They fit really well, and perhaps I will wear them for tomorrow for SPRING FEST!!!!!

OH MY GOD I AM SO EXCITED FOR SPRING FEST!! It will be so much fun. Reel Big Fish is playing, and at around 1 I'll be participating in "Pie a Pi," an event we do every year. Come buy pies to be thrown in my face! It'll be really fun, but messy, and I'll definitely need to shower afterward...but also three of my good friends are coming up and I cannot wait for that.

Oh goodness.

I know it is selfish of me, but I'd rather people who are not Ripon College affiliated or friends of said Ripon College affiliates....to not come to our campus. I'd be really unhappy about it. I don't know--it's our big party, you know? We don't want people who weren't invited to crash it. Hm. Hopefully not too many people do....sigh!!!

Anyhoo, time for dinner!! I am STARVING.

--Julia

I thought I had saved that draft...

2009-04-30T09:56:00.002-05:00

I wrote out a blog yesterday with intent to finish it last night...but blogger didn't save it??! Grr.

Anyhooo, this is roughly what I wrote about:
Wednesday: Classes went alright as usual. I presented my last project in Modern Art!! I was so excited to get it done!! The Modern Artist I've been researching for this final paper is Stuart Davis, who was a cubist painter. I think I did relatively well, and Professor Kain does like that artist, so hopefully things go well!! I'll know in a couple of weeks.

So now! :
I am currently in the admissions intern office, enjoying a bowl of coco-wheats for breakfast and worrying slightly about the whole swine flu scare...I'm fairly positive things are going to be alright, but it is still scary to look at the global map and see the US highlighted in dark red, indicating more than 40 cases...ahhhhhhh this isn't cool.

But enough on that! What is scarier is the fact that I'm almost halfway done with college. Half way!! Like...how did this happen?? I'll be a junior in college, my brother will be a junior in high school!! MAN! How time flies.

Even scarier though is the work load I am about to take on. I have so much to do before packing up and going home for the summer. Lots and lots of papers and two in class finals....egad!! It will all come down to meticulous planning, eh? And bringing a sleeping bag to the library, that may help as well!!

Research paper for Modern Art, essay for Art History, two research papers for Astronomy, final paper for Contemporary lit...in class exams for Art History and Astronomy, poster project for Astronomy....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Just gotta keep singing "i will survive!!"

A Truly Manic Monday!!

2009-04-27T16:32:00.002-05:00

So oh life. I was up quite late last night trying to finish a paper...so I ended up not getting a lot of sleep, but I did really well on my art history test today!! Yay!! Haha, one good thing.

No, I ended my classes on a low note, as in Contemporary Lit. we're watching "Platoon," so I guess it's going to match well with "The Things They Carried."....Hm. I don't know!! It was really depressing, and Professor Graham evilly kept us to a "certain stopping point," which I KNEW was coming, but was hoping wouldn't come, but did....so Willem Defoe gets shot by one of his own men....ugh. Hate these kinds of movies....

much much later.

just spent EONS in the library. oh my goodness. my back hurts way way way bad.....mawrrrrr

:-(

A FABULOUS FRIDAY!!

2009-04-24T15:21:00.002-05:00

Oh man it is LOVELY out. Hot and sunny and windy. I want to be OUTSIDE!!

Perhaps I can make it outside for a wee bit after work....

Tonight Zach plays in the school's Jazz concert, and afterwards I am going out for a late dinner with his parents, aunt, and two cousins. It shall be fun!! Hopefully I can eat well and not have too much of whatever we're getting (pretty sure it'll be pizza!).

Anyhoo, I'm going to head out!! It's too pretty to be in-of-doors!!

--Julia

A Skinny Vanilla Latte

2009-04-23T10:43:00.003-05:00

It's only 90 calories and no fat!! Joyful day. However, it is true to its nick-name a Starbucks Barista in Tosa gave--a "no-fun" latte. HA. Very true, but I will have sucess and thus fun in my dieting endeavours!! So there, random Barista of my memories!!

Speaking of dieting and being healthier, my roomie and I are very gung-ho about being healthier for the rest of the school year and beyond, which is exciting!! We were finding all sorts of helpful websites and all of that, so that was lovely, and inspiring! I'm rather excited, and this summer will be really cool too as my sister and I are going to be working pretty hard.

Last night Amanda and Patrick and I met up with Jordan Hill, a sophomore here as well, to go on an extra-credit "Star-gazing Hike" by the President's house. We were able to look through a telescope at Saturn and then Jordan helped us find the constellation we are to be studying--Draco. We finally saw it!! It was really cool finally to see it. We ended up going on a longer hike up into the Prairie, which was fun, but as the night went on it got hazier and cloudier unfortunately. AND Patrick swung me around and I fell and got grass stains all over myself...grrrr. Those better come out....I GOT THOSE JEANS FOR 8$ and...I won't be able to replace them but only for 30$. Sigh.

Hm....mega sigh.

In other news--I'M STRESSED!! Woooohoo! I have a ton of school stuff fast approaching, which is pretty scary actually. I'm basically going to live in the library for the remainder of school, even on the weekends. Sad day!

....Currently am looking up various grass stain removal remedies...apparently plain white toothepaste can help, as can rubbing alcohol....or vinegar...hmmmm....the possibilities are endless!! MOM?? ANY IDEAS??

--Julia

The weekend...

2009-04-20T16:18:00.003-05:00

Oh my goodness I am tired!!

I was up ueber late doing project work for my contemporary literature class....but it paid off! The presentation went very well!! I'm so glad. Plus the topic is so cool, and I'm really excited to write my paper for it. My roomie and I got into a really philosophical discussion regarding it last night and I have so many ideas for the paper! MY BRAIN IS A-BUZZ!

It is AWFUL on campus today. It was last night too. The kind of weather that you don't want to leave your room for anything weather.

This week will be fun--tomorrow is Relay for Life!! I'm pretty darn excited. Pizza and movie and philanthropy....

So Zach and I did end up going home Saturday, and though it was a short visit, it was fun. I was able to drop off one application, and though the others couldn't be filled because I was short a reference, I was contacted by the people I used to babysit for last night and she gave me the go-ahead!! I called them while they were on a cruise!! Lucky ducks...Anyway, it was lovely seeing my parents and getting a delicious meal in, and seeing my brother. Ethan has "viral pinkeye" and it is NASTY. He has cold-like symptoms and instead of his eyes being guey and crusted they are just blood-shot. Kinda creepy, really. But yes. We watched the movie "Rainman," which was wonderful, and then Sunday morning my mom made me and Zach an awesome breakfast. Loved it!!

I ran yesterday, to my delight. I got three miles in and I currently feel great. I did finally, FINALLY cave today and got myself a Mocha though. However, I looked up the calories on the Starbucks website and learned it wasn't as bad as I thought, just not great. Oh well!! I have to splurge every now and again, and for not having a Mocha for 2+ years, I think I'm doing okay.

A sunnier mood I could be in...

2009-04-17T14:33:00.002-05:00

Oh boys. So easily can they cause you to be a wee bit grumpy. Sigh. I won't delve into details, but apparently they live in completely different time zones.

Sigh.

Ah well. He promises to pick me up from work and then off to dinner, and then an icecream cone to relish outside. I didn't end up getting one yesterday (too much dinner!!).

The One Acts last night were really great, and a number of them were really funny! I'm going again tonight; there are so many that they had to split the shows into separate viewing nights!! Tonight I'll see Leslie's show--huzzah! Last night I saw Sarah Cummings (an ADPi sister who actually has an older sis in the sorority as well) in a great one-act play, where she played the snake as a bartender, and served drinks to Eve and then Adam. Their "apple margeritas" did the trick of them gaining knowledge!! Garrison, one of my good friends on campus, was Adam and was hilarious. Loved it.

I'm still wondering whether or not I'm going home Saturday. Pretty positive I am, but no idea at all how. I need a vehicle....hmm....I've asked around a little bit already, but we'll see what happens....

The week's verdict: pretty darn good. It was long, but the weather these past few days has blown most of my blue moods away.

The only thing bugging me in the back of my mind is that in a few short weeks school will be over and Zach will be leaving for St. Louis and I will be here in Ripon still until I can go home... >_< . And I have a lot of school stuff to have done by then, and I have no idea when I'm seeing Zach this summer and I'm sooooooo scared. There are so many unknowns about this summer I have nooo clue. No clue.

>_<
I guess I should do something else productive with my life....

Ciao ciao for now!!

--Julia

OOps--meant for Wednesday!!

2009-04-16T08:20:00.003-05:00

It is Thursday, but I will write as if from yesterday to make up...

SO. The leap from Monday to yesterday was HUGE, it felt like. Monday feels forever ago, really, and it's quite weird. I guess Tuesday was just a really, really, long day. It was fun--we had our "Blind Bash" event, but perhaps all in all it was just a long day, as was Wednesday.

In my contemporary Literature class me, Amanda, and my sisters Kate' and Sarah have a really cool project coming up for Monday--it will be sweet! We are doing a presentation on such things as Found, Post Secret, and other contemporary literatures that we are arguing should be considered literature. I think it's going to be very interesting and fun to present, and should be a good thing to write a paper on!!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL OUTSIDE!!! I know I have this fixation with the weather, but I just neeeeed nice weather! It improves the mood immensely! All that cold weather just puts you in a rut...

If one thing could be improved it would be to not have the construction team right outside my window...what on earth are they doing.....they are scraping up the lawn of the CLC...hm.

Well--it is lovely out and I'm going to enjoy the sun, get an Italian Soda from the starbucks, and just be happy!!

--Julia

::cough:: ::cough:: ::sniffle::...

2009-04-13T16:14:00.002-05:00

Blech. Power-walking from place to place will induce a coughing fit from time to time I suppose...

OH WOE IS ME. I cannot find my cell phone. Not that I'm concerned--I know it's in my room, but WHERE is the question. I set two alarms again, as usual (didn't wake me up, however :-/ ) and woke up a bit late this morning. For the life of me I cannot find that Blackberry! It's vanished in my bed or under it or something! How stressful!

Tomorrow I will set THREE alarms. Not sure how I will do it, but...it somehow could be rigged. I should get one of those alarms the detaches itself from the docking station and drives around the room beeping until I finally catch it and turn it off.

But I feel it'd end its life in a nasty, short way involving a leg of our coffee table and my stomping feet.

Which would mean I'd need to sleep in shoes and Amanda would have to be okay with our table being a tripod...

Hm.

This probably won't work.

Anyways, Monday classes (besides those missed and rushed to) went well! The test didn't kill me as much as I thought it would...and Astronomy was interesting and Contemporary Lit. got out MEGA early. I am now at work and just blogging, attempting to figure out how to use the phone so that I may call Lyn...aaannnnnnd slowly getting hungry for dinner. Hm the menu looks a little sparse...I guess it's a rice dinner tonight!!

::several minutes later::
OMG I did well with technology today!! I actually figured out how to use the work phone! Well, only to search and dial her number, I still fail at answering it and transferring calls...I get nervous and press the wrong buttons and consequently hang up...tis bad.

Well--I'm going to do a few teeny duties here and there and head off to food!!

--Julia

The end of the week!!!

2009-04-10T16:13:00.003-05:00

Ahhhhh it is so gorgeous outside! The sun is shining and I'm comfortable in jeans, a sweatshirt, and flip flops!! Hooray!

This weekend shall be lovely. We are unfortunately not going home at all to see my Aunt and Uncle and Grandma, but perhaps next weekend we'll head into Milwaukee! I guess this way I'll have more down time and I can sleep a little bit more (yaaay catch up!!). Tonight Zach and I have a pizza/movie date, which should be fun. I'm not sure which film yet, but hopefully it is a comedy! I need a good laugh, even if my throat does hurt.

Tomorrow Zach and I will spend doing homework in the library, and hopefully we'll run in the afternoon. There's a lacrosse game tomorrow around 11 or noon, so we may go to that as well--it could be really fun! I'm not sure yet, I think it depends on how much homework we have!

And then Sunday is Easter! I know the commons is doing a nice Easter brunch. I hope the deviled eggs are going to be tasty--I LOVE deviled eggs. Oh so good.

::sneezes::. Oh gosh. I hate this. I'm doing everything right! Taking vitamins, sleeping, eating oranges like crazy...bahhhhh.

Initiation went well--Congrats to our newest member Sarah Wimmer! Woot woot! It did go pretty late though...so there goes my sleep theory...

WELL. I'm off to my room. Time to clean it! Clothing just accumulates over time....

--Julia

Yesterday...

2009-04-09T12:05:00.002-05:00

I went with my modern art history class to the Chicago Art Institute! It was amazing. I have not been to an art museum like that in a long, long time. It was so big!! So many rooms, so many themes, so many countries and mediums and centuries....ah! I was very much blown away. The coolest thing was to see pieces up close and personal that we had actually talked about in class, and then to see other works by those same artists. I hung out with Sarah Cummings all day, and I kept dragging her here and there going "Oh! There's one!"

A wunderbar day. Though the bus driver took the most convoluted route home--it took way longer than it should have, and it was awfully cramped on that bus.

Tonight is initiation for our newest member Sarah Wimmer! She's adorable, and she pranked our floor last night. The bathroom is ENTIRELY covered in sticky notes. The stalls, the doors, the toilets themselves, the sinks, the mirrors...it was a wild sight this morning.

I am rather sick, however. I can't talk too well currently (I sound slightly froggish) and am coughing. I made it to the CLC this morning to open it (it seems all rather hazy now though!!) and needed to rest a bit before coming to admissions....and I slept forever on accident!! I feel bad, but I will be here as long as I can be to make up for lost hours. Oh goodness!
But anyway...I guess the constant eating of oranges and taking of vitamins and such didn't do too much to ward off my cold. Siiiiigh.

::Much later::...Eating an orange! Maybe this is the one to save me from my cold!! I doubt it, though... :-( .

And then some...

2009-04-06T16:32:00.002-05:00

Alright!! Good afternoon, all. Almost evening, really. Soon it will be time for dinner! Can't wait for that--I'm starving! I had a very small breakfast and lunch, so I'm just sooo starved right now.

Anyhoo, the weekend was fun! Formal was a great time, and seeing my parents at Adviser Appreciation Brunc, though only for a brief period of time, was great! They brought me the greatest Easter basket I've ever received. Cadbury eggs--mini ones! Oh my favorite!

Classes went by okay today. Slower, it feels like. However, if my last few weeks as a sophomore could slow down I'd have no objection. I cannot BELIEVE how quick the last half of the semester creeps up on you. It's so surprising and scary that I only have a few more weeks...oh goodness I'm going to freak myself out. I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT IT ANYMORE!!! >_<

I think I want to open up a high-end cupcake shop with Amanda and Zach. It would be delicious. We'd have a catalogue of cupcakes people could just look through and order for parties and such. Our employees would have the benefit of testing each new creation, as well as friends and relatives.

Or what about a health restaurant called "Sprout"? Wouldn't that be cute....

More to Come Later!

2009-04-06T12:38:00.002-05:00

Me and Zach at his formal! Hooray!

Okay, well I just wanted to upload that quick before class. I'm going to head to Starbucks for some type of coffee drink, then astronomy, then more class...then work....then I will be locked away in the library forever!!!

Later, I believe,

Julia

Oh What a Night

2009-04-01T16:18:00.006-05:00

Here is the sophomore class, all of us but two!! We're such a big class!!!

AHHHHHHHHH FORMAL WAS AMAZING!!

I had oh so much fun. Twas a blast. I love dancing! Also, Zach and I got the "cutest couple" award at formal! I was pleased as pink...and in pink, come to think of it!

Here is a "family photo" with our dates. Missy is my big sister, wearing the one shouldered black dress with her boyfriend Ken, I'm in the middle with Zach, and my little, Emily, is to the right of us with her boyfriend Bill. So cute!

Oh yes.

So this weekend is Zach's formal, which will be fantastic! Two fun weekends in a row!! And then more to follow! I'm so excited. Also nervous--how am I going to do my hair???!! I will have to figure that one out Friday evening...

So this week has been going fairly decently. This afternoon was really, really fun though. In contemporary lit again we had an author visit, so the 2 hours flew by! Her name is Susan Power and she is a Native American author, but really spent her life growing up in Chicago. She was SO FUN. I want to be her best friend. She is my favorite visitor, I think! Tonight her reading will be held down in Rodman, so that'll be a fun hike this evening...::grumble::. Ah well. It will be an adventure.

I'm off! My non-stop Wednesday is soooo far from ending!!

--Julia

Oh So Excited

2009-03-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

I cannot wait until Saturday!!
Originally I wasn't so excited to have formal so early this year...but really it's going to be perfect! I just want an evening of fun. I will post pictures too !

Tonight a bunch of prospective students from various states outside of Ripon are coming--it sounds exciting! There is one girl who I am looking forward to possibly meeting, perhaps tonight or tomorrow. Yay for a new batch of potential new students!!

Hmmmmmmmmmm....craving........coffeeee........I'll have to get some with lunch. Unless Zach can swing taking me to Gooseberries today...hm...

Weoot

2009-03-25T16:23:00.002-05:00

Hey all!

Spring break....was okay. Zach got crazy sick and we ended up not really doing a whole lot of fun stuff in St. Louis...bah. However we had a lovely few sick-free days, such as when he took me out to eat for our year-and-a-half! The restaurant was amazing, food was great, and afterwards we went and saw "Watchmen" at a local theatre in Wauwatosa. He's feeling much better now, which is good!

Now that I'm back...I'm scared!! School is going to come to an end so quickly, and then I am halfway done with my undergrad...wow.

:-( I don't want to be that far along in college--Egad!

I think I may be re-thinking my major...or keeping it and adding another one. Unfortunately the English department is offering slim pickings for anyone interested in taking an English course next year...9 of the 18 courses offered are for first years. HALF. So I'm picking up two potentially, and whilst I plotted my next semester, I figured out that if I look at my previous and current credits in the Art History track...I have 18 of the 36 credits needed for an Art History major!! I feel as though a double major might be possible! It's still up in the air--who knows what the future holds.

--Julia

SPRING BREAK, HERE I COME!!!!

2009-03-12T09:39:00.002-05:00

Two....more....days......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Oh so close to freedom.

I cannot wait to go home!!! Life will be relaxing for a wee bit, which will be awesome and amazing. I need a pause button for life sometimes it seems.

Not too much time for an entry today. I have had to much to do in the office this morning. I may write a quick blurb this afternoon...hmm...

Alright--well happy sunny and bright Thursday everyone!! (unless it's cloudy and gloomy where you are...then I am sorry!). I'll write later!

--Jules

Another Author Visit

2009-03-11T16:07:00.002-05:00

So Patricia Smith came to our class today to talk with us about the book we read (Blood Dazzler) and any other general questions we had!! And it was so cool!! Loved it, loved her. She was such a cool woman. The last author we met, Ron Rindo, was also a treat to have in our class...I'm not sure how to describe it, but it is really cool to see people in our classes living the life of an author, something I hope perhaps to be someday. I love that I have this opportunity!

In contrast to my last post, Spring is SO not in the air. The hope of Spring, yes, exists. The actuality, however, seems to still be nestled in some isolated ice castle. I left for class today, down in Rodman, mind you, with a base temperature of 4 degrees and winds up to 20 to 30 miles per hour. MISERABLE. The worst walk I have ever had to Rodman. My coffee (yes, coffee) went from piping hot to less than luke warm in minutes, I lost feeling in my legs, I began to involuntarily cry, and my hat just called quits and my ears froze. I entered the more than welcomed warmth of Rodman and immediately my legs started to burn from the temperature climb. WOW I was so uncomfortable. Egad. When I finally fully changed back to my normal skin tone from the wondrous pink I was sporting was when I had to get up and leave for class on upper campus.

Thank you, Wisconsin.

Funnily enough, as we sat in our Contemporary Lit class talking to Patricia Smith about her personification of Hurricane Katrina as a woman, she quoted her first poem in the book, that "every woman begins as weather." Her reasoning? Because our moods change as often as weather patterns do; we are a moody gender. So Wisconsin must be a woman, and an unhappy, disgruntled one at that.

~.~.~.~

So I was figuring out my major and minor paths for the rest of college...and I'm in a pretty good boat. I only need 8 more credits for art history for a minor after this semester, and I still could pick up a German minor with only 12 credits to go. It is my English major that will require a lot of attention next semester. But I'm excited!! I will get this done rather swimmingly if I look at this all ahead of time.

The play was very good, very funny. Personally, though, I would have changed a few things about it, and some of the acting itself. However, overall, rather good!! Next up--One Acts!

Well, I'm going to brave the stroll over to Johnson so that I can manage one study hour there. Then off to my other job, and then off to the poetry reading by Patricia Smith in the Great Hall! Oh what a night...

--Julia

"tra-la-la-la-la, spring is in the air, and i am a flower"

2009-03-05T10:05:00.004-06:00

Yay "A Bug's Life" !

Spring is sorta in the air...semi in the air?? Haha. Sorta there...

I am about to enjoy a cup of "Constant Comment" tea, a wonderful black tea with citrus and spice notes. Wow I sound like a tea nerd....Anyoo! I love this tea. I swiped a few bags from the Commons (shhhhh don't tell!). It reminds me distinctly of one of my trips to Alie's cabin. Alie, Erin, Emily, and I made a trip to her cabin a few summers ago...and it was wonderful. Very fun, and I think that it was on that trip that I got introduced to this tea. And that's what it reminds me of!

It's funny what smells, songs, and feelings remind you of past events and stir nostalgia and cause you to reminisce. In St. Louis this summer, Zach, Robyn, and I were driving with the two boys Zach usually babysits for. The "Backstreet Boys" was on the radio and we didn't change it. The two boys, about 5 and 10 years old, perhaps?? scoffed and made faces. Then we explained "nostalgia" and "reminiscing" to them. The elder of the two got quiet and thought about it for a few minutes, and then said "...So I won't reminisce for another five years probably." I thought that this was pretty cute and funny.

I hardcore need food. I only had time for a yoghurt this morning with my tea at work...I'm going to be oh so hungry for lunch!! Ah well. Another hour til then.

So tonight I'll be headed to see the play--I'm so excited!! I'll be able to see Leslie, which will be awesome! Plus, it is Moliere, and I love him. His plays are just hilarious. It will be a good medicinal dose of laughter for me.

Cool! I just got an email from Yogi Tea (since I got a free sample from them at thunderfap.com, I get emails from them...) with a little Yoga exercise:
"Sit cross-legged or in a chair with feet flat. Clasp your hands together and lock your thumbs. Hold hands in front of your heart center. Inhale three short breaths through mouth and then exhale one long breath through nose. Tighten and relax the grip of your hands to the rhythm of your breath. Continue for 1 to 3 minutes and feel the energy circulate!"
I'll I have to try that next time I'm way tired. Maybe tonight after the play before homework?? Hmmm...

Yes, my day is going to be a busy one. I'm going to duck out of work quick to grab a lunch, but then return to work until 2 (or 1.30, I'll get all my hours in, I may just work whilst I dine!). Afterwards it is to the library to get research materials for my paper for Modern Art, then to run, then to shower, have some dinner...Then to the play!! And afterwards loooooads of h.w. Boo.

Well, I should head out and grab some food. I'll write tomorrow--TOMORROW'S FRIDAY!!

--Julia

The Sun will come out....Tomorrow

2009-03-04T16:25:00.003-06:00

Well, the sun's out today...but I still like that song.

People hate on musicals like Annie and Oklahoma and Bye Bye Birdie....and I get so unhappy with that!! Gosh, they're not the most "deep" or "epic" or "artistic" of the musical world...but they have their own beauty, darn it! They also have such a strong tie to my childhood and growing up...I love them. I'd have so much fun working on one of those shows.

So, speaking of the Theatre world...the play opens tonight!! I feel like a costume-mistress failure, though, because I did not make it to the last costume workshop on Saturday. They were to meet from 11 to 3, and I woke up at noon and wasn't ready for the day until 1...and I had to run...I am basically making up lame excuses for myself. To which I also feel bad for. :-( ::sad face::. What made it worse was to hear that they aren't even finished yet--they are working with what they have...siiiiiiigh!!!!

My guilt exposed, I still wish everyone to break a leg!! And I cannot wait to see it tomorrow evening!! Go Leslie!

Got my English papers back...I did decently--Bs on both. I will get As on the next two!!

Hm, well I best be off!! I'll write tomorrow; long day in the intern office!

--Julia

Springtime?

2009-03-02T16:25:00.006-06:00

Wow.
I cannot believe that it is March already. ALREADY! It's incredible how fast things are going!!

Life has been going fairly well. It is gloriously sunny out, but viciously cold. Thanks, Mother Nature, thanks. I am SO looking forward to spring break, however. I get to see my family for a few days, but then I head to St. Louis!! Where it will be warm. Well, warm by my standards for right now--50s and 60s. Woot woot! So excited.

I have found myself wanting to go to St. Louis. Which is odd, I feel. Odd in that I've never just wanted to go--I usually just want to go because Zach will be there. But for the first time I want to go to St. Louis for the city and the nostalgia of last year, and to have that early taste of spring. I'm going to have flashbacks like crazy when I go, I just know it. It will be fun though. Hopefully he has something fun planned for us...

Over break I have a lot to do, however, in the days that we're in Tosa...I need to find lots of job apps!! I have a huge list of places we're going to go, and I guess if I have my dentist appointment that morning I'll have minty fresh teeth to talk to potential future employers! Good plan, I feel.

I had a good talk with Patrick this afternoon; we hung out briefly after Astronomy. He went to the Starbucks with me and we chatted for a wee bit, which was wonderful, really. He can really ground me sometimes, and bring another opinion I never really consider sometimes. His no-nonsense, let's-not-beat-around-the-bushes style smacks reality into my conscious every now and again. Refreshing! Very unlike the coffee, and sorry Starbucks to knock on you again....but...

In the ranking order of the worst experiences with coffee one will have, it is this, 1 being the worst:
3. Starbucks coffee.
2. Weak-brewed coffee.
1. Weak-brewed, Starbucks coffee.

Yup, while the conversation with Patty-cakes was a nice pick-me-up, the old fashioned cup of joe was not :-( . Sad day. I'll have to remedy that in my room tonight with my faithful coffee press...

I have little 90-calorie rice pudding snacks in my room right now, and they're rather good. I just wish now that I had picked up raisins or fresh fruit in my last grocery pick-up...all in all, a fun treat.

Checking out thunderfap.com again...some more fun freebies....hmmm...

--Julia

Oops!

2009-02-25T16:31:00.002-06:00

I'm sorry! It's been ages since I've posted...hmmm...what has happened...
WELL I was out of town last weekend in Ypsilanti, Michigan. That was a fun time. I went with the exec board and a few other positions of the sorority to DLC, and it was both fun, informational, and tough. Tough? Because we drove fooooorever, arrived at the hotel around, 2.30, three a.m., which was really an hour ahead because of the time difference. Yay loss of sleep hours!! We were running on low tanks all day.
However, things were alright in the end. I met other sisters from other colleges--a very odd notion! And ever sister I met, I liked, but I appreciate my own house oh so much more now. ^_^

School has been going fairly well. This Wednesday is going to be the real kicker, though. Since we've implemented study hours for the sorority, I need to now blast from here, the admissions office, to the chapter room, to the CLC, to my room briefly, to costumes...OH MY. So looking forward to when the play is going to be overrrrr...

Bah. Well I should be heading out soon, then. I have looooooots to do!!

Happy readings,
Julia

Life

2009-02-12T10:47:00.002-06:00

College Tip# 11...avoid drama as much as possible.

Yup.

Hokay, so. Costumes last night was fun, low-key (as usual, though. No drama usually at costumes!!). I hung out with Zach and Pat for a little bit afterwards; they left this morning for Iowa for Conference Finals. Good luck, go Red Hawks!!

Speaking of swimming--my little brother is going to Sectionals for swimming!! It's pretty sweet!! I'm so excited for him! I should tell him that...I'll do that later.

Well, the week has just flown by! Tomorrow is Friday, which I am quite excited for. Mostly because it means the end of the week, the start of the weekend, and SLEEEEEEEEPPzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................

Wamer days

2009-02-11T16:53:00.000-06:00

Been really enjoying the warmer weather on campus--lovely!

Short short entry today, as I have lots to do! I'll be around tomorrow, though!

--Julia

Allo allo!

2009-02-09T16:17:00.002-06:00

SO!

I realize that I haven't blogged for a few days! Catch up time...

Friday night of the weekend was fun. There was an art opening down at Rodman, and I have to admit it was one of my favorite art openings. The artist works with wood, and his pieces were incredible!! Also, the food for the opening was incredible--they went above and beyond for this show. I was impressed on all sorts of levels. I waited in Rodman, then, for Zach to get off of work at Storzer, and then we went grocery shopping (I need some food for my room!) and also bought food for a late, late dinner. We watched "Meet the Robinsons", a Disney movie. It was cute, not my favorite, but enjoyable. And it was a nice date with Zach.

Saturday the sorority had retreat, which was fun. It was an all day affair, but there was some good bonding time. Afterwards Zach and I left for Milwaukee...you know that Spring is somewhat on it's way when it's still light out around 6. I'm at work right now, it's 4.33. A month ago it would be well on its way to becoming dark!!

Why Milwaukee? Well, because I needed a new laptop. We stopped by my house, had dinner, talked with my parents a little bit before they headed out to the Buck's game, and then we went to Best Buy to see what was available! There we found my new laptop! And Sunday morning we went out with my dad and brother to pick it up...long story short--mission accomplished and thanks to my wunderbar parents for getting it for me!

Zach and I also visited Emily and Ross while we were there, and went to a place called Ma Fisher's. It was like my other favorite 24-hour diner, Johnny Vs, but almost better I feel. It was great! Good times.

Hmm what else...Yea. Now the new week has started, officially the 4th week. 12 more to go...

So I realized today something kind of scary. Time is SO elusive. I found a penny in my pocket in between classes today and looked at the date. It was made in Denver, CO in 1999. A series of things ran through my head, like "oh yea, right before the whole 'Y2K' deal, right before one of the most exciting new years ever...OH MY GOD THAT WAS TEN YEARS AGO!!!"

Ten years ago!! I was in fourth grade...Ten years ago!! I...gah! 2000, the year that was so easy in History classes because we could easily subtract for historical dates, or even our parents birthdays. And then after 2000, we'd just tack on or off another year, still using 2000 as the base marker...Oh my god.

Sigh. On that note of my realizations of time and age...gah! I'm off to dinner. I'll see you all later!

Woohoo coffee is mah friend!

2009-02-02T16:19:00.000-06:00

Dear readers,

I love coffee, especially from Gooseberries. Zach did make it up to me for missing our coffee date, and we went in between classes. It was really fun, and the scone we split was just amazing.

However, Friday evening was very awesome. Though Gooseberries was forgotten (boys are silly sometimes...), Zach took me to Roadhouse for a pizza and a pitcher of soda--so tasty! It was actually quite special and cute too, because we got there right as they had closed, but let us in, and made us the pizza anyway--so we got to dine there alone and it was really cute. Delicious pizza, too. Yum! Afterwards we went to Robyn's room and watched "Death to Smoochy," which is a funny movie. Patrick was there as well!

Saturday I didn't end up doing as much homework was I thought I was going to do...however, my room is SPOTLESS. I vacuumed, dusted, put things away...I feel way better having people over, haha. Which is why I had some girls over for tea and coffee, and then a double date with two freshmen, Emily and Bill. Emily is pledging, and is so sweet! I love her. And I was Bill's mentor in the FYS class, and I approve--he's a great guy. We ended up watching "Kung fu Hustle"--ridiculous movie, might I say. I laughed a lot though.

And Sunday I did homework, and Amanda finally came home! She went home (well, home-home) to Milwaukee and had a fun birthday weekend with her family, and has returned with Cheesecake and Strawberries. So tonight we're having a fun mini party!

Classes went alright today, one was canceled so that was exciting! Very exciting, actually...huzzah! Ah well. Normal schedule for the rest of the week...

Okay--I'm off!

--Julia

Funky Friday

2009-01-30T16:15:00.000-06:00

Well, my coffee date did not occur, which saddens me greatly. . .Next week Monday, perhaps??

However--TIS FRIDAY!!! Hooray!! Bells and whistles!!! Woop woop!

I am looking forward to this weekend, and getting lots and lots of things done. So much homework to do! But I have promised myself to have fun--I need the down time!

--Julia

Friday is almost here...

2009-01-29T10:30:00.000-06:00

Friday brings:
closure to the week
the prospect of relaxation.
joy
my weekly coffee date, and thus COFFEE (that cup will be the best thing)
hang out time with friends
hang out time with Zach
sleep
Saturday
fun
AND MOOOORE

Yes. Tomorrow, although there will be classes to go to, and work to attend to, will be good. After Astronomy and before work I'll go to my favorite coffee shop in Ripon, Gooseberries, and have the most delicious cup of coffee--hooray! Funnily enough, that's probably what I'm most excited about. After work and a bit of homework time in my room (yes, homework on a Friday--shocking!! get used to it, college-bounders), it is off to Robyn's room for a China One/Movie night. I believe we are going to watch "Death to Smoochy" !!! Such a great movie. Very excited.

Saturday will bring "Scholarship Days" on campus, and then a huge dose of homework alllllllllllll daaaaaaaaaaaay looooooooooooooooooong. I really must, however. The evening will be fun, but with Saturday comes Sunday. Hmmmmmmm.......................... GAH LIFE.

Haven't really talked about TODAY, however. Thursdays...well it's the day after the god-awful Wednesday. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but the weight of it is so much. I did get a good 8 hours of sleep, however! Very proud of myself, and will have to try to repeat that tonight.

Well, perhaps an update later today, but I will definitely be posting tomorrow. Right now I have to continue working on my admissions stuff, and eventually go to lunch. SO HUNGRY!!

--Julia

Bah!

2009-01-26T16:18:00.000-06:00

OH MY. This...today. Was intense. Forever this semester will my backpack be stuffed to the gills with four full binders, at least 2-3 books, and my pencil case. I think the seams might rip!! It will be like this Wednesdays too, but I look forward to tomorrow when I'll only have one binder at the most in my backpack!!

Indeed. Today was intense. And far from over--I've figured out I probably have about 4-5 hours of homework I should work on tonight so that I'm not swamped tomorrow night...gah! It's gonna be very interesting! However, I have dinner with Zach to look forward to, and perhaps some down time later after my plethora of homeworkings...

This weekend was amazing!! Bid weekend was so much fun! ADPi picked up ten new, lovely, beautiful, and perfect Alphas this weekend ^_^ . I'm so happy for all of them! And so excited for the coming few weeks...oh man. But yes. Bid weekend, while fun, took out all of my energy and any homework time, so Leslie, Sarah, Amanda, and I were stuck pulling a late evening trying to get our reading done, so boo on little sleep.

That's why there's coffee, right? Heh heh. Early bed tonight, fooor sure. I look forward to sleeepssssssszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

love,
Julia

SHEEEEEEEE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

2009-01-22T13:16:00.000-06:00

Hello there readers!!

I have returned. I feel bad for not writing a post at the end of the last semester--I wanted to send you off with some Holiday cheer! In spite of this, I hope everyone had a lovely holiday (for me, it was a Merry Christmas!!) and a fantasmic new year.

Me...where to begin...oh dear god. Well--the semester has started off with a bang. Like a....QUICK YOU GOTTA MOVE NOW THE RACES HAVE STARTED OMG FREAK OUT kinda bang. It's so scary--I have 22 credits. Twenty two!!! My Wednesdays will just be a trip, as I will be going from about 8.30 am to 10.30 pm. YIKES and HELP. Once the play is over, however, that will change with costumes being over. And that'll help me immensely!

Nevermind. I was elated these past few days to believe that the play was opening at some point in February--I thought, "Hey, I can handle about a month..." NOPE. It opens in March. Ohhhh ohohohoh dearie me. Sigh.

Alright. Snap out of it, Julia!

I do have busy days, but I can do it. I just have to stick to my plans, and not falter or make excuses. One of my bigger goals was to stick to day plans I have laid out. So far, pretty good. I stuck to today's plan! Work from 8am to 9, work out, shower, lunch, work....Yup.

I ended up doing Pilates today for a full hour! I'm pretty proud of myself, and feel a lot better than I have. Yay healthiness!

I'm SUPER excited for this weekend--it's Bid Weekend! New sorority and fraternity members everywhere! It's going to be crazy.

Well, I'm going to make some to-do lists as far as admissions work goes--I'll write tomorrow!!

--Julia

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

2008-12-15T15:46:00.001-06:00

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

Oh god I'm on Auto-Pilot

2008-12-11T15:47:00.000-06:00

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

Stuck in the middle...

2008-12-10T16:05:00.000-06:00

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

Happy St. Nick Day!!!

2008-12-04T14:15:00.000-06:00

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

More Snow!!!!

2008-12-03T20:40:00.000-06:00

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!!

Oh what a night...

2008-12-02T13:08:00.001-06:00

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

Dizzyness.

2008-11-25T13:25:00.000-06:00

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!!!

SNOW!

2008-11-24T16:35:00.001-06:00

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

FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!

2008-11-21T16:00:00.000-06:00

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!

Too Hot and Too Cold

2008-11-20T14:25:00.000-06:00

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

A Bleary Wednesday

2008-11-19T15:58:00.000-06:00

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 ^_^

Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuesday

2008-11-18T13:48:00.000-06:00

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

sorry! (and) Karma!

2008-11-17T16:00:00.001-06:00

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.

Teh Weekend

2008-11-10T17:16:00.000-06:00

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

2008-11-10T16:04:00.000-06:00

Mail!

2008-11-06T14:41:00.000-06:00

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

Alrighty then...

2008-11-05T16:01:00.000-06:00

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

::sigh:: No Halloween Pics...

2008-11-03T16:13:00.000-06:00

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

YES favorite holiday coming up...

2008-10-30T15:08:00.000-05:00

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!

To the dogs...

2008-10-28T14:46:00.000-05:00

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

And we're back

2008-10-27T15:53:00.000-05:00

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

Life in General

2008-10-16T22:50:00.000-05:00

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!!

What a mix of emotions...

2008-10-15T15:45:00.001-05:00

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

Almost there...

2008-10-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

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

NINE DAYS

2008-10-08T16:13:00.000-05:00

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...

OMGZ Fall Break is so soooooooooo

2008-10-06T16:59:00.000-05:00

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!!!

::sniffle::...

2008-10-02T14:52:00.001-05:00

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!

Wow...

2008-09-30T14:22:00.000-05:00

...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...

AUGH I'M SORRY

2008-09-29T16:19:00.000-05:00

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.

Is it the weekend yet?

2008-09-22T15:38:00.000-05:00

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....

Mmm, Yes, Quite

2008-09-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

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!

Oh dearie me!

2008-09-17T15:51:00.000-05:00

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!

Wisconsin is awesome.

2008-09-16T14:13:00.000-05:00

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!

P.S.!!!

2008-09-15T22:12:00.000-05:00

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

2008-09-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

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!!

Friday is so close...

2008-09-11T16:09:00.000-05:00

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

blehhhh

2008-09-10T16:52:00.000-05:00

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

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

2008-09-09T14:29:00.000-05:00

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!!!!!

First Official Week Over! Verdict:

2008-09-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

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

Beginnings

2008-09-02T12:49:00.000-05:00

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