Eireann Go Brach

For those interested, Amanda had her baby yesterday! Charlotte Kathryn Gosvenor was born Nov. 10 at 3:06pm, 5 lbs 14 oz, and 19 inches long. Both Charlotte and Amanda are doing fine!

My computer has decided to hate the wireless network, and won't connect. It needs help. Or a brain transplant.

I'm having this odd sensation of homesickness. Or maybe it's just a severe longing for the holidays to be here. I'm soooo excited for Thanksgiving. I need to be at home, with all the family over, lots of food, fireplace going, random AMC on the TV, pictionary, whatever. The chaos, confusion, and comfort of the holidays. Long sweaters, tea, hugs, being a goof. I neeeed it!!! I am grateful that I was home by Christmas last year, but I think I'm feeling the withdrawls of not having Thanksgiving, too. I *loved* being able to do Thanksgiving with the girls in Cork last year-that was a blast, but I miss the real thing, you know? And it has struck me these last couple of weeks that I've missed Fall as well. FALL!! Crunchy leaves getting everywhere, the trees changing colors, people starting to burn their wood stoves, that chill in the air, blue skies and a light breeze.... Ireland doesn't have Fall like we do. Wet leaves...lots and lots of rain, and I didn't notice the trees changing all that much. (maybe I wasn't paying much attention) The last month of summer made me physically sick, I think. I was tired of the heat, tired of working at the library, tired of not having anything to think about.... Fall is like a cleansing of my soul. I need this. I need the air to come and blow the stuffiness and lingering anxiety from my brain. All the confusion, doubts, apprehension about life...just blow it all away and leave me able to think clearly again.

Ryan and I are driving to Portland on Thursday. Maybe getting out of town for a few days will be good for us. He's been feeling just as pent up as I have... We're going to stay in Lincoln City Thursday night at a hotel that's right on the beach. I*cannot*wait* to be at the Ocean again!!! I just want to sit there and watch the waves. I don't care if I have to wear three coats, a scarf, gloves, boots and an umbrella, I just want to sit there and soak it all in. We've got to be nuts going to the Oregon coast in the middle of October... Friday evening we're driving into Portland and staying a couple of days with his aunt and uncle who live there. We've got nothing concrete planned, but we know we want to hit Powell's, Kathleen of Dublin's, do some shopping, and...maybe something else...I don't know. It's All Up In The Air!! How glorious!
I was supposed to be going to AZ to see Scott this weekend, but his FFA trip is this week, and as it turns out, he'll actually be home this weekend. Unfortunately, after telling me we should wait before I go down there, I made plans, then he told me he was coming home. Yet another reason to be excited for Thanksgiving. I miss my stupid brotherface....

That's all on this end~loves loves loves!!!

*While generally speaking, putting off reading is a bad thing, in this case it's coming in as a good review. This will not happen again. Try To Keep Up While You're Only A Little Behind!!

*Swing went exceptionally well tonight, we're off to a fantastic start (Thanks Analyn! And April!), and I see the enthusiasm budding in the faces of the newbies. They're hooked--oh yes.

*I Love Ryan. For serious. Even when he's pathetically sick...There's something adorable about that. I should feel bad because he probably got it from me, yet this gives me a good excuse to take care of him for once.... Tomorrow there shall be...something nice. Anyway, he's amazingly wonderful, and I know I could function without him, but it wouldn't be a happily drawn out existence. This is now officially the second longest relationship I've ever been in, and if I like him long enough, we may run away to Canada someday, but at the very least live in a square house with a wrap-around porch, a room each for his piano and my lamps, with a garden out back with tomatoes, mint, three corn stalks, and a small wheat field. And a puppy. hmm.

*Back to studying....

...to Amazon. Yes...Okay, maybe it's not too bad yet, but I love ordering things online. It's quite amazing to me. And I love getting mail....*sigh* I ordered two books on minimalism and minimalist composers (such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass) just now for Ryan for his birthday. I think he'll like them....the tricky part will be keeping my big mouth shut for...oh...THREE MONTHS now, because his birthday's not until the middle of November. *sigh* Ah well...Maybe it's a good thing to get them before school starts and I feel officially poor for the rest of my life. I'm consoled by the fact that he will like them, and it will be awesome.

Scott left for Arizona yesterday, and that's a little weird. Stupid brotherface.... Mom and I are having some hang out time again today, so I guess I should quit bumming around online and get over there....

I walked to the bookstore on campus this morning, made a list of what I needed, came home, found everything on Amazon, and ordered away. I am set to go for the fall term (minus a german book that they didn't have a listing for in the bookstore) for a mere $135 for ten books. I love Amazon.

The Michael Buble concert was amazing...Ryan was comforted that I would not run away and have many cute Canadian babies by the fact that Michael is probably only as tall as I am. For serious, he's short! It was so funny...but, he has great charisma and stage presence, and a hell of a singing voice. At the end of the show, he sang a little song completely a cappella and without mics, and filled the Pavillion--that was pretty incredible.

what else what else....Scott's leaving for college in a week, I'm still not entirely convinced I'm going to graduate on time, swing club business is looming up, I have to figure out how to survive classes, work, homework, and a social life and still be able to pay the rent..... I think I'm a little stressed. Okay, that statement is a lie.... I know I'm a lot stressed. I have been sick off and on for the past month or so, and it's kicked up again in the last week. I thought I was getting a flu something or other, but it never really decided to rear its ugly head...instead, symptoms have been morphing through the week. For the past couple of days, my stomach has been attacking. And I'm getting anxious in the evenings again. No good reason, I just feel the urge to have a little panic time, which makes my stomach seize up, and because I haven't eaten much, I get the shakes, and because I'm shaky it makes the anxiety worse, and up goes the stress level, causing a vicious cycle I'm fighting to get out of with only a small level of success. A side effect to all that is that I have (what I think is) a stress rash. Lovely. I'm trying to decide if I need to go to a doctor again or if I need to go to the counselor. Blargh. Neither one is an appealing option, yet I'd rather not be all spotty for the rest of the summer.

Something to look forward to, though--Stacy is coming to visit in about two and a half weeks, and I cannot wait to see her. Cannot!!! She needs to be here Right Now!!! I have to be better by then, because I refuse to be sick and boring while she's here. So there.

With that little disclaimer, I will be off...I'm not going to sit around and mope all day today, I have things to do. Like grocery shopping. Oh yes...

Three days of anibiotics for some annoyingness that has decided to ravage the inside of me, and theoretically I should be getting back to normal.... *sigh*

Highlights of the week to look forward to:
Michael Buble concert, oh, *tomorrow night*!!!
Stef and Dan coming to town for a bit
Katie and David's wedding (even though it's going to be weird...)

Things have been going really well, generally speaking. We went out with April and Steve and the Friday night crew this weekend to celebrate my birthday, and that was a lot of fun. I even got birthday pie at Perkins, complete with a candle! ;0) yumminess... We had lots to celebrate Friday, though...my birthday, Ryan passing his insurance certification test, and our six months together. Six Months! It's practically a record. *happiness*

Murgh. I just realized I have to get ready for work now...no fun....Short but sweet today, I guess!

I still don't feel good. Darn this whatever it is that I've got! I need to go to the library and pick up my paycheck, and tell the boss that I can't, in fact, work on the evening of the twenty-fifth like I thought I could yesterday, because I have to go see Michael Bublé that night, and that's just more important than work.

MICHAEL BUBLÉ!!!

EEEEE!!!

Oi...I usually make it a point to not get all excited about popular singers, but it's Michael, and I just can't help myself. So, we will join the hundreds of other swooning women and just give into it for the night. *sigh* I didn't think we we're going, but Mom surprised me and told me last night that she'd bought tickets. No complaints with that... I'm so excited!

My stomach hurts again. But I think it's because I'm hungry this time...we're practically out of food, so I should go to the store. ugh...

On another note, I bathed all the fish today, so, while all four of them are cranky with me, they'll thank me in the end because they are clean now....

I'm at Ryan's, chilling out in my melty chair (aka his big brown ugly but oh-so-comfy chair that I always sit in when he's playing piano). He trusts me enough to leave me here with free reign of his apartment while he goes to work. In return, I sometimes do his dishes and leave him obnoxiously sweet and random notes all over the place. hehehe....
Last night I came over after work, and we had a really nice life chat for a couple of hours, then I helped him study for his insurance certification exam that he's taking next week. Then, I decided I didn't want to go home to an empty house (April, I figured you'd be out pretty late! ;0) ) so we went to bed. That is something I could definitely get used to.
Last weekend we "vacationed" in Boise, which was nice. We went to the zoo and the art museum, and got the cheapest room we could find at the Grove Hotel. It's really nice there, and we had a good view of the valley from the tenth floor! There are still plenty of trees in Boise! We got all gussied up and went out to dinner, then walked around downtown for a while window shopping, and went and had dessert and wine at the Grape Escape. Oh yes, you should definitely go there sometime. It's a very cute little corner cafe/wine bar...perfect for people watching and getting happy. ;0) Sunday we spent the day shopping at the mall and the bookstores, then came back here and had dinner and watched Amelie and Firefly. Good weekend...!
Hope everyone's doing well and having good summer break time!

I really don't want to go to work today. It's just too bloody hot there. There is one one small corner of the library where the AC actually works, so the kids section stays relatively cool compared to everywhere else, but I had to be upstairs in HELL yesterday, shelving where there is not even a fan blowing, let alone AC. It was over 86 degrees up there! I spent about two hours (too long) up there, then relocated myself. Oy. I wasn't feeling so well the rest of the day. And today's going to be the same hot sweaty grossness. *sigh* We need a new building sooooo bad....

I am so spoiled to have a mechanic and one in training in the family, for serious. Dad spent probably four or five hours yesterday working on my brakes, and he replaced the master cylinder, brake pads, and brake hoses--all for a grand total of: $160. That's it. The shop quoted me $466, just for parts. Where did that other $300 come from? Oy. Anyway, he said we'll just "add it to my tab", which we figured to be about $40-50,000 by now. I'll get to working on that someday.... So now, happy car once again. I'm still going to be looking for another one, but the honda may pull through for a while yet...

Off to go shopping with Mom now, and then going out with Ryan to meet the rest of his family *slightly nervous*. It's okay, it's just the aunts, uncles, a couple of cousins, and a grandparent or two. No worries..... ;0)

Happy 4th!!

It drives me crazy. I think I'll move onto a little farm and become self sufficient.

Okay, that won't happen, but it's nice in theory. I hate feeling like my job is inadequate because it barely covers the cost of....well, living day to day. I really like my job, most days, but when the rent is due, my car breaks, and the college sends the bill all in the same weekend, it's just not enough. I took the honda in to get the signals fixed (finally), and they tell me it'll cost almost $300 to get that done. And that's the good news. The bad news is that my brakes are so bad it's a wonder they haven't gone out completely. That'll be another $500, thank you. Dad's going to see what he can do for the brakes tomorrow, and when I picked up the car from the shop, the signals were working, even though they told me they'd have to order a part first, so I don't know if that means that I owe them a lot of money, or what. So I'm looking for a new car. I just need something that's going to be reliable for the next few years, because it's never something small when the honda breaks down, and the transmission has been threatening to go out for a while now, too. I can't afford to buy a new car because I don't have enough money to make payments month to month, so the best option I can come up with is to pray that the honda will hold out until I can save another $1,000 or so to buy something decent in one fell swoop.

Financial things are way over my head. As are most of the important things necessary to get along in life. Sometimes, I wonder where my brain went. I used to have one that functioned decently, but now I'm left with this mush that doesn't know up from down half the time. Oh well.

Besides that whole drama, things are good. I was going to go to Seattle for the lindy exchange, and that's not going to happen, and I can't even make it up to Moscow like we were thinking about. Stacy might be coming out sometime next month, though, and that would be grand. *sigh* Not the most uplifting post, but I think I feel a little better....going to do some car shopping now.... ;0)

I got a couple of high-class instructional yoga dvds from the library, and tried out one of them tonight. And then after that, I went a took a very nice bath, put on lots of nice smelling lotion and comfy clothes, and had some food. I've decided that that is a very nice way to de-stress after work. Not that either of my jobs are very stressful, there is just plenty of time to think during the day, and sometimes I think too much and then my emotions get all out of whack, and I wish that I had a job where I was more mentally engaged throughout the day. *shrug* I'm feeling pretty good right now, though, and it's nice to feel all chilled out.

Tonight is some me time, and it's much needed, I realized. I've been so busy with work and doing the stuff that I don't have time for during school that I haven't really chilled out much. It's been more or less nonstrop since a couple of days before Scott's birthday. This is the first night that I haven't had anything, even minor, planned for my evening. Soooo nice....

We got an awesome retro kitchen table over the weekend, and now I finally feel like I can actually cook things for dinner, as there is now "counter space". Ryan came over Monday night and we cooked, and Scott came over last night. I got to go grocery shopping, and buy fun things for recipes, and now we have options!!
Speaking of Scott, he's turning out to be a decent human being. We ended up going bowling after dinner last night, and that was a lot of fun....I could keep up with him, even with his league experience! He even paid for it, and I took him out for ice cream afterwards, so I figure we're probably even. But all through dinner and stuff, we chatted, sat at the table, didn't watch the tv...I'm going to miss that stupidface when he goes to school.... ;0)

Oh, I've also decided that watching the news is bad for my emotional well-being, so I'm not going to anymore. I prefer to remain blissfully unaware of how many pshycos, murders, sexual assaulters, and natural disasters there are. I know enough to look out for them, but I don't need a nightly play-by-play to make me all anxious again--it's not worth it.

mmmm....I could just go to bed right now....hehe...

So, the internet thingy was connected the whole time, but we had to access it through the Intel Pro thing itself...something something....anyway, the point of the story is that I am connected to you fine folks from the comfort of my own room. Or anywhere else in this apartment....oh yes. And it didn't take over a month like it did when I went to Ireland--huzzah for that!

And now, I have the day off, and I'm *bored*. There's stuff I could be doing, but it's not appealing. Most people are at work, I don't feel like calling people whine whine whine. Okay, enough of that. I've been reading a lot this week which has been nice. Finished unpacking except for a few little things, so I feel more settled here now. We have lots of plants, and I'm growing some little sunflowers in my window--plants are amazing. They've been growing about a half inch to an inch per day, and they're going to be so pretty when they're big! (they're red sunflowers...) I've even had time to watch tv and movies again! What?? I know... So, I'm terribly drawn to TLC, and am oddly hooked on "A Baby Story". It's so...graphic. And makes me not want to have kids. Well, maybe just to hold the cuteness after they're all out and sleeping, but before they start really crying, making messes, and become....toddlers. It's just so much work having kids, from conception until, well, forever. It's really fun making mom think that she won't have grandkids and that I'm just getting a big dog instead. hehehehe....I'll probably have kids eventually, but not soon.

Okay, probably more information that everyone needed, but you know... Anyway, apartment life and summertime have afforded much happy slacking off with Ryan time. *contented sigh* I like him...a lot. We'll have been together for five months next week. I told him if we make it to eight months, it'll be my second longest relationship ever. I'm not planning on getting rid of him anytime soon, so as long as he'll put up with me, we just might make it. Mushyface....

I'm Sorry! He's just so darn gorgeous and amazing I can't help it!!

Off now to stop being gushy and do....something....

finally....
My computer is being gimpy again. It hates to move--something goes screwy *every*time*. *sigh* If anyone knows how to turn an internal wireless card on, that'd be useful information to me. There's no outside switch or anything. It's connected, but I can't turn it on....stumped.

We've been here for a few nights now, and we're getting things settled and unpacked, and it's sooo wonderful to be in an apartment again. The living room is Amazing And Full Of Light And....??? Well, you'll just have to come see. My room is a disaster, but it's coming along.

Tonight, I think we're chillin' out with some new friends, $.87 chocolate cookies, and maybe an x-box....hahahaha....good times....

MOVING DAY!!! Okay, not for another 12 hours, but still....Just finishing some last minute packing tonight, then we're hauling the final load of boxes and the furniture in the afternoon. whee....!!!

psh. I'm not lost....I'm Reveling In A Lack Of Schoolwork!

Sooo...I woke up at 8am...which is fine and dandy, except that I was supposed to be at work at that exact moment. Oops. I called in and got here by 9, and the boss is letting me stay an extra hour so I don't lose time on my paycheck, but darn it all! I hate being late! Seems like I'm late all the freakin' time now, and I don't know why I can't get my butt here sooner. Seriously everyday. Oh well...It wasn't catastrophic today, I'm not losing any money...this is better than if I was like 15-30 minutes late, because then I couldn't make up the time. meh.

Break's over, back to work....

I just printed out my final paper for Ancient Rome that is due tomorrow morning. It feels good to have it done, early-ish, even. Just have to study for Music History now, which I'm not stressed about. That will be fun studying...yay!

Went to Aunt Kelli's today and got several boxes worth of things for the apartment, and three lamps. Oh yes... We're moving in one week. That's all. Crazy, but I'm very excited to start packing!

Off to...do something...

It's cold in the lab today. I should be working on my Rome paper, but instead I've been working on my

Graduation Application!!

That's a little scary. And confusing. So I need to meet with Dr. Tynon so I don't screw it up, but I think I've got it mostly done. Yikes. If all goes well (and it will) I'll be almost done by this time next year. Just thought I'd share that....

I had a good time hanging out with Ryan last night. We studied for my listening test, and talked music nerdiness, and whatever...good times. And, I got home at a "decent hour"...aka midnight. Not too bad.

No More Real Classes! Only Finals! Wowza...that's happy. And getting to see my Moscow people in a WEEK is very exciting as well. YAY! My brother's graduating in a week. To celebrate, he's buying a mustang today. The punk. I don't know anything about it yet, but he's pretty excited, so more on that later. That's okay, he can just go buy a car, see if I care, I have RENT to pay...hehehe....It's not that I'm excited about forking over a ton of money every month, but I am excited about apartment life again....*sigh* It's going to be so nice!

blargh. Here I go, off to accomplish...really this time....

I am now officially finished with my anthro class. woot. One down, now it's just a little listening test tomorrow morning, then write write write over the weekend, and study for music history. Not too bad. Oh, and find something to take pictures of for my final project. *cries, just a little* I have no idea what I'm going to do for that stuff. I need to do an immitative style shot and a created fantasy/Cindy Sherman-esque picture. That one's the kicker. Any takers?
Right now I'm at Ryan's, pirating his internet, couch, and oreos. mwahahaha....he's still at work. ;0) I went over and stole his apartment keys and came over, because there wasn't much reason to stick around campus this afternoon, I need to do homework, and I Couldn't Stand The Thought Of Spending More Time In The Lab. ugh...
Okay, enough facebook and e-mail....Four more days--I can do this! ;0)

I have no patience left for school. None. *sigh* It's going to be a long week....and yet not long enough at the same time. So much to fit into the next couple of days, and then shot out into the void of no homework one more time.....