Fall Break...

...was awesome.

I was able to relax and not do any work. I did exactly what should be done during a breeak: nothing.

Well, nothing work related.

Friday night Josh took me to Kabuto, a very nice habachi-style Japanese restaurant where they cook your food in the middle of a giant table that you just happen to be sitting at. It was delicious and a fun time. When we got back we learned that some of our friends were going to the Richmond Folk Festival so we decided to go. We got there about an hour and a half before closing but just in time to see Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine playing the harmonica with one of the blue grass bands. He was pretty good and so was the band. We listened to a little Philadelphia soul and then some reggae before heading back to the bus that took us back to free parking.

Saturday was the Richmond vs. James Madison University (JMU) game and it was amazing! We lost, but we lost to the top play of the day, according to ESPN. We were winning with a few minutes left to go when JMU tied it 31 to 31. Then in the last five seconds JMU returned the punt to score the winning touchdown. It was so not cool but such an amazing play. And of course UR and JMU are rivals so that made it even more fun. Especially since, even though it was fall break and so many people were gone, the Richmond section was full and we were so loud. It was great.

After the game Josh, Brian and I went to Moe's for some "Mexican" (it'e the closest I can get to San Diego Mexican here) and then rented some movies from Blockbuster. We watched 21, a very good movie about math genious' from MIT who count cards in Black Jack in Las Vegas on the weekends to make some extra money. It is very interesting and I did not mind seeing it again. The first time I saw it was on the airplane coming home from Namibia.

Sunday I went to church with Josh to Derbyshire Baptist Church. I had never been to a Baptist church before and it ran the exact same way as all the Mehtodist churches I've been to, except for the fact that they had an orchestra and a huge choir. The music was excellent and made me miss being in a full choir. After church we went to D-Hall for brunch and then to Josh's apartment to watch the second movie we rented, The Forbidden Kingdom. It's a modern Kung Fu movie with Jackie Chan AND Jet Li. Jackie Chan + Jet Li = amazingness. It was a cheesy Kung Fu movie, as it should be, but it had amazing fight scenes and good graphics. After the movie we went out on the Westhampton Green, laid down a blanket and read until dinner. That night we intended to see Hancock at The Byrd theatre downtown but apparently that was last weeks movie so we went back to Josh's apartment with a bunch of his friends and watched Top Gun. Oddly enough, I had never seen it. It was good for a Tom Cruise movie, especially the music. Welcome to the Danger Zone...

Monday morning I headed back to Charles City to hang out with Grandmama for a few days. We were both lazy lumps on Monday, taking a nap, reading. So for the evening we decided to do something productive and go out to dinner. We realized the Blue Heron is closed on Mondays so we went to Williamsburg and went to Ruby Tuesday. My petite sirloin and parmesan fries were delicious and the double chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream made my night. But then we topped it all off with a trip to Target where I may nor may not have purchased two sweaters.

Tuesday I did a whole lot of nothing. I did organize and scan some clips for my journalism internship resumes and then just watched a little TV. When Grandmama got home from work I made some barbeque chicken and she made potatoes and cabbage. After dinner Curry came over and we watched The Forbidden Kingdom. He loved it and learned some sweet new moves. I think he and I are going to have to start watching Jackie Chan movies together on the weekends.

And today it was back to work/school/everything. Today is Josh's and my six month anniversary so we will be celebrating with a nice dinner.

Right now I'm taking care of the baby.

You know you're jealous.

Fall Break!

Finally some time off to sleep and read something not assigned in a class.

Every year we have a Fall Break at UR that is really only a four day weekend but it comes at the same time as mid-terms. Everyone seems to be at the point of exploding right about now making a four day weekend appreciated more than summer it seems. And I actually get five days because both of my classes for today were canceled! And because of the break there will be no Collegian next week. While that makes me sad because I love The Collegian, it will be nice to have a week with some actual free time. The timing is perfect as well because next Wednesday is Josh's and my sixth month anniversary.

I do love less work and more time.

Especially since this week was pretty crazy at The Collegian. There was a very large breaking news story this week which you can read here. It is pretty disgusting (not in a gross, icky bug sense but a I-can't-believe-people-behave-that-way sense) but unfortunately not surprising. When you read the article you will understand.

Anyway, it was a big deal that took a lot of time and arguing but eventually came out OK. Now everyone is ready for a break.

On a happier note, I wrote two briefs for this week. I am also doing pretty well in my Copy Editing class which makes for good times. I've started looking for internships, which is fun and exciting and scary all at the same time. And the speech I thought I was going to have to give last Thursday I don't have to give until Oct. 23.

So life is pretty good. If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for a fancy dinner with my boyfriend.

Live Blogging

Yesterday I did some live blogging during the presidential debate for The Collegian. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad I got the opportunity to do it. And I got to watch the debate at the same time.

Good times.

Here it is.

First Week of School

It's only the first week and I am tired... But it's been a good busy week.

I started classes on Monday with Photojournalism at 7 p.m. That is going to be a fun class with a medium amount of work which is always nice. And I have an excuse to buy a really nice camera!

Tuesday I had Copy Editing at 9:45 a.m. We already had homework to turn in and were given a bunch more for Thursday and the next Tuesday. That is going to be my hardest class with the most work. Yet it is going to make me a better writer and have a skill that is in high demand in the journalism world so I guess I'm OK with the work load. After Copy Editing I had Rhetoric and Public Address. Basically its a speech class. I'm a little nervous about it but the professor seems very good at what he does and I want to be able to become a better speaker so there ya go.

Wednesday I didn't have any classes but it was time to get back to work at The Collegian. We put out our first issue of the year that night and it turned out pretty well. It only took until 3 a.m. so we're off to a good start. And now we have Martin to help us out. Martin is Emily, our Features editor, new Miniature Schnauzer and he is adorable! Whenever I need a break, Martin is there to keep me company.

I wrote an article for this weeks issue which you can see here.

Thursday I had Copy Editing and Rhetoric again and then the practicum for Rhetoric. I had to give a surprise speech, as did all the other students, and we we're definitely nervous but it went well. We got some good pointer from out TA for our first speech that we have to give on Tuesday in class. Thursday night we had our first CSF event of the year, Coldstone! What better way to get people to come to your group then free food and ice cream?

After Coldstone I attended the Democratic National Convention Viewing Party and watched Obama's acceptance speech, asked a few people what they thought and then wrote an article for The Collegian online. The new website is awesome, very well done.

And now it's Friday. No classes today either, which is awesome. But a lot of homework to get done for Monday and Tuesday.

And of course throughout the week I've been doing homework, hanging out with friends and Josh. You know, trying to have a social life. And it's been storming and raining all week. All in all it's been a good week and I'm glad things are going again.

I need a nap.

The Collegian

Here is this weeks.

I wrote three campus briefs that are not online unfortunately. Still a good paper.

For the upcoming and last issue of the year I am writing a long story about the upcoming tuition increase. We'll see what happens with that.

In the Newsroom

I am sitting in The Collegian newsroom at 1:05am Thursday morning waiting for my page edits from the editors.

I feel like a journalist. A very tired yet satisfied journalist.

I'll post a link to the paper when it comes up online tomorrow.

Mid-Terms...

suck.

Don't let anyone tell you any different.

My English mid-term this semester will be on Ralph Waldo Emerson's view on education and how that contrasts with Edward Bellamy's idea of what education will be in the future in Looking Backward.

While this is all very interesting and I have no qualms with studying the subject, I also have a Journalism, Elementary Programming and Music mid-term as well as all of my regular homework.

Yay college...

College Edition

A video clip from News in Color, a guy on YouTube.

Warning: Some slight language, but nothing you won't hear on cable.


New quotes!

"Just say no to post-modernism."

"Once you graduate, your life will officially suck."

Front Page

That's right! I mentioned that I wrote and submitted my first article to The Collegian and got a "nice work!" from my News Writing professor.

Well...

It's being published! And not just published, it's being published on the FRONT PAGE!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da

Ha ha ha!

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited. I'll take a picture of it and post it so you guys can see it.

I feel so accomplished. I have actually found something I am passionate about AND good at. I have a possible career... This is really strange and going to take some time to get used to.

Go college!

TV: A Good Excuse to Stay Up Late and Avoid Homework

A college student always needs a good excuse to stay up late and procrastinate on homework, so cheer up college students everywhere! New seasons of the way too many tv shows are starting this week. Tonight I watched House and Law & Order: SVU. Thursday is the start of CSI: and ER. Haha! Yeah tv!

I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. Somebody help me.

Yeah! I'm in debt!

I know, a strange way to react to being in debt, but I assure you this is a good thing...

Yesterday I applied for and received a student loan from Sallie Mae for my tuition this next semester! Yeah! I no longer have to worry about being thrown out of school for not giving them their money. I don't think that would have happened anyway. My past experience with the University of Richmond in dealing with whatever issues has shown me that they would do whatever they could to make sure I wasn't left in the gutter.

In reference to the title of this post: I have always remembered this commercial and I immediately thought of it while Mommy was singing, "Stephanie's in debt. Stephanie's in debt." in an oddly happy tone... Now I know what he's talking about.

To Grandmother's House We Go: Part 6

Kentucky to Virginia

You would think we'd be at Grandmama's by now but tis not the case. We stopped in Winchester, Virginia today to go and see Mommy's college, Shenandoah College (now Shenandoah University). Winchester is a beautiful little town and the university is pretty massive. We only made it to the theatre today, where we watched "Tuesday's with Morrie" performed by one of Mommy's old professors who was teaching at the school for twenty years before Mommy even got there, thirty years ago. He, and the play, were excellent. I cried.

Okay, Kentucky is a very... interesting state. They have a town called Salt Lick. That's all I have to say.

And then we were in West Virginia. Some day, if you even get a chance to meet with my mom, ask her about her EMT days and her experiences in West Virginia. They are both scary and amusing.

It is a beautiful state with rolling hills and thick forests.

We ended up in Maryland because there is a little section that is on the west side of West Virginia, etc. Anyway, it came up so fast there wasn't a picture of the sign but here's a picture of Maryland, at least the ten miles we drove through.

And then we were in Virginia! We took the 50 highway to Winchester which is a windy road that goes through a lot of small towns. A nice scenic drive.

Tomorrow we will be at Grandmama's! I can't wait!

Tune in tomorrow for our last episode (of this series, the beginning for another). Same bat time, same bat channel!

I do love those Virginia sunsets. Looking forward to seeing a whooooole lot more.

To Grandmother's House We Go: Part 1

California to Arizona

So here's the first part of Mommy's and my journey to Grandmama's house in Virginia. We had a good trip today. It went by pretty quickly. I guess after being on an airplane for eleven hours at a shot six times you get used to it...

First things first, new hair! I had my hair re-straightened this morning so we have to do a before and after picture. I had the product the hair stylist gave me in Japan and it worked just as well as the first time.
Before

After

Yeah! I love my new hairdo! It took about two and a half hours but it went by quickly. Yolanda and I go way back so we just talked and talked until she was done.

Okay, back to the trip!

Mommy drove for the first part of the trip and we just talked and listened to music. I almost fell asleep a few times. I drove from Yuma to Sun Lakes. And that was how exciting the trip was. At least is was uneventful meaning nothing bad happened...

We did see some cool clouds.

And we had some fun trying to catch the "Welcome to Arizona" sign. But we got it! The state line sign I didn't see coming but when Mommy was like, "Take it!" I pushed the button and BAM! I got the picture! It was good times.


And of course there is the row of billboards that anyone playing the Alphabet game loves.

We arrived at Aunt DiDi and Uncle Earl's house about 4:30pm and had dinner, sat around and played a little guitar and now we're sitting in the kitchen talking away. Ah, good times.

Aunt DiDi is my daddy's oldest sister who we have been visiting every Thanksgiving since I was born. I missed last year with being in Japan and will miss this coming year so its really nice to see them.

Mommy and I with Uncle Earl

Mommy and I with Aunt DiDi

Cupcakes!


And tomorrow we'll be off to the Grand Canyon!

Tune in next time. Same bat time, same bat channel!