Actually, I kind of hate Waffle House

Many thoughts.

I'm a generally pensive kind of guy, but there are these moods I normally get in that are kind of nearly-depressing/emo/serious pensive moods that I get into about once a month or so. I like those moods though. Even though I described them rather unamiably.

Today however, is a bit different. I've just got a bunch of things running through my mind and I'm thinking about a ton of different things...but it's not quite the same. I don't know how to describe that any better....which makes it ridiculous to write in a blog, but that's just the way it is.

I haven't been very good at talking recently, nothing comes out like I want it to. They should just make a way to communicate feelings through a direct internet upload/download system or something. Life would be a lot easier.

---

So Mike and Kat got married this past weekend. I love that couple. I love them...both individually, and as one. I am so blessed and thankful that they are in my life. I kept telling them how excited I was and how I love those two and how awesome it was that they were married...but everytime I said it it never seemed to do justice to what I actually felt. Hurm. Words are ridiculous (which is why I spend all of my time studying them.....irony?)

---

I had a good long talk with Drew at the Bachelor's Party. I'm glad we got to talk. I really didn't get to know him that well until my last two years of college and really my last year of college. But I've really come to love him and Nicole (his wife). It's really kind of a shame that our lives are splitting in so many directions. We're trying to make sure we spend a good amount of time with each other at least once a year.

It was crazy seeing the mass of people at the wedding and pre-wedding festivities that I hadn't seen in ages. So this is what growing up is like. Crazy.

I'm pretty sure that Mike, Drew, and Micah (and their respective spouses/future-spouses) and I should know each other for the rest of our lives and keep in contact. These people are amazing.

---

It's weird that I've traveresed three different worlds in the past three days. Being with my parents and family completely without interaction with the outside world for a few days was good, I do love my family. Then I went and saw all of my best friends from college and my best friend get married to his beautiful and wonderful wife. And it was a kind of surreal experience in many ways. Then I came to Gainesville, my new home, and hung out with nearly everyone I know here and love here.

---

And now, some random thoughts, as that seems to be the trend:
-I talked way too much about emotions in this post, I blame it on the surge of estrogen I've been exposed to in the past few days.

-I definitely need to learn when to stop talking. I have told Mary far too much.

-There are still some things that my mind has not fully found closure on. That bugs me.

-God is ridiculous.

-I've been using the word ridiculous way too much in the past few months.

-I'm not sure how I feel about my party planning being hijacked by my ex-girlfriend. It doesn't really bother me, it just seems weird.

-I need to fly somewhere far away. Just for a bit.

-I'm glad that my electric bill is for the first time under 90$...in fact, a lot less.

-I am not excited to write this paper in the next few days.

-I got a calendar with pictures of Paris and a typography book from Jamie for Christmas. Yes, I'm a dork, but it's totally awesome.

-I also got a lot of practical stuff for Christmas, which is fine by me, I'm glad to get them.

-I was sad that I was not able to be as giving because of financial means this Christmas.

-I am saddened for a friend of mine whom I wish I could be there for more, because I know he needs it.

-I'm trying to learn to have Gainesville be my home...even if it's just a home for right now.

-Love is amazing.

-There are days when I really can't wait to be with the one I'm going to marry. And there are others where I think it's probably never going to happen. I've been doing better at thinking less.

-Still a lot of unanswered questions. I think most of these will probably stay that way until the Big Guy decides to let us all in on His secrets.

-I miss my old church...or what I nostalgically remember my old church being when I was younger.

-Love is hard.

-This post is way too long and scattered (smothered, covered, and capped).

The directions this blog entry will go in are astounding...

I guess I still harbor some resentment.

I didn't really think I did. And it's really not a big deal. It could be much worse. I just hadn't really thought about it for a while.

---

I wish there was a way to suck out all of your thoughts so you could attain some sort of 'inner peace' for just a few minutes or an hour, maybe. Although, it probably wouldn't be as nice as it sounds. And anyway, you wouldn't be able to enjoy the absence of thoughts because you had no thoughts to remember that absence....oh the paradoxes...

---

I'm going home tomorrow. Haven't been home in a while. I'll enjoy being with my family and relaxing. Even though my mom had to go out and buy all our presents again ::mumbles something inappropriate:: and even though I have to rewrite an entire 15 page French essay during that time, I'm still going to enjoy this.

---

Mike and Kat get married in like ten days. It's got to be a crazy-nervous-anxious-exciting time for them. I know I would be. I'm really excited for them, I know they've been waiting for this for a long time.

---

I love that my friends are getting married and going off and having their own lives. It's exciting and new and awesome. I guess It's sort of selfish, but even though I'm excited for them, it makes me sad a little bit. It's the end of an era. They have left the realms of singlehood where they were able to just think about themselves and not have two brains making one decision (if that makes sense). So, in the same way, my relationship with them will change. I mean, not drastically, we're still going to be good friends--and I am still good friends with my other married friends--but it's a different kind of friendship and such...and you can't ever get that back.
All that to say, I'm still very excited for my friends and even though our relationships will change to some degree, that's kind of the way life goes, so yeah...

---

I will now list random thoughts going through my head right now (because there are oh-so-many):
--I just found the song "Let's Dance To Joy Division" by The Wombats. It's pretty cool. You should check it out.
--I am tired of thinking about women. Not that I want to change to thinking about men, lol.
--I can't decide what direction God wants me to go in.
--I hate that money is so important for living.
--Why am I getting a degree in something ridiculous?
--Living in the world without being of it is hard.
--I miss being in love. I think I forgot what it was like.
--Have I actually ever really been in love? Maybe not. Who knows.
--What is love? (Baby don't hurt me.)
--I still have a lot of packing to do (read: all of it)
--Part of me wishes I was easier at cutting ties with people.
--What is an adult, anyway?
--I've lost 20 pounds this semester. I don't feel like I have though.
--I hate that I have to write a paper over this break.
--I hate that making a choice in life is leaving behind all of the other options to never see them again. I've never been good with decisions. I want to try everything. This is a problem.
--I should get a better sleep pattern, but I don't really want to. (Hence why I am wide awake ad 12:15 and probably will be til 3 or 4 am)
--I should make this list end soon or people will stop reading this entry. (Why do I care if people read this?)

[grrrr]

DAMNIT!

8 freaking years....

I am so pissed at myself.

[mergh]

Awesome.

Just freaking great.

After my night of tossing and turning and getting maybe somewhere around 4-5 hours of sleep, I get a call from my mother with her crying telling me that my parents house was robbed while they were on vacation.

This sucks in so many ways.

I can't get to sleep, I think about the implications....

I'm sitting here at my computer, eyes wide open, staring at the white glow of my monitor and wondering why in the world I am up at 3am.

It would be reasonable to assume that I am awake because I've been up writing a paper.

Reasonable, but incorrect.

I actually finished my paper that is due tomorrow...er...later today at around 10 or 11pm. I've indulged in a little television and decided I would get to bed around midnight or 1.

After tossing and turning for a few hours, I'm still wide awake and have no idea why. Last time I had coffee was nearly 10 hours ago if not more. I'm tired. My head hurts. And all I want to do is go to bed and sleep.

But I can't.

Insomnia wins again!

blast.

well at least in three and a half days time I'll be done with my first semester of Graduate school, 1/4 of it down, 3/4 left. Already a bit of a milestone that I'm kinda proud of (that is, depending on my grades :S)

Give me a chance to hold on...

Today I woke up after fifteen some odd hours of sleep. Not good you feel greatly rested sleep, but Nyquil and sickness-induced stupor that leaves you not wanting more sleep or to be awake. Which leaves me where?

Well right here, writing this blog entry in an effort to avoid even moreso doing these essays that are slowly becoming more and more pressing. I am nowhere near as far along as I would like, but that is ok. I will persevere. (Must believe this...)

The photo in this entry is the one that I think came out the best from the UF PhotoVentureGanza. I wish I knew a better way to frame it, I couldn't find a sort of photoshopping frame that I liked around it so it is now, as is.

Anyway, I'm off to do some more work (woo!) Any thoughts, notes, love, prayers, chicken soup, warm chocolate chip cookies, and offers for writing two 15-page French Papers on something I could care less about really interesting topics are greatly appreciated.

--M

P.S. In an ongoing theme of me complaining about weather in Florida. It is now the 3rd of December and it is not forcasted to have a high not in the 70s for the next 10 days. How depressing.

Good bunch

I had some people over at my house for a movie. It was awesome. To all of you who came, I appreciate it. I enjoyed it immensely.

I hope that people aren't too busy after school is out. I'd really like to get to know some of these people even better. I've found an amazing bunch.

---

I did very little related to school today. I'm easing myself back in from the anti-school break I had. I hope to God that next semester will go better.

Tomorrow is a day full of OPIs (Oral Proficiency Interviews) and classes plus a bunch of research prep for my two papers. Oi. Not looking forward to those.

Alright, I should sleep.

I am thankful. It may not always show, but I am.

I'm back.

Thanksgiving Break was not bad. I had five whole days without thinking about school for more than 30 minutes total. I am glad of that. However, with the looming stress of finals week from both the giving and receiving end, it was hard to destress. I'll enjoy Christmas break much more, I think.

To sum up this Thanksgiving: lots of food, seriously, lots; lots of family as well; ridiculous heat for the end of November; UF vs FSU (w00t!); UW vs WSU (boo!); visits with friends; kid cousins; cousins growing up; ridiculous amount of travelling on I-275; SceneIt (I am awesome); and Fort De Soto Park.

And now I have returned to my nice clean house. I didn't really want to do it at the time, but I'm glad that I got all of my clothes clean and the house tidied up before I left. It's nice to come home to a clean house.

There have been loads of things going through my mind recently. I sometimes wish I thought more slowly or had an awesome memory so I could eventually write all my thoughts down. Right now if I were to write it all down I'd run out of paper and couldn't get all my thoughts out before I was gone and moving on to a different thought.

And now I'm sounding senseless.

---

There are a lot of people here in Gainesville that I've met in the past few months. Some of them I really would like to get to know better. I think I'm going to try and make more of an effort in the next few months to hang out and get to know these people more.

---

One thing I miss about college life is hanging out at midnight, 2 am, whenever, and suddenly having conversations about anything and everything, musing, philosophizing, throwing out ideas, etc....

I think that's it for tonight. This week is going to be a doozy.

Muet

It's crazy...how you can have so much going through your head and you think, hey, maybe I'll write this down in a blog somewhere...

Then you get down to writing an entry...and your head fully empties. Well, not actually. My head is still full...it just spins in circles in my head with no outlet, and now that I am trying to give it an outlet, I don't know what to do.

Hurm.

Emotion doesn't have words.


Doesn't that suck? lol.

When do you stop caring?

OK, so I know that you never really should stop caring, but I can't think of a better way to put it briefly. As we all know, I'm not really a brief person, but the title kind of requires all of my skills in brevity to come alive and work to bring you such masterpeices as "I hate titles" and "Do I have to put a title" and "...".

Anyway, I'm getting off-topic (Can you get off-topic if you haven't even started?). I was thinking about this for a bit and I really don't know the answer. I hear people talking about having "different seasons" in life (which, honestly, I understand and believe, in some extent, the phrase...but it kinda makes me want to gag on a spoon full of cliché every time I hear it...but I'll live) and how sometimes people are in your lives for very short seasons and some for not-so-short seasons.

Well what if you are season-blind? (Or, live in Florida, where you can't tell what season it is?) I'm never really sure when to just give up on a friendship and let the inevitable pull between us take us on our seperate paths or fight for the friendship and keep it alive. Is it worth fighting to get nothing in return when you could have been putting that effort into other friendships that would continue to last and be fruitful? Is it mean/bad/immoral to stop being friends with someone if the relationship bears no fruit? At what point do you give up adding more fertilizer and just let it die on it's own? (Work with me here, I'm a metaphor-type person).

Hurm.

------------

Addendum:

I never used to be bad at making friends. I've moved so much in my life and had to forcefully give up friendships before out of sheer inability to contact. I was good at making friends. My family thinks so, my friends think so, I think so.

What has happened? I never used to be afraid of sharing myself and just being who I was in front of people? What am I afraid of? Rejection? Maybe a little, but not really.

I shouldn't be afraid to be open and honest and who I am. Something must have happened to cause me to change and be afraid. What happened to me?

----

If five-year-old Matt were to see me now, he'd be confused and disappointed.

----

I hate having two varied points in a post that I want to hear feedback on because I generally will only hear a response to one part, if any.

I shouldn't write late at night. Way too honest and way too contemplative.

They don't teach that in school.

I should learn to be happy.

Thoughts of the day.

Lots to do today.

I've got a presentation for my cinema class tomorrow that I have to prepare for. I guess I should watch the movie first. :P

I've got to finish grading the exams for my class and put their grades in.

I've got to get myself organized.

I *must* do laundry today. It is imperative.

I've got to think about a subject matter for my Literature Paper. I think it's going to be about Perec's Les Choses but I'm not sure, we'll see. Maybe Nadja but Surrealism is a bit scary to tackle.

How funny would it be if surrealism was a person that you could tackle. Man, I'd beat down on that geek.

Women are confusing. Which is nothing new. But once you think you are no longer confused by them, they go and pull something confusing on you. I guess they do keep me on my feet though.

God is cool. I need to get to know him better.

This list kinda deviated from it's purpose of what I have to do today to what my thoughts are.

But it's my blog so I can do what I want and you can't stop me.

I had to pay 3 bucks for parking at the St. Augustine's because the stupid commuter lot was full today. Why? who knows. Seriously, parking here sucks. I love public transportation and would use it if it was, you know, convenient and useful. RTS is none of the above.

I need a nap.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower

I realize this post might sound a little emo. My apologies.


So it's the middle of October, Autumn is in full blow. Well, it should be. I think of October as having a myriad of oranges, reds, golden browns surrounding me, a cold breeze sweeping through and occaisional gusts of wind that give you chills with the days getting cooler and the nights even colder.

There are thoughts of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Midterms, piles of raked-up leaves (ready for jumping in, much to the dismay of he who raked them), coats and sweaters coming out of the closet, college football games, contemplative moments, time with friends and family, and so much more that run through my head and are, for me, an essential part of Autumn.

I think part of the reason I've been feeling so blah recently is that I am not getting Autumn. It's like a part of my natural yearly cycle has been taken from me and I cannot find it. October in Florida is like Summer. Leaves don't change; weather does not get cooler; it's like a perpetual sunny paradise here. I guess that's why people move here and vacation here so often.

I hate it.

I need my four seasons. It's like an actual physical/mental/emotional/spiritual need.



I think I complain about living in Florida a bit too much. But seriously, this is not where I want to be.

This is not where I want to be...

Do I have to create a title?

I'm not tired.


Maybe it's because I had about four cups of coffee only like 7 hours ago.


Maybe it's because I've been waking up pretty late the past couple of days.


Maybe it's because I've got a lot running through my mind.


Hurm.

---

It was good going to small group tonight. It's been a long time since I've had some sort of church-like community to be a part of. I miss it. I also like that I'm getting to know more people here. I feel a little weird, like I'm jumping into someone else's community, but I'm very welcomed. I guess if they don't want me they should be more forceful about it, lol.

---

I've been thinking about some things recently. Well mainly one thing. (Sidenote: I tend to think a lot about things and then once I've gathered my thoughts well enough--or coherently enough--I generally talk about them...but it takes time with me, I guess. I think it's frustrated people in the past, but that's just a part of who I am....) I don't know if I should be thinking about it or leaving it alone. But the thought creeps into my mind from time to time anyway....I'm not sure what to do about it.


If none of that made sense to you, don't worry, I'm not sure it made sense to me. I'm just thinking aloud (thinking on paper? digitally? Well, you get the expression, I hope).

---

I really want to play racquetball. Someone in this town has to play....

Titles are dumb.

I need to get out of here.

I'm thinking that Friday after I teach or Saturday I might just get in the car, pick a road, and go somewhere, maybe pick a beach or something. I haven't been to a beach in over ten years.....

It's not very fun to travel by yourself, but I really just need to get out.

---

I made soup today. It was good.

Unfortunately, it's not soup weather. I miss soup weather. What happened to the cold?

Don't Do "Grad School"

To those of you that responded to my last post, thanks. I don't think any of you wrote comments on here, but I had a few conversations about it which was nice. Not sure what people's aversions to commenting on here are. Whatever.


In other news....


TOTAL CONTRAST from yesterday, here is what I've been doing with my procrastinating recently. Yes, friends, it's that time of year when Matt would rather draw dumb pictures in MS Paint than do anything productive relating to school.


So, let me introduce....me:

Ok, so maybe I embellished a little bit, I'm not that good looking....but hey, it's my blog, so yeah.

This is what happens when Grad School enters your life.

Kids, stay in school....but only until you get your Bachelor's degree...then just say "No!" to Grad School.

Brought to you buy GSADD (Grad Students Against Destructive Decisions)

It messes with my head

There's been something on my mind recently--as in the past two months or so--and I've never really been able to put it down into words. I guess now's as good a time as ever.


I don't care about the poor.


Now, please don't get me wrong. I don't mean that I despise poor people and I wish they would all die a fiery death. Nor would I immediately kick one of them in the shin if someone came up to me and said "I'm poor!" That's now what I mean at all. Let me (try to) explain...

I have so many friends who have a heart for the poor, the homeless, the afflicted--so to speak. I hear their desires to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and generally aid the poor and downtrod. I am in awe of their desires, sometimes so strong, full of so much sympathy for these people. I have friends who go off to far away countries to bring help to the "Third World". I have friends who do incredible work in inner-cities for those underprivileged that are in our own backyards. I have friends who have great ideas and ambitions and love and hope and passion for these people.

And I find myself asking myself, What's wrong with me? Why don't I have this same passion? Should I?

I've heard and read so much about how as a follower of Jesus Christ we're supposed to love everyone and help the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc. etc. I can have verses cited to me all day long, but I don't know. Maybe I'm messed up? Maybe I just don't get it? Maybe things haven't clicked yet (or never will)? But I don't have this passion. It's not what I care about and I'm left here wondering if I should be fighting this, if the fact that I am surrounded by so many friends and acquaintances with this passion that maybe I am supposed to have a similar passion?

But maybe it's just me? Maybe I'm just surounded by an inordinate number of people who care about the poor. Maybe that's not supposed to be something passionate for me. But then, this could be construed as moral/ethical relativism....

I don't know.

I actually came out of this post more confused than I went in and I don't think I got to clearly say what I really feel. Words never do justice.

---

On a different note, I felt like I just needed a day to reconnect with God. It was just and me and God day....at least, that's what it was supposed to be...it didn't really turn out anything like I wanted it to be. Kind of depressing actually...but not in a way that is easily expressed in words.

---

I have a lot of other thoughts running through my head, but I think I'll just leave them in there.....

Florida: Sunshine State or Humidity State?

I am sick and tired of this weather.

Seriously, look at this.

The weather outlook for the next ten days is (as it has been for the past two months) either scattered or isolated showers with highs near 90 degrees and lows rarely dipping below 70.

Seriously.

And don't even get me started on the humidity.....

It should not be 70+% humidity EVERY DAY ALL DAY LONG!

Comme l'épisode de la Madelaine....

It's quiet in here.

All I hear is the hum of the computer, the intense jingle the keys of this "QuietKey" Keyboard is making, and occasional whispers in the next room.

But this is quiet.


Normally, when I'm in the TA Office I am one of at least two other people in the room and we have a conversation about something. Today no one else is in here. I am able to sit and think silently alone and it is rather refreshing.

Not that I don't get enough alone time. I spend quite a bit of my time at home alone. But this is different somehow.

I'm never going back from dark roast coffee. I stopped by Einstein Bros Bagel Co. at the HUB to get a coffee because the line at Starbucks was too long (and because I was hoping for something cheaper). I spotted the Euro-French Dark Roasted Coffee and decided to give it a whirl.

Immediately, as my tongue touched the bittersweet coffee, I remembered how much I love Dark Roast.

---

On a completely different note, I actually enjoy reading Proust but can't seem to find the motivation to read something that someone is requiring me to read. I just don't get it.

I wish I could teach more and take less classes. Actually, if I could just teach and take the classes I wanted, I'd be ok with that too. In fact, I'd be more than OK, I'd be ecstatic. But, as they say, c'est la vie.

Awe

In my room I have this huge window on the back wall. It's probably 6' x 6'. When it's rainding--or severe thunderstorming, as it is now--outside my window, I love watching the rain fall and the wind blow. Currently, it's almost like watching a light hurricane. It's kinda cool. I love watching the rain and the thunder and the lightning...I don't know what it is about it...it's intriguing, enthralling, calming...

Woah...there went the power. The room is all dark except for the faint light outside and the glow of my computer fueled by the battery backup and surge protector.

Now it's back. The incredible power of these storms...awesome.


I used to have a screened in porch when I was a little kid living down in Florida...it was huge (well, everything was huge back then) and even then, I loved watching, listening and feeling the aewsome power of thunderstorms. Here in Florida, we get a lot. I guess that's one part of Florida weather I really do enjoy.

La vie d'un étudiant avancé...

I've finally got my schedule all fixed and I think, even though it will be fairly challenging, this semester will work out well. As a grad student you actually really don't have tests (life is a test enough). Instead, you have 15 page research paper in a foreign language at the end of your class and TONS of reading. I've got about 10 books to read and 10 films to watch this semester for classes. It should be interesting... I'm going to know so much (useless) information about French literature, cinema, and linguistics.

What am I doing? lol......

Literature, Television, and Java...

Mmm...French roast...

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed dark roasted coffee.

Also, I know people say that coffee makes you more alert, or whatever...but for some reason, caffeine seems to have the opposite effect on me and I end up wanting to take a nap. I'm not sleep deprived...I just want a nap after my three cups of coffee.

Teaching is going well. I'm enjoying it a lot. Their first test comes up on Friday. In a way I feel that it's not really just a test of their knowledge and understanding but also a test of my skills as a teacher and if they have learned anything from me this semester or not. I guess I'll find out this weekend while grading.

I've been watching a lot of random television on the internet. Northern Exposure is actually a cool show and makes me long for random conversations about physics and religion with Micah and Michael. It makes me want to live in a cabin in Washington or Montana (I think Alaska might be a bit much). Somewhere cool and green. I've also been watching a fair bit of this French TV show called "Un gars, une fille" (A guy, a girl)...it's basically short little snippets of this married couple's life together which are generally hilarious for various reasons.

I changed my schedule (again). After finding out that I had two intense literature classes requiring me to read fourteen novels this semester (that's one per week, on average) including handouts, and two research papers ON TOP OF my teaching and my other class on linguistics (the class that I actually find MORE interesting)...I couldn't do it. I'm not a literature person; I like reading, but required reading with analyses and in depth discussions on symbolism doesn't interest me. So I dropped one of them and am taking a class on cinema. Granted, it's a lot of work too, but it only has two books and I get to see some cool films. I guess I should get started reading Proust now....

Ma raison d'être

Wangaratta. Warrnambool. Traralgon. Euroa. Geelong. Werribee. Healesville. Castlemaine. Echuca. Essendon. Cranbourne.



These words may mean very little to you. But to me, they are words that remind me of a different world. A world that I once was a part of and that from time to time I am reminded of my life there over four years ago. Every once in a while I'll see a picture or hear something that sparks a nostalgic longing for my travels down under.



Villefranche-sur-Mer. Reims. Versailles. Quimper. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Bordeaux. Besançon. Argenteuil. Bagnolet.



These words provoke similar feelings that often are accompanied with souvenirs of certain smells and feelings stemming from my time in the land of wine and cheese. Those nights walking the streets of Paris and beautiful fall evenings along the Seine.



As different as those two experiences were, they remind me of one of my greatest desires in life: travelling.



I love to travel. I don't know what it is about it. Meeting new people. Seeing a world defined by a different language, culture, and mindset. A world that is full of amazing similarities and incredible differences. Realizing there are people in this world that have not grown up the same way I have, that have a different lifestyle based on different ideas of what is important. Examining these differences and realizing some of the core things that link us all together. Being in a new place and learning about what people are like there. It thrills me. It excites me. It is amazing.

assez

Putain de foutu MERDE!!!

Il n'y avait pas de problemes avant...alors pourquoi ca m'enerve maintenant? J'avais tout confiance en mes decisions...je continue d'en avoir cette confiance....mais, tout allait bien...alors pourquoi pas maintenant? je croyais que tout allait bien...

merde...j'en ai marre....j'en veux plus...ras le bol....

tu veux que je sois hors de ta vie alors que vos voeux soit excaucé

Damnit.

New Things

This week begins the new school year at a new school with new teachers and new students in a new home in a new city in a new state.

Talk about a change. I've already had two days of orientation and there are three more days of orientation before school starts on Thursday. I've got my courses picked out and I sometime in the next few days I'll be told what my courses are that I will be teaching. I'm excited.

This year I'll be taking a required course for all TAs on how to teach a foreign language as well as a course called "Le sacré dans la littérature française" (The role of "the sacred" and religion in French literature) as well as one on the Structure of the French language. I might take Italian or Spanish or German or something as well...we'll see, depends on my schedule.

I haven't met too many people yet, but once school starts and the 50,000 students are back on campus I'm sure I'll be meeting tons of people all the time. My roommate seems ok, haven't really gotten to know him very well, but yeah, we'll see.

Change of status...

This weekend has been insane; and it's only the beginning of this insane month I have ahead of me.

Thursday night after work my dad and I drove down to Florida and spent the night at my grandfather's place. The next morning I went through and signed my name about 50 times and initialed about 150 times on all of these documents and now I am officially a homeowner in the state of Florida. I am the proud owner of a rather large two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium across the street from the University of Florida. Sweet.

After that I went to the utilities place and had them set up my cable and internet and then left to go to the DMV. The guy who told us where the DMV was said that the lines are "always really long, last time I was there there were ten people in line and I said 'forget this! I'll come back a different time'" To those who have never had to use the Atlanta area DMVs...ten people is nothing. We went and waited for a (comparatively) short amount of time and soon after I became an official Florida driver. It's also the first time my license has not had "under 21" on it because, I just never got it changed a few years back. w00t! I went to go get a new tag for my car and I'll be getting that next week. It's all very exciting.

After all that fun, we head back to my grandfather's place and pressure-washed his deck completely. It looks almost brand new now. (Did I mention I really like pressure washing? Like...seriously...a lot.) Today we drove back up to Georgia so I can work Monday and Tuesday and move all of my stuff down on Wednesday. Hopefully Wednesday I will meet someone who is thinking about being my roommate (I hope it works out, the guy seems cool enough and I really want to nail this roommate thing down pretty quick). And after that it's vacation, Iowa, and boatloads (oh yes, BOATS!) of more things to do.

It's all very exciting.

:D

Life keeps on moving forward...

It's already above room temperature outside and it's 9 AM. I hate hot weather and it's been hot and humid for the past month or so. Why am I moving to Florida where it will be hotter and more humid? Hurm. I must be insane.

So the roommate search is going alright. I've had probably around 20 people respond. Half of those have been women and I'm really looking for a guy to room with. I think it could just get a bit too awkward living with a female--for both of us involved. Out of those 10 guys, about half of them seem kinda creepy/scary and the other half seem to be not too bad. I'd like to get this nailed down as soon as possible; since I'm in Atlanta, however, it's really hard to show people around the place and such. I'm not sure how I'm going to remedy this exactly yet. We'll see.

But yes, things are going well with the home. There was a minor setback yesterday, but really it's not a big deal. The old owners installed a washer and dryer in a very innovative way out on the deck (it's not as redneck as it sounds, I promise.) Anyway, apparently it's against the Condo Association Rules. (I can't find where in the documentation that it breaks a rule, but whatever.) Anyway, they were pressure washing the outside and they noticed the washer/dryer unit and ordered them to remove it. Essentially we're either going to just put it back after I buy the unit or install it somewhere inside. Either way, I want my washer & dryer! *shakes fist* The old occupant wants to stay an extra week after closing though, so she's going to pay me rent for a week. Horray! Extra money!

Only two weeks and three days til closing! Very exciting.
After that there's just one week until Vacation.
And after vacation it's time for a road trip with Maggie to/from Iowa.

I need to hang out with people more. Time is running out!

I went to Becca's wedding last weekend. It's awesome that she's married. And kinda strange. She's the closest friend of mine to get married. It was great getting to hang out with the Freshman year Gang, though. It's been ages since we've all been together.

Homeowner

So today, we had a counter-offer for my new home in Florida and we accepted the offer and now, provided that everything goes smoothly through closing (which it should), I am a homeowner.

Wow.

Almost There...

So, I think I'll be buying a home soon. It's ridiculously crazy...but awesome. Tomorrow we're making an offer on a condo in Gainesville, Fla. If this goes through, I'll have a place to live in Florida...that will be mine. Isn't that ridiculous? I'm very excited. It's an upstairs condo with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, balcony, and a little place to put a table (dining room? it's not really a room...whatever). It has some paint problems (i.e. the color needs to go)...but once this goes through, I can move in......I'm so excited! :D

Here are some pictures of the place. It's someone else's decorating style obviously, but you get a feel for it.

Stress, Stress, Stress!

---

So I have read and heard that the three most stressful times in a person's life are having a baby, buying a house, and planning a wedding. Now, I'm not experienced on those things very well but I can tell you that the second one--buying a house--is VERY stressful. There is just so much to think about and so much to know and so much to consider...and then once it's done, it's done. There's no turning back.

Oi.

Even though I was incredibly stressed and probably not very fun to be around while I was in Gainesville this past week, I did enjoy the town and the University, I think I'll enjoy it even better when I move down there in two months. The place I'm looking at has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a balcony, kitchen, living room, it's on the second floor with no one above me and it's very close to the University. Now, the thing is, you can be very close to the University, but still be far from your classes. Most classes are in the the Northeast corner of the University and I'd be just across the street due south of the middle of the University....but whatever. It's still a nice place, if I can get there. If I don't I might rent out this place on the corner of 34th and W University across the street from the Law School and the UF Golf Course. I think that students get super cheap or free use of the UF Golf Course so I think Mike and I need to have a little golf game down there sometime. I think it'd be awesome.


Anyway, I should probably get back to work. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have this thing nailed out and I can be a little less stressed. Hopefully....

'Cause There's Just Too Many Scenarios To Analyze...

Today started out OK, I suppose.

I don't really know what happened.

Right now, however, I am feeling crappy.

I've been thinking far too much about where I'm going to live next year, how I'm going to survive living next year, why in the world a friend of mine from Berry thinks that Satan was the reason a group of us friends no longer hang out, how the crap this relationship with Maggie is going to work, how much it sucks being apart and how much that will be for the next year or so.

Gah, I'm done thinking. ever.

In other news I'll be thinking about housing all week as I will be leaving for Gainesville early tomorrow morning and coming back Sunday. Horray. :|

Two Weddings and a Party.

Whew.

I just got back from two weddings today. TWO. It's insane. Justin and Rebecca got married today up at Berry. I went up and got there just in time to sit down and get set to watch everyone walk down the aisle. It was a really nice ceremony and I'm very happy for both of them. I had fun hanging out with everyone at the reception, it was like a little mini-reunion of my closest friends. After about an hour at the reception, I drove down super-fast to downtown Atlanta (an hour and a half drive took only an hour....:$) and went to the Aquarium for Amanda and John's wedding. They already had their ceremony but I was wanting to go to their wedding as well so I went to their reception at the Georgia Aquarium. It was definitely, by far, one of the most lavish receptions I have ever been to: Open Bar, Four Course Meal, Live Band, Tons of Waiters, Assigned Seating, And Giant Aquarium viewing areas where you could see all sorts of cool aquatic animals. It was very cool. I really liked both weddings even though they were pretty much complete opposites. It was cool to go to the very fancy wedding, but it was a lot of fun to hang out with all of the people I know and love and actually be able to talk to the bride and groom and carry on a conversation with them. I dunno, they were both awesome, just in different ways.

Yep, so I had fun with that. Tomorrow is Mike's birthday party up at Kennesaw Mountain and then on Wednesday night or Thursday morning I'm going to head down to Florida to look at some places to live. I've got some ideas on places and I'm really excited and looking forward to this.

It's amazing how everyone around me is growing up in so many different and cool ways and to be a part of it....it's all really awesome. God is also awesome.

Summer Plans

---

Working, working, working. That's what I tell everyone that I'm doing nowadays, and it's pretty much true. You wouldn't think that a job tht arequires you to sit t a desk all day would be that tiring but by the time I get home around six o'clock, I'm exhausted. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I don't get that much sleep at night. I probably spend far too much time talking to Maggie at night (stupid time zones...) but I enjoy it so it's not a big deal, and I'm not going to bed
too late normally.

I'm excited because I'm pretty sure I'm going to be able to go up to Iowa (the Homeland, as I call it) for the Parker family reunion. "What?" I hear you saying "But you're not a Parker! There aren't any Parkers in your family!" I understand and no, I have not decided after a late-night screening of Wedding Crashers to start my own group called Reunion Crashers where we go to random family reunions and mooch off of them just telling them we are distant cousins. Maggie invited me up to hang out with her at the end of July with her fam in Iowa, so I'm gonna drive up with her dad (should be interesting....) and then drive back down with her. Hopefully around then I'll be able to move into my new place in Gainesville and all will be good. It's going to be a crazy new time in the life of this Matt.

I haven't really hung out with anyone from school yet. It's kinda hard when you work all day. I need to go by and see Becca's new apartment and hang out with Nicole & Drew. Mike and Kat are in Florida right now picking up some furniture so hopefully I'll be able to hang out with them too. I'm excited.

Alright, I should probably head back to work.

à+ M

Here comes the rain again...

I feel very Seattle-ish today. I'm sitting in front of a computer doing work, drinking my third cup of coffee (and it's only 10:40am!) and looking out my office window at the green trees and the sprinkling rain in overcast skies.

It's good that it's raining. It hasn't rained here in a long time and we're in a pretty bad drought with some water restrictions. I mean, no where near as bad as the drought they have going on in Australia, but still. Not to mention that it's just refreshing...

Days like this tend to make me very reflective and very pensive. I'm never sure if that's a good thing or not. I have been known to overthink things a bit too much...but I have yet to be convinced how bad that really is.

Something curious is that overthinking tends to make me think about Maggie and Seattle also. Both of us sitting at Kerry Park on Queen Anne looking down at the night skyline talking about overthinking amongst a myriad of other things. I really didn't expect anything to come of it, especially nothing that has gone this far.

I suppose I'm just pleasantly surprised.

Here comes the rain again
falling on my head like a memory
falling on my head like a new emotion...

Summertime

So, I'm back at home.

I spent the first few days unpacking and getting settled back at home. It's my last summer living at home...kinda crazy. It's pretty much how it has been for the last few years not much of a change, really.

I also started work on Thursday at the job I've been doing the last few summers. I got a raise at the job too! Apparently when you get a 4-year college diploma you get a 50c raise! It's quite exciting, let me tell you.

Not doing much really recently. Just getting back into the summer groove. Hopefully going to hang out with Mike and Kat and Drew and Nicole a lot this summer. I'm definitely going to miss those guys, it's too bad we're all going to live relatively far away. At least I'm in Florida...they'll have a reason to come over and visit me! Beaches! Disney World! Me! It's an unbeatable combination.

I really don't know what else I was going to say when I started this blog entry...ah well, I'm going to head out....I'm stuffed with the awesome ribs we just for Mother's day..I think it's time for a nap or something :P

It seems it's always the crazy times...

Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

---

I got my grades today for my last semester of my undergraduate career. It's pretty much incredible. I'm getting excited about graduating and moving on. I'm not sure it all has set in yet what that really means, but we'll see.

I never really realised how incredibly hard it is to find a good apartment/condo in a college town. I didn't think that there are going to be tons of places out there that are overcharging for what they offer and don't do upkeep because they know it's for college students that won't care. Hopefully it'll work out...things generally do. I've noticed that things are hard and difficult, but with some extra effort and some faith things seem to work out really well.

I also am apparently going to get a graduation present from Maggie today and another tomorrow. I'm very curious to see how this comes out since I have no idea what it is and she's being quite secretive.

dis, est-ce que tu dors?

---

So...I'm bored.

I've got six more days of nothing to do but pack until I attend my graduation ceremony. I really need to find something productive to do with my time other than watching movies and sleeping. That's all I seem to be doing nowadays.

Check out my deviantArt gallery for some new photos: http://matteo49.deviantart.com

dis, est-ce que tu dors?
si oui, est-ce que tu rêves aussi?
sinon pourquoi tu dors?

--"Oui, non, ou encore?" Louise Attaque

Finito

Yesterday at 4:55PM I turned in my final thesis. The last paper I will ever have to write as an undergraduate.

Crazy.

But very exciting.




So now what?

Countdown: T-9 days and counting.

Halloween 2004 - Clara Bowl - Berry College

---

So here we are. I'm sitting here at my desk writing this blog entry just after finishing my final class of my undergraduate career. That's it. No more lectures or note-taking or final exams for me at Berry College. I'm done. I'M DONE!

Man, that feels good.

Granted, I still have to write two more pages of my thesis and run over it all a few times to check for grammar/spelling/dumb mistakes. That's the problem when you write a paper in a foreign language...there are only so many people who can check it for you. Anyway, that's due in approximately twenty-seven hours. That's really all I have left to do, though. Then it's smooth sailing until I graduate on Saturday 5 May.

Wow. It's been a crazy four years: Hippie roommate, new best friends, nerd ball, late night pool, wine and cheese nights, Kufunninupuhs, outdoor movies, treks up to mountain campus, the gallons of coffee, the 'free' lucky charms in d-hall, learning how to follow and break the rules, sleeping on the roof of the chapel, sneaking into buildings, yarning buildings, sophomore pranks, 'coffee' parties, the Irish Pub, the Alley, Racquetball, the double-late-nighter for ESOL, crazy professors, crazy bosses, crazy friends, friends getting engaged, friends getting married, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nebraska, Chattanooga, New York, Seattle, Walla Walla, Paris, Nice, Strasbourg, Benalla, Melbourne, Sydney, Hamilton, Euroa, Spokane, Cheney, Tybee Island, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Saint Petersburg, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, Allentown, Calais, Toronto, Detroit, Saint Andrews, LAX, PHX, ATL, CDG, IAD, GEG, MEL, SYD, TPA, DTW, SLC, late-night talks, late-night walks, swimming in the reservoir, birthday cookouts, end-of-year dinners, anger, frustration, exams, love, friendship, and so much more. All of that embodies parts of my four years here.

Craziness.

Who knows what the next four years will be like....

Family Disturbance

First of all, my grandfather is awesome.

He's just a really great man. He's one of the most religious and pious men I have ever known. He's one of the most respected figures in my family and one who's opinion--although sometimes not agreed with--is highly respected. He was born soon after World War I, lived through the depression, fought in World War II, started a family, contributed to the Baby Boom, taught numerous years of high school social studies and sunday school, became the proud father of three and grandfather of six, saw a new millenium, saw the passing of his wife, the graduation of three of his grandchildren from high school, the destruction of a house he built with his own hands, and so many more things. He has lived an extraordinary life and is still living even after eighty-six years.

But something has started to bug me recently.

It's not something I thought I would have noticed. It's such a small minute detail...but it bugs me...and I don't know what to do about it.

My grandmother, his wife, died in early 2003 and he has since been in a sort of depression, which is understandable...they had been together for over sixty years. Sixty years of waking up in the same bed, living in the same house, sharing thoughts, becoming practically one person--when grandmother died, it was like a part of him died. But my grandfather continued to love his Heavenly Father and be faithful to the Bridegroom of Christ.

Following the years after my grandmother's death, my grandfather continued into depression and we didn't think he could stay at his house alone anymore. He went to go live with his daughter and her family, who would take care of him. He became more and more sickly both with actual medical problems and some problems that he convinced himself he had and probably--through the incredible power of the brain--might have actually given himself.

I probably didn't notice the small change until maybe about two or three years ago. My grandfather would often pray over family meals when we were there. He began the prayer practically every time with the same sentence without variation. It's a phrase that I've heard so much I probably will remember until I die.

Heavenly Father, we thank you again for this day and for thy love and mercy.

My grandfather uttered this phrase tens of thousands of times in his life, without fail. But a few years ago he began to say "Heavenly Father, we thank you again for this day and for thy love." and that was it. The first time I caught it I looked up to see if maybe he was choking or something had prevented him from saying the next two words I was so accustomed to hearing.

But he just kept going.

He kept going with the rest of the prayer over the meal and I was confused. OK, so maybe once in his lifetime he forgot to put those two words in his prayer. The guy does it all the time, there's bound to be some variation that I just had never noticed.

But it continued. It continued every time that I have ever heard the man pray since. It continued and every time the prayer was uttured across his tight pursed lips I would feel this emptiness...this anticipation...for this line that would never come. It's as if someone had sung the entire National Anthem and ended "Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free." and ended right there not even acknowledgeing that we are the home of the brave. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

And then I think I realized it. This man no longer thinks that God is merciful. He has had such a horrible time these past few years and felt so depressed and sickly and so he no longer feels the need or desire to thank the Lord our God for his mercy that my grandfather no longer sees.

I was floored.

This man who helped raise his children with incredible moral and ethical values based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ, this man who--every sunday--would teach a sunday school class on different parts of the Bible for decades, this man who baptized me, this man who has been the patriarch and cornerstone of our family no longer believes that God is merciful.

It really saddens me...it's a big blow.

And I don't know what I can do about it.

So I'm twenty-two...now what?

So, picking up from where I left off, my birthday was not super awesome...but it's not because of any particular person. It's mainly because of all of this busy work-so-much-because-you-want-to-graduate life. I wasn't able to plan a fun thing for everyone to come hang out...we just all gathered and did some stuff...it was very low-key...but nice. I had to work most of the day though...it really didn't feel very birthday-ish. It did get better as the day went on, though.

Michael did come up and he and I went out to eat at Provino's (where you get a free birthday meal!) where we talked about all sorts of things like future plans, Maggie, my trip to Washington, Kathryn, his upcoming marriage, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It really was awesome getting to hang out with him for more than just a few minutes in passing (which rarely happens as it is). He's definitely someone I'm going to miss dearly when I move to Florida.

We came back and made some sangria and hung out with Drew, Nicole, and Jenni. It was an overall fun evening. Becca came over later but she couldn't stay long...turns out she didn't even remember it was my birthday until halfway through us talking.

I also am really growing fond of Nicole and Drew. I really didn't get to know Nicole until about a year or so ago and I've known Drew since nearly the first day of school but I've really gotten to know him better recently. They also are going to be sorely missed. It looks like they'll be off in Mississippi for a few years.

Anyway, this past week has been full of work and in the few moments that I do have a break I am either sleeping or cleaning. Since I've gotten back from Washington and after going home for Easter I've tried to be cleaner and healthier...so far it's been going alright, but it takes a lot of effort. It's just nice to come home to a clean appartment and to have something healthy to eat instead of nuking something in the microwave and eating it while watching reruns of The Office.

Anyway, I'm almost done with school. Two weeks of actual school left and then just some final touch ups and a few days of relaxation and packing and I'm home free. It feels wonderful to have accomplished something like graduating from college. I've only got a two-page paper, a thesis (10ish pages left), one final exam, and an oral defense of my thesis. And they are all well-spaced out. Also only two more days of student teaching. Horray! It's very exciting. :D:D:D My kids don't want me to leave, but I'm ready to be gone. I'll miss the kids, but I'm tired of the stress.

So yeah, also Maggie got into Miami. Yay. I know she's excited--if not for Miami, just to know where she is going and what she is doing and where God is putting her next year. Too bad she won't be down in this region til about August. Boo. Oh well.

Weekend Blues

So, I'm home for Easter. It's good to be home with family. Unfortunately, it's also kinda crazy being home with family. Since both me and my brother are not living at home anymore because we both go to college, when we're all together my dad and my brother seem to get at each other's throats. It's just an interesting combination of personalities between those two. So, I'm basically just sitting around listening to them argue with each other about things. I want to chalk it up to teenage angst or something...but he just turned nineteen; I would think that he'd be out of that phase by this point in his life. Ah well.

I also was supposed to go watch TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for those who had a sad childhood without everyone's favourite metamorphisized karate-kicking teen-angst testudines) but it fell through. I'm going to get to watch it on Tuesday though as a sort of "after-birthday" thing with a couple of friends. I've got so much work for this up-coming week too. I really just want to sit back and relax after that wonderful trip in Washington...I really forgot all about school. But now, I've got three weeks to write a thesis on the evolution of the French language; finish off my portfolio that's due Monday (THANK GOD IT WILL BE OVER!); and a Psychology project due 8 days after that that I haven't even thought of starting.

Also, I'm starting to look for a place to live in Gainesville. It's crazy. I think sometime in May I'm going to head down to G'ville to find a condo or something. I'm excited. :D

Also, it's been super cold this weekend here. Seriously, and it's beautiful in Washington where I just left. I think bad weather is following me around or something....Although, it was beautiful and not rainy in Seattle...I guess maybe "opposite of normal" weather follows me around. It even dusted with snow last night. Craziness. Isn't this the first week of April??? Oi.

Drink Coffee: Do Stupid Things Faster With More Energy!

So, I'm back from the Northwest. It was awesome.

I flew over to Phoenix and then up to Spokane to meet Jamie and Nick. I then went to the bustling town of Airway Heights just outside of Spokane where Pastor Paul lives. Pastor Paul and I had some very interesting conversation...he is quite an interesting man with some very...interesting beliefs. Yes, I realise that I used the word interesting a tad too much....but seriously, that's what he is; he is the embodiment of 'interesting'.



I got the grand tour of Spokane which is actually a lot cooler than I realised. I mean, it's not this huge cosmopolitain metropolis, but it's definitely better than some other cities I've been to. It also has some really cool architecture around the town. Went around the Spokane River and got to see the falls and some nature walks and some cool vista points. The next day when Maggie and Meghan were back, we all decided to have a fancy dinner/cocktail party thing. It was good. I got to meet these two ladies that I have heard so much about and just get to hang around with cool people. It was a lot of fun.

The next day we started the road trip to Seattle and stopped on the way at the Lake Wanapum along the Columbia River at this really large Gorge. 'Twas cool. Also got to drive in Seattle and do all the great things there like see the Space Needle, UW, EMP, Eat seafood on the pier, take a ferry ride, try on a Utilikilt, and take vast amounts of photos. I'm also not bitter at all about not going to UW next fall. Nope. Not one bit.

Nope.

Anyway, so that was really cool. I got to get to know these people even better--you learn alot when you spend literally 24 hours of every day with people. And I also got to visit a family that my family has known for ages but hasn't seen in over 15 years. It was great to catch up and just to keep a friendship going.

Later we headed to Walla Walla and I got to see Washington Wine Country (and try it out some too, yum :) ). I also got to meet a cool family--Jim & Debi--and sing in a presbyterian choir. No, I'm not normal, it's understandable. I also got to go to Idaho (woohoo! now, only seven states to go until I've been to all 50!) where I got to chat with Maggie in a little coffee shop in Coeur d'Alêne that was run by this couple from Florida who met on Match.com and who were really nice.

Went back to Cheney and it's deathly coldness...had a good final dinner with everybody and got to see some of the EWU campus while I was there. I really loved the PNW and it's really a shame it's probably going to be a while until I go back there. Although, I'm fairly certain that it's better than I'm going to Florida next year...not because I like Florida better...but because I think that's probably where God wants me at this moment in time.

Anyway, I had an awesome time and am paying for it as I have a LOT of stuff to do and to make up while I was gone. I am going to be working a lot over this Easter weekend. I graduate in exactly one month. It's really freaking insane. But I'm so happy about it. I just have to make sure I cross all my i's and dot my t's so everything goes smoothly and I don't screw up and have to take another semester or something. Oi! Could you imagine? I don't even want to think about it.

A bientôt, Seattle; et bientôt Adieu...

---

So, in a week's time I will be where that picture is. It turns out that there is a very very very slim chance that I will be living in Seattle next year. In fact, probably about a 1% chance. It's super-slim. Instead I'll be living in Gainesville, Florida (the most likely candidate) or Urbana, Illinois (still a possibility). I'm still going to be visiting Jamie, Maggie, Meghan and a whole bunch of people in Cheney, Washington...and I get to visit Walla Walla...and the Prathers. Over all, next week should be awesome. I have a ton of work to get done with though in the next few weeks.

I've got six articles for a portfolio due on the 30th, an ELR due on the 2nd, the entirety of my portfolio due on the 9th, starting teaching again on the 9th, and my thesis has to fit in all the nooks and crannies that I can find between doing other things. I found out it only has to be at least nine pages now, which makes me feel better, because I was worried it was going to have to be 25. Nine is much more acceptable, in fact, I've only put about 1/6th of the information and it's already three pages. I just have to find time to put in the rest of it. I've got all of April to do that though, I should be ok. It's a lot of work.

Anyway, speaking of all that work. I'm off to go get started on it and eat some chicken and rice, I'm starving.

Hodgepodge

It's Friday of my last Spring Break of college. Craziness. I have seven more weeks until I have an undergraduate degree. I'm looking forward to this summer and the coming year. I think I might actually go to graduate school. I've been wavering about my decision, but I'm kinda leaning toward graduate school now. The idea of more classes is not very interesting, but the idea of being paid to teach college students while simultaneously learning cool stuff seems fun to me. I'm insane, I know.

So far I have been accepted to the Universities of Texas, Georgia, and Florida; waitlisted at Illinois, and will find out next week about Washington. I'm pretty much decided I'm going to Florida of Illinois or Washington don't work out. If I get accepted to Illinois (which the graduate director said probably would happen) I'm not sure which I would choose. But Washington would trump all and I'd be going there over any of the five.

I'm also hoping I will hear back from Nintendo and the Localization job that I applied for a month or so ago. I know that most companies are not the most quick at responding, but I really think that would be an amazing job and an amazing opportunity for me.

I spent last night and a lot of today looking around at the job market for someone with my skills. I don't know how in the world people who just graduate out of college get jobs. I have found very few companies that accept recent college graduates, and even fewer who accept those who get a BA in the Humanities. :: sigh :: oh well.

On a much happier note, I am going to visit Seattle in a little over a week. I will get to visit the Pacific Northwest (which I've never done) meet some new friends (again, something new) and see Jamie (which I haven't done in over three years). I'm looking forward to that week and a half very very much. :D