I CAN'T SLEEP

I made the mistake of staying up late (1:15 after the daylight savings change) watching scary movies with my friends. We had our house Halloween party. I may sense some disapproval in saying this (well, I disapprove myself now I'm trying to go to bed), but we watched The Exorcist, The Omen and then we had to watch Hocus Pocus so that any of us could actually go to bed. The other choices of Halloween-type movies available were The Grudge, The Ring, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (which I would not have watched even if it meant missing out on time with friends), and one other movie I can't recall the title of.

Anyway, I am now listening to a Christmas cd and trying to switch mind-sets (unsuccessfully, obviously, since I've opted to write about the movies I watched).

Liz's Rambling of the Day:
It's snowing! And cold! And yesterday I was too warm in a thin sweater. Even this morning, it was just a spectacularly cold thunderstorm. To think I actually thought we'd have a dry, warmish Halloween! *sigh* At least I have a new coat. =) Though I am peeved, because the two of the buttons that are supposed to hold my hood on my coat are missing. *grrr* I need to find two black buttons of the right size and reinforce those buttons that are there. I think I must not have noticed they were missing when we bought the coat. That, or they somehow came off in transit from store, to home, to the University. Also, the front doorknob of my house keeps coming off. Must have something to do with the hooplah that still hasn't settled over the changing of all the locks in Officers Circle. Anyway, I'll get back to work now.

A Day in the Life

Today has been quite full for me. After classes, I finished all of my homework for Wednesday (which was considerable) and I went to a session of the Hell and the Afterlife Conference, following which I took Trax down to the SLC Library. I got there with just enough time to grab something to eat at the cafe. Sitting there in the library, eating and drinking some excellent Indian Peppermint tea, while I read a great book, I couldn't have felt more literary and I loved it. After that refreshing break (one of those experiences that makes me grateful I'm a college student) I headed up to the level 4 conference room, which I'm lucky I could even find, where I attended a short orientation for those volunteering at the Great Salt Lake Bookfest on Saturday. I'll be volunteering there from three to seven. There were only five volunteers there (a very sad showing), but I'm glad I went. While there, I got to talking with the only other volunteer who is a student at the U. Anyway, it turned out she lives on campus, too, and she offered to give me a ride back. We visited the Fall Book Sale before leaving the library and I got three books for 75 cents. On the way back to the U, we stopped at Smiths (she needed ice for her roommate, who just had surgery, and I needed some candy to contribute to my house Halloween party). Anyway, it was a very full but excellent day. I'm trying to be so positive and involved that I don't die of anxiety and stress these next two weeks. Wish me luck and a cheerful outlook. =)

Tonight I went to see La Traviata at Capitol Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed the production. The only downside of the evening was that I went by myself. Even so, I managed to get there and back without any difficulties. Thank goodness for Trax! I'm so stressed I can't think right now and it was a great relief to take an evening to relax and enjoy the wonderful music and the great production of an opera by Verdi. An added bonus--my ticket was only $5 because I'm an Honors student and I managed to get a seat that would have cost around $30. I even enjoyed the sets and lighting of this opera and when the singers who had portrayed the main characters received a standing ovation, they actually deserved it. Yep, being a student at the U has its perks sometimes . . .

I know, I know . . . three posts in one day does seem like a bit much, but I've had quite the day. My phone doesn't work and won't until (hopefully) it gets fixed tomorrow. It's been very frustrating. For one thing, how do you call someone about getting your phone fixed? I spent a lot of time on the courtesy phone at the Heritage Center and spoke to the least helpful, most unintelligent person about getting someone over to fix my phones. I would continue the tale, but I'm just too upset. And tired. Maybe I'll just go to bed now. Good night!

Nothing in life is free . . .

. . . at least, not anymore. Last year, the Honors Center computer lab was a haven of free printing for poor honors students (particularly those, like me, who lived on the Honors Floor and spent half our time in the Honors Center). This year, however, the Honors program has abandoned this practice of free printing for all and begun charging the eight cents per page common to this university. *sigh*

Rambles of a College Student

You may recall my large Disney purse--you know, the one that features a collage of Disney characters and is actually large enough to hold a binder, a notebook and a couple texts for classes. Well, today my bag was not big enough for all I had to carry and I was forced to abandon it in favor of a messenger bag. I had almost forgotten how painful heavy bookbags can be. I'm used to the weight of my Hebrew textbook, but add the three additional books I have today plus all my supplies and it's like I'm back in High School, only I don't have a locker and I have much farther to walk. I pity all of those students who are in majors where they have to lug around more than one textbook all day. I shudder at the thought of the damage they are doing to their spine, wince at the thought of their pain (if my current pain is any judge of what they may be feeling--it's quite possible that I'm just a wimp), shy away from the thought that they will probably never see a chiropractor about their troubles (what student could afford that?). I also just really miss by Disney purse today. I do vow, however, never to be like the few women I see who carry a huge messenger bag or backpack and a small, fashionable purse. I mean, when one of your bags could fit in the other one you really don't need them both. Anyway, that's my ramble for the day--now I should actually do something productive. Shalom!

And the Race is On!

My crazy month has officially begun. This October, I have three presentations, three papers, four quizzes, two midterms, at least one thousand pages of reading, eight hours of service-learning, volunteer work at the library, various other assignments, two poetry readings to attend, and another bout of house-decorating for "Officers Hollow" this Halloween (speaking of which, I could use costume ideas). There are some things I'm doing--hopefully--just because I want to, as well. For example, participating in the annual BookFest, attending a Utah Symphony concert, and going to one or two plays ("1984" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" are a couple I'm interested in).

I mention all this for two reasons. One: It helps me remember what I need to do when I write it all out like this. Two: I think it's a pretty good excuse for the fact that you may not hear from me for a while. I'm just glad not every month is like this! I'd be praying for Winter Break to come soon, but I know that the end of November and beginning of December will be just as bad and I still need to get Christmas gifts together. Well, one thing at a time! Right now, I'd better dive into some ThinkTank work . . .