Open Road Song

So that happened. :-P Yes, after seemingly ages and ages of work and study, I graduated on Saturday. Of course, the semester wasn't quite over, so I didn't hand in my final project until today. But whatever! As of Saturday, I was a degree-holding college graduate! I walked and everything, even though I didn't quite want to and had a minor breakdown before hand. But whatever. I attended the tediously long ceremony (seriously, three and a half hours, six speakers BEFORE the keynote speaker, it was awful), and walked across stage to receive my "diploma." The real one won't actually be sent to me until July, so I simply received a congratulatory letter from the school. But again, whatever. My parents came, and did Palmer's mom and brother, so afterward we all met up outside in the blazing sun and took awkward photographs.

That night my parents took Palmer and I out to dinner. We went to 8407 Kitchen Bar, had delicious food and delicious cocktails. Sunday was, quite literally, a day of rest, where I just relaxed and did nothing. Yesterday was my birthday, and I went out with Palmer, his mom, and his brother. Again, had delicious food.

And so, here we are. I have begun the process of looking for jobs in my field. And here's where I run into some difficulty. What the hell do I want to do? Something in environmental management and sustainability, yes. But what? Do I want to conduct research? Do I want to analyze data? Do I want to focus in communications, conveying the ideas and work to people not in the field? I just don't know, and now I've actually been asked, and I have no idea what to answer. So. I guess over the next few days I'll be looking through the types of jobs available, and seeing what is available that I'm actually good at, and going from there. Its just frustrating.

On the plus side, one of my regular customers is helping me network, and one of those contacts said I had a very impressive resume. So there's that. :) I guess I'll just research and read up on the kind of jobs there are, and figure it out.

But whatever- I graduated!

I have been procrastinating so hard on this history midterm. It is due tomorrow evening and I seriously just got started. Sigh. Ah well, I am 1/3 done, and plan to knock out at least 1 of the 2 essays tonight. If I get them both done tonight, awesome, if not at least I don't have the WHOLE THING to work on tomorrow. Procrastination really is a weak point for me- I know that I should work on things in advance, schedule out my time and whatnot, but I just... don't. I rationalize pushing it back until the last minute, and then I run around like a chicken with my head cut off, and write a 4 page paper in 2 hours the day its due. Fun!

Went to the mall today with the mission of buying pants, a belt, and more Lush products. Well. I succeeded in one of those endeavors! Seriously, why does nowhere make jeans that I want/fit me? Torrid has like, 3 styles, and I want something new, GAP doesn't do skinny jeans, and Old Navy still doesn't quite fit. Grr. Whatever. I bought stuff from Lush, I am excited. 3 more bath bombs, some dry shampoo, and some new conditioner. The girl ringing me out took a look at my purchases and was like, "Wow, I'm guessing you like citrus." I might be a little one-note, but at least it is a nice-smelling note!

We got our meat CSA today! Went down and retrieved it (and got a free dozen eggs since it was our first pick up) and were encouraged to come out to the farm for a 'farm day' thought I can't find out when they are or what they are about. Alas. But yeah, I think we got invited out because I said I was happy about being able to eat pork guilt-free. The guy talking to us got really excited and was like, come out to farm day and see the pigs, you'll see how happy they are! So that was funny. It didn't hurt that he was super-cute, but don't tell Palmer I said that. :-P Anyhow, wrote up the purchase here if you're interested.

And that's it! Off to write some more on history!

I don't believe I mentioned this before, but I got A's in both my Emergency Management course and in my Business Writing course. You know, those two classes who each had assigned a MASSIVE paper, both due within hours of each other? Yeah, those two. Well, after a few days of nail biting and obsessively checking my grade portfolio, I found out the results- 95% on the Emergency Management paper and 100% on the Business Writing paper! And for the emergency management paper he said that although I'd left off a few things that would have been useful, it was overall a great emergency management plan! ROCK!

So then I had my final project due in my GIS class this week. It was due Thursday, and then we have to critique our classmates maps (two critiques, 100 words each) by Sunday. Handed in, critiqued, and graded- 95% motherfuckers! Which means that I have an A in that class as well!

So- cross your fingers for me that I don't fuck it up in my other classes, but graduation is getting closer every day!

On a pissy note- I am fucking fed up with my debate teammates in my capstone course. Only one of my teammates and I have bothered to post anything in the debates, and the girl who is "team leader" this week hasn't even contacted us. The debate is due (with summaries of our points) by Monday night! wtf?! I posted a rebuttal to the other team, but haven't been able to post a main point because SHE is supposed to direct that!! GAH!!!

Deep breath. Whatever. I will keep on rebutting like a champ, and if she doesn't send anything by tomorrow night, I'll post a main point, her input be damned.

Back to cheerful- uh... I got new Threadless shirts, and we bought a bird feeder, and we bought a pop-top bottle to pour our soon to be fruit infused vodka into! Rock!

I finished all my homework up that was due by today, and I decided to get an early start on the next session of classes by going through the syllabus and writing down all the assignments and readings. And then I died a little. My last two classes are 1)History of the U.S. 1945-Present and 2)Environmental Management Capstone. The reading. Oh god the reading. Like, 10 chapters a week between the two of them, not to mention conference responses and writing assignments. If I do not post in the next two months, you will know why. (It is because my books have literally drowned me in reading, that's why)

So this week went from my down time (only one class, imagine all the free time!) to "lets see if I can get a head start on this MASSIVE amount of reading, yeah? I will count myself lucky if I can complete the first week's reading this week. If I can stay a week ahead on reading I will be incredibly happy. But that is highly unlikely. Sigh. College is hard, who knew?!

I do have plans for this week though, to be slotted in between ALL THE READING! Tomorrow I aim to bike the Crescent Trail all the way to Georgetown and back up to Bethesda. Getting to Georgetown is the easy part. When I say back up to Bethesda, I do mean UP. The entire trail is uphill heading in that direction. But it should be good! I just need to remember to pack a granola bar or something so I don't die 3/4 of the way through.

Tomorrow evening is Taco Tuesday with Palmer (obvs), Duante, and Joe (who SWEARS he will show up this time). Hopefully Quarry House will not be as jam-packed as it was last time.

Wednesday I have a hair-model appointment with my stylist. Probably nothing much will happen, as there is a workshop in a month. But I imagine he'll take some of the weight off the back, making me look less mullet-y.

And that's about it! Crafting may commence at some point, if it does I shall post pictures!

Almost forgot- who has two thumbs and an A in Emergency Management? THIS GIRL!

I realize the Tumblr is Unfuck your Habitat, but today's post is about behavior, not living space. I posted about Project From Hell yesterday, and did manage to get some of it done. But every single word was like pulling teeth, and after a few hours of work and 3 pages generated, I gave up. Well. I do not want to be frantically working on 2nd Project up until midnight Sunday, so today I was determined to get shit done. I biked home from my coffee shop (making it in 23 minutes!) and spent the first 20 minutes home cooling down. Then I emptied the dishwasher, filled it with dishes in the sink, and took the trash and recycling out. Once I'd done that I had stopped sweating and was fully cooled down, so I sat down and got to work.

3 hours later: 5 more pages written! I probably have... 5 more pages to go, sadly, but if I buckle down tomorrow morning I should (knock wood) be done by midday. Project From Hell is incredibly frustrating, but I just have to focus on one fact: completing this project means passing this class means one step closer to graduating in May. So. Must complete!

If I can get Project From Hell done by midday, I'll give myself a break and bike to Bethesda to get the car, and grab some lunch. Then in the afternoon I will get started on my homework for GIS, and post the required conference response. Friday I'll begin Project 2, Saturday will be Project 2 plus Emergency Management exam, and Sunday and Monday will be finishing up GIS. Ambitious, yes. But it is what has to be done, and I am bound and determined to do it.

Unfuck!

My GIS class has been thwarting me every step of the way this week. First the Census Bureau totally changed their website, meaning that not only was my book out of date, the teacher's updates to the book are now out of date! So I had to email the professor and let her know, which stalled out my progress on Tuesday. Then yesterday, having gotten the correct files, ArcMap starts fucking with me! I tell it to delete identical files, it deletes, like, half the map. I undo it, and I try again. Nothing happens. I try a third time, et voila! But it didn't isolate them like its supposed to, so I couldn't write down the FIDs and Country_IDs for the homework assignment! GAH! So now I'm pausing and taking a deep breath, and when I finish this entry I will get back to work on this stupid stupid map.

I know I sound like I hate this class, but it is really quite interesting. ArcMap is just frustrating. But shiny! Plus, new skill set! Check me out with my GIS skills!

( Weight talk )

Tried (and failed) to go to Taco Tuesday this week. Quarry House was jam-packed, so we went across the street to Corporate Bar and Grill, formerly Piratz Tavern. Well. Bar Rescue really screwed them right the fuck over, and I have no idea what they're going to do. But right now they have the old menu, so we got some delicious pirate-y cocktails and some sandwiches, and hung out for a while. Duante and I also took a picture of our angry faces and sent it to Joe, who'd ditched for the second time in a row.

Angry faces:



Ok, enough procrastination, back to my mapping!

I bought a book! It is the Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting which is a getting-started book for knitting. It takes you through simple projects to more complicated ones (ending with sweaters, omg) but teaches you new techniques with each one. It seems interesting! I still have to finish my friend Chris' Redskins scarf, but then I plan on getting started! Of course, the first project is another scarf, but I'll make this one for me! Thick, chunky yarn in a vibrant color, rock!

I bought a second book! The Urban Biking Handbook which talks about gear and safety for urban biking, but also a bunch of how-to maintenance for your bike. I'd like to be able to tinker with my bike a bit more, so it seemed like a good purchase. And now I want to go bike touring. Not a crazy long trip, but out to the Delaware beaches maybe. (Or maybe just to Sandy Point)

After procrastinating for much of last week, I freaked out and did two papers in two days, including one 10 page paper in 4 hours. Because I'm crazy like that. This week should be a little easier, as I don't have 5 things due on the same day. But I do have to start working on two projects that are due in the next 3 weeks, so that'll be good times. Yup.

Palmer and I were super social this weekend! On Friday we went out to Adams Morgan to celebrate my friend Duante's birthday. I don't really... go clubbing at all, so I was super nervous about going to District, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. There was a big group of his friends there, and everyone was dancing and having a good time, and I ended up dancing for something like 5 hours straight. It was intense! Also, I have discovered that I shouldn't sing when dancing, because if someone snaps a picture of me doing so, I look like an idiot. Sigh. But still, super fun! And then we had Jumbo Slice. I really felt like a DC cliche on Friday, let me tell you.

Saturday after the freak out and the paper writing, we met up with our friends Stuart and Kim for dinner and a movie. Dinner was at Lebanese Taverna, which was delicious. We had drinks at Fire Station, which I don't think any of us will be going back to. It just wasn't that great, and it was super noisy and not in a good way. Then we went and saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which was phenomenal. Palmer wasn't a huge fan, but I loved it. Gary Oldman was amazing, and Benedict Cumberbatch is my favorite, seriously. Colin Firth and Mark Strong were wonderful as always, and good lord Tom Hardy is an attractive and talented man. But yes, quite liked it, and I may have to start reading some Peter le Carre novels. I do love me a spy thriller!

Sunday I did more studying, then we went out to dinner with Palmer's mom and brother. We went to a Greek place out in Rockville, which served the largest portions ever. Like, I ordered a sampler which had a bunch of stuff like moussaka and spanakopita, and each "sample" was like a full sized serving! I did not finish it all, needless to say. I have leftovers that I will enjoy for lunch today! Palmer and I also got to meet his mom's new kitten, Cami. So tiny! So rambunctious!

( Cut for discussion of weight )

That's about it! Going to do some more studying here at the apartment, then snag some lunch, then bike to Bethesda, do some studying there, and collect the car so I can get to work tomorrow. Tonight we're being social again, going out to Quarry House for Taco Tuesday. I am excite!

My broken toe is slowly but surely recovering as the days go by. Last week there were several days where I had to wear the post op shoe because my toe had swollen up, and there was even one day when I had to ask Palmer to drive to Bethesda so he could bring my shoe to me at work. Not the best day. But it has been getting better, and I've been able to start exercising again. I started off slowly, sticking to the stationary bike followed by weights. Yesterday I was feeling lucky, and decided to try hopping on the elliptical. Oh, elliptical. How I've missed you so! It was AWESOME! Did 25 minutes, felt disgusting and was dripping with sweat afterwards, it was phenomenal. And then I did weights, focusing on my arms. I'll do legs today or tomorrow. But yes. I feel great!

( Cut for specific talk about weight )

Anyhow, on to academia. Classes have started (I am procrastinating on reading right now!) and they seem like they will go ok. A lot of work, and a lot of information to cram into my head over an 8 week period. But it should be interesting.

I have finally applied for graduation! My adviser emailed me this morning (and then called) to let me know that my degree evaluation had been completed, that I had enough credits to graduate this spring, and that I should go ahead and apply for graduation. So I have! ROCK! I also edited my name in the system, just to make sure that my full name appears on my diploma. None of this first name, last name shit. I worked hard, and they are going to put my middle name on there, dammit! Plus, my middle name is awesome. So there.

In terrifying news, I've started peeking around various websites looking for job openings in my field. And there is one in the EPA- they do an "intensive two year program" for new graduates that seems to be basically exactly what I want. Applications open up in March, and they only take 30-40 people per year. But those who are accepted get a major foothold, not to mention being paid in the 7-9 range. (I looked it up, that is a good range to get paid in) So. Come March I will be applying, and then I will be having constant nervous breakdowns until I hear back. Good times!

I have seriously procrastinated enough for today, I'm going to sit down and get to work. Ciao!

So uh... my lack of motivation regarding schoolwork may have extended up until today. Heh. So I've spent several hours today slogging through statistics homework. Oh, how I hate statistics. Whatever. Almost done! 2 questions left! Go me. :)

But! I got a ton done around the apartment! I cleaned the bedroom, organized my closet, folded SO much laundry. I also cleaned the living room, vacuumed, cleared the dining table, cleaned out and organized the hall closet. And I tackled the kitchen! Went through the fridge and cleaned out grody leftovers, swept and mopped the floor, took out SO MANY recyclables, and DID ALL THE DISHES!

Finally, I took out the Christmas decorations! Now, I don't have a lot of Christmas decorations, and since we've moved to the new, bigger apartment, the few that I have look even sparser. But! I have put them up! And last night Palmer and I bought and decorated a little 3' tabletop Spruce! It is lovely, and small, and covered in ornaments! No lights, because it is wee. But it is still pretty! And oh-so-intriguing to the cats. Goblin and Loki keep sticking their heads right into the needles, and making weird faces. Thankfully they've not yet gone after the ornaments.

Today Palmer and I went out to Ikea to buy him a dresser. He'd been storing most of his clothes in his closet, but it was getting a bit silly, so we finally went and got him a dresser of his own. We set it up this evening, and put my old tv on top of it. It looks good! And now we can watch different things at the same time! Or just watch tv in bed. Whatever.

That's about it. Made Peasant Soup tonight, it was pretty tasty! Next time I'll cut the sugar a bit, I like my food more salty. But still, quite nombly! Tomorrow I won't be cooking, but Monday I'm having my second go at risotto. Wish me luck!

The television hutch DIYed out of bookshelves is not going so well. Or rather, not at all. Well, a little. But it has clearly become the new Dresser of DOOM in our lives, as it is still deconstructed on the living room floor. Meaning that books cannot be put away yet, so they are also sitting, in boxes, on the living room floor. We have, however, gotten the correct screws, nuts & bolts, and drill bit required for the construction of this thing. We have also gotten (and drilled) a test piece of wood to make sure that 1)we know how to use a power drill and 2)we did actually get the right stuff for this project. We did! Yay!

Palmer also got a stud finder because he's been wanting one. Next on the list? Multimeter. A multimeter measures multiple electronic things like voltage and amperage, plus a whole bunch of other stuff. Palmer likes stuff like this. I am sure we will have need for it someday.

The summer session of hell is finally over, and I know I'm going to have to retake one of the classes. The depression got too much, and the class just fell to the wayside. I literally did not have the energy to do more than one class's worth of work, and Risk Assessment was not that class. Awesome. I've also decided to drop my minor, because if I kept it, I would have to take an additional semester to get all my credits in, and if I do that I will cry and vomit.

Speaking of, I think that "I will cry and/or vomit" has become my new favorite descriptor for when I'm feeling unbearably shitty. When the AC at work broke a few weeks ago, that was my standard response after 6 hours in the 95 degree heat. I think I will integrate it into my regular vernacular, but hope not to use it too often.

Seattle was awesomesauce, though we were woefully unprepared for the trip. But we swam in a freezing cold lake, drank a lot with friends, saw two good friends get married, saw the Battlestar Galactica exhibit at the Experience Music Project, spent too much money on food, and closed out a hipster bar. Also! Had a layover in Vegas, during which I played the quarter slot machines, and beat the house! That's right! Started with 10 dollars, ended with 10 dollars 25 cents. Rock!

That's about it for now. Have a month until the fall session starts, and I plan to relax and focus on getting the apartment looking put together. Tomorrow I'm going to the Borders to try and get some cheap cheap picture frames for some of our art.

Good times, sports fans!