The (Not-So) Ordinary Life and Times...

Ding dong the witch is dead!

The witch being my research class final presentation. It feels so good to be done!! Everyone in my group has been freaking out for two weeks. It felt good to show a product that was based in solid information and that proved we had done good work.

I'm busy plugging away at applying for new internships. I would really like to work with a children's literacy and mentoring non-profit organization. I have always loved reading and learned to read before I was four years old. I know that not everyone has had the same learning opportunities that I have had and I would love to be a part of an organization working to change that.

It's Lynell's 22nd birthday so we're heading to The Lift later. Yay two for one martinis! There's even a martini with champagne in it...hello!

Now I only have to worry about my group's (a different group, mind you) presentation on Tuesday. But I think that one will be easier.

Westroad Mall Shooting

I grew up in southwest Iowa and very frequently traveled to Omaha to go shopping with my family. Westroads Mall hase been a stop on our shopping circuit for as long as I can remember. When I heard about the shooting tragedy yesterday I was shocked.

While I never understand why these things happen, I know that I'm lucky to have people that care about me. The person who did the shooting was obviously emotionally detatched from the world and others. I DO NOT condone what Robert Hawkins did, but I feel bad that he was in such a place that he felt no other way out.

My prayers are going out to Omahans today. Peace to you and your families during this tragedy and this season.

NPR is taking over my life

I listened to NPR all the way on my drive from Ames to Des Moines this morning. It was really nice to drive in the cold morning listening to Haydn's Symphony No. 88. I was really bothered at first that by listening to NPR I was old and boring. I'm leaning more toward the sophisticated side now.

Nothing much else on the radar other than I have a ton of presentations in the next couple of weeks.

The spring internship search continues...

Blogging by numbers

1. It's my last week at my internship. This is good and bad. Good because I really need a little break. Bad because I'll really miss working with everyone and really really miss a paycheck.

2. I can't tear my eyes away from trashy reality television! Most of them are like watching a train derail and crash into a mountainside and I can't get enough!!! Shows on which I frequently fizzle away my brain cells: The Hills. America's Next Top Model. I Love New York 2. A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. What Not To Wear. Fashionably Late with Stacy London. Project Runway. Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. The last two have at least a little merit. And Stacy London just rules.

3. Have you SEEN Fashionably Late? It's amazing.

4. I feel better about watching trashy TV by listening to NPR.

5. My mom didn't know what NPR was. What!?

6. It's National Public Radio, for those of you still in the dark. It's ok. No one reads my blog anyway.

7. It's holiday time and I have a part-time job in retail. Whose idea was THAT!?

8. I'm pretty sure my sinus infection turned into bronchitis. Woot.

9. Astronomy class is REALLY boring and rather interesting at the same time. How is that possible!?

10. I LOVE my RCIA sponsor. She's basically me in 25 years.

11. Mom and dad are coming to see me next weekend. It's adoption day on the 10th!

12. Happy 22nd birthday tomorrow, Rachel!! I miss you!!

13. Graduation is only 5 months and 2 weeks away. Weird!

14. That means that Europe is only 5 months, 2 weeks and 4 days away!

15. Less than a month to caucus + living in Des Moines = New York Times article, LA Times article, further political apathy.

16. Be good to yourselves and those around you. You never know when you'll need help:)