Can't decide what I'm feeling...

Thank goodness I have people who care about me in this world. Today was very stressful, but come this weekend, I will have a working car again. I owe a lot of people rides!! Let me know if I do, and you can redeem any time after Saturday :)

School blows. This weekend will be nice, but this upcoming week is week 10, and after that, finals week. I cannot wait to be done with this term from hell.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I have the day off of work, but I don't have anyone to spend the day with... it's rather depressing that I've actually never had anyone to spend Valentine's Day with.

Gisela is going to Dubuque this weekend, but Ashley and Alicia are coming to the QC so I won't be completely alone.

Just one more day from hell and then it's the weekend :)

Thanks to everyone who helped me today... and I love anyone who can make me laugh.

re-thinking

oops! I kind of forgot about the promise that I made to write in my blog every day!!

So I'm thinking about aborting the whole Sweden thing.... I need input.

Pros: Really cool, possibly the only chance I'll get to go, 9 credits for school
Cons: Really expensive, I don't want to be broke when I come home since I'll probably be moving into a new apartment, I have to quit my awesome job, I would miss my 21st birthday

anyone have an opinion?

-Janie

I wish Summer lasted 500 days

hahahahahhahaha yesterday I was in such a funk about the weather!! I was like an old lady, throwing hissy fits and warning everyone to be careful. I think my determination to have classes canceled was to blame, but I don't care if you laugh at me- I got out of classes yesterday AND today!!

Today I watched 500 Days of Summer and I STRONGLY recommend this movie. It made me experience every type of emotion, it was done beautifully and uniquely, and I could relate with the plot as well as learn from it. It instantly became one of my favorite movies, and that doesn't happen frequently.

In my free time out of classes I have also been reading, I'm trying to read more than usual because I think that making time for fun reading helps me manage my time better with school work. That sounds weird, but making sure I get all of my required stuff done first so that I can continue reading a good book is actually helping me procrastinate less. So far under this experiment I have read Dear John, and re-read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Now I've moved on to The Lovely Bones. So far, it's very interesting.

Work tonight. BLERG

-Janie

nevermind

OK yesterday I was in a grumpy mood and I apologize. No one should be alarmed. lol

TODAY I have a rant about Augie!! I can't believe they would wait until 2:30 to cancel classes. The roads were hideous and the sidewalks were not salted. Keep in mind there are hundreds of students walking miles down steep hills, and commuter students driving across towns. I wrote a strongly worded (yet respectful) letter to Dean Campbell expressing my concerns and I honestly think my e-mail (and letters from other students) influenced their decision to cancel classes. It was so dangerous! I hope everyone is careful driving.

The Tonight Show craziness with Leno vs. Conan is getting so insane! I am definitely Team Coco, and I love that he is showing no sign of holding back with his comedy in the few days he has left on the air... I hope you guys enjoy this clip from one of his recent shows that had me laughing out loud: Conan shares a Classic Tonight Show Moment. I really hope he gets offered a late night show on Fox.

Tonight is work, and I am scheduled with Melvin. I predict: no customers, lots of calling on MRs, lots of screwing around, no actual work. I hope that I am right.

Seriously. I hope everyone is driving and walking safe.

-Janie

sitting, waiting, wishing...

I'm sitting here tonight waiting for the answers to come, and wishing I knew how to find them. I constantly find myself stressing out over the stupidest things, and later kicking myself for wasting so much time worrying!!

I'm going to try and appreciate what I have, and not worrying I'll lose it.
I'm going to try and tell the truth and be myself, instead of trying to please everyone around me.
I'm going to try and be stronger, instead of being passive and letting my feelings get pushed aside
and I'm going to do what I want, instead of caving into others' desires...

I have too strong of a personality to constantly worry about what my friends will think, what they want me to do, and what everyone around me thinks about the decisions I make!!

This is a rant... but I needed it!! I need to clear all the bullshit surrounding me.

-Janie

WHOOPS

OK let's just pretend that I wrote something yesterday. I don't know how I forgot, but I guess it's because I was EXTREMELY busy Monday. I had 3 classes, dinner at dad's and errands.

Maggie and I are once again playing the "how much stuff can you fit into your tiny ass apartment?" game. We are winning, of course.

The agenda for today is sleep in, finish Harry Potter, and start The Lovely Bones. Dinner later with Gisela and some of our friends who are in town this week. Another thing I want to do is make a great old pile of things to get rid of, things to donate, etc... I think I can accomplish these goals.

Mom, if you're reading, I finally made your birthday cake! Come and have a slice sometime soon :)

I really want to get a back massage! I've never had a professional one, or, come to think of it, a decent amateur one ;-) Anyone want to go with me? spa day!

I think I need to get out there in the world instead of just lazing around reading all day so I actually have something to write in my blog. I could take up some more space with links that no one clicks on, or I could ramble about what I did today in great detail, but it doesn't seem like that has really won me any popularity in the past. I don't know what I expected but I think it was something along the lines of 5 comments on each post. I yearn for the attention.

Well I suppose I will sign off and drink some hot chocolate. I ache for it to be summer. Mom and I were just talking about how we wish it was warm, and that we could nap in the hammock and snooze by the pool. I hate winter so much!! I think [hope] the rest of the season will go by rather fast though. Only 4 more weeks left in winter term at school!

Ok bye. Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janie__ellen

-Janie

Sunday Drivers

Today was such a good day!! I went to work and I got to work with Kelley, not too many bitchy customers and lots of good sales. I even got to stock up on my favorite h20 lotion.

After work I went to dinner at gramma's house, and we played apples to apples afterward. Everyone was in a sassy mood and we had a lot of laughs.

This week I feel is going to be a good one. I have the next two days off of work, so I'm going to try and get a lot of schoolwork and reading done. The only homework I have for tonight is to make some corrections on my Swedish essay, and then do a reading for African Art... I am very sick of my schedule right now, and I'm ready for spring term. I was looking at possible courses and there is a very interesting learning community I'm interested in enrolling in, having to do with writing fiction, and drawing fiction. I think that would be an interesting way to combine two of my favorite hobbies.

I'm not sure if I've previously mentioned in my blog that I intend on writing a book; well, more of a compilation of short stories. My friends and I all agree that I get myself into ridiculous situations, and funny things always happen to me. This probably won't be achieved until much later in my life, but just so you all know: I'm gathering material for this page turner ;-)

Speaking of books, right now I'm re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It's really fun to remember reading it when I was young, compare it to the movie, and look for clues indicating that Dumbledore is gay. I borrowed another book from gramma tonight that I will read when I'm done with HP.

My goal for this week is to clear out my room. I've already made several bags for clothes to go to goodwill. I have too much stuff for my small apartment. I also have a lot of recycling to get out of the apartment. I will definitely try and accomplish these goals within the next few days.

I leave you with this funny video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6EQlCa5aUY

-Janie

lazy... saturday

Today is Saturday, I am lazy. Here is a list of things on my mind

-Will the Swedish trip actually happen? I hope so!
-I can't wait to be 21. Then maybe I won't be sitting around at home on a Saturday night while my friends are at bars, writing in my stupid blog no one reads
-Chelsea got a gross piercing (or two)
-I wish they allowed facial piercings at Von Maur, but only for me. I want my nose pierced.
-I am going to write a book, short-story style, about the crazy things that happen to me and my friends
-I deleted his number!

-Janie

http://www.hulu.com/watch/1397/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-lazy-sunday

this day is moving so FAST

Well, everyone, feel privileged because I am broadcasting to you from my Swedish class. It doesn't start for another 7 minutes, but who knows if i will be done that quickly.

Today I met with my former advisor and current African Art professor. I don't like her. She looks like a Dr. Suess character, so me and Gisela aptly named her Thing 1. Everyone I know has a nickname. It's kind of my thing. Anyway, I had her sign my declaration forms and I am officially no longer an Art History major. Thank the lord.

I then went to get a coffee at Hardee's to prepare for my most boring class, and the lady at Hardee's was super nice. She liked me I think because she gave me my coffee at a discounted price. =)

After class, I met up with Michelle at Arthurs for lunch after taking a quick shower. It was extremely busy and we had to sit in a "boothette" (what Michelle called it) which fits one [skinny ass] person on each side. It was miserable considering our large handbags and winter coats.

African Art was actually somewhat interesting today- we had a guest speaker from the Figge Art Museum (I've still never been there. Let's go and see the Pollock!) and we even got out early. She also gave us pencils that say Figge Art Museum. Pretty cool if you ask me.

After Swedish today Laura and Gisela and I are going to go get a big juicy burger because we all agree that sounds fantastic. Later we are hanging out with everyone. Tomorrow I work from 12-5 and then I think Maggie and I might meet up with Lexie and Aubree for a sisters night.

I'll talk at you all tomorrow.

-Janie

still awake, for some reason.

Today was a really fun day. I hope you all enjoy this post because it's taking a lot of effort to type with these new nails...

I woke up (late-ish) and went to my 8:30 Psychology class. We learned the typical child development-y things and watched videos of cute kids participating in experiments for 2 hours. After class, I came home and showered. Then Ruth, Laura and I went out to eat at China Cafe, where we received some really bizarre fortunes. After that, we found a nail salon (after a surprising amount of time and effort) and got mani/pedis. It was a very fun time and I really enjoyed spending the day with them.

From 5-9 I worked with Chelsea. Luckily, we didn't have to cover any other departments, but we did have some of the most annoying customers. Of course Pam and Patty came in at 8:55... Chelsea saw them coming and groaned rather loudly and we think they heard. It was pretty hilarious. Other than sweeping, cleaning the sale room, calling on way too many shoes, and telling customers we didn't have that Ugg in their size, it was a pretty good night.

After work, I went over to mom's house and we "watched project runway". In reality, we just sat around, talking about the usual: boys, fashion, vacation, and summer. I wish I could have it all. She was falling asleep on the couch and although she denied it, she was tired, so I left. As I was pulling out of my parking spot, Michelle texted me and asked me to come over. I haven't seen her hardly at all this break, so I went over there for about an hour and a half. Laura and Ruth were there too and we sat in Michelle's cold basement and just talked. My toes were frozen and I remembered I had class in the morning (I hate that break is over) so I went home.

Now that I'm here I'm really sad that Thursday is over and tomorrow is Friday. I would be happy, but I pretty much despise my schedule for tomorrow. Once it's 3:45, it will be a great day. but everyone please pray for me from 9:30-3:45*, as I have a meeting with my advisor/professor, homework, and 3 classes. After all the work comes the fun; Laura and I are going to get yummy burgers at some bar that she recommends in downtown Rock Island, and then we are going to get everyone together for the last night we will all be in the QC. Should be a good time!!

I hope that Dr. Scott (Scandinavian dept. head) recovers quickly and can teach again next term- he had a stomach ulcer burst or something and almost didn't make it earlier this week. Now he's in the ICU and they don't really know what the outcome will be. I hope he's o.k!

I will try and write sometime tomorrow, probably a little earlier than my usual midnight time :)

-Janie

*this is not 100% accurate, as I may get some of the work I would be doing in between classes done early, in which case I am going to lunch with Michelle-y Beans.

energizer bunny

Today I woke up at 7:30 a.m. and groggily had breakfast with Maggie. After she left for work, I wrote a response paper for one of my Art History classes. After that, I had 19th c. art, and then I did research for my African Art paper, wrote a paper proposal, corrected some mistakes in my Swedish essay I wrote before Christmas, and read part of Pippi Långstrump, aka Pippi Longstocking. After all of that was done, I went to African Art and Swedish. After my classes, I came home, ate, and got ready for work, which was 5-9. Today was a very long day and after reading this exhausting paragraph, I'm satisfied with everything I got accomplished.

At work, Chelsea and I traded stories and gossip all night. I always love working with her, because we never work that hard ;-)

Ashley sent me this link to a documentary she was watching earlier. I am absolutely disgusted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmIr9P-vkSQ

If you clicked that link and are now as angry as I am, go ahead and click these next two to boost your mood :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bny5RyN6f6o
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLIlqHWjDRo

I don't really have a lot to say today since I spent so much time on homework. Tomorrow will be more interesting, as I only have one class to go to.

-Janie

2010 clean slate

One of my resolutions this year was to be better about recording what I did during the day, so that when I write it down and see it in front of me, I can see how I've spent my time. Doing this, I hope to not spend so much time procrastinating with school work or wasting my time on useless activities. I think blogging is a fine way to spend time, so I don't feel guilty about this.

I am back to school and loathing my courses (excluding Swedish and Psychology). We continued the same term, which we started 5 weeks before Christmas vacation. My Art History professors don't make any effort to get me interested in their classes and, therefore, I have completely lost interest in the subject. Thankfully, I'm at a liberal arts college where introducing students to new areas of study is the norm, and I have found Swedish (which I absolutely love) and Psychology, a new-found interest which I hope to make my minor study.

As far as school goes, I have a lot of deciding to do in the next couple of months as far as trying to schedule everything into the 4 terms I have left at Augie. Not to mention, I have money to save and things to organize before leaving the country for Sweden for 6 weeks starting May 30th. This trip is very exciting to me, but as I learn more information and the date grows closer, I am getting nervous about traveling so far and for so long. I will certainly miss my friends and my family while I'm away, but I think that it's an experience I will not want to pass up.

School is my least favorite topic so I think I will move on to something of more interest to me. Today, my only class (for Tuesday/Thursday schedule) got canceled, and I didn't have work. I did some reading in my current book, Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (Maggie hates that I am reading this, but I want to see the movie, so I have to read the book first!), and then I went out for dinner with Laura and Gisela. They convinced me to leave my phone number for our waiter, but he never called. Oh well, it was funny and a good memory to share with my girlfriends. Later, I saw "Youth In Revolt", a new movie with Michael Cera, who I loved in "Superbad", with Kirsten and Laura, but I didn't love the movie as much as I anticipated. Good thing Tuesdays at 53 are only $6.00. A good day to try out a new movie. At the movie theatre I saw one of my customers from Von Maur, she was on a date and they hadn't decided which movie to see yet. I told her she should see Avatar, and she said that since I was so good at selling shoes, she believed me when I said the movie was good, so they saw that. I hope she liked it.

Tomorrow I have school all day and work. I am not looking forward to the long day, but today was so easy and fun that I don't think it will be too bad.

A couple of side notes:
- I finally have a working car again, thanks to one of my mom's friends :)
- Maggie and I started a puzzle. It's the perfect way to end an evening.
- I am completely ready for it to be Summer.


More tomorrow, Janie.