Sketchy

Hi.  I'm back again.  Not much to report from this week.  It's been one of those weeks where nothing really has been going on.  I'm not complaining.  A nice change of pace.  Just a lot of relaxing, studying, and "being".

We celebrated a birthday this week.  It was fun and also hard to believe that mine will be the next one we celebrate...in March.  Thursday night was embarrassing for all of us.  We made party plates that night.  Ate a ton of appetizers, cookies, dips...basically everything that is bad for you we consumed that night.  It was the perfect girls night.  We enjoyed all of our Thursday night shows too.  Not proud but it happened.

I've also experienced my first ultra sketchy moments here in the Big City this week.  Monday after the birthday party we were walking back to the car.  This man was riding his bike down the street and yelled out to us.  He knew we were celebrating a birthday and peddled over to us.  He said, "I am an opera singer and I would love to sing you Happy Birthday".  We thought, oh how sweet.  When he started singing I immediately knew we had been played.  He was no opera singer and the cigarette he was smoking didn't help his vocal quality.  So he sang his song.  Everyone in the street cheered for the birthday girl.  As we turned to go off to our car he hands the birthday girl a book.  I was like, how thoughtful...a gift!  He then reaches in his bag and hands me a Johnny Tremain book.  He goes back in the bag and hands someone else a DVD, then a record came out, and paper...just scraps of paper.  We were all standing there confused.  He then says, "I'm taking donations for the homeless.  Whatever you have I'll take.  Here's this 'gift' for you".  I tossed the book back at him and vamped.  Dr. Love was kind and gave him a couple of bucks and we marched on.  Moral of the story...nothing is free.

Lasstttt night I took Berns to the Walgreen's by her house.  We needed orange juice.  This Walgreen's isn't sketchy by day but by night there is a police officer that mans the door...just like at the grocery store.  Nice.  So we go in.  Debate what brand is better, evaluate the difference in cost, and then finally decided on the Walgreen's pulp free plus calcium OJ.  Yay.  We go to the check out.  There were lots of people in there.  So we waited.  We decided to get behind these old people buying a Neti-Pot, sweatshirts, and other very random items....they had coupons and requested price checks on more than three items.  Yeah.  The slow lane.  In that time a very irritated black man starting causing a ruckus.  Every expletive you can imagine was being thrown around.  The policeman runs over and tried to hand cuff him.  He arched his back and started flailing.  The managers started running around.  The crazy man was then thrown to the floor and wrestled down to the ground.  He knocked make-up off the wall.  A serious struggle.  I thought I was going to die.  Like I thought he was going to pull out a gun.  I was not comforted when a huge man beside me told his wife to not take a step in front of him.  I was like, dude I'm about to jump behind you too and take refuge in your girth.  The man was finally cuffed and taken into custody.  I went sprinting out of there and motored on home.  Moral of the story....find another Walgreen's.

Today has been a good day of grocery shopping, cleaning, and organizing.  I feel so good and ready for the week ahead.  I also made a big purchase today.  I took the plunge and bought a coffee pot.  Yes, I have lived here for almost six weeks and I haven't had coffee.  And now I neeeeeeeeeed it.  I decided on Tuesday when my eyes rolled back in my head in anatomy that it was time.  Anatomy is not a class where you need to be sleeping but it's hard a 8 am to do anything.  So coffee it is.

 Do you approve Boosin?  My little coffee pot has already been used today.  We made some this afternoon and visited.  I felt like I was in Belzoni.

 Why yes, I am OCD and well fed.

 This is what I scoured and organized for an hour.  Now it looks like we don't have any food.

 And in case you missed seeing me.  Here's a shot from Friday.  I love this picture.  A single girls weekend. Would have been better if someone had cooperated. :)

Just being sketchy in the Lou.

1 Month

I can't believe it.  Can you?  I've lived here for a month.  Just a mere notch in the belt for my 48 month stint here in the Big City.  But it's an accomplishment.  I've cooked, ironed, sewed, cleaned, shopped, eaten (tons), made a budget, worked out, gone to school, studied...I've lived and I've been able to balance what I want to do with what I need to do.  Believe it.  I've done it.

This week was an exciting week.  It has been jam-packed with many "you have to do "this" while you live in the Big City moments".  It's been great and lucky for you, I'm going to tell you all about it.

Monday the roomie and I went and checked out the Children's Hospital.  There is a Dairy Queen in there so we went to check it out.  We were sad to find out they only make blizzards.  It was lunch time and while I guess we could have eaten ice cream for lunch we opted to actually eat a meal.  We enjoyed people watching in the cafeteria...ok maybe doctor watching.  Either way it was informative and entertaining.  Yes, we did that.  Later that night we REALLY wanted some ice cream after thinking about it all day...so we went to Ted Drewes.  A staple here in the Big City.  I can't tell you how many times I've been told to go to Ted Drewes.  It did not disappoint and was better than I could have ever imagined.

The custard is so thick that they turn it upside down before they serve you to prove...it isn't coming out. I had some kind of Devil's Food cake, vanilla custard, hot fudge concoction that was AMAZING.  I'm glad I have to drive there because it means I won't go.  On a side note, if I make it out of the Big City not weighing 500 pounds it will be nothing short of a miracle.

After we went to Ted Drewes our friends came over to watch Gossip Girl.  We checked out Stub Hub and saw that tickets for the Cubs-Cards series were like $0.89-5.00.  What?!  We thought, why not...let's get some.  So we did and for $3.  So Tuesday night I saw the Cubs and the Cards play.  I had not been to the new stadium...in fact I had not seen them play since Mark McGuire was on the team. Yeah.

The game was tons of fun.  I was on a hot pursuit for some cotton candy.  Yes, my five-year-old heart was very satisfied when I found some.

I had Thai food for the first time this week.  I'm not sure why I've never eaten it...probably because there aren't any Thai places in Oxford.  I had Pad Thai.  It was very pleasing to my palate.  I didn't feel that full until I stood up.  It felt like a ten pound weight was sitting in my stomach.  Then.  Oh then.  It retaliated on me.  The worst acid reflux of my life.  It was a sad moment in my life because I realized that my dream of marrying an Indian probably was not going to work out.  (Yes, I know that Thai is not Indian) Why you ask?  I guess that's two fold.  1. I wanted the Indian marriage mainly for henna tattoos at my wedding and the whole two weddings thing...and you know I like tan men.  2. The Pad Thai was rich...not even spicy.  Indian food is spicy.  I just don't think I can handle the flavor sensations.  Yeah.  I'm sad too. 

Friday night I did probably the coolest thing I've done so far.  Every year there is a Hot Air Balloon Race in Forrest Park.  Friday night they do a Balloon Glow with a fireworks show.  We went out there and we were able to walk around all the balloons.  All the "pilots" were out with their balloons...air-horns would sound at different times and that signaled the pilots to blow up their balloons at the same time.  I'm not sure if this makes sense...here are some pictures.

It really was the neatest thing.  I really wished that I had my H(e)art's camera that night.  It would have taken some righteous pictures.  The race was Saturday.  We missed it but this giant Energizer Bunny (like the size of a Macy's Day Parade balloon) leads the race all around the city.  We enjoyed a night out on the town that night and got to visit with one of the boyfriends.  It was unanimous.  He's a keeper.

Saturday we went to a Cards game with our whole program.  It was hot for the Big City but we managed.  They lost...again.  But we had a great time.  We were walking around the stadium and I saw this building:

See Poodle.  You can move here.

Here are a few day time pics.  If you haven't had enough.

It was a great weekend.  Still loving school.  Still not sure how I got in.  So many absolutely brilliant faculty members.  It is a humbling experience every day.  I am always surprised.

Oh and a funny story.  My friends here do not understand Chacos.  I've told them that if they would try them on they would understand why I wear them.  I have been asked if I'm going mountain climbing or even white water rafting when I wear them.  The roomie has even been bold enough to ask me if I'm a lesbian...they are not lesbian shoes.  (I told my roomie she would regret asking me that because I would post it on the blog and then she would have to deal with the wrath of my Mimi and edotlouise)

They're cute and comfortable.  Don't play.  Will I stop wearing them?  Of course not.

Another funny thing is that when I introduce myself people don't understand me.  I always have to say my name twice when  I first meet someone.  My friends say that I pronounce it with two syllables.  When they mock me they pronounce it like "Bay-eth".  Since I refuse to say it the way they want me to I decided yesterday I was going to try out different names.  Last night I was Sarah because who can really screw that up.  It worked and considering you never see the same people twice I can really be whoever I want to be.  I am taking suggestions on who I should be next weekend. 

That's a wrap.

My Poodle

Do you know my Poodle?  I doubt you know her like I do.  She has many names...sometimes Lula, sometimes Root, sometimes Rudy, and sometimes Poodle.  The name can change daily or hourly...it just depends on how I'm feeling.  She is my sister.

It's weird how this distance has made us closer.  We have always been close but at the same time we could fight with the best of em' (really hard core fighting...beatings really).  I think our closest moment came at our grandfather's funeral.  I drove in from school so we hadn't seen each other since we had gotten the news.  She walked in to the visitation and it was like the entire room parted.  I wanted her. We bypassed tons of people and fell into each other.  I needed her and she needed me.

When she came to Ole Miss we were close.  I was so thrilled to share DG with her.  It was such a huge part of me and I wanted her to experience all the things that had shaped me.  I wanted her to share in that because it is something truly magical, yet unbelievably hard to explain.  When she came for preference round I knew I would be at a loss for words.  And I was.  Lots of tears.  I have no idea what I said but she made the right choice!  After that we saw each other at dinner and here and there.  It wasn't every day but I think we both took comfort in knowing that the other one was there.

Since I've been gone I think we are closer than ever.  We talk almost every day.  I run to her for my problems.  She is my secret keeper, advice giver, and encourager.  She is so sure of herself.  A word wizard.  Calm.  Rational.  Driven.  Inspiring.  A lover of music.  She knows how to take the world in...silently analyzing her surroundings.  She will be published one day...she thinks she'll write novels but I know it will be poems...she's extremely talented but she refuses to let anyone read her work.  She is wise beyond her years.

I'm lucky to have her in my life (I probably didn't think that when she rocked my little three-year-old world).  She makes me stronger.  Makes me challenge myself.  Puts me in my place.  Doesn't always agree with me.  Laughs with me and makes me laugh. 

She's my balance...my other half. 

Week in Review

Another good week.  I really loved having Monday off.  I've still yet to have a whole week of classes...and I'm not complaining.  But tomorrow it will start back up again.

1. My classes are great.  I've done a little studying here and there but I've been reading a lot.  I also love the faculty.  It's so nice that everyone knows your name...well except for one teacher who claims to have "face blindness".  Teacher told everyone on the first day to not be offended if we were to see her out and about and she not recognize you...because she has an actual disease/complex/disorder/functional deficit known as "face blindness".  Where she can see someone once second and then they can be almost erased from her mind the next.  She wasn't lying.  I saw her at the Shady Schnucks this week while picking some apples...I smiled and said hello and her face went totally blank and she just stared at me.

2. I got to have a skype date with my Millsy this week.  It made my day.  Technology was not on our side that night though.  We could see each other but she sounded like a mutant chipmunk.  It was the weirdest thing.  So I talked and she typed her feedback.  We finally gave up and talked on the phone but I was so happy to see her face!

3. I ate my first Chicago style deep dish pizza at Pi.  It was fabulous and better than I expected.  It's a pretty famous place and Obama has eaten there.  I also got to split my pie with Jooge's parents.  It was GREAT meeting them.

4. Have you ever heard of Bangers and Mash?  I just learned about it this week.  Apparently people in this region eat it a lot.  It's mashed potatoes and sausage.  Good Lord.  I'm trying to upload a picture from the internet but it isn't working.  I could throw up just thinking about it.  Look it up...I dare you.

5. Yesterday I went to The Container Store.  Oh.my.heart.  My little heart was all aflutter yesterday.  I could have spent an entire day in there and it wouldn't have been enough.  I held back and didn't buy anything but believe me I wanted to.  Really bad.  If you know me you know I LOVE containers and organization in general.  Some times I have containers in containers.  Why not.  Everything needs a place.

6. Talked to Mr. Neshoba County yesterday.  That REALLY made my day.  He is taking D.C. by storm.  Wearing suits errrrday, hiding his badge, riding the metro, and playing Fantasy Football. And this is only week one. Whoa, Sir.  Whoa.

7. Got to see my Rebels play last night.  We pulled out a win but it was UGLY.  I don't think I will be able to watch that all year.

8. A Lean Cuisine is not a substantial meal for a night out on the town.  That's all.

9. Had my first wine tasting on Friday.  It was really fun.  Tried a bunch of wines from Chile.  They were really fabulous.  It was in this great art gallery in McPherson Square.  Really close to my house and probably one of my new favorite areas. It is adorable.  Lots of yummy restaurants, cute boutiques, and twinkle lights everywhere. The Square has a very unique antique store that I checked out last night.  They have some great prints of popular places here in the Big City.  I'm tempted (whatever I'm going to) go back and get one.

10. Oh and how could I forget my favorite moment of the week?  I went to work out downstairs.  I was wearing my Colonel Reb tank.  After I finished I hopped on the elevator (not walking 10 flights of stairs) to go back up.  A man was already on there.  I could feel him looking at me.  So I looked him dead in the eye.  He says to me, "Is that Colonel Sanders on your shirt?"  I smiled and kind of laughed.  I just looked back and said, "Yes, I love chicken."  I was just shocked that he asked me that.  Next time you are on an elevator, mind your p's and q's and just mind your own business.  I could have totally commented on his fashion choices and flaming red hair but you know, I didn't.

11. If I am called a "Southern Belle" one more time...I am going to drop kick someone.  Southern Belle that.

12. I gave my first tour this week.  It was great and a learning opportunity for me too.  I am so glad to be on THIS side of the process.  I felt bad for them in a way because I know how I felt almost a year ago when all of this started.  But just like most things in life...it always works out.

That's about it.  Looking ahead we have a hot air balloon race in the Park this upcoming weekend, the Cards-Padres game (we might be going to the Cubs-Cards series this week), a birthday, and the Avett Brother's in about two weeks.  Oh and school.

And that's the week in review.

Still

I've finally found "still".  I have been here (in two hours) for three weeks and I'm finally still.  I've loved this place from day one but I'm just now still.

The apartment is set up and I finally know where everything is.  I have food.  I'm not running out looking for random things to eat or decorate with.  I have started school and it's great.  I know where my classes are.  I'm working out and I feel great.  I have some great friends.  Friends that couldn't be any more different from me but friends I couldn't imagine not seeing every day.

I've found my fit and I like it.

Still.

Hey Go Rebs

I can't believe I'm even writing this considering the most embarrassing loss on Saturday but I've been trying to explain to the Big City friends how magical Oxford/Ole Miss/the South really is.  I think they believe me.  Our biggest hang-up has been "Hotty Toddy".  How do you even explain it?  I think you really have to be there...screaming until your throat is sore to really get the chills that accompany the cheer.

I found this video where you can hear a Hotty Toddy.  Wait until a few seconds before the six minute mark.  But feel free to enjoy the band until then.  One of the tents in the background is mine.

I realized Saturday I missed chanting Hotty Toddy and the pep rally almost as much as my friends.  It really is an indescribable experience.  I'm glad I got to live it.

We've got spirit, yes we do.

Learning

I realize I've been a bad blogger.  I guess you will be getting a weekly dose of the Daily Beef.

I've had another great week in the Big City.  We had orientation for three days.  I know that sounds like a lot but it was well worth it.  Not at all overwhelming and a good way to ease us into the program.  We learned a lot about how things will run.  I got this very official ID. 

And a very important accoutrement for my key chain. 

Yeah.  A rape whistle.
My classes are great and I am so happy to say that Ole Miss really prepared me for my practicum experience.  I learned that I will be dissecting a human brain here in a few weeks.  A few of you have seen me in a hospital before so you especially know how I feel about all things medical  For those of you who have not had the pleasure of hanging out in hospitals with me...I can't even describe to you how awful this is going to be for me.  It is going to take a superhuman force to literally catapult me into the room...that's JUST getting me in the room.  Actually touching the brain will be a whole 'nother blog post.

In typical fashion, I've had no problem finding things to do.  Here are a few pictures of what I've been up to.

A little picnic here. 

Yesterday we went to the Greek Festival.  I ate until I nearly exploded to my little hearts desire.  Then we walked to the zoo.  Everything is so accessible and FREE.  I love that price. 

I also got my haircut this week.  While I was there I was telling J that I was new to the area.  He asked what all I've done so far.  I also expressed to him how disappointed I've been with the guys in the area. He TOTALLY agreed with me.  I felt like I was at a slumber party.  He was playing with my hair as we swapped secrets about boys and giggled.  He told me that we have been going to "urban" areas and that was why we kept seeing sketchy people.  So this weekend we took his advice and ventured out to some new areas.  Props to J.  He was soooooo right.  Men in checked shirts, khakis, jeans, plaid, beards, shaggy hair-some were tall, some were short. But either way, normal (ish) is what we found.

I've also learned the power of the quarter this week.  I pay to wash my clothes.  While most people do this freshman year of college, I was always successful in getting home to get mother to wash them.  I have always hated change in general.  I would rather deal with bills. And a penny?  Don't even get me started on the penny. I literally want to punch someone when I get back one cent in change OR when a menu item is something like 8.67.  Really? Anyway, I never appreciated a quarter until now.  My new mantra is, "Find a quarter, pick it up, some time soon I'll have clean laundry". Seriously.  I love quarters.

I've learned that it is easy to get lost.  Like one wrong turn can have you in a very undesirable places...and fast.  Or you can go the wrong way and it takes ten minutes to be back to where you went wrong.  Oh and that "20 minutes away" is a dependent term.  It depends on if you are driving like a NASCAR driver, it depends on if you are willing to run people off the road, it depends on what time of day it is.  It just depends.  But ask ANYONE where something is and you will get this statement, "Oh you know, like twenty minutes."

I also learned that I missed not being in the Grove.  But I learned I wasn't as upset as I thought I was going to be.  I feel strangely comfortable here and I'm really happy to be here.  I did get a sweet gift this week from my sissy though.  A very happy surprise.

All in all it has been another excellent week.  I really love it here.  Just trying to take it all in and learning as I go.