RIP Miley Cyrus Jeans

My favorite pants just got a hole in the knee!!!!!!!!!! Guess I have to go to class naked now...

Speaking of being naked (never a good way to start a thought..).. i actually have nothing more to say about being naked, I just wanted to say that.

NEW ANDREW BIRD!!! Here's the link to listen: CLICKY-CLICKY

I'm listening to it right now- so far, Lusitania is my favorite off this album. It's one of his less intense albums, that isn't nearly enough whistling or violin solos, but all-in-all, I have to say I still really enjoy listening to him. I'm still in love with Noble Beast, it's perfect morning music.

In other fun news, Spring Break is in two days! I can't wait to get out of here and get into the garden.

So this dream really happened...

I was walking along this park (random park with a canal going through it? I think it was a section of Great Falls, only in my dream it had water going through it), and there were a bunch of people standing around like people do in parks (right guys?) and one of these people was J.R.R. TOLKIEN.

OMG. OMG. OMG. I am dreaming about AUTHORS guys. I am SO COOL.

Anyway, I walk over and I'm all like, "Hello, do you come here often (not in a pick-up sort of way, although that would have been hilarious too) and he was like, why yes, let me give you a tour! So I walk around a park with Tolkien, and this dude walks up and is like, I love your books! and Tolkiens all like grumble grumble, I hate it when people only love me for my books, and I'm thinking, well, good thing I didn't start by asking him about his books then.
So, Tolkien and I are walking about, and my friend walks up and is all like, hey Julie, are you dating Tolkien? And I was like, in my head, NO DON'T SAY THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT I KNEW HE WAS A WRITER AND SO HE LIKED ME FOR LIKING HIM AS A PERSON INSTEAD but then Tolkien is all like, "You've read my books?", and obnoxious friend is like, "she loves your books" and I'm glaring at her but she doesn't get a hint, and then Tolkien walks away all disappointed.

TOLKIEN, I ONLY EVER WANTED TO BE YOUR FRIEND.



And then I had another dream that I got changed into a fluffy plush toy and someone put me in a dog yard and I was going to get all chewed up, but then I woke up.

Why is my subconscious SO WEIRD?!?!??



Also, had my soils test this morning. I feel fairly confident in my answers, I just didn't have enough time to be eloquent in my speech/go as in depth as I wanted, so I might have lost points for that. My teacher laughed at me cause I came into his office with a question on problem one about 45 minutes into the period, and then I had to explain that I was working backwards, and he said English kids are weird. Bet he's never had an awesome dream about Tolkien though.

keepin an eye on the world goin by my window

TOMORROW IS MY MIDTERM OMG IM NOT READY YET

and yet I feel like there is NOTHING ELSE for me to study/i's so sure he'll take off points for dumb things anyway. Oh, and he wasn't in his office hours this morning. THE DAY BEFORE THE TEST. WHO DOES THAT.

So, to clam my nerves, I went for a lovely 10.5 mile run around the Rappahannock. I listened to the Beatles the whole time, it was fantastic. Everytime I hear "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" I think about when Xtine and I were little and we had this whole dance set up for it for karaoke at slumber parties... everyone else was like, whatever, britney spears, and we were like BAM good music.

Also, literally RIGHT NEXT TO THE PATH this giant heron was chillin on this stick. Like, I probs could have touched him. He was just kinda standing there with his mouth half open like he was all drugged up or something. Silly stoner bird.


Also, this person is, like, my #1 hero : click here

Tis' a good day

Yesterday I went to a 40s swing dance with Erin! It pretty fun. We were the only ones not dressed up, and the only ones who really didn't know how to swing dance, but we got lessons (on dancing, not dressing), and danced for a few hours. They had a live band there and everything, they did one of the same songs my Dad plays too!

Today, I had the sunbeam on me and my desk at the library... then I fell asleep for an hour instead of studying soils! Time well spent, I'd say. I felt so good afterwards.

Then, I had dinner with Mike and his parents. We went to Bistro Bethem in downtown Fredericksburg. It was SO. GOOD. SO. GOOD. SO. GOOD. I got this grilled Romaine lettuce salad, which was really just an entire head of romaine, not cut or anything, stuck on a grill with onions, feta cheese, and some fancy dressing. I'm so excited to try and recreate it at home this summer. I also had this fancy pasta dish with little potato-stuffed pillows in cheese. It was also delicious. Oh, and chocolate ice cream...

Anyways, I'm stuffed and tired, so I don't think I'm going to do any more studying tonight. I can just go to bed early and dream about potato-filled pillows of food, while my romaine heart beats with joy.

blah blah blaaah

Today has been rather dull. Met Mike at Blackstone this morning for some tea. I'm giving up coffee for lent!!!! Just as well, I'm getting sick of coffee anyway...

Also, I made muffins!!! Banana walnut and Orange cranberry, both to take to the Eco club Potluck brunch tomorrow morning! So fun. Maybe I'll take pictures (but probably not).

Basically, from here to Tuesday I'm going to spend 70% of my time studying for my Soil Science midterm (which counts for 35% of my grade?!?!?!?!??!!!!) so don't be expecting anything too interesting to happen to me. In fact, why don't you spend the time you could spend reading/pondering my blog entries to going outside and enjoying the mysterious weather we've been having? Seriously, it was 72 degrees yesterday, then it thunder stormed like crazy and the temperature dropped to fifty... but still, for February, I'm impressed.

Guys, I am SO cool

So, I am going to get in contact with our grounds supervisor and ask that the campus eradicate all exotic invasive species from the woods near Seacobeck. Then, I am proposing the creation of a contract that would keep the school from purchasing any non-native plants for our school grounds.

This is all getting done. After spring break, I will propose the idea to the school, and Ecology club is backing it.

Making a mark, oh yeah.

In other fun news, I saw a flock of what I believe to be four loons (black and white with red beaks, and then a brown one following them around), and the eagle yesterday on my "run". I put up quotation marks because I took a half-hour walk in between 3 mile sets to prance around nature and watch the loons and turtles.

I've also added Everglade National Park to the list of place that I would like to travel to, and maybe study, some day. There is a Spring Break trip there with the science department every year, and of course I found out about it really late this year, so maybe next year!

Fancy Valentines Dinner!

.. A week and a day late!

Mike and I are going to Foode. I looked at the menu (just now) and I am SO EXCITED. Before I left I wanted to describe my epic day:

My alarm went off at 7:30. BAM. I was awake, but stayed in bed for 10 minutes because I wasn't sure if I was going to fall back asleep or what...

Read some Lawrence, had a lovely breakfast with Erin in which we discussed how female villains aren't frightening in children movies, then back to work! Wrote my Soil Science project proposal, made an outline, and looked through research on carbon sinks. Then wrote a paper for my English class, which was dismissed after 5 minutes because the projector wasn't working. So, I went to Blackstone to have a muffin and read with Mike while he did his fancy pants programming homework.

Then I got to dumpster dive! Except not really, It was more like dig through nasty trash and pull out the recycling with the Ecology club on campus. It was alarming. People were throwing away nearly full bags of flour and stuff. I mean, seriously people. We pulled out a lot of recycling- most of it bottles and cans. Some kid had made a bong out of a plastic bottle and a straw hahahaa. Oh Mary Washington...

Then more class, a run with Liz, and now off to a wonderful dinner!!

Failcake

SO, yesterday I was in such a state of anger that, had I blogged, I would have just ranted on and on about how my Linguistics class is a waste of my time and my parents money. She spent 25 minutes yesterday going around the room and asking everyone if they agreed to email their group-mates if they couldn't make their meeting. By what time is it acceptable to email? What if they don't check their email? Will everyone message back? Is texting appropriate? What if you get in a fight?


THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE ARE TWENTY YEARS OLD. WE KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER.


this was my face:

not amused, guys. seriously. hate. that. class.

Today will be better. Woke up early and read some of D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers. Its probably the most entertaining book I've had to read this semester. Its about a coal-mining father whose abusive, so his wife and all his kids hate him, only it takes that and makes it oddly... hilarious. Like, the father break his leg in the mine, and everyone's like, Yay! Now the house will be peaceful!! and the wife is all like, go figure, he would break his leg just so I would have to take care of him and give him a bit of attention.

See, people did love to poke fun at dysfunctional families before t.v. shows like Modern family.

Yesterday was a sick day.

In case you were wondering.

Today is not, mostly thanks to the power of staying in bed ALL DAY. Today is an, 'oh-crap-I-have-a-lot-of-reading-but-i'll-just-skim-and-not-really-work' kind of day. Now I need to look over my SOIL SCIENCE stuff, because I have a midterm next Tuesday.

Saturday was fun. Went home, hung out with Mom and Pippin. Saturday night, we went to the drag show. That was also fun (not as good as last years..?)

Might as well upload it here too......

Frydai

I went to go see FUN the other night. They were pretty awesome. I had never really listened to them before, but my mate Steph kinda loves them, so we went and stood in line for two hours so we could get good spots (second row back from the stage!). Their music was really entertaining, they were great live, and it was an overall nice night. Except for the screaming big man in the row behind me who kept jumping up and down, it was wonderful.

Home now, enjoying all the pleasures of a nice dinner out, chasing the cat, and catching up.

What a fantastic week

So, Valentine's day was wonderful. I made the best tasting fish ever (lemon, salt and pepper- but it was really, really good. Probably cause all I've eaten recently has been dining hall foods), asparagus, and steamed potatoes. It was SO GOOD. Mike gave me the most adorable handmade card, and we finally took some pictures together (they're pretty goofy..).

Then, Mike and I watched some Downton Abby, and Erin and I finished the first season minutes ago. That show is so good- I love the character development, although not all of them really seem human. One of the reasons I loved Desperate Housewives so much was because the characters all had backgrounds that influenced their way of thought and their actions. I feel like I could better relate to them because of it, whereas Downton, with its fifty member cast, doesn't really give background or reason for the actions of the characters. Nonetheless, I really suggest that show.

Nothing particularly exciting happened in class. I took a test yesterday for one of my English courses. I think I got a high grade, maybe a B or an A, we shall see. I got back my soil science test- I got one of the highest grades in the class (which really isn't saying much). He ended up giving us a 15% curve (!!!!SO BAD!!!!), and I still only got a C+. Still, upper level Science course with notorious teacher- I expected a D, at best, so I am happy. Still haven't gotten my Linguistics test back, but I'll be pleased if she misplaced them or something (which actually wouldn't be surprising...).

I can't wait to go home to Vienna tomorrow. I went on a walk yesterday, the objective to see cats, and I didn't see any! Go figure. It will be nice to hang out with Pippin again. And, of course, the rest on the family.


I've noticed the time stamps are off on my blog posts- I didn't actually post yesterday at 6:00 am, if you were wondering.

One Free Wish Day!

I told my Dad about this comic a few weeks ago... just found it again!

http://nedroid.com/2010/02/the-waffliest-wish/

What time is it? It's Valentimes!

Not only is it Valentines day, its also Julie's awkward -conversation-with-EVERYONE-day!!

With random guy from class:
Me: HEY
Him: uh, hi?
Me: You ready for our test tomorrow?
Him: Yep
Me: Cool! Did you do the essays yet?
Him: Not yet
Me: Alright.
Him:...
Me: okay, see you tomorrow!!

With cashier at bookstore:
Her: I like your purse
Me: Thanks! My Mom got it for me! i dont know where its from, but I got it for Christmas, (keeps going, and going...)
Her: Ok.
Me: I wish I knew where it was from though!
Her: Thanks ok... bye

Also, I feel like high-fiving EVERYONE. I don't know, man. its just one of those days I guess...

I'm making dinner with Mike tonight. We're going to have salmon, steamed potatoes and brocolli. I am so excited to eat good food.
On a completely unrelated note, my feet look like they belong on a corpse. Idk, bro.

Also, I kind of fail at Valentines day. I made everyone a card, and then people give me more extravagant cards and suddenly I feel like my card, with "Happy Valentines day, Love Julie" is not personal enough and then.. sigh. Downwards spiral of Valentines day.

Also, I think I saw an eagle today. I'm fairly certain it was an eagle. Either that, or I looked like an idiot in front of a lot of people when I stopped and stared at a buzzard.

Posting before evening! How exciting!

So, my British Literature class was cancelled today, which means I get to put off writing my response paper to "The Dead". Which really just means that I can work on other essays for another English class. This is good, because they have more weight on my grade than my response paper, but I am really incapable of not putting a lot of thought into all my work equally. Normally, it just boils down to when I get to my work.

So, class was cancelled, so I'm at Blackstone with Mike! Writing my essays, but I'm a bit stuck because, when I met with my teacher this morning, she told me my essays were good but to describe. And I had thought I had described my points to their fullest extent... now I just feel like I'm restating myself in other words. I hate writing/reading essays that do that. Blackstone is great. Write now, their playing Jump Jive, or whatever this song is named, I just know that my Dad plays/listens to it a lot.

Back to workzors.

Nothing Particularly Interesting Happened Today..

Just watched more Downton, then Christine got all her clothes and we had her try them all on (one handed cause she broke the other one). It was a rather girly day, all in all.

I found out that I can still fit into the same clothes; that I haven't grown at all. Sigh. I've been exactly the same since sixth grade. Today, I wore pants that Christine Bernat and I bought when we were in elementary school (we both both the same style of HUGE legged pants. I look like such a hippie, and I'm so out of style, but I don't really care because it's Sunday and my teachers wont be judging me. Plus, Aniene had once told me that they "enunciated the upper portion of my lower back", so I have to wear them and laugh at her complimenting my butt).

Also, I finished Dubliners. Now, I need to sit and think. I kind of hate books that you have to think about. I just want to know if James Joyce meant for me to have any hope for humanity or not ("The Dead", as I read in literary criticism after the story, can be read either way, depending on if you look at the story individually, or in the context of the whole set of short stories.) Thanks a lot, Joyce. Now I have to stay up, cause I wont be able to fall asleep not knowing where I stand on his story.
Life is so hard.


(That was sarcasm.)

Also, I've just dug through the trash can in the kitchen. DOES NO ONE ELSE CARE ABOUT OUR PLANET? AM I REALLY THE ONLY ONE WHO RECYCLES AROUND HERE? ALSO, WHO THREW AWAY PERFECTLY GOOD COOKIES? Life Is such a mystery. Indeed Joyce, it is.

Day Two, And I Almost Forgot

I almost forgot to write today. I see a massive failure in my future.
Today was mostly spent watch Downton Abbey with Christine and Erin. I'm kind of in love with that show.
Speaking of shows, I haven't seen the few most recent Desperate Housewives, which shocks me. I think its my way of dealing with the denial that the show is ending at the end of this season. Its comforting to think that they'll be a few episodes left for when the season is over. I think I'll finish watching that show Spring break or maybe even wait till summer (unlikely).
Last night was good fun. Erin and I had some friends over to make Valentines. We watching Notting Hill, which also has Hugh Bonneville in it, he's the lord in Downton Abbey, CAN'T ESCAPE IT. I made quite a few, used a lot of buttons, and am really rather pleased with the whole thing.
I'm actually looking forward to Valentines day this year!

History of Valentines Day:
Freshman Year- Conrad asked me to be his Valentine over facebook, but I didn't see it till the next week (fail).
Sophmore Year- I actually broke up with Conrad the day before Valentines day. Then we got back together the day after, or something. Epic timing, I know.
Junior Year- My good friend Bennett took pity on me and made me a chocolate pie, which was DELICIOUS. So I suppose that Valentine's day wasn't so bad, but...
Senior year- I'm finally in a relationship for Valentines day, but of course I GET MONO. ULTIMATE FAIL.
Last year- Another good Valentines. Just kind of hung out with my friends, eating chocolate...
This years plans- Well, since i have an amazing boyfriend, we are planning on going to Bistro Bethem, a restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg that I have never been to! I'm so excited. (Only, we're not doing that on Valentines day because we are but humble college students who can't afford their Valentines special... we're probs going next week or Thursday night).
I also now have fancy, homemade Valentines to give all my friends!! YAY FOR FEBRUARY 14TH.

Until then, I have a lot of work to do. Tonight, I'm planning on finishing this FASCINATING chapter on Soil Waters characteristics and Behavior. Yeppi. (that was all sarcasm. i feel like one of these days, people will figure I'm so nerdy that I actually enjoy reading about water gradients and water vapor distribution or something).

Also noteworthy, today we had an EPIC WHITEOUT of snow, which I was caught outside for. It wasn't like nice, gentle, friendly snowing. This was like being attacked-with-a-frigid-vengeance snow. It was actually painful.
Also, yesterday some idiot college kid decided to drive way to fast down this tiny strip by the Eagle Village and flipped his car over the median. Of course, he's fine, or else I wouldn't have referred to him as "some idiot college kid" (I have respect for the dead, guys). But still- Why would you EVER think that speeding down a tiny driveway is a good idea? This is Fredericksburg. There is no where to go, especially not in a hurry.

Kind of like a fresh start?

Hey team,
So, I've decided to continue to update my blog.
Every day.
Not that I have anything to really blog about (did I ever?), so expect silly little blog posts in which nothing interesting AT ALL is stated. YAY!

Yesterday I had my first soil science test. It was just 7 essay questions that I had an hour and a fifteen minutes to complete. Basically, I just wrote down everything I knew about soils, which is still probably not what he was looking for. Fortunately, my teacher things I'm adorable or something because I went to him and told him that I loved his class but I'm an English major, so unless were looking for religious symbolism and feminist perspectives of soils, I wasn't going to get an A.

Also, my Environmental sustainability teacher knows my name! We're doing a class blog for the semester, and the theme of my posts is cats. I think she's secretly a cat person, but she's too shy to comment on my cat comics. Heres the blog, you can check it out for yourself.

Speaking of cats, there's this adorable grey cat that lives in downtown Fredericksburg. He's like a Pippin without the white on his face. He likes to follow me after I pet him, then run in front of me so that I cant leave. He's even obnoxious like Pippin. D'awwwww.

I have a lot of work to do this weekend. But, tonight I'm making Valentines with my friends!!