Hair, specifically mine

While I miss my short hair (and I mean at times I really miss it), and the celebrity-followers indicate a trend towards short and sweet, I'm committed to letting my hair grow out. But, that doesn't mean I can't trim the bangs a little, right? I'm just a little hesitant since I've waited so long to be able to tuck my bangs behind my ear. But, I think my hair needs a better form, more tiering. Hmph. Will my waves and curls ruin any chance of a cute and mysterious sweep on bangs? You would think I'd remember (or be able to tell from old photos), but I guess we might just have to see. Maybe if I can convince Neill, he'll take some scissors to them (being my hairs).

http://www.shorthaircutstrends.com/

And, how you insert photos into a post? I'd like to post some of the people whose hair has been inspiration for my own cuts.

New Year's Resolutions

With 2010 roughly 25 hours away, I can't help but think of resolutions to undertake. The excuse to make goals is there; will I follow through? So here are my intentioned resolutions, in no particular order:

1. To actually do everything I say/tell someone (mainly with my parents, Mia and Jesse) I'm going to do. (e.g., making/baking/cooking a dish)

2. To work on my vocabulary. At NOMA today when reading the piece descriptions, I encountered some words that I was unfamiliar with. The GRE may have passed (if I don't take it again, but I'm still in contempation about it), but I want to expand my mental lexicon and that will only come from exposure and usage. I need to ask Drew what app she downloaded so I can do so on my [new as in Christmas gift from Jesse-new] iPod Touch (which I named Jolisa).

3. To get an acceptance letter from Tulane and/or the New School. First, I must get my applications in on time. Asked for recommendations so now, the next two days, it's writing for me! Also, I would like to say to get another job as well, but if I begin at Tulane, I won't need a job since I'll also be awarded a stipend. I'll be happy to teach ESL (twice a week) still though.

4. To keep my current exercise habits

5. To write more--on my blog and livejournal, but also prose on my own, and especially letters to friends and family!

6. To save money for important things like student loans, repayment to parents, more foundational things for Jesse's and my life together, and travelling!

7. To convince Jesse to go somewhere in addition to Mexico (provided we have the money)

8. To be a better, more considerate and empathetic sister (and friend)

9. To get along better with Daddy and help Mama when I can. To travel to Baton Rouge more often, even if that means going on my own (without Jesse).

10. To practice my Spanish more regularly and to start on a third language; I may have to wait until I regain my Spanish before moving on.

11. To learn as much as I can about New Orleans by visiting places and talking to people. Today, Mia and I went to NOMA, and I was overhelmed and impressed by all of the exhibits. The ones concerning New Orleans, or with parts of New Orleans as its subject matter, struck me and motivates me to learn more about my beloved city.

12. To be open to religion and spirituality, in whatever form to which I'm exposed. I'm not saying that I want to be religious, but I want to learn more about how and why humans have a tendency to organize together, based on belief systems and divination. I went to see Avatar with Mia, Neill, and Jesse last night, and I've been turning a few things in my head since. In the movie the native religion, with animisim and pluralistic identity and deity, are concepts I want to better familiarize myself with. Many religions that don't belong to the ubiquitous three have these roots in their history. I want to learn more about the evolution of religion, I guess.

That's all for now, I suppose. I'm sure I'll come up with more.Oh, actually one more. (13) To actually write "2010" without one mistake of "2009" in the first few weeks to months of the new year.

Lastly, I watched Paris, Je t'aime with Mia tonight. I loved it! Though I was only there for 2 days, I long to return! I ordered My Life in France (by Julia Child) with part of a gift card from Amazon from my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tony; I'll be recieving it any day, and I'm looking forward to reading it. While Mia and I were having lunch, I ran into a sort-of childhood friend today and she now lives in Paris. Just hearing about her life and watching a French movie (or series of shorts) opens the pandora (haha, not that bad) box for my phase of French obsession. It may be short-lived because with me, sometimes, you never can tell.

Check out the blog I made my dad. He didn't appreciate it though. Oh well, I'm proud of myself.

soapboxofpianomanal.blogspot.com.

Bonne nuit!

Love working at a school

Written hours ago on a legal pad

So I'm sitting at Jesse's desk at his office because for the second time in the last week, I've exhibited brilliance--I locked myself out of the house.

This time I was going to take a quick trip--a walk to the post office for some last minute card-sending. But, alas, less than five seconds after locking the bottom, I realized I should check my purse and lo and behold, they weren't in there. Well, Mia isn't in town so I couldn't call her to ask her for her spares. And, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal since Jesse's at work. But, between not having any cash on me and the other lockout incident, of both, I will update about later, it's not my week! Plus, Saki has a "friend" (read, to Saki, a bitch who she'll have to compete with) over, Coco [after the Chanel], because our neighbor is out of town. But, I had to scavenge to find enough change for the streetcar. I thought I didn't have enough, but fortunately, the streetcars take pennies (didn't know, but that works).

I enjoyed the ride downtown with my box of red and white envelopes awaiting the final stamps of approval. I hadn't brought anything to read, thinking it would be straight to my destination and back--no time for recreation--but the lack of diversion gave me the pleasurable opportunity to observe the bustling holiday-anticipating riders, both families with children recently out of school and individuals.

So showing up to Jesse's office on Poydras, I was waiting, standing inside his doorway when he returned from the bathroom. I was much more excited to see him than I expected and he didn't seem to mind the interruption, either. Well, I left to walk to Loyola Avenue and mail some of my posts (I still have a few more) and then, returned to his office.

We have some some shopping to do after he gets off so I'll just stay here until 4:30, from whence we'll go to the Christmas shop (in the Quarter) to get our ornament this year (and lemme tell you, it's beautiful! I can tell you since I'm typing this later; it's a lovely, shiny, red bird, maybe cardinal, on a twig). We're hoping that this becomes our annual tradition. Then, to Borders, to the house of McGehees' office manager to pick up my reissued check, home (to walk the dogs). And, then back out to Best Buy and elsewhere.

Tomorrow, I have some last minute shopping to do. I'll go with Neill because there are a few things I'd like to get for Jesse.

Tonight, I'm attempting the sweet potatoes Jesse so loved at Copelands a month or so ago. They were amaretto pecan cream mashed sweet potatoes.

Do we ever really get peace of mind?

I'm laying in bed because about 5 minutes ago I went outside to run, but was intimidated by the cold front that arrived sometime last night. I may muster up enough courage to go back out there in a few minutes, but for now, I'm content to lay in bed. Whilst doing so, I am realizing just how beautiful this room is. It's the Oak tree outside and how it allows most of the sun's light in, washing into the two walls of windows and onto my bed. I remember the first time Jesse and I were looking at this place, and we walked into the empty room in awe. I don't get to take time to roll in the warmth of my bed and the sun much anymore since I've been participating in the almost humdrum of employment, albeit part-time. (Sadie's sick so I have this morning off). Fortunately, though, I won't be missing the money I would have made because a friend asked me to babysit her daughter since today because she has to sub. So, that'll work out well for my finances, plus I actually really enjoy babysitting this one!

I still have some cooking to do this evening. I accidently had lunch with Ms. Mary and Rita yesterday at Little Gate so I suggested we do it again, and seeing as Ms. Mary loves curry (she's from England), I plan on bringing some shrimp curry. I'm also going to bake some cookies for my ESL students, coworkers, and Mia and Neill. Neill and I are supposed to hang out today, but with my babysitting plans (I was called this morning), I don't know what time we'll be able to. In the plans are Mamma Mia, baking, and I'd like to get some grocery shopping in, but I don't know how.

Jesse's car is out of commission indefinitely. We were coming home through 5-10 inches of rain on Saturday and now his clutch is not shifting into the different gears. It's been a little stressful because he has two exams this week. Luckily, Lydia took him on Monday because they had the same exam. Otherwise, we've been patrons of the streetcar--even riding to work together yesterday. It's nice to do that, and a little nostalgic (though the first time that we've done it together), but it was raining heavily yesterday when we left so it wasn't the picturesque journey one might imagine. After his exam on Saturday, we'll see what will happen with his car.

So I need to cook, do some cleaning, make it outside to run (it is a beautiful day nevertheless), and write Christmas cards. This weekend/early next week, Christmas shopping and then visiting my family! Jesse's parents are coming in Sunday so we may go to Celebration in the Oaks or Miracle on Fulton Street. Michael and Hillary may come too. Mia, possibly, but doubtful...her car is in the shop from that accident in front of Whole Foods. :o

Also, I'll be beginning on my GRE prep again--for February. I had a dream last night that I didn't/wouldn't do so well. I hope that's just anxiety. Speaking of which, I'm ready to get my analytical writing results!

Happy Holidays, says my blog

New seasonal layout. Wanna change it up, add words to my banner, but I'm going to have to play around for a while. I'd also like to work on creating my own for the new year. I'll have to work on my livejournal layout, too. It's rather blase.

I'm not so gung-ho about the "Merry Christmas," but I liked the cherry blossom look. Lemme know what you think. :) Both of you who read my blog haha.

Water

Insight to the tap versus bottle debate. Yes, sometimes bottle is more convenient, but this confirms that it's not necessarily better. But, why weren't New Orleans or Baton Rouge included in the study?

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/110/cities-with-best-and-worst-tap-water.html

On that note, it has been pouring down rain all day, flooding as usual on many New Orleans and Jefferson Parish streets. Saki didn't even want to go out this morning when we went to take her on her walk. Jesse and I went to see The Princess and the Frog (which was completely adorable and heartwarming homey) and did some shopping after, and on our way home from Walmart, we were caught in some torrential rain. We got soaked and are thankful that it wasn't as cold as the past few days or we would have frozen.
But, the temperature is getting warmer...kind of weird, but rather usual for our tempermental forecasts in NOLA. What's really funny is that on weather.com right now, it says "light rain." Not even close to... In the words of another friend, "Mother Nature needs to get her shit together."

It's been too long

be contented with what you possess in life;

be thankful for what does not belong to you,

for it is so much care the less;

but try to obtain what you need in life,

and make the best of every moment of your life.

Hazrat Inayat Khan
Gayan

Oh, what a week. Busy, but relieving and quickly passing. Last Saturday, I sat in a nondescript, shady and dated room on the first floor of LSU's Himes Hall. In one of its six or seven carrels, I took the GRE for roughly 4 hours--the tutorial for using the computer program, the two tasks of the analytical writing section, the verbal and the quantitative sections, and finally an experimental writing portion. I received my scores for the verbal and quantitative sections immediately after, and I'm happy to report that I scored high enough to get into the programs I wish to apply for! (Hopefully, they'll pull more weight than my GPA) I am still awaiting the scores from the analytical writing portion, as they require human scoring. Pretty much throughout the entire test, I felt varying levels of anxiety, uncertainty, and ignorance--especially with the vocabulary of the verbal section (specifically antonyms and analogies) and some of that math, but in the end, my studying paid off. I did pretty well, but I still think I'd like to try to take it once more--this time allowing myself more time reviewing each concept and focusing on vocabulary. I think I probably scored a 5 or 6 on each writing task, and both are out of 6. Part of the reason I'm going to try to increase my score is, at Tulane, for example, people who receive funding, on average, score higher than I did. So while my score in high enough to be accepted, I could have a hard time securing money. And, I can't afford to go to any school without substantial financial aid. Secondly, though I have to check with each of the programs on whether they average the tests' scores (if you take it multiple times) or if it just takes the highest, I think going in, more confident and in the know about how the test is from my experience, I can only do better! 

So on to programs. Unfortunately, I wasn't so on the ball about deadlines, and I missed the application deadline for UT-Austin. It was December 1st and it explicitly reads on the anthropology department webpage that no incomplete or late applications will be considered; I even called them before reading this to confirm what I read on another page was correct. Unlucky for me, they don't admit in the Spring semester either, so if I really wanted to go there, I'd have to plan on working another year (probably and maybe hopefully not at McGehee) and applying next fall for the Fall 2011 year. It's too bad, but I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket. I'm going to apply to The New School, Tulane (and maybe Berkley at the advice of Dr. Henne and maybe University of Chicago) and I'll see if I get in. Depending on what happens, maybe UT-Austin will have to be the path I take; Dr. Henne says that it's an outstanding program. But, I think all the ones I'm applying for are quite strong. I met with him yesterday to discuss applying and my scores. He is helping me, writing my recommendation and really encouraging. I'm so lucky that I happen to take his Spanish 200 class two years ago (and that I took Intensive Conversation last Spring) and that I went to Guatemala (with his push) for that matter. In any case, he told me that I should really be thinking up proposals because in these applications, I'll be asked to write essays on what it is I want to do and study should I be accepted. He also said that I should consider that I am also interviewing these schools so I should contact departments and professors--which I had planned to do, but somewhat intimidated. Anyhow, it also looks like I'll be applying for both the Latin American Studies program and the Anthropology one at Tulane--again, on Dr. Henne's advice because my concentration would be on the other depending on which program I get into, and I could get into one and not the other. Dr. Henne believes that the Anthro one is more competitive. I need to do more research (which I plan to do over the holiday; McGehee gets two weeks off) and actually contact people and sit in on grad classes. I also need to decide who I'll ask to write my other two recommendations. I may ask Dr. Zucker, my former major advisor, since he knows my story quite well; maybe he can better explain my semesters of nonattendance and Fs. And, maybe I'll ask Dr. White or Dr. O'Gorman since they've both offered repeatedly. Dr. O'Gorman knows me better, but Dr. White is the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs (who has never actually had me as a student). I always said I'd ask Dr. Smith to write a recommendation, but I haven't talked to him in forever, and he retired. So much to decide. Anyhow, that's where I stand on grad school-shopping. I'll be taking another week off of studying, but after McGehee is over for the semester, I plan on throwing myself into studying, applying and enjoying family, friends and festivities. Yes, all three can be done! I'm just going spread out the time it takes to work on the first two.

Well, I'll update again soon. This time, on other things going on in my life.

Hope everyone's doing well!