phirathedragon

So it has been a rather lengthy amount of time since I have posted, so there is quite a lot to mention. Let us start off with school life. I defend tomorrow, in fact I should be finished defending by this time tomorrow. My thesis is a little over 80 pages, and I hope it will be satisfactory to my committee. I will be graduating on May 16th, and my parents and my sister are coming to see me do so. I have two more papers to finish up before the end of the semester as well as two additional presentations.
In the world of work, I am currently been applying to jobs in St. Louis and Kansas City and hopefully I will get a job in the near future. I have been getting some nibbles on my applications, so I am thinking positive thoughts.
With regards to my family, everyone is doing well. My brother is getting married in August. My sister is pregnant with her first child, who will be due towards the end of September. All in all, everything is going well.
Finally, in regards to my own personal life. I am no longer getting married in June. John decided that we were not really suited towards each other, so he ended our engagement at the end of January. Before you start becoming concerned, I am doing well. It was hard at first, but I am quite happy. I have started dating my best friend from grad school, Jeremiah. He is an absolute sweetheart, who is being quite helpful during my stressful time leading up to my defense. He even likes June Monkey, which is a definite plus.
Hopefully, it won't be so long before I post again.

Well, I am back in Columbia for another three weeks teaching my summer course. Life is fairly busy right now with working on research for my thesis and continually planning future classes. I am desperately missing John, who is trapped in Festus for two weeks for annual training. But my sister is coming up tomorrow to keep my company, so that should be fun.
Anyways, I should probably get back to the daily grind...but I wonder who still reads this...if you read it, please post a comment.

Well, the news has been brewing for awhile, but on May 17th, 2007 I have been officially taken off the dating market by the love of my life, John. He officially proposed to me in the most perfect way possible.
It started with a wonderful trip to my favorite place on the earth, England. On the third day of our trip, John and I traveled to Warwick Castle, which as everyone knows is my favorite castle. John proposed to me on top of the tallest tower at the castle. He was so nervous he dropped my ring! I could not love or adore anyone more.
The day just got better, because I had the chance to help fire the world's largest trebuchet. This was made possible by John, who oh so chivarously swapped shoes with me, because they would not let me wear my sandals. The Scottish man told John that the sandals looked just find on him, but I looked like a clown. I think they also thought that he was insane for giving up the chance to fire the trebuchet himself to let his girlfriend have a go at it. Just another one of the many reasons that I love this man.
I still think it would be funny if John and I hyphened our last names. I am a Bell and he is Easter, so I think Easter-Bell would be the perfect last name! (Joking)
I am currently furiously working on wedding plans, planning out lessons for my summer course, and working on my thesis.
Well now for some countdowns...less than a week until my birthday and 362 days until the wedding!!!

By Dalton Ross
Season 3 of Battlestar Galactica wrapped up recently, yet no matter how often the drama transcends the science fiction genre, there are scores of people who refuse to watch any show set on a starship. I'm the exact opposite: a true sci-fi junkie. I'll check out pretty much anything that features lasers and people dressed in stupid rubber alien costumes, and I'm not ashamed to admit it....

Actually, what am I talking about? I'm totally ashamed. It's embarrassing as hell to be that dude at a party waving his hand in front of his face and proclaiming that ''these aren't the droids you're looking for,'' only to receive a group of blank stares in return. Such is the life of a geek, I suppose.

But misery loves company, and I'm fairly confident that there are plenty of other science fiction lovers out there, even if they don't want to admit that they're part of our exclusive fraternity of freaks. With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy (although really, shouldn't he be the one apologizing to us for all he's done?), you might be a sci-fi geek if...you own not one but two V miniseries on DVD, or if you understood a single word coming out of the mouth of the old computer-program dude (the Architect, if you want to get technical — and if you want to get technical then you truly are a geek) at the end of The Matrix Reloaded. Here are some other signs that you're a science fiction nerd, and remember, resistance is futile.

— You're undoubtedly a Dorkus Maximus if you have ever substituted terms like ''frak'' (Battlestar Galactica) and ''frell'' (Farscape) for actual down-to-earth curse words. Your intergalactic potty mouth should be immediately rinsed out with soap, or at the very least rinsed out with something manly like...I don't know. What do manly people drink, Jack Daniel's?

— While we're discussing beverages, if you have ever put food coloring into your drinks to make them look like the funky space cocktails served at Quark's bar, then you are most definitely drunk on dorkiness. Actually, come to think of it, if you even know what the hell Quark's bar is, you qualify.

— If you have ever at any point in your life donned Spock ears, proceed immediately to the end of this column. No further testing is required.

— Do you enjoy mercilessly mocking Jar Jar Binks, yet sometimes catch yourself humming the melody from the Ewoks' celebratory jingle, ''Yub Yub''? It may be time to take a long, hard look in the mirror...after you remove your oversize Wicket W. Warrick costume, that is.

— Speaking of which, if you have ever carried on a conversation that contained the phrase ''midi-chlorians,'' then the Force (of geekdom) is strong with you, my friend.

— I pray for your soul if you have found yourself in the awkward position of mounting a defense for The Arrival (featuring a goatee-rocking Charlie Sheen) with an argument that goes something along the lines of ''Seriously, it's not that bad. See, the global-warming thing is not our fault after all. It's the aliens, man! The aliens!'' (Not that I ever did that or anything.)

— Enjoy penning fan fiction? Go take a seat next to the Vulcan-ear posse.

— Are you able to decipher each of the following acronyms: TNG, HRG, ESB, BSG, TARDIS, and — this one's a toughie — CSM? Congrats, you're one of us.

They say there is strength in numbers, but I'm guessing most of us are not the pumping-iron types. Nonetheless, the next time you are mocked for knowing the difference between ''warp drive'' and ''hyperdrive,'' rest assured you have a fellow nerdling willing to get your back. (P.S. Hyperdrive is cooler.)

This is for curiosity's sake. I won't know who put what so feel free to pick whatever!
http://kevan.org/nohari?name=phirathedragon (Bad)

http://kevan.org/johari?name=phirathedragon (Good)

John and I have set the date!!!!! We are getting married June 20, 2008!

whats your name spelt backwards? lleb arual

What did you do last night? Studied for a test and read a book.

The last thing you downloaded onto your computer? a paper I had to read

Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? yeah, when i was little

Last time you swam in a pool? August at Tara apartments

What are you wearing? pj pants and a tank top

How many cars have you owned? 2

Type of music you dislike most? country western

Are you registered to vote? yes

Do you have cable? yes

What kind of computer do you use? Hp lapto

Ever made a prank phone call? nope

You like anyone right now? I love my fiancee.

Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Yup both

Furthest place you ever traveled? Egypt.

What's your favorite comic strip? Fox Trot.

Do u know all the words to the national anthem? yup.

Shower, morning or night? Both I like to be clean.

Best movie you've seen in the past month? Casino Royale... i am watching it now

Favorite pizza toppings? pepperoni

Chips or popcorn? chips

What cell phone provider do you have? Cingular

Have you ever smoked peanut shells? nope

Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? lmao, nope

Orange Juice or apple? orange

Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? my fiancee

favorite chocolate bar? butterfinger

Who is your longest friend and how long? My sister...ten years now

Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? this summer

Have you ever won a trophy? yup, go scholar quiz team

Favorite arcade game? I am really just a video game person

Ever ordered from an infomercial? hell no

Sprite or 7-UP? Sprite

Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work? Yes

Last thing you bought at Walgreens? Bridal magazines

Ever thrown up in public? nope!

Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love? Well, I have found true love, so I guess I automatically get to be a millionaire!!
Do you believe in love at first sight? Of course

SPONGEBOB OR JIMMY NEUTRON? Neither

Did you have long hair as a young kid? Yup

What message is on your voicemail machine? a boring not fun one

Where would you like to go right now? England

Whats the name of your pet? Junie


What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it? One my eventual sister in law gave me, and it has nothing in it right now.

What do you think about most? the future

It is has been a long time since I have updated, and things have been getting really busy. I have started my second semester of grad school, and I am already knee deep in planning my thesis. I had to tweak it from my previous thought, and I am know studying American castles.
Christmas was absolutely wonderful, and the best present I recieved was an opal bracelet from John. John and I have been dating for 8 and a half months now, and the big news with us is that John bought me an engagement ring over break. He hasn't proposed yet, because he wants that to be a surprise, but he has already asked my parents for my hand. We are planning on having our wedding in June or July of 2008! I am so happy. I couldn't ask for a better man in my life.

I think I have seen way too many of the movies on this list....sigh.
() Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(X ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(X ) The Princess Bride
(x) AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
( x) Labyrinth
() Saw
() Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(X) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 16

(X ) Scream
( X) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(X ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 23

( x) Harry Potter 1
()x Harry Potter 2
( x) Harry Potter 3
( x) Harry Potter 4
( X) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(X ) Little Black Book
() The Village
( x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 31

(x) Finding Nemo
() Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
(X ) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
() Robots
Total so far: 36

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
(X) Deep Impact
x KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG
Total so far: 43

(X) A Cinderella Story
(X) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
(X ) Final Destination
(x ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 51

() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(X) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
() From Hell
(x) Hellboy
() Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 56

x() The Day After Tomorrow
() Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
() Gothika
() Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 62

(X ) Bad Boys
(X ) Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Seven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x)Ocean's Twelve
(X) Bourne Identity
( x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
() Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 72

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo (scary, it’s a dog movie, an evil dog…)
( ) A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( X) My Bosses Daughter
(x ) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
( X) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 80

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( x) She's All That
( x) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
() Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
()x Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
()x The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 89

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(X ) Spider-Man 2
(x ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( X) Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
()x Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(X ) Shrek
(X ) Shrek 2
Total so far: 102

(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
()x The Notebook
() K-Pax
(x) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 108

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 114

(x) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
() American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 117

( ) The Jacket
(x) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 122

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( x) Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
( x) Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 126

( x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x ) Kill Bill vol 2
(X ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 130

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 137

(x) The Matrix
(X ) The Matrix Reloaded
(X ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
() Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total so far: 143

143 Total.

The first semester of my grad school career is quickly drawing to a close, and I am content in where my life is. I have a wonderful adoring boyfriend with whom I will soon celebrate five months. If any of you have ever read Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books, John is my Micah. I am so in love with him, and I can't imagine having ever been without him. We complement each other perfectly.
School is going fairly well, and I currently have either A's or B's going in the classes. I have a lot of work coming up with two papers that will be due soon, but it is nothing I can't handle.
Teaching is going exceptionally well, especially since I had my first evaluation last week. That was probably one of the most nerve racking experiences I have had in awhile, but Dr. Ludwig really liked my teaching style, and gave me a teaching position this summer. The class I get to teach is Geography of Europe, what could be more perfect for someone like me?
I am also quite happy with how the election turned out. I have made no bones about how I feel about Bush, so the fact that not only did the Democrats sweep Congress, but Rumsfeld resigned makes me quite happy.

I have achilles tendonitis in my left foot....
Enough said.

I am starting the second week of graduate school at Mizzou. I absolutely love how things have been turning out. The geogaphy department is great...the faculty are some of the most welcoming people I have ever met. The class load is actually not too bad...I don't have to write that many papers this semester.
I am determined to acquire my GIS certification before I graduate. I found out that that is one of the largest growing employment opportunities, and I think that is what I want to do after I graduate, but I am still going to write my thesis on some sort of cultural and historical geography topic.
I absolutely love teaching, and I look forward to it every day. It is so different than anything I have ever done, but I feel like it is going to be quite rewarding.
I still feel the weight of fate on my shoulders...I can't really explain what I feel. I feel like I am going to do something important...that I am really going to be someone special. But I don't know the details or when it is going to happen. I really wonder what life has in store for me, things are starting to work out in all realms of my life. I like school, I love my job, and I am really happy with John. He has been so kind and supportive through some difficult times. He has been so patient with me, and he seems to think the world of me. I don't know what I did to deserve someone as kind and as wonderful as him. I never met someone who I love as much as him. He is a person I would truly do anything for...

I don't think I have ever been this happy before. All of my past relationships have been building up to this current one. Every heartbreak, every blow to my self-esteem, has been worth it. I never thought I would ever have met someone as perfect for me as John (not my soon to be ex-roommate). I am completely in love with him. I have never had someone make me so happy that I smile all the time when I am with him. Amazingly, when I am with him, I hardly ever worry anymore, and that is truly a miracle.
I finally met someone who is fixing me. I am now starting to look in the mirror and believe that I am pretty. He treats me like his equal in everything, and he never puts me down. He is truly a blessing from God. He is one of the true nice guys...not one of those guys who start off nice and then degenerate into a complete asshole.
In other news: Dead Man's Chest was awesome, and I really want to see it again. I am moving along on the moving process for my apartment. If anyone wants to know where I live, just let me know. I am going to be in the same complex.
Work is still crazy. I am working on being trained to be a crew leader, but I really don't want to give up the day shift. I really like the people who work then.
My birthday was probably the best I have ever had...thanks to John. He surprised me with a dozen long stem roses. Then we went to the City Museum with Will and Shannon, had dinner at Pasta House with my family, and then hung out with Will and Shannon again at Dave and Busters.

Rules:
1. Put numbers in the boxes instead of x's (example: 1, 2, 3, 4...)
2. Repost as "I have lived through ____ of these 160 things."

I have lived through 101 of these 160 things.

[1] I have read a lot of books.
[2] I have been on some sort of varsity team.
[] I have run more than 2 miles without stopping.
[] I have been to Canada.
[3] I have been to Europe.
[4] I have watched cartoons for hours.
[5] I have tripped UP the stairs.
[6] I have fallen down an entire flight of stairs.
[] I have been snowboarding/skiing.
[7] I have played ping pong.
[8] I swam in the ocean.
[ ] I have been on a whale watch.
[9] I have seen fireworks.
[10] I have seen a shooting star.
[] I have seen a meteor shower.
[] I have almost drowned.
[11] I have been so embarrassed I wanted to disappear.
[12] I have listened to one CD over and over and over again.
[13] I have had stitches.
[] I have had frostbite.
[] I have licked a frozen pole and got stuck there.
[14] I have stayed up 'til 2 doing homework/projects.
[15] I currently have a job.
[16] I have been ice skating.
[17] I have been roller blading.
[18] I have fallen flat on my face.
[19] I have tripped over my own two feet.
[20] I have been in a fist fight.
[21] I have played video games for more than 3 hours straight.
[] I have watched the Power Rangers.
[22] I attend(ed) Church regularly. (does Temple count?)
[23] I have played truth or dare.
[24] I have already had my 16th birthday.
[25] I have already had my 17th birthday.
[26] I've called someone stupid.
[27] I've been in a verbal argument.
[28] I've cried in school.
[29] I've played basketball on a team.
[] I've played baseball on a team.
[ ] I've played football on a team.
[] I've played soccer on a team.
[ ] I've done cheerleading on a team.
[] I've played softball on a team.
[ ] I've played volleyball on a team.
[] I've played tennis on a team.
[] I've been on a track or cross country team.
[30] I've been swimming more than 20 times in my life.
[ ] I've bungee jumped.
[] I've climbed a rock wall.
[] I've lost more than $20.
[31] I've called myself an idiot.
[32] I've called someone else an idiot.
[33] I've cried myself to sleep.
[34] I've had (or have) pets.
[] I've owned a spice girls CD.
[] I've owned a Britney Spears CD.
[] I've owned an N*Sync CD.
[] I've owned a Backstreet Boys CD.
[] I've mooned/flashed someone.
[] I have sworn at someone of authority before.
[35] I've been in the newspaper.
[] I've been on TV.
[36 ] I've been to Hawaii.
[37] I've eaten sushi.
[] I've been on the other side of a waterfall.
[38] I've watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies.
[39] I've watched all the Harry Potter movies.
[40] I've watched all of the Rocky movies.
[] I've watched the 3 Stooges.
[] I've watched "Newlyweds" Nick & Jessica.
[41] I've watched Looney Tunes.
[ ] I've been stuffed into a locker/I have stuffed others into lockers.\
[42] I've been called a geek.
[] I've studied hard for a test and got a bad grade.
[43] I've not studied at all for a test and aced it.
[44] I've hugged my mom within the past 24 hrs.
[45] I've hugged my dad within the past 24 hours.
[46] I've met a celebrity/music artist.
[47] I've written poetry.
[ ] I've been arrested.
[48] I've been attracted to someone much older than me.
[49] I've been tickled till I've cried.
[50] I've tickled someone else until they cried.
[51] I've had/have siblings.
[52] I've been to a rock concert.
[53] I've listened to classical music and enjoyed it.
[54] I've been in a play/musical.
[] I've been picked last in gym class.
[] I've been picked first in gym class.
[55] I've been picked in that middle-range in gym class.
[56] I've cried in front of my friends.
[57] I've read a book longer than 1,000 pages
[58 ] I've played Halo 2.
[] I've freaked out over a sports game.
[ ] I've been to Alaska.
[] I've been to China.
[59 ] I've been to Spain.
[ ] I've been to Japan.
[60] I've had a fight with someone on AIM.
[61] I've had a fight with someone face-to-face.
[62] I've had serious conversations on any IM.
[63] I've forgiven someone who has done something wrong to me.
[64] I've been forgiven.
[] I've screamed at a scary movie.
[] I've cried at a chick flick.
[65] I've watched a lot of action movies.
[66] I've screamed at the top of my lungs.
[ ] I've been to a rap concert.
[ ] I've been to a hip hop concert.
[67] I've lived in more than 2 houses.
[] I own more than two houses
[68] I've driven on the highway/been on the highway.
[69] I've driven more than 40 miles in a day/been in a car that went more than 40 miles in a day.
[70] I've been in a car accident.
[71] I've been homesick.
[72] I've thrown up.
[] I've puked on someone.
[] I've been horseback riding.
[73] I've spoken my mind in public.
[74] I've proved someone wrong.
[75] I've been proven wrong by someone.
[ ] I've broken a leg.
[] I've broken an arm/fingers.
[76] I've fallen off a swing.
[77] I've swung on a swing for more than 30 minutes straight
[] I've watched Winnie the Pooh movies.
[] I've forgotten my backpack when I've gone to school.
[] I've lost my backpack.
[78 ] I've come close to dying.
[79 ] I've seen someone die.
[80] I've known someone who has died.
[81] I've wanted to be an actor/actress at some point.
[ ] I've done modeling.
[] I've forgotten to brush my teeth some mornings.
[82] I've taken something/someone for granted.
[83] I've realized how good my life is.
[84] I've counted my blessings.
[85] I've made fun of a classmate.
[86] I've been asked out by someone and I said no.
[87] I've slapped someone in the face.
[] I've been skateboarding.
[88] I've been backstabbed by someone I thought was a friend.
[89] I've lied to someone to their face.
[90] I've told a little white lie.
[91] I've taken a day off from school just so I don't go insane.
[92] I've fainted.
[] I've had an argument with someone about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.
[93] I've pushed someone into a pool.
[94] I've been pushed into a pool.
[95] I've been in love
[96] I am in love
[97] I like someone
[98] Someone likes me
[99] I've been told I was a good kisser
[] I've kissed someone with braces
[] I've kissed someone with food in my mouth
[100] I've woken someone up with a kiss
[101] I've been woken up by a kiss from someone

It has been almost two months since I have updated, and many things have changed since then. My boyfriend, Jason, who I dated for six months broke up with me right before graduation, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because not long after that, I met one of the sweetest guys on the planet, who is absolutely delighted to have found a girl as nerdy as me. His name is John, and he is truly one of the greatest guys I have ever met. He is smart, funny, handsome, muscular, and a goober...;-)
In other news, I have gradutated, and I am headed off to geography graduate school next year at Mizzou. I am really looking forward to being a TA. We'll see how that goes.
For some sad news, my dog, Vienne, died before we left for Egypt. I am still a little sad about the this, but I also realize that I was lucky to have 17 years with a great dog. The void in my heart has also been filled, because my parents bought a bichon-maltese mix on Weds. We haven't officially picked a name for her yet.
Egypt was definitely fun. It was one hell of a self-esteem boost, because I constantly had guys approaching my father for my hand in marriage. The largest offer I recieved was 2,000 camels, which is definitely nothing to sneer at. The monuments were very cool, and if anyone wants to see pictures, I should be getting them in sometime next week. I did manage to get sick, and I lost four pounds, but I am still going.
My birthday is in five days!

My undergraduate career is almost over. Classes have finished, and all I have left are two finals on Weds and Thurs. I graduate on the 14th...how did I get here so quickly? Where has my life gone? I know I am not old, but neither am I a child anymore. So many changes have happened this year, and I am still astounded by them. I am no longer going into the history grad program, but rather I am now a geographer. I am slowly developing more confidence in myself, though I still don't see what so many people claim to see. I think I shall always have a deeply ingrained vision of me as a misfit geek.

I still have a lot of faults that I am trying to correct. I am a very impatient person, especially when it is waiting on something I really want. I also have a slight problem with perfectionism. I sometimes expect way too much from myself, and then when I fall short, I am way to hard on myself. I also sometimes expect too much from other people, and I have trouble expressing what I expect, so when they unknowingly fall short, I get annoyed...which of course isn't good at all. I have a major problem with being indecisive, which I am forcing myself to try to correct.

Who knows...maybe by this time next year, I'll be reflecting on how I fixed those faults.

Small town homecoming queen
She's the star in this scene
There's no way to deny shes lovely
Perfect skin perfect hair
Perfumed hearts everywhere
Tell myself that inside shes ugly
Maybe I'm just jealous
I can't help but hate her
Secretly I wonder if my boyfriend wants to date her

She is the prom queen I'm in the marching band
She is a cheerleader I'm sittin in the stands
She gets the top bunk I'm sleepin on the floor
She's Miss America and I'm just the girl next door

Senior class president
She must be heaven sent
She was never the last one standing
A backseat debutaunt
Everything that you want
Never to harsh or too demanding
Maybe I'll admit it
I'm a little bitter
Everybody loves her but I just wanna hit her

She is the prom queen I'm in the marching band
She is a cheerleader I'm sittin in the stands
She gets the top bunk I'm sleepin on the floor
She's Miss America and I'm just the girl next door
Oh I'm just the girl next door

I don't know why I'm feelin sorry for myself
I spend all my time wishin that I was someone else

She is the prom queen I'm in the marching band
She is a cheerleader I'm sittin in the stands
I get A little bit she gets a little more
She's Miss America ... she's Miss America
I'm just the girl next door...

I am currently suppose to be doing research on the Bedouins of Egypt and Libya, but since I have all my notes from my Geography of the Middle East class on that culture, it would be rather redundant for me to re-research them. Life has been pretty decent for me lately. About two weeks ago, I went paintballing with Jason, James, and some of their other friends. I did pretty darn well if I do say so myself, I even went as far as accidentally shooting my boyfriend in his head... ;-) I acquired some pretty nice bruises from the whole situation. I am coming into the homestretch of my final semester as an undergrad, and my professors are definitely keeping me busy. I have a 4-5 page paper on King Arthur due tomorrow, and luckily I already typed two pages for that this morning, and I have an 8-10 page paper on Costa Rica due on Monday. I have been working on research for that, and I think I can expand what I have currently out to close to 8 pages, but I am going to work on some more research tonight, and probably throughout the writing process. I definitely good at working under pressure and somehow managing to finish everything on time.
Jason and I had our five month anniversary yesterday. It is hard to believe that it has been that long. In one month, he will tie my second longest relationship, but it will take about another 2 years and a month to tie my longest one. Most of the time I love him dearly, and there are times when we mutually frustrate each other, but I think that is to be expected when you have a relationship between two people as stubborn as we are. Hell, even when he frustrates me, I still love him...call me crazy.
Other aspects of life are going well. I am officially locked into a new apartment at TARA for next year, and it will be smaller, but it will be nice to have my own place. As much as I like having people around, I think I am more of a loner than I realize. Oh well.
This summer, I am still trying to decide on what I want to do as far as where I live and work...I feel like I am being pulled in multiple directions. Jason and Jeanette want me to stay here, and my parents want me to stay at home. As a people-pleaser, I am pretty well screwed. I am not concerned with getting a high paid job this summer, since I am going to get 10,000 dollars over a nine month period as my stipend, but no matter where I stay, I am going to have to get a job that is flexible as far as scheduling, because I will need weekends off to visit people. Sigh...I wish things could be easier sometimes, but what can you do?

Step 1: Put iTunes/your music program of choice on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike out the songs when someone guesses correctly.

Rule 1: No skipping songs because they're embarrassing! (Unless they're just music/a movie)
Rule 2: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is cheating!

1. It's taking much too long to get it right would it be so wrong. To maybe find someone a miracle.
2. Many nights we prayed with no proof anyone could hear. In our hearts, a hope for someone we barely understood.(When you Believe, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey-Nina)
3. I looked away, then I looked back at you. You tried to say things that you can't undo.
4. Imagine me and you, I do. I think about you day and night..it is only right. (So Happy Together, The Turtles- Jeanette)
5. Bombs are flying, people are dying, children are crying, politicans are lying too.
6. Ah, here you are. Nothing left to say. You are not suppose to be that way. (Long way down, Goo Goo Dolls-Chris)
7. Give it all girl. Give it all you got. Say what you want, girl.
8. She wants the window down, and she talks over the sound of the cars that pass us by. (Crazy for this Girl, Evan and Jaron, Joan)
9. From my heart. These words are my own. Threw some chords together, the combination D,E,F.
10. 525,600 minutes. 525,600 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? (Seasons of Love, Rent-Jeanette)
11. In sleep, he sang to me. In dreams, he came. That voice which calls to me and speaks my name. (Phantom of the Opera-Nick)
12. Under a lover's sky, gonna be with you, and no one is going to be around.
13. Educated, with money, he is well dressed, not funny, and not much to say in most conversations.
14. There was a time when our dreams felt so real. Just out of reach, but not to far afield.
15. Don't look at me. Everyday is so wonderful, and suddenly it is hard to breathe. Now and then I get insecure from all the pain.
16. Sometimes I feel I've got to, run away, I've got to get away from the pain that you drive into me. (Tainted Love, Soft Cell-Chris)
17. Are you listening? Whoa. Sing it back. Ohhhh. (The Sweetness, Jimmy Eat World- Chris)
18. Here is a little mood music for you. Cindy and Scott are Newlyweds. Whoopedydoo. He loves her, but she loves this guy right here. (Wedding Singer, Adam Sandler-Nina)
19. I can not take this anymore, saying everything I said before. All this words, they make no sense.
20. Day oh, Day oh. Daylight come and me want to go home. (Banana Boat Song, Harry Belafonte)-Joan
21. Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back. What a paparazzi girl.
22. I know what you want. And I know what you need, but I am going to screw it up, because I am an idiot.
23. I know this much is true. I know this much is true. (I'll except either the original band or the remixers) (True, Spandau Ballet-Joan)
24. I walk a lonely road, the only one I've ever know. Don't know where it goes. (Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day)-Nick
25. I am the son, I am the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.