Wow, it's been a long time a comin', but I can finally say that I'm a college graduate! It's a surreal feeling and now when I walk across the campus it's as if I'm seeing it through different eyes or for the first time. It's scary and beautiful at the same time. Anyway, graduation day was Wednesday (May 24). The day started with the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Latin Honors Convocation where I was one of two student speakers. Surprisingly, I wasn't too nervous about delivering my speech and when I got up there (in front of peers, administrators, faculty, and family totaling 650!) it went PERFECTLY! As I've been saying, "I didn't F it up!" What was really great was that after the ceremony, I had faculty (both those that I had in the history dept and others from different dept) commending me on the quality of my speech and my delivery; I was really touched. At the convocation, CLA awarded all students graduating with honors a jeweled honors pin - pretty cool!

The actual graduation ceremony was in the afternoon at 2pm in the Towson Center. Maryland Congressman (and Senetorial candidate) Ben Cardin was our guest speaker and he was AWESOME! It was great to walk across the stage with my family and Angee there and also to have a few of my professors that made an impact on my life in attendance; it made the event all the more memorable. I have to say that everything went damn near perfect all day (well, prior to getting to campus that morning, but thats a whole 'nother story). The only thing that I thought sucked was that at the end of graduation, everyone sang "Maryland, My Maryland" but they changed the damn words!!! Some people think it is a song that advocated southern secession and the Confederacy during the Civil War, so to keep the peace I guess someone altered the lyrics....bastards! Oh well, it's the historian coming out of me - deal! :)

Damn,I didn't think of it until just now...I guess being a graduate of history makes me an official historian (at least in some regards). Flippin' Sweet!

Oksy, so it FINALLY hit me tonight.... I'm graduating! YAY!! All of these years are finally coming to an end and now it feels like I want to relive certain experiences and events. I realized how different it is going to be to not see my Scarborough loves, go to Towson Diner with the crew, eat dinner with Angee in the Den, or hang out in the history department office. We all complain about certain things at our colleges, but now they seem so insignificant; maybe because I won't have to worry about them anymore, I don't know. But I feel like I'm being pulled in two directions: part of me is REALLY REALLY excited; like cloud 9 excited, but the other part of me is getting sad about leaving my friends and the experiences we've had. I'm told that it's common to have a post-graduation depression kind of thing. We'll see.

So on a happier night, I'm delivering a student speech at the College of Liberal Arts Honors Convocation on graduation day. The history department nominated me and after an interview with the assistant dean of CLA, I was selected to be one of two students to deliver a speech. YAY!!!

Okay, I'm exhauted and I can't type anymore.

More later.

Yeah, so it has definately been a while since I've written in my LJ. To say that I've been busy would be an understatement; a pathetic excuse, sure, but it's true.
It's hard to believe that it's April...where the hell did the first 3 months go? Wasn't I JUST in China? Augh! The only great part about having the year fly by so fast is that it means graduation will be here before I know it -- YEAAAA!!!! According to the countdown machine-thingy on my MySpace page, I have 1 Month and 18 Days to go! I feel like a little kid riding in car heading for summer vacation.... "Are we there yet???" May 24, 2006 -- here I come!
So my parents have decided to put our house up on the market; it's been up 1 week today. I was a bit taken back at first by the idea because I didn't expect them to do it so quickly, but whatever. It's probably selfish of me to say this, but I hope that they don't sell it or have to move out before I graduate because having to deal with all of that at the same time as finals and graduation would SUCK!!! I've already started packing (actually taking a break from that now) stuff in my bedroom and going through clothes for a yard sale and Goodwill. What a pain in the ass.
The only thing I have going this weekend is a regional history conference where I'm presenting a paper. Thank goodness it's at Hood College, so therefore I do not have to travel because this will be the last mass amount of time that I will have this month to get any significant packing out of the way; the rest of the month is filled with dog shows. We're putting all of the boxes and stuff in my dad's old office building on our property. There are 2 large piles: 1 for my stuff and 1 for my parents. We can't mix them because I'M MOVING TO SOUTH CAROLINA!!!! As of this August I'll be in the Columbia area of SC. My parents have said they will help me buy a place down there that will be efficent for having dogs (since I will continue to show and board). I'm stoked! I'm sure the whole process of finding a place, buying it, moving, and unpacking will be a huge PITA, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Anyhoo... I gotta get back to packing. I bought the new Rascal Flatts CD, "Me and My Gang" yesterday so I've been jamming out to that. Ok. Peace.

Yep, it's official. Ive been diagnosed with the official virus 99.9% of college students are prone to get... mono. :( So everyone keeps asking me who I've been kissing, but I havent so what gives???
I'm not allowed to do ANYTHING and it's killing me. No running, no lifting, no karate, no driving...*sigh* Mono makes you feel like you can't get enough sleep and really dizzy, so everytime I try to get up and be productive, I get woosey and lightheaded. Laying around and sleeping all the time is nice, but conversely I'm not used to that so being static is driving me crazy. I keep thinking that I may take a hefty walk or just a little jog, but I just know if I do then I'm gonna pay for it later.
The physician said to get off of campus, go home, and no work or class until at least Tuesday. Thank goodness for empathetic professors because they are letting me do mid-term papers and whatnot after spring break. huzzah! Okay, well, I guess it's time to go to bed and work on sleeping this damn thing off. I must be well for the UNC conference and my trip to SC over break. Even if I'm not, well...I guess I'm forcing myself to deal with it.

Facebook wasn't good enough I guess, so ended up getting suckered into making a MySpace page. Endulge yourself (and add me as your friend *wink*)!

http://www.myspace.com/amyers531

So, I've FINALLY decided that I am worth it! I'm worth all of the great things that come my way. I'm worth being treated like a woman. I'm worth being loved. And I've learned that I'm worth being healthy, happy, and strong. For 2 weeks straight (ok, so it's not a record, but it's a start) I've been exercised almost every day and I'm eating right. I will confess though that I had chicken fingers tonight, but that's the worst and only fried food that I've had. I'm keeping up with the karate and that is going beautifully...2nd Degree here I come!!
Part of the reason I have come to this realization of being "worth it" and taking care of myself is because 2006 is going to be one hell of a year for me and there is going to be a lot both physically and mentally that I am going to have to endure; I need to prepare myself to the best of my ability. It feels so good to be able to see this in advance and to have to ability to do something about it. (Thank you to my few close, personal friends that have helped me to see and accept this.)

Bakc to watching the Grammys... can anyone else believe that Mariah Carey has done so well tonight? She's such a head case (but I guess she's a head case who has made one hell of a comeback. In that regard, good for her.)

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So...it has offically begun: My last semester as an undergrad -- life is beautiful! I've neglected writing in my LJ because the first week was insanely busy with moving-in, classes, and working out, and work! If the rest of the semester progresses as fast this past week, then I'll be walking at graduation before I know it! No complaining here.
Classes and the workload appear to be managable this semester. I'm taking Constitutional history, Elements and history of Rock N' Roll, History of American Sport, and World History since 1945. The demand shouldn't be too onerous and the material, thankfully, is all VERRRY COOL!
Oh! So, I got offered a new job at work that I immediately took them up on: I am now working as a research assistant in the Copyright Resource Center (as opposed to shuffling textbooks around on the shelves). I get my own desk, phone line, and computer -- so cool. I love it! My days start a lot earlier than last semester (or the semester for that...), but getting up around 6:30am is working out for the better as I am able to get to the gym in the mornings and have more time to get things done. The only downfall is that I'm getting tired earlier in the evenings and I always seem ready to go to be around 10:30pm. As with everything in life - it has it's ups and downs, I just have to take it in stride.
More good news...The whole "getting in shape" thing is going better than expected. I was getting frustrated the other day because I'm eating a small breakfast, a snack, a small lunch, a snack, and lastly a small dinner, but I'm ALWAYS hungry. I'm eating a lot healthier these days and also more frequently, but apparently because I'm taking in fewer calories and working out everyday, my body is burning my caloric intake at a fast rate than normal. Whatever gets the job done; I'll deal with it! This whole losing weight thing started out by wanting to lose 10-15lbs because of my doctor's recommendation, but then I got ballsy and decided that I should shoot for 20lbs. When I told this to Michael the other day, he put me to a bet that he could lost 20lbs faster than I. Well, as you know I don't back down from a challenge all too easily, so I had to shake on it. Something tells me that because he knows how competitive I am, that he is using that knowledge as an incentive for me to not give up. If that's what he's doing (and it wouldn't surprise me), he sure knows how to get me motivated! What a smart guy! haha. As I intended, I've also stepped up my karate training. I have taken it up a notch and have become more serious about not only my physical training, but also my teaching of the kids. Things are progressing well thus far in 2006; I hope they continue because I have big year ahead of me.

Thanks Stefanie for finding this site...what a great way to continue my China trip at home!! :)
Is it me or is it pretty scary that I'm a "Water Dog??" (I have Portuguese Water Dogs, remember???) Anyhoo.... YAY for 2006 --- YEAR OF THE DOG!!!


Dog people are loyal and honest and obedient, guardians of the house at night. They can be counted on to keep secrets and for always doing the right thing. They can be emotionally distant and do not mix well in social gatherings where they are often seen as wallflowers. They do better with one-on-one relationships and find happiness in the happiness they bring to others, such as finding the most perfect gifts for their friends. While it is true that they have sharp tongues and are a bit stubborn and eccentric, in a work situation they tend to work very well with other people. What is more, they always seem to have money and make excellent leaders. Because of their high moral stance, they are inspiring beyond measure.

Sizzling Rice Soup and Chinese Cabbage are among the keys to good health!!

Water Dogs are real charmers, easily attracting friends and colleagues into their inner circle. Handling the ins and outs of human relations is so easy for them! They know how to smooth over any personal situation with their kind, honest, easy-going nature. Always empathetic, always rational, their ability to play Devil's Advocate helps open up whole new ways of approaching problems and finding solutions. Their views on life are expansive because of an ingrained wanderlust which has taken and will continue to take them to exotic locales about the globe. They adapt like chameleons to new environments and new people and their lives are all-encompassing, full of rich adventure. Financial and career success comes to the Water Dogs later in life -- just watch these late bloomers burst open! Regarding their love life, when it comes to dating and romance, their temperature ranges from hot to cold, from one extreme to another. Sometimes they want a commitment, other times they run Geronimo. But, when true love finally comes, and it will, they have it made. Their relationships are filled with good honest communication and genuine kindness and total caring for their partner. Marriage will be as firm as the Rock of Gibraltar.
Famous Dog People: Chiang Chin-Kuo, Zhou En-Lai, Lee Teng-Hui, Benjamin Franklin, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley,Jacques Cousteau, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir, Mother Teresa, Jane Goodall, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

Being that I took close to 1000 pictures, I haven't gotten them all posted yet. Click on my album website to see whats up so far.

http://photos.yahoo.com/dixiepride531

then choose "China 2006"

Off to bed at 7:35pm because the jet lag is kicking my ass and I think I'm getting sick too! later!

So jet lag is kicking my ass, but it's worth it because China was sooooooooo cool! I wish I was able to write here during my trip but oh well, I was living it up anyway. Here's an overview of the trip and also my favorite picture!

We all met at Dulles Airport at 8am just to find out that United Airlines had a huge screw up with their computer system, resulting in delaying our connecting flight to Chicago by an hour and a half. At first we are thinking, "Okay fine, no biggie," but then we learned that our flight from Chicago to Beijing was the ONLY one that day and that because of the delay there was a chance we would miss the flight. United said they thought they could hold the Beijing plane for us - yay! Until... we got there and were told that although the plane was at the gate, we couldn't board b/c 1) they sold our tickets, and 2) it had already departed but turned around b/c of a "steering problem" on the runway. So, long story short, they had to rearrange some seating and move other passengers to first class in order to fit us in; which was great except they could only take 15 of the 18 of us. Boo! So mad props and kudos to Nate, Wendy, and Andrea for taking one for the team and staying in Chicago. United paid for them to stay the night and take the Beijing flight the next day. 12 hours later, the 15 of us were in Beijing --- SWEET!

Beijing: The first day there we went to Tiannaman Square and the Forbidden City/Imperial Palace. There's something like 900 rooms in the Forbidden City and the layers of the place seem infinite. As the nation's capital, the city is dripping in Communism and they looooooove Mao Zedong - hence the GINORMOUS picture of him on the front of the Forbidden City and the building that houses his body for public viewing! Apparently people come from all over to stand in line for hours, just to see him for 2 seconds. We didn't.
Another highlight was walking the GREAT WALL OF CHINA! Definatly the height of the trip for me. I still can't believe that I did that; it was so amazing. Being on the wall did confirm something for me...I'm scared of heights. Sure, I knew it wasn't going to collapse under me, but it she was one hell of a drop off the sides. I had to "butt hop" the stairs on the way down with Nate b/c I was scared to death! I'm such a pussy. lol. We also went to the Ming Tombs where emperors from the Ming Dynasty are buried -- pretty cool stuff. They have this gateway that as you cross it toward the tombs you are apparently stepping into death but if you cross back over it, then you are back on earth. Silly Chinese. lol. jk. The Buddhist temple we attend was pretty badass, too if I do say so myself. They have the world's tallest Buddha there and a great plaque from the Guiness Book of World Records to go along with it. One night for dinner we had what has been rated as the world's greatest restaurant for Peking duck! Celebrities and Political figures from all over have eaten there since 1864!!! There's a great counter there that tells you how many ducks they have served over the past 150 years; we're talking 115,000,000 plus ducks!!! It was sooooo good. They bring the duck to your table and slice it into 120 pieces. So cool.

Ack! I need to go. I will continue next time with the rest of Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai.

As 2005 comes to a close, I thought it would I reflect upon the ups and downs of the year. Through the good times and the bad, it has been quite an exciting year, but I know that my experiences and lessons learned have made me a better and wiser individual. I'm going to miss something but here goes...

JANUARY
* Started my semester at the University of South Carolina
* Bob Double passes away of a heart attack while in the ring showing a dog
* Slept outside in the cold overnight for Rascal Flatts concert tickets

FEBRUARY
* First trip to Charleston-- Beautiful!
* Jimmy Buffett Concert - Free Tickets!
* Rascal Flatts Concert - FRONT ROW, BABY! Got ticket signed by Blake Shelton who opened for them.
* Courtside seats for USC game win against UKY. Stormed the court!
* USC gets fined for students storming court at SC v KY game! Woo Hoo!

MARCH
* Traveled with Dr. Dan Carter (of USC) to UNC-CH for a conference (most enriching 8hrs spent in a car)
* Met Dr. John Hope Franklin - an American history icon!
* USC defeated UMD to make it into finals of NIT Tourney
* USC Gamecocks win NIT Tourney (against St. Joe's)! Go Cocks!

APRIL
* Roadtrip to Savannah, GA
* Roadtrip to Charleston,SC with exchange students at USC
* Finished semester at USC with a 4.0!
* Driving from SC to MD to DE on NoDoze and Red Bull -- not smart!
* Inducted into Phi Alpha Theta

MAY
* Started internship at Catoctin Center for Regional Studies
* Birthday # 23!!!

JUNE
* Started karate with Bill and Judy Rankin again
* Manuscripts Director at South Caroliniana Library wants a paper I wrote for collection
* Summer class at Towson (Geography of MD)! 4.0!

JULY
* Finshed "Archer's" Championship at Greenville, SC show
* Article published for back cover of Catoctin History magazine
* Pointed "Thomas" -- finally!
* Charlottesville trip - UVA and Monticello

AUGUST
* GRE Exam #1
* Move back into Towson
* Fall Semester commences

SEPTEMBER
* GRCA National Specialty in Gettysburg
* PWDCA National Specialty in Cumberland
* Time spent with Cortney -- always a plus! I miss you sweetie!
* Elected President of Phi Alpha Theta at TU
* Rascal Flatts Concert in PA with Angee!!
* Tractor Pull!!! YeeHaw!
* Hurricane Katrina -- damn!

OCTOBER
* GRE Exam #2
* Ryan slams jelly packets at Towson Diner
* "3 for 3!" - Tommy
* Accepted into study abroad program to China

NOVEMBER
* Roadtrip to Atlanta w/Michael and Don for SHA Conference
* Met Dr. George Rable, Dr. Marjorie Spruill, Dr. James Cobb, and Dr. James Roark at SHA Conference
* Spent time with Dr. Carter and Dr. Anne Rubin at SHA Conference
* Led Phi Alpha Theta Induction Ceremony
* Got a "Best of Breed" on Archer!
* Put a "major" on Thomas!
* "Walk the Line" -- AMAZING!

DECEMBER
* Antietam Illumination
* Finished last fall semester as an Undergraduate!!! YAY!
* No more Russian History
* Submitted applications for graduate school: USC, UGA, UAL, UMS
* GRE Exam #3 -- *sigh*
* Frederick County print from Michael for Xmas
* Black Belt test (not mine -- duh!) that gave me inspiration to go for my 2nd degree
* Christmas breakfast with the Ahalt family
* My last Christmas with my family in the house I grew up in
* Time spent with Judy

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? NO

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters? I TRY NOT TO

3. When's the last time you've been sled riding? 10YRS EASILY.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone? WITH SOMEONE, BUT THEY CAN'T SNORE OR CROWD MY SPACE. (YES, I WANT MY CAKE AND TO EAT IT TOO!)

5. Do you believe in ghosts? ABSOLUTELY.

6. Do you consider yourself creative? NOT REALLY

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife? DEFINATELY

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? UGH! NEITHER.

9. Can you honestly say you know anything about politics? SURE! I GOT AN "A" IN MY POLISCI CLASSES! :)

10. Do you know how to play poker? YEP!

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? SURE HAVE!

12. Have you ever cheated on a test? AGAIN, YES.

13. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around, do you run red lights? OCCASIONALLY.

14. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you? DEFINATELY!

15. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees? NEITHER, REALLY. BUT IF I HAVE TO PICK, BOSTON!

16. Have you ever Ice Skated? YES

17. How often do you remember your dreams? FREQUENTLY

18. When was the last time you laughed so hard you were crying? LAST WEEK.

19. Do you believe in love at first sight? NO.

20. Do you know who Ba-Ba-Booey is? I GUESS NOT.

21. Do you always wear your seatbelt? ALWAYS.

22. What talent do you wish you had? AN AMAZING SINGING VOICE (MINE ISN'T BAD, BUT IT COULD BE STRONGER).

23. Do you like Sushi? OH YEAH! CHINA HERE I COME!

25. What do you wear to bed? FLANNEL PAJAMAS OR PJ PANTS AND A TSHIRT

26. Been caught stealing? BY MY MOM WHEN I WAS 6.

27. Do you truly hate anyone? UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

28. Rock and Roll or Rap? ROCK, BABY!

29. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be? IF BY SLEEP YOU MEAN HAVE SEX, THEN I'D HAVE TO SAY MEL GIBSON.

30. Do you have a relative in prison? NOT THIS WEEK. HE WAS RECENTLY RELEASED.

31. Have you ever sang in front of the mirror? HELL YEAH!

32. Do you know how to play chess? NOT A CLUE.

33. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? YEAH. BUT ITS LIKE A BUNCH OF US SAY. WE ONLY MAKE FUN OF EACH OTHER B/C WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

34. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew? DAMN RIGHT.

35. Have you ever been punched in the face? NOT INTENTIONALLY - IT HAPPEND IN KARATE CLASS

36. When is the last time you threw up from drinking too much? NEVER.

37. Have you ever walked out on a movie at the theater? NEVER DONE IT.

38. Do you ever sit through a bad movie, just to see how bad it can get? RARELY.

39. Would you consider yourself obsessed with anything/anyone? CAN WE SAY CIVIL WAR?

40. Have you ever met someone famous that you really wanted to meet? NOPE.

41. Have you ever been stood up? HA! THAT HAS TO BE A RHETORICAL QUESTION!

42. When's the last time you screamed at the top of your lungs? WOW...MAYBE 15YRS AGO

43. Did you ever do something that you didn't want to, just to fit in? DON'T WE ALL? WHEN YOU'RE GROWING UP IT'S ALL ABOUT BEING LIKED AND ACCEPTED BY YOUR PEERS.

44. Do you consider yourself "the biggest fan" of something? I'D LIKE TO, BUT I KNOW THERE ARE CRAZIER PEOPLE THAN I OUT THERE.

For me, New Years resolutions are historically a disaster because they are nothing more than outrageous, unattainable fabrications that end up causing me disappointment and frustration come the end of the year. Therefore, I've decided to construct a list of attainable goals for 2006 that will not only make me feel better about myself but also improve my quality of life and my future. So... I present to you Amanda's Attainable Goals of 2006!!

1)Save Money!
2)Start a Retirement Fund
3)Exercise 3-5 times per week
4)Earn my 2nd Degree Black Belt
5)Lose 20 pounds
6)Graduate from Towson w/honors
7)branch-out and read non-Civil War/Southern history.
8)get a place of my own
9)have a successful beginning at grad school (where ever that may be)
10)collect more Civil War and Frederick County artwork
11)embrace my experiences and those around me more to become a happier, more passionate person

Got this survey via email this week. Thought I would post it here.

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
1. Suncoast retail employee
2. Kennel Assistant
3. A "scooper" at Marble Slab Creamery
4. Textbook office assistant

FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. Any of the Karate Kid movies
3. Selina
4. Walk the Line

FOUR CITIES YOU'VE LIVED IN:
1. Frederick, Maryland
2. Adamstown, Maryland
3. Towson/Baltimore, Maryland
4. Columbia, South Carolina

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH:
1. The Sopranos
2. The Daily Show
3. Sex and the City
4. Aqua Teen Hunger Force

FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION:
1. Aruba
2. St. Thomas
3. Nashville, TN
4. And in 2 weeks...CHINA!!

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY:
1. FrederickNewsPost.com
2. Towson.edu
3. Dictionary.com (for "word of the day")
4. hotmail.com

FOUR OF YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
1. Cracker Barrel
2. Dutch's Daughter
3. Steak and Ale
4. Ruby Tuesday

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
1. Moussaka
2. Hot Turkey Sandwich
3. Prime Rib
4. Cheesecake

FOUR SCHOOLS YOU'VE ATTENDED:
1. Villa Julie College
2. Frederick Community College
3. University of South Carolina
4. Towson University

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1. South Carolina
2. in bed... asleep
3. karate studio
4. Europe

Fall semester 2005 -- DONE! One more semester to go!!!
I guess this also means that my winter break has officially begun; I've been waiting for this for a while! A vacation, finally! I'm still on campus because of work but I'll be out on Friday. Well, unless we get this crazy ice storm that they're calling for; in that case I'll be iced-in until Saturday morning probably. Augh. Oh well, even if I am stuck on this campus at least I don't have any homework or papers to write. Either way, I'm on BREAK!
Ummm...it's 20mins of 3am, I'm rambling and not very coherent.... sooo....I'm gonna hit the sack and chime back in tomorrow when I can actually think and write clearly. I'm out.

You are a true Southerner. You probably own more
than one Rebel flag. You believe, "If the
South woulda won, we'da had it made."
People might even call you a Redneck or a hick.
This doesn't mean you aren't intelligent.
You're just in touch with your roots. You know
who you are, and you aren't ashamed to be from
the South! This is a positive thing. I'm proud
of you.


Are you a true Southerner, an imposter, or a damn Yankee? (or does this even apply to you?)
brought to you by Quizilla

You should live in the Deep South!

You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same
store. "Ya'll" is singular and
"all ya'll" is plural. "He
needed killin'" is a valid defense and
everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy
Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, etc. If you weren't
born there, you still hear, "You ain't
from 'round here, are ya?" You may own
shoes, but that's just "fer
fancy-like" occasions. You also have more
dogs than teeth.

Yay!!! It's finally snowing! I don't know if the accumulation will be significant enough to cancel classes tomorrow, but either way it's great to get the white stuff!! Although I loved my semester in South Carolina last spring, being there meant that I missed seeing snow! And, since we didn't get any here last fall semester, that means I haven't seen snow in 2 years!!! It doesn't seem like it has been that long but when I thought it through, I realized how long it really has been. Scary. So, to celebrate my re-acquaintance with the wintery white, I took some time to walk through it and to feel the crunching beneath my feet. I think I may have forgotten how much I enjoy the snow. As this will be my last snowy winter for a while, I am praying for as much snow as possible this winter -- especially a white Christmas. It is going to be difficult to live in the South and not have all the snow and ice. Of course, the safety hazard won't be an issue (which is nice), but there's that something special about having snow in the winter that really warms my heart. Since I'm not sure where my parents are going to be next Christmas (Florida or Maryland), I do not know where I will celebrate the holiday. So... should the problem (and yes, it's a problem) arise that I'll be spending Christmas in Florida (that has to be a sin!! Palm trees for Xmas? Ack!), then I'm gonna take a plane ride to Maryland for a few days over the break to visit other family and friends like Michael, Angee, Nancy, Brian, and Mark and Lisa (and there soon-to-be daughter, Leann).
It has been tough for me these last few weeks when I think about this time of year, how much it means to me, and that next year everything will be different. This is going to be my last Thanksgiving, last snow, last Christmas, and last New Years' in the house I grew up in. I don't know when or if I'll ever live in Maryland (or Frederick County) again ...it hurts and saddens me. But, I'm just trying not to think about it and live each day like it will be my last (here). I want to become as close as possible, and spend as much time with my friends and local family members so that I can embrace our relationship to its fullest before I leave.
I'm trying not to worry about it, but we all know that worrying is a specialty of mine. So, to occupy my brain, I need to concentrate on this last week of classes and finals.

Why does it feel like another week of classes is going to take an eternity??? I'm ready for a nice, long, relaxing break. Thanksgiving break, although it was nice to get away from TU, was just too short and too busy. We had dinner twice; once on Turkey Day-eve (b/c Mom worked the holiday night), and then again on Turkey Day with some friends. Then on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I had dog shows in Howard County (which went GREAT!). So, if I wasn't stuffing my face or at a show, I was researching and writing a paper - my writing sample for graduate applications.

And speaking of Grad applications, I'm working my ass off trying to get things together for submission. I have GREs on Friday; I can't wait to be finished with those damn things! *sigh* And as far as the application packages are concerned, I'm submitting the Univ. of South Carolina's next week and then doing the other schools after finals (they're not due until January). The whole process of paperwork, transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and letters of recommendation are a REAL pain in the ass. And because I don't have enough to do, I have a 10pg paper due in Russian history next week. But, alas, there is good news ... I got a 48hr extension on the paper. yay!

Well, I need to go be productive with some reading or studying. One more week of hell..... Augh. Will I make it?